Braithe's head dips in a moment's silence for their fallen comrades. Vartok crawls back to Braithe's pocket; if you didn't know better, you would say the spider was depressed about the news.
Arvidsjaur and Rolen see the crowd out the window. They all watch a group of young men dressed in black, each with a black eye patch over their left eye. They seem to be preaching something to the crowd, but nobody can hear from this distance.
"There are two rival gangs....the government does nothing while they fight throughout the town, innocent bystanders often get caught in the crossfire. That is what drew me to this town. Some thing has to be done..." Erik says softly, watching out the window with the rest.
"The people with the eye patches are the Jackanapes: a bunch of young revolutionaries. To become a member, they must remove their left eye with a burning sick as a sign of commitment." Erik says softly, a tone of disgust evident in his voice. He had never been a fan of self mutilation. "The cloaked figures are members of the tabaxi warlocks, who invaded Ishbrae shortly after the tieflings left. The two groups hate Viceroy Hogstout, just as much as they hate each other." Erik continued. "Viceroy Hogstout seems content to let the two groups fight each while he sits behind his walls."
"These warring rebels are so filled with hate," says Aliira. "I think it would be unwise to deal with anybody unwilling to let diplomacy run its course. I know very little about Hogstout himself, but he is the longest serving ruler of this region. He assisted us in running the Isle back when we were here."
"Hogstout!" Braithe scoffed. "Sounds more like Hogsnout. The pig doesn't deserve his position of power. My brother's kindness might've left him hung naked from the highest spire in the citadel, but he knew how to listen to the people. I say we speak to these Jackanapes. Not to join their ridiculous mutilation club, but hear their ideas."
[All newer players pick up on the reference that the old man Braithe is the illegitimate brother to King Thedas, who watched his wife and children's throats slit and was hung naked from the highest spire of the citadel; all because he trusted the tieflings.]
At that moment, there is a clicking noise as a pack of thri-kreen soldiers make their way past the inn, towards the crowd.
"I agree, I think we should stay out of any gang wars right now. My first priority is getting these kids somewhere safe where they can grow up for now. Live a normal life."
Erik considered the words he was hearing, but he wasn't sure how he felt about the way things seemed to be going. He could understand people's reasoning, especially safeguarding the children.
"The safety of the children is a top priority to be sure. But these are not the only children in this town. I won't claim to have all the answers...but something has to be done to make everyone safer..." His words are soft but firm. "Neither side is ever entirely in the right, and I don't know if either can be reasoned with." Thoughts went through his mind, reflecting on Braithe's words. Perhaps if the government was removed there would be someone capable to replace Hogstout...the idea had merritt. "I would gladly help get the children away from here...But I cannot stand by and do nothing about this..." He hoped he was not alone in this. He looked to the others in turn, knowing full well that none of them owed him anything.
"My uncle never spoke in front of me about such things," says Aliira to Arvidsjaur, "however, judging by the fact that they sent a giant spider to kill him and/or his people, I wouldn't surmise that they are on good terms."
"As for the safety of the children, the best way to do that would be to achieve peace on the Isle. These vigilante groups do seem volatile, both towards the Viceroy, each other and the townsfolk in general; in saying that, our new friends have observed that he is immoral and starves the people of precious resources. They may not be the best person to deal with; but what choice to we have? Does anybody have any better ideas?"
"I would be careful where you tread," urges the drow tending to the inn.
Throughout most of the conversation, Scottie has been playing with children happy to see that they are okay but, he does pay attention to the comments being made about what we should do next.
"If talking to him seems like the best idea then let us go ahead and give it a shot."
"As much as I dislike splitting up...it might be best to approach the two groups separately and then compare notes...that way word will not circulate that we are taking either side." Erik offers to the group. "I am willing to talk to one of the groups."
[To keep the game from stagnating, I'll progress the story ahead and you can decide as you go along]
As you approach the Viceroy's Mansion, the Jackanapes are screams at the crowd. Their leader, a bulky firbolg female, shouts at the top of their lungs.
"How many of you have lived here your entire lives? Worked in the mines for a pittance, while Viceroy Hogstout lives off your hard earned money? And all the while his sister who runs the sin pit next door, The Twisted Sister, gets by without having to pay a copper in tax. She owns the most profitable business in the town and she doesn't have to pay. Nepotism has corrupted this once great town, and it is about time we stopped it."
"Tabaxi scum!" screams one of the hooded tabaxi. "You children think you could do any better?!"
The thri-kreen warriors click their mandibles amongst each other, eyeing both the Jackanapes and the tabaxi warlocks.
"I would lower taxes for everybody. I would make things fair." the leader of the Jackanapes pleads.
"Fairness," the tabaxi warlock laughs. "Foolish notion!"
Erik stood, with the others who had come along, just on the outside of the group of shouting people. "We will have to be very careful here..." Erik whispered to his companions. He turned his attention from the gangs to his companions, not entirely sure of just how to proceed. If he spoke up he ran the risk of being assualted the way the tension hung in the air....but something had to be done. And soon.
Braithe's head dips in a moment's silence for their fallen comrades. Vartok crawls back to Braithe's pocket; if you didn't know better, you would say the spider was depressed about the news.
