A Letter From Loez

Aiki and I have returned just this morning from an attempted trip to Ravenhurst. We ran into several unexpected hitches in our journey, and thought to report our findings where others might see them. We attempted to depart through The Gates of Passage only to find out from the technician that several of the gates—several of which lead to Ravenhurst—were either switched off or destroyed on the other side. After getting the proper permissions, we attempted to utilize The Reaching Room within the Inverted Tower to reach our destination. Just as it seemed it would activate, its magics fizzled out around us. We deliberated for some time on how to proceed, and finally decided to portal to a nearby location—to Loez. When we final arrived, we were met with a scene of organized chaos; the entirety of Loez is in the midst of preparing itself for a large-scale siege.
We came across the Count during our brief stay, and he asked that we bring this letter back for all to see. He fears that a dark power is turning the wheels of this campaign, and after the journey I’ve made, I’m inclined to agree. Please, read his words carefully and know we can triumph through our united efforts.
-Odette D. Lucatiel

____________________________________________________________________
Letter from Count Everest

Subjects of Travance,
By now most of you have seen the treasonous letter put out by Duke Balliol and other nobles. I rushed to Loez upon word of it surfacing in the mainland. Upon my arrival, the Dukes forces had already mobilized, sacked the town of Dularn in Loez, and had began marching on the city of Kradaw. I rode out with a battalion, but arrived too late. Kradaw is now fortified and held by the Dukes forces. I returned to Alieander and promptly began sending out the call to rally all of our armies into action. I will be returning to Travance in less than a week, once I feel that all of our bannermen are sufficiently mobilizing. Our scouts are trying very hard to assess which territories of the Kingdom have been seized.

Regarding this declaration, I have no intention of filling out the wishes contained therein. Regarding the Duke and the other nobles, to raise arms against Kormyre is to commit treason. I do not know what lies behind this conflict, but their actions could not unveil their intentions any clearer; they want war and they have already brought it to us. At least one has advised me that I should consider the perception of the masses, consider the thin veins of truth that lie in the traitorous letter, move fully back to Travance, and separate Travance from Kormyre once and for all. While I understand the sentiment behind such a thought, to do so would be to abandon hundreds of thousands of innocent common men, women, and children. I will not gamble with the lives of these people. We would risk condemning them, abandoning them to a dark age of subjugation or worse. We will protect the innocent people of this realm, and we will fight threat head on; all while continuing our quest to seat a fair and just ruler on our throne.

I have spent the last several days routing spies out of Castle Alieander. They were buried under deep cover and had infiltrated even the upper echelons. Our efforts were thorough and I am certain the spies have been eliminated; however, the desire to put my trust in the hands of administrators in mainland Kormyre is waning. I do not prefer to leave this effort in the hands of mainland bureaucrats and those whom have been untested until this point. I do prefer to put my trust in those who have never failed to deliver under times of great need, the Heroes of Travance. Upon my return I will bring the necessary maps and intelligence for you all to direct, manage, facilitate, and orchestrate efforts of war in order to eliminate this threat and save the innocent lives that hang in the balance. This war will not just be about swords and sorcery, but also winning back the hearts and minds of the common folk who may have be unduly manipulated during this process. I have no doubt that there are layers upon layers of complexity to this situation and it will take careful and skilled investigation and diplomacy to uncover the truth and restore the peace. You individually are under no order to assist with this effort, but you have my faith and my willingness to trust you collectively with command over Kormyre’s armies and resources.

Until my return,
Count Sebastian Everest, Warden of Kormyre

Odette,

Do you have confirmation of any Highlanders mistreated or killed in the fighting?

-Donny

I do believe the "squabbling" stopped once the letter was finally made known. The Count has set out a clear course of action for Travance, his subjects, and we are united behind him.

- Dennis

Excuse me as I normally do not waste my time standing next to these boards. I caught up on all these stacks so my timing is tardy. Also you're welcome.

Agreed indeed. It seems now that we have some highly trustworthy proof that Balliol's intent is, shall we say, prickish, the appropriate intent of action is rather clear.

Thank you, Odette and Aiki. This letter is of great help to us in our ability to prepare for the coming feast.

Are more numbers needed in Loez, or should our efforts remain in the Proper?

As of right now there is the potential of an imminent threat to us from Gaaldron here in Travance that the false orc from a few weeks ago was leading that must be found and rooted out. This is likely a diversion to allow Balliol to continue his campaign, but one we must engage regardless. We can discuss plans of action for how best to begin aiding Kormye Proper when the Count returns and our present situation is resolved.

Laird Tartaros, Reyna,

I'll head up and grab the skullcrackers, then start lookin' fra Hobgoblin puppets to kill. We MacFhionnlaighs ha' an ancient grudge ta quench 'gainst tha' Empire. Come help soon as ye can. They'll be coming through Kaladonia, most likely.

-Donny

Donny,

Lord Aleister just stated that it was a false orc last feast. One of the many things Travance is looking into is the identity of that spy.

