15[20:15] <@VoxPVoxD> The council reconvenes after a tense recess to allow the various delegations to agree their positions on necromancy. Pellicia, with the conch, begins: "Now that we're settled, I trust we can settle this. I'm going to ask Thorns to make its case before we respond."
[20:19] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar sits with his gauntleted fingers interlaced, casting a steely gaze over his knuckles at the Thorns delegation.
15[20:20] <@VoxPVoxD> There's a slight stir from the ranks of the Lookshy delegation, quieted by one of Dorma's lieutenants. The Governor smiles greasily before saying, "I'm sympathetic to the cultural differences at work. What seems natural to some of us will seem barbaric to others. And in a less urgent moment I would welcome a free and full philosophical symposium on ethics and the Black Treatise. But this is not such a moment. Beyond war, beyond death, annihilation bays at our door, and no soul is safe, living or dead."
[20:20] <Crion> 14Stranger settles in next to the Ambassador.
15[20:20] <@VoxPVoxD> "So we may debate the when, and we may debate the how, but we cannot debate the if."
15[20:23] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor: "To that end, I propose submitting all of our work raising material to the authority of the Council of Nexus."
[20:25] <Crion> 14...That would be interesting. And it would make the political games the Circle is playing far higher stakes.
[20:25] <Crion> 14It would seem to increase their Circle's power relative to the three armies, as well.
15[20:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "By which we take it to mean this assembled council, and not the Council of Entities?"
15[20:26] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor: "Oh, no! I intend to defer to local authorities, as should we all!"
[20:27] <Crion> 14Stranger's initial reaction is that they should pounce on this offer.
[20:27] <Crion> 14His second reaction is to wonder why the Governor is so willing to make it.
15[20:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "No. Totally unacceptable."
[20:27] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's eyebrows raise slightly. He glances to his side at the assembled capital C Councilors.
[20:27] <trenchfoot> 13It's... convenient. Worryingly so.
[20:28] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus mutters under his breath. “What authorities?"
15[20:28] <@VoxPVoxD> Councilor Hayle: "I think that with appropriate safeguards and a joint commitment to security, the Council of Entities can live with it gladly."
15[20:28] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "You hope."
[20:30] <Crion> 14Stranger: "We've all been given a demonstration on the punishment for failure. I doubt the Council needs reminder of it from those not subject to it."
15[20:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "The Council of Entities is corrupt. It is fundamentally corrupt. And in its desperation it can be corrupted further. Lookshy cannot support a union of mortals and the dead beneath the noses of- even Anathema are more reliable."
15[20:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "Wait just a minute--"
[20:35] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus, still muttering: “Why, thank you."
15[20:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma points a mailed hand across the room at Xu Sim. "This one cured the plague. Hayle's people dithered over quotes from contractors."
[20:36] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "If it's in and around our city that the Thorns delegation is going to be slinging black magic, I think it only makes sense that our Council has the last word on what they can and can't do with it. We've already got some specifics in mind, in fact."
15[20:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Again at Stranger: "This one has brought vital intelligence. Ephiselle says nothing."
15[20:37] <@VoxPVoxD> Ephiselle: "..."
[20:37] <trenchfoot> 13He's not wrong.
15[20:37] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma, staring down Pellicia: "Your own militia makes generals of murderers because you haven't the strength to raise your own army."
15[20:38] <@VoxPVoxD> "What is the point of you? Why are you here?"
[20:38] <hrolf_mac> 4This is beginning to get spicy.
15[20:39] <@VoxPVoxD> Pellicia: "With all due respect and deference, Dragonlord, who the fuck are you?"
[20:39] <Crion> 14Attagirl.
[20:39] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's already leaning forward, but Pellicia's quicker on the draw.
15[20:39] <@VoxPVoxD> "We're here because we're here. Nexus is our home, and Nexus is ruled by the Council of Entities. That's why we're here."
[20:39] <Crion> 14He wishes they'd brought snacks.
15[20:39] <@VoxPVoxD> "Remember that you are here by our sufferance. By one of those nasty little contracts you hate so much."
[20:40] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus laughs. “Big words said to someone at the head of an army.”
15[20:40] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor, who did bring snacks, is eating fried pork skins noisily.
[20:40] <Crion> 14Technically, they're both at the head of an army.
[20:41] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "One of four. We're in Nexus, not Lookshy. Our sovereign territory, our laws hold."
15[20:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "If you tolerate the abominables of Thorns in your streets and halls of power, you are sovereign over nothing but your own doom."
[20:43] <hrolf_mac> 4Too fucking right.
15[20:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Or your own tomb."
15[20:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "Our survival--"
15[20:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Your demise--"
15[20:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Governor: *cronch* *cronch* *cronch*
[20:45] <Crion> 14It is becoming clear how the Highland and Lookshy contingents thought this meeting was going to go. One wonders if they were meeting even before the recent recess.
[20:46] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar raises his voice a bit. "Here's our actual proposal, put together on the basis that we don't need Nexus to end up cursed in two different directions and we don't know what relationship we and Thorns might have once all this business is wrapped up."
[20:47] <Crion> 14Stranger: "Notably, it is not inconsonant with the Governor's own proposal."
[20:48] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "First, Thorns should restrict the use of black magic to the battlefield outside the city. Second, that Thorns can't conscript or keep hold of the higher souls of our war dead. Third, that any bodies of ours raised by Thorns that it wants to keep once the fae've been dealt with count against Thorns's war spoils by some scheme we'll hammer out. Fourth, that Thorns makes every 
[20:48] <@Ferrinus> effort to minimize or erase shadowlands that open up in the wake of the fighting, again once the war's over and again with some kind of renumeration."
[20:49] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "This stuff can comport with our Dogmas, get outlined by some properly-enacted Civilities, the whole nine yalms. Oh, uh, any of our lower souls should be counted along with physical bodies, in point two aforementioned."
[20:56] <@Ferrinus> 12Sorry, make that point three, not two.
15[20:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Pellicia: "We're all skipping past the point. Whatever agreement we reach here will be subject to the oversight of the Council of Entities. Thorns is offering us nothing but the barest promise of good faith."
15[20:57] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor: "It sounds ungenerous when you put it like that, but we compare favorably to the invading armies who are now openly doubting your legitimacy."
