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King Edryd looks to his advisors, both Sovella and Brother Karyn shake heads, you hear them speak as they both seem to be offering the same advice. "Taxes are taxes, they go up and down, they are reasonable and below the rates of the usurper, Waike. There are always those that complain, but to say that it is the reason for a rebellion, I doubt it."
As Zug speaks backing up Manny's words, Brother Karyn eyebrow raise and he offers additional advice to King Edryd, "The little one with the cowbell, he has an interesting point, when he says 'rebels feel you no listen them, and you turn like Waike.' Can you expand on that, young goblin?"
The Queen Mother Sovella, looks aghast at the suggestion, "It is a King's right to govern their people. He has his own mind."
However the King, looks at Zug, "Answer my friends question, and tell me if this is a real concern of that Razmiran priest you say leads the rebellion?"
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"Your highness. I do not believe that the priest has any such concerns, but rather is simply looking at a way to destabilize their neighbors. Such is the way of Razmir after-all... However, Nalla herself did show extreme worry that the people were not being heard. That the concerns of the common man were going unheeded, and that such actions are the first step towards villainy and despotism. She showed great interest in discussing finding a way for your governance to show a direct interest in the woes of the populace.
While it is true it appears the priest has supplanted her leadership to an extent. I personally feel she was instrumental in getting the groups organized to begin with. If such is the case, then it is likely true that a large percentage of those fools rebelling, had similar worries. After-all, it was only when Nalla started to waiver away from a rebellion that the Razmir priest chose to act. If she had no sway, he would have felt no need to strike out so soon.
I do not ask you to step down from what is rightfully yours, but rather perhaps an olive branch rather than a whip... I have heard tales of a town in Isger who, on a monthly basis, holds a council where the common folk share their greatest ills to the town leadership. Who then takes note, and acts as needed, to resolve the important issues brought forth.
If such a caring governance can flourish in a region so strongly linked to Cheliax. Surely a similar beneficent and magnanimous leadership could only lead to further prosperity in your lands?"
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Zug freezes up completely, the royal eyes expectedly fixed on him. ”Yes.. Me mean no. Priest no say that...“
But then Liger comes to rescue with his lengthy explanation, giving the poor goblin some time to gather his thoughts. He eyes nervously at the king, wondering if he is still expecting Zug to speak.
”Yes, yes... Liger say good with many words. Razmiran priest has own scheme, just using Nalla’s rebels for his own end. “ Still obviously nervous, the goblin starts rolling his ears around his fingers as he talks.
”And me just poor goblin (please no kill me), and me no understand humans well. But me think Nalla say they once fight for you, oh king. And now they feel you forget them and no listen to them, the people. She feel you only listen to ones who live here in castle. “
”Maybe Nalla say better why they feel so, if you hear them (and not kill them first) “
Zug is now squeezing his ears so tight they must fall off soon.
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Brother Karyn smiles and nods to the two smallest members of the Pathfinder group, but the Queen Mother looks less than pleased. She speaks, "You make interesting points of view, but the people’s duty is to obey their lawful king, not challenge him."
Brother Karyn though is interested in the idea of some sort of people's representative chamber, he asks "Can you tell us more of this council, that you speak of."
The King seems swayed by both sides, maybe you can sway him one way or the other.
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Birgid sighs quietly and steps forward. Watchful Mother, you know I've not the gift of a silver tongue, but please grant me the wisdom and clarity to make peace possible here.
"Your Grace, and Queen Regent, my life is sworn to Folgrit, the Watchful Mother. Just as the monarch may be likened to the head of the household, the people that monarch rules are individuals with their own thoughts, rights, and power--no King or Queen can truly rule if the hearts and hands of their subjects is against them. Amongst the clans of the Five Kings Mountains there are advisory councils, consisting of representatives chosen by the various factions and serving as a way that even a journeyman or miner might make their concerns known." Birgid goes on to describe the benefits of a council of representatives and how it can contribute to prosperity and stability.
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As Birgid steps forward her body and armour seem to gleam more intently in the fading light of day, burnished by a flame or two, her words are infused with maternal magic. Her words are soothing and softer in tone than her usual voice, yet full of authority. The King looks at Bother Karyn, who is calm and serene as he listens, before he replies "The dwarf speaks in power, it is something you could grant my King, it would strengthen your rule, if done correctly." The queen is about to object, but King Edryd puts his hand up, to silence her.
"Dwarf, can you and the goblin Zug, make an offer on my behalf to discuss this possibility with this Nalla, one of the leaders of these rebels? Go with your friends and be peacemakers."
