It does not seem likely that anyone here would knowanything about the kobolds. Infact it seems that the two parties are trying to avoid each other at the moment. I stand up after Ryu leaves, stating my thoughts.

"Perhaps it will be best if we all head to this enterance and see if we can go about things a little more civily. Ryu himself had suggested we do this, and I for one agree with the idea. There is no reason for us to initiate combat at the moment so lets just see what we can gather from the kobolds themselves."

[Backpost]

For some reason, Galen was rather ill tempered the day they remained in town. He looked fine heading in to get the pile of scrap, rusted weapons, but coming back, there was something in his eyes that seemed out of place, and his tongue was strangely sharp and quick, though his voice remained quiet and largely unheard. He also seemed a bit slower, but by the next day, the main day of travelling, he at least appeared to be fine, even if he didn't talk much. He did, however, seemed to be preoccupied with mending a few tears in his clothes.

The next day was the arrival into town. Galen's eyes surveyed both the surroundings and the people occupying them. It seemed that the atmosphere was tense... despite the people being busy with their everyday lives, there was a hesitation and a wariness in the air, unspoken and almost unseen, but there nonetheless, showing in both humanoid and animal alike.

[Caught up to the recent posts]

Galen paid attention as Mr. Sakamoto, the younger, conversed with the group, mainly Ray. He nodded silently, seeing the way the direction was headed. As Mr. Sakamoto departed, Ray voiced a few of his thoughts as well.

"Perhaps it will be best if we all head to this enterance and see if we can go about things a little more civily. Ryu himself had suggested we do this, and I for one agree with the idea. There is no reason for us to initiate combat at the moment so lets just see what we can gather from the kobolds themselves."
Galen nodded, "Yeah... this whole town is quite eager to put the whole thing out of their minds, so probably won't have been paying too much attention anyway... If I'm right... something interesting may be happening regarding their succession."

He crossed his arms a moment, thinking to a book he had read, before continuing softly, "Typically, when there's a succession and there's no heir, it either falls to a contest of some sort or a vote. Now, we can be sure that there's going to be more than one party that wants to be the head of the group, and we can be relatively sure that there was no immediate heir, considering the lack of visible activity of late. If we could sway the outcome of their contest, we may be able to 'help' them pick a successor that won't be so aggressive to their neighbours, this town... it's just something to think about right now."

Galen shrugged a bit, before adding, "But first, we definitely need information... and there is the best place to get it... just keep in mind that the kobolds may not necessarily be that truthful with outsiders."

Ian sits there listening to the conversation between Ray and Ryu, giving a nod every now and then, to show he’s listening.

When Mr. Sakamoto left to do his business, Ray and Galen voiced there thoughts about the mater. "I agree with you two, but that gives me the question." Ian states "How are we to go about presenting that we are diplomats, and not intruders?"

“From the sounds of it, getting close enough to announce ourselves as diplomats will be the bigger challenge, if they are completely shut in. Hopefully they will have some kind of guard that could admit us when we explain our diplomatic intentions.” Owen offered.

“We can only hope that matters haven’t escalated to such a point that we will not be allowed in.” Ian replies, “So lets go, and hope for the best.”

… for Science.

Early Afternoon
Sunday, June 29, 1008
Ixenedar Volcano
The journey by cart up to the entrance of the kobold city Ixenedar took only about an hour, setting out from the southwest road then turning off to a smaller path leading toward the mountain.

The ancient volcano stood tall and partially covered in trees. The peak, covered in a small summer snowcap, rounded off in a jagged vent that lent the imagination to the smoking mountain spewing ash into the heavens that it was in life.

Centuries ago, however, the edifice spewed its last, and the earth beneath the surface no longer overflowed with magma, but with the reptilian civilization of the kobolds. As we approached the entrance, we could see a sign written in large runes with the English letters in smaller font beneath: “Ixenedar”. The entrance itself was superbly worked into the mountain face with a well made wooden gate.

