Considering that the meeting in the palace is about Dwarves, there are a surprising number of Elves present in the room.  Anakri D’Anneci is there, as leader of the “expeditionary troop” of the Elves of Savoy.  Among her companions are two trusted assistants, the tall archer Isyroth, who could almost pass for Human given his height and build, and the cleric Oziryan Windspire, who seems worn and weary from the campaign.

General Texxor, the Werewolf commander of Lucimburic’s troops, is also present, as are Haakon, a Human… well, a tailor, more or less.  And his new wife Tawna, a Wereweasel with a taste for sneakiness.

Texxor goes through some basic introductions, and lays out the situation.

”From what I understand from the Dwarves, they came here as a result of a prophecy.”

From his voice, it is evident that he is a little skeptical about prophecy, but Anakri intervenes.  “It should be noted that the prophecy… as I understand it, more Divine Guidance than prophecy.. was proved accurate at Beda.  There is no reason to suspect the second element will not be correct.”

”Yes, well,” Texxor continues, “it is true that the Hun assault at Beda failed in part because of the Dwarf troops, who set up a defense that was completely different from anything the Huns anticipated.  It can therefore be reasonable to think that the Demon in the Dwarf Kingdom can also be tripped up by encountering foes he did not expect to meet.  Elves… our own skilled infiltrators..”

He looks at Julia, uncertain of exactly what her skills are.  Hylensia speaks.

”A skilled cleric, and very knowledgeable about things Demonic,” she says.  “If the Dwarf prophecy is right, you need knowledge and cunning more than arms and armor, this time.”

Texxor makes a very sour face.  Then he turns to Dunduin.  “Yes, well, sir Dwarf, can you fill us in on the situation as it was when you left?”

Cirostis listens to the talk. He waits for Dunduin to speak.

OOC: Ben feel free to correct & edit as needed. Thanks.

Dunduin steps up and naturally uses his commanding boisterous voice. "Roight then. The situation was pretty grim at Vipiacus(sp?). The demon had managed to essentially neutralize the clergy, especially the Vulcan one." He pauses briefly as he's reminded of many of his fellow priests being killed. Taking a deep breath he continues "Apparently he was able to infiltrate the ruling council and convert or remove those who opposed him. Furthermore, outside influences such as the humans were sent away. Naturally rebellions occurred and that just fed into his plan. The rebellious folks didn't have leaders and soon the rebellious behavior just occurred with due cause or not. The kobold merchants, an established mercantile sub-community also took the brunt of the rebellious dwarves because it was something physical that they could strike out against. After that event, many dwarves turned to the dark side sort of speak. Without good leadership and clergy to guide them..and being put under continual stress..they finally broke. Not all mind you, but the strong soon became out numbered and chose to leave rather than get into physical violence with their brethren. The city was locked down preventing most traffic in and out. Sure, the king could send an army in but what good would that do. It would turn into civil war with dwarf slaying dwarf and that is something we obviously don't want. The demon, not being content with ruling just one dwarven city is using turned clergy, notably Vulcan clergy, to infect other dwarven cities. Fortunately, we were able to at least begin to counter that tactic but we still have the fallen city or cities to deal with. That's about the sum of it."

1)
Texxor produces another speaker, to provide some more information on the nature of the problem in the Dwarf Kingdom.

It is Syanthus, a white haired elderly man with a robe and a staff, who happens to be the kind of person people think about when they think “old wizard”.

He walks slowly to the front of the room, and seems to be unsteady on his feet. But his voice, weathered by the years, is still strong.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, by good fortune, the Academy of Aurelianorum has three wizards who are knowledgeable about the foe of the Dwarves.. the Demon Mastiphal.  What I can tell you comes to us not only from Telios, who knows much Demon lore, and our master craftsman-wizard, Marcus Ulpius, who lived in the city where Mastiphal first manifested, along with his apprentice Rivia, who is now a wizard herself.”

