Topics

Legate Lhyrian,

 I bring a spot of troubling news, as it seems matters between the League and the Banda Rossa are souring. A brief talk with Luther over recent events brought about the topic of the Banda's support during upcoming elections, and whether they should not blacklist the League from future cooperation.

 As you are one of the highest ranking Gold League members currently, as Fabio tends to be focus on more mundane duties, it may be worthwhile to address this matter before it does spiral further.

 While it is not my place to impose strategy on behalf of the League, I feel that one way or another a resolution to the ongoing "battle" regarding Luther has to find some manner of conclusion.

 Holding in mind your political standing and future, the Gold League might be concerned if the Banda's potential support is lost. That said, it may be difficult to lift up a second Gold Legate in the coming election regardless. But an angry band of mercenaries is rarely a good thing, and while right now they might refuse to support us during elections they are also free to escalate.

 Granted, this is also Luther saying the Banda might consider such actions, but whether the Capitana will want to go that far is another question. But I still urge to look for an end in some form.

 It may be a battle where there are no true victors, so I suggest looking for how to get most, if not everything that you want.

Intern-Secretary of the Gold League
Catalina Calza

To the Dutiful and Honorable Janissaries of the Fourth Legion,

 I write on behalf of Legate Vellyn Lhyrian. She, and I, have brought certain topics before you, yet no response was yet received. While we understand that the pursuing of the conflict against the Orcs is of highest import, we would not wish for our work to be unfinished, or be seen as neglected in your own eyes.

 If you need more time, it is perfectly fine, but we would welcome a response that you are still taking matters into consideration, and just need more time to find a suitable solution.

 At the same time, if you would need a personal meeting with Legate Lhyrian, do not be afraid to get in touch with either me or the Legate herself.

 Our doors are always open to you all.

Humbly,

Intern-Secretary Catalina Calza

Dear Deputy Chief Scribe Bashir Khatara.

 I have seen your work, and heard of your legendary prowess when it comes to the art of the needle. I would wish to commission a dress. Something unique, and beautiful. I know that your going rate is only a thousand dinari, but I would be ready to prepare a greater sum of funds for something far more unique or exotic.

 I hail from Il Modo, as you may have no doubt heard in passing, so as you might imagine I have a certain preference for Modini style of dressware. That said, I'd not wish to obstruct your vision.

 I confess, my idea for the dress may be impossible, for I seek both beauty and utility. While a dress is usually envisioned as something one would wear to a ball, to a formal meeting, I'd wish for it to be also practical, if danger were to appear from any corner. While my formal training was that of a servant, a secretary one could say, I just as much took to bladework. In a world of both political and literal cuthroats, one must be ready for anything, at any time.

 While the analogy to a rose is of course most adequate, beauty combined with sharp thorns, we could look for other inspirations. Perhaps among birds, where some of their kind are indeed beautiful, with songs that inspire artists, but talons and beaks sharp enough to disuade all manner of predators.

 Here I ought underline, by "utility" I do not necessarily mean any form of strong reinforcement. I do not believe we will have to replace any parts of it with any sturdier leather. But, perhaps pouches or pockets to hide a blade, or other useful trinkets could prove useful. A way for the dress not to restrict movement too much.

 Also, would you happen to know whether anybody in the Well specializes in the making of masks? I was thinking of preparing a small Opera play and I was a bit inspired by the representation of Death as a Jackal, from the Wheel Twindari faith. As such I was wondering whether anybody does make such masks, or would be willing to produce them.

 With warm and best wishes,

Catalina Calza

To the Warmaster Mirielle Rosseau, and Legates Komemnos and Sayburgh,

 While the conflict in the Scald is ongoing I wished to offer my report to you all as well as observations and notes regarding our skirmishes and assaults in the Scald.

 Firstly, while this was never put into doubt, the Rust weapons work best when employed in greater numbers. During yesterday's skirmish against a Titan we had a sizeable group, but I also armed four of our skilled warriors with said Rust weapons. According to the comments offered by those present, once the effect of the Rust became more prevalent, it became easier and eaiser to overwhelm the Titan. Its defences failing.

