The War in the Core

[Resonant Curse]

The idea of the becomming plague is that you get more infected wererats than the enemy has soldiers, especially if a number of the enemy soldiers have become your infected wererats.

It does not help at all that wererats are a chemical and substance bane variable type of lycanthrope IE they are not all vulnerable to silver/gold/bone/wood/whatever it changes from wererat to wererat completely at random, so Falkovnia can't just issue silver pikes to everyone and be ready to go. Do they have enough magical weapons for every soldier to have one? Because a soldier who can't beat Lycanthropic DR is going to be in for a rough time.

The subterfuge missions however, those would be jobs for natural wererat commandos rather than infected wererats.

As for if Jackqueline is a skilled military leader we now fall upon something I have long derided, we know NOTHING about what happened the two times Falkovnia invaded Richemulot. It's perfectly cannon (or at least does not rub up against anything that exists in cannon/there's nothing in canon to invalidate the following argument) to say "Jacqueline Renier was instrumental in coming up with the strategies that lead the the Falkovnian armies getting over extended, having their supplies cut off, and then torn apart by wererats the two previous times they invaded."

If anything if that were true it would help explain the "Maternal Protector" image she has among her subjects, and also why it was so easy to explain her becoming the new Renier in charge of Richemulot when Claude died, even though she was by no means the eldest/most obvious choice if we go by bloodline alone since her own mother /Claude's daughter was still alive at the time.

Maybe the fact that Jacqueline had already beat him twice was why Vlad didn't make a move on Richemulot in the wake of Claude's death despite the fact that in theory Richemulot should now have been ruled by a "weaker" (female) ruler and with the reins of power transitioning unexpectedly been a good time to launch an invasion. But he didn't... maybe because the power was now firmly in the hands of a woman who had already proven herself a capable leader on the battlefield even if Vlad doesn't want to admit it.


Basically, we really, REALLY need to have a new cannon book come out and put some flesh on the Boderlands War of 716 and the Executioners Campaign of 724. (And I really want a pony for Christmas)

Because I'm sure, SURE there's an interesting story to the Boderlands War and how you explain (to the actual human members of the domain, I know behind the scene it was "for every 10 citizens of our nation, we have an eleventh who is a wererat, kekekeke...) a nation that at the time I don't think even had militias managing to repulse a force belonging to the Core's most aggressive militaristic Domain.


Allons enfants de la mère Patrie....

Oh, the Falkovnian military force in Richemulot would be screwed, no doubt, I more meant that the usefulness of billion brand new, infected wererats would not be as high as one might think. Infected werecritters that are in beast mode are notoriously unpredictible and chaotic, and even with a bit of leashing from Jacqueline's darklord powers, at most she can probably do with the mob is point a direction for it to roll in. I don't think they are going to follow clear instructions unless she gives them individual attention. A bunch of confused, bloodcrazed wererats rampaging about is horrifying amd dangerous, but the lack of organization and ability to cohesively work together will hamper any attempt to focus on fortifocations or organized defenders.

Unless extreme attention is paid to them, I imagine they are more likely to take an order to invade Falkovnia for instance and all spread out and end up murdering their way across instead of bringing their might to bear. Ultimately probably a lot more destructive and destabilizing, but more manageable to defeat and not as useful for a blitz campaign. Plus she'd have to dovert attention all over to bring her straying swarm back together as ot continuously tried to scatter into a million hideyholes.

Also, aside from Gondegal and the resistance probably making an alliance of necessity with the remaining Falkovnian army to stem the tide of lycanthropes, I imagine that Falkovnia will recall its troops from the other front, and I doubt any force that might consider chasing the retreating Falkovnians would really want to possibly draw the attention of the swarm to themselves and would just leave the Falkovnians to their fate while they lick their own wounds. Why conquer territory that is just going to be invaded by an even worse menace? They would probably start digging in and preparing defenses for if the buffer that is Falkovnia falls. I could see the Van Richten Society maybe showing up amd trying to help with this effort, viewing Falkovnia as a lost cause and too late, but shoring up the new borders for the (eventual) fall.

