The Ninth World Turns Recap #015 - Fannar Bryn’s Speech

Campaign Day 001

XP: Everyone has 2 xp from discovering the Glow Machine & Miasma Box

Turn 15 Recap

Mintz slumped, wheezing with his last breathes after being pierced by spear and arrow.

The color of the Miasma became a more intense Green, with it the expressions of the rebels and the affected were contorted with anger. Some of the rebels kicked the bodies of nearby guards. They were recounting past abuses that had brought them to the point of rebellion. Their rage was manifesting in myriad ways.

Fannar walked towards the Miasma and interacted with a device he had on his belt. The green shape began to shrink down and turned opaque. Soon it diminished entirely and all that remained was a smoking box empty on the floor. The anger that had taken control of the room diminished as soon as Fannar deactivated the device. Everyone who had been affected felt now exhausted from the emotional manipulation and from the crashing adrenaline that had propelled them through the combat thus far.

The rebels that had been venting their anger were now coming to terms with their victory. Some of them slumped to the ground, leaning against the wall. Others wandered over to the windows to survey the courtyard and announce their victory to their companions.

Action 1 - End of Combat - catch your breath, survey the room, reflect on your victory. Talk to your party members.

Fannar approached Mintz. The man’s head turned towards the south wall, where together they could see out a window into the courtyard below. From the third floor, they could see that the compound appeared secured, no guards had yet managed to make it through the front gate.

Over the walls, you saw that the Glow device was casting its field across most of the city. The sky was thick, dim and slightly blue tinted for as far as you could see. Scanning the city, you could see some plumes of smoke rising up across the city. The occasional cry of combat or fear pierced the air. For the moment though, the most defining attribute of the victory was the intense silence that followed combat. The only thing anyone had energy to do was catch their breathe and think about the enormity of what they had just accomplished.

Mintz pained wheeze broke the silence “What have you done?” His voice broke and cracked as he surveyed the violence across the city, and as he looked around at his own fallen guards.

Fannar replied “We do what is necessary for the people of Milave. It has been too long that you merchants exploited the people from the security of your compounds. Today your greed has been your undoing, your own Abolite fueled your defeat.”

Mintz glanced briefly at Basai, his pained eyes fell heavily to the floor before continuing, “Did you stop to think where this technology came from? There are larger games at play here than just Tarvesh’s rebellion. What do you think Tarvesh agreed to pay for a device with this power? And to whom do you think he turned for help? You might think this battle is at an end, but the violence is only beginning.”

Fannar replied, “The violence is made visible today, but every one of my men today is here because they have felt the violence of your power, of your tyranny. The violence you see today is not a new violence, it has grown from the seeds of your greed and exploitation. This violence represents the end of an era, a new beginning for the people!

…

 Action 2 - Talk to Fannar & Mintz together before Mintz dies of his injuries. Respond to this dialogue or ask different questions.

…

Mintz coughed a pained cough, “Violence sires only more violence.” His eyes closed and he breathed no more.

Fannar gathered his rebels, and your party. He congratulated everyone on all their hard work. He said he doesn’t know how much longer they will have the Glow, and he wants to make sure that they get all the use they can. <Mechanus knows the power is at 30%>

Bryn assigned some rebel soldiers to search the compound for any remaining guards and staff to ensure they surrender their weapons or be pacified.

He assigned a few other men to gather all the bystanders and surrendered guards in the first floor room of this building so that he can address them all from the balcony.

He sent a third group of guards to support the crew at the gate and to ask for a status report. He seemed surprised that the gate has held this long.

Bryn looked to your group and smiled. “I truly don’t know if we would have emerged victorious today without your help. I know each of you came here today without any expectation of taking part in overthrowing a corrupt government, but here we are. I suspect many of you still harbor reservations about our cause, and I hope to be able to answer any lingering concerns you have. But pressing are the needs to secure this compound and to gather information about our comrades across the city. Your group has proven more than capable as soldiers.”

Bryn turned to Breona, “You mentioned that your brother is in the compound, forgive me for not responding to you in the thick of combat but you have more than earned his protection with your service. You should seek him out to ensure he doesn’t fall into trouble with my men.”