This is of course of benefit, and employing the weapons in sufficient numbers against the Titans can greatly shorten an engagement. However, the issue may rise that we need sufficient numbers of supplies to withdraw the weapons. I expended my own reserve greatly, and it would take me time to recover the necessary supplies.

A possible solution is to perhaps elect a number of individuals who would delivery the supplies and then be capable of withdrawing the necessary equipment to those who are to take part in battles or skirmishes. Though of course it also creates an abstract situation where we have a Quartermaster to handle the affairs with the Camp Quartemaster.

 Secondly, and this is related to the supplies. It seems to me that some people may be hoarding war supplies intended for the Scald. I have ran into some people who would sell great numbers of them, and the cost usually depends. Seems the price that most find agreeable is 200 dinari per bundle. While I am willing to spend any amount of gold to see our skirmishes through, if I focus upon our skirmishes I in turn cannot earn the necessary gold to purchase them.

 This is not a rule however. Sometimes when I would check the status of available supplies at the Scald there would be a varying amount deposited already, but there would also be days when nothing would be found.

 In one notable example, when the Board seemed especially poor, a full day or two passed without any supplies being delivered. I had to then spend a full 3000 dinari to obtain those necessary supplies to organise a skirmish, from those who hoard them.

During these "droughts" if the Pyramid or the War Council could handle compensation for acquiring War Supplies, when necessary, it would be a boon, and not halt our progress of the War.

 Thirdly, I am pleased to report that during all recent engagements that I lead losses have been largely minimal. At most one or two injuries. This has kept spirits high and most times when Rallies are called forth we are not short of men. I have also began to develop a system for more calm and stable loot and treasure sorting, that helps minimize any conflict at the end of it. However, with the amount of work already upon my head, I sometimes do not have the strength to see it through to the end. I will see whether I can organise something akin to a "Treasurer" who would help manage the sorting and rolling of loot, after battles.

 Lastly, This has become an ever more vocal issue. While our artillery when used well is extremely effective, we are still suffering from issues of friendly fire. There are three main issues here that I see:

I - The Artillery is almost always short staffed. At times we have only one Artillery Operator without a Spotter. This leads to great delays between the flare being fired, and the artillery firing. We had a number of cases where a Flare would be fired upon a suitable target, but by the time the artillery would hit the target we would be there already, resulting in friendly fire. We would need a dedicated Spotter and one or two artillery operators, who are also trained in the use of artillery.

II - We sometimes have highly inexperienced Flare Operators, who do not only lack experience in the operation of the Flare devices, but also do not use them in the most efficient or safer manner possible. I would suggest, just like in the case of the artillery operators, that we identify the best individuals to use them, so that targets chosen by the Flare Operators are "safe", and do not lead to accidents.

III - In a number of cases I tried to hold back or restrain a rapid advance of our troops, but it is true that, especially if we have Evokers, an Orc defense can be cleared out in seconds. So, by the time the Flare is fired, and the Spotter relays the information to the Artillery, the Orc position might be already gone. While the Artillery is very good, when it comes to targets that cannot be immediately reached (on walls, over chasms, behind solid defences that we cannot destroy) they become dangerous to use when facing normal barricades, or even when targeting "chokepoints". I have seen Flare Operators firing their flares, with good intention, at Towers held by Orcs that we would try to scale, but our warriors would often reach the tower first, before the first artillery even hit the tower. If anything the artillery would even pause an advance, while we observed, wearily, whether the artillery did not already fire upon a Flare that stood in our path.

This however falls into the matter of training and instructing both our Flare and Artillery operators, so that we can prioritize safe targets, instead of those that sadly lead to accidents.

We did not have a chance to use the Flares in a defensive manner, and I feel that, in some cases, it might prove more useful than on the attack. Targeting the approach points of the enemy, or simply firing "afield" to shatter any orcs foolish enough to run through our open field, while we hold our defensive positions. This would sadly conflict with our cavalry tactics, that help disrupt enemy formations, and hunt down their shamans, and it could be dangerous to our warriors as well, who often happily charge ahead of our defenses, to engage the orcs almost as soon as they enter the field.

This is the report I wished to offer, and points that I wished for both the Legates and the Warmaster to consider.   

