Galinia Game  
Mandrake's Story

[Meeting with the giant]

Mandrake sat before the giants table, the difference in size that he had grown accustomed to in every day life amongst humans was in this case so magnified that he once again felt dwarfed.

"It is very kind of you to see me Manna mac Lanna mac Lin at such short notice, and in spite of the circumstances of our first meeting.

"Firstly, I should like to take the chance to appologise properly for my actions on that first meeting. If as I would understand, you cannot find it to forgive me then anyway, my experience has shown you to be a just and reasonable person and I ask that at least you consider what I have to say for the sake of my people.

"Your needs for the right home are quite specific insofar as you require solitude and peace and so the Earl and you came to the agreement that you could settle upon the isle as your own so that you could be away from people.

"You are probably not aware of the situation of my peoples, but they were driven from their homes in the recent wars between the many peoples and the hoards. Like you, we gnomes have very specific needs for the type of place that we can settle and call home.

"In one respect we share your need, for although we live in communities, we are generally a shy people and do not like many people always at the door. Our requirements are a little more involved than this however, for we live in burrows and so must find land that is suitable for this purpose.

"It was to find new lands for my people to live that I left the safe, though overcrowded warrens back home and now I have found the perfect place to site some of my people, but I'm afraid that it leaves me in a bit of a situation. You see the lands that are so suited to us are the lands that you are to move to.

"Before you give an answer please know these things, I ask not for myself but for the sake of my people and in the light of our previous dealings I would never personally set foot on the isle if you so wish it.

"Moreover, know that if you did allow a settlement it could also be to your advantage. You see, the gnomes could act as a barrier between yourself and the outside world, dealing with outsiders on matters such as are necessary. For example, you may find that the island does not offer all that is needed to live there and some things may need to be brought in from outside.

"Also, I have found that there are some deposits of soapstone on The Lone Sea Rock which although not of great value, when worked properly could provide a steady income."

[The Earl Richard]

"Sire. As I'm sure you are aware, things have become more than a little cramped for my peoples as the refugees have fled to the few remaining safe burrows.

"This is why I began my travels, and though my duties and loyalties now include those of being your Herald, my loyalties lye also with the well being of my people.

"To this end I have approached the giant Manna mac Lanna mac Lin regarding the sharing of his new island home, he above and we below the surface.

"Manna mac Lanna mac Lin has been most gracious in allowing gnomic a settlement within the lands you have granted him and I now come to ask you permission to extend your new communities here to the inclusion of gnomic subjects."

[At the banquet]

"Mandrake Underroot, as my herald you must establish patents for all these new members, and if truth be told, all the old ones too. I don't think we have done any of the paperwork since its inception.. It make even be appropriate for you to travel to the Holy Isle itself to establish the proper procedures"

"Indeed Sire, I had been considering the undertaking of such a trip, for not only must I learn properly the skills and duties of the post you have honored me with, but it seems obvious to me that I shall need assistance in the role and to this end I intend to hire assistants already versed in the required skills."

[Dincaoc]

At Dincaoc Mandrake arranges for passage on to the Holy Isle and also for a message to be carried to Deepdelve (ooc: can't remember if Mandrake is from Deepdelve or Rockhome) burrow. His message reads "Have secured lands on the Lone Rock in Earl Richard's new community in vicinity of Nome Island. Recommend burrowers and colonisers initially as nothing there at present. Will be returning there within a month or so." This he seals with the seal on his ring

[On Holy Isle]

Mandrake meets with Lord Barroli, Raven King of Armes and exchanges pleasantries and greetings not only from Earl Richard, but also from the community of the the Deepdelve gnomes.

A little uncomfortable with the formalities of the situation though, he is not unhappy when the meeting draws to a close and he can start on the real learning of what is required in his new duties.

Mandrake attempts to hire a scribe from amongst those already skilled in the arts of the Heralds, but decides that when it comes to the skills of a craftsman to produce the seals and other regalia, they could come from any community. He would see if there were not a dwarf of the family he met in Dingaic what seems like so many years ago, or perhaps from Farfobest itself. Failing that then one of the new gnome settlers.

[Return journey]

Mandrake, noticing Elsbeth's discomfort at the trip makes a mental not to visit an apothecary at the first available time and see if he cannot find a remedy for her.

[Summerfest]

Mandrake is happy to join in the eating and drinking and smiles to see so such happiness, but his involvement goes no deeper.

[Lone Sea Rock]

Mandrake spends the remaining 1 ½ to 2 months assisting in the settlement building.