Valthur nods to Eoni in approval, but keeps his mouth closed, knowing that the tricks of talking and negotiating are best kept to the cleric. He considers the upcoming battle as Lord Jarmaath lays out the plan. It seems so clean on parchment, however he knows that it will be anything but that when it finally happens. Even with the healing aid of 19 clerics, a lot of good people will lose their lives, perhaps even himself.

His mind wanders to Darna. He wonders if she is still alive (he thinks so) and if she is safe (he hopes so). He wonders how he'll ever find her amid all the destruction across the vale.

He hopes quietly to himself that he survives the battle and gets his chance to find her. An incentive of sorts.

Sarah appears a bit more focused on the conversation when Priestess Goldenbrow proposes a third option.  But she returns to her normal demeanor (looking disinterested) as discussion of relocating to Dennovar recedes.

Vaxfar listens intently.  He is ready to fight.  He is indifferent to the danger as he ihas been looking for an opportunity like this to make a name for himself.

The Defense Counsel listens to the adventurers' advice and Lady Kaal and Captain Ulverth immediately offer their support for Eoni's proposal.

Lady Kaal says, "Keeping all out clerics in the cathedral makes them too difficult to reach in emergencies. Spreading them throughout the city makes far more sense."

To which Captain Ulverth adds, <Red>"I agree. The clerics will be able to save more lives if they are closer to the battle, even if that means a few of their numbers perish too. Death is unavoidable in war..."

High Priestess Goldenbrow comments in a soothing tone, "They are right, Kerden." Then she quickly amends her comment in a more business-like tone, "Lord Jarmaath, this is for the best."

In the end, Lord Jarmaath relents and agrees with the plan. Then talks turn to what the adventurers' role will be in the battle. On this point, the entire Defense Council stands in solidarity.

Lord Jarmaath says, "As seasoned adventurers already familiar with the Red Hand's tactics, we would like to employ you as skirmishers, moving you from battle to battle to provide elite support to key locations as the conflict unfolds."

Apparently, the council had already given this point considerable thought. They lay out their plan as follows:

Lord Jarmaath has arranged for Immerstal the Red, the city mage, to prepare several scrolls allowing telepathic links between three people. One will be with Lord Jarmaath, one to another council member, and the last to one of the party members. The second link with the council members proves quite contentious, but in the end, the council agrees to give it to Lady Kaal, due to the large mercenary force she commands and her very vocal insistence on this point.

"Which of you will be the third link?" Lord Jarmaath asks.

"That will be me," Eoni said without pause.  When the fighting started, she was the most likely to have time to respond and direct the others.  And she was the Captain.

"Is there a backup method in case it's dispelled on one of us?" she asked, thinking she the most likely to have that happened in the thick of battle.

"And will we have authority to order messengers or direct men?" she followed up.  "We may be the fastest method of communication you have with your officers in the area."

"That settles it then," Lord Jarmaath says. "Lady Kaal, I, and Sister Eoni will be in contact throughout the horde's siege."

The Defense Council goes over a few final details, mostly recapping what they had agreed upon, but the conversation also veers into logistical concerns that are honestly, outside the adventurers purview or concern. Sensing this, Captain Ulverth cuts in, "Lord Jarmaath. I propose we call the council to a close for the evening. The hour grows late and our new allies have traveled far to get here."

Lord Jarmaath readily agrees and offers to put the adventurers up in rooms within his keep. "Besides," he says, "all the inns are closed and boarded up."

The sun begins to meet the western horizon, the sky a jumble of red, orange, and purple hues, as day passes to twilight.

"Crossbow bolts," Sarah says simply and bluntly.

In response to Sarah's comment, Captain Ulverth offers to allow the adventurers to take what they need from the armory.

OOC: PCs have access to pretty much any mundane item and can equip themselves with basic equipment items. Additionally, the Defense Counsel provides the party 5 potions of extra healing (3d6+3) and 10 potions of healing (d6+1).

Gathering everyone around outside the council chambers, Eoni lays out her plan, "Let's plan to wake before dawn in case they attack at first light.  I'll use the staff on each of us still injured and we can see if one of the potions are necessary.

