“I believe it would be better if we speak in private.” I state reluctantly. As much as Galan believes that the people will trust us in our taste in character, I believe that people as a whole are stupid, and should thusly be dealt with in a tender and cautious manner. However, Galen is right in seeing that Master Ryu would have a much better standing with these people then we do, and we were hired to assess the situation, so it would be logical that he would trust us.

(I would say this/along these lines whethere or not Ryu or anyone else thinks we should go inside or stay out).

“As it is, there is some political instability at Ixenedar. There is the remaining faction of kobolds that were a part of the cult before his assassination, and then there is what could be called the ‘resistance’: a group that desires peaceful symbioses with us surface dwellers. As it stands, the leader of this resistance who is called Irthos wishes to have a small group of people come to Ixenedar in order that the two communities may become better acquainted with each other. Irthos requested for twenty-four people in addition to ourselves, and that we come unarmed.” I finish my report, now it is up to Ryu as to what to do with it.

How to Start a Successful Revolution
Sunday, June 29, 1008 – Late Day
Vulcasa, Corazon
We all mutely agreed with Ray’s assessment to seek a little privacy before thrusting these new developments onto the town folk. Ryuunosuke informed the crowd that information would be forthcoming after a brief meeting and together we stepped into the inn, taking the table in the corner we had at lunch.

Ray told the story, with us adding details to fill in explanations—the role of Sakamoto’s last hirelings in the assassination, how we managed to enter in the first place, who the heck were the three enthusiastic visitors who were travelling with us and other such minutiae.

Ryu made a steeple out of his fingertips as he pondered the situation.

“I agree with this Arirthosvutha you speak of—there can be no peace between the two peoples of this valley if no attempt at communication is made. He speaks wisely. He should make a good leader perhaps—or at least a better one than the petisse had before.

“If you want my council, I would advise that we take the opportunity presented to us at the door and use the people gathered here to spread this news quickly throughout the town. I have decided that I will help you in this matter, but you will have to fill in the details where I cannot.

“After we address the crowd out front, I suggest we take the rest of the evening to spread the word as far as possible. Any who would like to participate in the assembly will let me know and will gather by this inn when the day comes.”

(Theoretically, discussion is open to comment or disagree, but realistically, if anyone had a good plan for what to do now, we wouldn’t have been waiting on Ryu’s advice for the last three weeks =3 Assuming agreement for now)

“Now, if there is nothing else to add, our audience awaits. I will explain things to them—the name of Sakamoto is well known in these lands. That should at least buy us some consideration, but, ultimately, you are the ambassadors and you will have to answer to any concerns that arise.”

---

Ryu delivered a concise briefing to the crowd, explaining recent events and the reason for the kobolds’ actions. He filled them in on Irthos’ plans to restore peace between their peoples and communicated the invitation for a group to join the kobolds for an assembly as a show of support, adding his personal agreement to the plan.

The crowd broke off to talk amongst themselves, then a voice rose up and the rest quieted down.

“What if the party is attacked by the rogue kobolds? How will they defend themselves?” asked one droopy-moustached man.

“Well, the ambassadors will be armed, of course—to make sure neither party breaks the agreement.” cried a reply before we had our chance.

“Okay,” a third voice, belonging to an older man spoke up, “but why should we go unarmed into the kobolds’ town, then? Why shouldn’t we make sure we are protected while we’re inside?”

This time no fast and easy answer was given for us. All eyes turned on us, waiting for us to provide insight or rebuttal to the question.

(Okay, I am sort of forcing you to actually participate in a roleplaying encounter for now. Whoever answers first can do so to the best of their ability. Anyone who would like to add further comment can pop in quickly after the first. If you’re thinking about answering, but don’t know if someone else is already planning, shoot gestures and body language at each other via e-mail or PM until someone agrees to talk. If it matters to anyone, the group is some 30-40 strong, about the size of a large classroom, most older than us, but a few younger men and women.)

Galen held out his right hand, palm up, towards the right of him. Now would have been the time to speak in a booming voice to obtain everyone's undivided attention, but alas, that was not part of his personality, nor was it among his repertoire of abilities. So, instead, he talked as he normally did, foreseeing a large number of 'what was that?' and 'what did he say?' in the near future.

"Such an open display of weaponry would suggest hostile intent, and set the alternate side on the defencive, hardly the best way to foster trust and open communications. Trust is the key. While it is true you have to trust in them that you do not need weaponry, at the same time, they have to come to a similar trust, in order to allow you within their home to begin with." He murmured.

