So...Niccolo Machiavelli, essentially? Hell, that statesman is the entire reason why I made this forum game.
Part 2 coming up, more chance to develop Gorgod's personality.
Going through an expensive curtain with the fifteen or so hopefuls, you find yourself in a dazzling room, filled with paintings, tapestries, and a powerful smell of perfume. You wonder which scent was less bothersome, the filth of the peasants, or the sickly-sweet aroma of the perfume. Before you can decide, the obviously disdainful bureaucrat gestures to all of you.
"Welcome, young ones, to our humble court.", he says, with absolutely no emotion. He must have said this speech hundreds of times.
"Here, you can make a name for yourselves as the true heroes of our land, the men and women who make all the decisions, all the choices that define the future of our kingdom."
"When I call your name, you shall proceed into the next room, alone, and a group of our fine lords and ladies shall see if any of you have the fiber necessary to become their protege."
Protege, you think to yourself with a grim chuckle, more like servant, or at best a secretary. You've had no illusions as to the nature of your job, you won't be an important person immediately, the best job you could land is to be a manager for the activities and events of a particular noble. At least that job involved brainwork.
*3 hours later *
"Gorgod Faletale, come in." the bureaucrat brusquely says.
Going inside the mysterious room, you see five obviously noble persons. You try to hide your grimace when you see the bureaucrat begin to talk.
"Greeting you, Gorgod, are five of our great lords and ladies. Go, bow."
You bow, no sweat.
"The introductions. Here is
Lady Emerfarth, duchess of Prollum. Our next esteemed lord is
Lord Crom, money master of the king. Next is
Count Dorn, master of Lianus territory, and consort to Lady Emerfarth. Young man, here is the esteemed
Duke Cronus, high lord of Vinraeth. And lastly,
Lord Darius, personal adviser of the king and master of Durn Keep"You mask one of our great nobles to join you in the next room. There, you may show a skill of yours in order to entertain and impress them. Choose wisely."
You stand there calmly, taking in the noticeable attributes of each one.
Lady Emerfarth
Tall and thin, rather old, past childbearing age, her marriage to Count Dorn is political in nature then. Seems intelligent enough, and by approaching her, you may also potentially gain information on her husband.
Lord Crom
Physically small and weak-looking, this man would be squashed by a knight. But his eyes show intelligence, and his face is still yet alert, a potential sign of merit. The office of money master is not gained through inheritance, but through skill, something which you can strive for.
Count Dorn
A round and plump man, with the hazy look in his eye that belies a drunkard. Fairly inattentive, you won't learn much from this man, but his marriage to Lady Emerfarth is indeed advantageous, suggesting more beyond the idiotic look in his face. Lianus is also one of the oldest, and most prosperous, provinces, and standing by its lord would not be a bad idea
Duke Cronus
By far the most prestigious and powerful man in the group, he has a suspicious eye and wiry body, which overall suggests strength, both physical and emotional. It would be an honor to be by his side, but he would undoubtedly be the hardest to please, and the hardest to deceive.
Lord Darious
A foreigner, with streaking red hair, not the usual black and brown hair that is the staple of many Murtanians. From what you can guess, he comes from Vinraeth, a new territory, whose culture is still being assimilated. Thus, his status as a member of a conquered people will never win him points for the Murtanian populace. While the position of adviser is something you hope to attain, the fact this man answers directly to the king shows a considerable amount of cunning skill.
Whom shall you choose? They may reject you, but hopefully, with this quick assessment of their personalities and traits, you can find out how best to ingratiate yourself with them.
I'm probably gonna use the spoilered description thing in future updates.
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Topic: Ambition: Courtier's Quest (Read 20325 times)