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"I have been researching Cauldron undergrounds for weeks, and I am Rouradont, the question is not if I can help but when I will have that Fiery Sanctum place located."
"You're a Rouradont, there's no doubt of it. Abadar will be pleased, if we can find this rat's nest, Gemma. Spare no expense, I'll make sure you're well funded."
Kikinnin trusts Maxim to any modifications to his armory, so bides his time for the work, given the chance. He starts to focus on what Jenya promises- a grand meeting of the political minds. He doesn't thrill to the prospect of pomp and bluster, so he decides to spend a day or two to get to know more about who's likely going to be in attendance. He asks Jenya directly for a list, then sets off to gather information about each of them. At the end of his visits, he brings the Watchers together, and informs them of all he learns.
The third day will give him some time to finish his preparations for hunting Cagewrights...
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JJ goes back to the street and walks Obsidian Avenue clockwise until he reaches the eastern gate where the Coy Nixie is located. Coming inside the high-class tavern and dancehall is busy offering early suppers. Soft music cherishes the atmosphere. The food and drink rival the Cusp of Sunrise.
It does not take long for JJ to spot Sara. She is dressing the silk white blouse and green trousers of they Coy Nixie's waitresses while working behind the main counter. The girl does not spot JJ as she is distracted cleaning glasses while talking with a tall and ruggedly handsome man with a well-trimmed beard and curly dark brown hair. She is listening interested, smiling and switches between expressions of pleasing surprise and hones laugh.
On a closer look JJ finds out this man is the Stormblade Zachary Aslaxin II.
When Kikinnin asks for a list of the attendees Jenya looks at the dwarf, coughs and adds "Very well Kikinnin. If you are true to your word that you want to do good service to Abadar, and behold his tenets of looking for the city prosperity, then you should bring invitations to all these nobles and merchants and make sure they will attend the meeting. That will help you get information first hand"
Armored with a long list of attendees Kikinnin initiates a diplomatic mission to locate and win over the influential people on Cauldron in the name of Jenya and Abadar himself. The former ratcatcher who would knock the rear kitchen door before, finds himself at the main doors of luxury mansions and finely stocked shops.
Despite their initial odd look at him, he does quickly find Jenya is well respected and everyone is willing to move meetings and errands and close shops to attend her urgent call, surely carried over by your own vehement words and cutting edge replies at whomever dares to pose obstacles.
The Vanderboren are still agitated by the recent death and resurrection of their adopted son Todd. The man is still weak and despite Kikinnin's involvement in his rescue, he is fiercely dour with the dwarf and his own parents. From what Kikinnin can get, Lord Vanderboren is a savvy businessman with a keen eye for things that other people often overlook, and he seems still a bit uneasy at the nobility treatment he got only from the previous Lord Major, in fact they are the newest nobles in Cauldron. Meanwhile his wife Aeberrin seems fiercely protective of her husband and her family's newfound status. Further inquiring about them, Kikinnin founds they are the equivalent of real estate tycoons. Less respected by the other nobles because they're self-made. They also own and fund the Lantern Street Orphanage. Both Vanderborens got their start on their feet: Premiach as a runner for a messenger service and Aeberrin as a server at a tavern.
Visiting the Aslaxins, Kikinnin has the opportunity to meet their manor he did not do previously during the Demonskar Ball. The Aslaxins are primarily art dealers. They ship most of the non-obsidian artwork crafted by local craftsmen out of town, but the bulk of the family's fortune is tied up in shipping art and furniture, both simple and exotic, into town. It is common knowledge that Aslaxins and Taskerhills do not get particularly well, as Lord Zachary Aslaxin I resents the Taskerhill control of the local obsidian trade, which turns a tidy profit each year. Popular voice says he has been replacing Taskerhill's influence at Kingfisher Hollow as the only remaining Taskerhill there is more interested in faith matters (Abadar) than real business. Kikinnin feels the man incredibly cold in his treatment, but he dutifully accepts the invitation to the meeting. Nevertheless Kikinnin manages to get a few words from him, and after a short talk he finds out the man has been losing a lot of business recently in the towns around Cauldron. His primary contacts have been reluctant to do business recently. Lord Aslaxin does profit the opportunity to make it known that he is a main donor of the Bluecrater Academy. Stormblade Zachary Aslaxin II is their son.
Also located at Obsidian Avenue, the Taskerhills manor is massive, with four stories in height, and is easily the most ostentatious of Cauldron's noble homes (with the possible exception of House Rhiavadi). Ryan's uncle, Lord Ankhin Taskerhill, is the wealthiest noble in Cauldron. He owns several mines in the nearby mountains, as well as a prominent workshop that ships exquisitely crafted obsidian furniture and knick-knacks to the indolent cities of the north. They also regularly fund the Bluecrater Academy. Lord Ankhin Taskerhill seems a dutiful citizen and openly proposes Kikinnin to have the meeting at his own manor as it is large and properly conditioned for it. His daughter is the Stormblade leader Annah Taskerhill.
