The royal courier reaches the muster yard with the sealed answer and ledger held beneath one arm. Laden wagons stand ready, their pack beasts shifting quietly in harness.
Seressa remains beside Titano as assigned guards gather around the wagons. Their spears rest peacefully, but their attention stays fixed on the commander.
The Royal Courier
The queen’s answer is sealed, recorded, and ready for the Valley. I have also copied the assurances concerning safe passage and lawful exchange.
The Guard Captain
Commander, what customs should we observe at your brother’s court? Do we bow, present weapons, or wait for the valley guards to direct us?
Seressa
And what welcome should greet the new chief? Formal ceremony, a family greeting, or both? Your answer will shape how every guard approaches him.
Another guard, a young adult stegosaur man with a broad build, silver-gray scales, and dark-blue armor glances toward the loaded wagons, then back to Titano’s towering frame. The questions remain practical, but their careful phrasing makes the test plain.
The Guard Captain
We trust your judgment beyond Ithaca’s walls, Commander. Tell us the discipline expected, and we will carry your order without adding our own customs.
“I instruct the delegation in Valley customs”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
volcanon
At my brother’s court, bow only when the valley guards or the chief calls for it. Keep weapons sheathed, visible, and untouched unless ordered otherwise.
volcanon
Present Ithaca’s gifts with both hands. Address him first as chief, then greet him as family when ceremony allows. Do not mistake silence for insult.
The delegation listens without interruption. Around them, harness rings softly and the waiting beasts settle, while the guards absorb each distinction as a matter of duty.
The Guard Captain
We will follow the valley’s lead, keep our arms peace-bound, and let you mark the moment when duty may become family.
volcanon
No guard speaks over a valley elder or challenges a custom before asking its meaning. We answer plainly, accept hospitality with gratitude, and offer the same respect in return.
Seressa
That gives them a strong path between two honors. Ithaca will arrive neither humbled nor domineering, but ready to listen.
The Royal Courier
I will add these customs to the delegation record. Every guard now knows how to carry Ithaca’s authority without mistaking it for command over the valley.
“I lead the delegation toward the Valley”
SUCCESS (Fair Agility, rolled +1)
Titano leads the delegation east along the old road, setting a steady pace between the wagons while Seressa and the guards keep formation behind him. The Valley’s distant ridges grow larger beneath the afternoon sun.
At a broken switchback, Titano shifts his immense weight to guide the wagons around a loose shelf of stone. His foot slips, and a jagged edge scrapes his outer calf before he regains the road.
The Guard Captain
The wagons are sound, Commander. We can continue.
The delegation passes through the final mountain cleft and enters the Valley of Titans. Vast terraces descend toward a fortified settlement, where high banners stir above stone halls built for giant kin.
Seressa
There it is. Your brother’s valley, and the court that awaits Ithaca’s answer.
The Royal Courier
The sealed reply remains dry and unbroken. I will enter the arrival in the record exactly as witnessed.
Ahead, valley guards raise their standards in recognition. Titano brings the delegation beneath the gate, his calf marked by the journey but the wagons, gifts, and royal message safely arrived.
“let me just clarify this, I will not be addressing my brother as chief, I will address him as my brother. i say as we continue our journey”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
volcanon
I will not address my brother as chief. When ceremony permits, I will address him as my brother.
Titano’s deep voice carries along the road without breaking the delegation’s measured pace. The wagons roll beneath the valley banners as the guards listen.
The Guard Captain
Understood, Commander. We will give the chief his proper honors in ceremony, then follow your lead when family may speak.
Seressa
That is clear enough for any court. You will honor the office when required, but you will not let the office stand between brothers.
The Royal Courier
I will amend the delegation record. Commander Titano will address the valley’s ruler by family title when ceremony allows, without diminishing his authority.
The guards adjust their understanding without protest. Ahead, the valley gate opens wider, and figures on the terraces lower their standards in formal welcome.
The Guard Captain
Then we will wait for your signal, Commander. Until that moment, we arrive as Ithaca’s disciplined delegation and speak only where custom permits.