Before we had made it that far, though, a pair of crossbow-carrying sentries wearing cloaks stopped us. They each wore a leather cuirass, but nothing besides that (which, for reptiles, wasn’t a terribly revealing choice). Each of the little lizards stood a little more than two feet tall, but their elevated station placed them easily high enough to look down at us. “Halt. The Ixenedar is closed to outsiders at this time. What is your business?”

We let Ray introduce us, stating that we are emissaries from the King, that we are aware in general of the situation and that we have been sent to maintain diplomatic relations in the area. The kobolds didn’t respond right away, instead exchanging a meaningful glance.

“This is good news. Come, we take you in right away.” The kobold made a whistling sound (with their lips, I can only imagine how he made it) and a half dozen more guards appeared out of the surrounding area, each carrying a crossbow with them. Two of the kobolds lead our wagon aside and took up sentry duty, while the remainder surrounded us in what we hoped was a protective escort and lead us in.

(Interaction or objection to entry here, though this was our goal, so I’m assuming we continue unless someone makes a funny face.)

The ceiling of the tunnels topped at just about six and a half feet, which while leaving head room for everyone still felt enclosed. Once the gates closed behind us, the only source of light was a small flameless device resembling a lantern and the rest of the cave fell into darkness. The kobolds were not insensitive to the visual needs of other races, though, and one of them uncovered and handed me a second of the glowing lanterns.

We set out into the darkness, lead by the kobold escort, heading forward and slightly down. We passed other lanterns set into the walls, though they came few and too far between to be of any real use to human eyes other than a vague suggestion in the distance which way the tunnel went. The journey reminded me a lot of Onu-koro.

One the way down, our benefactors conversed in conspiratorial tones. Before long the tunnel opened up to a level and we started being passed occasionally by other kobolds, always franticly moving in this direction or that and barely regarding us with a glance before they continued their work.

We were directed to a pulley elevator and taken down even further into the earth to what appeared to be a residential area several levels below. Here, too, everything was dark with an archipelago of small lights casting their illumination in little islands, though at least here the illumination was enough to navigate fairly easily by. The kobold took my lantern back and covered it again while I wondered if they were offended when you had to bend over to reach them.

With a sense of urgency, our escort conducted us through the streets, seemingly avoiding the main roads, until we came to a temple, which we were ushered into. We were shown to back room and given our lantern back (thankfully only ducking slightly when it came to most of the doors).

“Wait here, please. You be seen shortly,” our escort told us, then left us alone.

The room we were shown into was well within the lantern’s power to illuminate. The walls were covered in a sort of mural of stone carved in relief, including many draconic images and scenes of battle and life in kobold history.

(Room for a little discussion or inspection, if any)

We had only a few moments to converse amongst ourselves before the room’s other doors opened, admitting several kobolds. The leader of the newcomers was a short (well, shorter) kobold with black scales flecked with red and wearing a crimson cloak. He wore a couple rings on his hands and one on his tail and carried a staff.

“Greetings, I am Arirthosvutha Vorastrix and you will need my help, as much as I need yours. These are a few of my other allies, Nerisk Sunathaer-tur, High Priest of our city and some of his clerics.

“I apologize for the brusqueness of your welcome, but it was necessary to ensure that our enemies did not stop you. Even now rumours are probably spreading of humans sighted in the city, but these voices will be small for a few days yet. We will have to act quickly, but that is no matter; time was always short and we knew that.” There was a pause as the kobold pondered.

Arirthosvutha glanced up from his tangential deliberations and considered us. “I imagine you are in no small confusion right now. As diplomats you must be aware of the recent troubles we have had regarding our leadership, though perhaps you do not yet know the whole story.

“About four or five weeks ago our All-Watcher received mysterious visitors in the Roost. Shortly after that he began to act strangely. He had his offices moved from the Staging Sector up to the Roost and took to spreading propaganda that he had seen a vision telling him that it was the destiny of the petisse that we would dominate this land, calling himself Lorsvexear—a prophet.

