Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-5583506-20161225200655/@comment-5583506-20170228025514

"Saarthal?" The thin man cocked his head and leaned in over the desk, revealing his pale exterior. It was clear that he didn't get to see much sunlight, but then again a pale complexion was a common trait among the populace of Saarthal, a city far under the thick layers of ice and frozen rock. "Nonsense", he said. "We are well-protected. Saarthal has never really been exposed to a threat. Maybe one time about a hundred years ago when a Sabrecat Beast collapsed in front of the main entrance and couldn't get back up."

"This is happening", said Myrdana, confirming Mongo's statement. "Right now, there is a global order for all cities being issued to muster what defences and forces they can and protect their cities."

The pale man stroke his weak moustache and peered at them with his milky, watery eyes. "Is... is this for real? How would that be possible? No Beast has ever uncovered the location of Saarthal."

"Well, these new ones know. And they are on their way here now. The same kind that destroyed Kilkreath."

The thin man leaned back into his chair with a perplexed expression, as if he was trying to melt the information. "Excuse me... but... what?"

Myrdana was patient. She could understand. Saarthal was along with the Underkeep and Fort Slayer, undoubtedly one of the most fortified and safe cities to seek sanctuary in. They had never been faced with a real threat... until now.

"You heard us. A horde of Beasts. Hundreds upon hundreds are now marching in from the east to level whatever trace of mankind's civilization that still exists. And to top it all off, they are serving the command of the remnants of the Imperial Legion."

"This..." The man began to blink as all the pieces seemed to fall into position. "This can't be happening. Hundreds?"

Myrdana nodded. "Probably more. We didn't exactly have the time to make a headcount."

The mayor nodded slowly, but didn't even look at them. He was probably trying to process and evaluate what to do in a situation like this. The responsibility he had...

"Estimated time?" he asked.

"Impossible to say", Myrdana replied. "A day... maybe two until they reach Saarthal. As my friend here said you are the first on the menu. The first on their path to mankind's destruction."

The mayor stroke his cheek. "The installed battlements haven't been field tested in years", he lamented. "It's impossible to say how much of it that will still be functional. Not to mention we don't possess any training with the harpoon-maneuver gear as you Beast Slayers."

"But you do have some equipment here?"

"Of course, but as I said. It hasn't been tested in ages." He licked his lips, his eyes fluttering as he tried to focus. But his mind was obviously overcome with a rush of emotions and priorities. "FUCK!" he suddenly exclaimed in frustration and slammed his fist into the table surface before he frantically began to bite down on his knuckles. "How to proceed?" he asked in a muffled voice, biting so hard into his own hand that blood began to seep down through his fingers.

"You have a duty to uphold", Myrdana explained. "First, you need to send the word to neighbouring Outsider tribes to find refuge in here."

"Outsiders? In Saarthal? I..."

Myrdana sharpened her gaze.

The mayor relented with a grumble, clearly not in the mood to argue about personal opinions with a Beast Slayer when the city was at stake. Myrdana appreciated that. Though he may not have looked like it, he seemed to have the rationality she wished that more politicians had.

"I will... send four messengers in all directions to offer sanctuary to Outsider tribes, should they find any", he said. "But I do expect that any Outsider capable of fighting should stand up and aid us in our time of need. That's the least they could do in return for shelter."

"Fair enough, but you will open your gates to them."

"Yes, yes, yes. Enough about them now. What about the defenses? How should we proceed? We have a storage room full off old harpoon-maneuver gear sets for travelling Beast Slayers to restock, but we can't speak for their quality. We have ten deployable ballistae of your design to raise through the ice sheet. We have ammunition in the shape of bombs and harpoons. But as I said, I can't vouch for their condition."

Trymir looked at them both, obviously knowing what was going on. "Look. You both know what a Beast Slayers mindset should be like. We do not fall for the rules of affection, because it might cloud our focus and judgement, and might very well be reason of various deaths. However..."

He smiled at them somewhat warmly. "I wouldn't consider Evelyne to be a Beast Slayer anymore..."

With that said he turned slowly around and began to walk towards the courtyard, leaving the two of them to figure out for themselves what he had meant.