Arnickles Renodin/Maura/The Inquisitor
Mistress Maura Arnickles Renodin - The Inquisitor
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin
all nobles of Obia'Syela
Forged Anew Part I
As magnificent as Rines is, every big city has it's seedier parts - it is somewhat inevitable, the more people inhabit a place, the more opportunity for those giving less heed to the letter of the law to form groups and for those groups to occupy certain neighbourhoods; more often than not those neighbourhoods tend to be located by the water, for reasons more or less unknown to modern scholars. And so the City of Moonlight had the docks. In the central place of the Port of Four Cities there were magnificent quays of marble and basalt, and piers built with finest ilks of wood. That part of the port was designed to receive the greatest of noble guests - Kings and Emperors - and as such it was built with royal - if not imperial - style. From it shoot a wide, cobblestone alley that led the noble travellers all the way to the Basilica, through the marketplace and several other prominent locations. That alley served also as a border between the northern and southern docks, patrolled tirelessly by the city guard. The northern part was nowhere near as grandiose as the magnificent royal piers of the Port, but it was still kept neat and tidy by the merchant guilds of the city and minor noble houses, it served as the main trade hub of city; and then there were the southern docks...
Full moon dawned upon the darkest corners of the city with it's silver light, as Maura strolled through the alleyes of Southern Docks all by her lonesome. In her drunken state her legs had all the authority over pathfinding, leaving her mind to ponder more salient dillemmas, such as: should she vomit now, or not quite yet. Employing their sovereing power her legs led her to the most obscure tavern they could find. Her hazy gaze scanned the patrons in passing, they appeared to be lowly thieves and hustlers... that is - the finest of them appeared to be thieves and hustlers. She could discern all sorts of rogues and villains, as well as an unimposing deadman cramped in the dank corner, red shape showing on his groin, embers of baccy in his pipe still drawling grey dribble of smoke in the air.
She approached the barkeep and without a word pointed to a tankard of ale. He extended expectant palm before proceeding with the order. Drunken dame poked the insides of her eternally empty purse and with an exasperated sigh and a mighty swing she punched the consciousness straight out of one of the tavern patrons' head, grabbing his tankard as he fell to the ground. Her feat raised no eyebrows, not in this joint; her shrug prompted the barkeep to withdraw his hand. Freshly acquired beverage in hand, her legs decided to leave the tavern - she followed, and so did a group of less comely tavern patrons.
Forged Anew Part II
Cold autumn air nibbled her nose and earlobes, she rubbed off the numb sensation and poured the contents of her tankard into her throat, tossing the empty vessel aside. The clang was much louder than she expected, so she turned around to see why, only to notice the apparent source of the sound - the enormous scimtar - slapping her face with it's broad side. Even considering the force of the impact, normaly it would merely cause her stumble back, but in her drunken state it dropped her on her arse, blood gushing from her nose. The assaliant's grin revealed incomplete set of teeth. As she propped herself up she felt her arms wrenched behind her back and immobilised by two more thugs. She snarled more out of annoyance than out of pain. The man before her swinged once more, this time the hilt of the scimtar caught her left eye and a moment later is was swollen shut. What was left of her hazy eyesight made out a shape in the corner of her field of vision. It was a female shape, dressed in something blue, the notion took her mind somewhere distant in space and time and well out of the present situation, a soft smile shaped on her face.
Sensation of cold steel on her naked thigh brought her back into the moment. It pushed to the side but she resisted it without effort, up until the blade twisted, pressing sharp edge to one of her tighs and pointy tip to the other. The assaliant growled to his companions "hold the bitch tight!" and sneered at Maura as he dropped the scimtar to the ground and kneeled between her tighs, ripping the drawstings out of his trousers with one hand and spreading long faulds of her chainmail with the other. Exposing his manhood he noticed her victim's back arching at extreme angle and completely oblivious to the situation, he laughed out loud, shouting "look-it boys! she wants i-", unable to finish his sentence. Maura's tighs shoot up in the air at an alarming speed and clenched the villain's neck with the strength of a rockslide, constricting his movements. The other two rogues needed all the hands they had to keep Maura in place, in panic trying to decipher muffled sounds coming from their leader. They were all wrestling for a good couple of moments until finally one "HWOOHD!" escaped the suffocating throat of the hapless scoundrel in a way that allowed his minions to recognize it as "sword". The villain closer to it let go of one of Maura's arms and jumped for the scimtar, enabling her to snap the neck she held between her tighs and wrestle free of the grip on her other arm, all in one motion.
She stood up and faced her opponents, quickly calculating the odds. She was unarmed and they were no longer fighting for the wicked joy. Their intent was now to kill and they were ready to see it fullfilled. She was about to decide to fight, when she felt the throbbing pain in her palm. "Must've disjointed my wrist when wrestling it free" - she thought, almost cursing aloud. She immediately stood straight and before they could attack she said:
"I am Maura Arnic-BLARGH!" - in a mighty retch she vomited all the contents of her stomach, spilling some of it on the two before her. Almost amused with their disgust she continued, trying her best not to slur the words: "I am Dame Maura Arnickles Renodin of Rines, and the Port of Four Cities along with the Southern Docks is my domain now. In the name and with the authority of my immediate liege and your sovereign lady Rania Eastersand JeVondair I order you to stand down or face all consequences."
The threat worked. Surprisingly well. In the moonlight it is very hard to tell when someone is going pale, so Maura was amazed how apparent it was on their faces. They must've been terrified. Her assumptions confirmed as one of them asked in a shaking voice:
"Renodin l-like, Astros Renodin?"
Forged Anew Part III
She almost smiled when she said: "A distant relative." - and watching the cogs of tiny windmills of their minds turn she suppressed a smirk when they fell to their knees, pledging allegiance and offering their service. Seconds slipped into minutes as she let herself sink into a reverie. Her hazy vision fell on a blue ghost by the chalky-white wall, and when her eyes met those of her lady, she heard the voice.
You silly goose, you can't act like that anymore. You're a noble lady now. Noble ladies don't look for trouble in shady alleys. The Maura I knew, noble or not, didn't look for trouble in shady alleys. She was about selfless duty.
"The Maura you knew is no more, m'Lady. I can't be her. Not anymore."
You also can't be... - the specter lady motioned between the thugs and dead body - ...this.
Maura was about to argue but taking in the words she simply nodded.
"But I can still see you." - she pointed to the ghost - "Not like this. I can still see you like then. Torn to pieces, your entrails hanging from the jaw of that ghastly creature. It was all because... it was me."
It was... - the ghost said and to shock on Maura's face she continued - ... or it was not. Things happen. Horrible and good alike. Things. Happen. There's nothing more to it.
"What should I do now?" - Maura asked, staring into empty space.
Letting me go would be a start. - Jarra chuckled - Don't you shake your head now! You should know better than to question your lady. - she smiled at her captain - Yes, I know, the emptiness. You will find a way to fill it. As you should fill that empty scabard of yours. - The ghost pointed at the sheath that used to hold a mighty scimtar and suddenly she started fading.
"You could take us in... I mean in service." - one of the thugs answered Maura's question, earning only angry stare and withdrwaing immediately.
The warrior lady whispered out of earshot of the two men: "I can't let you go, I'll have nothing left."
Then I'll leave you this - said the spectre continuing to fade - there is magic on this world. There is magic that enhances the nature of things, those common spells merely tickle the Veil. There is magic that alters the nature of things, those spells scratch at the Veil. And then there is the magic that contradicts the nature of things, those most rare and powerful spells tear the Veil, pierce the Veil. Even those are not strong enough to tear a hole big enough for Her to come... not alone, but they are strong enough for you to feel Her, to truly feel Her, Her and... all the others.
Maura considered herself a seasoned warrior, so she was ashamed of the cold shivers she felt at those words. The ghost started disappearing, her voice shifting to something else, something less human:
Find them, read them, perform them and
The emptiness yOu shall fill,
The purpose you shall find.
The ghost disappeared entirely and Maura found herself as sober as a judge. She took a while to snap out of her reverie and recompose herself, after which she started barking out orders:
"You two! Find me one and a half dozen more of... you. Fetch them and yourselves to the knightly quarters of the Port of Four Cities. And that..." - she pointed to the scimtar - "Is mine now."
–
Orders from Maura Arnickles Renodin
To all sellswords, huntsmen, rangers and magic peddlers on the lands of Sacred Obia'Syela,
Those of you registered within the halls of Heralds of Obeah and serving the will of Veiled Goddess divined to us by Her Oracle - I congratulate. Should you suffer mistreatment - contact me at once and equal mistreatment I shall inflict upon the perpetrator and see to reimbursement for your harms.
Those of you not registered within the halls of Heralds of Obeah and not serving the will of Veiled Goddess divined to us by Her Oracle - I educate. Each temple of the Heralds has plenty volumens about our Obeah, if read you cannot - each temple has clerks, scholars and heralds who re-tell the sermons and teach the common. Furtherly if you have good reason - Goriad II, Kiki, Rania Eastersand are the priests of the order, Heralds of the Veiled Goddess, their knowledge of Obeah is far greater than any mortal and Oracle Rania talks to Her directly. They shall be able to divine greatest truths upon thee, but only disturb them if you have the gravest of reasons, otherwise expect flogs at best.
