Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4570189" data-attributes="member: 3285">Purity and Corruption: PrologueThe weeklong Burning Man festival was finally coming to a close. Tensions were high; the week had witnessed a series of clashes between the Swords of Nier and the populace. Everyone was expecting something to happen, but what exactly that would be was anyone’s guess.If ever there were a night for strange events, the last day of the Burning Man festival was it. In honor of Cadic, everyone went masked, with many groups of revelers traveling around in gaudy costumes. Like a dark carnival, the general citizenry held lavish parties, and all social boundaries were temporarily suspended. “It reminds me too much of the King in Yellow,” said the purple-and-silver haired elorii with a frown.  “I don’t like it.”“If something is going to happen, it will happen tonight,” replied her dark-kin companion.  Sebastian smoothed back bone-white hair.  “What better time for an insurrection against the oppression of the Swords of Nier to rise, than the night when no one can clearly be identified and nothing is necessarily what it seems?”In honor of Sarish, the last night was one of great magics. For the faithful, it was a night when much business was attended to: the Academy of the Temple of Shadows held auditions, and the Temple of the Keeper of Mysteries opened its doors to new initiates. On that night, anyone could seek to change his fortunes. A slave could become a priest, or a nobleman’s son an assassin. Safely masked, they could make their applications, carry out their plots and intrigues, and none need know the results until contracts were signed and the masks came off at dawn.A gruff dwarf with a beard ending in gold beads nodded at one of the walls.  “Lots of graffiti supports your theory,” said Beldin.They had all noticed an increase in the amount of graffiti scrawled in alleys and even on the corners of a few buildings. Most of it was anti-Erdukeen in nature, ranging from calls for the overthrow of the Autocrat to predictions that Eremis val’Virdan would soon arise to free the city, to cryptic references of what were presumably religious tracts. Spelled out in white ink, in foot-high letters running the length of one wall of the Nihang Council Building read, “The righteous heart shall burn away poisonous lies.”“That’s from an obscure Nierite codex,” said Kham. “The Way of the Flame. Where are we going, anyway?”“Horeb’s,” said Sebastian.  “I’m meeting one of my contacts there.”Horeb’s was on Oath Way. A small establishment, the seating consisted entirely of two long benches. To one side was a long counter area where food was prepared and served. A middle-aged man busily worked at seasoning, stirring, and periodically tasting a large container of stew. He also kept an eye on some loaves of fresh bread rising in an oven behind him.At the fourth hour past noon, the workday was not yet over, so business for the eatery was sparse. There was plenty of room to have a seat. The few other patrons were dressed as bureaucrats and other mid-level businessmen of the quarter. They talked quietly among themselves, no doubt looking forward to their various entertainments during the evening’s festival.One bench had folks scattered down it, while the other was mostly empty, with only one person seated.Sebastian ordered some stew from Horeb.   “You should order some,” he said to his companions.  “Horeb’s stew is actually quite good, especially with the fresh-baked bread to use as a makeshift spoon.”Beldin and Kham ordered bowls and followed Sebastian to the mostly empty table.  “I am gratified dat you have chosen to join me,” said Helac val’Mordane without looking up from his own bowl of stew.  “Our mutual friend had hoped you vould be interested in a business proposition.”Sebastian knew Helac meant Garan val’Mehan, Akali Vervain’s right-hand man and Sarishan diplomat. “What sort of business proposition?” asked Sebastian.“It turns out dat Akali Vervain’s plan vas more far reaching dan even Garan comprehended.  By turning Commander Haron von Grebel into a vampire, ve uncovered much about de Nierite plans for Nishanpur and Canceri in general.”“What kind of information?” prodded Sebastian.“Ve have become avare of a certain person, who has recently arrived in de city, by de name of Baecinia val’Virdan. She has information dat ve vould find most interesting. Please see to it dat she comes to see us. Based on your past actions, our mutual friend believes dat ve have a common goal, and so he chooses to ask for your assistance in dis matter.”“And that goal is?”“Vhy, to see justice done, of course. No more and no less. But as you know, dere are some dat have a rather…skewed…sense of vhat constitutes justice. De Swords of Nier here in de city, for example. Dey would not be pleased if de information dat Baecinia possesses vere to come to light.”“What does our friend want with Baecinia val’Virdan?”“Communication. A meeting, if possible; he vould like to speak vith her in person. Such things can be difficult to arrange directly. Information is power, as you know, and even de information about who is communicating vith whom is a form of power and of itself. Our friend cannot tip his hand too early, hence de need for others to convey dis message.”Sebastian nodded.  “We’re in.”“Good. Give her dis…” Helac passed Sebastian a small folded document, sealed by the Mark of Sarish. “Be cautious not to disturb de Mark…doing so vould have…unpleasant consequences.”Sebastian took the document and concealed it within the folds of his robes.  “It will be done.”“Your friend, Quintus…ve discovered dat he was a Coryani spy,” said Helac. “He infiltrated de Order of de Hidden Flame and recovered intelligence as to de whereabouts of a legendary sword named Precision.  But von Grebel captured him. He had Quintus’ mind viped as punishment and executed de other spies.  Quintus has since fled Nishanpur. Our friend thought you might vant to know.”“What about Vlad?” asked Beldin.  “De Milandisian?” Helac chuckled.  “He has put our Nierite friends in an interesting predicament. If dey execute him, he becomes a symbol of Nierite brutality.  If dey release him, it vill encourage more violence against de Swords of Nier.  So dey delay, delay, delay.  Dey are running out of time.  De Autocrat has pledged to make a decision by de end of the Burning Man festival, tonight.  It is more imperative dan ever dat ve veaken de Nierite position; if dey feel arrogant enough, dey might just make an example of Vlad.”“We’ve got more than politics riding on this,” said Kham.  “You take care of your end and we’ll find this Baecinia.”Helac nodded.  “One other thing.  De Autocrat has doubled de forces looking for you, Kham.  De best vay for de Nierites to get out of deir quandary is to find von Grebel’s murderer.  Be careful. Nishanpur can be very unforgiving.”“That’s no different from any other city Kham’s in,” said Ilmarė.</blockquote>

Verification