The Syndicate

[*ManyFaced]

Every Syndicate member found in front of them at the table two glasses, the first was from their own bottle, and the second from a 'randomly selected' bottle that another member brought. Those that had forgot to bring a bottle have one glass of Annia's whiskey and a second from one of the rarely named syndicate members (That tastes quite good, but somehow a bit 'off'). The fun effects of their chosen drinks will be described after everyone has had their fill.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Nienna sips at her second cup idly, a thin smile on her lips. "You have presented in front of you the wonderful choices you have brought. The first glass is your own choice, and the second that of a fellow friend here. In the coming days we will need to trust each-other absolutely if we have any hope of success."

"The meeting, and the sharing of my own information, will occur after everyone has emptied their own glasses in their entirety. Those who cannot put their faith in their fellow member will have no reason to waste their time in hearing a word I state, and will not learn a single dark."

She finishes her second glass in a last long drink, then returns to sipping at her first.

[*Midnight]

"This is really quite..."

She trails off at the choking coughing sound the dying man drawing her attention. She doesn't look away from the rather shocking scene but gazes on with a dispassionate calm. Then as the account of events is rendered she listens.

"Our first priority must be Undersgil of course. We must show its people we still control things. That despite this we still have the power and the will to protect those loyal to us and punish those who are not. Then there is the Fated, if we wish the factions to take us seriously on the surface then we must demonstrate they cannot simply ride rough shod over our domain here. A full on confrontation with a group as well resourced as the takers however would be disasterous. After that if any of seated here has designs upon the crown themselves we can discuss that.

Suggestions?"

[*Selebius]

Issanthis still ignored the drinks and it might be clear that it does not trust most of its peers at all. Trust is something that has to be earned through more than simple games.
Its tendrils play lazily as it starts to speak.

:: We need to rebuild and find out how much we lost. I offer survivors sanctuary in my territory and will offer them an amount of jink to get a business started again. Not as gift of course but as an investment.

Striking back against a whole faction is not necessary. I suggest to just take out that upstart whelp. ::

[*Darkrob]

Charles sat quietly and listened to his associates speak. They all had valid points and valid issues. Something needed to be done and it needed to send a messageÂ… and it also needed to benefit the Syndicate. It would be a complete waste if the group walked away from this wounded.

“This is my take on this…

First of all we need to reach out to those affected by this assault in the village and surrounding communitiesÂ… but only those loyal to the Syndicate. We need to offer whatever support we can afford and we need to ensure our supporters are the only ones who receive it. Should our enemies reach out to the others, we must sabotage what they do, albeit quietly, so that those who choose not to support usÂ… get nothing from anyone. We can then reach out to them at that pointÂ… offer them support for loyalty. They must learn that in order to gainÂ…we are their only choice.

Secondly, we need to locate that crown. If we are forced to deal with this Kholl, any negotiations we attempt will fail miserably unless we hold the Ace. What we can gain, however, will need to be debatedÂ… but we may not have to negotiate with him at all should my next option be viable.

There is no way that this action is fully supported by the Fated. It would be political suicide for them to officially back such actions. The Revolutionaries would turn on them like rabid hounds and they lust profit far more than open war. That leaves me to believe that this is simply the work of Kholl and his supporters. SoÂ… we find out who, within the Fated, has their eye on KhollÂ’s position. We negotiate with him to take the bastard down. Not only do we rid ourselves of the menaceÂ… we gain a powerful ally in the city above. We give him the info he needs to take him downÂ… a debt is owedÂ… perhaps even a mutual respect is earned.

Either way we must ensure we gain from this. Gain in the village as rescuers and saviors. Gain in the city above being viewed as reasonable and responsible stewards of our territory and gain within the fatedÂ… by having allies at the very top.

This may have been dumped on us without warningÂ… but we can certainly use it to our advantage."

[*ManyFaced]

“What survivors?” She glances around the table blankly. “There were only four from this particular village, already have I seen to the three civilians and- as I mentioned, I hold the Fated Namer captive.”

“The former also have little interest in returning below ground, thus your compassionate offers will not be needed.”

