The Wraiths of Ilien

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

Offering a prayer to Haelyn for the good fortune of the mission the High Prefect gives his consent to kavens suggestion; the prisoners are to be locked up in Grand Cathedral of X and access restricted to Baron Bellamie, the Sword Mage, Baron Kaven or himself. RCS & IHH will be represented for interrogation, Baron Bellamie, the Sword Mage & Baron Kaven will be welcome to be present for interrogation should they so wish.


A little sad Wallac Isilviere counts the survivors.

“We have paid a high price for the night’s victory. Let it not be in vain. Bless those good men that have given their lives for our cause and rest their immortal souls. When we have defeated the Wraiths we also need to find the bodies of our fallen in the sewers.”

Nodding in consent to Baron Bellamie
“Indeed the purpose of these men and their masters is of great concern. While the hundred or more warriors, accompanied by dark magi, maybe insufficient to seize the city outright its possible the vanguard of a greater force. Perhaps they come to Ilien through the Shadow in small parties and gather for a surprise assault. We really need to put some spells to good use interrogating these men for all they know, including details appearing insignificant”
 
Then gathering strength from within hidden reserves he continues.

“Lads you heard Baron Kaven, look sharp and remember we are the champions of Good. When we escort the prisoners to the Cathedral let it show we return victorious. but first we pray”

The remaining men of the Knights of the Sun go down on their left knee and pray.

Everybody hide their wounds  and suppress limbering at their best of ability ready for return to the daylight wondering what have befallen the city during the night.

[X-Points East]

[OOC: Bjørn could you please give me the name for IHH’s Grand Cathedral in Ilien? It would be so much cooler to refer to it by its name]

OoC:

Possibly . . . Grand Cathedral of Meloraens?

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

While marching through Ilien dispatches are send for gathering IHH's unit of Justicars as to make sure the prisoners gets a little intimidated when seeing they are going to get locked up where they live. Mind you in cellars and every prisoner get his own cell.

The High Prefect calls for his personal assistant and hand him a quickly written set of orders.

"Rogal Destar, please see to these orders gets carried out at once and with no hesistation. While we are at it remember to inform the Bishop we have lots of wounded"

[DM B]

Things are wrapped up rather smoothly; except that the prisoners are quickly seized by the Countess' guards and taken to the citadel's dungeons. You are also invited - all of you - to come to court and explain what has happened.

You can of course try to prevent this from happening, but then you create a potentially very dangerous situation - the Countess has made it pretty clear that "Free City" doesn't imply that she's not in charge.

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

Raising a hand to silence the rest of the group, Kaven interdicts, as the Countess men tries to seize the prisoners. Addressing whomsoever is in charge, the Baron draws himself to his full height and steps in between.
"These men are my prisoners. Thusly, they are bound to me by my honour and I intend to do my duty, as laid out before me by Archduke Carvaloen Diem, to unravel the matter of whatever harrasses this city.
If the Countess wishes to contradict me, she will not only slight my, but ultimately Archduke Diem's, word of honour. And for such a slight, there will be reprecussions.
I am aware that Her Excellency means the best for her city, but I will not allow these men to taint the land."

Kaven frowns.
"Now leave us and give my word to Her Excellency, or escort us to the Cathedral of the Impregnable Heart, where these men might be put safely away and their taint be barred from any and all Ilieneese. But either way, you will allow us free passage."

[DM B]

The guards immediately turn hostile and attempt to place the entire group under arrest.

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

[OOC Bjørn you can and will have your way but really the Countess Modus operandi begins to get on my nerves more than I care to explain. My own nerves mind you]

Before the guards begin arresting everybody or Baron Kaven say words that cannot easily be taken back Wallac Isilviere intervene.

“Good men hesitate but for a moment. These men are enemies of us all. The Countess, the citizens, the whole Anuire for that matter. We shall not bicker among ourselves but stand together. In this city her Excellency has the responsibility for security and with that duty comes also the right to exert the means necessary. She has the right to demand these prisoners turned over and indeed for now that’s her wish. If her guards permit us will all go and ask for an immediate audience with Her Excellency. There we will lay forth our views for her and she can decide how she best thinks Iliens security is taken care of as well as the matter of honor. By Haelyn I ask you all to follow the path of wisdom and justice.”

