Janiven's page

As the group gathers around Janiven steps forward, "Well done all, Arial and I would like to meet at Vizio's Tavern,"[ b] she winks at Andrea. [b]"That place has some special meaning and well, it's time for a few well earned congratulations and beverages."

"You'd be a terrible witches card player...Kagen." Janiven chirps, "Besides allies are what we need....now."

Areal and Janiven give instructions to the brotherhood, then proceed to follow Daniel, Andrea and Orsin. "the whole city is in turmoil, it's a powder keg ready to explode."

Areal remains somber, while Janiven begins explaining, "Last night the siblings made their power move, it was massive and well coordinated. Their grandfather is dead, many of his guards and servants too." She pauses, "But they didn't stop there, they moved on some others...including Jarvis and his family." She gulps. "A few of us were suppose to meet Jarvis near his home,...when he didn't show up, we began to investigate. He and his wife, Faerlyn, and daughter, Glynnis, were taken." She looks over at Areal, "It was payback for the Dusk Market alley battle."

Andrea, Orsin and Daniel make it to the safe house and there is heated discussion happening in the kitchen. You walk in to...

'But Areal you need to stay low...they are going to make another attempt on your life."

"Well, you need to hurry up and get to the Grulios Manor."

She has a confused look on her face, "For what...it's your performance don't you need practice?

"Sorry to intrude Orsin but you're late for your meeting."

Once the briefing was concluded Janiven would approach Daniel and Gerard, "My name's Janiven, welcome." Her eyes move over to the Areal and he nods quickly. "Here you will find a safe place to rest, clean-up, and be among similar ideas" She begins to introduce a few of the folks who are around. A couple people see Daniel's armor and look around a bit uncomfortably.

Daniel you detect no evil here but you sense folks don't see too many paladins around the city much.

Daniel and Gerard (if you followed along) the safehouse is bustling with activity as squads of the brotherhood are being briefed of the current dangers by an attractive woman. "Stay together, exercise safety first, and aid those in need. The Hellknights and Dottari are still squabbling so protection is in short supply in some of the residential areas. Focus there. Check in four hours." With that there are a few murmurs and groups depart together. There are some nods to those they recognize.

"We understand that is not what you instinctively want to do for your companion but he is a well trained warrior, he knew the risks and he would probably direct you to find the Sascar Tilneros."

"Why don't we all meet back at Talbard's at noon."

After the news is broken to Janiven, she suggests something a bit surprising to the hellknight and Areal. "Sure we don't want a pit fiend roaming the streets "free" but it's not like we don't already have hundreds of devils in the city. Seriously, they are all over the place summoned or gated in to do all kinds of nasty work. How many have you come across over the last year John? For the most part they don't just come in and destroy without a purpose, not like demons. Look the devils that you encountered today probably didn't destroy the mayor's mansion, that seems to have been due to a broken contract, poor maintenance of the house and sabotage by the splintered COT fractions."

She stops for a few moments and takes a deep breath puzzling things out, "I don't doubt that Liebdaga is pissed off and will seek some vengeance but he's had dozens of years to contemplate the deaths he wants, it should be calculated not random destruction. Dare I say, that will be better than if the siblings Chammady and Ecarrdian Drovenge, or if, Ilnerk Sivanshin the vampire got their hands on the contract."

Janiven enters the building, "Oh, your back John." her eyes take in the somber moment, "it's true the first noble house in the city, House Drovenge, is in turmoil right now. The kids are trying to overthrow their father as leader of the Council of Thieves, utter chaos." Shaking her head and sighing. "House Thrune will have to move on Westcrown now"

"Areal the usurpers that are lead by the kids have employed a couple spellcasters...Arberten "The Dealer" Vittershins, a wellknown sorcerer and harrower, along with that spell dueler, Mantrithor Thrax, who Faelyn defeated in the arena."

Janiven already has twin handaxes ready."Let lets get through the northern gate before they close it."

The two of them hustle to the gate and it's already closed. She produces a small satchel of coin to the guard, "A gift, so we can get home?'

"Wonder if the increased fires lately had anything to do with that." She points to the pillars of flame.

"That can't be good."

