Meeting with Micha

The temple of Eluna is quiet in the early evening hours as the gathering is formed and everyone finds their way to the room that has been set aside for this purpose. It's by necessity larger than a room used for patients, and perhaps in its way overly large for those gathered.

Micha is the first to arrive, fully an hour before the meeting is set to begin the were-tiger is settled into the chair furthest from the door which gives him the best chance of reacting to a danger should it come in through the door. He offers terse greetings to those that enter.

Cor'lana and Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon stride in, arm-in-arm as their usual style, with Cor'lana wearing both her adventurer's garments that Micha has seen before and a certain mixture of a satisfied exhaustion on her face. It's the weariness in the eyes but the smile that touches them and the lips as well, an expression that speaks of accomplishment. But whatever it is, she does not speak on it, only offering a small curtsy to Micha as Cor'lana enters with Telamon.

"Good evening, Micha," she says. "I can safely speak for both Telamon and myself when I say that we're happy to see you again. We have brought a friend with us--the man who brought us the words from your N'thain from the Soldier's Defense."

There's something in Telamon's eyes that matches Lana's. The knowledge that, no matter what the future brings, at least one task will no longer be in the cards. Dressed in similar adventuring garb, a nondescript sand-hued tunic over dark brown trousers tucked into his boots, he bows to Micha in unison with Cor'lana.

"Indeed, Micha. It pleases me to see you again. I pray N'thain is well, and while I do seek your counsel, understand if you need help in turn I am willing to provide it."

The man accompanying Telamon and Cor'lana is - an interesting specimen to look at. Most of him is non-descript, a study in brown hair and neutral colors of cloth and leather. His sleeves are rolled up beneath a leather vest in deference to the quickly warming weather. A longsword at his hip and a pendant around his neck depicting a stylized dragon is ordinary enough.

That ordinariness stops at the face. One lone brown eye regards the weretiger with interest; full the other half of his face is furrowed from a mighty strike of claws and melted, probably with acid. Where his right eye should be is instead a deep golden, faceted gem, set into a steel and bronze ring with arcane marks around the edges.

"Brightest of days," he greets warmly enough, with an easy grin. "Dolan Donnelly."

Harkashan, Speaker and Deathsinger, normally takes up a tall posture. It helps that he is already a tall one. But when he arrives, he's keeping his head a bit lower and his general pace relaxed and with more sway.

He recalls that Micha will no doubt be a bit flighty, what with everything that's happened so far. Once he arrives, he doesn't immediately enter. He rather Telamon and Ravenstongue go inside first. Faces he'll immediately know to be friendly.

"Peace upon your nest." He bids the two of them as they pass him by, and then looks back at Rune, nodding at her, and then heading in.

This isn't the first time Micha has clocked Harkashan. The first time, Harkashan gave Micha space, thinking Telamon had it handled. The second time, he watched over a fanciful elf. He doesn't think Micha knows his name. Or Rune's, for that matter.

Stepping in, he bows his head to Micha. Making sure to keep some space. "Peace upon your nest, Micha." He touches his chest. "I am Harkashan, a Deathsinger from Am'shere. I'm the one who helped heal the wound N'thain had suffered." The Sith-makar explains, hoping to create rapport knowing of Micha's relationship with N'thain.

It was only recently that Rune began to feel comfortable enough stepping foot into the Temple of Eluna. Recent events had shifted a deep uncertainty in regards to the Sky-Singer into a quiet acceptance.

Following a step or two behind Harkashan, the rogue seems dressed far more for 'business' than the previous two times that Micha may have seen her. No dress, no casual clothing, Rune is dressed in leather and padded garments and seems far more serious than those last encounters, as well.

"Nice to see you again, Micha." She doesn't offer her own name, but does raise a brow towards him before stepping to the side, making sure to give plenty of space. "I've heard things have changed quite a lot since last I saw you."

Micha nods to each in turn, offering only a few words here and there. "Evening. N'thain is well, but displeased with being home-bound." A grimace here and then Micha rises to his feet as Dolan is introduced. Micha offers his hand across the table, his eyes taking Dolan in. He doesn't seem swayed by the other man's scars. "I have you to thank then, as well as these for our freedom. I do not forget such favors."

