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abraxaslogs2021-11-13 10:20 pm
fourarmedandangerous) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-11-13 10:20 pm
2. A Shokan Of The People?
Who: Goro and you
When: November
Where: Cadens, but word will likely reach out to the other cities as the month goes on
What: Goro reaches out to The People of Cadens to demand a call for action, but is it for truly altruistic reasons? Fuck no it's not.
Warnings: None at the moment, will add if necessary.
It starts on a street corner, a town square, a park. Anywhere in Cadens where there are sure to be masses of people, Goro arrives. People tend to make room for him. He sets himself up somewhere where there are people, where he can be seen, and then his exhortations begin. It happens again and again throughout the month, and always in bigger locations, but the speech, clearly rehearsed is always the same.
"PEOPLE OF CADENS, HEAR ME!" The booming roar is usually enough to get anyone in the vicinity to stop and listen. When a four-armed giant mountain of muscle starts yelling, people pay attention...or run. Most listen. "WAR IS UPON US!"
Having made that grandiose statement, Goro spreads his upper arms wide. "We all remember, the night of Eifstide, do we not? When the mists rolled in, and the dead walked, ready to make the living join them! Blood was spilled that night! The blood of the Free Cities! Spilled by the spirits of its own people, gone to their rest, only to rise again, twisted by foul and perverse magic! But we held back the tide until morning's light drove them back to their rest. And when the living were left to tend their wounds, repair the damage, and wonder what offense caused the dead to rise so violently, we were given an answer! Solvunn took responsibility! An accident they say, a spell gone wrong. An accident indeed! The accident was that the dead their necromancers raised failed to put the dead UNDER THEIR CONTROL!"
He paces now. Some people carry on with what they are doing. Others are listening. "I ask you, what "accident" could it be, that caused the dead to rise so violently, across all Abraxas? A single mispronounced word? Is that all it takes? Then why has such a thing not happened before? Why does Abraxas not suffer a plague of undeath nearly every Eifstide? What spell, what ritual could they possibly have been attempting to cast instead? And are we to be comfortable knowing that the spirits of the dead, of all Abraxas' dead are interfered with on a regular basis, by a group of farmers, woodsmen, and profane spellcasters?" He points to the crowd. "How many of you saw the faces of loved ones, family and friends departed to their rest, rising from the mists to see you join them? Did they resemble the people you knew? The people you loved? Or were they twisted, nearly unrecognizable by Solvunn's "mistake"? Does that sit right with you? Does their "apology" mean we should say forgive and forget? I say NO! Their "apology" is nothing more than a meaningless attempt to deflect the blame from their real crime, to use OUR DEAD AS A WEAPON! Solvunn has not the high walls of Thorne, or the military might of the great Free Cities, the most powerful and skilled soldiers on Abraxas! But they hunger for the Singularity, the power it could give them, and so to make up for this deficiency, their necromancers turned to the ENSLAVEMENT OF THE DEAD! They failed at Eifstide, but listen to me when I say if left unchecked, they will try again, and THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE! Will we sit idly by and give them that opportunity?" He waits now, to see if there's any response from the crowd. A few shakes of the head, mumbled denials. "I SAID, WILL WE GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY?"
This time the reaction is more definite, cries of "No!" echoing through the crowd. Goro plays to that. "Do you think Thorne sits idly by? No! They sit behind their walls and I tell you know they are watching. They are watching us, to see how we react, to see if we shall meekly accept Solvunn's lie! If we will show WEAKNESS! We are not WEAK! We are the FREE CITIES! Free of SUPERSTITION! Free of MYTHS, AND LEGENDS! Thorne and Solvunn are trapped in the past, but we are the center of democracy, progress, and innovation! The future of the Free Cities, IS THE FUTURE OF ABRAXAS!" This appeal to nationalistic pride and values draws cheers, clapping, as Goro knew it would. "Do we accept the half-hearted apology of necromancers? DO WE?!"
The cries of "No!" "To hell with Solvunn!" "Let the dead rest!" are louder this time. Goro's words are finding their target. "THEN LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD! Solvunn must ANSWER for its crimes, for its pursuit of magic of the most foul, most profane nature! The government must hear you, and listen! A delegation, to Solvunn's borders! If they truly mean to seek forgiveness, then their necromancers must give up every tome, every scroll, every bit of sorcerous lore pertaining to the use of the dead to be destroyed! Their mages must be LEASHED! They must be watched, until such time that we know Eifstide will not happen again, because if it does...they must know they invite the wrath of our armies! Let your voice be heard, here in the cities, in the office of the Prime Minister, and across the settlements of Solvunn! THEY MUST ANSWER, OR THEY MUST PAY! THE DEAD DEMAND IT!"