[20:57] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim coughs, politely, into his sleeve.
15[20:59] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor: "That's the issue, from where I sit. We're asking for access to the corpses that would be burnt or abandoned like so much compost in the heat of war and the pall of famine."
15[20:59] <@VoxPVoxD> "The others are only interested in your corpses."
15[21:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Councilor Udelph: "What precautions can you take for the public health hazards of necromancy?"
15[21:01] <@VoxPVoxD> Scion of the Sevenfold: "As I said before the recess, we can easily control and contour the boundaries of the inevitable shadowlands. Nexus will be less haunted for our presence, not more."
[21:02] <hrolf_mac> 4“And you agree to foreswear all claims on these…higher souls?"
15[21:02] <@VoxPVoxD> Udelph shakes his head. "That's not what I meant. I mean the very real physical consequences of keeping rancid corpses stocked and shuffling behind our walls and gates."
[21:03] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan leans back in her seat. "Not to mention the... alarm, that might cause."
15[21:04] <@VoxPVoxD> Scion: "I don't understand the question."
15[21:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Udelph: "Cholera. Typhoid. The spoilage of our food and water."
15[21:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Scion: "Surely your medical facilities are adequate to--"
15[21:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "HAH!"
[21:05] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "..."
15[21:06] <@VoxPVoxD> "Their medical facilities are adequate to watch their people die because they can't find any next of kin to send a bill."
[21:06] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah - goes without saying that we're not going to quarter undead troops in Nexus if they're health risks. Can you keep 'em clean somehow? Otherwise they're gonna have to be... disposable. Raise 'em in the field, leave 'em in the field."
15[21:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Thorns confers. The Governor: "We can make necessary arrangements."
[21:06] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim nods in agreement at Dorma's certitude.
15[21:07] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "If I may propose a compromise we can all agree with."
[21:07] <trenchfoot> 13The good doctor cured one plague, what's another? ...She doesn't say this, though.
[21:08] <@Ferrinus> 12That's also occurred to Keldar. And it's not like Nexus hasn't got some of the best physicians in the entire direction! They just charge amounts commensurate to their level of skill.
15[21:08] <@VoxPVoxD> "Naturally none of us wish to distract ourselves by fighting over Nexus, as if the prize would comfort us long when we were crushed by the raksha. But there are questions about how the Council can assert its authority without the backing of the Emissary."
15[21:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "So what I propose is that the city's unaligned Anathema are formally elevated to the Council of Entities, and given the full voting rights and commensurate responsibility for the city's defense and well-being."
15[21:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Pellicia: "What?"
[21:10] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim leans to Stranger: "We need to accept this deal on the behalf of Nexus."
15[21:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "What?"
15[21:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "What?"
[21:10] <Crion> 14Stranger, murmuring back: "Certainly. But it's a trap."
[21:11] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim: "It's our lucky break."
[21:11] <Crion> "I haven't quite figured out how, yet. But this is certainly a trap."
[21:11] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus, murmuring: “What’s the angle here?"
[21:12] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan leans over to Stranger. "Most things that sound this good are."
[21:12] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim: "It's our legitimacy, recognized by all of Nexus' most powerful neighbors."
[21:12] <Crion> 14He glances over at Keldar, the one in this group with actual, deeply-held political opinions about the operation of Nexus.
15[21:12] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor, to Bastian: "It's the policy of Thorns that the transcendant hun is a person with full rights and citizenship. We would not claim them as property, but we would like leave to negotiate with them according to Nexus's labor laws."
[21:12] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Hey, I'm no administrator and frankly I don't have any interest in becoming one. If you're worried that the Council's authority doesn't have any force, then you can relax - I'm already committed to seeing that the Dogmas are upheld until this is over with."
[21:13] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus leans forward: “What of the ones currently in thrall to the raksha? Are their…higher souls, recoverable?”
[21:14] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim: "We must accept. The Council's a pack of useless idiots."
[21:14] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Diplomatic as ever."
[21:15] <Crion> 14Stranger rolls his eyes. "The Council are our allies, and far more useful as proxies than they are as deputies."
15[21:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Scion: "To be honest, I don't know. We don't have a lot of experience with Wyld-claimed dead."
[21:15] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar turns to consider the Governor's words. He turns them over in his head, tapping the table before him with a gauntleted finger as he does so, before pointing. "My men aren't under a marriage contract. Arguably an oversight, but as yet you don't stop being an Apple when you die."
[21:16] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "If you rustle up our people, their existing allegiances stand. We can work out some kind of... payment scheme for getting them back on their see-through feet, maybe. But I'm not gonna watch you make off with 'em just like that."
[21:16] <mattbaby> "Don't knock it 'till you've tried it," 5 suggests Xu Sim, to the notion of the Council as deputies.
[21:16] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus considers the Governor’s words. “Negotiate with souls using Nexus labour laws…does Nexus even have those?"
[21:17] <Crion> 14Stranger: "Oh yes. Nexus has laws for just about everything."
15[21:17] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor, to Keldar: "When's the last time you had to answer that question for two thousand ghosts at once? What about actual marriage contracts? Inheritance, divorce. To annul the marriages, to transfer the assets from still-laboring dead to their surviving families? Even if you put them on 24-hour shifts, litigation will be accounted in decades. Or longer."
15[21:19] <@VoxPVoxD> Scion: "Two thousand is a very conservative estimate."
[21:22] <trenchfoot> 13One assumes he is practically licking his lips at the thought.
15[21:22] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Why not just hand the city to the Anathema outright, then? Why bother with any of the formality?"
[21:22] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah, it'd be a mess. Still, my people are in an outfit like Ninth Orchard precisely so they don't wind up having to sign some bullshit do-or-die with a competitor the first time they find themselves in a tight spot. You try something on them you wouldn't on a living man and we'll have a problem."
15[21:23] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma has turned to Nogare here.
[21:23] <hrolf_mac> 4Bartering over the souls of the dead is bringing bile to von Hrolfus’ throat. “Thorns will gain enough in spoils! Haggling over the souls of your brothers, your fellow citizens is a new low even for this city.”
15[21:24] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Does anyone think our unaffiliated friends don't already have a heavy hand on the shoulder of the Council? Does anyone truly think that if Councilor Pellicia and Keldar had a fundamental disagreement over strategy, that Keldar would defer to the chain of command?"
