(OOC: I'll let Michael talk to Andric when ajanders returns. In the meantime--)
*Before long, it becomes quite clear that Lucien and any others who try to remain standing are not welcome to do so. After a few subtle cues, if they refuse to be seated, it builds to annoyed glares, a direct request to be seated, and eventually anyone who absolutely refuses to take their appropriate seat is expelled from the Council Chamber.*
*After a short pause, everyone goes silent, and Headmaster Albion rises.*
"Hrrm...hmmm...it seems that all are here and we are ready to begin. Splendid. Splendid. Yes, right...Honoured delegates, we have called you here for a matter of paramount...hrrm...nay, utmost importance. By the power vested in me as the Headmaster of the Academy of the Chromatic Order, I call this meeting to order...hrrm...may the magics that bind this place be called forth..."
*Everyone feels a tingle. Those especially attuned to magic can tell that a dweomer of some sort has descended.*
"Hrrrm...hmmm...In the tradition of Councils of old, I ask that each of the representatives respond as I call their name...hmmm...I suppose not all of you may remember why this must be. Hrrmmm....let us simply say that it will not be pleasant for a doppleganger or other replacement of the true delegate, yes?"
"I am Headmaster Umbryn Albion, and I name the delegates gathered here today. From the Academy of the Chromatic Order, Rayne Liore--"
"I am here."
"--Humboldt Tyndall--"
"Present..."
"--Cedric Bronwen--"
"Here."
"--and Kharisa Valpyren."
"I am here."
"Representing Medibaria, Grand Vizier Rydick Xanthar."
"It is I," the Court Mage affirms in a rich baritone.
"Representing Hendrallia, Baron Carnham Thalask."
"What? Oh yes, yes, that's me," the elderly man answers, a bit addled-seeming.
"Representing Fallon, Councilor Andric Lenton."
"Yes sir. I am here," the young man replies enthusiastically but nervously.
"Representing Orussus, Rinaldo diSenzio."
*Rinaldo presumably makes some response here.*
"Representing Rivenblight, Sage Aliaster Thiliaerin."
"Yes," the elf states simply, as if by his own effort he can somehow will this to end faster.
"Representing Monemvassia, Court Wizard Wimpell Frump."
"I am indeed. Yes, yes."
"We have assembled together...hrrrm...we are prepared to decide a matter of great importance, yes? But first we must hear it...The one who wishes to present this information to these honoured men and women assembled is..." Albion adjusts is spectacles, pausing to clear his throat, "The Academy's Daryne Housemistress, Rayne Liore."
*Rayne bows her head and places her hands together in a Medibarian gesture of supplication.*
"The half-human mongrel?" the Rivenblight representative asks incredulously, the first marked display of emotion from the elf, "What is the meaning of this! Surely you cannot take its words seriously!"
"Wh..." the Hendrallian baron looks back and forth between Rayne and Aliaster, "I don like tagree with an elf, but...a halfbreed...You kent trust em farther then you ken throw em. Lousy lot of spies and liars, that's what!"
"Gentlemen! I...think..." Andric Lenton speaks up in protest, but when all eyes turn to him, especially those of the elf and the old man, he falters slightly, then firms his resolve and continues, "We cannot allow such prejudices to cloud our minds and influence our decisions. Our countries picked us for a reason. We have to do what is best for our people no matter what!" he seems to want to say more, but he decides that he best quit while he is ahead.
*Albion taps his staff down softly three times.*
"Hrrm, hmm...yes...gentlemen, best, I think, to hear what the young lady has to say first, hmm?"
*Baron Thalask grumbles but pipes down, but looking between Thalask and Rayne, the elven representative eyes show that he is clearly still seething as he says simply and slowly:*
"Very well."
*Albion turns back to Rayne.*
"Thank you, gathered representatives. It is only as a last resort and out of concern for the lives of countless thousands that I have brought this council together. Over the last two years, I have researched some disturbing information that came to my attention, and I have discovered that we are all in grave danger from an ancient and evil foe. Who here is familiar with the name Vildaxaranthus?"
