Bren kneels down and slaps the prisoner. But not too hard, for fear of doing permanent harm to the already injured elf.
"Easy there Bren."
Eglantine looks towards Elias. "You know more about fey ways than any of us. What's the best approach here?"
As Balena wakes up as spits on Catriana, she laughs and tells the witch: "Are you sure that's the way you want this to go? Don't you want to go back home to your Black fey friends?"
"Where can we find an audience with the River King? If you lead us to his court safely, we will negotiate your release with him. That's a much better deal than dying quietly in these woods, yes?" Diplomacy, 1d20+9=20
Elven
Catriana senses the witch has become less defiant, so she continues to talk to her, switching to elvish as well.
Elvish:
"This doesn't have to end this way. You fought bravely and honorably, so we don't have any ill feelings towards you... Know that you can talk your way out of this."
Recalling the information she knows about fey and told her friends the day before, Catriana adds: "I'd like to offer you as a token of my good will one of the songs I know. It's from where I was born, which is... pretty far away from here. Would you accept my offer?"
The conversation becoming a bit warmer, Catriana allows herself a smile, then thinks for a few seconds before answering.
Elvish:
In her halting elven, Eglantine chimes in, looking carefully at the fey witch to judge her reaction.
Elven
"Catriana, we should be very careful to say exactly what we are asking for here. The words will matter greatly I believe."
Catriana listens to Balenna's response then smiles back at her and answers in elvish.
Elvish:
"I think we'll pass the offer of fealty for now..."
Hearing Eglantine's advice, she asks her, this time in common: "Any objection about my earlier phrasing? Seemed decent enough to me, but I'm always open to suggestions".
Elvish:
"Fine. One thing for one thing. Sounds reasonable. In return for my song, We would like to know the exact location of the River King's court and the safest way to get there from here, so we could seek him out as soon as possible".
In common.
"Your phrasing is fine, but asking where the River King's court is is one thing. Asking for a safe way to it is another. I don't know exactly how this works. I'm trying to think of another gift, in case we need it."
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"Save your breath," Balenna says in Common. "There is no safe way for mortals anywhere in the Feywild."
Elvish:
Insight DC15 for Elvish-speakers:
If Catriana makes it:
Elvish:
Catriana pulls out her small harp and plays a tune about a knight-hero who decides to leave all his worldly possesions and retires to a distant desert. On his way there however, he gets attacked and killed.
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Elvish:
** spoiler omitted **Catriana pulls out her small harp and plays a tune about a knight-hero who decides to leave all his worldly possesions and retires to a distant desert. On his way there however, he gets attacked and killed.
The witch laughs.
Elvish:
Catriana answers calmly in elvish.
Elvish:
After answering, Catriana plucks a few of the harp strings, as if to add weight to her argument.
Diplomacy (1d20+15=25)
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The witch smiles. Elvish:
"Now that we have a bargain, I suggest -- merely suggest -- that you unbind me as we each go our ways. You would not care for Clan Starlight's wrath."
Her smile grows broader.
The witch smiles. Elvish: ** spoiler omitted **
Her smile grows broader.
Catriana smiles back calmly, and speaks in elvish.
Elvish:
Catriana's smile widens as she continues: "I was thinking about an oath of fealty, but you could offer anything else which you consider equal to your life."
Diplomacy (1d20+15=35)
Eglantine realises exactly why Catriana is a bard and she's an ex-acrobat with serviceable knife skills. A smile of appreciation creeps over her face.
Elias adds, "She means it. The wrath of the fey is not attractive."
Catriana rolls her eyes back and answers in common as well: "This so-called 'vengance' doesn't intimidate us. After all, we did slay quite a few of your friends quite easily so we could do it again. The other question which arises is how exactly will your friends know we did this and not some other fey tribe or group of adventurers? We could also bury all these bodies so it would take much longer for anyone to find out where did all these fey disappear to... In any case, I think it's better for you to simply swear fealty and keep your life."
To the group: "We should decide what to do with her. I don't like the idea of releasing her back to her friends and would prefer to keep her with us, unless she swears fealty or gives us more useful information."
Back to Balenna: "While we're at it, I think it's time to honor our bargain".
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"I thought for a moment there that you were an intelligent being. I regret my error. You think you can murder Black Fey in the Forest of the Black Fey and have them not know? If you do not believe me, ask your fey friend.
"Meanwhile, the bargain we struck. Follow the river for two nights. You will arrive at the Birch Queen's Fair. There, seek out Ambertan. He can give you an invitation to the River Court. Now, my piece of song . . . "
Elias murmurs to Catriana "Be careful. The one thing that is constant about the fey is their changeability. That and I will not be party to an execution."
Elias murmurs, "It is best we comply."
"I believe her, Catriana. I'm sure Elias is right."
"I understand that some of you are bound by a much stricter higher power than I. If you must honor your word then do so by releasing the witch. I feel her fate will eventually be met," Cyrus mutters the last bit, "on to seek the River King's audience."
After hearing the deliberations, Bren says his own mind.
"Aye, release the woman."
"Sing and free her."
Eglantine keeps her hand on her dagger, in case the terms of the contract change unexpectedly.
"I don't think I can kill in cold blood," she adds very quietly indeed.
Understanding the situation, Catriana teachs Balenna the first few verses of a song she knows, then adds:
"I guess the rest of my friends are nicer than me. Let's hope you fill your part then", while releasing Balenna.
"Let's continue along the river once everyone has recovered from that battle."
"The Birch Queen? Elias, have you heard of her?"
Eglantine gathers herself and her belongings together and prepares to move on.
"I have not; what of you, Catriana?"
<ooc>Arcana (1d20+10=14)</ooc>
"I don't think I know anything about that Queen, sorry".