The situation in Thalberg

When morning rolls around, you and the girls all gather to listen to Richard and the other scouts explain what they know about the nobles. They explain that there are three nobles that largely control the city, especially now that the battle at Hope has decimated the local garrison. Of those, one of them is likely sympathetic towards the resistance.

Recently risen to the leadership of her house, Lira Gitanna has always been as outspoken as anyone against the oppressive rule of the Order. Being part of a noble family has shielded her from repercussions for this, along with being located far from the capital. With the death of her father, Lira and her husband took control of the Gitanna family, and although they are the weakest of the local nobles, they are still a powerful force in the region.

Next is Harald Feyran. Largely neutral, he seems mostly interested in money, regardless of the source. While less powerful militarily, his wealth makes him quite influential, and he has a definite interest in maintaining the status quo. Still, he has no particular love for the Order, and if he could be assured of a profit, he could be swayed.

Finally, Altus and Petra Thenlan. Also known as the “Iron Twins”, the Thenlan twins were the military power in the area, especially with the Order forces destroyed. It was their forces that were guarding the city now, and they definitely leaned more heavily towards supporting the Order. There were many rumors about the pair, ranging from the obvious, such as them getting training and armament support from the order, to the salacious. The rumors that the brother and sister pair were in an incestuous relationship were whispered, but never where such things could be overheard. The twins were well known for viciously protecting their power and prestige.

As for the common people, they seemed content to let the nobles squabble among themselves, until now. With the Thenlan private military taking control, there was a definite undercurrent of discontent. The more people became upset, the tighter the twins grip on the city became. Tension between the nobles was rising as well, as the unrest was beginning to affect Harald’s profits, upsetting the wealthy man. Meanwhile, word was that Lira was chafing at being forced to the fringes, and was looking for a way to break the stranglehold the others had on the city.

In short, Thalberg was a powder keg, and one with a surprising number of potential triggers. The real question is, how to leverage this to your advantage without destroying everything in the process. The obvious solution was to arrange a meeting with Lira Gitanna. After a short discussion, you decide to send one of your scouts to try to arrange one.

Hopefully, the rumors that she could be an ally are true. If not, this mission will be over before it begins.