File 2: The Once and Future King

[Aurahn]

(aslo posted on the TN forums)

"And it shall come to pass, before the Fall of Lordaeron, in the city of the Clocktower, known as Brill, that a child shall be born. His first cry shall be heard from the steps of the court, and his parents shall be executed for treason before the night is finished. Destitute, he shall grow bold and wise. The chaos of darkness shall become his guide, and in his seventeenth year he shall take the title Crimson Lord."

Trias looked up from the chess board at Conidivh, his brows coming together in suspicion. "I never had you pegged as someone who'd quote scipture, 'divh."

Conidivh folded his arms across his chest and nodded, as if the man playing this game with him didn't exist for the moment. He came back to himself and took an examination of the pieces on the board. "It's an excerpt from the Prophecy of St. Gregarion, the Book of Locusts. Liadain managed to procure a copy of it for me, and it's proved a unique study. In short, it's the sacred tome and reason for The Crimson Watch."

"You'd better hold that to your own thoughts then, 'divh. I doubt Benedictus would appreciate that kind of rhetoric floating around in his Light-fearing city. You'd be burned at the stake." Trias moved another piece and took a breath before continuing on the subject he had wished to interrogate the rogue on all morning. "so. Lovely's joined up with your Kurohane, has she? Funny how that works out, given her recent confessions and past acts..."

The air was stale with the dust of crates and packing straw on the second floor where the two men took their leisure. It was just nearing midday, but the weather wasn't so late as to worry about the upper floors becoming stifling or even too chilled. Conidivh enjoyed this particular spot in the trade district of stormwind. It was ideal for hearing the various sounds of the city, or merely watching tradespeople at their wares or visitors mill about. It was simply a spot to watch normal activities. Given Conidivh's trade, "normal" was something of a rare commodity.

"It works out," Conidivh began. "I don't trust the paladin any further than she could throw herself, but Kurohane's placed faith in her. There's also been a member inducted who has close ties to Kittsu, and what that will evolve into, I've no idea. I think it's just coincidence, or a spy. either way, I'm watching the situation within the Swordwaltzers very closely. I'll not have things curtailed now."

"What about the other plans? I take it The Grim are busy these days?"

The rogue nodded and twirled a captured knight between his fingers. "They are pressed with the 'sudden' animosity of others within the horde. It may not be the exact total effect I was going for, but it's a promising start. I'm now well placed to deal with the matters at hand. The Watch, and the Crown. Morghoul and his ilk are no doubt figuring out who to strike at next. That'll be amusing, to say the least."

"The crown..." Trias sighed. "Tell me, exactly when will the king's son learn of what has happened?"

Conidivh waved the question away like a bothersome fly. "Yes. Let's divulge that, shall we? 'Sorry son, but your once-noble father is now a tortured plague-riddled husk of a man who'd whisper that he loves you while peeling your face off in edible strips. Now, go learn your letters and let the grown ups handle evertyhing.' The child has enough of a precarious position without that slice of knowledge. He'll be a strong King, and we'll see to it that he's strong in spite of that knowledge, not because of it. I won't risk it otherwise."

Trias glared at the rogue a moment, but only nodded. "You're being flippant with the situation, 'divh. People are being picked out for assassination, spies run rampant and unchecked within the guilds closest to you, and there's been no definitive resolution to anything as of yet. Why are you still here in Stormwind, anyway?"

Conidivh took a sip from the half-emptied goblet near the board. He thought of the next verse in this so-called prophecy; 'He shall amass great armies, and at the head of each army he shall appoint a Crimson Master. To each Master shall go the task of organizing a segment of the Great Plan to bring apocalypse to the world. They shall be the most devoted, the most knowledgeable, and the most powerful, and their hatred of the world shall be acute.'

"Because I'm already everywhere else I need to be."

[Aurahn]

Conidivh mentally walked over the comunique again, and factored it into the current stage of the operation. Aimiar Ironbrew, Dwarven warrior and awarded hero of the second war, was alive and well and back in the ranks of the swordwaltzers, offering up his experience and tactical know-how to Kurohane. It seemed the attempt made on Aimiar's life had proven useless, as he was shortly raised by Lovely with Kurohane in attendance.

