(Holy crap. RNGesus loves Dougpo)
2334th Year of Man, 5th Month, 22nd Day:
Monday
"Very well Lee. You can pick the Archmages... on the condition that you choose people actually skilled in their craft and don't just make the appointments for political reasons."
You pause for a second, but speak again before the human can respond. "How about this. You arrange tryouts for several candidates for each position, and the judges will be yourself, myself, and Archmage Ren. Assuming they preform to the level of an Archmage, I will vote for whoever you do."
Lee considers the proposal for some time, and you watch the gears grind in his head with a grin. You can tell he likes what you say, but can't stand the fact that there is common ground between himself and a wretched creature such as you. "I agree. The candidates need skill, and running practical magic tests would lend integrity to the appointment process. We shall do as you propose for most of the candidates, but I request the privilige to directly name one."
The Archmage folds his hands, and considers his next words carefully. "There is somebody from my homeland I am considering for the position of either Air or Druid Archmage. Their magical skill far surpasses my own, and they are well connected in terms of politics. If they are intrested, I will arrange their admitance to the guild, and appoint them without a tryout - they might find such a procedure to be demeaning. I will not say more, as I am not permitted to even speak of their existence to... somebody like you..."
---
You pour Akirya a glass of wine as you consider her proposal, before gesturing to a golem to fetch you a pen and parchment. "I'll raise the number of Tax Exempt Merchants we can employ from five to seven. I'd like to take the pilots you suggested out on trial runs before agreeing to hire them though."
"And what of me taking over business operations?" She asks, cranking up her charm and adjusting her hair.
"Akirya," you smile back, "you are like family to me. You and your husband, in an ideal world, would run my business while I run the guild. But there are many important guild posts left unfilled, so I might need you or Lenny to help out at Balloon Point. Hopefully I'll know soon."
"Fair enough," she replies before downing the wine you just poured her in a single impolite gulp while you recieve your writing utensils, quickly jot out the decree she requested, and stamp it with the seal of the Guild Master. Before leaving, Akirya promises to let the pilots she recommended know that they should expect invitations to partake in trial runs.
2334th Year of Man, 5th Month, 23rd Day:
Tuesday
You get to headquarters early, and visit the offices of the Lash Master to inform the staff that you are considering filling the position by promoting from within, and informing them that you will be accepting interviews in your office all day.
Several eager candidates follow you back up to your office, and you spend the morning getting to know the lot of them.
Vicallen Star is a human ice mage originally from Titan Rock, but moved to North Bank City as a boy where he fell into mercenary business before getting involved with the guild. Vicallen has a few years experience working for the Lash Master, and seems confident he can fill the role. You know that Vicallen has ties to your friend Greent, and was one of the few guild members in on Chasity's plan to take Roe River County from the Kinkaids. Vicallen claims that he hasn't been in touch with Greent, as he fears his correspondences might get intercepted by Phineas and his raiders.
Refiara the Seducer is a truly ancient dwarf who famously ran the human aligned city state of King's Hand until she was ousted by the first King Emmit for siding with those who opposed his coup. In her youth, Refiara could use her charms to get almost anything out of anybody, and can still be very convincing at times. She is vaguely aware that bad blood exists between Count Marlowe and the new Duke, and cliams to understand where your loyalties lie. In the interview she goes so far as to confess that her holds a long standing grudge against Rubricon's bloodline, and hopes to use the position to undermine the prince's position and influence within the guild.
Offnaughtus Prime is an eight foot tall humanoid construct made of emerald and enchanted to be nearly impervious to most forms of magical damage nature mages can inflict. Offnaughtus has been the chief enforcer to four Lash Masters over a ninety year span, and was Archmage of Earth for a record setting 120 years prior to that. Few know his personal history before that, but during the interview he claims to be a thousand year old Savannah Orc Enchanter who created his present body in an as-of-yet successful bid for immortality. You don't find his social skills all that impressive compared to the other candidates, but he is almost universally respected (and feared) by everybody at headquarters, and offers to tutor you in long forgotten Savannah Orc enchantment techniques should you give him a promotion.