Kikinnin finds the Lathenmire manor, just by Zanathor's Provisions at Obsidian Avenue, is a sprawling structure with several training rooms and trophy halls on its ground floor. Given another few years, the Lathenmires could be inducted into Cauldron's nobility. As it stands, the family is as rich as most of the other nobles, having effectively cornered the local arms and armor trade. Besswink and Liorial Lathenmire are the closest thing to Cauldron aristocrats without being noble yet. Her sister is the Stormblade Cora Lathenmire and they are clearly proud of the career choice of their daughter. Bewink lauds Kikinnin's armor and proposes to craft a pure adamantine one for him.
There is another noblewoman in the list, an elf called Lady Ophellha Knowlern, but Jenya states she is a personal friend of hers who lives in Hollowsky and she will reach to her personally.
Likewise there are invitations to other personalities the Watchers are more familiar with already: the High Priests of Gorum (half-orc Asfelkir Hranleurt), Pharasma (Kythel) and Sarenrae (Kristof Jurgensen), and the major traders at the city Maavu and Maxim. The list is completed with a group of artisans that are invited to attend without option to vote: Tygot, Skie, Phalian Gurnezarn (from Gurnezarn's smithy), Keygan Ghelve, Orak, Bolar Westkey (from Westkey's Map Emprioum), Vortimax Weer (the wizard that runs Weer's Elixirs) and Zanathor.
The invitation is to attend the Town Hall in 3 days.
JJ smiles as he watches Sara for a a moment, his keen ears trying to hear what the scion of the Aslaxin family has to say to her.
After giving him a moment or two, the youngster sidles up to the counter.
"Hello Sara, and good day to you also Lord Zachery." he opens with, offering both a friendly smile of welcome.
Sara is left out of gasp by JJ's appearance. Lord Zachery looks back at JJ and smiles clearly amused "Oh, look there, it seems your heart thief finally decided to materialize himself out of the blue. Run out of money boy? Got tired of your buddies and suddenly remembered of the cutie waiter?"
Sara is still paralyzed, staring at JJ with her mouth open without words.
Kythel nods at the fine work done and makes sure to address everyone by name to add that personal touch that makes each member of the clergy feel as important as the next.
He informs them that he will be providing further funds to make more items as the time that these items will be needed is fast approaching.
Kythel is happy that the Gorumite relations are proceeding along but is most pleased with the replacement of the Spire, in some ways, that is the relationship with the most damage that must be repaired.
Kythel will spend the evening resting and in contemplation. He will prepare spells to break enchantment the next morning and seek out Maxim to ease entry into the Manor. Kythel wants to begin restoring as many of these fallen heroes as he can as fast as he can. He will try and return each day to do just that. And of course, aid Maxim in carrying out any loot that can be sold to ensure the coffers of the Church are filled so that magical item production can continue to run smoothly.
Determined to not let the day be spoiled by a spoiled noble, JJ maintains a broad smile.
"No, my family finances are doing very well. I can but hope your own fare likewise."
He offers a grin to Sara. "Sorry I've been away, but you know how it is. Some of us common folk end up earning their living. Zachary is right though, you are looking especially good today. If you don't have plans after work, I was hoping that you could be waited on for a change."
The priests nods in agreement, informing there is much of the remaining gold that is still put into crafting.
Seeing his interest, the dwarven architects give Kythel a walk through the dome "And there we will put the main stained glass, it will make the size of a fire giant" the other one adds "Is there any motive you wish to reproduce on it?"
Zachary holds his smile back at JJ, but otherwise stops talking.
Sara seethes, soundly putting the glass she was cleaning over the counter "We were talking about getting married and raising a family together one day and the next you disappear for half a month without leaving a single word? And now you just come back as if you were here just the day before?" the girl takes a dish and starts cleaning in clear anger "Oh well, I hope you have a better excuse than I was busy jumping around with my friends to save the city from another plague of demons"
Zachary chuckles.
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Maxim chuckles wearily as Skie marvel’s o’er the volume of loot and valuables;
”Aye Skie, you could say we been busy. Busy gettin’ rich. Busy settin’ wrongs right.”
As he tells her his tales, the gun-mage casts an eye through her exclusive items;
”Much abliged Miss Aldersun. Got some mighty temptin’ stock here - I’ll make a point o’ lettin’ my solvent companions know as well…”
He pauses, setting aside
”This cloak I’ll take. Same with the headband too. I’ll throw in my own cloak and headband as make weights…“
"Ahh..." mutters JJ. Irritated that he feels more indignant at the smirk of Zachary than he does at the bite in Sara's words.
I guess mentioning the demons wouldn't be good round about now. And somehow assassins and transformed beholders might not be quite right either.
He stands flummoxed for a moment. "You are quite right, it was unfair of me. And cornering you at work was a very unfair way to come back to town. Shall I come around this evening to try and explain?" he eventually stammers out.
And come up with a good reason that won't scare her too much.
"You are fine Maxim. You and your friends are making me the richest gnome in Cauldron. Maybe even Sasserine. I am already considering writing here in neon lights the name of the Watchers" Skie laughs and then listens with great interest all the explanation about the group adventures "Wow! A beholder. I knew there was something odd about that Vhalantru. I maybe try to get some claim on some of the magic furniture at House Rhiviani. The Lady left some debts unpayed"
"Hmmm" Sara closes her eyes and continues drying out the dish energetically "Ok. If you wish to wait for me... I am up to give you the chance to explain yourself Surabar. Do not expect me to be looking after the day end. You will have to wait. And no free drinks" she breaths deeply and walks away into the back room.
