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"
–
