A Letter to Duke Eltan - Lizardmen

[rokranon]

Duke Eltan,

My lord, I am a humble paladin of Torm. Although I have not yet taken my trials, I still feel it is my duty to uphold the common good. Having just recently arrived in your fine city, I understand that you are unlikely to have heard of me. Be that as it may, I would like to bring a certain matter to your attention.

I was traveling with a group today in the Cloakwood in response to a rumor of amassing forces of lizardmen. We came across several bands of warriors, and it pains me to say that there was much bloodshed. To make matters worse, a large force of gnolls attacked the lizardmen while we were in the area. The lizardmen believe we were responsible for bringing the gnolls, which only added to a tense situation. Eventually a chief of the lizardmen proved talkative, and it became apparent that their hostilities of late are a direct result of what they see as encroachment on their homes. They take offense to so many of our people crossing their lands and killing their own people as we travel to the mines or deeper into the woods. The chief likened their actions to that of our own if they were to come onto our lands to use our rivers. Based on current prejudice, we would most certainly attack them as they attack us.

It is my humble opinion that a peaceable solution could be found to end the bloodshed on both sides. The chief allowed our group to leave their lands safely if we would contact you to seek a peace. They just want to be left alone, but I hope that it may be possible to obtain safe passage through their land if you are willing to work out an accord with them. I know that it is not common to treat with the lizardmen, but I do not feel any evil intentions on their part; and I think that all can agree that further bloodshed is not wanted by anyone.

I beseech you to consider a peaceful alternative and send an envoy to the lizardmen. You are a just ruler my lord, and have the power to make the laws to bring about this peace. May Torm guide you and protect you.

Signed Jonas Rokranon, servant of Torm

[DM Cephas]

Those traveling Cloakwood noticed a sudden non-hostility with the lizardmen. Those who knew about the letter above or the people that traveled with Jonas determined that some sort of peace was made and the lizardmen stopped attacking travelers in their lands. It was a sign of good faith to show the walled dwellers that the lizardmen truly wished peace. The peace was short lived however as a female human clad in plate armor killed an innocent lizard man without provocation. The lizardmen grew furious at the treachery of the humans and their lies. They vowed death to all trespassers and reasserted their desire to be left at peace. They promise to defend their home however just as fiercely as the walled dwellers would defend theirs if they were attacked. Any trying to broker another peace with the lizardmen tribes find anger and distrust. They no longer believe the promises of the wall dwellers. Only the druids have safe passage in their lands as they were the ones that helped defend lizardman territory against the sudden rash of invaders that came storming into Cloakwood.


///OOC. The whole map was made non-hostile and every PC was told the lizardmen were non-hostile but can attack them if they wish. One did so thus starting this chain-reaction of renewed territorial hostilities. And for shame.... the guilty party was chaotic good. tsk tsk. Alignment adjustments made accordingly for all parties.
///All those in the Nature guild and Kahai have a truce with the lizardmen. OOC ignore any hostile actions from the lizardmen since it's a game mechanic limitation (i.e. no factions are put in place yet). Any guild member (or kahai) caught hunting them on purpose will be dealt with accordingly