Those of you actively opposing and working against the Heralds of Obeah, those of you seeing enemy in the Veiled Goddess or Her Oracle - I warn. You may run or hide, but noone escapes the inquisition and once inquisited your sins will be known and once your sins are known your body and soul will be claimed. One will feed the flames, the other will be purified by them.
Heed my words.
The Inquisitor,
Maura Arnickles Renodin
Dame of Rines
–
The Duel of Inquisitors
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin
As you walk through the main alley of Rines, a man carrying inquisitorial insignia and a red lion sigil on his tabard stops from a hasty march right in front of you, he takes a bow and introduces himself as Ulli. Only when he rises his head you notice it being covered in countless bruises. He pleads with one of your guards. His mouth forms words:
"My Lord, please. She said I either find her a noble training partner or I have to step in again. She doesn't hold back, I can't anymore. I have only five teeth left. I'm begging you my Lord."
He points to the academy in the docks.
Roleplay from Divus Lancaster
Divus stared blankly at the attendant wearing Inquisition colors, trying to follow along in the conversation. Divus thought that he caught the name "Olly" or something like that. Regardless of his name, Olly's body language was obvious to tell. He was covered in bruises and would have a difficult time with solid food going forward. Olly stood at an angle, obviously favoring his left side and keeping as little weight off his leg as possible.
At first Divus thought that the man had been mugged or attacked, but he pointed at the Academy near the docks frantically.
Divus silently cursed the fact he wore his noble colors today and turned to walk towards the Academy. He hadn't drawn his sword in earnest since the events in Ardmore, but at this point his hearing was not coming back and he would need to learn to fight without it.
"Let's go," he said to his guards, much to the visible relief of Olly, and began the walk to the dueling grounds.
-
Roleplay from Divus Lancaster
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
"My lord, pardon me, but couldn't we have taken a ship?" The young squire asked, nervously looking left and right atop his pony.
Divus turned and glared at the squire, who quickly averted his gaze and stared at the passing ground below.
The road was mostly empty, aside from the sound of crows high above in the trees. Occasionally there would be a rustle on the bushes, which drove hands to sword pommels but usually ended up being some small bird or rodent. The rogue regions outside Grehk were more desolate than Divus had expected. While it was true that no kingdom or empire had owned the city or these surrounding lands in some time, Divus had hoped there were at least some signs of life. True there was an occupied hut or hovel every mile or so, but the peoples had hidden themselves from Divus and his men as they passed. He did not blame them, the handful of armed men probably looked like brigands or thieves.
He had chosen not to fly his person colors, or those of his realm, until they entered the Shattered Vales. Before that, it would just be a target for him and the few others he chose to bring with him on the way to Unger. It would be his first tournament ever, but his excitement was dulled. He hadn't expected to be so disadvantaged, though he hadn't fully realized it till his training duel with Maura of the Inquisition. He still carried more than a few bruises from the event.
Until he was given the signal, he hadn't realized how important his hearing was to the fight. His timing was off considerably, the beat of steel against steel lost on him completely. His reactions, he could feel it, were dulled and slow. Much too slow to face such a talented warrior as Maura Arnickles Renodin. The ferocity had pushed him back, and he ran out of tricks quickly. Once, he had an opportunity to counter, and thrust his sword forward, trying to deliver a crippling below to the underside of Maura's arm. However, as he brought his sword up he whiffed complete, opening himself up to a punishing blow. For a moment he was dazed, more so by confusion than pain. How had he missed? Looking down at his shirt-sleeve he realized what was wrong.
His arm was shorter. Not just his arm, but the rest of him as well. In the trauma of losing his hearing, he hadn't noticed that he didn't need to shave quite as often and that his clothes no longer fit quite as right. He went to one of the Temple healers, thinking he had shrunk by some magic, but after glancing at his body and teeth, the healer delivered the fateful news: he was younger. Three years younger, or so. The healer priest had heard of this before, particularly after the events in Ardmore. Those changed by the wave of energy were young, revitalized by youth. While Divus supposed this was a blessing to some of the more ancient among them, he could see it little more than a curse.
So when the news spread that there was a tournament in Unger, in far Thalmarkin, Divus quickly made plans to depart. Some time away from the homelands would give him a chance to think and a chance to re-learn his sword arts. He would need to re-learn his technique, not only from a hearing perspective, but from a size as well. He had realized on the road what a daunting task he had ahead of him, but at the same time he was glad to have the challenge.
Truly Obeah was testing him, and he would rise to the challenge. On the bright side, he had a bit more time now to achieve his goals.
-
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Sharp ripples of air irked the eardrums of a bulky man, shaking "cautious" right out of his cautious approach. "Some madcaps love that noise" he thought as he placed one foot after another. "That half-scratching, half-screeching sound of quill on parchment". As the sound stopped, Ulli found that he indeed preffered the annoying noise over the alternative - a yard-long scimtar at his throat.
"You will find me much more harder to sneak upon when I'm sober..." - Maura said and lifted her captain's chin up with the tip of her sword - "Try again in the evening."
"I... why do we stay in Rines? Road's are dangerous, I know best. We're good for the courts!" - Ulli insisted, spreading his unevenly shaved stubble in a hideous grin, barring his incomplete set of teeth as he readjusted the collar of his rich inquisitorial robe.
"You can dress a pig in a..." - Maura replied, last words of the sentence drowned out by the sound of quill on parchment, that was pointedly louder than necessary.
Ulli squinted his eyes at the sound, and with the wave of screeching tones he wondered if his reaction wasn't increasing the volume. "You write to the child lord?" - he asked.
"Not a child." - she more thought aloud than answered.
"Why not talk, like - during the fight or after?" - he wasn't giving up.
"We couldn't. The Ardmore Incident, he was one of the..." - she caught herself indulging the thug that played the role of her captain and immediately rectified that by tearing the pieces of goat tissue out of the parchment in a mighty swing of her quill. Ulli shrieked at displeasure, and if eyeballs alone could smirk without the help of the lips they would be the ones sitting at that moment in Maura's eyesockets. She read the content of her letter once again before sealing it:
Sir Divus, Inquisitor,
Forgive my lack of proper preamble, but mine is a military mind and I am organically incapable of pussyfooting around people. It is my guess that you view what happened to you as a curse. I believe you should view it as a blessing. For as the saying has it: "when Obeah closes the door, she makes sure that the battering ram is not far away." Your body is frailer yes, but also easier to be shaped and honed, your mind is keener. By the time you are my age you will already be the most capable and decorated Inquisitor in the Holy Realm, whereas I by then will be a spinster. As for your hearing - yes, it may pose a serious inconvenience in social relations, but look at our Grand Inquisitor, I hea... I mean I've been told that she has been deaf for years now and look how far she's got to!
In fight... your loss of hearing will be a disadvantage in single combat, however in battle - my dear, in battle you will thrive. The cruel melody of metal on metal, severed flesh and breaking bones makes the finest warriors lose their cold blood. To achieve perfection, in fight one should seek serenity, not violence, deal with tools and objects, not weapons and flesh. Thanks to this gift of yours, you shall walk into battle in perfect serenity, while others will have the melody of war chase the valour out of their souls and piss out of their bladders.
Take heart! The Ardmore Incident placed a burden upon many. I can help you carry yours, if you so wish.''
"Don't break the seal. Carry it yourself. Don't use any of the men, they're even dum..." - Maura commanded Ulli, opting to wave him away rather than bother with finishing her sentence.
–
Request from Maura Arnickles Renodin (25 days ago)
(Personal message to Rania Eastersand JeVondair) Oracle Rania,
I knew that skillful relic hunters make portals happen. Assumed that portals warp and shift the veil. But that they put eight of those... "portal stones" to create them is new to me.
I ask your permission. Please allow me to employ common relic hunters on behalf of the Inquisition and the Heralds, and take tally of those stones in our realm.
Give me this task and see it carried out.
In faith,
Maura Arnickles Renodin
Dame of Rines
–
Letter from Rania Eastersand JeVondair (25 days ago)
Dame Maura,
Gathering these relics for study, storage, and control are paramount to the primacy of our realm and the safety of our people. In Obeah's name, there are few tasks of greater urgency than this.
Are you certain you will be able to provide results should you undertake the burden of this task?
Under Her Eye,
Rania Eastersand JeVondair
Royal of Obia'Syela
Duchess of Amen Keffa
Margravine of Rines
Priestess of Heralds of Obeah
–
Letter from Maura Arnickles Renodin (24 days, 23 hours ago)
(Personal message to Rania Eastersand JeVondair) Oracle Rania,
I don't know about study - I'm no scholar. I am fairly certain though, that I can take care of storage and control. Making talented commoners agents and informants of the Inquisition would be of great help to achieve such task.
And be certain that results I shall provide... by any means necessary.
In faith,
Maura Arnickles Renodin
Dame of Rines
–
Letter from Rania Eastersand JeVondair (24 days, 22 hours ago)
Good, then see it done. Of secondary, though still critical, importance are magical scrolls. Be clever, cunning, and ruthless in your work. This is an arms race, one that we cannot afford to lose.