Throughout the month, the same speech, on street corners, in squares, in parks. And the more Goro speaks it, the more people begin to listen. The larger the crowds grow. The more they respond. It's not long before word begins to reach the other cities, of the giant four-armed summoned's call to action, exhorting the government to respond. The call for a delegation.
The necromancers of Solvunn must answer...or they must pay.
The dead demand it.
When: November
Where: Cadens, but word will likely reach out to the other cities as the month goes on
What: Goro reaches out to The People of Cadens to demand a call for action, but is it for truly altruistic reasons? Fuck no it's not.
Warnings: None at the moment, will add if necessary.
It starts on a street corner, a town square, a park. Anywhere in Cadens where there are sure to be masses of people, Goro arrives. People tend to make room for him. He sets himself up somewhere where there are people, where he can be seen, and then his exhortations begin. It happens again and again throughout the month, and always in bigger locations, but the speech, clearly rehearsed is always the same.
"PEOPLE OF CADENS, HEAR ME!" The booming roar is usually enough to get anyone in the vicinity to stop and listen. When a four-armed giant mountain of muscle starts yelling, people pay attention...or run. Most listen. "WAR IS UPON US!"
Having made that grandiose statement, Goro spreads his upper arms wide. "We all remember, the night of Eifstide, do we not? When the mists rolled in, and the dead walked, ready to make the living join them! Blood was spilled that night! The blood of the Free Cities! Spilled by the spirits of its own people, gone to their rest, only to rise again, twisted by foul and perverse magic! But we held back the tide until morning's light drove them back to their rest. And when the living were left to tend their wounds, repair the damage, and wonder what offense caused the dead to rise so violently, we were given an answer! Solvunn took responsibility! An accident they say, a spell gone wrong. An accident indeed! The accident was that the dead their necromancers raised failed to put the dead UNDER THEIR CONTROL!"
He paces now. Some people carry on with what they are doing. Others are listening. "I ask you, what "accident" could it be, that caused the dead to rise so violently, across all Abraxas? A single mispronounced word? Is that all it takes? Then why has such a thing not happened before? Why does Abraxas not suffer a plague of undeath nearly every Eifstide? What spell, what ritual could they possibly have been attempting to cast instead? And are we to be comfortable knowing that the spirits of the dead, of all Abraxas' dead are interfered with on a regular basis, by a group of farmers, woodsmen, and profane spellcasters?" He points to the crowd. "How many of you saw the faces of loved ones, family and friends departed to their rest, rising from the mists to see you join them? Did they resemble the people you knew? The people you loved? Or were they twisted, nearly unrecognizable by Solvunn's "mistake"? Does that sit right with you? Does their "apology" mean we should say forgive and forget? I say NO! Their "apology" is nothing more than a meaningless attempt to deflect the blame from their real crime, to use OUR DEAD AS A WEAPON! Solvunn has not the high walls of Thorne, or the military might of the great Free Cities, the most powerful and skilled soldiers on Abraxas! But they hunger for the Singularity, the power it could give them, and so to make up for this deficiency, their necromancers turned to the ENSLAVEMENT OF THE DEAD! They failed at Eifstide, but listen to me when I say if left unchecked, they will try again, and THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE! Will we sit idly by and give them that opportunity?" He waits now, to see if there's any response from the crowd. A few shakes of the head, mumbled denials. "I SAID, WILL WE GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY?"
This time the reaction is more definite, cries of "No!" echoing through the crowd. Goro plays to that. "Do you think Thorne sits idly by? No! They sit behind their walls and I tell you know they are watching. They are watching us, to see how we react, to see if we shall meekly accept Solvunn's lie! If we will show WEAKNESS! We are not WEAK! We are the FREE CITIES! Free of SUPERSTITION! Free of MYTHS, AND LEGENDS! Thorne and Solvunn are trapped in the past, but we are the center of democracy, progress, and innovation! The future of the Free Cities, IS THE FUTURE OF ABRAXAS!" This appeal to nationalistic pride and values draws cheers, clapping, as Goro knew it would. "Do we accept the half-hearted apology of necromancers? DO WE?!"
