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

un: heart-fluttering hummingbird | audio

[downswing]

( Rare instance of his voice, rasped and rushed, as he possibly blitzes back from the citadel — an unlucky hour to be alive out. )

Let the dead play their politics. Captives go free.

un: sweet lily of the hidden valley - handwritten

[bearshermark]

They're both undead forces turning the living into their armies, aren't they? I can't say I'm interested in taking either side.

un: dappled pearl of the parted seas [voice]

[beitangmoran]

This conflict is not ours, and choosing a side without enough information is not smart, especially when we've been told we will be used against the other side no matter which of them gets their hands on us.

[Moran knows he might not make any friends in choosing this stance, including that the hostages are none of their concern, really, but he's fine with it. He's had to make this kind of decisions before, and there are always lives lost.]

un: deft hand of little deaths [Voice]

[scrapgege]

Uhm, should we really get involved in this? What are they even fighting for?

[weifinder]

Can we do so without making it appear as if a third party is involved?

[weifinder]

Neither am I, more to the point that I'm not looking to be drafted into any armies, let alone having my self stripped of everything and used as someone else's weapon, which would be inevitable here.

Then your thought is to stay uninvolved entirely in these skirmishes?

[weifinder]

Agreed, personally. We know too little, and in personal experience, when you take responsibility for a party of people, you can't simply walk away when it gets inconvenient for you.

( That, in reference to the captives. )

Moreover, we're not staying here. We've known that for the last month and then some.

[bearshermark]

I'd say yes, but.. I don't think I could stay idle if there are lives at risk.

[downswing]

( He stops — )

...unlikely. ( Only to carry on. ) We make attempt.

un: heart-fluttering hummingbird | audio

[downswing]

And the caught? We forsake them?

[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.

[beitangmoran]

People die in war, Master Lan. And this war isn't ours.

[weifinder]

The usual things, I suppose. Power? Resources? I'm not sure if it needs to be any more nuanced than that to our point of view.

[scrapgege]

I suppose if the captives could somehow be ferreted away and brought back to their homes, it would be the best...

[weifinder]

There are dead in these woods.

( His point being: they can make it more muddled, less clear. Disguise as they can. Apparently have an army of squirrels, but really, really, more dead to confound the dead. )

Give them the opportunity to escape, let the aggressors stay focussed on each other.

[weifinder]

Which lives count?

[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.

[weifinder]

Considering the two groups are intent on each other, it seems like we might be able to further confuse the situation to allow the captives to be freed to make their way back.

[downswing]

We do not know if the dead of the woods partake of the conflict.

( They might... invite violence on entities that are living their lives in innocence. )

[downswing]

Then whose?

[bearshermark]

Anything not yet fully corrupted by undeath.

[scrapgege]

Hmmmm.... Maybe Ruoye would be useful for this. But we'll probably be noticed by the undead people.

[weifinder]

The possessed or the ones not possessed?

[weifinder]

And the fully corrupted, is there nothing of them that can be saved?

[weifinder]

This is where I can only recommend distractions that make it less obvious who, specifically, is interfering. The dead in the woods, perhaps, I might be able to work with those... I wonder if any kind of confusion array could be set up fast enough, but probably not...