(Special Event) Assaulting the Ancients | Page 4

Jack wasn’t buying it. As flowering and idealistic as her plea for assistance sounded, the woman clearly had a few screws loose or a few secrets in hiding. “That sounds nice and fluffy and all… but for not intending to hurt anyone… THROWING BOULDERS AT A CASTLE ISN’T VERY CONVINCING.” He’d turn to look at the others. “She might be in a rush to sell us this story but I’m not buying it. War is war. If you choose to gamble and lose, you best be willing to pay the price.” The man raised his magic focus with a sharp look in his eyes as he'd turn to the others to gauge their reactions.

OOC: Press forward.

 

Dempsey had heard enough. It made sense for Falderen to refuse the elves permission to emigrate; it would force them to act as an unwilling buffer between the human kingdoms and whatever threat lie in the north. It was no wonder the elves had lashed out so suddenly and viciously.

"I'll believe you for now, but what do you want from us?"

Before anyone, including the druid had a chance to respond, Dempsey simply vanished. Hostile forces were quickly approaching, and she couldn't assume that her own comrades-in-arms would respond well to her defection.

(Demps sides with Yladia)

 

Tossing her a shit tier shirt, he'd have her get dressed, "Please, gentleman turn around ladies watch our backs...but your words seem like lies. Althogh I do recall a bounty placed by our king. I think we've been set up to fight a war we don't need to. I say we take her prisoner, she calls off her people if they want peace those who do will listen; the bad seeds we can wipe. Otherwise lets go back and investigate the matter. The bounty was to slay trees invading; what if they were trying to pass and we attacked first..."

(Go back to castle)

 

Nothing else mattered in this conversation other than one thing. Demons... finally demonic beings that were not Hastur? Could this be Cthulthu related? She doubted it. This may be more stereo typical demonic powers. Such as those of the false gods. This was becoming something very important to the Dark Lady.... She could use this chance for her own ends. She would take action now.

Merkaba

Jack, you know how I operate by this point. Remember that, if you want to win.

Merkaba sent the message to him through her pane acting as if it was to her guild.

Then...

"I'm willing to help your pitiful race in exchange for information about these demons. My power may even be able to help repel them. Fighting fire with fire is not a bad tactic no? I have no love for humanity."

(OOC: Offers to help Yladian......)

 

The choice wasn't easy — Amane wanted to believe that Vlethela was telling the truth. The Falderen nobles certainly cared little about the other races. But it didn't change the matter that the Yladians were the aggressors here, and on top of that could very well be lying.

"I'm sure if you surrender, we'll be willing to aid and negotiate on your behalf." At least, the majority of the party would, and most of the others would be swayed by a quest reward of some sort. "But it has to be a complete cessation of all hostilities — otherwise I vote for pushing on."

(OOC: Push forward)

 

Though originally expecting to charge forth to confront demons, Jack found himself a bit surprised at their guide’s words. She had extrapolated rather heavily. That said, the dark haired man let none of this appear on his face. After all, he had partially expected something like this and arrangements were already being made. It was unreasonable to think that a handful of adventurers could immediately thwart an army of demons when an entire race couldn’t. As a result, he had come to the negotiation table well prepared.

“With all due respect, Elder, this human is quick with his tongue and can deliver. Have your troops cease bombardment against the castle. Give us some time and your kind shall find a new home waiting for you in this forest. We’re not so blind that we can’t discern a victim from a warmonger.”

With a rather self-satisfied smile spreading across his face, the man would simply point towards the castle while continuing to explain. “Your runners should be returning soon with pleasant news. Us adventurers are of a different stock. Hopefully our people can develop a more symbiotic relationship once the dust has settled.”

It was then that a magic sheet of parchment would appear within Jack's hands, something any of the players would quickly recognize as a contract. The terms were simple.

"In exchange for the Yulan Dragons granting the elves a safe haven in Adecus Forest, those of Yladian blood shall readily assist with the guild's efforts against demonic forces and those that infringe upon the sovereignty of the aforementioned guild over these lands."
​

Content with the contents of the contract, he'd present the agreement to an aid if one was readily available. If not, he'd step forward to offer it to the elder to review personally.

 

Having set the seeds of her plan in motion. Merkaba was ready to play a more docile role while the tides began to shift. Her plan was a gamble she had to admit. However the witch was willing to play with her life. After all she could always return again and again with these strange technical effects the travelers from the prime had available to them. That was a rare gift that she appreciated from the fools that thought themselves the creators of this world.

