The group is led into Mayor Paulina Madsden's office, which is decorated with Victorian-era furniture, including an oversized mahogany desk, where she is seated. She rises to shake hands and greet everyone, "Pleased to finally have Delphi Council agents come to our town! I heard from Major Nielsen that you were here on a mission, but I would be honored to discuss other matters if you have the time."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Sat 23 Apr 2022.

Case looks to the others a bit nervously, pauses a moment and then shrugs before speaking, "Uh...Thank you for meeting with us Mayor.  We were sent to track down a cyberpapacy Techquisitor by the name of Brother Pierre Laplace that was in your city at least a day ago and stop them.  So if you have any leads on cyberpapacy activity that would probably be helpful."

The young man rubs his head a moment in thought, "We heard a prop plane came in yesterday.  I think the cyberpapacy doesn't use propellers much so do you know who was on that plane and what they came for?  And if you have problems of your own, we'd be happy to look into them while we're here."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Sun 24 Apr 2022.

"The Cyberpapal agents were last seen in Frederiksberg, where the elves currently live. The security gate is not far from here, but I should warn you that they are very distrustful of humans.

"I am not familiar with any of the other realities other than Core Earth and Aysle. But I do know a bit about war history. Propeller planes were popular during the First and Second World Wars, so I would suggest starting there.

"But I do have a mission that I think you would be ideally suited for. One of the things Core Earth excels at is governmental structure, especially representative democracy. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, which means the Queen still holds power but has delegated most of it to city and provincial councils. And part of the wisdom of these councils is that they are made up of representatives of all the people. All the people.

"I have extended offers of representation to the elves, and Eruvel Cathfaine has expressed approval. The Vikings have been less cooperative, but I suspect they will eventually come around. I have not heard of them raiding recently, so that's a good start.

"Where I need you is that I would like to extend an invitation to the troll leader, Tongue Lasher Frold. None of my city officials are willing to approach them with the invitation, but they don't have your unique talents. Will you take this invitation to her?" She produces a parchment envelope with a wax seal.

Remembering some of the things he learned from the crystal spire and since, Case nods, "I think we can do that and hopefully do more besides to help out."  He looks to the others to see if they agree.  "Maybe we can find something to inspire Copenhagen as well to help them hold out longer from transforming."

"I agree. We should help." Johnny's tone and expression say there is much more behind his simple words; and that it WILL remain unsaid.

Ivan shrugged. Talking was not his strong point, but he could see where they were coming from. "Okay."

In reply to Mayor Madsden (msg # 3):

"Those planes sound like what we use in the Nile Empire." Jacob points out. "Do you know anyone around here which would also come from there?"

The Mayor thinks for a bit. "Nile Empire? Oh, I remember there was a news story with some guy walking around in a knockoff of Yul Brenner's Ramses costume from The Ten Commandments! Why he had the hideous black mask with the infinity symbol on it I'll never guess. I'm guessing he has something to do with this Nile Empire you're talking about. No, I haven't seen anyone like that here."

You can continue talking with the Mayor if you wish. As of now, you have two options for how to proceed afterward: Present the invitation to Tongue Lasher Frold or head to Frederiksberg to investigate the last known whereabouts of Brother Laplace. Good thing you got here early in the day.

"Let's deliver the invitation to Tongue Lasher Frold first."

If someone wants to continue the interaction with the Mayor, go ahead. If not, I can advance to taking the message to the troll leader.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:55, Fri 29 Apr 2022.

OOC: I'm advancing to the gate of the troll enclave.

After exchanging farewells, the group gets back into the van. Johnny puts the address given into the GPS and a course is set for the local sports complex.

Two blocks before the destination, an iron gate blocks the path. A crude sign on it reads, GO HOM. Several trolls are on the other side, watching you approach while four others wearing ill-fitting leather jerkins hold spears and stand behind the gate menacingly.

Urk and his buddies see you approach. They point at you and shout, "Dat's dem!! Dey drove da land board!" Other trolls cheer and give both them and you thumbs-up gestures.

The four in leather jerkins straighten up as you approach. One of them barks at you, "What you want?"

In reply to Troll (msg # 11):

"Hey! You got a...Murk in there? Murk the troll? Tell him Jacob's here." Jacob called out.