"After that," she shrugged, "we wait."

"Should we divide the potions?  In case we get sep'rated?"

"Yes," Eoni agreed with Sarah.  "Everyone take one of each and I'll store the rest in my haversack."

"Sounds like a plan." Taerix stows the potions away and looks around the streets, unsure of what tomorrow will bring, and not liking the feeling one bit.

"Vaxfar," Eoni asked before everyone turned in, "can you identify magic items or at least tell if they're magic?"

They still needed to know if there was anything else magical from the vault.

In reply to Eoni Daflin (msg # 30):

Vaxfar takes his share of the potions and contemplated what else he might need for the upcoming battle from the armory. “Yes, I can detect Magic.  Show me the items you need to understand.”

Valthur takes his share of the potions silently, trying to hold off despair, but not doing a particularly good job of it. He hopes to at least fool the others into believing that he is looking forward to the upcoming battle. In fact, he dreads it. He feels like his odds of surviving the next day are remote at best.

If only I could have one more day with Darna. Then I'd battle the entire Red Hand if I could.

Inside one of their rooms, the Sister spread out the items she thought might still be magical.  The black dragon's skull, the string of giant's teeth, and Lord Vraath's gauntlets.

"We aren't sure if any of these possess a magical ability," Eoni explained to the elf.  "I could check them in the morning, but it's better to know sooner than later."

She also double checked the potions she had and pulled out the potion of frost giant strength.  Everything else useful seemed to have already been allocated.

"Take this in case of an emergency," she advised the halfling, handing it to him.  "It won't last long."

Sarah took advantage of the offer, and some of her additions are obvious.  Previously, she kept her weapons (save the crossbow) out of site.  Now, she sports scabbards holding daggers on her arms and legs.  She also has a leather cap on her head that frankly makes her look a little ridiculous.  Whether it provides any protection is certainly debatable.

Taerix nods and tucks that potion away as well, noting which pocket it went into.

Vaxfar concentrates on the objects.  [Private to DM Pawn: Assuming I have enough time to rest end memorize, first level detect Magic, I cast that spell.]

Valthur restocks his supply of quarrels from the armory.

Save for the potions the counsel offered the party and whatever magic items they have on their persons, none of the items in the armory radiate magic.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:27, Fri 19 Apr 2019.

Vaxfar looks for a bastard sword and some rope from the quarry but feels that he has what he needs beyond that.

[Private to DM Pawn: You had not responded to my request that I had used my ESP spell to determine what the members of the group were thinking when we were in the main room. Also, when I cast the detect magic spell, I would have wanted to observe what glowed on each of the group members in the vicinity as well.]

Vaxfar finds a bastard sword and rope within the armory.

[Private to Vaxfar: The party has the following items that radiate magic:

Eoni: Staff, 7 potions
Taerix: Shield, chain shirt, sword, 3 potions
Sarah: 5 potions, 3 bolts, club
Valthur: chainmail, battle axe, scroll]

After taking what they need from the armory, the adventurers are eventually escorted to their accommodations--plush rooms the likes of which many of them have never experienced, or if they have, it has certainly been some time. In any event, after some time, the adventurers soon succumb to slumber, the sun setting over Brindol as she prepares for what is to come...

With Aldara no longer in the party, Valthur finds it difficult to discretely come across parchment, a quill, and ink, however with the battle of his life looming so close, he begs what he needs to compose a letter.

My dearest Darna,
My hope is that this letter will somehow find you, and find you in good health. Or at least find you still alive. As you know, destruction runs across the vale. It now stands on the doorstep of Brindol, where my friends and I have decided to make our final stand. The people here are brave and some are skilled with bow and blade. But the army we must face is formad furmidabil fermid quite large. I don't know if I will survive to see tomorrow's sunset, but if I do, I promise I will find you. Wherever you are. I swear on my iron helmet that I will not rest until I see your smiling face again.

With all my love,
Regards,
Cheers,

With all my love,
Valthur


When finally written, he arranges with the inn to do what they can to find Darna and have it delivered to her, ensuring their best effort with 10 gold coins.