Chapter 19: Endless Nights

[Darren]

Kal clears his throat and places a hand on Streko's shoulder, perhaps squeezing a little harder than be intended. "Yes, well," he begins with a smile, "as to the lady Mischief told you about..." Kal gestures towards the rear of the other ship. "You have your air elemental, and we have Calitraia. Think of her as the Lady of The Dragonfly."

[Jeff]

Sanne gives both Streko and Kal a coy smile. "I see. Perhaps it would be more direct to ask you this: did you also attend a gala at Lorsmarch Palace shortly before leaving Stormreach?"

She sits upon one of the stools Kurra and Adamant have brought.

---

Melethos concludes that he has more hit points and class levels than Erdonn d'Sivis.

[Darren]

Kal offers Sanne a slight bow of respect. "I even danced with a member of House Tharashk that night," he says with a grin and a wink.

[Ken]

Belarin speaks up. "And we did encounter other seekers who are far less polite than yourself," he says to Sanne. "Seekers of the emerald variety."

[Jeff]

At Belarin's words, Erdonn suddenly stops talking with Sem. He holds a finger to the other gnome as if to apologize for the abruptness. He begins to drift towards Kal and Sanne and Belarin. 

Sanne snaps her fingers. "That's how I've heard your name before, my lord. Huru d'Tharashk is on board." She points a thumb behind her toward the Asperii. She sits up and gives Belarin a knowing nod. "You not only know of the Eye, you know of the less savory who seek it." You see no hint of aggression in her face.

Erdonn looks a little bit deflated at the proclamation of the Eye, though.

"I have a proposition for you, Lord Kalarian. For all of you." Sanne swivels in the stool to address those gathered closest. "All agents formally sponsored or funded by the Twelve have an accord, and I believe we can extend it to you as well." She looks pointedly at Kal and Streko. "Of course, each house would like to secure this fabled relic—"

"If indeed it even exists," Erdonn says quietly.

"—but for the safety of all house members, we are not all permitted to claim it. We work in cooperation with one another for the journey. When the day comes that the Eye stands before us, only some are permitted to take possession of it, and only in concert. In Stormreach or Khorvaire its use or ownership will be...worked out peaceably. We may be contenders, but a truce is held against more obvious enemies."

Mischief seems to be watching each of you, each in turn. "It would benefit my crew and yours to share what we've learned, of friends and foes, wouldn't it? I propose that some of you come over to the Asperii, have a look around. Let us exchange news and good fortune. In turn, perhaps we can bring a few of our crew over to see the Dragonfly? I am quite certain that Ossidel d'Ghallanda would be willing to part with some foodstuffs from his stores."

[Darren]

Kal lets out a barking laugh. "My apologies, Lady, I do not mean to mock you." Kalarian leans in closer to the woman. "I obviously have no desire to fight you or any of your party. I think we can cooperate, but..." The wooden stool scrapes across the deck as Kal inches even closer, lowering his voice, "My lady, do you truly believe that any of Eberron's great houses can be trusted with the Eye? Do you really believe what you just told me? Do you not believe that ambitious men will seek to take advantage and that chaos and bloodshed will not reign? Worked out peaceably? No, my lady, I think it will bring about a new Age of Darkness not seen since the Last War."

[Dave W.]

Sept 3, 2020 13:34:34 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal [says] "...Worked out peaceably? No, my lady, I think it will bring about a new Age of Darkness not seen since the Last War."

Adamant standing a pace or two from Kal clenches his fists (the glaive remains in the hold btw) but nearly instantly releases them. He rubs the octogram in his old habit. His faceplate is impassive of course.

[Jeff]

Sanne appears puzzled. "Well, does it matter at all whether I believe it or you do? Does this mean you do not trust news that I would share, or that I shouldn't trust yours?"

"Have we made a mistake, Lord Kalarian?" Erdonn asks, folding his hands together.

[Brian]

Melethos winces at Kal's unfortunate blunder. We've been at sea too long, he thinks. The lord of d'Deneith is out of practice.

