"Hmm...I'm decent at hunting devils and demons, but not much else."
Jack turns his eyes toward the ultra-talented Mirabella.
”So you’re saying a solo performance might secure the support of the noble house? Well, lead the way and I’ll sing enough songs that they will join our cause just to make me stop!” Mirabella says joufully.
"I would very much like to see a performance. Mysteryous poets, winning people over with song. I like the idea of love throwing Thune with as much art as possible."
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You make you way to the Greens where all the noblehouses are located like pearls on a string following the high walls sealing this part of the city from the rest. You near the Aulamaxa estate and is stopped by the guard. "Halt, do you have an appointment with the Archbaroness?" he asks looking over the party.
She was.... hurt. The revelation that Jack was not well Jack stung the erratic dhampier and the feelings that had been growing for the hapless man. It wasnt right. She also couldnt blame him. She wasnt sure what to do now. Clearly He was like important, and would have to be with someone important. right?... right?
Her thoughts raced over that just as she tilted her head and tried to put thought to what had been mentioned about the Aulamaxa's. Hunting or performances... that was a strange mix. She wasnt really sure what she was supposed to do while Mirabella worked her charms she she stood there studying the walls.
She was.... hurt. The revelation that Jack was not well Jack stung the erratic dhampier and the feelings that had been growing for the hapless man. It wasnt right. She also couldnt blame him. She wasnt sure what to do now. Clearly He was like important, and would have to be with someone important. right?... right?
Her thoughts raced over that just as she tilted her head and tried to put thought to what had been mentioned about the Aulamaxa's. Hunting or performances... that was a strange mix. She wasnt really sure what she was supposed to do while Mirabella worked her charms she she stood there studying the walls.
On the way the Aulamaxa estate, Mirabella reflects on her own rather blaise reaction to Jack's revelation. Perhaps she had become so used to the need for deception and subterfuge in this secret revolution they were all engaged in for one more secret to really matter.
Confronted by the guard, she puts on her best smile.
"Not an appointment as such, but we were encouraged to seek the archbaronness' patronage by a mutual acquaintance. You see, with the operahouse being closed and all, we are a small group of devoted music lovers, who have taken it upon ourselves to arrange private performances for highly selective audiences. And we have it on good authority that the Archbaroness would be very interested in such a proposition." she says , every untrue word spoken with much enthusiasm.
"We know the value of the arts to the family, and we have much to discuss. We are sure the Archbaroness will be very interested in speaking to us. Could you be sure to carry our enthusiasm to her?"
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Logan suppressed a smile, Mirabella's patter was smooth and Bicks was so utterly convincing it was almost frightening.
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The guardsman is not really sure how to respond. "I am ehh.. I'm sure she would love a performance, the archbaroness has been rather bored since the opera house has been closed." He rings the bell inside the gate and a few moments later a middle aged half elven man in servantattire comes to greet you. "If you would be so kind as to follow, I will lead you to a waiting room untill her ladyship will see you." he says and leads you into a beautiful diningroom meant for entertaining smaller parties with a few tables each flanked with 4 chairs and a small stage meant for one or two people entertaining the Archbaroness' guests.
After approximately 20 mins waiting the doors are opened and the archbaroness are lead into the room flanked by her oldest son, dressed in a simple yet fine hunting attire and an ornated longbow strapped to his back. Eldonna adresses you "So my dear travelers, I hear you are offering a performance to satiate my appetite for music in these trying times. But by the looks of you all, only one of you have the grace of a bard, the rest of you look more learnt and skilled with arms, so I assume you are here to both entertain me and my son and ask of us something in return. I would perfer to listen to your music first and see if I'm in the mood for listening to anything els afterwards." she says in a gentle tone but showing the abilities of a skilled hunter in assessing you.
Once Mirabella starts her performance, Bicks will come in with a simple, melodic but emotional counter melody is a surprising baritone.
If tears could build a stairway
And memories a lane
We'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you back again
God looked around His garden
And He found an empty place
Then He looked down upon the earth
And He saw your precious face
While waiting, Mirabella changes into one of her custom-fitted dresses that she brought for the occasion, ingests her Lozenge of the Songbird and instructs her companions in how they can best aid her performance.
