[Game Thread] Road to Urik

[mountainbound]

"I think getting an audience with him will be straightforward enough. He cannot graciously deny me before his peers. But as to how we might convince him to help Tyr's armies, that is another matter." She twirls the wine in her glass, letting its bouquet was away the smell of decomposing corpse that so recently assaulted her nose.

If Faldor had something to entice Senator Vildeen with, he would of already mentioned it. As the others ask questions, D'aguar looks to her new companions. "If I'm recalling the same senator, this Vildeen is known for his greed." D'aguar purses her lips, remembering. "I hailed from a merchant house in Raam once known for its fine textiles. Though I haven't seen my family in many years -- and have no real desire to enter the city of Queen Abalach-Re ever again, I might be able to offer him a tentative future trade contract. It would be sketchy, but given the economic strain on Tyr, he might accept it."

She shrugs, making hundreds of glass beads around her long neck click at the movement. "I don't know. We should consider other options as well, since mine is probably a long shot at best. Does anything come to mind for either of you," she asks Dravor and Lanina. "Perhaps we can drive slaves, I mean, workers from the shelter to him. I hear the nobles are having trouble keeping good help."

[Elfman6]

Thron studied the whorls on the ceiling for a moment, carefully listening to the others. It was impossible that these two roads were the only way to keep the army of Hamanu off of Tyr, but it was true that these were effective. In either case the half-elf feels that he won't enjoy the task, but enjoyment was not a necessary part of life right now. All in all it would probably easier to dissuade the gladiators from charging into the Wastes without the main army than to deal with a set of people that he'd have to restrain an impulse to stab them. He sighs softly then speaks, his voice still directed at the ceiling.

"As an absolute last resort there Dravor, do keep in mind that you do know a druid. One who can guarantee a bountiful harvest come time. I don't want to do such a thing, but trying to pretend that I cannot would be somewhat unfair. Armies last only as long as they are fed and watered."

[Elucidus]

Lanina gives an unknowing shrug at D'aguar's question. "I do not know, but we have to try. I am good on my feet, so to speak." She looks over to Gunny, wondering how he is handling the situation. How much does he really understand?

At Thron's mention of a feast, Lanina looks at him, almost glaringly. THe source of the look is unknown.

[Peter172]

"Thank you Thron," Dravor said graciously, "it's always nice to know I can count on you, though you do know how I love the city life," he said with a mischievous smile. "I want more than anything to keep this city free, and it seems that would depend on pleasing this Vildeen, who is greedy, and as such will need proper motivation to marshal his forces against the usurper. Your plan seems a good one Lady D'aguar, though it will depend a lot on whether he believes you can deliver or not...sending him some competent workers might butter him up, but I'm not sure that would convince him to stand against the might of a Sorcerer King. I think that convincing him it's in his best interests to fight, and that he would loose his position and wealth would be the best motivation. If there's one thing I know about the wealthy, It's that they fear loosing their wealth more than anything..." Dravor seemed to remember that the person he was talking to had just faced that fear first hand, and his words trailed off for a moment, then he continued, "perhaps I could...stretch the truth a little, and convince him that there are rumors of a group of nobles assembled already to take over the government of Tyr, and that the current Senate will be made an example of for daring to defy their rightful King," Dravor suggested hopefully. Fast talk was all he had to offer, but he was pretty good at it.

[Birched]

During the conversation, Faldor draws the curtain aside for a moment and signals to the serving man outside. Moments after he retakes his seat, a pair of teenage boys dressed in simple but clean white tunics draw back the curtain. Each is laden with a platter of finger foods and dipping sauces, which they deposit on the table. Another pitcher of wine is also left for the party before the servers finally bow and withdraw.

Faldor draws the curtain behind the boys and turns back to your group. "I can't let you leave hungry, now can I. That would hardly be an auspicious start. Please, continue your conversations, but... eat! Oh, and I should have said: there is an open council session in two days time. Perhaps the Lady and whoever plans to accompany her could meet me outside the Hall at noon, and I'll be sure that you find a space in the observation area. Then you could catch Senator Vildeen when he steps out, either during or after the session. He is diligent about attending, and will almost certainly be there, though if for some reason he is absent we could just reschedule."

As if to set an example, Faldor reaches out and grabs a small fried vegetable and pea-flour ball and holds it out to show everyone before takes a bite. He smiles encouragingly -- apparently it's good.

