An All-Kiswa Council (Empire!6 In-Character Event)

[Gaius Hermicus]

News of the Gluttonous Shadows had been a blow to the residents of the Korebita Foothills. So much chaos had erupted over the past few years, what with the war between the Bel-Dan-Ub and the Anbroch, the faith conflict between Abiherism and the Way of Green, and Yegin Kw'Haleti's return from exile. The blemmyae had decided that defeating the Gluttonous Shadows must be the top priority, and in accordance, had invited all other Kiswan people to attend a council of war in Kema, as far away from the infestation as possible.

At the cave entrance to the King of King's subterranean palace, foreign emissaries are greeted by six hulking warriors from the Torineti clan, armed to the teeth with spears, axes, clubs, and flint-tipped knives. Emissaries are permitted to bring their weapons into the palace, but warned that no acts of violence will be tolerated. More guards escort the diplomats through the limestone halls of the palace and to the courtyard of the King of King's apartments, always ensuring that the number of guards is at least twice the number of foreigners. The guards are polite, but curt, and respond suspiciously to any perceived acts of hostility.

In contrast to the dimly lit halls of the palace, the courtyard is full of sunlight. The ground is covered with blooming red and blue flowers, while small brightly colored butterflies flutter around the elegant fish pond in the center of the yard. On the side of the pool is a gigantic wooden table, capable of seating at least forty, beneath a shady portico. Sitting at the head of the table is Huleten Kw'Muketi, the king of kings of the United Blemmyae Tribes, sipping palm wine. At their left side is Mebirek Kw'Zinabi, their vizier, while on their right is their child and heir, Wenid Kw'Muketi. Behind Huleten stands a gigantic blemmyae, taller than most humans even despite their lack of a head. They wear copper armor, blinding in the sun, and a huge copper-tipped spear is slung across their back. Although the King of Kings outranks them, this warrior, Warcaller Dinfat Kw'Torineti, is clearly the one leading this council of war.

Halfway down the table on the left side comes the sounds of loud boasting, eating, and laughing. First in the Realm Yegin Kw'Haleti, recently pardoned and returned to the Korebita, sits with their human lieutenant Kasiy Kw'Sewi and the librarian Oyem Kw'Mesihafi. The three are devouring food as quickly as the servants can bring new platters of meat and pitchers of wine, loudly laughing, cursing, and telling boastful stories, ignoring Huleten's disapproving glares. Across the table from the boisterous First in the Realm sits Tengir Kw'Sewi, the primary diplomat of the Korebita, in all their finery. Today they are shirtless, exposing their muscular oiled chest, and wear a cape woven from feathers of all different colors. It is a blinding display of decadence and fashion that would leave many in the Korebita in awestruck wonderment. Next to Tengir is the Bel-Dan-Ub refugee Cul, the ward of the King of Kings. In contrast to Tengir's flamboyant dress, Cul wears modest clothing, with the exception of a cloak made from the skin of the Buleguw that they had slain. The thick grey hide appears drab, but does little to hide the bold features and defiant gaze of the young man.

As the foreign delegations approach, each is greeted with the wave of a hand and a respectful blink from the King of Kings, invited to take a seat at the table, and plied with meat, flatbread, thick spicy broth, and overflowing pitchers of palm wine. Nobody goes hungry at a blemmyae feast.

[Minescratcher]

A short, elderly man stepped into the courtyard, followed by two well-muscled Bel-Dan sailors. Though his guards were armed with stone axes and knives in the Bel-Dan fashion, Reren-Tar-Tano himself bore only a tall wooden staff, which supported most of his weight as he made his way across to the great feast table. The Reren did his best to put on a cheery face, though the corners of his mouth betrayed the ill mood that had taken hold of him. He had spent as long on the water as he could, but after reaching the headwaters of a minor tributary of the Erapira in Farilpūll he had been forced to abandon the water and travel overland. To his surprise, he had not yet been struck down with a curse, but he still wished this meeting could have taken place somewhere else - in Kincany, perhaps, or the riverside troll lands.

