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

[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.]

[sirsolace]

Hopefully not. It has limited charges, but should suffice for your mission.

[anthophobia]

[Katniss isn't super stoked to hear about that. She's better off getting herself into advantageous high point positions if possible, and she's pretty sure these people can't follow her where she wants to go. Not all of them anyway.

She meets Paige's gaze solidly. She doesn't want to abandon ship, but if it's a lost cause and she can't get everyone out?

Someone has to get back here to tell what they've seen. They're no good to anyone if they're all dead.]

[eldritchweaver]

The ring will be in Sir Levin's possession - he will be granted the position of mission leader.

[generaldavideus]

[David also isn't convinced that they would have to stay together always, but those are bridges they'll have to cross when they get there. There's also a small bit of relief when he's given command of the mission, as he's been in this situation before, and he couldn't speak to that with the rest of the team.

But beyond that, he'll nod in acknowledgment.]

When are we leaving?

[eldritchweaver]

Within a few hours. Our Hoard resources and armory are open to you, to take what you need to prepare.

[morethanasidekick]

[ If Paige is looking a reassurance in the form of Kenzi? Well, she's just going to look pointedly past her at the grumpy old men because... while she's not going to abandon ship at the first sign of trouble, like Katniss she doesn't see the point in all of them dying. ]

And are either of you coming with us or are we on our own? [On this possible suicide mission. Just wondering...]

[sirsolace]

The Knighthood cannot afford to lose more leadership, particularly before we have a plan in place based on the intelligence from this mission.