Looks like we didn't let Ean go amok and turn into a puddle of goo by removing the limiter. Yay.
***
Chapter 3.13: Egypt Aflame
The forging of the Honourblade landed you in bed to recuperate for two months. Both the removal of the rib and the forging process itself strained your body… but at last you were healed. There was no time for further rest, however. During your convalescence you had indicated to your companions your wish to rebuild Egypt. They were pleased at this, and you asked for them to begin gathering information. Today you meet to discuss what they have discovered, and your plans for Egypt. You raise yourself off the bed, clutching the Honourblade to yourself – you had carried it with you all this while to improve your recovery rate. It truly is a wondrous sword; you feel lighter, stronger, and more alert just by having it by your side. When you first grasped it after completing its creation, you imagined you heard a sound akin to "roofles" in your mind, but it has not reappeared since. Hopefully that disturbing sound does not recur...
***
The meeting was attended by your companions, as well as several of Akil’s friends; there were two old priests, Donkor and Funsan, a brash young man that Akil introduced as the leader of the militia, Netzi, and a matronly woman named Anath who was the head of the local crafts guilds in Heliopolis. This was your first time meeting them, but you hear they are the most influential people in the city now that the cult has been destroyed.
“Good morning!” You greet the table cheerfully as you walk down the stairs.
“It’s afternoon, boy, have you no manners?” snaps Donkor. So it is… the sun seemed suspiciously high for morning. You grin in embarrassment and give your apologies. You’re in a good mood today – it’s been so long since you could move around freely. Taking your seat at the table, you wave at Akil, who you’ve asked to chair the meeting.
He coughs, and begins. “Well, since we’re all here, let’s start by explaining what we know so far.” You begin listening intently. As is your habit, you summarize the facts up in your mind at the end of the exposition, to make it easier for you to analyze your next move.
Pharaoh Wankare was still in control of Memphis, but his hold is tenous. The collapse of the cult had led to the other cities in the Nile Delta rising in open rebellion. The situation is a total mess, and from your own occasional tapping of the Gieloth network, you know that some of Sekhenun’s Children are formenting the chaos in the outside cities against those still advising Wankare. You wonder why that is. Akil estimates that Wankare’s rule would not last the year, but his fall would further fragment the cities of the Nile Delta as they struggle to gain control of Memphis.
Samun and Kamun’s report on Heracleopolis, where they had relatives, show that the ruler of Heracleopolis, a veteran Egyptian general by the name of Astarth, was marshalling his forces in preparation to invade Memphis in six months time. Astarth is popular with both his people and certain cities in the Nile Delta, and if he takes Memphis, he will be hard to dislodge from the throne. He is a warmonger and would likely set his sights further afield regardless of whether Egypt is able to sustain more wars. Gieloth hold some sway in his court, but not at the highest levels of council.
Thebes had been visited by Mutyre, and she found that the Thebans had not engaged in much military build-up. Although outwardly they seemed uninterested in participating in the Egyptian civil war, they appear to have sent emissaries to Babylon. You are unclear about the nature of those emissaries, and the Thebans remain reclusive and secretive so far. The Gieloth have amassed some significant influence in Thebes.
“Well, it seems like the best course of action is to focus on Memphis for now.” you conclude. Akil agrees. “I suggest that we act quickly before Wankare is deposed by others, defeat him ourselves and install a Pharaoh of our own on the throne. I have a name for your consideration – he is of royal blood and would be acceptable to everyone – Wanketh, a cousin of the current Wankare and vocal critic of the regime. He’s currently hiding out in Cairo.”
“I think there is another choice for Pharaoh.” adds Mutyre. She looks at you. You nod, knowing what she is thinking. Before you can say anything, Akil exclaims in delight, “Of course! Master Runi, you can take the throne yourself! You are powerful and noble. Surely Egypt would flourish under your rule!” You glance back at Mutyre, raising your eyebrows. She just shrugs.
***
1. The Future Pharaoh
A. You choose to install Wanketh as the next Pharaoh. By all accounts, he is a just, level-headed, if naive young man, loved by the people, and will make an excellent puppet king.
B. Akil is your choice. He has been a loyal companion, and you feel he has the administrative foresight to run a kingdom. With you as an advisor he would be a fine king.
C. You agree to take the throne. With your knowledge of the Gieloth, and your immortal powers, you will be able to inspire the people of Egypt to greater heights.
***
2. Strategy
The issue of Memphis’s prospective rulership was not the only one you had to solve, however. The divided cities of the Nile pose a problem to you - should you unite them before attacking Memphis, or should you go straight for Wankare's head? Heliopolis itself had a militia of five hundred men, ex-would-be-revolutionaries all, ready to fight, but the other cities too had their armies, and Wankare himself boasted of a professional army numbering nearly two thousand men. By defeating or convincing the other cities, you would be able to add men to your army, but to do that the Gieloth influencing those cities must be stamped out.
A. Uniting the divided cities under your banner would allow you to gather enough men to face Wankare's own army, making the task of besieging Memphis easier. There is a risk of not being able to unite them in time before Heracleopolis invades, however.
B. Time is of the essence - you go straight for Wankare and the throne of Memphis. The battle would be tough, and you cannot count on the other cities not interfering. The other cities rebel not because of a desire for independence, but because of Wankare's misrule. You are confident you can wrap this up by cutting off the head of the snake.
***
3. Ean’s Tasks
Defeating Wankare and the cities also means defeating the Gieloth influencing them. In this, you have the biggest part to play.
A. You take charge and lead the militia in open warfare, hoping to force your opponents to surrender with brute force. Your prowess on the battlefield should net you victory with ease, and flush the Gieloth out into the open as you have before.
B. You leave the army’s training and direction to Samun, Kamun and Netzi, while you work in the shadows to hunt down and assassinate Gieloth, as well as their other sympathizers in positions of power. You are the only one who can reliably detect and defeat a Gieloth infiltrator – no other person can perform this task.
***
4. Heracleopolis
The city of Heracleopolis is about to invade Memphis in half a year, but they may also be convinced to send aid. Their aid would cost you, however, and you are not sure if you should send emissaries to them.
A. You seek help from Heracleopolis, accepting the conditions they may impose upon you.
B. You offer Heracleopolis a truce should you take power successfully in return for them ceasing their invasion plans.
C. You send emissaries to Thebes attempting to get them to invade Heracleopolis a a distraction, accepting the conditions they may impose upon you.
D. You ignore Heracleopolis. Why bother letting Astarth know of your plans when you will be coming to eat his food after you deal with Wankare?
