The Laremy Peace Initiative 18

[Corwin]

19:01 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, just to refresh, were you going to pick up Anne and presumably Rina on the way, Skaya?
19:02 <Skaya> OOC: No. Anne should already be flying Rina over since Rina left much earlier and Anne was staying closer to Mellanics than the camp.
19:03 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, thanks.
19:06 <•Kotono> The trip back to Mellanics is slow, but meeting up with the army helps. An officer with iron gray hair and a stern gaze meets you and offers his hand, "Skaya?" he asks, "I've heard you somehow managed to get some of our men back."
19:09 — Skaya shakes the proffered hand. "We took down their leadership," she elaborates, "and then exchanged them for the prisoners of war."
19:10 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@D3CC5932.B18DCB09.B227C4EE.IP)
19:12 <•Kotono> A tight grin, "Mellanics may not fall yet," he says, looking over the men keenly. IT's torchlight thanks to the time, the soldiers providing that, but it's enough to see. "Not the best, but still warm bodies."
19:13 <•Kotono> Milla's own expression is dark, "One of their commanders has ice in the blood and a brain to go with it. Watch out for that one, his name is Hans."
19:16 <Skaya> "This can't help on its own, but helping these people get home is a good first step," Skaya voices. "Was much thought given to improving Mellanics's defenses?"
19:20 <•Kotono> "Some, the guild master will inform you when you return," Is the answer, "Mikale," he introduces himself after, "Sir Mikale of Laremy."
19:22 <Skaya> "I'm just Skaya," she responds for her part. "How about reinforcements? Is there any chance to see some in the near future?"
19:23 <•Kotono> A shake of his head, "None whatsoever," Is the blunt answer, his face grim, "Simply put, the front with Eis is tight and needs all the manpower it can get."
19:26 <Skaya> "We've been away, you might've heard," Skaya muses, deciding to pass the time traveling to get a better understanding of the war. "I don't understand how we can have a distant frontline with Eis, and then have another Eis army here less than a day's march away from Mellanics. And are they the only two fronts, or there are others?"
19:30 <•Kotono> "I heard you'd be away," Mikale comments gruffly, "In short: The Petty Kingdoms all joined up. Eis has provided a little manpower, but they're mostly a combined force. We'd deal with Eis just fine without that, but with the Petty Kingdoms throwing in, it's opened this front. Fortunately, that's all there is."
19:30 <•Kotono> "As long as Welland or another nation doesn't try something," MIlla adds, less than cheery about it.
19:32 <Skaya> "I knew they'd made an alliance, but I didn't expect this was essentially two prongs instead of a unified army," Skaya says, nodding her understanding. "But doesn't this mean we can negotiate with just one of the sides?"
19:33 <•Kotono> "I'm sure Her Majesty has considered that option," Is the answer you get, "But so far, the war continues on."
19:34 <Skaya> Since Mikale doesn't want to engage in guesswork, Skaya honors his wishes. They'll be in Mellanics soon enough, after all.
19:35 <•Kotono> OOC: I'll move yo uon shortly then, lemme just finish #evil and get things rolling.

[Corwin]

19:01 <•Kotono> ----
19:02 <•Kotono> Mellanics. At this late hour the city is tense, quiet, yet soldiers can be seen patrolling. Not just a few but many, and the two of you get looks as you head along. Sanda leans close to you and murmurs, "I hope we don't get stopped."
19:08 <Devar> "If we do, we do." Devar says, heading right towards the Guild!
19:10 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@D3CC5932.B18DCB09.B227C4EE.IP)
19:10 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:10 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=41 ]{41}
19:11 <•Kotono> Fortunately, it's not a long trip and fortune is with you. Even at this late hour the Heroic Guild's doors are open. Instead of receptionists, soldiers man the front. The air is tense as you enter, but immediately a soldier steps forward, "Devar?" You're asked for by name, "You match the description of someone I was told to watch out for."
19:13 <Devar> "That is me." Devar says with a polite nod. "Devar of Eldath."
19:14 <•Kotono> "You're expected. Come back with me," It's not really a request, but Sanda doesn't argue it, simply following.
19:16 <Devar> Devar follows along!
19:21 <•Kotono> In the back, in his office, is Picke. He's resting, eyes closed and head resting on his desk, but as you enter, "Got back even faster than expected," he murmurs, sitting up, "Good to see you, Devar, Sanda."
19:22 <•Kotono> A sniff, "I'd say the odds are you aren't getting enough sleep, but that's hardly even worth saying."
19:24 <Devar> "It's been a bit of an adventure since the last time I saw you in person." Devar says with a smile. "But before pleasantries - I don't have a lot of details but Skaya's on her way with a bunch of prisoners, and asked if you could have the army meet them with supplies and aid."
19:28 <•Kotono> Picke gets up at that and quietly talks to a soldier, then, "It's done." Afterwards, "I'd ask how she managed it, but..." A wry chuckle, "All of a sudden all of you have grown up."
19:28 <•Kotono> Sanda sniffs but simply says, "We do what we can."
19:32 <Devar> "Oh, just take the compliment." Devar says with a smile to Sanda. "It's been a big ride for sure. I'm not sure you'd believe some of the things we've seen. Oh - before I forget..." He reaches into his pack and pulls out the scroll of Regenerate. "I believe Skaya would probably want this delivered as quickly as possible to Lady Cerine. We have a few other things too, but we can discuss those
19:32 <Devar> once Skaya's back."
19:34 <•Kotono> "I'll have someone worthwhile deliver it to her immediately," Picke steps out again and returns soon after. Once done, "Rest if you need to, recover while you can. Even if she does bring back more soldiers, I doubt it's going to stop anything."
19:34 <•Kotono> "You mean Mellanics will fall?" Sanda's voice is suddenly tight.
19:35 <•Kotono> "I mean there's going to be a battle or a siege," Picke counters, "More battle, more bloodshed."
19:36 <Devar> Devar frowns at that, but that's about what he expected. "We'll do what we can to help."
19:37 <•Kotono> "Rest up and prepare," Picke advises, "We're all going to need to talk once Skaya and her group returns," Is the answer, "This may be the last rest you have for some time if things progress rapidly."
19:39 <Devar> "Understood." Devar says, not looking happy, but he'll do as he's suggested. OOC: Only real thing would be to check on the orphanage but assuming nothing major there is happening we can move on
19:40 <•Kotono> OOC: We'll move on for now then. More, merging into #dunes.

[Corwin]

