Phoenix Guild Dossier, 145 AR
This book has been transcribed by Lilian Williams in AR 169. Various authors are listed within. Initially written in AR 145.
---------------------
Overview:
The Phoenix Guild is a group of merchants based out of Sibayad, where many of their members are housed. The group also approaches adventurers and offers to sell their goods for them, and split the profit. Some of the members are confirmed as having interacted with Andunor and Sencliff to some degree, as well as working to undermine settlements through politics. Some of the newer members are likely innocent from this. The older members, if they are not active participants, they are at the very least knowing and complacent.
Currently it seems as though they are attempting to worm their way into Cordor's Navy, through both membership and gifting things to members to try and gain favour and undermine current government officials. I've recommended the Navy be disbanded, considering if Cordor is ever in need of a navy it will be for defense, a role the guards can fill. As it stands pirates walk the streets, not the seas. I do not know how this is going, it sounds as though the problems are being investigated.
This document has a focus on Cordorian politics, this is the area I have been most actively paying attention to. While not necessarily relevant to Myon's needs, it establishes connections as well as depicts past behaviours of the individuals involved.
Confirmed members:
Ameniel
* Elven female. Long bright red hair. Red glowing eyes, a monk. Last seen wearing a red and white shirt, red loincloth and pants, white leg wraps around her shins, bare feat. Greyish blue and red tattoos.
* Claims she is a co-founder of the Sand Swept Monastery of Sibayad.
* Has a shop in Cordor carrying the Phoenix Guild name.
* Has a history of rabble rousing in Cordor and Bendir. She makes bold claims such as Cordor being ruled by Cyricists and Banites, or having evidence that former 141 AR chancellor Qasi (who Henrik and Thaddeus worked against) was in league with Vance Gravelle, yet when asked to provide any evidence, she never does. Seems to do this to try and provoke people against the government, and has a history of being very outspoken against Cordor. She readily defends people who actively have worked to undermine Cordor in the past such as Meriam Fuzzypaw. For example, Meriam has been caught draining resources from Cordor, which Ameniel dismisses all evidence of.
* Historically she has been close to Henrik and Thaddeus, acting as a mouthpiece to whatever agenda they have.
* Has been banned from the Arcane Tower in the past for her inciting and aggressive behaviour.
* She has been seen doing cage fights in Andunor. When confronted about it, and the fact that she was fighting slaves, she admitted she participated in cage fights, and brushed off the act as being unimportant. Says she spends a lot of time in Andunor, although often unseen. Has been known to strike deals with pirates as well.
* During Freja's exile hearing of 144, Ameniel sent a speedy messenger to harass Freja in Thaddeus' defense.
* Has posted on Cordor's board in defense of the Navy using necromancy. She has been trying to get closer to the Navy and buy their favour, gifting the necromancer Millicas with a moonblade, mithril dust, and possibly also a beljuril gem. She's been trying to convince Millicas to turn against Cordor's Vice-Chancellor, Miranda.
Politicians and spies from Guldorand as well as a few individuals within the Arcane Tower have been trying to undermine Miranda for a very long time. I suspect these groups are utilizing Thaddeus and his group to do their dirty work for them.
These two writings on Cordor's front board regarding the conflict between Harvey and elven forces were possibly written by her, they have her writing style:
______
Exordus and Atharenaril
By "Citizen," posted on the 6th of Eleasias, 145.
"Both are wrong. They can not live in Sibayad. Does not mean they can not do Trade in Sibayad, Duvain is still an Elf and not a Drow. And the laws clearly state NO FIGHTING. If Pirates can uphold these laws why can't Myon? Or Guldorand? They think they can just walk over it because the self-proclaimed "queen of Myon" Thinks she is better than anyone else?
Anyone who goes against the laws of Sibayad are unwanted, those who want to keep the peace and only come to do Trade, Please be welcome. Sibayad has spoken. We gave one warning and that will also be the last. Actions have consequences.``
______
About Sibayad and its Laws
By "Disappointed," posted on the 27th of Flamerule, 145.
