audio | username: raven master

[pulvisetumbra]

( It would appear even the Merchant sounds... ruffled, on this fine occasion. Will wonders never cease? ) Good afternoo — ...good day.

I understand you have been visited by an improbability of recent afflictions. Expectedly, Unhalad failed to present the full scope of his ultimatum alongside his proposal. ( A pause. ) I understand he has been rewarded for his oversight.

( Ding-dong, the undead is... twice dead. ) We have been informed Anurr and his people have... taken steps to close the mines. The locals are ill pleased for it, however. Sa-Hareth has survived countless transitions before. It may do so again. For your service in this endeavour, Anurr has communicated he will allow your return to. ( Another pause. ) His Sa-Hareth, freely. Do with this token as you will.

In the meantime, two of my associates have volunteered the regions they patron for your next destination. We are sufficiently funded — and I shall thank a transfer of your earnings shortly — to access either, and they are both possessed of once-functional portals. I speak of Taravast, a scholarly citadel that's fallen into... some degree of chaos as its keeper approaches his last hour. His heirs are... not invulnerable to a degree of persuasion. And then we have Yassair, where a young prince strives to reassert itself before an unsupportive staff to battle the plagues.

Taravast, Yassair. Karsa and Haltham have volunteered to join you, if you will have them. I understand a... woodland friend of yours also wishes to join. Consider. Then send word of your preference, and start to gather your possessions while I broker your passport papers. Anurr has graciously broken the storms, and the markets are once more filling. Enjoy the fairs and procure some last trinkets, although...

I advise you travel light. I shall have no more than one wombat in my care, and no further exotics.

( ooc: come one, come all and cast YOUR MERRY VOTE on the upcoming destination, if you haven't, already! It will be assumed everyone's votes reach the Merchant somehow. Feel free to have IC debates or tie any loose strings in this post, or do your own! If you're short of things to play with for the next few days but want a light setting — the Sa-Hareth markets should be thriving, and characters can bask in local trade, or meddle with merchants and sailors. God help this party. )

Comments

[handmaiden of unsheathed swords] voice posted:

[darkeststars]

Politics, to even more tedious politics? [ deep sigh ] We do what we must, I suppose. I'll at least take it over a third corpse army. I can only hope for the rest of this mess to come off my battle robes.

[ he, by contrast, sounds a lot less hostile than the Merchant might be used to -- their dubious benefactor can hardly be blamed for this one. And sounds as though the man has finally, finally managed to get things in motion, which Arche can only celebrate. ]

Now that you've one less faction actively shipping in more future corpses, may this place find some sort of equilibrium. [ in terms of the power situation, we're leaving a mess behind us, of course, but outsiders can only do so much. ]

[pulvisetumbra]

I wish to be entirely transparent: I am not pleased with our alternatives to date. But your... developments have made urgent departure necessary.

[darkeststars]

Hn. Even if not ideal, forward motion is forward motion.

[ now that immediate revenge is no longer a concern, he's even more eager to get the hell out of dodge. ]

[pulvisetumbra]

Indeed. Every shove forward is a step ahead.