Yin Hun takes a deep breath before answering. Dealing with gods, even former ones, was always a pain. "The Freedom League has ships, but not enough to the Dragon Empire in a straight up fight. We just don't have the numbers or the support. But, assuming we get the opportunity to do so, we can provide ships and weapons in limited quantities. Just not enough to fight off Empire, unfortunately."
"We do have some options here, though, and not all of them are exclusive of each other." He begins ticking off his fingers in succession. "The ideal outcome is that Toril fights off the Empire and remains independent. However, your greatest weapon, your magic, has been crippled, and your tech level is nowhere close to the Empire's, so this is the least likely successful outcome. Still, getting your magic back online is an absolute necessity."
"Next, even though I agree Toril should remain independent, Rodan's suggestion has merit. Getting the support of House Golion can help stave off the worst of the Empire's plans for your world. Even I can recognize that Golion is dedicated in supporting the freedoms and independence of the worlds under their protection. It's an avenue we can pursue while we strengthen yourselves."
"Lastly, in conjunction of pursuing the previous two goals, we absolutely need get your world capable of making any occupation costly for the invaders. It'll be a very dangerous line to balance on, but if you can demonstrate to the Empire that it'll be too much trouble to occupy you while at the same time show yourselves willing to work with them, then there's a chance the Empire won't just come in with a massive and and smash your planet and just take what they want. Obviously, the ultimate goal is to be completely free of the Empire, but by going this route, you can buy some time to strengthen yourselves."
"He's quite the orator," Landor whispers to Imoen next to Silhouette.
KainG said:
Yin Hun takes another deep breath. Crossing his arms, he gives the god a frank stare. "I understand that you don't want to submit one inch of your world to the invaders. But I'm sorry, your world has already changed, and you'll need to as well to survive. Adapt to the situation. Think up new strategies. Adopt new tactics."
The outworlder shrugs. "Doesn't mean that you'll lose yourselves, nothing's certain. You just got to remember who you are while keep moving forward. Like I said, we can still fight towards independence while still accepting annexation. Maybe not for you, but for your descendants. But we absolutely need to make preparations now to have any chance in the future."
Torm sits quietly as Yin Hun speaks. He nods at certain points and shakes his head at others.
"You speak well," he says. "But I don't know if the gods will accept being absorbed by this Dragon Empire. I know that neither Tempus nor Tyr will just bow down without a fight even if other gods submit. Even now, those gods fight with the rest of the pantheon against the Mulhorandi gods. The power of their new forms is, frightening, even to me."
"So, indeed, that part from my visions has already begun," Landor says.
"That doesn't bode well from what I've seen."
"All the more reason to listen to Rodan and Yun Hun," Yoshimo adds. "Better to fight from the shadows or through political guile than on a battlefield against a superior foe."
"A great deal of the power of the invasion comes in the form of something called a 'divine sphere,'" Silhouette mentions casually. "They brought it with them. It seems to be a conduit of some kind for the outsider gods. It is, of course, well protected...as any vulnerability would be. It does remain a vulnerability though, if we can find a way to exploit it."
She shrugs.
"The stark reality facing us though is that there's simply too many unknowns to make long term plans and expect them to hold. That is why our immediate goals are fact-finding missions, not military strikes. We simply don't know yet how best to protect ourselves, or how to hurt them."
"That, I think we can all agree on," Ulraunt says.
"Lord Torm, their mission to the great desert has to be the priority right now."
Shayuri said:
Her eyes fix on Torm.
"If you wish to slay a mighty foe, first find the hole in his armor, yes? Is that something you...and those you represent...can help us do?"
"The gods are doing what they can," Torm replies. "While they don't like to admit it, no deities power is completely unlimited. Talos is relishing this conflict and the destruction it is causing but that's his nature. Only Lord Kelemvor's rising power is keeping the Storm Lord in check, but if Kelemvor should fall. . ."
"You think he might switch sides," Ulraunt suggests.
"If it offers him a chance to spread destruction on a grander stage, then yes. However, what worries the gods more are the behaviors of Bane and Cyric. Bane, surprisingly, fights with the other gods against the Mulhorandi, which is not like him, at all. Cyric has gone completely dark during this conflict. Oghma believes that most if not all of the Zhentarim's network has gone over to the empire. I doubt they went over without either Bane or Cyric's blessing."
The ex-god pauses. "Oghma thinks that it is the knowledge of Dragon Empire that drove Cyric to force the scribe Rinda to create the Cyrinishad. And that its knowledge was somehow tied to the cosmic truths of what the empire calls the Dragonstar Galaxy. That forbidden knowledge nearly killed Mask and drove Cyric insane. It was lost near here. Finding it might a good idea, but I don't think anyone should read it."
He looks at Silhouette. "Perhaps it could drive these outsider gods insane, or maybe they will be immune. It could also be a key to this divine sphere but that's just a guess on my part. The Twelve don't seem to be aware of it, or it isn't important to them.
"Regardless, it seems your mission to Anauroch takes priority. It comes from not only Lord Kelemvor, but also Shar who is as I said eariler, surprisingly, standing side-by-side with Kelemvor in this fight. The other gods believe he;s taking Mystra's death harder than he lets on, and the divine rumor is he's turned to Shar for solace." (Torm motions with air quotes as he says 'divine rumor'.) "While her primary avatar stands guard over Calimport, she fight's side by side with him with amazing
vigor."
"Ew, that's just not, right," Imoen mumbles with a look of disgust.
"Gods are strange creatures with strange desires," The Magister says.
"Death and shadow often go hand in hand."
"Yes, well, you're going to need a quick way to get to the desert, and there might be an option near Nashkel in the Cloud Peaks. Rumors amongst the faithful of Gond of an ancient flying machine that some would call a spelljammer. Little is known about it other than it is shaped like a colossal insect as is guard by Death."
"What do you mean by death?" Yoshimo asks.
"Just that, Death. No other facts seem to exist," Torm replies. "Perhaps there is something here in Candlekeep."
"Well, that sounds just awful," Bentley replies.
"Aye, but if it does exist, it will get you all to Anauroch in no time. If it doesn't exist, you will need another option. A sailing ship, perhaps. Magister, can you Wind Walk them there?"
"By myself, unlikely," she replies.
"I'd need another Chosen to help me, and even then, I could probably get us as far as Boareskyr Bridge, maybe Berdusk. And it would exhaust me, it could even kill me if I push too hard."
"Could you get them to Nashkel?"
"That would be easier, but I'm supposed to go to Waterdeep."
"You can do that afterwards," Torm insists, loudly.
"And while I am primarily a warrior again, I can lend you my aid. Be your achoring point here and then guide you back."
"I am willing," she says.
Torm nods and looks at all gathered.
"What say you? Will you seek out this fying ship to see if it exists?"
