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

un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[somebadnews]

[ He listens to the words, but he's not really focusing on the important bits of information. There's some parts that the Merchant left out before that he'd really like cleared up.

This is a dangerous game to be playing with him. ]

Are we calling this oversight, or did it all go according to plan?

[pulvisetumbra]

Good day.

And whose plan are we referring to?

[somebadnews]

[ Nope. No greeting. He doesn't feel like being polite today. ]

Let's start with yours. How off were your predictions?

[pulvisetumbra]

On what score?

[somebadnews]

Take a guess.

[ Don't make him work for it. ]

You must have imagined a certain outcome. Now with Unhalad out of the way, we don't pose the threat of joining his army, do we?

[pulvisetumbra]

( He has, at least, the decency to hold silent. )


May I inquire if you have completed your end of our private arrangement to standard and satisfaction?

[somebadnews]

[ He really expected him to know this already, so he can't trust that he doesn't. ]

I did what you asked. [ Including keeping it private. ] I feel like you left out a few things about it.

[pulvisetumbra]

Namely? ( And another silence: ) Thank you.

[somebadnews]

[ He's not really sure of anything, but thanking him like that puts him on edge so he changes what he was about to say. ]

The locals weren't too happy.

[pulvisetumbra]

The locals are satisfied overrun by undead. Let us agree to question their judgement.

[somebadnews]

I can't say I'll miss them.

[ Because he didn't make the connection when he mentioned a 'woodland friend' wanting to join them. Other things on his mind. ]

It seemed like a strange request. I couldn't figure out what you'd be getting out of it.

[pulvisetumbra]

Do you believe in punishment proportioned to the crime?

[somebadnews]

[ That sounds like a trick question. ]

You were looking for justice?

[pulvisetumbra]

I believe one arm's loss is not equivalent to years of endless suffering. Yes.

[somebadnews]

[ He seems to be putting the pieces together, and he sits with that for a moment before he asks. ]

Was it a curse?

[pulvisetumbra]

Which part?

[somebadnews]

The suffering. Obviously part of him was still alive, but he wasn't the same as the others.

[pulvisetumbra]

No. There was no compulsion for Anurr to shift the majority of the mirror's potency within one man, once it was destroyed. I imagined it... gave him a new avenue to exert his revenge.

Do not confuse matters: assassination can prove a valuable tool or an inevitable recourse. But torture...

[somebadnews]

[ ... Well, fuck. He'd suspected the mirror, but hearing that makes him reach a conclusion that he really didn't want to acknowledge. As nice as it is to know that he appreciates his work, things are starting to make a terrible amount of sense. ]

And now that he's dead, that potency could be dispersed again. Is that right?

[pulvisetumbra]

( He sounds, at least, uncertain. ) I... suppose. Perhaps inquire with a sorcerer.

[somebadnews]

[ It's also entirely possible that he just went insane. That tone doesn't help the theory. ]

I'll do that. [ Not Karsa. He almost forgets he was supposed to get something for this. ] As far as the route, do you already know my preference or should I weigh in?

[pulvisetumbra]

I expect you to speak against a plague-stricken land where farms might be... remiss.

[somebadnews]

Good call. Just let me know if anyone needs more motivation.

[ So help him. ]

[pulvisetumbra]

What happened? During your assignment.

[somebadnews]

[ Oh, now he wants specifics? ]

What do you think happened? [ No really. He's dropped enough hints to give an idea, and he's not broadcasting his crazy theories for anyone to judge. ]

I followed your instructions. Let's just say that Haltham better not be the one picking out the farm next time.