Ye Olde Adventure Worlde session 61

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Summary

Induriel tells his staff that he will be leaving Queen Alcarinel's service. Gladius reports to Laris that the Turathi seem to be making some kind of move by water. He carries this report to the city - to May and Eyllia. May tells Faire that he is the Chose One (Husband). Eyllia leads three shiips form the HOuses of Elemental Order to intercept the Turathi. They destroy one ship, and the summoned creature it housed, but two others make land. Laris, Rufus and Korivan discuss the magical plans for dealing with the demon-possessed corpses.

Session

Session date: 2020-04-24

Induriel tells his staff about his deal with Lady Morelos

<Kennesaw> How would you like to set up this conversation with them?
<Induriel> Well, I suppose we all spend a lot of time in my apartments anyway... and often have conferences there. Would it be natural to start there?
<Induriel> After taking appropriate anti-scrying precautions, of course.
<Kennesaw> Yeah, that would make sense.
* Induriel sets up anti-scrying precautions, and quietly summons his advisors to a special meeting
<Kennesaw> They'll show up promptly.
<Induriel> Valtheriel, Malliel, Mifflepon. Thank you for coming.
* Induriel says formally, though of course it was only expected
<Valtheriel> We are here to serve, lord ambassador.
<Induriel> I have a matter of great importance to discuss with all of you.
<Malliel> Something with the war?
<Induriel> In a sense.
<Induriel> I have recently been in conference with Heri Mamitu... and with Lady Morelos.
<Valtheriel> With both of them, my lord?
<Induriel> Yes. We have all come to a tentative agreement, in which Lady Morelos will aid our defense here, and Heri Mamitu will marry Lord Faire.
<Induriel> However, this comes with a price.
<Malliel> That must be some price.
<Induriel> That price being that I must ask our cherished Queen to relieve me of my duty to her, in order that I might serve Lady Morelos instead.
* Induriel pauses, waiting to see the reaction to this news.
* Malliel frowns.
* Valtheriel remains studiously impassive.
<Mifflepon> My lord, surely there must be another way?
* Induriel shakes his head reluctantly
<Induriel> I cannot think of one.
<Valtheriel> What will this mean for our diplomatic mission here?
<Induriel> It will continue, I should hope!
<Valtheriel> Under whose auspices?
<Induriel> That is the question.
<Induriel> Someone else will have to take my position.
<Induriel> Given the distance to Aethrennar, it should probably one of our people who is already here.
<Malliel> No one else will have your relationship with Mamitu.
<Induriel> Well, there is Faire - he will obviously have a close relationship with her as well.
<Induriel> I do not know if she can be married to the actual Ambassador from Aethrennar...
<Induriel> ...but I certainly wouldn't object if she doesn't.
<Valtheriel> But I do not believe he can marry into House Lalu and be considered our ambassador.
<Induriel> No. Which leaves the question open.
<Induriel> There is also my nephew, Nasan.
<Valtheriel> Was a timetable for the marriage discussed?
<Induriel> No. But I would expect the betrothal, at least, to be announced soon.
<Induriel> As soon as Mamitu has a chance to talk to Faire, almost.
<Induriel> One way or another, this must be concluded quickly - before the Legion is able to attack.
* Valtheriel nods.
<Induriel> So, the question remains.
<Valtheriel> Lord Faire could act in the capacity of ambassador until the wedding, I suppose.
<Induriel> Is that what you would advise?
<Induriel> And what afterward?
<Valtheriel> He has the closest relationship to Heri Mamitu, of course, so I believe he would serve well in that capacity. Afterward, we must await the Queen's word.
<Valtheriel> Master Nasan can fill the post in the interim, should there be one.
<Malliel> When do you take up your new duties, Lord Induriel?
* Mifflepon looks visibly distraught.
<Induriel> As soon as possible. I intend to discharge the last of my duties as honourably as possible.
<Induriel> Despite the price, this seems too good a deal for Aethrennar to pass up.
* Valtheriel nods.
<Valtheriel> You'll need to draft a formal letter of resignation to the Queen.
<Induriel> Yes, unfortunately.
<Induriel> (Would Valtheriel be allowed to take over?)
<Induriel> (She seems like an excellent choice, if it's permitted.)
<Kennesaw> (She's of too low a status to do so, though she'll be available to whoever the acting ambassador is.)
<Induriel> (Hey I was elevated to the nobility specifically for this position, right? :D )
<Induriel> (Could happen again.)
<Induriel> I will also have to break the news to Nasan.
<Induriel> ...but not yet, I think.
<Kennesaw> (No, I think you were minor nobility even before this.)
<Kennesaw> (Valtheriel is a commoner.)
<Induriel> (Ah well.)
* Valtheriel nods.
<Induriel> He will have to rely on your advice as much as I have, Valtheriel. More, if that's possible.
<Valtheriel> I will be at his disposal.
* Induriel nods
<Malliel> Likewise.
<Mifflepon> My lord...I wish to continue in your service.
<Induriel> I thank you all. I could not have made it through these past few months without your wise counsel and loyal service, and I shall be sure to recommend you highly in my final letter to Her Majesty.
<Induriel> Mifflepon... thank you. I would be pleased to have you do so, if that is your wish.
<Induriel> I am most touched by your loyalty. I only hope I will deserve it.
<Mifflepon> Will we remain here, or must we go to Lady Morelos's court?
<Valtheriel> We are honored by your kind words, my lord.
<Induriel> She will wish us to remain here, for the time being, at least.
* Mifflepon looks relieved.
<Induriel> Part of the reason for wanting me to serve her is for her to keep better track of what happens in the waking world here.
<Induriel> In the future... well, we shall see.
<Induriel> In any case: I rely on your discretion, everyone, until this arrangement is finalized.
<Valtheriel> Of course.
* Malliel nods.
<Induriel> And I must ask for your advice and help one last time in drafting a letter to Her Majesty...
* Induriel frowns sadly
* Valtheriel nods.
* Induriel takes a deep breath, nods, and goes to his desk to begin.

