Teddi Dilarik Scandal
From FiranMUX
Overview
This infamous chapter in Firan history remains shrouded in conflicting accounts and has long been overshadowed by events contemporary to it--namely the Alliance War. However, the consequences of this scandal were far-reaching, with political and social implications for the Cockatrice, Ticanee, and Bear Clans, and, some say, the downfall of an era in the Old City.
Teddi Dilarik was something of a social anomaly in Anarinuell. A member of the respected Dilarik Family and a handmaid in the Teranzik household, she would eventually be removed from that position and sent to a life as a whore in the White Dove. Eventually, through what any one remembering her would say was an irresistible charm and level of social decorum unlike any normal whore, she left the Dove to become an independent "courtesan" and even emerged as a public figure, of sorts, who would host parties and other events.
These may be the only aspects of her life that most people can agree upon. What exactly took place in the early 20s A.U. is still uncertain today, though after nearly two decades, a more-or-less established version has filtered through the public consciousness. Most say it began after she had left the Dove, and began to be seen in more respected circles of society. She gained the close confidence of Sir Thallo Delphinus, a well-known Game Warden, Firanosian Priest, Sharanir and General of the Cockatrice Clan who was within the innermost circle of the ruling family of the Cockatrice Clan. Sir Thallo was said to be one of Teddi's strongest advocates, arranging many of her hosting opportunities and developing an intimate relationship with her. Teddi also kept close association with her sponsor, Lord Taleo Teranzik, who lended even more assistance for her upward social movement than the Sharanir. At the same time, the up-and-coming courtesan kept close ties to her former boss, Lord Pangaros IstaBannos, Crime Lord of the Old City, and his lieutenant Pandarus, as well as a fellow-courtesan, Yasmina.
Exactly which of these relationships brought about her ruin is uncertain, though they all seem to somehow have been related. All that is officially known is that by very early in 25 A.U., Teddi herself, Sir Thallo, Lord Pangaros, Pandarus, and Yasmina had all been executed, all charged and convicted with treason either against their own Clans, or the Republic. And all of this went greatly unnoticed, given the high-proflie executions of Clan Leader Akinita and Lord Sabinus Rissik, and the tumultuous times of the Alliance War.
There were no shortages of official charges against Teddi. Her crimes were a laundry list of capital crimes--kidnapping, insubordination, four counts of treason, and the murder of Ticanee guards. It seems to have begun when she and her children were brought into the Ticanee Clan. According to official records and popular opinion, Teddi and Sir Thallo wed shortly after this in secret, against the wishes of both the Oshta and the Sharanir's own Clan Proxy, Ibania IstaBannos, who had higher plans for her Sharanir and general than marriage to a courtesan. In addition to this act of defiance, the Oshta intended to adopt one of the courtesan's adopted children, Nyla, but before this could take place, Teddi infiltrated the royal nursery, taking the child and smuggling her into the hands of her friend, Yasmina, through the assistance of Pangaros and Pandaros. Exactly why she did this is unknown. Some say that it was out of jealousy toward the Oshta, whose husband was none other than her sponsor, Lord Taleo. Others say that Nyla was the courtesan's own child, who she was boldly claiming as a legitimate child of Lord Taleo. Even others say she had become completely delusional, either from water sickness or pure madness, and claimed herself to secretly be a woman of noble descent as well as her children. People still debate the specifics. Some take grand, conspiratorial positions, while others think the woman just got too uppity for her own good. In the end, four counts of treason merited not only the death of her soul, but the execution of Lord Pangaros, Pandaros, and Yasmina by association. The deaths of the latter would have lasting implications for the well-being of the Old City, which has been in an almost constant state of flux since the death of their infamous crime lord, at the time their only political voice.
As for Sir Thallo, his death is equally mysterious. Officially charged with conspiracy against the Cockatrice Clan, many say his death had to do with the pending execution of Sabinus Rissik, his long-time friend, whose position as High Priest of Firanos Sir Thallo was known to be taking. Perhaps he stuck up for his friend and fellow Priest and met his end. Others say it is too much of a coincidence that he died just before his lover Teddi, and there are rumors that not only did he marry her secretly, but insisted to Lady Proxy Ibania that it was legitimate and aided and abetted her crimes. Some people in Sarkaran still tell stories around their cups that Sir Thallo orchestrated a daring escape from the Sarkaran prison, overcoming then Lord Proxy Pertinax Didoron and his guards, and headed south to Agadin to give time for the courtesan to hide away the kidnapped children and go in the opposite direction to Lurashar, where she was eventually caught. Officially, however, Sir Thallo was executed in prison.
Whatever might have happened, to this day Teddi Dilarik is a forbidden name in the royal household of the Oshta. The Oshta Children claimed for most of their upbringing that the ghost of Teddi continued to haunt the grounds of the mansion. Further, those who claim to have experienced the "Great Dream" remember some of these grand conspiracies surfacing once again. The scandal is one of Firan people's favorite tall tales for children or whispered conversations at the tavern table.
