Donik looks at Sean, "I am sorry Mr. Marsh, none of us like you. We took a
poll." Kelbis whispers something to Agatha and they both crack up.
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 1:01 PM Tim Farley <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Sean smiles in a challenging manner. "See, that's why the gnomes like me
better." Then he winks.
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 01:42:10 PM EDT, Nicole Massey <
nyyki@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Carandolana gives Sean the look. "Let's not make everything harder for
ourselves. Such things only have value when the other person cares about
your opinion, and I can assure, they don't care about anything you have to
say."
-----Original Message-----
From: stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Tim Farley ("timfarleynj")
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 11:51 AM
To: stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [stoddard] Re: Elves
"Were it up to me, we'd go burn it right now. But we'd best run it by the
Council of Non Chaos, as it is evident he Lady of the waters would protect
the Droolbane from the hasty intervention of the shorter lived folk we
are." Sean grins. " As for the scrimshaw, I'll write it all out for him.
We'll shorten it up a wee bit. To Gilfan from March. An asshat for an
asshat." Sean smirks. "If needed, we'll include an instruction manual for
how to insert it."
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 12:42:31 PM EDT, SM Baule <smbaule@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Kelbis, in a serious tone, "That might take Lanser more than one or two
skulls. Additionally, I am not sure he is that fluent in elven script."
Estra will make some comment to Ahearn about if certain parts of her
anatomy are useful enough. Agatha will be muttering to herself. She will
look to say something to Cara. Kelbis is excited to share about the Drooler
village. He is sure Manrug will want to destroy it for the honor of gnomes
everywhere.
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 11:15 AM Tim Farley <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
OOC: We'll wait for Carandolana to chime in further. However,
assuming there is no real change to the Elvish response, see below...
IC: Sean smiles. To Kelbis, Donik and Ahearn, Sean mutters "tits on
a bull". He blushes a bit when he remembers the girls, nodding to Agatha
and Estra. Sean asks Estra, "I wonder what the fauna think of our high and
mighty Elvish neighbors?" To Kelbis, Sean just gives a relieved smile. "I
should never have doubted you, Lieutenant, but I must admit, when we beat
you home, I was most concerned." (No need to rehash what Sean didn't hear,
we'll just assume he tells Sean what he told Ahearn when Sean asks).
"We'd best get back, we should get Calbark to carve some stone
tablets, in Elvish, to mark our borders. And the next couple of ogre heads
I take I'd like to deflesh and have Lanser scrimshaw up very nicely
something to the effect of 'to Gilfan from Sean Marley March, some ogre
skulls for you. Maybe if you try long and hard enough, you can jam one up
your tight Elvish sphincter. Or wear one as a hat. Or both.'
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 11:50:11 AM EDT, SM Baule <
smbaule@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Gilfan will give Sean a smile, "Well, Mr. Marsh and friends, always
nice to meet the new neighbors. Nice touch with the ogre skulls. One would
expect such an effort. If they are on my Lady's lands, we will let you
know. Our Lady's ambassador will surely reach out shortly." The elves will
sort of wait for you all to move off. Kelblis and Donik will both bow to
Gilfan. Holly will be a bit horrified with the names they have come up in
their heads for the elves.
Any other actions, or are you going to peacefully move off?
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 10:19 AM Fritz Schmidt <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
* I hear you was going to follow them for a bit... as
unobtrusively as possible.. then I shall. return and report"
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 07:57:34 AM CDT, Tim Farley <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Sean is uncertain as to whether Holly is loitering in the area,
but he nonetheless thinks *Holly, it would be an excellent idea for you to
watch them for a few hours after we leave. Something not us brought them
out here, apparently, and I am too curious for my own good*
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 08:44:49 AM EDT, Tim Farley <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
"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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto:
stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> <stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:
stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > on behalf of SM Baule <smbaule@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> >
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 7:06 PM
To: stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> <
stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: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 <mailto: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> [mailto:stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:stoddard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ] On Behalf Of Tim Farley
("timfarleynj")
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 4:39 PM
To: stoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: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 <mailto: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> <mailto:
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> <mailto:
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> <mailto:
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> <mailto:
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>
<mailto: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>
<mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx ;<mailto:smbaule@xxxxxxxxx> > > wrote:
Sean and the others will reach the
area where Ahearn and Kelbis are.
