timgamesession4ishithink

[17:22] <@Tim> Councilors Haida and Carnes'ir return to Bluebell township, the latter riding on the horse of Sir Gannaed Turlew, a cataphract of Avalon.  There seems to be a bit of a stir as you return.  Possibly at seeing a newcomer with you, but people are
[17:25] <@Tim> already busy gossiping about the party from Greenwood that swept through earlier.  Beilwin is seated on a keg outside the tavern, a mug of ale in his hand, speculating loudly, "Probably a pair of thieves, I'd reckon, for her to be so hot on finding them."
03[17:26] * Joins: Read ([email protected])
[17:26] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Oh?" Nienna looks over from her seat on the horse. "Do tell."
[17:30] <@Tim> "Some vile Greenwood Courtier...and what's she doing up this far north, I wonder?  Came in and shouted bloody threats at our Sorceress, and tried ransacking everybody's house.  Said they were after two Short-Ears, some boy and a silver-haired woman."
01[17:30] <Idir_Haida> "Greenwood..." He turns to Nienna. "Do you think they're talking about the woman from the road?"
[17:32] <@Tim> "Terrible woman, red all over, made my eyes hurt looking at her.  Lovely horse, though.  So..." He settles into his tone of casual embellishment, "I told the boys, I did." He jerks his thumb at a few farmhands nearby, who seem confused by being included, "I told them to get their knives ready, and see these intruders off."
06[17:32] * Nienna_Carnes`ir grunts lightly. "Likely so," she says, wincing lightly as she remembers the blow. "At least it would seem so."
01[17:34] <Idir_Haida> "Well done then." Idir says offhandedly. "Do you need to rest a bit, Lady Carnes'ir? I have some small business of my own to attend to for a moment."
02[17:36] * Disconnected
Session Close: Wed Oct 23 17:36:52 2013

Session Start: Wed Oct 23 17:36:52 2013
Session Ident: #AGameofTimsIC
02[17:37] * Attempting to rejoin channel #AGameofTimsIC
03[17:37] * Rejoined channel #AGameofTimsIC
[17:38] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "A bit of rest would be nice, I think."
[17:38] <@Tim> The lid of the barrel Beilwin is sitting on suddenly quivers, and a muffled curse can be heard from inside it, "Gerroff!"
06[17:40] * Idir_Haida raises an eyebrow at this.
[17:40] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "... Ah... who's stuc in the barrel, precisely?"
[17:41] <@Tim> The Long-Ear is unceremoniously shoved off, and a very disheveled, rumpled Teilros Spine extracts himself from the barrel, looking feverishly around, "Are they gone?  Answer me quick!  Are you SURE they're gone?" "You oaf, I was going to let you out, you didn't have to kick!"
[17:43] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Given it seems one of them kicked me in the chest while leaving, yes, I'm quite sure they're gone."
[17:44] <@Tim> "...Is this normal, Lady Nienna?"
[17:44] <@Tim> Sir Gannaed is still leading the horse she's riding.
[17:44] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Not precisely, no, but one learns to take abnormalities in stride."
[17:46] <@Tim> "Good.  I don't want any Greenwood entanglements." Teilros mutters, straightening his robes, "Have either of you seen Councilor Sariel, or my patient?"
06[17:47] * Idir_Haida shakes his head at Sariel's name, trying to be subtle about it
[17:51] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "We just returned, I'm afraid, so..."
[17:52] <@Tim> "Black-eyed fellow?  He was talking to her when she was telling off the rosy wench." Beilwin sits up, "Think they might be at the speaker's hut."
03[17:53] * Joins: Blaxploitation ([email protected])
01[18:02] <Idir_Haida> "Alright then, we'll swing by there. I have a few matters of business to attend to. Oh, and we will need to speak to the Elder at some point as well."
03[18:06] * Blaxploitation is now known as Lestari
[18:14] <@Tim> "...She might be there too.  Hey, Avalonian, I'll show you where to stable your horse.  Can't leave them wandering around up here."
[18:18] <@Tim> Gannaed helps Nienna down, and he and Beilwin go off towards the stables.
