Eirene has joined the Table near the back.

Denica has joined the Table in the middle.

Apollo has joined the Table near the front.

Denica has left the Table in the middle.

Denica has joined the Table near the back.

Fairen has joined the Table near the front.

Calista has joined the Table off to the side.

Mia has joined the Table near the back.

Titania has joined the Table near the back.

Mirk has joined the Table near the back.

Iliana has joined the Table near the front.

Ian has joined the Table near the back.

3 Black Fleet Reavers, Moonsilver, the pale-feathered raven arrive, following Raven.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Ian before departing.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Iliana before departing.

Donella has joined the Table in the middle.

Samira has joined the Table near the front.

Aleksei has joined the Table in the middle.

Fortunato has joined the Table in the middle.

Raven has joined the Table off to the side.

The entourage that arrives at the Khati embassy with Fatima is pretty impressive, a mix of Thrax and Eurusi consulate guards, as well as various aides and attendants. In addition to that is Lady Medeia, and her guards and attendants. They add quite a bit to the number of people packed into the antechamber as the future Queen of Petrioch arrives. The half-Eurusi woman is radiating an aura of majesty about her that seems rather enhanced these days, as she has truly come into her own. Giving a soft murmur to Medeia, she moves to find a seat, settling in with grace and poise, resting her hands lightly on the armrests of her chair, legs crossed demurely at the ankles. She's wearing Cardian snakeskin today, with her long black hair woven into an intricate braid past her waist, twined with threads of iridescite beneath a tricorn hat. She glances around, her vivid seafoam green eyes studying the faces of those present and arriving.

Willen arrives, following Lou.

Oura, a white-tailed eagle, Valor, a juvenile male Oakhaven Bloodhound, 2 Greenwood Tribe Blood Warriors arrive, following Thesarin.

Sorrel has joined the Table in the middle.

Titus remains standing, arms crossed as he waits.

Patrizio has joined the Table in the middle.

Fatima has joined the Table in the middle.

Willen leaves, following Lou.

Ian comes in alone, and makes a bee line to the very back of the room, where he picks out a seat in silence, and sinks into a deep and vaguely disreputable looking slouch.

For once, perhaps, there's a demeanour upon Patrizio Pravus' features as he arrives of taking something deadly seriously, even as he's walking at an unrushed pace, his folio tucked beneath his arm. His retinue of soldiers are left to fend for themselves towards the back, where they shall not cause trouble, before he's easing into a place, and... looking about, patiently.

Medeia bows her head to Fatima's murmurs and veers off to the side, claiming an out-of-the-way seat.

With a focused expression on her face, Denica arrives carrying a portfolio in one arm, clutched to her. Quiet and thoughtful, she slips in and finds a place to sit. An easy sweep of her dress, and she settles in. The book is placed on her lap and she opens to a blank page. A piece of charcoal is found and she begins to sketch idly as she listens. A hand lifts to wiggle fingers at shoulder height at a variety of people.

Eirene is in General mode - her coat is buttoned neatly, her posture ramrod straight, and her expression grim. This is someone who believes themselves appraised of the situation and is NOT happy about it. She offers the sharpest of nods to familiar faces before she goes to sit at the back so she can survey the room.

There is a smile offered to Titus as Ann stands next to him and a small nod to him in silent greeting but her bells give her away otherwise she's people watching and waiting for the meeting to start. Others get nods for those she recognizes.

Fairen leads Marquessa Iliana towards their table and once seated meticulously produces from his folio and satchel a logbook, notebook, quill, inkwell, adjunct stick of charcoal, small box of ribbons for annotational tagging, and other organizational bric-a-bric with no immediately obvious purpose and places them on the table before him into what is assuredly a well-practiced and extremely intentional formation.

Apollo might not have a functioning sense of humor, just now. Or... he was looking around, didn't quite catch the whole of the joke well enough to laugh. He /does/ smile, though, and murmurs something at his table.

Raven slinks in quietly along the periphery and claims a perch.

Wyla, a small wisp of an assistant arrives, following Keely.

Keely has joined the Table in the middle.

Donella embeds herself like a tick at a central table, and there are some people there at least whose faces are known to her. Family, too. "I feel like a tutor is about to cane my knuckles with a stick..."

Balian, a Templar squire, Guy, a hunting kestrel, 1 Templar Knight guards, Direhorn Jeffers, a barded Templar wargoat arrive, following Preston.

Samira has arrived early, claiming an empty seat and setting her sketchbook upon the table to be used for future note-taking. A murmured greeting is offered to her tablemates, but she remains solemn and silent otherwise, occasionally throwing glances toward the door to scan the faces of those who slip in to join the gathering.

Iliana settles beside Fairen, watching as he pulls out this and that before asking, "I am glad you have volunteered to take the notes for all today. I am not sure if you have everything though? Did you forget the books on the weather and wind patterns between Arx and every city that has been built, or perhaps a geographical map of every hole that has ever been dug lest someone fall into one while marching?" Her expressionn is unreadable, as if he may have these books.

The Duchess of Tor arrives without much fanfare. Her usual retinue follows, but it is nothing impressive. She moves through the embassy with observant emerald eyes and offers a soft warm smile to those who are presently gathered. The table off to the side draws her attention and she slinks there to join Medeia.

Titania comes walking into the Embassy looking around, she is dressed in her leather armor with blue starlight silk tie into it. She looks around for a spot to sit and moves for the table at the back of the room to sit down.

Sorrel has found herself a seat and is glancing around curiously. "Where is the Prima?" she asks the room in general, frowning a bit. "We've got the second Reckoning coming, and she's late to her own meeting. This is important." She sniffs once, then shrugs. "Whatever. She'll catch up later."

Standing to her feet, Sorrel addresses the assembled, and her voice carries helpfully what with her being used to speaking to crowds. "So! Let's get started, because there's not a lot of time and I suspect that a variety of folks have information they could share. Bad shit is coming down, as you may have guessed from your own intel or the recent proclamations. Let's talk about this new end-of-the-world scenario and what we're going to do about it. We should queue up to speak. Who's going first?"

Keely slips inside with a pair of Keaton Huntsmen and Wyla the assistant at her heels, and immediately looks overwhelmed by the crowd, her youthful features blanching a touch. However, she rallies and picks her way through the room, settling in somewhere near Fortunato and Aleksei at a table near the back.

Duarte mutters, "... ... it ... 'seckonding' ... ... way. ... Rolls ... the tongue."

Eirene has joined the line.

Mirk steps up. "The Devourer has performed a working to isolate Arvum once again. This time, there is a loophole. We can leave Arvum, but only those who call Arvum their home can return. Outsiders will be devoured for attempting it, as he does not want Cardia, Eurus, Jadairal or Nefer'khat to intervene. If an Arvani bonds his soul to an outsider, such as a dragon, then returns to Arvum with them, they will be able to do so safely. That is the only way we can gain outside assistance for this war. I don't know if this will affect those not native to our shores that are already present in Arvum."

Fatima settles in to listen quietly for now, her sea green gaze focusing on Sorrel as she stands up to take charge of the meeting. Her attitude seems to be that she doesn't stand in line. She is a Queen. If she has something to say, she will say it. For now, she says nothing, focusing her attention on those who wish to stand in line and speak.

One of Patrizio's brows lifts when Mirk speaks up, especially about the last, which gives him - if briefly - cause to perhaps cast his glance about the chamber, with those jade eyes lingering here and there with some concern.

Denica has joined the line.

Aleksei has joined the line.

Turn in line: Eirene

Lou isn't Sen'azala, not by a long shot, but she's used to running meetings where Sen is not. When she sees her friend isn't there from the start, she starts arranging people in line. Mirk goes up first, then she motions for Eirene to do the same to coordinate whatever information she might have. Mirk gets a thoughtful look when he mentions something about bonding souls to others, a deeply thoughtful look. Perhaps a suggestion of his might get bigger consideration.

Standing and speaking in her rough, Lycene whiskey-contralto, Eirene looks around the room. "I have reports of at least a million sweeping through the Lycene south, and just as many in the North. Every last shardhaven is empty, and all the shards are here. Or will be. Arx will be beset by an army of Reckoning proportions but it's going to sweep through all our lands. We may need to divert some forces to thin their numbers because if we try to take them all on here, our internal defenses will be overrun." She folds her hands behind her back in parade rest. "Does anyone have any other numbers, or are my estimation of 'millions' accurate?"

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Eirene before departing.

Fortunato has joined the line.

Eirene is handed a message by her aide, who deems this important enough to interrupt. "The Crownlands intend to secure more time by attacking the forces before they can get to Arx, buying time for our civilians to move towards fortified cities," she adds after reading the letter.

Apollo has joined the line.

Calista glances towards Mirk when the nobleman shares his news. There are thoughts swirling in her mind, plans brewing, but she knows there is more to listen to. Just as her attention moves to Eirene, Calista closes her eyes for a moment and exhales softly. Could be panic rising. She lifts a hand to press to her chest to quell the sensation.

Ann turns her attention to Mirk and what it is he is saying. Nodding as if to affirm what the man has said because she has heard similar information in case anyone sees her in the back of the room affirming Mirk's words.

Lou inclines her head to Eirene, "Thank you. Millions. Multiple Millions. They have surrounded the whole of Arvum. On top of that the Primordia of the Nefer'khat came for a visit, but not as themselves. They came as projections of themselves, to issue some warnings. But I'll let the people who got those warnings say what it is they wish to say. The millions part, as Eirene mentioned, was part of it, but it was also confirmed by outside groups as well." She nods her head in Denica's direction.