After acknowledging the greeting from the archbaroness, she gracefully takes the stage.
"The aria I am about to perform is from an opera planned to premier in our grand Opera House before Thrune shut it down. We hope it will one day grace the stage there, but in the meantime, I can thing of a more fitting audience than you, my lady."
She the launches into a heartfelt performance, supported by Bick's simple, yet spectacular song.
Logan smiled in genuine appreciation and after the performance he remarked sadly, "It doesn't seem right that the citizens of Kintargo are denied the cultural enlightenment of the Opera..."
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The Archbaroness listens contently to the performance. "My what a wonderfull signing voice you got. You young lady, I feel like I've heard your voice before, have you by chance performed in the opera house before it got turned into Thrunes personal residence?" she says clearly happy with the show you put on.
Forgetting herself for a moment she applauded rather loudly at the performance before blushing.
"Good job you two!"
Mirabella takes a bow, then elegantly steps off the stage.
"You have a keen ear, my lady. I began my bardic training in the service of your relative Victoria Aulamaxa and given many private performances in her home. It was her great dream to experience me perform on the stage of the Opera House, but lord Thrune crushed that dream. As you probably know, she has left the Kintargo indefinitely. I, however, have chosen to remain and have joined the company of these worthy companions, who are equally distraught by the oppression our fair city experiences. The number of good people who wish for nothing more than to see freedom restored to Kintargo grows daily." she says, keeping a close eye at the reactions of their hosts.
"Ummmm. I don't have much of a musical resume that's why I'm still in the chorus. My other art is flower arrangement and topiary."
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"Ah dear cousin Victoria, it's been years since I last attended one of her small parties. The work of the head of a noble house kept me away for most of the time in recent years." she says quite delighted before turning serious. "So what is it you and your friends plan to do and what do you want to ask my help with? I assume you plan something like tumbling Thrune of his throne for lack of a better word."
Logan chose this moment to speak up, nodding gravely to the Archbaroness he said, "Ma'am, I may not be able to put things in pretty words like my friends here." He indicated Miribella and Bicks, "But what I say is from the heart," to emphasise this he thumped his chest with the flat of his hand, "I am a patriot, I want, we all want Kintago to flourish. But under the boot of House Thrune it can not, if we let them they'll grind us into the dust! Thrune must be ejected, but not without a plan. We must seek allies, build our strength up in secret, plan for what comes after before a decisive strike. That's why we're here, to discuss what comes after, it wouldn't do to exchange one despot for another... We hope for something more enlightened, a future where Kintago is run in the best interest of all its citizens."
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"You speak the truth young man, this city has always flourished under the political system andorens brought with them where we elected a lord-mayor rather than the goverment of her majestix appoints someone here. You will have the support of my house given that you promise not to appoint another despot to lead the city. But we won't throw anything at you for the time being, instead we will prepare for the day when you will take the fight to Thrune. Maybe than my dear cousin can return and your young lady overthere can finally get her time on the stage she rightfully deserves to be on." the archbaroness says with a smile while moving in to get a closer look at Logan. "Say ain't you that Tanessen boy Count Geoff always speaks so ill about for not worshipping Asmodeus like the rest of your family? I highly doubt you could convince him to help you, so will you kick him out and assume lordship over the Tanessen once the you have taken down Thrune?" she says quite curiously.
"Say ain't you that Tanessen boy Count Geoff always speaks so ill about for not worshipping Asmodeus like the rest of your family?"
Logan blinked before smiling and sketching a bow "Guilty as charged I'm afraid ma'am."
"I highly doubt you could convince him to help you, so will you kick him out and assume lordship over the Tanessen once the you have taken down Thrune?"
With a resigned bitterness he answered her softly, "If it was up to me, I'd be happy for him to carry on ignoring me. The thing in the end is his pride won't stand for what I've been up to, especially if it comes out publicly. Frankly I'm surprised he hasn't sent hired knives already... I don't particularly want his seat at the table but in the end I expect he'll leave me with no choice. As per usual."