[18:18] <@Tim> "My apologies, Lady Nienna!  I shall await the conclusion of your business!" The knight waves.
06[18:19] * Nienna_Carnes`ir inclines her head. "No apologies necessary," she says. "And I do thnak you for your aid thus far. Please, do enjoy the town!"
06[18:19] * Idir_Haida waits until he's out of earshot, then turns to Teilros, Nienna, and Lestari. "So, do you think what I think about who he searches for?"
06[18:20] * Nienna_Carnes`ir inclines her head lightly. "Likely, which I admit to be curious about."
01[18:21] <Idir_Haida> "I am as well. Nienna, would you like to find our Sylph and warn her while I go and take care of my own business? Oh, and if you see Marinya, tell her I'll have a package for her to deliver."
06[18:22] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "Certainly, certainly."
03[18:24] * Joins: Read_ ([email protected])
03[18:24] * Read_ is now known as Sariel
06[18:25] * Lestari scractches her head a bit. "I'm sorry...i'm still a bit groggy, what's been going on?"
01[18:26] <Idir_Haida> "Ah, that's understandable. Nienna was assaulted by a woman from the Greenwood, and after that we ran into a knight of Avalon who we believe to be searching for Sariel."
02[18:26] * Quits: Read ([email protected]) (Ping timeout)
[18:31] <Lestari> "Ah...Eventful. Well, what should we do now, then?"
[18:32] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I believe Idir has some plans. Honestly, I think it might be best to go on, business as usual, and just... keep the pair seperate. Hmm?"
01[18:35] <Idir_Haida> "Indeed. For now, just make her aware of this if you can. I'll rejoin you two at the Speaker's hut."
[18:35] <@Tim> Marinya can be seen lounging on the roof of the council hut.
06[18:35] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "Indeed we shall."
[18:35] <Sariel> "Am saying hello!" the little sylph popping inside grinning.
[18:36] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Ah! Sariel! Just who we were hoping ot see."
[18:37] <Sariel> "Ah? What is happening?"
[18:39] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "There... is a knight. WE can go into detail once we're inside the hut, I believe, would be safest."
06[18:40] * Idir_Haida returns shortly, catching back up with the group.
[18:42] <@Tim> Elder Hanma limps into the hut ahead of you.
06[18:42] * Idir_Haida nods to the elder, entering the hut after her.
06[18:42] * Lestari hurries behind the Elder!
06[18:43] * Sariel follows!
06[18:43] * Nienna_Carnes`ir follows in.
[18:45] <@Tim> Kokoltum is right where you left him, Sariel, sitting at one of the chairs, but pulled respectfully back from the table.  The black-eyed, axolotl-gilled mer is still a little pale, and his wound is still covered in bandages, but he seems awake and alert, "I greet you, Councilors of Bluebell Town."
01[18:45] <Idir_Haida> "And you, Kokoltum. I am pleased to see you doing better."
06[18:46] * Nienna_Carnes`ir inclines her head. "Indeed."
[18:47] <@Tim> "You must have overheard my name from Sariel.  I am, indeed, Kokoltum, a former Councilor of Redmoor...and I am afraid, in some ways, the architect of your troubles."
06[18:48] * Idir_Haida frowns. "I assume that you speak of the walking dead, then."
06[18:49] * Lestari frowns as well. IT's all bad vibes all around.
[18:50] <@Tim> "Indeed, so you've already heard...let me tell you a story, then."
[18:51] <Sariel> "Ah...a knight? What is...why does knight matter?"
[18:52] <@Tim> "As you know, Redmoor is a smaller town and a number of fishing and berry-farming hamlets on the boggy shores of the Inland Sea.  We have never been very important, compared to Bluebell or Birchbark, being far from the Blue Serpent and
[18:55] <@Tim> lacking the serious farmland you have.  So when the Fat-Tongue Plague came out of the sea, and struck us first...we cannot blame the other towns for thinking we were entirely lost.  No one could spare help to send to us, when they were busy with the plague themselves.  After the plague, a lot of elves wanted to move on to other towns, there weren't enough
[18:57] <@Tim> hands to keep picking the cranberries or fishing the waters, but Councilor Sseilani kept us there, convinced us that the town wasn't dead yet.  I was an orphan, during those times, and I made my way collecting crabs on the shore with Sseilani's daughter, Ssaerana." A bitter smile passes his face, "We were friends, my father had been the village shaman, and
[18:57] <@Tim> hers was a wizard.  Both of us lost our fathers to the plague.  It was natural.  One day...I found the Tome of the Depths washed up on the shore."
