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"Hey, where did everyone go?" Muziel strolls into the now surprisingly empty Arch and Lark. Seeing Cimri signal some sort of strange interaction going on has Muziel curious, but he really wanted to share the news of what just happened. He strolls over to Madame Cembers, climbing onto a stool to get some height. "Hey, Madame Cembers, I'm famished. Can you go and get one of your famous pies for me? And some other food for these folks. We all could use a chat."
Once they get a little privacy, Muziel shares the news of what just happened. "So you know how we were carrying around Loran's body? We went to drop off the boy's body at the Church, and it kind of just slipped out of the bag where everyone could see it. All of a sudden, the townsfolk started calling us murderers and throwing rocks at us - rocks that really hurt! We all started bleeding from all the hits. We went after them but they didn't back down! At least not at first. We eventually taught them a lesson, especially Lust here, she got really, really mad. Four of them died before the rest ran away."
Muziel stops talking for a moment when the pie and food arrives, and then begins talking again in-between bites. "So now that the townsfolk are organizing, I'm getting a little worried. They only had rocks this time, but imagine if they had real weapons? I heard there's a local war museum called the Longacre Armory in town - the kind of place that probably has all sorts of weapons laying about. I think we should take the weapons from there and confiscate it. Maybe sell everything to Ingoe Zoags -- just as long as those weapons end up out of town. Whaddya all think?"
"We taught them a lesson at least."
Solid plan Mr. Greed. Nothing to do with the profit we'd make? she smiles teasingly. Do you think we should check in with our benefactor? Make sure he doesn't have his own job for us or has a reason we shouldn't hit the Armory. He might have allies we don't know of.
"Sure, let's check in. Should be fun to see what he thinks about everything that's happened!"
"Never hurts to check in with the boss man-thing first, but I'd say it's definitely a plan worth keeping in mind, though," Cimri agrees. "If they keep staying riled up but have no weapons then maybe the worst case is they start getting them from the Glorious Reclamation instead, but best case makes 'em easier to deal with."
By the time the group has made it to the burned-out manor on the outskirts of town, the sky has changed its mind about raining after all. Currently it's only a light drizzle, but the clouds on their way look more swollen. Heading inside, you find Razelago in his "office," as though he's been expecting you.
"It sounds like you've all been rather busy lately," he says in as pleasant a manner as is possible given the insect-like mandibles that protrude from between his lips when the accuser devil speaks. "Rumor only takes one so far, however. How about you fill me in on the details."
Sister Ismene goes along with the others to meet with Razelago. Standing in his office, she can't help but wish he would go back to doing the shadow-on-the-wall bit instead of meeting with them directly. Even as an Asmodean, she was creeped out by the zebub.
Wanting to hurry the meeting along, she speaks up first. "Apparently the rest of them were busy getting into fights without me." She shoots Penelope, Muziel, and Kolaiah a dirty look, still dumbfounded about how she manages to miss all the action. "While they were getting stoned by the locals, Cimri and I ate lunch. Long story short, Cembers will feed us info on the Glorious Reclamation so long as we look the other way on the illegal crowds at her place."
Ismene had never been one for self-aggrandizement or glory-seeking. She was more interested in action than words, and her failure to grasp the finer points of Asmodean politicking had already cost her getting posted at a nicer temple in one of the thriving parts of the empire. But bigger temples just meant more jockeying for position, and Longacre was starting to look like it might be getting some real action after all.
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Muziel seems to be almost jumping out of his shoes with excitement. "We've had some crazy stuff go down. Last night, the Allomar brothers broke into the jail! I guess they were trying to free the barmaid? Which was sort of our plan all along excepte we wanted to draw out the not-so-Glorious Revolution. So while we're fighting, this Kuribu Angel shows up and he wants to bargain for their lives. Which was pretty okay with us, but then the Kuribu Angel went all crazy when we tried to heal them using our Infernal Healing wand! As if coming in contact with a bit of devil magic was some terrible thing. The angel didn't back off so Lust here offed Loran. Lacall managed to scramble away, back to the church of Iomedae. We followed his tracks but decided we shouldn't try to break into the church."