"Your people are blessed this day to have the Sea People as guests, cha-con-dan-ub! he shouted, addressing the courtyard at large. "Reren-Tar-Tano never misses a feast, you know, even when I must travel over blighted hill and mountain to reach it."

He took his place at the table and glanced at his hosts, then started upright again as his eyes landed on Cul. "A Bel-Dan? Here? In this cha-bel-motu place? Who might this young man be?"

---

The Anbroch

Reren-Tar-Tano watched the entrance to the courtyard as intently as he could. When the dwarves entered, he excused himself from the table and walked over to the leader of their party, leaning on his staff.

"Well, now we know who is strongest, te-dan-ub. Shall we discuss your obligations as a subject of the Bel-Dan-Ub? My warriors tell me there is great upheaval in Kincany, so perhaps we should begin by reviewing just what it is you actually control." He chuckled to himself.

[Frostwander]

Khetra, matji of the Vygra, arrives along with her daughter, Aruni, and Alexios the Undying. All three walk confidently, the stately Mira and the glowing Efra both powerfully framed, but still overshadowed by the massive physique of the sentinel leader. Khetra bears a rod of black iron, fully 8 hands taller than her own height, and Aruni carries a short black iron blade in addition to her copper spears and hide shield. Alexios, as usual, seems to have no desire for weapons beyond himself.

"Your intuitions were right, Alexios. I only wish we had travelled to visit the Dhraan sooner; perhaps we could have seen warning and had more time to prepare."

"Our warriors are already martialing in Vyterrat. As soon as we have decided on the distributions, we will be ready to march."

The three are presented, and greet the King of Kings of the blemmyae with respect. They take their place at the table with few words, intent on the matter at hand - Kiswa's survival.

[Gaius Hermicus]

The Reren

Cul stares Tar-Reno straight in the eyes, unflinching. I am Cul, the ward of the King of Kings and the child of Tes-Rus of Ten-Fuj-Sa-Cos. By blood, I am indeed of the Bel-Dan-Ub, but my heart belongs to the Korebita and the United Blemmyae Tribes. Cul continues to stare at the Reren, attempting to appear nonchalant but in fact intrigued by the appearance of the first Bel-Dan he had seen since the disappearance of his mother.

[Potato_Priest]

Bel-Dan
Rosie MacGill smiled back, but there was a deep weariness in her eyes as she replied, speaking softly.

"I suppose I should congratulate ye on yer victory, Reren. I have lost all but a small army who has proven their loyalty to me time and again and some strongholds in the deep jungle, while ye have won a land driven mad by civil war and plagued with the blight. I don't suppose with such a prize under yer belt ye'd be looking fer a governor ta oversee yer holdings?"

[Minescratcher]

The Reren

Cul stares Tar-Reno straight in the eyes, unflinching. I am Cul, the ward of the King of Kings and the child of Tes-Rus of Ten-Fuj-Sa-Cos. By blood, I am indeed of the Bel-Dan-Ub, but my heart belongs to the Korebita and the United Blemmyae Tribes. Cul continues to stare at the Reren, attempting to appear nonchalant but in fact intrigued by the appearance of the first Bel-Dan he had seen since the disappearance of his mother.

"Tes-Rus... Ah, the late Reren's wife, was she not? We have not seen her on the northern coast for years, since she fled Ren-Num-Har; ending her travels here, I venture?" Reren-Tar-Tano resumed his seat, taking a long swig from a pitcher.

"What of you, then, Cul? Exile you are named, a strange name for a strange Bel-Dan. Never in all my long seasons of rain and sun have I heard of Bel-Dan-Ub coming so far from the sea, save perhaps Ren-Cha-Fen, and he only briefly. Do these headless men know of the sea, or are you trapped here by the land?"

Bel-Dan
Rosie MacGill smiled back, but there was a deep weariness in her eyes as she replied, speaking softly.

"I suppose I should congratulate ye on yer victory, Reren. I have lost all but a small army who has proven their loyalty to me time and again and some strongholds in the deep jungle, while ye have won a land driven mad by civil war and plagued with the blight. I don't suppose with such a prize under yer belt ye'd be looking fer a governor ta oversee yer holdings?"