The sith enters next and Micha nods to him as well. "Peace on your nest. I remember you from the... party. You and the lady. What was your name?" His eyes are a touch sharp.

"These are friends of ours as well," Cor'lana says, sweeping her hand in the direction of Harkashan and Rune. "I will let our friend Rune introduce herself. But there are a number of people involved in the effort to defeat Marsward and the forces of the Nightmare at large. That we could free the both of you from that man's clutches is a blessing in of itself. Everyone here is here for a reason today, however."

She looks at Telamon with a small smile. "I'll let you take point on this one, my starborn king." Her arm squeezes gently around his. <Sylvan>

Telamon nods, sliding into a seat so that Micha can focus on him. "This meeting grew out of a discussion we had, as well as the things you were able to tell us. I will not mince words; while we seek the destruction of the portal, there are... other angles to strike at Seraquoix, as well."

Tel steeples his fingers. "Of the non-werewolves he has gathered to his banner, how strong is their loyalty to him? Could we split them away, break his power structures? As Hark here noted to me," a nod to the imposing makari, "a cult of personality only goes so far. He needs leaders to help carry out his will."

"Any man who holds another man in chains can get fucked, Micha. It don't make a difference whether those chains are iron or threats." Dolan reaches out and takes the hand, shaking firmly in turn, but something in him palpably relaxes at the lack of concern for his appearance, and he lets his hand drop in turn, regarding the man with a good bit more ease even than he had shown before. "Glad N'thain's well, but - yeah. Probably best that way until we can take Marsward out.

When Telamon starts with his questions, though, he settles back into a chair and pulls out ink and parchment.

There's a low rumble from Harkashan at the thanks, bowing his head. He looks to Cor'lana for a moment as Rune's name is given, and then looks to Rune. He figures Rune isn't quite so trusting of Micha.

"He was being held against his will, in more than one sense of the word." He explains to Rune in a short manner, before looking to Telamon. After all, he has the far better rapport already established with Micha. Nodding as he speaks. "As a Weretiger yourself, I imagine you would have felt tension due to the sheer number of people - far more than a Tribe should have. I presume he's got lieutenants - or some other kind of hierarchical structure to maintain such a force." He explains.

With a sweep of Cor'lana's hand in her direction, Rune inclines her head ever so slightly, "I'm called Rune. We met at Lady Carrough's party, and then once again when you had your meeting with her about clothing for the Blue Moon workforce." Her exact relationship with the Llyranesi woman isn't elaborated on, but it's obvious there is some protectiveness there. During that last encounter, Rune hadn't so much interacted with Micha directly, but there had been multiple people present to make sure nothing unsavory happened.

Harkashan's explanation solidifies what she had already learned from Cor'lana and Telamon. "The matter of Marnsward, the werewolves, and everything else associated with it is important to each of these people, and I consider them my friends. So..." Apparently that same protectiveness extends even to people who likely do not need it. Even so, that's loyalty for you.

Looking to Telamon, Rune nods her head, "We need ways to get under his skin. Something you might have more insight into, I imagine."

Micha sits down as well, frowning almost immediately at Telamon's question. "How much is your loyalty to your beloved? Or me to mine? Their loyalty to him is that strong, and that weak." He takes a breath and shakes his head. "He captured a rat-king, and when torturing the man didn't work to convince him to bring the man's numbers to their own, Marsward sought out his son and threatened to do the same to him. He keeps their loved ones in Charn - and I think other places - and threatens to harm them if their people disobey."

He looks at Harkashan then and nods here. "Yes, he has a few, but they are all deathly afraid of him as well as being undyingly loyal. I doubt that there is one among them that would be easily swayed to leaving... And if you could... They are largely easily replaced."

Lastly Micha looks at Rune and looks for a moment sad. "I can only hope that something I tell you is something that you can use against him and his ilk."

Telamon's expression sours at what Micha tells him. "Of course. And his lieutenants will fight like mad, because they know if they don't, their loved ones and family will suffer for it." He glances at Harkashan. "We had thought to start capturing his more potent or skilled minions, but... this adds complexity to the problem."

