Everyone's stalwart defiance of this Rodan fellow is all well and good, but there's something we're overlooking. We won't be the first people in the line of fire when he comes marching down here. There are many of the general populace that stand between him and us. We don't know if he intends on leaving them be. I'm inclined to believe he won't, if his reputation is anything to stand by.
We've dealt with far more than just him, but to the people of Travance and Kormyre, his arrival could spell disaster and ruin. We need to worry about their sake just as much as our own. I propose we figure out where he's coming from and where he intends to go through on his path to us so we can minimize any civilian casualties that may result from his arrival, as well anything else we can ascertain to better help our people against this oncoming threat.
Maria Quincy
Squire to Warlord Demirosz
Nalick
There's nothing to educate....this guy is called the "King of Blood" which sounds similar enough to Aguarran titles that it was brought up as an idle possibility. One of many theories we discussed that evening.
Annora
Annora, Prithee educate us all on Rodan's possible connection to Agaura.
~Nalick DeMarche
A gate rune or two to get small groups out in a hurry would be nice.
Saguaro's not due back out at sea for a few weeks yet, so if you lot want us, we can pull the old trick from the civil war and re-class my sailors into artillerymen. Dismount our batteries from the ships and set 'em up along chokepoints for the most likely paths this lot would have to take, specifically the ones that we can dig in at without starting a political crisis. We'd likely have to integrate into whatever local Army elements are stationed there, too, but so be it, not the first time we've played nice with the grunts. The Raiders are available as well, probably best used as recce troops. Split 'em into four-person teams, set up observation posts along the most likely lines of approach, way in advance of our main defenses, that way we can get some early warning when this Rodan decides to come marching through.
Just give a shout if you want us, we're only a portal (or two? still no idea how those bloody things work) away. ---Cobus Puren Captain, Kormyrian Royal Navy
Need a spy? Cocky individuals get along with each other quite well. I'll gladly sign up.
Though. . . we still have no idea which intended route is true. If this is really needed, throw three people, one for each route, and one of us will get there. Anyone with the ability to make remote contact with someone near our main line would be of great use here. If this is wasted time, let's gather a troop trap up as much as we can. My recent studies have led to some incredible breakthroughs I've been -DYING- to test out.
Sincerely, but truly sincerely this time,
Jeanne-Vierre Desmos
Notes and thoughts from our random meeting in the Dragon's Claw tonight:
What the fuck is Rodan?
-he uses hit and run tactics in the Highlands.
-His title translates to "King of Blood"
-He's a children's story (stay inside or Rodan will get you). Could he be an entity brough to life from children's tales, maybe feeding off fear or despair?
-Maybe a literal ghost story?
-Blood mage?
-Dreadnaught?
-Scion or in some way related to Aguara?
Rodan's army
-Could they already be here—he brought them through the gate already?
-Or will he make it when he arrives: ghosts, poltergeists, undead, blood golems(?!)
-unlikely to be undead considering the Hibernian attitude towards them. But who knows.
Path of him and his army
-If they come through mainland Kormyre they'll have to face multiple standing armies
-The path through New Gaaldron and Pendarvin requires going through lots of mountains. But Hibernians are good with that, generally speaking
-Gaaldron might be easier to go through considering how fractured they are due to the civil war
-Based on timing and timeframe, they should be in (New) Gaaldron right now. Because it takes roughly a week to go through the rift.
What we need to do:
-Get intel
-see if we can get spies in amongst his people
-Research what the fuck he is and his army is
-Every story is based on truth
-HEY BRAINS can you help out here?
-Find out the path he's taking and where he is
-Evacuate civilians
-Wren and Reno are already heading that up (Wren let me know if you want to move Albriar civilians south into Drega)
-Tsula and Therion are going to head to Pendarvin to coordinate evacuation efforts there
Battle Tactics:
-We need to not sit on our asses and wait for them to arrive. Don't let them choose the battlefield
-Harry them as they march, use hit and run tactics. Make them pay for EVERY. INCH.
-Set traps and use our home terrain advantage.
-Caelvan, and anyone else who's sneaky and good with traps, can you make this army absolutely regret coming this way, once we know their chosen path?
General random thoughts
-Why is he coming here? Is it more than basic conquest and testing our mettle? We're strong and he's the type of bully to take that as a challenge? Or does he have a goal that we are unaware of?
There's a lot of different things that need to be done, and not a lot of time before this asshat arrives, so if you can help in any of the myriad ways please do.
I agree with your assessment Caelvan, that's been my thinking as well.