“As you can imagine, this foolishness attracted support by those sorts of people whose ambition outweighed their common sense. Just as much, there were those of us, such as those you see before you, who recognized this vision for the folly that it was—particularly the few of us who have seen the world beyond the halls of the Ixenedar and understand the impossibility of such a fancy.

“I had planned to call Versveshin out for the false visionary he was in a public speech, however he was assassinated without warning by a group of humans and we were forced to lay low for a while for fear of association with the event.

“This last week we have been busy planning while Versveshin’s followers have been manoeuvring to set another from their number as leader and all-watcher for Ixenedar. This is where you come in. As diplomatic emissaries, you want a maekrix who wishes to maintain peaceful relations between our peoples. Therefore, it is in your best interest to assist me in my attempts to remove the cult and be chosen to lead my people in the future. Will you aid me? You may discuss amongst yourselves.”

(Time for Opinions and Q&A period with maekrix-aspirant Irthos Vorastrix. Meanwhile, Jeremy has become Schrödinger’s Character, and as such exists in a quantum state of being both in the game and not in the game. Once I figure out what serves as the analogue for the box, I’ll tell you whether the cat’s dead or alive. Anything else to mention I can’t think of right now ‘cause I have a nosebleed and I want to go to bed.)

I can do nothing but blink several times with both eyes. In a matter of moments since our arrival, our small expedition has been thrown into a civil war between religions. What is more, these lizardfolk assume, if I take thier leader's words as words of physical confrontation, that were are experienced in the ways of combat.

I am wearry of the predicament. I want this whole 'kill the human infidels' situatiuon to cease, but things are running a bit to smoothly. Along with the pressumtion that we know how to fight (against a cult of all things), these creatures are also willing to trust us, even though it was our kind that assassinated the original leader in the first place. I am sure that such behaviour would normally bring about some sort of prejudice; for as much as I hate to admit it, such a thing would probably happen to me if the role of kobold and human were switched around in this case.

(Sense Motive check resolved)

But then again, desperate times call for desperate measures, and his words ring true on the beliefs of peace between our two civilizations.

I clear my throat as I prepare my own personal response. (I will ask this whether or not the rest of the group shares this mindset with me. I am simply trying to understand what we would be expected to do before we agree/disagree to join this kobold in reveloution)

"Master Irthos,your words are immersed in wisdom, and it is more then sound that we should cooperate with you in order to bring this violence to an end. I may not speak for the others in this situation but only meself in this one factor however: I do not wish to perpatrate violence in order to remove violence. atleast not unless it is a last resort. So what do you mean when you state that we must 'assist you in your attempts to remove the cult and be chosen to lead your people in the future'?"

Galen kept quiet but alert through the admission into the caves. He wasn't altogether surprised that they were given an armed escort; it was more or less a confirmation in his mind that things were rather tense... perhaps there was in-fighting already. However, he had to note that it seemed slightly strange. There was only a few reasons why people taking on the role of diplomats would be targeted. He set it in the back of his mind for the moment.

After listening to Vorastrix, Galen frowned. It would seem that there were other hands in play here.

"Do you know for sure that the assassins were human?" He asked softly, rubbing his chin with a hand thoughtfully.

(if positive)

"Hmms... we'll need to be careful, otherwise others may suspect that we're connected in some means to them, putting them wary and on the defencive... hardly the best atmosphere to try to get close to the cult to break it."

(if negative)

"Then we don't know what else we're dealing with..."

(end question split)

"Regardless..." Galen murmured softly, "We're not the only players in this... and with a not-so subtle 'companion', things could get complicated very easily if they make a move we're not prepared for."

Galen thought a bit more, "We don't know enough about them to make any assumptions. We don't know their motives or objectives; it could entirely be possible that they're attempting to cause the collapse of the kobold community by bringing about a civil war, and then escalating that to a war between the kobolds and their neighbours... at which point others would be drawn in..."

