Jarcal considers the chamberlain's word for a few moments before responding with a small smile, "Very well my lord, it is our goal to return stability to Torallas so this seems as good a place to begin as any other. There is no beauty to be found in a riot and so whomever is responsible shall face punishment for such brutal tactics. Tell me, where would we find Soloman Barsh and his riot? Do him and his men lead it directly or are they elsewhere? What reason has he given the people to turn to such violent behavior?"
The Chamberlain sighs. "He is located Durnaman Town Square. It is just him a a few citizen members of the Merchant's Guild as well as two bodyguards. The people are sick of over priced goods and Soloman keeps preaching the disadvantages of siding with Lita and the benefits that come with joining the guild. Many people on both sides are present and there are so many views going on that this riot could turn into a blood bath real quickly. If it does so close to Torallas's capital, it will not make supporters of Lita look good. As it is them who are resorting to violence. Surprisingly, all the violent crimes reported are Lita's followers attacking The Merchant Guild's followers. Never the other way around. The guild is very good at provoking us into attacking them and keeping their own in check. That is why we have to stop this riot with as little bloodshed as possible. Preferably none if you can help it. Then Lita may finally start gaining some respect. Now you should be off. Every moment you waste here is one more moment towards disaster." With that you all leave for the Square
The Square is only about two hours from the keep. Really close indeed. There you find a large crowd of about 50-60 people. They are shouting, shoving, and throwing things at one another. There are also about 12 town guards tending to hurt civilians. In the center of the chaos is an elderly man dressed in fine robes with a monkey on his shoulder. On a stand next to him is a case of which the contents cannot be seen from this angle. On either side of him are four very tough looking guards. Probably as tough as the samurai half of you fought the other night. The old merchant seems to be talking but he cannot be heard very well over the angry mob. A bunch of people are keeping others from getting too close. the crowd seems split fifty fifty on a love hate scale. It is absolute chaos. Where to begin? There is one guard who seems to be ordering the others around. There also seems to be one peasant doing a lot of talking back at the merchant as well. Maybe he is the spokesman for the opposition.
Baguta nudges those closest to him in the group, pointing to the old man who seems to have claim some level of attention.
"I'll go get an earful."
He then makes his way through the crowd, attempting to seem non-threatening, but chants whatever he needs to in order to get by the people in his way.
If or when he gets through the crowd, he tries to pick up on what the guarded man and the old man are saying. Also he tries to take a peek in that case.
Lady Vorannia follows the group towards the crowd, her black dress seemed somehow more elegant by contrast, despite its age and condition of repair.
"I can likely clear a path if you all need me to." She says to the other party members.
The Baron tries to read the Merchants guards to see what there focusing on to help him sneak by them and then says to the group,
"You guys try to make the direct apporach I will try another way." With that The Baron tries to blend in with the crowd and tries to get around to the elderly merchant.
Jarcal bows and gestures for Vorannia to lead the way through the crowd.
On the way he tries to pick out what the elderly merchant and the outspoken peasant are saying.
Perception :
Leon bristles with anger when he spots the chaotic crowd. "Don't they realize they're tearing their own city apart? We need to stop this riot, not for Lita or that stuck up chamberlain, but to save these peoples' families the heartbreak of a massacre. Please, Lady Vorannia, if you could escort us to the heart of this matter, we'll put this idiocy to rest as quickly as possible." He slows a moment, though, saying quietly "Let's let Baguta get ahead and do his spying games before we barge in. It'll be nice to know as much as possible before engaging these people."
Vorannia waits a few rounds while Baguta and the Baron try to stealth their way around the crowd, before she takes a breath to raise her voice in the haughty imperial arrogance of her raising.
"Move aside! Move aside, I say. Show your betters their due. How dare you stand in a lady's way!"
The noble lady takes on all the airs of the higher nobility, strutting across the square in wide but graceful strides, snapping appropriately at any trespassers within 2 feet of her.
"Do not incur my wrath! It would be most unpleasant for you!"
You all, in your own ways, manage to navigate through the angry mob of people to the merchant standing on his soap box.
You all manage to get in a good listen for a bit.