He exhales, his expression full of frustration. "I don't suppose you -know- where these hostages are kept, Micha? If we could rescue them..."

This information is... not wholly new to Cor'lana, but having just been in Charn herself recently, the sorceress's violet eyes quickly darken. "Marsward's cruelty knows no bounds," she says. "In other words, if we find an avenue to free those that Marsward has kept prisoner in Charn and beyond--we find the means to liberating those forced into service, such as yourself."

She mulls over the fact for a moment, nodding to Telamon's question. "If we know where they are housed--then we can free them."

"Free all of them and get word to the workers," Dolan mutters, writing on his parchment. "The problem with binding people that way is that if the hold you have ever slips, they'll turn on you like an-" He pauses, coughs, laughs nervously, and continues. "They'll turn on you. I don't give a shit powerful Marsward is, if he's outnumbered badly enough, he'll go down." He poses no questions of his own, seeming content to listen.

Charn. Of course they are in Charn. Harkashan huffs. That place is well outside of his reach as a Sith-makar. He leans back to the wall and lowers his head, considering the matter. He figured that the leaders of the various tribes had to be held at bay somehow.

He looks to Telamon. "I'm not sure I like the idea of trying to trying to force hands of such people, whose family are held." He points out, a bit of black smoke escaping from his nostrils. "I can't reach Charn to save anyone - it's too dangerous, and I'm a Makari. But if we can get information on those outside locations, I can help there." He notes.

A thoughtful hum follows. "We'd not be looking to sway. Well, I'm not. Pull leaders out, and others will replace them. But each time they need to be replaced, it causes chaos. Unrest." A tap of his claw to his scales. "Draw information..."

"What about supply and recruiting? How's he feeding those people, and are there people he trusts more than anyone who are available in public we could steal away? People whose memories might put his plans in danger - or expose where he's holding his allies?" He thinks for a moment of using Zinskas somehow. But each time he thinks about how to use him, he just gets a bit angry at himself. What's more, any weakness they show Zinskas will just be used against them.

The way that Marnsward deals holds people captive without chains is far too familiar to Rune, as someone who had come from the underworld before breaking ties with that life. "What an asshole." As if that weren't already obvious.

Rune folds her arms across her chest as she leans against one of the walls of the room, seeming far too antsy to sit still. The half-sil fidgets with some of the buckles across her armor, brows drawn into a thoughtful expression. "There has to be a way of finding out where he's keeping people. If he is keeping them alive, there's an investment there, food, water, resources, manpower, all to keep others leashed. There has to be a way to follow the breadcrumbs."

As Harkashan asks the question about how the enemy is supplied, Rune points in his direction, "Exactly. From what I understand, the Charneth aren't exactly experiencing fruitful harvests with plenty to spare, so I imagine it has to be coming from somewhere."

"If I knew where he had them held... I would have rescued N'thain myself." Micha offers bitterly, shaking his head. "One of his men might know, but how can we ask?"

He takes a small breath and sighs. "You're quite right Rune. There is certainly money or supplies going to those people but I... I know not the how of it. I wasn't trusted enough to be told. For obvious reasons I'm sure." He clenches his teeth. "As for the main force of the army, they've been savaging the wilderness. Most are were-animals and more than willing to kill anything that moves for food. They've had trouble with other resources, but they have a few villages that are supplying them out of fear and or loyalty."

Micha seems to think for a moment. "They have a lot of money coming in from Charn and Selentia, that much I know. Payments to keep their army fed, and there's the income from their various businesses. The Blue Moon ale is their largest employer, but not the only." He licks his lips and looks at each of those gathered in turn. "In truth, even with all those resources they haven't enough, and they're beginning to amass in order to take land of their own. They mean to make their own country if necessary. Carve it out with blood and death."

"Is _that_ the endgame of Charn's involvement with this?" Cor'lana asks, brows furrowed. "Alexandros traditionally enjoys bountiful harvests, and if they can create an allied country that effectively takes over Alexandros..."

