Matrons of Murder: Welcome to the Family : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:37 am

Four murders had been committed, and four new members had been recruited to the Dark Brotherhood. Each of them were tasked to commit another murder for acceptance, and all four complied, taking four more lives in the name of Sithis. As such, they were all instructed to travel to the town of Dawnstar, in northern Skyrim, and find the sanctuary on the outskirts. The travel was long for most, with some coming from Cyrodiil, another from High Rock, but nonetheless, they all showed up. It would not be an easy trip, with the winter cold being harsh, snow falling constantly, making roads nearly invisible under the white cascade, a bitter wind howling around them all the while. Such was the way winters were in Skyrim, with the locals having grown used to it, but certainly foreign to the new murderers.

All four had arrived at roughly the same time, enough that all four would be outside the black door. It would ask them a question, and they were told the answer. "Innocence, my Brother" was the phrase they were each told to utter, and may very well be a phrase floating throughout all their minds. As the carriages, if any, stopped outside the door, it would give each of them a chance to look over their other recruits over, having not been told there would be more than just themselves joining that day. When one approached the door, it would whisper to them all, as if within their own minds, asking, "What is life's greatest illusion?"

» Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:31 pm

OOC: I'll start us off then, have you got a char sheet coming Umeniko?

Spoiler

Name: Selene Diverii

six: Female

Race:Dunmer

Age: 16

Birthsign: The Thief

Physical Appearance: (can be an image, but a paragraph or two should also suffice)

Selene is short and slender, with an almost boyish figure. Her face is delicate and doll like, with large eyes and a small nose, making her appear even younger than she is.

Her skin is a pale grey with just a hint of blue, her eyes the typical Dunmeri red. Selene has dark red hair which she wears in a tightly braided topknot. It would fall to her waist if she were to wear it loose.

Personality:

Rarely has appearance been more misleading than in Selene's case; behind the meek exterior lives a real firecracker. Selene is not afraid to voice her opinions and often does so with biting sarcasm. If she does not agree with you, you will know about it. She will think with her heart long before her head kicks in, but once it does, Selene is a reasonable strategist. She does not allow many people close to her, but those select few find that she is a fiercely loyal friend and that her bravado hides a kind heart.

Skills: (pick a few, but not a lot; characters shouldn't be good at everything right off the bat)

Archery, sneak, pickpocket, security, hand to hand

Selene is an excellent climber and able to squeeze through the smallest of openings. She can cook and sew and has an eye for putting a value on precious or rare items.

Backstory: (include upbringing, events of first murder, and decisions behind joining the Dark Brotherhood)

Selene spent most her life in the Grey Quarter of Windhelm, helping her father and brother run the family's cornerclub - which was surprisingly prosperous for a place hardly anyone seemed to visit.

Selene's father had been a skilled thief in his youth, but was living the more settled life of a Thieves Guild fence. Selene and her older brother ware taught various tricks of the trade by guild members doing deals with their father, and embarked on their own criminal careers at a very young age. Selene, being small and agile, learnt how to move silently and how to reach even the remotest places and squeeze through the smallest openings. Being at a disadvantage in close combat, she preferred to defend herself from a distance and the safety of rooftops, pursuing whatever was at hand as missiles.

Shortly after Selene turned 16, her family's cornerclub was raided and exposed as a safe house and Guild hideout. The informant was a young thief who had been Selene's lover, as an act of revenge after she ended things. Selene avoided the guards, but her father and brother were arrested and executed without trial.

The young thief was later found floating in the bay outside Windhelm with an arrow in his throat. Selene was spoken to by senior members of the Guild, but it could not be proven that she had broken guild rules by killing one of their own. She wasn't expelled, but strongly advised to keep away from the Guild for the foreseeable future.

The following night, Selene was approached by a hooded figure who suggested an alternative career path. With nothing keeping her in Windhelm, Selene accepted the proposal to join the Dark Brotherhood.

She left Windhelm the following day, telling nobody where she was going.

Equipment: (weapons, armor, etc. Don't include legendary or heavily-enchanted equipment)

Selene's weapons are a silver bow and steel arrows carried openly, as well as a few hidden throwing knives. She wears leather boots, bracers and leather armour (all fur lined against the cold) over a black shirt and trousers.

The docks were at their quietest in the middle of winter, when the Sea of Ghosts was stormy and unpredictable, and most ships landing in Dawnstar were only seeking shelter from her capricious moods. Nonetheless, there were people still about, fishermen returning to shore to sell the morning's catch, housewives eager to get the freshest wares straight off the boat. Some stalls let you take your pick and would fry the fish for you over hot coals while you waited. Miners pushed carts of quicksilver, ready to be exported, and a few prosttutes sat in the sunshine, their heads still heavy from the night's revels, knowing business was not likely to pick up until nightfall.

Selene drank it all in, soaked up her first impressions of Dawnstar like a sponge. The air smelt of salt and fish, smoke from the forgeries and freshly fallen snow. The bustle of Windhelm was far away, Dawnstar being ruled by a slower pace, reeling around arrivals and departures of ships and shifts worked in the mines. And best of all, it was COLD. So cold that those who could were wrapped up in countless layers of fur and cloth, hands covered in bulky gloves, faces hidden by hooded cloaks.

It was a thief's paradise. Purses hung atop of so many layers of clothing that the owners could not feel the soft touch of a pickpocket, hoods impaired people's peripheral vision so they would not notice subtle movement in the corner of their eyes, and those heavy gloves would never get a good grip on a skinny arm, even if they did see it coming.

Selene had left Windhelm with nothing but the clothes on her back and the silver bow which had been in her family for generations. She assumed that there would be food and drink where she was going, perhaps even some gold as a welcome present, but she would not come to her new employers a penniless beggar; orphaned and outcast she may be, but she was still a Diverii. A Diverii did not beg - she took what she needed. And right now, what Selene needed was breakfast.

