A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[J. Alexander]

High Tea

Taking his cue from the older dwark, Michael will keep the conversation pleaseant and rambling until he changes the topic. "No what you have laid out is fine, I had to deal with a matter on board ship before i came so I missed lunch." Michael will the begin to talk food etc with the old dwarf "My chief Grumbar has been most enlighting with his dwarven style cooking though i will confess sometimes he adds just a touch to much pepper and there always seems to be some sort of mushroom worked into every meal either as a course or condiment"

 

[Scotley]

"Aye, we're not shy with the flavor and there are a few mushrooms in the soup." He talks of the flowers and birds that come around and throws a few crumbs to some of the bolder ones that approach. A second round of tea comes out and he adds a pair of big crusty cookies with lots of nuts and dried fruit inside to small plates. Soon the tea and cookies are gone. At last he sets out a pair of tiny stemware cordial glasses and pulls out an ornate glass bottle. Pulling the cork with his teeth he pours a nip of reddish liquor that smells of hazelnuts. "I hope you don't mind if we allow tea time to spill over into the cocktail hour?" He drains the glass and smacks his lips with an 'ah'. He refills the little glass and prepares to sip this one. "Now Captain, since you've indulged an old man we'll get down to your business." He wipes his brow and considers a moment before going on. "Lad, if your a mind to duel with Clan MacKay, I've come to give you satisfaction today. I've my axe and my armor. I may be old, but I fought more foes before you were born than you'll see in a lifetime. I can give you a fight that you might not walk away from." He thumps his chest. "I am Clan MacKay and if one of us is to risk a fall I'd rather give my old life than have the flower of youth trod under foot. My young grand nephew is a stout lad and he's seen a scrap or two, but I've heard your reputation and I think you just might best him. He's not faced proper magic as I have. I once bested a pair of demonic foes tossing foul magics left and right. Summoned they were by a fool of an Orc shaman. They tore him in half before they turned to face me. Heh, that was a bloody right fight." He realizes he is starting to ramble and then reins himself in. "Anyway Captain, if it is a fight you want, I'll give it to you. However, I hope that we can find another way forward."

 

[J. Alexander]

High Tea

Smiling at the old dwarf Michael will say "Had i wanted to fight or engage in combat with Clan McKay I would have accepted your grand nephews challenge on the spot. It was my sincere wish as outlined in my letter to you that we avoid any bloodshed over such a trivial matter." Pausing to take of sip of his cordial Michael continues "My issue is with your grand nephew and not with you Sir, so besides being terrible foolish to engage you in combat, one in which i could do nothing but lose even if I was victioruis in our duel it would not be right or proper for me to accept you invitation" Taking another sip he continues "The truth is, I desire no combat, maybe that is cowardice but unless it is necessary,the taking of life should be avoided"...."I simple want the matter setteled so as to prevent any bloodshed even if it means that among many of your Clan I will be seen a a coward. I ask neither terms or compensation just that the matter be quietly dropped and we go on with our lives"

 

[Scotley]

"I am pleased you don't want a fight today. I've had enough of that to last me a lifetime." He refills your glass. "That still leaves us with a problem. I can't merely sweep the whole matter under the rug and be done with it. Believe me I considered just sending the boy off to the deepest mine to work out his youthful exuberance with pick and shovel, but in peacetime a clanleader isn't an absolute ruler. These days its all about profit and upholding Dwarven dignity. The bean counters on the clan council insist that we pursue this matter. The lad does have the weight of Dwarven law behind him as well as a lot of clan members. The fact that the lad is likely to get crushed under the weight of it, seems of little consequence to the bean counters. In truth losing a promising young dwarf to the likes of an evil greedy human captain would be good for business in their minds. The other younger members of the clan see the lad's death as just one less person between them and my chair. You see my problem."

 

[J. Alexander]

High Tea

"I see your problem, there is no easy out" Michael says...."Would the bean counters think twice about their position if it was to cost the clan a construction contract in the range of 50k"

 

[Scotley]

"Well such a thing might indeed make a difference. Of course their are still matters of pride and law to be addressed. The boy has always been strong willed. A family trait I'm afraid, but in recent days, ever since he and his friends returned. He just hasn't been the same. He's more willful and dangerous than ever."

 

[J. Alexander]

High Tea

Listening closely to his words Michael will ask "Did he perhaps attend "The Masque of the Golden Grotto at Meramids Rest" or do you know if his friends did?

 

[Scotley]

"Aye, he and his friends had made a trip of it. They visited several islands and finished their trip with a stop in that place known as Mermaid's Rest for a Masque. I don't hold with such things myself, but the young like to sow their wild oats you know."

OOC: So did the lightbulb just go on over your head? You thought I was giving you new problems, when it was old problems come back to bite you in the ass.

 

[J. Alexander]

High Tea

"My Lord, you and your clan are in grave danger, I hope we are in time" Michael will then relate the story of Mermaids Rest and the Masque including how he almost succombed to the Lavender scented poision. He will describe in detail the room and the altar as well as the "Black Flames"..then he says "It is a plot my lord to disrupt the very fabric of the empire, we must act quickly. If you doubt that i say then please contact Lord Tanis he can verify much of my story and what we saw or I will subject myself to your priests"

OCC: It was a educated guess based on his comment.....and with you one never knows ....slow going transferring all the data over to a new laptop...very slow but doing it file by file so as not to transfer any nasty virues etc......

 

[Scotley]

OCC: ...and with you one never knows ....

OOC: I'll take that as a complement.

"That is truely a fantastic tale. I tell you honestly if not for some of the strange behavior of my grand nephew and the odd new friend that returned with him I would not believe it. I now believe he and his friends brought one of these will sapping undead back with them from the Masque." He rubs the back of his neck and then refills the cordial glasses. He raises his to you. "Those we lost along the way," and downs it. "Captain, I must return immediately to the city and visit a priest I know. We'll sort this matter out shortly. May I call upon you tomorrow at your ship?"

The old dwarf may have been slow to start this meeting, but once he has a course of action he wastes no time. "My men will see you back to your ship. I shall give your regards to Lord Tanis." He leaves the basket and scoops up his axe. With a few parting words he takes his leave.