With the interviews done, you consider your other options. As the Lash Master is more or less the Guild Master's right hand, it is the one position where nobody will complain if the guild master fills it by appointing an obvious friend or underling - nepotism, for this particular post at least, is almost expected, and there are several people whom are both loyal to you and likely possess the skills required to thrive as lash master.
Both the Newmans come to mind, as there are few if any people you put more trust in. Both have picked up a good set of skills and contacts while working for you, and as independent balloonists prior to that. Akirya possesses an intimidating authoritative presence, is a very skilled bookkeeper, and as a pure-blooded human with ties to the crime lords of the Rising Isles, would be ideal for dealing with officers and investors who may not wish to work with a dwarf. Lenny is the most talented negotiator you know, and is great at independently working outside of the box while still respecting your interests. Having either around headquarters risks exposure, however, and either relationship could be scandalous should it get out; Most guild officers know and accept that you are something of a playboy, but people from the Rising Isles might take offense to the fact that a dwarf is defiling a creature as pure and human as Akirya, and after hearing about what Rubricon did to Chasity's father you don't think it is wise to be flaunting your male lovers while on human lands - As a foreigner and commoner respectively, neither you nor Lenny have so much as the right to a trial should some highborn decide to lop your heads off on sodomy charges.
A veteran of high stakes games of intrigue that comes with the territory of being a female drow of good birth, your pilot 'Sunburn' is also an acceptable pick, especially if you intend to employ underhanded tactics to pursue your agenda, or fear that others might intend to use the various arts of intrigue against you.
Although the office you seek to fill is a bit more demanding of a job than secretary to the Turf Master of the IhZ, your friend Jourem Uris has been your right hand man at headquarters since the Marlowe twins first sent you back to Balloon Point, and you see no reason why he might not work out well as your Lash Master. He has also developed ties to the criminal element in Silver County and several dwarven city states, which may be of use to you.
Your other three key underlings from your time running the IhZ also have some potential for the role as well. Slant is blindly loyal to you and utterly terrifying to those who cross her, but might need help performing some of the duties of her office if made Lash Master. Mr. Milton's divine magic makes him great at controlling and manipulating others, but it is also blatantly illegal and would reflect poorly on you if you gave him such a public position. Soren is well qualified for the job, but you can see his inherently lawful nature becoming an impediment to him pushing your agenda, and as such you think he is a better fit to take your old job.
After lunch, you are weighing your options on the matter of Lash Master, and perhaps some of the other offices as well, when you receive a summons from Duke Emmit that is both urgent and condescendingly worded. He wants you at Cleanriver Castle by sundown. As Rubricon is one of the last people you want to piss off right now, and you had been planning on writing him a letter of introduction anyway, you decide to set off at once.
Nobody can agree on the official name of the river that cuts through the central counties of Redleaf Duchy. Most maps call it the Silver River, but you have also seen it referred to as the Kinkaid River, Rothwell River, North Roe River, King's River, and Sea Dragon's River. Once it passes through the magically purifying divine marshes that sit on the eastern border of Silver County, however, it is universally called the Clean River. The castle that serves as the Duchy's seat of power sits just below the marshes, and by law is the first man-made structure the river passes once it has been cleaned. Although often overlooked next to the nearby wonders of Monument Palace, Vanity Beach, and the Six Shrines of the Gulf Dynasty, Cleanriver Castle is itself a triumph of architecture in its own right; It straddles the river, serving as a luxurious home, impenetrable fortress, and private crossing for the duke and his family. Although human history is by no means your area of expertise, you still can't help but admire the building as you land in the courtyard where Rubricon greets you.
The prince opens the meeting by reminding you that he is the largest individual shareholder in the guild, and suggesting that as Chasity's husband he now controls her little investment group as well. "In short, I own you."
