Beregost / Amn 1351 Campaign Thread

[PiaMango]

(( The following is a direct letter delivered to the Council of Six, I emphasise that you do not metagame what was written. ))

A company of Watchknight's make their way warily across the Cloud Peaks towards the heart of Amn being mindful of the dangers amplified upon the mountain range during winter. They deliver the following letter to representatives of the Council of Six intended for their direct viewing.

Graces of the Council of Six,

When one plants a sapling he waits patiently nurturing the sapling as it grows tall and strong, waiting only till it bears it fruit before he reaches for the spoils of his labour cultivating them.

It is my belief that the assessment of the state of Beregost has been misconstrued. The sapling arising through the ashes left by the Amn-Gate war is still young as we are soon to mark the third anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Beregost. The township is in a vulnerable state. Imposing higher tariff upon the townships light source, flow of trade along the Trade Way, will hamper its growth before any fruits bear.

Nigh on a year has passed since I held the company of a Coin Lord of Amn with my comrades, in attendance of the Governor Benino and Mayor Ghastkill. I do understand the displeasure in tax collection obtained from Beregost, over the year that has passed there has been progress made in Beregost’s economy however not enough to warrant a quadrupling in taxation.

Within that meeting the Everwatch was granted authority by your graces to negotiate with Baldur’s Gate the interests of Beregost and Naskhel. Today marks a month since I sent my proposal regarding that task for your consideration. It is my belief that actions such as I proposed will see to the prosperity of northern Amn. A prosperity that it has yet to reach, and it is my belief the recent proclamation will only hamper any progress to see to that prosperity. I implore your graces to consider my proposal.

I stayed in attendance briefly after the announcement, already merchants who hold stalls within Beregost speak of how they will be unable to afford the increase in taxation and speak of how they will have to dissolve their business.

The main root of banditry is not of greed, but of the struggle to live of poorer strata of society. Seeing the Amnian guard out in force within the streets of Beregost is a relief after what has recently transpired within the city, and as a leader of a mercenary force I can understand that maintaining such a force does not come cheaply. I fear however the increase in taxation will drive those who already struggle within Beregost to resort to immoral means to sustain their families, in a way the solution of a higher guard festers the problem as taxes rise to maintain that force. I implore the Council of Six to reconsider the rise of taxation, considering it an investment into Beregost development so Amn can relish in its fruits in the future.

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.

Helm’s guidance,
Sveta Asperan
Head Watchknight of the Everwatch

[Syracuse]

Tired, and with hands bloody, a wild woman steps into Beregost. She smells of campfires and fresh roast, a good hunt had and the meat of some wild animal having sustained her.

It is only unfortunate that Wyn'caellia did not find her appetites for freedom satisfied. Reentering Beregost quickly makes her gaze turn stern, and her eyes to strike the streets as she stalks through the town. Washing her hands clean of the entrails of her kill by a well.

She makes little contact with the world around her, the disconnection a form of protecting them as much as it was to consider the day's events. Quietly, she comes to the shop of Thunderhammer's smithy to fulfill a promise.

Her hand takes up a hammer. Her chin lifts to greet the admirable, loyal man, with roots deep in Beregost's hard earth. And she begins to pound crude metal and wood into signs. The word 'protest' would only hold a meaning to her on the morrow. It would become a word she'd never realized the power of before. Or it would be dashed from her person forever. Another worthless luxury of so-called society, judged and deemed unfit for the tattooed archer.

[mireigi]

Over the past few days, Dawnpriest Tolan, along with the rest of the temple, have been tending the Lady Burgoz. Rumor on the street has it that she is in recovery, showing signs of waking up. It is an ardous task, however, as her imminent regaining of conciousness, require constant attention to assure she doesn't wake up alone in a place she doesn't recognize. Of Hannah, the priestess helping tend to Lady Burgoz, there have been no sign.

[IAmDiagnosingYou]

Over the past few days, Dawnpriest Tolan, along with the rest of the temple, have been tending the Lady Burgoz. Rumor on the street has it that she is in recovery, showing signs of waking up. It is an ardous task, however, as her imminent regaining of conciousness, require constant attention to assure she doesn't wake up alone in a place she doesn't recognize. Of Hannah, the priestess helping tend to Lady Burgoz, there have been no sign.