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Manny bows in appreciation. "Thank you for hearing us out, my king. We won't let you down."
He gives Birgid a thumbs up. "Kind of reminds me of mom. She's always harranging us around in one way or another. Life of a Matron."
"Let's see if Nalla hasn't moved from her spot. Now that we have an invite from the king, she should know they aren't going to skewer her and this isn't a trap."
He pauses and turns to the king. "Uh my king. Could we get something official from you or a delegate? So she knows it's real? Nalla has some trust issues."
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The King signals to Brother Karyn, whose produces a quill and parchment on which he writes a warrant for you to speak on the King's behalf. The king's ring pushes into the warm pliable red wax, that oozes under the pressure providing a royal seal. With this complete, the document is given to the Birgit.
With everything complete, the Pathfinders return back down the secret tunnel, used as an emergency escape route for rulers in the past when the keep was under attack and in danger of falling. The route now, discovered by the rebels, was obviously in their plans to surprise and assassinate King Edryd. So it was no surprise that when Birgid and company emerged from the other end, Nalla was indeed there, reinforced by another group of rebels, preparing to head up the tunnel towards the royal chamber.
Seeing Birgid, Nalla holds up her hand in a sign for your group to stop advancing any further into the chamber. Unlike last time, you see a much larger force of Nalla's companion's, but without any sign of the Razmiran priest. The woman's voice is loud and clear, "So you return! Out of the way so that we may free Artume from Edryd, or your fate will be his." she commands.
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"Thank you, your highness. We'll be back with Nalla. Hopefully she's ready to listen." Manny heads off.
"Zug, Birgid. That was some good speeches. At least the king was willing to listen to us. If we're lucky, Nalla is still around... curse my luck, man." Manny sees Nalla's much larger, better armed group bearing down.
"'Sup Nalla. Good news. You can change the king's mind and not sacrifice any lives!" He motions to Birgid. "The king wants to hear from you. He wants to form an advisory council where he will listen directly to the people. Artume needs people like YOU to help the council." Manny can't help but point directly at her.
"Birgid has the details of the council idea. But we have the official request, directed to you, Nalla. You said he'll never listen, but he wants to hear your grievances, right now. Uh... with less weapons drawn."
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Birgid presents the writ from the king with a sarcastic flourish. "Behold! The Pathfinder Society has accomplished with words what you could not with swords. In a single day, I might add. There is a lesson here, Nalla, if you choose to learn it." The paladin offers the document to the other woman. "Take it from someone who often finds herself up to her neck in violence all too often--when the chance for a peaceful solution is before you, grasp it with both hands!"
I pray I have misjudged you Nalla, and you actually are up to this task. Artume would be the better for it if I am wrong on this.
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"You are all foolth!" Duvik says, fed up. "All you do is whine and thnivel. You make allieth without knowing their true intentionth. How many of you follow a priest of Razmir? You think that was thmart? But the Milani priest thtill back King! You think the people will follow a foreign invathion from Razmiran? What will you do with the Milani priestth, your old allieth? And now you threaten Pathfinder?! You think Thociety will forgive the murder of itth agentth? You thtronger than Tar-Baphon now? You can withthtand Pathfinder fury? You are children! The guard is on high alert!"
"Thurrender now. Be on council or be in ground! Duvik not care. All of you together might be able to take Duvik, but Duvik will drag you to hell with Duvik!" He bangs his warhammer against his shield.
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"Yes, king willing to listen. No need to kill, no need to to die. All can be happy!" Zug puts forth his most reassuring smile. Again, he faces armed people ready to kill him with one word from their commander. But, compared to the 'audience' with the king, this is far less worrying.
"Read paper from Birgid, it say all."
Pretty please...
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Nalla takes the parchment from Birgid and reads it, "It seems in order, there seems to be a platform for negotiations and agreement. A people council is a good basis to curb any King's ego."
You accompany Nalla and some of her company to the King's throne room. Where both sides seem to ignore you and get on with discussions to broker a peace. It takes less than half an hour, before you hear the bells toll a signal to the rebels to cease hostilities, followed by a further signal to recall the King's guards.
You are dismissed as they continue to discuss the finer points of the People's Council.
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Manny takes a deep breath as King Edryd and Nalla begin to broker a deal. The bells chime and Manny relaxes even further.
And then he's dismissed! Woo hoo! He is out of there!
"Man, too much authority going on in there for my tastes." Manny looks around. "We should look around the city- make sure the damage isn't too bad. Hopefully we stopped the rebellion before it caused too much damage."
"Maybe we can find out where the old Pathfinder's family wound up. I'm sure the Venture-Captain will love that."
