Nero Grimauldieux

~ La Mort Noire ~

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The Past

In the year 1520, the Merchant Firmien and his wife Maunie welcomed their first and only son into the world. Maunie was particularly pleased with the addition to her family, as she had almost feared she would turn out to be barren. On his nameday, the infant was introduced to the world as Cillien.Though they were Duskwight, they had adopted the Ishgardian faith to retain entry into the city by means of trade.Cillien grew up within a family of ample means and though he did not show the same aptitude for trade as his father, his formidable physique soon opened to him another path.Upon his 15th summer, his growth spur appeared never ending, within two summers he was towering every grown man he came across. Cillien was recruited by the Noble House of Bellerose, first as bodyguard, then as part of their infantry.His height and strength made him the perfect lancer, and the boy was eager to prove himself. He studied the holy scripture, and lived a life devoted to Halone and the honing of his mind and body for holy war. His common birth made his ascent into the ranks of Ishgard's infantry rather difficult. Realising, he would need to prove his mettle, he signed up to battle at the frontlines of the Dragonsong War. Much to the dismay of his parents, he saw battle not long after.For two decades, he fought side by side with Ishgard's infantry, proudly carrying the sigil of House Bellerose on his tabard. His towering height, stoic resolve in the face of danger, and never ending faith in Halone soon earned him many honours and the respect of his fellow men. He earned himself the nickname Nero Grimauldieux La Mort Noire.At the age of 43, he suffered a great head injury during a skirmish in Dravania. He lost his eye, but never his spirit. The latter was broken when the war was officially ended and his lifeblood ripped from under his feet.Some knowledgeable tongues in high places might suggest that he was part of the group known as The Brotherhood of the true Faith. But none have come forth to prove it.There are quite a few rumours that circulate among those in the know about this veteran of the lost war.

Noteable Features

Nero has rather distinguishing features. For one he's taller than the average Elezen, standing at a towering at an impressive 2.3m. He is muscular and yet has retained the slender grace of a dancer. Most would describe him as solid.His hair is black as coal, and his skin a deep shade of anthracite. By Ishgardian standards he's neither pretty nor handsome. But there is an attractive quality in the way he holds himself, like a predator, keenly aware of his surroundings and ready to react at a moment's notice.He has a confident calm about him, and moves around with the ease of someone at the very height of their strength. Though those who know where to look might note that he has learnt to hide the natural ailments of someone who's battled at the frontlines of a brutal war for over two decades.When he still had both eyes, they were a shade of deep gold, now his remaining eye shines lonesome and pretty in his otherwise rugged and war-torn features.He seldom smiles, but when he does it lights up his face and often adds a kind of cruel streak to his expression.Those who spend time with him might note he takes great pride in his hair, and grooms it often to retain its health. His weapon and armour receive equal dedicated attention.

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Rumours

Recent moons have perpetuated a lot of rumours about the dark giant.Common & Recent
He was/is a high profile member of a separatist group that calls themselves Fury's Shield. And he was scheduled to a trial by combat, from which he escaped with help from an unknown party. Some agree that his trial would've ended in his death had he not been rescued. Other's say he would've had a chance. The trial itself was bloody, and ruthless and Nero would've found an honourable death before the Tribunal. Now he is a fugitive of the law and the bounty on his head is set very generously.Nero had been running a small tavern on the southern border of Coerthas. It's a wayside pit stop for travellers and some rumours are going around that there's a large number of Dragonsong War Veterans that gather there on the regular.It was most likely a meeting place for members of Fury's Shield and looks to be abandoned now.Known to people of questionable reputation
After the war was over, Nero was strapped for cash and purpose in life. He used to take any job he could get his hands on and is known to be a formidable melee fighter. He is well known to compete in pit fights, he's seen the Blood Sands in Ul'dah first hand and those who bet on him usually go home with full pockets.Nero has been making most of his coin travelling with high profile caravans as protection.He frequents a whorehouse in Gridania on a regular basis, or used to be fore he was on the run from the law, the place is known for not just practices of the flesh, but a lot of pilgrimage from people seeking alternative medicine of the illegal kind.In recent cycles, the wounds he's sustained in battle are making themselves known with more frequency and violence. Some of his comrades might've seen and recognized the tremor of his left hand and shield arm. And Nero's attempts at hiding his discomfort.Rare
No one knows whether he's still got any family left to speak of. His past is mostly obscure at this point and he likes to keep it that way.

