RP:A Council For War

From HollowWiki

Part of the Liberation of Rynvale Arc


Synopsis: Arien calls a war council with representatives of the Avian Republic and Rynvale's criminal element to review final plans for the first wave of assault on Archmosian held Port Rynvale

Characters: Arien, Leoxander, Shaelus, Reece, Kumorohyou, Arysel, Viggo, Drake, Caedan.

Location: Rynvale; Pirate’s Hideout.



Kumorohyou quietly enters the hideout, his footfalls surprisingly quiet despite the leather boots he wears. Were it not for the black fur upon his pointed ears, or the long tail swishing behind him, one might mistake him for a High Elf who had seen a lot of sunlight. His skin was a dark brown, like someone hailing from India or Bangladesh, offset by the unnerving, electric-blue gaze that analyzes everything and everyone in sight with a calculating, yet warm stare.

Viggo really has no reason why he is in the cave; simply that he is wandering, exploring the lands that he and his men have landed on and near. But the sound of people - of many people - has the Thane becoming cautious, and into the shadows he creeps. There are so many of them. Not nearly as many as he brought with him from his homeland, but still enough to give a lone warrior, even one as strong as he, pause. What strikes him as out of place, however, is the woman pouring over a map, and his bushy brows furrow.

Reece sidles through the doorway softly, barely pushing it wide enough for his slender frame to be allowed passage. Curiously he looks around at those present, assessing and analyzing before taking a seat as far away from the centre of the room as was available.

Arysel probably isn't too far behind the feline. She had landed not too far away, this place seeming familiar to her in some odd way. Not a comforting familiar as snowy wings are drawn close against her back, half hiding the tattoo that almost covers scars that criss-cross her back. Ducking her head, the avian enters the appointed meeting place, but not before drawing in a breath of air to steady already frayed nerves. Even cave walls were no different than those of a tavern or small house. Dove-grey eyes flit about, taking in faces and other small details.

Arien had been in the ramshackle hideout for some few hours already, in one lantern lit corner the hooded elf poured over the details of what seemed a map of some sort. At her elbow, a chilled tankard of Rynvalian brew, and about the room, the heavy silence of sailors and other unsavory characters, disturbed by her presence in their midst but reluctant to do anything about it because she had been seen here before in the company of the captain. None wished to risk his ire and so they watched, and drank, and grumbled, sometimes loudly about 'bints who didn't know their place'. Chips of emerald ice would lift then, steeling them into silence before being lowered over the work at hand again. The hour was almost upon her, to make her case. The arrival of her scientist, and bomb maker for the purposes of this exercise was welcomed with a smile. "Kumori..I am glad you were able to make it." The arrival of the avian guard is also welcomed with a nod. "Reece.." The arrival of the Thane does not go unnoted, but she presumes him to be another of the folks of ill repute for which this place is known.

Kumorohyou moves to stand next to Arien, bowing politely at the waist to his Leader before turning to give the same courtesy to the Avian ambassador. Reaching one of his large hands into the satchel around his shoulder, the panther scientist produces several sheets of parchment, one of which contains a fully dimensioned drawing of a device that would be considered alien to the people of Hollow. He was ready to speak when they were ready to listen.

Reece watches the goings on with interest, preferring to remain in the background.

Leoxander appears from the east.

Arysel offers a ghost of a smile to the elf, visibly willing herself to relax. "I shall be well enough for this meeting, M'Lady." As though to reassure herself, the bard reaches for the lyre hanging from her hip, the cherry finish darker in some spots than others. Calloused fingers stroke the curved body.

Leoxander stepped into the doorway, alone.

Arien rises at her seat, gaze turning towards the door upon the entrance of the captain whom she greets with a nod before offering comforting smile to the ambassador. Turning back towards the scientist she murmurs. “Good, you have brought the designs..you will explain how they work in a few moments. We are ready to begin, I believe.”

Arien lifts a pale hand to turn the light up upon the lantern that dangles above the table, as she makes indication for them to draw closer..this was not news for all ears to hear.

Leoxander looked a bit ragged, hair tousled and if observed closely, dusted with bits of leaf and dirt. His pants were torn at the outside of one knee, but the cuffs were tucked into buckled pirate boots to conceal the damage, as much as possible. A fresh scratch was scabbed and healing on the outside of his tattooed left arm, revealed when he crossed them over his chest, and furrowed his brow, suspiciously looking over the unfamiliar faces sitting in the Hideout.

Leoxander said to Arien, "You do know whose territory this is, do you not?" Leoxander would interrupt her.

Arien said to Leoxander, "Yes captain..I am fully aware..it is why you are here, no?"

Arysel is forced to give ground at Leo's arrival. Not that she minded. Having met the lycan --predator her mind screamed-- once before, she at least had some familiarity with him. Almost automatically the avian is searching behind him, a frown of disappointment creasing her brow when he's not followed. Later, she'll ask the question. When there wasn't a matter of war to attend to. Reluctantly, Arysel turns her attention to Arien and the feline, determined to give a full report to the General and Senators.

Reece is close enough to hear Arien's words and so he merely raises a hand to indicate to the elf that he's listening.

Viggo remains tucked away from sight, slinking through the shadows as best he can what with heavy boots and chainmail on his body. He winces as every now and again his axe's head scrapes ever-so-lightly against the cave floor, but to him it sounds as though a mage's fireball just exploded.

Leoxander said to you, "What the hell is all this..?" He knew the meeting was bound to take place, but three out of four faces would earn a glare from the pirate. "Who the hell are these landlubbers?"