Sucking in your distaste for the man, you spend a good thirty minutes groveling and professing your loyalty, before bringing up guild interests. You suggest bringing Port Lionfish under guild control, and then sticking it to the Tradewind Guilds by manufacturing proper airships.
"We have had the technology to revolutionize the shipping industry for almost a century now. It has just been fear of the coastal guilds and the prohibitive investment costs required keeping us from putting it into practice, my lord. You could go down in history as the man who killed the concept of the sailor..."
Rubricon considers your proposal, before shaking his head. "My prophetic cousin tells me that cunt Maeris Riverland is trying to build a coalition out of all the rivals of the Tradewind Guilds. Once that happens, the Guild Masters of the Sailors and Shipwights will demand even more crown support to wipe her off the map, so we have to play nice for now... that said, I like the idea. I want a proper plan to fuck the seas and dominate the skies out of you by the time I'm finished mopping up my in-laws."
He pauses, "Which brings me to the point of our meeting. My prophet tells me that you will serve me loyally, and that I can trust you. So I will have you handle a few issues for me. There are two prophecies that disturb me. The first states that in several weeks time, Maeris and the Kinkaids will send a whole bunch of Orcs to drive me out of the castle through her summoning circle, which is hidden somewhere around here. The second prophecy states that the same wicked woman is in league with the Jade Lady Housebreakers, who will soon kidnap my wife."
It is suddenly very hard not to laugh. You had no clue Rubricon was such a fool to be played by a false prophet. First and foremost, you are fairly sure that you don't plan on serving him loyally, and his other two predictions are easily debunked by common sense. Anybody who knows the first thing about Dark Magic understands that you can not summon beings from your own realm at the circle, and those who follow current events know that the Jade Lady Housebreakers have never kidnapped, in spite of ample opportunity to do so.
"How would you have me solve this, my lord?" You barely manage to ask with a straight face.
The Prince grins, and puts a hand encumbered by heavy gold rings on your shoulder. "I understand you are one of the best interrogators in the Duchy, and a Dark Mage to boot. My wife is bound in the Dungeon now because she refuses to tell me where her mother's dark magic workstations are hidden. You are to make her talk, and then help me disarm Maeris' summoning circle."
You nod. You know Chasity's mother practices at least some dark magic, so hopefully you can get the prince results. "And the kidnapping plot?"
"When you are finished, take her to that estate you keep in the Mountains. If you keep it quiet the Housebreakers will not be able to find her. You can also use her as leverage against the Marlowes, they are both crazy for her. I own you, and don't let Horace convince you otherwise just because your guild headquarters is in his County."
It takes everything you have not to beam with happiness. Assuming Chasity knows where to find mommy's Wizlab, she is as good as free.
---
The interrogation goes as well as you could have possibly expected. Chasity, who appears to be bruised and malnourished, as well as nursing a broken arm, first appears dejected, assuming you have defected to the Prince's side. At first you have to play the role of harsh interrogator, as one of the prince's exotic mercenaries is in the room, but after Chasity refuses to talk for awhile, you send the beast-man away to fetch you a dull longsword with which to torture her.
Once the merc leaves, you soften your tone and explain the situation, and luckily you are able to convince her to believe you before the Prince's goon returns. Chasity tells you how to find the secret switch that reveals the entrance to the hidden chamber where Maeris kept her dark equipment.
---
The Prince's goons are a superstitious bunch, and unwilling to follow you into a place where Dark Magic is preformed, so you enter alone. Inside you find a Summoning Circle, Projection Stage, and Reanimation Table, as well as a vast collection of books, many written in languages you can't even begin to comprehend, on six large shelves.
You could just destroy the summoning circle and be done with it, but you have several other options as well. First and foremonst, you could lie to Rubricon and tell him the deed is done. Although you seriously doubt Maeris can send an orcish army through it, she could contract demons to pop out from the circle and do her dirty work instead - you know the Bonedusts keep a fairly nasty Balrog in their back pocket. Then again, if you want to ensure the continued rise of the Chasity Club, it might be unwise to bring about the Prince's defeat until Chasity's siblings have been dealt with.
