[Hexville] The Slums
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: RedPhoenix on 04-09-2020, 05:24:21</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>04-09-2020, 05:24:21</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 24pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>THE SLUMS</strong></span></span><br><strong>Currently in Control:</strong> Mother Freya/Shanira Treyan Alliance (Contesting: Alwyn/Kieri/Niles the Nerdist Alliance)<br><br>(https://i.imgur.com/W5Iaagd.jpg)</div><br>Everyone's gotta live somewhere, and for most of the city that somewhere is the slums. With easy access to the guild and the docks, the working class of Hexville make their way to where the work is, or they find what opportunities they can in the slums. It used to be a place of hope, where there was genuine belief that anyone could get where they deserved through hard work and loyalty. Now it is a place of desperation where the strong squeeze the weak without fear of repercussion. Mostly. The Slums are also the area whose outside city wall is the least well defended and least enforced. Wandering monsters and raiders from the outside tend to see the Slums as the easiest target of opportunity. <br><br><em>The goblins of Hexville have begun to congregate here in larger numbers, inspired by the rhetoric of Kieri, the slight green humanoids are starting to band together and show blatant defiance to the authorities! Traps line old guard routes and other misfortunes await those who chase the wrong folks down the wrong alleys!</em><br><br><em>With the gods of the land seemingly absent, or deaf to their plight, the people of the Slums have begun to turn to Aros, a new god from distant lands. The symbol of this god is seen scrawled on walls and carved into wood where before the traditional gods of Hexville were praised. What's more than this, the worship of Aros has begun to take over old temples and sacred places where once other gods were worshipped!&nbsp; </em><br><br><em>Rumors of a lycan of great influence have died down, replaced by rumors that same Lycan was chased off by Broken Sky!</em><br><br><em>A great aqueduct and local plumbing have been built by the woolly loxodon Big Snuffles, under the supervision of Kieri!</em><br><br><hr><br><em>Special Rules:</em><br><br>There are no special rules currently in place for the Slums. <br><br><hr><br><em>Aspirant Status:</em><br>- Alwyn is ESTABLISHED<br>- Keiri is EMINENT <br>- Mother Freya is EMINENT and CONTESTING FOR CONTROL<br>- Niles the Nerdist is ESTABLISHED<br><br>&nbsp;
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				Title: <strong>[Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>04-09-2020, 05:25:24</strong>
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				<em>Important NPCs:</em><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Dead</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/glDinlx.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Broken Sky<br><br><strong>Role:</strong> "In Control" of the Slums, casting the clouds of justice on evil. That doesn't include you, right? <br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Civilization<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> A mysterious vigilante who strikes when the clouds cover the sky. If there is any one person held in esteem and fear by all in the slums, it is he. <br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Nobody knows what drove a man to develop the skills and the commitment to right the wrongs of the slums, or why stormy weather always seems to come with him. <br><br><strong>Notes:</strong><br>- Denounced by Aurien Turn 3<br>- Denounced by Morticia Scott Turn 3 <br><br><br class="clear_left"></div></div><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Sua1IZf.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Saurus <em>ALLY OF MOTHER FREYA</em><br><br><strong>Role:</strong> Enforcer. Got a problem? He'll eat it. <br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Power<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> Saurus is a hulking, terrifying, lizardfolk who seems to run on pure instinct. <br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Once the champion pit fighter of the slums, Saurus was forced into early retirement when there wasn't enough competition left. Now he takes jobs that pay well, amuse him, or offer the best snacks. <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/YpGMWGV.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Big Snuffles <em>ALLY OF KIERI</em><br><br><strong>Role:</strong> Muscle. Whether it's breaking rocks, hauling ore, or discouraging folks from messing with you, Big Snuffles can get the job done!<br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Harmony<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> A huge, hulking, woolly loxodon. He seems tough but he's a sweetheart once you get to know him. Gives excellent hugs.<br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Big Snuffles is a veteran of the orc wars, and settled down in Hexville after the peace. He found it to his liking, although he thinks people could be nicer. <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/IkEgiOg.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Stacy Chains<br><br><strong>Role:</strong> Anarchist. If you want to flip the script on the status quo, nobody does it better.<br><br><strong>Motivation:</strong> Freedom<br><br><strong>Brief Description:</strong> She dresses like a clown at the most sadistic circus imaginable, and always seems ready to laugh at a joke that only she gets. <br><br><strong>Background:</strong> Who can say? Just another gutter-bred psycho most figure. She's just a lot smarter than most of them, with a far greater touch for the theatric. <br><br><strong>Notes:</strong> <br>- Denounced by Mother Freya Turn 3<br><br><br class="clear_left"><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CountessYlva</strong> on <strong>07-09-2020, 01:03:39</strong>
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				Aurien, flanked by a pair of her lieutenants, makes her way through the slums of the city. Everywhere she looks, she sees the symptoms of the disease that is this blighted society. Poverty, crime, filth. This place needs to be cleansed. She intends to be the one to do it.<br><br>And there's no time like the present to start.<br><br>She looks, as she usually does, like a large human woman, with dark hair and heavy armor. Most of it is simple steel, but the gauntlets are dead black. She's covered in scars, carrying a large sword on her back, and looking surprisingly contemplative considering the above. Her lieutenants are both slums natives, people who had seen the horror of being on the outside of society. She had shown them the beauty. And now they were hers.<br><br>The trio walk up to a bank that sits on the edge of the slums and the guild district. Aurien stares at it for a moment, and then nods sharply. And in an instant, that contemplative look is gone, and her face is transfixed with fury. The sudden transformation is a little frightening, even without the sword that's suddenly in her hands. She and her accomplices rush into the bank, knocking people aside as she roars, "People of Hexville, your liberation has arrived."<br><br>The attack is quick and vicious. Guards are knocked aside or beaten down with the advantages of strength and surprise. A handful of wealthy merchants are cut down. But the poor, the downtrodden, the workers who are just trying to provide for themselves, are left in peace unless they try to stop her.<br><br>Finally, only minutes after it started, she is pouring oil across the floor of the bank as people run and scream. She lights a torch and walks out, grinning like a madwoman behind her helm. She stands there for a moment, letting herself be seen, and then tosses the torch back into the bank before walking away into the slums.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>07-09-2020, 04:59:25</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GhiPE9D.jpg)</div><br>A whispered word here, a cackle there, a suggestive hand gesture. Goblins might have beeen the lowest of the low, the filth that even filth looked down on. But even filth has its ways. The ways of rumours an innuendo. And Kieri would wield that power. She would wield any power she could get her hands on for her goal. And here... here was a good place. Among those who, like her own people, were looked down on, cast out. But still used. And amongst them, the word spread. Something was going down in what what called the Queen's Square. Well, it was always called the 'something' Square. What that something was depended on who was doing the speaking. And, just as often, who was doing the listening.<br><br>But more importantly, the Queen's Square was where an elaborate, ostentatious statue of Princess Red stood, where once a building full of non-humans once had. It was immaculate. Not out of any reverence for the queen, but because of what happened to anyone who dared do anything to it. The Guard didn't go to the slums often, but they went for that.<br><br>Or, at least, it had once been immaculate. Now, it stood defaced, covered with rude drawings and messages, some in common, some in Goblinese, none of it kind. And on her shoulders, perched a cloaked figure, wearing a skull masked. Uneasy rumbling spread through the gathering crowd until the figure stood and, with a solid kick, sent the statue's, the queen's head to the ground. The crowd quieted. Some gasped. The mask was raised, showing the face of a female goblin.<br><br>"People! Non-human people of Hexville! And those that would stand with us! And yes, people, I say, for those in power seem to have forgotten! Our time have come! The queen, the humans are weak! They have trod on us for so long, but not longer! We are strong! We are numerous! And it is time now to take our place! We will fight! I will fight. But I promise you this, too. I will not sink so low as humans are. Retribution is not what I seek, nor to become the foot that trod on others. It is time for goblins to rise and stand proud. And for all who would join us to rise and stand with us, no matter the species. Together, we will be strong!"<br><br>She raised her halberd to the air as her goblins began to cheer. With some luck, others would join in. And if not, well, now or later, soon enough, all will be forced to accept her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>07-09-2020, 16:15:46</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/elpEfLj.jpg?1)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>It was on this day, as she did all days in recent weeks, Mother Freya, humble servant of Aros, made her rounds through the slums, followed by a small procession of beggars, out of work laborers, and orphaned children. As she went she would offer a few kind words and a small prayer to any friendly face she encountered, which admittedly weren't many, but that was no matter, they would grow in time. However it seemed that today would prove much livelier than she thought, as there were quite a few spectacles on display. She came upon the burning bank, taking some time to heal those left with major wounds from the attack with her divine powers. She passed by the defaced statue, glancing up at the vandalizing goblin and smirking a bit at her rallying speech, which seemed to go over quite well with the more vertically challenged among the spectators. However she didn't linger too long at these public displays of defiance, for she already had a display of her own planned for today. <br><br>Towards the center of the slums was a street by the name of Debtor's Row. It was a small market place, or a feeble mockery of one if you were comparing it to the actual market district, where the poor people of the slums tossed their pittance in exchange for one more day's worth of meager sustenance. Needless to say the quality of goods was not particularly high, and in fact many of the stalls were stocked by the left over produce from the shops and stalls of the main marketplace, a means for the merchants to recoup some costs once their produce was near spoilage and unfit to sell to their proper customers. Still it was cheap enough for the poorer denizens to scrape by on, and if one was lucky and got to the stalls early enough you could even find some fruit with a few fresh patches still on them. This place was Freya chosen rallying point, her followers starting to set up some makeshift tables and providing a milk crate for the young nun to step up onto. <br><br>"Good people of slums, borrow me your ears for but a moment" she called. Her tone was soft, soothing, motherly even, though seemingly had no problem reaching the ears of each and every person in the "market", as though she were standing right beside each and every one of them, "For many days now I have walked through these streets, walked among the people, witnessed your troubles, your toils, and the suffering that has gone long ignored by those with the power to end it. For too long the prosperity of this city has been left to the hands of those who wish to hoard it all for themselves. For too long have "good" Kings been given pass for their shortcomings. For too long has this city been governed by a system that would would put a mindless woman upon the throne and call her Queen. For too long have people put their faith in Gods who sit by and do nothing as their people wallow in squalor" she preached, her tone always remaining calm and agreeable no matter how damning her words were, "This city is in pieces, that much is undeniable. However nothing can be so broken that it cannot be put back together. And that is what we of the Healing Church seek to do, to put back the pieces of this broken city, not to merely restore it to what it once was, but to make it better, to see it's people reach their true potential and gain true