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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 3015111" data-attributes="member: 5203">Three days later, the Tauric armada reached the Red Archipelago.&nbsp; Two days after that, the survivors arrived in the port city of Erum.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; There were less than fifty.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The intelligence gathered from the surviving warriors was less than heartening.&nbsp; The phrase ‘uncountable enemies’ saw frequent use.&nbsp; No one knew the fate of the Seven Kings, and they were presumed lost, as were the Seven Treasures of Tul-Antha.&nbsp; One slim ray of hope was that the Empire’s many ships appeared to have taken a severe beating from the recent storm, and so it appeared the fleet would remain at the Archipelago for several days, stripping the islands for wood, food, and fresh water.&nbsp; From what the party gathered, an attempt to kidnap a Tauric officer would be futile; there were so many Imperial soldiers crammed into the ships and on the islands that any surprise attackers would be quickly overwhelmed.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hoping to learn more about the fate of the islands’ leaders, the party attempted to scry on those they’d met.&nbsp; Tolly tried to see the old hermit wizard who lived near the Tree of Life and Death, but his spell was resisted, and he saw nothing.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “As least we know he’s alive to resist it,” Lanara observed.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When Kyle tried to scry on King Bali, the results were even more strange.&nbsp; Kyle completed the spell, and felt himself make contact with the King.&nbsp; Then there was a sudden flash of blinding white light, so intense it could be seen for miles outside the walls of Vargas Manor.&nbsp; Then the spell ended, and Kyle’s scrying mirror shattered.&nbsp; He blinked away the spots from his eyes as Autumn went to his aid.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “What happened?” she asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m not sure,” he said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Anti-divination magic?” Tolly suggested, as he came over and healed a few minor abrasions.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Maybe,” he said, “but I made contact with him, briefly, before the energy surge.&nbsp; Usually, wards would keep me from getting even that far.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “An energy surge?” Autumn asked.&nbsp; “Could it be that you connected with Bali’s soul in the afterlife?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “No, it wouldn’t work like that,” Tolly said.&nbsp; “Psionics?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m not sure,” Kyle admitted.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “What about that artifact?” Lanara asked.&nbsp; “The Crown of Tul-Antha?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It could have interfered,” Kyle said, “but I don’t think…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “What about all of the artifacts?” asked Autumn.&nbsp; “It’s possible that they brought them all together out of desperation.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “And set off some sort of magical chain reaction,” mused Tolly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “So I technically did reach King Bali,” Kyle concluded, “but he may not exactly be ‘King Bali’ any more.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; They all looked at each other.&nbsp; “I suggest we not tell that to Lajila and Nidru,” Tolly said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “But they owe me a new mirror,” Kyle said.&nbsp; When all he got were stares, he threw up his hands.&nbsp; “I was kidding, people!&nbsp; A little levity in the face of certain doom, all right?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The party’s other attempts at divinations were not much more useful.&nbsp; None of their other scrying attempts were successful, and all their divination questions seemed to return vague, generic answers.&nbsp; They even asked Iria’s tutor, Elianora, if she could help, but the seeress declined, telling them that her most potent powers required her to utilize her own life-force, a price she was unwilling to pay for people she’d known less than two weeks.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Finally, the party approached Maddie in order to commune with Erito.&nbsp; Everyone was clearly getting nervous and a little desperate; the most obvious sign was that Arrie remained in the room while Maddie performed the ceremony, rather than leave to avoid unnecessary divine attention.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle was chosen as the group’s speaker*.&nbsp; “Was the Tauric invasion instigated by a caste uprising?” he asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NO.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “So much for my theory,” Lanara pouted.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Do the psions have any role in the Tauric invasion?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; UNCLEAR.