[OPEN] DEFENSE MEETING

[uncalled_for]

Date & Time: Five days after the completion of the bombing event. Starting early morning.
Location: Whatever area is decently clear of debris.
Characters: Anyone, whether it was previously arranged with Fiona, someone else did the convincing, or they just happen to be around the cleared area at the right time.
Summary: First “Defense” Group Meeting. Some chatting, some sparring, a little showing off, and everything in between.
Warnings: Violence and swearing, I guarantee it.


[When most have gathered Fiona will find some small piles of debris to climb on so she can at least be eye level with everyone else. It’s not the biggest of groups but it will hardly do if no one can see whoever is speaking. She’ll tap her staff to get some attention.]

Thank you all for coming and taking an interest. I’m Fiona, the one who spoke on the network before. Sorry there was a delay but I appreciate everyone coming nonetheless. [Detecting a little anger here…]

If what’s happened this past week has proved anything, it’s proved we need to work together and defend ourselves and each other. Those bastards aren’t going to help us no matter what lies they feed us. They can’t defend us, they have proven that again and again. They say they’re glad we survived, but how many of us didn’t make it through this last endeavor? We’re dealing with complete fools and we have only ourselves to rely on. So we need to find a way to help each other. You don’t have to agree with all of my opinions, but at least stay long enough to try and see if this will work.

[She’ll take a deep breath] This is only our first meeting, none of us really know each other or what each other is capable of. If we actually intend to defend each other then that is the first thing we need to fix. Use this meeting time to get to know the person next to you and what they’re capable of. And if you can fight then show everyone else what you’ve got. [She’ll hold up her hand and produce a tiny ball of fire, whirl it around a moment and wink it out as quickly as she made it.] Lets not be caught off-guard by those bastards again.

[And then she'll start hopping off the debris. Ah, wait. Almost forgot something.] Thank you.


[OOC: Behold the tiny organization abilities. All right so, here’s how I’m thinking this can roll. We’ve got a little fighting and a little chatting for threads. If conversation leads to battle you are welcome to keep it to the talking thread, just maybe tack it into the subject line “Chat -> Fighting” or hop to the Battle thread! Feel free to jump in as you please, opened, closed, whatever. This is a fantastic chance for CR, spoil it rotten! And thanks for being patient with me despite the OOC delays. :)

Edit: Okay so. People are on hiatus and stuff and that's okay. If your character would happen to be here, but you just can't toss them in, try putting down a placeholder reply or something. I am gonna be doing a headcount from the tags list when this wraps up so leader picking later on is easier to handle. :)]

Comments

[ohmygodgreywardens]

Is she? [OH MAN ANOTHER GREY WARDEN!? Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

But okay. This timeline stuff is kind of nuts. And he really doesn't understand it, so. Okay. We'll just let that one go with a little nod.]

I do. I am just unsure of how successful she might be. This is not the first speech on the subject I have heard while here. And while the idea is good, there are other requirements, to have someone lead a group like this.

[ofthegrey]

Yes, she is. We shared a commanding officer for a time. [For only a moment his look is distant, and then his focus is back in the here and now.]

Indeed, this is but a small start. Your father schooled you well in tactics. What would you do for a situation like ours? What are we lacking?

[ohmygodgreywardens]

Really? [Really? Because he notices that look and he totally understands that look. Which causes him to look knowing. And then letting that go into the biggest grin ever. Duncan, you know how to flatter him so well.]

We're lacking a leader who's open to suggestions. Who will be patient and listen to each option that's given, and who will inspire the people to follow them. We need someone personable. Someone that the people will want to fight with, not just because they all have a same, common enemy.

[ofthegrey]

Yes. Genevieve, Commander of the Grey in Orlais. Your father knew her. [He doesn't clarify whether he means Genevieve or Fiona.]

The message could use some polish, yes. I think sometimes it takes passion to get a movement off the ground, but if it's to continue, it will require exactly that, someone who can sell it in a way that anyone can understand regardless of where they come from.

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[Orlais. Somewhere he'd never get to see again, if he was ever sent back home. A place with a beautiful woman that he would never get to see again. He'd tried not to think about that.]

Some polish, and someone who will likely break your arm for questioning the plans. [Fiona kind of scares him okay.]

[ofthegrey]

[He chuckles.] Fiona likes to bark. She doesn't bite as hard as she lets on unless it's darkspawn.

It's going to take a concerted effort on all of our parts to sell this plan. We're going to have to get our hands dirty and do a lot of grunt work to build trust. Few people will be willing to risk their lives on something this uncertain until we have the evidence to make a convincing case for it. It's not going to come together in just a few weeks or even a few months. I just hope we have the time we need before things get worse.

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[But without darkspawn around, what will she bite? D: ]

...Much like the rebellion. [Wait. Wait. Is this his chance to do what his father did? To gain glory, to have his name spoken in reverence much like 'Maric' was?]

[ofthegrey]

Very much like that, yes. Only harder. We're stuck between two forces that we know very little about, and they seek to use us as pawns. No matter what they say, no one is on our side except for us. As long as we're kept here under coercion, I cannot believe otherwise.

[He knows that look of Cailan's. He saw it before Ostagar.]

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[Holy shit, he might have a heart attack right now. He could be a part of a rebellion.]

We're the only ones on our side, between two conflicting forces, neither of which will be of any help to us. So... we make a group that can stand against the both of them.

[ofthegrey]

That's the idea. But we take care in how we present it, because not everyone is from a world like ours, and not everyone will immediately understand the importance of what we're trying to do or why. Your own father contended with that issue with some from the Bannorn. They saw more benefit in currying favor with the Orlesians in power than in throwing off their rule.

They weren't always wrong. Some were better off. So we must take care in what we say and how we say it, and we mustn't be too trusting. [The last thing he wants is a nasty division among the Transports, too.]

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[He might be bouncing a little bit.] I doubt I would be of much help in the ruling issue, or being a leader... I have so little standing in this world, and everything is always new. They'd need someone who knows what to do.

[Bounce bounce bounce.] But to do this, Duncan! Do you know what this means?

[ofthegrey]

I believe it will be some time before we can determine who might be best for that position. We should keep our eyes and ears open.

[It's refreshing to see a return of some of his enthusiasm.] What does it mean, Your Majesty?

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[He nods.] I will be keeping both eyes and ears open. I have learned how to use the book, and I can see everything everyone says, now!

[His nod turns faster.] It means I've found a new cause to find glory in! I-- He-- It would be good, for the kingdom to be well represented, here.

[ofthegrey]

Your Majesty, that is one thing of which I am not in doubt. Ferelden is well represented by her people here. [His smile is faint and brief.]

This cause is a just one.

[ohmygodgreywardens]

It's the only cause I have now. The last one I can stand and fight alongside. [He hesitates.] Yours... as well?

[ofthegrey]

Yes. Let's hope this time it goes a little better for both of us. That would be a ballad to push all credulity otherwise. [Humor helps him at least.]

[ohmygodgreywardens]

[He chuckles.] But what a ballad it would be!

[ofthegrey]

Indeed. [He claps him on the back.] I'm going to wander a bit more, I think. Get a feel for how others are viewing out endeavor. I'm glad you came today.

[ohmygodgreywardens]

Yes, of course. I'll be doing the same. [He nods and smiles.] I am glad, as well. I will see you soon.