"Consider the opposite as well." Galen added, "If contact and negotiations took place here... what would you all think if they bore weaponry? I doubt that the first thing you'd all think of would be that it's just due to them being nervous and wanting self-protection. No, instead the first thought likely would be in wondering if they intend to use those weapons against you and your loved ones. I would elaborate further, but that should be sufficient to answer the question."

A bit more quietly, he muttered to himself, "Between groups, paranoia begets paranoia, and when the facade collapses, no one is left standing."

I nod with a smile of approval at our quiet friend for giving his sentiments. In my head Aquarious also agrees with the concepts that Galen is talking about.

How to Start a Successful Revolution
Sunday, June 29, 1008 – Late Day
Vulcasa, Corazon
The crowd fell to hushed murmurs for moments after Galen’s reply, apparently thoroughly taken by his reasoning. Inevitably, however, another voice raised its concern.

“Our relationship with the kobolds has never truly been close in the past, and as of recently they have cut off communication, making all the signs of preparing for war. I hear you telling us that this has all been because of the old leader, and I believe you when you say that this assembly will be a step toward resolution, but I have one further question, and answer me truthfully in this: I realize this meeting is intended to be a peaceful gathering, but even still, planning for the worse, how much danger would each man and woman be placing themselves in for attending?”

The man was an older, bald man who seemed to command a small bit of respect above the average. He watched us with his narrow eyes, as if waiting to judge us on our answer.

Galen absently rubbed a hand along his smooth chin. How much? What would a quantitative measurement be to a subjective concept? Was this the literal worse case scenario, or just the 'worst case scenario that the person is thinking of'? In which case, what was the worst case scenario that the man was thinking of?

The absolute worst case scenario, of course, would be that it was all an elaborate set up with an adventurer-hiring agency involved in an (at least) country-wide conspiracy maybe bent on converting magic into primatory fuel for a sub-fantasy nuclear war to elevate some person of some (in)significance into domination over all in this plane before possibly working on extra-world domination, whereby they had already lost because their every decision was part of a huge roulette orchestrated by some machinator of impressive intelligence, culminating in the removal and or murder of all closely involved and all would-be-interfere-ers when it was convenient.

Focusing the scope of 'worst case' scenaria to the current situation, however, Galen worked on additional thoughts. Based on observational templates and personae of individuals that may or may not be involved, the function of R(p), where R was a numeric measure of risk (in particular of kobold attack), and p was the number of human individuals that went to the gathering, looked to be a parabola of similar appearance to x^2. If there were very few, then the probability for the extremists of the kobold movement to attack would be relatively high. Likewise, if there were many past a certain point, there was a chance that the extremists would view an attack as reckless enough to work.

In his mind, Galen very roughly sketched out a formula for it:
R(p) ≈ |m(subtext min) - p| * i(subtext E) * E(k) + i(subtext O) * N(O) - A(5) * (E(k) + N(O))
Where:
m(subtext min) was the number of people to achieve the minimum R(p) based on just number of people alone
i(subtext E) was the initiative of the extremist kobolds to take action
E(k) was the number of extremist kobolds in the kobold population
i(subtext O) was the initiative of an orchestrator in this situation (0 for if an/the orchestrator is not present or doesn't care)
N(O) was the number of individuals the orchestrator could influence
and A(5) was the level of intimidation that the party posed

Galen paused, contemplating a moment further. After a moment, he considered that perhaps someone as potentially literal as himself shouldn't answer this particular question.

He considered that the others should be glad he wasn't a user of the Tower Arcanum.

I shrug at the question, but give a verbal response.

"There will be those who do not want to see peace between our two races; and there is a good possibility that an attack may occur. If you come, there is the risk of injury or death." I do not want to leave on a bad note, so i decide also to add some more to this. "But there are also those who will defend you as well, and it will not just be me and my human companions here. It may be hard, but please, try to put some faith on us and Master Irthos of the kobold clan! I know we are strangers to you, we were not born or raised in this settlement; but please note that we are indeed risking our own lives for your sake!"

I hope that reminding them that we too are risking much will convert them to our cause. Aquarious, who is in my pocket at this time speaks to me.

Your words ring with much wisdom young one. She states with a tone of compassion. I wonder if these humble folk will heed them though... I shake my head at the note. If no one follows, then we may not be able to do as Irthos requested. But this did not bother me so much. The lapis lazuli noted this as well and made an inquiry on the subject of Irthos. Is it perhaps that you do not truly believe the kobold? I geve the emotion that I did not, followed by my own sentiments on politicians, kobolds, and religion. I suppose you have points there... She thought to me. The small discussion was over for now. We needed to focus on these people.