Soloman is shouting out his grievances. "It will not happen! Is our home to become a place where the government seeks to control everything? Your belongings and possessions will be taken and given to people who don't do anything but sit on their bums all day! What meaning is there to work if there is no reward! Out of the kindness of our hearts or the love of our country? I think not!"
The spokesman for the oposition shouts back. "Easy for you to say! I have to work my but off in the mills to earn enough to feed my three children and wife! Your goods are what is destroying this town and I am expected to sit quietly back while you! You! You who have more wealth than you know what to do with! Why not show some generosity and start passing around what you don't need to those who need it!"
Soloman shouts. "I assure you good sir that our guild is doing a lot with that money! We are investing it in new businesses and industries so that people like you can work and get paid! We don't do freebees because you haven't earned it yet!"
The Spokesman shouts back. "I have earned it! Look at my hands! Years of hard labor! What labor have you done? You look to clean and pretty to deserve the money you make! It's not fair! We bust our backs for do nothing junk like you and we should be getting paid more than you!"
Soloman scoffs. "Pah! Grunt work is a dime a dozen skill set! Anyone can do your job! No one would miss it if you were to simply vanish! I other the other hand am different as is my job! It takes special talent to do mine! Were you given the opportunity, wouldn't make it in my shoes you unintelligent brute!"
At that last remark the crowd begins to go ballistic. The spokesman for the common folk throws a hammer at the merchant and one of the bodyguards cleanly deflects it. Soloman's bodyguards almost draw their weapons but Soloman tells them not too. "Don't! Let the peasants vent their frustrations." The city guards are moving in as the riot is starting to get violent. People are now resorting to hitting one anther. How will you solve this Dilemma?
Jen uses her Aasimar power to put a light on the top of her teaching staff and casts sanctuary. Then she gets on something so that she can speak in a very inspirational voice.
And the Lord Erastil said to his disciples, "Live not from the velvet hand of another, but from tough and callused hands of thyself."
If people aren't paying attention, then Jen expands to giant size to be seen. Naturally someone that is twice your size in both directions is probably easy to notice.
Look upon my hands! Are they not worn with countless years in the fields? Look upon my face! Is it not wrinkled from worrying about supporting myself and my family? (Religious family) And finally, look upon my legs and arms. Like you, they are toned from years of labor, and that is not called skill?
It is true; we are peasants. Yet that is a title of honor, not a shame. We should not fight with one another or with the merchants guild, at least not with physical violence. That would only reinforce the image that we are physical brutes. No! We are strong, but we are not brutes. With our labor, we create! We do not destroy!
This war between the merchants guild and Lita is destroying our livelyhoods. They are certainly not rational enough to come to an agreement. We have the power to rebuild this city with the power of our hands and the power of our unity! We have to use our power to force the merchants guild and Lita to the negotiating table, so that everyone can get goods that they EARNED for fair prices and everyone can treated with some respect. Who's with me?
From his vantage point in the crowd, Baguta notices those around him seeming confused, but unable to look away from the giant cleric.
Thrusting his own, farm-roughened fists into the air, Baguta adds "Yeh! Where would they be without our toil?!"
Turning to the old merchant, Baguta shouts out "Our skill's in our hands, not our voice! We need a leader to stick up fer us!"
Vorannia continues to pace arrogantly across the square. Fortunately the giant cleric in the middle of it was likely drawing the attention of most of its inhabitants.
When she reaches the old merchant and his bodyguard, she glances at him with an appraising (and yet somehow slightly intimidating) look.
"A word, merchant?"
The people raise their hands in the air at the inspiring cries from both the giant cleric and the ugly farmer.
The merchant Soloman crosses his arms and looks intently at each of you. "Well now. A cleric of Erastil. This is indeed a turn of events." Suddenly another man moves up to a spot on the platform where Soloman is standing. This man is well dressed and seem to come from among Soloman's followers. "Here now, we were bidden not to bring religion into this but I see that rule has been broken. I am a cleric of Abadar! I disagree with the merchants insults about your hard work but at the same time I disagree with Lita's desires to spread the wealth. No body simply becomes rich and wealthy. They work for it. They calculate and study and by the will of Abadar they may someday reap the benefits. However, under Lita's rule we wont have the benefits to look forward to so if not for wealth, then why at all? If we can count on equal pay from all fields why choose one over the other if it has no promise of rewards. Who do you think sells the good you all toil so hard to produce? If you were to get paid more the cost of goods would go up to compensate for that. It is all part of the cycle of economics and this is how Abadar likes things. Your hard work is appreciated but please don't think that it is harder than being a merchant. A merchant's job is just as hard believe me for I have been apart of both."