Gruum the rundown bar is everything you'd expect, it even has the seedy and down on their luck patrons there. All with shifty eyes and loking for a quick easy score.

Janiven takes a second to scout the den, [smaller]"be ready."[/smaller] She enters and flanked by her support. The two of you make your way to the bar, four ales and Hickufr" she tells the barkeep.

The barkeep scowls, "Who'sth astkin'" man missing his front teeth demands.

Janiven and Grimm make quick work getting to the north gate heading into the ruined part of the city. The guards are polite and doesn't extort money for the crossing.

"Heard rumors of a fire starter up hear, causing lots of trouble, likes to come out at night but I thought we could canvass the area." She takes a deep breath as they pass into the northern district. "There's a seedy bar up the way, run by dwarf of very rough demeanor but he's loads of information."

Janiven comes up to Grimm, "Care to accompany me today on few errands. Trying to figure out a whose been starting some fires in the ruined district." She smiles,"Best bring your axe...just n case."

"Nine lives like a cat would help," she smirks,"just kidding."

Janiven comments, "Invisibility is fine for general battle but I fear..."she pauses,"that much of what is out there facing you can see right through that trick...as Grimm said." She shrugs,"but don't loose hope it is sold against common races and non-spellcasters."

"We are not cavaliers here...fight to win, worry about fairness after- the-fact."

"Nice trick, Andrea."Janiven stands to the side watching, she has a hand axe and danger in her hands spinning them casually.

"Grimm do you mind if I watch you and Andrea spar?"

Janiven and several of the Brotherhood members sit there blinking as Zizmort tells his tale.

Back at the safehouse a river of mead is flowing. Tension lessens. A suspicious Janiven asks, "How is that your kind is not evil? Never heard of that before, thought it's in your genes?" Her brown eyes fixated on the mischievous imp. "And just how is it you came to find Faelyn?"

"Will if free your brother from the Hellknights? No. It will help free the residents from the undue nighttime horrors. Just yesterday, four of our brothers were able to slay a shadowgarm and help a rug merchant being attacked."

Janiven looks at Truk and Lucrezia, Areal been securing a financial alliance with a few barons from out of the country. That will help us keep properly equipped. Grimm was an important messenger in that regard."

She looks over to Ailyn and smiles.

"She's been gone for hours no word, yet."

Looking up at Truk and Lucrezia.

"Areal, Orsin and Grimm left to see the lawyer and break the news to Gruum."

Janiven touches your shoulder and nods, "Go get clean and rest."

Those members of the Brotherhood listen to the somber cleric without interruption. When Andrea leaves the room Janiven will follow her, "We are all sorry for the lose. Were you able to find any part of Duncan perhaps not all will be lost then?" Her eyes revealing some hope.

The room goes quiet at the dwarf's anger.

Several of the brotherhood look up in disgust, "You may have been in the front lines, each has purpose they are suited for but Areal is the mastermind of what's happened. He has brought in recruitment, activities you know nothing about, he's brought in funding for the group. We've been careful not to have open revolution which will bring the Hellknights our of their Stonghold along with an army on its citizens. Need I remind you want happened during the civil war and pre-thrune era. Talk to Rance he'll key you in."

She points to the door Truk, Duncan, anyone else there's the door feel free to use it. " Her hanger barely contained.

"That is right he hasn't broke the law, the Hellknights under Paralictor Chard will learn that. With that knowledge he should be released shortly."

She shakes his head, "You really believe the signifiers are going to by-into a false diversion?"

Janiven looks up and responds, "The best course right now is to push on and find answers to defeating the shadwobeast. With light comes truth. Get the people behind you."

"If Alphonse is working with the Council of Thieves, that is a huge concern. With a bit o'luck we may be able to really rid the city of corruption soon."

"I understand there is one upset wizard looking to have Faelyn knocked off."

A somber mood smothers the applause.

"Careful out there, wizards are know to make nasty deals to pursue their ends."

Who all is going on this recon mission?

Janiven, and others, bid the group farewell, "Be safe...nothing rash."

"So are you going to scout out this competition site?

