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

[faceblocker]

I was beginning to think the Merchant was lying about the last one until it showed itself.

[ Less easy to guess at why. He was telling the truth, but...lot of good it did. ]

This guy talks like he doesn't think we'll make it through the beacon, though. Not the best lure. [ And some weak reverse psychology if that's the game. ] I think it's real, just...nobody's gonna make it easy for us.

[ Because why would they when something can be gotten out of this group of desperados? ]

[dog_eat_dog]

Desperate people lie about having shit they don't actually have all the time. [That's a little dismissive, but it's ambivalent, too. It could be the case, it could not be.] The only thing they've got might be a dud, but it's the thing we need most, and they're done for if they don't get help. I've made worse gambles.

[faceblocker]

[ So has she. And boy did she lose big time.

...Why is she trying to go back, again? ]

Even if it's a dud, I know someone who might be able to jumpstart it. Just a theory, but he is pretty smart and we've got our own resources.

[dog_eat_dog]

I don't know fuck-all about portals so I'll take your word for it.

Tess, by the way.

[faceblocker]

I'm just making a guess, don't take my word for anything. You've got company in not knowing fuck-all about portals. Don't know anything about the arcane.

[ But the imagination is the limit, or something. ]

Vi.

[ Pronounced as short for Violet. ]

Where did they post you?

[dog_eat_dog]

The Crossing. Busy place. You?

[faceblocker]

East tower. Got a feeling it'll be pretty busy, too.

[ A different kind of fun. ]

You working with the merchants?

[dog_eat_dog]

Better busy than bored.

Yeah. Haven't done a thorough walk-through yet, but there's a lot to work with. What's going on in the tower?

[faceblocker]

First line of defense, and...lots of weird bullshit. You know anything about harpies?

[dog_eat_dog]

Like... asshole women?

[faceblocker]

Flying asshole women.

[ By her tone, Tess might discern that Vi here can't fly. ]

[dog_eat_dog]

And these flying asshole women are fighting there for Alem, or...?

[faceblocker]

[ A husky breath; half chuckle. Imagining harpies fighting for them... That'd be a sight. ]

Against, unfortunately. Guess they're resistant to my charms. Must be rusty. I'll sweet-talk 'em before long.

[dog_eat_dog]

There’s a quicker way, you know. It’s called a “gun.”

[jatharin]

( Laughter, slow: ) A fine point!

[dog_eat_dog]

Cheers.

So what around here pairs best with the good wine?

[jatharin]

The fat rats, smoked.

[dog_eat_dog]

[A raised brow, a mild challenge.]

You eat 'em too?

[jatharin]

We have grain supplies, now.

[dog_eat_dog]

I'm asking if you, the king, eat the rats too.

[jatharin]

No. ( But then, blithely: )

I fasted the duration. Four days of a light step. My armour never fit so well!

[dog_eat_dog]

Wow! Model leadership. [She is smiling.] And you go out in the field yourself?

[jatharin]

If a king isn't seen in battle, he isn't followed. Loyalty doesn't come easily.

[dog_eat_dog]

It certainly doesn't. Seems kind of bullshit given how quickly some people are to fucking squander it, too.

[jatharin]

I won't apologise for every king who's disappointed you. The truth is, men have the leaders they deserve. If yours failed you, you should have killed or removed them. Complacency is a sickness.