Yuri has joined the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

Felicia, for once, has come sans whiskey. Early to prowl into the meeting hall. The sight of the magnificent table has her drawing that way... but Lou's disturbed frown causes her to pause and enquire,"Pathfinder?" with a quiet curiousity.

Oswyn has joined the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.

Situated at the top end of the large map table in the hall is Liara Grayson, with two senior servants of House Grayson seated nearby, apparently for the purpose of taking minutes or passing the high lady relevant notes. As the meeting comes to its beginning, she gathers herself to her feet, with a brief smile for those present before she begins, without much fanfare.

"Thank you all for attending. This will be the first in a series of meetings to deal with the various problems that we will face in dealing with Bastion. I intend to keep matters moving in a relatively freeform fashion to keep it flowing, and to facilitate the easy conveyance of information."

A brief pause, then she goes on to mention the specifics: "As far as the harbour is concerned, we have a few matters to decide for a course of action for, along with any contingencies deemed necessary. The first is the presence of some of the Traitor's leavings, in the form of flesh-eating, flying centipedes. Removing those is imperative to facilitate any other undertakings. There is also the matter of disposing of the gargantuan carcass, currently blocking passage across a key route in the harbour area. Lastly, a matter of some souls."

A look around, and she mentions, "Before we begin, in the event that anyone has fresh information above and beyond that available at the initial debriefing, do please make yourselves known."

Haakon stands with his back to one wall, arms crossed and leaning back, brooding like some kind of antisocial try-hard edgelord. He adds nothing. Typical.

Vitalis likewise looks to the Pathfinder at Felicia's query. He settles himself at the map table and greets those gathered. He looks around to see if any are presenting themselves for 'fresh information' the Highlord called for. By his expression, he won't be a source for that.

Ian arrived quite early, and is already sitting down at a table, settled into a comfortable slouch.

Drake walks in quietly among many. He has no information about the harbor other than rumors, so he's here to listen. He flops down at a tableside seat, and immediately upon doing so hears about 'flesh eating centipedes.' This meeting does have his attention at least.

Denica arrives promptly on time on along with Yuri, murmuring quietly with him as they walk. There is a gaggle of masked confessors who follow the short princess, intermixed with house guards. Handing off her closed parasol to her attendant Stojan, he trades her for a sketch book and a piece of charcoal. It's fresh, not even broken yet. The young woman is dressed in cheerful sunshine yellow, despite the serious look on her face. Leaning in she whispers something to the man she walks with, eyes scanning the room for a place to sit. In seeing Faye, she promptly makes her direction towards the sofa. Hearing Liara speak, she goes silent, sitting down with an easy smooth of her skirts as she starts to listen and open the aforementioned sketch pad, lips pressing together.

Lou pauses in her pacing only to stop and give Felicia a grim look. She shakes her head slightly in a 'not now' sort of way, nodding to Liara as indication why. She does her best not to fidget, turning her attention to the High Lord of Grayson to hear what she has to say. None of it seems surprising, as they've likely had discussions.

Rosalind had come early. EARLY yep. She was at the Harbor, so it seemed she should be here. Rosa sits comfortably at the table with all the maps, a smile breaking free at everyone, greeting them.

Jerrica has flounced into the Grey Hall and found a perch on at the long table. At Liara's mention of flesh-eating, flying centipedes, a look of curiosity flashes across the less prestigious Grayson's face. Then she shakes her head. It seems these animals are too wild even for her.

Ryhalt listens with quiet interest and nods to Liara as she outlines the plan for the evening.

Felicia gives a small nod for Lou, continuing towards the map table and finding a place to settle into to listen for the moment.

Vayne arrives, flanked by Templar Knights. The Legate of the Lost bows his head towards Liara, whether she's looking his way or not, then folds his hands in front of him as he steps towards and claims an empty seat.

"Liara, there is stuff related to the Traitor and reports I've received I'd like to bring up, but only after we finish discussing matters pertaining to Bastion first." Lou speaks up when she realizes her cousin asked for 'fresh information'. From the frown on her face, the news is likely concerning.

Vayne has joined the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

1 Iron Guardsmen, 3 Black Fleet Reavers, Moonsilver, the pale-feathered raven arrive, following Raven.

Liara gives a small inclination of her head to Lou. "Very good." A look around, then she continues, "Absent immediately relevant information, I do have one potentially, although not definitely, item of good news with regard to the centipedes: an endeavour is under way to create an alchemical substance to destroy them. However, I do not know whether this will be effective, and if it is, it is highly improbable that there will be enough to destroy them entirely."

There's a touch of humour to her voice as she goes on, "So, we shall perhaps have to contemplate more mundane solutions. A giant net did come to mind. However, I open the floor to suggestions, if people would be so good. I also note that it being the harbour, there exists the option of approaching by ship, if it changes matters compared to coming on foot."

Vitalis looks up from the grim faces shared around his table and blinks, pondering. "Smoke is used to pacify bees. Potentially it would work on these creatures?"

