RP:Who Will You Be When the War is Over?

Part of the Lies Within Us Arc

This is a Mage's Guild RP.

Summary: Quintessa visits the temporary Mage's Guild HQ in Cenril's Coral Castle, running into Odhranos on the doorstep. The conversation that follows digs deep into Quintessa's motivation, ambitions and dreams for the future, a hope for a better life once the war is put to rest.

Dilapidated Coral Castle, Cenril

Odhranos scrunches his face in extreme concentration as he stares at the book in his lap. The pages are spread flat, illuminated brilliantly under the midday sun as it beats down on the beach, but to Odhranos, it may as well be the middle of the night for all he can see. Placed gingerly on top of the page, is a feather-thin sheet of mica, so fine that the words are nearly perfectly visible through the glassy stone. It is this that Odhranos has bent all his concentration on, but seemingly to little avail. “Gah! Illegible!” He grumbles, tossing his arms skyward and stretching out against the stony steps of the castle, where he has been perching most days since setting up shop in the coral castle. Beyond him, the beach shimmers with the gentle vibration of the waves, while small pinpricks of movement reveal little crustaceans pattering along the sand. Odhranos forgets about his failed attempt to read and instead settles his chin in his hands, watching the play of patterns through the beach.

Quintessa takes her time strolling along the beaches of Cenril, an area that was largely considered inside the quarantine zone set in place by herself and Valrae, the woman who was leading the effort to curve the zombie plague and end the suffering of the innocent people affected by it. Quintessa has seen first hand the destructive nature of the virus, how it can shift a living person into an undead without the person actually dying, trapping their soul in a fleshy chrysalis for the god Caluss, a being that Quintessa had once aided by poisoning the Xalious and Eternal Trees. According to those that knew of the warlock’s involvement with that dreadful task, that chapter of Quintessa’s story had come to a close, but she knew deep down that the god of Undeath wasn’t done with her yet. After all, here she was still dealing with Its influence in Cenril, however today she was in the city she hated so much for a different reason; checking in with the cobbled Mage’s Guild. Equipped with a gris-gris pendant of her own making, Quintessa covertly traverses through the undead hordes, invisible to them as she pushes through the quarantine zone and exits on the other side, mismatched eyes falling upon the great coral castle that was cursed by Gevurah long ago. Memories of the first night she visited this place with Magister Dyraxdiin and Magister Daath were still fresh in her mind. That was the day she decided to sell out the independent tribe of Razurath hiding in Cenril to Gevurah, a woman Quintessa learned to hate enough to slaughter countless other drow in an attempt to weaken her hold on Trist’toh. Such petty hatred has faded by now, however. The matron of the underdark wasn’t someone Quintessa considered a threat any longer, fading like the memories that had popped up in the changeling’s mind as she silently stolls up to Odhranos trying to read on perhaps the last location on the beach that was still peaceful. “You’ll likely need something a little more useful than a seeing stone, I’m afraid.” Comes the calm voice of the hexblade, clearly observing how Odhranos struggles with reading a simple passage. Quintessa’s presence could probably be felt by those with a basic understanding of magic, even without the use of working eyes. “My offer still stands though, I could develop for you a set of working prosthetics…” The young spellcaster folds her hands behind her back as she stares out into the ocean. “But I understand the desire for less invasive methods.” A small smile tugs on the corner of her mouth, a smile that could also be heard in her voice. “How are you, old friend? I don’t believe I’ve spoken to you alone like this in quite some time.”

Odhranos notices the pair of footprints as they track across the sand, but it is only when Quintessa speaks out that he breaks into a gentle smile. “I might be more keen on the idea if I could guarantee the time to be out of commission, but time isn’t the luxury it used to be anymore.” Odh closes the book over gingerly, sandwiching the delicate leaf of mica in between. “I have been well. I don’t think we’ve properly spoken since that time yourself and Lanlan had your flying visit through my dreamscape. So by that measure, I am doing a lot better.” Odh scooches across and clears some space on the steps for Tessa, nudging the sand that had gathered there away with a gesture. “Getting used to my new predicament has been interesting. Losing my sight would be one thing, but suddenly being expected to have all the answers for everyone that swings by my office hasn’t made things easier.” Odh gestures to his surroundings. “Hence why I’m hiding here and minding the door instead. How have you been?”

