Borca - Sturben

[Dread]

[Terrible news! Earthquakes of unimaginable strength are felt throughout northern Borca, seemingly originating from within the wound that rests within the Core's very centre -- the Shadow Rift. The quakes cause much of the priceless sculptures and vases in Sef Ivan Dilisnya's marvelous estate of Degravo to fall from their pedestals and be shattered upon the pitiless earth. A cave-in affects the Sommet Theatre in Lechberg, though fortunately no one was harmed. Experts predict that it will take at least several months for the stone and rubble to be moved out and for shows to resume there, however.

The quakes' effects are felt perhaps strongest in the city of Sturben, where the House of Grace, the oldest cathedral consecrated to Ezra aside from Ste. Mere des Larmes, was utterly destroyed, the church's massive steeple first buckling and then careening downwards to split the temple down the middle. The belfry crashes to the cobbles below in a plume of dust, crushing over a dozen unfortunate souls. Counted among the dead is Toret Paolino Trevisan, may Ezra see his soul brought to the shelter of peace.]

“And there, there overhead, there, there, hung over
Those thousands of white faces, those dazed eyes,
There in the starless dark, the poise, the hover,
There with vast wings across the cancelled skies,
There in the sudden blackness, the black pall
Of nothing, nothing, nothing — nothing at all.”

- Archibald MacLeish, "The End of the World"

[Cassius]

[Word of generous benefactors from the Church of Ezra's Barovian Congregation, contributing funds to the reparation of the House of Grace, becomes widespread throughout Sturben. The name of Toret Matthew Garrett and the Draghici Family resonate positively throughout the settlement, alongside the name of other prominent contributers and artisans.

On the outskirts of Sturben, those contained in more rural areas start gravitating greatly towards the alarming words of a preacher known as Girolamo Marmagna, who is regarded by the Church of Ezra as a man with strong heretical beliefs, declaring insanities such as the faithful and the Legion of Night are but one in the same. His commitment and confidence, and even denouncement of the current state of Borcan society, and the weakened state of the Church of Ezra, has attracted a handful of followers and fanatics willing to join his cause.]

[Cassius]

[Progress on the reparations of the House of Grace continues with Sentire Geofri Solda bringing comfort to the members of the faith. A massive Fifth Day Service is held before the steps of the ruined temple where denizens of Sturben paid respect to those that have fallen during the incident that took place before the end of year 775. To everyone's surprise, the Sentire publicly thanked and endorsed Oton Boritsi, the very same who lost his bid to become Praesidius to Alessandra Tiepolo.

The crowd was confused but were swiftly told that Toret Oton Boritsi himself has sought to help rebuild the House of Grace with a graceful sum, while stating that the Great Cathedral has neglected in supporting the rebuilding of the Church's oldest temple. The Sentire endorsed Oton and stated that Alessandra Tiepolo robbed his mantle from him, conspiring along with the likes of Bastion Teodorus Raines. These open criticisms and condemnations go on to state that the Praesidia seeks to forfeit all Borcan laypeople to the troubles of Darkon, while neglecting the well being of those in Sturben.

The people gathered at first reluctant, cheered at the Sentire's charismatic speech and openly expressed their anger towards the Levkarest Congregation. Whether or not the Sentire's words were true, division was growing in the city of Sturben.]

[Cassius]

[Five days after Sentire Solda gave his service and controversial speech, a statement is made by Inquisitor Carus Vonn, condemning the congregation of Sturben for it's passive acceptance of blasphemy from the current Sentire. Although support was small, those loyal to the Great Cathedral gathered around and supported the Inquisitor, but in contrast to Solda's popularity, looked remarkably puny.

In the Western District however, unrest grows among the lower population with the heretical preacher, Girolamo Marmagna, hosting public sermons in the streets, condemning the entirety of the Old Order of the Church of Ezra. The heretic has issued threats against both Oton Boritsi and Carus Vonn. During one of the evening, preaches City Watch members, led by Captain Marcu Nutretta, attempted to stop the lawless sermon, not before being ambushed by a radical group of fanatics simply known as the "Black Blades" by the general public.]

