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Message: <blockquote data-quote="shilsen" data-source="post: 5189138" data-attributes="member: 198">The next day, the Angels reconvene at Flamekeep to discuss the results of their individual trips with each other and with Jaela. To the utter lack of surprise of all, Six has a fair amount to share about Luna’s activities at Stormhome, where the two of them had gone to request aid of House Lyrandar.“I may have misheard that,” Korm asks, attempting to—and failing at—hiding his merriment. “What did Luna tell the patriarch of House Lyrandar?”Six looks down at the roll of parchment in his hand and replies, “After I had explained the situation to Esravash d’Lyrandar and been told that she was hesitant to provide us with airships, Luna said, ‘Don’t you want to participate in this? It’s your civic duty!’ I believe,” he continues, even his mechanically uninflected tones sounding a little pained, “She also said, ‘This is no time to be a fuss-budget!’ That’s when I began to note what was said, in case someone tried to kill us for it later.”As Korm begins to shake with suppressed laughter, Luna growls, half-laughing herself, “What? We got the airships, didn’t we?”“Yes,” continues Six, “I’m still slightly amazed that we weren’t attacked right there*. Esravash was quite … patient. She said that even though she would not compel any members of her fleet to aid us, she would speak to them on our behalf, and give them permission to aid us if they so wished. Which she did, and quite eloquently, I think.”“Hey!” Luna interrupts, “I helped!”“Yes,” Six continues calmly, “Luna said,” he consults the parchment again, “‘Do you want us to do a demonstration? Maybe a diorama where I can blow things up?’ I wonder why,” he says dryly, “They refused. Especially when she turned into a bear and told them, ‘Only YOU can prevent daelkyr!’”   Gareth pauses to help Korm, who has fallen off his seat at this point, off the floor and says, hiding a grin himself, “But you did get two airships?”“Yes,” says Six, consulting the document again. “Falcon and Blackjack. The captains said they would reach Flamekeep tomorrow. That’s the fastest time they could make.”“I’m not complaining,” says Gareth. “I’m sure they will come in very handy.”“I hope so,” says Six. “I made a few plans, but that depends on what help we’re getting from Sharn – and Droaam.”“Yes,” rasps Nameless, who has been listening silently thus far. “What happened in Droaam?”“We met Sora Katra and Sora Teraza,” Korm replies, “And Teraza and I talked about what help they can give us, while Katra and Gareth made kissy-face.”“What?!” Gareth turns pink, partly in embarrassment and partly as he belatedly realizes that Korm is pulling his leg. He hurriedly continues, “Anyway, after we spoke, Sora Katra agreed to send us six of Sora Maenya’s elite troll guard, especially since her sister wasn’t there to argue with. She said they’re powerful and vicious fighters, and should come in handy. They’re in the other room.”“I remember seeing some of those with Sora Maenya,” Nameless comments, musing aloud, “They might be especially useful if—or when—we engage Mual-Tar, due to its ability to disrupt or negate magic.”“That’s what we figured,” Korm says. “Some of us aren’t at our best,” he chuckles grimly, “When we have no magic available.”“Correct. But, for when magic is available, I have obtained some additional aid from Sharn,” the alienist says. “While the adventuring companies were … recalcitrant, the arcane guilds were much more amenable. I brought six of their mages with me, well-equipped with scrolls and wands when their meager list of daily spells runs out. Trillia offered to come along as well, but—as one of the few competent arcanists in Sharn now—I thought that she should remain there.”  The alienist then adds, “While I was there, I also contacted Prine in Argonnessen. His skills are not as dependent on magic as most of ours, and he agreed to join us. I believe he will arrive early tomorrow. And,” he turns to Gareth, “He will be bringing the dragonscale armor you commissioned.”The paladin beams broadly at the news. “Excellent! I had been wondering about that.”  “Of course you were,” chuckles Korm, “It’s very important that we all look really pretty when that Worm eats us!”Once the others finish laughing, Jaela asks the Angels, “What are you planning to do next? We do not have much time before the aberration army arrives. I spoke to Cedric earlier today and he estimates they will be close enough to attack early the day after tomorrow.”“I think,” Nameless says, “We need to go to Thronehold now. Setting up what we hope to do will take time.” He looks around at the other Angels. “Are you ready?”* * *A little later…Somewhere in his mind, Warden Commander Frey knows that he strikes a comical figure, eyes bulging and jaw hanging open, but right now all he can focus on is what he’s just been told. “You … you … what?!”“We already told you,” grumbles the giant—and apparently both intelligent and speaking—bear that squats on the lawn before him, in a strangely tinny voice. “We need to borrow a piece of Thronehold, drop it in the bay, create a giant tidal wave and destroy the aberration army attacking Flamekeep. And then we can focus on fighting the stupid giant snake and maybe the daelkyr lord called Anta…, um, Antr….” She glances in apparent irritation at the figures around her. “What in Dolurrh is its name?”