War Agenda

## About

Part of the weekly War Council, this set of objectives was posted off-platform ahead of the scheduled session.

As part of the players' preference to engage in matters of war, the map movement largely depended on their involvement and engagement with the listed objectives. While finishing the War of the Ancients campaign was certainly possible without involvement, this aspect of the guild's roleplaying habits aided the feeling of immersion and worldbuilding efforts.

## War agenda (quests)

### Week 1

**Defensive War**

With the aid of the locals, and the technology of the Scryers, the adjacent lands to Falcon's landing have been charted with a high degree of confidence in accuracy.

The War Council is presented with the updated map of the immediate surroundings as well as with troop counts fashioned from the spies under Veras & Pathaleon's newly established Red Sun Intelligence service.

The immediate threats -- as Commander Sarannis puts the issue in her after patrol reports -- lie on the immediate outskirts of the stronghold's perimeter. In the aftermath of the embarrassing defeat at Ravenwind, House Orias's Naga have been reportedly readying to lay siege to the Falcon's land.

It is presumed that the Naga have incomplete information about the true power holstered within the Red Sun's bastion, as their numbers seem to be a little underwhelming for a harpoon-based siege. Commander Sarannis recommends a decisively offensive course of action, with the personal addendum that *"if nothing else, this assured victory will be a good morning exercise for the Sunfury troops"*.

   **Offensive War**

The Scryers' orbs have scouted a lingering Legion strike-force, amassing in the hills and mountains just South-East of Eldre'Thalas (in the future known as Dire Maul, as your brought historians insisted on including the Gordunni nomenclature as well). Their numbers swell very well in the thousands, as demonic gateways, fueled by living sacrifices of the local fauna and denizens alike, consistently bring in troops from the Twisting Nether.

Telonicus recommends a tactical course of action, and that the War Council strongly considers the possibility of a preemptive strike, given the unpredictable nature of the demons. *"Once you've identified the source of corruption it must be excised at the root, lest you risk an overwhelming infestation of the flying f\*cks."*

### Week 2

   **News from the fronts**

*Commander Sarannis submits the after-action reports in the aftermath of her assigned warfronts conclusion.*

**The defensive battle** against House Orias was fought swiftly and the numerical superiority overwhelmed the opponent, leaving them little chance for retaliation. In the outcome of the battle, Sarannis submits a request for 12 named Blood Knights and Farstriders to be promoted, given a remarkable performance that suggests natural leadership capabilities.

Sarannis also reports that when her legions began their pincer maneuver the southern siege camp of House Orias had already been dismantled by the Kaldorei Resistance who appears to have mobilized before the Red Sun's troops got there. Consequently, the Night Elves now lord over the liberated settlements, albeit in low numbers, their initial garrison having suffered some casualties and not having received any reinforcements.

**The offensive war** against the Highborne Empire has begun, with a milestone achievement. With Aide Leoriane's suggested tactic of sabotaging the Demonic Gateways before the battle ensued, the opponent's power was reduced quite drastically. The demons' armies were routed before they could be annihilated, but nonetheless their hold of the lower farmlands of Eldre'Thalas was broken.

Absent an official recall, 10,000 of the Red Sun's troops remain stationed in the conquered territory.

The War Council is to convene and deliberate on the merits of pressing the attack... and in which direction.

### Week 3

    **Occupation of Eldre'Thalas**

The lightning attack of the Red Sun (9,000 troops) broke House Orias's hold over the city, and the neighboring region. In the wake of two betrayals the tenuous ceasefire between the Highborne Empire and the Ancient Houses has evaporated. Despite the ensuing chaos, and Silvarisyn's last-minute support (3,000 troops) the occupation of Eldre'Thalas has not yet been completed.
The lightning attack of the Red Sun (9,000 troops) broke House Orias's hold over the city, and the neighboring region. In the wake of two betrayals the tenuous ceasefire between the Highborne Empire and the Ancient Houses has evaporated. Despite the ensuing chaos, and Silvarisyn's last-minute support (3,000 troops) the occupation of Eldre'Thalas has not yet been completed.

Broken, but not eradicated, vestiges of power remain scattered throughout the region, in the form of pockets either waiting on reinforcements or in haphazard retreat. The RSI is happy to report that save for the thousand or so troops barricaded in the garrisons of Eldre'Thalas, it is the latter.

