Session Start: Fri Jan 03 21:05:54 2003 [21:07] so...? [21:10] allright here's what's going on. [21:10] Tei, we're starting off from where we let off last week [21:10] if I remember correctly, I'm alone with the empress. Right? [21:10] right [21:13] Vanal & co, you have been guided into the castle. It is very equisite, gold plated walls, massive stone floors. A large hallway rings around a central stone tower, built within the larger tower, and it stretches up at least three stories [21:13] you have already went up two floors [21:14] (LR) *mutter* "wee bit opulent..." [21:14] the outside walls are massive panels of glass, and the sunlight shines in against the central square tower [21:14] * Cicada is there too? She was not in the invitation if i remember right. [21:15] LR: "Solars. They like shiny things." [21:16] (LR) "There's a shocker. I hope I don't end up bargaining my soul away...I really hate this." [21:16] A fang of guards walk before and in front of you. As before, you were required to be unarmed. However her guards make no such arrangment. [21:16] * Tala (~Werlynn@ool-182dcd08.dyn.optonline.net) has joined #pvpexaltedrp [21:16] (LR) "No very trusting chippies, are they ?" [21:17] LR: "Not really, no. You DID try to attack the place with a Warstrider, after all. Besides, don't worry about the soul. My best guess is they just want to mary you off and get a few kids." [21:17] (LR) "Oh, to HELL with that. I've already got one on the way. " [21:18] on the far run of the hallway there is a large door [21:18] (LR) "And I WARNED those idiots...they just didn't move. What was I supposed to do, let them charge my men ?" [21:18] in the center of this wall, it stretches up two floors of orichulum. On it is a giant motif of a sunburst. [21:18] LR: "Exactly when are mortal guards a threat to a warstrider?" [21:19] (LR) "Not to me, my men." [21:19] LR: "Wait.... one on the way? When did that happen? Shak?" [21:19] * Tabius escourts Minnow like a gentlemen, [21:19] the massive doors open slowly towards you, rumbling [21:19] LR :"I wish, no. Remember when I was wounded, I got totallt piss-drunk ?" [21:19] LR: "Vaguely..." [21:19] LR:"One of the natives took advantage." [21:20] * Jynaru blinks slowly and looks at Vanal. [21:20] * Cicada is being escorted by Sanyet. He is every bit the gentleman, if somewhat obviously trying to look less nervous than he actually is. [21:20] "The native took advantage of you?" [21:20] LR :"Yup..I could barely speak..." [21:20] inside is a large room, stone floors and a stairway up to the empress' chair. On the same level of as the chair there is a large platform, carved into the stone [21:20] LR: "Except for "Oh, oh, right there."? The native took advantage of you?!?" [21:21] * Tabius does a very good job of not snickering about Vanals story. [21:21] In the throne is the empress, wearing the same bleached-sundress she was wearing yesterday [21:21] LR :"Dude, I TRIED to wave her off...I didn't really have the presence of mind to split my attention, and yes, she did." [21:21] and sitting before her, head in her lap, is Tei [21:21] beside the throne stands Tei, arms calmly folded into his robes just like always [21:22] * Storyteller nods [21:22] what he said [21:22] (LR) "Oh bloody effing hell." [21:22] (Awww... damn monk, passing up the head in lap treatment.) [21:22] "Leave us" the empress says, and the guards leave [21:22] * Vanal tugs down on his tunic [21:22] * Cicada tries not to look shocked. [21:22] the door begins to rumble closed behind you [21:22] LR: "Tei? Exactly what the HELL is going on?" [21:23] LR:"No clue." [21:23] with a great clang the door shuts behind you, leaving you alone [21:23] LR: "showtime" [21:23] * Tabius smiles. [21:23] The empress looks at Tei [21:23] "Friends of yours?" [21:24] "After a fashion, long story." [21:24] Minnow watches the empress with well disguised concern or shock [21:24] * Vanal bite shis tongue, tempted to make another acid-tongued remark, but not willing to make a diplomatic faux-pas [21:24] she nods [21:24] "You are here to negotiate for the release of the Barbarian King, Maris?" [21:25] "I am, my lady." [21:25] "You know the terms that have been set before you." [21:26] * Tala stares in astonishment at Tei at first, then just sighs [21:27] "I do, but I feel