"Hello my masters how are you all?" Old smoky gives everyone a good look over.
"I see your new clothing and armour suits you just fine, your minions worked hard to get you this stuff. You can thank them later by sparing their lives I'm sure" He gives a little chuckle.
"Oh me? I feel hurt, forgetting what I am... I am the undying mayor a pencil pusher with the power to regenerate from but a single cell. You all took your creations and made me so I could do the tedious work and so that you could .. erm.. [small] punish [/small] me indefinitely if you so choose. I also will not give in to torture, after all how do you torture someone that doesn't give into any form of pain? Hehe, your secrets are good with me."
He coughs "Unless you have any questions for me, shall we move onto business?"
Smoky Bill puffs the cigar stick he's been working on and walks over to a tactics table with the map of the continent on it.
He points to a battle line between Here be Dragons and Varien. "This is one of our major battlefronts, the Varien troops have lots of holy forces to stop a lot of the undead that is present. The magic golems are a bit more of a problem however." He places a small blacked crystal on the table with a imprint in the centre. "One of the skeletons gave his death to bring you this, this is what powers them. I am unsure what it is really."
Smoky combs his scales back "Other issues in the kingdom at the moment is of course, the .." He scowls "The adventurers, lowly creatures that they are. The have taken down are hardest hitters in the front line and scurried away I presume to enter our territory or as a delay tactic. I am unsure. They are being praised as heroes by the Varien troops, it makes me sick."
Smoky takes out a clipboard. "If you want advise about your troops at the front lines you best ask Diaz, he is the rogue general from Varien who has helped lead the troops in your stead. He is quite good at it or so the troops seem to tell me. I do not know for sure why he defected, he says 'to have fun' but there might be an ulterior motive. Lastly there are some forces that possibly have made it past the front lines as ever so occasionally our supply roots are disrupted. No-one is every killed or destroyed in the case of the undead but supplies are indeed stolen."
He puts the clipboard on the table "So, sirs and ladies. What is the plan? If you need to know what we have to use please ask, I might know areas that we can get some resources to use but of course some services require good coin or favours."
"I have a few questions:
1) How are the enemy forces being supplied?
2) Are the enemy troops constricts or volunteers?
3)How much are they being paid if they are being paid at all?
"I ask because I feel that the most effective way to fight is economically."
"in fact if we had followed my plan from the first we they wouldn't even be attacking us yet. My current plan is i would like to corrupt the enemy supply officers put them into our pocket. Also I would like to start a counter-fitting ring to weaken and dilut there money supply."
"Golems are very expensive creations."
"by the way what are our forces mostly composed of? I know we have a bunch of undead. Does that mean we have a few cleric's raising them and controlling them? If the armies are mostly undead do we happen to have access to any amount of toxic gas alway good to play to your strengths"
"What do we know of these so-called 'adventurers'? Who are they? What are they capable of? Do they ever travel alone?"
He asks Smoky, then gives a knowing nod to Min.
"Buying their soldiers and generals is one thing, making sure they are dead is another. I propose some of my 'specialists' take care of the small troops raiding our supply lines. Killing their leaders there would cause disarray, hopefully wiping that problem away for a while. Our supplies should be restored and kept."
The Shard chitters a bit in ratfolk tongue, mostly murmuring to himself.
"If some of those 'heroes' ever split up for a while we should know it as soon as possible. Any chance on an easier kill would be profitable yes?"
Leiara loiters at the table, playing with the spiky edge of one of the leaves that comprises her strategically revealing amor. Its safe to say about ninety percent of what Old Smoky says is lost on her, she's busy pouting because Zoom (4) wouldn't fit in here. The imperious and vacant-expressioned druid is thus bored. And she sighs.
"Whatever, can we just go kill them already? I'll set fire to them or something. She shrugs. Adventurers are easy. And warfronts are beyond her. Leiara figures that killing everyone is probably just the easiest course of action, regardless of how difficult that might actually be. Its certainly the simplest!