While the man speaks to the crowd Soloman hears the dark garbed woman near the platform. "Speak noblewoman, what is it you wish to say?"
"I believe the solution is presenting itself rather clearly, may I have a word, privately?"
This is not a religious conflict. I was simply quoting the lord Erastil as a tidbit of wisdom, not a matter of scripture. The gods are greater and wiser than any of the ancient philosophers. Why is it that it is automatically religious if we allow their wisdom to enlighten us?
Perhaps it may seem that this is merely a downturn in the natural cycle of the economy, but it is not. The orc invasion has disrupted the supplies from the outer portions of the city and instead of adapting, we continue to squabble amongst ourselves.
I claim not to be a spokesperson for Lita, but I am here as a concerned citizen that is worried about the livelyhoods of everyone. Tell me, how will the merchant class make any money without anyone to sell things to? I thought that a merchant would understand such things.
Jen pivots slightly to make sure that the crowd can get a good earful.
Esteemed colleague, respected cleric of Abadar. I was not speaking on behalf of Erastil, for he needs none to speak on his behalf. He leads by example. But even as you speak, it seems to me that you are implying that that is the view of Abadar. Yet I happen to know a thing or two about Abadar that seems to contradict your views.
Jen moves one step at a time so that the crowd follows along, trying to debate with the cleric of Abadar while still making points to the crowd.
Abadar is a lawful deity, yes? Their followers usually support the local government. But why do you support the merchant guild's policy of adding extra fees on people that do not support them? These people have done nothing wrong. Instead you fued with Lita, the legitimate authority in this area. Even if you disagree with her, the lawful thing to do would be to meet with her and work through the disagreements. It is even more reprehensible that the local people are caught in the crossfires.
Next, would you not say that Abadar is rather a balanced and neutral deity? It is true that the merchants need some extra coin, because their livelyhood is based on moving coin around and they couldn't perform their jobs without it. However, is it a balanced approach to move enormous amounts of coin around without actually producing wealth? And how about neutrality? It seems that you've jumped head long into this debate onto one side and put Abadar's backing behind it.
I think I've shown that if Abadar were here today, he would not be involved. People, rioting and venting frustrations will only play into the hands of the merchant guild. I will speak on your behalf with Lita and the merchant's guild. Although I cannot promise success, with your collective backing, I am sure we will make progress. Tell your family and friends of the cause we are championing today and spread the word! Power to the people!
Baron will stay hidden around Lady Vorannia and the old merchant listening and waiting to see if his skills are needed.
Jarcal blends into the crowd and yells his support for Jen's arguments. Doing his best to rally the crowd in her favor.
Disguise :
Bluff :
Diplomacy :
The Cleric of Abadar scoffs. "Who is it exactly that you are standing up for? These people? Or Lita? She breaks government laws by forcing. I said forcing her will on us merchants. We don't serve her. We serve Borallas! And we are prepared to relocate if she refuses to listen to reason. I have said enough. I know where I stand. You don't know who you are working for and that shows you are naive! Crawl back to your chaos loving master and grovel before her like the lapdog you are. I have the decency to walk away from this nonsense." With that the cleric leaves.
Nobody notices Baguta's half orc appearance and think he is nothing more than an ugly old man.
Soloman is quiet and the crowd seems to be settling a bit. Soloman has a eerie smile on his face. "I can't say I was expecting a cleric of Abadar. I knew there was something I liked about that god." With that Soloman announces. "I have spoken my peace. I must return to what is left of my business, provided none of you hooligans have burnt it to the ground like you have before. Farewell." He then makes his way down from the platform protected by his bodyguards and followers.
