Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
EN Publishing
[ZEITGEIST] The Continuing Adventures of Korrigan & Co.
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 7523195" data-attributes="member: 79141"><p><strong>Session 204, Part Two - The Forward Symposium</strong></p><p></p><p>Set to take place in the Congressional Hall of Danor, the Forward Symposium had put the career politicians of Danor out on the street, with only a few allowed to attend. With the recent changes in the world, the congress had been relegated to a lesser role while Sovereign Jierre and Nicodemus temporarily took direct control of matters of state.</p><p></p><p>The Congressional Hall of Danor was famous for its retractable metal plated roof, a device that was opened on days of fair weather in the Danoran capital city. Through political connections, divinations, and the spy network of El Extraño, the unit learned that the following dignitaries would be in attendance:</p><p></p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Nicodemus the Gnostic (Obscurati representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sovereign Han Jierre (Danor government representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Minister of War Eloise Duffet (Danoran military representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Brakken of Heffanita (Beran government representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Prime Cardinal Tito Banderesso (Crisillyir government representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Chancellor Dmitra Takhenova (Drakr government representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sagu Jacksdotter (League of Malice States government representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lord Kulp (Nalaam economic representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Betronga Sidhon (Eladrin survivor representative. This was a surprise!)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vlendam Heid (Eschatologist philosophy representative)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Various military and opposition political representatives from each of the major nations.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Various locally-notable politicians and philosophers from Border States, Malice States, and colonies in old Elfaivar.</li> </ul><p></p><p>Each dignitary also had a small gaggle of attendants and aides, bringing the total number of people due to attend to over a hundred. The Ob had issued reassurances that they had measures in place to defend against the creation of a hivemind, acknowledging the existence of the phenomenon and blaming it squarely on Risur.</p><p></p><p>The city of Cherage was built upon several hills around the Bay du Violette, named after the violet hue it used to give off during sunsets. Small islands in the bay each supported immense artillery batteries – weapons installed after a brazen Risuri attack forty-five years ago.</p><p></p><p>The city built upon itself in layers, with the more affluent citizens residing on hilltops, while the common folk lived in an almost literal ‘melting pot’ between the hills and the bay. North past the hills, great fields of industry churned out smoke and soot, which could faintly be tasted on the air even in the finer parts of the city. Small surface rail moved citizens between the industrial sectors and the central city, while traditional carts and carriages were required to navigate up to the hills.</p><p></p><p>Obscurati enforcers now walked side by side with Danoran police in protection of the city. The increased enforcement, coupled with the subtle shift in behaviours since the Great Eclipse, had led to fewer acts of disobedience or direct sabotage. As a result the Danorans had ended their previous curfew, leaving its citizens to feel both more free and more secure.</p><p></p><p>The industrial district of Cherage (technically located out of city limits to the north) was abuzz with new job opportunities. Folks from all over Danor were flocking to the capital city for well-paying work churning out improved firearms, war equipment, and revolutionary constructs. Many people were fascinated by the possibility of learning magic (although finding a teacher wasn’t easy and tended to be reserved for the rich).</p><p></p><p>Warehouses along the docks of Cherage had been stockpiled with war materiel, and despite attempts to maintain some security, gawkers were fascinated by the steady arrival of man-sized constructs dressed in Danoran military uniforms.