Formation of the Shanty Council - RPLOG
Participants
Date
15/5/477
Log
The Castle District was abuzz with activity, as a large crowd of nobles and high class merchants appears to have gathered upon both ends of the district. The usually well manered individuals yelling and cursing at two lines of Apostates linking arms across the center of the District, effectivly blocking traffic for everyone else. A group of only four guards are trying to keep the piece on each side, with the angry nobles disruption too dangerous for them to just focus on the apostates.
All across the crowds, various members of the noble families are shouting insults to the Apostates, while the apostates remain chanting in unison. "No more poor, no more poor!"
Fenris saunters onto the scene, accompanied by what appears to be a small bronze minotaur with a bullseye drawn on its chest and another on its back. He meanders his way up to the lines of chanting apostates and tips his hat so that it sits jauntily over one ear. "What's all this about then?" he asks amiably, "Sounds like a good idea, mind. But I'm not sure that all this shouting is helping." The tiger smiles and stands with his hands in his pockets. He turns and looks at his little golem, "What do you think, Bullseye?"
Valor shoulders his way through the crowd in his combat armor. He had heard there was a ruckus going in so he had come prepared. He nears Fenris and draws up beside him. "Afternoon Fenris." He says, looking out at the apostates.
Cassidy was sat on the roof of a building overlooking the streets, kicking her legs in the air as she adjusts her mask. "This is certainly shaping up to be an interesting day," she mumbles to herself, leaning forward to watch with interest. She might even get herself involved!
Hearing all the shouting and yelling, a lion makes his way towards the disturbance wearing his typical coat and a jingling tower shield strapped securely across his back. He takes a moment or two to listen into the passing arguments before trying to center himself amongst the crowd so that he could see both sides more easily. "Looks like a bit o' trouble. Suppose it was bound to happen one day. Hmmm..." Dio rubs at his chin and then points towards one of the apostate protestors. "Ya there! What do ya want I must ask. Poor no more o' course, but ya gotta be a bit more specific if we wanna get down to talkin'."
Johnny approaches the castle district as he hears word of an apostate riot, ready to join and or dismiss them depending on the message they are trying to push out. No more poor? He thinks about this and decides to listen, and hear them out. They weren't poor because they were apostates, they just weren't trying hard enough, lazy saps.
The guards grumble some as the freeswords arrive, not barring them as they figure they may well serve as aids to get the apostates out of the way. The nobles in the crowd becoming even more restless as they sneer at the chanting, while another Freesword steps into position alongside Dio. The being a Ram with black hair, and well crafted blue armor with a pair of swords on his hips. "Good afternoon fellows." He says as he dips his head before regarding the protestors as well.
The apostate Dio points out ceases his chanting, the ragged looking hound turning tired eyes to Dio as he yells out a response. "We want help! We want the nobles to care about the folks down there who don't belong there! We want our kids to be safe, and to have an actual future without having to become sell swords! We want change damn it, we want to be treated like people!" The lines of apostates nodding in agreement as they let out a chorus of agreement.
"You'll get no aid as you don't deserve it! All in that hell hole belong there, either you're criminals or your family is as well! Why should our guards die for criminals to sleep safely?!" A particularly angry Hippo bellows out at the protestors.
Bullseye says nothing in response to Fenris's question. Just the sort of stoicism Fenris has come to expect from his golem. The tiger waves a greeting to his fellow Freeswords. "Hello, Valor," he says, "Dio," he nods, then smiles at the Ram, "And Gregor! This is the first time I've seen you out in the field! A pleasure!" Fenris turns his attention back to the angry apostates and put out nobles. "I think you have an excellent goal, friends," he says to the apostates, "But I think you are talking to the wrong people." The tiger nods back toward the artisans guild and the academy and the barracks. "I fear that many of those gathered here have forgotten that help does not come from a pocketbook," he smiles warmly, "But there are many in the guilds and markets who could use and give help. Let's all stop shouting and talk for a bit." The tiger leans on his small golem and hopes for a favorable response.
