Act 9 - Chimera Cove

[Muskrat]

Dreams waits to see how Nate's gambit works. If they could trick Poltur, that would certainly be to their advantage.

[Grimbold]

Torias also waits for the man's answer.

[Vardaen]

OOC

Poltur looks like Roderick from S&S if you ask me

Polutr tilts his head and listens to Nate's word. "Monsters? Yes, oh have you cleared them out then from the entrance chamber? I have been trapped down here, unable to escape while they guarded the entrance. Come, join me on the ship, if what you say is true then I can gather my things and finally be free of this place. Come." He motions for you to join and heads further up the gang plank onto the main deck of the ship.

[Muskrat]

In Dreams' mind, it's an open question whether they've duped Poltur or Poltur thinks that he's duped them. Nevertheless, they wanted to get on board the ship, so either way, their goal was met. She says, "We would be happy to join you." With a bow, she adds, "Folk call me Dreams."

[ManWithDoor]

The former army man just nods in agreement, walking up the gangplank to board the ship. He stays right there once he's aboard, staying as a lookout rather than chancing them all going below-decks and getting backstabbed. "Sorry to hear that you were trapped here by the monsters. You lucked out to a certain extent, as they did a number on the townsfolk." He shudders at the recent memory of the peasant being 'taken over' by the Thrull. Nasty business.

[Vardaen]

"Did a number on them? Do tell?" Poltur makes way as you close the gap from cliff to gangplank then stride up onto the ship.

No one is fooling anyone here.

You are bluffing him, he's bluffing you. Yet there is a level of politeness going on, and so you continue the charade for a while.

You keep your distance from him, railing to railing, leaning and looking comfortable. "Dreams is it? I am Poltur, trapped by the creatures. I have a few things left to collect down in the captain's quarters." He smiles, "I decided I would sleep in style if I was trapped here. You are just in time I was starting to run low on food. Tell me what brings you down here?"

[ManWithDoor]

The former soldier finds this situation oddly reassuring. They're both lying to each other, but they also are mutually aware of the lies. It's like it socially cancels out somehow to make a form of Honesty. The words said are bullshit, but it kind of feels like a duel between gentlemen. The feints and and thrusts meant to deceive and create an opening are simply the tactics employed by both sides, with the ultimately goal to wound or kill. But throughout there is mutual respect of the other person, and a part of the mind doesn't want the moment to end so the game may continue longer.

"Sorry to hear of your capture and rough treatment by the monsters, friend Poltur. As we said, the creatures had collected all the villagers, I assume to eventually eat them. They weren't exactly talkative. The villagers said there were more of them out here, perhaps a Hive of sorts, or at least a leader giving orders. Can't let that sort of thing lie unaddressed. Who knows, they might show up to my home town some day to eat them too. Don't want that."

As the 'captive' moves towards the possible location of the captain's quarters, Nate smiles. "Oh you must need assistance in getting all of your belongings off of your fine ship. We would have to insist, as gentlemen, to stick by your side with helping hands. For honors' sake we could not do less." Nate has no interest in letting the man out of their sight for a moment, especially if more of the Thrulls are below-decks, or perhaps signaling devices to alert of intruders.

[Muskrat]

Dreams is distinctly uncomfortable with this situation of mutually trading lies everyone knows are lies. She simply holds her tongue, as Nate is handling the situation much better than she could do. And, if they are lucky, Poltur will slip and reveal something. If nothing else, they have found him and gotten on his ship--though Dreams suspects he has his own defenses aboard. Else why would he have let them on?

[Vardaen]

He looks aghast at the mention of eating the villagers, "Eat them? Oh how foul, do such creatures eat people?" You can see he's considering if that's the case or not, for real, he may have never considered that might happen.

When talk of going below deck starts, "Oh I could never put you out like that. No no I can go and gather things myself. Well, I suppose I could a hand, I wouldn't want to be ungracious after all." You can't tell where he's going with this.

[ManWithDoor]

Goddamnit. Now he isn't sure who is getting played, but he has already showed his cards. He can't back out of going along belowdecks without quitting the Game they are playing. "You are the epitome of graciousness, my good man. One can tell with just a glance and a few choice words that you are a cultured gentleman, far too dignified to be stuck in a place such as this." He gestures towards the entrance heading down. "Shall we?"