Leoxander would even look toward the one trying to conceal himself in a hideout.

Arien met the pirate look for look. “These landlubbers, as you so graciously call them Rogue, may well help you get out of this pickle with the skin on your back.” Pale hand flutters to indicate the feline, “Kumori, member of the Fold Round, scientist, and the creator of the devices that will do the job we hope to accomplish.” She angles herself so that Reece becomes visible. “Reece, illusionist, and avian representative of the Fold, he will hopefully be aboard ship to give you some much needed cover in your approach, and provide a link between the naval unit and the land units though our clan link.” She nods towards the female avian, “Arysel, ambassador of the avian Republic, allied with us in this venture, providing the airpower if you will. Any more questions commander?”

Arysel didn't take exception to what sounded like an insult. Rather the avian could, with confidence, say she'd been anything but at one time. That seemed a long time ago now, and there were more pressing matters to attend to. "If this is not a good time or place, I am sure we can meet elsewhere." A note of calm is interjected into her voice, hoping to sooth nerves and bring a sense of quasi-peace even in this den of nefarious men and sometimes women.

Arien is aware that she is not being particularly accommodating at the moment. The tension of preparing for battle, among other things, has the elf, quite on edge.

Leoxander took the time to at least listen to those introductions, giving not one of them a confident look as their name was announced. Then Arsyel would speak up, and he immediately remembered that face, enough to respond with a blunt and rude, "Don't you start in already, bird." Injury to insult, as that was a bit of a chauvinistic title but it worked, with her wings. "You didn't say a damn thing about working with Fold members, you told me to hire my own. Now forgive me for my damned questions elf but do you think I honestly trust a one of these addled lapdogs to stand aboard my ship?" Full of himself, wasn't he? If you hadn't ever run into the unshaven, deadly pirate before… this was a typical Leoxander attitude. Or maybe it was a test.

Arysel blinks owlishly at the lycan before her lips quirked up. Oh yes. She remembered him more fully now, even the fear he evoked still. Though, the fear now was not due entirely to his presence. Furtive glances are cast about, watching the walls, even the ceiling before deciding on a point some feet ahead. "Quite honestly, Captain, I would prefer a much more open place for these discussions."

Viggo halts as the group begins to talk amongst themselves, looking out from his vantage of nearly seven feet. The arrogant male, he has seen the man, but the others don't seem to have caught on to his presence, and so he remains out of sight...for the most part. He can only keep hidden behind anything that stands taller than his impressive height - for a human - after all.

Kumorohyou sighs at the pirate's question concerning trust. There were going to be a small group of Fold members on board a ship surrounded by pirates, yet Leo is the one complaining about distrust? A more polite question, however, is offered to the captain, "How is your trust earned, sir?" The feline possesses a strange accent, almost a combination of Japanese and Hindi.…

Arien said to Leoxander “And I fully expect that you will hire your own captain.” She is, in this situation, careful not to reveal his name unless he so wished it known. “Where you find it fit to place them, is entirely up to you. It need not be on the Eternity, but Kumori needs to be near those bombs, and Reece will be my only means of directly communicating with you unless, you would rather work blind?” Her gaze swung wide, inviting her kinsmen to speak in their own defense if they so desired, “I offer you only two officers, you have yet a fleet to man. The empire boasts 25 battle ships, 50 cannon galleys and 100 arrow galley ships to work past. If you can do so with three men and one ship, you will have earned my undying admiration.” Her gaze is locked stubbornly upon his, she will not be browbeaten, not when lives and land were on the line.


Leoxander was beyond mistrust. He was a rude, arrogant-… well pretty much every word they thought to describe him was true. But two things would calm down his attitude… first the surprise in the fact that a feline was being most respectful, secondly that Arien had a point with that many numbers revealed. Rather than answer either of them, first, he moved his mismatched gaze to Arysel to shut her up. "I guarantee this is the safest place in Rynvale, but if you want to scout about and head closer to the castle, more power to you." Now he would turn his attention toward the Fold. Not only its leader and Commander, but those introduced as necessary for the mission. His voice was low and serious, ragged from days in the sun at sea, his thirst quenched most often with liquor. "I want a bloody agreement, here and now. I'll help you lot to end this, once and for all, I already told you that, elf. But this corner of the land is mine and you damn well know it. I don't want none of your tree huggin', keel hauled, feather preening miscreants on my territory, when this is all said and done. The waters from here, west, are mine." His eyes traveled across three of them, lanterns shining most viciously across reflective retina.

Arysel glances around at the otherwise quiet crowd that seems to have been gathered before this private business. Being of a diplomatic nature, however, she refrains from pointing this out.

Reece raises an eyebrow, waiting for Arien's words.

Arysel mutters something under her breath not very complimentary, towards the lycan. What had that woman seen in him anyway? Straightening her spine and feathers ruffling as wings twitched irritably, the avian swallows the rise of panic in her throat to approach the table. The knuckles of her right hand turn white the tighter she grasps the lyre.


Arien speaks for her men, it was her place after all. “The Order has little to no interest in imposing on your right to live and work these waters as you see fit captain. My sole intent is to see the island restored to the keepers from which it was taken; The High Elvin royal line. Thereafter, we shall happily retreat to our home in sage, and you shall likely never see most of our faces again. You have our word, my word, that we will depart as quietly and as quickly as we have come.”

Kumorohyou watches Leoxander, awaiting the pirate's answer. The panther scientist's pointed, black-furred ears turn towards the sound of someone else entering. Resting his peculiar, bright blue orbs upon Shaelus, the scientist bows politely at the waist to the new arrival, before rising back to his full height, roughly 6' 4".

