Aryon wasn't doing much once he entered the grand entrance hall. He had been here many times before but never did he once see it this busy. All around him he saw many different faces from many different races. Plus they were all mingling with one another, Argonian and Dunmer even! This surprised him quite a lot as he never found much use of the Argonians unless they were working plantations, with a collar around their wrist.

Hmph, dirty creatures. But wait what is this I see?

He looked over to a bench by the wall to see a rather good looking Dunmer woman sat by her self.

I believe she needs some company. Who better than me, a dashingly charming gentleman like myself, to fulfill that goal?

Before he could do anything however he seen a rather dirty, middle class looking man approach her and initiate conversation. Aryon mearly muttered something and watched other people enter the hall and laughed at the astonished look on their faces. Before he could do anything else however the person who looked in charge of the whole thing began to usher people into different rooms and follow their agent.

" About time if I do say so myself! " Aryon spoke to anybody who would listen and followed the man who he was supposed to into a different room.

Basic Information

Name: Yurinov Mikalych Svetska
Alias: Yuri, Mikal
Gender: Male
Race: Dunmer
Age: 43
Birthsign: Atronach

Class Information

Class Name and Description: Wytch
Specialization: Magic
Skills:
Major-

1. Destruction
2. Conjuration
3. Alteration
4. Mysticism
5. Illusion


Minor-

1. Speechcraft
2. Hand-to-Hand
3. Acrobatics
4. Unarmored
5. Alchemy



Appearance

Height: 6ft 1in/1.86meters
Weight: 147lbs/66.68kg
Apparent Age: 24
Apparent Gender: Male
General Appearance: A tall frame, generally a bit gaunt and thin but wiry and learn. His deep, crimson eyes burn under black hair, whose bangs reach his nose and the back stays ruffled, but short.

Standard Attire: Often a solid white robe, with ebony-toned fur rimming the hood, the bottom of the robe draqes to the floor. Beneath are a pair of solid black trousers that flare towards the end of the leg in order to pull over the wearer's boots. A crimson shirt, accentuated by odd symmetrical patterns along the entire length of the fabric.

Equipment

Armor: Leather Boots.
Weapon(s): A simple wooden staff.
Enchanted items: A grand, opulent amulet which glows subtly.

Disposition

General Disposition: (Give some insight about your character’s attitude towards himself and the rest of the world)
Disposition towards the Empire: Bland, uninteresting, lacking any dynamic culture and utterly devoid of 'dance'.
Disposition towards the law: Still retains the Telvanni notion of 'if you don't get caught, nothing happened'.
Religion: Learns towards Daedric praise, over the Tribunal, Nordic, and Cyrodilic theology.
Past Associations:

* Sought out House Telvanni, was turned off by their egotistical aims and Sadrith Mora's remote location.
* Had interest in the Mages guild, later to abandon the idea due to their lack of freedom and guild dues

_________________________________________________________


Yuri dragged himself to finish off the flagon of cheap wine as his stomach began to fill and his mind began to wander. Slowly he recounted the days events, drawing out like a play.

"C'mon Yuri!" the beautiful women prescribed his nervous replies to just be the sober half of his conscious taking action. "Hlaalu has more money than they can count. Even the East Empire couldn't rival them! What will they do? Hunt you down? Rough you up? They'll come after me, not you dear."

Yuri was still Nervous, but he accepted, assisting the witch'hunter' in her escapades to clear out an eggmine which she then took for herself and her novitiates. They would smuggle out the contents, just as they had done in mines before. Ebony, egg, and the like. He would enter, find the weak points, sabotage, or actually commit the theft himself and report back to the woman. To his knowledge, she was at the shop across the street at the moment.
And now, here he was, several thousand gold richer, several pints of ale poorer.

"You want another fill up, Sera?" the half-naked bartender said with a gleam in her eye. Yuri flipped a drake on the table, the emperors head was smiling at him.

"Fill her up."

Vel arrived a bit late to the manor. He slipped threw the front entrance and looked around the manor. His black coat fell in with his cloths making him spot out in the crowd. He walked forward looking around at the busy patrons. He spotted a lone chair in the corner and walk over to sit down. He pulled a grimm expression apon his face as he watched the halls being trampeled by new cmers and their "Bosses" ready and eager for their missions or jobs. Vel gave a small sigh of annoyance. He didn't like the manor this busy, he wasn't used to it being so loud. Soon he caught a glimps of a man who was appointing people to agents and different rooms.

"Well here goes another exciting ordinary day." He looked to people walking in the door. "And annoying." He added to his muttering.

