The Tumerok Encounter

*ahem*

If Zeiss and Kolson wish to communicate directly with the Tumerok, they have a method of doing so. All they'll need is for them to agree to the procedure. If asked, they will alleviate concerns, as it is a purely out-patient type deal with no pain and little time.

"While a generous offer my new friends, that isn't quite what we meant.

You seem to have certain procedures that you follow in making contracts and in how you interact with those seeking to do so; I think we understand the why, as we also have procedures with our contracts, but there's a lot more that goes into it than just listing what we want until someone says yes. How can we make the best contract with an imperfect understanding? Answer our questions, let us understand in our own way, and then we'll propose our contract.

Is that sufficient clarification?"

There is another significant pause before one of them states out loud that you can state your questions and demands.

"We know your people as the Tumerok but you only agreed to that name after we mentioned it. Do you have other names and what do you call yourselves?"

"Could you explain why the Tumerok arrived on this continent, thirty years ago, and why they occupied the territory what was once considered ours?"

"What happened to all the inhabitants that once lived here, on the territory now occupied by the 'Tumerok'? Are they all dead? If so, why?"

"Have the Tumerok gone to Vessayen Lassel, or Aphus Lassel?" Give them a general description of the location of those islands, which are fixed on the Ley Lines of Earth and Fire.

"Have you ever heard of the Vyeotians, and are you connected to them?"

"What is the purpose behind the contracts, and how exactly do we prepare one? Let's say, for an exchange of resources, or territory?"

"This direct method of communication with the Tumerok; could you describe what it is, how it would feel like for us, how it would change us, and what would be the aftereffects, if there are any? Is it a permanent procedure?"

"We know your people as the Tumerok but you only agreed to that name after we mentioned it. Do you have other names and what do you call yourselves?"
"We each have a name, of course. We are the Tumerok, of the Tumeroks." If pressed they can give individual names.

"Could you explain why the Tumerok arrived on this continent, thirty years ago, and why they occupied the territory what was once considered ours?"
"We were contracted to conquer this land, that we might have our own."

"What happened to all the inhabitants that once lived here, on the territory now occupied by the 'Tumerok'? Are they all dead? If so, why?"
"Most fled. Those who did not died."

"Have the Tumerok gone to Vessayen Lassel, or Aphus Lassel?" Give them a general description of the location of those islands, which are fixed on the Ley Lines of Earth and Fire.
"Yes."

"Have you ever heard of the Vyeotians, and are you connected to them?"
"The Vyeotians are our contractors."

"What is the purpose behind the contracts, and how exactly do we prepare one? Let's say, for an exchange of resources, or territory?"
"You would demand of us, and then offer in return equal value."

"This direct method of communication with the Tumerok; could you describe what it is, how it would feel like for us, how it would change us, and what would be the aftereffects, if there are any? Is it a permanent procedure?"
"It is a permanent procedure, yes. It should not change you that we are aware, aside from the new pieces of you."

OOC:

Zeiss and Kolson look at each other with a knowing glance.

"...What are your policies regarding the number of contractors you have? For example, would it be possible for me and my companion to become your exclusive contractors for a determined period of time? And what if two contractors' goals are opposed to each other?”

“Are you allowed to divulge information about your other contracts? If so, what did the Vyeotians contract you to do, and for how long?”

“What exactly are the Vyeotians?”

“How did the Vyeotians come into contact with the Tumerok?”

“Do you have, or had, any other contractors beside the Vyeotians?”

Kolson asks his own question, with all the diplomatic flair he can musters.

"When you took the contract from the Vyeotians, you pushed the humans to the verge of extinction. Our people would describe that as an evil act. What are your justifications for doing that?"

...What are your policies regarding the number of contractors you have? For example, would it be possible for me and my companion to become your exclusive contractors for a determined period of time? And what if two contractors' goals are opposed to each other?”
There is a very long pause after this.  "We do not know."

“Are you allowed to divulge information about your other contracts? If so, what did the Vyeotians contract you to do, and for how long?”
Our contract with the Vyeotians was to serve them.  In exchange, we were Augmented, given resources, and given a land to conquer."

“What exactly are the Vyeotians?”
This answer comes quickly.  "We do not know.  Though they are quite powerful."

