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 Despite picking up the transport from the other side of the bay, closer to Blomstregårdian territory, she was the only elf on board. It did indeed seem like her people were now secreted away in their homeland, very few daring to step into the greater world. In uncharitable terms, cowards. "[So this is Ark's Landing…]" The great queen mumbles to herself in her native tongue as the ship began to moor in the harbour. The city was certainly big, that was undeniable. But it was big in that provincial capital way, a sprawling expanse of ill-fitting and disjointed designs just bursting at the seams trying to fit everybody into itself. Here, a resplendent temple made of sparkling marble standing tall over the cityscape. Then next to it, small wooden slums that houses the layperson. No rhyme, no reason, just urban expansion. This was in contrast to the grand, which Anathema's capitals were beyond any other description. Meticulously planned, perfectly executed metropolises that did not have a stone out of place. The dock was a bustle of activity, stevedores hauling goods and passengers rushing to and fro. But even amongst this barely contained chaos, Anathema stood out. Her ears were longer by half than any of the people around her. Even with the olive tanned sailors around, her skin was darker still. Her hair was in strong locs. Her vivid dress was unlike anything anybody in this part of the world would wear. She couldn't go without drawing attention in the human lands, unless she stuffed herself into a hooded cloak and avoided major settlements. But hiding away for any longer would be doing the world a disservice, abnegating responsibility totally. She couldn't bare the weight of yet more suffering at her inaction. Though her goal was to gain access to whatever passes as the city library or archive, to gain some understanding on the city and her empire, she didn't even get fifty feat before eyes were upon her. The common subject, perhaps having never seem an elf like her before. Dock workers, making conspicuous effort to keep their distance from her. Two knights, who seemed to be paying her special attention. When it becomes clear that she would not even be allowed to leave the harbour unmolested, Anathema sighs and puts on a fierce stare at the approaching solider. "Lost because I am not back home with the other elves frolicking amongst the trees of Blomstregård?" Anathema, without the hesitation of a kowtowed subject, fires back at the male knight. She had worked hard on her accent since she 'woke up' again in the world, but there was only so much she could do in the little time she had since then. Elf culture, at least in Anathema's time, thrived on taking studious years to perfect every skill. They had the lifespan for it, after all. But time, ironically enough, had not been on Anathema's side. She had to translate from the tongue to modern elven, and from there to translate again to this… common trade language the humans used throughout Sevvran. Even for the great Basilissa Anathema, she could not avoid a small but undeniable accent. Non-aspirated p's and t's. A trace of final-obstruent devoicing. An uvular trill. To an untrained ear, enough to detect she was foreign. To an academic? Perhaps enough to pinpoint the vague area on the westlands that she came from. "Or, Sir, do such well appointed knights accost every woman who takes three steps off the ferry?" Robodog posted:
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Jul 17, 2016 06:30
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"Looking for something?" Anathema returns the question to the accosting guard. "Are we not all looking for something, sir knight? Is this unceasing longing that humans, naturally, consider to be part of 'human nature', but which among we elves is known as 'vela'ghenn', and runs something like 'kottar hhaw' in the dwarven tongue, simply not just part of who we are as people? Is not our curiosity and never-ending search for meaning one of the fundamental conditions of life that we all together share?" Clearly, this was a somewhat rhetorical statement. Anathema continues without giving the gormless guard enough time to understand half of the words she had just used. "Ark's Landing is new to me. As such, I am attempting to find what passes as culture in this sprawling morass of a capital. Arts. Literature. Bibliothèque. The central core of what it means to be Sevvran. The soul of your kingdom." She answers the man, one hand on her hip and the other gesturing lightly to the city around them. "If you can direct one to that, then by all means you may be useful." The other knight walks over, equally well armoured and armed but in something that appeared slightly less battle hardened. For a moment, Anathema is concerned there would be a confrontation in the street. As if she wasn't drawing enough attention already. But thankfully the knight seemed to only want to retain her offsider. Something Anathema was amenable to. "The confusion is understandable, sir knight. We must all look alike to your eyes." She offers her a small smile and nod. "A typical response from the strong to the weak, dare not talk to your betters lest you face the consequences. If that is all, sir knights." Anathema, seeing the two knights turn to leave her, offers them a curt bow. She had her own matters to see to, after all. Anywhere of serious learning would most certainly not be on the docks.
