Hostage Negotiations.   Posted by Segev Stormlord.Group: 0
Author  Message Page: 2 1 [all][bottom]
Captain August Galen
 player, 22 posts
Wed 13 Jul 2011
at 01:02
 msg #5
Re: Hostage Negotiations
In reply to Segev Stormlord (msg #1):

Galen hops off the horse, dramatically throws the red cloak open, and bows deeply. "Gentlemen. I am Captain August Galen, at your service."
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 224 posts
Wed 13 Jul 2011
at 04:26
 msg #6
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Vaneil snorts, "Captain? In what army or navy? That looks like no Captain's uniform to me."

Clavian clears his throat and glares at the younger knight, who regains his decorum with a quiet cough.
Captain August Galen
 player, 23 posts
Wed 13 Jul 2011
at 12:20
 msg #7
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Segev Stormlord:
Vaneil snorts, "Captain? In what army or navy? That looks like no Captain's uniform to me."

Clavian clears his throat and glares at the younger knight, who regains his decorum with a quiet cough.


Galen raises his hand reassuringly. "Oh no, I welcome the young knight's, er, questions." The Captain's hand rests proudly on the odd uniform's chest, partially visible under the cloak. It looks ratty and old, much older then the captain who stands in front of them. There are tarnished medals hanging there. "I am a militant abolitionist. The ends I seek are an end to the institution of slavery."

"I currently use the methods of piracy to accomplish such ends, though I would welcome a commission of privateering if one where offered by a state or country that also opposed this institution."

"In short, I am currently an independent war master who seeks whomever has been steeling people away, free the said people stolen, and slit the throats of those who had done the steeling. Oh, and take their stuff afterwards. It's a job perk." The Captain finishes with bright, raised checks and joyfully squinted eyes that indicating there is a devilish grin under the high collar of the red cloak.

This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Wed 13 July 2011.

Sevastian
 player, 98 posts
 Dragon-Blooded
 Water
Wed 13 Jul 2011
at 15:01
 msg #8
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Sevastian takes a position off to the side and pulls out his violin.
He begins to play softly, a soothing tune that he hopes will help keep the mood of these negotiations friendly.
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 225 posts
Wed 13 Jul 2011
at 16:32
 msg #9
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Sir Methius looks unamused. "A self-proclaimed pirate? You keep company that reflects poorly upon you and your unincorporated town, Lady Trader. But so long as he remains merely professed, we will overlook the crimes he may have committed in the past, for now."

"If he is merely against slavery, he may not have committed the crimes against Watch Hill and Falan that we're here to investigate, anyway, Sir Methius."

"As you say, Sir Clavien," responds the older knight, relaxing slightly. "Well, Lady Trader? Please, offer your explanation." He takes a breath and forces a more open expression on his face, trying to look less forbidding. It's like an angry river dragon trying to look less like it blames you personally for stepping on its eggs, and more you generally on principle that you have feet. "I would hear your side before I make any...further...snap judgments."
Merlin
 player, 137 posts
Wed 13 Jul 2011
at 17:05
 msg #10
Re: Hostage Negotiations
In reply to Captain August Galen (msg #7):

Still in his cloak with his mask in place Merlin moves up and puts a hand on the Captain's shoulder and says, "Today we may be able to put Falan up there with Trademeet as anti-slave States. I fear the plunder will be non-existent if everything works out well."
Beatrix LeSchaye
 player, 160 posts
 Solar
 Zenith
Thu 14 Jul 2011
at 01:14
 msg #11
Re: Hostage Negotiations
In reply to Segev Stormlord (msg #4):

Segev Stormlord:
Methius clears his throat. "Well, then, Lady Trader," he begins gruffly, hiding uncertainty, "What have you to say for your township and its sponsorship of the theft of Falanian serfs?"


Beatrix raises an eyebrow. "I have nothing to say to it, for to my knowledge no such thing has occurred. And as I am a part of the governing body of 'my township', I would be in a position to know. I am not entirely sure why you imagine such a thing is occurring. If the barbarians were at all interested in what we have to offer, they would likely simply come and take it from us. This would be easier for them than dealing with the stronger military of Falan and carting off your serfs in exchange for gifts from us; after all, it was simple enough for you."

Crossing her legs and reclining, she continues. "For the record, Tradmeet Dale outlaws the ownership or trade of slaves. And it would be passing strange of us to outlaw it in our borders but encourage it in our neighbors. Furthermore, it would be an obvious losing proposition economically to encourage trade that we could never profit from."

