RP:Not Who You Think I Am

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Summary: While still in control of Odhranos’ body, Ernest signs Odhranos up for the Necromancer’s Guild.

The Black Library

Ernest had just had the most delightful idea for a prank. He realized that he hadn't yet encountered one of the highest ranking and more reclusive of the necromancer's guild's members, and figured that this would be a fantastic way to get acquainted. This would just require finding him. Asking around had led him to the Black Library, and a couple of further questions--which he'd made juuust loud enough to be noticeable--had pointed him in Bradyn's direction. Now, unfortunately, in order to properly play the part he had in mind, he'd had to put away his Helpin' Hands for the moment and rely on Odhranos's Terravision™ and his hearing. Which made this particular excursion a bit risky--it was the stomping grounds of several people who were out looking for him, and he was now literally blind. That being said, he had posted a couple of Hand-Eye Coordinators around the entrance to the library, just in case one of those people happened to drop by and he'd have to make a quick getaway. Still, he made his way carefully around the library, stopping in the general vicinity of where someone had guided him. "Hello?" he asked, doing his best to use Odhranos's accent instead of the one that came most naturally to him. "Is Bradyn there?"

Bradyn :: There were plenty of details in this prank that would enable Ernest to be successful in tricking Bradyn, at least for a short time. It had been so long since Bradyn and Odhranos had actually interacted that the Maharan male could not even begin to recall what sort of accent that Odhranos had. Which means that Ernest could give his worst rendition of an Odhranos accent and Bradyn would be none the wiser. Since Bradyn and Ernest had not met prior to this point, the Maharan was also not at all aware of what Ernest’s usual voice was like. Double whammy in that regard. The final point that would serve toward Ernest’s benefit was that Bradyn could not even recall if Odhranos was blind when they initially met, which was testimony as to how long it had been since Bradyn and the newly appointed archmage had any sort of interaction. Fortunately for Ernest, the reclusive Bradyn was also apathetic enough that he did not even really care to inquire as to what might have happened to Odhranos to cause him to lose his sight. Ernranos is guided to a private study area where Bradyn is sitting in a cushioned armchair, busy flipping through the pages of some old tome. He stops to look up from his reading only when he hears the inquiry of ‘is Bradyn there?’ Bradyn lifts his gray eyes from his book, allowing them to focus on Ernranos. It is at this point that it will become apparent that Bradyn often lacks social tact. While the tone of his voice does not have much inflection to it, it is likely obvious that his words are judgemental in nature. “I am right in front of you. Or has it been so long that you fail to recall what I look like, Odhranos?” The Maharan is not so tactless that he point blank asks Odhranos if he is blind, but he may as well have.

Ernest grinned and tilted his head upward, moving the hat away from his face and revealing the blindfold that covered his eyes. "Recall has little to do with that, I'm afraid." Having no idea whatsoever how Odhranos actually lost his sight and figuring it wouldn't hurt to just make something up, he added, "On the plus side, now I know which end to pick up a spitting direcobra from. Word of advice: not the tail." Remembering his earlier conversation with Lanlan regarding the archmage's love of tea, he held his hands together, stacked vertically, and then separated them, revealing a steaming mug as if he'd just pulled it out of his palm. "Tea?" he asked, moving a step towards the voice and figuring out where the other chair in the study was through a careful application of Odh's particular kind of sight, a darned lucky guess about the room's layout, and surreptitiously sliding a foot along the floor until he touched something. He sat down as he offered the mug over. "I suspect you're a chamomile sort of fellow." Regardless of whether the mug was taken or not, Ernest could tell just from Bradyn's voice that he wasn't the sort of person to deal in pleasantries for very long, so he got right down to it. "I can tell that you aren't in the mood for small talk, so I'm just going to get right to the point." That's--that's exactly what I said, you-- "While working with a particularly ancient type of magic hailing from an isolated tribe deep in the," Ernest didn't actually know where the soul-cage magic was from and so again, he had to resort to making stuff up, "mountains north of Frostmaw, I happened across something very peculiar. They believed in these guardian spirits that looked after them, but my first impression of the rituals they used was that they were simply creating skeletal undead to guard their campsites at night. As I was cataloguing the phenomenon, I got curious and tried it out on some smaller bones back home, and, well, my skill with this particular type of magic is... somewhat lacking." He paused for dramatic effect, then added: "I'd be interested in learning more, though, if your guild would teach me?" Ernest had to be very careful not to let his grin show plainly on his face, and look as... well, earnest as possible. Signing up the archmage of the mage's guild as a novus morior in the necromancer's guild was going to be the best con he ever pulled, if he could pull it off.

