Ye Olde Adventure Worlde session 55
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Summary
Everyone regroups in the city, and reports the current developments. Plans are made, and a clever relay system of communication devised. Grahm relates that the Quom have landed on the new islands and Laris lends some ships to help deal with them before they get worse and draw resources away from the conflist with the Green Steel Legion. Laris goes to see Dianthea. Korivan catches up with Kraaz.
Session
- Session date: 2020-03-01
- In Game date:
The Big Meeting
* May will call everyone to the war room once we're all back, then.
* Laris will of course be present.
* Sahhiru et al will be in attendance.
* Korivan also
* Eyllia is happy to linger around
<May> Alright. Thank you all for coming. I know many of us just returned, but I want us all to know where we stand. First of all, how are the defensive preparations going?
<Kraaz> Well, we fucked that pass up just as we said we would.
* Kraaz says with a grin.
* Korivan also grins
<Laris> The fortifications at the other pass are proceeding apace.
* May nods.
<Kraaz> The can't get cavalry over it, infantry would take a long time, and it'd take even longer to clear it.
<Kraaz> Leave some warriors to harass them and they're not getting through it any time soon.
<May> Good. Do we know any more about their forces or plans?
<Laris> However, we also need to be alert for the possibility that, faced with these obstacles, they could also elect to go by sea - they have ships. I don't know if they would, but it's a risk to be aware of.
<May> Hmm
<Laris> If Captain d'Azzure can pass along the information to the rest of her people, my ships can also help patrol those waters if need be.
<Sahhiru> Do we have any sense of their naval strength.
* Eyllia nods to Laris' comment
<Laris> (do I? I think the orcs were a bit vague on that, other than 'ships'?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yeah, they didn't have much sense of it.)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Though it'd have to be a fair bit for transport.)
<Laris> I'm not sure - our informants had only vague information, but if it was transporting all their numbers, it would have to be a large fleet.
<Laris> But I don't know whether they are warships or mainly for transport.
<Sahhiru> They weren't a naval force before, and I would doubt [Per An or Iter Was, I'm forgetting which it is] has warships to spare.
* Laris nods
<May> If they do come by sea then we may have an advantage if we know they're coming. Patrolling will be critical.
* Sahhiru nods.
<Eyllia> transporting a large fighting force by sea is always unpredictable. Would they be that risky?
<Sahhiru> Perhaps that was only for a portion of the force?
<May> Unlikely, but the fact that they could makes it something we have to consider.
<May> Possibly. A diversion or flanking force, maybe
<Laris> They are taking many of the local orc tribes as prisoners. We got a few who escaped coming to our side, and I believe if we were able to free more, we could recruit them. It was from these escapees that we learned the legion arrived in ships.
* Sahhiru nods, considering.
<Sahhiru> I'm assuming these escapees would be willing to assist liberation efforts?
<Sahhiru> We'd need people with a better understanding of the terrain.
<Laris> I believe they would - the able-bodied among them, anyway. Some are children and elders.
* Sahhiru nods.
<May> Is the city able to feed and house all the possible incoming refugees?
<Kraaz> We'd just need a guide.
<Kraaz> Or whoever goes, will. >.>
* Laris nods to Kraaz.
<Laris> I don't know if they will come so far as the city, most seemed inclined to remain near their customary home, but we could use more supplies there to help feed them, especially if more will be incoming.
* May nods.
<Sahhiru> That's a massive effort, but we have been stockpiling.
<Sahhiru> Feeding them there requires more organization, but avoids the housing problem and accompanying issues, for the time being.
<May> We'll feed as many as we can from our granaries.
<May> I'll make sure we have someone in charge of distribution.
* Laris nods
<Laris> Meanwhile, how were your efforts in gathering potential support?
<May> As well as could be expected. Riome is uncommitted but she allowed us to visit her tribes individually to seek assistance. I spoke to the Rucina. The are cautious, but I think we can count on their aid.
<Korivan> All those we spke to..... have pledged some measure of suport
<Sahhiru> 'Some measure'?
<May> And Yula is still behind us. Many of her people will likely join her.
* Korivan nods
<Kraaz> Are they coming here?
<Korivan> Yes.
<Kraaz> When?
<Korivan> (good question!)
