Bestowal Dialogue
Balakhôr the Scourge
"Balakhôr has asked that I treat with him on the deck of his flagship, but can he be trusted?"
Background
Balakhôr has sent a summons to Lothíriel to treat with him on his flagship, the Night-jewel.
Objective 1
Lothíriel is in the Great Hall of Dol Amroth.
Balakhôr has sent a summons to Lothíriel to treat with him on his flagship, the Night-jewel.
- Lothíriel: 'I am ruler of Dol Amroth while my father is away, and it is my duty to do what is best for its people. How am I to know what that is, <name>?
- 'Would my father treat with Balakhôr? Would he have gone to his enemy's flagship under a banner of peace?'
- Lothíriel says, "What would my father have done, if he were here?"
Objective 2
Dorthaneth has come to the Great Hall of Dol Amroth to advise her friend Lothíriel.
- Dorthaneth: 'It does not matter to me what Prince Imrahil might have done if he were here in his daughter's place, for he is not. I do not think Balakhôr would have made this request of Imrahil.
- 'She must not trust him. He is a snake, like the others who call themselves Heirs of Castamir, and his flagship will not be a place of safety for her, or anyone.
- 'You must urge her to reject this proposal.'
Objective 3
- Give Lothíriel your advice on her course of action
Lothíriel is in the Great Hall of Dol Amroth. She has asked for your advice concerning Balakhôr's proposal that she treat with him on the deck of his flagship.
- Lothíriel: 'What advice would you give to me, <name>?'
- (Choose one:)
- '<name>': 'It is your duty to go, Lothíriel.'
- Lothíriel: 'You are right that, as the ruler of this city, I have an obligation to end this conflict if it is in my power to do so. I do not place my own safety above that of my people. Perhaps I should meet with Balakhôr, if such a meeting can save Dol Amroth.'
- '<name>': 'It is right.'
- Lothíriel says, "Your words ring true to me, <name>."
- Dorthaneth says, "No, Lothíriel!"
- Dorthaneth says, "That is an unwise course!"
- Dorthaneth says, "Balakhôr seeks to trick you. You cannot go to his ship!"
- Lothíriel says, "But if this course might save innocents, must I not risk it?"
- Dorthaneth says, "What if another were to go? An adventurer, one used to danger?"
- Lothíriel says, "Do you mean <name>?"
- Dorthaneth says, "I do, if our brave <class> is willing."
- '<name>': 'You must not go. That is reckless.'
- Lothíriel: 'You are right: it is a reckless act. But should I not take the risk if it means saving lives? I do not trust Balakhôr, but I want to save my city. Could it be this is the way to accomplish it?'
- '<name>': 'Do not go.'
- Lothíriel says, "Could it be this is the only way to bring peace?"
- Dorthaneth says, "No, Lothíriel."
- Dorthaneth says, "<name> is right. Balakhôr will do you harm if you go."
- Lothíriel says, "But if this course might save innocents, must I not risk it?"
- Dorthaneth says, "What if another were to go? An adventurer, one used to danger?"
- Lothíriel says, "Do you mean <name>?"
- Dorthaneth says, "I do, if our brave <class> is willing."
Objective 4
Dorthaneth is in the Great Hall of Dol Amroth. She has asked if you are willing to go to the Night-jewel in Lothíriel's stead.
- Dorthaneth: 'That seems to me a wiser course, <name>, if you are willing to risk the adventure. Balakhôr cannot be trusted, but you may be better-prepared to deal with any treachery he might think to enact.
- 'Walk with me and I will do my best to prepare you for this errand.'
Objective 5
- Walk with Dorthaneth and listen to her words
Dorthaneth is in the Great Hall of Dol Amroth. She has asked if you are willing to go to the Night-jewel in Lothíriel's stead.
- Dorthaneth says, "The emissary of Umbar will row you to the Night-jewel, <name>."
- Dorthaneth says, "You will be beyond the help of Gondor or the Avorrim, but fear not."
