"We know the way," Sean says coolly. "But be advised that, for us
shorter-lived races, there is a concept of hot pursuit that I am sure does not
factor into your thinking. In a nutshell, it works like this: if we are
pursuing a foe that then takes refuge in those lands claimed by your Lady, we
do not allow a nominal, imaginary and unmarked line dissuade us from our chase.
After all, in your sense of things, any such incursion wouldn't even register.
You have likely taken more time deciding what to have for breakfast." Sean
pauses, holding Gilfan's stare (assuming he deigns to look at Sean). "Odd that
you travelled all the way up here to tell us to stay off your lawn when we only
recently crossed onto it. Further, you've not demarked the land as yours, so
there would have been no way for us poor, benighted child races to even know
you claimed them. Further, we have business to the south and west that may or
may not require us to cross your border. A more detailed map would go far in
ensuring no accidental border incursions happen. As I noted, we clashed with
the Crimson north of the wyrm Ezanus's lair, and I intend to do so again. In
order to avoid any unfortunate misunderstanding between the swifter thinking
and acting short lived races and the slower thinking and acting longer lived
ones, something demarking your border would be useful." Sean smiles.
"Further, we regret leaving such markers of our own in what you doubtlessly
claim to be your domain. Feel free to ignore the warning posts we left out for
the Droolbane. Ogre heads are so uncouth, but, they work in a pinch."
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 07:28:55 AM EDT, SM Baule <smbaule@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Gilfan looks to the group, "Yes, I can see why your mother likes your sister.
To assist us today, we would like to see you continue north out of our lady's
lands. We would prefer you stay out of her lands. I will check with Northen
about the status of an embassy to (hesitation) Hagar at the old pirate's
cove.If you wish, we can spare the time to escort you to the edge of your
lady's lands."
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 5:02 AM Tim Farley <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sean gives Ahearn a nod, his impatience, aggravation and annoyance fairly well
evident to his closest friend.
Turning back to Gilfan, a slight smile screwed onto his face, Sean politely
asks, "What is your task today, sir, and how may we assist?"
(OOC: if you are looking for a reference to compare, if you watched Enterprise
(not many did, I guess), think Archer dealing with the Vulcans, chafing against
the arrogant haughtiness of the longer lived race)
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 12:56:03 AM EDT, James Hurley
<angushurley@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I mutter as I shift on my feet, clearly wondering where all this is going.
"I'm mother's cleanser and when I finish with something it's shiny."
I glance at Sean and grin and shrug. From: stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of SM Baule <smbaule@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 7:06 PM
To: stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [stoddard] Re: Elves Kelbis nods at Cara. Gilfan will bow slightly to
Cara, "Greetings, Carandolana Lothedil, and welcome to the lands of the great
lady of the waters. I sense you are from the northern isles. So, like many of
the elves there, you are given to be more considerate to the ways of the
shorter lived races. We have been here many generations and have seen short
lived civilizations rise and inevitably fall. Fire does not bother us. As it is
often nature's cleanser and never reaches our lady. Our scholars could debate
the issues for days or weeks. However, that if not our task today."
On Sun, Jun 19, 2022 at 6:21 PM Nicole Massey <nyyki@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
(OOC: Enough of this waiting...)
GB:
21 (2), 18 (3), 25 (4), 16 (5), 17 (6), 16 (7)
IC: Carandolana walks out of the cover, back in her normal form. In elvish
followed by the common tongue she says, "Hello to the parley. I come as myself,
though She Who Weaves Everything guides me in her wisdom. For those who do not
know me, I am Carandolana Lothedil, and I know well the ways and byways of the
forest along with all spaces created by The Weaver of All Things' hand."
She switches to common for the next part, so she only has to speak the words
once. "I, along with others of the three elven cohorts, advise when we can the
younger folk among our numbers. And it is with a wider view that we must think
and act, because recolonization initiatives from the great island to the north
have revealed the actions of some of the greater powers in this land, ones that
think of the Droolbane as nothing more than an ant hill that the careful
traveler steps over or floods with water on their way to where they want to go.
