Ravos Calchais' public rumours and opinions
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:: Ever ready to express his opinions on most things, irrespective of who cares often enough in his often principled and and inquiring manner. The armoured swordsman seems tobe increasingly involved in local exploration, battles, and investigations, his original aims for trade seeminly forgotten in place of high adventure - whatever next? ::
The adventurer from the Duchy of Velen, Ravos Calchais has been seen shut in his room in the inn for long periods of time, occasionally calling down for food. Other than his observation that perhaps the rooms should have been named after famous individuals from the past, perhaps senators or noblefolk, nothing else is heard fom him in a tenday or more. Other than he was seen heading in with a number of volumes on what some say was an investigation, or trade papers, or theology. Waitresses may report seeing books of a number of faiths, seeming to make a study of them - among his work area as refreshments were delivered to him. Although he is often heard to call Roslyn "Detective" he has been observed in saying he wouldn't mind that job... The Waitress's would quash any rumour that Roslyn had been seen in his room however.
Other rumours persist of another woman manging to persuade Ravos to leave the inn. This time it was Rika, the Uthgardt axe-warrior with news of Creel warriors missing deep in giant territory. Certainly he was seen wishing a proper burial for these warriors and later returning from those lands with her and Simon, a priest of Torm covered head to foot in giant blood, pledging to celebrate the fallen warriors recovered from the cave with many ales, toasting the prowess of the party as well as the glorious deaths of the creel. He's developing a taste for Creel wine, though he is mainly seen with his dark stout in his tankard.
In unrelated matters, Ravos was seen returning from the icelace beach area, with the equipment of a drunken adventurer along with Rika, Nord and Simon again. With reports that pirates seemed to have incredible summoning powers, with the prevention of the summoning of a demon by a mere whisker achieved by Ravos, Rika, Simon and Nord, viglance is urged for any adventurers heading beyond the lands of the wild cats near to Peltarch. There seemed to be an explosion of polymorphing insanity following the incident, with a Dwarf, turning into a giant spider, and Nord turning into a cow without bothering the wavebreakers too much. Ravos does note however that the guard enquiring about the huge creatures transformed into by this Aurilite Druid and the Dwarf, failed to apprehend the "cow", seeing that it managed to sneak away from him. He shakes his head in disdain and returns to the inn wondering about the competence of the guard and the lack of viglance, making a pledge to locate a temple of Helm in the region, and writes a proposal to the Captain of the Guard that they should be equipped with magic to detect invisible creatures.
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Ravos has been seen with his good lady wife, the Lady Varya Tiller more often of late since their return from Norwick. They were seen to be rather well scrubbed by the time they got back to the city, though until a number of visits to the bathhouse had been completed and the deep cleaning of their arming jackets and other garb did they deem to show their face in public. The story of the battle with the Gargantuan purple worm "Titus Phallus" and the goblin torturer Wormtongue is starting to get around. With them was Sam and Noemi also, who some say they trust implicitly in matters of combat, though perhaps that's just the melee teamwork Varya and Ravos are known to engage in with their enemies.
Ravos as Daedalus company commander of the stonemasons and carpenters guild, has extended offers of trade and workings in wood and stone to the largely demolished Norwick from the southern inner gate to the Grapevine inn, and it seems the potential for honest profit is considerable as he reports to Cobin Daedalus guildmaster reporting that he contributed to the rescue of a famous Norwick citizen and able woodsman of the region, Lence.
With rumours that the tunnel that still exists in the centre of town made by the titan purple worm leads all the way to Rashemen, the Abyss, or the realm of some goblin god the story differs depending on who you speak to in Norwick. Though there's talk already about what should be done with it. Mining, transport, or just guard it as only a few it seem to know how far it goes, in a long and indirect route.
At home, it's rumoured that Valdabrin, long since come of age is getting itchy feet and could be making plans to leave, while Esmerelda is still perfecting her pie-making, and as of yet showing no signs of leaving home. The absence of their mother, in spirit for a long while in repect of Varya's faith in the Grain Goddess, is yet to be seen in terms of the effect on the children but Varya's return to the manor farms. Her presence there may be seen as a stranger returning to a house of adults who will be off of their own way soon, their time under the influence of Ravos alone for some while, but contrasting with Varya's zeal in faith returning could have an interesting change on the region as both seem determined and concerned by the complexities and potential for victory, disaster or deception by the forces concerned with and opposing the temple of the triad's latest endeavour to cleanse the city hall fountain.