Leoxander said to Arien, "And I'm sure your high elven royal line would like nothing more than to see these waters rid of the likes of me. As far as your word goes, I promise you that if it's broken more than you will reap the results of my revenge." Something about that promise shouldn't be taken lightly, considering he so seldom made promises at all. Not at all phased by Caedan's arrival, the Captain would even turn a sour look on anyone inspecting her the wrong way. It was the entry of another avian that had the pirate abruptly asking, "Now what?"

Leoxander would fall entirely quiet from there, for the next one to enter the tavern would have his full attention...

Drake lurches in, sober. The lurching is due to the sack he's carrying. He'll stand by a rock until noticed.

Arien lifts her emerald gaze to watch the door. The arrival of the avian general was greeted with a nod, and the almost immediate trailing on his heels of an oddly sober looking Drake almost brought a smile to her pale lips. Her hand extended to indicate them both. “I give you Shaelus, the avian general and commander of the unit who will be doing our bombing run..” She hesitates.. “Hank, you know…and it would seem, we are all here. It is time, I believe, to get to business.” She moves towards the table again. “I will see to it that my word to you is held up in this regard captain, the royals will owe you their kingdom if we are successful.”

Leoxander did not know what to say or do in Drake's presence. It was quite clearly a silent stand down, for several moments.

Caedan circles the group another time, this time flanked by the two puppies who are conducting their own investigation with cold, wet noses. Eventually, she ventures within, and quietly approaches Kumorohyou. If permitted, she'll tuck a sprig of fennel into his outer garment and quietly murmur, "Goodbye." This is proceeded by an air kiss to the cheek before she moves on to the next person. She's not doing it loudly enough to interrupt the meeting, but she's not missing anyone either. Fallen god, humble leader, scurvy pirate -- no one is immune to her gentle farewells and smelly herbs -- no one except Leoxander and Arysel, after some internal debate.

Leoxander finally moved to pull out a chair and take a seat at that table, whether invited or not. His eyes would not leave good ol' Hank until he did the same.

Leoxander said to Caedan, "Siddown..."

Arien turned to face the commanders assembled, her expression somber as realization of the moment upon them all set in. It was their last, best chance to change the direction of this war. Spread before her on the roughened table was a sprawling map of the island, marks and pinned flags delineating the objectives, targets and routes that would need to be followed in order for the assault to be successful. "I suppose gentlemen, we should begin with the overriding objectives of the exercise." A pale finger drifted North on the map. " The destruction of Castle Archmosioa…and, the securing of the entrance to Gamorg-I intend to begin a siege there if they will not withdraw themselves from their alliance with the Emperor." The finger slid just south of the Castle to a flag identifying the Marigold bridge that separated the Northern wilderness of Rynvale from the city proper. " I expect that this bridge might be where the land forces end up making their stand. Our primary objective will be secure that bridge. If we can, once the castle is destroyed, we will have effectively reclaimed Northern Rynvale, and forced the Emperor into the city proper where he will have significantly less military resources to wage war openly." Arien 's emerald gaze lifted to skim across the faces gathered around the table. "It will be a matter of precision timing and communication for this to work. The Emperor has a naval fleet in place around the island. Our fleet, under Leo's command will begin the assault by drawing their fire and the attention of the Emperor's forces in general towards the sea. His objective will be to get as much of the fleet as possible, and its force of avians and explosives within range for a quick strike aerial bombardment of the castle. One of my men, the avian Reece will be on board with you. The telepathic link between us will serve as the primary means of communication between the land and naval force." Her gaze dropped to the map again, the finger sliding across to the western flank of the island, to the fog forest. "While Leo and the fleet are fighting into position for launch, I will be leading the ground unit into the opening stages of our own assault." Here, a smile tugged the pale lips. "The Emperor does not know that I have managed to turn the heart of the Naga queen, Jaize, to our cause. Not only will she be planting explosives on the support columns of the castle to ensure it comes down in our attack, but she has granted us the use of Alythria's teleport. There is a blocked cave entrance deep in the fog forest, guarded by the Naga, that we believe was once an exit portal into Rynvale from Alythria. We intend to covertly unblock the entrance over the course of a few days before the engagement, and then move a Fold strike force and a small band of allied giants through the portal from Alythria, to press north, into Gamorg, where we will leave the giants to battle to establish an outpost and secure the only entrance and exit from the city. We expect resistance, but the giants are well able to hold their own." Arien's finger did its dance across the map to tap lightly upon the flag that demarked the castle. " It is my hope that Leo has the fleet positioned at just about the time that we engage in Gamorg, and then shall the launch command be given via my connection with Reece. It should not take long for the internal and external explosions at the castle to bring it down-though the same explosions will likely alert the Emperor's ground forces that we are present. The bombing of the castle will be the cue for the smaller, quicker strike force to press south to the bridge and attempt to take it." Here, the first suggestion of a shadow flits across her face. "We will likely be outnumbered, and out powered, but we have to try to find a way to stop the emperor from getting reinforcements up to the castle area." She looked up again then. "Once the avians drop their payload, it will be every man for himself. Leo will have to get the fleet out, I will have to get my men out-preferably alive." Easier said than done, but they would cross that bridge when they got there. "Any ideas for how we can beat a safe and hasty retreat given the locations we end up are welcome, and appreciated. Now..find me holes, lives are at stake. " A rueful smile swept across her face, and then she stood silent, to await their respective verdicts and suggestions. She had been thinking it through for so long, she had probably lost the ability to see the flaws in the plan.