Half an hour later and with much heavier pockets, Selene left Dawnstar, nibbling on the last few bones of a grilled fish she had grabbed straight from the coals. Her path took led north, past the last couple of houses, at the base of a cliff that was seemingly devoid of anything of interest.

Travel to Dawnstar, little girl. the voice still rang clear in Selene's head, although she had never been able to determine whether it belonged to a man or a woman.
North of the town, at the base of a cliff where nobody ever goes, you will find a door. Step close to it, press you ear against it, and you will hear it whisper a question. This is how you will answer.

The figure had told her the answer, the secret phrase to unlock the door to a dark and hidden sanctuary. And to her new life.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 11:23 am

OOC: Apologies if its bad, im a bit rusty.

Spoiler

Name: Katarina Asteria

six: Female

Race: Imperial

Age: 24

Birthsign: The Lover

Physical Appearance: http://pm1.narvii.com/5792/a098452ab6bf5a7e44c0af56af72e7e7977277ff_hq.jpg. Her hair is loose and hangs to about her shoulder blades in length. She has a slender body with adequate bust and stands around 5’6/7”

Personality: Katarina almost always pulls off a cool, calm and collected demeanor and always plans ahead. She is confident, witty and sarcastic. In a strange mix she is always looking out for her best interests but holds a high regard in family value so she will always value anyone who is close to her/someone she considers family over herself. Hates people who consider themselves better than others. Takes a long time to anger. Has been known to use her looks to her advantage.

Skills: Blade, Acrobatics, Speechcraft/Singing Sneak and Lockpick.

Equipment: Steel Longsword and a Steel Dagger Sword is sheathed on her back and the dagger across her lower back, Throwing Knives. Leather armor, no helmet. Around 500 gold

Backstory: Katarina was a Conwoman in the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil, in essence she was thief but she would class it as more than just a common thief there was elegance and style behind what she did. Katarina was a street

urchin from Bruma, being on the street is the earliest she can remember what her life held before that was a mystery to her, for most of her child life she struggled to get by and as she grew she eventually turned to thievery to survive, over the years she learnt many skills including sneaking, picking locks and various acrobatics skills. While she had no immediate family to speak of the homeless would band together and she got an overwhelming sense of a different type of family from them and they all helped each other to survive. Katrina had always since a young age had a form of obsession with blades and when another homeless ex-soldier was willing to teach her how to use them she was more than willing to learn.

At around the age of 16 she pulled of her first confidence trick, she was in a higher class area of the Imperial City and noticed two noble women sitting outside with a bottle of wine which they had just emptied completely. With total confidence she strode over to the women and asked how many more drops of wine could come out of the bottle? They laughed and said none so Katarina proposed a bet to them, she would give them 100 gold if she could get no more than 5 drops of wine from the bottle but for every drop over 5 they would give her 10 gold per drop. The two women laughed thinking that the street rat would fail and they would be in pocket for another bottle of wine. Katarina took a toothpick and pressed it onto the inside of the bottle with about half an inch still sticking out she then tipped the bottle slightly and let gravity do the rest slowly but surely another 15 drops dripped from the toothpick. Katarina walked away 100 gold coins richer that day, it was in fact the richest she’d ever been in her life up until that point.

Since then Katarina has worked long and short cons all over Cyrodiil and not once was she caught and she prospered, she moved up from the streets and grew a taste for some of the finer things life had to offer, but her lifestyle was expensive she was spending almost all that she made. She was never a member of the thieves’ guild and because of this it caused issues on a fair few occasions when they crossed paths.

Katarina had killed before, in self-defence of course but in the world of Tamriel it’s almost a given you’ll kill someone in self-defence, either that or you’ll die trying. Then the stones of Barenziah came along. Sure, Katarina was a conwoman but she also had her part in common thievery as well and the stones, well they were just to good to ignore. Rumor has it the thieves guild acquired them years ago but she didn’t know who had them now and she didn’t care but she wanted them. There was one way in and one way out and one guard, there was no sneaking past him, the area was fully lit and even if she had an invisibility potion he would notice the door opening. The funny thing was, the thought of murdering this guard didn’t faze her at all, the thought it would have, maybe the call of the stones was too great. As she circled the guard her heart began to race, her breathing increased it was like the most animal of instincts in her had awoken she felt like a mountain lion about to pounce on its prey. Like that it was over. One quick slit and the guard slumped to the floor clutching his neck and for a few brief moments there was some sounds from the man and then it was silent. Katarina was sure her heart rate had quadrupled, the adrenaline rush was insane and she thrived on it. She had just ended a man’s life, not a bandit or some wild beast, it was a man who most likely had family and loved ones and she had just torn him away them. She felt no remorse. Sheathing her dagger she picked the lock that was being guarded and entered and there was nothing of nothing if note in there bar a purse of gold. She knew it had been too good to be true and she slinked of into the night.

That same night she awoke in the room she was renting, something felt off she went to reach for her sword but the voice of a man stopped her, he explained he knew about her murder that night and he extended an offer to kill for the Dark Brotherhood and become part of a family. If anything tonight had taught her she didn’t have trouble with cold blooded killing, she wasn’t even shocked about this fact and the prospect of being part of a family again? It was an idea she couldn’t get enough of. She agreed on the spot, and advised she would head to Dawnstar in the morning.

