11/17/24 Minutes
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: 11/17/24 Minutes
Author: Rizan
9:03: King Blackthorn arrives and commences the meeting. His Majesty raises the issue of undead orcs, haunted squash, gloomy artifacts and the Manifestations of Evil, as people have taken to calling the creature, just being the beginning of troubles. The King senses a greater threat looming before us, a hungry void seeking the souls of the unwary marching closer with each hour. He suspects it may have started with October's thinning of the veil, which allowed vile creatures to stalk the realm and believes what is to come will encompass yet more. He urges the Governors to prepare the citizens to defend themselves, and calls on Lord Cogniac to begin.
9:05: Lord Cogniac speaks for Serpent's Hold. Lord Cogniac echoes His Majesty's proclamations. The Order is certain that the eldritch unrest which was predicted at the previous meeting is that which is faced now. Lord Cogniac believes all signs point to the emanations from the catacombs beneath the Lycaeum. The Order of the Silver Serpent has been active in fighting off the Manifestations as mentioned by His Majesty. Undead battalions seem to be moving in on Britannia's cities. Lord Cogniac urges caution. Lord Cogniac has also submitted the written monthly State of the Arrows report to the Council. The reserves now number in excess of 2.5 million arrows, hoping the reserves will be sufficient for what is to come. The run on crossbow bolts mentioned in the previous month's council meeting seems to have continued, particularly in New Haven. The Order's crossbow bolt stores have been totally depleted as a result. His Majesty states that the Hold's warriors will likely be needed to bolster defenses sooner rather than later. His Majesty also forsees a run on flaming weapons in the near future. The scribes have been working with Moonglow's mages to come up with incendiary arrows, but there have been no successful results so far. His Majesty suggests an enchanted bow may be an easier task. Serpent's Hold itself remains well stocked, and their coffers are full. Plans going forward are to move on other cities as needed to defend the realm. Should evacuations from other cities be necessary, Lord Cogniac reminds the Governors present that the Hold can be used as an evacuation point if needed. Lord Cogniac concludes his report.
9:15: Craig the Mongbat speaks for Jhelom. Governor Craig is gladdened that His Majesty is familiar with what has been troubling the lands. He had some notes prepared, and reads from them. "The Coffers are full. The guards are paid. The streets are paved. The beddes have been made. All the fighters in the pit got..." The Governor stops himself as he seemed to be reading from the wrong notes, then switches to the proper ones and comments on the Manifestations of Evil that seem to be plaguing the lands, and asks if they cannot be dealt with instead of treating business as usual; if the Manifestations grow worse, we shall not need to worry about trade between cities or which wine from His Majesty's reserves have the more floral notes. His Majesty suggests it is the cabernet. Governor Craig continues, stating that Jhelom is prepared to help wherever that city's fighters' aid is needed. Governor Craig concludes his report.
9:21: Governor Merlin speaks for New Magincia. He states that New Magincia eagerly awaits the invading hordes. Swashbucklers from that city have been recruited to prepare for their arrival. His Majesty wonders if perhaps the pirates could be persuaded to assist in exchange for clemency. Governor Merlin concurs. He proposes to instruct the town clerk to post notices that Royal Pardons will be available for those who fight in aid of the city. His Majesty continues, stating that such persons could be reclassed as privateers until they commit further actions that cannot be ignored. Governor Merlin concludes his report.
9:26: Governor Toni McStravick speaks for Britain. As a follow up from the previous meeting, the Governor remarks on the undead walking Britain's streets. She has been keeping a close eye out for visitors from the cemetary to the north. She is pleased to relate that citizens have been vigilant in preventing the unquiet dead from breaching the city's core. She extends her gratitude to citizens of Britain for working to keep each other safe. She states firmly her intention to stand with those citizens to defend that beautiful city from any intrusive hordes. She continues, stating that as the days grow shorter, the roads between the cities grow longer as more citizens undertake the many trade orders on behalf of the merchants of the capital city. Although it typically involves the interference of the dastardly Krampus, it is a wonderful way for citizens to deliver goods by land or sea that they might better appreciate Britannia's topography. This is especially so, given how many travel by means of magic across the land. She suggests it is an opportunity to promote the trade routes and feelings of fraternity between the cities as the people prepare for the festive season to come. With all the trade ongoing, the coffers remain full moving into the winter months. The Governor concludes her report for Britain. His Majesty states that should Britain be attacked, he will endeavor to fortify both castles so that citizens may take refuge as needed.
9:33: Governor Rain speaks for Trinsic. The Governor mentions her appreciation for the defeat of the Scorpion Queen at the hands of Royal Investigator Sofina, and since then the scorpion infestation seems to have died off. The citizens of Trinsic are beginning to look forward to the arrival of Sherwood the Elf and his holiday tree. He was missing for the past two seasons, and it was believed that the Scorpion Queen took him hostage and replaced him with an imposter. With the impending invasions of the cities, Sherwood may once again be absent. Since his advent was eagerly anticipated by the citizens of Trinsic since the Scorpion Queen's defeat, the Governor says, the citizens will turn their attention to preparing for the invasions to come. His Majesty never thought he'd say that the lack of scorpions was wonderful news, but that is the state of the city given their ongoing scorpion battles. The coffers of the city remain full. His Majesty remarks on crazed vegetables, abhorrent "meat" products, giant fleas, organized scorpions, and what a year it has been. Governor Rain concludes her report.
