Aboard the Floating Forge (COTW Event)

[Gaius Hermicus]

The seagulls cawed and the salt spray splashed in the face of Brother Hidad as he greeted the arrivals onto the Lightsteel Brotherhood's flagship galley, the Floating Forge. Behind him, Brother Eku stood behind the ship's wheel, their face obscured by an elaborately painted mask. The ship buzzed with activity as its crew scurried around, preparing the lightsteel engines and the spider-silk sails to set sail after the conference. At the center of the deck, underneath a canvas awning, a table is set with bread, roasted meats, bowls of fruit, and jugs of wine and mead. Everywhere, the gleaming silver-gold of the miraculous lightsteel glints in the sunlight.

As each delegate climbs aboard the galley, Brother Hidad greets them and guides them to the awning, offering them a seat and refreshment while they wait for all the invitees to arrive. When the full list of delegations has arrived, Hidad stands and, smiling, addresses them.

You may be wondering why I have gathered you here today. On behalf of the Lightsteel Shipwrights, and the larger Brotherhood, I would like to propose an agreement with all of you, which I think will be to all of our benefits. We at the Brotherhood have been impressed by your kingdoms in the past - the determination of the Damned Fleet, the inquisitive nature of the Paukobez, the salvaging talents of the Dvergar - and while some of you have clashed with us in the past, we are happy to overlook these disagreements. We wish to put your... considerable talents to good use. Why raid our markets, or steal our secrets, when we can pay you to turn your attention toward others? Your reward will be doubled - the wealth that we use to hire you, and that which you can recover from your efforts directed at your true enemies, those who wish you harm and whose resources and belongings you can more easily take?

[Lleban]

Ibn Hazad arrived with a chip on his shoulder, why must this damnable conference be held amongst the waves. The concert and assembly halls of Margaritarum were certainly large enough to fit any amount of delegates.

Pathetic, how many miracles must the Tazmat perform before the Brotherhood recognizes them.

"You talk of rewards, but what incentive do we have to entangle ourselves with you further. We employ your shipwrights, but they keep fast to their secrets, I'm skeptical what furthering our partnership can provide."

[Gaius Hermicus]

"You talk of rewards, but what incentive do we have to entangle ourselves with you further. We employ your shipwrights, but they keep fast to their secrets, I'm skeptical what furthering our partnership can provide."

Is it our secrets you desire? We are proud of our inventions, and will be more than happy to explain them to those who take our side. Simply ask, and you shall receive.

[mystic1110]

Sliding down from the mast on a silk rope so thin that it might as well have been invisible was a Paukobez. If they were just arriving, or had always been there spying, is a bit unclear. If they were always there, why did they reveal themselves now - and how many more stowaway spiders did this boat have exactly?

The monkey flexed its chelicerae and spoke in clicking sounds that approximated the language of the Godchoosen, which was convenient in this situation seeing as that the Brotherhood had long ago deciphered that tongue. The new guest only spoke a single word - a question.

<Enemies?>

[Gaius Hermicus]

Sliding down from the mast on a silk rope so thin that it might as well have been invisible was a Paukobez. If they were just arriving, or had always been there spying, is a bit unclear. If they were always there, why did they reveal themselves now - and how many more stowaway spiders did this boat have exactly?

The monkey flexed its chelicerae and spoke in clicking sounds that approximated the language of the Godchoosen, which was convenient in this situation seeing as that the Brotherhood had long ago deciphered that tongue. The new guest only spoke a single word - a question.

<Enemies?>

Yes, enemies. There are always those who wish to stifle the march of progress and snuff out the fires of innovation. They resign themselves to a past that is long dead and refuse to adapt with the times. That is their choice, of course, but when they hold back others from going beyond their superstitions and pointless traditions, they must be stopped.

[mystic1110]

<The hive does not care about progress or the future. The nest wants answers about the past.>

The Paukobez jumps up and down around the Merchant.

<We can work with you for faster answers. But what are your objections and what are you offering?>

The eloquence with which it speaks is off course only due to the translation. In reality, it's clicking speech is only an approximation of Godchosen language and so it's vocabulary is simple and its grammar clipped and short.

[Gaius Hermicus]

<The hive does not care about progress or the future. The nest wants answers about the past.>

The Paukobez jumps up and down around the Merchant.

<We can work with you for faster answers. But what are your objections and what are you offering?>

The eloquence with which it speaks is off course only due to the translation. In reality, it's clicking speech is only an approximation of Godchosen language and so it's vocabulary is simple and its grammar clipped and short.

Our objections are simple. Do not hamper our business. Do not interfere with our experiments. Do not steal our secrets. Should you be tempted to do this for whatever reason, come to us and explain, and we shall do what is in our power to make a satisfactory deal with you. We wish to be your friends, not your enemies! In exchange, we offer whatever your little spider-monkey heart desires. Wealth? Comfort? Knowledge? We can provide it all. Just ask, and you shall receive.

[mystic1110]

The Paukobez replies

<We will steal what we are asked to steal. But we seek knowledge of our masters and their masters. If you can provide the secrets of the Fallen or the Reclaimers, their Gods and Dragons, then we can also steal for you.>