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Even with the cobblestones of Argent Avenue and the foliage of Aria Park still wet from the morning’s light rain, dozens of Kintargans have gathered along the facade of the opera house to protest the city’s new lord-mayor, Paracount Barzillai Thrune. The city’s new leader was appointed by Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II, in the wake of the previous lord-mayor’s sudden flight from the city— an event that still has local rumormongers whispering furiously. In a scant seven days, Paracount Thrune has instituted martial law, a curfew, and seven outlandish and polarizing proclamations. These actions and more have called many of Kintargo’s dissatis ed citizens here on this overcast morn. There’s been no sign yet of Barzillai Thrune himself, and the opera house’s doors remain tightly closed—as they have since the man chose the landmark as his new home—but judging by the growing sound of the protesters, he surely can’t ignore the scene on the streets below much longer.
The Proclamations
Proclamation the First:
All slayers of city pests (hereby ascribed as doves, mice, and ravens) who present said pests to the dottari shall be rewarded with a bounty of one copper piece.
Proclamation the Second:
All places of public business must display in a position of prominence within the rst room accessible from the building’s primary entrance a portrait of Her Infernal Magestrix Queen Abrogail II. Said portrait must measure no less than 17 by 11 inches.
Proclamation the Third:
All those who capture, alive and unharmed, feral dogs of a weight exceeding 50 pounds are to be rewarded with a payment of two silver pieces upon transfer of the dogs to the dottari. Such noble guardian creatures should find homes worthy of their kind!
Proclamation the Fourth:
The right to wear ne embroidered clothing in public is hereafter proscribed to anyone other than agents of House Thrune or the Holy Church of Asmodeus. Exceptions can be awarded or purchased at the city’s discretion.
Proclamation the Fifth:
Grain is life! Should grain be spilled in public, all must be gathered, cleaned, and repackaged within the hour. Any person who allows grain to go ungathered after a spillage shall be fined one copper piece per grain.
Proclamation the Sixth:
The imbibing of night tea brings a dangerous imbalance to the slumbering mind. Between the hours of sunset and sunrise, the taking of tea is proscribed.
Proclamation the Seventh:
The odor and flavor of mint is an abomination to the refined palate. Be not the cretin! Mint use in candies, drinks, and all manner of confections is hereby proscribed.
Braxton straightens his glasses, tightens his armor, and heads out onto the streets of Kintargo in search of the ensuing protest
"The streets are getting crowded. I must be getting close."
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The crowd outside of the Opera House is growing thicker, and some bickering can be heard between groups of pro- and anti-Thrune protesters. Among the anti-Thrune protesters are many disparate voices, from merchants outraged by the tax increases to outright anarchists, and every group in-between. They are quite disorganized, and seem to argue with one another as often as they argue with the Thrune Loyalists in the crowd.
A dozen guards stand in front of the entrance, looking restless. Also watching over the crowd is a tall, scowling woman wearing a black cloak over chainmail. She watches the crowd impassively, one hand curled around the haft of a finely-crafted polearm.
- Listen for Rumors (Diplomacy or Perception)
- Pilfer (Sleight of Hand)
- Rabble Rouse (Diplomacy or Perform)
- Search for Your Contact (Perception)
- Silence/Shout Down Undesirable Elements (Bluff or Intimidate)
- Watch the Crowd (Perception)
[i]"I wonder if there are any halflings at this protest.
[ooc] Perception 13 to get impression of scene.
[ooc] Perception 22 to watch crowd for any halflings
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While scanning the predominantly human crowd, you don't see any halflings which is a little odd but it could simply be due to the sheer amount of people present. Any smaller folk might be easily lost in the sea of legs.
"Someone’s killing tieflings down in the Devil’s Nursery. I’ve heard that whoever’s doing it is taking trophies, but I’m not sure what kind. Sounds like the Slasher’s back... Just what we need!”
[i] "hmmmm. This group is not going to accomplish anything like this. Maybe I should talk to some of the people in the crowd to get us focused."
[ooc] I walk through the crowd slowly making my way to the center.
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Near the center of the town square, a large chipped marble statue of Abrogail Thrune the First faces south standing on a wide stone dais with both arms raised in welcome save for the left, which is broken at the elbow. A man in glasses wearing hide armor stands nearby, a morningstar hanging at his hip.
