"That's my point" Zalika argues. "Its been killed by ice before and thus, if faced with it again, it may, and I stress the word may, be encouraged to go elsewhere. Its possible that it might have learnt to avoid cold based magic, and perhaps we could gain a tiny amount of control over it due to this. If this was a high level wizard we were dealing with then yes, I would be concerned as it would learn and adapt. That said, if it was brought back exactly how it existed previously, then it stands to reason that it has the same vulnerabilities. Its actual allies are rather limited, due to its aptitude for sheer destruction".
"Or perhaps it'll have learned to kill those who throw ice magic at it above all else." Triel wrinkles her nose. "How territorial is this Firebleeder?"
"Our powers are hardly weak," the Irrisani representative says smoothly. "The Firebleeder may attempt to challenge us, but our queen has already proven herself a greater witch than Baba Yaga herself. We would not be easily defeated by such a foe."
Zalika nods gives a respectful nod towards the Irrisani representative. "Of course, Osirion is not blind to the problems Irrisen herself faces, if Irrisen, in her wisdom, saw fit to assist us with the Firebleeder problem, Osirion would be quite to assist with any...irritants...Irrisen might have, without a seconds hesitation on the matter" Zalika responds equally smoothly, while mentally working out the numbers. She makes a mental note to determine just how much of Osirion's army was uneffective against enemies such as the Burning Prince and the Firebleeder, the better to see how she could possibly distribute them in the face of new alliances.
Acharn gives a really short nod in response to Triel's eye-rolling. He agrees with her that the points brought up thus far had not been the most helpful.
"The worldwound is half a world away from Osirion. To draw the firebleeder there would be quite the feat. Doing it the hard way by overland travel would not only drag it through most nations, laying waste as it went, but would also somehow require getting it to cross the ocean. That leaves magic. To set up a teleportation circle in order to transfer it to the worldwound once it does chase after the bait would require the highest level of magic. Not saying it's impossible, but do we have access to such magic?" Acharn looks at Gyr, Mephiston, the Irissen representative and Zaldan Moriam, who he figures to be the most likely candidates to have someone able to use such magic.
"And there's also the question of whether Irrisen can afford to employ such magics in this endeavour." Triel glances at the Irrisen representative. "I do not doubt your Queen's skill with magic, but there is the question of whether she can afford to create such a teleportation circle when her expertise and power could be put to more immediate use securing her own borders against Deskari's horde."
"Could such a teleportation circle be created through a collaborative effort?"
Maximo folded his arms, looking at the ground and kicking at it as he muttered. "I'm just trying to help." At Archen and Triel's comments, though, his fringes perk up. "Hey, yeah. Elves are good at magic, right? Master Archen, you wouldn't happen to know about anything that could just warp the Firebleeder to anywhere?"
Surely the elves had something up their sleeves! Elves were really good with... magic... elves... OH NUTS! Maximo's eyes suddenly snapped back to Ryx's direction, before leaning over the table towards Lord Kyr. "Blast! I forgot, Lord Kyr! I meant to tell you, I came here hoping to warn everyone! I think there are agents here that mean to attack the conference! It's... L-look, I know my friends don't believe me, so I won't expect you to, but I think Absalom is in danger, and if I don't warn you, something terrible is going to happen!"
Just after Maximo's announcement, in what is likely a moment of silent surprise, a familiar booming voice comes out from the back of the crowd, near the entrance of the Great Vault. "" Sure enough, shortly after the voice rings out, Aramus pushes through the crowd and comes to a place near the front of the public. He slaps the side of his head and looks around at the proceedings, giving a large wave to everyone he recognizes.
After a second, he blinks and turns to the nearest citizen. "Oh, I interrupted, didn't I?" He claps his hands together and shakes his head. "I'm so, so sorry." With that, he begins edging towards the nearest of the people he'd met earlier that day and whispers to them, again quite loudly, "What did I miss? What's the plan?"
