Short Story - Whispers of Dissent, Part 1

A link to the completed story for Whispers of Dissent, Part 1 can be found here: Whispers of Dissent - Part 1 .

Plot points/Scenes

The trio navigate the streets of Bareshield in search of the Roses tavern.
After finding the tavern, they look for any clues to lead them to rebel agents.
They then coerce the patrons into giving the person up.
They chase the suspected agent through the streets, eventually catching him.
They interrogate him to uncover the rebel's true plot.

Themes

Distrust. Claustrophobia. Interference.

Structure

Exposition

The following is a short story that is designed to introduce newcomers to both the world of Alwaus and the Genesys roleplaying system designed by Fantasy Flight Games. It was is written in two separate styles. The first, is traditional prose describing the adventure of our protagonists as they investigate rumors that agitators sympathetic to to the Eastern Rebellion are operating within the walls of the city. As the story unfolds, it will be frequently paused for us to describe how the current scenario interacts with the Genesys roleplaying system. The story will unfold organically, based off of real dice results generated at the time of writing. The outcome has not been determined, and the success or failure of our protagonists will be determined by dice as if this was a real RPG session.
Our story follows three player characters (or PCs) as they comb the streets of the city of Bareshield. The first is Elysha, a young Alvain woman who serves as a Warden for The City Of Bareshield . The Wardens are responsible for any investigations and duties that are above the ability or station of the local town guard. They are a prestigious and powerful organization, and the sight of their uniform is enough to coerce most people into co-operation. Elysha is not a typical alvain, as she was not raised in a large city like Bareshield. Instead she was raised in a remote alvain enclave where she has spent the majority of her life. Despite her lack of political connections, Elysha's has worked hard to build a strong reputation for herself within The Wardens.
Next with have Heidi Brackfissure, a Kinderstärke woman who also serves as a Warden in Bareshield. Much like Elysha, Heidi's family position does not give her much in the way of advantage, however her eclectic charm and unorthodox methods have brought her mixed success and infamy among her peers. Despite their difference in personalities, Heidi and Elysha work well together as a team, and have build a partnership built on trust and friendship. Unlike her brash friend, Heidi often looks for alternatives to force when solving her problems, however she is not foolish enough to enter into her duties without her sidearm.
Last we have Solus pre Invantis, a young alvain arcanist who has declared his intention to join one of the Great Dynasties of The Alvain. Solus is a brilliant arcanist and researcher, who (despite his young age) has caught the eye of many high ranking members of the Alvain. Unlike the other two PCs, Solus is not a Warden, and he is joining the investigation at the request of the city's Lord Govenor. While Heidi and Elysha resent having a stranger forced into their investigation, they both suspect his presence in the city is the result of political maneuvering beyond their station, and know better than to complain openly about the interference. Solus is a polite, soft spoke alvain, who seems untroubled by his presence in a Warden investigation.

Conflict

The trio investigate rumors that rebel sympathizers have infiltrated the city.

Rising Action

The Wardens trace the rumors to a remote tavern deep in the worker district of the city.

Climax

Elysha chases the rebel sympathizer through the city streets.

Falling Action

The three interogate Braker to find out what he knows.

Resolution

Breaker reveals the target of the rebel infiltrators, and informs them the attack is going down tonight.

Components

Goals

All three protagonists wish to discover the truth of the reported rumors, and bring the culprits to justice. They want to do this because they care about the welfare of the humans living in Bareshield, and wish to curry favour with Alvantis by capturing a rebel spy.

Hooks

Heidi has a contact in the human underworld that hinted to her that rebel sympathizers have been meeting in a tavern called roses, west of The Friendly Widow Inn.

Stakes

In rebel agents are able to infiltrate the city, they might spread their propaganda among the citizens, and cause riots or rebellion to break out here as well.

Moral Quandaries

How tightly do we squeeze the down trodden when they seek to hurt others in their anger? What right does the ruling class have to rule over those who are powerless ?

Cruel Tricks

The Wardens are concerned that infiltrators might spread disloyalty among the city's population, but unknown to them, dissent has been raising in the city for years now. What once was a distance rebellion might quickly become a revolution in their own backyard.

Red Herrings

The tavern they are looking for is not operated by a woman named Rose, but instead has no formal name and is simply called that in reference to the roses bushes that grow at its entrance.
A man at the tavern calls out to the Wardens to lure them away from the real rebel agent in the tavern.

Relations

Protagonists

Elysha of the Brackenwood Enclave. Solus pre Invantis
Heidi Brackfissure

Allies

The Eternal Empire
The City Of Bareshield

Neutrals/Bystanders

The City Of Bareshield

Adversaries

The Human Rebels
The City Of Bareshield

Backdrops

Locations

The Western Protectorate
The Shield Coast
The City Of Bareshield

Threats

Anger, and dissent growing among the working class humans of Bareshield.

Encounters

Urban Navigation

Investigation

Pursuit

Interrogation

Past Events

Rebel Agents have been operating in Bareshield for months now. Roughly a week ago, they met with a local longshoreman, a human man named Braker. They convinced Braker to help them gain access to the shipyards of Bareshield in a week's time. They explained that they had access to blastpowder and were going to use it to destroy the city's shipyards, preventing the shipyard to supply the Alvain Loyalist armies with supply. Braker got a bit heavy in his drink one night, and bragged loudly to any who would listen that he was light with the rebels. It didn't take long for word to reach back to the Wardens.

Plot type

Short Story

Related Characters

• Elysha of the Brackenwood Enclave
• Heidi Brackfissure
• Solus pre Invantis

Related Organizations

• The Human Rebels
• The Wardens
• The Western Protectorate

Related Locations

• The City Of Bareshield
• The Friendly Widow
• The Shield Coast