Cretien looks at Femi. "I'm certain we can put together some warships, certainly better than the Danorans. Especially since they'd likely manufacture some weakness into them on purpose. Our King and The Bruse get along so I am sure he will have no issue with it. Or perhaps coastal artillery would be preferable...?"
"I hate to be presumptious but you would not happen to be an Eschatologist?"
Kortemir looked up at the Vizier of the nation’s prosperity and security.
"Wellll, yes; I do regard myself as an Eschatologist. Know ye the works of Vlendam Heid?" Asked Dr. Runemace cautiously.
Zarkava says, "I have been able to peruse Heid's teachings now and again but due to my duties as General, I have not been able to study them as closely as I would like to. I was wondering if I might ask you a question."
Kenna responds to Chretien and says, "Well, how many ships do you have on offer and coastal artillery does sound delightful as well?"
Rush and Merton walk their way casually up to Femi and Rush says, "It was a lot of fun sparring with you in that courtyard earlier today wasn't it? You guys must have taken a circuitous route to get here because my boy has something especially planned for you."
"I was wondering if I might ask you a question."
"Well, of course I will answer to the best of my ability. Ah, you should bear in mind that, according to the mainstream Eschatology philosophers, I am an apostate." Dr. Runemace replied.
He shrugged, as if to say 'What can you do?'
She looks at you and asks, "Well, why would you be considered an apostate?"
"Well, why would you be considered an apostate?"
"Hm. Well, the Escatology mainstream holds that there are perfect endings for everything; nations, relationships, the universe, your pets, sports, etc. Everything.
"And I hold that Heid was referring to the history and destiny of nations and not anything else. Really, it's just an excuse to not act to in ones own defense or anyone elses. A permission, even a requirement for laziness. I abhor the unwarrented expansion of the philosophy to cover things not intended by the Master." Ran on Kortemir.
She says, "Maybe you should travel to Drakr and speak with Heid about your concerns. Anyway, what is your impression of the Bruse? I am concerned he is acting too much like a King and not enough like a leader."
Chretien
"Your coastline is considerable, so the coastal batteries will be a boon to your port cities in the event the Danorans or anyone else attacks. Then we could provide six fine battleships, or twice that in corvettes. These will of course take time to build, as all good things do, but I believe our King will only chastise me slightly for offering such. Perhaps he will not vest me with such latitude in the future! hah!"
"Anyway, what is your impression of the Bruse? I am concerned he is acting too much like a King and not enough like a leader."
"I... really have no way to tell. The Bruse is the only person I have ever met in that kind of lofty position. I have nothing to compare it to."
Kortemir looked around, uneasy with the situation. He lowered his voice."Does he do this kind of thing often? This contest I mean. It just seems like such a high-handed manner to conduct serious matters of diplomacy..."
Kenna says, "Delightful, well I will swing by your cottage this evening to give you some interesting information that can help you not only get my vote but maybe win one of your challenges. Six battleships and shore batteries. Delightful."
She then shakes Chretien's hand in acquiesence of the deal.
Zarkava whispers to Kort, "He likes to play games which seems to put his amusement ahead of what is good for the country. It is all a bit too arbitrary."
Femi reminds the group he can teleport with scrolls, or send messages likewise. "We have enough supply to handle this task and then some. So I say we use it to teleport to our destination, hopefully beating our opponents and getting the first crack at getting Cavallo to see the light."
"Yes, get him to understand of course, and also see about getting reinforcements or supplies sent to weather a siege. I wouldn't be surprised if they use Rush for that task, so they should also be prepared with magics."
Cretien pauses, thinking. "Then there is the matter of Griento. We don't know for sure what he might need, so we should contact him as soon as we can, perhaps magically tonight, and see what is needed so we can see if we can get that teleported in. Also, what do you think about sending our ship off that way? I believe we are to remain here, but if our ship leaves without us and we teleport to catch up the moment we are allowed to leave... Or, if not, that probably won't be a huge factor. I don't know how much you can be teleporting."