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Jul 18, 2016 07:51
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Thankfully, none of the odd looks are backed up with words or actions. Or are from those more heavily armed or armoured than those knights who greeted her at the harbour. The sovnya seemed to have gone out of style over the centuries, Anathema totally failing to find any weapon of the sort. What seemed to pass as polearms now were either ludicrously impractical war-hammers or poorly made disposable spears. She could fall back on her axework and swordplay if she had to, but with only a finely-made dagger strapped to her thigh and a throwing knive hidden down each boot she was hardly armed enough for a seriously conflict. Not that Anathema shied away from violence when it came to her, but she did not seek it out needlessly. Having to stab Sevvrani on the streets of the Sevvran capital was more or less the definition of needless violence. So, she is allowed to go on her way without further interruption. Thought she assumed otherwise, the Library of Ark's Landing was not terribly difficult to find. Because it was huge. Not the size of her own Dominion Archives, long since crumbled to ruin, but the largest she had seen since clawing her way out of her own citadel. Not even the repositories she visited while still in Blomstregård compared, perhaps elves in these times valued trees over pulping them for paper. And one suspected that such a collection was only amassed through wholesale looting after cities fell and kingdoms invaded by King Leopold. That was never how Anathema collected captured knowledge, she always sent her transcribers in to copy everything of import into the tongue and sent back to the Archives. But perhaps that was too much effort for some. Whatever the case, the library was huge and Anathema's lack of command over the language meant that she would have a long time finding what she needed. Now, she wasn't one afraid to defer to others when her own ability was lacking. As rare as that was. So, the erstwhile queen first approaches the sprawling reference desk. "Good afternoon, magistra." Anathema smiles to the bookish young scholar behind the rosewood desk, bowing her head slightly to the girl. "I must tell you that I am impressed by the enormity of the collection you possess here. I had the presentiment that such literary culture had no place in Ark's Landing, but clearly I was under a misapprehension. But this extensive archive is why I am in front of you know." Anathema begins to explain, effortlessly deploying her words and charm. "I am afraid I am unfamiliar with the cataloguing system you employ at this library, and so must throw myself upon your mercy for assistance." She implores. "I am interested in your history, as you may tell I am not quite familiar with the human kingdoms." She smiles somewhat bashfully, making a small indication to her left ear. "If you could perhaps look upon your reference catalogues for me…" I need to talk fancy and ingratiate myself to get some help so [+6] The People's Queen, the Patrician's Princeps to ask the young library assistant for some help looking in the card catalogue and reference books and that to find books! History of the world, if possible. History of Sevvran Kingdom under the reign of the Leopolds. Maybe even IDing the oldest stuff in their collection to have a stickybeak at and read!! Maybe it's almost as old as Anathema.
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Jul 19, 2016 11:15
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Anathema never considered herself a great philosopher, merely a well read woman. And while she was never a moral leader in the Paramountcy as such, she liked to present herself as an example one could follow. Anathema never asked from her people more than she would be willing to give herself. She avoided eating meat, for in her view the greatness of a nation could be judged from the way its animals were treated. And in the same vein she treated even the lowliest librarian assistant with a grace and dignity befitting a royal dignitary. The young woman was doing her job with aplomb, with little more than a kind word and a smile. Clearly this city was sapping the happiness and contentment of life out of the common folk if she was so eager to help with only common courtesy given to her. But such excellent help deserved kindness in kind, especially with the food and tea along with the piles of immensely helpful books. "Thank you again, magistra. You are an immense help." She smiles, bowing her head to the girl. It was truely acceptable tea (one of the books seemed to suggest it was tea leaves flavoured with citrus oils), which after so many years without it was like ambrosia. The language construction, while foreign, was far less complicated than the tongue. It was not difficult to pick up. Anathema devours book after book, tome after tome in next to no time. She finished a stack of books by the time the young assistant had brought her the next pile to read through. The general history of the last few hundred years was easy enough, the rise of Sevvran as a kingdom of note. But earlier than that was sparse. And there was nothing of the great and terrible Queen Anathema. No good, no bad, just being totally erased. It was one thing to have her legacy slandered and destroyed, but totally ignored like she never existed? That was something else. That was a king trying to make himself seem like the greatest conquerer in all history, in her humble opinion. Erase all before, history starts now. It gave her a poor impression of a man she didn't even know yet. But along with the overwhelming