that it is an unfair sentence, and one that prevents him form doing his holy duty." [21:27] "His holy duty?" [21:28] "Where I come from, it is considered the Holiest of tasks to sire children." [21:28] "Of course. He shall do this as part of his duty here. [21:28] "But, with all due respect, his duty is to his people, not yours." [21:29] "He will have that opportunity in a months time." [21:29] "furthermore, I am not prepared to allow my friend and comrade to languish in a cell for a month's time" [21:30] "I see." she considers, thinking [21:30] "He is my holy leader, the Dragons will not accept his imprisonment." [21:30] * Tabius looks from the solar to Vanal to Minnow. [21:31] "I have never known Maris to be so devoted to his religion." I say innocently [21:31] * Tabius wishes he could kick Vanal beneath a table. [21:31] Minnow seems to have totally retreated into her own thoughts [21:31] "You never knew him very well, Tei." [21:32] "good point. But I'm sure you're aware that if you tried this in the Realm. Maris would be dead by now." [21:32] "The what ?" [21:32] * Tala looks at Tei again but refrains from commenting on Tei's devotion. [21:32] "The realm, you know that place we came from?" [21:33] * Jynaru shaks his head sadly and wishes fervently for Tei to die on the spot. [21:33] "Came from ?I am a high priest and general in the dynasty of the chosen not a memeber of this...Realm." [21:34] "Then the Realm has fallen?" [21:34] * Vanal is gonna try to cow Tei with his massive force of personality [21:34] "I'll remember that from now on. Anyway I have no desire to see Maris locked up either. Coils, what say if he promises not to attack we release him now." [21:35] roll charisma + presence [21:35] !ex 7 [21:35] !ex 7 [21:35] the emperss seems to consider it [21:35] Vanal (7), 10, 3, 9, 9, 7, 7, 6, Successes : 6 [21:35] "Why, is he a friend of yours?" [21:35] * Jynaru blinks. [21:35] "Coils? Coils?" [21:35] Tei, Vanal is going to totally kill you. [21:36] * Vanal lets the force of his (supposed) fanatiscism towards the Dynasty of the Chosen burn through his eyes, galring right AT Tei [21:36] "He is an aquantance, but has never activly harmed me." [21:36] The empress looks at the rest of them and whispers to tei "What do they know?" [21:36] LR : "What's Coils ?" [21:37] * Tei shrugs his shoulders [21:37] whispers. "I hav'nt been around them much lately." [21:37] she nods and continues... [21:38] * Jynaru raises a hand. "Excuse me, but I haven't had the pleasure of learning my fearless leaders name. Is coils a translation from the Old Realm?" [21:38] * Vanal raises an eyebrow [21:38] "No. Do not worry of it, it is just a name." [21:39] she continues "I would release Maris if I could, but I do not think it would do any good." [21:39] * Tei looks from vanal to jyn. and decides to keep his mouth shut [21:39] "Why would it do no good ? " [21:39] "Tei, did you have yopur friend possess the Solar, like you did with Jynary?" [21:39] "Because we are going to loose the war within a month." [21:40] She looks at tei, totally surprised [21:40] * Tei nods once in the afirmative [21:40] "I see." [21:40] "And why will you lose ?" [21:40] "Because there are other Solars, Vanal. They would get 'annoyed." [21:41] "I see." [21:41] "By Malfeas, when they learn that one of their number has been possessed by an outside forse..." [21:41] * Vanal scratches his goatee [21:41] the empress covers her face with one hand [21:42] "Well then they won't find out." [21:42] "Jylis, what did I do to deserve this? Why do you always try to get me killed?" [21:42] * Tabius lowers his head a bit and shakes it back and forth a couple of times slowely. [21:42] * Vanal holds his hea din his hand [21:42] (LR) *mutter* "way to be tactful, Cicada." [21:43] "Sorry. I guess that Tei and Coils did what they had to do. But still..." [21:43] * Cicada looks down. [21:43] "I was going to die, I did the only thing I could think of." [21:44] "Sorry." [21:44] * *Empress* nods [21:44] <*Empress*> "She was casting some kind of.. mind control spell. It was the only chance he had." [21:44] "Bloody hell..." [21:44] (LR) "Can we safely drop the pretenses, then ?" [21:45] * *Empress* nods [21:45] * Jynaru lights a small cigarette and steps off to the side and ties to focus. [21:46] "Can your