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[MadMonkey]

D because exclamation points.

[TricMagic]

A: No need to move. Though note that he should do his part to get rid of rouges in his seas if he expects such a trade to continue.

[Maximum Spin]

A

[Glass]

A: No need to move. Though note that he should do his part to get rid of rouges in his seas if he expects such a trade to continue.

+1

[Superdorf]

"Let the shipcaptain speak with me here," you say. "Bring our pirate captives in from the jails, and the skull from the gibbet. Keep them ready in the wings, for now." Ervin gives orders to his guards, and departs to fetch your visitor.


A few minutes later, a tall man in flamboyant velvet strides into your hall: a falchion and buckler at his belt, and a short-sleeved maille shirt under his jacket. Six men flank him, armed in similar fashion. Behind the pirates, Ervin keeps watch with three of his guards.

The chief pirate bows when he reaches the edge of the pit before your dais, doffing his feathered hat… he rises, grinning. "Lady ZENDRAKIEL, your captain of the guard has mentioned your name already - you're well respected here, it seems, and rightly so! I am Trovan, shipcaptain and spokesman under Gæginas, who is king of merchants on the Arran Sea. We have been a friend of your city for some thirty years now, and wish to pay our respects to the new baronness… and perhaps, to learn where matters stand with her." Trovan's grin fades to a hungry smirk.

You already hate this man.

A) "Well met." (diplomatic discourse)
B) "What do you want?" (tactless, straight to the point)
C) "Get out." (intimidation)
D) You know what, I really want to kill this man and his goons after all.

[Glass]

B

[Devastator]

A, but be agressive.

We can be polite, but we have been wronged by pirates, and should make that clear.

[Maximum Spin]

D

[Glass]

A, but be aggressive.

We can be polite, but we have been wronged by pirates, and should make that clear.

Sure, why not. +1

[Superdorf]

"...well met, Trovan of Gæginas," you murmur, a subtle sibilance laid over your words. You rise slightly to stare down the newcomers; two of the pirates step back despite themselves. "I must admit, we hold little welcome in our hearts for seafaring strangers at this time. It is just this past winter we were attacked, you see, by pirates: cruel, heartless men." You let a little hurt creep into your voice. "What was I to do? I gave chase, of course… found them easily enough. Their captain was dressed rather like you, can you imagine that?" You lean forward, locking eyes with the velvet-clad man.

"I slew him myself."

6

Trovan's eyes widen in barely-concealed alarm, and he hastily drops to one knee. "Hsst!" he says to his bodyguards, and staggering, they follow suit.

"Forgive my impertinence, lady ZENDRAKIEL," says Trovan. "And understand, my visit here is no coincidence. Some hours after you killed that pirate, one of our ships chanced across an underling of his: a survivor you cast into the water, who, being a child of Gost, swam clear of the corpses of his fellows. We questioned him, and learned everything. Gæginas Merchant-King thought it best that I pay your city an early visit."

"Gæginas has been here before, then, has he not?" you hiss. "Yes, I know he consulted with the old Baron. What was their business, that you should be so concerned for the health of my city?"

"Ah… protection, lady," says Trovan, with that hungry grin again. "Gaeginas, you see, has some sway over the less savory elements of the Arran Sea. He cannot destroy piracy in these waters entirely, but for a modest fee, he can nudge such evils away from a town like yours. Baron Harthy was wise, and made ample use of Gaeginas' services. In exchange, the Baron paid only a few fish each year: provisions for our vessels."

4

"He was a fool, then," you snap. "Where was your protection when my people were slaughtered?"

"That would be the question," says Trovan, with an exaggerated sigh. "This winter's attack was unacceptable. We will not ask tribute from your people this fall for our service, and we will continue to defend you from marauders until that time. I will return after the smoking festival, and we will discuss a renewal of our pact… unless, of course, you would like to do so now." He raises an eyebrow expectantly.

A) Sure, let's negotiate.
B) No thanks; goodbye. (diplomatic dismissal)
C) Get out. (intimidation)
D) His guard is down; let's gut him!

...

4

Despite the man's honeyed words, all these half-truths are beginning to irritate you.
E) You're not telling me everything. (intimidation+)

[Devastator]

E

[Fluffe9911]

E

[King Zultan]

E

[Glass]

E

[Kashyyk]

E - When offered an advanced action, you gotta do it