Turn in line: Denica

Standing up when it's time to speak, Denica provides a short update. "A couple things. Based on searches conducted on the people that were turning up without their memories, it's huge amounts of people that cannot be traced or remembered by anyone else. It seems that the forgetfulness is a consequence of something else, not the cause itself. This is a disturbingly large scale problem." A beat, "in addition, various security organizations met with representatives from each of the wards. We looked at the time, at where to move and protect citizens, and determined areas that required research based on past experiences, as well as formulated some plans that individuals groups will no doubt share and explore. Some of these plans will need to be updated in light of recent news, but we will continue to work together as needed."

Fairen has joined the line.

Medeia does her very best to maintain a neutral expression as news begins to be shared. She looks from Mirk to Eirene to Denica, letting things process without any response. (But she does seem content with Calista's company. Excellent doomsday tablemate.)

Donella stays still, and listens, as yet joining no line and speaking no word. When you are in it up to 'here', so they say, best start swimming and keep your mouth shut. She listens to her sister speak steadily, and looks for the next speaker.

Fatima's expression maintains a serenely resolute quality as she hears the various reports. She tilts her head, listening, her eyes partially lidded as she considers the weight of the words offered by those who speak. For now, she remains silent, lacing her elegant fingers gently in her lap, elbows resting on the armrests of her chair.

Not having any news himself, Patrizio's head dips briefly while he's writing, the scratching of that stylus of his on the leaf before him, which is at a furious pace indeed, though in such a manner that it might not just be notes that he's taking. Though he's lifting his head, now and again, as if to keep eye on the expressions of those speaking.

Titania leans back in her seat as her hands rest in her lap, she listens to the words that everyone speaks, she bites her bottom lip as she listens. There is a bit of a nervous fidget and a very serious look on her face.

"Millions is what I've heard, too," Aleksei backs Eirene up. "It's all of them. All the demons from /all/ the shardhavens." He hops up out of his seat to /share with the class/. "So! A few things on my end. Some of us spoke to several of the primordia. Wolf, Deer, Bear, and Nightingale. First, uh, dunno if this is /good/ news exactly, but it's news: when Azazel devoured Legion, he also devoured its chains. Those chains bound Legion in place here, so Azazel can't leave Arvum. Good in that he can't spread out to be all the places at once. Bad because the one way out he knows about now is the Thinnest Point." He pauses there. "The path to survival the primordia see involves -- a lot of help. They'll help fight with us. They showed us dragons flying over Arx, fighting with us. They showed us cities and settlements sacrificed to slow down the armies on their way to Arx." And that has him pausing, quiet and grim.

"The Liberators have also been helping the refugees that have been showing up, and--" Aleksei hesitates a moment. "We think it's -- all of the Abandoned. /All of them/, across the entire Compact. They're being driven from their homes."

"Has anyone tried the Artshall plums with them? Some people recovered memories when the plums were eaten, while also breaking chains, didn't they? At least, I think they did. They give moments of great clarity." Lou's looking around to see if Mabelle might be there, giving the other woman a questioning look if she's amongst the crowd. She grows quiet when Aleksei starts speaking, giving others time to digest his information as well.

Turn in line: Aleksei

When Mia arrives at the Embassy, it isn't as she's so often arrived at other gatherings in the past -- though her footsteps are purposeful and direct, they are not hurried, and gone are the long skirts whose hems would often flutter in an attempt to remove themselves from her path. No, they have been replaced instead by intricately embossed Oakhide leathers, a silent message to those under her banner and her guidance that the days of peace are behind them and that they should prepare for war. And though she is no battlefield general, they somehow strangely suit her. She carries herself differently now, as though she wasn't simply born to title, but born to command.

Eirene nods grim agreement with Aleksei when he says it's -all- of them. Then she nods to Lou with a sigh. "We did use the plums," she says in her capacity as a physician. "They told the same story as the other refugees. Millions of shards headed through their lands towards Arx."

Mirk has left the Table near the back.

Aegis, a large red Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

Rurik, a prodigal assistant have been dismissed.

Turn in line: Fortunato

Lou nods in Eirene's direction as she responds about the plums. She then beckons Fortunato forward.

"The good news is, I suppose, that after a certain point there are only so many that can attack us at once - so any additional beyond that simply makes the fight last longer, rather than more intensely." Preston offers, optimistically, from the back

Fortunato steps up, and says. "Speaking of the Thinnest Point. Research revealed that none can pass through that Thinnest Point unless they take physical form. The Point is about twice as large as a person - the entrant could be no bigger than this. Azazel would be somewhat vulnerable during this period of time. We also have some evidence that he has multiple weaknesses that Pyrite could help exploit, but distance is a problem there. Azazel guards his secrets and meditating them is difficult."

He pauses. "Some tactical things from the first Reckoning. Reinforce the walls to drive the demons to the gates. Ward the air with fire and pain to discourage flying demons. Armor can be enchanted with more minor skills as we have, but necessarily enchanting a /lot/ of armor will be a lot of effort."

Apollo rises to join the line, and waits his turn, listening with care. When it's his turn to speak, he does. "I cannot speak to the numbers of Azazel's horde," he says. "But I do have a few comments to make. Answers found to a few questions. Firstly:" with a nod to Denica, he says, "The forgetfulness is a consequence of a much larger meal. Azazel is not interested in dining only on memories anymore, but on people entire. And when they are et, they disappear from memory. More than a million Abandoned are devoured." A glance toward Aleksei, there. "Many, yes, driven from their homes. Azazel's forces expect to intercept most fleeing for the safety of the city. It is unlikely that without intervention most will arrive. Going through settlement records suggests some eighty percent of Abandoned settlements are emptied entirely." A pause, then: "But the number that matters is one. One month, Azazel's forces belief it will take. To eradicate all human life from Arvum. Every one of us."

Gods, he's a bummer. He does offer, quietly, to Fortunato: "If I can learn that, apply my skills at all, I will."

Thesarin makes his way into the room in Mia's wake, moving as ever in stiff, long strides at her back. He's not in armor, but today a low collar and short sleeves lay bare a network of interlocked shav tattoos on his arms and neck, running from his chin to his writsts. He listens to the speakers in silence, and moves to continue shadowing his wife into the meeting.

Raven's gaze swings over and studies Fortunato attentively as if taking note of the man, not just what he says.

Ian listens in a solemn silence. There's no real reaction from him, no change in expression, as he slouches in his seat. But the intensity of his eyes makes it clear that however he might present himself, this gathering has the entirety of his focus and attention. He looks like he's about to ask something of Fortunato, but Apollo has already risen to speak. After a moment of thought, he gets up and just walks over there.

Ian has left the Table near the back.

Turn in line: Apollo

Caspian is leaning against the wall, listening with a somber expression, but refusing to let himself fall to despair. He was taking notes though, writing things down as people spoke.

Fairen raises from his seat once Apollo has concluded, speaking after a pause. "In response to the Lady General's question, the Leaholdt's forward scout reports observing our coastal and Lycean borders corroborate the Lady General's 'millions' estimation, unfortunately. A horde without end, is their specific term. We expect the Leaholdt itself will become a target, and while it has certain unique advantages of terrain it is decidedly not a fortification the likes of Arx or the Bastion. I am seriously considering evacuating our vulnerable populations to either Ashwood Keep or Arx itself should it prove to be feasible. Otherwise, the Leaholdt shall stand to the end to defend that which it was built to protect."

Turn in line: Fairen

Duarte has joined the line.

Oh, what's that? You scheduled a meeting? A big important meeting with seemingly half the city invited? If there were ever any need of proof that Sen doesn't use the embassy, this would certainly be it. She practically leaps the final bit of the threshold, looking aggravated, though not the slightest bit out of breath. "*Fuck*. *Me*."

Ian exchanges a few words with Fortunato, nods to him, and then returns back to his seat.

Ian has joined the Table near the back.

"Perhaps, if flying wards are necessary," Eirene says to Fortunato, "Queen Symonesse can try to show it to a few of those who crossed the Theshold. Assign some non-combatants to try to hold it for those on the walls or fighting in the fields."

Fortunato waggles a two-fingered wave at Sen'azala. He remains standing. Restless. Weirdly expressionless, though. He turns his attention from the quick conversation with Ian to Eirene, "Yes, perhaps. I -- think, hope, that the wards would be in our power, if they may be costly and exhausting. Any hope from the Queen in instruction would be most appreciated."

"If we are getting assistance from any dragons, we might not want flying wards?" Lou suggests. "Assuming any are brave enough to appeal to a dragon to become a rider. And can figure out which dragons are not Abyssal tainted," she adds on the sidelines. She looks over at Sen. "You can go next if you know what you want to say, and then we'll resume the general line. I'll talk about what Deer showed me of Eurus a bit later."

"If we are to push them to the gates, as you suggest Fortunato..." Preston begins, his lips twisting as he thinks on it "Have we begun to set the siege weaponry we have in the city to the walls? We have time to get the trebuchet to the walls, along with bolt throwers, and range them out. Dame Ida can likely have the Faith's war trebuchets assembled in short order. In terms of wards, perhaps the non-fighting Godsworn might be of help? I have invoked Gloria in the past to shield a decent sized area from the assault of living trees. And I really don't fancy allowing Mother Bianca or Blessed Oswyn to the front lines."