friend hold the possession indefinitaly?" [21:46] "Ask her." [21:46] "Mela, I picked one HELL of a month to quit drinking." [21:46] "So your majesty, can you hold the possession indefinitaly?" [21:46] the empress strokes the blue sash resting on her legs [21:47] * Jynaru hands Vanal a silver flask. "You're going to need this." [21:47] "No... a few days at most." [21:47] She closes her eyes, and sighs [21:47] * Vanal hand sit back "alcohol has got me in enough trouble already, my friend." [21:47] "Unless I can get her back to my cove." [21:47] "Look. What is done is done. Lets find a way to make positive use of our new 'ally'." [21:47] "Will the original tenant remember what she did?" [21:47] "And if you do get her back to your cave?" [21:47] "We've got a few days. We can work with that. Maybe we can hash out some kind of treaty." [21:48] "No she will remember nothing." [21:48] * Tala tries to hide the fact that she is somewhat lost [21:48] "If we can get her to help making sure that maris is freed safely and that some agrement gets in place between us and the Solars, then it will work out for the best." [21:48] "So, we've got a few days to subvert the government. Great." [21:48] "Then if she remembers nothing, there is a possibility that this may not end badly. [21:48] "Doubtful. She saw me when I possessed her. She will remember that." [21:48] she nods to jynaru [21:49] "This ruler has always had bouts of depression and mood swings, it might not even be noticed." [21:49] "Okay, perfect." [21:49] * Tei stands back and lets the politicians take care of things." [21:49] * Vanal pats himseld down for a smoke [21:49] "Subvert the government you say..... hrmmmm....." [21:50] "If we does not abuse the 'position' too much and work in ways that would be to her advantage too, then any agreements made might last." [21:50] "My thoughts exactly Cicada." [21:50] "Look, I want my people to be able to live safely once this mess is over and Maris and I get off this island." [21:50] "I am likely being too positive in my mindset here." [21:51] "compared to the shithole we're in ?For once, I need some positive thinking. [21:51] * Cicada takes some time to explain things to Sanyet. [21:51] sanyet listens quietly [21:52] "If you can think of some exchange I could use as an excuse to free him..." [21:52] the empress sighs [21:52] * Jydan|NWN is now known as Jydan [21:52] * Vanal scratches his chin [21:52] "A treaty." [21:52] "Of course." [21:53] "Vanal's probably acting ruler, or something, and if not he cna talk Maris into signing something." [21:53] "We could guard a section of her boarder, thus allowing her to send more forces against the demon." [21:53] "That's the problem." [21:54] "A non-agression pact, perhaps ?" [21:54] <*Empress*> "I can read her mind.. it's like she's sleeping.." [21:54] "A sign of good will to the Barbarian Nation?" [21:54] "What problem?" [21:54] <*Empress*> "I was telling the truth when I said the war will be over in a month." [21:54] "Prophecies? Your intuition?" [21:54] "The war with Fallen Tounge or with our 'nation'?" [21:55] <*Empress*> "Numbers. The empress' numbers. There will be no soldiers to send against fallen tounge." [21:55] "So they need troops, eh?" [21:55] * Jynaru ponders. "We have troops." [21:55] "Troops, or just men?" [21:55] <*Empress*> "Only two cities have the men to spear." [21:56] <*Empress*> "Anyone, at this point." [21:56] "And I have Forked Rivers promise to be their border guard if they will begin to observe him in temples and with prayers from the ruling classes..." [21:56] "Only two cities? What is the problem?" [21:56] "I walked all the way to the Eye and wasn't troubled." [21:56] * Tei is obviusly thinking to himself [21:56] "Where are all these people going?" [21:57] "Forked River rose and destroyed most of the population of our city." [21:57] <*Empress*> "Sorry. Not my city." [21:57] "That is why they sought to put him to sleep with the spear and the dams, I suppose." [21:57] * *Empress* blushes [21:58] <*Empress*> "It was more intended to kill him, actually. It is odd that he stil lives." [21:58] "Does the Empress know any way to get around this month deadline?" [21:58] "Errr... yeah... odd...." [21:58] <*Empress*> "I can free him, Her rule is soverign in this city." [21:58] <*Empress*> "But