War of the Final Whisper [IC]

[Reltzik]

"I'm afraid that what few allies I could gather in a day are arrayed back in Ardellon," Alstroemeria says, "Save of course for those you already know are in play. As for the enemy fleet? I have at my ready a spell that will turn one of our number into a fire-breathing dragon for several minutes... not the largest imaginable, but certainly capable of torching one or two ships, as well as causing a more general havoc amidst the others, and then withdrawing before any effective counter can be brought to bear. If the strikes are kept swift and vicious the survivors will no doubt overestimate the dragon's size and threat. Those ships that are not outright destroyed will be forced to stave off to avoid the burning hulk and seek open water so that they have the room to maneuver and defend themselves if the wyrm returns. While I doubt the enemy has many troops left to land, this may deprive those soldiers already landed of the ability to relocate from one spot on the shore to another, relieve pressure on the locks, befuddle their signals, and depending on the location of enemy flag officers throw their chain of command into chaos."

[Thrair]

Caedor's eyes grow distant in thought, and a wry grin grows on his face.
"Well, now.... that is a plan to which I can heartily approve. Although I would take great pleasure in wreaking such havoc, personally, I am not so young and foolish as to have it be an irresistible compulsion.... their destruction is enough. Your plan is a excellent start.

"That said, I would not underestimate the strength of their navy. It is perhaps the largest in the plane. I doubt they've diverted more than a task force to this capitol. The rest are elsewhere, and I do so mistrust not having an accounting for all of my foes' available might."


As the party nears the tower, an Andoran soldier wearing a sling approaches. Noting Velion's insignia, he nods at a peer and enters a nearby building. Shortly afterward, a middle-aged Elvish Colonel steps out. Her appearance is somewhat frazzled, but her grey eyes are fierce and alert. She points to the building and leads the group inside. There a number of soldiers inside, including a clerk in the midst of casting a sending from a scroll.

"Colonel Thornsen and company, I assume? Thank you for saving my people. I am Colonel Ranyaë Telpëhen. Legate Falero mentioned you in a dispatch, though I was unaware you were to follow him. As you can see, this is a disaster. We've managed to stall their beachhead in the city itself, but the coastal defenses rolled over. More importantly, the Home Fleet was ill-equipped and ill-prepared for the arrival of the Absalomi's 3rd and 5th fleets. A number of cutters and blockade runners managed to get clear. I think that of your kin was among them. However, the larger vessels have been taken, sunk in the bay, or penned into the upper docks. If you've any useful intelligence, we need it. If not, I should probably get you and your people on your way to what's left of High Command."

She glances towards the rest of the group, and starts as her eyes land upon Alstroemeria.
"Palantirë?"

Spoiler: OOC

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That last word, by the by, is a mode of elvish for "Far-Seer". Although I make no promises as to obeying proper grammar. But I'm just enough of a fanboy to gleefully insert some Tolkien into the setting.

[Thrair]

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Spoiler: OOC Break

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So, Reltzik aced the roll. Now to do the roleplay leading up to this, which I didn't expect to occur... but honestly kinda hoped would. :)

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As the party finishes clearing the battlements of remaining opposition, Caedor strides up to Velion, Sekla, and Alstroemeria.
"Those were beautiful fireworks, bravo. You might be interested in the orb they were wielding. It lies in that pit of yours, elf. Along with the remains of the fool protecting it. Not much sport, after what you did to him, I must say. Lacking time or inclination to disable it more subtly with magic, I smashed it against the scum until both ceased to function. Quite cathartic. Now are we-"

At this point, the Andoran gunnery Captain walks up to the group, interrupting Caedor (to a glare) with a small nod before inclining he head towards Velion.
"Colonel Thornsen! My people have been going over the guns, sir. They're in good condition, aside from the one that blew with that tower. We'll have them prepped and ready to fire within the next couple minutes, on your order. Also, they all wanted me to give you our thanks to the ladies, here. Hobgoblins they may be, but they saved a lot of lives. That Veras one in particular.

"Now, this unholy fog masks a lot of the view, but we brought maps with us that have the entire bay pre-sighted. And we don't need much precision, anyways. Not with how many are in the harbor. Especially if our goal is just to force them to disperse out into the bay. That said, I'm not keen on firing from this position for very long. Not without support. Those 36-pounders are going to get us a lot of attention, and we don't have enough people here to hold the battery against a counterattack."

"Yeah. You're welcome. Might address us directly with that thanks, next time. Maybe look us in the eye, eh? Since we bled for you, and all. And I wouldn't worry about the counter-attack. Chief and her pals here have some plans for that."
Sekla can faintly hear Veras mutter a hobgoblin curse under her breath. She appears to have a poor opinion of the Captain's ancestry.