Under Her Eye,
Rania Eastersand JeVondair
Royal of Obia'Syela
Duchess of Amen Keffa
Margravine of Rines
Priestess of Heralds of Obeah
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (24 days, 21 hours ago)
(Personal message to Jessica Gildre) A familliar voice of one of your guards cautiously pleads for your attention.
"M'lady. Forgive me, there's a woman outside, insisting on an audience with you. She's dressed like a warrior, too plainly for a noble but... she bears inquisitorial insignia upon her attire and a, and a round escutheon of a red lion. I think." - there is a pause that makes you wonder if the guard isn't attempting to show you something, he continues, sounding more than a bit embarrassed - "I don't know her name but lion is marshal Astros' sigil, right? She could be one of the Lord Astros' men, when I asked for her name she just glared angrily." - he coughed pulling himself back on the right subject - "Should I? Should I let her in?"
–
Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (24 days, 21 hours ago)
Jessica stood up and waved the guard away. There was nothing to fear from a lone soldier in her own house full of guards. She held out her hand, which Bryant took and lead her through the door into the parlor. Inside, Bryant cleared his throat.
"My Lady Jessica, your visitor is none other than Lady Maura Arnickles Renodin!" Bryant announced to Jessica, "You met her at the party you threw in Rines, just before the incident with Gythrul..."
Jessica bowed her head in acknowledgement. Her sightless eyes stared straight ahead, but she made a motion towards the chairs around the hearth with a sweep of her hand.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (24 days, 18 hours ago)
(Personal message to Jessica Gildre) Maura looked between Bryant and Jessica, and realizing her mistake she hid the set of meticulously crafted iron letters, cold and sharp enough to be easily identified with touch. "Why, the Akkan's arse, did I thought she's deaf."
She nodded at Bryant and prompted by Lady Jessica took a seat at one of the chairs.
"Gythrul. Is one of the reasons I'm here. I wanted to report to the Grand Inquisitor on my inquisitorial work." - she eyed up the Grand Inquisitor - she was every inch the woman she met at the party, even looked a bit younger, thoufh not as extremely as Sir Divus.
"I inquisited Gythrul, altough only once. Obeah gave him justice before I could make more use of him. The only bit of information I got out of him that I deem worthy is that the Daimons sought purity and religious dominance. That hearts and souls of people of Beluaterra carried great importance to Daimons and the battle for those souls for Daimons was indeed the battle for survival." - she paused to scan Jessica's reaction and continued - "But that's not the main reason I'm here. I'm glad you joined the faith. I'm glad. Especially because of the prophecy. The Inquisition however... Grand Inquisitor is the leader of the Inquisition in Obia'Syela, it's absurd that you can't even review your own assets. That would be very useful, especially now since..." - Maura looked at Bryant and guards at the doors - "About the next part we need to talk alone."
–
Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (24 days, 18 hours ago)
Jessica leaned back in her chair and rested her hands in her lap. A moment passed, and finally she nodded. She knew she needed to join the Inquisition. She had been busy though, fighting. Or was she avoiding it? She couldn't tell. Inquisitors fought, and Templars investigated. Things seemed so upside down between the two factions.
She did, however, have a duty to the Inquisition.
She nodded again, then she touched Bryant's arm. He nodded silently and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (24 days, 4 hours ago)
(Personal message to Jessica Gildre) Maura resumed talking when they were alone:
"Grand Inquisitor. I have been tasked with gathering, keeping the tally of and safekeeping the very particular arsenal for Obia'Syela. First and foremost the portal stones, secondly the scrolls." - she leaned forward - "Yes, by the Oracle herself. It is perhaps the most delicate and most important mission the Inquisition has on this entire continent." - she cautiously let her hand rest on Jessica's as she said - "And I cannot do it without your help. There are inquisitors dispatched to keep track of all relic hunters on our lands. I shall start inquisiting them right after I my return from the tournament. Those talented individuals are the ones who might keep such items and even if some of them don't - they are the ones most suited to find magical scrolls and portal stones. I fully intend to convince the Inquisition guild officials to create a rank for common informant that provides ample emolument, so that they have a carrot to work for. Following that I shall start recruiting the common adventurers to either Inquisition or the Heralds, so that we may better reach them. But along with any carrot there needs to be a stick. Those unwilling to help - we have two options. First - I can try and beat the sense of duty to Obeah into them, I don't think it would work though. Second - I can take them into custody and have them fetched to the offices of the Grand Inuisitor, where it would be up to you to gather the information and enforce cooperation. I believe people will be much more susceptible to arguments when chained to the wall of a cell." - her expression growing in seriousness she concluded - "There is also the matter of the heretics, infidels and defilers among common relic hunters. Due to their access to items of magic they can prove to be extremely dangerous. Upon any suspicion of active opposition to Obeah from such individuals I will inquisite without mercy, send the half-living body to your offices and prepare the firewood."
–
Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (23 days, 22 hours ago)
Jessica withdrew her hand, startled by the contact, but she leaned forward to listen intently.
So... there was hope for the Inquisition. Maura breathed a sense of life into the faction that had been lacking for quite some time. She smiled and nodded to Maura.
It was time to head to Rines and join the Inquisition.
She leaned back again and rang a bell. A servant emerged with a tray of tea, which he placed between the women, and then promptly exited the room again. Jessica made an offering gesture towards the tray. She then reached forward to feel along the tray until she felt a cup. She left a finger draped over the lip of the cup, and picked up the pot. Slowly she poured tea into the cup until she felt the hot liquid on the tip of her finger.
Slowly she sipped and waited for Maura to continue.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (23 days, 21 hours ago)
(Personal message to Jessica Gildre) Maura sipped the tea. It was hot, but she didn't mind. Being finished with the official matters she didn't want to prolong her stay but allowed herself to say one more thing:
"The Ardmore Incident took it's toll. I... I may be one of the few nobles of Obia'Syela left unharmed. I just barely escaped the guilt I felt for the last couple of years and now surviving places the guilt on my shoulders once again." - surprised with her own sincerety Maura looked suspiciously at the tea but dismissed the notion forming in her head.
The next couple of minutes they both sat in complete silence as they finished the tea. As she placed the empty cup back on the tray Maura stood up and took one step towards Jessica, picking up the conversation where she left off: "What I was trying to say is..." - she extended her arm to Grand Inquisitor, as one would, intending to guide a blind person - "... should you need a pair of eyes or a helpful arm, mine will be at your service, Grand Inquisitor."
–
Roleplay from Jessica Gildre (23 days, 18 hours ago)
Jessica stood and smiled at the words. She reached forward and patted her on the shoulder. She then took the warrior's offered arm, grateful for the aid.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (23 days, 2 hours ago)
(Personal message to Jessica Gildre) Maura led Jessica to the main gates of her estate and the safety of Bryant's care, afterwards she bowed soldierly, with just a nod and bid her farewell.
Leaving the quarters of the Grand Inquisitor she couldn't help but think: "Poor Lady Jessica, she lost not only her sight but also her speech in the Ardmore Incident."
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (15 days, 20 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Third time is a charm - Maura thought as she reviewed the shape of her unit after their second retreat. Shouting a counter-order amid their flight would be a futile effort. She picked up the red-sealed letter from a table.
"Retreat to Rines!" - standing orders carried the sigil of Marshal's office, there was no signature that would be telling of the author - "All haste! Run! You shifty bellysliders!" - the language however...
"Not this time cuz." - Maura said, her mouth contorted in a subtle smile before she cried out - "RALLY THE MEN! March out to the alehouse immediately!" - she almost laughed at surprised faces of the Inquisitorial Guard - "I depart for Inquisitor's Adolphus camp, when I'm back an hour before dawn I want you ready to man the wall and defend."
She walked towards Sir Adolphus' place of stay, his letter in-hand. Let's see what is the matter that requires such urgency - she thought.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (9 days, 7 hours ago)
Message sent to everyone in the region Ardmore (25 recipients) The Inquisitor strode through the village, patiently declining 'just one sip of wine' as the lesser nobles of the region tended to call the libation. She knew well enough that one sip could be all it takes to take her back to sleeping in mud puddles, fighting cutthroats hand to hand, bedding stable boys and partaking in all sorts of ignoble behaviours.
She knew equally well about loose tongues of the inebriated. So there she treaded, sly half-smirk on her face, agents of the Inquisition everywhere around, blending in, well... attempting to blend in, waiting for that one word of heresy from a local noble, that one suspicious behaviour of a talented commoner, trader, village elder that would determine degree of guilt.
But villages far and wide knew the motto of the Inquisition - "there is no innocence, only degrees of guilt", and the freedom celebration in Ardmore was the most uptight libation in the history of those events. Cautious conversations, strained laughter, paranoid glances.
Yet not all were cautious enough...
