Citadel Refuge

[Xath]

Kennon: How long should the Citadel Refuge adventure be after the current one? in game time? a month?

Gertie: It depends on if Xath'll be allowed to go. I'd like to keep playing my character

Kennon: Assume that she will for the moment

Gertie: Ok. Sure, a month or two. It was one of the places Xath had intended on going on her diplomacy tour.

Kennon: *nods* Right. Let's say that, up to know, every time you've approached a representative of the Citadel, you have been rebuffed.

Gertie: Wow, unfriendly people. She's very personable.

Kennon: Up to now. They haven't been rude, but they have made it very clear that they do not desire a relationship with the Phoenix Kingdom. But it's also obvious that, for all intents and purposes, it doesn't really consider itself a part of the Falcon Kingdom, though you continue to hear rumors that a substantial portion of the Army of the West is hiding/has hidden in or around the Citadel.

Gertie: Do we have spies in Citadel Refuge?

Kennon: Hmmm. You've tried to get spies in.

[The_Universe]

Started chatting with Gertie about this, and thought it would be better to put it here.

On the matter of spies, specifically: You've tried to get spies in, but if they've been successful in embedding themselves in the population of the citadel, they've reported very little.

Nothing of substance, at least.

[Laurel]

Just a quick one- Why are we going to Citadel Refuge? Or do we got all that at the next session?

[The_Universe]

Up to now. They haven't been rude, but they have made it very clear that they do not desire a relationship with the Phoenix Kingdom. But it's also obvious that, for all intents and purposes, it doesn't really consider itself a part of the Falcon Kingdom, though you continue to hear rumors that a substantial portion of the Army of the West is hiding/has hidden in or around the Citadel.

However, about 2 months (65 days, we'll say) after the Battle of Caer Albion, when the Phoenix Kingdom established a hold on the former capitol of the Kingdom (what we're just finishing), the normal diplomatic channels actually receive a response.

After nearly a year of the Citadel standing practically alone against the draconid hordes that have nearly conquered the entirety of Sumaria and Devaria, the Phoenix Kingdom recieves a message indicating that the Citadel is prepared for visitors from the new Phoenix Kingdom.

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Laurel

Just a quick one- Why are we going to Citadel Refuge? Or do we got all that at the next session?

Just posted that. And you don't *have* to go.

But it's an opportunity for a diplomatic mission to a potential ally...and an opportunity to get a better idea of what's happening in the Southwestern part of the Ring.

[Laurel]

Originally Posted by The_Universe

Just posted that. And you don't *have* to go.

But it's an opportunity for a diplomatic mission to a potential ally...and an opportunity to get a better idea of what's happening in the Southwestern part of the Ring.

Sorry just saw it

Why not a place worth investigating as it was one the dockets in the first in place... long long ago...

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Laurel

Sorry just saw it

Why not a place worth investigating as it was one the dockets in the first in place... long long ago...

Yes - that's one of the reasons it's back on the docket, now.

I tried not to let everything that was *supposed* to happen there just not happen - events have been proceeding along with the ones you've been experiencing at the Citadel.

It was *going* to be the centerpiece of the campaign, as I've always liked the concept of the place, but obviously, now it's just a location for one of the final adventures...

[Laurel]

Originally Posted by Xath

Gertie: Ok. Sure, a month or two. It was one of the places Xath had intended on going on her diplomacy tour.

Can we get a brief or highlight of where Xath has gone during the montauge, and where she has placed the spies or tried to place spies.... if she tells us any of this that is.

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Laurel

Can we get a brief or highlight of where Xath has gone during the montauge, and where she has placed the spies or tried to place spies.... if she tells us any of this that is.

She has spies in every major non-draconid controlled city, most smaller cities, and a few towns and villages.

Citadel refuge has been an exception.

She's visited mostly farming and port communities on the Eastern part of the ring, in order to help set up trade between local nobles and the Phoenix Kingdom, and to ensure that your armies (and the increasingly large number of refugees) can be fed.

[The_Universe]

The Citadel's Message comes nearly a month after the Battle of Caer Albion, and the events thereof:

To her Majesty, Jaine Rhynn, the Phoenix Queen of Prydein and Sylvanus,

Time grows short, here. The Citadel has much to consider, and an embassy from your fledgling kingdom would now be welcome within our besieged walls. In one month's time, we will welcome you to our gates.