Reece listens quietly to Arien's words for some time, allowing the others to absorb her words. Then slowly, the illusionist rises and steps forward into the light, holding up a hand for silence. "Lady Arien. I see but one flaw in your plan... The emperor himself." Looking around at those faces here he says, "The parasite is a powerful magician, and a ruin is not easy to attack. The parasite will almost certainly survive the destruction of his castle and so it is conceivable that he may somehow use his power to briefly fortify the position to hold out against an attack, and then personally come down to fight the task force by the bridge..." Hoping that by now he has the attention of all those gathered he says, "I feel someone must engage the parasite in person to delay these actions."

Arysel gives Caedan a warm smile, quite amused by the teen's antics before she turns her attention to Arien again. "Dragons could bring our people down. What guarantee do you have that there are none in the Emperor's army?"

Leoxander heard not only his name several times, but the entire layout of her plan. There was a dark look upon his features that suggested he did not agree to everyone knowing every detail, even himself. The walls could have had ears, and eyes, particularly since two out of several of those recruits inside were pirates, himself included. He now had a hell's long list of information to sell to the Parasite, if he so desired. His gaze flitted to Arien briefly as he considered the trust she had in him. Leo would get her man out, the fleet out, safely. Under the toil of heavy nautical assault. Interesting concept, that. "How many ships does the Fold have to spare to this fleet? If I'm taking your own men aboard my own I expect at least two to account for them." Here, he looked toward someone, anyone, for a drink. First come would be the first acknowledged to the cause, and if no one happened to be kind enough to buy for him in his own territory....

Arysel 's attention is certainly gained by the avian.

Drake muttered an aside to Caedan, "Curly." The big man moved, sack dragged to run a ditch through the sand and whatever debris lay on the cave floor, eyes settling on avian, human and elf in turn. "Sewers," he offered to Arien. "Make sure they're clear. We can bolt through 'em."

Leoxander would wait for Reece to speak before he spoke, but his input to the conversation did earn a glance. Surely Arien had this part figured out. His mind was already dreading her answer to that.

Shaelus said to Reece, "I will take care of Vuryal."

Drake would add, his eye on the pirate Captain, "Fer them who's fit fer runnin'."

Reece turns to Shaelus, nodding sagely, "I see."

Leoxander glanced from Shaelus, to Drake.

Caedan pulls a face at Drake, and then looks smug as one the puppies relieves itself in the general vicinity of his left foot.


Kumorohyou:: Silently listening to the going's on, the dark-skinned scientist first looks to Reece as he speaks, then to Leoxander asking about how many ships the Fold had to spare. Turning to Reece, the feline replies, "As far as magical fortifications go, on the outside of the castle, let me worry about that." The panther offers Reece a slight smile; Kumori had been planning...something, or at least anticipated Vuryal's presence.

Drake watched the pup water his shoe. Bent, and used the pup to wipe his boot. "I'm te help kick th' Parasite where it hurts, in days prior, if it helps. Cannae say how, bu' let's just say he'll be frettin', an' 'is mind won' be on war." Like Leo, full disclosure was painful to the man.

Arysel listened. It's what she did best. She shifted through the information, the plan and solutions made. And yet, her one worry, always, was her own people. The question of other fliers had yet to be answered. Something dark swirls in those soft grey eyes, possibly the remnant of some long ago mishap. "Lady Arien, our people are taking as great a risk with your scientist’s inventions." She glances briefly at the dark-skinned feline, "I realize in war, lives are lost. I'd like to lose as few as possible. What intelligence do you have in regards to the Emperor's ability to protect his skies." Obviously, if there were spies lurking about, they'd already heard a majority of the plan laid out.

Drake reached into the sack, and tugged loose a bottle that smelled vaguely of pee. This he uncorked with his fingers, flipping the stopper at Caedan. Then took a long, deep swig, eyes on the Cap'n. "I can be on yer ship, Sprat. Or I can take one. Yer call."

Arien winced slightly as she realized she had fallen back into the habit of calling the pirate by name-and she had been doing so well. It mattered not-well perhaps some, but she was putting lives in his hands, including to some extent her own. Of course she trusted him, them all, with the details. They would not be able to work together otherwise and they would have to be a well oiled machine if it would work. She addressed the concern of the ambassador first. “We also count dragons amongst our number, and the giants of Frostmaw are now our allies-if it comes to a battle they will lead the charge on that front.” She nods to Reece, “Vuryal will have no choice but to flee, or die should Shaelus choose to engage him this is not my concern… as for the sewers Drake, if we are caught in the northern badlands, I’m not sure they will be accessible to us.” The unspoken fear lurked in her eyes. “ The truth be told, I and my men will likely be taken if his ground forces get us cornered, I can see no other way out.”

Arien lifted a pale palm and called a rather scurrilous looking wench over. " Whatever the captain wants.."

Drake said to you, "Ye'll find me map useful then."

Leoxander said to Drake, "Call me Sprat again and I'll make certain you're on an' over it, sharkbait."

Arien said to Arysel, "As of now Arysel, we have no intelligence that suggests that the emperor has protection for his airspace, but anything is possible. Perhaps, we will send in a dragon to provide cover for the avians when they move."

Arysel seems to be quite satisfied with that answer, again calming slightly. But that could be linked to the hold she has yet on the lyre. Not to mention she's so far been successful in dismissing the wave of walls and ceiling from the corner of her eyes. Arysel listens again, only interjecting w hen she thinks her input may be useful. Such as, "Has anyone thought to survey the land from above?" Her gaze then might dart towards Reece.