praise of this regent Lady Beatrice de Wulfe (the lady knight Anathema had met, no wonder her armour was so ornate), it seemed to be the logical answer. A king without compare, a regent who is the most skilled fighter in all history. And don't dare question such statements, lest you face consequences. If the accosting at the docks was actually the two knight somehow recognising her, seeing the legendary Basilissa Anathema of Blomstregård alive in the flesh, then this suddenly coloured events. If she officially did not exist, just a legend, just being here might be a threat to the crown and this mad king. Who knows if they did or not, but without support in this foreign city Anathema had to be careful. Avoiding the palace and those knights seemed to be the prudent route to take right now. Hopefully, the talk of multiple revolts occurring in the provinces would keep attention elsewhere. And the talk of the regent's apprentice taking arms against her. And the talk of the regent and the leader of the church feuding. Anathema certainly would never let her Paramountcy fall into such a farce, but she was not to know what exactly happened in the last few hundred years to lead here. Poor leadership from the King down, was the most simple answer. The regent failing in her role, and poor integrating of provinces into the kingdom. All flaws Anathema had dealt with herself, and fixed. But could this king and this regent fix them? She doubted it. Even as Anathema and the delightful librarian gossiped and sipped on tea, a religious type was preaching to the masses outside the library. The people ate it up. To so easily be comforted by mere religion? The people must have little else to hold dear to their hearts. A failing of the state to provide security to the common citizen. But there was only so much books and a pleasant afternoon chat over tea could inform the Basilissa. She had to see the people herself, gauge what they really thought of the kingdom their new king left them with. And making sure she was off the radar of those knights wouldn't hurt either. "I suspect I will return for research and scintillating conversation, magistra. But as you have shown me, I fear I have a few matters to attend to. Many thanks for the tea." Anathema bids the kindly librarian farewell for now, descending into the urban sprawl of Ark's Landing. There would be no shortage of people to talk to, and more importantly listen to. In the public squares and city greens, where crushing crowds were eager to share their thoughts on every subject under the sun. In the langar, sharing a meal with those who had no money to spare for such basics. In the women's shelters, giving those who had nobody else to turn to a sympathetic ear to listen to their tales. And even the slums, where the lowest of the low had fallen through the cracks and were left with nothing. It was here that she would get a real picture of what the real people thought of Sevvran. What the real people suffered through. How they wanted to change to see things better. Okay so basically the people seem to be downtrodden and easily whipped up into an angry mob judging from the librarian and the crowd outside? So Anathema is going to press the flesh and go and see how the average joe is. Listen to concerns, get their views on the wars and the rebellions and what they are really worried about. Lend them an ear! Give them support and succour! [5:31pm] Robodog: meet with and listen to the hoi polloi [5:31pm] Robodog: !r 2d6+6 [5:31pm] Krysmbot: Robodog, 7+6 = 13
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Jul 26, 2016 14:00
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"They still let elves into Ark's Landing?" "…excuse me, miss. Are those your real ears?" "gently caress off, knife ear!" Reception was mixed, to say the least. Often in times of war people turn to xenophobia, especially those who have very little else to rely on in life, and this was no different. Being the sole elf she had seen in the city, Anathema is not surprised that most of these humans were not sure what to make of her. A strange curiosity, a dangerous threat, a disgusting creature. Or, in some stares and glances, a mix of all three. For an apparent all conquering kingdom it was surprisingly insular. According to the first few people Anathema was able to coax into conversation the Blomstregård embassy had been closed in protest against King Leopold IV and his outrageous expansionist war efforts some years ago. And with it, one can assume, most if not all of the elves. That helped explain why she was more of an outsider than she had expected. Severing diplomatic ties did that to a kingdom. But nonetheless, she persevered with her diplomatic efforts. After all, these people had no real grudge against elves. Just the propaganda of the foreign outsider threatening the dominion of Sevvran supremacy. All Anathema had to do was show them she was a person just like them, and the walls between them would come crashing down. No doubt plans were afoot, and schemes being formulated. But a seemingly random elf walking up to the regent or the king would simply get her into trouble. And loudly announcing that the great and terrible and/or officially erased from history Queen Anathema was here would only get her into more trouble. If she were to influence matters for the better, like these displaced and dispossessed needed, then she'd have to keep her head down for now and slowly build herself up. Perhaps starting with a connection to this supposedly powerful benefactor. Hiding in the slums, keeping a low profile, asking the people what would help them the most out of anything, maybe meet this strange benefactor.