*There is a murmur among the gathered crowds, but generally one of confusion, as mostly no one recognises the name. The Academy delegates clearly know it, and Xanthar does too. From the elf's smug and bored look, it seems he does as well. The Hendrallian Baron clearly has no idea who this is, nor does Frump, who scratches his head idly. Andric appears thoughtful but unsure.*
"If I may?"
*She casts a spell, and the image of a colossal red dragon appears in the domed ceiling above assaulting a city with a force of powerful spawn, only to be defeated by an army of humans and allies, led by a mighty lady mage.*
"Millennia ago in the time of the Magequeen, a cunning Red Dragon named Vildaxaranthus terrorised the central lands. The Magequeen and her allies from amongst the scattered nations forged an alliance and defeated Vildaxaranthus and his brood army, both true dragons and half-dragon spawn, finally destroying the mighty wyrm in a massive battle with a huge death toll for the allied humanoid races."
"Quite," the elf delegate yawns, "Quit the theatrics and get to the point."
*Rayne ignores Aliaster.*
"But that was not the end."
*The image shows a vast cavern complex underground filled with ritual objects, alchemical substances, and glowing sigils and arrays dedicated to dark powers, where suddenly a huge red dragon's eye shoots open.*
"Using vile and complex draconic rituals, Vildaxaranthus was able to cheat death and return as a being known as the Lichwyrm, raising a foul army of undead, loyal dragonspawn, and dark-hearted mortals to terrorise the land once more."
"The Lichwyrm!?" there is a murmured gasp from some who have heard of that name but not the first. Frump in particular looks particularly pale at the prospect.
*The image shows an enormous diamond, the biggest anyone has ever seen, glowing with prismatic energy as it splits into seven pieces, which scatter.*
"So paranoid was he of another defeat, that the Lichwyrm shattered his phylactery into seven separate pieces, any one of which was sufficient to return him from the dead, and he hid the pieces all across the world."
*A group of powerful Wizards appears, weaving an incredibly complex spell.*
"But his cunning was also his fatal weakness, as some of his power draws from his phylactery, so when he moved the pieces away, the Magequeen and a cabal of the world's greatest Wizards were able to overpower his magicks and seal him away forever...or so they hoped. However, events have come into motion that threaten the awakening of the Lichwyrm and the descent of our world into a milennium of darkness, death, and despair beneath his heartless skeletal grasp..."
*A bright red light, like a red star, begins to shine, and a blood-red diamond appears in the image, with the evil red dragon eyes gazing from the shadows upon it.*
"The Phoenix Shard, the Shard of Rebirth...Of the seven shards, it was considered the only one capable of beginning the ritual to reawaken the Lichwyrm. It was sealed away for all eternity with other items of great power and danger by a brave hero of the past...locked within the Desert of Fire within a series of enchantments that should have been unbreakable...But...someone has disturbed that seal, and so the Phoenix Shard was recovered by the remaining cultists of the Lichwyrm...Alone it is not enough to complete his resurrection, but...If we do not act quickly, the Lichwyrm shall be unleashed upon the lands again! And without the Magequeen to help us this time, we would be as insects before his wrath, his mind twisted and warped by madness and hatred, a desire for revenge growing ever-stronger after milennia of imprisonment."
"Oh no, the sky is falling!" Aliaster replies sarcastically, "Surely you do not expect anyone with a whit of sense to believe your ravings?"
"If you do not believe me, confirm it with divinations of your own," Rayne replies, "That is all I can offer you. But if we do not act now, we can expect only death, horror, suffering, and enslavement."
*There is a loud murmur, and many people begin to speak at once, but Umbryn Albion taps his staff sharply on the ground, making a loud sound that reverberates throughout the chamber and puts speech to a pause as all eyes turn to him.*
"Hrrmm?" he seems almost surprised to receive everyone's attention, "Ah yes, yes. We should have a short recess, yes? Hmmm...it seems like a good idea to let everyone settle their thoughts on the matter, hrrm? Just, of course, you know you cannot leave this room, yes?"