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: Ravos as is often seen to be the case, makes his opinions known outside of the kings council to whomever may hear him. :
: This time he spoke at the gathering to celebrate the life of guardsman owens, a more informal, though well advertised as best he could announcing the gathering in the Mermaid outside of the formality of any chain of command. :You all know, served with or loved Guardsman Owens. He was everything a guardsman should be Loyal, Law Abiding, Courageous and he discharged his responsibilities with honour. He did his family and his position proud. I used to serve with him, when I was guard captain in the district until I was called away by General Daedalus to other duties on the council. One thing i remember about him was that he never complained, griped, or rolled his eyes once that i saw in his duty. He knew the purpose he served was a lawful and a worthy one. He had little time for fools, or those who pretend to hold position while acting the fool or acting like a child, or well... just acting. :Ravos lets the last words fall like a stone before raising his tankard before taking a long drink: TO Owens! : he offered to the gathering.
After the tankard was empty in a few moments he banged it down hard on the table... : "I've got something else to say... and i won't make an apology over it."
It seems like complaints and gripes about our lot seems to be increasingly the order of the day for any around here. But look around you what have you got. Look at these walls, always there, unflinching. Just like the citizenry who make up the guards and defenders both. And its not just might and military, the traders, caravan guards and passing travellers from Norwick all drove back the giants after they passed the defender outpost, the outer and the inner gates.
You all know my wife. Lady Varya Tiller, she's the bravest person i know, but all of us can embody many virtues, we need not for titles or even divine providence in battle. We pick up what is to hand and stick it to the bastards. Any force which dare come into our boundaries, our walls, our homes is doomed as long as we remember that.But what of the future? We all need one and my wife knows full well the importance of that. But what of the rest of us. My wife, Lady Varya is right, it's the land here that is tainted, and we've ignored that long enough. Who do we look to for inspiration? Why our king of course, our beliefs as well as our families.
Do we look to other border nations for our leadership. Do we allow their ways to guide how we should be governed. Where do we look, nay not look... WAIT to hear from? Vaasa? Impiltur? Damara? Rashemen? Thay? Am i from around here.. No. I won't tell you how to live.... Wait, no I am telling you how to live : Ravos laughs a moment :
In all seriousness look to the people of this land. Narfell. The tribes. They are many, they are strong, and they've been ignored by all of us too long. Business is booming, but are we paying proper account of who doens't live in these walls? No.
I propose we unite the towns, villages, bastions nay even Norwick... : Ravos laughs again: and even those places harder to reach and less known or perhaps even less palatable to some, such as Oscura.
They aren't all going to swear allegiance to our King, and it matters not how much i would care for this?
They need to sign up to something else. And no i haven't prepared a document...Someone needs to write something all can sign up to, and yes it will be binding, but in doing so we will endure, no, not us, but the document agreed to will endure. I'll be glad to be a part of it, and let's see if the disparate places of this region can act anywhere near the integrity of Guardsman Owens....
: Ravos then lowers his head a moment in respect for the fallen guard before looking to the reaction from those around him :
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From Ravos's recent movement for those who are watching carefully, it perhaps seems like he's organising a complex trade caravan guard deployment or he seems to be organising a new herd of cattle in the Tiller estate.
With a huge length of time and resources devoted to the repairs of the city walls along with some master craftsmen agreeing to assist simply through their love of the city and the crown it appears Ravos has a long list of associates and friends to bring to the attention of Cobin Daedalus and the King.Perhaps some may have said he hasn't spent long enough at home considering the arrival of his daughter with his wife Lady Varya Tiller, but it now appears that his son Valdabrin is fast becoming an able young man in the saddle under the rather surprising tutelage of Ravos considering the man is never seen mounted himself.
After a large delivery of what appears like hefty bound tratises arrives he's seen in fine spirits, and has visited the Temple of Tyr, the courthouse, Seafarer and Wavebreaker offices as well as keeping his occassional appointment with Langley, the cities' master of languages. Observers would note he has been handing out what appears perhaps to be a very similar volume to each of them. Rumor also speaks that a copy may have arrived in the hands of the king or his brother.