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, I think we expected that answer,” Arrie commented.&nbsp; They’d long ago realized that because the gods were unable to clearly perceive psionic beings, any commune question regarding them would come back as ‘unclear’.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It was still worth asking,” Lanara commented.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle continued.&nbsp; “Can the invasion be halted if appropriate action is taken within the borders of the Tauric Empire?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NO.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Damn.&nbsp; Sorry, Kyle,” Autumn said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He shook his head, but said nothing, so as not to disrupt the spell.&nbsp; He asked his next question, even though he knew the answer already.&nbsp; “Is it within the current capability of the Legacy to affect events within the borders of the Tauric Empire enough to halt the invasion?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NO.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle sighed.&nbsp; “Does the Tauric fleet intend to conquer all of Affon?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; YES.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, there goes the last shred of hope that maybe they’re just here for a friendly visit,” said Osborn.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Was the Tauric invasion instigated by one of the gods?” Kyle asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NO.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle looked at his companions.&nbsp; Of the nine questions they were allotted, they’d left the last three open, to respond to the answers from the previous six.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Is there anything that will turn the Tauric Empire back?” Arrie suggested.&nbsp; Kyle nodded, and repeated the question.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; YES.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Vague,” said Arrie, “but at least we know it’s possible.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Why don’t we ask if negotiating will do any good?” Lanara suggested.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Good idea,” agreed Autumn.&nbsp; “Ask that.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Can direct diplomatic negotiation with the Tauric Empire be effective?” he asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; YES.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Encouraging,” Tolly commented, “but I’m sure it depends on the skill of the negotiators, and what’s offered.&nbsp; Erito could be saying that negotiation will work, as long as Affon surrenders.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Very true,” said Autumn, “but at least we know that the Taurics aren’t dead set on eradicating us.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I think we should ask if it would be possible to persuade the Xhintai Empire to ally with Affon,” Tolly said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Upon hearing the agreement of the others, Kyle asked their last question.&nbsp; “Can the Xhintai Empire be persuaded to ally with Affon against the Tauric Empire?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; YES.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The spell ended, and Kyle quickly filled Maddie in on the responses while the others talked.&nbsp; “So Xhintai might help us,” Arrie said, “but who knows what price they’ll ask for their help?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Given that Hungai is fairly prominently placed in their military,” Lanara said, “I can imagine what at least one demand would be.” The bard nodded toward Xu.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “All good things to know, but little we can act on,” Autumn said.&nbsp; “Tolly, do you want to try a commune with Ardara?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tolly shook his head.&nbsp; “I’m not going to attempt it.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Don’t you think the destruction of Affon is worth it?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I do, but I doubt it would produce much in the way of useful information,” Tolly explained.&nbsp; “Ardara is one of The Four, and thus less powerful and less aware of things outside her realm.&nbsp; And some of the information can be gained through other, less costly divinations.&nbsp; Besides, I’ve been trying to get away from riding Ardara’s coat-tails.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Right,” said Kyle, “we’re falling back into the trap of trying to single-handedly determine the course of Affon’s strategy against the Taurics.&nbsp; We know now that going physically to the Empire won’t do any good, so staying here is our best bet.&nbsp; And we know they can be stopped… somehow.&nbsp; I can’t help but think that knowing what it was that was fallen, and has risen again will help.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “So, then what should we do?” Lanara asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle sighed heavily.&nbsp; “I have no idea.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; There was a long, uncomfortable silence.