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Hooks

Former Soldier/Knight
If your character has fought at the frontlines of the Dragonsong war, chances are they've had a run in with Nero. He would be easy to remember, for his towering height and grace in battle and the stoic personality and mellow temperament that never falters to bring a kind of peace to those around him. Nero fought under the banner of House Bellerose.Veteran of the wars
Nero spent some time in the infirmary after his injury sustained in the last campaign he was active in. Perhaps your character got to know him when he was in recovery.Brotherhood of the True Faith (rare)
Has your character been part of the rebel organisation of the Brotherhood of the True Faith? Have they and Nero exchanged words and ideas? Have they kept in touch? If so, Nero might be reaching out to bring your character on board his latest passion project.Mercenary
After the war, Nero has lent his skill and lance to whomever could pay his price. Perhaps your character has seen the veteran of the Dragonsong war trudging along with a merchant caravan, or following behind some rich person of importance. Perhaps they spent some time on the road with him, protecting the precious cargo of whatever merchant or organisation had hired him.Bounty Hunter
The bounty on Nero's head is very profitable and set by Ishgard. So any bounty hunter would know that this is a juicy price. The only downside to it would be to find Nero and take him on, which is definitely not a task one would want to undertake alone.

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Fury's Shield (Plot Closed)

About a year ago, a group by the name of Fury's Shield experienced some rapid growth out of Ishgard.They attempted what The Brotherhood of the True Faith could not accomplish; A return to the old ways, a new war in Her Holy Name and this time they were determined to come out victorious.Those travelling around the North, particularly around the poorer townsteads in the Coerthan Highlands, encountered the re-curring sight of grim looking warriors and men and women all adorned with robes that were reminiscent of garbs of pilgrimage. They travelled on the northern roads and gathered in town squares to preach and hand out flyers. These pilgrims all wore similar attire, long rough coats over battered armour and old weapons. They did not carry any heraldry that would've indicate their allegiance. But all of them had the sigil of the Fury, painted in ruby red somewhere. Some of them had it stitched into their tattered coat, other's just painted unto their buckler shields.Most of them carried some battle scar, some missed limbs and others were clearly so crippled they could barely walk. But all of them had a kind of lively spark in their eyes, when they speak of warfare and the injustice that's being done to them with the new peace.Whispers of the Past - Plot related hooksThose who frequent the hunt boards around the City States, Gridania, Ul'dah, Limsa and Ishgard might come in contact with some figures handing out un-official hunt bills that haven't been sanctioned by the Free Companies. Those bills looked strangely familiar to the advertising flyers sent out by Fury's Shield. Despite the suggestion that they should be destroyed upon reading, those bills would make the rounds underhand. The bounty was plentiful and the job sounded promising.It was a call to hunt Dragonkin in the vastness of Coerthas and Dravania. Given the sensationalism around such an undertaking, those who frequent the shadier taverns and questionable company, might hear about this planned expedition.Skesi’s revenge“[N]ell eil, [Ne]ll tosk ool si[n]. A[n] e[h]k mor[n]. A[n] a[n]g se[h]th.”, the little green Dragon seethed as he rested upon his pile of precious treasure. He was muttering to himself, repeating his death wish to the Elezen race over and over. His tail slithered across the broken armour pieces and shields he called his hoard. For many suns he had practised his speech now, it spoke of wicked Elezen and how he would bring them the pain they deserved for so recklessly killing his kin. Skesi, the young green Dragon had mourned his brethren’s death for as long as he could cower next to their burnt out corpse. And he had flown to Anyx Trine for guidance only to hear nothing was going to be done about it.His flight had taken him further afield after he had made his anger known to his older brethren. Now, he remembered his elder brother. Eil[n] ki[n], he called him, a betrayer to his kin. Green flame flickered from his throat as he hissed out his curse name for Athear. He who lied with the wicked Elezen, he who had turned his back on his brothers. Skesi growled and grumbled, he had to get up off his treasure to pace and let out some of his anger, his scales were all poofed out, the urge to bite and claw was overwhelming. He had hatched too late to be part of Nidhogg’s army, despite his hatching happening two centuries ago, he was a mere juvenile by Dravanian standards. Lanky and slender and not fully grown at all.He stopped his pacing when he heard the sound of wings, and his scales smoothed out as his head perked up. They had come, his brood brothers, hatched from the same clutch as he. Furious that their elders had deserted them as Elezen soldiers murdered their kin.