“Antaratma,” rasps the slender, overly pale human standing beside her, leaning on a staff. Though he seems an otherwise unremarkable young man, there is something unnerving about his gaze. And the way his left arm flexes, in a strangely boneless manner.Frey pulls his gaze away from the man’s appendage as the big orc standing on the other side of the bear chuckles and shakes his head. He is the biggest orc that the Warden Commander has ever seen, arms bulging with giant muscles, which—like the broad chest revealed by his loose robe—are crisscrossed by a network of tiny scars. “I can never remember or say that properly, Nameless. We need a better name. Ant, anta … I have it! Auntie!”As the orc laughs, the warforged standing at the rear of the group also emits a dry chuckle, “I like that name. Let’s use it.” Despite the humor, it continues watching Frey and his Wardens intently, metal fingers resting on a coiled spiked chain at its hip, what look like little wisps of smoke seeping—and fading away—constantly from his mechanical form.The most seemingly normal of the five, a man in shining plate-mail armor heavily decorated with the insignia of the Silver Flame, rolls his eyes and steps forward, saying politely yet firmly, “Warden Commander, I apologize for springing this situation on you. Unfortunately, the very future of Khorvaire may hinge on this battle, and using a part of Thronehold is our best chance of success. We are the Guardian Angels of Sharn, known personally to the monarchs of the Five Nations, many of whom have personal debts of gratitude to us. You will not, I promise you, face any problems by giving in to our request. Will you stand aside?”As he finishes, Frey licks his lips, preparing to respond but still uncertain exactly what he can or should say. Then the staff-wielding human steps forward, extending a letter, “Here. The Keeper of the Flame, Jaela Daran,” he says harshly, “Provided this document asking you to cooperate with us.”“Yeah,” says the bear behind him, before turning to the warforged. “Hey, Six – show him your little diorama of the giant snake! That’ll show him how big a deal this is!”Unable to help himself, Frey snaps, “You are all insane!”The thin human frowns and replies, “Yes, but that’s hardly the point. We need to do this and we’re wasting time! And we’re only taking the most useless part of Thronehold. So please stand aside.”“Be nice, Nameless,” growls the bear, before looking down at Frey. “Are you worried about your house, mister Warden? Tell us where it is and we can relocate it. Really!”The man in Silver Flame armor frowns and attempts to shush his companions and explain the situation again, ignoring the guffaws of the orc. Frey, feeling the beginnings of a pounding headache, finally raises a hand and says, “Please – listen to me! I cannot simply accept your request. My superiors would never have it, and we—the Throne Wardens—are sworn to defend Thronehold till Galifar is reunited. But,” he continues hurriedly and loudly, before he can be interrupted, “I know of your reputation and will not uselessly sacrifice my people.” Out of the corners of his eyes, Frey glimpses relieved expressions on the faces of the dozen Throne Wardens standing in a loose semi-circle behind him, as he continues, “So, I shall only do this under duress. I shall oppose you alone and if you can best me i….”The thin human interrupts with a curt, “Luna – sit on him!”The last thing Frey sees, as he hurriedly begins to draw his sword, is a huge ursine grin spread over the face of the giant bear … before it leaps.* * *That night…“So,” Korm says, as the group is about to settle down to sleep in the chambers provided them in Flamekeep, “Tomorrow we continue excavating that part of Thronehold and set it up to drop at a moment’s notice? And the day after that, we fight. Starting out with me at Thronehold to drop part of the island and Luna flying over the bay to help guide the tidal wave?”“Yes,” says Nameless, noting the Gatekeeper’s frown. “Is that a problem? It’s as simple as I could make a very complicated process.”Korm grunts, “I understand the process just fine. I just don’t want to miss the start of the battle.”“I see,” the alienist responds, in a tone which implies that he doesn’t. “You need not worry. It is virtually certain that the battle will be well under way when you join us, which you can easily do using a master earth once you are done at Thronehold.”“Yes,” says Gareth, with an expectant grin, “I think I might be a little lonely on the front lines without you. Six is going to be up in the airships, right?”“Correct,” says the warforged. “We will need someone watching the battle from up high, both to let you know what’s going on and to bring aid when and where you need it.”