Toward Victory,

Former Legate Marcellus Saenus

[A brief note, rather than a letter, delivered to the First Seat]

I heard of the incident involving the Edict Board, among them the destruction of the Springtime Promise. As I understand it, the Promise did not survive even a handful of days before being annulled. While I understand that many of the other Edicts may have been put into question, why did you agree to the destruction of this particular document? Did it hold no importance to you? It certainly should had.

I expect no answer.

Marcellus Saenus

*A plain and simple letter sent to Tlonsiyya, lacking any official markings as such*

To whom it may concern,

 While the city has ordered and I hope funded the Respirators and other needs and equipment for the purpose of our crossing of the Scald, I would have a special personal request.

 At the time of writing this letter I was informed that my Son, Ricky Saenus, has departed for the Scalding as part of the Big Chum mercenary company. While I fully trust the mercenaries to care for their own he is still my son, and I'd wish to avoid any harm coming to him.

 As such, I would wish to ask whether a Respirator can be provided for him, if an appropriate payment is offered.

 Marcellus Saenus

Warmaster,

 The situation feels dire, and I worry we are not doing enough to prepare for what is to come. Yataghan informed me he was concerned about the lack of preparations on our side. Lack of war council meetings, and so forth. We must change that.

 I understand that you are a busy man, and I know you heard of the matter of me offering myself as a Warmaster, but as it stands the Legates are both clashing with one another, and things are going nowhere.

 As such, I beseech you, if you are unable to pursue your duties as Warmaster at this time, choose one of your men, or anybody else, to act on your behalf. We are at War, decisions will have to be made, battles fought. If our own allies are starting to doubt our own preparedness I fear for the future of our campaign.

  Act on the words of this letter as you deem fit, but please heed my pleas. We are at War, and we cannot afford to stand idle. Time passes by us when we should be acting.

Please.

Marcellus Saenus

[Model Gaming Tournament]

*A number of posters are seen hanging around the Well and at the War Camp*

Model Gaming Tournament

Kanön Hray 18th, IY 7788

Special 3v3 Scenario – The Red Hill

Two Teams shall face off as both Ephia and its allies against the Sibilant Legion.

Will you rewrite history?

Free Drinks and Snacks.

No Entry Fee.

Legates,

 I write to you not as a man hungry for power or influence. Not as somebody who'd wish to take the honor of the seat of Warmaster from a man who has already done much for the Well and its people. I do not wish to sound a schemer, or a tyrant, nor can I fully consider myself the right man for such a position.

 However, as some have suggested I would wish to propose myself as the Warmaster for our Well. The intense hatred between the Janissaries and the Banda, the conflict between their members, it all may spill out into the battle, though I do hope it shall not.

 Colmes while present on occasion has at the same time been often absent, difficult to get a hold of. I have often been present in the Well, and while I also know I am not on the best of terms with all in the Well I do have a few simple desires.

 I wish for us to be victorious, and I wish to avoid as many losses as we can.

 It was my desire to try and rally our own people before the march through the Scald, to fund and equip them, supply them, but then I wondered, along with those suggestions, whether I would not do more good were I in command.

 Whether we would succeed or not with me at the helm, only the gods know, but if you deem it necessary to find a new Warmaster, somebody to lead the war to its conclusion at this stage, I would propose my own candidacy.

 It would perhaps restore some of the peace to the Well, if the two most dominant powers in the City would be unable to quarrel with one another for this seat.

 Axes high,

Marcellus Saenus

Dutiful Students, Knowledgeable Professors,

 I seek information about the Scald. I wish to be prepared for it, knowing well that while the Orcs may pose a very real threat I expect the Scald has threats of its own. If there is any such information you can share I would heed it, as I may have need of it, very soon.

Live and drink,

Marcellus Saenus

Dear Rashid,

 I seek knowledge regarding the Scald. The books I have purchased from your previously, and other local sources seem to be lacking. As such I'd wish to ask whether you have any of your own knowledge regarding the Scald to share, or to sell.

Live and drink,

Marcellus Saenus

Dear Jamileh,

 I know you have been busy with your archaeological works, but I was pondering whether you would wish for a small side-project.

 While it is clear our next destination will be the Scald, the recent outbursts by the Accord and Legates leaves me with a feeling that we will be ill prepared for this journey. From you I would ask for something like a comprehensive report on the Scald. Not just general information, from the point of view of any flora, fauna or dangers that may be within, but also more broader questions of safely crossing it.

