Varees' eyes widened a bit. "'Owls'?" he asked, intrigued. "What an evocative name. It sounds to me as if one of the people I really need to talk to then would be the commander of the guards, before another Imperial official conceives a grudge against him and sends legions to come and drag him away." He gave the Thane a grin to signal that this last was a joke.
He nodded. "In that case, I suppose I should get started on getting myself established here. Should I contact the various officials and important people around the city myself, or would you prefer to introduce me?" The Esh'lahier was not above going behind a superior's back to make his own contacts and alliances, but he was also mindful of courtesies. The Thane was going to be paying, housing, and feeding him, after all.
[ooc: I'm not sure where else to go in this thread?]
Hardly any educated person today thinks that demonic possession is the cause of aberrant mental states; why do so many still think it is responsible for our normal ones?
“The current commander wasn’t the one that came up with it though, it was an idea of the previous one. That said, little has changed with the new commander.” The Fae paused for a moment. She had considered whether she should inform him of the current status on who really controlled the guards, but then decided to just let him find it out on his own and see what it gave. “Aside from lowering the chances of more Imperial officials showing up that is.” She grinned back at him.
“I’ll notify the city officials and if you give me a list of who you want to see I can have them contact you or Amanda to make an appointment. Let me know if you go visiting the Houses, I might come along then.” She pondered for a second. “If you’re looking to contact some… more hidden powers, feel free to ask. I know a few people that know a few people.” Not entirely true since she was a high ranking member in one organization. It was the most powerful on the surface however and chances were good that if he contacted anyone it would be them.
OOC: Let’s call it a day then. Feel free to use the secretary for secretary stuff and I’d just assume visiting most people (the NPC’s mostly) and start some threads for the important ones. In case you were wondering, the First House and the guard are run by a PC (both as power behind the power).
__________________
Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde
3rd Brightening of the First Cycle of the Month of Junctior in the season of Autumn; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.
A letter arrived brought by an Imperial Legionnaire.
Quote:
33rd Brightening of the Fifth Cycle of the Month of Imperos in the season of Autumn; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.
To: Lady Amber Brightwing, Thane of Vortex
From: Eyvind Redbeard Avornmagor Björnsson, Cencoris of the 1st Cohortii of the 2nd Daos of the 9th Imperial Legion.
Ref: The War in Sheria
Your Grace,
As you certainly have heard Sheria is preparing for war. As a member of the Government you are well aware that these promises made by the Orcs won’t be enough to stop the Imperial War Machine and that the horrors perpetrated against Narim and Autumnus can only be answered with fire and steel.
I come hereby ask for the city of Vortex to send help so that this war doesn’t turn into a slaughter for the Imperials like the one before did. All help you can send will be welcomed. Be it in the form of soldiers, mages, engineers, weapons or supplies.
Don't let the vile greenskin's sins go unanswered.
Thank you for your patience.
Signed, Eyvind Redbeard Avornmagor Björnsson, Commander of the Black Shields
A messenger wearing the light blue & dark blue tabard of the Sapphire Guard arrived at the Thanal mansion carrying a letter bearing the seal of the Earl of Portshire, addressed to the Thane of Vortex.
Secrets :
To the Offices of Lady Thane Amber Brightwing,
Your Excellency,
Firstly, I offer you my gratitude that you have seen fit to launch an investigation of your own to ensure that the culprits responsible for this unforgivable attack are brought to swift justice. Such responsibility on your part is indeed commendable.
However, you will have to forgive me if I cannot simply take it at the word of Har'oloth's ruling Houses that they would not attack one of the Empire's cities, yet again. As a Syl'rosyan, I find myself resisting the urge to spit on the ground at the very idea of trusting these vysticchi, whom have left indelible scars on my birthplace.
I will certainly admit that there are issues with the validity of these combatant's sponsership. Most relevant, being that one of House Kitrye'veresi's most prominent figures - Lord Faust D'Rinishad - is a trusted friend, and is far too intelligent a man to consider such a ploy. However, there are few vysticchi states in Aelyria, and why a specific faction would choose to use one group of vysticchis to implicate another is quite beyond me.
You can be assured, though, that every connection I have within the Imperial Intelligence Agency is being utilized to investigate this incident. Currently, I have IIA agents interrogating those captured in the battle to extract any information possible, and you can be rest assured, that these agents have quite efficient ways of finding out what they want to know.
I understand that you may have a good deal of trust in Har'oloth, Thane Brightwing. However, in all honestly m'lady, I do not, and for what I consider to be good reason. For all we are aware, these vysticchi are simply continuing to take advantage of the fact that the Imperial Forum does nothing when they attack Aelyrian cities, and are testing the fortitude of the Empire by striking again. So I will certainly heed your call to remain objective during this investigation, but as it stands at the present moment, you can be garaunteed that Har'oloth is without a doubt, our prime suspect in the attack's origin.