She looks to Telamon and Dolan, followed by Harkashan and Rune. "Harkashan," she says, "Telamon and I just came back from Charn, where we destroyed a demon that had been summoned from the Hells. It's _dangerous_. But it's possible. And like Dolan said--free the people from the hold on them and they will turn against Marsward. We take away Charn's precious little toys, we dismantle the werewolf faction--and Charn has to find a whole other avenue."

Cor'lana looks to Dolan and Telamon. "Selentia--I know that you two were working on that angle," she says. "How is that going?"

"Even a part of Alexandros's heartland would be a blow to both Alexandria and a boon to Charn," Telamon remarks to Lana. "We -really- don't dare let them get too much of a foothold. Even if the lycanthropes don't remain loyal to Charn -- independence does have its own special lure, after all -- losing territory like that would be a disaster on par with the Heth invasion."

Tel's expression tightens, then relaxes. "We were able to extract Andelena's brother, but Lady Calogref is definitely in this up to her carefully-coiffed roots. We need evidence, though, to lay before Baron Valence -- assuming Dolan doesn't want me to just burn the family mansion to the foundations."

"Who's the lynchpin, do you think? Who's the person that if we take that person out, the whole thing collapses?" Dolan's still writing, working patiently down the scrolls. "We got Seb out, but the Temple won't let us see him. We ain't sure what's wrong, but something ain't right. Soon as I know, you'll know. Seb should be able to tell us what we need. She's the one in Selentia funding this, in return for the use of a fiend to get her what she wants, which is social status and Andie and me dead." He wears a smirk that tugs at the scarred half of his features, but it fades presently. "Nah. We still need to get Gale out. I'll sure as shit burn her ambitions to the ground, but I probably oughtn't to burn the house. I don't need to be arrested in Selentia."

GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Geography+2: (1)+3+2: 6 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Geography+2: (12)+3+2: 17

Harkashan nods at Ravenstongue. "I understand. But I would be a liability there right now." He notes. "But that does sound like a pretty solid endgame on their part. So let's make sure we block it."

To Micha; "Then, we start there. You may not know where they are being held, but you knew his men, Micha." Harkashan remarks. "We don't need to 'ask', there's enough arcane might in Telamon and Ravenstongue's pinkies to help with that, I suspect. And otherwise, we have a gentleman here who is rather intense about the Truth." He rumbles, looking to the three of them. "We just need them, alive, and in our custody. So names, places, that kind of thing would be highly useful." As Dolan mentions, a lynchpin would be absolutely lovely to pull out.

He huffs a bit. A moment's loss in focus. A moment where he just goes staring off in the distance again, before those eyes of him squeeze, and he looks back to the table.

"The Vast, right? That place is dangerous, from my understanding. Money and supplies doesn't cover that. We're missing something. They have to stay in safer areas if they are to survive. Guides, perhaps? If they are getting money from outside, and using villages to get food, then we evacuate those villages, and cut off those lines. Make food more and more sparse. Fear and Loyalty only go so far when stomachs are empty." Harkashan isn't happy about saying such things. Because it means making people who are basically being 'forced' into obeying, suffer.

"And other than that, we take down Blue Moon. I assume you have more detail about that one in particular, given the deal you were trying to make for outfits. Locations?"

"We've been seeing the results of some of that, first-hand. It's been harder and harder to find wild game." Rune catches her lower lip between her teeth, a pensive gesture that. The fact that funds come from a number of sources makes it harder to have a direct influence. "I was hoping we might be able to shut down sale of Blue Moon in Alexandros, try to dry up at least one potential source of their income. If there was a way to get most of the taverns, inns, and pubs to stop carrying it, they'd probably end up losing quite a bit of money before they realize it and shut down completely."

The news about Selentia has Rune looking over towards Dolan, since this is all new information, at least for her. The fact that demons are involved has her letting out a soft sigh.

"We ran into a village that was clearly allied with them at one point. There were werewolf cultists trying to summon a demon. We managed to stop them, but it wouldn't surprise me if there are more." Tapping her fingers on her opposite forearm, Rune's eyes flick to Harkashan, then she seems to start to fidget more visibly again.