Valor fumes at the noble hippo's anger and contempt for someone of lesser status. He turns to face the hippo and walks over to him. "Hey. Not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth." He says, quite angry at the noble. He shoulders his way over to the noble, looking him in the eye. "Not everyone is as lucky as you." he says, pointing back at the protestors. "Just because a being is less fortunate than you doesn't mean that they should be treated like scum." He says, glaring at the fat hippo and seething with rage.
Cassidy taps a finger on the chin of her mask and shrugs, calling out, "Why, I like to go out there and help sometimes! Of course, it's not exactly safe for nobles to go out there, you know... I'm sure it'd help motivate people to go out and help if they could be safe from mugging, or from, say, murder. Like that last Solacious fox that went out there. It's hard to get help when the help has to worry for their life."
"Yes, good evenin' to ya lads," Dio greets with a small dip of his mane-heavy head, taking special note of the never before seen ram. Getting back to business, the lion listens to both sides of the story once more and digs into his coat pocket. "Let's be honest 'ere," he comments, eventually pulling out a single crown.
"Every being deserves a chance, an' yes, some beings 'ave it easier than others. Much easier indeed. 'owever, we're dealin' with reality an' must fight within' it. The people o' Shanty Town deserve a life like anyone else, but there's a problem. We could give 'em all the money in the world, but it wouldn't change the root o' the problem. Criminals run rampet, terrorizing poor citizens within that 're simply down on their luck. Change is brought 'bout by bold action. Ya gotta take up trades and crafts if ya don't wanna pick up a sword, master yer environment an' boot out nasty criminals that dare threaten the peace. Change won't happen through yellin' at each other and a shower o' crown I can tell ya that."
Johnny chuckles to himself. "Shouldn't have built such a ramshackle part of town so far away, could have just connected it outright to the city you know, would already be guard keeping them in line already."
The hippo puffs out his chest as Valor approaches, a stought Honey babdger with a musket getting between the two to stare at the horse, when the hippo taps his royal insignia. "Watch your tongue -boy-, I am not your inbred cousin!" A low huff rising from him, as the Ram watches the two with interest, before nodding to Dio. "Aye, can't have us down in there without getting killed..."
A small rat woman in a dirty dress looks over to Fenris and Dio from the end of the chain as she raises her own voice, the other Apostates going quiet for her. "Why shouldn't they have to care? Why should they be allowed to act as if we don't exsist, while others -try- to help?" Another rabbit close to her nods as he puffs out his chest. "We can't fight the gangs by ourselves, and we can't do anything without money, so no trade schools or learning anything but fighting! If we could join clans, we would! But most of us are denied because we've made mistakes in the past, others simply because they were -born- from us!" The Hound nodding along to the rabbit before speaking to Dio. "If we had the aid of the nobles, then the guards and the army could route the gangs, and we could be -safe- to live. But until they recognize us, then we are lost no matter how many organizations try to help... And right now, we are forcing them to recognize us."
The crowd of nobles not ceasing their shouting, as a carriage is now barred passage due to the apostates. A slim fox woman in the front raising her fist as she scoffs. "You're gangs kill and steal from the guards we -did- send to help! You chose your location, and it's not our job to care about you if you cannot stand up for your own selves against those gangs!" The woman looking over to Johnny as she nods.
Fenris nods thoughtfully at the mouse woman. "True enough," he says, "The nobility DO need to know of your need and of your desire for help." The tiger raises his voice to be heard above the crowd. "Friends," he says, "We hear you, and those with the power and wisdom to act will hear you." He smiles warmly at the protesters. "For now, perhaps we should let the nobility too silly to use the side streets go along their way. You have shown wisdom and good character by airing your grievances so peacefully. I really am very impressed." And it is true. These beings are very reasonable, while the well off of the city had been a mad lynch mob during the most recent crisis. The tiger joins the badger between Valor and the angry hippo, "Our friend here is right, Valor," no need for violence among reasonable beings."
