Discussion for a Kingdom of ashes OOC II

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Decisions...

I don't know that we've decided to do anything-- at least, in my opinion, nothing that can go into the planning process at this point.

Please people, check your email and read my long post from last night. Let me know what you think is the best option..

1.) Find the blades first.

2.) Raise the army first.

Email me or post it!

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

The Plan

Much thought and energy has gone into the following PLAN:

First, each member of our group is going to swear the oath of alliance-- At this point in the story, it is not only appropriate but, necessary. If your character is not willing to do this... they walk.
This will distinguish our team as the Circle of the Phoenix... It has been suggested that we get rings to go along with this as an obvious sign that the individual belongs to the Circle (this would be kept a secret from all but us).

Second, Team Sneak (consisting of L'Aurel and Archon) will infiltrate the big castle in the city Oceanus to find out who the big boss is (Syvattagor is being controlled by someone that we can assume is living in the palace).

Third, we're going to get Jaine to Hyrwl through one of two options-- have her teleported or send Seaborne and some other NPCs to get her.

Fourth, we are going to raise an army to take back Oceanus--at the same time, taking back the blade that we can assume is there. (hopefully getting much more information along the way)
*YAY!*
The raising of the army will be done in several ways but, that's to be posted in the somewhat near future.

Oceanus is a strong city and an excellent base for the Army of the Phoenix. Moreover, if the king is indeed sending his army to the Frozen North, we've got a great in and should jump at the opportunity.

After taking Oceanus, we begin the quest for the rest of the Blades-- starting with the Isle of Mourning.

These are pretty huge "goals"--but, they are things that, with dedication, I have faith we can actually accomplish...

So, yes... there it is.

 

[Archon]

becomming a team.

Archon stands with Justice on her descisons. I also say that when we take the Oath, we swear to follow Justice (the person AND the concept) without hesitation, thus giving us an executive leader.
now, if everyone else agrees, we have a leader, a purpose and most importantly a chance.
mik aka "Sneaker"

 

[The_Universe]

Good idea. A tough fight ahead, but not one that seems completely impossible. Should you choose this path, some of you may pay for success with your lives. Failure would be terrible indeed. But it'd be a helluva way to go.

 

[Xath]

Just some thoughts...

1. Oath of Alliance=Awesome

2. Team Sneak. While I'm all for the Team Sneakage, let's not forget that Scrying, Clairvoyance, and Clairaudience could give vital information that would keep our sneakers alive. Scrying may even answer the question for us. Since it's a divine and arcane spell, I'm sure someone can cast it.

3. While stopping the existing forces is a good idea, should we not also consider going straight to the source? We should also try to locate and close as many of the portals as we can find, destroying them as necessary.

So...wait, we're actually raising an army? For the army of the Phoenix? What? An idea makes sense! My brain can't take it! Implosion imminent...

 

[Xath]

That 5 week fun-fest

Thirty-five days with no major mishaps. So….what to do?

Xath realizes that it is important to find Mr. Miagee, as he may have crucial information about the whole shebang. She goes to find Kaereth, hoping that he will know where Mr. Miagee has gone too.

In general, Xath will work with the Duke, trying to help the refugees of Oceanus set up permanent residences. There are certain orders of business to take care of in order to set up the new city.
1. Separation of useful specialties: Masons, Loggers, Carpenters, Food Preparation, etc. Those with skills not inherently useful to this situation (IE, sailors, dockworkers) should be put to manual labor or should be apprenticed to the useful skills.
2. Set up of a 24 hour crèche. Everyone will serve work shifts in the crèche while others work on setting up the new city. Those children old enough can be used as messengers and put in charge of menial tasks.
3. In most situations such as this, the economy is reduced to a barter system and takes quite a while to recover. In order to prevent this, the duke and baroness should use the funds allotted (17,100 gp or some part thereof) to keep the economy stimulated. Firstly, all laborers should be paid a standard wage for work done, as though the entire populace were working for the government. Therefore, technically the Barony and the Duke “own” every resource produced until the trade market is stable enough to hand it back to the people.
4. If a permanent settlement is to be made here, we must know more about the resources of the area. Send out cartographers and scouts to determine sources for food, water, resources, etc. We also need to determine key danger areas, locate them and prepare appropriate defenses.
5. A defensive barrier should be set up about the circumference of the expanded city, leaving some room for growth. It would be wise to use a combination of manual defenses and magic. Hopefully the remains of the mage tower will help as they are defending themselves through this. Around the wall, trees should be cleared out about 100 yards away from the wall, eliminating the chance of surprise on the city. If the army of Oceanus decides to move, the city should not be undefended.
6. Scout parties should be sent out in all directions searching for other refugees who escaped but scattered to the wind. Since permanent residences are being set up here, this is as good a place for them to come as any.
7. If we are missing skilled artisans from any crucial profession, word should be sent out to neighboring cities asking for aid.
8. Entertainment should be arranged for the evenings, to keep morale up. These people have just suffered through immense trauma and cannot be expected to make an instant recovery.

Once we have a definite plan of what we’re going to do, down to the specifics, I’ll write more really interesting stuff…or just more stuff. Anyway, this is part of what Xath does during our 5 week funfest. More to come after the Plan.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Thirty-five days with no major mishaps. So….what to do?

Xath realizes that it is important to find Mr. Miagee, as he may have crucial information about the whole shebang. She goes to find Kaereth, hoping that he will know where Mr. Miagee has gone too.

Justice does the same-- Mr. Miagee's men and women are incredible warriors-- they would be an incredible addition to the army of the phoenix..