Irritated Leonard says: "When they initially expressed disharmony with us I sent them the forms for a lawful invasion and a treatise on the rules of such a battle. Savages! Ug. Regardless, we will make them pay for their crimes. We should see their golems and raise them a few demons. That'd but a damper on their plans."
"I could send out a squad of Accuser's to survey the area and get a better idea of what's happening."
"For the purposes of this mission we should probably have a unified vision. A temporary leader if you will, though we'll all naturally have our speciality areas of expertise. Such a thing will keep us from having so many divergent ideas that nothing gets done. What say you? "
Smoky picks up the clipboard again and flips through it a bit. "The enemy is being supplied by drake convoys, special golden drake riders usually ridden by dwarves sworn to Erastil. I am unsure how these riders are so adept but suffice to say it is air supplies." Smoky turns to the next page.
"The enemy troops are trained since very young to be sworn to the cause, Emperor Beltzer wants loyal subjects thus has this inbuilt into them. They are devout soldiers to their god and Emperor. Most are volunteers since young, one or two are conscripted but are .. 'brainwashed' by the light. Though that last bit is my opinion." He takes a puff of smoke.
"I do not know how much they are paid, but maybe servitude is payment enough, not to say all of them are happy. You know how zealots are, we even have a couple ourselves." He chuckles.
"As for forces, best ask Diaz not myself. I only deal with their paycheck if there is one."
Min starts to look through his thoughts and library stones, the lay of the land depicts that there is a large trench torn out where the two sides are fighting. Both sides are stretched thin trying not to let any of the other group pass them by. Supply lines from both sides are fed to the line and it is passed down to those that need them. The undead take one side as they don't need to be part of the chain. According to Bill though their supply line is aerial thus there are no choke points. There are no hills either in the vicinity of the fighting. The nearest hills are 40-50 miles north or south of the fighting.
The enemies soldiers are made up of righteous soldiers to the cause. The elite amongst them are paladins and inquistors though their forces are tough as nails nonetheless. They have far less troops then your own but they are trained and hardy men. Dwarves, Humans and Half-orcs primarily. Their actual number is hard to estimate, their golems even more so as they were non-existent until the war broke out. No other nation knew they had them.
The crystal itself shows no arcane origin, all you can tell is that the insignia in the centre was not originally part of the crystal and added by magical means. Again though not through any arcane manipulation.
Corruption is the thing the force fights against the most being sworn to Erastil. The majority of their leaders got there by surviving temptation and corruption. The major leader on the front is Baldir, 3rd son of Emperor of Beltzer. The 3rd born of 5 sons and one daughter. The other leaders might be corruptable but are probably best fooled with their blind loyalty.
Smoky turns to the Shard "Sorry sir I do not know much. All I know is one of them can turn into a ferocious sabertooth beast. Some of the men were quite worried when a small bad of 7 had that at their command. Most of the force to fight them died thus no concrete report is to be had. They seem to be capable of getting in and out either undetected or having killed everything. Seems to be that their plan B is always 'kill everything'."
He nods at Leonard "It is up to you Sir Leonard if you wish to do that, I can send for Diaz if you wish to talk to someone who has been on the front line." At the mention of 'picking a leader' you see Old smoky's face lose a bit of its fiery redness, he then whispers something under his breath in draconic.
"Oh know.. this might get ugly... please no giant undead creatures ripping me to pieces this time...!
"Do send for Daz. We'll need a direct account. On another note, fliers won't be too much of a problem I have flying minions. however, that does limit how much they can bring in. Which is good for us. One of the first rules of war is to cut off your enemies supply lines. "
"I suppose I should go talk with Diaz for more information"
I sink into the living wood floor and tree stride over to the fount. I apper before Diaz. "I need information. What is it you think you need? Also tell me about the enemy"
+3 if he is alone.
Smoky nods briefly and briskly walks out the room, seemingly happy to get out of there.