“By the nine its cold” Katarina mumbled shivering slightly as the cart she was in rocked over an un-even path, even despite the cloak she’d obtained in Whiterun she still felt the chill. It was early and she was hungry, she reached down into the small bag in the cart and produced a loaf of bread and begin to tear parts of and eat

“We’re approaching Dawnstar now” the cart driver growled, He was perhaps the least friendly cart driver she’d ever had the pleasure of travelling with. Pushing the hood from her head she stood up and took the sight of Dawnstar and breathed in the crisp sea air, she revelled in it for a moment as it was such a foreign smell to her. As the cart pulled to a halt Katarina stepped onto the side and dropped down, She’d already paid the driver and considering his non-existent pleasantries she felt no need to bid him farewell. As she took a walk through the streets some snow began to flutter down. She thought she should get the layout of the town as this would be her new home, not surprisingly she noticed any area which happened to have a forge or any form of warmth was a popular spot for the locals. Circling round the town she made her last pass through the docks, she even recognised a couple of ships that had docked by the imperial city before and she couldn’t help but laugh to herself as one of them had been used in a con she pulled off, it was a merchant vessel called the Laurie Ann.

Katarina stepped of the docks and onto some soft snow and began following the base of the cliff towards the door, or where it was supposed to be. As she rounded some rocks, there it was, embedded in the cliff wall. Apparently she wasn’t the first here, a Dunmer girl was here. Stepping up onto a large boulder she sat down, her long red hair floating in the sea wind and on that wind she could hear faint whisperings but she was unsure of what they were saying.

“Hey, I’m Katarina” she said waving her hand

“Im guessing you’re here for the same reason as me, Innocence right?” She said as she brushed some hair behind her ear.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:13 am

Spoiler

Name: Elliana Vierlus

six: Female

Race: Breton

Age: 21

Birthsign: The Lady

Physical Appearance: http://i.imgur.com/DJ6fTpC.jpgElliana is of a slim build, emerald green eyes pierce through under raven black hair. Elliana is of pale complexion, and can easily burn if in the sunlight for extended periods. That combined with some other markings she did not want to show publicly, she prefers to keep as much skin covered as possible. Despite this the clothing she wears comprising dark leathery pants and armour, showing off the right amount of the shape of her body.

Personality: Being brought up in an aristocratic world, Elliana thinks herself above others. Despite this, she knows her flaws and is always wishing to advance herself above her weakness to surpass even her mother. She is opportunistic, always finding something(or someone) to use to her advantage, but can be brash and quick to anger if a plan doesn't go correctly or if she fails in her deception. Can portray herself in many roles and aided by her illusion spells, she is able to become very different than her standard personality.

Skills: Illusion, Speechcraft, Conjuration, Sneak, One Handed

Backstory: Orphaned as a child, Elliana was brought in by a strange Bretoni woman who had become intrigued by the young girl, deciding to bring her up as her own daughter. Brought up in a High Rock household, Elliana learned the fine arts of both Speechcraft and Illusion, as well as the aristocratic ways of the high born Bretons. Her physique was not built for combat, but her mind was sharp, perfecting many Illusion techniques shown to her by her mother, even being able to change how others perceived certain physical attributes such as eye/hair colour. Her favourite combination was that of the one who gave her this life... raven black hair (original colour) and quicksilver eyes.

As she grew older, it was clear the role that she was being groomed for, a way to advance her mother's standing through espionage by posing in different roles, a maid one moment... a young noblewoman of a different name at a ball the next. Being able to change her appearance, Elliana was able to access much of Daggerfall.

While no one knew her real identity as Miandria Vierlus' daughter on these adventures, the rumours spread across the countryside of a Seducer (A Daedra rumoured to be able to take the guise of a beautiful woman) causing all manner of disruption in the nobility ranks.

However it was on one infiltration, that Elliana first encountered a member of the Dark Brotherhood. Having been cornered by a nobleman that was preventing her mother from gaining favour in the high society, in which she was pretending to be a simple girl from a country estate, the man had tried to take advantage of the girl's status to get more than affection from her. Not desiring to be touched in that way, her emotions betrayed her in that moment. The illusion spell she had maintained to hide her identity faltered causing the man to see Elliana and not the girl he was trying to take advantage of. In that moment she knew he couldn't be able to leave alive. Surprising him by using the skills taught to her by her mother, she stunned the larger man with a paralysis spell causing him to lose strength in his muscles. Using his weight against him, the girl pushed him from the balcony to the tiled floor below.

After fleeing from the estate, her mission completed despite not in the usual manner, the following night she was woken from her slumber by a man in black. Having known what had truly happened the night prior, a murder was a murder no matter how it was justified, a note was left behind with instructions to attend in Dawnstar where her skills could be put to a much better use in a truer change, than just causing chaos in the High Rock Aristocracy.

Equipment: engraved steel dagger, Dark leather pants, Cuirass and hood. Small pouch for equipment needed on assignments. A silver ring with halves of both an emerald and diamond set in a symmetrical pattern worn around neck on a chain.

The freezing northern winds blasted the sails as the Merchant Galley Siren's Sigh made it's final preparations for docking at the growing fishing village of Dawnstar. At the front of the ship, a small figure could be seen clutching a large fur coat tighter around herself. "Come to the freezing lands of Skyrim they said, you will be welcomed into the family they said.. Well why did it have to be in bleeding Dawnstar.. they have other sanctuaries that would be much warmer.." The breton woman complained silently as the buildings came up over the horizon. At first Elliana did not believe that this would be the line of work for one brought up in the Aristocracy.. but when she was told of the next target she was to eliminate to be welcomed, she couldn't refuse. The first kill had been the hardest thing the woman had ever needed to do in her life. But as her mother mentioned to her, after the first kill.. It gets easier from that point forward. In comparison to the Nobleman she had pushed off of the balcony, stabbing the woman who made her life hell growing up was simple.