He stood from his seat then leaned against the wall his coat wrapping around him like a robe and his arms crossed. He waited for his name to come up.

Balmora, Hlaalu Council Manor
Danar, Agent

As the crowd of initiates began to group and follow their respective Agents into the briefing rooms, Danar saw his recruits come clearly into sight. Most were Dunmer, with a couple Bretons. "Right this way," he called to them, as he opened the door to their room.

He led the group inside and motioned for them to be seated around the table. At the head of the long table, near the back of the room, he picked up a sealed letter which contained their mission. The Agent pulled a knife from his waistband and sliced open the letter with care and precision, to be sure he did not damage any of the contents. He took the paper from the envelop and quickly glanced over it, noting the main points and what the teams were.

"The task that has been given to the lot of you regards issues that Hlaalu is having with smuggling and theft in our mines," Danar began, "specifically of kwama eggs and ebony, amounting to thousands of lost drakes." Danar continued, "Operatives have discovered several of the smugglers within the ranks of the miners, but they are quite certain that these miners are not the leaders of the smuggling ring. It is vital that we break this smuggling ring and prevent further losses."

"Your main objective will be to discover the hideouts, leaders, and drop points of these smugglers - this, above all else, should be your focus. You are authorized to do anything - short of murder - to get the information we need in a timely manner. The miners our operatives have exposed are to be considered without protection under the law. However, Hlaalu will not appreciate any criminal actions taken against civilians and especially not against fellow Hlaalu in trying to get this information - it would be bad for business and illegal. The House is willing to incur some of the responsibility for compensation of any victims of unintentional actions taken by you, but not all of it. Use care when dealing with any innocents."

"The miners we have evidence against are: from the the Shurdan-Raplay Egg Mine, Dunmer Hortis Adas, Dunmer Rilam Llervu, and Orc Ghamul Uzuk; from the Abaesen-Pulu Egg Mine, Dunmer Neldam Nethre and Orc Uramul Bugdb; and from the Caldera Ebony Mines, Bosmer Gildii, Redguard Alusan, and Dunmer Llaalam Mandas. You should seek them out and attempt to gain information regarding their group's activities. Their houses and barracks quarters are both free game - search them if necessary and seize any stolen goods or papers which might aid in breaking the smuggling ring."

"Three final things to consider when dealing with this issue. First, any stolen goods you come across should be seized and returned to Hlaalu officials unless such a seizure will jeopardize finding the information necessary to crack the organization. Second, when you feel that you have all the information you can gather from the miners, attempt to arrest them. The Imperial Legion and East Empire Company have been pressuring us to bring them in, so we don't want them to be able to escape once we put the pressure on their little group. Finally, though current information appears to suggest that this is an independent organization, look into any possible ties this smuggling ring might have with larger organizations. If we can pin this on the Thieves Guild, then maybe the Imperials will finally start going after them. But remember, the main goal is getting the information to end this problem. Everything else is secondary."

"Now, in terms of the teams," Danar looked up from the letter, to discover that a sixth person had joined them. Strange, he figured that maybe the Dunmer had been reassigned to him. "Well, since there are six of you and three locations, we'll do this in teams of two."

"I'm sending Elissandre and Beslyn Dreloth to investigate the Shurdan-Raplay Egg Mine, Richard Hoville and Soryna Indarys to the Caldera Ebony Mines, and, uh, sorry, what is your name?" he asked, pointing to Renis Hess. "No matter. You and Sera Sarethi will be headed to the Abaesen-Pulu Egg Mine. Are there any questions?"

Soryna Indarys... Sounds like a female name to me. You can't be sure with their weirded up names, but then I'm Richard, so I'm smart enough to tell. Richard looked around the room to see how many Dunmer females there were, and was delighted to see that there was only one - the one he had made note of on his way to this room. Zing! SCORE! He bit his lip secretly not to yell that out. Five minutes in and I'm already loving it. What better way to get into a profitable job that'll fetch some nice connections as well than by spending a lot of time with a woman like THAT? For all I care, this mission can drag on for ages now... Plenty of time away from Dunmer males, plenty of time to grow more familiar with that gorgeous diamond. We don't get it that good back in Anticlere...

Swallowing his joy, Richard tried his best not to look too weird to the others in the room, and he did a pretty good job at that, at least as much as it was possible for a run-down Breton with suspiciously acquired Dwemer objects amongst lavishly dressed Dunmeri.

As they got paired, Elissandre hid a sigh of relief - at least she wouldn't et paired with what on first glane seemed a noble of osrts, complete with expensevise clothing and even more expansive ego. Well, I've got a flirt. We'll see if he's into anything wearing skirts or only dunmers..

