Entering the stadium they came to a hollow portion that acted like a single chamber sized hall that encircled the main stadium. While they made their way to the main court portion the one named Odolin handed Izzine and Bykon notebooks with some lists. Bykon flipped through it out of curiosity. It contained listings of soldiers, and mercenaries hired. On some pages he spotted data for how many were hired, and how many wizards there were. As he kept going it showed which wizards, and witches hired which groups of mercenaries along with volunteers. The moment they entered the main court area for events Bykon stopped at the doorway. Filling the seats, and columns appeared to be a total of what he estimated to be two thousand seven hundred and more.
Most of this stadium's space remained largely vacant. All the center, which was the court was filled up. As they progressed to the main balcony where the main speeches for this meeting was to take place more people poured in, citizens, civilians, and curious onlookers. They filled the upper columns as the ones with the mercenaries were blocked off. He assumed it was to keep them separate from the curious civilians who would piss them off in some way. Bykon expected this lot to start fighting each other, but he was wrong. These hired forces did not even argue. Each one appeared to be paid a nice sum of some sorts to appease them. Laughter, conversation, and chatter filled the inside stadium while the rain added to the noise. Izzine followed the Wizards with Bykon trailing behind. Once they took their seats another figure took the position at the microphone. Once seated Bykon began looking over who Izzine was going to be fighting alongside.
"Welcome to the first meeting of the IBOIS. It warms my heart to see all the wizards, mages, witches and druids with their hired mercenaries gathered here..." the intro speaker addressed the crowd before them.
While this meeting went on he read through all the wizards and their hired help. Some 84 Cat Warrior from Zegrav hired themselves out to avoid VUVR authorities after going renegade. One warrior family of 26 came to help a female mage they knew. Hailing from a Talus island a Wizard gets help from 12 friends after losing his laboratory. The very Wizard Izzine was filling in for hired 8 mercenaries, 43 pirates, and one youth with a ship. Tyen the Aqua Wizard-Mage came with 2 Forsythans as bodyguards, and 6 retainer warriors as hired hands. For Odolin's hire a group of 53 Blood Fighter Mercenaries arrived. Hired by some Wiccan named Ishann were 40 Stealth warriors. Egorse hired 9 soldiers with 7 sharpshooters to command. Someone named Madox Azzin managed to hire 119 Yellow Mist Goblins alongside 202 Blue-troopers from Kilscari. Eforahim brought 19 Evusian Auxilliaries. Another named figure named Apannos hired 31 gunslingers to add to this gathered force. An enchanter named Veleus came with 4 automatons, 1 blue elf Zhenrai outcast who had to stick with them. Under the enchanter he read the name Apon Janori who brought in 3 Orcs, 3 Dwarfs, and 2 Hybrids avoiding VUVR draft.
Bykon focused more on the lists over the meeting, which apparently did not mention him yet. It left him time to read the rest of the lists. A Luvahan Elf Sorcerer hired 34 Knights and soldiers. One crew of 42 pirates came with a half-goblin mage. Three Wizards hired 63 Evusian warriors. Four Wizards constructed 27 automaton guardians/soldiers. When he read how many he doubted 613 Dragon Knights-Warriors would even bother with a Temple Witch. Apparently five Black Mages managed to hire 3 buccaneers, an adventurer, some ship pilot, a gentleman with 2 Knife Fighters. He did not read where they came from, but he noticed a Pit Fighter, Marksman, an adventurer, Rogue, a Man at Arms were hired by 2 Witches with their butler. One ship Captain, one crossbowman, commander, an Archer, some Navigator came under the employ of a Druid. One Summoner hired a ship captain with crew, buccaneer, 2 special forces, a long bowman, and swordsman. Two shamans hired a pilot with crew, a pirate, Ranger, swordsmith, a single Bard, and 3 Brigands. A team consisting of a Bounty Hunter, Raider, watchman, rogue, a ranger, and pickpocket were hired by a witch. One Wizard accompanied by their maid hired one Man at Arms, one Ranger, one Crusader, a single Adventurer, and a wandering clansman. One ship's Captain with a crew, 6 pirates, a smuggler, some warrior, a Crocodiloid, and 8 Goblins came under the employ of a lonely Druid. One duet of a Summoner and Warlock hired 3 Paladin, Dark-sword Assassin, a Dame, half Ogre, 3 Wolf Uxane warriors.
Making up a team of 8 a Ranger, 2 burglars, Dame, one Orc, Warrior, one Bodyguard, and single Archer were hired by 2 Wizards. Forming her own platoon one summoner rallied a female warrior, 2 Nevoran Blinder C6 Pilots, 28 troops, and constructed 3 automatons. A rich witch gathered a tank crew of five, a gunship with a crew of four, 2 knights, 2 soldiers, and 4 Elite warriors. Another pair of Wizards hired 3 Evusian Tracker Plane pilots, 5 troops, a pilot knight, and Evusian Fighter. One quartet of fighters hired by a Sorcerer included a knight, a half Ogre, a wood elf sergeant, and a female Barbarian. As he kept reading they introduced each member of the 137 member meeting. One female Wizard hired just 9 for her force, 4 scouts, an exiled warrior princess, 3 Talus warriors, and a Monk Warrior. One Levitation Wizard hired 3 Koriv warriors, one exiled heroine, an Evusian sniper, one Forsythan, and an Uxane.