As talk of flying demons and dragons comes, Medeia looks deeply uncomfortable and adopts some closed off body language in her seat. Arms crossed, she continues to listen.

Titania has joined the line.

Sen'azala rubs her face, grimacing, as she moves very quickly toward the center of the gathering. "Yeah, we can--I can explain why the fuck it happened, and what I saw, and then you two if you want. Does anyone have notes?"

Fortunato laughs a little bit. "The Lady Lou is right that if we have dragons in the air, we may at least want to be /careful/ with the wards." To Preston, "This is certainly the time for siege weaponry, manning the walls and manning them intensely, and, frankly, any divine aid we can get. The Faith, the Godsworn, yes, if they can ward, let them ward." He steps aside, then, and looks at Sen'azala.

Raven's eyes widen and her face pales "oh. Oh no." flying demons apparently having hit a nerve. She shakes her head as if to clear it and says something softly to Calista.

When Sen asks about notes, Ian point at Fairen.

Lou has joined the Table near the back.

Lou gives Sen a sheepish grimace. Willen's not there, as attendants were asked to remain outside, otherwise she'd share notes.

Eirene has to chuckle. "A 'no fly zone' around the Palace sounds sensible to me. I can send word to Her Majesty if that's a general consensus of a good idea."

Fairen indeed has been taking very comprehensive notes in almost excruciatingly precise handwriting. "By all means," he invites Sen'azala to have a look at the notebook while he flips the logbook to an open page the back that, yes, has been reserved for backup primary note-taking for this exact purpose.

Mara, the loyal lady's maid arrives, delivering a message to Lou before departing.

Laurene, a military adjutant arrives, delivering a message to Mia before departing.

Fatima frowns, looking at a message delivered to her, and hands it to her aide Saroch, murmuring. Then she turns her attention back to the speakers, occasionally murmuring at those at the table.

Preston coughs gently at Eirene's suggestion "The whole of the Palace district would be appreciated - the Rectory and Templar Compound are not far, and will be where we shall command from - unless we are pushed back to the Cathedral. I do not wish to make this worse by allowing parts of The Will into Azazel's hands. Or the other items in our vaults." Preston goes back to furiously scribbling on some paper

Donella says, "Are we *leaving* anything in the vaults unused? It is hard to imagine a rainier day than we are already facing."

Eirene nods crisply to Preston. "So noted. I'll have word sent to request her help, and if she can instruct anyone to do so as well. Her shields during Orichalcum's attack saved countless lives."

Fatima glances across at Lou, and gives her a firm nod, tucking the latest message into her sash. Then she's back to focusing on the reports being given.

Sen'azala snatches up the notes - not gently, she's being particularly rude today - and looks down them as fast as possible. "Okay, okay, okay, okay--right." She tosses the notebook back to Fairen. "Millions," she confirms, as if picking up a thread of conversation she'd actually been a part of. "At the very least. Neither I nor anyone I met with could get an accurate count from the ground, the hordes stretch into the horizon. He's deliberately spreading them out to get everyone caught in the middle, because he's a," there's a series of entirely unrecognizable words that may or may not naturally contain somewhat less human growling, but whatever it is, it's definitely not flattering, "--puddle of mammoth vomit. So, as Aleksei mentioned," A tip of her chin toward him, "we were doing a personal ritual, which involved...not summoning Wolf, really, not *exactly*, but calling out to her, to hear what we had to say. I've done it a few times now, and every time she's turned up, it's been in person. Physical. *This* time," a breath. "This time it wasn't. She wasn't really here. And, further, she wasn't alone. There was a whole damn forest of them, all of the animal Primordia of Nefer'khat gathered together, even if only in image. I cannot stress how fucking important that is. I'm not sure it's happened since Dawnhome was destroyed. They all turned up, they all had messages." She pauses, though only for a moment.

Fairen checks willpower and etiquette at daunting. Fairen is successful.

Fairen manages not to make extremely rude faces at Sen'azala for THROWING his NOTEBOOK in her own Embassy. Somehow.

"Just remember that Queen Symonesse sacrificed a lot of items containing primum to do those shields," Lou says in remark to Eirene's mention of contacting the Queen. "Which included at least one Dragonweep I gave her for the task of helping against him. So she may need other like items to do it as safely as possible for herself, which isn't safe at all because. . . magic takes a lot out of a person. So, if anyone has additional items they'd be willing to sacrifice that aren't meant to be used as a useful weapon or item that can protect the city, now would be the time to see she gets them to aid her in this task."

2 Armed Confessors have been dismissed.

Angwyn the otter have been dismissed.

Mordred have been dismissed.

Abner have been dismissed.

Capt'n Waddles the small cock with a bell have been dismissed.

2 Rivenshari Clan Guardsman have been dismissed.

2 Redrain Guards have been dismissed.

2 Telmarine Guards, Squall arrive, following Tesha.

Squall have been dismissed.

2 Telmarine Guards have been dismissed.

Alberico, the Malespero aide, 1 Malespero Guard, Louis, a Malespero Armsman, Mar, the Magpie arrive, following Pasquale.

Eirene says, "The good news is it's a smaller area, and we have more people with access to their own power to help this time." She smiles faintly at Lou but nods, the comment taken into consideration. "I mean, my husband can make shields, albeit small ones. Nothing so grand as an entire district or city, and those of you who were there saw what it cost him."

"Honestly, we should be calling for every piece of every magical material we can spare to power the defenses," Aleksei says frankly. "Not just dragonweep. Things like alaricite might be better served as weapons and armor, but all of those materials that have /primum/ in them? We should be setting them the fuck on fire for power."

Willen arrives, delivering a message to Eirene before departing.

Medeia suddenly sits up a bit straighter, looking directly at Aleksei. Her head tilts, nut still she says nothing.

"Would it be possible to move the vulnerable stuff into the palace?" Ian asks, stirring finally. "Make the area that need to be warded a little smaller?"

Eirene says, "Hand over all that pretty pyreweave, we're going to set real shit on fire... " she finds that funny, briefly, but it quickly fades. Back to business mode. "I'll advise the queen we will try to make sure she has everything she needs. If she can't do the Palace District as a whole, than just the palace should be helpful."

Daoud, a Harrow Banshee arrives, following Cufre.

Wyla passes a missive to Keely, whose brow slowly crinkles as she scans it. She then slips from her seat, and the Embassy, as unobtrusively as possible.

Keely has left the Table in the middle.

Wyla, a small wisp of an assistant leaves, following Keely.

Daoud, a Harrow Banshee leaves, following Cufre.

Raven says, "There are rituals godsworn can do to protect armor or enhance gear but it's temporary. A week at most and limited by the effort and number that can be done in a given time."

Sen'azala seems to recognize that she just dropped her information into the middle of an ongoing discussion about a different part of the topic, so she stops, waiting with what can only be described as 'aggressive levels of energy'. She doesn't *pace*, but with the way she rocks on her heels, it's apparently only with great effort.

"Let's not fret the details. We have to deal with the big picture here. Or it'll be too much. We can delegate details later," Sorrel points out firmly. "Let's go back to what the Primordia had to say. And others with information regarding the opposition."

Fatima nods to Sorrel, then looks to Sen'azala. "I would be interested to hear what the Primordials had to say."

Donella has left the Table in the middle.

3 Last Watch Sentries have been dismissed.

2 Redrain Guards have been dismissed.

Old Nan, a mostly harmless old woman have been dismissed.

Donella has joined the Table in the middle.

Old Nan, a mostly harmless old woman have been dismissed.

Lou goes back to Sen'azala's original topic and notes for the group. "I was also there, as one of Sen'azala's companions, for the meeting of the Primoridia. I briefly mentioned it, but didn't want to go into all of the details so Sen could make mention of it if she wanted, since it originally involved Wolf. Deer was the primorida that came and spoke to me. Her message was about Eurus, in particular. The resistance is headed toward Caer'alfar or may already be fighting there and they are working with Calithex and his band of dark elves to fight the good fight there. Meanwhile, The Prophet of the Sands and the Dune Emperor, Alaric III, have put together a massive army to fight the resistance in Caer'alfar. The resistance is protecting some very, very super important people there. The armies of Eurus are also flying Azaze;

Lou goes back to Sen'azala's original topic and notes for the group. "I was also there, as one of Sen'azala's companions, for the meeting of the Primoridia. I briefly mentioned it, but didn't want to go into all of the details so Sen could make mention of it if she wanted, since it originally involved Wolf. Deer was the primorida that came and spoke to me. Her message was about Eurus, in particular. The resistance is headed toward Caer'alfar or may already be fighting there and they are working with Calithex and his band of dark elves to fight the good fight there. The resistance is protecting some very, very super important people there. Meanwhile, The Prophet of the Sands and the Dune Emperor, Alaric III, have put together a massive army to fight the resistance in Caer'alfar and go to the place where Tyranny is being held. The armies of Eurus are also flying Azazel's banner."

Fatima listens serenely to Lou's statement, and gives a nod of her head. Even this doesn't seem to surprise her. The Queen of Petrioch seems to have quite the network of information available to her, if she already knew that.

Ian raises a hand. "Anyone have an idea about how to get reinforcements to them? Not to fight other battles in Eurus, but as reinforcements to King Calithex?"

