"Undead! That's what we're here to fight together!" Takarias exclaims, pulling out his bow. "Quickly, everyone! For the alliance!"
Takarias and Raneshi join Gorion in fighting the undead! As they trade blows with the skeleton, its illusory nature soon becomes clear, a phantom foe conjured by one of Gorion's allies nearby. Still, the sparring session is good exercise, and Gorion laughs heartily when the final blow is struck and the unreal undead flickers and fades.
"Not bad," Gorion says, grabbing a towel to wipe off his sweat. He offers towels to those of you who joined the fight as well. "Shall we go to the study now? Let us discuss how this council might come to be a part of Lastwall's war efforts."
The study is littered with maps and reports about the Lastwall forces in the region and beyond. The bulk of their forces are south, in Andoran and on the Isle of Kortos, with only limited forces still holding ground in the Gravelands.
Once everyone is seated, Gorion begins. "I'm sure you're aware that the knights of Lastwall are already at war with Tar-Baphon, and have been for several years. it is our sacred duty to put the lich back into his cage or possibly even destroy him for good. The safety and protection of all the nations around Lake Encarthan are, of course, of paramount importance, but I urge you to consider the primary goal here, to put an end to the threat once and for all."
"We found a frontal assault against the undead difficult when they are mounted on flying zombies. Perhaps we could rip something up as a trap if we are all working together. I know of several that do positive damage, so you mutual allies would not be hurt."
Blooms in Darkness is delighted to finally be speaking to someone who seems to understand what it is to oppose the dark. "Fervor and determination is what will be required; I support the Knights of Lastwall in leading this charge."
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Takarias starts to talk about the battle against Tar-Baphon but it becomes obvious all too quickly that word of what happened in Lastwall didn't reach Sovyrian before the elf came to Kyonin. His words only seem to highlight what he's not aware of.
Well done! Bravo! The artistry brings to mind the remaining Last Wall cells still holding onto the Grave lands and those abroad. Bringing everyone home is paramount.
Idari--Disarmingly Smiles--at the General as Takarias stumbles.
Alkabah is unable to glean enough insights into Gorion's mind. Idari quickly interjects to cover up Takarias's blunder before it can leave a bad impression. Idari himself makes progress on winning over the knight, as do Blooms and Raneshi.
"Our ultimate goal here is to get as many nations as possible to sign the Conquest Accord," Gorion says. "But we cannot ourselves sign it without further guarantees that the other nations will follow through on their word."
"Fervor and determination are important, but so is subtlety. We need to strike at exactly the right moment, in ways the Tyrant would not expect." Raneshi says.
"You seek to lead the attack on the field of battle, why not do it here as well?"
Idari nods in complete agreement of Blooms suggestion.
Generals do lead by example after all.
"Part of the art of battle is anticipating the unanticipated," Takarias says, almost like he's quoting something. "Takarias Higharrow. If we knew everything was going to go the way we wanted, it would be easy to wage war, but the important thing is being ready in case something does go wrong. I'm sure all of our allies will help when we need them, but even if they didn't, we can prepare for that!"
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"The nation of Lastwall and her survivors are invaluable assets within this battle against the tyrant. When we succeed, and we shall, in defeating the forces of our foe and cleansing the land of any undead that remain it should be noted that this one shall rally for all support to aid in the rebuilding of the works of the land."
Gorion seems nonplussed by the unconventional tactics Raneshi suggests. However, the rest of you manage to do an amazing job at getting on the champion's good side. Indeed, by the end of the small council, the orc's grin is broad.
"Of course, we would prefer if the other nations agree to allow Lastwall to lead the war forces, but we are willing to sign all four of the accords, even if we must cede some concessions to other forces. The markup on goods Druma has proposed is annoying, but acceptable."
He reaches out a powerful hand to shake on the agreement. "You have shown yourselves worthy allies to the Knights of Ozem. Please, accept this gift as a testament to our alliance." He offers you a +2 armor potency rune.
Blooms in Darkness nods gravely. "So shall your order serve as a bulwark to us all."
Idari Lucien bows to the Champion of Last Wall.
May we have the chance to fight that Evil together for all our sakes.
After lunch, you prepare to meet with the Ustalavic delegation, but Clavance Ordranti's servants inform you that the delegate prefers to meet at dusk and ask you to return later. You wait for the appointed time and return, where you find the delegation in the midst of a celebration. The main doors are flung wide, and the sounds of laughter and music can be heard within. A single servant at the door offers you goblets of wine from a tray as you enter. Inside, you find Clavance at the center of the party, drinking and talking with his various retainers and guests (including several staff members from the Druma, Molthune, and Razmiran delegations).
