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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gregor" data-source="post: 5649133" data-attributes="member: 11751">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.</blockquote>

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