[jamesfirecat]

Oh, the Falkovnian military force in Richemulot would be screwed, no doubt, I more meant that the usefulness of billion brand new, infected wererats would not be as high as one might think. Infected werecritters that are in beast mode are notoriously unpredictible and chaotic, and even with a bit of leashing from Jacqueline's darklord powers, at most she can probably do with the mob is point a direction for it to roll in. I don't think they are going to follow clear instructions unless she gives them individual attention. A bunch of confused, bloodcrazed wererats rampaging about is horrifying amd dangerous, but the lack of organization and ability to cohesively work together will hamper any attempt to focus on fortifocations or organized defenders.

Unless extreme attention is paid to them, I imagine they are more likely to take an order to invade Falkovnia for instance and all spread out and end up murdering their way across instead of bringing their might to bear. Ultimately probably a lot more destructive and destabilizing, but more manageable to defeat and not as useful for a blitz campaign. Plus she'd have to dovert attention all over to bring her straying swarm back together as ot continuously tried to scatter into a million hideyholes.

Also, aside from Gondegal and the resistance probably making an alliance of necessity with the remaining Falkovnian army to stem the tide of lycanthropes, I imagine that Falkovnia will recall its troops from the other front, and I doubt any force that might consider chasing the retreating Falkovnians would really want to possibly draw the attention of the swarm to themselves and would just leave the Falkovnians to their fate while they lick their own wounds. Why conquer territory that is just going to be invaded by an even worse menace? They would probably start digging in and preparing defenses for if the buffer that is Falkovnia falls. I could see the Van Richten Society maybe showing up amd trying to help with this effort, viewing Falkovnia as a lost cause and too late, but shoring up the new borders for the (eventual) fall.

I think one of the unspoken rules of the Becoming Plague that was intended by the people who designed it based on how they talk about it, ("worshiped as a god-queen by her lycanthropic subjects") is that she has a level of control over the newly infected wererats equal to her control over standard rats in her domain where she just has to think it and they hop to it, and she can influence them anywhere in the domain and probably influence multiple ones at the same time without difficulty.

Now this isn't traditionally how lycanthropy works, and it is possible that because of the invasion the Becoming Plague won't be far enough along to work exactly the way she wants it but I think I and thekristhomas (he can feel free to correct me if I am wrong) are operating under the assumption that Jacqueline has complete and total control of her new wererat force inside the borders of Richemulot (which soon includes "Falkovnia") and so can wield them as at least an effective wererat zerg rush rather than ending up herding cats/rats whens he tries to fight with them.

This is the assumption we are making they could be wrong/you could use different ones, but I want to lay them out to make sure everybody is on the same page/we don't end up talking past one another.

[thekristhomas]

Oh, the Falkovnian military force in Richemulot would be screwed, no doubt, I more meant that the usefulness of billion brand new, infected wererats would not be as high as one might think. Infected werecritters that are in beast mode are notoriously unpredictible and chaotic, and even with a bit of leashing from Jacqueline's darklord powers, at most she can probably do with the mob is point a direction for it to roll in. I don't think they are going to follow clear instructions unless she gives them individual attention. A bunch of confused, bloodcrazed wererats rampaging about is horrifying amd dangerous, but the lack of organization and ability to cohesively work together will hamper any attempt to focus on fortifocations or organized defenders.

Unless extreme attention is paid to them, I imagine they are more likely to take an order to invade Falkovnia for instance and all spread out and end up murdering their way across instead of bringing their might to bear. Ultimately probably a lot more destructive and destabilizing, but more manageable to defeat and not as useful for a blitz campaign. Plus she'd have to dovert attention all over to bring her straying swarm back together as ot continuously tried to scatter into a million hideyholes.

