"My thanks admiral. Impressive display of trophies you have. You must have struck terror in numerous Uurlanth fleet."

>>17108701
Second. Not much else to say or do.

>>17108701
This sounds good to me

>>17108701

sounds good, third/fourth

You nod, and take the seat opposite the head at the mahogany table "You have my thanks Admiral. Though I must comment on the impressive display of trophies you have, you must have truly been a terror to the Uurlanthi fleets."

The man grins, gesturing to the shards of ship to his right as he seats himself at the head of the table "These are all from flagships I sunk in this war. Though I must admit, I enjoyed earning those cleavers a good bit more."

Sansa frowns, "Even with the toll that battle exacted from your marines?" as she sits, and begins filling goblets with one of the bottles from your personal cache of alcohol.

The captain nods "That was, most unfortuanate. However, it is better that it was my fleet than one less able to defend itself. And, as an Admiral, I seldom am given a chance to properly partake in battles anymore. I must stand back and command the fleet. The... things, that we battled at the end were kind enough to strike at me personally."

"Faeries." Laelith interjects, swirling her goblet, before taking a sip from it "We were accosted by Faeries."

Jayne shakes her head "Faeries, as in, the Fae King Alfgaeirwi, the flying citadel of Gventenhold, and the death of the Mercenary City? she takes a drink from her goblet after receiving it "Justinian, love, you may be too busy for exploration if belligerent races of arcane nature continue to return at this rate."

>>17108960
"And seeing how they acted, I imagine diplomacy isn't an option with them. It might be best to send word back to the capital now if they're going to actively start killing anything they come across."

"Perhaps I'll be forced to beg some skilled captain or admiral to command such explorations after the war? I do fear I'll one day I'll be force to delegate myself behind a desk."

(since Jayne kind of set that up for us)

>>17108960
"We can only hope that not all of the evils of from the past will return."

>>17108960
"That may be. And considering how they behaved today, and if stories of them are to be believed, they shall be just as bothersome to wipe out as the loukys."

>the map, again

You sigh, and take a drink yourself, as the first course of the dinner is brought out "With the ancient evils that seem to be springing from the shadows of every nannies repertoire of bedtime stories for rowdy children, I may need a good captain for that. As I will no doubt be anchored behind a desk once my position is final."

The Admiral laughs "You have my sympathy, Commander. I have been denying our Praetors offers for promotion to his office to manage the navy for nearly a decade now. I refuse to be deskbound."

Sansa joins the laughter "Justinian, I doubt you will be desk-bound. You will lead your Fist, and leave the clerical work to me and Jayne." as she helps herself to some strange fruit, no doubt looted or imported.

Kyria shakes her head, as she looks at the cleavers "I wouldnt mind more chances to get some of their weapons. Masterful work... I'm certainly glad that I am so useless with clerical work."

The Admiral wipes his mouth, and tosses a pit from whatever fruit it was he had been eating into a bucket off to the side of the table "If you wish, I could speak to my brother for you. He is the Governor of Frentum, and his vote would be a great help to your cause. Though, I would seill like to know how much of the tales I have heard of the Fae are myth.

>>17109309
"You and me both. I imagine Laelith would know the most about the Fae at this point. I haven't really researched much into them at this point - mostly focusing on things such as the loukys."

I can't remember if we're allowed to speak about them or not. I figured the undead thing should be kept hush hush though unless I'm wrong about that too. Been awhile.

>>17109122
Speaking of which, we should probably go through a list of the stories and such for things we should stock up on. If I'd known earlier that this world had such hostile fae, I for one would be carrying around cold iron. Or whatever they're weak to.

>>17109309
>Everyone looks at Laelith.

>>17109341
Oh right. Speaking of their masterfully crafted cleavers, we should ask what exactly we managed to salvage from the fae we wrecked during our assault.

>>17109341
I doubt that the secret of the Loukys return will be able to be hidden for much longer. The admiral seems a trustworthy man and he might be able to better defend the nation of he knows the nature of a future threat. He may become a strong ally if we can show him we are prepared to deal with the threat.

>>17109531
Also his rank might give him security clearance for that information.

You nod in agreement "As would I. Laelith has been mostly researching the Loukys, but she is more likely than any of us to know about the Fae." After tilting your head to your wlven wife, you help yourself to a fruit, sweet, juicy and delicious, you simply cant help yourself.

THe elf grins, and replies "The Fae, from what I remember, live in a caste system. At the bottom are the slave subspecies we call Sprites. Those were the small creatures we saw dying in droves, and that accosted Lena and Catalina with their magics. Above them are the Ebons, which can barely preform any Fae magic, or form galmors. From them are the Silvers, than Goldens, increasingly skilled both in combat and in the arcane. Finally are the aetherials."

