Zelly seems sad as she sees the notice from Winya. But she doesn't linger. She seems to have something to do, at least, and goes about her business, leaving Kohlingen and coming back every now and then. She's never gone for long.

_________________

*Another Winya Councilman removes the original message left for the city of Cordor and the other settlements they were posted. When asked, the male elf identifies himself as Councilor Azaquis, he apologizes for the display and states a new and proper message will be placed soon.*

_________________

Hearing of Azaquis' removal of the notices, and subsequent assurance a proper notice will be posted soon, Tuomas nods to himself , seeming contented for now.

But he did keep his eyes to the notice boards.

These are of course removed along the routes from Oakmist Vale to Cordor North, and the Bramble Woods, also from Oakmist Vale westward to the Green Lake, including the area surrounding the Shrine of Mielikki, and also from Oakmist Vale north and west to Winya. These are the routes regularly patrolled by Crow.
// And yes, I take Crow along these routes IC, regularly.

_________________

This scathing note would be left in the noticeboards of Cordor.

MURDER OF THE MONOLITH!

Murder: The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

It has been murder that has been committed by the Commonwealth of Cordor's Ministry of Magic. They have attacked and killed members of the Monolith's staff, in an act of MURDER. To start a war that the Monolith tried their absolute hardest to avoid, they have struck low, and struck hard. The Monolith of Mystra is gone.

The ones of the fraternity known as the Arcanum, is to blame. Some history of the Arcanum... The Arcanum has been founded from those who are descendant of or share the same philosophy of the ancient mages of Netheril--particularly, the one known as Karsus. A cabal of human male mages who are of the belief that being nonhuman means you are filth. Being of a different sex means you are trash, and being incapable of grasping the power of the Weave means you are cattle.

These men openly flaunt a derision for the gods, particularly Mystra and Her servants. This is a dangerous belief. Karsus himself seemed to be of the same belief--in his arrogance, he sought to merge himself with Mystryl, the goddess of magic of that age. Casting one of the most powerful spell ever known to exist, he merged himself with Mystryl. The result... Was disaster.

Karsus could not control the power of the Weave, and Mystryl was forced to sacrifice herself to save the very planes themselves. All magic ceased to be for those few moments, and the legendary flying cities of Netheril fell to the earth. Thousands died, a new Mystra was born--all for one man's arrogance.

Look, people of Cordor. Look at who stands before you. Know their intentions and their motivations. The Ministry of Magic does not want to protect you. Seeing this, is the difference between being free in the Commonwealth that you have created, or suffering under the yolk of a few mage's insane ambition.

Think, look, listen, and finally... Learn.

_________________
SANITY... Is for the WEAK!

Playing:

Estreia Jr'eivra: (Mostly retired, play on request)

Annaelith: Protector and Archer

Tyl'modaes Mys'shori: Bladesinger-in-training

Corstina Flameblade: Batsh*t crazy Kaxanar

_________________
Amia Minecraft Server Ip: vps1602.directvps.nl
NWN Damage Calculator: http://www.afterlifeguild.org/Thott/dnd/
NWN Build Calculator: http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Other.Detail&id=856

Otto comes across the message, curious about the subject he takes it in word for word. after about a minute his eye pauses on something and his eyes widen...a loud "WHAT?!" can be heard perhaps from a block away.



shortly after the hin is nowhere to be seen

_________________

"The world takes and takes, even things that aren't offered. Finally, it gave us something back; I wish he was here to share it with me."

Town criers begin to shout a message on behalf of Bill Hurst, Editor of the Amian Recorder and Secretary of the Press.

"Secretary of Press Bill Hurst to interview Secretary of Magic S. Pelczukr in a hard-nosed, one-on-one interview about claims of war crimes! If you want a difficult question posed, responded to, and published, drop the question in Hurst's mailbox! No attribution of the question necessary!"

Next just about every notice related to Bill Hurst that can be found in the city currently, is posted a caricature that appears to be of Hurst, or someone very much like him, stabbing several figures wildly, figures representing the Monolith, the Commonwealth Guard, Kohlingen, and perhaps the most direly wounded for it lies bleeding on the ground in apparent death, the Commonwealth itself. Written beneath this gruesome caricature are a few simple sentences.

