Session Preface:
As the various leaders of the community all take their seats, two of which are now empty after the departure of Headmaster Chauncer and Judge Wyvernthorn, there is once again the cracking of Supreme Commander Vagrak's platinum cane against the stone floor which in turn sounds off the mechanical whirring and spinning of internal mechanisms which lock the solid platinum door behind you.
Overhead, the candles of the massive candelabra burn brightly, casting sharp shadows across the walls and drenching the maps and images across the table in equally bright light. The windowless room feels small and musty, like it could be part of a mausoleum, if it weren't so well lit.
As Speaker Zorvathrax takes his seat, you can't help but wonder for a moment how the members of his community, displaced for the first time in a century, must be faring in the unfamiliar streets of Avraathe amidst the last moments of the feast. As for many beyond the walls of this room the day returns to routine, how are those without any familiarity to turn to responding to these turns of events?
These thoughts are interrupted as the Supreme Commander reconvenes the meeting. "Per my notes, we have three large tasks still at hand, gentlemen. First, we need to discuss scouting and intel gathering. Second, it warrants a conversation of what possible allies in these region may be of aid to us in the coming days and how we'll make those arrangements. Third, and most importantly, we need to draft up our orders for deploying the Talons, Order, and Scalers along the perimeter and make sure each group is sufficiently outfitted to best defend against this assault. Any questions before we dive back in, hmm?"
Session Summary:
As the meeting reconvenes, the gathered war council members agree to send out scouting parties in each direction with the Platinum Order going south to the ruined keep, Endriel taking scouts to the east to survey the larger forces, and Talons determining the number of forces to the west. They then broach the topic of regional allies which flares a number of concerns and frustrations given the result of the last war and the political relationships damaged in the process. Despite this, the council agrees it is wise council to notify any of those who might be able to send aid or might otherwise be affected by the outcome.
To their last task, the war council spends several moments considering the various fronts they might face and how to best deploy the troops, outnumbered though they might be, to best defend the city. In the conclusion of the meeting, it is decided Parathrax, Vorothruun, and Endriel will serve as a mobile reinforcement to shore up any potential weaknesses which open up in the course of battle. Dradke offers the services of a talented diviner in the Augery to coordinate communication throughout the battles and then council agrees to meet in five day's time to review the intel gathered by the respective scout parties.
The following morning Parathrax is woken by Vyodaar for their wagered training bout. Though the early rounds see the two dragonborn trading blows in equal measure, Parathrax is able to successful wear down Vyodaar's defenses and overpower him convincingly in front of several dozen onlookers. Holding up his end of the bargain, Vyodaar strips of his training garb and sprints the barracks balconies shouting "Tiamat is my grandmother" during which time Parathrax notices the blushing smile of Madlyn the Shield hidden amongst the crowd.
Vorothruun takes the opportunity of available time to speak with Headmaster Chauncer, providing her the fireball scroll purchased with the hopes a student will use it to destroy as many siege towers as possible. He also spends several moments discussing the plan of operation with Thava, eventually asking her to sign his tome which will allow them telepathic communication without her having to further divide her focus from other matters.
While the dragonborn attend to matters within the city, Endriel takes a small party of the Talons of Justice and moves quickly and quietly eastward. Finding the frontlines of the orcish army with ease, Endriel spends the better part of an afternoon atop a distant hill observing their movements, numbers, and division of forces. Through his watch, Endriel confirms the orcs march with forces greatly outnumbering Avraathe, including Hill Giants carrying massive battering rams, looming siege towers capable of holding a dozen or more additional forces, and trebuchets pushed by Ogres.
Upon the fifth day, the War Council reconvenes and shares their findings. The Platinum Order confirms the presence of a small, but formidable calvary force to the South and the Talons share the vulnerability of the hunting and raiding camps to the west. Seeing an opportunity for a pre-emptive strike, the War Council permits Parathrax, Vorothruun, and Endriel to lead the Velqwen forces westward to rout the enemy before they can rejoin the larger forces, effectively removing one front from the battle if successful. As the party travels westward, they find themselves ambushed and cut off from the Velqwen forces and fought to fight their way out of a valley overrun by orcs and the hulking orogs. Though Parathrax falls temporarily to the overwhelming number of orc warriors, the party manages to regain ground, tend to Parathrax's wounds, and secure the area as the Velqwen army rallies behind their leaders and manages to destroy the bulk of the orc's raiding forces.
With the first blood of the looming conflict drawn, the party returns to Avraathe to heal and make final preparations for the defense of Avraathe against the onslaught of the White Tusk Kingdom's hordes.
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