</p><p></p><p>People in Danor did not work against the Obscurati or see them as any sort of evil conspiracy; instead, they saw the Ob as a group on the cusp of bringing about their salvation. The people of Cherage were predisposed to dislike of Risur, and Obscurati propaganda had tempered that to pure hate. All the positive changes of the Great Eclipse – magic returning to Danor, improved healing, people being less prone to violence – were the Ob’s doing. All the faults with the ritual – hiveminds, the sun disappearing, and She Who Writhes disrupting shipping – were due to Risuri meddling.</p><p></p><p>From the hideout provided by El Extrano – a huge, roofless abandoned warehouse, with a deep basement that had collapsed in on itself – the unit made initial contact with Brakken, resuming the connection they had established weeks before. Pemberton and Pardo came aboard, and Pemberton joined in the gestalt.</p><p></p><p>The Obscurati didn’t do anything to interfere with Brakken’s plan to enter the Forward Symposium. Elite military guards watched the entrances to the event, and corridors were patrolled by large golems that could pierce most magic. Security screenings checked for illusions, polymorphing, mind control, possession, and duplicant technology, but Brakken’s link with the unit – being psionic and unforeseen – was not detected.</p><p></p><p>The Congressional Hall of Cherage sat atop the highest hill in the city. The massive metallic structure of the domed roof was currently open, which used to allow for an impressive view of the sky; now the black heavens were ominous – a reminder of the meddling for which the Ob blamed Risur.</p><p></p><p>Prior to the official start of the conference, a brief gala in the hall provided an opportunity to mingle with the other attendees. The Obscurati guards stayed out of the way to ensure the attendees didn’t feel overly scrutinized. However, the Humble Hook allowed Korrigan to spot that Nicodemus was actually present, possessing the body of a waiter and serving drinks so he could eavesdrop.</p><p></p><p>Delegates filed into the hall with their aides and attendants. The government representatives from Crisillyir and Drakr – Prime Cardinal Tito Banderesso and Chancellor Dmitra Takhenova – were already there, talking with Gelsey Jierre, a tall, serious tiefling woman, and wife of Sovereign Han (who sadly would not be in attendance). Sagu Jacksdotter, the representative of the newly-formed League of Malice States, was giddily telling stories of horrible magical mishaps she had seen, which she would never have to experience again thanks to the Obscurati. Betronga Sidhon, head of the eladrin contingent from Elfaivar, talked with representatives of the various colonies who had taken their land, warily trading tales of violence they had each perpetuated, but their mood was one of relief that such warfare might be no more. Close by – on his arm to begin with, but noticeably more detached now – was Sokana Rel.</p><p></p><p>Brakken made a bit of a stir by arriving alone, and attendees from various minor states gathered around him. Despite Ber being a large nation, the minor states saw it as a kindred spirit since Danor, Drakr, and Crisillyir had long treated it as inconsequential too. Many people expressed concern that Ber might have been in danger because it shared a border with Risur.</p><p></p><p>Only one person, Lord Kulp, the master of games from Nalaam (and, Uriel reminded the others, a Vekeshi Mystic), kept to himself.</p><p></p><p>Brakken’s conversation with the other representatives was interrupted when the lead attendees from Drakr and Crisillyir stepped in. Brakken was able to fill the unit in on a lot of details they might not otherwise have known about the pair. Brakken, always the diplomat, had done his homework. (Either that, or he was reading their minds.)</p><p></p><p>Chancellor Dmitra Takhenova, an obese dwarf woman who wore a robe woven with tiny runes that conveyed her core philosophy, was nearing the end of her six-year stint as leader of Drakr, having been appointed by a council of philosopher-politicians. She had been ruthless in using security forces to hunt down internal dissidents, though she was recently dealt a humiliating defeat when some of her supporters were bombed by followers of Grandis Komanov, the radical eschatologist. (She also made a few public statements blaming Risur for the high-profile destruction of a railyard in Mirsk a few years ago.)</p><p></p><p>Prime Cardinal Tito Banderesso, rail-thin and sporting an impressive moustache, was rumored to be the highest-ranking member of the Clergy who did not commit suicide during the Great Eclipse. He was a powerful divine spellcaster, and his public statements had always been fairly traditional and positive, but Brakken remarked telepathically that he wouldn’t be surprised if he was an elitist, like most of the Clergy hierarchs were.