[Reltzik]

"Colonel," Alstroemeria says, trying to put a tone of low urgency into her voice. "This is of course your command, but there are several details of this most recent skirmish that suggest greater urgency in securing the larger battle. Since brevity precludes tarrying to examine the causes of my unease in detail, I must counsel that we enact our planned offensive and defensive measures with all possible rapidity... and that we make of ourselves as visible of a target and as urgent of a threat as possible."

[Thrair]

Very grunts in annoyance.
"Or, in Common... she just realized something bad and we need to make a lot of noise to buy our side some time to do something about it."

[Zerkai]

Sekla reaches out to put a hand on Veras' shoulder. "It's alright Veras, things won't change overnight... unless everything ends up exploded like the Chateau, I need to tell you that one sometime. Of, speak of explosions, Vellion! Are you unharmed!?" She asks as she looks at the Tiefling and where the tower had exploded. She then turns her attention to Alstroemeria as the elf talks, but then turns to Veras instead as she explains it. "Huh. I kind of figured but yeah..."

[TiaC]

Covered in soot and with his hair spiked-up, Velion strides over to Sekla and begins speaking rather loudly and with many gesticulations. "Ah, Sekla, thank you for the intervention, I am unscathed! You see, I needed to act fast to prevent the abominations from destroying the cannon! I needed to strike it down with a single blow, so I acted hastily! Asdoril struck true! However, I inadvertently intersected the flow of Vim through the Fourth Door of its body. While this would normally be a boon, in this case, it allowed the synthetic-carnomantic channels carrying the force animating the body to conduct and fuel my own power, releasing the body's inner phlogiston. While this did serve to return my target to death, it also had unfortunate effects on the black powder the corpse was handling. A thought for another time..." He descends into thought for a moment.

He pulls himself out of it and turns to the men. "Unfortunately, that gunfire and explosion will have alerted the fleet that something is happening. We must hurry to prepare our assault. Man the cannons, we will begin the assault will all due haste on the most densely packed part of their fleet. Be sure to examine the guns for sabotage. Mages, ready for your part of our plan, it will be quite enjoyable. I will make a quick sweep of fort, to ensure that they have not simply circled around to ambush us."

[Reltzik]

Alstroemeria takes a moment to give a quiet aside to Veras. "Close. A more accurate accounting would be that our side is likely in real trouble beyond the ability to 'do something about it' and we need to make the enemy do something other than finish them off. But the gunners don't need to hear that."

Without waiting for Vera's no-doubt sunny response, Alstroemeria turns to Caedor. "Thank you for your assistance with the gem, Master Caedor. I think I shall have time to inspect it shortly, but for now we have another part to play in these festivities, do we not? It seems these guns can be fired remarkably rapidly, but I doubt the rate of fire we observed here can be sustained for long without bursting them. I would recommend attacking after the third volley. That will give them just enough time to commit to a response against the cannons, ensuring greater chaos and confusion when your own threat bursts upon the scene. Please keep in mind that the transformation will last only a dozen minutes or so and that you shall be able to breathe fire only once, and that your form will be of a younger dragon rather than that of a greater wyrm, with a commensurate decrease in combat capability. If you keep in telepathic contact with me and provide updates of ship locations, I can inform the gunners so that they may adjust their aim according to your desires. This would also have the effect of preventing a friendly fire incident, if you steer clear of the targets you designate. You might wish to familiarize yourself with the coordinate system of their grid maps before we begin. Do recall that you are not only a valuable asset and a friend to us, but an objective to the enemy... denying them your capture may be as valuable a strategic goal as any damage you might wreak. And if the opportunity arises for you to help Shozin... I would be appreciative."

[Thrair]

The captain nods quickly towards Velion. "Sir." He then heads over to the soldiers and begins directing the survivors in the preparations of the cannons. They're moving quite quickly. Colonel Ranyaë appears to have been true to her word: These are very competent specialists she's provided, along with some greener forces for bulk-labor.