&nbsp; “I think,” Tolly said slowly, “that we need to recruit the psions.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Are you feeling all right, Tolly?” Lanara asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “If we can get Aran’s group to help, it may be our only choice,” Tolly said.&nbsp; “It certainly doesn’t help their cause if Affon is overrun.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’s a good idea,” Kyle said, “and I think we should ask.&nbsp; But Aran has to counter Kristyan.&nbsp; He might not be able to help us; it would be helping stop one disaster only to cause another.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Let’s go talk to Elianora,” Tolly said.&nbsp; “See if she can get a message to Aran.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The party left the sitting room where they’d held the commune, and went upstairs to where the maenad’s room was.&nbsp; She called for them to enter when they knocked.&nbsp; Stepping inside, they say Elianora sitting on her bed, talking with Aran.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, that makes things easy,” Autumn said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I felt that I needed to apologize to you in person,” Aran said, slowly rising.&nbsp; The old psion looked weary, as if he’d been working hard for several days.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Apologize for what?” Arrie asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “For an oversight on my part,” Aran said.&nbsp; “I’d always assumed that Kristyan’s faction was primarily working on this continent.&nbsp; They weren’t.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Everyone was stunned for a moment.&nbsp; “But… Erito said…” Lanara protested.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “She said, ‘unclear’,” Tolly reminded her.&nbsp; “She always says ‘unclear’ when psionics are involved.”&nbsp; Tolly turned to Aran.&nbsp; “So, are we going to have to face Kristyan directly in order to stop this?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I believe he is mind-controlling certain high-ranking officials within the Empire,” Aran said.&nbsp; “I have also been to the Empire itself.&nbsp; It’s a wasteland.&nbsp; There is nothing growing or living there for as far as the eye can see.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; For several minutes, none of them could speak.&nbsp; Finally, Lanara managed to ask, “Any signs of Silko?&nbsp; We got this odd prophecy from a sea hag.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran shook his head, and Kyle commented, “The part about something falling and rising again probably refers to Silko’s followers as a whole, not the man himself.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It may also refer to Kristyan and his followers emerging from the Underdark, razing the land and forcing the Taurics to leave their lands in search of others.” Aran suggested.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Wait,” Autumn asked, “it was Kristyan who destroyed the Empire?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran nodded.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Which means there’s no way to convince them to return home,” Kyle said weakly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Their entire Empire really is on those ships,” said Autumn quietly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, the druids could repair the damage eventually,” Tolly suggested.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Yeah, eventually,” snapped Lanara.&nbsp; “But how many druids do you know?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “So, it seems like the best strategy would be to convince the Taurics that Xhintai is a much more suitable homeland than Affon,” Kyle said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn looked shocked. “Kyle!”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I was joking!” Kyle said, laughing a little too loudly.&nbsp; “Levity in the face of certain doom, remember?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’s not certain doom,” said Aran sternly.&nbsp; “At this point, most of the high-ranking officials within the Empire are not going to be open to negotiation because they’re coming from a devastated landscape, and they’re being mind-controlled.&nbsp; If you can remove at least one of those factors, then you have a shot at opening a dialogue.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Can you point out where Kristyan is?” Tolly asked.&nbsp; “It’s difficult to mind-control anyone if you’re dead.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “True,” said Aran, “but bear in mind that Kristyan isn’t working alone.&nbsp; He has the majority of his people with him at this point.&nbsp; Not just telepaths, but others as well.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Like Xerxes,” Lanara said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “”Sounds like we’d have a better shot at attacking the Tauric Empire,” Kyle said bitterly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m going to state what I think is pretty obvious,” Arrie interjected.&nbsp; “Tell me if I’m seeing this right.&nbsp; We have two options; fix the Empire’s lands, or eliminate the telepaths controlling the leadership.