The long-limbed man within the court approaches Gardo, where the latter stands discussing matters of import with the Fae Prince. As he moves, the dancers swirl out of his way. It's as if a pathway opens up just as he needs it, though none of the participants reveals any intent to have done so.
The man bows gracefully to the cyclops, but doesn't do the forelock thing. When he straightens, he addresses the Prince. "Allow me to entertain the queries of your guest, Your Grace, for it seems the mortal mind is filled with wonderings, and will no doubt be the sweeter once its concern has abated."
IC III
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thirdkingdom
- Rider of Rohan
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Re: IC III
Prince Nacknosh
"Ah, yes. Whifflespice. Yes, please, take him away and entertain him as you see fit, so that I may return to my appreciation of the fete."
"Ah, yes. Whifflespice. Yes, please, take him away and entertain him as you see fit, so that I may return to my appreciation of the fete."
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
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Re: IC III
Whifflespice
The man leads Gardo out from in front of Prince Nacknosh, the revelrie parting before them as they walk.
"I believe you sent your vassal on an errand?" the man asks, pointing out the fact that Notai was swirling by them in a vigorous dance with a man in a yellow tophat and tails.
"You have the manner of a man who regards himself as important," the man asks rather bluntly, though it's spoken with a polite tone. "Have you earned that, or was it given to you?"
The man leads Gardo out from in front of Prince Nacknosh, the revelrie parting before them as they walk.
"I believe you sent your vassal on an errand?" the man asks, pointing out the fact that Notai was swirling by them in a vigorous dance with a man in a yellow tophat and tails.
"You have the manner of a man who regards himself as important," the man asks rather bluntly, though it's spoken with a polite tone. "Have you earned that, or was it given to you?"
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
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- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Re: IC III
Whifflespice
The man leads Gardo to where Gardo's companions are, including them in the conversation.
The man leads Gardo to where Gardo's companions are, including them in the conversation.
Re: IC III
Gardo
"Important? Depends on who it is. To the mercenaries that came with me, I am important because I'm the one who will pay them. I am important to others as well because I have made a promise to train them and take care of them in return for service. To others, I am only important as they have need of me. So, earned or given, you figure that out. What I am is trying to make sure those who follow me continue to do so safely. So, are you important here? Are you the one who can answer so as to let the Prince enjoy his self?"
"Important? Depends on who it is. To the mercenaries that came with me, I am important because I'm the one who will pay them. I am important to others as well because I have made a promise to train them and take care of them in return for service. To others, I am only important as they have need of me. So, earned or given, you figure that out. What I am is trying to make sure those who follow me continue to do so safely. So, are you important here? Are you the one who can answer so as to let the Prince enjoy his self?"
It's hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally.
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
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- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Re: IC III
Whifflespice
"If it is safety you seek, you should not have come to a Faery Court. There is only revelry, and feast, and politics here. Though you will also find scintillating joy. In addition to deep sorrow. As it should be."
"I am not important, no. But I have some favor. And perhaps you can be of assistance to me, and in turn, I to you. How did you come by the leadership of your men?"
"If it is safety you seek, you should not have come to a Faery Court. There is only revelry, and feast, and politics here. Though you will also find scintillating joy. In addition to deep sorrow. As it should be."
"I am not important, no. But I have some favor. And perhaps you can be of assistance to me, and in turn, I to you. How did you come by the leadership of your men?"
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thirdkingdom
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8057
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:23 pm
Re: IC III
Gardo recalls that, in fact, he had asked Notai to run an errand for him. To . . . check in on their mounts. Yes, that's it. Yet there she is, dancing! It's hard to think with the noise and the delicious smell of roasting meat redolent in the air.Atlictoatl wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:28 pm Whifflespice
The man leads Gardo out from in front of Prince Nacknosh, the revelrie parting before them as they walk.
"I believe you sent your vassal on an errand?" the man asks, pointing out the fact that Notai was swirling by them in a vigorous dance with a man in a yellow tophat and tails.
"You have the manner of a man who regards himself as important," the man asks rather bluntly, though it's spoken with a polite tone. "Have you earned that, or was it given to you?"
Re: IC III
Gardo
Somewhere in the back of his mind Gardo seethes a bit, seeing Notai being waylaid, but loads of sensory input makes it a faint feeling. He keeps an eye out for a chance to reach out and grab her away from the dancing as he talks with the new man.
"The men were retained by a previous member of our company. When that person left, I decided to step up and take responsibility for them, paying them from my own pocket, as they assist the company in our travels. Even before that person left, I spent time with them, drank with them, and stood with them when men among them fell."
He clears his throat. "Good sir, I am more direct, not one to use large amounts of words when a few would do. You need assistance? Tell me what you would ask of me and my fellows."
Somewhere in the back of his mind Gardo seethes a bit, seeing Notai being waylaid, but loads of sensory input makes it a faint feeling. He keeps an eye out for a chance to reach out and grab her away from the dancing as he talks with the new man.