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Ravos in quite a typical display of his efficiency, well ordered paperwork and a disciplined routine to his daily affairs, is perhaps even more zealous to post in advance his personal movements, and schedule for inspection of the work sites to his work teams alongside his specialist assistance from valued construction advisors George, Marine Sgt. The church of Gond, and Reemul. He always assures that the foreman of the stonecutters and masons are always in command and it seems that all those mentioned have a clear picture of his movements to a level of precision rarely seen.
Even asking each site to call out when it is is one hour to noon and one hour to sundown courtesy of sundials installed in each location. Some of course speculate as to why this greatly enhanced precision and visibility of his presence throughout the day..."Tis because he wan' us all te know when 'es back ome with that grain girlie... y'know?"
"He's obsessed wiv' time, perhaps 'es just getting old and will die soon or sommat.."
"Weeel he used 'ta be a guard captn. no? Sounds like he'll always have a load 'o people who can vouch where he is and who's he's speaking with".
"Damn.. he's measurin' how fast we be working... damn he'll fire the slowest ones, best we work through lunch aye?": Ravos who is often quite sociable with the workers, and sharing of old tales and war stories in which some roll their eyes but others especially those who have served with him as officers and ncos in the guard laugh infectiously at whatever gallows humour he comes out with next.. since his initiative though, he's perhaps more dour, and more closed mouthed than usual.:
"Perhaps tis' becasus' o that rusty bastard sword he's armed with now.... I 'ope nothin bad happened to his pretty sword 'e normally uses hmm?"
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"Everyone must bury their own, there is no pack to hold the heart of stone."
:: In a Private moment, not known to any outside the Tiller family Ravos has a moment with his son Valdabrin to discuss what he is so often concerned with, and sometimes in awe of. Death. ::
Ravos, was sat in his homestead, the huge cooking range always carrying pleasant aromas of roast meats and herbs from the kitchen garden about the extensive but simple estate house. He kept his desk close to the working areas of the house, where his books of lore of the arcane and places beyond this realm lay piled. Valdabrin was sat cross legged in front of a huge tub of wax and a pile of leather armour, belts, sword strappings and his own arming jacket to which he was busying himself getting every piece of leather supple and clean and every brass fitting gleaming.
The 9 year old boy sat in silence mostly, occasionally looking over to Ravos, who was just finishing some long manuscript, of which brin presumed was his next book. looking across to the entraceway of the house, hearing the shutters bang in a sudden gust of wind, the boys' face turned from his efforts and said "Oh is that..Mothe.." , pausing catching himself realising his father had not reacted. "She'll be collecting herself for some time yet Valdabrin lad", Ravos remarked, putting down a large quillpen beside the inkwell, snapping the brass cover closed. "Kelemvor and Chauntea have their plans for her, that was written long ago, but it was not this past time, she'll be back at home in a day or so.". Ravos watched as the boys eyes acknowledged the words with a brief moment of sadness, or confusion, or relief, then Ravos nodded hearing the simple resolution of "I understand father, it's as it was before." come from the boys mouth.
"You know, sometimes the threat is near and we fight, one of us sometimes even both of us to protect land and our family but so many fights are for us, well perhaps mainly your mother so far away. She's one with the land Brin, you know that, and the land is not just these farms, sometimes we travel far and mostly we are able to come back. You know that." Continuing, seeing that he had the boy's attention he rubbed his moustache and chin, deep in thought for a moment. "When someone we know goes, and goes to their gods or .. to nowhere or even to some other fate, we grieve, we are sad, angry, raving, then accepting and eventually move on. Family keeps the line going, so the memory never dies. That's the essence of children, it's immortality." Ravos's face darkens a moment, with some distant memory of grief, before he again starts once more.
"With those who walk from the door, soldiers, sailors, sorcerors or even satirists they can all die at anytime, they and we know the risks of stepping from the threshhold. But it's not the same when those who die, return almost immediatlely through the will of their patron deity or through some other strange circumstance. "
"We grieve for folk like that, we grieve differently. Like many with wealth and power to return completely whole, but .. not whole, despite the dawn rising the same way after they come back somehow the sunset is all the more poignant, brooding, dark. They know they fell, perhaps they feel they failed somehow, or their actions caused the deaths of others."
