The alliance's first summit was held at the Guild Initiative Headquarters. Malice and Countess Anise were lingering by the door, half-drowned by the overwhelmingly bureaucratic atmosphere. Well, Malice was as restless as a charr cub before a training fight. The countess, on the other hand, was completely in her element. Surrounded by big names and probably a little too excited to drop everything and defend Queen Jennah, should a dagger be thrown (a real one, not political vituperation). Think I'm with Malice on that one.
Before things got started, Anise encouraged me to mingle with the other guests. I made my way around. Outside of war preparations, I haven't seen anyone angle for diplomacy quite like this since the world summit - and that ended with a dragon attack. While I need to maintain a degree of caution, I must admit: this effort is impressive. While the current delegation only represents a mere footprint on the globe, we're looking at representation from across Cantha, Elona, Maguuma, Kryta, and Ascalon. The Dominion of Winds even sent a messenger to take notes. I'm sure there's all sorts of opposition for a congregation like this, but seeing us figure it out... it feels like the right time to try.
When things finally got started, the mood settled into something tense and unspoken. The Kryptis are what brought us together, after all, and given the uncertainty around those circ*mstances, I can't blame anyone for being rigid. Skarti and Dagonet spoke about healing in Hoelbrak and the Grove - the lasting effects of Mordremoth, Jormag, and Primordus on the sylvari and norn. Ludo talked about dragging Rata Sum into the global conversation. Crecia updated us about Bangar's trial and the rising call for a new Khan-Ur. Empress Ihn, on Cantha's integration. Not only did the world refuse to cease, they actually made some decent progress.
Queen Jennah went last. She spoke of our mutual suffering under the claws of the Elder Dragons and how that suffering led us closer to peace with the formation of the alliance. She then pivoted to the demon attacks themselves, those being the very catalyst that finally set things into motion - Skarti, Dagonet, and Ludo chimed in with details about the attacks that their cities endured. All of it was so much worse than I imagined. Jennah expressed her remorse, affirming that no casualty should be accepted. And then... Well, I was not wrong to brace myself. Jennah revealed the name of the Kryptis, and while the room was animated with fear and confusion, Isgarren appeared in the most grandiose gesture the old man could muster. The Astral Ward, for better or worse, was revealed to the rest of Tyria.
Frode entered shortly thereafter, a bit irritated with the wizard's grand theatrics. When things refused to settle, I volunteered to speak with the other delegates and attempt to calm them down. Crecia, exhausted with the whole performance, agreed. As I navigated the room, the delegates' reactions to Isgarren spanned from cautious to irate. They have a lot of questions. Why now? Why didn't they help sooner? I'd like to hear Isgarren answer a few of these myself...
Once everyone's blood settled, the summit reconvened. Isgarren and Frode - but mostly Frode - attempted to field the group's questions and offer empathy for their understandable dismay. They explained that the Kryptis have been taken care of, minus a few bad eggs that might slip through from time to time. They were careful in skirting around some of the grittier details. Probably for the best, though; I'm not sure how palatable Peitha would be to the rest of the council. Or the fact that we helped a demon king claim her crown.
Isgarren warned that the Kryptis are an omen and that we're looking at a very different world following the death of Soo-Won. The veil between Tyria and the Mists has never been thinner, and we need to be prepared for whatever comes next. We are, as I've been told multiple times, blood in water. Queen Jennah suggested that everyone take a moment to reflect and maybe meet in smaller councils to discuss the events of the day and focus on the path forward. Isgarren offered to speak with everyone individually as well, so he could try to answer whatever questions they might have. Tension, though still present, fizzled down a bit.
When the group split, Crecia called me to the fireplace where she, Queen Jennah, Dagonet, Isgarren, and their escorts were lingering. Dagonet immediately tossed the conversation into the queen's court: How did she know about all of this? Anise, of course, was behind the introduction - I'll remember to dig at that later. Isgarren reiterated the discussion with the larger group, cautioning that all nations should be prepared for any additional Mistborn threats. The Kryptis were one of many, and anything that may have steered dear of Tyria when the Elder Dragons held monopoly would be far less afraid to take another look now. Despite my faith in her, Aurene alone just isn't as threatening as the whole pantheon of Elder Dragons were.
They suggested that we prepare. Collect allies and make friends. That was something they could all agree on. As an olive branch, Frode extended some information about the lowland kodan — a secluded colony of kodan living near the border of Kryta and Janthir. Queen Jennah had only heard of them, noting that her father may have been in contact prior. But in a time where allies are gold, a strategic lead is still a lead, and Jennah agreed that reaching out to them could be productive for the alliance, given the state of things. Frode suggested that I join, too, being both a representative of the Astral Ward and Tyria itself. Malice, being an emissary for the collection of information, offered to come with me. And so, my mission was set.
Janthir. A dangerous place. I'm reminded of Caudecus, the White Mantle... the mursaat. Several legends that could sour a glass of dolyak milk. And I accepted the offer to lead the march.
I can't say I'm not skeptical of this mission. Traveling to one of the least-charted territories in accessible Tyria to befriend an isolated kodan colony? I'm still leveling my expectations, but I've got to give him this: I didn't think Isgarren would reveal the Astral Ward so soon, even if the timing demands a bit of apprehension. It's better that the people know, and I'm glad to have a bit of that weight lifted from my shoulders.
But then again, maybe a jaunt in the wilds is just what I need. Doing a bit of diplomacy outside of the needs of war makes me feel like a commander again.