Ian half-raises a hand. "They eat flesh, right? You probably need less of the dissolving stuff if you can get them to eat it. Like baiting roaches."

"High lady, if I may?" Felicia enquires of Liara, green eyes going to Lou briefly and then seeking out her sister among the gathering as she eases to her feet.

Raven slips in quietly from the back, her enturage of guards remaining around her rather than dispursing, "Do we know what draws them? Traps could be effective, at least for a time." She jerks a thumb at Ian's suggestion, "That sounds like a good idea."

"Of course, Dame Felicia," Liara replies, and then she notes more generally to all present, "Please, consider the floor open to discussion and provision of information. That is our purpose here."

Fairen made his way in quietly, wooden folio in hand while taking up a spot at a table to be able to write more easily. For now, he just focuses on those who are speaking and taking in information, eyes blinking behind his spectacles.

Fairen has joined the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.

"When we are talking about centipedes in the area of the harbor, are we talking about the normal creepy crawly sized variety, the mid-sized ones, or the jumbo, will eat you where you stand versions?" Lou asks as she regards Liara. It's an important question when discussing tactics.

Lou adds, "Or, and this is /most/ important, the body snatching kind?"

Felicia says in Deathwhisper, "As discussed during the debriefing.." Felicia nods towards Ian briefly,"There are souls infesting the harbor. At least some of which are liable to have been from the gargantuan whose corpse now blocks the water. Given that putting the dead to rest is something of a calling for the Deathspeakers..." there's a wry smile from the eldest Harrow,"I've already organized an expedition to go via ship to try and lay them to rest. In the past freeing the souls has also caused the gargantuan holding them to... dismantle, but when it comes to such matters nothing is guaranteed. Some stalwart defenders have already signed up to come..." there's a small nod towards Ian and Vitalis,"which will hopefully allow time for the Deathspeakers to complete their work before retreating. To at least open the path for other actions.""

"As discussed during the debriefing.." Felicia nods towards Ian briefly,"There are souls infesting the harbor. At least some of which are liable to have been from the gargantuan whose corpse now blocks the water. Given that putting the dead to rest is something of a calling for the Deathspeakers..." there's a wry smile from the eldest Harrow,"I've already organized an expedition to go via ship to try and lay them to rest. In the past freeing the souls has also caused the gargantuan holding them to... dismantle, but when it comes to such matters nothing is guaranteed. Some stalwart defenders have already signed up to come..." there's a small nod towards Ian and Vitalis,"which will hopefully allow time for the Deathspeakers to complete their work before retreating. To at least open the path for other actions."

Breccan has joined the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

Patrizio arrives in a manner that pays homage to his cousin Sebastian - that he's fashionably late - though remarkably for once perhaps without his guards, and looking a bit as if he's been rushing across the city to get present for the briefing. He does have the decency to try to be quiet about the arrival, and eases into the back as he's listening to the matter of 'mundane' solutions and moves to open his mouth... before closing it again. No, some suggestions are better to wait on offering up.

Briar, a quiet young woman arrives, delivering a message to Raven before departing.


Making his way into the Great Hall is Breccan, the farmer from Clement. The tall redhead gives a quiet glance around before he spies Vitalis and Faye. He gives a tilt of his chin upwards, then heads over towards the sofa to takea seat next to the Inquisitor. He folds his large hands in his lap, giving a brush of his hand along a scar upon his arm that looks as if a chunk was nipped out of him.

Ian doesn't really seem sure what he ought to be doing when nodded at, and settles for a really, REALLY awkward half-wave. Yup, there he is. He's Ian.

Raven has joined the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.

Drake pipes up asking, "And are these centipedes made of regular insect stuff, or more like being made of blood?"

"I am given to understand that they are of the smaller variety, but dangerous. We have present people who were at the harbour to possibly give further detail," Liara says in response to Lou. A little nod is given to Drake at a not unrelated question, and she looks about the hall briefly as if to solicit more input.

Then she gives a little nod in acknowledgement to Felicia, her eyebrows arching up a touch. "Do you suspect that the smaller creatures are also in some way bound? It would certainly provide a clear purpose and end goal, assuming it did work."

Rosalind grumbles, itching her arm a little. "They were little ones,"her northern accent thick, her voice lifting. "And the spirits,"her eyes flicking to Felicia briefly. "People should be careful, because they were able to---slip into the mind. I've never felt so sad for anything...."

Bianca nods in confirmation of Rosalind's account, looking troubled. "If the trapped dead can be laid to true rest, it would make the reclamation a good deal easier."

Lou inclines her head in thanks to both Rosalind and Liara, her question answered on that count. For now, she has nothing else to add to the conversation.

Lou has joined the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.

Vitalis cants his head, listening to the information about gargantua and centipedes and souls. He nods in return at Felicia and looks, "When you say 'dismantle' will that poison the river?"

