Fair point, Wulfe... every such caravan will need an escort. I'll keep you in mind.

Ovo, have your folk encountered Orcs or Goblins in the recent past?

Wulfe nodded and then added in as helpful tone as he could muster "if the tunnels were cleared of the orcs with the first caravan then all the subsequent ones would need much less in the way of soldiers to escort them.
"

Perhaps, or not... depends on what entrances there are along the way... Underground folk tend to have many paths, in case of a cave in.

Wulfe considered for a moment and again stroked the edge of his jawline. The tunnels would only be useful if the king did not have to spare a company of men to escort trade each time. It did not bode well for such things if every excursion of trade was attaked and assaulted by orcs - nor would it allow the deniability of Caithness's involvement in the actions of Gedan.

Perhaps the dwarves could help with that part of it but he wsn't sure.

"Ah, right, of course si.. King Conall he responded, not really knowing how underground tunnels, or cities or trade routes were built.




OOC: did we get to see a map of Gedan - That river pass is a fantastic defence location and could likely be so well defended that the entire legion of megalos could be kept out.

In reply to Wulfe The Pretty (msg # 49):

OOC- The map is posted as  the Group 9 map... and yes, that narrow gorge is Megalos problem ... that and the high iron content in those mountains, which make magic weak if not useless. Brute force hasn't worked and Megalos is having trouble accepting that ...

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 50):

"Sir, if I may be so bold, as her majesty the Queen has shown, not all orcs need to be wiped out to be dealt with. Indeed, they may be of assistance here. If we were to strike up a deal then we could trade with the orcs, and the orcs trade with Gedan, making our trade links with Gedan very difficult to prove even if discovered. Further, the orcs could be recruited to assist Gedan...Not sure about goblins though."

Now that would be an interesting twist ... not sure it would work, but still worth some thought.

Lady Chloe walks up to the group and looks at the king "Sire, you sent for me? The Queen thought you might want me to accompany the party?"

She did?   he looks to his Queen   Why in God's name send a young woman on such a rough trip?

Airis walks up "My dear, the girl needs to broaden her teaching. She has learned what she can from us old people here. I think she can handle herself and help with negotiations. I don't think any of the men going are as charming, don't you agree dear?" she says grining

In reply to John of Mallwyd (msg # 51):

Ovo rose from his seat and turned to first to the King "Aye! Twill be me Uncle that decides wot roads under the mountain that can and will be used but I will vouch fer ye. This trade should be good for Geldan, dwarf, and ye aloke methinks. Mayhaps bring us closer as well."

When asked about the orcs and there numbers, Ovo scratched his braided beard.

"Well... tis been some time since we dwarfs seen an orc or three. The tunnels being sealed may have had some such to do wi' that. There be nay ah way fer me to know wot we'd find once the tunnels be opened. That would be me Uncle's greatest fear methinks... mayhaps mine as well."

The dwarf nodded to Wulfe "Aye! Right ya be lad. Jus cause we can nay see the buggers does nay mean they aren't about. They be ah fecund race or so I've been told. Nay the thought I'd be want'n ta ponder neither."

he started to take another long pull of his ale when John spoke and Ovo nearly choked. Ale nearly spewed from mouth and nose. When he was able the dwarf looked the man from Mallwyd in the eye.

"Wot! Ye can do all the sweet talk'n ye may wi' orcs! Yet, ye'll never get me nor me kin ta do so. We've been fight'n afore ye walked the earth n' will be continue'n when ye return to it. Nay! Barter, plead, and make nice all ye want but ye'll leave us out o' that. if that be yer plan then find yer own way, we'll be done. I think another ale be needed!"

The king looks at Airis... I would not teach our son to swim by throwing him in the harbor... neither teach this young woman diplomacy by sending her on this trip, my dear...

He stilfes a laugh at Ovo's reaction to Jon's comments...  Perhaps it is a time for change... perhaps not, let us see ... I doubt the Orc's in your mountains have talked to their brethren in many generations.

In reply to King Conall VI (msg # 57):

"Then perhaps we should take some representatives from our friends along with us to ensure that we do not sour what friendships we have?"

He smiles at the dwarves words. The small dragon on his shoulder chuckles even louder.

Wulfe sent a puzzled look towards John at the mention of diplomacy. It was a thread of thoughtfulness that the man hadn't even considered but it certainly would be better to have allies rather than enemies, especially if wanting to trade through areas populated with such people.

He felt a little wounded at the suggestion of Airis that he wasn't charming. He'd never considered himself so but it was a statement that voiced openly made it more real. He had flashes of his very common upbringing come to mind and when juxtaposed to the position he sat now it seemed that perhaps he had always been more suited to the rough living of soldiery or common folk. Though her words were true, it was an unneeded reminder that perhaps he was beyond his own self.