“Sja[h]s ki[n]. [S]ma[h] a[h]l.”, the first one to land greeted Skesi, assuring him they'd have justice, his name was Heimir and he was a Black Dragon, even smaller than Skesi, two more landed, Urd and Vragi. And Skesi, proud of his little Dravanian warband, rose to his full height before them. As he spoke, it became clear the younglings hungered for the sport of hunting Elezen, they did not understand the repercussions or how they had been goaded to just what they’d planned.Three suns later, rumours travelled around Coerthas, a bloodbath among a merchant train, Dravanians, people whispered behind hushed hands. Five Elezen mercenaries had lost their lives in the freak attack. Those who’d frequent the shadier taverns, those who’d listen to the murmurs of Fury’s Shield would soon find out that the hunt was on.After the secret Dragonkin hunt bills it was now time to hunt these wayward peace disturbing Dravanians and bring them to justice.The Quartet of young Dragons made their way across Dravania, shadows in the night, silhouettes against the stars, silent on their wings. There was fire in their eyes and the kind of bravery that was fuelled by the ignorance of youth. Their kin had ignited it, Athear had half a century on his brood mates and they believed his words. The defence of their home and kin was placed on their heads, and they rallied to the task, forgetting perhaps that their elder kin had placed it upon their head to clean up their own mess.It only took them a couple of bells to cross the vast expanse of Dravania, they circled the mountain pass. And then their work began, picking up boulders and rocks as big as they could carry, dislodging frozen trees and dragging them across to halt the advance of the warband that was currently on its way to wreak havoc upon their kin. The four worked tirelessly, and by the time the blood red sun rose upon the horizon they had built a good barrier.Pleased with their work they stood before it to admire it. It was the thrill sound of Urd signalling them it was time to move on when the lookout saw the glittering train of the armoured warband crawl up the mountain side. Two dozen strong, grim looking war chocobo pulled their dragon killers up the pass, claws digging in as they trudged on. The men and the few women of that warband had determined faces where their helmets did not cover them. Battle hardened, perhaps traumtized by decades at the frontlines, these people knew no different. Among them, a singular Dragoon, his lance stuck out above their heads like a beacon of bad news.The young Dragons huddled out of sight, Skesi watched and counted the warband, only two dozen, he had never seen a Dragoon, he had only heard the elder Dragons speak of these warriors with a sort of cautious respect. Skesi yearned to be able to boast about his bravery. That singular Dragoon didn’t look all that scary to him, as he was yet a small dot far below them on the mountain slope.It seemed the younglings were thinking the same, two dozen didn’t look so bad, and they were coming uphill. They needed no words to decide on their action, as one they rose to the skies.House Bellerose
Those listening in to the murmurs of the North, might hear of rumours that House Bellerose claimed quite a large portion of their Chocobo has been stolen from their stables. The numbers are unclear for some reason, but estimates are around four dozen.House Bellerose built their fortune on the Dragonsong war. They’re expert Chocobo Breeders, who supply some of the best War Chocobo in the region. Their birds are hardy, strong, as such they cannot fly, but they will carry a fully armoured knight for many suns without tiring. These steadfast birds are reliable in battle, they don’t spook easy and have been rigorously trained to protect their rider. Naturally, these huge birds come with a hefty price tag, but anyone purchasing from House Bellerose can be assured that the lineage of their bird is sound. An iron ring clamped around each bird’s foot has engraved in it a unique number that indicates the bird’s age, it’s breeding stable, their rooster and hen and trainer.
