Prologue: The Jolly Wanderer

Korrin winks at Solra and motions her closer to him and whispers. "Know thy enemy my dear, do I look naive to you? Always be on your guard. They want to parley, so we parley...while we learn to know if they are thy enemy or not."

Kruux is getting back on its feet and looks at Rhys and Korrin as they make their proposals.
*Croax* Okay you can see ONE prisoner but no more threatening the herald of Emporer Cuurtinoax XXVII. And you have to pay a fine for threatening the herald.
Kruux gazes into the air as if it's calculating a very complicated equation
Five silver pieces is the fine *Croax* it finally blurts out

Just as you consider the offer, a dragonborn fighter approaches you from the right and behind of you.
Clearly exhausted but otherwise seemingly unharmed he raises his hands and joins the group

Excuse Me, sorry to interpret, but are you guys, from the ship wreck...If so I'm Shedinn nice to meet you.

Korrin stares at Kruxx then takes hold of his arm. "Now hold on a minute, now they are prisoners? You just said they are in town and had to pay tribute...that would indicate that they have already paid the tribute. If not, then how would they be expected to pay a tribute if they are being held prisoner?"

Korrin motions to Rhys and Solra to take hold of Kruux. Treat him fairly, but it seems we have some bargaining to do. I do not take kindly to double talk. Speak truthfully and consistently with me and I will do the same in turn. Mincing words is not something I take kindly to."

Korrin eyes the 2 guards carefully as he turns to question Kruux. "Now where are our people being held? You may want to think about your answer carefully, my friends seem to have no patience at the moment. Tell your friends that you will be leading us to town and for them to go ahead and make certain that ALL of our companions are fit to move on. You have a strange way of greeting guests, especially guests that had no intent or desire to visit your unknown Empire. What thy needed was your help due to the disaster that has befallen them, not your jail. Are we clear?"

Melianne is about to protest her companions' way of negotiation - which is more of an interrogation at this point, - but gets distracted by the new arrival, a bedraggled man who seems like he didn't have a good night's sleep. She inspects him with curiosity, and leaves the group around Kruux to greet him. "Hello there, sir! We are indeed what remains of the "Jolly Wanderer"'s crew and passengers. And the rest of us, it appears, are being held in the clutches of these," she waves towards the frogs, "fine gentlemen."

She offers Shedinn a hand. "I'm Melianne, and it is always a pleasure to see a friendly face. My companions threatening this herald over here are Korrin, Solra and Rhys," the dancer indicates each of them. "And the angry lady at the head of the mob is Rada. There were also some others, like this beautiful lady Annika and a charming half-orc Raskell, but I'm not sure I can see them in the crowd right now... Anyway, please, would you be so kind to help us? You look like the most capable sort," she bats her eyelashes at Shedinn, though the effect is slightly lost as she looks slightly worried about the situation with the herald.

Sheedin seems taken aback by Melianne's politeness, and offers her his hand, his silver scales seem so dull...Is it her mystery, or his lack of sleep..Yes I, can help, as a solider in 12 batallion, its is my duty to help those in need, if if it cost me my life...As he looks at her, his cold heart seems to warm..What will you have me do.

"Ah, you're so noble!" Melianne giggles to herself, before shaking her head to banish any distracting thoughts, at least for now, and leaning closer to Shedinn. "You see, we're technically on a mission to rescue our fellows from the frog village ahead. The frog herald - the one Korrin is currently manhandling, that one, - has confirmed that they are alive and kept prisoners. I was going to charm my way into their good graces, but..." The dancer sighs. "These talks aren't going great, as you see. I'm afraid that the situation is going to devolve into fighting soon, and we will need any warrior to handle it."

She pauses, then sends the dragonborn a quick look. "If a fight were to start, do you think I can stay beside you? I'm not a warrior, merely a dancer, but I'm sure we can make a wondrous team..."

A Dancer wow I guess the shipwreck was worth it...You can stand beside if that is what you wish, I will keep You safe..[/b][/i][/b]As he smiles a big toothy smile and walks with her to meet the rest of her friends.

Rhys eyes narrow as Korrin makes an excellent point.

"This stinks worse than the swamps these fellas call home."

A motion at the corner of his vision catches his attention; the silver scales of a dragonborn glints, like the sparkles of sunlight upon the river Galfer, and the outlander tenses—thinking him an enemy—but upon hearing Shedinn's friendly discourse with the dancer, he relaxes his guard.

"A strong-arm is most welcome considering present circumstances. Reckon you'll do better at restraining this fool of a frog than I."

Rhys makes no effort to acquiesce to Korrin's request - figuring that the guards wouldn't take kindly to their herald being manhandled, or froghandled in this case.

Solra looks at Korrin then to Rhys interjecting after his comment about the frog aroma, "I concur with Rhys."

She follows Melianne over to the new guy but when Shedinn responds she says, "Okay shiny, just know you put one finger on her, and you will lose the hand attached to it."

She looks back to the others then says rather annoyed, "Okay enough of these shenanigans, what is going to happen is the farcical frog there," she points her mace at the frog herald, "is going to take us to the rest of the crew and then we are all going to leave peacefully." She walks back over to the frog herald, "Is that understand farci frog? Because if that does not happen then a lot more than these seven frogs," she indicates her catch of dead frogs, "are going to die today, starting with you. So lead on farci frog, I do not want to linger in this cesspool you call a home any longer than absolutely necessary."