[18:57] <@Tim> He pauses for a moment, sipping some water.
06[19:01] * Sariel nods, arm around the sea elf's shoulder, scooting in a little
06[19:01] * Idir_Haida looks lost in thought.
06[19:02] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns lightly, mind working. "... Hmm. I see."
06[19:02] * Lestari listens intently.
[19:08] <@Tim> "...What's this about a knight, by the way?"
[19:08] <Sariel> "Yes, am curious!"
[19:11] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Ah, um, well! Sir Gannaed Turlew, one of Avalon's cataphracts. Quite a polite man. He's, ah, searching for a... 'maid of avalon' with blue hair and golden eyes, who is very small and short."
[19:12] <Sariel> "...um...am from Avalon! And have blue hair and gold eyes and am very very short!"
[19:13] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Yes, that is what we realized." Nienna coughs lightly. "Ah, would there... be a reason that they would be... searching you out, or is this likely to lead to a case of mistaken identity, or...?"
[19:13] <Sariel> "Um..."
[19:14] <Sariel> "...well...did not do bad thing, but, parents or master may want back?  Was asked to go on journey by master.  Of discovery.  Liked it here! So want to stay, yes?"
06[19:16] * Lestari smiles a bit at the Sariel's Comical explaination. "Well, maybe it's some other small woman with blue hair and golden eyes, but I suppose we'd better not assume it's a coincidence, right?"
[19:18] <Sariel> "Well, am from Avalon, yes?"
[19:18] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Well, you haven't finished discovering things yet, have you?" The cave elf shrugs lightly. "Still, I think it best we, ah, try to keep you and he out of sight of each other if possible."
[19:18] <Sariel> "yes! Can hide in basement!"
01[19:20] <Idir_Haida> "Well then, that should settle that. He seems somewhat taken with Nienna, so we'll just send her around the town away from you and you'll be fine."
06[19:22] * Nienna_Carnes`ir grins cheekily. "I seem to have that effect on people slightly. Can't possibly imagine why..."
[19:25] <Lestari> "Out of all the people to be chased by someone from their homeland...i'm surprised it's Sariel."
[19:25] <Sariel> "Why?"
[19:26] <@Tim> "I'd speculate because she's tiny and cute and doesn't have a criminal sort of face."
[19:27] <Sariel> She blushes more.  "A-Ah...thank you..."
[19:30] <@Tim> Elder Hanma clears her throat, "A sound solution, I'm sure this knight of Avalon will move on so-" "Nonsense!" "Preposterous!" The brothers Gwyn, Gwyndithrel and Gwynfarlen, speak up at once, blinking around rheumily, "Faugh!  No knight of Avalon would go home unsuccessful!" "Aye, but perhaps we'll have to duel him, brother." "Duel him?  Capital!  Wait, where
[19:31] <@Tim> is my sword!?  Brother, you have stolen my sword!" "No, mine isn't here either!  You thief, stealing both our swords to look innocent!  You won't defeat me that easily!" The brothers are brought short by Hanma waving her cane and glaring at them, "I took your swords away fools!  Don't brandish them during meetings and I won't have to!"
06[19:34] * Nienna_Carnes`ir resists the urge to chuckle and grin. "Well, we've offered him hospitality within reason, but if he finds no trace of his quarry, he would have to move on, wouldn't he?"
[19:35] <Sariel> "Yes, am thinking so!"
[19:36] <@Tim> "He might." Hanma grins knowingly, "...Unless someone conspires to keep him here longer.  In which case, things might come to a head sooner or later."
06[19:36] * Idir_Haida clears his throat. "Well then, with that settled, perhaps we should let our guest continue?"