Bill Hurst is a traitor to all, a friend of none. If you want the truth people of Cordor, you cannot look to the Secretary of the so-called press to find it for you, you must look for it yourself. Heed the warnings of Kohlingen, the Shrine, and the Monolith. I have witnessed the actions o the Arcanum in the past. They are an evil we do not want our proud city to succumb to. We've stood defiant against all sorts of tests from the outside, why should we submit to evils from within? Men like Bill Hurst and the members of the Arcanum are a stain against everything we stand for. Find the truth, and bring it against them. Let its light expose them for what they really are, and let them be destroyed so our Commonwealth, our Home, can truly be free.

It is signed with a hand many who have worked for or with the Commonwealth Guard in the past would probably recognize

~Citizen Taelar Ardelyn of the Commonwealth of Cordor~

A figure in obsidian armor with a tabard depicting a blue griffin rearing defiantly on its hind legs against a field of black nods once to himself as he tacks up the last of the notices.

No doubt he will dismiss it, or the easily willed people here will twist it. But I had to make my position clear to everyone, if it wasn't already. Even though it is no longer asked of me, this place is where I was born and if need be, it will be where I die if it means she can have her chance at being free.

_________________
Sir Taelar Ardelyn of Wiltun
Winner of the Razor Tongued Award 2015!

Kira "Penny" Sigers
Better than Boulderdash!

The following letter is circulated throughout the typical diplomatic circuits of Kohlingen, Winya, the Shrine, the Dale, the Grove. A copy is sent to the Commonwealth Center in Cordor, as well.

And it finds its way into the hands of the remaining Monolith refugees in Kohlingen. It is posted on the noticeboards of Kohlingen and the Dale, as well as a few settlements along major trade-routes: Wharftown and Uhm. It is also (defiantly?) posted on the noticeboards in Cordor.


It is my unfortunate duty to announce the loss of the Monolith of Mystra.

As the aurora borealis that originated in Cordor arrived over the tower, on the evening of the twenty-eighth of Tarsakh, the fullest extent of the sabotage done to the Machine on the labs floor was revealed. Sabotage admitted to publicly by Secretary S. Pelczukr of the Ministry of Magic in the Council's public address to the Commonwealth. Sabotage and crimes and acts of war admitted by the Ministry of Magic, and publicly supported by the Speaker of the Council.

The machine activated itself as the ley-energy of the aurora funneled into it, and began its process of translocation. Empowered by the massive flux of ley-energy that originated in Cordor, there was nothing the remaining guild could do to stop it. All of our research led us to a singular conclusion at the eleventh hour: To stop this very process. To interrupt it. To not allow it to complete would have caused a release of energy, that would have back-lashed through the aurora to its origin: Cordor.

The Machine's process had to complete. This required an individual to sit upon the chair that was connected to the Device, else the loop of energy would not finalize, and the machine would have overloaded, causing a back-lash release of energy. Mentaki took this sacrifice upon himself, without pause or hesitation. May Azuth bless and protect him. Professor Meram was lost as well, as she remained to aid the guild, may she find peace in Mystra's embrace.

The process was completed, ensuring the people of Cordor were not endangered by the very sabotage conducted by Cordor's Ministry of Magic! However, the entire tower has been lost as a result. Too many of our own have been lost as a result. Even as we are cast as enemies of Cordor by those who imperil Cordor. The indisputable fact remains. Murder and sabotage was inflicted upon the Monolith of Mystra by the Arcanum and Cordor's Ministry of Magic. Acts of war, admitted in public by the Ministry of Magic and supported by the Speaker. The nature of this sabotage not only imperiled the people of Cordor, but it was the cause for the loss of the Monolith. The loss of our own.

All the while the Council presses charges against the Monolith. Claiming the Monolith planned to assassinate members of the Council. That we harbored the terrorist organization known as B.L.A.C.K. These claims were never substantiated. They are outright lies. A desperate attempt to justify vile acts of aggression. These empty accusations ring hollow compared to the loss of the Monolith. All that is left now is but a gaping hole. A hole now filled by the Trackless Sea, where the bastion of magic devoted to the gods of magic once stood. Meanwhile, the enemies of the gods of magic reign in Cordor's Ministry of Magic.

The Arcanum controlled Ministry of Magic willfully imperiled their own people in order to strike a massive blow against the Monolith. This is intolerable. This is reprehensible. It is madness and lunacy of the highest degree. If you think upon the ramifications: had the Mystran guild attempted to save the tower, the resulting backlash of energy would have wreaked havoc over Cordor. Was the Ministry of Magic willing to risk the lives of the citizens they are supposed to protect in a gambit to strike a blow to the bastion of magic that was the Monolith? How does this sabotage help 'protect' the people of Cordor, as Secretary Pelczukr claims was the motivation of ordering the attack and sabotage upon the Monolith, and murder of its personnel, in the first place?

