'So the tale from the sea started before the issues with the Moonwell' Krisnen strokes his chin as he pushes the limits of his mind keeping all this information from getting jumbled. He addresses everyone in the room, "So was the troubles at Sea the first of the evil occurrences to begin?"

Quote from Madclergy >>

'So the tale from the sea started before the issues with the Moonwell' Krisnen strokes his chin as he pushes the limits of his mind keeping all this information from getting jumbled. He addresses everyone in the room, "So was the troubles at Sea the first of the evil occurrences to begin?"

OOC: I'll let some others chime in now

Fergus spent his time wandering the city, he noted the conditions in the noble's district and took stock of the various merchants. He walked the walls, noting the positions of guards, the timing of patrols, and the relative strength of the city's defenses. He kept to himself and spoke to as few people as possible, only asking for directions when he was uncertain. He stopped by the library and pursued any texts and maps relating to the geography of the island and the city. Finally, he returned to the inn and listened to what his companions had learned.

At the meeting he sat silently and observed the others, listening to the counsel of the king's advisers. Smiling inwardly at the Dwarf's sharp questions. No fool that one, best to remember that he thought to himself. Finally, he felt he had all the pieces he was going to be able to get.

Fergus rises and bows toward the King, "Your majesty, I listened to the sage counsel giving to you by the wise that surround your table. And while I would not disagree with anything they have said I should point out that it is what they have not said that should cause you grave concern. None have brought to your attention that Callidyr is under siege. And I don't mean that in any figurative sense your Grace. It cannot be a mere coincidence that the orc raids and the troubles at sea started at the same time. The orcs diminish your food stores with their raids on the surrounding villages while cutting you off from your valuable allies, the dwarven clans. The troubles at sea, this sea monsters and storms and who know what else cut you off from allies at Caer Corwell and Caer Westphal. And finally, a plague that is centered in the noble's district, where the knights and officers that lead your armies dwell."

"Your Grace, you must act and you must act now. You must call on your nobles south of the Swanmay to send food and soldiers. There is an invasion coming your Grace, from both the land and the sea and you must be prepared to deal with it. My companions and I can travel north, punch through the orc lines and reach the dwarves. I am certain my dwarven companion can convince them to send Callidyr aid; arms and armor along with men. And the Lady Jelenneth can provide Enog with everything she knows on reaching the ancient fey. Enog is the wisest man I have known and carries the best of both bloods in him. After we reach Clan Rookoath, we will return to the Dernall and find this ancient fey."

"This last thing that I ask of you my Grace, it will be the hardest, but I believe you are great King that loves his subjects and have the wisdom to see the truth in my words. Send the Storm Cleric to Norland to treat with the Northman jarls and beseech their assistance. The Storm Cleric is wise and knows that whatever evil threatens Callidyr will not stop on Alaron. He, by the blessings of the Storm Father, will show the jarls the truth. A great and terrible darkness comes this way your Majesty and by the Nine Hells only House Kendrick can stop it, but your Majesty must put aside old differences for now and do what must be done."

"That is all I have to say your Grace."

Fergus bows deeply toward the King before rising to his feet, spinning on his heel, and striding out of the great hall.

Though he has been silent through the meeting, the half orc has listened carefully to all that has been said. As Fergus turns to go, Enog Stormbringer comes to his feet. The storm cleric rises to his full hight of nearly 7 feet, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the council, I believe there is great wisdom in master Graysmith's  plan. However, I am now certain that between the evidence presented here and our own recent experiences that the root of the problem lies within the sea. We have seen, first hand, the incursions of the Sahuagin, in fact we've had multiple encounters with them. We have heard multiple reports from diverse sources, concerning the alarming rise in shipwrecks the waters of The Moonsea. Indeed we ourselves were shipwrecked on our voyage here, and likely would have been lost along with the vessel and crew who brought us here if not for the blessing of the True Tempest. We've run into a cult who may potentially be working with the goblins to murder families and abduct children to take them some lake in the Fairheight Mountains so that they may be "converted to the sea". I have found reason to believe that there may be some connection between this cult and Umberlee or perhaps one of her consorts. Mistress Tosscobble says the orcs are operating out of the Fairheight Mountains, perhaps even around the region of the lake that seems so important to this cult. If infact this cult is a cult associated with Umberlee and one of her consorts using the orcs to wreak havoc upon the land should not come as a great surprise. The involvement of Umberlee would provide plausible explanations for much of what has been described here this day, corrupting the Sea Fey, It would certainly be a tactical advantageous move by Umberlee or one of her consorts, if her goal is to destroy the Ffolk, the Fey, and the other free peoples of the Moonshaes, to separate you all from the blessings of your Earthmother. Opposition to your Father of Storms might be a reasonable motive, as both He and Umberlee both claim dominion over the power of the Tempest." Stormbringer remembering where he is manages to stifle a derisive snort at this idea. "As I said before I think that master Graysmith's plan is a prudent one, as the Orcs certainly pose the most immediate threat, and restoring the Ffolk's connection to the Earthmother will be an important aspect of achieving victory against the forces of Umberlee and her consort and restoring the balance to the Moonshaes." The huge half orc bows solemnly to the assembled counselors and takes his seat again.