Hannah visits the temple briefly from time to time leaving berries with the priests with the instructions to pass them on to Tolan Faeglin. She also asks that he contact her if he needs some additional healing aid.

[DM Dialectic]

Rumors spread like a raging flame that on 16 Hammer of the year 1351 Amn raised taxes in Beregost with official justifications offered as follows: Beregost not pulling its fair share of tax revenue since its economic improvements after the war; Beregost not paying for its fair share of benefits from the security of Amn's soldiers and police especially after an increase in Amnian troop levels, the value of Amn's economic infrastructure and tariff union, and the glory and prestige of Amn's cultural institutions; and Beregost needing to weather a possible revenue hit from recent problems that may affect the Baldurian economy. The taxes raised, effectively immediately, and announced by Bailiff Axehand, speaking for the Council of Six in front of a heavily armed company of the Beregost garrison of Amnian soldiers lead by Captain de Coibra, are posted in the Beregost barracks:

-The market stall per day tax from 1 fandar to 4.
-The caravan wagon empty or full tax from 1 danter to 4.
-The home tax per single-dwelling house, store, or acre of town land from 1 danter to 4.
-The multiple-dwelling homes and buildings tax from 3 taran per major room to 12.
-The estate or ranches outside of town tax from 2 danters per building to 8 and 1 danter per 20 acres to 4.
-Tariffs on foreign imported goods into Beregost are to be increased by 300%.

Some more violent minded adventurers at the announced tried to pick a fight we Amn, but were humiliated in doing so by both Amnian and Beregost local. One adventurer threw an apple at the Bailiff when he was taking questions after the tax announcement, but the Bailiff caught the apple, perhaps being familiar with such an assault, and merely started eating it. Another half-orc adventurer threatened the Bailiff and knocked down a half-dwarf attempting to ask the Bailiff a question, but backed down in shame when the Bailiff made it clear his foolish display of rage could do nothing against the power of a heavily armed and battle-hardened company of Amnian soldiers behind him. Later, some adventurers attempted to incite Beregost townsfolk into violence, but were immediately condemned by locals, including the famed smith Thunderhammer that opposed the tax, for not being from the town and not having an understanding or care of what happened to it if violence against Amn brought down the wrath of the entire Amnian military on the townsfolk. The Sheriff de Oca thanks one woman for reporting attempts at incitement to him, which contributed to his decision to allow some protest as a vent for potential violent frustration that he later announced.

Some more peacefully minded adventurers were able to persuade Thunderhammer, who was quite upset about the tax, claiming it meant he may have to let go of an apprentice, to peacefully and lawfully protest against the tax the next day, with one townsfolk Raymond joining Thunderhammer, and Gerard Travenhurst and a townsfolk James opposed to participating. Some adventurers then asked Sheriff de Oca is a protest would be permitted, to which Sheriff told them and later a journalist in the Rising Phoenix tavern that any protest against the tax will be permitted as long as it is peaceful, lawful, and does not stray from grievances specific to the tax increase only. Protestors now begin to form in the square of Beregost on the 17th of Hammer, bearing signs and slogans against the tax. Gossip spreads as Beregost seems split on how to react to the tax increases, with many Beregost community leaders, merchants, and commons seemingly persuadable as to the course ahead.

((Protest event is today, Saturday, January 17 from 4pm GMT to 6pm GMT.))

