Enter Alyssa

[Anastasia]

Regent Delaize nods, "I'll see to it right away. We've already been encouraging everyone to come back that we can reach, but I think sterner measures are needed. Excuse me." He hurries out at that.

Once gone, "Dreadful and dreadful yet more," Mackone shakes his head. "Death comes too soon, too soon. But perhaps it was a weakness, I have seen the healthy die of such things on rare occasions. Another task for the diviners."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Sadly, we can't rely on the diviners for this. Not yet. Shar has undoubtedly left traps like she did with Leyral. I've gotten a hint on something for that, from Selune's realm. We need to focus on the power of creation. I have some ideas of my own. Regardless, we need to now investigate Ular's and Ivy's deaths. We can't use diviners, but we can do what we can to copy the scenes and get the bodies back here. Our new allies can help the groups we send out for that. They're the primary reason I've called everyone here."

[Anastasia]

"I believe that's my cue," Jarem steps forward, "Jarem Aruwood, priest of the Red Knight. Shar's declared war on all of you, so we're here to help with that, since war's what we do."

Regent Elaire frowns, "Brutish war, peasants dying by the hundreds while champions fight, girded by magic and supernatural natures. A mass sacrifice to the vanities of heroes." Her expression is cool at that.

Jarem smiles right back, "My lady," he begins, "I have no intentions of building a sacrificial army. Every life in an army is precious, and any losses beyond the unavoidable speak poorly of a commander." He meets her eyes, "I'll be glad to go into it, if you like."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa interrupts for a moment, "Elaire. I agree. Completely. I want to keep this as much in-house as we can and leave our laborers out of it as much as possible. Unfortunately, with Ivy's death, there can be no doubt. This war is coming, with or without our participation. I have ideas to try and keep as many of our people safe as we can, but I'm one person. If we work together, we can be far more effective. Jarem here can help us with defenses and tactics. Things we sorely lack."

[Anastasia]

Elaire looks away, letting it go.

Yorel shakes his head, "They're right, and more importantly, we have to do what we have to do. Look, we can navel gaze and make statement that show which of us are nobles who were gifted the ability to study magic freely and which of us earned it the hard way-" Boy does that get a glare from Elaire and a disapproving look from Ule, "-But we need this help unless you want to be a sacrifice for Shar."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa gives Yorel a sharp look. "What we need even less is in-fighting over starting points none of us had control over."

She gives a considering and softer look to Elaire, "Elaire, I would like to make use of your concern and compassion. Your sense of duty. I want you to help me design safety precautions and defenses for our people who can't fight."

[Anastasia]

"Very well," Elaire says, "I'll get started on that after this."

Delaize returns at this, taking his seat and speaking quietly. "We're working, but at least a few are in realms beyond this one, ones that can interfere with communications. I also took the liberty of asking them to bring any useful beasts, men at arms or similar things they wish to contribute. With any fortune we will gain a few extra, powerful defenders."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Thank you, Delaize. Elaire, we'll have to talk. I have some ideas of my own. Before that, however, Jarem, please give us a report on your forces. Numbers, abilities, and where you think we need to start."

[Anastasia]

"We have 50 trained warriors of varying skill sets and 50 again of support staff - cooks, quartermasters, blacksmiths, squires and so on and so forth. We've brought two weeks of food to alleviate any immediate strain on your larders, and magic can help provide basic food near indefinitely, though multiple food sources are essential, as a starving army is a dead army." Jarem rises as he talks, pacing slowly. "Additionally we have 5 celestial hounds that provide tracking and poison-sniffing services, and 3 celestial hawks that are trained to be reconnaissance units."

A pause for that to sink in as Ule says, "Reinforcements?"

"Entirely possible," Jarem concurs, "But fundamentally, we're here to help you, not fight your war single handedly for you. The Red Knight aids those the most who aid themselves." Gesturing to a window, where tropical sunshine filters in, "It's meant to be a core, a skeleton that you can build an army around, whatever you end up needing. Between divine magic, laying of hands and a goodly supply of potions, healing will not be a concern for some time."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I've had some ideas on what direction to take us, but... I want this to be a council decision. I'd like for each of you to come up with at least a couple ideas. Either for defenses, combat forces, supplies, or information. We can pool ideas and select the best ones and build from there. Jarem here has ideas of his own and can give advice on things. We need to start on these soon. Before we get too deep into that, however, the supply situation. Jarem has suggested to me to raise new land for colonization. I'm not sure we're ready to go that far, so I had an interim idea. Modify Mage's Mansion and utilize Daylight spells to serve as greenhouses, barracks, and supply warehouses. A permanent circle placed strategically with controlled access. If we decide to go this way, we'll have to find some farmers and a Druid or three probably wouldn't hurt either. Opinions?"

[Anastasia]

Delaize frowns slightly, "How would we modify a Mage's Mansion? It sounds like you want a permanent demiplane, and one does not simply casually create such a thing. That's the realm of divinity."

"Do go on," Madala concurs, "I want to hear this as well."

[Iron Dragoon]

"It'll take a bit of reworking of the spell, but if we look at the structure of other extra-dimensional spaces, I think we can make it happen. For example, the Portable Hole or a Bag of Holding. Essentially, we'd be expanding the spell to encompass the same functionality and permanency, but hidden behind the access portal, or simply making a few massive versions of them. In that case, the Portable Hole would be the best option to expand. A demiplane is probably where we'll end up, eventually, but I think we currently lack the resources for it. And I don't want to attract the additional attention just yet. I've yet to start any real research into it, but I think we can use the magical structure of those as a framework for it, and making it from something that has a physical structure might allow us to anchor it more easily. If we can get it working and retain the ability to keep it portable, it might also serve as an escape option for our people. Pile in, close up, and have some of our mages flee to a safer location. Spells to generate air, water, and light would be simple to have function inside of the space and would allow sustainment. Climate controls, as well, which might open the door to exotic farming or creature sustainment, possibly leading to a new export of exotic and luxury goods."

[Anastasia]

Murmuring all around at that, but nothing decisive.

A chance to move things along or wrap things up as you like, or otherwise take control.

[Iron Dragoon]

"We've also got to decide what to do about Malcanthet. We don't want to ally with her, obviously, but I don't think we're ready to have Shar and her coming after us just yet. I say I meet with her representative, on our terms only, and mention we can't spare any real time to discuss things while Shar is off murdering our people. That might hold her off enough for us to get our feet under us."

[Anastasia]

Murmurs around the table until Madala speaks up, "Prudent enough, all considered."

Elaire merely nods slightly at these words, not commenting directly.

Ule grunts but adds, "Acceptable."

"Do we really have a choice?" Delaize says, "Delaying and deflecting is the only reasonable strategy we have right now."