Something Strange is Happening in the South...

A few of us could teleport in posing as important people with pressing business with someone we know in Southwatch - preferably, a your majesty trusts. We would travel under appropriate aliases with a suitable cover story; news of a family tragedy, perhaps, or a business proposition or urgent decision needed. This should allow us enough access to assess the situation. We could make it known that our return or a message is expected in a short time, or someone will be coming for us. That should provide an incentive for whoever is responsible for this situation to at least permit us to send a message.

We can hammer out the details of the cover story and messaging strategy once your majesty selects a contact in Southwatch.

"Father, if I may..." Pyrrha interjects as politely as possible. She scans the room with a cunning eye, then continues, "I know the city of Southwatch. Certainly well enough to attempt some augury or scrying there. If we can at least see what is going on, our chances might improve."

Oma Salie smiles at Anwin, then sighs, reaching into one of her pockets and taking out a small mint leaf, putting it in her mouth and chewing slowly, thinking about all that's being said. Hmmm... It is a very difficult decision to make. I'm not an expert on war tactics, but I don't suppose invaders kindly step aside to allow some higher uppers of the people they're invading to waltz around and return to where they came from with all sorts of information about the invasion.
If we could teleport to somewhere else in the city that wasn't so obvious, like our store, that would've given us a great advantage. Such a shame Aetoris, we should go there more often...
If the danger lies outside the city, we have to fear nothing going in. If the heart of the invasion is there, risking our spies to get caught and not return would make my heart ache, thinking there might've been something I could've done and I think others will agree. Together we are at our most powerful, so if we go we go together. Her tone is very stern, not allowing anyone to disagree as she continues.
If the situation is as dire as you seem to think I don't want to waste a week coming in from Celeria. Nor do we have the time to wait for scouting ravens or bears. The shield does raise questions, it's not something that happens by accident. We should go there to investigate, see if the people are safe or try to make that happen. But the way in...
She stands up on her chair, putting her hands on her hips and speaking in the most serious tone yet.
It seems to me our best choice is to go in, blind, unfortunately, but together. If we get there safely we could send a group to investigate while the others stay safe, of not we fight until we create a safe place. I will NOT feel the guilt of letting a few get killed because we didn't want to take the risk of a fight! We are strong and we are brave! And you will all eat my spinach so you are good to go! Ask Aety, he knows it works!

Tinwë nods at Oma Salie's words. "I agree. Whatever they have over there, we have a Hulk." She waves a hand at the Green Champion. "I dare them to try and kill him, even with an army, or a dragon." She looks the enormous warrior over, then adds, "Or an army of dragons."

More serious, she continues. "We cannot delay acting. If they can field an antimagic shield of such proportions, what is to keep them from enacting the teleportation circle there and appearing here? We need answers now, before they have time to organize more surprises."

The mask shifts to Oma "So you wish to put us all at risk, the ones called because we're capable of stopping this, to save a few? That is the tragedy of war, a byproduct of invasion; lives are going to be lost regardless. We go in blind, we save a few lives but now we are dead because there was something we weren't ready for because we felt the need to rush in without recon. Now the city falls, thousands die, and the threat begins to move from Southwatch to the surrounding area because we are no longer there to end it. Is this the outcome you want? To save a simple few?" His mask shifts again to Hulk as Tinwë talks about him and looks him over "And how does he expect to reach the dragons, 100 feet up as they rain hellfire upon him, flying circles around him?"

His gaze shifts to Tinwë "Are you capable of subduing or killing him if his mind his corrupted and he turns on us? If whoever has the power to shield an entire city, mind control is probably trivial to them. You do not go in blind against a magic user capable of blocking an entire city from magic view."

Fah'lin listens to everyone's points and counter points, taking it all in. Thinking to herself, 'This could prove interesting.'

As the conversation goes around and around she starts to get a little bored. Speaking after the masked agent makes his point she says, "Blocking a city from being scryed upon could be a feat of legendary magic, or it could be a neat trick. Failure of a scrying spell does not necessarily mean 'anti-magic' it could just be 'shielding magic' which is somewhat more common. However, I think we all agree we need more information than we have. We should get as close to Southwatch as we can and assess the situation. Until then we can't make a good plan. My carriage is ready we could leave tonight."

