Hallie

I give Ilvisar a pat on the cheek. "Don't worry, I am sure your captain will rescue you from any trouble you get into." Then give a chuckle to myself.

Ilvisar flicks Hallie's hand away, "Not if he doesn't know where I am anymore."

"I have never been one for politics.. but from what I understand... Drake's father is a big shot on the city council. I know they have a huge manor on the nice side of the city... I don't know much more than that.." He would say looking to the others. 

Ilvisar suggests, "I imagine the manor would be unapproachable.  But we don't need to even go there. 

Drake likes to rob businesses?  We just have to find him misbehaving somewhere, act like concerned adventurers trying to protect the locals and as the situation inevitably escalates, a knife can accidentally end up in the kids kidney.  Or he can fall into a tragic fire. 

We could do this and even come out looking like heroes."

“We could always start with Drake... finish up the rest later if we need power.”

"I want Drake and anyone that helped him. I probably still have some contacts here at the watch and around town I  could use to gather infirmation...  I am pretty sure though that some if them are on the Blackburn's payroll.." Stone would say to the others. "I am sure any if the ships they extort fir coin would be willing to provide us with information as well.

Hallie

"I think we need to reduce their power base a little first. We would be wise to dismantle the corrupt systems that protect them. The family will likely not be willing to risk them selves to aid those they see as tools but those tools will come to the defense of the family if we take the fight directly to them. Perhaps your old captain would be a good place to start. We could possibly get some information while at the same time reducing the aid available to the family when the time comes."

(Refining the info Stone would be able to share): The Blackburn family was one of the three major households that made up the governing council of Morthal.  The Blackburn’s were The Coin Estate, overseeing the cities finances and trade both by caravan and port.  The other two families are the Starloft’s: The Sword Estate, overseeing the watch, military patrol in surrounding area, and judicial disputes in the lesser courts.  And finally the Caynith Family:  The Land Estate, overseeing agriculture, construction, and infrastructure of the city.  Together working in unison to govern the city.)

————————

Heading back out into the streets, you follow the flow of people walking themselves to their work in the morning.  As you head toward the center of the city.  The smell of the bakeries already at work for the past couple of hours fill your nostrils.  The smell of the shore’s salinity is beginning to creep and linger in the air as well.  Every so often seeing a guard on a corner keeping watch, keeping their hand on the grip of their blade.  One by one as you pass Stone, you don’t recognize any of them.  In fact, during the rush of yesterday, you only realize a change in their armor today.  What was once Morthal’s sigil: three raven heads cawing, now is just one solo raven with its beak closed and looking to the right.

Religion/History check on the sigil: 6

Through Ilvisar’s times on the waters and dealing with ships (often boarding them) he knows the three crows purely represent the three households that oversee Morthal.  To his knowledge there is no religious origin to the sigil.

Xil walks up to one of the new guards, “excuse me sir, may I ask why the signal has changed? I was visiting some family elsewhere and am just returning to town.”

The guards spits in the ground, missing two teeth up front, giving off an odor you’d expect from a beggar.  “Oi!  Been a while since being around ya?  Well the Starlofts found out that the Cayniths were corrupt.  Had evidence and everything about smuggling drugs, racketeering, and taking property from the working class without proper rights.  The Cayniths fires back and blamed the guard for being corrupt and responsible for the crime spree.  The two factions decided to duel it out, proper ya?  Get this, the Oldest son of the Cayniths ended up slitting the throat of the youngest Starloft daughter as a warnin’.  The proper fuel turned into a bloodbath.  That’s when the Noble Blackburn Family swept in and regained control of all those rich folk.  Not like there was anyone left to go against them, they’re the only house of power left.  The Father Dravis put his two sons in charge. Drake took over for the Starlofts and his older brother Drevin took over for the Cayniths.  One Family.... One Crow.”  The guard spits again and takes a swig from his waterskin as he takes another look around the crowd.

Hallie

I look around at the local folk and the guard. What is the mood in general and how are people reacting to each other? Are gazes avoiding looking at the guards? Are the guard looking down on the townsfolk? 

Seeing Xil talk to the guard, Stone would have moved within earshot. Hearing that the Blackburn family had taken over, the goliath would clench his fist tightly... cursing under his breath. "Damn Blackburns pit the families against eachother to take power... I am sure of it." he would say to himself, trying to be quiet enough that the guard couldn't hear. 

There doesn’t seem to be any air of animosity, conflict, or fear.  Just people heading to work.  Having small talk with their neighbors.  They aren’t engaging with the guard, but are not trying to avoid him either. The guard looks young, inexperienced.

Hallie

”Stone take us to this captain of yours. But you better point him out from a distance.”

"Right.. By the looks of things he may have been replaced. I guess we will see soon enough" Stone would say as he motions for the others to follow him, leading them towards the city watch headquarters. As he makes his way down the street, he would hold his head high.. taking in the sights... occasionally pointing out different landmarks to the Hallie, Xil, and ilvisar. Although he had been away for a few years and the city seemed to be a much darker place... He was beginning to feel like he had never left. 

Walking through the streets the crowds dispersing and reforming at corner markets and the like.  A lot of trade makes it way through the town given its lower elevation and southern most spot on the north shore, eliminating some days of travel for merchants going south.  Stone recognizes several shops, still standing with the same owners.  They’re too busy to recognize him in the crowd.  

Making your way to the guard house you see a group of guards getting the morning assignments.  An aged half orc shouting their orders to them.  Stone recognizes Captain Stonetooth.  As he is walking around the captain catch he’s eye contact with Stone and motions with his head to meet in the alley next to the guard house.  

Ilvisar gives a warning to Stone, "Mind what you say.  Drake is in charge of the city watch now."

Stone would give a stern nod before moving towards the alley. When Ilvisar mentions Drake being in charge, Stone would look down to him and reply "Not for long..". He would then walk towards captain stonetooth.