File: The Church of Cyric
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Initial questioning of Inquisitors Marchetti and Witness
I called the Inquisitors to question outside the West Gate a few hours ago. I chose this location knowing they were unlikely to enter the Crown itself, to make a point about the continued undead presence on the High Road, and call for any back up from the barracks if our discussions turned sour. They seem to consider me 'reasonable', compared to Dilettante Swift, which I say is an amusing tactic we should continue with.The Inquisitors Marchetti arrived first, joined quickly by Witness, then a third unknown middle-aged woman with white hair, dressed in black, claiming to be a Prophet of "Saint Muros", whose name I have since learned is Sari Vennis. I initially discarded her presence, as the Inquisitors are the ones known to us.
I asked them three questions, which I had previously outlined in a letter that apparently Inquisitor Marchetti did not receive.
What is their continued interest in Fiendsbane?
Marchetti reconfirmed his interest in the sword until he understands the threat it poses. I explained (again) that it is a threat to fiends, no more, but the Inquisitors persisted in their disbelief of the Precept's assessment. Witness then interjected with a claim that the Precept wanted to kill him, which, to be fair, is probably not far from the truth, but he did not enjoy me pointing out that he had made similar gestures towards them. "I have tried to kill NO ONE", he cried.What are the Great Swarm, the Dawndeath, the Deathsun, etc.?
They clarified that this is an explicit reference to the end of Lathander, who they consider false. I cannot recall all the words of their recanted preaching, but they did mention their four saints cutting the sky, the sun bleeding, a dark sun rising. The dark sun refers to their god.What are they doing about the undead on the High Road?
They connect this to their prophecies, that the dead will return to plague the lands of Lathander before their god rises. I pointed out that so far, two members of the Precept had dealt with the undead on the High Road. What I had hoped to draw from them was confirmation of the information you shared earlier. UNFORTUNATELY, the fool woman interrupted at this point before I was able to wrangle further information out of them. This was a tense interaction which I explain in the notes further below.Note on Ms. Vennis
Ms. Vennis interjected that she would like to investigate the undead with our permission, as she has much knowledge about them. Did she actually share her knowledge, or what she wanted to learn? No, because then the FOOL Inquisitors interrupted and claimed she was a heretical preacher who followed one of their Four Saints, but was not sanctioned by the Church. At which point, threats were made, Marchetti loomed, and I had to step in to stop them from fighting like alley cats on our doorstep. The Inquisitors left in a huff (down the High Road), while I was left to escort Ms. Vennis back to the city, who commented that the Inquisitors likely know more than they let on. I gave her a firm warning about preaching heresies (note that Official Clergy have every right to be upset, no matter how horrible they are).Analysis and advice
While my questioning was incomplete, I am building a better picture of what the Inquisitors' plans are and how they operate.Despite their attempts at misdirection, it does seem their primary target is Eveningstar, specifically the Church of Lathander. While they have attempted to play off the undead presence as mere coincidence, it appears based on your information that they have been deliberately placing them there as an act of intimidation, foreshadowing to a more direct attack on the Bishopric. We do not want to involve ourselves in a religious war, however, as noted in this file, their emboldened actions endanger much more.
I also note that it appears followers of Cyric are not a harmonious unit... yet it is unclear whether this is by design to mislead us, or whether they are actually prone to backstabbing each other. Perhaps both, when it comes down to it. Either way, keep an eye on this Ms. Vennis, and do not assume Enlil is a mere pawn for the other Inquisitors.
In terms of next steps, our options are:
- Questioning the Inquisitors for further confirmation of their plans regarding the undead (unlikely to get us much further, unless we can trick them into revealing what we want)
- Publishing our response to the undead threat and reminding the Church of their duties (unlikely to have the desired effect on the Church, but could reassure the populace)
- Acting on the information we currently have to apprehend them, noting this is not so simple as walking up and simply demanding they turn themselves in.
The last option is recommended but requires a plan and concerted effort, likely working with the Bishopric and Illuminated Blade to draw them to our preferred location. Will you make contact, Dilettante Swift?
I can attempt to find out more and make public statements in the coming days, but I recommend our focus is on building that plan.
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I will speak with Fye, Auora of the Lathanderites has already agreed to punish the Cyricists under their laws if they are delivered to Eveningstar.