Ian clears his throat. "Um." He half-raises a hand again. Lowers it. "Look, I wasn't there, but I heard people talk about the centipedes in the harbor, and it's not like they were that one that was thirty feet tall, but little centipedes don't do the kind of damage they were describing."

Rosalind exhales. "I was there. And they were---they were large enough. Not mini tiny little buggy things." She looks around, telling the group. "They laid EGGS in our SKIN,"her body shuddering at the memory. "THey weren't giants though."

"I had a commission, years ago," comes Cufre's voice, lifted to carry, her Lowers accent made heavier for it. "I don't know what it was being used for, but something its like might be of use." She looks toward the map table, toward Felicia, in particular. "You'll maybe remember it, Fel. A glass container with separate spaces - areas - within. It didn't allow what was contained to mix. Until it broke." She looks to Liara then. "I could make these again, your highness, if they might be needed by the alchemists. With those, there might not even be a need to go near the centipedes."

"And a small, mundane note but those who go," Bianca chimes in again, "might take a salve of mint or something stronger beneath their nose in preparation for the gut-curdling smell of rot. I know it's nearly impossible to avoid it but you'll want to try."

There's a nod of agreement to Bianca's words as well, Rosa saying,"It smells of death,"her eyes appearing sad.

Liara's pretty clearly listening, but refrains from offering further views for now, other than when she's directly addressed, a curious note to her voice as she puts a question to Cufre, "As a sort of trap, do you mean?"

"It's the nature of the thing." Felicia responds to Liara and then purses her lips,"To cover the basics... the thing leading the centipedes that attacked Bastion is the son of the former king of the Sylv'alfar. He was once a member of the ancient mage order known as the Metallics... but he betrayed them to their deaths during Alarice's time and set himself on his current path. The thing he serves is the reflection of Skald, by its nature, it enslaves. Those who fought at the Lodge would be familiar with things like gargantuans... they are, in effect, thirteen by thirteen bodies and souls melded into one hideous form. It is, generally not recommended to try and take them on without magic as it can lead to mass casualties... but if it is already dead, and the souls left behind are the... dough... keeping it intact, then helping them return to the Shining Lands will help dispose of the corpse itself. As to poisoning the river... likely no more than any of the other corpses that wind up in it. Once the Abyssal magic holding it together, they are just more bodies."

Raven makes a face and leans back, face falling into her palm, "Ooooof course they can." She frowns "I saw centipedes the size big enough to ride on elsewhere in the initial attack so perhaps plan for them to be a variety of sizes to be safe? I imagine they don't NEED to be huge in the case of most because oof what they do. If the solution for the centipedes is anything like the solution for thornweave it will both be difficult to make and require the harvesting of the centipedes themselves. Perhaps if they might betrapped, corralled or contained while we seek to reclaim the harbor then after the fact we can use our cache of centipedes to be the main ingredient in our centipede poison or whatever?"

Breccan furrows his brows. "I was bit by one as big as a horse." He says in response to Raven, giving a glance over to her. "I won't ever get that out of my head." He says as he scrubs his hand along his scarred arm, then turns his attention towards Felicia who is filling in the gaps.

"As a container for whatever might be used against them, your highness," Cufre responds. "But a container that mixes whatever it holds as it breaks. One that can be thrown."

Faye raises her hand to speak up. "When the Inquisition fought one of those giant centipedes, it seemed afraid of fire. We were able to kill it rather quickly by luring it into a wrecked tavern and rigging it to go alight. All the spilled alcohol in it caught extremely fast." She makes an exploding gesture with her hands. "We had discussed making flaming bottles to throw, break, and catch fire, but there wasn't time. That would be something you could plan ahead for, though."

Liara gives a little incline of her head in acknowledgement to Felicia, and checks on one point, "Based on your experience, is it possible that the far smaller creatures are also bound in some fashion?"

Then she offers a smile and little duck of her chin to Cufre, before mentioning to Raven, "If they get much larger, then I suspect that we will resort to the application of brute force: more warships brought into the harbour, equipped with sufficiently large weapons to help. However, that is not an adequate response to the smaller creatures, against which normal weapons are questionably helpful."

Vitalis makes himself busy writing the ideas that are tossed about.

Liara looks over at Faye's words. "That is curious. Lord Vitalis suggested smoke, of course. I am loath to use fire in an uncontrolled way, but perhaps braziers on ships or indeed on wheels may be of assistance."

"Too bad we can't just craft something to roll over them, like a large wheel. Then squish!" Lou pipes up from the sidelines.

Haakon grimaces at mention of burning braziers on ships, and raises a hand to itch at the side of his neck.

As Faye speaks up, Denica nods her head in solidarity with what the woman says and her suggestion. "Flaming arrows might be another thought, but the use of fire was pretty effective and gave us a lot more opportunity than without," Denica adds as she looks up over the crowd of people.