She would allow the Yulan guild to gain foothold from this for now. Her task was to ensure her followers did not accidentally cause hiccups to her carefully orchestrated scheme. Then to get as much information about the demonic forces as she could. This would require a silk tongue. It was not her best trait but she did have some talent with persuasion if she really needed to. This was going to be a long delicate process. She was certain that Falderen's king would also become desperate now as well. Oh yes... this was going to be a great tribute of slaughter that she could offer to her demonic allies. Of course if things shifted incorrectly... the witch would shift as well. Being loyal was for the gullible.

Having let the Black Star members all know of the current situation. She would mingle and politely speak with the Vlethela and if allowed to, even the elder named Jal some. Trying her very best to ensure privacy if it was even possible.

"Thank you for allowing us to assist you. I am Merkaba the Dark Descender. You could say I am a high priestess of a very unique faith. Although my powers are derived from the dark I assure you I am not a servant of the Tora. In fact I detest them. I would like to learn more about these demonic forces that likely serve my enemies. Please if you would share what you know of them with me so that I may use my powers and knowledge to help you. If I may also be so bold as to ask.... I would like in exchange for helping your people of the forest to be allowed to personally be sent to discuss things with them to negotiate a ceasefire. If I am killed it certainly would not change your situation in anyway. You only stand to benefit from my offer. So I ask you to consider it ancient ones."

She would then try an get her own CONTRACT to be signed by the YLADIAN's to allow for her COVEN to deal with the DEMONIC FORCES in their stead and receive whatever needed SUPPORT from them as well. In return YLADIAN will receive her guilds full support in the beginning settlement of the Adecus Forest. As well as a promise to halt the DEMONIC FORCES attack of their land.​

Afterward she would join the other guilds' forces in advancing upon the very gate they were protecting not too long ago...

 

As the arrived and he remained silent, listening to the banter he'd shake his head. Why attack if this was to be peaceful "You wanted to pass we are willing to slay our king if he refuses to allow this We do not want war, why are we fighting one another when these demons are the true enemy. What really confuses me is why didn't you call for aid from the guild hall or one of our guilds before. I am the guild leader of The Heroes of Falderen, not servant of the tyrant king. Race, age, that matters little. We are protectors of the countries people your kind included.

Forgive me for mistrusting you at first, but I don't often try to shake hands with one who comes at my throat, but as a man of honor, I can admit my sins and repent. What aid do you require of us and how can we resolve to end the death and blood shed on both sides. You're speaking to three of the largest guilds in all of Falderen, we have power and strength to ensure your safe and protected from the demons. But you must trust us, we will do this in good faith, but I want to form a contract now, you speak of honor, we do so on the most sacred of ways our word is written on paper to ascend the ages; trees are sacred to some degree to you; an oath. Then what do you say for an alliance with our guilds, and we will protect you and run the city? Once more uniting this land and begin training to slay these enemies?"

He'd say trying to be brief but get his point across, exiting once the conversations were done; with Jack, "I'm not sure about this, it's risky but if the true enemy is these demons then it's best we do this. But we must keep an eye on the eager one, she makes my skin crawl By the maker, Tyl see to it justice is done..." @Jack Anders

 

The Admiral stood rather diligently behind and to the side of Jack, at a military parade rest while her guild leader discussed politics with these elves. She had not been asked her opinion; she would not voice one. Earlier when deciding the fate of the elf, there had been the need to remind people that killing a prisoner of war was a barbaric thing to do. But here, in the realm of beginning diplomacy, there was nothing she could say that would contribute better to the situation. There were already too many voices talking over one another. Instead, she remained silent at Jack's right hand, indicating by her blood-covered presence that whatever power she wielded was subservient to that man. That he held her respect, and that she had followed him here.

Even if that wasn't quite the case, and he'd barely kept sight of her boots until the fighting slowed them all down. She chuckled within her own mind, but kept her face poised as stone. The obedient dog. The dutiful soldier. One with patience, honor, and respect for authority and tradition.

 

Roland looked around the large tent, how had he even come here? Last thing he rembered was seeing a nude elf rising from a crater, pleading with the assault team to help her kind. He had wanted to point out the hypocrisy in her words but something had held his tongue. Instead he followed the others as if in a trance to this place.

The truth of the elders words should have pierced them deeply. Coming here was a betrayal without any real evidence against Ferldan, the just action would have been to stop the combat and look for a reasonable solution. For now it seemed that the path they were on would find them in direction confrontation with the only nation they had interacted with since they came here.

