After returning from studying in Dragon's Crest, Kaelan returns to Jastrey. Seeing Ling inside the tavern he stops off to see him before returning to the Tower.
"Greetings Ling. You have quite alot of documents here. Let me read...."
"My friend. I think you may be poking a sleeping dragon. We must seek peace. We must not seek war needlessly. From my own research I have heard there is an argreement with Ressik not to attack Jastrey if we do not attack his lands. I don't know how factual this is but your war footing does concern me."
 

Ling sipped his ale and shrugged, "I've heard of this agreement, I understand what it states... I don't agree with the Or Else... you know, the don't attack Or Else we'll destroy the Jastrian Shard... part." he leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms across his chest. "Peace is for those who are willing to allow the atrocities of others persist. I for one, will not allow what actions I've heard of to continue."

"So what do you plan. To try to conquer all of Sardia with a hundred men and women if you could rally the entire town behind you? I agree that I wish I could wave my hand and free all of the people of Sardia from tyranny. However, that is not the case. Just as there is other evils in the world. We must find truth in ourselves and know what can and cannot be accomplished."
"I will not try to disswade you further if you will only remember what I have said and atleast think upon it. I have no interest to see you or anyone else I have become fond of die an early death in vain."
"Good day my friend."
Kaelan goes to the other side of the tavern to have a small meal and glass of wine before returning to the Tower.
 

Poppy flittered thru the tavern landing next to the not-a-elf. The fae glances over the document muttering bits of it to herself under her breath. "Mhmm well why I will not lie, I do dislike Ressik and his goals." she said laughing. "I make it no mystery that I not one fond of paladin orders." The fae said with a smile before her face turned more stern. "However I do not think that a council of this sorts is needed at this time. There are problems at home I think need to be attended to first before addressing this one." "I do not feel comfortable going to fight one order while another is camped outside our town." she said shaking her head lightly.

Stepping inside the cool interior of the tavern, Althena spotted the leader of the Wolf Clan in conversation with Poppy.  Glancing about, she stepped to the elf's table, taking a moment to scan over the documents Ling had laid before him.  A frown crossed her lips and she nodded her head in agreement with the fae's words.  "Poppy speaks truly, Ling," the healer states once Poppy has finished speaking.  "While I have a strong dislike for those who follow Ressik, I am more concerned with present day issues, and would not see Jastrey become a war-zone without resolving the current issues."  She glances at the elf.  "You need also to consider that Jastrey and its denizens are not even united, but are scattered guilds and factions, each seeking its own advancement first, with the concerns of the town and it's folk secondary.  To ask these same to be concerned with those who are not even affilitated with us?"  She tilts her head slightly.  "Quite frankly, I think you are borrowing trouble and asking for Jastrey to pay.  I have doubts you will find any who would seriously consider this course of action."

Ling rose from his place and looked at Althena and Poppy, and across the rest of the people in the tavern, "Yes, let it be publicly known, I, Ling son of Thorwald of the Wolf Clan, do plan on declaring war against the followers of Ressik... I understand your concerns. While the Chrystal Fists are incamped outside our walls yes. But have they attacked any one in our town? Or would they and their ilk join us? For as my father once said, Heroes need not stand alone." He paused and got up on the table, stretching out his hands.

"We are not united? For the last six months, I have spoken to many of these plans already. I have gathered those who would align themselves with me in this cause. For there is an enemy, one who march into our town, burn the tower, the temples, the grove... slaughter the townsfolk... and enslave the rest." He spun on his spot. "I will not let that happen."

"No, we will go forth and become heroes because there are those who cannot defend themselves... and to them we will be a story, a legend. Like the great stories of old, the ones that really mattered. Full of war and darkness. The ones where as a child you didn't wanna know the end, because how could it be good when there was so much darkness covering the lands? How could few, stand against many and bring the world back to light?

I will fight not for glory or power. I don't stand for personal gain, but because I know there is still good in the world, a light to carry... and its worth fighting for. And if you do not stand with me, I understand, for like the old tales, there is so much to stand against, and its often easier to stand aside, and let it not bother yourself... I will not hate you for protecting yourself... but I will stand... against gods and demons if I must, until Light has returned to those who need it."

The fae snorted at the elf's speech. "At this point in time I greatly doubt the crystal fist will stand at your side. You are correct is your supposed assumption that they have not yet attacked anyone in town, however I think if me and Tre had not directly stepped forward that may have gone differently" she said cynically.

