A storm on the silver sea (Everyone)

[Nephrite]

More would be great. OOC I don't know that much about him really.

[Ebiris]

"This is a disaster," Afina says bleakly after hearing Morniel's report. "I planned for a much smaller engagement," spent hours handing out orders and preparing contingencies too! "As well as assuming we'd be first on location. Given our hand in creating this, a late arrival will do our reputation no favours."

Still they must push on. "We don't have time to change troop assignments, and the groupings still work. I propose Smith move in to close the rift with Hammer clearing the way, effectively merging those forces.  Anvil will remain  in reserve to guard Aurora. The only change is to swap Ithea and I - her anarch abilities will be too useful in the rift to pass up. I'll keep Aurora safe."

[Corwin]

"So everyone and their sister has their hand in it," Jaela muses. "Right. What about Seira? It's her plane that's getting polluted, sorta. Kascha, any news there?"

[Anastasia]

Domiel stands to end tyranny of all types, especially that of undead, which he finds offensive. He is a patron of life and the stealthy, his agents exterminating evil when needed. He fights with a large greatsword that can devastate even the undead with precise sneak attacks.

Morniel meanwhile nods, "Yes, but let us cover the situation before making binding decisions," Morniel says, "As Jaela says, many forces have been identified. Firstly," Another snap, this time a dot appearing on the southern bottom of the sphere. "A small fleet of githyanki ships have been sighted here. Reports from scouts indicates non-aggression and cooperation so long as the rift is sealed and the influence onto the Astral destroyed. There are unverified reports that Queen Vlaakith herself commands the fleet. How the githyanki responded so swiftly isn't clear."

"Ways and means," Sage Vul'lath murmurs. "I am not surprised if Vlaakith has chosen to intervene."

"Yes," Morniel continues. "Next, a expeditionary force from The Cauldron has made contact with celestial agents within the affected area. They are lead by Lady Amaryl Gaial." Another dot appears, this one a bit into the sphere. "Her forces are largely elementals of various stripes and some dragons. It is unknown if Seira herself is participating in the battles directly. They are most likely attempting to find a way to the rift so that they can seal it themselves."

"Third," This time a dot appears deeper in, "Advance scouts have encountered a pack of astral dreadnoughts. The beasts seem to be feeding on the energies of the rift, directly absorbing them when possible and consuming changed creatures when not. They attack anything they see. This behavior is completely unheard of in the dreadnoughts, which suggests the rift has somehow caused this. They are solitary creatures and do not form packs."

"Ugh." Canderella grimaces visibly, "Those things. Anything within sight of that eye's as magical as an old sock. Far too many spellcasters have been lunch because they got hit with their damned anti magic gaze."

"Yes, and as a pack, they're showing signs of using multiple gazes intelligently," Morniel confirms, "It is possible this is a previously unknown pack with unknown motivations and origins. It is also possible they are a result of the rift. Regardless, they must be dealt with if they interfere. Now then, there's reports of Inevitables being sighted as well as a handful as observers in Domiel's army. As of yet, I have heard of no word of an organized response by Mechanus, but it is likely a question of when rather than a question if they will."

After a moment, no immediate questions being asked, "Now then. The eladrin have been sighted, mostly single, powerful eladrin venturing into the rift. They will doubtless be allies if encountered, but as of now, there is no sign of an organized eladrin offensive into the rift."

Morniel pauses and looks around, "Questions so far?"

[Ebiris]

"Nothing from the lower planes? No demons causing trouble, no devils offering 'help'?" Afina asks.

[Anastasia]

"If only we were so blessed,"  Morniel says, "They're next."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm.. Well, we have quite a few potential allies there. We should send someone to connect with the Githyanki. Active allies or not, they should realize that a coordinated effort will be much faster than going it alone, even if it's just syncing up our timings. I know Aurora has dealings with The Cauldron, and if there's a chance Seira's with them, then we should definitely at least relate our plan to them so they can compensate for us. Kascha's an Eladrin, right? She should be ready to talk to them if they approach us. I think the area is too large for us to go seek them out individually, but they'll probably take an interest once we start working."