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Aug 1, 2016 16:29
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The poor were right. Asking questions and offering condolences and sympathy would only get her so far. What these people needed beyond anything else was action. They needed money, security, medicine, food, all things that she could not provide on her own right now. Two thousands and some hundreds of years ago? No problem. But she lost everything she had, no long able to give these needy what they needed to have to be safe. But what she could do is use the one thing she still had, her force of personality, to demand that somebody else help her with it. And who better than the supposed rulers of this rat nest of a city? Though these people trusted her, she needed to give back. So it was little problem to convince them that by signing a piece of paper they would be helping her help them. First a few dozen singed. Then a few hundred. Then a thousand. She couldn't handle it by herself, but flyers came back to her filled out entirely with roughly scrawled signatures and X's to create piles and piles of petition pages. Anathema carried no weight herself anymore, not with her history being wiped from the city library, but with the backing of the people like this she had something to work with. These people had spirit, and they deserved better than the slums they were stuck in thanks to this war. A proud and noble elf walking up to the steps of the grand palace was probably a sight that nobody in Ark's Landing had ever seen before. But as she marched through the central square and up the marble stairway, they saw. And Anathema did not shy away, for every eyeball that was on her was one that was not on the few helpers with her that were aiding in the carrying of the thousands upon thousands of sheets of the petition. Simply far too many for Anathema to carry on her own. If the guards moved to stop her, Anathema did no threaten. But neither did she stop. She came here with the support of the people on at her back, and she was not going to let them down by stopping before she handed in the demand. Once she was many feet higher than the square and the surrounds, high enough that any who were near could see, Anathema turns around. She had stood in front of crowds before, and by either sheer novelty or shock at the boldness of this foreigner a few of the high born were stopping and staring up at her now. Time to stake her claim. "Ark's Landing!" She calls, her accent further cementing her alien nature. "I have with me a petition." She motions to the pages in her hand, and the many more the strong-backed lads hauling the piles of papers with her held. "It calls for more food to be made available to the starving! It calls for fresh and clean water to be provided to those without a drop to drink! It calls for medicine to be given to the sick! It calls for security to protect rather than intimidate! It calls for lower taxes on those who have already given everything they own to the war!" Her voice is loud and domineering, but not angry. It is a well practised tone, one to orate to a crowd and make her voice heard over the din of feasting nobles alike. "It calls for those fleeing the war to not be found victims here, in glorious Ark's Landing, where they so desperately seek sanctuary! Is a kingdom so great when so many of her own subject suffer?" The Basilissa explains, pointing to the solid castle doors behind her. "And it is signed by thousands of those in need! Every name, every mark, every X is a soul in need of succour and a voice that cannot be heard by the rulers living behind such thick citadel walls as these!" "It is in their names that I demand an audience with Regent de Wulfe and the bastard Princess Sevvran!" Robodog: galvanising the poor to sign a petition [3:54pm] Robodog: !r 2d6+6 [3:54pm] Krysmbot: Robodog, 7+6 = 13
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Aug 5, 2016 08:44
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For an out of place elf, Anathema doesn't hold herself like one. Because, really, she wasn't out of place at all. she had done this a million times, high powered political meetings were her life. Her walk is full of confidence, her head is held high and proud. Nobody is hiding those ears away from the stares of courtly ladies and lowly servants. With petition in hand, she strides with purpose. Heels click on the polished marble floor. Dagger hanging easy at her side. Though nobody knew her, she cuts an impressive figure. Nodding graciously to the servant who lets her in, Anathema bows her head slightly to both the Regent and the Princess. In part out of politeness, and in part as an apology for interrupting them. Though her cause was just, there was no excuse for rudeness if one could avoid it. The monk gets an acknowledging nod as well. For her to be in audience with the Princess, she must be an impressive figure indeed. But, lacking any knowledge of the religious orders and cults of Sevvran, Anathema had no grounding as to whom she may be. The Order Resplendent? Best treat her with respect all the same. "If I may make a suggestion, Regent de Wulfe?" Anathema offers as she approaches the centre of power in all Ark's Landing, stepping in behind the Regent. "Perhaps do not reply so needlessly aggressively." There is a fine line with throwing words back at people, but Anathema offers no smirk nor a smug tone. It is simply advice, the same she was given when she arrived. It seemed the perfect time to give it. "And no lecture is needed, Regent de Wulfe. I am well versed in Sevvrani political systems and dynasties." Thanks to the lovely librarian assistant, Anathema was now a wealth of Sevvrani trivia. "As for how things work around here, this is precisely why I am here." Anathema looks the two rulers. "Princess Leona. Regent de Wulfe." She addresses each in turn, her voice weighty and carrying a serious tone. If she was at all intimidated or kowtowed by being in front of the Regent and Princess, she was not letting any of it show. "My petition comes to you on behalf of the impoverished and destitute of the city." She begins. "Conflict affects all, but some feel the debilitating consequences far earlier than others. The poor and the war refugees seeking sanctuary now make up more than half the population of Ark's Landing. But yet, they are given nothing." "On behalf of the people, I must ask of you: Does the King value his war over the well being of his own subjects?" She asks of the King's own representatives. [6:08pm] Robodog: rolling a giant charisma stat because yami made me [6:08pm] Robodog: !roll 2d6+6 [6:08pm] Krysmbot: Robodog, 11+6 = 17 Robodog fucked around with this message at 09:09 on Aug 12, 2016 |