"Perhaps we should look at attempting to complete several challenges at once? I know that our skill sets are rather varied, so maybe we should try to maximize our time and complete the most tasks in the least amount of time."
John collected writing utensils and drew up the list of the four different objectives, splitting the list in even sections on the page, although he had to write on the long side of the page to give each even room.
He then sat the page on the table and said "I think that we are in a crunch for our time, so that is why I suggest that we split our group. The railroad is going to be a long-term venture, and although I could probably impersonate Cavello, it would take me some time to observe his mannerisms well enough to fool everyone I might run into while impersonating the man.
That leaves the two advisors: the Vizier and the Minister of Dragon Affairs. Also, while speaking of the Bruse's advisors, I should point out that one of them, Pardo, has...issues with his spirit. I distinctly saw it being pulled to the south. I'm not sure what that means at the moment, but it's something I felt I should share."
"So, what are your thoughts?"
"I agree we have much to do, but I fear splitting up. I do not trust the opposition not to try something, and divided we may fall easily to a trap."
"I have seven available scrolls of teleportation and 28 of message, so we may easily communicate with our support teams to help us - or reach out directly to others if need be."
"I can also cast message." offered John.
"Even with your teleportation, however, we're likely to need to be in two places at once. As I mentioned, I think dealing with both Cavello and the railroad are going to take alot of time, and I have no idea what sort of timetable winning over the advisors will be on."
"OK John. Though I'm uneasy, it seems the best way. How do we want to split up? I should be on the team with the most travel needs for the teleportation. The other team will be rather slower for travel options."
"Oh, and when I said message, I meant Sending. Sorry, slip of the tongue. Message doesn't have much range." he grins sheepishly, embarrassed by his failure.
"I know Griento, and machines are my specialty. So I'll go on the railway team."
"I would say that convincing people to do what I want is my specialty, so I would put myself forward as going to the Cavello team."
"Cavello seems furthest away, and so most in need of teleportation, so I'll go with you John. If that makes sense..." he wonders looking at the map.
"And, ah, which team should I be on?" Asked Dr. Runemace.
While you are talking, you hear a knock on the door and as you open it you see Lya Jierre through the peephole and she says, "I was wondering if I might have a word with you before this competition starts."
John opens the door and gestures for her to enter. He then re-closes and secures the door before retaking his seat.
"What can we do for you?"
The Danoran Ministrix of Outsiders enters your cottage and sits down at the table, she crosses her legs and first says to John and Kort, "Good evening gentlemen, my name is Lya Jierre and I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
She waits your response and continues, "You have most likely sussed out by now that I am a member of the Obscurati and the organization has used by necessity subterfuge and secrecy, however, I am not comfortable with their use."
Cretien continues filling out a small notebook, listening.
She continues,Constable Dufreine did you ever finish that carriage for my wedding day? Uhum, I was raised to value reason, progress, and the power of words over arms. Toward that end, I wants to explain to you why I am doing what I am doing, in hopes you and the RHC and my former fiance will agree that my motives are honorable. I admit that my organization lost control of the colossus, and that we want it under control again. The machine was meant to be a peacekeeping weapon, to deter Risur from attacking, capable of defending even against assaults in the Dreaming or the Bleak Gate. I implore you to recognize that it is a threat that would never have been deployed, because it would provoke a backlash from every country, afraid they might be next. Yes, it is powerful, but it can’t be everywhere at once. The moment it attacked, it would assure Danor’s destruction, hopefully Professor you still have some love for your homeland. With such absolute deterrence, there wouldn’t be a need for further wars. Oh, armies would continue to train and prepare, but no one would dare fight. There would be peace. But now it’s loose, and damaged, and acting out of control."
"Luckily it seems disinclined to raze any cities, but it is safest if the colossus is not roaming. I came here to ask you to step aside and let me find Tinker. Tinker will let them regain control of the colossus."