19:46 <•Kotono> Another day has begun by the time everyone meets up. Captured soldiers returned. Picke looks tired, not a sign of sleep on him, but all of you quietly meet in his office. "Things are about to get busier and more interesting," he says without any preamble, Milla hovering by his side. "Especially if leadership decides to make a serious battle of this."
19:48 <Skaya> "So before we go into things, let's do a quick recap of our efforts and findings thus far?" Skaya proposes. "It will also help improve our understanding of the situation, given we've just arrived, and put us all on the same page. To start with, we've freed a good deal of the prisoners of war, somewhat over ten thousand by my reckoning. That was the best outcome we could've hoped for given our resources and timeframe."
19:52 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya. "I need to talk to you separately Skaya, but we recovered a Regenerate scroll, and we also have something that can produce enough food and drink for people in case it becomes necessary. There's more, but it's outside the scope of this."
19:52 <•Kotono> Anne leans against the wall," Useful, but also makes us even bigger targets than we doubtless are now. Best not to advertise that until it's needed."
19:53 <•Kotono> "Mellanics has hope again," Rina concludes, "But it's not safe by a far shot."
19:54 <•Kotono> "Anne has a point," Picke speaks up, "Assassins are a real worry now that you've done such a thing, Skaya. You too, Milla. All of you are known names, so watch your backs. Don't go places alone. If you need someone to go with you, get soldiers too. I'll handle that side of it and give you the necessary documents. That aside, between that scroll and your return, we have forces that can oppose
19:54 <•Kotono> their heroes in turn."
19:55 <Skaya> "I asked to look into that because of the threat of Auril, although we could in fact use it as a bargaining chip if we truly need to," Skaya voices. "And speaking of Mellanics, the enemy offered a peaceful transfer of the city. I don't know if I buy that, but I do think it likely their window to attack is in forty-some hours."
19:55 <•Kotono> "Why fight when your enemy surrenders willingly," Sanda comments, "Statistically speaking, it's much cheaper to have them give up without a fight."
19:56 <•Kotono> "Regardless of that, you're going to be reporting to the leadership along with me. This isn't optional," Picke continues, "All of us. Cerine too if she's already recovered, I suspect."
19:58 <Skaya> "But it does offer us tactical options," Skaya points out. "To hold the city they'd need to divide their forces. And if there is a better, more defended spot to hold, it could work out better for the war. The war itself and the condition of the civilians are the important things, as I see them, not who holds a particular city. Even if it's home."
20:00 <•Kotono> "I don't trust them," Anne says, "Not after they've come on the wings of war and slaughter. I don't trust them not to bring massacre with them."
20:01 <•Kotono> "Neither do I," Rina disagrees, "But we may have only bad or worse choices, depending on our exalted leadership." There's open bitterness there, "If the example I dealt with is any sign, they have another crushing lost coming up."
20:01 <•Kotono> *loss
20:02 <•Kotono> Sanda sniffs, "I disagree, but I think war can at least bring out heroes - and maybe we can find some way to make this better."
20:02 <Skaya> "It occurs to me we have another option thanks to Devar and Sanda's success," Skaya adds. "We can take the population out en masse, since we can actually care for the most important matter, which is provisions."
20:03 <•Kotono> "The example who locked you into that room is a fool, but not everyone is a fool," Picke says to Rina, "I'd also suggest you not voice those opinions anywhere but here. Defeatest talk rarely goes over well."
20:03 <Devar> "If that was their goal, wouldn't they have just killed all the prisoners?" Devar asks. "I don't love the idea of waging a war of land and beliefs either, but..." He does look over at Skaya at that.
20:04 <•Kotono> "That still leaves shelter and more," Picke points out there, "But better than leaving them in bondage, if we can do it."
20:04 <Skaya> "No, prisoner exchanges and ransoms are important. Plus you need plenty of people to work the land."
20:05 <Skaya> To Picke, she says, "Of course. I did say the most important one. But it also means we have more time to worry about shelter, safety and so on, since we're freed from foraging and the logistics of supplies."
20:06 <Skaya> "Speaking of things that must not leave this room, we do have more options," Skaya muses with a glance at Devar. "How many of the frozen alchemical solutions do you still have left?"
20:08 <Devar> "About a hundred." Devar says. "Give or take."
20:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Didn't you just dump all of them on Brachidos?
20:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Or was there more stored elsewhere or something?
20:08 <Skaya> OOC: We wanted to but there was a limit to how much we could dump in a single round, iirc
20:11 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay. I'll just check in on that after session, it's not critical. That sounds right but I just need to be sure for my notes.
20:12 <•Kotono> "We could get up to trouble with them," Sanda says slowly, "Or use them as weapons or..."
20:12 <Skaya> "If we drop them on an army, it would be devastating. Even more so if the army is carrying alchemical supplies of their own."
20:12 <•Kotono> Anne sighs softly, and on Sanda's sour look, "I'm sorry, I just dislike this sort of thought. It's one thing to drop them on a monster, it's another to use them for mass slaughter."
20:13 <•Kotono> "If you volunteer those, I can guarantee they'll be used as weapons of war," Picke speaks up here, "If you can't live with that, keep it to this room, as was said."
20:14 <Devar> "No, I'm with Anne on that." Devar says. "If that ends up happening I won't oppose the idea, but... the action itself goes against a lot of what I believe in."
20:14 <•Kotono> "They'd do it to Mellanics if they had them," Milla's quieter about this, but firm. "Don't forget that, either."
20:15 <Skaya> "Anne's in the majority," Skaya adds. "But there is a better use. Siege weapons can be big, unwieldly and difficult to replace quickly. They'd be very vulnerable to this."
20:18 <•Kotono> "Tactical use like that has potential," Picke reasons, "Or even a large concentration of supplies in the right circumstances."
20:19 <Skaya> "Exactly!"
20:19 <•Kotono> Anne looks quietly relieved, as meanwhile Rina considers, "I was thinking of the same myself, but with fire instead."
20:19 <•Kotono> "All of you have more tactical minds than I'd expected," Picke reasons, "Good, that makes this easier."
20:20 <Skaya> "There's one more thing I wanted to bring up. I've dabbled some in traps and defenses, so if we're going to make a stand in Mellanics I had a few ideas about improving our situation. Would that clash with any ongoing plans?"
20:29 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya, then takes in a breath. "Sorry, can I just... ask something? What exactly is our goal here? Let's say we manage to defend the city... then what? Won't they just send more soldiers eventually? I'm not trying to be defeatist, but I'm not sure what our goal here ultimately is."
20:29 <Skaya> "If you're talking about a goal we can all agree on, that would be to ensure the people of Mellanics are safe."
20:30 <Devar> "I fully support that goal. I'm just not sure any of the plans that Laremy is going to come up with are going to consider that as as important as we do." Devar says.
20:33 <•Kotono> "Skaya's right, that's our goal. The Heroic Guild's goal. The goal of Laremy may not be the same," Is Picke's blunt answer here. "I'm going to be honest with each of you. This is not going to be fun. There's going to be loss, there's going to be killing, there's going to be misery. If you can't handle that, if it's not the path you're called on to walk? I won't say a word if you walk out and
20:33 <•Kotono> leave. I won't be able to hide it so you'll be seen as a coward and possibly a traitor, but you should be able to get away and live peaefully elsewhere."
20:35 <•Kotono> Anne shakes her head, "I have something to stay here for. I can't abandon them after fate has abandoned them."
20:36 <Devar> "The people of this city don't deserve to be thrust into the middle of someone else's war. I'll do whatever I need to help them be able to see peace." Devar affirms.
20:37 <•Kotono> Rina's expression is quieter, but she adds, "Do you hate war that much that you'd undermine Laremy over it?"
20:39 <•Kotono> "You only have to see war once to hate it, or prove you're a madman," Picke meets Rina's look with his own, "And dread the day when you have to choose between everything you've built and doing the right thing to protect the innocent people of Mellanics. All the stories and glories of war that that those who follow Tempus speak of? Lies and blindness."
20:41 <Skaya> "And that's in general. For us, don't forget that Auril's waiting just over the corner. If it weren't for that, we would have a lot more options."
20:42 <•Kotono> There's a knock on the door. Picke looks up, "We're busy. Not now."
20:42 <•Kotono> "Please, I insist," A voice Skaya recognizes - the voice of Cerine.
20:44 — Skaya perks up and dashes towards the door to open it!
20:47 <•Kotono> Cerine is there - whole. Nothing wrong with her, body restored. She breaks out into a soft, happy s mile, "Skaya," She pulls Skaya into a hug against her chest, "You succeeded!" Not that Skaya can see it, face pressed into her chest.
20:47 <•Kotono> SAnda perks up, "You look far better this time."
20:48 <•Kotono> Anne doesn't hide the amused smile, "And there's Skaya's reward," she murmurs softly, barely audible.
20:48 <Skaya> "I'm so happy for you!" Skaya's muffled voice drifts out.
20:48 <•Kotono> "Good to see you back up," Picke agrees, "Come in, I think we can squeeze you in."
20:49 <•Kotono> That hug goes on as Milla even starts to chuckle. Then Skaya is finally freed, one more managing to pack into Picke's office.
20:50 <•Kotono> "What about whats her name, that receptionist?" Rina murmurs to Anne, and Anne just shakes her head. Meanwhile, once in, Cerine says, "It seems I chose the right people to trust at last."
20:51 <Skaya> "I wish it were under better circumstances," Skaya says apologetically.
20:57 <•Kotono> "Still, that improves our odds even more," Picke reasons, "Before we prepare for anything else - is there anything else I need to be told from any of you?"
20:57 <•Kotono> Cerine smiles but lets Skaya's comment lie at that.
20:59 <Skaya> "You already know about the telepathy, and talking about defensive formations might be boring for some so we can talk about that later. Looks like we're good?"
21:01 <Devar> Devar looks like he's considering something, but ultimately shakes his head and stays quiet.
21:01 <•Kotono> General headshakes by the others. OOC: Okay, any prep before getting taken before the leadership?
21:02 <Skaya> OOC: None
21:02 <Devar> OOC: nope
21:09 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:09 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=43 ]{43}
21:15 <•Kotono> You're lead to a fine manor home that's been repurposed. Soldiers bustle about - clerks, officers, the occasional mage. Here the business of administration happens. You pass by guard checkpoint after guard checkpoint, each one stopping you and making Picke identify himself and the rest of you. It's the fifth time when you reach a pair of large doors, four guards out here, "And yes, that is
21:15 <•Kotono> Cereine the now Full Woman, thank you." Picke doesn't quite keep the weariness out of his voice. "We're expected."
21:16 <•Kotono> "Sir," A respectful nod, "Head inside."
21:17 — Skaya sticks next to Sanda. If there are any issues, she's the prime candidate for messing up! So Skaya will try to stop her. As for Rina, she'd already lived the exciting life of an outlaw on the run, so it won't be anything new.
21:20 <Devar> Devar just moves quietly long with the rest of the group for now, no commentary needed.
21:24 <•Kotono> Inside is a parlor room. Here sit several. First, sitting to the side and in finery is a young child. No more than six or seven years old perhaps, expression downcast. Next to him is a tall brute of a man, all muscle and well made plate armor. He wears a closed helmet even now, hiding his face. Sitting in a corner by himself, going over papers, is a thin, nervous-looking man. He's dressed well,
21:24 <•Kotono> in fine clothes of rich cloth and silk, and yet bites down on his lips. Near him, reclining back on a couch, is a half elf. Plump, wearing well tailored robes and with familiar spell component pouches on his belt. He has messy red hair and the holy symbol of a coin with a woman's face dangling from his neck. Sitting at a desk to the side is another knight in armor, a helmet off and on the desk.
21:24 <•Kotono> He reads over paperwork. Of them all, he is the one to greet you, "Picke and the heroes of the hour," he smiles smoothly, "Welcome back from your journey to Welland. Word of your deeds have reached even here. It's good tyou remembered to come home at last."
21:24 <•Kotono> The half elf turns, "And with Cerine finally restored," he says, "Do my eyes deceive me?"
21:25 <•Kotono> The young child doesn't look up, but the thin, nervous-looking man looks up, "Please, you are in the presence of Lord Mellanics."
21:25 <•Kotono> "Earl Mellanics," Picke politely inclines his head to the child.
21:25 <Skaya> Oh, she'd almost responded rudely. Perhaps she is the actual, secret prime candidate?
21:26 — Skaya follows suit and inclines her head to the child respectfully.
21:26 <•Kotono> "Earl," Cerine echos, then, "So I am. It seems my fortune's finally turned around, Greganen."
21:27 <Devar> Devar follows suit with the others and stays quiet for the time being!
21:29 <•Kotono> The paperwork reading man sniffs at that, "Better late than never, Cerine. First of all, some of you have...complications we should address." His gaze turns on Rina.
21:30 <•Kotono> "We all know that petty little idiot was throwing around authority, and they acted with restraint," Picke cuts in, "Spare us, Garza."
21:30 <Skaya> "That's strange. We were told at the border that all the complications had been preemptively resolved prior to our return," Skaya adds to that.
21:31 <•Kotono> "Mmm, yes." An agreement, "However, I would advise you to apologize to him next you meet. For...political reasons," he drawls out to Rina. "Laremy does not need infighting now. No no, if this were anything more serious I would not call it only complications."
21:32 <•Kotono> A pause as suddenly eyes turn to Rina. Flames crackle out of her hair, like the coals of a fire stirred and briefly returning to life. She closes her eyes and takes a long breath as the plump half elf whistles low, and Rina says, "Your advice is accepted in the spirit it's given."
21:33 <Skaya> It's a war, perhaps some bad people will actually die in it.
21:33 <•Kotono> From the polite, almost sweet tone of her voice, and the slight scowl that hits Garza's face, the message is obvious. Nonetheless, "Like it or not, he had the authority to do what he did. For the sake of Laremy's safety, I ask you to put aside a petty squabble."
21:34 <Skaya> "With all due respect, before worrying about the safety of Laremy, perhaps we should discuss the safety of Mellanics, a more pressing matter in several ways?"
21:35 <•Kotono> "Oh shut up, Garza," It's the half elf who speaks up, "If that's not a sign of fire blood, I don't know what is. I'd like us to avoid any stupidity and setting this lovely home on fire. IT would devastate its value." Clapping his hands together loudly, "I can speak for the merchants of Mellanics when I say that we're all pleased with what you'd done so far."
21:35 <•Kotono> "So it is," The thin man speaks up, "So it is. If I may?"
21:35 <•Kotono> "Let's get this moving," Picke agrees, as even Garza takes a moment and smoothes away his scowl.
21:37 <Skaya> Exciting start! Having nudged things along, Skaya waits to hear from them. If anyone would have more news, it would be these people.
21:38 <•Kotono> "First of all," Garza continues, "Her Majesty wishes to express her gratitude for your heroism and gallant bravery, all of yours. There will be more to this later once matters are calmer and the Queen has time to tend to this affair with the attention it deserves. Unfortunately, right now her time is severely taxed, but she wished to express her immediate gratitude."
21:38 <•Kotono> "Thank you," Anne says politely.
21:38 <•Kotono> Sanda murmurs the same, but he reyes drift to the half elf. He smiles at her, a quiet moment between the two, perhaps something unsaid.
21:39 — Skaya inclines her head, even as she makes a mental note to ask Sanda about this.
21:40 <Devar> Devar nods politely.
21:48 <•Kotono> "Second of all, within a night's time the situation has changed considerably." Garza continues, "What looked like a hopeless situation is more complicated now. If nothing else, any siege of Mellanics will be far longer and costlier, if not impossible depending on all the forces the Petty Kingdoms can muster..and if they lack any other unpleasant surprises. But you may be our surprise in return."
21:49 <Skaya> "But ultimately, I understand there is no hope of being reinforced?" Skaya asks. "How much have they solidified their control over the southern territories?"
21:52 <•Kotono> "As of now, no. The decisive front will be the one with Eis," Is Garza's response, and he looks pinched when he says it. "Should Eis' army break and our forces advance, we can force them from the war. At least that is the hope. As for the southern front? Fyner and Newkingsland are both occupied, along with most of the villages and fortresses between here and Mellanics, though likely a handful
21:52 <•Kotono> of fortresses remain under siege. They have thrust generally west and slowly northward, taking the southernmost reaches of Laremy." He pauses, "I have a map here."
21:54 — Skaya takes a look!
21:56 <•Kotono> A map of Laremy is produced, a simple red line drawn on. "The line represents the general axis of advance, and the aim to invest and isolate southernmost Laremy, and arching towards Mellanics." OOC: More.
21:57 <•Kotono> The party looks at it. Sanda narrows her eyes, "That's a lot of space to defend, isn't it?"
21:58 <Skaya> "It's a very ambitious conquest," Skaya muses. "If they manage to anchor it to Mellanics, it works. If they don't, however...."
21:58 <•Kotono> "If they don't." Hangs in the air, the thin man's words. "Of course Kellym and Girm are concerns as well, but so far matters there are more ambigious."
21:59 <•Kotono> "It wouldn't be so bad if not for a single crushing setback," Anne's also crowded in, "They got lucky."
21:59 <•Kotono> Here the knight next to the Earl of Mellanics speaks up, "Cut off the head when the snake sticks out of the burrow tunnel too far."
22:00 <•Kotono> "All at the price of a city's blood and tears," Anne's voice doesn't approve at all.
22:00 <Skaya> "Excuse me," Skaya voices then, to divert them somewhat. "I was under the impression that the evacuation of civilians was being considered, or perhaps even executed slowly. Where are they to head? Northgate?"
22:01 <•Kotono> "Northernly and easternly," Picke cuts in here, "Though those with means could head into Kellym or Girm if they can be admitted...or sneak in."
22:01 <•Kotono> Milla stays back, arms crossed and looking on all the while.
22:02 <Skaya> "An eastern retreat seems inadvisable given the Petty Kingdoms' advance," Skaya notes. "Alright. A follow up question, then. If Welland were to take them in temporarily, would that change anything?"
22:02 <•Kotono> Cerine murmurs, "What a pretty little idea for them. Don't you think? One rapid victory and cleave off an entire section of Laremy."
22:04 <Devar> Devar clears his throat too. "I also have a question - we have reason to believe that this coming winter is going to be especially fierce and devastating." He gestures at the map. "Auril's involvement. Is that something you all are already aware of?"
22:04 <•Kotono> "That," Greganen purrs, "Depends, doesn't it? I don't imagine Welland would do so on any normal circumstance. It's a great drain of wealth and treasure, all to benefit a country they have no love for. But if Welland had a sudden outbreak of sympathy towards us and did it, at the least it would allow us less mouths to feed and protect. Also the possibility of some hothead in the Petty Kingdoms
22:04 <•Kotono> ore ven Eis taking it as tacit war support and expanding the war. Wouldn't that be ironic, Welland thrown into a war with Laremy."
22:05 <•Kotono> That gets the conversation to stop, as the half elf mutters something unkind. Garza runs a hand over his face, "I had not heard that. Are you certain of this? How good is your information?"
22:05 <Devar> "We received it rather... directly." Devar says, pointing upward.
22:06 <Skaya> "Shaundakul told me," Skaya echoes Devar, pulling the pendant with his symbol out briefly. "Directly."
22:06 <•Kotono> "Lady Eldath's followers may be...weak, but they don't lie," The half elf agrees, "Ah, ah, I'll be asking the Merchant's Friend for her own opinion on that soon, I see, but more for confirmation than of doubt."
22:07 <•Kotono> Garza's expression becomes troubled, "Dire news, then. A bad winter leaves us even weaker come spring."
22:08 <•Kotono> "And a rich ground for disease," Anne notes, "Hunger has death a step behind him."
22:08 <Devar> Devar doesn't respond any further to the remarks, but simply nods to Anne.
22:08 <Skaya> "And that's even without intervention like Brachidos was spreading until just recently."
22:10 <•Kotono> "If I may," Anne speaks up, "This war profits no one, not even those who win it. It's become increasingly clear to us that this war is nothing but the means to exhaust all the nations around Laremy and lead to famine, disease, suffering and misery. Simply put: Our old grudges and hatreds have been turned into kindling, kindling for the deaths of tens of thousands if the darkest of them have
22:10 <•Kotono> their way."
22:10 <•Kotono> "Bad enough that mess with the ankhegs," The fat half elf scowls, "Just when we made some headway with that!"
22:11 <Skaya> Oh, they've found where those things were coming from? When there's a better time, Skaya will definitely ask about it!
22:12 <•Kotono> Then Rina turns and says something...next time!

