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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 2:37:50 GMT -5
After Colby's induction has concluded, there are several topics of varying importance the Conclave must discuss. The meeting is long and the candles burn low, late into the night...
Luc le Chaudronnier remarks at length on the depredations of the Church and its anti-magic crusade, which he calls "the Inquisition."
It seems the sanctions on magic in Aldagmor don't compare to those imposed in Averoigne. Under the direction of the Bishop of Ximes, the Knights of the Church have begun a crusade against all practioners of magic, persecuting, imprisoning and even killing priests of the pagan faiths, hedgewizards and witches, seers, sages, alchemists; down to even those of the most minor magical talent. Naturally this has not gone uncontested. A small but persistent band of rebels, lead by a devout woman named Joan, continue to thwart their efforts, aided in no small part by those same minor magic-users.
It becomes obvious this is not the first time Luc le Chaudronnier has addressed the Conclave with this matter. Also it becomes obvious that the Conclave is not in agreement as to a course of action when several of them begin arguing about whether or not they should directly intervene and the consequences of such intervention.
Luc le Chaudronnier and Gaspard du Nord feel that direct action against the Church is necessary. With the loss of Castle Amber and the Baron, the Church has gained too much power in Averoigne. Apparently the castle and its inhabitants are imprisoned inside an impenetrable globe of amber which the sorceries of the Conclave cannot penetrate. Theophrastus was lost in the attempt...
Sionyl agrees, but of course recommends a more subtle approach.
Martinus Trismegistus, the voice of reason, counsels patience and more examination of the issue. Sherlane and Owen Glendower concur.
Ranlou, Istarelle, and by extension Moriamis, advocate a policy of isolationism. They do not wish to become involved in a conflict with the Church, preferring to withdraw to their warded spell-towers and ignore the problem.
Zaphora and Argenta remain aloof.
No meaningful resolution is reached.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 10:41:59 GMT -5
Luc le Chaudronnier and Gaspard du Nord feel that direct action against the Church is necessary. With the loss of Castle Amber and the Baron, the Church has gained too much power in Averoigne. Apparently the castle and its inhabitants are imprisoned inside an impenetrable globe of amber which the sorceries of the Conclave cannot penetrate. Theophrastus was lost in the attempt... Castle Amber was imprisoned in a globe of amber? That's odd. Colby can't wait to call his keep Castle Where it Rains Gold and see what happens.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 11:15:44 GMT -5
Colby will explain his limited dealings with the Church, the story of the Abbot telling us to go to the Vernal House, how the real Chalice was replaced with a fake one, etc.
I imagine that any move to counter the Church's influence should wait until after they help with the coalition against the Shadow Lord. On a related note, does Sherlane know if Colby still has a warrant out against him for zapping a vampire in Cinderham?
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 13:10:48 GMT -5
Colby will explain his limited dealings with the Church, the story of the Abbot telling us to go to the Vernal House, how the real Chalice was replaced with a fake one, etc. The Conclave is well aware of the search for Red Tam's bones. That is another complicated topic that the wizards do not agree upon... There is definitely concern though that a powerful relic has been stolen and they agree Colby should investigate further. I imagine that any move to counter the Church's influence should wait until after they help with the coalition against the Shadow Lord. The response to the Shadowlord is not as organized as Colby might imagine... On a related note, does Sherlane know if Colby still has a warrant out against him for zapping a vampire in Cinderham Devonshire? Sherlane cleared things up with the civil authorities, but the Church's mage-hunters could still be an issue.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 13:51:39 GMT -5
Can I swap Clairaudience for Invis 10' Radius?
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 14:41:13 GMT -5
Moving on...
All the members of the Conclave are in agreement that the Shadowlord is a grave threat. In particular, his use of the Elven Star is of great concern. That is why Martinus Trismegisus and Owen Glendower intend to sneak into the dark lands of Denagoth and steal the magical gem from the Shadowlord's tower.
Argenta believes the plan is foolhardy, claiming no mortal magic can match that of the Shadowlord, but the Conclave sees little choice but to act. If the Shadowlord were to conjure one of those immense Cloudkills over a populated area of the Forest Kingdom the loss of life would be catastrophic.
The Conclave will support the armies of Aldagmor as best they can, pitting their magic against that of the sorcerers of Denagoth and the witches of Pohjola. The baron is vastly outnumbered though and it seems unlikely that aid from Dunthrane or Falworth will arrive in time or sufficient number.
Now things get complicated...
There is only one weapon known that can harm the Shadowlord: the Sword of Kings, which only the True King of the Forest Kingdom may wield. And there hasn't been a king in the Forest Kingdom for 300 years, not since the last of the line was slain on the Dolmen Moors and the crown was lost. Hence the search for Red Tam's bones. The Church, among others, was hoping to learn the "Lineage of Kings," an old forgotten ballad which could identify the lost heir to the Forest Kingdom.