Galen frowned, "No... I'm wrong... it doesn't seem like they want a war between kobolds and other races... if that was the case, it would've been you they assassinated, the resistance to letting the previous watcher be able to continue on the path they were headed." Galen paused, thinking of a second thought to that, but decided against pursuing it.

"Either way, please watch out for yourselves." He advised, "If their goal is to start a civil war, then they'll want to take out all who would stabilize the situation. Namely those of us in this room."

"Setting aside possible interference from our unseen 'companion', Ray is right. We don't want to invoke bloodshed here. Doing so, especially by a third, previously uninvolved party, could create a martyr, solidifying the cult rather than dissolving it..." Galen mused, "No... to dissolve it... we need to determine the source, and expose it."

He tilted his head at Vorastrix, "You mentioned that the previous watcher changed upon going to 'the roost'. Do you have any information you can give us about that place? I'll also need to know about the personality of the previous watcher before going there. The last thing I can think of... is there a 'doctrine' or similar for this cult that you can provide us? There may be references or hints in it that may help us figure out how to dissolve it."

Galen pondered. That was a question as well, "Wait... if there is a doctrine... has anyone outside of the cult heard or seen it? And after hearing or seeing it, did they grow sympathetic towards the cult, or join it, when you think they wouldn't have?"

There was nothing that ruled out the involvement of magic to aid in gathering supporters... as the 'roost' was an unknown, so too was what it may have provided to the leaders of the cult to gain supporters. Galen already had a few suspicions regarding the 'roost', and if he was right, it could be potentially troublesome.

Meeting Irthos
Sunday, June 29, 1008
Ixenedar Residential Sector – Temple
"Master Irthos, your words are immersed in wisdom, and it is more than sound that we should cooperate with you in order to bring this violence to an end. I may not speak for the others in this situation but only myself in this one factor however: I do not wish to perpetrate violence in order to remove violence, at least not unless it is a last resort. So what do you mean when you state that we must 'assist you in your attempts to remove the cult and be chosen to lead your people in the future'?"
“I mean quite simply that you aid me in doing what is necessary to take down this cult and establish a stable leader who can see this colony to a prosperous future,” Irthos fixed Ray with his orange gaze, his tone polite and matter of fact. “I have no desire to shed the blood of my people unnecessarily, and though I believe our enemies can be weakened by more subversive means before any combat begins, I think it would be foolish to hope our enemies would hesitate to use such extremes.

“This cult is a vile contagion that is poisoning the good relations we have held in this territory, and as such it must be purged. Still, much of the cult and its sympathizers are merely deluded individuals who must first be disillusioned before any conflict breaks out, or else we risk reinforcing their allegiance.

“The lives of my people are precious to me as the should be to any good leader, make no mistake, however, as with a good leader, I am prepared to do what must be done for the sake of the greater good. I trust you see my reasoning is compatible with diplomacy while still preparing for the eventual conflict.”

“May I presume that you are willing to assist my endeavours to restore peace to these caverns?”

[Assuming yes, but if there are still serious objections, I’m flexible for comment]

Galen had the next question. “Do you know for sure that the assassins were human?” he asked softly, rubbing his chin with a hand thoughtfully.

“Indeed. We have no proof of this, but neither are we in any doubt. Perhaps it would be best explained if I filled you in on the details of the assassination—but first, let us move to my offices.”

We were guided to another room in the temple, loosing the clerics as they were dismissed to other duties, but keeping Nerisk, the High Priest. Irthos took a seat at a raised desk that Napoleon would have enjoyed while Nerisk stood silently by the door.

“Human visitors, while uncommon, are not a rare occurrence—or at least they are when we aren’t locked down. Usually we get traders and craftsmen of all types, with occasional guests of other kinds. Two human males and a human female came to our city last week under the guise of traders and left the same day. It wasn’t until the next morning when Versveshin’s body was discovered in his offices in the Roost. Nerisk can tell you the details, as it was his duty to examine the body.”