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"This has been a very, very long day," Erryn says, her voice tired, "but it's a remarkable thing you've achieved today, and it may well protect the citizens of Artume for generations to come from the depredations of would-be despots."
At Manny's suggestion of seeking out the descendant, she nods and laughs, having nearly forgotten about it in the midst of all the politics of the present day.
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You leave the keep and make your way into Artume town itself, the sky is lit by the flames from several burning buildings scattered throughout the town. Town guards run this way and that in the chaos, whilst the population scream and shout contradictory instructions to find a safe place, concoct untrue rumours identify foreign armies infiltrating the town, a dragon shape in the night sky is laying waste to the town. Women and children, trip over each other to find shelter. Chaos reigns!
Those towns people not running around in panic, have instead locked their doors and shutters, bolting themselves in their buildings away from whatever violence they think is raging in the town. Even the Inns seems to have closed their doors, trying to wait out the insurrection.
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"Right, chaos and disaster means no one is going to be milling about on their everyday lives." Manny scratches his head. "I can try to look around for an open shelter and look for any of Pavo Cripsin's kids. "
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"Yes, we do good job. Could be many more buildings in fire, now." Zug agrees with Manny and Erryn. The goblin stares into the crimson skyline, the soot-covered people and the ruined buildings, and decides to write a song about it one day. But now, they still have a task to do.
"Kings change, but they all like gold. And me think human kings take gold with taxes, and keep books of who pay and who not pay. Maybe name 'Crispin' is in tax books." For whatever reason, Fola Barun had put Zug to checking the accounts of Envoys' Alliance faction. So the little goblin has some idea how to find the required information from the tax records, and heads to ask for an audience to the royal archives.
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Even with Zug's best efforts, gaining an audience with the King's accountants is impossible, under the current circumstances. Not only have the administrators been sent home, the guard just says "Parchments burn, there be too much fire. Come back in the morning when the collectors are here."
Despite the chaos, Manny quickly establishes from local residents that the Crispin family has quite a long history in the area and they have grown to be a prominent member of Artume, enabling him to locate the family house and hear about the widow, Aula Crispin. The house is a quite narrow three-story house in the better part of Artume, though it looks a bit timeworn. Knocking at the door persistently, it is eventually opened by a woman dressed in a maids uniform. Behind her is a gray-haired half-elf woman dressed in a green gown. The old woman stares at you, "What do you want? Isn't there enough disturbance in town without you trying to knock my door down?"
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"Howdy, ma'am." Manny waves hello. "We're from the Pathfinder Society. This... isn't the best time, but trust me the chaos is going to die down soon." Killer smile. The kind Shylye forced him to learn through lots of practice.
"But let's see. Pavo Crispin was a Pathfinder who retired in Artume long ago. We hoped to seek out his descendants and learn of his family's history. Is this a good time?"
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"Quick enter." the old woman beckons you in, leading you into a small lounge area. "History you say, about Pavo." The old woman is surprised by the interest in her ancestors, but never the less, she smiles, her lavender eyes and wrinkled skin seem to be put at ease by the thought. She wanders to the bookcase, looking up and down, picking out a few books, The building of Artume, A History of Brevoy and the River Kingdoms - Volume II. She places the tomes and some other pamphlets on the table. "Here, there are some references in here." she smiles.
"Dandra, get some tea for my guests, you would like some, I assume?" the maid does her bidding, exiting the room. As the half-elven woman watches you take the books to read, she points a finger in the air, as though a sudden thought has crossed her mind. She crosses to an old ornate mahogany carved buro, producing a small silver key, she unlocks her families past, "Here are some of Pavo's papers, this one is even his old journal." she hands over an old book of handwritten papers. She pulls out various other old reminders of Pavo, his badge of authority in the Pathfinders, a decrepit rusty wayfinder and other historical items.
As you read the early part of the journal, taking up the story from leaving the Lodge. This family heirlooms details where Napsunar and the rest of the Pathfinders went and is of significant value to the Society.
Seeing your interest in the family heirlooms the old lady, when asked she hums and thinks for a while. "I suppose, they would be looked after wouldn't they? I mean it would mean Pavo's name and lineage would be honoured and the items looked after by your organisation. After all, they have no monetary value, just a sentimental value to us Crispin's."
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Erryn holds the tea cup gently in her hands and nods. "Exactly so. The preservation of our history is more important than ever, especially in light of the events of recent years. Your contribution to this great endeavor will ensure your ancestor's work is honored and remembered, not consigned to the dust heap of history. Your generosity will help to educate generations of Pathfinders to come."