Fatima rises to her feet finally, and looks to Ian. "I have gathered many to my cause in Eurus," she says, speaking calmly, her voice serene. "Thousands upon thousands of ships now sail into the Bay of Thrax, awaiting my orders to sail. We are the reinforcements." She resumes her seat. It's simple and sweet. Indeed, the Bay of Thrax is already crowded with ships, and beyond.

"I think the fact that the Primordia came to us, spoke to us, also means they want to /help/ us however they can. They just can't at the moment." Lou also puts that out there. "The Primordia are Old Gods. There's no telling what kind of power Azazel's barrier would give him if he ate one of the Old Gods." She lets that sink in.

Sorrel pulls out her mace and bangs it against the table she is sitting at. It makes a loud noise but it only damages the surface mildly; she called it Percussion for a reason. She gives Ian a look and a small smile. "Pardon, but that is DETAILS, and those can be worked out with Princess Fatimah later. Hear? FATIMA is our EURUSI contact, and she will discuss details not at this meeting." A pause, then she motions to Lou and Sen.

Fatima nods to Sorrel, and adds politely, "I will be holding my own War Council tomorrow. Any here are welcome to attend."

"I didn't explain what the hell primordia are," Sen says, with realization, once Lou has spoken. "Right, right okay, backing up for two seconds. Primordia: every primasen - kingdom - of Nefer'khat is unique, and every single one of them has a primordia, one of the First Children, from which all members of that primasen descend. Literally descend. No, I'm not getting into mechanics. In this case, I'm talking about the animal spirits, not just Wolf, but *the* *First* Wolf, not just Bear, but *the *First* Bear, and so on. Every wolf spirit, every wolf, they all come from her. She was the first. The same with the rest. There are...I don't know how many. I don't know how many turned up, I didn't have the opportunity to count. A forest. Like I said. But these are Primal Spirits, the oldest of the Old Gods. But, as I said, that was...that might be the first time since well before Nefer'khat existed."

"Anyway," she continues. "They turned up. They had a message. They showed us things. Me, I looked into Grandmother's eyes and..." She trails off. "That's always how she's spoken to me. I look into her eyes, and I see things. Memories, thoughts. This time, I saw a mirror, with the fate of every single thing written on it. Destiny died again, as it did at Harrow Hall, and the mirror shattered into infinite fragments, infinite possibilities. I saw us fight. I saw us fail. I saw everyone I know die again, and again, and *again*," there's a visible tightening, a wrestling with her thoughts, "...I think I might have gone a little insane. We lost, every time, every single time, no matter what we tried, except for *one*."

Ian gives Fatima, and then Sorrel, a weary look, but he doesn't say anything more at present.

Titus frowns at Sorrel.

Fatima listens quietly to Sen'azala, now hanging on the Prima's every word.

Calista sits up straighter now, engrossed by Sen'azala's story. She's waiting on the *one*.

Thesarin has joined the Table near the back.

Caspian quirks an eyebrow, quizzical as he looked to Sorrel before shaking his head slightly and listening to Sen

At his table, Apollo sits a little straighter at Sen'azala's last. That /one time/. His eyes cut to Duarte; he looks like he could spit.

Thesarin listens, draws a deep breath, and exhales slowly. There's a hint of a smile on his face, as though he somehow finds this amusing. "...well, ain't keep us supended. What's the one?"

Eirene arches her eyebrows. "Well, how do we come out on top," she also inquires.

2 Culler Brutes, 1 Culler Boatswain, Clowder of the Nine, they have been fed don't let them trick you arrive, following Raja.

2 Culler Brutes have been dismissed.

Clowder of the Nine, they have been fed don't let them trick you have been dismissed.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Lou before departing.

Sen'azala inhales, and then she loses the battle with her attempts to avoid pacing. She paces. She paces back and forth, like an angry, caged tiger, with just as much promise of impending violence. "In this one...we still lost holdings. A lot of them. Some just overrun, some sacrificed in order to buy time. It's going to be bitter victory at best. We bought time for defenders to gather at Arx, and not just the Compact, and not just the Abandoned. There were dragons overhead, with riders I knew, though I can't tell you who it was; nothing is written, I doubt they had actual identities. The Primordia, the First Children, were here. Here. Here on Arvum. Here in the *city*, defending it. Then I saw myself, I saw friends, I saw Grandmo--Wolf, and an honor guard of elite khati forces defending the Thinnest Point itself. Basically," she halts herself. "If we can figure out some way to get them here, Nefer'khat will come. I don't know how many, but, as I said, there was a *forest* of Primordia. Even one would be massive aid. I don't know if they'll bring their people with them other than the ones I saw. I don't know if they can. But that's the message. They're there. They'll come. They'll fight with us. Nefer'khat has *never* done this. They've never come in force, never this together. Not even during the Reckoning."

Donella says, "Then now is an ideal time for firsts, before they become lasts.""

Lou notes to Sen'azala, "Someone mentioned that if an Arvani bonds to outsiders, that those outsiders can come into Arvum."

Sen'azala says, "Yes. And I don't know what that entails, but..."

Sen'azala says, "...It might mean I can't stay here."

"Like Eidolons?" Apollo wonders, from his spot at that table at the front.

Raja is late to the party. She slips in silently, moving to the corner to take in what is being said. Her dark gaze looks around the room and spies some familiar faces. "Excuse me. Pardon me." She says politely as she makes her way through the crowd to join a table.

Pasquale suggests "Perhaps it means becoming a Familiar."

Raja has joined the Table near the front.

Lou tilts her head at Sen'azala. "Which place do you call home in your heart?" It's a question simply asked. "And I would be willing to travel to Nefer'khat to potentially make that bond. I imagine for any of the animals themselves that exist there, it might require a familiar bond? But for the rest I cannot say."

"How is /anyone/ getting to these places and /back/ before Azazel is here?" Aleksei says, /clearly/ stressed about this point. "Pyrite could maybe help, but only if we get there /and/ back. /Nefer'khat/ could maybe help, but probably the same?" His fingers drag through his hair. He'll just pull it out. That'll help.

Fortunato makes a throat-clearing noise. "I know this may be getting into details, but yes, travel is stressing me out, too." He suddenly has an expression, although it's a bit /too/ sudden. Just there. A crooked smile.

Lou looks over at Aleksei, "There's /maybe/ a way." She gives him a significant look, then points upwards. That look seems to also include Sorrel. "If permission can be obtained."

Eirene makes a swooping gesture with her hand at Lou. Like something that flies. Helpful as that is. Then she shrugs and goes back to being largely quiet save a few whispers to her Riven kin.

From the table where he's settled, Patrizio's looking up for a moment at the discussion of getting to far-flung places... but that's only for a moment, before he's back to his writing in the folio. So, so many notes.

Titus lifts a hand from the very far back.

Sen'azala's lips press together. "...Home," she says, much slower, "is where you stand. That's what my people...the people who raised me, the Wolfkin--" There's a visible flinch, "that's what they used to say. And, as a tribe, it was...home is where you stand *together*." She looks at Lou. She looks at the rest of the room. "I choose to stand here. I chose on the Blood Moon. Home is here. With you."

Caspian looks to the others, and reaches down to a small pouch on his belt. he was about to speak, when Titus raises his hand. he pauses, looking to the Warmonger to hear what he had to say.

"There used to be a talent known as the Farseer." Pasquale notes. "And it is said that they could enable those bound together to walk through mirrors to reach each other. Perhaps if we can revive that talent we can use it."

"Then you are tied to Arvum." Of this Lou seems certain. "But, also, if that doesn't work, you've a good number of friends that would also maybe work with you to solidify that to be certain."

Raven is just listening to all of this, frowning deeply and shifting restlessly in her seat.

Medeia speaks up to Aleksei's question. "My understanding is that the Nox'Alfar have sails that make their ships faster. We should consider speaking with Archduchess Jaenelle about such things."

Lou looks to the back. "We still have a few people in line, Lord Titus, but if you have something to say on the current topic, please do so."

Raja glances to Pasquale at his words. However, she remains silent, turning to look to the various folk around her as they speak.

"Alright, the travel is details, but I'll talk to some folks. See if we can't work some things out," Sorrel notes seriously to Lou. "And yeah, let's muse on modes of travel. Lou, you want to head up this detail for more discussion after the meeting? Otherwise, I'll volunteer."

Lower, then, a side comment to Sen'azala, Fortunato says, "I know you'll stand with us. And we with you. This is the last moment." Three beats. "Thank you." More general. "I do feel a bit better knowing there /are/ means. If we want to, ah, slide that conversation into another meeting, perhaps we will not provoke Sorrel's wrath. As long as that discussion happens eventually, as in, soon."

Mia has, save for a few quiet murmurs among her own table, been silent for the entire duration of the meeting. But at the moment that Pasquale mentions farseeing, her eyes snap over to him. They narrow slightly with consideration, before she says, "There is also dreamwalking -- a rare talent, but it was actions taken while dreamwalking that freed Oberion Thornweave from his chains, here in the very waking world. It might be possible."

Lou seems to take Fortunato's queue to heart. She also calls Duarte forward.

Turn in line: Duarte

A nod from Ian towards the discussion that's being tabled makes it clear that it's of interest to him, whenever or wherever it's picked up again.

Duarte stands and ... wow there a lot of people here. He has to follow Sen'azala?! He uh, clears his throat.

"Well...fuck Azazel, first and foremost.

