[sblock=Slisik]During your attempts to question the populace about a number of the pains of Istivin, most answer fairly honestly. The vast majority of people do seem to think there's something weird about the Marchioness, and even a few suspect that she may be responsible for some of the ill happenings around the city. The Krellont Keep Dungeons, the ones most criminals are stored in, are fairly secure but also mundane. About 2/3 of the keep's dungeons are pretty standard fair. It's the deeper dungeons that are rarely visited. There are plenty of rumors that political prisoners, monsters, and even the odd hero has been locked up there.[/sblock]
[sblock=Veris]You end up spending a baker's dozen gold coins during your efforts. A few significant facts are your reward.
- The marchioness is from far away. Farther than the hinterlands. She's actually from the far off region of Aymo.
- The marchioness, when she was a more public figure, tried to force the local nobles to adopt a more goodly position towards the people of the town. She was a fierce proponent of nobless oblige (sp), that the nobles are there to serve the people, not be served by the people.
- The nobles became furious with some of the Marquis new laws inspired by his wife. They fought these new rules with everything they had. Many of these laws were, by some standards, only fair. They granted many of the people of Istivin rights which were reserved to nobles. Further, some of the nobles special privilidges were revoked.
- The local churches of Istivin are all headed by young priests. This is mostly due to the dangers that Istivin has faced for many years. As such, many of the priests are not particularly powerful, but they also are more willing to put themselves in the face of danger.
- The 'curse' is actually a very old story. Supposedly, people believed in the curse years and years before any of the invasions of Istivin.[/sblock]