&nbsp; From our conversation with… the powerful person we just spoke with, we know that our going to the Empire won’t do any good.&nbsp; In fact, we know that no one going to the Empire will stop the invasion.&nbsp; So it seems our only course of action is to eliminate the mind control.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Right,” said Lanara.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Are Kristyan’s people aboard the ships?” Kyle asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Yes.&nbsp; Kristyan has at least one person with telepathic abilities on each ship, in order to influence the captain.&nbsp; Not every captain is under direct control; some are just charmed.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Is Marrek among them?” asked Lanara.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so.&nbsp; He’s a priest of Qin-Chu – he’d stand out amongst the Taurics.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Maybe the idea of infiltrating them isn’t such a bad idea after all,” suggested Lanara.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “No, I think it is,” Arrie said.&nbsp; “We still don’t know enough to pull the ruse off long enough to get any decent intelligence.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’d be suicide,” Autumn agreed.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Okay, then, how would we find the psions on the ship?” Lanara asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, once we’re aboard, Kyle can see them with his staff,” Tolly said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “But my range is limited,” Kyle said, “and we’d have to wade through hordes of Tauric soldiers to get to the telepath.&nbsp; I’d prefer to be able to just target the psions before we even board.”&nbsp; Kyle thought for a moment.&nbsp; “It’s possible to use a detect magic spell through a scrying sometimes.&nbsp; I’ve never tried it in conjunction with my staff to detect psionics.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Aran, can you give us enough information about Kristyan or the other telepaths for Kyle to attempt a scrying?” Lanara asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Possibly,” Aran said, “and remember that you’ve met Xerxes.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “But remember that Kyle’s staff only detects active psionic powers,” Arrie said.&nbsp; “If they’re not using powers, then nothing shows up.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “This is true,” Aran agreed.&nbsp; “The mind control only needs to be re-established occasionally.&nbsp; And the charmed and dominated people will also register as actively psionic.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Yes, but we know they’re controlling the leaders, who are all going to be tauric creatures,” argued Kyle.&nbsp; “So we can rule out any active psionics on a tauric.&nbsp; And the psions might have other powers active, or some psionically imbued items.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’d still be a scatter-shot trying to find them,” Lanara said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Exactly,” Arrie said.&nbsp; “If they aren’t using powers, they don’t show up.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “But come to think of it,” Aran mused, “among my kind, a certain sense of healthy paranoia always exists when dealing with surface folk.&nbsp; And since magic is incapable of detecting psionic powers, with the exception of Kyle, Kristyan’s people wouldn’t be so worried about being detected.&nbsp; They may very well be maintaining some defensive powers at all times.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “But there’s an entire fleet coming our way,” Arrie pointed out.&nbsp; “And Kyle’s the only one who can do this.&nbsp; We can’t exactly pull individual ships from the armada and pick them off one by one.&nbsp; Sooner or later they’ll figure out what’s happening and come get us.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “We could eliminate the scout ships,” Tolly said.&nbsp; “They’ll be isolated.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Okay, so, we get the scouts,” Arrie said.&nbsp; “Big deal.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’s a start.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Arrie’s got a point, though,” Kyle said.&nbsp; “The biggest problem is that whether I pick out the psions through scrying, which I don’t even know will work, or whether we go to these ships and I do it in person, it’s only a matter of time before they figure it out.&nbsp;&nbsp; In order for this to work, we’d have to hit almost every ship.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Or find Kristyan,” Tolly pointed out.&nbsp; “Losing their leader could demoralize them.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “He’s probably with whoever’s the primary commander of the armada,” Lanara observed.&nbsp; “He’d want to make sure he stays under control.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I don’t think he’s going to be that obvious,” Arrie said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, then, what do you propose we do?” Kyle snapped.