Gladius reports to Laris

* Laris is going over lists of supplies and inventories of materials.
<Gladius> Salve, Legatus.
<Laris> Salve, Gladius - how was your scouting?
<Gladius> Overland, much as your other scouts must be reporting. The first of their units are likely a week away, at most.
* Laris nods
<Laris> We will be prepared for them when they arrive.

• lan_phone (uid135102@2001:67c:2f08:3::2:fbe) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)

<Gladius> However, the real news from my report is that they seem to have deployed their ships north, what few they have available.
<Laris> All right. We will send word back to Nesu Abamatu with that information, so that our ships there, and Captain Eyllia's, can hopefully intercede.
* Gladius nods.
<Gladius> I'm just concerned for what it means.
<Gladius> From what I can tell, these are largely transport ships and refitted merchant vessels.
<Gladius> But they can't hope to transport a large enough force to threaten Nesu Abamatu.
<Gladius> Perhaps they seek to deploy raiders?
<Gladius> Disrupt our supply lines to the fortification here?
<Laris> Perhaps casters, or a small strike force for a specific target?
<Laris> I don't know.
* Gladius nods.
<Gladius> I'll carry word back to Nesu Abamatu. Any other messages?
<Laris> Please convey to them that Gaath Korivan has been successful in recruiting allies from among the orcs in the mountains.
* Laris probably has some other messages but I'm not sure what they are ;)
* Gladius nods. He will give his full report on the land troop movements, then take his leave.

Gladius reports to May and Eyllia

* Gladius makes his way to Nesu Abamatu, then seeks out May and Eyllia (preferably together).
<Eyllia> (ok)
* Malqorona can meet them both in the war room.