Let me see what i can do here.
[d1ce=perception] 1d20+7+1d6=(16)+7+4=27.
I am looking to see what kind of people are around me at the center of the square and if i spot any halflings.
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Wary of the damage a morningstar could do and certainly not looking to leave this world bleeding and trampled by a crowd, Marcellano approaches the man near the statue, taking care to hide his bag of coin from view.
"Sir, a child in a ratty cloak just stole my purse! He ran that way. If you could do me the kindness of retrieving it I'd be more than happy to reward you.
Marcellano smiles, hinting at the promise of gold.
[D1ce=Perception] 1d20+7=> (6)+7=13
"I apologize Sir, I wish I could help but the child is probably lost in the crowd by now.
Braxton straightens his glasses.
"This crowd is a bit wild and I would like to speak to the people to gather some more information but that doesn't seem possible at the moment."
[D1ce=Sense Motive] 1d20+7=> (6)+7=13
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Marcellano quietly clears his throat in order to project as much as possible and continues.
"Good people, in this past week, how many of you have been unjustly tread upon by our oppressors?"
He points out a few individuals in the crowd.
"You, sir! Have you been forced to give up your hard-earned coin by the iron hand of the law? Has your family?
"And you, miss! Have you or your children spilled any grain?
My father was taken into that very building, for the simple crime of wearing the same clothing he has worn for years. We've had no word of him in two days. How many more of us must be silenced and hidden away before we rise up?
Our city has long been proud of its independence. Are we to give up our heritage on the whim of some noble cousin of the Queen? I say no! If we stand together, we can return our city to its rightful place in the empire! Who is with me?"
"Gentleman this situation is very volatile and it would be in everyones best interest if the people did not riot. This quarrel is dangerous and needs to be brought to an end."
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A small crowd begins to gather around Ignati in particular, chanting with him. What were once disparate, disorganized voices have, in at least this small area, become a cohesive group decrying the invasive new policies of Barzilai Thrune.
Shouts from the crowd fill the square, each one more agitated than the last.
"I curse the Lord of Law and all that he stands for! I hope all Asmodeans burn in Hell with their master!", says a woman in butchers clothes.
"That's right, everyone! Down with the Church of Asmodeous! Down with House Thrune!", shouts an old beggar.
Braxton also notices the figure from the balcony once more. Following their line of sight into the crowd and begins to notice a disturbing pattern: throughout the crowd are several plainly dressed men and women who appear to be herding the crowd subtly, leading opposing groups into confrontations with one another.
"I agree with you good people and i know from the history of Kintargo, that this city was thriving before the arrival of Barzillai and we need to return to that. Talk to your peers and lets gather our power and find a way to bring down house thrune."
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You also pick up the tail end of a conversation while listening to the crowd.
"...Well, I heard Lord-Mayor Bainilus didn’t flee to Arcadia at all. Broke her neck falling down a flight of stairs. Praying a bit too hard to Cailean, if you understand my meaning."
Just as one group of individuals begins voicing its concern to Marcelano, small argument near the gathered peoples at the base of the statue has grown much louder. A middle aged man and a young woman seem to be turning red from their frustrating conversation. "Whatever our differences we are all Kintargans, we will let no man or group tarnish our silver mistress!" ,the young red haired woman firmly declares. A large shout of agreement fills the square from the group as a whole.
But the man, who appears to be a blacksmith of some sort, still in his leather apron and carrying a hammer which he brandishes at her to emphasis his point a little to ferverently.
"If you believe that you're helping anyone with your bloody screaming in the streets then you're soft in the head! We are part of Cheliax! Just because your young you think you know how the world works! House Thrune keeps us safe and they'll protect us even from troublemakers like you lot!",the blacksmith roars back, giving the young woman a light shove .
[i]Far fewer shouts scattered throughout the crowd sound off to the blacksmitjs's rebuttal.
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Marcellano takes just a moment to observe the area, not necessarily realizing the full gravity of the situation until he had gotten it well underway. I think I'm in over my head here...
Looking at Braxton, Marcellano quietly says "Keep your eyes open, my good man. I may have bitten off more than I can chew, and I don't want you to come to harm on my behalf."
"Thank you but i must address this blacksmith"
"Sir this woman was just speaking her mind and meant no harm. Please turn around and continue on your way."
