[Game Thread] Chapter Four: Complications

[Makenshi]

Didina pouts. "Typical. Oh well, I'll keep it up just in case he slips up or it catches someone else out."

Didina nods in agreement with Nevh. "Mmmm. The assassination itself could be something you 'reveal' if need be, rather than something to simply tell everyone. It also means that if you feed that information to one person and soon find someone trying to take you like they did your friend that they might be a potential source of enemy information, if not with the enemy. It wouldn't be perfect of course, but it could help focus our attention where its needed. As for Airis..." Her face softens slightly. "I'm not so sure I would go that far. Zera is already universally hated for all the conflicts he instigated. If you reveal that he's controlling not one but two Paragons (and many will believe he has all of them if he has two) then that is more likely to cause a mass panic, especially where one of them in Malvain. Yes, people pray for health, but that doesn't mean everyone loves Airis enough to go after someone like Zera, even if they could or it would be helpful. I'm all for confronting the Church, but going completely public? No. That seems like a recipe for disaster to me."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan steeples his fingers as he considers both Nevh and Didina's words. Long term, he had to think long term. Mass panic? Yes but the worst of it would only be temporary. It would leave people with a lot of paranoia, hurt the four Paragon churches, cause a lot of chaos. But would going public with the information actually help them in any way? People would certainly take Zera to be a more immediate threat, but that had never really been a problem. Allies would be easier to find? Maybe, but the allies they want could be told individually.
”Fully completely public?
No.
The chaos, even if it's temporary, would make our jobs harder. The paranoia and distrust it would leave behind also benefit Zera more than us. We should consider making sure a few key persons know however. The Archgates, the governments of most countries, the leadership of the churches of the 7 saviors, that sort of thing. Chances are some of them know already but we might find out more in telling them.”

Considering he'd be confronting a group consisting of Airis' most politically or magically powerful persons he'd want a little extra in the way of bodyguards. Who?
Rhys and Eloise obviously. Isabella had reason to be there regardless. Esiard or Kala?
If there were allies of Zera there bringing Kala, the one who'd slipped through fingers already, could trigger trouble. Then again that could be exactly what they wanted, finding proof of Zera's influence in the church.
Esiard was now a general, which would change the dynamic.
You're an archmage idiot. You're already a member of “the establishment”.

”Yes I would be willing to confront the church of Airis. They need to know, and we need to know if they've been compromised.”

[Makenshi]

Vulcar nods, seemingly pleased. "Is there anything else for us all to discuss? Or any questions? If not then everyone but Lady Didina, Lady Misa, Archmage Morgan and Ambassador Nevh will need to leave, as there is a seperate matter I need to discuss with them."

Alyyryk, who had remained quiet for the most part (especially after Didina's teasing), speaks up. "So what is our current plan of action? Wainraith is going to confront the Church and mingle with the official investigation, but what is there for everyone else to do?"

Didina grins. "Well, since you're so eager, how about you take Schakri up on his offer of reccompence for your initial meeting? There's no reason that Wainraith can't be the only person to look into the Dragonblaze, and you've at least got an excuse."

Alyyryk gives her a rather dry look. "Except for the part where I've made my opinion of him abundantly clear. Isn't he going to be suspicious if I suddenly say yes? We Kashyyn aren't exactly reknown for our ability to lie after all, and if Schakri is what he appears to be I expect I won't get far in that regard."

Anorde glances at Wainraith. "Perhaps killing two birds with one stone? Archmage Wainraith has a connection with Celes - gossip started the moment he was named a hero for rescuing her and his friendly meetings with her, gifts of paintings and all sorts have just cemented his status as a person friend of both the King of Halva and the friend of the future Queen of Shali. Alyyryk happens to have been involved in the very same conflict, is currently one of Celes' own guards and he is the one who, in Wainraith's own words, did most of the work defeating Aldamil who was the biggest initial threat of the attack. It would also do to make lead people to think that Celes is keeping an eye on things herself through her own people." He glances at Crescent. "Which will also help in explaining your un-guardly duties and various social visits. After all, with Lieutenant Whisper around you don't need to worry about Celes' safety, not to mention the others protecting her."