On top of that, House Bellerose supplied many of their own people to the Inquisition and funded quite a few witch hunts.It might be suspicious to some, that such a large amount of birds could’ve been stolen right from the well guarded stables of House Bellerose. Access to these birds is strictly reserved to trainers, stable hands and members of House Bellerose. And their breeding hens are even more guarded.
Could this be a clunky attempt at making tax free money on the side? Or is something more severe a foot?Whatever the case, the birds have vanished entirely from the legal market. Some, who have connections to the black market though might find rumours of underhand sales of prime Chocobo that look strikingly similar to Bellerose War Chocobo, only without the iron tags.More Rumours from the NorthRumours travel around Coerthas and Dravania. It is not safe on the roads is the general gist of it all, merchants who brave the roads into the North are hiring more protection than usual, and those who keep an eye on the job boards might note an increased demand for mercenaries to accompany merchant caravans on Coerthan roads.Everyone seems to agree that the North has a problem with renegade Dragons that can’t hold to the treaty of peace. There is increased pressure on the Ishgardian Government to do something about it, and as rumours have it, the Dragons that attacked the merchant caravan a few weeks past have now been blown up to adult sized monsters that instigated a fight with poor innocent traders. The truth eludes most people and the rumour mill is working overtime to produce all manner of reasons and things that will come of it.Those who frequent the roads up North claim that the Dragons have yet again plotted an attack, when they built a fortification on the mountain pass into Dravania. No one can quite make sense of it, but some of the very informed traders are convinced there was a skirmish. If anyone was to ask around it wouldn’t be hard to uncover that the clash of Dravanians with a peacekeeping Ishgardian warband had taken place on that mountain pass. Freelance Knights had taken it upon themselves to put the peace breaking Dragons in their place, so they’d claim to anyone who’d listen.The latest in the string of rumours that spread like vapour, was that an innocent gathering of honourable Knights had been unreasonably attacked by a very large full grown black Dragon of unknown affiliation. At least three were killed, eaten whole by the large Dragon, and many more claimed to have been injured, valiantly fighting off the large beast. It would be hard to find the source of this rumour, but its appearance seemed as coordinated as the previous rumour.The placement of these rumours and the way they evenly spread would indicate that someone was behind planting them strategically to control the narrative.The Dravanian Revenge
These rumours - lies - would make their way to the Dragons. Perhaps from gossip loving moogles that eaves dropped far too much for their own good, or news carried from their own kin who frequented the Firmament and now returned to their homeland carrying such news and sightings of more mercenaries and 'freelance knights' winding their way through Coerthas.Those who were friends and allies of the Dragons would know the truth, for the black Dragon mentioned in one of the rumours had returned to Dravania, carrying a smaller wounded green Dragon. The sequence of events, spoken plain and factually between many death glares at the younger green Dragon, made it clear that the black Dragon's intervention at the gathering had been to rescue the green Dragon, who had been capture, maimed, and marked for torture and death. And no, he did not swallow anyone whole. Or kill anyone at all for that matter.This truth, however, would mean little in the larger constructed narrative, and the Dragons knew this. The Ishgard representative had long stopped visiting Anyx Trine in person, sending letters filled with nothing but fancily worded bull shit that amounted to 'you can not prove our people were involved in the death of a Dragon, so we will do nothing. Sucks to be you.'So the Dragons turned inwards, making it plain anyone who were not their friend and ally were not welcome in Dravania. Wings of Dragons, larger full grown ones, patrolled the skies, letting their dark shadows chase those who traveled upon the ground. The blockade built in the mountain pass would be reinforced and guarded by yet more Dragons on the Dravania side.Allies Gathering - A Plead to the House of Lords