“You see, the enemy somehow feeds off of and at the same time enhances discord between the Dwarves.  Between anyone, perhaps, but observed most sharply with the Dwarves.  A minor disagreement becomes overheated, and they begin to bellow about how unworthy, or greedy, or cowardly, or whatever the one disagreeing with him may be.   It seizes them, and they turn against each other. Then Discord takes over, and when a Dwarf is lost to Discord he becomes a Duergar- a pale eyed, hostile, paranoid shadow of himself.  Something as dark and twisted as an Orc... but still holding on to some of his Dwarf nature.

“That is why arms will not work to get close to Mastiphal.  The minions he surrounds himself with are Dwarves.  The controversy you will stoke by killing them, even if you must, will stoke Discord between more Dwarves, creating more Duergar.  It will not be easy to find away to oppose Mastiphal without fighting his Duergar but it must be done.

“This is why I counsel this... you need a guide, maybe two, who know the land of the Dwarven Kingdom and the ways across it.  But more than that... no.  Every Dwarf who accompanies this quest is a potential weakness, a source of the dark emotions Mastiphal exploits. “

“T'would be good if your Academy could provide more than counsel,” Texxor says.

“We can, and we will,” Syanthus says.  “Marcus Ulpius tells me to be patient.  He is working on something.”

Cirostis ponders these thoughts.

Shall it be a quest without us Dwarves then to free our land? Of course I know the way and the land...but I suppose several of us do - would we send the army back to the king to stand by in Avernis? They would only be waiting ... When we have not attacked Vipiacus. I assume Mastiphal will be preparing his own attack in hopes of increasing dischord ...

 Unless he was not welcome at this meeting, Tugdual would attend and offer his help.

 "While my knowledge of the land does not compare to that of Cirostis," he started, "I am a guide, a tracker and a scout, and this would not be my first visit to the land of Dwarves. It would be an honour to help the people of Avernis."

 Tugdual spoke not of his own augury. The earth nymph who had first appeared to him, only a few weeks back, and asked him to lead the dwarven company safely to the Ardennes. Her words were still on his mind though.

"There is at least one trade route still open that might be of some use." Julia said, looking to Hylensia for guidance and support.

Anakri stands to address the group. The Elf woman smoothes her robe for a moment, and speaks, in reply to the issues presented.

“A trade route,” she says, nodding.  “open, but we should presume it is watched.”

There is a general murmur of agreement, and then she continues.  “We should send a party that would create as little suspicion as possible.  If there is an open trade route, traders should be expected.”

She looks at the Dwarves in particular before continuing.  “Traders, sir, and not an army.

A Dwarven army has no power to defeat Mastiphal, you know this.  They can only oppose his Duergar, who are... you.  The more I hear of this Mastiphal, the more it seems to me such things only strengthen him.  It was not only you, but Ovo Goledshield, who also brought us word from the Dwarf Priests of Mons Lucia.  I would counsel you, don’t bring the Dwarf troops home,  they can not help in this cause.. except to guide, as Syanthus said.

Syanthus asks, “You fear that if they go home, they will be drawn into a battle, and then Mastiphal will take them too?”

“Yes.”

Texxor does not like to hear that military force cannot win here.  He stands to suggest an alternate use for the Dwarf troops.

“Can they not secure the places of the Dwarven Kingdom where Mastiphal does not yet rule?”

Anakri shakes her head.  “And then if those places are lost?  More Duergar for Mastiphal… including the most experienced company of Dwarven troops. Again, they can do nothing, you know this.  If the whole of the Dwarven kingdom is take over by Mastiphal,  I would still say, better to face him with skill and deception and knowledge than an army.  The first thing we must do is learn how to save the Dwarves who have been transformed.  No army can do this, and no battle can be won until this is done.”

Texxor is not a Dwarf, but he can see it in their faces, and he knows what they must be feeling, and he does not hold back. “The Dwarven Kingdom in danger, and the finest warriors of the Dwarves to play no part? No Dwarf would ever support such a thing!”

