Mega-Adventure Prologue--The Council and the Fellowship

[Phoenix8008]

"It was blocked by a strong..." her lip twitches slightly, "psychic force. But all the treasure, Phoenix Shard included, is gone. Of course, naysayers will say that it wasn't there to begin with, I suppose."

"Hmm? Wha? A 'Psychic force' did you say?" Saithnar butts into the conversation after his thoughts are disturbed by hearing the mention of psychic matters. "I am psionic myself, ma'am. Is there any way I could be of service? Other than by changing the minds of the Rivenblight delegates for them ...which I assume might be impossible given the magicks at work in this place. But it was a nice idea to consider.

"It seems that there are competing theories at work concerning the events of the past, and these are coloring and strengthening the resolve of some of those opposed to you. How do you explain the discrepancy of story that allows Sage Thiliaerin to believe that the Elves shall know if the shard was disturbed because it was sealed with High Elven magick? You also say that the naysayers would claim it was not stored in the place you claim it was stolen from. Another discrepancy. Perhaps if we had multiple independent parties check both sites, some of the confusion could be cleared up? Because, frankly, at this point you are already looking at two delegations set against you for silly bigoted reasons of race alone. I don't know if their aid will be needed, but any aid would be helpful if the worst comes. Without further evidence though, I see very little changing in their attitudes."

 

[Dungannon]

ooc: I am beginning vacation this morning and will not return until late Monday night. That means Lucien Rayes and Devlin Magruder will be quiet until then.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

*Sage Thiliaerin sighs and replies in Elven.*

"I have never understood why some of the The People think that our longer than normal life span is any excuse to waste our gift with pointless trivialities. The true story is...similar, but not quite what the Medibarians would have you believe. It never is. Then again, after such a long time for a human, it is no wonder that the story is distorted. It was more like..." the image Rayne created on the ceiling of the group of mages appears in the elf's hand, but then he shifts it--Rayne's had a strong and powerful-looking blonde-haired woman wizard in the centre in charge of the ritual, but in Aliaster's version, the circle is focused on an elven mage of great age and power, and there is a blonde-haired little girl playing with dolls somewhere along the edge, "...this. In truth, it was Elven High Magic that bound the Lichwyrm, and so the elves in tune with it will know if there is a threat before anyone else does. And that makes it all the more easy to detect a hoax such as this."

Quozen grins.
"Thank you, good sage, that was time far from wasted. Who is this Elven High Mage in you vision? And what would a threat look like?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

Ash Sneaks in during the recess hoping to avoid any possible glares.

He slithers around the room, trying to hear tidbits of what exactly the hubub is all about.

(OOC: Ash can't sneak in during the recess. He was either there at the beginning or, I'm afraid, isn't getting in)

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Hmm? Wha? A 'Psychic force' did you say?" Saithnar butts into the conversation after his thoughts are disturbed by hearing the mention of psychic matters. "I am psionic myself, ma'am. Is there any way I could be of service? Other than by changing the minds of the Rivenblight delegates for them ...which I assume might be impossible given the magicks at work in this place. But it was a nice idea to consider.

"It seems that there are competing theories at work concerning the events of the past, and these are coloring and strengthening the resolve of some of those opposed to you. How do you explain the discrepancy of story that allows Sage Thiliaerin to believe that the Elves shall know if the shard was disturbed because it was sealed with High Elven magick? You also say that the naysayers would claim it was not stored in the place you claim it was stolen from. Another discrepancy. Perhaps if we had multiple independent parties check both sites, some of the confusion could be cleared up? Because, frankly, at this point you are already looking at two delegations set against you for silly bigoted reasons of race alone. I don't know if their aid will be needed, but any aid would be helpful if the worst comes. Without further evidence though, I see very little changing in their attitudes."

(OOC: Why does everyone suddenly know the things that are being spoken quietly on opposite sides of the room at the same time? I should hope that isn't possible, or else Frump could hear all these things that people don't want him to hear

I can definitely believe that Saithnar overheard Rayne talking with the rest of the Orussus delegation, but for now let's assume nobody heard Thiliaerin unless they specifically said they were going over there with Quozen beforehand. One definitely could not have overheard both, as Rayne is being careful not to say things where she could be heard by Thiliaerin--he doesn't like her very much, you see. I'll ignore mention to Thiliaerin's comments)

"There is no discrepancy--I'm just trying to predict the worst-case scenario of what someone might say if they wanted to cast doubt. Since the location was far from common knowledge, I would think that a determined sceptic would simply refuse to believe that it was the correct location. Going there themselves would prove the case for them, I think, but journeying that far into the Lands of Fire is a matter of months at best, if not years, plus it is dangerous, and so they can claim it is a waste of time and men. If they don't go there themselves, they will just refuse to believe whoever went...Sadly, it seems, this is how politics works."

 

[jaker2003]

"It was blocked by a strong..." her lip twitches slightly, "psychic force. But all the treasure, Phoenix Shard included, is gone. Of course, naysayers will say that it wasn't there to begin with, I suppose."

Jace replies, Psionic? I'm at a loss then. Wait, did you say treasure? There was more hidden in this vault then just the shard? What is the identity of this treasure, and is it similarly concealed now?

If they don't go there themselves, they will just refuse to believe whoever went...Sadly, it seems, this is how politics works."

Politics indeed. I am of the opinion that every council chamber and Senate house in the world should be warded with magic against lies and evil. Jace glances at the bigoted delagates, maybe hatred, too.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Jace replies, Psionic? I'm at a loss then. Wait, did you say treasure? There was more hidden in this vault then just the shard? What is the identity of this treasure, and is it similarly concealed now?

"The histories don't speak to the exact identity of all the treasure, but there was a large empty treasure room there," Rayne confirms, "It included a pedestal that, by its inscriptions, was certainly the one that held the shard."

 

[Rystil Arden]

Quozen grins.
"Thank you, good sage, that was time far from wasted. Who is this Elven High Mage in you vision? And what would a threat look like?"

"The High Mage's name has been obscured from common knowledge to protect his descendants and disciples from the ill intent of dark forces seeking to weaken the spell, so it is known only to a chosen few. A threat, if it occurred, would result in a united elven front releasing a warning that should actually be believed. Until then, you can just go home and ignore this."

 

[Knight Otu]

ooc: If someone could fill us people with lower skills in, we might be able to help as well. You don't need to write it out, just let us know what DC to go check to.

(I've posted my DCs earlier in-thread. Ashnar can fill in anyone asking her. She adds this

"The Medibarian delegate is Grand Vizier Rydick Xanthar. The Hendralian delegate is Baron Carnham Thalask, a former general, it seems. For Fallon, Councilor Andric Lenton, who seems an upright, but inexperienced man."
"And for Monemvassia, Wimpell Frump, now court mage. Funny career, that. When we first met him, he was aiding an usurper who sought control over Monemvassia and impersonating Kazikazi in some tunnels."

 

[Heckler]

Lucien turns to scan the room, then faces back to Rinya. "No, m'lady. I have not seen him since arriving at this gathering. But I agree, the tale of our meeting with the dragon should be told."

"And you and I are 'halfbloods,' they won't believe us anymore than they believe that wizard woman. Richard is the only one present that was with us. He needs to tell the tale," Rinya responds.