04/21/2015 @ 00:30 GMT+1 - Feyvorable Conditions

Later on the same day, Ben will approach Lorek and ask him if he knows about something named Gahartherakkitorah, as if he hasn't asked Lorek before.

Assuming Ben comes to the Institue, he will be stopped at the gate by one of the guards. He looks up and down at Ben, eventually saying. "Aren't you that Ben fellow? Look, Master Ra'dari says that we aren't supposed to let you in. I guess I can tell him you were here, if you want me to get something to him."

Lorek will suggest that they meet at the institute, believing it to be the most secure location. Assuming they agree, Lorek will show them to a room covered with maps, several of which show the Knowledge district in great detail, but the most recently used obviously being of Rook and Orishar. A large circular table is the rooms primary feature, surrounded by fine wooden chairs. Lorek takes a seat with Samael standing behind him

Lorek prepares his telepathic bond spell, casting it on anyone willing to speed up the conversation and prevent eavesdropping from any curious students.

A deep sigh will issue from Lorek as he finishes hearing Naya's findings. "Perhaps we should review what we've gained from your questions?"

"The first seems straightforward, and is a rare peace of good news. At the very least, Kreuvathal has no direct method of influencing matters in Rook, and he and his associate will be forced to use mundane communication channels. He certainly knows we're working against him now, and I would dissuade anyone present from ever returning to Absolshar."

"The unclear response on the second question worries me. It's possible that Ben merely informed Fuerchar that Kreuvthal still exists or of his activities, which would not necessitate him informing of his status as alive. Considering Ben's policy of honesty even when it puts himself and Rook in danger, I believe it safe to assume that Fuerchar knows everything that Ben knew. I had considered myself loyal to those who contracted my assistance, but I did not expect to meet a man who would fall on his sword if someone hired him to."

"The third answer is both soothing and troubling. The Commander has been nearly unreasonable in the extent of freedoms he's allowed his prisoner. Even if he provides valuable insight, I did warn the commander that the creature his a dangerous war criminal and not to be trusted. Magical inspection of the Commander revealed no unusual auras, leading me to believe that Fuerchar simply fast talked him rather than using any sort of mental abilities. That he is being taken advantage of is clear to me, but to what end? Even if Absolshar has no interest in Rook at the moment, I have no doubt their gaze will turn to us once Orashar falls. The portal makes us uncomfortably close neighbors, even if it is moved outside the city walls."

"The fourth question is odd, in a sense. We have little understanding of the military structure of Absolshar. My best guest at the moment is that they either intend war by proxy with other states that Orashar has allied itself with, or that they possess some method to take the city without fighting all out war. Considering the overwhelming influence the Illithid have, it would not be without reason to suggest that Kreuvthal merely wishes to eliminate them and use his mental prowess to subjugate the rest of the city."

"The fifth answer does not surprise me. Ben has directly revealed to Absolshar that Orashar has strategic weaknesses for them to exploit. Even without a direct warfare, it would be simple to take advantage of those weaknesses by other avenues."

"The sixth answer is...curious. My best guess at this point is that turning over Feurchar would prevent further communication between him and his master in Absolshar, and would help. However, I fear that with the intelligence revealed already, the damage has mostly been done."

"The intelligence you gathered backs up some of my views regarding the questions. It seems likely with his skills at diplomacy that Fuerchar managed to swindle the Commander, and his hatred of the existing collective in Orashar may cause him to seek more aggressive means. It is possible that he was previously unaware of his associates moral decline, but I doubt even that would stop his crusade against the Psiondari."

"Our information is unfortunately incomplete, but our course of action seems clear to me. We are being given a choice of neighbor, so to speak. As much as I never thought I would say it, I would rather have a collective of relatively peaceful Illithids than an aggressive, militarized Drow force that implants eggs to track visitors and is ruled by a cleric of one of the most vile dogmas I am familiar with. While we cannot undo the damage our leak has caused, we can inform Orashar of what truly happened, turn over Fuerchar, and help them prepare as best as we are able for Absolshars attack."

OOC: Thought the eggs were more a writ of passage than an object that can be actively tracked, and I believe it's implanted in everyone in Absolshar, not just visitors. On a separate note, I'd like to clarify that Ben is arriving most likely after your meeting completes.

In-character:

Ben looks the guard up and down. "Right, so this is how he treats a friend?  Tell him I apologize fer tryin' to do the right thing back in that swamp before he decided to seal that continent's fate."  Ben'll trudge off toward Bergstein's place, as he has no memory of being paid for his job.

Upon hearing of Barley's fate Faelyn looks concerned, "I remember him, I had considered him a bit of a friend and had not heard what happened to him. Still I doubt that is responsible for Ben's condition he seems to have been this way since the day I met him."

