"And when is the curfew? Wouldn't want to get caught unawares!" the elf asks.
The guards are friendly, but they are attentive. You might want to watch what you're saying here, they are sure to give off a good report.
Every night at sunset. As long as you stay inside you're fine. It's the rule.
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Ceobryrn nods "Thank you for the advice. We'll take care of that right away. ". The ranger moves on into the town looking to see what places there are. One out of ear shot of the guards he comments "I got the feeling the guards would report on unusual groups comings and goings. I thought we may want to find out what the situation is here before we spill too much information."
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Most of the citizens in Crystalcrag are of Oread origin, with the occasional Ifrit mixed in. The adventurers are regarded with curiosity, and though the occasional child hides behind its mother's dress, there is no harassment except for an occasional finger-pointing.
Moving around the city in search for an inn, an aging oread with hair-thin cracks spiderwebbing his skin approaches the party. Hello sirs, madams. he says in common, with a thick Terran accent My name is Eurdan Stonemantle, the remaining councillor of Crystalcrag. Welcome to this city. Do you have time to spare to meet me in private?
The councillor leads the party to a building whose exterior bears the weathered inscription “Council House” in Terran.
Once inside, he explains You are not the first foreigners to reach Crystalcrag. A group of foreigners, just like you, wearing the same type of compass badges. They are now the 'guests' of Tygora, the ruler of Crystalcrag. That is to say, they are almost certain her prisoners.
For a brief moment, us oreads had a glimmer of hope. Then Koriath, my fellow councillor, disappeared without trace, which was only just after the foreigners disappeared. Tygora surely has all of them imprisoned.
Crystalcrag is the haven of trade that us Oreads built ourselves. We found peace and prosperity here, until over a thousand years ago the Zhonar and Zhobl volcanoes erupted, most of the original buildings collapsed, leaving the town devastated. Nonetheless, we tirelessly rebuilt what they could and erected a large crystalline memorial in the main plaza to commemorate our struggle. That's when Tygora appeared, and granted a wish to the council. The town’s council wished for a rebuilt settlement, seclusion, and safety from the outside world. Tygora granted the wish, but she rebuilt the town to fit her own needs, she herself as absolute ruler.
Only over the past century have the volcanoes’ rifts caused many oreads to give birth to ifrit children. Tygora has been quick to take these youths under her wing, giving them both secret instruction and special privileges to secure their ruthless loyalty.
Any rebellion leads to brief, but harsh crackdowns. A year ago one of the members of the three-person council simply disappeared after trying to win concessions for the other oreads. Now recently Koriath Glaheri disappeared, leaving me as last remaining councillor..
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"Hmmmm my homeland also knows the turmoil and struggle as saviours turned tyrants over and over - the rule here seems to run contra to the foundations of what you sought, the dream of Liberté, égalité, fraternité. We must seek the release of our comrades, and perhaps this Tygora can be reasoned with"
Tygora Cinderfury, our city’s efreeti ruler, oversees all actions for the city. I have no doubt she already knows you are here. Tygora lives in Fury’s Hold, the large palace that you probably saw while you were making your way to Crystalcrag.
We oreads, are a peaceful race. Though Tygora’s rule is harsh, many of the people here have found it somewhat of a give-and-take. Tygora gives the people complete invisibility from the surrounding settlements in exchange for completing any demands she may have requested. She imposes this curfew as one of the ways to suppress dissent.
You have a few more hour before sunset, that's when the curfew becomes active.
Tygora fortress is a true stronghold. Your forces... they wouldn't cut it. You'll need more support. the councillor says, without offering any himself.
The councillor himself would be a powerful ally, but it is clear from his current stance that he thinks aiding the party is too risky. Providing minor directions and offering hospitality is one thing, risking his neck is another.
This will only lead to more bloodshed. The oread workers that gather at the fifth facet tavern might be convinced otherwise ()
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"Indeed I would be sad to see yet another revolution being paid for with the blood of the people, when perhaps reason and good example could achieve the same ends - The blood of the martyrs watered the meadows of Galt, let there be no more tragedy like that again"
"I shall speak to these workers...speak to them of solidarity and the great struggle."
