(IC) Festival of Heroes 5 - Thrymskvida - Main

[Andrew Markham]

"Captain, I hate to be dismissive, but I doubt the demons have only a single avenue of attack. Their strategy has been to escape in as many directions as possible to reach the border. Even the flyers are trying to reach the barrier in the skies above us so they can batter it down. You destroyed these demon dogs yesterday? They would have to walk several more days after that to reach the barrier. What we need to do is check the outskirts of the kingdom in as many places as possible, as quickly as possible. Any other possible ideas?" Aurix says.

[Wolfykins]

Malaika nodded. "I got nothing," she said in giant.
She escorted McLaughlin to one of the castle's guest parlors nearby.
"Call for a servant if you need anything," she said.
She hurried back to the others and took up a position standing behind Gorrun.

[Jgraves]

"I suppose I am, but I still felt it needed te be asked, an as fer shiny, I don't recall if he said he was returnin," he says to Gorrun before turning to Aurix, "ye asked fer ideas, I gave ye one, I tracked a set of prints they were not from demon dogs, an they went east, unless an until someone has a different idea, that's the lead we have goldy"

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Aurix, you've been studying Hervir's effects. Are we certain the barrier is a dome? And not a globe? If they've tried reaching the top, perhaps there are tunnelers undermining us?

There were cultists of Orcus in Hillvale. If the cults are already present in the border towns, it would be easy for them to be staging their own attacks without even needing demons from the tower to make it out that far. We'll need to stay in touch with our outriders, and border patrols to see if they spot any trouble. And speaking of border patrols, the Lt. General didn't mention anything to me about trouble in the south, so I'm inclined to believe that wherever the damage is occurring, it's not to the south.

On an unrelated note, I've had word that the goblin encampment outside the city wall has been arming and training in combat techniques. Not typical behavior for fleeing refugees. It is possible that they are simply trying to be ready for whatever is coming, but it is also possible that they are in league with the cults and mean to attack. I plan to pay them a visit later to see for myself.

[Wolfykins]

"Well, it could still be in the south," Malaika noted thoughtfully, tapping her cheek with one finger. "He made it to the capital in just three days, right? Juvelnord's southernmost border is further south than that. There's only outposts that far south, and they're pretty spread out, but the Lt. General's base would feed those posts so they don't have to march all the way from here."

[Andrew Markham]

Aurix ponders the idea. "It would almost have to be, wouldn't it? Otherwise they could just tunnel underneath the barrier and it wouldn't be very effective. But that means that, like flyers, they could potentially just dig down to the bottom of the thing. It'd be harder to get large numbers of troops down there to attack, but you could have a few." Aurix looks to Umbear. "Seems your earlier fixation on the sewers and the underground might come in handy. We may need that information to see if they've got demons down there." Aurix looks back at the group. "Also, it might have been the reason that demonic raid yesterday opened all those holes underground. They may have been trying to get down there through the sewers...but they got eaten by the Worm that Walks. Still, we'll need to watch there. Any other underground tunnel system might also expedite their attack. The only other one I can think of are the Drow tunnels. Any other thoughts?"

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Those outposts would all be under his command. I would think, that if there was trouble, he'd have heard about it. Unless of course the trouble only started since he left to come here. The damage to the barrier is recent, so that is possible.

The first report I received about attacks on the barrier weren't even demons or cultists. It was the Varang. He glances sidelong at Malaika. So there is also the possibility that these attacks aren't even coming from our enemies, but rather, just normal people who are trying to get out and are sadly ignorant of the risk they are subjecting the rest of the world to by doing so.

The Drow tunnels, sewers, even the mines could be used to reach below. It is odd how the barrier reaches the outer perimeters of the nation but it is only a few hundred feet above our heads. The same is likely so below, if that is the case. Less of a globe, and more like a macaroon.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear listens as he eats, Mindlessly stroking Cuddles Neck as the others spoke. With his off hand he opens his bag of holding, and queue Crawls out and sits on the table to listen.

"Demons are trying to escape everywhere. Not just east.... They want out..."" Queue Pipped in.

"Cuddles spotted Devils flying in the city, outside the park, thats what brought me to her, because she was attacking them, with no luck. She wont have a repeat of that issue, She can now cut ghosts open. "

Umbear nodded to Aurix.