Yours Respectfully,
Sir Riconus Xind'ell, Earl & Thane of Portshire
__________________
From Her knees, Aelyria will look up to me and shout "Save Us"
And I will whisper... "No"
3rd Brightening of the Second Cycle of Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV Post Fractum
The Matron of House Chaos Dawn was the first to reply to Amber’s letter:
Quote:
To:
Amber Brightwing
Thane of Vortex
Your Grace,
These accusations are not true! We are not so foolish as to attack Portshire and provoke the Aelyrian Empire. We are well aware of the tensions that are present since the war in Silrosia and try not to be noticed.
We have not found out who is responsible for the attack yet, but we think that the elves of Syl’rosya might have something to do with it. Weren’t lightborn seen walking the streets of Vortex when a wave of madness swept over the city, and thousands of people died?
Their hatred for us is well known. It would not be below them to fool the Empire into believing we attacked one of their cities so that they can finally kill us all without fear of retribution.
21st Brightening of Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV Post Fractum
The Matron of House Kitrye’veresi was the last to reply to Amber’s letter:
Quote:
To:
Her Grace
Amber Brighting
Thane of Vortex
Lady Brightwing,
I have read your letter with concern. These are dire times, and without a doubt those that hate us are only waiting for an opportunity to attack us.
We must unite and prove that those accusations are false!
I have received a letter just last brightening where an anonymous person only referring to himself as „a friend“ claimed that one of our rivals is responsible for the attack. He requests a meeting and promises to provide further information. He also mentioned the Thane of Portshire, a Syl’rosyan who hates all vysstichi.
I would not send this letter and confide into you if the situation weren’t extremely serious. We not like to involve ourselves in surface politics or contact those that rule the Empire, but this time Har’oloth might be at stake, and thus it is best to forget our differences and work together.
In the latest of a series of letters between the thanes of Vortex and Portshire, a messenger arrived with a reply to the previous letter.
Secrets :
Dear Thane Brightwing,
I cannot express to you in words how I believe Vortex is in no way responsible for these actions, and I would never think to implicate you and anyone in your administration as involved in the attack. What the Herald chooses to write does not express my views, but I don't believe even the article said that the surface city of Vortex had anything to do with this event. I pray that we are on the same page in this respect, at least.
I understand your concerns regarding the matter, m'lady, which is why I am exhausting every resource possible in order to extract as much information from the captives as possible. Currently, interrogators from the Imperial Intelligence Agency are hard at work ensuring that we can finally get to the bottom of this.
We have begun to entertain the option that Har'oloth might have been staged for the attack, but for what reasons we are unsure at the time. Perhaps it may have been a lower house in the Har'oloth aristocracy attempting to flush out their competitors, perhaps it was another vysticchi city trying to gain a foothold on their underground activity. I even investigated the possibility, under great duress I might add, that my home of Syl'rosya would be foolish enough to implement such a plan. However, with the entire confederacy recently clouded by The Veil, the chances of a light elven framing seems unlikely, at best.
When we are able to extract more information from the captives, you'll be made aware of it as soon as possible.
Yours Respectfully,
Sir Riconus Xind'ell, Earl & Thane of Portshire
__________________
From Her knees, Aelyria will look up to me and shout "Save Us"
And I will whisper... "No"
Brightening 5 of the Second Cycle of Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV Post Fractum
A vysstichi delivered another letter from the First House of Har’oloth.
Quote:
Serale,
Lord Faust D’Rinishad is a relative of mine. He might indeed be able to convince this „friend“ of the truth in this matter. I will talk to him and ask for his help.
Brightening 7 of the Second Cycle of Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV Post Fractum
The Prince of Har’oloth made no effort to conceal his identity as he arrived at the Thane’s estate. His flowing mantle, embroidered with the purple crescent moon of House Kitrye’veresi, streamed elegantly behind him as he passed the outer gates. Glancing vigilantly from side to side, the dark elf casually swept away his silver tresses from his face as he came to a graceful pause before the two guards that posed as the facility’s first line of defense.
“Serale. I am Faust D’Rinishad. I would like to speak to her grace, Amber Brightwing. She is probably expecting me as we speak.” the dark elf explained, casually hooking his thumbs over his sword belt to hang his hands. Considering the magnitude of the recent events in Portshire, Faust presumed that the Thane would make an exception to her likely busy schedule to see him. The events in that city, after all, were directly related to the affairs in Vortex, and they needed to be addressed immediately.
The two guards only moved their heads as the Vysstichi approached. “Of course.” It was the guard on the left that spoke up, though neither seemed to move. They recognized the symbol on his mantle all to well, but they would still do their job as ordered. “If you hand in your weapons I’ll show you the way. They will be returned to you when leaving of course.” The two showed no intention of letting him pass otherwise.
