Chosen by the Dragon God

Chandagnac said:

"How have you been, Dorian?" you ask, trying to guide the conversation safely away from Raef's oddness. Honestly, considering that she has been a shapeshifting infiltrator for much longer than you have been alive, couldn't she have made more of an effort not to be noticed?

"I can't complain," he murmurs. "Uh… is this just a social call or was there something you wanted?"

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"I'm here to help your father," you tell him, earnestly, gazing directly at him as if to emphasize how honest and forthright you are being. Then, turning to his mother, you explain, "As well as being Dorian's friend, I'm also the Chosen of Mishrak. He's a god and one of the most gifted life mages on the planet. If anyone can heal your husband, I'm sure he can!"

Mrs. Valens looks taken aback. "I… I don't think it would be a good idea for you to move him," she says tentatively. "He is in a delicate state."

"I don't need to move him; I'll just open a portal and transport him directly to Mishrak's palace, along with his chair or bed or whatever he needs to be comfortable. You can come too!"

"Well, that's… very generous of you," she says, looking even more bewildered.

"You should ask my father," says Dorian. "He should be the one to decide if…" Instead of finishing the sentence, he stares at the wall and lets his voice trail off into silence.

It seems odd to you that anyone might choose not to be healed, especially after they've spent many years wanting to be healed and asking for help from some very peculiar people – Alikada Zinistrari of the Mystic Path, for instance – but even if the correct choice seems obvious, you suppose that Theophyllus Valens has a right to make it for himself.

"Very well," you say, giving Dorian an encouraging nod. "Take me to him, please."

He leads you into the drawing room, where an elderly bearded man is sitting in an armchair by the window, with a blanket over his knees and cushions cunningly placed around him to keep him upright.

"Father, I've brought someone to see you," says Dorian. "This is Elys. She says she might be able to help."

Theophyllus Valens is withered and wasted-looking, with brittle grey hair, spindly arms and legs, and skin like musty yellow parchment. Even the act of turning to look at you seems like too much of an effort.

"Agkh. Help with what?" he asks, coughing horribly.

"She says… she's the Chosen of Mishrak. The dragon god of the deep sea. He can cure you, she says." Dorian shifts awkwardly and scratches the back of his neck. "Uh, she's a friend of mine. She's been good to me in the past."

"Mishrak… the creator of sea monsters," murmurs Theophyllus Valens. "I don't think I would want to be a monster. No thank you."

"You don't have to be," you tell him. "You won't be. For the past decade or so, ever since he helped my parents to rescue me from evil spirits, Mishrak has taken an interest in humanity. He wants to expand his portfolio and to be known for more than just sea monsters. That's why we're working on a scholarship for pupils at the Tyrepheum Academy of the Magical Arts. And…" You take a deep breath and a moment to reorganize your thoughts. "When the Aspitis attacked, my father was grievously injured, but Mishrak healed him. Not only that, he made him look younger as well. I'm sure he could do the same for you."

Dorian's father is silent for what seems like a long time after that. You wonder if you should say something else. But then he mutters, "Why not? In the past, I've given money to some utter charlatans because they offered me hope. So why not?"

Not exactly the enthusiastic agreement you were hoping for, but at least he seems to be warming to the idea. Glancing around the room, you see Raef, Mrs. Valens, and Green Flame have followed you in here. "If you like, I'll take you to Mishrak's undersea palace so he can examine you. You won't even need to get out of your seat."

"How much will I have to pay for this treatment?" asks Theophyllus Valens, in a harshly cynical voice.

"Nothing," you assure him. "Mishrak has no need of money; he has all the wealth that has fallen to the bottom of the ocean since the beginning of time. I want to do this because Dorian is my friend and you're the father he loves. But if you insist on thinking that we must have selfish reasons for getting involved… well, I hope that it'll improve Mishrak's reputation and encourage more people to worship him. You're the beneficiary of that. Congratulations."

He closes his eyes and says, wearily, "Forgive me for being suspicious. It was wrong of me."

"I don't know what you've experienced in the past. Maybe you're right to be cautious," you say. "But please, don't assume that I'm a confidence trickster. Give me a chance to prove myself; that's all I ask."

