Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 3: Shelter From The Storm

[Gregor]

Kirio, despite searching for the rest of the afternoon, you return to the Inn wet and grumpy from lack of success.

When you arrive, the Innkeeper looks at you expectantly and nods his head towards the small stage in the dining area. Patrons have begun to file in and you see some familiar faces from previous performances. Additionally, you see well dressed Sindairese Gnomish merchants and the sun tanned faces of wealthy Ostaliners. Apparently your growing reputation has begun to attract a wide assortment of viewers.

 

[funkmamagoat]

			"where in the nine hells are all these supposed Ragesian spies..."

Kirio, baffled at his lack of success today nods acknowledgement to the innkeeper, and quickly performs a bit of prestidigitation to dry himself off.

He tries to shake off his sour mood, procures a large tankard of ale to see him through the performance, and makes his way to the stage "Thank you for you patience; it is gratifying to see familiar faces in the crowd as well as new ones. I hope not to disappoint. I will begin with a bit of elven folk music. It is the type of music played at harvest festivals, and will hopefully banish some of the gloom all this wet weather is bringing..."

 

[Gregor]

Day 3 in Seaquen - The War Council

Kirio’s evening performance was nothing short of legendary and by the end of the evening, word had travelled up and down the North Harbour resulting in a heavily packed Inn. People cheered and wept with the change in tune and continued to stay and drink into the late hours of the night. Apparently even a few members of the Wayfarers had come to enjoy the show, having learned of a former member that was making a name for himself in town.

The next morning, after an evening of heavy drinking, singing and dancing in the Inn, you all shuffle to the dining room to break your fast. Watered wine, warm baked bread, cheese and fruits serve to invigorate you for the walk in the rain to the Lyceum. With cloaks dripping wet and a chill running in the air, you make your way along the streets and take the uphill road that leads to the magical academy that looms over the harbour.

GM: Arnir, I’m assuming that you always have your hood up, so that is my assumption going into this scene.

Stepping into the Lyceum grounds is a relief after such a long journey from Gate Pass almost two months ago. The compound is surrounded by a low stone wall, and consists of a half dozen class buildings and dormitories. Stone and marble statuary cover the grounds and most of the buildings are built of moss-coated gray stone, with wide covered walkways and broad fields filled with trees that droop with golden moss. The central tower – an eight-story, sixty-foot diameter pillar of weathered stone and thick windows called the Aurad Tower – is where you are directed.

The massive glyph covered iron doors to the tower are open and polite students greet you when you arrive. They review the paper Lee provided you and then serve to dry you off using prestidigitation spells. Yet another student stands off to the side, staring at each of you in turn with mildly glowing eyes – his gaze feels like it is probing you. As a matter of politeness and security, you are asked to refrain from casting any spells or drawing your weapons within the building. One student leads you up through the tower and you pass lecture halls, libraries, laboratories and other rooms filled with office space or well organized supplies that range from the mundane to the completely bizarre. You cross by large halls where students appear to be duelling with spells, the clapping sounds of thunder and bursts of energy echo down the halls as you walk. At the fifth floor you are led to a large circular lecture room with a large curved glass window that gives you a view of the overcast skies and harbour below. The hall has a very large stone table in the middle with perhaps 20 or so chairs arranged around it. Empty rows of student seats span out and up from the centre table providing a view of the middle of the room no matter how far back one might sit. One large statue of an anthropomorphic oak tree stands near the window, its lifeless eyes peering down at the table.

You are led to the centre table and you take your seats. Many are already at the table or standing about in the room having small side conversations. Another group of people come into the room behind you, come take their seats and then the doors to the room are closed.

Looking around the room you spot ten individuals in addition to yourselves. Many races and all the nationalities of the region are represented. Some wear the robes of mages, others are dressed in armor, the garbs and jewels of nobility or even as commoners. One of the individuals, a dwarf with close cropped black hair and a manicured black beard comes towards the table holding a thick rod of black granite veined with red. He is dressed in a leather knee-length coat with gold cuffs and collar, a well made shirt and pair of pants and fine leather boots. He places the rod in the centre of the table and then steps back to stand near the statue of the tree. He nods to an older-looking human with brown hair streaked with grey.