The others, despite initial skepticism seemed to agree with this course of action, two of the guild leaders drawing up contracts for the race. Roland remained quiet standing to the side, their actions didn't anger him, but they also didn't make sense. He'd bide his time for now.

 

She dragged her feet slightly as she followed the group into the Elven camp, her ears twitching in discomfort. Watching as messages popped up across her interface in rapid speed, both her guild and the world chat, the Felis couldn't help but feel that they were making a terrible mistake. Sure, the bounty could constitute as evidence, and the slavery sucked, but this was a monarchy set in ancient times. She'd expected all of that when she picked up Terra Sphere to play. Just because they disagreed with the way things were run, doesn't mean they had the right to forcefully snatch control over the kingdom and condemn the Falderen culture and system. As outsiders, it was not their place. By doing so, they adventurers would be acting just as equally racist as their NPC human counterparts. It was arrogance, pure and simple, to believe that their ethical rules were superior, and even though Amane did wish that the Falderen monarchy would change, they should have done so via diplomatic talks, and letting the country learn for itself that, perhaps, they were wrong.

She wondered what the hell the guild leaders were thinking. The decision was made so abruptly that she felt a bit disconnected with the whole process. The Yladians didn't provide any hard evidence of demons or of attempting to negotiate with Falderen before attacking — sure, there was the Oakhearts bounty, but that could easily be Falderen's attempt to repel a perceived invasion, or simple ignorance on their part — and after choosing a side like this...if they were wrong...

But the decision wasn't up to her. The majority had made their stance clear, and Amane didn't fancy fighting all of them, not to mention Roland didn't seem like he would be speaking out, and Aaron was actively throwing in his support. There was only one choice available, really. She moved to stand slightly behind her guild leader, smiling faintly to hide how she thought this had to be one of the most terrible decisions ever made, and prayed that they made the right and just choice. But either way, it was still her guild's decision, and it would have her support no matter the consequences. She was confident that Aaron would try his best to make these circumstances virtuous, and perhaps good intentions had to be enough.

 

She stood near the entrance to the large tent with an amused smile. Moments ago, this group was fighting desperately for their lives, and now were standing in the elders tent waving around contracts and making poorly veiled demands as if they had single-handedly vanquished the elves themselves. It made her glad that she was unaffiliated with these sort, but put her in the awkward position of guilt by association, even if she wasn't actually affiliated with these folk.

Instead, she simply lingered quietly in the back with an amused expression on her face, wondering how all of this would pan out. She'd made the decision to assist the elves on a whim, and of course Merkaba would magically grow morals and a conscious as soon as she realized that doing so would put her into close proximity with powerful demons. The problem was, that she was feigning her sudden shift in morality convincingly enough that the elves just might buy the act long enough for real harm to come to them.

Finally, there was Amane. Apparently their difference in opinion had caused enough of a rift that she was worried that their friendship was in danger. Dempsey saw the plight of Yladia as unacceptable, and would't knowingly fight an enemy that was open to peaceful negotiations. If Falderen were to lose this battle, it would force the humans hand to meet them at the negotiating table, and that was ideal in her own mind.

She lingered in the back of the room, listening to the conversations with disinterest. She offered a fairly attractive female eleven attendant on the far side of the tent a smile and a pinkie wave, but choose to remain uninvolved in the discussions at hand.

 

A nervous sigh of relief sounded under his breath as Jack paused a moment and watched numerous soldiers appear from a shroud of invisibility. To be fair, the course of action that had been taken was the only proper one considering how they had already agreed to enter into the heart of the enemy camp.

Though one would expect the man to be fairly happy considering his dealing had played out appropriately, the man seemed far from content with the situation. Having little doubt in his mind that the castle assault would fail, he was already thinking tens of steps into both the near and distant future. As fanciful as claiming territory might sound on paper, it was a logistic nightmare, one he was confident it would get pushed onto him.

Considering the nature of the too-deep-in-pretend-land witch, Jack was also positive that she’d eventually renegade on her contract the moment any benefits outweighed the risks. As for now, he’d have to quickly shore up ties and relationships with both the elves and VALOR to ensure that her future actions wouldn’t damage their own aspirations.

Nodding once with agreement at the elder’s words, he’d readily follow Vlethela to the frontlines. It was time to prove that the adventurers’ guilds weren’t just all talk.