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The people in the room fell to bickering, arguing about various plans and why they would or wouldn’t work.&nbsp; Throughout it all, Aran sat quietly, thinking.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Kyle,” he said at last, in a quiet voice that nonetheless caught everyone’s attention, “if you have some time for spell research…I will aid you in developing a detect psionics spell.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Everyone was silent for a moment.&nbsp; “I really hate to do this,” Aran said, sighing, “but this looks to be an endgame situation.&nbsp; I don’t have a choice.&nbsp; I can only hope that after this, it won’t matter.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I don’t understand,” said Maddie, who up until then had remained out of the discussion.&nbsp; “Why is it such a big deal?&nbsp; I thought Kyle could already detect psionics.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I can, with my staff,” said Kyle.&nbsp; “But I’m the only one.&nbsp; But a spell can be passed along to other wizards, other adventurers.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Allowing them to aid you in attacking Kristyan’s forces,” said Aran.&nbsp; “And, should they so choose, to hunt down my people as well.”&nbsp; He looked at the party, a somber look on his face.&nbsp; “Understand that what I’m offering now is something that I refused to do even at the height of the war with Silko and his faction.&nbsp; Of course, back then I was more of a neutral party than I am now.”&nbsp; Aran winked at Kyle.&nbsp; “Justin would be jealous of you, son.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’ll try not to let it go to my head,” Kyle said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran stood up.&nbsp; “I understand that the leaders of Affon are having a conference in a week,” he said.&nbsp; “I think that I should attend.&nbsp; I’d like you to introduce me – I have information they need.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’d be happy to,” said Lanara.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “You’re more than welcome to stay here, Aran,” said Autumn.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Arrie began chuckling to herself.&nbsp; “Looks like I’ll be coming out of the closet sooner than I’d thought.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Why?” asked Autumn.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Better to out myself than have someone else do it.&nbsp; It’s not a question of if, but when.&nbsp; The only thing I can’t predict is how others will react.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Whatever it is,” Tolly said, “you have our support.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Violent, bloody support, if need be,” added Kyle.&nbsp; “But support.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Thanks,” grinned Arrie.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’ll need to spend tomorrow casting a few sendings,” Tolly said.&nbsp; “I’ll need to consult with Frelarr.”&nbsp; Tolly suddenly frowned, then chuckled.&nbsp; “I actually called him Frelarr.&nbsp; The world must be ending.”&nbsp;END OF PART THREE---------------------------* You'll note that Kyle often ends up being the one asking questions when we use a commune.&nbsp; That's mostly because I'm usually the first person to suggest using these kind of divination spells, but mostly because I'm the only one that writes the questions down and encourages people to think of the questions in the first place.&nbsp; Sigh... maybe I should have played the cleric.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 3015111, member: 5203"] Three days later, the Tauric armada reached the Red Archipelago. Two days after that, the survivors arrived in the port city of Erum. There were less than fifty. The intelligence gathered from the surviving warriors was less than heartening. The phrase ‘uncountable enemies’ saw frequent use. No one knew the fate of the Seven Kings, and they were presumed lost, as were the Seven Treasures of Tul-Antha. One slim ray of hope was that the Empire’s many ships appeared to have taken a severe beating from the recent storm, and so it appeared the fleet would remain at the Archipelago for several days, stripping the islands for wood, food, and fresh water. From what the party gathered, an attempt to kidnap a Tauric officer would be futile; there were so many Imperial soldiers crammed into the ships and on the islands that any surprise attackers would be quickly overwhelmed. Hoping to learn more about the fate of the islands’ leaders, the party attempted to [I]scry [/I]on those they’d met. Tolly tried to see the old hermit wizard who lived near the Tree of Life and Death, but his spell was resisted, and he saw nothing. “As least we know he’s alive to resist it,” Lanara observed. When Kyle tried to [I]scry [/I]on King Bali, the results were even more strange. Kyle completed the spell, and felt himself make contact with the King. Then there was a sudden flash of blinding white light, so intense it could be seen for miles outside the walls of Vargas Manor. Then the spell ended, and Kyle’s scrying mirror shattered. He blinked away the spots from his eyes as Autumn went to his aid. “What happened?” she asked. “I’m not