After their defeat at the hands of the Solar Priest, the group was largely unsure what to do. But after some internal reflection, they decided to visit the Satrapies assigned to Barad Tephet, in an attempt to get them to pay their taxes and as a result restore Lintol’s standing in House Tephet. Barad’s servants also explained that his lands, rich in value but managed as a mountain camp might fare better under Jory’s management, were placed under his care. Jory immediately went to work contacting many of his contacts to ensure that things were improved in Barad’s lands.
Meanwhile, the brotherhood took about half of their available martial forces and went via spell rapidly toward the coastal port of Lask. They made arrangements with a captain for passage, however Jory had concocted Cholera from drinking bad wine and infected half of the sailors on the ship. Lintol flew back to the mainland to fetch a doctor, and the ship was able to continue on its way.
It took the group over a month and a half to get to the first province, and they made a grand entrance and demanded to the see the books. Long story short, the Satrap essentially said, “No. We’ve already got one.” According to them, someone officially representing the council came by to collect their taxes with the seal and supposedly representing the council. They would not describe who the individual was and deliberately set up air charms in an attempt to get Lintol to say the wrong thing as proof of an act against the Council. Lintol managed to avoid it but only just.
Once out of spying range, Jory recommended that they return to the House and confront the council. So long as Lintol had no official sanction they were wasting their time. Katel and Barad suggested staying instead, and finishing the tour. Lintol decided that staying was better for now.
The next province they visited was much poorer. A phantom representative of the council had not been there, and the group was far more low key in how they approached. The provincial satrap reported that he merely wanted 20 soldiers. After some discussion internally, Lintol agreed but only on the return trip after all the provinces were examined.
The third province they toured was a well-defended mining town. The phantom council representative had been there and collected taxes, but since this time the group had approached low key and made no demands, they were somewhat welcomed and shown the books. Jory was able to recruit an assistant to the over seer and it was learned that the council had also placed a spy inside of the compound as an Earth wall reinforce as a ‘gift’ to the province. Katel attempted to talk to him but was rebuffed by his ‘wife’ thus confirming that the earth reinforce was in fact a spy for the council.
The group moved on to the two remaining provinces including Blackstone, which were far larger and perhaps beyond the group’s ability to handle with the forces that they had to bear.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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