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. )

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[handmaiden of unsheathed swords] voice posted:

[darkeststars]

Wei Wuxian.

[ just briefly, a greeting. They met long enough to sic some mermaids and a lightning storm on a slave ship together, but Archeval hasn't gone to find the man after hauling him, unconscious, back to the House of Dew some days back with a bit of healing to leave him to rest. Arche's voice is at least a little bit the lighter to note that Wuxian seems fully recovered from his exertion. ]

Need we be involved in this at all? We certainly aren't going to do local politics any good by sticking our noses in, and the potential to do ourselves a great deal of harm is high. If they came straight to our doorstep that would certainly be one thing, but--

Hn. Even if we only went after their captives, it seems just as likely we'll rescue them only to have to turn straight around and behead them all once they turn. Unless you have some further insight into the situation? [ this one's all yours, Yiling Patriarch. His specialty is ghosts, absolutely not zombies. ]

[weifinder]

Right now, I don't, but what influences how they turn, where loyalties lie if they're not under one or the other directly at the time, how much of their awareness is preserved without outside influence versus with, if they're still feeding regularly—I have answers for none of those things if it proves true, but they have no decision to make at all remaining with Unhalad's forces. Moreover, I don't know if it's right to claim them in any way if they are actually turning. I don't know enough about the hows or whys, and the way that the Unhalad undead feel is notably different from the Anurr.

Still, send them on with hot beverages, if anything that's what they all seek out, heat in some form. Given where we are, not surprising, but it could be more part of their nature.

But sending people home, where at the least maybe they can make their farewells for whatever's coming... they won't evade the forces here, any side, indefinitely. Just as we can't. But we can give them a chance to make a choice they didn't otherwise have.

[darkeststars]

Perhaps. But would we be sending them home to die peacefully or to murder their loved ones?

[weifinder]

Or be murdered by their loved ones. There aren't prettier answers to any of it.

[darkeststars]

Indeed. Which is why I question the wisdom of stepping in at all, given how much worse we could make things. I suppose we could execute them ourselves and at least save them the fate of undead slavery in some warmonger's army, but-- [ dryly ] Somehow I doubt we will get the whole group on board for that idea.

[weifinder]

( Part of him recoils at that, but more because the part of him that needs to fix things wants to fix things, and he has nowhere near enough information to even begin this now. )

It's... a choice we can also offer them. In that sense, we don't have the right to dictate what they'd wish to try to do, and a request like that is one I'd have to honour.

[darkeststars]

With what little our group can offer in the way of solutions as of now, probably the most sensible decision, really. Certainly, if it were me...

[ a brief sigh ]

You're set upon this as the rest seem to be, then? [ apparently he's been listening in for a while. ] I can't argue too hard against freeing captives from bondage, but the potential for collateral damage against the civilians of Sa-Hareth still seems awfully high.

[weifinder]

If it comes down to it, I can discuss with Lan Zhan and move down to live within the empty warehouses for the duration of the month following. If nothing else, I can monitor how the transition happens from there, and keep them from collateral damages as much as I can.

( If anyone has witnessed his rather visible fear of the singular dog guarding the sheep and two people of this farm, they might. Might. Guess why he'd be down for watch-people-descend-into-undeath-safely-duty. )

[darkeststars]

Hm. How responsible of you. [ he sounds surprised and... perhaps actually a little impressed? Certainly, Wuxian might get something out of it in the form of useful research, but still-- ] I confess, I'm not used to practitioners of the dark arts where I come from having much in the way of compassion.

[ there's a brief pause on the line ]

You would do this alone?

[weifinder]

( He breathes out in a sort of wheezed laugh. )

Compassion is something everyone can stand to have more of, I find.

( Another pause, and then: )

Only if necessary, I'd hardly turn down company or assistance.

[darkeststars]

[ sigh ] Then if we are to go through with this foolhardy plan, you'll have it. I can sneak about Sa-Hareth easily enough.

[ he doesn't say anything back to the other bit, but. You won't hear him argue. ]

We can take shifts or go together, as you like. I suppose we'll have to see how the situation pans out.

[weifinder]

You have my gratitude.

( Said with enough of a smile to be in his voice. )

Waiting on that count is likely the best course... I don't know how far apart everyone will be, who'll be a factor to consider, anything yet. Either way, we're needing to act on the first part here as soon as we can.

[darkeststars]

Mm, it's nothing. I'm sure I'll have reason to be in the city anyway. [ the response is a little gruff, but not impolite. Social niceties and warm fuzzy feelings have never exactly been the Dark Lord's forte. ]

Indeed, if we are doing this, someone will have to start scouting out the situation with all haste. I can't recommend myself for this leg, so I hope some of the rest are prepared.

[weifinder]

Still, thank you.

( Because being there and choosing to help in something like what they're discussing are two different things. )

I can be, at minimum. There are times the twice-living here don't seem to notice me quite so much, so it lends itself to scouting, if nothing else.

[darkeststars]

Unfortunately, in my case, they are much better at noticing me than I am them. [ an irritable sigh. The fact that the undead here are invisible to his Force senses is something he's not going to admit out loud on the network, not when Five and anyone else could be listening, but it remains a constant source of frustration. ]

At any rate -- our little group stands or falls together, so I would be a fool not to offer aid where I can. Please do get in touch whenever you have more information.