Tamryn Addresses the People, Again

[Raksha]

Tamryn steps up on the stage in the Entertainment District. She's carefully warded with every unobtrusive spell she can load up on, since nothing ruins a speech quite like getting shot in the head.

"People of Sundren, Friends.

I come out here to speak to you today, in order to keep you current with the most recent happenings, and assure you of the nature of some of the rumors that have been going around of late. The enemies of the land and the people have, of late, grown rather exorbitant in what they will claim. Those who serve the Black Hand, and their allies, are all too ready to tell you that black is white and white is black."

"They think you're stupid. I know better than that, citizens."

"Has the city been attacked? Have there been further attacks on people within these walls? Yes. I likely don't need to tell most of you, but less than a tenday ago the Black Hand staged an open attack upon me, my allies, and the guards that serve every day in an effort to keep you safe. Some died. More were wounded. I was captured... and," she sucks in a breath, "I still bear the marks of what they did to me. But this attack has shown us all that in this time of strife and danger, we cannot allow small differences to divide us. We must be, united, Sundren, or our enemies -- your enemies -- will gain the upper hand."

"Has there been a response to these attacks? Yes. The forges of the land are busy smithing armor and weapons to better protect our guards and soldiers. The mages and priests that have sworn their arts to protect us have been countering the foul magics of the enemy, to make our cities and homes truly safe from invasion."

"And to no one's great surprise, the rumors start coming. The Black Hand lacks the courage to directly address you as I am doing now, likely because they know what fate befalls those who murder and torture and believe they can escape the hand of justice. They also prefer to spread rumors from the cover of anonymity because it's more frightening. They want to scare you, people of Sundren, even as they shrink in fear from the prospect of your retribution against traitors and decievers."

"Rumors that the Temple of the Triumvirate sat idly by in the attacks?" Tamryn laughs derisively. "One of the least convincing stories I have heard in a long time. The attacks were aimed at us -- at me, and at my brother-in-arms Hano, and at the brave individuals who helped us stand against the Banites in our city. Can they really claim inactivity when the blade across my back bit into the shadowy substance of our attackers alongside those of the Red Blades and the Legion? Apparently they do."

"Rumors that the very wardings that have been created to protect you are instead... mind-control devices? Amazing. Truly amazing." She shakes her head. "Those that start this rumor are seemingly allied with those who attacked the city in the first place. Who insist on violating the city's limits, attacking innocents and guardsmen, and causing the need for the wardings in the first place! Do they really expect you to think that they, who shed the blood of citizens on the streets, have your interests in mind?"

"Rumors that the Black Hand is the savior from corrupt and evil paladins? Let me leave you this thought, citizens."

"The man who claims loudly in the marketplace, 'Look at me! I am good! I am giving to the poor, see these coins! I am doing good, see my works! Look at me!', is he good? If he really had the best interests of the people in mind, would he be proclaiming his righteousness where everyone could hear it? And if he quietly murdered and oppressed in the dark hours of the night, yet proclaimed his goodness where everyone could see it, would it make him good?"

She kneels on the stage, letting her head bow for a moment before she looks up at whatever audience has gathered. "I don't pretend to tell you that we're perfect, citizens. That I am perfect. I make mistakes. I bleed, and cry, and ..heh... sometimes just want to curl up in my bed and wish it would all go away. I do not pretend to be better than you are; I don't pretend to be some sort of beneficent hero who condescends to give you praise. I -- we -- all of us. We are your servants. We serve you."

"Remember this, people of Sundren." Tamryn rises with a bit of a grimace. "The Black Hand cannot rule this land without buying you off. Without striking fear or bribing you when fear fails. They cannot succeed while you are free-willed and strong. While we -- the Triumvirate, the Legion, the Alliance -- we cannot succeed unless you are strong. Unless you care strongly enough to help us, your servants."

A smile touches her lips as she looks out across the city. "And you, people of Sundren, are strong. You live in a harsh and unforgiving land. You've fought gnolls and goblins and orcs to not only survive here, but thrive. You are strong. And that is why the Black Hand fears you."