Bryn gives you leave to take care of what you need. He wants you to all report back to the common room so that he can address his men and the bystanders. He thinks you have about 5-8 minutes to take care of whatever you want before the address.

<Action 3> Explore compound, talk to your NPC’s (Breona, Basai, Mechanus) meet back in room with all npc’s gathered. The Glow will end during this action round, you could give response or work in the end of the effect to your post.

Mechanus

Actions 1 

The fight was over. Mechanus was not only alive but on the winning side. He could relax now. But his artificial brain kept painting bullseyes on the enemies foreheads, even though they had surrendered.

He pumped his fist in the air, "Woo!" then quickly looked around and made sure his hair covered his metal veins running down his neck, What the hell am I doing?

He looked at his companions, "I mean er... is everyone OK?"

Basai

Basai paused as Daks managed to pierce the shield through from a frontal assault, the gurgle of blood and gasp of air as Mintz staggered enough to show it had been a lethal hit. The arrow apparently disrupting the shield enough for Jay's lance to strike true as well. Shi puffed with something akin to amusement, apparently they didn't need to flank the tyrant after all!

The miasma remnant was growing a more intense green, catching the Diruk's attention and the visitant rumbled another warning, wondering if they had pulled down Mintz only to face a terror of the past. Around hir rebels were beating the dead, cursing and angrily rummaging through the bodies. It was disconcerting – how long would their ire remain on the guards before it turned to the odd one out in the room? Shi didn't want to kill any of them but shi also would not tolerate their betrayal...

Thankfully Fannar did something to the miasma and the angry atmosphere lifted immediately, the shift echoed in Basai's relaxing posture – shi was standing neutrally now, no longer slowly backing towards a wall hunched defensively. Basai vented hugely, a massive sigh as the tension left hir body, leaving hir crystals flickering pale hues as shi leaned back against the wall.

The victory of the rebels, and the greater import it had, meant little to the Diruk as the realization that shi no longer belonged to Mintz hit hir. Shi was hir own being again... no longer a living mine, no longer under the thumb, forced to work or yield to a tyrant. How long had shi been enslaved? How many seasons? Cycles? Shi wasn't sure – it had been hard to track the sun's progress and the moon's arcs through the skies from hir cell. Overcome with the relief of freedom, of being able to move on from this terrible place, Basai slid down the wall into a sort of heap of stone, the grinding of rock and crystal on metal and synth grating on the ears.

Shi was free.

Shi remembered then Jay had asked hir name and looked for hir name. When shi spotted him, shi shifted and tried to rise, only to slump back to the floor – shi was exhausted. The labour, the harvest... the fighting... it had all finally caught up to the Diruk and shi would need some time to recover. ”Jay Zin.” Shi rumbled, instead, hoping he would hear hir, ”I am Basai.” Hir crystals flickered pink with affection and respect briefly, before shifting back into bright emerald colours.

And where was Azzuretta? Basai shifted, looking for the strange bird in the mess of battle, worried again because shi could not immediately spot hir new friend.

Jay Zin

Huh... what... oh well nice to meet you ...Basai? Hmm... I think I liked rocky better. I have to admit that you're the first creature from elsewhere that I have met. Somehow I had expected you to be more... Feral. It would seem I've been jumping to incorrect conclusions all day.

As the effects of the strange machine seemed to fade and Jay Zin regained of his emotions he looked down at the spear in his hand and at the two spears which currently protruded from the bodies of Mintz and the dead guard. Never had Jay thought that such rage had been inside of him but now... now he just felt empty. Without the adrenaline and emotional high there was nothing left to sustain him. He slumped against the spear and was glad that it was finally over.

Mechanus wrote:

"Woo!"... " I mean er... is everyone OK?"

Jay laughed... I think you were right the first time.... Woo indeed.... look I still don't know what it is that Azure doesn't like about you, I've never known her to be off in her judgement of someone.... but I think I owe you an apology. I think your actions show that you are capable and dependable. For that alone you deserve a chance to prove your character, and I would hope you would extend the same to me. and with a wink... Just stay away from my Xi-drake or she's liable to bite your face off

Mechanus

OK, first he tried to stab me with something and now he's apologizing. Still weird but better. Mechanus tipped his head, "Eh sure. No problem. Just don't stick me with anything. Please."