prosperity. We wish not for you to simply survive, but to thrive" she added, a mission statement laid out. <br><br>"I am Mother Freya, servant of Aros, the God who stands above all Gods. But I am not here today to preach, but instead to give. For while others may offer you blood and fire, or empty profanities and provocations, Aros comes offering something far more genuine. Love, community, opportunity, and sweet succor..." she says, motioning to her followers, who carry the tables out in front of Freya and begin to set out a spread of food. It was nothing extravagant: simple loaves of bread, a variety of cheeses, and a few pots of stew, but it would look like a king's feast compared to what the rest of the market offered, the scraps left to them by the upper classes, "It is with Aros's love and benevolence that I offer this food. There is no price you must pay for it, and no strings attached. You are all free to a fair share of it with no future debts or obligations. Though I do ask that as you fill your bellies, please consider these words: The change our congregation wishes to bring cannot be accomplished alone. Aros is a just and loving God, but it is only through his believers that his work can be done in this world. It will take the focus of many minds, the love of many hearts, and the labor of many hands. We believe that you can all be those hands, those hearts. You need not make a decision now, take your time to think about what you truly desire from this life. And if that discovery draws you towards Aros's light, then you need only come and attend one of our sermons, so you may learn how we can all work together to fix this broken world"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>09-09-2020, 18:11:58</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week One</em></strong><br><br>The slums are a hotbed of activity! <br><br>A brazen bank robbery led by an eye-catching woman has the few money-makers who were investing in or exploiting (depending on who you ask) the slums rather shook. Even in times of anarchy they always felt that they, above the rabble, would receive the protection of the city guard. This attack shows otherwise. Things are changing, but for the better? Only time will tell.<br><br>Calls for equality and better treatment for the goblin kind have manifested as an attack on Princess Red's statues, the Princess has a notoriously poor opinion of goblins, and a notoriously high opinion of statues of herself, so this is seen as a direct assault on the leadership of Hexville! Just a few weeks ago such a thing would have united the city against anyone who would dare besmirch the beloved King. These days...these days things are much less clear. Many non-humans find themselves asking if the equal treatment they enjoyed under King Fred is really already gone, and if so, do they need to fight to get it back? Heated discussions take place at taverns all over the slums.<br><br>Meanwhile, a new church has appeared, and offered one of the few spots of stability and peace in the increasingly volatile slums. While nobody seems to know much about this new God or his followers, they do know that the bread and calm they offer are real. Such things go a long way in these turbulent times.<br><br>The working class of Hexville were braced to be the first hit in the chaos of Red's rule. This week shows some they were right to worry, and others that there is cause for hope. But what will the future bring?<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>09-09-2020, 23:35:04</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/X16GQqA.jpg?1)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>As Mother Freya had said in her initial speech, they were to be the hands of Aros in this world, and Aros's hands did not remain idle for long. In the past week the "Healing Church" had continued it's work, with Mother Freya providing free healing services to the sick and injured, and offering food to those who attended her sermons. She even established something of a nursery school, offering to watch over people's kids during the day so they could put in more hours at work, and of course instilling said children with the wise lessons of Aros. While many would not look a gift horse in the mouth, some may come to question how the woman had the capital to do all this. Even if the food was fairly cheap (especially in light of the economic down turn), it did not pay for itself, especially with the number of people she fed. This was especially strange since the church didn't seem to have any model for garnering more funds. Freya never charged for the services she provided, and didn't even ask for donations from her congregation. Of course the nature of her finances, and whatever events/station in her past that might have procured them, were a closely kept secret. <br><br>Again today she made her rounds through the slums, more faces turning her way than before, a clear sign of progress that kept a quaint smile on her face. The young nun strode across the poorly paved roads of the slums on bare feet, stepping over dirt and stones and glass, though her stride was never stilted, she never showed any pain, bore any cuts or bruises, she didn't even get dirty. Some had asked her about this, and she would always answer that it was one of the many blessings of Aros, that he allowed his chosen servants to walk upon his land unhindered and untainted. She stopped when she came upon a group of laborers in the middle of the reconstruction efforts for the bank that had been burnt down in a heinous rebel attack. It had been quite the loud statement, one that cut into the purses of several wealthy individuals, though also put a fair number of lower class workers out of a job, several of which she had seen at her sermons and lunches. She gave a smile to the tired workers, using her magic to revitalize their stamina and dull the aches and pains that came with the heavy labor. Again her procession would start to assist with the labor and set up a stand to pass out food from, and all the while Freya would sit on a nearby bench and softly sing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnvruIkuhRw) one of the songs taught at her sermons. It was one of unity and perseverance, two things that were well needed in these uncertain times. It was also no accident that she chose the site of another aspirant's attack for this, as it allowed her to contrast their violent display with her message of aid and generosity. It made her stance seem that much more reasonable, and the Healing Church that much more needed.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>10-09-2020, 02:38:01</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GhiPE9D.jpg)</div><br>The rally, as well as the speech had gone well. As well as Kieri could expect, really. She hadn't been the only one who noticed the weakness of the current ruler, nor the opportunity it represented for non-humans. But just as well, it represented an opportunity for humans too, many of which had had the same idea as her, it seemed. She had heard many rumours of unrest and, more importantly, of specific individuals, each with their own philosophy or purpose. Some were close to her own, while others... Well, that was something to be worried about later. Especially as, it seemed, some of them would be distracted. A book, filled with nasty, dark magic. She couldn't of course, send her goblins to hunt for it, but then what? She was no dark wizard herself. Perhaps, she could use it for leverage, but perhaps she could even do that with its absence.<br><br>In the end, Kieri decided on something very... goblin to do. She had her goblins do their work, spread their rumours, lay their traps. Of course, no one halfway competent would be fooled by all of this, but the current administration was for from competent. Guards, at least, someone higher up, with hope, would be lured into the unfamiliar slums, by rumours of the dark tome, of the location of the one who had defaced the queen's statue, perhaps of both, where they would be led on a wild goose chase, one filled with tripwire, pitfalls and all sorts of devious tricks, all accompanied by the faint sound of cackling on the wind. Nothing would be truly harmful, of course, though there was always the implicit threat that it might have been. No, better that they were sent home empty-handed, humiliated and with egg on their face. Literally, if possible. And Kieri would well make sure all knew who was responsible for sending the forces of the incompetent queen packing from place where they no longer belonged. And then... then, there would be another great goblin achievement: the silly songs. Crude, yes, puerile and always with a trivially simple tone and structure. And yet, they had a strange way of spreading and of sticking in the mind and in the heart far wider and far longer than might be expected.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CountessYlva</strong> on <strong>11-09-2020, 04:19:05</strong>
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				The bank attack had gone well. But Aurien needed to do more than just torch a building, if she wanted to make this liberation happen. She needed more allies than just the handful of outcasts who had flocked to her thus far. And the best place to build that base of supporters, of those willing to make sacrifices, was in this district of the downtrodden and neglected.<br><br>Word circulated, here and there. Never overt, never anything obvious, never anything that would stand out to a casual listener. Just a word here, a wink there, a note slipped into a pocket on the other corner. But the whispers spread, and spread. An address was listed - and a time.<br><br>At the appointed hour, the crowd gathered was still small, as such things go, and not many of them looked much like another. But they were the same in a key respect. They had fire in their eyes. They had passion. They had the will needed to make sacrifices, in the name of the cause. And Aurien could work with that.<br><br>She stepped out onto the small stage, in an abandoned warehouse near the border with the Docks, and she began to speak. She was a gifted public speaker; while she didn't seem to be speaking above a conversational tone, everyone present could hear her. She spoke of freedom, of liberation, and of revelation. She spoke about rising up and casting off the shackles of the oppressive regime. She spoke of the power of the masses, the power of the outcasts who had spent their whole lives looking through a shop window at a life that they could never have, a world that did not want them.<br><br>Not everyone was receptive to such messages, and those who were not left, perhaps disturbed but unharmed. The others, though, stayed late into the night to hear her speak, to hear the fire in her words. To a people who had been left neglected and disregarded for their entire lives, for whole generations, a people who had been shoved into the dirtiest and poorest part of the city, her words were a balm. Simply being seen, being regarded as worth talking to by an orator like this, was something they likely had never had.<br><br>They left too, in the end, and many of them left carrying small tokens - pebbles, bits of shiny metal, wood, whatever was handy - each with a small wolf's head carved on it.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>14-09-2020, 04:46:33</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Two</em></strong><br><br>The spark that was lit last week has caught and the slums are alight with slogans and chants! This is truly the epicenter of change of Hexville, and those who live here know it. They know it from how the night is lit with torches, how the streets are filled with chants, how various organizations that nobody had heard of a few weeks ago now seem to be vying for control. <br><br>Goblin traps that once were found only in distant caves and tunnels are now waiting for guards and others who mean harm to the goblins who deface the statues and attack the edifices of the old society - and the name of the one responsible - Kieri is starting to be heard, chuckled by fleeing goblins as they escape the swords of their pursuers, sworn at by those who are desperate to keep the old order, Kieri the goblin has become a boogeyman to those who seek to impose the absurd laws of the new princess here. <br><br>The disaffected and the downtrodden are listening to the compelling words of a powerfully eloquent woman who speaks to larger and larger gatherings. Those who just a few weeks ago would never have dreamed of calling themselves rebels, who would have willingly gone to war for King Fred and never questioned the good will of those folks lucky enough to be born in Manors are starting to become angry. They are starting to see the manacles that they have worn on their wrists and legs their whole lives and not realized it until they heard <em>her</em>, until they heard Aurien. You need to hear Aurien, then you'll understand, the word spreads. The crowds grow. The night gets louder.<br><br>And where do those who are terrified of all this change and mayhem turn? Why to the gods of course. But what gods can they turn to when the old churches are looted, the old priests have fled, and those few that tried to do good for them seem to have been the first tossed in the dungeon or run out of town? Why, to the new god. To Aros. The people are scared. Aros gives them courage. The people are anxious. Aros gives them peace. The people are broken. Aros gives them purpose. Mother Freya, a name that many find they know even those who have not heard her speak in person, Mother Freya will show the way. The way to Aros. The way to a better tomorrow.<br><br>Choices must be made. Loyalties must be decided. As always, it is the poor who must make this choice first, and who have the least to lose. But they also have the most to gain, and maybe, just maybe, this time they'll actually seize what is theirs. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>14-09-2020, 17:06:19</strong>
