In reply to Morteft (msg # 107):

Dualis: "The issues with Set are pressing, however it will be a lengthy affair.  So seeing Penny and saving Rigel are not detrimental.  However I need to get some things established now or it could lead to disaster later."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 109):

Shorty slowly sits back down.  "Dat be good.  Penny morrow den save Wriggle dragon den go kills cloud ting fer breakin glove.  Dat be plan.  But people better nots make fun Penny no more or me gonna has to spank."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 110):

Morteft says, "Good, then we will do those things first."

He gives a short bow and leaves.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 112):

Dualis nods.  "Try to control yourself Shorty, some things have changed that you don't know about and may not understand.  If you would like I can call for my metal birdie, Wisdom, and you can ask him questions.

Excuse me while I gather the leaders."   Dualis goes over and briefly talks with Cartet, Rhoeo, Menor and Soraal in turn and gathers them together.  Gestures are made and they start to walk towards the audience chamber.  Dualis comes back over.  "It is time to discuss the future, at least for this part of Delith.  You are free to stay and mingle or you can come along and take part.  In either case your part in this future will be discussed, so come along if you will."

Dualis begins to walk toward Cartets audience chamber.

Actions?

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 113):

"I ain't missing this," mutters Warwick as he follows along.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 114):

Shorty follows along muttering about protecting Penny from bad talk.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 115):

As the group starts to go in, Morteft comes jogging up. He seems to have rushed back and noticed you all gathering for a meeting.

Aztar slowly nodded, "This is just going to take some getting used to not knowing the political landscape.  If Wisdom is aware of all of the changes that happened, I wouldn't mind the opportunity to learn about the changes from him."

"I definitely look forward to speaking with Penny and learning more about Rigel's whereabouts."

Hearing the comment about a meeting and discussions about the future, Aztar rises and starts to follow, "I would certainly like to hear what they have to say.  I don't like having others discuss my involvement in possible future events without me present."

In reply to Aztar (msg # 117):

Morteft hears Aztar and says, "Oh, indeed! I didn't know what the meeting was about, but I am glad I hurried back."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 118):

Everyone enters the audience chamber and everyone takes a seat at the main table, except for Dualis who remains standing.  He pulls from his robes a small gold hourglass and places it on the middle of the table.  He then addresses you all but Cartet is the focus.

Dualis: "Thank you Cartet for taking this time to hear me now.  Much has happened recently that while important overall has little meaning for you now.  Events have taken place that time has forgotten but has shaped the present and will impact the future greatly.  Delith has been fortunate for few wars these past several hundred years and you have been able to settle with the great wyrms of the region.  The threat of Gargaragoth, the troll demi-god, will soon be taken care of by the champions in all likely hood.
   However, a new and greater threat has found our world.  A threat like we have not faced before and if we survive unlikely again."  at that statement the council of Calator have a collective murmur."

LC: "Dualis, what threat could there possible be, all is well."

Dualis: "Only in what you can see.  This new threat is devious and crafty and evil beyond measure.  His name is Set the Destroyer, worlds he conquers are lifeless.  He hates life in all forms even though he has many followers, who seem to care not their master won't spare their lives either.
   The threat is very real and will grow quickly.  He's only just discovered this world and he makes a study of us.  His followers already roam Delith and it's major and minor cities getting to know this world, it's inhabitants and politics; before the major assault begins."

Dualis pauses to let things sink in a bit, the council just looks at each other.

Comments?

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 119):

Morteft asks, "Will this assault be from off world or from followers he gathers here?"

In reply to Morteft (msg # 120):

Dualis: "It will probably be from both; but initially from his followers.  Which brings me to the main reason I have called this little meeting.  I intend to establish special units of adventurers in each of the cities of Delith.  These units or groups will use these towns as bases of operations; but will not be limited to that region around the city.  They may adventurer freely but may be called upon to satisfy some quest to oppose Set's plans.  I meet with each towns councils to ask them to provide support to these units and allow them to have a headquarters somewhere around the town.  This group will not only help protect Delith but the city that supports them as well.
   Calator is doubly blessed as you have a group here that as aided the town on several occasions and knows the surrounding area."  he indicates you 4 with a wave of his arm  "And for headquarters they could either use Mortefts home at his discretion or even Teke's tower.  So mostly Calator would only need to provide modest support and in turn they support Calator.
   Many of the cities already have followers of Set developing their own headquarters, Delith capitol, Savron, Comenth, Cafan, Urith and here in Calator."  Again he pauses to let that sink in.

Rhoeo:"Wait, you mean to say that there is a group of these Set followers here now?"

Dualis: "Yes."

Cartet:"But what can they do, they are few."

"They are as a small leak in a dam, not much to start but portends to a catastrophe if unchecked."  replies Dualis and he turns back to you

"Of course my friends, you need to decide whether to be part of this as well?"


