He doesn't sense the goddess' presence, only a faint sensation of lingering magic. It seems her influence in this world isn't terribly strong. Yet.<br/><br/>The meeting is called with a sizable cast of important figures. In addition to the party, there is Lord Jarmaath, Lady Verassa Kaas, head of a wealthy merchant family, Captain Lars Ulverth, commander of the city's defense, Tredora Goldenbrow, High Priestess of Pelor, Captain Soranna and Speaker Winston, of Drellin's Ferry, and Selrissa Dawnsinger, leader of the elven contingent of owlriders.<br/><br/>They spend a fair amount of time on introductions and pleasantires, then ask for the party's explanation of events, up to this point. Daminor leads the storytelling, charming all with his skillful way with words. Eventually, they make their way to the city's defense, with the men attempting to convince Lady Kaas to place her personal retinue of men on the walls with the rest, and to attempt to convince Tredora that the city is their best place for a stand, not to attempt to retreat to another place. With the party's help, both of these are successful.<br/><br/>Eventually, the question is raised as to what to do, if the walls fall. Cerul points out that she's helped them set up a number of barricade points throughout the city, for defenders to fall back to, which, while not as good as the walls, provide a better defense than open fighting. The discussion comes to a halt at how best to deploy the clerics; Tredora and Jarmaath both agree that the clerics should be kept back at the Cathedral, to heal wounded brought tot hem, and to keep them out of danger, while Lars and Kaas both want them on the front lines, to keep the injured fighting. Selrissa has no opinion, and the party is split, as well; Cerul would like to see them out front, but Daminor and Maura want to see them held back.<br/>(While no one can know this at this point, the fighting in the streets will be particularly brutal. If the clerics are placed with the defenders, many of them will die, and the ultimate loss of life for the defenders will be greater.)<br/><br/>Finally, the utility of the party is brought up. Lady Kaas suggests splitting them to cover multiple places, but that is almost immediately struck down; they'll be needed as a strike force, to take out the most dangerous foes. Lord Jarmaath has access to several scrolls of Rary's Telepathic Bond, allowing them to link together the caster, likely to be Immastrel the Red, although Draiss could certainly do it as well, and 3 other people. There is a heated discussion as to who all should receive the bonds, coming to another stalemate. The leading candidates are at least one memeber of the party, Lord Jarmaath, and one other person; the debate lies in who.