Quintessa peels her gaze away from the dark seas, blue and hazel eyes taking in Odhranos’ form as he marks his place in the book. “Invading dreams doesn’t leave much room for personal conversations, unfortunately.” She jokes, kneeling down to sit next to him. “You could delegate some of those questions to other people in the guild, you know. The Red Witch Valrae, Steward Lanlan, Stewardess Karasu, and myself have always stood by your side and will help you however you ask. The Old Guild’s Archmages often looked to the Magisters to aid them with these things and you should do the same. Though the Old Guild locked Lanlan, Karasu, and myself to the rank of Arcane Stewards, you will find no better representatives for their fields. For instance, Lanlan’s skills in illusionary magic have no equal. Nobody else but Karasu has the academic knowhow to lead the spellblades. Wasting our abilities and our loyalty like the Old Guild did would be a mistake I don’t wish to see you make like they did. I think the political machinations that plagued us were ultimately the downfall of us…” Quintessa trails off, her mismatched gaze drifting into the ocean once more. “I am… uncertain, Odhranos.” The hexblade answers truthfully. “My most recent loss in the Titans of Winter Tournament has left me disillusioned. I struggle to find meaning in this world once again and I fear it will lead me to make more mistakes.”

Odhranos leans back on the steps and stares up to the inky blackness that constitutes his sky. “Aye, I’ve been trying to delegate where I can, but even with that, every time I think I’ve fulfilled one task, three more pop up in its place. Did you know that because of some halfwit Archmage from two centuries ago, all provision orders need to be signed off on by the Archmage as well as the Head Cook? There even used to be a dedicated Quartermaster position, until Ephelian the Peckish decided his meals weren’t up to scratch. I almost giggled when I was told.” Odhranos grins at the thought. “When all of this is over, I need to take a deep dive into the inner workings of our Guild and sort it out. Frankly, half of our administrative structure looks like it was pulled from a holy manuscript, its so full of thees and thous.” The terramancer shakes his head then turns to face Quintessa. “Is it for want of purpose that you are finding yourself straying or something more existential?” Odh’s features are plucked in an expression of concern; he has been painfully aware of late of the lagging mental state of both himself and his colleagues.

Quintessa finds herself letting out a gentle laugh as Odranos complains about certain provisions needing to be signed off by a head cook. Has the hexblade even met anyone who would fill that criteria. “Well, at least now we can have Khitti Herzegler serve as Head Cook. Nobody makes a better meat bun than her.” The changeling girl folds her pale hands upon her lap, watching the sea birds hunting fish in the shallows. There is a moment of silence that passes after Odhranos asks his last question to her. “It’s complicated,” Quintessa begins, “All my life I have been driven to achieve more than my peers, so much that I would step on them and destroy them if need be. You saw this, when we were asked to kidnap a Larketian child and I did not hesitate to poison him and abduct him. His death is on my hands.” She pauses to adjust herself in her seat. “Would you believe I did this simply to become a Provost? And to what ends, that I pass on these types of merciless tactics on to whomever becomes my Apprentice?” She scoffs at her own shortcomings. “This perceived stagnation is what led me to assist the Ossian Order to begin with until they too displeased me and I betrayed them as well… This pattern has led me to look back at my life and wonder if this is all I’ll ever amount to- a scheming spider weaving a web of deception to get what I want.” Quintessa sighs and leans back to rest on her elbows. “Or if I’m meant for more.”

Odhranos beams at mention of Khitti’s cooking. “I couldn’t agree more, I think we’ve been eating better in exile than we ever did in the Tower. Plus, it does the apprentices good to get them out of the castle, even just to go to Ginger-Snapped. Spending an entire day with your head in a book without even the barest lick of sunlight isn’t healthy." The bookish terramancer laughs at the poetic irony of him being the one to admit that. His amusement is quelled and a serious air takes its place when Quintessa explains her dilemma. He pauses for a moment, mulling over his response, before answering. "I suppose, the fact that you yourself are questioning your own actions suggests that already a part of you is changing, or at least is willing to change." Odhranos plants his elbows on his knees and tucks his chin into his hands as he thinks. "If you'll permit me a prying question, Tessa; where does your ambition come from?" Odh turns his head a little to look towards where Quintessa is sitting. "What is it that pushes you to climb higher? Is it some goal at the top? Or to prove something to someone?"