"As to why I would be traveling with a... 'pirate'," she says as though she finds the appelation dubious, "He simply happened to be investigating the recent disappearances of freemen in the Eastern portion of the Dale, as am I. In fact, I was on my way to Falan to confront your government about this and try to find out who was behind the abductions. Fortunately, between you and my compatriot," here she gestures to indicate Merlin, "I have been saved the trouble."

"And this brings us to now. Now, we find that it is you who have, in actual fact, stolen people from their homes, and we have caught you red-handed, as it were. You have our citizens, here, who you apparently do not deny you have forcibly abducted against their will, and so you hardly have any room to be tossing about accusations and making 'snap judgements'. You will answer for this, you will return our freemen to their homes, and you will make reparations for the damages you have caused."
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 227 posts
Thu 14 Jul 2011
at 15:54
 msg #12
Re: Hostage Negotiations
"We are operating under lawful orders of Duke Lothus to bring in these people for questioning and to determine what's happened to our serfs!" exclaims the youngest knight, Sir Vaniel, in flustered self-righteousness. "I'd think a woman of your obvious breeding would appreciate the formality of the court investigation!"

The older one grunts disapproval of Vaniel's tone, but confirms, "Your 'freemen' will be returned, unharmed, once their part in our quest to regain our own serfs is done. Since you have offered yourself up as hostage to Trademeet's good intentions, this should not be too much of a problem. We are even going to overlook the affront of your spy's assault on Knights of the Land, as we understand it was due to...miscommunication."

Sir Clavien remains quiet throughout this, watching Beatrix for her reaction. The squires are largely just gaping at her...charms...though the youngest one is also blushing and looking more at the table when he's not glancing between the "pirate" captain in poorly-concealed awe and official disgust and the mysterious spy-man who apparently overcame all three of the knights a few evenings ago.

"If it will soothe your concerns," adds Sir Vaniel in a tone that would be charming if he weren't so obviously flustered by the whole situation, "We can release the children to your custody as soon as this discussion is over, and arrange the rest of their release once the specifics of your diplomatic status and our escort of you to Watch Hill are worked out."
Beatrix LeSchaye
 player, 161 posts
 Solar
 Zenith
Thu 14 Jul 2011
at 16:58
 msg #13
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Beatrix seems to be about to reply to direct things said before she pauses briefly, some of the things said starting to settle in more fully. After about two second she goes from looking officious to seeming stunned. "Did... did you just say you intend to interrogate farmers about hypothetical matters of state?" She obviously can't believe her long, pointy ears. "Even leaving aside whether any such campaign as you claim even exists, why do you imagine farmers will know anything about it?"
Sevastian
 player, 99 posts
 Dragon-Blooded
 Water
Thu 14 Jul 2011
at 17:31
 msg #14
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Sevastian continues to play his violin softly.

"The question is, why would his lordship the Duke Lothus order such questioning of people who know nothing but the color of dirt."
The butler asks softly, but loud enough that anyone could have heard.
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 228 posts
Thu 14 Jul 2011
at 21:58
 msg #15
Re: Hostage Negotiations
"Our orders are to bring in outlying members of Trademeet for questioning and possible relocation if they are involved in the theft of our serfs," responds the oldest knight gruffly.

Sir Clavien suppresses a sigh and interjects, "The distinction between your peasants, 'freemen,' and ruling class is always a bit vague, so it was decided that Watch Hill would investigate the matter by questioning a number of people taken from a sampling of your holdings. We found further out from here that some had been abandoned, so we decided to take what we had rounded up back.

"If they were cooperative, we would give them a choice of returning home or staying in our own now-emptied lands, if they were facing similar depletion as the cleared farms might have indicated. If they were behind it, the Duke and the King will decide how to handle it. No harm was to come to those brought in for this investigation that they did not bring upon themselves." He is doing a good job of maintaining an even tone, but his glance at Sevastian carries a hint of suppressed agreement with the butler's indecorous comment on the Duke's judgment.

Vaniel himself shrugs. "I was for questioning them on the way home, but Sir Clavien and Sir Methius pointed out that it could be hazardous for the men to be allowed to fraternize with the Trademeet women, what with being so far from home for more than a month. The soldiers are honorable men in our service, but the are still men." He unconsciously avoids staring at Beatrix's ears or chest or face as he comments on this, perhaps trying not to think of such things as they might regard to himself.
Beatrix LeSchaye
 player, 163 posts
 Solar
 Zenith
Fri 15 Jul 2011
at 23:51
 msg #16
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Beatrix nods, carefully maintaining her composure. After a moment, she speaks again.

