Very well, the sahuagin leader says. The situation is this. We are at a standoff, and may well come to blows again this day. Two outcomes are likely. One is that my allies kill you all, but some of them are killed in the process. I would not wish to lose any of my trusted circle - their lives are valuable to me, though you may not understand that. The other is that you are victorious in slaying me, but perhaps only one or two of you will survive. That is how I see things.
So we are negotiating, in good faith. My proposal is this. That you will leave this place, and that you will pass a message and a warning on to air breathers above. In exchange, I will allow you to leave. What say you?
The message is this. The walkers above must stay on the land, or the shallowest of waters. The children of the sea now swim strong, and will bring harm to any who come below. You must tell this to the rulers of the crowded places, the cities of the coast. Or to those who represent them, I suppose. She smiles a thin smile. They will not believe you, of course. This will be the first in many exchanges. A child does not learn from one lesson. There will be many, many to come. In time, they learn.
Silent frowns deeply, having a hard time processing the situation. I'm done fighting you... for today, at least. Defend yourselves as you see fit, can't blame you for that.
But if you're willing to hear a word of advice from an airbreather... live within your means without picking more fights. Sure, you kicked our arses pretty handily. But there's a lot worse than us out there, and if you sink the wrong ship you'll find yourself in a battle you can't win. That's no threat - just the cold truth.
Silent, Selachai smiles coolly at you. We are at the beginning of this moment of my people's story. Our numbers will grow, and soon any ship will hesitate to approach, I think. But... we might consider allowing your vessels to pass over our territory. She addresses this to Arael. This is a negotiation, after all. What will your landrulers offer in exchange? Or will you offer something?
All I can personally offer you is my trust. Trust that we will deliver your message and return in good faith. I’m not privy to the desires of the local leaders, but I do know making promises on their behalf without their consent would mean you wouldn’t see me again.
What would you ask for safe passage of boats over your land?
A life, she says simply. A hunter from a village, some distance from Palma Flora. He killed someone I cared about, and took her head as a trophy. I would have his head in return. That is fair, don't you think? She frowns. That might seem like petty revenge, I suppose, to you at least. However, he is guilty of murder, so... she seems to make a gesture that might be a shrug. In exchange, my people will leave these vessels untroubled for one year. Time for your rulers to make a separate deal, if they wish.
I will give you the details, if we have an agreement. What say the others? What can we agree this day? What of you, small one? Are you still consumed by the need to slay me?
I have no interest in killing you. Only stopping this from escalating. You harnessed dark powers to sink part of an island, after all. If the others agree, I’ve no objection to your proposal. You seem reasonable, but the being you serve doesn’t strike me as someone who would be satisfied with a stalemate or giving power for free. What has it asked for in return?
Uk'otoa asks for nothing from you. And you know nothing of him, I think. How could you possibly? You talk big, but... well, it is of no matter. I am glad you can agree. And the others?
Silent has gritted his teeth at Selachai's request for the hunter's head. I'm not eager to sell out a man I've never met. I'll pass on your messages, sure... and I'll even promise to seek out this hunter if my fellows are willing. But I won't promise to kill him. Is that fair? He holds forth his hand.
Selachai nods. And I will not promise to leave your vessels alone. She sighs. Perhaps you all need some time to discuss this.
She waves at the other sahuagin and they back away; one drags the apparently unconscious sharkbody abomination over to the centre of the village where the bound and gagged villager is waiting, watching the proceedings in terror. Do not take too long. I do not believe those... magical devices will last an hour.
She also backs away, though you can tell that she is ready to respond quickly if hostilities break out again.
Dajarkal swears under her breath again. Well, you've screwed this up royally, haven't you. Don't you dare get us all killed. Take the deal. Whichever version you like. But take the sodding deal.
There is no situation here where we don't take the sodding deal. But here's the rub,Silent turns to look at Dajarkal directly. What the hell is your Captain going to do with us now? Can't imagine she's going to be enthusiastic about telling the Concord about this, or porting us around on the orders of a shark priestess. You gonna vouch for us?
Dajarkal looks very unhappy. I doubt we should go back to the ship, if there's an alternative. Perhaps the sahuagin leader can offer something better. Especially if she wants us to go hunting someone on land.
"We really don't have much of a choice do we? We are all looking a little rough, and I do not think we would emerge victorious. We could always go back to the captain and demand more aid."
We are all ignorant until we learn better. You talk of wanting an end to bloodshed, if we are to negotiate, we need all the information we can get.
As a stranger here, I have no blood feud or debts to repay. I’m only trying to understand the situation.
