“Oh no, friend,” Octavius replies. “Rest assured my bombs were not made to be used for destroying towns, though they certainly could do it. By no means are they too weak to do the job. Besides, none of those untrained orcs are capable of using one of my creations without hurting themselves.” He smiles. “Ah, but again, I must express my desire to leave you to your business. There is no need for you to concern yourselves with mine.”
Shortly after he says this, the door opens once more, and in steps a large, dark-skinned orc wearing a suit of plate mail and carrying a massive sword on his back. He is flanked by two guard similar to the one that had escorted the party to the building. His eyes turn from one party member to the next before he speaks. “My guard has informed me that Anduin has come to pay me a visit. So speak, Anduin, and say what you have come to say.”
*Nanna looks up.... And up... at the Orc. Her jaw drops.*
My...my... What a big specimen you are... Errrm.
…
Hello! I am Nanna Andaweena, formerly Anduin. I hope you can sympathise that change comes quicker to some than to others...
I am looking for a sword. It has the power to save the world. After scrying systematically for it for many days and nights, I can only logically conclude that it is on another plane of existence. I have located a gate underneath the Mayor's house in Callus. I would like a small team of say 50 elite Orcs to go through the gate with me so we can retrieve the sword, save the mayor (who has had his soul taken... I'll explain later) save the world and live forever... Uhm… As champions...
...
I would be honoured if you wished to come with us.
Ignatius gets alarmed at Vaga's speech, hoping that it doesn't aggravate the orc king, but decides to wait for the orc king's reply before speaking anything. He gets ready to cast an Invisibility spell, should it be required.
*Fiora quickly steps in fron of Vaga and slaps a hand over his mouth*
"What my well intentioned friend means to say, is that we currently have a very large force of orcs approaching a nearby town with intent to invade. Your reputation precedes you as one who values diplomacy, so our community is more than a little confused and alarmed. The force is large and appears to made up of very young orcs. We humbly seek your counsel and hopefully illumination of what is happening around us."
I could try to get on earlier to get better first impressions, but that would mean that I wouldn't get to read Vaga's attempts at diplomacy.
Haha, I'm sorry but I just can't stop laughing thinking about this "wise" monk's lack of social awareness! I know I am putting you guys in awkward positions, but it's just too much fun
Vaga hrmmpfs and ahems a little behind Fi's hand covering his mouth. He's eagle-eye perception notices the orc king might have responded better to Fi's comment than his. He ponders about this but cannot understand why, so in his infinite wisdom he takes the choice to remain quiet for a while. He gently removes Fi's hand, but with her strength gloves it's not easily done and he have to wiggle a bit before coming lose. He takes a step back and speaks humbly.
“What, those fools?” the king asks incredulously. “They’re probably already dead. As for the rest of us...” He shrugs and looks over at his guards, then says “You’ll see no further invasions from us. The younglings were hotheaded fools. They rushed out of here a couple of weeks ago, whooping and hollering about finding glory in battle, but they just found death. Those of us who remain are stronger and wiser. We don’t rush off to fight a suicidal battle.”
"The facts appear very strange thus, For your employee Ixion here did claim That you wanted to have the town of Callus, And so tasked him with leading your men.
But from your statement, it does seem Something is very wrong out there, There has certainly been some misunderstanding, And it would be good to make it clear."
“The sword is what I am after,” the orc king says. “The town itself is not important to me. If you have a way for my warriors and I to enter the portal without having to fight through the town, then that is preferable.”
Vaga is unsure how to handle this information. They are also after the sword.. how to play out this scenario? Should we work together and then face the inevitable battle once the sword is acquired, or refuse to help already now and make an enemy of the orc king. In his camp. Surrounded by his soldiers. That would indeed be unwise..
Vaga hopes one of his clever friends have a bright idea and remain silent for now. He throws a couple of inquisitive glances at his comrades and signal his thoughts using their secret language.
Vaga raises his left eyebrow. Then he lowers his right eyebrow. He makes a wicked smile and then raises and lowers both eyebrows. Yes, that's the message, now they know what to do. Vaga smiles assuredly.