Likewise you could just as easily mess with Maeris as you can the Prince. The circle is set up in such a way that it can be easily moved, and is small enough to fit in your balloon. You could exploit this to set up some sort of nasty surprise for whatever the Bonedusts eventually decide to send through.
Lastly, it looks as if Maeris has a good handful of messages waiting on her projection stage. You should be able to access these, although doing so might alert some of her demonic contacts to the fact that somebody is using the rebel duchesses' equipment.
Maeris' book collection is too big to move in its entirety. If you want it, you would have to convince the prince to allow you to return with a couple of clay constructs and another piloted balloon or two.
---
A bit concerned for your friend's health, you make a pit stop in the marshes on the way back to visit Avayilin. Although her magic is not potent enough to replace missing body parts without completely transmuting the subject into a new state of being, she is more than skilled enough as a healer to fix Chasity up.
The Nymph is thrilled to see you, even more thrilled to see Chasity, but less so when you inform her that the human is a friend in need of aid and not an offering to be polymorphed. Still, Avayilin leads Chasity to the sacred pool she prefers to work her magic at, and playfully tosses your friend in before getting to work clearing bruises and mending bone. She renders Chasity unconscious first, allowing you to have a private discussion with Avayilin as she does her thing.
You mention your promotion, and your desire to expand your business. It is a bit soon since your last run on her behalf to expect Avayilin to have a whole balloon load of magical herbs, but you ask anyway, and it does turn out she could send you to the goblins with a partial load. This works out if you intend to test all three potential new hires at once, as people are heavy and take up space, but you are not sure if that is the best means of evaluation. Ballooning is typically a solo activity, and frankly you are not entirely sure if judging pilots in a group environment is fair.
As she wraps up her work on Chasity, Avayilin mentions that a neighboring marsh spirit, a Dryad named Fentina, might be willing to leave the sacred lands and take up work at the guild if offered an important enough position. Although she is usually protective of your business and not keen on helping you contact other beings in the marshes, Avayilin hopes to muscle in on Fentina's land if she leaves to work for you. The Nymph allows you a good thirty seconds to consider the possibility, before ordering you to disrobe and join her in the pool.
---
You don't make it back home until just before midnight, as Avayilin insists that Chasity must be kept unconscious and out of the skies for a spell following the magic preformed upon her. You are quite sure her claim is bullshit, but find her offer to enjoy a marathon session of trying new herbs and making love to a beautiful holy being in the meantime appealing enough to not call her on it.
Since you return late, nobody but your constructed servants greet you upon your return. You escort Chasity to an empty bedroom to spend the night, instruct a servant to bring her whatever she might request but not to let her leave without your blessing, and march to your bedroom, pondering the girl's role moving forward.
Although she is your friend, Chasity serves as major leverage over both the Prince and the Marlowes, and perhaps even Maeris as well. It might be in your best interests to restrict her movements and activities to ensure her safety. It it also worth considering keeping her presence at Godspike Peak a secret; You know the Jade Lady robbers hit your estate's previous owners, so on the off chance the prophecy is not bullshit, she is no safer with you than she is with her husband... from the kidnappers at least. You also wouldn't put it past the Marlowes to do something stupid upon learning the Prince no longer has any real leverage over them, and as despicable as the man is, he is still the guild's best hope of expanding at the present.
Arriving in your room, you spot both the Newmans sleeping in your bed, which reminds you that pilots drop in and out of your home on a regular basis. Unless you keep Chasity locked in a room or convince her to adopt some secret identity, word of her presence here will get out eventually. Deciding to sleep on the Chasity situation, you take a final drag on your pipe before extinguishing it and flopping down between the two humans in your bed and falling asleep with an arm draped across each of their chests.
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Topic: (SG) The Redleaf Epic (Formerly Widow: A Duchess Scorned) (Read 66253 times)