012.1 "I am Turmith, Emissary from the Queen Highness Vlaakith."

[Corwin]

[20:22] <Kotono> As the trip towards Gisfal's territory continues, one morning passes by. Afina is controlling Aurora as you go forward. Ahead she can see it - a vast dragon of fiery read looms before Aurora in the distance. Yet you can see one thing - in it's massive maw it holds a tree, with a vast white cloth attached to it, like a flag.
[20:25] <Afina> This is interesting! Bringing Aurora to a stop and rising out of the command throne, she calls out, "Elena! Let people know there's a dragon coming under a flag of parlay!" After that she flies through the portal intending to arrive in the courtyard, so she can go and meet their guest.
[20:25] * Willim scratches his head. "Dragon is surrendering?"
[20:27] <Ithea> "That's interesting," Ithea notes as she joins those at the courtyard after being told of the situation by Elena. "Surprised he didn't want to try chatting while in the middle of a fight. Isn't that how it usually goes here in Ysgard?"
[20:29] <Afina> "Perhaps he wants to set terms first," Afina shrugs as she hears Ithea arriving just after her, flying up to the front gate and waving for the dragon to come land in the courtyard.
[20:30] <Kotono> Everyone gathers in the courtyard, weapons readied as the dragon approaches the gates! It comes near, a rider leaping off it. The creature before you wears strange armor of unusual design and geometry. It has the same apperance as the githyanki you have met before, walking with a straight-backed and strong air. "I am Turmith, Emissary from the Queen Highness Vlaakith, may she reign forever.
[20:30] <Kotono> I request permission to enter"
[20:32] <Afina> "Permission is granted," Afina allows, keeping half an eye on the dragon as it flies now without its rider. "Welcome to Aurora, Turmith. Your friend may enter as well."
[20:33] <Kotono> Turmith enters, but the dragon stays put. "He prefers to stay outside." A glance back at the towering wyrm, as he bows slightly to Afina. "I have matters in our mutual interests to discuss."
[20:34] * Willim eyes the dragon speculatively.
[20:35] <Ithea> "What matters?" Ithea asks.
[20:35] <Afina> They sadly don't have fitting reception rooms or conference rooms, so Afina decides to improvise by using the library. "Very well, come with me. Willim, Ithea, will you come, too?"
[20:37] <Ithea> roll d20+21 K:P on Vlaakith
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+21 K:P on Vlaakith and gets 39." [d20=18]
[20:37] <Ithea> "Of course," Ithea nods.
[20:39] * Willim eyes the dragon a bit more, then nods.
[20:40] * Afina leads the way to the portal, keying it to take their githyanki guest to the library and doing the same for herself to go there first.
[20:43] <Kotono> Into the library the four go. Once in Turmith takes a look around, "Classical," he murmurs, taking a seat. "Allow me to begin by expressing the Queen Highness's congratulations on your success. The lost fortress of Medicant has long been the target of fortune seekers."
[20:45] <Afina> "It is not fortune we seek, but liberation," Afina replies, taking a seat opposite him. "But her majesty's courtsey is appreciated."
[20:45] <Ithea> "We call it Aurora now," Ithea says politely as she also takes a seat. "So you spoke of matters of mutual interest?"
[20:51] <Kotono> "Yes. A worthy name," A pause as he listens well to everything, "Queen Vlaakith is impressed by your recovery and would like to discuss a possible alliance."
[20:53] <Ithea> "Is she aware of our ultimate goal?" Ithea asks.
[20:53] <Kotono> "From what she knows of your goals, she believes that you are going to strike against Duke Abigor?" He replies.
[20:54] <Afina> "We are of course looking for allies that will stand with us to defeat the devils infesting Lifasa," Afina agrees. "Abigor led them, though it was at the command of Bel. How much does your Queen wish to commit to such an alliance, and what would be expected in return?"
[20:55] * Ithea nods with Afina's words, also wondering what the lich-queen's offer entails.
[21:02] <Kotono> "To fully discern this affair and proper means of cooperation, Queen Vlaakith would like to invite your fortress to Tu'narath to enjoy her hospitality while we engage in deeper discussions."
[21:04] <Ithea> "Would she be willing to wait some time, or is she hoping to see us alongside your return?" Ithea asks curiously.
[21:05] * Afina looks at him blandly. Luckily Ithea's question saves her from raising an objection just yet.
[21:06] <Ithea> "I ask because we have some allies that are not in Aurora at this time," Ithea adds. "You understand, of course?"
[21:07] <Kotono> "Of course, but the sooner the better. How soon can you reach the Astral Plane?" Turmith asks back.
