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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Deuce Traveler" data-source="post: 3880988" data-attributes="member: 34958">Sassarius' eyes grew wide for a moment, as Dartis' words were unexpected.  He gave a regretful shake of his head and said, meaningfully, "I've come to expect lies from Dorinthians, and here one speaks honestly, and admits proudly of his heritage.  Well said, although it changes nothing.  In fact, your honesty may make things worse for you.  Tell me, Duke Kalnian, what you are a duke of?  If Dorinthia is no more why do you use the royal title?  In your hearts you remember what it is to be a sovereign people, and you will never forgive the injustice of being brought down.  No decent people would.  If we let you go, how long until your people insist on even the smallest of revenge for ancient slights?  Would it be wise to allow even a small danger threaten my own citizens as we occupy your lands?  And you never outright admitted that the dwarf beside you is not the one that killed a few of my soldiers, with help from a few other Dorinthian spies.  No... the only course now is to ask you to submit to the empire now or prepare to defend...""Commander Sassarius, if I may make a suggestion," Rufus Nefius interjected with a thin smile under bloodshot eyes.  "Our seige of the dwarves isn't going as smooth as some of us would prefer.  Perhaps we can make a deal that would be beneficial to all parties.  If I may ask, what are your intentions towards the Dorinthians being held by the dwarves, Duke Kalnion?"Sassarius stiffened his stance slightly.  It was almost as if he would rather had the party and their men killed then to have them involved in Nefius' machinations...yet he said nothing.Dartis listened carefully to the two Imperials and addressed the Commander first:"Indeed, perhaps you have experianced lies from Dorinthians, but I have from Imperials, so rather than assume all Dorinthian's lie, perhaps you should judge every man by his own honor. As for my title, well I inherited that from you. When my father was killed by Imperial troops, his title reverted to me. As for how I still claim it, well I did not say 'Duke Kalnian of Dorinthia' did I? But when your father passes away, will you renounce the name Sassarius? I thought not. Just as you will still claim your heritage and name as your forefather's pass on, so shall I claim my heritage, name and title, whether or not that title is attached to any land that I can claim. I was born unto the title and by the gods, I can claim it until I die and so I shall. And whether it does my weal or woe, I shall claim my heritage proudly and without hesitation or reservation." "As to the future of my people. Perhaps the Dorinthian are different than the Imperials. Perhaps an Imperial mouse would seek vengance against the lion that steps on it's tail. But a Dorinthian mouse seeks land where there are no lions rather than spend a fruitless life pursuing an enemy beyond him.""But, perhaps Counselor Nefius may have the right approach to the situation. It would seem that the lion has too many deer to guard. These lands here were not a part of Dorinthia. Does the Tallione Empire truly seek to control every land, this year? Should they not take the time to digest the bite they have taken these past 40 years? As to Counselor Nefius's question, the Dorinthians sheltered within are the remants of a few scattered villages. Inside are craftsmen and farmers, not warriors. Surely, Commander Sassarius, within the Imperial heart, within your heart, dwells mercy for fallen foes. Mercy that will not, can not be repaid by vengance."Danica's heart rose with Dorinthian pride at Lord Dartis' words.  Her sharp gaze scanned the surrounding area, watching for hidden Imperials as the negotiations continued to be tense.Nefius clapped in glee, "Well said, Lord Kalnian, well said.  I can see that our two sides may come to an agreement after all.  You see, it wasn't just by accident that our Imperial forces came upon the dwarven lands.  There is something that our Emperor needs.  Something deep inside the sealed section of the dwarven kingdom.  Although the crypts were made by dwarves, beyond the seal lay ancient catacombs made by hands not dwarf, nor gnome, nor man.  It's a shield.  Such a simple thing really, that shield, although crafted onto its surface is the face of a young king bearing a crown on his head.  I saw it once while I was scrying and meditating, and just by chance my mind's eye fell upon it.  A brilliantly crafted..."Commander Sassarius interjected angrily at this.  "What in Hades are you talking about, Nefius?  We are here to finish the conquest of Dorinthia.""Commander Sassarius," Nefius started with a sigh, "Please don't interrupt me again.  You forget yourself.  As much as capturing the Dorinthian forces would please me to no end, we have more important matters to attend to.  Such as finding this shield, the real reason I agreed to your silly plan of attacking the dwarves, since I need to spell it out for you.  It's discoverer would be awarded greatly by the Emperor.  And I mean to have it and deliver it to him personally.  Such an artifact of beauty would be a great prize indeed.  Greater than the ragged remnants of a conquered people.  Dorinthia is finished, Commander.  Seek your glory elsewhere, better it not be conducted against your father's bretheren anyway." At the last comment, Commander Sassarius glared at Nefius with a look of utter hate, which was promptly ignored as the scrawny man turned back to the party members.  "So what do you say?  You enter the dwarven caves, convince them to allow you inside the sealed off sections of their catacombs, and return with the shield.  