"Just like a land-walker kingdom to be cursed, isn't it?" He laughed again. "Ah, but I do not mean to insult you. You fought... bravely. I am shrewd enough to guess at what you say not: your reign backed by the spears of the mighty Sea People." He fell silent, tapping his fingers on his staff and gazing down at the ground.

"That would not be disagreeable in the order of the world, I think, but it will demand loyalty and great service on your part. Should you release the captain you imprisoned, Ren-Cha-Fen, in token of goodwill, we would be much more amenable... and of course a tribute will be asked of you. Your realm is clearly in no condition to supply it as of today, but perhaps things will be different in four or five years, no? A great tribute every eight years or so should suffice to spare you from the yearly tribute of the Dozgach."

[Moriko]

Three Sewune women enter the courtyard and while they seemed unarmed to the untrained eye the guards were made aware of the many weapons that were hidden under their garments. All three wore clothing that could only be described as stylish but functional and dominated by the colour red. When they reach the table the woman that seemed to be in charge addressed the king.

"Great King of Kings I am Mecy Femmec of the Sewune and it is an honour to be invited to your court even in these troubled times, I know many of my peers eyed me with jealousy upon my appointment as diplomat for this occasion. I pray that this meeting assist to the quick resolution to the trouble that blights our lands, It pains us we could not give more than a months warning before their arrival." The last bit shows a slight frown of disappointed at what she conceives as a failure on Sewune's part. "May the ancestors smile down on you and yours." As she bows courteously.

She then looked around the table she could see the seafaring Bel-Dan and Anbroch, pausing slightly longer on the Vygra and smiled knowing their nations have had good relations so far. The party seats close to the Vygra and as she sits down addresses Khetra. "I would have preferred to first interact with your nation to be under better circumstances these days are dire indeed." She says as she start eating the food put in front of her.

[Rolepgeek]

The larders of the King of Kings would be put to the test that day, as a somewhat haggard-looking Haanhangandhal enters, flanked by at least a dozen Blemmyae guards. The troll's form does not have the sleek, well-rounded fullness of years prior, skin and scale shifting and stretching against thickly braided musculature. Beneath the relatively subdued finery, a great many pockmarks and misshapen bulges can be seen marring their skin, and their every movement carries predatory deliberation. He manages a dip of the head to their host, as well as Khetra, before swiftly moving to where they might partake in the feast proper, where it quickly becomes clear just how much a full-grown troll with an appetite eats...

Behind Haanhangandhal, however, follow after two more somewhat smaller figures - an ageless woman in the telltale garments of a Truthseer with an expression as neutral as stone, and a tall elf with long braided hair in light but sturdy clothing - and a second troll, much shorter than the Troll King and wearing accouterments far removed from the king's own - innumerable fingerbones wound on leather cords and string, etched, bundled, wrapped, and lined with furs and skins and brightly colored stones, spreading out like a spider's web or ripples in a pond from a thick round medallion at the base of the creature's throat, spreading out in layers, and every one of them carved and painted, ranging in size from a troll's massive thumb to what were so small as to be either fragments or once found on the hand of a child.

This second troll seemed in far superior a mood to that of their lord's, and upon crouching besides the table, waved for the servants that meant to attend to their own appetite to see to that of King Haanhangandhal's first, choosing instead to retrieve a carved wooden stick with what appeared a small bowl at one end and stuff it full of something from their pouch. The strange Dhraan bends down further and requests one of the Blemmyae servant bring them something with which to light a small flame, using it to ignite and puff on their pipe, nodding in satisfaction and sitting back to wait.

[Gaius Hermicus]

At last, the plates of food were cleared from the table, with the exception of those in front of King Haanhangandhal. The king's servers had eventually given up on providing the ravenous troll with delicacies and simply carried out entire roasted goats on spits.

Dinfat Kw'Torineti looked around at the assembled delegates. There were so many brave warriors in Kiswa, and yet it seemed their potential would always be wasted in conflict with one another. Meeting the gaze of the King of Kings, they blinked in understanding and began to speak.