"the ones with the strange hair? Like the one Justinian fought?" Sansa interjects, pushing a plate piled high with pits from the fruit away from herself.

Laelith nods "Correct" her voice sounding fully like a teacher at this point, the glint of joy readily visible in her eyes "The color hair corresponds to the element their Fae magic manipulates. The only known Faerie to have more than one color to his hair was the Fae King, who possessed all of the elemental colors in his hair."

Jayne sighs "so, they can create the element they can control. Wonderful." as she too begins to wait for the next course, twirling her hair in her finger as she does so.

Laelith nods, as Kyria asks "And the fixation on cleavers?"

The elf shrugs "They dont cook their meat, and see any race that took up arms against the Immortals as a food source. The cleavers make it easier to get to their meals."
>cont'd

The Admiral frowns "A wonderful development no doubt. I truly hope that these attacks do not become too common. I doubt many fleets could withstand an attack of such magnitude." He pauses, blinks slowly, then looks to you "Loukys? Please dont tell me that they have returned from extinction."

Vi nods "Yes, they have. Though... we feel it should be Justinian to tell you the tale of how they came to be. While we are central to that story, our memory of it is..." she trails off, setting her last, half-finished fruit aside.

>>17109734
"During my campaign on the northern front to defend Northmont, the Uurlanth commander found a way to revive the Loukys and used them against us, thinking he could control them. At the time I had no idea what they were or how to deal with them properly and unfortunately a number of Loukys princes escaped the hives once the Uurlanth lost control. One even headed deeper into Degnar. I'm sure rumors of what happened in the north will spread through the legion on its own but I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak of it outside of this conversation."

>>17109779
I agree with this. Give him some knowledge that he can verify but steer him away from some of the specifics, like us entreating a goddess for help in getting Vi. Keep it militarily focused, like what kind of tactics the Loukys like to use thaqt we've read about and so on.

>>17109779
Seconded. I'm thinking we shouldn't mention Vi's origin unless she mentions it first.

>>17109734
"One of the Uurlanthi commander that participated in the siege of Northmont was given seeds by a fortune teller, who convinced him that the one who wielded their powers would unite the world under the banner of Uurlanth. The seeds created Loukys hives which they used as siege towers to attack Northmont. Our forces were assaulted by Loukys that started to pour out of the hives after the hives had reached our walls. We held them back until they suddenly fled the field, going directly through the Uurlanthi lines. Four groups of them have scattered across the continent with one of them fleeing into Degnar. After the battle the enemy commander was captured and we learned what the creatures were. It is still unknown why he came into possession of these seeds, as he didn't know the fortune teller."

>>17109779
Seconding.

You nod, sighing as a fine platter of fish is set out on the table "Sadly, yes, they are back." you address the admiral, nodding to your tri-voiced wife. "During my campaign to defend the north, the Knight or Lordling, whichever he was, leading the Uurlanthi assault found a way to revive the Loukys to turn them against us. Not knowing what they were, I allowed several Princes, and a decent amount of lesser loukys escape. One group diving deeper into Degnar." You take a slow drink from your goblet "Of course, this is all still a kept state secret, as The Emperor only hinted at what occurred there in his announcement."

the admiral shakes his head, before taking one of the fish... trout of some sort, you think, from the platter "Damned fool dogs." He pauses to look at you, before cutting into his meal "Justinian, could you tell me, one man to another, are the rumors of the gods return true? I swear on the honor of the Crimson I wear" he gestures to his Admirals uniform "That your response will not leave this chamber."

>>17110033
"They have returned. I've seen proof of their being back since my first campaign and throughout the war. At least some of the Uurlanth are aware as well, as one of their commanders had help from one of the gods against me."

I say we tell him. I think it'll be okay.

>>17110033
I gotta say that this guy should know. Just give him the bare bones explanation.

>>17110033
"Our official position is that the return of the gods has not yet been confirmed.
"But only a fool would see all of this magic and legends returning to this world and NOT expect the gods to return.
"Yes, the gods are back."

You purse your lips, and nod "Yes. They have returned along with the arcane and the beasts of lore. Of course, this is not yet public knowledge."

The Admiral nods, understandingly "Much like the true nature of the creatures that are returning, the knowledge would panic the populace, and we can ill afford that. I will hold the secret... and you have my thanks."

Laelith nods "It would be foolish for us to keep this knowledge from those running the Legion." as she bites into her meal, clearly delighting in the taste.