15[21:25] <@VoxPVoxD> "I propose to formalize this influence for precisely this reason: it allows us all to act on an equal plain of accountability, instead of allowing rogue agents to weave in and out of the affairs of nations."
[21:26] <Crion> 14An eloquent defense of the responsibility of nations, from a conquerer.
15[21:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Who better?
[21:26] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Uh, I do, buddy, because I'm contractually obligated and a man of my word. I got no interest in serving as precedent for your coming takeover of whatever two-bit kingdom's next. We're here to save Nexus, not replace it."
15[21:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Good, that comforts me. I assume the Council shares his faith and trust?"
15[21:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Silence.
[21:28] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar looks over at the Council, expectant.
15[21:28] <@VoxPVoxD> Was he expecting more silence? If so, good news.
15[21:28] <@VoxPVoxD> On the bright side, no one is making eye contact with him either.
[21:28] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim's cough is a lot less convincing this time.
[21:30] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Fuck's sake, people. I need a place where I can come to offload my loot and kick back with food from any conceivable Direction. Not a goddamn... fiefdom to manage."
15[21:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Not a strong vote of confidence, is it? You won't conquer the city because you're too lazy?"
[21:31] <Crion> 14Sigh.
[21:31] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "I understand the lack of trust. Adding all of us to the council - well. It would unbalance things, to say the least! But: asking us to shoulder some official responsibility for the city, some stakes in its defense, is not wrong." 13She pauses, letting it hang for a moment. "There is still a vacant seat on the council." 
15[21:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare leans forward. "What do you propose?"
[21:32] <Crion> 14Stranger: "That we nominate a replacement, of course. Which I shall do presently."
[21:32] <Crion> "For the position of Evening Master, I nominate the Unfettered Xia Lan."
[21:32] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan nods to Stranger's first statement, then freezes.
[21:32] <Crion> 14The Ambassador grins.
[21:33] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim breaks into a cackle.
15[21:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare sits back, hiding the smile curling on his face with a loose fist.
[21:34] <Crion> 14Stranger: "The Council gets the...imprimatur...that our Lookshyan and Highland friends so keenly desire for their own political ends, while the Council adds a member to its august body who is not only integral to the city-wide entertainment industry but who is capable of acting in their defense should things become fraught in the Council chambers once again."
15[21:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Udelph: "Xia Lan? The singer?"
[21:34] <Crion> 14Mildly: "She is in the room, Councilor Udelph. You might address her directly."
15[21:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Udelph, to Xia Lan: "My apologies, madam. But you can't be serious."
[21:35] <Crion> 14Stranger, less mildly: "I am incredibly serious."
[21:35] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar turns this over in his head before leaning over to Xia Lan and lowering his voice. "Okay, I dunno whether you know your way around a spy network, but you really wanna be responsible for the coffers?"
[21:36] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim: "She has my endorsement, as a person with utterly impeccable integrity."
[21:37] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus: “And mine.”
[21:37] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan is torn between wanting to scream, putting on a serious face for the room, and wanting to scream a second time, but louder and angrier. She settles on an extremely brittle smile and a forced calm: "I would be honored, if the council would have me."
[21:37] <Crion> "Contra the initial proposal by the Highland delegation, the Council would not suddenly have a plurality vote represented by our Circle. It would, however, have constant access to us and our resources, on the whole, as an official matter."
15[21:37] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Preposterous. Appointing only one of them is worse. Then they get to pick and choose when they act with the full force of law and when they act outside of it."
[21:37] <Crion> 14He stares with milky eyes at the lot of them. "And thus far, you have all been very quiet when it comes to other ideas."
15[21:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "You assume undue unity from our friends."
15[21:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Their endorsements are unanimous!"
[21:38] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar leans back, then glances in the other direction. How's Pellicia seem to feel about this?"
15[21:39] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma points at Xu Sim: "This man used his demonic talent to cure the plague and save the city. But he did so under mortal peril, and had to be coaxed from hiding for the effort. If we are to ally with them they must be answerable to something other than themselves."
15[21:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Keldar is already a general, as our esteemed Dragonlord observed earlier."
15[21:40] <@VoxPVoxD> The Council dissolves into backchatter amongst themselves. Pellicia pulls out of the huddle to say, "Ten minutes. Be here in fifteen."
[21:41] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim is rather ruffled at the idea that he was coaxed from hiding to cure the plague. "An interesting interpretation of the prior events."
15[21:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Perhaps you'd like to write the histories as well."
[21:42] <Crion> 14Stranger: "That's an interesting way of saying you were trying to kill him up until the moment you weren't, Dragonlord. But I take your meaning."
[21:42] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan hurries towards whatever quarters the Circle has been given for recesses. If someone is quick enough to follow her, they might hear a frustrated scream and a thud against the far wall.
[21:42] <mattbaby> "It's funny you mention that," 5 he responds, nodding in agreement with the Dragonlord.
[21:43] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "'Murderer'. The fuckin' nerve of - she woulda carbonized me if I'd been a hair slower."
[21:44] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's talking to his fellow anathema, of course. Before joining them outside the hall, though, he hurries to catch up with Pellicia, asking her: "Whaddyou think of this?"
[21:45] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus: “Interesting turn of events, eh?"
[21:45] <Crion> 14Stranger will drift alongside him.
[21:45] <Crion> 14Keldar, that is. The Ambassador will join the others.
[21:46] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim snatches up a small bundle he's been carrying around the whole meeting thus far and hurries over to the Lookshy delegation before they make their way out of the room.
[21:46] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan has replaced the chair she threw before anyone else has time to enter. There's a piece missing from the leg - not advisable to sit in it.
[21:47] <Crion> 14The Ambassador, to Xia Lan: "I take it Stranger didn't consult with you before your nomination."
[21:48] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan, calm as a still lake: "He did not."
15[21:48] <@VoxPVoxD> The other six Councilors - well, five of them; it's very difficult to tell where Kratz's eyes are actually focusing behind her enormous, nearly opaque spectacles - look intently at Pellicia as Keldar and Stranger bear down on her. "I think we have to do what's best for the stability and legitimacy of Nexus. Win or lose, we'll never be more vulnerable than we are these next weeks."
[21:48] <Crion> 14She chuckles. "How very like him."