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"I cannot do that. I have orders, and I agree with them. Your plan would never have worked, and I am certain you know that. Do not delude yourself or allow yourself to be deluded, there would be no more peace than there already is. Now that you have built such a thing, every nation will build such a thing. No nation would sit idly by as another nation, much less Danor, possesses a weapon that is orders of magnitude above what they possess. All you have succeeded in doing is taking a massive leap forward in the arms race between nations. Even if this thing were to be destroyed, the mere knowledge that it can be made is enough to cause everyone to try. Disasters will occur to those who fail, and those who succeed will vastly outpower them. I left Danor precisely because of things like this. A nation with a bruised ego making blind decisions and letting themselves get taken over by the Ob? This is no minor mistake, this isn't even the first mistake Danor has made that endangers the entire world."
She says, "Is that the consensus of the whole group? If so, I want you to know I do not consider you enemies but rather rivals and I wish you luck on the two challenges. I am intrigued when did you meet Griento anyway?"
"Alas, I don't believe that we can accomedate you. We have our own reasons for seeking out Tinker Oddcog, and we are bound by confidentiality as to what they might be."
"I gotta say, Cretien has the truth of it, and John's right. Rivals we are, so we're not going to share information you might use against us."
"I don't recall, it has been quite some time. I think we were on the railroad, or he needed help with something. A year or more ago perhaps."
Lya Jierre stands up and shortly apologizes for Rush's attack and then leaves.
I can pop a clairaudience if they're still close by (in the building, ~750' away) and help John with an invisibility if he wishes to get started.
Also for our protection, I have been casting detect scrying each day, so we at least know when we're being watched and can avoid delicate conversations during those times.
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John nodded to the group and then said "I'll be back as soon as I can. I am going to write down a safe word. Assume anyone coming in, including servants, are not me unless I give you the safe word. Also, assume that I am not me if I do not give you the safe word. Understand?"
John then crosses to the side table, writes something on a piece of paper, and then folds it and says "Do not look at this word until someone attempts to enter claiming to be me. That will help prevent abuse by thought detection magic."
John then stepped outside the group's dwelling and disappeared into the gloom.
Once away from the group, John will find a quiet place and change his appearance (including race) to match those of either pages or servants, whichever are more prevailant. He will then move through the camp in a circuitous route, both to throw off tails, as well as to allow him time to familiarize himself with the camp. Finally, he will make his way towards where the group's rivals were located. Once close, he will attempt to blend into the background as much as possible while listening in.
I like to lick Danorans is written on the sheet of paper.
JOhn
The rest:
A maid comes with some bottles of wine and with her comes the half-dragon Ministrix of Dragon Affairs, Kenna Vigilante.
She says, "Well, constables, your offer of six battleships and coastal defense of our major cities has led me to come to visit you this evening and give you some information that may prove useful to your challenges. White wine?"
"Senora, Torrontes por favor!"
John was surprised to see Rush exit the tent and yelling at the guards. He broke line of sight, then changed his appearance to a female version of helper, and then found a spot near to their cottage to eavesdrop, but on a different side of the building.
John
The maid pours the wine and she says, "So senores, you might be interested in some information regarding your challenge and that of the chieftain in that area, Cavallo de Guerra. It has been purported that one of his grandchildren has been afflicted with a mysterious virus."
Femi welcomes Kenna Vigilante, and helps coordinate the wine. "Oh? A mysterious virus huh? I'm no healer, but it may be we can bring something to bear on such a malady. For after all, no one should suffer for politics, right?" he grins at he Ministrix, pleased she has shared this information.
"Thank you for sharing the plight of Cavallo de Guerra, it is most appreciated." he pours more wine into Kenna's glass.
Kenna says, "Well before I give you some other information, I want to know that it could be key to slowing down your competition but I am not sure if you want to know."
John