Zachary smiles and pads JJ friendly at the back "Wow boy. You really made her angry this time. You better come up with something big" he does pick up a bottle from the inner side of the counter along with two glasses and puts them in front of the young man filling them slowly "Some gin to cut up tension here?"
JJ sighs, takes a glass and sits down with Zachary.
"I just don't understand women." he sighs.
"What's new in Cauldron anyway?" he asks, hoping for the universal bond of being a bloke to break some of the ice with the man.
"You Blades been busy?"
"Tell me. Cora wants to have me on one of their parents' suppers. Like make it official with the family you know? She is a tough one to tell no" Zachary takes the other glass and gives a long shot to the gin "Todd is still recovering. The blades have not thundered for a while. Vhalantru wanted for us to search for some weird site at Cauldron's underground but Hannah rejected. We are still processing our defeat to the nigromant and she does not want to push it with just three of us"
"What about you watchies? If you are not getting a fair payment there, we are short a member now you know..." Zachary refills both his and JJ's glasses with more gin.
Kythel considers for a moment, "Would it be possible for the motif to be the spiraling comet of Pharasma but with the center the figure of Sarenrae? I would like the center of Sarenrae's bosom to be a light, whether the sun or a flame, to alight upon the Temple of Sarenrae at Dawn's first light".
Kikinnin finishes his investigations under the guise of invitations, purchases a couple of items from Skie, then returns to St. Cuthbert to inform his fellow Watchers of what he's learned. He also shares his success in delivering all invitations with Jenya, before gifting the church 673 gold from the last Watcher divvy.
Finding Gemma, Kikinnin decides to empower his sister with the remaining funds. "Alright, we're arming ourselves to the teeth for a direct confrontation with the Cagewrights. I still have a nagging fear, that our city will be consumed in fire, so I need you to be another force for convincing those who might fail to understand." Kikinnin pushes a coin purse of 300 platinum into his sister's hands.
"If you need to convince folks to flee Cauldron, this should assist your efforts. I'd rather you be safe, outside of the city, than risk your life against the ravages of demodands intent on seeing the city collapse. Do you understand?"
JJ drinks his ale slowly as he chats with Zachary.
"We've been plenty busy. Big meeting coming up in a couple of days. I've done my bit to make sure your family is invited. "
He sighs a little. "I know we don't always see eye to eye, but we all want Cauldron free and prosperous. That means everyone pulling together. Church, first families, secular authorities. Everyone."
He leans closer. "I too had a word with the lady of mysteries. But please, don't mention that to Sara, I don't want to worry her. What we do is dangerous, and I've found it pretty difficult keeping her safe. Your family has its own protection... mine doesn't."
The architects soon get thrilled by the idea of a combined symbol. They start discussing about the position of the central piece and at what time the sun dawns during the different seasons, which diverts in a pretty lengthy talk about the movement of the stars in the sky.
Kikinnin's sister picks up the coin offered but shakes on the words of the dwarf "That's awful. You are scaring me brother"
Zachary smiles and makes a gesture zipping his mouth "We all want the best for Cauldron, just we do not agree on what that is, isn't it?"
A while later Sara finishes her day and comes by to the young man. Still not looking at him directly at the eyes the young woman makes a gesture offering him to walk in the street.
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"I wouldn't even say that. More that we don't agree the best way to get there." offers JJ.
As Sara gets off he waves farewell to Zachary and opens the door for Sara.
"I'm sorry I've not been around a lot recently." he begins as they walk down the street. But even as he walks, his eyes dart around, noting faces and anyone who looks out of place or who comes too close.
"It's been difficult. My friends and I... well, we upset some powerful people. And for a time it looked like there was a price on my head."
He tries not to scare her, but also doesn't want to undersell the danger.
"And while I'm no easy target, there were other ways to attack me. I didn't want to put you and Tess in any more danger than you already are."
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Sara listens attentively, then remains silent for a while "We have come about this before. I told you I understand, but was it that difficult to make me arrive a small note telling me you were ok? I thought those same people have already abducted you"
"Good thing is you are ok." she finally smiles back at JJ "So... lets profit the time before you disappear again. Let's go home. And... tell me about those adventures while we walk along"
A couple of days after she left, Celeste comes back to you as promised. She brings some rewards for you.
First, she presents a pair of winged boots to Maxim "I bring you the wings of Heaven my merchant friend, so your feet shall never again be tired, and you do not shy away to pick again the right path"
"To you I bring you the boon of health my little halfling friend. I hope it protects you in times of dare need as much as you have taken care of all others around you. Let it heal the madness that blooms in the dark" the azata gives Marigold a stone of bright blue that dangles on a silver chain.
The blond smiles then at JJ "To my heavenly warrior, the boon of protection. Let the faith protect you when the enemies of your beloved city come to you" and she hands him a mithral ring with a fire ruby set on its top . An inscription below reads Love to those who honor their roots for they are trustworthy.
