Ely edit Dec 28 2022:
1-6 qps, depending on length and quality.
Rplizer +1 qps : x
Extra meticulous edit +1 qps : x
Length bonus +1-2 qps : o
Part of a series: x
Summary: +1 qps : x
Total: 7 qps, Antonio also awarded
Bonus qps: 2x holidaze
Callesa has heard about a high ranking soldier leaving the Empire to serve Andor and decides to risk a meeting in order to gather information that might be useful for her planned mission, or just for completing a few gaps in the still far too thin books on the Seanchan. He agrees to meet her.
Point of view: Callesa
Main participants: Antonio and Callesa
..........................
Blacksmith's House
A strong masculine tone permeates the atmosphere of this residence. Coats of
arms decorate the walls, which are of solid red brick in which are driven
a great many iron hooks, hung with various implements of iron. A large hearth
dominates the center of the room, with sturdy but elegant furniture arrayed
about it. At one end of the room is a long oaken table set with a candelabra
at each end.
[ obvious exits: D ]1433
Door down: stairway
A grand master of the guild ambles by with confidence.
*Antonio* has arrived from below.
*Antonio* nods at you.
Callesa closes stairway
*Antonio* bows deeply.
A dark faced man clad in black laquered armour stands here looming over you. A scowl on his face as
he looks you up and down, completely fearless.
Antonio is in excellent condition.
*Antonio* is using:
<used as light> a lantern
<worn on head> a full metal helmet and visor
<worn about body> a bright red robe
<slung on back> a backpack
<worn on hands> thick, stained, and oily workgloves
<worn around wrist> a sungwood bracelet
<worn around wrist> a gator skin bracer
<wielded two-handed> a wickedly scythed longsword
<worn on legs> a pair of ebony-steel plate greaves
<worn on feet> a pair of thick metal boots
You nod at him.
*Antonio* drawls 'Hello Aes Sedai'
You say 'Good to see you, Antonio.'
*Antonio* drawls 'Thank you for allowing me to do this service for you.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'We all need to put aside our fear and prejudices, to fight the common enemies.'
You say 'I've heard you left your former brothers in arms and the Empire.'
*Antonio* drawls 'The Filthy Shadowspawn took my family from me, I wish to walk in the light and
fight arm in arm with the people of Andor and others!'
You nod at him.
*Antonio* drawls 'I have left the Deathwatch guard and renounced my oaths to the Empress. I am
prepared to take new oaths to the Queen of Andor Morgase.'
You say 'That is a strong reason. But you do know that Andor often fights side by side with women
like me, those you have till recently seen collared and treated like animals?'
Callesa sits down on a simple stools and offers you the other one.
*Antonio* drawls 'I do not wish for any fighting with females who can channel whether they be from
the Tower or a Wisdom.'
*Antonio* drawls 'I only wish to rid the world of the filthy Shadowspawn, hunting trollocs and fades.'
You say 'With as against, or with as alongside with?'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Then we have a lot in common.'
You say 'But on my path towards this goal, I have a mission in a Seanchan occupied place and need
information.'
You say 'Are you ready to betray your formal life in this way?'
You peer closely at him, trying to figure him out.
*Antonio* drawls 'I will do whatever you require to earn your trust.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Then tell me. How strong is the Seanchan presence in Tanchico these days?'
*Antonio* drawls 'Only a minor presence, from my last visit there I believe there is a Damane and
Sul'dam present around the city.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'One sul'dam and damane?'
*Antonio* drawls 'Last I checked but their could be more now.'
You nod in agreement.
*Antonio* drawls 'I can scout the town and report back to you on what i find?'
You say 'Is it always the same pair, or do they switch places with others, to prevent any
attachments or work on other goals?'
You nod in agreement.
*Antonio* drawls 'My main station was in Falme but on the few times I visited Tanchico I noticed the
same pair.'
You say 'That could be useful, but only if you do not put yourself too much at risk. You are very
valuable now, your muscle and brain. And I suppose your General would love to see you dead.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Apart from the two, are there many soldiers? Any elite units, or just normal guards to keep
the appearances and terror in the inhabitants?'
*Antonio* drawls 'I am not familiar with any elite units inside the city. There are patrols that
wander the region certainly.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Your army in Falme, is it now in frequent contact with the Seanchan continent, or is it
still rather detached?'
*Antonio* drawls 'There is a boat daily that goes to and from the Seanchan continent, the Deathwatch
Guard is in constant communication with the Imperial Army.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'How do you pass messages? In person messengers, pigeons, any other means?'
