The group of lizardmen walked in through the doorway, preparing for the second meeting that came after their dinner. Freshened up, well-fed, and given a moment's rest to think of new arguments and counterpoints if need be, they settled in for tonight's talks, the sound of nightly activities softly echoing from outside before the last one came, shutting the thick curtain to the elder's hut. Tensions were starting to build, to put it lightly. Though there was much being brought to the table, the leadership of the Red Eyes was also known for being a fair bit more traditional and stubborn when it came to their views, especially that of independence from the other tribes. Though the elders stood on various degrees of concurrence, Kukri himself was forced to admit that as much as he wanted his tribe to be left alone, it would not be something that he would see possible in the coming days.
Something he deeply resented the human for causing, knowingly or not.
'Considering their habits of destroying nature and defiling everything around them, it's doubtful the human did this on accident. Even moreso, with his… 'intellect', if I can fully call it that' The old lizard notioned, his ruby red eyes glistening with barely restrained hate at the mere thought of the smooth-skinned creature.
"The meeting of tribes shall once again commence," Kukri began, looking carefully around the room.
'Pitiful. To think we're forced to ally ourselves with such charlatans…'
Kukri faintly clenched his claw before continuing. "I have found your offerings of mutual defense for one another endearing, to ask such in exchange was only natural. However, our tribe has access to tools and weapons the likes of which may very well surpass your own. As such, to ask us to support you all in exchange makes this situation… uneven"
The other tribes murmured confusedly or irritably amidst each other. Zarusosa straightened himself, nodding to speak. "I must apologize, as this is not in any measure meant as an insult… but your people barely match any one of our tribes in numbers, let alone all three. Yes, your people have access to metal and magic in a manner that is admittedly higher than ourselves, but this alone would not put you on a higher point of strength than ourselves"
Kukri couldn't help but maliciously smirk internally, though he still maintained his composure externally. He made a waving motion to one of his loyalists, one that worked in the workshop under the outsider known as Kika. The albino handed over a scroll, unfurling it. Though he could not read the letters on the paper, he knew what it contained. Not as if he'd want to know what they said anyways, the system known as 'writing' was a weakness that dulled the mind, kept lizardmen from using their minds to the fullest. Though he was irritated that the outsider was starting to use such methods, she was far too useful for Kukri to feel any degree of outright disgust for her.
The Red Eye chieftain had pulled every string he could with his loyalists, looking for things that would hopefully prove the worth of his tribe, and he found it in his artisans. It pained the lizardman to show his hand as such, especially when it relied upon the backwards thoughts of that warmblooded human, but even fools had their moments of dim shining. This one just seemed to only shine in matters that weren't worthwhile shining. Of course, that alone has inspired some of the tribe's artisans, bouncing off of the human's knowledge to design and create several things that would serve the Red Eye tribe well. Regardless of origin however, these blueprints would make for excellent bargaining chips to flex against the others. Hopefully, it would make them reconsider their initial offer.
"As of late, our artisans have designed several weapons and tools of great importance. These alone would bring a great change to the lizardman way of life"
Though half of them were foolish to the Red Eye chieftain, he knew they would still very much matter as a bargaining chip to gain more out of this. As the first scroll was held out for all to see, they all held their own reactions toward the image. Zarusosa narrowed his eyes and hummed, no doubt thinking very carefully about the sketch before him. Kyuku was admittedly incapable of fully comprehending the sketch, but if one part of it could tell him something, it was that it was a weapon. As for Sukyu…
"I-I've seen these before!" The lizardman stuttered. "The goblins! I've seen them carry them once, no doubt having stolen them from the humans up north!"
The chieftain finally let himself smile in the meeting. "Then you understand the importance of them. I understand that your tribe of all the tribes at this meeting would understand the importance of the 'Crossbow'. We are currently the only ones capable of producing it, as well as have the resources to produce it. However, there is another weapon design based on this one…"
He grabbed a second scroll, very similar looking to the first were it not for a few details. "This one, as I've been told, is called a 'ballista', far more destructive than any other weapon produced by the tribes. Given the proper scenario, this is easily capable of completely tearing down and shattering any enemy palisades and walls, providing us with the opportunity to break sieges"
Sieges were an uncommon occurrence to the tribes, mostly due to a lack of infrastructure necessitating such an occurrence. As outcasts to these lands, there were few places where such an engine of war would be necessary. But in the few instances that it would be necessary?
It would make or break a conflict.