To Kythel she puts a shiny pearl of average size on his hand "To you, the boon of magic, so your patience is rewarded with a benevolent last judgement in front of the Lady"
Finally Celeste comes to Kikinnin and she puts around his wrists a heavy silver bracelet etched with icons of purity, fidelity, chastity, and honor "Let your boon to punish the corruption of the souls, for yours is only betrothed to the defense of others"
Al the objects have a magical mark visible when using detect magic and similar means. The mark reads Manzorian.
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"That's awful. You are scaring me, brother."
"We share the same blood, and now the same fear. It does us no good if we're blind to the danger, I only hope we can avoid it. Vigilance, Gemma. There's no closing our eyes to this problem. Vhalantru is a pup, compared to the hounds of hell we have yet to find."
...
"Let your boon to punish the corruption of the souls, for yours is only betrothed to the defense of others."
Kikinnin looks into Celeste's eyes first, trying to see something of that light even in this human form of hers. Only after he's tried does he look down on the Bracelet. He turns his wrist over to observe the etchings.
"That's fine work, Celeste. I'm honored you'd grant us these protections. We'll be sure to use them to their fullest." Kikinnin raises his wrist to Maxim, raising his eyebrows at the same time.
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Three days later you meet at the Town Hall with everyone else. There are rumors the tax collectors are nowhere to be seen, that Terseon Skellerang has committed suicide, that Lord Vhalantru is nowhere to be found and that the Last Laugh has been completely annihilated in their headquarters.
Jenya Urikas is the last to arrive, along with Ryan Taskerhill who stops by the doors to stand guard of the meeting. She greets you all with a head nod "Lord Ankhin Taskerhill, Lord Zachary Aslaxin I, Lady Aeberrin Vanderboren and her husband Premiach, Lady Ophellha Knowlern, Lord Alek Tercival... thanks for attending in representation of your noble houses" Jenya pauses looking at each of them as a sort of presentation so everyone in the room knows who are them each.
"Thanks also for the other faiths to send their representation: Pharasma's High Priest Kythel of Nisroch, Gorum's High Priest Asfelkir Hranleurt and High Priest of Sarenrae Kristof Jurgensen, we are very pleased the faiths of Cauldron are once more working together" she also stops at them for presentation, then follows on "Merchants of Cauldron, we also count with you here: Liorial Lathenmire, Maxim of Garthûn Imports and Maavu Arlintal"
She does look at Kikinnin, Marigold and JJ but says no word about you, instead Jenya starts explaining the reasons of the meeting "I want to be clear about the goals of this meeting so we do not lose ourselves on side conversations or old grieves. Cauldron requires an efficient government able to direct the city before people starts to decide this is not the right place for living"
"As you sure have heard there is no Severen Navalant or Vhalantru Orbis directing the Town Hall city servants. Historically, the Lord Mayor appointed a successor, but unfortunately the previous mayor never took this step. We have to come up with a solution on how Cauldron goes about replacing the missing Lord Mayor" Jenya observes the looks of others for reactions before continuing "That is a first point before we can discuss any other further details about more concrete laws"
"But before... you might have heard many rumors these last days about what is the situation and what happened. I wanted you to hear by first hand, and so I brought up the Cauldron Watchers to this meeting. Many of you probably already know them, what you probably do not know is they have been involved in the events that have lead to this situation, and they have proof of the corruption that ramped up among the previous government" she then looks at you and nods pushing you to speak up "After their word, you all will understand why it is of paramount importance that we have a working government able to take decisive and quick resolutions before the night falls again in Cauldron"
Jenya makes a slow gesture giving you the word turn.
Kikinnin Rouradont, paladin of Abadar and in service to the Church of St. Cuthbert, holds his tongue, turning to his fellow Watchers to begin their Word. He allows Marigold and JJ the first moment to address the gathering, and gauges the reactions of the nobles and priesthoods, before adding his own voice to the deliberations.
JJ gives Margold a nudge. While he liked an audience, this lot of faces were more formidable to him than any hoard of demons. And looked just as likely to want to eat his body (and possibly his soul).
"I'll back you up. But you are much better with words than me.." he whispers.
True to her word, Marigold spends much of the three days leading up to the Town Hall meeting with her nose buried in the books of Bluecrater. Though she does make a point to stop by the orphanage to visit with Anafa and the rest, the visits are briefer than she'd like - research takes time and more than ever, Marigold feels that time isn't something Cauldron has to spare.
So she pores through every single book that her coworkers (though she realizes, with a pang of regret, that they're really *former* coworkers at this point) Zinli and Losriel are able to find for her relating to certain key names and locations mentioned in Vhalantru's notes - as well as the Zar’ilkoth Tarteros...
She also does take the time to pay a visit to Skie's shop, hoping to further plug gaps in her defenses and abilities...
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Marigold swallows hard as all eyes fall on her. Even though nearly every face here was one she'd met before, and a few she could even title 'friend', they may as well have been strangers off the street for how removed she now felt from them all.
How alone.