Velion's walk is, perhaps somewhat unfortunately, quickly accompanied by Jon-Marcus. His eyes are alight and his speech is hurried. And also laden with a small amount of spittle, though fortunately he is not facing Velion directly.
"Oh, oh. You are familiar with the Vim? That means you are familiar with the eight bodies and the five gates! And you seem to have some understanding of the underlying extraplanar chemistry and it's interactions with both the native biochemistry as well as the arcane flow and ebb of the Darkenblade you wield which further means you may be able to aid me in my studies of the psuedo-undead these cultists are creating they're rather fascinating because you see they are not true undead rather they are corpses rejuvenated and animated by an exterior daemonic spirits channeled and transported primarily through locus stones which means they will have the thoughts and memories of the possessing daemonic spirit rather than their own souls unless of course they are using the original bodies spirit as a binding agent within the 3rd Gate of the Grave Lady or perhaps the Gate of the White Horse as you suggested with your comment which would be quite brilliant if evil and I wonder if that would allow them full access to the victims memories no it is more likely it merely allows them to acclimate themselves to the natural body more readily and perhaps co-opt the native's spirits reflexes and muscle memory which would make sense of how they were able to operate those cannons so efficiently unless of course the alternative explanation which now occurs to me is that these daemonic spirits may have been of Szuriel's ilk and thus gained the inherent proficiency in all weapons of war devised by mortal ken though I also wonder if study of that gem will yield any pertinent information to that end I am also quite curious as to which elements of mortal necromancy they are manipulating in concert with Abbadon's own ley-lines?

Oh. I'm terribly sorry... Was I hogging the conversation? Is there anything you wished to discuss?"

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Veras raises an eyebrow at Alstroemeria and whispers to Sekla with a smirk. "Wait... is she being subtle? And thinking about their feelings and morale? Well, ****. Apparently you can teach a Gnoll opera."


"Help who? ... ... Oh... right. Your familiar, I think. Very well... if I see the creature I will endeavor to avoid injuring it, directly. I will promise no more than this."
He seems somewhat agitated and his eyes are unfocused.
A younger dragon, then? I suppose I shall have to make do. It will at the least make accurate fire against me difficult, even if they are capable of piercing this veil of unnatural weather. And I suppose it will make for for easier mockery of that smug serpent-wyrm, Amanaxys. Hm. 'The Dawnflower's love is free to all that will give it to her!' Hmpfh. No.... tempting as it may be, attempting to imitate him will only serve as an unnecessary distraction."

Caedor smacks his chest and clears his throat, his eyes locking on the bay.
"Well, I am ready for your spell the moment these fools ready the cannons."

[TiaC]

Velion is still riding the high of the explosion a bit, so he responds to JMAWHII. "Possession, of course! That explains things! Normally the void energies of reanimation would act to ground out power, canceling both effects. However, if they were instead animated by daemonic power, then their meridians would be conducting malice in its purest form. This would only amplify destructive force, even as it channels it away from vital spots. I do doubt your hypothesis on the nature of the binding though, as Ballard's thesis on the consciousness of planar exemplars points to the near-incompatibility of thought processes between minds of flesh and minds of planar essence. Her experiments on the mental states of possessed mortals were conclusive on the matter. Given the multitude of functions already present in the locus stone, it is unlikely to facilitate mental compatibility as well."

If their quick examination doesn't find anything, he will return to the crew chief and the rest of the party. As soon as the crews are ready, he gives the order to begin. "Well, it looks as if we are prepared. Cast your spell and prepare to fire on my mark. 3, 2, 1, FIRE!"

[Thrair]

"Alright, people! Light 'em up!"

With a roar, the cannons light up and the shells shoot through the air with a shrill shriek. Over the din of more distant artillery, a crash can faintly be heard, followed by a resounding boom that accompanies a fiery glow in the fog. There are also the muted thumps of shots that missed or fell short, detonating in the water. Almost immediately a horn blares in the distance and signal flares shoot up through the fog, nearby. Velion recognizes some of the Absalomi signals; they're reporting shots taken from unidentified sources, as well as a few calling for a check on outgoing fire.

As the crews scramble to reload the guns, the Captain is shouting out to a Lieutenant coordinating the northern guns, his voice seemingly enhanced by some scroll or magical trinket. "Lamarr! That first volley got some good hits in and drew some attention! See those flares going up by the Chamberlain warehouse!? Looks like that might be a capital ship! Drop the next volley in there; three to one mix with alchemist's fire! See if we can't get lucky and torch the rigging or the magazine!

Moments later, the second volley goes out trailing thick smoke as the alchemical charges sail to their targets. More signal flares shoot into the sky and the sounds of cannonfire nearby halt ominously. A slew of bright light shoots up from the city towards the center of the battery and hovers; Dancing Lights in a triangular red pattern.

"Ah hells, they've figured out where it's coming from! Colonel, we're going to be taking return fire any second now!" As if to confirm this, a loud series of distant booms can be heard, and a smattering of cannonballs crash into the battlements. One such shot strays close to one of the 36-pounders, to the cursing of the crew.

"Well, elf! The battle is begun, and I'd say it's time for you to enact this plan of yours!"

[Reltzik]

Alstroemeria simply nods, places a hand on Caedor's shoulder, and casts the spell.

(OOC: Firewyrm in the hole!)