[mountainbound]

Not knowing how much Vildeen might be in on the intrigues of Senate, the noblewoman isn't sure if Dravor's suggestion would hold water. But no plan can be dismissed out of hand. "Perhaps if we hint in that direction, it might spur him to action. Who knows?" When the bard mentions the biggest fear of the wealthy, she merely nods, taking no offense. It was true, and she was beginning to value the man's candid wisdom.

After Faldor speaks, D'aguar says, "Very well. We'll meet at noon and hope Vildeen attends the open session." She takes a fried vegetable and dips it in a small bowl of tomatillo and red pepper mash, then sits back, open to the room.

She was no student of the Way, but as with most Athasians, the mindscape was not unknown to her, and often slight ripples from it would penetrate her thoughts. So it was that in her mind's eye, the emanations in the chamber changed from a charged crimson to steady indigo. She could feel the tension fade as the food is served, and the group of companions begins to plan.

They were used to action, used to acting together, and Faldor had just given them something to unite around. As she turns to Lanina to discuss a small detail of their own assignment, D'aguar suddenly feels lighter, like she too had a place -- perhaps even a valuable place -- among these tested heroes.

She takes another sip of wine. A goal was a good thing to have.

OOC D'aguar might be making a discreet inquiry into what Lanina plans to do with Big, should he be barred from the assembly. DM, do we know if half-giants are allowed at Senate?

[zebedee]

Basha watches Faldor and D'aguar carefully. The Kreens aren't bothered by etiquette. But these two might be, he supposes. The People are not savages, of course. But their etiquette - and their food! - are not like the karntas. He stands up in his chair and reaches forward to grab one of the balls that Faldor had sampled, then dips it deeply into the nearest available sauce. He sniffs it once, and recoils in surprise. He nibbles at it. Then he shrugs, and puts the rest in his mouth whole. A moment later, his eyes water, and his face reddens. Mother! Such burning! He chokes it down, and coughs, then reaches hastily for his wine. He drinks deeply. Then he laughs loudly.

A moment later, he reaches for another ball, and dips it into the same sauce... gently. He returns to his crouched position in his chair, and nibbles contentedly, an amused grin on his face.

Basha has no idea how they will influence the gladiators. Nor how to contact them. But at least he won't have to sit through the interminable whinging of the Senate. In the meantime, civilized food and drink are a rare treat. He nudges the fiery dipping sauce towards Maunek with a wink.

[Elucidus]

Lanina was reminded by this moment. All of them together...almost Artek was missing, but she was reminded of how much she enjoyed their company.

Of all her clan, this newest member was familiar to her. They both had great loses, something that while a bit more distant for Lanina, she knew she could help D'aguar through the worst of her pain. They both seemed to have something a bit deeper in common, something she didn't quite understand. Perhaps a similar perspective on the world, or perhaps it was her just wanted to have something more in common with. Perhaps D'aguar was merely in her shell from her great loss, but Lanina thought she knew her.

She loved her clan, especially Gunny, but this new woman, maybe it was simply the excitement of getting to know someone new, someone compatible. She considered her one of her own as well and would happily accompany her.

She ate some of the weird food, I don't think I will ever get used to this food She simply listened.

[Admin Chuck]

Big'un follows the conversation as best he can, which is to say not all that well. He recognizes that was is coming to Tyr, and this time from the outside. He knows that he has been 'free' these past months, and the months before unjustly becoming a slave, and is perfectly aware that being 'free' is far superior to being a slave. Big is willing to do whatever he can to protect this freedom, and that of Lanina and his friends as well. If that means fighting a war against some faceless enemy the so be it. Never let anyone say that Big isn't always willing to fight to protect what he understands is worth protecting.

He has not yet grasped the Senator's resistance and the measures that might have to be taken to convince him to work with the rest of Tyr to fight off the advancing army. Big'un isn't going to be happy if he has to be away from 'Nina while she walks into enemy territory.

[Elfman6]

Thron can feel Lanina's eyes on him. For the life of him though, he can't find the energy to truly care why. He had said his part. Options are options and not telling people their options was the same as not giving them an option in the first place. With a shrug, the druid returns his attention to the whorls.

When the plate of food is delivered, he finds he is not as hungry as he anticipated. The druid merely picks at the vegetables and sauce, quietly listening to the others as his brain picks apart possible scenarios with the gladiators. There are not many he favours...

[Birched]

The meal winds down, final pleasantries are exchanged, and the group parts ways with Faldor to return to their residences. A cool night breeze whisks through the alleyway and streets as they return home, diluting somewhat the smells of the detritus that has collected (or rather, gone mostly uncollected...) over the past few months.