</p><p></p><p>Dmitra asked if Brakken had any first-hand knowledge of the disasters that had befallen Risur since the sky changed, and then she rattled off the various accusations the Ob has made about how Risur nearly doomed the world with their interference. The Cardinal opined that the Risuri people must be truly bereft of leadership, and that the noblest thing to do would be to ‘kill the wolves who rule them, so that the sheep might live the simple lives nature intended for them.’ Dmitra said she’d sooner see the savages of Ber return Risur to a land of beasts than let the Clergy’s classical brand of delusion take root there.</p><p></p><p>At this point, overhearing tensions beginning to arise, Minister of War Eloise Duffet joined in. Korrigan recognised her from the Peace Conference several years ago. She had lost an arm during Yerasol IV, and nursed a legendary grudge against the Risuri. She admonished the two to save their anger for Risur, not each other. They all agreed that Risur must be conquered. Dmitra asked if they thought it will be a long war. (Trying to hide her enthusiasm, she suggested that it would be risky to change leadership in the middle of an ongoing conflict.) The Minister of War offered to give them a preview of her presentation about the invasion plan. She even had prepared letters of intent that the Chancellor and Cardinal could sign if they agreed. They could send those letters out immediately so preparations for the invasion could begin.</p><p></p><p>Urged on by his gestalt fellow-travellers, Brakken asked to join this discussion. Eloise Duffet gave him a disapproving glance and said that she remembered him being entirely too cosy with the Risuri during the peace talks. Speaking through Brakken, Korrigan quickly established a rapport with Duffet by talking disparagingly of Risur and its new king. Brakken had merely been acting in his role as ambassador back then, he reassured her. The Bruse had sent him to find out what action they would take against their rebellious neighbour, and was furious to learn that they had seemingly forged an allegiance with the dragon tyrant Gradiax, who had recently tried to assassinate him and take over Ber. Duffet was pleased to hear all of this, and keen to show off her plan, so she allowed Brakken to join them.</p><p></p><p>The general strategy was for Danoran soldiers and golems to take the Avery Coast Railroad to Trekhom and Sid Minos, where they would board ships from Drakr and Crisillyir, since the Danoran navy was depleted. Additional forces from those two countries would launch two invasion fleets. The Drakran fleet would target Flint, but instead of a frontal assault the fleet would drop off its soldiers ten miles to the east. Though there was no suitable harbour, the soldiers would be trained to teleport to make landfall from a safe distance. Then the fleet would begin bombarding Flint proper while the army advanced through the Cloudwood.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, the Crisillyiri fleet would make landfall in southeast Risur, on the northern shore of Marrajado de Oro, near Ber. Minister Duffet had hoped the fleet could assist a bridging action to march Beran forces into Risur as well, hence her eagerness to include Brakken. The two armies would have a hundred-mile march to reach Bole, where they would cut off the rail supply lines to Flint. The western Risur city of Shale, though it had great symbolic prestige from past wars with Danor, would only be harried by a token fleet to keep them from sending reinforcements to Flint. Most of Danor’s remaining navy would be needed to protect Cherage, where they would be constructing a new colossus. (That process would take perhaps a year, so it wouldn’t be available for the invasion.) Once Flint and Bole were captured, they’d take a few months to rebuild industrial facilities, and then they’d invade down the Great Delve River to capture the capital Slate.</p><p></p><p>With little further ado, the Chancellor and Cardinal agreed and signed expedited orders, which the Obscurati would deliver to the respective military leaders of Drakr and Crisillyir. A teleporting courier is waiting out in the foyer. “We want to act quickly and take the Risuri by surprise,” Duffet explained. “They won’t expect action so soon after this symposium.”</p><p></p><p>Everyone’s attention was suddenly grabbed when Vlendam Heid teleported in with his bodyguard Kvarti Gorbatiy. (Korrigan realised later that Heid had made a point of using the new nature of magic in his arrival, because he intended to speak out against the changes and did not want to be labeled as reactionary.) Dmitra Takhenova saw him and said, “Vlendam, I’m glad you finally arrived. I know you appreciate endings, so why don’t you leave and come back when we’re done?”</p><p></p><p>“Dmitra,” Heid said with a chuckle, “I hear you’re taking to heart my advice to plan for the end of your chancellorship. Invading Risur, very good idea! I wager if you could out-debate the dockside poets in Flint, they’ll gladly let you be in charge of a shipping guild or something.”