"It has been noticed a distinct pattern with those refugees who have arrived to Arx in the midst of this. They, to the one, in all their forgetfulness, are drawn to the Archives and Shrine of Vellichor. Which, a good amount could be reasonably assumed but it seems without exception this is where they gravitate. It offers another potential angle of focus.

"The Mirrorguard was able to recover vast troves of knowledge and lore belonging to the Great Archives that Azazel stole. And maybe there are magical defenses in and among what we found? Maybe there are maps that could help? I don't know. It has not yet been inventoried. Perhaps worthwhile to sort through it all.

"But we have concluded that a favorite past time of his in particular was to take from the world stories of heroes and heroism. To denegrate these and make it seem as a thing that did not exist. So of course we will be indiscriminately releasing all we found to the broad public -" he just unilaterally decided that "-but for whatever it is worth, continuing to unearth what he's taken and offerings up to Vellichor may be...a thing to do? Especially for the pious like me. Amongst all the other things..." he motions to Fortunato, "...in the name of divine aide...." to Aleksei, "...the consolidation of magical things...to buy the time needed for..." he motions to Sen'azala.

Titus has joined the line.

"I think that anything that empowers Vellichor right now can only help," Aleksei says with an emphatic nod.

Titus pops himself from propping up the wall and makes his way to the line.

Lou looks around the room with regards to the maps. "If any among the Explorers would like to help with the maps, I encourage you to work with Lord Duarte."

Sen'azala shakes her head. "No, it's enough. It's more than enough. My people have been here for a thousand years, and I think the connection to Arvum that's required is a lot lighter than that." An eye narrows. "Well, this is *my* embassy," that she never uses, "so, I say, this meeting can go as long as people tolerate it. We don't have a ton of time anyway. But, yes, let's get through the main things, then details." She steps a little out of the center, then forces herself to find a seat. Not that she's likely to stay there, but she manages for the moment. Duarte is listened to with a considerable amount of intensity.

Sen'azala has joined the Table in the middle.

Caspian looks to lou, nodding as the talk of transportation moved on. he mouthed silently, 'we need to talk'

Lou also seems to do a double-take when mentions of heroism are brought forth. And how Azazel likes to eat heroes and deprive the world. "Maybe it'd be a good idea also to have someone catalog the tales of current heros," she suggests. Then she goes on to call the next person.

Turn in line: Titania

Donella inclines her head in appreciation, and rises from her place at the table. Not to be rude, but the North is HUGE and far-flung and the hour is late. So she slips out while she can to go address her Beard (Darren) and Princess Gwenna.

Donella has left the Table in the middle.

3 Last Watch Sentries, 2 Redrain Guards leave, following Donella.

Fatima looks around as people talk about modes of travel, but for now, she holds her peace. It is a problem to be addressed, certainly. If she has any ideas, she isn't speaking them here at the moment. She unlaces her fingers, leaning back in her chair and looking thoughtful as Sen'azala takes her seat. She inclines her head respectfully to the Prima.

Titania stands up when she is next to speak her intense ocean blue eyes look around the room, a every serious look to her eyes. "If any plan on doing anything naval wise its not safe. The water is lost this is the message I was sent to tell those of the compact, the Marin'alfar lost their battle with the Abyss. They have all but been wiped out, the Leviathan is free to roam the ocean. The abyss rules what's under the waves now, so if you are seeking to travel by ship or other means on the water you have been warned."

Lou glances over at Titania. "The Darkwater is gone. I don't know that it means it safe, but the Darkwater, which answers to Leviathan, is gone."

Raja listens to the conversation around her as more and more tidbits of information paint a bigger picture. She leans towards Samira and shares a few whispers, then again with Apollo. When Lou mentions the Darkwater being gone, "I have also heard that from multiple sources."

"...has our enemy ate that one, too?" Thesarin speaks up from his spot at the table, looking over those in attendance.

Medeia listens attentively as Duarte speaks, then she looks to Lou. "In recent months, I have been naming Heroes of the Realm and commissioning installations for the Saikland Remembers Archive. I am open to taking additional names and resharing the current list."

Preston looks at Titania and then across at Aleksei and then to Sen "Do we know if the Abyss as a whole is behind Azazel on this? If others oppose him, as some opposed Orichalcum, then perhaps we can obtain advantage by seeking the intercession of those Gods opposed by the Dark Reflections who themselves oppose Azazel? The Gods act to help us, their counterparts are then free to act...in opposition to Azazel. I have never much minded the Abyssal killing one another."

Apollo gives a little lift of his chin toward Thesarin. "I expect so," he says.

Medeia also adds, "I was told Leviathan was also eaten." Is it true? It's what she was told.

Mirk listens, silent for a long time, and says, "I'd like to volunteer the Spirit Walkers for any attempt to reach Nefer'khat. There are those among us who may be able to bond to one of the Primordia, and perhaps some of us can stir the more...elemental Primordia into action. The ones that don't take animal form."

Fatima looks to Titania, and then sighs softly and rises from her seat. "It is true, the Darkwater is gone," she says calmly. "As are the Marin'alfar." She gives Titania a little frown, and then she looks back to the others. "Azazel is not behind the Darkwater's disappearance as far as I know. I do know, however, that we may still be able to sail safely to Eurus. I would not risk the thousands who have agreed to join me, if it were not so. I am still determining the best course of action on it. But I believe it will be possible."

Turn in line: Titus

"He keeps /eating/ the other Archfiends, so." Aleksei tips his head to Preston. "I don't imagine they're fans of his plan."

"They do not all, Carnifex," Duarte answers Preston. "Despair and Chaos, in particular. Corruption as well as not too keen on his intent."

"No," Sen says in answer to Thesarin, quieter now, though still quite audible. "Leviathan remains." She looks toward Preston, and then she lifts her chin. "The Abyss is even less happy with Azazel than they were with the Horned God, I expect, and that includes Baalphrigor. He's Tyranny. He can't rule over a world with no one in it. Same with the others. On top of that, he's eaten *two* Archfiends and almost certainly a demigod. He's devoured them, he'll devour more of them. No, the abyss isn't with Azazel, unless they're demon underlings or his cultists."

Lou inclines her head in thanks to Medeia when she mentions her project. "Multiple projects if the like would be better, I think. But that is a good start indeed!" She definitely seems pleased. When someone asks if that means Leviathan is dead, she simply says, "It could be Leviathan just receded the Darkwater for some reason. I would not simply assume that he's just gone."

"Certainly," Apollo says. "Certainly a demigod."

Sen'azala gestures toward Apollo.

Titania shakes her head falling silent and sitting back down ad looking to Sen nodding her head to her.

Titus says to the group at large, but he's looking to Lou more. "You do not have time on your side, but you do have the past. Travel will be a problem because it eats time and there is no way to traverse the Mourning Sea, the Darkwater and beyond from Arvum to Eurus and then bring allies back to Arvum in time by conventional seagoing vessels. However, I believe a few here know of things now lost, neglected and in ruin, there is a way to travel instantly from far off places like Nefer'khat, or Eurus or Jadairal and other places and in one moment, step here to Arvum. It would most likely require the assistance of highly skilled artificers that the Nox'alfar allies might have with them, and a significant portion of primum to repair as we wouldn't have enough power to keep them open always, but we only need them open for but a moment. If they were repaired just enough, the bridges of Whitepeak could be a way to bring our allies from far far away to here in time. Of course, Whitepeak has been chewed on."

"The second point is that there are others who have no desire to see the Devourer consume the world. He has made bitter enemies among the Abyss and the Gods, not all are desiring to see a world destroyed to satiate his appetite. Set aside for now the differences and embrace the idea that when darkness threatens to consume the entire world, we are either assisting the great Devourer or we will fight him. Those who would stand on the side to fight him might have been your enemies yesterday, just like myself, but today they can be your ally. It will take nearly everything to stop him, or he will consume everything. Either way, it is best to allow those who would help you...to help."

Thesarin has left the Table near the back.

Oura, a white-tailed eagle have been dismissed.

Valor, a juvenile male Oakhaven Bloodhound have been dismissed.

2 Greenwood Tribe Blood Warriors have been dismissed.

"The Forth Law of Limerance remains, and /will be enforced/" is Preston's answer to Titus' proposition "We do not save ourselves by losing ourselves."

"It's not just a matter of Whitepeak being chewed on," Lou says in Titus's direction. "It's determining how dangerous the place might still be. What might still linger there. It wasn't a shardhaven, so whatever was there might still linger. Also, the place has been completely stripped by any ounce of Primum that was there and all of the bridges were broken. Those bridges were constructed by the Metallic Order as a whole. There are only two artificers I know if in Arvum. One is indisposed. The other may not wish to out themselves." There are probably more, but Lou doesn't know of more than the two. "I can't imagine what kind of time it will take to rebuild the bridges from scratch."

Thesarin has joined the Table near the back.

Fatima glances from Preston, to Lou, and then to Titus. She resumes her seat with a calm precision of movement, folding her hands in her lap.

Damien Pierce - A Charming Assistant, Biorna - The Protective Mastiff, Lord Adriano Magnotta - Commander of the Magnotta Marines arrive, following Mikani.

