Advanced Negotiation Tactics

General Summary

With our new knowledge of where the pirate captain has set off, Cap attempts to explain to the Baron why he can’t go to Solway. Not too surprisingly, this does not go over well. The Baron sets forth to Riost and invites us to dinner. Invites is a nice word for commands us. “When we arrive at Riost, I will be obtaining a new ship for you to sail to Solway,” the Baron stabbed a vegetable on his plate. “Brother Alms will be traveling with you to ensure quick communication. He shares an unusual ability to communicate with his twin no matter the distance.” He gestured to the two men in brown robes eating quietly further down the table. “I will send a small contingent of my men with you to man the ship. Of course, Amara will be staying here for her safety.” “I would much rather Amara stayed with me,” Cap cut in. “As I said, it would be much safer for her to stay with me. You never know what sorts of brigands you might find at your next location, or what might sweep you up to a new unknown location. It really will be much safer for Amara to stay with me.” Cap sat back unhappily. “I’m glad we were able to clear up any difficulties.” And with that, I was finally able to sleep after being awake for close to two days.

I DIDN’T KNOW NEGOTIATION WORKED THAT WAY

We arrived at Riost and set up anchor just outside their harbor. Coincidentally, not a single ship from the city was able to leave their harbor for the open seas. Shortly thereafter, a rowboat from the sea approached the ship. Tables were set up. Baron Santa Maria sits proudly at a table by himself and we sat at a lesser table with some of his officers. The official from Riost walked up worrying at his hat in his hands. “I will require the services of one of the merchant ships in town.” Baron Santa Maria inspected his fingernails as he spoke. “Sir, I can’t do that.” “I guess we will be waiting here.” “You don’t understand! I don’t own those ships, and I can’t just commandeer a ship for you!” “You do not understand. I need a ship and am prepared to stay here until a ship is delivered to me. If a ship is not delivered soon, I’m sure I can liberate one from your harbor. Though your harbor may not be fit afterward for other ships to dock.” The official paled as he listened, “I will see you have a ship today.” “I thought you might be understanding.” THE SEA FARE I understand from the Cap’n this is a fine ship. I think it’s a small ship in comparison to what we’ve been on recently. We’re crewing it with our group, and a couple more sailors from the Baron. As we pull into Solway harbor, a small ship pulls up to us and asks, “How long will you be here?” “I’m Cap’n O’Leary of the Sea Far, and it’ll just be a few days.” “That’ll be five silver a day, and we collect a minimum of five days.” “What?” blustered Cap. “That’s outrageous, we’ll just put off to port here and be no trouble.” “I think you misunderstand. That is the fee for being out to port and being allowed to stay in our protected cove. This is non-negotiable.” Cap pulled out the silver and handed them over to the man. I heard a few new words muttered as he did so. “Look subtly to your left,” Cap said under his voice. I glanced over. “Those two teens are prob’ly sending word to Lady Anise. First I want to take care of Amara’s shopping list and mine. Let’s go to the weaponsmith and the clothsmith.” I burst out laughing, “Clothsmith? Did you just say clothsmith? What is a clothsmith?” “You know, where they make clothes and such.” Cap continued and ignored my peals of laughter, “Lily, how much thread do I need for a female? Amara wants new clothes and I want to get her the best.” This promises to be an entertaining venture if nothing else. “Smithy,” Cap rapped on the counter, “I need chainmail for my daughter. How long will that take to get it?” “What size is she?” “Well,” Cap scratched his chin, “I think she’s smaller than Lily here. Look, she’s about this high, and this big around, and can you make it or not?” The armorsmith goggled at Cap, “I need clearer dimensions than hand gestures, and it’ll take a few weeks to make.” “There!” Cap pointed at a young boy, “She’s about his size, but more delicate looking, not big and brawny like that boy. If I gave you my old chainmail to cut down, would you be able to do it faster?” The smith’s eyes scanned back and forth as he thought, “Yes, with that I can probably get it done in a few days.” “Done, now, can you tell me where to find the clothsmith?”

