Andrea doesn't look pleased at that. I believe that the elder Drovenge deserves exactly what Eccardian and Chammady deserve.
As for the Mother of Flies, since it seems that the remains of the Red Knives and the forces of the Drovanges have gone off to kill her, if we send word and make an arrangement, we can sandwich those forces between us and wipe them out, hence weakening the Drovenges even further.
Murder is planned. We have knowlege of it... Gerard looks directly at Daniel's half-brother, but address the half-orc.
Daniel, if you would tell me... What should I be honor bound to do?
Nearly feeling guilty, Gerard continues.
I did not mean to put a good man on the spot.
What I meant to illustrate was... if we wish to hold a man accountable for his actions in the eyes of the law... he must also be extended the protection of that law. If not, the law is not worth the paper it may be written on.
Vengeance is not justice, turning a blind eye is not law.
You are not a fool, you truly believe what you are saying and I believe Daniel and Lord Tilneros share your opinion. If you wish to try to warn Elder Drovange and perhaps secure his aid against his children than I will not try to stop you, but he is a member of the Council of Thieves and at least will seek protection, as you say from any past acts, and one of his wealth and influence will no doubt be able to slip free of anything other than the least of punishments.
No doubt the heads of the houses here can get in touch with him by normal means. As for The Mother, I can prepare a Sending spell and attempt to contact her in regards to the assault from the Drovange's forces.
I would suggest we stay together. And ask for your help. I understand the compromise I am asking, but events transpiring are greater than us all.
We warn him first, as he'll be closer... and may feel safe at home. The witch and any dark fey with her will surely have protections up.
Andrea just sighs. Convinced that they will be up past their eyes in lawyers.
Gerard smiles demurely, with the corners of his mouth and his eyes. Thank you, Mistress Andrea.
Mmm.. Andrea just drinks some more whiskey.
Perhaps negotiate something with Ilnerik? She thinks to herself. End the shadowcurse for a 500 year monopoly on regulating crime? Maybe just let the shadowbeasts out on even-numbered days.
"One thing is certain...Lord Drovenge knows his dear grandkids are after him, you can't even get near his estate."
He might not know who is after him... Just that someone is.
Also, what if we shared the secret sire? Killing the hag would lose its value... They'd still have to kill Papa.
"Well, there certainly is enough trouble within the city to send you all out to the swamp is a bit unsettling. Regardless of the decision, there is performance later this afternoon, so there will need to be a delay. We can try to send word to Lord Drovenge in the meantime, perhaps he will accept a message from Lord Tilernos."
Andrea nods. A short rest before we decide what to do about the Mother sounds good. I believe that we also need to discuss another very important matter.
Andrea drinks a little ice water, putting aside any more whiskey to help clear her head. As everyone knows, the Shadowbeasts have been plaguing Westcrown for decades, this started when two pathfinders, Donatalus Bisby and Ilnerik Sivanshin brought an artifact back with them, the Aohl. One half was a golden eagle's head, the other an obsidion bat. Bisby received most of the praise for this and Ilnerik decided to break the artifact in two and fled with the bat head.
That unleashed a curse however, Ilnerik sicked and died, rising as a vampire. For some reason, he returned to Westcrown and as a 'service' he summoned the Shadowbeasts to control the streets at night. Who he did this for is unknown.
Bisby remained locked inside Delvehaven and died. The other half of the artifact, the Morrowfall was locked in a vault and evetually recovered by us. Bisby's spirit told us that if the Morrowfall was reunited with the Totemrix, the half Ilnerik holds, then the Shadowbeasts would no longer haunt Westcrown.
Andrea breathes out, catching her breath after her explination. So in any event, locating Ilnerik and ending him would seem the best next step in any event.
"I'll put in my vote with Andrea for our next step. Getting rid of those Shadowbeasts would be great."
The news that Andrea speaks is rather startling to the nobles and their advisers. Areal has already heard most of this but even he seems impressed in the manner the information was presented.
Lord Tilernos speaks up, "Do you know where the other half of the artifact is located?"
Other than guessing that the Totemrix is in Ilnerik's hands, we do not know where he or it is located. We might be able to scry upon the location since the Morrowfall is in our possession. Hence it being once half of the Aohl, it can provide a direct link to the Totemrix.