Among these Wizards he found a dark Wizard listed who hired a Vorcadam Warrior, Gorav Katana wielder, 2 Carbon Warriors, and 2 Redrin Marksmen. An Elf Warlock was listed hiring an exiled princess with 5 warriors, one Mezeen Kol, a Desert Warrior, an Ivodran, and Uxane prowler. A group of 9 random warriors, 4 half-goblin ruffians, 2 Demons, 14 skull warriors, and 3 Uxanes found themselves hired by one Wizard. One dozen Wizards gathered 3 Winged Angels from Syrianos, 57 Knights, 51 Dwarf Hammers, 15 Barbarians and 228 Elves. Coming from West Koriv a Wizard seemed forced to hire 6 Goblinites, 2 syrianos demonoids, 4 half-goblinoids, Forsythan, and a Ranger. Looking down he noticed it was longer, but he wanted to keep going. Barely forming a squad was a Brute hybrid, one heroine, some Assassin-Rogue were hired by another pair of Wizards alongside 8 Goblins. Imprinting their own mark on the lists one lone Wizard hired a Forsythan, a Ranger, some Rogue, 6 Dwarf Axeman, an Initiate, 5 Bladesmen, and 5 crossbowmen. A second Dark Wizard somehow got a Crocoid Warrior, 3 cultists, 2 pirates, 4 civilized Gnolls, 4 Goblins, 4 Orcs, 12 Brigands into the same room. Seven Wizards who probably had enough between them hired 15 half Orcs, 5 Spearman, 8 Goblina, 4 Orcs, 8 Marksmen, 8 Warriors, and 4 Gnolls.
He was surprised to find a second or so Warlock who rallied 8 Orcs, 2 Archers, 6 Knights, Dwarf Hammerer, 2 Rangers, 8 troopers for their contribution. The fourth or whichever number of Wizard pairs hired 6 Zedirian Kanines, 32, Malvieth contractors, 4 Marines, one pilot with a crew of 43, and a monster slayer. The third summoner on the lists brought together 4 conscripts, 3 Marksmen, a ship's captain with crew of 17, 9 Bladesmen accompanied by 2 bored highwaymen. He discovered the 6th Witch bagged herself 2 Assassins, one Pilot with a crew of 58, 6 mercenaries, 3 Knights, one swordsmen, a scout, and 3 troopers. Not surprised to find another group of wizards he counted five. These Wizards paid 4 Elf Paladins, 6 Bandits bound by service, 3 Dames, 2 Knights, 5 pirates for this operation. Down the line he found the largest grouping of arcane users. Fifteen female arcane users arrived to the meeting with 9 Elf Blades, 2 tamed Gnolls, a Goblin Dame, 5 Orc Clansmen, 50 soldiers, and 7 Rangers. The third Sorcerer here hired 4 samurai from Vorcadam, 3 Gnolls, 3 Morgadrans, and a pair of Nahemine duelists. Six conjurers hired 5 Bloodcats (Deadly Mezeen battle assassins), 4 Dark Elves, one Vampor (Renegade Holy Warrior), 6 Troopers, one Zhenrai, and 3 purchased automatons. One trio of snake sorcerers collected 3 Uxane, one Bandit, 2 half-Orcs, a Goblin explosive expert, 5 Troopers, 3 Syrianos Divers, and a female blacksmith. The fourth pair of Wizards drafted 2 tanks with a crew of 10, 7 pilots, 8 Rovantian soldiers, and modern armored trooper. Accompanied by a Wizard 2 mages employed an elf blacksmith, one Vorcadam Samurai, a monk fighter, half-orc, one bandit and a hybrid outcast. One Mage hired 4 tamed Gnolls, 4 Orcs, 14 Goblins, 8 bandits, 8 soldiers, 4 Paladins, and 2 Rangers. Just under the Mages he found a Mage and Wizard teamed up. Nine Orcs, 2 Archers, 2 Knights, 3 Dwarfs, 6 soldiers, and an assassin came under their employ. Two Warlocks drafted one Dame, 4 Half-Goblins, Orc Brute, and one anti-infantry truck. A platoons worth of 30 Rovantian troops, 4 Orcs, Uxane Renegade, and Syrianos Ruffian came under the employ of 3 Elf Wizards. Hopefully the last duo of Wizards on this list Bykon found only hired 2 engineers, 2 soldiers, 2 pilots to one bomber who also recruited a mechanical trooper. The last trio of Wizards hired one Ranger, one Redrin Trooper, a lesser Zhenrai, a chronicler, and 5 ruffians. On this list of 137 or so he found the last Wizard close to the bottom who rallied an Evusian Elite, 2 Rogues, 5 Dwarfs, and 2 Forsythans. Five arcane users recruited a crew of 5 who operated an airship, 4 Elf Paladins, 5 Knights, and 26 Elf troops.