• Malqorona is now known as Maty
• Maty is now known as May

<Gladius> Siru Mamitu, Captain D'Azzure.
<May> Lord Gladius. I 'm glad to see you safe.
<Eyllia> Lord Gladius
* Gladius nods.
<Gladius> I am, as yet, unharmed.
* Gladius smiles.
<Gladius> I've brought dispatches from the south, but I also wanted to deliver my scouting report in person.
* May nods.
<May> Of course. How are things looking?
<Gladius> Of most immediate interest is that the Turathi naval force is moving north up the coast.
* Gladius indicates on the map.
<Eyllia> how large of a force is it?
* May looks at the map and frowns.
<Gladius> They're perhaps a week from Nesu Abamatu, but I doubt that is their goal.
<Gladius> Six ships total. Only one of those a real fighter, but I'm sure the rest have significant troops complements.
<Eyllia> trying to set up a forward supply post?
<Eyllia> I/m not sure what they are trying to gain?
<May> could be ritualists. trying to set up some kind of spell or trap for us.
* Gladius nods.
<Gladius> The Lugal and I thought that might be the case, or else deploying raiders to hit our supply lines.
<May> But why only one escort ship? They must know we have superior naval forces.
<Gladius> I do not believe they have more than the one to deploy.
<Gladius> They could, in theory, disembark troops in our territory before most of our ships could move to engage.
<May> Hmmm
<Gladius> If they do so at the outer edge.
<Gladius> Just north of the mountains.
<Gladius> They may also not be entirely cognizant of the House's naval capabilities.
<Eyllia> If we moved and took out thier ships they would be cut off
<Gladius> Houses'*
<May> We'll need to catch them before they reach a landable coast. Eyllia, how soon could you lead a force to intercept them?
<Eyllia> The Houses are somewhat of an unknown
<Eyllia> I could take the Drake and some of the faster scout ships, and probably cut them off... harry them and prevent them from reaching shore before a heavier fleet comes in to finish them.

• Induriel (~Mibbit@mtrlpq4396w-70-53-214-173.dsl.bell.ca) Quit (Quit: https://mibbit.com Online IRC Client)

* May nods.

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<Eyllia> that also has the advantage that if its a trap, fewer of our resouces are risked.
* May feels a shudder in her spine at that comment.
* Gladius nods.
<Gladius> I could accompany to provide support.
<May> ok.... right... We'll put a force together and launch at once.
<Eyllia> The die is cast, no turning back now.
<May> I will insist that you take some of my ritualists with you. If it's a trap, they may be able to help counter it.
* Eyllia nods
<May> Eyllia... please be careful.
<Eyllia> I will
<May> I would lose a thousand ships before I would lose you.
* Eyllia smiles
<Eyllia> I appreciate that. I have no intention of getting lost.
* May smiles.
<May> I know.
<Eyllia> And I have a dragon for support.
<May> Well yes. I want you back too.
* May smiles at Gladius
<Gladius> Not to be contrary, but Arkhosia had draconic support as well.
<May> Yes, but so did their enemies.
<Gladius> Just the one. ;)
<May> I hope to all the gods that isn't the case here.
* Gladius nods.
<Eyllia> I'd only bring you out if it was really necessary. Best to keep the enemy guessing where you are.
<Eyllia> Is Mehgan up for a boat ride as well?
<Gladius> I believe she would relish the opportunity to return to active service.
<May> I bet she will be if you're onboard.
* May grins.
* Gladius gives a small smile at that.
* Eyllia tilts her head and grins
<Eyllia> Not my fault I bring that out in people
<Eyllia> I'll send word when we leave, but I should start getting things organized
* Gladius nods.
* May nods.
<May> Good luck. Stay safe.