This is another reason why I do not believe that destroying the portals is a good idea-- I could be wrong, but Mr. Miagee still has people in the West... if done correctly this time, we should be able to use those portals to bring them here.

Secondly, I think that sending a message to the monastary somehow is a good idea... they should all be nice and healed up now. Maybe their warriors can come to our aid at Hyrwl and fight for the Army of the Phoenix...

 

[Archon]

life as a scout

"4. If a permanent settlement is to be made here, we must know more about the resources of the area. Send out cartographers and scouts to determine sources for food, water, resources, etc. We also need to determine key danger areas, locate them and prepare appropriate defenses. "

During the five weeks Archon has spent time in the surrounding area with L'Aurel and Greylock and the two of us should be able to deliver information about the area in an informed manner.

try so scry. i hope it works, it'd save us unnessesary risk. but if it doesn't, Archon is more then willing to infiltrate Oceanus.

anyway, it's good to hear plans forming.
mik aka "bus boy"

 

[The_Universe]

Xath realizes that it is important to find Mr. Miagee, as he may have crucial information about the whole shebang. She goes to find Kaereth, hoping that he will know where Mr. Miagee has gone too.

Good idea. Waiting on Jeremiah on this one.

In general, Xath will work with the Duke, trying to help the refugees of Oceanus set up permanent residences. There are certain orders of business to take care of in order to set up the new city.
1. Separation of useful specialties: Masons, Loggers, Carpenters, Food Preparation, etc. Those with skills not inherently useful to this situation (IE, sailors, dockworkers) should be put to manual labor or should be apprenticed to the useful skills.
2. Set up of a 24 hour crèche. Everyone will serve work shifts in the crèche while others work on setting up the new city. Those children old enough can be used as messengers and put in charge of menial tasks.

Interesting ideas, here. A lot of the people whose trades aren't useful here in the woods are probably being absorbed by Frarathir and Arfin's militia, though. Maybe you want to include a "signing bonus" to induce people to join either your growing army, or a part-time militia?

The Creche is interesting. What does the Baroness think?

In general, remember that the Duke is just advising Kat. She's the authority (self-declared), and everyone treats her as such. Even the Duke. But, he presents lots of advice.

In most situations such as this, the economy is reduced to a barter system and takes quite a while to recover. In order to prevent this, the duke and baroness should use the funds allotted (17,100 gp or some part thereof) to keep the economy stimulated. Firstly, all laborers should be paid a standard wage for work done, as though the entire populace were working for the government. Therefore, technically the Barony and the Duke “own” every resource produced until the trade market is stable enough to hand it back to the people.

Interesting idea. Probably a very good one. There will still more than likely be some bartering going on, but this will stabilize things a bit. Once more, depends on the Baroness.

If a permanent settlement is to be made here, we must know more about the resources of the area. Send out cartographers and scouts to determine sources for food, water, resources, etc. We also need to determine key danger areas, locate them and prepare appropriate defenses.

Um...it's a forest. It has all the things that forests have. No major rivers or streams, but it's possible to dig some wells, etc. Sanitation may be an issue in the long run, but other than farmland (which is in short supply) you're okay. None of the people here are farmers, anyway, so you're probably on a very meat-heavy diet.

A defensive barrier should be set up about the circumference of the expanded city, leaving some room for growth. It would be wise to use a combination of manual defenses and magic. Hopefully the remains of the mage tower will help as they are defending themselves through this. Around the wall, trees should be cleared out about 100 yards away from the wall, eliminating the chance of surprise on the city. If the army of Oceanus decides to move, the city should not be undefended.

Are you including Hyrwl in this? Or is it a separate thing? As for constructing magical walls and defenses, I recommend that you look at the Stronghold Builder's Guide. I have a copy of it, but I bet you can download it, as well. It has the costs for walls, etc.

Scout parties should be sent out in all directions searching for other refugees who escaped but scattered to the wind. Since permanent residences are being set up here, this is as good a place for them to come as any.

Very good idea. Who's in charge of this? I'd appoint one of the PCs to be "Head Scout". Kat should choose who, probably. They can then organize teams, and lead a few themselves. This is also good introductory missions for your militia.

If we are missing skilled artisans from any crucial profession, word should be sent out to neighboring cities asking for aid.

This is a must. Perhaps you could use Arfin's diplomatic connections with the dwarves to bring some aid from Khaz Modan? They probably won't send soldiers, but they may send artisans, etc., assuming you can pay them. Kat and I were just starting to work on this. Perhaps you and she can coordinate more closely?

In addition, publicizing Link's re-acceptance of the High Elves could be used to draw them here, as well. All of these things take money, though, and 17000 ain't a lot.

That's the universe's take on things. Good work so far.

 

[The_Universe]

Justice does the same-- Mr. Miagee's men and women are incredible warriors-- they would be an incredible addition to the army of the phoenix..

This is another reason why I do not believe that destroying the portals is a good idea-- I could be wrong, but Mr. Miagee still has people in the West... if done correctly this time, we should be able to use those portals to bring them here.

Secondly, I think that sending a message to the monastary somehow is a good idea... they should all be nice and healed up now. Maybe their warriors can come to our aid at Hyrwl and fight for the Army of the Phoenix...

Agreed with the monastery. Not only are Miagee's people there, but there are powerful clerics, as well. But, the seas are dangerous (as you know). Crossing them will be difficult indeed.

On another note, most of the people already here are urban--and thus have few/no weapons. Any idea on how to get some of those? (Also, are you going to flaunt the law and use steeldrakes? If so, where are you going to get them?)