LPDnD: Hazy Shade of Winter

[Staris]

"Our, passing into Blood Army there seemed to be plenty of hostitiiles between the two, and our getting through the Blood Armies lines I likely added some fuel to that fire though of course more could be done there. Though I would be concerned drawing the Drow into this too that once both forces are on the mend that we have them to contend with as well."

"I doubt we are really planning on this small group taking on both armies. At the end of the day it will be armies that wins this war, we are a surgical strike force that helps tip the balance in areas, useful especially where an army would be less effective."

"One thing that that would be especially helpful is if we could incite more warring between the two armies. If they are keeping themselves preoccupied would mean our and our allies such as the Citadel's forces are more effective."

[Blackferne]

"Obviously your force isn't a full army, but a series of surgical strikes, or assassinations could tip either based on who was hit. It might prove prudent given this fear of reckoning how each force intends to bring their new god to the mortal realm to begin with and see what can be done to effectively sabotage that." The colonel says.

[Furiel]

"Tony Plush would have to agree with the Colonel, we don't have the strength and opportunity to try to fight both at once. Winning this war, or wars, is a huge job and the only way to get a huge job done is to break it down into a bunch of smaller, manageable jobs. Otherwise it's just too much, you get overwhelmed and the job never gets done. And he seems to be thinking along Tony Plush's lines as well. Everyone talks about how a this battle or that battle can be the turning point of a war and that can be true. But more often it's the little things, like key intelligence or a timely assassination of an important leader that will tip the balance much more than anything else.

And what's worse is that we still haven't even talked about the phantom menace...Vlad, Vigo and the Spectral Alliance. They are still out there remember, even if they aren't actively taking the field against anyone right now..."

[Staris]

"Oh something to keep an ear out for is a magical device being used on the blood army which hopefully would help to well setback their aim of resurrecting Bah'al." Stavis will then explain their dealings with Hephus inside of Silver Deep.

"They are something to watch for sure Tony but I was under the impression they where covertly helping the Southern Alliance though of course there is no guarantee that they will continue to do so."

"Granted there will want to be focus put on one but I doubt we will be able to ignore the other side until one is defeated and saw us a something to help ensure the fronts on both sides are going well and fixing issues where problems arise to help ensure we keep the ball rolling in our favor. If you will excuse me I think its about time I did some meditating as I think on some that has been discussed and of course feel free to continue but would suggest we not dwell to hard right now on where we go after here as there will be plenty more opportunities before the gate is finished."

Unless stopped by one of the group will position himself for his meditation in viewing distance to the guards, away from the water well, and a reasonable distance from the table should the colonel wish to state something outside of his earshot.

[Jimer Lins]

Trinal nods to Tony. "Absolutely correct, Tony- what about our erstwhile foes and now unknown quantity of the Spectral Alliance? Should we court them as allies, treat them as foes, or see if there's a way to put them and our other foes at each others' throats?

The colonel raises a good point, though. What do we know specifically about the activities of the Chulassa and the Blood Army? Their leadership, apparent goals and so forth. Colonel, could you give us the current situation as you know it?

"

[Blackferne]

"I can't say I've heard of the Spectral Alliance. But I do know that the Chulassa have a huge empire going all the way to the far eastern coast. They've enslaved their armies and brought them west to fight. Occasionally we have seen Demon spawn in our telescopes surveying their forces, but most are mortal. The Chulassa are ruled by an Emperor who is famous for his ability to ride horse and fight in battle mounted. His sons are major generals and it is a family affair. Rumors are that they are collecting goods to make connections to the infernal realm and allow Orcus to ascend, though what that entails the rumors rarely say.

The Army of Blood however I know less about, mostly they they hope to bring Bha'al back through a rebirthing ceremony once the right heir through breeding has been accomplished. I couldn't say I know any more than that though. Much more into ritual sacrifice though. Gory stuff." the Colonel says.

[Furiel]

"What do you know about the army at the doorstep? One of Tony Plush's semi-suicidal ideas for how to help break the siege would be for The Phoenix Guard to infiltrate their HQ and assassinate their leadership. Kill the head and the snake will die..."
Tony punctuates his statement with a fairly predatory smile

[Whiteness]

"When we were on...the other side... we were told that we would need to acquire a great power before we would be able to stop these threats. Building the gate was a stepping stone in that plan, now for the next step, I'm not sure. We can't really fight an army as we are now, and Tony, I like your plan, I'd just like it a bit more if the odds were more in our favor" Syric punctuates that thought with a friendly slap to Tony's shoulder

"Maybe for now we should focus on cutting down their attempts to try and bring back Orcus and Ba'al, find out what objects they're looking for and beat them to them, stop them from getting the heir they need...that kind of thing. Or maybe we just wait until the gate is up and see what's new back at Waterdeep with the professor"

[Blackferne]

"The army amassing down on the plain is led by a pair of grandsons of the Chulassa Emperor. They have a steady supply of logistical reinforcements coming daily. If I had to guess they figure it is nearing time ot break the seige so they can free up forces to the pass in the mountains down south where they battle the Army of Blood or to make additional gains further south than that. As long as we hold out, we force them to keep some military presence here, usually at what we estimate is a multiplier effect. Our reputation and success in the limited engagements we've had in the past I think has them worried what we could do if they simply left or reduced sufficiently for us to take out the army below. As for formation they form an arc cupping the mountain range and the terrain in the mountains is routinely patrolled from what we can tell. It isn't suitable for large scale combat to either sides advantage. Their camps are in basic grid formations. And lately they are building these siege weapons unlike we've seen before. Our wisest war wizards suspect they are magical and demonic in nature." The colonel says.