[19:38] <@Tim> Kokoltum waits patiently, nodding gratefully to Idir, "Thank you.  At first, I thought it was just a pretty shell.  Ssaerana and I had never seen the like.  At last, though, I told her the secret about shells, that you can hear the sea if you hold it to your ear, but when I demonstrated...I heard words instead, speaking the Mer tongue."
01[19:39] <Idir_Haida> "So it speaks in Mer? I wonder if I could understand it..."
[19:40] <@Tim> "I had learned a little of the basics of sorcerous energy manipulation from my father, and I recognized them as spells.  At first...it was more or less a game to both of us.  I would listen to the conch and translate the spells into Marchtongue, since she didn't understand Mer, then we would practice and play with them.  Our new magic let us manipulate
[19:40] <@Tim> shadows, and one day...we found a spell that could introduce the shadow-spirits into a corpse, to animate it again."
[19:45] <@Tim> "Councilor Sseilani found out about this, and...between the three of us, and a cranberry farmer named Murrock, we devised a plan.  Many elves had died, Ssaerana noticed that peat could preserve corpses, and suggested we put the corpses back to work.  It wouldn't matter who picked the cranberries or cast the nets so long as the work was done, we thought.  Us
[19:46] <@Tim> surviving townsfolk would be able to live an easy life and rebuild off the profits, even attract new immigrants."
[19:46] <@Tim> "You probably could understand it, Son of the Sands, if you speak our tongue."
01[19:47] <Idir_Haida> "Well, I do, but now I'm considering whether I would actually want to."
06[19:47] * Lestari frowns at the story. It's...not a terrible idea, but the means to the end are such a taboo.
06[19:48] * Sariel shivers.  "T-That ah...is scary sounding."
[19:50] <@Tim> "For a while, it worked well.  Money flowed in, Ssaerana, Murrock, and I all quickly found ourselves as Councilors, and as the Tome's finder, I was made its official keeper, sort of like being the town Sorcerer."
06[19:51] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods.
[19:51] <@Tim> "But we ran into problems.  It's one thing to know the spells, it's another to possess the skill as a sorcerer...and the Tome merely teaches spells, it does not teach one how to access or control the amount of personal energy required.  We encountered barriers, spells we could learn but could not cast...it was immeasuably frustrating, and worse for Ssaerana,
[19:52] <@Tim> who had never been taught magic by anyone.  At least my father had taught me the basics."
[19:56] <@Tim> "She began taking long voyages to the outlying hamlets, the ones we hadn't heard back from, as well as going as far as the Serpent Road.  Supposedly...that's where she met Mourn, and started getting lessons."
[20:02] <@Tim> "Mourn doesn't seem to know the same sort of magic that the Tome teaches, but he...if he is a he...knows a lot about spellcasting.  He taught me things that made me worthy of the title of Sorcerer, but...his lessons were always strange.  Sharp, somehow, and cold.  I wish I could tell you more about him, but he always went fully swathed in white sealskins, and
[20:03] <@Tim> wears a wooden mask."
06[20:04] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns. "He doesn't sound like... the most pleasent person."
[20:05] <@Tim> "No, and it was clear, despite what Ssaerana said about him being a patron of the magical arts in general, that he was giving her lessons nobody else was getting.  The satyrs vanished, who knows where they went, and the hamlets...I began detecting strange pulses of magic in the night, powerful ones.  When I went scouting out that way, a few of the hamlets
06[20:06] * Idir_Haida coughs lightly at the mention of the satyrs
[20:07] <@Tim> looked like perhaps they had been recently occupied.  I cannot prove whether she murdered those people or not, but...I caught a glimpse of what she did with the bodies.  Hundreds and hundreds of them, and she had found some way to animate them all at once.  She has an army, now."
[20:08] <@Tim> "I took my suspicions to her mother, Councilor Sseilani, but...we were too late.  When confronted, she revealed that she had replaced one of the Councilors at the meeting that day with some undead monstrosity she called 'Grulad'.  Most of the husks are slow and clumsy.  He is not.  Even using the Tome I don't understand how he was made, when he fights it's as
[20:08] <@Tim> if he has his living skill and agility."
06[20:09] * Nienna_Carnes`ir lets out a breath. "So we have two sorcerers of no small skill, an army of hte dead, some of which will be moving and fighting as the living."