[XyrisMourn]

*The cowled figure slips through the streets as dusk falls, pausing here and there to listen to the complaints and grumbles of the locals. He shadows some guards on patrol, hearing them speak of the day's events. He spends some time at the Phoenix, sipping water as the wine and ale loosens others tongues.
As night grows deeper, and the goodfolk of Beregost go to their beds, the cowled figure slips once more through the streets, his actions hidden in the shadows of the night*

[Darkcloud777]

Rumors spread like a raging flame that on 16 Hammer of the year 1351 Amn raised taxes in Beregost with official justifications offered as follows: Beregost not pulling its fair share of tax revenue since its economic improvements after the war; Beregost not paying for its fair share of benefits from the security of Amn's soldiers and police especially after an increase in Amnian troop levels, the value of Amn's economic infrastructure and tariff union, and the glory and prestige of Amn's cultural institutions; and Beregost needing to weather a possible revenue hit from recent problems that may affect the Baldurian economy. The taxes raised, effectively immediately, and announced by Bailiff Axehand, speaking for the Council of Six in front of a heavily armed company of the Beregost garrison of Amnian soldiers lead by Captain de Coibra, are posted in the Beregost barracks:

-The market stall per day tax from 1 fandar to 4.
-The caravan wagon empty or full tax from 1 danter to 4.
-The home tax per single-dwelling house, store, or acre of town land from 1 danter to 4.
-The multiple-dwelling homes and buildings tax from 3 taran per major room to 12.
-The estate or ranches outside of town tax from 2 danters per building to 8 and 1 danter per 20 acres to 4.
-Tariffs on foreign imported goods into Beregost are to be increased by 300%.

Some more violent minded adventurers at the announced tried to pick a fight we Amn, but were humiliated in doing so by both Amnian and Beregost local. One adventurer threw an apple at the Bailiff when he was taking questions after the tax announcement, but the Bailiff caught the apple, perhaps being familiar with such an assault, and merely started eating it. Another half-orc adventurer threatened the Bailiff and knocked down a half-dwarf attempting to ask the Bailiff a question, but backed down in shame when the Bailiff made it clear his foolish display of rage could do nothing against the power of a heavily armed and battle-hardened company of Amnian soldiers behind him. Later, some adventurers attempted to incite Beregost townsfolk into violence, but were immediately condemned by locals, including the famed smith Thunderhammer that opposed the tax, for not being from the town and not having an understanding or care of what happened to it if violence against Amn brought down the wrath of the entire Amnian military on the townsfolk. The Sheriff de Oca thanks one woman for reporting attempts at incitement to him, which contributed to his decision to allow some protest as a vent for potential violent frustration that he later announced.

Some more peacefully minded adventurers were able to persuade Thunderhammer, who was quite upset about the tax, claiming it meant he may have to let go of an apprentice, to peacefully and lawfully protest against the tax the next day, with one townsfolk Raymond joining Thunderhammer, and Gerard Travenhurst and a townsfolk James opposed to participating. Some adventurers then asked Sheriff de Oca is a protest would be permitted, to which Sheriff told them and later a journalist in the Rising Phoenix tavern that any protest against the tax will be permitted as long as it is peaceful, lawful, and does not stray from grievances specific to the tax increase only. Protestors now begin to form in the square of Beregost on the 17th of Hammer, bearing signs and slogans against the tax. Gossip spreads as Beregost seems split on how to react to the tax increases, with many Beregost community leaders, merchants, and commons seemingly persuadable as to the course ahead.

((Protest event is today, Saturday, January 17 from 4pm GMT to 6pm GMT.))

"A 400 PERCENT TAX HIKE WILL DESTROY THIS TOWNS PROS PARITY!" Would have been heard coming from Terri Lalani's mouth as she picketed the Tax tariff. "Exactly what is the current tax rate?" she would have been heard asking the officials. "I think the exact rates are posted inside the Beregost town hall." was announced loudly from Taerom "Thunderhammer" Fuiruim. Terri was then seen entering the town hall and then emerge after some time with parchment. "Property owners beware! The multiple-dwelling homes and buildings tax went from 3 taran per major room to 12. " she is heard proclaiming as she reads off from the list. "Tariffs on foreign imported goods into Beregost are to be increased by 300%." announces the correct amount of Tariff for good going through Beregost. People went inside for the debate as She stashed the sign she used and disappeared headed north towards the gate.

[Daamien]

Every morning for the past tenday, a basket of fresh fruit can be found upon the steps of the Temple of Lathander.

Brian and Ross, the two templars stantioned there, would claim that a number of children dropped them off during the pre-dawn gloom.

