War of the Grand Council: The Lost Documents

[Eiade]

OOC: 1000 apologies for the long wait, players. My computer is mocking me and not working. I am using my roommate's comp. Here we go:

 

IC:

 

Creeping out of the shadows, the assassin clad in black silently ran into the light emanating from the lanterns of Ules Manor. Everyone was asleep; there was no resistance. He approached the western side of the house, which was unlit, and sheathed a katana on his back. Making little noise at all, the agent began to climb the wall using barrels and windowsills. Tonight, he would take the first step of the glorious retribution. The Great House Hlaalu thought that they had gotten away with it; they thought they were safe. No more would this injustice continue.

 

The dark elf made it to the second-story patio, and climbed over the banister. Kissing the Mephala emblem on his leather string necklace, he got to work picking the door that lead inside. It took little time for the familiar ‘click’ of an opening lock to sound; it wasn’t too complex for his skills. He carefully opened the door, and pulled a black shawl over his nose and mouth. Inside the manor it was dimly lit, which gave him a little confidence. He unsheathed his Daedric katana, and crept inside, slowly closing the door behind him. He knew where the councilor lay: down the hall and up the stair. Senses attuned and heart beating quickly he made his way down the hallway, and tread softly on the stairs that lead to the third story and master bedroom. Upon arriving at the third floor, there was one doorway, and his heart sped up. He cracked open the door and entered the room where his unknowing target lay innocently sleeping. He heard her breathing, gripped his katana tightly, feeling the somewhat slimy feeling of sweaty palms on leather hilt, and approached the canopy bed. She lay on her side, sound asleep, facing the doorway. The experienced Dunmer assassin quickly ran his blade straight through the sleeping woman’s neck, through the point right above the middle of the collar bone, the blade fully emerging out of the back, with dark red blood escaping out both ends. There was a short cry, and the target was dead almost immediately. The cry was too loud. He quickly exited the room and went down the stair, trying to be quiet, but someone had to have heard. Just as he was about to come within reach of the patio door, an Imperial woman rounded the corner, holding a candle and a silver longsword. She looked at his katana and saw the trail of blood that had dripped from it down the hall. She screamed loudly and immediately drew back her sword and swung at him. The dark elf easily parried her attack and made a quick slash across her belly, and she dropped the candle on the ground and gripped her stomach.

 

Out of one of the doors in the hallway burst another male dark elf, apparently a Hlaalu member, clutching a finely-crafted dwemer longsword. The assassin bolted out the patio door, and the new longsword-wielder gave pursuit. The escapee gripped the banister with one hand and leapt off the balcony, landing on the ground hard, but continuing to run. His pursuant did the same, but didn’t land as gracefully, rolling onto his side and springing up to continue running. The longsword-wielder was a fighter and was used to wearing armor, but had just come out of bed, so he wore no armor to slow him down. He eventually caught up with the trespasser and tackled him to the ground. The two got up and immediately engaged in a heated duel, both displaying skill. The Hlaalu eventually made contact with the assassin’s netch leather armor, cutting off a sack that hung from his waste. Because the pursuant had just woken up however, his skills were lacking in what they should have been. The assassin eventually found an opening, and kicked his opponent in the face, then clopped him on the head with the butt of his katana. The Hlaalu fell unconscious, and the assassin bolted.

 

 

Tylen woke up from the fight early in the morning, and sprung to his feet, still holding his longsword. He was in the middle of a field next to the manor. The trespasser had gotten away, and from what he could remember, had badly injured Fruscia. His eyes never came upon an enemy, and the muscles in his sword arm relaxed. Tylen felt liquid on his face, and his hand came up to his mouth to find blood running down his chin. His eyes wandered for a bit, then came across a sack. Yes, he had cut off the sack from the man’s belt during the fight. Tylen picked it up and forged around inside of it. He found some bittergreen petals, some darts, and a moderate amount of gold. But the thing that interested him the most was a letter he found. He curiously unwound the red string binding it, and unrolled the scroll. He began to read it and his eyes widened. Tylen sprinted back to the manor.

 

The frantic dark elf burst through the door, where a few servants were running through the house gripping weapons and seeing if everyone was alright. Fruscia the Imperial was not alright. She was one of Nevana's best friends and had had her stomach nearly cut open by the assassin's razor-sharp Daedric weapon.

 

Tylen looked out the window and judging by the position of the moons and how much light was beginning to creep into the sky, it was about three or four in the morning.

