MatthiasRat 1251686080|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
As Misha pointed out, our first task is to develop a timeline of events. I suggest we restrict ourselves only to those events that occur in 708 CR.
The first events that we run into would be in March, when the plague comes in "The Presence of Thieves". This is Raven's last written story. His next, "Shadow Hunt" picks up right after this, and unless I'm mistaken, was to involve Merai's capture. We now know that Merai will agree to seduce the Emperor of Sathmore for Suspira in return for Suspira's aid in escaping. Unless I've misinterpreted Raven's timeline, this will now happen in April.
And Merai will now seduce the Emperor (who has yet to be named), and the Emperor will have Alarun, the Lothanas of Elvquelin and a minion of Ba'al, executed and the head sent to Metamor by way of apology for the plague. Merai will send a note to Raven indicating that she is well and can serve better where she is. No indication yet that she has and continues to be corrupted by Suspira. However, when this takes place in the time line is not yet certain.
The elvish army approaches Metamor in mid-May thinking that is the time for the Starchild Battle, but find nothing, so send delegation to renew good relations with Metamor. They will then leave.
These are the first set of events. Other events whose time frame I do not know include:
- Drift/Carcarak's return from the hells. I'm also uncertain at this point what exactly he's going to do.
- Lilith making a move with her armies in the Giantdowns (even if they are decimated by a certain wolf).
- Pretty much anything else anybody has suggested to this point.
Now, I do have a few plans of my own that I should mention that may or may not play a role in the coming instability:
- The death of Baron Calephas of Arabarb - Will likely happen in April or early May.
- The visit of Bishop Tyrion Verdane to Metamor and the arrival of Felsah as a Questioner assigned to Metamor - April.
- I also want to have some machinations between Kelewair and Salinon over Jaime Verdane kept prisoner, but I haven't figured those details out yet.
- I may also bring Nylene hin'Lofwine, the priestess from Silvassa that Elvmere knows, back into the story, but that depends on what other events come to pass.
So, what sort of things could we expect to see in 708?
- Suspira is making a power play, but so too could some of the other members of the Pantheon. Ba'al certainly won't sit on his hands, but he's going to be pretty short of allies for a while.
- Metamor may not know that Merai has been corrupted, but the pantheon will, and it's only a matter of time before they tell Raven and the other Lothanasi at Metamor about it. I imagine that Raven will want to confirm this somehow (anyone have ideas how that might take place?)
- Suspira may control the Emperor, but she may not yet control the corrupted Lothanasi Chapters, so there may be power struggles in the other chapters as Merai helps Suspira extend her control.
I think 708 should end with Metamor aware that Merai has become Suspira's servant, realizing that there is a threat to the north from Lilith, and now from the South from Sathmore and the Midlands (though not for the same reason), with lots of dark news coming from the lands of the Lothanasi as good people suffer and various dark factions fight for control. The overall feeling is, "what the heck can we do to stop this madness?"
That's my thoughts on the subject. So what else do people have on the plate for 708 that will effect this, or is there something specific that people want to see happen?
Dominus tecum