They'd not seen the things she'd seen nor endured the things she'd endured these last days, weeks, months.
But she knew that now, she needed to try and make them understand, make them picture it in their mind's eye.
Make them see.
That would be the only way to get everyone's cooperation, genuine or grudging.
"S-so...there's a l-lot that's h-happened in the last few d-days," she begins, silently praying to Sarenrae to help her find the right words. "B-but to kn-know how to m-move forward, it's only r-right that you all kn-know how we g-got here in the f-first place."
"It all st-started when we s-saved Ruphus Laro from the L-Last Laugh. He was l-looking into the disappearance of s-several children from the L-Lantern Street Orphanage and was s-set on by the th-thugs...by decree of their l-leader, Jil."
It feels like it all happened a lifetime ago.
"After th-that, we m-met with Jenya at the Ch-Church of Abadar and she asked us to l-look into the disappearances ourselves. Sh-she used the artifact c-called the Star of Justice to divine a p-place to start...and the r-riddle she received and s-some information fr-from the orphanage l-led us to investigate Keygan Ghelve's locksmith sh-shop."
So many hints...the Last Laugh bribing Patch to keep an eye on Terrem, the two half-elves popping up...
"Um, wh-when we tried to t-talk to him about his l-locks he g-got r-really nervous. Then we g-got attacked by sk-skulks and f-figured out r-really quick that s-something else was g-going on. Keygan said they'd f-found a way from the D-Darklands into Jzadirune and from th-there into his st-store. They st-started to k-kidnap people, f-forcing him to h-help by t-taking his w-wife and familiar h-hostage. We interrogated one of the sk-skulks and he g-gave us a name - Kazmojen. He'd b-bribed the skulks to k-kidnap people from the c-city."
So many twists and turns and the tale is just begun.
"So th-then we knew we had to enter Jzadirune f-for ourselves. We went d-down and f-found more sk-skulks, w-weird illusions, d-dark creepers, and gn-gnomish machinery that was a p-pain to deal with. B-but we also found the diary of Jzadirune himself that g-gave us more insight on the c-city and what h-happened to the gnomes that l-lived there. It was also the f-first time we heard m-mention of the 'spellweavers'...which will become m-more important l-later on."
"It t-took us several d-days to really explore the p-place. It was f-full of dangers and we n-nearly lost Dandarrion to the skulks. We h-had to bring him b-back out and g-go on without him. And another t-time that we c-came up for air, we had our f-first m-meeting with the Stormblades. It, uh, w-went about as w-well as you'd expect for t-two groups that were b-basically rivals at that p-point," Marigold adds.
"On our s-second or m-maybe third day, we ran into the d-dark stalker Yuathyb, again. We d-defeated him and his allies and we f-found that even h-he was V-Vanishing. It s-seemed that h-helping Kazmojen...the h-half-dwarf m-mentioned in the Star of Justice r-riddle - p-proved to be his d-downfall."
"F-from there, we r-rescued Keygan's familiar and p-pressed even f-further down into K-Kazmojen's lair...the Malachite Fortress..."
______________
Kythel nods in appreciation and clutches the pearl in his palm knowing that it may prove critical later. Resources had become hard pressed the farther he and his companions pressed into the nightmare strongholds of their foes.
---
Kythel nods to the other heads of the Prisethoods and mingles with the rest of those present as best he can before the arrival of Jenya.
As Marigold begins her tale, he listens intently as much of the Watchers early endeavors in unraveling this plot he had heard little of...
Asfelkir Hranleurt adds to first Marigold's intervention "According to my church intelligence Jil is a ranked member of the Last Laugh, but the true Jester was Velior Tazo whom rumors says was found dead at a party carnage at House Riavhadi just a few nights before" Jenya gives the Gorumite a striking stare that leaves no doubt the half-orc has to shut up and let the halfling expose whatever she wants to say before things come to House Riavhadi or whatever else that has to come.
Hearing his name Dandarrion mumbles from the doors he is guarding "Damned critters, my elbow is still not fully recovered and darkness will never feel the same..."
When Marigold mentions the Malachite as a lair, Kikinnin takes up the mantle for the reckoning. He feels the eyes of the nobles and unfamiliar priests weighing their actions, as well as the manner in which they're presented. He takes a small sip from his whiskey flask, before speaking.
"The Malachite Fortress has endured many things, as the stone weathers the storm, but it couldn't endure the neglect shown to it by those of us who sought to travel. We left the Fortress undefended, and allowed its hallowed halls to become desecrated by the slave trader Kazmojen, using it as a waypoint. As his lair, as miss Marigold has spoken." Kikinnin looks down on the table, steadying himself. He remembers Kazhun, and stripping his family armor off his back in the Forge, and the veins in his neck raise a little.
"They betrayed the trust of Malachite's throne, and Kazmojen Half-Troll brought several hybrid creatures beyond its gates to conduct their slave trade with someone called Pyllrak Shyraat. Once they were bested, we were able to return the children to Cauldron, but not before Vhalantru stole the boy called Terrem from us, for his fell purposes. We left the Malachite under Davked Splintershield's rule."
The black beard grows quiet, giving the room some time to set the words to their minds.