And then we will leave, and allow you to reunite with your men.  We are a gentle Empire, after all." DM's Note: As a twist, Commander Sassarius has a Dorinthian parent although he considers himself a loyal member of the Tallione Empire.  He is an honest warrior, but somewhat gullible, which makes the up and coming commander at a disadvantage in the fragmented and corrupt Tallione court.Chalik remembered the following:[sblock]The dwarf remembered the tales of the wall with the steel seal deep inside the dwarven burial chambers.  Legend has it that a great subterranean enemy burst in large numbers from out of a hole the dwarves had inadvertantly dug.  Many dwarves fell during that almost forgotten time, and it wasn't until nearby humans came to the dwarves' aid that the battle turned in their favor.  Unfortunately, the human king was killed during the battle, and it was said that he was buried with his shield in a hidden chamber that the dwarves had found.  Chalik felt it was a good thing he had paid attention to the local history...[/sblock]Dartis raised an eyebrow at Nefius's treatment of Sassarius, especially at the invocation of his heritage. Oh ho, now we see who hold the leash thought Dartis."Indeed," replied Dartis. "A heady prize and grand offer indeed. A mere shield in exchange for all that. Still there would be an issue of safeguards. As Commander Sassarius has so blunty put it, lies have often been put forth on both sides of the battle. What assurances could you give me that my men would be left in peace, and that should I succeed that you would indeed hold to your word and leave, prize in hand. We seem to be at a bit of a stand off, Counselor Nefius. I require you to leave, yet you require me to achieve your end. At least if you want to present the shield to the Emperor and not your children. Now how would you begin to approach this issue? I would think that the releasing of captives would be a good first gesture of good will, a sure sign that you intend to negotiate in good faith. Certainly the act of a gentle Empire after all. But that would but lay the foundations for trust upon which we can build an agreement. For I would certainly not want news of the shield and its' value to circulate among the Imperial army, I would want to assure you that the shield is placed into your capable and deserving hands and no other. But how shall I deliver the shield unto you? Shall I march down, alone upon the plains surrounded by a full division of the Imperial Army? No that will not work. Perhaps Commander Sassarius and you could stay with a small contingent while the rest are sent back to deal with the real and everpresent dangers that threaten the Tallione Empire on it's newly acquired eastern flank. Now how shall we proceed?"Nefius cocked his head to the side, and leaned on his darkwood staff as he listened with amusement to Dartis' demands.  After the nobleman was done speaking he said, "Bravo, my young man.  If you were bargaining from a position of strength, I would definitely be swayed.  However, as it stands now, let me give you my own offer.  Do as we say, otherwise I will be forced to execute one of your three companions we have recently captured; a death each day until you comply.  I think I'll start with the elf, since he's a bit too high-and-mighty for my tastes.  If you do agree to our terms, we will allow your men safe passage to enter the dwarven kingdom and pull our army away for a short time so you may safely do so and join your people inside.  I may even release the elf in your care as a sign of good faith.  Return with the shield, and our main purpose is complete, and we will release your other two companions and leave this place.  What do you think of our terms?"Chalik gnashed his teeth in silent frustration.  He growled to Danica, "That shield lies in the tomb of a true hero, though no Dwarf.  I'll not see it desecrated for the amusement of these dogs or their master!""Better to die here and take some of them with me," he finished grimly, hand resting on his blade.Silas listened intently but his mind was aswirl. For what reason do they want this shield? The fact that they want it so desperately is telling but...why? His thoughts continued to spiral in that vein until one thought in particular crystallized: The Tallione want the shield and the shield itself may give the clue as to the why.Danica listened to the speeches, but, to be frank, she did not follow their full import. This was all a whirlwind for her, and she had been caught up in a political intrigue that in no way resembled her life from six months previous. Nor her life from last week, for that matter. But she had been given a job.  Her scan of the surrounding area had detected nothing, it seemed, and Dartis and the Imperials were speaking with words that commanded such attention...   And all for a shield. Surely our goal should be to get the shield, and put it somewhere the Emperor does not know about. And that will buy time for our captured comrades.She had another thought.  She started to speak out, "...", but then hesitated, remembering her place.</blockquote>"Counsellor Nefius, what is weakness, but strength not yet realized." countered Dartis. "As for doing as you say, as you demand, well if you were interested in executing your prisoners, you would have done so, and I know that you have no compunctions about doing so. But what if that should fail to sway me? Shall you be left with three corpses and no closer to your goal? As for your terms, they are not entirely unfair, yet you have still failed to provide the crucial component, that which I am sure Commander Sassarius would no doubt take umbrage with. You have failed to address by what means or measures we can believe that you will hold to these promises. What besides your word, of which you have still not given, shall be your pledge that the terms you have stated shall be adhered to?"Nefius grimaced at Dartis' offer, but Commander Sassarius gave him a hard look and stepped forward, offering his hand to the Dorinthians.  "We give our word, this I swear.  And perhaps we can offer to release this elven prisoner.  His name is Kel, and he's been a gentleman while under our care.  I'll need the afternoon to move our men away from the gates so that you can enter by the evening.""With the release of Kel as a token and gesture of the integrity and sincerity of your pledge, I will accept your offer, Commander Sassarius. I shall hold you to your word as a man, as a military man." replied Dartis taking the proferred hand and meeting the Tallione's gaze.Danica held her breath, as she marvelled at the interaction between these two leaders. Her nose twitched slightly, but she felt she may almost relax. Soon these men would be gone.         As Danica looked at the Imperial commander and Dartis, she realized that their similarity of appearance was greater than just fellow soldiers.  Commander Sassarius had a face like Dartis' as well,  In fact, the Imperial looked much more a Dorinthian than a Tallione. Her thoughts were interrupted as the two sides broke from each other.  The rest of the afternoon was a flurry of activity, as the men prepared to enter the safety of the Bermax kingdom.  One began to sing a familiar field hand song, and soon the entire camp joined in, as men happy to be alive.  When word reached them of what agreement was made in order to save them from battle, morale shot upwards and the troops flashed Silas, Danica, and Dartis many smiles.  Every now and then the party members heard snippets of conversations, such as: We were right to trust these heroes.  Our leaders love us, and will not have our blood spilt unless necessary.Danica maintained her posture, let Dartis lead, and as she followed in her official capacity, she successfully resisted the urge to look back and see what the enemy were doing. As the word went up, and Dartis was being clapped on the back by many, Daica courtsied and withdrew to find her pack. She remebered the two guards she placed in the depths of the cave she goes to them and relieves them of these duties. "Thank you for your assistance; it is appreciated," is all she said.Kel reached the outskirts of the camp, led by a small contingent of Tallione cavalry, which then left him to quickly return to their own lines.  The elven healer reported that Alexander and Rix were fine, although Rix's mouth had gotten him pushed around by Imperials more than once.Danica talked with Kel as they moved out, and listened more about the story he had of Rix, whom she realized she missed, though he had not been in her thoughts at all for the past day. As the Tallione soldiers left the mountain, the Dorinthian troops headed towards the gates in an orderly column.  Soon, they could see the mighty steel gates of the Bermax halls, two large dwarven kings carved upon their surface.  The mighty portals slowly swung open into a great hall, and allowed the militia to enter before closing mightily behind them.As human eyes began to adjust to the dim light, the party could see that the tall, granite pillars of this dwarven hall disappeared into the darkness above.  Rows of dwarven soldiers surrounded the Dorinthian troops and began to greet them as saviors, although one tired and dour dwarf approached the party directly.  It was Lender Bermax, who had worked many times at the refugee camp.  He looked the group over, then at Chalik, and said, "Chalik, we asked you to scout around and instead you chase off the entire Tallione army.  Still, it's hard for me to smile when I fear what agreement you must have made, or is it Tallione trickery at play?"Chalik greeted his ally with a sour expression and said, "A bit of both, I fear, my lord.  I'll let Lord Dartis relate the details of his arrangement, but I'm sure the Tallione command is up to no good.  Even if one of them can be trusted to keep his word, they look ready to plant an axe in each other's back at the first chance."Silas gazed wide-eyed at the craftsmanship of the dwarven stronghold, greedily absorbing every sight.  Murmuring to himself he said to himself, "My master said the dwarves were masters of stonecraft.  I never imagined..."  As the dwarves came forward to greet them Silas will return the greeting in their own language.Dartis left the abjurer to stare and took the time to explain the situation for Lender, who frowned deeply.  "Damn Imperials," he said and spit. "The king won't like this at all, but at least you bought as a decent chance at survival.  We can't survive a lengthy siege... not with the supplies at hand.  I warn you, though, that there was a reason why our people sealed up that entrance.  We encountered a strange group of savage creatures we called dwellers.  The battle was hard-fought, but this happened long ago, and we don't really have a decent account on what tactics worked against them.  In the tales they were a savage race, more muscle than brains.  You'd best be careful down there."The dwarves were able to get each member of the party a weeks worth of trail rations and a refill of their waterskins.  Kel and some of the dwarven priests were able to fully heal everyone, and the Dorinthians were placed in the large hall that they had entered into.  It was large enough to place their bedrolls and lay comfortably, although some of the louder snoring from the party's fellow Dorinthians made it for a somewhat restless night.DM's Note: Next, the party will meet some of their fellow Dorinthians that are being safe guarded by the dwarves and then enter the sealed depths of the Dwellers.[/QUOTE]

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