Prompted, the brown priestly kobold explained. “I found Versveshin’s body in his study. There was no apparent cause of death and his only injury was a severed ring finger. Around the body there was a toppled chair and a spilled goblet, the contents of which had long dried. I concluded that his drink had been poisoned and that his finger and the ring he wore on it had been taken to claim bounty.”

Irthos continued. “After news of the assassination spread, many remembered that the human visitors from the day before, particularly the males who, according to rumour, seemed excessively muscular for typical traders.

“Given that no one within our ranks performed the deed and there is no apparent motive for anyone else, the suspicion fell upon the visitors.”

“Hmm... we'll need to be careful,” Galen thought aloud, “otherwise others may suspect that we're connected in some means to them, putting them wary and on the defensive... hardly the best atmosphere to try to get close to the cult to break it.”
“You are correct, there will be some who will become suspicious, though soon the word should spread among my followers. Among the regular people you may face discrimination, but with those of Versveshin’s following I expect they will react no differently than they would have otherwise once they learn that there are rumours of humans inside Ixenedar after they ordered the lockdown.”

(… …) “Setting aside all that, Ray is right. We don't want to invoke bloodshed here. Doing so, especially by a third, previously uninvolved party, could create a martyr, solidifying the cult rather than dissolving it...” Galen mused, “No . . . to dissolve it . . . we need to determine the source, and expose it.”
“Precisely,” replied Irthos, nodding once, “I am working on this presently.”

Galen tilted his head at the Vorastrix, “You mentioned that the previous watcher changed upon going to ‘the Roost’. Do you have any information you can give us about that place? I’ll also need to know about the personality of the previous watcher before going there. The last thing I can think of . . . is there a ‘doctrine’ or similar for this cult that you can provide us? There may be references or hints in it that may help us figure out how to dissolve it.”
“The Roost lies high above the city further up the mountain. It was once used for a lair by a dragon, many years back, but since the kobolds of this mountain have lived here it has been an entrance to receive airborne visitors too large to use the main entrance—namely dragons. There are few things of note up there other than a large stone tablet inscribed with an old prophecy that has been here since before our tribe and whatever Vesveshin brought with him.

“As for Vesveshin’s change in attitude, I believe the visitors he met with played a large role in this. For whatever reason, it appears that the visitors—whom, for a growing number of reasons, may have been a dragon—convinced him that he would lead the petisse in the conquest and prosperity as a legendary visionary and prophet. If you are consider enchantment, know that I, too have considered the possibility and believe it to be unlikely, given that Versveshin, too, was a Vorastrix of no small power and was thus well trained in the art of magic.

“Finally, with regards to your question about the cult’s doctrine, I’m afraid you are unlikely to uncover many hidden insights. Their teachings and goals are fairly simple—that the petisse are of superior stock than the other races should unite against them to wrest dominance over this land from their inefficient control. This may sound exceedingly foolish to you, but remember that many of the citizens have spent their whole lives in this colony and suddenly the simple possibility of inciting such change becomes a very enticing prospect.”

(Naturally, I’m pretending some things were never said in the light of information that negates their purpose. You may notice that I’ve put this game ‘on hiatus’ more as a reflection of the general upkeep of it rather than to say I won’t be able to post for a while.)

(Lastly, in my defence, I only manage to crank out such massive posts usually because I have so much information to give you, as the DM [which isn't to say I haven't seen players pull off some truly ridiculous lengths].)

EDIT: Also, if no one has anything to reply, I could work out some moving-on. I'm just too tired tonight to think much more.

P.P.S. Happy Birthday to me. :p

Galen blinked. Two muscular man and a woman... That could not have been coincidence.

Galen chuckled weakly, "Certainly is incomplete..." He murmured to himself. He glanced over to Ray, wondering if he recognized that as well.

"Well, in that case, we probably don't need to worry about that third party then, making the assumption they won't do any work that isn't paid for." Galen mused, before pausing, thinking about something, but decided against speaking that thought aloud.