Elsewhere Min strides through to meet Diaz before Smoky even departs. Diaz is waiting in one of the nearby rooms, Min enters and sees a 7 foot tall elf. Very muscular and uses very little armour, he seems to have leather covering his body and some form of braces around his arms and legs. He isn't wearing a helmet though has a band with a diadem attached across his head tying his hair back. On his back Min spies are very large black boomerang almost as big as Diaz's torso.
Diaz looks down at Min. "Ah sir, good to see you." He clasps his hand together. "What do I think I need? I need a good scrap, I have sat in Varien for 200 bloody years with not a single proper fight. The people would always want to have peace peace peace. How do proper soldiers even SURVIVE like that. No I needs me a fight, it's why I volunteered as I soon as I heard about you guys. Now now, about the enemy ah yes. They are using their 'choirs' crude creations or failed experiments I am not sure. Either way they have these men strapped to a pole that their golems carry. They lock out all magic though let the golems go about their smashing. It even temporarily stops the undead troops from moving. Sorry bags of bones get crushed. I have one of the 'choir' locked up from my last tussle with one of em golems. Even my fang had some trouble disabling their core.. but ho ho, were they surprised when I bore my teeth." He starts to cackle a little. "Oh sorry sir, that was me rambling a little .. did you need more?"
Shortly after Smoky comes through the door and sees the two talking. "I .. ah .. will come back later. He swiftly closes the door.
"Are you saying that the golums are carrying mages that cast Antimagic Field. That is worrying because it would imply that the enemy has multiple lv 11 casters. Sorry jargon what I mean is that that would imply very very power wizards. I guess we should go talk with the others they sent Smoky to call you over"
I walk with him to the others making small talk. Asking him what he is enjoying most in this war.
Min walks with Diaz back to the tactics chamber picking up Smoky on the way. On the way Diaz says that he is enjoying the use of his old techniques again, he thinks he's gotten rusty.
"I do not think it is an antimagic field, though the results are similar. I do not think it stops all magic. It doesn't stop my fangs so it might just be weaker magic."
The trio then enter the main tactics chambers and Diaz kneels down.
"Ah my masters of great things. It is a pleasure to report to you all directly." He gets up again and takes his boomerang. He passes it to Old smoky then shows his palms and the back of his hands to the group. Diaz seems to be doing this to show he means not to attack anyone in the chamber.
"What can I answer for you oh great ones?"
"how many of these held wizards have you seen? Could you a describe them?" Think it might be a Globe of Invulnerability, Lesser? Then they might just be level 7. Anyone tried to cast dispel magic?
Vaklam has been quietly chatting with his shadow, seemingly only half paying attention to what Smokey was saying. When suggestions are brought up he say "Ooooh!! I have an idea!! I'll send my shadow to scout!!" He starts to giggle over this "They'll never know what hit them!! She'll slip behind the enemy lines with them none the wiser hehehe, then when she finds some suitable looking victims BAM!! She'll kill them quick as can be and we'll have a few more friends to help us out!! hahahaha"
"Ugghh." A slight gurgle could be heard from the mouth of the blonde, undead girl slouching in a chair at the table. While her red eyes cannot be seen from behind the tinted eyeglasses, a constant, bemused expression blankets her entire face in boredom. "This is super lame, guys." She moves the arch in her back forward to more closely examine the elf.
"Listen, you sure we can't offer somethng to these guys? Or a few of 'em to get them off of us? No one's infallible. Knew a paladin that sold his soul once." She leaned back in her chair, looking over at Vaklam. "Bro, I'm pretty sure that's not really how shadows work." Nini pulls a hip flask out of the small purse resting on her chair arm, and begins to drink deeply from it.
"Do we have any Pugwampi in our forces? If we don't can we get any? Also rust monsters they strick fear into the hearts, soul and pocketbooks of adventures" Evil laugh
Diaz shrugs "I do not think they are wizards either, the had their hands strapped and eyes blindfolded. They were singing though if that helps. None of our forces were able to cast at the time other than myself but I did not bother I just attacked them. Killing the 'choir' seems to do that."
