Private Adjustments

[Kyyrk]

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S U M M O N​

Voph sat in silence aboard the Ventress, the primary base of operations for the Knights Obsidian until the final preparations of the Naboo compound could be completed. While very well along, it had never been intended to house the entirety of the Knights. Just the masters, and those close enough to study directly under them. Of course, Voph wasn't confident the Knights would all flock to the new stronghold anyways. Their duties had them spread much thinner across the Confederacy than they had been previously. But that was neither here nor there. The Black Knights were nearly done deploying where requested, and the newly appointed Lord Marshals were settling into their roles nicely.​

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But that did not prevent them from receiving summons.​

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Voph had been absent briefly after the meeting on Roon, and since his arrival, he had changed. Though to the more observant among the Knights, Voph's change had begun the day of the Cataclysm. His already dark disposition seemed to have darkened even further. His humor, all but gone. Voph stood and stepped towards the viewscreen within the room as Darcy alerted him to a new arrival. Voph's appearance had changed as well. His face still bore the deep scars of a claw upon his left cheek. And his black robes had been replaced by armor. Stern and silver, with a white fur collar upon his shoulders. A mark of war. For to Voph's mind, that is exactly where the Knights found themselves. If not the Knights, then at least, the people of Vylmira.​

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War.​

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Something had wiped them out. Something more than a paltry artifact. And though his intent was to destroy it, that did not sway Voph from his goal to kill whatever it had summoned. But all things in due time. Voph's guest had arrived. He turned towards the doorway where the wolf awaited him. "Master Lechner. I trust you are well." Voph gestured to one of the two seats that had been placed into the small observation room, but clearly had no intention of sitting himself. Instead, he folded his armored gauntlets one over the other at the small of his back. "We have much to discuss concerning the days ahead. And good council is becoming harder and harder to find." ​

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Gerwald Lechner​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Kyyrk

Gerwald had received his summons. The Lord Commander wanted to see him, and it was likely in regards to the way he had conducted himself during the meeting which took place on Roon. He had openly challenged the wisdom in storing a device which had been the cause of the single most devastating loss to the Knights Obsidian to date. Roughly ninety percent of those who had been in the Citadel that day had lost their lives, and many would have been content to lock the artifact which caused it into a vault. Even the Lord Commander himself had been leading the the discussion in that direction, and the witch, the nightmother, had as well.​

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The leadership of the Knights Obsidian had failed yet again, and Gerwald had been silent about it for far too long. He was more than certain his words were the reason he was being summoned, and it was time to give an account.​

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He docked with the Ventress, arriving in his preferred vessel. The Minister of Science Visanj T'shkali had outdone herself with the design of the ship, and what was built into it. Were he worth the effort, Gerwald would have a personal ship commissioned, but he did not feel he warranted it. Of course that was evident in his attire. Gerwald rarely dressed beyond what was comfortable or casual for any meeting. If he was not required to, he would not.​

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The lupine was nervous, slightly, as he waited for the Lord Commander to enter the room where he had been escorted. It was nicer than what he expected for what he assumed was going to be a dressing down. As the door opened, and the miraluka stepped in through the door, Gerwald stood to greet him.​

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He had not expected the words which came next.​

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"As well as can be expected considering."​

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Gerwald was uncertain if Voph had seen the reports which had come from Naalol. They had suffered casualties, and Gerwald was responsible for them. He had taken it upon himself in his report at least. Whether it rest with him or not, he had decided they the blood that beast had spilled was on his hands.​

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"Council? Will there be others joining us then?"​

 

[Kyyrk]

The Miraluka's head shook slowly. It was just them. No one would be joining them. Voph smiled at Gerwald, but it was was certainly without mirth. In fact, Voph seemed to have lost all expression of joy in the days since. He said nothing for the first moment, instead staring quietly at Gerwald. "For the record, I agreed with you."

Voph stirred, walking over to a small cabinet. As he picked up a glass and began to fill it, he continued. "The danger with artifacts such as that, is that one never knows what they do until they're activated." Voph turned back around, offering one of the two glasses he now carried to Gerwald. "It was not on my authority that the device was activated, either. Yet here we stand."

Voph lifted the glass to his lips, and took a small sip of the dark liquid. "A crossroads we shall never return from. But perhaps some day." Voph fell silent again, musing over...everything. "So tell me. Never to be recorded by more than our minds, and these walls. What would you have done differently? Speak your mind. Free of retribution."