</p><p></p><p>“Guilds,” scoffed Cardinal Banderesso. “Just common people trying to get a taste of real power. I am not impressed by the ability to make a high-quality shoe.” He chanted a prayer, and conjured a shining angel. The crowd gasped, few having ever seen a true celestial. It bowed to the cardinal. He introduced it as a planetar, named Adimel. “Go fetch me some shoes,” he ordered. “Red leather, please.” The angel gazed at the gathering with a hint of disapproval, then flew out of the open roof.</p><p></p><p>Chancellor Takhenova clapped. “We should give it a rifle instead of a sword, but still, good. I’m glad to have such magic on our side for the war against Risur.”</p><p></p><p>Heid said, “Now come, we’ve all gathered together here in peace. Can’t we make peace with Risur too? I say let’s not jump so hastily to conclusions, and I just teleported here from a mile away. I’m getting quite good at it, don’t you think?”</p><p></p><p>Standing beside him, his bodyguard Kvarti shrugged. “Yes, but now we cannot flee quickly. You must be prepared for your life to end here.”</p><p></p><p>“I always am, my friend,” Heid said. “Well, perhaps not before I get a drink. Chancellor, Cardinal, I look forward to our discussions. Ambassador Brakken, please allow me to get you something as well.”</p><p></p><p>Heid wanted to talk for a bit with Brakken, mostly to mention the synchronicity that his current bodyguard was unwittingly part of the terrorist group that nearly blew Brakken up in Flint a year ago. He was curious what the minotaur thought of the Risuri people, and during the conversation he dropped several hints that he did not trust the Obscurati. Encouraged by his allies, Brakken agreed, whereupon Kvarti said that he had not made up his mind yet: a lot of things did seem better after the Great Eclipse. Heid admonished him, and reminded him of how they met – through the auspices of their old Risuri friend Rumdoom. “All this talk of war makes me uncomfortable. I think it is time to talk. This is my third conference this month, and I’m off to another in Bhad Ryzhavdut straight after this one – a gathering of eschatologists who plan to discuss our philosophical response to this new world.”</p><p></p><p>Just then, Gelsey Jierre politely called the delegates to take their seats around the chamber. The keynote speaker would be arriving momentarily. Once they were all seated, which took quite a while, Nicodemus appeared – now wearing the body of a bald, somewhat heavy-set man whose face looked eminently friendly and trustworthy. He was flanked by the ghost of Lya Jierre, Bert Facie and Xavier Sangria (erstwhile host of Leon during the convocation).</p><p></p><p>Once Nicodemus reached the centre of the chamber, he paused for silence and began to speak.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gideonpepys, post: 7523195, member: 79141"] [b]Session 204, Part Two - The Forward Symposium[/b] Set to take place in the Congressional Hall of Danor, the Forward Symposium had put the career politicians of Danor out on the street, with only a few allowed to attend. With the recent changes in the world, the congress had been relegated to a lesser role while Sovereign Jierre and Nicodemus temporarily took direct control of matters of state. The Congressional Hall of Danor was famous for its retractable metal plated roof, a device that was opened on days of fair weather in the Danoran capital city. Through political connections, divinations, and the spy network of El Extraño, the unit learned that the following dignitaries would be in attendance: [LIST] [*]Nicodemus the Gnostic (Obscurati representative) [*]Sovereign Han Jierre (Danor government representative) [*]Minister of War Eloise Duffet (Danoran military representative) [*]Brakken of Heffanita (Beran government representative) [*]Prime Cardinal Tito Banderesso (Crisillyir government representative) [*]Chancellor Dmitra Takhenova (Drakr government representative) [*]Sagu Jacksdotter (League of Malice States government representative) [*]Lord Kulp (Nalaam economic representative) [*]Betronga Sidhon (Eladrin survivor representative. This was a surprise!) [*]Vlendam Heid (Eschatologist philosophy representative) [*]Various military and opposition political representatives from each of the major nations. [*]Various locally-notable politicians and philosophers from Border States, Malice States, and colonies in old Elfaivar. [/LIST] Each dignitary also had a small gaggle of attendants and aides, bringing the total number of people due to attend to over a hundred. The Ob had issued reassurances that they had measures in place to defend against the creation of a