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During the past few weeks, each of you has been approached by a young human woman named Janizen who, after some idle conversation, steers the discussion towards your feelings about the state of Westcrown. Carefully, after checking to see who might be listening, she says that she knows that the city has wronged you but perhaps there is another way. She invites you, if you are interested, to a meeting being held at Vizio's tavern the following day for an early dinner where you can discuss the state of Westcrown further.
What do we know about Vizio's tavern in terms of what kind of part of town it is in, what kind of clients it serves, etc... ?
Zumii listens carefully to Janizen. Zumii learnt back in Riddleport that when listening it is often wise to take note of you gut feelings.
Sense Motive
"This tavern, Vizio's ... will there be many of us congregating there? After all we wouldn't want to arouse any suspicion or draw unwanted attention now, would we?"
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Lia's eyes light up at the mention of a surreptitious meeting and she whispers back, "The state of Westcrown? You know how stifling this city is....and it needn't be that way. What is the meeting about? Who will be there?" Her eyes take on a pleading look at these last questions, Janizen knew how she hated secrets!
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What do we know about Vizio's tavern in terms of what kind of part of town it is in, what kind of clients it serves, etc... ?
Vizio's is a reasonably well known establishment named for the family that used to run it. It was a place where merchant guards went to relax; complain about their employers or look for more work. Several months ago, the patriach of the Vizio family passed away and the surviving family members moved out of Westcrown to live with family in distant Corentyn.
The tavern is located almost in the middle of Westcrown, near the river side of the city.
Lia:
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Zumii listens carefully to Janizen. Zumii learnt back in Riddleport that when listening it is often wise to take note of you gut feelings.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 4
"This tavern, Vizio's ... will there be many of us congregating there? After all we wouldn't want to arouse any suspicion or draw unwanted attention now, would we?"
Zumii really feels she wants to trust Janizen. There is just something about her that makes you believe that she believes in what she is saying.
Noting Zumii's concern about meeting, Janizen says, "Not to worry, we are being discreet. I have found a few others like yourself that I hope are willing to hear what I have to say."
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1d20+8
1d20+6Lia's eyes light up at the mention of a surreptitious meeting and she whispers back, "The state of Westcrown? You know how stifling this city is....and it needn't be that way. What is the meeting about? Who will be there?" Her eyes take on a pleading look at these last questions, Janizen knew how she hated secrets!
A stealthy investigation of Janizen shows her making her rounds about town, stopping to talk with different people seemingly to make the same offer she made to Lia. At no point does she interact with the guard or other government official types.
At Lia's questions, Janizen smiled warmly and placed a hand on Lia's shoulder, "I agree completely and hopefully we'll find others who feel the same way who want to do something about it."
I arrive early and order a meal and light drink, so as to be well into my food by time others arrive and a reasonable excuse as to why I'm there. I'll listen but I'm somewhat wary at this point and ready to leave if this turns someway that sounds like a con job.
Zumii goes about her usual prayer to Pharasma before she sets out to Vizio's. When she arrives she notices what seems like people having casual drinks, whilst others are having a bite to eat. Zumii orders a drink & sits with her back to one of the walls, so her vision isn't impaired (a habit she picked up living in Riddleport)
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At Lia's questions, Janizen smiled warmly and placed a hand on Lia's shoulder, "I agree completely and hopefully we'll find others who feel the same way who want to do something about it."
Lia smiles back and nods quickly, "Fine, fine, it'll be a surprise then. Watch out for the Dottari, they always stick their noses where they're not wanted." She grinned even bigger inwardly with the satisfaction that she already had a good idea of some of the faces she might be seeing at Vizio's.
Having cased the place prior to the meeting and her arrival, Lia walks in fairly confident she can escape quickly should the need arise. She sits in a out of the way corner and quietly orders a cup of tea or, failing that, some milk. Looking around, she studies each person to see if she can figure out what they do for a living and for those people she saw Janizen talking to.
Salm is somewhat unsure about the woman, but this is an opportunity he can't pass up. He arrives at the meeting place, armed and armored, a bit early to determine the situation better. At the appropriate time, he enters the establishment and orders some food and drink, though he does not partake.
Tobias knows he is protected from any overt machinations of the local government, and really has no reason to think anything more sinister is afoot. With a certain understanding of human psychology that he has picked up through his training, Tobias goes to the Tavern, requesting a water for himself, and a saucer of milk for his cat.
He thinks to himself, observing his fellow seemingly restless patrons. Normally one is only in a Tavern to get drunk or get really drunk, it seems odd to see so many people just sitting around.
