A Shot of Crisis

[Dracos]

"On to business." Dracos agreed, brushing the issue off.  "Is their a change in the battle plans for tonight?  How has the research into any sabotage done by Mattias gone?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"One question at a time," Kevin says, glancing at Lammermore.

Lammermore shakes his head.  "Radagast spoke of a change in our plan for tonight," he says, glancing at the Loremaster.

Radagast sighs, and straightens up slightly.  "Yes, well," he murmurs.  "Lord Bloom's other question will have some bearing on our strategy, I imagine.  Earthmaster Devin, if you please ... how fared your examinations of the wall?"

All eyes turn to Devin, who frowns.  "Ah," he says slowly.  "Mattias's runes will vanish after some amount of time ... I expect within two or three days.  When they vanish, they will take the older runes with them, as well.  I can prevent that from happening, but it would take all of my attention until the siege is over."

"Well," Radagast sighs, rubbing at his temples.  "The plan you brought forward won't be usable, then, I'm afraid."

Devin scowls, and hangs his head, shooting a sharp glance at Parthipan.

[Ginrai]

"Excuse me, Devin, but did you mean that it would take the remainder of the Siege to fix this problem or just tonight?"

[Brian]

"The remainder of the siege," he clarifies, somewhat dourly.  "But," he adds, brightening, "you could carry out the plan in my place, Windmaster."

[Ginrai]

"I'll do that for tonight's battle, then.  Though what of the others that would've been a part of your link?  Could they still combine their powers and will it be powerful enough to take out the dreadmarch general?"

[Brian]

Radagast looks uncomfortable at this.  Devin nods, and most everyone else looks either confused or curious.

"It may be possible," Radagast hedges, "but ... it wouldn't be without risks."

[Ginrai]

"What sort of risks?"

[Dracos]

"And what is it you are intending to do anyhow?  Please, enlighten the rest of us?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"If multiple lorekeepers pool their strengths, then they are more powerful ... but the spell must be cast flawlessly on the part of every lorekeeper involved.  If it fails, the power can backlash, possibly against those who invoked it."  Radagast grimaces.  "The only way to perform a casting like that with safety is to unify lorekeepers of a given path ... but we have no masters of the appropriate path to lead, and ONLY a master of a lore can lead others.  There is ... less risk, perhaps, when there are closely related paths ... air borders both flame and water.  Light borders star and death.  The path of the gates borders the path of death and life....  Windmaster Parthipan is, among us, the only lorekeeper who could even attempt this.  And even then, the resultant power may prove too much to handle."

"I have faith in Windmaster Parthipan's ability," Devin challenges Radagast.  "With the powers of wind, fire, and water, does he not have the ability to summon a titan?  A titan wouldn't remain long, but would swiftly clear the field.  It could give us a much needed day of reprieve -- a day that will be quite important as I combat Mattias's sabotage, I might point out."

The Storm-riders glance between themselves, trying to puzzle this out.  Donovan grimaces, and glances between Lammermore and Kevin, who are currently looking between Radagast, Devin, and Parthipan.  Astryd is staring at the table in front of her, frowning about something, but not voicing an objection.

[Dracos]

Dracos frowns, quickly lashing out with questions.  "And if it fails?  The result would be?  And would it be repeatable?  Would it tire out the lorekeepers involved?  A one day reprieve would be worthless if it means that the next day or two we have no magic support.  And Devin, you just said it'd take you the rest of the siege to fix the wall.  How would a day of reprieve change that?  Would you not be spending your energies there anyway?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"If I had a day when nothing struck the wall, I could perhaps save time," Devin explains.

"The risks could include death, or ... losing the ability to channel power.  At most it would cost us the two who Master Parthipan linked with ... but I consider that a great risk regardless," Radagast opines.

"How feasible is it that we could do this safely?" Lammermore asks.  "Realistically, Radagast.  What are the odds of Master Parthipan doing this and winning us a day of the battle?"

Radagast grimaces, and spreads his fingers wide, his palms flat on the table before him as his eyes close.  Beneath his closed lids, his eyes are flickering back and forth, as though scanning through notes that only he can see.  Finally, after nearly a full minute of silence, he says, with some reluctance, "I imagine that the odds are in his favor.  He is probably not at any risk himself ... the primary risk would be for the safety of the two who were linked with him."

[Rezantis]

"I don't know how much I like this," Nathan notes, "I mean, don't get me wrong.  If there's a way to win tomorrow and only risk two lives as oppose to all of our soldiers, I'm obviously for it . . . but this does sound risky, and losing lorekeepers will be a major blow to our future defenses, I'd say . . . Well, I'm probably not saying this very well, but this sounds like a plan that could be exceptionally problematic and capable of backfiring, and so I'd counsel holding it back until we need it.  If we don't need to take the risk, I don't know that we should . . ."

He pauses, eying Astryd.

"I'm sorry, I don't know your name, but you're here as a Keeper of the Lore and so someone thinks you count," Nathan smiles wryly, "And you look like you have some thoughts.  Care to share?"

[Ginrai]

"What sort of risk would the two linked with me be at?"  After giving some thought, Ginrai decides to add, "Also, assume that they were able to use the periapts that once belonged to Ashton and Neil.  Would this help reduce or even get rid of the risk they'd be at?"

[Brian]

"I merely regret the fact that there is no one for me to link my own efforts with," Astryd demurs, straightening up and shaking her head.

Radagast eyes Astryd, and then turns back to Parthipan.  "The periapts may simplify things and protect the other lorekeepers that join the link ... and they may do nothing.  It's difficult to know with any degree of certainty," he finally says.

[Rezantis]

"So . . ." Nathan looks between the various non-Ginrai lorekeepers as he says this, "you're not sure quite what the risks are like, and the loremaster you were intending to have lead this link doesn't even seem to be particularly clear on what's apparently a very delicate and dangerous process?  Shouldn't you wait, and see if you can practice some simple exercises or the like beforehand?  I'm not really clear on how your Lore works, I admit, but . . ."