"Ah, the contractual clauses are always the part that reveals the true mastery of the bargainers!" Makkunod smiles. "I agree with you; it wouldn't be right to let the champion fly out of range. Let's make the duel only ground-based."
With all the details settled, the meeting is adjourned. The characters have a few hours (which they can spend either outside or in the dungeons—but not in the Lords from Below's lair). Mekkunod goes outside and wanders off—presumably to fetch the champion.
During the hours of waiting, however the party chooses to spend them, two things happen.
1) Thetis, enthusiastically, congratulates everyone—since, apparently, no matter what happens, she will gain her freedom! She is, however, especially grateful to Zevriel, who will risk, if not being killed, at least being injured for her!
"You're truly heroic, Zevriel!" she tries to hug and kiss him "You could stay with me, you know, when all this is over? Your words aren't funny, usually, but you're very gallant. You certainly wouldn't steal my mantle and enslave me! I could trust you — and probably make you happy to boot!"
2) One of the Lords from Below (in halfling form for the occasion), after Mekkunod has departed, approaches Tarysaa and Ardana and tries to take them aside for a private conversation (the two don't need to go out of sight, just so others can't hear what they're saying).
If Tarysaa or Ardana accepts, the halfling offers: "The champion is very ferocious... I don't know if your friend can beat it all by himself. But I could change things. I could have a few words with the champion before the fight - and convince it to let your friend win. Of course, I wouldn't do this out of pure goodness, but for personal gain: I want 200 gp for this service. What do you say? Can you pay? Of course, don't tell anything to your friend; I read in his thoughts that he has more honor than cunning... but you would do it for him too! You know how fights are... what if your friend were slow to surrender, overcome by the desire for victory... and the final blow were lethal? It could happen... do you really want to make him run that risk, when a modest 'offering' could prevent it? What are few hundred gp compared to a person's life?"
2) One of the Lords from Below (in halfling form for the occasion), after Mekkunod has departed, approaches Tarysaa and Ardana and tries to take them aside for a private conversation (the two don't need to go out of sight, just so others can't hear what they're saying).
If Tarysaa or Ardana accepts, the halfling offers: "The champion is very ferocious... I don't know if your friend can beat it all by himself. But I could change things. I could have a few words with the champion before the fight - and convince it to let your friend win. Of course, I wouldn't do this out of pure goodness, but for personal gain: I want 200 gp for this service. What do you say? Can you pay? Of course, don't tell anything to your friend; I read in his thoughts that he has more honor than cunning... but you would do it for him too! You know how fights are... what if your friend were slow to surrender, overcome by the desire for victory... and the final blow were lethal? It could happen... do you really want to make him run that risk, when a modest 'offering' could prevent it? What are few hundred gp compared to a person's life?"
Tarysaa listens and nods. "Technically, I agree with your assessment of our friend. Practically speaking, I do not have the gold on hand to offer." She taps her chin in thought, "I can arrange a promissory note from the Harpell. They might be pursued to offer a tithe for permission to visit your scholarly dragon below. Academics love that sort of thing."
"A mere promise for the future!?" the halfling seems almost offended "Your friend is in danger now! You must have found something of value down there... If you don't want to pay now, your friend will have a real fight - agsinst a nasty (and not much honorable) beast. Your choice".
"Ah, the contractual clauses are always the part that reveals the true mastery of the bargainers!" Makkunod smiles. "I agree with you; it wouldn't be right to let the champion fly out of range. Let's make the duel only ground-based."
With all the details settled, the meeting is adjourned. The characters have a few hours (which they can spend either outside or in the dungeons—but not in the Lords from Below's lair). Mekkunod goes outside and wanders off—presumably to fetch the champion.
During the hours of waiting, however the party chooses to spend them, two things happen.
1) Thetis, enthusiastically, congratulates everyone—since, apparently, no matter what happens, she will gain her freedom! She is, however, especially grateful to Zevriel, who will risk, if not being killed, at least being injured for her!
"You're truly heroic, Zevriel!" she tries to hug and kiss him "You could stay with me, you know, when all this is over? Your words aren't funny, usually, but you're very gallant. You certainly wouldn't steal my mantle and enslave me! I could trust you — and probably make you happy to boot!"
2) One of the Lords from Below (in halfling form for the occasion), after Mekkunod has departed, approaches Tarysaa and Ardana and tries to take them aside for a private conversation (the two don't need to go out of sight, just so others can't hear what they're saying).
If Tarysaa or Ardana accepts, the halfling offers: "The champion is very ferocious... I don't know if your friend can beat it all by himself. But I could change things. I could have a few words with the champion before the fight - and convince it to let your friend win. Of course, I wouldn't do this out of pure goodness, but for personal gain: I want 200 gp for this service. What do you say? Can you pay? Of course, don't tell anything to your friend; I read in his thoughts that he has more honor than cunning... but you would do it for him too! You know how fights are... what if your friend were slow to surrender, overcome by the desire for victory... and the final blow were lethal? It could happen... do you really want to make him run that risk, when a modest 'offering' could prevent it? What are few hundred gp compared to a person's life?"
Tarysaa listens and nods. "Technically, I agree with your assessment of our friend. Practically speaking, I do not have the gold on hand to offer." She taps her chin in thought, "I can arrange a promissory note from the Harpell. They might be pursued to offer a tithe for permission to visit your scholarly dragon below. Academics love that sort of thing."
"A mere promise for the future!?" the halfling seems almost offended "Your friend is in danger now! You must have found something of value down there... If you don't want to pay now, your friend will have a real fight - agsinst a nasty (and not much honorable) beast. Your choice".