<Korivan> The Nalta Yaru.... gather ther warrior allies now.
<May> We need to know when the enemy will strike. If we gather forces too early supporting them in the field will be a big issue. Too late and we might as well not bother.
<Kraaz> (I believe y'all just told them all to head to NA ASAP, AFAIK ;) )
<Kraaz> (Or not)
<May> (Oh, my bad)
<Sahhiru> Do we have any sense of when or if the Legion plans to move?
<May> Have we heard from Ferko?
<Laris> Gladius scouted the area most recently - perhaps he can speak to that.
* PeanutGallery is now known as Gladius
<Gladius> They seem entrenched at the moment, but I did not get the impression from what I saw that they intended to stay too long where they were.
<Gladius> They weren't reinforcing their position beyond the basics.
<Sahhiru> Hmm.
<Sahhiru> They could be temporarily encamped while they scout the best place to begin fortifying, or they could indeed be planning to move sooner rather than later.
* Laris nods
<May> (What time of year is it?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (That is a good question. I think we're nearing the end of the dryer season.)
<May> Would they attack during the rainy season? It would be hard progress. If not then it's attack now or wait until next year.
<Kraaz> The smarter plan is attack now, then. Otherwise we have time to prepare.
* May nods.
<May> Has Ferko reported back?
<Sahhiru> Not yet, but I'm not worried just yet.
<Sahhiru> He tends to be thorough, and that takes time.
<May> Then for now we have to assume they will be coming soon.
<Laris> I can return to the eastern pass to continue to fortify and monitor the situation there, and if Hraal Kraaz wants to accompany in order to help coordinate rescue efforts for the prisoners, that would be good.
* May nods.
<May> Make sure you have an augur with you. I want all of us in constant scrying contact if possible.
<Kraaz> Raiding. That I can do.
<YOAW_Narrator> (What exactly do you mean by that, Tuck?)
<May> (Just that we should be able to report what's going on at each location)
<May> (Through messaging rituals and the like)
<YOAW_Narrator> (There are no messaging rituals.)
<YOAW_Narrator> (There are *messenger
* rituals.)
<May> (Heh, that then :) )
<YOAW_Narrator> (But we've established that, for instance, Sending and the like hasn't been invented yet.)
<May> (But scrying has, right?)
<Korivan> (yes but leaving youself open to constant scrying invitesespionage form the enemy as well)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Yeah, but it's neither easy nor cheap. It's really not able to be used all the time.)
<May> hmmm
<May> (hmmmm)
<May> (Well, then for important or urgent messages at least)
<May> (My bad)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Okay, but how do you coordinate that from either end? ;) )
<YOAW_Narrator> (These are the issues. :p )
<YOAW_Narrator> (You can't send a message that says 'Prepare a report for me to scry tomorrow at 6', etc.)
<May> (I was gonna say we have like a chalkboard or tablet with the latest situation report on it that the other side can scry whenever, but as Heahter said, that invites enemy scrying)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Logistics issues, mang. Up to you what you want to do.)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Summoned messengers are usually quicker, but require more effort than riders, etc.)
<May> (Yeah, but for emergencies, it's good to have them)
<May> (So take a mage who can do that just in case)
<Laris> (what's the non-Gladius travel time between the pass and NA?)
<Laris> (just wondering how long it would take to get word back and forth by riders)
<YOAW_Narrator> (For one person pushing on horseback? 3 days? One person on foot? 5-6. More people tends to take longer.)
<Laris> (ok)
<YOAW_Narrator> (A Hrieffen or Katalal could probably push that to 2 days ridden.)
<Laris> We can get word back in an emergency in 3 days' time.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Less if you pony express it. ;) )
<Laris> Maybe 2, with a very skilled rider, and if they can switch mounts.
<May> If I sent some scrolls with you with my mark on them I could summon one every other day so you can stay in communication with me, at least one way. We could have riders send them back.
* Laris nods.
<May> Or even every day. It would be much faster and more secure.
<Laris> Be sure to label them so you summon them in order. if I make a report at noon every other day, then you can summon the one for that day.
* May nods.
<May> I can do that.
<Laris> Very well.
<Sahhiru> What forces should we be moving now?