My friends of Kiswa. This is a truly dire hour. Along the banks of the Sur, the Gluttonous Shadows feed off of the blood of your people. They swarm, en masse, devouring all in their path. Soon they will spread, enveloping all of our continent. We have had our disagreements in the past, people of Kiswa, and many of us have score to settle with one another, but I ask you to set those old grudges aside for the moment. The more pressing concern is to defeat these abominations that infest our lands. Do not lose heart, for it is possible to win this war if we hold together, united by desperation, and fight as one. I myself will set off into the heart of the blight, across the Sur, to discover the origins of these demons. Who will join me in defiance of their assault?

[Potato_Priest]

Bel-Dan

"I find these terms agreeable. While before I could not pay ye tribute without risking a civil war, it seems that risk has been removed from my shoulders, so I may as well do whatever I can ta win. My first act as governor will be ta release Ren-Cha-Fen, and my second ta request yer aid against my brother's foolish rebellion."


War Council

"Awfully convenient that ye ask me ta put aside my "old grudges" precisely as a rebellion manufactured by yer own government threatens my rule, King Torineti. Where was this commitment ta the unity of Kiswa when ye pardoned the murderer Yegin K'Hweti, or when ye spurred my Brother Charlie ta place himself in mortal danger and start a civil war for yer aspirations of removing me from the throne? Do ye expect me ta sit by and let my kin tear themselves apart over yer plot ta rule the Anbroch by puppet while I chase beasties?"

[Gaius Hermicus]

Dinfat looks, irritated but unfazed, at Rosie. No, Warlady, I expect you to recognize that if you do not "chase beasties", as you put it, there will be no Anbroch left for you to fight over. Do not be as shortsighted and foolish as your predecessor.

For a moment, it appeared as though Yegin Kw'Haleti was about to speak up, but one harsh stare from Huleten and they return to bored silence.

[Potato_Priest]

Dinfat looks, irritated but unfazed, at Rosie. No, Warlady, I expect you to recognize that if you do not "chase beasties", as you put it, there will be no Anbroch left for you to fight over. Do not be as shortsighted and foolish as your predecessor.

"If the Shadows are as great a threat as ye claim, facing them divided would be more foolish than letting them hunt in the jungle for a short time. Besides, the Sentinels of Stone have already volunteered ta root out the Shadows in Kincany. Should they meet an unlikely defeat at the hands of an enemy that they have trained long against, it would be far better ta resume efforts against the shadows from a position of Anbroch unity."

Rosie swept her hand across the table, gesturing to the other attendees.

"But that's beside the point. Leaders of Kiswa, the Blemmyae are eager to undermine our governments to further their own power. Face the shadows as you must, accept aid from the Blemmyae if ye need ta, but do not by any means trust them. Make no mistake, the calling of this council against the Shadows is a grab for power and leadership in Kiswa, and they are not above using the threat of the blight to further their own lust for domination, as ye have seen them try ta do with me. Once the Shadows are gone, how do ye think this warrior will use his reputation as a conquering savior? Will ye be the next threat ta save the people from?"

[mystic1110]

For a moment, it appeared as though Yegin Kw'Haleti was about to speak up, but one harsh stare from Huleten and they return to bored silence.

KaSi Kw’Sewi, though, was not as prudent. Perhaps it was the drink and the food or the long years of exile but the already bellicose human was quick to defend their sworn mate Yegin. KaSi had grown into their role as a folk-hero, their previous habit of spouting ill-conceived poetry had become a mark of character for them, their already remarkable feats of strength and prowess made them eager to show-off, their striking nose, broken by the previous War Lady in combat, a badge of honor. And so, KaSi, much to the surprise of the other Blemmyae, except probably Yegin, who perhaps balances their respect for the Kw'Sewi with their exasperation at their antics, jumps onto the dining table to face Rosie and Dinfat both. KaSi, stands proudly, in that bent head posture in symbolic connection to their Greater Clan brethren, they are once again dressed in the traditional wrestling attire of the Kw’Sewi clan - shirtless with a cloth completely covering their lower body, except that in recongition of the event and KaSi's status an additional sash was strapped across their broad, but aging, shoulders. Standing in this fashion on the table during such an esteemed gathering, KaSi closes their eyes and breaths deep and proclaims, to the misfortune of those with ears, a poem:

Sing O' Muses
Of the Foolishness of the Dwarves
Their doubts and their crimes!

