Tic has the sash on and has wrapped the chain around his shoulder. Anyone among the villagers he catches looking at him he will stare at until they avert their gaze. He doesn't grimace, scowl, or anything similar. He simply stares blankly at them until the unnerving hits a point where the villager simply has to turn away. He will defer to the rest of the group and wait to enter the church last.
Kayla took her sash and tucked it away in a pouch. As the group approached the rally, Kayla slipped away from the main group seeking admission at another point, but not very far away from the group. (keep them in sight as best she can)
She attempts to blend in as a common spectator.
"Did our employers mean to paint targets on our backs by having us wear these sashes?" Mercer asks his companions.
Flanked by Tic and Azrielan, Tycho walks with his chest puffed out, his unholy symbol of Asmodeus and his loyalist sash both clearly and obviously visible.
"This is Cheliax. If demonstrating our loyalty causes some criminals to out themselves to us, I'm all for it. Fewer to hunt down later."
Ambrose walks in, stern expression on his face and sash displayed prominently. The dogs follow at his heels. The burly man nods curtly at any who meet his gaze and takes a seat, crossing his arms and waiting to hear the sermon.
Once everyone is inside Allamar takes the stand
"Friends and neighbors, I have wondrous tidings to share! We have all known hardships in our lives—needless sorrows, injustice, even cruelty. Indeed, such is the struggle of all who live. But many among us have known more than our share. Many among us have shouldered burdens laid upon them not by the Inheritor, but by those who would curse her name and taunt her faithful. But today, I bear a missive from champions of Iomedae’s faith, heralds of the goddess’s will, who know your troubles and would see them end. The time is almost upon us. The angel knight will come and the song of Iomedea will rise. Friends, it is up to us to restore the worship of Iomedae to its proper place in Cheliax and reclaim our nation in the name of the Inheritor. But we have been given a sign—a sign that the "Angel Knight" has come to Longacre to lead us to glory"
Allamar’s sons lift the linen and box lid, revealing an ornate silver helmet sculpted with angelic features and a halo of curls. The faceplate’s eyeless hollows stare sternly into the crowd.
Kayla tries to take advantage of her small size to worm her way as close as possible to the helmet.
as she does though, she keeps an eye on the crowds as well as the party. If anyone among the crowd actually looks like a promising mark.
Tic stares directly at Allamar throughout her sermon, searching her for cues of fabrication, over grandizing claims, or the like in her claim
But the crowd makes it difficult to see Allamar with good clarity. He then takes a look at the helmet to determine if it is authentic
Mercer hangs toward the back, not wanting to get surrounded by a potential angry mob.
He and Corbie keep their eye's open for trouble.
Azrielan doesn't hide or attempt to obfuscate her presence, instead allowing her clean but marred armor and helmet to speak for herself as she stands among the crowd next to Tycho, presumably with plenty of room from the surrounding members of the crowd giving them space.
Ambrose clears his throat and raises his hand, standing up from his chair. He looks first at the priestess and then around at all of the other audience members.
Ahem, 'scuse me. Anybody can talk here, right? Most of you know me, but for those of you that don't--I'm Ambrose, and I'm from right here in Longacre, born and raised my whole life. I manage the kennels if any of you have need of a dog. Anyway, I gotta say, all this talk of 'glory' gets my eyes twitchin'. You see, there's no glory in politics or courtrooms or, hell, even in helping the good folk in this town. We all know what 'glory' means: war.
The big man lets the last word hang on the air for a moment before he continues.
The good people of this town have fought their fair share of wars and don't need any rabble rousers coming here stirring up trouble causing more bloodshed. The Thrunes ain't perfect--no one is. But we're doing fine here without highfalutin' notions of glory and honor. We don't need your help, we don't need 'saving', and we damn sure don't need any more blood spilled on behalf of some 'higher power'. You took a wrong turn at Andoran, miss. Leave us to our peace here, which people have keep civil since long before you arrived.
