Classified: [Investigation into the Mines Sabotage]
-
Adrian keeps these files private, only sharing them with Barra, Dall and Dame Drakesbane
Dame Drakesbane, Trusted Councillors.
I fear the assualt on the mine involves more than just the Fellowship. Whilst I do not make this allegation lightly I believe Ser Cormaeril ordered this, to ensure the Marches could not be cleared and he could attempt to win glory and their majesties favour using his own plan.
Shortly after the vote concluded a coded sending was made, Along the lines of My heart, come to the Drovers a seat awaits you by the fire.
I went there believing it was from Francesca Vandern, One of Ser Cormaerils retainers who despite his orders to shun me has been meeting me privately as we are close.
Instead I found Ser Cormaeril there, I challenged him upon the paper by Esvele and he confirmed he had hired her to write the paper to shine light on the council.
Shortly after this Vandern walked in, Cormaeril asked me to leave saying he needed to speak with her privately, I expect he ordered her to execute this Sabotage.
Councillor Barra later spotted Vandern fleeing the scene, I enclose his report
@toportime said in Letter: Barra:
As I was starting to head to the lumber yard near Hillmarch I heard the explosion happen, I was in the form of a Dire Bear coated in Stoneskin at the time. I was standing infront of the Gates to Hillmarch when I saw someone in dark clothing coming down the Hill to the north of the gate, that person retreatred in the direction of the climb down, so I ran around the hill and managed to climb up rapidly. As I was standing there I heard multiple invisible people running past me, so I climbed back down and shifted into the form of a wolf (still coated in stoneskin) so I could attempt to track those fleeing the scene. As I rounded the corner heading south I noticed Francesca running away as she looked back at me (in wolf form) and screemed loudly "Wolf!!" and took off running for the Dragon Trail. I managed to chase her into the Trail but then she drank an potion of invisiblity and I lost her tracks. I can only guess all the invisible fleeing people muddled the tracks.
I later asked her to meet me to explain what she was doing there, and she told me she was mining for gems but that she had only just entered the mines when she heard lots of yelling and then a voice in a language she did not recognize. She then claims she heard someone yell in common "Run!" so she did just that, and seeing the bear infront of the gates (myself) she freaked out and ran the other way, then seening the wolf (myself again) she freaked out and screamed "Wolf!" and ran cause "The bear and wolf were trying to eat me!" (I was doing no such thing). She also claims to have heard a strange howling, but even in animal form and my close proximity I heard no such thing.
While I cannot flat out say she was misleading me, the timing of her fleeing along with the invisible folks also fleeing (Both from the same direction and in close proximity) is suspicious. Also her story of the strange howling aso seems suspicous.
This is my report as you requested.
- Barra
I suspect Glendurs confession is trying to pin everything on the Fellowship when this is not the full story.
Zakath has identified Sapphire as one of the halflings involved.
@Master_Sarevok said in To House Iverlesk:
While I lack an assured proof, I suspect that a hin who wields a large blade, I am not fully sure of her name. Sap or some such. She appears in Hillmarch not long after the explosion just right after I arrived to ascertain the damage.
When we entered the cave, she did not seem truthful in her words. Call it a perception but I had the feeling she knew more than what she was letting on. I would recommend investigating her more closely.
Adrian
-
I will also note that I know Vandern well.
Running from a simple wolf is not her typical behaviour, I have seen her engage in melee often with giants and other monsters.
We should consider also that the collapse is almost exactly the same as one of Ser Cormaerils plans as he previously planned to collapse a ravine in the marches
@Seter said in Of War, Of Conflict, Of Deeds...:
On one of my incursions to the Eastern Marches, I have noticed a single path that goes through a ravine on the way to Tilverton. It would behoove us to collapse the path in the ravine and block any enemy advancement towards Hillmarch, and in turn to Arabel, through the marches.
Signed,
Mordecai of House Cormaeril
Head of House Chapter in the region of Arabel
Commander of the Council of Twelve Peers
Adrian
-
@V-Rage Her running from me while in animal form is also somewhat odd as she has seen myself in both forms prior to this event.
- Barra
-
Skull Fain was contracted for extensive mapping expeditions of the Hillsmarch area by Rosa of House Cormaeril. Judging by Fain's notes in our contracts folder, this was completed just prior to the destruction of the passage.
D. Dall
-
Also worthy of consideration is Ash's actions.
Whilst I do not believe him involved on the attack on the mines he has been sabotaging the council.
The arrest of Volklov was a clear tactic to further Cormareils scheme to delay the vote or force other plans.
.