Kukri couldn't help but feel satisfied with himself, watching the lizardmen weigh their options. This was in part a measure to make certain they were serious, and not attempting to take advantage of the tribe and get everything they could from them in a strong-armed maneuver. They would have to offer more than promises at this point.
'Human or no, though I can't make sense of these papers, I know they're far more complicated than anything that warm-blood should be capable of. There is always a limit to one's knowledge after all, even my loyal tribesman overheard the human admitting as such. And those few who can make sense of these 'schematics' are still members of the Red Eye tribe regardless of their personal relations, and would not so easily hand this knowledge out lest they betray the tribe'
"And finally," Kukri spoke, handing the sheet off to grab one last paper. "This. The human refers to it as a 'Lighthouse', much like the ones we've seen other humans use on the shoreline. Instead of guiding galleys home however, this one is to be used for sending messages over long distances, using adjustments of the mirror to shine a 'code' across the distance, reflecting and strengthening the light of a fire"
Communications and signaling were often key in not just warfare, but everyday occurrences. To have a means of communicating with warriors out in the field or even request assistance from nearby, smaller villages of a tribe would be phenomenal. Smoke signals were doable, but one ran into the issue of not being able to use them effectively at night. This 'Lighthouse' would require the metal their tribe was extracting from the soil, but they in turn held the previously spoken advantages.
Though the human could potentially share such knowledge on this one, he was certain that without those who knew how to forge the mirrors or even build the tower itself using the 'nails' the artisans have been talking about, they wouldn't be replicating their newfound advancements any time seen. Simply put, though their tribe lacked in numbers, it was easily showing its worth with resources rare to their tribe as well as their technologies.
Everyone weighed the knowledge in front of themselves carefully, trying to make sense of the situation. Zarusosa was somewhat annoyed by the situation. Nolan had brought them all kinds of useful knew technologies as a gift, and here Kukri was flaunting them as if to say this was proof he was strong enough to stand on his own. It probably was his way of trying to scare the group of, the Green Claw tribesman knew how proud and isolationist the Red Eye was. But still, even if they couldn't match technologically, they still had an ace up their sleeves.
"I see then, Kukri of the Red Eyes," Zarusosa spoke, "If you truly must ask more of us in order to justly match your own strengths, then we would see reason to your arguments"
The Red Eye narrowed his gaze slightly, watching the Green Claw carefully.
'So they're truly looking for a defensive pact. I had half a mind that this was all some scheme on their part. At the very least, this should prove interesting. I wonder what they'll offer in exchange'
The Green Claw reached into his own bag, and pulled out something that shocked the lizardman.
"W-what is…?"
Zarusosa and the other tribe representatives were all seated around the bonfires, enjoying their various meals of insects and vegetation. Though they were mostly jovial, there was still a nagging worry in the back of some minds. The Green Claw chieftain was currently speaking with his sons, as well as Marscha's pupil, hoping to get their youthful opinion on the matter.
"It's not as though he's in a position to just deny the alliance, right?" Zaryusu asked.
"Brother!" Shasuryu hissed, elbowing him.
The old lizardman couldn't help but sigh. "No, I'm afraid not, Zaryusu. Though Nolan has done much to help the people of the Red Eyes, many of them won't look past their own personal views and grudges. The elders and Kukri are fairly rooted in their beliefs, to the point that they'd sooner see the tribe as a whole suffer as a result. Were it not for the human's intervention, I believe it may have very well devolved into just that. Unfortunately, that's also given him the strength necessary to fight back in negotiations.
Realistically, I can see him countering with the various improvements the human's brought to the tribe, possibly even some hidden knowledge that only those in his tribe would be fully capable of understanding. The writing alone would take at least a couple of months just to begin to understand, nevermind whatever secrets they've started scribing down on them"
The chieftain sighed. "Maybe if we'd been more willing to offer aid in the past, we'd have more ground. But back then it was always a matter of us looking out for our own before we could even consider looking out for our fellow lizardmen. Even then, it's doubtful we would have offered assistance due to our beliefs on the laws of nature"
The group mulled over the situation. Crusch thought to add her two cents. "I- I know that I'm of the Red Eyes, but… I truly wish we as a whole could ally with your tribes. How about we state the facts, see what each side is offering just to confirm the weight of what's being provided?"