Also, aside from Gondegal and the resistance probably making an alliance of necessity with the remaining Falkovnian army to stem the tide of lycanthropes, I imagine that Falkovnia will recall its troops from the other front, and I doubt any force that might consider chasing the retreating Falkovnians would really want to possibly draw the attention of the swarm to themselves and would just leave the Falkovnians to their fate while they lick their own wounds. Why conquer territory that is just going to be invaded by an even worse menace? They would probably start digging in and preparing defenses for if the buffer that is Falkovnia falls. I could see the Van Richten Society maybe showing up amd trying to help with this effort, viewing Falkovnia as a lost cause and too late, but shoring up the new borders for the (eventual) fall.

I think one of the unspoken rules of the Becoming Plague that was intended by the people who designed it based on how they talk about it, ("worshiped as a god-queen by her lycanthropic subjects") is that she has a level of control over the newly infected wererats equal to her control over standard rats in her domain where she just has to think it and they hop to it, and she can influence them anywhere in the domain and probably influence multiple ones at the same time without difficulty.

Now this isn't traditionally how lycanthropy works, and it is possible that because of the invasion the Becoming Plague won't be far enough along to work exactly the way she wants it but I think I and thekristhomas (he can feel free to correct me if I am wrong) are operating under the assumption that Jacqueline has complete and total control of her new wererat force inside the borders of Richemulot (which soon includes "Falkovnia") and so can wield them as at least an effective wererat zerg rush rather than ending up herding cats/rats whens he tries to fight with them.

This is the assumption we are making they could be wrong/you could use different ones, but I want to lay them out to make sure everybody is on the same page/we don't end up talking past one another.

I think her level of control is less of an issue than her not wanting to show the army of lycanthropes to the rest of the core, remember there aren't going to be any witnesses to the relief of Pont-a-Museau, so the Richemuloise army (post the retaking of Richemulot proper) will be just normal people (as far as anyone can tell)

[thekristhomas]

I don't believe Gondegal would side with the remaining Falkovnians, none of their leadership have ever attempted to hide their evil or manage their public perception, why would they? They are unrepentently evil and Gondegal is surely aware of this.

Jackie, on the other hand, has come into Falkovnia on a mission of "liberation" and has very good PR generally. While Gondegal might be wary of an astute politician, their aims are far more closely aligned, I feel an alliance or even formal treaty between Richemulot and The Circle might be achieved.

I would imagine the alliance between Gondegal and the Basilisk would last as long as Gondegal remained out of power. Once Gondegal is in charge somewhere, then the Spawn of the Lizard becomes a group of bandits. I don't imagine it would be Gondegal that turned first, he would probably hope that the kobolds would "go straight" with a friend in power.

[thekristhomas]

Also, what's the deal with the Basilisk? Is he really an extremely large and intelligent kobold? Or some other type of creature masquerading as such?

[thekristhomas]

The Richemuloise Counter Offensive

1. Following the re-taking of Richemulot from invading forces, Jacqueline Renier urges her troops in Falkovnia, taking Silbervas in short order.

2. Renier's forces move to liberate Aerie, the citizens rise up to welcome the liberators, the city's Stahdfuhrer is flayed alive by the mob

3. The Spawn of the Lizard moves to take the abandoned Vulchardwatche Castle, expanding their area of influence

4. The Basilisk orders his troops to harass merchants on the Seelewalde Road

5. The Shadow Insurrection strikes at Morfenzi, supported by the Spawn in the countryside

6. Renier forces march on Lekar

7. Ex-patriot Freemen of Falkovnia sojourning in unstable Dementlieu flock to join the march against the hated Drakovs

8. The village of Grashen Falls declare for the Circle

9. The siege of Stangengrad, with only students and elderly veteran instructors the Stangengrad Military Academy somehow manages to organize a competent defense against the Knights of Shadows' army. Gondegal refuses to order the walls breached, instead employing a classical siege, once the lines of circumvalation are in place, he offers a chance to surrender, wisely the plucky students agree, all are spared, some are offered the chance to join the Shadow Insurrection (and possibly thereafter the Circle)

10. The siege of Lekar, The Shadow Insurrection and the Richemuloise army arrive at Lekar and lay it to siege, the details of which are to be discussed

[jamesfirecat]

The Richemuloise Counter Offensive

1. Following the re-taking of Richemulot from invading forces, Jacqueline Renier urges her troops in Falkovnia, taking Silbervas in short order.