He looked at his flying pet, "Why doesn't your pet like me? I swear it's the first time I've seen it. Is it hungry or something?"

Jay Zin

Well if you want her to like you I would suggest for a start you may not want to refer to her as a pet... In my experience she's smarter than most people.

Jay chuckled as he said this thinking of more than one human she had met who was not particularly that intelligent.

But the honest truth is I have no idea why she doesn't like you. It's strange really. Usually she's out and out violent towards people she thinks is dangerous to me... but she doesn't seem to think you're dangerous. I would have realized that if I just watched and waited a little longer. But still there's something she doesn't like about you.

Mechanus nodded, "Ok not a pet. Does it talk like a parrot? You know, just repeats things."

He then asked, "Well, if you can communicate with her, just ask her what is it that she doesn't like about me. Maybe I can do something about it."

He looked at the 'loonie' again, "So you and me are OK, right? You're not going to stab with another needle, are you?"

Jay Zin responds in an offended tone on Azzuretta behalf...

She... not it... Doesn't vocalize at all. She's smart enough to understand every word we say though. What's more is Xi-Drakes tend to be empathic. They just know what other living creatures are thinking and feeling.

Jays Demeanor softens a little as he starts to think out loud.

Sometimes I think it would be amazing to know how many secrets and lies she's ferreted out over the years. Too bad she will never be able to tell any of us any of them. So it's prolly something in that head of yours she just doesn't like being around. A thought... a memory... or an emotion. I don't think she's afraid or scared of you... Just doesn't like you. Haven't you ever met someone who just got on your nerves.

But I'm just guessing since she doesn't have any way to talk to us. But don't let her silence fool you into thinking she's dumb. She's just as intelligent and creative a person as any of us. She's just better at listening to others than any of us could ever hope to be and not as good at communicating as the rest of us.

Grandmaster Trelling said that Xi-drakes didn't need to "outwardly communicate" with each other. Why would you need to tell someone something if they already knew your thoughts.

As for us... yeah I think we're okay. I was just really... worried... when I saw how much she didn't like you. Just the strangest thing to me. She's always surprising me.

But just to change topics Mechanus... I feel like you have me and Azzure at a disadvantage... what's your story?

Azzuretta could feel the human's emotions returning to normal. Things were quieting down and she felt more comfortable interacting with the exhausted people around her now. She could see Basai looking for something and could sense it was her he sought.

She slinked up to Jay and gently pressed her head against his leg. As he absentmindedly reached down to scratch her neck she shifted her attention to the stone creature. She lifted one of her wings up and wiggled one of her Wing claws at him once again in imitation of the way the stone creature had done to her earlier in the day.

She liked how its... yes it's... no shi... Azzuretta could sense the fact that it was neither girl or boy... she liked how its colors would shift in relation to its emotions. She was also amused that this was generally lost on all the humans around her. Just one more reason she was glad she was a Xi-drake and not a human.

Basai

Ah! Shi had managed to catch Jay's attention. Pleased, the Diruk rumbled a bit with a laugh as he explained an expectation of wildness. Amused, shi... shi wasn't sure what to do to communicate that. Opting instead to simply vent lightly, shi responded, "Not feral. Just... not human. Diruk. Thank you, for helping to free me." It always struck hir as odd how humanity ascribed an expectation of ferocity and savagery to non-human beings... Culture existed outside of their cities and villages. It pleased hir to know that Jay's point of view had shifted some in the brief time they had known each other.

It was then that the drake sauntered up to Jay and Basai perked up some, reaching out to wiggle hir fingers at Azzuretta in kind. "Bravely done. I am grateful."

Breona

Red rage clouded Breona's vision. There he was, Mintz, the target of her rage, and she held her punching dagger in her white-knuckled hand, ready to just push and carve him open like a roast.

Others were faster, and there suddenly was the towering form of the Diruk, ready to guard and protect Breona in her foolishness. From the corner of her eyes she saw that the shape was no longer green but instead had shrunk. She immediately felt deflated, the rage draining out of her and leaving nothing but tiredness behind. She stared at her clenched fingers around the dagger and quickly put it away in its sheath.