Bradyn :: Most people would have made some sort of shocked expression upon hearing the account of how Ernranos lost his sight, alas...Bradyn is a very apathetic individual and his expression remains straight-faced. Not that this detail would be apparent. “I see,” Bradyn states in a flat tone of voice. The offer for tea is met with an equally disinterested, “No.” The vampire had no fondness for tea. Others of his kind might still indulge in such sustenance but Bradyn saw no reason, it offered him no benefit. Not even joy. No reaction is given when Ernranos makes the observation that Bradyn is probably not in the mood for small talk, only silence. It is good that the “archmage” does not wait for some sort of confirmation, instead opting to get straight into the heart of the matter of why he was here. The two would have sat in uncomfortable silence had he not. It would quickly become clear that Bradyn was not going to be easily baited into admitting the archmage into the guild. The request for assistance was not current;y being viewed as a request to join the guild and from what Bradyn did know of Odhranos, he may not actually be a suitable candidate. “Ah, I did not know that you had any capacity for necromancy on any level. I thought you were the sort who excelled in earth magic, but then again….We are not friends so I would be foolish to claim to be an expert in your capabilities.” Did Bradyn have any friends? Likely not, who could really stomach his (lack of) personality long enough to befriend him? “Still, I am surprised that you are approaching me on this matter. Both Khitti and Quintessa are currently members of the Mage’s Guild.” Both individuals named are considerably more social than Bradyn is. “I would have thought they would have a deeper understanding of your current abilities, thus making them better equipped to assist you with learning this subject matter. Why is it that you have not approached them instead? Why me?” While Bradyn does not seem quick to jump at this request for help, he is also not rejecting it. The Maharan is currently stewing over what he might gain from offering any assistance. Bradyn was never the sort to do these things out of the goodness of his heart, even assisting actual guild members had a long-term benefit for him.

​​Ernest had come prepared for this line of questioning. After all, Khitti and Quintessa were both qualified to induct someone into the Necromancer's Guild. But given how they were both very intent on ripping the undead out of his current body and doing things the boring way, they were hardly the correct choice for getting Odh into places he'd never go himself. "That's just it, you see," he said, taking a sip of the tea that had been rejected. "They're current members of the Mage's Guild. I don't want to be accused of getting into the Necromancer's Guild through favoritism. If everything is going to be above board, I need to be tested by someone who I don't currently outrank elsewhere." He paused for a moment, thinking over Bradyn's wording a little more. He needed to know something of Odhranos's capabilities? Very well! "I do know a bit of earth magic," he said, deliberately inflecting his tone with the sort of modesty somebody who is very gifted in a particular field might use when being polite. "I've been working with some obscure soul magic as well, recently. Cages in which one can be captured. Nasty things, in my personal opinion, but I'd be lying if I said they weren't useful." Ernest hoped that teasing that little nugget of knowledge might intrigue a necromancer. "I suppose my recent successes with necromancy might be attributed to my experience with the soul cages. This is a new development for me as well, and I figure there's no harm in diversifying one's skillset."

Bradyn remains skeptical but this detail would not be obvious based on his expressions, though his words might hint at his doubt. “The Necromancer’s Guild does not have a history of refusing to admit members. Perhaps when tested, should they display absolutely no aptitude for necromancy, then someone might be refused from the guild. Yet, this is not something that I have ever seen occur. Typically if someone is interested in joining, then they already have an awareness that they have some sort of inclination for necromancy. Just like you are saying now, you are aware that you have some amount of skill with necromancy. For the most part, the entire purpose of the test is for us to gauge how much knowledge an individual might have so that we can better understand how to instruct them going forward.” Were Bradyn the sort to actually display his emotions, he would probably heave a sigh of frustration at this point. It has been a long time since someone has even pestered him for an admittance test. Yet, since Ernranos was insistent that someone other than Khitti or Quintessa conduct these tests, he would humor the ‘archmage.’ “If you are looking to join the guild to further your studies in necromancy, I suppose it would not be fitting for me to deny you this test.” Even if he felt there were more suitable candidates to conduct it. “I am assuming that you are hoping that this test will take place here and now? The test is simple. You merely need to provide a demonstration of what knowledge you do have of necromancy by casting even the most basic level spell. The rules are equally simple, if you feel that this demonstration will in any way shape or form cause any amount of damage to my library, then we will step outside for this test.” Yes, that is Bradyn’s only rule: don’t break his books. “Shall we then?” Bradyn moves to rise from the chair he has been occupying so that the two can move to the streets just above the library. Better safe than sorry when it comes to his precious library, he had zero trust in Ernranos’ skill level.