A strange party makes their way to Ishgard. The Viscount Diedioux de Beremont, his vassal Lauriel and Athear, the Dragon venture to the Coerthan capital to make their case before the Lord Commander. They are accompanied by a train of soldiers befitting to Beremont’s station, gliding above the clouds in a private airship, both for convenience and to showcase House Beremont’s strength and riches.After many moons of renewed bloodshed between Dravanian’s and the extremist group known as Fury’s Shield, the trio carry their demands for peace to the highest authority. While Lauriel and Athear are made to wait in the Ishgardian outskirts, the Viscount Beremont negotiates the Dravanian demands with the Lord Commander. It takes over three suns of deliberating the demands outlined in the following letter carried by Beremont.Revered Lord Commander de Borel,I, Viscount Diedioux de Beremont, my vassal Lord Lauriel Heroux de Beremont and the Dravanian Ambassador Athear, who was sired by Nidhogg of the First Brood, write to bring to your attention the growing tensions between the Dravanians and a group of separatists who call themselves Fury’s Shield.Over the last few moons, Fury’s Shield has grown in prominence and strength across Coerthas and the Northern Shroud. While they predominantly targeted veterans of the war at first, they have now found a foothold with the wider populace of the remote regions of Coerthas. Their popularity has grown, and so has their courage. I have been informed that reports of slain and burnt dragons have been ignored by the Anyx Trine representative of Ishgard, and that there have been skirmishes both from our side and the Dravanian sides.I can confidently say that if this situation will not be dealt with by Ishgard, then it will most definitely end in a civil war and much bloodshed on both sides. The wounds of the Dragonsong war run deep and the lust for blood runs deeper still.Through Athear, the Dravanians have made their demands. They demand that Fury’s Shield be outlawed as an organisation de facto making everyone who associates with them an outlaw by association and thus free to be dealt with by keepers of the peace and Dravanian’s alike. Secondly, they demand the return of the bodies of the young Dragons slain in recent weeks. There is one surviving Dragon of this skirmish, who can testify and identify the bodies as my vassal has informed me. Additionally, Anyx Trine officially demands a new representative to ensure diplomatic relations between Dravanian’s and Ishgard can continue without bias and prejudice.We formally request this motion to be debated in the House of Lords & the House of Commons, so that a decision may be passed swiftly.

On the third day of deliberation, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are called in to debate on the matter. And begrudgingly, Lauriel has to give his address to the gathered Lords, making a case for the Dravanian demands. Whatever his personal feelings on the matter, those reporting on the happenings in the House will note that his address was brought forth stoically and without faltering in his resolve. Though the Speaker has to call for order many times during his address, Lauriel perseveres against shouting, booing and general commotion from some of the more traditionalist Houses.To the reasonable Lords, these demands might seem entirely justified, but some of the more conservative Lords see the motion as unfounded toward those who might express more traditional views. The Fury’s Shield haven’t harmed any of their own kin, why should it matter? And the debate that follows is so heated that the House has to be called into recess.In the end, the motion is put to a vote, some Houses like House Deschamps and House Bellerose abstain from their vote out of protest, but the majority votes to pass the ban and outlaw of Fury’s Shield.In light of the high running emotions the additional demands of the Dravanians get postponed for later debates.A meal fit for a Viscount
An entourage bearing the banners of House Beremont had been seen entering Ishgard whilst the deliberations were still ongoing in the House of Lords and House of Commons, escorting the Viscountess Isabeau de Beremont and her daughter Juliette. They joined the Viscount Diedioux de Beremont in his residence within Isghard, to lend their support during these troubled times, presenting the image of a unified family.On the third day, with the ruling that the Fury’s Shield was to be outlawed, it seemed progress was finally being made, and in the direction that House Beremont supported. It was a cause to celebrate, and as such, Isabeau asked for reservations to be made at Le Chat Noir. Despite its whimsical name, it is a well known fine dining restaurant owned by House Montauban. It would just be a table of two for the Viscount and Viscountess, and given how rare it was to be away from the Black Keep and out in higher society, Isabeau dressed up for the occasion, and there was something of a giddy excitement to her, joy that spilled out despite the unrest Ishgard and Coerthas found themselves in.The dinner at Le Chat Noir was everything it promised to be, from its lovely elegant interiors to its skillfully prepared dishes. It was a set menu crafted to showcase the produce that was in season (much of it imported though it may be), and both Diedioux and Isabeau shared the same dishes. What a lovely couple they made, the lively Viscountess and the more mature and restrained Viscount. Afterwards, the seal of a bottle of twenty cycles old whiskey was broken, poured for both of them. Isabeau had to regretfully declined, citing that there was a possibility she could be with child, and such a strong spirit