Micha looks displeased for a moment and then sets about answering their questions as best he can. "The linchpin is certainly Marsward... Or perhaps Dace. I think if you took either of them out that the other would take control; but I don't know Dace well. He keeps to himself for the most part, and the camp is nearly evenly split in loyalty between him and Marsward. As for the lieutenants... I can give you names. Those I have, and the location of their man branch of Blue Moon. Though they have another in Stormguarde."

He seems eager to be helpful, to offer whatever information he has that might be useful. Even if he doesn't know what purpose it might have. "I can easily draw you a map to their Alexandrian house. And if you can put a stop to any of their village donations... That's useful too I'm sure." Micha nods to Rune here very seriously, clearly approving of her thought process.

"I trust you, your fiancee, and Telamon to have that front handled," Cor'lana says with a smile of confidence to Dolan. "My wish for you and her is that you can bury that, ahem, 'mother-by-bond' of yours in one way or another. I'll ensure Telamon's available to help you with Gale." There's a little wink given to Telamon, like the sorceress is suddenly in charge of his daily agenda. (Maybe she is.)

She turns to Micha. "Speaking of Dace--I have a meeting with him very soon, to be conducted via the dream," Cor'lana informs Micha. "A communing spell revealed that he had no intentions to harm me. My guess is that he means to remove Marsward in the hopes that he can gain Marsward's followers for his own--and while he may be successful in that, there will always be those who refuse because they were devoted to the man moreso than the cause."

Cor'lana looks thoughtful for a moment. "It sounds to me," she says, looking to Harkashan and Rune, "that the Blue Moon is something that you two could handle. Perhaps Dolan as well--although I do not mean to dictate where everyone should focus their efforts. It seems to me that an individual's specialization into one or two parts of this multi-pronged assault is the key to victory here. It prevents people from being stretched thin."

Telamon nods, his eyes brightening. "Those would be -perfect-. Every thread we pull has to start somewhere." He frowns. "I'm not sure I want to eliminate Zinskas or Seraquoix yet, as they're continually struggling for dominance and that limits their effectiveness. Which is not to say if something unfortunate happened to one, I'd cry any tears -- but we'd need to move fast to eliminate the other before he got a better mastery of their army, to say nothing of the Red Maw."

"Getting to Stormgarde isn't a problem -- and I daresay we'll draw less attention than we did in Charn. But... as Lana says, I'm curious to see why Zinskas is so eager to meet." He rubs his chin. "I mean, it's highly unlikely he's going to change sides at this point, but anything is possible. More likely it's as Lana has said: he's looking for help to knock off his rival."

Dolan listens thoughtfully to all of this, writing in turn. "I think I can cut the Selentia funding off," he remarks, the smirk remaining on his lips. "What do you think would happen if Dace and Marsward stopped working together and turned on each other, Micha?" Clearly, he is following Telamon's thought process, if indeed the idea had not come to him independently, which is difficult to tell.

He looks up, and grins at Cor'lana. "Lana, keep me out of the brewery, yeah?" He is, of course, kidding. "We'll see to the demons, and to Lady Calogref and her friend Lady Derwes, but I dunno if you saw the announcement yet." His grin spreads from ear to ear.

Harkashan, noticing Rune's fidgeting from the corner of his eyes, becomes a bit more self-conscious of just how much he's talking. "Apologies." He rumbles, quieting a bit. How often has he not though of ways to stick it to Charn? To at least give them a nosebleed for what they'd done to his people. For all his Kin he'd been forced to lay upon the Pyre...

"Yeah." Harkashan notes, regarding Blue Moon. Though it's bugging him. What are they missing in regards to The Vast?

"A map would be wonderful, Micha." He then rumbles. Before adding; "I think me and Rune can also help organize some check-ups on the villages in The Vast around the Portal. Get some scouting done while we're there?"

He then looks to Dolan as he mentions an announcement. "That's a mighty big grin there, Dolan." Harkashan points out.

"I don't have the wide social contacts that others might have, but I can certainly start speaking to the owners of some of the inns and taverns and see if we can't get them onboard." If nothing else, Rune can spread the word to others, drawing them in on the plan. "I was thinking of starting a rumor, something that would turn people off of purchasing it. Maybe finding rat parts in the ale or something."