The Andmiral smiles "And again, you have my thanks for your trusting me. Though, I would like to know more of the gods..."

-----CQ-----

You spent the rest of the night discussing the gods, and their doings and personalities with the admiral. Interspersed with this were war stories from all at the table, as well as personal anecdotes. The Admiral truely is the man he presents to the world, Steel backed, strong willed, fiercely loyal to his friends and a deadly foe to his adversaries. The navy defines him, and he is proud of the fact. So, stomachs full, and invited to dine with him again, you set off for your own bunk with your wives.

>so, timeskip to the duchy now, or something else?

>>17110296
Talk to Kyria and find out how her runework is going and what kinds of things she can do specifically. Might be necessary to know this when we deal with Duchy people.

>>17110296
I'm okay with a timeskip.

>>17110296
Lewts.

>>17110296

What loot did we get from those damned fairies and turtlepeople?

And did we snag a few of the higher caste corpses for experimentation/inspection?

and info on our wounded command staff, specifically Uurist and possibly Collin, as I recall them being in fairly bad shape at the end of that fight.

rolled 11 = 11

If people don't want to talk to Kyria, let's at least do some weapons training during the time skip. Maybe some anti-mystic training too if Pax lets us do both. Guess I'll roll for weapons training.

I'd like to check any/all fairy corpses we managed to loot for lingering arcane potential/power, likely with our crystal. If they have some and there is an earth-aligned one, see if we can stoneshape bones or something. Perhaps we'll gain some kind of insight from doing so?

if the corpses lack any arcane alignment/power, sword training?

During the remainder of the voyage you are quite productive. One of the first things you tackle is producing an inventory of what you looted from the Faeries. You have 10 Great Cleavers, and 21 Hand Cleavers, all of which Kyria is examining to determine the ore creating them. You also have several Fae Corpses, which Catalina described as "Too frail to be of any use for a battle construct, or to bother reanimating, despite the fact that My Lady would have no qualms with me doing so." However, a few of the gems taken from the Tertiose's hoard before their great mounts returned to the sea allowed her to keep the pair of combat golems she created for future use.

Next, you speak with Kyria on her runecraft, which is progressing nicely. Several full runic phrases are complete, and ready to be added to the Tome she is compiling for future use and academic purposes. Next you speak with Finian on politics in the Duchy. He informed you that you will be judged on your merit, and that of your personal guards. Of which you will be allowed 4 during negotiations. He said to expect at least one Elder of the Great Council to be present. The hall itself will be one of the halls closer to the base of the mountains, and as such, further from the rest of the council, which will slow certain aspects of the negotiations. You are to be straightforward and respectful, especially as you are bringing an exile back to the City Below.

During all this, you spend a healthy portion of your time training with Collin, and are able to seamlessley switch between the two Stances you know, and have better control over both of them as a result. Finally, after weeks at sea, the docks of Suthpon are in sight, and you are ready to make your final preparations for your negotiations, as you will be landing in a day.

From IRC:
><Laurentius> can't hut to try. What's the worst that could happen?...
Pic related. Pic horribly, gloriously related.

>>17110527
Hmm. For our personal guard I'm thinking we take Gaius, Blackbird, Collin and Sansa. Sansa might not look as bad ass as the others but just she has been pretty hardcore in combat and if there's drinking, she'd make up for it there.

>>17110527
Oh hell, also we need to ask Finian - which houses/factions in the duchy supported Khalless before he was exiled. It might not be worth mentioning we dealt with him if we're meeting with people who had supported him.

>>17110587
Hmm, that's a pretty good choice, but I'm not sure about Blackbird. He's not the most diplomatic choice we have. Perhaps switch him with Jayne.

>>17110634
He's intimidating and a hardcore warrior. Plus he's pretty straightforward and now we get a chance to see if he's been learning how to be better at being diplomatic like our mystic was trying to accomplish.

>>17110661
He's also something like twice the height of a dwarf. Perhaps not the best choice to bring underground (I take it that's what a hall close to the base of the mountain would be) into a place built for dwarves.

>>17110661
Fair enough. I just wanted to put our best foot forward, you know, make a good impression on the Duchy. Furthermore, the fact that we took down Khaless should be very helpful for that, I think.

>>17110679
I imagine the Duchy has places for dealing with races larger with them. It'd be kind of silly for them to not unless they're trying to be disrespectful on purpose. Which is possible. I don't think it should stop us personally.

>>17110680
The Khalless issue might not help us actually. IIRC, he did have a fair amount of support before he was exiled. We have to be careful who we talk about that to.

