Post by The Great Other on Sept 8, 2012 19:03:46 GMT -5
Silas found himself in a place far outside his comfort zone, a crowded tavern in Flea Bottom. Countless around him participated in activities he would have condemned in his days as a loyal septon. In the days since meeting The Heretic, souls that needed saving became potential allies in the war against the Faith. Murderers, cutthroats, gamblers, whoremongers, and various criminals had become his new flock.
He had received a raven from the Fallen Sept this morning, informing him of the pressing need for new recruits. With a knight of the Kingsguard prowling the Kingwood, the situation was dire indeed. A couple of new recruits would not suffice. Trajan Waters required a veritable army of hardened men capable of holding the Kingswood. With The Heretic too recognizable to employ his own silver tongue to solve the matter, the responsibility fell to Silas.
The heretic septon stepped up to a raised platform in the center of the tavern, usually reserved for bards, bands, or dancers. He cleared his throat loudly, as he had done before countless sermons as a septon to silence the murmuring in the pews. Unfortunately, the gathered patrons were not churchgoers and few stopped their drinking, brawling, and whoring to turn their attention to a tired old man.
“Silence!” he commanded, in the booming voice that had once been used for the benefit of the Seven, rather than their destruction.
Immediately a hush fell over the assembled, burly dockworkers and wiry urchins turning their attention to the man that dared command them.
“Brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters hear me!” he began after a deep steadying breath. “I speak on behalf of the Heretic of the Kingswood. You have all been led astray. You have been deceived by you king, deceived by your lords, deceived by your religious leaders.”
He looked around to make sure he still had their attention and was pleased to see their curiosity.
“I was a proud follower of the Seven once, much like those in this room. Indeed I called myself one of their loyal representatives, preaching their perceived just and good nature. But I was mistaken! How many of you lost fathers and sons in the War of the Seven and Fire? How many lost all they had in defense of gods that cannot defend themselves. How can we expect aid and protection from divines that cannot see to their own self-preservation?”
He could see some men in the crowd swayed by his words, nodding along or shouting out those that were lost.
“It is time you were led from the darkness of ignorance! It is time that mankind found its true potential separate from the gods of old! Stand with the Heretic and he will grant you what your gods never could; gold, women, power, and protection. Those that would take their destiny into their own hands, rather than entrust it to false idols, come forward and the truth will set you free!”
A decent amount came forward, some out of greed but many more out of true acceptance. Each was given an iron coin to grant them free passage through the Kingswood. By the time the gold cloaks arrived based on rumors of Heretic activity, Silas was already gone. He repeated his speech at over a dozen taverns and inns throughout Flea Bottom before the night was through.
(Silas Persuasion increased to Expert)
(Heretic Brotherhood gains 25 more recruits)
(Popular opinion in Flea Bottom turns in favor of the Heretic Brotherhood)
He had received a raven from the Fallen Sept this morning, informing him of the pressing need for new recruits. With a knight of the Kingsguard prowling the Kingwood, the situation was dire indeed. A couple of new recruits would not suffice. Trajan Waters required a veritable army of hardened men capable of holding the Kingswood. With The Heretic too recognizable to employ his own silver tongue to solve the matter, the responsibility fell to Silas.
The heretic septon stepped up to a raised platform in the center of the tavern, usually reserved for bards, bands, or dancers. He cleared his throat loudly, as he had done before countless sermons as a septon to silence the murmuring in the pews. Unfortunately, the gathered patrons were not churchgoers and few stopped their drinking, brawling, and whoring to turn their attention to a tired old man.
“Silence!” he commanded, in the booming voice that had once been used for the benefit of the Seven, rather than their destruction.
Immediately a hush fell over the assembled, burly dockworkers and wiry urchins turning their attention to the man that dared command them.
“Brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters hear me!” he began after a deep steadying breath. “I speak on behalf of the Heretic of the Kingswood. You have all been led astray. You have been deceived by you king, deceived by your lords, deceived by your religious leaders.”
He looked around to make sure he still had their attention and was pleased to see their curiosity.
“I was a proud follower of the Seven once, much like those in this room. Indeed I called myself one of their loyal representatives, preaching their perceived just and good nature. But I was mistaken! How many of you lost fathers and sons in the War of the Seven and Fire? How many lost all they had in defense of gods that cannot defend themselves. How can we expect aid and protection from divines that cannot see to their own self-preservation?”
He could see some men in the crowd swayed by his words, nodding along or shouting out those that were lost.
“It is time you were led from the darkness of ignorance! It is time that mankind found its true potential separate from the gods of old! Stand with the Heretic and he will grant you what your gods never could; gold, women, power, and protection. Those that would take their destiny into their own hands, rather than entrust it to false idols, come forward and the truth will set you free!”
A decent amount came forward, some out of greed but many more out of true acceptance. Each was given an iron coin to grant them free passage through the Kingswood. By the time the gold cloaks arrived based on rumors of Heretic activity, Silas was already gone. He repeated his speech at over a dozen taverns and inns throughout Flea Bottom before the night was through.
(Silas Persuasion increased to Expert)
(Heretic Brotherhood gains 25 more recruits)
(Popular opinion in Flea Bottom turns in favor of the Heretic Brotherhood)