Rel's Faded Glory III: Glory Reborn (FINAL UPDATE 6/22 - SHE'S DONE, BABY!!)

[Rel]

Lazarius sat in the library and pored over a scroll by the pale white light that trickled through the eastern windows. He knew that he was at a point where some of the more powerful spells were within his capability but had spent too long away from the College of late. He needed time to study them, master them and copy the rotes into his own book of spells. But time was something that neither he nor anybody else had much of right now.

The slamming of one of the heavy, oak doors to the library snapped him from his focus. He looked up to seek Marius coming toward him, looking as though he’d gotten little sleep but not entirely displeased. “Any sign of Marcus yet?” asked the Imperial Explorer.

“Not yet. If he hasn’t returned by noon I think I’ll send one of the students over to the Church of St. Cuthbert with a message.”

Marius smiled, “It must be nice to have become so important around here.”

Lazarius returned the smile and shook his head, “I keep thinking of my father. He’ll probably be stunned when he finds out how far I’ve come. He sent me to the Imperial War College to keep me out of trouble with one of my cousins who had a bent toward mischief.”

Marius’ smile faded a bit. “I’m afraid that your cousin isn’t the only member of your family with a penchant for trouble.”

Lazarius lost his smile entirely. “Solvaria. What did you find out?”

Marius pulled up an opulent, cushioned chair and sat. “About her? Not too much more. She’s now married to Senator Pontius and there is a rumbling of scandal around the whole thing. Pontius’ first wife apparently drowned in the Tiber River while on a sail to Opal. Her body was not recovered and Pontius married Solvaria less than two months later. There are rumors that Pontius or Solvaria or both killed her of course. But none of these are too loud considering that Pontius is Flavius’ closest ally in the Senate.”

Lazarius stared off into space for a moment. “It was Solvaria. She may have ordered it done or perhaps she did it herself. But either way, she’s responsible for that woman’s death. The kind of power she has now is what she’s always coveted and she certainly wouldn’t let a little thing like murder stand in her way.”

“Well,” continued Marius, “it certainly hasn’t done Pontius too much political harm having a pretty young wife who likes to entertain guests at their villa outside the city. His star has been rising ever since he placed his backing firmly behind Flavius’ plan to rebuild the Crescent Sea fleet. And he’s from the northeast provinces you know, the area south of Opal and Canera. That’s where most of the timber for the new fleet came from so he’s popular at home and here.”

“Is there anybody who opposes them?” asked Lazarius.

“Not many. But there are a few. That faction is led by a Senator named Gracchus. He and his allies were against the invasion of the Northlands on the basis that it made no sense to grab a large swath of land on the western side of the Fodor when they don’t even have the citizens up there to fully exploit the lands around Glynden right now. They also feel that this is just a political move designed to assure Flavius the Emperorship upon his father’s death. But Flavius and his friends are just too popular right now for these ideas to gain much momentum. I suspect that’s all about to change though.”

Lazarius gave a wry grin, “War does that. Maybe we should see if we can get an audience with Senator Gracchus. He seems like somebody we have common ideals with and it might be good to be aligned with him before, during and after the war takes place.”

“That’s going to be tough. I don’t have a lot of political pull around here. My best shot was as a member of the Imperial Explorers Society but I’m not loved around there right now.”

“Oh?” asked Lazarius, “Why is that?”

“I’ve stopped feeding them information about the Northlands and haven’t turned over the last of my travel diaries from our journeys there. They were giving that information over to the senators planning the invasion of the Fodor lands and I’m afraid I may have unwittingly aided that cause.”

“How so?”

“I reported on the numbers and disposition of the warriors in the Fodor lands in one of my early reports back to the Society. I thought I was helping to protect them by showing how few warriors they had. I thought I was showing that they were no longer a threat. Instead I helped expose their weakness and gave Flavius all the information he needed to plan his invasion.” Marius looked disgusted with himself.

“You couldn’t have known that. And it’s done now anyway. Besides, I doubt the invasion will continue once news of the Orcish Fleet hits the Senate.”

“Let’s hope you’re right. Wh…” Marius was interrupted as the door to the library swung open. Marcus entered dressed in full armor. It looked as if it had recently been cleaned and polished.

“Ah, you’ve returned,” said Lazarius. “Speaks and Cathal will be awaiting our news back at Hrongar’s Hill. I’m ready to take us there if you are ready to go.”

