The Murder of van Haute!

[The Grand Balladeer]

At the end of a performance dedicated to Verinne van Haute a masked gnome, cloaked in black with the symbol of a harp superimposed over a sword on her cloak appeared on stage. She declared the performer had been murdered by the Provisional Government before vanishing. Shortly thereafter, notices appeared about the Theatre and the city.

The Murder of van Haute!

In an act of brazen tyranny the Provisional Government has had Verinne van Haute murdered! On the 24th of May 774 Agnés Gauthier, acting on orders from Michelle de Foissart Comtesse de Azerac, took advantage of the political tension between van Haute and the Church of Ezra in order to trick several visiting agents of the Church to act as enforcers in murder most foul.

So armed, the traitor Gauthier barged into the theatre and and stated she was to be executed or sent to a backwards Barovian asylum. This order was based on allegations alone. Verinne was offered no due process. No trial. This was no just order; it was a nakedly political move by a Provisional Government concerned only with their own power.

Verinne not only performed for the every man of Port-a-Lucine but was a leader in charitable efforts to develop housing and protect the rights of the common man. To uplift us all. Faced with this injustice did van Haute resort to the violence the Provisional Government claims she is guilty of? No! She spoke openly and defiantly to Gauthier, who had been her trusted friend.

She asked her if this tyranny was what she chose to serve. The traitor's reply? A prayer of "cleansing", then a sword run through Verinne. Right there in the theatre.

This was not justice. This was not the work of Ezra. This was a politically motivated murder. Verinne died a champion of the ideals of the Republique. In her final performance we are shown - clearly - who the enemies of justice and the people are.

Who will be next?

Who will stand for what is right?

Who will stand for van Haute's last performance?

[herkles]

[A Gendarme is seen pulling down the posters whenever she comes across them.]

[The Grand Balladeer]

More notices go up in the alleys of Ouvrier.

Only Gauthier?

While the arrest of the traitor Gauthier might appear to be a triumph for the people, the corruption of the Provisional Government can hardly be said to have been quelled. According to the Gendarme Alix Martineau, brave champion of the people, Michelle de Foissart Comtesse de Azerac gave Gauthier the order to silence Verinne van Haute. These orders bypassed all officers of the Gendarmerie.

As promised, Alix saw to it that the corrupt Gauthier was arrested. But one Gendarme alone cannot fight the tyranny of an entire government! Michelle de Foissart did give the orders! The blood of van Haute is on her hands as much as Gauthier's. Why does she not share Gauthier's cell? Do they hope to scapegoat Gauthier alone? Do they hope to evade the long arm of the law?

We say no!

Let none who trample on the liberties of the people walk free!

Let there be justice for van Haute!