A translation provided by Meroigrin of some halfling writing he scrawled on a reply from him complaining about Alains punishment for assualting me said I should consider hiring a halfling called Finwick to exact punishment as he knows the low life's of the city.It is suspected that Ash and Finwick are one and the same and they are aliases they use.
This Finwick sent to meet Gallica shortly before the Trancendence posters went up and Volkov was arrested.
It is known that Gallica is one of the very few people that Volkov explicitly told that he follows the Black Chalice.
Perhaps Ash can be convinced to drop the case to avoid embarrassing the Crown Guard and receive a slap on the wrist for accepting whatever payment he received for this madness.
I will also note that after the search of Volkov and Volkovs escape that Ash tried to extort me, Saying he would vote for cleansing the marches if I backed his claims against Volkov.
We should also bare in mind Cormareils actions in regard to Ash. It has been confirmed by Tanya that Ash extorted a strange coin from her under implication of arrest if she did not hand it over.
Despite ordering his House to shun me over a perceived slight against his honour he refused to even file a complaint about Ash saying it was just a minor overstep of Ash's authority . I find this most strange behaviour from him
Adrian
-
Well it seems I've angered Vandern.
She seems most upset I happened to go to that sending accidentally and saw her arrive to meet with Ser Cormaeril
@TheWraith said in Letter: Senior Retainer Vandern:
Really? You thought that I made that sending for you? When have I ever called you "my heart"? When have I ever? Honestly, Adrian, sometimes I do not know why I even bother.
I am tired of "suggesting" that you do anything. I have suggested, pleaded, and begged, and yet you insist on persisting with your pig-headed notions! You lied to me, Adrian. You said you were not working against Ser Mordecai. Now I find out you have been lying to me and have been working against him for weeks! You want me to trust you? How can I put trust in you now, who would lie to me about something so important?
Truly you do not understand me at all.
FVConsidering she was seen by Barra near the scene of the crime and was acting suspiciously this only strengthens the ascertation he gave her orders in the Drovers Inn.
Adrian
-
Esvele Oaks all but confessed her involvement and that the Fellowship were put up to this by Cormaeril
She however doesn't seem open to a possible bargain for clemency still believing what they did to be the right thing
This leaves Vandern and Sapphire as possible weak points
I know Vandern is marked by the Lady, the Spirit our King Favours but she is not marked willingly,
She begged for death and was Killed by Archer in the Hullack after she was infested by Slaad, despite my protestations that she could be cured if we got her out of the forest and let me prepare he shot her in the head. I have since learnt she was raised by the power of the Lady and thus the Lady considers her debt bound. Perhaps our King could ask the Lady to remove the mark and negate the debt in return for confessing she was ordered by Ser Cormaeril to perform this sabotage.
There is another thing that could be offered to Vadern but I will have to speak with his majesty in person to discuss that.
Adrian
-
Dall, Barra
Do either of you have anything to add to this?
Our suspects are Ser Cormeril, As a noble we will need a strong case against him though Esvele confirmed he planned it and the fellowship executed it
His sentinel Francesca Vandern, seen meeting with him in secret after the vote failed to go his way by myself then seen acting suspiciously in Hillmarch after the explosion
Sapphire of the Fellowship, Seen near the mines after the explosion acting strangely by Zakath
Esvele, Confessed to it.
Glendur, Confessed to it.
This leaves one halfling unidentified though due to closeness to others involved it is likely to be Meroigrin
Naturally we cannot request warrants from the Crown Guard as Ash is in Cormaerils pocket and would either ignore it or just let them go
Adrian
-
At this time I have nothing else I can add to this.
- Barra
-
After further consideration I do not believe trying a plea bargain with Vandern will be fruitful.
It should simply be a matter of arrest and questioning. I have no doubt she'll lie and claim she was acting on her own and Cormareil could try and disavow her but certain circumstances make this more complex for him .
Adrian
-
The more these idiots refuse to show not one ounce of contrition I consider we ask they all be executed
@O-louth said in A Public challenge of Luck!:
Adrian of House Iverlesk, Apprentice of House Mossmere!
I have tired of your persistence, when you fight behind the walls of the city, never daring to to risk anything, but dreaming of fortune!So I, Esvele Oaks, Minstrel extraordinare, and sworn sword of Tymora, challenge you to a public duel of Luck! For it is time to show your House, your Master and the rest of the city, that there is no victory without reward.
You seek information regarding the explosion of Hillmarch. I shall offer it to you. All you have to do is show you are not committing Blasphemy against Tymora, by thinking there is a reward without risk.
Two Coin tosses. heads or tail. 25% chance of you winning all you seem to dream of.
