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<blockquote data-quote="Lylandra" data-source="post: 7466328" data-attributes="member: 6816692"><p><strong>Of Speeches, Raids and Subtenants</strong></p><p></p><p>The next morning, the local news are full of reports about our successful strike against the Kell guild. We then give each our speeches to the public before answering questions. Delft starts the whole event by greeting the whole audience. He then starts with his part of the speech:</p><p></p><p>“My dear fellow citizens of Flint, we are really glad to see that so many chose to come here on this beautiful morning. Your interest in the future and your love for our magnificent city of Flint make me proud to be one of its many citizens. Many of you will have heard or read news about the extraordinary events that took place yesterday. An unprecedented alliance, formed by our very own police force and special agents of the RHC took out one of the centers of crime of the so-called 'Kell Guild'. And this first strike shall only be the beginning. For far too long has this cancer spread throughout our beautiful city, for far too long has it tried to root deeply into the hearts of our citizens where it spread fear and terror among those who could not defend themselves.</p><p></p><p>Thus it is my pleasure to be honored with the task of introducing the brave officers and agents who shall be the spearheads against the organized crime in our city and who are the appointed leaders of operation 'Fallen Curtain': For the RHC, they are Constables Auryn Galadin and Gabriel Carlyle, and for the police of Flint we got captain Miggs Maloney. They are the ones who will coordinate the brave men and women who will root out the Kell Guild once and for all.”</p><p></p><p>Auryn then steps forward and continues with her part:</p><p></p><p>“Some of you may now ask themselves why the RHC gets involved in matters that so are so obviously jobs for the police, like persecuting common criminals. Be sure that the upcoming missions are more than 'regular' fights against crime. Five days ago the Kell Guild attacked the royal carriage of King Aodhan in a ludicrous attempt to place themselves above our monarch and sovereign. And this is nothing short but high treason, endangering the safety of all of Risur. Such insolence and audacity crossed the red line of our beloved king by a far amount, which is why he decided to charge all members of the Kell Guild with high treason. </p><p></p><p>We, the police of Flint, and the RHC, heed the king's call for the safety of all citizens of Flint. As you have probably read this morning, we didn't waste any time and hit them both hard and precisely. Be assured that we will spare no effort to erase this stain from our beloved city and to make Flint finally safe again.”</p><p></p><p>Then it is Miggs who raises his voice:</p><p></p><p>“I've been a police officer in Flint for many years. Started as a small assistant officer in Bosun Strand and now I'm here, talking to the lot of you. I know far too many good people who lost someone they held dear to the damned Kells over the last months. There are others who are being blackmailed and live in so much fear that they don't dare to get help from the police. Or who even take another step and press charges against them because they fear consequences for themselves and their families. </p><p></p><p>And I told myself 'Damn, Miggs, this isn't right. It is THEM who should fear the consequences!'. I didn't become a police officer to twiddle my thumbs, I joined the police because I wanted to help people, to protect our citizens, our Flint. And now, by all the sleeping Titans, now they WILL feel the consequences of their misdeeds. I swear, we will turn every stone, arrest every single one of their henchmen and accomplices and then, finally, drag that fat rat Kell into the bright sunlight to put him to trial. </p><p></p><p>This I owe to my friends, my family and my city. And I'm proud to join forces with the RHC for these missions. I'm quite familiar with my two constable-colleagues. They saved the king's life, protected the Nettles and the High Skyseer and I'm pretty sure they did many more noble deeds for Risur. And while I'm also sure they could tell us some daring tales, they probably won't be allowed to speak about it without having their heads chewed off by the nice man right behind me. So, if there's someone who's able to keep a cool head in the face of danger, then it is these two constables.”