Old smoky hangs his head at Vaklam. "Yes .. sir, your shadow I'm sure can up and walk away. Just like my eyes can walk out of my head. He ends sarcastically.
He turns to Nini "That is true, maybe a trick would help or a rouse weaken their spirits? They aren't unbreakable I'm sure, after the fortress of their heart is broken maybe?"
Diaz folds his arms replying to Min. "We do have a few rust monsters we have not deployed them to the front as they would get killed in the crossfire too easily, they are not trained war beasts. However I'm sure against the adventurers they would work a charm. As for Pugwampi, no.. convincing one is hard enough work."
Old smokey ruffles his papers a bit. "Well I can help you with that one, there is a forest in the middle of the desmesne that has quite a few fey creatures. I suggest maybe dispatching a group there to capture some or convince some. Or hire some help unless of course you all wish to do that..?"
"Well first we need to find them figure out what we have to offer them and if that costs too much what we can threaten them with. Send a small team to make contact tell them to be nice we want to keep nasty in reserve. Also make sure the team won't be intimidated we want a good front. Make sure everyone in the team is at least CR 3. Maybe 3 or so Khaei they speck under-common. Or do we have any Doppelganger's that speck Gnoll or under-common. Times like this I wish we had a Succubus on the pay roll. Anyway I'm sure you can come up with some suitable team"
@Diaz "did the sing sound really bad? Might be bards casting Distracting Cacophony. No...there are better uses for well trained bards"
Vaklam continues to giggle "Oh Malakai, they don't believe in you!!" He says to his shadow.
He then turns to glare at the rest of you "How could you say such mean things about my sister??! Of course she can help!! She's always helped me, almost my whole life." He looks like he's about to cry.
"Well first we need to find them figure out what we have to offer them and if that costs too much what we can threaten them with. Send a small team to make contact tell them to be nice we want to keep nasty in reserve. Also make sure the team won't be intimidated we want a good front. Make sure everyone in the team is at least CR 3. Maybe 3 or so Khaei they speck under-common. Or do we have any Doppelganger's that speck Gnoll or under-common. Times like this I wish we had a Succubus on the pay roll. Anyway I'm sure you can come up with some suitable team"
"Demons. Ug. They're only useful for throwing in front of hordes as needed. I digress, These singing creatures are quite odd. Tell me, Diaz. How difficult is it to simply shoot them? Presumably when they stop singing their power of negation is...well, negated. "
Shard looks up at Vaklam when he mentions his shadow. "Odd I've never seen you at my trainings. I teach one of the few ways of stealth and not being seen. How do you move as a shadow my friend?"
He scuttles a bit in his chair to get more comfortable.
I guess we could divide some tasks into groups, it seems Min, Vaklam and I are ones that would gather information first, strike unseen and cripple our enemies in many different ways. We could form an intelligence network.
Perhaps some of you wish to join hands as well to obtain more success?"
Into the room walks a large creature that appears to be a mixture of an iron golem and a large zombie, all metal and rotting flesh, with glowing eyes peering out from behind a heavy helm. Trailing after this oddity is a large, skeletal cat, and sitting on its shoulder is the girl you've come to know over the last period of conquest.
Giggling, Aurelie looks at everyone. "Look at them, Mister Jingles! They make me laugh." As the lumbering monstrosity stops and uses its single hand to let Aurelie down to the ground, the girl waves to Nini and Vaklam. "Hello, angels!"
The small girl climbs up onto the chair and kneels on it so that she can see over the map. "Did you say there are more people coming, Mister Smoky? I wish they wouldn't," the girl pouts. "People are mean. I don't like them. I wish they were all angels!" She looks at the gathered group. "Well, you people aren't all bad..."