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Aug 12, 2016 08:54
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"You should heed good advice no matter where it comes from, Regent de Wulfe." Anathema points out to the ruler, and she was right. Even the lowliest peasant may present insight enough to save an entire empire. To dismiss it all out of hand, why, that was just negligent. But, this Regent was from the ranks of the army. She was not an administrator. It stood to reason she knew little of how to rule properly. "But if you demand a name from me, then who am I to deny the Regent?" All the history books Anathema poured over in the library gave some detail of the Dominion, more often than not the ruins the grand empire left behind. But no mention of her name. No mention of the three hundred year rule of Basilissa Anathema, heralding in an empire like no other ever seen on the face of the world. Her name had been erased or forgotten, on purpose of simply a victim of the passage of time. However the cause, she felt that given this the odds her name would be recognised were slim to nil. And so… "You may call me Anathema, Regent de Wulfe."
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Aug 12, 2016 11:35
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For now, at least, the Princess was showing her a modicum of respect. More than what the Regent had shown her. Hopefully that meant she was more open minded towards people who weren't humans compared to the far more martial Regent. As to her question, Anathema respectfully nods her head. "They've shown me great kindness since I have been in your capital, Princess Leona." She answers. She may not have been here long compared to these two rulers of the city, but she lived among these people for her entire time in Ark's Landing so far. "Return to what, Princess Leona?" Anathema answers, turning her full attention to the bastard half-sister of the ruling king. How much power that royal blood afforded Anathema did not know, but for her to be in the palace alongside the ruling Regent she must have considerable clout. "Their homes are no longer standing, cities and villages have been razed to the ground for daring to stand between your brother's army and those of the enemy. And the lands they lived on are shattered beyond recognition, utterly war-torn. Fit only to sow corpses and reap tears." Anathema's eyes glance to the Regent and this monk, Sudden Clarity, to see how they react to her words before continuing with the Princess. "Have you seen verdant valleys after the land has been turned into a battlefield, Princess Leona? Or had a legion of troops stationed there for months on end? An army can be seen in metaphor as a hoard of locusts; they pass through the land and leave nothing in their wake." She asks, unsure if she was a military woman or one more at home with palace life. "As soldiers take time to heal from the horrors of war, so too does the land. Those seeking sanctuary in Ark's Landing do not wish to stay here forever, they want to go home with their families more than anything. But they do not feel safe outside of the capital. Their homes have been destroyed. Their lands have been ruined. They have to rebuild from nothing and they do not want to start that while armies still roam and war plagues the land. Even if most were brave enough to start to rebuild, all resources are devoted to conquest. Nothing is being given to renewal in the wake of conflict. How is one with nothing expected to start again when they lack the means to even feed their family?"
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Aug 18, 2016 14:18
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"It pays to be a student of history, Regent de Wulfe. Dead myths often have lessons to teach others," Anathema, cooly though she bristles at the comment, reminds Regent de Wulfe. "Lest they too fall folly to mistakes of yore." Right now at least the Regent had to think Anathema was some deranged elf, but her not having been thrown out was a testament to her oratory prowess. "Perhaps if magic were not censored so the ability to summon food and water would be widely known by now. But alas." Magic certainly wasn't embraced like it was back in the Paramountcy. The offer was certainly unexpected. While Anathema wasn't sure the state had supplies to spare, she certainly did not think her brash apperance would secure her a position. They must be desperate for good help in the palace. "Be assured I always speak my mind, Regent de Wulfe. Whether I am in the employ of the crown or not." Anathema answers both her and Leona. "I may be interested." She allows herself to taste the baited hook. "But I must ask, would that be an advisor to the Regent, or to the Princess?" She tries to clarify. "And what of those on whose behalf I came to the Crown to appeal for… humanitarian assistance?" As an elf, she could not simply say that word without a slight undercurrent of distaste in her mouth. As if humans had a monopoly on welfare and charity.
