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In the wee early hours of the morning, the dew was just glistening on the grass and fields of Greenbriar. The sun had just broken over the hillside and light barely illuminated the tiny streets outside.

In his home, Dusty was just stirring from a deep sleep. It's been long since he slept this well. Now with Stephen locked away, and the land in relative peace again, he could relax, if only a little. He opened his eyes and pondered Tjalf's request, about Grant. Grant had every right to free his father...but would he actually endanger Greenbriar by doing so? These thought and others floated by like a spring breeze, when suddenly,


**Crack** goes the door, and in barges in two hooded figure, one shorter than the other, moving swiftly toward his bed where he lay....

~A note shows up at the Grey Rose, Trollsbane, Varshikar and Greenbriar~

I have been kidnapped. My captors say they will kill me if they're demands are not met. Several of them have moved into Greenbriar and taken over the town, kidnapping me in the process. They will "Grant" no clemency for me or our citizens.

Their demands are to....

((In a different Handwriting))

Free the True Governor of Trolls Bane, Stephen Rothman!!!

((Returns to previous writing))

They say the ones holding the prisoner have a week to decide to free him. Then they say they will kill me and burn down the town.

*A Tear dropped here*

I believe they mean what they say.

Please help!

Signed,
~Dusty Bottoms, Mayor of Greenbriar~

P.S. You have witnessed this, and it will happen to everyone unless you let my father free. If you try to kill me or try to rescue Dusty, Dusty will die. If my conditions aren't met then I will send you dusty's head.

Grant Rothman
Leader of the rebellion

I want Stephen free just as much as you, but I think you're going too far.


~Allen~

A note is pinned underneath -



Grant. You seem to want your fathers death? How many people do care for Dusty Bottoms? And do they care as much as you care for your father?

You walk into the wrong direction, Grant. Harm this halfling and you can expect that even worse will happen to your father. And it will be you responsible for his pain. Your fault if he dies. So stop being childish and release the halfling if you don't want your father harmed.

Just a good advice so you aren't surpised if you receive your fathers head, when you send us Dustys.

~ Meriel Pelith

Actually for that Dusty will lose a finger.

Grant Rothman

Nah, I don't want that but your bluffing. If anything happens to my father I will move onto another town and continue to this until I get down to the very last person. Now, hand over my father and I won't have to do anything.

Grant Rothman

on several boards apear notes.

labourosly written in blockletters of a nearly illitarate.
some letters missing, it is not easy to decipher.


the hamlet of greenbriar

i tjalf kormsson say, i take over govermenting the hamlet till Dusty is back, or new elektion is hold.
the other councillers send me a dove if you still live and are free.

i decree:

grant rotman is no more a citizen of the green briar!
i kick him out of his post in our militia!
i declare him banned!
i declare him out-lawed! everybody who meets him may kill him.
i ask every knight, soldier, mercenary and adventurer on the islands to hunt him!

this is valid untill mayor Dusty Bottoms is back in one piece and back in office.

to everybody: who will lend the greenbriar money? to be paid back when the planned auction of buildings will be held.
we need money, to offer prices on the head of the outlaw -Grand Rotman- and his followers.

written by miself tjalf kormsson

nailed to the different boards by halflings and nordajs in shabby leather clothes

Anyone who does as much as lay a finger on him or his father will have to taste my blade first.
I may know nothing of this 'rebellion' but I will support him if that is what I must.
Signed:
Kevin Lightdot

A short letter is pinned under Kevin's writing.

Dear Kevin Lightdot, what has Mayor Dusty done to incur such wrath from Grant? This is an outrage that an once honest man who was part of the militia has now kidnapped and threatened a defenceless and noble halfling.

Although you believe that the ex-Governor Stephen is the person in the right here, you mustn't allow anger to cloud your judgement.

Dusty has helped many of us, and anyone who wished to do away with him so quickly, is an evil person at heart.

I am sorry that I helped you if that is how you feel Kevin.

To Grant. Do not harm Dusty, take me in his place.

A very disheartened woodcutter,
~Harkilo Drogas~

And you dare to speak of honor? The power of Malachin? You do not understand honor, nor Malachin.

