"The Imposter"
The Imposter walked back to the North gate. In his hand, a poster calling the citizens of Hydlaa to join Elady Wanz in freeing the city from an oppressive tyrannical government.
Qter recognised the Ylian as Garosan, or what looked like Garosan, his fellow member of the Brotherhood of Talad. But he could not be, as the real Garosan was currently awaiting trial for treason. After a brief challenge, the imposter drew his claymore and attacked Qter before he made his escape. But the victory was brief and his fate tied to an Ynwnn ranger called Kaerli whom if you drew your blade, you had better know what you were doing, for if not, she will end you in a manner most horrid.
Kaerli says,'Greetings sir.'
The Imposter smiles uneasily at Kaerli,'erm yeah, greeting to you miss' he says as he takes a step away from her.
'May I take a look at that poster of yours? You piqued my curiosity.'
The Imposter tightens his grip on the rolled up poster,'no' he replies flatly.
”Why's that? Do you not have enough copies to spare one?” she replies.
The Imposter's eyes dart from left to right as his mind races and he replies attempting guile, 'This is the last, I need it to make more' he stammers.
Kaerli looks him over, then her eyes focus on the rolled up poster, "If you're going to post it for everyone to see, why not show it to someone who asks?"
The Imposter attempts to walk off, “Look, I haven't got time for this. Stop bothering me or I'll call the guards.' he says over his shoulder.
Kaerli says catching up to the Ylian, “Well, I seriously doubt the guards are going to intervene on your behalf in this.”
The Imposter drops his shoulder and he attempts to shove Kaerli to one side before running off.
Kaerli places her left elbow and its spikes right in the path of his incoming shoulder.
The Imposter howls in pain as the spike drives into his shoulder,'You...' he swears and drops to his knee as he reaches to loosens his claymore.
Kaerli rips the spikes free and smoothly draws her swords "So, you wish to pick a fight eh?"
The Imposter stands and steps back as he draws his blade, “Oh I do girly and you are going to regret that!' he snarls his eyes narrowing as he looks her over readying to strike
Kaerli steps in and to her left, quickly feinting a jab at his stomach with her right before pulling the blade back and finishing the step, pushing off of his claymore with her right-hand sword as she drives her left-hand blade at his side in a powerful thrust.
The Imposter jumps back from Kaerli's attack but not far enough as the lightening strike catches him across his gut. He winces in pain but has the presence of mind to draw back his blade and swing it two-handed at Kaerli's neck
Kaerli sidesteps two steps to her left quickly, following it up with a quick pommel strike to his head.
The Imposter spins and drops to his knees as the blade swishes through the air ineffectively and he is struck viscously on the back of his head. Blood flows freely from his wound and he crawls forward away from Kaerli, his claymore discarded, the poster still clenched in his bloody hand.
Kaerli kneels down and starts working to pry the poster from his hand "Someone fetch the guards."
Enter Qter, Dermathil, Lilura, Vil, Roled and Davoro. Introductions are made but Davoro is not happy with the treatment of the Imposter. This leads to some heated exchange as Roled tries to determine who was behind the besmirchment of Garosan and Elady.

The Imposter attempts to sit up but he fails and lies still as his blood runs down the cobbled stairs.
Roled kneels as he finds some kingsfoil leaf and holds it against the bleeding.
Davoro's insistence on the Imposters fair treatment alert Kaerli's keen senses.
Kaerli says, ”Oh, what brought you here in the first place? You sound like you're in with him on this plot to disgrace Elady and Garosan.”
Davoro says,”Why, I am a simple lumber jack. I came here on break. Then I saw this man being pummelled. You are out to hurt an innocent man. He looks terrible because of you ruffians!”
Roled whispers to the Imposter, ”sir , sir, at who's insistence are ye acting like Garosan? Who be threatening ye? Let us help you." then as the noise from the argument between Kaerli and Davoro gets louder he turns to Kaerli and says softly, “Lady K, maybe ye can convince this loud-mouth to move away so this injured man is free to talk?” then turns back to the man on the ground.
Davoro stands firm in his place.
The Imposter sighs heavily as he blinks tears from his eyes,'I'm dead no matter what happens, I might as well tell you.' he gasps.
Kaerli steps right up to Davoro, "If you want to stay standing, you ought to stop interfering with Roled especially. He is a well-trained Crystal healer and has been questioning him gently as well."
Davoro says, ”Stay standing? If you so much as touch me I will call the guards on you.”
Kaerli says,”You'll probably be dead before you get the chance, sir..."
Davoro says,”Ruffian.”
The Imposter tries to mouth a word but his throat is dry and he is slowly getting weaker.
Roled leans in closely to his lips, splashing water on them bit by bit.
The Imposter licks the water from his lips then opening his eyes wide he looks at Roled and says,'Jacula' and passes out.
Roled turns white at the name, “JACULA!"
Qter exclaims, ”by Talad's beard!”
Kaerli says coolly, ”Oh, as I suspected. All roads lead right back to him.”
Roled says, “Where ARE THE GUARDS!”