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Aug 18, 2016 20:26
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This monk spoke like monks tended to do, full of undeserved confidence given to them by their god. Anathema tolerated religion, but had little time to listen to those initiated in the church drone on about their faith and how great and glorious their divine overlords were. "Faith does not feed the hungry or clothe the naked, Sudden Clarity." Anathema notes to the monk, her tone and demeanour a touch less respectful than how she was addressing the regent and princess. "Though the church is providing what it can, it is but a drop in the ocean." Anathema nods respectfully to the princess. "Your word carries with it the weight of the crown. I am sure your promise of aid will hearten the people tremendously, Princess Leona." She appeals to the princess' ego. Because all royals had enormous egos, and they all loved being shamelessly flattered. The elf doubted very much that had changed in the time she was in-between reality. "Of course, Princess Leona." She again nods respectfully to both the princess and the regent. "I expect that the appointment of a new advisor will require some discussion between yourself and Regent de Wulfe. I shan't interrupt such private talks."
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Aug 22, 2016 12:14
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"Elves are somewhat reviled for being rude. I prefer to think of it as honesty and candidness at all times, no matter whom might take a dislike to hearing it." She explains, and with a small nod to both the regent and the princess Anathema leaves the pair alone to talk. She could try to eavesdrop, sure, but what good would that do. Either she is accepted in the court or thrown in the dungeons to rot. It was out of her hands now. She thought she may as well take up the opportunity afforded to her by the regent. "Begging your pardon." She approaches the palace staff member who most looked like they knew the palace layout, and who was not busy with another task, with a winning smile. "Regent de Wulfe asked that I be given the grand tour." She informs the staff member. "If you don't mind…" She gets the person's name before continuing, it would be frightfully rude otherwise. "If it is possible, I would like to start with the royal library and the armoury."
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Aug 23, 2016 04:15
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Finding the armoury well stocked, and with something approximating her beloved sovnya, Anathema is content that once she is integrated at court she will be able to arm herself with her preferred weapon of choice. Then she will be able to defend herself properly should worst come to worst. Not that it seemed like it would, but one should always plan for the worst while hoping for the best. But with that little issue seen to, it was time for the library. …well, one couldn't possibly turn up their nose at this opportunity, could they? Anathema takes a peek at the cover of the book at the top of the pile. And then, if the top books garners her interest, she takes a peek at a few more covers. If it is yet more interesting, she will flick through some pages. If it proves to be nothing of her real concern, she will leave the book stack and find an archivist attendant. She wanted to see if the Royal Archives had more on the supposedly banned subjects she couldn't find anything on in the publicly available library.