"We grieve for those, when, they, leave, the door..." Ravos spoke slowly, and looked at the boy, who was now starting to tear up.. "We don't grieve when they die, because they return.. We are practiced at grief, it's every day, every day. So when the time comes that they don't come back we would have grieved dozens of times, because it's not that they aren't coming back to you, to us, no they've gone to their god. You won't feel they've abandoned you, you won't feel sorrow that they can't take you for a ride in the greenwood. It was their time, decided upon before they were even born.
Taken by poison, by fire, or by old age, whoever they are we'll be with them perhaps as they go, but most likely we won't. I won't grieve, and neither will you." Ravos said nothing further, seeing the boy wipe away a tear but then shrug it off as he finished his words... Instead Ravos nodded to Valdabrin remarking quite simply "Best you get back to your duties, pointing a finger at the pile of the boy's own armour still left to clean."
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"Insight,,", Ravos remarked to Lady Varya, his wife one day walking through the bountiful fields of the Tiller estates. Reaching down to pull out a carrot, and half kicking at an almost tame rabbit who only seemed to take what is needed, he laughed. "The damn things don't even take a bite of every vegetable like they do on other farms!"
:Watching Varya looking at him strangely, wondering where he was going with another one of his rambles, he saw that subtle uncertainty in her expression, as he often did... he totally changed the subject to watch for the subtext of the person who he was conversing with. He thought for a moment about the little conversational game he played in negotiations, and in times past in the guard in all things formal, and informal, pleasant and not so pleasant...:
"Bards.. you know what i've finally worked them out. Some seem to have an ardent religious devotion to right, and occasionally wrong, others wear their corruption or personal strife and arrogance on their sleeve, others are just joyous and carefree. Some dance, drum, sing whatever... write books, poetry. It's all just subterfuge... none of them play an instrument, they don't compose words. The instrument they play is YOU, the canvas they write or draw on is YOU, anyone who listens. You are being played for their own ends or for your own good.... And everyone thinks it's the fife, or pipes or drums. No. You are the one they get to march to your beat."
"It's amazing isn't it? How did it take me so long..?" Ravos quipped taking an incredulous bite of the muddy carrot, not looking behind for Varya's reaction as he headed for the city and the rapidly innovative and enthusiastic work party on the defensive walls.
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Ravos was seen with his young son, Valdabrin of 8 years or so within the borders in a courtyard of the Tiller estate, instructing him in his training with sword at the pell, advising him of the finger and wrist positioning to deliver the pulls and thrusts of the training blade the young boy had been provided with.
"Yes i've heard the young kids around saying this or that, pretending to be these others. You know better than that though. Pretend is what most of these so-called heroes do, the actual grown up ones. Pretend at being virtuous, when actually boiling with anger and baying for the blood of their enemies. Paragons of refinement or power when all they really want to do is put their hands around the throats of their adversaries, hollow voices echoing down the corridors and across the marketplaces. They are hawkers son, no more heroes than someone who shouts the prices and calls of their goods on o'er market day. With one difference, you'll get a fair deal mostly at a marketplace by the blessings of Waukeen. Heroes and adventurers won't give you a fair deal. None of them have adventured within. They are simply playing at their mannerism of the day, whatever they are required to be at any moment to slide into wherever they need to be or play a role set down for them by some priest.", Ravos scoffs.
"Your mother is right, it's best to have both feet on the floor, on the good wholesome earth, and always watch your blindsides as you deliver the blow...!" Ravos shoved him with a round wooden shield, as Valdabrin turned just in time to half skid avoiding falling, bringing his sword up in a suprisingly fast movement to a ready position. "Good..."
"These heroes never see the obvious coming, and this..". The boy's father bashed the lads shield with a gloved hand. "Was quite obvious." Ravos continues, the boys eyes wandering a bit but knowing well enough to listen.
"These adventurers aside from those who embrace the elements which call them will rarely watch the crow circling or cawing before rains and storms, or care what the song of the dawn is about. They are so concerned with their own renown, glory or to whatever imprecise end to be the greatest.... the greatest what? Blowhard, bawdy reveller, ascendent to some god, some dark warrior of renown. Master of magics, to what end their own triumph over what? Evil? Good? A city? A region? Pathetic. You remember one thing, don't ever pretend to be someone else. You'll have enough adults only wishing they were you when you are ready and old enough. Until then, defend yourself!