Davoro walks off, leaving a note saying "Oppressor scum!"
Kaerli laughs "Fool." as she turns to follow him.
Panicked by the mention of Jacula but determined not to be undone, Roled takes command and immediately gives orders to gain control of the situation.
Roled says, “Can someone follow him? Don't let him get away! The strongest amongst ye, go follow Kaerli and that man! Anyone else, go fer the guards again! Quickly ! Please!” before he turns back to the Imposter and mutters, ”Prayers fer the preservation of life for this one please!”
As Kaerli and a small entourage leave in pursuit of Davoro, Roled does his best to keep the Imposter alive with Vil and Dermathil's help, gently questioning him as he drifts in and out of consciousness.
Vil says, ”I can use my limited medical abilities. I'm afraid that's all I have to offer.”
“Sir all healing helps- I be a Crystal Mage 4th Realm but help as ye can. All healing energy helps friend. I will again whisper to this man.” Roled says as he kneels again and speaks softly to the fellow, "friend. We mean ye no harm. We will protect ye if we can... Why did Jacula put ye up to this?
The Imposter turns his head and mumbles a little, ”He's got eyes everywhere. You can't defeat him, you can't protect me.”
Roled says, “Sir we can protect ye” then leaning close to the Imposter's ear he whispers, “Friend don't worry, believe! Xiosia be the Goddess of Balance and Peace. She can protect ye, and we can defeat this Jacula. He be only a man. Xioisa be a Goddess!” he pauses then looking in the direction that Davoro walked off in he asks, ”Was that other fellow here, the one who called us ruffians - who is he? Does he work for Jacula?”
The Imposter smiles weakly at Roled, “Yes, he probably does. He's got eyes everywhere, everywhere...” he murmers softly as his eyes close.
Roled looks up and says, ”Friends, keep onlookers away if ye can, this fellow be speaking to me so low I can hardly hear him!”
Dermathil says, ”Well, seems the guards ain't coming, I suggest we take this man to the tent on the temple green.”
Roled says, ”Good idea Friend Klyros, If we lift him carefully upon me rivnak, Vanima Fae will carry him carefully there. Maybe someone could look fer Charisa Maloud too and see if the alchemist might help with a poultice.”
Issym, Sputz and Fwentleigh three of Hydlaa's finest guards arrive on the scene.

Fwentleigh says, ”What seems to be the trouble?” in his no nonsense tone.
Roled says, “Ah! Guards! Thankee fer coming!”
Issym says, “Why is this man injured?”
Roled says, “Sirs this be what I know. I be Roled Rolak. I heard a shout from me friend sir Qter, and arrived to see this fellow on the ground, bleeding. As I administered first aide and healing spells Lady Kaerli did say this fellow drew claymore upon her. He were passing out these posters, and she surprised him. So there was this other fellow who were trying to get us not to help this one. Kaerli and Qter and Lilura chased after that one”
Kaerli re-emerges empty handed and says, “The other man seems defensive...but not particularly involved.”
Issym shakes her head seeming to be getting confused.
Fwentleigh and Issym get out their notebooks and starts taking notes.
Issym says, “Can someone hand me one of the posters?”
Kaerli hands her copy to Issym then looks to Roled "As to the wounded Ylian, how does he fare?"
Roled says, “He be stable Lady K”
Issym looks at the poster quickly and hands it to Sputz
Fwentleigh says, “So if this isn't Garosan, I wonder who he is then..”
Kaerli says, "I wonder as well, he seems like some sort of impostor to me."
Roled says, "He said Jacula told him to do this, and that Jacula will kill him, that Jacula has spies everywhere..."
Issym frowns, “These posters are different from the others. Who is this Elady that is mentioned?" she then looks to Fwenthleigh, “I have heard of this Jacula fellow before."
Kaerli says, “Elady Wanz, cook at the Stonehead Tavern and a high ranking member of the Daughters of Xiosia guild, as I understand.”
Fwentleigh says, “Issym, I know her. She is a sweet lady.”
Kaerli says, “Aye, and not a rebel.”
Roled nods, "She is a conduit of Xiosia's healing peace."
Issym looks to Fwenthleigh, “If you say so sir that poster seems like she is calling for a traitorous action. It seems just like the one before attached to Garosan. Possession of such material is enough to land one in a cell.”
Fwentleigh finishes reading the poster, "I highly doubt this from Elady. I'll keep this as evidence, though." he says rolling up the poster and puting it in his pack.
Issym says, “So what about this Jacula fellow?”
Roled says, “Sir Guard, the man did say that Jacula put him up to this and Jacula threatened his life if he did not.”
Kaerli looks to Issym "Can we speak in private about Jacula, or have you already heard word of who he swears his loyalty to?"
The Imposter's eyes open, he looks at Fwentleigh then looks around frantically as if he wants to escape.
Issym gives Kaerli a serious look. "I'm not sure what you mean ma'am.”
Roled kneels and hold The Imposters shoulders "Easy friend"
Fwentleigh looks up at the others, "Watch him. Make sure he doesn't escape."