Galen rubbed the back of his head. He vaguely had the feeling the culprit of this situation would be a young, mischievous dragon that played with the previous watcher's mind (in a non-magical sense) because it was bored.

"You're quite self-sufficient in Ixenedar right?" Galen mused, "If there are some things that could be used from foraging outside, perhaps it'd be a good idea in the future to organize foraging parties now and then, so that more kobolds will be exposed to the world outside Ixenedar, if you think that may help."

"But... considering things at hand now... I think we should try to go to the Roost itself. If the instigator of this cult is still there, we may need them to help dissolve what they made." Galen suggested, before pausing, "That's about all I can think of right now... does anyone else have any ideas?"

"I would agree Galen, we should investigate 'The Roost'. However," I look to Irthos for verification, "it may not be wise for the six of us to all meander over there at once. Should we split into two groups and head over there by two alternate rountes? Or would you say that it should be safe enough to travel there. I am pressuming als getting up there would pose problems both physically and socially. It sounds like a place that is forbidden-to-outsiders protocal."

(Unless anyone else had an alternate objective we could do, 'spliting up' is meant only for enroute to the place)

Ben sat and listened to the conversation that had been taking place, and mulled over what had been said. He felt that there was some information missing, and that Vorastrix wasn't telling them everything they needed to know. He needed more information.

"I would agree Galen, we should investigate 'The Roost'. However," I look to Irthos for verification, "it may not be wise for the six of us to all meander over there at once. Should we split into two groups and head over there by two alternate rountes? Or would you say that it should be safe enough to travel there. I am pressuming als getting up there would pose problems both physically and socially. It sounds like a place that is forbidden-to-outsiders protocal."
"If we are to split up then, I would like to get in on a cult meeting, perhaps I may be able to find some answers there, Sir Vorastrix, would that be possible? Even if I could not get in directly, eavesdropping from a hidden location would be enough." Ben asked, intent on doing this.

The Sound of the Plot Stewing and Congealing
-Date Unknown; Contemporary-
Somewhere in Rural Gaellus
Ketzhazasthrax’s wings ached as he soared in low and fast toward the location that the human had chosen. Weary from a full day of flying, the mighty beast was stretched to the point of annoyance from scouting the area.

As he approached the site he didn’t even bother to check his speed with a quick reverse beat, but instead extended his legs before him and caught the impact with a shuddering thump that was wholly satisfying on his stiff limbs. The earth beneath his crimson feet formed small shovel-size mounds under the force of his landing.

Ketz allowed himself a moment to bask in his own raw strength and sheer magnificence as he stretched cat-like. His moment was cut short, however.

“Well?” The impudent human demanded.

Ketz snorted. “There are no threats to our mission within miles of this location,” he reported.

“Very good, dragon. You are permitted to rest, now.”

Permitted. Ketz snarled under his breath and settled down. If their mission were any less important to the success of his masters, he would revel in snapping the soft, fleshy man’s head from his shoulders. Heck, he still might, as soon as they were finished.

“I still don’t see why can’t just raze a few farms and burn a couple villages to the ground,” he complained. All this secrecy and intrigue was beginning to get on his nerves.

“That’s because you aren’t thinking. Our mission isn’t to attack, you fool, it’s to weaken the country from the inside before the armies even arrive,” the human replied. This same argument, or at least a variation of it, occurred almost nightly.

“Sounds like a weakling’s fight, if you ask me.” Ketz grumbled.

“That’s why no one ever asked you, brute. You just leave the strategy to those with the capacity for it.”

“Is that so? Well if you’re so knowledgeable about tactics, why don’t you explain to me what you’re doing out here in the middle of this blasted country and not back with the masters?”

The human curled his lip back in contempt. “That’s simple. Someone who understands the plan had to go along to make sure you don’t go off an do something stupid, like start torching villages, instead of what you’re supposed to.”