Lord Gyr raises an eyebrow. "I'm not terribly surprised that there are those that are planning to interrupt the meetings. There are far too many people who would rather see us turning on each other than trying to save what's left of our world. The guards will be on high alert, but there's little more I can do to reinforce them at this point."
The big man looks down at the kobold and raises his eyebrows high in question. "Intruders who want to see us all squabble amongst ourselves and collapse? Where are they?" He adds these to his earlier questions, hoping the strange little traveler can fill him in.
Maximo looked up at Aramus. ...he might listen! He waved Aramus down to his level, lowering his voice a tad. "Triel thinks she saw her siblings here at the conference; two drow priestesses. You know, the ones who worship the demons and stuff? They're disguised as elves. I've got Ryx standing with Johnathon, but... they didn't sound very friendly."
"It requires the higest level of magic and sadly I'm not that powerful." Acharn doesn't show much emotion, but his jaw sets in determination, he wishes he had the power to do such feats and he will do what he could to become more powerful.
Father Makar grunts. "For all this talk of dealing with the Firebleeder, I'd rather you drop the other show now. I'm not fool, and I've seen far too much of man's true nature these last few years to think that anyone at this table would help us for nothing."
Lord Mephiston nods. "I believe that a promise to provide the forces freed from your battles with the beast to the effort against the Worldwound would be a fair start."
Makar scoffs. "I didn't ask your opinion devil worshiper."
Mephiston chuckles. "If I recall your own scripture, our gods united before, to seal the Rough Beast. If Deskari's horde is not at least a comparable threat, then I do not know what is. I am willing to tolerate the Dawnflower's priests fighting beside my people against the demons. At least I believe that they won't attempt to betray me when the fight is done." His eyes shoot to the winter witch and Zaldan.
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Aramus tries to block out the political bickering and squats down next to Maximo, listening to the Talon's story with a serious expression. "Disguised drow, eh?" The big man muses as he rubs his jaw, casting a suspicious gaze about the room. "Where are they? I might have a word with them about the importance of teamwork and doing the right thing..."
Zalika places a hand lightly over Makar's. The purpose of the gesture isn't to undermine his opinion and stance, but at the same time reminding him that she did not entirely approve with his viewpoint. "I think what my esteemed colleague is suggesting is perhaps doubt that nations will...follow through with whatever agreements are made here. We have all heard the saying actions speak louder than words, and while such a saying might not be true all the time, its still worth remembering. Lord Mephiston is quite right when he remarks that the gods joined forces in the past to defeat a greater evil, and in this instance, we should follow their example, especially those of us familiar with the lore. Trust regrettably, will always remain an issue, especially in situations such as this but Osirion will stand alongside its allies, as it has always done, for better or for worse".
Maximo thumbed towards Ryx's direction, turning and leading him back. "They're this way. Ryx is watching them." His voice lowered a bit more. "But with Johnathon watching them, we should probably go looking for other threats..."
'Perhaps I might be better at keeping watch on these two if you were not mentioning my presence every ten seconds. At least this... weasel is here to assist me.' Jonathan sighs almost audibly, but maintains his watch on the two 'elves' in attendance. He listens to the speeches being tossed back and forth, grinning under his mask as Aramus bursts into the room. "You are... here to assist, yes?" Jonathan speaks to the weasel softly, the furry creature coiled near his ankles. "We all remain so focused on these drow, but could they be a distraction? A ploy to keep us from noticing the real threat? If the danger were to come from somewhere else, we would be like sheep for the slaughter... we need to keep looking."
Triel winces as she hears Aramus make his entrance to the room. ...ow. My ears.
Wait a minute--where's he going?
"Who's Jonathan, again? Don't recall the name." Aramus stands and follows Maximo's gesture. "Oh, the man in the mask! Hmm. Can we... trust him?" Aramus pats his face. "Usually I don't trust people who wear masks. Unless it's at a mask party."
The suspicious elves do nothing other than watch the proceedings, staying quiet and observing the delegates talking back and forth.
