audio | un: yiling patriarch

[weifinder]

We've just heard from our friend Haltham about the fighting between Unhalad and Anurr forces nearby, so here's a question for everyone, brought up originally by our companions who got themselves drugged and fight-happy against the second living: what actions do you think we should or shouldn't take?

In Haltham's encouraging words, think wisely. Whatever we're doing or not doing has an effect by merit of choice. Also, a reminder that we still need to not end up in either's hands or revealing our location, given the reason we were summoned here has not changed, and our deaths can be a benefit to either side. Our lives benefit ourselves and our rescuers and the peoples here, by keeping us out of warlord hands.

( He's not opening up with his thoughts because he doesn't want it as a discussion against his take, but as people offering their thoughts after he asks the question. )

Comments

[beitangmoran]

Exactly. What should we do with these people? Will others come and attack us for them? Shall we pay for their passage as well as ours? Whose wrath will we incur along the way?

It is unfortunate that lives may be lost, but intervention might not help much and could bring more harm than good.

[weifinder]

I can't suggest 'we' take anyone in, but I can suggest that for the instance of captives being present, muddling the situation so they might escape for now. As a group we don't have long term solutions.

[beitangmoran]

Then you'll have to exterminate the undead somehow. I do not believe they will give up on prey that easily, and we still don't know enough about their abilities.

[weifinder]

They're not even the same kind of, what, we're calling them undead? The same kind of undead, twice-living. Their... essence, whatever word makes the most sense, it's different, just like how they act differs.

I don't know that us killing them all would be an answer either. Big distractions, giving opportunities: give the captured their chance and let them take it when they had no chance at all before. A long term war... that's what this region's already in. The advantages are in all their hands, beyond an element of surprise we can use once.

[beitangmoran]

They are out on our doorstep, Master Wei. If they start groping around blindly because we took their bounty, they will find this place.

Beheading them works just fine. We probably have enough swords among us to make it happen with a distraction. But is it really wise?

[weifinder]

I don't suggest we take their captives back to where we are, or take them at all. At this point, killing them as they're fighting here does nothing beneficial for us, as it draws even more here to learn the why. Distracting and freeing captives is something else, while only the forces fight each other—and if we have the means to create that situation, that's what I can suggest.

[beitangmoran]

It doesn't matter whether we take them back here or not, Master Wei. They're too close to here. If we leave even a single bit of a trail, we'll lead them right back here whether we want to or not.

[weifinder]

Exactly. Doing so has to be without a trail, and leading away from here.

[beitangmoran]

And our swords at the ready should this fail.

[weifinder]

Even standing fully aside, taking no action, our swords will have to be at ready. So yes. Even inaction itself can fail.

[beitangmoran]

My sword will probably be more useful back here in case something goes wrong. I do believe we have people more powerful than myself who are more suited to the front lines on this, but I will come if needed.

[weifinder]

( He breathes out, laughing a touch. )

I'd say the same, but I'm a last defense, not a frontline. Still, it's where I need to be, even if we did nothing but watch and wait them out.