might have adverse effects. The Viscount had looked pleased by the news, and promised to drink his wife’s share as well to celebrate the auspicious occasion.The alcohol was drunk, and shortly after, Diedioux found himself losing control of his body, unable to manage even the simple task of lifting his glass. And all too soon, he collapsed whilst still at their table at Le Chat Noir. Isabeau had been distraught, rushing to her husband’s aid until she had been pulled back when the healers arrived. The Viscount Diedioux de Beremont had slipped into a coma, and soon after, his heart ceased and he was pronounced dead at the scene.Investigation into Beremont’s deathOver the last few suns, there is much chatter about the death of one prominent Ishgardian figure. The Viscount Diedioux de Beremont has expired on a romantic outing with his wife the Viscountess Isabeau de Beremont. The Beremont clan was enraged to say the least when this news broke out. The Viscount’s younger Brother Salvadoux has given out a handsome bounty to those that can locate and bring the assassins to him for justice.There is no doubt in anyone’s heart that this was a murder, an assassination and the swift investigation to the late Viscount’s demise proved that he was indeed poisoned. It’s unclear what motivated the attack, and how the Viscountess was unscathed, as far as anyone can tell they partook in the same meal. Cooked by the same cooks in the same pots. So far no suspect has crystalised from the many enemies that the Viscount has made throughout his life.Proceedings of his estate were unusually swift and his legacy will be passed down to his adopted daughter the new Viscountess Juliette de Beremont, as was laid out in his will. The Dowager Viscountess Isabeau will take on responsibilities as regent(( until Juliette comes of age. Everyone can agree that the assassination of the Viscount comes at a fragile and dangerous time, Beremont was among those voices that called for peace between Dravania and Ishgard.Now House Beaumarchais and House Fontenelle who have previously pledged their support have renewed their pledge to both protect and uphold the peace as well as hunt down those who seek to destroy it once more.** Those versed in the politics of the North and knowledgeable of the Houses therein might know that these two are powerful allies and their renewed pledge is a strong indicator of just how good a diplomat and negotiator the late Viscount has been.His burial is set for a week after Starlight and will be held at the Chapel in the Black Keep, from whence his remains will be carried to the Beremont crypt, to be entombed with the rest of his family.A Vigil for the honorable dead and a deed to incite a warWhile the chatter about the untimely demise of Viscount de Beremont hadn’t died down yet, a new sensational event took place in Ishgard. Only a week before Starlight, residents and visitors of Ishgard found themselves witness to a procession of a large number of cloaked figures. The procession appeared out of nowhere, some might say later on. It was as if the general crowds of Ishgard suddenly became part of and fed the numbers of this slow march. The cloaked ones carried weapons and each lit a candle to hold before them, the sight was both eerie and emotional for those that looked on as rows upon rows of figures walked slowly past them.As the crowds ascended to the Cathedral grounds, they started chanting, singing hymns of old. The eeriness took on a more beautiful tone as the bells of the Cathedral started tolling for six bells just as the first of the crowd reached the altar. Here they set down their candles, and laid down their arms symbolically. Each candle engraved with the names of those lost to the war.The crowd stayed a while, the Temple Guard and the Priests were at a loss of what to do with the large number of people and so they let them walk away undisturbed. When the crowd dispersed eventually, all that remained was a sea of candles flickering above a mountain of old and broken weapons, and a spear, laid before the statue of the Fury. A very large hooded figure had left it there, tied to it was a banner with the sigil of Fury’s Shield. And a letter:We, Fury’s Shield, protest the decision to outlaw our organisation. Today, we held a Vigil for the fallen, to commemorate their sacrifice and to object to their memory being besmeared with shame. We will never forget, we will never forgive. We are Fury’s Shield and in Her name, we protect our people, till death.The procession had lasted a bell, and the figures disappeared into the streets of Ishgard and out of sight. The reception of this event was mixed, some people found comfort in the tradition, in the solemn feel of the Vigil, others worried that this was the beginning of yet another bloody war. All could agree that the sheer numbers of hooded figures was worrying, though no one had counted there had to be at least a thousand.Meanwhile, under the guise and shroud of night at each mountain pass into Dravania, a desecrated corpse of a dragon is laid. These were the young dragons that had met their swift demise at the hands of a Dragoon. Each of their corpses bore terrible marks, parts of their bodies mangled and some scales and bones missing. No one had been gentle with them, not when killing them, nor after.Time does not heal all wounds