[*Darkrob]

It's not compassion, Nienna, so there is no need for theatrics. Surrounding communities of humanoids will be in a state of alarm and alert. They don't know what we do. So... we exploit it. We offer them whatever assistance they require in return for their loyalty.

One village being wiped out makes all the surrounding villages nervous and ripe for recruitment. While you might not recognize a plum opportunity, I do. My original suggestion stands. Send support to them, for if this group does not... the Consortium will.

As for the other suggestions. We find the crown and we remove the factor by using his potential replacement. It is by far the easiest, and most profitable, avenue.

[*Selebius]

::The Changling has my vote and is welcome to join us. ::

The Illithid rarely works in the open (( as stated in the thread about the merchant houses )) prefering to have others act as the face of its operations, using a number of proxys each one handpicked to deal with each problem.

It will invest generously if necessary and will discreetly skim the surface thought of each survivor (if any) when they are lead through the ruins with some guards to keep them safe, hoping the enviroment might bring back momories they tried to bury deeper inside.

[*ManyFaced]

“No,” She replies simply to Annia’s request. “He is the only Fated who can corroborate these claims and he is sufficiently fearful enough to give up all necessary information. I will not take the chance of breaking what is left of his addled mind through such a probe.”

“I saw this- Kholl dealing with a known information broker, Shameska. I also know Rith then dealt with her further; he may know something of this.” She leans back in her chair. “However I do not feel Rith is an acceptable member of the Syndicate. He is far too unpredictable and untrustworthy, along with being one of the most apt compulsive liars I have known. That is not to say I do not like him, just… this is not the sort of venture he could be trusted with.”

“As of more survivors, I find it unlikely in all honesty. Yet, feel free to put your resources into searching; the entire ordeal was a slaughter on epic proportions. Dozens of angry devils will do that.” She then turns her attention back to Annia. “I have a map of where they searched previously, which may be of use to you. However it is rather complex and confusing, making it difficult to use by anyone but him. I will give you a copy along with attempting to have the prisoner discern its nature.”

[*Midnight]

Sits and watches the conversation again she seems to have drifted into a day dream and it is only when she speaks one would realize she has not.

"Mister Goodman I believe you have a lot of friends in the fated. Most if them probably know this Kholl and they can't all like him, or is it her? We should find that out too. As for the villages I happen to agree with you. We must show that we are the power here and what the factions destroy we can rebuild. I suggest we rebuild the and offer capital to those who would set up a business here. They will of course provide us with a healthy return on our investment. We will make that clear. I can provide the man power for labour if there's one thing this little incident has left us with its a supply of bodies. I am also willing to take responsibility for the rebuilt village as part of my domain."

She looks around the table anticipating objections

Of course if any of you would like to put up some capital too we can discuss a system of sharing revenue. As for the crown here is the tricky part.

She turns to Nienna

"I am certain you have been very diligent in your questioning but I was wondering if you would allow our friend here to take a look at him."

She gestures to the mindflayer

"Under your supervision or that of someone you trust of course. I doubt he knows much more than he's told you but why take the chance?"

She addresses the group as a whole again.

"I know my own faction is trawling under sigil for something. Its reasonable to assume its this. Although unclouded by such weak emotions like avarice and anger we are a little more subtle. I will attempt to join there search so I can better pass information to you."

"Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments? Ridicule?"

[*Selebius]

:: I am very sure there are more than four survivors. It always takes more than one raid to sterilize an area. Or perhaps we are talking about different things? Like survivors of the raid versus surviving inhabitants of the village?

If the survivors want they can find a new home in my territory and as I already offered I will allow them to start anew by investing in whatever business they had or by offering work.
I will do this regardless what they think about the Syndicate as if they don't want to deal with us they will not accept my offer anyway.

But showing generosity and mercy in times like these will be remembered. I enjoy my organisation to seem somewhat benevolent as this leads to authorities looking elsewhere when expecting troubles.

All emotions are great tools but cruelty and fear are already quite blunt these days- so I suggest a new approach. ::

It then looks at Annia.

::If you join the dustmen searching tunnels you will be missed as a leader here.:.