</p><p></p><p>Finally, it is Carlyle's turn:</p><p></p><p>“Thank you so much, captain Maloney. I simply have to return the compliment and say that it is first and foremost Flint police with their dutiful officers, aided by the departments of Slate and other provinces that form the backbone of our operations. I've been living in Flint for centuries. And never before have I encountered such insolence by a criminal syndicate. Both RHC and police take the accusations of our king very seriously. High treason is the most serious crime in our country, so be assured that we won't be lenient towards those who commit it. </p><p></p><p>But despite this severity, I know that not everyone who's cooperating with the Kell Guild is doing so freely. In the recent past, we failed to listen to those members of our society who are among the weakest, who are easily exploited by criminals like those Guild members. And despite the fact that we'll use all available means to bring down the Kell Guild, our 'Operation Fallen Curtain' won't be a wild sledgehammer, but rather a precise scalpel. And to all those who might have turned towards the Guild, be that out of fear or simply because they desperately needed money for their families: Now is the time to sever these bonds. Help us, help the police and the RHC and be free of the charge of high treason. We can protect you and your loved ones. Let us show them that there are thresholds that must not be crossed. Let us do this together.”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000">(Fortunately I kept a record of the prepared speech. As a DM, I usually improvise speeches and Auryn's pep talk towards the officers during the previous session was improvised as well. But this one I prepared in advance, hence the detailed version) </span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"></span></p><p>After our speeches are finished, it is question time. We manage to satisfy both the general public and the reporters and try to encourage the people to take matters into their own hands by providing us with all information they got. We made sure to invite Thames and his docker friends as well and it seems like he's the only one who's a bit skeptical. From his experience, he says, the police tends to use situations like this to incarcerate everyone who's looking the tiniest bit suspicious which will make organizing protests and spontaneous gigs much more complicated. </p><p></p><p>Auryn takes Thames aside and tells him that we are pretty sure that the Dockers fell victim to Kell muggings and blackmailing as well. Once she's sure that there are neither prying eyes nor ears, she says that she knows about the cases of police brutality, which is why they hand-picked the officers tasked with their operation. In addition, the missing personnel will be filled with officers from Slate and the provinces who don't have to face problems should they find and report any kinds of corruption or misbehavior among the remaining officers of Flint. </p><p></p><p>“Two birds, one stone, Thames. But please, can you try to keep the inevitable protests against the Danorans civil and calm during the peace talks?”</p><p></p><p>Thames Grimsley seems to be satisfied by this explanation and promises to do his best. Auryn adds that she's still an ally of the Dockers and would never greenlight secret operations against the movement under the guise of strikes against organized crime. Still, she highly recommends that Thames encourages every Docker to sever their ties to Kell as she cannot protect them from the king's accusation. </p><p></p><p>After the session is finished, we organize a raid against the Margarete Anna in the afternoon where we confiscate weapons and drugs. Meanwhile, Team B, consisting of Serena, Carlao, Dima and Gaethan, take the cosmetics shop, gather evidences and shut the whole business down. </p><p></p><p>The next day, we send tax investigators to the “Grandiose” fish market in North Shore who demand to take their books for a proper examination. Needless to say that the market cannot continue while the investigation is in process. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000">(Never underestimate the power of taxes! This should put an end to the money laundering.)</span></p><p></p><p>Then we head to the Black Rose, shut this business down as well and free all those “employees” who have been transformed against their will of the transmutation magics.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000">(Good! The fewer people who have an interest in Eladrin or other “exotic delights”, the better)</span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"></span></p><p>Over the course of the day, Auryn is also busy handing out small boxes and presents to her friends and acquaintances. When she comes across Don Cippiano after the raid, she hands the surprised looking man an elfaivaran brass tea pot and a basket full of wine and sweets for his “godchildren”. He thanks her for the gifts and asks her for the reason behind her sudden generosity. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, today is my birthday and handing out gifts to those people who accompanied you and helped you during the last year is a tradition.” she explains with a warm smile.