 To put it plainly, I need to prepare us for this crossing, and information, knowledge about it will be priceless. If you are willing to undertake such a project let me know, I can offer you compensation for it.

 Live and drink,

Marcellus Saenus

A red tome, a journal, kept upon the person of Marcellus. A glimpse into his thoughts. The very first entry upon this journal:

Tesrin Hray 20th, IY 7788

I have began feeling incensed, more so than I ever was before. I recall how I felt in a similar manner many months ago, when I was drawn off my seat for the first time. The chaos, the fighting, and now it happens again.

Back then I felt conflicted, I could hear some distant thoughts of mine telling me how my life's work was being undone, yet I fought them back. I knew that for as long as I remained I could still, somehow, steer these things back, and for now, everything was going in the right direction.

Today however, I watch the city, what the Accord is doing with it, and I am slowly being filled with rage. They have remained here for longer than I, some, like Colmes, Rosseau, have been almost as long as I. Yet they behave as if the City was their own playground. They do not serve the interest of the city, its people, but their own.

Filth that crawled out from the Old City and settled here, festering and boiling over. They will undo all the work I put into this city, trying to maintain its peace, its stability. As a Legate I am forced to welcome them into my office, smile to them, shake their hands, but over the past two months I felt that these fools will lead this city to ruin. We are nearing that moment, that explosion, when their actions will affect not just them, but everybody around.

The Leagues, the Accords, all infested by goals and desires that rip us apart. Instead of being united, we are devided. Instead of fighting our enemy together, we fight one another. Had I the power to do so I would cast them all out, exile them into the desert, let them suffer the pain and helplesness of those people who are forced to endure beyond our walls.

They say I have grown stagnant, but I see that they have grown fat, and lazy. They do not remember about the suffering of the people they once were. Of people forced to flee their home, to arrive to the Well on their first day, with barely a dinar to their name.

And I ponder on this as I look to Banafsi. My campaign there. My desire to see them overturn the Archon, to end the war. I extended my hand to the Accord, hoping it would birth cooperation between them, to coordinate, but I was a fool.

A fool who believed these people could be reasoned with, could be tamed, could be steered.

No. There are individuals with promise, but their organizations as a whole are failing. Even internally there are cracks, divisions. The Janissaries perhaps least so, but Colmes has disappointed me, and he will continue to disappoint me.

Banafsi, my campaign, my war, will be won by my hands, by my hard labor. The Accords will not be given the satisfaction of participating in it, of reaping the rewards they do not deserve. 

The people wish the city to focus upon the Orcs? Then I shall not strip their limited resources, and that will be my explanation. You have your war to win, I have mine. The people do not wish to give a single dinar toward Banafsi? Then I shall gather every single dinar myself.

As a Legate much work I had to do myself. If I did not do something myself it would not be done at all. Even asking others to aid would not always work unless I personally was involved in it.

If the city burns, because of the incompetence of those in power, so be it. I cannot stop a firestorm once it has began, but I will be there, when the ashes settle, to rebuild, as I have always been, as I have always done.

As Izdu instructs, to build wonders, and as Agaslakku says, what is broken shall be reforged.

My own League, now a corpse, lifeless, abandoned. The people there not knowing what they desired
 themselves. I grow tired of it all. Eventually there will be a chance to rebuild, to return.

For now however, a singular purpose.

War, and Victory.

Lieutenant, or should I say Warmaster,

 While I understand there was some talk of the arena, something I was not personally informed of but had to dig around for, one person in particular approached me about it. Durgin Doomed-Oath would seek to participate, and while I know he did not fight alongside us at Arslan, or was present with the Dwarves in our city while the war was ongoing, the man has a close tie with the fate of his people and the orcs.

 You may not trust or like him but I would still request that he be allowed to participate during the Arena matches. That is my only request on the matter, and Argent approved of putting Durgin forward as well. He may have his own comments on who should be sent, but Durgin is a personal, and only, request from my side.

 Let me know whether this is acceptable.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Argent,

 With Aaisha's departure, and her suggestion, I would wish to grant the title of DCS to Bashir. I have spoken to him about it and he agreed. He is currently the most senior of all the Scribes present. I feel his experience would allow him to manage the role accordingly.