She raised her eyebrows at the wat the Logan so calmly discussed his family . . . possible sending assasins after him. That was the most terrible thing she had ever heard! Her eyes fluttered over to Jack whom she was still a little cross with and she couldnt help buy wonder if he was in a simular situation... I mean it would explain why he had kept the news of his family held close to the chest. She bit her lip pondering for a moment.
Jack puts a hand on Logan's shoulder briefly. "We'll all help in that endeavor, if it comes to that."
The disguised nobleman catches the expression on Canacha's pretty face and winces. "Well, this went as well as could be expected. Perhaps we can try House Jhaltero next; I hear their lord, Baron Canton, can be reasonable at most times."
The next day, Jack gathers his fellow Silver Ravens.
"Just got a message from my father. He's arranged a meeting for us with his brother--Baron Canton--tomorrow afternoon."
"Is that a safe meeting? What can you tell us of your uncle?"
Putting a brave face on it, Logan relied "Thanks Jack. I appreciate it." It was good to know who your friends where.
"Just got a message from my father. He's arranged a meeting for us with his brother--Baron Canton--tomorrow afternoon."
Logan replied "Mmmm, that's interesting and promising. Do we need to do anything to prepare?"
He thought about what he knew of Baron Canton and he consulted his little black book for good measure.
"Well, I've always thought of him as stern but fair," Jack replies after a moment's thought. "I never saw a whole lot of my uncle; not sure if my father told him I was something of a screw-up in my youth or not."
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The walk to the Jhaltero manor was quite eventful, you show the guards your invitation and is told you will be meeting the Baron in his office. A halfling in a fine servant’s uniform comes to greet you. "Good morning, sirs, and ladies, I will lead you to my Baron's office. The Baron has ordered refreshments ready for you talk so if you will follow me and place mind your head on the way in, the top frame of the door is a little low." he says leading you into the office and directing you all to your seats. On the tea table is a pot of freshly brewed coffee and one with an herbal and fruity odor, most likely a tea made from freshly picked berries and herbs in the garden and lastly a bottle of cold water.
The Baron's office is neatly decorated with silver ornaments and stones of unusual shape or colors dug from the house's quarries. Behind a finely crafted desk sits Baron Canton Jhaltero reading the last of his reports and signing them off before he hands them to the halfling as he is about to leave. He takes his glasses of and starts looking you all over before he starts speaking in a deep rumbling voice. ”So, my dear brother tells me that you lot want to do something about the rotten government currently controlling this fine city. What do you people know about leading a rebelling or for that matter our beloved city afterwards? Would you even be able to tell friend from foe once the fighting begins or will you only trust in each other? My people have told me a great deal of what you have done and even letting one of Thrunes hirelings take the credit from stopping the slasher copycat, do you even want to be recognized as the heroes of this city or are you just picking a fight and then leave it afterwards? What say you dear nephew?” He says looking directly at Jack with piercing blue eyes, a stark contrast to Jack’s brown eyes. You can see some family resemblance to Jack and he has the same look to him when he is concerned about something.
Jack bows his head deferentially to his family's patriarch before answering as best he can. "We're in a tricky position: trying to thwart the new lord-mayor while not doing it so boldly as to put a target on our backs," he begins. "We aren't powerful enough--yet--to stand up directly against Lord-Mayor Thrune, or the Church of Asmodeus, or even the dottari. And we don't seem to be alone in that regard: I don't see the Court of Coin, the churches of Abadar and Shelyn, or any other city group openly opposing the new government either. And that's understandable, after what transpired on the Night of Ashes. Personally, I'm not looking to be recognized as a hero--I just want Kintargo to be as it was before Thrune arrived and seized power. Or even better than it was before. I think we've chosen our fights wisely, for the most part. When you are outgunned, sometimes a guerilla style is best: hit hard and swift and then slip away to continue the fight at another time and place. We're doing what we can with the resources we currently have. If we had more allies and more resources, our punches would hit harder."
Logan was a little irritated by this line of questioning, but he grudgingly admitted that hard questions deserved answers. A little gruffly he replied after Jack had finished speaking, "We're in this for the long haul. Discerning friend from foe is a tricky thing, we intend to have a good idea of who we can count on well in advance of open rebellion. That's part of why we're here... It's also why we intend to help a community of aquatic elves we befriended, if we can get them on our side they'll be able to transport supplies unseen by Thrune's forces."
