Crime Progression Story The Way To A Man's Heart

Old Town finds itself bustling with activity almost over night. Representatives bring their people in, setting up shop and securing their positions. Word spreads quickly - each district has a representative with their own interests and goals. They encourage the scum of Old Town to gather and make their appeals, for each leader brings a unique opportunity if their favour is gained.

---​

In the late evening, Lythir Vixaris was received by Indiri Aljira and his people. Immediately, the Qadir seemed put off, waving his subordinates away when they drew too close in an effort to be nosy. Despite the bustling market square they had met in, the pair were given a wide berth from those that ran about peddling their wares. They walked along the square, the Qadir explaining his love of Unionism and how it had changed his life - in part because of bringing him to Regalia, but also his general fondness for them.

Lythir, with no bribes and no offers of anything in return, speaks of anti-Unionist propaganda and a boost of dragon-worship related support, only furthering the faction leader’s distrust of the Isldar leader. With an abrupt wave of his hand, those that gave the pair a wide berth suddenly closed in. Seizing the Risen leader by the arms, Lythir is dragged away and tossed out of the market square.

Upon his return to Dragonbend, he would find a note placed upon his door, poked through with a twig.

To the Risen,
When you are offered a chance to reach out to the one that owns the very district
you’ve claimed, I would suggest you do it. Hope to see you next week!
​

-Zzan’ksai Po​

---​

Six carts of gold rattled along behind the Revenants as they made their way into the Emporium district. Vaeri announced their presence loud and clear, gaining a few side-eyes from the busy traders. Murmurs began to spread throughout the square, fingers pointing towards the Revenant leader. They appeared unnerved by her lack of eyes and general appearance and shied away, leaving the Kathar group to stand awkwardly in the middle of a rapidly emptying square.

Hagmer and Om’brosa stepped forward, requesting Indiri Aljira’s presence - to which he readily announced himself. He was amidst the people that were discomforted by Vaeri’s appearance, but he took a great interest in both the gold offered and the pair of Fai’llir Shenaths. Chattering excitedly to the two about absolutely nothing to do with any sort of deal, the Qadir faction leader explained the nightmare that had been his prior meeting, informing them of the Risen’s poor attempt at reaching out. Indiri seemed especially attracted to Hagmer and Om’brosa, going so far as to offer the pair of Kathar a romp in a nearby storage room any time they so pleased.

Gwel’s charming attempts were valiant but, in the end, she was brushed off with a dismissive wave of Indiri’s hand. She didn’t seem to fit the man’s type.

Vallimsiifa’s approach, however, seemed to do the trick. Already enamoured with the two Kathar, the merchant man fawned over Val’s impeccable clothing choice and tasteful exposure. Marvelling at the odd crown upon the Haat-Maraya’s head, Indiri was all ears when Vaeri stepped forth with the Revenant’s offer.

Six Tokens and a quarter of the Basilisk’s monthly profits, the deal was far too good for him to pass up. He expressed interest in a balancing of the deal - in exchange for their generous gift (Vallimsiifa’s flirting and his general attentiveness to Hagmer and Om’brosa), he would fund the Revenants in both Tokens and man power whenever they called upon him.

---​

On a much quieter street, tucked away around a corner, the Neutral Dragon Representative waited patiently for his guests. The Accusers arrival had been delayed rather heavily, repeatedly put off by general bickering over a gift for the faction leader. The lateness irked the elder Sihai, enough to the point that the man nearly didn’t allow them in. However, Wesley’s pleas did not fall upon deaf ears.

The Accusers and Zzan’ksai met over tea in the humble, minimalist home, exchanging philosophies of balance and justice. The elderly man made specific mention of Wesley’s eyes, taking a fondness to the half-breed as they spoke, passing comments of the necessity of conflict to keep things contained within Old Town. A deep understanding passed between the two and Zzan’ksai was far more receptive to the damnation of the Risen than he would have been prior. Destabilising the delicate balance of Old Town could be catastrophic to any that lived there.

Lathai’s attempts at showing Zzan’ksai that not all Isldar are alike failed, irking the district representative and leading to a two hour rant about the abandonment of one’s people in an effort to appear better than his own people. In the end, Lathai was sent outside for the remainder of the meeting.

Lottie’s gift fell far shorter than Lathai’s conversational skills - Zzan’ksai took heavy offense to the gift, viewing it as an attempt to bribe the elderly man from his morals. The gift was viciously rejected with hardly a kind word to spare and Lottie was sent out of the room to join Lathai.

Zzan’ksai informed Wesley of his readiness to assist in the peacekeeping of Old Town through whatever balancing needs available to him, but suggests the group come back to converse with him further to solidify their deal. In the same sentence, Zzan’ksai agrees to denounce the Risen’s occupation of half of his territory.

---​

In the Bilge Court district, a meeting takes place between Athyral Manorilo and the Nameless One. After having gained an audience with him with promise of a Token, the Kathar hears the half-breed out. They talk briefly, the Representative showing interest in what might lie beneath the mask and what power the singular mage may hold that allows them to exist near-solo within the system. The conversation veers off to Nameless One’s particular interest in Void Worship, the two sharing a common background in that regard. The two bond in Athyral’s native tongue, holding a pleasant conversation about the weather and his love for money.