"I fear that you are correct," Madame Ross says. "It's very likely that no one at this table will ever fully trust each other, but we cannot let that stand in the way of us finding some middle ground. If we didn't believe that we could work together, none of us would have turned up here in the first place."
Lord Gyr nods. "I believe that is the point of the coming days. But we can't solve all the world's problems in one day. I suggest that if anyone has any grievances that require immediate attention, they voice them now. That will give us time to consider what must be done over night."
Well, aside from my sisters being here in disguise and in all likelihood intending to kill us all, I can't really think of anything.
Triel looks to the rest of the party to see if they have anything to say.
"My grievances have all been aired, and everyone already knows my stance on the various hot topics of the day. I have said all I wish to say for the time being" Zaika replies in a soft tone.
Watching the others make their cases to Lord Gyr, Jonathan thinks for a moment looks subtly towards Maximilian and the other two Gardeners. While uncertain, the Drow seemed to easily spotted to be their as assassins themselves. His eyes settle on Lord Gyr, the host of the conference.
"He is the keystone of this entire conference. Remove him, and the entire thing falls to ruin. Whoever is here, they must be after him..." Jonathan mutters under his breath, not drawing much attention to himself. "He needs to be warned, subtly." Jonathan makes what look to be fairly innocuous hand motions, like someone idly twiddling their fingers.
Jonathan sends a message to both Maximilian and the two watching the drow. 'Diversion; target' he signs, pointing first to the drow and then to Lord Gyr. 'Unknown location, caution,' he continues, gesturing to the conference room.
Maximo ushers Ryx to follow after him, deciding to lurk through the crowd to find any more suspicious targets.
Seeing that no one else seems to have anything to say, Lord Gyr nods. "Very well. Then I suggest everyone take their time to reflect on the people they've met here today. Tomorrow, the real work beings." With that, he calls the opening to a close. The First Guard form around him in an escort as they depart the conference chambers. Other representatives begin to depart, their own guards eyeing the other warily, but not making so much as a hostile glare.
Triel watches the other representatives turn and leave before looking over at Acharn.
"Well... that was enlightening. I feel more than a little overwhelmed."
Zalika keeps her position at the table, as other representatives begin to depart. She keeps her eyes focused, calculating as she thinking through the days events, but doesn't particularly make eye contact with any particular delegate, in case of causing offence. In reality though, think strategizing she is doing at the table is merely a cover, she's really just hanging around if any delegate wants to speak with her - once most if not all have left, she gets up to leave, intending to return to her lodgings and maybe chat with Father Makar about any future offers, proposals, or strategies they might make in preparation for tomorrow.
Acharn nods slowly. "That was... Tense. No one seemed willing to make a move, to take a stance so to speak. Except Zalika. Hats off to her. It's really brave going first. Time will show if that plays out to her advantage. They might just be that desperate."
He looks around as his mind returns from future planes to their present situation. "Now, let's see if we can get out of here without your family or any of their accomplices jumping us." He starts moving before the hall can empty completely, seeking cover in the crowd.
As they move to get out of the place Acharn leans close to her and says at almost a whisper "How about you come with me to the Free Nation's Headquarters? I'll keep my promise to keep your safe."
Learning as much as possible about the drow will be useful, she'll hopefully see the need for sharing that due to what's to come. I can't very well take her to the temple of Calistria. She would not be welcome there and I would be in trouble for bringing her there. Good thing I have my gear with me.
Triel pauses as Acharn whispers to her.
...it would provide me with protection, I'll admit. No point in refusing the offer--I'm unlikely to find shelter elsewhere.
"Very well." She waves an arm before her. "After you."
Acharn draws closer to Triel and puts one hand to her lower back while the other goes to the hilt of his rapier. While maneuvering through the tight crowd it's easier to keep track of each other if they remain in physical contact. "Stay close." He says as his eyes constantly scan back and forth, alert of potential danger. Damn, it's nice to have her close. Manage to flicker through his mind before his attention returns to his surroundings.