"Yes I think you should be well suited for making first contact. When you do send me a message and I will be right there. Try and get me a metting with the leader. Actually never mind I'll just go myself. I can move faster and we don't want to waste too much time on this"
"smoky can you give me a more precise location?"
"People are mean. I don't like them. I wish they were all angels!" She looks at the gathered group. "Well, you people aren't all bad..."
"Keep that up and I'll summon up an angel to play with you" I say sweetly.
Leiara looks up when Mr. Jingles comes in, but gives a disappointed sigh, and goes back to playing with her armor. "Just tell me who to light on fire." She nods a bit.
Vaklam just shakes his head at Shard "Aren't you listening? Its not me whose sneaky!! Its my shadow, Malakai. Whose also my sister. Jeez, am I speaking a foreign language?"
He turns to look at his shadow "I am speaking a normal tongue, aren't I?"
Diaz rolls his shoulder a bit while holding it with his other hand "The song was more of a chant, I don't think it sounded very good but it didn't sound bad either. You can try to get the one I captured to sing again if you want, he hasn't said anything else since I tried talking to him."
Diaz then replies to Leonard's query "My fangs sunk into them quite readily, they are well in the open and unarmoured. They are being carried on poles after all. I feel that they are there to let the golems close the gap and give them a fighting chance."
Smoky takes out a map and hands it to Min "The forest is here" He points at it.
Smoky then walks over and pours some wine and hands it to Vaklam "Perhaps something to calm your nerves... sir?"
Leiara perks up a bit."Can I go talk to him?"
"Smoky could you prepare a picnic basket and a banket" Well he's getting the stuff I read up unseen servent (I have fast study)
I'll tree stride to the largest tree in to forest. I step out of it and cast unseen servent I get it to set up the picnic. Then I call out at the top of my lungs(in both Sylvan and under-common)
Then I lean back against the tree and wait my servent fanning me. I identify the bird calls as I wait to pass the time.
I'll call out again in half an hour.
"You are speaking normal tongue Vaklam, just not making any sense." the ratfolk says slowly
Seeing Min disappear again, he shakes his head at the impatience he shows.
"Mark my words, that suddenly appearing will get himself killed someday. Just someone with a bad conscience hitting him in a reflex I'd say."
"Diaz, any hints on what or who is raiding our supply lines? And where the most supplies go missing? I'd like to know if a team of my specialists might be able to do the job or if my presence would be needed to clear away that stealing vermin."
[b]"If this choir is so fragile we'll simply put archers on the front and instruct them to concentrate on the Choir then have the melee troops move in to take out the golems. Why is this so complicated?"{/b]
Min feel an odd ebb, a change in flow, a flash of colours as he tree strides to the centre of the forest. A few moments later he feels something strange pass through is body.
Having stepped through he finds that he has veered off course though not very far, enough that it might cause a problem. His tree stride has been dispelled and he can feel that the area around him isn't truly in the same plane that he was in previously. Though he feels that he is in the stepping stone between two places as if one pace could be in one world and one pace could be in the other. Around him he hears the sounds of raucous laughter from diminutive voices. He calls out and the laughter only seems to grow stronger.
Meanwhile in the tactics chamber Diaz replies to the further queries of the overlords. Diaz smiles at Leiara and chucks her a key. "Just leave him alive." He then clasps his hands together "Most of the supply chains to the east are hit, that is the coastline closest to Nazca. I doubt the Nazcaans have come that far out though. It might be rebels from what is left of any nomadic tribes. I suspect your specialists should be enough to guard the caravans yes. First let me get the forces that we have."
Diaz takes out a scroll and hands it to Old smoky who presents it on the main table.
Forces:
On the Front:
2 Vampire Fledgling guard
2 Terrapin ninja outfit
2 Undead party
2 Velociraptor troupe
2 Spy Saboteurs
2 Devil guard
2 Splicer 'angel' troupe
In reserves, (at home bases)
1 Vampire elite
1 Monstrous core group
1 Undead DJs
1 T-rex underlings
1 Spymasters
1 Devil elite
1 Mister Jingle's finest
In production/amassing
nothing currently
Diaz continues "It will take time to move minions around and the loss of some might be problematic, should be careful but know that most are expendable... within reason of course."