__________________
Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde
If the Prince of Har’oloth was offended by the guards’ bluntness, his apathetic visage failed to reveal such. Removing the sheathed long sword from his belt, he casually extended the weapon, point first, to the nearest guard. “Very well. Now, please show me the way.” He casually requested.
The guards were a bit blunt perhaps, but not entirely unfriendly. As he gave up his sword they parted to leave room for him to pass. The guard that has spoken to him earlier took the word again. “Of course. If you’d follow me.” He held open the doors of the mansion for the Vysstichi to let him enter. Once inside, Faust would find a hall with white marble walls, richly decorated with paintings of exotic places, of beaches, snow covered mountains, jungles and swamps, of Vysstichi, Humans and Halflings. Two staircases on each side went up to the next floor. At the end of the hall, two more guards were standing each on one side of a door. They were Human and looked very alike, due to being twins. They had short black hair, black eyes and skin so pale that they almost looked as if they were dead... or undead. They wore identical uniforms of black and purple, the colours of Vortex. They were muscular and the armour underneath their uniform made them look even bulkier.
The guard didn’t lead him to the guarded door, but instead walked over to the door next to it. Inside was a Human woman with curly blond hair. As the Prince entered she lifted up her head. When the guard announced him as Faust D’Rinishad the secretary had already opened her mouth to ask for his appointment when she recalled where she had heard that name before. She closed her mouth again and quickly stood up. “Serale and welcome. I’ll take you to see the Thane right away.” The guard returned to his duty outside and the blonde showed him the way passed the bulky guards.
Inside the Thanal office, thick red carpet, Arakmatan in style, lay on the floor. A huge desk made of reddish brown wood stood in the middle of the room. Several stacks of paper lie on the desk, forming small towers on each end and with only a handful of leaves here and there between that. Two huge broadswords , ornately decorated with silver and numerous gems, were hanging on the wall behind it, swords with hilts that were filled with a multitude of gems. Two cosy looking chairs were standing in front of it and two more could be found in a corner next to a small table. A couple of bookshelves and a fireplace completed the furnishing of the room.
In the middle of the desk sat a small Fae, the current thane of Vortex, on an equally small pillow, legs crossed and reading one of the many sheets of paper laying front of her. She looked up at the visitor as he was announced as Lord Faust D’Rinishad of the House Kitrye’veresi. The Fae’s wings fluttered for a moment as she was lifted to her feet. “Serale and welcome.” She made a small bow as greeting. “Would you like something to drink while we talk?”
__________________
Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde
Despite his preference of the sword, the Prince of Har’oloth was unconcerned by his separation with it. He did watch the guards handle the weapon with latent unease, but his anxiety was overshadowed by his fervent desire to meet with the Thane of Vortex as soon as possible. There was trouble brewing on the horizon, the likes of which could prove disastrous for Vortex and Har’oloth alike if it was not sorted out quickly. Although his personal safety was always necessary to ensure, the Weapons Master of House Kitrye’veresi did not require a blade to unleash Aeternia upon his foes.
Nodding to the guards as they led him through the corridors of the mansion, the dark elf masked his curiosity as he passed a pair of guards, both of whom reminded him of House Kitrye’veresi’s own twins, Da’nael and Anvael. Of course the Kitrye’veresi brothers were far more animated in both expression and appearance, but there was something about the Thane’s guards that was simply peculiar. They conducted themselves like mindless zombies, and if Faust had known any better, he would have suspected that such was the case. For the sake of being as respectful as possible, though, he merely nodded to the sentries as he was led into a reception room of some sort.
“Thank you. Again, I apologize for the late notice,” He said, smiling candidly to the woman as she disappeared to alert the thane of his presence. Glancing around briefly as he waited, the dark elf apathetically noted the various embroidery that lined the walls and the lavishness of the office. He’d been to governmental homes before, and this one, not surprisingly, was sparsely different as far as extravagance went. Soon it was time to see the thane herself.
Upon entering, the Vysstichi Prince’s lips curled into a thin smile as his gaze settled upon the diminutive fae. Having interacted with few of their kind before, his eyes betrayed his inner amusement. Ardanon, the ambassador of House Kitrye’versi who had met the woman before, had spoken highly of her character and her hospitality, both of which, Faust knew, would be helpful if they were to work together in remedying a certain affair in Portshire –that is, if she agreed to contribute at all.
“A pleasure to meet you, your grace,” the dark elf greeted, “As I was saying to your attendant earlier, I am sorry for coming on such a short notice. If you’ve any wine, that would suffice. I’m afraid that the winter has already begun to parch my throat. ”
![[Location] Thane's Estate](http://www.playbypost.com/forums/iconimages/vortex/location-thanes-estate_ltr.gif)