Marcus replied, “That all depends. I wish to hear what Speaks, Cathal and the Chieftains have to say, but I must return here soon. I need to try and get down to the south coast to warn the people of those regions and rally the Brothers of my faith to shelter the weak and innocent from the coming storm.”

Lazarius nodded gravely, “So you’ve made your choice of which people to Shield then.”

“I have,” said the Shield of St. Cuthbert. “But I will do what I can for my father’s people first.”

Lazarius regarded Marcus for a moment and then spoke, “Well, you needn’t worry. I will want to return here soon anyway to discover what actions the Senate has taken, what the Chancellors intend and to spend a bit more time here at the library. We shouldn’t be gone for more than a day or two, I’d think.”

“Well that makes three of us who shall return,” said Marius. “I’ll want to try and get an audience with Gracchus. And there is another matter I may wish to look into…” The sound of his voice trailed off, absorbed by the thick tapestries that lined the walls of the library.

Lazarius stood and rolled up the scroll he’d been reading. “Then let us leave that we may return!” He led the other two from the library, north to the Teleportation chamber and north to colder lands once again.

 

[Rel]

I'm hoping that all this political stuff isn't boring you guys. In game this stuff was hashed out in an hour and several e-mails exchanged between sessions. But trying to boil it all down into conversations between the characters that capture the essence of what was discussed seems like slow going. But I feel like it is all necessary for setting up the action coming up.

I will also say that a couple of good twists are about to crop up in the political situation up north that should be fun to read about.

Have a nice weekend, everybody!

 

[BSF]

Rel,
I dig it! I enjoy reading how the events unfold and how the PCs try to interject themselves into the stream. There is some nice characterization coming forth and it is a great read. So, don't worry about boring me.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Political stuff boring? Heck no. I find it makes the story all the more intriguing.

 

[Rel]

Some of you may wish to check out this thread, which has the potential to become my next Story Hour :

The Adventures of my 3 Year Old Daughter

 

[Rel]

“South?” Lazarius asked.

“Yes,” Speaks replied, “in the lands of the Suevi. It makes the most sense to hold the moot of the various shaman there since it still looks as though Relmar wants to try and stand his ground against the Imperials if they come.”

The group sat together once more around a table in the corner of Urdrax’s mead hall. Marius had his maps out on the table. He gestured at them and interjected, “If they come, they’re going to be at the Suevi lands in only a week or so at most if they march there unopposed. The Legions travel slowly without the roads of the Empire, but it just isn’t that far to the southern edge of the Suevi forests.”

Speaks nodded in agreement, “That’s true but I already have some plans for how we can slow them down. There are some tributaries to the Fodor that they’ll have to cross and I think I might be able to have them flood at just the right moment.”

Cathal took a turn to speak, “Well it sounds as though the Legions have no cavalry at present and don’t plan on bringing any up from the Empire. That means that the Almanni should be able to nip at their flanks with little fear of retaliation. Perhaps that will slow them down.”

Lazarius shook his head, “Slow them down – maybe. But any direct confrontation between the tribesmen and the Legions will almost certainly guarantee the conquest of the Fodor valley. The Almanni horse archers will attack the column who won’t be able to chase them down. So the Generals will send out the War Wizards to attack the horsemen magically. And things will just get worse from there. Trust me, I’ve trained for this kind of battle.”

The War Wizard continued, “I still say that the best hope is for the Suevi to withdraw to Hrongar’s Hill. Let Speaks muck up the terrain along the way to slow them down. That might buy enough time for the Empire to decide that those Legions are needed to defend the homeland.”

Speaks agreed, “That’s true. To be honest, at this point the sooner the Orcs attack Emor, the better off the people of the Fodor will be…” The Druid got a far off look in his eyes and paused.

“What is it?” asked Marius.

Speaks paused a moment further before answering, “What if the Orcs began their attack on the Empire immediately? Don’t you think that would hasten their withdrawal of the Legions in the Northlands?”

“Weren’t you listening, Speaks?” asked Lazarius. “Our best estimate so far is that it will still be at least a couple of weeks before the fleet is far enough south to be able to make their attack.”

“I’m talking about US,” said Speaks. “WE attack the Empire. We can use the same trick we used to get into the City of Endless Summer. We disguise ourselves as Orcs and begin marauding across the southern provinces of the Empire. Not actually killing anybody of course, but burning some empty barns and putting on some impressive displays of magic. For that matter, we might even be able to get Magdar and his men to help us! A couple score Orcs, both real and imagined might go a long way toward getting the Senate to pull those Legions back across the Crescent Sea!”