Faelyn pauses for a moment before speaking again, "If we are to capture the thing and turn it over, we all must be aware that Orashar would only accept the truth if Ben came along with it. Otherwise I fear we only risk angering them more and causing them to turn away our help. I have no doubt that the populace of that poor city are simply ripe for the plucking with the repeated mental draining they have suffered they would gladly accept the new drow masters. As for the kind of war they will wage, I believe it will be a combination strike. Using proxy wars to drain Orashar's resources while taking advantage of the drows natural affinity towards stealth and subterfuge to infiltrate the city and strike at the Ithilid masters. The final strike will probably be accompanied by a larger scale strike on the city proper."

When Ben gets to Commander Bergstein, he'll be greeted and shown in to the office where Fuerchar and Bergstein are discussing the issues with Absolshar and how it could be leveraged on Orashar. Seeing Ben, both will politely greet him and ask what brings him here.

Bergstein will raise an eyebrow and glance at Fuerchar, who will shrug slightly. Turning to you, Bergstein frowns slightly before preceeding. "You did in fact get paid and seemed somewhat boisterous in your enjoyment of doing so. It's been brought to my attention by your working compatriots, and we've both noticed as well, that you appear to be becoming remarkably unstable. Your memory lapse is concerning considering what we've been told of your activities in Orashar and Absolshar. To be honest, many regard you as a weakness and danger to Rook."

Leaning forwards across the desk, Bergstein steeples his fingers. "Ben, I think it may be an idea to consult with others for help. You're concerning those you work with to such an extent that you may be considered a liability by them. As for what was said, I was told not to pay heed to anything you had to say, mainly due to your mood swings, memory lapses and general behaviour."

Ben will actually look flustered. "I'm the one that's unstable? I'm the one that shouldn't be listened to?! Naw, ya got it all backwards! I speak the truth when they tell me to lie! I make sure the job gets done when the rest makes 'compromise!' I..." He calms down. "I am worryin' over the loss of memory, and in retrospect some of me statements do seem...off? I ain't entirely sure why I was so determined ta tell them elves about the brain bein' gone, it's like some part of me couldn't let go that them bastards runnin' Orashar are allowed to keep runnin' the place."

"But I've always been honest, 'n' I need t'know what Rook wants ta have done about what we left in that swamp. I ain't even sure we can prepare fer either of those damned things."

Naya rubs her eyes, "right, you talked to Bergstein after we returned. I, uh," she pulls out an extract case, selects a vial of opalescent liquid, and drinks it. "It must have slipped my mind. If no one has any other objections, what's the plan? How are going to pacify Fuerchar? I mean, the simplest solution seems to be letting the Council deal with him, merely providing his location and escort into the city. But, if someone has another idea, I'm open to hearing it."

Without waiting for a response, she continues, "While I do believe you're correct in assuming Ben is acting completely of his own volition; a shift in spiritual energy, particularly in regards to someone as powerful as Ben, should be cause for concern. I certainly don't plan on spending any time on it, but if Rainen wishes to investigate further, I don't see any harm."

"I could contact the Council with a sending to inform them, and we could guard Fuerchar until they arrive, although I would still prefer that they stay on their side of the portal. Had you considered what further questions you wanted to ask of Rainen's...", Lorek sort of raises an eyebrow at the creature, looking for the right word. "Friend, I suppose?"

"Then the problem becomes getting Fuerchar to the portal. He won't go quietly, and if the other scourges we've fought are any indication of his capabilities, I don't think we have any practical way of restraining him...Stone shaping a container might work or Prim could entomb him, then we'd simply need to get through the portal before the ice thaws. Although, this might be a concern to bring to the Council."

Naya thinks for a moment, "after a bit of thought, it seems that my last question tried to ask too much. I would rephrase it as Would turning Fuerchar over to the Council of Orashar help ensure the security of the general populace of Rook or the Shar collective? I would also like to know whether or not Kruevathal has any intentions upon Rook, and if all out war can be averted."

"Yup! Rainy and I are the best of friends! I'll be chillin till ya need me." Plisca flutters back to her place on Rainen's ear, smiling contently to herself.

Rainen chuckles at Plisca's antics before speaking, "Well, I think the sooner we can get Fuerchar under our watch the better the situation will play out for all of us. I'll admit I'm very unfamiliar with the entire situation, but we may have to force the hand of the Rook guard to gain custodianship over him, or just screw the rules and teleport the guy out. Between Lorek, Prim and I I'm sure we can manage it, we just need to figure out where exactly he is first. As for questions... Maybe asking if we can count on the full support of the guard?"

"Fuerchar has been Geased to prevent use of his mental abilities. Still, he is quite strong, I doubt most of the guards would be of much help. The new phrasing of the question seems more clear. Asking for several things and once would probably not give a good answer, unless the answer to all of them was the same."