"Vhalantru stole a little boy?" Lord Zachary Aslaxin I exclaims naturally "Why would he do such a thing? Lord Orbis was many things but not a child kidnapper. I do not want to be rude but after that swig we just witnessed I have to ask you if you were sober when you saw that"
"I understand your question, Lord Aslaxin. You'll do best to remember that I was not the only one there to witness Vhalantru's true form, and his demand for the boy. There are others at the table here who will vouch safe my accounting. Granted, he desired to see Terrem back at the orphanage, but I believe that was so he could keep an eye on him at all times. I'll continue our reckoning here, but you should understand that your attempt at vouching for 'Lord Orbis' will strip the color from your cheeks by the end of our speaking." Kikinnin marks Aslaxin for further scrutiny, then moves on with the telling.
"Our friend Ruben was struck to stone by one of Vhalantru's eyestalks, before the beholder took Terrem away with him, and we now believe with Thifirane Rhiavadi, who supported Vhalantru and his efforts to corrupt Cauldron, even then." Kikinnin gives Aslaxin a moment to speak his disbelief, before continuing.
No evil aura on Aslaxin.
"I hope you have other charges on Lady Rhiavadi supported by proof other than taking a little boy from your hands, for she has been a supportive member of our community for a life" despite his words you do not see anger or accusation on Aslaxin's tone of voice.
I wonder what the last time he say her forehead was. That extra eyeball would be a real... eye opener thinks JJ.
Still, the youth can't help feel anything except overawed by the presence of the important people of Cauldron. For the moment he keeps his mouth shut, although as the conversation moves onto Terrem his distress is obvious.
Maxim held his tongue, and disdain at bay for only so long. As the nobles cross examination began to turn more accusatory and incredulous in its undertone, he added his voice to the throng;
"Ware your words Aslaxin. We ain't been to hell an' back on a whim, nor a wild goose chase fir wayward orphans an' such. While you could no doubt cast aspirations on my words, an' connections, the character o' my Bror, o' Lil Miss Marigold here... Hell's Teeth even young Surabar. They are the heroes this city don't deserve. Heed their words and accept 'em, no matter how bitter to swallow they be."
The gun-mage eyes the assembled high society with a hard stare;
" An' while I appreciate you and your blue-blooded circles are likely a mite embarrassed that this all happened under your snooty noses... What it shows to me is how out o' touch ye are, despite yer kin playin' hero in the Stormblades."
His tone hardens, as he continues;
"What it shows me is its a time fir a change in Cauldron. Time for the common folk, an' those who serve the city to lead the way. Ancient families that suck the city dry, an' endorse tyranny upon its citizenship have had their epoch..."
The dwarf shakes his head;
"Hell's Teeth. We ain't even got the common folk represented here. An artisans an' merchants ain't got a vote... Well let 'em vote. Let 'em all have their voices heard say I!"
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Aslaxin's frowns looking at Maxim, while Lord Taskerhill gives him a more severe look. Without raising his tone, the nobleman and uncle of Ryan interrupts the dwarf to tell him "I have heard you have not missed the time to seize many of the merchant's properties at town, here Maavu might have some to speak off, as well of control of your uncle's business, whom we still have to know how he made so much money that fast. It seems to me you have been greatly benefited of all this crisis Sir, probably more than anyone else at Cauldron, so please spare us the show of false generosity and fairness"
Jenya knocks softly at the table asking for attention "Calm down please. We are all here trying to get the best out of the situation. We can discuss later about how the city shall be governed, but I ask you please to let the Watchers expose their discoveries unperturbed" she then looks back at Marigold and nods "Please Miss Montajay"
Kikinnin's face marbles over, as he slowly comes to realize the dynamics in the room. There are friends here, to be sure, but there are also adversaries. And not ones you can strike down with an Axe, for their monstrous evil. No, there are risks going forward. Relationships to forge, rather than making enemies needlessly. If Cauldron would return to greater heights of community and compassion, the Watchers will need as many allies as possible.
Otherwise, it all burns down.
Kythel interjects, "It is true Vhalantru's true form was, and I say was because Surabar struck down the eye-tyrant himself, that of a monster. A spider in the middle of an intricately woven web.
He an enemy of this city but not the only enemy not the only spider spinning a web to entrap this city in it's nefarious schemes.
I was there myself for these most recent events which Miss Montajay will further detail.
Together the individuals in this room may bring order out of this chaos.
Divided, those who would do the city harm may yet succeed.
But no dozen worthy citizens does a city make. A city needs all of its people - streetsweepers, artisans, merchants, clerics, carpenters, nobles - the collective weaves the fabric of the society together".
Maxim weighs the noble's words, then smiles wryly;
"Aye. I've made acquisitions an' brokered business deals... Tho' the gilt I've lined my pockets with have been plundered from dungeons, an' o' course the opulent houses of fallen nobility. Better an honest thief than the likes of corrupt aristocracy like Lord Orbis fronting our city.... but I digress. To the matter at hand. The new order of things can wait..."