The answer is a disturbing one. It does not. All it does is further the agenda of the Arcanum. At the peril of innocent lives.

*Signed*
`Ulrik Valis

_________________
Playing:
Marcus Valis

The copper kin named Zelly appears to be the courier responsible for delivering these notices, as well as for placing one inside Cordor on its notice boards. If someone sees her, which is very likely, considering how much she tends to stand out, she looks very uncomfortable to be anywhere near the city of Cordor. One would think she's under attack, as panicked as she runs about doing this errand for her comrades.

_________________

*a certain Wild-Elf reads this... and she cant help but laugh*

"The tower of thieves... stolen from them... how ironic!"

_________________


"It is by the holy beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning, it is by Java alone that I set my mind in motion."

A couple days after the destruction of the Monolith becomes public, a new poster appears at several locations in Cordor, mostly areas somewhat isolated from Guard patrols, or not often patroled. The posters all appear sometime after sunrise, but before noon is rung on the city's bells. They all show several people lined up next to eachother, facing out from the paper. The first is a human man wearing glasses, and in the typical accoutrements of a finance ministry clerk. Below him, reads the words:

Commonwealth Born, Check
Commonwealth Bred, Check
Working for the interests of Commonwealth citizens, Check.

The next seems to be another man, this time in the garb of the Ministry of Justice's clerks and workers. The words under this fellow are the same as those under the Finance clerk, as are the words under the next two persons, a woman in the garb of the Ministry of Health and Public Welfare, and a man in the Ministry of Labor's attire.

The last is a depiction of an Arcanum Mage. Below him reads:

Commonwealth Born, X
Commonwealth Bred, X
Working for the interests of a Worldwide Cabal of Foreign Mages, Check

At the top of the page reads the caption "Can you pick out the one that doesn't belong?"

_________________

Named Most Influential Character, Amia Awards 2011

The propaganda is anwered, for the time being, only by its collection and reprinting by Hurst in pricey, glossy special editions of the Amian Recorder. Even propaganda that mocks him! Somehow, the whole process seems to turn the most comical propaganda into a joke or revelry of some kind...but it nonetheless gets greater coverage than the distributors could have hoped for...

In addition, a statement is made by the Commonwealth Center that an arrest warrant for the suspected Harpers, Alanna, Torin, Jud'vardas, and Ulrik has been deferred on "lack of sufficient evidence", with the promise that an investigation is ongoing.

Another poster appears, within Cordor's borders and outside it's bounds, this time the drawing is of an Arcanum Magi glowering out at the reader as his boney fingers clutch a gnarled staff. His other hand points out emphaticly at the audience. In the background, a small, empty island can be seen in the midst of the sea. The caption on it reads: "You see the price of challenging us. Now, what shall we accuse you of if you don't kneel before us?"

_________________

Named Most Influential Character, Amia Awards 2011

_________________
If i am not about when you are, but you would like to RP with Valkin, chose a time in red (GMT+8) / add character name PM me ICLY/OCC :http://teamup.com/ks662ccbfedda01eb0/

A certain half-elf in greys reads over the latest Amian Recorder, looking thoughtful as he takes a ship to Wiltun.

_________________

*posted once, on one of the notice boards in Cordor*

I'd like to take a minute to point out the key word here:



...so if the Arcanum works for the Ministry of Magic or better yet -is- the Ministry, and the Ministry serves the Council of the Commonwealth of Cordor, such an action may have been authorized by the Council away from public eyes (to prevent possible hysteria [which might hurt trade or something], meddlesome adventurers mucking up perfectly good plans, or some other perfectly logical reason[inserted here]) All done in the best interest of the Commonwealth (For Cordor's benefit after all is the first and foremost priority), and therefore be lawful, and in fact not considered 'murder' under (their) law.

That is all.

-the note is left unsigned
(However the style of writing might be identifiable by certain individuals)

_________________
When good wins the day, and evil is destroyed, then the movie is over ...and you do something else.

Let's make it, not over.