He looks back to Veronnia as he is making his way down. "No my lady, the solution isn't so clear. Soon as Lita herself comes to see us we will reach a solution. Until then, we will simply keep on causing riots and raising prices. That is how things must be done to get results. Realize that we ourselves aren't doing anything violent. It is always her followers who spill blood first." Accompanied by his guards, the smug merchant makes his way past you and the crowd.
The merchant and his contingent of guards and followers leave and the angry crowd settles. Most disperse. The spokesman for the people remains as does the guard captain. The captain approaches Jen. "Your inspiring speech and intimidating display seems to have driven off the rioters. Thank you. If the crowd could not be settled we were under orders to apprehend the lot of them. Here take this. Consider it a donation." The man hands Jen a coinpurse containing 18gp. He then bows and goes about helping the few injured people up and on their way.
Soloman lets out a heavy sigh "Fine. What is it you have to say my lady." He asks. At the moment it is only you he and his four bodyguards looming around like tigers ready to strike.
As the cleric of Abadar leaves, Jen announces to him. I serve the people of Boralles and work for their wellbeing. There is no greater master than that! I am not rewarded by piles of money that I am sure that you receive, but only the treasure of faith in my heart and the calmness in my breast. And that is all that I could ever want!
At the offer, Jen refuses the money and hands it back. Please, I am not in true need of wealth. If you feel the need to thank me with gold, please donate the gold to the oppressed people, one coin to each. It will help them to feed their families.
Then she helps up some injured people as well while waiting for Veronnia to return.
"My own bodyguard is only a short distance away." She nods her head slightly in Baron's direction.
"But what I have to say is only this. This situation can be turned to your advantage. I know that it is relatively easy to keep the riots going in response to Lita's madness. But what would happen if you thought of this more as an opportunity for wealth. In addition to encouraging the stability of the city, and thus also of prices, supporting a political rival could ease the pressure on your coffers for other matters. And it would be significantly easy to earn favors rapidly, with both the people, and this Lita, should you wish to."
"I could arrange a diplomatic alliance between you two. One that guarantees you maintain your current wealth and freedoms that you now possess, but at the same time encourages the ideas of safety and security that the people apparently need. I would also suggest that if Lita wishes to spread wealth around, she can begin with her own... and if she does not have enough to do what she wishes done, your industries could loan additional funds to her at significant profits to yourself."
As Leon helps clear the people from the square, he mentions to Jen, "That was very inspiring, Jen. Thank you for taking the point on that one. You ended things before they got out of hand, this city is in a great debt to you."
Thank you, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The only issue is that I have made enemies of another powerful faction, and that was partially the reason that I was thrown in jail the first time. This time though, I think I am stronger. They will not take me away again.
Jarcal wanders the square making sure that the crowd disperses without further incident before making his way back to Jen and Leon. The elf gives Jen a hard look at her words, "You should not take the power of those we oppose so lightly my dear. We may have all grown wiser and more skilled of late but I for one won't delude myself into thinking we are so far removed for that hellish dungeon we found ourselves in only days ago..."
Ah, but I was not referring to physical strength, but to the strength of the mind. Before, I was fearful of death, but now, I fear not death. It is preferable to the pain that they could inflict. They will not take me away, at least alive.
I have been blessed with the gift of a long life and that will allow me to share goodness for a long time. I would not like to die, for I would squander the years I would've had to help guide the world. But I would rather die and let my teachings spread as a result of my death, than go quietly into prison and have those teachings disappear off the face of this plane.
Jen allows herself a little smirk. Besides, we kick ass, and these enemies have the biggest ones of all.
Jarcal grins, "Very true my dear, I wouldn't mind giving that damn Abadar bean counter a swift boot."
He claps his hands together, "Well, now that this little disagreement is taken care of I suppose we should head back to that pompous chamberlain. They say you can judge a person by the company they keep, for Lita's sake I hope she is an exception to the rule."
He looks around the square to where Vorannia is speaking with Soloman, "I suppose we should hold a moment to wait for the lady to conclude her discussion with the merchant on the quickest way to drain the life from a peasant..."
Baguta disperses with the crowd, and waits until the square is mostly empty before meandering back to the group.