hivemind, acknowledging the existence of the phenomenon and blaming it squarely on Risur. The city of Cherage was built upon several hills around the Bay du Violette, named after the violet hue it used to give off during sunsets. Small islands in the bay each supported immense artillery batteries – weapons installed after a brazen Risuri attack forty-five years ago. The city built upon itself in layers, with the more affluent citizens residing on hilltops, while the common folk lived in an almost literal ‘melting pot’ between the hills and the bay. North past the hills, great fields of industry churned out smoke and soot, which could faintly be tasted on the air even in the finer parts of the city. Small surface rail moved citizens between the industrial sectors and the central city, while traditional carts and carriages were required to navigate up to the hills. Obscurati enforcers now walked side by side with Danoran police in protection of the city. The increased enforcement, coupled with the subtle shift in behaviours since the Great Eclipse, had led to fewer acts of disobedience or direct sabotage. As a result the Danorans had ended their previous curfew, leaving its citizens to feel both more free and more secure. The industrial district of Cherage (technically located out of city limits to the north) was abuzz with new job opportunities. Folks from all over Danor were flocking to the capital city for well-paying work churning out improved firearms, war equipment, and revolutionary constructs. Many people were fascinated by the possibility of learning magic (although finding a teacher wasn’t easy and tended to be reserved for the rich). Warehouses along the docks of Cherage had been stockpiled with war materiel, and despite attempts to maintain some security, gawkers were fascinated by the steady arrival of man-sized constructs dressed in Danoran military uniforms. People in Danor did not work against the Obscurati or see them as any sort of evil conspiracy; instead, they saw the Ob as a group on the cusp of bringing about their salvation. The people of Cherage were predisposed to dislike of Risur, and Obscurati propaganda had tempered that to pure hate. All the positive changes of the Great Eclipse – magic returning to Danor, improved healing, people being less prone to violence – were the Ob’s doing. All the faults with the ritual – hiveminds, the sun disappearing, and She Who Writhes disrupting shipping – were due to Risuri meddling. From the hideout provided by El Extrano – a huge, roofless abandoned warehouse, with a deep basement that had collapsed in on itself – the unit made initial contact with Brakken, resuming the connection they had established weeks before. Pemberton and Pardo came aboard, and Pemberton joined in the gestalt. The Obscurati didn’t do anything to interfere with Brakken’s plan to enter the Forward Symposium. Elite military guards watched the entrances to the event, and corridors were patrolled by large golems that could pierce most magic. Security screenings checked for illusions, polymorphing, mind control, possession, and duplicant technology, but Brakken’s link with the unit – being psionic and unforeseen – was not detected. The Congressional Hall of Cherage sat atop the highest hill in the city. The massive metallic structure of the domed roof was currently open, which used to allow for an impressive view of the sky; now the black heavens were ominous – a reminder of the meddling for which the Ob blamed Risur. Prior to the official start of the conference, a brief gala in the hall provided an opportunity to mingle with the other attendees. The Obscurati guards stayed out of the way to ensure the attendees didn’t feel overly scrutinized. However, the Humble Hook allowed Korrigan to spot that Nicodemus was actually present, possessing the body of a waiter and serving drinks so he could eavesdrop. Delegates filed into the hall with their aides and attendants. The government representatives from Crisillyir and Drakr – Prime Cardinal Tito Banderesso and Chancellor Dmitra Takhenova – were already there, talking with Gelsey Jierre, a tall, serious tiefling woman, and wife of Sovereign Han (who sadly would not be in attendance). Sagu Jacksdotter, the representative of the newly-formed League of Malice States, was giddily telling stories of horrible magical mishaps she had seen, which she would never have to experience again thanks to the Obscurati. Betronga Sidhon, head of the eladrin contingent from Elfaivar, talked with representatives of the various colonies who had taken their land, warily trading tales of violence they had each perpetuated, but their mood was one of relief that such warfare might be no more. Close by – on his arm to begin with, but noticeably more detached now – was Sokana Rel. Brakken made a bit