*A new batch of notices from Winya is left by the Councilor Azaquis.*

_________________

Having spent at least some of his time in Kohlingen before the attack, Sand now makes himself scarce in the holy city, no doubt due to bad memories. However, when he finds out the reason the tower was lost he is heard to audibly exclaim:

"Arronax and Adin...and now the Ministry!! And now they lose the tower?!? Someone tell me why in Mystras name they had that machine in there in the FIRST PLACE!!"

He then marches off to do....I dunno, wizardly stuff or some such.

_________________
The Incredible Johnny Space

'Sand'

The Shadow

Master Lemming

_________________

// Posted anonymously on a player's behalf.

Atuil would nudge Gorthod, pointing out the newest posters dropped by whomever, just giving him a odd look.

Some adventurers have heard of a plane called Pandemonium.

The lower case adjective of the plane's name erupts in Cordor when the strange messages from the heavens open to reveal gold.

Merchants abandon their stalls, browbeating helpless assistants to mind the wares while they rush through the streets, snatching at parcels even before they've reached the ground. Commoners come streaming out of their homes and, to the anger and irritation of the guards, some even take to fighting openly with another, and several charges of battery and outright assault are handed out as fists meet faces and the weaker are tackled and kicked in the street until the wealth is disseminated either to the strongest or "by committee". Clerks abandon their offices for the morning and the Commonwealth Center grinds to a halt as they raise ladders to climb to the roofs and belltowers of the Commonwealth Center to rescue parcels of coin dangling from windowsills or trapped on rooftops.

The canals of the City of Water flow with golden Monties and copious ink from the parchments that land in them, bleeding out, unread.

Those that are read illicit horror. Some abandon their wealth almost as quickly as they snatch it from the ground, fearful of some implication in what it appear is a bold call for the murder of their own statesmen!

Most, however, do not. Most walk away much richer than before, though with some irritation that the coins aren't minted properly.

Within the hour, criers are announcing the words of Speaker Joseph Maximillian to the public:

"Citizens of the Commonwealth! Today we have seen the true colors of the Mystrans, who even in the midst of our peaceful investigation into their claims are not satisfied with the course of justice! Their intent is written clearly for all eyes to see. Our innocence, as a city, as a state, as a commonwealth, is lost in the face of these open declarations of war.

As acting Minister of Law, I hereby take the executive action to outlaw the practice of the Mystran and Azuthan faiths on the counsel of Secretary Pelczukr, who assures me that this threat of assassination comes not only from the remnants of the Monolith but from any who worship the Gods of Magic and do not agree with the secularized, magocratic approach of the Arcanum. We do not fear for the lives of our statesmen, however, citizens; they are well-defended, and should you have family or family members who are Mystran or Azuthan by faith and disavow these deplorable actions, have them report immediately to the city gates and invoke clemency. The Ministry of Magic is prepared to guarantee their safety. The Commonwealth of Cordor will not make the mistake of Collin Reyes and declare war upon the gods themselves, but we will not be threatened and murdered by their followers without taking all necessary action to defend our people!

In addition, as acting Minister of Finance, I encourage you to bring any monies collected from this propaganda to the Commonwealth Center, where you will be compensated their value in Commonwealth Crowns. The Ministry of Magic has need of this currency to track the guilty parties through the use of divinations. Lady Tristana of Waukeen will be assisting, and equally condemns this open warfare.

Current Citizens of the Commonwealth who are magically active are immediately required to report to the Commonwealth Center for a review of your citizenship status."

The announcement comes with no Council convening and no discussion. Xaviera receives a terse apology from the Speaker himself, stating that the situation demanded immediate and decisive action.

Throughout the day, several notable individuals within the city condemn the remnants of the Mystran Monolith for these actions, including Lady Tristana of Waukeen, who states that it is a grotesque misuse of coinage and that she is disappointed and truly thought the Mystrans to be more sensible than this. For most of the day, the wizard of the Merchant Hall remains quiet, but by sundown, even he has to speak out against it by simply stating, "I do not understand this. I truly do not understand this."

In spite of the fear generated by the threat against the State, there is a great deal of "partying" done throughout the day and well into the night as the pennies from heaven enter into the consumer cycle and are spent, spent, spent on luxuries.

The City Guard and the Adventuring Division of the Guard in the South receive the familiar old order to double security and increase the lengths of their shifts while the State is in imminent danger.