Clavance grins at you and raises his own goblet. "Welcome, welcome! Take a seat, relax, and have fun! It's a party, after all!"
This sort of celebration is not much to Raneshi's taste, but she tries to be cordial: "We seldom see this type of celebration where I am from, Clavance."
Blooms in Darkness isn't one for frivolity, but the leshy knows well that those who must be convinced often lurk in dens of such levity.
"So this is what you can do when you put your mind to a task. I see that Druma, Molthune, and Razmir are here. Is it you then who inspires such loyalty that we should speak to to weld our coalition together?"
Dressed in his usual military accomplishments, his blue robes flowing freely as the Ilverani Elf glides through the room to stand proudly in front of Clavance. A fresh glass of wine in hand, Idari toasts the gathered ensemble.
Greetings! This is a fine preamble. To Ustalav and it's wonders!
"A party! What a wonderful idea!" Takarias exclaims, immediately getting distracted by the general sense of happiness.
Clavance quickly becomes bored with Alkabah, Raneshi, and Takarias, but he warms up to Idari and especially Blooms in Darkness! The nobleman seems to get a kick out of the fungus leshy's curmudgeonly nature.
"Druma, Molthune, Razmir. No matter where they hail from, everybody's just looking for an excuse to let loose!" Clavance declares. "For is that not the true purpose of life? Overindulgence and excess? If it's not, then I don't know what is!" He laughs merrily and drains his decanter of wine, holding it out for a servant to refill.
Eventually, after half an hour, Clavance heaves a reluctant sigh. "I suppose we should talk business, then. How dull. Well, best not to disrupt the party." He stands up with a sour look on his face and invites you to follow him upstairs. Once there, he pours himself more wine and offers you each another glass before finally getting around to talking about the treaty.
"Ustalav will sign the Writ of Nonaggression. We should also be a part of this Mutual Aid Alliance, if for no other reason than to ensure the steady flow and trade of wines and cheeses from the south. But I refuse to even consider this third article, the so-called Self Defense Agreement. Ustalav is uninterested in drawing the Whispering Tyrant's ire, thank you very much!"
"Could the Whispering Tyrant be any more irate with Ustalav? He was imprisoned in your country for long ages," Raneshi offers.
Idari listens, nods, toast at Clavance's reasonable responses to their requests.
I heard that if the Tyrant rules this land, he will outlaw parties, drinking, and life.
Takarias, a little at a loss by the Ustalavans hedonistic nature, takes a moment to assess him.
"Your people have already felt the spectral lash of the Tyrant, and for no greater reason than proximity. He will not spare you, and that war, that calamity will put an end to your amusements and frivolities. Only in standing together shall undying threats like him be put to an end; you should stand together with us as we attack, you must not let yourself defend alone."
Though Alkabah's arguments don't seem to carry much weight, the rest of you manage to quickly impress the frivolous nobleman with the importance of the Self Defense Agreement.. Clavance waves his hand indulgently. "Very well, then. Ustalav would not be entirely averse to having allies should Tar-Baphon decide to return to Gallowspire. We will sign the third article. We will not be signing the fourth one, this Conquest Accord, though. But we will gladly support such a conquest in our own way should it occur."
It doesn't look like you'll be able to get Clavance to budge any further on this final point. Indeed, he's already distracted and ready to return to the party. You feel like you've accomplished all you can with him.
Idari nods in understanding to Clavance's reasonable decisions. The Ilverani Elf decides to further accompany the Ustalavian back to the party to celebrate their accomplishments.....
May Ustalav inspire all our neighbors.
"A strong showing," Raneshi compliments her comrades when they leave the party. "We are well on our way to having an effective alliance. We'll need everyone we can gather if the Tyrant does attack."
After the second day of small council meetings, Dalamian invites the delegates and their entourages to a garden party at Vynoren Estate. Tents and tables have been set up throughout the day, and chefs are busy in the manor’s kitchens preparing a feast for the assembled dignitaries.
That evening, the entire estate is lit by strings of colorful lanterns and swarms of lazy fireflies swirling overhead. It’s a pleasant evening, with gentle breezes carrying the sound of music from a trio of performers located near the Silver Crescent. As the event progresses, everyone is invited to the central tent where dinner and drinks await.