Ian muses out loud: "We could set out a dead cow or something, wait for them to swarm on it, and then light the whole thing on fire. Smoke only barely slowed down the abyss wasps."

Vitalis lifts a hand, "Messere Breccan, to the Pathfinder's suggesting, maybe some sort of ... adapted plow?"

Faye nods agreement with Liara. "The town we were in caught fire. A nearby forge exploded. There was... a lot of fire. I wouldn't suggest burning down Bastion." That was a little joke. "But one thing we did notice was that torches did manage to keep it at bay. And I did wonder if you could create a line of bonfires to make a barrier it wouldn't cross. A safe zone." She nods along with Denica's comments too.

Breccan leans in to bump Faye gently on the shoulder wtih his, giving a nod of his head in agreement. As he turns his attention towards Vitalis, he rubs a hand along his slightly red bearded face. "An adapted plow?" He says as he glances to Lou, then back to his House-mate. "I think we can work on something like that. We can have the plow lifted up a bit higher on wheels, then position the blades lower so that it can cut through whatever is in it's path like warm butter. The plows I use are manned by the mustangs though."

Felicia offers Cufre a brief, proud kind of smile, listening to others speak before turning her attention towards Liara with an acknowledging gesture in Ian's way,"History speaks of gargantuans. It speaks of fomori and the Sylv'alfar. But, that was hundreds of years ago. While we have been ignorant, our enemies have had time to... adapt, and develop. Their skills. Is is possible? Yes. But. Part of how it was worked out that the Sylv'alfar were under the sway of this reflection in the first place was that it was noticed that they referred to themselves as numbers. Rather than having names. The army of the reflection has been called various things... the Legion of Harmony among them. And it's because, well, ultimately there's one intelligence guiding them. Things like these extra large centipedes and that sort of thing...? Kill them with fire." she might just have a problem with those, based upon the way she shudders,"Whatever they are is not natural and may be created for purpose."

Lou practically beans at Breccan as he starts taking her idea and rolling with it. Literally. "Or, I was thinking maybe a giant log that had a hollow made in the middle so you can have a handle and it could roll? But that plow things sounds like it could work too!" She's literally talking about rolling over them and squishing, but seems to accept his idea as a good one. "Though my idea might take several people pushing the thing, or pulling, but I think pushing would be better because that mens the centipedes would be on the side away from you. I mean, that is, if the carpenters of the city think that's even possible. Or the plow thing!" because she won't discount it.

"Depending on the specific tastes of the creatures, it may need to be a live cow. I certainly see merit to the idea," Liara replies to Ian. She does actually give an amused little noise at Faye's words. "That is certainly an option. I can dispatch as many soldiers as such a plan requires, although I note that the more people are involved, the more potential we open up for error, against a most unusual foe, if foe is even the proper word."

Settled to the side, Patrizio's quietly taking notes - the brief lift, now and again, of his head to let those jade eyes of his look about, from speaker to speaker, and he does frown at the mentions of how to deal with the creatures that remain behind. But he does finally give voice to a matter, when he hears Liara give her voice to the dangers. "It also opens up for multiple avenues of attack for said foe as well. Or fodder for an infernal plot."

Raven rises and bows politely to all the very important people around her and notes,"I do have a request for those pondering and looking into the nature of these centipedes" She draws in a deep breath, "I am aware that some of the Sutavi can turn into centipedes, they have centipede tattoos I'm told. There are...other places which they pose a hazard to. If anyone should come across any knowledge about these centipedes which isn't already common knowledge please do messenger me as it could be quite useful." she bows again and sits down.

Lou mutters aloud, "I have a few choice words I could use, other than foe."

Raven says, "Hear hear, your highness!"

Liara gives a brief smile in acknowledgement to Patrizio. "Indeed. I am consequently more inclined to keep this undertaking small scale."

A thought of her own is inserted: "The ship, or ships, approaching the harbour might have a covered deck, be rowed in, and have the oarholes blocked once moored. It is a small matter."

Ian fishes a flask out of an inner pocket of his coat. "I think we're going to be there before it's time to get rid of the bugs, right?" He asks after a moment. "Someone give me a short list of easy things to test and I'll try to test them. Smoke, whether they'll eat something that's already dead, what they think of fire."

Felicia's attention goes towards Raven,"...the Su'tavi have centipede tattoos?" there's a thoughtful kind of huh that follows,"There was a group called the Black Reef clan that we encountered near Port Defiance before the Skal'dajan attack. They had pledged to help the Skal'dajan's for free, in return for future aid with another matter." there's a brief pause and clearing of her throat with a look towards Liara,"...but we paid off another group to take them out of the fight. Admittedly, my knowledge of the Su'tavi is... limited, to the say the least. Aren't they associated with the Saffron Chain in some way?"


"I think the idea of a plow is interesting. Though you have take in mind the amount of man-power that has to be put into it. It may be slow to use in the field." Breccan takes his own journal out and begins to scribble down some designs as he shifts his jaw to one side. "Though I do like that idea. Could add spikes to the front wheel for better grip during the muddy seasons as well as extra damage."


