EVENT: Current State of Affairs

[aloof_savant]

[ Thankfully, both the doors leading into the war room managed to get through the earthquake undamaged and are now shut tight. Behind the doors is a room that's mostly still in shambles, but it's now occupied by a big table borrowed from the tavern next door, as well as enough chairs for everyone in the room to be seated on, if they wish. ]


((OOC: If your name is in the tags, then Caesar has invited you to this meeting. Just note that all information that's shared in these threads can be heard by everyone in the room, and threadjacking is totally allowed, too! ))

Comments

[aloof_savant]

Right, I guess I should start...

In light of recent events, Lady Chris and I have talked and decided that the best way to move forward is to lay all our cards on the table. I know some are working independently, while I suspect others are trying to carry the burden alone. I no longer believe we can go on like this.

I know we all have our theories about what's going on, so why don't we discuss them here? Right now we have a room full of tacticians, experts and influential figures. If we can't figure this thing out before it's too late, then the future we once fought for will have been for nothing. So, who wants to speak?

[esteems]

[ Chris cuts right to the chase, there is no point in hiding the truth about True Water. If anything, it's becoming detrimental for everyone. ]

When I first started feeling the effects of the rune, I mistakenly believed that it was my fault and my burden to bear. Recent events have made me think... --no, I know I am not the only one. It's also becoming increasingly clear that it isn't just rune bearers whom this is affecting... one look at outside will tell you that this is quickly becoming everybody's problem.

Thankfully, I am still fit to serve as Captain of the Knights for the time being. However should things start to get worse, rest assured that I will take whatever measurements necessary in order to protect my country... even if it means leaving it.

[trueltning_fury]

[glances her way. He would offer reassurance, but now is not quite the time.

Yet, Geddoe was not aware she was having that much trouble. Hm.]

[judgementscythe]

[Lorelai strides into the room and takes a seat at the table. A small book of notes in front of her and a pen to write more as the meeting goes on]

I know I just arrived here but first things first I'd like to thank you for allowing me to be part of this. For those I haven't met, I'm Lorelai, the worlds foremost expert on the Sindar and envoy of the Queendom of Falena. Now that's out of the way, let's get started.

[esteems]

The Sindar? [ So that's why she's here. This could be helpful indeed. ]

[judgementscythe]

Yes, I came to investigate the ruins in the area but shifted focus after the Karayan's Runs started acting up to tracking down as many legends as I can about the Sindar in an area. [she shoots an annoyed glance around the room] And before anyone asks, yes, I did say legends. They can tell you more about what's inside the ruins than anything and I've found a couple of promising leads.

[esteems]

Then you must be the one Nash is working with?

[judgementscythe]

He's offered to act as a guide and join me, yes.

[ladyofstars]

I will now present my theory.

Never in my past experiences have I come across a gathering of more than four True Runes. And still, that many in itself is rare and recent within the last two decades. Most wars only cause one or two to True Runes to surface. I digress.

My theory is that the True Runes here are acting out because their are so many here. There are a total of seven True Runes gathered here at Budehuc, four of which are in this room. In the past when a force, such as Harmonia, tried to gather the True Runes together the Runes would escape. Examples of this would be the Sovereign Rune and the formation of Scarlet Moon Empire, the Beast Rune embedding itself in the floor of Castle L'Renouille. And I believe, and if I am wrong inform me, that Harmonia had hold of some, if not all, of the Five Elements at one point, and when those Runes found hosts that fought against Harmonia and joined with them so that they might escape Harmonia's influence.

However, the difference between now and then are the Runes have bearers now. Bearers with their own wills. The Runes cannot simply take leave on their own.

[esteems]

[ Chris absorbs all of that. There are some things in there that she didn't even know about, particularly regarding Beast Rune. ]

You know your history well.

[ladyofstars]

It is admittedly mostly research and what I've been told by those who had lived it.

I was on the Southern Continent for most of this.

[trueltning_fury]

Your theories on the Elements are...sound. But you're missing some information.

[sitting on the side near Hugo, silent and watching most of the meeting until now]

I lived and worked alongside two others for a good many years, with nothing like this ever happening. For a brief time during the Second Firebringer War, we actually had four together here - the same four as are here now.

[ladyofstars]

I see.

[Pulls out a piece of parchment from her robes and begins to write on it]

[flamesandfeathers]

Five. The Star Dragon Sword was the Night Rune, wasn't it? I remember mom telling stories about it after she met Edge. So we had four for a good deal of the war, and then five towards the end.

Like Geddoe said, during the war I never felt anything like this.

But... [let's out a sigh] I don't know. Things started getting out of control for me about the time Chris showed up. [Throws her an apologetic look] Which was when there were at least six here. Now there's seven.

So my question is, who is that seventh person?

[trueltning_fury]

Mm, right. I forget about the Star Dragon Sword most of the time.

So that means that if it is merely an abundance of True Runes, where does the tipping point lie? Less than five, we're fine, but more than five and some react?

[flamesandfeathers]

I think almost everyone wanted to forget it about it. The thing was arrogant. Funny. But arrogant.

[Leans back in his chair, looking at the ceiling in thought]

My guess is six. Maybe seven.

[Turns his head slightly towards Geddoe] Remember when I came to your quarters to ask you some questions? I remember you mentioning there being a seventh True Rune here. It wasn't long after that I started getting a lot of visions and my Rune started acting up not much later.

[esteems]

But yours is fine, is it not?

[flamesandfeathers]

So, quick recap here. We have three theories.

Theory number one is Lorelai's idea that destruction of the Cyndar temple is affecting the Runes.

Theory number two is Nash's idea that there are two True Wind Runes, one from the past and the present one.

And theory number three is Zerase's that the number of True Runes here is the cause of this.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[aloof_savant]

Great recapping as usual, Hugo.

The most obvious plan of action for now is to let Nash and Lorelai check out the ruins, that way we’ll cover the first two theories in one go. If they return with nothing, logic dictates that we’ll have to accept Zerase’s theory, in which the solution is actually the simplest: All rune bearers must scram off to wherever they came from.

[charming_chiketsu]

[Finally speaks, but only to agree.]

Those ideas are all feasible. With luck, one of these theories is the answer to this crisis.

[latkje]

Do you think that it could be more than one of them?

[charming_chiketsu]

I have considered that, but hopefully that isn't the case. It would be more unnecessary trouble for everyone...

[trueltning_fury]

If the rune scholars have no other theories, those sound as reasonable to me as anything. I have nothing more to offer.

[flamesandfeathers]

Okay.

[sighs]

So, I don't think it's fair for only Luc and Sierra be watched. The rest of us need to be watched too as we're all at risk.

Also, any ideas on who the seventh bearer is?

[trueltning_fury]

[shakes his head slowly. He hasn't been around enough to get a read on what else he can sense.]

I don't need anyone watching me. If I feel anything off with True Lighting, I will leave the castle before anything happens.