It seemed gold coins just didn't buy what they used to.

Conidivh supressed a sigh born of irritation and turned over the next piece of parchment awaiting his perusal on the packing crate. The light offered in the basement of Si:7 wasn't exactly the best, nor the company of the addle-minded gnome and his imaginary consort beneficial to Conidivh's concentration, but the rogue had long since learned to put certain things out of mind in favor of the larger picture at hand.

This new piece of intel came from his counterpart in Darnassus. Conidivh smiled slightly and took a moment's reflection over the meeting he had with Kittsu there. According to the document, Kurohane had taken it upon herself to likewise meet with the thrall of Clys. If a rapport was started, so much the better. However, as Conidivh also noted in the reply of coded script he favored to this particular informant, the situation must be monitored closely. Lovely was still a liability, and there was no telling what would happen if the same befell Kurohane. It just didn't fit his plans at all, and simply could not be allowed.

Morghoul and Liadain. He rubbed his temples and freely expressed the sigh this time. THAT was a wrench waiting for it's chance to throw itself recklessly into the well oiled machine. The watch had been quiet as of late, which was to be expected. Conidivh knew that it was a mere matter of time, however, before they put their next operation - conceived naturally to coincide with their prophecy to the letter nicely - into effect.

The Frostwolf Brotherhood. Typhoon. The next few pages of parchment detailed what scant information there was over the recent events of the two groups as corellated to the Grim's apparent failure to deliver a live specimen - Lovely - to the Royal apothecary society. Division, arguement, and conspiratorial mindsets. There was a chink there worth exploiting.

Worth exploiting more, anyway.

Conidivh folded the necessary replies and impressed the blue sealing wax with his simple sigil; a quill under a half moon. As he departed the "headquarters" for Si:7, he deposited the corespondence into the mailbox and took his ease strolling towards the Dwarven district to catch the tram to Ironforge. It was slower, yes, but Conidivh planned to fully enjoy the time that his endeavours had earned for himself.

A few more murders, a few more whispered revelations, and it was concievable that this plan to salvage what needed to be saved both within the Alliance and the Horde could come to fruition. Conidivh nodded to a plainly dressed man as he discreetly took the last folded letter from the rogue before shuffling off into the crowd. That letter in particular would bear the most interesting results yet.

Conidivh stepped into the tram car, waiting for it to stop it's slight sway from it's suspended connection in response to the quick stop and sudden new weight. Steam hissed and clouded the air along the platform, and the slow clunk-whir of the mechanics involved in propelling the tram forward echoed up and down the lines while the tram gathered the necessary steam pressure to make the next trip.

A few more murders, a few more whispered revelations, and it was concievable that he could even enjoy something resembling a vacation.

[Lovely]

((More? :)))

[Aurahn]

"I brought it as a token of celebration for the fruits of our collective labors, my lord," beamed Conidivh as he slid the filled flagon of ale across the table to Reginald Windsor before pouring one for himself. It was late in the day, and the small fire on the hearth was more for habit now that the weather was beginning to warm. Windsor took a practiced sip and nodded his thanks. The rogue had come to his meeting hall with a small stack of papers. New reports or the like of the investigation and ongoing countermeasures against the enemies of the Alliance.

"Unusual brew. Certainly not Thunder Ale, as I know that brewery's works. Excellent though."

Conidivh gave a small nod to the man's remarks and ran a gloved finger along the edge of his own flagon. "It's Barleybrew, as point of fact, good sir. They prefer a unique blend involving shimmerweed, which is gleaned by local adventures from the Frostmane trolls, who use it as a powerful hallucinogenic in their shamanistic practices. Obviously, it's distilled for it's preservative properties, though I daresay a hint of it's practical use remains. Not enough to cause any real effects, however."