it is a risk." [21:59] "With the Barbarian nations troops that should go a long way, and with Vanal and Maris in the field with them that long way should be enough [21:59] "Maybe the other Solars should be heard first. They are likely a little involved in this too." [21:59] "I can't promise anything but there is a chance I can talk the Temple of Pasiap into joining the crusade." [21:59] "With the River being happy and supporting the Cities things can turn around. [22:00] "Plus, with an extra 15,000 men..." [22:00] "And how are we supposed to get this to the other Solars?" Every being counts," [22:00] <*Empress*> "That would be helpful, Tei. Every being counts," [22:00] "though I'm not sure I like chancing Burning Rainbow leaving the temple." [22:01] "That I do not know, Jynaru. If they sense that one of their number has been tampered with..." [22:01] "Why, they might know as soon as her style in chess changes." [22:01] "If things are as dire as coils says, they may have no choice but to accept what help they can get." [22:02] "Coils, can you dredge up any trusted lieutenants or lovers or someone the other Solars would accept as an envoy?" [22:02] "And trust me, 15,000 barbarians isn't anythign to scoff at." [22:02] "Say, when did Forked River rise up?" [22:03] <*Empress*> "I suppose I could... with an alliance like that.. we might last the year." [22:03] "A wee bit hopeless, aren't we ?" [22:03] <*Empress*> "A few months ago, before the winter came." [22:03] "Is there anything the Empress here thinks COULD make a perminant difference?" [22:03] "Okay, just how bad ARE the cities doing against el slimo ?" [22:04] * Cicada tries to figure out if that was before or after she met Forked River. Hopefully it was not the result of her journey past the cities. [22:04] "There are two cities left in fighting order, Van. Two." [22:04] <*Empress*> "To win the war? She doesn't know. The best we can hope for is to keep them contained." [22:04] "Bloody hell." [22:04] Cicada: it would have been about that time [22:04] "If only we knew the way to completely bind, or banish or destroy Fallen Tounge. But even the Firesharks do not know." [22:04] there were lots of people in the river that day [22:05] (Craaaaap...) [22:05] "This isn't armies, either. From what I've gathered, this is other Solars turned to the demon." [22:05] "Oh, WONDERFUL. So doubly-damned Anathema ?" [22:05] "T^his just keeps getting better." [22:05] "Tabius, have you learned anything about Fallen Tounge?" [22:05] * *Empress* nods [22:05] * *Empress* looks momentarily at Tala [22:05] "Roughly, yeah. With magic that can destroy small cities in a uarter of a minute." [22:05] "Nothing that would help currently, but I could do some work on that now that you mention it." [22:06] "It is armies too, Jynaru. Fallen Tounge and his Infernals have cities on the mountain. [22:06] " [22:06] * Tabius pulls Minnow off to the side and starts speaking in Lost Tongue. [22:07] "Thought I saw something like that... couldn't tell with all the black junk." [22:07] * Jynaru shrugs. "Anyway, a year is better than a month." [22:08] "Jynaru, What of you're Sidereal ally. Could it help us, or Would it help?" [22:08] "Still doesn't help us. Or my people." [22:08] * Tala looks back at the Empress, not liking being here. [22:08] "Oh, he'd help." [22:08] "Just try explaining to the other Solars who hate his guts why he's around." [22:09] "Yes, I see the problem." [22:10] "However, I found him sitting on a mountaintop in the Eye. He seems to be sneaky." [22:10] "assassin ?" [22:11] "He stayed in the right suite for it... or maybe he just liked purple..." [22:11] "Still, I think if he could have walked in and offed the demon, he would have done so before now." [22:12] "Maybe the information he has would be enough... Coils, can you estimate a time limit? Week, two weeks, what? [22:12] "Well, was worth a shot. what kind of forces does the dmeon have arrayed ?" [22:13] "Superior Solars, and a number of Dragon-Bloods it seems." [22:13] "It seems there is a great deal of power arrayed againt this demon, but most of it won't even speak to the rest of it." [22:13] "The Cities have fewer Solars, but many more Dragon-Bloods." [22:13] "Right." [22:13] "what of the Islands Lunars? Are there any?" [22:14] "The mortal