(ooc-- everyone who is still doing some stuff in the background for their downtime feel free to do that--- you can post here too simultaneously.)

Councilor Jexxi returns the next day. She waits for everyone to be seated, including Ziyya.

Its good to see you all back again! The council is concerned but also hopeful. While the guild will start to search for other worlds we hope that you return and contact the elves or goblins. We hope to make our intentions clear and see if we can come to some arrangement. Meeting the orcs again and talking with the black dragon is also an option. We will be sending a dipolmat from the city with you. She should be here soon. You will mainly need to escort her, and she will deal with the actual negotiations. This mission we foresee could take a few days, so there is no rush to return. We appreciate that trying to negoriate with dragons can be dangerous. Although these seem to be somewhat civilised at least. So we are willing to offer 500gp for each dragon that you are able to contact. Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations. Any questions?

The halfling listens, looking worried as he hears the details of the mission.
"Seems clear, uh, your ladyship. Sounds like as long as the diplomat's safe they can handle stuff like how much the council is willing to pay, then. Hope our diplomat speaks Dragon."

Ah yes, the diplomat is a dragonborn and thus quite familiar with the ways of Dragons, and their tongue. I hope that she will be here soon so that we can continue this mission. I have high hopes that it will be a success and we can once again see a time of peace for our city.

Griffin nods, looking satisfied.

Right on cue a female dragonborn dressed in a travel garbs with a hooded cloak walks in. She carries a backpack, with bedroll attached. And also has a long dagger at her belt in a bejeweled sheath.

Greetings all, I am Shapash, a diplomat of our fine city. I cant wait to be travelling with such experienced adventurers to a new world. I sure that we will all get along fabulously.

The halfling nods again.
"Pleased to meet you, lady. Griffin's the name".

Silvia appears to look extremely exhausted,"Bah, who knew kobolds had a lot of stuff back-up. I still feel rather sore." she says, scratching her back, then stares at the dragonborn,"Ah, well, howdy, pardner. Silvia Summergreen, I guess I'm a wizard? I do magic stuff."

Dakath bows slightly to the dragonborn, "Shapash, I am Dakath Syldark, an emissary of sorts from the Adrassi elves. A pleasure to meet you.

And I must add, that I am grateful that a professional is joining us to negotiate."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:49, Wed 30 Nov 2022.

This message was deleted by the player at 19:00, Wed 30 Nov 2022.

A small human rushes into the room quickly followed by a mechanical dragon and raptor.
" I am not to late am I , I heard there will be a 2nd expedition," His voice is that of a young adult while is appearance is that of one of about a 10 year old.

"No all good. Welcome aboard, the more the merrier I spose.
Uh, Griffin, from the temple of Pelor." the halfling says, introducing himself again. He looks curiously at the mechanical thingums following the newcomer.

Dakath takes in the newcomer and the clockworks following him.

Looking to Ziyya he asks, "Why are we taking a child?"

"Oh, I don't think that's a kid. I think his one of those hobbits from the shire." Silvia whispered to the confused elf.

Looks to the elf who just called him a child, "Who are you calling a child, twinkle toes? I guess anyone who doesn't live to be 1,000 could be a child to you right Grandpa. If you need help chewing your food sometime maybe I can help." Continuing to stare at the elf. "Now if it is just my height which bothers you, I can fix that for you."

Talon, I want to see eye to eye with this elf and then let him look up to us.

The mechanical raptor fly's to Khaaven's side then grips his padded shoulders in his talons and lifts him in the air. Taking him to the elf so that they are eye to eye with each other. Khaaven quickly speaks, "This any better, or would you prefer something else? As Talon raises Khaaven up til he is about ten feet higher up than the elf. "Maybe I should call you a child now since you are so small and beneath me now too. Quit being so much like a stuck up elf, (Now in Broken Dwarvish) My adopted dad always said elves were that way

This is just banter nothing personal as I was raised by a dwarf who doesnt have the highest respect for the attitudes of elves.Not to mention he started it
 Mom I mean the DM, who's the child now huh.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Thu 01 Dec 2022.

"Easy new fella, let's not get carried away..."
He looks over at Dakath and Ziyya questioningly.
"If the Council sent him I expect he must be more than he appears."

"Of course I am getting carried away, I am not this tall by myself. I can't fly, I am a human after all."

Dakath starts to nod his head in understanding when the child uses his clockwork bird to rise in the air.

"Not just a child. A petulant child!" Dakath turns to Ziyya, ignoring the small human dangling in the air. "I ask again, why is this child accompanying us?"

---

Khaaven is going to have to say something that demonstrates there's an adult in that body!

"Woo, now calm down here kiddo! Just because your the new guy doesn't mean you get to boss us around." Silivia says in defense to Syldark,"Sides, we're all here to work together. So let's all make up and do our best."

The Dragonborn diplomat steps over to stand close to Dakath and Khaaven

Now now now, if we were all just to return to our seats, I'm sure we can work everything out. This seems like a terrible misunderstand. And please remember the grave importance of our mission. Every moment we wait could mean more deaths amongst elves and other races. I'm sure the councillor had a reason to bring aboard this new addition to the party. As you can see, he is hardly "just a child".

The half orc stands up and growls before talking.
I dont expert soldiers to question my authority, even if they are simply mercenaries, I expect you all to work together as a unified team, if there are no questions related to the mission, I suggest we get thing on the road. If you want to continue THIS whatever it is, then you can do so on your ways to carrying out the mission, Shapash is right, time is of the essence if we want to save lives...

Ziyya quickly ushers to Kindling who goes over and starts to turn the knobs on the portal, while the gnome starts to utter the spell that will activate the portal back to the forest.

"Alright then..." Griffin gets ready to step through.

Ready to step through the portal with the others.

Dakath stares hard at the Councillor, "Your authority is not in question. I hope your judgement proves sound."

The elf, turns and follows Griffin through the portal.

The councilor stares back at Dakath, meeting his gaze with what is first a hard expression, but then quickly softens.

May the gods watch ove you all.... I hope too that the council is making the right choice here.