Assir IronBreast ascended to the council a little over ten years ago, largely through the behind-the-scenes political lobbying and blackmail of the small church of Kuan Yin (Chinese Goddess of Mercy). The church of Kuan Yin is small due to its proclivity for cultivating paladins, not clerics. The goals and workings of the church are largely unknown to the public due to a political silencing machine set in place by former High Lord King Zediconicus VileRune. The church of Kuan Yin is a strong advocate of Orcish culture, but not of the Dynasty's bloody wars, secret or otherwise, waged for private political agendas. The church's paladins take it as their mission to uncover such acts of mass violence and reveal their non-cultural, political motivations to the common Orc. The church is not opposed to advancing Orcish political influence, but to the means and motives of such advancement traditionally endorsed by the Dynasty's political leaders.
Approximately 15 years ago, the political dominance of the VileRune Clan began to lose ground to the DeathMoon Clan, who began a grass-roots campaign of ethnocentrism. It took about five years for this ethnocentric movement to gain political support. At this juncture, a position on the High Council became available - a VileRune met an untimely death, unprovably the work of the DeathMoons. The appointment decision was between a DeathMoon candidate and Assir IronBreast, a VileRune. The VileRunes no longer had a majority on the council, and IronBreast's nomination required outside influence on the DeathMoon Council members. The Church of Kuan Yin held the trump card. Zediconicus was not the only guilty figure in politics - the DeathMoons had committed their share of politically-motivated atrocities to bolster their ethnocentric movement, and these had been well documented by the church. One of these atrocities was particularly damaging: the assassination of an influential, yet uncooperative, DeathMoon Shaman. The church knew that if the DeathMoons gained the political balance of power on the Council, individual politics would spur violence in a dramatic fashion. Therefore, the church blackmailed the High Council members with their information and secured the nomination of IronBreast. The young paladin that had collected that information, and the one who spearheaded IronBreast's nomination, was Zediconicus' son, Scariconicus.
Appreciating the nomination support, but feeling that an alliance between IronBreast and the church of Kuan Yin could not be tolerated, Zediconicus immediately engineered his son's capture by a powerful Two-Headed Troll (Monk/Magic-User). This was subsequently discovered and documented by the church, who threatened Zediconicus with a smear campaign. Zediconicus could have simply asked for his son's return, but instead used his son's 'capture' as a motivating reason to hire a group of adventurers to eliminate the troll and return his son. The Troll was fast becomming a threat in the Desert of the Arumvorax Lords, and thus Zediconicus killed two political agendas with one stone.
Once returned, fearing for his safety, Scariconicus went 'underground' and began living nomadically among the rural Clans, especially the BloodHeads (enemies of the DeathMoons) and the Vein Stripper's (allies of the VileRunes). For the last ten years, Scariconicus has been aiding the Clans and preaching the Kuan Yin belief that Dynasty leaders have confounded 'traditional cultural ways and values' with 'individual-minded politics of Dynasty leaders.' The idea is that Glenzor and the Dynasty of Tribes can, indeed must, enrich and strengthen its traditional cultural values without ascribing to individual political agendas, which are increasingly violent, and have increasingly deviated from the needs of the Dynasty as a united Clan structure.
While the clan shamans honor and respect Scariconicus, it was difficult for them to accept his message; sheltered from the secrets of the castle, it was difficult to believe that the Dynasty leaders were waging wars, especially the second Great War, for individual political gains. The Dynasty's propaganda machine regarding the Elves and their motives remained a deterrent to suspicion ... until last year.
Tens of thousands of years ago, the Orcs were religiously guided by one major totemic force, called Gruumsh, also known as He-Who-Watches or He-Who-Never-Sleeps. The totem was recognized by the symbol of a single unwinking eye. As the Orcs became a more civilized race, the totem lost its predominance in Orcish religious culture, which began to embrace the New Gods (i.e., the Chinese Gods). Approximately 500 years ago, the Orcish shamans officially declared 'the closing of the eye,' or the disappearance of Gruumsh. Last year, however, shamans began to receive overwhelming visions from what they now believe to be Gruumsh. Importantly, many of these visions began suddenly, upon physical contact with Scariconicus; the visions appear to support his preaching's, and urge unity among the Clans.
Gruumsh's religious ceremonies used to be heavily based around the sacrifice of demi-humanoid blood, particularly that of Goblins and Elves. Importantly, this sacrifice has been replaced with the blood of wild animals, typically carnivorous predators. This shift away from Elven blood has been taken as a strong argument against the war, which shamans are now beginning to believe simply detracts from re-building the Dynasty from within. As an aside, Danny believes that the recent decline of No Cha's power in Glenzor correlates with the divine ascension of Zediconicus and the re-emergence of Gruumsh. Remember that Zediconicus used to be the high priest of No Cha - Danny's sarcastically remarks that becomming a God has not affected Zediconicus' scheming nature.
Needless to say, Scariconicus has become a powerful 'underground' figure among the clans. While many shamans disagree with many aspects of Scariconicus's philosohpy, most agree that he is destined for power in the new Dynasty structure.
In coordination with information from his informants in Glenzor city, Scariconicus has urged the shamans to be selective in disseminating this information. When influential religious leaders in almost every clan were prepared, the counter-propaganda campaign began. The common Orc has experienced similar difficulties in believing the shamans, but headway is being made.
