ReveredOwl 5410 Popular Post Share Posted September 23, 2021 THE ASSASSINATION OF CARDINAL BASIL Dark and gray clouds formed over San Luciano, bolts of lightning struck the ground around the city and the winds howled. Basil crossed over the bridge towards the city, grimacing and uttering a prayer for the bodies those the savoyards decided to decorate their bridge with, before reaching the gate. He stood outside for a while, shouting and calling for somebody to let him in, soldiers passed numerous times and seemed to ignore him until a figure he recognised reared its head from the gatehouse, Haskir. Dumbfounded as to how the azdrazi was able to get access to the gatehouse despite his requests and warnings to the Serene Prince on the matter, he however would be forced to request entry from the azdrazi who reluctantly opened the gates. After traveling through he passed several terrified souls who seemed to be running for their lives, it made sense to him when he entered the courtyard. A pyre was in the square and atop it sat a halfling and two clergymen begging the savoyards to allow the halfling to live, alas they were ignored. Ironic, he thought, as they seemed to be part-taking in the same practise that they had previously banished Bishop Paul for. Spotting Haskir, the azdrazi that Basil had continuously warned the officials of San Luciano about, but was ignored, he called for the soldiers to put him on the fire instead. The soldiers seemed willing to listen to such requests but when Haskir simply walked away they did not respond and allowed him to do so freely. Sadly he did not have much time to reflect upon this fact as the savoyard soldiers instead turned back to the pyre and shouted at Basil to remove the priests from the pyre who were begging and pleading for the halflings' life. So he spoke with the two and tried to mediate but it was for naught, a soldier amongst the gathering knocked Father Otto unconscious and pulled him from the wood and dropped onto the cold cobble floor. Perhaps he should have ordered a withdrawal from San Luciano when Bishop Paul was banished after all, however what happened after confirmed his belief. Turning to face the soldier who had knocked the defenceless clergyman unconscious he saw a steel boot shot towards him which knocked him onto the ground and then fists began to fly for his head, seemingly in an attempt to knock him unconscious too. Nobody stepped in to defend the two clergymen from this soldier's aggression, not surprised though as he had already decided to withdraw. Whilst pulling Father Otto away into the Basilica to ensure he was unharmed and no lasting damage was done, he was faced with jeers and insults but he ignored them and pressed on. Entering into the Basilica and then joined by Bishop Jordan and a few spectators, one of whom was the innocent elves Father Otto had saved from the savoyard’s wrath and fire. “We must vacate this god-forsaken place, it is clearly a place of sin, sacrilege and wrath attempting to disguise itself as a God-fearing nation. Bishop Jordan could you send his Holiness a letter informing him of my decision to withdraw fr-.” His voice was cut off before he could finish his sentence, an assassin had made it into the Basilica’s ramparts, most likely from its wall access he was granted, and thrown a javelin towards the unsuspecting cardinals back. Unfortunately for the cardinal, the javelin had magical properties and exploded upon impact which blew apart the back of his ribcage and flesh and sent those nearby flying. Father Otto was also fatally injured by the assassin’s explosive javelin. Despite the loud audible explosion and the subsequent one when the azdrazi assassin had thrown a bottle of fire down onto Basil’s already lifeless corpse, not a soul seemed to have heard it despite the growing masses readying for court. After smoke began to rise from the basilica, soldiers began to trickle in yet none seemed interested in pursuing the assassin or securing the city and life in the city resumed as normal. Yet again Cardinal Basil had issued a warning and was ignored by the powers that be, and yet again he was proven to be true. His request for crusade against the dastardly creatures had been ignored by the Pontiff and church. His stern warning to the imperials and church that Simon Pruvia was in fact an azdrazi had gone ignored and he was able to fester for years until he was exposed by the paladins. His affirmation that the azdrazi had destroyed the Providence Basilica had been ignored and then proven true. He warned San Luciano officials that the azdrazi would try to burn down the Basilica; this was proven true when they threw a bottle of fire into the building. His requests to the savoyard prince to expel the azdrazi had been ignored and Basil would die because of it, perhaps if people had listened to the cardinal then the world would be a safe place. He would likely still continue to be ignored even in death and even when proven true, he knew nothing would change and nobody would do anything and yet he persevered because he knew that he was right, he knew that even if he was martyred in his righteous cause that he would reach the seven skies - and for those who chose to ignore or close their eyes, he was not to sure. A few days after the Cardinal’s death, after his death was seemingly in vain, the blueprints and plans for the Providence Basilica had mysteriously made it onto the Arch Chancellor’s desk. Awaiting imperial architectures to approve and implement the re-build and renovations. 39 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harald 2563 Share Posted September 23, 2021 r 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reckless Banzai Screamer 12180 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Father Paco wept for the fallen clergymen and wished he could have reached his monastic colleague Basil in particular with valuable information. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostSHTR 1033 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Father Vladrick would say a prayer to his Brother in cloth "Vy were one of the only men who truly took the church's teachings to heart" 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axelu 3692 Share Posted September 23, 2021 The late Holy Mother prayed for the Cardinal's soul. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaiserJacobII 1048 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Cardinal Francis removes his silver-rimmed spectacles to wipe a tear from his eye. He utters in growing anger as his fist clenches at his side "How many more.. How much more must we lose to those.. those wretched saurian monstrosities!" The typically composed Clergyman slams his fist upon his desk and calls out in anguish "How much more?!" 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuvas 2978 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Basil? A total shrew of a man to be sure. However, a Cardinal of the Church deserves better than to be cut down in cold blood. Even he did not deserve this. The Savoyards must answer for this. They are killing Priests in their city. Says Minuvas. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwistedFries 449 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Becclain received news of what happened on that day after he left. His gaze settled upon the distant ocean as he sat there, pondering to himself before saying something “Oh my… It’s sad to hear that someone who preached good is now gone from this world- taken to soon. I can’t believe these Savoyards are killing their own clergy members now, and all for what? He wished to save someone dear to me and they went against it. This is very concerning indeed.” 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandhi 2750 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Charles Darkwood prayed for the slain Cardinal. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iudaes 1087 Share Posted September 25, 2021 As Basil succumbed to death and ascended to peace, passing through those heavenly gates which marked the end of mortal life and the beginning of the eternal, the Cardinal would, at some point, be met by the face of an old friend. Jude II, healed of all mortal wounds and dressed in fine, pure white silks, would take Basil with his hands by each of the Father's arms, speaking unto him with a joyful smile, "Oh, dear Basil--once my subordinate, now my equal in joyous and eternal servitude to the Lord. I welcome you, brother, to true peace, of which, verily, you are deserving." he said in an exuberant tone. "While we may have disagreed at times in life, I recognized you as a man of duty, your toils endless. The construction of the Abbey under my Pontificate remains to be one of your great feats. And even in your aging days, you undertook an even greater project--the repairing of the Basilica at the heart of our Holy See." he nodded. "Certainly, you, in your advocacy for all, are a virtuous man and now sit among the virtuous in these here Skies. Speaking of which, I do believe Father Gawain awaits you. Go, dear friend." With that said and a pat laid upon Basil's shoulder, the Venerable Pontiff left the man of virtue to his eternal rest, where those pains inflicted unto him in life and upon death would all be washed away by the hand of GOD. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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