“Hah! That’s rich!” Ketz roared with a spiteful laugh, “As if the likes of you could stop me from doing anything I so wished! If I ever really wanted to burn anything down, I wouldn’t even be slowed down by your pleas to stop!” The dragon was now standing up, his wings spread wide. Ketz was at least twice as tall as the squishy man and several times larger.

“Watch your tongue, beast, or else I shall be forced to discipline you in the name of the masters! Know your place before I show it to you!”

“I am a darastrix! We are the strongest and most glorious of the races! My place is as a god compared to your pathetic, apelike race. Do not invoke the masters' as if their name gives you the authority to tell me what I can and cannot do!”

The man gave in to his fury, no longer bothering to keep his rage in check. “You traitorous bastard! I’ll show you proper respect!”

Power flooded through the man, forming into a gusher of fire bursting forth from his hand. The dragon roared in surprise as the flames washed over his chest.

“You—you burnt me! I—I’ll destroy for that!” Ketz bellowed with equal parts anger, terror, and stupefied shock. As a red dragon fire was his pet, his tool to do with as he saw fit. It was on his side, it would not touch him but would decimate his foes. Reality had turned upsidedown.

The man grinned and unleashed another burst of the crackling flames, filling the air with a hungry roar. The smell of fire and burnt scales filled the air as Ketz leapt at the human, sucking in his breath. The pain and shock had driven him nearly mindless.

Ketzhazathrax belched forth a font of dragon-fire from his lungs. Flame engulfed the warlock, but when the embers cleared he was only hardly scorched by the blast, with both of his forearms wrapped in swirling, hellish flame.

The warlock struck one final time, smiting the dragon in the face and charring out from his eye sockets to the back of his throat and everything in between.

Panting, the warlock looked down at the corpse, thinking of the insufferable attitude and questioning of authority he had put up with while the beast was still living. He spat up some blood onto the ground, then, not quite done raging, yet, he vented by unleashing his power upon the body until it was a smouldering black, dragon-shaped funeral pyre.

Plotting a Kobold Revolution
Sunday, June 29, 1008
Ixenedar Residential Sector – Temple
Irthos’ mind buzzed while we discussed possible plans, speaking up only after we had finished. “Actually, no.” He paused for a moment as if calculating and detailing a plan that was just forming in his mind.

“Given the amount of time it should take before the rumours of human presence within Ixenedar to reach the ears of our enemies, I believe we would do best to capitalize on the grace period in which you will be able to move about freely. Sending you to the Roost right now poses little benefit and much risk. Instead there is another task that you can undertake which, if successful, can be of much greater benefit to our cause at the moment than a direct confrontation.

“In the spirit of reconciling with the humans of Vulcasa, I want you to bring a group of at least two dozen human villagers to attend an assembly in the Common Room down in the Staging Sector two days from today. This gesture of goodwill between our peoples should serve to encourage feelings of amity, showing the petisse that the humans take an interest and show respect to this colony while the humans have the chance to understand better what has been happening this last month.

“When the day comes, you will lead any volunteers to the hidden entrance that connects to the residential sector. From there my people will escort you down to the Staging Sector. The volunteers must not bring any weapons—this is intended to be a peaceful gathering, not an armed rebellion. I would encourage you, as known ambassadors, to remain armed. The cult has set up a toll gate further down the road, and may attempt to interfere with our plans.

“After you have sufficiently spread the word through Vulcasa, I will ask that you return tomorrow to help with matters leading up to Tuesday’s event.

“Now, before I page the gem-traders who will accompany you back to town, do you understand your mission?

"This all sounds good, but I don't think we could actually get anyone to come. We are actually foreigners to these lands, and have no relationships with the humans of this area. For us to tell them that the kobold people desire to have a talk when they have already experienced hostility will be hard to persuade. We will do our best, but to get them here, and unarmed may be to much to expect."