Muziel pauses for a few moments, trying to catch his breath. "You know, it's too bad Lord Gluttony isn't here. He has a great voice for storytelling, but seems like he's too busy being Lord of the Arch and Lark these days." Despite his protestations, it's obvious that Muziel enjoys the retelling of the tale. "So the next day we dropped off the angel's body with Teagan Ruckleer, who agreed to reshape the corpse so we might convince the old tanner to actually skin it for leather! In the meantime, we decided to give back Loran's corpse and dropped it off at the church square. But then the townsfolk saw the body and started calling us murderers and throwing rocks at us! And I mean really deadly rocks that could've murdered us! So we taught them a lesson. Four townsfolk dead, the rest scurried or limped away. Not sure we've really done much to help the cause. Seems like Wrath and Sloth did the most useful thing by turning Cembers into a turncoat. But you know, you can always come along next time for some real fighting. You too, Razelago. Do you hang out here most of the time? Because I can always send some messages to this spot along the wind - just like how you did when the Castle Gate was open."
Razelago listens eagerly to the reports as they're told.
"I don't spend all my time here, no," he says, working backward from the end of the report. "I can, however, almost certainly get here faster when I want to." There's a tone in his voice that suggests he might have winked if the bulging, compound eyes could do so.
"It sounds like you've been doing well, so far, for the most part. I must admit that I find myself rather disappointed in Gluttony, as you call him. I rather thought he had good potential, and was willing to believe for the time being that he's been working some sort of long game. Still, five out of seven isn't bad. Anyway, enough of this tangent." The fatty folds hiding his baby neck jiggle as he shakes himself back into the present.
"Doing well, indeed. And word is already spreading around town about some of these events. People are calling it the 'Curch Square Massacre,' and it seems to be generating equal amounts of fear and resentment among the people. Personally, I think that ratio can be better. They need to be given more reasons to fear. To that end, and I've gotten Lord Fex's approval for this plan, I'd say it's time to really make an example of someone. Take a known rebel or sympathizer, drag that person into the Church Square, pronounce their crimes, then publicly execute them. Some of the Archbaron's men will be made available to build an appropriate scaffold for the event, depending on the intended method which I leave in your capable hands. The people must know the price of treason, and this will separate the wolves from the sheep."
Do you have anyone in particular in mind, sir, or just leaving that one up to us? Penelope asks. While she is sure there are quite a few annoying people in town she could suddenly consider a "known rebel" the only one she knows for sure would fit that bill is the kid that got away. Storming the church might prove a tad hard.
"There's always Lacall Allomar," says Muziel, who has the same thought as Penelope. "I think he has it coming to him given his break-in at the jail. Question is do we think we could make it into the church to arrest him? I mean, how many people are in that place at night? And how powerful is his mom? She seems like she might be a powerful priestess. Cimri, Razelago, do you guys know anything more?"
He thinks on the situation some more. "We could also execute the barmaid we have captive. That'll teach them something about trying to do a rescue mission!"
"I leave to your judgement which target you think would make the most effective demonstration," says Razelago. "The second Allomar boy would almost certainly be the most shocking, short of getting your hands on his mother or the Angel Knight of course. On the other hand, your current prisoner is already contained and might show that nobody is exempt from the Archbaron's justice, no matter how small and unimportant they might seem."
"If we wanted to get to Lacall it doesn't necessarily have to be a full frontal assault on the church," Cimri pipes up, next. "I'm sure he can't stay holed up in the church forever, right? It's probably going to take some time for the scaffold to be finished. We could watch and try to ambush him if he emerges while construction proceeds, and maybe use the barmaid as a backup in case we come up empty."
Yes Lacall, that's the one. Great ideas Muziel and Cimri. Penelope exclaims, grin wide We stalk the little coward that cut him down in front of everyone!
Muziel protests. "Setting up a watch sounds really, really boring, though. They're gonna have a funeral for Loran, right? Any chance we can grab Lacall then? We can give the townsfolk an extra death to celebrate!"
"By the way, we were thinking about taking all the weapons from the armory so the townsfolk don't get to it first. Whaddya think about that idea?"
"We do have unfinished business with that boy."
"I'm not sure an Iomedaen funeral is going to be an easier nut to crack than a cathedral," Cimri says, uneasily. "It might even be worse, come to think of it. Interrupting a funeral for a well-liked figure like Loran is probably only going to generate sympathy rather than fear."
"It sounds like you've got some options to follow up on," adds Razelago. "I'll have one of the Archbaron's men meet you at the Hail to discuss the sort of scaffold you'll want for this execution. I know the preferred method for this sort of thing in Cheliax is excruciation, but Lord Fex was hoping for something a bit quicker. It just wouldn't have quite the same effect if the rebellion were to end before the execution did. Perhaps something more along the lines of a hanging? Or," and he looks at Pestilence, "maybe a beheading instead. Thoughts?"