The decision to split into two groups having been made, each of you now has a specific target and time to consider how to approach it. In a day and a half, D'aguar, Dravor, and Lanina plan to attend the council session and, once there, approach Senator Vildeen. Basha, Thron, and Maunek will attempt to speak to the gladiators, and though no timetable has been set, there is no time like the present. As for Big, his course is as yet unclear.

The walk through the streets is peaceful, and the stars shine brightly in a clear sky. A good portent, perhaps.

~~~~the next morning~~~~

The crimson sun begins its daily scald of Tyr and life continues as usual. Lanina's shelter is full of the needy, and she and her helpers see about providing them with some kind of morning meal to break their overnight fast before they sit down themselves. It is another day of freedom in Tyr.

Basha and Thron are itching to get on with things, and discuss over breakfast their plan to visit the gladiators. Eventually, it comes to pass that they realise that there's little planning to do -- they'll just have to go and see what they can learn, hopefully with the help of Lissan.

ooc sorry for the delay -- what's Big doing?

[Admin Chuck]

OOC Big would try to go with Lanina first, but likely be told that he can't help her right now and that he could do better going to the arena with Basha and crew. So he'll go to the arena.

[Birched]

Basha, Thron, Maunek, and Big After breakfast, Basha, Thron and Maunek cajole a reluctant Big into taking a stroll with them to the arena. He's been grumbling about weapons and how none of them are big enough, and is finally convinced by the suggestion that he's not abandoning Lanina, he's just going shopping at the arena market. While there, of course, the plan is to try to track down Lissan. It takes as long as one might expect to separate the half-giant from the target of his attachment, and it is mid-morning by the time the foursome finds itself standing in the dragon's jaws at the great gate to the stadium. As they pause to consider their course, the four pedestrians are pushed aside roughly by the bulk of an inix pulling a cartload of wares. Its driver swears at them loudly, cursing their stupidity and that of their mothers for not burying them up to their necks in the wasteland as soon as she realised their vapidity. The gate is a busy place, and the inix pushes them not into empty space, but rather into a group of elven merchants, who tend to agree with the aforementioned driver. Somehow, Basha, Thron, Maunek and Big manage to enter the arena market without killing anyone. It's a good thing that hothead Artek wasn't with them, or there might have been trouble. The group makes its way through the maze of stalls towards the old slave pens, where the gladiators have set up a new training ground. When they arrive, they find the place mostly empty. Those gladiators who are hanging about are packing up their belongings in spots of shade. The day is heating up, and it looks like the morning's training has ended. ooc Lots of options, including approaching people at random, or going shopping and coming back later.

D'Aguar, Dravor, and Lanina The three diplomats spend the morning at Lanina's shelter, helping out or not according to the extent of their abilities and inclinations. ooc You guys can spend the day at rest if you like or come up with something else to do that aids your efforts. Either way, the next day will come soon.

[zebedee]

Gladiators Basha stands at the entrance and looks around, searching faces for anyone that he's seen before. Anyone whose names he knows. Having spent much of his time at the games memorizing stories of the fighters, he likes his chances of recognizing someone. After a moment, he finds his mark - a mul who had survived the first round of the games with a leg injury that prevented him from continuing. He turns to his companions and says, "Come." He strides confidently forward, ignoring all of the fighters between him and his target. Arriving, he says, "You are Atalak. You slew the elf Guuta to open the games. I have learned her name, and her song is now free. Now you know her name, and now it is part of your song. I am Basha. I would speak with Lissan. Vensa waits, without breath."

[ShadowcatX]

Gladiators Maunek steps up beside Basha and nods to the mul flashing what he hopes is a disarming smile and shrugging his shoulders as if to say "I have no idea what half that means either." "We're, well Basha and Big here" Maunek jerks his thumb over his shoulder at the half-giant "more than the rest of us, are friends of hers. We heard that she survived the games and would like to talk to her about how Tyr might best be defended from its enemies. If you could help us it would be much appreciated." He looks like a mul gladiator my family used to own back in Raam. Of course, they all kind of look alike, different scars but so much else the same. Training here so that he can go fight and kill for people that don't appreciate him and will never bother learning his name, as Basha did. Or is it his freedom he's fighting for, is it worth that much to him that he's willing to die for it after only a couple of weeks?Of course, if Tyr looses, we'll all likely die, or wish we had, the Lion King isn't known for his mercy.