Galen rubbed a hand on his chin thoughtfully, "It might not actually be that difficult, Ray... maybe if it were merely us telling them, but who said it had to be us?"

"I wonder... how strong the influence of Mr. Sakamoto's son in the region is. If we relay this information to him, he might be able to locate and converse with a few 'seeds', people who have further influence, or charisma. Humans at least will often follow with a crowd than against it. Once there are numerous seeds willing to go, there will be others. They will still have their doubts, but if they can trust and recognize the faces of the seeds chosen, they will follow as well." Galen mused.

"Naturally, with that degree of trust, it falls on our shoulders the responsibility of showing them their trust is well founded." Galen added, "So if we're to complete this mission, we had better make sure we do not take any unnecessary risks with their safety." He nodded towards Irthos, "This includes your people as well; you already know this, but do be careful. While the gathering can provide a reassurance and a feeling of peace, there is also the possibility that the cult, or at least some of its more extreme members, may likewise take advantage of it to send a message."

Galen paused, "If they they are particularly cunning, there is the possibility they'll attack both the humans and kobolds gathered there, in an attempt to make it look like the humans were the instigators of the combat, while the kobolds were merely defending themselves. That act would spur the feeling of distrust, and sew seeds of war. Alternatively, they may attack just the humans in a more isolated and thoughtless approach. Either way, or another, they will likely not merely sit back, and instead try to take advantage of the situation."

Galen toyed with a lock of his long hair. He almost felt like he should have a chessboard in front of him, or something else of similar nature. Despite differences in race and culture, some personality archetypes remained the same, although the ratio in which they were found differed. Using that as a foundation, he was trying to read the movements of an opponent he had not too much information about. Not the best way to start a strategy, but possible, as long as he tried to consider every possibility and potential, determine the more likely scenarios, and proceed based on that.

Returning to Town
Sunday, June 29, 1008
Vulcasa, Corazon
We arrived at the southern gates to Vulcasa late in the afternoon. The sentry at the gates was different from the one we passed earlier, he was a younger man. He shot us a perplexed look when he spotted us coming up the road, as if he couldn’t figure out how we’d managed the trick of showing up on the wrong side of the gate.

“’Allo there, who approaches?” he called out to us.

“We’re the group that went to visit the Ixenedar colony earlier this afternoon, we’re just returning now.”

“Ah, yeah, I remember now. Geth mentioned about you comin’ back,” the young man nodded. “What about them? Who’re they?” he asked, pointing at the three kobolds.

“Gem Traders from Ixenedar, here to sell their wares,” we responded. The leading trader quickly leapt to his feet, standing tall for his prepared speech. It probably didn’t help the air of prestige he was trying to affect that between Galen and I sitting on either side he was still shorter, but you had to give him points for attitude.

“I am Achuak Sverngethri-tur, master gem merchant of the Ixenedar, and these are my companions. We seek a receptive market to display our wares; we bring many good quality gems for trade. Do you grant us entry?”

“I—uh,” the man didn’t know what to say. “Do you agree to be subject to the King’s Law and the consequences of failing to do so?”

“We do.”

“Alright then, I guess there’s no reason not to. Welcome to Vulcasa, merchants—and welcome back, ambassadors.” The gates were opened and we rode on through the streets back to the hostel.

As we clattered up the street, a few people here and there looked up at us, noting our passage before going back to work. Before long we began to notice that we had managed to attract a small following, which then provoked yet more curious villagers to follow to see where people were going.

By the time we had reached our hostel, there was a small crowd watching from a curious distance. Ryu greeted us out front as we made for the stables.

“Do I take it your endeavour was successful?” he asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So what’s the story? I have a feeling you will have an attentive audience—unless you’d rather share in private, first.”

(It's rather late, and I wasn't entirely sure about the completion of this post. Let me know if I'm missing broad stretches of important information or if it seems rushed [the showing up suddenly back in town was intentional, though the sudden crowd of villagers wasn't planned for--it just kind of happened when I realized it would be inevitable])