2. Renier's forces move to liberate Aerie, the citizens rise up to welcome the liberators, the city's Stahdfuhrer is flayed alive by the mob

3. The Spawn of the Lizard moves to take the abandoned Vulchardwatche Castle, expanding their area of influence

4. The Basilisk orders his troops to harass merchants on the Seelewalde Road

5. The Shadow Insurrection strikes at Morfenzi, supported by the Spawn in the countryside

6. Renier forces march on Lekar

7. Ex-patriot Freemen of Falkovnia sojourning in unstable Dementlieu flock to join the march against the hated Drakovs

8. The village of Grashen Falls declare for the Circle

9. The siege of Stangengrad, with only students and elderly veteran instructors the Stangengrad Military Academy somehow manages to organize a competent defense against the Knights of Shadows' army. Gondegal refuses to order the walls breached, instead employing a classical siege, once the lines of circumvalation are in place, he offers a chance to surrender, wisely the plucky students agree, all are spared, some are offered the chance to join the Shadow Insurrection (and possibly thereafter the Circle)

10. The siege of Lekar, The Shadow Insurrection and the Richemuloise army arrive at Lekar and lay it to siege, the details of which are to be discussed

Only thing on my mind is something our other poster brought up, remember that Morfenzi is the center of meat production in Falkovnia, this makes it an important strategic target for Jacqueline since natural wererats need to subsist on an all meat diet, if she hopes to expand their number over time, she'll need more meat.

Thus while Lekar is the most important target for ending the war, Jacqueline will be upset with any ending of the war that doesn't leave her in charge of Morfenzi, and due to the fact that it's located on the far side of Falkovnia from Richemulot she may need to engage in some wheeling and dealing, blackmail, murder, or who knows what to see that everything lines up properly.

[thekristhomas]

I suppose an awful lot depends on what kind of agreement the Circle and Jackie can come to.

Now please correct me if I'm wrong, but I see Gondegal's involvement in Falkovnia as a personal crusade, from his early days in RL, and that the Shadow Insurrection is very much a "side project" for the Circle, being mostly concerned with Ebonbane and Elena, and that as long as the people of Falkovnia are liberated from under Drakov's heel, the heel of the man Gondegal came to believe was the centre of the evil in the land, then they are pretty much content.

That being said, Gondegal is not stupid, and he will not trade away any advantage, and as Grand Master of the Knights of Shadow would, I imagine, attempt to gain some authority for his organisation within the new order, a "wish list" might include

Control of the Military Academy

Seats on every city council, and on the national council

Official court rank for every Knight

To retain control of Morfenzi & Stangengrad

But I would expect this to be more of a negotiating position than what they would expect to walk away with. I think the minimum they would take would be official rank and the Academy.

I think Jackie would see the advantage of having a Circle trained officer corps, even if the Knights are taking the cream of the crop. Giving the Knights official sanction might also be advantageous, wandering knights make handy magistrates.

If Jackie is going to cede control of only one city, it is likely to be Stangengrad, they already have the Academy, after all, and they would be a buffer against Darkonian aggression. Also Jackie wants the meat, as you so rightly said.

Maybe the worst thing for Gondegal would be if he gained control of Morfenzi, as the Knights of Shadow might draw the corrupting attention of the Tsvtieyft Schattendertod, the Second Shadow of Death

[jamesfirecat]

I suppose an awful lot depends on what kind of agreement the Circle and Jackie can come to.