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[4th June 2022 IRL]- [Crossposted out of Peltarch Defender Forums]
"And in closing..." Ravos remarks to a collection of officers, NCOs and other ranks in the Guard after a thankfully short address beside the statue of the captain of the old Commerce distrct, Lisa
"You all knew me before I served as Captain, and i'm sure our future associations will be thankfully completely lawful, as i know very well your efficiency, loyalty to the jewel and to your own sense of honour and courage. Let none doubt, you or compare you unfavourably to any force in the region. You were unaffected by scandal, disciplinary issues as seen in the defenders and have always adopted an even and determined hand to those who would bring disorder and destruction to the district and the city as a whole.""It's been my utmost priviledge to serve with you, and I know you will continue to serve your own duty and honour no matter what winds blow through this city or the heights we may aspire to or the depths we will endure in future. All of you have your proper place here, and i've seen many of you promoted and given responsibility perhaps you never knew you could perform. I saw your potential, and i understand every one of you."
"As for your new captain, we'll he needs no introductions, and it's been said in the past that he gets the job done, and it's also been said that noone seems to like him other than me. That may be the case. But don't blame me : he remarks jokingly: in having him back, you all know him. I presume he's the same man he ever was. "Oh and Lieutenant Jansson," he remarks to the well built officer and frequent advocate in the force, flashes his highly insightful gaze of his back at Ravos: "Don't let him mess up those prisoner records again, we spent months sifting out those the ceruleans should have dealt with years ago and even more which are languishing with no trial date set. See if you can carry on in that vein there's a good chap".
"I hope i leave you well fed, from my families farms... hells even the prisoners are better fed now.. :he jokes:, and better protected with healing drafts in which you were often forgotten previously. Those whom i will represent in future, House Daedalus you all know. Cobin is a fair man, and at least i can rely on you telling me where the cracks are starting to form in the defences, wherever you may find them...":: Ravos then withdraws to the armoury before returning his armour and accotrements of his position to the quartermaster, before emerging in formal attire - heading for the tiller estate to retireve another set of armour and garb representing his new guild affiliation as House Daedalus' delegate. ::
:: Spending the rest of the day meeting the armed formations of the house, he then returns to his wife and son in the Tiller estate ::
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Perhaps Ravos has been consumed with duties of family and duty and businesss of late, with his resignation from the Guard and assignemnt of a position in House Daedalus, that perhaps when he does choose to take a turn around the commons in his new livery to some observer's perhaps he's not quite himself or changed somewhat.
Some talk of him pouring over engineering treatises for too many long hours, or his ceasing of drinking which he's done of late.
Some speak of perhaps it's that Raazi that's finally pissed him off one too many times, who can say. Some say he's more fun since he resigned from Captaincy, perhaps less caring about the laws and regulations? Some say he even asked someone elses opinion on the laws the other day, even asking the thoughts of a young aspirant Tormtar. Asking someone else opinions indeed? Whatever next?
The only thing that seemed to please him was Gnarl's recent mining in the commons. But that's another story.
The only words he was recently heard to utter in private was something about Guard Regulation 103c and something about "...she said she couldn't even ride the damn horse...", as he raged into a private dining area slamming the door behind him.
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:: In a temporary break from his fatherly duties and when not on Guard Captain duty.. Ravos consults the military code of laws and posts a notice in City Hall for all to see ::
Let us all celebrate the clearly wise alignment of our Military code with our civil laws!
Long Live the King!Excerpt from Military Law:
"It is proposed that in the case of civil law also being broken by a member of military personnel, that the offender would be liable to face both the military penalty and the civil penalty, the latter following after the former."
Excerpt from Civil Law of the City of Peltarch and all it's domains:
1.11: Harboring a Criminal - Knowingly aiding a person who has committed a crime is a violation of the law.
-Recommended Sentence: Up to or including the maximum penalty for the crime commited by the person being harbored.1.12: Aiding and Abetting a Criminal - Helping a person escape from
prosecution is a violation of the law.