armies on both sides are considerable." [22:14] "Next question :how many exalts ar ein the FIELD ?" [22:14] "And how many are Rear-Echelon motherfuckers ?" [22:14] "hmm.. 20 solars.." [22:14] "The cities, 16 Solars in the field. Fallen Tounge, unknown." [22:15] "Ah, 20." [22:15] "Fallen tounge has at least 30." [22:15] "Well, crap." [22:15] "The dragon bloods have been able to even things out, along with our population [22:15] "But... in a straight out fight we would loose." [22:16] "That is why they try to hold the pass." [22:16] "Well, Jynaru always did like a challenge. Should we sic him on them and celebrate our complete and total victory?" [22:16] "It is the only way into the eye." [22:16] "Clearly, we need something to level the playing field... clear out that ship?" [22:16] From what I know of demons, all of them have some weakness. If we could only find it and exploit it. But, that will be tough with our backs against a wall like this." [22:16] "What ship?" [22:16] "so we don't GIVE them a straight-out fight. " [22:17] "We make guerilla strikes, hit supply lines, strike at isolated officers, that kind of thing." [22:17] <*Empress*> "Attack them? I fear that they hold their side of the pass as well as we hold ours." [22:18] "Really old ship, orichalcum, had a few toys in it..." [22:18] Well, we already know that one of our number made it inside their perimeter." [22:18] * Cicada points at Jynaru. [22:18] * *Empress* looks at jynaru [22:18] * Jynaru blinks. [22:19] "You climbed the mountain, yes?" [22:19] "Which mountain? I didn't try to get through the city, as I had training to accomplish." [22:20] Jynaru they think you traversed the central mountain [22:20] "So you know a way around. Even better." [22:21] "Or was you so stoned that you would never be able to traverse your own path again?" [22:21] "Oh, I'd remember it. I spent about a month and a half dreaming the path." [22:21] "You can't even see it but from one specific spot." [22:22] "I believe I have been in this 'Eye' you are talking about." [22:22] * Tabius asks Minnow to approach the Empress with him. [22:22] "And it leads to the central mountain?" [22:23] "What? You have been in the well of tears? How did you get there?!" [22:23] "Tala, I must know!" [22:23] * Jynaru blinks. "Whoa... How in the hell? [22:23] "I have sworn to go there myself." [22:24] [hang on, helping my dad w/ something] [22:24] "Even I didn't like the looks of the way down the other side..." [22:27] "But you climbed the central mountain,did you not, Jynaru? Or was it somewhere else?" [22:28] "No. I did not go up the Central mountain, because if I had, I'd be dead." [22:28] "I stood there and looked at it and had the shit kicked out of mye by a Sidereal instead." [22:28] "Ah, so much for the secret path inside." [22:28] * Cicada sighs. [22:28] "I can get you inside the ring around it. The rest, not my forte." [22:28] "It was in a dream." [22:29] * Jynaru looks at Tabius momentarily. "If you had a while to prepare, and I got you inside the ring, could you pull some troops through? Strike the pass from behind?" [22:30] "The room appeared completely sealed, with writting i could not read on the walls." [22:30] "There were women crying into the pool in the center [22:30] "That is the Well of Tears, all right." [22:30] "I could summon some minions possibly, but I do not know the spell now." [22:31] "And was there something at the bottom of the pool?" [22:31] "Teleportation of any kind of group of people is beyond me. However, I could bring across several others through a dream scape." [22:31] "The women all seemed to be ghosts though." [22:31] "...wha tkind of defences are we talking about tha this pass ? mortals, exalts, both ?" [22:31] "Ok, some way to make travel down the side of the mountain easier?" [22:31] "And they did not respond to me." [22:31] "I do remember seeing something at the bottom of the pool." [22:31] "Why would we want to go down the side of the mountain?" [22:32] "Because down the side of the mountain is inside the ring, behind the enemies defenses." [22:32] <*Empress*> "All three, mystical defenses, and of course, the terrain. It is an easily defendable pass." [22:32] "Because behind the enemies defenses is where you like to hit them, you see. Did you REALLY pass the House of