He leans in close to Brack. "Neither the lady nor the gnome seem to pose much of a threat. On the other hand, we saved Huru d'Tharashk from a two-headed ettin a while ago and have run into her a handful of times since. She will certainly recognize us. Her presence entangles us deeper into Khorvairian politics than I wish, but we can do nothing about that now." He smiles. "Let's hope our gallant sorcerer can extract himself from his diplomatic quandary."

[Darren]

Sept 3, 2020 17:49:11 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Sanne appears puzzled. "Well, does it matter at all whether I believe it or you do? Does this mean you do not trust news that I would share, or that I shouldn't trust yours?"

"Have we made a mistake, Lord Kalarian?" Erdonn asks, folding his hands together.

"Not at all," Kalarian says, "or perhaps you mistake me. I simply mean to say that the idea that the nobility of Eberron would work in agreement to use the Eye for mutual benefit is a dream of a utopia that does not exist. Tell me, Lord Erdonn, if you had the Eye in your possession right now, what would you do with it?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak continues to listen as he sweeps the spyglass around, checking in all directions and above them as well. He wants to be sure they aren't surprised by another harpy or some other hostile denizen of the area.

[Jeff]

Captain Brack makes no remark, just listens to what the tiefling says and chews on it in silence. But then: "Do you sense trouble brewing?" he then asks quietly.

Sept 3, 2020 19:04:42 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Not at all," Kalarian says, "or perhaps you mistake me. I simply mean to say that the idea that the nobility of Eberron would work in agreement to use the Eye for mutual benefit is a dream of a utopia that does not exist. Tell me, Lord Erdonn, if you had the Eye in your possession right now, what would you do with it?"

The gnome meets Kal's eyes. "Are you really asking me this?"

"We could do this all night, Lord Kalarian," Sanne says. "Do you really want to?" She stands up from the stool and looks around, meeting the eyes of anyone listening in and trying to gauge their attitudes as well.* "Would you like to learn anything from us, or wax philosophical?" Her tone is still friendly. 

Above, Shorak sees only the watchful crew of the other ship. The river is dark, and both vessels are drifting slowly. He hears the murmur of voices below, the lapping water, the rustle of sails, the creak of the ropes. Occasional bursts of voices across the water from the other crew, mostly laughter.

---

I know Adamant's, but what's the body language of the rest of you here in this moment?

[Ken]

Belarin says, "Like most people trained in the military, Lord Kalarian inadvertently treats every discussion as another form of combat." He steps forward, trying to draw Sanne's and Erdonn's eyes away from Kal and toward him. He chuckles and adds, "Little wonder, then, that Greigur wouldn't give our voyage official Deneith sanction."

He smiles broadly. "Please, be seated and let's discuss our experiences. It's what we want and, despite his clumsy tongue, what Kalarian wants as well." He sits down in one of the other seats and politely motions to Sanne to retake her seat as well.

[Brian]

Sept 3, 2020 21:59:10 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Captain Brack makes no remark, just listens to what the tiefling says and chews on it in silence. But then: "Do you sense trouble brewing?" he then asks quietly.

"Not yet," Melethos replies, equally quietly. He fingers the telepathy ring on his finger, all the while keeping his stance relaxed.

Ease up, Kal. You're pushing too hard. Let the conversation flow naturally. We'll still learn what we need to know.

[Joe]

"My Lady, my Lord, I have been known to wallow in philosophy at times and I assure you, that is not our desire now. However Lord d'Deneith makes a point, as do you, that trust is a difficult thing to measure in this place and, especially, at this time, on the approach of Long Shadows. We have been sorely tested, repeatedly, and are understandably on edge. We welcome your hospitality and the hospitality of the Twelve and seek only greater knowledge and understanding of who and what we face. We would be most happy to share what information we have attained, as well as our own hospitality, strained though it may be."

Streko bows low to both guests.

[Jeff]

Sanne sits again but remains stiff. "You speak of mistrust. Why, then, would you believe anything representatives of the Twelve would have to say? Why ask anything at all?"

Erdonn d'Sivis takes a stool now, too. "Perhaps the lords of your expedition would like to share what they have learned first?"

