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We require 7 more volunteers for Operation: Fireball Palace.

This is VERY DANGEROUS undertaking and comes with extreme risk of heat stroke and immolation.

Volunteers who wish to apply WILL REQUIRE the following:

1) Equipment that protects them not just against the sting of fire, but also help them acclimate to the persistent exposure to extreme heat. We suggest an ensemble marked by The Flaming Fortress, or something similar.

2) A Tlonsiyyan Rebreather. Conversations are occurring, to see if these can be provided, but for now, assume that you will have to source your own.

3) At least two Geothermal Orbs, offered by Quartermaster Gebb.

4) Potions of Insulation.

5) Potions of Polarization.

6) Potions of Invisibility.

7) Potions of See Invisibility.



We intend to leave two days from now. ((3:30 PST, Friday the 4th))

Interested volunteers should contact Katya Belyaeva. Thank you.

[I cannot stress enough the terrible, terrible danger we are all in,]

[This is a letter delivered to: Lieutenant Rennik Colmes, Condottiera & Warmaster Mirielle Rosseu, Sister Selsi, Lyrist Aubrey Domergue, Balestrier Melody Stearwood, the Astronomers of Q'tolip, Balladeer Aurelio d'Lyon, Ulfgrim Grimgarson, Maqqari Ahmad, Legate Vellyn, Legate Alexandria.]

Also included is the Sukaitza Gudari, specifically one who is literate and not currently addicted to any substance (this description is literally given to the courier, ver batim, with an attached post-script: "Pretend that you will be at a meeting with the Lendakari. You know exactly the kind of mannerisms of which I require of you."]

Companions, colleagues, Honored Legates

I am Katya Belyaeva, a Balladeer of the Lost Hearth. I write to you all with razor-keen sensitivity to the current situation we find ourselves in with Kha'esh's imminent departure. We are exposing ourselves to great danger, and our political decisions have put us here.

We have need of new friends, and quickly. To that end, we must turn now to our generous benefactor and beg for His endless love for more help. Do not mistake this for a second: if Ephia's Well retakes Arslan and re-installs The Grand Tutors, Kha'esh will not abide it, there will be no union, and there be great strife. I cannot stress enough the terrible, terrible danger we are all in, and the level of insult it is, to betray men who cast down their slave masters, to favor those who openly practice slavery.

Three Legions has The Sultan promised us. We are going to need even more Legions, if we are going to somehow make up for the absence of the largest host The Great Ring has ever seen in 500 years. Sultan Osman VI - Peace Be Upon Him, Long May His Line Reign - has given us so much, and now we find ourselves in an ungrateful position where we must extend a hand out to him again, like a beggar who has become accustomed to the kindness shown to him and expect even more.

This shall be an act of groveling that in of itself shall define the meaning of the word Grovel, but grovel we must, if we are to spare our brothers and sisters, nevermind ourselves. Time is against us, and once Kha'esh completely uproots, we are well and truly under-equipped for a war of this scale. This is not hyperbole, this is a critical situation where the entire campaign can unravel. We know not when they mean to attack the Kusatma, but we know that they are constructing the weapon, and without the manpower of The Great Serdar Yataghan, it will become a considerably easier target, and it is no small thing to simply hide under a blanket.

We are not in a position where we can bargain, and that in itself is an enticing prospect, for our desperation will be reason to hear our plea. All the more that the Satrap can make itself of use to Sultan Osman VI - Peace Be Upon Him, Long May His Line Reign - and show our appreciation for His endless generosity.

So how do we draw the attention of eyes that are so high above us that they will not pay heed to us lowly mortals?

-----
First, a bold declaration, gilded and with great majesty.
-----


Something that must span the height of the Majordomo's desk, that he might read it and occupy his afternoon. No other function of The Palatial Pyramid ought be important to him, save for his service unto dizzying heights. It will be a use of great vocabulary and extreme posturing, framing it as a joined interest of the greatest Ephia's Well has to offer. Men of title, men of renown, all joined in harmony to express a dire need. Scrounge whatever accomplishment in recent memory you can find, embellish its proportions to the most realistic capacity that you can.


