New thread.

let's start using this one.

Tauroak followed along willingly, playing of translator as needed.

PM

You travel with the forest watch for the better part of a day. You definitely know you are being escorted not out of hospitality, but out of security. They don't lord that over you however. They offer little in the way of conversation but aren't rude either. They even help princess on occasion when the wagon become difficult to pull through the dense brush. The way however is mostly passable without issue as they pick their way to the destination with skill and intimate knowledge of their area.

The mountain looms before just as evening is about to arrive and at it's foot a large stone wall can be seen in the distance. It rises 30 feet into the air and has the impression of something that will outlast the ages. The dwarven craftsmanship is obvious and as you close in on it you can see the stones fit together so perfectly there isn't a seam to be seen in the entire wall. Once you enter the fort it's time for elvish skills to shine as the buildings are all constructed out of fine hardwoods and intricately assembled.

It's the most wonderous example of woven cultures you have ever witnessed.

Once inside the camp you are escorted along a road that skirts the wall and after a few minutes you find yourselves standing in front of a large building located on the south side of the camp. The dwarven Captain, who you have come to know is called Capt. Horff, calls halt and makes his way up the stairs disappearing into the building.

Arillen stands close to you at semi-attention and speaks to you briefly, "Please wait here. The governor will be out shortly."

After a period of time, not particularily brief nor long, a dwarf wearing a long green robe walks out onto the balcony with Captain Horff. The dwarf in the green robe looks you over then waves back towards the building. "Come here and tell me. Are these the ones you spoke about?"

A figure steps forward.......

https://i.imgur.com/lwjYfe9.jpg  (Done this way deliberately. follow the link)

"Yes, that's them."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Thu 25 Nov 2021.

Zoccola spent some bit of time in their travel in quiet observation, either amid muttered conversation with her companions or in simply taking in their surroundings as they went.  She wasn't certain their "hosts" would be keen on her openly working on her maps when being escorted through controlled territory, so she did her best to put to memory everything that passed them by as it did.

Beautiful architecture, a heavy hand with the guard, and plenty of concentrated organization in the depths of an unyielding, hostile wildland.  A funny thing to discover, she inwardly mused, but if ever there was a place to hide then it was one that actively kept out visitors all on its own.  The sheer level of artistry and craftsmanship on display in the structures brought a sharp, fang-filled grin to the Goblin's features; a very promising sight indeed, by her own intentions.

"Yes, that's them."

A momentary flare of surprise, then amusement, shifted across Zoccola's face.  There was a troublemaker part of her that wanted to throw up her arms and cry 'Bluebell!', but it was quashed by her better judgement.  Buymarks lived and died on their reputations, and whatever Nalisha had going on wasn't something Zoccola was interested in undermining with a carelessly casual greeting.  "Pleasure to meet you, Governor, and you have our thanks for being so hospitable." a Goblin with manners was a true rarity, though depending on what Nalisha had told her new associates prior, the next remark was potentially more of a surprise.  Zoccola cast a grin over to the Buymark.  "Miss Relcaren.  Nice to see you again, though we really have to stop meeting in the middle of hostile wilderness like this."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Thu 25 Nov 2021.

The group had been surrounded.  A curious mix of dwarves and elves.  Booth nodded to the powerful looking dwarf.  A look around and it was obvious they were being contained.  The sailor thought to challenge that notion, but he didn't feel they would see it as a game.  This was their best chance at allies, they could challenge each other later.

Booth smiled at the lithe elf.  Several cheeky responses came to mind.  He was a sailor.  The open was his home, hence no lands.  He could challenge the wandering statement.  He could simply state they were there to destroy a great evil in the land.  Zoccola spoke first and the moment seemed to pass.  Mapping was such a boring story, but it granted them a pass for now.  Lieutenant Arillen offered an escort.  Booth nodded in agreement to the offer.

...

Booth took in the workmanship of the camp.  It looked good to his eye.  Damn good.  There was some quality craftsmanship here.  This was certainly the type of people to make allies with.  A trade route up here would be very profitable.

Then the bomb dropped along with the sailor's jaw.  Nalisha stepped forth.  She was stunning.  Booth hadn't expected this.  Several emotions flooded him all at once.  Here was one he had dreamt about finally standing in front of him.  His goal since meeting her was to find her again.  Then there was Elodie right there.  They had something going and it was good.

He had never been good with women.  This was sure to end in a disaster.



Booth put on his most charming smile and gave her a wink.  [Language unknown: "Pro m?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Sat 27 Nov 2021.

Nalisha looked in Booth's direction and her eyes rolled slightly.

