[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/v45jtPZ.jpg?1[/img][/center]

Alisea gave the stranger a nod, acknowledging his contribution.  [color=ec008c]"Thank you, for coming and for offering your opinion.  It helps to have a less... impassioned analysis of the situation."[/color]  Alisea took another deep breath, organizing her thoughts and the thoughts everyone else had expressed.

[color=ec008c]"First issue:  them leveling faster than us.  You all know as well as I that we have been lax in our efforts to grow quickly.  We favored ease to avoid mental fatigue or trauma.  If we intend to out-level Valentine's group, we will gather several days' worth of supplies and camp out at a Dungeon--or better, inside a Dungeon as Valentine is probably doing, as that eliminates the risk of ambush by other players.  We will spend as much time as we can going through it, again and again, until our health and mana are unable to support another run-through.  Then we rest for the night to replenish mana, heal up, and begin again.  Doing this, we may not grow past them; but as long as we can quickly reach level 15, we can subclass.  That alone will do a lot to increase our chances of survival."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Second issue:  information.  As Dubstepp said, we know next to nothing about them and their abilities.  Valentine is a Lancer, subclass Reaper.  The other three could be anything.  If we give it some time, information about Valentine's associates will be discovered.  People who saw them buying skills or equipment; players who witnessed them in battles; maybe even the NPCs they interacted with--if we offer to buy information, any of these sources may step forward.  Again, though, that will take time."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Third issue:  capturing them.  As River has made clear, we lack any real means to catch criminals.  If we go after them right away, it will become a fight to the death--unless you think they will willingly surrender.  Even if we did catch them, we have no way to hold them.  The city has the means, but that would require NPCs acknowledging them as criminals, and neither you nor I can guarantee that.  Without equipment, facilities, or authority, what can we do?"[/color]  Alisea paused to let that question hang in the air for a heavy moment.  Then:  [color=ec008c]"Someone who might be able to hold them, though...is Aramo."[/color]

The man leading the establishment of old-world principles.  Even just the name should prove a reminder of the five rules he had declared yestermorn.  If it did come down to killing, their guild would have to bear the consequences now that someone was establishing law.  On the other hand, if they sought out and received his cooperation, they would have greater forces and legal support.  But that, too, might not happen for ten days--the day they would gather and likely establish the guidelines for policing among the players.