We ought form a rough draft together some afternoon, put our signatures to it when complete. We can discuss the wording, but, not for long, for the hourglass is against us.
 
If this even gets anywhere, it ought be organized, so as to not overwhelm those who turn their ear to us. A handful to mark the delegation, but the masses to bare witness to the sincerity of our plea.

I suggest:

1) Lyrist Aubrey Domergue.
2) Lieutenant Rennik Colmes.
3) Balestrier Melody Stearwood.
4) Sister Selsi.
5) Ulfgrim Grimgarson.
6) An Astronomer in proximity to the Zenithar and has their expressed trust. Mae Stern? Welly Wormswill? Zol Nur? I beg your forgiveness, that we do not often meet.

In addition, I suggest including the names of the war effort that will be known by those who are observing such an ordeal, and even adding emphasis to their role in the war.

1) Warmaster Mirielle Rosseu.
2) Master of Logistics, Maqqari Ahmad. (Previously held by Durgin Doomed-Oath, may he rest in peace.)
3) Thronebreaker, Aurelio d'Lyon.
4) The Slayer, Katya Belyaeva.


-----
Second, a spectacle, to catch the eye.
-----


Ceremony and pomp are critical, for if we simply ask The Majordomo and stop there, it can and will be taken as an insult and a gesture of being ungrateful. Rather, by doing this, we make our first impression as a celebration and gesture of appreciation of The Sultan Osman VI's boundless generosity - Peace Be Upon Him, Long May His Line Reign -.

This will have to be extreme, for we are not just doing it to bring a smile to The Sultan's face - Peace Be Upon Him, Long May His Line Reign -, but because He must be able to see us from where ever He lingers, be it one of His summer homes, or upon His balcony at the greatest height of Baz'eel. The sight must gleam like a gem on the horizon, the sound must carry on the wind. How exactly we do that is up to you, but, below is my proposal.

Whatever you decide, we ought communicate with each other, so that when we do it, it is in harmony.

After the submission is put forward, we begin a grand parade, with banners held high, the thunder and clatter of plated boots and percussion of Sukaitza explosives obliterating anything that might think us an easy mark, its explosion to ring out like the firing of cannons in ceremony.

Two things herald our approach to the seal of the Barrier of Baz'eel: first, the fall of rose petals, as my colleague and former master Aeronwy Caddick takes to the skies of her griffon, and soars high the great standard of the Red and Black, whilst casting fistfuls for the wind to pull down.

The second, an arrangement of brass. Our newest student Quincy is arranging our brothers in parade formation, Lyrei is to lead the song in instrument arrangement. We and the Sisterhood join choir, to sing the great songs that shall carry into the wind.

I suggest the Fourth Legion form columns with their helmet tops polished, that it might catch the light of the highnoon sun. Each column should have a divide, where the camel of a Sergeant sits in this gap, Lieutenant Rennik Colmes to take the front

The Astronomers of Q'tolip might call upon Welly Wormswill to call upon his expertise to lure great and fantastical beasts to take to the edges of the parade.

The Duunthal take both the front and the flank of the march, that the strength of Kulklund be great enough to bear all of us.

The Legates should be in the exact center of the entire formation, carried there by the Scribes and volunteers within a palanquin, bearing the colors of their Leagues.

The Sukaitza ought to dot the left and right flanks of the march, both to maximize the visibility of their bright orange and the expand the distance of which their bombs might boom through the air, but also for our safety.

Spectators ought to give distance to the march, but show the attention this march ought command by how many have come to behold such a great and dire request.

-----
Lastly, our requests.
-----

It should be done with great humility. There is no delicate way to phrase this, but, we have need for much and not in any position to say no. There will be much shaming and condemning of our carelessness, there will be much doubt that we will not also squander what else is given to us.