Nets stretched out in the air, sharp spearheads pointed precariously, maces descended upon the backs of unsuspecting heads and by the time sun decided to set - three dozen people were heading to the offices of the Grand Inquisitor.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (6 days, 14 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Damn it. Damn it all to the Netherworld! - Maura cursed in her mind - You shackle someone - you're in trouble with Grand Inquisitor, you hang someone - you're in trouble with Grand Chancellor... "Grand" people, grand troubles.
Maura walked at the helm of her guardsmen through the plains of central Avengmil. If only I were a zealot - she thought, but indeed she was not. She found the Inquisition to be a suiting occupation for her. The Inquisition was ultimately an institution in service of truth - helping the Heralds spread the truth of Obeah and preventing heretics from spreading lies against Obeah. It was a ship built to sail the stormy waters of knowledge and information. But against it's intended purpose she had no intention in using it to patrol coastal areas, no - she was bound for greater voyage, one of discovery, and the only truth on her horizon was the ultimate one. But inch by inch and regulation by regulation that shore seemed further and further away, yet making her no less intent on destination.
"You must've 'inquisited' many people back in the docks." - She said to Ulli.
"Inquisited?" - he asked surprised - "No, before you hired me I was..."
"A thief! And a rapist. I know. Don't forget how we met. I ment your transgressions. I don't think you were ever imprisoned... how come?"
Ulli grinned - "Oh, I know what you mean." - he winked disgustingly - "I always 'inquisited' silently. When you're not caught 'inquisiting' - noone even knows that they should imprison you. By the Seacliff Lighthouse Tavern I once inquisited a fat fellow with a truncheon right 'n his ars..."
"ENOUGH!" - Maura exclaimed, cutting off her captain's story.
A dozen yards further - "That simple... ?" - she whispered in half-disbelief, considering the options.
Passing by a significant alehouse in Avengmil Ulli uttered - "I wonder how Anteria is doing. 'n that cave. That weird man made it sound interesting."
Devilish thoughts painted a mysterious smile on onyx black canvas, a sight most rare, for Maura's face usually remained completely motionless. Answering Ulli, she said through the smile:
"Yes... he most certainly did."
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (4 days, 4 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela "You see, my lady, no matter how good the swordsman, they will always fall to the right application of SURPRISE!" - shouted the elderly instructor as he swung his dull sword at Maura, but she parried the blow, slid her own weapon down the blade all the way to the hilt guard, twisted it and with a strong knock of edge on side yanked the sword out of her instructor's grip.
The older man mumbled out - "right, very good" - trying to dispel the awkwardness. "As I, as I was saying - no matter how strong the opponent, he can be bested with the right technique."
He pushed on Maura's neck with both hands and kicked her knee. Like a column Maura remained where she stood, no part of her body giving as much as an inch to old man's attack. After a while she grew tired of the situation, grabbed the man by the front of his robes and lifted him up, his feet dangling above the wooden floor.
Noting her disappointment instructor rushed to the chest in the corner of the hall, exclaiming "wait, wait!", he dived into the chest and for a minute Maura worried that he might be lost there for good. But then he resurfaced with a enormous cloak. It was black but being made of the most shiny material she saw in her life it wasn't exactly inconspicuous. The old man ran toward her, the shiny tail trailing behind him, he croaked - "camouflage! The art of shadows!"
Maura firmly placed her face in her palm, mumbling through her fingers incomprehensibly:
"This is pointless. Where the f*ck is Goriad when you need one."
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (1 day, 2 hours ago)
Message sent to: Apostate, Aycanaro, Bobbo, Genny, Gilth II, Lyndis, Serena, Unending Skies, Zin A swift courser gallops through the plains and quite unexpectedly, with stressed neighing it stops next to you. The messenger from atop the horse hands you a letter, sealed with the sign of the Inquisition. Before departing he makes sure that you will be able to learn of the contents, offering his help with reading the message.
The letter reads:
"With the authority of the Inquisition, and by the request of the Oracle Herself, I bring you this order:
You shall update the Special Agent of the Inquisition, Maura Arnickles Renodin - the Inquisitor, about the amount of magical assets in your possession.
The assets in question will be: Primarily - magical rocks of otherworldly provenance, called portal stones. Secondarily - magical scrolls imbued with spells.
You are not obliged to relinquish those possessions, but should you wish to sell them, inform the Inquisitor Maura and you will receive a fair price.
I remind - only membership in the Heralds of Obeah will provide protection from potential mistreatment and only registered Informants of the Inquisition are above and beyond suspicion.
Signed, The Inquisitor Maura Arnickless Renodin"
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (19 days, 2 hours ago)
Message sent to: Lucius Archival ♂ As you're walking out of your courtiers' office, you stumble into somebody. The impact is massive but neither of you fall. You feel a hand holding onto your arm, so you look to the person you collided with. You meet a predatory gaze of deeply seated dark eyes, framed with an onyx carving of a face. To your surprise it is a face of a female, and not unattractive one, even though stern looking. The surprise is even greater as you notice it's attached to a tall body, clad in imquisitorial robes.
The eyes scan you intently. Then looking to the place you departed from the woman says in low but pleasant voice:
"You look able for a quill-driver" - and squeezing your arm even tighter she adds - "very able even. Come with me. I got something to do I need help with."
She lets go of your arm and walks down the street towards the lower city.
–
Roleplay from Lucius Archival (18 days, 23 hours ago)
Lucius yawned. Studying economic reports from stingy bureaucrats was tiresome work; it was almost enough to make him yearn for the battlefield. At the very least, some kind of excitement to break up the monotony would be ideal. Meeting Goriad had provided it, if temporarily, but dull normality had swiftly resumed upon his return to Rines. Eventually, his day's work came to a fruitful conclusion and, stretching, he began to take his leave...
THUD.
The courtier blinked his eyes, flinching backwards at the unexpected collision... and then paused. It was not a face he recognised by any means, but the robes of an inquisitor - that he was certainly aware of. It was hard not for him to stare; the abrupt nature of the meeting, coupled with the fact that she was certainly striking caught his eye in a manner he did not anticipate. Not to mention that she squeezing his arm. And talking. Lucius straightened up; unlike his relatives, he was tall and lean, with a tangle of auburn locks. Courtier or not, however, he had a certain hardness his exterior, with a sharply angular jaw and those keen, grey eyes.
"You look able for a quill-driver" - and squeezing your arm even tighter she adds - "very able even. Come with me. I got something to do I need help with."
"I-- Ah, very well. I would be more than glad to be of assistance," he answered after a brief, stuttering pause. She was already walking away; Lucius hurried to catch up."By the way, what am I assisting you with?"
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (18 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Walking down the main street of Rines, she heard the courtier talk behind her back.
"By the way, what am I assisting you with?"
It was amusing. The man clearly did not know her; she did not know him either, and not for the lack of ability. Even without asking straight, it's never too much of an effort for an Inquisitor to put a name to a face. Every self-respecting agent of the Inquisition had a network of scouts and informants who kept them aware of prominent nobles and even talented commoners. She did enjoyed the air of anonimity. No - she decided - I will not introduce myself... yet. To the question she answered:"What are you assisting me with... there are things even an Inquisitor cannot do alone. We are nearing our destination..." - she said closing in at the door of the academy - "... I hope you are properly equipped."
As she finished talking she couldn't help but smirk at his perplexed look. She then started to properly answer the mans question and reveal the purpose of their stroll, she did so not with words but by opening the door of the building they stopped in front of, reveiling the interior of an academy, prepared for a noble training match.
Making sure that this morning's training partner of hers indeed is properly equipped, she didn't spent much time idle. As soon as the courtier picked up a weapon, the dam of Maura's composure broke, releasing a raging river of martial prowess and unrestrained fury. Amid feints, strikes, blocks and evasions she grinned with undisguised glee.
–
Roleplay from Lucius Archival (18 days, 4 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela The doors of the Academy swung upon, and Lucius came to a swift conclusion as to the nature of his assistance. Uh oh.
It did not take long for him to prepare himself, at least. It seemed that the courtier - though a warrior he was clearly not - had an understanding of the processes of an academy and of such training matches. He outfitted himself appropriately and selected the armaments of his choice; a one-handed sword and a kite shield.
As he straightened up, preparing for the bout, he took a final few moments to observe his opponent of the day. Lucius still could not work out quite who she was, as it had never been his express duty to be able to put names to faces upon first meetings. He was a glorified bureaucrat... but only hoped he would not fight like one.
And then she came.
As the Inquisitor charged him, Lucius settled into a defensive stance, preparing himself for the onslaught. It did not last exceptionally long. He fought to hold every inch, every centimetre of ground; with every attack renewed, she claimed feet from him. I should have the advantage, a voice in the back of his head noted blankly as she beat him backwards.
For all his rustiness in combat, he performed as well as he could have hoped. Some of her strikes he blocked firmly, others parried and more still evaded with a natural instinct for the fight but never did he reclaim any lost ground. Eventually, his defence was not enough; with a final blow, he found himself falling backwards onto the ground, dazed and beaten.