    **Posterity**

The Red Sun intelligence apparatus was temporarily dazed to find out that the former House Astarte holdout, as well as the Kaldorei Resistance militarized villages have successfully staged a siege on Falcon's Landing overnight. In less than a day's span, the banner-men of House Veridis occupied the previously allied territories and pointed their ballistae at our wooden palisade.

The RSI scrambled to gather as much intel as possible in a herculean effort to understand how this was possible. An estimated 20,000 troops are awaiting their commanders' orders and in readied defense the denizens of Falcon's Landing have entrenched themselves and are seldomly leaving the safety of the spires.

What the RSI reports as curious is that they have scryed no signs of combat, no corpses -- not even spilled blood, in those former territories now occupied by House Veridis.

The good news is that with the identified telemancy network in Eldre'Thalas, the Orb of Translocation in Falcon's Landing has been connected to the following nodes, allowing limited access to the Red Sun still inside:

- Library (in the Agora)

- Ruined Mage Tower (outskirts)

- Prison (remote level)

## Diplomacy agenda (quests)

### Week 1

**The Need for allies: Zandalari** *(supplies/manpower equivalent to +500 weekly troops)*

Zanzal the Wise -- reputed to have been named after the trait he best embodied -- was the head of his family during the last year of the War of the Ancients. After a period of civil war, he alongside the heads of two other families managed to form an uneasy coalition that for a time managed to rule the Zandalari "empire" together.

These trolls have an ancestral axe to grind against the Highborne, as Azshara had personally participated in the battle which forcibly knelt and humiliated his ancestor, King Rahu'ai. After a long reign, the vastly underpowered troll tribe suffered a painful fall -- a harsh lesson, which your hired historians claim, had never truly been forgotten nor forgiven, even as new rulers and generations followed.

Thaladred volunteers to envoy to the Zandalari Empire, as a figure embodying the supremacy of martial prowess rather than a sorcerer embodying the Arcane that crushed them -- sparing the trolls a painful visual reminder. His method of travel, as well as how he means to establish a trade or military alliance with the troll tribe, is up for deliberation within the War Council.

    **The Need for allies: Pandaren** *(supplies/manpower equivalent to +500 weekly troops)*

Emperor Shaohao will be the last emperor to the Pandren Empire as far as recorded history goes. He is a significant figure in Pandaren culture and history, and is personally responsible for the separation of his land from the rest of the continent prior to the War of the Ancients, given the Sha of Pride's bestowed arrogance to cloak his territory in mists.

This action saved Pandaria from the Great Sundering but doomed it to a future of stagnation. Given your historians' and magisters' understanding of the recorded phenomenon, Fyalenn drafted a proposal to be deliberated at the next War Council that outlines the possibility of securing a trade or military alliance with the isolated empire.

Historically, Shaohao's shrouding actions are rooted in an inherent distrust in the Highborne and their methods of manipulating the dominant Arcane. Either by premonition, providence, or simply a good guess, the Emperor predicted the cataclysmic fate the Highborne and their hubris would bring upon the world. It is rumored that towards the twilight of their amenable trade relations, the Pandaren gifted the Highborne an empty chest, said to provide all the Arcane magic their people would ever need -- which, according to the Pandaren, was exactly nothing.

    **Dejahna's Wax Tablet**

Etched with a metallic stylus, the High Priestess's plea is forwarded to the Red Sun, formulated as a humbled 'ask' rather than a demanding 'request'. Dejahna expresses her gratitude for the timely intervention, and offers to pledge her service to the Red Sun if exchange for their given word that they will do their utmost to rescue more Priestesses of the Moon. The High Priestess further elaborates that as a traveling band of missionaries around a dozen of her order set out to heal the ailing lands of Kalimdor, and that she firmly believes the Goddess would not be so cruel as to deliver her worshiping believers to an unjust fate. She begs of you to keep your eyes out for there are bound to be more of them out there, and asks you -- if at all possible -- to bring them home in rescue.

The organization's support could be an invaluable boon for both the beginning and the ending days of the Ancients' War, as history has shown the iconic figures you ought to protect in the visited era tend to naturally gravitate towards the Sisterhood of Elune.

