The Artifact has been stolen!

[Machiavelli]

A simple statement is issued by Balthasar of the Triumvirate, passed on to the town criers, and word of its contents quickly spreads among the common people.

The statement itself is minimal in content.

"The Netherese artifact known as 'Genum's Cube' has been stolen by followers of Talona while being transported between Mirakus Post and the Temple of the Triumvirate. All possible efforts are being made to ensure it is retrieved promptly. Anyone possessing information about those who have taken it or its potential whereabouts should come forward and make this known."

Many of the common people seem unhappy about this, whispering fearfully of the consequences of such a thing. Some curse the Triumvirate for losing what is reputed to be an extremely dangerous artifact.

[cmosier]

*Sehron hears the news*

Gods damn it all. Their pride and arrogance has lost them the artificat and quite possible Sundren itself. We are now victims of our own mistrust.

[Lanemeyer]

*Captain Majer steps out from the Triumvirate temple with Sergeant Zig*

"Great, one more thing to worry about... Sergeant, get the men and go on patrol in the hills, send half of them to meet me at the Viridale Border."

[Skro]

* A notification of Majer orders reached to Francisco while he were at the Druids Glade*

"Im going in, señor" *starts to walk*

[Silas North]

It was a gorgeous morning, and the rain clouds of Sundren had kept themselves at bay for once. While recent events and injuries made it difficult for Osclow to enjoy such things, he hoped the people of these lands would at least take this opportunity to appreciate what blessings they had. The imaginary smiles upon the faces of many brought him more comfort than any bit of sun could.
They were phantoms though, mere images produced by a man who had seen perhaps one too many plays and taken one too many blows to the head. These smiling phantoms drifted away, dust of dreams caught in winds of reality. All that stood before him now were four angry individuals, middle-class citizens or possibly upper middle-class the bard assumed, given the rather common fabrics in their attire and the good shape it was in.
"Is it true what the crier said?" asked the ringleader of this little congregation, a man in his mid to late 30's whom Osclow had seen on numerous occassions. Sadly these occasions were composed of angry shouts and a promise to break out into possible riots. Men such as this one inspired anger and fear in the people and were typically unwilling to listen to reason. Osclow had realized that his position within the Triumvirate was anything but secret at this point. The proof to this lay in the way the citizens were looking upon him; not as a man who may have heard a few rumors or two, but as a mouthpiece to knights such as Hano, Tamryn, and Balthasar. Had the situation not been so serious, Osclow may have found their silent assumption quite humerous. As if the paladins really needed a moutpiece
"Why must I answer a question you have already formulated an answer to? Does it really matter what I tell you?" the bard answered with questions of his own that had only enflamed the ringleader.
"I knew it! Your stupidity has doomed us all!" Accusation was already in the ringleader's eyes, as Osclow had assumed, but his words seem to further anger the men standing around him as well and even caught the attention of a passerby. Fiercely the front of Osclow's shirt was taken in the hands of the ringleader. Through one visible emerald eye beneath the shadows of the brim of his hat, the bard looked calmly to the angry citizen.
"As honored as I am to be placed within the same grouping as the knights who dwell in the temple behind me. I suggest you release me. This is accomplishing nothing."
"And neither are you people!" the ringleader shot back "Just what in the hell are we supposed to do now?!"
In such situations in the past, Osclow had been forced to resort to cleaver speechcraft. At the very least it provided a temporary relief for himself, the people, and the knights. Even the man who held him angrily now had fallen to the charm of the bard's words before. But Osclow was in no mood for such word games. The grasp of the ringleader was pushed aside, and the emerald eye that gazed upon him and the people surrounding him now shone with the kind of anger that was only further accented by his voice.
"You want to know what you should do?... " he kept from yelling, but the surprise and reaction from the people had illustrated well that the bard's emotions were getting across.
"I will tell you what you should do. You should allow us to do our jobs is what you should do. You should stop bickering and go on with your lives. Go home to your children. If the fires of doom really come roaring over those hills, do you really want your last days to have been spent yelling at the ones trying to help you?!" his voice was reaching higher volume now, but the bard had noticed this and quieted himself. He turned to the ringleader
"Your wife is due to have your second child very soon from what I understand."
To this, the ringleader said nothing, but his anger waned slightly. Osclow singled out another in the crowd.
"Your kids will be starting their first day of school in less than a week."
And another...
"Your grandfather came all the way out here from Neverwinter just to see how your new business was doing."
The people were not surprised the bard had known this information, for they themselves had told it to him. Osclow himself was a little surprised he had remembered all of this, given he did not exactly have the greatest memory in Faerun. He did not let his surprise show however. He merely noticed how the fires of rage were being slowly dying out.
"My suggestion to you is to enjoy these moments with your family. Stop yelling, screaming, and pointing fingers, and just go on with your lives. When our time comes, it will come. Fate cannot be swayed. Do not miss the chance to miss out on the things that bring you joy just so you can revel in anger."
The bard's words had sunk in and slowly the crowd departed without so much as a single word in retort. The ringleader look tempted to speak, but did not. A few moments passed, and all that remained before Osclow was a peaceful scene and the sun upon him. He tugged a bit upon the brim of his hat, hiding a tear.
Family moments... Oh, how he missed his daughter Tia.

[nickbeat]

Max had been busy. The Viridale was growing more dangerous every dawn, and it seemed the very forest itself was fighting him. Noting the gathering of troops at the border, he walked up to the Sergeant in command and offered his services, "Gold Sir, Combat Medic first Class Sir, reporting for duty."

[Kaeldorn]

During a talk she had at the Sundren Comfort, with some friends and strangers - perhaps to be new friends - alike, Yashia hears of what has transpired.

"Damn it!" she thinks to herself. "My worries might have been misplaced... and me sharing them leads to this. Not only is the cube in the hands of the Black Hand's allies, I also caused Hano and the kind hearted folk of the Triumvirate to be struck with shame."

After expressing some of this to those in her company, she feels determined to do what she can to set things right, hoping those affected are still willing to see her as they did before, though knowing that she wouldn't really deserve it.

[darcane]

The one known as Kataklysm,strolls past the small group of adventurers at the Exigo Trade post discussing this artifact ...Feeling the raw static energy surrounding the dark man,the group goes silent, eying the Talosian with suspicion...Kataklysm stops dead in in is steps and gives the group a look of total distaste.."Is there a problem...fools!!??I do not care for your feeble discussion or about your inferior artifact!!There is only He,The Almighty,The Talos!!"

[Machiavelli]

Word spreads of an aging priest of Oghma, looking terrified and befuddled, attempting to warn people in the marketplace of Sundren City that the artifact Genum's Cube is in fact some sort of prison for a being of great power. After being observed by one of the Everwatch Knights, he was gently led off to see Abbot Proskus.