As the ringing in his ears slowly subsided and his focus returned, he could swear for a few moments that the Inquisitor had split into three.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (18 days, 3 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Ever since her childhood Maura learnt to fight with one weapon in particular. A one-and-half handed crossbreed of a scimtar and a falchion was more than a sword for her, it was extension of her own body. She was strong enough to wield it in one hand and she learnt to use her thumbless left hand to swiftly change momentum of the blade mid-slash. She had this sword copied precisely, with the exception of the edge, for the instances such as this one and a dull, training version of it was always ready and waiting for her in several of the Rines academies she frequented.
Towards the conclusion of the match Maura was surprised at how well the courtier fared. The defensive stance was a smart choice, but after some time Maura found an opening in his defences and delievered a merciless blow, knocking the man down.
As soon as the match ended Maura attempted to resume her facade of a sentinel, Inquisitor, guard of faith devoid of facial expressions, beyond the influence of emotions; but this time it wasn't quite working as well as it usually did and she found herself smirking as she offered her hand to the beaten opponent.
"I don't believe I've introduced myself properly. I am Dame Maura Arnickles Renodin, Lady of Port of Four Cities, Special Agent of the Inquisition, and I am quite delight... I mean I am glad to meet you, Sir..." - she looked at the man expectantly.
–
Roleplay from Lucius Archival (18 days, 3 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Smiling breathlessly, Lucius accepted Maura's hand and raised back up to his feet. He was bruised and beaten to be sure, but the life of a courtier rarely offered him the exhilaration of a challenge. Even though he had fallen in defeat, the thrill of his exertion clung to him eagerly. Perhaps he had a warrior's soul yet.
At her introduction, bowed his head deeply in a display of deference and respect. Despite this, like the Inquisitor herself, he could not yet clear his expression.
"Sir Lucius Archival, Knight of Rines," he replied, voice still a little ragged from the bout. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance in person, Dame Maura. Even if our meeting did include you showing me just how out of practice I am... though I suspect I would not have come out the victor, even if I was still a warrior in profession."
Lucius finished his words with a soft gust of laughter, in good spirits and humour. Mirth fit him well.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (17 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance in person, Dame Maura. Even if our meeting did include you showing me just how out of practice I am... though I suspect I would not have come out the victor, even if I was still a warrior in profession."
"Don't be so harsh on yourself, Sir Lucius, I've crossed swords with the finest among Obian knighthood and still I say you posed enough of a challange. Certainly more than I would expect from someone who tends to courts more oftenly than to the fields of battle." - saying that she placed her hand on his shoulder in a way that was obviously unbefitting someone of her office - "Snap out of it Maura!" - she scolded herself in her mind, but the features of young courtier held a firmer grip on her than bulky arms of a lowlife brawler in an obscure alley of Southern Docks. That grip was broken immediately by a growl from behind her:"Inquisitor!" - the unpleasant voice of Ulli brought back the stern look to her face and a trained stillness to her posture. The lance of her gaze violently pierced the air in front of her, as she felt the thug's stare switching between her and Lucius. Even minds as unimpressive as the one hid inside Ulli's cranium could make assumptions. Maura almost snarled - "You had something to report?" - disallowing her captain's chuckle to fully form. Ulli knew by now how rare it is for the Inquisitor to break her usual calm, emotionless voice into something other than matter-of-factly declarations, so he didn't push his luck.
"Anteria, m'Lady. No information." - he said.
"No information is also an information." - Maura declared to noone in particular and turned to her training partner - "Sir Lucius, forgive me but matters of the Inquisition can never suffer postponement. Untill the next time, I hope." - she said and with a soldierly nod she departed.
–
Roleplay from Lucius Archival (17 days, 3 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela With more a stagger than a stride, Lucius had made his way home. A little bruised, a little battered and very taken aback, it had been a very strange end to the day. It was not every evening that he was challenged to a training match by an Inquisitor, subsequently beaten black and blue... and then become the recipient of their attentions. He supposed he would feel flattered before long... as soon as the ringing in his ears subsided and he could walk without wincing. The woman truly did not hold back, but that was exhilarating in of itself.
Perhaps the life of a courtier has some excitement after all, he decided.
...
Scarcely a day later, the monotony had redoubled its efforts to remind him of his task. An excruciating day's work had claimed his focus. Spending his hours travelling through the lands of Cjelegy should have been a treasure to enjoy, but instead he found himself inspecting its roads and criticising its local administrators. Why were commoners always so inept at managing their business without a noble overseer to keep a watchful eye over them? It reasserted the need for the nobility to lead and the peasantry to follow, but by Obeah it was aggravating.Still, at least it allowed him the time to enjoy the much vaunted tavern-life of the region. Lucius had specifically paid for a room with a balcony and it was there he sat, nursing a glass of Gryphon's Blood (truly, a divine gift to mankind) and overlooking the Sea of Four Cities. Somewhere far ahead was Nothoi, from where he had arrived. There he had been a viscount, while in Obia'Syela he was but a knight. The nagging irritation of his ego was not pleased with the fall in position, but the sense of purpose kept it firmly in check. It was here he could do the most good; where he could serve his family's name best. Lucius wasn't sure if he was a true convert yet - certainly, he had not reached the zealotry of many of his peers - but he at least sure that Obeah was out there, somewhere, watching. It was comforting, and Lucius liked comfort.
As he reclined against his warm, cushioned chair, he wondered where the Inquisitor - no, Dame Maura - was doing now. She had left on some important business when they had parted. Would it be more exciting than his own work? Probably. Was it more pleasant? Probably not.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (12 days, 22 hours ago)
Message sent to everyone in "Heralds of Obeah" (36 recipients) Setting sun illuminated six silhouettes approaching Maura's marching unit. When they came within clear eyeview, Anteria could be recognized, as well as a couple of her accompanying guards and three additional men - battered and shackled. A simple nod of acknowledgement from the Inquisitor served as recognition of good work, reward for it and instruction of further actions. Not two hours later all gathered proof of daimon worship has been examined, reports have been heard and three men confined to a hut comandeered from a local peasant for this very purpose.
"Noone enters." - said Maura as she shut the door to the hut behind her. Walls creaked under the force of the impact and hinges of the door screeched lamentfully as if in protest of horrors they were about to witness. Things unknown and unimaginable had place within that hut. First growls could be heard, then manly shouts, genderless screams, weeping, panicked pleading and finally high pitched shrieks, as if the men inside were transmorgified into some sort of tiny hapless creatures, most predisposed to experience all things terrible and announce their experience vocally.
Evening passed, so did the night and the small hours. Soon after dawn silence was heavy, up untill it was pierced with the screech of door hinges. Inside the men could be seen, no longer shackled. Chains rendered useless, since they lost any will to resist, or escape, or exist; intent only on occupying the space of their bodies and nothing beyond. Maura walked out of the hut, small parchment in her hand, the mask of her face poorly hiding her exhaution. "Quill, parchment... and a scribe" - she uttered.
Sat at a small table outside of the hut the Inquisitor closed her eyes, dictating:
"Grand Inquisitor Jessica Gildre,
I report conclusion of an investigation into the matter of heresy in Northernmost parts of Avengmil.
Protocol of proceedings:
commencement of investigation at a testimony of informant Apostate, given willingly in southern Avengmil investigation of alleged site of daimon worship with the help of informant Apostate apprehension of heretics during the act of open daimon worship gathering of evidence cleansing the site of daimon worship with fire inquisition of apprehended heretics remanding evidence and suspects to the offices of Grand Inquisitor
Rationale - guilt of the apprehended was undeniable, and their confession was complete. Still, considering the scale and impact of this investigation I opted for remanding them to Grand Inquisitor's offices rather than utilising stakes and pyres.
Listing of evidence:
three daimonic totems two chimes made of bone deerskin with inscription "We claim this place in the name of the Lords of the Netherworld. Truth deliver, from the sins of man." and daimonic markings site of daimon worship - a cave in northern hills of Avengmil (not fetched to the offices of the Inquisition due to the size preventing transport by any means)
Confession:
We signed below admit to comitting heresy through daimon worship.
We found the cave that was a shrine to daimons and we made prayers in it. The cave was in place as we found it, we brought no totems or votive offerings of our own, we made no scrifices in the cave. We intended to make sacrifice at that shrine and we prayed to daimons of names known and unknown. We oppose the Heralds of Obeah and we recognize the cult of daimon overlords as the one true faith. We asked daimon overlords for gifts of physical health, wealth, good fortune, noble blood and literacy, as well as bringing plagues on our enemies and undoing the worship of Obeah in the southern lands.
We were not coerced nor compelled to make this confession.
Signed, Widar of Avengmil, X, 'Hoary' Harbard
Recommendations: I believe informant Apostate should be officialy commended and rewarded, and the usage of common informants in the investigations of the Inquisition should be proliferated. I recommend that apprehended heretics should be executed publicly, since open daimon worship is a heresy of the highest degree.