*Antonio* drawls 'The city has many carrier pigeons to pass messages.'
Callesa nods slowly
*Antonio* drawls 'Couriers also take more sensitive messages to the Empress her self.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'I wonder, do the couriers travel alone? Are they usually skilled fighters?'
*Antonio* drawls 'They are typically accompanied by a guard with a pair of Sul'Dam and Damane
attached.'
You nod at him.
You say 'A reasonable precaution.'
You say 'I've wondered about one organisation of the Empire. The Seekers of Truth.'
You say 'Have those arrived to our continent as well?'
Callesa frowns.
*Antonio* drawls 'The Seanchan Empire wishes to one day take the lands to their East from Toman Head
to the Aiel Waste. They have been training an armor for decades and seek to capture any women who
can channel in order to collar them for battle.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'I will do everything I can to not get caught. Even if it means my death.'
*Antonio* drawls 'Most of the forces are kept on the mainland but boats arrive every day with new
troops.'
You nod at him.
You nod in agreement.
You say 'All of them arrive first to Falme and then are dispatched elsewhere, or do some boats go to
other ports?'
*Antonio* drawls 'Beware of Lord Silvak, he grows restless for glory and battle.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Lord Silvak. I will remember your warning.'
You say 'Is there any chance a dagger in the dark might end his ambition?'
*Antonio* drawls 'Falme is the primary port although I have heard of ships rounding the south lands
to Tanchico and further.'
You nod in agreement.
Callesa frowns.
*Antonio* drawls 'what is this dagger in the dark you speak of?'
You say 'Oh, it is a phrase we use for a hired assassin, used in the Great Game.'
*Antonio* drawls 'Ah I am not as familiar with the Great Game. I have spent much of my life serving
and doing as ordered.'
You say 'As you'll learn, the Great Game of schemes, politics, and a thousand different interests is
played everywhere, Andor is no exception'
*Antonio* nods in agreement.
You say 'I am sure the Seanchan play as well, I just don't know your rules.'
You say 'Do the members of the Blood scheme against each other?'
Callesa smiles for the first time in the conversation
*Antonio* drawls 'All serve the Empress and work together to serve her wishes.'
Callesa frowns.
You say 'That is unfortunate, that she hold such a short leash.'
You ponder life, the universe, and everything.
*Antonio* drawls 'the Morat'torm's the Morat'Raken's, the Imperial Army, the Damane and the
Deathwatch are united as one.'
You nod at him.
You say 'And how likely are their members to see the Light as you did?'
You say 'is there anything we can do, to help them join us in preparing for the Last Battle instead
of trying to kill or enslave us?'
*Antonio* drawls 'A few are like me, and have seen that our brothers and sisters here are no
different than us. That our common enemy walks in the dark and serves the Dark Lord himself.'
You nod in agreement.
*Antonio* drawls 'Most are blinded by their ambitions of rank and glory.'
You say 'That gives me some hope. Is there anyone you know of and I could contact in case of urgent
need?'
You say 'Or I could do with new Eyes and Ears, to replace those fallen in the attack on Tancico and
days after.'
*Antonio* drawls 'Thyco, Tanak, Traoil, Acheron, Tekela, and Yeri have all seen the light.'
*Antonio* drawls 'Others will surely follow.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Good. Our time grows short, just tell me: which nations are hunting you?'
You say 'I will send a word to some, where it may matter, to support your quest for their
forgiveness.'
*Antonio* drawls 'I shall hunt the Seanchan and the nations of the Empire as well as my primary
target those who follow the Dark Lord.'
You nod in agreement.
You peer closely at him, trying to figure him out.
Antonio tells you 'You are wanted by: Andor Tar Valon Illian Amador Children of Light Red Eagles
Thiefbane Wolves'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'Well, I cannot convince the Whitecloaks, those would see us both dead. But I will put in a
good word with the others.'
*Antonio* drawls 'Thank you Aes Sedai'
*Antonio* bows before you.
You say 'Nevertheless, the path will be long and full of testing.'
You nod at him.
You say 'We shall surely meet again soon.'
You say 'May the Light protect you on your travels'
* HP:Healthy SP:Bursting MV:Fresh >
*Antonio* drawls 'I am prepared to do what is necessary.'
You nod in agreement.
You feel the flows of saidar coursing through your body.
You begin to weave the appropriate flows...
*Antonio* drawls 'May the light protect and guide your way.'
A flash of bright white light appears, and suddenly envelopes you.