Drake said to Leoxander, "Will ye now?"

Kumorohyou told Arien, "With your permission, Arien-sama, I wish to ride along with our dragons who will be participating in the aerial bombardment. I can fly alongside any bombs and adjust them on the way to make sure they're in working order."

Leoxander eyed Drake dangerously for a moment, before turning to Arien to speak matter of factly. "If any are captured, it won't be reasonable to go in after them."

Arien said to Drake, "A map? You have a map of the underground as relates to Northern Rynvale?"

Drake drank a rum.

Leoxander looked toward Drake with disgust, not respect.

Caedan dodges the cork projectile, and grins her approval at the two bickering pirates. This is how things get worked out. The best laid plans are never laid best until a blow has been landed.

Arien said to Leoxander, "I know..not on the same day as the engagement at any rate. But if we take out the castle, he will have lost his strongest resource for keeping captives secure-anywhere else on the island is more accessible. I will find a way out, we have at least another week to plan."

Arien gave 1 black rum to Leoxander.

Drake shrugged a shoulder, gaze unriveting from the flat stare he'd been leveling at Leo. "North? Only partway. I've mapped from the pub te th' serpent tail's lands, and te here.." His lip twitched up. "There yer boltoholes. An' a couple more beside. If th' lines run north, I'll find 'em an' add 'em."

Arien :: In the absence of an order, the wench brought the darkest most potent brew she could find. He looked in that kind of mood.

Kumorohyou turns to Arysel a few moments after she shows her look of satisfaction, the brown-skinned, blue-eyed feilne offering her a smile of reassurance. If Arien allowed it, he would be able to watch the bombardment from above, flying high with the other avians and helping them prepare.

Arien said to Kumorohyou, "Permission granted Kumorohyou, I assume Gregor will be your mount."

Leoxander took his fatal look from Drake to occupy himself with a rum, listening from here.

Leoxander drank a black rum.

Drake was, at that point, done with talk unless addressed directly, content to listen and sup his rum a while. The wall did for a backrest.

Kumorohyou said to you, "Thank you, Arien-sama."

Caedan hangs her head below the table to watch a procession of crabs crawling underneath.

Arien said to Leoxander, "As for the matter of ships for the fleet, we can at best pay for the hire of ships and crew captain, but we are, as you indicated, landlubbers and forest dwellers. There is a captain a female with orange hair who caught my eye and seemed willing to work for the right price. If you wish I can contact her, or perhaps you may wish to do so yourself."

Leoxander whispered something to Drake.

Reece said to Arien, "Obviously I will be with the ships, but after the initial assault, when the fleet is in retreat. May I have permission to come and assist the land assault?"

Leoxander said to Arien, "I'll expect compensation, despite our agreement, if I'm to supply the entire fleet, man and vessel."

Drake scratched his goatee. And smirked.

Arien said to Reece, "We will likely need all the help we can get, permission granted."

Arien said to Leoxander, "Compensation..above the number upon which we agreed? I rather thought that price included the necessity to get the fleet together and supply it." That stubborn light was glimmering in emerald gaze again.

Drake said nothing, but tossed the rogue a small item fished from the depth of a pocket. "I wan' tha' back. Unless ye have use fer it. Likely is tha' it'd be a ticket te somewhere."

Drake gave 1 Ring of-the Empire to Leoxander.

Reece nods and steps back, though not before muttering to himself, wondering how he was going to get from the ships to the shore in a battle-fit state when he couldn't fly properly yet.

Arien said to Shaelus, "Will there be anything you need to know to ensure the security of your men Shaelus? Or are you satisfied to trust them to my tender mercies?"

Drake muttered, "Hell, if yer lucky."

Arien eyes the ring passed between the two men..skeptically.

Arien said to Drake, "I am not a fool to trust you, am I ..Hank?"

Caedan catches herself from toppling off the table as something shiny goes whizzing by her head. Her curiosity is consequently piqued.

Arysel glances towards the General. Having heard all she needed to, the bard is about ready to spread her wings. She pretends though, that the need isn't due to being in such confining space with so many bodies. Chances are, if she spread her wings, they would knock someone over. The thought alone has them twitching, almost beginning to part from their constricted pose.

Drake offered Arien a good view of the central finger of his right hand.

Shaelus said to Arien, "We're bringing Armantium with us. What more do I need to know?"

Drake said to Arien, "Tha'.." The finger, he meant. "Is where I wore it. As far as he knows, I still do. An' yer a fool te trust anyone, as I see it."

Leoxander couldn't help but smirk at Drake as he closed his hand on the ring.

Drake clammed up, then. Sucked on his rum. Let the elf do with the information what she would.

Leoxander eyed the ring in his hand for a long while.

Leoxander unbelievably would slip that ring onto the same middle finger.

Drake drank a rum.

Arysel said, "Are we finished here then, or was there more to go over?"

Leoxander said to Drake, "Drink up, me hearty."

Arysel: Both Leo and the scruffy looking sailor are passed an arched brow stare.

Arien nodded then, a thoughtful expression upon her face. "I see."

Arien said to Kumorohyou, "In any event Kumori, the success of this venture lays in your hands, if you will explain how the explosives will work, I believe we will have concluded the most important business of the evening. We are all, I am sure busy folk"

Arien said to Arysel, "The last piece of the puzzle.." She indicates the scientist..but only if you care to know the details."