[20:09] <@Tim> "And he is fearsomely strong.  He destroyed my guard-husks in seconds, killed most of the councilors, and wounded me.  I...played dead, I confess it.  Ssaerana and Sseilani had an argument, and Ssaerana...she...she took her knife and killed her own mother.  Messily.  That was when I fled."
[20:10] <@Tim> "No, none of the other husks are like Grulad.  That creature is..." He shudders, "Monstrous."
[20:11] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "You do no tthink it possible she's made more husks like this one?"
[20:11] <Lestari> "Well, if it died once, it can die again. Just like the rest of them."
[20:12] <@Tim> "I was the one translating what the Tome said, and while it's true I didn't understand some of the spells...Elder Mer is a very finnicky language, you understand...and the strongest reanimating spells only give a husk its body's natural strength and speed back.  Not skill."
01[20:12] <Idir_Haida> "That's as good of a segue as any for this. Our mission to the satyrs was a success, they've agreed to join Bluebell Township. The outlying farms have been officially reincorporated."
[20:13] <@Tim> "Grulad has skill.  It's like the difference between a strong thug and that same thug if he was trained as a swordsman."
01[20:13] <Idir_Haida> "From the sounds of it, we'll need to start recruiting to beef up our city guard too."
[20:13] <@Tim> "Wait, the satyrs?"
01[20:13] <Idir_Haida> "Yes. Alder Gruf and his tribe have moved into our outlying farms."
[20:13] <@Tim> Kokoltum slumps against his chair in relief, "...Thank the Land, I feared we had mistreated them sorely, and that even now their bodies composed some moldering legion hidden in the swamps."
[20:15] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Indeed."
06[20:15] * Lestari crosses her arms and leans back against the wall with a 'Hmph.', before stating her mind. "We wouldn't need to improve Bluebell's Guard if we deal with the source of the threat before it grows. If this 'Grulad' is real, and those two Sorcerors made him, what's to stop them from making more? I doubt any number of Satyr Guardsmen could stop that."
01[20:17] <Idir_Haida> "As much as I agree with you, Lestari, we only just have the manpower to repopulate the outlying farms, and that's only because of said Satyrs. We need to gather strength and seek alliances, as well as isolate Redmoor economically."
[20:17] <@Tim> "I heard Bluebell had a strong swordself, they say she's a maiden whose sword is like a willow-wand in her hands, yet bites like a fanged maw.  Perhaps she can match Grulad."
06[20:19] * Lestari smiles. "That's true. There is someone like that. And unless i'm wrong, we don't need to destroy all the husks. It sounds like Redmoor only has 3 beings that need killing, and the rest would be easy work."
01[20:19] <Idir_Haida> "If they oblige us be walking outside of their walls and presenting their necks, then yes. Somehow I think it will not be that simple."
[20:20] <Lestari> "But it's not as though their guards are the most...aware of sorts."
[20:21] <@Tim> "A bit like dogs on two legs."
06[20:21] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns lightly. "But there is strength in numbers. To send a team in... it could very well be suicide."
[20:21] <Sariel> "...so, what...what we do then?"
[20:21] <@Tim> "Their senses are better than you'd expect, they just don't take initiative well, they tend to follow either orders or their base instincts."
[20:21] <Lestari> "If there is a horde of Talonmoa, you don't send numbers to match theirs, you send your elite hunters to sneak upon and kill the strongest ones to scatter the group."
01[20:22] <Idir_Haida> "Talonmoa do not have walls and swords."
[20:23] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Hmm. I'd perhaps suggest undermining, but... a coastal town, the tunnels would flood so easily, that would be suicide as well..."
06[20:24] * Lestari sighs, a bit huffily. "If i'm the only one who likes my suggestion, then let's hear yours."
[20:25] <@Tim> "Er...Redmoor does not have walls, exactly.  It's built on top of the moss and peat layers above the swamp, where the cranberries go.  It looks like solid land, but it's really a treacherous maze of sudden drops into choking mud and water."