[Corwin]

19:02 <Kotono> Rina turns and says, "We've ran into problems with them in Welland, but we've never had a chance to investigate. Something's forcing them up - but never mind that." Focusing back on the matter at hand, "Anne's right. There's no winners here. More, imagine if there's another plan besides simply spreading misery, but something that requires all the nations here to be weakened?"
19:03 <Kotono> With a soft sniff, "You're sounding like Anne now," Sanda comments.
19:03 <Kotono> "You mean thoughtful and correct?" Anne smiles slightly to Sanda, "It is a concern that's passed my mind, and I hope it's already crossed all of yours."
19:03 <Skaya> "If our best outcome is war and famine, there's every reason to try and change it."
19:04 <Kotono> Garza's expression grows from troubled to outright miserable, and he slowly rubs his forehead with his hand. "Even if we seek peace, it would be the peace of the vanquished. Anyonew ho can see a map could see that now."
19:05 <Kotono> The child looks up at that, "W-what about Mellanics then?"
19:05 <Devar> "Didn't you run into some Talonans, Skaya?" Devar asks. "It's possible there's some involvement there, too."
19:06 <Kotono> "We did," Rina says shortly, but defers to Skaya.
19:07 <Skaya> "There's really nothing concrete to add here. Talona has some plot, at least in Welland, but we don't know any details." As for the nominal lord of Mellanics, she really has no good answers for him.
19:07 <Kotono> His bodyguard kneels next to the young lord and murmurs something quietly, then turns and adds, "Is he needed here, Garza?"
19:08 <Devar> Devar just nods to that and looks back to the nobles.
19:08 <Kotono> With a shake of his head, "Go. There should be some sweet cakes in the kitchens for him."
19:09 <Kotono> The knight and his young charge leave at that, a lull in the conversation. Once he's gone, "I know he's nobility, but is a child at that age truly necessary for such matters?" Anne asks openly, "I confess I don't understand why."
19:10 <Kotono> "Such are his responsibilities," Garza answers plainly, "And I'll remind you not to speak on such matters. Hero or not, you are still of common blood." With a grunt, "Some nobles and officers are less...accepting."
19:10 <Kotono> Rina almost growls at that, "We've noticed. I've noticed."
19:11 <Devar> "It isn't ideal, but it's better than hiding the truth of the world from him." Devar says. "It's a harsh reality."
19:12 <Kotono> Anne doesn't argue it, but instead says, "Fair points, but we grow sidetracked."
19:12 <Skaya> "Let's just move past this," Skaya once more tries to refocus them. "What do we want to try if we explore diplomacy? Does Earl Melanics have a fiancee? If we bring up an engagement, they might choose to avoid a costly battle. And it'd delay any decision over the city by a decade."
19:12 <Kotono> With a side eye, Sanda mouths, "You started it," silently to Anne. Then, after clearing her throat, "Where were we?"
19:13 <Kotono> A slow, long rub of his head, "An engagement to who?" Garza asks. "He is not yet spoken for, of course."
19:14 <Skaya> "An excellent question. Since it's a coalition of different kingdoms, it might cause some conflict on their side."
19:18 <Kotono> "Such a matter would be the Queen's choice in a time of war," Garza points out, "Doing otherwise is at best is foolhardy."
19:18 <Kotono> Greganen chuckles at that, "Perhaps so, or perhaps a ...oh, what's the word, for something that's done and has to be accepted as is?" He snaps his fingers.
19:19 — Skaya glances at Picke, for her part. He actually has approval from the Queen if they need to use it, doesn't he?
19:24 <Kotono> Picke's expresison has been thoughtful throughout this, "It's unlikely to work without ceding some land," he muses, which gets eyes to him. "Simply marrying into a noble family by itself is useful but hardly enough to change the course of this."
19:24 <Skaya> "Fyner was originally their land, so can we consider ceding it back? If it matters that much, there will be future wars and more chances to take it again."
19:25 <Kotono> "Such a matter would be the Queen's choice-" Garza begins.
19:26 <Kotono> "Or someone acting under the Queen's authority, "Picke cuts in, and Garza's jaw snaps shut. Picke's eyes close after, a sudden and heavy silence.
19:26 <Kotono> "You-" Garza rises up, fists balled up tight.
19:26 <Skaya> "Everyone here is loyal to Her Majesty and would never dare to usurp her power," Skaya says in a reconciling tone of voice. "All we're looking for is a way to protect the lives and well-being of her citizens and secure as much of a win as possible under the circumstances."
19:27 <Kotono> "History turns on moments like this," Picke goes on, "And Mellanics is worth more intact and well with what's coming. And...I'm a hero, not a soldier. It's about saving lives and helping others, it's never been about the glory of Laremy. Not for me."
19:29 <Kotono> Garza's expression is quiet, burning anger. "With the soldiers we liberated, we can-"
19:29 <Skaya> "Let's talk about the pros for a moment," Skaya follows up on Picke's words. "Finishing this front means Laremy is only facing one enemy and not a two-prongued coalition. If Her Majesty truly wishes for more land, she can take it from Eis at leisure. And other nations who might be eyeing the situation would not leap in under such circumstances."
19:30 <Kotono> "Lose no matter what, now or when winter comes. This gives us a chance to defeat Eis." Is the conclusion, "As well as give our southern neighbors, enemies or not, a chance to be intact for the same coming harsh winter." Picke agrees with Skaya.
19:31 <Kotono> "Can you really make them turn cloak so easily?" Greganen asks, now intent, "How do you propose to make them accept a lesser prize on the cusp of vicotry?"
19:31 <Kotono> *victory
19:32 <Skaya> "Further, consider the fate of Newkingsland," Skaya continues. "Let's say we keep Mellanics at great cost. How do we retake that town before winter?"
19:32 <Kotono> Picke gestures towards Skaya, Devar and the rest of you. "Heroes are good for things like that, don't you think? Skaya's also right: We don't. Better to lose a hand than an arm."
19:32 <Skaya> At Greganen's question, she says, "Don't we have a host of reasons? None of them are compelling enough on their own, but together, it may cause the enemy to blink. And should they refuse, are we harmed? Hardly, we go back to the defend Mellanics plan."
19:32 <Kotono> Cerine speaks up here, "I can attest to the truth of that," she says, very softly.
19:33 <Kotono> Garza's entire body shakes before he exhales like a storm. He slumps back down, "You're too good a man to hang for treason, Picke. He might not be the only one if this goes wrong or Her Majesty disapproves." His gaze now sweeps over the party.
19:34 <Kotono> With a tight smile, "Heroes don't expect to die in bed, old and surrounded by loved ones." Picke counters, "Be it by blade, by poison or even by noose, I've long since stopped fearing my end. If they're willing to make that risk is their choice, Garza."
19:36 <Kotono> Sanda sighs at that, while Anne just smiles back, not bothered in the least. Rina side eyes Anne before, "It's worth the risk for me."
19:39 <Skaya> "Then we just need to ask if we have any other cards to play diplomatically, aside from a settlement for Fyner, the complex situation with Auril and negotiations over an engagement. Revealing our abilities on the military side would be silly, but is there something more? Perhaps we could allude to alliance talks with Welland?"
19:41 ↔ •Kotono (promoted to owner, opped) nipped out 
19:43 <Skaya> "Then we just need to ask if we have any other cards to play diplomatically, aside from a settlement for Fyner, the complex situation with Auril and negotiations over an engagement. Revealing our abilities on the military side would be silly, but is there something more? Perhaps we could allude to alliance talks with Welland?"
19:48 <•Kotono> There's a moment before, "Unfortunately, no." Is the answer, "Our surprise is all of you, it seems," Garza admits.
19:49 <Skaya> "That's quite the surprise. They don't know about Anne, or that Sanda and Devar returned, or that Miss Cerine has recovered. Let's show them a bit of that and have Devar come along for the negotiations. It'll keep them guessing."
19:51 <Devar> Devar nods to that. "If my words can sway them
19:51 <Devar> Devar nods to that. "If my words can sway them I'll do my best." He says.
19:55 <•Kotono> Garza eyes all of you, but Picke simply moves to reach in and pull something out. It's enough to make Garza stop and instead grunt, "Fine, but it's on your heads."
19:57 <Skaya> "How about participating?" Skaya offers to Garza. "The finer details would require someone more knowledgeable than us." Plus he'd be antagonistic, providing the Petty Kingdoms with a worse alternative to dealing with them.
19:59 <•Kotono> "I like the idea. We need an antagonist," Picke agrees with a slight, tight smile of his own, "Anne and Devar, both of you are sworn champions of the above will give your words extra weight. Sanda and Rina, this doesn't particularly suit your talents, and I want a few of you uninvolved in case things go wrong right away.""
19:59 <•Kotono> "You mean to rescue you if they pull out a trick or betrayal," Rina concludes.
19:59 <•Kotono> "We did just get one over on them. I wouldn't put it past them," Picke agrees to that.
20:03 — Skaya calmly waits to see if Garza agrees!
20:03 ↔ •Kotono (promoted to owner, opped) nipped out 
20:04 <Skaya> 19:59 <•Kotono> "We did just get one over on them. I wouldn't put it past them," Picke agrees to that.
20:04 <Skaya> 20:03 — Skaya calmly waits to see if Garza agrees!
20:05 <•Kotono> Garza grimaces even more, "Picke-"
20:05 <•Kotono> "It's extremely helpful, and imagine how well it will reflect on you if this works," Picke counters, "It's your choice."
20:07 <Skaya> "We've embarrassed them, even if we tried to avoid any deliberate humiliation. But you haven't. You're a worthy opponent to them, whatever their words about Laremy's evil, while we're just commoners in the end. This mix could work well to keep them off balance and advance our goals."
20:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me diplo here, Skaya, +3 circumstance bonus.
20:10 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@D79B0498.8CE2CF62.E308E647.IP)
20:10 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 and use inspiration for 35
20:12 <•Kotono> Perhaps desperate or perhaps backed into a corner, Garza bows his head, "Very well."
20:12 <•Kotono> "Well then, it's definitely best we sent the young Earl away, " The half elf declares, "What a fascinating turn of events."
20:13 <Skaya> "How should we handle the mechanics of this?" Skaya voices. "While flying over is possible, tying this up in procedure only benefits us."
20:15 <•Kotono> "A flag of truce and an approach to the front lines." Picke decides, "There's no need to over think this, and all sides will respect a flag of truce. After all, they well expect us to be surrendering Mellanics to them."
20:16 <Skaya> "That works. Do you mind if I make an offer regarding the wounded soldiers?"
20:21 <•Kotono> "I don't, depending on what it is." Is the answer.
20:22 <Skaya> "Normally, in combat situations there's really no other choice but to use magical healing as is. But Anne," Skaya says, turning towards her friend, "the holy energy spreads out in a sphere, right? Not a ring?"
20:26 <•Kotono> "Yes, it also goes vertically and horizontally. Not many realize it, but it is more of a sphere than a set of lines radiating from me," Anne confirms, "My teacher made sure to teach me that."
20:27 <Skaya> "Let's build scaffolds in Mellanics to take advantage of that. The amount of people who could cluster into them would increase recovery considerably, while not being much of an effort."
20:30 <•Kotono> "Solid barriers get int he way, so remember that," Anne points out, "It's why if you were swimming through the stone in the ground beneath us, I couldn't heal you until you came bac up."
20:30 <•Kotono> *back
20:30 <•Kotono> "I'm sure you could rig up something with ropes to do," Cerine points out, "So long as the solid parts aren't in the way."
