RP:Newest Novus Morior Meets the Mortician
This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.
Summary: While the head of House Mahara inspects the goings on of the Necromancer's Guild, one of its fledgling members approaches him for aid.
Private Hall (in the Necromancer's Guild)
The decor within this room might have been decadent earlier in its lifetime, but now has succumbed as all things must to death. Sconces also adorn the walls of this room, their glow a dim flicker. Near the back of the room, a lone ghoul sits behind a desk, a large tome opened before him and facing outward. Beside it rest a magicked inkpot and a quill: it is a register, logging those who have picked up their items, as well as those that have not. Behind the desk, against the wall, is a blackened board peppered with guild announcements. The parchment is oddly reminiscent of flesh, though from what manner of creature is at times questionable.
Bradyn's name was long ago signed on the registrar that logs the items that have been given out to members of the Necromancer's Guild. This is not the Maharan male's usual place of study either, the vampire prefers to haunt the Black Library when pursuing his quest for knowledge in the dark arts. Yet the Maharan was present within the Necromancer's Guild Hall today, making his rounds to see if everything was in order as it was no secret that Larewen was often absent and thus forgetful with her duties. Bradyn held his own in terms of height, standing an even six-foot, and easily seemed to fit into the deteriorating environment of the room for his skin was pale and his attire was black in color. Unlike the room's decor, his clothing itself was well kept. The tour of the Hall started first with the registrar's book. He had heard there were new members. Did they both receive their items? The list of names was given a slow once over, but since Khitti had admitted the newest members he had no doubt they had their items. Next he moved toward the board, examining the tasks that still remained posted upon and and largely uncompleted. Was there any indication that either Celaeo or Raevyn were taking up any of the challenges presented? Were there any new notices to be read? While this examination is made, pale hands are clasped behind his back.
A living presence walked into the room a while after the vampire had started to inspect the guild’s affairs. While his hands were clasped behind his back, she kept hers tucked inside the sleeves of her black robes and resting against her stomach. The newest Novus Morior to be admitted wandered alongside the unfamiliar face, peeking up at the task board and squinting some to see better in the low lighting. The pack on her back jangled and clanked some with her steps, all manner of cooking supplies and, yes, a few books trapped inside. By comparison, she stood much shorter, had a tawny complexion, and had recently been adding dashes of red and silver to her otherwise monochromatic garb. Still, she moves with stiff shoulders, as someone who felt there was a great weight on them, and the dark circles under her eyes--as difficult to see as they were--indicated a tendency toward sleepless nights. It’s manners that has her bowing her head with an, “Excuse me,” as she hovers nearby, attempting to let the stranger have his space while quickly reminding herself of the tasks she should work towards.
Even if Celaeno had not entered the hall with such a clammer, Bradyn would have known she was there before she even spoke. The vampiric necromancer would have heard the beat of her heart, would have able to catch her scent with ease, and was capable of sensing the essence of the living. It was a necromancer thing. He did not turn though, it would not be until she spoke that the Maharan actually acknowledged her. Gray eyes would find focus on her face, his eyes are not the wandering sort, and a step to the side would be taken to give her space to view the tasks. No hand is offered, Bradyn's manners have long since failed him in that regard. He was not the most uncouth individual in the lands. "You must be Celaeno." This was determined by process of elimination, two members have been recently admitted. One member he has met, so that means the unfamiliar face that is before him must be Celaeno. "Welcome to the guild. The name is Bradyn Mahara." A hand finally takes to motion, but it is not to shake Celaeno's, it is to gesture to the tasks. "Will you be attempting any of these? I am afraid a lot of them may be lacking in relevance now that Larewen has managed to reclaim her body. But some of them may still be worth exploring."
The sound of her name makes the half-elf’s slightly pointed ears prick some and she turns from the tasks to better examine the other who had moved aside for her. “Yes, I am,” she replies at first, her voice measured. As well as a living essence, she carried a lump of foreign dark magic that hovered around her chest, the source possibly hidden under her shirt. His own introduction has her eyebrows going up and her head bowing once more. “A pleasure, sir. My thanks for the welcome and allowance to use the magnificent library you manage.” Inwardly she wondered what all the fuss from her friend had been about. The man wasn’t all smiles and charm, but didn’t leave an unpleasant first impression thus far. Those thoughts would go unsaid, however, as she glances aside a moment to the tasks. “Yes, sir, that is the plan. I assisted Raevyn in the second task regarding communing with spirits, though it was met with an unexpected outcome. I would like to attempt it again in the future, but not before pursuing the first regarding creation and use of a soul gem. I believe I have studied enough to understand the theory of it, all that is left is to acquire a target and a gem to match. Raising a sentient steed intrigued me as well, though I’m afraid I’m still a while off from attempting that with any chances of success on my own. I’m saving that one for the future.” She pauses, biting her lip with her assessment given. “I have been meaning to seek you out for some time, actually. Might I trouble you now for some assistance on a couple matters?”