"Everyone is to be expected not to fight or cause a fight inside Sibayad. Leaders and representatives of Cities or towns should uphold those laws ALWAYS. We have made a large report to the Merchant League. Sibayad is to be treated as True Neutral territory. Yes Duvain lives there but DOES NOT give you the right to just attack her there. Let this be your last warning to all. Those who break it we will take action against it. This is not a Threat, This is a Promise"
______
Henrik
* Human male. Short brown hair, full beard, showing signs of balding. Last seen wearing mostly red and brownish red. Has a house in the Sibayad Manzil named "Phoenix House." I have not found a shop belonging to him yet.
* He worked for the Cordor guard while Qasi was trade minister in 141, kept finding reasons to harass Qasi, along with Taelina and Celestia, before Rann overthrew the government in a coup. Qasi eventually became chancellor of the city. During an open forum, Henrik attempted to undermine Qasi's eligibility as chancellor, "It was stated early that Amn does not exert undue influence on Cordor and that our politics are our own, correct? If so, how can this be reconciled that the Chancellor is an Amnian? Is this not irregular? Did I not see the king's representatives told to move to the end of the table? I am but a farmer, but that seems unseemly."
* Over the years, he has continued to maintain close connections to Thaddeus, to the extent that Thaddeus has made some sort of agreement with pirates to ensure his safety. Henrik must be aware of what Thaddeus does, and to some level must endorse it.
* Has been observed going on expeditions with Thaddeus by boat in times past. They potentially still adventure together.
Julien
* Overheard he is a member. I do not know a thing about him, I have not found a shop belonging to him either.
Thaddeus
* Human male. Long deep red hair. Stubble. Last seen wearing sleeveless red shirt with chainmail. Red pants with silver decoration on side. Said to be an assassin by more than one source.
* Calls himself the "rogue extraordinaire," is likely skilled in many forms of thievery and subterfuge.
* He has a shop in Guldorand, associated with the Phoenix Guild. He's taken over the Blackthorn Palace in the Sibayad Manzil, Taelina Blackthorn being one of the other individuals exiled from Cordor for conspiracy against the government in 141.
* Thaddeus was exiled from Cordor from 141 to 144. He was caught arranging sales of moonblades to the Drow, arranging an assassination, and colluding with Rann and Taelina against the Cordor government.
* Broke his exile to attend one of Qasi's open forums wanting his exile to be lifted, with Henrik present to vouch for and support him.
* During Freja's exile hearing of 144, Thaddeus received a Speedy messenger saying "I have a present for you on Sencliff, your love S," in which known pirates Dante Evermoore and Aqarev reacted to him, saying that he gave his word. It turns out, Thaddeus, Ameniel, and Henrik made non-hostility agreements with the pirates. Also at the exile hearing, Vance Gravelle presented Freja with an Andunor writ of travel for Thaddeus signed by a drow matron. It was not read out loud, I do not know the date on it.
* Thaddeus was declared pariah in Cordor in 145 for "repeating his offenses, previously upon Cordor and now Bendir which is now under Trade Collaboration with Cordor. For the purposeful dismantling of cloth and stone stores. Until such a time as the Bendir Officials confer with either our trade or administration, no protection shall be afforded to Thaddeus upon the Pax Cordoria."
Umi
* Half-orc female. Heavy set, brown hair. Clothing is a complete mish-mash of elements. Green chain tunic missing the right sleeve, chain pants missing the left leg. Purple cloth wrapped around her left lower leg. One spiky shoulder pad, one heavy plate shoulder pad. Blue and black tattoos. Has a shop in Sibayad.
* Joined the Phoenix Guild somewhat recently. Is potentially not aware of the crimes committed by the others, nor involved in their conspiracies. She does not seem terribly intelligent.
