Much to my behest, I have spent a significant amount of time in Port Hempstead. All this municipality does is dredge up the rage of someone tormented, but I have steeled myself from these adolescent reactions. In its place, I have begun the tedious work of cataloging tower placement, wall defenses, gate vulnerabilities, naval ship complement, garrison numbers, notable defenders among adventurers, armory location, barrack locations, siege equipment stores, gate mechanism so as to prevent its locking and much more in the way of exploiting their weaknesses. With my time spent busying myself gathering this intelligence, it has tempered my anger at having to be here. Other towns that I have spent significant time scouting is Fort Vehl and Leringard. Blackford Castle seems one of the most well defended fortifications in Mistone, so this will take some time.
The adventurers in Layonara are a powerful lot and their sway is immeasurable. Knowing this, I have begun to profile each of these personas and come to categorize them:
ENEMIES
NEUTRALS
CONVERT POTENTIAL
ALLIES
Some will not be swayed: Toranites. They automatically make the "Enemies" list. I have met many of them and have begun to make observations about their measure of skill, how seasoned they are and the interpersonal relations. For example, if one paladin has a much less competent brother, that sibling can be used as leverage. It is my hope it will not come to such dastardly tactics, but some of these zealots will simply not listen to reason.
It seems as of late the land is filling with potential allies--ones I would have never in the past considered as such. For instance, half-giants and dark elves...is that what I am starting to become? A monster among my race? They will see that what I am setting into motion is best for all of Layonara. When I change the way this world is run, they will come to understand my ways and embrace them as their own. Such things take time...
Ruaton
