"The cult of Gyronna is one based upon petty vengeance," says Lisl. "These people are unlikely to recant. They may say so, but they will simply nurse the grudge and let it fire their resentment even more. That is why they join the cult in the first place."
~~~~~~~~~~
"I am here to serve," says Lisl gravely.
She brings out her holy book of Abadar and, as requested, casts Abadar's truthtelling upon the target specified by Darius.
The first woman questioned blinks as the spell takes hold, her pleasant face twisting to an ugly sneer. "Yes. The fat fool was perfect! Openly speaking out against your rule, then murdered in his bed. None of these worthless sheep would trust you after that!"
Further questions reveal the the group had recently assembled in your city, lookin for ways to sow distrust and prevent a lawful nation arising in the stolen lands.
When Grigori began making his speeches they decided he was ideal for their purpose and set their plan in motion.
What are you doing now?
Darian's already stern expression grows cold with frustration. These women came to do the very thing Grigori was doing, for some reason, but to make matters worse, they were willing to kill to see it done. In a way, they had done the kingdom a favor by silencing the rabble rouser...but it wasn't in any way that Darian would have wanted.
"So be it," he mutters as he steps towards the door and says "Lord Orlovsky, bring the prisoners to the square. Lord Garress, Lord Ismort, prepare the block please."
Once outside, he waits for a chopping block to be placed in the square and the guards to section off an area from any crowd that may be gathering. Once the guilty parties are brought forth, Darian says "By the authority entrusted to me by the Dragonscale Throne, in the name of House Aulamaxa, I sentence you to death for crimes against the state as well as for the murder of an innocent man. You are all guilty by your own confession."
He nods to the guards and one by one the cultists are knelt down at the chopping block, and Darian carries out the justice necessary...
Once the grim task is completed, he somberly cleans his blade and sheaths it before turning to the crowd. His face is clearly troubled, and he makes no show at trying to hide it. "You all know I take no pleasure in having to carry out sentences such as this. Grigori was clearly not fond of our leadership here, but his speaking his mind and voicing his concerns were not a crime, and he did not deserve the fate these women carried out against him. If at any time any of you have a problem, concern, or would like to voice your opinions on how things are ran here in Silverhold, I encourage you to do so! Please seek out any of us and make your voices heard! Obviously, not every request can be fulfilled, but I promise you I will ALwAYS do what is best for the people of this town and our growing state."
He turns back to look at the rest of the group that had helped him get to where he was today...but his eyes are drawn to the bloody pools on the ground as the bodies are being carried away. He sighs and makes his way towards the castle. As he passes the other leaders, he says "I'd like to have a meeting. Meet me in the Hall."
__________
Once all the leaders are gathered, Darian has a seat beside Isabel at the head of the table, laying his sheathed sword on the table in front of him as he does so.
"Firstly, I wanted to thank you all for all the hard work you have each done so far in everything we have accomplished. None of this would have been possible had we not worked through all of this as a team. However," he says as he leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, "This is now two separate entities who have spoken out against us. First this Grigori, may his soul find peace in the Boneyard, and now these Gyronnans. Does anyone have any theories as to what we have done to have caused this distrust with the people? Please, speak plainly. I truly would like to know so we can fix this problem, if there is one."
Freya shakes her head.
"No, Isabel, no fault lies with you or your husband. You simply fight the fates themselves. The River Kingdoms as a whole are chaotic and resistant to rule, but none more so than the lands that have been known as the Stolen Lands." the Ulfen woman says.
"Nothing about this will be easy, and it will take years to bend these lands to your wills"
"You came to a land where leaders are temporary, and rule by crushing opposition. Those who were already here, that want to see themselves, or their associates, wield power KNOW that they must destroy you to accomplish that. Teaching them otherwise, if possible, will be very slow going. I don't know of a single thing, or set of things, you have done to create opposition other than gain power and authority." He shrugs and then slouches back into his seat.
While it is an unpleasant pair of events your handling of the matters seems to have made your populace much happier with your rule.
Openly and fairly dealing with both Grigori & The Cultists shows the people that law and justice will be enforced, not the whims of the nobility.
Where to now?
|
"I think we should head east." Isabel says as the group gathers around the numerous maps she has commissioned of the Greenbelt. "We've explored down to the lake, I think we want to do the grasslands first - they should be easier to explore and its the area we might end up needing for more farms in the future. This area must be... perhaps two weeks exploration judging by our previous progress. I'd say that's worth the effort. We could revisit the lizardfolk tribe if we return up the river - check they are keeping to their end of the bargain."
"That seems a reasonable route," Darian agrees. "I will see to the supplies for the trek. Thank you all for your honesty and input," he says as he stands and takes up his sword, strapping it back to his waist as he heads out to tend to the supplies for their exploration.
Heading east you can already see the changes to the lands since your arrival, farms dot the hills, fences enclose fields and you can see crops growing and herds being tended as you ride passed.
Freya Fenrir is getting edgy, in the distance you can see several wolves shadowing the party, staying out of range but watching you all the same.
What are you doing now?
Pointing at the wolves, Josef asks "Do we want to chase them off, or just watch them and let them trail us instead of attacking someone else?"