20:31 <Skaya> "That's why I said scaffolding. Just imagine it as a row of planks and a couple ladders to let people arrange themselves properly. I actually drew up the plans for one-- ah, ropes would be great! A mesh, maybe?"
20:33 <•Kotono> "Militarily useful, if nothing else," Sanda points out, as...OOC: Okay, is ther eanything else to add to this scene right now?
20:33 <Skaya> OOC: We're good
20:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Brief chance to get anything in town if you need it, or are all of you good to move along?
20:37 <Skaya> OOC: Let's move along. It'd be Skaya, Anne, Devar and Garza on the diplo team. Incidentally, what is Garza's combat skill?
20:38 <Devar> OOC: Devar does want to have a quick talk with Skaya privately before they go
20:39 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure, go for it. I'll set you two up for it.
20:40 <•Kotono> IT's not hard to step aside into an empty room with Skaya and Devar, the two a chance to talk and...OOC: Go ahead.
20:41 <Devar> "So, really quickly, do you want me to give the ring to Rina so we can talk to her if anything happens?" Devar asks. "I didn't want to bring it up in front of... them."
20:42 <Skaya> "Give it to Sanda instead. If we need some esoteric knowledge or to ask for a Sending, it'd be more direct," Skaya responds after mulling the question over.
20:44 <Devar> He nods. "One more thing - we found a really great shop in the underwater city - it's where we got that Cornucopia. After this I was going to head back with everyone to see if we could buy some stuff. Oh, right." He pauses for a second to show her the scroll of teleport.
20:45 <Skaya> "Right? I did want to go play in the ocean, so that sounds nice."
20:45 <Devar> "We got this too to go back, or if we need it for an emergency, we have one. Again... I didn't want to bring it up to them. Finally, we came across some magic dungeon that seems to have been made to show off a wealthy elemental lord's strength. I'll show you dnd the others when we go back."
20:45 <Devar> "Oh - one last thing, ask Sanda about the bracers she bought."
20:45 <Skaya> "That works. Any private comments on our plan here?" Skaya asks, before blinking. It's always something with Sanda.
20:46 <Devar> "It's worth a shot and better than just trying to grind them down in a fight." He says.
20:47 <Skaya> "Okay. And speaking of things we... bought, Rina has a bunch."
20:49 <Devar> Devar goes rather tight lipped at that, but nods after a moment. "Got it. We can discuss it more when this is over."
20:52 <Devar> OOC: Devar will give his pair of the twin rings to Sanda before he rejoins the others just for the sake of upkeep
20:59 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
21:00 <•Kotono> Soon enough the group gathers. Garza, Picke, Skaya, Devar and Anne. You're accompaind by several soldiers, many of which bear a large white flag. Taller than a few Hannas together, able to waved back and forth to be seen from a long distance. On horseback the party heads out of Mellanics, into the day's warmth. OOC: More.
21:03 <•Kotono> You only go a mile or so before in the distance you can see soldiers on the road - coming towards Mellanics. Soldiers of the enemy, bearing the same white flag. There's some shouting back and forth, until an unfamiliar woman in heavy plate armor rides close. Of note is bright red, vibrantly crimson hair long and loose, flowing free in the wind. She's strikingly attractive, helmet off at the
21:03 <•Kotono> moment. She's escorted by several soldiers, "Baronet Henne of Hennesbrook, a very minor holding. Not a combatant despite the armor," Picke murmurs. "But definitely someone important enough to feel out an offer."
21:08 — Skaya nods, watching this play out.
21:08 <Devar> Devar offers a polite nod in her direction at least.
21:13 <•Kotono> Garza and Picke ride forward, and Picke speaks, Baronet Henne," he greets, "I trust introductions are in order?"
21:15 <•Kotono> The Baroness smiles warmly, "Oh, we all know Skaya after what she did." A look right to her, that smile entirely too nice, too warm compared to those eyes. Eyes sizing her up like a snake sizes up a rat. "I assume that's Devar and Anne, stories from Welland have traveled. The heroes of Dareslan. And of course I know the two of you. So has Mellanics come to its senses?"
21:16 <Skaya> It's one of her principles to smile back at pretty people, so Skaya returns it to the baronet.
21:16 <•Kotono> "We have a proposal. Negotiations, if you will," Picke says, "Ones we'd like to speak about in better circumstances."
21:16 <•Kotono> "Under a flag of truce?" Is the question right back.
21:16 <•Kotono> "It wasn't for decoration," Garza cuts in, "Yes, under a flag of truce."
21:18 — Skaya waits for an answer. Even if it's refusal, it can't be definite at this stage.
21:20 <•Kotono> "We'll talk here. No one wants to let her back in our camps after what happened," The Baronet retorts, "I'm happy to play messenger."
21:21 <•Kotono> Then, "Though, I must ask. Did you sleep with a monster or did Milla come on that by her own, Picke?"
21:22 <•Kotono> Picke smiles back, ever so nicely. "My family isn't a question...unless you'd like a demonstration?" The two lock eyes before the Baroness huffs out a tense laugh.
21:22 <•Kotono> "Fine. I'm here to listen. What's the offer?" Baronet Henne asks.
21:22 <Skaya> "I'm happy to stay back and let everyone else proceed," Skaya says cheerfully, approaching the trio. "Though I must ask, honorable Baronet Henne. Who do you think you're negotiating with? The city of Mellanics?"
21:23 <•Kotono> A little shift over to Skaya, "Isn't that an interesting turn of phrase?" she asks, "Illuminate me, who am I negotiating with?"
21:24 <Skaya> "Why, it's the Kingdom of Laremy!" Skaya tells her cheerfully. "Why do this piecemeal when everything can be resolved in a single, signed agreement?"
21:27 <•Kotono> "In other words: Her Majesty's interested in a serious discussion, here and now." Withdrawing some papers his saddle bag, "See these papers, I have the a uthority to speak in the Queen's name." He rides forward to her, and the papers are looked over.
21:28 <Skaya> "That's worth swallowing a bit of anger and not insulting the people who came to negotiate in good faith, isn't it? Ah, but you can badmouth me all you want!"
21:28 <•Kotono> "Yet you come riding with the follower of a pacifist and an almsmaiden who serves the abandoned," Baroness Henne comments, gaze on Devar and then Anne, sweeping from one to the other. "I did not think Laremy cared much for either."
21:29 <•Kotono> "Our stories precede us," Anne says mildly, "Though I shall remember that name for me, I rather like it."
21:29 <Skaya> It's better than the names Sanda has for Anne, sure thing.
21:29 <Devar> "No one wants unnecessary bloodshed, especially that of citizens caught in the middle." Devar says. "Whether or not anyone cares for me is irrelevant."
21:32 <•Kotono> "We have our arguments," Pickec ontinues at this, "But Eis and Laremy have the true argument. The Petty Kingdoms can take a reward and leave the battlefield honorably. Fyner was once land taken from petty kingdoms, it can be returned. A compromise and a win, rather than the rapidly approaching failure that these changes of circumstance bring."
21:32 <•Kotono> "You think you can stop us from taking Mellanics nad all we want, rather than just that?" The Baronet counters right away.
21:33 <Skaya> "Perhaps you can take it, but could you keep it?" Skaya muses. "What can you even keep, once the war with Eis is resolved?"
21:37 <•Kotono> "Welland won't join the war this year, all thanks to them," Picke gestures with a sweep of his arm towards the party, "So if you were expecting a master stroke to roll into northwestern Laremy, that's gone now. As for the other nations, they have ankheg problems getting in the way. So we're offering a situation where we both win.""
21:38 <Skaya> "Winter's going to be extra tough this year," Skaya mentions, certain that Devar and Anne will follow up on it. "Ties in with holding down Mellanics, or keeping your own people fed, nevermind an army in fighting condition afterwards."
21:39 <Devar> "We have divine assurance of that." Devar echoes. "Do you want to be responsible for starving soldiers as well as your citizens?"
21:41 <•Kotono> "On this one matter, we don't speak as citizens of Laremy, but we speak as representatives of above," Anne removes her holy symbola nd holds it aloft. "Auril's winds will come with a ferocity that may be worse than anything we've seen in living memory."
21:41 <•Kotono> On this the Baronet's expression grows more reserved, "Do you have any proof of this, only your words?"
21:42 — Skaya feels obliged to draw out her own and raise it in solidarity with Anne before letting it drop back. "You have your own clerics, any army does. Just have them pray on it. If they don't worship the gods that want it to happen you'll get your own signs and portens."
21:42 <Devar> "If you wish to find someone to prove our words are truth via magic, I will submit to it." Devar says.
21:44 <•Kotono> OOC: Diplomacy checks all three of you, +10 ??? bonus.
21:44 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 for 35
21:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+30 Anne (+4 hope domain daily use expended)
21:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+30 Anne (+4 hope domain daily use expended) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{37}
21:45 <Devar> OOC: take 10 for 38
21:47 <•Kotono> Those words of each of yours echo moments later. With them comes feelings - of hope, of gently moving waters, of the wind along the roads. It's momentary and yet profound, impossible to miss. It feels more real than the summer heat and the scents of nature around you. It comes heavy with a sense of foreboding and warning. The Baronet visibly recoils, a yelp of surprise. Garza shudders at it
21:47 <•Kotono> while Picke grabs the reigns of his horse tight. "W-what was that?"
21:47 <•Kotono> "A warning," Picke says heavily, "About the coming winter."
21:48 <Skaya> "Anyone with a bit of academic training can match the manifestation to the deity," Skaya notes, saying thanks in her heart to Shaundakul.
21:49 <Devar> "Nothing short of a miracle in its fullest sense." Devar says. "You have your validation, I believe."
21:50 <•Kotono> "I-" A stop, composure. "I will pass on this message and send word back to Mellanics. You may leave in peace, as the flag of true ensures."
21:51 <Skaya> They think it's up to them. How cute-- no, Skaya, don't think like a villain!
21:51 <Skaya> "We shall await a favorable response, or a suitable counter offer," Skaya says, smiling again.
21:51 <Devar> Devar nods politely to Skaya's words.
21:55 <•Kotono> With that both sides separate, the Baronet and her soldiers rapidly riding away. "Well timed. I'm glad to see they aren't idle if evil's being this unruly." Picke comments as he rides back.
21:55 <•Kotono> "I had not expected or asked for it, but it was a welcome surprise," Anne smiles softly, "Perhaps another rewards for our gallantry."
21:55 <Skaya> "And we still have some negotiating capital left from our original agreement," Skaya voices. "How do you think it'll go?"
21:56 <Devar> "Hopefully they don't have any Aurilites in their ranks to undermine it." Devar says but nods to Anne and Skaya both.
21:57 <•Kotono> Garza's gaze is distant, faraway. He doesn't add anything in as Picke answers, "We'll end up with a border that loses Fyner and as much else as they can get, but the rest will be safe. That is, if this wasn't a one off occurance, but I doubt the divine would go to the trouble to only inform one messenger noblewoman."
21:57 <•Kotono> "We hope not," Picke comments, "Or anyone else who is sabotaging it, butthat's out of our hands now. We have enough worries without borrowing more."
21:57 <•Kotono> "Exactly so," Anne says, "Well spoken."
21:58 <Skaya> "They care about the people, and this is the best way to keep as many safe as possible. Let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
22:00 <Devar> Devar nods to that.
22:02 <•Kotono> With that, the party heads back to Mellanics...next time!

