Prologue: The Jolly Wanderer

Melianne's movement and words causes Solra to glance back and then she meaningfully looks at Shedinn and makes a chopping motion with her axe across her other wrist just to remind him of her promise then softly says, "Personally, I think killing the lot of them would have been a whole lot faster, but I am willing to go the diplomatic route."

Your the Diplomatic one, Solra... I like aggressive negotiations, personally.. Sheedinn smiles a frosty smile at Solra as he tightens his grip on the hilt of his axe.. Just give me the word, and its frog leggs for dinner.

Rhys has long grown fatigued after all the windbags started talking. However, the outlander is wise enough not to make a snide comment during these tense negotiations.

He waits for the herald's reply before deciding on a course of action. Surely the frog doesn't possess the faculties needed to parse the word vomit he has been treated to, but the day is not over yet and it has been one surprise after another.

One thing's for sure, he reckons, we came here to rescue the captives. Insofar as they don't stray from that path...

It listens to Solra and becomes a bit uneasy at the mentioning of armies marching into the swamp.
Annika's reasoning on the other side calms Kruux down again and it look with watery eyes as she mentions a tribute.
Kruux's froggy eyes grow even bigger as Sheddin gives him double the silver it asked for.
Kruux quickly wants to pocket the coins but discovers that the dress apparently has none, so Kruux just closes its fist.
*Croax* Very wise to pay tribute. If *Croax* there are other empires the great Emporator Cuurtinoax XXVII will surely want to know about them. You can enter the great city but no waving the weapons.

Kruux turns around and leads the way accompanied by the two mounted guards. As you follow them into the town you are accompanied by four additional guards with spears, the ones Rhys spotted before.

In comparison to the Four Cities this 'town' isn't really remarkable. As you've already seen from afar most of the town's architecture is made out of wicker work. Most buildings are just small huts, some of the frog people also seem to inhabit hollowed out trees. You also spot a few pools in the ground that are crawling with tadpoles. Wether those are the children of these people or just the offspring of normal frogs is not obvious.

As you are led through the town Rada murmurs I'mma sure that t' Four Cities will glaaaadly accept this great town into their alliance. Hehehe

You approach a large building on stilts that's bit more impressive than the others. It seems to have several rooms and at one side there's even a small tower from which one of the frog people looks down upon you. A few stairs lead up to a front porch on which a frog person sits that's bigger or at least fatter than all other frog people. It sits on a throne that's decorated with a lot of shiny objects. There doesn't seem to be any order or artistic intention behind the arrangement.
The frog person itself is draped in a few layers of colorful fabrics and wears a lot of jewelery. Rings, earrings, brooches and the like are fixed at its clothes in a chaotic manner.

You see an elf kneeling at the bottom of the stairs. It's Phann the elf you know from the Jolly Wanderer. Phann is reading from a piece of parchement he is holding
....And from everywhere across the land it can be heard
By the greatest bard and the tiniest bird
That no one can be greater it may seem
than the great emporer Cuurtinoax Seventeen

Phann stands up and makes a bow
I hope my humble poem sparked some joy in your heart, great emporer

Emporer Cuurtinoax XXVII reaches into a crude ceramic bowl beside the throne, grabs a fistful of worms and shoves them into its mouth.
After a bit of chewing it says *Croax* A very good poem. Really worthy of me. You can have double the worms today

At least th' worms hav' more spine than ya! Rada bellows

Phann turns around with his eyes widened in shock but before he can react Kruux hurries forward and communicates with the emporer in croaking sounds. After they are finished talking the emporer leans forward and loudly announces *Croax* So you came for an audience? Kruux said that you paid a worthy tribute so you may speak...

Shedinn steps forward, approaches the base of the steps and bows...We come to talk about the prisoners you hold, Great One, about their release

Korrin looks around town as they all stop before the big shiny frog, He is looking for the rest of the crew and passengers from the wreck. He is also assessing the frog forces at the same time, running a tally in his head. As well as guaging the chances of getting to the Emporer himself if things go that route.

Melianne keeps herself close to Shedinn and Solra, still wary about the frogs and their surprising readiness to allow random intruders into the village. Overconfidence? Probably. But there is still a - admittedly little - chance that these amphibians are smarter than they show, and plan nothing pleasant for their guests. Hence, the dancer hides behind her two "bodyguards" while curiously peering over their shoulders at huts and lakes and other sights of the frog village. Almost out of habit, she tries to spot if they have a tavern, or something like it.

And then, they arrive. The throne room is certainly the most impressive sight in the entirety of this settlement, but for all the wrong reasons - like its gaudiness, questionable artistic composition and likely ill-gotten decorations and trinkets. The sight of Phann reading poetry to the worm-eating emperor only adds to the picture, making Firebird shudder in discomfort. Thankfully Shedinn summarized their goal pretty well already, so she can gather her thoughts while the... emporer... processes the inquiry.

As trained by the 12 batallionl he does as been drilled into his head over the years, show respect to kings of their land, but don't think for one moment he is not watching all the happenings in this place. Looking for any sign of resistance, or deception looking for a reason to use his axe.

Korrin currently only notices six armed frog people. The two riding the toads are besides Kruux who is standing halfway between the emporer and you.
The other four are standing around the group. On the way into the town Korrin noticed no other armed frogs per se but he occasionally saw spears leaning against trees so he assumes that a few frog people will at least arm themselves should combat break out. Korrin guesses that about six to ten additional frog people will turn up but they will need a bit of time to come to your aid.

Shedinn looks around. He has been ambushed before and should be able to recognize any signs of sudden violence. But currently he doesn't see any. While the armed frop people seem to be vigilant they don't seem to prepare to attack you. The other frog people in town seem to be curious but peaceful.