The rogue reaches up and scratches just below the tattoo on her cheek. "We could see if the Guild is willing to help. Recruit Adventurers to search nearby villages here in Alexandros for signs of cultist activity." She suggests, "It would spread out the workload, draw more people to the cause even if they aren't as intimately involved as some others."

Micha blinks at the news that Cor'lana is to meet Dace in the dreaming. "I... I know very little about the man, but that I can not imagine him worse than Marsward." He shakes his head, the devil you know and all that. Though in this case he was betting on the devil he didn't. "You are wise to concentrate on what each of us can do. There are many of you, and that means you can pull this tapestry apart from many angles; but beware you don't forget the larger picture. It is also wise to gather aid where you can though..."

Here he hesitates for the first time and frowns. "Beware what you tell the guild itself. There are some amongst that number that are eyes and ears for the army. I do not know them, but I know they must exist due to the fact that they are too well informed otherwise."

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Wisdom: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Dolan rolls wisdom: (13)+3: 16
GAME: Telamon rolls wisdom: (6)+1: 7
GAME: Rune rolls wisdom: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Harkashan rolls Wisdom: (19)+4: 23

"I can only imagine that they have eyes and ears in many avenues," Cor'lana says dryly. "Your predecessor in the brewery, Zalgiman, seemed to have many ways of gathering information and knowing about goings-on that he couldn't have known himself."

She looks to Dolan with a smile. "I _did_ see the announcement. Congratulations! We will, of course, be attending. But yes, keep following the demons and I think Harkashan and Rune already have great ideas for disrupting the flow of Blue Moon--and checking in on those villages, as well."

Telamon nods sternly. "While I'm not fond of keeping secrets, there have been... incidents before, of so-called 'adventurers' stirring up mischief. Possibly related. If you want to bring someone in, let's try to make sure they aren't a line straight to the ears of Seraquoix." He taps his fingers on his knee. "We might try to sow some false leads as well. See who jumps -- if you want, Lana and I can put our heads together and come up with some ideas."

He offers a grin to Dolan, "We did indeed. I can only hope your life together will be as happy as Lana and mine has been." His eyes sparkle. "Indeed, for what is life without the reward of happiness?"

Still grinning from ear to ear, Dolan nods. "Good." The grin at least mostly fades. "Might want to be a little cautious. Scrying would work too, with nobody around. I'll leave the brewery to you too, then, and see about chasing the other piece. I think we can shut it down. Only thing we've got to sure we ain't do is end up turning a bunch of starving werewolves loose on the countryside."

"We know he is able to turn invisible. And as Dolan says, scrying. It may just take a warning to the army to put in more anti-scry wards" Harkashan offers. "No doubt the fiends summoned also gives him an eye in places we wish he would not seek. It need not be spies per-se." Harkashan rumbles for a moment.

"For now, I think we have something to move on." He notes, looking to Micha. "Thank you so much for your help on this. I know you probably wish this would all just be behind you. But it will take more time and concerted effort." He offers to Micha. "But I will do my best, to make sure you and N'thain no longer need to be separated."

Before noting to Dolan; "And congratulations. When is the ritual?"

"I think he has many ways of getting information. Many of them far beyond normal word of mouth." Rune replies with a slight shake of her her heard. It's not that she doesn't trust Micha's viewpoint, it's that they are already working against a powerful magic user. One that very well could be listening in to anyone at any moment. "I'll see if there isn't some other way to recruit some more eyes and ears in the local villages."

The half-sil seems to be taking the advice seriously. Ultimately, those gathered have far more knowledge on magical matters than she does, and likely more insight into the powers of Marnsward.

At the mention of Dolan's happy news, Rune's expression does shift to a more warm one, losing some hint of the worry across her forehead, "Congratulations, Dolan. It's good to capture those moments of happiness."

"Then hopefully what I have told you is aid enough." Micha says without much hope in his tone. "And my congratulations to you Dolan, seems that there is some cause for celebration already. Let us pray that there is more of that in our near future."

That's what they're left with in the end. The hope of hope.

-End