Murk was actually Mustafa El-Amad once upon a time. Jacob...the old Jacob...knew the man had taken a job before the war. He also had heard about his transformation.

Ooc:
Cosm Card
Title: Call the Banners

Void returned the thumbs-up the trolls gave them, seemingly fading back into observation and existence as she did so.

"What does that mean?" She asked Case. She smiled at the trolls, not sure of the significance of either gesture but wanting to learn more. Humanity and human existence were abstracts, things she had witnessed but had very personal experience with.

"Am I doing it correctly?"

The four trolls in leather brandish their spears. The one who spoke last time grunts at Jacob. "You no belong here. Go home. Me no here to give messages."

A loud whistle from another troll with crossing scars under his left eye draws your attention. He waves Jacob over to the fence about 10 meters from the gate.

In reply to Troll (msg # 14):

Jacob headed over to the troll calling to him. "Mustafa? Is that you? Its me... Jacob. I know we both are...diffent."

"Jacob? I thought I had it bad, but you seem to have the worse end of the deal. What happened to you?"

In reply to Murk (msg # 16):

"I...I was brought back. From...from the other side. To fight this war." Of course, he left out was really happened. "Are you...you fully 'gone native'?" He asked the man. His memories of the man Mustafa had been where intact, largely because he was a storm knight.

For the man Mustafa, Jacob had no idea how much transferred over after being turned into a troll. He was fairly certain 'Murk' was an ord, but he clearly still knew Jacob as he had been when Jacob was alive.

The troll spoke slowly, wincing every few words, as though speaking was causing a headache. "The monsters came out from the ground, and my rage built up as it had in the past. Then suddenly my body changed and became stronger, and I found myself looking like these others. It wasn't until a month later that I realized these trolls were fighting for the enemy. I was able to convince the trolls to rebel, and once they agreed, I found Eruvel Cathfaine and proved our separation from the Darkness. What brings you here?"

In reply to Murk (msg # 18):

"Secert mission, but we are here to fight the High Lords. Any chance you can convince your friends to stand down and let us by?"

It was not like he did not trust Murk, but truth be told the less he knew the better. He should be safe among a group of trolls. Not to mention Jacob could reach out to the Delphi Council and recruit him as an asset for the war.

"I have an idea. Go up to the gate and play along." Murk walks up to the other side where the "guards" are, and says to the talkative one, "Shuluf! This Storm Knight is a visitor here to see Tongue Lasher." As Shuluf snaps to attention, he orders another troll named Furg to open the gate.

Case looks to back and forth and thinks a moment, "It's a sign of acceptance.  That you are all right to them."  He shrugs, "Uh...like they like what we did and that we were cool about it."

Case glances to Revenant as he talks to Void, hoping that the bandage man's friend can get them inside with no trouble.

In reply to Murk (msg # 20):

Jacob nods, and does as Murk asks. He gestures for the rest of his team to follow along and get inside.

Seeing a group approach the gate, Furg points to Jacob. "You, with the bandages, come through. Others go home."

In reply to Troll (msg # 23):

Jacob gives his weapons to his friends, raises his hands, showing himself to be unarmed. Then he steps forward.

"My friends will wait outside for me, is that alright?" Granted he would prefer the others come with, as he was terrible at diplomacy.

"I dunno...," Case glances to the trolls, "I don't think it's a good idea to go by yourself.  It's probably going to take more than just seeing Tongue Lasher to deliver the invitation to convince him that's a good idea."

He bites his lip, "And the mayor made a good point that there's a difference between how Earth and Aysle understand social things.  We might look really weak and stupid in their eyes meaning we'd be worthless allies if we can be pushed around so easily when just trying to see Frold."

In reply to Case Morrow (msg # 25):

"They are sorta paranoid. If you come in with me, I'm pretty sure they will want you unarmed. You willing to do that?" He asks Case and the others.

Void pulled her arms free of the voluminous cloak she wore and held them up. "These are attached and, as far as I know, cannot be left behind. I am happy to keep them on display if that would allay fears."

She looked at the trolls and gave them a thumbs-up.

Murk hisses at Jacob, "Visitors! They're visitors!!"

In reply to Murk (msg # 28):

Jacob nods, and turns to the other trolls. "My friends and I are visitors. We all mean you no harm. Can we enter?"