 Any objections?

Legate Marcellus Saenus

To the Officers and Men of the Fourth Legion,

 As I understand it yesterday either during or after the Assembly Scarab Phor was punished, apparently, by Legate Argent for something. I thought it was related to a man who threw fruit at us, but it seems it was aimed at him.

 I did not see anything in Phor's actions during the Assembly that would warrant the punishment of locking him in the stockade. I believe it was an overreaction by my Co-Legate. It is this seat's belief that any punishment that would befall Phor for these alleged actions be disregarded. No crime was committed, to my understanding, and as such we would be punishing a man for unjust wrongs. I hope I do not have to phrase this any more clearly.

 Further despite my advice, the Magistrate Dante or Legate Argent, have issued an order that one of your Scarabs, who was part of your conscription, is to be released from it. I suggested this ought be discussed with an officer of the Fourth, but the matters were taken into their hands, instead of remaining in yours.

 Handle this affair as you deem fit.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

 

Too all the proud members of the Purple League,

 We ought gather again, decide on our upcoming candidate. The coming end of week will already be very busy, but perhaps we can organize a few smaller meetings.

 I would hear your thoughts, and possible times when such a meeting could be held.

Live and drink,

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Argent,

 I do not know if you heard but there is a man on some manner of "Great Quest" to save his sister. People seem to recognize him, and he calls himself Johnny Blades.

 Apparently he has two blades meant to cut open some magical trout whose heart is meant to help in curing his sister. The Trout is apparently called the "Old Man Rainbow Trout".

 Point being, I think we could afford some petty cash to sponsor this quest of his, or to offer to help him in finding this strange legendary fish. It would look good in the eyes of the public. A sum of dinari in exchange for information about this fish, and maybe a push from the Rose and the Janissaries to make sure Johnny the Blade does not get himself killed.

 It would hopefully distract them from continued attempts at killing one another.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Aubrey,

 I verified our archives, and a letter to the Chief Scribe was issued, requesting the transfer of the funds already two weeks ago. This was issued by Scribe Jaecop, and included the fact that both Legates approved of it. However since then nothing seemed to have been done, or at least no official result has come of it.

 I will see whether the matter wasn't accidentally buried by the Scribes, but as far as I can tell we passed on the request, it just hasn't been performed yet.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Colmes,

 We had a rather dire situation today. I was not present for all of it so I hope reports from Carrot or other Janissaries may shed more light.

 I awoke abruptly to calls of an attack at the Sand Gate, the Melek were attacking. By the time I arrived they were inside of the City, but held at the gate itself. I aided the defenders in pushing the Melek back, and then ordered a charge beyond the gate to break the gathering Melek host.

 There were some injuries, and one Janissary, guarding the Sand Gate, may have died in the assault.

 Based on subsequent information from those present, a man was carrying a lot of "excellent meats", apparently a lizard hunter. The Melek took notice and tried to capture said meat, and I presume a skirmish occured in front of the Gate of Sand, with our forces overwhelmed and pushed back into the city.

 The Lizard hunter was knocked out, all of his meat stolen, and apparently his shoes as well.

 What worries me more is not how this incident came about, but that fact that for the first time, as far as I recall, since the Great Ash Storm, the Melek have broken into the City. While they did not harm the populace, nor cause any significanct damage, it worries me that the gate fell at all.

 I know it is difficult to deal with the Melek, especially since they tunnel beneath the sands. There is no way of stopping them from surfacing right in front of our gates or walls, but we should consider more decisive measures, in case of attacks on the Sand Gate.

 At the very least I would suggest doubling the guard at the Sand Gate, and either repairing or modernizing the gate so that it can be sealed, giving the defenders time to organize a response and sally forth.

 The only downside of this response may be that if people at the Sand Gate are ambushed they might lack the time to retreat back into the city before the gate is sealed. At the same time we do have two other gates that we may use to outflank any attackers.

 I write this letter in haste, and thus my thoughts may be scattered, but seeing the Melek inside of the city made my blood boil. If this smaller raiding party managed to overcome the gate, I fear what will happen if a more significant force arrives.

Legate Marcellus Saenus