[Thrair]

Caedor bristles somewhat at the touch, but relaxes momentarily as Alstroemeria begins the incantation. Almost immediately, his form begins to shift; his eyes turning green and taking on slitted irises, his fingers elongating into claws, and his skin taking on a resplendent sheen. Alstroemeria feels a sort of mental tug for the latter half of the incantation, as one might have when a half-forgotten name or date is just on the edge of recollection.


Caedor grunts in agitation as the transformation continues. Knobs appear on his shoulders, quickly lengthening and growing thick with muscle. His clothing begins to meld into his body as his skin develops a brazen hue and manyfold seams. Alstroemeria instinctively feels something pressing against her mind, only for a sudden surge in the spell's matrix to blast the thought away and crowd out all other sensations.

Her hand recoils from Caedor's shoulder as if shunted aside by force, and heat begins pouring off Caedor's body as he howls in alarm... Thick horns appear along his neck, as his jaw and teeth elongate wickedly. The golden shine of his skin darkens; first to a deep bronze, then copper, finally losing it's metallic glint entirely and becoming a vibrant red. Alstroemeria is forced to back away as Caedor's body suddenly surges in height and widgth. "A surge," he roars, his voice low and deep.

A thick smoke envelops him, and billows out to cover a sizable portion of the courtyard. A thick tail shoots out from the smog and lashes into the ground near Veras, carving out a thick divet in the earth. A final pained and thunderous roar erupts from within, and there is then silence.

"Well.... This is unexpected." Crimson wings stretch wide through the smoke and dust, then whip down in a heavy gust, driving it down and away. Where the old man once stood, there is now a Red Dragon of immense proportions. The body is strong and muscular, yet the movements are visibly stiff. The scales are bright along the torso and chest, though paler and losing luster towards the extremities. The eyes glow from within, highlighting thick cataracts. Scars are visible all around the body, with old and deep examples along the left flank and around the neck. Tufts of white mane run along the jaw and atop the crown, and the great maw has a distinctly sneering smirk. A smirk directed towards the aged elven wizard.

"You may, I think, have somewhat outdone yourself, little elf," he exclaims with a low chuckle. "I rather approve."

Spoiler: OOC

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This may be somewhat useful to you. And I have one more little moment I'm waiting for, btw. I have not forgotten a certain aspect of the setting.

[Reltzik]

"... an unexpected consequence of the wild magic," Alstroemeria says, clearly unsettled. Not so much by "Caedor's" form, but by how her magic twisted unpredictably out of her control. "Or perhaps an unforseen conflict with the binding spell."

((OOC: Taking 10 on spellcraft to know just what happened, and specifically what this can tell me about the binding spell and whether the polymorph's duration has changed.))

"... a bit of both," Alstroemeria decides after a moment's examination. "And quite lucky that it worked out so well. Not a feat I'd care to repeat and it is possible that the binding spell is already reporting your location... not that we would have been hiding it, in any event. However, I believe the transformation's duration is unchanged from what I projected earlier. Please make the most of it and be cautious. We would not wish for you to revert to human form while you were soaring along a hundred feet above the enemy fleet."

[TiaC]

"Well then. You have outdone yourself, wizard. Now, they will be re-positioning to respond to our attack. It would be a terrible shame if that were to be interrupted. May Desna guide your wings and Dahak heat your fire. Let's see how many we can give over to Charon today." Velion grins.

[Thrair]

Caedor diverts his gaze to Velion and nods. "Oh, yes. I have been looking forward to this," he responds, his mouth pulling back into a vicious grin. "These fools wish to see the world burn? I shall oblige. A dozen minutes will be-" Any further tirade is interrupted as a cannonball from another volley smashes into his jaw. A 4-foot tooth spins into the earth between Velion and Sekla.

A low rumble grows into an enraged roar, and Caedor hauls himself onto the battlements. With another roar, he leaps into the air belching flame.
"Utúlië! Utúlien ascara ohtar-sen! Selmorak, héra imíca Urulóki! Av-'osto! Tolo anin naur!"*

Spoiler: OOC Translation

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In BUTCHERED Quenya:
*I am come! I am come, impetuous warrior-children! Selmorak, chief among fire-dragons! Don't be afraid! Come to the fire!"

PS, what are you all planning next? This will definitely buy you some time to do stuff in the city, but I'd like to know WHAT is next on your agenda. Especially since you've only got 13 minutes of fireworks. (Although admittedly BIG fireworks).

PPS: Yeah, he forgot to pretend to be Amanaxys, per Alstroemeria's suggestion. Although it'd be a REALLY thick bad guy that bought it, given his scales aren't all shiny.