At Kythel's words he nods in agreement;
"Agree. We worthily talk of a city divided and a sum of its parts... yet I still see none of the common folk here and represented outwit the Watchers themselves... All have shed their blood. All should have a stake. All should have a say."
Sometimes a thing needs to be shattered to be reforged better and stronger.
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Kikinnin looks at Marigold, wondering where her story will wander from the less relevant moments. The nobles have their notions, and the black beard is uncertain they'll be swayed from the Watchers' accounts. It needs to be done, but he's not hopeful.
"Having defeated Kazmojen, we hunted for his Cauldron connection, Xoden Nightshieldslag. Xoden, once noble dwarf of Malachite, fell from honor when he allied with the Blue Duke. JJ witnessed the conversation firsthand, through some kind of scrying device. In this alliance, the Blue Duke, an ogre mage, moved orc mercenaries into the city through an underground passage known as Drakthar's Way, under the supervision of Xoden. Xoden also facilitated metal working for thirteen cages, though he didn't himself forge the cages. That was Dugobras, a fire giant we located in a place called Vaprak's Voice near Red Gorge. The Church of Wee Jas was home to one of those cages, in case you're curious to set eyes on one yourself."
Kikinnin starts to feel overwhelmed with all the criss-crosses, given just one of the enemies of Cauldron. He can see the entirety of the web in his mind's eye, but putting the words to voice is a knotted battle of the tongue. He gives the others a chance to chime in, while he forms his next thoughts.
Kythel interjects, "Know that the former leadership of the Church was involved in that plot and they in no way were supported in this endeavor by the Church of Wee Jas at large. My understanding is that the former leadership has either been scattered or permanently defeated".
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Kikinnin nods as Kythel lends his voice to the discussion. He considers what else he might add for color, but finds himself focusing more on the grand overlook. "We've gathered papers from various legs on this spider. There's Fetor Abradius, who worked with the Cagewrights, and there's Vhalantru, who transformed himself into something darker, with an evil tome which is currently under study with Ryan and the Church of St. Cuthbert. Given Thifirane's new face, you should have proof that she conspired with Vhalantru, as she invited several threats into her House to plan the inevitable fall of Cauldron." Kikinnin elaborates fully on the events of House Rhiavadi, and the cabal disrupted. He points out that they failed to destroy a vampire in attendance, as well.
"There is much here to parse out, to temper with reasoned thought, but I can only tell you this- Cauldron has never been in more danger for what the Cagewrights still plan. Those cages were meant to contain living sacrifices, those we understand are called Shackleborn. Their bloodline has brought them ill luck, as the Cagewrights need them for a ritual that will open a Gate from a hellish place called Carceri, and invite great suffering on the people of Cauldron and those unfortunate to live nearby. The demodands want slaves, and they'll get them, if they can travel between the two places."
"We witnessed helplessly as Vhalantru performed his own ritual, which took the lives of three folk. We have begun to release heroes of Cauldron from their petrification at the hands, uh, eyes of Vhalantru, in his true form. They might lend their testimony to this jury here." The black beard looks at Aslaxin as he speaks the last sentence.
Kikinnin thinks for a moment. He considers the prophecy of the Pillars, and decides to hold it back, feeling the chill in his bones still. "Divinations have revealed that Cauldron is at risk of a great fire. Given that the Cagewrights are lurking deep within the earth beneath our city, I fear that they're harnessing the power of a dormant volcano to see this come to light. We are making plans to confront them, once we know their location. What I expect from everyone gathered here is the will to act quickly, at the first sign of danger to the citizens of Cauldron. They need to know they can trust our leadership, given that they were betrayed by Vhalantru and his legion."
Kikinnin sits back, feeling a well of words bubbling just under his lungs. He quiets down, expecting further challenge, and hoping that it is short-lived. He looks at his fellow Watchers, a grim determination set on his face.
The room breaks into murmuring as the people gathered starts to comment and talk about the words spoken by Kikinnin.
Ryan stands by raisin his voice "Sirs. Ladies. I consider myself a Watcher to, and if you would hold any weight to my word..." he gives a look to his uncle and then to Lord Aslaxin "...you should know I have witnessed with my eyes many of what has been told here today, and I hold irrefutable proofs brought by this group of courageous and selfless fellow citizens about the true nature and plans of both Vhalantru and Lady Thifirane"
The murmurs break and Jenya takes over the conversation "Facts have been exposed, and warnings raised. You do now know the truth about Navalant's assassination, about Vhalantru's death, and about the dangers we face ahead. The city cannot be left in decision paralysis in such a dangerous moment, we need to replace the missing Lord Mayor and Captain of the guard. We need our Government to be ready for what lays ahead"
Kikinnin feels his pulse slow, when revered Jenya takes back the focus of all the eyes in the room. She must be used to that, speaking to large groups of citizens. But these are no ordinary Cauldron folk.
Sitting in judgment in this chamber, the black beard feels something stir. Speaking on the events of his dvergklan, he feels a pang of responsibility, albeit distant. Given time and focus, he imagines the pang will ring louder, and he welcomes it, when the time comes.