Gerwald Lechner

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Kyyrk

It seemed the Lord Commander was full of surprises. A quizzical eyebrow lifted over Gerwald's left eye. Voph agreed with him, for the record? He spoke of the artifact, explaining the situation, or his view of it. Gerwald watched the man pour two drinks. He did not know exactly what the contents of it were, but he knew it would be rude not to accept. The Vicelord's attaché had given enough lessons in etiquette that Gerwald knew to take the glass.​

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He nodded a thank you before putting the glass to his nose. It smelled... decent. There was nothing which overwhelmed his sense of smell, so without any other precaution, Gerwald let a sip pass his lips.​

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"Who was the genius that decided storing a potentially dangerous artifact, at least one with unknown effects, in the same building which housed the largest contingent of Knights and their Squires was a good idea. Activated by your instruction or not, why was it there in the first place. Should we not have a separate facility for such things?"​

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To Gerwald it made sense. If the witches had ways to contain these things, then they should be permitted to do their job. Now that they knew the artifact was dangerous the proper precautions were being taken, but why should they have not taken them before.​

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"It seems to me this tragedy was made possible because the item was treated with neglect. How many times must this order suffer because its leaders, and those who are responsible to protect those under them, fail to take certain precautions into account. We should not be keeping dangerous items in the basement of the dormitory, plain and simple."​

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The lupine drained the rest of the contents of the glass before setting it on the table. He looked to the Lord Commander again.​

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"Certainly you did not bring me all this way to ask something you could have discerned for yourself? Why has my council become this important all of a sudden?"​

 

[Kyyrk]

D I S C U S S​

Voph sighed quietly. Gerwald had an excellent point, of course. But in this instance, it did not matter. "The device lashed out through the Netherworld. It did not matter where the device was, the effect would have still been the same. It was not just the Citadel, it was every Knights Obsidian stronghold. Not to argue the true validity of your point, however." Voph paused for a moment, before stepping over to take the other seat across from Gerwald. "You are correct, however. I did not summon you to hear your advice. I summoned you for a lesson." Voph took a moment to drain the rest of his drink. "I know you are displeased with the turn of events. And this is not the first time your displeasure with the Lord Commanders past has been made known to me."

"Should I have known the device would slaughter us? Perhaps. Should I have taken steps to ensure that never happened? Possibly. Hindsight reveals many flaws that were not always obvious from the beginning. After Naalol, I feel I don't need to explain that particular phenomena further." Voph paused to let his verbal jab sink in. He had read the reports. He knew what Gerwald had done. "I am not asking for your forgiveness. Nor will I ask for your approval. But just think, for a moment, that a Knight who for all our knowledge may have been an enemy, smuggled an artifact into our halls, and used it to destroy us. Intentionally, or unintentionally. Do you choose to blame him, or me?"

Voph pointed at the floor, then at himself as he said this. The question was purely rhetorical. They both knew that Voph took the blame. Voph was silent for a moment, his gaze dropping. Though he did not see in the traditional sense, his refusal to look Gerwald in the eye was universal. "We're at war, Master Lechner. Always have been, and always shall be. That is the burden of the gift you have been given. You have accepted a duty to those people less fortunate than you. And for that I commend you. We do not, as your kind say, see eye to eye. But I pray to the gods all the same that one day, when faced with a choice like this, you will have the resolve to march forward. To lead those who follow you into a new dawn."

Voph was quiet for a long moment, before turning his head back to stare directly at Gerwald. "You are still young. Your rank hardly earned. And yet in you I see potential. I see a hope and optimism that I have long since forgotten. And ever since the Vicelord named me to lead, you have been the most willing to do what needs to be done. So I pray that you can forgive me for what I am about to do." Voph looked down at his hands for a moment. "The Viceroyalty are to select the Lord Commander from henceforth. The Knight's days of self-governance are rapidly drawing to a close. But before I am forced to retire, be it by death or vote, I will make one thing clear. I am choosing you as my intended successor."

Voph looked up at the wolf across from him, fixing him with a silent stare. "And perhaps, when I am gone, you can learn from my mistakes, and lead the Knighthood into the utopia you think it deserves."

Gerwald Lechner

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[Darth Metus]

O B S E R V E​

Tag: Gerwald Lechner , Kyyrk

Thunder.