9:40: Governor Halister Marner speaks for Moonglow. Moonglow has been under attack by the forces of the Council of Mages for quite some time. Adding another faction to the fray is an easy pivot, he relates. He has infused the treasury and set up defenses, allocating duties to the militia. They will be ready to work independently, and with future orders from above. The Governor continues saying he will not be issuing those orders. To finish the task he set out to do, he says he must be unbridled by the chains of governance, and so will not be running for reelection in the next term. Governor Halister states his respect for His Majesty's rules, but for the Council (of Mages) to be purged and the necromancers removed, he must act himself. His Majesty says that it is unhappy news, but he thanks Governor Halister for his service. Governor Halister has enjoyed his time on the council, and says he may sit upon it once again when his task is done, but for now he has work to do. Governor Halister concludes his report.
9:48: Governor Shadowyke speaks for Vesper. Vesper has been shielded from the worries of the dead for the time being. The Manifestation of Evil has not been seen in that city either. The city has kept vigilant and are preparing for the invasions to come, and stand ready to assist any city which may need it. Governor Wyke has nothing else to add, as the city has been relatively quiet as late.
9:51: Governor Rizan speaks for Yew. He states with regret that his thesis on the no-dachi may have to wait for another time, given the density of updates in the Governors' reports. His Majesty does not seem crushed by this news. The Governor agrees that the swell of necromantic energies that His Majesty sensed and mentioned at the prior meeting were no doubt a foretelling of the arrival of the Manifestations of Evil and their lackeys. There are no reports of them attacking the city of Yew directly, though the city is on high alert. He continues, mentioning the Butchers have vanished from the graveyard, and the powerful bone knights continue to be held at bay by adventurers. Trade has thankfully been unaffected thus far. The past month saw the appearance of Farmer Chucky's Pumpkin Patch, owned by a possibly murderous farmer of unknown origin who had grown a massive pumpkin in the outskirts of the city of Yew. The amount of blood around the property was disconcerting, and Charles Dourif the farmer had vanished after adventurers dealt with him. Finally, T'yvuun Yuuk the Ranger appeared to adventurers (now dubbed the Auxiliary Guard Irregulars rather than their more colloquial name, "The Murderhobos") to update them on the status of the undead orc plague. Apparently the necromantic energies permeating the land have allowed undead orcs to rise, and they were found to be soaked in spoiled yuukburree juice. The thinned veil between worlds and necromancy run amok are suspected sources. So far, however, the orc uprising seems to be contained to the orc burial grounds near Yew, and the undead orcs do not seem to have reached the borders of the city itself. Finally, Governor Rizan thanks His Majesty and the Governors for permitting him to serve on the council with them; he suspects that due to his less than popular sword-forward agenda for the city, that his re-election seems unlikely. Governor Rizan concludes his report.
10:02: King Blackthorn thanks all present for their service during the past term. He opens up the floor to the general audience and asks if any present wish to address the council. Raz the Mage steps forward and asks to speak.
10:04: His Majesty recognizes Raz, who proceeds to inform the council that his full name, which he had concealed previously, was Raznilon. Calling upon ancient powers of chaos, he strips away the illusion of a human wizard and reveals himself to be a gazer in disguise, and declares himself to be none other than Nolin Zar, leader of the Velvet Shroud. General taunting of the Governors assembled, most particularly Governor Halister Marner whom Nolin Zar calls his "friend" commences. The Governors toss assorted taunts back at Nolin Zar, who by the rules of His Majesty cannot be attacked so long as he remains peaceful. He continues on in such a manner for some time, and appears to be insane. The exact details of his ranting will be omitted for lack of relevance, though he does claim to be in league with the powers behind the Manifestations of Evil.
10:17: Nolin Zar finishes his mad tirade and disappears in a puff of smoke. General conversation between the Governors and King follows for several minutes.
10:32: His Majesty asks if there are any other issues the Governors wish to bring forth. None do, so he adjourns the meeting. He wishes luck to all seeking re-election, and hopes the citizens continue to find the Governors' leadership worthy. He wishes that the coming holiday festivities uplift the citizens' morale in the darkening times and that evil stays far away from the majesty of the holiday trees. His Majesty states there will not be a meeting in December, and the next meeting will be on the 19th of January.
Present at Council:
Britain: Toni McStravick
Jhelom: Craig
Moonglow: Halister Marner
New Magincia: Merlin
Trinsic: Rain
Vesper: Shadowyke
Yew: Rizan
Serpent's Hold: Cogniac
Absent at Council:
Minoc: Happy Daze
Skara Brae: Tatiana Thorn