"If nothing else, having open lines of communication will let us respond to whatever forces the lower planes and Hopelorn are spewing out."

With this, Surraruthru turns back to Morniel and waits for further information.

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh looks cheerful at the mention of eladrin, but deflates as it's stated that there has been no large incursion of them.

[Corwin]

"Let's hear about the fiends."

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Morniel agrees, "All reasonable suggestions. Coordination of forces is being handled."

Gisfal speaks up now, "I've dealt with that and informed The Cauldron of our intentions."

"Now then," Morniel cuts back in, "Evil. Let us begin with the devils. First of all, bands of Necrolytes have been spotted within the rift. It is unclear if they are survivors or part of an effort by Lixer to salvage the situation. As of now, reports are unclear." Morniel then snaps his fingers, a dot appearing just outside of the western center of the sphere. "A group of powerful gelugon wizards along with various thralls have been sighted here. Under the flag of truce, they have identified themselves as The Cold Ones."

Morniel pauses just for a moment, letting his gaze sweep about the room. "The Cold Ones are a cabal of mortals and formal mortals sworn to Duke Leonar of Cania. Duke Leonar met with celestial scouts and impressed his desire to close the rift. An informal agreement to ignore one another has been accepted by both sides. As we all know, the devils cannot be trusted, but for now the general agreement is that closing the rift is more important."

"Deeper within there are reports of a band of erinyes and brachina. Details are sketchy, though intelligence suggests that they are The Flesh Harvest. They are a contingent that serves Glasya, Lord of the Sixth. The commander, exact numbers and other information is not known, as they are newly formed. Their motivations in this affair are unknown and The Cold Ones did not mention interference from Glasya."

[Ebiris]

"I expected Glasya," Afina speaks up, glad at least some of her planning was on target. "Perfect chance to show up her brother. We'll use other forces as a buffer between us and the devils where possible - cooperation just can't happen. What about demons or yugoloths or... anything else?"

[Corwin]

"Is that agreement binding on us?" Jaela inquires. "Or made on our behalf in any way? And speaking of agreements, were the dragons in allied forces told about us?" She gestures at her forehead.

[Anastasia]

"Informal between Celestia's forces and the devils," Morniel says, "If we cooperate with them, we'll be expected to honor it as well. As for dragons, I have passed word along," Morniel remarks.

Clearing his throat again, "The daemons are active. First of all, there are signs and omens that the liches of Hopelorn are active. What they are doing isn't clear, though they are likely near or at the rift itself." A finger snap makes a black dot in the center of the sphere appear. "More information will hopefully be found as we approach closer."

"Secondly, the Shadow Seekers have been confirmed to be attacking anyone who attempts to enter the rift. They are a group of ultroloth assassins who serve The Adversary, one of his many diseased arms that enforce his will on the daemons. We know this because one made the mistake of getting Domiel's attention. It attempted to assassinate a throne archon leading a raid and Domiel took offense at the daemon. The daemon's subsequent confessions confirmed that The Adversary is interested in the rift expanding."

Morniel pauses, leaning forward on the table and hands down on it. "This is likely why efforts to travel to Krangath have failed since the rift begain. We believe that The Adversary or even the General of Gehenna desires for the rift to spread all across the Astral. Doing anything on the Gehenna side of the rift is functionally impossible now, so attacking it from that end isn't an option."

Morniel takes a breath, "And finally, the demons. They've been spotted - including some spontaneously appearing from Hopelorn itself. There is no organization to them. If you find one, obliterate it."

[Corwin]

"Well, we did get kicked out of Gehenna despite Lixer's interdiction last night," Jaela muses. "I figured someone high up didn't like us spreading the Triune's word around. Anyway, back to the horrible undead. Don't they blame Lixer's forces at all for what happened? In fact, who's seen as the one to blame for this mess?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru subtly eyes Calleigh and Tryll...