Send your ambassadors, or come yourself if you must - we would make but one request: travel by land and sea. Ride the roads of lost Aturia, Devaria, and Sumaria.

We eagerly await you.

-The Watchers of the Refuge

[Laurel]

How's the boat docks coming along? Do we have a ship? Do we have horses that we can take, or do we have to barter for 'em when we land?..... landing.... hmmm.... Can we get a map of what we know or think or as in enemy hands on that portion of the ringed continent?

[The_Universe]

You now have several ports under your control, the closest to Hyrwl being Crisoth. Of course, Sylvanus is also a port, but you're closer to Citadel Refuge at Hyrwl than you are at Sylvanus.

So, no shortage of ships.

You can teleport onto the landmass, as well.

[Laurel]

Originally Posted by The_Universe

You can teleport onto the landmass, as well.

Except they state "we would make but one request: travel by land and sea." So if this is our chance we best not mess it up, unless we deem it a necessary loss.

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Laurel

Except they state "we would make but one request: travel by land and sea." So if this is our chance we best not mess it up, unless we deem it a necessary loss.

True!

[The_Universe]

Anyway, this is the preliminary background of the next adventure, whenever we actually get to play it (in case that wasn't clear).

[Laurel]

What is our objective in going?
1) gather a sword (Dwarvenblade)
2) open up talks for a new city under pheonix crown
3) information on Mordred/Tain/Tiamat (since they have a huge and very old library)

How do we get there?
The letter specificed going by land and sea through Aturia, Devaria, and Sumaria. Which I think means putting in someplace west of Atur (as just in the border of Aturia as we can, since that is controlled by Draconids, but may cut off some time that running through the forest bit may add on.
We have to start at one of our ports and I would think we take horses with us (Kareth can probably run faster then a horse, so it's just how tired he wants to be I guess)

How long of a jounrney would this be if everything goes perfectly?

(The less liked alternative) Or we say forget this, and just pop in a few miles away and see if they notice we didn't go the long way.

And I realize these are just two of many options.....

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Laurel

What is our objective in going?
1) gather a sword (Dwarvenblade)
2) open up talks for a new city under pheonix crown
3) information on Mordred/Tain/Tiamat (since they have a huge and very old library)

4) Reconnoiter the Southwestern Ring
5) Locate any remnants of the Army of the West
6) Seek sympathetic nobles/financial resources
7) I am sure there are still more reasons...

How do we get there?
The letter specificed going by land and sea through Aturia, Devaria, and Sumaria. Which I think means putting in someplace west of Atur (as just in the border of Aturia as we can, since that is controlled by Draconids, but may cut off some time that running through the forest bit may add on.

You could put in somewhere South of Atur, as well...there are a few ports that have deep enough harbors to allow a naval vessel to dock. Either way, you can expect to encounter draconids at some point or another, as they have established a firm dominance over that region over the last year.

We have to start at one of our ports and I would think we take horses with us (Kareth can probably run faster then a horse, so it's just how tired he wants to be I guess)

Yep - there'd be room in a hold. How many ships are you thinking of taking? The seas aren't exactly safe, either...

...which makes you wonder, why would they specifically request you travel by sea?

How long of a jounrney would this be if everything goes perfectly?

Depends on where you leave from and where you're going. If the winds are with you...4-7 days by sea. The overland portion of the journey is less predictable...probably something akin to another 2 weeks?

(The less liked alternative) Or we say forget this, and just pop in a few miles away and see if they notice we didn't go the long way.

You sure could - no way to know at this point if they'd be aware of your "cheating."

And I relaize these are just two of many options.....

Yep, but a good start!

[The_Universe]

Kat asks some good questions above: any other comments?

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I realize they may have requested we come by sea, but I'm thinking we should 'port for safety's sake. We could do Circle of Teleportation and bring a significant force with us...

Unless there's some reason to take the sea that I am missing...?

[The_Universe]

Unless there's some reason to take the sea that I am missing...?

That's a good question. Why would it matter to them? Care to speculate?