To the average person it would be pointlessly boring, but to him it was something intriguing. Bykon sat there with this booklet reading off what was being rewarded, weapons being offered, and vehicles. Among the rewards are 38 bags of coins, 22 chests of coins for some group. From a donor 144 Rovantion Dolphin coins were being rewarded. The assortment of Rovantion Dolphins was not the only collection of coins being rewarded. One assortment of Tante crosses held 200. He also found 120 gold Kilscar Orvain coins among the rewards with 120 gems. From a Borvadosian Nobless 12k Eagles was being donated as reward. A total of 400 International Globes was being rewarded. From someone a reward of 72 bronze Titans was among the rewards. From Nahem an assortment of 100 Diamond coins, 100 gems, 2 earrings, 2 rings, and a necklace was found on the list. His eyes found a donation of 144 Mezeen Djinn coins, 288 International Globes, and 10 credits for 100 individuals that amount to 1000 each credit. A Lybresian was found among the donors giving 87k coins for the Wizards' crusade. A bag of 60k Turtles was found from someone he almost recognized, a Barrowson fellow. Some wealthy Wizard promised his mercenaries 12 horses as payment. Another bag of Turtle coins held 100 coins. One witch received 144 Tantos coins along with other rewards to pay her mercenaries. 35k International Globes was found on the list. Adding more Turtles a donor offered 150 Turtles, and 150 gems. In terms of weapons as rewards 6 gold swords, and axes was also being offered. Bykan doubted these were really made of gold knowing how cheap people can be. More Nahemines donated 72k Diamonds for this crusade. One chest of 230 coins was slapped on there as well.
As he read more their voices rose up introducing themselves. A total of 110 Turtles, 500 Silver Turtles, 144 Oceanrest Var Blues, 144 Turtle coins, and 100 Gold Seals covered the last portion of a single page. Flipping it over he discovered more rewards such as 144 Silver Turtle Stars, 24 horses, 150 Starfish coins, 100 Black coins, 10k Sea Dragons, and 100 Turtles. The next page he found bags of 62k Sea Turtles. 10 International credits for 1000 each. Lybresian currency was found again offering 8000. 30 pieces of Djinns from Morgadra added a bit more to the pile. About 85 Gold Turtles, 57 Ivodran coins, 20k gold coins, 2k metal coins, 41k Elf Dark Coins, 12k in terms of Djinns, 125 gems, and 72k Silver Sea Turtles were also being offered. Weapons were added to the rewards for the mercenaries. A total of 2883 guns with ammunition were also being rewarded.
On another page he found a fleet of 382 vessels of various sizes with crews being donated to this crusade. Each came with 250 sacks, crates, and barrels with provisions. A cache of 90 weapons and tools were also being given for any engineers or gunslinger personnel. More than 24 camp wagons with all the essentials and accessories. There must have been some decent businessmen and merchants willing to hand over some storage, 8,534 barrels, crates, and chests full of goods, and provisions. He also found 3958 barrels of fuel, and other needed necessities. Materials to construct 329 ballista-scorpions, and 29 cannons had be given by a Dwarf Engineer, and Master gunsmith. It terms of modern cargo, 85 cargo containers were being given to them for storage purposes. Another 73 crates , and 1133 chests pushed to help with this crusade. For housing or garrisoning purposes they were handed over 411 taverns, and houses along with 3 towers on six islands. Two wealthy Tante Aristocrats offered 97,770 Tantos Crosses for the crusade, and some other Nobless funded them with 229, 200 Globes. One Dwarf Baron gave them 23 Dwarf Ballista from his armament, and 24 war automatons to use.
When the speeches were done and the location of their forward base was selected members of the gathered audience jumped at an opportunity. Although they already had mercenaries, these Arcane users received more recruits. One company of 206 volunteers eager to fight in this war signed up. A battalion of 1,140 pirates, bored initiates, unemployed Rangers, banished Orcs, disgruntled troops looking for work, ugly outcasts, conscripted bandits, old adventurers, Goblins, and frustrated Knights joined them. Another company's worth of 247 friends signed up with the volunteers. Bykon's eyes opened wide when a third company of 108 approached them. More Rangers, Rogues seeking to escape the law, bored Knights, Dwarves, female Elemani warriors, Orcs, and out of work Archers signed their names. To his surprise 11 bomber pilots, and 5 fighter plane pilots who refused to miss any action signed on despite their country's neutral status.
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