Diaz gives some thought to Leonards preposition "The choirs are a big part of the problem but remember that isn't the only part of their force, setting up our archers near the front will get them shot down. We are advancing after all. Varien is not making a move towards us, A charging troop of archers would be cut down. Setting more around would only get the shot by cannon fire." Diaz drums his fingers on his chest with his arms folded.
"The main army composition is a set of defensive trenches set with men that guard the golem lines. When our forces are close enough a suppressing battery is fired to put our forces in disarray. Giving time for the choir and the golems to get in close. If the golems are close enough the choirs have done their job and as far as I can tell are as expendable as some of our minions. The become weapons when the gap is closed. There are multiple problems to overcome plus that adventuring party, they have someone evaded my eyes but are there disrupting our forces giving Varien a further advantage. That's the last time I trust a partying undead cart driver with a crate full of 'beer'."
Am I by a tree? Must say I didn't see this coming going after cr 1/2 creatures. What are the odds of just bumping into a level 12 dispel and the caster even had the reaction time to cast it on my tree within 6 second how do you even see that? I guess it might have been a trap, but that would mean that they would have had to trap about every tree in the Forrest with a very expensive trap. Why in the world are we invading Vardin when we have should powerful groups within our own borders?
The Shard looks at the scroll of troops with great interest.
"I would take one group of my specialist Terrapin ninja's to the east, to guard our supply lines and find out who these marauders are exactly. I might travel there myself to oversee things. If any of you have objections of me taking some of the soldiers out from the front, I'll take a few of my household guard and go myself."
"Regarding those choirs, isn't there a way to silence them other than sending in archers to their death? I'm thinking a large area Silence or Mute spell. I'm not that versed in arcane magics, so please enlighten me what possibilities there are."
I cast dancing lights
The forest is called by the old locals of the area the Kemanwati Forest. Tales used to tell of it being haunted though few believed it. All knew it was a dangerous place with few creatures ever venturing out. Those venturing in seldom returned, those that did went crazy. Many of the nomads would bypass around the outside even if supplies were low. At night time if records are to be believed the forest would occasionally glow different colours, though this has yet to be confirmed.
The spell dancing lights start to play around in front of Min. A few moments later the laughter changes to gleeful chanting. Min blinks for but a moment and one of the baubles from Dancing lights is gone. The laughter comes back.
"Ohhhhh pretty, maybe we steal more of them .. hahahah." A voice seems to shout out from all round.
"So does anyone want to talk to me?
I cast it again. I can do that all day. Then I make them them twirl around in complex patterns changing colors as they go.
"I am an emissary from "I have come to discuse an alliance between our kingdoms" ."
Thinking to myself "this place is fascinating with some study to figure out how this forest is connected I'm sure I could make all sorts of improvements to GL52.
Also I think my unseen servant has set up the picnic by now
"anyone care to join my meal?"
"Ooooh!" Aurelie squeals, wriggling in her seat. "Can I go talk to the bad man, too?" Without waiting for an answer, the girl hops off her chair and jumps onto Mister Jingles' hand. The creature lifts her back up to her spot on its shoulder, then lumbers over to the door, Kitty in tow. "Well, Tree Lady? I wanna go see the bad man! Maybe I'll make him an angel..."
Looking annoyed.
*sigh*"As usual this is a complete unorganized mess. Fine, I'll take charge." Leonard looks to Frack "Frack, Find my charts and notes on what to do in case of incursion!" The creature jumps slighty startled from cleaning it's nails. Clearly wasn't expecting to be spoken to, but Frick unslings the bag he was holding and flies to the ground holding it open. Frack jumps inside the bag and moves around for a moment. Then you see a red clawed arm begin to pull papers out and hold them up for Frick to take and hand up to Leonard. Flipping through the papers Leonard finds a list he had started earlier. Leonard's tail pulls a pen from his pocket and places it in his hand. Licking the tip Leonard begins jotting on the paper as he speaks.