"I have access to something that was used to boost someone's existing talent for teleportation," Sen says, suddenly sounding a little weary. "It's still functional, but it's also not something we can use. It requires someone who already knows how to do it and can do it at long distances. Even if the person who *did* know how to use it was here, they wouldn't be able to move *armies*." She looks toward Preston. "Preston...this is not the time. We all need to stand, all of us. *All*. They're here anyway, they're fighting for survival *anyway*, and if we start drawing lines in the sand of who gets to fight with who in this battle, we will all lose. If the Faith can deal with multiple Primal Spirits turning up in *Death's city*," she doesn't finish that thought. "That goes, more broadly, for the Abandoned," this, she's directing at the room as a whole. "People, maybe not people in this room, but people with authority, are going to start saying that it's a good thing if Azazel kills every last Abandoned for them. They're going to insist they only have to help their own. Putting aside how fucking stupid and cruel that is, *we will all lose* if the Compact stands alone. You don't, you *do not* want to see what that looks like. The possibility where we won was ugly enough."

Ian takes note of Raja's arrival and, bracing on the table, he pushes himself to his feet again and threads his way around to talk with her.

Ian has left the Table near the back.

"Well 'n true," Thesarin says from his seat toward Preston, "but might be, should Mirror-spawn make way to help on their own accord, it'd hardly be clever to turn 'em away." He's quiet a moment, and takes another deep breath in through his nostrils and lets them out slow. "...so have we got some great Working we're aiming to achieve, this time? More great powers from days unknown to end this enemy? A champion of his that the Twelve and One might grant Paladins to overthrow? Or is it simple as cutting our way through every nightmare shat out from the Shardhavens with steel and blood?"

Raja leans over to whisper to Ian in quiet tones to reply with whatever is being told to her.

Fortunato's expression is flat and dull again, essentially gone. "We have no time. This is already a catastrophe beyond catastrophes. I have lived my life wanting to prevent these losses, of Compact and Abandoned and all-alike, and I imagine I am far from the only one. We have not prevented. I don't know that we were capable. At this point, we are trying to have another set of dawns. To that end, we certainly can't afford warring against people within our own walls."

"We've delayed," Sen says, quiet again. "Even Copper could only delay this, and it killed her."

Lou rises from her seat to whisper something to Sen'azala. There's a thought process going on here.

"If they, by their own choice, fight Azazel - that is one thing. If we make deals with them to do so, that is another more problematic thing." Preston answers, nodding to THesarin before he looks at Sen "It is always the time, Prima. We swear our oaths, and must hold to them. But, there is still ways without breaching that line - and we can act trusting the Abyssal forces against Azazel to fight him. I have always found them a most reliable enemy, they are always very much themselves."

Raja blinks at Ian. She nods, her eyes looking as if she has a plan formulating.

Fatima glances between the different speakers from beneath the veil of her lashes, and then she rises gracefully to her feet. "I do apologize," she says, her voice somehow carrying over the others for a moment, in spite of how calmly she speaks, "but I must depart. So I will make my comments brief. I go to Eurus, not just for a throne. I go to join the Seraph of Death and others in their fight. I have a means to do so probably quickly and safely, and a possible means to return quickly. These things should not trouble you," she says serenely. "For now," she says, "I have other meetings to attend. I wish those of you staying to defend the Thinnest Point the greatest success. Those who wish to attend my War Council regarding the Eurusi offensive tomorrow may do so." That said, she inclines her head respectfully once again to Sen'azala, and then she turns to take her leave. Her rather large entourage files out of the antechamber after her.

Fatima has left the Table in the middle.

Ian leans on the back of Raja's chair while engrossed in a whispered conversation with her.

Raja nods to Ian. A hand is gently laid on the man's arm in a gesture of gratitude.

Medeia has left the Table off to the side.

Mara, the loyal lady's maid, 3 Thrax Guards, Saroch, an officious-looking aide, 1 Thrax Elite Guards, Gula, a fat gila monster wearing a tricorn, 3 Eurusi Consulate Recruits, 2 Eurusi Consulate Guards leave, following Fatima.

2 Saik Guard, Celina, a dutiful physician's assistant, Giancarlo, a cooper and prize-fighter, Fatima leave, following Medeia.

Ian gives Raja's shoulder a brief squeeze before returning to sit down.

Ian has joined the Table near the back.

Raven has left the Table off to the side.

3 Black Fleet Reavers, Moonsilver, the pale-feathered raven leave, following Raven.

Eirene says, "Right so. Arx. This is our priority HERE. I understand her rationale but we need to focus on saving the Thinnest Point and our own people. To answer Thesarin's question, I don't believe we've gotten word of a herald or champion. Those that March under Azazel's banner carrying his Mouth as their standard and it's his ACTUAL mouth, it can eat shit up."

She lets this bit of horror sink in. "So we have multiple armies, multiple allies who need a... connected partner to join the fray? Do we know how the Primals can do this? If their help is the ONE THING we can do to pull off a victory, how do we do it?"

"I know that Primal

Sen'azala frowns (more) at whatever Lou says, and responds quietly in turn, before nodding to Fatima, and looking back to Preston. "*You*," she says with faint emphasis, "swear your oaths. But, no, I'm not expecting compromise, or more than a very temporary alliance of convenience. No templars summoning demons or praying to Despair. After is after, and we can all worry about that when we're alive and counting who else might be." Pause. "Besides, between the Abandoned, any Nox that remain, the dragons, and any khati that we can manage to bring in...this city is going to be *stuffed* with heretics. That'll be lots of fun." Ooh, sarcasm. "My hard line though, my absolute draw, is that *no one* uses nethicite. It's lethal to the Dream, not just magic. I don't know what it does to khati and I've never wanted to find out, but nothing good. The Primordia would be even worse. Anyone using magic. Any magical defenses we might bring. Anyone who has nothing to do with magic at all but would someday like to dream and feel joy again." She looks to Eirene. "I...don't. But I don't think they'd have given that message if they didn't know something was required. As I said, Wolf has always turned up in person. None of them were actually here. I didn't know why, but since Khanne told me about that barrier..."

"I know that Primal Spirits, like dragons, can take humans as familiars," Mirk says with a shrug. "And that is likely a sufficient bond. There are other ways to bind souls together, but I don't know which will work with Old Gods and humans, and which are sufficient."

Mikani has been here the whole time. She's just quiet and listening in the back.

Apollo, no longer looking like he ate a whole plate of sour grapes, listens carefully, but lifts his voice at what Sen'azala says. "Is Azazel not part of the Dream, Prima?"

Sen'azala says, "We're all part of the Dream. Killing ourselves and our allies and our defenses and our offenses *and* this city for a chance at killing him is not an option. I don't even want to know what it would do to the Thinnest Point."

"I do recognize that the Faith simply wished to reiterate that to consent to an alliance for our mutual survival does not also connote any sort of temporary permission for the Faithful to create new pacts with the Abyssal powers," Fairen observes evenly. "I am certain that those powers wish not to fall to the Devourer's predations just as much as we do and will work just as hard as we will to prevent it, and a functional alliance built on those shared aims can, and indeed will HAVE to work for our efforts to triumph. Just as I am certain that should we triumph beyond all the present odds against it, at some point afterwards they will return to prioritizing their own particular aims over our well-being as before. In short, now is a poor occasion to start treating your soul recklessly, and please don't."

"If Nethicite could destroy the Thinnest Point," Apollo says, "Azazel would have no trouble at all doing anything he liked. There's plenty of it in the world. And the world persists."

Patrizio is listening mindfully from where he sits, and for the moment, his stylus is still. Perhaps it's easier to grasp some of these concepts he's hearing if he's not writing at the same time.

Ian settles back into a watchful (but disreputable looking) slouch once again after retaking his seat.

"I would rather not die to nethicite or kill our allies with it, thank you," Fortunato suddenly crankies. "I'll keep in touch if I learn anything else," he abrupts, and departs.

Fortunato has left the Table in the middle.

Ugarte leaves, following Fortunato.

Sen'azala stares at Apollo. "...Do you really think I will be able to convince *any* Primordia, even my grandmother, to come here if they know we're going to light off some nethicite bomb, or whatever you're thinking of?"

Mikani has joined the Table near the back.

Sen'azala says, "They don't come back. They're risking their entire selves as it is. There will be more stars in the sky before we're done, unless we're very, very lucky."

Pasquale listens for a bit before saying "I don't believe anyone is talking about using nethicite in Arx. Let us move on?"

Apollo's lips press. "I think you've misunderstood me," he says. "I have no plans involving a nethicite anything. But it does not serve us to speak in hyperbole. If it could destroy the Thinnest Point, that would be Azazel's plan, as it is plentiful and largely unguarded."

"There is a difference Prima between those who believe differently, Shamans or whoever, or those from without the compact, and those powers and beings born from beyond the mirror. I have no particular love of the Nox - they spend their time pointing and screaming at me, it is very off putting - but I dont think I've ever tried to kill them or get upset at deals with them" Preston points out before he hrms "Well, I suppose my soul might have tried to kill Nox, but that was for different reasons."

Raja continues to listen, her gaze shifting between one person and the next.

Eirene rubs her hand at her eyes. "So no making deals with demons, no nethercite. We got it." She nods at Pasquale. "How do we bond with these First Children, these old gods so we can bring them here? Do we take volunteers? Do we know their names so we might make a list and find good 'matches?" She's trying to stay focused. "Do we have any resources other than ' this needs to happen?' "

"Most of the folk sitting here might've had some cause to kill each other, some point in our lives." Thesarin gives a slow shrug of his broad shoulders. "Time like this, it ain't worth worrying on." He's quiet a moment, nodding toward Eirene, and looking back toward Sen. "...you said you'd a plan for reaching them, though it might keep you away. Is that aught there needs work on?"

