Private - Candidate 002

Private - Candidate 002
Discussion in 'Astorea' started by Raid Master, Jan 22, 2018.
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  1. Raid Master

    Raid Master

    Staff Member Game Master
    Candidate 002

    As soon as @Claire Thalassa finished her sentence, she could feel her vision gradually becoming hazy as her thoughts grind to a complete stop. Before she could feel herself hitting the floor from the involuntary loss of control over her own body, her consciousness was snuffed out like a lit candle in the night.

    When Claire comes to, she could experience a brief nausea as she find herself on a cot in the middle of a vacant room with stony floor and a wall in every direction with no door. Before her eyes wandered, a veiled figure in the corner of the room began speaking.

    "Welcome to the Drowned Mermaid, before we begin, let me introduce myself. I am Ser Valand and I am employed by a certain powerful individual. Our organization, the Vigil is looking for talents like you, who can quickly decipher hidden messages and work efficiently toward their goal. First and foremost, we need to determine if you fit the profile of what we are looking for.
    1. Firstly, how do you view the nation of Astorea and its current king?
    2. Secondly, would you choose blind justice over morality? Why?
    3. Lastly, can you keep a secret? How?
    What is your answer, Lady Claire Thalassa?"
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2018
    #1 Jan 22, 2018
  2. Claire Thalassa

    Claire Thalassa

    Claire opened her eyes slowly, trying to piece together what had happened through the light fog in her mind. The note, the tavern, a password, and then?

    Glancing about the room offered no answers, only more questions. Where was this? And just how had she been placed within a doorless cell? And-

    The cloaked figure in the corner of the room began speaking to her. Sitting up quickly, Claire ignored the brief burst of nausea and focused on the speaker. Shrouded as they were, hidden behind a veil, Claire couldn't make out many features.

    As the figure finished asking their questions, she frowned for a moment, wondering how to answer. Hmmm.

    "Well, I see a man who's stumbled into a situation that's likely a bit too big for him," she started off, addressing the first question. "And someone who needs some help. As far as I'm aware, the biggest threat from Falderen has already been... taken care of, and at the hands of the king himself, no less. But Astorea as a nation is still new. There's still a lot it has to do before it can establish itself in the eyes of the world at large."

    At the question about morality, well. That was an easy answer. She wasn't expecting a philosophical quiz when she followed the clues, but all right. She'd bite. "Blind justice is almost as bad as no justice at all, and equally as bad as doing things solely based on the fact that it's the 'nice' thing to do. Justice, as with any blade, must be tempered with a thorough understanding of the full situation. Similarly, so must a desire to do 'good'."

    And finally. "Certainly. Secrets and confidential information are part of what I deal with on the regular. You don't keep people's trust by spilling secrets. If you want information, you have to know how to keep it to yourself, and my livelihood depends on me being able to get information. So. I know how to keep my mouth shut about important things."

    As she spoke, she tried to glance around the room, seeing if there was anything out of place that she could maybe use if things turned ugly.
     
    #2 Jan 23, 2018
  3. Raid Master

    Raid Master

    Staff Member Game Master
    img

    Clide Valand


    "Well then, you sound exactly the kind of personnel we are looking for then!"

    The shadow came out from the veil of fog and released @Claire Thalassa from the effects of the illusion. After the reveal, Claire can see the man's face in the open, he seemed rather young and blond, features often common among the high-borns. After the adverse effects of the phantasm wore off, the girl can see that she was in a small basement, surrounded by barrels of booze and crates containing supplies for a tavern.

    On the opposite end of the young man was the staircase leading up to what was likely the main reception of the Drowned Mermaid, implying that she was free to walk away anytime now that he had released her from the clutch of the illusory arts.

    The man paused briefly, letting Claire get a bearing on her location before he began speaking again. He said,

    "I am here as a former recruiter for the Knight's Vigil, or Vigil for short. As you had already touched on the current political landscape in Astorea, everything appears rather stable and it is the Vigil's job to keep it that way. If you are this perceptive at politics, then you should already know that no governing body can remain stable without insurance.

    ...this is the majesty's form of insuring his successful reign in Astorea, an organization of Knights dedicated to espionage and only deploying when the time comes. It is our goal to identify insurgences before they become a problem and eliminate them for the sake of political stability and the prosperity of the nation.

    It is our duty to cut down those who lust for the power of the King, who has thus far, proven himself to work utmost for the citizenry's interest. Will you, Clair Thalassa, become a Knight and lend your undying fealty to the crown?
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2018
    #3 Jan 23, 2018
  4. Claire Thalassa

    Claire Thalassa

    Clair tilted her head as the illusion faded away. Ah. So that was it. Quite the potent spell, to be able to fully deceive all of her senses. From the barrels and the staircase, it looked like she was beneath a tavern, likely the Drowned Mermaid.

    "Reasonable enough. Astorea and its people certainly deserve a period of stability after all that's happened." First the siege on Dormont and the transferring of the territory to the players' hands, then the attempted invasion. There certainly was no shortage of turmoil.

    She listened to the man's spiel. The 'undying fealty to the crown' bit seemed rather... much. But she couldn't deny that it would be an opportunity to get involved in the inner workings of whatever machinations were going on. If worst came to worst, this was just a game. A commitment here meant nothing much.

    "Very well. I'll join your Vigil," she said, standing up to meet with the man.
     
    #4 Jan 23, 2018
  5. Raid Master

    Raid Master

    Staff Member Game Master
    img

    Clide Valand

    "Wonderful answer!" Clide clasped his hand together as his clear, blue eyes lit up, suggesting he was more innocent than he initially led on. The stark contrast between an impressionable young man and a secretive and possibly dangerous organization would raise a few questions.

    Before he let the joy overtake him, however, Clide hardened his gaze on the beautiful woman as he lowered his voice,

    "Given our profession, Vigil Knights don't just get to learn all of the political secrecy without an oath. Some factions will simply take a verbal oath, others may make a blood pact, but for the Vigil, you get a special brand--like this..."

    Clide approached Claire and bent down before he wrestled with his armor, revealing a mark below his collar bone. It was a circle with a V in the center.

    "This is the last requirement for your Knighthood, a special brand that will allow special seekers to hunt you down should you betray your Knightly Oath. If you agree to that term, then we are done here and we will reconvene with the rest of the Vigil in a week time to get the Knighting and marking ceremony done. Your job will start after that. Are you absolutely certain you want to go through with this? The truth is never free."
     
    #5 Jan 24, 2018
  6. Claire Thalassa

    Claire Thalassa

    The disparity between the brief burst of excitement that Clide demonstrated and the situation as a whole was a bit odd. But who was she to comment, really? She knew how to put on what seemed like a different personality depending on the situation.

    She examined the mark carefully. It seemed innocuous. But there were many different magics at work in the game. Such a tracking ability didn't seem like much of a stretch. "I see," she said, stepping back when done with her examination. "Very well. If that's what's necessary, then so be it. I'm well aware of what you have to be willing to do in order to get at the truth."

    Claire gave him a nod as she began to leave the basement. "In a week's time, then."
     
    #6 Jan 24, 2018
  7. Raid Master

    Raid Master

    Staff Member Game Master
    Candidate 002 Approved
     
    #7 Jan 24, 2018
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