As time passed, the governing bodies of Ishgard perhaps hoped that the impressive Vigil of Fury’s Shield might be forgotten by the people. The Starlight celebration should’ve provided ample distraction. But unfortunately, there appeared to still be quite a bit of slumbering resentment toward the restoration efforts. And the Vigil had called back to memory all those who had died for nothing in the war, the countless lives that had been wasted needlessly. Some wounds never healed, and some were still festering. Perhaps it was exactly the fact that it was Starlight that had people talk about the Vigil for suns on end. Too many families were celebrating Starlight without their loved ones, too many veterans would struggle to feed themselves without their limbs, their wits and no coin. There was a growing sympathy for the newly outlawed organisation, and voices were murmuring that they should be reinstated, as an opposition to the Government, so that the reformation could take place with more dignity and less shaming of those that died honorably for the Holy See.Though some might’ve argued that the placing of the dead dragons would have a detrimental impact on the cause of Fury’s Shield, very few people paid attention to this rumour. And those who did, did not seem to care as much as one might’ve hoped. Public opinion didn’t sway much from the favour for Fury’s Shield, even if the Government put out a statement shortly after the news became verified. Those responsible would be caught and made a swift example of. But nothing more transpired afterwards, as if this incident was just a side note in the general stream of things happening every day.While the North was ruminating, some people with ears and eyes in many places might get wind of a more morbid rumour. In the dead of night, in the icy plains of Coerthas, the sky was burning with the light of many pyres. Fury’s Shield, it seemed, had been closing ranks; those who decided to be on the right side of the law, found themselves on the wrong side of Fury’s Shield. Now more than ever, they appeared to feel the need to only admit and keep those who’d be loyal to the end.It was on the back of this that the Houses who’d previously watched from the sidelines, moved into action.The Aftermath
News from the North travelled slowly, but eventually rumours would circulate around the Shroud and spread further south from there. The group known as Fury’s Shield had made a stand at the Black Keep.Sources state that on the day of the Funeral of the late Viscount Diedioux de Beremont, at Heaven's Turn, Fury's Shield staged a coup to take control of the Black Keep. Their attempt was squandered by a counter attack that involved four Dragons and Soldiers from Beremont's Ishgardian loyal allies the Houses Beaumarchais and Fontenelle. There were mixed accounts of what actually went down, some described the fighting as fantastical with giant Dragons swooping low and breathing fire. Others were more moderate and described instead the state of destruction in the town of Berheim after. The general storyline however was that it appeared the Dowager Viscountess had something to do with this infighting. She and some prominent members of Fury's Shield have fled. The Viscountess left behind her infant daughter, Juliette, who has been instated as new head of House Beremont under the guidance of a steward. The Stewardship has been taken up by Salvadoux de Beremont, the brother of the late Viscount. This news has caused quite a few raised eyebrows, as many believe that Salvadoux was actively involved in opening doors for Fury's Shield.The future of House Beremont now hangs in the balance, the House has been weakened greatly by the loss of their leader. And despite the loss at Heaven's Turn, Fury's Shield have done irreparable damage to House Beremont's reputation and influence no doubt.On the backend of this fight, many that were arrested that day now await their trial in the Vault. Most of the accused have chosen trial by combat and the first to be trialled was no other than Nero Grimaldieux. Evidence against him suggested that he was one of the ring leaders of Fury's Shield and his trial was anticipated to be popular.During interrogations, it became clear that Fury's Shield had been born and led by three Houses, Deschamps, Bellerose and Montauban. The latter have managed to wriggle out of Ishgard's grasp and instead have continued to sabotage court proceedings.On the day set for trial for Nero Grimaldieux an explosion rocked the Vault just as it seemed that Nero was loosing. In the commotion that followed Nero and other members of Fury's Shield were rescued from the Vault and vanished. Now these people are seen as not only traitors but cowards too and Ishgard has set a hefty price on the head of each individual. Bounty hunters from all creeds would be buzzing, for these heads were set to provide for a bountiful payday.