Lynn asks around at the Defender's Heart to see if she can get her hands on a map. As a leader of an army she should at least know where to lead to.
Sosiel hears of Lynn's inquiry and him and Aron come to her with the map they have. The maps are over 100 years old, they have an architects map of Drezen which shows the building and some of the battlements around it.
"You are welcome for the assistance, I will release him into your custody when you feel you are ready to have him. Other wise I must put you back into your room with the manacles on." Irabeth puts the manacles back on Ortho and 2 guards come in and lead him back to his cell.
Sosiel hears of Lynn's inquiry and him and Aron come to her with the map they have. The maps are over 100 years old, they have an architects map of Drezen which shows the building and some of the battlements around it.
"I see you come prepared. Thank you." Lynn greets Sosiel and Aron. After checking the map she asks "Don't we have something more recent? Or at least some scouting information from someone? Did not even Tenderev fly over the lands and try to get a look at it?"
"She she did, that kind of information was never passed along to us. Most scouts don't go so far into the World wound as it is dangerous and you have to carry enough supplies to last you. This right now the best we have."
"That means we are at a big disadvantage here. I hope our element of surprise outweighs that. Have you seen Aniva? She will be scouting for us. She needs to know these maps too." Lynn decides. Looking around and not seeing her she asks "Do you have a messenger among the army? Someone I could send on errands like getting Aniva? This planning stuff doesn't work too well if I have to run everywhere myself."
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"You are welcome for the assistance, I will release him into your custody when you feel you are ready to have him. Other wise I must put you back into your room with the manacles on." Irabeth puts the manacles back on Ortho and 2 guards come in and lead him back to his cell.
He has made his decision and may leave with me now.Azrael says. he is either as good as his word, or he is not. Best to find out sooner than later.
"We could arrange a page for you yes, It would make sense. Boy or girl?"
A page is found for Lynn and Aniva comes in a bit after, she moves over to the maps that Lynn, Aron and Sosiel are looking over.
"Thanks for coming." Lynn greets Aniva. "I thought you should make yourself familiar with this. It is outdated - some hundred years old - but it is the best we have so far and once you get to your scouting, this will be what you update for us."
Aniva looks at Lynn, "Sure I will do my best but Sosiel and Aron have visited Irabeth and myself. Aron and I will be doing the scouting as a team, so we can both stay alive."
Don comes back from patrolling and takes a short rest before meeting with the others.So when will we be heading out?
"Yes of course." Lynn tries to play over her forgetting Aron to be introduced as scout.
"So, it is me and Irabeth leading the army, Aniva and Aron scouting, Arashnival for big magic, we didn't get an approval from Horgus that he comes along, did we?"
Looking for her page she asks "Please seek out Azrael, the guy with the golden eyes, and ask him if he could persuade Horgus to come along to Dezren, would you?"
Turning back to Sosiel she says with a wide smile "And Sosiel, cleric of Shelyn, spiritual guide. Mind to explain to me what spiritual guide means in the context of an army?"
"Have you been in the world wound? It is a terrible place, like the abyss made real on our world. Even the most devote can lose faith. I am there to remind people why we fight." Sosiel says with conviction
"I'm for sure looking forward to that service." Lynn comments.
The Young girl nods to Lynn, taking her leave and searching out Azrael. After a bit she finds Azrael and Irabeth coming up from the basement.
"Excuse me Sir, Commander Lynn has asked me to see if you can talk with Mr. Horgus about coming with the army on the march." The girl stands about 5 feet away from both Irabeth and Azrael.
The girl leads you off, again you leave Defender's heart, she takes you to a warehouse just north of the building. Inside is Horgus Gwerm, he is flanked by 3 aides, his hands are busy writing and directing people to and fro making preparations for the items that everyone will have to carry.
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Ah, Mr. Gwerm. We have not yet met. I am Azrael, a paladin of Erastil and Iomedae. I have joined with those that saved your life and brought you here. They have sent me to come and request your aid. You see, your skill in logistics is well known and our task so daunting that there is doubt it can be accomplished without your personal attention. The truth is that we need you. The army needs you. Will you serve?
Horgus looks Azrael up and down.
"I met some of your kind before, most of them seem pretty pretentious and full of themselves. They are "Divine Beings" they said, needed money and weapons all the same. I will be going since you asked so nicely, no one else will be able to manage all the food and supplies anyway." Horgus moves off to continue his preparations.
Irabeth and Azrael head out back to Defender's heart.
"It did as he is a grumpy man, fair but likes things to benefit him in the end." Irabeth says quietly, once they are further away. "He owns the largest mine of Iron, and the foundries that make the weapons that fund the war effort."