"Very well. When do you want to do this?" he asks.

"What about now? Your family can come as well," you say.

He acquiesces. With Raef's help – actually, she does most of the work, but makes it look as if you're in charge – you open a portal to the undersea palace. Then, you move the portal so that it seems to swallow up Theophyllus Valens and the armchair he is sitting on, without him having to move.

"It's safe, isn't it?" asks Dorian, looking like he wants to rush through after his father.

You give him a nod. "Go ahead."

He does. A moment later, his mother follows him. You and Raef are about to go through as well when you hear Green Flame say, "I'll stay here and look after the house, shall I?"

"That'd be great," you say, giving her a beaming smile. "Thanks a lot!"

By the time you cross through into the undersea palace, Mishrak is already there, in human form, standing by Theophyllus's armchair and gazing at him intently. "Is there anything I should know about your medical history?" he asks.

"I've been healed so many times that I've developed a resistance to life magic," says Theophyllus, sounding as if he has just recovered from a coughing fit. "These days, none of the doctors in Tyrepheum can do anything for me."

"Ah. That will be a problem," says Mishrak, looking thoughtful. "But not, I hope, an insurmountable one."

In human form, Mishrak is a very tall bald man with acid green eyes, dressed in plain white robes. There is something unusual about the shape of his face, but you'd find it hard to describe exactly what. Anyway, it seems like the Valens family find him very impressive.

"I think this is likely to take several hours, so… I could give you a tour around the palace, if you like," you say to Dorian and his mother.

"You've already given me a tour," Dorian points out.

"I've only shown you a small part of the palace," you say. "There's a lot more you haven't seen."

Turning to Mishrak, Mrs. Valens asks, "Would it be for the best if we don't stay here and watch? I wouldn't want to distract you at a crucial moment."

"I think that would be wise," says Mishrak in a distracted tone. "I will do everything I can to heal him, but… if you stay, you may see and hear things that distress you. Instead, I recommend that you go away and try to distract yourselves, if you can."

"He will be all right, won't he?" asks Dorian, in a small voice.

"I'll be fine," says Theophyllus. "Think of it like… agkh, no different from when I've been in hospital. It's not as if you were allowed to sit around and watch the procedure any of those times, is it?"

His wife and son don't look particularly reassured, but they agree to come with you on a tour of the palace. Maybe it won't be much of a distraction, but at least they'll be somewhere else while Mishrak needs to concentrate on his work.

Before you go, you pull Raef to one side and say, "Thank you for helping me today. I appreciate it."

"No problem," she says, giving you a nod. "Just… keep practising, all right?"

---

As it happens, Dorian and his mother are too wrapped up in their own gloomy thoughts to pay much attention to your attempts to make the tour lively and interesting. Therefore, you are relieved when you come across Jana and Catharne in one of the living areas, sitting together next to a small fire. Catharne is in human form: it would have been difficult for her to get through the doorway otherwise.

"Is that an illusion?" you ask. "I feel the heat, but there's no smoke or wood-burning scent."

"Yeah. Just a little trick I learned at school," says Jana.

"Jana has been telling me a lot of stories about school," Catharne pipes up. "So I know what I've got to look forward to."

"Oh? Are you going away to school soon?" asks Mrs. Valens. "I hope you'll have a nice time."

"Thank you," says Catharne, with an awkward smile that reveals too many teeth.

"Catharne is Elys's cousin. I met her when I was here last time," Dorian explains, neatly skirting over the fact that she is Mishrak's daughter, a shapeshifting dragonling who has temporarily assumed human form; perhaps he doesn't want to alarm his mother with too much strangeness all at once.


What will Elys do next? (Choose one)
[] Ask Jana and Catharne to take care of Dorian and his mother while you go to your meeting with Gelfavar Wolfshadow of the Wranni.
-[] Go to the meeting immediately.