He looks over the faces, and considers what he's learned in the brief visits with each of the attendees. He waits to hear their voices of concern, so he may weigh them against what he knows about each of them. His gaze tries to be fair, but it frequents the Vanderborens a little more than the others, despite the Watchers' history with Todd.
As she finishes her talk, Jenya picks up the cup in front of her and downs it to soften her throat.
Lord Aslaxin seems to listen her attentively and Lord Taskerhill is quick to rise his voice when Jenya stops talking "Our traditions are clear. The Lord Mayor must be chosen from among the nobles of the city" the lord casts a hard look at Maxim "The common folk are good hearted but even if our laws allowed it, they are poorly prepared for the job and would be too easily influenced. The Lord Mayor must be someone with the greatest influence over the city, so people are eager to obey and follow his lead"
The nobles around the table nod with the head showing agreement, except for Lord Aslaxin.
You feel Lord Aslaxin is actively trying to avoid showing agreement with Lord Taskerhill for some reason.
That does not mean he does not agree though.
You also have the feeling Lord Taskerhill is eager to offer himself as candidate for Lord Mayor.
Kikinnin's brow lowers. "I've heard the voices of Aslaxin and Taskerhill. I'd appreciate hearing the voices of the Vanderborens, as well."
"Must be chosen?
If ever there was a time for Traditions to be damned it is when it is revealed that the former leadership of the city turned against the city for their own nefarious gains.
I am an outsider. In fact, I may only dwell here as High Priest until the Church decides whether to bring someone else in to fulfill this role. I have no long or short term gains in this barring the defeat of those who would seek to do harm to others. Thus, I speak as one who can afford to make enemies of the lofty.
Were I you all, I would choose the most qualified person for this role worrying much more about competence than pedigree".
JJ finds himself unable to remain silent much longer "And aside from order of birth, there are many, many in the city who can trace their ancestry back to a noble family. They don't all carry the names, but.."
He shrugs.
"I think what I am saying here is that, yes, the Lord mayor has to be someone the people will follow... but perhaps if that is the most important aspect, we should let the people choose who that should be?"
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Suddenly feeling called Lord Premiach Vanderboren answers Kikinnin "Oh, Premiach, please, or Vandy, no need for formalities" he casts a smile to the dwarf "Well... hehehe... Ankhin, your desires of becoming the Lord Mayor are darker than your face, you heard what this lot made of Vhalantru's ambitions to be Lord Mayor I would be cautious you do not end squashed like a cockroach"
Lord Ankhin Taskerhill looks severely to Premiach, but Lady Aeberrin speaks up quickly to protect her husband "Oh Vandy! Do not be crass! Excuse my husband Lord Taskerhill, he is very nervous for this meeting. What my husband means is this group has made great goodness to the city and deserve being heard. As the Pharasma High Priest, Kythel? As he says, we should listen more to the benefits of each potential candidate than anything else, and we can ask the people about their opinion..."
She is interrupted by Lord Zachary Aslaxin "Yes, let's bring more voices to this discussion so they can suffocate the voice of experience, let's keep breaking tradition and etiquette to make of this a chicken pen without any proper balance between voices" the man cast a hard look to the Vanderboren couple that turn red, suddenly realizing they had broken the noble families balance by bringing two members of the family to talk at the meeting.
Lord Alec Tercival coughs softly and picks up conversation after JJ words were muffled by the Lords talk "I fear asking the people will only consume our highly needed time, and indeed the journals and heralds would praise the deeds of the wealthiest and more influential, so we probably are going to end with Lord Taskerhill as Mayor and a split community shouting for whom they have been told is better if we force them to assume the responsibility of this difficult decision in our place" he then points to JJ "But as my says there might be benefits on picking someone among the commons who have proven to have morals and wits. Perhaps someone whose lineage would appease the traditions we nobles care to preserve..."
Premiach Vanderboren raises timidly his right hand "If... if you got rid of Lord Vhalantru... Who owns his manor now?"
Noticing her empty cup, Lord Zachary Aslaxin rushes himself to refill Jenya's cup with water while the Vanderboren places his question.
"If... if you got rid of Lord Vhalantru... Who owns his manor now?"
Kikinnin slams his hand down on the table. Hard. "So, you're a vulture, are you? Seeking to pick over the body for what meat can be found, before others discover the death? We're here to decide who's to be elevated to the position of Cauldron's Mayor, and you're worried about real estate." Kikinnin's look dares Vanderboren to answer him with something that sounds like decency and respect.
"I would g-guess the city d-does, if he d-didn't name someone t-to inherit his estate," Marigold coughs. "And considering wh-who and wh-what Vhalantru actually w-was, I d-doubt he n-named anyone. Wh-why would he, if he expected to r-rule the c-city uncontested?"
Marigold stares out at the assembled crowd, her brow furrowed.
Who *would* make a good choice? It shouldn't just go to some noble by default but Lord Tercival is right too; we don't have the time to hold some sort of vote.
She glances around at her fellow Watchers.
And I don't think any of us particularly want the job either. I know I don't...
It needs to be someone that's got some sense...but that also has less of a vested interest in the position for their own gains.
"I put forth that any head of any Church should not be Lord Mayor. The Mayor must be beholden to the people, not a greater power".