Quietly listening as the crowd grows Zev can't help but smirk once Abby calls out some poor pick pocket, though the expression is ripped off once he sees what is done to the man. Already on edge it certainly didn't help once Mirais thrust herself up and began ranting at the new oppressions being rolled out, ironically drawing a parallel between the act of sadism he just witnessed.
As she continues to stoke the crowd he stands up from his seat but doesn't approach her while she speaks her mind, instead gazed out into the listening audience, daring anyone to try and contradict her with a glare.
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"Damnit woman, are you trying to get people killed?" Talon grimaces as the tiefling woman riles up the crowd. He was mad as well, but angry mobs help no one. "I'm as mad as anyone, but if this gets out of control, a lot of innocent people are gonna get hurt."
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"Innocent people have already been hurt, or have you not noticed the smoldering remains of beloved establishments and homes, and the loss of the leaders of Milanite and Sareanite faiths?" Zev growls out to the loud man approaching them.
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"Does that mean we need to become just like them?"
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"We are speaking our dissents with words, not using them to burn and murder."
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"For now. But I can see it, the slow burn of anger until it erupts like a volcano and it covers the city in rage. We need to focus our outrage and not let it control us."
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"That is exactly why most of us have assembled here today. To focus our outrage rather than slowly let our souls be ground down and smoldered, occasionally flaring up to start a riot. Or would you rather everyone here simply head home and resign themselves to everything that comes forward, offering no resistance whatsoever?"
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"Of course not. We should fight. We just shouldn't forget who the enemy is and who isn't. Most people forget that kind of thing."
Abrasax watches the exchange with mild interest while nursing her wine. She was disturbed by the manner in which the pickpocket was treated, and in the news of public punishments. Maybe Zev was right. Every fire of existence needs a spark.
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"Then why are you arguing with us, and not the ones who have brought mayhem and nightmares to us?"
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"Because they're not here and they don't care if people get hurt. But I do."
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"Not here? They're right there!" pointing angrily at the sad theatre. "Which is why we're here!"
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"Then go in there and tell them that instead of yelling at me when I'm just trying to lower collateral damage."
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Zev blinks at the man. "They won't let us in... which is why we're out here. So they or someone who at least speaks for them will have to acknowledge us."
They're hiding, like Cheliaxians do when properly challenged. Abrasax says from behind her cup.
]
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+7+1
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+7+1
Your tirade and powerful words spur the crowd to a thunderous and organized voice. They repeatedly chant for Thrune the outsider to go home and let them alone.
The tempo and tone build to a unified voice, a voice of the city, the voice of the City of Silver.
Quietly listening as the crowd grows Zev can't help but smirk once Abby calls out some poor pick pocket, though the expression is ripped off once he sees what is done to the man. Already on edge it certainly didn't help once Mirais thrust herself up and began ranting at the new oppressions being rolled out, ironically drawing a parallel between the act of sadism he just witnessed.
As she continues to stoke the crowd he stands up from his seat but doesn't approach her while she speaks her mind, instead gazed out into the listening audience, daring anyone to try and contradict her with a glare.
[dice=Intimidate]1d20+7+2
The Chelish loyalists near you take note, as the loudest in the crowd, the loss of their voice soon carries to the other members of their group.
Soon, like all people of weak will, they grow silent as their chants become single voices, then nothing.
Bullies rarely like to stand alone, so silenced, they form smaller groups or scamper off.
"Damnit woman, are you trying to get people killed?" Talon grimaces as the tiefling woman riles up the crowd. He was mad as well, but angry mobs help no one. "I'm as mad as anyone, but if this gets out of control, a lot of innocent people are gonna get hurt."
[dice=Counter Rabble Rousing!]1d20
Your efforts to keep the crowd calm draw significant note, citizens calm and sooth some of the more abrasive among them.
The tone, although still angry and boisterous, seems slightly less hostile than before.
Actions available
Zev Kelevra 2
The Abrasax 2
Talon Skyfall 2
Mirais 0
Canacha Bais 2
Arani Thorindal 2
Lensar Major 3
Talon will continue to look for his contact.
She wasnt sure what to say to Mirais tirade, nor the counter tirade offered via some concerned citizen who looked familiar. Nor was she completely comfortable with the amount of attention they all suddenly seemed to be getting. She slid slightly more to the side and scanned the crowd.
Was that...another person stealing?!?
Hey you in the red! you give that man his purse back you ignoble thief!
She began in reaction to spotting to cutpurse.
This is a civil public discussion for change in Kintargo not a criminal feeding ground you ... you cur!
She added in about to try and apprehend the menace herself but the size of the growing crowd made her realize that was certainly impracticle pushing through such masses. Worse she almost felt bad for calling the man out. What if he had staving kids at home or something and was using this action to help feed them, what if was in a desperate situation. . . After seeing the beating the earlier thief took also made her feel bad. It would be best perhaps if she quietly watched some more. . .
Abrasax soon grows tired of the whining voices (and the smell). She taps Zev and says, I'll be back soon if you need me. I need some fresh air.