### Week 2

    **The Need for Allies: Answered**

The envoy from Zandalar returns, and will report their news directly to the War Council.

The envoy from Pandaria has not yet returned.

New envoys may be sent out, for either establishing diplomatic relationships for trade or subversion of the Highborne Empire.

    **Earning Your Keep**

With the newly acquired territories, High Botanist Freywinn's agricultural project continues to span many more acres, relieving the stress from the resource allocation and land distribution. Sin'dorei and Kaldorei alike have begun to settle the newly acquired territory. ("No Upkeep" status has been reached, congratulations)

In the wake of receiving letters from 6 Red Sun Legates recommending the release and integration of "Sarafen" (Blood Elf prisoner), the responsibility of enacting the leadership's will falls on the Centurions attending the upcoming War Council -- where the merits of these letters could be deliberated.

With the idea of integration for one comes the opportunity of evaluating the likelihood of similar potential in all the other prisoners currently detained in the underground dungeon.

***Note:** The Centurions acting as Proxies for the Red Sun Legates inherit the higher function privileges (e.g. signatures, decision-making powers) for the duration of the meeting and to the effect of its resulting action plan, effectively rendering them as Acting-Legates -- which is to say, a step above the other Centurions.*

### Week 3

    **Murals with metaphors**

As Eldre'Thalas's civilian population needlessly suffers in the wake of war, Eidanar forwarded a proposal wishing to take advantage of the messy situation. Perhaps instead of the banners and crests of the Ancient Houses the city could be adorned with more useful messages... perhaps even the faces of those that should be heralded as their saviors.

Just so they know who the good guys are.

*(WARNING: The propaganda will spread, and a steady stream of displaced refugees can be expected once the siege is over, resulting in more weekly troops, as most will be able to fight for you)*

    **Dude, where's my darkstone?**
With the wolves at our doorstep it's time to take out the big guns. There's a mountain of primed darkstone beneath Falcon's Landing, in storage -- perhaps we should debate the merits of its applications.

    **The Need for Allies: Pandaria**

Envoys Shimmersun and Fyalenn returned from Pandaria shortly before the siege began. Their debrief suggests that they were held captives after tresspassing through the mists of Pandaria -- bypassing the veil put up by Emperor Shaohao had been initially seen as a sign of aggression.

After a surprisingly hospitable stay in a Shado-Pan garrison, and a fortunate series of events, Occotar Bloomsinger's personal collection of poems ended in the paws of the province's governing figure -- Master Hoon, of the Crane Wing Order. This disciple of Chi-Ji granted the two envoys an audience after learning that the only items in their possession were gifts, scarce few weapons (as the prowess of the Magistrix ought to be enough for safe-travels by sea) and that they traveled in light company.

Through Magistrix Fyalenn's Arcane Brilliance charm the two envoys were able to pleasantly surprise Master Hoon further by seemingly speaking his mother tongue. Regardless of their insistence, Master Hoon explained that seeing the Emperor would be impossible given his proud stance against the elves' race and their misguided (ab)use of Arcane magic.

Master Hoon is reported to have been regretful in his obligation to send the two elves back their way empty handed in terms of the sought resources or manpower. But they did return with a Pandaren delicacy cookbook.

## Special projects

### Week 1

    **The Need for Feed** *(Upkeep mechanic)*

Once High Botanist of the Blood Elves' Kingdom, the green-thumbed artisan extraordinaire, Freywinn, forwards an urgent request that cannot be lodged as either pertaining to War nor Diplomatic affairs. Instead, the scroll passed on by the High Botanist outlines an agricultural project to be undertaken at once if receiving the approval of the Red Sun's High Command.

Together with the Kaldorei "rural architects"\*, the High Botanist will design and implement the start of what is to be the agricultural setting, with a number of acres allocated to the growth and rotation of vegetable cultures -- carefully tended to by Arcane means and in accordance to the health & safety standards ratified in pre-Fall Quel'Thalas.

(The Sunfury Centurion insisted on the use of this nomenclature in the report, albeit his eccentric extravaganza has failed to outline how the attributes of the 'rural architects' are different than those of the common farmer.)

Freywinn strongly urges his request for consideration, given the rumors of famine and pestilence afflicting the neighboring Kaldorei settlements, as well as strongly recommends the prioritization of securing more arable land in the interest of the campaign's longevity and well-being.