"The obvious method is to allow them to take us as familiars," Mirk says with a shrug of a shoulder at Eirene. "Primal Spirits are capable of doing so with humans, though not all of them are capable of doing so without driving the human insane. There may be other methods, but that's the one that springs to mind."

"At what cost is my sanity in the face of such imminent dangers?" Duarte bravely inserts without necessarily volunteering for the soul meshing. But if his words can embolden /others/ to do it? Well, that's worth it.

Eirene points at Mirk. "Okay, so a solution. Next is HOW do we do this? Can we open a kind of connection to them and allow them to bond? Without the madness bit?" She shrugs as Duarte is all good with the madness. "Dreamwalking was mentioned?"

Sen'azala shakes her head again. "No, his plan isn't to destroy it, it's to enter it. I-" a glance toward Fortunato, "...Did you...?" She moves on. "Wherever you use it, it destroys the Dream. If you want a continent where anything can live afterward, I'd avoid using it unless you absolutely, absolutely have no other option and even *then*, it's a terrible fucking idea, and I would, personally, like to be a million miles away from any use of it, because that does not sound like a great way to die, and a worse way to live. Khati have the power of their Primordia in their blood." Focus, right. "I don't have a plan to get there, I was just...unhelpfully bemoaning something we can't use. There's one problem with the soul connection that I'm not sure has been mentioned, though. ...If, say, a dragon rider dies, so does the dragon. And...like I said...the First Children don't come back. A primasen can exist without its Primordia, but it would be like--" Pause. "I don't know what it would be like. I've never been there. But an enormous loss of something that can never be replaced, both for their children, for Nefer'khat, and for all of us. They'd be another star in the sky."

"I don't know," Mirk says simply, shaking his head. "I've been bonded as a familiar, and it happened in their presence. However, there is a way that druids and shamans once called to the Old Gods from true Groves, using those places as a thin point to call forth Old Gods in times of great crisis. Perhaps we could open a connection that way, though I don't know if we could reach the Primordia, particularly."

"Sounds like it comes more down to whether they'd be willing to volunteer than whether we would," Ian observes. "Probably going to be plenty of volunteers on our side."

"If the Primordia are willing to volunteer, they can't come to Arvum. Azazel will devour them. We'd have to go to them." Lou points out.

Speaking on the logistics of bonding with Primordia and other things... is out of Apollo's wheelhouse. And glancing at the door, it's also out of -time-; his assistant is gesticulating from over thataway. He murmurs his leave to his table, makes a mental note about some necessary missives, and heads out, offering a bow to Sen'azala as he goes.

Apollo has left the Table near the front.

Nomius, a deeply skeptical bloodhound, Siri, an attentive apprentice, Paris, a charming mercenary, Tagalong leave, following Apollo.

Lou also seems to be having a quieter argument with Sen'azala, with something of a determined gleam in her eyes.

"They've volunteered to come," Sen says, with a grimace. "I don't know if they're aware of methods. If it were possible to summon them, though, I'd think...well. Grandmother has always come here. She's been here three times before, in a space out there in the forest. Fox has turned up more than once wherever she damn well pleased, and no one expected her, let alone summoned her." There's a glance and a nod for Apollo, though distracted. She is, indeed, having some sort of side argument with Lou.

"While I doubt such an obvious loophole exists, it could not hurt to ask, as it may spur a different, better idea later," Fairen begins professorially, and continues. "This will all be oversimplified, certainly, but suppose via dreamwalking or whatever method of remote linkage is avialable, I leverage my House's traditional symbol of the eagle to connect my strong feelings to create a bond with the First Eagle, and so doing enable the Eagle to come here to Arx. Could the Eagle bring, say a few smaller Primordials with them, and thusly decrease the number of these connections we have to make? I suspect not, but I ask mostly to perhaps inspire someone who has a better theory of who to call allies in groups rather than one at a time."

Titania remains silent listening to the others talk back and forth, then something seems to click.

Duarte swallows a mouthful of teeth-milled nuts and gestures a pinky between Lou and Sen'azala. "Whatcha talking about?" he asks curiously.

Eirene nods at Mirk once more. "The Stone Grove makes sense." She shakes her head a little at Lou. "Then we circle back to How do we get there and back. I think summoning, maybe with the Marquis' idea of piggyback transportation may hold merit. I may be talking out my ass but if we can invite them, maybe in the grove, under the stars... call them with intent and offerings to connect to them... fuck if I know."

Sen'azala mutters, "Yes, ... that's...it's not ... ... ... like...I ... ... ... ... ... some ... metaphors better ... this. She could teleport herself, that's ... I ... joking on ... her cheating. ... ... even teleport herself that far on her ... it would ... be much, much, much more difficult, and take a lot ... out of ... Anyway, ... the ... am I supposed ... ... ... her ... her friend space-exploded herself ... sticking a finger into the spokes of a wheel on ... cart with a runaway horse?"

Duarte continues, "Because it sounds very interesting." He smiles amiably in that 'just curious' sort of way.

Caspian looks to Eirene, "If we are now discussing details, i may have a way of getting a few people there back. Not an army by any means, but say.. a ships worth."

Lou mutters, "I think it starts ... - we were having our own Reckoning. ... tried ... thing to help save the god damned world. It ... quite work as ... expected, but at least ... tried something because otherwise everyone was gonna die too? Gods. ... not ... to martyr myself, but I ... to ... fucking ..."

Raja has left the Table near the front.

1 Culler Boatswain have been dismissed.

Sen'azala mutters, "Yes, ... were having our ... ... and ... ... to help ... the gods ... world by being a gods ... moron in ... ... Lous often do! Kind of like *her* *come to ... of ..."

Pasquale looks around, frowns somewhat, and then walks out.

Alberico, the Malespero aide, 1 Malespero Guard, Louis, a Malespero Armsman, Mar, the Magpie leave, following Pasquale.

Sorrel has left the Table in the middle.

There is a moment when Lou gives pause at whatever it is Sen'azala says and then she just bold face laughs in a jovial manner. It's a good hearted laugh. A probably much needed laugh. "Can you suggest a better way?"

Mar, the Magpie arrives, delivering a message to Titus before departing.

Lou adds for the others who've asked, "I wanted to flirt teleportation as a means of Crossing the Threshold as a maybe way to try and do something bigger later. I'm fairly certain any magic I do will be tied heavily to exploration, because..." she shrugs. Explorer. "Sorry I derailed the meeting," her cheeks color and she looks sheepish.

Sen'azala scowls at Lou. "No! But...anything! Anyway, you can't space explode yourself because you looked at Deer and *I'm* going to pretend that's important." ...Oh. There was a meeting happening here. She clears her throat. "I don't know," is the answer to Fairen. "It's an eagle symbol, but not Eagle. This is all news to me too."

Ian looks up from a quiet discussion at his own table. "Just send word when you want to do the thing," he says to Lou. "I'm still down."

Mar, the Magpie arrives, delivering a message to Titus before departing.

Titus is this still a meeting? He listens to Caspian's offer and says "Let her highness Fatima know, brother. Or if you want, I can bring it up tomorrow at her war council on your behalf. There are some that need to get out of Arvum quickly, and it'd be an opportunity not to miss if that trip brought back beings that are needed here quickly while other methods are thought of."

Iliana watches with a weary look on her face as people argue back and forth, "I have seen memories of my past life and the first time around was pretty similar. Though I also saw the very last moment when they all spoke of hope and honor before they said their goodbyes, knowing that they were never to see eachother again. I would rather not relive the moments I did as Steel as Iliana, and would rather not die if I do not have to. I will, because it is within me to do so, but I dont want to. It feels like we are running in circles at this point and we have not been able to find any solution to any issue. Anyone? At all?"

Lou gives Ian something of a triumphant look when he /volunteers/ to let her try to space explode herself.

Eirene says, "So we have fielded magic spidersilk sails, teleportation, ritual invoking of a sort, and Titania has something to say about dolphins? And you too, Wild. We who are crazy enough to still be here May as well try to hash a plan." She gives Iliana a wan smile. "Imma tryin' here. But I may be spinning my wagon wheels, you're right."

"These meetings never have hard solutions," Mirk admits to Iliana with a sigh. "Mostly information and ideas, which together will coalesce into solutions later."

"Things that need marinade in our minds, that we come up with better solutions later." Patrizio speaks up from where he's been quiet for a good while, listening, and nods along with Mirk. "We haven't much time, but we have /some/ where we can regroup with our own, consider what's been proposed for ideas, gain new ones and new insights, and come back together."

Rochelle - a quiet Setarco courtier arrives, delivering a message to Patrizio before departing.

"Do not," Sen emphasizes toward Ian, "encourage her," though now she sounds far more exasperated than anything else. That laugh seems to have eased something in her as well. For the immediate moment, anyway. "We'll need multiple solutions. If I have to get to Nefer'khat, it's enormous. I don't even know where Dhiib'andzi is." She pokes at Lou. *Poke*. "If only someone could help me figure that oooout..."

Ian gives Sen a blithe shrug. He doesn't grin, exactly, but there is, for a moment, a glimmer of defiant mischief in his eyes that would probably pair well with a grin, if grinning were a thing he did a lot of.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Titus before departing.

Rochelle - a quiet Setarco courtier arrives, delivering a message to Patrizio before departing.

Denica stands up and slips out, giving a small wave to the folks still at her table.

Denica has left the Table near the back.