Valor clenches his fists, the metal clacking together. He glares at the guard before dropping his hammer into his hands. "This discussion is between the pompous one and me alone. I won't hurt him physically. His pride might not remain intact after I'm done, but I won't hurt him." He growls before looking over the guards shoulder and in an even more angry tone says "You are a pathetic excuse for a royal family member. Insulting the very subjects you hold yourself higher than these. If it were not for your blood and that insignia, you could be in that same situation. You are no better than me or anyone else in this city just because of your ties to the king and your wealth. And as for inbred... All of the royal family are hippos. Surely there isn't a sizeable amount of inbreeding going on in there?" He smirks, still glaring but a little less mad.
Cassidy frowns again, watching Valor for a moment before giving a shrug and taking an air math assisted leap through the air to land atop the blocked carriage with a light thump of her boots. She leans over and gives a polite nod to the fox woman, smiling under her mask. "Hello there. Don't mind me." Looking back towards the protestors she gives a little sigh. "I suppose that is quite understandable, yes! We do need money to do such things..."
"Ah ha!" Dio exclaims while he reaches back to pick at the straps securing his tower shield. Within a few moments, the shield comes free within his grasp. "Now we're talkin'!" Hoisting the shield into the air, the lion SLAMS into down onto the floor to create an extremely loud and attention grabbing clank.
"Ya 'ad me scared there fer a minute. I thought ya would just want some crown an' such. Now, as the tiger said, yer talkin' to the wrong people at the moment. Not all nobles 're stuck up. I can see ya really want change an' need 'elp takin' out the root o' the problem. If Shanty Town ever wants to stand upon its feet, the gang violence must be surpressed 'fore anythin' can 'appen. An' then after that, we can see 'bout gettin' some trade an' such goin'. But to do that, ya need people to fight! An' to do that, ya will probably need money. It's a circle alright. Now now, the Good King is quite the reasonable being. Perhaps with a petition big 'nough and some rallies, ya can get 'nough support from the RIGHT people. Support from the people an' all that. It's unfortunate, but some people 'ere think ya all as criminals. Yer gonna need to change that. Ya shouldn't 'AVE to, I know, but that's the reality we live in."
Johnny can't help but snicker as Dio mentions criminals, looking about the crowd to see if he knows anyone within. He does however move towards Valor ever so slightly, his pistol flashed but not pulled out as he gives a sneer. "Listen yah punk, don't go sturring up any hate with tha nobles thinkin you can change their minds on their ways. Just convince em to help, you're not doing anyone any favors."
The apostates remain standing strong, though when Dio slams his shield down it's all they can do to not break out running! Still though, they persist without budging an inch as a small beagle speaks to the group, his voice slightly shakey as he looks over the lion.. The noble crowd dulling around to a dull roar of bickering and swearing as they point to the lines, glaring at the shield slamming Dio. "W-We need to fight? We're not gangs, we're just ordinary people! We'll be lucky enough if the gangs don't kill us when we go back for this... It's not as though we can just do this continuously, anyone who'd lead it will end up dead!"
The nobles are left grumbling as they listen, scoffing and muttering to themselves, and soon a peacock pokes her head out from the carriage to glare at Cassidy. "That is not a playground for you, get off before you scuff the wood!" Her feathers quite rustled, before she slips back into her carriage impatiently to yell at the driver through the front window.
The Hippo glares down at Valor, before looking over the approaching Tiger and Rat. His eyes lighting up when he sees Fenris' buckle, and a low smirk crosses his gestures as he points to the Tiger. "Lightbringer! As the guards are occupied, I demand you arrest this man for brandishing a weapon at not only his betters, but a member of Royalty." The Hippo Sneering at Valor, as his body guard keeps inbetween the two.
Fenris sighs. "Damn," he mutters to himself, "And the badge is usually so helpful." More visibly, the tiger smiles at the hippo, "As you wish, Highness," he says sauntering up and laying a hand on Valor's arm. "Valor," he says quietly, his smile never faltering, "I must place you under arrest for disturbing the peace of his most Serene Highness Dennris Good." He leans in a little closer and hisses so that only the big horse can hear, "And for attempting to cause a riot among and against poor frightened shanty towners." The tiger straightens, seemingly unaware of the Stallion's great size advantage. "Please come quietly," he says, "I don't want to cause any greater disturbance."