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"I'm not sure an Iomedaen funeral is going to be an easier nut to crack than a cathedral," Cimri says, uneasily. "It might even be worse, come to think of it. Interrupting a funeral for a well-liked figure like Loran is probably only going to generate sympathy rather than fear."
"Oh I think anything we do will generate a lot of sympathy and a lot of fear both! But yeah, there could be too many powerful people ready if we try that."
"It sounds like you've got some options to follow up on," adds Razelago. "I'll have one of the Archbaron's men meet you at the Hail to discuss the sort of scaffold you'll want for this execution. I know the preferred method for this sort of thing in Cheliax is excruciation, but Lord Fex was hoping for something a bit quicker. It just wouldn't have quite the same effect if the rebellion were to end before the execution did. Perhaps something more along the lines of a hanging? Or," and he looks at Pestilence, "maybe a beheading instead. Thoughts?"
"Maybe we could just strap them to a chair and I can fry them with lightning! I bet they haven't seen that one before." Muziel considers the options for a moment. "On the other hand, if Koliah did it, I bet he'd put on a good show about how the execution is all just, necessary to ensure law and order, yada yada."
He would be an imposing executioner. Penelope agrees. How about we stake out the temple, see if there is a close place we can watch semi comfortably and see what happens. Ismene can even join us!
"It would seem, then, that our business here is concluded," says Razelago. "There should be a contingent of the Archbaron's staff at the jail by the time you return there. Coordinate with them what your plan is and what structure will suit it the best. Then they can start building your structure and posting announcements for the even ahead of time. And while they do that, you can be free to acquire the candidate of your choice. Make this sufficiently memorable and there way well be a bonus in it for you."
With that, the Accuser Devil disappears from the room. Cimri whistles.
"We live in interesting times, my friends. Shall we all head back to the jail together, or do you want to split up and have some people start casing the church as soon as possible?"
What do you all say? Rest up since we've already had plenty of fun today, then tomorrow start keeping an eye on the good people of town, to find our wayward trespasser?
"Pfft, speak for yourself, Lust! You're always leaving me out of the action," Ismene complains. Now that she's away from Razelago, she seems to be her usual self instead of quietly standing in the corner. She would have thought she'd be more comfortable around devils, even if Razelago was the first she'd actually met. She'd have to suck it up eventually, especially if she wanted to be an erinyes.
"If we're gonna do this, we've got to do it right. We already killed Bolgart, so whoever's next is gonna have to top that." She punches her fist for emphasis, making a loud, fleshy THUNK! "The priestess's brat might work, but is he powerful enough to really send a message? If they're gonna fear us, it has to be somebody the townsfolk see as a strong force of resistance."
As he listens on, a wicked grin comes across Muziel's face. "Wait, are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting? Because there's only one person I can think of in town who clearly tops the boy."
"I care not who is chosen, but I would gladly be the one to drop the killing blow."
Cimri raises an eyebrow in impressed surprise. She's a lot less coy in discussing it, though. "Are you proposing that we skip over Lacall and go after his mother, then? That would be quite the statement indeed. Do you think we can pull it off?"
Muziel finds himself getting excited at Wrath's audacious suggestion, as further voiced by Cimri. "Seems to me that mommy is harboring Lacall, a known rebel. If we execute her, it'll send a real message to the townsfolk - don't even think about working with the Glorious Revolution. Like Razelago said, that'll definitely separate the wolves from the sheep. And we can do the same thing we were already planning on doing, which is staking out the church."
I know nothing about the good mother other than what we saw in the square. No one to know how she handles herself until we try. Penelope muses, then suggests If we can get her alone that is. I don't like our odds if she never away from her cronies.
"Well, she probably didn't get the title of Fifth Sword for nothing. So, same plan but new possible target. A few of us can do a little scouting today to see the patterns in people's movements, but we'll need to wait until at least tomorrow anyway to strike, maybe longer. In the meantime, we tell the Archbaron's folks get the executioner's block ready. Best case scenario is the Priestess, backup plan is the boy. If even THAT doesn't work, I guess we'll have to get extra creative."
"Can I ask how we ensure that we take her alive?"