[21:10] <Afina> "Time is not much of a factor on the astral plane, I am sure it would seem like the blink of an eye or the passing of a hundred years regardless of how long we took," Afina notes, deciding to stall a bit rather than overplay her reservations and risk hurting a potentially valuable alliance - or revealing weakness to a potential invader who would steal their hard-earned fortress from underneath.
[21:11] <Kotono> A nod at that, "Of course," he replies briskly, "But an understanding of how long you expect to be would be useful for other matters."
[21:11] * Ithea ponders. "We do have some business to finish here in Ysgard, and it would be troublesome to have to return again, given the time it takes for Aurora to travel between planes. It is rather large after all," Ithea comments. "Afina does have a point also regarding time and the astral plane, though I can assure you that we could easily make the astral plane our immediate destination after Ysgard."
[21:15] <Afina> "Still, it is a large detour to take merely for a consultation," Afina goes on, only slightly dubious in her expression. "I will say this so you and your Queen can understand our position, Turmith - we are not beggars nor are we looking to be sidelined in our own crusade. Our primary interest is in recruiting worthy and committed warriors and mages, not becoming beholden to the politics of
[21:15] <Afina> the outer realms."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Of course. Her Majesty has given me a token of her appreciation to present to you, to understand that her motives are sincere," He reaches into his armor, withdrawing a simple iron circlet. "Will you accept it?"
[21:18] * Afina casts detect magic without moving from her (high) chair and focuses her gaze on the circlet, silently analysing its aura...
[21:18] <Afina> roll 1d20+23 spellcraft to ID
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+23 spellcraft to ID and gets 39." [1d20=16]
[21:30] <Afina> "A powerful talisman," Afina acknowledges. "A convincing argument for sincerity as well." She glances now at Willim and Ithea, knowing the three of them don't represent all of Aurora's commanding figures. "We would offer you our hospitality while we confer before giving our reply to your Queen. Can you wait for that?"
[21:33] <Kotono> "I can," He replies, "I could use rest. I am used to the Astral, fatigue weighs on me."
[21:35] <Afina> "Elena," Afina calls now for Aurora's less busy guardian spirit. "Could you show Turmith to one of the officer quarters and grant him access to the mess hall if he requires it?"
[21:35] <Kotono> "Sure!" Elena smiles, "C'mon, I'll show you there! She leads the ambassador off, leaving the three alone.
[21:36] <Afina> "Jaela and Adrian still haven't come back, nor Annalise. What do you two think?" she asks the demonic troll and the cat-woman once alone.
[21:39] <Ithea> "We've made allies with one undead already, though there's some difference between a single vampire and a lich that leads... however many githyanki? I'm certainly more than a little worried," Ithea admits now that the ambassador has gone. "Though given that Annalise has been a fairly trustworthy ally, I can't help but wonder a little here too. I don't want to pass on the offer right off, certainly don't want to make enemies either."
[21:41] <Afina> "Yes, spurning them could cause trouble, but I'm concerned about taking Aurora right into their centre of power while so much needs to be repaired and our army is so small," Afina agrees, leaning back and crossing her thin arms. "It could just be setting up to throw an army at our gates to take it for themselves. What do you know about Githyanki in general? I remember their city, they seem
[21:41] <Afina> a very martial culture - that must mean lots of enemies."
[21:44] * Ithea nods. "We could just head there without Aurora too, we'd certainly be able to travel faster in the astral plane without it. I don't recall any specific requests for us to arrive -with- Aurora, though admittedly, such being said would only have made me more concerned."
[21:47] <Afina> "He did say the Queen wished to invite 'our fortress'," Afina reminds her. "So yes, it could be a ruse - Turmith might - no, probably - doesn't even know if it is. I think without Jaela and Adrian, we should at least talk to who we do have here, maybe someone has particular insight? Ithea, why don't you talk to Tannin, I'll ask Elrisa, and Willim can ask Dana? Then we can check with the
[21:47] <Afina> general soldiers and Galariel as well? At least then we can say we made an informed decision."
[21:49] * Ithea blinks and nods. "Sure. We've at least got a bit of time."
[21:50] <Afina> "Alright, lets get to it, then and meet in the control room once we're done?" the fairy rises now, waiting for anything else before going through a portal to find the Knight of the Graceful Blow.
[21:51] * Ithea nods as she heads off to find Tannin.
[21:52] * Willim wanders off.