sure,” he said. “Anti-divination magic?” Tolly suggested, as he came over and healed a few minor abrasions. “Maybe,” he said, “but I made contact with him, briefly, before the energy surge. Usually, wards would keep me from getting even that far.” “An energy surge?” Autumn asked. “Could it be that you connected with Bali’s soul in the afterlife?” “No, it wouldn’t work like that,” Tolly said. “Psionics?” “I’m not sure,” Kyle admitted. “What about that artifact?” Lanara asked. “The Crown of Tul-Antha?” “It could have interfered,” Kyle said, “but I don’t think…” “What about all of the artifacts?” asked Autumn. “It’s possible that they brought them all together out of desperation.” “And set off some sort of magical chain reaction,” mused Tolly. “So I technically did reach King Bali,” Kyle concluded, “but he may not exactly be ‘King Bali’ any more.” They all looked at each other. “I suggest we not tell that to Lajila and Nidru,” Tolly said. “But they owe me a new mirror,” Kyle said. When all he got were stares, he threw up his hands. “I was kidding, people! A little levity in the face of certain doom, all right?” The party’s other attempts at divinations were not much more useful. None of their other [I]scrying [/I]attempts were successful, and all their [I]divination [/I]questions seemed to return vague, generic answers. They even asked Iria’s tutor, Elianora, if she could help, but the seeress declined, telling them that her most potent powers required her to utilize her own life-force, a price she was unwilling to pay for people she’d known less than two weeks. Finally, the party approached Maddie in order to [I]commune [/I]with Erito. Everyone was clearly getting nervous and a little desperate; the most obvious sign was that Arrie remained in the room while Maddie performed the ceremony, rather than leave to avoid unnecessary divine attention. Kyle was chosen as the group’s speaker*. “Was the Tauric invasion instigated by a caste uprising?” he asked. [COLOR=Indigo]NO.[/COLOR] “So much for my theory,” Lanara pouted. “Do the psions have any role in the Tauric invasion?” [COLOR=Indigo]UNCLEAR.[/COLOR] “Well, I think we expected that answer,” Arrie commented. They’d long ago realized that because the gods were unable to clearly perceive psionic beings, any [I]commune [/I]question regarding them would come back as ‘unclear’. “It was still worth asking,” Lanara commented. Kyle continued. “Can the invasion be halted if appropriate action is taken within the borders of the Tauric Empire?” [COLOR=Indigo]NO.[/COLOR] “Damn. Sorry, Kyle,” Autumn said. He shook his head, but said nothing, so as not to disrupt the spell. He asked his next question, even though he knew the answer already. “Is it within the current capability of the Legacy to affect events within the borders of the Tauric Empire enough to halt the invasion?” [COLOR=Indigo]NO.[/COLOR] Kyle sighed. “Does the Tauric fleet intend to conquer all of Affon?” [COLOR=Indigo]YES.[/COLOR] “Well, there goes the last shred of hope that maybe they’re just here for a friendly visit,” said Osborn. “Was the Tauric invasion instigated by one of the gods?” Kyle asked. [COLOR=Indigo]NO.[/COLOR] Kyle looked at his companions. Of the nine questions they were allotted, they’d left the last three open, to respond to the answers from the previous six. “Is there anything that will turn the Tauric Empire back?” Arrie suggested. Kyle nodded, and repeated the question. [COLOR=Indigo]YES.[/COLOR] “Vague,” said Arrie, “but at least we know it’s possible.” “Why don’t we ask if negotiating will do any good?” Lanara suggested. “Good idea,” agreed Autumn. “Ask that.” “Can direct diplomatic negotiation with the Tauric Empire be effective?” he asked. [COLOR=Indigo]YES.[/COLOR] “Encouraging,” Tolly commented, “but I’m sure it depends on the skill of the negotiators, and what’s offered. Erito could be saying that negotiation will work, as long as Affon surrenders.” “Very true,” said Autumn, “but at least we know that the Taurics aren’t dead set on eradicating us.” “I think we should ask if it would be possible to persuade the Xhintai Empire to ally with Affon,” Tolly said. Upon hearing the agreement of the others, Kyle asked their last question. “Can the Xhintai Empire be persuaded to ally with Affon against the Tauric Empire?” [COLOR=Indigo]YES.[/COLOR] The spell ended, and Kyle quickly filled Maddie in on the responses while the others talked. “So Xhintai might help us,” Arrie said, “but who knows what price they’ll ask for their help?” “Given that Hungai is fairly prominently placed in their military,” Lanara said, “I can imagine what at least one demand would be.” The bard nodded toward Xu. “All good things to know, but little we can act on,” Autumn said. “Tolly, do you want to try a [I]commune [/I]with Ardara?” Tolly shook his head. “I’m not going to attempt it.” “Don’t you think the destruction of Affon is worth it?” “I do, but I doubt it would produce much in the way of useful information,” Tolly explained. “Ardara is one of The Four, and thus less powerful and less aware of things outside her realm. And some of the information can be gained through other, less costly divinations. Besides, I’ve been trying to get away from riding Ardara’s coat-tails.” “Right,” said Kyle, “we’re falling back into the trap of