May proposes to Faire

* May will go and see Faire at his apartment the morning after seeing Lady Morelos
<Faire> Heri Mamitu, to what do I owe the pleasure?
* Faire smiles and steps aside to let May in.
<May> Lord Roanne.... may I...?
* May will enter, somewhat awkwardly.
<May> So... I have some things I need to talk to you about.
<Faire> Of course.
<Faire> Is something the matter?
<May> No, no... nothing bad... well... other than the usual.
* May gesture to the window.
<May> Ummm... can I sit down?
<Faire> Oh, yes, of course.
* Faire will go sit with her.
* May will do so.
<May> Ummm... so there have been some... diplomatic developments lately...
<May> You know what... this isn't helping anything. I'm just gonna say it.
* May takes a deep breathe and looks Faire in the eyes.
<May> Would you be willing to marry me?
* Faire 's eyes widen.
<Faire> Oh!
<Faire> You've made a decision, then?
<May> I'm sorry if this is sudden...
<May> I have.
<Faire> I mean, of course I will, I just...can it feel sudden even with everything?
* May laughs.
<May> Somehow it does.
<May> But if you are willing... then I am.
* Gladius smiles.
<Gladius> Of course I'm willing.
<Gladius> (Hee, ww)
<Faire> Of course I'm willing.
<Faire> Can I ask what brought this on?
<Faire> You said there were diplomatic developments?
<May> Well, yes but... I don't want you to think that this in any way means I'm not happy with the arrangement.
<May> I am...
* Faire nods, frowning just a little.
<Faire> You're sure?
<May> Yes. I knew from the first time we met that we would be good friends. And maybe more. And in the time we've known each other you've proved yourself capable, trustworthy, smart, and most importantly funny.
<May> I am confident in my decision.
<May> I've just been putting off a decision because... I guess I'm just not good at commitment and responsibility.
<May> Things were just... brought to a head yesterday. Moved along I guess.
* Faire smiles warmly.
<Faire> I had hoped this would happen, ever since I met you, but...I still kind of can't believe it's happening.
* May laughs.
<May> Me either.
<May> But I think it will be good.
<May> I hope you feel the same.
<Faire> I do.
* May laughs.
<May> Good. Now practice saying that line.
<Laris> back
<Laris> (oops ww)
<Faire> I know there's so much else going on, but I have to admit I'm excited.
* Faire laughs.
<May> Me too :)
<Faire> I know you're busy, but if you don't have anywhere to be at the moment...
<May> ...and now on top of everything else I have to plan a wedding...
* May grins.
<May> I think I can spare a few minutes.
* Faire will lean in to kiss May.
* May will kiss him back.

Eyllia lads forces against the Turathi

<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, Eyllia is taking the Drake and whatever fast ships she can muster, and sending word for the rest of the fleet to rendezvous with them in the south?
<Eyllia> (yeo(
<Eyllia> (Yes)
* Gladius and Meghan will meet you at the Drake before you head out, but you can set sail presently.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Roll me a Status check)
<Eyllia> !roll 2d6
* Korivan rolls for Eyllia: [ 2d6 ] getting [ 4 4 ] for a total of [ 8 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> We'll say Eyllia can get two more ships, the Golden Scale and the Seafang. They're about the same size as the Drake, though not quite so fast.
<Eyllia> It will have to be enough
<YOAW_Narrator> For the flotilla, it's only about a day and a half to the mountain coast, putting you there ahead of the Turathi ships. Do you want to head further south to cut them off, or lie in wait for them?
<Eyllia> I want to cut them off
<Eyllia> If we can get to them before they are even close to a place they can land, the better.
<YOAW_Narrator> Sailing south, you'll sight them on the morning of the third day, off the coast south of the mountains. How do you want to proceed?
<Eyllia> the reports are accurate, one warship and the rest converted vessels?
<YOAW_Narrator> Yes. You've probably been briefed, so you recognize the warship as being of Turathi make, while the rest are retrofitted wadjet vessels.
<YOAW_Narrator> The warship is of goodly size, more on the lines of the Suspire, built for power and durability, but not speed.
<Eyllia> how well are the other ships sailed... they keeping a good tight formation, or have they spread out?
<YOAW_Narrator> Middling? They're not spread over-wide, but they're not maintaining a strictly military cohesion, either.
<Eyllia> Simple plan, we move in fast aiming with the three ships at a flank, looking for a straggler... if the big guy moves to intercept, the two other ships pull the other way to hit the opposite flank and the Drake tries to use her speed to evade the big guy.
<Eyllia> if the big guy doesnt react, we rush the flank and hit it quick and out.
<Eyllia> after that we see how they decide to manage and adjust afterward.
<YOAW_Narrator> All right. Roll me a Warfare (Tactics) test.
<Eyllia> !roll 3d6
* Korivan rolls for Eyllia: [ 3d6 ] getting [ 1 1 1 ] for a total of [ 3 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> (oh wow)
<Eyllia> (any way to re-roll that?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Checking on that)
<YOAW_Narrator> (You can spend a Destiny point for +1 B, or burn one to either add +5 or treat it as if you got the minimum success.)
<Eyllia> (ill burn the destiny for minimum success)
<YOAW_Narrator> The Drake and her accompanying ships move towards the ship furthest out. The warship begins a ponderous turn in that direction while the transport ships tack away towards the coast.
<Eyllia> Hold course long enough for the warship to be well committed before signalling the break
<YOAW_Narrator> The Seafang and the Scale will break off at your signal, moving to strike at the transport ships.
<YOAW_Narrator> Roll me a Cunning test and an Awareness test.
<Eyllia> Cunning:
<Eyllia> !roll 3d6
* Korivan rolls for Eyllia: [ 3d6 ] getting [ 3 2 5 ] for a total of [ 10 ].
<Eyllia> Awareness:
<Eyllia> !roll 4d6+6
* Korivan rolls for Eyllia: [ 4d6+6 ] getting [ 5 4 6 3 ] for a total of [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 6 ] totals [ 24 ].
<Eyllia> straight numbers
<YOAW_Narrator> kk
<YOAW_Narrator> The Drake is able to stay at an advantage on the warship, keeping it at difficult angles for their return fire and unable to disengage without leaving itself more vulnerable.

