Post-battle analysis (Afina, Surraruthru)

[Anastasia]

So much paper.

Reports are laid about Aurora's meeting room. They're great heaps of paper, stacked up analysis of how each unit preformed in the assault on Benfal. Everyone's there and reading by the time you get in - Gisfal's there, as is Adrian and Tepen. Sage Vul'lath is also there, though hanging back.

Surraruthru and Afina arrive, Gisfal looking up, "Take one if you want," he says, "These aren't immediately important, there for the sages to pick over. Are both of you recovered from the battle and clear in thought?"

[Ebiris]

"I don't seem to have had any lingering effects from encountering Taelfagn," Afina says as she flutters in, having had a quite leisurely nap after finally sorting everything out upon the conclusion of that hectic battle. "As vexing as he may be to us in particular, he doesn't have as much spiritual weight as the likes of Auril." Going over to claim her customary pixie-sized chair she has a look over the paper. "Anyone have any initial thoughts they want to offer?"

[Anastasia]

"We need more soldiers. As of now, we have the right amount of elites, but we lack the simple numbers to be anything but a powerful strike force," Elder Magi Tepen says softly. He taps a finger on a report in front of him, "We can handle confrontations with powerful enemies. We lack the numbers to occupy large parts of Lifasa."

"Our work here and agreements with others should help there," Gisfal says, "We have favors to call on and realms that will answer us when we sound the horn to free Lifasa. But we do need more men."

[Ebiris]

"I'll agree with that," she nods. "Speaking of, our largest single contingent of soldiers comes from those we liberated from the Burning Aeropolis, so raids on Lifasa might be a more productive way of gathering extra manpower than relying on others across the planes being drawn to our banner. Also if I can get the funds I can produce large numbers of competent construct soldiers."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I'm well rested and ready."

Saying so, Surraruthru lands on the table next to a stack of papers, and begins reading into the reports, looking for anything that needs attention.

"If we're lacking in simple soldiers, why not look into something like basic golems or clockwork machines? What else can you think of that is hardy and easy to produce numbers of?"

[Ebiris]

"I had a plan for a battalion of nimblewrights I put forward recently, but general Jaela preferred to see our fixed defences upgraded instead so I couldn't get the money I needed for it," Afina says. "If any can be made available from whatever we gathered off devil forces in this battle the plan remains on the table."

[Anastasia]

"What numbers and cost are we talking about here?" Gisfal asks, "Tell me."

[Ebiris]

"Seven and a half thousand gold per unit, I planned for twenty at a hundred and fifty thousand," Afina answers from memory. "Comparatively each one's around as strong as an erinyes for reference, capable in melee but mostly skilled at battlefield sabotage and assassination. Think of them as a reliable mid-point for bulking out our forces. I can make more numbers of cheaper golems for a lemure equivalent, but I don't see any point when fireballs would prove so expensive."

[Anastasia]

"Less for fighting and more for occupation," Gisfal says, "I'd support your venture regardless, we need troops from as nay venues as we can."

"I concur, but we need money as always," Tepen says, "We're still finalizing the treasure from the last battle, that should be done shortly."

[Ebiris]

"When it comes to organisation, I had to expend a lot of my magic on simply getting between points to deal with crises, which also left the force I was responsible for under-strength without me," Afina goes on. "In this case it didn't matter, my task force faced no counter-attacks after taking the Dreamseer Temple and weren't called upon to strike any other points, but it could have caused trouble. It may be better in future battles to account for me or others with similar duties as purely a response force rather than being included at all in the general order of battle. I'll either need to learn better teleportation magic or cover for it with a magic item as well, since using gates for in-plane travel is inefficient and left me greatly weakened by the time I was nearly captured by Taelfagn."

[Anastasia]

"We're talking about commissioning several items that allow teleportation at will," Sage Vul'lath speaks up. "I concur with that and think it's a need we have."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... I'm investing in an improved teleporting option myself, but if we're talking about moving officers around... There might be another option. The Gate spell allows for the calling of a specific creature. Could we not isolate and modify that effect and key it to Aurora officers, then create an item to allow a sending of a message and the calling into a single spell? I don't believe it would require as much power as a Greater Teleport spell, so if we could make it functional, it could be a cheaper way to go for us. Give one of the Calling items to each officers and the higher up squad leaders, perhaps?

In any case, I like the idea of the Nimblewrights. I approve of it, but I think we may need some additional creatures to help. Have we talked to our nymphs and druids to see if they can get any of their animal friends to help? A few packs of Dire Wolves, Lions, Tigers, or Bears would be a significant boost as well, with minimal upkeep, as long as we find space for them. The nymphs and druids have a natural empathy with them, or if we have people who can directly talk to the animals to keep the peace and pass orders. I can speak to them, but I'm only one, and my attention is usually focused elsewhere."

Just to cover bases and clarify, I'm suggesting a modified and downgraded version of Gate that only uses the Calling Creatures effect, and keyed only to Aurora personnel. Since we're not getting a full Gate effect, I don't think it should be a level 9 spell, and Greater Teleport is level 7, but it has unlimited range. If we limit the range a bit, it might cut down on what level the spell is. If it can be 5 or 6, and maybe a X/day deal on the item, it may wind up being cheaper in the long run.

[Anastasia]

I'm going to punt a lot of OOC commentary on this over to nagging. I'll touch on that when I reply to your nagging later tonight or tomorrow.

Tepen considers that, "We can work on those summons In the meantime, animals may help. But as simple minded creatures, they're usually vulnerable to counter manipulation. Still, it's a good idea."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru nods. "It's still a stop gap measure for sure, but until we can establish new recruiting it and the constructs are probably the best we have. What's the next thing on the list?"

Surruathru asks as he continues going through the papers.

[Anastasia]

"Rapid response. It's proven to be valuable, we should make it a standard part of our doctrine," Gisfal says, looking down and checking one report. "The members of the group should have the following qualifications: They should be able to teleport and planeshift OR be able to reliably cast or call on gates.  Secondly, in case of areas that prevent teleportation, they should have both flight and great speed so that they can deploy fast in spite of that. Third, they should not be overly talented in directly commanding troops, as they're usually more valuable leading than responding. Thoughts?"