"Before we go busting in all zealous-like, we're gonna have to build up some tension. First, how about we demand that Lacall be handed over to the proper authorities? Give mommy a chance to do things the easy way. Once she refuses, then we can go after her for harboring her brat. And with that line in the sand drawn, it should be no sweat tracking down the disloyalists. In the meantime, we could start confiscating weapons like Greed was talkin' about earlier."
"Can I ask how we ensure that we take her alive?
"I don't know, but if she ends up dead we can ask Teagan to zombify her, and THEN execute her. That'll be a hoot!"
"Before we go busting in all zealous-like, we're gonna have to build up some tension. First, how about we demand that Lacall be handed over to the proper authorities? Give mommy a chance to do things the easy way. Once she refuses, then we can go after her for harboring her brat. And with that line in the sand drawn, it should be no sweat tracking down the disloyalists. In the meantime, we could start confiscating weapons like Greed was talkin' about earlier."
Muziel scratches his head a bit. "Wait, what happened to our voice of reason?" he wonders aloud. Wrath had always been the sensible one before. "You must be really tired of getting left out of the action, Wrath!"
"Let's get back to the jail. Ask the Archbaron's men how long it'll take to build the executioner's stage. And maybe see if we can use some of those men for fighting instead of just building. If we're going to end up assaulting the cathedral, we're gonna need all the help we can get."
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While I'm all for blood and carnage, we could just grab the boy. And then offer to trade him for her. What GOOD mother would be willing to give their life for their offspring. hers would have, and where did it get that poor stupid woman.
"My mom wouldn't," says Cimri, sourly. "Auntie Rhona always told me how my mom was a 'good person out of her depth,' whatever that means, but she and my dad abandoned me anyway. They even stopped writing to me after a few months."
Soon the trek back to the Jail is complete. As Razelago promised, a group of three of the Archbaron's men are standing just outside waiting. One of them nods an acknowledgement as you approach.
"Boss says you need some sort of construction project?" asks one of them. "He said it was important, but that you folks'd fill us in on the details."
Just three of them? Muziel is a bit disappointed by the showing. He was hoping for a lot more men than that. But he tries not to reveal his feelings.
"Yup, we'll need you to start building a scaffold in the Church Square, set for a beheading. We'll need a nice chopping block. Make sure it's high enough so everyone gets a good view of it, and maybe add some Cheliax banners or the heraldry for the Archbaron so it's appropriately festive. How long do you think that'll take? Also, what are your names, and how good are you with a sword?"
"I'm August," says the leader, putting his hand on his chest. Then he points to each of the other two with him. "This is Cicero, and that's Lucky Marcus."
There's a pause as the three men confer, then Cicero speaks up.
"So, looking at, say, a ten foot platform for good visibility," he holds up a finger with one hand and points to it with the index finger of his other hand. "Add in some extra tall beams for the banners." He puts up a second finger and moves the index finger along to it. "Then factor in enough supports for a sturdy chopping block and, let's say six people, maybe seven for margin." The counting process is repeated another time. "And finally factor in time for miscellaneous work stoppages." At this point he's reached his pinkie. "I'd say we can get this thing built by tomorrow afternoon, the earliest, assuming everything goes smoothly." August and Lucky Marcus nod their heads in agreement.
"Whatchoo asking about sword skills for, anyway?" asks August after the delivery of the estimate. "You expecting us to need 'em for this job? I mean, we can probably hold our own in a pinch, if it comes to it, but that'd probably set back construction a fair bit."
"Good names! Very regal. You can call me Greed." Muziel then gestures towards the others. "You've got Wrath, Sloth, Envy and Lust. Hopefully not too hard to remember."
Muziel sorts through the cabinets that were mostly barren now that they had sold the things to Ingoe Zoags. But there were still some clubs lying about. "Haven't you heard of the Church Square Massacre yet? Bet it won't be the last time that happens! Grab a club if ya want, but if there's real trouble you can always find us. We're quite deadly sins -- get it? Deadly sins?" Muziel seems delighted at his pun.
He turns away like he's done, but suddenly spins back around to face the men. "Oh yeah, the other thing we're gonna need is to post some announcements around the town for our event, so come back once you're done with the stage!"
"You can call me Kolaiah. Pay no attention to those other names, at least for me,"
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While Muziel's busy giving out directions, Sister Ismene positions herself uncomfortably close to Lucky Marcus. Squinting, she inspects him carefully, prodding his arms, legs, and torso. "Why do they call you Lucky Marcus?"