• Induriel (~Mibbit@mtrlpq4396w-70-53-214-173.dsl.bell.ca) Quit (Quit: https://mibbit.com Online IRC Client)
• Induriel (~Mibbit@mtrlpq4396w-70-53-214-173.dsl.bell.ca) has joined #gnomeland

<YOAW_Narrator> The Seafang manages a broadside ram against one of the troop ships, cracking its hull and sending it on its way to the sea's grasp. The Scale herds the others further from the warship's aegis and prevents them from maneuvering on the Seafang as it disengages from the sinking ship.
<YOAW_Narrator> Taking fire from the Drake, the warship turns back towards the other ships, which are making their way back south and towards the coast.
* Eyllia will signal a regroup with the other ships, letting the enemy retreat south
<Eyllia> I want to investigate the sunken transport
<YOAW_Narrator> All right. By yourself, or taking some watersoul marines with you?
<Eyllia> I'll take Lydia and a couple others with me
<YOAW_Narrator> Cool.
<Eyllia> (Lysa, not Lydia, but you knew who I meant)
<YOAW_Narrator> You can spot the wreck easily enough where it's settled on the sea floor, though the area is cloudy with detritus and stirred up sand.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yeah, I gotcha)
* Eyllia will swim in looking for crew and cargo
<YOAW_Narrator> There's plenty of dead crew to find, soldiers and sailors alike.
<YOAW_Narrator> Roll an Awareness check.
<Eyllia> !roll 4d6+6
* Korivan rolls for Eyllia: [ 4d6+6 ] getting [ 3 2 5 1 ] for a total of [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ 6 ] totals [ 17 ].
<YOAW_Narrator> As you reach the ship itself, a dark form bursts from the hull towards you and your marines. It's about twice human-sized, an emaciated form something like a cross between an eel and a piranha.
* Eyllia signals to take the thing down and readies her blades
<YOAW_Narrator> Roll Fighting.
<Eyllia> !roll 10d6
* Korivan rolls for Eyllia: [ 10d6 ] getting [ 5 4 4 1 3 1 5 2 2 6 ] for a total of [ 33 ].
<Eyllia> (27)
<YOAW_Narrator> Eyllia dodges it's initial rush, gouging a deep wound down its side. Where its blood drifts through the water, though, it burns Eyllia's skin. You and your marines are able to dispatch the beast, but it is neither easy nor painless.
<Eyllia> we'll get a line to fish the corpse up so smarter people can figure out what it is.
<YOAW_Narrator> *nod*
<Eyllia> any more of them come out?
<Eyllia> if so we'll abandon the investigation... otherwise we'll see what we can learn
<YOAW_Narrator> Further exploration of the sunken vessel reveals it was also carrying a fair bit of what you're fairly certain were ritual supplies, including several circles carved into the deck.
<YOAW_Narrator> (No more of the beasts emerge.)
<Eyllia> grab a sampling and call it a day, so we can dress our injuries

Laris, Rufus, and Korivan plan their magical nonsense

<YOAW_Narrator> Laris, your scouts will confirm Gladius's report: the nearest elements of the Turathi army are perhaps a week away.
<YOAW_Narrator> The scouts (as well as Kraaz's raiders) will begin to pull their activities back towards the fortification as they advance.

