The Harpy Councillor, Sharmukh Isra'fil, was quite famous among Harpies. A young, up-and-coming cleric of great status known for his fiery zeal, he was the favorite to take on the mantle of Great Priest of Lathesa once the previous died. He had been sent as Lathesa's representative on the all-important mission of unifying the faiths by contributing to the building of the Temple of Light in the City of Light, and it was here that he has since become trapped, unable to return to Lathesa's Roost since the Behemoth fell. Like the other Councillors, he and the other social elite of the city had gathered together when communication with the other Great Cities was cut off, and was chosen, by virtue of his fame and status, to lead the Harpies by sitting on the council. As is apparent, each race had chosen their representative based on different criteria: the Elves by seniority, the Orcs by royal blood ties, the Humans and Merfolk by military service, and the Dwarves by political station.

In the ensuing silence, the guards had lowered their spears or placed hands upon the hilts of their swords when Lans began to strain menacingly against his restraints, yet the tension seems to release slightly as Lans' temper wanes. however, the silence is broken by Mort's statement, which causes Councillor Isra'fil to slam a wing on the table, [color=39b54a]"How DARE you speak of the Gods in this..."[/color]

"SHARMUKH! HE IS CURSED. HERESY IS TO BE EXPECTED." The voice of the Gods collectively speak out again, causing Councillor Isra'fil to fall into a fuming silence.

Then Rehsif spoke, asking for accommodations and complaining about the statues. The Merfolk Admiral shot Sharmukh a death glare from across the table to ensure that he didn't open his beak, before she replied, [color=00aeef]"Yes, of course, after this meeting is over, you will be allowed access to the baths, and to room and board. You must understand that we still do not fully trust that you are not sleeper agents for the Gods of Darkness, so we had to keep you as weak as possible leading up to this meeting."[/color] The council listened also to Ahelair's statement, before the Merfolk Councillor replied, [color=00aeef]"You are not...going to be executed. But..."[/color] She looked over at the other councillors, somewhat at a loss.

[color=fff200]"A last request is still valid, considering what we will be putting them up to,"[/color] the Dwarf Councillor stated, continuing in an almost professional detachment, [color=fff200]"In your absence, and in the eventuality of your death, your property will be seized for the good of the City. However, the existence of your clinic is too crucial to the continued survival of the City to liquidate. As it stands, the nurses from the City Volunteer Corps that have been assisting you heretofore shall continue to operate from your clinic, while suitable healers from Councillor Isra'fil's contingent of clerics will be assigned to take over operations. In short, we will insure that the people will continue to be in good hands. And as you are the only property owner among this group, the assets of the rest of you will be liquidated, your fish will be sent to the soup kitchens to continue to feed the masses,"[/color] the Dwarf addressed Rehsif specifically, before returning to the rest of the group, [color=fff200]"We do not expect any of you will be returning to claim what the City has seized. If you do, you will be subsidized by me, personally."[/color]

Councillor Silversmith cleared his throat, [color=a187be]"Let's get on with it then, after much discussion amongst ourselves, and with the Gods, we have agreed upon a mission. As you all are surely aware, a Great Temple to each God resides in each race's capitol. Before the Behemoth fell, our respective holy men and holy women communed with the Gods for blessings and signs. Since we have successfully reestablished communion with the Gods through this chamber, we have learned that the Temples remain besieged, but unbroken. Here, the individual Gods have less power, but at their respective temples, they can grant blessings, power that could turn the tide in this relentless onslaught of darkness. The temples must be liberated from the grip of darkness, but we fear that this alone may not be enough, after all, the temples were free before the Behemoth landed, yet we were not able to push them back. Then the four of you land in our dungeon. Unknowns. Dangerous. Touched by the enemy. Yet, holding on to your sanity. Perhaps you are our doom. Or perhaps, you will be the way in which we use the powers of darkness against itself. The Council is in agreement, as are the Gods. Your mission is to travel to each city, commune with the God who resides there, and attain their blessing.  This is...an incomplete mission, as the Gods will update us on your progress, and further decisions will be made based on knowledge as it presents itself. We believe that the curse you carry will be the key, whether it helps us understand our enemy better or gives us some way to learn how to prevent from succumbing to the madness. You will be escorted by what members of the Garrison our City can spare. You...don't really have a choice in the matter, but I would like your consent all the same. As Councillor Lavinia pointed out,"[/color] Bron gestured to the Merfolk Admiral, [color=a187be]"After this meeting, you will be treated as guests, and not as prisoners. You will be given a few days to regain your strength, to eat, to wash, to prepare. You will be given the option to stock yourselves with gear from the barracks, and a small quantity of coin should you choose to purchase anything from the markets. There is one undecided factor though. Each member of the council wants to know the status of their capitol first, each God wants their temple liberated first, so on this point, we are at odds. Perhaps we could leave the decision to the four of you, or perhaps if you require more information, you can seek the six of us out, and we can tell you the benefits that our cities can offer you, and the blessings that our Gods have been known to bestow upon their champions from legends. But for the sake of the continued unity of the Council, we have decided that you are to seek us out [i]individually[/i], lest this Councilchamber turn into a bloody auction house."[/color] A silence falls over the courtroom. [color=a187be]"Guards. Unshackle them."[/color]

The guards that had herded you into the chamber approach slowly, and gently unlock the shackles that had bound your wrists and ankles. Taking the chains, they pull away, though remain at high alert.