In the central tent, elves serve perfectly roasted venison and Lake Encarthan bass over lemongrass, a hearty vegetable stew, a light spring salad with a sweet wine vinaigrette, and an entire table of sumptuous pastries and deserts. And of course, there’s plenty of truly exceptional wine. As the food is being served, Dalamian rises to address the assembled crowd, telling them how pleased she is at the progress being made on such an important problem. She goes on to say that the queen has sent several bottles of wine from her own fields to be served at tonight’s party, and she hopes that everyone will take this evening to get to know each other and form bonds of friendship that will help to navigate them all through these difficult times.
After the meal, you are free to wander, dance with fellow delegates, participate in simple lawn games, or go tour the colorfully lit garden and meet its eccentric keeper.
The second game is a test of strength involving a pulley and an increasing series of weights suspended from a tree branch. A PC participating in this game must make a series of Athletic checks until they fail two in a row, causing them to drop the weights. The checks start at DC 20 and increase by 2 with each additional check. Walder Resket enjoys this game and anyone who beats him earns 1 Influence Point (or 2 Influence Points if they beat him by achieving at least 5 more successes than him).
While there’s time for a PC to play multiple games, only the first game a PC plays against a delegate counts toward earning Influence Points.
Chalzo Rove and Alzarius both visit the garden during the party, and a PC who walks with one of them through the Stroll can attempt to earn Influence Points through idle chatter. A DC 28 Nature check is enough to earn 1 Influence Point, as is a DC 26 Mercantile Lore check for Chalzo or a DC 26 Religion check for Alzarius. (A critical success earns 2 Influence Points, while a critical failure costs 1 Influence Point.) Note you have maximum influence with Chalzo already.
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Alkabah decides after dinner that most of the events are not for it, and decides to tour the garden. In the evening light, small buds that seem to be made of moonlight begin to grow over Alkabah's body which the Conrasu pays no mind. It does begin making idle conversation with the newest face of Alzarius during the walk hoping not to bore the figure with ramblings of the various faiths of the assembled groups, how they might work together, how some even share some tenets, even if only by virtue of looking at them very loosely.
The second game is a test of strength involving a pulley and an increasing series of weights suspended from a tree branch. A PC participating in this game must make a series of Athletic checks until they fail two in a row, causing them to drop the weights. The checks start at DC 20 and increase by 2 with each additional check. Walder Resket enjoys this game and anyone who beats him earns 1 Influence Point (or 2 Influence Points if they beat him by achieving at least 5 more successes than him).
Idari saunters on over to Walder Resket. The Barbarian casually circles the General. His blue eyes shining with meth and friendship, the Ilverani Elf bows to the General of Molthune.
My good friend, Walder Resket! My Ancestors would mock me for the rest of my days, if I don't properly represent them in this contest. Would you care to wager?
The tall Snowcaster elf begins doing yoga for 15 minutes, as he continues to converse with Walder Resket.
Admittedly, my slender elven (plant-based in some RPGs) frame pales in comparison to such as your Ancestry, but I believe with the proper leverage one may compensate.
The Barbarian winks at the military man as he begins the contest.
Idari finishes with a bow and expectancy....
"I love gardens!" Takarias exclaims as Talwivir points out some of the plants. "They're so full of growing things, which is just inspirations. I try to grow a little bit every day, emotionally, educationally or physically. And I always try to be a ray of sunshine so I can nurture people, just like the sun nurtures plants."
It is quite beyond Blooms in Darkness to take part in games that do not have an obvious purpose, but a garden stroll is another matter. "You must remember what we all fight for."
The leshy has no particular quarrel with Razmir or his priests, so Blooms in Darkness spends the stroll in discussion over the various dicta of Alzarius's faith, and Blooms in Darkness's rather more patchwork theology.
"Let the challenge commence," Walder says to Idari with a grin. The two test heir might against the pulleys. It's a close competition, but Idari manages to last just a bit longer than Walder, who drops the weights one turn before the elf. Panting with exertion, he claps Idari on the shoulder. "Good show, my friend! I admire your robustness!"
Alkabah and Blooms walk beside Alzarius through the gardens, the trio making an interesting group. The priest of Razmir proves to be warm and personable, and is quite happy to debate the virtues of the Living God. RAzmir teaches that acquiring money and power grants mortals the lives they want, and are thus the only true pursuits of mortal life. For it is better to have prosperity and happiness in this life rather than having to wait until after death. By the end of the walk, Alzarius seems to have a much higher opinion of your group.
The festivities go until midnight, at which time Dalamian thanks the delegates for their attendance and adds that she hopes they get a good night’s rest before the next day of small council meetings.