[Corwin]

#t

[19:09] <Kotono> Ithea goes to look around for Tannin! He isn't immediately found or seems to be around at all. OOC: Go ahead and play off that - he's not around casually right now.
[19:10] * Ithea goes check around the cafeteria first, if not, she'll head towards the quarters, see if she can't find which room is his.
[19:12] <Kotono> No sign of him in the cafeteria. Going to his room you find a note on the door. It reads the following, "Out doing work."
[19:15] <Ithea> "Out doing work -where-, though?" she mutters out loud. Shaking her head, she goes to the control room, hoping she might be able to find him through Elena (assuming she's gone there after escorting the gith to a room) or Galariel.

[Corwin]

#ed

[18:52] <Kotono> Afina goes over to Elrisa's tower. She finds her there at the head of her students, still on guard and watching. Much like most of the Ysgardian warriors, too.
[18:53] <Afina> Floating up to the silver-haired woman, Afina asks, "Elrisa, can I talk to you for a moment?"
[18:55] <Kotono> "Certainly," Elrisa smiles a tiny bit, "What is it?"
[18:58] <Afina> "The githyanki emmissary who just came? He says his Queen wants to discuss an alliance with us, and has invited us to their city on the Astral Plane to discuss it," Afina explains, straight to the point. "I saw a few githyanki while I was on the astral plane, but you'd been there a lot longer so I'm hoping you have a better understanding of them. We need to decide how to respond to their offer."
[19:02] <Kotono> "The Githyanki largely left us be," Elrisa replies, "I have heard nothing good of their Queen." With a pursing of her lips as she sheathes her blade, "They are formidable warriors and masters of Astral combat, and have a pact with red dragons. "
[19:05] <Afina> "Ahh," Afina nods glumly. "Jaela's normally our source for information on planar beings, but we're still waiting on her coming back. Having a few battallions of githyanki soldiers would be useful, if they can work well with everyone else. And if we don't end up beholden to fighting their wars instead of ours - that's even assuming it's not all a trap just to steal Aurora away once we're in easy reach. It's a hard choice."
[19:08] <Kotono> "I wouldn't trust Vlaakith based on the rumors I've heard," Elrisa says, "Do you need the gith, or do they need you?"
[19:10] <Afina> "I would guess they have powerful enemies, being so war-like... but I don't know," Afina admits."We need all the allies we can get, and they're the first to come to us. But I don't know that they can be trusted not to try anything underhanded."
[19:11] <Kotono> "On that I cannot help you, I am no expert in them." Elrisa explains, glancing back over her girls, "At the least, don't make an enemy of her if you can help it."
[19:13] <Afina> "Thanks anyway," Afina allows. "Willim and Ithea are asking around as well, we can stall for a little while so I'll go see Galariel now," she gives a little wave and turns to fly back through the portal, intending to arrive in the key room.