The following morning, several citizens with claims to being magicians - wizards and sorcerors, the vast majority of them - gather in the foyer of the Commonwealth Center. Ministry of Magic clerks, wearing their dark robes and grim faces, apologize for the uncomfortable conditions but claim that they cannot use their own offices while the Ministry of Law continues its ongoing investigation into the Mystrans' claims of their corruption. Instead, these citizens are taken to many of the same secure siderooms where Citizenship Examinations are administered and are subjected to intense questioning, at the end of which they are asked...in an eerily ritualistic way that the most prominent of magical citizens recognize as a powerful geas...

...to never wield the Art against the State.

Also that following morning, the people of Wharftown awaken, well after dawn. Many of the fisherman of the small fishing village complain about oversleeping and missing their first casts. Others claim they slept "the sleep of the dead", a dreamless sleep, a very restful sleep, one that for some left a terrible crick in the neck.

It isn't until a Wharftown militiamen finds the door to a private residence standing open and, upon investigation, finds that it was kicked in that questions start to crop up. A thorough investigation finds evidence of a kidnapping, but no indication of who conducted the kidnapping or why.

The identity of the kidnapped remains confidential, however. "It is best not to talk about these things until we know more about what's going on," is the only answer anyone gives. "Especially with everyone jumping to so damn many conclusions these days."

_________________
Aernoud Van Brabant: Heir of the House. Proprietor of the Beer Wagon.
"Go to the Mayfields, have a pint, and wait for this to blow over."
Aurelius: Sunmaster of Amaunator. Contemplative. Aspirant to Transcendance.
"Sol Invictus"

_________________

"The world takes and takes, even things that aren't offered. Finally, it gave us something back; I wish he was here to share it with me."

Blissfully unaware of the happenings of Cordor, Tuomas sat in a small room inside a tower working at a scholar's desk, pouring over a map that he had been given to examine, obviously thoughtful and obviously taking his time to thoroughly try to comprehend the contents of this particular map and to glean insight from it.

When Shala discovers what has happened, it takes the entirety of her will to draw herself back, to let the hot rush in her veins simmer down and cool until it everything hardened. A bottle to take the edge off, to blind the rage just enough for the night.

'They have until the morning.'

'Then I'm going to hunt them down, and I'm going put them at the bottom of the ocean in pieces to feed the sharks.'

_________________

_________________
Playing:
Marcus Valis

Lady Emma would have returned back into Kohlingen from an overnight excursion into the wilds for-- of all things-- a camping trip-- only to be greeted at her house with both urgent messages from her maidservant Sarah who has been helping to mind the household in Cordor in her absence and a grim-faced Ulrik.

She stands as a statue receiving the news, her face somewhere between steeled resolution and abject terror. She races up the stairs to send a letter to her Uncle where he and her family stay in Waterdeep. "My Uncle must come home; I can no longer enter Cordor and what will become of our entire livelihood and home?" She says in rushed passing on her way up to her rooms.

_________________

Quick Letters sent by Lady Emma from Kohlingen:



This one is hand-delivered from Young Ballinore as he sails from Kohlingen to Cordor, directly into the hands of her maidservant at the Vaughn household before he turns on his heel and heads back to sail again to the Holy City.

_________________

Presuming word is sent regarding this to Tuomas (who had apparently slept in the Keep's tower which serves as a Magical office), promptly sighs but nods and looks to Ulrik knowingly.

"If you could pass along that I'm willing to speak to the Justicar on this new development as well at leisure, I'd be greatly appreciative. For now, I'm going to wash up and continue work on studying this Map." he said.

---

Meanwhile, Vaelmith on hearing the news growls but remains silent, giving a simple nod to Ulrik. It is obvious, the Elvish warrior was waiting for orders and ready to follow at this point.

A certain elven amputee, upon hearing of the incident in Wharftown, would race to his family's home.

He lingers in the town and does his best to find out who was taken.

_________________


Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)

::

On the very rare visits to the Commonwealth of Cordor, sir Robert is now always accompanied by one of his house guards. He pays little heed to the affairs taking place there, or at least has little reason to speak to anyone about it in a public fashion, not that he ever had much reason to speak to the common people of the City-State.

::

During the day after pennies fell from heaven, the rioting for coin has ceased, though a handful of plucky adventurers continue to scale buildings, scour alleyways, and dive to the bottom of Cordor Bay in search of parcels which may never have been found.

In a popular act of magnanimity, Speaker Joseph Maximillian publicly grants clemency to the multitude of citizens arrested by the Cordorian Guard for brawls incited by the propaganda, declaring that they are forgiven by their neighbors. Many of them go home to their families, praising his name for his generosity.

