[Location] Thane's Estate

[Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto]

Optia, Spring, EV PF

Leaves swept in a twirl near the ground, continuing their way along the cold pavement, creeping towards Ilfirin. He stood still, eyes gazed on the pale building that faced him. Finally, he scoffed at the sight of the white marble, furrowing his eyebrows. He hated both the colors white and black as he deemed them to be "unrealistic". The inhabitants of this world was not painted with white and black, but hues of grey, some lighter and some darker than others. Truly, who was every purely black or white? This white building, he twitched his eye, had the absurdity of standing at such a dark gray city like Vortex. The Thane of Vortex was interesting indeed.

When the leaves flew to his feet, he stepped on them, mashing the broken leaf particles into little pieces that mixed together with the dirt and dust.

"Stupid fething leaves."

Ilfirin was a bitter half elf and so, tended, or at least tried to find ways, to find fault at every single object or person that had the displeasure of meeting Ilfirin Elensson. Though many may have dismissed his complaints as childish, he was anything but. While his elven side granted him longevity and thus he took on the appearance of an innocent child, he himself was already eighteen ordinations. He was not an idiot and so of course, his mind matured even when his body did not.

"Interesting. A matching black gate to surround the white."

He wondered silently if the color design of the mansion was either just for style or for symbolism. Ilfirin, once again picking up his pace, began to walk towards the black gates, stopping once again at the sight of the two guards. He shook his head. They were indeed lazy if they only prepared their spears when they saw a potential threat, which he was not, attempt to see the Thane. An amusing thought entered the half elf's mind: what if the person was under some sort of invisibility spell? Would they be able to find them in time. At that, Ilfirin curled his lips into a smile once, nodding swiftly to the guards.

"My name is Ilfirin Elensson. As for why I am here, I wish to apply for the position of assistant Thane and to inquire about the hiding demon."

[Hurahan Marr]

"Then I will, as you say, make arrangements myself. I hope to return here and very much look forward the favour of the Thane. My vanities wish me to add that it has been most joyous to walk amid such candid splendour.

I must add that I also look forward to gutting this Demon, and perchance bringing it's sodden and drying head to you, to display perhaps. Though here, among such refined beauty, I hasten to think a Demon's head - with it's ol' tongue wagging and eyes drying like ash coloured prunes may blemish the beautific currently surrounding us.

Yes..."

He levels his eyes square into the womans, and for reasons unknown there is a tear there, falling from his left eye.

He withdraws his gaze.

"Thank you for your time. Know that I will pursue this matter unto the creatures end or mine."

With that he departs.

[Amber Brightwing]

The ones guarding the gate wouldn’t have noticed if someone entered the gates through an invisibility spell, but then again, anyone desperate enough to try and enter could probably scale the fence outside of their view. They were but a first line of defenses however, so getting passed them unnoticed wouldn’t necessarily help someone trying to sneak in. When Ilfirin had introduced himself they still didn’t move, but they looked at him and one on the left took the word. “Very well, if you hand over any weapons you might currently be carrying then I’ll escort you inside.”

If he would comply with the guards request he would be lead inside the mansion. He 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. Ilfririn was lead into the office next to the guarded door however and the escorting guard announced his name and purpose to the blond Human woman that was sitting behind the desk.

“Serale.” She gave the Half Elf a smile as she greeted him. She picked up two papers and handed them over. One contained a map with notes, the other only a date and a place. “The map currently has everything we know about the demon: it’s location. The other paper tells where others that have come here will meet so that you can join up with them if you wish.” She drew more papers towards her and picked up a quill. “If you with to apply for assistant Thane you’ll have to make an appointment with her Grace.” Her eyes scanned over the papers. “She’s available later this afternoon at earliest.” She looked back up at Ilfrin and waited to see what he had to say.

[Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto]

Ilfirin turned his head away and sighed upon the request of the guards. It seemed that this rule applied just about everywhere. Extra precaution was always placed on the important figures of society, hence the two guards and walls. He raised his hands, rolled up his sleeves, and emptied his pockets, revealing a pack of slightly bloodied pack of tarot cards. Otherwise, the half elf had no other item. His face carried a scowl as he went over the procedure, hating the fact that he was being searched. He hated the fact that he was seen as "harmless" now to the guards.

"I assure you, weapons I have not."

As the half elf stepped into the mansion, there was a feeling that he was not in Vortex anymore, that he had been transported away somehow when he stepped into this mansion. The white marble, he was familiar with as he had seen it outside, but the portraits were a straight contrast to the city of Vortex. His eyes glanced briefly at each picture, and though he would have preferred to have stared longer, he did not want to appear interested, and instead continued walking. However, a thought did occur to him. Perhaps the Thane went to these places? When he reached the end of the hall, Ilfirin stiffened immediately at the sight of the human twins.