[Corwin]

19:07 <•Kotono> With that, the party returns to Mellanics. On your return Picke pulls you all aside, "For now, we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Anne, I need you to see to as many injured as you can. If any of you can heal like that as well, this is your time."
19:08 <Skaya> "Devar and I can help," Skaya agrees. "There's no need to hold back right now."
19:10 <•Kotono> "We'll see to it," Anne promises, "It shalln't take us long, so after that?"
19:10 <•Kotono> "Rest and prepare," Picke says, "If things go wrong on either end..." A solemn look to the three of you, "I'll say this to you, as I say to any soldier going off to war: Don't leave any regrets behind, because you might never get another chance to make them right."
19:13 <•Kotono> "I have things to do after," Anne agrees, "Devar, Skaya, what of you?"
19:13 <Skaya> "I'm pretty free," Skaya admits. "I was about to ask you if you needed some help. If not, I'll go bug Sanda a bit."
19:14 <Devar> "Me too. I don't really have anything pressing at the moment." Devar agrees.
19:19 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, just going to see to healing and nothing else urgent then?
19:19 <Skaya> OOC: I do want to ID our stuff but it's not an IC action
19:24 <•Kotono> OOC: Fair. Okay. More in the meantime.
19:25 <•Kotono> Like this, Mellanics is a quiet city under tension. For Skaya, it's a chance to find Sanda. She's in her shop - which is closed and mostly empty of stock. She sits inside, eyes closed and head resting on her arms. She lies draped over her front desk, resting. "Is that you, Skaya?" she asks aloud. "Odds are it is." OOC: Devar in #evil.

[Corwin]

19:25 <•Kotono> -----------
19:32 <•Kotono> Devar gets a chance for peace and a chance to rest. Not that it's anythingb ut tense, but right out of the Heroic Guild? "Hey," Rina falls in step with you, "Busy now?"
19:32 <Devar> "Nope, unless there's some emergency need for some healing." Devar says. "What's going on?"
19:33 <•Kotono> "Anne's heading back to the orphanage, and it's either that or something else, and..." Rina sighs, "Regis and I-I mean, it's just not the same w ithout him going there with me. I'm not up to it yet. Not with everything so tense."
19:36 <Devar> Devar puts a hand on Rina's shoulder. "Take your time and don't force yourself." He says. "You tell me where you want me and I'll go with you."
19:39 <•Kotono> "Just follow me," Rina volunteers, leading you along. You're lead to deeper into the city. The city's well built and laid out, far better than the older cities you saw in Welland. Even lined streets, no twisting passages or ancient buildings. All neat streets once it was rebuilt, and that includes parks and gardens. They're mostly empty despite the warm weather, the people seemingly too
19:39 <•Kotono> busy either preparing or soldiers readying themselves. Rina walks into here and stops, "Sometimes we'd have lunch here and talk about the jobs we did in the morning, or had to do in the afternoon. You know? We relied on each other so much."
19:45 <Devar> "I mean, you were family, weren't you?" Devar says with a smile. "Of course you did. No one can ever fully replace that - I didn't have too many people to talk to except at the Guild about the things I did, not a lot of friendliness for former soldiers who 'gave up' on Tempus. They say that after you die, if you're not brought in to be reborn into another life, some people keep their memories
19:45 <Devar> and live on that side and continue to grow. What do you think he would've wanted?"
19:48 <•Kotono> "Money, a good wife, a  comfortable life?" Rina says, "Also to be famous and powerful, and probably a second or third wife," Laughing a little with a fond smile, "I'd tease him about that and he'd tease me about wanting to be a princess with a fleet of magical ponies, a devoted husband and enough gold to drown Waukeen."
19:49 <•Kotono> After, voice wistful, "But those were things we laughed about when the job was bad and we needed to relax, you know?"
19:52 <Devar> Devar nods to that with a smile. "Absolutely. You know he's proud of you, wherever he is, right?" A hand patting her gently on the back. "You've overcome a lot, and you've grown from a - excuse the imagery, a small spark to a roaring inferno."
19:59 <•Kotono> A soft chuckle at that, "You get points for your metaphor. Or is that a simile? Whatever the poets call them." Rina relaxes a few moments, "Do you think we'll pull through on this, or will it come to a battle?"
20:01 <Devar> "Maybe Anne's rubbing off on me, but I'm hopeful." Devar says with a bit of a grin. "It's definitely in everyone's interests that we find a peaceful solution... It's one thing to be fighting demons or devils or people like Brachidos - it's another when it's just... greed, or whatever it was that spurred this on."
20:11 <•Kotono> "Well, we've always known other nations are jealous of Laremy and her might," Sanda comments, "At least that's what you can be taught here. It's not hard to see that it's a mess of tangled grudges."
20:11 <•Kotono> *Rina, sorry
20:12 <•Kotono> After that, "The point is that it's not greed. It's war after war and grudges built up, until it's not really about the land. It is, it is but it isn't."
20:14 <Devar> "Mm. People who don't even remember why their ancestors started the war, but they know to hate the other side." Devar shakes his head. "I wonder if Tempus is happy with that, a war for the sake of war, instead of a war with any real meaning."
20:17 <•Kotono> "War is war is war." Rina comments a little sourly, "I've heard enough lessons from them about it. Oh, some care more than others, but it's still war."
20:18 <Devar> "What does your patron think?" Devar asks. "I don't know too much about planar entities, but wars cause a lot fire, but I get the sense that He wouldn't really be happy about it."
20:21 <•Kotono> "I still don't know much," Rina admits, "But the point of war is to cleanse rot away, burn it up. Evil, failing social institutions, greed ran unchecked. When it becomes needed, it's always for a particular aim. To overthrow a corrupt monarchy or to secure independence from an unjust regime."
20:22 <Devar> "Mm. Maybe we can be hopeful that this winter of Auril's is going to give the kingdoms a reason to band together. Probably not, but we can be hopeful." He says with a smile. "There's definitely going to be a lot going on this winter..."
20:28 <•Kotono> "One way or another," Rina muses quietly, then makes a face. "Ugh, this is going to be the worst winter ever. I don't want to imagine days that aren't sunny and hot."
20:29 <Devar> "Haha, there's spells for that." Devar says. "I bet there's some enchanted item that'll keep things nice and comfortable for you."
20:32 <•Kotono> "That or step into a bonfire," Rina comments, "That sounds nice and homey about now." Then, more quietly, "What about you? How does your transformation affect you?"
20:34 <Devar> "I can't say I've noticed the same affinity as the rest of you, but I wonder if a certain lightning lance is blunting a lot of it." Devar says. "But it could also be that I wasn't 'human' to begin with, so this isn't really anything new. I guess if you see me start acting strange once a big storm comes upon us, you'll know why."
20:45 <•Kotono> Looking up at the warm sunlight, "It's a shame this weather oversees a war like this," Rina murmurs thoughtfully. "Isn't it?"
20:47 <Devar> "It is, but it'd be a shame no matter what, right?" Devar mentions. "I wonder what sort of power someone like Lathander has over the winter... I'm guessing not much."
20:56 <•Kotono> "Not enough," Rina grouses, "Come on, let's get moving," she invites.
20:56 <Devar> Devar nods and will follow Rina along, supporting his friend!
21:05 <•Kotono> It's not far. To a little tavern - that's closed. A guard outside of it, who simply says, "It's being used by the military."
21:06 <•Kotono> Rina scowls, but doesn't argue it. Instead she keeps walking, "We'd get a simple lunch of bread and chees or bread and meat and go eat in the park, or sometimes inside. Little things we never thought about until now."
21:07 <Devar> "They say there's a lot in life you take for granted until it isn't there anymore." Devar says. "But... I don't know about you, I don't think it's possible to cherish every moment of every single day - that would get excessively tiresome to me. So I think it's okay to just enjoy the present and let it help shape the future."
21:22 <•Kotono> "Every day," Rina says, "I'm going to go get some rest. You should as well, Devar."
21:24 <Devar> "Come find me if you need anything." Devar says.
21:25 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@5A2D6D3A.2CDA848.18B9E01A.IP)
21:25 <•Kotono> A nod at that as...OOC: More.
21:25 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 ???
21:25 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 ??? --> [ 1d100=55 ]{55}
21:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d100-30 (-30 ???)
21:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100-30 (-30 ???) --> [ 1d100=25 ]{-5}
21:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d100-20 (-20 ???)
21:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100-20 (-20 ???) --> [ 1d100=38 ]{18}

[Corwin]

19:26 <Skaya> "Course it is! What's the point of waiting on our own?"
19:33 <•Kotono> "Mentally recovering." Sanda says, "Being home after all of this is strange. You know, I always felt worn out when I got home after a long day, but it was a good tired. But with everything going on, I just feel restless."
19:34 <Skaya> "I get you. It's just that I don't feel that way myself. It's like I've done all I can, and if that's still not enough, I'm not sure what would be? I don't know if you heard, but we've had an actual divine manifestation during negotiations. There's not much you can add to that on such a tight schedule, is there?"
19:37 <•Kotono> Smiling faintly, "There isn't, I don't think. For all we've done, I feel like this war is out of our hands. At best we can try to nudge it." A sigh, "We stopped Brachidos and did a lot, but we can only do so much. It doesn't seem fair to come home to this."
19:39 <Skaya> "It's not that we can't, honestly," Skaya admits with a sigh. She hops on the front desk without care for whether Sanda's dusted it properly and sits close to her friend. "I mentioned a few ideas earlier, and there's a few more in reserve. If we wanted to, we could kill enough of them to make the invasion fail. It's just that we don't want to do that, right?"
19:51 <•Kotono> Sanda idly looks at your outer thigh from her position before, "More likely we face their powerful champions or worse, or get overwhelmed by numbers. Enough numbers have a strength of their own, even if we've gotten stronger. Besides...no, I don't want to do that. I'll fight to protect Mellanics, but I don't want that sort of blood on my hands."
19:55 <Skaya> "We really do see eye to eye a lot," Skaya muses, leaning back. Her wings and supernatural sense of balance will ensure to support her properly!
19:55 <Skaya> "I've been thinking. Originally, I thought we might learn how to teleport and just go all over. But what do you think about bringing your shop with you? Maybe we could make it mobile, or have it transform... there's also dimensional storage or expansion magic where the space is bigger on the inside."
20:09 <•Kotono> Sanda doesn't respond right away. Then, with a fond smile, "Maybe. That might be nice. You, me, Devar, Rina. We could go on the road like that." Before you can say anything, "Before you make a smart comment, I'm not expecting Anne to travel much more. She has her obligations here."
20:10 <Skaya> "I wasn't going to. She'll naturally join once we can teleport casually!"
20:14 <•Kotono> "Oh no, my teleportation magic can't transport more than four people. What are the odds of that, statistically speaking?" Sanda doesn't push it further, but instead, "Fine, I know we need her to heal our wounds.But maybe we could trade her in for a quiet, demure lady of Ilmater who also knows how to cook."
20:15 <Skaya> "Maybe we should just hire a maid. One that can cook and likes to travel and to see the world."
20:18 <•Kotono> "If we actually make a roving shop, why not? We'd need employees then," Sanda comments, "Maybe I can talk to Spine about the idea."
20:19 <Skaya> "We could settle down for a week or two in all sorts of places. Ah, I could work at your shop, too!"
20:23 <•Kotono> With a content smile, "You could, and I know that by the odds you'd be a great employee. All we have to do is solve this war, one way or another, and not hang or become hopelessly tangled in local politics."
20:24 <Skaya> "You won't hang. If it really comes down to that, I'll just fly away with you," Skaya promises Sanda.
20:29 <•Kotono> "I have no plans to, e ither," Sanda comments, "But I wouldn't put it past someone to do something sneaky and not give us a choice, or not let us ever wake up again." More seriously and sitting up, "If we're branded traitors, I imagine any restraint will vanish. I fully plan to relocate to Welland or to beneath the waves should that happen.
20:29 <•Kotono> ":
20:30 <•Kotono> A sniff afterwards, "Let any trouble drown trying to reach me."
20:31 <Skaya> "Traitors, huh. If you don't want someone to use your delegated power, don't delegate it." Skaya shrugs. "I've been pretty upfront about supporting Laremy but not being from Laremy, haven't I?"
20:33 <•Kotono> Sec.
20:33 <•Kotono> OOC Gah wrong roomed that.
20:41 <•Kotono> "I know that, but remember what happened to Rina." Sanda says, "People aren't always as logical as they should be. Mph."
20:43 <Skaya> "I really should've just acted-- geez, that girl! I came for her, you know? But she said she was fine so I didn't break her out. What's the use of forcing herself to endure if she gets trauma over it?"
20:46 <•Kotono> With a soft snort, "Skaya dear, besides me, you seem to only draw women around you who make extremely questionable choices."
20:46 <Skaya> "You say that like I'm dating them!"
20:47 <•Kotono> "You want to be, at least Anne." Sanda comments idly, "Maybe not Rina, but I didn't forget when Anne helped get through to you by offering to get dinner with you."
20:48 — Skaya laughs, shaking her head. "That was so mean! I actually thought she might be interested in me and figured why not, but it was all a stupid trick. Next time, you do it!"
20:57 <•Kotono> "Anne's surprisingly pragmatic when she needs to be and isn't blinded by her beliefs," Sanda's expression turns thoughtful, "Would it work if you know it's a trick, though?"
20:58 <Skaya> "It's okay. You can trick me! I'm giving you advance permission. Plus if I'm not in my right mind it'll work."
21:07 <•Kotono> Then, with a little smile, "Then again, maybe it isn't a trick." Sanda murmurs. "Or is it? Logically speaking the odds I like women is quite low, as that's rare. But unless you've decisively eliminated the possibility, low isn't zero, so you can't entirely eliminate it."
21:09 <Skaya> "Plus people change. Not just at the surface level," Skaya says, twitching her wings, "but inside as well. Experiences form our nature, and we're not some Inevitable that remains the same for eons."
21:23 <•Kotono> "Water stills and flows," Sanda agrees, "Or you're just hopeful your dear Anne will change her mind." Shifting her voice, closer to yours. "Ooooooh my dearest Anne, how I long for the sweetest of your touches."
21:25 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@5A2D6D3A.2CDA848.18B9E01A.IP)
21:27 <Skaya> "Dearest Sanda, I'll have you know that Anne listing her interests was a massive turn off. We're far less compatible than I thought, so there's no pining whatsoever. Ah, but I'll still save her any day~" Skaya grins, reminiscing about their adventures. "And carrying her in her armor never got old. It even made sense considering all those slips and falls. If Anne stays behind, I might just be carrying Devar around!"
21:40 <•Kotono> That gets Sanda to laugh, warmly. "Ah Devar-" Sanda stops as she frowns, "Speaking of, I forgot what I came here to do in the first place. Well, one of the things. I need to see what little the soldiers left here. Feel like helping me a little?"
21:40 <Skaya> "Isn't that why I'm here?"
21:43 <•Kotono> With that Sanda gets up and...OOC: More. Both of you in #evil.