If you win, I shall offer sworn testimony, telling you everything I know of the explosion! I will stand infront of Tymora and swear that I speak the truth.
If you lose, you forfeit your apprenticeship and your rank as a noble.
Are you willing to put your future in the hands of fate?
Esvele Oaks
Every day you wait, I add another coin, for sometimes trusting your luck beats a carefully made plan.
She confirms openly she has information.
I very much however the Crown Guard will do anything however,
Ash doesnt like doing aything resembling work. Especially something that may hamper his paymaster
Adrian
-
In summary this debacle was caused because Ser Cormaeril is a petulant manchild who feels the need to control everything and lashes out at anything that challenges his percieved authority, seeing it as a slight of his honour, even though the Council was formed to share ideas and advise the King.
He ordered his House to shun me and not work on war projects such as the Golem when I did not agree with his plan for the Eastern Marches.
Volkov did not agree with his plans and let him know if they built barricades in the Marshes it would be Cormaerils name remembered if fiends slaughtered the troops on the barricades. In response Volkov was framed by Ash as a spy.
Despite their attempts to stall the vote it was decided that the Ward would be strengthed, In response they sabotaged the mines, ensuring new plans had to be made that he could once again and try and dictate.
I am working on trying to turn a few of Cormaerils men against him,
Vandern was close to me and seems to be slowly opening her eyes that things arent exactly what he says they are and that I wasn't insulting his honour.
I have also written to Grin letting her know that Sapphire is in quite a bit of trouble but she can likely be helped if she'll help herself.
However we cannot go through the Crown Guard as Ash is in Cormaerils paybook, He may even be one of his men working undercover
Adrian
-
-
Upon contemplation of current facts and new information coming to light I believe it is much worse than expected.
Cormareil I believe is behind the Bhaalan symbols, using them to spread fear and mistrust
He is trying to turn everyone against each other to weaken the city.
No doubt after the war is won and the city is short on men after a bloody campaign due to him opposing plans that aren't his he would swoop in with the main house and try and unseat the King and Queen
Adrian
-
I do believe by and large, you have covered everything.
I am in agreement that the Crown Guard Ash was likely harassing my fellow Skull, Volkov, due to his religious preference. A faith declared heresy by the followers of the False Siamorph. Such as Ser Cormaeril.
The Bhaal issue may or may not be related, but without more substantive evidence, perhaps should be investigated further.
D. Dall
-
Certainly Skull Dall
Whilst we cannot be certain of it yet, Enough is there to consider it.
He has sabotaged every plan that is not a frontal assualt that will cause a lot of casualties.
Now I know people will die in a war but things can be done to minimise that, but despite what he says he disagrees with any plan that will cause lives to be spared.
A black cowled man bumped into me yesterday and slipped me a note saying talk had been overhead of a assassination being planned on a noble.
This morning Cormareil sent a warning saying his house had heard much the same and precautions should be taken.
Adrian
-
Apprentice Iverlesk,
You have disrupted this council with your accusations. You have done everything possible to thwart the will of the Commander appointed by their majesties to win this war. You have threatened, manipulated, schemed and twisted word and deed to suit your needs.
This final accusation that Mordecai Cormaeril is a Bhaalist is intolerable. After consultation with Count Immmerdusk you are charged with, and found guilty, of Religious Harassment. You are fined 5000 coin. In consideration of previous service, support expressed your master and the House of Mossmere, you will remain on the council to serve the city and their interests.
Dictated not written,
Dame Sage Drakesbane
Royal Advisor -
Certainly Dame Drakesbane
Ash may come to the Mossmere Estate to collect the fine
Adrian
-
You misunderstand,
You are the one charged. You are the one found guilty. You will behave suitably contrite and report to The Crown to personally deliver the fine. Additionally, as I remain concerned, you write a letter to Cormaeril apologizing and seek to establish a less hostile relationship. Noblebloods squabbling like this is unseemly. I seek not humiliation on you therefore will not order these files made available to the entire council but you will understand you are here to advise, consult and collaborate to win this war and bring peace to the Kingdom.
~signed~
Drakesbane -
Dame Drakebane
The letter has been sent
@V-Rage said in Letter: Ser Mordecai Cormaeril:
Ser Cormaeril
I wish to apologise for my unbecoming behaviour towards you and slights towards your honour.
I humbly ask that we put this matter behind us and you lift your houses shunning of me so we can move forward to ensure victory in the war.
I also ask you consider this matter my behaviour alone and in no way connected to the Houses of Iverlesk and Mossmere.
Regards
Adrian of House Iverlesk, Apprentice to Dwight Mossmere
Adrian