**********************************************************************
It's just a typical day, beside the fact that the moon is just lingering in the sky, when suddenly a house in the Lower Boroughs suddenly burst into flames. Locals seem to blame all sorts of things; from negligent smoking, strange experimentations and revenge arson. No remains have been found. Or anything really. The fire seems to have been incredibly thorough. Possibly too thorough.
**********************************************************************


"I have limited knowledge too," Liara says to Felicia. "In this instance, I do not have the impression that any intelligent presence remains to oppose us."

She gives a little nod over to Breccan, "I would prefer to commit a minimal number of people. The more that are there, the more options for people to fly at the creatures have."

Drake looks at Felicia when she asks about the Saffron Chain. "Not to my knowledge, but I could be mistaken. They're a Traitor-follower cult. I associate them more with animal and plant magic if anything, but I suppose their origins are Sylv'alfar originally."

"I trust you and whatever carpenters you employ will find a suitable solution," Lou tells Breccan. She's not a crafter, she's just an ideas person. She knows her limits when it comes to that staff. "But, really, anything is better than more fire. Bastion has had enough damage."

Liara upturns a gloved hand in a sweeping gesture about the hall, "From all that has been presented so far, I have the picture of a plan beginning to form. Dame Felicia already has her group together with the purpose of helping the souls left lingering in the district. I suggest, then, contingent on it not being utterly disruptive to the helping of those souls, that another party move in either in advance or simultaneously, on a ship prepared specifically for the purpose. It may involve more fire than is ordinarily considered reasonable on a ship, or else have a special cover built over the deck."

A pause, and she goes on, "We have the option of hurling an animal carcass ashore to draw the attention of the creatures and, possibly, using that as a trap as well as simply bait. We might also bring live animals. If a sufficiently large ship can be moored without disruption, it opens the opportunity of more tools being brought ashore, including items to produce flame or smoke. Any use of fire should be in a controlled way, to either disperse the creatures, or having drawn them into a trap."

Patrizio seems to smile a little /too/ much at the concept of 'more fire than is ordinarily considered reasonable'.

Raven says, "Is damage the priority or lives? If you get Bastion back you can rebuild. At this point there are hills I am and am not willing to die for, so to speak and I have the distinct impression that before long resources being used to reclaim Bastion will be in limited supply as the Traitor-or other threads to the compact-manifest. I might suggest expedecy is more pressing than aesthetics but it is not my holding."

Pete, a Grayhope account manager arrives, delivering a message to Raven before departing.

Briar, a quiet young woman arrives, delivering a message to Patrizio before departing.

Bianca has left the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.


As he scribbles, Breccan gives a furrow of his brow. "I feel like having smaller, easy to carry weaponary may be more suitable. Such as exploding bottles of fire. When I fought them, they are incredibly fast and they move swiftly in all angles. Slow machines may not be suitable against centipedes."

Ian shakes his head to Liara. "I think we should deal with the ghost problem before we bring in a lot of people, Your Highness," he suggests. "They've been possessing people and then trying to get them to commit suicide. If you move a lot of people in, it's just going to be a lot of that."

"The Su'tavi are agents of the Slaver, and I'm sure have been granted to the Traitor to use for whatever project he does in the name of the Slaver," Lou supplies for those who are asking questions about them. "They prey on families and villages outside of the walls, chasing them down until they're exhausted and give them a choice of either joining the Su'tavi or be sacrificed to their dark gods. They are particularly interested in children they can mold into their own, and just when you think you've killed them all, more pop up somewhere else." She pauses, then flushes. "I might have researched /everything/ I could find on them." Obsessed a tad.

Jerrica tentatively speaks out. "I am far from a military strategist, but I remember hearing about a weapon around the time of Pieros. I believe it was called Arvani Fire? Would that be useful if we wish to burn the centipedes?"

Liara remarks to Raven, "If not for the Traitor, I might call my banners and have tens of thousands march to the city, but as to the matter of a Traitor, House Grayson burning down its own home may not be the very best way to change the Dream, although I certainly make no claim to expertise on that matter."

Ryhalt says gently to Jerrica, "Might, but it would burn uncontrollably, so would be best only if it is deemed that Bastion is best destroyed utterly."

Liara gives a small incline of her head to Ian. "I take your point, my lord. Then those going to deal with the ghosts would be at all the more risk. A smaller diversion might yet be arranged. Your scheme with carcasses seems reasonable."

Ian finally takes a drink from his flask. Whatever's in there can't be stronger than wine, though, based on his lack of reaction to stronger spirits. "I'll try and do a couple of experiments while we're there, get you some better information about what's likely to work."

Pete, a Grayhope account manager arrives, delivering a message to Raven before departing.

"This may not be the time for it, but as one of Deathspeakers who will be traveling to Bastion, I'd surely like to know a bit more about how they..." Cufre waggles her hand in search of the words, "How they tried to make people do things. How they spoke to them."