Arvidsjaur and Rolen see the crowd out the window. They all watch a group of young men dressed in black, each with a black eye patch over their left eye. They seem to be preaching something to the crowd, but nobody can hear from this distance.
"There are two rival gangs....the government does nothing while they fight throughout the town, innocent bystanders often get caught in the crossfire. That is what drew me to this town. Some thing has to be done..." Erik says softly, watching out the window with the rest.
As Erik is explaining this, a group of robed tabaxis wander up to the crowd, eyeing off the young men, the slender spotty tails flicking irritably.
"The people with the eye patches are the Jackanapes: a bunch of young revolutionaries. To become a member, they must remove their left eye with a burning sick as a sign of commitment." Erik says softly, a tone of disgust evident in his voice. He had never been a fan of self mutilation. "The cloaked figures are members of the tabaxi warlocks, who invaded Ishbrae shortly after the tieflings left. The two groups hate Viceroy Hogstout, just as much as they hate each other." Erik continued. "Viceroy Hogstout seems content to let the two groups fight each while he sits behind his walls."
"These warring rebels are so filled with hate," says Aliira. "I think it would be unwise to deal with anybody unwilling to let diplomacy run its course. I know very little about Hogstout himself, but he is the longest serving ruler of this region. He assisted us in running the Isle back when we were here."
"Hogstout!" Braithe scoffed. "Sounds more like Hogsnout. The pig doesn't deserve his position of power. My brother's kindness might've left him hung naked from the highest spire in the citadel, but he knew how to listen to the people. I say we speak to these Jackanapes. Not to join their ridiculous mutilation club, but hear their ideas."
[All newer players pick up on the reference that the old man Braithe is the illegitimate brother to King Thedas, who watched his wife and children's throats slit and was hung naked from the highest spire of the citadel; all because he trusted the tieflings.]
At that moment, there is a clicking noise as a pack of thri-kreen soldiers make their way past the inn, towards the crowd.
Quietly listening to the conversation and observing the activities outside the Inn.
"I agree, I think we should stay out of any gang wars right now. My first priority is getting these kids somewhere safe where they can grow up for now. Live a normal life."
Erik considered the words he was hearing, but he wasn't sure how he felt about the way things seemed to be going. He could understand people's reasoning, especially safeguarding the children.
"The safety of the children is a top priority to be sure. But these are not the only children in this town. I won't claim to have all the answers...but something has to be done to make everyone safer..." His words are soft but firm. "Neither side is ever entirely in the right, and I don't know if either can be reasoned with." Thoughts went through his mind, reflecting on Braithe's words. Perhaps if the government was removed there would be someone capable to replace Hogstout...the idea had merritt. "I would gladly help get the children away from here...But I cannot stand by and do nothing about this..." He hoped he was not alone in this. He looked to the others in turn, knowing full well that none of them owed him anything.
"My uncle never spoke in front of me about such things," says Aliira to Arvidsjaur, "however, judging by the fact that they sent a giant spider to kill him and/or his people, I wouldn't surmise that they are on good terms."
"As for the safety of the children, the best way to do that would be to achieve peace on the Isle. These vigilante groups do seem volatile, both towards the Viceroy, each other and the townsfolk in general; in saying that, our new friends have observed that he is immoral and starves the people of precious resources. They may not be the best person to deal with; but what choice to we have? Does anybody have any better ideas?"
"I would be careful where you tread," urges the drow tending to the inn.
Throughout most of the conversation, Scottie has been playing with children happy to see that they are okay but, he does pay attention to the comments being made about what we should do next.
"If talking to him seems like the best idea then let us go ahead and give it a shot."
"As much as I dislike splitting up...it might be best to approach the two groups separately and then compare notes...that way word will not circulate that we are taking either side." Erik offers to the group. "I am willing to talk to one of the groups."
"Do you agree with Erik?" Aliira turns to the others. "Should we split up? Or should we stay together?"
[To keep the game from stagnating, I'll progress the story ahead and you can decide as you go along]
As you approach the Viceroy's Mansion, the Jackanapes are screams at the crowd. Their leader, a bulky firbolg female, shouts at the top of their lungs.
"How many of you have lived here your entire lives? Worked in the mines for a pittance, while Viceroy Hogstout lives off your hard earned money? And all the while his sister who runs the sin pit next door, The Twisted Sister, gets by without having to pay a copper in tax. She owns the most profitable business in the town and she doesn't have to pay. Nepotism has corrupted this once great town, and it is about time we stopped it."
"Tabaxi scum!" screams one of the hooded tabaxi. "You children think you could do any better?!"
The thri-kreen warriors click their mandibles amongst each other, eyeing both the Jackanapes and the tabaxi warlocks.
"I would lower taxes for everybody. I would make things fair." the leader of the Jackanapes pleads.
"Fairness," the tabaxi warlock laughs. "Foolish notion!"
Erik stood, with the others who had come along, just on the outside of the group of shouting people. "We will have to be very careful here..." Erik whispered to his companions. He turned his attention from the gangs to his companions, not entirely sure of just how to proceed. If he spoke up he ran the risk of being assualted the way the tension hung in the air....but something had to be done. And soon.
Aliira, Braithe and the children duck around the back of the Viceroy's Mansion to try and speak with him.
Tensions flare between the factions with every passing second.