Penelope is impressed at Greed's management skills, and backs him up looking all bodyguardish with crossed arms under her breasts... well maybe not too bodyguardish, but semi impressive none the less.
Tomorrow afternoon doesn't give us much time, well unless we want their impressive hunk of wood on display with no toy to play with. she smiles over at Ismene's discussion with the young soldier, wondering if the dear sister is thinking about her own hunk of wood.
I guess that means another stake out tonight? To catch a boy or his mother
Lucky Marcus stands there as Sister Ismene prods him. He tries to remain cool, but his expression betrays the awkwardness of the invasion of his personal space.
"Er, uhm," he starts, then starts to get a hold of himself enough to form a coherent sentence. "'Cause I ain't never accidentally hit myself in the thumb with a hammer, not once?" It's clearly a statement, but the nervousness makes it come out sounding like a question. He follows that up with a hopeful shrug and a bewildered smile.
Cicero and August are still involved with the general conversation about the project, however.
"Haven't heard anything about any massacre, at least not yet," says August as he looks over the club Muziel offers. "Word travels slowly out to Scarlet Crown, at least to those of us who aren't management. We'll make sure to keep on our toes, then. I think our hammers will work just fine if it comes to it. We'll already have 'em in hand, most like, anyhow. Faster that way."
Cicero nods in agreement, then turns to Penelope. "If you want us to go slower we can arrange that. It's a lot easier to do than faster, at any rate." The two of them share a chuckle.
Cimri hits her forehead with the heel of her hand at this point, with the universal 'I'm an idiot' expression.
"I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner," she says, sheepishly. "Remember that Blue Whinnis we liberated from the contraband locker? Sleepy-time poison. Should hopefully help with the 'take them alive' part of the plan if we can get it into them."
Muziel listens to the proposed timeline and agrees with Penelope that they didn't have much time.
"How about this - get the men to start construction this afternoon while we rest and recover. They'll work until sunset, and we'll stake out the church square at night. If we're lucky, the construction activity will draw the attention of one or more of the Allomars who will want to inspect it, and then we can strike! Blue Whinnis could definitely help with catching them alive."
Great plan, Greed. Nightime is better for these things anyway. She heads into the jail for a nap.
Ismene grabs the man's hand and looks at his thumb for a long moment. Eventually, she seems satisfied. "You're right, I'd say that is pretty lucky. Keep up the good work!"
Since it sounds like the others have their plan in place, she starts off back to the jail. "Come on, let's leave the big, strong men alone so they can get to work. We've got our own preparations to make!"
"Th-thanks," says Lucky Marcus, though it still sounds almost like a question. "I sure will!"
"Alright, we'll get this show on the road," says August, clapping his hands together and rubbing them. "You folks know where to find us if you need updates."
With that, the three of them walk off to get started on the project.
"I think you've got the right idea, Lust," says Cimri as you all head inside. "What with being woken up in the middle of the night last night, and probably staying up late tonight, a nap sounds wonderful right now." She roots through her bag and produces three vials of poison.
"So, I'd guess we'd probably have the best chance of using this stuff if we split up who has it. I can keep one for my dagger. One of 'em would probably be most usefully paired with whoever's got the bow. What about the third one? Anybody think they can make good use of it?"
"Don't look at me!" says Muziel backing away from the poison vials. "Unless you want me to slip it into a drink or something." Muziel seems happy to retire for the afternoon.
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After curfew, the Church Square is dark and empty except for the skeleton of the partially constructed platform in the center. The windows of the church itself are shining from the inside, suggesting that it's currently occupied. Hoping for one or both of the Allomars to show themselves, the group settles in to keep watch on the area.
After about two hours of quiet, uneventful watching the night air is suddenly rent by the sounds of frightened screams coming from inside the church itself. The front door suddenly bursts open and three people flee from the inside into the square, splitting up and running in different directions as though pursued. Without seeming to realize it, one of them is about to pass right by your position.
Greed/Muziel seems about ready to doze off with the boredom of their stakeout. He was starting to wonder if the folks in the church would be too scared, when suddenly the unthinkable happened - people were fleeing the church! Muziel tries to tell who these people might be, especially the person coming their way.
Penelope is waiting on Muziel, crouched to pounce on the poor runner and drag them back to the shadows.
Kolaiah will aid in the capture, if that's the plan.