Quintessa thinks a long time before she answers, eyes turned up to pick out shapes in the clouds. “I want somewhere where I can be safe,” she admits. “I came from nothing, Odhranos. When I was a little girl I used to play with sticks, pretending to be a famous swordsman or knight like in the books I read. The Dark Forest was never a safe place for a child, but back then even my home was a place of misery. I wanted to get stronger so I could scrape together a place I wouldn’t have to worry about people hurting me.” There is a slight crack in her voice, “I was so tired of hurting… But that pain followed me everywhere no matter how powerful I got. When I became a mage and joined the guild it was the happiest time in my life. I finally belonged to something… but my loyalty was twisted and used to wipe out an entire race. When Arh’Nuk chose me I was so glad to have a new source of power to defend myself and my guild with, but then the whispers started to creep in. Gospel, the Great Serpent that slept on the moon began to turn my ambitions into something… evil. Not only did I listen to this eldritch horror, but I -enjoyed- killing in Its name. I still do. Every time I kill someone I feel safer. One less threat. One less thing to worry about… but there are always bigger threats. Each time I encounter a new one I feel this panic. I feel the need to empower myself so I can protect myself and those I care about.”

Odhranos nods as he listens. Particularly at the mention of there always being a bigger threat. He chews his bottom lip in though before he speaks. "Will climbing to the top be any safer?" Odhranos' eyebrows are raised, but the set of their angle belays the concern he feels. "I can understand why thinking that climbing ever higher, ensuring you are ever more able to defend your rung of the ladder seems like the only option but…" Odhranos drags himself to a halt before he can continue. "That ladder never ends. You'll burn your life away in pursuit of greater safety, all the while finding greater adversity." The terramancer raises his hand and points westward, beyond the city, in the direction of Xalious. "That's where the ladder leads." He turns and fixes Tessa with a saddened face. "I know that we have reviled Haladavar to the point that his name is a curse, and I won't deny that he has done unspeakable things. But in the end of things, the reason why he has done what he has, why he has gone to such lengths is because in his eyes, the thought that anything lies above him that could tear him down is terrifying. Everything he has done, all of it, has been to protect himself and Ialantha, the only thing he has left." Odhranos' eyebrows furrow into a frown. "Pardon me for being sentimental, Tessa, but I don't want to see you follow that same path to oblivion. Not if there's another way."

Quintessa shrugs as she shakes her head, raven trestles falling onto her pale face as she tilts her head back downward. “I think you are right- after all, you are in a position I will likely only covet yet that does not make you any safer. I could potentially kill you right now, in your weakened and vulnerable state…” The idea of killing Odhranos lingers for a moment, but Quintessa was not a puppet to her own bloodlust like she used to be. “But like you said, that would make me like Haladavar, and when I look deep inside myself I know that is not who I am. The top is not where I belong- it’s not even what I want. I simply desire to be a part of a greater whole. I want to strengthen and protect the weakest of us so that together we can stand against anything. This selfish drive within myself has only led to heartache and disappointment… Oblivion as you say, and if there is a better path then I will gladly tread upon it. I just need to be shown the right way.”

Odhranos smiles sadly. "That's true. Though I'd like to think you'd at least miss our occasional discussions and shared teas." Odhranos hugs his knees as he stares blindly across the sand. "I think you are on the right train of thought already. Being a part of something that is more than the sum of its parts. Helping others to stand so that in time when you stumble, they will have your back." A smile tugs at Odhranos lips as he hooks a thumb over his shoulder towards the castle behind them. "If someone asked me what I wanted to leave behind when this job eventually does me in, that'd be pretty close to the mark." The terramancer lapses into silence, then turns sharply, with a quizzical grin on his face. "Say, if you had the day off tomorrow; no responsibilities, no world ending calamities to worry about, what would you do?" Odh's tone is light and jovial. "Humour me, hypothetically speaking."