</p><p></p><p>Cippiano seems a bit embarrassed to have missed that date and apologizes sincerely for his lapse. She brushes the matter off and confesses that almost no one knows the day she way born or how old she actually is (she's turning 76, she says). The Don is a bit surprised to hear that Auryn is actually older than him and says that he's still not that used to elves or even fey. </p><p></p><p>We then meet again in Delft's office in the RHC HQ where we talk about our next steps for “Fallen Curtain”. First, we set up a message for the King where we mention gaining political support from unofficial channels in Crisillyir. The details of these deals need to be discussed confidentially though, so we request to be granted an audience as soon as possible. </p><p></p><p>During the coffee break, Auryn mentions to Carlyle that one of her current housemates, Andrei von Recklinghausen, may wish to move out soon and find a home for himself. Sleeping on the sofa might be fine for a while, she explains, but it is getting uncomfortable and he'd like to take this step towards independence, especially as he is about to take a job as a construction worker. </p><p></p><p>“A first step, but an important one.” she says, before adding that Isobel does wish to stay with her for an indefinite time as she has so much more to learn and needs the company of both a mentor and an emotional anchor. </p><p></p><p>“Not that you'd have anything against keeping your maid-servant. She's quite the comfortable work-force, isn't she?” Carlyle jokes, adding that Auryn must have gotten quite accustomed to her small court while teasing that she still doesn't know how to cook anything for herself beyond grilling fish and chopping fruit. </p><p></p><p>“I'd never use Isobel like that!” Auryn protests. “It is more of a t*it-for-tat. Besides, she'd be more like a lady's maid in your way of naming occupations.”</p><p></p><p>She then suggests that maybe Carlyle could rent one of his numerous, uninhabited rooms to Andrei so he'd have a landlord he already knows. He seems to be pretty confused at her suggestion and explains that these rooms are exactly the way they should be: ready for possible guests. Subtenants, on the other hands, are people, strangers, who'd be living with him permanently and he'd prefer to stay in calm, quiet solitude. </p><p></p><p>“Don't you think the house was built to be... inhabited? Instead of having half of it covered in sheets because you don't want the furniture to collect any dust? Right now, it is just a waste of precious space.”</p><p></p><p>“My house is fine the way it is.” Carlyle finishes their argument before going back to work. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000">(Speaking of guests, as far as Auryn knows, she was the first and last guest Carlyle had for years, so she had some pretty convincing arguments from her point of view. In her eyes, Carlyle simply doesn't want to have other people too close to him. </span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #008000">What she doesn't know is that Carlyle does have an irregularly visiting guest, another deva from his old unit who is still suffering from mental trauma and who's both a restless wanderer and terribly confused. Therefore, this guy needs the calm, quiet environment. He never appeared onscreen so far, but one never knows when he'll pay Carlyle a visit.) </span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lylandra, post: 7466328, member: 6816692"] [b]Of Speeches, Raids and Subtenants[/b] The next morning, the local news are full of reports about our successful strike against the Kell guild. We then give each our speeches to the public before answering questions. Delft starts the whole event by greeting the whole audience. He then starts with his part of the speech: “My dear fellow citizens of Flint, we are really glad to see that so many chose to come here on this beautiful morning. Your interest in the future and your love for our magnificent city of Flint make me proud to be one of its many citizens. Many of you will have heard or read news about the extraordinary events that took place yesterday. An unprecedented alliance, formed by our very own police force and special agents of the RHC took out one of the centers of crime of the so-called 'Kell Guild'. And this first strike shall only be the beginning. For far too long has this cancer spread throughout our beautiful city, for far too long has it tried to root deeply into the hearts of our citizens where it spread fear and terror among those who could not defend themselves. Thus it is my pleasure to be honored with the task of introducing the brave officers and agents who shall be the spearheads against the organized crime in our city and who are the appointed leaders of operation 'Fallen Curtain': For the RHC, they are Constables Auryn Galadin and Gabriel Carlyle, and for the police of Flint we got captain Miggs Maloney. They are the ones who will coordinate the brave men and women who will root out the Kell Guild once and for all.” Auryn then steps forward and continues with her part: “Some of you may now ask themselves why the RHC gets involved in matters that so are so obviously jobs for the police, like persecuting common criminals. Be sure that the upcoming missions are more than 'regular' fights against crime. Five days ago the Kell Guild attacked the royal carriage of King Aodhan in a ludicrous attempt to place themselves above our monarch and sovereign. And this is nothing short but high treason, endangering the safety of all of Risur. Such