• Gladius is now known as Rufus_Metillius

* Rufus_Metillius has returned from Nesu Abamatu.
* Laris is relieved he made it back safely
* Rufus_Metillius smiles at seeing Laris.
* Rufus_Metillius salutes.
<Laris> How was the trip?
* Laris asks after a salute in greeting
<Rufus_Metillius> Well enough. Dianthea sends her love.
<Rufus_Metillius> We worked up a couple ideas on how do deal with this whole "demonic undead" business.
* Laris smiles at that
<Laris> Oh? That's good. They're about a week away.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> We're about to get stuck in it, huh?
<Laris> It seems so.
<YOAW_Narrator> (It occurs to me, with the northern allies having arrived in NA, Rufus may have returned with more archers for you.)
<Rufus_Metillius> Like old times, eh?
* Laris nods
<Rufus_Metillius> We should send for Korivan. I'll need to discuss some of this working with him.
<Laris> Very well. Let's get some food and we can talk about what we need to do before they arrive.
<Rufus_Metillius> Though I had a question for you first.
<Rufus_Metillius> What's our plan for falling back from here?
<Rufus_Metillius> I'd been giving it some thought on the trip back.
<Laris> To some extent we'll need to see what their attack looks like, I think. But in general, I want to hold out here until we start to be at risk of taking significant losses - as long as we can hold out reasonably safely, we stay here, then fall back to the fort.
<Laris> I was considering reserving the Kai do Arat to cover our retreat.
<Rufus_Metillius> Can they do that without putting you at risk?
<Laris> I don't expect to be at the front of the retreating troops.
<Rufus_Metillius> Nor did I expect you to be, but I wasn't sure how far from you the Kai do Arat can range.
<Laris> I'm not sure either, to be honest.
<Laris> It might be something to test before they arrive.
<Laris> But I don't want to give their existence away too early either.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> Well, you're robbing me of my planned noble sacrifice, which was to leave risen here to hold while we retreat.
* Laris smiles a little at that.
<Laris> I wouldn't want to rob you. We might need both. Or maybe my plan won't work and it's better to reserve the Kai do Arat for defense at the fort when we reach there.
<Laris> I think we are on the same track though - protecting the living as much as we can, and allowing the dead to be our defenders.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> I hate to lose them, but we can make more risen. Especially over the course of this.
<Rufus_Metillius> The living...that'll take longer to replenish.
* Laris nods.
<Laris> This is not the place for a heroic last stand. This is where we buy some time, and get a sense of our enemy's tactics and strengths, before we draw back to better surroundings.
<Rufus_Metillius> My thoughts exactly.
<YOAW_Narrator> (We'll say Korivan can come in at this point.)
<Korivan> YOu sent for me...?
<Laris> Yes. Thank you for coming. Help yourself to some food, while we talk.
* Korivan nods and will grab some things
<Laris> Rufus has some ideas on how to deal with the demon-bound undead that he wanted your assistance with.
* Korivan nods and looks to him
<Rufus_Metillius> I heard you brought back another orc willworker?
<Korivan> Yes.
<Korivan> She has a great.... kinshi. With the spirits of the mountain....and the mountain itself @_@
<Rufus_Metillius> I'll take all the help we can get.
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> We can trust also that the terrain.... will lean in our favour. And the weather @_@
<Rufus_Metillius> Gods, that sounds fantastic.
<Rufus_Metillius> (To Laris) Remember that siege at Cannocfor? Where it rained on us for two weeks straight?
* Laris nods, chuckling slightly.
<Rufus_Metillius> Well, let's hope the Turathi have as miserable a time.
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> tell me of your... ideas @_@
<Rufus_Metillius> Anyway, I was hoping to compare notes, Korivan. I consulted with Dianthea and some others while I was in Nesu Abamatu, but I was curious if you'd come up with anything to deal with the demon-undead.
<Korivan> hmmm.... yes.
<Korivan> Tough of course there are.... risks.
* Korivan frowns
<Rufus_Metillius> Ah, well, I remembered something Laris told me of your battle at Lake Ankai.
<Rufus_Metillius> Where your ancestors aided your battle against something kind of similar.
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> Yes.
<Rufus_Metillius> I thought perhaps we could do something similar, to drive the demons out of the undead, then Laris and I could attempt to wrest control of them.
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> At the lake.... the ldead were left in possession... of the Ancestors. For the battle.
<Korivan> (I think that' right?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yes, I believe that is correct.)
<Korivan> They did not need.... controling @_@
<Korivan> The demons, though...
<Korivan> Malak can help but.... he would need support. He is... young.
<Rufus_Metillius> But, as I understand it, it was the spirits of the Ankai returning to their bodies.
<Rufus_Metillius> That won't be the case here.
<Korivan> hmmmm.
<Korivan> Yes.
<Rufus_Metillius> You think the kid is up for it?
<Rufus_Metillius> He's awful young...
<Korivan> Yes.
<Korivan> he would need experieced help to.... maintain control of the rite @_@
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> Meaning other of the booyahg?
<Korivan> Yes. That may be best.
* Korivan frowns
<Korivan> If they will do it.
<Rufus_Metillius> Is there a question of that?

