The Songs of Ronen Feichín

One of the earliest of the documents included in Airtam's journals is a series of clippings from one of the more prevalent newspapers of the time, The Voice of the Empire. The series of articles follow the exploits of a musician that had begun raising a great deal of trouble in the city of Armuun , to the point of inciting riots that were discovered to be masking diversions for Burnt Crow activities that claimed dozens of innocent lives. The documents also include a confidential interrogation report from the The Bechtlarite Intelligence Bureau that detail the events that took place following his capture and arrest. Airtam's somber reflections on the events are found below, and shine a light on her feelings and concerns on the matter.

Today has been a difficult day. As I sit in my office, surrounded by the stacks of documents detailing the events in Armuun, I can't help but feel a great sadness in my heart. As a member of the Bechtlarite Empire, I am ashamed of the actions that have been taken against the Seanachaisian people. The cataclysm that nearly wiped out their people was a tragedy, and it breaks my heart to see the scars and pain that they still carry to this day, but as I read through these documents, I am reminded of the innocent lives that were lost at the hands of the Burnt Crows. The actions of these self-proclaimed freedom fighters cannot be excused, no matter how much sympathy I may have for their cause. The open defiance of the Empire will only lead to more violence and death, and I am aware that our actions were necessary to prevent further tragedy.
And yet, despite this understanding, I can't help but feel that there must have been another way. Is violence always the answer? Is it truly merited to sacrifice the lives and dignity of others for the sake of our own security and control? As the newly appointed Headmaster of the University of the Lighted Way, I know that it is my duty to teach and guide the young minds of our society. But how can I teach them to be better than we are, when I am struggling to find the answers myself? Perhaps this is what it means to bear the weight of responsibility. To question our actions and the actions of those before us, even as we must carry out the duties that are required of us. But I will not let this sadness and guilt consume me. I will use it to fuel my resolve, to seek out the truth and to work towards a better future for all.

Document Structure

Publication Status

As part of the leaked Morenthall publications following her death, these writings are generally easy to find.

Historical Details

Background

While these appear to be only a few of the actual articles covering the events of the Burnt Crow push for mayhem during this time, the rest have been redacted from the public record and are no longer anywhere to be found.

History

The Burnt Crows have been a thorn in the Empire's side for many years. Led by the unpredictable and wholly dedicated, Sighnai Oifrei , they are the subject of much debate and continue to operate under her direct leadership to this day.

Public Reaction

There was a fairly even split as to the public reaction to the leaked interrogation documents, some feeling the actions taken were justified in order to serve the well being of the common citizenry of the city of Armuun, while still others justify the actions of the Crows and used it to call for more regulations regarding their treatment and compensation for the losses they suffered, once again igniting the debates that circulated following the tragedy at Victory.

Read the Document

The Songs of Ronen Feichín

12th of Vigor, 142 PR

"Mysterious Musician Incites Unrest in Armuun"

A young musician has been causing quite a stir in the capital city of the Bechtlarite Empire, Armuun. The musician, who remains unidentified, has been playing music that is suspected to have a mind-altering effect on its listeners. This music seems to be inciting unrest and causing disturbances throughout the city, sometimes against the will of those who hear it.
Authorities are struggling to get a handle on the situation, as the musician seems to be constantly on the move, making it difficult to track him down. The Bechtlarite government has issued a statement urging citizens to remain calm and not to be swayed by the musician's seductive melodies.

20th of Vigor, 142 PR

"Unrest Continues in Armuun as Mysterious Musician Evades Capture"

The unrest in the Bechtlarite capital city of Armuun continues, as the mysterious musician who has been causing disturbances with his mind-altering music remains at large. Despite increased efforts by law enforcement, the musician has managed to evade capture, leading to speculation that he has inside help.
Sources say that the musician is a Seanachaisian refugee. This information has raised concerns that the musician's actions may be part of a larger, coordinated effort to undermine the Bechtlarite government.

26th of Vigor, 142 PR

"Musician's Activities in Armuun Revealed to be Cover for Terrorist Group"

New information has come to light regarding the mysterious musician who has been causing unrest in Armuun. It has been revealed that the musician is a member of a group of self-proclaimed freedom fighters known as the Burnt Crows, a group made up of Seanachaisian refugees who seek to undermine the Bechtlarite government. 
The musician's mind-altering music has been used as a cover for the Burnt Crows' terrorist activities, which include several bombings, the release of criminal elements from our prisons to roam free among the populus, and a number of kidnappings that have led to the murder of two prominent civilians as well. The Bechtlarite government have issued a warning to citizens to be on the lookout for the musician and any members of the Burnt Crows, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The Wraith Guard have been put on high alert and we suspect the culprits to be captured and tried very soon.

32nd of Vigor, 142 PR

"Bechtlarite Government Cracks Down on Burnt Crows, Arrests Musician"

In a major development, the Bechtlarite government has announced a crackdown on the Burnt Crows, the self-proclaimed freedom fighters responsible for the recent disturbances in Armuun. The government has arrested the musician who was using mind-altering music to incite unrest, as well as several other members of the Burnt Crows. The government has also issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the safety and security of all citizens, and warning that any further acts of terrorism will be met with swift and decisive action. While the situation in Armuun remains tense, authorities are hopeful that the arrests will bring an end to the recent wave of unrest.

Confidential Interrogation Report
Subject: Ronen Feichín (real name unknown)
Interrogated by: Geraldine Fulton, Bechtlarite Intelligence Bureau
Summary:
Ronen Feichín, a musician who had been using his prodigious musical ability to incite unrest in the Bechtlarite capital of Armuun, was captured by the Bechtlarite Intelligence Bureau (BIB) in a coordinated operation with the Wraith Guard. Upon interrogation, Feichín refused to give any information about himself or his associates, and instead seemed to revel in the chaos his music had caused.
Despite the efforts of the BIB interrogators, Feichín remained steadfast in his silence. He was subjected to various forms of torture and interrogation techniques, but to no avail. At one point, Feichín even sang a haunting melody that seemed to put the interrogators in a trance-like state, causing them to briefly lose their focus.
Tragically, during the interrogation, Feichín was accidentally killed by one of the BIB interrogators. The incident led to a small riot among the other captured Burnt Crows, which was quickly put down by the Wraith Guard.
In the aftermath of the incident, the BIB, independent of the Order of Objective Representation or the acting Sovereign, worked successfully to cover up what had happened, claiming that Feichín had died of natural causes. The BIB and the Wraith Guard were praised for their swift action in dealing with the Burnt Crows and their associates, and any dissenting voices were quickly silenced. During the interrogation, the BIB discovered evidence that Feichín was not simply a musician, but rather a high-ranking member of the Burnt Crows and a key strategist in their terrorist activities. Feichín's music was not just a tool for inciting unrest, but also a form of mind control used to manipulate people into carrying out attacks and sabotages. The BIB's use of extreme interrogation techniques, while regrettable, was be seen as necessary to extract critical information that led to the disruption and prevention of several major terrorist attacks. The cover-up of the incident is a necessary precaution to avoid public outcry and panic, and to maintain a sense of control and stability in the Empire. The incident has raised concerns about the use of extreme interrogation techniques by the BIB and their treatment of prisoners. It also highlights the larger issue of the ongoing conflict between the Bechtlarite Empire and the Seanachaisian refugees, and the desperate measures being taken by both sides to achieve their objectives.

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Type

Leaked Original

Medium

Vellum / Skin

Authoring Date

12th of Vigor 142 PR to the 32nd of Vigor 142 PR

Location

Armuun

Authors

• Airtam Morenthall

Signatories (Organizations)

• The Voice of the Empire