Now please correct me if I'm wrong, but I see Gondegal's involvement in Falkovnia as a personal crusade, from his early days in RL, and that the Shadow Insurrection is very much a "side project" for the Circle, being mostly concerned with Ebonbane and Elena, and that as long as the people of Falkovnia are liberated from under Drakov's heel, the heel of the man Gondegal came to believe was the centre of the evil in the land, then they are pretty much content.

That being said, Gondegal is not stupid, and he will not trade away any advantage, and as Grand Master of the Knights of Shadow would, I imagine, attempt to gain some authority for his organisation within the new order, a "wish list" might include

Control of the Military Academy

Seats on every city council, and on the national council

Official court rank for every Knight

To retain control of Morfenzi & Stangengrad

But I would expect this to be more of a negotiating position than what they would expect to walk away with. I think the minimum they would take would be official rank and the Academy.

I think Jackie would see the advantage of having a Circle trained officer corps, even if the Knights are taking the cream of the crop. Giving the Knights official sanction might also be advantageous, wandering knights make handy magistrates.

If Jackie is going to cede control of only one city, it is likely to be Stangengrad, they already have the Academy, after all, and they would be a buffer against Darkonian aggression. Also Jackie wants the meat, as you so rightly said.

Maybe the worst thing for Gondegal would be if he gained control of Morfenzi, as the Knights of Shadow might draw the corrupting attention of the Tsvtieyft Schattendertod, the Second Shadow of Death

Most of these sound like things that Jacqueline would probably agree to, if only because she and Gondegal are operating on different wavelengths when it comes to what they want.

Jackie's wishlist for Great Richemulot is probably something like


1: Some sort of "in" with the meat production facilities in Morfenzi.

2: The former cities in Falkovnia need to all undertake a civic project to improve their sanitation. (By which I mean they need to develop big impressive sewer systems which will end up giving wererats lots of places to hide)

3: Lots of control over the grain harvest, not because she wererats can eat it, but because it makes Richemulot go from being some minor domain to that domain which just about everyone else on the eastern part of the core has to go to on bended knee to kiss her ring and trade for her grain in order to help their citizens last through the winter and Jackie will probably love the ego/power trip she gets to go on from that experience.

4: Citizens need to swear loyalty oath to her not to take up arms against her/the house of Renier, and be ready to defend her/the house of Renier if someone /something else tries to invade.

5: Possibly see if Drakov /Falkovnia have any particular magic related to tracking down individual people, they probably won't, but she'll still look into it t see if they have anything that might help her locate Henri...


Jackie and Gondegal can probably get along well enough so long as he doesn't start to poke around the wererat issue, since as I understand it Richemuloise on average probably have one of the highest standards of living/are some of the least depressed/oppressed people in the Core up there with Lamordia and Mordent so there is probably some good word of mouth floating around about how Jackie treats her people right, that's why people keep immigrating to Richemulot after all.

One big question to think about is will Gondegal stick around and if so for how long, or will he want to move on and start a revolution/rebellion/try to liberate people in some other horribly oppressed domain like Nova Vaasa?

[thekristhomas]

Most of these sound like things that Jacqueline would probably agree to, if only because she and Gondegal are operating on different wavelengths when it comes to what they want.

Jackie's wishlist for Great Richemulot is probably something like


1: Some sort of "in" with the meat production facilities in Morfenzi.

If we think this is a high priority for her (and we do) then I think she would give over Stangengrad

2: The former cities in Falkovnia need to all undertake a civic project to improve their sanitation. (By which I mean they need to develop big impressive sewer systems which will end up giving wererats lots of places to hide)

been checking on this and the Gaz entry says that all Falkovnian cities have extensive sewers and waterworks (not just Silbervas as I had previously suggested), also there is the dread possibility of the shadow cities

3: Lots of control over the grain harvest, not because she wererats can eat it, but because it makes Richemulot go from being some minor domain to that domain which just about everyone else on the eastern part of the core has to go to on bended knee to kiss her ring and trade for her grain in order to help their citizens last through the winter and Jackie will probably love the ego/power trip she gets to go on from that experience.