<Laris> If troops from our newly-recruited allies begin to arrive here, dispatch some to the fort - it's closer to the pass and may help spread out some of the strain of housing and supporting them.
<Laris> And it's the first place I'll fall back to if they break through at the pass.
<May> We'll send out word for everyone to start converging there.
* Sahhiru nods.
<Laris> We can't leave the city undefended, in case the Legion take a different tack and approach by sea, but I do think that's less likely.
<May> It will be an... interesting group.
<Sahhiru> Redeployment from the fort is, what? A day's march?
<Sahhiru> A day's ride, rather.
<Laris> Yes.
<Sahhiru> I suppose it's two day's march.
* Laris nods
<May> Alright. Anything else for no, then?
<Sahhiru> Much, but it seems the broad strokes of our plan have been laid out.
<Sahhiru> Now it is down to specifics.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Details which we don't necessarily need to cover ;) )
<May> If any of you feel like offering up any prayers to your various gods, we can use all the help we can get.
* Korivan nods to that
<Korivan> Bane will give us his blessing @_@
<Sahhiru> You should look to make a few sacrifices yourself, Mamitu.
<May> I will.
Developments for the Houses of Elemental Order
* Grahm was not in the meeting, but will walk in as other folks are leaving.
* Grahm goes over to Eyllia and also tries to catch Laris as well.
* Laris will go over to join them, then.
<Grahm> I'm sorry, I just arrived back from the isles and learned of this meeting.
<Grahm> What news of the northern tribes?
<Laris> It appears that most of them will be sending troops to support us. How many and of what nature, I don't know precisely.
* Grahm nods, but looks preoccupied.
<Grahm> And the Legion?
<Eyllia> I also managed to secure a supply of lumber for ships, assuming we have time to build any
* Grahm looks at Eyllia, impressed.
<Grahm> Thank the gods for that.
<Grahm> We may have need.
<Laris> They are encamped beyond the pass, but we expect they will be on the move again before long.
<Laris> We also know they have ships, so it's possible the move will come from the sea.
* Grahm frowns and sighs.
<Grahm> More bad news.
* Grahm nods, steeling himself.
<Laris> What is it?
<Grahm> The Quom have landed on the isles.
<Grahm> They appear to be fortifying an encampment.
<Grahm> Not on Hearthspire, but one of the new islands.
<Eyllia> Not good news indeed
<Laris> Any casualties so far?
<Grahm> Not as yet. It's three of their ships, and sizeable ones at that, but they haven't left their landing site since we spotted them, three days ago.
* Laris nods
<Laris> Captain D'Azzure, if you require support from my ships to aid in this effort, it is yours.
<Eyllia> Thank you. I say we should strike hard and fast and force them from the island. If they establish a defensive position, we may never be rid of them until they are done thier collecting.
* Grahm nods.
<Eyllia> And it leaves any navel defense weakened if we always have be on guard from an attack from the isles
<Laris> Very well. The sooner this can be dealt with, the better.
<Eyllia> Did the Wavemistress have any ships prepared to repell the Quom?
<Grahm> Hearthspire awaits your return. The council wished to bring all our strength to bear.
* Eyllia asked Grahm
<Grahm> The rest of the fleet is waiting.
<Grahm> And ships Nesu Abamatu can offer in aid would be appreciated. The council is worried about dimensional reinforcements.
* Laris nods
<Eyllia> I'll see to the Drake as soon as we are done here.
<Grahm> Godsspeed, Captain.
<Eyllia> We need to be decisive to deter these fanatics
<Laris> I can spare up to four ships to aid you.
<Eyllia> thank you
<Eyllia> Grahm, stay and help coordinate thier preparation.
<Eyllia> Once we drive them off, we'll make sure any Legion approach by sea is known, and costly
* Laris nods
* Grahm nods.
Laris gets to see his wife!
<Laris> (is she at the city, or am I going out to see her at the villa?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Probably in the city?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (To help with whatever she can.)
<Laris> (ok)
* Laris will find her, then
* Dianthea is likely at the temple, unless someone was sent to tell her Laris was in town.
* Laris can go to the temple
* Dianthea is helping with spinning bandages with some of the acolytes.