The man’s dress is casual and folksy: a common vest and work pants such that you might not realize he’s a mage if not for the subtle runes sewn into his clothes. The man calls everyone to the table and notes that as long as we do not stray too far from the rod in the centre, whatever is said in this room is safe from prying eyes and ears. He introduces himself as Simeon Gohanach, Headmaster of the Lyceum, as well as the dwarf who placed the rod, whose name is Kiernan Stekart, professor of Abjuration and Head of the Department of War. He then asks for each person to identify themselves:

The first person to stand up is middle-aged dwarf with an arrogant face. He is dressed in the finery of nobility. He identifies himself as Magistrate Lorb Votberd and presides over the government of Seaquen.

The second person is the now familiar Lee Sidoneth, a hydromancer, instructor at the Lyceum and the individual in charge of Seaquen’s harbours.

The third person is an older dwarf with a jaw like an anvil. His grey hair is cut military style and his thick grey beard is braided and hangs over the officer’s uniform from the Kingdom of Dassen. He introduces himself as Commander Xavious Foebane, elected representative of the Dassen refugees and military advisor to the Lyceum.

The fourth person is a fair brown-haired half-elven woman named Laurabec Adelsburg wearing a suit of finely made Elven chainmail with a feather motif and an ornate ranseur is strapped to her back. She wears a red and white cape and tabard that marks her as a Knight of the Order of the Aqualine Cross. She claims to be here on behalf of all refugees.

The fifth person is a flamboyant looking human man bedecked in an eclectic and colorful vest, pants, and feathered hat. He carries a quarterstaff adorned with ribbons and kerchiefs, which he carries as if it were a badge of honor, or a symbol of his virility. He introduces himself with a wide bow, as Giorgio, a representative of the Wayfarers Guild.

The sixth person is a tall stern-looking blond human man who wears nobles clothing and a wide golden chain bearing nine coats of armor. He introduces himself as Keifer Numhaut, Ambassador for King Steppengard and the Kingdom of Dassen.

The seventh person is an aged-looking gnome that is also dressed as a noble and bears heraldry on his tunic and chain. His name is Cranston Snord, Ambassador for Sindaire.

The final individual is a tall, muscular human woman with tanned skin and dark eyes. She is dressed in fine silks and a gold-hilted scimitar hangs in an ornate scabbard at her belt. She introduces herself as Kazha Lonam, Ambassador for Khagan Onamdammin, ruler of Ostalin.

Torrent introduces you collectively as a delegation for Gate Pass.

Simeon nods and then addresses you all, signalling the beginning of the council:

“Ladies and gentlemen, you’ll pardon me if I’m brief. Our enemies are many, and we know their eyes are constantly watching. We don’t have much time for this meeting, so, even though I encourage each and every one of us to have our time to speak, I need to ask that we not get too bogged down in discussions of minutiae and other small things.

“We have a great task ahead of us, and it is a task that we do not do simply to protect ourselves, but to save the lives of all our families, brothers, and sisters. The new emperor of Ragesia, Leska, who proudly calls herself the Supreme Inquisitor, has set her armies to conquer all our nations. Everyone is in danger, from lowliest warrior to mightiest mage. I have vowed as my duty that I will fight against this Scourge from Ragesia, but I don’t know much about how to run a war.

“What I do know, though, is that we all have knowledge and skills that will be valuable in this fight. I hope that you will trust me to lead this fight against tyranny, and I will trust you to give me your best wisdom and aid so that we may be victorious.

“Our goal is to stop the Scourge, to drive back the armies of the Ragesian Empire, to dethrone Leska, and to ensure our families and homelands are safe. Now, I hope you all have some idea how to do that. My ears are open.”