[Corwin]

#ed

[19:19] <Kotono> By fair chance, Ithea and Afina arrive in the control room at roughly the same time, finding Galariel and Elena there.
[19:21] <Afina> "Elrisa didn't know much, but she said Vlaakith shouldn't be trusted," Afina opens as she sees Ithea come out of her portal. "Any luck on your end?"
[19:21] <Ithea> "Hey again, and no, that's why I came here," Ithea says to Afina before turning to Galariel and Elena. "Hey, can either of you two find where Tannin is? I haven't been able to find him, I was hoping either of you two knew how to find him."
[19:37] <Kotono> "He is not in Aurora," Galariel replies, "Vlaakith I have heard of, the vile lich-queen. The Gith are no friends to righteous causes. Step wary around her and wisely, for she forever follows her own goals."
[19:39] <Afina> "Does she have any reason to hate devils?" Afina asks. It doesn't sound good, really. Annalise can be handled as an individual, but an entire species is quite another prospect.
[19:43] <Kotono> "She does not bode well with any of the outer planars," Galariel replies again, "She has no love for devils, certainly, but nor does she have emnity with them."
[19:44] <Afina> "I wish Adrian or Jaela were here, since they know more about these places and people," Afina remarks, looking at Ithea. "I think we should fob him off without rejecting it outright. Maybe once we're stronger and better fortified we can risk it. What do you think?"
[19:46] <Ithea> "I think that's what we should do as well, I don't want to test Aurora's defenses against a full assault while we're deep in their territory if this is a trap. The problem is making sure we can make him go away without taking offense, and feeling like our request for time is reasonable."
[19:47] <Ithea> "Some 2-3 weeks we'd get from traveling around Ysgard hunting for allies probably won't be near enough time, either," she adds.
[19:50] <Afina> "Do either of you know who the githyanki's greatest enemies are? Best approach is to say we're hesitant to become their enemies as well until we're stronger, but we'll keep the offer in mind."
[19:50] <Ithea> roll d20+21 K:P
[19:50] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+21 K:P and gets 30." [d20=9]
[20:06] <Ithea> "The githzerai," Ithea answers easily enough. "The two races -really- don't like each other, even though they started out from the same point."
[20:08] <Afina> "Ahh, a family squabble," Afina nods understandingly. "Sounds like the Seelie and Unseelie, I get it. That's a good excuse, though, to say we don't want to get involved in that sort of conflict."
[20:10] <Kotono> "That does rule out serious githzerai support should we have a chance to claim it," Galariel points out, "If we took such after invoking it, it would be viewed as a grave insult."
[20:12] * Ithea nods in agreement. "Besides that, there's the problem that we've never really gotten involved with the githzerai before, and we've been to the githyanki's home too. And Jaela had that deal with Vul'lath, as well. We could at least use it to go visit -without- Aurora, I suppose, to make it clear we're not making any serious alliances, but are still curious?"
[20:14] <Afina> "Well... who's winning their war, Ithea?" Afina asks, since that could decide whether they stall with intent to eventually take up with the githyanki or just send him packing so they can try their luck with the githzerai later.
[20:15] <Ithea> roll d20+21 K:P
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+21 K:P and gets 38." [d20=17]
[20:20] * Ithea shakes her head. "It's been a war that's been going for as long as the two races existed. I don't think you could say either side is winning."
[20:22] <Afina> "Well, in the end the githyanki came to us first. Lets tell him we're open to the possibility, but coming as we are now would look too much like begging for charity? It's true, after all - when we can be considered on more equal terms we'd be able to hold proper discussions. We might need the extra help one day, so no sense burning the bridge."
[20:23] <Kotono> "Wise," Galariel agrees, "There may come a time where you are forced to treat with her."
[20:24] <Afina> "Since it looks like Willim got distracted, want to go see Turmith now, Ithea?" Afina asks.
[20:26] <Ithea> "I suppose so. I'm wondering if we shouldn't at least give him a day though, give more of an impression that we've spent a lot of time thinking of this, and we only regretfully came to our conclusion after much thought?" Ithea ponders out loud. "The more time we look like we've thought the matter over, the less likely he would be to try and protest and convince us, right?"
[20:28] <Afina> "You're cunning," Afina smiles slightly. "Okay, we don't want to move too much while Jaela will be teleporting back to us anyway, so we can stay here for a while longer. Elena can let us know if he starts getting impatient, anyway."
[20:30] * Ithea nods.
[20:34] <Kotono> The next day dawns. You call the ambassador on over, meeting with him again. "I await your choice," he says warmly, "Have you decided?"
[20:46] * Ithea nods. "We have. We do have interest in your queen's proposal, though we have some concerns regarding the githzerai, whom we understand to be your enemies," Ithea starts to say, pausing as she tries to put things in terms that wouldn't offend, which is not really her forte.
[20:46] <Ithea> "We also feel that right now we'd be coming into a meeting appearing as beggars looking for charity. We have little to offer the githyanki, and would like to stand on more equal ground."
[20:48] <Afina> Afina adds in her own support, "Your Queen has been the first to openly approach us and offer aid ever since the great tragedy that befell our world - do not underestimate how much we appreciate that fact. But as things stand, we are few and still regathering our strength for the Crusade to come. Going to Tu'narath as we are now, we would seem like beggars hoping for charity - our pride as
[20:48] <Afina> the last symbol of a conquered world cannot accept that. For now we have to bide our time, find our lost brothers and sisters, draw our might together... When we can meet with the Githyanki as a people to be respected, and not a tiny band of refugees, then we would be glad to discuss how we might help each other. Until then, though, we cannot appear as beggars."
[20:50] <Kotono> "I understand," Turmith inclines his head in acknowledgement, "One has to be able to stand before they walk. The great history of the gith speaks of this." He rises and approaches Ithea, taking out the circlet. He presents it to her, "Queen Vlaakith would still like you to have this, as a token of understanding and possible friendship."
[20:55] * Ithea pauses, but nods as she accepts the circlet. "Of course. We hope that we can return such kindness when we meet again, and present a token of our own for Queen Vlaakith then."
[20:56] <Afina> "You can be certain we will," Afina seconds. It would be a grave insult if they did not, and she could never avoid her duty for reciprocity.
[20:58] <Kotono> "Until that time," Turmith smiles for just a moment - he shows too much teeth, too much sharpness, before he heads for the portal out.
[21:01] <Afina> Once he's gone... "We've delayed enough, I want to get moving again... but isn't it strange we haven't heard from Jaela at all, yet?"