"The men were retained by a previous member of our company. When that person left, I decided to step up and take responsibility for them, paying them from my own pocket, as they assist the company in our travels. Even before that person left, I spent time with them, drank with them, and stood with them when men among them fell."
He clears his throat. "Good sir, I am more direct, not one to use large amounts of words when a few would do. You need assistance? Tell me what you would ask of me and my fellows."
It's hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally.
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thirdkingdom
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8057
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:23 pm
Re: IC III
As the strange man passes by and speaks to the adventurers -- Gardo and Feargus, Newton and Shmara and Svenn -- the quintet feels as if a gossamer veil has been lifted from acros their eyes. What once seemed to be a riotous, joyful party is now seen for what it is; terrified subjects performing for their lord, forced to revel for hours -- perhaps even days on end -- for the amusement of one more powerful than them. The adventurers can see their retainers, and the hired mercenaries, dancing as well, sheathed in sweat and hovering at the edge of exhaustion, yet seemingly unable to stop moving.
And worst of all, that fragrant smell of roasting meat? The adventurers recognize it for what it is, for it is something that all five of them have smelled, on occasion. It is not common to eat horse in the Scarlet Principality, but necessity is a brutal mistress, and at some point during the previous Nadir, when food was scarce, the people would turn to the mounts that once bore them into battle, or tilled their fields. The delicious scent filling their nostrils is exactly that; roasting horseflesh.
And worst of all, that fragrant smell of roasting meat? The adventurers recognize it for what it is, for it is something that all five of them have smelled, on occasion. It is not common to eat horse in the Scarlet Principality, but necessity is a brutal mistress, and at some point during the previous Nadir, when food was scarce, the people would turn to the mounts that once bore them into battle, or tilled their fields. The delicious scent filling their nostrils is exactly that; roasting horseflesh.
Re: IC III
Newton shakes away the cobwebs as the realisation hits him
"The horses! We must recover our mounts and equipment, but quietly if we can so as not to be noticed. Then we can retrieve the others and leave this place."
He looks at the strange newcomer "My thanks to you stranger for helping us recover our wits. I am Newton. Are you willing to help us further? "
"The horses! We must recover our mounts and equipment, but quietly if we can so as not to be noticed. Then we can retrieve the others and leave this place."
He looks at the strange newcomer "My thanks to you stranger for helping us recover our wits. I am Newton. Are you willing to help us further? "
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
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- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Re: IC III
Whifflespice
"You will not be able to leave Prince Nacknosh's palace without his permission to do so; the road will always lead you back to it. I may have a means to that permission, however, though it will be difficult to secure it for all of your retainers. The Prince is something of a gourmand, and Man is his favorite course."
"First, though, I must inquire... are you skilled at matters of strength, endurance, and wit? While I may be able to secure a reprieve, it will matter naught if we are unable to regain the status that I have misplaced."
"You will not be able to leave Prince Nacknosh's palace without his permission to do so; the road will always lead you back to it. I may have a means to that permission, however, though it will be difficult to secure it for all of your retainers. The Prince is something of a gourmand, and Man is his favorite course."
"First, though, I must inquire... are you skilled at matters of strength, endurance, and wit? While I may be able to secure a reprieve, it will matter naught if we are unable to regain the status that I have misplaced."
Re: IC III
Newton
"I will not leave any of our people behind, and the prince may find that his favourite course bites back in this case. As for skills, we can certainly look after ourselves, we have taken on more than one demon and killed a Hydra too." he frowns " Why are you so willing to help us against your own kind?."
"I will not leave any of our people behind, and the prince may find that his favourite course bites back in this case. As for skills, we can certainly look after ourselves, we have taken on more than one demon and killed a Hydra too." he frowns " Why are you so willing to help us against your own kind?."
Re: IC III
Shmara
"We are not without skills, but we will not be feeding any of our own to the creature, and we will be leaving no one behind. To die in battle is one thing, but slaughtered for amusement is another."
"We are not without skills, but we will not be feeding any of our own to the creature, and we will be leaving no one behind. To die in battle is one thing, but slaughtered for amusement is another."
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
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- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Re: IC III
Whifflespice
The man winces, as if admitting what he is about to say pains him. "I have recently brought disfavor upon the Court and my lineage, in contest with a rival within the Verdant Field. Were you to aid me in defeating my foe, it would bring favor once again on both the Sultry Summer and myself, and our Prince might be forced to release you in exchange for your service."
"You could attempt to fight your way to freedom, but I fear that road will cost as much as it might gain."
The man winces, as if admitting what he is about to say pains him. "I have recently brought disfavor upon the Court and my lineage, in contest with a rival within the Verdant Field. Were you to aid me in defeating my foe, it would bring favor once again on both the Sultry Summer and myself, and our Prince might be forced to release you in exchange for your service."
"You could attempt to fight your way to freedom, but I fear that road will cost as much as it might gain."