He cleared his throat before continuing, "Also we want to discus what comes after, we have no intention of trading one despot for another. Kintargo needs to be run for the benefit of all it's citizens. Personally I'm in favour of a council with an elected mayor to run Kintargo, the exact details need to be thrashed out. Would something on those lines be an acceptable form of government? Of course leading noble houses would have a seat on the council."
"As you surely know, your lordship, there is a difference between tactics and strategy. So far, the tactics available to us have been guerrilla. Hit and run, embolden allies, stand with uneasy enemies of the thrown. The strategy is to consolidate power, collect intel, weaken the enemy's position then strike decisively. Heros are only raised from among those who win."
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The Baron looks over you all, seeming not fully convinced yet. "You all speak very well about your intended vision for the city, but you have yet to demonstrate that you have the required knowledge to lead a city as diverse as ours. In your current stage it seems your rebellion lives and dies on the canary not falling to the bottom of it's cage keeping Thrune from discovering your hideouts. Because you are not ready for him to bring even the lowest of his supporters to your door from what you are saying. So you are still surveying the lay of the quarry, but you are not yet ready to start digging am I to understand that right?" he asks back following up on your answers, you get the sense he is used to be a shrewd judge of character. "And you my nephew wants to lead this from the frontline, how will you make sure in the event of your capture that you do not bring the ire of Thrune down on our house? It's hard enough to keep everyone protected in these trying times with Thrune issueing martial law and especially with your brother and the young miss Jarvis disapearing and eventually found dead so recently." he says rather softly but with the look of someone still pained about the events.
Logan admitted without rancor, "Its true we're one discovered safe house away from disaster, but the thing is best as I can tell they haven't really looked. There's been no house to house searches, and so far no assassins. A far wiser man than me once said when your enemy is making a mistake, don't interrupt them. So while Thrune thinks we're not a threat, we intend to become one!"
Taking a risk Logan justified this by saying "We shall start by gathering more allies, for example we befriended some aquatic elves. They have their own problems, we intend to help them in exchanged for supplying our cause in secret. Likewise we intend to approach Vyre."
With a sigh he said, "Of course there will come a day where The Queen will os longer be distracted by those Iomedean Paladins. Before that happens we aim to have secured The Menador Gap. That'll make it rather difficult to march an army here, and give us time to secure the city."
Jack grimaces at his uncle's words but nods at those of Logan. "Nothing of value is gained without some measure of risk," the ranger eventually replies. "If we stay safe within the walls of our villa, it won't matter how many small mistakes Lord-Mayor Thrune makes: he'll deepen his grasp on our city and eventually reward those who helped him secure it. That'll be families like the Sarinis and Delronges, not the Jhalteros."
With a sigh, Jack concludes, "Should I be captured, so be it; I'll not bring our family name into the picture. After all, Danilar Jhaltero's been dead and buried for months; I'm some street rebel called Jack Duncloak now."
Heeding Logan's advice about Baron Jhalteros, Mirabella spends the first part of the meeting in silence, carefully monitoring the conversation and evaluating the Baron's subtle reactions to every word.
Once Logan and Jack are done speaking, she politely adds. "If I may, sir. Your summary of our activities and current state of the rebellion is not entirely accurate. The Silver Ravens have already defeated several of Thrune's lieutenants, all of them quite capable. We have fought devils and deranged murderers, aquatic abominations and the undead. When some of our number have abandoned the cause for one reason or another, others, myself included, have joined in their place. And while discovery of our new hidden base would certainly be a blow, it would certainly not mean the end of our efforts. We have more hidden allies and safehouses throughout the city and beyond. I hope you understand why I won't go into specifics, for security reasons."
She pauses, drawing on all her bardic training and knowledge of Kintargo's history.
"As for governing and leading this city, we have amble guidance in our glorious past. Before the rise of Thrune, the citizens and nobles of Kintargo made ous city prosper and flourish though wise decisions and careful diplomacy. And as you certainly know, Kintargo has maintained closer ties to the culture, people, and wealth of Varisian cities such as Korvosa and Magnimar than they have to Chelish cities such as Corentyn and Egorian. Consider for example how you own ancestors brokered a deal with the other noble houses..."