"Yes, these are noble families but I don't think they are part of tomorrow's contest." Janiven replies. I am forgetting that some of the members are new and not familiar with all the prior doings. "Truk, Faelyn, Fluer the folks we were discussing are powerhouses involved in political infighting and power struggle. There is a brewing civil war amongst the 12 major noble Wiscrani and their lesser beholden noble families. Power breeds corruption at times." She looks around to make sure everyone is following, "There have been a lot of suspicious activity and circumstances happening over the last year, and we've been caught up in the middle at times."

Picture the Godfather movies.

'So they claim Julistarc and Mezinas hired them to stall Grulios, that is interesting. I understand Mezinas is teetering on an edge, as major noble house, especially if the Missepe's are realigning with the Grulios House. That would wreck economic disaster for the Mezinas's, and although they are a major noble house they do pale is size, wealth and power to the Grulios. The Mezinas's would need help from above their status and it makes sense they align with another major house."

She ponders the information, "Wasn't that bandit you all caught in the sewers from the Cemaine family? That family is minor noble family beholden to the Julistarc's...is that coincidence?"

"We just heard from sources that it was House Cemaine who hired 3 score of mercenaries for the docks and protection."

Continuing to connect thoughts and the dots, "The mercs mentioned they had sewer guides waiting?"

Her big brown eyes get wide, "Andrea who was the thug in the sewers from last year...and...didn't you see one with a noble...in a...in a ..." her mind searching for the end of the thought.

I have spoiler on the campaign info page regarding the major noble houses from an earlier conversation with John's mentor.

"Boys you DO understand that the enemy is out there lurking in the night, or working a corrupt angle in the government?

Janiven stands up and shakes the extended hand, "Janiven, pleased to meet you. [b]"How's Orn doing...staying out of trouble I hope."

Janiven wrote:

Janiven mentions, "The group has been hard at tracking down leads and sorting through the riddles contained in the Crux. If all goes well tomorrow, more answers will be known, but I'm a bit concerned Faelyn will be over matched in this conjurer competition."

"Do you know where everyone is now, so i may help them in the search?"

"Well, they had a couple project," she is bit hesitant, "well, I think Orsin and Felyn were looking to scout out their competitors and prepare magic." She stops shrugs, "The others were going by the morgue to view Sunny and they had an interrogation to do about the ambush of Shinon, and whether it was linked to docks." She would provide you with directions on where the prisoners are being held. Hope he doesn't ask too many questions on why they are questioning those mercenaries outside of the jail.

Janiven mentions, "The group has been hard at tracking down leads and sorting through the riddles contained in the Crux. If all goes well tomorrow, more answers will be known, but I'm a bit concerned Faelyn will be over matched in this conjurer competition."

John you when you get to the safehouse Janiven fills you in on what has occurred. "The devil's head has been calmed calmed down , she has taken a liking to Faelyn and Orsin, smitten if you ask me."

That they know where the wave door is outside of the city, and it may contain a cache of pathfinder gear. That Lucrezia, Faelyn, Orsin and Ailyn met a man, who was from a pre-thrune noble family, that runs conjurer sporting house and he tends to have solid information. The group is getting ready for a competition the next day at noon.

"Keep an eye on the new friend Duncan and Andrea brought to the house. She seems trustworthy but she didn't come in the normal recruitment process."

Janiven notices that you are not wearing any insignia, nor carrying a helmet that is tied to the order of the Rack. "Are you ok?

Janiven gives a slight nod of understanding to Duncan, "So y'gonna drink all four of those?" She smirks. As she reaches towards one of ales, "We've plenty of ale here, not going to run out." Just then another member drops off four more tankards. Janiven nods appreciatively.

Janiven leans towards Duncan, "Do you trust her?" She is a bit apprehensive. She is the first person to enter the safehouse without being vetted by either Areal or myself.

"Duncan, I haven't heard a word about John, I take it from your comment earlier you haven't either?' She pauses, "Did he ever say anything about what he was doing?"

Janiven motions for another member fo the brotherhood to come and comfort Mathalen. "We can can talk in another room where it is a bit more quite."

The torrent sound of curses rise from the other room. Areal can be seen walking out from one and and towards the room where the sound is emanating from, he closes the solid door muffling the sound.