RP:Forging an Alliance

From HollowWiki

Part of the Rynvale New Dawn Arc


LOCATION: The Fold Council Chambers

A step through vaulted doorway brings you into the strategic heart of The Fold. Decisions on war and peace, trial and reward have clearly taken place here. The room is impressive. A large, wood carved custom table sits in its center. Oval in shape, it is encircled by several high backed chairs; enough chairs in fact, for a gathering of the entire clan. Five chairs, slightly larger and more ornate than the others can be seen interspersed at strategic points in the oval. It appears that these are designated for the leaders of the clan. Gas lights flicker in stands on the walls, casting shadows on the noble visages of legendary clan members, past and present, living and dead, preserved forever in portraits scattered around the room. Large bookshelves, lined with tomes on magic and military strategy stand against the walls. So too do glass display cases, hosting relics and custom weaponry too powerful to be housed out in the open. Here, they are secured by locks of magical means. There is little else in the room. It is obviously meant for business.


Aranhil would enter The Fold Compound, it had been many days since he had last entered this place. He looked around and many old memories would come to the surface as he proceeded through to the Council Room. He hoped to join her as an Alliance to hope show that he still had faith in his old clan, though in truth he wondered if his clan was beyond the powers of it already.

Arien was to be found seated at the head of the table of the round, her brow furrowed in concentration at the apparent backlog of the work of the order that lay piled before her. It was no easy thing, wearing two hats as it were, and too often it seemed the interests of the clan and the City were interwoven almost beyond recognition. The latest flurry of commentary upon the boards of Kelay had only served to emphasize that fact. Keen elven hearing would pick up the footfall of expected guest before emerald gaze would turn towards the great arched doorways, words of greeting falling from her lips. “Aranhil..welcome, I am glad we have found the time to meet finally..come, sit. How was your journey?”

Aranhil would nod to each of those within the room, the two he knew rather well in fact. Taking a seat as offered he would reply, "It was well Lady Arien. I thank you for having me, I know how busy you must be as of late with The Isle of Rynvale and other matters relating to The Fold." Aranhil appeared as he always did, young and scrawny, the last to underestimate him was an assassin that was laid in a surgical ward shortly after. Aranhil had of course been recognized in combat many times by now, in fact this may well be known as several of his clan thought him nothing but words until after a short bit of combat. Upon Aranhil's right hand was the Golden signet Merchants Ring, a symbol that he was here on more than his own clan business.

Arien nodded her agreement with his observation, a rueful smile upon her face. “ Busy, and then some, but come, what have you to lay upon the table? You seek an alliance between our kin, and you have also an agreement unfolding with the City regarding the road, do you not?” She could feel the watchful attention of wolfen warder over her shoulder. The governor had been debriefed quite thoroughly on his efforts thus far on the part of the merchants guild.

Aranhil would smile at the question, "Well first, as from my letter, I wish to strike up an alliance. And not just with the Fold, but with the entire Isle of Rynvale as well. I understand that you could do this Mayor," he would say smiling again. Aranhil had several items of business tonight with Arien, the first was the alliance. Next would come the force that would be landing upon her shores for the road, and the last would be his offer to help rebuild Rynvale.

Arien chuckled softly. “ I am not one much for the use of titles Aranhil, but if they must be used, I am the governor of the city, not the mayor, and in that capacity can accept an offer of alliance on its behalf.” The elf leaned forward, templing her fingers beneath her chin. “An alliance serves as a partnership, a give and take. It is perhaps unusual for a clan to ally a city, for while the entirety of a city’s resources brought to bear in defense of a clan is indeed a formidable thing, what might a clan actually offer such a city in return? Tis an unusual balancing act.”

Aranhil would nod in agreement, "My next order of business was just that. I wish to offer the use of my clan to assist in Rynvale's repair efforts. Also you know that the Merchants are to build a road through Rynvale. The quicker the repairs are done, the sooner your towers and fort in the Dragonlands may be completed. In the end by allying to Rynvale we offer our own protection of its land and people. In return we will ask that we are given help or perhaps material aid when it comes time to build the Head Quarters of Lithrydel's Guard, which shall of course be in the Xalious Mountains."

Emerald gaze narrowed in thoughtful assessment of the offer made. The island could never have too many men willing to stand at arms in its defense, and the elf was right about the viability of improving commerce within the territory once the work of rebuilding was completed. Ivory finger tapped gently upon the polished wood of the table’s surface. “It seems a fair agreement..However, I must be clear in one thing. I cannot commit the forces of Rynvale to your clan’s defense within the sovereign territory of another. We cannot be expected so send armies marching into the heartland in your defense for minor squabbles, or even a clan war. For this, you may call upon the Fold as needed. The city, at best, can offer you safe ground. You and yours may fall back to its borders should the need arise, and mount a stand upon our shores. It is the best that I can offer for mutuality in military alliance.” Her features were solemn as she looked upon him.

Aranhil would think over what she had said, nothing of which seemed out of place or beyond what he would have believed her to do or agree upon. He was happy however to hear that there would now be a land that they could retreat to should the need ever arise and they need to flee their home in Xalious. "That is all I would ask of you Lady Arien," he would say simple enough. "So then, do we have an agreement on both of those matters? Lithrydel's Guard allying to both The Fold and to the Isle of Rynvale?" The matter seemed to come to a near close sooner than Aranhil would have ever though it would. Perhaps it was easier that he was an old member of the Fold and left it on good terms with the leader.

Arien would speak then, making note to herself to have the agreement formalized in a contract upon a later date. “Yes, Aranhil, we have an agreement. The Order will stand by you should need arise, as will the City of Rynvale with what resources and protection it can offer in hour of need. I ask only that you be wise in your decision making, and do what you can to avoid having to call upon those resources..too often, mhmm?” The suggestion of a smile lurked upon pale lips as Arien rose to her feet, hand extended to shake upon the agreement.

Aranhil grinned, happy that his endeavor had been fruitful. "Aye Lady Arien, thanks." he would say standing as well and reaching out to shake her hand to seal the deal he would smile once more. One more milestone on the road to his clan becoming great was just achieved this night. He knew he would have to make this alliance known to his clan on the following morn. Once releasing her hand he would say still smiling, "If that is all, I believe I will be on my way and allow you to sleep before the morn sun." walking for the exit he would suddenly turn remembering another little piece of business. "Excuse me M'Lady, I just remembered, on the day that you receive my next letter, we shall most likely be bringing over our work force for the road. Many Orc and Ogre are among this force, I only wanted to make you aware." With that he would wait for a reply, and if there wasn’t one he would exit as before.

Arien slipped from her place behind the table to fall in at his side. She laughed softly at the last minute piece of information. “Well I thank you for remembering to tell me. It would have been most unnerving to see an unexplained horde marching across our flatlands. I shall alert those who need to be informed of your activity. Allow me to see you out?” And the elf would lead the way through chamber’s doors to the clearing beyond.