--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 121):

Shorty looks at Dualis closely.  "You means nasty little little peoples smaller den fuzz face who try steal No Man Coin.  Him have funny marks wid animal painted on skin.  One be snake n udder be Bear or somethin.  little guy run berry fast n climb fast too.  Kitty not catch n guard not find.  No man say bees careful people wid funny picture paint on skin.  If catch, me gonna spank real goods"

In reply to Shorty (msg # 122):

Dualis:"Yes Shorty, people like that and many others, even a half-ogre; but not one you know.  Snake, bear and scorpion are all symbols of Set.  Some can even shape change into these."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 123):

"Aye, Dualis, if that's what needs be done, then ye got me pledge."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 124):

Morteft nods. "I am in. Of course, my home would make a good base for our team unless there are advantages to using Teke's tower."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 125):

Dualis:"You will have both at your disposal and I dare say the time may become dire enough that you will need the Towers strength.  It is well you chose this path as there will be none better, dangerous but none better.
   Well Council of Calator you have your Hero Squad, now I need your pledge for support!"

They look at each other briefly and LC says: "Master Mage this is all well and good; but some of this sounds a little far fetched.  Why does this Set come now and it sounds like his followers are few.  What presses so."  Dualis looks at him and the others and shakes his head.  I see you need more convincing."

He begins to wave his hands and in the air above the table a large celestial scene appears.  In the middle is a large blue and green world as seen from far above it.  In the distance is a bright star.  "This is the world or Aranax as it was 100 hundred years ago.  Three billion people lived there."  the scene quickly changes and the world is now black as coal and the star very dim  "This is what it looks like now after Set was finished with it.  So much the hatred of life that he will even snuff out the star that provided any heat and light."  his voice changes in pitch and energy  "And this is what the inhabitants experienced."  He moves his arms swiftly towards the council and the scene follows his hands and seems to stream into each of the councils heads.  The councils faces turn to shock and horror.  Seconds seems like minutes as Dualis releases the image.

"That Council of Calator is what is in store for you if you don't act now!"  Again the council looks at each other and nod, sweat pouring down their faces.

LC: "Dualis, you and the heroes have our support."

"Excellent" says Dualis calmly, "My servant Artharlian will draw up the details for you."

The room remains silent for a time.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 126):

Morteft watches silently. After a few moments he says, "Perhaps we should take the battle to him instead of trying to fight a defensive war? If we are just to react then attacks will come again and again. We need to find a way to stop him from attacking this world entirely. Maybe we should attack his? Or find a world that has been successful in warding off his advances."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 126):

Shorty smiles and says, "Pretty lights.  Time save world gin.  We do soon as see Penny Dragon.  Need make sure her still gonna meet baby and teaches him some dragon stuff.  Me n Birdie teach lots but him need dragon teaches too.  Den we starts look fer little guy wid pictures on skin."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 128):

Morteft nods. "I agree Shorty."

He pauses and says, "Dualis, I hope you can meet with us for further tactical questions after this meeting. Will you be able to do so?"

In reply to Morteft (msg # 127):

Dualis:"I understand your position Morteft, as people have noted in the past I am quite offensive and there would be some advantages to it.  However the biggest issue with going on the attack in this world is that we would be seen as the aggressor, the bad ones.  Until they make any aggressive acts they are considered citizens of good standing.  So defense is our best option here and our current knowledge will be a great asset.
   He has many worlds Morteft, and when he wins a world it is doomed.  To visit his home on the outer planes would be suicide.  Set is one of the greatest powers in all the outer planes; so you can see why his Avatar had such power.
    A world that has been able to thwart him may be able to provide us with allies and possible intel.  Unfortunately are few and difficult to find.  But I shall continue to look."

--DM2

Dualis:"If not I then some of my compatriots whom you have met at some point.  There is Trinny, Katrina and Know Man.  You will also each have a medallion, of which only Morteft needs one at the moment.  Katrina provided one to Warwick, that would also imprint on you Morteft; but you might as well have your own.  Shorty got one from Know Man.  Aztar's will be attuned to them.  The medallions will act similar to the champion amulets.  Provide telepathy between each of you, Teleport w/o Error and +1 protection.  You can also use it to contact one of the principals, myself, Trinny, Katrina or Know Man."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 131):

Morteft says, "Thank you for the amulet. That will be extremely useful on this quest. I really only have one thing I want to bring up as an option in this battle with Set so I would only need a few moments of your time."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 131):

"The amulet does all that?  Well, that'd been good to know before the battle with the trolls.  Could've used that teleport to our advantage.  And we wouldn't have had to use me as the telepathic relay.  Ah, well, I suppose the past is the past.  Now, after we meet Penny and save Rigel, what should we do?"

Dualis: "And your request is?"

--DM2