Relic Hunters in Tekumel (IC)

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: Well done, thanks [MENTION=2820]Fenris[/MENTION] !

The ambassador looks aghast at the confrontation, and let the argument run way too long as it was obvious he couldn't easily handle a situation beyond his imagination. "Egads! Enough! Jack, go ahead and take your crew back to the party and I'll be there to escort you to your Tsoylani contact in just a handful of minutes. Ms. Crawford, I can escort you now. All I ask is that your two teams please... I beg of you, please! ... handle yourselves with a larger level of dignity then you have here."

With that, Lord North takes the ladies down a side hallway where they can hear the party continuing just beyond the walls. A turn or two later, and he opens the door into another meeting room much different from the last. Lord North introduces you before leaving, "Madame Chaturgha hiTokeshqu, I bring you the representatives of the Angelina Crawford group of Relic Hunters." In here the furniture has been completely removed and the glass lanterns replaced by numerous paper lanterns lining the outer edges of the chamber. Seated Indian-style are several Tsoylani of high status wearing their highly decorated tunics, headdresses, jewelry and the like. There is also one lower status elderly man wearing a simple sleeveless tunic and pouring tea in porcelain cups, and a member of the azure legion standing and watching in a back corner. In all, there are seven Tsoylani in the room.

An middle-aged woman with a less severe look than her comrades says in eloquent Tsoylani, "I have heard much of the Hunter Crawford Clan, and it is said that you just recently arrived from a difficult journey. Please, sit and let us talk," The woman, who is Chaturgha hiTokeshqu, motions for Bella to sit a couple yards directly in front of her and for the others to sit flanking and slightly behind. It is obvious what is happening. Since Bella is dressed the most as a Tsoylani noble, she is being seen as the representative of your 'clan' for the purposes of this discussion.

Bella's mind races for knowledge of customs and courtesies that she has observed Angelina employ in the past with the Tsoylani. She gracefully sits in the same lotus-style as Chaturgha hiTokeshqu, and politely takes the cup of tea offered to her by the Tsoylani servant, though careful not to make eye contact with him for that would put him on an equal footing with her and Bella had to play the role of Tsoylani upper caste. Elsbeth was able to sit easily to Bella's left, the position of honor in Tsoylani society. Angelina had a bit more difficulty tucking the gown underneath her as she joined the other two on the floor, somehow even making that action seem dignified. Briony and Zephia sat in the rear and on either side, making the Relic Hunters form an inverted 'V' in their positioning. Those two were the most tense, as they were aware of the Tsoylani warriors staring intently at their symbols of past victories. Bella knew that her conversation with the woman in front of her would set the tone for future negotiations with those she represented. Greetings were supposed to be observed at this time, and if the conversation went well, warmer discussion would follow before getting onto business. If the Tsoylani were displeased, business would be conducted quickly, but not as warmly and with less lucrative incentives.

And so Bella smiled lightly and pleasantly despite her misgivings as negotiations were started.

Chaturgha hiTokeshqu asked Bella about her recent trip and if she was well. Bella can respond as follows:

A.) Say it wasn't a big deal, shrug the shoulders, sip some tea, and comment on the blend.
B.) Fabricate tales of heroism and derring-do, adding that they fought pirates and sea monsters, but that their being of the Realms meant that little could stand in their way.
C.) Admit that they had found trouble along the way. State a belief that the gods and fate decided that they should survive. Express that her 'clan' was pleased to see the spires of Jakalla and the safety provided by the Emperor's Ever-Present Glory.
D.) A different player choice.

Chaturgha hiTokeshqu compliments Bella on her dress. Bella:

A.) Admits to its awesomeness. Talks about how much it costs, and says she enjoys the figure she cuts while wearing it.
B.) Says that she enjoys Tsoylani customs in dress and wishes that she knew more of such things so that she might better relations in the future.
C.) Talks about how much it itches and that certain garments seem to ride uncomfortably. Also that the clothing of the Realms is much more comfortable and that the Tsoylani should try wearing gowns and suits sometime.
D.) Player's Choice.