Re: IC III
Svenn
"I'm all for fighting one foe rather than a host of them."
"I'm all for fighting one foe rather than a host of them."
Re: IC III
Gardo
With the fog lifting, Gardo's blood begins to boil. He begins to look for a way to take on the Prince when his mind latches onto new words. "Defeat a foe? If it involves a fight, I'm your man. Let us do this quickly so as to not lose any of the men, more than what we already might."
With the fog lifting, Gardo's blood begins to boil. He begins to look for a way to take on the Prince when his mind latches onto new words. "Defeat a foe? If it involves a fight, I'm your man. Let us do this quickly so as to not lose any of the men, more than what we already might."
It's hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally.
Re: IC III
Shmara
"I agree, we should act quickly."
"I agree, we should act quickly."
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
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- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Re: IC III
Whifflespice
The man frowns. "Well, as I said, it's more to do with strength, endurance, and wit than force of arms, but I can hear your urgency. It's settled, then." He inclines his head in a polite bow, then strides before the Prince's chair.
"Your Grace, I have good tidings. Your guests have offered to lend their assistance with regards to our misfortune with Verdant Field. If you'll hear me out, I have a plan."
The man frowns. "Well, as I said, it's more to do with strength, endurance, and wit than force of arms, but I can hear your urgency. It's settled, then." He inclines his head in a polite bow, then strides before the Prince's chair.
"Your Grace, I have good tidings. Your guests have offered to lend their assistance with regards to our misfortune with Verdant Field. If you'll hear me out, I have a plan."
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thirdkingdom
- Rider of Rohan
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- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:23 pm
Re: IC III
Prince Nacknosh
"'Our misfortune!' I believe you mean 'your misfortune', don't you, Pifflesplish?" The dancers and string quartet have all stopped and a nervous laugh ripples through the crowd. "Lackeys! Bring out the appetizers! I grow hungry, and when I grow hungry I get angry!" The huge cyclops turns again to Whifflespice. "You've always had a way with words. You've got until my food arrives to use those pretty words of yours to convince me!"
"'Our misfortune!' I believe you mean 'your misfortune', don't you, Pifflesplish?" The dancers and string quartet have all stopped and a nervous laugh ripples through the crowd. "Lackeys! Bring out the appetizers! I grow hungry, and when I grow hungry I get angry!" The huge cyclops turns again to Whifflespice. "You've always had a way with words. You've got until my food arrives to use those pretty words of yours to convince me!"
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Atlictoatl
- Ranger
- Posts: 522
- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Re: IC III
Whifflespice
"Your Grace," the man bowed deeply to the cyclops. "Being new visitors to the Court, your guests may invoke the Rite of Travelers in Lord Mereldan's demenses, testing their mettle against his whimsy. They are hardy and no doubt cunning folk, who have defeated numerous demons, slain a many-headed hydra, consorted with elder treants, and who command the attention of many of their kind... surely, they can entertain the Lord of the Verdant Field, whose tastes for such things are vastly inferior to yours."
"The delight of the trick we play on the Verdant Field is that, instead of claiming the favor they so earn in the name of Man, my Prince, they shall do so in the name of Nacknosh. Their triumph becomes yours, while any failures they might suffer -- and I think they shall meet few of those -- shall remain their own."
He stands in front of the first of the servers who arrives, holding the man back, pronouncing the last piece of his persuasion over his shoulder.
"Why will they do this, our Sultan? Because you will hold something they value more than their own lives in safekeeping, against their treachery. Their men, and their steeds. They will surely do everything in their power to bring favor to the name of Nacknosh, because if they fail, you will pick the meat of their valued vassals from your teeth. It may be delayed gratification, my Prince, but think how sweet the flesh shall be, when it is consumed with the thick reduction of vindication!"
"Your Grace," the man bowed deeply to the cyclops. "Being new visitors to the Court, your guests may invoke the Rite of Travelers in Lord Mereldan's demenses, testing their mettle against his whimsy. They are hardy and no doubt cunning folk, who have defeated numerous demons, slain a many-headed hydra, consorted with elder treants, and who command the attention of many of their kind... surely, they can entertain the Lord of the Verdant Field, whose tastes for such things are vastly inferior to yours."
"The delight of the trick we play on the Verdant Field is that, instead of claiming the favor they so earn in the name of Man, my Prince, they shall do so in the name of Nacknosh. Their triumph becomes yours, while any failures they might suffer -- and I think they shall meet few of those -- shall remain their own."
He stands in front of the first of the servers who arrives, holding the man back, pronouncing the last piece of his persuasion over his shoulder.
"Why will they do this, our Sultan? Because you will hold something they value more than their own lives in safekeeping, against their treachery. Their men, and their steeds. They will surely do everything in their power to bring favor to the name of Nacknosh, because if they fail, you will pick the meat of their valued vassals from your teeth. It may be delayed gratification, my Prince, but think how sweet the flesh shall be, when it is consumed with the thick reduction of vindication!"