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Thosys isn't sure that a foreigner like himself should be getting involved in local politics, unless this young lady means something else entirely. I better go, to make sure I understand. Besides, it might be nice to meet other concerned citizens.
Thosys shows up about 20 minutes early, sits at the bar and orders a pint of something local.
Seeing the foreigners sitting around and glancing around as if looking for someone I decide to cut to lighten the mood a bit (and hopefully some levity will also make us less conspicuous). Grabbing the bar keep's attention I tell him that everyone's drinks are on me for the next few rounds and I start to walk around and say hi to folks while I tell them drinks are on me.
Salm takes in the others that Janizen has gathered. He leaves his food and drink and goes to a table that will accommodate all of them. He opens his arms inviting them to join him.
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The shoddily dressed young raven-haired woman comes over and plops herself down at the table, blowing steam off her tea before taking a sip and sitting. Flashing you a winning smile, "Hi, I'm Lia. You two look pretty tough. What d'ya do for a living? Wrestle bears?" She sits so she has a view of all the entrances to the place.
Zumii see's a man at the gathering table gesture to those around him to take a seat. As Zumii rises from her seat, she sees a dark haired lady with a scar across her face take a seat next to the gentleman. Zumii sits on the other side of the gentleman & whilst taking her seat she nods to those seated/gathered around.
The shoddily dressed young raven-haired woman comes over and plops herself down at the table, blowing steam off her tea before taking a sip and sitting. Flashing you a winning smile, "Hi, I'm Lia. You two look pretty tough. What d'ya do for a living? Wrestle bears?" She sits so she has a view of all the entrances to the place.
Hardrian pulls up a chair and sits down sipping on an ale. "Not at all. I have once played a bear though. I was in one act, six nights a week for a month only to discover that bear hair itches really, really badly no matter how thick the burlap is that it's attached to."
Tobias decides to join the motley crew, ordering a goblet of wine for his free drink.
A scholar of great mysteries, you say? And within which realm of study do these...mysteries exist? Tobias asks, with genuine curiosity.
"I've traveled quite a bit, at least regionally. And yes, in plays. Wherever crowds will pay I've found myself." Hadrian replies earnestly but with one eye on everyone else joining and ends his explanation politely so as to hear what the others have to say, curious about them.
Zumii listens to the conversations & introductions going on around her. "My friends, I am Zumii. Cleric of Pharasma." She stands & holds out her hand.
"Hadrian I must thank you for this drink" Zumii raises her glass "I, like the others here no doubt are curious to what other guises you must have donned in your past acts" Zumii sits back down, so that she can talk to those around her with more ease.
Zumii listens to the conversations & introductions going on around her. "My friends, I am Zumii. Cleric of Pharasma." She stands & holds out her hand.
"Hadrian I must thank you for this drink" Zumii raises her glass "I, like the others here no doubt are curious to what other guises you must have donned in your past acts" Zumii sits back down, so that she can talk to those around her with more ease.
"Well met priestess, but no roles of interest I assure you. My time is usually better spent behind stage than on it. I mostly do stage direction and I'm good with my hands but occasionally you need a certain kind of someone in front of the crowd and if you're that person you at least memorize a few lines."
Hadrian looks around the table at Tobias,
"Now, sir, you look like a local. Ever seen the Carpenden Players perform?"
Zumii notes the look of concern that fills Lia's face at the name of her deity, but could not quite catch what was said due to the surrounding conversations.
Zumii speaks to Lia
"Don't worry, I never purposely or actively deliver anyone to the Boneyard. I lean towards the teachings of birth, prophecy & fate. Death is merely an eventuality, but I trust Pharasma to judge fairly. Life is just part of ones journey, but that doesn't mean it should be short lived."
Zumii considers what she had just said & hoped the lady realised she was offering reassurance & not preaching. As a result she tries to instigate some small talk. "So are you local Lia?"
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Deliver to the Bonyard?! that sounds horrible! She's so cold about it. Seemingly recovering herself to some extent and embarrassed at her initial reaction, a look of almost defiance begins to creep across Lia's features, "Yes....born and raised here." Her self confidence building, "You don't seem local though, where ya from?"
"I've travelled down from Riddleport, although I was born in Korvosa. I've not been here long, so I'm still getting to grips with the area. I seem to have a knack at running into the local knights & brutish folk though ..." Zumii lets her sentence trail off, whilst deep in thought "maybe you could show me around sometime?"