• Vess_AFK (vess@CPE589630e09e0d-CM589630e09e0b.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 190 seconds)

<Korivan> Demons.
* Korivan says as if that shoudl be explanation enough
<Rufus_Metillius> Perhaps we can get help from Temu's people?
<Rufus_Metillius> The Turathi don't like it, but they have some experience and are less likely to be upset with an order.
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> I will see.... who I can find
<Korivan> the other.... they will be more willing for that
<Rufus_Metillius> So you think it's workable?
* Korivan listens for a moment to the voices
<YOAW_Narrator> The ancestors seem somewhat concerned about the demon-controlling, but excited for the demon-fighting.
<Korivan> yes.
<Rufus_Metillius> Good. So we have a plan.
<Rufus_Metillius> We'll have to prepare, but I think we're as ready as we're going to be.
<Korivan> Yes @_@
<Laris> Very well. We'll work on what we can prepare, then.

Solos

Rufus and Laris steal a moment together

* Rufus_Metillius will seek out Laris again after he's spoken to his inferior officers.
* Laris is in his tent, writing up some correspondence to send back to Nesu Abamatu.
* Rufus_Metillius comes in past the guard.
<Rufus_Metillius> Hello again, my treasure.
* Laris looks up and smiles to see him.
* Rufus_Metillius will come over to give Laris a kiss (on the top of his head or wherever if he's busy with reports.
* Laris can set aside his writing for the moment and return the kiss.
<Laris> Good evening... did you have a chance to review how your subordinates have been performing?
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> They're bored, and some are still at the point they don't realize that's the best thing a soldier can be.
<Laris> Ah... that's fair enough. I hope they are still bored in a week, but I'm afraid they won't be.
* Rufus_Metillius takes a seat in a nearby camp chair.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> That what it sounds like.
<Rufus_Metillius> They've been continuing to shore up the fortifications, per orders.
<Laris> That's good.
<Rufus_Metillius> If we survive all this, we should look into training more engineers.
* Laris nods.
<Laris> It would be useful, yes.
<Rufus_Metillius> I think we can convince some of the tribes of the usefulness of settled fortifications, even if the footprint is small.
<Rufus_Metillius> There are small stable pockets here and there.
<Rufus_Metillius> And if Kraaz can come around on static defense, anyone can.
<Laris> True enough. It has been useful to have the locals providing their insight into the terrain and the supplies here.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Laris> It's been a bit strange the last few days. We captured one of the legion's scouts and I had the opportunity to question her.
<Rufus_Metillius> Oh?
<Rufus_Metillius> How did that go?
* Laris gives a shrug.
<Laris> I'm not entirely sure I made the right choice. I spoke with her, and allowed her to leave to deliver a message back to her 'emperor'.
<Rufus_Metillius> Why?
<Rufus_Metillius> That sounds more accusatory than I mean it.
<Rufus_Metillius> Why do you think you might not have made the right choice?
<Laris> I had the sense that she had little appetite for this fight. She said it was her leader's will that she was following, but she didn't think we were her enemies.
<Laris> I thought maybe, if I showed mercy, she might bring back a more favourable word to him. Maybe she could convince him this isn't a fight worth having. But that is the part that I think might not have been right - maybe it makes us seem weak.
<Rufus_Metillius> They seem to be planning to attack no matter what we do.
* Laris nods
<Rufus_Metillius> If this gives pause to some of their troops, that can only aid us.
<Laris> And maybe it was wrong to send her back just to have one more person to fight against us.
<Rufus_Metillius> What's one more?
<Laris> True enough.
<Laris> She asked if it was true that there were elves from Vanilorra in our city, and I told her it was. That seemed to leave some impression upon her, although I don't know what exactly.
<Rufus_Metillius> Any sense of where she was from?