In this case, I fear, they may deal with the Droolbane using fire, as they have
a penchant for that element. Also, anthills can be directed toward a target, a
fine distraction. It is significant to know that the presence of creatures from
the demon lands have increased to an alarming degree, and there are other
forces besides the ones close at hand that seek the return of powerful dark and
destructive forces that make dragons hide and try to unmake this world we live
in. So there is already a power vacuum, and the Droolbane are not as much as a
misplaced thread of the warp and weft, one below the notice of the ones who
seek to influence the pass of the shuttle.
It's easy to dismiss the ephemeral races as too short-lived to understand the
pattern being woven, but they are the strongest force at hand for the survival
of this home of ours, and unlike the peoples or monsters of the Droolbane they
have the arms to bring the fight and the knowledge to wield the magic like the
longer-lived among us do. My grandfather liked to say that though the bard song
is mightier than the sword, the sword speaks louder at any given moment, and
the short-lived folk are like swords. When the plans of the stronger powers are
thwarted or, as I fear, completed, the balance of power between those remaining
will be shifted in ways nobody living on the warp can begin to predict. The
balance is simple, those who live in harmony with the rules and structure She
created for all of us must band together against the destroyers and despoilers
to prevent them from making everything snarled and tangled beyond recognition.
Destruction isn't an arm of the balance, growth and decay are the arms, while
destroying the system so those things can't work anymore is not just
unbalanced, it's a threat to the balance itself. As a druid I've been told time
and again that I must do all I can to protect the weave and those who live upon
it, while as a member of the guild of scouts I know to move lightly so the
weave doesn't feel the weight of my presence. So I know what's at stake, what
the established power structure thinks benefits them, and what their
adversaries seem to want to do. You do realize that the Droolbane are the pawns
of one of those forces, and that their illusion of a break between those to
their other side is a ploy to make other forces believe the illusion? If not,
you might find value in thinking about that."
She turns to Sean, Ahearn, and Kelbas. "Sorry I've been away for so long, I've
been scouting to make sure this meeting was safe from hostile forces."
-----Original Message-----
From: stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Tim Farley ("timfarleynj")
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 4:39 PM
To: stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [stoddard] Re: Elves
Sean pauses briefly, looking Gilfan in the eye. "March, as in the inexorable
march to victory. And we saw you coming today." Sean smiles. "We know about
the forces west of here, and do not consider the Droolbane to be an effective
counter to them. All the Droolbane are is a menace to settlers and farmers and
sheep, no doubt. But, as I have said, the ultimate determination as to the
future of the Droolbane, or, more accurately, what we intend to do about their
future, is not up to me alone. As most of our numbers are various forms of
Elvenkind, no doubt they would have an eye on the long game. I am merely the
youngest of our group, and a member of the shortest lived race among us. I
lack the patience to treat indirectly with the Droolbane." Sean pauses. "A
few days back, west of here, north of Ezanus's lair, we killed a Crimson
patrol. Six ogres and a stone giant. The mage rode away on horseback, and as
we were merely four, and afoot, we did not catch him. I tell you this not to
brag, but to alert you that the Crimson may come searching for their lost
patrol, and your Lady does claim the lands around their, excepting the wyrm's
lair, of course." Sean pauses, then says, "Once again, Gilfan Adcan, please
accept my invitation to call upon us at Dugal's Cove. My friends, those likely
to have a farsighted view on things, will be pleased to meet with you and
discuss matters of mutual interest, or ascertain whether there are any such
matters of mutual interest. You are welcome to travel with us back to the
Cove, of course. Or come along at your leisure upon completion of whatever
errand your Lady set you to today. We look forward to seeing the true children
of the forest, in a land with a remarkable lack of forest. Many will be amazed
to see you, as rumor on Stoddard is that no elves can survive on this island
for very long. Of course, your presence puts that rumor to bed. If your
present duties do not allow such a visit, please consider visiting at some
point in the future. In that regard, you will always be welcome, and I hope
our presence in your lands will not be deemed hostile, as, when time permits,
we may well come seek audience with you. It is my sincere hope that this is
the start of a rewarding relationship."
On Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 04:59:06 PM EDT, SM Baule <smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Gilfan will respond. "Well, as we are the true children of the forest Mr.
Marsh, it is not surprising that you have not seen our patrols near what you
call Tizar's End. That, however, is far from definitive proof we have not been
there. The Droolbane are a weak and wicked tribe, but they have the advantage
of filling a vacuum that otherwise might be filled with more organized and
aggressive adversaries. The powers farther west are far more vast in their
powers. As a human, we wouldn't expect you to take the longer view, but I would
hope your gnomish companions might understand."