insolence and audacity crossed the red line of our beloved king by a far amount, which is why he decided to charge all members of the Kell Guild with high treason. We, the police of Flint, and the RHC, heed the king's call for the safety of all citizens of Flint. As you have probably read this morning, we didn't waste any time and hit them both hard and precisely. Be assured that we will spare no effort to erase this stain from our beloved city and to make Flint finally safe again.” Then it is Miggs who raises his voice: “I've been a police officer in Flint for many years. Started as a small assistant officer in Bosun Strand and now I'm here, talking to the lot of you. I know far too many good people who lost someone they held dear to the damned Kells over the last months. There are others who are being blackmailed and live in so much fear that they don't dare to get help from the police. Or who even take another step and press charges against them because they fear consequences for themselves and their families. And I told myself 'Damn, Miggs, this isn't right. It is THEM who should fear the consequences!'. I didn't become a police officer to twiddle my thumbs, I joined the police because I wanted to help people, to protect our citizens, our Flint. And now, by all the sleeping Titans, now they WILL feel the consequences of their misdeeds. I swear, we will turn every stone, arrest every single one of their henchmen and accomplices and then, finally, drag that fat rat Kell into the bright sunlight to put him to trial. This I owe to my friends, my family and my city. And I'm proud to join forces with the RHC for these missions. I'm quite familiar with my two constable-colleagues. They saved the king's life, protected the Nettles and the High Skyseer and I'm pretty sure they did many more noble deeds for Risur. And while I'm also sure they could tell us some daring tales, they probably won't be allowed to speak about it without having their heads chewed off by the nice man right behind me. So, if there's someone who's able to keep a cool head in the face of danger, then it is these two constables.” Finally, it is Carlyle's turn: “Thank you so much, captain Maloney. I simply have to return the compliment and say that it is first and foremost Flint police with their dutiful officers, aided by the departments of Slate and other provinces that form the backbone of our operations. I've been living in Flint for centuries. And never before have I encountered such insolence by a criminal syndicate. Both RHC and police take the accusations of our king very seriously. High treason is the most serious crime in our country, so be assured that we won't be lenient towards those who commit it. But despite this severity, I know that not everyone who's cooperating with the Kell Guild is doing so freely. In the recent past, we failed to listen to those members of our society who are among the weakest, who are easily exploited by criminals like those Guild members. And despite the fact that we'll use all available means to bring down the Kell Guild, our 'Operation Fallen Curtain' won't be a wild sledgehammer, but rather a precise scalpel. And to all those who might have turned towards the Guild, be that out of fear or simply because they desperately needed money for their families: Now is the time to sever these bonds. Help us, help the police and the RHC and be free of the charge of high treason. We can protect you and your loved ones. Let us show them that there are thresholds that must not be crossed. Let us do this together.” [COLOR=#008000](Fortunately I kept a record of the prepared speech. As a DM, I usually improvise speeches and Auryn's pep talk towards the officers during the previous session was improvised as well. But this one I prepared in advance, hence the detailed version) [/COLOR] After our speeches are finished, it is question time. We manage to satisfy both the general public and the reporters and try to encourage the people to take matters into their own hands by providing us with all information they got. We made sure to invite Thames and his docker friends as well and it seems like he's the only one who's a bit skeptical. From his experience, he says, the police tends to use situations like this to incarcerate everyone who's looking the tiniest bit suspicious which will make organizing protests and spontaneous gigs much more complicated. Auryn takes Thames aside and tells him that we are pretty sure that the Dockers fell victim to Kell muggings and blackmailing as well. Once she's sure that there are neither prying eyes nor ears, she says that she knows about the cases of police brutality, which is why they hand-picked the officers tasked with their operation. In addition, the missing personnel will be filled with officers from Slate and the provinces who don't have to face problems should they find and report any kinds of corruption or misbehavior among the remaining officers of Flint. “Two birds, one stone, Thames. But please, can you try to keep the inevitable protests against the Danorans civil and calm during the peace