“How did the Vyeotians come into contact with the Tumerok?”
"Many years ago, we were with the other Tumeroks on our great home of Marae Lassel.  The Vyeotians later explained, though we do not understand the specifics, but they somehow were able to penetrate the barriers around the island and sent messages in, seeing if anyone was there.  Those of us who were curious and adventurous followed the messages, and found the Vyeotians.  They treated us well, as guests, and introduced new ideas and concepts to us.  They offered us a contract, though they had to explain what that meant of course."

“Do you have, or had, any other contractors beside the Vyeotians?”
An immediate response.  "No."

Kolson asks his own question, with all the diplomatic flair he can musters.

"When you took the contract from the Vyeotians, you pushed the humans to the verge of extinction. Our people would describe that as an evil act. What are your justifications for doing that?"
There is confusion at this.  "The Humans are not on the verge of extinction, nor anything else.  They are flourishing under the care of the Vyeotians."

"Did you want to conquer this land? Or was that the Vyeotians' desire?" asks Kolson.

"How can the Vyeotians give you land to conquer which they didn't own to begin with?"

"Who has enslaved the humans of Vessayen Lassels, and attacked the inhabitants of Aphus Lassel?" asks Zeiss.

We then share the stories from the human refugees who were forced into servitude without anything of equal value given to them in return.

"What do you think about the fate of those humans who were driven away from their homes?"

"Please elaborate on how are the humans flourishing under the care of the Vyeotians."

"Do you know what happened to the humans and tuskers from Aphus Lassel?"

"Besides the Tumeroks, who else serves the Vyeotians?"

"Do the Vyeotians control any kind of territory? "

"Did you want to conquer this land? Or was that the Vyeotians' desire?" asks Kolson.
"We wanted a land of our own."

"How can the Vyeotians give you land to conquer which they didn't own to begin with?"
"They gave us the information and lead us into battle."

"Who has enslaved the humans of Vessayen Lassels, and attacked the inhabitants of Aphus Lassel?" asks Zeiss.
"The Humans were never enslaved, but in both cases we did so. Both Lassels were listed by the Vyeotians as immensely valuable, and needed to be taken as soon as they were found."

We then share the stories from the human refugees who were forced into servitude without anything of equal value given to them in return.

"What do you think about the fate of those humans who were driven away from their homes?"
"The Humans who now have better homes than they ever could? All the races should be so grateful."

"Please elaborate on how are the humans flourishing under the care of the Vyeotians."
"They are given all they want now in their new home. Food, protection, luxuries, comfort, work. And of course they will be offered the same gifts all Vyeotians enjoy."

"Do you know what happened to the humans and tuskers from Aphus Lassel?"
A pause. "The Humans are with the others, in their new home. The Tuskers were offered a contract similar to ours, though we do not know the terms of it, we know that they are now in the service of the Vyeotians in our place."

"Besides the Tumeroks, who else serves the Vyeotians?"
For the first time you get the impression of humor. "Everyone."

"Do the Vyeotians control any kind of territory? "
"No. The Vyeotians do not need to hold territory, for they can operate everywhere."

"Could you define 'enslavement', and please explain explain how this term does not apply to the humans who are still on Vessayen Lassel, and reported by some of the refugees and the Olthoi to be forced to build some kind of machinery?"

"What do you think about the humans left on Vessayen Lassel?"

"What are the humans on Vessayen Lassel building?"

"Are there any non-augmented Tumeroks left on Marae Lassel? Or are they all augmented?"

"Have the Vyeotians installed any 'augmentation' preventing you from working against them, in the unlikely case you so desired to do so?"

"Do the Vyeotians have any notable enemies who are working against their agenda, be they unaware or not of their existence? Or have the Vyeotians successfully stamped them all out?"

"What kind of gifts will the humans be given?"

"Where is the new home of the humans?"

"Where all the Tuskers now, and do you know where they might be 'deployed' next?"

"Why have the Vyeotians eliminated the middle managers from the old Undermarket?"

"You speak highly of the Vyeotians. With that kind of reputation, why are they so secretive about their existence?"

"The Tumeroks wanted a land of their own. What do you want now?"