IMHO as long as she has control of Silbervas, Lekar and Aerie, she controls Blacksoil Vale, she controls the grain. IIRC the main customers were Dementlieu, Richemulot and Lamordia, so it seems likely that either she would wish to quickly come to an accord with the new regime in Port-a-Lucine, to more quickly replenish the treasury surely depleted somewhat by the invasion, or to turn the screws on an already unstable neighbour (said neighbour also supplies the guns though so something to keep in mind)

4: Citizens need to swear loyalty oath to her not to take up arms against her/the house of Renier, and be ready to defend her/the house of Renier if someone /something else tries to invade.

I think some sort of oath for this already exists, IIRC it's how you claim unoccupied property in Pont-a-Museau, I wonder would Gondegal want to see some level of exclusion for Knights, or some addendum along the lines of "as long as said orders do not contradict oaths I have already sworn" or somesuch

5: Possibly see if Drakov /Falkovnia have any particular magic related to tracking down individual people, they probably won't, but she'll still look into it t see if they have anything that might help her locate Henri...

Yes, I've been thinking about the Radiant Tower and the Ministry of the Arcane, also the FoS and what parts they might play in the sige of Lekar...

Jackie and Gondegal can probably get along well enough so long as he doesn't start to poke around the wererat issue, since as I understand it Richemuloise on average probably have one of the highest standards of living/are some of the least depressed/oppressed people in the Core up there with Lamordia and Mordent so there is probably some good word of mouth floating around about how Jackie treats her people right, that's why people keep immigrating to Richemulot after all.

One big question to think about is will Gondegal stick around and if so for how long, or will he want to move on and start a revolution/rebellion/try to liberate people in some other horribly oppressed domain like Nova Vaasa?

I think Gondegal has his hands full with Elena Faithhold, Morgoroth and Ebonbane and only retained an interest in Falkovnia because of his personal history with the domain, so I think he'll move on, once the Drakovs are dealt with, leaving behind Knights to protect the interests of the order. I don't think he's naïve enough to miss that Richemuloise politicians are self serving and untrustworthy, which is why I think he will push for representation on city councils (possibly the captain of the guard of each city could be a Knight and councillor)

[Resonant Curse]

I don't see why the Circle would actually want to be involved in controlling anything really in Falkovnia. They are a quasi-secret organisation. Gondegal is the only real reason they are even there, and I believe the only Knight of the Shadows with a public face. They're more likely to just pull up stakes and fight "from the shadows" elsewhere more in line with their actual objectives as an organization.

[Manofevil]

Maybe I missed this in 12 pages of exchange but, how far should it be assumed that Darklord powers extend across a border, or former border, when the borders are in flux?

[thekristhomas]

Maybe I missed this in 12 pages of exchange but, how far should it be assumed that Darklord powers extend across a border, or former border, when the borders are in flux?

I don't think you missed it, what I've been working with is this,

If a potential Darklord (all the way down a terror track, path of corruption thingy) kills a Darklord, they become the new Darklord of the domain, eg. the Brain killing D'Honaire. This results in no real flux, all DL powers stop at the border. Canon example Jackie kills Claude

If an existing Darklord kills a Darklord, eg. Jacqueline Renier killing Drakov, they become Darklord of new united domain, and their Darklord powers extend fully to encompass new domain. IIRC there is no canon example of this, due to the difficulty of DLs meeting, generally, Drakov's execution is only made possible by Malochio teleporting him over the border (and Drakov doesn't really have DL powers)

If a Darklord is killed by someone who is not a potential DL themselves, the domain goes into flux. If a domain in flux is at the edge of the core, there is a fair chance that it will dissolve into the mist (eg Daglan) or if it's big enough break up into demi-domains (Darkon after the requiem). If it's surrounded by other domains though, then the DLs of those domains have a chance to claim some of that territory for themselves. Canon example, Gundarak after Gundar died was divided between Invidia & Barovia. The "claimants" must move troops/servants into the claimed territory, that much is clear from the Gundarak example.