Zarusosa simply shook his head. "All we have been able to offer is manpower and a defensive pact. That's all we can offer aside from food, but that won't be doable for at least a year until the fisheries we've been designing are fully developed. The Red Eyes can offer that much in exchange and more. I know just from a peek in the workshop you and the human have been using that you've created things beyond what was thought possible for our people. Things that your tribe now have ready and exclusive access to, giving you an edge far beyond what we can offer"
The lizardmen hummed in thought, all of them struggling to come up with a solution to their problem. As they pondered, the accidental cause of their struggles happened to make himself apparent.
"'Scuse me y'all, don't mind me, ah- Ooooh, That crawfish stew? Ya wouldn't mind givin' me a bowl o' that, would ya?" Nolan asked the woman manning one of the pots, handing a serving to him with a smile and nod. "Appreciate it".
Zarusosa managed to get a closer look of the human, and noticed that the fur on his face was missing now, and his hair slicked back with some substance giving it a sleek and shiny sheen. His worn clothes he usually wore were left behind it seems, favoring instead a lizardman poncho and kilt covering his barren torso and waist.
"A-oh!" Crusch squeaked, turning her gaze anywhere but the human. Zarusosa caught a glimpse of her reaction, and started to understand why the guard was so jesting of the albino's opinions of the human.
'I'm… conflicted as to how I should feel about a lizardman fancying a human. Considering how unusual such a subject matter is, I can see why no one is willing to believe it actually to be the case. I probably wouldn't have noticed the significance of her little response if I was twenty years younger. I will… leave that be for now, I have bigger fish to fry'
"Human, over here!" Zarusosa waved over to the warmblood, catching his attention. The human caught sight of their table, and nodded back to him. It took but a moment's breath for him to arrive.
"Ah, hey there Zaru, good to see ya again. Er, hey, quick question?" The human asked, leaning in and hushing himself.
"What might that be?" The old chieftain responded, hushing himself in kind.
"I'm not… doing anythin' weird culturally by wearin' the same clothes you guys wear, am I? I've been gettin' a lot of stares ever since I left the hut"
Zarusosa laughed, shaking his head. "I suppose they simply didn't expect a human to be so willing to blend in with us. It's not every day you see your kind wearing our clothes"
"Yeah yeah, well my old clothes were startin' to get a little smelly from all of today's work, but I still wanted to be at least decent while I was out and about. So er, how've y'all been?"
The Green Claw snorted, shaking his head. "We've been been, Nolan. I'm afraid we're currently dealing with a conundrum on our hands planning ahead for the meeting"
"What kinda problems you got?"
"Well, as it stands, in most scenarios of forming an alliance, both tribes are often on roughly even footing. However, merely by looking around the village, I can easily tell that we aren't so even, and we may very well find ourselves struggling to come to an agreement with Kukri and the elders. And from what I saw in your workshop, it's likely he's going to use the knowledge he's gained from you as leverage"
The human clicked his tongue. "Damn. That is a problem. They'll probably ask for somethin' to sweeten the deal. What've you got?"
"Labor and warriors…" Shasuryu spoke with disappointment.
The human hummed, chewing his cheek in though. His eyes widened in realization, snapping his fingers. "Hey, I know!"
The lizardmen were intrigued. Zarusosa for one wanted to see what kind of trick the human would pull this time. "What? What is it?"
The human looked around, carefully watching to make sure nobody was listening in on him. "As it stands, I've got a stash of… items in my coyote pack I've been building up lately. Come by later, I'll be able to give you a few. You can offer those up to soften 'em up, make 'em see you're willing to give up such goodies for the alliance, yeah?"
Zarusosa smiled, holding up the polished steel ax. It sparkled and glistened with magic, and if you looked close enough it almost seemed like wisps of mist danced across the blade.
"This ax is one of many magical items we're willing to offer your tribe in exchange, to prove what we're willing to provide you"
Kukri's brain went into overdrive, drawing his eyes all over the ax. He extended a hand outward, motioning to the Green Claw. "May I see?"
The chieftain obliged, handing over the tool. The Red Eye felt the magic coursing through the instrument, something far stronger than the magic infusion being used in the forging process of their weapons.
'That rules out the human stealing this from our caches. Unless… no, I can't rule him out, I recall my loyalists speaking of Zarusosa's bow and its origin. But if this did come from him, then… nngh, if I want more of these then I'll need to be willing to go along with this. It seems that damn smoothskin kept a few more tricks stowed away for something like this'
"Are all of the items like this one?" Kukri asked, internally frustrated that he was being backed into a corner by an enchanted weapon such as this.