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Aug 30, 2016 17:08
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The pile of books is an odd collection to be sure, no surface level rhyme or reason to it. Half-bloods? Anathema didn't think that these humans were terribly interested in other species. Since she awoke she hadn't seen a half-elf, half-orc, half-dwarf. No half breeds at all. Yet, here was a book about them. They must still exist, stigmatised by racist government policy or not. Statecraft in the capital city, in the palace of the capital city at that, made a great deal more sense to the famed empress. Though if one of the rulers were reading up on the subject and not learned on the topic already then that did not help her impression of Ark's Landing any. A book on magic, in a kingdom that hated magic? Perhaps a little bit of do as I say and not as I do from the rulers here. Be free to use magic when it is advantageous for you, but forbid those you may oppose you from ever learning the arts. Quite cynical to be sure, but the odds of it being true were almost certain. And a well used book of fairy tales? That seemed a little at odds with the rest of the books here. But it was well loved, perhaps it was just a fond memory one kept around in hard times. Anathema never needed such security blankets, but she understood why some people did. But perhaps… if the history books did not have any mention of herself or her grand empire, maybe they were relegated to myth and fairy stories? It was a long shot, but not entirely out of the question. Anathema would have started to flick through the tales, but she hears footsteps approaching and does not have the luxury of time on her side. She quickly stacks the books up again. "Regent de Wulfe." Anathema nods respectfully to her new employer. "It is a pleasant surprise to see that a regent is so interested in academia." She tells her in her ancient elven lilt. "Far too often I have found rulers to rely on blunt military force or personal charisma for legitimacy, rather than any serious learned study of how one is to lead a nation. Meritocracy often finds itself cast to the side of the road when it comes to kings and their petty kingdoms." She wasn't referring to Leopold directly, of course, but he fell into the category as well. She would never say something so seditious though. That would be outrageous. Few things left from her childhood? Was she a victim who had her family destroyed and village burnt to the ground in the war? Did she simply have to come to the capital from a far-off land and couldn't bring anything else with her? Anathema considers asking, but that would be quite rude. She barely even knew this woman, and could get the information from gossiping palace staff just as easily. Best be discrete. "What tale is it, Regent de Wulfe?" Anathema chooses to ask instead. "Elven tales are very different from what humans are told, I am sure. I do not think I have really heard any human fairy tales before." Which was true. Human's couldn't even write back when she ruled the empire, and those few that did wrote in Paramountcy script. "While senseless bloodshed does have its charm, I did not come here for that." She manages a small joke. "What brought me here was to ensure the plight of the people did not fall upon the deaf ears of the aristocracy, Regent de Wulfe." Anathema answers quite earnestly. "To ensure that yourself and Princess Leona act to aid the people suffering in their very own capital." Hi Theantero!!!
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Sep 12, 2016 03:08
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Anathema nods. "True. The best militaries around the world see the best among them given command. When lives are at stakes, when kingdoms risk falling to ruin, there is little time for nepotism. You want the best commanders, hardened by battle, to lead the good fight." Or unjust fight, as it may happen, but she chooses to not mention this as risk of upsetting the Regent with political talk. "One benefit of unremitting conflict, Regent de Wulfe, is the plethora of battle tested generals. For good or ill of the war, it produces soldiers proved in the heat of battle like the steel of the swords they wield." She smiles very slightly. "Of course, as the army grows in experience the diplomats and bureaucracy wither on the vine. If a ruler is not careful, when the battle is finally over they find no other way of ruling than with that very same army. And that always leads to ruin." "Jerim Grey" Anathema repeats, unfamiliar with the name. "Interesting. I would have thought such tales, of human and elf and ogre being equal, would almost be blasphemy in the current military climate." She notes. "But it is a beautiful thought, is it not? Children so innocent in a world so peaceful that they don't see anything wrong with playing with a young elf or a young ogre like they are just like them. To have fostered such understanding among all the races and nations. An empire harmonious for all." She nods to the Regent. "I hope that you do take the lesson of that tale to heart while you rule, Regent de Wulfe. It has a good message at heart." Anathema, concealing her slight smile, nods. "I carried the petition and hopes of many with me. To not bring it up would be betraying them, and that is a burden I fear I could not bear." She says quite earnestly. She gave her word, and her word was her bond. "Those in power must make concessions to many parties, yes. This is true." Anathema agrees. "But one does not need to be the fearsome Basilissa Anathema of Blomstregård to know that. As long as I have your word, Regent de Wulfe, that you carry the concerns of the the common folk in your heart then I will trust that you will see them aided in whatever way you can." She bows her head respectfully to the Regent. The displaced ruled listens very carefully. There was no doubt the Regent had an ulterior motive, but Anathema was working for a very poor position here. She had little choice but to accept if she were to have any sway in this land and time at all. "Ah, very wise Regent de Wulfe." She bows her head again. "Those who rule should know how their country functions, from the fanciest of galas to the most boring minutiae of government spending. Tax collection is the blood the beating heart of the kingdom cannot live without." Why exactly this single village in this one province, the Blade Hills, was so important she would need to discover later. "I understand your concern for Princess Leona, she is not skilled in dealing with such matters. Very well. If you make my position in the Royal Court official so I can act with Imperial authority, able to then ensure things 'go smoothly', then I will be happy to escort the young Princess Leona to this village." The deal had been put on the table. Her poker face was on. Was the Regent going to allow her to be named in the court so soon, or was she going to toss her aside like a poor servant no longer of any use? Using my diplomacy and talking to try and strike this deal. Using [+6] The People's Queen, the Patrician's Princeps. [1:57pm] Robodog: !r 2d6+6 [1:57pm] Krysmbot: Robodog, 6+6 = 12