### Week 4

    **Sardor Isle**
Home to the marble mining quarry and port of Solarsal, Ranger-Captain Mylathandris's established network has recently undergone a recon mission to survey the isle's defenses. Allocating further resources to ensure a preferable outcome is on the agenda.

    **Playing God: Uplift**
Lord Occotar Bloomsinger has received great news from his envoy to Pandaria. With the misty veil of Shaohao broken, the Red Sun has gained access to the many wonders of Pandaria -- including its prized scorpid specimens. There is but the small issue of securing a discrete location for the... bold advances.

    **Playing God: Losing My Religion**
With a new world comes new opportunity. The neighboring city of Isildien, host to a temple of Elune, has been identified as a potential candidate to kickstart a new era of religious influence in the Kaldorei land. Lord Occotar Bloomsinger has encountered but a setback in the development of his new sphere of influence, in the guise of the House Veridis siege currently occupying the already war-torn Highborne city.

    **The Enemy of my Enemy...**
Arcanist Calie Sunflame has recently led an incursion into the dungeons of Eldre'Thalas, and with the aid of her demonic companions has freed an important political prisoner. Prince Tortheldrin's trust has been temporarily earned. The former province Prince had been appointed by Azshara to oversee the defenses of the arcane bastion, yet failure was encountered at the hands of House Orias and the city was lost. Returning to the Highborne Empire might no longer be in the cards for the young Prince, and since you both hate snakes...

    **Her Dark Materials**

Arcanist Calie Sunflame is set to begin researching the wider applications of Eclipse & Stasis. After some initial field testing, perhaps the young, yet powerful, sorceress can design intuitively simple enough spells to be fit within the crystals -- suitable for the common trooper of the Red Sun Legions. If inspiration fails to strike, she can always cheat off the other House's answer sheet -- but first, she'll need the right materials & equipment for mass production, since harvesting Obiyar is off the table (for now).

### Week 5

    **Meet the Spy**

*(Temporary opportunity, for activation requires at least 1 response ✅ , you may either quickly convene on this topic or act unilaterally)*

*"Psst, hey kid. What some state secrets?"*

No, that is not how it happened. The defector came to Falcon's Landing during the twilight hours of the day... in the very much unassuming form of a brightly smiling, short, red-haired Thalassian Arcanist.

She claimed to be one of House Astarte's casters who has -- as fortune would have it -- come into possession of Silvarisyn and Valdoran's recent map movements in service of Rhelonia Astarte, allegedly having been part of the Scrying team. Amongst her promised batch of information comes the tantalizing offer and outrageous claim that "We actually found Sarafen's encampment. The one your bald mage escaped from."

The bold statements of the unassuming elven woman are backed by the colors she wears: that mellow-yellow background with a red dragonhawk's head cresting on the front and on the back, denoting allegiance to House Astarte, and the outrageous request for the equivalent of 5,000,000 modern golden coins.

*"I'll take that in gold bullions or ingots, whichever is more convenient to you. Don't worry about shipping, I have my pocket dimension right here."*

The RSI are forwarding this information to the council with express urgency. They had, of course, perked a brow at the sudden change of heart in the young Arcanist and when inquiring of her motivations the received answers were:

"I have my own reasons."

And upon further insistence: *"Let's just say I hope you'll do the right thing if the old girl 'forgets'...".*

Perhaps a high risk, high reward opportunity presents itself. On one hand, trust is on the line, on the other... trust is on the line. The deserter claims that the location of Sarafen is just a taste of the bag of goodies she brings. Still, it's a hefty sum she requests.

**Rewards:**

- Location of House Sarafen

- Map intel. on House Astarte

**Risk:**

- Trade alliance potentially at risk

- Maybe Silvarisyn will share the juicy stuff she finds... eventually?

**RSI concluded motivations of defector mage**: likely take the payout and desert, evacuating the epoch into the future, regardless of the struggles of the past. Pathaleon reports a strong entropic presence around the mage, suggesting she had recently come in contact with demonic blood or portal travel.

With 5 million gold in her pocket she can travel to any era and live a comfortable life, especially with knowledge of future events. More divergence risk arises, but then again maybe the Bronzes should earn their keep too.