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The furious blacksmith seems to soften at Braxton's words, his sweaty red easing into a look of mild shame.
Er...Perhaps I've let the crowd get to my head.
Sheepishly he rubs a thick hand before sticking it out to the short woman. The woman looks a bit surprised at the gesture and gives Braxton a quick glance of annoyance. As she unsuredly lifts her hand to take his-a shout from the crowd strikes through the moment
DEATH TO THRUNE!, followed by a large brick which sails above oblivious heads and collides with the young woman's skull churning out a sickening crack. Silence falls over the square as the woman collapses to the cobblestone. The thunder of moment is heard by all and the crack of of the storm is surely not far behind.
"Ohhh hell"
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Momentarily stunned by how far the situation has spiraled out of control, Marcellano takes a step toward Braxton, making sure to stay on the statue, and shouts out -
"Calm, good people! Let us not give in to our base desires! We must channel our efforts not against each other, but against the occupation!"
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The second thing you notice is the one who tossed the brick. Hidden amoungst the crowd, apale skinned a plain clothes human with sweaty black bangs watches the act with a satisfied grin before moving me his gaze upwards to the woman standing on the balcony of the opera house. He is one of the individuals you recognized from earlier who had been herdi g the crowd.
Marcellano's calming pleading fails to subdue the crowd as it erupts into unmitigated mayhem. At first its merely pushing and shoving of people trying to get out of the crowd before crowd loses it but then these slide into fists and kicks begins flying as the roar of the crowd gives way to cries of anguish as people are trampled and beaten. The "Thrunies" do their best to hold their own but the square is just too dense with angry protesters. The fury is aimless and sides are quickly lost in the bedlam. Despite this, most of the guards simply pull closer towards the opera house and outer rim of the crowd. Those caught inside move towards the Ignati statue creating a makeshift shieldwall. The blacksmith stands over the body of the fallen woman, a look of horror and confusion contorting his expression.
"Miss can hou hear me?"
"i am going to take this one out of here. Please help as she was not what she seemed and may be able to provide us information."
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Victor draws his longsword and motions to the two individuals he sees assisting the woman struck by the brick.
"To me! We must get her clear before we are lambasted on all sides!
"This whole mess reeks. I suspect this riot may needn't have happened were it not manufactured. But first, let us get clear, then we may discuss such matters!"
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Objects fly over the crowd, thrown in anger and fear towards the guards surrounding the Ignati statue, including bricks, pots and anything that might have heft. Most sail over their heads as well as Braxton and Marcellano, but a mercifully empty chamer pot soars into Victor as he dismounts. The damage is minor as it cracks against his armor but it does momentarily knock the wind out of him. The woman answers groggily but is able to stand with the groups assisstance and finally lifted onto the horse.
Marcellano sees many individuals being pressed into the violence of the crowd. Thick with struggling people, it is almost impassable. Baker gives a few fearful/angry grunts of dissaproval from all the rioters. Seeing the three of you standing together in defense of the young lady, not everyone in the crowd proves to be helpless as the big smith pushes through to you all and wheels around facing the crowd with a raised hammer.
"We have to get out of here! His gaze drifts down to the barely conscious woman straddling the horse, his eyes now wide with recohnition. Wait! I know this girl! She has a tavern on hangman's corner, near the pier. Bring her there, and we should be safe !" ,he bellows. Accompanying him appears to be a halfling family and their teenage son who seemed determined to not get swept up in the crowd.they managed to avoid most of the commotion by finding sanctuary in his oversized stride
Victor recognizes the scowling woman standing on the balcony as Barzilai's bodybuard, Nox. There are many different rumors about her, including fearful whispers that she's actually a Devil, but no one has seen anything conclusive.
And then suddenly, cutting through the commotion wih an massive ominous reverberation, the bells of the Cathedral of Asmodeus toll three times, for no apparent reason (as they always do; no one knows why or when the bells ring). The violence begins to wane as the bells ring solemnly. A tide of calm rolls through the crowd, but nothing cuts through the tension, as all eyes look to the opera house. A moment later, a pair of windows on the third floor of the Opera House swing open, and a man dressed in red, orange and black, wearing an ornate breastplate emblazoned with the star of Asmodeus appears. He is idly cradling a finely-made mace. It is the new lord-mayor of Kintargo, Barzilai Thrune.[i]
“Ah, my adoring little chickadees. I am sorry to say I have not yet adapted to your quaint, country ways, being accustomed as I am to the sophistication and learning of Egorian. Nonetheless, know I have heard your concerns, and that I appreciate your valued feedback, and I know we shall eventually find a mutual understanding in the fullness of time. I take pride in updating Kintargo’s quaint, outdated laws to the modern standards the city deserves, and strengthening its ties with the empire in these cruel times, but obviously I have approached my duties too aggressively.