[Corwin]

21:43 <•Kotono> ----
21:44 <•Kotono> A day of effort and rest passes. The next day promises storms - a tingle goes through Devar as he smells the air and sees the dark clouds - but you're called by Picke. Once you all get in, "Do you want the good or the bad news first," he asks, solemn.
21:44 <Devar> "I've always been a the good news helps bring you up after hearing the bad news first type of person." Devar says.
21:45 <•Kotono> "It seems wise if events have gone poorly," Anne agrees.
21:46 <•Kotono> "Milla and Skaya are specifically, by name, disinvited to the negotiations," Picke says, blandly.
21:46 <•Kotono> Sanda takes a moment to swim through it all before, "They agreed?"
21:47 <•Kotono> With the same half relief and half anticipation in her own voice, Rina asks, "That means they want to negotiate over the terms?"
21:47 <Skaya> "They're clearly afraid of my skills!" Skaya says cheerfully. "Do you want me there anyway? I'm not too bad at disguises."
21:49 <•Kotono> "No, I'm not willing to risk these negotiations over you," Picke says, "I'd like Devar and Anne there at a minimum, and maybe once more. No, no," Clasping his hands together, "We need a reserve force in case of treachery. They know how strong we are, and if they try it, I have no doubt they'll muster enough to threaten us. But the opportunity si what we hoped for, so we're committed to risk
21:49 <•Kotono> it."
21:50 <Skaya> "I can actually contribute by being here with Sanda and whispering in Anne or Devar's ear," Skaya muses. "So long as you do a running commentary it's all good. Or I can just be on standby if you don't need me at all."
21:50 <Devar> "Is this something Her Majesty herself wants to attend?" Devar asks. "I realize she's delegated things to you, Picke, but her presence may be enough to sway certain things too."
21:51 <Skaya> "Surely, we cannot neglect the Eis front or the capital to panicking nobles."
21:51 <•Kotono> Clearing his throat, "You don't understand. Her Majesty still isn't aware of this. That's why we're rushing this. If we present it as a fait accompli, the deed is done and the die is cast." Picke looks to them, "Negotiations will begin as soon as possible, likely before sunset today if not sooner."
21:53 <•Kotono> "If they want haste as well, they must be shaken in some manner," Anne reasons, "Perhaps the words of the divine reached them as well, or the echos of it was sufficient."
21:53 <Devar> "Ah, I see." Devar nods. "Very well, I'll do what I can - though it seems like a storm is rolling in, so we may have to work around that."
21:53 <Skaya> "The more they drag out negotiations, the more local clergy can heal up the wounded soldiers," Skaya muses. "Then again, a quick settlement is also good. Maybe they're tired of the constant wars as well? In that case, once there's an engagement proposal for the young Earl, it might be seen as the key to advancing their goals peacefully."
21:56 <•Kotono> "It might be, but what's done will be done," Picke says, "Devar and Anne, begin to prepare. Sanda and Rina, do either of you think you can contribute to this?"
21:57 <•Kotono> Rina shakes her head, "No, and I was there with Milla and Skaya. Best not to provoke them."
21:57 <Skaya> "Sanda absolutely isn't allowed to go without me," Skaya says resolutely.
21:57 <Devar> "Skaya and I can keep in touch." Devar affirms.
21:58 <•Kotono> Sanda's thoughtful before, "Is that jealousy, Skaya?"
21:59 <Skaya> "It might be a bit late, but it occurs to me that there could be one more issue to bring up. We can't be the only ones suffering from those ankhegs, can we? Ending this war and dealing with that mess is better than fighting and having to guard every traveling caravan from them," Skaya says, ignoring Sanda's question.
22:01 <•Kotono> "It came up in passing, but we've had some success with that," At that Picke goes on,  "Well, some agents of ours in Kellym and Girm have, along with some locals over there. It's worse over there, but it's another story and not that important right now."
22:02 <Skaya> "I know, that's why I didn't bother getting into it before. But there's plenty of danger if they want to hold this piece of land, and if they're unaware someone honest should tell them casually."
22:02 <•Kotono>  "We'll factor it in, then," Picke explains, "Oh, while it's up. Be careful in case yo ufind any strange wyrm or serpent like creatures chasing the ankhegs."
22:03 <Devar> "There are still more of those things?" Devar asks with a frown.
22:03 <Skaya> "We killed one before!"
22:05 <•Kotono> "They're an invasive predator, invading ankheg lands and chasing them. They're strong enough to be dangerous. Also, there's a rainbow jelly they have that's highly powerful, but with drawbacks."
22:06 <Skaya> "We know about that too! It looks creepy but is actually delicious!"
22:08 <Devar> "If it somehow isn't in the reports, they can swim through stone like it's water." Devar adds.
22:08 <•Kotono> There's look of pain that crosses Picke's face, "Then hope Anne can cure the diseases within you - I have it on good information that those who consume it are likely to die of internal disease within a year. Namely tumorous growths in the lungs and heart."
22:09 <•Kotono> Rina's color drops, "Tumors?" she says, voice sounding weak suddenly.
22:09 <Skaya> "We'll probably be fun. That's not even the craziest thing we've eaten!"
22:09 <Skaya> *fine
22:09 <•Kotono> Anne smiles. "Fear not, I can cure that, and that's even if our new natures allow us to get sick in such a way."
22:10 <Devar> "I guess we'll find out in a few months if our transformations solved the issue or not." Devar says. "Either way - it sounds like we have a goal ahead of us with these talks."
22:10 <•Kotono> "We do," Sanda agrees, "And nightmares for the next year or two."
22:11 <•Kotono> "I'll cast remove disease on all of us when we have time, just in case," Anne promises, "No need for nightmares."
22:11 <•Kotono> "I hope so," Picke says, "And for the record, what possessed you to consume it? The tome this came from even lamented that heroes tended to eat it."
22:12 <•Kotono> With a long, frustrated groan as he looks up, "Lathander and Selune give me strength."
22:12 <Skaya> "It's mystery meat from a pseudo-dragon! It's magical! Who wouldn't want to try it?" Skaya asks rather reasonably.
22:13 <•Kotono> "Post battle adrenaline?" Rina offers sheepishly, "And the ability to swim through stone has been hugely useful, and we breathe so much better now."
22:14 <•Kotono> PIcke goes to respond...next time! OOC: We'll move onto setup for negotiations Monday.

[Corwin]

19:04 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, so obviously setting up negotiations is a thing. For your end, is there anything you'd want to do or try to set up here?
19:06 <Skaya> OOC: Skaya will be ready to assist via the telepathy ring, but otherwise will bug Sanda about the bracers
19:07 <Devar> OOC: Unless we have some last minute diplomacy boosters anyone can provide I don't think there's much to do on Devar's end.
19:11 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, Skaya in here and we'll start with the bracers. Devar in #dunes.

[Corwin]