As soon as Simeon sits down, Magister Lorb stands up and begins to speak in a petulant voice. “I am here on behalf of the city, and the city has a long list of grievances against the refugees who plague us. They are bringing chaos and crime to the town. I believe this is the first problem we must deal with if we are to stand against Ragesia. I am in favour of recruiting able-bodied refugees to a new, broader police force to get things under control in a hurry. In particular, I want to systematically bring in every refugee for questioning, so they can put into custody those who appear suspicious!”

This brings a cry of foul from Laurabec Adelsburg, who pleads that the refugees must be helped – there is not enough food, shelter or clean water. This must be addressed first in order to address broader issues the Magistrate has with the refugees. Xavious Foebane agrees that refugees can be used as a militia, but that wholesale arrests and inquests are not only foolish, but a waste of resources and time.

GM: For this scene, it might be best managed if we move NPC by NPC to control the subject of discussion. I’ll always list who is on or off side. You are free to speak to whoever you like, but I’ll stage the conversations so that I don’t inundate you guys with stuff / you have an opportunity to weigh in where you like.

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio is boggled at the almost instant lack of relevance to the topic at hand the conversation seems to have... Magistrate Lorb Votberd's comments are so irrelevant and petty he can hardly believe it "If I may, the Magistrate's issues, although legitimate certainly, are of a local nature and have little relevance to the issues at hand. I had thought this was a war council, not a forum to air local grievances. Lee informed me only yesterday of the troubles with teleportation magic. What we should discuss is the Torch of Burning Sky. Its disappearance or it being damaged is somehow allowing the nearby Astral Plane to be suffused with energy from the plane of fire. What many of you may not know as well is that things are getting colder here on the Material Plane. It is currently late winter and yet there is no spring in sight for Ragesia and the lands bordering it. Leska has done something far beyond invade in every direction, she may have seriously damaged boundaries between the planes. The northern regions may soon be unable to feed themselves." He looks at the Magistrate "If you think there are too many refugees now, wait until Northerners start starving in droves..."

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric rises beside Kirio, resplendent in his well polished banded mail armor, shield strapped upon his back and blades hanging at his side.

As he patiently waits for Kirio to finish speaking he reigns in his impatience of Lorb's craven griping.

"Magister Lorb, war is upon you, whether you would have it or not. Worrying about the comforts of hovelling peasants is a waste of time when Ragesian spears march to put all of them to the sword or slave collar. Assigning officers to police them is also a waste of time. I move that all able body persons be conscripted into the standing militia. There they will be provisioned with food and lodging, they would be watched by able militia officers for misbehaviour and would be tasked with furthering war effort preparation, building of battlements, resource allocation and such. They will be more uncomfortable than they are now to be certain, but more of them will live longer. Though Kirio is correct, this is a discussion for another forum.

As for Kirio's point, the Ragesian strategy indicates they have some hidden advantage otherwise their movements would not have been so fast and aggressive. These supernatural effects on weather and the planes may be an indication, and whatever the cause may be, it could dictate our strategy. I implore the council to determine the cause of these strange happenings as the first order of business. How do we counter the Ragesian advance?"

Alric then turns to Torrent and whispers to her. "Torrent my comrade, methinks we should present the intelligence now?"

 

[Gregor]

Simeon holds up his hands, which stalls the conversation. He turns to face Alric and Torrent and says: "If the delegation from Gate Pass has intelligence or information of relevance, I would request that we discuss it following this initial council. The agenda is full of important issues and I would prefer to analyze this information with appropriate divinations and protections in place. I, as well as Kiernan Stekart will make ourselves available to you immediately following this meeting." He then gives the floor back to Lorb.

"A discussion for another forum?!" shrieks Magistrate Lorb, "the refugees are primarily one of the reasons this war is upon us you dolts! Furthermore-"

"Enough Lorb!" states Xavious Foebane, who rises and hammers his fist upon the table. "Your distaste for the refugees is well known by those here at this table, you do not need to natter on about it whilst there are real war plans to be discussed. The fellow from Gate Pass has the right of it. Let us unite every able body refugee into a militia that can be used to defend Seaquen."