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				<br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/X16GQqA.jpg?1)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>It was working, slowly yet surely word of Aros was spreading, and each day her flock grew, and each night more seats were filled at her nightly sermons. It wasn't just her general congregation that was growing, but her trusted "Hands" were growing in number as well, those who didn't just hear the word of Aros, but wanted to contribute to it's spread. They were not particularly "special" in any way, in fact many had been labeled as weak and useless by the rest of society. But not Freya, she understood their value, and she knew their strength. <br><br>It was these chosen few that she met with late one night, after the rest of the congregation dispersed back to their homes. She had gathered them inside the church, humble and cramped, but intimate and secret, "Thank you for staying. I wanted to meet with you all in private, so that I could properly thank you and pass along Aros's blessings. For you have all gone above and beyond in his name, and provided me invaluable help in this time of budding growth. However as grateful as I am, I'm afraid I must also ask even more of you, for our work, his work, is far from over" she said, walking around the alter to Aros, running a slender hand along it, "You have all been chosen, to provide a most vital service to the church. For you see you all have a special power, a blessing from Aros, and it is the very thing that has made so many people label you as lesser. Your struggles, your suffering, and your destitution make you invisible to the eyes of uncharitable men. People look straight past you, as if you simply blend into the scenery, and because of this they are willing to do and say things in your presence that they would otherwise keep tightly concealed. This is your power, your gift, for while the people of this city must hear the word of Aros, it is equally important that Aros hear the word of the people. And it is you who shall be his eyes and ears in this land" &nbsp;<br><br>A quaint smile peaked from beneath her habit as she grabbed a <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">necklace</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/xDIQ9nT.jpg)</div></div> that had been hanging off the alter, bearing the holy symbol of Aros. There were several others just like it also hanging off the shrine, glimmering silver ornaments to their Lord, "I shall not lie, this task will not come without it's share of dangers. There are many who do not take kindly to others dealing in their secrets, no matter how just the cause. But fear not, for you are all the holy knights of the church, and while you do not wear armor nor carry swords..." she said, holding up the holy pendant and suddenly grabbing it by the bottom and pulling down, unsheathing the <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">dagger</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/VezPpaQ.jpg)</div></div> hidden inside. It was not a fearsome weapon, no great axe or regal sword, but it would easily slip between a man's ribs or slice across his throat, and hanging hidden around a beggar's neck one would never see it's sting coming until it was too late, "...Aros always protects those who carry out his work" the holy woman cooed, sheathing the hidden blade, stepping forward to drape it around the nearest man's neck. She would do the same with every man and woman present, grabbing a pendant and dubbing them each a holy knight of Aros, the symbols their secret badges of station, all of them now just as noble as the fools who danced around in the royal court, if not more. <br><br><hr><br>While at night Freya may have dealt in private, by day she never shied away from the public, even when it came time shine light upon the city's greatest sinners and condemn them for their actions, "Goodest people of Hexville" Freya declared to those gathered for the daily luncheon, all heads immediately turning to their kind mother, even those who had previously come only for the food and would ignore her preaching now standing in rapt attention, "It is known to all that this great city is wounded, no more deeply than here in the city's Inner Sanctum" she started, having recently taken to calling the area the "Inner Sanctum" instead of the "Slums", a simple yet effective change of language that would help the people shift their perspectives of themselves. They were not mere urchin wallowing in squalor, they were the true heart of the city, a spiritual sanctuary in a wasteland of sin, "And like all wounds it is prone to filth and infection, and no matter how many balms and bandages we apply to it, until the source of that infection is cut out it will continue to fester again and again" she said, stepping down from her soap box to instead walk amongst the people, laying gentle hands upon them, letting a small wave of invigorating healing energy wash over each one. Though this euphoria would pass just as quickly as it came, and a few moments later their nagging aches and pains from the hard day would return, demonstrating her point, "Though the Inner Sanctum is truly blessed by Aros, the humble throne of his holy land, there is still wickedness in our midst. This evil is not some nebulous force, it is not some vague, disembodied cloud that hangs in the air. It is people, real faces and names that instead of working to help the downtrodden and spread Aros's light are happy to prey upon the city's most vulnerable. They are the ones who profit off the poor, the ones who take advantage of the blind eye given to us, the ones&nbsp; who see the scraps we are left and are happy to hoard them for themselves rather than help us all take a seat at the table. And it is not just here in the Sanctum, but all throughout the city, all working to ensure your continued suffering. They are the true infection within this city, and while they do not wield the same oppressive authority and power as the Queen herself, they are just as responsible for the sorry state of things as she is. And so we believe it is time to shed light upon the wicked, and start putting names and faces to those responsible for the suffering of Aros's people" she said. <br><br>One of her trusted knights would then step forward, producing a wanted poster that some may have seen before plastered across the streets, "one such name is one many of you already know, Stacy Chains. She isn't the only "freedom fighter" who carries her message with random acts of violence, but she is the most dangerous. Some may be taken with her charisma and theatrics, but make no mistake, the only entertainment she cares about is her own, and sooner or later that entertainment will come at your expense, or perhaps the expense of your loved ones" she said, walking past a mother who cradled a baby in her arms and petting the child's head for emphasis, "People like her label themselves anarchists, those who seek to bring about change at any cost. Do not believe these lies, for while they may succeed in tearing down the established powers, they have nothing of worth to put in it's place. For the only thing more damaging to the people than oppressive order, is unrestrained chaos. To follow people like her would only replace the red princess with crimson soaked streets. It is no coincidence that she and the Queen share the same colors..."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>15-09-2020, 03:57:57</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GhiPE9D.jpg)</div><br>It was a busy time for the slums. The guards being routed had solidified the idea that the new princess no longer held any real power. The statue which still stood, beheaded and graffitied, in what was increasingly being called 'Kieri Square' continued to be a symbol to the ineffectiveness of the current ruler. "Nothing like this could ever have happened under the King," were words often whispered. In regret, sometimes, but also, increasingly frequently, opportunity. There was a power vacuum to be filled, opportunities to be had, but also, on everyone's lips, a name. 'Kieri'. She said that could want more. Could be more. To live as equal to those outside the slums. not bu bringing everyone else down, not to live as dependents of charity, but to be given a fair chance to let their own talents shine. This message resonated especially well with the non-human species, too often undervalued in a society that cared too much for human values or for what humans were good at.<br><br>Now, houses, then streets were starting to give their loyalty to Kieri and to her cause. Newly formed patrols, mostly orcs, guarded those streets, from guards or whoever caused trouble, the best of their numbers being assigned to Kieri's personal use. Certainly, Kieri had done little of it herself. Not directly. She was a goblin and goblins don't take well to orders. Mostly, they organize themselves and need no more than a prod, a push or a small suggestion. A good way to lead, in fact, in the chaos of those times.<br><br>And Kieri was now in the square that bore her name. Held aloft by one of her guards, she was making another speech to the assembled masses. She was pleased to see it. The first time, species had been in groups, self-isolating. But now, they joined more, mixing into each other. Kobolds, gobling, orcs, humans and many more, all standing next to each other. "...and we have to remember, it's not all humans that we're standing against. Look here," she waved her free hand. The other always held her polearm, a sign that while she was willing to do things in peace, there was always steel for those who sought otherwise. "We have humans with us. They are with us. There are also non-humans who aren't. Ones like Cornelius Trunkenhammer!" She very deliberately omitted his title. "Non-human as he is, he and his family cling to power just so that he can better look down on us. We will bring him down!" A cheer spread, which one of Kieri's guards quieted with a movement of her hand. "But we won't kill him, won't hurt him. We will not rise only to become the ones who trample. No, we will do something much worse. We will make him one of us. His children will play with our children. They will learn together. Maybe love each other. And then the same for the generation after. They will be given a chance, no less than they deserve. But we're not going to give them more either!" <br><br>Another cheer, followed by a few directions, a few dull updates and Kieri was off, leaving the rest to one of those administrators that always seemed to be there. A ratfolk, as it happened. Kieri thought of what he might have been doing if he wasn't doing this. She took it as a sign that what she was doing was right.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Geeklet</strong> on <strong>17-09-2020, 00:08:18</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/oQoCM2D.jpg)</div> <strong>Morticia Scott</strong><br><br>Within the slums, in a hole-in-the-wall building turned into a bar, a whitehaired woman sat there, drowning away her sorrows at a recent failure. For the most part, she kept to herself, and she liked it that way.<br><br>However, things changed when she over heard someone nearby. "I heard there have been skeletons running around part of the city. Wonder if they will come here?" someone said.<br><br>"Naw, if they do, I am sure Broken Sky will take care of it," someone else replied<br><br>There was a small growl from Morticia, setting her drink down and looking at the group who was just talking. "What the hell? Broken Sky? Some random dude who tries to take the law into his own hands? Who is he to judge who is right and who is wrong? Dude sneaks around at night killing people, and he is NOT the bad guy? Yet I just try and learn a few things to defend myself and I'm reviled for it? How does that make any sense?"<br><br>At this point, a few other people had taken notice, whispering, and pointing their fingers at Morticia. This didn't go unnoticed, and she suddenly became very quiet. "Gotta go..." she muttered quietly as she suddenly sprinted towards the back door.<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CountessYlva</strong> on <strong>17-09-2020, 00:36:32</strong>