"We need Intel, we need to arrange our forces to hold off or push back the invasion, and we need to deal with the meddling kids...err adventurers. The latter we should do ourselves. Shard, Vaklam, You're on Intel. Take what forces you need and find out what the adventures are doing and where they'll be. We're looking for good choke points to set up ambushes and what not. Also, if you get a chance kill off their horses without being seen. That'll slow them down. Adventurers should never be allowed horses. Valklam, if you have some sort of undead shadow that can sneak behind enemy lines and create yet more shadows have it do that as well. We may be fighting a war of attrition, so break up their."
"I suppose Min and the child are off to get additional resources. Hopefully that works out." Leo says skeptically. *scribbles notes*
"Leira, Can you go to the front and organize our forces. Anything to break their lines with minimal losses. You've got some skill with summoning and what not. Basically, go give them hell and try not to lose our forces. Reach out if anything substantial happens with that."
"I'll begin summoning accusers to gather various intel, including but not limited to where their supply lines are, how exactly they're bringing them in, and general whereabout/layout of their forces. Specifically I'd like to know what exactly this chorus is and where the golems are coming from. The sources of both of those things should be shut down with extreme prejudice. " *scribbles notes*
"We'll meet back here in a weeks time. You all know how to send word if necessary. "
"Everyone good with this plan and/or have any other ideas?"
Nini raises a slight eyebrow out from behind her opaque glasses. "Forgetting someone there, Leo?" She sighs and stands, stretching, several bones popping throughout her body. She picks up her skull cane, and, leaning on it, hobbles over to the door. "I'ma go talk to this dude, too. I've seen Leiara tak to people. She shouldn't." Nini sighs and puts the flask back in her coat. "This is gonna be a long damned day, isn't it. Lemme know how sexually frustrated these adventurers are, if you get the chance. There's always one of 'em."
"What would you expect Leonard, everyone here mostly has their own agenda and their own views on how to handle war. You are quite right though, task division would help us a lot and play to our strengths."
"I will gladly take on the intel gathering, but my first appointment will be with some raiders to the east. If it's one thing we don't want it's problems somewhere else than the main front."
"As I see our troops, we have hard-hitters, core infantry and sabotage units. I see perhaps a lack of ranged units and magic, siege equipment might also be an idea for the future maybe Leiara, me and Min could work on creating moving trees that throw rocks and such at enemies. Or equip some of our larger units with small siege weapons like ballistas."
The Shard packs up his scrolls and writing gear after scribbling down a few notes from Leonard.
"If that would be all for now, I'd like to leave soon, I have some training schedules with my students to finish before I leave for the caravan."
Nini raises a slight eyebrow out from behind her opaque glasses. "Forgetting someone there, Leo?" She sighs and stands, stretching, several bones popping throughout her body. She picks up her skull cane, and, leaning on it, hobbles over to the door. "I'ma go talk to this dude, too. I've seen Leiara tak to people. She shouldn't." Nini sighs and puts the flask back in her coat. "This is gonna be a long damned day, isn't it. Lemme know how sexually frustrated these adventurers are, if you get the chance. There's always one of 'em."
"apologies, dear. Yes please, go talk to 'the dude'". *scribbles*
Vaklam continues to talk to Malakai, seemingly trying to calm her down.
However, when actual strategy is brought up, he gets more serious. "We need to sow chaos and discord among the troops. Even the strongest soldier can be made a gibbering, drooling mess. Also, I have some new creations in the works that might be able to help turn the tide."
He then starts to giggle again "Ok Malakai, they aren't going to believe us until we prove it to them that you're real, come on out." Slowly, his shadow begins to detach itself from, growing and stretching to a full sized creature of its own.
"Everybody, meet Malakai, my sister. Malakai, meet everybody."