of a stir by arriving alone, and attendees from various minor states gathered around him. Despite Ber being a large nation, the minor states saw it as a kindred spirit since Danor, Drakr, and Crisillyir had long treated it as inconsequential too. Many people expressed concern that Ber might have been in danger because it shared a border with Risur. Only one person, Lord Kulp, the master of games from Nalaam (and, Uriel reminded the others, a Vekeshi Mystic), kept to himself. Brakken’s conversation with the other representatives was interrupted when the lead attendees from Drakr and Crisillyir stepped in. Brakken was able to fill the unit in on a lot of details they might not otherwise have known about the pair. Brakken, always the diplomat, had done his homework. (Either that, or he was reading their minds.) Chancellor Dmitra Takhenova, an obese dwarf woman who wore a robe woven with tiny runes that conveyed her core philosophy, was nearing the end of her six-year stint as leader of Drakr, having been appointed by a council of philosopher-politicians. She had been ruthless in using security forces to hunt down internal dissidents, though she was recently dealt a humiliating defeat when some of her supporters were bombed by followers of Grandis Komanov, the radical eschatologist. (She also made a few public statements blaming Risur for the high-profile destruction of a railyard in Mirsk a few years ago.) Prime Cardinal Tito Banderesso, rail-thin and sporting an impressive moustache, was rumored to be the highest-ranking member of the Clergy who did not commit suicide during the Great Eclipse. He was a powerful divine spellcaster, and his public statements had always been fairly traditional and positive, but Brakken remarked telepathically that he wouldn’t be surprised if he was an elitist, like most of the Clergy hierarchs were. Dmitra asked if Brakken had any first-hand knowledge of the disasters that had befallen Risur since the sky changed, and then she rattled off the various accusations the Ob has made about how Risur nearly doomed the world with their interference. The Cardinal opined that the Risuri people must be truly bereft of leadership, and that the noblest thing to do would be to ‘kill the wolves who rule them, so that the sheep might live the simple lives nature intended for them.’ Dmitra said she’d sooner see the savages of Ber return Risur to a land of beasts than let the Clergy’s classical brand of delusion take root there. At this point, overhearing tensions beginning to arise, Minister of War Eloise Duffet joined in. Korrigan recognised her from the Peace Conference several years ago. She had lost an arm during Yerasol IV, and nursed a legendary grudge against the Risuri. She admonished the two to save their anger for Risur, not each other. They all agreed that Risur must be conquered. Dmitra asked if they thought it will be a long war. (Trying to hide her enthusiasm, she suggested that it would be risky to change leadership in the middle of an ongoing conflict.) The Minister of War offered to give them a preview of her presentation about the invasion plan. She even had prepared letters of intent that the Chancellor and Cardinal could sign if they agreed. They could send those letters out immediately so preparations for the invasion could begin. Urged on by his gestalt fellow-travellers, Brakken asked to join this discussion. Eloise Duffet gave him a disapproving glance and said that she remembered him being entirely too cosy with the Risuri during the peace talks. Speaking through Brakken, Korrigan quickly established a rapport with Duffet by talking disparagingly of Risur and its new king. Brakken had merely been acting in his role as ambassador back then, he reassured her. The Bruse had sent him to find out what action they would take against their rebellious neighbour, and was furious to learn that they had seemingly forged an allegiance with the dragon tyrant Gradiax, who had recently tried to assassinate him and take over Ber. Duffet was pleased to hear all of this, and keen to show off her plan, so she allowed Brakken to join them. The general strategy was for Danoran soldiers and golems to take the Avery Coast Railroad to Trekhom and Sid Minos, where they would board ships from Drakr and Crisillyir, since the Danoran navy was depleted. Additional forces from those two countries would launch two invasion fleets. The Drakran fleet would target Flint, but instead of a frontal assault the fleet would drop off its soldiers ten miles to the east. Though there was no suitable harbour, the soldiers would be trained to teleport to make landfall from a safe distance. Then the fleet would begin bombarding Flint proper while the army advanced through the Cloudwood. Meanwhile, the Crisillyiri fleet would make landfall in southeast