- Dorthaneth says, "I know you have the strength and wits to survive any treachery."
- Dorthaneth says, "Remain alert! Do not trust the words of Balakhôr or any of his men."
- Dorthaneth says, "If you see an opportunity to seize any advantage, you should take it."
- Dorthaneth says, "Do you understand?"
Objective 6
- Talk to Lothíriel and prepare to depart for the Night-jewel
Lothíriel is in the Great Hall of Dol Amroth.
You have agreed to meet with Balakhôr on his flagship, the Night-jewel, in Lothíriel's stead.
- Lothíriel: 'I thank you, <name>. Stay watchful in the company of Balakhôr. I know he is not to be trusted, and you should watch him carefully.
- 'Do what you can for the people of Dol Amroth! I would have gone myself, but if this plan eases Dorthaneth's mind...'
Objective 7
- Go to the Night-jewel and meet with Balakhôr
You have come to the Night-jewel to treat with Balakhôr about the war.
- The corsair rowed you to the Night-jewel in awkward and unpleasant silence
Objective 8
- Talk to Umer on the deck of the Night-jewel
Umer, the Corsair emissary, has rowed you to the Night-jewel and is now ready to bring you to Balakhôr.
- Umer: 'This is the Nûluzimir, the jewel of Umbar and flagship of Balakhôr the Scourge. You are here under a flag of peace, but if it were otherwise you would never leave it, <name>.
- 'I will bring you to Balakhôr. He will not be pleased that you have come instead of Imrahil's daughter, but that is not my concern. That must be yours.'
- Umer says, "This way."
- Umer says, "Captain! The city's ruler sends her response!"
- Balakhôr says, "You are not the daughter of Imrahil."
- Balakhôr says, "Did Umer fail to convey my request? I will slay him where he stands if this be so."
- Umer says, "Captain!"
Objective 9
Balakhôr stands on the deck of the Night-jewel, waiting to hear why Lothíriel did not answer his summons.
- Balakhôr: 'So Umer delivered the message, but Lothíriel elected to send you in her stead? How am I to interpret this response? It reveals that she does not respect my wishes, and distrusts my word. It is a cowardly response, for it shows she values her own life and safety above those of others.'
Objective 10
- Walk with Balakhôr on the deck of the Night-jewel
Balakhôr stands on the deck of the Night-jewel, waiting to hear why Lothíriel did not answer his summons.
- Balakhôr says, "But it also shows wisdom."
- Balakhôr says, "If she had come here, there would be no question. Gondor would be mine."
- Balakhôr says, "How much would the Prince have given to have his daughter returned in safety?"
- Balakhôr says, "It does not matter. A mere exercise of the mind."
- Balakhôr says, "Walk with me, <name>."
- Balakhôr says, "Stand, Umer. You shame yourself."
- Balakhôr says, "I will assume you have the power to speak for Dol Amroth, <name>."
- Balakhôr says, "Do you understand that my fleet now controls the Sea-gate?"
- Balakhôr says, "None can enter or leave without my permission."
- Balakhôr says, "In every way except title, I am now the Lord of Dol Amroth."
Objective 11
You are walking with Balakhôr on the deck of the Night-jewel, remaining alert for any sign of treachery.
- Balakhôr: 'But you must already have known this, <name>. Most of Gondor's warriors have been called to battles elsewhere. Even were they here, there is little they could do against the fleet of Umbar.
- 'But I have been a poor host. You must be quite parched, and I have done naught but tell you things that you already know.'
Objective 12
- Accept or refuse Balakhôr's offer
Balakhôr has offered you a drink from his collection of wines.
- Balakhôr says, "These bottles belong to my personal stock. Have a sip of the finest wines of Umbar."
- Balakhôr: 'The Corsairs range far and wide upon the seas, <name>, and have taken bottles of wine for my collection from every land lapped by the waves. You are welcome to sample any of my finest.'
