Mission 3 - Sword Hunt (Feb 10 - Feb 15)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:09 pm
Type: Urban Tracking and Assassination
Contact: Lysette, requesting for Brelish Consul Rusila ir'Clarn
Description: Several cells from the Brelish Swords of Liberty republican/terrorist movement have entered Stormreach. Their presence was already felt when they ran afoul of the Cyran extremist group Dannel's Wrath, resulting in a confrontation and left a Cross district tavern ablaze. As these people are a disgrace to the otherwise legitimate Brelish republican movement, Consul ir'Clarn wants them eliminated -- not arrested, not scattered, but dead and their bodies tossed into the sea.
Downpayment: 500gps
Completion Payment: 4,000gps. The Consul is also well connected with the elites of Stormreach and would be willing to make a number of recommendations/promotions for the company and its members (gain 20 Influence)
Failure Penalty: -20 attitude from Lysette and no more Brelish Consul mission requests.
Time Needed: Unknown
Time Limit: Unknown; they might leave next week, they might leave in two years.
---------------
February 10th (Week 2 Day 2)...
It was a sunny morning in Stormreach, a rare occurrence for this time of the year. The bustling Market District grew loud and busy hours before the usual time, as every merchant and peddler strove to take advantage of the good weather and abundance in customers.
Even the papers were energetic this morning, rocking the news with their new headline -- EXPLOSION ROCKS CROSS DISTRICT. Apparently the Cyran refugees had another 'border tension' conflict with the locals, leading to the Cyran militant group Dannel's Wrath taking it upon themselves to... persuade the locals of their ill judgment... by blowing up a shop with alchemicals.
Needless the say, neither the Stormreach Guard nor the district's non-Cyran inhabitants were amused. Several of Dannel's Pride community leaders -- including the merchant Lucile -- tried to control the damage by denouncing the use of violence, but it was too little too late. As far as most of Stormreach is concerned, there was little difference between Dannel's Wrath and the Cyran refugees: beggars, criminals, and rapists, the whole lot of them.
Even within the company itself, there had been a little bit of excitement. Gadget seems to have left, and without leaving so much as a note. But then... perhaps it wasn't surprising; he did used to work for a squad of covert warforged commandos.
In the meantime, however, the members of Xen'drik Outreach Society headed into the same district for another business: to answer the request made by Brelish Consul Rusila ir'Clarn.
The company's shareholder, Lysette, wasn't available to make introductions as she was still out of town; but no matter, as Leah had become somewhat familiar with the place. The officious building itself was an example of the consulate's lofty past -- when it represented the interests of the united, continental kingdom of Galifar and its agreement with the ex-pirate lords. But these days, it was an outpost that Breland could hardly care about.
Nevertheless, Rusila was a woman of class and privilege, and saw to it that the consulate was fully staffed and well connected. The party was greeted at the iron gates by an impeccably mannered butler, who soon lead the group down its marble halls to Rusila's meeting room -- complete with crystal chandeliers and antique tables made from Aundairian (although these days it should be called 'Eldeen') redwood.
"Welcome, welcome!" the consul stood up as she warmly waved the group to sit down. "It's still a bit early, so if you have any requests for breakfast or just a drink, Kyrillo--" she nodded towards the Butler, "--would be happy to take it."
As a Brelish woman in her early thirties, Rusila has long, dark hair; pale skin; and large violet eyes that suggest some elven blood. Her voice rings deep and smoky for a woman, but well intonated as she's an accomplished singer with music from goblin dirges to Brelish ballads.
"My cook is quite wonderful," she added with a cheery look, "as Leah can undoubtedly attest to."
...
It didn't take long before the pleasantries were out of the way and Rusila could delve down into business:
"It's good to have some people I can trust for this sort of task," she began with a smile. "The fact is -- this is a somewhat unpleasant task, even if we are on the side of justice.
"No doubt you've heard about the explosion Dannel's Wrath caused yesterday. Well, in Breland where I am from, the Swords of Liberty are even worse... these are terrorists actively trying to incite a war. Their attacks range everywhere from the Towers of Sharn to New Cyre, hoping to ignite dormant ethnic tensions and restart the conflict because they think Breland can win and rule the continent. The fact they claim to be fighting for the Brelish Republican movement against 'monarchical oppression' only makes it worse for what is otherwise a perfectly legitimate and progressive political faction that is concerned for the future welfare of the Brelish people."
"I have information from Breland -- straight from trusted sources -- that at least one cell of the Swords of Liberty have landed in Stormreach around ten days ago. What are they here for is something even we don't know. But what must be done is straightforward enough," her eyes glistened with stern determination. "I want you all to track these people down... wherever they're hiding. Find out why they are here, if you can..."
"--But make sure you slit their throats and cast their bodies into the sea," she finished with such a pleasant smile that it felt unnerving.
Of course, nobody in Stormreach would care. With all the crime gangs vying for power in this frontier city, a fresh body could be found at the docks almost every day.
"Dirty, but the right thing to do nonetheless. Plus you'll be well paid," she added as icing on top, "and I'll make sure that you'll be well connected for future businesses."