Amid the fruit, a small note can be found. "For Antolina Burgoz. Best wishes for a swift recovery"

///Edit: This belongs in the Beregost 1351 thread.

[Kasso]

Among the first to arrive and take up a banner in the protest was the Mulhorandi woman Anasath, she took up her place in plain view and stood her supportive vigil a'midst the protester's of Beregost. She stood peacefully and chanted her line dutifully throughout the day, thumping her sign all the while through each disagreement, shouting, threat, word of sedition and otherwise. Never veering from her goal of lending her support to the peasantry, and at once never to influence the thoughts or minds of those folks in any way but staying on topic. When all was done she peacefully set down her banner, (though some would say with a number of unladylike, and unpriestly curses accompanying her aching arm.) and went to join the common people in the tavern for the after-talks.




Later, she would return to the Song of the Morning temple and declare her intentions to Most Radiant Kelddath to travel to Amn to attempt to glean a better perspective of what they- or at least she ought to be doing.

[DM Dialectic]

Dissent

After recent protests for and against the Amnian Beregost tax hike over the past few days, rumor spreads of which community leaders have taken public positions on the higher taxes. It is said that the famous smith Thunderhammer has staked out a position strongly opposing at a protest that he helped to organize with some adventurers, Thalantyr the Conjurer attending as well and eagerly shouting down the tax hikes. Thalantyr apparently had a viscous verbal spat with a Cowled Wizard seemingly harassing him on Amnian magical regulations during the protest, before leaving angrily for his High Hedge estate.

The adventurers present at the protest are said to have pushed the energy of the protest to a higher level of intensity and even moved one demonstrator supporting the tax hike to the opposing side with their passion and arguments. The opposition protest held signs bearing the symbol of Waukeen, "Liberty's Maiden," and sayings against the tax hike, as well as chanted anti-tax and anti-Amnian slogans, although the Sheriff was on hand to make sure that no anti-Amnian protestor language got too far from just anti-tax sentiment. Some even sang the local Beregost anthem, "Remember, Remember, Beregost."

The Craumerdaun horse breeders on the other hand, strongly supported the tax hike in recent protests of their own. The merchants and commons of Beregost seem divided amongst the two political camps, with somewhat better turnout amongst protest groups opposing the tax hike, with other community leaders, merchants, and commons of Beregost seemingly ambivalent about the whole controversy or at least remaining silent. Samuel Feldpost III and Gerard Travenhurst have offered their tavern and real estate, respectively, as safe and neutral places to debate the issues, with many recently seen in the Phoenix Rising tavern of Feldpost arguing about the tax hikes, peacefully and lawfully.

The initial energy of the protests against the tax hike is dismissed by some as ungrateful and temporary whining of locals that will soon die out, while spoken by others more optimistically as the beginning of a larger more serious movement. It remains to be seen to many gossiping in Beregost whether adventurers will be able to help Thunderhammer and others publicly opposing the tax hikes to gather enough political momentum to possibly make Amn listen or whether seeming initial vocal opposition to the tax hikes will quickly fade into history.

Antolina Burgoz

It is said that Burgoz, after much treatment focused on her over the past few weeks, is now conscious, although not very communicative or aware of her situation or surroundings. No word yet spreads that she has been interrogated as to her word on what might have occurred in recent events. Some have left gifts for her as of recent, including some apples left for her by an apparent local.

[Syracuse]

Antolina Burgoz

It is said that Burgoz, after much treatment focused on her over the past few weeks, is now conscious, although not very communicative or aware of her situation or surroundings. No word yet spreads that she has been interrogated as to her word on what might have occurred in recent events. Some have left gifts for her as of recent, including some apples left for her by an apparent local.

Wyn'caellia, on hearing the news, moves her tired frame from Baldur's Gate to Beregost. Where she started was a tall and proud woman, still excited from something. As the tattooed elf comes nearer and nearer to Beregost, her shoulders begin to slump.

