Duarte saunters in just in time for the meeting. Is he in the Mirrorguard? No. But he used to be! Back in the good old days before those 'other guys' jumped ship to party in the Saffron. But he's never taken to the term 'Saffronese', preferring to still be considered of the Lyceum. Plus, Quenia's his friend. See how he waves to her with a brilliant smile? And blows a kiss before settling into a seat.

"Thank you all for coming," Quenia begins after a few extra moments of waiting for stragglers to arrive. "Given everything that's happening, this seemed like a good time for the Mirrorguard to have a meeting, to try and brainstorm and strategize things we might want to do to address the hedge of thorns or anything else that might need doing." She's standing at the back of the room, hands folded behind her back, her expression one of quiet calm. "I don't personally hold a lot of knowledge about what's going on out there, other than the meeting notes from the one that Grayson held. But, I do know that we've got a group of uniquely talented individuals that can think on their feet." She tilts her head, "And, that now is the time to try something if we're going to try anything at all." Her eyes alight on each individual as they get settled.

2 Armed Confessors, Angwyn the otter, Mordred, Abner, Capt'n Waddles the small cock with a bell, 2 Rivenshari Clan Guardsman, 2 Redrain Guards arrive, following Ann.

Jan has slipped in and is loitering on the periphery, looking about curiously

Thea strides in, coming in a bit early. She finds herself a seat and makes herself comfortable for the time being.

Caspian slips in quietly, not oe of the mirrorguard, but always happy to help Quenia. he offered a smile to those gathered, moving to sit toward the back to not interrupt the actual mirrorguard. As Quenia spoke, he nodded looking to the others to see if ideas would be posed.

Ann trails along behind Caspian. She too is not of mirrorguard. But she is an Inquisitor and tries to be helpful where she can with her resources. She takes a seat likely by both Jan and Caspian. Offering them both smiles as she places her hands in her lap. Her satchel with her in case there should be note taking involved.

While the leader of the Mirrorguard, it is nice not to officially hold the meetings for once so Jaenelle allows Quenia to do her thing without speaking until informed to do so. There is a small nod of her head regarding what Quenia begins with before she states, "the Mirrorguard is a unique and extraordinary group of people from all walks of life. Not only from the Lycrum but elsewhere as well, with the goal in mind to protect the Compact. I have considered many things we could do, though I would love to hear your thoughts Quenia. I am sure they mirror my own."

Jan scans the faces of those gathered, making note of those that she recognizes while she listens.

"There are several ways we could possibly help. Lady Medeia is sending people to go find some of the vines needed to help her with her alchemical project that may enhance the weedkiller and perhaps combine it with chemical fire efforts," Quenia remarks in response to Jaenelle. "If some of the members of the Mirrorguard want to assist with those efforts, we could send them to aid in that task." (See plots 7374) There's a short pause as she considers the next thing. "We could send people to scout around the area, to clear away any cultists that might be lingering on the outside of the hedges. I can't imagine that the Traitor has left them completely clear of others protecting his precious project." She scrunches her face. "Those of the occult minded could get together and try to create a ritual, perhaps, that might be used to help weaken the vines or maybe aid some of the more skilled warriors. We could perhaps scout the vines itself and help identify any weaknesses that might be seen." There's a brief pause there. "Though I am interested in ideas from those who've actually attended the other meetings, particularly those ideas that might have been discarded by the leaders of those meetings. Perhaps something more could be built up from those ideas." She looks around the room to see if others have any such ideas, or if Jaenelle wishes to express any of her own.

Caspian looked to the others and then spoke up. "i beleive an idea was raised about using sappers. Trying to go UNDER the thorns and penetrate the defenses that way. Or at the very least, tunnel under to lay bombs of Arvani fire and then detonate them to burn the thorns away. Given the density of the vines and how far they extend out, that might be impossible to tunnel under, but it is an idea."

Thea nods her head, saying,"I'm already attending." She leans back, legs crossed. "After which, we hope to expand on many of the different antidotes we've all created regarding the vines. See if we can create something stronger."