Very well, the sahuagin leader says. The situation is this. We are at a standoff, and may well come to blows again this day. Two outcomes are likely. One is that my allies kill you all, but some of them are killed in the process. I would not wish to lose any of my trusted circle - their lives are valuable to me, though you may not understand that. The other is that you are victorious in slaying me, but perhaps only one or two of you will survive. That is how I see things.
So we are negotiating, in good faith. My proposal is this. That you will leave this place, and that you will pass a message and a warning on to air breathers above. In exchange, I will allow you to leave. What say you?
I think we all value the lives of our friends and allies, and I hope you can see the value in the lives of your enemies, just as we do.
What message would you have us take back?
The message is this. The walkers above must stay on the land, or the shallowest of waters. The children of the sea now swim strong, and will bring harm to any who come below. You must tell this to the rulers of the crowded places, the cities of the coast. Or to those who represent them, I suppose. She smiles a thin smile. They will not believe you, of course. This will be the first in many exchanges. A child does not learn from one lesson. There will be many, many to come. In time, they learn.
How do you feel about boats passing through? Because that’s going to be a big deal I think.
Silent frowns deeply, having a hard time processing the situation. I'm done fighting you... for today, at least. Defend yourselves as you see fit, can't blame you for that.
But if you're willing to hear a word of advice from an airbreather... live within your means without picking more fights. Sure, you kicked our arses pretty handily. But there's a lot worse than us out there, and if you sink the wrong ship you'll find yourself in a battle you can't win. That's no threat - just the cold truth.
Silent, Selachai smiles coolly at you. We are at the beginning of this moment of my people's story. Our numbers will grow, and soon any ship will hesitate to approach, I think. But... we might consider allowing your vessels to pass over our territory. She addresses this to Arael. This is a negotiation, after all. What will your landrulers offer in exchange? Or will you offer something?
All I can personally offer you is my trust. Trust that we will deliver your message and return in good faith. I’m not privy to the desires of the local leaders, but I do know making promises on their behalf without their consent would mean you wouldn’t see me again.
What would you ask for safe passage of boats over your land?
A life, she says simply. A hunter from a village, some distance from Palma Flora. He killed someone I cared about, and took her head as a trophy. I would have his head in return. That is fair, don't you think? She frowns. That might seem like petty revenge, I suppose, to you at least. However, he is guilty of murder, so... she seems to make a gesture that might be a shrug. In exchange, my people will leave these vessels untroubled for one year. Time for your rulers to make a separate deal, if they wish.
Palma Flora wasn’t a huge place, but there were enough hunters that I think we may need more specifics about the human you’re looking for.
I will give you the details, if we have an agreement. What say the others? What can we agree this day? What of you, small one? Are you still consumed by the need to slay me?
I have no interest in killing you. Only stopping this from escalating. You harnessed dark powers to sink part of an island, after all. If the others agree, I’ve no objection to your proposal. You seem reasonable, but the being you serve doesn’t strike me as someone who would be satisfied with a stalemate or giving power for free. What has it asked for in return?
Uk'otoa asks for nothing from you. And you know nothing of him, I think. How could you possibly? You talk big, but... well, it is of no matter. I am glad you can agree. And the others?
Silent has gritted his teeth at Selachai's request for the hunter's head. I'm not eager to sell out a man I've never met. I'll pass on your messages, sure... and I'll even promise to seek out this hunter if my fellows are willing. But I won't promise to kill him. Is that fair? He holds forth his hand.
Selachai nods. And I will not promise to leave your vessels alone. She sighs. Perhaps you all need some time to discuss this.
She waves at the other sahuagin and they back away; one drags the apparently unconscious sharkbody abomination over to the centre of the village where the bound and gagged villager is waiting, watching the proceedings in terror. Do not take too long. I do not believe those... magical devices will last an hour.
She also backs away, though you can tell that she is ready to respond quickly if hostilities break out again.
Dajarkal swears under her breath again. Well, you've screwed this up royally, haven't you. Don't you dare get us all killed. Take the deal. Whichever version you like. But take the sodding deal.
I’m afraid I agree. We were no match for them fully prepared.
There is no situation here where we don't take the sodding deal. But here's the rub, Silent turns to look at Dajarkal directly. What the hell is your Captain going to do with us now? Can't imagine she's going to be enthusiastic about telling the Concord about this, or porting us around on the orders of a shark priestess. You gonna vouch for us?
Dajarkal looks very unhappy. I doubt we should go back to the ship, if there's an alternative. Perhaps the sahuagin leader can offer something better. Especially if she wants us to go hunting someone on land.
"We really don't have much of a choice do we? We are all looking a little rough, and I do not think we would emerge victorious. We could always go back to the captain and demand more aid."
(OOC: how much one do we had left on our air? Are we close enough to land to make it without getting back into Three Earrings’s ship?)