"But that is a hypothetical, lets look at something regarding them I know much more for certain." She said with a stern face " If you wish to call on them for allies you will most likely will not earn their word. They are in there own war now against the Herald of Twilight and are doing a shitty job of it at that. They are losing." The fae said bluntly. " which is why this spire spawned in town without a proper ritual occurring. I have found that Jastery is not the only place this anomaly is happening ."

" So once again I will say if you wish to be the hero of fairy tales they tell to aid pixies sleep at night. You can do that here at home by having your war council aid in the pushing back of the Herald. You want to be a great warrior so bad come with me to the pit to retrieve something that does not belong there." She spat out "Assist in bringing your so called "light" to aiding problems at home before going off to find new ones to create." The fae said her face turing sour.

" And how do you wish to fight this order of Paladins anyway?. I would suppose you will knock lightly on his door in Sardia and politely ask him to fuck off?" She snapped the fae's feathers obviously ruffled.

Ling turned to poppy and smiled, hopped off the table and walked the length of the tavern, "Brilliant question that my dear Poppy. How, would we fight the followers of Ressik?" He turned around and began walking back. "Phase one, the spy network I have organized begins feeding us troop movements. We begin small hit and run tactics on their furthest forces. Portal in, take a supply train here and there, burn a fort or two. Get the ball rolling. This will foster support from the locals, and show other lands its not all talk." he paused about half way,
"Phase two, assassination of regional commanders and elite troops. Cut off supply lines to the furthest fronts. Gain support from those in Tarkalsys. At this point we push into Sardia's eastern front. If Huel Vor can take a moment of their time to push on the western front of Sardia, then they will be augmented with Angori we are able to unite under our cause as well." He sipped his ale and turned to poppy.
"Phase three, well, lets not give too much away too soon."

[Double post]

Althena stood, frowning at the elf.  Once he had finished with his speech, she took a deep breath. "First and foremost, Ling," she says, her temper obviously rising.  "I take issue with any insinuation that those of us who would not support this mad war of yours as cowards.  We do not seek to protect ourselves, but those of Jastrey who may not otherwise be able to do so."  She takes a step forward, staring up in to the taller man's face.  "You must also remember that 'legends' are borne from history.  Most historical 'heroes' were, in actuality, merely murdurous despots who were the victors, and history is only ever written by the winner,"  She scowls then, raising her arm in a mock salute. "To the victor goes the spoils."  

She drops her arm to her side, shaking her head. "If you wish to make your own legend written in the blood of those of Jastrey..."  she pauses, taking another breath.  "And this united front you are on about?  It is in its infancy, and still only at the descretion of those who will follow it for as long as it benefits them.  The Accords have not been in place for very long, and we still have instances of folks not caring whom they harm. Did you know that we recently had three idiots poison our lake because of that damned naga that hatched?"  Althena stepped back, realizing her voice was rising.  Speaking in a calmer voice, she continued.

"We have more immidiate issues to consider than an Immortal who may have faded with the Shattering, and whose followers are not direct and immidiate dangers to those of us in Jastrey.  We have the Crystal Fists outside our borders, just waiting for any within Jastrey to take a wrong step.  And this is Jastrey...I can almost guarantee someone will."  She gestures towards the taverns doors.  "We had a spire dedicated to one of the most malevolent and evil creatures to ever curse Orn sprout in the very core of our town, the slaves of that beast whispering cursed words and empty promises to our citizens,"  The healer turns back to Ling, tears rising in her eyes. "and far too many citizens of this wonderous, gloriously chaotic town accepted those lies as truth.  We have fools who would do anything without any concern for consequence.  We cannot risk more.  So," she steps back into Ling's face, glaring into his eyes, "if you seek to bring more war, bloodshed, death and pestilence to the gates of Jastrey, I will fight you with every weapon I have available in my arsenal.  You," she points a finger into his chest, "are a warrior first, and a mercenary.  You thrive on war, battle, blood and death, both for your pride and for your coffers!  If you wish to die gloriously, make certain you do so without putting Jastrey at risk!"

Poppy clasps her hand together tight as a flash of light erupts from them as she conjures a hankie handing it to the healer. "You may be wasting your breath." She said shaking her head. "As I just tried to tell him the same and choose to ignore it and cherry pick the last thing I spoke to only talk about his plans. Seems those large ears of his do his hearing no good." The fae said with a crude laugh. "But you wish to talk war Ling then yes lets talk war." The fae said bitterly.  
 