A great deal of information about Ilnerik, Bisby and the artifact was gained from a conversation from a devil who was privy to their secrets. The animate head of a Erynies named Khazrae can also confirm what had been going on in Delvehaven.
Ending the shadowbeast threat IS the main priority, but perhaps not the most immediate. The westcrani has been living with the threat for decades and know not to venture out after dark. Rarely is there a death these days. To your earlier question Gerard. I believe it may be prudent to send a missive to Lord Drovenge, identifying his would be assasins, though I would guess, he may already know. If he does not his counter attack on his younger family may put the Assault down. Do not forget he is also effectively a criminal and as such our enemy. Lords, the charter for a Mercenary band and subsequent licenses will need to be arranged quickly before we go after the two sides of the council. I realise now perhaps the ability to go after criminals who might have bounties would need to be included. As broad powers of arrest and open rules of engagement as can be afforded will be needed, so we have room to Manuvere. As for what we should do next. I think a visit to this mother of flies IS in order.
1. As a potential victim to a future murder we are honor bound to warn her.
2. It gives us another chance to hopefully gain vital information in combating the war between the houses. She may yet have key knowledge.
3. As two sided as it sounds, the stories of kidnappings and murders by her coven are disturbing. If it CAN be asserted that she is indeed a monster of the worst kind we may need to bring her to justice ourselves. This is not my primary purpose, but I would look into her heart and gather evidence of her guilt myself. You mentioned Vengeance as not being just, Gerard. I disagree, but we may simply have different interpretations. I myself have sworn an to Iomedae, as she answers my faith. My oath is to bring Heaven’s Judgement upon those guilty of henious sin. You see there are so many beyond the Law. Lord Drovenge for example. A man of sufficient wealth in Westcrown can get away with Murder simply by paying a fine. That IS legal here. But the callousness of ending an innocent life with an escape clause of coin does not exempt one from Heavens justice. In a place where the local forces cannot or will not do what is right, I will act. The laws of Iomedae come BEFORE the laws of Man. I serve GOOD and Law and sometimes sadly one has to choose what battles one can effect. It would be for the good of Cheliax if the minions of hell were wiped from this place. But an insurrection would take forces well above what any here could manage and cost the lives of thousands of innocents. For for now I work within Chelish law as much as possible, and work with the system as much as I can but sometimes for the greater GOOD I will break the law to do what is right. Hence my joining up with this brotherhood, a group of....questionable background, but with goodly goals.
I did not know fates were so intertwined.
Approximately one year ago, a Pathfinder saved my life by sacrificing his own. With his dying words, he gave me this... Gerard pulls up the sleeve of his leather jacket to reveal a device upon his wrist.
A wayfinder.
Lord Tilernos nods approvingly at his brother's argument, "We" he clearly means those of the paladin background, "are often put in difficult situations. The law in Westcrown is as Daniel states, we all no that, but that is man-made law. We should strive to always work within those confines but in some, limited, circumstances that law conflicts with the supreme law and we must choose. Here it is clear that Lord Drovenge, and his grandchildren, manipulate the law for their purpose and often at the expense of others. It may be legal for slavery but it is not legal to kidnap and ransom."
"Ultimately...good must conquer evil...this city is riddled with evil."
Remember, Daniel, let us not get to far ahead on just how much the Lantern Bearers will function as. The original intent was to see to the well being of the common people of Westcrown by offering services to be escorts after nightfall. Weapons would be carried but to be used in defense against the Shadowbeasts. Besides escorts, we were looking into setting up more of the large torches along the main roads in order to expand the light to lesser trod places.
I suppose those details will be determioned though. Daniel does have good points in regards to the Mother but our main conflict should remain against the Drovanges and Ilnerik. Let us not risk ourselves until the main goals are achieved.
"Outright training and use of weapons will be frowned upon, the Rack could view that as a possible coup attempt. There ultimate job is to stomp out civil disobedience."
Good point, Lady Grulios. Common weapons like clubs, staves and knives would be most practical. Since the Shadowbeasts have a possible connection to the Abyssial or Infernal realms, a few vials of holy water would be easy to go un noticed. Plus of course, the Bearers would carry light sources to help keep the area illumninated, a magical spell of light upon a lantern as both badge and light source.
