"As much as I would like Thrune to know I am the one discrediting him and survived his arson, Lord Stray is fine for now." Rexus said before clearing his throat and holding everyone's attention. "Anyway, let me start back on the Night of Ashes. I'm sure all of us can remember where we were back then. It was by mere circumstance that I was at the Alabaster Academy, catching up in my language studies. Need to keep the skills sharp after all. Anyway, I was particularly motivated that night and left late. Imagine my surprise when I leave the building and see a plume of smoke above the Greens."
"I rushed back in a panic, only to find my home in flames and surrounded by soldiers. The bright flames revealed their uniforms, which bore the Thune colors. They were also cheering at the destruction." He clenched his fists and and his breathing got more tense, as if holding back his rage and frustrations. "I wanted to race in there. I wanted to make those soldiers pay for ruining my home... hurting my family and servants... but I couldn't. It took every fiber of my being to run away and mourn. I still wonder if I did the right thing that night."
He sighed heavily and took a moment to adjust himself before speaking up again. "There were other fires that night, as you know. Fires that many believe were started by Barzillai Thrune or his agents to try and squash any spirit of rebellion Kintargo might have. Now more than ever we need that spirit of rebellion to stay strong, but Thrune’s actions have driven many into hiding. Those who could once rally the city to a cause, such as Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus and my parents, are missing at best, and are more likely dead. I cannot do this on my own, but with the aid of talented citizens such as yourselves, I have hope that we can."
"Will you aid Kintargo? Will you save the city from the devil?” He asked you everyone, looking for an honest answer from the party.
"My family may be some of the most ardent of Thrune supporters but I am not considered a part of my family anymore. Seeing what he is willing to do to those entrusted to his care I am more than willing to tear this usurper down."
"...Yeah, yeah I'll help. Always dreamed of being a hero. This is probably going to be a bit more cloak and dagger than I dreamed, but I still want to do it. Nobody's going to be safe until that maniac is out on his ass." Lonnie Stand's and pounds his chest with a whole lot of enthusiasm. "I'll boot'em out personally if I gatta! Let's see'em try and stop me!"
Tasha lifts her head from her journal, as she wipes over the page to soak the ink. Shaking her head, she puts on a nervous smile. Putting the quill to her side, she looks around. Well, Tasha, isn't this what you were thinking of doing? Driving them away or toning the tone down?, she thinks as she picks up the quill and bites the end. Or am I going to hide behind the pseudonym and sit on my ass while people are being killed and displaced and whatever else Thrune is doing to them?
She sighs. "Well, when you put it with such pathos.", she chuckles after a second, patting Lonnie on the back. "And you certainly inspired Lonnie here." She stands up. "I want to keep this as bloodless as possible, but I realise that'll not ever be entirely possible." Sadness sweeps in her voice, before her smile appears once more, as she closes her fist.
"What we'll do to Thrune isn't going to be simply forcing him out. We're going to make him laughing stock to all of Cheliax, and all the world." She raises her fist in the air. "Brutality fears mockery. Brutality fears criticism. Brutality fears joy and freedom, and there are no more joyous and free cities in whole of Cheliax than Kintargo." She extends her hand to Rexus. "We'll win hearts and we'll win minds. We'll laugh and mock the devil out!"
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Felinder sat, his hands in front of his mouth as he listened. The convenient hand position made hiding his smirk much easier. Here was a man, a noble no less, asking him to help overthrow a government. He was basically asking Felinder to help build a government for himself.
"Friend, if what you say is true, then it is my duty... nay, my CALLING to see this heinous devil-humper brought low by his own hubris!"
"Though..." Felinder leaned back, his smirk slightly shrinking, "I hope you don't think this whole thing will be won by holding hands and singing happy songs. This is gonna get bloody eventually. But don't worry, I'm certain we can keeps things nice and clean for as long as possible."
He then leaned forward, grinning. "After all, what better tool is there to slay a devil than a silver tongue?"