-Recommended Sentence: Up to 10 years1.13: Obstructing Justice - Failing to help in the apprehension of a
criminal by concealing evidence or information.
-Recommended Sentence: Up to 5 years
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An Open letter to Issac Thaddeus Herald to King Thalaman I
:: Ravos sends this additional letter along with a copy of his book "Proceedings on the Perfect Arte of Navigation and Responsibility" ::
:: As it is open, it is pinned to the civic noticeboards inside the city hall on the ground floor - so able to be seen by all those who may have business there ::Dear Herald Thaddeus.
Following the impressive and peaceful coronation conducted in quite the right spirit to my view, i look forward to when our new monarch do call his generals, and appoint various ministers as direct sworn members of the court and administration.
As you know i'm but a humble captain of our guard in the commerce district but as you know i'm very much honoured that the city hall and seat of the monarch sits within my responsibility. As you may know from my book, i favour the concept of letters of marque and royal charters very highly. I also support the traditions on the nullifications of all previously awarded ranks including lords, baronys, and royal assents with a view to all these holders being required to come before the king and re-affirm their loyalty by oath.
To this end i wanted to put forward this proposal to your good councel and consideration that all the following offices should be asked, ney demanded to re-swear an oath to the monarch. Perhaps you can present this idea as a suggestion based on the tradition of the ascension of a new monarch.
I do propose all members and holders of any office of captain or above do swear this bond, including all family of the monarch also. All those in service,. be they friends of the monarch, or of the family or not who claim any royal licence, titles or marque are obliged to swear this oath.Guard Captain Ravos Calchais.
Tenet of Loyalty - "I the speaker of this oath, do swear this bond of loyalty to the monarch which marks the adherance to all other oaths and laws as unbreakable."
Tenet of Law - "I the speaker of this oath, swear to respect and act within the law, to respect and act within the current laws of the land, be they our domestic or foreign laws when we visit other lands is a pillar of our oath to the monarch. Without the law we are living in a wasteland of disorder, desparation and suffering without consequence."
Tenet of Courage - "I the speaker of this oath, do solumnly swear to act according to all necessary measures to preserve, maintain and act in courage the order the monarch do preside over. This I swear to do irrespective of the apparent odds, as ordered by the monarch's ranked military leadership"
Tenet of Responsibility - "I the speaker of this oath swear to not shrink from my reesponsibilities given to me by the monarch's ministers without fear or favour and for as long as this oath of loyalty to the monarch holds i will not shrink from the consequences of my actions".
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:: Ravos in an almost uncharacteristic spring-like mood, with only few knowing why this should be the season of his spirit at this time heads around the commerce district mainly speaking to labourers, wagon hands, and other manual workers and strong respectable folk ::
"The city's prospering again eh, i'm glad you are all getting a decent cut of the profits of the caravans or the cargo and everyone is looking up not toward the sewers of depravity and chaos which clearly has been the norm for a long time."
"Look what we shouted ourselve hoarse to achieve in the old council, some houses so close to the order of the divine shield in the residential district it was almost a formality that they should take them, but no they went to form part of a veterans place of accomodation for those who were severely injured defending the city and can no longer serve. Families get justice not thrown on the streets."
:: Ravos pays close attention to lamp-lighters, street sweepers and even the more studious students of law of the college, as well as defenders who have left the service or mercenaries with no previous associations he doesn't approve of:"Certainly we see more guild troops on the street now instead of the guard, but the current guard general has assured me it will be back to normal soon with old veterans as well as new guardsmen and women on the streets. Perhaps some of you wouldn't mind serving eh, the pay is good and i won't give you permission to die without good cause eh? ::he chuckles as he hands round a few bottles of ale::"
"Let's be certain, we're all loyal to the position, not the commander. There's no place for those who only seek their own advancement no matter the destruction left behind, we serve the positions older than ourselves and the pay isn't half bad either, it's enough to set you up for life so long as you serve the law as much as I do."
"Sure they commanders of us all seems to be ever changing, but the position remains the same - come join me if you wish, we'll soon sort the city out - look at the excitement and prosperity of this district, the other districts will be sure to follow. Commerce is our lifeblood, we have highhold trading companies selling here now, and mithril like nothing ever seen in the realms drawing purchasers from across 100s of leagues. Imagine what we'll encourage through secure and safe guardians in every district!"