Quintessa chuckles lightly, her eyes peering from behind her fringe to gaze over at Odhranos. “I would miss you. A lot. You are one of the few people in this world that I can sit down and talk to that I don’t feel pressured to act a certain way. I’d miss that more than you probably would imagine I would.” Quintessa sighs again, her gaze drifting away as she thinks over his question. “Hypothetically? Truthfully, imagining a world where I could be left to my leisure is difficult. All my time is spent on research or training, or rooting out solutions to the many problems that exist in my life… But in a world where I do not have to do this? No Ossian Order, no evil demigods hurting people, no gangs of necromancers cursing Holy Trees and disrupting the balance of magic… If these things did not exist would I finally relax and enjoy myself?” She snickers in spite of herself before she admits, “Probably not. I would be restless. It would be so easy to say that I would lounge on my veranda with Karasu, eating stuffed clams and drinking bloodwine, and while I can relax from time to time my idle thoughts always go back to matters of the arcane. Without existential threats in the world I’d return to the things that used to give me passion as an Apprentice. I’d study magic not to destroy my enemies but to improve the lives of everyone. I’d become an inventor or philanthropist, I’d strive to educate the common people so horrors like what took place in Larket wouldn’t happen again. All they needed was a cure to their own ignorance, facts and knowledge of the fault lines, and all the witches that were burned wouldn’t have had to die- And not only in Larket, but everywhere. All the suffering in the world is something we can change and prevent with education and proper allocation of resources…” Quintessa pauses with a chuckle. “But let’s imagine for a moment a post-scarcity world. What would I do in this new utopia? My endless curiosity still would not be satisfied. I’d become a poet or artist. I’d become obsessed with experiencing every bit of beauty that is in this world. I’d research mundane things- like lizards or frogs and catalog them so others could see the beauty I see in them. There is so much in this world we do not yet understand and I am deeply driven to discover them.”

Odhranos beams happily. "That makes me really happy to hear, thank you Tessa." As Quintessa goes on to explain her idea of life in a world at peace, Odhranos settles his chin in his hands and smiles broadly as he listens. Much of what she says strikes a chord with him; the insatiable need for something to find out or experience, coloured with a wish to put that knowledge to use for the betterment of others. Odhranos can see a lot of his own aspirations in the dreams she describes and it warms his heart to find this similarity between them. When she finishes, the terramancer is smiling from ear to ear. "That's wonderful, Tess! Truly, even the thought is invigorating and exciting, isn't it?" The terramancer tilts his head to the side and hikes an eyebrow skyward. "What would you say to that as your aspiration?" He shrugs as if to say "why not?". "What if you made that your life's work? Would that be a purpose that you could stand by and feel fulfilled by?"

Quintessa finds herself blushing at not only the fact that she had gone so deeply in a tangent, but also Odhranos’ approval of such things, her pale cheeks turning a bright red she was glad Odhranos wouldn’t notice. “I-I suppose so,” she chokes, suddenly finding that her words wouldn’t form right in her mouth. “I-I mean, yes but- but how can I sit by and paint pictures of sunsets and draw exoitc plants while there is so much out there striving to destroy these things forever. I am a powerful being, born of a fae mother that can only exist between dreams and nightmares, and while I didn’t choose this life for myself I still have a responsibility to wield this power against those that would destroy everything I love.” Quintessa is overcome with a surge of emotions, tears welling up as her voice cracks. “I can’t stand by- I just can’t do it… So many people are counting on me to be strong… My friends, my students- I can’t let them down. I have to forge a world where they can have a better life than myself.” Quintessa pauses to wipe away her tears, sniffling into her cloth sleeve before she pushes those tears away. “Elazul’s Bite,” she curses, her voice returning to a normal wavelength, “Forgive me for that… I guess this subject is something that strikes a chord within me.”

Odhranos leans over and bumps Quintessa gently with his elbow. "Hey, there's no need to apologize. Showing emotion isn't a weakness, it shows the degree to which you care." Odh's expression is one of open compassion, mixed with fondness. "Caring is never something you should feel the need to apologize for. Especially not around me." Odhranos reaches up and lifts the edge of his silk sash. Beneath the indigo fabric, his pale white eyes peep out unblinking in the bright sun, but he squints as a bright smile lights up his face, from his scrunched nose to his crows-feet wrinkles. "I'll lay it plain here and now, I'll never think less of you for being open about what you care for." The blindfold is replaced as Odh continues "As for your responsibility, well… you're human too. Us humans are the very best at refusing the shortness of our lives and instead making them colourful with painting and poetry, so I'd like to think you have a responsibility to enjoy your life too. Remember, you are loved as much as you yourself love. I know for a fact there are people who want to make a world where you can live a better life. I count myself among them." Odh stretches his hands out before him, tinkling his fingers in the lingering warmth of the sun. "So why don't we all work together so we all get what we want? As you said earlier, we should delegate."