“You say you chafe at the presence of nonnatives in positions of power? That authorities not of this city have no place as its leaders? That you will not be yoked by intruders? Your lord-mayor hears you. And so it is with a heavy heart that I issue this proclamation, in response to your demands: all ships’ captains are hereafter barred from leaving their vessels and setting foot on Kintargo docks or streets, under pain of... let’s say... squassation!”
[i]No sooner has he finished his speech than a pile of rancid manure sails through the air and lands about 6 feet below the window. Startled, the lord-mayor flinches and spills his glass of wine onto his breastplate. Incensed, he throws the wine glass down onto the streets below and bellows:
"Enough of this! Nox, arrest them or kill them. I care not which!"
Nox straightens up and signals the dottari, who spring into action. Within the crowd as well, many begin to move, raising weapons in preparation.
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From within the crowd, a group of armed civilians begins to coalesce. The men and women whosome of you may have seen for past three hours, have donned simple black tabards bearing the cross of Cheliax and are carrying small maces, eagerly chasing and swinging at anyone in the crowd not dressed similarly. Five of them approach ypur group near the Ignati statue , hoping to cut off the escape of the crowd that had gathered to hear Marcelano speak, or at least give the people a beating on their way home. The rest of the crowd begins to scatter in all directions as the dottari guards begin smashing their weapons against their shields to intimidate them. They seem more occupied with other citizens but the Chelish Thugs have you all sqaure in their sights.
Our initiative order:
Victor
Braxton
Chelish Thugs
Marcelano
Chelish Citizens
Please, we just want to get this woman to a safe place so we can make sure she is okay
[/ooc]Braxton then drinks from the bottle and you notice his arms beginning to grow and they double in length. This extract increases my reach by five foot.[/ooc]
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All of the thugs hesitate a moment at Braxton's words, seemingly considering the eloquent argument briefly before grinding their teeth and tightening the grip on their weapons after glancing at their hawkeyed Commander Nox, watching them from above.. While thick stocky woman and a tall broad shouldered man approach Victor and Baker, as a solemn looking man sporting red fiery hair wades into the group of citizens who have formed a retinue to assist your group, the final fighter is a woman with long blonde hair engages Marcelano in combat. Though the fifth attacker, a young dark skinned youth seems apprehensive to proceed and hangs back for a moment to watch the scene and nervously fiddling with the cudgel in his hands.
The stocky woman barrels forth swinging low, aiming for a leg while the taller man
seems to be flinging wide for a more distracting blow. They seem fairly coordinated for street sweeping thugs, whilst also shouting patriotically.
"For Cheliax!" and "BURN the traitors!"
The short haired ginger calmly steps forth before trying to backhand one of the halflings with the club, his stoney expression breaks as he hisses,"You're out of line, Slip"
The woman with long blonde hair grins her perfect teeth widely as a look of recognition spreads across her face at Marcellano. This does not stop her from barreling forth though, overhanding her attack.
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The determined male middle aged halfling raises a pair of cobbling pliers, preparing to strike the thug(who seems distracted by the larger opponents) in the stomach when suddenly, the Cheliaxian's club whips downward and snaps into the poor halflings face with surprising strength, cracking in half and sending splinters and blood everywhere. The halfling is flung a couple feet away with a sickening crunch and crumples to the ground unmoving as his son and wife scream out in rage and horror. "Andor!"
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Marcellano places himself between Victor and Braxton, hoping for the best cover.
V
M B
"Careful, gents. It looks like I've gotten us in deep here. My apologies."
While moving, he clears his throat and speaks out, clearly and with great will-
"Don't do something you'll regret. We are more than we seem, and we won't hesitate to tear sinew and break bone to bring this woman to safety."
Inspire Courage: A 1st-level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard's performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and feat effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability. Inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The bard must choose which component to use when starting his performance.