Enter Alyssa

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "I had considered that as well. Though, I had thought perhaps an alliance might ha e resulted in a trade of technique to make the ship and emergency access to a larger fleet."

[Anastasia]

Taking your hand and tracing lines from the center island all about, "It makes sense, and undersea capacity is even possible. Expensive, but possible." Letting go of your hand and straightening up, "Now normally defending needs less manpower than attacking, but powerful mortals and immortals can change that balance. Still, some sort of soldier force would be desirable." Considering, "If you can learn that spell to raise islands, raise a few and attract settlers. It's a long term option that'll turn you into a proper kingdom, but it'll work."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa sits back and considers. "... A kingdom... Is beyond what we wanted. The Mageocracy has left a bad taste in many mouths, and many of the people we have here have fled from them. It will be something to consider, but must also be discussed."

[Anastasia]

"Consider it, it's another option," Jarem says, "You'll have to start making choices like that soon, decide how you're going to go forward."

[Iron Dragoon]

She sighs. "It seems like we're getting pushed further and further away from what we want to be."

She pauses considering, "I wonder... Raising an island ma not be a wise choice. Causes havock, displacing that much water and moving that much Earth. Perhaps a modification on the natural way... If we can scout out how deep it is around here, we my be able to summon enough lava to do it without disrupting the ocean floor. The Mage's Mansion idea could work to simulate different climates, allowing the growth of exotic foods, perhaps even raising of animals. The would make us a leader in exotic luxury goods..."

She opens the notebook and begins writing again.

"Jarem, what would you say the most immediate need for us is?"

[Anastasia]

"Keeping it together in case Shar attacks again. I'm surprised she hasn't pressed her first attack," Jarem says, "Unless she's working on things that you would be distracted from with this."

[Iron Dragoon]

"At the moment there's no way to know or anything to do about it. All I can do is the best I can with what I have and work to improve next time. If there's nothing else, then we need to get ready for the council meeting. They'll want to know your numbers and needs, and I'm sure there's a few preparing snide comments. Politics. Bleh."

[Anastasia]

A nod and from there...

Anything else until that meeting?

[Iron Dragoon]

Not outside of having the delegation stopped, I don't think. If I still can.

[Anastasia]

You can if you want.

[Iron Dragoon]

That, then.

[Anastasia]

Thus the regents gather. In addition to the ones already here, a few more have made it in.

Regent Elaire is tall, prim and promper. She has her hands folded in front of her, hood up and covering her face.

Regent Mackone is here, a rather plump man with a keen gaze and short cut red hair. He hums to himself, tapping his fingers on the table as he waits.

Thus you enter and...

Set yourself up.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa pulls her chair out and stands before it. "Do we have any others showing up last minute? Any word from anyone else?"

[Anastasia]

As if on cue, a young page comes in. "Regents! Lady Alyssa," he comes in, "I bring a message about regent Ivy."

Ule glances at him and merely nods a bit.

"She's dead, ma'am, of an apparent stopped heart." The page reports.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Thank you, Page. Excuse yourself."

Waiting for the Page to leave, she then turns to the others, "That's it. That's three of us dead. It's time to recall all the Regents."