Prisoner!? *Croax* They are merely here to pay their tribute and will stay here until it is payed the emporer blurts out. You can walk my empire but you have to pay tribute. I'm sure the small towns you are coming *Croax* from have similiar laws.
Are you here to offer a sizeable tribute in... the eyes of the emporer seem to swell a bit ...shiny material or art?

I'm gonna pay you some tribute with the sole of my boots Rada mumbles. She seems to be relaxed but you notice that her hand is hovering over the grip of her sword

The corpulent emporer has a thirst that can only be slaked by shinies. The outlander cares little for such material concerns; if it can assure the safety of his companions and of the captives - parting with his money is a price easily paid.

He approaches Cuurtinoax with all the caution he can muster—taking care to convey that he means no harm— and providing an opportunity for the greedy frog to have a closer examination. Rhys reaches into his belt pouch, which clinks pleasingly, and holds up a gold coin betwixt two fingers.

"This here shiny enough?"

Seeing Rhys actually managing to catch the frog's attention and bravely ascending the porch, Melianne leaves her post at Shedinn's side and instead follows the outlander - in a characteristically forward attempt to insert herself into the negotiation. The second attempt for today. "Your Excellence, I see that you are a fellow appreciator of art! Say, is it only material works that touch your heart, or are you truly a frog of culture who knows value of a spoken word? I'm sure you are, as you seem to have the most exquisite taste in poetry!"

She twirls with a dramatic flip of her silk scarf. " As a sign of our respect to your empire, would you allow me to sweeten this deal with a performance? I'm sure that you and your people would enjoy a good song and a dance, would they not? The food for the soul is much more valuable than any trinket, surely Your Excellence agrees!"

Sheedin Stands Up as Melianne walks toward the King, He watches her in awe, how even the way she walks can be hypothetic.
He sakes the feeling and slowly starts following her, ready to protect he, to shield her if the need arises. I have already paied my tribute, but if you release our friends I will give you all I have. Sheedin removes his money pouch and dumps the contents in his hand revealing various coins.

Solra grinds her teeth with all this self deprecation taking place, it was like no one had any self respect. She had no problem honoring someone of nobility but paying respect to basically some over glorified bandit was not her style. As such she was ready should this seeming fool hardiness did not pay off and they ended up needing to start cracking frog heads to teach them why they ought to be friendlier to strangers rather than exploiting them when they are in need of friendly assistance. She was pretty sure the guards were keeping an eye on her as, while she was not waving her weapons about she had put them away either.

The mounted guards stop Rhys and anyone else who wants to get to the emporer at the base of the stairs, just before you could reach Phann.
Anyone else is also barred from ascending the stairs.

As the emporer sees Rhys' shiny gold coin it shifts in its chair.
*CROAX* Ahhhh yes you truly are very wise. This shiny coin will be enough tribute for the poet. He may *Croax* walk freely from now on
One of the mounted guards grabs Phann by the shoulder and shoves him towards your group. He scrambles back to you and Rada shoots him a vicious gaze but says nothing

The emporer looks at Melianne and Shedinn as they make their proposal
Ah yes you really seem to be worthy of walking these *Croax* lands of mine. We will watch your dance and then I will set the tribute for all of your people. KRUUX *Croax* *Croax* *Croax*

Whatever the emporer said to Kruux it leads to the herald waving at the frog sitting on the tower who in turn croaks and ribbits.
Within a few minutes a lot of frog people are assembling at the space in front of the "palace"
The emporer seems to give some sort of speech in its language and then turns to Melianne.
*Croax* I just told them that you will dance for my and our honor. *Croax*
All eyes are on Melianne, expecting her to perform...

Sheedin grips his axe tighter as he watches Melianne dance.

Slora takes the que to move to Rada and says softly, "I am not the sneaky type but someone ought to use this to find the rest of the crew and get them released. Then we can negotiated not waging a small war right here and now."

While Melianne draws the crowd of frog people in and holds their attention, Annika uses the opportunity to try to slip away unnoticed and locate the prisoners.

Melianne sighs in relief when the threat of battle shifts back in favor of merriment and entertainment, - even if the power balance remains questionable and circumstances are less than ideal, it is an improvemewnt. Despite the fact that the audience consists of gawking frogs and a shipwrecked mob, the scene is still familiar, and when the circle of audience forms around her, the dancer finally in her element.

Firebird brightens and dusts her clothes from imaginary dust, before reaching into her satchel - apparently, bottomless, - and pulling out two torches and her tinderbox. Unlike usual torches, these have a metal base and a thinner than their wooden counterparts, their ends smothered in what seems like some sort of resin, and they ignite quicker then expected. "Your Excellence, I hope you don't mind some extra effects in my performance? I assure you, it's quite safe and most worth it." Melianne keeps the torches in one hand as she removes the bag from her shoulder and offers it to Shedinn. "Please watch it for me, would you? Thanks!" She winks at him and returns back to the center of free space.

"My, what an eager public!" Firebirds twirls in place, testily turning the torches in each hand, and watching the frogs' reaction. "But keep your distance, folks, this dance is scorching," Melianne laughs, and starts moving. It's not the first time she has to dance without music - a good thing about fire dancing is that it is always a mesmerizing show. Quite distracting, too..

Rhys is captivated by the dancer's fiery performance, by her graceful movements, and by the hypnotic whirling of her torches; a feat he has never witnessed during his travels as he's not inclined to frequent such places where entertainment can be found. Their current predicament is forgotten, and he becomes but one of many amongst an audience formed around the ethereal space that the dancer occupies.

Sheddin takes Melianne's pack in his hand as she winks at him. As he watches her dance with a grace like no other he forgets about how tired and hungry he is. His thoughts fully on her., as he feels a closeness to her almost like she was sent by Bahamut himself.