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Rogue Skull
Posted: 18 Mar 2006 05:18 AM |
A floating skull was seen roaming around Buckshire and Port Royale. It chattered wildly to anyone who would listen, saying that the Aristi are hiding in the northern Midor mountains in a place called Haven, darrrling! And it's a marvellous and well-guarded little place, but oh, if you travel along the east coast of Midor to a bay called Ikarian Bay, where there are metal ships on the water, that's the way you get in, through the Hush Tunnels!
It was last seen on the streets of Port Royale.
The credibility of the story, of course, is tenuous. And really, who cares? |
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Nothing There
Posted: 20 Mar 2006 04:56 PM |
Hush...
No tunnel exists, although some swear there was an entrance there before.
And yet... no one saw or felt the rock change. There is no sign of a cave-in; the opening simply is not there. Nor have there been any quakes.
In the meantime, a pretty bunch of rare flowers continues to flower untouched, tucked away in a niche on the lower bay. |
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A Message Left at Tower Ladriel
Posted: 21 Mar 2006 02:07 AM |
*the message is written in a quick scrawl*
Black Hand knows about tunnels & Haven.
Woman threatened: Lady Adams.
animate skull Esmarelda (former paladin? lost to nailamne, father duvados knows more) is in hands of BH. it seems to know lot about tunnels.
suggestion: collapse tunnel to ikarian bay.
question: destroy skull?
Sir Markus M. |
CHOO CHOO!
- - - - - -
Bereil Yadashem.
Markus Mortriety, Herald of Novus Aristi. |
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Decisions
Posted: 21 Mar 2006 08:00 AM |
Maddison had brought the news to Phillippe. With Blanche abroad and Byron off on a mysterious matter of personal honour, Lillian had recognised that she was in way over her head, and had promptly gone to Phillippe and come as close as he had ever seen to pleading that he take command of the Novus Aristi along with Perriand Goodman.
He spent most of the afternoon at the manor questioning Father Duvados closely about the skull. That evening, he made his way to Haven and was confronted with some surprising reports. By the next day, he was beginning to see why Lillian had become perpetually frazzled. He had to do a lot of unnecessary running around that simply could not be delegated in order to make a simple decision; they were still relying on runners and letters, and it simply wasn't efficient enough. That morning he had to go back to question Duvados again on some things he'd missed; it was Duvados who pointed out that he had resources on hand that he could have used: there were two capable illusionists and a tower full of mages keen on helping them out. Too little, too late, but the inefficient communication system was something he intended to do something about when he next saw Xaranthir.
The chain of command was also something he intended to do something about. Lillian hadn't been the only one that it had been nagging at for months, but until now, there had been little Phillippe could actually do about it. With two High Captains now in charge, all that was going to change.
On the afternoon of that second day, he called Maddison and a few of the other field leaders over, as well as Father Duvados.
"We need to find out the location of that skull," Phillippe told them after giving a quick run-down of the essential facts. "I want all field personnel on the lookout for it. Our allies should be informed as well, but be discreet. We've had too many wannabe vigilantes trying to operate independently and that is what got us into this in the first place. We do this by the book. We do it properly. You are not amateurs, you are not mere footsoldiers, you are Heralds. I want that point made very clear to the others when you inform them."
He paused. "Further information on the skull is on a need-to-know basis. We've had too many leaks as it is, and far too many breaches of protocol. I will be drawing up some standard operating procedures. In the meantime, all you must know is this: do not approach the skull if you see it. Assume that it is extremely dangerous—far beyond the ability of any of you to apprehend. Do not let anyone know that we are seeking it out or it could jeopardise our chances of ever finding it and doing something about it. Make sure you pass that information on."
~*~
The others had gone to inform the errant Heralds, leaving Phillippe with Perriand, Duvados and Lillian.
"You're sure about this?" he asked.
"Consider it a test," Duvados said mildly. "They have been too long without purpose, yet they have exhibited professionalism and dedication."
"With all due respect, sir," Lillian added, "I would also venture to say that they've displayed far more intelligence than most of your empowered Heralds."
Phillippe shook his head wryly. In his experience, no one ever said anything respectful in a sentence preceded by "with all due respect".
"Very well," he agreed. "Inform Cedrych and Ulalume as well." |
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The Search for the Skull
Posted: 21 Mar 2006 08:08 AM |
All Heralds on field duty are informed to be on the lookout for a floating skull that calls itself Esmerelda. The skull has effeminate mannerisms and a tendency to call people "darrrrling".
Personnel are under strict orders to be discreet in their investigations. It must not be known that the Novus Aristi seek the skull. Orders are to report sightings or information about the skull up the chain of command with all due haste. The skull, if seen, is NOT to be approached and is to be considered EXTREMELY dangerous. |
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