"Perhaps another tactic is required here. Good councilor, is there a back way into the fortress, perhaps one not used or forgotten about? A way we can sneak in and avoid a lot of fighting and killing?" the rogue asks.
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Ceobryrn nods, "I agree a direct attack would be foolish, we need to use other methods to get past the walls and guards. Lanarial idea for a secret passage would be great. Was the fortress here before Tygora? Another possibility would be to use the distraction by the works enabling use to sneak in some way."
A 500 foot road leads up to a hill, where the fortress gives a commanding view of the city.
The fortress is well-guarded. I know nothing of alternative ways in. The party is unsure whether the councillor is just holding back, or if he really doesn't know. He seems to be very hesitant to provide aid, out of fear.
"Never been much for sneaking around, but if we could draw some of the guards away it would for certain make getting in easier."
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Ceobryrn thinks for a moment "If you are unable to help up, then who would know?"
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The Fifth Facet is a square, two-story, stone tavern that sits on the main roadway of Crystalcrag. The smell of charred timber and cooked food waft gently out of multiple windows hewn into the building’s facade.
As the adventurers enter, many of the oreads watch them surreptitiously while others do so with open curiosity. The oread barkeep gestures for the adventurers to come over, then speaks something in Terran. When that doesn't work out, he continues in common You look like that other group of foreigners we had visiting a while ago. Can I offer you a drink?
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"Of course camarade, I would love to enjoy the fine drinks you may have - I suppose not a good cognac, brandy, or wine? A curious vintage it would be in this climate" he jokes, easy going as he does, "...and perhaps you can tell me something of these travellers, and why it is they might be rather long standing guests up at the keep." - he keeps the tone friendly but the volume intimate
Diplomacy
He keeps building the conversation warmly, hoping to open the fellow up to discussion.
So you are connected, then? They are most probably in Tygora's keep, indeed. His voice doesn't betray immediate love for Tygora, though he seems to be holding back on speaking his mind though nobody knows for certain. They disappeared a while ago, back when Councillor Ghaleri was also apprehended.
The barkeep seems certainly friendly. Another oread, probably a regular in this tavern joins in Tygora runs a tight ship, 's what she does. She got her giant supplying arms, upon which the barkeep responds and I heard Morak's resisting the new arms tax..
Horatio gazes into his drink and says, with a dejected sigh I wonder how long that'll last.
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"It is a curious choice for a 'friend of the people' to arrest and detain their democratically elected representatives, and it sounds like an unfair set of taxes being imposed elsewhere too - I would seek to speak to this Tygora on her political choices, and to bring to her the news from Galt where such actions have had rather unwanted consequences for the former tyrants who oppressed the People. I seek the liberation of our friend, I seek the liberation of your councilman, and I seek your will and your solidarity - comrade!"
Blackjack starts putting the squeeze on.
Content to let Jaques do the talking - which he so obviously enjoys - Lirianne simply orders a round of drinks for the room.
The response to Blackjack's words are relatively subdues, until one word, "Galt", sends shockwaves through the room. More and more oreads chime in and voice their concerns. We will be beaten back, as we always have. Horatio says, dejectedly, but Blackjack feels that more is possible with this demoralised bunch. All it takes is a spark.
Ennui starts to rile up the crowd, aiding Blackjack as he ramps up the stakes. Ceobryrn tries to read the folks present, and senses a lot of cropped up anger. It takes a lot of pushing to move an oread, but once the first rocks start rolling down the incline, rumbling ensues...
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Blackjack looks long and hard at the crowd, as a paternalistic figure both understanding their fear and yet disappointed by it.
"You may be beaten on, but you shall not be beaten back. We will prevail, comrade, if we all stay staunch and true, and remember that when things get tough we take inspiration from the peoples of Galt and Andoran who have made freedom their cornerstone of society, democracy their voice, and honest toil the thing that defines a good citizen. Sing the song of Solidarity, rise up like your brothers elsewhere, and push this tyrant from the pillar they rest upon! As long as the flame of freedom burns, and the winds of liberty blow..."
