kirinke said:
Alethia drapes her cloak over Aleena and moves over to Fin. "Fin? My healing skills are not enough to deal with this. Aleena needs an expert. Her condition is either caused by magic or drugs. I don't know," she said softly.
Aiden walks over to Aleena, gently shakes her out of a daze, and says softly "Time to wake up, m'lady. Your people await. Do you think you can stand up?" She seems to nod, and he helps her up and guides her up the stairs.
As he does, he tells Timrin "Unfortunately, Peregion isn't going anywhere. Besides, my guards have it taken care of. The people should get to meet their heroes.
Once you get up to the top of the tower, you see an enormous crowd of thousands gathered in the streets. One of Aiden's guards hands him a horn made of ivory and gold, and he addressess the crowd, the item causing his voice to carry extremely far.
"People of Waterdeep. I bring tidings of sorrow, tidings of triumph, and tidings of hope. Lord Peregion is dead, assassinated by the same vampire that was responsible for annihilating House Drakkenmere.
However, all was not lost. In one glorious night, the vampire has been, at least temporarily, vanquished, an evil and powerful mage and his gang of ten assassins were slain, the almost the entire evil cult of Auril has been slain or captured, the rising of an overfiend has been averted, and Lady Aleena here has been rescued from the grasp of lunatics who were trying to offer her us as a human sacrifice."
"Lady Aleena, say hello to your people."
She stands up straight, waves and says "Hiiiiiiii everyone!!!!!!!, she tries to stifle giggles, then wobbles and starts falling over the side of the lighthouse. Aiden rapidly opens his hand, his ivory circle glows, and she slowly is pulled back, gently landing, apparently asleep, as he catches her in one arm. As this happens, the crowd first laughs, then gasps, then ends with applause.
"I am Aiden Zarun, heir to House Drakkenmere. Fourteen years ago, at the age of eighteen, I left Waterdeep to make a life for myself. I married the wonderful and beautiful noblewoman Rachael Zarun, without whom I would be merely another loser third son of a noble, and stayed a member of her family.
C'mon, let the people see you." The fancily-dressed and beautiful woman and the young girl step forward, waving and smiling. "And this is our daughter, Clarissa."
"When I heard the tragic news of my family's murder, I vowed that no one else would ever have to suffer as I have, and planned my return to Waterdeep. The forces of good have great power, but are often unwilling to use that power. They often compromise with evil, tolerate evil within certain bounds, and accept its power rather than take the necessary risks to ensure its total destruction. We must not sacrifice innocent people merely to avoid upsetting the status quo.
The assassination of Lord Peregion is the tragic result of such tolerance. As a nobleman, I have the right to have a private army of limited size. I have brought with me heroes, who will uncompromisingly destroy evil and save innocent lives.
(Thunderous Applause)
I have come to help protect this city and cleanse the evil forces within. But the heroes I bring are not the only ones. The local heroes here with me tonight are those who truly saved the city of Waterdeep tonight: Fin Caisson, Dyria Delmar, Kaarlo Koskinen, Timrin Goldmantle, Alethia Saldiniel, Murdoch, Shando, and Crimson. What this city needs is more heroes such as these.
(More applause)
While we all mourn the death of Lord Peregion, the last thing that he would want is for us to neglect our obligations to the gods. Before I land my ships and prepare to take possession of my family's property, I have a gift for the people of Waterdeep. I considered canceling it, on account of the bittersweet events of this festival. However, Lord Peregion would have wanted us to celebrate Waukeentide with ever more fervor than before. "
"Men, the Cannons!"
"In the tradition of Old Carvas!" Aiden shouts. "Good night, everyone!"
Aiden's ships open fire, and containers are projected over the city, which break open, showering coins on the crowd. The people clap and cheer and scramble for the coins.
