This short session was attended by Jamie, Will, Avery, and Trajan. Ben came in briefly, but was otherwise occupied with work. We played D&D for an hour or two before switching to video games. We played some League of Legends and then some Battle For Wesnoth, discovering that LOL is way cool for multiplayer and Wesnoth is bloody awful.
Arendil called a council meeting to take a final vote on Amalius’ position within the Alliance. Amalius’ grandfather was now discovered to be the infamous Amalgami who formed and then destroyed the First Alliance against the Xorians. Not wanting a repeat of that, Arendil wished to throw Amalius out. Amalius wanted to see how Astyanax stood before he started his defense.
Astyanax had half his face flensed off, if you recall. He’s been wearing a mask to cover it. I recently purchased a mask like Astyanax’s to freak out my players over Google Hangouts. I ducked off camera and put something on a bit like this. The players appropriately freaked when I came up wearing the mask as Astyanax.

Astyanax said, “While you have helped us in the past against the Xorians, your grandfather did the same before he betrayed my father. I cannot accept your help any longer. Blood always runs true and I see your betrayal as inevitable. I’m sorry, but I think it best if you sit out the rest of this war.”
Preliminary votes were taken before Amalius voiced his defense. Arendil, Titandra, Junai, and Astyanax all voted for Amalius’ banishment. Logan, Torin, Tagenadi, and Hektor all voted against banishment. Sabriyya had not sufficiently proven herself to have a vote, but she was present at the meeting. Gradorian and Kig were also away, but a quorum existed without them.

Thus, Amalius held the deciding vote on his own banishment. He stood up, drew in his breath, and spat on the table. “This is the thanks I get for aiding you at every turn? Sacrificing my very soul to the dragovinians? If that’s the case, then I am done with the Alliance. I’ll take my leave, but not alone. Torin, I’ve saved your life countless times. You know that this Council’s removal of me signals further stagnation. Come with me and we can continue to oppose the Xorians without the petty restrictions of old men.
“And Tagenadi, don’t think that this Council won’t turn on you next. These elders are stuck in their ways and will refuse the aid of such a powerful god as Hades. They already have one foot in his realm, but will reject your help for fear of contamination. Siding with me is the only way to ensure the fall of Xoria.
“The same for you, Sabriyya. These dogs will reject your aid as it only comes through a man such as Tagenadi. A brave and just man, that they are blind to see only because he lacks a pulse. Stay here and you’ll get to fight only a few dragovinians before the Alliance crumbles. Come with me and you can slay every last one of them.
“And Hektor, I hope you now see the decadence and corruption within the Alliance. Don’t side your Aractrashan armies with ancient, decrepit men. Come with me and the war can be won.”
With that, Amalius disappeared out of the room. Torin followed an instant later in a puff of smoke. Arendil gritted his teeth in frustration, but said nothing.
Tagenadi stood and said, “Amalius may have overstepped his bounds in what he said, but some of what he said is true. I see that my presence here is no longer wanted due to my pact with Hades. I leave willingly, but I will continue the fight against the Xorians. Hades has told me that the dwarves slain in the west have risen as his undead army. I’ll use this force against the Xorians. Hopefully justice will triumph in the end.”
Tagenadi and Sabriyya left the Council Chambers.






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