Anakri’s voice is like soft, toned and precise:  “If I understand what has been said correctly, that is precisely what Mastiphal believes.   On the other hand… it might not hurt to have them near, when Mastiphal is defeated.  But on the third hand, a Dwarven army somewhere else may draw Mastiphal's attention away from a handful of traders taking the road straight towards him.”

pm

Cirostis is feeling upset by all this discussion of separating and sidelining the Dwarves.

Well he's right we won't support such a thing! Subtlety and deception is all good but it must be managed by our own leadership, our Centurion and officers of the Empire - we can't invite others to invade our lands for us!

....

and what is this business about having our army far away but nearby, elsewhere and your three or fourth handed nonesense! Say it straight - are you trying to put our legionaires under "Allied" leadership while we go sneaking back in disguise? or worse - do you mean to gather our info and send all of us away to fight and die on some other front while you enter our lands unaccompanied?

We are allies, I will speak directly and ask the same in return - both options are frought with suspicion.

"Aye" Dunduin confirms nodding his head. "It would not be...appropriate to be missing dwarven leadership for the dwarven army or for the special operations party entering dwarven lands."

Pausing a moment he looks to the dwarves present "Whomever wishes to participate in the special operation mission is encouraged to. Otherwise, I'll expect your leadership in overseeing the dwarven army while I go as someone must." He whispers in dwarven to Cirostis

         After having listened in silence for quite a while, Patre Arctos Scopulos ambles towards
his destiny, stepping up, and onto the nearby soapbox to speak on the matter . . .  The Patre's
raven hued orbs look towards the ether for Mars approval, while his right free hand begins to
stroke his tattered and partially burned beard, and his left is left grasping his coveted Agnon;
he proceeds to smack its butt thrice soundly against the stone floor to emphasize the importance
of what he was about to reveal.  The Patres raises his cherished Agon, the symbol of their
renowned Dwarven Maniple, towards the heavens above while speaking in a deep confident voice to
the crowd arrayed before him.  The Patre's raven hued orbs appear to glaze over in an over-
powering pious fervor while attempting to speak as eloquently as he could possibly manage in his
current state of grace . . .
 
         "By 'Mars Divine Will' I shalt be present with the Ardenne Elves whence they march
against Mastiphal and his vile minions.  Tis mine destiny! No tuther wouldst dare to rob me O'
seech a granted priviledge that Mars hath bestowed upon mine broad shoulders.

         Since I myself am solely responsible for having brought this prophesy to the attention
of art Dwarven High King, and succeeded in getting 'His Highness' to create our 'Heavily Rein-
forced Maniple O' Dwarven Legionaires' and then sending us off to the Ardennes.  All of these
endeavors were made with the sole intent of giving aid to the Ardenne Elves so as to fight again-
st their Hun adversaries and the 'Demon' wot plagued them, all with the prophesized prospect O'
gaining aid in reciprocation from the Elven Kingdom for our valued services to their Kingdom!
Patre Arctos the devout servant O' Mars, as well as the High King O' the Dwarves, n' a Noble O'
the House O' Scopulos couldst nev'r  possibly stand idley by without playing an integral part in
the demise O' Mastiphal and his minions, the vile Goths!  I too must stand with art Elven allies O' the Ardennes Elves!

         And there be one thing that must remain paramont in art strategy, we must continue to do whats most unexpected in order to keep our adversaries, the Infernal Demons wot art arrayed against us, constantly imbalanced . .  by continually and consequently doing the least expected
thing that they wouldst nev'r conceived O' 'us' ev'r doing in their highly detailed and timely
plans made o'er the eons past!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Sat 20 Apr 2013.

Cirostis' bald head turns a lighter shade not quite crimson. He nods stifly to the Centurion and his shoulders stiffen just a little, as if being weighted with a heavy ruck.

Ill remain with the army. It is the only reasonable choice. The Centurion and the Patre can lead the rest with help from our wilderness guide.

But I must understand better these riddles. What, ma'am would you have of twelve score heavy infantry three artilliary teams ... And a smattering of pony dragoons? How can we keep them supplied? What of the salaries? This was meant to be a short tour - they'll do the mission if so ordered but we did not establish the admin needed for a long deployment.