[21:48] <trenchfoot> "I had hoped - he, or Keldar, or von Hrolfus -" 13She pointedly does not mention Xu Sim. "But I suppose I deserve this."
[21:49] <trenchfoot> 13Xu Sim, or Dawn, who is missing.
[21:50] <Crion> 14The Ambassador: "If I know him -- and I do -- his main concern is that he's gone and made himself too much of a polarizing figure to accept the duties. Also, if we're being honest, the man much prefers being the power behind the throne."
[21:50] <Crion> "He's rather put off by the limelight."
[21:51] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim, presenting the small globe he had prepared previously, to the Dragonlord or one of his entourage - "This is a token on my behalf - and, I suppose, on behalf of the others as well. It's a sentimental sort of thing."
[21:52] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Of course." 13Her mask remains fully in place - impassive, her anger no longer palpable. "I should have seen it coming when I suggested such a thing."
[21:53] <Crion> 14She shrugs. "He's correct that you're the best nominee."
[21:53] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "...that is part of why I should have seen it coming."
[21:58] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim doesn't stick around to see how the gift is accepted. He hightails it back to his own delegation.
[21:58] <mattbaby> 5 The door slams open a moment later, and Xu Sim strides in, the Twice-Refined Princess at his heels.
15[21:58] <@VoxPVoxD> One of Dorma's lieutenants takes the proffered globe dubiously. Dorma's not around to see it himself.
[21:59] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar glances back before returning his attention to Pellicia. "Yeah, but... putting a kid on the Council, smart as she is? Did you lot have anyone already in mind?"
[21:59] <mattbaby> "What are you all afraid of!?" 5 Xu Sim nearly shouts.
[21:59] <Crion> 14The Ambassador arches an eyebrow.
15[22:00] <@VoxPVoxD> A voice all but whispers behind Xu Sim, "you."
[22:00] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim twitches slightly.
15[22:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Pellicia: "We're going to confer, now. You'll hear our position shortly. Excuse me." She goes to shut the door on him.
[22:00] <trenchfoot> 13I mean, fair enough.
[22:00] <trenchfoot> 13We are pretty scary.
[22:00] <Crion> 14Stranger bows gracefully and backs off.
[22:01] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar shrugs to himself, then, and heads off to his own delegation. "So seriously, Xia Lan? Evening Master's got a lot of shit on their plate, traditionally speaking."
[22:02] <Crion> 14Stranger: "Are you worried she can't hack it? Would you preferred I'd pencilled your name in for all those stuffy meetings?"
[22:02] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "If we want one of us on the council, there's - someone has to," 13she fumbles.
[22:02] <Crion> *have preferred
[22:03] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Won't want to hack it, really. I got the same problem. Like... if I wasn't me, I'd trust me in that seat more than her, because frankly I care more about the city than she does."
[22:03] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "But holy shit. Not like I don't already have a lot of work ahead of me."
[22:04] <mattbaby> "We need to all be on the Council. Or maybe create a new body that lets us do what needs to be done without having to deal with those imbeciles."
[22:05] <Crion> 14Stranger: "To be brutally honest, Keldar? Your love for the city is the problem. It makes you suspect. It makes everyone see you as scheming for a greater throne. And men like Nogare hear your 'I just want to kick ass and drink brews' schpiel and suspect you all the more."
[22:05] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "If we're all on the council it would be as good as dissolving it. If it's only one of us, we take responsibility without taking over."
[22:05] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "We need to leave the Council be. The presence or absence of a ninth member isn't going to be critical to the war effort and they can pick their new guy in the normal fashion once the raksha've been crushed."
[22:05] <mattbaby> "You want all the pain in the ass of taking responsibility, without the power that comes with taking over?!" 5 Xu Sim is incredulous.
[22:06] <mattbaby> "No, fine, let the Council take the responsibility. We can take the power."
[22:06] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "..."
[22:06] <Crion> "Nogare and Dorma will not assent to any further actions without us being invested in some form of bureaucratic office. Otherwise we can't be controlled." 14Presumably they're walking in on Xu Sim's conversation now.
[22:07] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "We can't be controlled anyway. The whole structure of the talks takes as given that we're our own faction. It's why there's five flags up there."
[22:07] <mattbaby> "If it gets the Wyld Hunt of the whole god damn East off our asses, then why not make the Council an offer it can't refuse?"
[22:07] <mattbaby> *gods-damn
[22:07] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "This is a big waste of our time and, as far as I can tell, a ploy on their part to undermine Nexus for after the war. I know why Nogare wants to do it, at least."
[22:08] <Crion> 14Stranger: "You're already up to your neck in contractual obligations to the city as it is. Us being our own faction is a convenient fiction."
[22:08] <Crion> "And it is not a waste of time, because this is the only road by which we can come to any sort of enforceable agreement."
[22:08] <hrolf_mac> 4“I don’t see what we have to lose."
[22:09] <Crion> 14The Ambassador: "Where was this fire in the Hall, potions-monger?"
[22:09] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Nexus, and everything with it."
[22:09] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "He's pushing it same reason he pushed for meeting in this dome instead of the tower. He just wants more and more precedent for being a god-king. Bet on it."
[22:09] <mattbaby> "I won't speak against the rest of you, not in public. We have to speak with one voice in front of them."
[22:10] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Otherwise, I don't see what Dorma thinks he can get out of us if we're on the Council, or replace the Council, than if we're not. Except I can: what he gets is a neutered Nexus."
[22:10] <Crion> 14Stranger: "Nexus is already neutered."
[22:10] <Crion> "The Emissary should fucking be here."
[22:11] <mattbaby> "Emissary, pah," 5 Xu Sim snorts derisively at the mention.
[22:11] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "It's just wounded. All this fae crap's tied up in why the Emissary's unwell. If they'd just shut up and help us fight for the next two months then they could go in circles about Council duties all they like after."
[22:11] <Crion> "If you want to know why the Council isn't getting respect, that is why."
[22:11] <mattbaby> "We have to prepare for the future, to defend the people of this city," 5 Xu Sim explains.
[22:11] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Well then they just weren't listening to me, 'cause I said I'd be handling the Dogmas for the immediate future."
[22:12] <Crion> 14To Xu Sim: "I say this with the highest possible respect for your vocation, but everything that comes out of your mouth about politics sounds like poison in the ear of man."
