*The next morning, those seeking to plan the expeditions meet at the Academy grounds. Entering the castle, they are directed to a meeting room that is magically warded.*
*Rydick Xanthar has arrived early, and he looks around to see who has decided to come. This includesa representative from each of the nations, though not always the nation's delegate. Though Frump and Lenton showed up for Monemvassia and Fallon, Thalask's granddaughter Alicia has come for Hendrallia, and Rivenblight has sent a representative after all, the only other elf representative, the one who wasn't Sage Thiliaerin. She's a Gray Elf with pale lavender hair and eyes that seem to take everything in as she watches in the background. In some cases, such as Fallon and Monemvassia, there is more than one representative present.*
"Splendid, splendid," Xanthar speaks as the adventurers fill in, "We need to put together six teams to send on expeditions. All who have traveled so far and then come here today to volunteer are not just my allies. Today, I consider you all my brothers and sisters, and we shall form a Fellowship to save our world and protect the innocent."
"I have called in Rayne Liore to provide information on the locations we must seek. Rayne?"
"There are seven shards. The Phoenix Shard is already lost to us. That leaves the shards nicknamed the Tempest Shard, the Undine Shard, the Nocturne Shard, the Terran Shard, the Sylvan Shard, and the Peregrine Shard. The shards themselves have no true name, of course, but these nicknames make them easier to discuss and remember."
"Long ago, a few of the shards were located. The Lichwyrm placed them on ley lines in order to create some sort of massively widescale spell that enhanced his power, but because the forces of good found a few of them and moved them, they were able to subvert the power of the entire array and use it to prevent cultists from finding the shards and to power the protection around the Phoenix Shard. Those protections should have been invincible from the outside, so someone on the inside must have destroyed them. Be that as it may, with the removal of the Phoenix Shard and the ritual to awaken the Lichwyrm beginning, the subversion of the spell is at an end. Therefore, we must find and retrieve all of the shards. The hardest will be the ones that were never found, merely approximated. Well, actually the Peregrine Shard will be literally the hardest, since it doesn't seem to be located in a fixed standard location like all the others, hence its nickname. Were you going to do something before I revealed anything else?"
"Yes. I will use a magic item to ascertain if any here owe fealty to the Lichwyrm. Only then may we proceed."
*Xanthar takes out a slender sceptre and touches each person, starting with himself, forcing them to repeat that they do not and never have served or worked for the Lichwyrm, nor do they intend to give the information of today to the Lichwyrm or his agents.*
"Very well. We need our best team to search for the Peregrine Shard. The best I can do is direct you to a forgotten shrine that is thought to contain a clue to finding it, but it may just be a red herring. The Terran Shard is known to be somewhere within a certain region deep within the Underdark. Underdark radiation made magical attempts at locating the shard impossible, and so it was never pinpointed exactly. The Underdark is extremely dangerous, and so an extremely veteran team will be necessary simply to survive the mundane hazards, let alone any traps and guardians the Lichwyrm has left there. The Tempest Shard is located somewhere in the vast deserts of the Lands of Air. The team would have to deal with the many hazards of the lands of air as well as any denizens or guardians."
"The other three were found by the forces of good. A powerful druid ally of the Magequeen sealed the Sylvan Shard away somewhere in the Wyrwood. With the help of allies from under the waters, the Undine Shard has stayed protected for milennia beneath the waves. And the Nocturne Shard is sealed in a monastery of good monks located in the lands of darkness."
"Thank you, Ms. Liore. The search for the Peregrine Shard is likely to be the most time-consuming, resource-depleting, and difficult. Medibaria will show our willingness to do whatever it takes by sponsoring that mission. We want the best of the best and the ones most familiar with the Lichwyrm threat for this mission. For each mission, the sponsoring nation should provide necessary travel gear if needed and send a representative to ensure that the sponsoring nation is well-represented on the expedition."
"Oh, can I be the Medibarian representative!?" the girl from before asks excitedly.
"I've heard reports of people who have claimed to see your mother about. If she's still alive, Ms. Valsice, you know she would kill me if I let you put yourself in that kind of danger. I'm afraid I have a different Magus candidate in mind for this task..."
"Oh come on! You think this is dangerous? I've been on much more dangerous quests than this. I just want to do what I can to help!"
"I'm sorry. That's out of the question."
*The girl pouts slightly but accepts the proclamation and returns to her seat.*
"Will anyone sponsor the trip into the Underdark to look for the Terran Shard?"
*Andric Lenton raises his hand.*
"My people recently tried to help with a problem involving an orc shaman and the foul magic of the Nesfylim. I know the Underdark can be a dangerous place. Fallon will do our best to help to supply that expedition and send a representative who can help keep everyone safe from such evil."
"Good man. What about the Tempest Shard?" there are no immediate volunteers like the last time, "Would Orussus like to sponsor this one?" he waits for Rinaldo's response.
"And what of the Wyrwood and the Sylvan Shard?"
"I...will accompany that expedition. If I may?" the elf girl finally speaks for the first time in either assembly, "I know that Sage Thiliaerin spoke for my people's official position, and he said that he will seek to prevent the success of these expeditions, but...that doesn't mean that all elves feel that way. Our people know much about the ways of the forests. If I could help you...I will be the Rivenblight representative for this mission if I am allowed."
"We will discuss the position of Rivenblight later, but we will keep you in mind, Thallirae. Now on to the Undine Shard. Getting there may be tricky, though I may have an idea. If we have people who can speak Aquan, that would be a big plus. But who will sponsor. Hendrallia? Monemvassia?"
"I'm still unsure of the support that the ruling body will actually provide, but whatever it is, I will be our representative. I know we have a bit of a reputation, but I want to show everyone that despite certain expansionist policies in the highest political echelons, the common people and nobility of Hendrallia are people who care for our fellow man."
"Very well. So then Monemvassia, you can sponsor the travel to the monastery for the Nocturne Shard? The lands of darkness near the Negative Energy Tower are certainly no walk in the park, but hopefully this should be the simplest task."
"Yes, yes of course. Is there going to be a breakfast bar here by the way? No? Drat. Well, Monemvassia will send a representative of our great nation to ensure the certain success of that mission. It is a sure thing."
(OOC: On a minor meta note, these should probably be Groups 1 through 6 in order, highest level to lowest)
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