Signed, -The Inquisitor"
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (11 days, 7 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Antonia turned to Achelous and then back to Goriad ‘Oh bugger’, at this she clapped her hands over her mouth, sending beer all over Achelous, ‘Oh bugger, I just swore in front of the Grand Herald. Oh bugger, I did it again. And again! I really need to stop talking’ Antonia took a knee, bowing her head. ‘Please forgive me, Your Eminence, I did not know you. I have never seen a portrait of you or anything’ ‘She’s also had a lot to drink’, Rebecca chimed in as if she was being helpful ‘Yes, thank you Rebecca’, Antonia shot a glance at her bodyguard before looking in desperation into the Grand Herald’s face
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (11 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Maura stood at the stern of Obian flagship. Sloop carrying her men tore through the waves a hundred fathoms behind. She regarded the scene at the main deck - a noble woman in deep genuflexion in front of Goriad II, she restrained a smirk - I'm sure ol' Goriad will appreciate this display of courtly manners, he so very cares for titles and pretenses - she thought, not sparing herself the sarcasm. Then another thought entered her mind - I was supposed to solicit him for some lessons, why not cut to the chase - she scanned the surroundings: men-at-arms and entourage are below deck, sailors on deck are heavily occupied with their own matters, that leaves nobles scattered around... none of which seem to pay much attention, there are the two ladies in front of Grand Herald, one apparently inebriated, and Sigmund - of course - thankfully he's facing the ladies, so both his and his lord's backs are turned on me...
She promptly started sneaking up on Goriad II, dull training dagger in her hand, nine yards away she thought to herself - so far so good. Five yards, three yards, two... two more seconds and I will just be able to...
–
Roleplay from Goriad II Gabanus (10 days, 10 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Goriad II looked down at the bowing Antonia and smirked "At least that ale is gone now, look at what it does to you! Worthless drunk, down on her knees like some cowardly slave. I thought I had brought true wa..." and just as he wished to end his sentence he saw Antonia's eyes shifting from his face to something else and simultaneously heard some wood squeeking just behind him *Squeeek*. He turned his head slightly around over his left side only just in time to see a large figure coming his way with a dagger.
Quickly in reflex he turned round by stepping round his right foot to face Maura in an attack stance and as he made the turn he used his right arm to block her assault and stear her to his own right side. Although she was stronger than him, Goriad II still managed to parry the assault and as he steered her away with his right arm he moved it back slightly, so his left hand could pull a dagger from his right sleeve.
Because of the speed and strength of her assault, Maura was now several steps removed from Goriad II and it was only now that he noticed who attacked him. "If this is how you protected Jarra, there is no wonder!" he said with a strange grin upon his face. Considering the fact that he was just attacked, it must've appeared strange to those unknown with Goriad II to see him grinning rather than angry. "If you want to make up for the loss, repay your debt to me for taking my best student away from me, you damn well train harder woman!" he said, taunting the tall lady. "Perhaps you are too heavy to sneak around, I could hear you coming miles away and you attack with brute strength and lean in as you strike, completely off balance. You look more like the beasts you failed to slay than you do a trained assasin worthy of my time."
He now looked at Antonia again and shook his head "A drunk who can hardly stand on her legs and a tower without balance who has the same problems." He shook his head again "In time you may prove worthy of me, but there is much to learn for the two of you."
He then turned to Achelous, "You must be Achelous, the only other face I do not recognize. Tell me, what is wrong with you?"
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (10 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
As Antonia spied Maura coming for Goriad, she sprung immediately into action. All drunkenness was replaced immediately by her combat instincts. Jumping to her feet, her experience as a sailor allowing her to balance perfectly despite the alcohol, she drew her katzbalger and parrying dagger in the same instant. She went to defend the Grand Herald, but saw that not only could he handle himself but that he seemed to know his assailant. Still, she did not relax, her blades still out by her side ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation
At Goriad’s words she muttered under her breath, but still loud enough for Maura, Goriad and Achelous to hear, ‘he’s barely out of short trousers and is inadequate in that department anyway, or so I hear, that’s what’s wrong with him’. She winked at her cousin, but still kept a watchful eye on Maura. She doubted that she could beat the other woman’s skill, but perhaps she could bring her weight to bare and allow others to finish the job?
–
Roleplay from Achelous Drakos (10 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Achelous glared at Antonia before leaping to his feet and dumping the remnants of his beer onto her head. He then moved swiftly back out of her reach.
"Anything The Queen Of Pigs says must be true, for the martyr of the Scarlet Hog can never be wrong"
He bowed to Goriad "In truth there is nothing wrong, just some good hearted ribbing between cousins"
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (10 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Antonia felt the beer being tipped over her head and turned to look back to her cousin.
‘I swear to the Blessed Lady, I will write to your mother, Achelous’, Antonia growled, trying to hide her smile, putting her weapons away as she began to advance on her cousin, the warm beer dripping off her face, ‘I know for a fact that you’re still a little mummy’s boy, you wouldn’t want to get in trouble now, would you? She might send you to bed early with no dinner’
–
Roleplay from Achelous Drakos (10 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Achelous backed slowly maintaining his composure.
"I may be sent off without dinner but atleast Ill have dinners for the next days"
He laughed again and discretely slipped a bow string into his hand.
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (10 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Antonia stopped at these last words
‘That was below the belt cousin, I shall show you the same courtesy’
Saying this, Antonia advanced quickly and slammed her fist into her cousin’s groin. Darting back with surprising grace for one so apparently inebriated she curtsied to her other companions
‘You must excuse me, my lord and lady, I just need to teach my cousin not to mock the hungry’ she smiled sweetly at her groaning cousin
–
Roleplay from Achelous Drakos (10 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Achelous staggered forward onto one knee groaning in pain but slipped the bow string around one of Antonia's feet lifting it and pulling it over his shoulder.
"And..If you would excuse me aswell my cousin must learn I am no longer just a child"
With the foot over his shoulder he dove forward onto the deck.
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (10 days, 5 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Antonia slammed into the ground with an almighty thud. Laughing, she slammed her hand into the deck three times
‘Alright cousin, you win this one’ She groaned, the pain building in the small of her back
–
Roleplay from Achelous Drakos (10 days, 4 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Achelous groaned but held up a fist then scooted away a couple feet and flipped over.
"I really need a drink"
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (10 days, 4 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Maura suppressed a growl before it could form, deciding she won't give Goriad II the satisfaction. The man was even more insufferable than she could remember, how did he become the Grand Herald through a vote was beyond her. Most likely blackmailed all his supporters - she decided.
Before she could respond she was distracted by what was apparently a couple of syblings or cousins... brawling with eachother... in front of Grand Herald... and someone who attacked him with a dagger.
"Alright cousin, you win this one" - said the woman and Maura took the opportunity to introduce herself.
"Maura Arnickles Renodin, Dame of Rines, Inquisitor." - and waving the dagger in air she continued - "... don't worry! It's blunt, in case I overestimated Grand Herald's skill, which thankfully I have not. Speaking of which..." - she turned to Grand Herald - "Goriad, I decided to petition for a lesson or two and figured you would more appreciate asking you with deeds, not words. Should an opportunity present itself during our excursion..." - she let her voice trail off, only implying the obvious end of the sentence.
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Roleplay from Goriad II Gabanus (8 days, 9 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Goriad II looked at the two brawling noblemen, but rather than intervene he let it play out. As they were finished Maura first spoke and as she turned to Goriad II he nodded "It was about time you came for help. We will start after we land this ship," he said, as he looked back at the cousins and then back at Maura again "For now, listen closely," and he walked towards Achelous who was still on his knees "Lesson one, if you're occupied elsewhere, you are vulnerable and as the young man tried to stand up to get himself a new beer, Goriad II put the dagger he had drawn with his left hand at the throat of the man. "You are dead," he said, "Well you would've been in any normal fight, if your cousin hadn't screwed up. You let a big tower like that surprise you? Pay attention at all times boy or you will end up dead and none will mourn your foolishness."
He then let go of the dagger and pointed it at Antonia "And you, you bloody fool. You surrender to a twat because he got you on the floor? In battle you do not have that luxury, nor do you have the luxury to stop before it is over," he shook his head and looked at Maura "Look at her," he said as he pointed towards Antonia "pathetic! She dealt out a good first punch and thinks she has won, no persistancy, no endurance, nothing. Let this be your second lesson Maura, you do not stop before you have finished your hunt. This goes for the lot of you!"
He looked at Sigmund who had remained quiet during the whole ordeal and just stood there with a stoic look upon his face, observing the entire situation. "Sigmund, have someone clean this mess up will ya, it reeks of beer and dead men."
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (8 days, 9 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Antonia listened to the Grand Herald’s ravings, before smiling sweetly and replying
‘My lord, with all due respect, if I had wanted to kill my cousin, he would be dead. However, this was nothing but a friendly brawl. I do not kill my cousins over a minor insult, no matter how much I wish I could kill that bastard Franz. A Fitz Roberts never kills one of their blood’
–
Roleplay from Goriad II Gabanus (8 days, 8 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela As Goriad II walked away Antonia still said something and so he turned back his head, leaving his body pointing towards the door of his cabine. "You allowed him to jump you after you first struck. Even if you hadn't wanted to kill him, you should have left him unable to strike you back. Now the boy thinks he has a chance next time. If he ends up dead the first fight we have, that'll be your fault as well as his, remember that the next time you show weakness."
