Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Final Chapter)

[Deuce Traveler]

"I mostly saw great events unfold and how groups caused these things to happen, or had events happen to them. Rarely would I see individuals in my visions, and never did I see you or those you had ridden with. This is likely fortunate, for if I had predicted the paths you and your friends might take it would be likely that you would be the ghosts and I would still be the cause of devastating chaos among the races."

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Caramip Ashhearth

She nods her head to herself and then asks the phantom a follow on question. “Then it is their Priest whom we shall speak to first. Though they are not likely to believe us without some kind of proof on our part. Tell me phantom what evidence made the Priests turn on their fellow brethren?”

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"The Magi grew suspicious of those that began to wonder why variants of the strange disease seemed to touch every race the elves would struggle against, yet never touch the elves themselves. When the priests of Sol began to grow suspicious and ask questions, some of their number would disappear. Eventually, the Magi could no longer avoid the calls for openness of their records within their secret halls and their response became more overt and violent towards those that would question them."

 

[Fenris]

"I think the gnome has told us all that will be useful to us. I think the path before me, and hopefully Cara, is clear." says Dartis smiling down at Caramip.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The emperor nods, "Yes, you must head to the elven lands though you don't know what kind of reception you might meet there. You will need allies. Commander Sassarius' men have been made to wait at a supply depot a few miles from the city. They've been in the field long enough to have avoided the initial exposure to this plague, but I doubt they still remain unaffected. Still, I will send a small group of priests with you to help keep the army going. Perhaps you will also find allies among your friends, the dwarves, gnomes, and even the halflings."

 

[Fenris]

The emperor nods, "Yes, you must head to the elven lands though you don't know what kind of reception you might meet there. You will need allies. Commander Sassarius' men have been made to wait at a supply depot a few miles from the city. They've been in the field long enough to have avoided the initial exposure to this plague, but I doubt they still remain unaffected. Still, I will send a small group of priests with you to help keep the army going. Perhaps you will also find allies among your friends, the dwarves, gnomes, and even the halflings."

"I have allies within the Silver Forest as well. And it looks as though I must rally the free people of the north here to force the hand of the elves." sighs Dartis.

Dartis stands silent for a bit, then chuckles. "Oh Silas will love to see me when I show up there. At least without Barok blood won't be shed until after I have made the accusation." Dartis turns to the Emporer.

"I want you to know that Sassarius never had his eye on your throne. It was Nefius who engineered that plot, and he seems to have gotten his just desserts. But still, I may need a writ from you to mobilize that army of yours northwards. And when it comes down to brass tacks, Emperor, the other peoples of this land may not be willing to help the cause facig a Tallione army. Even though they will be next as the visions have forseen, the halflings were driven from their homes by the Tallione, the Dwarves were beseiged within their mountain fastness by Tallione forces. Though I will do all I can for the race of man, the other races are not yet at risk and may not see the danger to themselves. What assurances can I give them from you, from the mighty Tallione Empire, that will help persuade them to aid us now and save what remains of humanity?"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"I've lived through enough years as emperor to have the sense for plots and scapegoats, Dartis, although I admit many of those lessons were learned the hard way in my first fifteen or so years. Commander Sassarius has been one of my most loyal commanders, and also one of the least corrupt despite his mixed heritage and the scorn he receives from others in my court. Which is why I 'exiled' him to stay outside of the city while allowing him to maintain control of his army. I had intended for him to be set loose at internal enemies, but the situation has changed much in the last few weeks. I will give you a writ to hand to Sassarius. He will command the army, but you are to be his advisor and spokesman outside of the Imperial borders and inside unconquered Dorinthian lands. The writ will explain that this is an army with only one intention: to force a cure from the elves in order to save all of humanity. I know many will fear Talliones in arms, but nearly all will understand the need that binds sons of Dorin with sons of Tallione in this hour. As for taking more lands from the other races, they have little need to fear from us anymore. Look around our own lands, Dartis. Humanity is dying, while strange threats rise inside what was once civilized territory. If we do survive, it will be many generations before we will be able to go on conquests once more and then neither you or I will be in charge of the direction our people will take."

 

[Fenris]

"Still lack of ability does not mean the abscence of desire." replies Dartis. "But you are right in that no edict of your would have any bearing on future rulers if the Empire musters itself again. Still it shall be a challenge to say ignore the army marching behind me, they march for peace. If though you need these men, this is a task I can handle without an army. These strange tales you hear snippets of were not accomplished with an army, and an army may do more harm than good at this point. The elves cannot be forced to give up the cure. The must give it up willingly. And there are those who will, who will choose to save humanity, once they know of the plight. An army at their doorstep will merely vindicate those who created the plague and justify another be released. So will all due respect, I think your army should stay put. Perhaps send a knowledgable preist with me to help identify the cure." suggests Dartis

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"The army will march with all the priests I can spare, Dartis, with or without you. However, you will have your chance to use diplomacy, and we'll even provide you with several potions to stave off the effects of the disease for at least a little while. The army will not be able to move as swiftly as the two of you on horseback. You'll have your opportunity to win your cure, but then we'll have the opportunity to take it."

 

[Fenris]

"The army will march with all the priests I can spare, Dartis, with or without you. However, you will have your chance to use diplomacy, and we'll even provide you with several potions to stave off the effects of the disease for at least a little while. The army will not be able to move as swiftly as the two of you on horseback. You'll have your opportunity to win your cure, but then we'll have the opportunity to take it."

Dartis shakes his head in disapproval. "Typical Tallione response. It was your army that precipitated these events, it cannot now be used to correct it. I fear it will do more harm than good and may damn the cause utterly. The elves will be in no mood to listen to diplomacy with an army sitting on their doorstep and the elves can wait out that army until it succumbs to the plague. Sending that army will only prove that the Warhawks were right and lead to a defection among any allies we have within the Sol Party. But if you intend to send the army regardless of my counsel, any failure shall be laid at your feet."