"I have a few questions.
If I undertstand right, we're supposed to keep our investigations out of anyone's sight until we have evidences and are ready to make arrests. Is there a specific way - a password, some offical dociument, whatever... to identy ourselves to the mine guards or other local law.
On a more practical issue, is there somehting prepared for mission expenses. I don't expect to spend much, but I'd prefer knowing where I stand in that regard."

Soryna heard the name 'Richard' and quickly assumed it was the name of a Breton. She looked around to see a rather odd looking man glancing her way. She tried hard not to have a dismal disapointed displeasured look sweep across her face but somehow it managed to creep in. Quickly she turned away to hide it and sighed to herself. Considering the sitation she had to see the advantages. His dress was so strange, she looked more western in her dress that he did. (That twig is going to get in my way. I've never seen him before either, is he new? He must be. That's fine I can boss him around and I won't need to worry about anything. Worst comes to worst I can use him as a diversion and if something happens to him he won't be missed.) Soryna didn't bother to leave her seat, prefering to be approached rather then approach. This was due more so to her disinterest than any tactic she was trying to play off.

On the good side at least she was going to be sent to the ebony mine. That seemed much more profitable than some smelly kwama eggs. She never understood why anyone liked them. She kept her legs and arms crossed leaning a bit back in her chair awaiting to be 'bothered' by Richard. A map would be needed as she had no idea were the Ebony mines were. Most of her work so far had been with in Balmora and once in Vivec.

Doesn't look too happy, but then what should I expect... No worries, along the way my dashing looks will be undoubtedly noted, along with my unmatched intelligence. I've croseed blades with far worse opponents than that. Richard encouraged himself after noting the look on the Dunmer's face after seeing him. He failed to remind himself, though, that on the occasions he 'crossed blades' with worse opponents Richard tended to end up on the losing side. This was not something he concerned himself with, though, as even if some more sensible part of his brain tried to remind him that he sweeped these warnings aside, counting on the fact he had more experience now.

Seeing as Soryna didn't seem to display interest in coming over and introducing herself, Richard latched on to this as well, deciding it would be a good test of just how stubborn the Dunmer was. And if the 'aloof' thing didn't work, there was always a wide array of other things he may try...

"The investigations should be kept under wraps, yes, and as such, try to avoid any guards getting wind of your activities," Danar replied. "But, I shall be providing you with documentation to prove your clearance to engage in a variety of activities. Just try not to abuse this privilege," the Agent cautioned. "We've tried to keep information about your activities secret, because not all guards are trustworthy. Again, I stress that you should avoid them whenever possible."

"As to the issue of mission expenses, this should be a relatively inexpensive task. Transportation has been arranged and so you are only left with the purchase of supplies. Given that time is of the essence, I would not expect this to take so long as to be a burden." Danar at this point noticed the dress of this Breton woman was strikingly similar to those found on the priests of the Tribunal Temple, "I suppose I could give you one half of your payment for this task up front, if you...lack sufficient funds."

Soryna kept silent in her seat waiting to be dismissed. She had a heavy feeling of lazyness set in over her. Motivating her was generally difficult. Perhaps things would get better once outside. (Ugh...where all the ash is.) That seemed improbable now. At least she would get to see a mine...a big hole in the ground. She tapped her long fingers against her arms as they lay crossed on her chest while her leg bounced up and down slightly as it lay crossed over the other. Looking around the room she noted how few of them had been called upon. She had thought the group would be bigger, but this would work just as well. She could try to befriend the other female and then have the males pit up against each other. As long as the others had unstable footing, she'd always come out ahead.

Balmora, Hlaalu Council Manor
Mervs, Coordinator

Most of the initiates were now in their briefing rooms, being told of their tasks. Mervs had gone upstairs after his part of this ceremony was finished, but now he strolled back down the staircase to check on the progress of the Agents in explaining the tasks they were assigning to the initiates. However, he noticed that several stragglers had come in, and were waiting in the lobby of the first floor.

"Seras, what business do you have here today?" he asked, though already knowing the answer.

OOC: This is directed at Sparda and Beniamus.

Vel looked up at Mervs and pushed himself away from the wall. "Well Im here for work and for something I was called here for. But Things came up and I was forced to a late arrival." He fixed his collar and ajusted his dagger wich settled on his lower back. "So, what happens now?" He asked walking twards the man then taking a seat at a table.

