Lethe (Jaela, Surraruthru, Moore)

[Corwin]

"So it seems that our options are trying to follow the river the other way in hopes of a portal to disrupt or something to divert it with, or ignoring that problem altogether and forcing battle on Lethe directly?" Jaela summarizes. "The former would be a major victory, even should we avoid combat, but we can't guarantee success and it might be time consuming. Days of travel for Cresiel would stretch far more at Aurora's speed. The latter is self-explanatory." Looking over those gathered for the final planning, she says, "I'd like to hear from you."

[Anastasia]

"I vote for going for Lethe. Cut off the serpent's head and the body dies," Adrian says.

Gisfal hmms slightly, "I think trying to find the source is wiser. We can't afford to be overwhelmed here, and we lack any true element of surprise no matter our options."

[Corwin]

"What if I deployed my team to search for the source?" Jaela muses. "After 21, I'm the one best suited to bring any devil portal down."

[Anastasia]

"Hm, hm, yes, that's advisable. I'd also advise taking Sylvie,' Tepen speaks up, "We've been studying the mind and memory, and we've speculated on how the Styx and 21 would interact. Would merely carrying it grant immunity?"

[Corwin]

Yes, why settle for second best, Jaela thinks with a frown. "Okay, let's swap Dana for her. Dana would be happier busting heads, so put her with Ebony for extra protection there." They'll just catch up properly another chance. There will be other battles.

"How about Rosa or Ellese?" Jaela asks Tepen. "I could see arguments where their unique skills might come in handy." And actually, did they ever consider using something with the effects of the Styx to help with difficult experiences? Maybe they should.

[Anastasia]

"Rosa...perhaps not, after her recent experience," Adrian says, glancing over at Tepen. "Elder Magi?"

"I think that comes down to her choice. As for Ellese, yes. Her unique nature may give her resistance or even immunity to the Styx." Tepen replies.

[Corwin]

"Extend the invitation, Old Man," Jaela tells him with a grin. "Make sure to tie Mirajane to Candy and to the rest of us telepathically, too." She claps her hands. "I think we're about done here. Cresiel, I need you to describe the spot where you first chanced upon the river, which way you went and just to confirm that you were heading downstream. I'll use that as my entry point, while you guide the Aurora to Lethe itself."

[Iron Dragoon]

With the buffs I can give out, I think Surraruthru would be more useful in supporting the assault or defense teams, unless you think the healers are going to be targeted heavily.

[Nephrite]

"I think if we're trying to make a lasting impression with the army, then I would probably be best served providing that support." Moore says. "Although I'm sure my talents could be used if Miss Jaela's team runs into anything, I'll end up making a bigger impact the more people I can affect."

[Corwin]

Go for assault?

[Nephrite]

That is the idea, yes. Just don't run into anything with 100+ AC this time.

[Anastasia]

Sounds like we're good. Copy/paste the plan for me and also list who is going where, so I can set up threads as needed.

[Corwin]

The attack on Lethe itself will be conducted in a straightforward manner so as to keep our forces consolidated, which will allow for a quick retreat should the battle prove untenable or the strike force succeed early on. Any breaches in Lethe's defences will be heavily fortified and widened so as to allow a clean path of retreat at all times while forces led by Jaela will form the vanguard. Smrgol specifically will be tasked with defending Aurora's gates, and he will be accompanied by a pixie of appropriate build dressed up to look like Afina.

Aurora will gate over to Lethe, guided by Cresiel. Half of our forces will be divided under officers as I discussed with Gisfal and Adrian, broken up into squads rather than large armies. The other half will be spread between Aurora defense, lead by Tepen, the vanguard lead by Gisfal (Mirima as second in command) and the reserves lead by Adrian (Hanna as second in command). This specific division will be according to what Gisfal believes is necessary to achieve our main goals of being the most violent distraction possible and keeping Aurora safe. Moore and Surraruthru would be in the vanguard lead by Gisfal.

Candy will be handling telepathic coordination and the backup runners, ridiculously fast, and place herself available to Tepen. Cresiel will also be there, to guard Tepen if need be, and more importantly to provide his input from his knowledge and experience. That information could then be calculated into how our plans change on the go and disseminated to all our commanders more easily than if he were somewhere in the vanguard. Kascha will be in charge of our healers, and Rosa is to be assigned as her bodyguard if she is able of taking to the field. Ebony will be tasked with supporting Aurora's defenses, under Tepen.

Jaela will lead a small taskforce towards the tributary of the Styx, as far upstream as Cresiel managed to remember and describe. Our goal will be to try and disrupt the portal allowing the river to be diverted to the deep ethereal or, barring that, to perhaps divert it away from Letha. We will be in telepathic communication with Mirajane, who will also be linked with Candy to maintain contact with the Aurora forces. The others on the team are Sylvie, Finnegan and Ellese.

[Anastasia]

Okay. I'll keep Moore and Surraruthru in here and put Jaela in a new thread. That one's incoming along with the next post here.

[Anastasia]

Fog.

The first thing Surraruthru and Moore see of the Deep Ethereal. Gisfal stands at the head of the vanguard, calling out as you approach Aurora's gates. "The fog of the Deep Ethereal limits vision. Stay within sight of your allies," he instructs, while Mirima flies behind him. Your forces are moving on out, lillends followed by well trained human martial artists and eladrin.

Go ahead and set yourselves up, you two.