When Zediconicus Divine Acended, there was a moderate contingent of individuals in the High Court who strongly, but silently, felt that Scariconicus should replace his father as King. These supporters continue to inlcude various court administrators and members of the High Guard. Unfortunately, Zediconicus gave his blessings to Chullin, then commander of the Dynasty's army. This was enough to get Chullin re-elected, but Scariconicus, and his supporters, have not remained innactive.
Scariconicus has covertly instructed his supporters internal to the Dynasty to aid IronBreast in keeping portions of his investigation secret from both King Chullin and the rest of the High Council. For instance, in concert with High Lord SkinEater, IronBreast has arranged for Ismopwd Cwzbau, the doppleganger, to testify against FireLeech; the doppleganger had previously refused to help or testify, despite physical torture, and exactly how IronBreast gained his compliance is unknown to Danny. Danny does know that the doppleganger has been offered its freedom as part of the settlement. IronBreast is going to arrange for the doppleganger to be at the hearing. In addition, IronBreast, along with several High Guardsmen loyal to Scariconicus, seceretly plans to deliver FireLeech a summons of investigation moments prior to the hearing, and to escort FireLeech directly to the hearing. Other than IronBreast, the Company, and a few select others, no one will expect the presence of either the doppleganger or FireLeech at the hearing. This should make PainDealer very nervious.
The doppleganger has offered to testify against FireLeech, although Danny will believe this when he hears it.
Hearing Attendees:
1. Everyone except myself will have signed a declination to re-enlist, and these papers will be given to IronBreast prior to the hearing. These papers will be kept secret, and will become relevant later in the plan.
2. Show up to hearing prepared for battle with at least PainDealer, FireLeech, High Guardsmen and the highly mysterious extra-planar creatures that did battle with SkinEater's Sladdi. Callous should come prepared to deal with FireLeech in particular. IronBreast will have secretly arranged for the room to be proofed from teleportation and scrying without.
3. PainDealer will very likely insist, openly or in private, on an explanation from IronBreast for the presence of FireLeech, the doppleganger and RedMoon. If so, IronBreast will delay, asking him to be patient. Patience is something the berserker has learned, but things may get ugly at this point.
4. Danny will announce the Company's presence, honoring his Oath of Responsibility.
5. Danny will then concretize his initial intimation that the Company was framed. According to traditional ritual, Danny will challenge FireLeech's honor by accusing him of engineering the assassination of the Company. Danny will demand an immediate hearing of his accusation by the two present Council Members. PainDealer will, no doubt, find some legitimate reason to refuse Danny's demand, but IronBreast, as the chair of the High Council, will overrule PainDealer and agree. Things may get ugly at this point.
6. Danny will present the evidence, in detail, ending with the doppleganger's willingness to testify against FireLeech, and RedMoon's willingness to act as a neutral witness under the watchful eyes of Shang Ti, Supreme God of the Heavans. If PainDealer and FireLeech have learned their politics, they will call our assumed bluff and see if the doppleganger is willing to participate. Keep your eyes open, however, for subtle preparations.
7. Before the the doppleganger actually testifies, IronBreast will outline the evidence acquired in the larger picture of treason. PainDealer will not be specifically named, but reference to potential armchair villains will be made. PainDealer, as a member of the High Coucil, already knows this information.
8. Still before the doppleganger actually testifies, IronBreast will inform FireLeech that if he is, in fact, found guilty, he will be executed (traditionally, by wood axe), and rest-eternaled. IronBreast will then inform FireLeech that this sentence will be modified to continental exile if he can reliably identify his superiors. Things may get ugly at this point.
9. The doppleganger will hopefully testify. At this point, FireLeech is certain to act. If FireLeech does testify against PainDealer, PainDealer is almost certain to act. If FireLeech does testify, I must honor the proposed ruling of continental exile, meaning that as an official part of the Dynasty, I am not allowed to bring him harm until he is exiled, and only then if he returns to the Continent of Glenzor. FireLeech will not know about the papers the rest of the Company has signed declining to re-enlist, and will assume that the entire Company is under the same obligation (he may also, however, assume that the Company doesn't care about such obligations). In any event, the bottom line is that the Company is not under any restrictions regarding bringing harm to FireLeech. Note, this is not the same as the Company having a license to harm FireLeech, but if the Company should have to kill him, there will be no official repercussions. We must think to the future, right?
You might have been asking, "what does IronBreast get out of all of this?" Danny does not think that IronBreast plans a coup, or an official one at least. That is, IronBreast will probably lobby hard (secretly, of course), working with Scariconicus and his shamanic support, for the peaceful removal of Chullin (IronBreast is, of course, the most likely successor). This would most likely entail allowing Chullin to remain king until the Elves retreat or surrender, and then 'allowing' Chullin to voluntarily step back down into his old position as Chief of the army. Chullin could do this under the auspices of leading the Dynasty in times of war, but recognizing that other skills are necessary to rebuild the Dynasty. Chullin would retain honor and face among his Clansmen. There is no doubt that Chullin is a good Orc and King, albeit one with a poor platform and poor advisors (remember that the DeathMoons hold nominal control of the High Council).
If Chullin steps down and IronBreast ascends to the throne, two positions will open on the High Council. IronBreast will want to fill one position with SkinEater, his Clan compatriot; this seems unavoidable as the other council members simply owe SkinEater too much. While IronBreast won't be happy, he will be obligated to fill the second position with Scariconicus.