Yuri's Council of War (October)
Escape from Lyssan
Yuri goes back to get his family. Vlad is taken out on a stretcher. Mara, Charrek, Vlad and Yuri are able to escape Lyssan before Denerick’s forces seize the Eastern Gates.
Mara and Charrek return to their own provinces. Yuri accompanies the wounded Vlad back to Hamein and effectively takes over there.
Meeting Planned
Charrek remains in contact with the others through curriers. He suggests a meeting between him, Vlad, Yuri and Mara at an Inn at the crossroads on the main Lyssan Road south of Rourke.
It will be held a week after the fall of Lyssan. Vlad is not fit enough to travel yet, but Mara and Yuri confirm they will attend. Charrek suggests everyone arrives in disguise. He hires a private room in the Inn.
Lyssan’s Eastern gate has remained closed and there is little new from the capital.
Yuri’s Council of War
Yuri and Mara arrive at the Inn and find Charrek already there waiting for them. Yuri says there are already an army unit of 200 soldiers in Hamein, which were posted there to fight the goblins. The army is not welcome in the town itself though, due to the plague.
Yuri does not have any money though to pay the army. He will need 2,000gp to keep them happy, but the end of the month.
Charrek reports he is currently raising two army units. Yuri is impressed. Mara asks how he afforded that – it’s the money that he was going to pay back to the Council.
Taking Lyssan Back
Yuri and Charrek agree re-taking Lyssan is the main priority. Yuri does mention Mhowe is not well defended, whereas Lyssan has powerful gates and wall. They could take Mhowe and sack it for money, then go around the south of the Iron Peaks until the can attack Lyssan from the West.
Mara is a little nervous that war is the only option, but Charrek and Yuri are determined. She does confirm her Cavalry unit has been fully mustered, plus a small Orog militia.
Charrek asks about sneaky routes into Lyssan and Yuri confirms there are ways, it depends if the gangs in Lyssan stay loyal. He has sent an agent and will see.
Raising an Army
They return to paying the soldiers in Hamein. Vlad is unconscious, Yuri does not know where his money is and has in sources of income at the moment. The Mayor’s accounts are empty, it seems Vlad spent all his money on doctors to deal with the plague. Yuri does not know where Vlad’s personal money is held. Charrek offers to cover the cost.
Once Charrek’s two units are mustered, they will have four army units, a strong force to take on Denerick. He needs manpower though and asks if any spare labour in Hamein can be sent his way. It’s going to take a while, so they can’t act at the moment.
They agree to stay in touch and meet regularly.
What about Hakim
Yuri wonders whether they should approach Hakim and Charrek agrees. Yuri says the guilty people are Denerick, Aiden, Hari and Lukas. Hakim may want to stay out of it, but he could be persuaded to join them. Mara agrees to approach Hakim.
Yuri encourages them not to give up, Denerick is an idiot who will mess this up at some point. He won’t go down well in Lyssan. He also laments not knowing what is happening in the capital. Mara offers to send spies there.
Charrek warns of magical attacks. Yuri touches them to make sure they are not Djinns. Charrek thinks the Chimaera may respond if the Three Brother Mages start using their magic though.
Yuri suggests that Charrek try to contact the Chimaera. He says his sister, the Seer, has been able to make a form of contact with her. He also tells them another, more powerful evil lies below them, which caused the earthquake. They need to deal with the Mages first.
Yuri says that is what the Dwarves warned about. The Prince was last known to be going to meet with the Mages in the south somewhere. He said he would contact Charrek afterwards.
Keep in Touch
Yuri suggests from now on they need a professional Mage as an advisor to the Council. He also mentions the goblins are advancing in Hamein. The irregular troops there can for now counter-raid and hold them off.
The three of them then finish the meeting and agree to keep in touch, work together and meet again soon.