Stojan, a cleverly reserved assistant, 3 Thrax Guards, 1 Ulbran Thug, Sivas, an artsy ostentatious curator, Lady Snow, 1 Thrax Elite Guards, Cato, a stealthy non-descript man leave, following Denica.

"I am not judging, I am hoping," Iliana says with a shake of her head. "I am a soldier, and do what must be done when it needs to be, that is my strength and I am disappointed in myself that I have nothing to offer but to wait and see what other's come up with. I do hope that a single thought, a piece of information mentioned at random, will be the key to unlock something that provides a clear vision forward."

"How it sounds, this'll be solved in steel and fire and blood, when it comes to it," Thesarin says with another of his shrugs. "No way about that, it seems. We're talking of who we might find as allies, for we'll need all we can, and what preparations we might make. That's all the solution I reckon we'll find."

Eirene says, "Right, so if we're done with the greater discussion, I should go make preparations." She stands as Thesarin speaks. "We can go over the troop deployment and figure out who we will need sending."

"I can try to do that too, but you won't let me try to use the teleport system to get anyone there," Lou points out triumphantly also to Sen'azala. "What good is a map I can read going to do if we don't have a means to get there?" There's a pause, then a slight frown, then she turns her eyes on Caspian when she belatedly realizes his offer. "Wait, did I hear you say something about transporting people?" Not to be confused with teleporting people. She didn't catch all the conversation as she was fighting with Sen. "How?" She narrows her eyes slightly suspiciously. She knows things about Caspian and he know that she knows. Or, maybe there's a twinge of hope there.

Fairen nods lightly to Sen'azala. "It appears to me we are in the realm now where creativity is just as important as scholarship. My primary takeaway is that since the Primordials cannot answer if they are not called first, it's time to either develop or rediscover a few new methods of saying hello from a distance." Reassembling his pens and books and other stuff into his satchel, he rises and bows politely. "I have quite a lot of reading and re-reading to see to in the next few days. This conference has been quite illuminating in a number of regards, and I hope my contributions were adequate."

Samira has been following the conversation closely and occasionally jotting down notes, but a quietly delivered note tugs at her attention. She murmurs farewells to those seated near her and rises to make a quiet departure.

Samira has left the Table near the front.

1 Culler Boatswain, 2 Culler Midshipman leave, following Samira.

Caspian gives a nod, "its... not a perfect solution. But we could fly the Nightstar there. It can carry a good number, but it can fly for more than 8 hours before it needs to land. Still.. those 8 hours are VERY fast. in testing, i can make roughly across the entirety of arvum before needing a short period to.. refill we will say. If we hit a few islands along the way, we could get to Eurus inside a day, farther out would obviously require more time. but, its not good for carrying a lot of supplies. Most people, and what they can carry. So while it couldnt take an army, it could take a ship full of people."

Caspian gives a smirk, "i apparently triggered one of Brass's defense mechanisms when retrieving it. he said he could disabe, but doesnt have the time at the moment. hence.. the shorter flight times before needing a break"

Lou shakes her head at Fairen. "They can answer. They have answered. They just did not come as themselves. They... projected manifestations themselves? They weren't physically after Azazel put up his barrier that eats /anyone/ who doesn't call Arvum home." She looks back to Caspian, furrowing her brow and maybe NOT quite getting he's talking about a Different Nightstar. "I didn't ever experience that the Nightstar needed time to move places." She crinkles her brow in his direction, clearly misunderstanding him. She looks like she's on the verge of saying more, but stops herself before that.

Sorrel has joined the Table in the middle.

"Knowing where we're going is a little vital to getting there," Sen points out. "Anyway, you talked to Deer. Looked at Deer. Whatever. And Aleksei looked at Bear, and Tikva Nightingale. Grandmother talks to me like that, but I'm the last of her direct line. She could have given me all of it, or split it between us. Maybe it's because you were there and it doesn't mean anything else, but I'm pretending otherwise and you can't stop me." To what she says to Fairen, Sen only concurs with a nod. Caspian, then, drags her full attention. "...A second flying ship?"

Eirene is sadly out the door when this is said, otherwise she'd have comments.

Ian looks over at Lou. "Didn't you have some maps of the Sea of Storms? I remember you saying something about there being a few islands there. That might be another way to get people where they need to be."

Eirene has left the Table near the back.

Rochelle - a quiet Setarco courtier arrives, delivering a message to Patrizio before departing.

"Perhaps he could be persuaded to make time somehow? It seems like a useful bit of maintenance to arrange," Fairen observes to Caspian before giving one last bow and making his way home. For READING!

There is a wry smile from Ann when Caspian talks about Nightstar and for some reason she starts giggling.

Fairen has left the Table near the front.

Iliana has left the Table near the front.

Gunner, the Leary Military Adjutant, Emilie, a plump lady's assistant leave, following Iliana.

Grandt, Captain of the Leary Guard, 4 Leary House Guards, Harper, an overworked assistant, Iliana leave, following Fairen.

"Unfortunately," Sen says, "Copper was the only one who could do time magic. The only one ever. The magic went with her."

Caspian gives a Lou a shake of his head, "no i dont suppose Victus's would. but this isn't victus's. This is Cerdic's. The one that vanished after his death. Took a while to track it down, and a LOOOT of help from Brass. But i found it, and got it. I also.. shrunk it by accident. The defense that I mentioned. Went about trying to find some ways to get it back to full ize, but not much luck. i do though, have a way from Brass to grow it to full size for 8 hours. 8 hours of frankly astonishing speed after that, it shrinks back down and you had better be off it when it does. takes about an hour to get it back to full size and in the air again."

Sen'azala says, "Oh. Yay. Like flying on a dragon except the dragon turns into a mouse on a schedule. Flying and falling are two of my favorite things."

"We did manage to recover Thursday, Prima," Mia reminds her. Of course, whatever that actually means is up to interpretation for most of the meetings participants. There's a pause, before she adds, "And while no one else can manage time manage, there are useful lessons that can be extracted from the maintenance and restoration of those wards."

Lou turns her attention back to Sen, her face softening bit. "It might be because of Mason that Deer contacted me. I saw where he was born in Ahj'on. My children are potential heirs to the throne in Ahj'on, as Mason moved up from 78th to 12th and possibly even further. But I never want my children to go there and lead given all the problems there are there. They have only known and experienced freedom, which the former slaves there might resent. Nevermind that Alaric III is batshit fucking crazy." That is said more matter of factly. Poor Eirene missed her swearing a second time that night. "And I don't want them anywhere near /him/."

Lou pauses and stares at Caspian. "You found /the original Nightstar?/" There's a look of awe and wonder in her features. "I wonder if I'd be able to navigate that too. Although I imagine the map console might be very, very old, it may be the same as the on. . . " she stops there. She doesn't mention which one she navigates. She peers at Caspian. "You didn't try to ask Brass about the THIRD Nightstar, did you? I heard it's a very sore spot for him!"

Lou adds, as an afterthought, "I wonder if there any protections on the map console that would..... SEN!" Lou gets an excited look on her features. "I might be able to /look at Caspian's map console/ to see if there are /any VERY OLD MAPS/ there from when CERDIC EXPLORED."

"Ooh, there's a good idea," Sorrel notes, grinning suddenly at Lou.

"Nefer'khat," Lou adds, less excitedly.

"...a fox spake to me, after the Horned God died." Thesarin offers from his table, slightly hesitantly. "And knew my name, though I ain't know I'd met it afore. Might have done. Ain't know if there's any weight to that, but it happened."

Patrizio has left the Table in the middle.

9 First Legion Centurions, 3 Setarcan Royal Shields leave, following Patrizio.

The line has been dismissed by Lou.

Sen'azala snorts, darkly amused. "You know why? Because *she did that herself* at one point. Monday. I think. Or a color? I think Copper lost yellow at some point." Whatever musings those were, the sudden SEN from Lou has her nearly fall out of her seat. "LOU," she returns, in annoyance, but the rest does land. "...And he went to Nefer'khat. He was nearly murdered at the Primasen of Wolves." To Thesarin, she explains, "Not a fox. Fox. She's like that. She just...turned up, in the middle of howling Destiny dead."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Lou before departing.

Maureen, an unflappable nanny arrives, delivering a message to Lou before departing.

Titus collects a note and with that in hand, he heads out.

Lou is just about to turn toward Caspian to ask if she could, and there he goes slipping out the door. Whoops. She was, perhaps, too excited.

The more that the crowd thins, the more relaxed Ian seems to become as he listens. "It'd just about make his life if you guys all took a trip to nefer'khat," he says of Caspian.

2 Armed Confessors, Angwyn the otter, Mordred, Abner, Capt'n Waddles the small cock with a bell, 2 Rivenshari Clan Guardsman, 2 Redrain Guards leave, following Ann.

"He's been searching for that thing, forever. I just sent him a message, offering him an exchange he may not be able to refuse." Lou looks to Sen. "I think we also need to find out how many it seats. If we get a significant number of volunteers, and he's agreeable, and we ask any to bond as riders, familiars, or some other magical state, we could bring a bigger, more sizable force back with us?"

Sen'azala thinks for a moment, before she pushes up from her seat - more springs from it, sitting is the last thing she wants to do right now - and claps her hands together. Which prompts a wince. "Right, okay, meeting done. Officially, anyway, we can keep talking. I'm just...going to remove the sign." She's going to take a moment removing the sign, is what she clearly means. She heads that way.