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"I've travelled down from Riddleport, although I was born in Korvosa. I've not been here long, so I'm still getting to grips with the area. I seem to have a knack at running into the local knights & brutish folk though ..." Zumii lets her sentence trail off, whilst deep in thought "maybe you could show me around sometime?"
Pausing for a moment as if pondering something Lia suddenly smiles lightly and says, "Anyone who thinks of knights and brutes in the same thought is a friend of mine. Show you around town? I suppose I could at that, but best be ready to run as I'm not on the best of terms with the Dottari." This last is said with a hint of pride.
"A priestess of death, an actor, a scholar, an instigator, and, if my guess is correct, an acquisitions and intrusion specialist. Quite a motley group that Janizen has gathered. My interest is absolutely piqued."
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Janizen, hearing her name, swings by the table with a smile, "There will be time enough for talking about our reasons for being here after we have an early supper. I want to make sure we are finished in plenty of time for all of your to get home before dark. No one needs to be on the streets after nightfall. However, if you should need a place to stay, I can make you comfortable here for an evening."
With that, Janizen heads to the kitchen to gather up the dinner. As you continue your conversations she can be heard clattering plates and serving dishes for a few moments before returning with a large serving tray loaded with food. A meal of roasted chicken, roasted potatoes and spiced vegetables and lots of warm fresh bread are piled high on the tray and soon dispersed amongst those gathered at the table.
Once everyone has been served Janizen herself pulls up a chair and takes a plate of food. "Please continue. I have been listening a bit while preparing dinner. I am glad everyone is getting to know one another."
Once dinner is completed, Janizen locks the front door and shutters the window before standing in front of the group. She takes a deep breath and begins to speak softly at first but with more passion as she goes along.
"First, I would like to thank all of you for trusting me enough to come to this meeting. I know that trust is not won easily in this city but your willingness to extent your trust tells me that we can change that. It was mentioned that you were a strange collection of people but I want to assure you that each of you has been chosen for a singular reason--everyone here, myself included, has suffered, whether we realize it or not. I have lived in Westcrown my whole life, and although I love this city, I must admit, as must you, that despite our peace and prosperity, we continue to suffer. Fear should not be an expected part of life, and yet each night brings fear to our doorsteps. Yes, Westcrown has been safe from war and famine for nearly seventy years, and yes, our businesses have prospered--but this safety and prosperity has been bought in the coinage of fear and prayers to Hell. Other lands live free from tyranny. Other cities do not fear the night. Other governments do not cede the streets to monsters of the infernal shadows. Westcrown was once such a place, and she wants to be such a place again. Westcrown is not only her buildings and canals and docks and history--she is also her people. Westcrown is our friends and neighbours, our mothers and fathers, our siblings and cousins, our sons and daughters! With a small group of supporters and dedicated brothers and sisters, we can earn the trust and admiration of those people. A Westcrown free of those shadowy beasts that stalk our streets is one step closer to a Westcrown free of the devil that is the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune!"
Her passionate speech finished, Janizen looks at each of your faces knowing the full seriousness of what has been said. Softly she says, The people deserve better and I want your help to give it to them.
Zumii listens to the conversations & introductions going on around her. "My friends, I am Zumii. Cleric of Pharasma." She stands & holds out her hand.
"Hadrian I must thank you for this drink" Zumii raises her glass "I, like the others here no doubt are curious to what other guises you must have donned in your past acts" Zumii sits back down, so that she can talk to those around her with more ease.
Tobias tries to regard Zumii warmly, but a twinge of contempt that he is unable to hide plays through ever so slightly. "Zumii, a cleric to Pharasma, I understand that for every death she ushers out, she also welcomes new life. From who preserves life to another, greetings...
I am Tobias, Doctor of Medicine from the low-to-no income clinic on the other side of the city."
Hadrian looks around the table at Tobias,
"Now, sir, you look like a local. Ever seen the Carpenden Players perform?"
At this, whatever contempt that had come across his face at talking to the Cleric washes from his face. A smile bridges the gap from ear to ear and his eyes shine. Oooh, the Carpenden Players?, Tobias exclaims while clapping his hands together in excitement, they are excellent! I find their performance to full of such...energy...I've seen quite a few; they always add some light to an otherwise dim day.
Janizen, hearing her name, swings by the table with a smile...
