Reemul contacts various members of the adventuring community.
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Gom remarks:
"Listen. If my mages are right, Rhodes has the region by the balls. People just don't know it yet. If she uses the darkflame on the menhir, we all burn and for good. So a direct military attack by Peltarch's army won't work. She's nuts enough to pull the trigger on that and burn us all if she gets any sense that she's going to lose."
"That means Peltarch's army doesn't have a vanguard good enough for the kind of delicate operation needed to take the Stronghold without her realizing what's going on until it's too late. But you. You're the ones who can actually do it. You're going to have to actually get into that stronghold and put an end to this threat. To the darkflame. To the menhir. To Rhodes."
"In other words: the army's just support here. My Defenders can handle the Nars. They can handle the overall woods. But the Stronghold? That's on you. And how you do it is up to you to figure out."
"But hey, I trust you. You're a smart bunch. I believe you can do it. Besides, if I'm wrong and you muck it up, no one will be left alive to tell me they told me so, right?"
The bald man smirks dryly.
DM Xanatos Gambit
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Standing hunched over the map with his hands planted firmly on the tabletop, he looks at Reemul.
"You have a horse if you want to ride in circles and play messenger. Hmph... if not you, then I'd bet cold hard coin on the Defenders having such a messenger system they'd employ. Hell, last time I worked an operation for them they had a speaking stone device; handy. As for being everywhere, that's for the prestigious names that are being sung to determine. We've got 'subordinate' Defenders as well as their commanders."
His steely grey eyes survey the Defenders' command.
"It'll be up to you to divide your men and position them. If we're playing the long game without murdering them into a panic and forcing Rhodes's hand to use her device we'll want to lock shields and hold a line at each breach point. Wither them with arrows or spells from behind; I don't know, just stand there and look intimidating till the strike team deals their killing blow. If all goes to plan it should be over quickly. If not, at least spreading her forces and ours over multiple points might make her hesitant in her use of the petrified dork of destiny or whatever the wand is called."
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Cormac, in the past the raiders have employed swordsmen, archers, scouts and somehow have a very skilled set of mages among them. I have not seen priests before, but that doesn't mean there are none. Some of their melee cadre is certainly skilled in striking from behind if I recall. As to the wand, on the spot if that wont be dangerous for all I care, my point is, I wont have an argument about its fate when the dust settles. You observations are valid, now, tell us how to be everywhere, pass messages in real time, gather proper current intelligence, get into their encampment and engage them in a fall back maneuver and coordinate it all at the same time? Thats what were here for, to figure out these details, good ideas will move up the line, bad ideas will be tossed in the bin. But Ideas is what this is all for. I think we have some solid ideas in the pipe, now how to tie em together and time them? And as has been stated this is a military operation so ultimately General Gom I would assume will make his plan and present it, at which time any of us not in the military can walk away if they think its a bad plan? but I think the flow of ideas gives us all some direction, lets just hope the best ideas are what forms the core we all work with.
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Cormac has by now grown irritable.
"Destroy it? On the spot or is it to be spirited away? And another thing -- what are we looking at exactly anyway? I've seen her troops carry bows, sword and board, and the occasional halberd. What about their spellcasters? Any priests among their number? Backstabbing cowards? How many of each? Has the cunning bitch set a joyous assortment of traps along the way?
If your 'plan' is to run in headlong through the front door and expect the best possible outcome it's no damn wonder the madwoman left your Defenders behind, she's outgrown you."
He glowers darkly around the room, a grim snarl peeling his blackened lips back.
"...bah! I didn't come here to shit on your ideas. They're all... very good... it's just -- look here."
He unfolds his arms and approaches the war-table with the map/model of the fort. He starts pointing at positions that have no gates, no entry points or exits - and imortantly, either fewer or no defensive towers/positions at all.
"....the feint attack is a good plan. But lets double down and let me or some other idiot plant some explosive barrels around here, here - and here. They'll be drawn to these spots. Rhoades will counter it quickly and divide her men with precision on the fly - but her force will still be split."
He looks around to ensure the others are following along, he marks the spots on the map and draws lines where he expects the Defenders to engage.
"From there it's 'our' job to be nimble, we have to appear to be everywhere, give her no opportunity to move men from one point to another. The Defenders should take care of that in force. It'll be up to us to find a way in from there while her soldiers are distracted, while she herself is working up to her own realization that the real threat isn't the men at the breach but the team that should by then already be in her encampment. If we can find a way in that isn't as obvious as the front door or holes we've blasted in her walls, all to the better.
We'll divide and then conquer. If we're quick enough she'll be drawn from her magic stones while the Ceruleans or - whoever the hell - takes care of those, and the rest of the group addresses her and whatever bodyguard she's retained. Stop planning like soldiers and start thinking like warriors."
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Good good, thanks Rey, clarity matters.