~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan gives a wry smile.
”Oh I'm not done yet.
Do any of you know anything about a group called The Children in the Dark?”

Eloise thinks for a moment then shakes her head.

”I mention them because the Oracle said that “everything changed when the Children went to war”.

I’ve managed to garner some information from Blink or Caelan and more from Nomad.

The children in the Dark are humans and part-humans that were once enslaved by the fiends or the children of those who have. They have dedicated themselves to fighting the fiends and freeing those who have remained slaves in the fiendish realms. They refuse to set foot on Ahkea itself and apparently have enclaves on the Plane of Shadows. Their entire society is focused on the fight. They’ve been described as a “society of Jesters” in their hard line views and constant conflict and training.

More interestingly they have a god. One I’ve never heard of. His chosen name is the Sword in the Dark but the Children also call him “Father” or “The Shadow that Walks”. According to the Children he has killed Lynka. Unsurprisingly this will be difficult to confirm but a nice turn of luck if it's true.

All that in mind we should consider contacting them, if for no other reason than to find out more about them. They may be able to help us, and we them, in a number of ways if we take the right approach.”

[Makenshi]

Originally Posted by SpatulaOdoom

Morgan gives a wry smile.”I mention them because the Oracle said that “everything changed when the Children went to war”.

Didina can't help but add in a somewhat sarcastic, "Well, that certainly doesn't sound at all vague."

Once he has actually finished she speaks up again. "We've never heard of them either, but if what you say is true then that's not surprising. I never did pay much attention to planar studies. At the very least it sounds like something we should look into in some way. Would Nomad be able to pass on a message for you do you think? Perhaps we could try setting up a meeting. And my 'we' I mean 'anyone but me'." She smirks a little before adding wryly. "Somehow I don't think turning up with me would go over very well."

Misa speaks up next, picking up on something else entirely. "You said you found Blink? Wasn't Nevh the one who was going to look for him?"

"That's a point. If you found Blink then does that mean you found out more information on that group that the brain de-" Misa stamps rather blatantly on Didina's foot, causing her to yelp and glare at the Arian, at least before noticing Alyyryk's stony expression. "I mean, Alyyryk's brother's group. Did you find out anything important?"

~MTWC

[Blue]

She wasn't sure revealing the Paragon situation would really be to Zera's advantage. He would had revealed it himself already otherwise.

Nevh had never heard of the Children in the Dark but their description appealed to her somewhat. A society of heroes, in any but the fiends' point of view. The reference to them in the Oracles' words felt like a probable one and the fact Caelan had knowledge of them seemed to indicate that the Children and the Hands have had interactions of sorts. They were a good reminder that Aheka wasn't the only world seeking independence. She was more than curious and went on to quickly point her interest before the discussion derailed in every direction.

"I'd like to be of those contacting them, if any."
She had been infused with essence from the Plane of Shadows for years, was likely of a mind with them and was probably adaptable enough to survive the journey if there had to be one. Nevh had improved remarkable in the whole ambassador business but was still far from being a superb envoy. Still, she was a warrior at heart and a society built on battle might be more receptive to someone like her.

Otherwise, she had to silently salute Misa's amazing reflexes.

[SpatulaOdoom]

”You expected a plain, unambiguous comment from a Seer? From the Seer.” Mortimer shakes his head sadly. ”Naive.”
”Don't blame her Mort, it's oracle talk and they just aren't used to it. Being a Wizard and a Seer I should be cryptic as hell, but I enjoy playing against type, so they're pampered by all my straight shooting directness.”
Eloise raises a skeptical eyebrow at this. ”Mmmhmmm.”
”Relatively speaking of course.”
The mage turns his attention to Didina.
”Fortunately I speak fluent vague.

What it means in plainer speak is that the Oracle has seen the Children getting involved and having a major impact but she isn't as clear as to whether that major impact is a good thing or a bad thing, nor possibly exactly what that major impact is. Or she does have a reasonable handle on the likely outcome and chose to withhold that information because telling us would make for a worse outcome.

