Arcanus Liberus and the Thayan Threat

[ThePaganKing]

WARNING

The following thread is a meeting of the Arcanus Liberus arcane organization. In order to attend you must be able to cast 2 cantrips and during the meeting divination magic will be used to insure privacy. If you wish to spy on the meeting, talk to a DM for guidance, otherwise do not read this thread as it will be metagaming.


*Elric stands in front of the group after calling the meeting earlier that day*

I have been snooping around and what I have found is a bit disturbing. I believe, after talking to some of my sources, that the Thayans may have something nasty in store for us and therefore, we need to prepare.

I cannot divulge my sources without endangering them, but I vouch for them. They are not close enough to the Enclave leaders to give detail to their suspicions, but I believe there is enough information, coupled with the Mako and Zhuul debacle, to be worried enough to prepare.

Therefore, I say we begin to prepare a defense, both arcane and physical. I propose we:

1. Have the most knowledgeable of our organization on Thayans prepare a treatise on their strengths and vulnerabilities.
2. Prepare all our spellcasters to be able to defend as well as attack with the most powerful spells possible.
3. Vote for a war leader or whatever title you may want to give. This person would prepare our overall strategy and defense/attack plans. Of course, with help from our members.
4. Have someone with great diplomatic skills *smiles* query powerful priests and fighters outside our group for possible assistance against the powerful Thayan guards.

Do not get me wrong, I am not advocating all out war or the destruction of the Thayan Enclave, but I feel if we do not prepare for possible attacks from the Enclave, we will remain vulnerable and may possibly cease to exist.

I open this discussion for debate.

*With that Elric sits in his accustomed seat*

[MKartMaster]

**Elith stands in the back of the room, releasing a small sigh as he does**

"Why am I not surprised?

It stands to reason, I believe, that the Enclave would not enjoy our presence in Sundren. They've likely grown so used to being the only arcane presence in the valley that they would rather remove us than reconcile our dual presence.

I don't believe I'd be a good candidate for general or warleader or commander or whatever we want to call it, but I know someone we could certainly recruit. You all know of "Mad" Jack Flynn, I assume? He has a vendetta against the Enclave; I'm sure he'd be more than willing to assist us if it came to blades, whether he cared for Arcanus Liberus or not."

**Elith drops back into his seat, seemingly surprised he managed to talk that much at once**

[rustediron]

*Val chuckles* How interesting it is, that a group of magi just wishing to trade knowledge is on the verge of becoming a war band. Well, I must admit, it is more interesting this way. *He grins*

But beware the Thayans. They may not have the power of the Hand, but they are powerful enough to think before picking a fight with. Never forget our dear friend Malaclypse, brought to death at the hands of those foul red-robes.

[Shadoweaver]

Z'huul steps forward to speak. "I feel we must be prepared in case we are attacked but should not do anything to provoke the Red Wizards. I have more thoughts on the matter, that I shall bring before the membership in a separate meeting."


Shad

[whatchalookin]

Mad Jack....Bah!

Isaniel Ny'thin steps up to speak.

Evidently none of you have spoke to this Mad Jack or he would not even be considered.
I have seen this man in action and let us just say he is compulsive and rash in his actions. One also I think should not be trusted.
Why do we speak of war when we organized for knowledge?
As I said at the begining the Red Wizards will not like this organization one bit.

[sparkeh]

Peppington pipes up "Oh..er..well now I thought his group was all about sharing and advancing knowledge, not fighting a war...oh dear this is not good, not good at all."

[Aries1918]

*Puck stands up* Oh no, this war is not good at all. We should be concentrating on war with the squirrels!

[sparkeh]

Peppington motions to Puck

"Yes! Exactly! We should be concentrating on....wait..what?!"

[Kangleton]

"Squirrels. He said squirrels."

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric stands and holds his hand up for silence*

Listen, I did not say we need go to war. I merely want to make sure we are ready in case the Thayans try to destroy us, for destroy us they may try to do.

Our primary reason for existence has not changed, the free flow of magical information and knowledge.

Our existence is anathema to Thay and their mages and therefore, we can become a very tempting target, especially if they deem us weak and unprepared. If we show that we are strong and will not be taken easily, the Thayans may think twice before trying to stop us.

So, please stop the hysterics.

[Leaving Hope]

So, please stop the hysterics.

* A hysterical middle-aged sorceror with a red face leaps to his feet *

Hysterics? Who's HYSTERICAL?

* The sorceror clearly is. *

All I know is, we were first invited to this organization under the promise that it would be something different, and something open to all. Arcanus Liberus was to be a group dedicated to freely sharing information, supporting one another, and representing magic in a way that distinguished us from others.

NOW, one of us who was badmouthing Thay has been revealed to be in collusion with them, we've changed our position from welcoming all to only welcoming those we approve, Ion's suddenly taking a liking to Dwergen women with beards, we've made an enemy of Thay, YOU'RE talking war, and our previous LEADER is now unable to cast a simple cantrip.

Just wait until people hear we're preparing for war against Thay. That'll help convince people we're better.

* The panicking sorceror throws his hands up in the air *

What's next? Balors, maybe?

[rustediron]

*Val chuckles* He's got a point there. And a good one too.

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric stands and uses his diplomatic skills (around a 50-60)*

Listen all of you *smiles*

No one is talking war. No one is saying that we are not open to all that can cast a certain level or circle of spells. The collusion with Thay was shown to be false. I am not advocating war with Thay. And, Cadmus was but one of our leaders; therefore, we need to fill his vacancy.

This body of mages is still open and its primary objective is still a free flow of information and arcane knowledge.

However, I must say that we cannot be ignorant of outside forces or influences. If we want to continue to be open to all and share knowledge, we must ensure we can do that freely and not be shut down by the Sundren government, the Thayan Enclave, the Triumvirate, or any other force that may, for one reason or another, try and shut us down.

And of course *he smiles* I am not saying any of the afore mentioned organizations has any intentions of closing us down, except possibly the Thayans, who have the most to lose from an organization such as ours.

If we are strong and united, then we can more easily move forward with our tenants.

*Elric smiles, then walks back to his seat*