"Firstly, it is necessary that I inform you that the other farms were empty because there is a festival going on in the city of Trademeet to celebrate my Exaltation. Although it is also in no small measure simply because we do so enjoy festivals. Many of these people were to be attending as well; in fact, we first knew about the kidnappings you have been conducting because of a missed food delivery, of all things. I am sad to say that you have likely cost these poor people," here she nods to the people in the fenced area, "a great deal of money."

"Second, I believe I heard you say the word 'hostage' when referring to me. My pardon for not broaching this issue sooner, but I was... surprised," she says generously, "by your belief that the freemen of the countryside would be occupied in matters of espionage."

She pauses and leans forward somewhat. "This is a strange phrase, in a number of respects. It implies that I am somehow here because you wish me to be. Well. I should inform you that before I heard of your band, I was already on a diplomatic mission to go to your government and find out who was behind this. And here you are, the ones behind it."

"This is a key point, I should note, as you also seem to believe somehow that you are in the right of this matter. However, you have very openly committed a very serious crime, and the proof of it is not ten paces from us at this very moment. We have not committed a crime, despite your claims, and you have no proof to the contrary."

"Lastly, use of this word, and indeed your demeanor in general, suggest that you imagine that you are in control here. If indeed you believe this, please allow me to disabuse you of it with all haste. Two exalts trounced your men not a few days ago. Whatever makes you imagine that your odds are any better now that there are five of us here?"

She lets that hang in the air a moment before leaning back in her seat and saying, in a congenial tone "Do you perhaps have anything we could drink? If you have nothing prepared, perhaps tea can be arranged."
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 229 posts
Sun 17 Jul 2011
at 03:39
 msg #17
Re: Hostage Negotiations
The two older knights' squires stare in shock and affront at the bold way in which this woman speaks to their masters. The boy beside Sir Vaniel latches, instead, onto the request for something to drink, and hastens to dip a ladel into a barrel of wine, filling a number of goblets. He spends the next several minutes making sure the knights and all of Beatrix's party - including Hun and Po - are provided something to drink. When he gets to Sevastian, some servant's sense in him causes him to try extra-hard to demonstrate his thoughtfulness of others' needs in front of this obvious master butler. He also is pretty clearly aching to ask Freverick his name, since aside from himself, Frev is the only person his own age in this tense assemblage.

"Our 'odds' are little different than they already were," states Sir Methius in resigned irritation. "Your assassin could easily kill most if not all of our men. But it would mean war, and your own people would pay the price as surely as we do."

"Please," says Sir Clavien, almost more to the older knight than to Beatrix, "It serves none of us well to posture and vie for position, here. You say you wish to get to the bottom of this, Lady Trader; so do we. We have told you what we know. Tell us now what you do, and then we can arrange travel back into Falan so you may perform that diplomatic mission of yours."

"Indeed," agrees Sir Vaniel, taking a sip from the cup his squire has provided, "I would be honored to provide you a guide wherever you wish to go, so that we might have continued..." he tries not to leer, but fails, "...or strengthened...relations between our lands." He's definitely attracted to the lovely diplomat; most of the Falanians here in this tent are. He's doing his best to maintain chivalric composure, but he's also, well, twenty years old.

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Sun 17 July 2011.

Merlin
 player, 138 posts
Sun 17 Jul 2011
at 04:00
 msg #18
Re: Hostage Negotiations
In reply to Segev Stormlord (msg #17):

His voice is a little muffled through the mask, but it is clear enough.

"Invasion and abduction of non-combatants are already causes for war and you performed these without formal declaration of such. As I have stated, if not so eloquently, is that to fail to return yonder prisoners to their homes, within Trademeet boarders is an act of war. Your Duke, who's orders you are fallowing, does not have authority to declare such. So you have to decide as loyal men of Falan if you will drag your Kingdom into a war, in which you will be the first casualties, or do what is right."

He steps forward with his hand sliding up his bandoleer of chakrum, "I do so hope that you don't see reason. I stand to benefit greatly if the conflict does escalate."

This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Sun 17 July 2011.

Segev Stormlord
 GM, 230 posts
Sun 17 Jul 2011
at 04:36
 msg #19
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Young Sir Vaniel turns a disdainful eye that is attempting to conceal rank fear on the one who spoke so threateningly. "Stay your dog," he practically spits, clearly talking to Beatrix even as he attempts to stare down the masked man, "Duke Lothus has authority from the King to investigate this matter, which he has delegated to us. While our men and we do not wish to die, if your cur is so thirsty for blood that he would whet his appetite on your own farmers to slake his thirst on our lives, we are not afraid to be the first casualties in defense of Falan!" His squire steps back into the shadows, looking as afraid as Vaniel is trying not to look, and not sharing his master's conviction. He does have the grace to look ashamed of the fear he cannot hide, however.

