un: raven master | audio

[pulvisetumbra]

( The single most exasperated sigh of this world, returning to defend the title: ) Good morning. This is the Merchant. I trust you are not adding to the blood, bones and burning of your present accommodations.

( But if this tone is to go by, that trust is... short-lived. ) You are aware I negotiated your stay at castle Netvor as a last-minute arrangement. We owe the prince a debt of gratitude. Master Anurr, a lord of dead and winds of the west, has decided to pursue what he believes to be his right of claim against the allied Brotherhood of the dead in nearby terrains. The blizzard we experience are echoes of Anurr's impressive and growing prowess.

( A pause, then, almost academically: ) In recent months — in the time since our acquaintance — certain matters have come to light: the first, that the sickness of the undead that spawned the Brotherhood was been born in my motherland of Ellethia, now decimated. My people raced to prove their supremacy over the magical prodigies of Taravast. We both succeeded and failed.

The man who oversaw that... endeavour appears to have since been walking the realms and spreading the dark waters that propagate the undead, seeking to itself gain physicality by inhabiting corpses. Once risen, the dead tend to assemble under warlords, the most notable and substantive of which is the allied Brotherhood. That much is straightforward and direct. The intentions of Matthias are less clear.

After your rest here, we must pursue him. Whether he can be undone by word or deed, his defeat appears to be the only worthwhile solution. We head to Hatthevar, on his footsteps. Not only in search for him, but also to reach a necklace of beacons that will hopefully end your stay here.

Until then: gather your strengths. Learn to cooperate. And do not make more enemies we cannot afford. I remain your devoted collaborator, if not your friend.

( ooc: threadjacking encouraged! )

Comments

text; un: man's greatest treasure

[reparo]

You will forgive us for the distrust, sir Merchant, given our experiences along this journey - you seem to find yourself luckily in possession of a group of busy bodies.

[pulvisetumbra]

Your natural talent and inclination, yes.

[reparo]

That is to say, you should know better than to expect people to just gather their strength in a palace where we're being followed.

video;

[soulsrob]

Mr. Merchant! [She greets him like he's the one who's been missing for a while and not her]

How wonderful to see you again, dear. You look a bit peaky. Have you been caring for yourself well?

[pulvisetumbra]

Thank you, I find myself in fine form, despite the unpleasantness of the cold season.

text ⚔️ un: the one with the flute

[bhaalyn]

You said you negotiated our stay? Does that mean you spoke with the Prince directly?

[pulvisetumbra]

We corresponded, certainly. I was once a supplier to the clan. We retained good relations.

[bhaalyn]

But you two didn't speak directly? Face to face?

un: headless ragdoll | text

[matermali]

Good morning.

Might I ask what we ought to expect of Hatthawar?

[pulvisetumbra]

No doubt, some manner of madness.

[matermali]

Is that all? I suppose I ought to pack light.

If we run into the others pursuing Matthias?

un: ut malum pluvia

[somebadnews]

[ Most of what he says isn't news, or simply confirms theories, but Five has concerns. They've been unable to touch Matthias before, and he's fairly positive that the Merchant would sacrifice every one of them if it means defeating him. What happens when they find him this time?

They need a plan to even the odds. ]

Anurr is moving east, or his power has traveled this far?

[pulvisetumbra]

Our information suggests he has mobilised his armies and leads them himself. In other words, he is close.

I caution that he is not as you remember him. He has only grown more powerful since Unhalad's dethronement made room for Anurr's own return.

[bravelyrunsaway]

We'll meet the Dawn's Reach Trading Company there, if what their captain murmured was true while we were in the last place this group definitely did a good job not interfering in.

[pulvisetumbra]

They are... meddlesome and unpleasant, but typically not dangerous.

[weifinder]

How's Zenobius getting along? How's your health?

( entirely cordial. really, he is doing so well right now. )

I don't see how any of us can be surprised that Anurr's appetites were exponential.

As far as Matthias, had you heard what Miss Kamala and Miss Claire had said regarding him in earlier times? Miss Claire not so long ago, Miss Kamala closer to when we left Alem.

[pulvisetumbra]

Thank you, my health is adequate despite the challenges of the season on the joints.

I'm aware we are now falling in a dangerous narrative of attempting to excuse Matthias' behaviour. I trust I remain surrounded by discerning adults.

un: wisdom

[mashiara]

This necklace of beacons. That's enough to keep the gateways open and all of us through? How much of that is guesswork?

[pulvisetumbra]

Unfortunately, as ever, some amount. The information we receive is often outdated in some capacity. But there is reasonable suspicion.

text; un: widow

[redhourglass]

that's a very vague way to put it
most would just say we should kill this man

audio!!

[pulvisetumbra]

I accept your prerogative.

audio;

[inquired]

[ fascinating... and very helpful ]

An undead army with ambitious warlords, the destruction of a motherland, an enigmatic leader of sorts, and... a devoted collaborator in any such endeavor as a merchant. [ hello!! this is a new voice. ] My, what a mess - and what a different sort of merchant than what I'm used to.

Do forgive me as I get my bearings. [ there's a thoughtful noise. ] What are your theories about this Matthias' intentions, half-formed or obscured as they may be?

[pulvisetumbra]

I do not find speculation wise or appropriate. It colours or narrows the vision to excess. So I'll leave the others to answer your game. No doubt another of them come armed with a wealth of presumed possibilities.

un: witchful thinking ☾ audio

[nochnaya]

I am sorry to hear the fate of your motherland. What was it like?

[ A sensitive subject for her. Her people, Cal's people—both of them decimated too, years ago. ]

[pulvisetumbra]

Regrettable, avoidable, and not a subject I feel particularly compelled to explore.