We need to be proactive, because if we wait, Iakmes' horde will hit us where we are most delicate. We know what they are planning, but not when or where, which adds to the time sensitivity of this.

This is where we sink or swim, everyone.

Balladeer Katya Belyaeva.

It is good to write to you again.

I am going off to battle at the week's end. It may be some time before I return. I do not know what the future holds.

If you find yourself with spare time, I would like your company. I would even like you to meet my roommate. His name is Garen Linwood, and he is a survivor that only recently arrived in Ephia's Well. A gentleman, by my measure.

Hope to see and hear from you soon.

Your neighbor,
Katya.

[Either someone who has a high tolerance to heat, or a fully-linked ensemble of The Flaming Fortress, is required. One could easily die of heatstroke out there. Insulation potions were fleeting between our number.]

Dear reader,

This is what we have gathered from The Fireball Palace. Arnock Reyer has a drawn map of the area and the point of entry.

- The heat is unimaginably intense at night. It will be even more intense during the day. This is a night time operation.

Either someone who has a high tolerance to heat, or a fully-linked ensemble of The Flaming Fortress, is required. One could easily die of heatstroke out there. Insulation potions were fleeting between our number.

- There is a temple that they care very much about. So much so that they built it in sight of all their watch towers. It is opened only by a giant cog on the side. That space that opens the gate is going to be a killzone.

We are figuring that our best bet for cover, from spellfire, is magical darkness.

- Speaking of towers, there are six towers that overlook a long stretch of trenches meant to keep the advancement confined. There seems to be a magic webbing that bound the magi to its top and a barrier that protects them from archery fire. All magic tethers seem to connect to a tower that is closest to the temple.

Can we detonate it with Sukaitza bombs, or somehow dispel the tether?

- The soldiers they have on display seem to lack War Priests, but we did detect a Voidcaller closest to the temple. The regiment they keep, I think, is intended to serve as fodder, or perhaps have judged that we will not be able to endure the heat, and have not put their specialized units at this base.

They may have judged correctly. That heat is intense and will be just as, if not more, dangerous than facing off against their strongest soldiers.

- There is one sector we did not search, because our allies ran out of supplies. Not sure if it is of that much concern or if it will be something we can deal with as it comes.

- They are building a weapon to destroy the Kusatma. Double the security surrounding the cannon.

As you can see, the conditions are decidedly grim, but not impossible. My tactical assessment is:

- They have several clans' worth of infantry guarding that palace. It will be a hard fight in, and an equally hard fight getting out. I suggest we go in under the cover of invisibility, begin our work, eliminate our target, then fight our way out. I think we will run out of water if we both fight our way in, and fight our way out.

This is not an operation that will be solved by total victory, or sacking the place. Speed is the factor that wins us this fight.

- We are going to need several of Cogsworth's globes for when the line gets choked in for a fight. I cannot stress how bad the heat is.



For any further questions, write to me at Room 16, the Homely Home & Art Studio of Katya Belyaeva.

Never shall we wilt,
Katya Belyaeva.

Ser Hyram,

Fortune smiled upon us and the Lyrist return. There was much cause for rejoice.

The kind gestures of the Legates and Aurelio to vouch for my measure of character has swayed her opinion.

Where do we go from here?

Signed,
Katya Belyaeva.

Hello neighbors,


I feel like we have been on the wrong foot for the better of a year. It has always saddened me deep down, I find your shenanigans amusing, your antics impressive and your study a thing of true fascination, but, we never had the chance to talk about it.

I want to invite you over for tea, tomorrow. Just a normal conversation, you two and I. It should not take too long, and it is nothing particularly probing beyond your personal life. You can expect much tea, sweets and even gifts, for your time.

You need only send for me, to let me know you are on the way. We can bend to your schedule.

Your neighbor,
Katya Belyaeva.

