audio | username: raven master

[pulvisetumbra]

( You might remember this voice: )

Good afternoon. To our newcomers, I introduce myself as the Merchant. You have heard of me. I have heard of you. To our elderly additions, I note you have prevailed against the odds to persist among us. A triumph.

( Dry laughter. ) Further pleasantries at a later, more forgiving time. For now, it will not surprise you that certain gestures have been entertained. Crude, direct and mercenary.

Absent a contact point, Unhalad’s lieutenants have left word with several port masters, who have conveyed his message. He believes you have been well positioned to access Anurr’s forces and woodland allies. He asks for any remnants of the mirror his brethren sent aboard the vessel Imperious and for assistance to cleanse the woods of Anurr’s supporters. In exchange, he offers free passage from Sa-Hareth once the storms clear and a letter of recommendation that will ease voyage across the eastern provinces commanded by his brothers. He threatens the full force of his allies, if you do not comply.

( A moment’s peace, to let that sink. ) I expect our forest visitors have kept Lord Anurr better informed of your whereabouts and affiliation. He has addressed my liaisons to request your assistance to shut in the salt mines and the source of Unhalad’s local force replenishments. He too offers to facilitate your departure from Sa-Hareth, once he gains the terminals, financial provisions and free return to the citadel, should you wish it done. He threatens nothing, but notes that you are alone, and have been alone for some time, and where has it brought you? ( Laughter, outright) To me.

( Second verse, same at the first. Silence is a strength. ) Quite. Given the limitations of these creatures, you will forgive me for excluding any physical evidence of these interactions.

If you want counsel: you have sustained neutrality for the better part of two months. Your position to do nothing has been self-serving, but clear. Do not stray course at the last hour. If you intend to proceed otherwise… alert me. I shall endeavour to broker the relevant agreement, so that you may at least benefit from your gumption.

You will otherwise be pleased to know I expect to receive the pertinent passport papers and two potential routes for your strategic departure within days. Until then, good day.


( ooc: feel free to use the Merchant’s or other character posts to debate the course of action! The Merchant will be scarce. If most/any characters plan to side with Unhalad, Anurr, either warlord or even both of them, designate a character to let the Merchant know. Address messages to the him this time! )

Comments

[bearshermark]

[Somehow, that makes it all the more insidious. Eleven in contrast is ardent in his distaste for the idea]

You don't speak for everyone. We will see how everyone's sentiment turns before any decisions are made.

[soulsrob]

[Cheerfully:] That's true! If everyone agrees to doing something else, I'll of course go along with it.

It doesn't particularly matter to me either way what everyone decides. Someone will have to be responsible for the consequences of whatever we do. I'm curious to see what everyone decides and if they'll let emotion rule like you seem keen to do.

[bearshermark]

I know what I can live with.

[soulsrob]

Can you live with the weight of a hundred deaths on your hands? [her tone isn't even accusing or cruel; it's almost innocently curious]

[bearshermark]

[Quiets for several moments]

...Unfortunately.

[soulsrob]

Have you already?

It's easy to say words in any order you like, but not be able to actually handle them.

[bearshermark]

I'm alive, aren't I?

But a hundred undeaths- no, I'm sure I can't bear that.

[soulsrob]

[Amused:] Does it truly matter? A death is a death. What's the difference between 'death' and 'undeath'?

[bearshermark]

[Incredulously indignant]

Wh- what do you mean 'what's the difference'?

Death is- you die. In an ideal world, your soul is reincarnated. In this one, I can't be sure.

But undeath- particularly here- undeath is a perverse corruption of mind, body, and soul, enslaved for its power after its death. You never find rest, attack the living, perhaps even those you'd called friends. Death is far kinder; it's an end. There's no wonder why those thawing undead beg for it, or why those miners were- were executed before they could be-

I can't imagine a worse fate.

[soulsrob]

[Hums thoughtfully.] Is the soul so important? Who's to say they even have souls?

[bearshermark]

There are those among us that seem capable of sensing them.

But even if you don't believe souls to exist, surely the idea of your mind and body becoming enslaved to another being is beyond repulsive.

[soulsrob]

[WAIT HOLD ON]

Who can sense them? That sounds terribly useful.

I can't say I'd enjoy it either, but it's not like I'm saying we should aid him much. Using him is not the same as agreeing or siding with him.

[bearshermark]

[Ask some other time, Winnie. He isn't feeling forthcoming with this more pressing discussion rn]

And spend every day worried they'll follow through on Unhalad's attempt to kill and corrupt us? No. I won't pretend allies with them for that risk. They're better kept at sword's length, knowing they're enemies, not slipping past on the pretense of an alliance.