The cries of "No!" "To hell with Solvunn!" "Let the dead rest!" are louder this time. Goro's words are finding their target. "THEN LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD! Solvunn must ANSWER for its crimes, for its pursuit of magic of the most foul, most profane nature! The government must hear you, and listen! A delegation, to Solvunn's borders! If they truly mean to seek forgiveness, then their necromancers must give up every tome, every scroll, every bit of sorcerous lore pertaining to the use of the dead to be destroyed! Their mages must be LEASHED! They must be watched, until such time that we know Eifstide will not happen again, because if it does...they must know they invite the wrath of our armies! Let your voice be heard, here in the cities, in the office of the Prime Minister, and across the settlements of Solvunn! THEY MUST ANSWER, OR THEY MUST PAY! THE DEAD DEMAND IT!"
Throughout the month, the same speech, on street corners, in squares, in parks. And the more Goro speaks it, the more people begin to listen. The larger the crowds grow. The more they respond. It's not long before word begins to reach the other cities, of the giant four-armed summoned's call to action, exhorting the government to respond. The call for a delegation.
The necromancers of Solvunn must answer...or they must pay.
The dead demand it.
hi again! this tag assumes goro won their earlier scrap, hope that's okay!
Waiting, mostly, for any kind of indication of travel links. Listening to merchant conversations pertaining to ways through the mountains, any sort of lay of the land, noting small things and generally staying silent, through any undesirable parts of the job. Straightening up when an officer appeared. Not answering when whoever was on guard duty with him tried to spark up some form of conversation.
Needless to say, it was a crapshoot. There's hardly anything of interest to listen in on. Officers berate rank and file upon arrival, and the guy next to him? He doesn't get the hint about shutting the hell up.
He's a few hours away from being relieved. The town square's got a small gathering of people, and someone's stepping up onto the podium and-
- Shit.
He watches, silently- as Goro bellows out his speech, his brow tightening as he continues on. His co-guard, thankfully, seems stunned to silence by the spectacle- though it doesn't last. As Goro continues, it appears that the guard with Cloud is enamoured by his speech as much as the populace. Even worse, he's vocally agreeing. Repeatedly.
But eventually...
"You need to shut the hell up."
Goro may be surprised by the sight of a certain soldier making his way through the crowd toward him- especially when a few nights back, said soldier was not killed. But damn near maimed. Incredibly, he seems completely fine- showing no sign of injury, substantial or not. Even the marks left on him show no sign of ever having happened.
"All of you..." to the crowd, as he's passing, "You need to disperse. This ain't a show."
Notably, he doesn't say anything to defend the government. And notably, his companion seems to be openly gawping but too afraid, more than likely, to involve himself as well. Instead, he turns his gaze right at Goro as some of the crowd start to filter away.
"You want to see a riot?"
not at all! I'll tag into the fight thread accordingly!
But the identity of the guard surprises him. The SOLDIER had put up a better fight than most, but Goro had still beaten Cloud to a bloody pulp during their bout. To see him up and walking around mere days later, looking no worse for the wear...ah, but then he remembers the unusual green of Cloud's eyes and reminds himself that he is no ordinary human.
The thought pleases Goro, but for now, as he sees the crowd begin to disperse once an "official" reaction has been provoked, Goro merely holds out one of his upper arms, calling to those people. "Stay where you are! Do not be intimidated!" He commands, before turning to address Cloud.
"This is a peaceful gathering. If a riot breaks out, it will not be one of these fine citizens that begins it." He says, gesturing to the crowd around Cloud. "Am I speaking any falsehoods? Do the people of Cadens not deserve to know the full truth? The people of the Free Cities are no fools. They already suspected what I say was true. I am simply telling them the truth they already knew."
"That's right!" Someone yells from the middle of the crowd. "What gives Solvunn the right? To call up our dead?!"
"I saw my grandfather that night!" A woman adds. "He was a kind, peaceful man! He was a cobbler, and beloved in his neighbourhood! Not that...that thing Solvunn turned him into, gods rest his soul! Why couldn't they just let him rest?!"
Goro motions to the stricken woman, her expression both pained and angry, looking at Cloud. "Is she not entitled to know who was responsible for the pain she experienced that night? What good is Solvunn's apology to her, after that?" He asks. "And you tell her to go home and accept it? Is that the official response of the government to this...this attack?"