Kaled, Ignatius, and Anduin notice Harvey and Keeley start to whisper to each other. Kaled can make out a bit of what they’re saying. “Something definitely seems off about him,” whispers Harvey. “Now that I see it firsthand, he’s like a wholly different person.” Keeley whispers what Kaled recognizes as arcane words of a spell, then turns back to Harvey and frowns.
Vaga walks up to Harvey and Keeley and with his regular subtleness give them each a friendly slap on their arms.
"Ho there, friends. What you are talking about? There's no secrets among friends." Vaga smiles, as always, situationally awkward and incapable of reading and understanding the social context.
*A sad look crosses Fiora's face, when she speaks, you can hear the conviction in her voice*
"Did all of your youth leave to fight? That paints a very bleak picture for the future, for it is our children that become our future, without them, we have none. They may be foolish, but they can learn. Is there no way you can convince them to come back? We both stand to lose much here, both of our futures as a people, in fact."
Yes... We could work together to find the sword. I believe that we could get to the portal under the mayors house with a small contingent of Orcs... But 50,000 Orcs attacking the town may... Upset the current inhabitants. We need to stop that first. They have very little chance of success against the towns defenders.
*Nanna turns on her heel and faces Harvey and Keeley.*
Orc King, you are an acquaintance of Harvey the druid. You will see alongside him Keeley, a young silver dragon. They may be able to get you into the town... However... I feel that Harvey may have been playing on the towns fears. I don't know how much we... you can trust him?
“I trust him completely,” Keeley interrupts. “And he is right. This ‘orc king’ is not who he seems.” She casts another spell, and the orc king’s true form is revealed. A familiar-looking gargoyle stands before the party.
Fiora’s Sun Blade strikes mightily at the gargoyle, chipping his shoulder. He grunts as the blade sinks into his stone form, just as he is engulfed in a ball of fire. The flames do not seem to hurt him.
*Nanna looks vacant for a few moments while chaos rules around her, before mouthing out ideas, perhaps reading instructions in her minds eye.*
So... And... Oh... You stopped the attack by taking command of the Orcs. Clever but I don't think anyone will understand now. Fly. Escape my friend. We do need to work on your social graces. Do that in a human settlement and everyone would go crazy...
[Spoiler]If this was dungeons & dragons the cartoon from the 1980s, this scenario would be like Vengor always popping up to be the big bad, but for some reason Presto (me) is his best friend...[/spoiler]
The gargoyle snarls and pulls forth another glowing stone, holding it in his hand. He raises it and speaks the command word, glaring at Nanna just before he disappears. The stone, now devoid of power, falls inert to the floor.
*Nanna looks dejectedly at the ground, the tangy smell of ozone and spent magic smokily wreathing her tiny frame.*
Remember first time we met?
...
Then, like now, I had my mission. My purpose. A goal so difficult that the gods themselves have interceded to thwart all in its accomplishment. I faced that task alone. Unbowed in its immensity. I have succeeded far beyond any mortal before me. I used my only gift. My intellect. I was a trickster. I was a thief. I need not care for others. My mission was all.
*Nanna's head snaps up and looks each of the assembled group in the eye.*
But I do care. I care more than you know. My mission will free all races. It will give them the right to choose!
Comments
Shortly after he says this, the door opens once more, and in steps a large, dark-skinned orc wearing a suit of plate mail and carrying a massive sword on his back. He is flanked by two guard similar to the one that had escorted the party to the building. His eyes turn from one party member to the next before he speaks. “My guard has informed me that Anduin has come to pay me a visit. So speak, Anduin, and say what you have come to say.”
My...my... What a big specimen you are... Errrm.
…
Hello! I am Nanna Andaweena, formerly Anduin. I hope you can sympathise that change comes quicker to some than to others...
I am looking for a sword. It has the power to save the world. After scrying systematically for it for many days and nights, I can only logically conclude that it is on another plane of existence. I have located a gate underneath the Mayor's house in Callus. I would like a small team of say 50 elite Orcs to go through the gate with me so we can retrieve the sword, save the mayor (who has had his soul taken... I'll explain later) save the world and live forever... Uhm… As champions...
...
I would be honoured if you wished to come with us.
*Nanna curtseys.*
Oh... My friends want to talk to you as well...
"Hello. I am Vaga, leader and spokesperson for this group. We are here to stop you from attacking Callus!"
