"I still like the idea of using this divine sphere for that," opines Sihouette. "Though I acknowledge it's an ambitious one. But such an act may be just what's required to give the invasion pause, and consider alternatives to outright conquest."
"If you wish to risk your life in such a manner, you're going to need a vessel that can not only fly but also leave your atmosphere and not be noticed by the battleship's sensors. Teleporting directly there will be impossible. All Imperial ships have teleport suppressors."
Silhouette frowned and planted her hands on her hips.
"Alright Tocrhor," she said evenly. "I appreciate the information you're giving us, but the message is very contradictory. In as many breaths you've told us that we're going to be conquered, but maybe we can appeal for help, but the Emperor will stop at nothing to conquer us, but we have a chance to fight, but no plan of resistance we're coming up with can work."
Deep in thought about what he had read on the datapad, Shazer'a lost the thread of conversation for a bit frowing with each new thing he read. Nelalwe smacked his side to get his attention back on the group. Looking up at Silouette's last comments, "from what I can tell on this pad and what the pirate Lachlan said before he fled, the battle fleet is already in system. It was their arrival in system that killed you goddess and caused the betrayl of this Ao."
With a sigh he continues, "Tocrhor speaks in what seem to be contradictions, but that is the nature of the galaxy you now find yourselves a part of, torn by the tensions between Asemet and Qesemet. Though officially at peace, there is long standing hidden war between the two kingdoms. Though this system is officially in the domain of Coppers and under Grand Duke Kupric's overview, someone has filed a false report that your planet has been a part of the Empire for some time now and is now in rebellion. That means the Legions are being sent in to put down the rebellion. The readings on this planet make it one of the richest in both magic and mineral/mithrial in the known Empire. if the Emperor sees or has seen these numbers, then he will stop at nothing to seize it. In my opinion our only hope is to get word of our plight to Kupric and gain his protection, and possibly publish this false report."
"Yes, it is as he says," Tocrhor replies nodding to Shazer'a.
"The Dragon Empire seems contradictory simply because, in many ways, it's political structure is horribly complex and daunting for the uninitiated. If we were to try to go through an official process to stop the invasion, it could take months, even years. We need to throw the idea of standard diplomacy out the airl-, uh, window."
"I am willing to speak for the Lords' Alliance without their consent if it comes to that," Lord Eltan says.
"They will be angry with with me, but if it saves lives, it's worth the risk." He looks at Shaz,
"I will go to the Duchal Palace and consult with Grand Duke Belt. Unfortunately, neither Grand Duke Roydon Silvershield nor Grand Duchess Liia Jannath are in Baldur's Gate currently. Lady Jannath is in Tethyr trying to negotiate a new trade deal with Queen-Monarch Zaranda and King Haedrak III. Lord Silvershield is on a military mission far to the south near the Lake of Steam. I have no idea when he will return. I will have a city page contact you here, if I manage to get a hold of all the members of the Alliance."
Shayuri said:
The 'half elf' took a deep breath. "Maybe we should return to more basic principles. It's very possible we're all overthinking things. Just tell us, for now, how long we have before this invasion force arrives."
"Unfortunately, I can't say exactly when they will attack. The information I have," he points to his datapad on Shaz's hands.
"Isn't an official report through the Imperial network. Lachlin got his information through illicit means, but I'm certain the ships are there."
The hobgoblin looks at Shaz.
"If it's as bad as we both fear, the city could face bombardment from space before even a single Imperial soldier steps on Toril." He looks at Eltan.
"You must get your citizens to safety, Lord Eltan. The city's buildings won't withstand direct strikes from the Centurian's cannons. You should evacuate your city and find a place underground to hide them."
"I cannot, will not, abandon Baldur's Gate!"
"You cannot fight the Imperial's once they land if your blown to ash in the heart of your city! At the very least, you must hide your children and anyone else who cannot fight. Have them take shelter in the forest south of here if there aren't any safe caves nearby."
"The Cloak Wood! That, would be a death sentence. It's filled with vicious creatures."
"Somewhere else then," Tocrhor insists.
"A hidden keep. An old mine. There has to be somewhere they can go. If they stay here and the Imperial ships target your city for bombardment, everyone will die."
The citizens gathered in the temple begin to react with fear at the hobgoblin's words. Some of them shout slurs at him.
"Quiet!" Lord Eltan demands.
"He is telling the truth, as he believes it. Would you rather he lie to us and say 'oh, everything will be fine'?" He pauses and waits for any dissent. There are a few murmurs but no one challenges the Grand Duke.
"I would rather know what we are facing."
"What you are facing is annihilation, Lord Eltan, if you do not act quickly." He points at Shazer'a before continuing,
"Even if he manages to get a message to Grand Duke Kupric, it will take time for the Copper Scion to act within the legal system of the Dragon Empire. He'll likely send more ships to your star system to see what your world offers before he'll openly challenge the Emperor. And, technically, your system doesn't lie within the boundary of the Domain of Golion. It is at the very edge of what is considered Imperial space. Grand Duke Kupric cannot officially say that Toril belongs to Golion. He can petition to bring the world into the Dragon Empire through the Charter or he can claim it as his own conquest in order to block the Emperor's claws.
"But first, we must prove that the report is false and that Toril is a free world, not an Imperial colony. That will take time and time is the enemy right now." His gaze returns to Silhouette,
"You asked how long. If I were you, all of you, I'd say prepare for the worst. While it could be days yet, more than likely you only have hours until the invasion begins."
He turns his gaze back to Lord Eltan.
"And the longer you wait, the more of your people will die. You must get them out of the city!"
"There has to be another way," Eltan replies.
"We are a stubborn people when pushed, Tocrhor. If I try to force them to give up their homes, they could revolt!"
"One direct hit from a plasma cannon could turn this entire building into rubble," the hobgoblin says bluntly.
"That would be one shot. Imagine such a blast hitting your city every 10 seconds."
"By Tempus," Lord Eltan's eyes go wide with fear. He looks around at the citizens gathered in the temple. There faces are filled with the same fear.
"W-we have no choice." He looks at Carnda, his new second.
"We have to evacuate the city. Go, gather the Fists. Tell them to go street to street and let the people know there is a disaster looming. If they won't leave, don't force them. Let's not start a riot."
"The storm that passed over your city wasn't natural," Tocrhor says.
"It was a magical attack used by the Empire to conceal their scout ships. You likely heard the noise during the storm. Almost like if metal was screaming."
"Yes, I heard."
"If you can't get them to leave," the hobgoblin says to Carnda.
"Tell them another storm is coming. It's sort of the truth. The real truth would just confuse them or cause a mass panic."
"Go!" Eltan orders the Fist. She heads out of the temple with two other members of the Flaming Fists in tow. Eltan looks at the gathered heroes.
"I need you to get these people to safety, if that's possible. While there are underground chambers scattered around the city, none of them are truly safe. I don't know if we should head inland or south along the coast." He looks at the hobgoblin who simply shrugs unknowingly. Eltan sighs.
"Maybe the people could gain shelter in an old fort or hidden dale, but we should avoid the forests. Very dangerous."
"C-candle... k-keep," Haspur mumbles. All eyes turn to the Chosen who slips in an out of consciousness. "Could t-try to... hide the p-people... there."
Salthorae said:
Turning back to Tocrhor, "I do not have an ansible, one would be handy just now, perhaps you can craft one from available parts?"
"No, I cannot create it. While I have sufficient magical power for the process, I never learned the magical skills required to craft such a device."
OOC: An ansible is a wondrous item that must be crafted like any other magical item. Tocrhor does not have the Crafting feat required.