Forgive O' Muses
They see treachery at their backs
Instead of the teeth at their throats!

Croon O' Muses
Of the fall of Kings when they forget
The Heroes of the People and the Hero of Heroes!

Chant O Muses
Of how the Shadows blight the Land
And how Yegin the Great! is the Light!

With this last line KaSi squats and jumps off the table to stand behind Yegin, clearly geniune in their belief that their sworn friend that they supported all those years ago is the person for the task. KaSi stares with reproach at the other clansmen Blemmyae and Human both for doubting Yegin all these years and dares them to not grant their support and faith to the Hero now in their collective time of need.

[Minescratcher]

Bel-Dan

"I find these terms agreeable. While before I could not pay ye tribute without risking a civil war, it seems that risk has been removed from my shoulders, so I may as well do whatever I can ta win. My first act as governor will be ta release Ren-Cha-Fen, and my second ta request yer aid against my brother's foolish rebellion."

"Excellent! Then let the... ah, well, there isn't very much sea here to bear witness." Reren-Tar-Tano frowned. "Let bon-bel bear witness to our words, and let the seas rise to destroy us should we renege!"

---

Council of War

"A dire hour, you say, yet your own lands lie safe," the Reren said. "You southerners can expect no aid from the Sea Peoples; you should never have crossed bon-daně-tar-bel, and it is your own curse which lies upon you."

He chuckled as Rosie, Dinfat, and KaSi fell to arguing.

"Hey! Gentle-blemmy, human, Rosie, if you are going to duel, make sure it's not to the death! I have an investment in the dwarf, and I would rather not lose my subject so soon."

[mystic1110]

"Hey! Gentle-blemmy, human, Rosie, if you are going to duel, make sure it's not to the death! I have an investment in the dwarf, and I would rather not lose my subject so soon."

The disadvantage of exile was that KaSi Kw’Sewi did not know who Reren-Tar-Tano was. It is uncertain if they would have known regardless given that they were, all things considered, a minor clan leader of a minor clan in the grand state of Blemmyae politics. It is even more uncertain if they would acted differently if they hadn't heard their own legend of "brave human warrior defending the honor of the Clans and avenging the King of Kings" for the past eight or so years over and over - retold by persons eager to please. Lets not forget that this was all after hours feasting and drinking, which is all to say that throw all of these ingredients in a pot and stir to a boil and . . . KaSi slaps Yegin's shoulders and points and The Reren and declares.

A foolish Investment! One that can have no dividends!

And given to, unfortunate, poetry, KaSi continues.

Count O' Muses
On how a moneylender
Thinks that they are a warrior!

The human making their distain for all the talk as clear as they can. The land was under attack by creatures of legend! What glory! If they could be part of the grand defense - live or die, their names will be in the books of the Blemmyae for all time. None would forget Brave and Loyal KaSi who brought eternal honor to the name of Sewi!

[Frostwander]

Sewune

She then looked around the table she could see the seafaring Bel-Dan and Anbroch, pausing slightly longer on the Vygra and smiled knowing their nations have had good relations so far. The party seats close to the Vygra and as she sits down addresses Khetra. "I would have preferred to first interact with your nation to be under better circumstances these days are dire indeed." She says as she start eating the food put in front of her.

"These are not the circumstances that I wish for any of our nations. I hope that we can resolve this with minimal loss, so we may meet under happier skies." Khetra's expression is calm, but strained - it is clear the concern over the blightspawn is foremost weighing on her thoughts.

Troll King

The larders of the King of Kings would be put to the test that day, as a somewhat haggard-looking Haanhangandhal enters, flanked by at least a dozen Blemmyae guards. The troll's form does not have the sleek, well-rounded fullness of years prior, skin and scale shifting and stretching against thickly braided musculature. Beneath the relatively subdued finery, a great many pockmarks and misshapen bulges can be seen marring their skin, and their every movement carries predatory deliberation. He manages a dip of the head to their host, as well as Khetra, before swiftly moving to where they might partake in the feast proper, where it quickly becomes clear just how much a full-grown troll with an appetite eats...