“I do think that is a good idea,” says Nameless. “Even though we will be separated at the start of battle, it is necessary and will raise our chances of success. And when Luna….” He frowns, looking around the room, before asking, slowly and carefully, “Where is Luna?”At that moment, in the depths of Thronehold…The elite warforged guards standing outside the chamber of the actual Silver Flame, look helplessly at each other, and then back at the giant bear sitting on its haunches and filling the entire corridor before them. One of the guardians takes a step forward and says carefully, “I am deeply sorry. But we cannot let you go beyond this point.” He hesitates and adds, “Nobody can enter the sanctum without the Keeper. You should not be here without her.”“But why?” says the bear in a tone which can be best described as intensely whiny. “Jaela brought me here earlier, remember? I’m one of the good guys! Don’t worry – I won’t extinguish it or something.”Since they are physically unable to blink and wince, none of the warforged do so, but it takes a few seconds before the same one says, “Thank you … for the reassurance. But we cannot let you pass. I apologize.”Luna sighs theatrically and says, “Fine! But can’t you just open the door for me? I need to communicate with it. Please!”“Comm…unicate with the Flame?”“Yeah! Pleeeeeeeaaase!”The warforged again exchange glances and then one says, “That … is acceptable.” Two of the warforged step over and push on the giant doors behind them, which swing smoothly open. Revealed in the space beyond them is a huge room, its walls decorated with intricate carvings, but its floor completely bare. The only thing within it is a stone ring, a foot high and approximately fifteen feet in diameter. From within the ring, a pillar of silver flame reaches up to the ceiling of the chamber.Luna grins broadly as she sees the Silver Flame and says loudly, “Hello! Can you hear me now?”Unsurprisingly, there is no reply from the Flame, nor do the warforged—who are watching her curiously—break the silence that follows the question. After a few seconds pass, Luna nods and says, “Okay, so you don’t speak. Let me, hmm, think at you instead!”The giant bear wrinkles its muzzle in concentration as Luna attempts to telepathically communicate with the Flame. Again, she feels no response or sense of connection, but continues anyway. Luna covers everything that has been going on and, finally, ends by thinking, “It is incumbent upon you to help. We need anything that we can get! Okay?”Luna waits a few more moments and then, unabashed by the lack of response, nods decisively and says aloud, “Well, just so you know!” She grins at the warforged and adds, “Thanks! I appreciate it.” Then she turns and lumbers away, pausing only to scratch her back by rubbing herself vigorously against one of the sides of the corridor.* * * * * * * * * *The next day, as some of the Angels prepare to leave Flamekeep again and head to Thronehold to continue making preparations there, Cedric returns from the field, teleported in by Essirise. The dragon, again in her elven form, has a fairly perturbed expression, and while Cedric has his habitual demeanor, some of the Angels realize that he is very worried.Essirise quickly explains why. “We lost Karaglen!”“The other dragon?” asks Korm, pausing from pouring another layer of orcish spices on his breakfast, “What happened?”“Mual-Tar!” Essirise replies, dropping into a chair and putting a hand to her head. “We were helping Cedric’s forces harry the aberration forces as planned and try to push them towards the river. Karaglen and I were in our natural forms, flying over part of the army and using our breath weapons. Mual-Tar was towards the head of the army a long distance away … or that’s what we thought! Only….” She pauses and then continues. “Only it suddenly appeared, right out of the ground beneath us. It just reached up, grabbed Karaglen and ripped him to shreds in seconds – and ate him!”“How far up were you?” asks Six.Essirise stares at the warforged for a moment and then says, “Karaglen was about forty feet off the ground and I was ten feet higher – so we could get the maximum area with our breath. If I was lower than him….” She says nothing more, repressing a small shudder.Nameless turns to Luna. “Did you know the snake could do that?”The shifter shakes her head decisively. “It’s three hundred feet long and can get half its body off the ground, so I knew it can reach pretty high, but not that it can burrow. Especially not that fast!”Gareth frowns. “That makes things more complicated. For you too, Cedric.”The other paladin pulls a wry face. “I’ve thought about that, but we’re generally staying further from the army than Essirise and poor Karaglen were. Especially now.” He sighs and then adds, “On the brighter side, we’ve been doing fairly well at both staying at a distance and slowing down the aberrations with our archers and hit-and-run attacks. And slowly pushing them east, as you want. I’m guessing you have till tomorrow morning before they get here.”“Good,” says Nameless. “We can use the time.”“Yes,” says Six, “But there are new things to consider.” He begins to count off on his metal fingers. “The snake can tunnel, it is coming after the Flame, and it has a way of detecting things in the distance while underground – since it could detect the dragons while burrowing. Our plans assumed the snake needs to be above ground to travel. What’s to prevent it from popping up on Nameless and Gareth where they’ll be on the ground, and then burrowing to the Silver Flame and … doing whatever it wants to.”