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Pyras approaches a patrolling, armored member of the Triumvirate in the streets of Sestra after having spent many an hour surveying the city himself. Many thoughts in his mind are abound in regard to the condition of the city, and as is so often the case, the Red Wizard doesn't hesitate to speak his mind. Pyras waits to greet the patrolling temple-goer until he's satisfied that enough people are in the vicinity of the discussion about to occur.
"Pleasant day, Cleric" comes the initial, monotonous salutation. "Might I have a word?"
The member of the Triumvirate turns to face the man conversing with him, casting a wary, uncertain look at the Red Wizard. "What is it, Thayan?"
"I have noticed that the people of Sestra are enduring substantial hardship and that, despite your appreciable best efforts, many are displaced without a source of income. I do believe that, in partnership with the Triumvirate, the Enclave could yield a solution."
As a slight smile tugs at Pyras' cheeks, quite the opposite expression dons the face of the temple-goer as an element of distaste floods his voice. "What business do you think to bring, Red?"
"As I'm sure your astute institution is aware, the Enclave has been given the rights to mine some of the minerals present in Sestra." Pyras responds with a slight inclination of his head. "Rather than employing our own resources to make this happen, we've decided that it would be more fitting to give the job opportunities to the citizens of Sestra, allowing them to mine for us."
"Then you wish to exploit those who have already suffered?" Comes the return from the priest, almost barking his accusing words.
"Do not allow your prejudice to cloud your judgment, good priest. We are exploiting nobody, and are in fact offering reasonable wages to the citizens who otherwise have no source of income. Be reasonable."
A brief moment of silence fills the air as the priest's visage is contorted with anger and evident distrust for the Red Wizard. When the cleric finally speaks again, his tone does nothing to mask his feelings.
"It isn't a matter of cold logic and reason! It's a matter of moral integrity! We don't need your coin or ill-gotten resources!"
"It is immoral to offer job opportunities to the starving and desolate? That would be laughable were in not so tragic. You say that you don't need our coin or resources, but that is only because you exist in a comfortable temple in the heart of the wealthy Sundren-proper. What of these men and women who are, quite literally, dying at your feet!" Pyras responds, his voice escalating as he continues, eventually matching the priest in tone.
"The Triumvirate will not allow the people of Sestra to partake in the affairs of Thay!"
"Of course not. You wouldn't dare allow a people to make their own decisions; instead you allow them to live without income, and without means to provide for themselves. You only allow for their continued suffering. We come with solutions, Cleric."
"We don't want your solutions!" Screams the priest with a tone of finality.
Taking a long moment to meet the eyes of the unreasonable member of the Triumvirate, Pyras shakes his head. Before speaking, he turns to meet the eyes of as many citizens as have gathered to hear the argument. Rather than raising another point of his own, the Red Wizard simply turns his piercing, accusing eyes back to the priest, repeating his words in a hushed, morbid tone.
"You don't..."
"Want..."
"Solutions."
With that, Pyras turns on his heel to depart from the city, teleporting away in an assuring display of capability to the engaged citizens. He leaves the note of the discussion lingering in the air in his wake, allowing the citizens to bask in the notion that the Triumvirate is failing to uphold their better interests.
"Pleasant day, Cleric" comes the initial, monotonous salutation. "Might I have a word?"
The member of the Triumvirate turns to face the man conversing with him, casting a wary, uncertain look at the Red Wizard. "What is it, Thayan?"
"I have noticed that the people of Sestra are enduring substantial hardship and that, despite your appreciable best efforts, many are displaced without a source of income. I do believe that, in partnership with the Triumvirate, the Enclave could yield a solution."
As a slight smile tugs at Pyras' cheeks, quite the opposite expression dons the face of the temple-goer as an element of distaste floods his voice. "What business do you think to bring, Red?"
"As I'm sure your astute institution is aware, the Enclave has been given the rights to mine some of the minerals present in Sestra." Pyras responds with a slight inclination of his head. "Rather than employing our own resources to make this happen, we've decided that it would be more fitting to give the job opportunities to the citizens of Sestra, allowing them to mine for us."
"Then you wish to exploit those who have already suffered?" Comes the return from the priest, almost barking his accusing words.
"Do not allow your prejudice to cloud your judgment, good priest. We are exploiting nobody, and are in fact offering reasonable wages to the citizens who otherwise have no source of income. Be reasonable."
A brief moment of silence fills the air as the priest's visage is contorted with anger and evident distrust for the Red Wizard. When the cleric finally speaks again, his tone does nothing to mask his feelings.
"It isn't a matter of cold logic and reason! It's a matter of moral integrity! We don't need your coin or ill-gotten resources!"
"It is immoral to offer job opportunities to the starving and desolate? That would be laughable were in not so tragic. You say that you don't need our coin or resources, but that is only because you exist in a comfortable temple in the heart of the wealthy Sundren-proper. What of these men and women who are, quite literally, dying at your feet!" Pyras responds, his voice escalating as he continues, eventually matching the priest in tone.
"The Triumvirate will not allow the people of Sestra to partake in the affairs of Thay!"
"Of course not. You wouldn't dare allow a people to make their own decisions; instead you allow them to live without income, and without means to provide for themselves. You only allow for their continued suffering. We come with solutions, Cleric."
"We don't want your solutions!" Screams the priest with a tone of finality.
Taking a long moment to meet the eyes of the unreasonable member of the Triumvirate, Pyras shakes his head. Before speaking, he turns to meet the eyes of as many citizens as have gathered to hear the argument. Rather than raising another point of his own, the Red Wizard simply turns his piercing, accusing eyes back to the priest, repeating his words in a hushed, morbid tone.
"You don't..."
"Want..."
"Solutions."
With that, Pyras turns on his heel to depart from the city, teleporting away in an assuring display of capability to the engaged citizens. He leaves the note of the discussion lingering in the air in his wake, allowing the citizens to bask in the notion that the Triumvirate is failing to uphold their better interests.
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