>>5336532>>5336500>>5336471>>5336462>>5336454>>5336432>>5336692It is apparent to you that a summit between your three factions is necessary, to reach an understanding. Well… Four faction, really, but the kobolds are well-in-hand. Despite earlier difficulties, compared to the bugbears and dark elves, the little Reptilians are positively EASY to understands, and to deal with. For instance, to make this summit happen, it is apparent that you must first stroke the elves’ egos a little.
With the aid if Oluwadamilare the Archer, you learn the name and station—something akin to ‘Ranger-Captain’—of the chiefmost elf in your party. The individual in question is an elfman named ‘Epharidan’. You also learn a traditional, respectful greeting and gesture, used when two highly-ranked Drow are first making acquaintance. Though you have traveled together for some time, this is your first direct dealing with the Ranger-Captain, and so it seems appropriate to use it… And, in a way, displays your respect for this Epharidan’s race.
“Dragonborn,” he acknowledges you in turn, using the True Speech term for your title-of-birth, and bowing his head in the manner of your subrodinates… Though he maintains disconcerting eye-contact with his pale, pinkish eyes.
“Are we to make for the dwarves soon?” he asks. “It will be good to do so, now that the… Performance… is over.”
You nod solemnly, acknowledging his and his subordinates’ discomfort with the recent sparring.
“A performance in truth,” you say. “But not one without purpose. I did not mean to cause any discomfort, of course. I merely needed a means to control the Bogbarri, to keep our factions functioning as one until we reach the dwarves. As you can see, they are now on best behaviour.”
“I suppose they might well be,” the Ranger-Captain replies, “now that they have new playthings, in me and my elves.”