Khetra and Alexios both nod in polite acknowledgement and greeting to the Dhraan king, but do not interrupt his recovery feast - it is obvious the toll this has taken on his health. The greeting has more solemnity than normal even for the usually stately Mira. Given the recent feast at the Sur, and Alexios' intuitions there, they feel a deep sympathy for the terrible consequences of the blightspawn in troll territory.


Council

My friends of Kiswa. This is a truly dire hour. Along the banks of the Sur, the Gluttonous Shadows feed off of the blood of your people. They swarm, en masse, devouring all in their path. Soon they will spread, enveloping all of our continent. We have had our disagreements in the past, people of Kiswa, and many of us have score to settle with one another, but I ask you to set those old grudges aside for the moment. The more pressing concern is to defeat these abominations that infest our lands. Do not lose heart, for it is possible to win this war if we hold together, united by desperation, and fight as one. I myself will set off into the heart of the blight, across the Sur, to discover the origins of these demons. Who will join me in defiance of their assault?

Matji Khetra stands from between Alexios and Aruni. "The Vygra know well the terror of the blightspawn. Even in my lifetime, though, we have not seen a swarm of near these dreadful proportions. Our butho and the sentinels are already assembling to move to the aid of the Dhraan. Alexios and myself will lead these forces to bring the black iron weapons of the sentinels against these vile shadows. Our aim is to assist in sweeping through the land on both sides of the Sur to remove this blight, and prevent its spread further into Kiswa. We will keep a reserve in Vyterrat, under my daughter's command, should the worst come."

Aruni's hands grip the edge of the table, thin curls of smoke wafting up from the wood of the table as it singes beneath her fingers. She clearly is frustrated at being left to defend instead of leading, but has already lost this argument - multiple times.

Khetra ignores the disturbances of the dwarf and the Bel-Dan, as well as the poetic human taunting them. If they will not take this threat seriously, she has no words or breath to spare for them. Instead she directs her words to the others present, though her voice is clearly heard by all through the chamber. "I urge you all to take this threat as seriously. These spawn have no thoughts for politics, or even war. They do not move or plan like armies. Only hunger drives them, hunting and insatiable, and they will not cease until we put them to a decisive end.

"If you cannot bring military forces to bear upon them, I entreat any of you to lend aid to Dinfat Kw'Torineti, or make your own excursions beyond the Sur through the openings we force to learn what may be found of their source. Once we have cleansed the swarm, I do not doubt more toil yet will await us."

[Aedilred]

At last, the plates of food were cleared from the table, with the exception of those in front of King Haanhangandhal. The king's servers had eventually given up on providing the ravenous troll with delicacies and simply carried out entire roasted goats on spits.

Dinfat Kw'Torineti looked around at the assembled delegates. There were so many brave warriors in Kiswa, and yet it seemed their potential would always be wasted in conflict with one another. Meeting the gaze of the King of Kings, they blinked in understanding and began to speak.

My friends of Kiswa. This is a truly dire hour. Along the banks of the Sur, the Gluttonous Shadows feed off of the blood of your people.

"Not my people."

The Henanda delegation had remained silent, almost anonymous until now, apparently happy to listen to the others make their plans. The speaker in this instance was a young woman, with a thick accent of central Kiswa. Those paying attention as she arrived might remember her name as Haga Tibue, lady of the Adrukal. With her and slightly behind, looming over her slightly, was an onozhis of one of the Bannanda tribes, while Andronikos the former Sentinel was also present.

"For as long as any of our peoples can remember, the western shore of the Sur has been taboo. In defiance of all the warnings, this taboo was breached and now this terror has been unleashed upon the perpetrators. Was this not predictable? Those under attack are not of the Adrukal, nor of the Ashihi, nor even of the wider peoples who look to Limdimon. They do not share our language or our faith. Aside from the trolls, who brought this doom upon themselves, what others have been afflicted by the Shadows? The dwarves of Anbroch, hostile to all, too preoccupied with their quarrelling to raise arms in their own defence against the Shadows - and the elves of the Sirrvadut, with whom my peoples have no quarrel but who are fiercely resistant to any setting foot in their forests, indeed, so independently minded that there is no sign of their presence here requesting assistance with defending their territory. Why should the Ashihi be called to arms? Why should my brothers and sisters of the Adrukal shed their blood and die fighting these nightmare horrors for those who have recklessly endangered us all?"