[Corwin]

#s

[18:53] <Kotono> Dana is found outside in the courtyard. She stares out at where the red dragon was, a hand on her rapier. She barely seems to notice Willim approaching.
[18:56] * Willim heads over and crouches down next to her. He looks at the same spot. "Dragon would be good fight."
[18:56] <Kotono> "Oh yeah," Dana says quickly, "I was just thinking of charging it head on, while it brings its head back to breath fire."
[18:58] <Willim> "Willim hold mouth shut so head explode. We eat good for..." he carefully counts on his fingers, "...two days."
[19:03] <Kotono> "More like two weeks," Dana retorts with a half smile, almost a smirk. "Had a dragonheart to eat once, a knight of the realm gave it to me after beating me to killing one. Damned good eating."
[19:05] <Willim> "You not know Willim. Me be eating a lot." Willim nods.
[19:08] <Willim> "Others send me over to tell of ugly man with dragon. Him have queen that offer to help us. Others want know what you is thinking of it."
[19:10] <Kotono> "Queens are Queens. She's probably doing politics," Dana says, voice dropping into boredom, "Figure out the goal and you can figure out if it's worthwhile. That's hwo you're supposed to do it."
[19:13] * Willim shrugs. "Is too much needing smarts for Willim. Me not understand it. Ugly man give us headthing though. Afina say it good. Not knowing what to do with it though."
[19:19] <Kotono> "He gave you head-oh." Blinking and smirking a moment, "Sounds like a bribe."
[19:25] * Willim shrugs. "Me not know bribe."
[19:26] <Kotono> "Oh. Like I pay you to do something you shouldn't, or a slut sleeps with yo uso you buy her something nice. Y'know, that sort of thing," Dana says, "Giving someone somethign they want so they do what you want."
[19:30] * Willim looks confused until Dana says that last bit. "But hitting people being cheaper! Why is wasting golds?"
[19:39] <Kotono> "Hahahha, that's what I say!" Grinning ear to ear at that, Dana turns fully to Willim. "But there's pesky things like laws and pussified bullshit like manners."
[19:41] <Willim> "Laws is waste of fighting time. Long as fight is being worth fighting, then Willim is being fighting."
[19:43] <Kotono> "Good man!" Dana thumps Willim on the back, "Hey, how about we go get something to drink? I like the way you're thinking."
[19:44] * Willim rises to his full height, nodding. "Me hungry."
[20:11] <Kotono> "Sure," Dana laughs and goes. As you walk, "You have uncommonly good sense.:
[20:14] <Willim> "Monks beat sense into me years ago. Not smart, but at least not foolish."
[20:18] <Kotono> "Hah." Dana grins now and whistles, "I'll need to remember monks then," she murmurs.
[20:25] <Willim> "Monks is good people. Not know how many is left, though. Was on Lifasa." Willim says.
[20:30] <Kotono> "Yeah, I figured," Dana trots along as you reach the portals. One teleport later and you're in the cafteria. Dana sits down and a mug of ale appears before her, "But hey, kicking some devils aroundw ill be fun."
[20:39] <Willim> "Hope to fight devils soon. Fighting angels and people is fun, but want to fight devils too." Willim says, sitting down and grabbing a drink as well. He grabs a hunk of meat off a plate that appears on the table.