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After a further moments thought, she then adds.
"From the Cerulean standpoint, it would be my hope Jonni will command their participation, and as well as that secure the darkflame for disposal. Reemul is right, such a thing should be destroyed, I'm sure nobody here would disagree."
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Rey runs a hand through her hair.
"This is a Defender operation. The chain of command, from top to bottom, is Gom, Hresh, me, Keene, with our various subordinate officers following such as Janes and George."
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Good question Meadow, im a bit confused by Reys comment of giving Gom orders, so some clarity would be appreciated. Once I know that, and the plan is defined, I will do what is asked of me. Oh, a side note, if somehow this wand is secured, where will it end up, im really not interested in seeing it in anyone's hand's. Destroyed or locked down somehow I would be pleased to see. Provided we have favorable outcome.
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Meadow pipes up again
So who is ultimately in charge of this operation? What's the chain of command?
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Defender General Gom remarks, before sitting back and listening to more of the planning:
"Alright.
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A preemptive strike on Rhodes' stronghold is the plan. How we go about it is flexible. I like the ideas I'm hearing here about cutting off supply routes, staging a fake retreat, while sending a subtle vanguard in to attack and neutralize the menhir.
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Moving the menhir is not an option. The menhirs are lodged into the ground, and this one is apparently wrapped in that weird red metal. The 'myrkandite.'
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This menhir and myrkandite together connect to leylines beneath Narfell. If Rhodes uses the scrap of Abyssal darkflame wand she has on it, that's bad news for everyone.
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I understand based on what your arcanists are telling me, and this has been confirmed by the Ceruleans, that if we remove the myrkandite from the menhir, the danger of Rhodes using the menhir and leylines to set the countryside on fire drops. A lot. So it would be great if you miners and spellcasters can do that.
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In terms of security, based on what Jorino is saying, I understand that Arch Weyland is someone who can actually, maybe manipulate or deflect the darkflame. That said, I don't trust the guy. No one trusts the guy. This was one of Smoke's former allies. He killed the Magistrate during Smoke's insurrection for crying out loud. I don't know why this guy's allowed to even walk around the way he does. But people insist on bringing him along. Fine. Though he's going to be detained during the operation, and under constant supervision by defenders picked by me. And the Magistrate, provided you're willing. They will have permission to kill him the moment there is any sign whatsoever that he is going to betray the operation.
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On the Kront mercenaries: they aren't getting a red copper from us. If they want to help, fine, but as soon as they step out of line, it's over for them."
DM Xanatos Gambit
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Disgruntled with the talk of Mia Gander and her people, Reyhenna ultimately waves a hand in concession.
"Fine. I'll coordinate with anyone who wants Rhodes dead, but as Morgan says they certainly won't be getting a copper, and if they don't piss right off back to Kront with their liberated people afterwards they'll regret it.
Speaking of setting expectations, everyone here should also be under no illusions that this is a Defender operation and when we're in the field I expect nobody to engage in any unannounced departures from the plan without it going through command, that being Hresh, Keene, me or Gom. I've fought with most of you hundreds of times, in situations as trying or more, so I am not worried. Just making sure we're all clear on properly communicating everything not just before, but during what promises to be a complex engagement."
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George looks from Isolde to Morgan.
"She's not wrong. Mia Gander and her lot... That's the Kront mercenaries... have been nothing but honourable and professional. Even refused to fight several times because Gander gave them strict orders not to. Never let them set foot on Narfell soil, as far as I'm aware. They think us all crazy and keep away from things that happen 'out in the Nars'.
I tried to get in touch with her when we first found that ring with the whispering winds spell on it, tell her Fim's playing the lot of us, but I couldn't reach her. If she's figured that out on her own, all the better. If not, she at least knows Rhodes for what she is. She'll want the chance at payback, I'm sure.
I should add, however, that the brass wasn't happy at the suggestion of working with anyone associated with Fim. Not sure if anything has changed in that regard."
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After another brief pause, Isolde adds:
"Rhodes' pattern's obvious from earlier encounters, such as Frobrook. She had the original villagers slaughtered, ushered in a fresh set and when their cover was blown, went about trying to murder them as well. She'll for sure use the slaves she's taken in the same way, callously killing those she cannot use or holding them hostage to try and stop our hand. That's part of why I think we need to turn as many as we can on the inside, including those more mercenary minded who might consider the Kront lot as the preferable option. If we have any way of preventing this turning into a bloodbath, I strongly urge we take it. Innocent people's lives are at stake, not just from the doomsday weapon itself but those Rhodes captured."