Jan admits, "I don't have much knowledge of thornweave or tactics against it but would it be correct to assume that blades of suitable size and sharpness can cut it? I understand being anywhere near it is exceptionally dangerous but to harvest it I imagine it means it can be cut if one survives the attempt."

Quenia furrows her brow at Jan. "If the vines are /anything/ like the ones I helped harvest several years ago, they're very much attracted to anyone using magic and they attack anyone that attack them. Once they have their hooks into you, it's very difficult to get away without being pulled into their clusters and consumed by them. We . . . had to put a poor individual out of their misery who had been stuck in the vine mass, slowly being eaten, for a week." For a moment, Quenia's face pales as she recalls that experience, then she gives a rather visible shudder. "It's not for the faint of heart, seeing that. If you were at Pieros, and saw the trees pulling people into the Forest? That was nothing compared to /this/."

There is no commentary coming from Ann. She is in listening mode. But she does wince when she hears Quenia give further details and the talk of Pieros. A breath taken in and then goes out slowly.

Duarte stands and waves to the crowd. "Hello. I am Count Duarte Amadeo." He turns and bows to Jaenelle, then Quenia, and addresses the latter as the hostess of the meeting. "In my depth of studies concerning the subject of corruption - or more specifically, cleansing - I was struck that there is no singular approach. To my knowledge, there is an alchemical plan in the works, along with simply hacking away with intention and might, and of course, prayer and beseeching from the Faith Militant.

"I would offer the proposal of Arvani Fire (which burns on water - irrelevant, but cool). And I overheard someone at one of the meetings suggest something called Nethicite - but it was roundly rejected."

He sits.

Thea nods her head in agreement with Quenia. "I remember,"her voice low and quiet.

"I was certainly leaning towards scouting the area. Not only for cultists but traps. I can not imagine that it is safe tk simply walk towards it," Jaenelle tells Quenia. There is a small shake of her head towards Caspian, "I can not imagine that there will be time for that. We would never be able to tunnel fast and safe enough to make a difference or reach a point where the fire under ground could do damage to the vines above. Even of the fire were to weaken the ground the thorns are too high." Then as an aside, "I wonder of Victus would let me use his flying ship."

Jan ahhh, "I don't have an ounce of magic but that is good to know. How effective might, say, a large slung blade be against a thicket do you suppose?" She looks towards Duarte " you could try slinging a rope of demon assholes and see how effective that is try if you're going for interesting things to try." she seems to have some Distinct Feelings about nethicite.

Caspian looks to Jaenelle and grins, "While i understand how valuable that ship is, his reticence to use it always confuses me." to Duarte he added, "And Nethicite is a wicked difficult thing to handle in the best of times. Short of lobbing massive boulders of the stiff into the thorns.. im not sure what would occur. besides.. knowing our luck, the thorns would LIKE the damned rock."

"I'd also be worried about the vine roots attacking people," Quenia seems to say on the heels of Jaenelle's commentary about digging the tunnel taking too long. "Just because its underground doesn't mean it might not try to ensnare you or cause a cave in above you." The thought of potentially being buried alive causes another shudder from Quenia. She looks over at Jan. "If you try to get close to the hedge and attack it, it's going to attack you back; and that hedge is /miles/ thick. Miles. One person slicing at the hedge isn't going to make much progress. I can't imagine normal blades would do much damage to it at all, but I also cannot say that with any certainty because I'm not about to go that close to it." She glances over at Duarte as he offers up ideas. The whole nethicite thing still seems a bit lost on her, but she at least listens to what others have to say about it.

Duarte frowns to Jan, "A bit inappropriate, Lady Kennex. We are trying to have a professional discussion here." He nods to Caspian, "Merely a suggestion I overheard and the hostess did ask for them." He shrugs.

Jan admits "The takes I volunteered for was sample collection. I am wondering if I grind down a bunch of plow blades and get with someone with a mind for building if there might be a way to sling these blades and sever some of the vine for collection. I expect it to be dangerous still but seems like it's worth trying." she looks to duarte "it was just as appropriate as mentioning nethicite as a tool."