[Cassius]

[Word has it that a banker and emissarry, Bernabas Trentavasi, working under Count Edmundo Dilisnya, has arrived in Sturben to contest the governance of the city's Stapan, Beatrice Ritter, over the increasing unrest taking place. Argument that the Scythe Highway leading into Falkovnia will be left open in the event of a full-scale revolt are used by Bernabas. A detachment of Condotierri from Lechberg, led by the notorious Captain Anton Silvestrov, soon arrived in Sturben's Commerce Hall, claiming that they will be "restoring" law and order in Sturben.

Baroneasa Beatrice Ritter expresses outrage over the sudden involvement of Lechberg officials and enforcers in her own city. This outrage is then echoed by Merchant Guilds,  Sentire Geofri Solda and even the likes of Oton Boritsi. Their outbursts fall on deaf ears as the newly established militia immediately starts applying additional taxes, on top of the pre-existing taxes established by the Stapan.

The double tax creates a strain on the city's trade, impacting the rest of the realm and any other foreign settlements reliant on it's economy. Worst of all, the tax only builds further uproar in the poorer parts of the city.]

[Cassius]

[The tensions between Beatrice Ritter and Bernabas Trentavasi have temporarily died down after the sudden emergence of a new group, the Merchant League, with it's spokesperson Vlad Munteanu calling for the establishment to change and to "recover the ancient roots of Borca". Promises of moving away from the influences of the aristocracy, and permitting hardworking, independent merchants from properly ruling the city under a just council are made. The reception is mixed, with members of the Borcan gentry less than impressed, however the merchants of the South Eastern district have grown to flock and cheer over Vlad's speeches.]

[Cassius]

[For weeks the Western District had been quarantined until the threat of the Black Blades was resolved. Ever since their odd disappearance, the quarantine had since lifted, with a pro-Ezra brigade under Inquisitor Carus Vonn securing the territory, yet still diligently searching for any remnants.

The guards under Bernabas Trentavasi have gradually gone into disarray after the sudden disappearance of their employer, with many assuming foulplay. Bernabas is not the only important figure in Sturben to make a sudden disappearance, as Sentire Geofri Solda too has gone missing. The local congregation is left puzzled and worried over the abrupt loss of their leader.

Unease is setting forth over the upcoming meeting between the Ezrite delegation and the Stapan...]

[Cassius]

During the prior week, madness filled the city of Sturben during the council between the Stapan and the Ezrite delegation. In a sudden surprise, the Stapan, Beatrice Ritter, was chased out of the city by the fanatical militia led by Inquisitor Carus Vonn, who had, without warning, assumed control of the city. Moments after the Stapan's escape, the city gates soon closed, preventing any from coming in and out.

Once the gates reopened, the city had changed dramatically. Cliques had formed and anarchy reigned. It did not last long, as with the support of the Church of Ezra, and the merchant families of Sturben, they managed to reclaim control of the city, eliminating the uprising that had took place. At the end of the conflict, the city's control was then assumed by the Trade Guild, under the leadership of Samuel Lamoco, while surprisingly collaborating with it's ex-colleagues under the Merchants' League. Soon after, the latter reintegrated itself back into the Trade Guild, helping the city reunify again.

What happened to the Black Blades?

The Black Blades of Ezra's leader, Girolamo Marmagna, perished during his failed uprising, and without the guidance of their leader, the Black Blades did not remain long in Sturben. To his devotees he is frequently regarded as a martyr, to those outside of his circle, he is regarded as a vile being and a raving lunatic.

Despite their loss, pockets of resistance in the countryside are heard of, with some heretical preachers speaking of distant events that took place in Mt. Baratak, seven months ago, where Ezra walked the mountains and through the Mists. Further rumors also start to circulate regarding that some of the members of the Black Blades are highly trained soldiers that originated from Darkon.

What happened to Carus Vonn?

Soon after order was restored, the truth surrounding Carus Vonn quickly surfaced, and brought disgust both in Sturben and the Great Cathedral of Levkarest. The creed adhered by Vonn and his fanatics declared that only those truly faithful to Ezra would be saved and that rites and baptisms alone were not sufficient to prove that. Several buildings in the Western District exposed grotesque sights and areas where individuals were being purposefully starved by Vonn’s group until they would be able to properly recite prayers and verses by heart.