Bradyn equally did not understand what the fuss was about. “Access to the library is standard for members of the Necromancer’s Guild, how much access one has depends on one’s rank within the guild. I am not doing anyone any favors, I am merely respecting tradition.” This response probably knocks a few points off Bradyn’s personality, he might yet managed to change Celeano’s opinion of him...but for the most part he did try and mind himself with others within the Necromancer’s Guild. It would not serve anyone if he was rude to the point that he drove members off. “I do not believe any of us expects perfection from any of this task. It is okay to fail. But there are a limited number of steeds, so you may want to practice on a smaller subject before committing to any ritual involving the steeds themselves. It sounds as though you and Raevyn get along well, making it perfect for you two to pair for these lessons..but I am willing to offer my assistance to either of you.” Be it a one on one lesson, or him supervising some sort of group activity. “But it sounds as though there are other matters that you would like my assistance with before we even entertain those ideas?”
“My thanks, all the same. There are those who would hoard such treasures to themselves rather than abide by that tradition.” His attempts to mind himself seemed to be working for the moment, but then again she’s a bit too focused on the questions, and opportunities at hand to make snap judgements. “We do work well together, yes. Though I will most definitely require that assistance with future endeavors as well.” Her nose wrinkles as her stomach churns a bit, but she forces the nerves down and renews her straight-backed posture. “Two, actually. The first is simpler, regarding the rules of researching things, if I am even able. Someone has asked my assistance in translating some marks he believes to be demonic or infernal in origin...pertaining to the Dark Immortals. Are sections with those texts restricted still, and if not, how limited would I be in letting such information go outside of there to someone who isn’t part of the guild?”
Bradyn ‘s expression grows dark at the mention of the Dark Immortals. It makes it painfully obvious to Bradyn will not be willing to bend the rules he is about to explain. “If the Library has materials that would be of use in such translations, they are not within the area you will have access to. I cannot say when you will be granted access — that will entirely depend on how seriously you take your studies and how productive Larewen is feeling.” Bradyn shrugs at that last point. “Sharing the information that you do have access do with those outside of the guild is perfectly acceptable. But I have a hunch you will end up meddling in affairs that are beyond you should you continue to offer your assistance to this friend of yours.” A kinder person might suggest that no good could come from this but ultimately Bradyn does not care about if the results are ‘good’ or not. His cautionary words come from more of a teacher-student relationship, versus any amount of legit concern or caring.
Celaeno gives him a deep nod, a rather stiff one of acknowledgement quickly followed after by, “Understood, sir.” The fingers of her gauntlets clench together under her robe sleeves, the joints scraping together some. “I expect it will take some time to reach that point, but it’s something to look forward to, to say the least. Regardless, I’ll keep both the information and the warning in mind.” She rubs her chest where a pesky dark aura hovers, the source of which lies concealed under her shirt. “My second request has more to do with a suggestion from Miss Khitti. She has been advising me so far. Because of some actions of my old mentor, a necromancer from my homeland, a spirit became trapped inside me and needs extraction before it becomes a danger. After speaking with her, the best course of action seemed to be working with them and transferring them into another body. Miss Khitti mentioned you were a mortician as well...At the very least I would appreciate any advice on the matter if your duties prevented you from more direct assistance.”
“My duties in no way would prevent me from assisting with that.” Well, his duties should prevent them. A mortician should not be willing to give out corpses. Bradyn is not the best example of a mortician with any amount of ethics. “I suppose I may be willing to offer assistance in that regard. If you need help sourcing a body, my position does afford me access.” It may mean that Bradyn wants to curry some sort of favor from Celaeno, banking it for later collection. He does not seem the sort to want to do something for nothing. Her request may be bold for their first meeting, even if they do have ties to the same guild. “Why do you want to Reginae the spirit rather than eliminating it completely? That is also an option. I am sure we could banish it from your person. Is this someone near and dear to you? If it is, I would suggest that you have all the assistance that you can get. I was there when khitti tried to bind a spirit to a body for the first time. It did not go well. She made quite the mess.”
Celaeno bites her lip and gives a more measured nod at the last series of questions regarding the identity of the spirit. “Precisely. She’s suppressed for now, the spirit. It’s a patch until my skills have progressed more. But...yes I am coming to see the truth of that.” She glances behind her at her pack, where all of those noisy earthly possessions are kept. “If there is anything you would need as well, I’m of course willing to offer. I may not have as much in the way of skills, but I’ve proven a capable assistant in the past. My current specialty lies in runic enchantment, hence why I have been trying to familiarize myself with sigils more than other areas.”
Bradyn smirks. Which is perhaps a bit of an unnerving gesture given how stoic the man has demonstrated he typically is. But Celaeno’s offer does amuse him. “Nothing in these lands comes without a price. Down the line I may collect on a favor. But for the time being, let us just agree that if you would like my help then at some point I may collect I am not usually an unreasonable man so I would not expect whatever I ask of you to be significantly more labor intensive than what you are asking of me. But that time may come.” Gray eyes leave Celaeno and begin to travel toward the route in and out of the hall they occupy. “If there is nothing else. It sounds like we will be in touch. Please let me know when you are ready to progress with your endeavors. If you have preferences to what you would like this body we are to acquire to look like, please send word so I can keep my eyes out.”
“I believe human or elven females will be best, but I’ll get back to you on anything definite,” the half-elf says, schooling her expression to its usual neutral facade. Though, his odd show of expression was the only thing that that had succeeded in unnerving her so far. The girl would probably be interested to discover that he was a vampire on top of that, given she hadn’t developed her ability to detect such things yet and the race as a whole were still relatively new to her, apart from the varied specimens of House Dragana. All of that goes unsaid for now as she offers a final bow of her head. “As for trading favors, I generally draw the line at body parts. Open ended, but reasonable, works.”