WE GAIN A NEW “FRIEND”

“Don’t disturb this!” Lili warned after she finished sweeping and placing symbols of all sort around her area of the cabin, “I’m summoning my new familiar.” I settled down to watch. A few minutes later a small figure about eight inches tall appears with a crooked circlet about his head and glowing wings. “You may call me Romanoff,” a high piping voice said. “It is nice to meet you Romanoff, how should I spell that?” “Row like you row,” and his arms moved like he was rowing a boat, “Man because I am a man, and off. Like, get off my foot.” Romanoff glanced over at the barrel in the corner, “Oh no! Your honey has gone bad, I will fix that for you.” He concentrated for a moment, “There, it’s all better now. Your honey is back to normal.” I poured a bit from the tapped barrel. “I don’t think the crew will be particularly excited to drink honey.” Romanoff glanced at me, then flew back in shock, “Wow! You got a big friend!” Then he paused, “He says I’m not supposed to talk about him.” “Does he have authority over you?” Milli asked. “He’s really big,” and Romanoff looked way up, “and glowy. Very glowy.” “I’m curious,” I pulled out Papa Legba, “Hey Papa Legba.” “Hey mon! Long time no talk man.” “I know, it’s been a bit weird. Pirate fairies kidnapped kids, but I’m curious. My friend Lily got a new friend, and I wanted to know if you’ve ever met him before?” “Who? That little glowy guy? Those guys can be pesky, do you want me to get rid o’ him?” “No, no, Papa Legba, that won’t be necessary. Do you see the other guy?” Papa Legba’s head spun around in his lantern, “Who, who you talkin’ ’bout? I don’ see no one else.” “We’re heading into Solway, and will pick you up some new stash, but we wanted to know, have you ever met Madame Anise?” “Wot you be dealin’ wit’ her for? Don’t cross Madame Anise, don’t send envoy she has grudges with and will need the ledger balanced.” I glanced over at Cap, he looked sheepish. A knock at the door, and a sailor popped in, “Message for Cap’n O’Leary.” A large bruiser stepped in, “Madame Anise was quite saddened to see you came into town and did not visit her Cap’n. She has sent me to ensure you do not forget to pay your respects.” A strong emphasis was placed on the word pay. “Uh, yes,” Cap muttered, “I was gonna pay my respects tomorrow mornin’.” “Madame Anise requests,” there was an emphasis there, “your presence now.” “As I was saying, I’ll finish up this, and we’ll follow you.” “We have a boat to bring you,” and the bruiser leaned against the wall. “I can wait.” It was a rather quiet ride ot the docks, and the dockman just waved us aside as we climbed up. Our guide led us through a series of alleyways and we head up to a tenement lit with green torches. “Don’t go in there,” Romanoff chanted tugging at Lili’s sleeve. “That’s a bad place. Many bad spirits.” “Will my friends be safe?” Lili asked. “Maybe?” The bald guard put out a beefy arm. His milky eyes looked at me, “Madam, this one is ridden by the load too,” Lili translated for me. “Shall we let her in?” “Yes, we are all friends here, are we not? It’s been so long since I’ve made new friends,” called a voice beyond the beaded veil. We crossed over, and as I walked it felt like I had to cut through a jungle to get in, but it happened. “Madam Anise, it’s been years since I beheld your great beauty,” Cap murmured bowing over her hand. “How have you been?” “Quite sad, since you left me in the lurch.” I will spare you the remainder of the compliments he fed her, but by the end, she was quite eating them up, but her sharp eyes said she was not taken in. “To balance the scales, I need you to help me with a minor errand. Remember how you lost that shipment of spices for me? There is a merchant, a scrounger of coins who has failed to pay me the required fee. If you would be so kind as to relieve him of his spices, they just so happen to be the spices you lost, and one other small matter…” her voice trailed off for just a moment. “Oh yes, his head. The scales would be ev-” Her voice change and smoke filled the room, ” Beware the Angatra. They also seek the Mani and are aware of your opposition to them.” Madam Anise’s eyes rolled back into her head and she sagged in her chair before sitting back up. “en. You will need a cart to carry back the goods.” “Hey Big Guy,” I poke the guy in my head. “What?” he snarled. “You’re in a bad mood,” I answered. “What can you tell me about Madam Anise. She seems off,” I feel him looking her over and grumbling a bit, “She is Legion. She made an alliance with lesser powers. They may not all be doing their tasks, should I correct them?” I heard the eagerness in his voice. “No, I’m not sure that’s the right move this moment,” I answered in my head. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be back and once we know more, we can correct them.” I heard more grumbling and he fell back asleep. “Are you listening child?” Madam Anise asked me. “Yes ma’am,” I answered. “I like this girl, she’s polite. The scrounger’s name is Anaias Lorem, an imperial trader who dresses above his station in silks. He’s got an array of foppish hats. You can’t miss him. Your best chance to find him is Trader’s Rest. It’s a small town a few days out of here. He will be bringing his annual shipment to trade at the upcoming trading days. Everyone comes for those.”
After rounding up some horses and a rather rickety wagon, we head off to Trader’s Rest.

Report Date

23 Dec 2021