From the statue to the side, Kiernan Stekart quietly and matter-of-factly states: "Consideration is required in terms of provisions and supplies for any militia. We will be required to turn our attention to filling our larders and advancing the construction of shelters and other structures in the South Harbour."

Simeon nods and says: "I agree that we should make use of the refugees and I agree that whole scale arrests and detainments would make us no better than the Ragesian inquisitors these people fled from. I also think the lady Adelsburg and Kiernan raise an excellent point: there is not enough food, shelter and fresh water. We must address this in order to quell any unrest and ensure that our future troops are hale and capable of battle. Let us move on."

Foebane nods and continues: "I believe we must also forge alliances with any nation that is willing to stand against Ragesia - Sindaire, Ostalin, Dassen I look to you! Additionally, we should utilize the Lyceum mages in our militia and perhaps as assets for allied nations to bolster their forces. Most importantly however, as this Kirio has indicated, our primary mission must be to locate the Torch of the Burning Sky. I strongly believe that Leska has already begun searching for it, which is why she has spread her armies so widely. There is a group of able bodied, equipped and highly trusted adventurers in my home kingdom of Dassen that I believe can accomplish this mission with the support of the Lyceum mages. Coaltongue's artifact is a powerful weapon of war that would benefit us greatly."

Giorgio rises at this point and says: "Both the Elf from Gate Pass, whom I should note is a passable flutist that we hope to make use of in the Warfarer's chorus, and Commander Foebane raise an excellent point. The Torch of the Burning Sky, which I believe was damaged, has made long distance teleportation unusable. The problems described by the Elf are also true and we are grappling with those broader issues as well. We in the guild are hard at work determining a solution, but it will be some time. Acquiring the Torch may assist our efforts in fixing the problem, which could provide you with amazing mobility via our galleon. Naturally this would violate our long standing neutrality in the issues facing the region, but Guildmistress Sheena Larkins, is willing to do just that, if Lyceum can prove it has a legitimate chance to defeat Ragesia."

The gnomish ambassador from Sindaire rises and says: "I am confident that I am aware as to the location of the Torch, its just impossible to reach. As many of you know, Sindaire was provisionally ruled by Ragesia prior to Coaltongue's dissapearance or likely death. On the evening that I believe Coaltongue was slain, a storm of fire opened up in the heavens over the late emperor’s castle of Korstull in Sindaire. Now everything there is dead, burned by months of searing rain. Sometimes the dead wander out of the storm. I don’t know how anyone could have gotten into that firestorm to retrieve the Torch, nor do I know how you would expect to either.” He takes a breath and continues. "On the matter of a formal alliance, we are at a bit of an impasse. My nation's people want to resist Ragesia, but our politicians cannot pledge their support to Seaquen and risk drawing Leska’s ire. I would suggest that if Seaquen or its forces could defeat Ragesia in a notable battle, it might be enough to make a difference."

"Indeed!" says Kiefer Numhaut, the ambassador from Dassen. "King Steppengard is displeased that Seaquen’s rallying call has brought so many refugees through his lands, which has made us a target for Ragesia. While Dassen is not above lending its support if there is a legitimate reason, for now the King believes it wiser to make a pact of neutrality with Leska, and leave Seaquen to its own fate."

"Bah!" shouts Kazha Lonam, ambassador for Ostalin. "Khagan Onamdammin, our ruler, deeply regrets that his neighbors might be endangered by the Ragesian armies, but is willing to lend his elite, fierce armies if his neighbors are reasonable. Ragesia intends to conquer your entire nation. Would it not be reasonable to trade us one third of your land, so that you may keep the rest from the greedy, cruel Ragesians?”

This causes arguing to break out across the table. Some question Kiefer's call for a neutrality pact with Leska, Sindaire's cowardice, Ostalin's clear desire to capitalize on the war, and desires to seek out the Torch if its location might be known. This forces Simeon to raise his hands and call for silence in order to allow others to speak.