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				Elsewhere in the slums, Aurien has once again taken a stage, this time in a seedy bar. The owner, some rich bastard in the Guild District, doesn't know about it, but the employees on shift tonight are her people, and they have arranged for the place to be cleared out except for those who came to hear her speak. She walks on stage, and it's nothing like a normal speech that you might hear from a politician. There are no jokes, no icebreakers, nothing but raw passion and unfettered contempt for the status quo.<br><br>As is the usual case for her speeches, not everyone is receptive, and several people leave. But one clears his throat and calls out, "We already have a protector here. Broken Sky watches out for us!"<br><br>Aurien fixes this man, a dockhand by the looks of him, with a withering glare. "Broken Sky?" she says. "You have to be kidding me. He's as much a complacent part of the system as any noble. Says he'll look out for you, protect you, but isn't it funny how he does all this to stop petty crimes when there are far worse transgressions by the wealthy and powerful in other parts of the city? Don't get me wrong, he's powerful, but if you think he's on your side, you're deluding yourself. That man is not one of us, and he does not have your best interests at heart."<br><br>The dockhand (one of several such this time, as Aurien has been expanding her interests into the Docks of the city recently) falls silent, looking thoughtful. And Aurien continues her speech.<br><br>The wolf icon is everywhere, it seems like, scratched on buildings and painted in alleys, a gang sign for something that is not remotely an ordinary gang. But when the people leave tonight, most of them are carrying it somewhere, on a pin or a token, or tattooed into their skin.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>18-09-2020, 19:43:43</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/glDinlx.jpg?1)</div><strong>Broken Sky (Turn 3)</strong> <br><br>Lightning flashed across the night sky as the silent figure on the high rooftop surveyed the streets below. They were quiet. Too quiet. <br><br>The attack came quickly, silently. Only the sky made a sound as a four figures fought too quickly for the mortal eye to see. It started and was over in a flash. The same figure resumed their vigil.<br><br>Three assassins lay dead, each a master of their art. But none a match for Broken Sky. Yet these were not the forces that the silent guardian of the slums was concerned with today.<br><br>They pulled a piece of paper from a pocket, carefully unfolding it. They glared at the picture of the happy necromancer hugging her skeleton. Another paper emerged, this one picturing a powerful woman speaking to a crowd, getting them riled up and upset about their conditions. Broken Sky glared at these. True threats to the slums they were - this Morticia Scott and this Aurien Blackhands. <br><br>Lightning flashed across the sky and he was gone, leaving no witnesses to what had transpired, or what would next befall those who crossed - Broken Sky! 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>18-09-2020, 21:01:20</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Three</em></strong><br><br>Chaos has become the new normal. Broken Sky is out and about, Stacy Chains has been denounced, although the chain-wearing anarchist hasn't responded, and activity continues to ramp up in all directions in these misbegotten streets. Although nothing of dramatic nature happens this week, the activity remains high in all quarters, and the Slums remain the most active district in Hexville. <br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 03:32:19</strong>
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				<strong>Tagging Kieri!</strong><br><br>After the goblin returns from aiding Alwyn in the destruction of the <em>Malignant Grimoire</em>, Kieri finds she has two well known visitors! Not at the same time, thankfully. <br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/YpGMWGV.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Big Snuffles <br><br>A big woolly loxodon look rather out of place trying to fit in with the small goblin furniture. "Er, uh hi." He says a bit awkwardly. "They call me snuffles." He pauses. "Cuz I make a snuffle noise sometimes I guess." He scratches his head. "Anyway, uh, you know I'm pretty good with my hands, and uh, I like what I'm hearing about what you're up to and uh, yeah, so uh, you know, if you'd like my help I uh, I can help."<br><br>Apparently this is the most eloquent speech he can give on the subject. He shuffles off waiting to hear back from you. Or not! <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/IkEgiOg.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Stacy Chains <br><br>Stacy's arrival is a bit more dramatic. The rattle of chains is ominous at first before she appears as if out of nowhere in front of you. Sneaking up on a sneaky goblin, now that's impressive! <br><br>"Hey there little girl." She says with a rather interested smirk. "You know I've had my eye on you. And I think you've got potential. But if you wanna kick things up a notch and start a fire under this revolution of yours, you lemme know when you're ready for my brand of help."<br><br>She doesn't leave a card. She's not hard to find. Just follow the anarchy. <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br>Saurus doesn't come by. It seems your involvement in destroying the Grimoire has made him dislike you. Imagine that! <br><br>It looks like a little goblin has a big decision to make! <br><br><strong>Kieri, reply to this post in character, and indicate your preference for which NPC joins your camp! If you and pdragon both pick the same, the loser of the tiebreaker will be able to recruit the other if they wish! </strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 03:39:55</strong>
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				<strong>Tagging Mother Freya!</strong><br><br>Spreading the word of Aros has attracted all sorts of attention. Some of it welcome, some less so. <br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Sua1IZf.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Saurus <br><br>The massive lizardfolk is waiting for you in a small building where you were to preach. Apparently his presence is enough to scare away the flock, for the moment.<br><br>"Listen." He says with a deep growl. "I don't care any more or less about this god of yours than I do about any other god or goddess that comes through here. But a flock of sheep gets too big for a shepherd. That's when the wolves come." He grins, a savage, toothy grin. "Unless you've got a bigger, badder one watching after them. Think about it." He says, rising, his bulk making the floor creak as he walks near you. "You don't wanna end up on my bad side."<br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/YpGMWGV.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Big Snuffles <br><br>A few days later you notice a rather large, woolly loxodon among those who have come to listen to the good word. He asks a bit nervously to speak to you afterwards. <br><br>"Er, uh, Mother, ah, is that what you like to be called? Mother? I uh, well, I uh, look I'm trying to find something good to do with my life and uh, well, maybe I can help out? I got real strong arms you know and uh, well, ok, it's okay if you don't wanna have my help I understand." He shuffles off before you can say anything more. But you get the feeling he won't be hard to find if you decide to take him up on his offer. <br><br><br class="clear_left"><br><br>Stacy Chains does not appear. It seems your denouncing of her made her dislike you. Odd! <br><br>Multiple paths are open to you, but which is the way of Aros?<br><br><strong>Mother Freya, reply to this post in character, and indicate your preference for which NPC joins your camp! If you and c0i9z both pick the same, the loser of the tiebreaker will be able to recruit the other if they wish! </strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 03:49:42</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Four!</em></strong><br><br>Another week of chaos and change for the Slums as this part of town continues to be very busy! <br><br>The sudden disappearance of Aurien Blackhands and her most loyal followers has all sorts of rumors spreading. Some say that Broken Sky struck at her and took her out! Others that she found what she was looking for and left, others still that she is lying in wait for the moment to strike, or that she tunneled into the palace and any moment now will appear on the balcony holding Princess Red's head aloft! Whatever the case may be, she isn't here anymore!<br><br>The people of the slums celebrate the destruction of the <em>Malignant Grimoire</em>! Alwyn, Niles the Nerdest, and Shanira and praised, and many of the Slums are proud to claim Kieiri the brave goblin as one of their own! <br><br>Speaking of Kieri, the goblin's movement and momentum continues to grow, and now none can deny that she is a prominent figure in these parts! <br><br>Likewise though, Mother Freya's church has grown and grown and now Aros is no longer a strange new name, but an established part of the local culture! Mother Freya has likewise become a very prominent figure! 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 03:51:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/6D60Uq7.jpg)</div>Stacy came and then she left and Kieri didn't do anything to stop her. She certainly was impressive, her skills speaking for themselves. Someone to keep an eye on, perhaps, but she had other interests for the moment. Interests that leaned towards the big and the woolly.<br><br>"Hmm. A big guy, aren't you," Kieri said as she looked up at the figure who barely fit into her home. Or, rather, the one she shared with a handful of other goblins. She wondered, had Snuffles actually been aware of what went on inside goblin homes? Certainly, she wouldn't dress in her... street clothes while in here. "Well, I like them big and strong, but..." She thought about it for a few moments. "Nope, I've got nothing to add. I'd be happy to give you a ride if that's what you're here for. Though maybe not here. I don't think the place would survive the fun we'd be having." She chuckled.<br><br>"But I'm going to bet that that not the reason you came here, right? You want to join us, help make something of this place, maybe help spread the cause to other districts?" She shrugged. "You're in. That easy. No question. You'll be given the fair shake you deserve. Work hard, do good work, do right by people and you'll do well with us. And I've got a feeling you'll be doing just that, won't you? Oh, and I wasn't kidding about the fun either. Not needed or anything, just a bit of fun for both of us if you're interested." 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>23-09-2020, 19:15:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Bfwmw0T.jpg)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>Unlike the others Freya did not scamper when she saw the hulking lizard, nor did she even flinch when he drew near. She craned her head up, revealing more of her face to him than most were privy to in the process, and smiled..."bad side? well looking at you now I think I'd be hard pressed to find one" she cooed, softly, serenely, a gentle hand finding it's way to one of his large, scaly biceps, "while a creative metaphor, I don't think it quite fits. I see no wolves here, only a strong lion ready to watch over the pride..." she said, producing an amulet of Aros and holding it up for him, "Here, please accept this, if not as a mark of faith then instead think of it as a badge of office" she explained. She didn't mind his supposed lack of faith, just as all the others she helped serve she would not demand piety as a price of entry, she was content to let that part come more naturally, even if some people's journey would be more...<em>gradual</em> than others'. <br><br>It was hard not to notice the lumbering mastodon that had joined her service that night, and when he asked for a moment of her time after wards she was happy to give it, "Only if I may call you my son" she playfully cooed when he fumbled with what to call her. She nodded along to his words, though he ended up retreating with surprising swiftness before she could answer his request. She took a long moment to consider it later that night, but ultimately decided against it. He was strong, earnest, and seemed like a good soul. He would no doubt make excellent follower of Aros, and that option would always be open to him, but as far as her personal hands went...well the Church's work unfortunately called for sharper tools... Then next day Freya found her way to Large Sniff and gently led him aside, "My sweetest son. It warms my heart to know you would pledge yourself to the Church's cause. However I believe your virtue and generosity are pure enough that you do not need my hand to guide you. Simply continue to follow your heart and help the people of the Sanctum and Aros will continue to smile upon you. At this time he needs nothing more from you than that. Of course I still look forward to seeing you at our sermons, make not a stranger of yourself"<br><br><br><hr><br><br>Again today the Good Mother stepped softly down the cobbled streets of the Inner Sanctum. However now she was not tailed by her usual procession. She no longer needed such blatant shows of strength and support, for now her procession was all around her, the good people with smiles on their faces, prayers in their hearts, and symbols of Aros hanging from their necks. Of course some of those amulets still hid gleaming daggers, and those who wore them watched over Freya from the side lines with great vigilance. She may have walked alone, but mercy upon anyone who made the mistake of thinking she was unguarded. <br><br>Freya made her way to one of the district squares wherein sat a wide <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">fountain</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/Wu5v7gA.jpg)</div></div>. Years ago the fountain had ran dry, only occasionally filling with filth and rain water. It had been defaced, graffitti'd, and chipped away by vandals repeatedly over the years, however in recent weeks the Healing Church had made a point in cleaning and restoring it. And now whenever the Mother of the Healing Church walked by it the fountain would miraculously spring back to life, flowing with cool, crystal clear water. Like Freya herself this water seemed to have minor healing properties, and remained pure and clean no matter what was put in it, not that many dared to try and defile it. With a small sigh Freya took a seat at the edge of the fountain, another one coming as she turned and dipped her feet inside, prompting the motherly nun to raise up the hem of her robe high enough to show off a sinful amount of her smooth, slender legs, all the way to the knee! <br><br>"I wish to share another story today my children. One about reason and action, and how these things dance with one another. For it is possible for people to all perform the exact same action, yet each for a different reason, and while the action never changes, the meaning behind it can differ greatly as a result" she said, "This story is a true one, in fact it happened only a few short days ago in the market district" she added, standing up within the fountain and wading around it as she spoke, allowing her to address people on all sides, "The Malignant Grimoire, a most unholy tome that threatened great calamity upon the people of Hexville. Though he bade me not speak of it at the time, in truth Aros was watching this matter with vested interest, and it was in fact his own light that empowered that brave woman to destroy it. A necessary action done for good reason" she explained, trying to siphon off some credit for the book's destruction despite remaining silent through the whole ordeal.