"Thank you," Breona murmured shyly to the Diruk, looking up at hir. "I don't know what came over me, but thank you for trying to protect me."

She rubbed her face tiredly, feeling exhausted now that the rage and adrenaline were no longer rushing through her system. Instead, the queasiness returned, and her feeling of nausea rushed in when she looked at the practically melted corpses of guards on the floor. She quickly moved into a corner, no longer able to contain the remains of her breakfast from earlier this morning.

Quite the rebel she made.

Daks sat against the wall trying to hide the tears. So much in emotion in one day. Daks sat on the floor and tried to collect himself. He felt... Numb.

Action 2

Basai

Shi was free.

The sentiment cycled in hir mind several times before shi turned hir attention to the room, surveying the fallout, cautiously letting the thrill of true victory wash over hir. Shi felt the gaze of Mintz upon hir and looked up, meeting his eyes with the empty sockets of hir own 'head'. When he looked away, shi vented short and curt, a sort of 'tch' sound.

Fannar's conversation only mildly registered with Basai as hir thoughts turned to hir people and securing their safety. Bryn had said he wanted to establish trade... Mintz had just asked what the cost of the rebellion actually was... The joy of freedom ebbed somewhat as worry for hir colony encroached. When shi could stand again, shi would impress upon Fannar the importance of trade rather than hunting.

Daks

Basai approached with hir arm outstretched. Daks looked up, realizing the turn of events left him looking quite upset. He had started so confident, but at the end he had let his emotions get the better of him. He grabbed the Diruks hand but shook his head. I'm OK thanks. Just a lot of memories. He said as he accepted Basai's help standing up. Daks gave a wide grin. Really, I'm OK no.Patting hir on the shoulder. Thank you. As daks went about straightening himself he realized that he still had the protection money. I wonder if that offer still stands with the change of authority that had just taken place. Daks tucked the money away. <10 Shins to Daks>

Basai

When Daks took hir hand and leveraged it to get up, Basai wasn't entirely sure what had happened – or why. Shi had held out hir hand so as to lift the other and carry him... Did humans always leverage each other like that? Basai wasn't upset, just curious as the casual contact, and then the pat on the shoulder, was totally unfamiliar. Shi watched the youth dart out among the people, puzzled.

As people gathered once more, Basai left hir Handlers to walk up to Daks and try an experiment. He had seemed the least wary of hir... so this would be informative. Gently, shi patted him on the shoulder and rumbled a greeting, crystals flickering greens and yellows. ”This is how you say 'thank you'?” Perhaps Daks would teach hir something of human culture in these quiet moments.

Daks was walking towards the group when what can only be described as a "sledgehammer love tap" hit him in the shoulder. He looked up to see @Basai. S*%$was "patting" him on on the shoulder, asking if this is how you say thanks. He looked at her with a grin Yeah! Thanks. Or good job. Proud of you. It can mean a lot of things. But thanks works! You're not much of a people person are you? He said grinning. Glad to take his mind off of the battle and the memories of his father. Here. Try this one. Daks raised his hand up. It's called a high five. Hit my hand with your hand. Daks said. Suddenly realizing what he had asked for. Gently! He quickly added, laughing.

Basai

Daks was grinning. That meant good things! Pleased with hirself, Basai silently congratulated hirself on a successful experiment. Though the multiple meanings of the gesture had not been something shi had considered yet, noting such applications for later. "No..." Shi wasn't much of a people person, they had proven rather baffling thus far. "But you help me understand strange human things."

Then Daks raised a hand and asked hir to hit it. Basai hesitated, venting a worried puff of steam as hir crystals flickered through blues. Had he not seen what happened when shi hit soft, squishy things? His amendment eased hir concern and, slowly, Basai pressed hir large hand to Daks'. His hand was so small compared to hirs... delicate and dainty. So fragile. Basai marvelled at the comparison, wondering if this was why humans used so many tools, as if they had no choice. "Like this? What is the meaning?"

Mechanus moved closer and merely listened to the conversation between Fannar and Mintz. I don't enough about any of them to judge them...

