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| − | It didn't take much to secure their place of meeting. Okay, it did end up with the former owners vanishing with whatever they could carry. But that's a minor detail in the life of a sunchild. After all, there's work to be done.
| + | #REDIRECT [[DarkheartOne/IdeaDump]] |
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| − | The abode itself is apparently one of Solace's older dwellings, and one of the richest. Marble from the North, well-cut hexagonal tiles in the walkways around the villa, well-kept fruit gardens and even a fountain (obviously some relic) grace the property. The inside is just as lavish; sculptures, silk on everything, and chairs that may well have come from the Realm, judging by their style and quality. Said chairs are around a large, stained oak table. This is where, it seems, another small chunk of destiny is being played out.
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| − | Tian is sprawled in one of the large chairs, using a thin wooden rod to point to the various charts and maps on the table as he talks.
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| − | Rio is notably distracted by the place Tian is holding the meeting.
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| − | Dyna is seated next to Rio, looking a bit uneasy as she listens to Tian. She's most likely worried about the fate of the unfortunate owners of their impromptu meeting place.
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| − | "To be quite frank, we must assume that our Guild hosts are completely competent and work from there to keep this city afloat with minimal loss." Tian slides the rod's tip around the bay area. "The harbor is defensible, and I think the naval power provided by Captain Storm's ship will give us equal footing with the fae-beasts."
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| − | Rio turns to Tian at that. "... My men are able fighters, and I don't fear the fae, but it's only a merchant ship... do we know if they will be coming from there?"
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| − | "They're aquatic, I think. Your ship's not important in and of itself, we just need a platform to repel the faeries before they can reach the city proper."
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| − | Rio's eye twitches. "My men and my ship are plenty important, thank you."
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| − | <Dyna> If you're going to use them, we really need to make sure they're as well-prepared as possible.
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| − | Tian looks like he's about to retort with some smart-ass remark, but takes a deep breath and looks down. "I meant that its armament is not important, not the ship itself. I.. didn't.. mean to offend."
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| − | <Dyna> Shouldn't we see what we can arm Rio's men with?
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| − | Rio stares at Tian for a couple of moments, and then sighs. "... apology accepted... and cold iron is the only way to go."
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| − | <Dyna> Yes, cold iron arrowheads, spearheads... swords and axes if possible.
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| − | <Dyna> If they're coming by water, we need something that'll be reasonably effective on swimmers.
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| − | <Dyna> How are your men with harpoons, Rio?
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| − | <Rio> Some better than others... we aren't fishermen, but we get lucky from time to time. Tiger is pretty good with them though.
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| − | <Tian> I'll give them some training, if they're willing. And I'm sure that I can get plenty of iron weapons in time, as well.
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| − | <Rio> ... I can also take the fight to the water if needed, but I hope that won't be necesary
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| − | <Dyna> What I need more than anything else is wide open space.
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| − | <Dyna> With nobody but our enemy in front of me. Then I can really let loose.
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| − | Tian leans forward, tapping three places at the mouth of the harbor, forming an effective wall. "If we can get two more ships, we can attack from three sides at once as they approach. It'll also give plenty of room for everyone involved. But for that, we'll need mercenaries.."
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| − | <Rio> If we can't find mercenaries in a new city, I'm the Perfect of Paragon.
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| − | <Tian> Oh, the mercenaries are all here. They're also eating out of the Guild's hand. There are a few unattached companies outside the city, however, and we might be able to convince the Guild to lend us some of their troops.
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| − | <Dyna> Also... do you think you can get a large quantity of firedust? If so, we could pack it into some watertight barrels and throw them out into the water.
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| − | Tian considers for a moment, his smile growing veeery slowly. "Sure."
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| − | <Dyna> We'll need good strong arms to throw them is the only catch. Catapaults would probably be best.
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| − | <Rio> I guess... so what then? Fire burning arrows on the barrels?
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| − | He raises an eyebrow at Dyna. "Siege weaponry. Made out of wood. In the South."
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| − | <Dyna> Hey, you can make it out of iron. So long as it's small.
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| − | <Tian> I'll.. ah, need some help getting all this. Could one of you contact that big Northerner for me?
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| − | <Rio> Laranth? Sure... say, why isn't he here anyway?
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| − | <Dyna> A metal spring would really provide more power anyway...
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| − | Tian just shrugs.
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| − | <Dyna> As for setting them off... it'd probably take a while for an arrow to burn through. We'll need fuses that'll burn without going out in the water... I think I can manage that.
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| − | <Tian> I'll do my best to get you both what you need, then. Captain, I'll need your help negotiating with the Guildsman.
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| − | <Rio> Yeah, sure.
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| − | <Dyna> I'll get started on how to put those barrels together. Don't worry too much if you can't scrounge up something to throw them. Two men should be able to do it just fine.
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| − | <Tian> Also.. we may need to retrieve one of those jade bricks.
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| − | <Rio> ... what, now?
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| − | <Claudia> <Tian> Did you expect for me to pay for iron weapons, mercenaries, ships, firedust, and siege weaponry out of my own pocket?
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| − | <Dyna> Well, we do what we have to do.
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| − | <Dyna> ... speaking of which, where are the people who own this place?
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| − | <Rio> Do we even have the <b>time</b> to go back there without raising suspicion?
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| − | Tian smoothly sidesteps Dyna's question, answering Rio instead. "Probably not. I'll need a piece afterwards, though, to pay off my credit."
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| − | <Rio> Yeah, that's more likely
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| − | <Dyna> I trust you can break one of those things without turning any unwanted heads.
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| − | <Tian> Of course. In the future, we'll probably want to find a reliable jadesmith and convert those into proper talents.
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| − | <Rio> We'll burn that bridge when we get to it...
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| − | <Dyna> If we're going to make proper use of it, we'll have to.
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| − | <Tian> Hm. I think our initial planning is done, then? Unless there's something else.
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| − | <Dyna> Just one more thing. You still haven't answered my question.
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| − | <Rio> ... yeah, how did you get this place?
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| − | Tian turns impassive, mouth a thin line. "I've been planning this trip for quite some time. The house was arranged for me in advance."
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| − | <Tian> Is there anything else, or would you like to make a few more veiled accusations?
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| − | <Dyna> It was a simple question, read into it what you will.
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| − | <Tian> Of course. Please leave.
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| − | <Dyna> If that's what you want. But it would be a good idea to let us know what you're doing. We need each other, believe it or not.
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| − | Dyna picks her hat up off the table and stands, heading for the door.
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| − | Tian stands, hands clenching and unclenching. "I have attempted to provide every courtesy with my plans along with the civility and respect you deserve. But I will not accept your high-handed demeanor."
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| − | <Tian> Rest assured that I will uphold my end of the bargain, and then our paths will diverge.
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| − | Rio stands up. "Alright, alright, calm down already."
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| − | <Dyna> No, no... it's alright. He asked me to leave.
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| − | <Dyna> I'm sorry I care, Tian. I could use a little peace of mind right now, but if that offends you then I won't stand in your way anymore.
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| − | <Tian> I won't accept condescension. I'm not your student.
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| − | <Dyna> I know, Tian. And I'll try very hard not to care about you anymore.
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| − | Tian slides his chair towards the table, rolling his map up. "Leave."
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| − | Dyna does as she's asked, closing the door behind her.
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| − | Rio rubs her eyes. "... and I thought I had a bad temper."
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| − | * back to [[/RisingForce|Rising Force]]
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