Pulling together your knowledge and rumours, along with Nicoletta's information, you are confident you can make it to the ruins and back without any issue.
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"Well enough to transport us there?"
Oberline recalls the ruins as the former Whiterose Abbey. It is located atop a foothill on the southern slopes of the Branthlend Mountains in the shadow of the great Mount Branthlend itself, about 80 miles north of Fort Drelev in the Glenebon Uplands. Oberlin recalls dark tales about the place, as does Marcel. Together, they put together that Whiterose Abbey has been abandoned for decades. It was built by the church of Cayden Cailean, and for many years the priests who dwelt there were renowned for their rich and potent wine. The monks were considered blessed by Cayden Cailean for their vow of silence, and any liquid brewed in their blessed vats gained unusual potency and marvelous flavor, or so the tale goes. It is also said that Abbot Ildeben was murdered and the brethren poisoned by the abbey’s gardener, who went mad with jealousy after being repeatedly passed over for advancement.
"It's an ancient fort, about four days north of where you had the tournament. It sits on a hill in the middle of a desolate plain. Very remote. Just ruins now." Nicoletta replies.
Nicoletta shrugs: "We know very little. We followed and intercepted some correspondence between Pitax and a remote ruin north. We were wondering why Irovetti was sensing regular communications to a supposedly empty place, and getting replies even. The letters were cryptic, but referred to a weapon that would win them the war. What war? Well now we know. All we really know is where the letters were sent."
Thanks for the heads up. You could have a platinum finger. They're all the rage.
Nicoletta raises an eyebrow at Marcel, then says: ”Allies then. My questions to myself would be: Who’s Irovetti listening to, and how does he figure he can win such a crazy war in this forsaken land?!” She lets the questions sink in, then adds: ”For the first, we have been looking at Irovetti for a while now, and we know for certain that he has a powerful master... Mistress in fact, we believe. As to the second question, he is working on a weapon, a powerful weapon he believes will turn the tide in his favour...”
Lol! You could enchant it...
If no one has ideas, she'll eventually put something on the table ;)
”The Sczarni can profit from both outcomes. You may try to make it about us, but Pitax ruling also serves us, just in different ways. If you don’t wish to know, no need to worry then, but if you’d rather know, then make me an offer, yes?”
To Oberlin, she nods and says: "It might give you an edge. In war, every stratagem adds up, yes? Just be mindful they might be aware of that as well and planning to kill you general..." and she gives Kriger a side glance. She is taken aback by Kalsgrim's question, then her head tilts back as she laughs like a clear waterfall: "Ahahah! Excellent question! I'll answer once: How does he think he can win this war? But then I'll add a better one for free: What are you willing to give up to know what the second question should be?"
I'll be on your side. :)
Looking curiously at the woman, "Yeah. That's me. Why do you ask?" "Because your great reputation is just a pale reflection of the real thing. Truly charmed..." and she gives the ranger a long, perhaps predatory, look. She turns to Oberlin: "That might work, but wouldn't a new general rise? Until you've take Irovetti, he'll just find a new general, no?"
"You... Must be Kriger, yes?"
"Marcel, I gotta say, you might have a shot, but we're talking hundreds. You need a real force, an army..." Nicoletta says, and you feel a hint of genuine concern.
That could work. However, the book emphasizes the 'army vs army' encounters. I would rather we play using this approach or not at all, but I would rather not try an in between, as your opponents do not have these options. That being said, the army approach allows the PCs action to add some modifiers. Just keep in mind your armies will need commanding. Do we agree to focus on the armies and keep PCs actions as modifiers, or do you guys prefer the other way around?
"Mmh... That we don't know as well. We know he has troops waiting. That easier, as they're not moving much. They're in the hills north of Pitax. They're far enough from you, but they have a clear path to Frieland and Providence, once they deal with Tzatzlford, or they might ignore the town you freed from Drelev and go straight for your capital, for here, if they feel they have an opening..." "That's for Irovetti's reserves. They're a threat, but Irovetti might want to keep them for his own safety. They would flank your army should you decide to march on Pitax..." "Irovetti has some forces on the move. We know of three, and we don't think they're more. There is the Great Army of Pitax, led by General Avinash Jurrg. We think they've moved south of the great marsh and comping from the south on you, but we don't know whether they're targeting Tzatzlford or the farmlands of the Kameland, or Varnhold even..." "Irovetti has also mobilized two much smaller forces. One is a raiding band of trolls and the other is large flight of wyvern. These we were not able to keep track of. they're too small, but they're mean nonetheless."
Works for me.
"As far as we know, Irovetti is not of the sanguine type. He leaves his wars to his cruel generals... No, he's in his castle, as far as we can tell, though he has means of commmunication with them."
"That seems acceptable. We have terms then." and she gives you all a warm smile while you wonder how much you are in fact losing in this deal... "Anything in particular you want to know?"
Let's deal with the Sczarni, then we can go day by day with what you plan on doing.