He turned to Fannar, "Tarvesh? Who is he? Is he your boss or something?"

Bryn responded “Tarvesh is the man who will unite Milave. I fight for him. He is the only one who is strong enough to unite the land for the coming conflict.”

Breona

Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Breona headed over to the window, where Mintz and Bryn were having their discussion. Without wanting to get any attention drawn to her, she stared into the courtyard below to see if she could spot Gerrit anywhere. She half-heartedly listened to the conversation but didn't add anything to it.

Instead, she stared at the blue glow across the city she hadn't gotten an opportunity to explore yet, briefly wondering if the new Aian would be a completely different place to the Aian of the merchants.

Jay Zin

As the players in the drama played out their roles Jay Zin simply sat back and watched. He only half listened his own thoughts consuming much of his energy.

There's so much I still do not understand... how will this interaction effect the other countries in the steadfast. Were the merchants really that bad. Will the men who replace them really be any better. Does all of this politicking really even matter. What about these new people I've met. Can I trust them. Basai is the one who my instincts told me I shouldn't trust... but now I prolly trust him the most. I saw him risk himself to protect others time and again. But still he is so Alien... There is so much to learn and consider. This is nothing like I expected questing to be like. I'm not even sure that I'm accomplishing anything good for mankind.

Actions 3 

Mechanus mind whirred, "The power is less than 50%. We have a couple of minutes at most."

He then searched the courtyard to try and salvage what he could. He looked at the other accidental soldiers, "I'm called Mechanus and I guess we are now on the same side. Well met. Do any of you know any more about this Mintz or Fannar or Tarvesh?"

Basai

Eventually Basai rose, given incentive by Mechanus' announcing that the system was going to shut down soon. Whatever that machine was... it consumed a great deal of duel. It made hir wonder if the rebels intended to use it more than once. Gingerly – or as gingerly as a Diruk could manage – Basai began to move back to Fannar when Breona thank hir for hir protection. Basai thrummed at that, mimicking a stiff, awkward bow shi'd seen other humans do in what seemed like pleasant interactions, ”You are welcome.”

As Basai moved on, shi thought on Breona's comment and realized that shi took great satisfaction in shielding the fleshlings.... they had helped hir escape and they were showing hir respect... Shi was grateful and, if shi was honest, shi liked them. They were bizarre, rag tag, and had certainly benefited from hir assistance. Perhaps, if they stuck together, shi would offer hir services and accompany them if only to learn more about them – and hopefully build upon the foundations of understanding that had been sewn today.

That train of thought brought hir back to the present and hir current purpose. Shi approached Fannar, standing before him quietly until a momentarily lag in his conversations allowed hir to interject. ”Fannar. Your machine eats Diruk... “ shi searched for the word, blood had not been right before... what else was important to a human? ”It eats Diruk hearts. You intend to use it more? You said you wanted Abolite supply but your Abolite kills my people.”

It was obvious the Diruk was taking great pains to speak in Truth slowly and as accurately as shi could, venting steam and flickering colours accentuating the words. It was also the most shi had said in days.  ”I do not want hunts or slaves. If you want trade, I will be agent.” The last thing shi wanted was to aid in further predation of hir people by humanity...

Fannar responded to the Diruk, “I think I understand. For now, Abolite is the least of my concerns. From this point forward the conflict will take a different turn, it would be impractical to use this machine all throughout Milave. It turned the tide of battle for us today, it has served its purpose. I don’t know the situation of the Diruk but once we secure Milave for the Movement, I promise you will have a sympathetic ear with me.”

Daks wrote:

Having addressed Fannar, Basai turned to leave only to find Daks looking pale and sickly in a corner. The ungrown human looked exhausted even to Basai and shi crouched before him, holding out an arm, ”I will carry.” People were gathering below and shi wanted to find hir Handlers, see if they had survived.

When shi arrived in the courtyard, Basai spotted first one, then the other, Handler and hurried over to them. They shrank from hir at first, uncertain of what was happening but the Diruk awkwardly bowed again and thanked them for their kindness as deeply as shi could. When shi offered them each a crystal from hir crown, they were baffled and obviously torn between crying and smiling. One even went so far as to embrace the Diruk, who stood there motionless, unsure of how to respond – crushing another fleshy being like that.... just generally caused them to, well, burst. Somehow Basai didn't think they would take kindly to that.

