The Archive (Jaela)

[Anastasia]

Exactly what it sounds like, you'd reckon. Lore that's valuable.

[Corwin]

"One for one is a far fairer exchange," Jaela responds smoothly. "Even then, the knowledge we receive would remain with us, while the knowledge we part with will, no doubt, be delivered to the highest bidder."

[Anastasia]

"Knowledge is its own treasure," The old man fires back, "I'd consider five pieces."

[Corwin]

"It's a far more different experience than what I'm used to," Jaela says, frowning now. "It was a book for a book before, so if you want more than the one secret I'm willing to entertain it in exchange for more than one benefit to us. If you throw in that book about me and a couple more favors to be cashed in at a later date, we might get somewhere."

[Anastasia]

The old man considers before sitting back, "Then I believe we are at an impasse."

[Corwin]

"I suppose we are," Jaela freely admits. "The ability to kill devils permanently is a nice to have one. Given the infinity of devils and the impossibility, at least at this point in time, of us killing all of them this would not affect the war effort. Also, since devils are harshly punished for failure I suspect that were we to kill any of our prisoners they would be punished for centuries upon respawning. For us, then, the utility is strictly in the ability to execute those we personally wish dead."

She smiles all of a sudden. "What we really should be discussing is your interest. Namely, that whatever rules of conduct fall upon this fine establishment, at the core you must want to see devils die. Us delivering on that is, as they say, its own reward. That you stand to gain a worthy secret out of the deal should only raise the scales in your favor further and advance our working relationship for future contracts. We're immortal, and the Crusade has a habit of finding its way into hidden devil lore. Perhaps next time we raid one of their holdings, we'll have in you a partner to drop off such juicy information with?"

[Anastasia]

Make a Diplomacy check here.

[Corwin]

Take 10, Divine Insight, result of 81.

[Anastasia]

"That is not untrue," The old man says, perfectly calm. He is silent a few moments, "I'm not adverse to negotiations over different lore in the future."

[Corwin]

"If such a mutually beneficial relationship were to start, this is the point where it happens," Jaela says, waiting for him to either accept her terms under the premise of aforementioned future benefit or offer an amended one.

[Anastasia]

"Two pieces of knowledge in exchange for the previous offer and an agreement of further knowledge trading," The old man counters.

[Corwin]

"Agreed," Jaela voices after thinking this over herself.

[Anastasia]

The old man rises, offering you his hand. It's a old, gnarled thing that's twisted and swollen.

[Corwin]

Jaela shakes it.

[Anastasia]

"Speak your lore," The old man invites, returning to sitting.

"Hey, thanks," Moonlight glowers at him, "So nice to not be behind a zone of silence again."

"Control yourself, Moonlight." Sage Vul'lath's voice is flat.