A moment resolve led him to speak up "Ovo's kin, as John of Mallwyd suggests would be welcome to try and resolve any issues with that tunnel, if we were able to travel it. Maybe, if as Ovo said, that they haven't been seen in a while then there may be nothing there too, but if they are even if it comes to blows it could be worth trying to talk.

But if the young Chloe comes along you can have my guarantee King Conall that the rough edges of it wouldn't hurt the girl.

Thanks, Wulfe, although you can't control every eventuality ... IF we can talk to any Orcs we meet, we may be able to remove them from the Dwarves realm ... Goblins too perhaps. While I do understand the long standing feud between Orcs and Dwarves, it would be easier to talk them out of Zarak than beat them out... we would have to give them safe passage to their relations out West. Chloe, do you perchance speak any Dwarven?


Oh and would someone see to getting Ovo a fresh beer and a clean towel. We seem to have startled him...

Ovo sat down with a harrumph! He crossed brawny arms over a barrel chest as he peered about the table and room.

"I've said me piece n' I'll nay say more. Me mind n' that o' me kin be made for some time. As for the beer and towel... ye can bring the beer n' it'll be welcome! The towel? Nay! That's wot cloaks be for."

The dwarf watched Chloe with some interest. It was she that spoke first to let the dwarf keep his axe. Whether it was in jest or nay, Ovo could not tell but a dwarf never forgot a slight or a favor some said... and they would be right!

Airis looks at the King "What if you took some orcs from our allies, they could speak with them and maybe get them to relocate.

The king turns to his wife and lowers his voice _{I fear that will start an issue with our Dwarven friends much bigger than a few Orcs ...we'll send you friend Hugh, he is not so obvious and can speak for Chloe.}

Ovo cleared his throat "Yer forget'n one thing Majesty."

The last was directed at the Queen "The dwarfs will nay open their tunnels ta ah orc, be they yer friends or nay. And that be find wi' me."

Ovo stood and bowed to both King and Queen in turn.

"I have lost me thirst, I shall take me leave wi' yer permission. It twould seem me ideas  did not set well wi' ye nor yers wi' me. So I shall wish ye good fortune. If ye be so knid ta show me the way ta me sleep'n quarters?"


He then looked toward Chole "Mayhaps ye might be so kind Mistress? I need sum sleep ta clear me head o' all this ale n' talk o' orcs."

I Think I understand your concerns, Ovo... give me time to work out the knots in all these ideas... pray come talk again in the Morning... I'll send a page. Chloe, do be so kind as to show him to the Chamberlain so he knows his room... and show him to it please.


After Ovo has departed, the king has the door closed.  Everyone please have a seat... I need you to understand that there is no way the Dwarves will tolerate Orcs in there lands ... no amount of reasoning will accomplish anything more than what you just observed. It's not a matter for reasoning ... it simply is the way it is. Please plan and make suggestions with this fact in mind.

In reply to King Conall VI (msg # 65):

"If the dwarves will not tolerate the Orcs, then perhaps the idea of relocating them is worthy, if it is possible. Either way, it would seem the only way to ensure these tunnels are safe is to repopulate them with allies."

Wulfe listened and then added to the end of John "I've never heard of any people who enjoyed being moved to another place because they're in the way.

I reckon that they won't be willing, and as great as it is to have allied the orcs that we have I think it is an unusual thing. All I say here is that we shouldn't rely on a plan to migrate an unknown number of orcs to somewhere else that already be populated.

He did nod at the last sentiment voiced by John - trading through wild territory was one thing, through hostile territoary was quite another.

Ovo stepped outside the throne room and began to pace up and down. The dwarf wondered what under the earth had he gotten himself into. He had heard that the King and the Queen were decent sorts, even if she was an elf. Yet, it seemed that everyone just wanted to rattle his chains. All this talk of orcs and becoming allies and such. If it had been just one well... that could be explained. Mayhaps they were dropped as wee one upon their heads or mayhaps they should have ducked when they raised their heads as a big ole mace met it. Mayhaps too much ale, beer, or wine... nay that canna be it, for there was not enough in the kingdom to inspire such silliness.

No! It was beyond his thinking. Mayhaps things would look better in the morning. Nothing for it. He must wait for this Page Chole. So wait and pace he would...

"My friends, we don't know if they would go someplace that would offer them peace if they could, especially if they are losing the war. That is the problem, we know little of what is going on there. That is why once you get there, you will need to determine the best course of action. We all so do not know if the orcs would listen to reason anyway.

Chloe, do attend to our guest... you shan't miss much here.