[Joe]

"You have chosen to be open to us first, to come aboard our vessel first. You have chosen hospitality over hostility and for that, we do trust to some extent. Again, I apologize, as we have been confronted many times with betrayal and trust isn't our first thought. Having said that, my Lord and my Lady, I think it wise to allow Lord d'Deneith to explain our situation and, hopefully, provide insight into what we are all up against. He speaks for us all, when my exuberance allows him to."

Streko smiles warmly at his guests and turns to Kal. "Your voice, Kalarian. Your choice. We need allies," he says softly, bowing to his friend.

[Darren]

Kal shrugs. "We are not your enemy. But you have asked me to join an alliance to help the houses of Eberron find the Eye collectively and I tell you now that I do not think any good will come of that arrangement."

[Jeff]

"We are not your enemy," Sanne d'Vadalis repeats in monotone. "That much I would agree. But you have misunderstood my words, my lord. I wish to maintain peace between us, assuming we share common foes," (she nods at Belarin) "but I am not authorized to formalize any alliance. There is a difference. I am not supplying you with support and funding from the Twelve.

"And as I have said, even we on the Asperii do not all share common goals. We each work for the Twelve but each house has its own hierarchy of which we are a part.” The noblewoman straightens and faces Kal squarely. "I am glad that you do not work for Lord Greigur, for example. That would complicate things. I do not trust him."

"We came aboard your ship only to seek an exchange of information and offer some freely. I push no more on that, if that is your wish."

---

It is apparent to all listening to this conversation (no Insight rolls needed) that, being dragonmarked house members (you're not sure if they're actually dragonmarked, but they speak as if part of their families), they are indeed looking to Kal and Streko as spokespeople for the Dragonfly. That it seems part of the arrogance of nobles to assume that the dragonmarked in any given situation are the ones calling the shots.

Joe: don't feel you always have to have Streko defer to Kal. Even Streko can see that as Jorasco he's bee included in the human's and gnome's expectations.

[Darren]

Kal spreads his hands, palms up. "Alright, then. What can we tell you? Clearly your destination is similar to ours, or you wouldn't be headed down this particular stretch of the river...."

[Jeff]

"Yes, we intend to go as close to the source as we can, and some will disembark and journey on land. It must be the same for you. Tell me of your encounters thus far, and we will shares ours."

[Darren]

Kalarian thinks for a moment. "Where to begin?" Kal leans his staff against his shoulder and cocks his head to the side. "First, let me ask you, did you have any encounters with the cogships on this river? We have been continuously harassed, we think by the same one every time, but there is no way to know. We passed one several leagues back that was marooned, and are hoping that might be the end for a while, but I don't know what caused them to founder."

[Jeff]

“Yes. We know of it,” Sanne replies, but waits for Kal to go on.

[Darren]

"And have you been harassed by them, as well? Or are we just the fortunate ones?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak continues to keep watch. He does appreciate the sight of his homeland, especially the sky. He has always enjoyed the look of the sky at this time of the year. He occassionally gives a wave to his counterpart and a mock yawn as they both wait for the diplomacies to be finished with.

[Jeff]

Sept 7, 2020 14:40:15 GMT -4 Darren said:

"And have you been harassed by them, as well? Or are we just the fortunate ones?"

"I know of friends who have been, in past ventures. But we passed it this morning, keeping a wide berth. It did not attempt to pursue us, nor could it catch up if it tried. What have they done recently?"

[Darren]

"They launched slaad at our ship," Kal says, his voice rising. "Slaad! Off of catapults! Can you believe that? It seems at every turn they are there. And the Dragonfly, for all of her wonderful aspects, simply cannot outrun a ship of that size. I must admit, I know little of those people or why they choose to bother us. It only seems like they ever seek to slow us down, never to board or sink us."

[Jeff]

"Slaads?" the Vadalis heir repeats, as if trying to recall the word.

"Catapults," Erdonn also repeats.

Both look around towards the others in your party as if for corroboration.

[Brian]

Melethos nods when Sanne and Erdonn look his way. "And when that didn't work, they launched black puddings at the ship. That didn't work either."

[Jeff]

"The Cogship catapulted both slaadi and black pudding at this ship? On separate occasions?" the gnome asks.

"Slaad..." Sanna says again. "And was it, or they, not harmed in the landing?"