***
Morning dawns on the fourth day of the council. After breakfast, you seek out the Razmiran delgation's quarters. When you arrive, Alzarius is leading a sermon, extolling the virtues of Razmir to his assembled fellow priests and entourage. One of this entourage invites you inside and offers you a seat at the back of the parlor, where a makeshift shrine to the Living God has been erected. Yo are told that the Alzarius will meet with them as soon as the sermon has concluded.
Alzarius goes on about the virtues of wealth, telling his followers that Razmir believes that all should strive for financial power, for only those with can truly help others. Razmir, he goes on to state, has the most power of all, and he in turn uses that power to the benefit of his believers. This is why the faithful are so dedicated to prosperity and why, in turn, they share of it so deeply with the faith, for in this exchange they enrich themselves even more...
This is all rubbish, but I'll keep my peace for now, Raneshi thinks. Mind adrift, she examines the workmanship of the shrine.
"So we should get money so we can give it away? That's brilliant! I bet Razmir and the Prophets of Kalistrade get along wonderfully!" Takarias says.
Blooms in Darkness is as nearly ever a glowery presence, unimpressed with the temporality of Razmir's teachings. Still, the zealous leshy isn't here to save souls, but to see a terrible evil scoured from the land.
Blooms waits in silence.
Idari graciously accepts the invitation to witness a live Razmirian service. The Twight light Speaker seems to be enjoying the experience.
After the sermon, Alzarius approaches you and invites you up to the altar to talk as the other guests all leave the room. He starts by talking to you about the sermon, going on at lengths about how, through Razmir, you all might be saved, for his blessings will surely be vital in defeating the Whispering Tyrant. This is why they’re encouraging so many of their believers to give deeply during these troubled times. He then explains that Razmir himself has authorized Alzarius to ensure these funds are used where they are most needed.
"To that end," the masked priest says, "Razmiran will not just join the Mutual Aid Alliance, but it will help to fund it as well. We are offering to contribute twice as much as the other nations gathered here to the effort.
"Beyond that, though, things become tricky. I am aware that the other delegates view us with suspicion. I have heard the rumors that we already have an existing non-aggression pact with the Whispering Tyrant and that the Living God has been delivering the bodies of our dead to the Tyrant's forces. The first part is true, but the second part is a falsity. And even so, the pact is something that most of the Council of Visions regrets.
"Razmiran would like to be part of the Encarthan Alliance's Self-Defense Agreement, but it does not want to draw Tar-Baphon's ire by leaving its existing nonaggression pact with him. So if we are to sign that, we will need assurances that the arrangements remain known only to the delegates."
"We are eager to have you in the alliance. Your capital city sits at a strategic point for the defense of Lake Encarthan," Raneshi avoids discussing the man's religious beliefs and focuses on tactics.
"I'm sure everyone will be happy to keep quiet about being allied with Razmir," Takarias assures, saying it just positively enough that it manages to not be an inadvertent insult to the living god.
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Alkabah had paid attention during the sermon and sits now in the delegation room pondering some things about the new information.
"This one understands that you are willing to use the resources of your faith to aid the cause, but are not willing to submit manpower to the effort. However it must ask how long do you think the transfer of funds will escape the eye of the Tyrant? When it's forces begin to struggle do you believe the tyrant will not simply take your dead by force to fuel the ever expanding machinations of it's will? This one foresees a time where the Razmiran people will be forced to abandon their faith and worship the tyrant instead should events play out poorly for the alliance."
Idari glances at Takarias as he makes his statement, but he smiles at the well timed joke.
A secret benefactor seems reasonable to me. Xer is an important part of this alliance.
Alzarius listens to your concerns and arguments politely. Soon, he finds himself nodding along. "You all make very good points. I believe in you and in this alliance. And as a show of trust..."
He reaches up to doff his hood and remove his mask, revealing the features of a handsome aiuvarin man with light brown hair and a goatee. He gives you a smile. "You see, I am part elven myself. I have long wanted to find a way for Razmiran and Kyonin to work more closely together, and this is that chance."
Alzarius puts the mask back in place before continuing. "We will sign all four articles of the Encarthan Alliance. Additionally, I will guarantee that Razmiran recalls of its faith barges until the crisis of dealing with the Whispering Tyrant has been resolved and will work to ensure that all future barges have better relations with those they visit. We will buy the gear we need from Druma, and we will allow Lastwall to lead the charge against the Tyrant's forces."
"Excellent, this alliance is really coming together. Time well spent, convincing our allies to come into full compliance," Raneshi reflects.
The Ilverani Elf bows deeply to Alzarius.
May your Razmirian beliefs strengthen your days ahead, my friend.
"Your wisdom does your faith credit, Alzarius. May this only be the beginning of our alliance."