Once they manage to make it out of the worst of the throng, Acharn takes a step away, giving her some space. He enjoys the closeness, but figures she "Could you tell me a bit more about your kin, how would they behave in a fight and so on? Could be crucial if we end up in a confrontation."
Triel is silent until the two of them have finally passed through the worst of the crowd.
"Could you tell me a bit more about your kin, how would they behave in a fight and so on? Could be crucial if we end up in a confrontation."
"Do you mean my sisters, or my people in general?" She rests one hand on her scythe's handle. "My people tend to favour ranged engagements, employing personal magics and poisons to their most devastating effects they can. They typically answer to a priestess of some sort who leads them into battle."
"My sisters, on the other hand... well, they're a bit of a mixed bag. Talice is a more skilled spellcaster who fights with a rapier, but she tends to let her ego get in the way. She'd rather finish someone off in style than go for a more mundane approach." Triel looks around again. "Qilué, on the other hand, is her opposite in almost every respect. She's strong enough to effectively wield Lamashtu's sacred falchion with ease, and uses her magic to throw herself into wild rages before fights."
"Also, she tends to be very quiet, whereas Talice doesn't know when to shut up."
"A skilled spellcaster who fights with a rapier..." Acharn looks down for a moment to his hand at the pommel of one of his rapiers. "That description could also be used for me. Though I've heard it said that my mind is my greatest asset in battle. I try to not let anything cloud my judgement." He looks over at Triel, holding the look for a bit longer than necessary.
The more time I spend with her, the less I want her to go away. It feels great to finally have her open up. Maybe she starts to trust me. It's important that I stay sharp though.
His eyes return to the road and the crowds, trying to stay aware of any potential obstacles or dangers.
"Thank you for sharing. It really is appreciated." Warmth enters his voice. He's genuinely happy to finally make some progress in learning about the drow, even more so that Triel is the one who is telling him these things. A slight smile enters his normal stern and serious face, more positive emotions than what he has shown in a long while.
"We probably should get inside before discussing too much further. It could be easy for someone to overhear out here. Though I can't help but being curious about you yourself."
Maximo and Ryx tag along with the others towards the Free Nations HQ, but as he walks, a thought enters the kobold's mind. These nations needed allies, it was true. Sadly, he had none to offer, save for his own little strength and Ryx's loyalty. Even if he had a tribe like his own back in Andoran, it wouldn't be enough. He'd need many more tribes for that to make a difference. He'd need an army of them. And a dragon (or several) would certainly be a welcome addition.
He stopped for a moment behind the others, Ryx pausing and turning back to him. "...if... if it's okay, I need to visit somewhere before I get any rest. I... I need to speak with someone." Maximo heads off in a different direction, back to the Temple of Apsu he'd visited earlier. He had a couple questions he hoped to find answers for there.
Aramus continues to scan the crowd as the conference comes to an end for this day. "Seems I got here just in time to leave," he says with a chuckle. "Ah well."
As folks begin to break apart, Aramus approaches Jonathan and claps the Gardener on the shoulder. "So tell me, my masked friend. What did you think of the supposed threat, and the happenings today? Seems we're off to an ospreyish start, wouldn't you say?" He lowers his voice into a conspiratorial whisper... that can probably be heard for several feet. "Think we should tail those scoundrelous dark elves?"
"A skilled spellcaster who fights with a rapier..." Acharn looks down for a moment to his hand at the pommel of one of his rapiers. "That description could also be used for me. Though I've heard it said that my mind is my greatest asset in battle. I try to not let anything cloud my judgement." He looks over at Triel, holding the look for a bit longer than necessary.
"Perhaps. Although you seem more level-headed than her." Triel shrugs.
Though that's not saying much, really.
"Thank you for sharing. It really is appreciated."
The drow simply nods and turns her eyes back to the streets. "...you're welcome."
"We probably should get inside before discussing too much further. It could be easy for someone to overhear out here. Though I can't help but being curious about you yourself."
She turns and arches an eyebrow at Acharn.
"...and what makes you think I'm going to give up anything about myself so easily?" She folds her arms under her breasts and looks him in the eye.