[22:13] <trenchfoot> "Truly a unique aspect of the man," 13she says with incredible disdain.
[22:13] <Crion> 14To Keldar: "They heard you. They just think they can kill you."
15[22:13] <@VoxPVoxD> It is! Most people don't think of the ears when poisoning people. This is the genius that made Xu Sim who he is today.
[22:14] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah, well, maybe they should see how thinking that's turned out for people thus far."
[22:15] <mattbaby> "Who is looking out for the people of this city? Who's been saving lives instead of palling around with gods and demons?"
[22:15] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Everyone thinks they will be the first. This happens with any position of prominence."
[22:15] <mattbaby> 5 This, with an accusatory look at the performer and the diplomat.
[22:16] <Crion> 14To Xu Sim: "We're not taking over the city -- not overtly -- because Anathema seizing Nexus is like as not to lead to another Wyld Hunt to destroy us. Nexus is quite important for trade, and the Guild would not stand for our brand of rule -- especially not coming from the site of the old Solar Deliberative. And I suspect our friends Nogare and Dogma would be two of the generals 
[22:16] <Crion> tapped to lead that effort. They would get to sack the city and split the spoils while we were still weak."
[22:16] <Crion> "One Chosen on the Council, who can be easily outvoted should it come to it, is a much easier pill to swallow politically."
[22:16] <mattbaby> "They're offering us legitimacy out there! That's not the sort of thing that they can ignore later, not in the face of a transformed Nexus."
[22:17] <Crion> 14Stranger: "The Hunt won't give a single shit if we're voted in. We're Anathema."
[22:17] <hrolf_mac> 4“Legitimacy means nothing to an army.”
[22:17] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "They can absolutely ignore it if it suits them. They - yes."
[22:18] <Crion> "If it is respect you want, you can find it here. Wealth, yes. Adoration, especially. But not rulership."
[22:18] <Crion> 14Quieter: "If we wish to rule, we will need to be far, far stronger than this."
[22:19] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Not here, and not now."
[22:20] <mattbaby> "It's cowardice to turn your backs on reality. We are the ultimate power in this city. I suggest we act like it."
[22:20] <Crion> 14Stranger: "We are nothing without the governed. That is the lesson of the last time we ruled this city."
[22:20] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Are we? Because there are multiple literal armies that would disagree, with weapons."
[22:20] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "The ultimate power in Nexus doesn't rule Nexus. That's the point of Nexus."
[22:21] <trenchfoot> 13She tilts her head towards Stranger. "And yes. The people of Nexus themselves would likely have words to say, if they had a voice here."
[22:22] <mattbaby> "What do you know of the people of Nexus? Have you tended their sores? Bathed their wounds?"
[22:23] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Are you about to tell me they cry out for the firm hand of the Anathema's guidance?"
[22:23] <Crion> 14Stranger: "We've been here weeks. Let us not pretend to know the body politic so firmly."
[22:24] <mattbaby> "They cry out for salvation. The Council can't offer that. The Emissary won't offer that."
[22:24] <mattbaby> "But we will. We will win."
[22:25] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Wow. The secret poisoner has a god complex. Not concerning in the slightest."
[22:26] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I'm the only one here who's really familiar with this place. Maybe Xu Sim, but he's mostly passing through.."
[22:26] <@Ferrinus> 12That should have only one period; Keldar's not dramatically trailing off.
[22:31] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus: “Speaking as someone who loathes this place and all it stands for, whatever the Dragonlord’s intention is, denying ourselves the opportunity for influence would be idiotic."
[22:41] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Which is why one of us should be on the council, rather than turning the entire thing into a sham by having us all join. It won't last, and it won't help the people of Nexus."
[22:43] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim: "We should all join the Council. It's a change to the way things work in the City, yes. Things change. Realms fall, and cities rise. Armies are reduced to shattered remnants, and traders are left bankrupt. But we - those of us in this room, on this Circle - no disrespect to the Ambassador of the Silver Pact - we are presented with a power, that carries with it the mandate 
[22:43] <mattbaby> of serving Creation.
[22:45] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar turns this over a few times in his head, and as he does, his eyes slowly narrow. "Oh, yeah? Yeah, we've gotta serve Creation? We shouldn't deny ourselves the opportunity for influence?" 12He takes a step forward. "Listen here."
[22:45] <mattbaby> "We cannot try to serve this City, or the people, from the shadows or from a position of weakness. To do so invites more chaos - more assassination attempts, more questions about when the Wyld Hunt will return. But if we take our moment and rise to the challenge of the Raksha, we can unify the city. Even if we are outnumbered by the other cities of the Threshold."
[22:46] <trenchfoot> 13Flatly: "You're insane."
[22:46] <Crion> 14The argument is convincing. It's wrong, but it's convincing.
[22:46] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I'm not doing this- I'm not fuckin' Nogare. I'm not here to build a power base. Nexus isn't a damn springboard to me!"
[22:46] <mattbaby> "For what is greater? Five -" 5 He holds up an open hand - "Or one?" 5 He closes it into a fist.
[22:47] <Crion> 14This precise argument gets the Chosen killed.
[22:47] <mattbaby> "It's not a springboard. It's a throne. And it's on offer, to us."
[22:47] <mattbaby> "All we need is the courage to accept it."
[22:47] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Have you learned nothing from history?"
[22:48] <trenchfoot> "This is precisely why we are anathema, why we are hated and feared, and why we are hunted like dogs whenever situations like this come even close to arising. And you would welcome this?"
[22:48] <mattbaby> "If they'll betray us anyway, we should welcome it from a position of strength. Or we could lie down like dogs and accept our fate."
[22:48] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I need to make this really clear. I don't... like you people more than the city I grew up in. I'm not raising an army against the raksha because I think the fairies will make good practice for whatever my real conquest's gonna be. I'm not gonna put a bunch of foreign opportunists on the ruling council of my home because I think it'll pay big dividends down the line. 
[22:48] <@Ferrinus> And I ain't never - NEVER - gonna trap myself on a throne." 12Keldar's outline is starting to crackle red.
[22:49] <hrolf_mac> 4“It’ll be your funeral when they come for us.”
[22:49] <Crion> 14And the problem with Keldar, of course, is he's in love with a city that no longer exists.
