CH. 01 - All That Glitters

[Daos]

It's been a few days since the party escaped the Thoradorians and returned to the sea.  The Dark Squall has sailed around the island of Mithas entirely, making port on the opposite side to briefly resupply.  As they did so, however, a sentry approached them.  "Outsiders, I have come bearing news from Lord Rethoth, member of the Supreme Circle and perhaps next in line to become Emperor some day.  He invites you to his manor for a special job, if you are interested.  He has need of a ship and crew of outsiders for diplomatic purposes, and if you do well on this first job, it will be the first of many profitable ones."

At first, the party is wary, especially after their last encounter with a Minotaur lord.  But after some thought and discussion, they consider that A)  This is a Blood Sea Minotaur, not a Thoradorian, B) They are being given a choice this time and C) if this Rethoth does become Emperor, working directly for him could be quite a boon.  They could all retire rich as kings themselves, in fact.

Agreeing to at least hear this lord out, the guard escorts them to the manor.  It is constructed of gleaming white sandstone, rises several stories above the island and is topped by a multitude of circular spires. At the door the party are ordered to relieve themselves of any weapons and to remove their footgear before entering. The floors of the manor are covered in thick gold carpeting and the walls are festooned with rich tapestry. Minotaur guards stand at attention every few feet along the corridor leading to the heavy gold doors of the inner chamber.  None of these stoic guards even react when addressed by the party.

Behind the gold double-doors they see an enormous cathedral-like chamber filled with statues, paintings, and other objects of art. At the far end of the circular room, a huge black-furred minotaur is sitting on a raised silver throne. The minotaur has curving two-foot-long horns that are gilded in gold. In front of the throne, seated at a polished oval table of inlaid marble are eight more black minotaurs.  Approximately two dozen guards are stationed at intervals along the curved walls.

"Greetings, outsiders," the lord begins.  "I am Lord Rethoth of the Supreme Circle.  I welcome you to my humble abode.  Please, before we begin, give me your names and tell me of some of your past deeds of honor and glory."

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It is now Betrayal 26th, Guard.  Casters may choose new spells for the day.  All HP is restored.

[GreyWolfVT]

Arthogate "I am called Arthogate, a tribal dwarf or barbarian as most refer to folks like us, or nomads." the dwarf avoids telling the most recent adventure tale unsure of how it would be take or if it would get them into trouble, even in the difference of types of minotaurs being involved. Instead the dwarf retells the tale of the worst job ever in trying to wrangle up a bunch of kender children and the crazy adventures that happend in that whole mess, he also brings up the Tanglewood keep adventure and the craziness that lead to.

[Igordragonian]

Parra barraged her crewmates with questions about the adventure she has missed.
It was more about pride-
Among minotaurs she was considered cursed, and spell casters werent as respected as fighters-
So a chance to prove her metal... was something she would have wanted.
She would probably has asked Granksr for most details..
and show her version of concern to Kaelestia.

Parra was probably among those who have pushed to take the job.

The scarred minotaur stepped into the hall- usually, Parra express antagonism and disrespect, but she tame it- she doesnt want to look weak, but she respect power if nothing else.
She give a bow as minotaur custom dictate.

"My father gave me the name Parra, and I am member of the Korovas clan- therefore I am Parra Korovas."
She enjoy the chance to boast.
"Among my father's crew I was known as The Lightningborn: when my mother gave birth the gods tried to kill me, blasting her with a lightning- she died, while I have survived." 
She turn her face to show her scarred side even better.
"I am learning the secrets of the arcane and the history of our great ancestors-the Ur Ogres and follow their path for power that will rival the gods!'

She look at the others.
""With this crew we have been to the moon, actually defeated an Ur-Ogre, and we have been to the city caged in time magic! 
"
----
OOC:
Parra prepare burning hands and sleep

[Matt4]

"I am Kaelestia, healer and priestess of Chislev." - the Irda says, otherwise content to listen to her companions' recollections of their adventure.

She does try to remember something about minotaur court etiquette, if it was even discussed in the books she read.

OOC Actions

Prepared spells, just wanting to try something new:

1st.: Cure Light Wounds x2, Faerie Fire, Sunscorch
2nd.: Cure Moderate Wounds, Charm Person or Mammal, Hold Person, Flame Blade

And then, why not, this is our fourth adventure and I never rolled it..Etiquette check: bWype84N1d201d20

[TristenC]

Sha'al walked past the gold and finery, the splendor and sheer number of guards. If there was ever a job that might make them enough to set them for life, this seemes it.

I am Sha'alzek of the Dark Squall, and as my crewmates have already indicated; you'd be hard pressed to find a tougher crew on this ocean. Thinking back over their adventures he feels little need to add much but decides the right interpretation of their recent woes might actually work in their favor.

Most recently we were confronted by Pirates. They claimed themaelves to be honorable, but behaved without honor repeatedly to us. We were forced to fight a challenger on their leader's behalf and so we did, and emerged victorious. But then, like a mangey dog, their leader demanded that we give the glory to him and swear never to speak the truth. He threatened us, and though we were yet fresh from battle we slew their honorless Lord when he attacked us. Finding even their leaders to be so treacharous, we liberated ourselves in search of more fitting circumstances.

====
he will also make sure Grank's successful test of 'Warrior True' comes up in the tale about the kender

[HorizonsDream]

"I'm Sumina Umbra, cleric of Sargonnas," she says. She knew that minotaurs tended to worship Sargonnas, but she didn't know if these minotaurs did. "And my crew mates have pretty much detailed out most of our deeds already, all of which I was apart of," she explains.

