OPERATION BEASTBASTION
MYCRAN 14 ~ 8 PM: StarPoint Raven sat in a circle of exquisite chairs in a palaceroom located at the southeastern stretch of the city. The Birds Of Bethlun: Teflar, Aramil, Oktavianus, and Gailwind, were beside themselves with joy at their reunion, but were also flooded with grief at the key losses of Leah and Torynth. Their final hopes for heroism were fading fast and they were now given a last chance by the merciful leadership of Pinedroi. The four were, in their own way, arrested and brought before a judge and then pardoned for this new mission when their true worth to Pinedroi was realized. Even Erelis Meadow returned from Airrdale as he had promised! It had been a rough six days for everyone concerned and it was time to get reacquainted before the warcouncil unleashed 'Operation Beastbastion'; a battleplan to eradiacte the orcs at their stronghold in the Nalmiar.
Aramil was seated quietly with a new friend perched ever so gently upon his right shoulder. A peregrine falcon bearing an off-white feathered head and grey eyes scanned the room. Its' winged feathers were a soft almond and its back, a slightly darker brown. Aramil remarked that he had found this new companion in the stretch of woods located at the top of the End Firs in days given him to freely roam the sprawling wilderness.
The dwarf stretched out his massive arm to greet the paladin. Loten Marks introduced himself with a nod. " Well met, Oktavianus. The servants of Moradin are well-known for their honor and goodness. It is a pleasure to be associated with you."
The man of Heironeous pledged his unshaking allegiance, but let the others discuss their reunion as he sat back in modest contemplation.
Erelis discussed his time in Airrdale. " I returned to find the homestead in disarray as before, but was still astonished at the numbers in death. All my neighbors and close bonds were slain and I feared this was the end of our peaceful farming community until you arrived. I owe you all for your incessance in coming to Pinedroi at this dire time.
I am one of you until you can no longer have me for I have seen the face of evil and know it exists beyond the lives of destructive orcs."
Nanith sat in deep thought watching Gailwind shift uneasily in his chair. The sage wrote many things in an orange notebook and eyed Nanith with a judgemental passing gaze whenever he could.
When the murmuring in the room slowly faded away, it was clear that the official meeting about the war was going to take place. Over one hundred captains and generals, the four warmarshalls and politicians, collected for a review of their objective.
Lady of the Blue Heart, Vania Rolessa, appeared with her black steed in the center of the congregation, lance outstretched with valor. Her flowing, blonde hair contrasted her sharp, angular dress as she sat stolid and tall.
Teflar sat poised and proper looking over his band with more emphasis. Were they to merely follow and await the battle results or was this a new opportunity to push beyond the scene to a new location now that the heavy threat would be contended with?
" In dire need
of muscle and steel this fellowship is; your presence is most
appreciated! I am Oktavianus, cleric of Moradin, and this is the better
half of the original fellowship; the ones that survived at least."
" We are the protectors of Western Zegithir, a left extension of our dear Kingdom Bethlun. We have always accepted this honor and have never let our shield fall in the face of grave dangers. Since the field cavalry crushed the legion of Crimson Crist in the grasses of Aerelyn to the fall of Illazol Lee among the Grizzledane foothills, we have triumphed when need arose."
Many politicians lightly applauded and wealthy folk smiled and recognized her exuberant words. " Now comes a new challenge; a nasty realization has stolen our peaceful festival." She regarded StarPoint Raven with her stark blue eyes
" We have gathered pertinent information from delegates from our dear King Metlavadia that we are under threat from our north." She explained the massacre at Airrdale and the destruction of the Spice Caravan. Even though these details were already known far and wide within the city, it still produced outrage and seeth throughout the gallery.
" We must leave at sunrise with an army of 1,000 to crush this fortress from two key directions. We push from the east along a new hordepath and confront the assailants with an expected frontal assault. The other half come from the southern trees of the Nalmiar to cut off any escape back into the mountains. It is obvious they have scaled over our range."