"the Barrier extends past the tree of life, which is several days away for anyone but me. Its unlikely that demons on foot have reached the barrier yet. Gorrun is right, its likely people, towns people, maybe mercenaries, or cultists that are attacking the barrier."

Umbear looked from Gorrun to Aurix.

"I would like to take the lead on talking to the goblins, they may respond better to an ogre, than a human."

Umbear looks to Queue and then smiles.

"I will let anyone borrow queue to help them go underground and scout out any possible new tunnels or areas that are being opened, or occupied to attack the barrier. If the drow are honestly involved.... thats... going to be tricky situation... are we gonna fight them? recruit them to fight the demons and devils?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor nodded to Umbear. "Good thinking. You handle that." The Princess agreed.

"This is urgent. Drasaveil, could you ask the Mages' Guild to send messages to all border settlements to leave the barrier be?" She asked.

Drasaveil nodded. "They are at your disposal, Your Majesty." She replied, pulling out a stone pendant from under her clothes. She whispered into the stone for a few moments and this whispered a few replies. "They are informed. I will check on their progress shortly."

Geiravor smiled. "Well that is nice!"

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear interjects.

"Do we want Dras to send messages to the Drow Matriaches?"

[Jgraves]

The Captain thinks for a moment, then holds up a hand, “Wait, I was a damned fool,” he starts turning towards the table and leaning over it, his hands balled into fists, “I was lookin the wrong damn way, we have an open breach in the city somewhere, it’s not about where the beasties are goin, but where they’re comin from, I need a tracker te help me, if lady Aurora is indisposed t’day I’ll ask her, te help, but we need te find where they’re coming from.” He continues, his familiar hoping off his shoulder and now sits on the table, “because they’re comin through unnoticed, an unstopped”

[EdgeGrinder]

"It could, but I betrayed Lolth so they aren't likely to listen to anything I say. I started out as a Cleric but became an Arcanist instead. That was a slap in the face to Mother Harnak but it was my defecting that made her lose Lolth's favor. I can help in other ways. They would most likely listen to Captain Rackham, being a Tiefling, than anyone else." Drasaveil explained.

"So how about it, Captain?" Geiravor asked.

[Jgraves]

Bramwell looks to the princess, "aye I could, but someone would need te watch over Brân, I wouldnt want him in the underdark" he says and takes a breath, "but if I'm down there who will look fer the breach the beasties are coming through?"

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear pointed to the Cap.

"Plus you need to take someone with you down there, never go by yourself to go see the drow. Volunteers?"

Umbear then looked around.

"I could loan Aurora Queue to help look for the leak in our defenses. "

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor nodded. "Very well. You won't be going in alone either. A small team will escort you. Umbear and Markas, I have separate tasks for you. Also, the crafting labs will be providing Potions of Shadow Walking for you. Up to four a day. Anymore will need to be special order." Geiravor explained.

"I volunteer to escort the Captain, though I should remain out of sight should we make contact with my... former people." Drasaveil said.

"Good good. We need not rush into these tasks this morning. So everyone take time to consider your moves for the day." Geiravor advised.

[paladin_artea]

Markas listened intently while finishing his meal. When Princess Geiravor said she had a special mission for him and that he'll be getting a continuous supply of Shadow Walking potions made him feel more secure in whatever task was needed, "Four a day. That's plenty. Thank you, your highness. Can I assume the mission you have for me is to continue working with Camille on her patrol? Or is it the matter we discussed before I left yesterday? Or something else entirely?" the monk asked a little eagerly.

[Andrew Markham]

Aurix moves up to Geiravor's side. "I'll be staying here to watch over the battlefield while everyone else is gone, and also to keep the Princess safe. I'd like to accompany you to court today, if you're holding it, so I can get a read on the political situation, as well. Otherwise I would volunteer to venture into the Underdark. With Markas and Umbear busy, that would seem to leave either Gorrun or Aurora to accompany the Captain into the Underdark. The General seems like the right person to help make some kind of military alliance with them, if that's what we're gunning for, or assess their strength if not."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear nodded to aurix.

"One more thing. I keep hearing things about unwin. People have the impression hes torturing. Legit torturing people in the dungeons. "

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

I had intended to survey the goblin situation. Especially since their proximity is my doing. However, I will go where her majesty wills it.

[EdgeGrinder]

"Yes, Markas, what we talked about yesterday. I'll give you more details later. And just to be clear, that's four potions for everyone to use, not per person." Geiravor clarified.