The speech seems to have had some effect and many of the people in the crowd nod in agreement and many seem to be thinking about it. Their bluster has certainly diminished.
Allamar frowns "Last night the Tannery was attacked by the baron's minions and everyone was either slain or captured, tortured and then executed. This is how Thrune operates but we wont give up so easily. This was Aroden's country and Iomedea is his inheritor, we will reclaim this country from the grips of hell and bring it back to the light."
A few men take in a pair of coffins displaying the corpses of the men slain at the Tannery.
Azrielan takes this opportunity to step up and join the conversation, her knowledge of Cheliax's history becoming useful.
"And what of the god Aroden, whose prophesied return to Cheliax was meant to inspire the age of greatness, the age of Humanity?" she calls out, responding to Allamar bringing up Aroden.
"He died when he was needed the most, and we humans, puny in the eyes of the gods, were left to the shadows. And who stepped up to protect us? Not one of the goodly gods. Not this 'Inheritor'! Not Saranrae. Not even Abadar offered us salvation."
She has gradually become louder, her teachings at Dinyar obviously having been strong.
"No! None of them. None save our Lord Asmodeus stepped forward out of the darkness to save us. He has made us this great nation we are today. Nothing-nothing!-would be here if not for him."
"Aroden did nothing for us, and I will not have his...'child' protecting me, or the great nation I live in."
Kayla was not one for dramatic speeches, she was born and trained to be an assassin. it has been all she has known. It was only recently she has started to enjoy other things. Such as he taste for sweets.
Watching the proceedings, she was concerned that there may be zealots that may try to silence her friends, permanently.
keeping an eye for trouble Kayla scans the crowd as well as other vantage points for possible threats to not only her companions, but also to the speaker as well.
Mercer is a little nervous at all of the rabble rousing, but waits to see how the crowd reacts to Azrielan's speech.
"There is nothing great about this nation as it stands now. It was great once and it may be again but now it is a wretched place were evil rules and the masses are treated cattle or worst. Asmodeus didn't save anything. He saw weakness and he enslaved this nation. Now the time has come to fight for freedom! Go home and think on it when the angel knight arrives you will need to decide if you would rather live as slaves to devils or fight for a free nation." says Allamar
Listening to the debate, Kayla has an idea. after first ensuring there are no threats to either side (yes she is looking out for the safety of Allmar as well)
she starts to mingle among the crowd. planting little seeds of thought of war.
because of her size she tries to relate to the children (if any) in the audience. I heard it said that they will bring war. you could loose your daddy if that is true.
going to others faking conversations for others to overhear, I wonder how many will loose their families if they take charge. war isn't pretty you know.
Kayla manages to plant a few seeds of doubt in the crowd.
The crows begins to disperse.
Allamar looks at you "I know the baron sent you to spy on us and to impede me but if you truly care for this country then you are on the wrong side. The devil worshipping Thrunes are going to send us all to hell unless they are stopped. Think about it in the days to come" she says
If we were spying, would we openly display his symbol of authority? Ambrose stands up, showing his armband.
Citizens of Longacre--the baron tasked us to keep the town safe. These traitors at the tannery were not "attacked" by us. We went to investigate their involvement in the seditious rebellion that these so-called do-gooders are trying to get you involved in. The tanner and his cronies admitted to spreading rebellious propaganda and attacked us, attempting lethal force. We subdued as many people as we could and turned them in, along with the evidence of their treachery, to lawful authorities. Yes, they were executed for their self-confessed crimes.
Ambrose turns to Allamar: And your goddess, asking you to taking up arms and promising glory in a war against a lawful government--this violent, vengeful goddess who has no place in our town, what would she encourage you to do? If Iomedae was in charge here and some outsiders tried to overthrow the government by force, what punishment would she recommend? A tap on the wrist, or a punishment befitting treason?
Leaving the question hanging in the air, the kennelmaster addresses the dispersing crowd. Make no mistake--these sword-waving zealots mean to water the seeds of their rebellion with your blood. Don't give them the chance.