Jacques continues citing the struggles and tribulations, but the ultimate success of Andoran and Galt over the shackles that bind them, and the possible free society these good citizens could enjoy...
"Liberté, égalité, fraternité"
Diplomacy
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Elindriel speaks as well, "We have heard some of what you have been put through under Tygora's rule. She has ever been a tyrant, ruling over you with a flaming fist. What can fire do to rock, though, aside from heat it, temper it, make it stronger? Do not even the smallest rocks and sand, if there are enough of them, quench fires, no matter how great? Couldn't enough of them save a home from destruction?"
The atmosphere in the fifth facet tumultuous, like a barrel of gunpowder waiting for the fuse. Years of anger an frustration, buried deep inside, is now pushed to the surface. The oreads are riotous. Enough of the tyranny! Tonight there will be no curfew!.
The oreads spread out, looking to involve friends and family. It won't be long before the city is on fire. There's rumours abound: there's the weapon supplies that Tygora seems to procure from the smithy of Valsog the slag giant. She gets supplies from the 'Everlasting Fire', an alchemy shop whose owner is forced to supply Tygora. Many oreads would prefer that the councillor is on board for this as well, as they look up to him.
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Ennoia looks at Jacques with the most profound admiration, almost melting at the sight of the ardant defender of liberty.
"Such verve, such vigor! Never have I encountered someone so passionate about restoring freedom and equality!"
Realizing that she's blushing, she withdraws into an awed silence, but nods at Ceobryn's proposition.
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Blackjack accepts the compliment with polite grace and a friendly smile.
"The shackles here need be thrown off, this tyrant takes advantage of the good nature of these people and gives nothing back - they wanted to be safe, but the only threat out here is the person who is pretending to protect them!"
"Can't say I ever helped incite a riot before..."
"Yes, we'll need to make sure the oreads have the tools to defend themselves, and I'd also be right interested to know just what Tyroga's forces have up their sleeve."
Back at the councillor's house, Eurdan's stance is unchanged from the last time you saw him, though word on the street has already reached his ears. What have you been up to? This is a dangerous gambit you're playing, the repercussions can be awful.
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Blackjack realises the time is now and a volcano needs to be triggered..
"The repercussions could be awful!?" Blackjack rails at the suggestion "You know what is truly awful? Being crushed daily under the despair of knowing you will ever be a slave until the day you die, fearing the masters lash as their fickle whims and desires come and go. You know what's awful? Knowing that the children you bear, the ones you love will simply be millstones in the never-ending grind of subservience. You know what is truly awful? The thought that fear might paralyse a man and root his heart and feet that he never moves against tyranny, and freeze his hands that he might never lift a blade against it - let alone the red flag of the People! Your words are couched to convey caution, and that is good for a leader of the people, elected by the people, should always have those peoples well being in his heart - but right now you are concerned for their safety but missing that they are already dying as miserable citizens in the bondage to a hateful king! Now, get the **** out there and LEAD YOUR PEOPLE!" he impels, he implores - yet implacable and immovable in his command.
"I am Captain Blackjack of The Raven, Steel Falcon of the Eagle Knights of Andoran, and I WILL stand by you and your people!"
"Shhhh! Listen... do you hear them? Listen closely, do you hear the people sing?"
Diplomacy
Very well, I will lead my people. I need your help, though. My influence can take us far, but we will not be able to rally all oreads unless you assist. You've already done a great job at mobilising the workers at the fifth facet. We must weaken Tygora's forces before we can strike, her defenses are just too formidable. She gets weapon supplies from Valsog. He is a slag giant, imprisoned by Tygora almost fifty years ago, and ever since he's gotten his own forge, he's been the weapon master of crystal crag.
We must also rally the resistance of the business owners. Tygora levies a revenue and inventory share: every business owner must contribute. I've heard Morak started refusing his contributions, so it is only a matter of time before Tygora's forces crack down on him.