[Silas North]

"Hello... hello... my name is.. "
Osclow stopped in mid-sentence, clearing his throat and focus as he attempts once more to speak in a voice not his own. He was the only one present in the quarters of the Triumvirate at the time, and it was perhaps best that such was the case. The presence of another would likely bring about a great deal of confusion as to how a man in his 20's spoke with the voice of a pleasant young woman roughly the same age. This was a hurdle he needed to clear however. Doing so would make similar matters all the more easier to accomplish. The markings upon his gloves shinned breifly once more, a dull light easily concealed by the drapping sleeves of the robes the bard adorned. His slender frame was perhaps convincing enough to pull off this role he was working upon. He was a bit tall perhaps, but hiding his face was easy enough and Fenton had often teased him about how narrow his shoulders were. A use for his damned inheirited trait had been found at last.
"Hello.. .my name is.." quickly his mind raced for a name. For the time being, it mattered not what he chose. He simply spoke the first name that came to mind. "My name is Calandra.... Pleased to meet you."
It sounded convincing in his mind; very convincing in fact. Yet, the bard could not help but feel a bit foolish. He was dressed in very gender-neutral clothing, yet felt he might as well be prancing about in a white frilly dress. To think that it had come to this. Again and again he reasoned with himself the necessity of this. If he could play a convincing enough woman, the other roles he had in mind would be mere child's play. The symbols upon his glove glowed once more as he spoke again in a voice unsuitable for what many may consider a handsome minstrel of wit, tales, and ever-so-suggestive light smiles meant for whatever alluring woman catches his eye. It took a while and many a sleepless nights, but the bard believed he was finally mastering the use of a new weapon to add to his arsenal... to add to the arsenal of those that serve and protect Sundren. His face, and to a lesser extent his voice, were too well known to be in support of the Triumvirate. That merely meant another face and another voice were necessary.

Shortly after Tamryn's speech, many individuals of many accents, forms of dress, and tone of voice both male and occasionally female make their way from gossip to gossip, crier to crier, patron to patron.

"Can you really trust anyone that speaks well of Neradnal? A man who butchered numerous innocent people, including women and children? Can you really chalk THAT up for being for the greater good of the people?"

"Ey... I really dun be thinkin' friends of that bloody elven warlock Alyrian be speakin' for ta people. Didja know it was the warlock that be leadin' that blasted group of shadows inta the city? Killed a lot of onlookers as well as guards."

"..dark rituals yes. Hideous rituals where they take random people, EVEN if they were not loyal to the city authorities and torture them all to please their dark god Bane. They supposedly take your soul after so that even in DEATH you suffer."

"Yup... dem guys is dark. Be working in ma field. Dey be killin' ma cows jus fer fun. Be laughin' at me too when I come to see. Dey tried to set my crops ablaze as well jus cuz I be refusin' to bow before Bane."

"Hano... Tamryn...everyone.. I am with you...til the end."

[The Ice Hag]

Braghuru stood at the back of the crowd, her face concealed beneath her flowing black hood. She listened intently to the cunning words of the warrior priest, listened as her empassioned speech gained hold of the peasant throngs.
She endevoured to stir a sense of comraderie and mutual understanding among the masses, inevitbly failing to realize the people cared little for whom provided them protection and security, as long as it was provided.

She spoke of a war she could not understand, for the ultimate purpose of the ensuing struggle was far too complex for one of her limited comprehension to grasp.

"Enjoy your respite while you can child, for soon all shall fall upon bended knee in reverence of the coming storm."

[Gamling]

Nulinus applauded her speech when she was done, hoping to inspire those who listened. He slowly stoped his clapping as he snapped on his head band and left in a hurry. "There's still work to be done." he mutters.

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric listens to his contact as he tells him what Tamryn said to the crowd* "Very well done Tamryn, now the move is mine."

Elric smiles as he gives orders out to some of the Bane flunkies striding about.

"I need five large tents, to be erected at the crossroads. I also need food and drink for 500 people. I also need some posters placed about Sundren. I am going to address the public as Tamryn did, but not in the city, of course I would probably be arrested if that happened. I also need a number of guards to be dressed as commoners in case Tamryn and her group show up."

I plan to address the public and let them know what Tamryn and Hano and their Ilk are all about.