"Garnish support from the locals is goal one eh?" She said with a snort. "You are going to steal from the troops supplies, you think they just going to sit around a twiddle there thumbs while they wait for the next line to get in? No they will probably start cutting the line for food and care for the slaves and then the locals. Surely they are then going to tell the locals 'yeah sorry we had to take your food but you have some ass hats from Jastery to blame'  Sure the locals will be jumping with joy to help us after that." the fae said letting out another stark laugh. "Better yet have you ever set foot in Sardis? It has been ruled by Ressik for YEARS meaning it has been a long time for that good old paladin code to seep right in. Those locals may be completely fine with the way things are run because they have survived there, flourished there and it has benefited them." The fae spat out.
 
"I understand sure whatever you want to fight the good fight and be the hero," "Woo free the slaves" she said sarcastically.  "but you are going to a place that has accepted that culture long before your time and will continue long after. If you wish to up root that realize you will not only be killing paladins but families too. People who lived generation in that area.  And the slaves I am sure you are glad to be freeing. What the fuck are you going to do with them? Where are you going to send them or place them? Surely cant store them all here in Jastery. Unless you were just going to let them run wild in the ruin you leave in your path?"  The fae snorted. 
 
"I have no doubt the Barrens of Tarkalsys will aid you in punching Ressik in the face, they have a long history of hate with the man, however how you plan to set a government that is rumored to be ruled by vampires and government ruled by a paladin at a dinner to table to play nice and talk of plan of attack will be a site to see." The fae snickered. "But of course I see both of those parties playing nice and not fighting over all this new land that has been freed up of course. Because Huel Val would lover to see the marsh expanded and I am sure the Barren would lovee to see more paladin camps popping up after just destroying one." The fae said tone dripping with sarcasm.  

Near the start of Althena's empassion speach, a portal to the Tower opens and a familiar construct steps through into the Tavern. It pauses, then slowly walks over to Poppy with a rolled paper in it's hand. When the fae is finished, it lays the paper on the druid's shoulder. "Assignment for you. New prospect for the Docents." Rune then teleports over to the table where Ling's papers lay. It picks them up, and reads over them. 
 
The construct's gaze settles on the Wolf leader, "You've made a dire mistake in speaking of this here. Your plans will be for naught. Assemble your Wolves and interested parties and meet this one at the Tower in a mestrun." Without anouther word, Rune conjures a small flame and sets papers alight, all the while staring at the elf. 

'I can no longer listen to a terrene spout talk of making war. You talk about the needs of others in a way that you believe will garner support for your hatred. The war you seek is for your own gain.'
'If you pursue this course of action... It will be your undoing. The expected support from the people of Jastrey will flock upon you. You will lose all. Your very existence may be at stake.'
'The Angori will certainly unite, this much I can see without question. War is what they know and do, but then as their numbers dwindle, they will turn on the one who brought them into an unwinnable war.'
'That is...  if...  there were anything left of you by that point.'
'These things I hear within the music of the spheres, however, you need not walk that path, the stars provide many directions of travel.'
'Think on Kessek LeStral, he knew the shape of the shards before the shattering and drew them out with certainty. I am no Kessek, but I am telling you now.... The glory you seek will not be enjoyed during your life as it will be forfeit.'
'I look upon you and see Baam's shadow. I have no love for Ressik, quite to the contrary, his teachings have brought me great pain. I still wrestle with the memory, the stories overheard as a child, the untold truths pieced together through tears and heartache. You wish to bring all that back to the present. Even if, in your ignorance, are unaware of it.'
 
 
 

Ling nodded, smiled and bowed lightly. "Then this conflict I wish to persue will not be in the name of Jastrey, or its people. We will aid with what needs doing here in Jastrey, but when it comes time to do our thing, those who would follow me will act out of some where else. If that is the will of the people. It will be followed. Those who would fight by me will do as Rune instructed." he stated, going back to his table and grabbing up his mug. He drank from it. He removed is bandana and ran his fingers through his hair...
 
"The Wolves will take you're concerns to heart my friends. However what has been set in motion cannot be stopped now."

Form the shadows of a corner booth, a low voice speaks, "Ling, I do not question your courage."
Vyr stands and moves into the flickering light of the scones and fire at the hearth.
"However at this time, I urge you to have patience. I have seen countless battles, and wars too numerous too count."
"There is a saying I will give to you, Handle the hornet in the center of the web, before you venture out to handle the spider wasp at the edge."
"Let us deal with Duroscht and those minions, before we go to open war in a foreign land."