“There are going to be a lot of people out there,” says Gareth. “I doubt it can pick out Nameless and me.”“Really?” Six’s tone is flat and dismissive. “The snake detected flying dragons while it was underground. If that had anything to do with the dragons’ magic or a connection to Xoriat—remember, Karaglen was an alienist—then Nameless would be like a beacon. And if it can detect the Silver Flame, then you probably will be too. All of us will.”Nameless nods. “Six has a point.”Six nods mechanically in response and then turns to Gareth and Jaela, who is also present. “Is there a beginning point to the Flame? If so, that is where our fight will probably occur.”Jaela says, “It does not extend beyond the chamber of the Flame. The chamber—and the Cathedral—was built around the spot where it appeared.”“Should we all wait there then?” Six asks his companions.After a few moments of thought, Nameless shakes his head. “We cannot afford to. The defenders will never last without us there. And if necessary, I can teleport us to the chamber.”“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” says Jaela, “But if it does, travel to the corridor outside the chamber, since it is warded against teleportation and similar magic.”“Very well.” After a little more discussion, the members of the gathered group disperse and head to their various tasks.* * *Some of the Angels spend the rest of the day working at Thronehold, preparing a chunk of the island so that it can be dropped into the bay with a well-placed earthquake spell. Luna and Korm take forms which allow them to tunnel into the earth and weaken the bedrock, with help from summoned elementals and precisely placed disintegrate spells from Nameless. An enlarged Gareth strides back and forth, wielding the titanic maul the Angels obtained in their earlier adventures, smashing large rocks with a single blow. Later, the four of them travel out into the bay, first flying over it and then descending into its waters in various ways, to study and decide what will be the best route for the tidal wave to take. Finally, they visit the low cliffs and the plain outside Flamekeep to make final decisions about how to best achieve their idiosyncratic objective. Meanwhile, back in Flamekeep, Six spends his time making battle plans with Knight Commander Malik Otherro, who is leading the defense of the city. They visit the defensive positions and fortifications, especially the miles of wall on the far side of the eastern bridge, where they hope to hold the attackers. Once this is done, Otherro introduces the warforged to those commanding the special units that he has available – the Argent Guard, an elite force of a little over two hundred warriors and paladins; two dozen wingwyrds, the Flame-touched gargoyles which guard the Cathedral; and the Silver Pyromancers, twenty-five particularly skilled arcanists and clerics. …Late in the evening, the Angels meet again at the Cathedral and share notes about their progress. Prine, who has just arrived from Argonnessen, joins them, much to the pleasure of Gareth, since he brought the dragonskin armor that the paladin had commissioned. “What do you guys think of our chances?” asks Prine, as he joins them for a meal.Six shrugs mechanically. “We are prepared. I do not know if it will be enough.”“Frankly,” Korm says, grinning hugely, “I think we’re all gonna die!”Prine smiles back. “At least you’re confident!”“I am,” says Gareth with a frown, “But not the way Korm is being. I have no intention of dying.”“Me neither,” snorts Luna. “And you idiots better not die! I gave up all those pretty gems to bring you back!”“Noted,” rasps Nameless, with a thin smile. “Gargantuan magic-eating snakes do not worry me—much—but I would never, ever, risk making you waste shiny things.”As the banter continues, Six interrupts, “Come and look.” The warforged, with neither need nor ability to eat and drink, has been standing at a window, looking out over Flamekeep. As the others move to join him, they see the city spread below them, extending outwards from the rocky mount atop which the Cathedral of the Flame stands. Despite the gathering gloom as dusk turns into night, there are much fewer lights than would normally be the case before Flamekeep was evacuated, most of them clustered around the Cathedral and the huge bridge leading over the dark waters surrounding the city. A thick band of lights is visible in a mile-long stretch around the terminus of the bridge, where the defenders work to strengthen the fortifications where the primary defense will occur.Beyond the fortifications there is primarily darkness. Until, far away, perhaps a dozen miles across the plains of Thrane, the watchers’ eyes are drawn to another thick band of light. It is muted and indistinct, but the Guardian Angels know that it is a combination of hundreds, if not thousands, of torches and the flames of burning farms and villages. “They are here.”* Luna rolling a timely natural 20 on her Diplomacy check helped a lot.</blockquote>

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