[22:49] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I swore to uphold the Dogmas. But I'd do it even if I hadn't swore. You think you can say this shit because you don't have to be afraid of the emissary anymore. But you do have to be afraid of me. So settle the fuck down."
[22:50] <Crion> 14Stranger: "I think we could all do to take that advice."
[22:50] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "You have no concept of tact, that much has been made clear to me in the past. But if you honestly think--" 13She stops herself at Stranger's words, then starts again. "Not a word of this leaves the room."
[22:55] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's sword is sheathed comfortably at his side, but it's hard not to notice the way it's outlined in a crackling red glow the same as the rest of the Dawn Caste's body. The mercenary's presence fills the room; the very stones tremble nervously, if only for a moment.
[22:58] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus had been languidly slouching in the corner upto this point, with no personal animus against the decision going either way - but he doesn’t take well to being threatened.
[23:07] <trenchfoot> 13She stills, as Keldar threatens. She agreed with him, but -- this is worse than that.
[23:09] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's eyes sweep the room back and forth. He rests his hand on the hilt of his sword, but it's in the relaxed manner with which someone might settle into an armchair. "If those morons back in the deliberative chamber just absolutely can't get over none of us having a formal position... well, frankly, I think they can. We do have formal positions. I do, anyway."
[23:09] <Crion> 14Stranger's jaw unclenches. "And in the end, I suppose that is what matters."
[23:10] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim's jaw sets, but at the last moment, he flinches back from the Tiger of Nexus, shaking his head and frowning. He takes a seat.
[23:10] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan, cautiously: "I still believe my proposal was correct. Though I could defer to more experienced eyes."
[23:10] <Crion> "If you think you'll have to kill me to preserve the freedom of this city, you'd best draw your blade and cut me down right now, Tiger of Nexus. Because that is not who I am. And I think I've amply demonstrated my resolve."
[23:11] <@Ferrinus> "I don't think that," 12says Keldar, evenly. The obvious final word goes unsaid for the moment.
[23:12] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus: “Do not presume to threaten me again. I have nothing to lose and have enough in me to do you lasting harm, even should I die.”
[23:12] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan, tired beyond her years: "Stop it."
[23:12] <trenchfoot> "This gains us nothing."
[23:14] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar rounds on Bastian. "Don't presume to make yourself one of the rulers of my city and you've got nothin' to fear."
15[23:14] <@VoxPVoxD> The bell rings. The deliberative is reconvening.
[23:14] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim: "The Tiger of Nexus is mighty, indeed." 5 in a much lower voice: "But strength is not wisdom."
[23:14] <Crion> 14Fantastic.
[23:14] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus gets to his feet and squares his shoulders, raising his voice. “I don’t give a fig for your city of merchants who would sell their grandmothers to the highest bidder! But if you want to-“
[23:15] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Keldar. We can't, won't -" 13Ah. "This doesn't leave the room."
[23:15] <trenchfoot> "Regardless of your true intentions," 13she says, dangerously.
[23:16] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus spits on the ground. “Whatever happens, I won’t forget what happened here Keldar.” He walks out of the room.
[23:16] <trenchfoot> 13She smiles before she opens the door. "If any of you ruins this for us, I will kill you myself."
[23:16] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Who the hell-" 12he glances sideways as the bell dings. "Ah. Well. Like I said, I don't even think we owe them putting me or Xia Lan on the Council. Ain't militarily relevant, ain't gonna change anything important."
[23:16] <Crion> 14Stranger lingers behind with the Ambassador as the others leave.
[23:16] <Crion> 14Stranger: "I'm sorry you had to see that."
[23:16] <Crion> 14The Ambassador, face drawn tight: "Oh, it's fine. It's just not the same treating with the Chosen of the Sun unless one threatens to kill you."
[23:17] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "But if we do, we'll at least make it temporary." 12When the Tiger of Nexus comes sauntering back into the hall, he's visibly rimmed with a warm red glow. It crackles slightly at the edges as he draws and releases breaths.
[23:17] <Crion> 14Stranger: "He's under a lot of--"
[23:17] <Crion> 14The Ambassador: "He's a dangerous asshole, and I'm worried he'll get you killed."
[23:17] <Crion> 14Stranger: "I can control this."
[23:17] <Crion> 14The Ambassador: "Can you?"
[23:18] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim plucks Twice-Refined Princess from the floor, leaving a damp spot on the stonework.
[23:18] <Crion> 14She strides out. "I'm going to get some air."
[23:18] <Crion> 14Stranger, to the empty room: "Yeah. Good talk, everyone."
[23:20] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan settles into her chair, once again the portrait of calm diplomacy, disagreements at least temporarily forgotten.
[23:20] <Crion> 14Eventually, they'll rejoin the others in the Hall.
[23:22] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim silently takes a seat in the row behind the others, gently stroking his dog as he does so.
15[23:23] <@VoxPVoxD> Back in the chamber, there's some attention paid to Keldar and Xu Sim's animas, though the first thing the solars notice is that Prince Regent Nogare has taken off his armor, and is wearing the simple dark blue silken robes of office you might see on an anonymous diplomat.
[23:24] <Crion> 14Not a good sign.
[23:24] <Crion> 14Frankly, none of this is good. Nogare said it outright in deliberations -- the offer of joining the Council was meant to fracture the Circle.
[23:24] <Crion> 14And we fucking fractured.
[23:25] <trenchfoot> 13Perhaps we wouldn't have, if certain members hadn't -- ah, point taken.
[23:26] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus takes his seat, his face impassive.
15[23:26] <@VoxPVoxD> The Council files in last, taking their seats.
15[23:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle sits in the center, holding the conch.
15[23:29] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "We have agreed our position. The Council of Entities will deputize all unaffiliated Anathema as Emissaries of the city until the war is won. They may choose a representative among themselves to sit on the Council, but they will bear the weight of the office jointly."
15[23:29] <@VoxPVoxD> "When the war is won, we will release them from their obligations and honor their heroism."
[23:29] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar works his jaw around a bit as he listens to this, then nods to himself.
15[23:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Lookshy finds this satisfactory."
15[23:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Highland and Thorns are both waiting on the circle's reaction.
[23:31] <hrolf_mac> 4“So we lose the seat after risking our lives for you, eh?"