The summons rose and Basai turned to watch as Fannar gathered people around to address them.

Azzuretta

With things quieting down Azzuretta decided she wanted some quiet time. She knew the humans would want to talk about things that really didn't interest her. As long as Jay Zin stayed safe she would be happy.

She took to wing and enjoyed the feeling of simply flying alone in the air. Besides it might be a good idea to take a look around and see how things have changed. Not to mention it seemed Jay was going to be spending time around the man whose thoughts felt like someone rubbing her scales the wrong way. It didn't cause any real pain but it was still aggravating to be around.

As she surveyed this town where so many humans lived she simply observed how much had happened so quickly. She had quit her last solo flight just before all the violence and fighting had started. She could see three different fires and many people were looting. The nest had been upset and turned on itself.. These humans always seemed to find ways to hurt each other... Just one more reason she was glad she was a xi-drake instead of a human.

Jay Zin

As the others took care of personal business Jay Zin walked the compound to see what had changed. He noticed that the guards who had fought against the rebels didn't seem to be treated that badly.

I Guess they were just men doing a job so they could take care of their families.

Jay felt a little sad at this thought thinking of the people who had died on both sides of the fight. Not for the first time he wondered if this had all been worth it. As he walked past groups of rebels they seemed to know who he was and the role he had played.

I wonder what kind of reputation I am making for myself. I wonder if I am representing the Angulan Knights the way they are supposed to be represented.. I wonder if their are any others of the order anywhere near.

Jay looked up into the sky and found Azzuretta. It seemed pretty empty up there.

Enjoy the quiet girl... I have a feeling it's about to get allot louder real soon...

Daks walked over to the dead body of Mintz and crouched over him. He flipped through his pockets for any odds and ends and generally made sure he didn't have one last trick up his sleeve. search: 1d20 ⇒ 15 He looked at him for a long time. It wasn't that death bothered him. That wasn't it. It was simply something tugging at the back of his mind. I wonder if my actions will ever come back to haunt me. Daks turned away from the corpse and walked up to his new group of companions. Hey. Great job you guys. You're a pretty impressive bunch I have to say. As Brynn began gathering everyone for the next phase Daks chimed in. Come on. Let's see what this is all about.

<You find a pin attached near Bryn’s collar and pocket it. Unidentified Object>

Breona

Possibly numb to death just now, Breona didn't feel anything when Mintz obviously took his last breath. When Bryn gestured for them to come stand with him, she did so and took a long look at her immediate companions, all fresh rebels.

Mechanus wrote:

"I don't know much about this Mintz. He belonged to a larger trading group, as far as I know, and I was here with my brother to sell a shipment of ghianche to him." She smiled sourly. "Looks like ghianche was only one of his side trades."

She cleared her throat and then held out her hand to the nano. "My name is Breona, by the way."

Bryn turned his attention to her now, and mentioned her brother. No matter how she felt about the family trade and his pompous manner, she still meant to him safe. After receiving permission to go find him, she did just that, finding him in the courtyard where he was whining by the exit, begging to be allowed to leave.

"Shush, Gerrit. You wouldn't be safe out there. The rebellion is not just here, it's across Aian." Her brother's expression was shocked. "I'll try my best to see you out of here safely, but I think you should be going home. Aian will be changed."

Gerrit wrinkled his nose, with a bright streak of paint across his face. "Don't be ridiculous, Bree. They can't have taken the city completely." The rebels guarding the door glared at him and one spat at his feet. "You betcha we did, merchant. It's only this lady keeping you alive now."

Her brother looked shocked, taking his time to look her up and down. "What have you done, sister?"

She wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Stay here and wait. Behave. You'll get out soon." Breona briefly patted his shoulder, nodded to the rebels and headed towards the common room, to re-join her companions.

Daks watched as his hands slowly lost the last of their charge. The blue electric jolts that jumped from finger to finger coming to a halt. Daks let out a long sigh.

