NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DoctorB" data-source="post: 250716" data-attributes="member: 903">The Stredan camp buzzed with activity.  Thousands of soldiers had that expectant impatience that indicated they would be going into battle soon.  A larger tent stood formed the center of the maelstrom and it was inside that tent the Champions found themselves.  They had passed a keep packed with young soldiers receiving their training for war.  This was the primary camp on the warfront, the headquarters of General Balzar, who every Stredan soldier the Champions talked to praised as the architect of their nation’s recent success against the Tolnan elves.Inside the tent, Cobbe parried and feinted with the general himself while the other watched.  No weapons had been drawn.  The two engaged in an intricate war of words with Cobbe trying to discover everything he could about the young general, and the Stredan seemingly amused by the entire situation.Liana spent most of the time practicing her new abilities as a shadowdancer.  Knowing the Stredans would see her as a wood elf, she remained hidden even while wearing a large hat she hoped would hide her eyes and ears if someone should spot her.  General Balzar’s tent held a large campaign table in the center, with a detailed map of the border zone.  Various other objects decorated the space, but a fancy bowcase drew her eyes sitting in the corner.  What was the name of that legendary bow the Stredan hero had used?Toiva remembered the name of the bow: Heart Render and Irena Capov, its Stredan wielder.“Earth-Friend flew above the battle, standard-bearer for Alexander and the forces of the Free Kingdoms.  Heart-Render took life after life as the Warlord sent his dragons against the bright banner of his foe.”He returned his concentration to the conversation at hand.  Balzar had allowed Cobbe’s not so subtle questions about his character, and continued to exude confidence.“It was my idea to light the fires.  It simply took this long to convince the Council to allow me to proceed.  Now we are close to conquering the center of Tolnan power.  With that we will be able finally to drive them out of the land they have stolen from us.”I almost prefer Victor, Joy thought.  At least he was more honest in his desire for power.  This general was too smug.  I would love to give him a piece of my mind, but Cobbe would yell at me if I did.  Oh well, we will be away from here soon.Talking with Balzar made it clear that he was a rising star in the Stredan military, and that he had powerful allies.  It also seemed that his strategy was working.  His army advanced into Tolnan territory and might capture this “center of power” whatever that was.  Worse, the Champions had not found a single Stredan who did not want to crush the Tolnans.  Rumors had held that the current Guardian of Streda favored peace in the seven-hundred year war.  Balzar had not taken the old man’s place, but had made him irrelevant.The party all felt discouraged as they took their leave of General Balzar, and debated whether they should go north to the capital of Streda and the shadowy druidic Council or plunge south into Tolna and see what was happening to the elves.Just then, the sounds of battle erupted nearby.  The Tolnans struck at the Stredan camp, and as soldiers organized themselves to fight off the raid, they heard a woman’s voice beside them though no one visible was there.“If you want to hear a different perspective, visit my master.  Go two days travel north-east and seek the trees with the red mark.”As they prepared themselves to follow this strange advice, Cobbe suddenly turned to Arin.“You could, uh, see her, couldn’t you with your… senses?”“Yes.” Arin replied looking away, “but she didn’t want to be seen.”The others laughed or rolled their eyes.“Just tell us next time, okay?”</blockquote>

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