We could bring along Autronius to get a feel for who supported Khaless or people are connected to the cult.

A bit risky though. Just throwing the idea out there.

>>17110686
Races larger than them, yes, but the Old Clan orcs are, IIRC, larger/taller than most of the other humanoid races, had been thought to be extinct for some time, and were not all that congenial before that. We should check first (perhaps ask Finian?), but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have an area sized to fit. Of course, they could be sticking us in one of those "LOOK AT HOW HUGE AND AWESOME ALL OUR ARCHITECTURE IS" areas, which would make it irrelevant, but it's still worth checking first.

>>17110587
fine with this but replace Blackbird for Finian

>>17110747

seconding Finian for Blackbird.

Finian is our best source of nearly anything we can think to ask about the Duchy, and his work has been key to much of the info we have about the Cult's actions and plans.

That and we are setting up a chance to possibly redeem Finian's name, which Jorga will approve of.

>>17110747
>>17110787
Before we have Finian come with us I suggest we ask him how much friction his presence as our bodyguard would create.

>>17110798
Sounds good to me

As the fleet approaches land, you approach a mealncholoy Finian "Finain, my friend. I take it this homecoming i-"

"It is no homecoming, I am a Dwarf of the Empire now." he cuts you off, tersely "But no, it is not easy to be back to this mountain. How can I help you?" he finishes more softly, his armor clanking as he turns to face you.

You pat him on the back "Just a few more questions before we make landfall. First, would having you at the talks..."

The dwarf forces a smile "Lead to your execution? possibly. Though you would at the very least lose half of your tongue, and a hand. My presence under the mountain is favor enough."

You nod "Very well. So, would Gaius, Blackbird, Collin and Sansa make sufficient guards then?" you ask stepping off to the side of the dwarf to watch the approaching barren mountain.

Finian nods "Each of them should have tales that have reached the Duchy." You are only vaguely aware of his reply. From here, the desolation that is the Irontooth Mountains is truly breathtaking. To have seen it as the lush, verdant tropical paradise it once was...

"I also feel like it would be prudent for me to know which families and houses supported Khalless in his rebellion." you ask, snapping yourself out of your reverie

The dwarf sadly shakes his head "Mention not that dwarf. His rebellion is not called the Brothers War for no reason. More houses were split asunder in those 25 years of blood than in the rest of the Duchies history. the fact that you defeated him is well known, and the topic is..." he trails off, before reaching into his armor for a flask, which he drinks from.

>so, any other questions for the dwarf before you land?

>>17110938
Beyond asking him if there's anything we should avoid to insult them by accident, I guess let's go.

I'd like him to give us a primer on politics in the city and a general guide on how to act in polite society without starting a blood feud

>>17110938
I can't think of anything else.
Gaius, Blackbird, Collin and Sansa sounds like a fine group to me.

You spend the rest of the voyage discussing etiquette and customs with Finain. Not entertaining talk to say the least, but productive. Added to that, you suspect it is helping ease the dwarfs nerves, and salve the emotional scars now dangerously close to being torn open.

-----CQ-----

Your arrival in Suthpon is an... occasion, to say the least. AS the Wrath approaches the coast, a sextet of battered, sturdy looking cutters row up to escort the ship in. Each one long and low, rams-head rams affixed to their bow. Each one is painted in browns and earthy greens and vibrant blues, the work masterful. Every scar and patch is embellished and made to stand out on the cutters, as if taunting any foes to attempt to break them at a place that has already survived one strike. Just behind the rams, and on level with the banks of oars, sits an eye, glaring red, brow furrowed in rage.

Once the Wrath, though dwarfing these cutters easily, though somehow looking less intimidating than its escorts, reaches its dock, the true ceremony begins. It is to a blast of horns, and the thunder of drums, a low, triumphant, militant march, that the gangplank strikes the land. You stride forth, fully armored and armed, Gaius and Blackbird before you, Collin and Sansa behind you, one to each corner, all garbed as you. Lining the topaz and jade road through the trading city on the surface to the City Below, are dwarven guards. Each of them clad in Kextraeita plate, gleaming an impossible silver in the light, where the plate is not dyed a rich, deep chestnut. Each guard has a long braided beard hanging down from his helm, and a shaven head. Each wields a Baradich, held perfectly straight and perpendicular to the earth in his right hand, a chestnut and blood red crescent shield strapped to his left forearm.
>comt'd

Behind you, the rest of your command staff strides confidently, as you pass the phalanx of heavy infantry. Finally, you reach the massive gold, topaz and diamond embossed gates to the City Below. Waiting for you is a sage dwarf, his beard stopping just above the ground, braided and parted masterfully. From his head falls a mass of Snow-white dreadlocks, hanging regally at his shoulders, his brown and gray robes telling his status as an Elder, his painted brows raised in a stern, curious expression, the black of the coal starkly contrasting his pale skin and white hair.