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Still speaking with Irabeth as they head back to the group Azrael comments Then it is right we treat him with respect. He may not swing a sword, but he fights with the skills the gods have given him and I am pleased he is on our side. Tell me, do you think it wise for me to bring the alchemist with us? I want to encourage him but would not wish to endanger out mission.
Don gets his things packed for the march tomorrow and buys a few more bolt cases
"I think we have everything prepared then. But if you have anything else that needs to be done, please tell me. If not, use the time left to rest." Lynn tells and looks around if anything comes up.
Mid afternoon Sosiel knocks on the door to Tink's room.
"Good day Master Tink, I have come to discuss crafting item. Do you have time? I hear that you have some theories on how to do things quicker and at a much different pace than I would have been shown."
"I was never taught, I learnt to do it by trial and error. I am unsure how my process differs from yours. I don't imagine there can be much different." Tink says, getting excited about talking magic.
"I am actually working on my first major project." He says holding up the cloak
Sosiel steps into the room, looking over Tinks crafting process.
"What is it you are making? Also did you make your large mechanical friend there? That is something I would like to try one time."
The rest of the day passes without any major incidents or problems, the paladins come in and out of the city helping with clearing of debris and tending to wounded as best as they can. The night is spend planning your route and saying goodbye to loved ones for those who are joining you.
"A robe to magically enhance the wearer's resistances to most ailments. And yes, I did make SteelGate his Body. I maintain it for him and he is kind enough to let me test things on it." Tink says looking over at SteelGate. "Blue helps me with my work." he says holding up a finger like a perch. Blue hops off a wall sconce and lands on his new perch
Sosiel is amazed at Tink's set up, "Maybe once we are on the road we can talk a bit more. I have a few more things to attend to before we march out tomorrow."
Sosiel takes his leave heading back out to the camp of Paladins.
The next day your Army's moves to the Northern Gate of the City, the Queen and her army head south with much haste to cut off the demons moving south as well.
Your friends are all ready and packed, everyone looks at Lynn awaiting her command.
Lynn stands ready with her advisors and companions at the front of the army. She looks over that patch of paladins and turns to the direction they will go in a moment. Closing her eyes she remembers Lord Hulrun at the festivities. How he didn't get to hold his speech, with possibly thousands killed in that massive uproar of demons. We're not going to fight the Strom King. We're not even going to where the large battle will rage. We are just doing a sneaky assault on something no one else has on the map now. Taking a deep breath she turns back to the holy warriors of Iomedae.
With that she raises her glaive, turns and leads the march in direction of Dezren.
Don raises his crossbow high overhead. RARGGHHHHH!
A loud cheer goes up as the group starts to move forward, Aron approaches Lynn on Horse back.
"The queen wants us to follow the river North till we get to Vilareth Ford, there we can cross and head north. We will pass through a farming village Valas' Gift around tomorrow Morning."
The spirit of the army is good on the first day, there are a few small stops to water the horses, for people to relieve themselves and a small food break. As night approaches the army can see smoke coming from the village a head.
There is more smoke coming from the Village than should be, it looks like fire smoke.
"Aniva, Aron, please check what is going on there. Where there is smoke there is fire." Lynn asks her two scouting specialists.
Both hop down off their horses, slinking into the shadows to move forward.
After a bit they both return, "We didn't see anyone, it looks like people rode through and set the town a blaze. No bodies or anything." Aniva says wiping some dirt off her tunic.
"The town is abandoned?" Lynn inquires.
"As far as we could see, no survivors or who ever attacked."
"Now that is a bad start. You got an idea who did this? Any tracks that gave an idea what we're dealing with? Or some numbers?" Lynn asks further.
Don gets his crossbow ready. Possible trap. Lure in investigators.
"We saw tracks leaving the town, some of the buildings are burnt and the fields look burnt as well. IF it was a trap we didn't see anyone waiting" Aniva states
Shall we investigate anyway?
"The village is on our way anyway." Lynn tells.
The army approaches cautiously but nothing comes out of nowhere to attack.
You can spend the rest of the night searching the town for anything or just make camp.
"We'll stay in town for the night. Aniva, Aron, please take some time and if needed some more men to search the town to tell if there is something to find out about this incident, or if you find something useful."
Lynn delegates the setting up of camp and retreats with Sosiel for a chat. "What kind of art are you doing when you don't cheer on an army?"
"I like to paint people, I can do one of you if you would like." Sosiel says after setting up his tent.
Everyone beds down for the night, pickets and watches are set.
Don keeps watch as well