Assassination Attempt on Prince Zakaria

On July 6 **515PR** a group of assassins trailed Prince Zakaria Fidalgo of Gonarundu and made multiple unsuccessful attempts on his life. Despite serious wounds, the prince was able to survive and most of the assailants were able to escape. The purchaser of said assassination was never found.

## Background

In **493PR** Prince Zakaria Fidalgo was born, becoming the only heir to the Gonarundun Kingdom through his father King Heydar II.

At an early age, Zakaria was very popular in the community, leaving the noble district often to discuss with the normal folk, making many friends. When he got a bit older he came out to swim more, spending a lot of time at the Golden Pools where he continued to stay in the public eye.

When he returned from his schooling he would join the Padron’s Sword adventuring guild, completing some of their low-level quests in disguise, though many suspected it was the Prince. The quests helped him gain a better understanding of his nation along with helping others with the more simple and tedious tasks. This continued to grow his influence and popularity, making him dangerous to many others who wanted to manipulate him when he eventually became King.

## Assassination Attempt

On July 6 **515PR** Zakaria was travelling on his way to one of the inns he frequented in Ralom. He had just completed a successful mission with the Padron’s Sword, earning him a new rank despite not being Awakened. On his way, some of his friends came along, all ranked individuals or at least members from the various guilds in the city.

When walking past a street they were attacked by a group of 7-9 assassins, all brandishing weapons. Already outnumbered, the adventurers decided to scatter and make a run for it, giving the Prince precious time to escape in the chaos. Running through a few streets, Zakaria decided to hide instead, knocking on the door of one of the houses and was granted refuge by the family.

He would remain in the house for a few days, hearing no news about the assassins and the guards reaction. Then, feeling comfortable, he left the house. Unfortunately for him the assassins were back on the track, following him down the streets and soon chasing him. Zakaria managed to fend off some of the assassins and make a run for it, ignoring the wound he accumulated near his rib.

On the chase, Zakaria continued to scream for help from the guards but none came, forcing him to make his way to the Padron’s Sword. When he arrived the adventurers from both the Pardon’s Sword and hirelings nearby from the Lucent Guild rushed to his aid, fighting off the assassins and bringing the Prince inside.

For the next few days he remained in hiding again, fighting for his life due to the wound near his rib, requiring constant medical attention. By the end they discovered it was a unique poison that was the cause, administering the antidote immediately and seeing the Prince’s condition quickly improve.

## Motivation

As the employer of the assassination was never found it is hard to understand the motivation. Many suspect it was because of the Prince's rising popularity that he became a target, while others believe it was an act of revenge against the Fidalgo family which still weren’t popular after the death of Miguel Baztan.

### Suspected Employers

#### Emperor Arima Itami

Emperor Arima Itami and the Hashin empire had suffered extensive setbacks due to the Plague of the 5th Century and Hurricane Max, leaving them in a horrible financial standing. The death and removal of the only heir to the Gonarundun crown would allow them to seize control and protect their North-Eastern borders, especially after the Tallian Absorption of the Kingdom of Bethune.

#### Farrokh Baztan

Farrokh Bacque was a prominent noble from the Bacque family and one of the suspected employers of the assassination. The reason he was suspected was because of his outspoken nature against the Fidalgo family and their suspected murder of Miguel Baztan, one of his ancestors.

#### The Gonarundun Council

In **416PR** a council of nobles seized power after the death of King Augustin Fidalgo. Despite the many Kings that followed, the council still held power, using the Fidalgo reputation to their advantage to stop the people every rallying behind their King. Prince Zakaria was in a different situation, he was very popular and many wanted him to become King, stripping power and influence away from the council.

With the Council’s current power it would not take much to order the assassination of the Prince and cover it up as something else.

## Aftermath

Once Prince Zakaria was able to leave the Padron’s Sword he was escorted to Lofty Castle where he stayed until he got healthier, hiring his friends from the guild to stick around him.

As it was one of their members, the Pardon’s Sword immediately launched an extensive investigation to find the culprits, catching 3 of them. The would-be assassins would commit suicide before any meaningful information was discovered from the questioning.

Prince Zakaria would survive his wounds, fighting off an illness during his stay in Lofty Castle and would later show the new scar to the people.

### Reactions

The reactions of the assassination attempt were varied. Most of the people cheered for the Prince to get better, even sending him gifts and praying to the various gods for him. Others would announce their pleasure that a Fidalgo member got what was coming for them, linking it to the death of King Augustin.

In the government both King Heydar II and the council stated they would launch their own investigations into the matter. Many believe that the council's was purely ceremonial while King Heydar’s became brutal, forcing the Prince to call him back.