<br><br>"Though this much is obvious, and is not the actual focus of our story. There were several Aspirants who stepped up to ensure the vile book's destruction, but there were two who strangely fought to preserve it, and here in lies the tale" she said, holding up a pair of fingers, "One was the grandiose Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between. A man of arcane talent and noble upbringing...and privilege. The second is one you may have seen here in the Sanctum before, if only fleeting, Morticia Scott, the mysterious woman spreading talk of "foul" necromancy through the city." Freya set the stage, "We know their actions, their attempts to preserve a cursed object that would no doubt bring ruin to the world in the wrong hands. But what of their reasoning? For what purpose? What if I told that one of them was actually acting with <em>good</em> intentions? And it may not be the one you are thinking"<br><br>"You see the true villain in this matter is the so-called Sovereign Ixeor. Like many of the high born in this city, the same ones responsible for driving Hexville to it's current dire state, Ixeor acts for no other purpose than his own. His reasons for trying to save the tome were selfish, he simply desired the power for his own, ignoring the danger it posed to others, despite the fact that as a mage of high station he already had more than his fair share of power to begin with. It is a selfishness that borders on malice, and shows just how dangerous his kind can be. Now on the contrary we have Morticia, the supposed "vile necromancer". For weeks now she has fought against the notion that necromancy is a dark art that only spreads evil and corruption, and you may be surprised to hear that Aros agrees with this. Necromancy is not just the magic of death, it is of life. Life that is granted, however fleetingly, so that the children of Aros may walk the Earth again and, hopefully, continue his work in some small way. Unfortunately the same way a fire can burn a man's house, or water can drown a man's lungs, it is possible for this life giving art to be misused for evil. And just like how you wouldn't snuff out all flames to avoid burning, or pour out all barrels of water to avoid drowning, or <em>dull all knives</em> to avoid being stabbed....neither should you decry necromancy just because it can be misused. Fire warms our homes and cooks our food, water quenches our thirst and cleans our bodies, knives can be tools for craft and protection, and necromancy can allow the dead a brief reunion with those they've left behind" she proclaimed, seeming to put a fair amount of support behind the necromancer's message. <br><br>"Make no mistake, what Morticia did was wrong. The action she took to protect the book could have had dire consequences had she succeeded. But it is important to understand the reason behind it. Her heart is soft and gentle, it weeps for any she sees as misunderstood and shunned. She acted to protect the book because it is in her nature to find the good in things, even if no one else believes it is there. In this case she was wrong, there was no good in that bloody tome, but just because we make mistakes does not make us evil, especially when our hearts are in the right place. And with proper guidance I believe she could be a true champion of the downtrodden, like those here in the Sanctum, who are no strangers to being labeled as wicked and irredeemable. So do not judge too harshly, for she is no villain like Ixeor. Where he hoards power and influence for his own gain, wearing the mask of a virtuous man, she attempts to use it to help others, to shed light on those in the dark. And while you should not follow her words blindly, do not close off your heart entirely. Aros smiles on those who peer past the veil of darkness to find the light within...."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>24-09-2020, 05:00:36</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GhiPE9D.jpg)</div><br>Kieri once again stood in the square that had been renamed for her. She sat on the shoulders of the beheaded statue, not to pretend to be above the others, but so that she could be seen and heard amongst the crowd. The square, that had once been a barren place was now full of life. Children played amongst tents and shacks that had been erected here and there and people walked, unafraid. Everywhere in the areas of the slums she controlled, people were, for the first time in a long while, walking unafraid. Unafraid of the guardsmen, that had been driven out, and unafraid of each other.<br><br>"I know there's been many rumours about it, and I'm here to confirm them. Yes, it's true. I have managed to form an alliance with others. People who share our cause. Powerful voices in the city. An alliance between us and Selevahn, Niles the Nerdist and, chief of all, Alwyn, Destroyer of the Malignant Grimoire!" A cheer came at this last, one that Kieri let last for a while before quieting it down. "Yes, I know many have heard of her. A human, bit one who has long spoken for our cause. And she didn't only speak. When the Grimoire was lost, its dangerous evil powers threatening us all, she took it on herself to find it and to destroy it! I'm proud that we were able to help her accomplish this task and I'm proud to that she's agreed to ally with us. I want all of our new allies, but her, especially, to be welcome anywhere in the Slums. And I think you all agree with me on this." Another cheer.<br><br>"But there are others!" Kieri eventually cried out, cutting through the cheerfulness. "Others who are not so great. Ones who waste their voices. I'm talking today of Chevis the Chic. Now, especially now, when everyone is suffering under Princess the Headless." She tapped the broken stump of a neck, drawing a laugh. "When there is not enough and many are doing what they can with less than they had, less than they need, he's having people wearing fish. Good food, wasted left to spoil as it is used as nothing more than silly clothes. I will not tell you what to do, you all know that it is not my way. But I would be glad to know that none of you are following this harmful trend."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elizabeth Ecsed</strong> on <strong>27-09-2020, 05:27:04</strong>
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				Alwyn followed up the grimoire episode with a visit to the slums. She was impressed with the progress Kieri had made, noting the clean streets and happy children. The mage brought medicines and more of her magically flavored candy,&nbsp; passing them out to children with a small, bemused smile. Children were important, but just not something she had much experience with, even as a child. <br><br>Leaning against the statue of poor inept Red... Someone really should try to teach the woman...&nbsp; The redhead adjusted her glasses, looking over the crowd. "Wow, there sure is a lot of yall..." She murmured, flanked by the two goblin women assigned by Kieri to... Guard and assist her. One was dressed in black leather, copying her ward, and the other adopted bright floral sundresses because they were "bloody freaking good camouflage, everyone sees the dress, not the person'.<br><br>Gathering her wits back around her, she began the speech. "Ladies, gentlemen, neutral and others, thank you for coming. I love the community you are building here, and am glad to have assisted with the safety of your homes and families. <br><br>I couldn't have done it alone, though. As your brave and strong and kind leader Kieri said, we had a lot of help. Our allies Niles and Selevahn provided fantastic support. I know that the guards have a bad reputation in this district, usually for extremely good reasons. But I must give credit where credit is due. Shanira of the guards also pursued the grimoire. She was only a few minutes behind me in securing it, and took risks to help ensure it was destroyed."<br><br>Giving a small, shy, but adoring smile to Kieri, she blushed. "But Kieri is an amazing force of good. Her drive and determination amaze me. She could have resorted to mindless violence, but Kieri is a builder. Violence only causes more violence. Offering a helping hand to those in need is a rare, honorable thing. <br><br>I can not say how proud I am to be pact mate to such a unique woman. I value her input immensely, and look forward to helping you all. Thank you. I'm proud of what I see here, and you all should be as well.<br><br>Unfortunately, I'm disappointed in someone. Chevis, your passion for cutting edge fashion blinds you to the needs of many, to enrich the lives of those blessed with much already. Why not bring joy to those who have so little? Why not bring color and brightness to a place that often lacks it, instead of the guady peacocks of the rich? "<br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>27-09-2020, 22:57:22</strong>
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				<strong>Tagging Kieri!</strong><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/YpGMWGV.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Big Snuffles <br><br>The woolly loxodon looks a bit flustered at Kieri's forwardness. <br><br>"Oh uh, no uh, that's uh, that's okay I uh, I'll just uh get to work." The elephantine man's fur and skin are too thick, or one might think he was blushing.<br><br>"So uh, what uh, what sort of thing would you like me to build and uh, where? I don't like to get too far from home." The loxodon says a bit bashfully.<br><br><em>Kieri may request that Big Snuffles get to work on building a structure for her in the Slums, Guild District, or Docks. She may request that this building be <br><br>a) Military - a barracks, training rounds, something of that nature<br>b) Quality of Life - helping with running water and sewage, something like that!<br>c) Community - a tavern or some place for everyone to get together!<br><br>Let me and Snuffles know by responding in this thread with Kieri's choice!</em><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>27-09-2020, 23:08:36</strong>
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				<strong>Tagging Mother Freya!</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Sua1IZf.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Saurus <br><br>"Mother." The words rumble from the reptilian throat of Saurus as he acknowledges her right to call him 'son.' He bows his massive head as the amulet is placed around it, signifying his loyalty to Mother Freya. <br><br>At the words that he needs no further guidance the massive lizardfolk grins a feral grin. An unspoken understanding passes between them.<br><br><em>Mother Freya may now select a group of minions for Saurus to HUNT.<br><br>Saurus will automatically track down the targeted minions. I will then roll a die. On a 1-2 Saurus is unable to interfere. On a 3, 4, or 5 Saurus prevents those minions from accomplishing their task this turn as they flee from him. On a 6 Saurus catches and eats them and they will be removed from the game (the Aspirant will get to recruit a new group to replace them). <br><br>You may PM me the target if you'd rather not announce outloud.</em><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>28-09-2020, 00:01:28</strong>
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				<strong><em>Week Five</em></strong><br><br>While areas of safety were more common than previously, the Slums as a whole were the most dangerous they'd ever been!<br><br>Several distinct camps had formed. Those who backed Kieri and her allies, those who backed the Church of Aros, and those who were loyal to the old ways - the ways of Broken Sky fighting the criminals of the slums in a perpetual struggle of law and chaos. But things were more complicated now. <br><br>There weren't huge brawls or exchanges of gunfire the way things were in the Docks. Rather the Slums felt more like a forest that had suddenly gone quiet, with predators lurking behind every corner. The people flocked to where they knew they would be safe, resulting in large stretches of the Slums becoming almost practically the property of Kieri and her friends, or Mother Freya. <br><br>The people were torn. Which was the path to salvation for them? More and more were realizing it was not to cower in the fear of mobsters or Broken Sky. Kieri and her allies had the favor of the slums at the moment, but it was far from sure who, if anyone, could take control of this district first. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>28-09-2020, 01:57:59</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GhiPE9D.jpg)</div><br>Kieri smiled back at the big, woolly loxodon. Oh, the big ones were always cute when they were flustered. "Don't worry, just putting the offer on the table. You can leave it there or pick it up anytime you want. And as for building something, well... I'm not sure, actually. Let's go see."<br><br>Kieri put on her cloak and left her lair, Snuffles in tow. With him, she walked the streets of what she considered to be 'her' portion of the slums. It was a bit patchwork, of course, but mostly, the slums had divided in two. Those that wanted to better themselves and the city and those that had fallen to the Church of Aros. She had two purposes for this walk. The first, fairly minor, to show Snuffles around and introduce hum as a powerful ally to their cause. But the main reason for their tour was for Kieri to be counseled.