Kumorohyou surveys the very busy cove, feeling rather sympathetic towards Arysel's desire to be outside. The panther was able to adapt to many environments, but he still liked fresh air. Awaiting any questions directed at him, the scientist looks down at the pieces of parchment resting in his hand, double- and triple-checking the design for the bomb. Unlike traditional explosives, it wouldn't have a fuse, but explode on impact through a mechanism similar to a hammer-action musket.

Leoxander said to Arien, "I'll take another drink before I'm done, Elf."

Drake said to Leoxander, "Yo ho." He slugged a sip down. "Sprat."

Arysel settles a cool look upon the elf. This isn't anything new from the avian. Aside from the very few, she was never friendly in the warm sense of the word. Polite and aloof would be more like it. "Even though I shan’t be carrying one myself, I should like to hear about this device."

Caedan said to Drake, "I now pronounce you man and wife."

Caedan said to Leoxander, "You may kiss the bride."

Arien said to Leoxander, "The least I can do..and you never did answer me about the compensation..more than we agreed upon?"

Arien places another order, a double.

Arien gave 2 black rum to Leoxander.

Kumorohyou nods to Arien's statement, the panther giving a long exhale. As he stands there, a sensation of wind rushing past one's ears, along with the feeling of being pressed in gently on all sides, would be felt by those around him. Assuming he had their attention due to this resulting Spirit pressure, the panther goes over the basics of the design in his strange accent, "These explosives won't be heavy for an avian soldier to carry, but they'll still do enough damage together to bring ruin to the castle. They'll be strengthened by my own explosives that I've developed."

Arysel bites her lip to stifle the laugh Caedan's words demanded. Serious or not, they seemed apt.

Drake puckered up.

Arysel said to Kumorohyou, "How long will our warriors have before they need to be dropped? "

A smile tugged at the elf's pale lips and she shook fiery head gently. Still, it felt good to laugh if internally.

Drake , one ear on the avian, his mouth shut, grappled into the sack again and tugged out a contraption made of wads of cotton packed into cloth. This he dropped, no explanation given yet. There'd be time for his questions later, he figured. Round ears did perk at the mention of explosives, though.

Kumorohyou continues to explain, mainly to Arysel and Shaelus, "Also, there is no need to worry about timing for a fuse, since there isn't one." The scientist then pulls out a blank piece of parchment, drawing a rather decent sketch of the outer casing of each bomb. The device looked a lot more like a cylindrical fish than a contemporary explosive, the shell possessing fins on the back and a special plate on the front. The scientist hands this drawing to the avian ambassador, bowing politely as he does.

Drake dropped 1 crudely-made gas-mask.

Leoxander eyed Drake crudely.

Leoxander suddenly leaned over to the table to abruptly try to punch Drake in the kisser.

Drake grabbed the Captain's fist. Twisted. Would attempt to punch Leo with his own hand.

Arien rolled her eyes and decided that listening to the conversation of the adults might be more productive, though she eyed the gas mask Drake had dropped with some curiosity. “Plans of your own there Hank?”

Leoxander grabbed that hand in return, and thus the brawl would begin right over the surface of that meeting table, possibly snapping when he pulled Drake's weight into the middle.

Arysel edges closer to the table, automatically using a wing to nudge herself a path. Quite possibly knocking someone off balance if she's not careful. A slender fingered hand reaches for the sketches, nodding her head in return to the feline. These she will look over, scanning the images and notes. "I can see." She didn't. "You don't mind if I keep this to show our own scientist. Do you?" It isn't really a question as she's already rolling the paper(or whatever they are written on) into a tube.

Caedan said to Arien, "We are agreed on a price as long as the parameters stay the same. Change is dangerous, and thus costly."

Arysel 's sorely tempted to draw her lyre and give a sample of the discomfort it can bring.

Leoxander allowed Caedan to speak on his behalf, as he was currently... preoccupied with pirate dealings.

Drake shoved off the ground with a boot planted to rock, aiding the rogue in the haul. Momentum, like, for that head-butt he was tryin' for. He'd probably end up on the Captain's side of the meeting, however the blow landed.


Arien said to Caedan, "*She eyes the squabbling pirates with resignation* Very well. Nothing changes, but he will have to provide the entire fleet with that sum, I hope he realizes this."

Arien said to Leoxander, "For the love of the gods, can you two never be in the same room without fighting?"

Kumorohyou said to Arysel, "I think it would be best if I were to meet the scientist and go over it with them." Giving the ambassador a slightly closer look of the designs and dimension in his hands, it is revealed that they are all written in the feline's native calligraphy. "I will translate for him...or her."

Drake said to Arien, "He started it."

Shaelus said to Arien, "We're expected to fight against Vuryal and rely upon people who cannot even stop fighting amongst themselves?"

Arysel crinkles her nose as she looks over the design. "Very well. I shall ask her to get in touch with you. As I understand it, she is a bit under the weather."

Caedan said to Shaelus, "This isn't fighting. This is negotiating."

Leoxander said to Drake, "Your mother started it..."

Leoxander oddly made sense with that crude statement.

Caedan said to Arien, "I doubt he's keen on providing the entire fleet with anything other than his protection and whatever else he swore."

Leoxander paid half an ear to the conversation at hand.

Shaelus said to Caedan, "A brawl is a negotiation to you? Pray that I do not find the will to negotiate in the same manner."

Reece said to Leoxander, "Do your ships carry with them small boats for ship-land transport?"

Kumorohyou nods politely to Arysel and Shaelus, "Thank you...and I hope she gets better." The panther had a rather good idea who the scientist was. There was only one avian scientist that he knew of in Hollow.