Acharn's smile immediately disappear at Triel's confrontation. He meets her gaze levelledly. And this was going so well...
"Because..." He straighten his back and speaks as if reciting. "Know yourself but not your enemy, you are as likely to lose as to win. Know thy enemy but not yourself, you'll wallow in defeat every time."
He keeps her gaze for a moment more before turning towards the road again. "Anyway, this might not be the best place for such talk. We are hopefully not under such time pressure that we can't wait until we make it inside the inn."
Triel sighs. Then she snickers.
"Oh, calm down. I was messing with you." She says with a smirk.
The streets of the Ascendant Court are a bit less crowded as it gets close to nightfall, but Maximo still has to struggle to make his way through to the Temple of Apsu. Fortunately, no one pays any attention to the little kobold and his trip is uninterrupted. When he arrives, two braziers have been lit in front of the temple to provide it with light, along with a series of torches within, but no one seems to be present at the moment.
Anyone heading back to the Free Nations headquarters is immediately offered an escort in the form of one of the Eagle Knights, though none of the delegates seem to stick around. Lord Tiberius disappears along with one of his aids, heading off toward the Whispering Tyrant's representative, while Maximilian simply vanishes into the crowd as if he was never there at all. Madame Ross is speaking softly with her assistant, but departs almost immediately. The party makes their way back to the inn without incident, and they find it surprisingly lively. A number of soldiers in Taldan and Andoran garb have filled the taproom and the smell of roasted beef cooking over a fire drifts out of the kitchen in the back.
Acharn only notices how tense he is when his muscles releases. Joking around now? That's certainly a change I hadn't expected. She was all so serious before. Well, it's good I guess.
"Our cultural differences and my unfamiliarity with you in particularly made me unable to pick that up. I'll try to be more observant in the future."
---
"We are finally here, but looks like it's as easy to be overheard as out on the street. Would you prefer to eat in the common room or somewhere more secluded? I'm sure a suite would be arranged."
Acharn is hopeful that she'll accept. More time alone with her is just what he craves, even if it probably won't lead directly to what he wants, it might help on the way there. He has certainly made some progress today at least.
The smell of roasted beef causes Triel's stomach to growl and she puts a hand on her belly. Huh... how long has it been since I've had something other than trail rations? I don't even remember.
"I wouldn't object to a quieter place to dine, certainly." She brushes the hem of her chain shirt off and looks around the crowded taproom.
Besides, there's too many people here. It'd be too easy for an assassin to hide among the crowd.
Maximo peered around the empty temple, frowning a bit. Ryx slunk up besides him as the kobold pet the weasel, grimacing a bit. "...sorry to keep you out so late, Ryx. I was... I don't know what I was hoping for. I guess... I was hoping to find a dragon here. I had this... this ridiculous thought that if I had a dragon's help, I could rally other kobolds together and give us another ally for the fight... Lady Zalika and Madame Ross need as much help as they can get. You and I are strong... but an army wouldn't hurt to have, would it? ...even if it's just an army of kobolds. ...I doubt even if one was here, I could get them to help. Even if I could, whose to say any kobolds would hear me out, even with a dragon?"
Maximo felt stupid standing in these halls. Just like today - like everything else he did - he just walked blindly into things hoping that somehow he'd find a way to make it work. 'Clearly working out really well for me... I can carry the burden, but I don't know where to take it...' Maximo turned to head back to Free Nations HQ, Ryx quickly turning and tailing him. Poor Ryx must be hungry... Maximo cursed himself for not feeding him before dragging the weasel around the city on his wild goose chases.
Acharn spots a Elon Sandar in the crowd. While technically an independent merchant, the man often functions as a quartermaster for events and other things needed by the Free Nations Alliance. The man has a slight pot-belly and his hair is starting to recede, but he's dressed in fancy clothes. "Elon, over here!" Acharn calls out over the noise with a vigorous wave in his battlefield commander voice.