Looking down at the letter her mother had given her, the young woman wrapped her hand around the ring she was given and sighed.

Elliana my sweet daughter,

I have taught you all that you will be able to learn in my greatest field, to surpass even my teachings you will need to look deep inside of yourself. Become a force to be reckoned with and bring all who stand in your way to their knees. Learn everything that your new teachers.. your new family members can teach you but do not rely on just their teachings. You have a great potential, that was why i had brought you up as my own.. because i know that you will be able to do what even i was unable to do. I was not as i was before i became this.. but you do not have the limitation that i have set upon myself..

You will know when the time is right, it may not be for many years but i do know that when the moment comes you will do me proud. I love you with all of my heart.. true love not the love you have witnessed in our war in politics, the love that binds mortals together. In your hour of greatest need, if you need it.. the ring i have given you, the greatest possession i have ever had besides you.. then I will give it. Until that time remember the lessons I have taught you, and even Sithis himself may recognise your worth.

My Love Eternal

It had been the fifth time that Elliana had read the letter, and it still felt as if there was more to the letter than was shown.. You have always been cryptic Mother.. even to your own daughter. Even if Miranda was not her mother by birth, she had been there when no one else ever wanted her. She was the mother that she chose as she herself was the daughter chosen. Even as the years had gone on and she knew who her Mother really was, she loved her more with each passing day, month and year. Even as they knew their time together must end at some point, and that the girl needed to leave on her own to become a woman, the love remained strong.

Folding the letter away into her knapsack, and throwing it over her shoulder, her emerald eyes shimmered with determination. I will be the prized pupil, the other little children will not know what hit them when they meet Elliana Vierlus.

--

As the galley docked, Elliana made for the point that the dark figure had mentioned to her the night after her second kill. The message was clear and the answer she was to give amused her greatly. Being a skilled illusionist, she herself knew the value of the illusion of innocence. None suspects the innocent, and innocence itself does not exist. All men, women, mer and beast alike have never had innocence to begin with.. Morality is only in the eye of the beholder, as a man who does evil would think what he was doing was right and just, while those surrounding him see the man for the monster he becomes.. Elliana knew there was no thing as innocence.. she was born in blood and death, innocence was never something she thought she ever had.

The bustling town had expanded over the years from the time her mother had been in Skyrim, so all of the descriptions given were not very helpful in allowing the breton woman easy passage to the entrance, let alone unnoticed. But at last Elliana followed the curve of the rock-face and came across her goal. It had appeared that she was not the only initate, which filled her with curiosity as to why so many were given the chance to prove themselves. Falling out in the ranks? Trouble with an Assassination? Or just mere coincidence.. This gets ever more curious at the thought of there being more to this, Elliana grinned from ear to ear. Very interesting indeed.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:27 am

Selene had been about to approach the black door when she heard it; the soft creak of leather, the crunch of boots in the snow.

I'm not alone here, she thought. That's not the thread of a guard though. Adventurer then. Or someone with the same destination as me?

She turned, one hand clutched around one of the throwing knives hidden in her bracer, just as the newcomer spoke up.

“Hey, I’m Katarina. I'm guessing you’re here for the same reason as me, Innocence right?"

It was a bold statement, potentially dangerous if her assumption had been wrong, yet the Imperial woman seemed sure of herself, even giving Selene a little wave. It was exactly what Selene would have done herself, and she couldn't help but grin.

"Or lack of it," she responded, lowering her hands and regarding the woman - Katerina - more closely. She and had an air of confidence around her and an open and easy smile.

Fejel would like her, she thought, before remembering that her brother was dead, rather than travelling somewhere far away, pulling his tricks, selling shares in imaginary mines to nobles or bogus potions to unsuspecting merchants. He had always been the silver-tongued trickster, while Selene was the shadow in the night, coming and going without people knowing she was even there.

Selene shook her head slightly. Memories from another life, belonging to a past that had died. It was the present she needed to focus on.

Three quick steps and a cat-like jump saw Selene bridge the distance between her an the Imperial, landing on the icy boulder next to her without as much as a wobble.

"I'm Selene." She said, holding out her hand to Katerina.

It was then that she heard a third person approach the door.

OOC: sorry for poor editing, I'm getting this in whilst my work laptop is loading up

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:49 pm

Spoiler

Name: Valeī Kvinchal

six: Male

Race: Imperial

Age: 22

Birthsign: The Ritual

Physical Appearance: Valeī has quite a long face with high cheekbones and hollow cheeks. His skin is pallid, slightly jaundiced and greasy (though the last quality could probably be solved with a shower). He has quite large eyes that are sunken in to the sockets and dark enough brown that they appear almost black. His hair is black, and hangs roughly an inch below his jaw, but it is very choppily cut.

He wears a dark green robe that has clearly been torn and sewn back together many times and is also worn down to threadbare in multiple places. It is quite loose fitting which helps disguise his skeletal appearance. He also wears brown leather boots that are cracked around the toes.

Personality: Since the attack (see back story) Valeī has become very desperate to please to the point he is willing to do almost anything for very little reward. He will also back down quickly if he feels that he is in a confrontation with anybody he regards as having authority over him. Even with people he considers equals, he tends to be nervous with. Though not so much in quietness, more in being unsure in everything he says, even innocuous comments. He also tends to react badly to any aggression between other people.

Skills: Hand-to-hand, alteration, writing satire, sneak.

Backstory: Valeī grew up in Bravil where his parents owned an armoury. He was always more interested in magic then weapons and grew up at odds to his parents, who despite wishing to encourage any talents of his, found it difficult to understand his interests. As he grew older he spent more time at the chapel learning magic from the priests then at home.

