Politics, Poison and Power

Politics, Poison and Power... Is there nothing I can do?
 
 
Kemurial has gathered the group and we are heading to the city council meeting. I am trying not to freak out. Our problem is that I have over heard of a mole on the council, or in a position of power. This has happened before. When I was young, before I embarked on my chosen path, I found out a mole on my own town council.
 
I was young, the town council meeting called, an emergency session. They seemed to believe there was a traitor who was giving information to enemies. The evidence pointed to my father. Through diligent observation, some luck, and an investigative drive, I discovered it was the rival family framing my father. Taking the evidence to the town council was a big mistake. Corruption had already taken seed. That night, my father was killed. Screams filled my home as her mother discovered her father’s body, throat slashed. My heart was filled with rage. Hatred filled my soul. I swore she would avenge my father assassination. I eventually killed all who were involved in the corruption. Hate and anger filled every fiber of my being. I also killed their wives, parents and children. 22 in all died that fateful evening, 22 died at my hands. Silently, efficiently, no screams were heard.
 
As we continue to walk, many of those feelings are beginning to return. It is happening all over again, and I feel helpless. Politics, Poison and Power, is there nothing I can do?! I can feel my breathing speeding up. I must calm myself. Using meditative techniques taught to me by monks, I slow my breathing, I regain my focus.
 
We arrive at the meeting, and there are about a hundred civilians here. Kemurial recaps with us. A good leader is always communicating. I suggest we cannot expose the mole here and Kemurial agrees. Too many people, it could cause a riot. As were are whispering to each other, I feel someone trying to probe my mind. Luckily, Kemurial protected us with a Mind Blank spell. Another mark of leadership is preparedness. Mind probing is commonplace in the underdark. I am familiar with the feeling. I inconspicuously turn to see who may be casting spells. I see a group of people staring at me. I focus on them, narrowing my eyes. If they were the culprits, they are experienced enough not to tip their hands.
 
During the meeting, a zealot is accused of being over zealous in the questioning of a prisoner, resulting in the prisoners death. This is a tricky political precipice. Towns with heavy religious presence look to the leadership for balanced judgment. Duke Enrik handled the situation with political grace, and yet was able to flex his power as well.
 
I keep a sharp eye, scanning the crowd. We are approached by a nobleman named Villem. He informs us his brother is the Duke. My initial impression of the Duke Enrik is he is a great soldier, honor driven, blustery, quick to be offended, quick to respond with reprisal. Villem seems to have a more political balance to his nature, more thoughtful, intellectual. It makes me wonder, is Villem the mole trying to wrest control of Praag from his brother? We share that we have information, but this is a poor environment to share it in. Villem says to meet him around 10 tonight. Be visible, as we approach. This seemed an unusual request to me. Like him setting us up for easy targeting.
 
Kemurial agrees to the meeting. He had no choice really. If anything, I wish to see Villems reaction to our news of a mole. We eventually get our moment in the sun with Duke Enrik . We are introduced to much fanfare. He asks us to the center of the auditorium to regale the crowd with our heroic exploits. As the party meanders to the center, I pull my cowl up and huddle in between Father Karl, Freya, Rory and Kemurial, using their height and size to obstruct those peering eyes. Once again, we are being presented to all to be recognized. Could Enrik be the mole!?!?!?!?! Things are not so straight forward as when I was a child.
 
Kemurial spoke with grace, working the crowd up. A performance even a bard would have enjoyed. His charisma was on full display. In the end, this may have gotten us the private audience we need. We are asked to be back at 10 pm. Wow, what is it with 10 pm and this government?! Villen does catch us and adjust his time for us.
 
Kemurial suggests we all head back to the inn. I ask if I can stay and see if I can gather anymore information, Kemruial nods. I ask to leave a window cracked for me. One topic of the evening that stuck out was that disease was beginning to take hold in the populace. I wonder if it is being delivered in the same food as the food lines. I will have to bring this up in our meeting with the Duke.
 
As I spent my time listening, The party decides to return to the inn. When I get back to the inn, uneventfully, I find out on the way back, the party was waylayed by assassins. They are all nearly killed by the hit and run tactics. Kemurial gives me some of the bolts and I examine for poison. It appears to be a highly virulent form of Wyvern poison. Expensive and powerful. I learned a valuable lesson here. Do not leave the others alone.
 
We have been identified, targeted with a well planned attack with powerful assassins that appear to be well funded. This smacks of the mole taking action already. I will stand watch over the party and they rest and heal up. We have 2 meetings in the dark of the night tonight. We must be healthy to survive.
 
It appears we are now neck deep in the political intrigue of Praag. I must remain sharp, observant, and deadly if we are to survive this.