19:11 <•Kotono> ----
19:11 <•Kotono> Once you have a little time away as preparations begin, "Oh yes, I needed to talk to you about these bracers I got," Sanda comes over, "Have you heard about them yet?"
19:12 <Skaya> "Devar just told me to ask you about them. But they sound really great!"
19:23 <•Kotono> "Yes, here, I wrote it all out," Sanda passes you some paper, "As for thea djusting part, I feel something but it hasn't happened yet. I think it takes times."
19:25 <Skaya> "Can I try them on?"
19:31 <•Kotono> "If you want," Sanda takes them off carefully, "See how they suit you."
19:31 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@5A2D6D3A.2CDA848.18B9E01A.IP)
19:33 <Skaya> "Thanks! You know how I like mysterious artifacts!" Skaya chirps as she takes her bracers off and tries this pair.
19:39 <•Kotono> OOC: ?You lack the water subtype, right?
19:40 <Skaya> OOC: Correct
19:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Cha check.
19:44 <Skaya> roll 1d20+5
19:44 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{25}
19:50 <•Kotono> Skaya puts them on, and they feel strangely heavy, tense. Yet that feeling relents after time, and Skaya slowly feels better with them on.
19:52 <Skaya> "Oh, they're very comfortable!" Skaya exclaims, twisting her arms in front of her to look at the bracers from all manner of angles.
19:54 <•Kotono> They fit well, at least. "They were crushingly expensive, but remarkable," Sanda confesses, "You don't run into something like these often, the odds are against it."
19:55 <Skaya> "Okay, stand back!" Skaya tells her, before punching out with a grin on her face. Metal claws, come forth!
19:56 <•Kotono> Metal claws do just that, poking out bloodlessly and painlessly on your punch. Yah!
19:58 <Skaya> "It really is metal claws!" Skaya cheers, before trying a roundhouse kick. Her entire body is a deadly weapon, so would they pop out of her foot? ...actually they might so she stops herself, replaces her combat boots with regular, cheap footwear and then tries it!
20:03 <•Kotono> Feet too, just as easily. coming right out.
20:05 <Skaya> "This looks so great!" Skaya exclaims. Hands, feet, elbows-- she can probably hip nudge someone and a scary blade will come out! She just checks whether items of clothing such as her shoes get damaged in the process or if the magical claws glide through or appear outside them.
20:08 <•Kotono> Downside: They do. Those shoes now need patching to say the least.
20:08 <•Kotono> Sanda looks down at them, "This is why mending and make whole spells exist," she comments.
20:09 <Skaya> "Isn't it amazing, Sanda? The shoes got all cut but my skin is great!" She makes a point of showing her hands!
20:10 <•Kotono> Sanda leans in - at an angle to be safe from blades. "Oh yes, not a mark. I tried them myself. I don't fight unarmed, but it's not a bad fallback to have."
20:13 <Skaya> "You can make the blades appear too?!"
20:13 <•Kotono> OOC: Strike, had a stupid because I'm mentally figuring out a diplo line for Devar.
20:13 <•Kotono> Sanda leans in - at an angle to be safe from blades. "Oh yes, not a mark. I tried them myself but couldn't get them to appear."
20:14 <Skaya> "You could probably do it if you wear a belt like mine, but it'd be pretty expensive for little benefit. If you're hitting people, better do it with a stave."
20:16 <•Kotono> "Yes," Sanda agrees, "Aren't those bracers just remarkable?" Then with a pause, "Also, how are the negotiations going?"
20:18 <Skaya> "They're still going," Skaya says as she's being generally kept abreast of it. "There's more variance than I imagined but they probably are open to peace."
20:26 <•Kotono> "Doesn't mean they don't want every scrap and inch they can get," Sanda points out, then blows out a breath, "Say, Skaya. Just in case, if this all goes wrong, I..."
20:26 <Skaya> "Yes?"
20:28 <•Kotono> "If I end up executed and can't get out of it, make sure they don't make a single copper coin off of it. I don't want them to get anything of mine if that happens." Sanda asks, "They don't deserve it."
20:29 <Skaya> "If there's really no other way out, why not surrender? You haven't actually done anything for this war that they can prove."
20:32 <•Kotono> With a bitter, tight smile, "Do you think that if blame goes that far that they'll care?"
20:34 <Skaya> "If an enemy mage surrendered to me in war and wasn't an agent of the lower planes, I'd consider ransom at the very least. Guide them to that ancient dragon platform and take your chances with the angry dragon guard if the worst happens, Sanda. Never just give up like this!"
20:37 <•Kotono> "Of course I'm not giving up, but if the worst happens anyway," Sanda points out, "Seriously, I don't want them profiting."
20:38 <•Kotono> Then with an exasperated pout, "If I can't take it with me, then they still can't have it. Zero chance."
20:39 <Skaya> "What do you want me to say? Ah, geez. It's beyond a joke, so fine. If you manage to die despite my best efforts I'll make you compact, put you in my bag and fly away. Are you happy now?"
20:43 <•Kotono> "Thrilled. You could have just agreed," Sanda's expression is annoyed, "It's like if I ask you to throw me a heal potion in battle. Don't argue it, just agree to it. Honestly!
20:43 <•Kotono> "
20:44 <•Kotono> A knock on the door of your room before Rina slips in, "All's quiet and tense in the city...and is everything alright?"
20:44 <•Kotono> "Do the math and tell me," Sanda hmphs and looks away from Skaya.
20:44 <Skaya> "It's a jinx! Don't make requests like that!" At Rina's question, Skaya pouts. "Sanda is so morbid!"
20:46 <•Kotono> "Right." Rina sounds completely unconvinced of any of that, "Maybe we should talk about dresses and men instead?" She says, dryly. "We shouldn't argue because we're worried about what's happening."
20:47 <Skaya> "Oh, alright. Rina, look! Sanda loaned me these bracers. They go whoosh when I punch!" Skaya helpfully demonstrates!
20:52 <•Kotono> Rina cracks a smile, "Those ARE impressive. Do they work with a sword?"
20:53 <•Kotono> Sanda? She's pouting and looking at both of you like you're filthy, no good traitors.
20:55 <Skaya> "Not normally BUT I happen to have a super special punchy sword that was enchanted to work with kicks and punches! Let's try it and see what happens!" Having said so, Skaya draws her scorpion kama and strikes at the air valiantly! "Sanda helped me get it when I suddenly ran out of money. Because she's a great friend!"
20:55 <Skaya> OOC: This "+1 kama" deals damage equal to your unarmed strike damage (if that is greater than the normal damage for a kama).
20:59 <•Kotono> OOC: That...hum. That's an interesting edge case at least.
21:00 <•Kotono> OOC: One moment while I plug it into the DM-o-Tron.
21:04 <•Kotono> The kama is swung, but no spikes come from it, unfortunately.
21:06 <Skaya> "Maybe you need to swing it better," Skaya muses. "Hey, girls, want to see if I can climb a wall with the spikes?"
21:06 <•Kotono> "Try, see if those help," Rina agrees, "If they stay, that would be really helpful."
21:08 — Skaya looks for a convenient wall and then launches a strike with her left hand. She pulls the punch so it's mostly a tap, and then checks if there's time to kick with her right foot. Then right arm, then left foot. Worst case, she can glide down!
21:14 <•Kotono> The timing's tricky, but Skaya's impression is that she could use them like this. It would be more useful if yo ucouldn't fly ,but you never know. The main problem is that once you're finished with the attack, the claws retract and are gone.
21:16 <Skaya> "I actually can," Skaya says in surprise. "It's very tricky, but I can manage. And if I miss my timing, the holes left and my ability to glide can let me regain height easily." With the examination complete, she takes off the bracers and hands them back to Sanda. "Thanks so much for the loan!"
21:21 <•Kotono> Sanda takes them, "I'm willing to trade them in the future, but I know yo udon't have the resources right now."
21:22 <•Kotono> Rina whistles low, "Neat trick there, Skaya. It's not as good as a full climber's kit, but it's useful."
21:22 — Skaya sighs. "I'm destined to be poor while I stay in Laremy. I never knew I needed so many things before!"
21:26 <•Kotono> "Poverty is crushing." Sanda commiserates, "How about we have an early dinner while we wait for them?"
21:26 <Skaya> "Sure. It's on me, I can at least afford to eat outside again."
21:27 <•Kotono> "
21:27 <•Kotono> "I have something here," Sanda waves it off, "I'll show you, it'llb e nice."
21:28 <•Kotono> Rina follows along without an argument, "As long as it's not still alive, trying to kill us or poisonous."
21:28 <Skaya> "I'd like to point out that unlike Rina, I don't necessarily mind any of those things."
21:29 <•Kotono> "Says someone who wasn't poisoned," Rina retorts right away.
21:30 <Skaya> "Not for lack of trying."
21:30 <•Kotono> "You survived," Sanda comments, "Statistically speaking, that means your odds of surviving future poisonings improves."
21:30 — Skaya nods in agreement with Sanda.
21:32 <•Kotono> With that food comes and...OOC: More, since pending on other room.
21:39 <•Kotono> Soon enough, over the remnants of dinner, word comes: Success. Peace. At least for Mellanics, all through your ring.
21:40 <Skaya> "We're good," Skaya says with a genuine smile. "If they strike after signing a favorable peace treaty, they're idiots. And if only cost me a thousand or so gold."
21:41 <•Kotono> Rina lets out a cheer while Sanda claps her hands together, "Wait, why did it cost you that?"
21:41 <Skaya> "To be fair it cost Rina here and Milla a thousand and change as well," Skaya elaborates. "They want their staff back but they're cheapskates. I already checked the going prices and they're gouging us on some four thousand gold here."
21:44 <•Kotono> "That much?!" SAnda blurts out, "That's robbery!"
21:44 <•Kotono> "That's politics, and I doubt our coinpurses matter compared to peace," Rina remarks.
21:44 <•Kotono> "That's horrible!" Sanda goes right on, "They may as well have stolen it back from you!"
21:44 <•Kotono> "Which we stole in the first place," Rina counters.
21:44 <Skaya> "If I truly cared I'd have Laremy compensate me, but really, I've already accepted the sad truth that I'm bound to be a pauper in Laremy."
21:45 <•Kotono> Sanda points a finger at Rina, "Still, we looted it fairly!"
21:45 <Skaya> "Indeed we did, Sanda. If they didn't want us to take it they wouldn't have invaded."
21:46 <Skaya> "Still, you know the funny part?" Skaya asks the two with a grin.
21:50 <•Kotono> "What is it?" Rina obliges you.
21:50 <Skaya> "It's not like they could put it into the peace treaty. This is just something an asshole named Hans verbally agreed upon with people who don't have the actual staff."
21:56 <•Kotono> "Him." Rina scowls, "He's probably doing it for someone else's sake. Politics. Of course the one competent leader they have kept making trouble for us."
21:57 <Skaya> "Want to go and sell it at the Guild? I'm sure that very nice noble or the young Earl would be happy to purchase it off the Guild later."
21:57 <•Kotono> "I'd say creatively lose the staff," Sanda points out, quite reasonably, You can't give it back if you don't have it."
21:57 <Skaya> "I can but it's not really that good. Why not sell it first?"
22:01 <•Kotono> "Politics, but do yo ucare that much?" Rina asks, "It's not like it's the worst idea we've eve rhad."
22:02 <Skaya> "I just don't like Hans. Also, do you mind going first? Sanda  and I will follow but slowly, so you'll have time to sell it before we regroup at the Guild. We need to catch the Guild Master there together."
22:03 <•Kotono> Thus you ahead and...next time! OOC: It's about time so starting to wind down. Will run Neph just a smidge longer.

[Corwin]