Windsor toasted the rogue and took a long pull on the flagon, setting it aside to examine the papers. "a celebration, you say? well let's see just what you've managed here. I'm told the events in the Cathedral and Mage's tower have been rectified?"

Conidivh nodded assent and placed his hands together in sort of a steeple. "Indeed, my lord. As I have noted, the individual, Yomi, attacked in separate places within Stormwind once more. Though it appears to be acts of aggravation more than calculation. Naturally, the victims have been revived and measures taken to increase security. The paladin, Lovely, was summoned to the Cathedral shortly after, as it appears that Yomi once again attempted to make contact with her."

A light breeze filtered into the room through the arrow slit windows and ruffled the papers on the desk, and guttered the candles. Windsor placed one hand on top of them to settle their movement while taking another drink. "I see," he began before wiping the back of his hand across his chin. "What came of that? Is she now involved with bringing Yomi to justice?"

"No, my lord. She has refused. what will come of that is left entirely within the hands of the Cathedral, as such punishments are entirely within their own bailiwick." Windsor made a small grimace of disdain and doused it with another swig of ale. "So. She's shown her true colors then? Why was she allowed to roam free after all of the events? She could be an agent of the horde even still!"

Conidivh waved the question away and continued tracing his finger along the flagon's edge as if to illicit a note from a crystal goblet. "It's of middling importance, sir. She's true to her newfound allies, and I believe her heart simply will not allow for direct involvement. But I do not think she'll harbor the culprits, either." Windsor shook his head, but made no further comment on the matter. He shuffled to the next page, eying the new information while taking another drink from his flagon. "Darkshire... how did the Watch manage to cultivate such help from the Blasted Lands?"

"Birds of a feather. Who knows? What is important here is that the days of their laying low are at an end. They are once again on the move in a deliberate and obscene fashion. I will, likewise, redouble my own efforts concerning them."

Windsor sighed. The room was becoming warmer, and he made his way to the hearth to separate the embers and let the fire cool. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took his seat once more to upend the contents of the flagon. He motioned for Conidivh to pour again as he turned to the new page of the reports. "So. Kurohane Mistveil has made a direct request for the copy of the Book of Locusts you procured from Liadain of the Blades of Lordaeron, hmm? Why should I need to know about some nightelf wanting to borrow a rather grisly library book?"

Conidivh leaned back in the chair, propping it up on it's hind legs. "I like to be thorough. She can most likely ask Liadain for another copy, but her interest in it is both promising and disturbing. She means to go on the offensive, somehow. I believe that it's not the time, however. I gave her the rudimentary story of bureaucratic red tape and time needed to bring the book out o the archives. That'll do for now." Windsor chuckled and took a healthy gulp of the refilled flagon. "I bet it will! It's too warm in the day to worry about that, though, when real villains stalk our streets unchecked and unarrested! what are you doing, exactly, to counter the Watch's movements?"

The rogue let the chair back onto the ground and walked to the window to take in the fresh air and the sounds of the city. "I'm doing quite a few things. For instance, I know that the target of Yomi's latest visit wasn't Lovely at all. I have a strong suspicion over who the intended target was, however. Take a moment once you finish your drink to examine the last page of my report."

Windsor paused halfway through his drink, but reconsidered and emptied the contents once more. He chuckled heartily as he set the empty flagon off to one side and wiped his mouth clean. He took up the last page and squinted a moment to let the words come into focus. "This is an essay on the effects of various herbs and weeds, Conidivh. It's an alchemist's work page. Nothing more. What has that to do with your efforts or anything? Who was Yomi after?"

"That specifically is an alchemical research treatise on the effects of Peacebloom, Bruiseweed, and Shimmerweed. Peacebloom and Bruiseweed have, naturally, been a major factor in the development of healing salves and medicines. Individually, they cause mild euphoria, muscle relaxation, lowered body temperatures, and a small anesthetic sensation. Ideal for treating wounds, poisons, and fever. They are combined part and parcel with other known herbs for everything from first aid to surgical application."

Windsor shook his head and directed a pointed finger at the rogue. "You are avoiding my...question, sir!"