The evening stretches until late in the night as you ponder your options and make plans for the threats converging on Frieland. The consensus, as you get to bed, is to adopt a defensive strategy and let the king of Pitax strike the first blow. The morning rises after you, as you sleep lightly through dreams of glory followed by nightmares of defeat. Nicoletta, the Sczarni operative, shows up just after dawn. She is dressed perfectly for the occasion, with her attire showing a dark blue restraint with but a hint of Sczarni flair in a red scarf elaborately coursing around her neck. Her eyes are quick to take your measure and she bows with deliberate decorum: "My Lords... I am Nicoletta Sczarni, at your service. Our friend Marcel has reached out to us and we possess information that we believe may prove useful to you, but as you know, we Sczarni have interests of our own. I am here to see yours and ours aligned, so that we may both profit from a strong Frieland. Have you given thought to our offer?"
Just to be clear, all of what I said doesn't invalidate what Marcel has said IC. It's just that deciding between options will help figure out what will be in the foreground and what will be in the background. For example, should you decide to attack Irovetti in person, then my guess is that the war preparations would still start and be ongoing.
Let me see if I can summarize options a bit and then I'll ask you to let me know where your preferences point. The way I see it, you have two broad options: 1. Take the offensive. If you go this route, you're attacking Irovetti before he attacks you. There are two major options: 1a. Attack his armies: you will have to get your armies together (more on that later) and locate his. We can use some version of the rules provided for armies. 1b. Attack the King: you go for Irovetti directly, no armies, 'mano a mano.' 2. Wait for Irovetti. If you go this route, you're waiting for Irovetti to make the first move. In this case, you would focus on building up your defenses, build your armies, find political allies, undermine Irovetti's political alliances. If (once?) Irovetti attacks, then you react with what you have, based on what he does. From what I have read, it seems that 1b. and 2. are the most favoured options. From a technical standpoint, 1b. is the most straightforward, as it forego the war part. I have no issue with that. About your army. You would need to make sure your alliances are still holding and then field thos earmies. Your list of options include: your own kingdom, the Sootscale Kobolds, the Centaurs, the Tiger Lords, the Boggards (let me know if I'm forgetting something). You also have a brunch with the Sczarni to work out, but it's best if you decide what option you wish to pursue. I would ask that each of you let us know whether you have strong preferences for any of these options. We can then see which way the wind seems to be blowing and decide. Let me know if I'm forgetting some option or if you would prefer we do things differently.
Good point, and nicely made. How can I help?
Yes, that's pending as well.
Other thoughts?
Sounds wise... But if he gets the big sword that is in his bag, THEN all will be just fiiiine!
Wow! I lost track too. Thanks for the reminder :) We're in book 5. The rest of the book can go many directions; some faster than others. Feel free in that regard. I have no expectations and will be happy if you guys are. Let me know when you're ready to move on. Also, it might be that some options are perhaps requiring more planning and thinking than some of you would like. I'm fine with that, but I can't read your mind. I'm trying not to railroad things, but sometimes it's actually a good thing. So let me know, let's keep talking. Basically, what I see is playing defense or offense. You have the means to do both.
Yes, Kriger's been selective about which psychos he allies with ;) True enough, and I particularly like your 'child-eating' criteria. It's a simple test to deploy among potential allies ;)
Yes, Kriger's been selective about which psychos he allies with ;)
You have made a few notable alliances: Kobolds, Centaurs, Tiger Lords. There were a few Ogres, but these you opted not to ally with, if you recall ;)
Welcome back!
Nicoleta looks at Marcel for a long moment, gauging the rogue, then she says: "I'm not sure you have two days. Word is: this has been planned long and well. Borders are just lines on paper. In the forest, you can't see borders... Perhaps you should reconsider more quickly. How about we meet at dawn for breakfast? Come with an answer, yes?"
In case you see this, but can’t log in on the forums. You have to delete your Paizo cookies from your browser’s cache. I had to do so twice before I was able to log in.
"Irovetti..." starts Nicoleta "...displaced many when he took over. There are rumours on how he did this... Promise me two things. First, if you kill him, then I get three of his possessions. Second...if you win this war, we will help you take over the country, if it comes to that, but if it comes to that, we choose whole will rule Pitax, under Kalsgrim's leadership, of course..." She takes a sip of wine and savours it with a pensive smile, letting Marcel consider.
;)
Yes, you're only missing the downtime.
I can try to provide what I have on my end, but this is a good time to review all this and move the story forward :) Does our kingdom have any kind of security forces? You have an army. Pitax probably has a bigger one, since it's a bigger realm, bubt it's invading (note that it hasn't attacked you so far. You've interrupted messages. Do we have any allies with military capabilities? You have allies from your previous conquests, which you might be able to leverage. How do we normally control our borders? Do we? There is no formal way of controlling your borders, except for the roads connecting it, but this is usually done in the towns where the roads lead. What's the geography? Do we have any wide rivers, deep marshes or forbidding mountain ranges that protect our flanks? Is our best strategy just to scry and fry Irovetti? That's a wonderful question, but I won't answer it. Kriger also has a great idea ;)
With a short prayer, thanks to Malaswyn's steady faith and service to Sarenrae, you are transported back to Frieland. Malaswyn's niece was there praying. Startled, she says: "Short day at the office... Will you all be working from home now?"
Jamandi smiles and nods no.
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