19:12 <•Kotono> ----
19:19 <•Kotono> Picke meets with the three of you this afternoon. "It'll be happening soon," he says simply, "Do the two of you have any questions?"
19:20 <Devar> "How much talking do you actually want us to do?" Devar asks. "We aren't nobles, so I don't know if our words will help or hurt, regardless of who they're in praise of."
19:25 <•Kotono> "Not a lot," Picke admits, rubbing his jaw, "Saying the right things will come down to using your brains, not provoking and being intelligent. Social graces aside, you're heroes so you're not expected to be perfect there. But in general you're there to be seen and remind them that you exist. Pay attention, see if you notice anything unusual. Just in case there's treachery, really."
19:26 <Devar> Devar nods. "Easily enough done, then."
19:30 <•Kotono> "It will be done," Anne says, "I'll have my eyes open, do you think there will be treachery?"
19:30 <•Kotono> "Probably not," Picke shakes his head, "Too much invested at this point, and this sort of treachery means no one trusts you for at least a generation. It's when sides can't even meet under truces that the worst, total wars happen."
19:31 <Devar> Devar nods. "We'll keep our eyes out anyway."
19:31 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@5A2D6D3A.2CDA848.18B9E01A.IP)
19:33 <•Kotono> "Then let's get going, we'll ride out to meet them," Picke says, "At least there'll be food," he then almost manages a smile. "You can't expect fancy nobles not to be pampered."
19:35 <Devar> "Heh, we'll have to introduce you to one of the High Reeves, he had a real talent for picking out food." Devar says as he goes to walk with him. Hopefully none of the food was imported from Rockgale...
19:38 <•Kotono> That gets ana lmost smile as the three of you go and...OOC: More.
19:42 <•Kotono> It's a caravan that heads out from Melanics. Picke, Devar and Anne are one group, along with Garza, the young Lord Mellanics and his bodyguard, and a few other officials you don't know. Along with a retinue of soldiers, the group heads forth. You ride otu far enough for Mellanics to be distant but not out of sight, where a large tent has been set up in the road. Enemy soldiers are camped here,
19:42 <•Kotono> but none oppose you now, as you ride forth with a flag of truce. Awaiting the party at the head of a vanguard of soldiers is a familiar face - Hans. He simply inclines his head to the group, "Earl Mellanics," he greets to the child, "We welcome you and yours under truce."
19:42 <•Kotono> Garza raises his voice, "We accept your welcome," he says, "Is that sufficient?"
19:43 <•Kotono> "Sufficient enough," Hans agrees, "Follow." His gaze lingers on Devar and Anne a moment, neutral and controlled.
19:43 <Devar> Devar gives Hans a polite and respectful nod in return - no need to be rude to anyone yet!
19:52 <•Kotono> Anne does the same as you're lead in. Here are familiar faces - at least to Skaya and friends, if not you. Gerhardt is there, along with Baronet Henne in the back, along with several other figures you don't know offhand. All military sorts, armed and armored. "Welcome, welcome," Gerhardt rises, "Shall we get to brass tacks, gentlemen? This heat is abysmal." He wipes his forehead with a fancy
19:52 <•Kotono> cloth.
19:53 <•Kotono> "I'm pleasantly surprised at the lack of pomp and circumstance," Anne murmurs, more to herself than anything, but it carries in the tent.
19:53 <•Kotono> Garza's jaw tenses, but Gerhardt waves it off, "Most of us know each other, and the two of you?" A look, "Well, I doubt you're the negotiators, are you?"
19:54 <Devar> Devar stays quiet, but nods to those he's seen before. To the open question, "Devar of Eldath, and Anne of Moore." He doesn't think he needs to elaborate any further than that.
19:55 <•Kotono> "I am not, though just as well." Anne says sweetly, "I've proven most adept at procuring funds in Welland."
19:55 <•Kotono> The baronet murmurs, "Yes, we've all heard of the stories drifting south about the heroes of Dareslan.
19:55 <•Kotono> OOC: Gah.
19:55 <•Kotono> The baronet murmurs, "Yes, we've all heard of the stories drifting south about the heroes of Dareslan."
19:57 <•Kotono> "Just so, so shall we get to this," Gerhardt says.
19:57 <•Kotono> Hans is to the side, at attention. However, he adds, "Before that, there is a matter we need addressed. While important, it is not directly tied to these negotiations."
19:58 <•Kotono> There's a murmur at that, but Gerhardt's pleasant expression dims slightly. "Very well, if you insist."
19:59 <•Kotono> "During the overnight raid, a staff named the Soar The Depths was stolen. It will be returned." A simple, plain answer, "A reasonable ransom of 1,200 gold will be paid. While you are not the ones who took it, I am here to see to that matter and trust it will be relayed."
20:00 <•Kotono> Picke speaks up here, "I'll sort it out," he says plainly, "It'll be passed along."
20:04 <•Kotono> A nod at that, "Now then, negotiations..." OOC: How much do you want to get into these? If Devar's not involved I can glide over things if you prefer.
20:07 <Devar> OOC: He's going to pay attention for good opportunities to speak up, especially about the value of peace winning over constant warring, and will use Brachidos and the Talonites as good examples of how common people can get caught up and hurt by that sort of thinking
20:07 <Devar> OOC: So more or less he'll advocate as much as he can when given an opportunity, but he isn't going to try and bulldoze the conversation or negotiations over it
20:07 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, give me a wisdom check here, +3 circumstance bonus.
20:08 <Devar> roll 1d20+4 wisdom, my dump stat!
20:08 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+4 wisdom, my dump stat! --> [ 1d20=17 ]{21}
20:14 <•Kotono> At first it's verbal jousting and the proposal - give up Fyner and Newkingsland, more than initially offered. Of course there's a counter offer, then the back and forth you'd expect. As it goes on? "Still though, your position is grim," Gerhardt points out, "No matter how matters push things forward, and how..." A pause here.
20:15 <•Kotono> "You don't ignore the message we got," The baronet speaks up, "But that doesn't mean we roll over and take less than we deserve."
20:15 <•Kotono> Anne frowns at that, listening but holding her peace.
20:15 <•Kotono> The young Earl is more interested in a cup of water he was given, held with both hands.
20:16 <•Kotono> "That may be so, but peace is the real goal: Not gain," Picke points out, "Greed will just see everyone suffer."
20:19 <Devar> "There is no weakness in wanting a peaceful future for all sides." Devar adds.
20:24 <•Kotono> "Just so," Anne adds, "We've been told plainly that this is the wrong war at the wrong time. Let not the greed and cupidity of man bring disaster."
20:26 <•Kotono> There's a few tongue clicks at that, but Gerhardt clears his throat, "Yes yes, we have had our wrists slapped, as it is said." Devar and Anne get looks, but the talks continue onward and...
20:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 circumstances, +2 aid there) Mellanics
20:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 circumstances, +2 aid there) Mellanics --> [ 1d20=11 ]{20}
20:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4(-2 circumstnace)
20:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4(-2 circumstnace) --> error: malformed expression
20:28 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 -2 circumstnace)
20:28 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 -2 circumstnace) --> [ 1d20=5 ]{9}
20:34 <•Kotono> The words sit heavy, but slowly the negotiations wind closer and closer to what you hoped. Fyner is still lost, but Newkingsland looks safer and safer as it goes on. After a few hours of this, "A break," Garza proposes, "Twenty minutes."
20:34 <•Kotono> "Agreeable," Gerhardt says, "Soldiers, have food and drink brought in," he orders, "We could all use a brief respite."
20:36 <Devar> Devar looks like he's slightly more relaxed now than he was at the beginning, at the very least.
20:36 <•Kotono> Great trays of food and drink, looking fine enough to be served before a noble, are all brought in. Anne sits back as conversation breaks out and softly exhales, "Goodness," she murmurs to Devar. "Arguing about the fate of people like it's mere coin."
20:38 <Devar> "Imagine what our patrons have to argue." Devar says quietly with a bit of a smile. "I couldn't imagine having the lives of my followers and worshippers on my conscience like that."
20:39 <•Kotono> Anne takes a moment to fetch a goblet of what looks to be chilled wine. She has a long sip before, "I'd rather be flying right now," she concedes. "The sky is beautiful today."
20:40 <•Kotono> "Is it?" Hans approach, a goblet in his own hand. He has a performative sip before, "I'd say that had we been meant to soar in the skies, we would have wings, but..." Devar gets a long, long look.
20:41 <•Kotono> That gets Anne to have another sip as she floats up a few inches, getting to eye level with Hans. "Yes, and?" she says, politely.
20:46 <Devar> A smile at that and a raised glass of some juice that likely was there because of the Earl. "We've had some rather unique adventures that give us a bit of a different outlook." He says, bowing his head politely to Hans. "Still, there's magic that lets you do that sort of thing. But I take it you're a more grounded type of person, both in merit and deed?" Devar asks, looking to Hans specifically.
20:47 <•Kotono> "Nonsense." Hans says, "Magic is part of the world. However, most of us don't have much if any of it, so we look towards the ground and what we can see. Don't forget the many for the few: Stratagem 94."
20:48 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Anne K:R meanwhile
20:48 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 Anne K:R meanwhile --> [ 1d20=2 ]{14}
20:48 <•Kotono> Anne hums at that, "That reminds me of something, but I can't place it, I'm afraid."
20:49 <•Kotono> "The Stratagems are wisdom from The Red Knight," Hans answers neutrally, "With them comes wisdom from battle to high command."
20:50 <•Kotono> "That was it," Anne says, "Thank you. You follow her?"
20:51 <•Kotono> "Mmm, yes." An admission after a moment, "Being grounded is wise, even if you're powerful. No, especially if you are, because power distorts your view of everything else."
20:52 <Devar> "Ah, of course." Devar inclines his head. Maybe one of the other Strategems would be helpful to bring up in the future, he muses to himself. "No, that's a very fair way to look at it. History is fraught with those in power who use it maliciously. It's why I hope these talks can bring about something more lasting in terms of peaceful times for everyone."
20:55 <•Kotono> "It won't last as long as Laremy exists." Hans meets Devar's gaze now, firm and fearless. "It's the nature of things now, too many wars and too many corpses to put behind all of us. I'll settle for a few years and for things to stabilize. Then again," he reflects, "It's your business to work for peace, no matter how unlikely."
20:56 <•Kotono> "Or until Laremy has grown too large and strong to oppose directly," Anne counters.
20:57 <Devar> Devar smiles at him at that. "Strategem 94, huh?" He takes a sip of his drink. "There's a lot of ways to look at it, I'm not... probably versed well enough in the history of things to speak on it, but... I think there's room for everyone in this country, and I think we can all find happiness."
20:58 <•Kotono> "And then it goes the way of all empires and fractures, and again and again we go," Hans fires back, "War is as natural as rain or sunshine." After that, then to Devar again, "Then I ask you: Are you an optimist or an idealogue?"
21:00 <Devar> "I know that the reality of peace is that it has to be maintained with force sometimes." Devar says with a polite nod to Hans. "You can't simply expect every side to throw down their arms in pacifism unless you came in with an overbearing power - which defeats the entire point of peacefulness to begin with. People have to want to peace - have to want to stop fighting, and sometimes that comes
21:00 <Devar> after seeing the futility of warring."
21:01 <•Kotono> Anne eyes Hans before, "And then you say that will never happen, because people want to fight by their nature?"
21:03 <•Kotono> "Yes." No denial, "Devar, war is natural because battle and disagreement are natural. Even when people want peace, it only lasts until those desires burn brightly once more. When people want peace, it is only because war has grown too terrible to be endured."
21:06 <Devar> "I don't disagree with you." He says. "But I don't agree either, I don't think disagreement is a natural course of things, but finding solutions together is something that the entire of Creation relies on. We don't have the Heavens and Hells warring with each other on our doorstep - so surely us regular folks can find some common ground somewhere in order to start making everything else better?"
21:06 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 on K:R for 25 - can I give him a zippy Strategem that could be viewed as something like 'better the devil you know' - i.e. we're better off trying to work together even if we don't agree than making things worse
21:13 <•Kotono> OOC: Stratagem 48 comes to mind: When you need peace, familiarity is gold.
21:15 <Devar> "To take a page from Her book, I believe Strategem 48 is the most applicable in this situation." Devar says with a small smile - he isn't intending to sound like he's making fun of it in any capacity. "Perhaps, to your point, too many wars can be advantageous to both sides here - both sides can see what it's wrought and what's been gained... and how little of it lasted."
21:16 <•Kotono> "To take a page," Hans agrees with you, eyes slightly narrower now, "I wouldn't expect one who follows your path to know that book."
21:17 <Devar> "Strategy and tactics are important for everyone." Devar says simply, and with respect. "No matter what you believe in or want."
21:21 <•Kotono> At that there's a soldier who approache sand leans in, whisperin got Hans. He nods briefly, "A pleasure," he says, "But another time." With that he goes. Once he's out of earshot, "Too bad," Anne murmurs.
21:21 <Devar> "I think we made our point." Devar says with a smile to Anne. "We're heroes for a reason."
21:24 <•Kotono> "Too bad he's not twenty years younger and also nota follower of the Red Knight," Anne comments to you, quietly so.
21:26 <Devar> A small shrug to her at that. "Keep that hope alive, my dear Anne."
21:28 <•Kotono> Anne smiles back faintly, as the negotiations continue, and...
21:28 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7(+2 circumstance) Mellanics
21:28 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7(+2 circumstance) Mellanics --> error: malformed expression
21:28 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 (+2 circumstance) Mellanics
21:28 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 (+2 circumstance) Mellanics --> [ 1d20=8 ]{15}
21:29 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 (-2 circumstance)
21:29 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 (-2 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=13 ]{18}
21:31 <•Kotono> The negotiations continue - but it seems to be narrowing in, particularly after Picke nad Garza give up a little more land, a few more villages. As of now, it seems to be getting closer, closer and closer yet as...OOC: Perception, Devar.
21:31 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 21
21:33 <•Kotono> All goes well enough. It's near sunset when at last Garza and Gerhardt rise and shake hands, "We have an agreement!" Gerhardt declares, "Once more, Fyner is free!"
21:34 <•Kotono> Cheers go up, at least from the enemy - or former enemy for now - side. Anne claps, the softest murmur of, "Thank you for peace, Moore," Carrying to you.
21:35 <Devar> If something *were* going to happen, around now would be when it would, but Devar says a prayer in thanks of peace in this moment.
21:38 <•Kotono> There's a moment, another, another and another. No sign of attacks, only of relief. Picke shakes many hands, but int ime comes over to the two of you. "Mellanics is safe." he says, keeping his voice down, "At least for this war."
21:39 <Devar> Devar nods, patting Picke on the shoulder. "What happens now?" He asks, quietly.
21:40 <•Kotono> "We go back, tell everyone and oversee the transfer." In a lower voice, barely a whisper, "We'll talk more when we're away."
21:44 <Devar> Devar nods to Picke and will give any handshakes offered to him.
21:49 <•Kotono> It takes a little bit, but under sunset the party heads back. Garza's head is bowed, morose. The Earl is quiet still, sleeping and carried by his bodyguard. As for Picke? He rides with you and Anne, "What I'm going to do is set things in motion and then pass leadership of the guild to Milla, and then ride to the Queen." With a grim expression, "There's a real chance I won't return. I intend to
21:49 <•Kotono> call in every favor I can and do my best, but I abused my authority and acted without the Queen's consent. Even if the facts on the ground make it a fait accompli, I've done enough to hang as it is, even before considering everything else. And...at worst, better that I be disgraced and blamed than everyone else. If I have to take it so that Milla and the rest of you aren't punished, that's what
21:49 <•Kotono> I'm going to do."
21:52 <Devar> Devar frowns at that. "You know that the others aren't just going to accept that and let things be, right?"
21:54 <•Kotono> "I'd order all of you to shut up and obey, but I know I'd be wasting my breath," Picke looks ahead at Mellanics in the distance, stained orange with the sunset. "Instead, I'd say accept it so that the Heroic Guild survives, and all of you are safe and can support Milla as she takes over for me. I'd rather have you in Laremy and helping everyone here than flee off to Welland or somewhere else.
21:54 <•Kotono> But even that aside, I have a request for both of you. No, it's more of a favor."
21:55 <•Kotono> Anne merely bows her head, "Of course, what it is?"
21:55 <•Kotono> *is it?
21:58 <Devar> Devar will listen - and also start relaying Picke's insane plan to Skaya, with some added 'surely there's some way to keep him from doing this' ideas mingled in.
21:59 <Skaya> 'Passing leadership means going back to the Guild, so let's talk to him in private together,' Skaya thinks back to Devar.
22:00 <Devar> 'Will keep you updated.' Is the reply.
22:02 <•Kotono> "I've never been a religious man." Picke admits, "And with what I did to save Milla, there's many of the more merciful ones who want nothing to do with me. So...could you put in a good word with your patrons for me?"
22:03 <Devar> "I don't think we're going to need to do that, but if it comes to it, you have my word." Devar promises him.
22:03 <•Kotono> "I hope not, but prepare anyway," Picke agrees, as you all go forward and...next time! OOC: That's actually a really good lin eto end on.