On Sun, Jun 19, 2022 at 3:16 PM Tim Farley <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
"We are a polyracial group, Gilfan Adcan. Our comrade Hagar is a
dwarf, and it is he to whom the land has been granted, for services rendered
the Lord Mayor of Aarell, and, by extension, the Earl of Stoddard, by the group
as a whole. As for the northern limit of your Lady's realm, we have been
living around, and patrolling around, that graveyard for many months, yet this
is the first time Her Lady's forces have been seen within a day's travel of the
graveyard. Indeed, we have defeated Droolbane forces there on multiple
occasions, as well as the forces of Pirate Admiral Golding, a raid by forces of
Jarnell the Jolly and Ingos the Dolphin, more pirates I know some of your
number have had contact with. In addition, we have encountered the dragon
Ezanus the Evergreen there, seen a couple of other dragons overflying the area,
and encountered a force of netherworldly ghul. We have paid for that graveyard
in blood. But, I am sure that a mutually agreeable border can be ironed out."
Sean smiles, but keeps a wary eye.
"As for any balance regarding the Droolbane, I am uninterested in
keeping them as a balance. What the rest of our group may or may not wish to
do is a different matter, of course. Your priest Northen also expressed a
desire for a balance of power as well as a desire to avoid a power vacuum. It
is my intent to shatter the power of the Droolbane. They offer no good, and if
not dealt with represent a perpetual and potentially deadly threat. Again, my
comrades may chose a different course, but I prefer to remove threats, not
placate them." Pausing briefly, Sean continues. "Without intimating any
intent to in any way interfere with, or require permission for, your journey
north, may I inquire as to what has brought your esteemed presence north at
this time? Did you come looking for the dwarves? That would be most pleasing,
and we will gladly guide you to our Hold. If that is not why you are here, I
would not wish to interfere with whatever brought you our way, but would
nonetheless invite you to come to the Cove and discuss matters of open
relations with our full company."
On Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 01:16:37 PM EDT, SM Baule
<smbaule@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
"I am Gilfan Adcan in her Lady's service." the elf offers. "I have
heard there were dwarves to the north past the human graveyard. None of you are
dwarves. Are you of that group? My lady views the graveyard as the northern
limit of her goddess given territory. It does seem easy to push back the
Droolers, but they reproduce like rabbits and just come back even more angry.
It really isn't worth the bloodshed. They are either too smart or too well
controlled to attack my Lady's holdings. They are part of the balance, you
describe."
On Sun, Jun 19, 2022 at 7:11 AM Tim Farley <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
"No, sir, I have not had the honor of having met you Lady, but
I know of her, through Gladdell, Northen and their patrol, who I met some time
back. I told them of our small holding, and our interest in treating with our
neighbors, and asked them to let your Lady know we would be most eager to meet
with her. I invited an embassy from your Lady, to discuss such things as
mutual interests, common friends, allies, and to consider opening mutually
beneficial relations, including trade, a sharing of intelligence, and a
defensive alliance against the Droolbane and other common foes." Sean pauses,
smiling, "Indeed, when appraised of your presence, it was my sincerest hope
that you were indeed an embassy sent from your Lady to begin negotiations along
such lines. If so, that would have proven serendipitous. Might I ask you by
what name or rank I should address you?"
On Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 07:42:37 AM EDT, SM Baule
<smbaule@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
"Greetings, Mr. March, do you know our Lady?"
On Sat, Jun 18, 2022 at 12:07 PM Tim Farley
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Sean will walk in with his right hand upraised in
greeting. "Hello, Brother, Good to see you, Lieutenant" he says in Common to
Ahearn and Kelbis. To the Elves, assuming he hasn't already been 'challenged',
Sean will briefly draw himself to attention, bow slightly, and, in Elvish, say
"Greetings. I am Sean Marley March, we have traveled this way responding to
unprovoked attacks by Droolbane goblins. Are you of the Lady of the Waters?
Some time back I traveled through this area, and encountered some of her men.
Perhaps you know Northen or Gladdell, or the big Vulture Grabber Two Arrows?".
On Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:07:56 AM EDT, SM Baule
<smbaule@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Sean and the others will reach the area where Ahearn
and Kelbis are.
