Maliki Archipelago (IC)

[Maxymiuk]

"Whatt'a we s'posed to say to the happy colonists?" Kra-Mak asks. "'Here's some guns, food and ammo, don't get killed by pirates! Oh, and we're not from Axiom'?"

"If that had ever been the plan, it was abandoned immediately," Gheed smiles thinly in response to the tengu. "Hiding your allegiance would be impossible in the long run, so you are not required to do so. As long as you do make it clear to the colonists that this is not an attempt to control them. In fact, this may be exactly what you'll need to convince them of before they accept your help.

"I can teach a man to shoot, an' what ta do in the case of a bombardment, I s'pose that'll be enough to keep'em safe from pirates. But I can't teach nary a soul how to farm," Blacktalon shrugs.

"And you are not required to," comes the reply. "The settlers know how to farm, cook, build, and so forth. What they need is supplies and someone to organize them."

"So when do we know when to report back to you?" Argus asks. "I mean, functional militia's kind of a subjective concept. Sure, we could probably tell if they can shoot straight, but ideally there wouldn't be too many attempts to put them to field practice, if you get what I'm saying. Plus, I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm hardly a carpenter. Erecting defenses seems a little... specialist."

"Oh?" Gheed raises an eyebrow. "I was given to understand that you, specifically, Mr. Mercer, have a fairly broad engineering background. So while no one will ask you to cut boards or hew stone into shape, I'm certain you know what shape to arrange it in to withstand cannon fire."

"So, if Binky understand correctly," the goblin interjects, "what precisely is measure of Binky's success? For colony to be able to protect? For colony to thrive? To be feared? Or is it up for Binky to determine what makes success and what doesn't?"

"A reasonable degree of certainly that the colony will survive the next year, at least, is the ultimate goal. However, I will agree that this is a rather open-ended parameter. If you need a more immediate goal, consider it to be finding a competent leader for the colonists," Gheed smiles again. "This may well become your primary goal -- I'm given to understand that after Epyr withdrew, the settlers began splintering into factions, each one with their own idea for how to run the island. Consider your success at uniting them to be a major parameter of your final evaluation."

"By the by, who's captaining th' Swallow?" Blacktalon pipes up.

"That would be Captain Klessa, I believe. I assure you, she's as competent as they come -- as you may be aware, Axiom does not work with individuals who cannot account for themselves."

Spoiler: Kra-Mak - Knowledge Result

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From what you've heard, Captain Klessa is a catfolk hailing from one of the distant Epyrean provinces. She is reputed as a solid, dependable sailor with a good weather eye and a knack for avoiding unnecessary trouble -- except when it comes to gambling. She loves dice and dice love her -- so much so that she's been accused of cheating in every gambling den she ever visited -- and, despite none of the accusations ever being proven, she's also been banned from most of them.

"Well then -- any other doubts I can dispel before I send you off?" the ifrit asks.

[aturtledoesbite]

As Gheed answers the group's questions, Procella's interest is caught by the mention of factions. "Just one. Do they still consider themselves part of Epyr, or have they claimed independence?"

[Hella Lugosi]

Somewhat surprised that Gheed knew that about him, Argus is at least pleased that his employer had done his research. He raises his hands in mock defence. "Fair point. But I warn you, you should be putting emphasis on the broad part of that statement. I like to think that I'm pretty damn good at my job, but just don't expect me to draw up the plans for a castle any time soon." Lowering his arms, he crossed them in front of his chest and leans back on his stool. "Know anything about these, uh, factions? I'd ask them myself, but I feel they might not hold the most... unbiased opinions towards each other."

[Maxymiuk]

"Fair point. But I warn you, you should be putting emphasis on the broad part of that statement. I like to think that I'm pretty damn good at my job, but just don't expect me to draw up the plans for a castle any time soon." Lowering his arms, Mercer crosses them in front of his chest and leans back on his stool. "Know anything about these, uh, factions? I'd ask them myself, but I feel they might not hold the most... unbiased opinions towards each other."

"Do they still consider themselves part of Epyr, or have they claimed independence?" Procella adds, speaking for the first time since she entered the room - her remark is greeted by a good-natured snort from the ifrit.