<Laris> She was a gnome. She said that the Legion saved her family from the Doom.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> Plenty of gnome clans split back in the Aethrennar schism. She might have family in Vanilorra.
<Laris> It could be.
<Rufus_Metillius> Is this...a larger issue?
<Laris> How do you mean?
<Rufus_Metillius> Reticence killing people who need not be our enemies?
* Laris sighs.
<Laris> Part of me hopes that maybe she will see there's nothing good to come from this battle, and leave. Even if she can't convince others, she could find another path.
<Laris> Some of them are no doubt beyond the point where they could be reasoned with, but she didn't seem that way. She wasn't a fanatic. She was loyal to them because of how they've helped her and her family in the past, but also because of fear of retribution if she betrayed them.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Laris> I just don't know how many more are like her - who might be fighting not because of something they believe it, but because they know if they don't, they'll be skinned alive.
<Rufus_Metillius> That was Bael Turath's way.
<Rufus_Metillius> They weren't citizen-soldiers like us.
<Rufus_Metillius> Aren't, I suppose.
* Laris nods
<Laris> Even worse, the captives and prisoners they are forcing into this... not to mention the dead they're corrupting...
<Rufus_Metillius> Neither of the empires were exactly pleasant.
<Rufus_Metillius> I suppose that's how they came to be empires.
<Rufus_Metillius> This thing with the dead...
* Rufus_Metillius scowls and curls his hand into a fist.
<Laris> Yes. I hope that you and Korivan's efforts will be successful in dealing with that, but I know it isn't going to be easy.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> I hope so, too. Maybe once this is all over Merula and Dianthea can give them a proper funeral.
* Laris nods
<Rufus_Metillius> I can understand desperation, but...there are limits.
<Laris> I know that we have to fight back against them, because of matters like that. It isn't something we could negotiate or bargain away. I just wish that they hadn't forced our hand.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> This 'emperor' of theirs must be some piece of work.
<Rufus_Metillius> Or the people behind him are.
* Laris nods
<Laris> I tried to get some sense from the scout of whether it was really just him making all the decisions, but I couldn't tell.
* Rufus_Metillius nods.
<Rufus_Metillius> Good trait in a scout.
<Laris> Maybe she was just going along with everything so she could get a look at our camp. I don't know. I kept thinking maybe I should have just held her as a prisoner, or killed her, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
<Laris> I spoke with her at the gates, so she didn't get to see much.
* Laris adds with a sigh.
* Rufus_Metillius puts his hand on Laris's.
<Rufus_Metillius> It's not a bad thing to show mercy when you can.
<Rufus_Metillius> Even for us, ending a life isn't easily reversed. ;)
* Laris nods, turning his hand to hold Rufus's.
<Laris> How were things at home? I know you told me some, but I just... I miss it.
* Rufus_Metillius gives a knowing smile.
<Rufus_Metillius> It's not so very far. We have a week, it sounds like, and we know the battle plan. You could set out now and be back before the enemy, with two or three days with Dianthea.
* Laris looks torn.
<Laris> It's my responsibility to be here. If something went wrong, or they arrived faster than expected...
<Rufus_Metillius> You have qualified subordinates who can meet the threat.
<Rufus_Metillius> No one would blame you for a last trip home.
<Rufus_Metillius> Not last.
<Rufus_Metillius> Last before the battle starts.
<Laris> Hopefully not...
<Rufus_Metillius> You know what I mean.
* Laris nods
<Laris> But you just got here.
* Laris says a bit wistfully.
<Rufus_Metillius> And I'll be here when you return. And with you when we return to Nesu Abamatu after that.
<Rufus_Metillius> And we can make the most of tonight.
* Laris smiles slightly at that
<Laris> so you didn't quite mean that I could leave now? ;)
* Laris uses that hand he's clasping to pull Rufus closer.
* Rufus_Metillius grins and lets himself be pulled in.
<Laris> Technically, if I'm going back, I don't need to finish that letter...
* Laris says with a smile.