"Well if we leave our weapons, they might change.  I think we should find some way to convince them to let us all through to see Frold.  Not sure if that will involve much talking or something else but don't think we should split up."

Shuluf tells Furg to let all of you in. After they do, Shuluf grabs the nearest troll by the shoulder and shoves him toward you. "You! Take these visitors to see Tongue Lasher!" As he turns around, you see Murk was the one grabbed and he winks. "This way, visitors."

Murk takes you the remaining two blocks to the sports center and stops in front. "I don't know what business you have in Trollsport, but I got you in. It is good to see people from the past, even if it makes my head hurt."

Case walks past the gate guards desperately trying to resist the temptation of pulling down one lower eyelid and sticking out his tongue on the way by.  To distract himself he asks Murk, "Is there anything you can tell us about Tongue Lasher?  What's he like?  Oh...and thanks by the way."

"Tongue Lasher Frold is the most feisty troll I have ever encountered. She can wrestle with the best of us. And unlike the rest of the trolls here, she seems to have something other than literal moss for brains. When I first mentioned ideas like independence and self-governance, she was the only one who seemed to understand on the first try."

After a brief exchange of information between Jacob and Murk (including telling Murk that the group really were visitors here to see Tongue Lasher and not just using that as an excuse to get in), he leads them into the sports complex. Murk goes to the back office area, bangs on a door, and shouts, "Visitor Storm Knights to see Tongue Lasher!" He then departs.

The door is opened by a female troll with larger biceps than any of the male trolls you have seen so far. "Welcome, Storm Knights! What brings you to see me?"

Johnny performs a salute he remembers from...he doesn't remember; closed fist, knuckles out, banged and held on chest. "We bring a message of hope and peace." he says. The words don't feel like they fit, even as he says them. He can only hope his statement isn't misunderstood.

Case looks to the sealed parchment envelop the mayor gave them to deliver, "Uh...and a wax sealed invitation from the Mayor for you."

Tongue Lasher Frold bounces like a child at Christmas. "Ooh! A letter from the Mayor!" She calls over another troll and hands the letter to him. "To the Throne Room, everyone!"

She leads everyone through the sports complex, then sends the flunky troll ahead as she stops at a vending machine filled with sports drinks named after a North American reptile. Tongue Lasher drops a few Danish Kroner coins into the machine and pushes a button. When it fails to do anything, she casually rips the lock off and tosses it behind her, getting part of it stuck in the far wall.

"The flavors we have are orange, red, blue, and, um... cloudy. What would you like?"

"Orange please!"

"Red(?)"

In reply to Johnny Ichii (msg # 39):

Johnny gets handed a red beverage labeled "Fruit Punch" and Case gets an orange-flavored drink.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Thu 05 May 2022.

"I'm...good, thanks." Jacob said, seeing a troll acting like a child was a bit bizarre. Also, eating and drinking for him was an unpleasant experience now. His internal organs where not even located in his body, and had been put in jars...somewhere. You never knew how much you missed something until it was gone.

After handing out drinks (Ivan and Void can be assumed to have one if they want), Tongue Lasher continues down the hall to the former training area for the sports complex. There are eight ice baths set up and ready for people to use. Tongue Lasher moves to the largest one (which appears to be a converted horse trough) and climbs in. She then waves toward the other ice baths, indicating that she expects each of you to enter one. Meanwhile, the flunky troll has opened the invitation and holds it for her to read.

Anyone who enters an ice bath needs to make a DN 12 Strength test to keep from shivering and chattering during the discussions. Those who fail are Very Stymied, while Good success will impress her and make future persuasion tests Favored. Anyone who wants to "decline the honor" can attempt a DN 14 persuasion test to avoid offending her.

In reply to Tongue Lasher Frold (msg # 42):

Jacob, not getting undressed at all, carefully enters the tub.

Ooc-11:02, Today: Jacob Amer (Revenant) rolled 6 using 1d20. Is it possible due to my undead nature this roll might be favored?

Sure, considering the organs that would be most likely to freeze aren't there, I'll let you use Favored and try again.

In reply to Gamemaster (msg # 44):

ooc-Thanks! 11:42, Today: Jacob Amer (Revenant) rolled 14 using 1d20.  Favored roll. Total=14.