Garen stepped through the tavern doors with several scrolls of arcane notes, written in his own handwriting, under one arm. Seeing those gathered he greeted them all with a quick wave of his free hand and sat down at a table near Ling and began reviewing his studies. It soon became difficult as he felt a great deal of tension in the air, as well as the scent of recently burned paper. Looking up he asked, "So what have I missed?"

Kaelan stands up from his finished meal and walks over to the group. He puts a hand on his friend Garen and says, "Ling has it set in his head to go to war with Ressik and it is folly. We are trying to talk him out of it to no avail. Please do not let the Blood Bears follow him into this conflict."

Ling turned to Garen, "Garen my friend, I know you said you'd support this, but if you wish to pull your support; now is the time. That goes for any I spoke to previously." He said, "The fighting wont start for another nine or ten mestruns or so regardless."

Thimble had spent most of her day in the mines, searching around for a good vein of mana as upon her own and others request. Pickaxe in hand, she used her foot to push open one of the double sided doors at the Tavern's front, causing it to wildly swing on it's hinges. Although as labor intensive as the day had been, her cheery demeanor remained. Her original intent on visiting the Shady Corner was to quench a days work of thirst but spotted the rather large group of fellow Jastreyans instead, delaying said intents. The mass huddled around a table, faces twisted in annoyance and possibly rage among a few while Ling's remained calm yet a manner of pride beamed from his face. Thimble set her pickaxe down on an adjacent table and stepped over, her brows framed quizzically. 
 
She picked up a paper or so, seeing battle plans, possible treaties of alliance, etc.. After a couple more glances, she had seen enough to realize why everyone's faces looked so. Her's began to mirror those around her.
 
She calmly set down which ever document she'd last picked up and began to speak, not in a voice she used day to day but a voice she often used when in battle. Her hands gripped the edge of the table, eyes glaring at the scattered parchment. "Ling. I must ask-no, I don't want to know so hear me now. If you go through with this... Mission, adventure, whatever the bolts you wish to call it, and you let the foolish join you, that's fine. However, if you bring all of Jastrey into your... For lack of a better expression, cock measuring contest, without their desires, I will challenge you to combat." She pushed off the table and stood up straight and strong, her gaze piercing into his eyes. "As a paladin, I must be honorable. I have warned you of my intentions. I will seek your justice if my fellow Jastreyans ask it of me. As a fellow warrior, I must tell you that seeking valor is one thing but this is not of valor, this is suicide, genocide, it is not needed in the present time." 
 
Thimble broke her gaze and went to her pickaxe, her stomach in knots. "Listen to your fellow adventures, their words are abundant with caution not only for their own sake but for yours and those who will blindly follow. Give them heed and save war for another day." She took her pickaxe and left.

"Ling I am your friend, and you are right I did originally want to back you up in this campaign. But that was before Duroscht and all of this cultist business. I fully support the idea of liberating slaves but we have to consider our domestic issues first. As your friend I have to voice my concern that now is not the best time to be waging a foreign war. If you want to continue planning and strategizing that is one thing, but to act now would be unwise"

Ling stood, leaned forward on his fists and looked at the table for a long moment before looking up. He turned his head to the side, his dumb grin gone and he pulled his bandana off and put it down. Fingers ran through his hair before he closed his eyes and nodded. "Fine then. Duroscht first. Once that issue is resolved, I will return to my campaign." He pushed away and turned, looking out one of the windows of the tavern. He turned his head ever so slightly, "Another day, and it will come. Do not think I will forget this. Duroscht's Cult... then the Followers of Ressik."

Althena watched as the diminutive paladin said her piece and then left the group.  Turning, her frown lessened at Garen's words, only to return once Ling had said his.  Shaking her head, stepping to stand close to Marloff, one shoulder resting against the large man's arm, she said, "You seem to be of the blind opinion that Dhurosht is a foe easily vanquished, and quickly, or that he is the only issue at hand," she leaned more against Marloff, accepting his quiet strength.  "You will learn one day, Ling, Son of Thorwald, that it is not as easily accomplished as tales let on."  She looked up into the empyrean's face, placing a hand upon his wrist and to tug him gently.  "I've said my piece.  You will do as you wish.  Just know that Thimble is not the only one who will seek to stop you if you proceed with this madness and drag the whole of Jastrey in its bloody wake."

.