Andronikos shifted, looking uncomfortable at the argument being put forward, but said nothing.

[Rolepgeek]

By the time King Haanhandanghal had finished half of the second roasted goat, his regal manner had almost entirely returned, and as the troll swallowed the last chunks of flesh and bone, his posture (such as trolls could be expected to have) had improved markedly. The ruler of Lhungho Saar motioned for the third to be delivered instead to the pipe-smoking companion besides him, and watched, allowing himself a brief respite in the comfort of a truly full stomach as the bickering they had been invited in hopes of overcoming instead came to overwhelm them.

The Troll King pulls himself as Haga Tibue spoke, coming to his full, staggering height above the table. Their complexion appeared noticeably improved over that displayed when they first entered, and though the long, toothy jaws parted slightly, it took some moments before it became clear that the sudden reverberations in the chests of those present were coming from him - the majority would find the guttural rumbling emanating from the Dhraan too low to be actually heard. When he finally spoke, once all had fallen silent, it came as relief - a dreadful pressure released.

"It seems that victory is not possible, then!" A fiendish smile, swinging head from side to side to survey the field of dignitaries. "Shun the western shore, and I am called coward! Break the taboo, and I am named fool! What dread recompense for the burden my people have shouldered! What shameful reproach for such sacrifice my kingdom suffers to the benefit of those assembled! Woe greets me with the fullness of a maiden's youth, and cushion my head as I stumble, felled by such distasteful accusation!"

A pause. A breath. And continuation. "I will not begrudge you your decisions - please, make no mistake of my words. In truth, I expected aid from none but Alexios the Undying and his ilk - even the fine Matji Khetra's aid, who is proven devotee of the enigmatic World Soul, do I consider a boon and an indulgence!" he proclaims, arms wide and high to gesture grandly. "No, I do not begrudge you your reluctance to face these dread creatures. The troll's tone grows somber. A lesser king might have called you coward for your refusal. A lesser Dhraan might have seen fit to leave in disgust, but not I - I have seen their work firsthand. I know the terrible cost of my decisions all too well. I am sure you have heard stories. I tell you now that my sorrowful state upon entry to these esteemed halls was the result of the pace I felt necessary to arrive in all haste, without undue absence from my people, and our preparations to cleanse the blight from our lands."

A sharp release of air, and a viciously focused gaze that settles on each of the representatives in turn, unknowable gold-flecked eyes, reflecting in miniature their own visages.
"But so too will you not begrudge my people this - if you will grant no aid in cleansing the blight from the lands beyond the river, then expect no share in the bounty to be reaped once this threat is undone! To ignore the Blightspawn just beyond the waterline - to see fit only to hold them at the edges of civilization, and no more - these are the words of the pessimist, who sees no future beyond ruin staved off for another day. Time may see these words become as gravel and ash in my throat, heavy and choking, but I will not merely hold a line in the sand, content to leave the instruments of ruin to assault us at their pleasure! We shall carve a new boundary, we shall secure it by tooth and claw and concerted effort alongside friend and ally, and we shall there build anew to carve boundaries yet further afield, until there is not a one of the wretched spawn left to wither at our flanks and terrorize our people."

"So I will not begrudge you your justified fears. But neither shall I brook reprimand from those unwilling to take up this task of spreading and defending the very fundamentals of civilization themselves!"

[Gaius Hermicus]

Dinfat

The Warleader looked around at Haanhandanghal, Khetra, and Tibue, apparently unsure of who to address first. Eventually they settle on Haga Tibue. Calmly, they stare the Bannanda in the eyes, speaking without hostility but with resolute determination.

Your people may not be affected as yet, but there is no doubt that if the Gluttons are not purged from their current positions, they will spread to cover every undefended inch of Kiswa. The Gluttons do not distinguish between those who violate taboo and those who do not, Onozhis Tibue. They will bleed your people dry, just as they would mine, or just as they are currently doing to our Dhraan, Anbroch, and Sirrvadut neighbors.