[20:25] <@Tim> *grow
01[20:25] <Idir_Haida> "I already suggested mine. We seek allies in neighboring cities. They won't want to suffer another ghoul attack if they can help it. While we do this, we isolate the town monetarily by enacting an embargo, with the conditions that they return all of the dead to the ground. If they refuse, we make use of our alliances and strike. But not while it's just one underpopulated township."
[20:26] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Even worse, then, so nevermind my idea entirely." The long-ear sighs, one hand idly touching her pick. "I think Idir's idea has merit. It is, however, not a particularly speedy one. Lestari's, too, has merit, but is risky--we'd have to send our best fighters, and if they fail..." She frowns lightly.
[20:28] <Lestari> "What will treating and appealing do? If the story is right, this is a town of monsters lead by an...insane woman! A kinslayer! I don't see anything good in the future if we just wait around and hope for the best!"
01[20:29] <Idir_Haida> "It is a stopgap measure, I do not expect it to succeed, but it costs nothing to try. This will only be done as long as we are building up our own alliance against them."
[20:31] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Sariel? What do you think?"
[20:32] <Sariel> "hmmmm....allies good thing.  Not want to take on alone, yes?"
[20:32] <@Tim> "I hope she gives you time to gather allies, and doesn't just...overwhelm us all." Hanma mutters.
[20:33] <@Tim> "True, how fast can you get messages to the outlying towns, anyway?" Kokoltum says, nodding.
01[20:34] <Idir_Haida> "Well, we did just get approached this morning about a new mail carrier..."
06[20:37] * Nienna_Carnes`ir smiles. "Indeed we did. If we warn them all... perhaps we could have an alliance in weeks, instead of months. Or even faster."
[20:38] <Lestari> "I'd rather it be over with in a matter of days, myself..."
01[20:38] <Idir_Haida> "I fear that it WILL be over in a matter of days if we rush in, and not in a way we would prefer."
[20:41] <@Tim> "I do not know if we have weeks.  She will already be seeking the Tome.  Without it, she cannot become stronger, and that is what she craves."
[20:42] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Then she will be coming to us, won't she?"
[20:42] <Lestari> "But time doesn't seem like a resource that only belongs to us! If we're preparing, what's to stop them from preparing? I don't see anyone in Bluebell with the ability to make Spiritually Insulting War-Undead, do you?"
06[20:42] * Idir_Haida raises an eyebrow. "Would you do so if we /were/ capable?"
06[20:45] * Lestari glares in response. "Of course not, even talking about it is uncomfortable. But the point is, it seems that our future enemy can, and will."
01[20:46] <Idir_Haida> "There is more to it than that, however. They require...bodies to continue to swell their ranks." He turns to Kokoltum "Where are they finding corpses to raise now? I assume that they've gone through most or all of the plague dead by this point."
[21:01] <@Tim> "Most.  I'm not sure how well she can replenish any losses.  Once the husk is felled, shadows will not return to it again."
[21:01] <Sariel> "So...ah, we burn graveyards?"
[21:01] <Sariel> "Or...what is word...dead things?"
[21:01] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Corpses?"
01[21:02] <Idir_Haida> "So if we isolate them, they won't be able to build up too much more. That might make them desperate and attack sooner, though. Hmm."
[21:02] <Lestari> "...Can't we do both plans? I'm more than willing to go and try to cut off the snake's head. I'm sure at least a few people would volunteer to come with me. If the worst happens, it'll still be a blow to them while the other preparations go down."
[21:03] <@Tim> "It would be a blow to lose you, Lestari." Elder Hanma says with a frown, "But...war is not my specialty.  We haven't had one while I led the Council."
[21:04] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "... How good are these husks with ranged weaponry?" She turns to their mer guest as she asks the question.
[21:06] <@Tim> "They were never able to figure it out, not throwing spears or launching arrows.  If they lost their weapons, they would just attack with teeth and nails."
[21:07] <Sariel> "So...ah, fly and snipe?"
[21:07] <@Tim> "...Grulad, however, threw one of his swords with pinpoint accuracy to kill a fleeing Councilor while I watched."
[21:07] <@Tim> "Then retrieved it."
[21:08] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "... Perhaps not, then. Though how far can one honestly throw a sword?"
[21:08] <Sariel> "Oh! Ah...not want be killed..."
