briefing ♔ no way to go but straight through the smoke

[eldritchweaver]

Walk through the Fire - Zayde Wolf ft. Ruelle

WHO || Hasmed, Solace, Katniss, Toby, David, Jeanne, Kenzi, Paige [Closed]
WHAT || LA Recon Mission Briefing
WHERE || Round Table Room
WHEN || November 20th, 2017 [ 4 days after LA ]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

Just as before, accessing the secret room where the Round Table is housed requires using the Knight's keycard to open the glass case beside the mural of the War in Heaven, located across from the ballroom entrance. Using the fire extinguisher as a lever to activate the "door" mechanism reveals the long torch-lit hall plastered in artwork depicting the Knight's history. The tenants of the Knighthood hang large and foreboding over the doors at the end of the hall, which stand open to reveal the brightly lit Round Table, and the majestic crystalline dragon statue presiding over it.

But this doesn't feel like any meeting before.  There is no moment of expectation waiting for Wynn to come out of those golden doors.  Instead, Hasmed and Solace stand conferring quietly in front of them.

Comments

[sirsolace]

[ before kenzi can pursue that line too far, solace pipes up ] I think that's all of you.

We're not going to mince words here. This is perhaps one of the most dangerous missions you'll ever be asked to fulfill. We want to make it clear that if anyone wishes to back out now, we will find a replacement for you.

[somepagesturn]

[Paige swallows and sits up straighter.] I can't speak for anyone else, but I know, for me, it would be irresponsible to send someone else to face this danger in my stead. You chose me for a reason- I won't let you down, Sir Solace.

[She lays a hand over her harp pin, seeking further strength from her holy symbol.]

[errantdetective]

[Toby stays slouched in her seat, but she looks up at Hasmed and Solace with an intense look in her eyes.] California's my home. I only came here at all with the understanding I'd be going back. This is already my fight. I'm not backing out.

[anthophobia]

[Katniss looks around uncomfortably, but her voice is steady when she speaks.]

I asked to be here.

[Borderline suicidal? Maybe. Important? Hell yes.]

[morethanasidekick]

[Spoil all her fun, Solace.

After everyone else pipes up, Kenzi offers her own version of a commitment to the cause.]

Staying here has proven to be just as likely to get us killed, so. I'm in.

[generaldavideus]

[David did not understand that Mexican reference at all (wisdom 9), but thankfully Solace saves him from actually asking one way or another. Regardless, he's not going anywhere.]

What do you need us to do?

[Let's get this show on the road.]

[arretez]

[ jeanne simply sits quietly, saying nothing, hands folded neatly in her lap. david asked her pertinent question so she has nothing else to add. ]

[eldritchweaver]

The cloud darkening the skies above Los Angeles have made it impossible for us to ascertain what is happening in the region. In order for us to understand what we're up against, we need to get an accurate assessment of the situation. The interference has stymied attempts to scry magically as well as get any sort of technological read on the area.

This leaves us one option: going in on foot. Naturally, we can't launch an assault of any kind against something we don't understand, so this is a purely reconnaissance gathering mission. We're keeping this team small for that reason.

[somepagesturn]

So we have a look around and just report back what we see?

[She swallows and lowers her voice, as if hoping that speaking softly will... I don't know, make it easier to say:]

Do you... Do you think Keijen Blade is still operating out of the area or if it's just spillover or... [She holds up a a hand before they can answer.] Naturally, tha-that's what we're looking into. Of course. But, theoretically, is it possible?

[She wrings her hands under the table.] I have to prep my spells accordingly...

[sirsolace]

Unfortunately, we don't know. It seems likely he is still in the area: it's hard to imagine his movements would go unnoticed elsewhere.

[generaldavideus]

How large is the area that we have to cover?

[A small team is good for recon, but if they have a large amount of ground to cover, then that will take time.]

[eldritchweaver]

Larger than we can reasonably expect you to cover, but you won't be infiltrating into the heart of it, merely the outskirts for now.

[somepagesturn]

[Paige is scribbling in a notebook.] If anyone has any spell recommendations, I'd be happy to hear them...

[arretez]

Nondetection spells should prove necessary. The usual cadre of spells against evil, perhaps spells to aid in our search. My own magic will do little to aid us outside of the most minor of injuries.

[ just so y'all know. ]

[somepagesturn]

[with a little bit of pride:] Don't worry. I'm well versed in spells that repel evil. It's my specialty. [scribble scribble. she's gonna look into some STEALTH CLERIC spells.]

[arretez]

Your presence will be invaluable.

[ dibs on protecting the cleric basically. enjoy your compliment from joan of arc. ]

[sirsolace]

It is vitally important that your team works to avoid detection at all costs. We have assumed that this may prove impossible, and selected those of you who we believe can find a quick and efficient way to safely extract yourselves from the situation.

[generaldavideus]

Did the original team mention any kind of ... allies we might have to worry about?

[He doesn't want to use the word minions, but really that's what he's worried about. Creatures or beings that Blade might have recruited to his cause.]

[eldritchweaver]

There's the Mind Master, a powerful psion, but we have reason to believe she may no longer be allied with him directly.

[somepagesturn]

[SO ALARMED] That's... unnerving, but I guess it's better than her being there.

[sirsolace]

His other known associates were all children or grandchildren of Blade himself. We know they might possess psionic powers, but we can't be certain if they've gone to him yet, or if they even have any control over their powers in such a manner.

[anthophobia]

Well, then let's hope they're not on perimeter duty. If they are, we'll just have to make sure they don't see us.

[generaldavideus]

If they are, is there anything we can use to block psionic detection?

[Or do they just have to cross their fingers and hope.]

[eldritchweaver]

We've managed to locate one ring that nullifies psionics within a very short distance. You would all have to remain close, for its effects to work.

[somepagesturn]

That shouldn't be a problem. The effects of most of my, erm, stealthier spells only work if we stay close. There shouldn't be any reason for us to separate from each other.

[She says that, but she kinda looks pleadingly at the rest of the group. The implication that some of them might be willing to flee and leave the rest to die has her a bit anxious.]