Mechanus

With the glow ending, the nano felt relieved, even if a little empty, "I guess it's time to gather inside. You all still want to listen to what Fannar has to say?"

Turn 16

As the sky clears, you see little tracers of lightning jumping around all throughout the air. The power of the device was incredible, and the charged quality of the day remains tangible even as the blue tint and speed distortion fades.

As you re-enter the compound to hear Fannar Bryn, you look around to notice the scared eyes of guards and bystanders, the many injuries on all sides, some angry eyes being made between guards and rebels. The tension in the room is extreme and as Bryn steps onto the landing above, silence instantly sweeps the room.

Bryn begins “Mintz is dead. Killed by the hands of our very capable soldiers. This is a historic day, the day the people stopped allowing the abuses of the Merchant-Lords! The fighting began in the courtyard behind you minutes ago, and has quickly spread across the city with the help of the Glow. With luck, our compatriots will have taken out the rest of the tyrants and will have cleared the way for Tarvesh to consolidate his rule of Aian, and all of Milave.

All of you, even those that have fought for Mintz today, will have a second chance to change your ways. Tarvesh will give you all an opportunity to change your ways, but for today we will need to keep you all secured in this facility. You will be safe here as long as you don’t try anything stupid.

Those of you who fought for neither side are free to go, but I would encourage you to take up arms and join the Movement, the streets will not be safe just now. You are free to wait out the violence in this compound, either way.

Fighters, please see the prisoners to the holding cells and then return to me. We have much work to do.”

…

Bryn sees that the guards have been locked up and the rebel’s have returned to the chamber, he continues. “Special commendations to Heemsoth for successfully taking the barracks, without your efforts we would not have been able to sweep towards the compound. Of course, without these five new recruits we might have had a much tougher run of it.

He points you five out and says, “These five seized upon the momentum of the occasion and took up arms against Mintz! They stand as prime examples for us all. The Movement speaks to every one of us, we have all experienced the violence of these unjust rulers. These five will receive fine rewards once the day has been won, and likewise to any of the rest of you who would join us and fight!”

Finally, he turns to you five and to Heemsoth, “join me, so we may discuss our next steps”

<Action 1 - Talk amongst yourselves, join Bryn back in Mintz’ room. >

…

Bryn is seated at Mintz’ desk when you all walk in, shuffling through the drawers. Bryns’ personal guards have dragged the bodies of the fallen into a side room. You five walk in alongside Heemsoth and four other men armed with equipment scavenged from the guards. Bryn gestures for you all approach the desk. “You ten have proven invaluable today. Your efforts during the combat made our victory possible. Unfortunately, the war has only just begun. It is essential that we make contact with other cells across the city. The two nearest rebel cells have attacked the Lords Zhong and Kesinger.

Our intel on Zhong is that he controls a warehouse full of technology and devices. Hopefully the Glow was enough to give our team there the advantage they needed to take him out and claim the advantage for themselves. I fear there may be some additional difficulties fighting against one who controls so many devices. The most direct path to Zhong’s warehouse is to travel through the streets, it is not far.

Kesinger is said to have the largest food and medicine surplus in the city. With his compound, we could surely rally the citizens of Aian to our side and ensure that our forces have what we need to make it through this fight. He is said to have a large number of guards in his compound, with any luck our team has whittled that number down and taken the warehouse. We can see Kesinger’s compound from here, it looks like the fighting is still going strong. It is not far through the streets to get there.

I want your two teams to scout out each of these compounds and assist The Movement in securing each location. If you see the opportunity, make sure to end the lives of Zhong and Kesinger. They are evil men and will fight against Tarvesh until their last breath is drawn. There will be rewards for you each if you succeed in your tasks.

He looks to your group, For your bravery in bringing Mintz down, you may choose your target first.

<Action 2 - Discuss & choose a target. I will go with majority opinion but would like you all to come to consensus. Asking questions about each/either is fine too. I might have time to reply to some on the board today>

Group Loot: 11 Shins - I will track looted Shins and distribute when appropriate

Cyphers: (Most pages #’s refer to Technology Compendium - let me know if you don’t have book and I will add more detail. If page number begins with “c.” - the cypher is in the Corebook)