[21:09] <@Tim> "A dozen feet or so?  I never studied the warrior's arts."
01[21:10] <Idir_Haida> "Well, if he comes out that's when we would be going in to engage anyway. I don't consider that to be a major issue."
[21:11] <Lestari> "I still don't think the rank and file are much to worry about."
[21:12] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Numbers are, strictly speaking, a strength. One woman against an army is still just one sword against many."
[21:13] <@Tim> "I think Lestari is right, though, we may have limited time, but...I would hesitate to rush in."
[21:13] <Lestari> "I wouldn't go alone, like I said. Volunteers could come help me."
01[21:14] <Idir_Haida> "A dozen drops does not make a rainstorm, and even if you were to die successful, we would still struggle to recover.
01[21:14] <Idir_Haida> "
06[21:14] * Nienna_Carnes`ir taps her fingers. "They will be coming here, though. After that shell, yes? They would siege us for it."
06[21:15] * Idir_Haida thinks for a few moments. "Perhaps a siege could be turned into an advantage."
01[21:15] <Idir_Haida> "At the very least, not having to invade Redmoor itself is an advantage, and if this Grulad is the type to lead from the front..."
[21:16] <Lestari> "We don't have the numbers, or the walls, or the supplies to survive a siege against dead men who can wait as long as they need too! And wouldn't every loss on our side simply help them?"
06[21:17] * Idir_Haida raises his hands. "I'm not suggesting suffering an actual siege. But drawing them out of their lands will give us the best opportunity to single out the important targets while they are in disarray from marching."
[21:17] <Lestari> "But why would the two sorcerors make themselves into targets?"
01[21:18] <Idir_Haida> "They will be far easier targets than us trying to invade their city and determine which building houses them."
[21:18] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I can't speak for much magical theory, but... a general must be on the field with his troops, yes?"
[21:18] <@Tim> "Your town IS well elevated.  The same defenses that stood it against ghouls would help it against undead."
[21:19] <Lestari> "Ghouls can't use ladders or grappling hooks. I presume the Undead would be a bit handier."
[21:19] <@Tim> "Ah...she wouldn't have to be there herself.  She could order them just to come here and attack everything living, but with her on the field they would be much more formidable.  As for Mourn...I have never seen him cast a spell.  Or move much."
[21:19] <Lestari> "At least, if they were ordered to."
01[21:19] <Idir_Haida> "The bigger problem is the farms that we just reincorporated, we'll need to protect them as well, or we'll give them plenty of reinforcements."
[21:20] <@Tim> "That she would have to be on the field for, masked islander, otherwise they would simply throw themselves at the obstacle."
01[21:21] <Idir_Haida> "So she would have to show herself to have any legitimate chance at retrieving the tome."
[21:21] <Lestari> "Well...Ugh. I don't know. If we're not going to strike first, then I won't worry too much about things until they happen."
01[21:23] <Idir_Haida> "I understand your concerns, but I don't feel that an offensive will do anything other than cripple us for little gain."
[21:25] <Lestari> "If 'Probably dealing with the whole problem all at once' is 'little gain', then so be it."
01[21:25] <Idir_Haida> "Probably is the key word there."
[21:26] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "We could also lose several of our best fighters, including our *very* best fighter, if it fails."
[21:26] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Or even if it succeeds."
[21:26] <Lestari> "Well if it succeeds, why would that be a problem?"
[21:27] <Lestari> "We could lose our best fighters if we sit and wait for them to build themselves up and attack us, too."
01[21:27] <Idir_Haida> "Because destroying one undead-infested town's leadership will not put an end to all problems in the world. If it did, I would be sending you forth with gusto."
[21:27] <Lestari> "And in that case, they'd be a lot closer to home."
[21:28] <Sariel> "So, ah, what you suggest we do? Do not want town hurt, yes?"
01[21:29] <Idir_Haida> "We wait for them to leave their defensive position, and destroy as much of their leadership as shows itself."
[21:30] <Lestari> "I want to go fight! Send me to go deal with Redmoor, send me to go deal with the Horned King, for all I care! Anything is better than just...waiting! Since when has waiting for the herds to come to you instead of hunting them down yourself lead to anything but starvation?"