Janizen! Tobias exlaims. I'd ask you hold your tongue on such...such...terrible claims! Tobias continues, almost a little too loudly. His tone drops to a whisper as he continues, Ill be the first to admit I am sickened what I see everyday, but I am granted certain...leniences by the government in return for my healing skills...To oppose house Thrune openly, even to decry them anywhere in this City, would be to throw away everything I've worked for...I've no love for them, but I do not see reason to openly oppose them.
"The fear you feel right now is the reason to oppose them. You're a healer. Your skills are only used to help people and even you are scared of the government. That's wrong."
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Tobias decides to join the motley crew, ordering a goblet of wine for his free drink.
A scholar of great mysteries, you say? And within which realm of study do these...mysteries exist? Tobias asks, with genuine curiosity.
Of the arcane variety, to be sure. But you appear to be a learned man yourself
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"The fear you feel right now is the reason to oppose them. You're a healer. Your skills are only used to help people and even you are scared of the government. That's wrong."
I can only agree with the half-orc, I have long heard of the problems this nation has, it is time somebody did something about it. Why not us?
.To oppose house Thrune openly, even to decry them anywhere in this City, would be to throw away everything I've worked for...I've no love for them, but I do not see reason to openly oppose them. [/b]
"I'm willing to listen to more but I also have to admit that this fellow (points at Tobias) has a point. Thrune is well entrenched and rash action is worse than none often. I've lived in this region half my life and have great affection for it's people, too much to endanger them on a fool hardy scheme or throw away my own well being. I'm not a coward though. If the plan has enough merit I'll weigh it honestly. But, let's be frank. Power has four aspects. The first is capacity to act and I hope I'm not insulting anyone by saying Thrune has far more than us. The second is willingness to act. The third is knowledge of when and where to act for best effect and sometimes few can to great effect. The fourth is the knowledge of when to not act. So, Janizen, let's take your knowledge and the measure of it."
Tobias tries to regard Zumii warmly, but a twinge of contempt that he is unable to hide plays through ever so slightly. "Zumii, a cleric to Pharasma, I understand that for every death she ushers out, she also welcomes new life. From who preserves life to another, greetings...
I am Tobias, Doctor of Medicine from the low-to-no income clinic on the other side of the city."
Zumii shakes Tobias's hand. "That is correct. It's a pleasure to meet another healer of sorts. It is a shame that this is the first instance of your clinic that I have heard of. I would have visited previously had I of known. Nevertheless I'm sure there will be plenty of time for such visits in the near future."
Zumii considers the points raised in Janizen's speech & replies
"Being a mere visitor to your city, I can only imagine the tyranny & challenges you have faced day after day. I have seen brutes, knights & other dark creatures walk your streets, left to their own devices. I've seen the sick left to suffer, while others simply vanish. How would we be able to aid your cause?"
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As Janizen speaks Lia is overcome by a feeling new to her, one of belonging. Finally! Someone with the guts to say what everyone is thinking but as the others respond her hopes suddenly turn into a feeling of dread. no, no, no, No, NO! Is Janizen mistaken about these people? With a look of desperation, "Listen you all, I'm with Janizen. We...we need to start somewhere, right?! It's useless to hide and be careful until the time is just right and we have the power to strike down Thrune. We can take small bites out of them." Looking around at the unfamiliar faces she can't tell whether her words are swaying anyone at all and her eyes get wet with emotion, "Does the freedom to seek out one own destiny mean so little to you all?" She glances Zumii's way at this. "They rule through fear. Keeping us in at night, commanding us to worship their devils, and unjust torture and punishment for the smallest infractions against their law." At this last she unconsciously touches the scar on her cheek and sits down heavily at the table still meeting each other persons eyes defiantly.
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Janizen listens as people have their say and then responds, "I know what I say sounds radical but I assure you that I have not gathered you here to be rebels or rioters. That would surely bring the rather substantial wrath of the House of Thrune upon us. Rather, I believe that we must form a band of protectors, and work towards winning the admiration and support of the citizenry by doing good works and providng what aid we can. Since the rulers of Cheliax basically ignore what is going on in Westcrown, as long as we work to win the hearts of Westcrown's citizens by good deeds and avoid as many direct entanglements with the government as we can, the House of Thrune will continue to ignore what they'll see as just 'petty squabbling' in the old capital.
Perception
It makes Salm feel better to hear her suggest they take the road of civilian protectors rather than armed rebels. He may have some real help in making an actual change within this city after all.
Forgive my ...trepidation, but while I wish nothing more to be a champion of life...any act that places my clinic at risk is...something I do not undertake lightly. Call my selfish if you must but my patients will always come first...I will listen though...