At 18 he went to the University of Gwylim to study alteration magic. As he was not part of the Synod he could not go to the Arcane University, but he enjoyed Gwylim more then he would've enjoyed a purely magical university due to the wider demographic of students.

While he was there he met several students that were anti-Thalmour and with them set up an anonymous satire magazine. While he had never had any particular problems with the Thalmour himself, he had heard some of the priests quietly mention their anger at the banning of Talos worship and felt that he owed them and that they had a point.

A few months after the group had started distributing copies, their leader Ra'Jhan was found murdered along with two of the other students that wrote for the magazine. While it is most likely that it was due to some pro-Thalmour students, rather then the actual Dominion, since it wasn't clear how they had found out the students were anti-Thalmour, Valeī decided to run and ended up crossing the border to Skyrim.
He chose to settle in Riften as it reminded him of his home town. Due to the Nords' general mistrust of magic, he had little skills of which to make income off and soon became part of the town's homeless population. He didn't join the Thieves' Guild as he had only see them strong-arm shopkeepers and believed he couldn't scare a chicken.

A year later a new captain of the guard in Riften tried a new tactic to deal with the town's high crime rate; he spread a rumour among the homeless that anyone who killed somebody know to the guard as a criminal would be rewarded. Most of those that heard the rumour realised it for what it was; an attempt to reduce the town's homeless population by convincing them to commit crimes they could then be executed for while also getting rid of some of the more obvious career criminals . However, Valeī was desperate to do anything to get himself out of his current situation and killed a low-ranking member of the Thieves' Guild by bashing his head in against a rock.

Before he could contact the guard he was passed a note along with a small pouch by a figure wearing a black robe. The note told him that the Dark Brotherhood had seen what he had done and while the guards were lying, if he came to Dawnstar and worked for the Brotherhood they would reward him. He realised this was the only option he had for any sort of reliable employment and used the money in the pouch to pay the cart fee to get him to Dawnstar.

Equipment: None

Valeī shivered as the cart he was sitting on pulled into Dawnstar. While his robe had been warm enough in Riften, it was barely enough to keep him from numbness on the journey up north. He resolved to buy some thicker clothes when possible as he carefully climbed off the now-stationary cart. Hopefully he would be paid soon after joining the Brotherhood and would be able to find something cheap.

“Good luck with the mine,” called the car driver. Valeī nodded an acknowledgement before turning away. The man had been overly-curious and the Imperial had made up a lie about travelling to get a job at the mine since he doubted that the whole assassin thing would go over well. In all honesty he doubted he would be able to lift a pickaxe without passing out, but apparently this wasn't obvious to others. Or perhaps he just seemed desperate enough to become delusional in his own abilities. His mind drifted back to his university days when his future seemed bright with possibilities, before reminding himself that looking back would do him no favours.

Checking the pouch Valeī guessed he had enough for breakfast. At the docks he was currently walking past a man was barbecuing fish. While he wasn't a great fan of fish he guessed that if he was staying in Dawnstar it was worth getting used to the local foods.

“Stay back! Thieves stealing the food from right under my nose...” The man yelled, aiming cooking tongs at him.

“No, no. I have money, see?” Valeī replied holding out the coins while simultaneously hunching in on himself in case the man made a lunge for him. After a moment more the man lowered the tongs and the Imperial passed him the money and took a fish. Taking a bite, he had to admit that it wasn't anywhere near as bad as the Riften fish- probably because it wasn't half sewage.

As he trudged northwards through the snow he tried to picture what the Dark Brotherhood would be like. All too soon the image in his mind distorted from a friendly group that would be happy to meet him into a dark posse that would reject him as soon as they set eyes on him. Taking a deep breath he dug his nails into his palms to help get rid of the image. Coming into view of the black door the figure had directed him to he saw three other people were already there. “H-hello.”

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:01 pm

The winds continued to bite into her despite the coat she had covered herself in, her very breath could be seen clear as day. Closing the hood tighter around her, strands of raven hair covering her face slightly, Elliana looked at the two before her. She had not heard the red head speak, but the smile on her face and the confidence she exuded made the girl wonder why someone like this would be joining a guild such as the Brotherhood. But then again they might think the same about a woman like myself.. She added silently knowing that even if she altered her posture and her mannerism, her default always would betray her as nobility of a sort. She did not mind this however as she might be able to use that influence to her advantage.

Turning her gaze to the Dunmer girl (If she was that young) and saw the grace and ease in which she had pounced onto the icy boulder, without even a hint of unsteadiness as she landed. The catlike reflexes, the way she spoke and the clinker of a coinpouch that seemed heavier than what would be normal for someone who likes leaping about made the Breton take her own coin purse and put it under her heavy Fur coat. That is more the kind of person this profession attracts, She may have an advantage in mobility and speed. But we will see if intellect and magic can tip those odds to my favour. Even if most of her face could not be seen, her green eyes watched the dunmer woman as a alpha female would look at a challenger. She would need to be careful indeed.

“H-hello.”

Suddenly an awkward male voice spoke behind her which broke her concentration for a moment, turning her head to the side to see the man behind the voice. Her predatory eyes looked the Imperial over, not at all impressed about his clothing, demeanour or anything about him really. The man appeared to be socially awkward at best and had a sense of desperation, meekness but she was certain he was as an animal cornered, would attack if needed.

Smiling sweetly while her eyes shimmered with magic to change into a silvery-white but the intensity of the look remained. "Pleasant weather for a stroll is it not?" She asked as she huddled against herself in the cold. "You are either lost or you may have had the same friend pay you a visit with an invitation. We will see soon enough just what it is we are all here for" she continued not waiting for the man to get a word in but she motioned for him to follow to the door. Whatever was to greet them, Elliana knew that this was the beginning of something she had never experienced before. Being the true instrument of change.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:20 pm

Selene watched as the two newcomers approached the door. They were an odd pairing, the woman huddled in a thick and new cloak, the Imperial man behind her wearing a threadbare robe.