"Could you define 'enslavement', and please explain explain how this term does not apply to the humans who are still on Vessayen Lassel, and reported by some of the refugees and the Olthoi to be forced to build some kind of machinery?"

"What do you think about the humans left on Vessayen Lassel?"

"What are the humans on Vessayen Lassel building?"
There is a notable tone of being upset, and you get the impression they're getting tired of the Q&A. "We know what the word 'enslavement' means, Elf. But your questions are misinformed or deliberately deceptive; there are no Humans on Vesayen Lassel, nor have there been for some time."

"Are there any non-augmented Tumeroks left on Marae Lassel? Or are they all augmented?"
"We do not know."

"Have the Vyeotians installed any 'augmentation' preventing you from working against them, in the unlikely case you so desired to do so?"
"We do not know."

"Do the Vyeotians have any notable enemies who are working against their agenda, be they unaware or not of their existence? Or have the Vyeotians successfully stamped them all out?"
"Only fools would oppose the Vyeotians, but to our knowledge their only major enemies are long gone."

"What kind of gifts will the humans be given?"
"Gifts of power and form, of course."

"Where is the new home of the humans?"
"We do not know."

"Where all the Tuskers now, and do you know where they might be 'deployed' next?"
"We do not know."

"Why have the Vyeotians eliminated the middle managers from the old Undermarket?"
A pause. "What is the Undermarket?"

"You speak highly of the Vyeotians. With that kind of reputation, why are they so secretive about their existence?"
"We do not know."

"The Tumeroks wanted a land of their own. What do you want now?"
"To live our lives, of course."

Zeiss takes note of their irritation.

"One last question. Are the Tuskers aware of your affiliation with the Vyeotians?"

If the answer is "No," or "We do not know", Zeiss will pursue with this.

"Thank you for answering our questions. So you have now been freed from your contract since it has been fulfilled, correct?" he asks rhetorically. "And now, you want to live your lives in peace. However, how do you plan to defend yourselves from the Tuskers when their own contract is fulfilled? You just told us the Vyeotians have given them a contract similar to yours, and from what my companion told me of their natural size, they should become even deadlier than the Tumeroks once they are augmented."

He pauses to gauge their reaction. If they object to this possibility, he will follow with, "But you took what was theirs, and from where we come from, if someone steal something that is ours, we take it back, with force if necessary. There's also the matter of the other nations, who will probably express desire to join the Tuskers in their fight to take back what is theirs, since the Tumeroks have also taken territory from them. This appears to be too much for what your military power can handle. I am afraid to inform you that you are facing extinction."

OOC:

OOC:

There is the impression of amusement. "Why would the Tuskers not be aware of our former service?" At Zeiss's second comment, he responds, "Yes the Tuskers make very dangerous augmented, as is the design." Then Zeiss tries to lie to them horribly, and some dice are rolled. There is a pause after that. "I am afraid you are mistaken. The other nations have no power to defeat us. They have tried many times, and never even made it past the automated defenses. And the Tuskers are too busy serving their contract. And, once completed, they will move on to the new land they were promised up high."
"Enough." One of the giant golems that has not spoken yet steps forward. "We have entertained these small creatures long enough, we must decide if they will be executed like all the others or if they will be allowed to speak on our behalf to the other nations."
"It would be easier to trust them if we could speak to them directly," one of them pointedly states, and waits for a reaction from the two.

OOC:

"Well, first forgive me for making assumptions," says Zeiss. "It is now clear to me that I shouldn't have shared my personal impressions, as it was only an attempt for us to build consensus. It's a thing we tend to do, but I will refrain of doing so from now on, unless asked."

Then, onto the next matter.

"It would certainly be easier to trust us if at least one of us went through the procedure," agrees Zeiss. "However, let me point out that the other nations might be more eager to interact with the Tumeroks if their representatives are not augmented, for augmentations of any kind could be potentially detected, and instill suspicion. It is much easier for them to interact with something they fully understand."

We await their judgment.

OOC:

There is another lengthy, pregnant pause. "Very well. We will consult the Tumerok regarding what to do with your intrusion."

After this things go silent for a while.

We pet our pokemon, and keep waiting for their judgment. Zeiss and Kolson share a few last words, in case this does take a turn for the ugly.

OOC: