A neverending field

[Corwin]

Well then! Let's skip ahead.

[Anastasia]

How far are you looking to skip ahead and what to, and in what order?

[Corwin]

If they accept my invitation and show up within 24 hours, that's fine. Let's skip to Aurora's arrival to Shurrock and the arrival of any of their generals, past and present, that they choose to bring.

If they don't accept my invitation, or take more than 24 hours, let's discuss Dis with Amaryl, Xera and Zariel.

[Anastasia]

I need a little bit since I didn't anticipate this, so let's knock out a quick side issue while I do DM improvisation.

Your preparations are interrupted by Fooze. A simple prayer, "Trouble. Sharrans. Look."

[Corwin]

Seira looks! Flooze said the magic word!

[Anastasia]

Fooze stands in a cavern, over a handful of burnt corpses. He has torn one of their backpacks open, and a book with the unholy symbol of Shar rests within.

[Corwin]

I sent him to the Mageocracy, so is he anywhere within their structure? Who would be the resident authority? My knowledge is ridiculously high.

[Anastasia]

It looks like he's just outside of it. The current authority is something of a question mark - it's an internal struggle at the moment. Nothing really related to anything else as far as you know, just turnover.

[Corwin]

How did you come upon them? Seira asks Fooze, even as she uses the Orb of Yesterday to supplement Fooze's account.

If he's just outside it then he's close enough! Governments always like to expand their authority spheres. Who are the leaders of all the internally 'warring' factions? Name, approximate level and alignment would do, if a couple sentences is difficult. How close is the nearest city/town/settlement with a city guard/police-equivalent of any sort? Who is the chief of said guards (name, approximate level and alignment or a brief write-up, please).

Since Shar is always so hard-working, I need to respond with just as much effort every time she comes up. Also, please tell me if the Mageocracy has an anti-Sharran faction, and who leads it, if so.

[Anastasia]

'Accident. Went looking for lava.' Is the answer you get.

There are four factions - less for any great ideological differences and more of a simple scramble for power. The first is Maryn Oak, a wizard of some renown and of a decidedly sour bend. He's morally neutral as far as you know.

The second is Alan Blossom, a sorcerer and druid with considerable skill in both. Rather nasty sort, but keeps things straight on his end. Not quite an archmage but having both talents makes up for that a good deal. He's morally repugnant from all reports.

The third is Airesdale Foles, a skilled necromancer. Surprisingly neutral as he specializes in undead defense rather than creation, but notedly ruthless in the pursuit of power. Not quite as strong as the others, but he has deep pockets which matters.

The last is Barnan. No last name, just a hermit-wizard who has recently emerged. Notably unpleasant and said to be a follower of Cyric. Ugly business but he mostly puts on a pleasant facade. Mostly. Stronger than the rest, able to cast the 9th circle for certain.

The nearest town of any note is a few dozen miles away by your knowledge.

You don't know the name of the guard captain offhand - it's just obscure knowledge and you don't happen to have it.

There's no anti Sharran faction that you can recall offhand.

[Corwin]

That's a pretty terrible Prime. Is that because anyone strong and halfway decent ran away from it to the planes?

Sighing to herself, Seira decides to delegate this one.

Sanzha, can you spare an avatar for rooting out Sharrans in a nation filled with magic and intrigue? There's no faction I can genuinely support, and your skills are more than enough to prevail. Starting a following on Arythma can't hurt you, either.

[Anastasia]

That's the world Emily ran to and met Alyssa on, I believe? My, I suppose I can take care of such a trifling thing.

[Corwin]

Yes, and one of Aurora's champions is from there, Seira responds. The only other Prime quite so productive was mine, so I'd like us to establish a decent presence there. Here, this is what I know....

She passes on the information the Orb of Yesterday revealed to her of the Sharran presence, while telling Fooze, My friend Sanzha will help you out with the Sharrans. Work with her and study hard about the mortal ways of use elements together!

[Anastasia]

'Yes, we will,' Is Fooze's agreement.

Troublesome. It's hardly worth being quiet if Shar is up to trouble.

[Corwin]

Establishing yourself by making a splash and drawing enough followers for a fifth faction is fine too~