***
Allied merchants:
The following sign is outside Sibayad's merchant league building. Spelling as written, emphasis changed for relevant parts:
"Master Tailored good, Master Smiths wares. Potions and Essences, IN COOPERATION WITH HARVEY HARVEST, Master Alchemist. Leave a request for your more exclusive wares inside the Merchant League Building. DO NOT FORGET TO BROWS OTHER SHOPS TO! SUPPORT SIBAYAD IN ITS GROWTH BY BUYING THE WARES!"
This gives a confirmed link between other Sibayad merchants and the Phoenix guild, proving that the hostility towards Myon elves is due to the combined efforts of the adventurer merchants in Sibayad.
Harvey
* Has a shop in Sibayad, lives there as well.
* Human male. Blond hair, beard. Wears a brown coat.
* Allegedly formerly a warlock. Member of Darrowdeep. A large assault of unseelie fey overcame the region a few years back, which might be related to the "former" part of being a warlock.
* Has purchased a slave from pirate Dante Evermoore before to free her, the slave allegedly colluding with Dante, likely the act was done so both could split the coin.
* In 141, allegedly participated in trying to prevent people from entering the Cordor government building to vote after Rann McClow's coup against the government was ousted by Harper agent Alastriona de Vere, which turned into a riot where Harvey participated in beating citizens of the city. Others present who also allegedly participated include Henrik, Taelina, Emelina, Silacaladhiel, Berenor, and Kage. I was not present for this, the details are what I was able to gather after the fact and might not be accurate.
* Otherwise, I have witnessed him supporting Rann McClow, and Emelina and Kazen Selizar, at least two of which reside in Guldorand and are members of its government. I'm including these details due to Thaddeus' presence and shop within Guldorand, there is likely some level of complacency or support for what the Phoenix guild does.
Olivia van Graf
* Half-elven female. Red hair, extremely pale skin. Last seen wearing a black sleeveless shirt, black pants, grey or brown boots, white gloves all the way up her arms, light gauntlets, grey or brown gloves. Goes by "Livi" for short.
* Has a shop and home in Sibayad, is potentially supported by or supports the Phoenix guild.
* Confirmed necromancer, and confirmed to have taught Millicas necromancy.
* Is so dedicated to necromancy, she often strives to maintain the divine mark for necromancy, the Aspect of the Soulstealer.
* Has been seen travelling with the Navy on monster hunting expeditions. I do not know her full involvement with the Navy. Seems to be more than welcome with them.
Zaravella Fynn-Blake
* Human female. Black hair. Last seen wearing purple and black clothing.
* Has a residence in Sibayad's Garden of Respite, as well as a shop associated to a group called "Blake."
* Worships the Foehammer, is quick to action and that action usually involves calling for some form of violence.
* Has been very vocal against Cordor's government during 141 and 142. Made death threats against the 142 elected chancellor Wylaana and told her to go back to Myon (despite her not being from Myon).
* She has tried to incite war between Guldorand and Cordor, making a call for action on Guldorand's board in 143.
* Has worn out her welcome in Guldorand, a note left in Guldorand's monastery by her says Guldorand's ship the Timberfleet was taken from her and given to Alice's girlfriend Aligonda Evenwood instead, although Alice's reason was Zaravella's temper. Zaravella said she would be leaving.
* Married to Devon Blake, another rabble rouser who tried to incite violence in Cordor in 141 and 142.
She has posted this in regards to the Harvey/Myon conflict in Sibayad:
______
Standing with Harvey, posted on the 21st of Eleint, 145.
"If you are going to slander anyone on these public message boards at least have the goddamned courage to sign your name.
Do not hide under an anonymous name where we cant find you to speak with you in person.
As always, I stand by my friend Harvey in this current turmoil as I know the man for many years.
Also, do support your claims with evidence before you lay claim on anything - loose lying tongues have plagued these lands and I for one am tired of it."