<strong>In the Wilds of Dra Sirdu - Very well, then.</strong><br/><br/>Rhiss snorted in very real amusement at Aeryn's question, and she shook her head in response. "No, though I wish they did live in the shadow of that abomination. It would make our lives much easier. They are of the plains, to the east." She waved one clawed forelimb vaguely at mention of the secrets. She may have brought them up, but it was, very clearly, only to deny their presence in any significant fashion. "I am sure that there are hidden treasures all across the island, but there are few enough there that I will not deny your exploration. Do not unsettle the beast, though. Once it has made short work of you, it will once again become our task to direct its madness."<br/><br/>"As for your Commandant, yes, I believe that caution would be wise here. I would prefer not to spend my children's lives in pointless conflicts. If, by some manner or another, he does discover our presence, encourage him to keep his forces from our territory. I will do what is necessary to protect my kind from yours." The words were not spoken threateningly, or even warningly. It was a cold assertion of reality, as though no other possibility could exist.<br/><br/>The two elves had, by their mutual defense and support, apparently lumped themselves together in Rhiss's eyes. She bobbed her head towards them. "Well spoken once more. I deny you because I feel it wise, yes. If you do not survive the month, as I believe, the knowledge would only worry you. If you did, it could pose a risk to us both." She paused at the foreign name, puzzling out how best to respond. "If that was the realm that once existed on that far side of the island, then yes," she finally conceded. "I know this because it is my mother's wisdom passed to me. She lived when both near and far humans did their best to rule the island, and learned much from those who inhabited this area."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Mechanics and the potential end of the conflict</div><div class="spoiler_body"> <br/>All defenses are with rapport: she's just looking to talk her way out of this.<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Defending against Aeryn At 2013-05-06 23:47:58, Rhiss (uid: 13420) rolls: 4d3a-4 Result: 5 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=46188)</li><li>Defending against Reliyian At 2013-05-06 23:48:07, Rhiss (uid: 13420) rolls: 4d3a-4 Result: 5 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=46189)</li><li>Defending against Eshalu: At 2013-05-06 23:49:17, Rhiss (uid: 13420) rolls: 4d3a-4 Result: 4 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=46190)</li></ul>The invoke of her <em>Cautious Regard</em> Boost scores a successful defense against even the very pleasant elf-mage. However, she is willing to, in limited fashion, provide answers to your questions. If you're all okay with moving on, I'm happy getting to more exciting material, despite not having "won" the encounter. If so, conclude the conversation on your end, I'll make one last comment from the matriarch and move us forward. (This is, of course, partially my fault. I think I may have made Rhiss's numbers a bit high. Though you did lose your primary social character.)<br/><br/>She is also using Deceit: At 2013-05-07 00:38:54, Rhiss (uid: 13420) rolls: 4d3a-5 Result: 2 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=46191) to hide the lies of omission and other twistiness in her words. A Fate Point on <em>Maternal Protector</em> brings it up to Great/+4: she is only bending the truth to protect her children and her race as a whole, as she sees it.<br/></div></div>