"There is nothing more to say. Go and tell your master that the time will come soon for them to stand trial for their many crimes"
Mercer winces and involuntarily steps backward as Ambrose tells everyone that we're the ones that raided the tannery.
He turns his head and addresses the raven on his shoulder "Can't we keep anything secret?"
"Raawwk" is the raven's only reply.
Kayla continued to watch the exchange, keeping out of it, still trying to blend in with the common crowd.
As Allamar turns to leave, Kayla will start to shadow him. keeping an eye out for danger to herself or to Allamar.
also hoping to catch any parts of conversation that she can as she trails the priest.
The crowd is clearing out for the most part but the men who confronted you as you tried to enter remain as well as her two sons standing on each side of the helmet. Allamar stands on the stage waiting for everyone to leave.
Tic will head outside with the dispersing crowd. He'll try to get a read on the crowd to see what the general populace seems to be feeling about the meeting, whether Allamar's message struck home, and if so, how much of the crowd appears to be leaning her way.
Kayla slipped into the shadows as the crowd started to leave hoping to go unnoticed once everyone else is gone.
"I think we've worn out our welcome here and we should go." Mercer says to Ambrose.
He reaches out to pull the cavalier along as he slowly heads toward the entrance.
Very well, I've no desire to associate with traitors. Ambrose says, leaving after Mercer with his dogs in tow.
Tic gets the feeling the crowd has mixed feelings about it. However the general consensus is that most folks either want to rebellion to happen but aren't willing to commit while others just don't want any trouble. A few however (maybe 1 in 5) seemed fully committed to the idea.
Kayla stays hidden as everyone clears out. (let me know what you do in spoiler tabs)
You return to the manor and report what happened to your employer.
"That’s a more dramatic move than I’d expect from a country priestess—I'm impressed. Tileavia Allamar might be more interesting than I’d thought. It’s the helmet and this ‘Angel Knight’ I'm curious about, though. I've heard the stories of the Glorious Reclamation. An overzealous mob of Iomedaean fanatics calling for a nationwide revolution, as if there was any hope of that. Still, Archbaron Fex might find this information valuable. In any case, you've done well. You’ll find your payment in the parlor. I shouldn't have any more work for you today, but I suspect that might change tomorrow. I’ll send word."
Mercer and Corbie go to check and see if there's food in the parlor.
Kayla tries to shadow Allamar once she leaves. attempting two tasks, first to secretly ensure her safety, and second to see where she goes, and who she is associating with.
The priestess is in no danger from anyone but you. She doesn't leave the temple and has her own quarters there. They lock up the helmet in a reliquary and then go to sleep in their own quarters.
Returning to the parlour you find another meal and a reward of 300 gold waiting for each of you. The food this time is rather ordinary compared to last time but delicious all the same and there is no expansive wine this time.
Before leaving, Kayla will check the lock and the door to the reliquary. determining how difficult it will be to break in.
(or take 20 for a 32)
Tic waits for everyone else to get their food before he does the same, and sits to eat.
C'mon friend, have a drink with me, Ambrose says to Tic.
I understand you're good at your job and all, but there's more to life than torturing traitors. We need to keep the town safe from rebellion, yes, but we have to live our lives too. Moments like these, we need to savor. To good food and good friends, the kennelmaster says, raising a beverage in Tic's direction.
"Your care is appreciated, Kennelmaster. You seem to be a good man as far as I can tell. There is little else that makes up who I am than my job, but it is good to sit and drink and relax from time to time. Thank you."
"It seems that these people are determined to undo all of the work the House of Thrune has done and lead the country back into chaos. We should investigate some way to discredit this leader and her cause."
"Direct action against her would probably only create a martyr and lead to further disorder."
"As much as it pains me to do so, I agree." Azrielan says, having overheard Mercer's statement as she entered the room.
"I would love nothing more than to see her executed for her crimes, but I fear her death would, as Mercer said, only create more problems for us."
"Perhaps we could learn if she has outside support and find a way to remove it?"
