Silence was all Sapience received from Parni deSangre for over a year after the death of his protege Kosuira. But, upon the third of Ero, this silence was dispelled as the Doom of Seleucar penned a missive to the Leaders of Sapience, summoning them to a war meeting in preparation for a siege of the Underrealm.

A great crowd gathered before the tomb of ice in the Sangre Plains, citizens and leaders from all the city states, the Conclave leader Yudhishthira, the Abbess of New Hope, Swordmaster and strategist Colbey of Delos, and the Mhunna were present. Even Epicurus, ancient sage of Ashtan, left his garden and his comforts to attend.

Parni de'Sangre swept in, forgoing the niceties of greeting and polite conversation he laid out his aims for the invasion. Through an act of careful scrying he had witnessed the Tsol'teth of the Underrealm, distracted as they were with an as yet unknown undertaking, soon was to be the best chance to strike them. Some of these glimpses were made available, frozen within the ice that held his protege's remains.

He had identified that the doorways of light that offered the Tsol'teth and their forces access to the overland were locked by blood, that only those bearing Tsol'teth blood could pass. The furious legend informed the gathered crowd that he would provide his own blood to them in a mixture that they could then dilute and apply to concealing garments. That the wearing of such would fool the doors into allowing passage.

Parni fell then into a diatribe of vengeance clouded with centuries old madness. The gathered overlanders were to be fodder, a distraction whilst he undertook a mission of genocide.

The cold tones of the last Nicator were heard by all gathered, "Let me be absolutely clear here. I descend to destroy. I will rend the flesh from their greatest champions and crush this Ama-maalier like so much rotten fruit.

"When I am done, their society will cease to exist as anything more than whimpering shadows.

"I bring you with me to keep the multitudes off me. Any other aims you might have in descending, I am not interested in as long as they do not interfere with my plans.

"We descend in two months time. Do not disappoint."

As these words rang out, Parni deSangre spilt his blood into a number of phials, gave these to the city leaders present and departed, uninterested in entertaining comments or questions.

~ ~ ~

A great chatter burst out upon the Tsol'teth's departure, man and woman alike offering opinion and suggestion. The cacophony of concern filled the Sangre Plains. The visions in the ice offered a terrifying prospect, a vast and capable foe whose aptitude for warfare had already been proven beyond doubt.

Did Parni's plan stand a chance, was the genocide of the Tsol'teth race truly a tenable goal?

Most did not believe so.

A great discussion was had with as many problems pointed out as ideas offered, but little headway was made as most simply reeled from the scope of what was being discussed.

Round and around the debates and questions went, with naught being made in terms of headway. Frustration abounded by the time Colbey and Yudhishthira stated that they would discuss the concerns and suggestions brought forth this day and before the month was out they would present the leaders with some options for an overland goal in the darkness of the Underrealm. The Abbess promised to send on the spare cloaks donated to her evacuated peoples for use with the blood of the deSangre, and then departed. Others soon followed.

The creation of great vats of wood were commissioned from Tobe of Caer Witrin, one for each of the cities. These were soon creating the protection for the cloaks that would enable all who desired to enter the land of the Tsol'teth.

As the first month of two passed, leaders and lackeys alike deliberated on the options provided by the Mage and the Swordmaster. Did they attempt a full extermination of the race? Would they merely strive to collapse the doors of light? Or could a middle ground be reached?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: Parni deSangre called a meeting to lay out his aims for the Underrealm, calling all to war on his behalf. Gifting his blood, he offered a way for overlanders to pass through the doors of light into the dark. Concerns were voiced for the viability of the Tsol'teth's plan, and strides were taken to ensure a saner, more attainable goal could also be accomplished.

Penned by My hand on the 20th of Phaestian, in the year 734 AF.