Bells?" [22:32] "Jyn, I'm trying to get a feel for the situation" [22:33] "Not you, him. With the lack of down the side of the mountain. Wouldn't you like a crack group of troops causing chaos behind enemy lines?" [22:34] "Cut off from our own supply lines that would be very short term chaos. But it might be usable." [22:35] * Jynaru shakes his head and lights up another cigarette. "You don't need it for long. We have a way to get people at least to the central mountain. If we can draw enough troops off, we can get whoever might have a chance at dealing with the demon in that well." [22:35] "There is a manse at the top of that mountain right? [22:36] "They lose if the demon dies. We don't need to beat all of them, just it." [22:37] "Or if the demon is bound again." [22:37] "Which I think can be accomplished, but we would need to get to the manse at the top of the mountain.: [22:37] "Indeed. Done that way it would be perfect." [22:37] "Hrmmm...." [22:38] "Well, if you guys want a covert insertion, we SHOULD distract the bulk of the forces." [22:38] "Can't you throw down some magic and fly?" [22:38] "Yes and no." [22:39] * Jynaru sighs. "I don't think you're going to have time to freehand it." [22:39] "You asked, I am attempting to deliver." [22:40] "Maybe work this in multiple stages? Get one or two people inside the ring, and recon? Have you pull them back out through the dreamthing?" [22:41] * Tabius smiles at Jynaru. [22:42] "Well, marching a large force over the mountain will take time anyway. So there will be plenty of time for things like that." [22:43] "The only other thing I can think of would be spirits and kites..." [22:46] * Storyteller is now known as Solar`Empress [22:46] "Perhaps it would help if I told you what she knows about the mountain." [22:46] "That would be MOST helpful." [22:46] * Jynaru nods. [22:47] "The mountain sits within a range of smaller mountains. Before the uprising, they were merely to keep people away from the demon, incase it would attempt to gain power over them." [22:48] "Inside the mountain is called the eye of the demon, because, quite simply, that is the range the demon can affect, even when asleep." [22:48] "Nobody was allowed past the range of mountains for thousands of years, except for the occasional exalt circle who was chosen to ensure the maintanance of the manse and the prison. [22:49] "Even they never went deep into the mountain. It did not dream, but it was still a powerful thing, and it wasn't safe to do it." [22:50] "So when they went to entrap the demon forever, they must have been changed, or tricked into thinking they had done somethign they had not.. [22:51] "Still, we do not know why they did not seal him forever." [22:51] "After they left us to return to their master, they began building great cities on the side o fthe mountain." [22:52] "There are several of them now, and you can see the web of lights from the connections between them." [22:52] "The manse is at the very top of the mountain. To get there you would have to go there by land." [22:53] "It is probably impossible to fly there due to enchantments placed to prevent exactly that from happening, it would do no good for some rouge spirit to be able to free the demon, after all." [22:53] "But the corrupted solars might have released these protections. It is not known to us." [22:54] "The land around the mountain was fertile enough, but the only way it could feed their troops now is through sorcery." [22:54] "It is probably barren now." [22:55] "The mountain range around the central mountain is filled with numerous cracks and passages that have been made over the passage of time.. either that, or they have found some other pass over the mountains that we have not discovered." [22:55] "Because sometimes they escape their prison of rock and snow and ice." [22:56] "The mountain itself has a snowcap during most of the year, but it should be easy enough to climb, and reach the central manse, if the defenses can be breached." [22:57] she stops. [22:57] "I think I covered everything." [22:58] "How do the wards against flight work?" [22:58] * Vanal scratche shis chin [22:58] "Do they bar spirits, or simply flight?" [22:58] "Snowcap...any way we could use an avalanche to our advantage ?" [22:59] "Drop on high cities, maybe?" [22:59] "It