Caspian nods his head quickly at Duarte, raising his hands in apology "yes yes! im sorry, i was simply trying to explain why some at that meeting reacted so adamantly to the suggestion." He looked to Jaenelle and nodded, "And i suspect the tunneling would be.. a longer endeavor than we have time for."

Ann is content to still listen as she tracks each person as they speak. Even if it might not come to fruitation she does have to smile when Jaenelle mentions flying ship and she tries to keep her features neutral at the talk of nethicite.

"To fire the weapon on the ship it costs years. I don't remember how many but it cuts the person's life by years and so it is not meant to use without careful consideration and understanding, but I believe that is only for the weapon on board and not the actual flying. I could understand Victus' unwillingness to allow its use often," Jaenelle explains to Caspian. "We have magical plants in Lenosia. Beautiful plants that may eat people on occasion. I wonder if they could be used in some way, or if their magic will cause the thorns to lash out."

Jaenelle adds, "Sometimes plants will accidently kill another by mistake by overcrowding or taking nutrients from the soil. Or perhaps my plants could pull from the magic that is sustaining the vines."

Thea squints at Jaenelle. "What sort of plants are they? Can I maybe--harvest a few?" For a few reasons likely.

Quenia remains quiet for the moment as people ask questions, content to let Jaenelle inform people about her particular plants.

Jaenelle squints back towards Thea as she threatens to chop up her friends. "We found them at an abandoned manner with the explorers outside of Lenosia. We had tea and the plants made us dinner. I am certain they would have eaten us as well but I am far too charming for that and now we're friends." She collects things apparently. Like the whirlpool that lived in the Lyceum for a bit.

Thea assures Jaenelle. "I just want to--grow them--chop them up. I promise." Honest! Create her own little shop of horrors. Of the Oathlands.

Ann chuckles softly and tries to hide it by covering her mouth when Jaenelle speaks about the plants and what they had done with her and the explorers that went. It really does sound like a fairy tale that she had refused to read to her children for reasons.

Caspian perks up at the story Jaenelle speaks of, "oh those plants! they were lovely tea company! well, ocne you calmed them. prior to that i do think they wanted to decompose us."

Jan listens to this and her eyebrows loft. she purses her lips and listens attentively but other than flinging huge blades to sever vines for collection she seems to have no new ideas.

Quenia now raises both of her brows as the magical plants that Jaenelle talks about are discussed. She tilts her head in the Archduchess's direction. "Do you really think they might be of use?" she asks, furrowing her brow. "I mean, the Mirrorguard can certainly scout, but if the plants may be useful . . . that's certainly something /else/ to consider." The thought of such a thing truly astounds her. She bites her lip a bit, thinking of various ways that could be put to use. "But, could they be moved?" She glances over at Caspian, her expression turning serious when he talks about the plants wanting to turn them into fertilizer.

Jaenelle grins towards Caspian, "we all worked well together. They were just lonely and wanted company and we all provided that for them. I have never attempted to move them, but it is certainly something that could be asked of them, to see if they could help even a small bit." She looks a little sad about the thought of losing them to a fate that is terrible. "I don't know if they could assist but it is something to be explored." Then another nod is given towards Quenia, "I do think scouting is the best way to utilize everyone in the Mirrorguards skills. Those to scout, those to protect them, and those to investigate what us being scouted."

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, a nameless overwrought highstrung pygmy goat, Rocco, the rascally assistant, Strawberry Pupcake, the Graypeak Mountain Dog leave, following Thea.

Caspian looks Jaenele and nods, "i am working with Jan to recover some of the vines for testing. So i would be happy to deliver a scouting report of anything we see"

Jan bows her head "As would I. Those who survive will share what information and observations we can."

There is a frown from Ann when there is talk about survival. Yes, sometimes the truth hurts and she finds herself fiddling with one of her scarves when she heard Jan say survive. Shooting a glance at Caspian and giving him a squint. All for the good of the compact, of course.