"...Yeah, yeah I'll help. Always dreamed of being a hero. This is probably going to be a bit more cloak and dagger than I dreamed, but I still want to do it. Nobody's going to be safe until that maniac is out on his ass." Lonnie Stand's and pounds his chest with a whole lot of enthusiasm. "I'll boot'em out personally if I gatta! Let's see'em try and stop me!"
She sighs. "Well, when you put it with such pathos.", she chuckles after a second, patting Lonnie on the back. "And you certainly inspired Lonnie here." She stands up. "I want to keep this as bloodless as possible, but I realize that'll not ever be entirely possible." Sadness sweeps in her voice, before her smile appears once more, as she closes her fist.
"What we'll do to Thrune isn't going to be simply forcing him out. We're going to make him laughing stock to all of Cheliax, and all the world." She raises her fist in the air. "Brutality fears mockery. Brutality fears criticism. Brutality fears joy and freedom, and there are no more joyous and free cities in whole of Cheliax than Kintargo." She extends her hand to Rexus. "We'll win hearts and we'll win minds. We'll laugh and mock the devil out!"
"Friend, if what you say is true, then it is my duty... nay, my CALLING to see this heinous devil-humper brought low by his own hubris!"
"Though..." Felinder leaned back, his smirk slightly shrinking, "I hope you don't think this whole thing will be won by holding hands and singing happy songs. This is gonna get bloody eventually. But don't worry, I'm certain we can keeps things nice and clean for as long as possible."
He then leaned forward, grinning. "After all, what better tool is there to slay a devil than a silver tongue?"
With each positive reply, Rexus had a smile that only grew bigger. "Believe me, I understand the want to keep things as clean as possible and I share your sentiments. So, I will trust your judgement when it comes to the execution of our rebellion. Though, before that, we need to actually start one. And I believe I know how to begin."
"You see, the reason why my family home was targeted was because my mother was a high ranking member of the Sacred Order of Archivists, a band of Iroran scholars that preserve the true events of history. Because of that, they naturally oppose the Asmodean redactors and their ilk. I only recently comfimed this when a former associate of my mother approached me and gave me a coffer and this letter." He said, finishing and handing the letter to each of you to read and peruse.
If you are reading this, what I have feared has come to pass and I am dead. For many years, I have belonged to the Sacred Order of Archivists and have worked to free Kintargo from Chelish rule. I have learned much about Kintargo’s secret history, and fear the time will soon come when the city needs the return of its Silver Ravens. You have likely not heard of the Silver Ravens—few have. Mentions of them have been redacted by the agents of House Thrune, but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their kind again. Do not believe the government’s claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all who work against Thrune may find themselves in danger in the days ahead.
The Silver Ravens maintained numerous hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the civil war. I have located one such site—the chambers below a building known today as the Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I was unable to seek further answers there myself. Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search below the livery. There, if my research is correct, you will find something to teach you more of the
Silver Ravens and their legacy.
Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!
"So, if you are still willing, first thing tomorrow, I say that we set out to the livery and find whatever remains of the Silver Raven's former presence in that place. Any objections?"
Tasha reads the letter with intense interest, before passing it to the next person. "Wow. So Bainilus is still kicking, there not one, but two secret societies in action, and there's a secret hideout?", she blurts out, shaking her head. "My dear lord, you are but testing a humble reporter's instincts." Her face turns a bit sombrer, as she looks at Rexus. "And, sorry about your mother. Again." I wonder what my mom's doing. Haven't heard about her capture, but I guess they were only dealing with the good actors., she thinks, as she looks at Lonnie. "So, I'm ready to go when you all are. As much as I'd love to stay here, I don't think the Maldrons would appreciate a rebellion being run in their cellar." A smile appears on her face. "And with your mother around, we're running the danger of needing to refit armours twice a week." Retrieving her shield from the wall, Tasha straps it around her arm.