Mirabella continues her lecture-like speech, drawing forth many examples, including obscure facts that Thrune’s redactors and revisionists have otherwise gone to great lengths to purge from the official city documents.
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Canton breathes a sigh of relief and starts smiling "I'm happy to see that you have someone with the knowledge of what our fair town used to be. You, young lady, have a good head on your shoulder and you know how important our traditional allies are compared to the rest of Cheliax. I will not ask you to get them back, they will come once we are seen as a free city again. I can also see you are busy planning ahead with gathering allies and finding ways to prevent Her Infernal witch thrice damned from sending her armies here easily. Keep doing that and you will have our support when the time comes for a more open revolt." he says turning back to Jack ”And you dear nephew, you still have a bit of a temper in you. Remember that you will need it when the real fight starts, but also remember how it is to live and hide in the Shadows."
The baron pauses for a moment before continueing "I have a proposal for you. Your father has been looking for someone to take on a more active role in out information network as he is no longer a spring chicken. He will still lead from his office and sign off any document, but we need someone to lead in the field. I have talked with him about it, and if you remain contempt with not officially be a part of our house, we could use you working in the front line of our information gathering after the city is freed. Would you care to take up that offer?”
"How would what you offer differ from what I'm doing now?" Jack counters. "Would I have to split my time between my family's needs and my friends' needs, or merely check in more often?"
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Logan watched his friend negotiate with his family and felt a pang of loneness, to be treated with respect like this was something he would never know.
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She was fretting... out of her league with the negotioations. It was all she could do to not burst out in anger when it looked like Jack's uncle was about to admonish him about the dangers to his family if her were caught. Her hand rested on the hilt of her pistol and she half started to draw it before she let out a little sigh just watching. She should stay out of nobles business. Her eyes did widen a moment when her uncle offered him a job afterwards... one that wasnt official.
"Of course he will take it!"
She said right after he countered and her pale skin darkened. She leaned in really close to his ear, so close it might be confused that she was trying to bite it and grabbed his hand. She whispered.
"Jack... dont you get it, like you would still be 'dead'. You know so like I could actually be with y..."
She paused and grew very red pulling away from him biting her lip for a moment, fangs very prominant.
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The baron smiles at the young Canacha's outburst "I see that you have some one wishing to be close to you. I gonna be completely honest and say that there would come a few requests from our house about jobs we wished for you to prioritise as soon as possible. Henceforth you would likewise be asked to check in a little often, not much maybe once or twice more a month, more often if you accept one of our assignments of course. Also you would be able to come directly to me and make requisitions for help along with our other informants. Lastly you would get your living arrangements covered by the house's treasurery with a box in the coins where a deposit would be placed each month for you to pick up. How does that sound?" he explains to Jack, taking a sip from his coffee.
Jack looks to the other Silver Ravens before announcing his decision.
Mirabella Bicks auto aids your history check. +2
Bicks will attempt to detect any deception, malice or bad faith in the offer.
+11 = 29
She looked very hopeful clutching her hands in front her, holding them together. She did keep glancing torwards his uncle almost as if searching for the trick... waiting for Jack to announce his decision
Thinking to herself that the arrangement sounds good, Mirabella sends Jack a reassuring smile while waiting for him to accept or refuse his uncle's offer.
"OK--count me in," Jack tells the Baron.
Logan smiled he was happy for his friend but he felt a gnawing emptiness in his heart where his own family should have been.
After everyone had said their goodbyes Logan asked, "What do we want to do next? Visit some more noble families or perhaps try to help the elves?"
The moment they were no longer in front of his uncle(She thought) She paused for a moment slightly nervous. The she grabbed a hold of Jack via his cheeks and planted a kiss square on his mouth. She had been wanting to do that for such a long time it felt like and she heard his uncle. He could officially do what he wanted.
"Man that felt good."
Logan smiled at Canacha and Jack but his mind was elsewhere.
"We could try house Aulorian next maybe, but I think it'll be a hard sell. My guess is House Jarvis would be the next easiest to bring on side, they're loyal to Kintargo in the way Aulorian never were, what will Jarvis End and all." suggested Logan who was curious to see if the others agreed.