tennessee10 wrote:
"Okay guys, you heard him," said Tem, "Move out!" Tem's squad went to their respective squads.
<GM's puzzled note: You mean "...their respective positions"? What you wrote doesn't make sense otherwise.>
Interlude: Throne room of the Emperor of Suldeneselar.
A middle-aged Elf male is speaking.
"We know that the Drow have returned. They are here and they are real. We must take action, now before it is too late."
He takes his seat.
Another Elf rises to his feet. The Emperor speaks: "The Earl of Spremthensei has the floor."
"Thank you, Your Magesty. I agree that these are Drow and that they are real. Moreover, I believe that they are a threat. However, we also now that for the past five generations this empire has been in decline. If we are to return the Drow to that dark hole the ancients sealed them up in, we will need to muster all the resources of the Empire, and more. These Drow know the old ways that our ancestors relied on to defeat them long ages past: That way will not work this time. Howver, the Humans may be able to do it, even though we cannot.
This previous speaker jumps to his feet and shouts: "That is maddness! To do what you suggest would end our race within a generation. Better to die fighting the Drow!"
The Earl shouted back: "We are doomed either way, Kalith! Face it, we cannot hope to survive the Drow a second time. Have you not been paying attention? Our culture is in decline, our people stagnate, and anything we build does not endure! It is The Curse."
"Bah Curses are faerie tales are things for old women and children. We are neither, and so make our OWN destiny..."
A deafening crash spread forth from the throne of the Emperor.
As it subsided he spoke, in a clear, restrained and clearly displeased tone: "Silence!"
That was all he said, but the weight of those words was so impressive upon the occupants of the throne room that you could have heard a pin drop. Neither man moved a muscle.
After long pause
After a long silence
After what must have seemed like an eternity to the town men standing motionless....
The Emperor spoke again: "I think we know what we must do. Summon the Archmage. We travel to the Lizzardman Capitol."
The one called Kalith spoke: "But my Lord..."
The Emperor rose from his throne "Yes, Kalith?"
Kalith spoke: "My Lord, it is not safe. For all we know, the Lizzardmen have allied themselves with the Drow and plot against us. We must wait ultill our spies return."
The Emperor spoke again: "There is no time. I must speak with the Lizzard Queen. We need their support against the Drow as much as we need the Humans. We need not tell the Lizzards everything, just enough to convince them that the Drow threaten them as well as us."
Kalith replied: "Of course, My Leige... but what if we lose you in the process? I beg your pardon for suggestin such a thing, but I am duty-bound to keep you safe, especially now when we are at war with the Drow. Think of the people,of the nation: What would happen to them if we lost you now. I beg you to reconsider."
"All valid points to consider, and I have considered them all. No, this is inescapable. This is too important a matter to be left to underlings and envoys. I must see the Lizzard Queen with my own eyes if I am to rest easy in any alliance we might strike. Do you understand? I am the only one who can do this, and so it must be."
End Interlude