would probably only affect magical flying. Some lunars were capable of changing into birds and flying over the ranges, it is said. But not many." [23:00] "Kites." [23:00] "I suppose we need Maris for any way to contact Lunars. Unless you also spoke at length with them, Vanal." [23:01] "Was too busy training my men." [23:01] "Kites, now that has been a while since i last did that." [23:01] "If it bars magical flying, that allows kites. Kites are faster than climbing." [23:02] * Tala glances at the exit [23:02] "And a lot less controllable." [23:02] "Being killed by Solars is a lot less survivable." [23:03] "I have tried insertion by kites. It takes a while to learn. We could likely all learn it quickly. But most likely no such luck with normal troops. [23:03] * Tei catches Talas eye. [quietly] Yes sister. Did you want something?" [23:03] The only exit is the doors, unless you want to leap up through the open windows [23:03] 30' + jump [23:03] "And the winds around the mountain are likely unpredictable and treacherous. I know that I could do it. But you?" [23:03] * Tala shakes her head and then goes to the doors [23:04] "We don't need normal troops for that, although it would be nice for the group that hits the pass from behind." [23:04] The doors begin to grind and snap loudly as you approach, opening enough for you to leave [23:04] "All we need to do is get whoever can seal the demon to the demon, and the faster the better." [23:04] The empress looks confused [23:04] "Tala, what is happening?" [23:04] * Solar`Empress is now known as Storylteller [23:05] * Jynaru taps Vanal on the shoulder and engages him in a low conversation on tactics. [23:06] * Tei has been trying to find a way he can add to the plan [23:06] * Tala ignores the question and passes through the doors [23:06] The doors begin to grind shut behind tala [23:06] "Look, if you guys want a covert insertion, you'll need a distraction." [23:06] * Tei shakes his head. "I think this is too much for her to handle." [23:07] "Yes. You, and your warstrider, and all your rowdy friends." [23:07] "Sounds good to me." [23:07] "I ain't gonna do it alone, though." [23:08] "Errr, what is with Tala?" [23:08] "I will help wherever I can." [23:08] "Well, our little friend here is a Solar, yes? If we can convince the other Solars of this plan, we draw EVERYTHING there." [23:08] "I'd like to think an additional few solars of this power level and what troops they have left would help, and draw even more attention to the pass." [23:09] "Sounds perfect. " [23:09] "Indeed. We want Fallen Tounge and his minions to look that way." [23:09] "Trust me, you folks have known me long enough tha tmaking a lot of noise and activity is something I EXCEL at." [23:10] "Now, to get the other Solars to agree... that's the hardest part." [23:10] "One thing though. My troops are under *MY* command." [23:10] "Not anyone elses'." [23:10] The empress nods [23:10] "I don't want somme REMF anathema with a stick up his ass second-guessing me." [23:10] "I know Vanal. I have heard what normally happens to new troops at the front." [23:11] "Thanks for the encouragement. It means alot." [23:11] * Tei mutters under his breath. "Not this again." [23:11] * Jynaru looks at the Empress. "Tell me, if we proposed this plan to the other Solars, what would they think?" [23:12] "They might go for it. There has been no way to our knowledge over the mountain range. If one was found... a strategic strike could be most effective." [23:12] "And what about Maris ?" [23:13] "you know, the whole dman reason we've gotten sidetracked into this dman fool stunt ?" [23:13] "With this deal, I think I can justify releasing him...." [23:13] "Good." [23:13] "Excellent. Tell me, what do I have to do to get an officer's comission around here?" [23:13] "Look, my people don't want war. Once this is over, if the solars leave them alone, they'll leave the solars alone." [23:13] "I have a questoin for the Empress if I might?" [23:13] She nods [23:14] "But we need the 'real' ruler to agree. Not our little 'puppet' here." [23:14] "Who knows Celestial Sorcery among the other solars? [23:14] "They won't know the difference." [23:14] "No disrespect to the Lady Coils." [23:14] "Maybe not. But she would know when she recovers." [23:14] "Rougly half, I'd