The Governor's expression was one of confusion. He turned to her and continued talking in the common tongue, "You know them? You said you were only sent to convey a message to them."

The buymark smiles and nods, "Yes, we are acquainted but not so fondly as this man makes it out to be. Humans are nothing if not braggards and he is the king of them."

Governor Hawkryn nods his head. "Capt Horff I thank you for escorting these people to me. I relive you of them." the Captain nods and he and his company move off.

With a wave Governor Hawkryn waves you into the manor as he and Nalisha turn to walk inside.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:08, Sat 27 Nov 2021.

Nalisha had been shutting down Booth since the moment they first met and it was somehow a relief to see nothing had changed.  Zoccola snorted a half-chuckle through her nose, though Elodie was afforded a cautious glance to gauge her reaction to the mariner's flirtations.  "We've worked together not too long ago.  A meeting of happenstance, but good one when Miss Relcaren hired myself and Booth here - along with a previous group of companions - to escort her along dangerous roads." she offered a bit of context for both her own group and the Governor's sake.

As the others headed inside, Zoccola quickly fell in stride with the rest while The Hound followed close on her heels.  "Color me curious about this message you're supposed to deliver, though.  Only specific people know we're here in the first place."  That severely limited the options.  The Cartographer?  Surely Brody would've just shown up on his own?  Though the message being a bad one coming from Elodie's home back in Thorfen was an unpleasant possibility... they had taken out some very important people and a big chunk of their coffers, after all.  The Goblin played back and forth between Nalisha and the Governor in her usual effort to be congenial in such situations.  "Of course, we're also prepared to answer any questions you have for us, Governor.  We've come hoping for peaceful cooperation and refuge, so I completely understand the need to earn your trust here."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:19, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

Elodie didn't take Nalisha's reappearance in quite the stride the others had. She blinked and rocked back on her heels. She cocked her head and pointed a pinky finger at Nalisha curiously.

"Before we get into that, can I just ask how you got here so much quicker than us? We were hardly slacking, but this is a trackless wilderness, full of hostile beasts and bloodthirsty tribes. Was there some easier way we didn't know about?"

Nalisha looks at Elodie. It's the kind of look only an equally attractive woman to Elodie could manage, where the shield of beauty vanishes and outward appearance means nothing with the soul laid bare.

"I was here already ... princess. Who said my initial trip the valley had anything to do with you? It was you being here that earned me my second contract. You ready to come inside now like a good girl and listen for a while?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

Elodie fumed, eyes bugging out and clearly wanting to throttle Nalisha for those words. But mindful of her friends, she kept quiet and moved on in with the rest of them.

"Now, now, Miss Relcaren; Elodie asked a perfectly reasonable question.  If you want to speak about minding manners, then you should lead by example.  So, if you don't mind..." Zoccola interjected at the Buymark's rebuff.  Her tone was as cheery and smile as bright as ever but, for just a moment, where it dropped in lieu of a sharp, quietly incensed glower cast Nalisha's way.  "Watch your tone."

And, just like that, the smiling negotiator visage was back up again.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

Nalisha looks back and forth between Zoccola and Elodie and pauses in though for a moment.

"You're right Zoccola. My apologies Elodie, there's something about sailor boy there that gets my barbs up. Now please may we proceed inside. There is much to discuss."

All the while this converastion is taking place the Governer simply, and wisely walks away shaking his head slightly. "Non-dwarf women...." his soft mumbles fade as he disappears into the building.
This message was last updated by the player at 22:14, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

Jurassic stood at attention waiting for "orders" to continue from one of his "charges."

Ahhh, those pale eyes.  Most others would take that as an annoyed eye roll.  Booth knew she was checking him out.  Her overreaction to claiming they didn’t know each other confirmed it.  Besides she called him the King.  He wasn’t sure why she wanted to play it this way, but he could go along with it.  Probably something to do with Dwarven culture and whatnot.

He smiled weakly at the verbal insult like she had made a joke at his expense.  If that is what she needed to do to maintain some level of standing with these guys, he could take it.  Heck, his traveling companions had done worse.  A few more barbs meant nothing.

Green’s explanation should be sufficient for the dwarves.

He looked at Elodie curiously and mimicked the pinky point.  He didn’t get it.  What was wrong with a good old index finger point?  Everyone knew the middle finger salute.  A ring finger showing was to display some bling.  This pinky use was outside of his experience.  Must be a jealousy thing.

Nalisha’s caustic reply made Booth want to get a bowl of nuts, a beer and watch the cat fight.  There was something about the two of them snipping that was alluring.  The sailor settled in where he could follow along and admire the last view she had left him with.  It appeared there was much to talk about.  He was curious enough to find out more.