[21:31] <Lestari> "I was elected for some reason, and I don't think it was because i'm good at lounging around!" Lestari adds, rather caught up in the whole discussion, wearing a moody scowl.
[21:31] <@Tim> "Because you are a member of this town's Council, Lestari!  Do you not know how many young girls brag to their friends that they want to be just like you when you grow up?  You are a local hero!  Do not simply throw your life away!" Elder Hanma speaks sternly, "Besides, there are useful things for you to do.  You can tell us when the undead arrive, lead the
[21:31] <@Tim> scouting parties, and command the defense of this town.  Your time to strike WILL come, but please, do not throw your life away...I would hate to hear that Lestari had replaced Grulad, child, it would kill me."
06[21:32] * Lestari quiets down and frowns, unable to think of anything else to rebutt with. She goes back to leaning against the wall and crossing her arms petulantly, pulling her mask on. "...Fine."
[21:33] <@Tim> Kokoltum clears his throat, "I believe that her first army is already on its way.  She would not have waited long before sending them after the Tome.  Or my head.  And if I survived to warn the villages, she would want to move as quickly as possible before surprise was entirely lost."
06[21:34] * Idir_Haida frowns. "Then we have little time. How long of a march is it between here and Redmoor?"
[21:36] <@Tim> "Three or four days to swim here, but I was only traveling in water, upstream, and wounded, trying to lose a trail."
[21:37] <@Tim> "And my pace was badly slowed by the wound."
[21:37] <Lestari> "...Well, if that's a case, we should send someone to warn the outliers of Bluebell to find safety as soon as possible." Lestari speaks up.
06[21:38] * Idir_Haida nods. "I agree completely. Where is Marinya?"
[21:40] <Sariel> "Ah, she is sleep at house!"
[21:41] <Lestari> "And if no one objects, we should ask the Avalonian Knight if he knows anything about fighting the Undead, and if he wouldn't mind helping out."
[21:41] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I do not object."
01[21:41] <Idir_Haida> "I do not object either."
[21:42] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I would ask Marinya to swing by my family's mines, however. Warn them to keep an eye out for if any undead make it their way."
[21:44] <Sariel> "Ah, she would be happy to I am being thinking!"
[21:48] <Lestari> "Warning the Satyrs would be a good idea, too. If we really do want to integrate with them, well...nothing helps strengthen bonds like shared conflict."
01[21:49] <Idir_Haida> "Of course. If what Alder said is true as well, there shouldn't be a shortage of volunteers from them to fight."
[21:54] <@Tim> "I'm pleased the satyrs escaped, they are doughty fighters in their own way."
[21:55] <Lestari> "Not much compared to me, but I can see their potential."
[21:55] <@Tim> Hanma interjects, "So, just to summarize, what is the plan?"
[21:58] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Warn the satyrs and the mines, have people retreat to the city. Leave out swift-moving scouts and sentries to warn us of appraoching undead hordes as we gather what forces we can for a counter-attack when they begin sieging us."
[22:00] <Lestari> "I suppose that sums it up well enough."
06[22:01] * Idir_Haida nods. "I have nothing further to add."
[22:02] <Lestari> "I'd...like to request to be a scout. I'm not good at much else but combat, and...I can't help but think that if they suddenly lose a few squads of undead to a few scouts, Ssaerana and Mourn might think twice a bit. Or not. At very least, i'd enjoy it."
06[22:03] * Idir_Haida frowns. "Okay, but I want you to promise us that you won't engage the main force. Run if you have to, but losing our best swordself to scouting will be a critical loss."
[22:03] <Lestari> "Yes, yes. A scout isn't much use if they don't come back...But still, maybe if I'm lucky, and those two like to lead from the front, one of them could catch a Boomerang in the face."
[22:04] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I... would almost volunteer to be a scout. But I think I'd be better served here, getting things organized."
[22:06] <@Tim> "Is there...anything you want me to do?"
[22:07] <Sariel> "Well, can be scouting!"
[22:07] <Sariel> "Since flight!"
01[22:09] <Idir_Haida> "For you, I think just keep thinking about anything that might help us."