Anwin looks at the mask, I'm going to have to change my response sorry, I'm going to have to say that I believe transporting into the city to a safe spot might be the best plan. Aetoris and Oma's shop is as good a place as any. And as for the hulk if his mind is corrupted with Pelor's favour I'll be able to easily clear that up

The mask shifts to Anwin "And what if your God's favor is also barred from the city? What if we are unable to transport into the city? Do you know the consequences of a failed teleport? Or what if they have the entire city on lock down and have every circle heavily guarded? Now we are in the dark—not knowing what works and doesn't—fighting who knows what, with no other information other than the city has gone silent and the scouting guards haven't returned." His mask scans the room "How many of you become useless after you lose your magics and enchantments? With an entire city resting on our shoulders, now is not the time for rash decisions. Most of those questions can be answered easily before we throw ourselves into the fray by a simple scout from my raven."

Approaching Ryestro, Fah'lin puts up a placating hand but does not try to touch him. "Peace, peace. Your point is made. But your bird will not make it there in a reasonable amount of time from here. We can get closer and see what there is to see and your bird can do it's job. Let us quit bickering about that and move on."

Smiling, Kuz looks at Ryestro, "Mask men is wise, I be dangerous if turned. But my mind not weak. If no magic then me be great tool to bring. Me need no magic to be champion. And flying dragons no problem in past, so no problem in future also. I think we go near first. If danger, you run and I give time."

The mask shifts to Fah'lin "Apologies, I left that notion in the past. Teleportation wasn't in my mind at the time I proposed that path; just gaining information. I do see the need to limit the time spent scouting and having my raven fly here to there, is certainly a waste. I do not see anything we can move onto, we have no information to form anything around."

Aetoris listens to the many proposed plans and reasoned arguments for and against. After a moment or two of furrowed brow thinking, he responds.

We still have an alternative option. I know the sigil's pattern in Celeria. It cuts a full two weeks off of any travel we may need to make. From there, we can push towards the city slightly more. From what we can tell, Naleth is still free, lest the mage wouldn't have been rightly able to make contact. If we can base ourselves there, your good raven can scout somewhat more easily, as could the spirit of the bear Hulk there had mentioned. Then, at least, once we have our information, we can react before that information is stale as month old bread. I agree that we shouldn't rush blindly into the middle of danger. I am afraid I'm not familiar enough with our store to safely get us all the way there without some of those potentially nasty risks our masked associate is so keen to point out. While we wait for more word from the king regarding the size, and preferably the contents, of the caravan, we can strike out to pull together whatever gear we may need. he walks to Oma and squeezes her shoulders. We are very powerful old friend. But I'm afraid not even your spinach can save us from that which blacks out a city like this. I fear we are at a decision like we faced with that wicked troll that stole your herb supply all those years ago. If we burnt him, it damaged the supply of herbs. If we didn't, he would terrorize more, yes? All decisions are bad, and thus all are equally good. Squeezing once more, he moves to the king.

King Pious. When your grandfather was young, I was already stalking the woods for the elvish armies. I fear at times the years of experience weigh too heavily on the tactical options I could see. But the citizens of Southwatch, they are your subjects. Only you can truly provide us with a clue as to how urgent this threat may be. If we were to take the week to ride from Celeria, or even the three to traverse from here, is that too long? You've called your banners, when do you march? As you've heard, many wise heads with many successful adventures can lead to disagreement in tactics. Please, provide us some guidance liege. he says, bowing his head down slightly.

Trying to be as clear as he can, Kuz chooses is words before speaking, hoping nobody has any trouble understanding him. "I know more info good, but time important too. Not good idea take too much time for plans. Best plans only good until battle start. King has wizards. They can send info to us when they have. We need move, plan on the way."

"Excellent! Your majesty is quite wise." She turns and slowly heads for the door. "Bolin will be pulling the carriage around, if anyone would like a ride to the circle. Champion?" She quickly signals to her servants and three of them hustle out of the room at quicker pace then their mistress.