[Thrair]

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The party makes it back from the battery with little difficulty. Most of the hostile forces appear to have fallen back to the docks. Constant cannonfire littered with occasional thundering explosions can be heard from the bay, and the fog is alight with a deep orange glow.

As they approach the Admiralty, fine hail and sleet begins to pour down, rattling off roofs and against windows. Numerous soldiers being pulled off the front lines for treatment, while others take their place and work to reinforce and repair the battlements.

A runner greets the assembling group, and directs them into a clerical office near to the headquarters. Inside is an ad hod board room. A half-orc Admiral and two human majors are glancing over a table with maps and intelligence reports, as clerks bustle in and out. The Admiral nods as a clerk drops a report on the table, and he begins to scribble on the map, whispering under his breath. Nearby, a gnome and elven clerk are in the midst of casting Sendings. Two priests, a gnome and dwarf, are perusing ancient tomes. One points to a section of scripture and the other nods. Finally, at in the corner of the room, a familiar face glances up at the direction of the runner.

"Finally, some good news," grumbles Vectus, nodding curtly to the runner and approaching the group. "I was worried whatever is going on in the bay might involve you. Had some disturbing reports from that area, and we're still trying to figure out what's going on. Seems to have pulled their forces away from us for the time being, but I prefer to look gift horses in the mouth in these days."

He seems tired, but is also quite notably in full uniform. It is somewhat ill-fitting, and is absent of the personal commendations normally worn by one of such rank. In all probability, the uniform is not his, and has been thrown together in a hurry, fitted with only the bare essentials of his rank.

"I've some good news from General Miranda, and a courier arrived with some documents for you," he says, nodding at the Wizard. "That said, I've a feeling from the look of you that your intel is a bit more important. What's happening in the south? Heard of some action from that area about the same time as a report came in from Colonel Telpëhen. Then the whole area went to hell. Your doing, I hope?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Loot dropped is an Amulet, a Ring, a Crown, Robes, and a Holy Symbol.

[Reltzik]

"I am glad to see you are well," Alstroemeria says to Vectus, leaving Vellion to report to the admiral who seems to be in charge. "The assault over the bay is the result of a magical spell which transformed an ally into a dragon. That ally went in turn to wreak havoc on the fleet. The spell will likely be ending soon if not already, but hopefully the enemy forces are left in disarray." She gives Vectus a knowing look, since he knows what she had speculated about Caedor -- this should hopefully tell him both what's really going on, and that it's best not to blab it out. "The spell was more successful than intended. Our initial plan to bombard the fleet from that position was placed on hold until that enchantment subsides. Nevertheless, we faced a counterattack from one of the enemy Deacons. I believe his name is Barbarus, associated with the cult of famine. The inclement weather is his doing. It was a near thing but he was eventually forced to withdraw from the field... for the day entire, I would guess. The gunners currently hold the bastion and are prepared to follow up in assaulting the fleet if need be, but are ill-equipped to defend the position against further counterattack."

[Thrair]

"Another deacon? Damn. That makes two that we know of, and a third if our reports on the girl are accurate. Something's not right. They've committed so many of their leaders to this assault... they could have arrived with fleet twice this size. Whatever the rest of their fleet is doing must be more important to them, and that is worrying."

"Hm. Well... we'll start with what we know... I'll see if I can get a detachment sent out to reinforce the battery. Your skirmish has drawn most of their forces offsite. And while this weather will be hell on the boots, it'll make it easier to conceal our movements."

He looks distantly through the wall towards the bay, then sighs. He walks over to a map with a table and begins pointing.
"I'm sorry to say much of my news isn't so good. There's conflicts flaring up like wildfires throughout the Inner Sea. Xerbystes has launched a large invasion of Taldor from Katheer. It's no minor border conflict, he's looking to conquer. Meanwhile, several key figures of the Cult of the Dawnflower in Osirion were assassinated. It's both weakened their control and reignited a lot of old feuds. It's not a civil war yet, but it's getting there. A lot of Kelesh nations that were watching this war closely are now focused on things closer to their own lands."

He shifts his hands to the northern side of the map with a grim snarl.
"It gets worse, too. The charlatan, Razmir? He's picked a very inconvenient time to make a push for another river kingdom. Looks like his goal this time is Daggermark and Tymon. He's had his eye on Tymon for decades, but going after Daggermark is a surprise. Combine it with the Dwarvern-Hobgoblin war..." he says, nodding at Sekla, "Well... it's making a mess of the northern regions."

"I don't like it. Wars often come in waves... but this is too much. Too many large and unrelated conflicts erupting at the same time. Which, to my eyes, suggests they are related. This is too convenient a distraction."

