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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LostSoul" data-source="post: 4033208" data-attributes="member: 386">Maneuver 2, same session.Scene.  Duke von Zágaš, Colour.The Duke's private chambers.  He stands at his fireplace, the flames casting shadows against the black rock walls behind him.  In his hands he holds a picture of Lord Tovol as a child.He casts the picture into the fire.Scene.  Colour, Lady Neer.Lady Neer's bathing chambers on Zágaš.  She lowers herself into a bath of blue water.  "Bring us more of the Gul Janat oil from Boldaq," she says to a servant.Scene.  Colour, Kaeli.A grav sled races through the skies above Boldaq.Scene.  Kofer Pyatt, colour.Kofer Pyatt watches the grav sled from the bottom of a canyon.  Behind him is an entrance to the Vaylen cave.He pulls out a detonator, and triggers it.  There is a soft "boom" and the cave collapses behind him.  Then he sets off a flare and signals the grav sled.Scene.  Kofer Pyatt, building.The grav sled touches down.  A woman dressed in anvil steps out and takes off her helmet, loosing her hair.Kofer Pyatt embraces her with a kiss.  His bright mark flares and they form a connection, sharing each other's mind."I want to know how you feel about Lord Tovol.""I feel nothing for him," she lies.Scene.  Bortei, Interstitial.Kaeli hears Bortei's voice in her head.  "I know what you are doing.  If you come to me, open your heart to, you can redeem yourself."Scene.  Duke von Zágaš, Interstitial.Fat Chaz floats helplessly in a vat of green oil.  His skin sags off his face and arms.The Duke enters."What do you want of me?" Fat Chaz asks.  "I will do whatever you want, my Lord.""Be patient.  The time is almost right for me to reveal you, my new weapon."Scene.  Lady Neer, Building.Lady Neer is writing letters in her office when a servant arrives.  "The Gul Janat has arrived from Boldaq, milady," the servant says, placing a small package on her desk.Lady Neer opens it.  She sees the Pali's code in the way the bottles are arrayed: "The time of crisis is at hand.  Be by Lord Tovol's side.  Offer court support."Scene.  Duke von Zágaš, Building.Lord Tovol is finishing dressing for a formal dinner before court.  There is a knock at his door.  It is the Duke."Son.  There is something you need to see."  He holds out a holoprojector, and an image of Kaeli kissing Kofer Pyatt appears.Lord Tovol's face goes red and he slaps the holo out of his father's hands."I understand your anger, my son.  I wanted to be the one to show you this, so you didn't have to hear the news from a common servant.  I care for you."Father leads son down a long, twisting hall within the palace.  "Son, I want you to rethink your promotion.  There is much that a Forged Lord must do, must know, if he is to lead well.  There are responsibilities that you cannot even imagine.  I worry that you don't have what it takes to be a Forged Lord."You can't even hold onto a woman," he finishes as they enter the dining chamber.They sit at the head of the table, Lord Tovol on the Duke's right side.  Lord Tovol raises a glass.  "Are your responsibilities what keep you from being able to perfom with a woman?" he says quietly.The Duke yells out: "Say that again, Tovol!"  All of court suddenly quiets and turns to look at the Duke.Scene.  Conflict, Lord Tovol.The Duke smiles, his natural charm helping to cover the social gaffe.  "Excuse me.  Yes, Lord Tovol, what were you saying?  I believe it had to do with your Anvil - why you had yet to inspect your troops.  You have been here some time now, and you have not yet performed your first inspection.  Perhaps you need more time on Zágaš than I first thought.""I have been inspecting the bureaucracy and administration here on Zágaš.  It is riddled with rank incompetence and corruption, at its highest levels.  It does not befit the name of Zágaš, and before I can see our funds spent appropriately I must clean it out."From a nearby table, Lady Neer lends her voice to Lord Tovol: "Lord Tovol, your Grace, that is just what is needed - a fresh perspective from outside to clean away the corruption one finds too close to court.  If only all Lords were as wise as you, the Duke's glory would be that much greater."The Duke looks at the Lady, surprised to hear support for Lord Tovol in his own court.  "Yes, Lady Neer, perhaps you are correct.  Corruption is a serious matter and we are fortunate to have Lord Tovol here to aid us.  Once more, I am glad I made the decision to make him Forged Lord."I will give you whatever support you need, Lord Tovol.  My men will always be at your side."  The Duke waves two men in Iron to stand behind Lord Tovol.  "These men will execute my will.  They will be my eyes and ears upon you, so that we are never out of touch."Maneuver.  Vaylen Conserve vs. Human Take Action (activate rebel line).  7s vs 4s, Vaylen success.News reaches Boldaq as the months roll by: Lord Tovol will not be returning this season.The warlords of Boldaq - many of whom see Lord Tovol as their ancestor and leader, a man of courage and honour - take this as a slap in the face.  Why should they submit to the will of the Duke?  If he does not let his own son live free, why would we be any different?An insurgency grows.  Raids on local magistrates grow more and more frequent.  Anvil loses ground, and the Hammer is still without a leader, unable to put down the rebellion.But the Hammer does not stay rudderless for long.  A new fleet jumps into Boldaq with a decree from the Duke himself: a new Hammer Lord has come to Boldaq!Margrave Chazovic, Fat Chaz.  Reformed by the Duke himself.Fat Chaz wastes no time.  He contacts Draz Tolo and brings the pirates into his fleet.  The pirates turn on their allies in the insurgency and Fat Chaz decimates them.On Zágaš, people remark on the Duke's great judgement and wisdom.  Destroying the insurgency and the remainder of the pirate threat in one stroke!  His enemies are right to fear him.</blockquote>

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