Cathal was grinning at the notion and Marius raised a thoughtful eyebrow but Lazarius and Marcus were both shaking their heads. It was the War Wizard who responded first, “It is a cunning plan, Speaks, but I fear it could have dire consequences. With reports of attacks by small forces, they first ones they’ll send in are the local Auxiliaries backed by whatever War Wizards they can rush to the area. Magic can do a lot and if any of us get caught then our credibility is completely wrecked.”

Marcus took up the argument, “Also, suspicion is already falling heavily on you, Speaks, thanks to the lies being spread by the Druid Circle. Even if they don’t actually capture you, if they can put together any evidence that you’re involved then they might try and paint the entire Orcish invasion as your doing. The Banites would love that. And if Cathal is implicated then they will have further cause to invade the Northlands.”

Speaks was forced to agree with the Imperials. “Well then we’re going to just have to hope that the Legions camped near the Fodor Fen don’t intend to start their invasion for another couple of months. Otherwise I don’t think we’re going to be able to save your people, Cathal.”

Marius tried to cheer the mood, “Historically the Legions have almost never moved to attack in the wintertime. And considering that we’re talking about the Northlands, I suspect they’ll wait until spring is well under way to assure that they don’t have to tap too heavily into the winter stores to feed the army in the field. So I think we’ll have those two months, Speaks.”

“But will that be long enough,” answered the Druid.

 

[Rel]

The fire burned low in Urdrax’s mead hall and the companions were gathered close around with mugs of Brigante drink in their hands. After a long day of exchanging information they had formed their course of action and prepared to embark upon it. They had tired of talking far earlier in the day, far earlier than they had been able to quit talking. Each now sat quietly thinking of the role he would play in the upcoming events.

Lazarius would return to the Imperial War College and gather what information he could about the movements of the Legions. He would also try to use his time to master additional magics that my aid them in the coming battles against the forces of Bane. And Marius had also said he had some sort of project he needed help with but had declined to elaborate further until they were back in Emor.

Marius was to try and gain an audience to Senator Gracchus and see if any ties could be made with him. They had all decided that it would be best if they could somehow associate themselves with a legitimate authority in the Imperial regime in order to blunt the opportunities their enemies might use to call them outlaws. Marius was also going to see if any further dirt could be dug up on Flavius, Pontius or Solvaria. While such rumors had found little favor during their recent rise to power, once the Orcs attacked, they might be more vulnerable to political attack.

Marius also pondered a personal matter that would require aid from Lazarius and possibly some of his friends among the Chancellors of the Imperial War College. He had been made certain offers during his liaison with Jalena and it was time that he came to a decision on those matters. But contacting her was something that required magic and, as much as he wished to keep these matters to himself, he simply didn’t have those resources.

Marcus too would return to the Empire and intended to make his way up and down the southern coastal province, trying to bring warnings of the dire threat posed by the Orcs. He hoped that his status as the Left Hand of St. Cuthbert would give him enough status among the parish priests of St. Cuthbert to have them pay heed to his warnings. They would need to use every ounce of the Church’s influence to place pressure on the Imperial Army to be prepared for the threats posed by this coming Army of Bane.

Speaks would travel south to the lands of the Suevi to meet with the various tribal shamans and with Relmar if he would agree to such a meeting. He had to try and make them see the reason in falling back to the north and staying out of battle with the Legions until the coming invasion could force the Empire to make some hard decisions. And he was also going to do his best to forge a new order among the shamans. He respected their culture and traditions but also realized that they were contributing to the tribes acting separately rather than in unison. Better that the shamans at least take a broader view.

Cathal was going to journey northwards to the Stone Tooth and warn the Dwarves of the conflict that was about to take place in the south. The small but growing enclave of Dwarves would no doubt wish to have some influence on who their neighbors would be in the coming years. It was hoped that the budding trade between the Fodor tribes and Stone Tooth Dwarves would help push them toward offering some support. But none of the companions held out much hope that the Dwarves would aid them directly in a battle against the Legions. Still, it was worth the trip and only the hale and fleet-footed Cathal could hope to make the trip in a short enough time before their planned rendezvous in Hrongar’s Hill two week hence.

It was then that they would embark upon their next trip to the City of Endless Summer. They had reasoned that perhaps the army of Orcs would be attempting some sort of dire rituals, sending aid to Bane in his attempt to break free from his prison. They also felt that if such rituals were to have a focal point from which this power was to be guided to Bane’s hands that it would be through the refuge he’d set up in the Blackpeaks. And so, once they had made the preparations they could over the next couple of weeks, they would journey there once more to directly oppose the will of a god reborn.