Winter, A Highhill Puppy, Angeline arrive, following Kiera.

Raven listens, chewing her bottom lip and looking troubled.

Rosalind watches Cufre curiously. "It's a voice. It's a tiny voice that gets into your head. And you don't have control really, and it's the hardest thing to fight, to reclaim your own mind." The Ravenseye speaks up when she has to, honest.

"That would be most helpful, my lord," Liara says to Ian. There's a faint purse to her lips, a moment of quiet thought on her part, as her gaze turns over the hall.

A light tap of her fingers at the table's edge follows before she speaks again, "Very well, the ghosts shall be disposed of first. It brings us back to the issue of the insects. There certainly appears to be consensus on approaching by river being correct. Is there dissent on that account?"

Liara mentions much belatedly to Jerrica, "It is terribly difficult to extinguish Arvani Fire. A most dangerous weapon. It would surely work, but very possibly leave thousands absent any home for even longer than they already have been."

bows her head a bit in thanks to Rosalind, even if the information has left her with concerns marked plainly in the furrow of her brow, the downturn of her lips.

"If ships were also destroyed in the attack you may need to clear the harbor because it'd be dangerous for other ships to approach. Getting rid of the gargantuan corpse will not resolve that." Ryhalt nods to Liara. "Otherwise, it seems as safe entry as any... assuming no one's taken up along the river banks to take out any ships coming in to retake the city."

"Which is sometimes the advantage of Arvani Fire as well, and why sometimes it's applied," admits Patrizio without any hint that applying it bothers him either. And then he shakes his head about the suggestion about the river, before he murmurs, as if in answer to Ryhalt, "I think that any direction's going to have its dangers. Let's not kid ourselves about the fact that we should assume that /any/ approach is going to be guarded against such."

"Thraxxian fire's a little easier to put out," Ian suggests. "Set it on something that doesn't burn on its own, like stone, and it won't spread. It doesn't make embers. Burning centipedes might run off and spread it, though."

Breccan has left the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

Moonsilver, the pale-feathered raven arrives, delivering a message to Patrizio before departing.

"An entirely sensible caution, Duke Farshaw. Although my inclination is towards a larger vessel, such that equipment might be brought ashore, fighting in the harbour surely did leave wreckage. Perhaps a smaller ship is in order, in that case. Any attack outside the city, meanwhile, shall be dealt with by simple brute force." Liara offers Ryhalt a light smile, then she continues, "Judging by the look on Lord Haakon's face whenever fire and ships are mentioned in the same sentence, this is a most unwelcome plan. Shall it be the case that the ship's crew should withdraw with all haste to an interior space? There is some certainty here that fire is an effective tool to keep the creatures at bay."

Lou seems to look more and more surly every time someone mentions using /fire/ in her home city. Yes. Yes that's definitely an upside down smile on her face, crinkling her forehead. She keeps glancing to Liara to see if she's actually entertaining those ideas.

Lou asks, "Has anyone tried holy water on the cenitpedes?"

Denica has left the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

A reserved assistant named Stojan have been dismissed.

3 Inquisition Confessors have been dismissed.

1 Thrax Elite Guards have been dismissed.

A nondescript man named Cato have been dismissed.

Denica has joined the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

Haakon sniffs dryly. "There's no retreating belowdecks to escape a burning upper deck," he opines, deadpan. "And in tainted waters there may be no swimming to shore. If'n a ship takes to fire, it and those aboard are most like doomed. They're dead for certain if it's that Arvani shit."

Even Fairen wrinkles his brow at the idea of incinerating Bastion, rubbing his thumb along the edges of the pages before him on the table. "It seems like there must be other ideas to use before such a drastic solution." Likely he has a bit of an aversion to burning down the capital city of his Grayson lieges.

"A reasonable point," Liara replies to Haakon. She breathes a faint noise, contemplating this. A beat of pause, then she goes on, "Carcasses, or else live animals, seem a sound suggestion to draw the attention of the creatures. A brazier might be brought ashore and lit to dissuade them from coming too close to people, and to instead focus on the animals. There have been suggestions of creating a trap out of the carcasses, be it from an alchemical substance or otherwise. Princess Lou mentioned holy water just now."

Liara offers over a quick, light smile to Fairen. "Indeed so, my lord. No destruction at all would really be most preferable, although with the universal agreement that the creatures dislike fire, carrying some as a defensive precaution appears prudent."

"I think the silence means no one has tried holy water," Lou says in an aside to Liara. "Some could take holy water there and see while dealing with the ghosts, along with whatever else they might need to keep the centipedes away." Plus, you know, water puts out fire.

Raven says, "Traps, plows, holy water, solvents. What other means are there without knowing the means by which they are summoned, controlled, or sustained?"

Liara gives an agreeable nod to Lou. "Good idea." A further thought appears to strike Liara, and she queries of Cufre, "On just how large a scale might your container be created?"