In the meantime, word spreads to other places across the island quickly through the merchants. Arcanists are discouraged from going to Cordor because the Ministry of Magic seems to simply "know" who is a magician and who is not, and they are forcing everyone into a "harmless" geas that prevents them from wielding magic against the Commonwealth of Cordor but otherwise has no impact on the Art.

The investigation into the Ministry of Magic continues, however, and a second invitation is extended to Kohlingen and, specifically, Sir Yaston, for assistance, especially now in light of this threat against the people. They are eager to determine the Arcanum's status one way or the other and do not want the Holy City to sit idly by and not send their representative.

Xaviera, drawn from the Temple of Love by the clamour without, inspects one of the pages that has floated down from the sky over Cordor and been discarded by its recipient, who is even now cackling over the literal windfall.

She gasps in shock and disbelief as she reads the missive, and immediately throws on her working clothes (vest, sturdy cloth long pants and hard-soled boots) and sets out in the company of Law Knight Sir Apollo or Guardsmen Benjamin or Belalad, whomever happens to be with her at the moment.

Wherever she happens to encounter citizens battling over the coins from the sky, she moves in, touching each with her staff to distract them from their cupidity with a jolt of pleasure. If necessary, she makes change for the brawlers, accepting the platinum Monties in exchange for golden Commonwealth coins divided equally among the disputants.

She carries as well healing kits and splits for those who have been injured in scuffles or in falling from roofs and high places in their quest for coin.

As the day goes on, the Guard presence in the streets increases and the riots turn away from battles for gold to drunken revelry, she finally finds some time to relax, sitting upon a bench and running her fingers through sweat-damp hair, sharing a few sips of date wine with her escort.

Maximillian's announcement, when brought to her attention, prompts another gasp of shock and horror.

"Citizens!" she cries out. "Clearly these coins are a plot to inflame the passions of the people and the Council, and clearly they have worked. I have never before heard of this 'prophet' nor, I wager, have any of you. And nowhere has this person claimed to represent the Monolith of Mystra. Those of the Monolith who worship Mystra and Azuth do so in the same way that many of you worship Waukeen, or Tymora - your faith is a part of your daily life, but you leave the business of the gods to the gods.

No, I think this is a plot by persons unknown to cause chaos in our city, and I call upon Speaker Maximillian to rescind his decree, made without consent of the Council. For the Minister to accept such draconian recommendations from a Ministry which is itself under investigation for supposed acts against the interests of Cordor itself makes no sense to me.

At the same time, let us not bring violence into our city. To offer bounties on members of the government is to invite revolt and mayhem. I call upon you, citizens, to remain calm, and to treat this as a grand, sick joke by someone with with more coin than good sense and a twisted desire to create discord and despair. I would personally suspect Cyricist or Sharran involvement on that basis alone, but as to that I have no real knowledge. I am sure that anyone who tries to act on this will receive no reward. So let cool heads prevail, my friends! Let us not turn upon our brothers and sisters, our neighbours, when we are faced with potentially more serious dangers from within and without."

She then leaves Cordor to visit representatives of the Monolith, the Shrine of Eilistraee, Kohlingen and the council of Winya, showing each the missives and providing them with a few coins, asking them to urgently conduct their own scrying experiments to try and locate the source of these coins and requesting a response as soon as possible.

Upon her return to town the next day, she visits the Commonwealth offices to acquaint herself with how things have gone overnight, only to learn of the alleged geases being placed upon citizens. This upsets her even more and she exchanges loud words with members of the Ministry of Magic, declaring their actions totally inappropriate, demanding that a 'review of citizenship status' should be conducted by the Ministry of Law and not the Ministry of Magic, and that what amounts to magical enslavement of the people is intolerable.

"This is not a Commonwealth, this is a tyranny! You cannot claim you support the freedom of the people then make them your slaves! I demand that the Ministry of Magic withdraw from this so-called 'investigation', and that the Speaker reverse the ban on the Mystrans and Azuthans, whose only danger is to the Arcanum! The Arcanum works for itself, not for Cordorians. Do you wish your city to be ruled by those who follow the same dogma as Tarkuul? Do you wish to become zombies in the service of Cordor?"

She insists on being present during the 'interviews' and, unless forcibly barred from them, objects strenuously to the casting of any spells on the interviewee, whoever he or she may be, going so far as to jostle the arms of the Ministry mages or touch them with her staff if they attempt to do so. She continues to inveigh against this treatment of Cordor's citizens until removed, silenced or she shouts herself hoarse.