If it's the first then it's not clear because it has a lot of variability, potential to be changed. This means we can affect the results, that they aren't heavily set into their path by circumstances. We need to do whatever we can to affect a positive outcome. If it's the second then we have much the same situation except she does know what to do to help us and has already done it. In that case we should do whatever we would do in light of that, which boils down to we need to do whatever we can to affect a positive outcome.

Oh look, no matter the reasons for her saying it our course is the same, the same even as it would be had she said nothing. The only thing she really did is bring our attention to them as people of interest. Yes I would say we should look into them too.”

Morgan isn't so sure Didina would be unwelcome. Nomad had said that many of the Children were part human and there were plenty of fiends that had carnal interest in mortals. The end result was fairly predictable. Still it was better to be safe than sorry.

To Misa's question he responds.
”I wasn't actively looking for Blink. The total lack of blinking made me think he might possibly be a trueforged. I happen to be friends with Alnei and Nualae, asked a few questions, and found him. It was sort of a target of opportunity, a low effort gamble that paid off.

Anything important about the hands of Sammael? A little. They appear to have unparalleled mental blocks in place. Not only are the unable to divulge certain information willingly, they are unable to do so unwillingly either. The hands have shown knowledge of things that Zera remains ignorant of despite capturing the two Alyyryks. It also meant there wasn't much Blink could tell me voluntarily.
He did say that Syoban's betrayal of Qual and the events that led to Nevh killing him some years ago were part of a ruse intended to help him work his way into Zera's confidences.”
Morgan tugs on his beard. Was there anything else?
”Ah yes. Blink and “a Quallish friend” of his, Syoban obviously, spoke with the Children in the Dark in an attempt to get their help with something and were refused point blank.
I think Unless there's something the DM would like to jog my own memory aboutthat's it.”

[Makenshi]

Didina rolls her eyes while fiddling with the jewelry attached to her horns. "Actually, I was mostly talking about the reference to 'Children', but you don't need to worry, I was mostly being facetious. There's a reason I turned down The Oracle's offer in Rincala, and it's not because I have some crazy belief that seers are idiots." She gives a slight shrug of the shoulders. "Only fools wollow in the past and I am the master of my own future - no one else."

Misa gives Didina a look that is bordering on annoyed. "I thought you said it was handy."

"I never said it wasn't. I just prefer not to deal with vague future tellings. Knowing that there's trouble or that someone is about to try to lop off my head is completely different." She glances to Morgan. "But we're digressing. Meeting with the Children sounds like a good idea, if only to make sure they're unlikely to get in our way." She looks thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head and seemingly dropping the matter.

Once that matter was settled Vulcar spoke up again. "Very well then. If no one has anything else to add, then lets settle on a few goals for the moment and spread the workload. We have; meeting up with the Children; trying to meet up with the Hands of Sammael; investigating the Dragonblaze (especially Schakri); confronting the upper echelons of the Church of Airis; investigating the incident with the Trolls; and find out more about this group Kerberos put together and confirm their actions as best we can. Am I missing anything?"

~MTWC

[DoubleL1987]

"I'd be willing to help with meeting these 'children' - I'd like to think my skills would be put to use there fairly well," Morgan finally spoke up, having been silent the entire time - so much information to take in, so many twisted ends. He chuckled inwardly at how, simply a month ago, he thought this was merely helping a royal family escape from their enemies. "However, if you'd prefer my services remain with princess Celes, I will accept that."

[SpatulaOdoom]

”The Oracle is not a normal seer, not by any stretch of the imagination.”

Morgan can't help but give an internal laugh. He was interested in every one of those things and would be happy to be involved. Good thing his ring of sustenance would be kicking in tomorrow, sleep was getting hard to come by.

”I'll take care of the Church of Airis, obviously.