Good point, Lady Grulios. Common weapons like clubs, staves and knives would be most practical. Since the Shadowbeasts have a possible connection to the Abyssial or Infernal realms, a few vials of holy water would be easy to go un noticed. Plus of course, the Bearers would carry light sources to help keep the area illumninated, a magical spell of light upon a lantern as both badge and light source.
They will not mistrust as long as we are transparent. The lantern bearers would be the primary arm of the mercantile company. Trained and outfitted specifically to defend against shadow beasts. But it must be setup as a business with other services like close protection in order to give us legal means to combat other hazards in dark places, if you catch my meaning. The latern bearers will be the defensive arm. Illnerik is a VAMPIRE and we intend to hunt him do we not? We will be that part of the business, a more aggressive arm to combat the shadowbeasts with direct action.
Thinks of it this way Lucrezia, after so much time down in the sewers, getting out in the fresh air will be a welcome change.
Also, before heading out to find The Mother, it would do us well to learn as much about the nature of hags as we can. Since Areal mentained that she has sought aid from the Fey, learning about them as well would be a wise move. I'm afraid that I know little about them and their abilities.
Begging the pardon of my... Gerard looks around, betters.
But, one could claim the perrenial Flies are in fact part of the natural order. And nessacary to keep our world in balance. A human tampered where he shouldn't have.
Rather..philisophical of you Gerard. I have no idea if the Flies were part of any order, perhaps one more connected to the faiths of nature could answer ou better.
A question worthy of an answer. We should consult a sage on such matters before heading out. Talbard or an associate of his, perhaps? In any case the journey seems our natural course. My Lords will need some time to get the licenses in order. Any direct action against those houses could be deemed illegal and invite our own retribution from the dottari or the Hellknights. The matter of Sascar's kidnapping will have to be referred to the lawful authorities, charges laid etc. They will counter with thier own lawyers. The whole process could take awhile.
Meanwhile it would act as a screen for our journey and my Lord's ratifying of the Lantern Bearers. If we are timely, We could return to Areal being the head of a legitimate Mercantile Company, charge with lighting the Streets at night and in a position to take our actions agains Illnerik.
They have been around since we can remember. An over-proud human, made a deal... A pact. A contract. Quite lawful. The hags did nothing wrong.
Another human meddled, murdered. The hag's sister and daughter were slaughtered. The hags and their dark fey allies are forces of nature.
"Hmmmm...If the swamps are fae infested, perhaps would should also find out what their weaknesses are and make sure we have the appropriate weapons to deal with them. Even if our intent is non-hostile in nature, that doesn't mean we will not be attacked."
Hence speaking with Talbard on the nature of the creatures we might encounter. We might need special weapons such as silver or enchanted blades. Weapon blanches for your arrows could be looked into.
Andrea turns to Gerard. Possibly, we won't know more until we hear what The Mother has to say. If we do intend to fight her, let it be after we deal with Ilnerik and the Drovanges since if we die while fighting The Mother, than Ilnerik and the Drovanges will go unopposed.
I'd like to join you... Where ever we go first. The Mother pre-dates both the Drovenges and the pathfinder-vampire. And may be a good source of information.
If the grandson is Mammon's get, he's no typical tiefling. She may know the secret to his undoing.
Three feet of sharp steel between the eyes will no doubt do the job.
Daniel smirks at Andrea's remark, Not always, sister. The heart is a better target for Illnerik, I think. In any case I am with you and would welcome your aid, Gerard. I believe our future bound to shadow and one of your skills would add value. More importantly, you pose a moral compass I did not expect but is most welcome.
An honor.... Nearly blushing with pride, Gerard bows to the Paladin.
Good point, Lady Grulios. Common weapons like clubs, staves and knives would be most practical. Since the Shadowbeasts have a possible connection to the Abyssial or Infernal realms, a few vials of holy water would be easy to go un noticed. Plus of course, the Bearers would carry light sources to help keep the area illumninated, a magical spell of light upon a lantern as both badge and light source.They will not mistrust as long as we are transparent. The lantern bearers would be the primary arm of the mercantile company. Trained and outfitted specifically to defend against shadow beasts. But it must be setup as a business with other services like close protection in order to give us legal means to combat other hazards in dark places, if you catch my meaning. The latern bearers will be the defensive arm. Illnerik is a VAMPIRE and we intend to hunt him do we not? We will be that part of the business, a more aggressive arm to combat the shadowbeasts with direct action.