It is less clear as to whether the claimant DL actually needs to enter the new territory personally, Gabrielle Aderre did certainly, but IIRC there is no mention of Strahd doing the same. My gut is that they do have to enter to actually lay claim to the new territory. In that case, I would say that their DL powers do not extend across the border, until such time as new borders have been established. I'm basing this partly on my reading of the situation in I10 where neither Godefroy or Strahd exhibited any DL powers (although, I get that the module predates the very concept of DLs).

Now what that means could be open to a fair amount of interpretation, for example, if Harkon Lukas were killed while in Invidia before the border stabilized, would his soul migrate to the nearest wolf back in Kartakass? Or would he instead be truly destroyed? My feeling is the latter, because then something is at stake for the DL, a real risk. My head is telling me the former, however, as the possibility of Strahd being truly destroyed while conquering Borca is not something I'm prepared to accept.

[thekristhomas]

I don't see why the Circle would actually want to be involved in controlling anything really in Falkovnia. They are a quasi-secret organisation. Gondegal is the only real reason they are even there, and I believe the only Knight of the Shadows with a public face. They're more likely to just pull up stakes and fight "from the shadows" elsewhere more in line with their actual objectives as an organization.

So, don't you think that they might take the opportunity to secure a foothold in the core? Would they participate in the regime change without gaining concessions from Jackie?

I get it if they would, and certainly tying themselves to the Renier regime in this way would be a major, problematic and probably unwelcome, policy shift. I had thought though that Gondegal would want some input after the work he has put into the Shadow Insurrection and as the Circle is often beleaguered in the Shadowlands, would take the chance on gaining access to resources such as new recruits, weapons, grain and possibly even taxes if they keep a city.

It certainly wouldn't cause Jackie any problems if the Shadow Insurrection retired from the field after assisting with the removal of Drakov loyalists. It may amusingly wrong foot her if she is expecting demands and they simply ride off into the sunset ("doesn't she look tired")

[Resonant Curse]

I don't see why the Circle would actually want to be involved in controlling anything really in Falkovnia. They are a quasi-secret organisation. Gondegal is the only real reason they are even there, and I believe the only Knight of the Shadows with a public face. They're more likely to just pull up stakes and fight "from the shadows" elsewhere more in line with their actual objectives as an organization.

So, don't you think that they might take the opportunity to secure a foothold in the core? Would they participate in the regime change without gaining concessions from Jackie?

I get it if they would, and certainly tying themselves to the Renier regime in this way would be a major, problematic and probably unwelcome, policy shift. I had thought though that Gondegal would want some input after the work he has put into the Shadow Insurrection and as the Circle is often beleaguered in the Shadowlands, would take the chance on gaining access to resources such as new recruits, weapons, grain and possibly even taxes if they keep a city.

It certainly wouldn't cause Jackie any problems if the Shadow Insurrection retired from the field after assisting with the removal of Drakov loyalists. It may amusingly wrong foot her if she is expecting demands and they simply ride off into the sunset ("doesn't she look tired")

Having a permanent stake in Falkovnia is a bit more mission creep than the Circle can chew at this point. There are only maybe a few dozen members of the Circle. Permanently tying a number of them to various locations, especially places that will draw attention to the order, is going to suck more resources tham they readily have. People can, and do, disappear to go home or handle things in rebellions, they can't really run back to the Shadowlands if they are governor/instructor/what have you. The recruit argument becomes a time issue and the fact that it will draw attention probably from several DL and evil organizations.

Gondegal is the main reason there is any real involvement in the core, now that his little diversion is through, I suspect most of the other members of the Circle will push for a return to the actual business of the organisation, dealing with Ebonbane. They have their own problems at home, let the Falkovnians make their own path.