talks?” Thames Grimsley seems to be satisfied by this explanation and promises to do his best. Auryn adds that she's still an ally of the Dockers and would never greenlight secret operations against the movement under the guise of strikes against organized crime. Still, she highly recommends that Thames encourages every Docker to sever their ties to Kell as she cannot protect them from the king's accusation. After the session is finished, we organize a raid against the Margarete Anna in the afternoon where we confiscate weapons and drugs. Meanwhile, Team B, consisting of Serena, Carlao, Dima and Gaethan, take the cosmetics shop, gather evidences and shut the whole business down. The next day, we send tax investigators to the “Grandiose” fish market in North Shore who demand to take their books for a proper examination. Needless to say that the market cannot continue while the investigation is in process. [COLOR=#008000](Never underestimate the power of taxes! This should put an end to the money laundering.)[/COLOR] Then we head to the Black Rose, shut this business down as well and free all those “employees” who have been transformed against their will of the transmutation magics. [COLOR=#008000](Good! The fewer people who have an interest in Eladrin or other “exotic delights”, the better) [/COLOR] Over the course of the day, Auryn is also busy handing out small boxes and presents to her friends and acquaintances. When she comes across Don Cippiano after the raid, she hands the surprised looking man an elfaivaran brass tea pot and a basket full of wine and sweets for his “godchildren”. He thanks her for the gifts and asks her for the reason behind her sudden generosity. “Oh, today is my birthday and handing out gifts to those people who accompanied you and helped you during the last year is a tradition.” she explains with a warm smile. Cippiano seems a bit embarrassed to have missed that date and apologizes sincerely for his lapse. She brushes the matter off and confesses that almost no one knows the day she way born or how old she actually is (she's turning 76, she says). The Don is a bit surprised to hear that Auryn is actually older than him and says that he's still not that used to elves or even fey. We then meet again in Delft's office in the RHC HQ where we talk about our next steps for “Fallen Curtain”. First, we set up a message for the King where we mention gaining political support from unofficial channels in Crisillyir. The details of these deals need to be discussed confidentially though, so we request to be granted an audience as soon as possible. During the coffee break, Auryn mentions to Carlyle that one of her current housemates, Andrei von Recklinghausen, may wish to move out soon and find a home for himself. Sleeping on the sofa might be fine for a while, she explains, but it is getting uncomfortable and he'd like to take this step towards independence, especially as he is about to take a job as a construction worker. “A first step, but an important one.” she says, before adding that Isobel does wish to stay with her for an indefinite time as she has so much more to learn and needs the company of both a mentor and an emotional anchor. “Not that you'd have anything against keeping your maid-servant. She's quite the comfortable work-force, isn't she?” Carlyle jokes, adding that Auryn must have gotten quite accustomed to her small court while teasing that she still doesn't know how to cook anything for herself beyond grilling fish and chopping fruit. “I'd never use Isobel like that!” Auryn protests. “It is more of a t*it-for-tat. Besides, she'd be more like a lady's maid in your way of naming occupations.” She then suggests that maybe Carlyle could rent one of his numerous, uninhabited rooms to Andrei so he'd have a landlord he already knows. He seems to be pretty confused at her suggestion and explains that these rooms are exactly the way they should be: ready for possible guests. Subtenants, on the other hands, are people, strangers, who'd be living with him permanently and he'd prefer to stay in calm, quiet solitude. “Don't you think the house was built to be... inhabited? Instead of having half of it covered in sheets because you don't want the furniture to collect any dust? Right now, it is just a waste of precious space.” “My house is fine the way it is.” Carlyle finishes their argument before going back to work. [COLOR=#008000](Speaking of guests, as far as Auryn knows, she was the first and last guest Carlyle had for years, so she had some pretty convincing arguments from her point of view. In her eyes, Carlyle simply doesn't want to have other people too close to him. What she doesn't know is that Carlyle does have an irregularly visiting guest, another deva from his old unit who is still suffering from mental trauma and who's both a restless wanderer and terribly confused. Therefore, this guy needs the calm, quiet environment. He never appeared onscreen so far, but one never knows when he'll pay Carlyle a visit.) [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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