Nerian Finera,
Priest and Templar of Malachin,
Knight and Ambassador of the Grey Rose,
Healer and Servant of Oldra

Oh yes, he's done it now, and Kevin, don't speak so highly you were chopped and beaten down once, you will be again

~Rankor Deathronk

I really doubt that there is any bounty on Grant Rothman is needed. A coward who kidnap and threaten a harmless and defenceless halfling, isn't worthy to get a single grain of sand as bounty.

Every man or woman, every knight and mage, with honor will be with Major Dusty Bottoms, and against this coward Grant Rothman, who does nothing more then draging the name of the Rothmans even deeper in the mud as it allready is.

Marius Eisenhauer
Knight of the Grey Rose

Grant.

I need to speak with you urgently on this matter. I will come unarmed without another soul however you may bring whatever weapon you like.

Send me a dove,

Liles

i declare the person -Kevin Lightdot- banned from the hamlet of greenbriar.

this may be taken back, if he publicly declares himself against the criminal outlaw grant rotman, or by a full towncouncil, including mayor dusty bottoms.

tjalf kormsson, acting mayor of the hamlet of greenbriar

I have nothing againt the halfling named Dusty, but if your father was publicly declared an enemy of the town he raised to become great, would you not be angered and confused? I am still confident in Stephen and his will to do good, and so it shall remain.
Grant may be wrong with doing this, but do you not see why? Would you not be confused with all these happenings?
Are you still all blinded by the lies of these wild dogs?

Signed:
Kevin Lightdot

i am not informed nor interested in the politikal infights of trollsbane.
we are neutral!
mayor dusty was and possibly still is neutral.
if that outlaw acted being confused, he shall free our mayor instantly, give himself up instantly to us and defend himself before an orderly grenbriar court.

that would be the only chance, he deserves.untill he does not comply these two demands, he will be hunted by all means and men i can muster.

tjalf kormsson

Do not harm him, we will solve this ourselves.

Signed:
Kevin Lightdot

I do not seek to fight anymore, but killing Grant I will not stand for, let us settle this ourselves, you care not for our lives so why wouldn't you let us?
I have nothing against this man dusty, I do not seek his death.

Signed:
Kevin Lightdot

Silverbrand will refrain from carrying any grudges, or trying to track down and arrest Grant Rothman if Mayor Bottoms is freed and returned to safety by Grant Rothman, out of his free will.

We condemn this dispicable act and wish to point out that Greenbriar has not participated in arresting Stephen Rothman in any way so you picked the weakest and most defenceless person which had nothing to do with all of this to take hostage, Grant.

If your father has lived up to his ideals and morals as you always claimed him to have done he would certainly not want to be freed this way, please consider the offer of Silverbrand and do not spill the blood of innocents.

We assure to the people of Greenbriar our full support and will treat their wishes regarding this matter respectfully.

We will stand at their side by any of their desicions to handle the current situations.

Thurbert,
Chancellor of Silverbrand

Grant~

You obviously read such things. Please hear this plea from the heart...

You know full well I wish to see your father free and whole as much as you do. This is not the way to go about it. All you are doing is raising the island's fear, resentment, and hatred of the name Rothman.

Grant, please, I beg of you, allow things to cool and see if a peaceful solution may be found where no more fear needs be created, where no more pain is made or blood spilled.

~Maggie Kemoc~

Talf, I haven't just taken Dusty, I took Greenbriar. This is a tactic that I will use for some bloodshed and lose of many lives in a war. If you hand over my father Dusty and his little town will not be harmed. As matter of fact, Dusty is being treated well.

Grant Rothman

Grant, we must speak.


Liles

Dusty has been freed.


Liles

Whaaaat???

could you please confirm that?
that would be marvellous!

tjalf

Yes indeed, Dusty has been freed by Liles, he is in town as I write this message.
_______________________
Arameh,
High Knight of Kallahorn

and meh axe protects him, come near and i will hab yer head. be warned


Gabon

Rothman imprisioned will cause lots of problems, Grant is only the tip of the iceberg I think.

He's too dangerous, I say we kill S. Rothman, that way any efforts will be for nothing.

~LOTS~