To Raven, she says, "I suppose a layer of sturdy cloth to be cast over them, although they may merely eat through it."

There's a brief lift of one well-plucked brow when Patrizio's listening about holy water, before he murmurs softly, "I think that it's worth finding out, one way or the other. Another option that's shy of things others here so dread. It's the question of how close one must get and how much danger there is, in the testing, no?"

Ryhalt nods his head in agreement to Patrizio that all routes are dangerous. "To get corpses in, it may be more practical to lob them in over the wall than try to get a ship close enough to unload. Well, I guess you could take live ones in and kill them there... it's not as fun and would be more dangerous." He scratches his sidewhisker, having a hard time not keeping a straight face at the thought of flying cows. "Give the engineers something interesting to tinker with." Sure, that's *really* not what he's after.

Lou considers, "Evaristo sometimes has centipedes coming out of him, ever since Whisper House. Other than just stepping on them, has anyone tried to do anything with /those/? The ones that come out of him, not the ones inside of him. That wouldn't require anyone to go all the way to Bastion to work things out."

Raven snorts, "I am fairly sure they have, He's QUITE SENSITIVE about the topic. Definitely don't call it a posession."

Ian puts his flask away and says, in his flat, intonation-free voice: "Well, we could always throw bees at them." It's hard to tell when Ian's joking, because he never sounds like he's joking. Surely, though, that has to be a joke. Especially since he finishes it with a pantomime of lobbing a handful of bees.

Drake suddenly pays attention when Evaristo is mentioned, or at least, his specific problem. He looks alarmed.

"I have only ever worked small, your highness. That commission was something that would fit in a hand," Cufre says to Liara. "But that doesn't mean I can't try making something larger. And if I'm not up to it, I passed a good number of glass artworks on my way here. With someone who works large and those plans from that commission - I'm pretty sure I still have them - I think it can be done."

Rosalind looks a little--confused. "How um--did he become not possessed(she totally means possessed) by centipedes?" She asks unsurly, asking,"Is he alright? Does it hurt? Can you see them crawl under his skin?!"

Liara's eyebrows creep up at Lou's words on Evaristo, her nose crinkling subtly. No comment is ventured.

She gives a little nod to Cufre. "If we wish to set a trap for the creatures, a way to lure them into a container that can be sealed, and then flooded with something dangerous to them, would be most helpful."

Felicia has the blank face of being utterly unsurprised at the mention of Evaristo's problem, only choosing to chime in,"...he has plans in the works to correct that issue. And will be accompanying my team to Bastion." as her only contribution on that topic.

Kiera lays a hand on drake's arm and listens carefully to the talk of expermentation

Raven eyes Felicia curiosly, "Well that'll be interesting, won't it? Wonder what a curse looks like when it breaks."

It's Cufre's turn to snurl a little, as she looks to Felicia. Somebody doesn't really look forward to being trapped on a ship with a caterpillar situation.

"Well, when it came to our memories of the trip to Whitepeak, it involved a lot of pain, whiskey, and an attack by magical blood insects. So. Probably messy. But, the same can be said of magic in general." she advises with a tight kind of smile.

Lou looks over at Rosalind. "I don't know, and the rest you'd have to ask him. But gently, please." She's waiting patiently for things to wind down so she can introduce a few other elements, meanwhile she talks quietly at the table.

Lou nods to something Ian says and then when it seems like things are really wound down, she interject. "I have had several reports about the goings on of the Traitor that hasn't anything to do with Bastion. They're to do with movements along the Saffron and up to and including the travel route we found around Brightshore."

Haakon adds, "Mayhap be sure a few longship have hooks on stout rope, just in case the carcass doesn't melt, and it need be dragged out to the Gray River to see the harbor opened, aye?"

"I'll make a note of that, my lord. And see to it that our vessel is equipped for the purpose. As I don't fancy taking a swim to try and chop it up with swords or axes." Felicia nods for Haakon's recommendation.

Liara gives a little inclination of her head in acknowledgement of Haakon's suggestion.

Then she goes to sum up, "In short, a party shall move into the harbour in a smaller vessel. They will go ashore with carcasses to be used as bait for a trap, which may take one of a few forms, dependent on results of examination of various substances. I look forward to hearing specifics about these, and indeed about precise means to deploy them. Fire may be used as a defensive measure, but should not be cast towards the creatures. I wish to see this undertaken by a relatively small number of people. The vessel may be modified to provide some shelter, both for entering and, if the plan does not work, escaping the harbour."

Kiera looks up as Lou speaks of the saffron and moves in her direction carefully

Lou watches as Oswyn reaches up and rubs his eyes. She might be getting a little defensive, "I've been a bit busy with Bastion!" she calls out loud. Not that it's really her fault someone maybe hasn't sought help where they ought to. But it's somewhat out of place when the conversation taking place is at the benches.