“and don't be surprised if you see men fighting, its a big sport around here”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
volcanon
Do not be surprised if you see men fighting here. Fighting is a great sport in the Valley.
Titano’s warning rolls beneath the gatehouse, carried toward the terraces and the waiting standards. The delegation keeps its measured formation as the valley watches them enter.
The Guard Captain
We will not mistake sport for disorder, Commander. Our weapons remain sheathed, and we will observe before judging what we see.
Seressa
Then Ithaca will arrive prepared for a custom unfamiliar to its court. We can respect a contest without allowing celebration to become insult.
The Royal Courier
I will add the warning to the record, with the distinction between sanctioned contests and unlawful violence clearly preserved.
Beyond the gate, a deep rhythmic thunder rises from a broad stone arena. Crowds gather along its stepped walls, their voices swelling as two distant figures enter the marked ground.
The Guard Captain
Your warning was timely, Commander. The valley is already showing us what its people celebrate.
“i walk up to a guard and ask where we can find the new cheif”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Titano steps from the delegation’s formation toward a valley guard beneath the open gate. His immense shadow crosses the carved stones as the watching crowd quiets around him.
volcanon
Where can we find the new chief?
The Guard Captain
Chief Arveth is in the high hall, Commander. The western stair rises directly from this gate court.
The guard captain turns and raises his spear toward a broad stairway climbing between carved pillars. Banners bearing the valley’s tusked emblem hang above the ascent.
The Guard Captain
He receives the first contests from the upper gallery, but he will come down for you. Your arrival was announced before the gates opened.
Seressa
Then we know where to go, and the chief already knows whom he is welcoming. Ithaca’s delegation need not wait outside.
The captain clears the path toward the western stair. Guards fall into respectful positions, leaving Titano, Seressa, and the delegation a direct route to the high hall.
“I ask the courier to announce Ithaca formally”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
volcanon
Courier, announce Ithaca formally before we enter the high hall.
The royal courier steps ahead, opens her ledger, and raises the sealed answer beneath the valley banners. Her voice carries up the western stair.
The Royal Courier
Hear the formal arrival of Ithaca’s delegation. By authority of the stegosaur queen, Commander Titano comes under royal protection, bearing gifts and a sealed answer for Chief Arveth.
The gate guards, two adult stegosaur men with broad builds, silver-gray scales, long reptilian faces, dark-blue armor, and square shields, strike spear-butts against stone in measured acknowledgment. Seressa inclines her head, while the delegation keeps its weapons sheathed and its formation intact.
The Royal Courier
Ithaca seeks friendship, lawful exchange, and safe passage between our peoples. Its commander arrives as envoy to the Valley and as brother to its chief.
The announcement reaches the upper gallery and the arena beyond. Movement gathers above, and a broad figure in dark ceremonial bands appears between the carved pillars.
Arveth
Let the delegation ascend. The Valley hears Ithaca’s greeting, and I will receive my brother beneath both banners.
✓ Quest Accepted
Be received by Chief Arveth beneath both banners
“I ascend the western stair to greet Chief Arveth beneath both banners.”
FAILURE (Fair Agility, rolled -2)
“I ascend the western stair to greet Chief Arveth beneath both banners.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Titano ascends the western stair, each measured step resonating through the carved pillars. Beneath the Valley’s tusked banners and Ithaca’s royal standard, he reaches the high gallery.
Arveth stands waiting there, a massive adult Argentinosaurus man with charcoal scales, a pale throat, and a broad ceremonial mantle clasped over dark bands.
volcanon
Chief Arveth.
Titano bows his long neck beneath both banners, lowering himself only as much as courtesy requires. Behind him, Ithaca’s delegation remains orderly, weapons sheathed and gifts secured.
Arveth
My brother, rise. You bring Ithaca’s honor beneath our banners, and the Valley receives it in good faith.
Arveth
Come beside me. Let the court see that chief and commander stand together, not as rivals, but as kin and hosts.
Arveth extends one broad hand toward the space beside him. The surrounding guards lower their spears, and the gallery’s attention settles into respectful silence as Titano is welcomed openly.
Quest Complete
Be received by Chief Arveth beneath both banners