Sir Clavien snorts, "Do not rise to his bait, Sir Vaniel. As he said, he wants blood and death. Let us deal with this other Exalted Lady, who shares our desire to keep our two lands at peace. None here want the farmers of Trademeet to pay in blood for sins not theirs, nor brave guards to pay likewise for doing their duty in protecting their homeland."
Captain August Galen
 player, 24 posts
Mon 18 Jul 2011
at 01:26
 msg #20
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Segev Stormlord:
Sir Methius... "But so long as he remains merely professed, we will overlook the crimes he may have committed in the past, for now."


The Captain gives a casual shrug to Sir Methius' threat. No words are added as Galen wishes not to derail too much of Lady LeShaye's discussion with the knights. The Captain only felt the need to note the intensions and position that The Captain stood for to add weight to the discussion and some pressure on the Knights.

Segev Stormlord:
"If he is merely against slavery, he may not have committed the crimes against Watch Hill and Falan that we're here to investigate, anyway, Sir Methius."


Galen nods his head in appreciation to Sir Clavien.

Merlin:
Still in his cloak with his mask in place Merlin moves up and puts a hand on the Captain's shoulder and says, "Today we may be able to put Falan up there with Trademeet as anti-slave States. I fear the plunder will be non-existent if everything works out well."


The Captain gave another casual shrug, and spoke low enough to not interrupt, but loud enough to be heard by the knights if they tried to listen. "Oh well. I'm far more interested in seeing the Tradedale farmers and Falan serfs freed then in seeing any jade."

This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Mon 18 July 2011.

Captain August Galen
 player, 25 posts
Mon 18 Jul 2011
at 01:26
 msg #21
Re: Hostage Negotiations
In reply to Segev Stormlord (msg #19):

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...!" August laughter booms from behind as The Captain casually walks up to the master assassin. "By the Sun, I swear you chilled my blood with that last line. 'I do so hope that you don't see reason. I stand to benefit greatly if the conflict does escalate.'" The voice is a pretty good impression of Merlin's tone and delivery. August attempts to put a reassuring hand on Merlin's shoulder.

"Ho, ho! Oh, what fun our puppet masters must be having right now! Seeing Tradesdale and Falan at each-other's throats, and so easily! Ha! What a joke we have become!" August suddenly smacks the meeting table. The pirate's eyes stair down at everyone. "Do you all get it?! We. Are. The. Joke. This is an obvious manipulation, and we should all be ashamed to have fallen for it so well.Ashamed to let it take us this far. Out there...!" August points out into the woods.

"...out there, whomever is behind this little prank is laughing! At! Us! And the more we posture, the more they hoot. And the more we bluster, the more they yelp! Oh, what a show we are." August's tone changes to a calmer one, as the Pirate's hands raise into a calming posture.

"Can we all agree to no longer threaten each-other? Myself included. Please?" August looks pleadingly at Merlin. "Yes, yes. We are all very scary, brave people. And yes, we've all been had here. Let us get back to doing what we need to do to save some face, and then we can work together to find the mewling little bastards behind this... fiasco, and nail them to a crucifix. The longer we wait, the less likely the captured families of Falan will survive. Please."

This message was last edited by the player at 01:30, Mon 18 July 2011.

Segev Stormlord
 GM, 232 posts
Mon 18 Jul 2011
at 19:09
 msg #22
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Vaniel turns his chin up a bit in Galen's direction in an attempt to show disdain, but his tone betrays genuine curiosity and concern as he demands, "What puppet masters? I demand you share what you know, villain!"
Merlin
 player, 140 posts
Mon 18 Jul 2011
at 19:52
 msg #23
Re: Hostage Negotiations
In reply to Segev Stormlord (msg #22):

"Calling somebody a villain while holding peasants, women, and children prisoners is rather idiotic so lets dispense with the name calling. Alas, your common intelligence is just not up to the task it would seem. The good Captain is suggesting, likely correctly, that there is an agent or agents outside of our direct knowledge which have conspired to create the current circumstances for their benefit. We are caught in the middle of their maze of intricacies and deception.

At least at this point its rather obvious that there are ulterior motives amongst the leadership in Falan."
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 233 posts
Mon 18 Jul 2011
at 21:28
 msg #24
Re: Hostage Negotiations
"You impugn the honesty and integrity of our lords at the peril of this negotiation going anywhere save bloody violence," grinds out Sir Methius, obviously offended. He looks to say more when Clavien interrupts him.

"Duke Lothus wishes only to get to the bottom of this," he interjects with forced calm and a conciliatory tone. "And the King wishes to avoid war unless absolutely necessary. That Trademeet might have allied with the beastmen is a grave concern, for we traditionally do not maintain a heavy military presence to defend against you. If we MUST go to war to stop the incentives of wealth from flowing to our northern foes... we will. But it is a cost we would rather not have to pay."

Sir Vaniel glares icily at Merlin. "It could be, Sir Clavien, that this man is one of those with such motives, seeking to cast blame aside. He certainly seems eager to resort to violence and get the 'innocent farmers, women, and children' killed as we try to defend ourselves from their ostensible rescuers."
Beatrix LeSchaye
 player, 164 posts
 Solar
 Zenith
Tue 19 Jul 2011
at 00:53
 msg #25
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Beatrix sighs. "Please, everyone. Nobody here wishes violence, the obvious proof being that we are sitting here speaking to one another rather than chopping at each other. You are not going to kill the freemen because it would violate your orders, and we are not going to kill the freemen because getting them back home safely is the entire reason we set out in the first place. I simply wish to get them home with all haste. This is very important to me - by all the gods, gentlemen, I am missing a festival held in my own honor to perform this task."

"If you wish someone to go to your lord and speak at length to him, I will cheerfully do this in my capacity as councilor and diplomatic envoy of Trademeet. I too believe there is more to this than is plainly evident, and I wish to reveal what it is, for I dislike a mystery. However, I will not have the freemen of the Dale detained any longer. That is my price. I believe your liege will forgive you this, for in surrendering them you gain an actual member of the government of Trademeet, someone who will actually know what goes on in the nation, what its laws and policies are, and likely anything else he may wish to know."

She smiles. "I should have you know that as a merchant, I do not always offer such charitable bargains as this. Really, how can you pass up such a deal?"
Segev Stormlord
 GM, 234 posts
Tue 19 Jul 2011
at 18:02
 msg #26
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Clavien leans forward; the other two knights' words die on their lips as they let him speak. "That is what we want. We will happily escort you and your party to Duke Lothus in Watch Hill; your peasants will be free to return to working your lands. We will even provide armed escort for their protection, if you wish, so that no further mishaps befall them. I volunteer my own men if my fellows prefer to provide security for our own return."

Sir Methius doesn't seem to object, but Sir Vaniel hastens to offer, "I will leave up to a third of my men; we do not wish any harm to befall the commoners under our protection while they remain so." His young squire barely stops himself from nodding emphatically in agreement.
Sevastian
 player, 101 posts
 Dragon-Blooded
 Water
Fri 22 Jul 2011
at 17:40
 msg #27
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Sevastian gives the squire an appreciative nod.  The kind of nod one gives an apprentice for a job well done.

"Madam, would you have any of us make preparations to aid the noble soldiers of Falan in returning the farmers to their homes?"
There is no sarcasm in the friendly butlers voice.
Captain August Galen
 player, 28 posts
Sat 23 Jul 2011
at 03:55
 msg #28
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Galen was quite impressed with how neatly Sir. Clavien and LeSchaye tied the negotiations up so quickly. The pirate simply nods back to the other knights to show support, and wait patiently to see how the rest unfolds.

To be honest, the pirate had not yet been able to establish a public identity as a force to be reckoned with, and did not want to play the trump card hidden under the red cloak. Galen was only able to be useful as a wild card to throw the Knights off slightly and give the cryptic support of another, unidentified Exalt to Tradesdale. The Captain would try to keep a closed mouth until events were finalized. The journey was where Galen hoped to be more useful.
Beatrix LeSchaye
 player, 165 posts
 Solar
 Zenith
Thu 28 Jul 2011
at 14:39
 msg #29
Re: Hostage Negotiations
Beatrix pauses for a brief moment to consider before saying, "Yes, that would be excellent. And I appreciate the offer of the escort to see the freemen back to their lands. I would only add that, as my companion Sevastian suggests, I would wish one of our own to oversee the trip; perhaps Aya, who would easily be able to rejoin us afterwards, and bring word of how the return went."

Smiling in a warm, somewhat cheerful manner, she concludes "If all of this is acceptable to you, then shall we begin immediately?"
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