"It is almost certain that you will encounter loyalists among the settlers - such is the nature of all people that some will always cling to their allegiances, past all logic and reason. Conversely, you're just as likely to run into those who now define themselves by their hatred and rejection of the empire that they were forsaken by," Gheed pauses in thought, his hands absently toying with the arrangement of cubes on his desk. "As for the exact delineations and number of factions - our information on them is less than ideal. The last news we have is from a couple months ago, when Morlain's community was only starting to fracture. At the time, there were four focal points -- four would-be leaders seeking to rally the colonists under their banner. The first two were Borvar Keene and Eleias Corrison - heads of the island's most prominent and respected families. Then there was Ilsa Aurel - the island's religious leader. And finally, Oren Ult - administrator of Morlain's mining settlement." Gheed shrugs elaborately. "However, as I said, that was the state of affairs from months ago. How they have fared and which one - if any - reigned supreme, I simply do not know."

[AngryCyc]

Binky takes in all the information and then stares at Gheed. After a lul in the questions, she asks very inquisitively "... Why are there cubes?"

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Ah, so we're peacekeepers too!" Kra-Mak chimes in. "I guess that gives us an idea of what to do first when we get there." The crowman shrugs. He starts going over the things he'll need to pack for the voyage in his mind. As Binky blurts out her question Kra-Mak perks up, then faces Gheed and turns his head sideways curiously.

[Maxymiuk]

"Why are there cubes..." Gheed echoes the goblin's words, his gaze falling down onto the "desk" he is sitting behind. He studies the objects arranged on it for a long moment, before looking back up toward Binky, a wan, gentle smile creeping onto his lips. "That... that is, quite possibly, the most profound question I ever heard anyone ask," he says in a voice thick with emotion. A tear glistens in his eye before evaporating immediately. "Uh... Binky, right? Please come over here."

Once the goblin approaches his desk, the ifrit leans forward and, with solemnity and ceremony usually reserved for opening the gates to paradise, drops a palm-sized, red-colored cube into Binky's hands.

"The road to enlightenment begins with a single step," he says reverently. "You just took yours."

Then the moment passes and Gheed is back to his precise, slightly impatient self, addressing Kra-Mak's earlier comment:

"Peacekeepers - an astute description. Morlain was abandoned by its authorities after all. And unless a miracle happened and these factions decided to work together for the common good, there will be plenty of peace to keep. Now then!" he raps the top of his desk sharply. "Since you seem to have run out of useful questions, I'll take it that you have other matters to attend to. My clerk downstairs will issue you letters of credit to purchase whatever other supplies you consider necessary. You should also check in with Captain Klessa for the exact departure date - and to let her know about any cargo you'll be bringing on board. Otherwise, you are free to go. I - and the city of Axiom - wish you good luck with your assignment. Do the Citizens proud."

[AngryCyc]

Spoiler

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Binky reverently takes the cube and wields it in her empty hand, palm flat, like someone was just handed a ring egg seconds away from hatching. She is touched by the experience, and says nothing, her mind far too overwhelmed by the overload of new stimuli presented to her worldview.

She stares on straight ahead as she follows the others out of the room. She doesn't even appear to care much where she follows, only focusing on staying close by, as her mind races to understand things she could not possibly be ready to grasp.

Cubes and a world of fire...

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Ummmmm right. Kra-Mak says slowly. "Anyway, I think I'll go meet the captain, introduce myself." He says backing away towards the door. "I shall see you all on th' Swallow soon enough!" He tips his hats and exits.

[Hella Lugosi]

"Got it. Pleasure doing business with you." Argus says with a sliver more courtesy than he usually affords as he rises from his chair. "I'm gonna join Kra-Mak in talking to the captain, see if I can't get a feel for how much cargo the boat can lug. After that, I'm thinking shopping spree." Hoping that Gheed wouldn't be too worried by that last sentence, he leaves before he can find out.

[aturtledoesbite]

Nodding to Gheed's last remarks, Procella walks out without a word. Looks like she's tagging along with everyone else to see the captain. Doesn't look like she has anything of note to add.