&nbsp; She was no great architect herself and so, she wanted Snuffles to know what problems really affected the residents of this section city and what could best be done to help them.<br><br>There were, of course, many problems. Buidings and streets in disrepair, lack of employment, medicine, security, food... even water. But there was one problem that seemed to lead to many, many others: the entire place was filthy. Even a goblin like Kieri could see that. And while other problems were difficult to deal with, this, it seemed, was something that was well within their reach. Water also, perhaps, but without some amount of cleanliness, that was a non-starter.<br><br>Subtly, Kieri led Snuffles to a larger space and started asking more about his ideas. Notions of channels through the center of the road or on the the sides, coverings for them, gratings... She didn't understand fully, of course, but the important thing was that Snuffles was talking. And that a crowd was slowly forming. She started addressing them as well as Snuffles. They asked questions and she answered them. With Snuffles's assistance, of course. And when things became more technical or detailed, she simply asked Snuffles to answer them directly. When they started asking Snuffles questions directly, she let herself fade into the background, simply making small prompts here and there. And when people started self-organizing, she knew that she was no longer needed. Snuffles would lead the project and everyone would join in as they could, never even realizing that a decision was made. Not helping on something like this, something that helped themselves and everyone else would quickly grow to become unthinkable. At least, with the correct prodding at the right places and times. <br><br>Goblin leadership truly was an art.<br><br>Of course, there were still a few details to see to so that it would not all fall apart or go in the wrong direction. Kieri went to stand next to a convenient shadow and started apparently talking to herself. The most important choice was whether to let their new project go through the areas under Mother Freya's influence. To Kieri, the choice was clear: they would plan for it and ask. Any answer would be to their benefit. A refusal would cast doubts to Mother Freya's care for the condition of the people of the district. And if they agreed, they would forever know what Kieri's people had done for them and to who they had to give their thanks.<br><br>When this business was also done, Kieri left, with no indication that anything had happened other than that the shadow suddenly seemed somewhat... emptier. She started walking the streets, enjoying the buzz of excitement as it overcame her. Some people had already started on work, too. It reminded her somewhat of goblin villages, a sort of chaotic order. Something being worked on partly, abandoned, then picked up by someone else later. Stones being left in random piles only to be taken away by someone to be used in some way. She had once heard some human liken it to an ant's nest. Kieri could see the resemblance, but it was... even more so. Especially now, with so many species working together. Big folk naturally gravitated towards doing things that required strength, small ones towards things where small hands and small bodies were an asset. But no one try to stop a group of goblins from hauling a heavy stone away or an ogre with a steady hand from making delicate, beautiful engravings.<br><br>Kieri was proud of these people that she considered to be her people. But something disquieted her. She wanted to raise people up, yes, and this seemed like it would be a wonderful way to do so. But it wasn't the only thing she wanted. She had said as much to her pact mate, Alwyn. Goblins, orc, ogres, even humans. She had said that wanted them all to rise together, but also that they should all remain themselves. She had said it, she had meant it. Was she truly living it? If so, then why was proud goblin chieftess hiding her body, hiding herself? Was this who she was?<br><br>(https://i.imgur.com/6D60Uq7.jpg)<br><br>Kieri's cloak was tossed to some children sitting in the street. She wouldn't need it anymore. And as she walked the streets now, what she saw in people's eyes was first surprise, then as sense of... relaxation. They understood what it meant, what she was saying. And she knew that another second wave of changes would spread along the slums. People would work toward things getting better yes, but they also would remember to be who they are.<br><br>(Option B for Snuffles and Harmony for Kieri's second path.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>28-09-2020, 17:39:40</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Bfwmw0T.jpg)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><div align="center"><strong>Tagging:</strong> Kieri</div><br>The tiny goblin leader would suddenly find herself once more standing within a shadow, though her shade now took a human form. Looking back she would see it was none other than Mother Freya herself, standing alone with what looked to be a picnic basket in hand. Kieri may be surprised to see a "rival" aspirant in "her" territory, but Freya never really bought in that kind of segmented mentality. The Sanctum was their home, everyone's home, and she knew she could tread anywhere within it freely, despite appearing to be alone. Of course she wasn't really alone, far from it...<br><br>"Well hello there my emerald child, how fortunate to come across you here" she cooed softly, motherly, a warm smile on soft lips, "I wanted to pay you a visit today, and give an overdue introduction" she said, giving a small, humble bow of her head, "I'm Freya, Mother of the Healing Church of Aros. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance" she introduced herself, "I also wanted to extend our thanks on behalf of the Church for helping with the Grimoire incident. Such dark magic would have lead to great suffering all over Hexville, though no doubt here in the Inner Sanctum worst of all" she said, offering the basket to her. Inside were several loaves of bread along with various fruit preserves. Not the most lavish of offerings, but hopefully it would be appreciated never the less, "Here, it's not much, but please accept this as a token of gratitude, along with the favorable blessings of Aros of course. We always have more to offer at our public luncheons, so feel free to have your people join us sometime. The Church seeks to feed all who hunger, regardless of affiliation..."<br><br>With that said the nun turned to survey the construction work being performed, not unlike what she had her own people assist in in other parts of the district. It was a far cry from cutting the heads off statues, which she could appreciate. Though standing side by side the two local leaders would make for quite the amusing contrast, a tiny goblin shamelessly standing stark naked and a modest human draped head to ankle in thick robes, "I see you're also committing some time to restoration work. It's good to see our Inner Sanctum being healed like this. Perhaps I could call down some of our flock to assist you?" she offered. Never turning her gaze away from the workers dutifully going about their tasks. She had come to a personal realization lately, the beauty that could be found in seeing people work together. The Church's ambitions were quite lofty, and everything she's done so far has been to expand it's power and influence. The positive effects of their outreach were seen as a fortunate side effect of that work, but were never the main goal. However she realized that power was empty if it was not used for something, and obviously having control over a prosperous city would be better than ruling over a pile of dirt. And of course a unified, safe, and peaceful society was much easier to hold the reigns on than one divided, the Princess would come to realize this soon enough... <br><br>(Civilization for Freya's second path)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>29-09-2020, 03:18:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Storytelling</em><br><br>Mother Freya<br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/6D60Uq7.jpg)</div><br>The Slums weren't a true battlefield. There was no true fighting between the factions. The lines were mixed and always shifting. And yet, Kieri knew that, with a word, the woman now standing next to her could, with a word, ensure that entire areas of the Slums would be cut off from the project that was now under development. And she knew, too, that despite how inoffensive Mother Freya tired to appear, the deep shadows, the ones with extra mass, many of them were around. Not all of them were under her control.<br><br>Kieri took the offered basket. "A goblin never refuses food," she said. "I take this, but I will not take your Aros. We have ours own gods. Our own ways. You give food, yes. But only in churches." She took a few steps away and placed the basket down, tearing off a piece of bread before returning. As with everything, it would be taken and it would be used, down to the basket. No waste. The people of the Slums could ill afford to waste anything. "This food will be eaten, yes, but tomorrow, these people will be hungry again. And with your food, you will feed them your Aros. But tomorrow, too..." She waved to the scene spread before them. "Tomorrow, the streets will be clean and the people will know that they have done it. That they have done good work, important work that made their lives better. And they can do it once, they can do it again. They were not ordered. They only needed a little push. A few pushes, maybe, in the right places, to understand." She looked up and frowned at Freya. "This will spread. I made sure of that. Even to those you call your flock, if you let it. Their hands and minds and efforts will be appreciated, but even more if they come because they chose to, than because you told them to."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>29-09-2020, 04:21:10</strong>
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				<br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Bfwmw0T.jpg)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><div align="center"><strong>Tagging:</strong> Kieri</div><br>"A wise policy to live by" she said when Kieri claimed that goblins never turned down food, "And worry not, the Church's gifts and services are given freely with no strings attached, and Aros is not just some commodity that is given and taken, he is the gentle father watching over us all" she explained, not planning to convert her, at least not through such a base method as buying her faith with bread and jam. <br><br>"You know you are quite well spoken for a goblin, though I fear you may be operating under a few miss conceptions" she said, the kind smile still lingering on her face, "We have provided food, healing, and other aid all across the Sanctum, well beyond the grounds of our humble church house. And we are always adamant that one need not attend sermons or pledge themselves to Aros to make use of our services. Faith is not a currency to be bartered with, it is belief, understanding, conviction. All I do is speak the good word, it is up to others to open their ears and hearts to it" she said, speaking with calm and motherly patience the whole time despite the accusations thrown at her. And her words were 100% true, at least as far as action went. There were no cases the Goblin would be able to dig up of her excluding anyone from their services, or providing food only in exchange for loyalty or fealty to the Church. Since the very beginning the woman had been very consistent on providing free community service, and keeping such services mostly separate from Church gatherings, prayers, and sermons. The goblin's claims were completely false in this regard. <br><br>Despite the frown thrown her way the nun's smile never faltered. If anything it turned more friendly, as she knelt down and playfully poked the goblin's cheek, "I believe you and I are more in agreement than you realize. You seem hung up on the notion that action that has been instructed is somehow a bad thing. While it is great when people can naturally find the inspiration to do good on their own, there will always be those who require structure and guidance. It's more a teaching tool than anything, after all today's orders are tomorrow's initiative. And if being told to do something means a good deed is done that wouldn't have been done otherwise...well I hardly find fault in that" she said, turning her eye to Big Snuffles, "Though you're right to an extent, not everyone needs to guided so directly. Take your large friend for example. The other day he came to me looking for guidance, wanting to know how he could do good in this world. Aros knew he did not need my direct instruction, so I told him that he should simply follow his heart and it would guide him towards the purpose he sought. And so here he is now..." she said, straightening back up and gently dusting her robe, "I look forward seeing how things have cleaned up by tomorrow. Perhaps we should host a celebration of sorts? Hmm... anyways it was nice to finally make your acquaintance. Ava's light upon you, till next we meet" &nbsp;she said, taking her leave of the goblin, weaving through the busy construction to go say hi to the hulking mastodon.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>02-10-2020, 19:21:05</strong>
