username: deimar | video

[jatharin]

( The first transmissions is recorded footage, clearly captured by a pendant held by a shaking hand. Before it, legions of heterogenous, misshaped demons part for the gilded palanquin of Duke Rathakku, his long tendril legs seeping off his cushions.

Beneath his litter, death hounds feast on the fresh remains of a man carrying a peace stindard.

Rathakku appears untroubled, unhurried, indifferent: )

Tell your new king... he will have the peace of the old. And we, we will give it to him. If you can reach him.

( Only more seconds capturing footage of fumbling feet and gracel, the pendant carrier stumbles back, starting to run —

Before the transmission switches to the lightly amused face of Alem's king Deimar, whistling: )

...friendly sort, isn't he? That was four months ago. He's softened since. I'd say the colder weather agrees with him. It's good for you new recruits to see that. To see him. It builds character. ( A pause, then helpfully: ) ...spoils appetites, too! Means less dinner for you, more supplies for the morning. We've all won here.

( But the joy seeps from him. ) I know what you have come for. The beacon. I accept you. It's honest trade, we need the hands. Hells, fond welcome. And to those of you serving as envoys, we'll raise a cup to you first. I should hope there's meat on your bones!

Now, a few... guidelines! As it were. What are you? Madmen, criminals, thieves, mercenaries? I don't care to know. Under my roof, I'll have none of that quarrel. ( Steely: ) No squabble, no torture, no rape. We're in tight quarters, blood runs hot. But you'll somehow prevail over any instincts. No... innocent stabbing. There's enough of that in the Wards of late.

I understand some of you are joining the watch towers. I'll come see you. It's ugly work, and you won't thank me. But I thank you. If that bitch Irenia flies by, remember: she's an ugly, slow whore, and you can take a sharp stick's end to her throat. ( Silence, then breezily: ) I don't mind if you do that our merchant friends, either. Just make sure you've learned where they've stored their grains first. ( Light coughing. ) Don't let Haiva hear that. We're to be friends with one and all! Even when they skin us for gold.

As it stands, the day's news: we prepare to evacuate new convoys of our weakest civilians every five days. Unfortunately, Rathakku is... either remarkably intuitive or well informed. He seems to find our escape corridors in the mountain and blockade them. So! We start anew, with fresh escape routes. Do help. And if you can keep our vulnerable on their feet and not trip up the paladins who are working in the Gut's Bind, even better.

By the way, we cut any hands laid unkindly on healers. We can likely spare you more than them.

And the punishment for snitching to uncle Thyvault where the last of the good wine sits is worse than that. I'll deliver that one personally.

Now, good to have you! Die well.

( ooc: welcome to Alem & threadjack liberally c: )

Comments

[stephanivien]

Circumstance often makes strange company of us all, does it not? But forward we must strive, nevertheless.

I'm more than used to salvaging and repurposing the old to serve the new, as well. You can sell your councilors on decreased cost, if you think that would help. If only to give them a new point to split upon and argue over.

[jatharin]

Don't waste honey on a fat fly, I've already agreed.

I'll take half your production, of course.

[stephanivien]

Less honey to catch you and more to sweeten the tea for those meetings. Tis not I who wishes to pitch the idea to your storied council. [ He's grinnning, though, regardless. ]

And you'll have it, though I'll need the facilities to smith it. I'm assuming you'll have something I can use for the purpose? [ Ballistas are a pain to do from scratch, but he doubts a keep such of this has nothing ]

[jatharin]

Whatever the inventories can spare. No more.

[stephanivien]

A reasonable bound. I do so enjoy a challenge.

If you have someone to spare to show me where to be, I can get a you brief, and possibly a prototype, by the morning.

[jatharin]

Speak to the towers. If you can take down that dragon... we won't refuse you.

[stephanivien]

Anyone in specific you would prefer I seek first? Or a commander I should notify. [ small>a brief pause ] For expediency sake.

[ He's likely to wander up that way regardless, and flag someone down, but if he can get the formalities out of the way first... ]

[jatharin]

Kerasstone oversees the towers. Vataz shouts and flails a lot on the premises. You could speak with them.

Though I'd say you're better armed talking to the actual people in the towers. Incidentally, your companions.

[stephanivien]

Thank you.

[jatharin]

What are you thanking me for? I don't believe for a breath you'll survive to reach your beacon.

[stephanivien]

Which makes it all the better a deal for you then, to be sure! [ Still indefatigably cheery, but he does cut the call, clearly moving on his way towards... something ]

[jatharin]

I'm not the one to complain!