He turned his head again and turned to Sigmund "I was 5 when I learned this, and they still do not, what have we brought with us?" Sigmund simply smiled "Not all grew up in Ash'Rily milord, give them some time, they'll eventually learn, or die trying." Goriad II simply nodded.
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (8 days, 7 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
‘My lord, this was not a training match, nor was it a duel or a petty bar brawl. It was a friendly punch-up between childhood friends in which neither of us put our full effort, not an attempt to cause genuine injury. In a true fight I would never have stepped back or wasted time mocking him’ Antonia paused at this last, ‘and with all due respect, my lord, I grew up in a Fitz Roberts household, where weakness is crushed out of you. I suffered my first dislocated shoulder at four, my first maiming at eight’ she raised her left hand at this, where the last two fingers were missing, ‘I gave birth to my son at the age of fourteen. I recognise that you have boundless experience way beyond our own, but do not be so dismissive of us.’
All the time she had been speaking, Antonia had been advancing
‘But that if that is not good enough for you, perhaps you want to see me in a more lethal situation?’ At this she turned to Rebecca, ‘Signal to The Isabella and tell them to send the soldier we caught stealing food from her sisters’
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (8 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela Maura looked how Antonia walked towards Goriad, explaining the situation. "Silly girl" - she thought to herself - "don't you know by now that you don't speak to a sane man? You have to fish out the few useful gemstones from the thick mud of his madness." - but she ultimately decided against speaking out.
When Antonia showed off her hand missing a couple of fingers Maura felt a strange pinch of sympathy to the woman as she run her own fingers over the surprisingly small scar where her left thumb used to be.
Here she was, a silent sentinel humbly watching two nobleborn speak of rough childhood. She restrained a chuckle, a delightfully hysterical one.
She watched Grand Herald turn his head, his eyes shining with poorly disguised bloodlust... if disguised at all. "A madman? Perhaps he was..." - Maura thought - "... but then again - aren't we all?"
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (6 days, 6 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Battle in Drinhilla
A war in foreign lands, for a foreign people. It felt more like something her cousin Franz would do. However the Grand Herald had called them here, to this foreign field and they had answered. Antonia, standing in her blood red plate but with her helmet as yet still under her arms, looked up and down the allied lines. Their arms and armour were fairly alien to her, but she had expected that. What she had not expected was such a disparity in where each marshal had ordered their soldiers. For some reason, she was standing next to archers.
‘Obeah preserve us, this can only go wrong’, Antonia muttered as she saw the ghouls and long dead skeletons begin to shuffle forward, marching in ranks next to the lumbering forms of trolls. As the archers let fly, she placed her helmet on her head, restricting her vision, and ordered the Martyrs to advance towards the enemy. Rather than the usual screaming charge adopted by her warriors, she had insisted that they advance in good order. Looking to her left, she saw Jorvik do the same. It was only at the last minute that the warcry of ‘Acriter et Fideliter’ went up and the Martyrs broke into charge. Quickly they found themselves surrounded by roaring trolls and deathly silent skeletons, their faces permanently grinning as some mysterious force guided their actions. Antonia quickly lost all sense of time as she set about her grim work, her zweihander rising and falling, guided by her long honed instincts. Though she concentrated only on what was immediately around her, she sensed that her warriors were falling fast. Soon she heard the cry of Jorvik ordering a retreat.
‘Coward’, she roared, splitting the skull of a troll in front of her. She would be having words. Her fellow knight would not enjoy them. She had a brief moment of relief as she heard the orders for the Inquisitorial Guard to join the melee. But this was short lived as all around her she could see, even through the restricted vision of her helmet, that her banners were being cut down. The sacred banner of the Blessed Lady fell first, though her personal banner of the Scarlet Fox fell quickly afterwards. Soon, all she could see were the enemy. ‘If this is to be my end, so be it’ Antonia roared and leapt further into the melee, hacking and slashing as if she were possessed. However, strong hands grabbed her and pulled her bodily away from the melee. She heard Rossitta shout
‘You three, cover us. Rejoice, for you die for Obeah’
‘No, no, no!!!’ Antonia roared in fury, struggling in the strong arms of Rebecca, ‘there are still more of them, I can kill them’
‘Ana, the women are spent, we cannot fight on, for us this battle is over’ Antonia continued to struggle as she was pulled back behind the archery lines, where at last her enormous bodyguard let her go. There she watched the final acts of the battle. As she pulled off her helmet her blonde hair spilled over her face, dripping with blood. Despite the worry of her healers, none of it was her own
‘Leave me, I’m fine, go attend someone who actually needs you’, She roared, shaking with rage. She threw her helmet to one side and stormed off back to the Obean camp. She was used to losses, but her fury was more at the fact that there had been no communication regarding deployment with their allies. Still covered in blood, she headed for the command tent of Marshal Maura. As she approached, one servant stepped forward
‘My lady, the Marshal is still on the field’
‘Excellent, I shall wait inside’
‘Erm, that is not possible my lady’, the servant said primly, ‘for one, you do not have an appointment, and you can’t just invade the privacy of a fellow noble’
At this, Antonia picked up the servant, her muscles barely straining as she brought him up to her face
‘I. Shall. Wait. Inside’, she repeated, her voice a low growl
‘I am afraid that is not possible’, the servant whimpered, trying to wriggle free
‘Say that again’
‘What?’
‘Say that again’
‘I am afraid it will not be possible for you to wait inside’
‘I thought that is what you said’ Antonia smiled and threw the servant into a rack of weapons nearby. Shoving another servant aside, she ducked low into the tent and took a seat, waiting for the marshal’s return.
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (6 days, 5 hours ago)
Message sent to all nobles in the region Drinilla (12 recipients) Inquisitorial Guard fought bravely that day. They broke through the lines of the undead and then the trolls but the Inquisitor was still not pleased with the outcome of the battle. Killing beastly rearguard they took the remaining undead in the pincer manouver and even though they were the last infantrymen standing, Maura felt a pinch of bitterness as she noticed Ulli calling retreat the second she looked away. He done that one time too many - she thought.
Following the conclusion of the battle Maura dropped her helmet and gave her one-and-halfhanded huge crossbreed of a scimtar and a falchion for Anteria to polish. On the way to her tent she was accosted by one of the servants:
"M-my Lady, t-there is someone... something I should, uhm... you shouldn't" - the man struggled to speak, so the Inquisitor ordered - "Spill it out already!" and the man told her about the visitor and that he stopped her but she must've sneaked in later because she is now waiting inside. Maura looked at the red spot on his forehead, his ruffled hair and a knocked over rack of weapons.
"Lying to the Inquisitor is sooo smart..." - Maura said before pushing the man casually onto the knocked over weaponstand, he fell with a mighty clang of steel on steel.
"Good day to you Vice-Marshal" - the Inquisitor said as she entered the tent before either of them could look at one another. It was an easy guess - there were only two women in the entire expeditionary force who could enter her command tent uninvited, and one of them was herself.
Walking towards the table by which Antonia was seating, Maura took a good look at her, after all she barely ever seen a woman that was more physically imposing than herself. The Vice-Marshal was several inches taller than Maura and of athletic build but her facial features would rather suggest a courtly lady than a warrior, Marshal couldn't help but think how many men underestimated her for her beauty, and certainly at their own peril. Now standing right in front of Antonia Maura spoke again:
"A fine battle today, Dame Antonia, can I offer you some water? Forgive me but there is neither wine nor mead served in marshal's tent."
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (6 days, 1 hour ago)
Message sent to all nobles in the region Drinilla (7 recipients)
Antonia looked up as Maura entered, remembering that she was still covered in blood. However, it was too late to do anything about that now so she simply said
‘Water would be grand, thank you’, Antonia accepted a cup and downed it, the cool, sweet liquid reinvigorating her, ‘I’ve seen better battles. To be honest with you, the lack of coordination between our lines and the lines of our allies was appalling. However, not much we can do about that now, I’ve already sent letters to coordinate for the next battle. I lost nearly the same amount of women in Ardmore and we were facing a far mightier foe. But enough about that, I did not come here to rant but for us to properly get to know one another. If we are to have a good professional relationship, we must at least have an amiable personal one’
At this last, Antonia leaned back in her chair resting the now empty cup on her knee
‘Tell me about yourself, Inquisitor. We cannot hope to be friends if we are a mystery to one another’
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (5 days, 5 hours ago)
Message sent to all nobles in the region Tsamn (10 recipients)
‘Tell me about yourself, Inquisitor. We cannot hope to be friends if we are a mystery to one another’
Antonia said, leaning back in her chair. Maura was taken aback, she did not know why she didn't quite expect it - she very well should've. As an Inquisitor, she was much better at listening than talking, still - she pondered what to tell her guest.
"Ah, let's see..." - Maura trailed her finger on the rim of her cup in deep thought - "You may not know that about me, but only recently I started to live a life of a noble. Believe it or not, but I was born and raised a nomad on the Desert of Silhouettes, half-oblivious to my noble heritage. A hostile place... perhaps the most hostile, life there was hard and uncertain, even more so for people without a family name, even more so for children. Strangely I recall my time there as the happiest in my life."