Lord Tilernos speaks up, "The Hellknight mistrust everyone that is their role in society. Remember, the Shadowbeast have legal standing in this city, therefore, it would be illegal and hence getting the Hellknights attention if the lantern bearers sought to seek out these creatures. I know...it's a twisted logic but decades ago what ever lawful deal was made is the current law. The beasts keep open crime to a minimal in the evening the city while the citizens promise to abide by a curfew and remain inside after dark. The exception being those relatively few streets athat have the special lights on them."
"To offer the service of escorting some people safely home who are out after the City's curfew will be challenging enough to sell as a legal business but to openly train will be rejected. The way to get approval is to frame this as an aid to the dottari."
"Actually, the first order of business is Orsin's play."
Indeed. Orsin, what arias will you be delighting us with?
"If there are not other matters to discuss, perhaps we can adjourn for the day."
Lord Tilernos speaks up, "The Hellknight mistrust everyone that is their role in society. Remember, the Shadowbeast have legal standing in this city, therefore, it would be illegal and hence getting the Hellknights attention if the lantern bearers sought to seek out these creatures. I know...it's a twisted logic but decades ago what ever lawful deal was made is the current law. The beasts keep open crime to a minimal in the evening the city while the citizens promise to abide by a curfew and remain inside after dark. The exception being those relatively few streets athat have the special lights on them."
Andrea's voice gets sarcasdtic. By that logic then any action against Ilnerik would be illegal since he was appointed his role as 'Night watchman' as it were by the current law, and if we tried to, you would be honor bound to stop and arrest us. Maybe we should see if we can re-negotiate the contract in a court of law.
Plus perhaps Ilnerik can argue that as sole remaining Pathfinder in Cheliax, that he has claim to all items left inside Delvehaven, including the Morrowfall. So pass that bird over.
Andrea gets up and leaves the room.
Daniel gets up and follows Andrea, stopping to turn and respectfully bow to the group as the leaves, he understood what was wrong.
He catches up to her in the next room, Andrea, please...You have just encountered the daily frustration that is my brother and I's existence. He is not deliberately being difficult and as we both stated we will choose the greater good over Chelish law, but he is obligated to at least try to work with the system first. Should we come up with a means to was Illnerik and the shadowbeasts away, I will be with you. This is the price paladins pay for their gifts. Give him a chance I beg. He is only concerned with the repercussions. If we were to make attacks on the Shadowbeasts openly we WOULD suffer retribution without legal rights to protect us. And a clandestine operation would be even more dangerous, you would have no backup from the houses and place ANY who could be wrongly suspected in danger. Laws are not immutable. So Tilneros will pay to have them changed. Or at least have a legal exception made for us. Politicians do such things all the time.
As the two storm out the nobles begin to move about shaking a few hands as they leave the premise. The group's goal of setting up lantern bearers to assist escorting folks home, appears to be coming to a fusion. A start at least.
I will assume Orsin, Lucrezia and Gerard follow their companions out of the manor.
Gerard trails, giving thanks and shaking hands with several notables. Daniel's brother, Trent and Lady Grulios. Hurrying then after his new found friends.
Trusting she doesn't call upon some divine power to snuff him out, Gerard approaches Andrea.
I gather you've been about this for a long time with a lot of energy invested. But, sometimes... You have to take what they are willing to give you now. Retrench and push again, tomorrow.
Or you might exhaust yourself and burn out. We've put one in the win column today. Let's go support Orsini. Looks like you're stuck with me for a bit... Hope you don't overly mind.
We shall see Daniel, how well they will bend when facing the law of Chelish. I make no promises on my behavior. For now let us get ready for Orsin's performance.
Lucrezia, shall we make an appointment at the beauty shop again?
Gerard asks around to see if Bianca will be attending the performance.
"She is suppose to be there with plenty of guards, since we are a targeted family."
Once the group crosses the bridge Orsin moves off towards the playhouse. Leaving Lucrezia, Andrea, Daniel and Gerard together.
The three of you see a man in dark tan leathers step into the sunlight from a nearby alley, he nods to Gerard in manner of recognition then he steps back into the alley.