It became clear that Carus Vonn had intentionally planned to usurp control of the city to further his goals. Bernabas Trentavasi and Sentire Geofri Solda were two influential figures during the crisis that were found killed by the mad inquisitor, shortly after he had abducted them both.

Inquisitor Carus Vonn was labeled as one of the casualties during the revolt, but no remains were ever found. Many seem to claim that Carus Vonn was claimed by the Mists, that Ezra herself intervened to punish him, or that he merely ascended beyond his state, his uncompromising quest to achieving purity in faith having only just begun.

Despite his death, adherents to the Inquisitor’s blasphemous teachings became prevalent in Sturben, and eventually started to spill beyond it as well. This school of thought, as dangerous as it sounded, was gaining appeal to some of the more jaded members of the Church. Soon, these believers would be adhering to a creed that was publicly known as “Vonnism”.

What happened to the Trentavasi?

Bernabas Trentavasi died at the hands of Inquisitor Carus Vonn. Captain Anton Silvestrov temporarily served the Inquisitor after the death of his employer until the beginning of the revolt. Begrudgingly, Silvestrov’s men worked with the joint forces of the Traders’ Guild and Merchants’ League to help crush the rebels.

Anton Silvestrov is branded as one of the heroes that helped save Sturben, having fought in some of the bloodiest battles in the city. Anton’s successes were not met warmly back in Lechberg however, for the plan for the Trentavasi to secure Sturben was met with failure.

What happened to the Stapan?

Baroneasa Beatrice Ritter escaped Sturben after an attempt to be captured and killed by Carus Vonn was made. When she returned to Sturben, she was met with disdain by the Traders’ Guild she led, and soon after found herself forced to forfeit her role as Stapan. Her estates remained, and she still held a presence in the Guild, but the woman’s name would forever be disgraced.

What happened to the Church in Sturben?

The Church of Ezra in Sturben met with the loss of their leader, Sentire Geofri Solda, but its congregation managed to survive the terrible events that took place. Though concerns were directed to Levkarest regarding the matters surrounding Carus Vonn, and the damage that has been dealt. In response, Praesidia Tiepolo surprisingly attended without warning to a ceremony. Many expected a cold reception, but there was a rare sense of relief to see the leader of the faith there, paying respects and acknowledging the pain that took place.

Although the faithful in Sturben looked at the Church as a safe refuge, the outlook changed after the revolt. Some suspect due to action of the Vonnists, they now supplicated before the Church in fear of condemnation, rather than in a desire for guardianship.

The actions of the Vonnists brought concern over the authority that the Church of Ezra’s Inquisition truly had. Knowing that these blasphemers came from a member of the inquisition, many Sentires throughout the Core began to express increasing doubt and contempt towards certain members of the Inquisition meddling in the affairs of other clergies. What fate would come to the Inquisition was subject for arduous debate.

Conclusion

In the days that followed the revolt, disagreements regarding Samuel Lamoco’s sudden rise to leadership became apparent. With some believing that this was but was but an opportunistic attempt to seize power. Suddenly, the threat of another revolt to take place grew imminent until proposals came forward to settle differences by establishing a city council. Begrudgingly, Samuel submitted and his leadership had ended.

To manage the ongoing threats within the city and the surrounding lands of Sturben, the first matter that the newly formed council addressed were the matters of justice. At first there was wonder if they would maintain the level of justice that was initially maintained by the former Stapan, but soon a shocking conclusion was made.

A more severe court system was made to adhere to justice, a system deemed old and archaic by the elites of Borca, but more aligned to tradition by the locals of Sturben. The Faceless Court was suddenly introduced to the city of Sturben, approved by the city council. The court consists of five masked judges where anyone can present cases to them. Although the judges were never the same, their masks were always consistent grimly ornate visages, with locals claiming that their designs were inspired by Borca’s first inhabitants.

The new justice system was met with annoyance by the aristocracy and eventually fear. Some grew to know that no one was truly protected from the Faceless Court’s wrath. Soon, all sorts of criminals would be brought before the Wyrmsbreath to meet their doom, from treacherous nobles to the common brigand. The events of the revolt had hardened Sturben, and mercy to those that threatened it was out of the question.