Drake , attempting to sit on the rogue about now, shot Shaelus a blue snap of eyes, and said to Arien, unless his mouth was full of lyncanthrope-fist, "Ye cannae pass th' tunnels, wi'out th' masks. If yer runnin', they won' be able te follow, unless they... oooof!"

Arien said to Reece, "I have seen ferries and lifeboats launched from The Eternity..it may be difficult in a battle zone though."

Arien said to Drake, "*Her eyes light up momentarily* Ahh..you refer to your escape route..You do have your uses Dr..Hank.."

Arien said to Shaelus, "You might be surprised to find, they work best when at each other’s throats..it’s when they are not goading each other that I have cause to worry."

Arysel sketches a slight bow towards the panther before glancing towards Shaelus, "Shaelus-Khar, shall we take our leave then?" She of course didn't think there was more to hear or learn, especially given the outbreak of a brawl that has the avian ready to beat a hasty retreat herself. Nothing seemed more important in that moment than getting outside, into open air.

Reece said to Arien, "It just occurs to me that I may need the use of one to physically transport myself from the fleet to the shore to assist the land assault. I can defend the boat if need be, but should I be reduced to trying to fly to your aid I can guarantee I will not get there in any fit state to do battle... curse my wings."

Caedan said to Shaelus, "Not to me. And I'm not praying for your will one way or the other. I reckon only you know that, and you'll negotiate as you see fit. Effectively is how our kind negotiates."

Shaelus said to Arysel, "Yes, I've heard enough."

Leoxander hadn't shoved a fist at Drake. The moment his slightly leaner frame was sat upon he attempted to shove the other up. Shaelus was the one who earned a glance from the Captain, while he could spare the moment on Drake's fall. "Don't you bloody threaten her with your worthless ego, landlubber. That's your damn Navigator and you will respect her as a sailor upon my ship."

Arien raises from her position, a respectful nod of head given to the ambassador and the general over the ruckus the pirates presented. "My apologies for the display, but I assure you, when it is raining cannon balls and flaming arrows about their heads they will be thinking far more kindly of each other. Thank you again, Shaelus, for the agreement of your people to aid us in this venture."

Shaelus said to Leoxander, "I threaten who I want."

Kumorohyou said to Shaelus, "I do not blame you, Shaelus-dono. I myself could use some fresh air." The feline bows politely to his High Elven leader, "If there is nothing else, Arien-sama, I shall go now."

Leoxander took a moment to notice the soul stone around his neck.

Arysel turns then, without so much as a farewell. Maybe a glance is spared for Leo, but only because the question she'd had from the start still burned to be asked. It seemed, no other questions will be answered this evening though.

Leoxander said to Shaelus, "Is that a damn fact?"

Leoxander would probably be intervened by Drake's reaction, there.

Arysel exits east.

Arien said, "Ohh for the love of the gods Leo..he can kill you with a thought.."

Drake landed on his belly. Fortunately in reach of the rum he'd dropped. Just in time to save the last mouthful from decorating the ground. "I can ge' inside th' Parasite's..." He huffed for breath. "... circle. If ye didn't ge' th' hint."

Leoxander looked at Arien.

Shaelus said to Leoxander, "It is."

Drake intervened with the bottle he held, turfed at Leo's head.

Leoxander said, "Get out..."

Leoxander managed this in a growl just before glass shattered against the back of his skull. Rather than pass out... the lycan was hunched over, frozen in that position... and he began to growl...

Caedan intercepts the bottle by deflecting it with a crab carefully thrown.

Arien raised a hand, thinking to step between the general and the lycan.

"Gentlemen..please.."

Caedan didn't, really. She missed.

Leoxander felt his heart pace pick up tremendously.

Shaelus said to Leoxander, "No."

Caedan said to Drake, "Now would be a good time to take your leave ..."

Caedan said to Arien, "And you might want to take the rest of your friends as well."

Arien said to Caedan, "*she groans* It’s not Hank he wants to leave.."

Leoxander took a breath. From there it was a roar. His anger, his pain, as fur started to split suddenly through cloth and flesh, and simultaneously the pirate started to collapse. Not for long... reassured he would be on feet - or paws - and reeking havoc the moment he could stand...

Arien said to Reece, "This meeting is over..for you at least, we're about to have a situation."

Caedan said to Arien, "You can't read his mind."

Arien said to Kumorohyou, "Likewise.. I will meet with you in chambers once this, matter is resolved."

Caedan very quietly positions herself between transforming lycan and members of the Fold. Drake's on his own.

Kumorohyou told Arien, "Let me know if you need any help...or sedatives."

Caedan said, "And this isn't your situation. Remove the catalyst, and this situation resolves itself."

Leoxander screamed at the ground. A haunted, brutal and deep pitched sound that vibrated stone and lumber walls. As his muzzle would expand, and fangs would bare, leather and cloth would split and time would rapidly diminish. His eyes were closed, but ready to open, begging to land upon the first and only victim he would need to prove a very distinct point...

Arien said to Caedan, "Don't have to..he was talking to the general here..which, is not a good thing necessarily."

Caedan 's focus shifts towards Shaelus, then back again. Her lips thin, but eyes shine with unspoken humor laced with deviant mischief.

Drake had heard about this 'Shaelus'. Like he heard about a lot of things, down the pub. He figured he wasn't going to let the birdman take what was rightfully his-- the Capn's life was forfeit to him, years ago as he saw it-- and said to the swelling frame of Leoxander. "Come ge' me, ye scurvy dog." He might spit Leo's way for effect, before hauling himself up and toward the exit.