Kaerli says, “The Lemur guard...Dahtess is his name, no?”
The Imposter's mouth forms into a snarl as he snatches his head away from Roled
Roled says, "Easy! Easy!"
Fwentleigh warns, "Even weak animals can be strong when cornered."
Issym looks to Kaerli and nods, "Yes I know Dahtess."
Kaerli says, “Aye, has he mentioned to you where Jacula's loyalty lies?”
Issym shakes her head, "I'm afraid I haven't seen Dahtess in a few days now."
Kaerli whispers softly into Issym's ear.
Issym gives a shocked look at hearing what Kaerli tells her, "And I suppose you can prove this charge. Such a charge should not be made lightly."
Kaerli whispers to Issym again.
The Imposter's eyes snap to Issym and his face begins to look exceedingly worried
Issym looks at Kaerli and nods " We will have to investigate this issue farther."
Kaerli says, “Aye, Jacula's foul deeds need to be stopped.”
The Imposter sneers at Kaerli, 'You can't stop him. He has eyes everywhere, even in the guards' he says as he looks at Fwentleigh pointedly.
Fwentleigh snorts. "And what are you implying, you" as he looks at, The Imposter.
The Imposter holds Fwentleigh's gaze for a moment and replies slowly, “He can get to any of us. He has people everywhere... That's what I've been told” and he shudders in fear."
Issym looks to Fwentleigh, “We may have an innocent man currently in jail sir.”
Fwentleigh says, “We'll have to look over the evidence and testimony. If he is, then hopefully we have the right one now.”
The Imposter is finally moved to the sanatorium tent for further healing. The guards takes up position on the out side as Roled and Geoni combine there efforts to heal him. A discussion then begins amongst the guards as to what should be done.
Fwentleigh looks at Issym, "Did you make sense of all this?"
Issym says, ”I have heard of this Jacula before. He certainly sounds like trouble. If the statements are true it seems this Jacula may have been trying to frame this Garosan and Elady.”
Fwentleigh says,”I think we will have to sort through the notes when we get back and figure it out. I hate to think of jailing an innocent man.”
Issym nods at Fwentleigh's comment,”And if what was said is true that this Jacula has spies everywhere this Garosn might need to be protected.”
Fwentleigh looks at Issym, "Do you want to port him into the Jail house now? He can rest there.”
Issym nods "Sounds smart. We can move a bed into a cell for him.
The Imposter glares at Fwentleigh in annoyance and he casts a quick look around at the soft fabric of the tent
Fwentleigh says, 'Would you like to do the honors, Issym?” before allowing himself a small smile.
Issym looks at The Imposter, "Sir we will be moving to the jail now for your protection.”
The Imposter shrinks back into his bed as the guards surround him, he looks around and any spark of hope is extinguished as Issym speaks, “Yes, I understand” he mutters.
Issym touches a glyph on her belt and mutters an incantation. The Imposter jerks momentarily and freezes, a look of panic stamped across his face as he is ported to the jail house. Now in unfamiliar surroundings he looks around at the cell and slumps into the bed with a sigh before closing his eyes. The Imposter slips into an uneasy sleep his face twitching occasionally as he descends into his own dark unconscious.

Issym looks at the other guards, "Should we review the evidence now or after we have had some sleep?"
Sputz says, "I need some rest myself."
Issym nods, "I'll be able to think more clearly after some sleep."
Fwentleigh says, ”Let's wait until we are refreshed.” as he passes some food into the prisoner.
Issym looks to the sleeping Imposter, "I don't think he will mind waiting a bit longer.”
“I speak to thee as an agent of one known as Jacula. You will do his bidding or you will know his wrath.”
The Imposter woke with a start, a fine layer of sweat glistening on his skin. Sitting up he called out “Hello?” then looked about nervously as he slowly pushes his way further back into the corner of the cell as his mind recalls an image from the past
“Inside this bag are certain dyes and potions that will give you the appearance of Garosan Ringe, Holy Cleric to Talad. Use them, and with these”, the figure pushes several pieces of paper at the Imposter,”you will bring down the foes of Jacula. We do not want them rising up against him so we will bring them to there knees. I speak to thee as an agent of one known as Jacula. You will do his bidding or you will know his wrath.” The imposter stared into the hood of the midnight blue robes but saw nothing. Nodding frantically, desperate to impress upon him his intent to comply. The robed figure then slowly steps out of the light, and is gone...
The imposter lay back on the bed curling himself into a ball wondering if the robed figure had ever really existed and if indeed he himself had ever had a name.
Would the attempt to besmirch Garosan and Elady rally the forces of good against Jacula?
Who was the sinister cloaked figure?
And what of the old priest Giroum Diphra, who Garosan allegedly had beaten
[Thanks to those involved. I have edited this quite a bit to progress the storyline. This doesn't have a Black Flame theme, but Jacula is envolved. If you wish your character to pursue him or this storyline please be aware that we only know his envolvment with the Black Flame because we read it OOC in these forums. Please read this guide to understand any dealings or background you wish your character to adopt. Have fun
]