Some may hear of how that strange woman, defiant with a sign, proud with her chin lifted high, now reaches the doors of the Lathander church. How her eyes again fall to the stone, and a humbling, humiliating wound opens on her psyche.

Some may even note in their murmurings the sound of a arrow snapping in half, and being fed into the parchment of a letter. Left with the vigilant dawn knights that guard the temple's front, she leaves it in their care to reach those inside.

It'd be wholly dependent on those within the temple to open, and find the lightly tear streamed letter of apology inside asking a simple request. Her spirit lightly lifted when she catches sight of one of the outraged signs against the heavy taxation of Beregost.

[mireigi]

With Antolina Burgoz finally out of her unconcious state, though with the occassional relapse for a few hours at a time, Dawnpriest Tolan finds more time to tend other duties within the temple, having spent the majority of the past two tendays tending to Lady Burgoz. He spends a few hours outside the temple, enjoying the relative quiet of the town, only interrupted by the occasional disgruntled muttered outburst from the citizens opposing the new tax hike.

When he returns, he is informed of the note and takes it inside to inform the others of Wyn'caellia's request, and then heads back to the room in which Lady Burgoz is currently housed, intending to speak with her, not on the matters surrounding the attempt on her life, but rather her person and what she values in life, thinking it best not to trouble her too much just yet with topics she might dread.

[DM Dialectic]

Antolina Burgoz

Antolina Burgoz continues to improve in her condition of health, although maybe not in her state of mind, Beregost gossip whispers. It is rumored some may even try to speak with her at her Song of the Morning quarters within the next day or so.

((Public event (within IC reason) tomorrow, Saturday, January 24 at 4pm GMT.))

Tax Dissent

Rumor spreads in Beregost describing the scenes of recent tenday surrounding the Amnian tax hike announcement and the subsequent protests for and against the tax increases, neither movement of which is said to have passionately caught on with a majority of the townsfolk as of yet.

A description of the Amnian garrison company in Beregost upon the Amnian Bailiff Axehand's announcement about the tax hikes in the Beregost town square.





Gossip painting the scene of Bailiff Axehand taking questions about the tax hikes from a gathered crowd of adventurers and locals after his announcement about the hikes.


A rumored description of the scene of gossiping after the Bailiff's tax announcement in the town square of Beregost.


Rumor speak of the protest scenes for and against the tax held the day after the tax hike announcement.

[XyrisMourn]

Bloody politics

*Crurry and Ken, normally seen loitering by the well in the shadowed square, run enthusiastically into the Pheonix with a handful of coins apiece and immediately beseige the bar, ordering beer and whisky chasers.

Shortly after, a group of guardsmen on the corner of the street near the Travenhurst Manor are made aware of trouble, bloody murder has been done in a house down the lane. The ever efficient guardsmen react immediately with calls for reinforcements and move quickly to the scene.

Upon entry, the guardsmen, seasoned as they are, nearly retch at the bloody tableau laid before them. Three bodies, all local townsfolk, lie brutally slain and dismembered with swathes of clotted blood awash across the rough floor of the house. One guard, recently arrived from Amn, spots a cowled figure leaving abruptly through the window and makes a swift but unsuccessful grab.

The house is swiftly secured with officers and investigators brought in to commence the hunt for the murderers... but as night turns to day, there are no clues leading to the assailants. It seems they left town without trace.*

[Daamien]

Rumblings rise from the belly of the Risen Phoenix. The smallfolk speak of an ambush just South of Beregost. A merchant-Priest of Waukeen and two of his hired guards lay butchered upon the road, their stiff corpses even now feeding the crows and other scavengers.

The Priest was rumored to be carrying a valuable gift for Lady Burgoz, a known devout of Waukeen herself. Though they were killed, all was not lost...
Their killers, a few cowled figures, were driven off by an aproaching party of adventurers before they could loot the trio.
The only kind soul among them stopped and investigated as the others walked on by.

It is said that the Priest still drew breath, though mortally wounded. He pleaded that the brave man take his gift to the Lady Burgoz, who resides in the Temple of Lathander.
The matter was settled when the murderers returned for the gift. The kind man fled for his life toward Beregost.