Kumorohyou carefully takes Arien's hand and gently lays what appears to be a syringe in the palm, before whispering, "Have someone use this, if the lycan gets out of hand."

Caedan said to Arien, "I'm afraid you are mistaking my words. They are not a suggestion. This meeting has ended. We'll be in touch."

Caedan folds her arms across her chest.

Kumorohyou exits east.

Drake threw in a couple of well-aimed rocks, for effect.

Caedan pales at the sight of the syringe, and a violent shudder wracks her frame. In a fluid burst of motion, she's pulled two daggers from the vambraces upon her wrists and she's intent on destroying the item and whatever hand to which it might be attached.

Arien said to Caedan, "As you wish..good luck with that then.." She nods to Reece. "Move soldier""

Drake effected his exit, about then.

Shaelus reached out and gripped the iron handle of the burning sickle that had been floating dutifully at his side. An odd look began to pass over his golden, pupil-less eyes as the whispers surrounding the Dark Scythe began growing louder and louder, while the blackened flames began to bite hungrily at the air, casting shadows around the room. "I am Solaris. There are none in this world who order me."

Leoxander opened his mouth for breath, and the sound of it darkened, deepened, and his form would shift. Bones sickeningly popped, spines of fur would sprout, until every patch of flesh exposed was gradually cloaked in this blond, brown marked pattern. His ears became lynx tipped points at either side of his skull, pressed flat in pain but soon lifting, searching, like his slit open, light reflecting eyes. They shut again hard as he was hit square in the muzzle.... - with a rock? A snarl aimed upon Drake.

Leoxander had none to glare at, so he would turn his anger upon the God. In response to his protest, the Lycanthrope would offer an angry, bitter, in-your-face look.

Drake shouted, "*the voice rises from the mermaid's cove* Come on then, ye great festerin' fleabag!""

Leoxander said to Shaelus, "You owe me a scythe...."

Leoxander managed these words in a husky, mutated voice.

Caedan is sorely tempted to order Shaelus/Solaris to continue being pompous or all-powerful.

Drake shouted, "An' yer mother were a tupenny whore!"

Leoxander was distracted by the yell from the door...

Arien cast a concerned look the lycan's way, he would be hard pressed to survive this encounter if he forced the matter. She turned to Shaelus. "Solaris..for the sake of our.." What did they have anyway, friendship? Respect. "Please.."

Arien said to Caedan, "Let me try..to help..I have been one with his mind."

Shaelus said to Leoxander, "I don't owe any of you a thing. Perhaps you'd like to face Vuryal yourselves?"

Drake shouted, "An' our Da shoulda drowned ye at birth!"

Caedan said to Arien, "This isn't even our fight. And do what you want with him. But the harder you press, the further you will push him away."

Leoxander shook off hard, his bristling, coarse fur shifting. On four claws, the rogue would so boldly approach the ascendi, with half moon eyes shining. His ears were back, but his hackles were not raised.

Leoxander said, "Solaris...."

Arien 's eyes widened. Our Da? They were brothers? She would have choked on her drink if she was swallowing..as it was she just choked on air.

Leoxander hissed this word through his lupine maw, barely managing these syllables.

Leoxander was distracted again, from the God. His glare shifted to the door.

Leoxander paused, still trapped in scraps of whatever armor and clothes had remained in tact through his shift.,

Shaelus said to Leoxander, "Solaris."

Arien said to Caedan, "I speak of the general." She knew well the power of the lycan's push."

Drake settled on a rock in the cove, wishing he'd thought to bring rum. Now and then he'd glance toward the caves, as if expecting a bolt of lightning and the smell of burning fur. He'd shrug to himself. Not like cared, it was only the damn sprat.

Caedan said to Arien, "Do what you will, forest walker." She watches Leo approach the god, and rolls her shoulders. "Whatever will happen will happen."

Drake shouted, "An' yer woman's got a nice tight... *somebody's voice drowns out the rest*"

Leoxander watched the demi-god, or full god's eyes for some time, boldly matching the stare with something of a bestial calm, where split minds should reconnect in the center to understand something of the situation. If there was no respect met in words, perhaps the pirate would find a hint of it there, in that eye contact to a deity, before Drake's comment pushed too far. The door cracked open as the werewolf's shoulder hit it hard, and suddenly an allied soldier of Arien's fleet was about to be hunted, as provoked met the assault, outside. . Drake exits south. Leoxander exits south.

Caedan watches the lycan lumber off with an impassive stare that returns to restlessly shift from Arien to Solaris and back again.

Arien eyes the god. As of yet, nothing had exploded, it seemed the wolf was being given time to assess his decision, now that he know the avian's true identity. Would intervention even be necessary? The departure of the lycan answered the question and she exhaled a sigh of relief.

Shaelus said to Arien, "My time here is done. Keep them out of my way, or Armantium's guns will target more than the castle."

Shaelus disappears with a magical aura surrounding him.

Caedan said to Arien, "I do not like your friend."

Arien said to Caedan, "And that's my alliance? We're all going to die."

Arien said to Caedan, "And sometimes, I do not like yours.."

Arien said to Caedan, "A little restraint would have been nice. " She sighs.

Caedan said to Arien, "You can't ask a pirate for restraint. You should a god. Go make sure they don't kill each other. It will keep you busy. I have errand to run and preparations to make. Tell Cap'n Jack sends his regards."

Arien said to Caedan, "Will do." And the elf slips out the door."