There is a moment of silence from the others.

Texxor raises an eyebrow at Arctos.  "Ovo Goledshield reported the matter of the Dwarven Prophecy to us..."

"That's not the issue, though," Anakri says.  She looks at the Dwarf priest.  "Arctos.. search your heart.  We have no right to tell you not to return to your home.  But your personality is not conducive to success, here.  Your own choice of words betray you.  If there is any hope of success there will be no 'marching' against Mastiphal, but a quiet, humble approach, and I fear, that is not within you.  This is no time for noise and bluster and sound and fury.  I fear very much that if you go, you will cause failure.  You will antagonize and rebuke and issue demands, and that will only feed the enemy.  You are a creature of the Dwarven Army and you should be with them. There are still tasks they can do.   If your own pride demands otherwise, look within you... which is more important to you, your Kingdom or your own pride?"

Cirostis frowns.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:49, Sat 20 Apr 2013.

Haakon listens attentively and then at last asked.  "So, Dwarven armies cannot kill this Mastiphal... does that mean he cannot be killed or that more subtle methods are necessary.  If the latter, what would an assassin need to know... or would a teacher have more success than an assassin?  Could it be that harmony s a weapon against this thing?"

He paused to draw breath and asked... "What happened to the staff of peace?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:12, Mon 22 Apr 2013.

Dunduin replies "It means that if the dwarves were to kill Mastiphal by force, we'd have to kill our friends and family first to get to him. There comes a point where you have to seriously question your motive of force. In this case, the price is too high, another way must be found."

"That is precisely what it means," Texxor says.  "I must say I am not comfortable with this, but... to trust the words of the priests, as Arctos and Ovo have told us... if what we have been told is true, yes, Mastiphal's legions are the Dwarves themselves, turned by his terrible power."

"Legions," Tawna says, "we get to go sneak into a place guarded by legions."

"I was being dramatic," Texxor growls.  Weasels...


"So... we're going to pretend to be merchants, then?" she asks.  "Broke ones or successful ones."

Texxor and Anakri look at Dunduin.

"Successful merchants would have respect," the Elf woman says.  "But broke ones would not create envy.  Well, Dwarves?"

Haakon grins... "We could just go there on our honeymoon... or I could just take my stock and sell it.  After all, even dwarves need clothes... even Dweogar I would imagine.  I must say though, it's much easier if the target is guarded by legions. It makes 'em feel they are safe."

Dunduin concurs "Even dwarves gone bad still have to eat. Probably still want basic every day goods as well and what they don't have or make themselves they'll need to trade for. Poor merchants sounds as good a plan as any. We'll need to act the part though. Despite what you may think, dwarves may act stupid at times but aren't necessarily stupid. The fact that the kobolds were kicked out means that a low end merchant could fill that missing trade gap."

       The Dwarven Patre crestfallen over now realizing that he can't go back to
the Dwarven lands to help his people, now finds the thought of the Elven wanting to
fight his people even more distasteful, and his words once again ring out to the
throng gathered about him . . .

       "No this tisn't right at all!

        There be way to much dwelling pon fighting the Dwarven Legion!  Our hope tis
to save lives, naught to snuff them out.  Wot O' the Staff, be there any ideas on the
affect it'll hath pon Duergar?  Mayhaps making multiple copies O' art scrolls O' 'Calm
Emotions' to all O' your Elven casters can quell the Duergar so's thee wilst na hath to
kill them.  Twixt the use of the Staff and the 'Calm Emotions' spells our Dwarfkins blood
will naught hath to be spilt at all!  If the situation twere reversed I'm quite sure that
thee wouldst naught wont to hath thy people smitten so readily!

        Hath there been any word from the Maguses O' Aurelianorum pon how to
deal with Mastiphal, and reverse the plague pon our people?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Wed 24 Apr 2013.

"We just said we're going to be poor merchants. How does that translate to fighting dwarves? Never-mind, it's a rhetorical question. I think we've got it covered Arctos. Once we're in, we'll gather the information we need and develop a suitable plan. We just need to finalize the team members."