[] Spend more time with Jana and Catharne. Delay your meeting with Gelfavar Wolfshadow until later in the day.
-[] Go to the meeting as soon as possible after that.
OR
-[] First, do some research into Wranni history and society, with the hope of impressing Gelfavar when you meet him.
OR
-[] Visit Belle in the hospital. Apologize for not being able to bring Phil to her.
--[] Remember that she was born in Vashiira and lived most of her early life there. Therefore, she might have something relevant to say about your diplomatic mission to the Kelwe clan.
---[] Ask her to come with you to meet Gelfavar.

[] Do something else (write in).

Chandagnac said:

"Jana has been telling me a lot of stories about school," Catharne pipes up. "So I know what I've got to look forward to."

"Oh? Are you going away to school soon?" asks Mrs. Valens. "I hope you'll have a nice time."

"Thank you," says Catharne, with an awkward smile that reveals too many teeth.

"Catharne is Elys's cousin. I met her when I was here last time," Dorian explains, neatly skirting over the fact that she is Mishrak's daughter, a shapeshifting dragonling who has temporarily assumed human form; perhaps he doesn't want to alarm his mother with too much strangeness all at once.

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Apparently, Jana and Catharne spent the morning playing together while you were otherwise engaged.

"Sorry about that," you say, shifting uncomfortably. "I've been busy."

"No problem," says Jana. "You've got more important things to do." She rolls her eyes. "It's not like you're the princess of a tiny little island anymore."

"You're a princess?" asks Mrs. Valens. "As well as everything else?"

"It doesn't really matter. My parents made themselves king and queen of a tiny island you've probably never heard of," you explain. "And then, a couple of years ago, the Aspiti Empire invaded and we were forced into exile. Now, we live here, in Mishrak's palace, under the sea."

"For nearly ten months of the last year, you and I were at boarding school on the mainland," Jana points out. "It's not as if you've spent a lot of time here."

"Even so, this is my home, for now," you say. Then, you turn to Mrs. Valens and tell her, "Jana is my handmaiden and my best friend. She's like a sister to me. That's why we bicker all the time."

"I see," Mrs Valens says doubtfully. "Is that normal for Quellonians and their handmaidens?"

"Honestly, I have no idea," you reply. "I've never been normal."

"It's nearly lunchtime. Jana and I were thinking of getting something to eat," says Catharne. "Do you want to come along?"

"Why not?" you smile at her. "Let's all go."

"I'm not hungry right now," Dorian mumbles.

"It could take hours for Mishrak to finish healing your father," you warn him. "You should probably eat something. If not now, maybe a little later on?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "Well… I suppose I could nibble on something."

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," says Mrs. Valens. "Please, lead the way."

---

After you've eaten a light lunch, while Catharne is still happily munching and Dorian is staring into the depths of his bowl as if forgotten secrets might be hidden in the dregs of his soup, you say to Jana, "Well, I must be on my way. I have a meeting to go to. With Gelfavar Wolfshadow, the Wranni chieftain, you know."

"Not personally, but I wish you good luck." She smirks at you.

"Will you look after Dorian and his mother while I'm gone?"

She nods. "Yeah, I think I can be trusted with that."

"Thank you, Jana." You give her a quick hug. "You're the best."

"Tell me something I don't already know," she says with a mischievous grin.

You let go of her and then head off to prepare for your meeting with the Wranni chief.

---

First, you have to speak to one of Gelfavar's underlings, asking them to relay a message to him, politely inquiring as to whether or not he will have time to speak with you today. Then, when you have received an answer in the affirmative, you run to your mother and let her know. She wants to attend the meeting as well; ever since you asked her to help you become more diplomatic, she has been taking this new duty seriously. After that, you still have a couple of hours before the meeting is due to start, so you decide to go back to Belle in her hospital for people with badly damaged souls.

"Sorry, I couldn't bring Phil to you," you say. "His evil father is keeping him locked up at home during the summer. I thought about mounting a rescue, but… uh, I didn't want to make things worse for him."

"I'm sure you did everything you could. Thank you for letting me know," she says, giving you a wan smile.