Communal bathing is something Johnny is use to. He climbs out of his armor and strips down to climb into the ice bath.

"Refreshing," is all he has to say about it.

09:25, Today: Johnny Ichii rolled 34 using 1d20, rerolling max.  Bathing .

Total 19, Good Success

Void looked at the ice bath and cocked her head as she saw some of the others climbing in. She took a drink of her blue drink (she liked blue) and cocked an eyebrow in puzzlement.

"Is it typical to sit in a bath of cold water amongst friends? All of this is so new."

Case looks at the pools dubiously a moment.  He was still getting used to that he didn't have to comply, or rather refuse to comply and face punishment.  But if he tried to weasel out it, he'd make the others look bad.  Coming to a decision the young man shucked off his clothes with no modesty and gets into a pool.

After a time, he pushes his painfully thin form out of the icy bath, Case quickly dries himself off with the blanket from his pack and puts his baggy clothing back on.

OOC

15:15, Today: Case Morrow rolled 1 using 1d20.  possibility.

14:59, Today: Case Morrow rolled 14 using 1d20.  STR check.

Edited

This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Thu 05 May 2022.

Tongue Lasher lifts an eyebrow toward Void, then smiles. "This bath helps the thought processes. I make all my important decisions here. And I have so many questions about this offer of citizenship and council membership."

She glances Jacob's direction and notices he's not in any discomfort, then sees a hint of pleasure on Johnny's face and winks. Upon seeing Case exit the bath, she says, "I understand you twigs can't stand the water that long, so I thank you for at least entering. Perhaps when you have built up more mass, you can see the benefits."  Tongue Lasher then looks toward Void and Ivan to see what they do.

Ivan shrugged, stripping off and climbing into the bath. "Should have... how say... twig to beat with and steam water first. Still, remind of home." He obviously wasn't in any distress, but also wasn't contributing to the discussion.

Void thought for a moment then nodded and pulled back her hood, revealing long black hair. The eyes, so often shadowed were black starfields, her skin was white, unmarred, the colour of snow.

She slid the cloak off and let it drop to the ground. Billowing robes joined the pile of black cloth until she was fully revealed for the first time. Her body was as white as her face, equally unblemished, and devoid of hair.

She seemed untroubled by anything like modesty as she stepped forward and into the ice water.

17:20, Today: Gamemaster, on behalf of Void, rolled 4 using 1d20, rerolling max.  STR check. Translates to -6 on bonus chart.
STR 6 - 6 bonus = 0. Failure.

Considering it would take an additional 15 on a Possibility die roll (or two Adrenaline/Action cards on top of a Possibility roll of less than 11), it may not be worth it to try to improve. Failure means Void will be freezing throughout and Very Stymied on any other rolls for the encounter.

If you want to modify the roll, let me know. In any case, I will continue with Tongue Lasher.

Seeing everyone at least attempt the ice bath challenge, Tongue Lasher starts asking her questions: "Denmark is a monarchy. Does the Queen still live?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Fri 06 May 2022.

Case thinks back to the meeting with the mayor and tries not to think about how cold he is.  Keeping his teeth from chattering he observes, "Oh yeah the mayor said Denmark was a constitutional monarchy and that the Queen still holds power.  Though that she delegates that power to the city and prov...er...provid...ah...provincial councils.  Guess that means you and the others if you accept he invitation to represent the trolls."

"So, the trolls will have to swear fealty to the Queen?"

Case thinks a moment, "Pretty sure since Denmark is a constitutional monarchy that everyone has to follow the constitution, including the Queen.  So the people of Denmark choose who will govern them and everyone follows the rules laid out in the constitution (in theory;-).  So if you join up, the trolls will also get a say in who leads and what is done.  So I guess that's a no, you don't swear fealty to the Queen and have to serve her like the old feudal lords.  The Queen still has a role but it's not the same I suppose...she serves Denmark instead of the other way around."

Tongue Lasher scowls and dives under the surface for a few seconds. When she surfaces, she asks, "So the trolls will pledge to uphold this Constitution paper that says the Queen can't make us swear fealty to her. Is that correct?

"Do you not want to support something that says no one can make you serve them, not even the Queen?" Johnny asks, curious but not judging.