She steps out of the pressing crowd far enough to open her light brown 13 foot wingspan and take to the skies. She feels better almost immediately. Strix were not made for crowds.
She flies a lazy circle around the crowd, riding the thermal updrafts caused by the open space and the people.
Spotting a group of loyalists gathering near the edge for a counter chant, she folds her wings in and dives. Her speed builds, like a hawk closing in on its prey. The instant before she hits the ground her wings open in a rush of wind. She lands right in the middle of the group in a cliff of dust and small rocks. When it clears she is standing tall, staring the entire group down with her avian eyes and slotted nostrils.
As Abrasax taps him he nods. "Same here," he said while trying to keep his own anger under control. Watching her take off and dance about in the air helped immensely with that task, he was rather in awe of Abrasax any time she took to the heavens. Keeping an eye on the beautiful sky dancer brought a soft smile to his face for the time being, one that widened somewhat when she startled the loyalists.
As another foolish pickpocket is pointed out Zev whips around and glares, his burning golden eyes not necessarily to the would be thief, but to any citizens who thought themselves fit to mete out any punishment they chose rather than await the guards.
Moments after her tirade, Mirais realizes how much she is at the center of attention and how much her words influenced the crowd. Blushing and retaking her normal demeanor, she still smiles to herself, as the voice of the people gathered in the plaza becomes one.
As the pickpocket is called out, Arani takes action as the man freezes, her bow snapping up sending an arrow streaking towards the blade he was about to use to cut the man's coinpurse free, her arrow smashing into the dagger's blade, breaking it in his hand.
As heads whip up to the rooftops, seeking the source of the shot she stands, her voice a low feminine growl of authority. The voice of The Black Thorn. "Now is not the time to prey on each other. This city stands together. United in purpose. Stand against it, and you will be called out! Arrest him!"
"But firing into a crowd of people already on edge is perfectly fine?" Zev mumbles to himself as he looks up to the woman with questionable sense.
Seeing a familiar face in the crowded area, he takes one of the empty seats, clearing his throat.
"Good to see you again, Canacha." The thinly built elf pushes the pair of spectacles back up the bridge of his nose, fingers smudged with printing ink.
"I'm assuming that special order for research made it to you today? It wasn't in the shop when I left."
Although he likely seems distracted, a practiced eye is very aware that Lensar is not an idiot and seems to be highly aware of his surroundings. Hearing one of the voices calling for supporting of Chelish efforts. Turning his head swiftly, he looks at the youth, who could barely be age to serve in a militia, let alone understand what he was saying.
"Ah yes, support the efforts now, and next thing you know, they'll be taking your mother and sister off for summoning materials. You've not the age on you needed to be making such opinions known, for another two decades I imagine."
Pointing to an older scarred human male standing amongst other "elders," he motions the boy with a flick of his hand.
"I'm sure he has plenty of stories to show you what really lies behind such childish idealism."
Talon will continue to look for his contact.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
Scanning the crowd thoroughly, you have no luck finding your contact.
It could be the increasing size of the crowd and their tremendous volume is causing you difficulty.
[ooc]
Hey you in the red! you give that man his purse back you ignoble thief!
Your cries bring about the attention of the Chelish Citizens Group, but before they can accost the crook he brandishes a dagger.
It is quickly shot from his hand by a lone figure on the rooftops.
The deftness of the shot combined with Talon's earlier pleas for calm prevent any undue bloodshed.
[spoiler=Fish Dice][/dice]
[dice=Perception for Contact 1d20+9
[dice=Bluff 1d20+10
[dice=Perception for Rumors 1d20+9
Fashionable late to the party :) you are unable to locate your contact in the seething mob, you do however, note that in-spite of the efforts of many it is becoming rather unsettling.
The combined efforts of your group, with terror and guile, have utterly silenced the Chelish Loyalists. With the remaining voices thundering at the Opera House, a dozen dottari and powerful looking women with a glaive emerge.
Emerging from the Balcony, sipping from a crystal chalice, the figure of Paracount Barzillai Thrune emerges.
The crowd swiftly quiets, and the Paracounts voice carries thrue the silence in a sneer.
“Ah, my adoring little chickadees. I am sorry to say I have not yet adapted to your quaint, country ways, being accustomed as I am to the sophistication and learning of Egorian. Nonetheless, know I have heard your concerns, and that I appreciate your valued feedback, and I know we shall eventually find a mutual understanding in the fullness of time. I take pride in updating Kintargo’s quaint, outdated laws to the modern standards the city deserves, and strengthening its ties with the empire in these cruel times, but obviously I have approached my duties too aggressively. “You say you chafe at the presence of nonnatives in positions of power? That authorities not of this city have no place as its leaders? That you will not be yoked by intruders? Your lord-mayor hears you. And so it is with a heavy heart that I issue this proclamation, in response to your demands: all ships’ captains are hereafter barred from leaving their vessels and setting foot on Kintargo docks or streets, under pain of... let’s say... squassation!”