Ideally we should start looking into how we can go about breaking Zera's hold over Malvain and Airis. If it weren't for that unkillable bit Jester would have done him in ages ago. I'm starting to get some lessons on the True Magic language, which might help down the line. Since Shade isn't talking and the Oracle doesn't know, I really have no idea where we would start. Tiaan?”
Morgan pauses for a moment thinking, as he does Eloise speaks up.
”I don't know much about magic. My skills are best used to hunt people down and dig up dirt. I should probably go after Kerberos's little explorers or the Dragonblazes. I can do a little of both to start but I'll have to leave Halvana to shadow the trail of Kerberos's group.”
Morgan frowns. He didn't like the idea of Eloise heading anywhere on her own. Still Didina, Alyyryk, and Crescent could look into the Dragonblazes since they had to stay in Halvana to keep up appearances.
”Kerberos would be better for you, but don't go alone. Rhys can go with you.”
”Isn't he supposed to be 'your' bodyguard? With both of us gone who's going to watch your back?”
Morgan frowns, she had a point. He glances over at the king.
"How much more time do we have until the anti-teleportation field is raised?"
Oh that was perhaps something to mention now that everyone was together.
"Oh I should mention I've set aside a small soarwood ship with a trustworthy and reliable crew. I've prepared it against the possibility that everyone starts putting up these anti-teleportation fields or that we need to move something too large to teleport with, or if we need to move in utmost secrecy. It's only a pinnace so we can only get a dozen people and about 30 tonnes of cargo into it but it's faster than just about anything else in the water.
The ship is currently still undergoing fitting in Mayasoris, but in a week or so when everything is done it will move up river as close to Halvana as it can manage. The ship is the Sundowner II and the captain is a Kastish man by the name of Tendaji Gambish."

[Blue]

It was usually the more unpleasant business that were left forgotten. For a reason.
As Vulcar called for anything else possibly missing Nevh cleared her throat as she fought a yawn in.
"I recall a certain journal we need to acquire and a service to be given in trade for it. It might be best to know its content soon."

Morgan's mention of a boat gave rise again to horrible memories of travel by sea. Never again. Still, the thing could be of service eventually but she doubted the king lacked ships to smuggle or transport them if the need was felt. If for some reason one of their hidden foes kept track of all of the king's ports then perhaps that would be one less thing to worry about.

[Blue]

An hour or so after Xudeln's welcome party Nevh would reach Zilira to relay her finds to the rest of the group (including Crescent, probably, considering the nature of the information).

I contacted Lyandre and Steven from Kerberos' group but both cannot leave the underground or give indications on how to find them.
It seems that Shiva and Siva are currently tailing Kerberos' group, always a step behind, so finding this group would make it easier to find them as well. Lyandre and Jin used the entrance in Eight Peaks - so considering the fact he was caught I wouldn't recommend that one.
The Kaira entrance could work considering Kerberos' group used it but it being managed by that House Tor'viir can only let me imagine the fate awaiting those caught there. If Xu'deln knows where that entrance is located it could be used or we could arrange something with the Exchange and use the entrance he was smuggled out of.

Now, considering it could take weeks to reach them anything could happen on the way down, including Jin escaping, getting killed and Kerberos' lot and the twins going back to the surface, making the whole expedition pointless.
If anybody is to go, it should be pretty damn soon.
On that note, I would suggest that I be a part of it considering I'm highly adaptable and whatever is going underground is little known. I could bring Flux and Drake with me, which should help if Lyandre and Jin are found. If Syoban calls for a meeting I could perhaps try to share my thoughts on what happens through Zilira, but odds are that if her worshipers cannot reach Her, so would I not. Sendings do work, however.

[Makenshi]

"...you're what?" Is the rather stunned response from Didina, although it soon devolves into her sharp, lecturing tone. "Seriously, you're going to spend two weeks - at least - heading underground on the possibility you can find the twins without being caught on what I can only assume is the idea that they might have some sort of link to Zera and are able and willing to help us? Really? Don't get me wrong, we need to be aware of these Drow, and definately look into them, but sending you down there seems like a great waste of time and resources, especially when you'd be going in near enough blind and with no ability to get a decent message out quickly, let alone escape quickly. Kerberos' group have a native helping them out, and a native who is actually on their side. You don't have anyone at the moment, and even if we could arrange for something, could we really trust them? They keep and breed people after all, how do you know they won't take one look at your Aud and decide to try and make a broodmare out of you?"

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

I have to admit I'm kind of conflicted here.
On one hand if the drow have a shard of the godforge, and it seems likely they do, then this is something we 'can't' leave on the back burner so to speak. Zera is already on the trail.

