Episode 2 Scene 1 The Journey North

"Okay?" The Mist Lady tilts her head a bit and one might almost envision a questioning look upon her face if she had one. "The objective of the task as stated per your stipulations is one that you can reasonably accomplish on your own and that does not violate your current good oaths and codes. So I do not understand why you cannot agree. Is there some other stipulation that needs to be added to the contract? Also if you wish to make a contract with those that are with you that would be up to you and them. This contract is between us or were you not sincere with your apology and offer restitution?"

Shump the large green object standing there appears bored, Many words.

"Are you bored big one? I could perhaps give you something to play with, your kind always seem to come here to play."

Shump trying hard to understand says with his head down some, No Highness.

Brindel glances at Shump without turning his head. "Yes, many words. But the words are important."

Brindel continues his address to the Mist Lady. "Your Highness, the contract is definitely between us, as I cannot and would not force my companions to do something to which they have no say. However, as their leader, the apology is a group apology and must be treated as such. To answer your other question, I will not agree to any task unless I am made aware of what the task is and what determines when I completed said task."

He pauses, then says, "What if, for example, the task is removing all the stones I can lift from this marsh? That is a task that I can accomplish on my own and does not violate my oaths or ethics. However, that task is one that most certainly cannot be finished within my lifetime."

"I can add that stipulation to the contract, so the task must be something that you can reasonably accomplish on your own within your life span and that does not violate your current good oaths and codes. Are there any other stipulations you wish to negotiate? Further I was under the impression you were covering everyone in your group with our contract, for I fully understand honor and leadership."

Egret nods to the alchemist, his eyes already tracking the movement of the quieter being, tail twitching nervously. The entire discussion about a contract that this "Highness" and Brindel are having reminds him of the conversation in the village, back when they were requested to vow their allegiance. Same exact question about the ambiguity of words, in the end - it appears that these lands in general pay a lot of attention to oaths and contracts. Ah, but in these moments he misses the simpler time of just wandering around...

The druid slightly shakes his head at the lady's last words, sharing his friend's concerns about signing up for a mission with an unknown goal. He spares a glance towards Shump and Haelga, idly wondering what these two are thinking, before returning to silently watching the dark one.

Shump, the moving green wall, stomps up the Highness, What you want? appears the concepts of contracts and such don't hold well with him. He may even not understand the point. What is sure now he wants to know why we aren't moving since these two aren't attacking.

Although Shump is a fantastic guide, party has probably figured out that Shump is short quite a few sandwiches to fill a full picnic basket.

Except for an occasional minor movement of its head the Dark One seems to be standing quite still. Seemingly watching what is transpiring as if it were simply a member of an audience watching a stage performance.

Brindel keeps a straight face, but inwardly he is happy he accompanied his father, and later during his training, his temple mentor, to the marketplaces in Citadel Akbar. He hopes he remembers what he learned watching and particpating in negotiations with the vendors there.

"Your Highness, I appreciate your understanding. We have trespassed upon your lands, though it was wholly unintentional and we offered to leave immediately once we discovered our error. That said, it is reasonable that a task be performed as token compensation. I request the task is equivalent to our transgression."

"This task must have a clear defined objective that I can accomplish on my own within one month, with the time period of a month defined by the calendar of Far Reach; the task must be something that does not violate my personal code of conduct and ethics as well as the oaths to my patron, Gorm Gulthun; the task must be something that in its accomplishment does not include the certain death of myself or any of my companions; after the task is agreed to, you must immediately tell us the boundaries of the domains of you and your brother, so that we can avoid trespassing in the future; after the task is agreed to, my companions must be considered as free to either join me in accomplishing the task or leave your land without punishment or hinderance from you, your brother, or any creature directly or indirectly under your or his charge; after completing this task, if I and/or my companions are still in the marsh, I and/or they must be allowed to leave your land without hinderance from you, your brother, or any creature directly or indirectly under your or his charge; during the time period of when I agree to the task and and I leave your land after accomplishing the task, neither myself nor my companions will be subjected to any unrequested magical, physical, or mental effects by you, your brother, or any creature directly or indirectly under your or his charge."

