LOCKED TO MERIDIAN

[leicesters]

[Claude's communion prescence has always been like a summer breeze; warm, easygoing, albeit difficult to read before it moves on. Now it has more of a brittle, bitter quality, like a looming dust-cloud he has to hold at a distance. There's no going back from this point when he knows things will only escalate from here, and so now seems like an important time to address his fellow Meri.]

The fight for the next Oracle will be on us soon. The Tribune may have been slain, but he entrusted the future of the worlds to us. Though he won't be able to help us see this through, we can still fight for him, and all the others we've lost along the way. We can fight for Springstar... and we can fight for Quetzalcoatl.

[There's a brief pause on this point. Her death deserves respect and acknowledgement, and she may not be the last to meet such a fate before the fighting is over.]

...We'll fight for your homes, too. After all, our worlds aren't that different, right? They might be flawed in their own ways, and there might even be some of you who would rather stay here when this is done. But every world and the life on it is precious, and it beats whatever phony world Yima and her followers come up with.

Speaking of Yima: I've discussed this with a few people already, but I suspect she's still alive. When the Blight almost destroyed Kenos, somehow she was still around. When I asked her about it, she said she wasn't bound by time like a normal person is. She can exist in different times and different places simultaneously; I don't know how it works, but maybe she even foresaw this attempt on her life before it even happened.

That said, it's just speculation, so we might as well play dumb and behave towards Zenith as if we're convinced she's dead for now. It'll be easier for us that way.

[Others have probably arrived at a similar conclusion, perhaps people among Zenith's ranks too, but it bears saying, particularly for those newly arrived to the conflict.]

Anyway, enough about her -- how about we use this opportunity for a little strategy get-together? We have a few new faces around, so feel free to introduce yourself and your capabilities.

For those of us who have been around longer, feel free to toss in an introduction too. More importantly, share what you know about Zenith and its current capabilities, in combat or otherwise. Any insight into their current thinking would be useful right now, too. What's their morale like? We know by now that some of them really hate our guts, and I wonder how much their desire for revenge is going to play into the next battle...

[He sounds casual, almost flippant, but there's a serious point in there he's sure he doesn't need to overstate: the more loyal Zenites are going to have some serious motivation in the next battle to get back at them, whether they believe Yima is gone or not.]

Let's not let our own judgement be clouded by revenge, even if we've sustained losses. We need to go into this with a clear head, looking toward the future.

Oh-- on that note, Hayame wants to speak with some of you about some further strategising either before or after the Oracle. Sorry that's a little vague, but I'm sure she'll talk to you about it properly when the time comes. For now, let's just focus on one thing at a time.

Comments

Liem Talbott

[sterngaze]

[Liem’s presence in communion is quiet, contained, but distinct; a full moon reflected in water; a candle flame shining through the dark.]

For those of you who are recently arrived, I am Liem Talbott, previously based in the country of Taldor: Priest of Abadar’s church, Decurion of Springstar. I arrived here nearly a year and a half ago, and have served Meridian for most of that time, though I also frequent Alenroux to assist the people there.

What knowledge, expertise, and status I’ve gathered here, I will gladly leverage should you have need for it. I have ties to the Church of Helios and am very familiar with Kenos’s markets. You may also rely on my blade and my bow in the face of danger.

Very Private

[warmare]

[In the midst of all this talk, back and forth, Hayame pulls Liem aside- into that place where their communions merge, the stone cloister and snowy mountain.]

Liem Talbott.

[Claude had led this post with casual mention that she wished to strategize... and this is it. Very directly, with nothing else beyond his name as greeting, she asks seriously-]

If Alenroux was delivered unto you, would you consider yourself capable of administering it?

🔒

[sterngaze]

Administering the island?

[He doesn't bother to ask why she might float this question. He's seen the talk from other Meridian shard-bearers, of claiming Alenroux once and for all to force a conclusive end to the war. Though he is not sure he agrees with the idea of seizing it, he can't say he hasn't been expecting something like this to happen eventually. And he agrees that the alternative is not better.]

I believe I could. I had similar duties in Taldor, in the months before I was taken from it.

But the method in which it was delivered would matter. The lands I was given governance of were discontented, but generally peaceful. I have no experience with quelling uprisings.

[warmare]

Yes.

[Does she know what she means by that- all the duties involved? Perhaps not as much, she is a warrior, but she knows more than some might expect.]

In the scenario I ask of you... ideally, there would be no mass uprising. Individual discontents, perhaps, but.

I would be taking care of those.