They shift their attention to Khetra and Haanhandanghal, nodding with appreciation. Thank you for your words of wisdom, my friends. Our need in the moment is dire, but there is no reason that we cannot turn it into a moment of triumph and glory.

Yegin

At KaSi's outburst, Yegin's prudent regard for the King of Kings disintegrated. There was no place for formalities, not when a BRAWL seemed to be brewing. Leaping to their feet, Yegin slapped KaSi hard on the back and roared a deep belly laugh. Well put, my friend! Let it be known that this dwarven Warlady, despised by all, was thrown from their throne by my own courage and might! Let it be known that without me and my Merry Men, this shriveled Bel-Dan's invasion would have been crippled! You think I want to destabilize your governments? The Anbroch government was never stable in the first place! As one would expect from a nation led by such a weak and incompetent clan as the MacGills! Yegin lifts a bowl of palm wine from the table and hurls the contents of the entire bowl, almost a foot wide, down their throat. I will be off to battle these shadows myself, and we shall see whose story is still sung a thousand years from now!

Tengir

The flamboyantly dressed human diplomat Tengir Kw'Sewi had never been the strongest or bravest of warriors, but they had become the leader of the clan and one of the King of King's closest advisors due to their skill at reading the room and understanding people's facial cues. And while many of the assembled foreign delegates were fairly obvious in their intentions, Tengir's attention had been immediately drawn to Andronikos' silence. There might be some advantage to be gained here, they thought, sidling around the table to slip into a chair next to Andronikos. I hear nothing from you, my friend, although your companion has been eager to speak. What might your thought be on the best actions to take? You are clearly a man of great intelligence and courage, and I am sure your input would be valued in the council.

[Potato_Priest]

War council
Rosie calmly looked at Yegin as he baited her with insults, the tired look still in her eyes.
"If ye are spoiling for a fight ye'll not see me start one here, I at least have the sense and honor not ta commit murder at diplomatic gatherings."

She turned back to the table,
"An excellent speech, King..." She paused, as if forgetting the troll's name or simply unable to pronounce it, "...of troll country. I didna expect ta find a ruler here strong enough ta lead for her or himself against the shadows. Perhaps this gathering should have been hosted by ye instead, as the real leader on the field fighting the Shadows, rather than making us defer ta this glory hungry pretender." she gestured to Kw'Torineti.

[Minescratcher]

War Council

As the Blemmy warrior and its human cheerleader brought the room closer to violence, Reren-Tar-Tano tossed his head back and laughed, a long, echoing, outpouring of unrestrained mirth to the heavens. At length, he shrunk to a quiet chuckle, erupting in louder bursts as he caught his breath and leaned again on his staff.

"Shriveled I may be, Merry Man, but you cannot claim all the credit for our own mighty deeds," he said, collecting himself. "Otherwise, how would I be the one with a loyal governor in dwarf-land, and you the one with nothing but hot air to show for your 'deeds'?" His smile broadened, threatening to burst into laughter again, but he placed a hand over his chest and took several deep breaths.

"Now then, I must say that this council is rather, ah, shall we say overbearing? The good King Haanhandanghal surely cannot expect to keep all foreigners out of the western lands, should they be made whole, nor the good Blemmy King and their human lackeys expect to browbeat all Kiswa into coming to their aid. This was a wondrous feast, but if there is nought to speak of here but the Blight then I have little to say."

[Rolepgeek]

Haanhangandhal grins widely, teeth gleaming, as he turns to look at Tar-Tano.
"I would welcome you to try, little one. I fear that my warriors might grow indulgent and soft of tooth after our victory, without such beneficent aid."

Something very like a shrug is directed at the dwarven firebrand, in turn.
"Perhaps that would be so, Matriarch MacGill, were it not for the waking nightmares in our lands. If the easterners are unwilling to fight these creatures, they could hardly be expected to attend council so close to them."

"And I suspect it would make no difference here today. They will not be persuaded, and we need no grand coalition to destroy overgrown vermin beyond the might and virtue of those already committed to our aid."