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				<em><strong>Week Six</strong></em><br><br>The powers that be continue to loom taller and stronger in the Slums. Conflict between Mother Freya and Kieri's alliance seems inevitable and yet it has not come, not in the form of violence in any event. The three way divide in power continues, putting all on edge the closer they are to the borders. The petty criminals of the slum are forced into these uncontrolled areas, making the narrow strips of no man's land the most dangerous places to be of all, yet leaving the other areas peaceful, almost disturbingly peaceful. The people feel as though they live under a bell jar that is about to shatter, sure that Kieri's alliance and Mother Freya and Broken Sky are due for a showdown, a mighty one, and yet...not today. <br><br>There may be some others at work here, but their impact is muted, barely felt. <br><br><strong>Tagging Kieri</strong><br><br>Big Snuffles has been hard at work! A lot of ground has been cleared for what will be an aqueduct that will pipe in water from a nearby river to supply wells and sewers, some of which will need to be dug and some of which will need renovation as derelicts. The woolly loxodon though works as hard and as mightily as several dozen goblins or humans could, and Kieri cannot help but be impressed by the results! There is still a lot to be done though.<br><br><em>The utility project is 25% complete! Snuffles will keep working on it unless instructed otherwise! Let me know here or via PM if you'd like him to switch to something else!</em><br><br><strong>Tagging Mother Freya</strong><br><br>Saurus is present in church for services. He seems on edge, hungry, not sated but not frustrated either. His presence garners a mixed response from the other petitioners. While everyone fears his might, many are also starting to see that having him on their side is a blessing. A blessing from Aros. From Freya. Is she more than just a reassuring presence? Some are starting to say it is so.<br><br><em>Details sent via PM.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>03-10-2020, 17:53:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/6D60Uq7.jpg)</div><br>Kieri truly was amazed at what Snuffles had achieved, bringing not only muscle, but also know-how to this project of theirs. And apparently, there already were ancient structures in place for not just the canals they had envisioned, but real sewers and even well. They simply had to all be fixed up properly and for water to be brought in to fill them once more. It was tough work, dirty work, and Kieri spent the week joining in with her fellow slum-dwellers in doing the work directly. The past few months had been chaotic and she had had to spend much of her time creating alliances and dealing with separate issues. It would be good to let her people see that she didn't feel herself to be above them, that she was willing to get her hands dirty alongside them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>07-10-2020, 01:33:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em><strong>Week Seven</strong></em><br><br>The people of the slums are working, and working hard. Both Kieri's alliance and Freya's church are doing all they can to make this place theirs. <br><br>Big Snuffles continues his project, moving the earth around with his mighty mammoth muscles, he is able to make very good progress. He is now about halfway down with the aqueduct and the pipes that will bring much needed fresh water to large portions of the slums. Kieri's little goblin hands prove just as useful, fine tuning things that that the big loxodon couldn't handle so delicately. There is a sense of hope and progress in the air. <br><br>Elsewhere in the slums, something very different is occurring. A storm is gathering. <br><br><hr><br>"You need to come!" One of Freya's loyal followers says quickly. They've never seemed so urgent before, the the holy lady is compelled to treat this seriously. She is quickly escorted through the driving rain and the slums to a bar where she knows that one of the last of the gang bosses loyal to neither her nor Kieri holds court. It looks like someone set off a fireball inside. The walls are burnt, the windows are shattered, she can smell the blood a block away. As she enters the place she almost knows before she sees it what she will find inside. <br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/glDinlx.jpg?1)</div><strong>Broken Sky</strong> <br><br>The hero of the slums sits in one of the few intact chairs in the place, holding his glaive before him like a walking stick as he leans on it. He is bleeding from a dozen places. All around him the guards of the boss are dead, and the boss himself lies face-up at the one nice booth in the place. As lightning flashes and the rain continues to pour Broken Sky looks up, meeting Mother Freya's eyes. They both know what has happened. She's caught him in a weak moment, and could very easily rid herself of the person that many in the slums still view as in charge of this place. <br><br>He coughs, spitting up blood in the process and slowly, weakly gets to his feet. He's in no condition to fight. He can barely stand. The man is famously quiet, but after a moment he removes his mask and regards Freya stoically. <br><br>"She's beating you." He says simply. "The goblin is ahead of you." He spits blood to the side. "Kill me and she'll be in charge by dawn. Let me go, and you'll have time."&nbsp; <br><br>He's trying to make saving his own life the rational choice. They both know it. They also both know that he won't beg. Or plead. Or compromise. He starts to walk, stiffly, weakly, to move past Freya into the night.<br><br><em>Mother Freya has a choice to make.<br><br>A) Kill Broken Sky, and claim his glaive, making it obvious who did it<br>B) Kill Broken Sky and leave him, making it look like he died in the fight<br>C) Let him go. </em> 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>07-10-2020, 07:59:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/D7HpixH.jpg?2)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>Freya had been in the middle of bathing when she received the call, showing no alarm to the call for urgency nor the abrupt intrusion of privacy. She simply gave a nod as she rose from the water, grabbing a fresh robe and throwing it over herself swiftly, pulling the hood over her still dripping hair as they stepped outside. The rain was pouring down in thick sheets, though she didn't pay it much mind. She was already wet from the bath, so some rain mattered little. Still she headed the call for haste, jogging through the streets faster than anyone would have ever seen the calm, measured woman move before. <br><br>Reaching the bar her gait once again slowed, casually strolling through the wreck and bloodshed, taking in the charred surroundings the same way she would serenely survey the children playing at the park, displaying very little sense of concern, "oh my, you've certainly outdone yourself..." she mused, casually circling around the establishment, not sparing the half-broken vigilante a glance as he coughed and sputtered, "beating me? that would imply we were engaged in some sort of game, or, Aros forbid, a fight" she said coyly. <br><br>As he went to walk past her, Freya would gently rest a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. The small group of followers with her, and more importantly Saurus, would step up to block the exit, dissuading him from trying to physically shove his way past her, "Fear not, we've no intention of killing you. After all Black Sky is a hero to many, a man who tried to bring justice to the Sanctum back when no one else would. I have no love for those who use wanton violence to further their cause, but when it is wielded more...<em>precisely</em>, it is less a club and closer to a surgeon's scalpel" she said, glancing around to the corpses strewn around them, "And while I can't endorse this kind of brutality, there's no arguing that the world will be a better, safer place with these men no longer in it..." she added. <br><br>Taking her hand off his shoulder, Mother Freya would reach up and pull down her hood. It was not often she showed her full face, and for several of her followers present it would be their first time seeing it. She was young, much younger than her title and demeanor would have suggested. She was pretty, but not in any stunning or mesmerizing way, hers was a more modest beauty. She looked like any other simple, pretty girl you would see in town or out in the country, not truly fitting the gravitas of one who could amass the sheer power and influence she had in just a few short months. However it wasn't her actual appearance that mattered, but the fact that she had chosen to strip off her hood the same way Black Sky had removed his mask, putting them on the same level in a sense, "despite the blood and thunder I do believe you are a good man deep down, or at least you aim to do good, and Aros is wise enough to measure the intent and purpose behind our actions when weighing our sins..." &nbsp;she said, trailing off as she brought her hands up to cup the man's cheeks. Standing up on her tip toes, Freya pulled the man's head down so that their foreheads touched. <br><br>Suddenly Black Sky would feel his pain start to fade, replaced by a more manageable numbness, and his wounds would start to mend themselves, a blessing from the nun's healing magic. However even as his wounds healed, he would still find his limbs to be heavy, awkward, lacking the strength and speed he should have had. It was clear that this healing had not returned the strength he would need to fight, if anything it might have made him functionally weaker, the numbness making his wounds less painful but also robbing the sensation needed to properly coordinate his muscles, "Go. heal your wounds, get strong. I don't think this place will have need of you for much longer, but if it does..." she said, suddenly grabbing the man's glaive and easily pulling it from his numbed grasp, "...then you may return for this when the need arises" she cooed, like a mother putting away her child's toy until next play time. "Aros' light upon you" she said, pulling her hood back up and turning to take her leave of the place, the vigilante's weapon now the mother's walking stick, her followers parting&nbsp; for her and quickly falling in behind her, a few keeping a stern gaze fixed on Black Sky until they were sure their mother was a safe distance away. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 02:53:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Eight</em></strong><br><br>Several things of note happen in the Slums this week.<br><br>First, Niles the Nerdist has established himself as a presence. Stacy Chains, the only un-allied person of import, rolls her eyes and mutters something about sellouts. Still, Niles' constructs and nerds are starting to gain some ground. They stay near the holdings of Kieri, their ally, but they are numerous enough that they could stand on their own if they need be. The presence of Niles here seems to inspire many of the youth of the slums especially that the University might not be as closed off to them as it seems, or at least it won't be if Niles takes charge that is! On certain weeks, this would be huge news. But it pales compared to - 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums - NPCs</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 03:10:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Kieri!</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/YpGMWGV.jpg?1)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Big Snuffles <br><br>"Kieri! Kieri! Come quick!"<br><br>A young goblin is tugging on the older goblin's arm, as no sleeves are in sight. Waking up the goblin is pulled into the slums and her eyes can barely believe what she sees! <em>Big Snuffles has completed his project!</em><br><br>The wolly loxodon is sitting back enjoying a cool drink as he sees his Aspirant approaching, he gives a tired, but happy smile as he nods up towards the massive stoneworks. Party rebuilt, partly all new, the aqueduct and the many connecting pipes are finished! They aren't pretty, but they are functional. Clean water flows in through them spreading access towards many parts of this district that haven't had it in ages. <br><br>"Got it done." He says simply, almost appearing bashful, like he's embarrassed at the attention this is sure to bring him. But more importantly, it will bring attention to Kieri, and her devotion to her people! <br><br><em>The Quality of Life Improvement in the Slums is complete! It will gain influence for Kieri every turn! <br><br>Is it time for another project? <br><br>Kieri may request that Big Snuffles get to work on building a structure for her in the Slums, Guild District, or Docks. She may request that this building be <br><br>a) Military - a barracks, training rounds, something of that nature<br>b) Quality of Life - helping with running water and sewage, something like that!<br>c) Community - a tavern or some place for everyone to get together!<br><br>Let me and Snuffles know by responding in this thread with Kieri's choice, she may pick anything except for another Quality of Life Improvement in the Slums!</em><br><br>Now almost any week this would be the big news, but even this pales compared to - 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 03:22:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">Broken Sky is Dead</span></span></em></strong></div><br>The long time vigilante who has haunted these slums for a decade or more has finally passed away. The gangsters who found him couldn't believe their eyes. There he was, stumbling through the pouring rain that usually kept him safe, nearly dead, without his legendary glaive. Not wanting to underestimate him like so many had before they kept their distance, hurling improvised weapons. He took shelter. They called for help. With his back against the wall, nearly dead, and weaponless, he still managed to kill several attackers. But in the end it was simply too much even for him. <br><br>The gangsters drag his body through the streets. They have all become local legends. The Slums are shocked. The areas that relied on Broken Sky for protection find themselves begging for aid from Kieri's alliance, or Mother Freya, or the next to be victimized. <br><br>But this power vacuum settles quickly, and when it does, the alliance realizes - they have control. The struggle between them and Mother Freya has a victor for now. The margin may be thin, but it is theirs. The Slums are in control of the alliance between Alwyn, Kieri, &amp; Niles the Nerdist. <br><br><em>Mother Freya realizes that taking Broken Sky's weapon left him vulnerable, and that if she displays it, everyone will suspect she was the one that doomed him, even if she did not strike the killing blow herself.