"I am just thinking this through. So who then has the right to demand that the trolls raise up troops to fight for them?"

"Look, the high lords are gonna use your people as shock troops. At least with the Queen you get representation in leadership to advocate for troll needs. The high lords demand utter servitude. Sounds like the choice is easy." Jacob points out.

"Frold does not like surprises. The last surprise cost the lives of trolls and humans. So it is good to avoid them when possible. So please pardon these questions; trolls are new to this idea of participation in government.

"Before, the emissary of the High Lord would demand the trolls fight somewhere, and we obeyed. We are free from the High Lord, and currently operate on our own. If trolls join this council, who would ask that of us? It should be the Queen, but she hasn't been seen here in months. So in her absence, who would give that command?"

"Oh...you mean is Denmark like a High Lord where they can just tell you to just drop everything to go fight somewhere willy nilly," Case exclaims, "She doesn't have that kindof power.  That sort of thing is decided on by folks elected by the people."

He thinks a moment before continuing, "Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark so who fights when and where falls to the people here....the city council, the mayor, and you if you join together."

"The mayor can lead us in battle?! That seems...unwise. She too frail to survive very long. Break like twig." Tongue Lasher turns to Case. "No offense to you, Storm Knight."

It's clear that Tongue Lasher is reality-rated, and like you, she can sense Possibilities in others. She's clearly worried that the mayor, with no Possibilities and no visible combat skills, would be a poor troop leader.

"We," Johnny indicates his companions with a waved hand, "Chose to fight. We each have reasons, but what the High Lords are taking...it is worse than anything I can say.  So we chose to fight with the Delphi Counsel. The Counsel sends people like us to support places that need us, but we can't be everywhere all the time. If you agree to this offer, you are agreeing to use your voices in decisions. You are agreeing that others can ask for your help, but no one can demand it. We are asking you to agree to help your home be better for everyone. If fighting becomes necessary, you would have a voice in who leads, a voice that lesser people would be wise to heed. And if the enemies of Copenhagen learn that you have aligned with the city, they would certainly rethink plans to start a fight."

He shrugs and leans back into the ice bath.

"I am not a politician, but I can only see good things for the Trolls who sign on."

Time for Johnny to make a persuasion test. Tongue Lasher is intrigued, but will take some convincing. As a result, you will need a total of 16 to get a firm yes. Failure will mean more negotiation.

With Johnny's Favored status, make the first die roll, and if it's not a 1, you can accept it or cancel it and reroll. Possibilities and cards apply after deciding whether to use Favored. Card trades are allowed before or after the roll.

Johnny's words sometimes fail him, so he punctuated his remarks by flexing his muscles; then he flexed his connection to Reality, reaching for the one that made the offer look most advantageous.

His show of strength from within the peace of the ice bath proved quite convincing.

17:44, Today: Johnny Ichii rolled 12 using 1d20.  Possibility.
17:42, Today: Johnny Ichii rolled 17 using 1d20.  First

CHA 7 +9 roll=16

Tongue Lasher smiles, showing more teeth than a mouth should have. "Well, Storm Knights, you have answered my questions with honor! Tell the mayor that we accept. Frold will send trolls with you to prove words are true. When Copenhagen goes to war, perhaps we fight with you!"

She calls Murk, Furg, and Urk (from the van incident) and gives them instructions in Troll. Then they all accompany you to the van (which strains to fit the four trolls in with you but manages to do so) and everyone drives to City Hall. The trolls exit and it's off to Frederiksberg to continue your main quest.

This is the end of the scene. Card resets are coming, along with the option to discard a Destiny Card for a replacement. Then the next scene will begin at the gate to Fredericksberg.

Void somehow managed to stay in the icy water the entire conversation but wasn't really in a place to contribute. She was a being that craved new experiences and sensations and this was definitely new and not particularly pleasant.

She was shaking violently by the time she climbed out of the ice water and reached for her clothes. Her teeth were audibly shaking but she moved. Slowly but she managed to move.

"I can't feel my toes," she told Case as she started to put her robes and cloak back on.

Card hands are refilled. Anyone who wants to discard one of their Destiny Cards and replace it with a new one may do so before we advance to Scene 3.

In reply to Gamemaster (msg # 69):

no discards