"We... can look outside this group for more warriors. Aside from Warrick and the Paladin Corp, we have... Ignatius the Sergeant-at-Arms. Ask he works with Warrick so you can find him training paladins. As much as it pains me... Helen and her entourage. Umbear, want to take her out of town for me?" Geiravor laughed. "Magnus is ready to fight, sober or drunk. Brynhildr can go for an adventure if she has no orders, but she will kill steal... trust me. Of course, Lieutenant General Tasidar is up for fighting. Am I forgetting someone?"

"Torture? He can be intimidating, but torture? He better not. Speaking of which, anyone know where he is? Geiravor wondered.

[Wolfykins]

Malaika cleared her throat.
"The rest of the Varang could be convinced to help more. Horofay, Kasidra and Zetaya would be valuable assets in combat. Olp and Urtar could be enlisted in helping Brynhildr, if they were considered trustworthy enough to allow in there."

[paladin_artea]

Markas nods and sits patiently, ”Hopefully I’ll at least have enough time to send word to Camille to let her know I won’t be able to help her for now, he thought, but this is pretty important...

[Drackstin]

As Brynhildr finishes up everything that he asked for he gets up off the table and stretches. Bending his body in all kinds of ways. "Ahh. You have out done yourself this time Brynhildr." He gives her a hug then then kisses her cheek. Then he takes out his pouch and leaves the gold he owes on the table. "I know you much be tired after all that. Get some rest. I'll leave a surprise in your office" he gets dressed then starts to walk to her office, he grabs the sheet from the table he was laying on. When he gets into her office he finds a nice spot and his hands start to glow, the floor starts to shift as he molds it up into a statue. He carves in the details until it looks just like him without anything on. Then he covers it with a sheet. "Alass stone can not capture my true perfection. But it will have to do."

Tasidar walks out of the lab and heads back into the dinning hall, his body glowing with magic. As he enters the hall he looks around. "I see the general has finally arrived. Maybe now we can get down to the real issues"

Spoiler: spell

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Spell used: shape stone

[EdgeGrinder]

Brynhildr wiped the sweat from her brow. "Whew! Damn right I outdid myself. Never tattooed that much in one go. You must be sore!" Brynhildr said, winking after the kiss on her cheek.

---

Geiravor put on her True Seeing googles for a moment as Tasidar returned. "My Freya! You are glowing with magic tattoos! How much ink did you get?!"

[Drackstin]

He laughs "not enough dear cousin" he look at everyone around the room. "Please continue. I'm sure I can catch up with the issues at hand."
Tasidar speaks in a different language so that some ears can not fall on his words

Spoiler: Celestial

Show

"Cousin you have all these beings around that you seem to trust, but I have not seen Hervir at all since I arrived, wouldn't her present be worth more then some of these you employ"

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor frowned and looked down at the table.

Spoiler: Celestial

Show

"Hervir... gave her life to cast the spell that created the barrier keeping the Abyssal invaders in this land. We sent her to Valhalla the day before yesterday. I am sorry. I know you were close."

[Drackstin]

Tasidar looks down then closes his eyes, his expression can be seen around the room as if he is forcing his eyes to stay closed. He turns from the table and walks to the window and opens it, he jumps out and his wings catch him. He heads to Hervir's tower, as fast as he can. Everyone in the meeting can only hear his scream as he flys away. Its echo shakes the castle.

As he closes onto the tower he can't believe his eyes, he lands before it, looking up he sees the once noble tower now leaning and fused. He drops to his knees "Hervir... this cant be true....." he closes his eyes and leans forward, he thrusts his fist into the ground. "These beast will not gain any more ground. I swear that"

[paladin_artea]

Markas briefly winces in pain, taking a sharp breath, bracing his head up with the palm of his hand, elbow on the table. He hoped that Tasidar didn’t notice as he fled out the window...

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Umbear continues to pet cuddles as he watches the interaction between the LT. General and the princess.

"Geir... I know hes grieving.... but do I need to knock him down a few pegs? He wasnt here for the tournament, and he hasn't... bonded with us for the last few days. "

[EdgeGrinder]

Geiravor stared outside the window Tasidar flew out of. "You may not have to. War isn't usually personal for a soldier, it's work. War doesn't get personal until you lose someone. For Tasidar, it just got personal. He might be a snob, but he'll do his job." She explained. She thought for a moment. "But do what you gotta do."