Melianne gladly assumes the position by Shedinn, satisfied to have found a potential guard - and such a charming one, too. The shipwreck was worth it, indeed; so many new people. Though it could have done without the amphibian element, or the matter of their fellow companions getting into their slithery hands. Alas, she is sure that they won't leave without a fight; those who liked titles three times longer than their names rarely took well to being disrespected, and the frog guards already seemed on edge...

She is distracted from this train of thought as Solra approaches with a very... decisive comment. Melianne's eyebrows rise involuntarily at the yet another declaration of protection, and she tilts her head. "My, Solra, you know how to make a girl feel special," her voice is teasing, and her eyes glint mischievously again. "Who would've known I'll be safer out in these swamps than ever, with such fierce and strong protectors..." The dancer winks at the dwarf, while simultaneously leaning towards the dragonborn. At least there was still fun to be had in the situation, even if the time was not the most appropriate.

"If there is a whole village of them, I doubt they are going to simply let us in," she murmurs more seriously. "Even with these lovely folk," Firebird indicates the mob still scowling and waving makeshift weapons behind them, "they likely outnumber us. And something tells me they believe in quantity over quality..."

Kruux frantically looks around the group as you all make your demands. It starts to speak but is interrupted by the arrival of the dragonborn soldier.
Meanwhile the toad-riding guards had their chance to catch up to Kruux, still raising their spears into the air. They are about ten feet away from the herald. Kruux raises it's hand(?) and the guards lower their spears
Your friends *Croax* made serious transgression into the empire of Emporer Cuurtinoax XXVII. Without paying the fee for walking here *Croax*. Shipwreck or no shipwreck. Who want to *Croax* walk this land has to *Croax* pay tribute. But Emporer Cuurtinoax XXVII is not only wise but also generous and *Croax* has allowed them to stay here in order to *Croax* pay their tribute in work. Very generous indeed. Former Emporer Cuurtinoax XXVI *Croax* would've eaten them.
You can come into the greaty city but sheathe your weapons and pay fine and entry fee. Kruux says and you can see it think once more
After a moment of uncomfortable silence Kruux blurts out *Croax* Five silver pieces for threatening the herald and ten silver pieces for entering the great city. So that is nine silver pieces in total *Croax*
Kruux looks at you with its eyes wide open and its hand stretched out

Sheedin, tired and exhausted stamps his great axe to his back, slowly reaches into his money pouch, and give enough silver for the lady's and his entrance...no need for a fight today, Not without a goodnight sleep and maybe a bite to eat...as Sheedin Smiles

"Hold on Sheedin..." Solra points her mace at Sheedin, "paying extortion and being placed into slavery is not how civilized societies work farsi frog. If you truly are a civilized," she coughs, "empire, then you would know that being hospitable and magnanimous treating foreigners like honored guests is a much better tactic as this will bring much more wealth to your doorsteps than you could ever swindle out of a bunch of shipwrecked foreigners. Further we actually represent four truly civilized and fairly well off kingdoms to the north and upon our return if we were to state that there was a group of very civilized folk down here willing to trade and be friendly things could go a lot better for your folk and your leader as well as yourself. Of course, if we were to return and outline your current focus of banditry I am sure putting together a sizeable force and coming down here to wipe you out as a preventative measure would most likely be, while a less desirable outcome for us and definitely for you and your folk, deemed a necessity since leaving known bandits near your borders is always a bad idea. However, adding another kingdom or empire to the already existing ones would simply be a win for everyone. So tell you what, you start playing nicely with us and we will see what we can do to help make things a win for you and your folk. Just know that I am not paying your extortion fees and if our people are not returned to us unharmed and free to leave, well like I said you are going to be the next permanent casualty then we will work on the rest. I am sure you are quite aware of what our tiny group is capable of already, so just think what would happen if a considerably larger force came down to retaliate for your banditry upon their folk which by the way would only be a small fraction of the military force our kingdom could muster. So are you going to be sensible and work at setting up proper civilized dealings or do we just treat you like a barbaric race of thieves and go straight to war?"

"Your eminence," Annika steps forward and executes a perfect courtly bow, "If I may, what my colleague is trying to say is that we are honoured to be received as guests of his Imperial Majesty Cuurtinoax, and that the hospitality he shows to us and our beleaguered fellows, who have inadvertently trespassed on his dominion, will be a matter of great interest in our respective cities. This is an historical moment for your great empire, and we would hate for its future to be put in jeopardy should we be treated unkindly or unfairly. We will do everything we can to assist you in avoiding any unpleasant diplomatic incidents, and a beneficial outcome for all."

"To apologise for threatening your eminent personage, we shall pay a tribute - not a fine or a fee, if you please, these gauche terms have no place in polite conversation - of the nine pieces of silver you have requested. Further, as a show of good faith, we offer another nine silver pieces for the safe release of our countryfolk." She waves at Shedinn to give the frog whatever silver he already has in his hand. "We trust that this generous gift will repair any affront we may have caused the Emperor or his herald. Please, take us to your master's court."

My apologies, Solra , I mean no disrespect, I am tired and hungry and want to help...To be honest I could go for some frog legs right now..as Sheedin smiles.

Melianne observes the situation quietly, not willing to interrupt the others and already too confused by Solra's spiel about... poiltics? It sounded like politucs, but most of it went right over the dancer's head. She wonders if the frogs understood any of that; who knows, maybe they are more attuned to these things than herself, if they are running an empire here.

Still, she can't help but comment, mostly murmuring to herself: "I don't understand these people. First threats, then persuasion, then threats, then sweet words again... The ways of diplomacy among mercenary folk are truly mysterious." Firebird sighs dramatucally and leans against Shedinn's shoulder. "My brave guardian, do you suppose it will be faster if we just sneak past them while the guards are distracted?.."