[Jimer Lins]

"Then we should probably make it a priority to get the gate built as soon as possible, wouldn't you say?"

[Blackferne]

"I'd say get a good night's sleep, and we can get you started tomorrow morning." The Colonel says standing up. Victae also stands up at attention.

[Furiel]

"Some rest wouldn't be amiss and we definitely have some things to process..."

Tony will wait til the Colonel leaves

"Just something to ponder Trinal, if we can't kill their leadership would it be possible to maybe sneak out and sabotage their constructs to have them backfire when used..."

[Jimer Lins]

"Anything we can do would be to the good. However, I have a feeling the General will be disinclined to let us do anything that involves leaving the Citadel."

[Staris]

While staying in his meditated pose or opening his eyes. "I would be careful just trying to remove the leadership, unless we remove a sufficient amount of the leadership that the group falls apart, likely to just enrage them to attack which I doubt we want, plus I get the feeling it even if they didn't attack wouldn't be very long before said leadership was replaced. Along those lines though terrorizing the force at all times, arrows from the walls periodically during the day and night raids to keep them on high alert at all times to convince more desertion or rebellion against the leadership by the major of those forced into conscription. For the night depending on the supplies, small pouches of gunpowder even if they are little more then sound then doing any real damage to giving our side the ability to slip back into the night with a reduced risk of getting pinned down."

After a short pause "Though I doubt they will be willing to take a battle strategy directly form the Drow."

"I think I would rather the constructs be destroyed than tampered with, don't like depending on them not to notice and fix it, and if gunpowder is available should do well to destroy or significantly set them back."

"I would assume that the general could however be convinced with the understanding that we are following the orders of those that go with the group, sans the two of us Trinal. Though may still require that the gate get built first before action can be taken, in which case at least you would be able to participate then. Although they may surprise me in letting you go Trinal since I figured there are others here who could construct the gate in your stead."

[Blackferne]

"I think we should help Trinal in anyway we can to get the gate built. Given Waterdeep's resources there may be something in the library which might odentify what those seige engines are going to be." Victae says before settling into a pile of furs to sleep.

[Jimer Lins]

Trinal eyes Victae. "An excellent point. Also, I want to consult with the Professor and the leaders at Waterdeep on what's been going on. I'll try to get a look at the siege engines during the day tomorrow if I can and see if I can tell anything about them. But for now, I think Victae has the right idea." Trinal will also prepare for bed.

[Whiteness]

Syric will prepare for sleep as well.

[Furiel]

"Yeah, we'll have plenty of time to figure things out in the next few weeks..."

Tony will prep himself for sleep as well. Tony will make sure that he is positioned near Stavis and between the entrance and where Stavis is resting.

[Blackferne]

Morning comes. Well you are informed that morning arrives with the morning chimes. Victae quickly readies herself for morning roll call and says bye. The guards outside deliver an assortment of sweet breads and jams.

[Jimer Lins]

Nom, nom.

"I will start by looking into where things stand with regard to a place for building this gate. I think I need to find that elf who was with the General yesterday."

[Staris]

Stavis will get up around the time Victea gets ready to go being sure wish her luck on her first day with a slight chuckle.

When Trinal goes to sit down to eat will do the same. "Unless they are unready for you I would expect him or others to collect you at some point, may be a bit early for others to also help but would suggest any that wish to help in the construction get ready soon."

After starting to eat a couple of the sweet breads, [OOC assuming they are rolls sized other wise eating a part of one], ignoring the jams to ensure the dwarfs can have them in peace "Unless you don't wish to be without your ritual book Trinal, which I will understand if that is the case, may as well do something constructive while I wait to have both books have our combined known rituals or at least as close and can be down with the remaining supplies."

"Granted will likely not be cheap but probably wouldn't hurt to see what if any rituals they have for sale."

If Trinal agrees to hand over his ritual book after eating his meal will move further down the table to give space for those eating and will begin copying the different rituals, assuming Traveler's Camouflage is done in Trinal's book will work on the ritual Trianal used to communicate. After that will copy the remainder of the Rituals that Stavis's book has into Trinals before revising the task. Being sure to ensure he has enough supplies before starting the next copy.

[Jimer Lins]

Sure, thanks. Trinal will hand over his ritual book.

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[Whiteness]

Syric will join the others in eating. His current priority to assist in any way to help get the gate built.

[Blackferne]

A short while later Darius walks into teh room attended by two assistants male and female wearing scholar robes.

"Morning Trinal and other guests." His smile dampers slightly when his wandering look scans past Stavis. "Ahem today we have a big day I'm sure. I was wondering how we can best serve you in gate construction. We have a cavern cleared out ready to make into a gate room as it were. Do you need anythign else for refreshment? Juice perhaps? Olessa get the man some ligonberry juice immediately and Renau see if the kitchen has any of the gravy and biscuits left!" he orders his aides and they scurry out the room.

[Staris]

Stavis without stopping the copying will nod in the scholars direction in respect but will otherwise let the man pretend he isn't here.