[Thrair]

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Vectus walks into the office to find Maximillian and Caedor staring incredulously at Sekla while smoking from ornate pipes. Veras and Velion are holding onto each other laughing so hard they're gasping for breath. ....And Alstroemeria is giving a philosophical lecture on the ethics of beastiality.
"... Do I even want to know?"

Caedor grunts softly, still looking at Sekla. "Doubtful, general."
"General.... There's a couple hiccups we need to talk over," Max says with a measured tone. "Privately, if you'd be so kind."

Vectus looks around in exasperation for moment, then exits the room.

"So... A Red and a Gold in the same room. All the philosophy in the world didn't prepare me for this. How'd ya reckon this'll play out, then? I'm of the mind that we've more immediate concerns."

"Debatable. I am giving consideration to the idea of simply returning to the Bloodthirst encampment. I have yet, after all, some interest in those events. Assuming their Chieftain does not intend to drive an axe into my hide. Or... ask repugnant questions that make me appreciate faltering memory."

"Then again, it is also quite tempting to take vengeance for your betrayal."

"You'd die trying, Selmorak. My vows to the Dawnflower and lingering friendship with Caedor wouldn't save you."

Spoiler: OOC

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First off, sorry this is late. Had errands to run this weekend. Secondly... how the **** did dragon beastiality crop up in a game, you damned wierdos? I mean... you could have used Sekla diplomacy rolls to stop that fight... but damned if you didn't over-achieve. That almost stopped the game, I was laughing so hard.

[Reltzik]

"I would suggest the comedies of Dwengarus," Alstroemeria suggests, abandoning her lecture to cite a playwright with a fondness for absurd coincidences. "Or the tragedies of B'arect." That was a playwright who focused on military tales where everything imaginable went awry for both sides. "Or, in a more purely philosophical vein, some of the more esoteric deterministic theologies espousing that we are all but playthings of the gods and that they are prone to mischief." She taps her chin in consideration. "Actually, I'm inclined to give that sort of philosophy more weight in this case than I would generally... given our current circumstances, our present foes, and how we have arrived at this juncture. Malevolent powers from beyond this realm does superficially appear to be the correct explanation."

Spoiler: OOC

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Remember, we're PCs. We have to be unpredictable. It's in our job description.

[Thrair]

Caedor looks at Alstroemeria with a sardonic grin, though his eyes remain narrowed behind his glasses.
"I thought B'arect's plays were comedies? Joldinar thought of them as such, when we watched them."

Maxamillian starts from his reverie, turning to Caedor in surprise.
"You knew Karl Joldinar, the Great Pianist?"

"No. You're thinking of his great-grandson. I refer to King Johannes. This was in... 4402, I believe? Hm, I was in a human guise attempting to broker peace between him and a rival lord... Leander, if memory serves... so that they might stop skirmishing on my doorstep and driving away game in the woods nearby. More than that, it was causing too great a risk of my discovery and I did not want to have to once more relocate my library. I spent the better part of three years playing peacemaker between the two fools, but I had finally managed to arrange a political marriage between two of their younger heirs. B'arect's plays were among those performed during the wedding celebrations. My choice, you know."

"Yes, you've always enjoyed irony. Hm... Leander... That name is familiar.... Wait, do you mean Leander of Rivermark? Wasn't that old fellow one of the River Kings at the time?"

"A-hah! You skip to the punchline of this story. Yes, he was. And the perilous old fool provoked Athanasius not two weeks after the wedding. His city was quickly sacked, and... hehe... oh... he called for aid from Joldinar, yes? They both formed a minuscule coalition, yet were assassinated before their first battle! The fledgling army was absorbed into Athanasius' forces and Rivermark was renamed Daggermark. What a waste of time, it all was! On the bright side, Athanasius was far more subtle and intelligent, so the noisesome warfare was still no longer a problem. I rather wish I hadn't wasted so much effort in the previous solution, but no matter."

"Hm... if I remember, the newlywed couple escaped east with a number of their companions and villagers to found the township of Gralton. You know... that was very near to where I lived, at the time. Peculiar coincidence."

They both appear to have grown somewhat lost in thought, and Veras simply turns to Velion and shrugs.

[TiaC]

Velion grins back at Veras before pulling himself together, straightening his uniform, and taking a more serious pose. "I am glad to see that you are getting along better now. Given the threat we face, I hope you can agree to put your enmity aside until it is dealt with? You have worked together unknowingly until now, I only ask that you do so knowingly for a short while. You are both too wise to get caught up in the racial hatreds that have so damaged the humanoid races and your personal grievances can hold a little longer. You will have plenty of time to kill each other later and the delay will only help you to plan it." He manages to get through that whole speech with no more than half-a-dozen snorts and stifled chuckles.

