4 Years after the Oblivion Crisis
The empire couldnt hold up on its own after being beaten by the Oblivion Crisis and was its back was broken with the ensuing famine that ensued from the crisis. The Elder Council and Ocato were flooded with problems faster than they could address them, and the Imperial legion was spread thin and suffering from rebellions from the Orcs. The orcs demanded independence, so they could get supplies and help for themselves without having to go through the imperial government. The empire refused, and the Orcs rebelled.
The war that ensued was short but bloody, leaving the legion crippled. The empire needed some sort of military strength to maintain other nations that were teetering on rebellion. The empire turned to two guilds: The mages and fighters guild. The mages guild refused, and the empire threatened to outlaw the guild if they didn't. The next day, when a diplomat attempted to make a deal with the guild, the mages guild destroyed the university in an explosion and the guild went underground.
The fighters guild, though, saw the request as an opportunity and happily obliged to be the strong arm of the empire. Many citizens cried out, though, saying giving the "Guild Ruffians" a seat so close to the emperor Ocato was insulting, and many demanded the empire stop.
The council, seeing that this was a good point, decided to get rid of 75% of fighter's guild leadership and replace them with Legion Officers. The guild master was put as a second in command to the Legion Commander. Some of the guild leaders evicted were glad to walk out, others fought to the death over it. Most, though, formed other mercenary groups, ranging from marauders to noble paladins. Most, though, fell in the middle.
Following fighters guild example, these smaller merc guilds became the strong arm of the people, and soon most militaries used hired mercs for military needs.
This, oddly, created an odd peace for the empire, allowing it, after four long years, to finally be able to rebuild. The economy was up from revenue from the guilds. People were happy that the empire was finally able to use the guilds to get hinges done with the empire. All seems quiet.
But, in Tamriel, nothing is as quiet as it seems.
Stone's Mercenary Company. Good company. Get the job done. They operate out of the abandoned Mages guild hall in Anvil. Led by a Dunmer ex fighters guild, Farlon Stone Rezar. Call him stone because he seems unbreakable under pressure.
The council man slid the paper across the table to his Altmer comrade. Of course, he's ex-guild. Weve heard the whole unbreakable thing too many times. Are you sure these guys will get the job done?
The man across the table from him nodded. These guys rooted out three marauder companies out of a fort for much less. Theyre good. Some of the best there is. Hell, even better than the damn Fighters Guild.
But 2 million gold for their leader? And 500,000 gold to each subsequent member? Are you purposely trying to bankrupt the empire? And al they are doing is sailing to the summerset, meeting with the diplomats, going to raid an old haunted ruin for an artifact, and bring it back. If the people get wind of this, they wont like it. We could loose our councilman positions. Is it worth it?
Thunder cracked outside, and the Altmer jumped. Scared? The imperial asked.
Bad memories as a kid. Lost a brother to a storm. The Altmer said as he exhaled deeply.
The imperial shrugged It happens. Im sorry for your loss. But we have to do it. That artifact holds dark secrets. Bad ones. The empire is already teetering on collapse now, finally getting back up. We dont get this before someone else does?
Whatever you say. The Altmer says. Its your head. I was never here. Did they get the contract?
Stone already knows. And I sent a messenger to the guild hall. It should be getting there about now. Good messenger, good, strong, fast horse. And hes a lizard, they like the rain. This will be over in less than two weeks.
What does the note say? The Altmer asked.
Same this I told you. The amount of money per person, That they need to sail to Summerset, Talk to an ambassador and get permission to actually go in the ruin, go in, get the artifact, and come back. Deliver it before two weeks time, and poof. Done. Easy.
When you say its easy, it never is.
Lighting flashed and thunder boomed so loud the Altmer leapt out of his seat. The Imperial looked back at the paper, and sighed. He buried his face into his hand.
It never is.
Good RP Idea? Comments? Concerns? Compliments? Please, explain them before I post this up as an official RP. I will put up a char sheet format soon.