She delved once more into deep thought - should I talk about the Earl? - a throbbing pain pierced the ghost of her absent thumb and she decided against it.
"My paths crossed with a noblewoman - Jarra Bennet, my lady..." - the Inquisitor's motionless face broke into a most subtle smile, that disappeared as swiftly as it appeared - "She was a lady here in Obia'Syela, a prominent one, a Margravine of Rueffilo. We brought the region from ruin to excellence. One of the finest regions in the realm it became, we raised the finest recruitment center and defended the townsland from endless assaults of monsters and undead from the south, against all odds. We even once held the wall with five archers and ten rock-hurling peasants! At the end of the battle it was only me and her left standing."
Maura's tone was shifting from cold and matter-of-factly to a hearty one as she spoke. Then suddenly somberness returned to her voice and her features.
"But it's all in the past." - she said and went silent for a long minute.
"The quality I seek doesn't exist in nature, it has to be made." - the Inquisitor half-whispered and then continued audibly - "Would you mind answering me a question Dame Antonia? Let's say your finest warrior would need a shield of raw steel, one that would suit her perfectly, that would make her unstoppable, and you would choose to grant her such an item. Let's say you would find a perfect nugget of iron, a perfect armourer; then you would take her measures and study her style of fighting. Let's say you would gather all the required knowledge and materials, and the finest armourer would tell you that he indeed could make such a shield, but it would be costly and would fit only this one warrior, if anyone else would try to use this shield, they would soon find it useless. Let's say sparing no gold and effort you would agree and eventually your finest warrior would end up with a finest shield, just for her. Imagine now that after many glorious campaigns your champion would die, fall in a battle against impossible odds..." - Maura leaned towards Antonia - "What would you do with the shield?"
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (5 days, 4 hours ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela
Antonia listened in interest at Maura’s story, and pondered her question carefully
‘The Desert of Silhouettes? That’s in Dwilight is it not? I grew up in Poryatu and was always told never to go near the desert due to few people surviving any significant time there. You must have had a hardy upbringing’, Antonia looked into the middle distance, before giving her answer
‘On your question: if the iron was as perfect as you say, I would return to the armourer and ask him to melt down the shield and make it again for my next finest warrior. Even if that warrior was Rosie, who I would honour in death above all else, burying a warrior with their weapons has always seemed foolish to me’, at this she reached for her zweihander and showed the pommel to Maura, which was carved into a fox head, ‘this blade is generations old, carried by the first of my line. It is made of the finest steel and is near perfect as a killing tool. If this had been buried with the first of my line, then it would never have been wielded to such devastating effect by the other heroines of my family. While such items hold sentimental value, if they have a use they must be put to that use. As that shield cannot be used by any other, it would either be buried alongside its wielder, serve as decoration in my cousin’s armoury at Fox Hall, or be melted down and the iron reused. The latter is the most pragmatic solution and so that is what I would adopt. I am a sentimental person, but not when it comes to weapons of war’
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (5 days, 2 hours ago)
Message sent to all nobles in the region Tsamn (10 recipients) Maura gave no signs what she felt but she was obviously content with the answer. She pointed at Antonia's zweihander - "Yes, tools of war must be adjusted to the war at hand. If it means they need to be reforged or repurposed - so be it." - she groaned heartily and now pointing to herself she said - "And this particular shield now learns to be a sword. An arduous process it certainly is, but I must see it through. I once was a guard, a sentinel, that and nothing else entirely. I am done with chains of singular purpose. See me just as an inquisitor if you'd like, most people do, but perhaps more accurate it would be to call me the Inquisitor, for at the end of my path is not one of the pointless truths a common heretic can spew forth when you shove a glowing iron down his less obvious cavities. Oh no, my role within the Inquisition is the ultimate one, I am certain it will have an ultimate cost at one point but it will reward me with the ultimate truth and equip me to face the ultimate foe."
The Inquisitor smiled, now not an absentminded smile that escaped through the rigidness of the mask of her face but a full conscious smile. "Yes, daimons" - she said - "Have you seen one? I have not. Most of the Obian nobles have not. Grand Templar Vahanian fought them, the Oracle of course, Grand Inquisitor Jessica, Grand Chancellor Erheas, perhaps Marshal Boltgan and Sir Tom. The rest of us will face an enemy we would struggle to even imagine. Each invasion that plagues these lands is more violent than the one that came before it. We purge the heresy now because the weak of mind and soul will become tools of war for the daimon lords."
Maura offered her guest a piece of cloth to wipe the blood off her face and pointing at her she said: "But enough about me, I am certain there is quite a story behind that woman in a crimson armour."
–
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts (4 days, 3 hours ago)
Message sent to all nobles in the region Tsamn (13 recipients) ‘The armour has more story than I. It is the armour of the Scarlet Fox. Every generation, a woman is chosen to pick up the mantle and carry on the legend of the founder of our house, Giesla. As to me personally, I grew up with my cousins and siblings in Poryatu. I loved all my family, but none more so than cousin William and my brother Marc Antonio’, Antonia looked to one side as she remembered, ‘I was the family favourite. I wasn’t quite the smartest, the strongest or the best fighter, but I was the easiest to love. I was always able to get out of trouble by pinning the blame on someone else, usually my little brothers.’ Antonia sighed as she remembered
‘But there was one bit of trouble I could not get out of. I fell in love’ The painfulness of the memories made it a struggle for her to continue, ‘or at least I thought I did. I see now how wrong I was. The man was almost twice my age and I was still basically a child. Soon I was with child myself. When my mother found out, on her return from campaign as she was a Scarlet Fox before me, she had the man torn apart with horses. However, my father could not stand the sight of me and cast me out once my son, my little Manfred, was born. He wanted me exiled from the family, but his brother would not allow it and took me in. Marc Antonio hated our father and ran away to join me’ At this she began to smile again ‘Those were once again happy days, for he brought my little Manfred with him and I was with my cousins William and Leopold, in a home where I was loved’
Antonia wished she had a proper drink to be able to finish this story, but she respected Maura too much to break her rules. ‘I was sixteen when we had word that my mother had died, fighting in some foreign field. It was then that I decided to take my place as a head of the family branch. With the help of Marc Antonio, William and my dearest friend Rosie I went back to my old home. My father had always been a weak man, nothing like his brother nor my mother. Konrad and Isabella Fitz Roberts were strong, my father was nothing but a cowardly sadist. He died at my hand, and not quickly. We relished in it, we four teenagers. It was that night that our youth ended. I was made head of my family branch, but I wanted to see the world. I bought a ship, named her after my mother and took to a life of privateering. That is how I came to our Blessed Lady’s shores, where I discovered our faith. My corsairs underwent a conversion and became as they are today. But we still retain our love for drink and for pillage.’ She leant back as she said this. ‘there, I think that is all you need to know, save that I was made Scarlet Fox as a compromise between the heads of our rival branches, William and Franz’ At this last name, she spat. It was at this that she realised how much she had divulged. No wonder this woman was an inquisitor, she had made her spill her secrets without even lifting a finger
–
Roleplay from Maura Arnickles Renodin (23 days, 1 hour ago)
message to all nobles of Obia'Syela OOC: Graphic depiction of injuries and gore, strong language, reader discretion is advised
Silence was so heavy that if it was put on the ground it would surely sink the entire continent. Two lone women marched into the neverending sea of monsters. Whatever madness pushed them towards a certain doom froze all life in quietness as they walked. The unquenchable hatred one of the women felt was equipoised by abyssal determination of the other one.
Earlier that day...
Loud gasping of the thug rumbled inside the tent as he struggled to inhale. Shreds of flesh hanged disorderly from his shoulder, half-formed clots streched from the grousome wound like resin that just barely started to dry up. Strands of intense red connected vestigial mockery of a limb with lousy palliasse. Ulli choked on his words as he demanded with the greatest effort:
"H-healer. Maura, damn it! Bring me. Healer."
But Maura was silent, which only increased the intensity of demands:
"Maura, bring... you cruel bitch! Bring me a healer, now!"
The Inquisitor sat beside Ulli and took his hand - "We have no healers no more. Couldn't afford to pay them."
"My lady, please... save me. I don't want to die. I am young. I am so young still." - his eyes glazed over - "Maura, please don't let me die here." - High-pitched, pleading shrieks of a child broke into guttural growls of the huge man, transforming his voice completely.
Maura stood up and begun to depart, the giant of a man desperately clutched at her hand with his own. But he had only one arm left and it had no strength whatsoever. Maura left effortlessly, not even acknowledging being held.
Outside the tent Anteria frowned at the screams coming from inside.
"He was an evil man, Anteria, through and through" - said the Inquisitor noticing her warrior's displeasure.
"Why does he then sound so lamentful? I hear his screams and can't help but truly pity him." - replied the new captain.
"Villains fear death all the same. All things alive do." - the lady answered.
Barely a minute of silence felt like eons. It was broken by Anteria's question:
"Did you brought us all here to die?"
Maura tilted her head in surprise, amused with the question. Being surprised was something she seldomly experienced and decided to reward it with honesty. Without blinking or moving a muscle the Inquisitor simply said:
"Yes."
–