[Zerkai]

Sekla shifts uncomfortably as some aspects of Alstroemeria's discussion, but a lot of the names and things she referenced flew over her head. After a moment of thought she blinked and raised a brow and folds her arms across her chest. "I'm still not clear on how that constitutes bestiality if the dragon and humanoid are both intelligence creatures. I'm not sure that I like what that implies."

Then she looked over at Caedor looking surprised, and a bit hurt. "Put an axe to you? Caedor, I knew when you suddenly became a red dragon and started torching boats... with the Iron Tower saying there was a dragon I was traveling with it was kind of obvious, I'm not THAT oblivious. Plus I always felt like I was missing something when Alstroemeria was talking to you, or them talking about you. I suppose I can't fault you for thinking that though... we haven't known each long enough, even though I gave my word to help you."

Her expressions shifts from surprised and her to annoyed with a hint of anger as she looked at Velion and Alstroemeria as she takes off her helmet. It seemed as though a new bit of tension and friction and come to replace the diffused scenario. "I CAN however fault the two of you. Did you think I of all people who try to kill someone unprovoked? Because of his species? Me? Or was it because I'd use my sense to see if he was evil?... Or did you just enjoy keeping me in the dark? Was is just another joke? Watch me fail to connect the dots? See how long I took to finally get it?"

[Reltzik]

"Not at all, Warchief Bloodthirst," Alstroemeria responds, quite easily and unabashedly. "I was initially quite unsure of my conclusions -- mere speculations at the time, and quite outrageous -- and did not share them because I thought them outlandish and wished to first gather more data. Then we were separated for a time and I could not converse with you in private.

"Not long after, I learned that Master Caedor's identity, location, abilities... basically everything about him was of extreme interest to the enemy. It's the sort of information you keep secret from everyone save those who have the deepest need to know, lest they be interrogated, or repeat it, or there be spies or scryers at work. I only disclosed my suspicions to three individuals, whose discretion is a matter of record and who needed full information to operate effectively, and I disclosed them AS suspicions, not to be taken as settled. Colonel Thornsen reached his own conclusion independently, I infer, though we have not actually discussed it.

"Then, before you and I could find a private moment to inform you, Master Caedor confronted me and swore me to secrecy with some rather chillingly excessive but ultimately redundant threats. It was enough to know that revealing his identity would severely jeopardize or outright ruin any chance of an alliance. Since then, I have treated this as one part confidence between friends, not to be betrayed even to other friends, and one part state secret, not to be disclosed to any. A courtesy I shall now extend to you as well, Maximilian. My primary fears there following was that were you to make the discovery yourself, you would not know to keep it secret, and yet the very disclosure that it would need to be kept secret would violate both confidence and secrecy. It was quite a paradox and amongst our other distractions I had yet to devise a solution. As our prisoner sought to inform you of it, my concerns shifted to fear that Master Caedor would blame me for your knowledge, to the fear that an ill-timed confrontation that could jeopardize our tactical efficeincy and consume much-needed minutes when they could least afford to be spared. Fortunately you possessed the sagacity to maintain your own silence on the matter until relative privacy could be obtained, and to delay until an appropriate hour."

[Thrair]

"Well, if the Dawnflower could work with Asmodeus against the likes of Rovagug, I'd guess it's only fair I be willing to work with a Red against these daemon-worshippers. I'll defer any rows until after this all is dealt with? Agreed?"

"Agreed. But only on account of these wretches having earned more of my ire than even you. Make no mistake... there will be an accounting." Caedor turns to Sekla with a strange look on his face, somewhat wary and questioning. "And you have no resentments on account of my race? Truly? None at all? You are, indeed, an odd Paladin. But then, I suppose you have reason enough to avoid judging on race alone, don't you? Well, then... I still owe a suit of armour. And you an interesting tale."

"On that note, Max has been found. I have no further business in this city, except dealing whatever damage I can to this filth. I am willing to depart when you see fit."


"Not so fast.... this City is in in a poor spot, and the people need more time to evacuate. Some did at the first signs of battle, but far too many had too great a faith in their nation's military. We need to hold the city at least another day. If we can manage three, Vectus says an Army from Falcon's Hollow will arrive. We need to buy time."

[TiaC]

Velion looks chagrined "Sekla, I only found out somewhat later than Alstromeria. By that point, you had formed a friendship with Caedor, and yet he had not told you. Informing you would then run a high risk of offending him at a time we need every ally possible. On top of that, while I did not expect you to be murderous towards him, I did consider it likely that you would have a hard time working alongside him. Given how hectic things have been since I found out, there was never time when we could safely deal with any fallout of the revelation. There was also the question of whether you would believe me, it is a rather outlandish claim. Finally, I have a bit of a bad habit of avoiding difficult conversations, so I may have talked myself out of it unwisely."