say, maybe more." [23:15] "If I travel with you back to your camp, I can make my way back to my cove. There, I can ensure that she never recovers again." [23:15] * Vanal raises an eyebrow [23:15] "And of those half, who knows the spell Unity of Dreams? [23:15] "But wouldn't the other Solars be able to detect your influence?" [23:15] "The smeg is THAT spell ?" [23:16] "Nevermind, don't wanna know." [23:16] * Jynaru shakes his head. "I'm afraid we need the original Empress for this... no offense." [23:16] "I wouldn't know." [23:17] "They shouldn't be able to detect me... Not if I do not exert my self too much." [23:17] * Vanal mutters somethign inaudbily in low relam...tossing question as to the natur eof her 'exertions' with Tei [23:18] "Besides I doubt the Empress would agree." [23:18] "then make sure she never comes the hell back." [23:18] "I see. It just, feels wrong to me. To make a pact this way. Like those foul treaties the Decievers forced others into." [23:18] "She would likely have you all executed. Tei, tell them why you were coming to see the empress." [23:18] * Tei looks supremely scared for a split second. "NO the empress would most certainly not agree with us [23:19] "Cic, right now, I'd make a pact with a Malfean if it meant getting the hlel off this island and stopping Bloom." [23:19] * Cicada nods. [23:19] "So we kill the Empress. No great loss." [23:20] "WHY were you here to talk with the queen bitch, Tei ?" [23:20] I came because she had ordered the entire immaculate temple of pasiap slain. If she gets wind of this we're all dead, and I doubt we could kill her jynaru." [23:20] She nods to tei. "Besides, I think she's more useful to you under my control then dead." [23:20] "Oh...wonderful;...and suddenly I remembered why we *kill* these people." [23:21] "Damn. That is most disheartening." [23:21] "yeah, lock that witch away Coil, make sure she NEVEr comes back." [23:21] "So, the Empress is moody, and we get her to the ocve posthaste." [23:21] "that would be a good start [23:21] "Good." [23:22] * Vanal adjusts his coat [23:22] she nods [23:22] "Okay, who's going in with what crew ?" [23:22] "Hmmm, maybe the dear Empress needs a healer for her mind by her side..?" [23:22] I should go, it's on the way to the Temple I believe." [23:22] "We should all stick together." [23:23] "This is most distressing." [23:23] "I will release Maris and return with you to the barbarian lands." [23:23] "Sticking together slows us down." [23:23] "Okay, we'll grab Shakel on the way out (I assume she's in the city ?)" [23:23] She smiles [23:23] [liekly] [23:23] "I'd like to at least see what our mysterious Sidereal can do." [23:23] "And Maris?" [23:23] "He comes too, of course." [23:23] "There are a few things that solars queens have to their advantage." [23:24] "I'm a soldier, not a governor. he can *have* that job." [23:24] "And who do we leave in charge in the city?" [23:24] "Please don't look at me...." [23:25] "Gods, so please don't look at me..." [23:25] "I'm out. I'm a savage barbarian...a heathen of the 'Dynasty of the Chosen', remember ?" [23:25] "None of us would be accepted I don't think." [23:25] * Jynaru looks at her. "No dice, I think... You're not exactly a registered citizen." [23:25] * Vanal grins widely "and you're all excommunicated by the way." [23:25] "I will leave her son in charge. He is quite capable of ruling in her place." [23:26] "Make sure he doesn't go back on 'her' promises." [23:26] "For a short period that would be fine. It would even make it look legit." [23:27] Good, then we need to get a draft of an agreement with the King Maris and his High Priest Vanal of the barbarian lands [23:27] and the Empress here. [23:27] "Her word is law, he wont dare disobey her." [23:27] "Get them all to sign and move along." [23:28] "We shouldn't offer them the choice." [23:28] "If I accept the agreement, they will have to by extension." [23:28] "We need the agreement for Forked River as well." [23:29] "I hope his future coorporation will some way make up for the damage he caused." [23:29] "I think I have a plan, then.." [23:29] "Then lets get an official scribe in here, let the Empress dictate the terms of the pact and get it all validated before we leave. [23:30] * Vanal shrugs "Fine by me. [23:31] * Jynaru nods. [23:31]