Mervs, Coordinator

The Coordinator looked at the Dunmer who spoke to him and was able to recognize him. He was one of the local Retainers. "You must be... hmm... Vel Dharedin? Yes, that's it. Retainer Dharedin," Mervs said confidently. "I am, in fact, in need of your skills in particular. We are having some troubles in Suran with a relatively powerful woman who is luring good Dunmer, Hlaalu, even, into her blasphemous little group of travelers. If you would follow me, I can give you further details."

Almost leaving and forgetting about the other recruit who was standing at the door, Mervs began to walk towards the stairs before making an abrupt about-face. "Sera, if you are here for initiation into the Hlaalu Inter-House Relations taskforce, you may come along too. Sera Dharedin will need a partner for this mission."

"Thank you sir. I am answering the council's summons in regards to my application. If you need someone for business in Suran, I have just come from there and would be happy to assist in any way I can." Beniamus was almost suprised that business had arisen already, but this was House Hlaalu and business was as frequent as drawing breath.

Smiling, he made his way to follow both Mervs and Vel Dharedin.

Vel Followed Mervs keeping a paced stride. "Suran? It is most suspicious why a group would form down there. But then it is a small community easy for a group to grow." He rubbed his chin and looked to Beniamus. "New recruit then? Well atleast you get to go out with excitment on your first mission." He gave a smile and looked back at Mervs. "So what matter should be executed in dealing with this.. Powerful Woman?"

Ayon listened carefully and looked over to who he was partnered with.

Great, a nobody he thought to himself as the agent read out his name and pointed to his partner.

After everything was finished and he found out what his task was he immediatly walked over to the Dunmer whom he would be working with.

"The name is Serjo Aryon Sarethi, nobleman and retainer of the Great House House. It looks like me and you will be working together on this task to Abaesen-Pulu Egg Mine, I hope you are up to it as I have no wish to work with someone who is not dedicated like me " he said to Renis Hess as he held out his hand.

Seeing his new partner approach him Renis turned to greet him. The man had a rather pompous way of speaking and carried himself with a certain arrogance that annoyed Ren, but on the plus side he was at least a fellow Dunmer, and that fact alone gave Renis more tolerance then he would have had in other particular cases. He was nothing if not charitable, after all.

Ren held out his hand and gripped his new partner's. "An absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Renis Hess, and it looks like we're partners on this mission. I look? forward to it. And I assure you, you will quickly find I prove to be an asset on this particular mission. Interrogation is my specialty." He grinned.

Balmora, Hlaalu Council Manor
Mervs, Coordinator

"I'm very pleased you asked, right to business," the Coordinator replied with a stern expression. "This woman, she calls herself a "witch hunter," has been a thorn in our side for several weeks now. Normally, we'd have dealt with her already, but she has apparently alluded capture. We've decided to take a more...direct...approach - and that's where you two come in."

Mervs turned to ensure both of them were listening closely, "I, rather, my superiors, want her dead. We have no time for niceties anymore with that devil. I'm of the impression that this is your specialty, Retainer?" Mervs paused only for a moment before continuing, "There may be some difficulties in achieving this. She is certainly a good fighter, I would not suggest attacking her openly, and, further, the members of the Suran Watch cannot know about this undertaking. It is, what is the term you Morag Tong use?, an "unsanctioned" assassination."

"There's more, too. She keeps the company of a mage, and I'm told he's rather skilled," the Coordinator was watching them to gauge if they were prepared by their nonverbal reactions. "Finally, if you get caught, Hlaalu is going to have to disavow any connection to you. We'll, of course, ensure that you don't have to spend any time in jail, but if this operation gets out of control, then you'll not be able to be officially in the Great House again."

"On the other hand," Mervs said with a slight grin, "success here would put you in an excellent position to advance. Not to mention the more, tangible rewards of success."

Aryon smiled and laughed "Well then Sera Hess, we better get started on our mission. As the most experienced here I believe that I shall take charge and shall do the talking if you don't mind. If they don't co-operate then we shall make use of your...talents" when he said this a slight grin spread across his face.

"It looks like we are to interogate a Dunmer named Neldam Nethre and a dirty Orc named Uramul Bugdb. I believe that the Abaesen-Pulu Egg Mine is located east of the village of Seyda Neen and west of Vivec. The quickest way there would be to take the Silt Strider to Seyda Neen and walk the rest of the way on foot. A most wise plan wouldn't you say?" he said and looked at Renis Hess as if expecting him to agree

Vel listened closely and placed a dual expression apon his face then smirked. "Hmm a battle mage and shes a fighter." He thought for a moment. "I think discretion is the only option. However it would be hard to seperate her from her battle mage." His fingers twitched and a slight buzzing feeling ran threw their tips. "It sounds a bit.... challenging, but we liek a challenge don't we?" He smiled and nodded his head. "Don't worry she will be dealt with," He turned his head to Beniamus. "What say you? You up for a little dirty work?"