Lord Aleister, correct me if I’m wrong, but you stated that elsewhere as well, yes?

I did. But while he was disguised, that does not mean the rest of his warband was.
That also does not mean that there aren't other raiding parties.

We must be vigilant to guard our borders before we send our people elsewhere, lest we leave invitations in our own back gate.

I will wait for the Seneschal to organize her reports before commenting further on this.

(OOG Note: message is delivered by raven to a guardsman, who posts it.)

New Gaaldron can be ruled out. Only positions here are defensive. spoke to a general, who stated when it was explained to him that New Gaaldron is not part of this campaign and does not intend to be involved. The border guards here are sufficient for a warning I think.

Be back in time for the feast.

-Donny

Ah, I'd nearly forgotten. We have an individual in our prison by the name of Hystern Meldicia. The Count has requested this prisoner be ready in the inn upon his arrival to town. If there is anyone within the guard who could make these preparations, I would be very grateful.

-Odette D. Lucatiel

Reyna Del Dragon (reynadeldragon) wrote: Thank you, Odette and Aiki. This letter is of great help to us in our ability to prepare for the coming feast.

Are more numbers needed in Loez, or should our efforts remain in the Proper?

So, here is my two cents, having just come back from Loez. While tensions are running high and the troops are in a bit of an organized panic, they seem very well equipped to handle a siege. At the very least, their men, equipment, and provisions seem ample enough to hold out while we deal with things on our end. Although that's without considering the possibility of something unexpectedly catastrophic happening. As I said in the original posting, both the Count and I suspect that there is some other sinister power at work here.

It would be best to play it by ear. I don't think mobilizing in Loez is the best option at the moment, as we would risk spreading ourselves too thin when they already seem fairly well equipped to handle the present situation. For now, I think it may be best to remain vigilant and flexible in case our presence is needed.

-Odette D. Lucatiel

Thank you, Odette.

Squire Lucatiel,

As someone who took part in initially escorting Mr. Meldicia to his cell, I will gather proper accompaniment.


In Service,
Sgt. Nalick DeMarche

To anyone with the ability,
Has there been any sign of troop movement from the goblin stronghold. Are water and grain stores being tapped into. Thou Loez may be ready for seige, the enemy may not even be preparing to move. This may be an opportunity to make a preemptive strike should the occasion call for it.

Do we have any confirmation there are raiding parties from Gaaldron? Initiating an attack without knowing for certain that a- the others in the party with the disguised human were indeed from Gaaldron and b- that there are attacks imminent from Gaaldron would be foolish. We do have a standing peace agreement with Gaaldron from earlier this year, if I recall correctly, and it would reflect poorly on us to be the ones to break it with a preemptive attack without further facts.

The treaty with Gaaldron mentioned in the Declaration of Rule was made on behalf of the Duke himself, and not the Kingdom as a whole. I would certainly prepare for an attack from the north should the Duke begin losing ground in his treasonous assault on our capitol.

- Dennis

Cara is right about the agreement made earlier this year, but we've rarely known Gaaldron to honor such agreements for longer than a few years. It is possible that Duke Balliol offered them something greater than what Travance had offered to overstep that agreement.

Perhaps someone should look into what that negotiation was?

It's exactly what I have been trying to warn people of. It was an attempt to divert our attention away from this war that the Duke is brewing.

Think about it, the Duke wants Travance out of the way and Gaaldron wants Travance gone. What could the Duke offer, should he be king of Kormyre, that would make Gaaldron side with him? It isn't difficult to figure out.

We are a bargaining chip.

A very poor one if New Gaaldron is truly staying out of this. How are they transporting their supplies and army here to attack us? However, if its true, then its a good way to keep us from interfering with the Duke in Kormyre. The Gates are apparently down and as far as I'm aware, there is no way to portal that great a force. How and where are they coming in order to attack us? For that matter doesn't New Gaaldron hates Gaaldron almost as much as they hate us? Could we approach them? I doubt they wish to have Gaaldron take such a massive amount of land right on their doorstep.

Allyce,

To my knowledge, New Gaaldron is staying out of this, as per information from a Reconnaissance party sent to the border to determine their intentions. The party met up with a detachment of New Gaaldron forces and They (New Gaal troop commander) stated that New Gaaldron was staying out of all this.

Recon Party believes this to be true as there are zero preparations for invasion noted along the border. A watch is still being kept regardless. While sending overtures for their assistance has merit as does distrust of their assertion- I think their wanting to sit this out.. is worth taking face value of. Be watchful... but nothing else right now.

I'd suspect Tamarian influence personally... their declaration of war still has not been settled and they do have the ability to move troops via portal via mean Sir Tellinghast was investigating.

For what it's worth, only a fool starts a campaign in winter unless they are certain it won't be a long one, have an ace up their sleeve or are that.... controlled into thinking it a smart idea. And even then, its supply intensive.

Point to ponder- who stands to benefit if we get sidelined?

-Duncan