As much as I'd love him to come through our rift gate, tactically, it's too painful for him to try to come through the gate. I think he's going to come through New Gaaldron down into Pendarvin and towards the Proper.
Reno, Wren, your ideas are sound and you're absolutely right. My capabilities as a druid and my resources as the swamp lizard are at your disposal.
Strategically and morally it makes sense for him to come through Pendarvin. Here is my reasoning:
1: He's challenged Travance. He will try to weaken us to go through those who rely on the Heroes for protection.
2: He would have to face one enemy(New Gaaldron) before reaching Travance, not two(Gaaldron and the Kingdom of Kormyre)
3: He would not have a bottleneck for his troops to move through as bad as the passage between Kormyre and Travance.
If you want my full guess, he will head through New Gaaldron, entering Pendarvin somewhere between, Arnwhul and Vindolm and march down west towords Skara Gothe to avoid the fortifications at Honor's Peak and come at Travance through the Cracked Plains.
Some food for thought.
-Ser Caelvan Renaith
-March Warden of Selendrias
If they come from the North, and down through Pendarvin, the Pendarvin signal towers will hopefully be lit upon seeing the Army. To the lands bordering Pendarvin, if you can spare a druid to keep a rotation of birds in the sky to watch for the signal tower fires I suggest doing so.
Hopefully with the signal towers, and Travances various Psions keeping up communication with each other and the various scouting units, word of which path is chosen will get around quickly.
-Sir Wrenton Revlis, First Knight of Albriar, Steward of Sagewood
I would like to state that as the steward of Gwenllyn on Aris, I am going to be enacting the plan that Sir Wren recommends. I will ask them to bring supplies to help fortify the town. I know we can always rebuild structures, we cannot rebuild lives.
Oh, when I say I'll be between him and Travance I do mean in front of the civilians in his way. Our people are tough and hardy, and I believe in them, but I agree we need to keep them out of this brute's way.
Ideally, once we find the path he's taking, can we march/gate/ride north or west to meet his forces, so they have fewer chances to harm our people and lands? We should not sit back on our asses and wait for him to arrive in the Proper.
If anyone else wants to join me, I will be going out to face him once we have further intel.
Ideally, he'll come through the rift gate, and we can mount a substantial defense there, since his forces will have to converge through the chokepoint. But if he comes through New Gaaldron, we might be able to hear word from some of their people. Any idea how Rodan feels about goblinoids?
Also. Based on these planned marching paths, Drega'mire should be out of his way, which means I am more than willing to take in refugees and send what supplies I can. I can't speak for my entire land or my lord, but all my personal resources are yours.
I also urge all town Stewards, of all lands, to evacuate the smaller hamlets surrounding their towns and bring everyone in from the countryside. Get everyone inside the major towns, bring in as much food and resources that the people can carry, and then close the gates.
I know some people may not want to leave their homes for the temporary safety of the larger towns, but hamlets can be rebuilt and farms can be regrown; protecting each other is the first priority.
I pledge Sagewoods builders to help rebuild whatever areas are destroyed by the coming attacks, and hope other Stewards will send crews to aid as well.
Stay Safe, Look out for one another,
-Sir Wrenton Revlis, First Knight of Albriar, Steward of Sagewood
So far there are three noticeable paths he can transport his troops. One where he travels through Gaaldron and Glangsdale, one that is next to the Rift on Kormyre's side, and one that crosses through New Gaaldron and Pendarvin. We need to find which one of these paths he is taking and plan accordingly. The sooner we can determine this, the sooner we can muster resources to ensure the safety of those in his way. I'll be in the Proper tomorrow to discuss this in person if people desire.
We've only been able to fend off his probes into our territory back home. we've not been able to mount an attack- we dinnae have th' numbers nor th' power o' many heroes. We don't have the numbers to do that. If we're going to get th' wee people out, now's th' bloody time.
-Father Donald
It's fine Narcissus. I've some free time, tell me where your preferred bakery is at and I'll make sure it's fine. And get myself some treats while I'm there.
- Gabriel
I wholeheartedly agree, Maria. Rodan DÃomasach has been plaguing the Highlands for at least sixty years. I plan on doing everything I can to fortify Gwenllyn on Aris for an attack. We should try to fortify the border cities/towns of Travance for this. Keeping the common folk safe is so important in a time like this.
Mmm I'm glad I'm not the only one who brought up this concern. I don't want to have to split my attention between my enemy and my favorite peasant owned bakery. I'm not very useful when it comes to fortifying a settlement, but I am capable of basic labor. If there is a place for me I'll assist. Narcissus