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Sep 21, 2016 04:58
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Without giving too much away, Anathema just gives the Regent a small smile. "That supposed Tyrant died many years ago, as we both know. And I am sure you have heard some of the unkind things people have to say about yourself, Regent de Wulfe. Both the peasantry and the nobility both." She assumes, as one cannot be in power with having heard a few unkind things about their rule. It was a fact of life. "But they are often incorrect and misleading, and almost always born out of petty politics and avarice. One should be careful with what they take as fact." But, in thanks, she bows her head to the Regent. "Thank you, Regent de Wulfe." The regal Anathema simply nods, and with a sly smile. "One may argue that as Regent it is important which way the blades are pointed as well." She manages a rather macabre joke. "Clearly the King feels rather secure in his reign to leave one as unorthodox in her views as yourself as Regent while he is away. No need to appease the politicians and nobility." She notes. "But one can only hope that views you and I harbour are shared by the people, in time. Racism and fear are not needed in times as difficult as these." Anathema bows her head slightly. "I will avoid stabbing unless absolutely necessary, Regent de Wulfe." Though she was armed for such a task if it came to that. "And if you'll excuse." She is quick to turn on her heels and head towards the Princess. ~ Without much care for what may be on the other side, Anathema waves herself past the guards and lets herself into Leona's bedchambers. "Princess Leona." She announces, not fazed at all by whatever debauched scene lays before her. "I am to escort you to the Blade Hills to collect the taxes from one recalcitrant village. We are leaving by carriage tomorrow morning." She informs that of royal blood, and before she can complain any. "This is on orders from Regent de Wulfe."
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Sep 26, 2016 02:44
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"I assure you, Princess Leona…" Anathema shifts to the side as the Princesses handmaiden scurries past. "You attendant will confirm Regent de Wulfe gave these orders." She closes the door behind her, and takes a further step into the room. "I have an idea Regent de Wulfe doesn't believe you would ever get out of bed in the morning without somebody there to make you do so." The elf tells the royal, not batting an eye at Leona bathing. "I do not think she has a poor opinion of you, but she has high hopes for your future and doesn't want you to lack the qualities one needs to rule. And as you seem to enjoy hot baths and warm beds over travelling to small villages for busy work, she wants me to ensure you learn what you need to." Anathema valued honesty highly, and thus was not adverse to telling the baby she now had to nanny why they were both stuck with each other. Graciously, Anathema accepts the glass of wine from Leona. She doesn't drink at all, but it would be frightfully rude to turn it down the offer. And she did want their formal, courtly relationship to get off on the right foot. The elf takes a short sniff of the glass. "A Ringstregørd vintage, if I am not mistaken." She judges. "In Blomstregård we prefer fortified wines. The sweeter taste is more palatable to the elven palette, humans and orcs prefer the unfettered tannins that thrive in the Ringstregørd region." Having educated the Princess in elven wines, she offers her glass to Leona's and clinks them together. "To you good health, Pincess Leona." Though, still, Anathema does not drink. With a small smile, and one hand behind her back, Anathema answers the Princess. "I am afraid there is little to tell, Princess Leona. I am from a small village you would never have heard of deep in the heart of the elvish lands, living in the shade of the great mountains. And as you know, elves do not like to wander far from home. I suspect you get most exposure from half castes rather than full blood elves. Blomstregård does not see any value on diluting elven blood with that of others." There is a sigh from the new royal adviser. "To tell you the truth, Princess Leona, I simply awoke one day and saw that the Blomstregård I knew and loved simply wasn't there any longer. Expelling half-humans born out of love, simply because the elf blood that ran through their veins was not pure? Closing the border and practically isolating the country from the rest of the world? Surrendering construction for living symbiotically with nature?" She shakes her head. "That is why I left. I no longer felt that my home was there. Blomstregård no longer stood tall over the land as a glorious symbol of what elfkin can do, but was nothing but a shadow and ruin. Taking to the tree rather than bending it to your will is not my way, Princess Leona." "Unless you want to see paranoid, selfish people living up in hammocks strung between tree branches, I would not advise going to to elvish lands. If you value shattered ruins of the greatest city ever to grace the lands, Blomstregård may hold some value." Is her summation.
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Sep 26, 2016 11:19
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