This secret is known to the Conclave, who have watched over and protected the royal family since the inception of their order.
Martinus Trismegistus speaks of the boy with genuine fondness, claiming that he is educated and intelligent, well-versed in history; moreso than most lords in the Forest Kingdom. But he feels the prince is too young and inexperienced to lead, let alone unite the Realm, and identifying him now would expose him to too great a danger. Also the crown is still lost and retrieving the Sword of Kings is... difficult.
The rest of the Conclave defers to Martinus on this, but it is clear that some do not entirely agree.
Zaphora, who has so far remained silent, claims there is another who might wield the sword; he who lies dreaming, the Once and Future King. She doesn't elaborate and nobody finds this unusual.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 14:51:26 GMT -5
That is a daring plan!
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 15:49:28 GMT -5
Can I swap Clairaudience for Invis 10' Radius? OK.
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 16:20:32 GMT -5
A few lesser matters remain:
Ranlou has good news; he's been working with the dwarves of the Iron Mountain and, using the ancient plans recovered in Ulshamaran, they've nearly completed construction of Sherlane's war machine.
Martinus will begin writing that spellbook for Colby when the Conclave adjourns.
The Silver Princess believes she can do something for Colby's tongue though she'll need Ranlou's help with the crafting. Is Colby willing to accompany them to the Clockwork Tower?
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 16:24:22 GMT -5
A robo-tongue is infinitely preferable to an evil tongue. Of course Colby will follow them, assuming it won't take too many days.
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 17:47:08 GMT -5
The timing works out well. When Colby returns from the Clockwork Tower, his spellbook should be complete. Speaking of: Colby will definitely defer to the archmage if he has four levels of unusual spells to bestow. Otherwise, I'll take Secure Shelter. Martinus is a very practical wizard and would suggest that Secure Shelter is probably better than something unusual. Also he cannot claim the title of archmage. Does the Conclave have any other suggestions for getting a group of a dozen strong fighting men up here quickly? The 6 or 8 teleport spells required are a little risky. The Silver Princess suggests the Faerie Road and chides Colby for leaving the guide she promised waiting at the Vernal House for so long. That pretty much concludes the meeting - unless there's something else Colby wants to ask.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 18:20:04 GMT -5
Ok, I'm off to the Clockwork Tower, then. How frequent are Conclave events?
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 18:50:19 GMT -5
The Conclave adjourns. Ok, I'm off to the Clockwork Tower, then. The next day Argenta, Ranlou and Colby teleport to the Clockwork Tower. It is just as full of strange apparatuses, magical constructs and mechanical servitors as one would imagine it to be. In the process of excising the ghoul-tongue, Ranlou utilizes the dubious healing spell he created, Excruciating Cauterization. Colby passes out from the agony and when he awakens in that wondrous workshop, he finds the Silver Princess and the Clockwork Magician have been able to fashion him a shining new tongue of living silver. How frequent are Conclave events? Rather infrequently, though more so in these troubled times. Whenever a new member is inducted or the head of the Conclave calls for a gathering, which is usually once a year.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 19:19:46 GMT -5
In the process of excising the ghoul-tongue, Ranlou utilizes the dubious healing spell he created, Excruciating Cauterization. Colby passes out from the agony and when he awakens in that wondrous workshop, he finds the Silver Princess and the Clockwork Magician have been able to fashion him a shining new tongue of living silver. Colby Silvertongue is born! This is way cool. I will thank them profusely for aiding me and Send to Whitestone to open a portal back there. Once the book is done, I'll thank everyone else, wish Martinus and Owen luck on their epic mission, tell Sylaire that Friedrich will see her soon, and return with Sherlane to Devonshire.
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Post by venger on Sept 7, 2013 19:30:31 GMT -5
Sherlane does not intend to wait around for Colby. Argenta will assist with his travel though. The Silver Princess will also send that guide she mentioned along with Colby, to help navigate the Faerie Road on the return trip. She introduces Colby to her dear friend Silverhoof, a well-tanned man with hairy goat legs, sporting small horns on his head, who clomps around on silver-shod cloven hooves.
I'll add the spellbook. Anything else Colby wants to do in the Forest Kingdom?
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Post by Ginger on Sept 7, 2013 19:37:13 GMT -5
Sherlane does not intend to wait around for Colby. Argenta will assist with his travel though. The Silver Princess will also send that guide she mentioned along with Colby, to help navigate the Faerie Road on the return trip. She introduces Colby to her dear friend Silverhoof, a well-tanned man with hairy goat legs, sporting small horns on his head, who clomps around on silver-shod cloven hooves. I'll add the spellbook. Anything else Colby wants to do in the Forest Kingdom? I moved back to the Devonshire thread. So Silverhoof will guide me to Devonshire via the Faerie Road? That's cool. Is he knowledgable about the Faerie Road paths that connect with places in our world beyond the Forest Kingdom? Has he ever heard of the Sea of Sand?
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