"I don't even know what that is, but it sounds painful. What is she trying to do?" He asks no one in particular.
Abrasax listens from her old seat with her friends, having arrived just before the dictator started speaking. What's Squassatiin? she says in a low tone.
Oh Hai hai hai Lensor... and uh... I dont know? I was so busy with the filligree work my uncle had me working yesterday on I didnt notice much of anything, and then the bells... and that research well then this morning made my way straight here, even Uncle 'closed' the shop. So uh... maybe?
She said with an air of someone apologizing for not knowing the answer to the question. She was about to say something else when the commotion at the Opera house began.
Probably something with smashing something either way, its not good. What is wrong with this Parakeet person?
She said frowning a lot at the thought of being smushed under something really heavy.
"I think I heard that word back in Uskwood. Which means it's probably really bad." Zev lets out in something between a concerned growl and a whimper.
"What does that have anything to do with what we were telling him?" Mirais asks to her friends after a moment of incredulity. She didn't know what "squassation" was, but just the fact that he was going to torture people for setting foot into the city was reason enough to be angry.
"He's just hearing what he wants to hear, and using that to suit his whimsy." Zev says as an aside to Mirais.
I think he is just trying to make the people angry, so he has a reason to do more. He's being a bully.
She said with a frown trying to figure out what that rumor she heard was about. There were times she felt she should definitely pay less attention to the world around her.
'$#!+ he's trying to goad the crowd into a riot. Give him an excuse to release the hounds.'
Arani glares at the vile man on the balcony, her eyes shifting to scan the crowd, trying to pick up on any likely response before it happens.
"He's using his power as those in power are always prone to do in these situations. We need to move carefully. He's trying to put a stranglehold on the city."
The elf sips on strong tea.
"These things come in cycles, especially with Cheliax."
As the protest’s third hour draws to a close, no skill check is needed to note that the crowd’s tenor is increasingly hostile. At 3 minutes after the third hour, the bells of the Cathedral of Asmodeus ring out three peals (for no apparent reason, as is the norm for these bells.)
Someone in the crowd throws a handful of manure at Barzillai. Though the putrid projectile misses Barzillai’s noble personage, the lord-mayor nonetheless flinches and spills wine across his ornate clothing. With his wardrobe and dignity endangered, the lord-mayor’s demeanor shifts from amused to bellicose. He shrieks, before retreating into the opera house and slamming the windows. Down below, Nox immediately mobilizes the dottari, who draw their weapons. At the same time, men and women throughout the crowd pull back their cloaks, revealing matching armbands, truncheons, and the sadistic grins of additional Chelish Citizens’ Group members eager to mete out some “justice.”
Archepex immediately draws pen and notepad to note the peals. Then stows the tools of study and glares at the crowd.
So, his true colors come to light. I'm going to have to put down some vermin today, looks like. Would you like to join me, friends? She asks Zev and Canacha.
"Gladly, m'lady," Zev growled in response, bits of fur starting to break across his skin as he couldn't hold back for much longer, especially as he saw other citizens so eager to dish their own form of "justice" against the other peaceful protestors.
After Barzillai's ridiculous proclamation on boat captains, Mirais just stays silent, trying to hold back her anger.
However, when an idiot throws manure at the Paracount, the tiefling springs on her foot, quickly realizing that it was probably someone from the CCP to have done that to give Thrune a reason to attack the crowd.
Letting out a series of expletives in Abyssal, Mirais turns to her friends.
"We have to help people get out of the park before the guards get to them!"
Why, why?! Things were going good, and then everything went to s**t!
For a moment, something seems to appear on Mirais' neck, before she covers it with a gloved hand.
"Agreed. The people's safety comes first."
The Black Thorn
Canacha Bais
Lensar Major
Mirais
Talon Skyfall
CHELISH CITIZENS GROUP THUGS
Combat modifiers, due to the now screaming hordes of people surrounding you, all movement is considered difficult terrain.
A group of four Citizen thugs draw leather wrapped axe handles (saps) and begin eyeing you with malice!
They are 30' away.
The Black Thorn
Lensar Major
The Abrasax
Talon SkyFall, crowd is not difficult terrain for you
Canacha Bais
Mirais, crowd is not difficult terrain for you
Chelish Citizens Group
"Right! Time for damage control. You're the control, and we're the damage."
Her hands shaking as panic erupts and the thugs move towards them, Mirais draws her spear, brandishing it with the spearhead pointed to the ground, not unlike a simple quarterstaff.
"Hey, Citizen Group scum!" the tiefling shouts, her voice trembling a little "Want to come here and try to arrest us, or you're going to run off like you did earlier? That wouldn't surprise me one bit!"
Moving toward them, the tiefling moves forward and puts herself between them and one of the exits from the park that people were using to run away: ready to smack the thugs with the shaft of the spear if they had gotten too close, she hopes that her taunt was enough to divert their attention from the fleeing citiziens.
Gods, what am I doing...