Kchhhk... Kchkk. Calling all Investigators. Come in Investigators... This place is full of ninjas.

[willyousee]

Well. This is certainly different. This is Alcuin, and I appear to be in a place called Suzuki Village in the near center of the peninsula. Will all those who can hear this please speak up with their name and location? I have a map with me and may be able to assist in guiding you if you need assistance.

Those of us who have arrived here appear to be traders or pirates of sorts. Which does not seem to alarm the inhabitants of the town in the slightest. This appears to be a regular occurrence.

Has anyone learned anything concerning a summit of sorts happening in Suzuki? What it might be about and how one might gain entrance?

Comments

[heartofmetal]

Lord...?

[That's a strange way of addressing someone you just met. Though there are more important things than get stuck in that.]

That's right on the positions and from what I've seen so far, it looks like they might be gathering an army of sorts. They're testing fighting abilities of the new recruits.

[willyousee]

Your pardon. It is meant as a term of respect, as I am unfamiliar with whether or not you hold a title yourself. [Yes he has had to explain this before. Why do you ask?]

An army? Is there any indication of whom they might be sending them to fight against?

[heartofmetal]

Huh. Well, you don't have to call me that. Just Ed is fine.

[They're all travelers here. No need for that.]

I heard someone mumble it would be an honor to protect the village from the rest of the peninsula, but... it feels like they're planning something bigger.

[willyousee]

[...He rather expects that by now, but it does not cease to be utterly strange to him.]

From the rest of the peninsula... That is odd. These are not large areas. They cannot have grand armies. And each has coastline. The mountainous regions might have a harder time with foodstuffs, but still. Hm. There may be something larger - or smaller - at work, depending on the local governmental structures. Interesting. Economic or political...

[He lapses silent a moment but the wheels are obviously still turning rapidly.]

If I may, what do you mean it feels like they are planning something bigger? Bigger how?

[heartofmetal]

[The points Alcuin thinks about are mostly things that Ed has had in his mind recently as well. Something was definitely odd here.]

It's the atmosphere and the way they test the troops so seriously. It feels as if they might be planning on going on a war, but maybe not with the rest of the peninsula...

[willyousee]

[They rely on the pirates for trade, and the only thing on the other side of that barrier wall is--]

.....If they intend to fight the Empire, they will have to band together or they will fall. And quickly. And if that is why we are here, we must decide if we are to keep them divided or aid them in their goals.

[heartofmetal]

I would rather stop the fighting all together. A lot of lives are at stake here.

[willyousee]

I agree, but in order to do that we will need a lot more information and credibility with the people.

[heartofmetal]

True. Well, I will try to get as much information as I can on this end.