Chills flew up his spine and he fought the urges to step back, away from the guards that stood outside the protected door. Ilfirin, at a young age, had hated going outside, preferring to stay indoors at his home. As a result, the half elf had pale skin, paler than anyone in his family...paler than anyone out of his family in fact. It was a sickly white, not at all like the fair skin of the true Silrosians elves. These humans, or whatever they were, had even paler skin than him!

When he was led to the other door, the Elensson felt relief, no matter how much he denied it.

"Serale." His reply was dim and cold, but he nodded his head, as a sign of respect. He took the papers and looked them over carefully, before folding them into a small square and stuffing both papers into his pockets. "Thank you." Another simple generic reply. He vaguely pondered on whether or not a group would be best, but moved on, when the blond woman spoke again.

"Then I shall wait for her Grace. Is there an indicated waiting area?" His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if he had been thinking something over. Maybe the two inhumanly guards had been guarding the room of the Thane...He looked over, to a corner, then glanced back at the woman, awaiting a response.

[Amber Brightwing]

Ilfrin’s statement that he wasn’t carrying any and the fact that he was indeed not carrying any visible on him were sufficient to let him go by. His ostentatious display had not been needed and no searches were performed either. All he received was a confirming nod and a gesture to follow the guard inside.

Inside, the secretary didn’t give him that much trouble either. The Thane didn’t want to make people’s life difficult when they wanted to come and speak to her, even if few of the citizens seemed to have such intentions. “Well, I shall inform her Grace then and she’ll see you as soon as she has some time. It shouldn’t be that much more then one, maybe one and a half candlemark at most.” She gestured towards the door and he’d note that the guard that had accompanied him had already left again. “There’s some chairs in the hall that you can sit in comfortably.”

With that she’d escort him inside the hall, disappearing inside the Thane’s offices herself. When she simply smiled at him and went back inside her own office. It would be a good three quarters of a candlemark before he’d see any movement again. One of the guards at the door walked up to him. “Mister Chumomisto? Her Grace will see you now.”

Inside, a 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 her eyes on a sheet of paper in front of her. “Serale mister Chumomisto, how can I help you?”

[Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto]

"That sounds like a reasonable waiting time. I don't mind." His words were with nonchalance as he quickly replied to the secretary's statement. Already, his mind drifted slowly away from reality and to the beauty of the paintings. He couldn't stop looking at them, despite the fact that they were paintings of places that he would never travel to. There was no plan in the boy's future to actually leave the city of Vortex. It was not possible anyways, given that the boy survived on food that was given by the Temple of Jalat. Even his lodgings were supplied by the Temple. There was no easy way that the boy could tear away from the city.

With his feet planted firmly on the ground, he walked out to the hall and sat on a chair. He stared at some other paintings before closing his eyes, and sleeping. It wasn't a particular good dream because he couldn't remember what exactly was in that dream, or possible nightmare. When he awoke from his slumber, he noticed that one of the guards had walked up to him. He froze, waiting for the guard's next action. The boy visibly relaxed, slumping his shoulders when the guard only noted that the Thane was ready to see him. He got up from his chair quickly, wiped the saliva from his cheek, and walked to the office.

Though Chumomisto was the last name that appeared on his visa, he held no fondness for it. He despised every part of the name, preferring to use the surname Elensson.

The half elf did not speak when he arrived into the office. Instead, he observed, learning as much about the Thane as he possibly could in those short moments. Weapons, books, and chairs all occupied the office of the Thane. It looked normal enough...but he was not ready to believe it yet.

Ilfirin was normally a composed person, rarely acting out of his usual demeanor. However, the sight of the small Fae had caused the half elf to widen his eyes in pure shock.

"Wha-"

His voice caught in his throat. He could not afford to look bad. Turning his head away from the Thane, he cleared his throat and turned back, nodding slightly.

"Serale, I would like to apply as an assistant Thane in hopes of aiding your Grace and the city of Vortex."

[Kiarin 'Ip Panthar]

Kiarin had seen the Thanal estates many times. When he had first left the deserts of his birth vortex is where he made his way. It had been years but his memory was still intact. The last year he hadn't done much but meditate and practice his forms. In fact he'd been saddened when he realized his old master was no longer teaching at the school, his training had begun the growth to manhood and he wished to thank the man.

Shaking his head to clear it Kiarin made his way to the gate. Holding his head high he approached Wearing an intricately detailed suit of troll hide armor, the beautifully crafted suit of black armor was matched buy his white and black cape held at the neck with a massive ruby pendant. As he neared he slid the bow from his shoulder and pulled his quiver from his back knowing he was about to be disarmed.

