POULIZRE
Poulizre, a popular journalist of Mareilon in the fourth century,
was owner of one of the oldest and most influential printing presses in
the city. As editor of a major Mareilon newssheet, her words were read
by nearly every citizen who could spare the few zorkmids needed to buy
her weekly issues. At one time, her words had even reached as far as
the ears of the previous mayor. In those days, she had free reign of
the Citadel of Mareilon as an important person who circulated in the
highest reaches of the city goverment. However, what had seemed to many
to be an inevitable rise to power through those channels had been
thwarted by a mysterious feud with the city’s Chief Historian, Ezkinil.
In some way, he had once been angered by Poulizre. One word from
him to the mayor had been sufficient to end her role in city
government. No plausible explanation ever came to the surface.
Zarfil,
a descentant of Prince Argonel, wished to overthrow the Mareilon
government. Poulizre was one of many influential people whom he was
able to convince to join his cause. In preparation for the initial
rally of declaration, Poulizre published fliers and pamphlets of all
kinds, often in defiance of direct orders from the city goverment.
These new publications were almost never circulated near the houses of
ruling class, but in the common markets and the back alleys, every wall
was lined with posters that screamed out words of unrest. Initially the
posters had been few, and vaguely worded. As the days passed, more and
more publications appeared, with each new set aimed at a different type
of person. Some cried out against the miserable social conditions that
existed in certain areas of Mareilon. Others, targeted specifically at
the local religious communities, pointed out the multitude of ill-omens
that have come from the gods over the last weeks. Then one night,
without warning, all those posters were taken down and replaced with a
simply worded proclamation: “Beeblebrox Square, 12 Oracle 398, Noon.”
On
the initial rally of Oracle 12, 398 GUE, the middle-aged Poulizre
accompanied Zarfil into Beeblebrox Square along with Hembiz,
Ezkinil, and Mimb. Zarfil had great powers of persuasion indeed, to
heal a rift as legendary as that between Ezkinil and Poulizre, the two
rivals who had been peering at each other angrily from opposite ends of
Mareilon for over two decades. Here the
rebel leader announced his lineage from Prince Argonel, publicly
demanded the resignation of Hayor Hegilburg, and to march against
Galepath and destroy it. Having played his cards just right, Zarfil and
his followers were later invited by the mayor to Firestone Mansion.
Ezkinil and Pouilzre again accompanied him.
After
Zarfil's insurrection had claimed the city of Mareilon, Poulizre's
printing presses ran overtime to ensure that his latest order was
pasted up on every local street corner still standing. What became of
Poulizre following this proclamation is unknown. There
are no records of her involvement in the march against Galepath.