Vennis and Enlil may be weak links who can give us more information on the Inquisitors especially if they feel they are mistreating and threatening them
Dominic
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[A short note, the pen sharp on the page]
They killed Elrinde?
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It seems so
Sabriel and Fye believe Marchetti and Kold were both involved,
They have certainly announced she is dead and will be animated
@greenlung said in Death Announcement- Eldrinde the Swarmscourge:
The Church of the Dark Sun announce:
Elrinde, The Swarmscourge
Has fallen blade in hand, battling the Great Swarm of the Hullack, in service of the Four Crowns.
She will rise again, to serve in undeath as she did in life, to ensure the safety of the realm.
She gave her life for the Church, and so she will continue to serve.
-Supreme Inquisitor Marchetti of the Church of the Four Crowns
Dominic
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[These letters are added to the file for any to read]
https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/59633/the-crown-guard
https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/59537/ilselore-montfaucon/4 -
Florent met with me yesterday and told me some information.
She claims that Marchetti, Kold and Enlil serve a lich and are seeking the eye of Faeroun for it, The eye is in the possession of Saerhice when they invaded and destroyed the Orbulent temple.
Perhaps the church would remove them as clergy if we revealed this to them. I doubt Whisper the defacto head of the church would be happy with the clergy serving undead.
Dominic
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The Cyricists plan to try and cut priests who do not follow Cyric off from magic.
I believe they have some Serum that Enlil stole from the Precept that can do such for a time.
No doubt they plan to try and replicate it
Dominic
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I have sent the following to Esme the Talonite
@v-rage said in Letter: Esme of Talona:
Esme
You may be interested to know that the Cyricists led by Marchetti and Kold plan to try and take away the powers of clerics who do not follow Cyric.
They plan to do this using some serum from the Precept that Enlil stole.
I trust you will make your displeasure to them known, They are also fond of leaving undead around
Dominic
It is my hope other faiths in Tilverton will put pressure on the temple and cause problems for the Cyricist lunatics so they arent welcome there
Dominic
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The following has been found
@greenlung said in Wanted - Practitioners of Divine Magics:
The Church of the Dark Sun seeks willing subjects who can manipulate the Weave via divine means
We have come into the possession of a potent serum which breaks the ties between magics and its user, a vital weapon in combatting ongoing terrors posed by the Great Swarm, who feed upon energies created by some unknown divine entity deep within the hooded woodland.
If you are a priest, paladin, cleric or clergyman you are a threat and you will be contained by the Church.
A Mithril Chain Shirt & Helm for those providing important information to the Church, namely the movements of one Belon of Lathander, High Priest of the False Dawn - his blasphemic teachings are a threat to all and he shall be bought to heel
You will be found. You will be judged.
-The Inquisition of the Four Crowns
I am trying to rally the support of other faiths against them to get them forced out of Tilverton so they lose support for this war.
Dominic
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Marchetti has sent in this
@greenlung said in Dominic Swift:
CraDominic SwiftA shame you refused my invitation to the Church, so it goes in writing
We trust the King and his men shall be remaining neutral in the upcoming war we have been thrust into with the heretic Lathanderites.
We know the Crown has no business, nor interest, in this conflict, and even so it is understood that Eveningstar itself is not really of concern to him or those in his colours?
This, of course, extends to the Precept who are in the city under his good graces and as such undertake their work under his banner.
You can sleep easy that once the preachers of the Dawndeath are put down the roads around the city shall be clear of undeath, and we shall enter into discussions on how the Church and the City can work together in harmony, because that is what we all want isn't it?
Yours, In Faith.
-Supreme Inquisitor Marchetti
I will notify him if he wishes the Crown Guard to remain neutral in this he, Kold and Enlil will all have to pay heavy fines in person for leaving undead on the roads before this war was declared, When they come we can simply arrest them and have them transferred to Eveningstar
Dominic
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It is unfortunate we were not able to deal with this before it escalated to such a public farce.
Now, we should draw a line around the arena. Publicly maintain our neutrality in our duty to the Kingdom. Don't get involved in a holy war, let the zealots destroy each other. If they cross that line, harm the greater Kingdom, we cut them down no matter what side.
Quietly continue working to bring down those agents of chaos. Patrol the roads, destroy the undead, rescue farmers and damsels in distress.