King Kendrick listen carefully to the troublung news brought uo with the half-orc about the children abduction: " Did you find out where these children were supposed to be transported? "

Stormbringer rises again upon being addressed by the High King. "Yes your highness, as I said before we were told by the cultists that they were to be taken to a lake in the Fairheight Mountains. If your lordship requires greater specificity, perhaps I might be supplied with a map of the region. I feel a high degree of certainty that with a map I can determine the location of this lake." The half orc then bows to the king before seating himself again.

King Kendrik: " Ladies, Gentleman, please would you leave me alone with the adventurers? " Cora and Diero started a mild protest at leaving the king alone with strangers but with a sure look, both give up and follow the others in the anteroom of the Hall. With the King and the adventurers, Vondal and the guard remain in the Hall. " In all conscience, I can't ask you to do anything more for Callidyr, but if you decide to help us, all Callidyr and I will be forever grateful. As you heard there are two pressing matters. I'll leave it to you to decide how to approach them, but I'd advice you a bit of discretion. I can't say I trust everyone in the city." He pauses, leaving a moment to the adventurers to consider the proposal. " What do you answer?"

"M'Lord, Do you recognize this symbol?" Enog produces the compass from his pack beside his chair. "We found this among the effects of the cultists from whom we rescued the children." He moves to let the king inspect it. 

ooc: I'm wondering what everyone else thinks while I like Auberginian's plan, I think that splitting the party is a bad idea... If you guys want to go to check out this lake and the orcs before we restore the moonwells, that's fine with me, but I think it might be better to restore the moonwells first (or at least discover how, as that how may coincide with our other goals). To my thinking the restoration of the moonwells will open up an important resource for maintaining the city's ability to withstand these multiple threats.

King Kendrick: " No, I've never seen this before. Do you have any ideas about what it might mean? "

OOC: Personally I am of the belief we need to contact the fey creature first and restore the well, the Fey may be able to give us more information about the other goings on especially if there are some other fey who are pissy about the worship of the Storm God over them. 

OOC I am OK with either option.

OOC: Since none of thus thought process is being done IC, Fergus can't rebut. However, the IC text is: Fergus looks at his companions and says "You men head back to the inn and get your rest, we head out north at first light."

The OOC subtext is: 1st, we don't even know if this Fey creature exists, not even Poison Ivy knows for sure. 2nd, even if the Unicorn Lord exist it may not be able to help or worse yet not want to help. For all we know the Travelocity gnome poisoned the wells to punish the people of Callidyr for choosing some new Stormtrooper over JarJar Binx. But we do know that if we go north we can find Sarumans castle and kill some orc which will lead us to the lake where we know there is a tie to those cultist and that will probably lead us to the sea. Because I am dang sure we are going to have to use Captain Sparrows compass to find some boat with a octopus in charge and kill it before we are done. It is a much better use of our time than trying to.chase Lego Las thru the forest when we know he is on the boat with scissor hands and the chick that bends it like Beckham.

OOC: While I am not sure how to feel, I am going to upvote that post strictly because it contained so many of the tropes I enjoy.

"I belive it may be the sigil of a ancient being that styles itself as a consort of Umberlee." Enog says with hesitance. "I spent some time  training with the priests of Umberlee when I was younger, and this brings to mind stories I heard in there midst of something called the Slarkessel. Of course I cannot be certain my path led me from service to that foul ***** Umberlee long ago." The half orc shakes his head slowly as if trying to wake from a dream. "Perhaps I am wrong. I pray to the True Tempest I am..."

ooc: Like I said I'm willing to go with the flow, but I like restoring the moonwells first, despite the uncertainty.

King Kendrick now is shocked: " Slarkrethel ??? You think behind all this there is the Kraken society?"

"This must end. For all the good in the Isles. Please, let the Earthmother guide your steps. We all are in dire need of it."

With those words, Ling Kendrick dismiss the meeting. Vondal takes the adveturers at the gate and he, too, wishes them to find the right path to follow.

OOG So now you know what is going on in thr Moonshae Isles. What are you going to do?

"That King Kendrick, was a bit, short on words. I like him. So, where to?" Krisnen looks to his traveling companions, seemingly up for any challenge.

Standing outside the castle gate the half orc looks first to Sarmyar and then to Krisnen. "Well I suppose we must go find Fergus first," Enog says with a bewildered sigh. As the three set out for the inn, Stormbringer adds, "And before we get there we need to decide whether we're going to follow his plan or another course of action. Because if we're not going to go along with his lead, we need to have an alternative plan in place or he'll end up steering us back into his plan likely as not.. Personally I'd like to get to the bottom of this moon well issue before we move to take on the orcs, but what say you two. I would hear your councils before we make a decision." As he says the last bit the half orc looks at Sarmyar.

"If the moon well is being poisoned, I must respond to that first"

Krisnen nods, "Curing the moon well and possibly gaining the insight of a Fey creature seems like a chance we should take. This town won't be able to defend itself if the plague continues to spread."