He looks like he just crawled out of a skooma den, she thought, noticing the man's gaunt appearance. or like someone fallen on very hard times.

The woman on the other hand was almost glowing, everything about her fresh and new, her cloak barely creased from travelling. The way she moved, gliding as if she should be in a gown at some fancy ball rather than in sleepy Dawnstar, made Selene think she was a noblewoman.

"I guess that makes four of us," she remarked to Katarina, with a nod towards the newcomers. "Might be best if we go inside, before a patrol shows up. Guards seem to have a problem with me for some reason." She tried to put on her most innocent face, but broke into a grin instead, before hopping off the boulder to approach the other two.

"This is turning into quite the gathering," she announced, feeling cheerful after her introduction to Katerina. At least until she saw the glare the Breton woman shot in her direction. Growing up in Windhelm, Selene was used to hostile glares from complete strangers, but the woman's stare was on a completely new level.

What's her problem? she thought. Posh tart probably doesn't like being around a bunch of plebs. Probably thinks she's so much better than us just because she was born in a castle.

"Let's take the introductions inside, before we attract too much attention."

With that, she placed a hand on the black door. It was made of a material Selene could not identify, not quite wood, not stone, not metal. But it was warm to the touch, pulsing like a heartbeat. Instantly, she could hear a deep voice, though Selene was not sure whether it spoke inside her head or whether the others could hear it too.

"What is..."

"Innocence, my Brother."

She answered before the door had even ask the full question.

The door made a sound, somewhere between a sigh and a laugh, and a faint red glow emerged from the cracks in the material, before it silently swung open, revealing a dark passage behind it.

"Shall we?" Selene asked the others before taking the first step into the darkness.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:05 am

"Or lack of it"

A small Dunmer girl turned to face her by the nine she dosn't look more than 12 years old! Katarina thought to herself. Displaying a some acrobatic skill the Dunmer leaped easily onto a bolder near her with near perfect balance, she couldn't say for sure without seeing more of what she could do but this girl could be more acrobatic than her and Katarina had to admit, acrobatics was on of her strong suits. The small Dunmer held out a hand

"I'm, Selene" Katarina looked into the red eyes of the girl while she spoke, you could tell a lot from a persons eyes its all in the detail she thought. In this girls eyes she could see a real wildfire of a character, this amused her, appearances can be oh so deceiving and she herself was no stranger to that. Katarina took the hand and shook

"Pleasure" she said and bowed her head slightly.

Selene spoke up and nodded in the other direction, Katarina turned to see two newcomers. The man looked rough as could be and he gave of a rather meek and somewhat timid nature even like he wanted to avoid confrontation completely, then there was the woman who gave of an air of what felt like arrogance to Katarina almost like she looked down on everyone else and if there was one quality she hated in a person, it was that. Katarina was good at looking at people and working out what they where about, mind you she was not always right so she would give this Breton woman the benefit of the doubt for now.

The next thing she knew Selene was opening the door with the phrase, she had to admire the kids enthusiasm but she didn't even know if these two newcomers where here for the same thing, they could be anyone. Never the less it was done now

"Morning, I'm Katarina" she said as she slid down from her rock and gave a small wave to the newcomers.

"Slow it down a bit in future little firecracker, They might not even be with us" Katarina said to Selene as she followed her down the steps, she used a light heartened tone as it was purely meant as some advice

"Remember, It's all in the detail" she remarked while still going down the steps to the entrance area.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:50 pm

When the pass phrase was spoken to the door, that same whisper would say to each one of them, "Welcome home," and slowly open itself to them. Snow would fly into the stairwell that laid behind it, covering the stone steps and the walls to either side, though it would melt after getting halfway inside. The place would seem barren at first, with nothing but grey, stone walls in the narrow descent down the steps, green moss growing between the cracks. The way was narrow, so the new recruits would have to walk single-file behind one another, the door closing behind them once the final member entered. Truly, it appeared like the place was empty at first, almost like they had stumbled into the wrong place, nary a soul in sight and hardly a sound to be heard. That warmth coming from further down the chamber, though, invited them to continue forward.

After a few more steps, they would find themselves in a small room with some tables, looking like they were recent additions to the place. There was evidence that a few people had eaten there recently, plates with what seemed to be fresh steak remnants left on a few spots. Red and black banners hung from the ceiling on either side, the symbol of a black hand print on the center of them. Faint noises could be heard the further they traveled into this room, what could possibly be the sounds of conversation, sparring, and even alchemy. The warmth became much more noticeable, as well, prompting the removal of some layers of clothing.

A larger room could be seen through some iron bars, a flight of stairs leading down into it from the side. An alchemy station and a garden of dangerous-looking plants was off to the left of the iron bars, with a stage off to the right side, holding what seemed to be an open, empty coffin with several lit candles scattered around it. More tables were around the corner beyond it, with a few members in red and black robes sitting around, talking about contracts and how they fared with them. In the room below, it looked like there were many doorways to several chambers, and there were many people of varying races wearing similar clothes wandering around. A few spotted the new recruits, offering them waves, smiles, snickers, and jeers, but otherwise seemed non-hostile to them.

In the center of that room, though, stood an elderly Redguard man, arms crossed over his chest, white hair leaking out the sides of his turban. One eye was washed by a milky grey, making it obvious he was blind in that eye. As the new members walked down the stairs, he nodded his head and chuckled, then started to cough violently, unfolding an arm to cover his mouth. The recruits would be down the stairs by the time he was done, and he waved a hand at them to say that he was quite alright. The clothes he wore bore the same black hand print found on the banners before, and he started to approach the new members, seeming to need much effort to move.

