>>5330076>>5330074As for the other members of your retinue, you opt to bring one, but not yet the other.
You tell the Pit Guard’s Apprentice that he must visit the Novice immediately, to receive medical attention.
“IF she authorizes it,” you tell him, “you will be allowed to accompany us.”
You can sense the relief wash over him. When you’d first told the Apprentice that a medical examination and further healing as necessary, he’d thought he was to be left behind. A part of you still wodners if that should not have been the case…
“BE aware,” you thus add, “that I am NOT authorizing you to charge into the thick of battle or to take unnecessary risks. Be pragmatic, sensible. DO not put yourself or our expedition at risk. You still have recovering to do.”
The Apprentice bows low, and mumbles solemn thanks.
This conversation, in turn, informs your approach to the Elf-Specialist.
“The Drow are not necessarily a lesser elf,” you tell him. “Think of this, Holy One: in being driven down into the dark, reduced in number, forced to cling together, our OWN race was in some ways made ‘lesser’, yes? But in other ways, we grow stronger for it.”
The older, wlite male scoffs at this notion, before remembering his place and lowering his eyes, whispering hissed apologies.
“Pragmatism,” you note. “Aggression to their foes, utilitarianism in their dealings, adaptability to difficult conditions… All of these are virtues that these ‘dark elves’ may evince over and above those of their surface-cousins, as I see it. Do you not agree?”
The Elf-Specialist seems unconvinced, but has no logical counterargument—or is unwilling to present it, perhaps, when you are so clearly building to a point.
“Continue to proselytize them,” you say, “but do so with THESE virtues in mind, not those of their hated enemies. Perhaps you will find them more receptive… And find value in the, in the end.”
“…As you command, Dragonborn.”