"Vorannia done yet?"
The merchant considers. "So, you could arrange a meeting between the merchant guild's chairman and Regent Lita? That is what we have been trying to do for the past month. That is why we have riots. As soon as these riots stop, she will send her soldiers down to deal with the guild and force us to surrender our hard earned wealth. As long as the city is in a perpetual state of chaos, we can delay Lita's advance while we prepare our own. Gurrham hates the chaos. It's bad for business. The only thing he hates more than chaos at the moment is Lita. Though he really wants to negotiate. We have not been permitted to meet with her since the assassination attempt. Her Chamberlain can tell you more about it though he will likely tell you we are responsible. We are not and that is all I will say on that. You should try and meet with Gurrham. He is in the main guild hall. He is our Chairman and for the moment, our leader. Now if you'll excuse me" He bows "Good day." Without another word he and his goons leave.
As for the rest of you the captain takes the coin smirking and leaves.
You notice the man put the coinpurse into his personal pocket as opposed to the military pouch he pulled it from.
Veronnia seems to have concluded her business.
Jen observes the event, but naively assumes that he is doing it so that he can distribute it without military supervision.
Once Veronnia and Baron return, Jen starts speaking to the group. Let's go back to the Chamberlain, yes?
Perception :
Jarcal absently watches the guard leave until the others return. He looks to Vorannia, "I take it you have concluded your business my lady? Learn anything interesting?"
"This seems long from over. I think we have much to learn." Baguta tidies up his disguise a bit and patiently waits for the group to start heading back to Lita.
"We will need to speak to the Guildmaster, at some point. And I am of a mind that we should see him before we return to Lita, but I will wait to hear the others' opinions."
Vorannia lifts the train of her dress as she steps around a small cache of broken glass on the stone street.
Jarcal raises an eyebrow, "Why would we need to speak to him first? What did you discuss with Soloman?"
"The beginnings of diplomatic arrangements. I wish to give the Merchants an advantage, as it is unlikely they will act without some advantage." Vorannia pauses to check her reflection in a window.
"I know I wouldn't, if I were a merchant."
Baguta looks up, shrugging. "The lack of worker revolt? At best. By the look in their eyes, the man will be lucky to be alive in two week's time if this does not change."
Vorannia glances at Baguta.
"The riots are actually the work of the Merchants Guild. Currently it is their only defense against Lita's guards, who apparently have been clamoring to swoop in and take everything the merchants have."
Vorannia shrugs.
"At least, so I have been led to believe. Politics is not exactly a spectators' sport. It requires a great deal of logic to sort out and take command of."
Baguta just blinks and nods, pretending to understand.
Jarcal scoffs, "I highly doubt that Lita wishes to take everything the merchant's guild has. That said there is likely still some truth to the merchants words. Lita likely doesn't have the experience to know that such an aggressive tactic will never produce the stability she desires. I suggest we head back to the Chamberlain first though, we now know something of the Guild's motives but still too little of Lita's. Not to mention the fact that he might not even grant us an audience with her yet..."
He pauses for a moment, before looking to Varannia again, "Now i must know something of your motives my lady. What sort of an advantage do you propose giving the merchant guild exactly?"
"The merchant also said that Lita blames them for the recent assassination attempt on her. So there is something else to take into account."
She glances over at Jarcal, her pale icy eyes in contrast with the darkness of her hair and gown. "First knowledge, of course. In the long run, it may not even be that much of an advantage. If Lita is more politically knowledgable than she is letting on that she is."
"I am curious to see if he will let us see her now, cause if he doesn't me thinks another might be pulling her young little strings." He gives a crooked smile while miming he's in control of a marionette puppet. "Just a thought from the Baron."
"The merchants guild isn't responsible for the assassination attempt? I wonder who wants Lita dead, then, and for what reasons?" Leon rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I would like to speak to the guild master--Lita's crowd expressed their views on strangers, and I'd rather invest in a different sort of encounter than the last one. Besides, the merchant's guild (except for the wannabe bounty hunter who came after us)" he looks to Baron and Jarcal, "has at least discussed things openly and honestly with us, despite our affiliations."