* Laris will try to be sneaky and come up behind her for a cute surprise ;) he may be bad at this, however.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Sure, roll...is it Stealth? Larceny or something? I forget.)
<Laris> (stealth, and I'm bad at it, but sure ;)
<Laris> !roll 2d6
* Korivan rolls for Laris: [ 2d6 ] getting [ 6 3 ] for a total of [ 9 ].
* Lan-werk rolls for Laris: [ 2d6 ] getting [ 1 1 ] for a total of [ 2 ].
<Laris> (well hopefully I can have the first one there, but the second could also be adorable, tbh ;p)
<YOAW_Narrator> (I'll be nice, and take the first one.)
<Laris> (heh)
* Remote is off
* Laris will come up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
* Dianthea starts for a moment.
<Dianthea> Hello?
<Laris> Surprise.
* Dianthea looks up and smiles.
* Laris smiles back
* Dianthea leans back into Laris for a moment.
* Laris leans down to give her a kiss on the forehead.
<Dianthea> I didn't know you were returning so soon.
<Laris> It's only briefly, I had to report and make plans with the others. But I have a little time.
<Dianthea> How little is a little? ;)
<Laris> Until tomorrow morning.
<Dianthea> Just until morning? You rake.
* Dianthea will stand up.
* Laris smiles a little at that.
<Laris> Maybe mid-morning?
<Dianthea> We shouldn't waste any time then, should we?
* Dianthea will take Laris's hand and head out, waving to the acolytes.
<Dianthea> How are things down south?
<Laris> Busy... and troubling. The word we get from those who have fled the Legion's grasp is that they strike suddenly and take prisoners.
* Dianthea frowns.
<Laris> I hope that with Hraal Kraaz's aid, we can free some of those prisoners, who may join our side if they're able.
<Dianthea> Oh, that sounds good.
<Dianthea> Are they taking slaves, or sacrifices?
<Dianthea> Both, I guess.
<Laris> Yes. They have some magic users among them and make sacrifices of some, while keeping others for other purposes.
* Dianthea nods, still frowning.
<Dianthea> I suppose that's war.
<Laris> It's conquest. We will do whatever we can to stop them.
* Dianthea smiles and hugs Laris's arm.
<Dianthea> That's good. Less of a burden for our Queen.
* Laris smiles slightly at that.
<Dianthea> Did Rufus return with you, or stay at camp?
<Laris> He remained behind.
<Dianthea> Ah, so I have you all to myself for tonight. ;)
<Laris> I came with Gladius, so transport space was limited.
<Laris> Yes :)
<Dianthea> That must have been quite an experience.
<Laris> It was nerve-wracking but efficient. So, like many things in my life.
* Dianthea laughs a little at that.
<Dianthea> It's why we love you.
<Laris> I admit it wouldn't be my preferred means of travel, but when time is of the essence, it was helpful.
<Laris> have you been keeping busy?
<Dianthea> It sounds like it would be exhilarating.
<Dianthea> Hmm? Oh, yes. I'm trying to be as helpful as I can.
<Dianthea> Temple work for the most part. Simple, but necessary.
<Laris> I know this isn't .... what you might have preferred, and I hope that we can have things back to normal soon. I want to make this a place where you can have the things you enjoy.
<Dianthea> I don't dislike the work I do at the temple.
<Dianthea> And I enjoy when you and Rufus are here.
* Laris nods
<Dianthea> Right now, from what I understand, making sure this is a place is the most pressing matter.
<Laris> I know. But I want to give you more. Theatres and libraries and comforts, not just ... constant emergencies and threats.
<Dianthea> It's a frontier posting. I knew what I was getting into.
<Laris> I appreciate all that you've done, of course. Your work at the temple is valued.
* Dianthea will bring Laris's hand up to kiss the back of it.
* Dianthea smiles.
<Dianthea> I know. Don't think I don't want all those comforts. I can be patient, however.
* Laris nods
<Laris> Someday, it will be a good place for a family, and one where I'm not always having to rush off to one front or another.
<Dianthea> We have plenty of time, Laris.
<Laris> I know... I just worry.
<Dianthea> So do I. But I also have faith.
<Dianthea> In the Queen. In you. In us.
* Laris smiles
<Laris> I trust that you're right, then.
* Dianthea smiles.