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When Duvik points out the flames Birgid nods. "Yes...um. Perhaps humans and goblins have more in common than you both think? I hope you find something besides arson to bond over, though."
When the excited whispering in Goblin starts after the safe is opened, Birgid claps a hand on the goblins shoulder and squeezes firmly (though not painfully so), once.
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Aula Crispin hands over the heirlooms and after finishing tea and pleasantries, the party head off to the River Steed Inn. As you join Venture-Captain Smine in the morning and report back the adventures over breakfast. Smine congratulates the you on a job well done and organises the departure from Artume on the boat, a 'Happy Duck', back to Tymon. Once on the Happy Duck, you have time to inspect the recovered documents that reveals Napsunar and some of the other agents headed off to an area in western Cheliax that falls now inside the borders of Andoran.
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A warm autumn greets manny as he returns to Artume. He takes a deep breath and enjoys the clean air. He likes the River Kingdoms. Local, not demanding, and the taverns are always full of surprises. Also not too big about requiring a permit to perform. He pulls out his lute. "Hey hey, Artume! How's the King? How's the Council? No fires, am I right?" Some people cheer and a crowd soon forms.
Manny plays a song of rousing freedom against tyranny. The old king was greedy, awful and bloodthirsty. The citizens didn't see it at first until it was too late. They could have surrendered to the oppression. But no! The people rose. They used their voice. They used their words. They used their swords only when the king wouldn't listen.
But now a new king has arrived, and he listens to the people. So use your voice. Use your words. And don't resort to swords. Because this king may have a larger one than yours.
Some of the people yawn. Some others shrug, or tell him how many facts he got wrong. Some throw some change at him. As the crowd disperses, a few people come up to chat and ask him about his travels. Manny is, as always, ready to chat and spend a few days here. It's amazing what some words can do to change minds.
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Before the Pathfinders leave town, Duvik skirts away and towards the royal castle. He waits a long while before the Queen is willing to meet with such a strange little bugger, but he is Duvik Nuuk, champion of the Bear Snare tribe, and he can handle a little waiting around.
"You think Pathfinderth made your thon unthafe. Made him weak. Give up hith power. Let me tell you a thtory," Duvik begins, "About Duvik'th grandpappy, Ormit Nuuk, chief of the Bear Thnare tribe. Once, we got in trouble with winter witch, who drove uth away from our landth. Kor the Rat thaid that it wath Ormit'th fault, that he wath weak. Ormitths fault, and wouldn't it be better if Kor the Rat wath chief instead? Ormit Nuuk found out. Normally, goblin chief would fight challenger like this, but Ormit Nuuk was wily and cunning. So Ormit thtarted inviting Kor the Rat into the war council. When we thnared bears, Ormit made thure that Kor got good bear meat. Made Kor feel important. And Ormit started making Kor think that Ormit wath dumb. Thoon, Kor thtopped thinking that Ormit wath threat. Thought Kor wath real power in Bear Thnare tribe. And thoon Kor thtarted getting fat and lazy. Then one night, Ormit getth big rock and thmasheth in Kor'th head while Kor in bed."
"King had enemieth, hiding like ratth. Now King knowth enemy, knowth where they are. Interesting thingth can happen."
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After Duvik's entrance, Queen Mother Sovella listens with one ear to the goblin's entreaties, a look of annoyance in her eyes as she glances ferociously at the guards at the door.
"Well, Prince Nuuk of the Snare Bear tribe, that story is both entertaining and instructive." she smiles, bowing her head slightly, waving her hand dismissively at Duvik. "Thank you." her voice is hard and final. She sweeps her long crimson dress and black robes around as she leaves her audience chamber, returning to her private chambers. As she leaves you hear, "They don't understand, his kingdom is everything, he shall never have to surrender it or die by an assassin's knife as did his father did."
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When Manny returns several weeks later, the kingdom is at peace and prosperous. Damage caused by the fires has been or soon will be repaired, brings the buildings life back to normal. He hears that Nalla and other leaders have been subpoenaed onto the People's Council, as elections are being organised. There are wanted notices for Harsus, although Manny knows that the face was an illusion, so the picture is not a true likeness, but at least he won't affect revolution in Artume again.
As he visits the Inns and Taverns, he hears one of Zug's verses, "Milanese monks, bad-ass punks!" sung with great gusto and a lot of swinging mugs of ale. Somehow, Manny's songs don't quite hit the same mark, but at least the drinkers don't pelt him. "Alls well that ends well!" Manny quotes as he leaves for Absalom once more.