Face set in an impassive mask, the Elder slams his right fist into his heart, opening his palm to complete the 45 degree angle, a perfect Degnarian salute. You respond by snapping your left hand to a blade, and impacting it at your sternum, before lowering your face to gaze at the top of your hand, your Duchy salute as perfect as his use of your homelands salute. "Commander Trentz, I, Darius Eroukhul, Elder of the Council, welcome you as an envoy of your nation to my own, and accept the aid you offer. Come, let us travel to a more appropriate locale below-ground."

>>17111230
Accept the welcome and thank him in whatever official tone is needed. Not sure what title we're supposed to refer to him as but I assume Finian went over it with us. Then we follow him I guess.

>>17111275
yep

>>17111230
Not much else to do but follow him.

You release your salute in time with the Elder "You have my thanks, Elder Eroukhul. And yes, let us retire to our meeting hall." you turn, and signal to Jayne, who will be doing Sansas work while the former is acting as your bodyguard.

Once in the city, things become much more... vibrant. Every home carved into the stone is painted brightly. The rounded, stepped structures looking at once like small forts, and some of the most comfortable homes you have ever seen. The air smells of sausage, alcohol and woodchips, and as you travel, you quickly become able to discern the wealthy dwarfs from the poor. The wealthy men have their hair in dreadlocks, or shaved clean, the tops of their heads tattooed. Their beards expertly braided and parted, forming intricate patterns. The poor, simply braid their hair, or let it hang loose at the seemingly customary shoulder level, beards scraggly, matted and simply there.
>cont'd

Criminals scurry about, their shortened hair marking them out, and allowing all others to keep away from them. The rich women have their hair tied back in buns, or twisted up into tall, outlandish styles, while the poor women let it hang loose again out on their chests, or have it cut short for practicalities sake. the most wealthy have their hair dyed to match their cloths, and eyebrows drawn on, much like the Elder that has been leading you all day.

-----CQ-----

After several days of walking at a leisurely pace, you reach your destination. Your maniple had fully enjoying the markets and bazaars you passed through, despite the fact that your comrades having marched past you the first day. You give them leave to explore this portion of the City Below, so long as they cause no trouble, and are able to march as soon as you send the word. "We will begin negotioations tomorrow, Commander. I will meet you at the table." the Elder informs you, breaking his customary silence to deliver the instruction.

>so, what do you want to do with your first free night in the Duchy?

>>17111447
I can't really think of anything to do that they'd let us do. Perhaps wander around and look for something interesting? Find a Duchy inventor that we can get to join our engineering team and help Degrian. I'd say runesmith but I imagine the Duchy have grabbed anyone experimenting in those.

>>17111447
We did promise Sansa a night out on the town at some point.

>>17111483
seconding this after we get the men settled in

>>17111534
>Sansa
>Out on the town
>Dwarf city

Pic related.

>dPOnce England
Captcha says we should go kill nobles. Ones that like tea. I'm not sure we'll find any in a dwarf city, though, unless tea-with-booze counts.

>>17111578
>>17111483
seconding/thirding

>>17111534

we should save the night on the town for after we've met our dwarven counterparts so that we can have Sansa drink them into their place.

You nod, and reply "Then I will see you on the morrow, Elder." before turning to settle your maniple in.

After a while, Sansa walks up to you "So, Justinian, what do you say to dimply exploring the city for now, and, once we know it better, have the night out you promised me?"

You grin "I had expected you to be more eager to drink these dwarves stupid. But yes, that sounds excellent." you reply, giving the girl a quick hug before returning to settling Spite down. It would seem that he is not an uursan that likes being belowground.

It only takes a few hours until your maniple is settled in. And as soon as that is done, the entire force scatters to enjoy all that the massive subterranean city has to offer. You and Sansa are surprised to see Degrian heading out into the city "Wow, even our over-driven engineer is looking to enjoy the city." Jayne notes, as she falls into step with the two of you, dressed casually, much like yourself.

Sansa shrugs "Perhaps we should join him, I would like to see what he does for entertainment... other than work." you nod, and let your wives lead you after the Karskyana engineer.

>bleh, callin it here for the night.
>I'll be back thursday at 9pm server time
>someone archive please

>>17111677
Yes, I'm sure he's going out for amusement and not to look up a bunch of other craftsmen/engineers/etc. That's definitely it.

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