Korivan and Kraaz catch up and make plans
<YOAW_Narrator> While you were at the meeting at the keep, your apprentices and the rest of you and Kraaz's respective entourages have set up camp near the city.
* Kraaz will ride back to camp with you.
<Kraaz> Well, Lord Bane will be happy, at least.
* Kraaz says amiably.
* Korivan nods.
<Korivan> Yes.
<Korivan> This is....new, isn't it. A new type of war, for us @_@
* Kraaz nods.
<Korivan> It will serve us... to learn these things
<Kraaz> I think Laris and Kadanu would say this is our first real war. What we do is raiding. ;)
<Kraaz> But, yes, it will be good to learn this way of war.
<Kraaz> Battle serves Bane's purpose, as we are meant to.
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> Our decendants will carry these stories.... this knowledge... to the city @_@
<Korivan> We will need it there
* Kraaz nods.
<Kraaz> This is all new.
<Kraaz> It feels...grander.
* Korivan nods
<Kraaz> I wonder, is this what our ancestors felt like in the Dawn War?
<Kraaz> Fighting for what the world will be.
* Korivan thinks, and listens for a moment
<Korivan> (doid they :V)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Eh, they probably think he's being a grandiose upstart, but you can tell it's coming from a place of grudging acknowledgement.)
* Korivan nods
<Korivan> We should hold the adoption of Corvis Laris.... soon
* Kraaz nods.
<Kraaz> Before battle is joined, certainly.
<Korivan> if he can be.... distacted from his planning
* Korivan says with a grin
<Korivan> But it is important
<Kraaz> He has one night with his girl before going back out. I imagine he's quite distracted already. ;)
<Kraaz> (Woman? Person? Goblin would have better nomenclature here.)
<Korivan> (Companion? ;)
<YOAW_Narrator> (:))
* Korivan leers at that
<Korivan> We will have it done, though.
<Kraaz> At camp? The war camp, I mean, in the south.
* Korivan considers, and nods
<Korivan> What is our role in this battle to come?
<Korivan> How shoudl we prepare?
* Kraaz considers.
<Kraaz> You said the spirits seemed hostile when you were there before, right?
<Korivan> yes.
<Korivan> I will need to.... commune more closely with them
<Kraaz> Then I think you have a battle ahead of you. Or at least a negotiation.
<Korivan> Yes.
<Kraaz> We need every advantage we can get.
* Korivan nods again in agreement
<Korivan> I will do my part with them @_@
<Kraaz> We'll need to move the fyanraar (the warriors) and the booyahg south, at least to the Ankai lands. We don't need to encamp entirely for the moment, but we'll need to be close for when battle is joined.
<Korivan> Yes....
<Korivan> Gaath Kryx can help us find the right place @_@
<Korivan> and we will need some to keep order in the heartlands @_@
<Kraaz> You think our people are going to fall to infighting if we're not there? ;)
<Korivan> no. But if our forces are absent, others may seek to press their advantage....
* Korivan lists some other ppl we raid with
* Kraaz nods.
<Korivan> (with, against, whaatever ;)
<Kraaz> I wasn't planning on abandoning our people.
<Korivan> I know
<Kraaz> But we will need the bulk of our fighters and casters in the fight.
<Kraaz> If the enemy is held at the pass, great. If not, we'll be better suited to hitting them on this side of the mountains than any other force in our alliance.
<Korivan> yes. They will not want to be denied theor chance for glory @_@
* Kraaz grins.
<Korivan> (Do I have any sense form the ancestors how this might go at tihs point?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (I mean, the ancestors only have so much experience with fortified warfare at this point, too, but they seem to this the pass will be a forward position that you'll have to fall back from eventually.)
<YOAW_Narrator> (But maybe that's their disdain for fortification)
<Korivan> We will be ready, then,
* Kraaz nods.
* Korivan will think about what we can prep for that eventuality
<Kraaz> We still have a night, though. ;)
* Korivan looks over at him with a sort of leering affection, and nods
<Korivan> it is good to be reunited @_@
* Kraaz grins.
<Kraaz> I imagine we'll be together for a while on this, but we're also going to be pretty busy.
<Korivan> Mmm, yes.... but it is always important for us to... coordinate