"Do we know where the Gnome has gone off to? Since there were no uproars I don't imagine she's gotten into too much trouble, but considering her prediliction I wonder if she's doing just that," Tic says in response to Mercer.
Kayla finds herself unable to open the reliquary. The lock should not be this difficult but she suspect magic is at play here.
Unable to get what she really wanted, Kayla snoops around for what she can grab that might be useful.
She then slips out to head back taking a round about way to loose any pursuers
(and stopping by a bakery for some pastries along the way)
(or take 10 for a 19)
Eventually Kayla returns to the "hideout" slipping in quietly munching on some pastries.
she climbs up on a chair and starts to eat.
You get some rest and the nest day you meet with your benefactor once more. He comes into the room.
"I met with the Archbaron last night." he says
The shimmering silhouette inclines a hand towards a stack of rolled parchments on the table.."He has issued several new decrees that he’d like posted across town to inform the citizenry. He also has a task for you. Post these decrees at the notice post in the church square, the sherif's office, the Last Stand Tavern, and the Castle Gate. And while you’re at the sheriff’s office. The Archbaron has a second decree for you to deliver." the shadow tilts toward a folded page on the table. "One that dismisses Rhona Staelish as the sheriff of Longacre."
Inform the sheriff and her deputies that as off today she is relieved of duty. You have until noon today. Perform as reliably as you have in your last two tasks, and if this assignment goes smoothly, the Archbaron would like to meet with you. It sounds as though he might soon have some civil positions to fill."
"The sheriff is very popular in town because of how lax she is in performing her duties. She breaks up brawls and performs arrest for serious crimes but anything else is ignored. I suspect she would not enforced any of the new decrees as such she will need to be replaced. Until a suitable replacement is found I believe the baron intends to have you take over her duties."
All Citizens of and Visitors to the Town of Longacre, By Order of His Lordship Darellus Fex, Archbaron of Longacre, and in accordance with the wishes of Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, the following decrees are now in effect:
Longacre’s western gate, known as the Castle Gate, is closed until further notice. All travel into and out of Longacre must employ the north or south gates and be officially sanctioned. Only the archbaron’s agents, sanctioned local businesses, or those displaying a writ of passage bearing the seal of House Fex, will be granted passage. All others must obtain a writ from the Longacre notary or do business elsewhere.
Longacre citizens shall not congregate in groups numbering greater than six in private, or in numbers greater than twelve in public. Exceptions will be made only for families with more than six members or for individuals undertaking the natural course of their business. Gatherings for the purposes of celebration, education, or religion are not exempt from this order. A curfew is now in effect. From the hour after dusk to the hour before dawn, no citizen of Longacre is allowed upon the town’s streets without a writ of exception bearing the seal of House Fex. The archbaron’s agents and sanctioned local businesses are exempt from this order. Those seeking a writ of exception may apply at the Longacre Notary.
Any persons found in violation of these mandates or any other laws and sanctions of Longacre will be considered seditious agents and are subject to questioning, imprisonment, and summary judgment by the Archbaron of Longacre and officials of the town government. For the prosperity of Longacre, the protection of the Empire, and the glory of House Thrune.
Darellus Fex, Archbaron of Longacre
"I will do this thing,"say Tic reaching for the decree that dismisses the sherrif. "If it must be done, I will do it."
kayla was the last to awaken, she caught nearly all of the assignment, well at least enough to know the task.
I will go with Tic, as back-up. I don't think the sheriff will be to agreeable with his new working arrangement. Besides I don't think I can reach high enough to post any signs for people to read. she says as she starts munching on a danish.
"Is the sheriff likely to have allies that will resist her removal?"
Kayla asks on quick question before her benefactor leaves, Should the Sheriff or his deputies resist, is kill authorized?
"Her deputies and perhaps some of the locals. You can kill them if they resist."
Kayla smiles at the order, its been a while since the kill was authorized.
she looks to her team, perhaps before the delivery of the notice of termination, we could find a way to frame her death on Allamar and her riot instigators.