 

"Everyone!" Tylen announced to the frightened servants, still in his night-clothing, holding his sword in one hand and the letter in the other. "Wake all of the guests! MAke sure they're ok, and bring them down here to the living room! Now where is Nevana?" The servants stopped their bustling and looked at him, even the servant who was bandaging and comforting Fruscia.

 

"What? Where is she??" Tylen said wildly. His question was answered with perfect timing when another servant came into view coming down the stairs, sobbing and carrying the bloody body of Nevava Ules. Tylen's face transformed from confusion to disbelief, and contorted once more with a heavy pang of grief. The servant laid the dead councilwoman on a couch, and kneeled beside her body. Two servants left and went upstairs to bring down the guests, most of which were probably already awake.

 

The servants opened the guests' doors, and bid them to come downstairs...

 

 

OOC: By the way, just for everyone's information, all places and npc's were not made up, and can be found in the game (except Nevana's servants).

[tyjet3]

Daric had already been a little awake when a female servent came in the room. He was a light sleeper and had woken up when he heard many people walking about. He thought nothing of it at first, but the look on the young Dunmer was telling him different. It looked as if she had been crying and was trying to be strong. "You are needed in the entrance, sir." She managed to say. She was still very upset. Something wasn't right. Daric stood up from his bed and could see past her that many of the other guest had been woken up too. Isaac and Wren were being led by a servant and stopped in front of his room. Daric quickly put on his robe and met up with the group. Once he was in the hallway, he saw Harver and Vallery not to far behind. Soon all five of them were being ushered together down the hallway, to the front entrance.

Daric turned to everyone and spoke, "Does any one know what this is all about?!?"

[Fishystick]

Vallréy rubbed his eyes and looked around, barely awake. "No idea", he mumbled and scratched his head. Vallréy had just fallen asleep after some drinking when a man came into his room and shook him awake, telling him that he was wanted at the entrance. "Do you mind telling us what this is all about?", he shouted to Tylen, then he noticed the dead body of Nevana Ules on a couch.

[FlightlessBird]

Isaac too had been awoken the same way Vallrey was, and sensed something wasnt right. He had put on his robe, gathered his staff and followed the servant with the others. He gasped when he saw Nevana on the couch. Tylen was looking shocked, but his expression was still hard to read. Isaac heavily lent on his staff. His mind was scattered. All was going well for him untill this. There had to be an explination. His thoughts raced, Sweet Vivec... How could this be? There was so many people! the attacker was skilled, did we have any evidence? Why Nevana? Why such a kind women?... Hlaalu... No... Isaacs thoughts halted, and his eyes focused on Nevanas corpse with more intensity every second...

[Harver]

:: When the servant came to wake Harver up Harver had beaten her to the punch. He was standing and peering out the small window out at the scenery. When the servant beconed him, Harver turned to see the servant had tear stains across her face. The woman asked Harver to come out to the halls main foyer. The woman choked on her words as she spoke; taking much time to push each word past the lump in her throat. ::

 

:: Out in the hall, the commanding step of heavy footsteps echoed through the halls. This and the dim light only magnified the feeling of grief in the stirring air. He was following Vallrey and all the people he sat with the night before. Each one had a distinct and unique look of concern painted across their faces. Haver massaged the back of his hands, a nervous habit developed when he was young. He brushed the fine brown hairs aross the backs of each one.

 

::Vallrey spoke up, asking in a concerned tone what all the ruckus was about. Harver only kept his mouth shut, his feet moving, and his ears listening for Tylen's response.::

[Eiade]

All the guests were assembled in the living room, anxious to hear about why they had just been awoken (OOC: this is including Crim).

 

"There has been an assassination," said Tylen to the party. "It was not just a trespasser because he didn't go after any valubles, he only went for Nevana, then escaped. I pursued him, and eventually caught up with him, and we fought. I wasn't used to fighting unarmored, so he eventually knocked me unconcious. About 10 minutes ago I woke up, and I remembered that I had cut a sack off of the assassin during the fight. In this sack I found something: a letter. This assassin apparently belongs to one of the Houses of Morrowind. No, it isn't one of the three Great Houses, it is one of the Houses that has since lost power. This assassin came from House Indoril. I know it is Indoril because the letter is signed by their Grandmaster himself, the only councilor that was alive during the Imperial invasion. The rest killed themselves as they would rather die than be ruled by the Imperium. The letter is addressed to one Drathyn Fals, and tells him exactly how to infiltrate our manor and find Nevana. The main body of the letter is the most shocking part."