"Serale, I'm a humble adventurer by the name Kiarin 'Ip Panthar and I've come about a demon." Smiling Kiarin hands over the bow and arrow's then pull's his longsword carefull to appear un-threatening. Good thing I left my Knives behind I'm allready armed to the teeth Have relieved himself of all the weapons the gaurds would see he waited to be escorted inside.

[Amber Brightwing]

Amber noticed the apparent surprise when Ilfirin entered and smiled. She didn’t mind it, since one wouldn’t really expect a Fae to be holding the office of Thane in a city like Vortex, but it did raise some questions. “Since you seemed to be surprised at seeing me I take it that you’re not that familiar with the Vortex politics?” Anyone who had some passing knowledge of them should have known that the Thane was a Faerie after all. “Do you have any experience with politics in general or perhaps some other background which you think that could aid you in a position of assistant Thane? It doesn’t have to be anything official.”

She put her hands in her lap and waited. The question was one of curiosity, something to get the conversation started. She hadn’t been able to put forth any qualifications herself when she applied for Thane, so it wasn’t something she considered to be vital.

[Amber Brightwing]

Kiarin’s weapons were accepted by one of the guards, while the other gestured him he could move though the gates. “Follow me sir.” Inside the mansion he 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 that had lead him inside walked towards the office next to the guarded door however and once both were inside he announced the Pantheri’s name and purpose to the blond Human woman that was sitting behind the desk.

“Serale.” She smiled at the Katta as she greeted him. After rummaging through a stack of paper for a moment she produced two sheets and handed them over. One contained a map with notes, the other had a date and a place. “The map currently has everything we know about the demon: it’s location. The other paper has a date when other’s that have shown interest will gather at the cities gates. If you wish you can join up with them.” She crossed her arms and let him have a look at the papers for a moment. “Anything else you wished to know?”

OOC Since Hurahan seems to have disappeared, if you wish to join up with others then feel free to start a thread and I’ll point everyone that has shown interest so far in the right direction

[Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto]

Ilfirin winced inwardly. So the Thane had noticed his surprise; it was not so much of shock, but disappointment. There was a chance that the Thane could be displeased, and that was certainly unwanted at this moment. He tightened his fists, digging his nails into his skin. If he had been more prepared and had tried to find more information about the Thane, then this could have potentially been avoided. So, when he answered her, the half elf, who rarely told the truth, proceeded to do.

“I have only arrived here recently, so I have not been able to explore Vortex as I would like. However, I feel that I will stay in this city for a long time as it is the only city I found suitable.”
When she asked the other question, more about experience, it did not do much for Ilfirin to stay at ease. The only basic training he had was for healing. “I am willing to learn any type of politics that will benefit Vortex. I come from Herrozal, so I am familiar with the ways of the Vysstichi and their culture.” He paused at this, taking time to digest what he had revealed. “Your Grace will find me logical and assertive as well. I will make sure that the best comes to Vortex.”

It was a test, he figured. These sentences were the best he could come up in a short span of time. He only hoped the Thane would not dismiss his words so easily.

[Amber Brightwing]

Amber simply nodded. Nothing seemed to show that she was offended or that his lack of knowledge equaled an immediate no. “I’m not too familiar with Herrozal, though from what I’ve heard it’s probably the city that resembles Har’oloth the closest.” Unknowingly he had answered one of her other questions as well. Vortex and Har’oloth, while seen as one entity by the Kingdom was in reality two cities that blended together at their border, the first Plane of Har’oloth. Amber claimed no power below the First Plane and she expected the Vysstichi not to intervene in aboveground politics. Ilfirin would have had a much harder time if he had known her name as a Har’oloth Half-Vysstichi.

If feel too comfortable about the earlier questioning then it didn’t look be put at ease any time soon. “Personally I tend to go by the ‘If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ philosophy, which doesn’t mean I’m not trying improve things if I see an opportunity of course, so per chance, have you noticed anything you think that could be improved? If so, how do you think it could be done? What do you think you will do in general if you were given the position?” It seemed that the Thane wasn’t one to chat away her time.

[Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto]

"Yes," said the half elf, nodding his head softly as Vysstichi city of Herozzal was brought up again. Though he had lived there all his life up until now, there was no doubt in his mind that he would rather risk a journey to the ends of the world than enter that blasted city ever again. Despite his crimson-colored eyes, he was not Half Vysstichi. It had been a matter of luck that he managed to gain the color of eyes he held.