[23:31] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan nods, understanding. To be frank, having only one of them responsible for the entire circle's workings would have been difficult... and events in their meeting room have shown that that would have been untenable.
[23:32] <Crion> 14And we were outmanuevered for nothing.
15[23:32] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "We don't see that way. We see it as releasing you from your obligations."
[23:32] <Crion> 14Outwardly, Stranger nods.
[23:32] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar leans sideways to address the rest of the Circle, such as it is. "I'm in favor. I can take the seat, if none of you want it - but I can't promise much time to see to its responsibilities."
[23:32] <Crion> 14Stranger: "A mortal will fill the seat under this arrangement."
15[23:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle inclines his head. "Whatever arrangement you see fit, as regards your voice on the Council."
[23:33] <Crion> "Unless the Council actively wishes to seat Xia Lan."
[23:33] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan, to Keldar: "I started off the evening not even considering this, but: I no longer trust anyone else to take my place."
[23:33] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim strokes his dog in silence.
[23:33] <trenchfoot> "If we are all to be seated, others can join me, and I will not object. But I will be there."
15[23:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "We have no quarrel with Xia Lan. Seat her if you wish."
15[23:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "You will have one vote, collectively."
15[23:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "As the Emissary did."
[23:34] <trenchfoot> 13Does.
15[23:34] <@VoxPVoxD> It sounds like they're voting to replace him with you guys.
[23:34] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar pauses. "Well. I'd trust you to take mine. Just don't fuck things up."
[23:35] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Remember, the Dogmas trump the Council."
[23:35] <Crion> 14Inspiring.
[23:35] <trenchfoot> 13She verbalizes, then. "You intend to remove the Emissary, then."
[23:36] <Crion> 14Stranger: "The Emissary has made their lack of interest in Council affairs known. One hopes they won't rediscover that interest should they be left in the lurch."
[23:36] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "...I do not object. I merely ask for clarification."
15[23:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "We can't depend on him. The Emissary is acting in his own interests, now. He will do what he will do regardless of what we do. We must give ourselves the best chance to see Nexus survive what comes."
15[23:37] <@VoxPVoxD> "Take the deal or not, but the Emissary is not the Emissary any longer. That was his decision."
[23:37] <Crion> 14Stranger: "I have to agree."
[23:38] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "...Understood." 13She bows, slightly. "And accepted."
15[23:39] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "So we have settled the question of the unaffiliated Anathema and with it, the question of necromancy. I trust we can all put our faith in these Chosen not to become pawns of Thorns?"
15[23:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Yes. Lookshy withdraws its objections to Thorns's proposal."
15[23:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Highland agrees."
15[23:40] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor, looking like he's eaten himself sick: "Thorns accepts the will of the Deliberative."
[23:41] <Crion> 14Still hard to tell if that's positive or not.
[23:41] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar, glowing a little more softly, looks satisfied.
15[23:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "To the next matter, neatly followed: we need to agree a position on the city's resident divinities, none of whom are willing to fulfill their statutory obligations. I refer to The Gray, Dame in Yellow, and the former Emissary."
[23:44] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan takes it as a negative that the Governor agrees, but hides it quite well with a sip of tea or some other Council-provided polite disguise that she can use.
15[23:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Why is this a diplomatic question rather than a strategic question?"
15[23:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "I'm sorry?"
[23:44] <Crion> 14It means he wants a larger say, Stranger suspects.
[23:45] <Crion> "If it's a strategic question, the generals can expound on the matter."
15[23:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Why do we need a common diplomatic position? Surely the question of how to deploy available resources belongs to field commanders such as Councilor Pellicia, Dragonlord Dorma, myself, and Keldar."
[23:45] <Crion> "As such."
15[23:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "They are not simply resources. They are divine beings, with title and privilege that demands we engage them respectfully. You cannot press-gang a god."
15[23:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "...as you see it."
15[23:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "If the gods are in dereliction, the Wyld Hunt has an obligation to put them right. We are an arm of the Immaculate Faith, and the divine order is our responsibility."
[23:47] <Crion> 14Stranger: "You've had a number of those rejoinders this afternoon, Prince Regent. These 'so you says' are accumulating."
15[23:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "People keep saying things."
[23:48] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "If the Emissary's willing to do his job again, I say he's welcome to it. The rest of 'em... well, I dunno if you can press gang a god, but you can press gang a person and we ain't doin' that."
[23:48] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "I believe that has already been done."
[23:48] <Crion> 14Stranger smiles. "I can't say that you're wrong."
[23:49] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "You'd think Gray and Yellow'd see sense in pitching in, here, at least enough to lay out what they want in return. If they don't, well... I guess we remember it."
[23:49] <Crion> 14Stranger: "This sounds like a domestic issue to me, outside of the purview of visiting generals. Should it become a strategic issue, they would be invited to participate in a discussion."
[23:50] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah, seems like it's specifically Nexus business."
15[23:50] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "If it's a domestic issue then it's surely not a diplomatic issue. Why entreat with us at all, then?"
15[23:50] <@VoxPVoxD> "Why can't the Council simply decide what to do?"
[23:50] <Crion> 14Stranger: "You insisted."
[23:51] <Crion> 14Stranger: "No one on this side of the room wanted to be in this room in the first place, Prince Regent."
15[23:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "I allow for the possibility that I won't always get my way."
[23:51] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar snorts.
[23:51] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan, tentatively: "Everything is connected. There is no such thing as a - simply domestic issue."
[23:51] <Crion> 14Stranger: "And I appreciate your magnanimity."
15[23:54] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "The river gods are city residents, but they are regional powers. We see this as a diplomatic problem because we entreat you to help us resolve this diplomatically. Here a weak or poorly-played hand will see them move upriver. Spend the year in Great Forks, friends of the Tribunal that they are. The implications of their withdrawing from the city are enormous. Floods, trade, sanitation..."
[23:54] <Crion> 14Stranger glances over at Xia Lan. If she wants to invite the Lookshyans and Highlanders into this inquiry from the jump, hopefully she has a good reason.
15[23:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "It's a diplomatic issue because you want diplomats. But surely this is not the first time you've had to bring the river gods in line. Whose responsibility is that traditionally?"
15[23:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "The Emissary's."
[23:56] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "Then we have arrived at the crux of the matter."