Though the heavens did not weep bitter tears, the boom was made manifest. A roar of power. A shatter of the heavens. The heralding of reality being torn asunder. From primordial hands was the wormhole torn - a rift betwixt Ryloth and this very vessel. The Well of Sinners was abandoned for the moment. The comforts of Home left behind as to empower the One in addressing the matters of his state. In recent history, a calamity had befallen those tasked with upholding the law of the land. In but a single day, their midst was decimated. Thousands died. Even more transfigured into beasts. The aftermath had sent ripples throughout the Southern Systems - so much so that the question had to be asked:

How.

The Lord Commander was one who held the Vicelord's utmost trust. Ever since that fateful day above Kuat, when they first struggled against Darth Elyria , the pair had shared a silent respect. The Sith knew that the Knights Obsidian were good hands - and thus the calamity's existence was a source of concern. Azure winds roared as his form stepped briskly from the depths. And, with but a wave of his dominant hand, the Storm diminished. Darth Metus paused, only to adjust his tie. Sulfuric eyes swept across the room. He was anticipating a fully assembled Council, but instead found the Lord Commander and one of the most well-known Knights: Gerwald. "Pardon the intrusion, Masters." he began.

He came to a halt a few paces away, arms folding across his chest.

"Lord Commander, I think you know why I've come. I want to hear what happened from you."​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Kyyrk

Gerwald listened. He intently listened. Gerwald could admit there were things he did not know about what happened. Had he been aware the artifact had targeted more than Citadel? This was the first he had heard it. With his position he had not been privy to the reports the Lord Commander had seen. Still it did not take away from the fact some had allowed the device into the Citadel. They were at war, he would agree, but again it did not diminish the responsibility leadership had to take every necessary precaution to mitigate casualties. All he could hear coming from the Lord Commander were lessons about hindsight, just before a crushing blow to the Lupine's ego.​

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Naalol.​

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Blue eyes flicked up toward the Lord Commander at the mention of the world which the latest chapter to the nightmare which Gerwald was living. He had submitted the report himself, so he knew what Voph had read. Gerwald had failed to rescue Naedira, and several had died on his watch. It was a fresh wound, one which Gerwald saw in his dreams every night when sleep escaped him. Until Naalol he had not known what the dreams were, but now he knew it was the doing of his connection with Naedira. His dreams had been a glimpse into the hell which was her current existence. The Miraluka should not have mentioned Naalol, not after his promise to help him free her.​

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Gerwald could set it aside for now, but if the blind man could actually see the look Gerwald was giving him, it would not settle well.​

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"Both."​

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The answer to the question was short and simple.​

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"Leadership needs to be accountable for its failings. Mine included. The actions of the individual are his own as well. If we are at war why would we not have been prepared for the inevitability that we could be attacked at the citadel considering the actions of the Agents of Chaos. It has been proven that we are vulnerable, and what are we doing about it?"​

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The lupine had yet to return to his seat.​

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"Our actions going forward will determine whether we will accept our responsibility in this failure or not."​

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What proceeded next, Gerwald was surprised with. The last thing expected to here was that the Lord Commander wanted to promote him, and not only promote him, but make it clear he was to succeed the Lord Commander.​

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Now Gerwald was sitting. There were no words which he could think to say in the moment. Why was it the leadership of the Knights Obsidian insisted Gerwald should be thrust into positions that he was not ready for. He was young. There was no denying it. Surviving Prazutis had been grounds to be made a Master Knight? Gerwald did not think so, and yet it had been the reason he was promoted. He was made a Lord Marshal, why, because his council was wanted. Now he was being named Deputy Lord Commander, or at least heir apparent.​

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Next thing he knew the Vicelord himself, Darth Metus was in the room. It seemed he wanted to know about what happened at the Citadel as well. This particular meeting had turned into something Gerwald had not expected. At this point Gerwald would observe. Gerwald did not always know when to keep his mouth shut, but he knew this was one occasion where he should unless spoken to.​

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph stood, turning towards the Vicelord as he materialized within the room. He put aside what was being said between himself and Gerwald for a brief moment as Metus stepped forward. "Vicelord, my apologies. I had intended for this meeting to be private." Voph bowed in his usual stiff manner to welcome the Vicelord. He was not asking Metus to leave, simply explaining why he had not been invited. "Master Lechner also had questions concerning the events of that day." Voph turned to look at the wolf as he continued speaking. "What I am about to say was never intended for your ears, but under the circumstances, I suppose you must know."