Quintessa nods her head slowly, still wiping the tears from her cheeks, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she takes in Odhranos’ reaction. “Sorry, in Vailkrin people think very differently. Showing too much can get you killed out there among the vampires and feral lycans, or worse, they’ll go after those you care about if they cannot get to you.” She chuckles at his assessment that she is human, and she jokingly interjects that she is “Half-human, at least,” before letting him finish his statement, her smile lingering long after he stopped talking. “I could probably stand to work on my art more- but only once we have the Mage Tower back. Then I’ll relax for a bit and perhaps bring my sketchbook by your office. We can drink tea and talk just like old times…” Quintessa trails off as she wistfully imagines such a scenario. “I promise.” The changeling’s fidgets for a moment before she turns in her seat to face the terramancer properly. “So what will my role be in this delegation? I once dreamed of being a Provost for my own means, a badge that I would wield to show my authority but that is just a short sighted and petty goal that I can only shake my head at the girl who used to covet it. Now I would wield the power such a rank would grant me to prepare the newer members of the guild, Demeter and Caltarok more specifically, for what they will face when the time comes to take back our home. With your permission, of course, I’d like to take one of them as my Apprentice. So far I have not been permitted to train them due to the bylaws of the Old Guild and it’s something that is difficult for me to accept. It always has been.”

Odhranos nods gravely. "It's a different society. One I never meshed with very well, so I can't comment on it. But should you ever feel the need to have some respite and feel openly, then I will always have time for you. Oh, but you will have to describe your drawings to me. Until I figure out some means of seeing it. Which I'm sure I will. The Oileanian stubbornness in me won't allow otherwise." Odhranos chuckles, then he nods as Quintessa asks about her involvement in the Guild's future. "I'll be frank - and this stays off the books until I can draft something official - but I've never approved of the Guild's apprenticeship system. It's outdated and narrow-minded; it's a remnant from a time when magic was hoarded like a family heirloom, passed on with the utmost secrecy between master and apprentice so as to be kept from the general masses." Odhranos shakes his head disapprovingly. "Hoarded and hidden magic was what got us into this mess to begin with. So, I fully encourage you to train Cal and Demeter, like I would all of our colleagues. The more open we are with sharing our knowledge and teaching, the better we will all be for it. Sven, I told Cal in these very steps not a week ago that he should go find Lanlan and ask about his illusion magic, because I feel it would help his luxomancy. Finding commonalities between our disciplines is how we all stand to improve. So yes, I fully encourage you train them." Odh's eyebrow quirks up mischievously. "And if someone tells you that you're breaking bylaws, tell them that I'll be getting around to abolishing them shortly. We will likely be the last generation of one-master-one-apprentice mages if I have anything to say about it." For what seems like the first time ever, Odhranos has started sounding rather Archmagely. "On the topic of delegation in the upcoming crisis, I did have something I wanted to discuss with you. I have a plan that will involve coordinating both the spellblades and caster mages and since you are one of the afformentioned spellblades, I'd like to get an alternative opinion."

Quintessa || The smile on Quintessa’s face is the largest it’s been in months, and without the edge of insanity that accompanied her famous grin. “I am so happy you feel that way!” Her hands clap together in excitement, a holdover from when she was child. “I have so much to teach them! And Karasu too- she has a better grasp on the spellblade techniques that I neglected to study necromancy- Oh, I’m so excited!” Quintessa couldn’t wait to track down Demeter, Caltarok, and even Inks to pass on her skills as Kasyr had passed on his to Tessa. After a moment the young spellcaster clears her throat in an attempt to rein in her emotions. “Yes, yes, I was hoping I’d get the chance to talk about our coordinated efforts- I’ve read The Art of Aramoth many times in preparation for conducting warfare and I’d be happy to give whatever advice I can on the subject. What would you like my opinion on?”