By some silent agreement, each rose from around the fire and went to his quarters for the night. In the morning they would party ways again to do what good they could in the time they had left.

 

[Belen]

Nah, politcal stuff rocks. Awesome updates!

 

[Rel]

Just a quick note about the last update:

I thought that Speaks idea to attack the Empire themselves was hilarious and inspired. I think the points brought up by other as to why they shouldn't do it were valid but I gotta give Speaks some credit for thinking outside the box. I'll also mention that, while I didn't go into specifics in the Story Hour, he also considered doing what he could to manipulate the weather in order to hasten the fleet toward its destination.

Just goes to remind you that Speaks' loyalties lie not in the Empire.

And I decided to post another update while I have time. This week is (thankfully) going to be busier for me work-wise so I probably won't get another chance to update until next weekend or so. So here you go...



In the morning they parted again, Lazarius, Marius and Marcus teleporting back to Emor, leaving Speaks and Cathal atop Hrongar’s Hill. Speaks made certain that Cathal was ready for his journey and then used his Feathers magic to transform the Brigante into bird-form to speed him on the first day of his journey. After that he would have to rely upon his natural speed and endurance as well as that granted to him by his magical boots.

As the sparrow winged north toward the Stone Tooth, Speaks called Scipio to him and scratched the huge cat behind the ears. “Come my friend. We have a journey to make…and much to talk about.” They fell in next to Urdrax, Hrothan, their bodyguards and shamans and began their trip south to the Suevi lands.

Lazarius arrived back at the Imperial War College to find things far more frantic than they had been last time. Pages and young students scurried through the hallways with a distinct sense of urgency about them. The three Imperials sought out Chancellor Felix to find out what was going on.

“The Orcs will be far enough south to attack in less than a week. Maybe only three or four days,” she told them.

“WHAT?!” they cried in unison.

“We were looking at their approach only in terms of distance and what is the typical speed of warships along the southern coast. But there are currents and winds that run down the western coast that brought them here much more quickly than we had thought possible. And it looks like they were able to sail almost the entire distance so they won’t be tired from rowing.”

“Any idea of where they are headed?” asked Marius.

“Not yet. But if they are intending on landing near Sutrium, it won’t be long. Hopefully it will be closer to Carcioli but if their generals are as good as you say then that isn’t likely. If they go that far east then our navy will be able to engage them and the troops being pulled off of the Sythian border will be close by. So, unless they have a specific objective in that part of the country then our guess it that it will be further west.”

“I’d better get to the Church right now,” said Marcus. The others nodded and he departed, jogging down the hallway with his mirrored shield clanking along his back.

Felix addressed Lazarius, “We’ve recalled some of the Wizards from their units but are leaving most in place to ease communication. We sure could use you backing the Auxiliaries in Sutrium or Hadria…”

Lazarius shook his head, “I know but I can’t. My companions and I think we may have a chance to take the battle to the enemy and disrupt some of their plans. We’re going back to the City of Endless Summer in a few days. And I’ve got to spend that time getting ready here in the library.”

She nodded in understanding. Marius broke in to ask a pressing question, “What of the troops in the Northlands?”

“After we brought confirmation of the location of the fleet to the Senate, they ordered a partial withdrawal of troops from the Northlands. But it is going to take several days just to get the ships in place. After delivering those Legions to the Northlands, most of the warships headed west into the tip of the Crescent Sea to continue their battle against the Corsairs. Emperor Flavius has issued an order that merchant ships in Oar and Opal be turned over to the Empire to use in bringing some of those Legions home.”

Marius raised an eyebrow, “Emperor Flavius?”

Felix nodded. “The Senate made an emergency proclamation installing Flavius as the new Emperor. They felt that in this time of crisis they could not continue to keep Dartalus as Emperor considering his health. So Flavius was appointed Emperor. I’m sure you can guess who made that motion.”

“Pontius, I’m sure,” replied Marius. “How many of the Legions were recalled from the Northlands?”

“Four. Any more would only increase the burden on the limited shipping. And moving more than that down the roads once they’re back in the Empire would be nearly impossible.”

“Damn,” said Marius. “That still leaves five thousand men west of the Fodor. More than enough to conquer the valley come spring.”

“And what of it?” asked Felix somewhat indignantly. “We’ll need those lands and resources to rebuild from whatever havoc is wrought by the Orcs!”