Dear Mirielle,

I want to talk to you, not as Warmaster, but, as a friend.

No, it does not concern Luther.

I pray you make the time for me and soon. Send for me.

Yours,
Katya.

It has been a long time, master.

I would hope you are well, where ever you are, and that you return home.

It has been a decidedly lonely experience, navigating these current affairs on my own.

Your student,
Katya Belyaeva.

Dear Mirielle,

I have new information for you. You have no doubt been told about the lumbering, bronze creatures, but, if you have not, do tell me and I can inform you.

What I am writing to you today, is much worse: the warlocks have learned a new ritual.

Three of them will join, far away from the battlefield, and draw a strange symbol in fire. It seems to use a component of fifteen fireball scrolls. When the symbol is completed, it rains fire from the sky, with extreme brutality. It is as if hell itself yawns wide and belches an inferno onto the earth.

It is my recommendation that we push for more marksmen to deal with them. Reyer is a keen marksman, but, he is going to need help.

Here are other details I have gleamed:

- The ritual seems to take great focus. They will not turn themselves invisible or shield themselves with protective magic. Maybe they can grant it to themselves with scrolls and potions, but, they would not cast it on themselves.

- It requires three to begin but less than can maintain it, once it has started. We were struck with less frequency as Tharrik and Alice began to shoot them, so I assume that the less there are to maintain the ritual, the slower it becomes.

- They begin this from a great distance but the reach of this ritual spans the entirety of the battlefield.

- The lines form scorch marks in the ground but its meaning is lost on me. It also includes fifteen scrolls of Fireball, of which I have one in my possession to hand off to you.

Here is my best attempt to draw the symbol by hand.



I hope this was helpful.

Yours,
Katya.

Ser Hyram,

I am in a strange position where the Lyrist and my own master are indisposed.

Is there anyone else that would weigh and measure me?

Signed,
Katya Belyaeva.

The beloved son.

That's a hell of a first impression, for a first ever character.

I have a unique problem and would appreciate your help with your sorcery employed.

I can explain the finer details to you, as to the why and how, but in brief summary: I require you to dominate a baleful monster and lead it into a cage provided to us by La Banda Rossa. It is for that gods-awful bloodsport.

Find me soon or write back when it pleases you.

Yours,
Katya.

There is no greater tragedy than brother against brother. I am all for it, if only to demonstrate the true price of treachery, and how it cuts both victor and the defeated alike.

We have more work to do, but, this will whet the appetite to someone, I am sure.

Yours,
Katya.

Master,

These are the same doubts we have all expressed, and share between each other. Our union is not perfect, but to call it paranoia would be gross hyperbole. I have enough trust in La Banda Rossa and The Sisterhood, and it is the same trust they place within me. It is a healthy relationship in full cooperation and in complete unity, let me assure you. No wedge will be driven between us.

I am not attempting to appease Aubrey as some classroom pet, I am attempting to prove myself to her, because this is the expectation put upon me. She is the Lyrist, and Ser Hyram bids I gain her approval.

You will hear all that I have learned. Let me demonstrate that I have been paying attention to what you have been saying, and doing.

Your student,
Katya Belyaeva.

Hello Mirielle,

I am at a strange point in my service to the College of the Lost Hearth and would appreciate your help. I have nothing left to learn, though the Lyrist Aubrey feels that I should define myself, if I am to take on more responsibility and serve faithfully as a Balladeer in full-measure.

The things of note I have done I am not proud of, nor do I feel comfortable to wear my accomplishments that I achieved with my dead friends, brothers and sisters, as laurels to parade about. I have told her this, and defined what that was, but she does not feel it adequate.

You know me well: I abhor violence, but, in times such as these, words fall silent before the sound of ringing steel and lamentation.

If you have any projects that you require volunteers for, I would like you to enlist me for them. Danger is not an issue, if it needs doing. I pray only that it is for a righteous purpose.


Your friend,
Katya.