Once he manages to get a hold of the man, Acharn continues in a much more normal voice. "It's good to see you here Elon. I won't keep you from your fun for long, but if it wouldn't be too much of a problem, I would like a suite to be able to discuss matters in relative privacy. We'll also be eating there, so some of that steak would be splendid. We can talk there while we eat."
Inviting here in to discuss and eat with me, is only natural. Hopefully I'll be able to convince her to spend the night. We are safer together. Even if she won't be in my bed, it would be nice to know she's nearby as we sleep. I wouldn't feel safe leaving her alone for her kin to take out.
Steak?
Triel's ears perk up at the mention of steak. She opts to keep quiet as Acharn speaks with his contact, but it appears that she's especially interested in dinner now.
The quartermaster chuckles warmly as he sees Acharn waving him over. "What can I help you with lad?" he asks. "Ah, o' course. Miss Ross already has a room set aside for ya'. I think she was hopin' you'd stay around. I'll have on o' the girls bring somethin' upstairs for you and ya' lady friend to enjoy in a little bit. The roast should be done in a quarter of an hour or so."
The Osirioni representative is set up in an inn much like the Free Nations' representatives. Two guards stand at the door, one in the uniform of the Pure Legion and the other in a turban and armor with a scimitar at his hip. One glance says that neither wants to be anywhere near the other, but they remain alert and silent as Zalika returns. Inside it is somewhat quiet, with a hand full of guards and functionaries sitting in the common room. "Greetings Lady Caliana," one of the guards says. "I hope you're well."
"I'm fine thanks" Zalika remarks tiredly dumping some water on herself via her Create Water cantrip, using the method as a cheap way to freshen.
"I appreciate that its still early days, but are there any messages for me, or alternatively, anyone requiring my presence? If there is nothing outstanding then I'll probably retire for the night, its been a taxing day and I imagine its only going to get slightly more taxing tomorrow. Feel free to wake me if anything requires my attention however, we wouldn't want to offend anyone important now would we?"
The thought of enjoying a good roast makes Triel's stomach growl again.
"Mmm." She glances upstairs and shifts impatiently from foot to foot. "Acharn, which suite is yours?"
"Thank you master Sandar, you are always reliable." Acharn says as he accepts the key from the man.
---
"Second one on the right I think he said, it should be here." Acharn says and approach the mentioned door on the second floor. He unlocks the door, then holds it open to Triel to step through. "After you beautiful one." He's quite used to hold up doors for women and offer them compliments as he does so from his time in court and without thinking he speaks his real feeling on the matter.
Oups, why did I say that? It sure is true, but it's also probably coming on too strongly given racial differences.
Triel steps through the doorway and nods. "Thank you."
...huh. Vindir's been pretty quiet lately.
A small half-smirk appears on her face. Perhaps that'll be for the best, for now.
Jonathan winces as the big man approaches him, then sighs. "Yes, quite... auspicious." He brushes the larger man's hand off his shoulder, but otherwise doesn't move from his spot. "Tailing them will not get us anywhere, you are too conspicuous. They would either give us the slip or wait until we tired of tracking their whereabouts." Jonathan watches Lord Gyr as he exits the large chamber, surrounded by guards. "No, if anyone has plans tonight, they involve the Lord Gyr. He is the keystone of the conference, the lord of this neutral ground we all rest on; if someone wishes to destabilize this conference, removing him sends the rest of us crashing down." He abandons watching the drow, certain the other Gardeners have eyes on them. He moves through the crowd like a ghost, hoping Aramus can keep up with him.
"How would they strike against him? Lord Gyr is a competent mage and swordsman, and he is surrounded by the First Guard, I am sure. Poison? Setting aside his magical prowess, he likely has servants to test his food. Entrance through typical means would result in being caught by the guard, they would need to enter from an atypical entrance point... magic. Powerful magic, to bypass any magical protections in place..." Jonathan continues to mutter to himself, trying to catch up with the Spell Lord and his guardsmen. He calls after them a few times, hoping to catch their attention so they might stop.