”Well,” Darian says when the pack is brought to his attention, ”There is tat work, Howl-of-the-North-Wind, that was mentioned in the notices. Perhaps this is its pack? Maybe we should try to hunt it out?”
Freya shakes her head. "If this Howl-of-the-North-Wind is the same creature that was trailing Josef, Akiros, and I, he a lone hunter."
"I say let them trail us for a while. Perhaps we'll get lucky and they will think better of striking and at worst it gets the pack further away from Silverhold." she adds while scratching Fenrir between the ears.
"You know best out here Freya." Johanna's hand moves to the hilts of her sword as she is on edge that the animals could rush them. She continues moving with the group trying to keep herself calm.
The wolves stay out of range until it is late in the day, more join them, then at last a Worg moves into view. The wolves begin to move to close with you.
What are you doing?
As the wolves begin moving closer, and the worg arrives, Darian looks to Freya "I don't believe they are going to give us the option, Freya..." before he dismounts. He quickly ties off his horse before drawing his sword and pushing his magical aura out to everyone.
Johanna watches as the Worg appears. Knowing they will need to fight them off she prepares herself.
"Sadly, I believe you are right, Darian." Freya says, before casting a protective spell from her wand on herself, before doing the same for Fenrir.
Lisl says nothing but carefully dismounts and bows her head in a moment of prayer.
Josef also dismounts, but he pulls his bow out and takes a shot or two at the wolves on the flanks as the group moves in. Giving himself time to swap weapons before the wolves reach the group, so, I don't now how many shots he might get off . . ..
Josef calmly pots one of the wolves before dismounting. The others immediately dash closer, moving to each side to attack the party from the flanks while the Worg moves closer to the front.
The party may now act.
Lisl takes a few leisurely steps over to Freya and taps her on the shoulder, then says in a low voice, "Rain death upon them."
”Well...doesn’t this just look fun...” Darian says before working some magic and suddenly four copies of him appear at his side!
__________
"Too far out and scattered for the fancy swordplay to work, yet. Yeah, it's gonna get real cozy here real quick . . .."
Sword at the ready, and out front as bait, Josef goes into a defensive posture, knowing better than to run into a pack of wolves by himself.
Freya quickly nods in thanks to Lisl before bidding Fenrir to go help Josef.
(bless, inspire)
(inspire)
(bless, inspire)
After Fenrir is away, Freya takes flight and gets roughly fifteen feet off of the ground as she heads toward the worg. Once in position, she conjures a ball of ice and hurls it in the direction of the worg.
(bless, inspire, higher ground vs. touch AC)
(inspire)
Johanna grazes one of the wolves and then readies her blades.
Freya misses the Worg.
As Yellow dashes in Fenrir savagely tears into it's leg, sending it to the ground with a yelp of pain.
The other flank of wolves rush at Darian.
In the confusion of having so many targets they all miss badly.
The Worg takes it's chance and darts in to attack Josef
josef is sent to the ground as his leg is brutally tore open by the powerful jaws of the Worg.
The party may now act
Johanna moves to flank (Purple) the wolf with plenty of room not to move through it's threat.
Darian slices his sword down towards the neck of a different wolf than the one Johanna is attacking, hoping to thin their numbers out some.
__________
Lisl calls down a prayer and moves into position next to Josef to help him against the worg.
The Worg ignores Isabel's spell.
Johanna & Darian each kill a wolf with one strike.
Lisl casts Prayer. Then moves beside Josef.
Josef lashes out from his prone position.
Cutting it back in revenge.
Freya casts Burning hands from above on the Worg.
Slightly crisping the Worg.
Fenrir keeps mauling Yellow
The two surviving wolves attack Darian & Johanna.
Again missing pathetically.
The Worg is closer to death than he prefers and turns to run.
AOO for Josef & Lisl.
The last two wolves dash in to attack from the other flank.
Again missing pathetically!
The party may now act.
Johanna attempts to put down another of the wolves.
Seeing that Johanna seems to have the wolves in check on this flank, he gives her a nod before stepping away and working some more magic on himself, making himself move with incredible speed.
(inspire, bless)
As the worg turns to flee, Josef lashes out, partially in desperation.
Then he turns his attention to the normal wolf trying to keep him down . . ..
Josef finishes off the Worg as it attempts to flee.
Johanna ends two wolves in a dazzling display of swordsmanship.
Lisl takes a step and slams her shield into the wolf attacking Isabel.
Making it yelp in shock.
With the leadership of the worg gone the last two wolves turn to flee.
What are you doing now? Let them go or AOO on them?
Lisl holds her position and spares a glance for Josef, hoping that he's able to get back on his feet.
"I assume we don't need to follow since we got the leader. Freya?"
"They will likely try to join up with another pack somewhere down the line, I don't believe we need to follow them."
Darian sheaths his sword and lets his magic subside. He steps over to the worg and fallen wolves, squatting down next to them and staring at them quietly.
After a moment, he comments ”We will need to take back proof to the people to put their fears at ease. But the body will be rotting by the time we return. Let’s set to removing the pelts. Who knows, maybe we can have them made into some nice fur cloaks.”
Where to now? Back to town to show off your kills, or continuing on to another hex?