Renis Shrugged. He was fine with the other Dunmer taking charge of this mission, at least initially. As long as the man proved competent Ren would humor him. Should he screw up though? Well, this was business.

"I'm fine with you doing the talking Aryon." Ren replied, purposely addressing the man informally to see how he'd react. It was important to see how uptight his partner was. "My skills in persuasion tend to be of the non verbal kind. " Ren pulled out one of his daggers and inspected it, illustrating his point.

Hearing Aryon's plan for the trip, Ren agreed. "Seems like the best way to get there. If our business is concluded here, why don't you lead the way? While we're heading there we can discuss just how we want to tackle this matter. I have my own plans but as you say, you're in charge here." He replied, smirking.

Ignoring Renis' informality at addressing him by just his first name, he nodded and began to leave the council hall with his new partner.

"I'll pay for us both, I have plenty of gold you see" Aryon stated as he handed over a handful of gold peices and boarded the stilt strider. As it began to move he studied the man he would be doing this mission with. He looked like a handsome man he supposed, not as handomse as him however! He did have alarmingly peircing dark red eyes that had an intense stare to them. Along with that he was clad in rudementary leather armor, not as strong as his own Armun-An Bonemold armor however.

"Well then I think it is about time we discussed how we shall deal with the mission then. Once we get there the first thing we should, I mean I should do is to question the miners there about the little thieverys going on there. If they don't co-operate then you move in and do your thing until they squeel. Don't be too rough though, we wouldn't want them to die now would we?" Aryon laughed and carried on "You have anything to add Sera?"

Beniamus raised an eyebrow when it was mentioned that the woman called herself a witchhunter. He was a witchhunter but Mervs made it seem that she was breaking Dunmer tradition in someway. The notion that they wouldn't contact the Morag Tong made him a bit uncomfortable, but writs cost drakes and why pay drakes when you could pass it off on low-ranking members.

Beniamus wanted to ask what kind of groups this woman was forming but he didn't want to come across as insubordinate or too inquisitive so he kept his quesitons to himself. He would ask Vel when they were on their way or inquire about this woman in Suran. Beniamus made a living out of tracking and eliminating necromancers, witches and vampires. If this woman was an agent of evil, Beniamus would feel justified in their taks. If she was breaking no law, whether moral or judicial, he would be hard-pressed to do this task. He would keep his reservations to himself for now.

"I would be honored to serve the House. Lead on Serjo Vel."

Following Aryon onto the Silt Strider Renis had to resist rolling his eyes as the man paid for both of them. He was starting to think Aryon was loose with his coin, but this could prove to be a positive thing should unexpected expenses come up. And hey, who was he to complain?

Hearing Aryan's plan Ren stayed silent for a moment, lost in thought. After a moment, he nodded. "Sounds like a plan. However, perhaps we can acquire some miner's uniforms in or around the mine and conduct a little surveillance of the area first. Once inside it should be simple enough to convince one of the miner's to squeal on our targets location, and from there we can tail them until they're isolated and move in. The last thing we want to do is do this out in the open. Corrupt as they may be, I suspect our targets have made some friend's in the mine." Renis replied, his mind already excited about the hunt that was to come.

I guess I could try to infiltrate the mine and learn as much as I can from within... They wouldn't suspect I'm someone else than another man looking for some coin, and if they would they're unreasonably paranoid, since that's what I am... Richard's great profession comes in handy again. I'd probably be way more succesful in pulling something like that off than anyone here, and this time owing not only to my unmatched intelect. 'Don't turn into an adventurer and lose all you have that way' said dad. Psht, my ass, look at me now. Richard contemplated, slowly rising from his seat. Deep in thought, he nearly truly forgot about his companion, although he first intended just to act like he didn't care. Just when he was next to the door he stopped, having remembered Soryna.

Richard, you can't allow yourself to slip like that! What's the worth of money if they're not accompanied by the best night in your entire life. He quickly turned around, heading towards the Dunmer's seat. Sticking to his plan, Richard spoke in a quite uninterested tone; his past experiences had taught him that if he overexaggerated this he'd be left with a similar reply, only difference being that the female was most likely being sincere.

"I'm leaving, if you intend to stick to this grouping." That said, he turned around again, heading for the door. Let's see how she responds to that and proceed accordingly...