Impressed by whatever gall the Nameless One possesses, Athyral takes the gift readily, offering up a quarter of his manpower so long as the half-breed returns with more subjects and something worth his while within a month. He sends them on their way.

---​

Shortly after the Revenants leave with their deal firmly in hand, the Hierarchy step into enemy territory in hopes of gaining favour from Indiri. His demeanor, over all, seemed lacklustre, greeting them with only a portion of his excitement. The man was tired after fawning over Kathar, but it didn’t seem to fully deter the Qadir from eyeing Don and Merith over hungrily. Their offer of tainted alcohol - tacked on with the name ‘Unionism’ - offends the man, but not to the point that he deems it necessary to send them away.

Leo spoke out of turn, a casual slip in wording ensuring the Representative no longer acknowledged him for the rest of the meeting. When he spoke a second time, the Representative’s temper slips entirely and he is demanded to leave.

Evelyn’s display of blood slaves falls flat when the slave they brought suddenly falls ill. They vomit all over one of the stalls’ wares, drawing Indiri’s unfathomable ire - first from the apparent slave’s use in general, and then when he realises that it was one of his own stalls that was vomited upon. Now in the hole for having ruined wares, Evelyn is sent away with a frustrated wave of Indiri’s hand.

Merith manages to calm Indiri with a few choice words, supplemented by Don’s own reassurances that it was a fluke and that it wouldn’t happen again. He offers the pair the same offer he had extended to Om’brosa and Hagmer - a brief roll in a backroom to make up for both the blunder and the ruined product.

Aeyllanama’s Varghul form is passed over without so much as a bat of Indiri’s eyes, unimpressed by the attempt at their display of strength. Even Jineup’s Varghul form hardly warranted a reaction, though it certainly made a few of the men along the outskirts of the market square shift and murmur amidst themselves.

At the end, the only true interest Indiri seemed to show towards the Hierarchy was paid towards Don and Merith, with a heavy emphasis of flirting towards the latter. The Hierarchy inevitably leaves empty-handed, save for Merith who, upon returning to their cistern, finds a note folded within her pocket.

Come see me later? ;)
-Indiri​

---​

Tucked in the quiet, thriving gardens of Petal Court, two Yanar greet each other as old friends. Azëlloa finds the Petal Court Representative at peace amidst the foliage and introduces himself, opening a line of conversation. They bond over similar interests and backgrounds.

The second the Carnival is mentioned, however, the conversation turns a touch sour. Eithne laments the closeness of the fires from the burning of the barricades erected and expresses her worry over their beautiful garden falling victim to the Revenant’s Dulofall. She had read all of the proclamations and is angered by the threat of the district’s destruction at the hands of Kathar.

The rant lasts quite some time, until Eithne’s anger deflates. Her hatred of Kathar far outweighed her distaste for the way the Carnival had been conducting themselves and she agrees, begrudgingly, to offer support. Before she offers the support, however, the tiny Yanar demands to speak to the leader of the Carnival, citing the disingenuous feelings revolving around sending another of her kind to speak on behalf of the gang.

The fondness she felt towards Azëlloa would not be ignored, however, and she pledges a quarter of her manpower to the Carnival, due to their connection alone, with the understanding that their leader would contact her directly in the future.

--- ​

Deep in the confines of the Velheim District, a rowdy party is interrupted by Nace’s arrival. While openly welcomed by the uproarious crowd, it takes some time to find Talbjorn amidst the large men and women, having wade through a massive group of dancers and rabble rousers.

Talbjorn receives the furs with a touch of indifference, promptly turning around and offering them to others that he deemed in more dire need. The food was passed out amidst those that were less fortunate, all while the two men spoke. He expressed frustration over the growing problem of Undead and Kathar that plague the streets, lamenting the inability to strike against the Aberrants of Old Town. Vague mention of a threatening letter from the Hangroad Representative is offered up, though not expanded upon when prodded.

Nace is offered to stay throughout the party and enjoy the merriment and celebration, further encouraged to mingle amidst Talbjorn’s people. While the Representative was indifferent, the Velheim Nace found himself surrounded by seemed to love his company.

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TLDR;
- The Risen fail to appeal to Merchant and Emporium District Representative and gain the ire of their own district leader.
- The Revenants’ appeal to the Merchant and Emporium District Representative was successful.
- The Accusers manage to charm Dragon District Representative, but too many blunders prevent solid support. The Risen further lose favour with the Representative.
- The Third Eye’s appeal to the Bilge Court Representative and is reasonably successful.
- The Hierarchy do not manage to obtain an alliance or financial backing, but do manage to gain some favour from the Emporium Representative.
- The Carnival’s attempt to win the Petal Court Representative over did not go as well as hoped, but Azëlloa is encouraged to return with the Carnival leader at a later date.
- The Blackhawks fail to leave a lasting impression with the Velheim Representative, but finds the people favourable and sympathetic to his cause.

Rolls.