Valor glowers at the hippo, before taking a deep breath and sighing. "I forgot. All nobles are cowards, cowering behind their names and stations. You can't even begin to -imagine- how it would be to live without three full meals, much less one. And though you may be a royal family member, remember one thing. You are no better than me, or anyone for that matter. You are a bad excuse for a relative of the Good King, and you bring shame upon his name with your utter contempt and disrespect of those who need your help most." He spats at the ground, turning and shouldering his hammer. "Take me away before I pound that fat bastard's head in and give him something to be angry about." He says, sotto voice and not loud enough for the fat hippo to hear.
Cassidy leans over the edge of the carriage to look through the window. Her strange mask looks even more bizarre upside down, as it turns out. "I apologize," she says calmly and quietly. "Your carriage has arrived in quite the situation, you see. I'm here to make sure nothing gets out of hand. For your safety, you see. I would like to ask that you remain calm, and we can get you through as soon as we are able."
Dio looks at some of the frightened protestors and tilts his head before letting out a soft chuckle. "No need to be frightened now. I ain't hurtin' anyone. Now, let's get down to business..." Leaning upon his shield, the lion dances his tail about and flickers his eyes across the Shanty Town individuals. "Ya all 'ave been sheddin' blood fer years now. Gang violence hurts other criminals an' the innocents. I ain't askin' ya to go 'ome an' bring out the guns, I'm askin' ya to rally up support from the people. There 'ere nobles that 're yellin' at ya won't give a thing I'm 'fraid. It's like shoutin' at a brick wall. I support ya, an' ya've 'eard people 'ere that support ya as well. Try makin' a petition o' somethin' to sway the Good King to yer side. Plead yer case that ya want change an' 'ow yer gonna do it by workin' 'ard an' clearin' Shanty's reputation. It's gonna be tough, but if ya want change, it's a 'ard road indeed."
Johnny watches as Valor is prepared to be hauled off, the instigator trying to cause problems for the image of apostates by association at an already bad rally had it coming. He looks the noble over, before he simply stands there waiting to see what would happen next in this development. Dio seemed to have a good head on him, maybe he could help sort this out with some help. "Hey that don' sound like too bad an idea." he says openly, looking the other apostates over to try and play them for easily led.
The Beagle shakes some before he barks his words out at Dio, his grip on the other's hands tightening. "We'll be attacked either way! If we have to die by the handfulls from the gangs while crying for help, in order to get the nobles to care, why shouldn't we just die fighting them then?!" The others around him muttering with agreement, as a bigger bear near the end clears his throat. "We want them to help us, but we won't lay down and die while waiting for them to help us!" A few looks of concern begining to pass through protestors as they seemed conflicted at the thought of fighting, or having to wait for the nobles to care. More of their eyes though fall upon Fenris and Valor, before looking between Johnny and Dio, as a few seem more worried upon recognizing the rat.
The guards around the line shuffle to and fro as the Nobles quiet more, with many begining to just take the back ways, leaving the crowd to be a more managable size indeed. The Peacock squeeling as Cassidy pokes her head down, before giving a silent nod as she just stares at the strange mask. "J-Just don't c-come in here!"
The ram seems to stroke his chin as he walks up and down the line, before nodding and patting his chest with a grin. "If you're worried about a leader that can be killed easily by those gangs, we can solve that indeed! Gregor Manschell, and if this group of brave individuals would have me... The leader of their peacefull protests, and possibly a man to train them in ways to fight the gangs off if attacked." The Ram's antics causing a look of confused murmering amongst the protestors, before they give a slight nod to the Ram.
Two merchants step forth from the crowd as well, one Seagull male in bright green, and a Pidgeon in dark purple. "Well, if you're going to fight off the gangs you'll need weapons... And as it has it, we've surpluss we can sell for base price. Very cheap if you all pool your money together."