Heh, sorry guys, but Vaga is the way he is
"What my well intentioned friend means to say, is that we currently have a very large force of orcs approaching a nearby town with intent to invade. Your reputation precedes you as one who values diplomacy, so our community is more than a little confused and alarmed. The force is large and appears to made up of very young orcs. We humbly seek your counsel and hopefully illumination of what is happening around us."
Vaga hrmmpfs and ahems a little behind Fi's hand covering his mouth. He's eagle-eye perception notices the orc king might have responded better to Fi's comment than his. He ponders about this but cannot understand why, so in his infinite wisdom he takes the choice to remain quiet for a while. He gently removes Fi's hand, but with her strength gloves it's not easily done and he have to wiggle a bit before coming lose. He takes a step back and speaks humbly.
".. what she said."
"The facts appear very strange thus,
For your employee Ixion here did claim
That you wanted to have the town of Callus,
And so tasked him with leading your men.
But from your statement, it does seem
Something is very wrong out there,
There has certainly been some misunderstanding,
And it would be good to make it clear."
Vaga hopes one of his clever friends have a bright idea and remain silent for now. He throws a couple of inquisitive glances at his comrades and signal his thoughts using their secret language.
Vaga raises his left eyebrow. Then he lowers his right eyebrow. He makes a wicked smile and then raises and lowers both eyebrows. Yes, that's the message, now they know what to do. Vaga smiles assuredly.
Vaga: Perception: 6+3=9
Kaled: Perception: 18-1=17
Ignatius: Perception: 9+4=13
Anduin: Perception: 12
Kaled, Ignatius, and Anduin notice Harvey and Keeley start to whisper to each other. Kaled can make out a bit of what they’re saying. “Something definitely seems off about him,” whispers Harvey. “Now that I see it firsthand, he’s like a wholly different person.” Keeley whispers what Kaled recognizes as arcane words of a spell, then turns back to Harvey and frowns.
"Ho there, friends. What you are talking about? There's no secrets among friends." Vaga smiles, as always, situationally awkward and incapable of reading and understanding the social context.
"Did all of your youth leave to fight? That paints a very bleak picture for the future, for it is our children that become our future, without them, we have none. They may be foolish, but they can learn. Is there no way you can convince them to come back? We both stand to lose much here, both of our futures as a people, in fact."
Yes... We could work together to find the sword. I believe that we could get to the portal under the mayors house with a small contingent of Orcs... But 50,000 Orcs attacking the town may... Upset the current inhabitants. We need to stop that first. They have very little chance of success against the towns defenders.
*Nanna turns on her heel and faces Harvey and Keeley.*
Orc King, you are an acquaintance of Harvey the druid. You will see alongside him Keeley, a young silver dragon. They may be able to get you into the town... However... I feel that Harvey may have been playing on the towns fears. I don't know how much we... you can trust him?
“I trust him completely,” Keeley interrupts. “And he is right. This ‘orc king’ is not who he seems.” She casts another spell, and the orc king’s true form is revealed. A familiar-looking gargoyle stands before the party.
Fiora’s Sun Blade strikes mightily at the gargoyle, chipping his shoulder. He grunts as the blade sinks into his stone form, just as he is engulfed in a ball of fire. The flames do not seem to hurt him.
The gargoyle ducks and dodges the small blades as they fly into the door behind him.
So... And... Oh... You stopped the attack by taking command of the Orcs. Clever but I don't think anyone will understand now. Fly. Escape my friend. We do need to work on your social graces. Do that in a human settlement and everyone would go crazy...
(Why am I so angry? I need to calm down, breathe)
"I agree, the gargoyle is not an ally of ours, where DO you fit in with this?"
*Fiora points her sword at Femduin, not threatingly, she just hasn't put it down yet*
Remember first time we met?
...
Then, like now, I had my mission. My purpose. A goal so difficult that the gods themselves have interceded to thwart all in its accomplishment. I faced that task alone. Unbowed in its immensity. I have succeeded far beyond any mortal before me. I used my only gift. My intellect. I was a trickster. I was a thief. I need not care for others. My mission was all.
*Nanna's head snaps up and looks each of the assembled group in the eye.*
But I do care. I care more than you know. My mission will free all races. It will give them the right to choose!
...