"Not quite, there are others we have to offer," The Green Claw chieftain spoke, pulling out another item. This one was a jug, with a cap to keep it sealed when not being poured from. "This item is very much similar to the 'Great Wine Pot' of the Dragon Tusk tribe. It pours out an endless supply of hot broth. We had only recently gotten our hands on this one actually"
Kukri felt his breath hitch as he watched the lizardman pour the steaming, salty fluid out into a large bowl, proving that the jug was capable of holding far more than it looked like it could possibly contain.
'No, the human isn't behind these items, at least not all of them. A treasure of such importance couldn't possibly be held by him. There's a limit to these kinds of things, he can't possibly have made this'
"I- I… see… I must admit both of these items alone easily seem acceptable. If I may see one more, just to properly gauge the offerings you provide?"
"So be it," Zarusosa spoke, reaching into the bag. The final item he pulled out was a simple thing, a bone bead necklace upon plant twine that shone faintly. In the center of the necklace acting as the pendant, was a strange wooden hoop with strings woven intermittently through it like a spider's web, with owl feathers hanging from it. "This final item itself seems capable of letting it's wielder stave off the need for sleep. You would still need to rest every now and then, but you will find that a couple of hours is easily all that is necessary to keep moving feeling refreshed every day"
Kukri almost immediately leapt at the chance, and only bit his tongue because of the appearances he needed to maintain.
'I need to keep my cool in this situation, else I make an easily bribed fool out of myself. I still ultimately plan on accepting this deal, but I need to make these representatives wait on me, make them feel anxious'
"Mmm, I see," Kukri spoke, hiding the mad joy he felt at having been shown such an item. "Then, I must admit these items you provide are of a high price. However, we must know the extent of the items you have, as well as their capabilities. After that, I must confer with the elder's council on our next course of action. Do you and your entourage have anything else to add?"
The group shook their heads, to which Kukri nodded.
"So be it. Rest for tonight, representatives of the Green Claws, Razor Tails, and Small Fangs. For tomorrow, you will have our answer to your request"
As the group began to collect their things and prepare to head out, the chieftain of the Red Eyes held his hand out. Though he grit his teeth, he swallowed his pride for the sake of his own personal aid. "Ah, before you leave however, I would like to ask something of you, to prove that you are very much serious in your actions"
Zarusosa turned back to the Red Eye, raising a brow ridge. "And what might that be?"
"May you leave but one magical item of my choice with us tonight? As a… message of good will perhaps?"
Nolan Potts, Human (Karma: 70 [Neutral]) [20/24 Spell slots used]
Classes: Brawler (6), Ranger (3), Druid (5), Clothier (3), Translucer (1). Total Level (18).
Spells (Druid): Frostbite, Entangle, Create or Destroy Water, Guidance, Jump, Cure Wounds, Dust Devil, Protect from Poison, Hold Person, Spike Growth, Lesser Restoration, Water Breathing, Darkvision, Sleetstorm, Ice Knife, Lightning Arrow
Spells (Ranger): Animal Friendship, Speak to Animals, Ensnaring Strike, Conjure Animals
Items of Note: {Humble Beginnings}
Party Members are as follows…
Member One: Todone, Son of Kodrotti, Toadman (Karma: -10 [Neutral])
Classes: Toadman Warrior (9), Brawler (9), Martial Artist (1), Total Level (19).
Member Two: Yulg (Karma: 50 [Neutral])
Classes: Goblin Marauder (1), Brawler (8), Warrior (4), Cleric (1), Total Level (13)
Member Three: Crusch Lulu of the Red Eyes (Karma: 50 [Neutral])
Classes: Awakened Elder Blood Lizardman (1), Druid (6), Spirit Shaman (3), Summoner (1), Scientist (2), Total Level (13)
AN: We're finally wrapping the alliance segment of this story up in a nice bow, at least for the Red Eyes and the others. I wonder, will they get the Dragon Claws in time? Or will things finally come to a head before they can do so, forcing them to fight with what they have? Only time will tell...
Ragnas Bredvolts: Vota technically is one, being a reference to Nolan's Patron. Though, considering how faith works in the New World, who knows :P
hackslashbash: Oh yeah, for sure. Level caps are definitely something that I'm gonna have to struggle writing around, especially considering Nolan's going to have to grow much stronger to face the trials ahead. Most New Worlders won't be able to breach those limits, but there are a few for one reason or another that may very well be capable of doing as such. But as it stands, the standards of strength are a far lower bar than Yggdrasil's, and as such it's harder to actually work towards gaining that strength. I'm more trying to bend the details rather than break them, but when you're writing a story mostly by ear sometimes you miss a thing here and there 'XD