_________________

~Sharess on AmiaWiki~
Priestess, politician, prostitute
"[They] were moving in on me like Sharessans on a new broad in the bath house" - Tracer Bolt
AmiaWiki mod (mostly inactive)

Circulated through the usual diplomatic circuits is the following terse letter.


The survivors of the guild of the Monolith of Mystra disavow knowledge of the parcels dropped over the city of Cordor calling for the assassination of members of the Commonwealth government. We are not responsible for such actions, nor the funding of such, nor the inciting of such. And furthermore, we condemn those responsible. We furthermore question the veracity of their origin as being from one of the Mystran faith, and will be conducting our own investigation into the matter.

Furthermore, we strongly condemn the actions taken by Speaker of the Council Joseph Maximillian. His actions are an affront to the faithful of the Lady of Mysteries and the Lord of Spells, and to the freedoms of the citizens of Cordor. Such actions taken in haste are imprudent, and we call for the immediate rescission of the decree outlawing the Mystran and Azuthan faiths. It seems that in one hand, it was claimed by Secretary Pelczukr that he was "certain" the origin was of those who have survived the loss of the Monolith. On the other hand, there are claims that the coins dropped over Cordor are needed in order to 'divine whom is responsible.' Is or is not the Ministry of Magic certain about whom was responsible? The answer is clear. This decree was issued without evidence, on the biased counsel of the Arcanum. This act taken by an unknown, rogue element is being used to unilaterally outlaw the faiths whose ideology diametrically oppose the Arcanum's.

To reiterate: The remnants of the Monolith of Mystra disavow and condemn the actions taken by a rogue element who only seems interested in the inflammation of a volatile situation. We condemn the unilateral actions of Speaker Maximillian, and call for the immediate rescission of the decree banning the faiths of Mystra and Azuth. We renew and repeat our charges against the Arcanum for unmitigated acts of hostility against the Monolith, as well as its loss, and call for the investigation so-promised to commence so justice might be done.

Mystra's blessings,
`Ulrik Valis

_________________
Playing:
Marcus Valis

"Sick jokesters do not spend the amount of coin it would have taken to arrange this spectacle, Minister Xee," Speaker Maximillian tells her evenly, maintaing a cool-headed bearing in spite of her protests that no one is thinking with a cool head. "Needless to say, the Arcanum is the only reliable source of information we have capable of determining the actual identity of the person or persons responsible. Foreign governments have every reason to tell us something other than the truth, but our own people in the Ministry of Magic would not steer us wrong on this. After all, they are currently under investigation, and have every reason to be honest, and the result of their dishonesty at this critical point in time will do much to their discredit," he adds, with a piercing glare towards Secretary Pelczukr, who malingers nearby, wordlessly. The threat is clear.

"I understand your concern about the welfare of the people, but I assure you they are not being manhandled. I encourage you to go to the parlors where even now the Ministry of Magic is ensuring their loyalty to their fellow man. When the Mystrans themselves act this way, calling for brutality and assassination, it would be foolish of me to do as you recommend and ignore it, laughing it off as a "joke". None of this has been a joke by any means. What you see here is our non-violent response. This is our peaceful response. We are maintaining a sensible demeanor without resorting to the kind of petty, "commoner" violence other governments on this island seem to expect out of us."

When Xaviera continues her protest that the Mystrans are not responsible for the parcels, Maximillian nods his head. "I disagree, as I think in light of the loss of their Monolith, they have every reason to blame the Arcanum for it. The timing of the strange incident is proving catastrophic. I would set the Ministry of Magic to investigate what became of the Monolith on their behalf, as a gesture of peace, but Secretary Pelczukr says this cannot be done while they do not have access to their offices because of the investigation. However, if you feel they are not the responsible party, I give you leave to dedicate whatever resources you deem necessary and have budgeted to you to find out who actually is responsible through whatever non-magical means you can muster. I knew even before you were elected that you were a woman of means. Though I would prefer those resources be spent seeing to the welfare of the public."