"SOLVUNN MUST PAY!" Someone else cries, the crowd rallying around the Shokan, along with cries of "the dead demand it!". Goro makes a mental note to remember that line. It's short, punchy, emotional...it'll work well as a slogan. And now he's forced Cloud into the role of unofficial government spokesman. And his co-worker clearly does not share his strong convictions about this gathering.
Yay!
Imagery plays through his head. It's a flash- white hot- of a dead land. It's a dirt clearing, huge, black mountains that resembled the branches of dead trees reaching out to a grey, claustrophobic, suffering sky- and an awful, acrid smell that permeates everything. His hand's reaching out. His palm is held up. Flat, in a gesture that can only mean to stop.
A woman...
A young woman... barely 16. she's frowning at him. There's clear disappointment in her eyes.
"Aw, man! I wanted to see!
...Better take real good care of me then!"
She's...
How? When? Why-
Who was-
He winces. His head...
Grandfathers? Solvunn, the dead...
Why- who's dead-
Shit, his head...
"Rgh...!"
Deep breath. Another. Less shaky. His... feet.
He's staring at his feet.
He raises his head. He looks around.
He's surrounded by women, men, and...
Right. Him. Goro.
Deep breath.
"None of you are-"
Louder. He needs to be louder.
His gaze flicks to his coworker. ...Should he be around. And no, he's not. Clearly, he's taken off already.
...Fine. Louder it is.
"None of you're gonna get any answers by yelling about it on the street! You're talking about Solvunn paying, you think the whole country's gonna hear you, and come here, to answer?!"
Another breath. And lower-
"You need to go home. You're going to get your answers, but you're not gonna get them this way."
no subject
"WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!" He roars. "WE WILL BE HEARD! ON THIS STREET! ON EVERY STREET! IN EVERY PARK! EVERY MARKET! FROM CADENS TO LIBERTAS, WE. WILL. BE. HEARD! OUR ANGER WILL SHAKE THE WALLS OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER!" He turns away now, ignoring Cloud and playing to the crowd directly, feeding their fire. "SHE WILL HEAR THAT WE DEMAND ACTION! WE WILL SPEAK, FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT, AND OUR VOICES WILL SHAKE! THE! HEAVENS! THE DEAD DEMAND IT!"
The cheers grow louder, and more raucous. Guard he may be, but Cloud is not getting many friendly looks from Goro's supporters, especially now that his co-worker has fled. "SPEAK YOUR ANGER! GIVE IT A VOICE! DO NOT BE SILENCED BY VAGUE PROMISES THAT WILL NEVER BE KEPT! DO NOT GIVE INTO THOSE WHO WOULD HAVE YOU BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE SANDS AND FORGET ALL THAT HAPPENED! WHAT WE START HERE TODAY, THE PRIME MINISTER WILL HEAR! AND THEN SOLVUNN WILL HEAR! THEY MUST ANSWER, OR THEY MUST PAY!"
The crowd is now thoroughly whipped up. As they cheer, Goro turns back to Cloud with a look of unmistakeable smugness on his face, folding his upper arms over his chest.
"That would be two-nothing...if you were counting." His teeth part in an ugly grin.
no subject
Goro's riveting oration is apparently attracting him fans, however, and maybe that surprises him. Less that these city-dwelling idiots are beyond happy to jump on the warmongering train, given enough jingoistic blown up their collective asses - that is agiven. Maxwell's lived this reality more times than he can count.
No, what gets him is that this kind of deliberate psychological manipulation of the populace is coming out of Goro's mouth. Who knew that guy could command an audience! He'd count himself impressed if his enormous friend(?) weren't campaigning for the most stunningly stupid act imaginable. Brazenly incite conflict with a cult full of milk-chugging, scythe-wielding necromancers? No fucking thank you.
(Literally scythe-wielding, though? Because they're farmers?)
After his fans disperse, Maxwell appears muttering at Goro's side:
"Listen, I know you came here ready for a war, but you really wanna start it yourself?"
no subject
"Did you not you hear the speech?" He asks, rubbing his mouth with one of his upper arms. "The war has already started. I am simply making sure everyone else knows it too. Or do you really believe what happened on Eifstide was a mere "accident"?"
Acually, Goro has to give Solvunn some credit here. He'd written them off as insignificant while Thorne was still standing, only for them to surprise everyone with an impromptu plague of undeath. Clearly he underestimated them.