Conidivh turned away from the window and shook his head in reply. "I like to be thorough. I'm getting to the point. In large doses, the two aforementioned herbs can cause extreme drowsiness, forgetfulness, loss of ambulatory control, and general effects not unlike deep inebriation. Now, the interesting thing here, as noted on that slip of parchment, is the effects of both in when combined with distilled shimmerweed. Shimmerweed, as used in unique ales. It's pharmacuetical effect is not unlike sleeping draught or slowing poison. Not lethal, but used to incapacitate a target and make them forget the previous hours leading up to their exposure. It's proceeded by the usual euphoria and an increase in body temperatures."

Windsor pulled th back of his hand sluggishly over his mouth, his other hand knocking the papers off the table and upsetting the untouched flagon sitting before Conidivh's unoccupied chair. "What...what is the meaning..."

"However, that's what's known about the effects when the doses are minimal. And when the shimmerweed in diluted. what you are experiencing right now, in your zeal to enjoy the gift I brought you, is two flagons worth of a lethal dose of the mixture of treated Peacebloom, Bruiseweed, and undiluted raw shimmerweed. Sleepy yet? A bit warm? At least you are not crumpled over with the usual paroxysms of pain normally associated with a fast acting poison."

Windsor slid slowly from his chair, slouching onto his belly onto the cold stone floor. His vision swam and faded as he reached for the bell-rope on the far wall to call his officer of the watch into the room. Conidivh calmly walked past him to the rope, and leaned against the wall while examining the prostrate man as if he were a mildly interesting spider.

"To the point, I think she was after you. Likewise, others have been as well, and I'm afraid your part in this has come to an end. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to revive you in a few hours. by then, of course, the required effects of you being too weak to immediately recover your post, as well as the very useful amnesia of the past few days will have taken hold. Should anyone come for you then, it will matter little to me. Better this than carved to pieces. Painless, quick, and with no lasting effects that are truly harmful."

Windsor forced a curse of rage and accusation at the rogue, it came out as a strained gurgle of saliva and ale.

"I brought it as a token of celebration for the fruits of our collective labors, my lord," Conidivh bowed mockingly. "I wouldn't want those fruits to sour anytime soon. Steps must be taken, as you would put it. And so steps are being taken. Things must go as planned, and you are simply no longer required. I bid you a good night and good long sleep, Windsor."

Conidivh did not wait to hear the breath leave Windsor's body. whistling, he picked up the still half-full decanter of ale and stepped outside the room, wondering if the clerk and guard that saw him come in would care for an afternoon drink.

[Lovely]

((This may be my favorite yet...Conidivh is a sneak!!!))

[Aurahn]

((deleted since Aurahn on TN no longer exists. Posting on the Conidivh screen name now))

[Conidivh]

*written as a report for Si:7 Elwynn Contact for Operative Conidivh*

To the point, it's been a remarkable three weeks.

After closing out the initial operation on the collective known as the Grim, I turned my attentions to the accessible resources at hand. Namely, The Swordwaltzers, The Blades of Lordaeron, and the Paladin Lovely. I believed these assets to be most ideally placed to deal with the main objective concerning the Crimson Watch.

The following reports seem as random occurences when taken seperately, but they are connected and this information is crucial to the actions that must be taken.

Subset one: The Toymaker and the Paladin
It seems Yomi has been remarkably busy. Her infatuation for crafts and mechanics has given rise to a partnership with her inante knowledge of poisons and delivery systems. To that end, she crafted mechanical squirrels with chambers for delivering what we suspect to be lethal doses of pathogens to selected alliance targets. The one we have in possession was sent directly to the Paladin Lovely, though it's cargo was purely hallucinogenic in nature. Naturally, given their past and their unusual relationship, I don't believe the intent was to harm lovely in so much as to put her in such a mental state to where her newfound barriers against her curse were no longer applied. Basically, to dope her up into the same abandon she displayed prior to the events documented in File 1.

course of action: continue surveillance of alliance post couried through Ironforge. Future actions are detailed in relation to the rest of this information.