Odhranos can't help but feel pleased at Quintessa's exuberance. "I'm glad that you are so enthused, I really feel like fostering a culture of informal education will really help the guild. Not to mention, we stand to learn as much as teachers as we do as students. You won't believe the holes I found in my research once I started having to explain it to the apprentice classes. I was mortified." Odhranos pulls a face, then laughs heartily. "But I digress. You mentioned you've read the Art of Aramoth?" Odh grins and holds up the book he had been trying to read when Quintessa arrived. Emblazoned in silver embossing on the cover is "The Art of Aramoth, 135th Ed." "I'm lucky you stopped by when you did then, I was having no luck with it as you saw." Odh places the book in his lap and drums the cover with his thumbs as he continues. "Firstly, I should lay something out on the table. We are invading Xalious. Soon. I can't give you the specific date, but judging by the progress of Haladavar's carvings on Arh'nuk, we have little more than a month before his work is complete. We have to retake Xalious and put Haladavar down for good before then." Odh's drumming sets into a steady rhythm. "I have talked to Hildegarde, who has promised Frostmaw's aid in the conflict. As we speak, the Eyrie are transporting troops bit by bit into the Sage, where they will set up a siege front to break the barrier around Xalious." Odh breaks into a sly grin and raises his finger conspiratorially. "Or so it will seem. In truth, Frostmaw is the mother of all distractions, and while the Ossian Order have their attention drawn to the pass, we are going to break through the barrier in a small but focused invasion force and capture the tower before the Order even know what has happened to them." Odh raises an eyebrow; "Thoughts so far?"

Quintessa interlaces her fingers as she listens to Odhranos, her eyes lighting up when she learned that Hildegarde herself would be offering aid. Plucking a stick from the ground, the changeling begins to draw in the sand a physical example on where the forces would be located. “Xalious has three main entrances, two of which will be covered when the Frostmawian forces move into the pass…” Quintessa draws an ‘X’ over the location that represented the pass. “The Ossian Order will likely move a vanguard team to intercept them, and given the layout of the landscape a vastly smaller force can hold them there for a long time. This leaves the southmost entrance open for us…” She draws a circle over the location in the south. “Through Enchantment and the Halfling Barrows. With Haldaavor’s attention in the east we only have the guard tower to worry about until we reach the Mage’s Tower proper. If we covertly send an assault team to capture the southern guard tower we can leave the Ossian Order blind when we strike with our invasion force and push through their barrier.” She stabs the symbolic Mage’s Tower in the sand with her stick to punctuate her sentence. “This gives us our best chance of victory, in my opinion. Do you follow?”

Odhranos exclaims happily when Quintessa begins drawing in the sand. "Ah! You're a star!" He sets his book aside and leans forward to see the drawing better, relishing the opportunity to be able to see another person's etchings for the first time in a while. He nods along with Quintessa's suggestion, following the sticks progress through the sand. However, one thing does tug at his lips, though he smothers the burgeoning grin until Quintessa is finished. "That is the most logical course of action, and I hadn't considered taking the southern tower, that's quite the smart move. But there is one thing you haven't considered" Odh reaches out and holds his hand over the drawing in the sand, slowly pulling it upward. In response, the sand lifts, pulling itself up into miniature mountains until they are looking at a small crude replica of Xalious Valley, surrounded in its crown of mountain peaks. "I'm a terramancer, which means that we won't be limited to the conventional entrances. We can launch our attack from anywhere. The only difficulty is bringing down the barrier. However…" Odh points a finger at one of the sandy peaks to the north of the valley, directly north from the stick Tower. With a little gesture, the tip of the mountain shears off, and slides down the slope, funnelled into the valley where it eventually comes to rest at the base of the stick. Odh' smile has something of a gleeful edge to it. "We have gravity as an ally. Something I doubt the Ossian's factored in when making their barricade."