The Hippo is left glowering, though he does appear to be ready to sick the guards on the protestors, he does begin to formulate his own idea as he rubs his jaw and grins slowly while watching them all. "Pool their money? Oh but who will give them money to begin with hm? They'd probably have enough -honest- crowns between them to purchase a single shield."
As eyes fall upon him Johnny gives a smile, his hair slicked he approaches the protestors. "No need fer all that, we got it rough and we can beat or problems. I'll see what I can do about these 'gangs' who you all seem to have so much trouble with, and maybe I'll kick in for some arms so you can stop waving 'round those wet-wood napkins you call shields and swords. We don't all need some outsider takin charge, we need to use them to our advantage and not let 'em put us down like the rest of the nobles and the city." He turns to the ram and says "You'll work for us, not lead us to a better future."
Fenris leads Valor off to one side of the street, away from the general commotion. "Sit here please," he says. Lightbringers are issued a pair of shackles for use on recalcitrant offenders on their first day of service, but Fenris threw his into the bay at his first opportunity. The tiger waits for a moment for Valor to have a seat on the pavement, then looks at his odd little golem. "Bullseye," he says with a twinkle in his eye, "Cuddle with Valor until I tell you to stop." The bronze bull gives a single nod, then climbs into Valor's lap, wrapping it's arms around the stallion's midsection. The little thing must be made of solid lead! It doesn't make sense for something this size to weigh so much.
Valor taken care of, for the moment, Fenris turns to listen to Gregor's offer to lead the charge and Johnny's ultimatum. The tiger shakes his head a little, Johnny may not be the criminal that everyone thought he was, but he was certainly a schemer. The tiger's thoughts flit back to the fate of Vox at the rat's hands.
Valor grunts as the extremely heavy golem sits on him, not quite crushing him but close to it. He just sits there and listens, almost sulking.
Cassidy hops off the carriage to be polite, settling her boots on the ground next to it as she nods to the peacock. "Of course! I don't want to put you off or anything, miss." She glances over, watching the situation with Valor be resolved before looking back towards the crowd and the ram. "I do rather like his idea, yes! He seemed to be a nice enough sort when I crossed paths with him the other day!"
Dio lets out a jolly laugh of sorts. "Good, good!" He exclaims happily as he claps his hands together. "We're really gettin' somewhere now. It's little, but it's a start, an' we gotta start somewhere o' course. As I've been sayin', I suggest three things that should 'elp ya out." The lion raises three digits and clears his throat.
"One, gather support o' the people so that they might pitch in. With support an' such, ya might even be able to hire some Freeswords. Two, be prepared fer a fight. It's cruel to ask ya to fight, but the gangs ain't gonna go down easy an' ya know this. In this regard, ya might need to train a bit. Three, try an' petition the Good King. 'fraid I don't know 'ow that will end up, but all three make up great steps fer allowing Shanty Town to stand up. As a Freesword, I'll see what I can do when yer ready to make a move."
The group looks torn for a moment, the Ram looking to Johnny as he frowns heavily. "I have friends and beings who already have weapons that can defend them... Your route sounds as if it will just create another gang. We're not trying to be seperate, no we're going to take the peacefull way that will benefit us in the long run!" The Ram nodding before looking to the protestors. "... If they'll have me of course. I'm not from Shanty town no, but I fight for what's right, and that is you lot. They can insult us all they want, but I can -help- you more than just arming yourselves would do."
The hippo lets out a slight rumble of his own before raising his voice and pointing between Johnny and the Ram. "The Rat will most likely cause a disruption with your relations to the Nobles... Perhaps we should do this the better way hm? Those who choose to stand with this 'Gregor' here, will have my blessing to try and prove they are no criminals... I will listen to this Ram, and see what we can do for your 'movement'." The statement awefully... Cooperative from the Hippo, and it garnishes confused look from nobles and protestor alike as they look between him, Johnny, and Gregor. A Cheetah finally clearing her throat before slowly letting go of the hands of those next to her, walking over to the Ram then to stand at his side with her head hanging some. A few others nodding as they listen to Cassidy's talk of the ram, and head over to him as well, while the majority break their links and mull about for a moment. The bear moving to Johnny's side with a short nod to the Rat.