But as Didina indicated, rushing off without thinking things through is a recipe for disaster. How exactly do you plan to find your way to the drow city? And once there how and where will you start looking for the shard? Assuming you find out who has it and where will you have the resources necessary to retrieve it? Do you have an escape clause prepared for once you do have it or if something goes wrong?

As far as finding someone we can 'trust'. Of course there isn't anyone we can trust, not really, nor can we sit around hoping someone like that to simply pop out of nowhere. If we need someone like that we have to either search them out or create them. We might be able to culture a contact with a native, or work with Tsatal or Hael'lin Faeresril. That sort of thing takes time though, time we may not have, in which case not having someone we can trust would be an unavoidable risk.

Morgan gnaws on his lip for a moment, unable to decide where he stood on the matter.

I've been thinking. It's possible that Tiaan has the third godforge shard, or at least he did. No-one can explain how he attained godhood. From what we know of the forge it doesn't seem to be outside the scope of it's power. Tonight or tomorrow I'm going to start looking into Actually working my way around to that in the private threadarranging a meeting to discuss the situation with him.
If Zera doesn't already have two shards we should be safe enough to take it the slow way. We pump Xu-Xu for all the information we can get, look into drow activities on the surf- Morgan pauses. Wait. Deimos has a drow from below imprisoned. What if we "recovered" her?
That at least should be a much easier (and for better or worse quicker) endeavor than going into the underrealms blind. Once recovered they'd have their local and even if she wasn't trustworthy she could be made to be so.

[Blue]

The concern reminded her of when she had decided to leave Quall to hunt Syoban into Halva. Most everyone feared she'd get kidnapped. Everything on the other side of the sea was a dark poison and exploring it was insane. Et cetera. Words of caution were appreciated but it always felt strange to get lectured at her age.
Yes. Seriously.
But I'm not just doing it on the chance that these twins could be connected to Zera (let's just hope they aren't Zera's agents, following that group to lead them to the shard to steal it for him) or that they could save the tyyrykan assassin so that we might get more information from him... and I'm certainly not doing this to find and steal the shard. I know better than trying to steal from gods on my own. I am no Mask.
If Kerberos sent that group and Jin down there for a purpose it must be pretty damn important and I'd hate to see them fail. Moreover, I plan to document my progress to beat the path for us to plant other spies down there to keep an eye on things. It would be easier to plan the shard's retrieval if we already have a foot in their business, or find weak spots into their caves if the need to sabotage a major collapse arises. If I can make detailed enough notes, it could also be possible for us to create our own passage down there to make future expeditions safer.

Once an entrance is located, perhaps with Xu'deln's directions, then infiltration can begin. Tailing unseen one of the drows going down; taking over the mind or memories of one of those on the surface to guide or give indications on how to reach their cities safely; impersonating a drow going back down below (perhaps the one imprisoned by Deimos); at worst I could track the movements of those who passed before and follow their trail. Nothing that complicated. Once I find a city, I simply meld into their community and learn what I can from them. From what I heard finding Jin shouldn't be too complicated. I would also be able to meet with Kerberos' group to share intel and find Lyandre if I need some madness to get Jin out of there. As far as escape routes go I can enhance myself to dig a way out or fly through the earth at great speed to reach the surface. I am very slippery when it comes to getting captured, but if I do I'd perhaps only really have those worry about these collars Xu'deln mentioned. Worst case scenario I just destroy myself and deny them whatever they'd have in store for me.
Not being recognized as a Rudaa can be taken care of with a good disguise, which I can make. Flux is also a master of the thing. As to acting like a proper drow and knowing common drow knowledge a crash course with Xu'deln should be more than enough.

She left a very short pause. Nevh had obviously already given thought to most of the details.
It doesn't have to be me, of course, but we'll need some spy work done down there sooner or later and I personally don't know who else could pull it off. If Vulcar or Anorde got professional spies able for the challenge they are welcome to it.
As to the drow 'recovery', seems to me that freeing such a peculiar prisoner from Deimos' grasp would actually be more difficult than rescuing Jin.
Depending on Deimos' interest in His capture, the rescue could be pretty similar to trying to assassinate Vulcar under Zilira's watch.
Precedents hinted that it wasn't such a good idea.