That's when Lou stops and flushes. She waves at Liara and says, "That's a great plan, cousin!" as if to deflect any attention on her.

Oswyn shoots Lou a vaguely apologetic look.

"I should hope that, considering the amount of input, it is at least somewhat passable," Liara replies to Lou, with quiet amusement. "It is certainly a step forward from 'big net."

Then she says to the room as a whole, "I will open matters up to general information that anyone might want to provide. Any specific plans shall be kept to the relevant meetings over the coming days."

Lou clearing her throat, she notes. "Faye Ruger is able to give a report on the Brightshore part of things. My report has to do more with a great blood serpent, whose name I shall not use because it's long, sounds vaguely Eurusi in its writing, and well, names have real, actual power people. Anyway, it seems the Traitor may be trying to awaken it, and if it is awoken.... that creature is the same that split the continent of the Saffron into the islands it is today. It used to be whole, like Arvum is. If it wakes, and he sends it here? Well, the Compact really is going to have a difficult time stoping the Traitor. A few people here, who gave the reports, can give more information if they'd like. Otherwise, Faye?" she looks over in Faye's direction.

Raven says, "Kal'kul'raja.""

Lou gives Raven a deadpan look when the name /is/ spoken.

Patrizio is quiet, but there's the turn of his head to look to Raven when she pronounces the name, and... slowly his head dips, before he's looking back to Lou.

At the mention of pelting magic stones and vines growing out of skin, Rosa starts to quietly make her out. Quietly. Hearing Raven, she calls out,"Bless you!," because clearly the woman sneezed!

Faye gives Lou a nod of thanks. "One more bit of news I found out recently. Some of you might remember that I led the effort to try to find another route to travel to Eurus, a long one but safer, that goes by Brightshore to resupply. Recently there have been reports that the route is closed. Ships that try to travel it are forced to turn back by storms and strange currents. I had a conversation with a Marin'alfar friend about it, and she said it's the Traitor's doing. He's trying to cut us off from any allies. And of course, it's critically important that we stop him from doing what he's doing. My friend urged more risk-taking and said some would probably have to die for us to succeed." A small shake of her head. "I don't know if this is particularly helpful or changes our plans, unless we somehow find a way to disrupt what he's doing. I'm not sure if reclaiming Bastion would be enough, or if more has to be done. Probably every strike we're able to make against him counts."

Rosalind has left the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.

Connal, a Northern Wolfhound, Honeymare, 1 Ravenseye Warrior, 3 Sanna House Guards, 2 Northern Rangers leave, following Rosalind.

The conclusion of the planning portion of the gathering has Cufre rising from her seat and making her exit, careful to walk around those gathered around the new turn in the discussion.

Cufre has left the a round table with inset amber and glass badgers.

Liara gives a little nod in acknowledgement to Lou, commenting, "I hope that it is kept fast asleep, in that case." Her eyebrows arch as she listens to Faye, and she eventually replies, "It is of interest, certainly. I do not suppose that the reclamation of Bastion will do much to prevent the Traitor's plans from progressing, but until such a time as it is done, we have not nearly as much strength as we might wish."

Faye nods agreement with Liara, having to be satisfied with having passed on the information.

Lou seems to have one more thing, now that she thinks on it. "If anyone knows anything about how to destroy potentially magical weapons, or to diminish their power? I'd welcome some help. At the very least, it'll cut down on how much research needs be done. Or, if you know others who can, suggestions would be welcomed."

"Please excuse me," Jerrica murmurs to those nearest her as she stands from the incredibly long table. "I need a stiff drink or three. And I'm not sure I would be able to maintain my composure if I learned of more maladies which have been inflicted on people or mental images of flaming cows running through Bastion were I not in full control of my faculties." The Princess walks out of the Hall rather hurriedly.

Jerrica has left the a magnificent map table of Arvum made of oak and marquetry inlays.

6 Grayson House Guards leaves, following Jerrica.

Raven blinks and eyes Jerrica, "Well she doesn't sound ok."

"Jerrica? Oh, she's totally against the maiming and harming of animals in any fashion, even eating them." Lou follows Raven's gaze to find her cousin's retreating back.

"Unless there are any final items, we will bring the meeting to a close. The next shall deal with the matter of House Blacktree, and a range of very different problems," Liara says. "I thank you all for attending."

Ryhalt glances between Lou and Faye as they speak, squinting slightly in thought. He grimaces as Raven ignores Lou's advice. "Is this block the same sort of block that the whirlpool in the harbor here was? In that it will allow our enemies through still? I agree we must not allow ourselves to get distracted by those things which are distractions to the things which we must stop. It seems the force to deal with Bastion's Harbor is small, those of us who do not have those skills... can help research and see if anything can be done with this new problem. I don't know how much I know of disabling magical weapons in specific, but I'd be willing to help."

Yuri has left the a regal sofa with green silk cushions and silver accented carvings.

Raven blinks at Lou, "Oh. Wow. That sounds challenging."