Lazarius headed off a potential argument between his mentor and friend, “Marius, I need to get to the library, there was something that you said you wanted to ask me about…”

The Imperial Explorer looked a bit sheepish for a moment. He looked at Felix and decided to trust her, “I need to summon a Devil.”

“WHAT?!” cried the Chancellor.

Marius continued, “I’m sure that Lazarius told you about us crossing over into Hell when we were in the City. I made a contact there. They may be able to give us information about the assault on Bane’s prison.”

Felix considered for a few moments as Lazarius waited silently. Nervously. “Very well,” she said, “follow me.”

They went back down into the depths of the College, near the area where the Teleport chamber was. Down a stairwell past a rune-covered and locked door they found a room with a large circle inscribed in the floor. “Can you do the Spell, Lazarius?” asked Felix.

“Um, I believe it to be within my capabilities but I’ve not yet learned it. I would love to observe you do it though.” He smiled at his frowning mentor.

“Come here,” she replied with a sigh. She opened a thick, leather-bound book and turned a few pages until she came to the proper incantation. She conferred with Lazarius for nearly a half hour and Marius took his turn to wait silently. Nervously.

Finally she was ready to begin the Spell and she asked Marius, “Does this Devil have a name?”

“I know her as Jalena,” said Marius, unable to keep the smile off his lips.

Felix hoisted a disapproving eyebrow and left it there as she began to utter the words to the Spell. Several seconds passed before an indistinct shape began to take place in the circle. As she finished speaking the necessary words, Felix admonished Marius, “Do your speaking quickly. She will not remain long in our world.”

The gorgeous, naked Jalena formed in the circle and Marius approached the edge. In the dim light of the candles that lit the room, he could see the sheen of sweat the covered her skin and knew first hand just how it would taste and feel. He swallowed with some difficulty and spoke to her.

“We haven’t much time, Jalena. I need some things from you.”

She slithered over to the edge of the circle and smiled at him. From around her neck hung a strange looking knife in a sheath of leather. It dangled between her perfect breasts and everything about it invited him. “I know,” she whispered. Her eyes cut to the other two humans in the room. “Did you bring some friends to join us? I can pleasure all of you…”

“Nnnnoo. That…that is not why you’re here. I…what…um, what is the status of the attack on Bane’s prison?” Marius scrambled to collect himself.

Jalena crossed her arms over her breast in consternation. Remarkably that helped Marius to pull his head from the fog. “For you, Mari, I’ll give that information…since we’re such good friends now. They are still hacking away at it and there are now hundreds of them. But they’ve changed tactics and now seem to be hacking at the top instead of the bottom. That’s really all I know.”

“Well thank you. Please keep watch on how they progress. I may need to ask you more questions again sometime,” said Marius.

Jalena was quick with a reply, “Well I’d love to chat again. But I’m in the information business and next time it is going to cost you a little bit more.” She licked her lips and made a kissing gesture at him. As she did so, her form became somewhat less distinct as her grip on the world of men began to slip. She swaggered deliciously back to the center of the circle and slipped the knife from around her neck. She bent to place it on the floor and it fell the last few inches as she vanished entirely. It hit the floor with a not-quite-metallic click. The Spell ended and everybody took in a deep breath.

“What,” asked Felix, “is that?” her voice piercing the silence that had flooded in to fill Jalena’s departure. Marius turned to see the Chancellor pointing at the Black Dagger that lay on the floor in the circle.

“Something for me,” said Marius. He strode over and retrieved it from where it lay.

“Since it was my Spell that brought it here, I should like to know what it is,” said Felix. Marius said nothing in response but held the blade protectively near his side.

The Chancellor raised that eyebrow of hers once more, “Do you know what it does? It’s clearly not a normal blade.”

Marius looked for some purchase on the monolithic truth of her question and statement. Finding none, he replied, “No.”

“Then let me find out for you. And I assure you that I’ve got more important matters to contend with right now than getting you in some sort of trouble over this. Unless, of course, you wish to try and tell me what I am not entitled to examine that was brought to MY laboratory using MY magic?”

Marius sighed and knew what must happen. He strode forward and handed her the dagger trying, not entirely successfully, to avoid looking like a petulant child. She took it and began her examination.

Lazarius cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you two to sort this out. I really must be off to the library.” He made his way through the cords of tension that filled the room and out the door.

 

[Funeris]

great updates Rel. And the politicking adds to the story. keep it up.