[23:58] <trenchfoot> 13She attempts to minimize any smugness. "The Emissary is no longer trusted with this duty. That much has been made clear. What do you want to happen from there?"
15[23:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "It seems to me, then, that the task falls rightly to his replacements."
15[23:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle looks at the circle.
[23:59] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan: "I was not asking for my own entertainment."
[23:59] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "We should be able to look into it. I suppose we could mention that losing the city's support might leave them running into someone like Dorma down the line."
[23:59] <hrolf_mac> 4“Can these gods aid us against the rakshasas?"
[23:59] <Crion> 14Stranger's beginning to feel pretty good about his choice here.
[00:00] <trenchfoot> 13She keeps her stare. "What do you want to happen, from here?"
[00:00] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "They ain't war gods, but they are gods, and pretty big ones. I expect they might be of more use making sure our water's clean, though."
15[00:01] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "We want the temples open, and the resident gods committed to protecting the rivers and by extension the city. We demand they at minimum fulfill their ordinary duties, and we'd like to bring them fully onside in the war effort."
[00:02] <trenchfoot> 13Xia Lan looks to Stranger and to Xu Sim, helplessly. This isn't in her wheelhouse. She's never dealt with this.
15[00:02] <@VoxPVoxD> Udelph, from the back: "Remember that the river-gods fear not the office of Emissary but the man. They are under no legal obligation to obey you, and will remind you of that fact forcefully."
15[00:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "Yes, but there is no other course. It's not as if we can go over their heads and write an angry letter to Heaven."
[00:03] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim looks right back at Xia Lan, unhelpfully. You want help from a crazy man? What's that make you?
[00:04] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar considers this. "Push come to shove, between the lot of us, we should be able to put the fear of man into 'em."
[00:05] <Crion> 14Stranger: "Then we shall have this conversation with them, and we shall see what happens."
[00:05] <Crion> "That is how this works. It's how it has always worked."
15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "Excellent. Well, those are I believe the main obstacles to our current preparations. I'd like to propose that we reconvene in a week for a general briefing on our defense readiness and plans for the civilians, which will probably depend on extensive use of the Undercity as shelter. Does anyone have any other business they'd like to discuss today?"
[00:08] <Crion> 14Stranger: "I would like to turn the conch over the Ambassador of Night and Day."
15[00:08] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle passes it on.
[00:11] <Crion> 14The Ambassador stands. "After spending the afternoon with you worthies, my view -- and the view of the Silver Pact -- about the Chosen of the Sun hasn't changed. You remain seductively powerful and entirely untrustworthy to wield that power. Your machinations are as dangerous as they are pathetic, and I'm repulsed by some of what has gone on here today. Nevertheless, the Pact will 
[00:11] <Crion> act in defense of the greater good. I will leave to begin organizing this evening, and notice as to our preparations and strategy will be provided through Stranger-Visits-Heaven."
[00:11] <Crion> 14She tosses the conch to Stranger and sweeps from the room.
15[00:11] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma, after she's gone, into the silence: "She's not wrong."
[00:12] <Crion> 14Stranger, holding the conch, sighs. "No. She's not."
[00:12] <Crion> 14He'll hand it to whoever needs it next.
[00:12] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim rolls his eyes at the breast-beating.
[00:13] <@Ferrinus> 12So does Keldar.
[00:13] <Crion> 14Peas in a pod.
15[00:13] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare, drily: "So she says."
[00:14] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus hides a smile.
[00:14] <Crion> 14Is this like, a conversational tic for this guy?
15[00:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle takes the conch back. "...if that's all formal business, I think we're ready to formalize our alliance. Objections?"
[00:15] <mattbaby> 5 If you say so, Stranger.
[00:15] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "None here."
[00:17] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim nods his assent.
[00:17] <Crion> 14Stranger: "Let's proceed."
15[00:20] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "Then we are agreed, to unite in defense of Nexus and Creation, to fight fully and freely, to respect our mutual sovereignty, and to honor the agreements we have already made, here and before, for that purpose. We acknowledge that we fight not just for our principalities, but for all humankind. And we swear to uphold this agreement until Nexus is free from mortal peril."
[00:22] <Crion> 14Stranger lifts two fingers and his forehead bursts into golden light as a black-and-gold banner outlines him. "So agreed."
[00:23] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "So agreed."
[00:25] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus: “And if Nexus is free from peril, but the rakshasas still threaten others? Still hold sway over their conquered lands?"
[00:26] <Crion> "Then we deal with that outside the purview of this oath, which guarantee spoils for all parties."
15[00:28] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare: "Highland is happy to commit now to helping rebuild our neighbors in Deguo. Nexus will have less help for us, since they're going to bear the brunt of the war costs no matter what. We're fighting here, after all."
[00:31] <Crion> 14Oh for the love of--
[00:31] <hrolf_mac> 4von Hrolfus: “Very well, I’m fine with postponing the matter of Deguo until the threat to Nexus has been dealt with.”
[00:33] <Crion> 14Stranger continues to hold his fingers in the air, waiting for everyone else to sign on.
[00:34] <mattbaby> "So agreed," 5 adds the sorceror.
15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Nogare raises his hand. "Highland so swears."
15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor: "Thorns swears."
15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Lookshy swears."
15[00:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "On behalf of the Council of Entities, Nexus swears this oath."
[00:35] <Crion> 14When everyone has sworn, Stranger clenches his fist, then opens it -- the geas both dissipates and becomes final.
15[00:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Hayle: "On that note, we're adjourned."
[00:40] <Crion> 14Stranger leans back in his seat and closes his eyes.
[00:40] <Crion> 14He feels the chamber around him. This was so much simpler, once.
[00:40] <Crion> 14That's what makes it so dangerous.
[00:41] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar rolls his shoulders back and stands cheerfully out of his seat. Finally taken care of! Time to get to work.
15[00:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma rises, striding out without a word. Lookshy follows.
15[00:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Highland rises behind Nogare, who seems content to linger in the chair a moment longer before rising too. They follow Lookshy out.
[00:44] <mattbaby> 5 Xu Sim is thinking about something as he rises, returning the Twice-Refined Princess to the ground, leaving stray greasy hairs on the lap of his robe.
15[00:48] <@VoxPVoxD> NEXT TIME: Meeting the new boss