[sterngaze]

[Hm...]

Is this something you are collaborating with the General on? I will admit, the prospect of ongoing struggle there just as the growing season begins does concern me.

[warmare]

[She hesitates for one moment... But no, it is fine. Liem is trustworthy, and though she will not tell the public until this Oracle trial is done with-]

I have been tasked with a mission from the Triumverate, and I have been given the position to enable it. To take Alenroux.

I want it done so smoothly and quickly that we endanger as little of the crops as possible. The same for those who have long worked that land. And part of such a plan... is assuring the people that they will be governed fairly, that nothing will change in their taxes, or their lifestyle, the little things they consider "normal".

And I likely can not do that.

[But perhaps Liem...]

[sterngaze]

[Even if Hayame intends for taking Alenroux to go so quickly that the residents' lives won't be overly disrupted, Liem knows there is room for complications to arise in any plan, especially one as large as this. He hopes for everyone's sake that she finds the success she seeks.]

Then, if you are successful, I can provide that assurance. I made myself familiar with the communities there after Springstar set up a presence on the island initially, and I still have my notes.

But surely I am not the only one you have extended this request to. I know I am not the only one in Meridian with experience in governance.

[warmare]

[There is so much room for complication. But if she... If she becomes more than just a warrior, if she takes the council of others, if she plans--]

I will request the aid of others for their guidance on strategy, and magics, and how to keep Zenith out and prevent sabotage or efforts to undermine us, like what happened previously, but when it comes to this task...

You are the only one.

You are a Decurion, and you have been in Alenroux from the beginning, as I have. The people know you there. You are respected. Even if others have experience ruling... Dimitri is tainted as I am, having worked publicly with the Legionary. Claude is my- I cannot appoint my lover.

And I trust you.

[That is the most important one. So why would she ask anyone else?]

[sterngaze]

[There is little Liem can say to that. Her reasoning is sound, and although it is strange to him to think that he is somehow her first and perhaps only choice for this need, he cannot deny anything that she has said.]

Then I will not insult your judgment by casting doubt upon it.

You have likely been wondering about the church I’ve been building on the land next to yours. [The land he was granted not long after the completion of her home. Though construction halted over winter, the building itself was nearly done. It was very clearly not a home.] It will be open, soon. I’ve already found people willing to staff it.

Every growing community needs a temple, so I have decided to provide one.

[warmare]

[... Good. Good. For now, she just wished to know if he would accept that role if she gave it to him.]

I have.

[But it was his business, and she assumed he would tell her when he was sure or ready, so- A church. A church of... the god whose holy book she had carried around for a month, pretending to read it.]

Abadar will be worshiped there?

[sterngaze]

He will, yes. There are some among Meridian's people who have proven willing enough to learn his scripture, even if they don't know of his world.

[This was the main task Liem had to take on over the winter months, when the physical construction of the church was halted. After all, a church was not simply a building. It needed people to give it life.]

I mean for it to be a refuge from the darkness, as well. I've hallowed the building, so it cannot be infiltrated by magical means, and so no shadows can be found within it. Whatever strangeness is cloaking Alenroux at night, it should be a safe place.

[warmare]

Then I am glad for you. And for your faith.

[She knew how important it was to him. She had seen how worn and read the pages of that book were. She had seen what happened to him, when he lost his belief in the god called Abadar. He fell to Pleroma. He fell to Zenith.

And she did not want that. Not again.]

If it can protect the people of Alenroux from the shadows, then it is even better. Is it possible to hallow even more space, or is it very taxing for you?

[sterngaze]

Casting it causes a significant degree of discord buildup... but, perhaps more significantly [for a man who is a little careless with his own well-being,] the spell takes a full day and night of focus to complete. It is not something I could do in great quantity.

But for significant locations, I can make the time, as long as the space is safe from interference.

[warmare]

I understand. The ability I have... found myself capable of is also. I think it will cost greatly. I must be mindful.

[And who can cleanse her if she goes too far, too fast?]

For now, Alenroux is fortunate to have just the church.

[sterngaze]

I've done something similar with my own home.

[Minus the permanent light effect, obviously.]

If you ever have somewhere specifically you wish to have protected, I can make the time.

[warmare]

[It is tempting to say her own home, because the threat of shadows snatching when she is vulnerable or has her guard half-down is a large one, but... No, that sounds too selfish. The church will be close enough if things should escalate.]

I will defer to your judgement for now.

Let us hope that issue does not become more pressing. We already have enough chaos to deal with in Springstar and Alenroux as is.