"Welcome, welcome, my new children," he then greeted them, his voice deep and smooth. "I trust your journey to Dawnstar's sanctuary has been pleasant enough. It is quite lovely weather we're having, isn't it?" Another cough came from him, though much shorter. "Excuse an old man for needing to clear his throat so often," he said with a small laugh. "I am Nazir, the head of this sanctuary. You may consider me...well, Sithis is your Dread Father, so you may as well consider me as your uncle, I suppose. It's good to see this family growing, and we here in the sanctuary expect great things of our new members." Giving each of them a smile and a nod, he unfolded his arms and waved them around with a struggle, pointing out the entire chamber. "This shall be your new home, since you've gone through the trouble of finding the place," he explained, then covered his mouth for yet another cough.

"Now, then, before we go through all the formalities, we must first outfit you with your new clothes," he explained, shifting himself over towards a cabinet on the other side of the stairs. "You're not really required to wear them, though it is a tradition around here to wear at least something that shows your allegiance to the Dark Brotherhood." He patted the cabinet a couple of times, signalling for the new recruits to approach him. "Now, tell me what you prefer," he said to all four of them. "Robes, light armor, or heavy armor? And while you're at it, you may as well introduce yourselves." They way he said his last sentence, it seemed like he already knew who they were, and it was more meant for themselves: his smirk seemed to help make this fact a little more obvious.

» Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:26 pm

Valeī inwardly sighed in relief as the Dummer girl opened the door. Not only was he freezing to death, but it saved him from trying to introduce himself for the time being. Everybody else in their little group seemed to be well-armed and healthy in contrast to himself. He also absent-mindedly wondered if by not wearing leather he had broken some sort of unspoken rule.

Deciding that if it mattered somebody would have mentioned it by now, he followed the Dummer and the other Imperial into the tunnel. For the first few steps he worried it had been some sort of cruel joke before he felt the warm air flowing down the tunnel. The sound of the door closing startled him slightly, but then he relaxed. This was his new life; if he didn't want it he would have stayed in Riften.

After a few more seconds they reached what seemed to be some sort of dinning room. There didn't seem to be anybody else there, but since he didn't even know the names of the people he was walking with, Valeī decided not to grab any of the scraps of food. He had learn to never let food go to waste, but he was pretty sure that at least one of his companions would find this weird. Honestly he found the red and black banners a touch melodramatic, but refrained from commenting.

Looking around he was slightly unnerved by the large coffin on the right. He probably should have read up on the Dark Brotherhood before he came. Wasn't there at least one organisation where one part of joining involved lying in a coffin for an hour, while it sat next to a fire? On the other side was the much more recognisable sight of an alchemy table. He could also remember most of the plants as the ones his parents told him to never even touch.

Then after a moment of looking around he noticed the stairs and followed them down to a larger room. He tried not to react to the other members' comments; while they seemed to be mostly friendly, he felt sure that at least a few were sarcastic.

The sight of the Redguard reassured the Imperial. It seemed that the Brotherhood was a family and he possibly had a chance of fitting in here. The man's friendly tone further enshrined this belief. He could also hear the pvssyr from others in the building and it sounded warmer than what he would have expected from a group of assassins.

"Robes, light armour, or heavy armour? And while you're at it, you may as well introduce yourselves." Realising that whoever stepped forward first would control how much information the others had to reveal, he turned to the Redguard.
“Robes, please.” He wondered for a moment if he should go for light armour to fit in with everybody else, but since he had no idea how to move in it he decided to stay with clothing he knew. After all he had spent a good few years among the homeless in Riften in robes and had become pretty good at avoiding most attacks.

“And I'm Valeī,” he said turning to the others. He left his last name out since he doubted anyone would care.
“I...uh, I mainly know about alteration magic, but I also know some weapon-less fighting stuff. Grew up in Bravil. Left as soon as I could.” He bowed his head slightly to indicate he was done.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:07 am

As the black ominous door before them opened, the nervous looking imperial moved ahead of Elliana ignoring what she has said. Pouting as magic shimmered around her eyes once more, returning them to the emerald green of her normal coronas, the Breton woman moved forward and allowed the others to go in front. She didn't trust any of these newcomers, and being brought up in a world where assassinations are as regular as the change of fashion.. she preferred to not have anyone be behind her. As she slowly descended the stairs she could already feel the temperature increasing and Eliana breathed a sigh of relief. I guess this will not be as uncomfortable as i was lead to believe.. she thought to herself as the snow on the staircase began to recede the deeper the small party descended.

As they approached the small room with tables, with what appeared to be remnants of a meal recently consumed. They seemed to be more meagre helpings than what the Breton noble was used to, but she had to remind herself that she isn't in a High Rock estate, this is what the real world was going to be for her for a time, a long time if Elliana remembered what she was told about the Brotherhood and fiddled with her mothers ring subconsciously. The place did appear to be in good repair and the banners were more or less undamaged by the environment but the symbol of the guild was as distinct as could be. The warmth was beginning to bother Eliana as she removed her cloak and hood, draping it over her shoulder but leaving her heavy coat on, as removing it while walking would only prove to be more of a hassle even to relieve herself of the rising temperatures. As they continued the sounds of other men and women, from which she could only discern as members of the Guild could be heard. Then it has grown greatly from what was told to me.. The death dealing business must be doing well.

As they desended down even more stairs, the room opened up and an elderly Redguard man stood before them, arms crossed with the look of a man experienced in the art of killing in his one good eye. She knew just by looking at the man that he was not someone to be dealt with lightly, even despite his more advanced age, the apparent difficulty in his movements and the constant coughing that had started when he greeted them. As he spoke, Elliana glanced about the room, taking in all of the details and remembering the teachings shown to her by the Estate's huntsman. Every detail no matter how small could be the difference between life or death, the difference between being the prey and succumbing, or becoming the predator and succeeding.