trying to single-handedly determine the course of Affon’s strategy against the Taurics. We know now that going physically to the Empire won’t do any good, so staying here is our best bet. And we know they can be stopped… somehow. I can’t help but think that knowing what it was that was fallen, and has risen again will help.” “So, then what should we do?” Lanara asked. Kyle sighed heavily. “I have no idea.” There was a long, uncomfortable silence. “I think,” Tolly said slowly, “that we need to recruit the psions.” “Are you feeling all right, Tolly?” Lanara asked. “If we can get Aran’s group to help, it may be our only choice,” Tolly said. “It certainly doesn’t help their cause if Affon is overrun.” “It’s a good idea,” Kyle said, “and I think we should ask. But Aran has to counter Kristyan. He might not be able to help us; it would be helping stop one disaster only to cause another.” “Let’s go talk to Elianora,” Tolly said. “See if she can get a message to Aran.” The party left the sitting room where they’d held the commune, and went upstairs to where the maenad’s room was. She called for them to enter when they knocked. Stepping inside, they say Elianora sitting on her bed, talking with Aran. “Well, that makes things easy,” Autumn said. “I felt that I needed to apologize to you in person,” Aran said, slowly rising. The old psion looked weary, as if he’d been working hard for several days. “Apologize for what?” Arrie asked. “For an oversight on my part,” Aran said. “I’d always assumed that Kristyan’s faction was primarily working on this continent. They weren’t.” Everyone was stunned for a moment. “But… Erito said…” Lanara protested. “She said, ‘unclear’,” Tolly reminded her. “She always says ‘unclear’ when psionics are involved.” Tolly turned to Aran. “So, are we going to have to face Kristyan directly in order to stop this?” “I believe he is mind-controlling certain high-ranking officials within the Empire,” Aran said. “I have also been to the Empire itself. It’s a wasteland. There is nothing growing or living there for as far as the eye can see.” For several minutes, none of them could speak. Finally, Lanara managed to ask, “Any signs of Silko? We got this odd prophecy from a sea hag.” Aran shook his head, and Kyle commented, “The part about something falling and rising again probably refers to Silko’s followers as a whole, not the man himself.” “It may also refer to Kristyan and his followers emerging from the Underdark, razing the land and forcing the Taurics to leave their lands in search of others.” Aran suggested. “Wait,” Autumn asked, “it was [I]Kristyan [/I]who destroyed the Empire?” Aran nodded. “Which means there’s no way to convince them to return home,” Kyle said weakly. “Their entire Empire really [I]is[/I] on those ships,” said Autumn quietly. “Well, the druids could repair the damage eventually,” Tolly suggested. “Yeah, [I]eventually[/I],” snapped Lanara. “But how many druids do you know?” “So, it seems like the best strategy would be to convince the Taurics that Xhintai is a much more suitable homeland than Affon,” Kyle said. Autumn looked shocked. “Kyle!” “I was joking!” Kyle said, laughing a little too loudly. “Levity in the face of certain doom, remember?” “It’s not certain doom,” said Aran sternly. “At this point, most of the high-ranking officials within the Empire are not going to be open to negotiation because they’re coming from a devastated landscape, and they’re being mind-controlled. If you can remove at least one of those factors, then you have a shot at opening a dialogue.” “Can you point out where Kristyan is?” Tolly asked. “It’s difficult to mind-control anyone if you’re dead.” “True,” said Aran, “but bear in mind that Kristyan isn’t working alone. He has the majority of his people with him at this point. Not just telepaths, but others as well.” “Like Xerxes,” Lanara said. “”Sounds like we’d have a better shot at attacking the Tauric Empire,” Kyle said bitterly. “I’m going to state what I think is pretty obvious,” Arrie interjected. “Tell me if I’m seeing this right. We have two options; fix the Empire’s lands, or eliminate the telepaths controlling the leadership. From our conversation with… the powerful person we just spoke with, we know that our going to the Empire won’t do any good. In fact, we know that no one going to the Empire will stop the invasion. So it seems our only course of action is to eliminate the mind control.” “Right,” said Lanara. “Are Kristyan’s people aboard the ships?” Kyle asked. “Yes. Kristyan has at least one person with telepathic abilities on each ship, in order to influence the captain. Not every captain is under direct control; some are just charmed.” “Is Marrek among them?” asked Lanara. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. He’s a priest of Qin-Chu – he’d stand out amongst the Taurics.” “Maybe the idea of infiltrating them isn’t such a bad idea after all,” suggested Lanara. “No, I think it is,” Arrie said. “We still don’t know enough to pull the ruse off long enough to get any decent intelligence.” “It’d be suicide,” Autumn agreed. “Okay, then, how would we find the psions on the ship?” Lanara asked. “Well, once we’re aboard, Kyle can see them with his staff,” Tolly said. “But my range is limited,” Kyle said, “and we’d have to wade through hordes of Tauric soldiers to get to the telepath. I’d prefer to be able to just target the psions before we even board.” Kyle thought for a moment. “It’s possible to use a [I]detect magic[/I] spell through a [I]scrying [/I]sometimes. I’ve never tried it in conjunction with my staff to detect psionics.” “Aran, can you give us enough information about Kristyan or the other telepaths for Kyle to attempt a [I]scrying[/I]?” Lanara asked. “Possibly,” Aran said, “and remember that you’ve met Xerxes.” “But remember that Kyle’s staff only detects active psionic powers,” Arrie said. “If they’re not using powers, then nothing shows up.” “This is true,” Aran agreed. “The mind control only needs to be re-established occasionally. And the charmed and dominated people will also register as actively psionic.” “Yes, but we know they’re controlling the leaders, who are all going to be tauric creatures,” argued Kyle. “So we can rule out any active psionics on a tauric. And the psions might have other powers active, or some psionically imbued items.” “It’d still be a scatter-shot trying to find them,” Lanara said. “Exactly,” Arrie said. “If they aren’t using powers, they don’t show up.” “But come to think of it,” Aran mused, “among my kind, a certain sense of healthy paranoia always exists when dealing with surface folk. And since magic is incapable of detecting psionic powers, with the exception of Kyle, Kristyan’s people wouldn’t be so worried about being detected. They may very well be maintaining some defensive powers at all times.” “But there’s an entire fleet coming our way,” Arrie pointed out. “And Kyle’s the only one who can do this. We can’t exactly pull individual ships from the armada and pick them off one by one. Sooner or later they’ll figure out what’s happening and come get us.” “We could eliminate the scout ships,” Tolly said. “They’ll be isolated.” “Okay, so, we get the scouts,” Arrie said. “Big deal.” “It’s a start.” “Arrie’s got a point, though,” Kyle said. “The biggest problem is that whether I pick out the psions through [I]scrying[/I], which I don’t even know will work, or whether we go to these ships and I do it in person, it’s only a matter of time before they figure it out. In order for this to work, we’d have to hit almost every ship.” “Or find Kristyan,” Tolly pointed out. “Losing their leader could demoralize them.” “He’s probably with whoever’s the primary commander of the armada,” Lanara observed. “He’d want to make sure he stays under control.” “I don’t think he’s going to be that obvious,” Arrie said. “Well, then, what do you propose we do?” Kyle snapped. The people in the room fell to bickering, arguing about various plans and why they would or wouldn’t work. Throughout it all, Aran sat quietly, thinking. “Kyle,” he said at last, in a quiet voice that nonetheless caught everyone’s attention, “if you have some time for spell research…I will aid you in developing a [I]detect psionics[/I] spell.” Everyone was silent for a moment. “I really hate to do this,” Aran said, sighing, “but this looks to be an endgame situation. I don’t have a choice. I can only hope that after this, it won’t matter.” “I don’t understand,” said Maddie, who up until then had remained out of the discussion. “Why is it such a big deal? I thought Kyle could already detect psionics.” “I can, with my staff,” said Kyle. “But I’m the only one. But a spell can be passed along to other wizards, other adventurers.” “Allowing them to aid you in attacking Kristyan’s forces,” said Aran. “And, should they so choose, to hunt down my people as well.” He looked at the party, a somber look on his face. “Understand that what I’m offering now is something that I refused to do even at the height of the war with Silko and his faction. Of course, back then I was more of a neutral party than I am now.” Aran winked at Kyle. “Justin would be jealous of you, son.” “I’ll try not to let it go to my head,” Kyle said. Aran stood up. “I understand that the leaders of Affon are having a conference in a week,” he said. “I think that I should attend. I’d like you to introduce me – I have information they need.” “I’d be happy to,” said Lanara. “You’re more than welcome to stay here, Aran,” said Autumn. Arrie began chuckling to herself. “Looks like I’ll be coming out of the closet sooner than I’d thought.” “Why?” asked Autumn. “Better to out myself than have someone else do it. It’s not a question of if, but when. The only thing I can’t predict is how others will react.” “Whatever it is,” Tolly said, “you have our support.” “Violent, bloody support, if need be,” added Kyle. “But support.” “Thanks,” grinned Arrie. “I’ll need to spend tomorrow casting a few [I]sendings[/I],” Tolly said. “I’ll need to consult with Frelarr.” Tolly suddenly frowned, then chuckled. “I actually called him Frelarr. The world must be ending.” END OF PART THREE --------------------------- * You'll note that Kyle often ends up being the one asking questions when we use a [I]commune[/I]. That's mostly because I'm usually the first person to suggest using these kind of divination spells, but mostly because I'm the only one that writes the questions down and encourages people to think of the questions in the first place. Sigh... maybe I should have played the cleric. [/QUOTE]

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