[Corwin]

#s

[20:04] <Kobrb> "Yeah, angels are strong as hell, too," Rubbing her shoulder as she drinks, "There are a bunch of fiends I'd rather fight than another astral deva."
[20:04] <Willim> "Astral deva thing is angel?" Willim mumbles through munching.
[20:06] <Kobrb> "Yeah, the ones with maces. The larger ones are planetars...or if you're really unlucky, a solar." Dana puts her drink down at that word, "So if you see an angel with a greatsword, you know you're gonna feel some awesome pain."
[20:09] * Willim shrugs. "If someone is wanting fighting, me happy to oglib-obili-...fight back." he sighs, grabbing a mug of something ind drinking it. Me not stand and take it; me hit Mist-man with new hammer enoguh, he fall down."
[20:10] <Kobrb> "Oblige?" Dana raises her drink back up and downs it at once, "Good luck." Grinning a moment, "If you can take down a solar, you're really someone."
[20:11] <Willim> "Not met one before, me think. If they is wanting to fight, me will o-blige."
[20:14] <Kobrb> "You'll know if you face one," Dana says as she has another drink conjured up. Slamming that one down hard and wiping foam away from her lips, "Maybe one'll show up wanting to fight if we're lucky."
[20:15] * Willim nods. "Fighting strong enemies is fun. Me like good fight. Is good for Willim, and for Tempus."
[20:17] <Kobrb> "Amen," Raising her new glass up, "We just need something to drop from the sky or something to fight now, eh?"
[20:18] <Willim> "Jaela and Afina is good at finding fights, we not wait long." Willim nods.
[20:21] <Kobrb> "Hopefully sooner than later," Dana grouses, "God, I could use one right now."
[20:24] * Willim nods, thinks for a moment, then punches Dana in the face with his mug.
[20:25] <Kobrb> OOC: Roll damage real quick?
[20:30] <Willim> roll 1d10+11 subdual
[20:30] <Rei-chan> Willim rolled : 1d10+11 subdual --> [ 1d10=8 ]{19}
[20:32] <Kotono> WHAM! Dana is caught right in the face, knocked out of her chair! An instant later she springs up, grinning and rubbing her nose! "Ah yeah, just like that!"
[20:33] * Willim nods, popping his knuckles.
[20:42] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Dana slowly stretches and smiles over to Willim, "Wanna go somewhere comfortable and practice hitting each other?"
[20:43] * Willim nods, grabbing a last hunk of meat and stuffing it into his face.