Subset two: Contacting the opposition
Under the influence of a hallucinogenic substence, the target is subceptible to suggestion. Simple commands can be taken as life-or-death prerequisites. In this case, Lovely, having been exposed to Yomi's "present", was most agreeable to the suggestion that I was delivering a sleep-inducing potion by means of injecting it into her offered hand. Instead, I was drawing blood.

The Grim has had a manner of split, and while I did not agree with the tactics or aims of the subject known as Clys or her consort, Kittsu, I made the offer available to them. I have opened communication between myself and them, buying influence with the aformentioned vial of blood. They may prove useful in further actions against the Watch on the Horde side of things.

course of action: Keep your enemies closer. Clys is used to manipulation to an almost obscene taste. One must wonder what she will think when the table is turned.

Subset three: Investigation of Liadain Greyhame, The return of the Crimson Watch's tome.
Due to her continued investigations into her father, Morghoul, and her procurement of the Book of Locusts tome (denoting the Crimson watch's prophecies concerning the Crimson Lord), Liadain of the mercenary group The Blades of Lordaeron came under scrutiny and investigation of the Elwynn branch of Si:7, and thus my jurisdiction.

Up until this point, I had deliberately kept the copy of the book she gave me out of the reach of the Ogema of the Swordwaltzers, one Kurohane Mistveil (see file 1). In a stroke or mercenary zeal, I agreed to get a copy of the book for Lovely to retrieve for Kurohane for 5 gold, offering up a smokescreen of political redtape and issues. By that time, I had already given the book back to Liadain's husband, Celethorn, and alerted him to the ongoing investigation into his wife. This illuminated certain points that he wasn't aware of, but I digress.

He was less than pleased with this news, as I knew he would be.

Since then, I have thrown up blocks to the investigation. Part and parcel, my main goal was an "in" to the Blades, a way to feed them information and turn their attentions from the crumbling Grim to the more existant threat of the Crimson Watch. In that, I believe I was successful.

course of action: continue rapport.

Subset four: The Battle of the Valley of Kings
My information gathering and contacts in Loch Modan alerted me to the possibility of an attack against the Stonewrought Dam by the Crimson Watch.

Taxing my limited advantage with Liadain and Celethorn, I fed this information to them, full knowing the investigative capacity of Liadain would verify the information. The Blades met the Watch in the Valley of Kings and stopped their plans cold, as I enjoyed my wine in the warmth and comfort of the tavern in Thelsamar.

course of action: the guantlet has been thrown, and the Watch will try something new full knowing that a new enemy has entered the proverbial arena.

Subset five: Lovely's departure, and the Watch's next move.
Lovely has taken her leave from the Swordwaltzers, but not before delivering a very vital piece of information, regarding and verifying suspicions I had with Liadain's finger being taken by Morghoul.

Their current target of importance is the individual known as Garbhan, who is in the service of the Ironforge Regiment. It has come to my attention that the priest owns a unique potion recipe, which has the ability to counteract the plague animating the undead. Akin to the potion utilized by the Argent Dawn on the plague cauldrons in the Western Plaguelands, but far more potent.

It is the apparent intention of the Watch to gain access to this formula, and with the flesh sample provided by Liadain's finger, produce a new Plague of undeath to launch an assault upon the alliance. Given the nature of the potion itself, it will be water-soluable, and devastating if introduced to any city or town's watertable.

course of action: initiate phase three. Authorization of Nuetralization has been given. We will not suffer another Lordaeron scenario.


If the contact has any qualms or issues with the above information and courses of action, please feel free to contact me.

We'll settle the matter over drinks.

~Conidivh
O/PD Operative, Si:7 Elwynn R1

-END OF FILE 2

[Mortica]

I've deleted a bunch of offtopic posts, if you're wondering where the OOC drama went.

I've created a thread in the Inferno forum if you want to discuss that/complain about me deleting them at http://tn.yzeens.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=3781#3781

Please make any comments in this excellent RP post IC.

Thanks,

Mortica