"In the meantime, I cannot rescind the decree against Mystrans and Azuthans. Very few of our citizens register under those faiths, and those that do have already been processed. While it may seem draconian, it, in fact, encourages Mystrans and Azuthans and remnants of the Monolith who may take umbrage with all of this to remain out of the Commonwealth where they can either do no harm, if they mean harm, or not put themseves at risk of getting themselves harmed by the people, if they do not, in fact, mean harm. I will not expend our security forces to "defend" them if they wander the city freely. I hope you see the wisdom in this action, Citizen Xee. The investigation into the Ministry of Magic is my primary concern at this moment and this belligerent reaction by the Mystrans is a distraction from that investigation. My edict removes them from the picture, both for the security of the investigation and for their own protection, if they are, as I doubt they are, guiltless."

Much of this Speaker Maximillian states loudly, and in no uncertain terms, before the assembled citizens who were rallied by Xaviera's cries. Though certain details of Maximillian's address to the Minister of Health and Public Welfare unsettle them, they are quieted and pacified.

When Xaviera returns to disrupt the geasing of magi, the clerks of the Ministry of Magic - also know as the Arcanum - simply cease their activities individually when she accosts them. They speak nothing to her, while the citizens submitting look at her fearfully...or angrily.

"Would you just let them do this?" one of them shouts at Xaviera. "I can't return to my way of life until it is over, and I have no problems with ensuring my loyalty to the people of the Commonwealth like you seem to. Which makes me wonder how you were ever elected in the first place, if you actually want us to use our magic against our neighbors."

"He's right! Get out of here and leave us be!"

"You are a cleric! Your spells come from a deity. You have no idea what it means to be born like us, or to have worked your whole life to learn the Art like us! The Commonwealth has freed us from slavery to the nobility! You say that what they're doing now is only more of that enslavement. Yes, it is unfair, but can you blame the people? I cannot. That is why I am making this sacrifice. I owe the government, and my people in the Commonwealth, for what they have done for me."

The Ministry of Magic does not engage in the politics of right and wrong, and simply cease what they are doing and stare at Xaviera when she accosts them physically, without uttering a word. When she turns to pursue others, they resume their work.

As one woman, she can do nothing but slightly hamper the geasing.

Having heard of what happened now, the Gnomish Wizard took a brief break outside to get some fresh air before going back to his efforts in the Keep of Kohlingen's tower, focused and intent on learning what he can about whatever was on the map he was studying.

~This.. hold that the Arcanum has on Cordor cannot be absolute.. there's a weakness to it.. we just need to find it.. ~ the Gnomish Wizard pondered as he continued to go over the Map.

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~Sharess on AmiaWiki~
Priestess, politician, prostitute
"[They] were moving in on me like Sharessans on a new broad in the bath house" - Tracer Bolt
AmiaWiki mod (mostly inactive)

*A few messenger seem to leave the keep of Kohlingen to more than one direction. One of the messengers find the diplomats of the Commonwealth in the Holy City. The servants of the Triad slowly begins to work to enforce justice.*

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Lord Hector Sylgerand
Glendil Fettian, the black bard

The diplomats from Cordor who had been placed in Kohlingen left on the day after Kohlingen released a statement condemning the people of the Commonwealth, pulled for their own safety not against the Justicar and the knights, but against the nobility they entertain.

Meanwhile, in the Commonwealth Center, the spectacle of Speaker Maximillian vs. Minister Xee ends in a tense silence, with the Speaker's jaw set firmly, peering down his bespectacled nose as the Minister-Elect departs the building.

The only sound is a soft, derisive snort of laughter at her back.

Secretary Pelczukr's Arcanum mask of silence is cracked, slightly, in a menacing smirk.

Ruby and her elven and fey companions, trying to make their regular visit to the Temple of Love to care for the statue of Sheela, are met by guards and barred entry (her elven companion openly wears a symbol of Mystra), Ruby simply stares and listens to their reasons/arguements in shock before slowly turning away from the gates, looking on the edge of tears as she stumbles away, the elf and fey quickly catching back up to her and walking beside her.

Ruby seems to have vanished from the polished walls and wonderful scents of the Temple, not returning. The Sheela statue goes back to its old state of being tended only by the Temple staff and those who glance at it for half a second from time to time and never again gaily decorated with naturally-grown Bendir Dale flowers.

*In that case the mentioned missive would be sent directly to the Commonwealth Center, to Secretary Jay Edgar Mover.*

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Lord Hector Sylgerand
Glendil Fettian, the black bard

*The Grandmaster looks at Tuomas.*
but it is evident....pride is their greatest weakness

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Lord Hector Sylgerand
Glendil Fettian, the black bard