"We'd also happily recruit outside volunteers as allies that wanted to join us in our specific scouting around the hedges near Harrow Hall. We will /not/ be scouting the hedges themselves, since that's madness, but the areas surrounding." Quenia remarks to those within the room who are not part of the Mirrorguard. "Or, we'll be happy to recruit you to help us on a more permanent basis," she adds. "It's possible we may need diplomats if we find shav'arvani who are willing to help us fight. Or, we may need to fight some cultists and the like. So, really, anyone that can help would be useful." She looks to Jaenelle to see if it that might be the crux of their efforts on that matter.

"I feel like my time is a little limited at this time." Ann speaks up. "but if there is ever a need for a scholar expertise or Inquisitor please consider me an ally in that aspect."

Jaenelle dips her head towards Ann, "always. We have our own strengths in dealing with the horrors of the world and we would not be whole without each part. You are always an ally." Then she nods towards Jan and Caspian, "please try to be safe. I know such things are required and it is not always possible but try."

Jan grins reassuring, "Pretty sure This isn't a trip for someone's pleasure garden, your grace. This is important and necessary so we will be as precisely as careful as succeeding in the objective allows us to be."

Jan says, "we must be alive to deliver so we will do our best."

"The thorns impaled people. They ripped people apart, limbs everywhere if reports were correct," Jaenelle says, looking to Quenia for conformation. "Entire cities slaughtered," the words are said carefully. "What you are doing is a lot more dangerous than you are aware and it is important that you have a plan before wandering towards death. So try," she repeats softly, looking worried for the woman. Then the garden is mentioned and she softened, "there were bones everywhere from wandering people who thought it was just a pretty garden. We will never find out who those people were to give their families closure, sadly."

Quenia gives a small nod of her head, as Jaenelle reemphasizes what she encountered with the thorn hedges. "I would not underestimate any plants that might have been created by any kind of mage anywhere, no matter how harmles they might seem. You never know when something might catch you off guard because it is a pretty, pretty thing," she remarks, her expression solemn. "I'll be issuing orders soon on the Mirrorguard scouting. Likely in the next day or two. I look forward to seeing who is willing to help us and what we can discover."

Jan shakes her head "Lord Ian is a cousin but closer to a brother to me. I was also close to Prince Niklas. I know, as best anyone can hearing from hearing instead of seeing, exactly how dangerous this is, your grace. I am a soldier. Dangerous with horrific consequences for failure is in the job description."

Duarte has had his listening ears on. His head slowly turns toward Jaenelle as she illustrates the severity of the danger the thorns represent. Needless to say - he's not going anywhere near those suckers. He looks back to Quenia and says, "Botany is not my best subject...supposing I'll see what information I can find in the stacks."

Caspian looks to Quenia then and nods, "Well.. assuming i survive.. i would be happy to help scout the area. Simply tell me when we leave!" he gives a grin, then a slightly apologetic smile to Ann.

"I can save you some time and give you what notes I have already," Quenia notes in Duarte's direction, giving him a small smile. "That'll save you time. Though I think finding things in the stacks has been a TON easier lately." Or, so it has seemed to her! She glances to Caspian and nods her head. "I will, certainly."

Quenia asks, "Has anyone one got anything else else to bring up before we close the meeting?"

Jan says, "just to ask if anyone knows any engineers or craftsfolk they'd recommend?""

Duarte only slumps a bit when Quenia makes his runway to possibly being near face-ripping, city-devouring thorns shorter, not longer. "I would love to see those notes, thank you."

Jaenelle suggests to Jan, "crafters guild is always the perfect place to start for that." Then she shakes her head towards Quenia, nothing to add here.

Jan bows her head, "thank you, your grace."

Jan checks 'recovery check' at normal. Jan is spectacularly successful.

"I want to thank everyone for coming out today and especially those that joined the Mirrorguard. We're happy to have you join us," Quenia flashes a bright grin at Jan, Caspian, and Duarte. "All of your ideas were good ones, even if we did not use them, and I hope to collaborate more with you in the future."