Quintessa grins when Odhranos praises her, proud that her little demonstration impressed him, but when he explains a hidden part of his plan her eyes practically pop open with excitement. “Yes! Even better!” she exclaims, covering her mouth for a second before she lowered her voice back down. “By creating our own opening in this mountain range we can avoid dividing our forces to take the guard tower by circumventing it completely. We have no idea what lies in wait in the south, and the Ossian Order could have already prepared for something like my plan- but striking from the west will leave them completely defenseless. We can carve through their barrier and spill in like termites... “ She looks over the layout of the mountains for a moment before she asks, “Have you scouted out a location underground? Lanlan might be able to assist us by leading us through the Underdark and negotiating with Gevurah to allow our forces to pass through Trist’oth uncontested. After the way the guild helped her reclaim the Underdark from the Razurath, it’s really the least she can do to repay us.”

Odhranos || "My concern with approaching from underground is that we haven't had a chance to scout and see what defences the Ossian's have set up. For all we know, the barricade could extend underground. Sven, I'd be amazed if it didn't, it'd be foolish of them not to when they know that approaching from underground would be my forte." Odh tugs at his lip as he thinks. "If we can convince Gevurah to lend some aid, then we would further increase our odds, but I'm worried that we mightn't have the time to sway her. She'd probably sense our urgency and use that to turn a deal in her favor, which I am… reluctant to agree to." Odh shudders slightly, he is still not fond of dealing with the Matron. "What I have in mind is a little more… bombastic, shall we say." He points once again to the mountain north of Xalious, now missing its peak. "That mountain is Howler's Peak; I visited a lot while I stayed with Inks in Frostmaw. It's accessible on foot, though the hike is strenuous, about a half a day from Frostmaw. It's also directly about the valley mouth, which leads right down to the Tower and the village. From the Eyrie's report, the Ossian barricade stretches across the valley about a half kilometre north of the Tower." Odh moves a little to the side and yoinks up another model mountain from the sand. "My plan is to shear the top off Howler's Peak and use it as a battering ram to shatter the barricade. The altitude will allow it to pick up enough speed that nothing short of another mountain will stop it and the valley itself will be enough to ensure it lands on target." Odh reaches forward and scoops up the peak into his hand, holding it out for Tessa to inspect. "As the peak rides a landslide through the barricade, we are going to be riding within it. I've been putting some of the terramancer apprentices through strength trials, they should be able to keep the peak together long enough to ferry us right through and into Xalious. Once we arrive, we have a pre established fortification from which to launch our assault."

Quintessa furrows her brow. “Of course she would. We cannot make a deal with Gevurah if she preceives she has the upper hand...” Her expression remains pensive as Odhranos continues to explain. “Frostmaw is our best route then. As our closest allies in this endeavor, Queen Hildegarde will no doubt allow us passage with our invasion force while her armies head south as a distraction. With this peak as a battering ram we will certainly burst right through their barrier, but they will be alerted to our presence so when we reach the tower we have to be ready for combat. With any luck the devastation will wipe out any Ossian Order ground forces not already engaged with the Frostmawian army. Those already in the pass will risk capture if they turn to retreat, as we already discovered against Larket when Kasyr and I covered the retreat back to the tower and were taken prisoner. Yes, yes, this is perfect. A classic pincer maneuver combined with a surprise attack from an undefended opening. They’ll have no idea what hit them until it’s too late, and if all goes well we should be able to push them into submission with very few losses.” Quintessa nods again, picturing the assault in her mind. “Haladavar will not surrender, however. When we attack we will have to be prepared to kill him once and for all.” The changeling stands and dusts the sand from her bottom, “I will be ready when you give the call to arms. Should I mobilize my undead armies or do you have that part covered? The Shield of Vailkrin is at your disposal.”

Odhranos nods in agreement. "You read my mind. Above all else, I want to minimise losses, on both sides; not all of the members of the Ossian Order buy into Haladavar's madness, many of them are good people who had to align themselves with him to survive. I want to give as many of them a chance to repent as possible. But not at the cost of our own people. If we can put them in a position where they have no choice but to surrender, then we stand the best chance of coming out of this favourably. As for Haladavar…" Odh's expression darkens for a moment as he recalls the last time he saw the insane would-be-god. "I'm going to send his soul to oblivion. Even if I have to drag it there myself." Odhranos holds a million-mile stare for a moment before shaking himself back to reality. "If you think you can transport them to Frostmaw unseen, then any additional allies are appreciated. I will do everything in my power to see them return home in one piece." Odh looks up towards Quintessa as she stands and a stoic smile crosses his face. "Everyone comes home, okay? There's a future to be made and I want everyone to see it."