- (Choose one:)
- '<name>': 'I do not trust you, Balakhôr.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr's face remains impassive, revealing nothing.
- '<name>': 'I refuse.'
- '<name>': 'You must think I am a fool.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr's face remains impassive, revealing nothing.
- '<name>': 'I refuse.'
- '<name>': 'You first, Balakhôr.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr's face remains impassive, revealing nothing.
- '<name>': 'I refuse.'
- '<name>': 'My tastes are more refined than your wine.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr's face remains impassive, revealing nothing.
- '<name>': 'I refuse.'
- (Upon refusing to drink (any of the four answers above))
- Balakhôr's eyes flash angrily at your refusal
- Balakhôr says, "You insult me, <class>."
- (Upon drinking of the red, green or blue bottle of wine:)
- The wine is among the best you have ever tasted
Objective 13
Balakhôr is on the deck of the Night-jewel, and has more to say to you.
- Balakhôr: 'Look around you, <name>. What do you see? You see the sea-faring power of Umbar, rebuilt from nothing!
- 'Thirty years ago, a hero of Gondor sailed to Umbar at the head of a fleet. He burned the ships he found at the port and took the city. The Corsairs have spent the time nursing their hurts and rebuilding their power. No hero will save Gondor from them this time.
- 'Where is that hero now, <name>? He is gone, and now I have come to return that overdue favor. I will burn his fleet as he did that of Umbar. But there will be nothing left to rebuild when I am finished with it.'
Objective 14
- Walk with Balakhôr on the deck of the Night-jewel
Balakhôr is on the deck of the Night-jewel, and has more to say to you.
- Balakhôr says, "This is but a portion of my fleet."
- Balakhôr says, "I will go with the rest of them to Pelargir, where I will seize the port."
- Balakhôr says, "Gondor does not have the strength to resist me."
- Balakhôr says, "Therefore I make the following demand."
- Balakhôr says, "I demand the complete and unconditional surrender of the Gondorian coast."
Objective 15
- Make your own demands of Balakhôr
Balakhôr has done enough talking. Now it is time for you to make your own demands of the Corsair leader.
- Balakhôr: 'Well, you have heard my demands. You are not devising a counter-proposal, are you? You are in no position for this, my foolish <class>!'
- (Choose one:)
- '<name>': 'I demand that you free these slaves.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr stares at you impassively.
- '<name>': 'That is all.'
- Balakhôr says, "From what position of strength do you negotiate such terms, <name>?"
- Balakhôr says, "I will free none of my captives. Indeed, I will add to their ranks."
- Balakhôr says, "I hope to see you chained to the deck someday, <name>."
- Balakhôr says, "Bring my terms to the daughter of Imrahil!"
- '<name>': 'I demand that you return to Umbar.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr stares at you impassively.
- '<name>': 'That is all.'
- Balakhôr says, "From what position of strength do you negotiate such terms, <name>?"
- Balakhôr says, "What is in Umbar for us? Gondor lies before us, undefended."
- Balakhôr says, "This land is ripe for new masters!"
- Balakhôr says, "Bring my terms to the daughter of Imrahil!"
- '<name>': 'I demand that you abandon this war.'
- Balakhôr: Balakhôr stares at you impassively.
- '<name>': 'That is all.'
- Balakhôr says, "From what position of strength do you negotiate such terms, <name>?"
- Balakhôr says, "Abandon this war? You must think me a fool, <name>!"
- Balakhôr says, "Who abandons a foot-race when he is in front of all others?"
- Balakhôr says, "No. I will continue to fight. Bring my terms of surrender to the daughter of Imrahil!"
- Balakhôr says, "I will give you no boat! Jump off the side and swim to shore."
- Balakhôr says, "I will count to five, <name>. And then I want you off this ship."
- Balakhôr says, "One."
- Balakhôr says, "Two."
- Balakhôr says, "My patience has run out. Now you die!"
- Balakhôr says, "Get off my ship!"
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