"Hey… fairly soon, I'm meeting with Gelfavar Wolfshadow, the Wranni chieftain. He wants someone to act as a diplomat on his behalf, to visit the Kelwe clan in Vashiira and convince them to join the war. I volunteered for the job," you tell her. "I've been thinking… you were born in Vashiira, weren't you? Can you tell me anything about it? Or about the Kelwe clan?"

"Are you trying to get Vashiira to join Mishrak's coalition? Or just the Kelwe clan?" she asks, looking confused.

"It would be great to get the whole of Vashiira on our side, but I'm only going to visit the Kelwe clan."

Bellona pauses. A melancholic frown settles on her face. "I haven't been to Vashiira since I was eight years old. And I don't know much about the Kelwe clan. Anything I could tell you would be woefully out of date."

"Still, that's better than nothing." You smile encouragingly at her.

She nods. "Very well. Now, where should the story begin? I was born in Vashiira thirty-six years ago, the only child of two necromancers who had travelled across the Unbounded Ocean because they believed that the souls of the Vashiiri should be protected despite the fact that…" Her voice trails off. She shakes her head. "No, it begins much earlier than that. Many centuries ago. Have you heard of Gozraka, the dragon emperor? He founded the great empire of Tatserai by uniting the Uangots, Kityans, Kuchans, Pechengs, Songshans, Tiansheks, and various other Chamdarese tribes."

"Tatse Gozira, yes. He was Mishrak's brother."

"Different names for the same dragon." She waves a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. This story takes place more than a thousand years after his death, during the reign of one of his human successors. There was a rebellion. As usual, the rebels were fighting against political corruption, the mistreatment of the lower classes, crimes committed by the aristocracy, and so on. Also, they believed that the Necromancers' Guild had too much power and influence; some of them went so far as to demand that it should be dissolved entirely. However, in the end, the rebels were defeated. Many of them were executed because of the atrocities they had committed; the rest were exiled from the Dragon Empire. It seemed likely that most of the exiles would perish in the mountains, or the jungle, or at sea, before they could find a new home."

Bellona pauses. She takes a deep breath before continuing, "One of their leaders was visited by the goddess Shaori of the Many Wings, who promised to guide them to safety. They bought, built, or stole ships from somewhere; she blew them across the Unbounded Ocean, to the east coast of Ardenor, where they found the little village that would one day become the great city of Vashiira."

"Who lived in that village before they arrived? Was it the Kelwe clan?" you ask.

"Possibly. The land where the Tatseri exiles settled was sparsely populated, but it was considered to be part of a Wranni chiefdom." Belle gives a vaguely non-committal gesture. "Whatever the case, it is recorded that the settlers were welcomed with open arms. Possibly because the locals were vastly outnumbered and knew that they'd be slaughtered if it came to a fight. So, they showed the newcomers the best places to fish or forage for food. The settlers chopped down trees or used the wood from their boats to build new homes. Over several generations, they lived in relative peace and harmony, until the new city-state of Vashiira had grown so large and powerful that some of the Wranni chieftains in the neighbouring lands got very worried and decided to form an alliance of mutual defence, just in case. But that's another story."

She sighs dismally. "Nearly forty years ago, my parents, my uncle, and a few other necromancers decided to travel across the Unbounded Ocean to Vashiira. They felt sorry for the descendants of the former rebels who had been exiled from Tatserai and therefore didn't have any necromancers to protect their souls. Perhaps they thought they'd be welcomed, that after the passage of a few hundred years the Vashiiri would have realised how necromancers could be useful to them, or at least they'd be given the benefit of the doubt until they'd had a chance to prove themselves. But that didn't happen. My parents did their best, tried to fit in, protected Vashiira from all manner of ghoulies and ghosties and undead beasties, but… it wasn't enough. They were hated and feared because of what they were. I remember, when I was a child, the other little girls were afraid of me. Their parents had told them horrible things about me and my family. And then…"

Discomforted, you say, "You don't have to tell me this story if you don't want to. I can see that it's hard for you."