Chaturgha hiTokeshqu asks about the future of the Realms and Tsoylani relations in the opinion of Bella. Bella states:

A.) She hopes that both will benefit from trade of goods and knowledge.
B.) States that the Realms eagerly awaits the Emperor's rule.
C.) States that the Realms will free those Tsoylani wishing a different life.
D.) Player's Choice.

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

Zephia stays quiet and watches the Tsoylani warriors both for signs of trouble and how they conduct themselves in case she needs to mimic their customs.

 

[dream66_]

Elsbeth sits quietly and respectfully, but hoping to express hidden power and danger

 

[CanadienneBacon]

[section]Briony fidgets. She sits as directed by Chaturgha hiTokeshqu, but she fidgets. After ten minutes of honorifics, tea, and a distinct lack of rum, Briony starts a silent running commentary in her head. Tell her the Jakalla spires look like phalluses, Bella! Nothing better than a big gold prick beckoning me home after months at sea. I wonder if I can get Rolfe to paint his? Tell her the Petal Throne looks like a monkey's private parts! Briony frowns. Wait, are we pro-Petal Throne? Or pro-Tsoylani? I'm confused. When sitting still again grew tiresome, Briony shifted her weight and eyeballed the fierce-looking Azure League warrior across the room. He looks like he could use some rum. Or a good toss. Briony snorted. Probably likes boys. She considered. I like boys.[/section]

 

[Queenie]

Angelina gives a reassuring nod and smile to Bella as they sit. She trusted her girls, most of them, as much as she was able to trust anyone. Having grown up with this particular girl she had faith she had seen this enough times to make the right choices.

It was quite difficult to sit like this with a boned corset and she ponders if she'll be able to get up from the floor. She curses whomever created corsets before putting her attention back on the negotiations, smiling pleasantly but paying very close attention to the details of the room. Faces they made, gestures of the hands, knowing glances, they were all clues as to true intent and purpose.

 

[Rubberneck]

Bella gives Angie a look of damn near horror. Amazing how she could stare down any enemy on the battlefield with complete and total confidence, but put her in a dress opposite of royalty and she is pleading to fall on a sword. Once she realizes she is being mistaken as the leader she is tempted to apologetically correct her, but doesn't, she introduces herself confidently and goes about the traditions she's aware of to the best of her ability. When asked about her trip,

"We had a bit of misfortune and trouble along the way. We lost some of our crew but I believe that the gods and fate decided that the rest of us should survive. We were overjoyed and pleased to see the spires of Jakalla and the safety provided by the Emperor's Ever-Present Glory."

The conversation goes on and her dress is mentioned,

"Ah yes I am beginning to quite enjoy Tsoylani customs in dress and wish that I knew more of such things so that I might better relations in the future, this oos all a wonderful opportunity to further such knowledge, and I am flattered that you like it."

And then the inevitable question that Bella had been dreading but knew she could not dodge it was asked. She kept the answer quick, simple, and hopefully she answered correctly,

"I only hope that both will benefit from the trade of goods and knowledge."

With that said she smiles and waits, half expecting screams of insult upon her and the crew and then to be forever known as the one to screw up one of the most important opportunities to come their way.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Chaturgha hiTokeshqu smiles broadly and invites Bella to sit next to her, which signals that the formal part of the discussion is over. The ice broken, the various members of the delegation move to sit next to the other relic hunters. Dates are brought over for snacks, pillows to rest upon, and of course more tea.

Two decorated warriors sit next to Zephia and Briony, a dark-haired and handsome man and a lovely maiden who may be his sister. Both carry decorative axes in a similar fashion as Briony. The man, Chor, has images of Shen and human spearmen decorating his clothing and he explains these kills in a surprisingly humble manner while asking Briony about her own exploits. Zephia is approached by his sister, Laona, whose decorations show human axe-wielders along with some depictions of bird-like humanoids with shortspears. She is a much faster talker and keeps asking Zephia to show her how to use the thin blades she carries and whether or not the blade over gets stuck when applied to ribcages.