 

Tylen took a brief pause to look at the guest's mixed reactions of astonishment, anxiety and interest.

 

"The letter describes a series of deadly agendas against House Hlaalu. There are five attacks in total, all involving killing, sabotaging, raiding and espionage. Let me read to you what is planned."

 

#1. 19th Second Seed - Assassination of Nevana Ules, Hlaalu councilor. #2. 21st Second Seed - Attack on a Hlaalu shipment of gold, liquid funds, and valuable items that have historical significance to House Hlaalu, which were to be transferred to the Hlaalu vault in Vivec. Attack will take place off the coast near Hla Oad. #3. 22nd Second Seed - Poisoning the drinks at a Hlaalu-held feast in the Hlaalu canton of Vivec. #4. 24th Second Seed - Desctruction of Hlaalu Ancestral Tomb. #5. 27th Second Seed - Assassination of Almse Arenim, Hlaalu House Oathman and overseer of Hlaalu town Gnaar Mok, along with anyone else in the house, and burning down Aremin Manor.

 

"The letter also mentions several times a collection of writings that could bring about the fall of House Hlaalu. I have no idea what they're talking about. As far as I know, we are the only ones who know about this who are not in House Indoril. We have no time to run about and try to tell all of the councilors and House members. These events are all happening too soon. As a devout member to House Hlaalu, I wish with all my heart to stop these agendas. But I can't do it alone, so I ask for your help. If you join me and if we succeed in halting House Indoril, Hlaalu will give you all very generous rewards."

 

Tylen waited for responses.

[FlightlessBird]

Isaac had continued thinking about what he was before, even when Tylen had started the explination. He came to when Tylen began to read the letter

***

Upon hearing Tylen's request, Isaac knew what he had to do....

He had to put off his exploration and research of the ancestral tomb untill further notice. Although he was heavily dissapointed, he knew this was on more importance. Isaac's jaw began to move as the cranks in his head turned...

 

"We need a plan, and it has to be good. todays the 20th? That gives us one day to stop that attack on Hlaluu goods off the coast... however..." he said in realization.

"If we stop that shipwreck, they might know that they've been discovered, and if they know that, we might not be able to catch them in the act of something important..." He breathed. "What I'm saying is, if we stop them from attacking the ship, they might change their plans to attack the other councilers or poison the food. Unless... we had some people dress up as extra guards on the boat. Then we might have a better chance of pulling it off without being discovered." Isaac realized he was begining to talk to himself rather than others in the room.

 

"I have to say though, what kind Guar dung heads do you think set this attack up? I mean, who would ACTUALLY send an assassin on a mission with their plans attached to him? That seems very folly to me. Tylen, are you sure this paper isnt just a plant?" Isaac waited after saying his mind.

[Eiade]

"Hmm..." said Tylen. "Well, the letter was just with the rest of his belongings. And he was very skilled, so whoever wanted him to have probably trusted him to protect it well. He was simply caught up in the rush of the fight and flee, and it is easy to see how it slipped his mind that my stray attack struck his pouch."

 

"And yes, I see how the Hlaalu might know someone is on to them if we stopped the attack. But you must keep in mind that Indoril communication is only as fast as its runners and messengers. The Indoril are few in nember compared to the Three Great Houses, and they aren't mages. Plus, I've studied a little about politics, and the Indoril are too zealous and determined to let a small party thwart such a seemingly huge plan."

[Crim, The Red Thunder]

OT: Sorry for the delay. I had some schedule problems and my PC is acting up at the moment. I PROMISE to do better with this.

Harver, i couldnt read your pm for some reason... if there was anything in it besides just 'please post' then send it to my email... at least THAT is still working... *knocks on wood*

 

Wren shakes her head at the violence that was commited here tonight, and silently swears to avenge her kind host. She silently wonders where this last councilor of House Indoril is residing...

 

"Do we know anything at all about the assassin's origins? Could he have been hired by Indoril, or does he actually belong to the house?"

[Harver]

:: Harver sat quitely in the background. He waited for some sort of consesus from the group. A reward was involved. Harver should consider this but he is also not inclined to risk his neck. Of course, he was also taught better than to let people get away with crimes like these. If they genuinely wanted him, Harver would come. He did not say anything, only waited and listened.::