: Ravos then heads off to the farms in the south taking some supplies with him ::
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Ravos Calchais - Captain of the Commerce District Guard, has relieved of his position as gaol administrator, by Cobin Daedalus has been seen out of his office in the open more often than usual.
Eager to bring an air of stability back to the city after the destruction of the courthouse by Whyte, he's been seen taking guard duty beside guards of every rank. He's also been asking his officers to make themselves more widely known in the commerce district for the purposes of bringing in new recruits.
He was seen to be dragging along with him Cobin Daedalus himself out of the collapsing inferno, battering alongside the general obstacles out of the way, clearing a path to the exit with his reflexes which don't seem to be diminishing as he grows older.
The deeply troubled dark expression on his face did not last long having little time for thought, as he was soon off with the survivors to assault the traitorous forces of the seafarers who decided on the path of madness and vainglory rather than stoicism and balance.He's particularly prominent on cold nights, visiting the braziers and speaking with citizens, wagoneers, merchants and guards and sharing some salted pork or an ale outside the mermaid.
Predictably though, his movements always take him to pay his respects "by way of Kelemvor" to the statue of the fallen guard captain of the commerce district, Lisa, with always one eye on the polluted fountain outside city hall. "Mark my words we haven't heard the last of this business..." he's often heard to remark in that direction.
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:: Ravos, Guard Captain of the Commerce District, perhaps eager to see new recruits enter the ranks of the guard, seems to be showing his face outside of his office when not engaged in the endless duties of security and commercial wellbeing of "his" district ::
"It seems like many are again talking again about High Hold. Good I say. They've show themselves surely as our allies having suffered their own attacks recently. Neither did they take arms against us when we were attacked, as many fools would have expected. Yes fools, becuase their blood and families and relations oft hail from one or other of these places and let brother and sister not war because that is what Peltarch and High Hold surely are"
"There is absolutely no separation between Peltarch and High Hold, unless it's the doing of the hidden forces of division of those who would lust after war and economic ruin of both proud places. Peltarch here clearly has those best placed to deal with her needs as does High Hold. Our new councils' formation was a pragmatic move, and that is the essence of both places. I personally look forward to welcoming Lord Sent and his advisors and retinue again here, as I am sure to the council for the good commerce and goodwill among kin."
:: Ravos then returns to checking on the guards on duty before paying his respects at the statue of guard captain Lisa , then returning to the Tiller farms to work in an honest manner on the land and estate after his duties are done for the day ::
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:: Ravos over recent months, has been keeping himself out of the public eye, working hard folks say in the office of Guard General Velhar on the logistical readiness and efficiency of the guard as a defensive force in the city as well as their role as guardians of law and order. Having long seen the danger of the diminishing strength of the defenders as an institution despite his approval of Sally Williams' style, he has sacrificed much personal gain in order to secure the supplies and readiness of the guards to deal with an inevitable attack. So when it came, it was no surprise. ::
:: During the attack of the bandits, he maintained support of supplies and communication to the commerce district, and maintained the integrity of the gaol knowing full well it was time for the city to step forward in arms. With all the citizenry not simply waiting for the defenders to do their duty but for the whole city to come of age as a people. He intentionally avoided any personal glory, seeking to look beyond the immediacy of the attack watching the moves of key players who were conspicious, always with one eye on what was hidden as much as what was meant to be seen. ::"They have made a move, that's all. Soon it will be time for others to move too, these forces know this, they anticipate it. This is only the opening act of this play", he was heard to utter, before once again returning to the Tilkler farm's while he was off duty, returning to see what is being done to aid the lands to recover.
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:: Ravos has been seen to be most pleased with the stability and order returned to the military of late, and oft credits the divine influence of Varya in such inspiration as wel as the prudent and good sense of the Defender General Sally Williams. He's even seen to be pleasantly resolved to the return of the capable princess Reyhenna, and is heard to say "Well, lets see things get back to normal now, there's a place for everyone of duty and competence in the royal armies, high or low, rich or poor, and yes even beggar or reformed rogue" ::
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It has been seen that while Guard Captain Ravos Calchais isn't on duty, he's been leading attempts to gather up any bodies washed up on the shores of the icelace or by the farmlands rivers and docks. It's widely known that he's been said to have gone to battle against the cult of the dragon before when he and others were assailed by them. He's seen to have informed a previously sheltering contingent of Kelemvorites in the city also.