"I would like to see improvement in our security. Having lived with the Vysstichi, I know how their race generally acts in front of the other races. Why is Vortex looked down upon? Tis the slave trader's faults, not the necromancers." The half elf said it calmly, with no hesitance when it came to the words "slave trader" and "necromancer". "Though it matters not whether slaves are sold or not, for that has been the way since the beginning of time, would it not be better that people not be taken off the streets and be sold off in slavery? I, for the good of the city, must argue that it is not the necromancers that are a threat, but the Vysstichi slave traders. Let them sell and trade slaves all they want, but they must not diminish the reputation of our city."

"And now, I have read in the Herald that one of the noble house in Har'oloth has attacked Portshire. With all respect your Grace, it does nothing but tarnish the reputation of Vortex even further. And speaking of matters concerning security and defense, I would like to suggest stronger defense for the city gates. Not in terms of more guard, but in terms of accepting who enters. I know that Vortex is unique for its openness, and hence we have so many religions about, but I must state that not many are as open as the citizens who live in this city. Many seek to harm us, and perhaps are already prepared, waiting for the last moment to strike..." He paused, letting the statements sink in. Then he spoke again, switching to another subject.

"As well, if it was possible, would there be some way to improve the judicial system? I have noticed that there is a Court of Justice, but personally, have not been able to visit it."

[Vacar]

Never mind ><

[Amber Brightwing]

“Slave traders?” Now that was an interesting line of thought. He was probably right that the slave traders were more dangerous than the Necromancers in this town. In fact, when she got to power she argued similarly that it were the gangs that made the city’s streets dangerous. Later on, she had proceeded with wiping out the biggest one and reestablished the guard’s grip on the city to improve the general security. “You’re right that the current slave trade isn’t always as clean as it should be. It’s perfectly legal to sell barbarians into slavery however and not always as easy to check if someone really never had any papers or if they were taken from him. The city guard tries to stop smuggling of any kind, but the legal trade only benefits our city. Our courts judge people just as they do in any other city. We work a bit differently in that our guards tend not to arrest people purely on their believes or trade, but our laws are still the Imperial ones… Or the ones of the Kingdom should it ever change. Or did you have any ideas on how to better take on the problem of slavers that kidnap respectable citizens?” Personally, she couldn’t care less about people losing their papers, as long as the slavers managed to keep their paperwork clean.

“I do not agree with you that it would improve our situation however. The Necromancers have laid low for many eras now, but our city’s reputation is still connected to them more then the slave trade. Furthermore, the previous captain of the guard has managed to set free some of these kidnapped slaves several times, but I never saw our reputation change a single bit.” She smiled at him. “Whether you like it or not, you’ll probably be stuck with the reputation. Fortunately it doesn’t seem bad enough that it prevents our merchants from finding people willing to trade.” And for her that was sufficient.

When the attack on Portshire was mentioned, she simply grinned. “According to the Herald it wasn’t just one House that attacked. They claim that all three Houses banded together in an all-out attack that managed to kill and wound a handful of city guards before being defeated.” She fell silent and waited to see if he had more to say on the matter, wondering if really believed every word of it. He might have noted her taking on the matter by the hint of sarcasm in her voice.

[Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto]

"I understand that slavery is legal when it concerns the barbarians. I am not against that in anyway." It was another lie from the half elf, who skillfully, with his best attempt, tried to mask his scorn for slavery in general. The edges of his mouth curved, and he crossed his arms around his chest. They were little movements, but hints to his thoughts on regards to slavery.

Though he kept his smile, as he was never one without manners in the face of authority, there was no doubt in the back of his mind that a slave rebellion would be in order...as soon as he gained enough popularity in the city. With his near resemblance to a Vysstichi, it would give him an easier time.

"Well, isn't there-" He paused, tapping his fingers against the side of his cheek. "What if we send guards directly. Well, that didn't actually work..." He mumbled to himself now, incoherent sentences forming in the span of a few seconds. Then he stared up, looking to the Thane. "What if we register their visas into a list of some sorts? We'll..." It sounded somewhat absurd, and the half elf had to fight the impulse that warned him not to stay it, "take their visas at the gate. We will ask them when they leave, and when they come back to the gates, we will give them back their visas. That way, if they don't come back in the allotted time, we'll know. And, they can also inform us if they want extra time in the city."

"That is unfortunate to hear about the necromancers. I was hoping that something could have helped, if not to ease the wound that they suffered many eras ago."

"All three houses?" Ilfirin frowned, "What reason would they have to attack Portshire? It seems that Vortex has always been attacked for its beliefs and people. It makes absolutely no sense that Vortex's own people would attack Portshire."

"I'm sorry your Grace, but it makes no sense to me that the houses would go and bother another city when we have our own problems to deal with."

Ilfirin may have noted the sarcasm, but if he did, he made no movement that showed so. Instead, he bowed lightly with a nod of his head, "These are my sincere thoughts. I hope that you might take them into consideration."