Elsbeth is approached by a robed man in a frightening silver mask, but his eyes are warm and he talks in a soft voice. His name is Kallel, and when asked about his mask he says it is to keep spirits of the dead away, as they mistake his visage for one of them and therefore not a human with a soul to take. He asks Elsbeth about the significance of the raven images she wears and if it is true to the rumors that she can talk to birds.

Angelina is invited to join Bella and Chaturgha hiTokeshqu, who ends up being quite a pleasant hostess and willing to answer questions about the quest. When asked about whether or not this is a race to a prize, she seems shocked at the suggestion and responds, "No, not at all. Our Emperor rules all of Tsoylanu, but he unfortunately cannot always see everything and control everything, though he tries." She seems nervous to be saying such things, and glances back to the woman in the Azure Legion uniform before speaking again. This does not surprise you, as one always has to be careful what they say when around the secret police known as the Azure Legion, who watch and report everything. "In the southeast, many days walk from here, lies a swamp that supposedly holds the ancient ruins of an old temple. It was found by chance by a group of merchants trading with some savage tribes and decided to explore where they were warned not to go. The merchants were hoping to loot the ruin, as there were tales of an ancient jewel sitting in the top chamber of the ruin. Instead they encountered a pack of wild creatures and were nearly all killed. Only two men returned who were able to tell the tale. The jewel they described is important to the city of Jakalla and an artifact of some importance, but we cannot spare the resources to retrieve it. But a couple of small bands of skilled adventurers may be able to either sneak or fight their way through where others failed. We do not have a map of the swamps, nor do we know all of their dangers. As it is, we can only afford to support two separate bands of relic hunters who can try to navigate a way through from two different directions. If we had more resources we'd send many more."

Now that the ice has been broken, everyone is free to speak with one another.

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

Zephia gives Laona some impromptu lessons, though Zephia tries to tone down her usual style and philosophy of a knife in an unwary back or a dagger across a sleeping throat. Still, if Laona seems interested, Zephia invites the young woman to meet her in a more casual setting for additional lessons and discussion.

As for ribcages, Zephia tends not to worry about it as that's what a back-up blade is for. Zephia specifically demonstrates stabbing an opponent in the calf from behind and then slitting their throat when they go down to one knee (with an imaginary opponent of course).

 

[CanadienneBacon]

[section]Briony smiles appreciatively at Chor, mentally comparing his shoulders and forearms to Rolfe's. Shorter than Rolfe but sturdier. Thicker. THICKER. She bites off a remark and chuffs the last of her tea in one swallow. "There was this one time I swung down from the ship's rigging with a scimitar in my teeth. Got some nasty rope burns from that, but it was worth it to pin down the brigands who were trying to steal a bronze chalice from our cargo. Briony holds up her palms for Chor to inspect the remnants of rope burns. "I'm not so good with the scimitar. Curved blade throws me off. Now the longsword or the greatsword, those I can wield." Briony leans back to recline on a nearby cushion, her limbs leonine. "And you, Chor, what's your preference?" [/section]

 

[Queenie]

Angelina politely listened to the lady and Bella speak and introduced herself when the moment was right. After introductions and some explanations about carrying on her father's most important work, she asked about details.

"You've mentioned that while you do not know of all the dangers, there are two paths to follow. What can you tell us of that? The more information we have the more prepared we can be and the more successful we will be in returning this most important possession to your people. It sounds like mostly swamp land from what you have described. Also, we have not previously been allowed through these areas. I am assuming we will be given a token of some sort to allow us safe passage?" She pauses to judge the woman's mood before continuing. "Finally, and this may seem a bit crude to you but how were you planning on compensating us? I have to keep my girls fed, after all." She grins easily at the woman, knowing she would be expecting the question.