Voph lifted a hand, and the door to the room opened, a third chair being brought in should Metus want one. "The true nature of the attack is one I do not wish to share with any shy of the Obsidian Council. To date, only myself and the Nightmother know what really happened. Though I suspect Rann Thress is also aware of what transpired, to some degree or another."

Voph paused long enough for the Vicelord to take a seat if he so chose. Still, the armored man chose to stand, and folded his hands behind his back. "At 0900 Hours, the artifact known as The Eye activated, causing a surge of Force energy that resulted in severe damage to the Citadel. In the moments following, an invasion as launched against the Citadel, and all other worlds connected to the Netherworld. The first wave was, to the best of my knowledge and that of the Nightmother, a deeper form of Corruption. What the corruption did not kill outright, it contorted into monsters of unknown design or origin. The nearest analog i can provide is the Rakghoul. We were overrun by these creatures, most of which were mutant Knights from within our own ranks."

Voph paused so that his audience could understand what he had shared so far. "What I have since discovered is the presence of what can only be described as a nest housed within each and every Knights Obsidian stronghold. These, of course, have since been neutralized or destroyed. The creatures, in the absence of something to hunt, were creating what I can only assume to be a breeding ground. The attack stalled when, with the help of Knight Thress, I deactivated the Eye. It is for this reason I suspect he may know the truth."

"The Eye spoke to us."

"The Eye itself is not a danger. But the being that used it is. Knight Linjak was the one who activated the Eye, but I have reason to believe that it was not of his own will. When it spoke to us, it showed a vision of what may come. Swarms of the creatures upon every rock and shore under the Confederate flag, and beyond."

Voph turned to look at Gerwald as he came to another pause. "So condemn me as you will, Master Lechner, but I will gladly sacrifice thousands of our own to save billions of our citizens." Voph turned back to Metus. "Perhaps it was a mistake to trust that the Citadel would suffice to contain a threat such as this. But then I don't think we have a facility prepared to face something that would leave even the creature from Kuat peering over its shoulder."

 

[Darth Metus]

B E Y O N D​

Tag: Kyyrk , Gerwald Lechner

Upon his arrival did the Lord Commander bow.

The gesture was one that Darth Metus did not demand from his comrade; and thus, he was rendered a polite nod in return. Theirs was not an Empire, the Vicelord was no Dark Lord of the Sith, and thus he did not demand his ego to be rubbed like a fattened feline. He did, however, accept the hospitable gesture that came after. Once the doors were opened and a seat made available, the Sith settled into the chair immediately. One leg raised over the other, hands folded upon his knee. Never once did his sulfuric gaze leave the sightless eyes of Kyyrk - and as the Miraluka spoke, Darth Metus nodded along.

His expression was even. Grave due to the serverity of the matters at hand, but nothing betrayed his thoughts. The sole contradiction to this was when Rann Thress was mentioned. Darth Metus' eyebrow rose at the mention of his son, but he did not comment on this. Rather, he allowed the man to speak. He listened intently as the tale unfolded before him. And all of the signs pointed to one reality - a threat that the Galaxy thought defeated. Yet the symptoms were there, staring them in the face.

"Akala."

The culprit of the Netherworld Crisis of decades past was a celestial who had utilized the Netherworld as its weapon. In the blink of an eye, half of the Galaxy's population was thrown into the great beyond. Ever single government effectively collapsed overnight. Worlds went dark. And in the mayhem, Akala invaded. Her power was so absolute that the minds of many were twisted. Brother turned against brother. In fact, Darth Metus himself had been corrupted and made to combat his then-spouse. Though the beast was supposedly slain, a threat which had attempted to invade the Galaxy from the Netherworld was one that could not be ignored.

"I can only hope that what we are dealing with is not her second coming. Lest we end up with a new Netherworld Crisis on our hands." he began. Both feet settled upon the floor and Darth Metus' thumbs began to twirl, one over the other, as he ruminated. "From what you say, this Eye strikes me as a Key. One that, if wielded by the enemies beyond, opens the door to an otherworldly invasion. Noting its warning, it may be best to nullify it for the time being. Containment is one thing. Surrounding it by Ysalamir should prevent it from being touched by the beyond - at least until a sufficient plan of attack can be formed."