[Zerkai]

Sekla let out a heavy sigh as she listened to her teammates explain themselves, it seemed like her anger has passed... for now at least. "I see... I apologize, I am merely... fustrated by myself for being so dim at times, and I shouldn't have lashed out. 'I will guard the honor of my fellows, both thought and deed, and I will have faith in them.' We have been traveling together for some time, and I shouldn't think you harbor ill intent or think of me in such a way." She bowed her head and turned her thoughts to the Dragons.

"You two are the only Dragons I've ever actually seen and encountered in my short life traveling. So I only have stories about them... and I tend to be skeptical of them, and yes, I don't judge by species or race for rather... obvious reasons. Though I have to admit I'm an outlier for my people, but things are... changing, or more, things have to change lest we be wiped out. And on that subject... I'm conflicted. We should stay, but I need to return to the clans. The ceasefire between us and the dwarves will only last for so long, I will need to face their Paladin. And then turn out efforts to stabilizing conflicts in the North."

Spoiler: OOC

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Not sure about the others, but Caedor and Max will realize Sekla quoted a tenet of the Iomedae there.

[Thrair]

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Spoiler: OOC

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Sorry this is up a bit late. Been busy. This is a link to a map of the Inner Sea, for general reference. Make sure ya give me some details of your immediate plans for this downtime, so I know where you all are headed and can launch into your downtime subplots, eh? Just as the GM gives players adventure hooks, so too do they ask for a proactive "the f**k are these crazies doing next" player post to lead into RP. :P

Vectus' face remains pale from the retching, but he seems to be shaking off the last of the effects of the hypnosis.
"Right, then. Miranda is due from Falcon's Hollow in about a day and a half. We've a contingent of heavy infantry from Aspodell on the way, under the command of Thornsen here.... They're about 3 days out. Colonel Telpëhen picked up some stragglers on the way from the evacuation... Gaius should be able to spare some ships to get them out safely. Evacuation itself would be about 2 days through the river, if they make good time. Given the number of civilians, many of whom are used to having personal clout under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be surprised if they got bogged down an extra day or so. Still, they've a few mid-level members of several churches on hand... so they should arrive in fair shape. ...Hm."

He collects the bullets from the table and returns them to his haversack, fidgeting with the last of them.
"Let's see.... Cassomir was lightly hit and held firm. Action on that flank is minimal, for now. Almas is... lost. It will take years to repair the damage. Might lose it's status as capital, even if we were to end this war today. Hm... Augustana is currently secure, but their position is quickly becoming untenable... Their garrison is preparing to fall back. If they go through Arthfell, they might be able to link up with Thornsen's men.

"Had a few reports of lots of activity from the Hobgoblin clans, and surprisingly little from the Dwarves. With luck, that will remain stable at least a while yet. Do not need the complications. We'll have to trust Chief Bloodthirst. Captain Ferus is trying to acquire some intel from local cult commander. Can only hope it's something useful. Hm. And I think Gaius mentioned getting concerning reports on Chelish naval activity. Nasty skirmish with elements of the Absalomi 2nd and 4th fleets.

"Which brings to mind Ostenso... I worry for that city. Attacking Ardellon directly just doesn't make sense unless they take Ostenso first. It's technically neutral ground, but there is a token contingent of our troops. There's some Hellknights there, I think, as well. All the Chelish are permitted, through treaty. And even then, they are required through their own codes to be acting independently in their duties. Let's hope they've been proactive. I plan to head there, next. See what I can do."

He looks keenly at the assembled group... his gaze lingering with a raised eyebrow on Synne.
"And of you all? We should share information and assessments before departing for our own tasks. As well as coordinate our plans. We've got some time to maneuver. You all dealt these cultists some heavy blows. They seem to be pausing to consolidate their forces, instead of pressing the assault. I admit, I have almost been wondering just where you people came from. You've been a blessing out of the blue in this war."

[TiaC]

Velion responds, "You are somewhat misinformed. While I was involved in their deployment, General Aldus retains command over the forces from Aspodell, which I am quite glad for, as companies of heavy infantry are about as far as it is possible to get from my command experience.

"Their past actions do indicate some interest in Ardellon, but we do not know its exact nature. Nevertheless, it is likely a goal in itself rather than merely a stepping-stone to the river.

"As to us, we have been on the back foot of this war too long. It is time to cease reacting and begin to act. I think it is time we seek out the eldest roper, if only to deny him to our foes." He looks to Alstromeria, "I believe we have just gained intelligence that could provide leads on that?"