</em><br><br><em>"Broken Sky's Glaive" added to Mother Freya's Items. She has a choice to make<br><br>A) Display it - this will send the message that she was responsible for Broken Sky's death.<br>B) Hide it - this will change nothing<br>C) Give it to a group of minions - equipped with this the minions will be quite empowered (roll an additional d6 per action) but if something happens to the minions, the weapon may be lost for good, or end up in the hands of another</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 05:38:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/uOY2b0l.jpg)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>There was a much larger gathering outside the church house than usual that morning, many of whom were not her usual followers. It had been a full day since the morning Broken Sky's body was discovered, the culprits proclaiming their victory of the Slum's fallen protector. In the time since then Mother Freya had seemed to vanish, none but her closest followers knew of her comings and goings within the past 24 hours. <br><br>Suddenly the doors opened, and the holy woman emerged from the tiny chapel. She did not step out empty handed, however, for in her hand she held Broken Sky's glaive. Well, she held what had <em>been</em> Broken Sky's glaive at least, however it now looks slightly different. The skilled blacksmiths she had recently recruited to her cause had worked tirelessly over night to modify it, refastening the blade upon the staff so it now resembled a scythe rather than a traditional weapon. <br><br>There was a collective gasp at the sight, the kindly mother of the Healing Church in possession of the vigilante's legendary blade, the absence of which had sealed the man's fate, "fear not my children, though I come baring a grisly instrument, my songs will be forever gentle" she spoke calmly, soothingly, "We have all heard the fate of Broken Sky, a man who has spent years fighting for the poor and downtrodden, only to meet a most ignoble end" she said, stepping forward into the crowd, enough of her followers present that she didn't fear for her safety. <br><br>"In truth I met with him that very night, discovered him in a moment of weakness, standing amongst the carnage of his most recent slice of vengeance. By Aros's mercy I spoke softly to him, used the Lord's light to heal his wounds, and attempted to send him on his way home. And yes, I took his blade with me, though not to strip him of power, but to give him a chance to reflect on himself, to ask whether his violent ways were truly just. Though it pains me to see that whatever conclusion he may have come to, his past caught up to him before he could act on it..." she said, stopping to bow her head in a silent prayer. <br><br>"However make no mistake. Broken Sky did not die that night because he didn't have his weapon. He died because he <em>relied</em> on this blade alone to protect him. He saw himself a protector and savior for the Inner Sanctum, yet he chose to stay a stranger to each and every one of us. Though he watched over this community, he never actually took part in it, never supported it or helped it grow. He refused to enter the lives of others, nor allow others to enter his. He lived alone, worked alone, fought alone...and unfortunately...died alone..." she muttered, her voice managing to reach every ear in the area despite how softly she spoke, as if she were speaking directly into their ear, "And that was his true and most fatal flaw. Because it does not matter how strong you are, no one is unwavering. All of us will wane and falter from time to time. It is unavoidable, because that is the nature of all us mortals. Aros teaches us that when our own strength fails, it is not we who catch ourselves, but instead the hands of those around us. Our friends and neighbors, those who will happily lend us their strength in our time of need. For no matter how powerful a pair of arms become, they will never carry more weight than a group that lifts together. That is the philosophy that the Church has always believed in, and what Broken Sky could never understand"<br><br>Freya breathed a solemn sigh for their fallen hero, before reaching out a hand to the crowd, several people immediately reaching out to take it, before more and more reached in, "My good children, please, take your time to grieve. Shed your tears, say your prayers, and hold your loved ones close. But do not fear. For Broken Sky may be gone, but you are all still safe. Safer now than ever in fact. For we need not rely on a sole savior to protect us, not when we are united and strong, not when we work together and watch over one another. Because that unity, that bond we share as a community... that is true strength. Broken Sky was strong yes, but he was alone, and he could not survive a single night on the streets without this blade at his side. While I have walked these streets night and day in plain view of all who might wish to do me harm, and make no mistake there are plenty who do, with not a single weapon in hand, nor even a pair of shoes with which to run, and not a scratch has fallen upon me. This is not because I am strong, it is because WE are strong, because Aros unites us and MAKES us strong, stronger than any metal that can be forged and sharpened" she said, raising up the re-shaped glaive over her head, "Look upon this now and see not a weapon for taking lives, for it has been reshaped, repurposed, just as all of you have been reshaped. What once was a tool of war can now be used to reap crops, to harvest food and provide for all. Think too how you can be changed, those of you once considered vermin, beggars and criminals. You can all serve a greater purpose, none of you are bound by your original form and function. You need only let go of your prior perceptions and shape yourselves into something better..." she said, creating a new icon&nbsp; for the church: the Bent-Glaive, the Sky's Scythe, a weapon turned tool, a symbol of recreation and change, of taking the parts of oneself that many would see as dangerous and instead using them for the greater good. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>c0i9z</strong> on <strong>12-10-2020, 19:03:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/6D60Uq7.jpg)</div><br>Kieri was amazed at what her big, furry friend had accomplished. Of course, it was just him, lots of people had helped, but everyone knew that he was the main architect behind the project, as well as having done more than his share with those big hands of his. Already, the streets were looking cleaner. That and the people were happier, having close access to sources of clean water in a way that they wouldn't have dreamed of a month ago. had it only been a month? In fact... yes, it had only been two months since she had started on task and, already, her and her allies had control of the slums. People there were happier now, freer, secure. It was only only fortunate that... Broken Sky... That was a big blow. One she wouldn't easily forgive Mother Freya for. He had care for the Slums even before she had arrived and she had hoped to forge an alliance with the man. But that was not to be. <br><br>With the Slums now secure a thriving, as much as they ever thrived, it was time for Kieri to put her attention elsewhere, as well as Snuffles's who seemed to be itching to do more. The two likeliest places were the Docks and the Marketplace, closest and most important to her people. But the Docks were still reeling from the conflicts that had occurred there so recently, so Kieri chose, instead, the Marketplace. It was a vibrant place, but also loud, crowded and very difficult to get through. After discussion with her handsome mammoth friend, Kieri found about the existence of a maze of disused tunnels underneath the area. Remnants of a previous war? Catacombs? Ruins of a previous city? It mattered little. If they were reinforced and expanded, they would make a wonderful way to ferry goods and messages around without disturbing the people on the surface. It would, as well, provide a path for those of her people who preferred dark or enclosed places. She set Snuffles on the task immediately, sending some of her growing retinue along to spark the same cooperative atmosphere that had been built in the Slums.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 03:10:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Tagging Mother Freya</strong><br><br>Freya's speech, and the display of Broken Sky's weapon, is not only heard by the large crowd that gathers for it, but spread far and wide. The rumors that an upstart aspirant was responsible for the death of a fixture of Hexville spread like wildfire. There is fear, there is respect, and there are many who listen with open ears to the tale of how they can themselves be rebuilt.<br><br>As Freya's speech goes on the clouds darken and the sky breaks with lightning. The crowd takes this as a sign, that the Scythe is now truly the tool of Freya. <br><br><em>Freya earned +11 influence in the Slums for this action. The item has been updated on her aspirant sheet.</em><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedPhoenix</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 04:47:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><em>Week Nine</em></strong><br><br>The power vacuum caused by the death of Broken Sky is starting to fill in, and, as these things tend to go, the one responsible for his absence has taken the lion's share this week. With her new ally Shanira, who had some small following in the Slums thanks to her work disrupting the Grimoire, Mother Freya's alliance has taken control! It is by the knife's edge, but she has it! <br><br>The structure built by Big Snuffles continues to garner support for his goblin ally, and her alliance, but it paled in comparison to the awe Freya inspired unveiling her latest acquisition.<br><br>As neither Chevis the Chic nor Morticia Scott has been sighted in the slums, it seems the two alliances in play here will continue to scrape and claw to keep or gain control, until someone gets the upper hand for good. But how long will that take? And what will be the cost? One thing is for sure, the energy in The Slums is electric, with followers of both alliances feeling as though they will succeed in the end! 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Hexville] The Slums</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>16-10-2020, 16:44:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/mVBo0Wo.jpg)<br></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">Mother Freya</span></div><br>Heads turned in awe and reverence as Mother Freya walked down the street with scythe in tow. She now took it with her wherever she went, not as a weapon, nor a trophy of conquest (though she didn't mind if it had that effect on those who were more swayed by fear than admiration), but as a new symbol of their religion. Soon it would become an iconic piece of imagery for the Healing Church, though for now it served as a reminder of Broken Sky's demise, and the lesson Freya had derived from it. <br><br>The nun quietly made her way into Kieri's territory. Her new alliance and recent display had swayed the power struggle in her favor for now, but she had no illusions of it being a solid hold. No doubt they would be contesting over the Sanctum for many weeks to come, if not months and years. She didn't mind, if anything she encouraged it. In the end she would come out on top, of this she was certain, so if the streaking goblin wanted to help build up the district's infrastructure in the meantime, Freya had no complaints. Let her polish this place until it shined, it would be hers never the less. <br><br>Speaking of hers, it was time that she came to take back what the goblin had taken from her. Freya smiled as she managed to catch the big wooly architect in the street, returning home from a long hard day's work, "hello friend, it's been a while since we've seen you" she cooed, looking up at the towering mastadon with a warm smile, placing a gentle hand on his trunk, "I see you've been busy, your work here has been truly wonderful" she said, motioning to the aqueducts that now carried precious water through the Inner Sanctum, "I told you Aros would help you find your true calling, if only you can see how proudly he smiles upon you" she cooed. <br><br>"Although I must caution you not to work too hard. I've been seeing you around less and less lately, and it's been too long since we've seen you at service" she said, just a tiny bit of somberness in her voice, like a mother wondering why her precious child doesn't come visit her anymore, "here, I've brought you something. I figured since you're working so hard I should make sure you're eating well" she said, reaching into her robe and producing a bag of freshly roasted peanuts, an alluring treat for any elephant, "care to join me for a snack?" she asked, ushering for him to come join her at a nearby bench, "You know I've been thinking about what we talked about before, when you wanted to join the Church. I know you have your duties to your current projects, and I think your work has been beyond commendable, but would you still be interesting in lending a hand to the Church? It's nothing of great urgency, but we could use a strong set of hands, if you'd be willing to borrow them..."
			</dd>
		</dl>
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