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Isolde turns to Morgan, the out-stretched finger bobbing as though in a nod:
"Rey felt the same way, which is why the deal's not done yet. But let me point out, and George might even back me up on it - 'bandits' is a misleading label. We already know they're not unified with the forces Rhodes leads, in fact they were kept wholly in the dark on that by Fim. They also have a good reputation around Kront and are in fact quite popular with the general populace. Sure, they're performing a service for coin, but that's why I used the word mercenaries, it's a better fit by far. They don't go around extorting people in order to pay for protection, nor do they rob or waylay travellers. I actually think they'd help out in order to free what they consider 'their' people, without being payed by us. I could be wrong, but we won't know if we don't get as far as to ask."
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"Will they ask direct payment? More likely they just want Rhodes out of their hair. What we should be mindful of is ensuring they do not take over Rhodes' setup after we've dealt with her.
Having the Kronties deliver a separate strike would be good. Especially if they strike somewhere vital to Rhodes' operation but far enough that it does not look like we're working together. If it looks like it's just bandit opportunism, she will be less inclined to think her plans are lost. Just a bunch of small fires to put out, not an inferno.
As Isolde suggested, them freeing a deal of her slaves would be preferable. If they go after the towns providing Rhodes' resources first, that will accomplish at least part of Rey's plan as well.
Keeping in mind that those people freed might join Kront's bandits permanently.Having Sylvia would be a great help. She can direct the growth of vegetation? If we do decide to try and lure her forces in the open, she might be able to help us hide the size of our own force. Or have thickets grow to force the enemy along certain paths.
Now, if she can breach those walls, she would be an even greater help. If she can handle only one, I would have her do that. If nothing else, she might help camouflage those approaching the stronghold."
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"I really don't want to work with bandits from Kront, and I especially don't want to give the bandits from Kront money of any kind." Morgan adds bitterly
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Isolde has barely closed her mouth when she turns on her heels and, lifting a dainty finger, continues:
"And another thing! We've some allies secured, others remain a possibility. I'd like to propose the following as an idea on how to utilize both: Silvia the Fey, who has sworn that nature's wrath shall be at our disposal, is a wild card Rhodes likely won't expect. She might either help hem the fortress in, or provide a breach in its walls, perhaps both through the vegetation she so skillfully directs.
I'd like to suggest a breach in the walls, followed by a strike force lead by the mercenaries of Kront to liberate those that they can, and with any luck win over many others to their side. We met with their leader by chance not long ago, and since some of the villages Rhodes has raided fall under their protection, they were keen to assist. We settled on nothing at the time, but renewed contact's still possible. I think many of the more 'reasonable' minded mercenaries might follow the Kront-based group if given a chance.
With their aid, the suggested smaller units penetrating the fortress might gain precious breathing room where the doomsday device is concerned."
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"I'll describe the device itself in as much detail as I could make it out through Silvia's scrying pool: it is a menhir stone, but excavated and separated from its original position. It is still connected to the leylines with all that this entails though - and covered in a runed inlay of myrkandite. What we could glean of the magic it held matches well with George's vision - it's an amplifier of sorts, and a powerful one at that, capable of boosting a magical effect to hundreds, perhaps a thousand times over.
An expert in things arcane and in the metal itself has told me the device can be dismantled through the method I described before - dispelling the magic and physically removing the metal. This is not a quick fix solution and would require a team working concentratedly and away from combat. Whether or not the Abyssal Darkflame wand's been incorporated in the device itself or is held separately by Rhodes, I couldn't say. A question worth looking into, though."
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Meadow steps forward and pipes up. How long she’s been there is anyone’s guess. Now that she’s returned with George, she was surely invited. It’s likely she just went unnoticed.
I’m not a soldier, but some here have the right of it. Engaging her in open battle with an inferior force would be the way to start. However, do so with a prepared fallback point, and at least two layers of reserves.
Rhodes will see victory at first from her vantage point where ever it may be. The battle however will likely stall at the fallback point. That’s when the first layer of reserves come in.
The battle at this point might swing in our favor. Perhaps not. Regardless, Rhodes will likely call her own reserves to counter.
This will go on of course, with one side reinforcing, and the other side countering.
The goal of this however isn’t to win. It would be to bleed her of troops and distract her. As her reserves are thinned, it may allow openings. Openings that will allow two other small units in. One to dismantle or neutralize the menhir…or whatever it is.
The other to attack her directly.
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"I have to say, if I was Rhodes and had what I believed a trumph card on my hands, I wouldn't go and leave it behind. I'd scry the field of battle from within my fortress and likely set up HQ right beside my dear doomsday device. This is not to shoot anyone else's ideas down, it's rather pointing out that we may need at least a plan A and B, depending on how the scenario develops.
From previous scrying, we know there are several mages guarding the device. Scouting the fortress directly would be unwise and something I'm sure she'll have contingencies set in place for, but we do have access to a very powerful scrying pool and that's something we could make further use of. This pool belongs to the so far unmentioned, but important added ally we have, Silvia the Fey."