"It's nearly over. Might as well finish it," she says. "When I was seven years old, a plague passed through Vashiira. Many people died, including my parents. Perhaps they wouldn't have died if they'd been able to get better food and medical treatment, but…" She gives you a helpless look. "So, I went to live with my uncle. He was a busy man, who spent most of his time travelling between the little villages on the outskirts, selling protective spells and amulets. I travelled with him for several months until we were attacked by a group of raiders who'd destroyed one of the villages and taken the inhabitants as slaves. My uncle tried to fight and was slain. I suppose I'm lucky that they didn't kill me as well. There isn't much of a market for child slaves, or so I've been told." She wrinkles her nose in an expression of distaste. "So they put me with the other slaves. They planned to ship us to Aspitolm and find buyers for us there."

"But then you were rescued by my parents and their adventuring companions," you say, finishing the story for her.

"Yes. They killed the slavers. And, because I didn't have anywhere else to go, your parents sort of… adopted me," she says, in a whisper. "You know the rest."

What do you want Elys to do or say next?
[] Ask Bellona if you can give her a hug.
OR
[] Give Bellona a hug.
OR
[] Restrain yourself.

[] "Bellona is a Wranni name, isn't it?"
-[] "Your parents were really trying to fit in, huh?"
--[] "So, the Vashiiri have absorbed some of the language and culture of the Wranni they've lived alongside for so many years. Has that happened in reverse as well?"
---[] "These days, do the Kelwe consider themselves to be more Wranni or Vashiiri? No, I wasn't asking you, I was just thinking aloud..."

[] "Mom told me that if I want to be more diplomatic I should try to find out something about the people I'm going to meet before I get around to meeting them for the first time."
-[] "So... can you tell me anything about Gelfavar Wolfshadow?"

[] "Thank you for telling me your story. I know it was difficult, so I appreciate it. See you later."
-[] Leave. Go to meeting with Gelfavar Wolfshadow.

[] Say something else (write in).

Chandagnac said:

Discomforted, you say, "You don't have to tell me this story if you don't want to. I can see that it's hard for you."

"It's nearly over. Might as well finish it," she says. "When I was seven years old, a plague passed through Vashiira. Many people died, including my parents. Perhaps they wouldn't have died if they'd been able to get better food and medical treatment, but…" She gives you a helpless look. "So, I went to live with my uncle. He was a busy man, who spent most of his time travelling between the little villages on the outskirts, selling protective spells and amulets. I travelled with him for several months until we were attacked by a group of raiders who'd destroyed one of the villages and taken the inhabitants as slaves. My uncle tried to fight and was slain. I suppose I'm lucky that they didn't kill me as well. There isn't much of a market for child slaves, or so I've been told." She wrinkles her nose in an expression of distaste. "So they put me with the other slaves. They planned to ship us to Aspitolm and find buyers for us there."

"But then you were rescued by my parents and their adventuring companions," you say, finishing the story for her.

"Yes. They killed the slavers. And, because I didn't have anywhere else to go, your parents sort of… adopted me," she says, in a whisper. "You know the rest."

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"Would you like a hug?" you ask Bellona, holding your arms out.

"No, thank you. I'm fine," she says, as if saying it could make it so. "Don't worry about me."

"Well, if you're sure." Somewhat awkwardly, you lower your arms. "Thank you for telling me your story. I know it was difficult, so I appreciate it. I'll see you later."

Her voice echoes yours: "See you later."

You head out, on the way to your meeting with Gelfavar Wolfshadow. The large chamber in which you've agreed to meet is rather plainly functional by the standards of Mishrak's magnificent palace, which may be one of the reasons why it has frequently been used as a meeting place, first by Roylott Flawse and his advisors back when they were acting like a government-in-exile, occasionally by the Deep Ones when they've felt the need to get together in conference, and most recently by your parents and the other members of the 'War Council' when they've been trying to coordinate their efforts to defeat the forces of Aspitolm.

When you get there, your mother is waiting for you. She looks haggard and weary, almost as if she has aged several years in the past few days. It makes you uncomfortable to be reminded of how old she is, especially when you compare her to your father who looks so much younger and stronger these days. Idly, you wonder if Mishrak could rejuvenate her – but of course he could! – and, just as crucially, if she would agree to it. It scares you to think that she might not.