OOC: Going to keep her spells the same. Replenish Curse.

[Dallion80]

*Granker bows respectfullu*

" I am Granker Thunderhorn son of Captian Helmord Thunderhorn."

*He gives a detail of their adventures.*

OOC:

What does Granker know of the lord

[Daos]

Lord Rethoth and his council listen patiently to the party's tales.  Although a few of the council members smirk or snort at mentioning going to another planet, but Rethoth silences them with a look.

Kaelestia knows that the proper title to address Rethoth is 'lord.'  Further, as Rethoth is a member of the Supreme Circle, this means he serves as a direct advisor to the minotaur emperor himself, Chot Es-Kalin.  When Chot eventually dies, the Circle will choose one among them to be his successor, meaning it's possible Rethoth could well one day sit on the throne.  She also knows that generally speaking, someone of such high political influence wouldn't normally be expected to meet with 'lesser beings' such as elves and dwarves.  Much less show them the level of dignity and respect that Rethoth has so far.

Granker knows little, other than Lord Rethoth is a member of the Supreme Circle, putting him one step away from the emperor's throne.  He has heard a few rumors, namely that Rethoth is considered shrewd and clever, and quite good at politics for a warrior of his stature.

After having listened to all of their tales, Lord Rethoth nods and says, "It seems you may well be adequately experienced then.  I am pleased to hear it.  I know most of you outsiders think of minotaurs as a vicious, blood-thirsty race.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We shave our destiny, just as I'm sure you have yours.  Ours is to rule.  In the past, it is true we have often tried to fulfill this destiny through violence and conquest.  Such as when my people allied themselves with the Dragonarmies during the war.  This proved to be a mistake.  I am hoping to seek out a new way.  Through diplomacy and good will, I believe we can live peacefully with other races, even mutually benefit each other.  But I cannot accomplish this sending ships of Minotaur warriors to other nations.  They would believe I was invading.  Thus, what I need is a ship of accomplished outsiders, who can speak in my name but present a...shall we say, friendlier face?  Accept, and you will never be without work again.  Sailing from port to port, making alliances, trading valuable cargo, transporting important diplomats...a cushy job, one might call it.  And one that will pay very well.  We can start at 2,500 steel pieces a month...and if you do well, negotiate increases from there."

As the party contemplates such a massive amount of money at their disposal, Lord Rethoth continues.  "However...before hiring you, I would need to first test your abilities."  He chuckles.  "No, no, I won't throw you into the arena, if that is your concern.  I can see already you are accomplished warriors, but I am interested in seeing how accomplished you are as diplomats.  Complete this first job, as a test, and the full job is yours.  In the mountains east of the city lives a tribe of ogres.  It has come to my attention that a certain maverick minotaur has infiltrated this tribe and is using it as a base to gather other maverick minotaurs to his cause.  The cause itself is laughable, for these dissidents propose that our governing bodies should be dealt with in a court of law instead of the arena."  He shakes his head sadly.  "Naturally, my people will never go along with such preposterous ideas.  No, it is not his puny band of mavericks that concern me.  It is the man himself I am interested in.  You see, he has been described by those who have met him as having golden fur.  In the entire history of our race, such a thing has never occurred.  If this is true, he would be the first of his kind.  My wish is to meet with him and learn more about him.  Your task is to journey to the ogre village and persuade him to come back with you.  Let me assure you that no harm will come to him.  I merely want to satisfy my curiosity.  I have tried to approach the village with my own men, but the villagers flee when they sense our approach.  You, as outsiders, should have better luck.

"I will warn you that the journey to the mountains may be dangerous.  Dire wolves and other creatures are known to make their homes there.  Also you will be on your honor not to harmm any minotaur that you may encounter.  The penalty for that would be instant death.  You will each be given a medallion with my markings to insure your safe passage through my lands.  Other than that, you are on your own.  If you succeed in bringing the man to me, you will have passed the test and the job is yours.  If you fail, you will be sent away with nothing.  So...what is your answer?"

[Matt4]

"Lord Rethoth." - Kaelestia starts. - "Your offer is truly generous. Although I do have some questions before providing an answer. Are we to assume this village of ogres is pacific? Since you related to us that they fleed instead of attacking. This seems and odd behaviour coming from ogres, do they also have some peculiar note about their appearance, like in the case of the golden minotaur?"

[Daos]

"It is possible," Rethoth says.  "Or perhaps they feared the sight of minotaurs but would respond differently to those who were much...smaller.  I would encourage caution regardless when approaching them.  And as far as I know, they are just regular ogres."

[Matt4]

Kaelestia is disappointed, although she still finds the ogres' behaviour, as described by the minotaur, odd. - "Thank you, Lord Rethoth. We will exercise caution, if we were to accept your offer." - she then turns to the others to ask: "What do you think?"

[HorizonsDream]

"It seems it could pay well, so I'm willing to go along with it," Sumina says.

[TristenC]

To the group, This could set us up for life, and with a couple of minotaur among us we might have better success than some others when talking to them.  I think we should at least take a stab at this 'trial job'.  I'm in.  

[Igordragonian]

Parra grew more and more dissapointed at this Lord.
She has bitten her tongue not to share her opinion of him.

Diplomacy? 
Parra didnt seemed happy with the mission..
But it was a LOT of money...

"I have a question, if I may, Lord." she ask.
"Does this idiot minotaur need to consent to come- or can we simply beat his teeth out and throw this pathetic creature at your heels, establishing your dominance over this fool?"

[HorizonsDream]

"That is the exact opposite of diplomacy, Parra," Sumina points out.