He's seen to have commended in writing any guards who also volunteer to assist when they are off-duty and marks the conclusion of each foray by some quiet words at the statue of the fallen guardswoman in the commons.
He also seeks the aid of any dockworkers in need of work, or visiting adventurers he's familiar with in the commerce district.He's simply heard to remark. "I don't much care who they are, but rumour speaks of an undead dragon slaughtering what seems on the face of it - the dragons' previous allies."
"These cultists we've taken for proper funerla rites or burning on pyres are still deserving of this honour. Only the foul undead creations that they are traditionally associated with are deserving of no such efforts."
"Perhaps in time, they'll see the error of their cause and see that the dead should be honoured in Kelemvors' name - and only the undead must be reviled."
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After many complaints, and word among the guard and defenders - that direct orders were given from Velhar: Captain Ravos announces the following in the commerce district - He also places notices on the noticeboard, and makes a statement at each board displaying the laws in the district and to each on-duty gate guard lieutenant.
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All riding animals, mainly horses left unattended, not being ridden or led are to be traced to their owner and a fine of 200gp will be issued under the statute for disturbing the peace.
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Horses, while quite magnificent in their bearing indeed, left unattended they are potential sources of theft and may attract such thieves into the city, where your mount could be taken in dark alleys or my those well practiced in the handling of animals.
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Horses left in this manner obstruct legitimate trade, and the afrementioned fine will be issued to those meeting these criteria.
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Owners will be traced, and if owners take steps to conceal their ownership, they will be observed by guards left to see whom reclaims their mount.
[2.18: Disturbing the Peace - To disrupt the daily
lives of other people in an obtrusive fashion is a
violation of the law.
-Recommended Sentence: Fines and minor amounts of jail time; not much over a week.]
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:: After getting a couple of drinks when he got off duty, Ravos headed off to the officers part of the inn frequented by Defender Cavalry, Marine and Guard officers, not something he does every day, preferring the conversations round a brazier with the men and women on duty in the Guard, and the military vessels of Peltarch. ::
He's heard to remark, on those bandits and brigands of the region without ties to neither tribe nor king..
"Folk without any sense of restraint, amoral, craving lucrative posts, cruel killers, ferocious when banded together, cowardly when face-to-face with an opponent, lazy, inclined to vice and excess; in a word, the enemies of ordered society…Law courts mean nothing to them. The local authorities are loathsome; many of them are illiterate; our laws are simply unknown to them."Mind you , that new Marine Captain eh? What do you think of her hmm? I oft thought she'd do well, but i don't mind being right.. now and again eh? yes yes.. :as he accepts the jeers from the officers: Yeah i know... i don't mind at all.. : he chuckles raising his tankard to the group:
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:: Guard Captain Ravos was seen to go among serving guard and defender officers and serving ranks when he has the time telling the story of a heroic death of a woman who was intending to join the defenders ::
"I was told this story by an adventurer who spoke about how Emeliah Davis, born and bred in the docks of this fair city, saved the lives of three others while battling deep underground the enemies of the city. Kuo Toa, and far worse, unnnatural hooked horrors and displacer beasts"
"It was told to me how she sharged in and held the line for the longest time before finally sucomming to the onslaught, allowing her companions time to withdraw to avoid certain death"
"May this serve as a reminder to all in the city that we have the finest people in the lands living here, and from the hardworking and strong backed, law abiding folk do our lives depend as they venture forth every day on patrol to monitor and interrupt the patrols of the enemies of the city."
:: He goes to remind the Defender Lieutenants, Sergeants and the recruitment panel of the Defender General in order that the story be publicised as a true hero of the city even before she took on a uniform ::
:: He then heads to the docks to trace the family of the woman, in order that her personal posessions and coin end up in their hands, as was the wish of one of her companions "Varak Weaver" - and informs them that a patrol will set out of likeminded adventurers to recover her remains for proper burial or cremation ::
:: Sends a note to the Guard Captain Fortescue of the docks to trace the family of the fallen woman, advising that the lighthouse temple is watching over the body of the fallen - a note added with thanks to Asha for her assistance ::