She gives you a fretful look and says, "It scares me to think of how quickly you're growing up. It seems like only yesterday you were a toddling child – my little girl – and now you're getting ready to go on a diplomatic mission by yourself. Did we force you to grow up too fast?"

"No," you say, truthfully. "The Aspitis did."

"Sometimes I wish you would remember that you're only twelve years old." She sighs heavily. "But… I know, I'm not helping you by saying that. Right now, you need to be ready for your mission. Is there anything I can do to help you prepare?"

"What do you know about Gelfavar Wolfshadow?" you ask.

"He is well-named," she replies. "You'll realise that when you see him."

"Why? What does he look like?"

"For some reason, his shadow is in the shape of a wolf. No matter where he is standing or how intense the light is, his shadow always looks rather wolfish."

"Oh. I assumed his nickname was… more metaphorical than that," you say, pausing mid-sentence while you search for the right words. "What else can you tell me about him?"

"Decades ago, he was a soldier in the Sambian army. He still wears the armour of one of their lord commanders, though I'm not sure if it belonged to him or if took it as a trophy from one of his defeated enemies."

"Well… I think that will have to do," you say, glancing at the clock on the wall; unless it is several minutes fast or slow, it appears that now is the time when you agreed to meet with Gelfavar Wolfshadow. "Are you coming with me?"

"If you want to become a master diplomat, you'll have to stand on your own two feet eventually," she says, an amused light in her eyes. "But… for now, while you're just starting out, I don't see why I shouldn't accompany you. If I can give you any extra guidance, I will."

"Thank you, mom," you say, stepping into the council chamber.

The Wranni chieftain, Gelfavar Wolfshadow, is waiting for you there. He is a big man, tall and muscular, but he is wiry rather than bulky, even though he is wearing the segmented armour of a Sambian lord commander. Also, despite his size, you sense that there is something curiously insubstantial about him. It is as if he is an illusion, or an image cunningly reflected on a series of mirrors. Is that because the light seems to bend around him, turning his shadow into the vague shape of a snarling wolf, or is there some other reason? Has he been cursed by some god, witch, or evil spirit? Or is he a werewolf like your mother's friend, Hrolmar? As far as you can remember, there was nothing abnormal about Hrolmar's shadow, but…

Fixing your gaze on Gelfavar, you scan him for wolfish traits. You notice that his ears are pointed, his canine teeth are abnormally long – but only a little – and his hazel-brown eyes have flecks of yellow in them. His dark grey hair and beard have been neatly trimmed, but you suspect that they would rapidly grow out of control if he didn't make an effort to regulate them.

"Good afternoon, Princess Elys," he greets you. Then, when your mother follows you through the door, he adds, "And good afternoon to you as well, Queen Yslena."

"Yes, good afternoon," you reply. "I hope that you are well and that the forces under your command will continue to win many victories against the Aspitis."

He gives you an approving nod. "Well, that's what we're here to discuss. Perhaps you can help with that." There is a pause, during which he takes a deep breath and puts on a contemplative look. "To be honest, you wouldn't be my first choice as an ambassador. I'd much prefer to go myself, but my people have been stretched thin recently and I need to be here to lead them. Besides, you are the Chosen of Mishrak. That gives you a certain prestige, even if you are very young. Also, if I send you, it will signify to anyone who is paying attention that the various members of this coalition are working together as a unified entity and not as a collection of disparate factions who just happen to have a common goal, at least for now. That should get them to sit up and take notice, I reckon."

"For what purpose?" asks your mother.

"The coalition is still growing, but… one of the problems we've got is that many of the nations on either side of the Sea of Squalls – even the ones who have good reason to hate Aspitolm – don't want to join because they are not taking us seriously. Since Rivayne joined, that's less of a problem, but the Rivayni aren't good sailors. With time and experience, they'll get better, but time is not on our side." He gives his head a little shake. "We need reinforcements. That's why it's important that we appear to be unified, work competently together and achieve as many victories as bloodlessly as possible, so that new allies will take the risk of joining us. Starting with the Kelwe clan, I hope."