The rat sneers and shakes his head. "No gang should come out of this. I'm tryin to tell you all you don't need some outside influence to lead you to victory, they can help but they shouldn't lead you. You need to be able to stand on your own two feet, and not be lead around like livestock for the eatin and choosing of commoners and nobles. I'm not saying don't let him offer some help, but he isn't the end of all you are, you're all the apostates who need a presence and change. Don't let someone who has observed your plight tell you whats best for you all." Johnny takes a breath and stretches before he starts to walk off. "I'll be helpin where I can, do what you want."
Fenris frowns. This was going to be trouble. The tiger wasn't sure what Dennris thought he was going to get out of all of this, but the royal definitely had something up his silken sleeve. He would have to keep a discreet eye on all of this. Fenris watches warily as the Shantytowners begin to divide themselves up into two factions and breathes a little sigh of relief as Johnny walks away. The rat had done some good, but his motives were hardly pristine, and he was so incredibly unpredictable! Sometimes he seemed like several completely different people. "I can see to it that your needs are brought to the court," the tiger offers, "I'm no noble, but I know a few ears that will be sympathetic to your plight." The tiger does his best to appear friendly and non-threatening, which isn't really so hard. The performer is hardly intimidating to look at. "Just please don't act too rashly," he half-begs, "A little patience will go a long way."
As the situation seems to be winding down, Cass gives the carriage a pat on the side and nods. "Looks like you'll not be in any trouble, so I'll take my leave. Have a nice day! I'll be watching, just in case." Looking back to the crowd for a moment, the masked fennec nods slowly. "Just remember! We all prosper if you guys can get things going. I'll be sure to lend a hand, when I can! Free of charge, too. I know money is tight." She kicks off into the air again, returning to her little roof perch to overlook the scene from on high.
"Right then." Dio hoists his tower shield up once more and beings the process of securing it upon his back. "I've put down my two crown. I do 'ope my advice 'elps out at least a little bit. I'll see what I can do to 'elp later down the line. As far as allegiance goes an' such, ain't somethin' I can decide. Good luck, strong 'earts o' Shanty." With the shield now secure, Dio hops up a few inches to test its stability and turns around to head off.
The group is left congragating mostly around the ram, as Johnny heads off. The bear and a few of the others following after the Rat as Gregor begins to talk with the others. The Hippo as well laughs lowly to himsel fas he begins to make his way off, sneering at Valor as he passess by, before turning into the alleys with his body guard.
The guards as well ensure everything is kept moving, with one walking up to the remaining Fenris before handing a bag of crowns over. "For the arrest, and keeping the peace." He says, before giving a short nod and returning to his duties as life returns to normal for the castle district... A potential catastrophey averted thanks to freesword help once again!
Fenris nods to the guardsman and pockets the purse. "Thank you sir," he says before turning back to Valor. "Let him up, Bullseye," he says, "And let's go, Valor." The tiger walks along behind the big stallion. "You can spend the night in the holding cells and think a little on choosing your moment, hmm?" He takes a quick glance over his shoulder at Gregor talking with the protestors. Something big was happening here.
Valor sighs and stands, let up by the golem. He sighs and looks back at the crowd. "At least I got to speak my mind..." He says, walking in front of Fenris. "Thanks for not letting me lose it. And for being there. The guards would have been less gentle..." He says as he is led away.
Cassidy throws her arms up and folds them behind her head, reclining back on the roof to bask in the evening air. She had nowhere to be, so she was content to be here. Slowly her head turns to the side, brow raising behind her mask as she catches something behind a window of the building she was lounging on. Well, there was her entertainment for the next bit! And so as the situation below resolves itself, the fennec lays there watching shamelessly.