As he concluded his introduction and motioned to the equipment. As soon as he mentioned that they did not have to wear it but at least show something that proved their allegiance she breathed easier. Nervous spoke up first asking for robes before introducing who he was albeit being short. He had the look of a man who partook in many a substance and with the meek stature and way of speech she would assume that he must have had some kind of traumatic event that lead to his current ways. In all other ways he appeared a mage, the request for robes and his current attire confirmed this.

Elliana moved her fingers down the coat and deftly removed it, revealing her custom fitted leather attire. The armour had been made for her figure, with what seemed to be crafted with much love and care and made darker as to not be easily noticeable in dim lighting. "If we do not need to wear the armour, then I suppose having an insignia to sew into my current attire, or perhaps a small mantle or cloak should suffice would it not?" She asked the old man with a sweet smile. Glancing at her companions, she smiled at them while her eyes did not show much warmth in them.

"For you who do not know me, I am Elliana of the High house of Vierlus from Daggerfall. But in the eyes of our Dread Father, we are all but his daughters and sons, those of us who were reborn in a baptism of blood." her voice sounded smooth and feminine, seeping with Bretoni Highborn accent with every word spoken. "If we are mentioning the skills that we will be practitioning, then I have a great understanding of Illusion magic, especially the art of changing ones appearance-" Demonstrating this Elliana let the magic flow through her as her eye colour changed from emerald green, to ice blue, to crimson like the dunmer girl's, and then finally to one of her favourites starlight silver. He hair also fluttered with Illusion magic as her hair colour changed from raven black, to honey blonde, to blizzard white and finally settling on a rainbow of colours before returning to her raven black hair. "-at will. I would assume that this level of Illusion magic could help in any situation that arises, but in the times of battle, a good silence or paralysis spell is always handy.

"But from what my teachers had told me, my speechcraft skills are also impressive to match with the illusion.. a linguist would come in handy" She added with a smile before conjuring a small blade. "Conjuration i can do some spells in, as it is much easier to enter a gala without a weapon and just so much more comfortable than hiding a blade in the most difficult to reach places." ending the spell, the magenta blade dispersed and she returned her hands behind her back, the smile remaining, like she was very pleased with herself.

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 7:47 am

OOC: Ohhhh you handed me that one on a platter Shadow. First dish of attitude coming up...

Selene had been about to respond - in no uncertain terms - to being called a "little firecracker", but the old Redguard's coughing stopped her. So instead, she listened quietly to his speech and the Imperial man's short introduction. She hadn't figured him for a mage, perhaps because he looked more like the desperate souls roaming the streets of Windhelm without a place to sleep. Maybe there was more to him than it seemed at first.

Then the Breton woman started to speak, turning down the offer of free armour in preference to her custom made leather attire, before proudly announcing her noble title. While she spoke, Selene glanced at Katarina, rolling her eyes to indicate her annoyance. The woman clearly loved talking about herself, how brilliant she was, what great tutors she had, how skilled she was at magic - though Selene had to admit her trick with the changing hair colour was rather nifty.

"Hope you forgive me if I don't fall to my knees and worship the ground you walk on, Your Highness," she responded, mockingly, stepping up to the Breton.

"You must be horribly appalled being in the presence of us commoners. No custom made armour, no galas and ball gowns, just the ability to survive in the real world. A world which doesn't give a skeever's fart about fancy names and people who think they're better than everyone else because of their name. I hope you won't just stand aside, looking and talking pretty but too scared to get involved in the real work, in case you break a nail or something."

She gave a low, mocking bow.

"Selene, of the not-so-noble house Diverii." As Selene straightened, she jingled the coin purse she had just snatched from Elliana, before tossing it back at her.

"I'm a thief, in case that wasn't clear."

» Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:07 am

OOC: I mean i couldn't have set it up better than if i just attached a sign on her saying "I'm a pompus twit make a fool out of me"

IC: As the dunmer girl walked up to Elliana, she could just see the sarcasm drip off of every word coming from her mouth. Who does this little brat think she is speaking to me this way! I was only introd- Her train of thought was cut off as she realised that she felt lighter, and patted at her pockets before glaring at the girl who had just introduced herself as Selene. Catching the purse before it fell to the ground, the Breton woman reached up to her neck to make sure that her ring tied onto her necklace was still there, and felt relieved that the little thieving brat didn't take that also. If Elliana was glaring daggers at Selene before, she was now burning holes into the dunmer's skull, as her eyes flashed involuntarily lava red, the magic of a conjured throwing knife spell forming in her mind wanting to rip that smirk off of the thief's face for good.

"Maybe i should just pin you to the wall and let the damned skeevers pick at your corpse, but even they wouldn't want to pick at a scrawny thing as yourself..." She said coldly. But realising that she played exactly into the girl's little plan, she released the spell and re-attached her coinpurse to it's rightful place. You are a skilled negotiator, spy and deceiver.. yet one tiny dunmer girl makes you lose your temper.. She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to calm down, the last thing she needed to do was to break a tenet in the first 5 minutes of being in the brotherhood.

"But.. you are to be as a sister to me, so I am going to let it slide.. after all under the gaze of Sithis we are all.. family." With that said she moved to one of the nearby tables and sat down gently, crossing one leg over the other and placing her travel coat and cloak beside her to wait for the last member to introduce herself, the happy go lucky fiery redhead. Even if she decided not to go through with her actions, Elliana already knew that she already had a rival (or an annoyance) in her new 'sister' Selene.