"Tell me about them," you say.

"Their clan chief is Erion Stormcrow. His wife is known as 'Ilona the Mourning Dove'. They're second cousins, I believe, although it's probably best if you don't go on about that. They have three young children: two little boys, Erri and Rurik, and a baby girl named Cerianna."

"Why do they have bird-related nicknames?" you ask.

"They're worshippers of Shaori the Many-Winged Goddess," Gelfavar informs you. "At least, she's the most important god in their family's pantheon. I suppose that's a sign of how much they've integrated with the Vashiiri."

"In that case, do they still consider themselves to be Wranni?" you ask.

There is another pause. "I don't know," Gelfavar says at last. "Our family is large and has spread all over the world, even to Chamdara – we still consider the Yusani, the last surviving descendants of Teryn's tribe, to be Wranni – but there are many others who've forgotten how many of their ancestors were Wranni. Even you, probably. Do you know how many Wranni fought alongside the Queli at the battle of the Taronian Fields? And how many settled down and intermarried with the Queli afterwards? I'd wager that you have at least a few Wranni ancestors."

"I've looked at my family tree a few times," says your mother. "I know that we have several Wranni ancestors. The daughters of clan chiefs, most of them."

"Well, there you are," says Gelfavar, with a dismissive wave. "But do you care? Probably not. And it's possible that the Kelwe don't care anymore either. Still, the fact that they keep themselves to their own 'clan compound' separate from the rest of Vashiira suggests that they're not fully integrated. Maybe they still remember their kin."

"What should I say to the Kelwe?" you ask. "How can I persuade them to join our coalition?"

"These days, the Kelwe make their money as merchants, but they still know how to fight; their ships tend to be well-armed. Even though Aspitolm is the richest merchant city hereabouts, the Kelwe refuse to do business with them because the Aspitis are heavily involved in piracy and the slave trade. Numerous unlucky members of the Kelwe clan have ended up being sold in the markets in Aspitolm. Plenty of grudges need to be settled. Remind them of that. Also, if we win the war against Aspitolm, we'll have got rid of one of their main trade rivals and given them an opportunity to make fabulous profits, at least in the short term, until things settle down again. And, I suppose, if all else fails…" Gelfavar looks uneasy, but presses on. "Mishrak has been paying to keep us fed and supplied, for which I am grateful. It's possible that the Kelwe might demand a cash payment before they'll agree to join us. Or you could make them an offer, I suppose. Personally, I hope that you can persuade the Kelwe to join us without offering them monetary rewards for doing so, but… that'll be up to you. If you're going to lead this diplomatic mission, you'll have to make some of these decisions for yourself."

Now, it is your turn to pause, thinking about the information he has given you. What else do you need to know? What do you want to ask him while you have the chance?

---

So yeah, any questions? (Choose as many options as make sense)
[] "Tell me more about the Kelwe clan."
-[] Write in: what specific questions do you have about the Kelwe clan?

[] "Tell me more about the Wranni."
-[] Write in: what specific questions do you have about the Wranni?

[] "Hey, if I have Wranni ancestors, does that mean I'm part of your extended family?"
-[] "May I call you 'cousin'?"

[] "Tell me more about yourself."
-[] "Why does your shadow look like a snarling wolf?"
-[] "Are you a werewolf?"
-[] "Do you know Hrolmar the Wolf?"
-[] "You used to be a soldier in the Sambian Imperial Legion, didn't you? Tell me about that."
-[] "Did most of the Wranni under your command used to live in the Sambian Empire?"
--[] "It seems to me that the Kelwe are from a different branch of the Wranni 'family'. You came from Sambia whereas they have become integrated with Vashiira. Will that make a difference?"
-[] "Are you married? Do you have any children of your own?"
-[] "I'm sorry, I don't speak the Wranni language. What does 'Gelfavar' mean?"
-[] "What did they call you before you were known as 'Wolfshadow'?"

[] "Do you think we will win the war against Aspitolm?"
-[] "Are there any other potential allies you think we should try to recruit?"

[] "What do you think of Mishrak?"

[] Write in: what else do you want to talk about?