Risur, on the northern shore of Marrajado de Oro, near Ber. Minister Duffet had hoped the fleet could assist a bridging action to march Beran forces into Risur as well, hence her eagerness to include Brakken. The two armies would have a hundred-mile march to reach Bole, where they would cut off the rail supply lines to Flint. The western Risur city of Shale, though it had great symbolic prestige from past wars with Danor, would only be harried by a token fleet to keep them from sending reinforcements to Flint. Most of Danor’s remaining navy would be needed to protect Cherage, where they would be constructing a new colossus. (That process would take perhaps a year, so it wouldn’t be available for the invasion.) Once Flint and Bole were captured, they’d take a few months to rebuild industrial facilities, and then they’d invade down the Great Delve River to capture the capital Slate. With little further ado, the Chancellor and Cardinal agreed and signed expedited orders, which the Obscurati would deliver to the respective military leaders of Drakr and Crisillyir. A teleporting courier is waiting out in the foyer. “We want to act quickly and take the Risuri by surprise,” Duffet explained. “They won’t expect action so soon after this symposium.” Everyone’s attention was suddenly grabbed when Vlendam Heid teleported in with his bodyguard Kvarti Gorbatiy. (Korrigan realised later that Heid had made a point of using the new nature of magic in his arrival, because he intended to speak out against the changes and did not want to be labeled as reactionary.) Dmitra Takhenova saw him and said, “Vlendam, I’m glad you finally arrived. I know you appreciate endings, so why don’t you leave and come back when we’re done?” “Dmitra,” Heid said with a chuckle, “I hear you’re taking to heart my advice to plan for the end of your chancellorship. Invading Risur, very good idea! I wager if you could out-debate the dockside poets in Flint, they’ll gladly let you be in charge of a shipping guild or something.” “Guilds,” scoffed Cardinal Banderesso. “Just common people trying to get a taste of real power. I am not impressed by the ability to make a high-quality shoe.” He chanted a prayer, and conjured a shining angel. The crowd gasped, few having ever seen a true celestial. It bowed to the cardinal. He introduced it as a planetar, named Adimel. “Go fetch me some shoes,” he ordered. “Red leather, please.” The angel gazed at the gathering with a hint of disapproval, then flew out of the open roof. Chancellor Takhenova clapped. “We should give it a rifle instead of a sword, but still, good. I’m glad to have such magic on our side for the war against Risur.” Heid said, “Now come, we’ve all gathered together here in peace. Can’t we make peace with Risur too? I say let’s not jump so hastily to conclusions, and I just teleported here from a mile away. I’m getting quite good at it, don’t you think?” Standing beside him, his bodyguard Kvarti shrugged. “Yes, but now we cannot flee quickly. You must be prepared for your life to end here.” “I always am, my friend,” Heid said. “Well, perhaps not before I get a drink. Chancellor, Cardinal, I look forward to our discussions. Ambassador Brakken, please allow me to get you something as well.” Heid wanted to talk for a bit with Brakken, mostly to mention the synchronicity that his current bodyguard was unwittingly part of the terrorist group that nearly blew Brakken up in Flint a year ago. He was curious what the minotaur thought of the Risuri people, and during the conversation he dropped several hints that he did not trust the Obscurati. Encouraged by his allies, Brakken agreed, whereupon Kvarti said that he had not made up his mind yet: a lot of things did seem better after the Great Eclipse. Heid admonished him, and reminded him of how they met – through the auspices of their old Risuri friend Rumdoom. “All this talk of war makes me uncomfortable. I think it is time to talk. This is my third conference this month, and I’m off to another in Bhad Ryzhavdut straight after this one – a gathering of eschatologists who plan to discuss our philosophical response to this new world.” Just then, Gelsey Jierre politely called the delegates to take their seats around the chamber. The keynote speaker would be arriving momentarily. Once they were all seated, which took quite a while, Nicodemus appeared – now wearing the body of a bald, somewhat heavy-set man whose face looked eminently friendly and trustworthy. He was flanked by the ghost of Lya Jierre, Bert Facie and Xavier Sangria (erstwhile host of Leon during the convocation). Once Nicodemus reached the centre of the chamber, he paused for silence and began to speak. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
EN Publishing
[ZEITGEIST] The Continuing Adventures of Korrigan & Co.
Top