Ernest :: Yes! Ernest refrained from the "YEE-HAW~" that immediately came to mind and instead just nodded emphatically. "Yes, I think that might be best. There shouldn't be any damage, but it is better to be safe than sorry." He drained the last of the tea, disappeared the teacup between his hands again, and stood, making careful note of where he heard Bradyn's footsteps as they walked so as to help guide him back out of the study and out to the street. The Coordinator scuttled away out of sight, but still remained close by and vigilant. Once they were out on the surface, he retrieved a small bag of bones from one of his pockets. "I made sure to use an animal skeleton, since the ritual does involve calling on animal spirits. I haven't yet determined the extent to which animal bones are necessary, but I chose a fish skeleton to experiment on due to its easy acquirability. This little fellow was delicious, by the by." He emptied the bag into a pile, and then sprinkled a bit of water on said pile. "To quench the thirst of the dry bones," he intoned, indicating that the ritual had started. "To thank them for their life." He pulled a bit of charcoal from his pocket and set it atop the pile. "To guide their wandering spirit home." He snapped his fingers and the charcoal lit up with a warm orange glow. "To see us through the night!" He waved his hands over the pile, drew in a breath, and blew, energizing the fish skeleton and weaving a couple other forms of magic into the spell for effect. The wind swirled around it and the skull's eyes lit up with twin infinitesimal points of flame in the eye sockets. A sort of misty haze formed around the pile as the skeleton assembled itself into the shape of a fish and swam upward through the air as though it was moving through water, trailing faint wisps of smoke in its wake. It made a slow circle around the pair as though waiting for orders. "Odhranos" stood up and gestured triumhantly to it. "Ta-da! One reanimated skeleton. Or possibly a spirit guardian. Or both. Like I said, the ritual works, but I'm still figuring out the particulars."

Bradyn and Ernest would not travel far outside of the library. Very shortly after arriving on the streets of Vailkrin, the Maharan stops and turns toward “Odhranos”, staring at him with the expectation that he should begin. It is good that Ernest does not require some sort of verbal cue from Bradyn, for they would just end up sitting in uncomfortable silence. The Maharan’s expression remains as apathetic as ever as the details of what Ernranos’ demonstration is going to entail. It takes a lot to gain some sort of reaction out of the vampire, no one on any entrance test he has ever administered has truly managed to impress the stuck up Maharan. As to be expected, most were showing off the most basic levels of necromancy to Bradyn. “A fish,” the Maharan repeats, in the same flat tone of voice that he has been using for a duration of this encounter. Beyond those two words, Bradyn does not speak. He just listens to the “ritual” that Ernest is performing. Were this tribe real, the words selected for this ritual and the offerings that were selected would be quite revealing to the Maharan….but that would also require him to care about what he views as mundane details of some isolated tribe in Frostmaw. Ernest signals that his demonstration is completed and Bradyn merely nods in acceptance of this information, letting his dark gray eyes briefly traverse the reanimated skeleton. “Ah, very well. This demonstration is more than sufficient that you at least have some aptitude for necromancy, which is all we can hope for when it comes to entry level admissions. Welcome to the Necromancer’s Guild. Under most circumstances, this is when I would grant you with your first guild item. Unfortunately, I was not expecting to conduct a test and have not come prepared. We will be sure to get it to you soon.” The Maharan gives brief pause before he goes on to state, “I will inform both Khitti and Quintessa of your admission into the guild. I would like to make it clear, that in the Necromancer’s Guild, they have equal rank as me. And what I mean by pointing this out, is that even though you may have rank within the Mage’s Guild you should consider them your teachers within this guild. Both are very knowledgeable and I will not see their attempts to impart their wisdom on you denied. Are we clear?”

Ernest nodded. Having to inform both Khitti and Quintessa meant that it wasn't likely that Odhranos's entrance into the guild would stick, but at least he'd gotten the laugh in while he could. "Crystal! Ignore the wisdom of those with something to teach at your own peril, after all. You've nothing to worry about in that regard, you'll find I'm as eager to learn as any." He beamed and took a light bow, figuring that Bradyn wasn't exactly the type to do handshakes. "Thank you again for taking the time to see me. I'm guessing you were in the middle of something when I showed up, so I won't take any more of it than I already have. I'd say 'see you around', but, you know, so instead I'll just wish you farewell." He tipped his hat to the man and started wandering off, making a subtle gesture which the fish obeyed, following after him. As it moved, Ernest had an idea and focused some of Odhranos's magic on the fish skeleton, causing tiny razor-sharp crystals to grow on the bones, all over it like iridescent scales and fins. "Oh-ho, interesting, so they do mix!" he said aloud, as though he'd only just thought of mixing skeletons and terramancy.