 

[Bannock]

Bannock is slightly flustered by the debate, but manages to pipe up, and tries to sound dignified. "I ask the council to send reinforcements to Gate Pass! We've heard that the Ragesians have breached the first district, but there are fourteen districts, each with its own wall spanning the pass. Without help, the city will fall and all lands beyond will be in danger. Not only that, but Ragesia would be in possession of one of the toughest strongholds in the realm. But, If there were an army there to help the defense, we could bottle up those Ragesian scum in a hopeless battle that would bleed 'em dry! Fresh troops could be marched through Innenotdar. The burning forest burns no more!"

 

[Gregor]

"Gate Pass?!" says the Ambassador from Dassen, "that is Shahalesti's problem, which is precisely why they are eagerly sending supplies to support the city from falling. For all we know they are crafting their own attempts on the region. They clearly have not decided to send a representative to this council! Furthermore, as I have just declared, King Steppengard favours neutrality with the Ragesian Empire and his majesty will not permit cadres of mages to march through his territory."

Kiernan Stekart weighs in: "While we would eagerly try to help Gate Pass if we could, it is unlikely that we would be able to send sufficient support in time. Without access to teleportation magic, it could take a month to send in Lyceum mages. Additionally, despite the commoner's opinion, mages are not that effective on the battlefield when unsupported by other troops ... which we simply do not have and are not being offered by way of alliance from the gentleman and ladies around the table."

"I believe Gate Pass is more than just a stepping stone to Shahalesti for the Ragesians ... and vice versa for that matter." says Foebane, "Its too well defended and an easier, albeit longer, approach exists to the North of the Otdar mountains. Leska knows this and she has already committed forces there. But, my old bones tell me there is something afoot with Gate Pass. We should at least remain vigilent with respect to that ongoing siege."

Simeon rubs his chin in thought: "I agree that the logistics are simply not on our side to assist Gate Pass at this time, but I also have the feeling that all is not what it seems with respect to Ragesia's intense concentration there. Plus, as Kiefer Numhaut has stated, without King Steppengard's support, it unlikely that troop movements will be possible over land. We need to determine Leska's intentions. The delegation here from Gate Pass claims it has intelligence, perhaps once I have reviewed we can reconvene this council to determine next steps should there be fat to chew on?"

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio addresses Giorgio "Are you saying the guild would forgo its neutrality in exchange for the Torch, or only that it is willing to do so to ensure the defeat of Ragesia and the obvious threat it and the inquisitors pose to the guild?" He then addresses the broader council but Simeon in particular "On the matter of Shahalesti, their absence is... marked. I know an envoy is on its way, at the head of a war fleet no less... Has their exclusion of this discussion been decided upon actively, or is it simply a result of unfortunate timing? Agents of shahalesti were instrumental in securing the intelligence we have managed to bring from gatepass..."

 

[Gregor]

"What I was implying," says Giorgio, "is that the retrieval of the Torch would likely assist my guild in diagnosing and correcting the current problem with teleportation magic. As you know, the majority of our gold is earned not through performances, but through providing neutral couriers to teleport information and possessions across the region. We therefore have a vested interest in fixing the problem. Should we be able to fix the problem, the Guildmistress is of the opinion that our neutrality could be ended and an alliance formed with Seaquen, which would grant you incredible mobility against Ragesia. However, we require iron clad assurances that Seaquen would have a legitimate chance in defeating the Empire before we choose to take any sides."

Simeon listens to Giorgio and then answers Kirio as well: "The lack of Shahalesti's presence at this war council implies to me that they are not interested in alliance. We have made overtures across the region and they are the only state send no representatives. You and others claim that an envoy is en route, as part of their own diplomatic mission, but we have yet to meet with them. Given the looming threat of Ragesia, it made no sense to continue to wait when decisions could be made and plans moved forward."