"In return, I will perform this task with loyalty, grace, and professionalism. If my companions join me on this task, I am sure they will adhere to the same high qualities of performance."

Egret sends Brindel a deeply impressed look, stunned by his companion's grasp of legal matters - as much as a contract with a magical being of unknown position can be considered a legal matter. It's certainly not a skill the druid saw in many adventurers who happened to cross his path before, and he doesn't remember if he ever witnessed the dwarf himself to express it quite so clearly. Considering the situation, it is good luck that one of their group knows how to negotiate...

Scimitars still unsheathed but now slightly lowered, the tiefling moves closer to their guide, carefully touching Shump's shoulder in an effort to calm him down. "They want us to do something for them, friend. Brindel is trying to make sure that it won't bring us harm," he attempts to summarize the conversation for the yroc.

Shump just replies back, Too many words. and watches both of them. He still towers near the one.

The Mist Lady hovers there for a while as if perhaps contemplating Brindel's counter proposal then finally replies with, "You seem well versed in contract making." You almost get the sense she might have been smiling if she had a face that is, "So be it, the contract per your stipulations would be the completion of a task outlined by me immediately upon acceptance of the contract whose objective is clearly defined, that you alone could accomplish within one month of your Far Reach Calendar from the time of acceptance, does not include certain death for yourself or your companions that choose to accompany you, that does not violate your current personal code of good conduct and good ethics as well as the current oaths to your patron Gorm Gulthun. Upon accepting the contract you and those you choose to have with you will be considered allies and have free access to our lands," she jestures towards the dark one, "as long as they are working to help you with your task and upon completion of said task we," she again gestures to the Dark One, "will consider you and those that helped you to be allies from that point forward. Does this sound amicable to you?"

"As amicable as it can be without knowing what the task is." Brindel pauses. "Allies are preferable to foes."

Brindel feels a breeze kind of wrap around him like a soft mini-tornado, "Contract made, the task is fairly simply we need you to close a door, but to do that you will need to find that door and perhaps deal with protectors that have been assigned to keep it open. Of course, I must warn you that things may not be as they appear as the opponent behind that door can be very deceiving. Just let me know when you are ready to start the task and I will provide you a means of getting their. So what brings you into our abode?"

"For myself, exploration for exploration's sake. Without the search for a better understanding of the world and the knowledge it brings, civilization is doomed. As an example, the presence of Your Highness' domain will be welcome news outside of the marsh and prevent inadvertent trespassers such as ourselves."

"Where is this door and who might the protectors be? My companions and I need to know so we can make any necessary preparations to accomplish the task successfully."

Shump who looks lost, Door?

"The door resides elsewhere but I have the means to create a portal for you to get nearby, from there you will have to locate it as it is hidden but there is no rush on our end. Knowing that you have accepted the contract means we are content to wait. So you are simply exploring this place, to just explore it? If so then I can tell you that you will find nothing but sorrow. A place of constant war, between his people," she points at Shump, "her people," she points at Haelga, "invading from the plains," she points in the direction from whence you came her voice rising a bit in volume, "and the forever unliving and twisted snake people invading from the forest," she points in the opposite direction her voice having risen a bit more, "and finally the crazed beastmen and the abominations invading from the mountains," she points behind her the anger now quite evident, "there is ought but constant bloodshed here. And for what one might ask, as there is nothing here but an ancient tower and a set of portal stones that, while still clinging to some ancient magicks, have long since ceased to work. I once showed the tower to a respectful fisher-queen and I thought perhaps you were responding to that, since you seem to carry an equal sense of respect. Would this be true?"

Haelga is still gripping the handle of her longsword, but she listens intently and watches for any sudden movements of the Mist Lady or the Dark One.