If the guards persist arresting Wallac Isilviere will blow his horn for the signal of emergency upon which whoever member of the Justicars listens will bring the signal to the Cathedral where the bell will toll signaling to the lieutenants of the whole unit to break open their sealed orders. Orders to gather the holly army of IHH and set forth to the Countess castle and with the means at hand ensure the will of the High Prefect [OOC switching from Mr. nice guy to Mr. kamikaze-go-down-in-flames-and-to-the-hell-with-it lol]

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

A hand on the hilt of his sword, Kaven takes a few paces backwards.
"You would finish, what the shadows could not? You would attempt to arrest the head of your own state faith and the Pontiff of all the churches of Anuire? Think, what your actions might lead to!

Looking from the Countess men, to Wallac, the Baron shakes his head. "I will make reparations with Her Excellency later, but my word... and my honour holds still true.
These men are to go to the cathedral!"

[DM B]

(OOC: I think the Countess made it perfectly clear who is in charge in Ilien - yet you persist in publicly displaying that you do not, in her own home city and capital, defer to her wishes. In my (very OOC mind) I am hard pressed to find anything more stupid to do; yet this situation has come up before - it usually happens when one or more PC regents have become personally involved and absolutely cannot fathom why the silly NPCs don't behave as they should).

(OOC2: The Countess wishes to seize prisoners taken in her own city AND talk with a group of adventurers who have gone down to battle wraiths, but ended up with something else entirely? Is that so terribly strange??? Pardon me for saying so, but you, the players, have an equal say in what happens here.)

Seeing as how Baron Enlien still refuses to bow to the Countess wishes your little group is placed under armed guard - you really don't have the manpower needed to break free. Heroic you might be, but any move to resit by arms will most likely  be fatal for you all. The Ilienese probably have orders to treaty you firmly but nicely, but if blood first starts to flow...these things always get out of control.

The blowing of the horn is almost as antagonizing - Ilienese can't prevent the prefect from using the horn, but it definitely aggravates the situation. The horn and Baron Enlien's last comment...they push the guards over edge; they move to forcibly detain you.

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

Relenting the grip on his sword, it is with a heavyset scowl that the Baron allows himself to be manhandled.
"I will be demanding pen and paper at the first opportunity." He exclaims to the leader of the guard.
"And to speak with the countess in private."

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

OOC: Ok no horn blowing but really bjørn if you do not mind I would be perfectly happy if you run Wallac Isilviere each and every action from now on and untill this adventure have ended. I think I will end up messing even more up. My attempt to interveene really was an honest attempt to have things stay cool

[X-Bellam & BC/TB (Bobby)]

"Be calm, my friends."  Bellamie is scowling, but relaxed, cooperating with the guards.  "Rash action will only serve the Shadow at this time, and perhaps give our prisoners a chance to escape.  We must explain matters to the Countess, and trust that she is willing to listen.

Prefect, Lady Swordmage - if you can watch over our captives and ensure that they remain controlled and safe, I feel certain the Baron and I can bring the Countess around."

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

OOC: Ignore the horn. It never happend. Please modify to reflect that

[DM B]

OOC: No horn-blowing then...just ALMOST

Tempers are flaring on both sides, that is for certain. Fortunately cooler heads are also present...

Lord Mayor Adash Cedrune - an old man, a commoner even, but with a bearing reminiscent of nobility - arrives and starts shouting orders to the Captain; not that the man really has any military rank, but as the second-most important man in Ilien his words carry more weight than a simple officer can be expected to bear.

"Halt you damn fools. All of you HALT! The Countess ordered you to 'bring any who emerged from the sewers' to her, not kill anyone or make arrests. Put away your arms and let these heroes of Ilien pass; they have braved the underworld and returned with prisoners, and this is not a worthy welcome for such as they."

He then turns to the Pontiff:

"Honored Pontiff; the Countess would be delighted to hear what has transpired in the bowels of her city. She insists that it is of the utmost importance and bid you know immediately. Bring along those of your men that might ahve something important to say, lest they are too weary or wounded.

And these prisoners...if they are prisoners they are prisoners of Ilien, and must be placed in Ilienese custody. But if you feel it warranted, they I'll see to it that your men can help guard them and make sure they are accessible to you afterward."

He turns to speak to the entire group

"Does this seem acceptable to you?"

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

"It does" Kaven states grimly, sending a stern gaze to the leader of the guard.
"I thank you for your intervention, Lord Mayor. I believe it would be... best for all, if we met the Countess quickly. And yes, we would wish for our own men to guard these prisoners..."