"The Netherworld is not a finite adversary. There are many monstrosities lurking within. This is not something that we can march upon and see victory. Especially...since every death of ours adds to their armies." His nostrils flared as an exhale rushed from him. Dealing with international threats was one thing. Dealing with a literal invasion from beyond was another. Perhaps this was what Darth Elyria was alluding to in her cryptic manner of speaking. She always warned of a threat that would take all of their strength to address.

"With the Knighthood deminished, my question for you both is of the immediate future. What is your plan for the morrow?"​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Kyyrk | Darth Metus

Gerwald remained quiet for most of the exchange between the Vicelord and the Lord Commander. Much of what they discussed was information that came from the report, or of subject matter Gerwald was not aware of. The Eye itself did not seem to concern the Vicelord, and that was somewhat a surprise to the Lupine. He had expected the man to want the thing destroyed, and yet with such ease he mentioned one way to contain it.​

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Ysalamiri.​

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Those lizards made Gerwald sick. He hated the sensation, or lack of it, of not being able to feel his connection to the force. It was as second nature to him as the wolf inside him was. The Lupine would never voluntarily handle the things, but he would never disobey a direct order, not one which was easily dispensed.​

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The Lupine's curiosity was piqued at the mention of Rann Thress. Gerwald had limited interaction with the man. Naalol had been his only true interaction, and there was something about him which was not right. That would be a fleeting thought however. One name did ring in Gerwald's mind unlike any other.​

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"Akala?"​

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The question burst from Gerwald.​

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"Forgive me Vicelord. Stewjon did not join the Confederacy until some time after the Netherworld event, and while the Dark Ones plagued our lands for some time, they did not have room for what was considered to be sorcery and witchcraft. I am unfamiliar."​

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He hoped he was not out of place. Though it seemed the Lord Commander had given him a look, one which Gerwald interpreted that this meeting had somehow just become a test of sorts. Metus asked a question, one that seemed to invite Gerwald's input. What were their plans?​

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"It was what we were just preparing to discuss. I will admit your revelation, it speaks to the warrior I was raised to be, and that the best possible answer to the question is that the Knights be readied for war. I can continue to teach the squires I have, we can increase our recruitment efforts, but we are already under siege..."​

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Gerwald paused for a moment.​

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"We should see about containing this threat... but in order to do that... we need to know more."​

 

[Kyyrk]

P R E P A R E​

Voph had indeed given the man a look. Mere moments ago, he had been named a potential replacement for Voph, should his day in office come to a close. The look that conveyed the idea that he expected Gerwald to answer, or to at least provide an idea of what the answer should be, before Voph himself answered. Voph did not respond directly to Gerwald, but instead offered him an approving nod. Nor did he answer the question himself. Instead, he offered clarity to the man's confusion.

"Akala was an entity of the dark. The Netherworld Crisis was a time in which many people were ripped from reality, and plunged into the depths of the Netherworld. I recall doing what I could to aid them, limited though I was in that day."

Perhaps the two knew his meaning. Perhaps they did not. Regardless, Voph had indeed been dead still when the event occured. And trapped in the Netherworld, he had been keenly aware of what had happened at the time. But, that was neither here nor there. "I do not believe it to be Akala. I do not feel her influence upon these matters. No, I feel that whatever sought to escape the netherworld was more...ancient. Eldritch. I do not think it attacked with malicious intent. It simply wished to feed."

Voph took a seat as his opinion was digested. "But fear not, such has already been accomplished. The Eye is inert, and kept in a location where only myself and the Nightmother are aware of it. I am afraid that it tends to beg those near it to turn it on. For that reason, I refuse to allow access to it without proper protection and preparation."

Voph was quiet for a moment, as he prepared to transition to the question, and his own answer to such. "As for the immediate future, we will be invoking the measure of the Black Knights. Though, our initial production will certainly fall shy of current demand. With their aid, we will maintain the peace upon the planets we are invited. As for our membership, the Nightmother intends to spread her teachings to all who may learn. And for that, I am content to leave her to focus on the education of our junior members. I intend to call the Council to meet, and to discuss our decisions in more depth. Namely, to determine our course of action in disabling the Eye for good, and for dealing with the entity it summoned. You are, of course, welcome to sit in on this discussion. Once the Council is decided, I shall lead the effort of hunting this monster directly, while Master Lechner and the other Lord Marshals keep the peace among our worlds."

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