10/20/24 Minutes
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: 10/20/24 Minutes
Author: Rizan
9:01: King Blackthorn arrives, starts the meeting. His Majesty states that before the meeting begins, he wishes to discuss a few matters. First, he announces that during the previous month, the kingdom lost one of its leading citizens, Sofina the Royal Investigator, who sacrificed herself to quell an undead uprising. The King has commissioned a statue in her honor, which will be placed in the courtyard when it is completed, and hopes that she will always be remembered. His Majesty has yet to decide on a replaceement. Second, the moat has a new resident, an unusual variety of kraken which was released there some time last month. Since it does not appear hostile, the King is content to allow it to make the moat its home, and he is asking the citizens to respect it. Third, the usual hijinks which accompany October have already begun. His Majesty asks the Governors to remind their citizens to be cautious around cemetaries. His Majesty has sensed a swell in necromantic energies as of late, which may or may not be related. He asks that any intelligence on the matter make its way to him so that he may help ensure the security of the Allied Realms.
9:06: Governor Rizan speaks for Yew. The Yew cemetary has once again become populated with unusually powerful bone knights and daemonic Butchers, not unusual during this time of the year. The citizens are on alert, and the threat seems mostly under control thanks to the adventurers who seem eager to hunt those creatures in graveyards across the land. Next, the Governor adds his condolences and relates his sadness at the loss of Sofina the Royal Investigator, as she was a valuable ally to the King and adventurers alike. Additionally, she will be missed as she was the second member of the Society for the Consumption of Unusual Monsters, which Rizan had inducted her into as an official member. The first, and only other member, is Governor Rizan himself at this time. Finally, Governor Rizan mentions to the King that he is working on a thesis concerning the underutilization and underrepresentation of the no-dachi in pedestrian swordplay. The Governor states he would be pleased to give a lecture on it at the next meeting, which His Majesty does not seem particularly enthusiastic about. In light of the number of Governors who have to speak at each meeting, and given that the abridged lecture is over forty minutes long, Governor Rizan may have to submit the finished thesis in book form. Governor Rizan concludes his report.
9:13: Governor Shadowyke speaks for Vesper. Vesper has been quiet for the past few weeks. People have been busy fighting in the graveyards. There have been no recent sightings of Ziggy, which is a blessing and a concern. Governor Wyke concludes her report.
9:17: Governor Tatiana Thorn speaks for Skara Brae. The city thrives as always, the coffers stay full, and trades keep climbing. Thankfully, the town is protected from undead uprisings since it is surrounded by water. Governor Tatiana concludes her report.
9:20: Governor Halister Marner speaks for Moonglow. Moonglow grapples with several problems. It seems the island is the center of conflict in the realm recently. The Council of Mages continues to run rampant outside the city despite the efforts of the city militia and the Knights of the Crux Ansata. They also deal with a strange group of necromancers who call themselves the Velvet Shroud. His Majesty asks if Anon might have a hand in the goings-on in Moonglow. The Governor admits that such is possible, as he is a minion of Minax as the Governor understands it; a terrible fate for a once respected mage. Governor Halister fears that without direct intervention, the problems could engulf the entire island. His Majesty wonders, since Anon led the Council in Felucca, if those are additional converts of his. The Governor continues, stating that they must have a leader somewhere with access to immense powers. It would be reasonable to expect that Anon is involved. His Majesty states that he will send an envoy to speak with Hawkwind, to ask him to ensure the integrity of Shadowguard's wards. Governor Halister states his appreciation for His Majesty. Governor Halister concludes his report.
9:28: Governor Toni McStravick speaks for Britain. Following up on what Governor Halister said, Governor Toni has also received correspondence from the Velvet Shroud, though they don't seem to be of any danger to the city. They continue to keep watch just in case. His Majesty encourages all present to share information regarding the "Velvet Shroud" as such cults rarely turn out to be benign. Governor Toni continues, mentioning that some cemetary escapees have been found wandering through the city, and some unwary citizens were injured. The Governor has posted warnings for the citizens to be vigilant. This very evening, the Governor had to dispatch a wild nightmare found wandering the streets; though she does not believe it came from the cemetary, stranger things have happened. His Majesty remarks that it is odd to see them in a city, riderless at least. Those issues aside, the city continues to prosper, trades progress steadily. Governor Toni concludes her report.
9:35: Governor Happy Daze speaks for Minoc. All is well in Minoc; the coffers are full and trade orders flow nicely. The town is at peace and morale is up. If anything interesting happens, Governor Happy states his intention to inform His Majesty should anything arise, and His Majesty responds that he is glad to hear that an entire section of the continent is at peace. Minoc's war against rocks continues as they move full steam ahead to provide the Kingdom with materials it needs. Governor Happy concludes his report.
9:40: Governor Merlin speaks for New Magincia. The Governor passes along news that Governor Rain is travelling at present, hence her absence at the council meeting. The summer is ending and winter is on the horizon, so many people in Magincia are preparing for the cold season to come, especially after fending off pirates earlier in the year. Scorpions that once plagued Trinsic seem to have made their way to New Magincia. His Majesty asks if Governor Merlin has any idea what attracted them there. Governor Merlin speculates it is from the bait that swashbucklers and sailors throw into the water to lure out Scalis, and the scorpions seem to like it too. Trinsic is lending the aid of some of their bards to deal with the threat. Aside from that, New Magincia continues to get by. Governor Merlin concludes his report. His Majesty says he will send some marine biologists to inspect the seabed around the isle, and hopefully they will find a way to make things better.
9:47: Governor Craig the Mongbat speaks for Jhelom. Jhelom fares well considering it is that time of year once again, and undead are up to their restless hijinks. Jhelom does its best to keep the undead at bay; however, the Governor does have one thing to bring to His Majesty's attention. Craig was in His Majesty's wine cellar recently harvesting corks, as he knows a man who will pay well for them, and while down there he found a book stuffed behind the shelves which he thinks His Majesty should see. He made copies and passed them out to the Governors and His Majesty. The text in question is filled with interesting scribbles and drawings, and is attributed to Chuckles the Jester. His Majesty speculates it seems more like Heckles' doing, as he does have free reign of the castle. His Majesty also wonders if he wants to know what Craig's buyer is doing with all the used corks he purchases. Governor Craig promises to keep the undead at bay in Jhelom as best they can, and concludes his report.
9:54: Lord Cogniac speaks for Serpent's Hold; Lord Cogniac also passed out copies of the monthly S.O.T.A. report to the Governors. The coffers in the Hold remain at historically high levels, as they continue to invest in the Strategic Arrow Reserve of Sosaria. Arrow holdings have now surpassed 2.3 million. Crossbow bolt holdings are at a low, as there seemed to be something of a run on them in the past week. The plan is for the Order to build up those reserves again. The Order has also been overseeing defenses against the undead, lending a hand where necessary to hold back zombie hordes. The Order intends to continue to monitor the situation over the next few weeks to ensure it subsides at the usual time. His Majesty states that undead tend to meander aimlessly without an overarching leader, unless the Velvet Shroud gains control of them. Lord Cogniac continues, returning to a point His Majesty and Governor Halister raised regarding the aforementioned "necromantic energies." At the last meeting, Lord Cogniac mentioned that the Order's scouts had been hearing whispers of just such a thing on the horizon. The ominous sussurations have increased in volume and fervor in recent weeks, and rumors and anecdotes the scouts follow seem to lead back to one place: the catacombs beneath the Lycaeum. Governor Halister mentions that the Orb of Nystul has been relocated from its place near the Lycaeum in reaction to Lord Cogniac's reports.
Governor Rizan asks if that has affected the Amplifier which cancels out the Council of Mages' illusions. Governor Halister says that overground seems to be fine, but beneath the surface, it's hard to tell how the amplifier may affect the catacombs so far beneath the Lycaeum. Lord Cogniac mentions that the Order speculated at first that the issues with the Orb and Lycaeum catacombs might relate to the Council of Mages, but now they seem certain there is an even greater evil lurking down there. They are uncertain if that is the true evil behind the Council of Mages, or if the CoM has simply been a smokescreen. The current recommendation to the council gathered is: Be ready! Lord Cogniac concludes his report. His Majesty states that vigilance is even more important if they are two separate groups attacking at the same time. Lord Cogniac says this is to say nothing of the Velvet Shroud, whose allegiances remain in question. 10:15: His Majesty opens the floor, asking if any citizens would like to speak, though none stand to take advantage of the offer. Governor Rizan offers to get started on his no-dachi thesis early, though none take him up on that offer either. 10:35: After general chatter and joviality, King Blackthorn adjourns the meeting.
Present at Council:
Britain: Toni McStravick
Jhelom: Craig
Minoc: Happy Daze
Moonglow: Halister Marner
New Magincia: Merlin
Skara Brae: Tatiana Thorn
Vesper: Shadowyke
Yew: Rizan
Serpent's Hold: Cogniac
Absent at Council:
Trinsic: Rain