The Bastards of Erebus
Even before Aroden’s death, the Council of Thieves had been an open secret in Westcrown. The city’s first (and most successful) thieves’ guild, the Council of Thieves was comprised of members from influential and often noble families in Westcrown. Subtle and content to rest upon the work of past generations, these rich and affluent criminals grew wealthier off of all manner of smuggling, gambling, prostitution, and more nefarious but increasingly white collar crimes. Yet now, insurrection boils within the Council’s inner ranks, and if left to bloom, the resulting coup could engulf all of Westcrown.
The newly opened Teatro alla Wescala is holding rehearsals for Actors and Singers whether new to the city or long standing performers. Some are shying away from the Theater and its advertisement for local talent as rumors abound that the owner is a devout worshiper of Shelyn. However, the amount of coin the owner is offering makes it difficult not to at least look into the opportunity!
As the actors and aspiring actors begin to gather outside, the doors are still locked. Still, the crowd has many interesting faces...
[ooc]Feel free to describe yourselves and interact with one another, all other hopefuls that have arrived are run of the mill human residents. None are famous actors or actresses.[ooc]
Seated in an alleyway though, you see a mark walking by seeming to daydream, what an opportunity, he has fancy clothes and his head in the clouds. You pad up behind him as there happens to be no one else in the street at the moment. As you reach up and into his backpack, his damn hands reaches back at that exact same moment...
"Any word about what the show is? Perhaps they shall ask me to play an imp again... Well, work is work."
Blackspire Thundergloom is a middle-aged gnome in elaborate clothing. Embroidered in black silk on his black vest are skulls, stars, and arcane symbols.
He has some renown as both an actor and storyteller. His speaking voice is soft and melodic.
Sia makes her way to the Teatro. She is dressed in an elegant outfit of green and black which shows her curves, and red hair to advantage. If someone looked closely they can just see a peek of armor at the neck. Only fools would come into a crowd without some protection.
She glances around the crowd, nodding to a gnome she recognizes, and glares at a couple of rivals she wished hadn't shown up.
"I wonder why they are holding open rehearsals? They could invite several well known actors to rehearse in private for the coin they are offering." she murmurs to herself. I would have rather done a reading in private. This standing about outside like the common folk is ridiculous. Sia finds a strategic place to stand where she can see the doors and much of the crowd.
The tiefling looked almost like a demon itself - if it wasn't for his obvious human side, as well, it would be easy to confuse. Little black horns could be seen on the head covered in long pitch black hair. A long tail shook behind him, almost having its own life. His skin was dark red, and as he spoke small sharp fangs became noticeable.
I don't know either what the show is about, my friends. - he finally said with a somewhat hoarse, deep voice. Despite his appearance, it was clear he was a warm person - I'm Lettu, by the way... But some prefer calling me Wings.
He finished with an easy smile. He wasn't a known actor - but some of his clothes clearly pointed that he came from the prestigious Kitharodian Academy. He had something obviously sexy about his ways, his gestures were provocative, lustful, and he carried a strange humbleness uncommon for an artist.
Malqazar whirls around, seeing a catlike figure standing before him. "What in the blazes do you think you're doing?" Malqazar utters menacingly. He locks his gaze with that of the feline humanoid, his dark eyes boring deep into Jing's mind. He speaks again, in a calm voice that seems to reverberate in Jing's head, "I would recommend that you not do that. If you've decided against it, how about you greet me in a more civil manner?"
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Jing blinks a bit, unused to anyone catching him and quickly puts his paws behind him offering a bit of a sheepish grin in response to the first question. He raises his paws showing they are empty "Ah, forgive me I was going to adjust your collar as there was a crease in it I stumbled a bit and well..." he said his voice trailing off slightly
He bowed politely "Good evening" he said with a flourish.
Malqazar smiles and bows similarly, before saying in a much friendlier tone than before, "A good evening to you as well. I am Malqazar the Magnificent. Who, may I ask, are you?"
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Jing looked puzzled. He had been caught, told a bold faced lie that any six year old could see through and things were...friendly? He shook his head, surely this wasn't a way of getting his name just to report him. It's not like it would matter, his name plus non descript average looking catfolk doth not make for a good wanted poster.
Jing after a couple of seconds of thinking it through finally smiled "Jing, a humble caller of the spirits at your service." he offered. "Quite the odd day isn't it? But we shouldn't sit here and gab too long. The Hellknights aren't pleasant about staying out so close to curfew."
The Vudrani woman turns some heads as she enters the Teatro for the auditions. She scowls, annoyed that she must try out with all these amateurs. Her flowing robes embroidered in elaborate patterns swirl around her as she pushes her way to the front. "Who is in charge here? I need to speak to someone in charge."
No way! You aren't getting there first. Sia glides to the front of the crowd next to the dark skinned woman. "Yes we need to speak to whomever is in charge. We cannot wait all day to rehearse. We are professionals." She smiles somewhat politely and nods in greeting to the woman.
Actors.
Blackspire sighed. It was a good line of work, but there was such competition. In a really good production, you had the joy of creating art together, but all too often it devolved into politics and drama.
Well, perhaps I can be of some other use while waiting.
He starts entertaining the other hopefuls with a tale.
"Would you hear of Arnisant? Or Savith? Great heroes accomplishing mighty deeds against all odds, facing their doom with valor. Or Lettu, shall I tell of Jarax the Undamned, Tiefling hero of the Mendevian Crusade?"
Keamba stood to the side, heavily muscled arms crossed across his chest as he watched the crowd with disinterest. The call for actors was too good to pass up, especially now that he needed the godsdamned money.
He was an impressive sight, tall and picturesque, his jaw strong, looking as if he had been carved from dark, glorious marble. His thick dreadlocks were tied back out of his eyes which glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light, two silver circles bright and unnerving.
As he stood there he idly chewed on a wad of rustleaf, savoring the bitter taste of the medicinal herb, staining his teeth a bright ghastly shade of red as he did.
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala - Lettu Wings Kan, Blackspire Thundergloom, Sia Markham, Keamba Mafiki & Vara
Despite the protestations of Vara, the door to the Teatro does not open. She does garner plenty of nasty stares though.
CLIP. CLOP. CLIP. CLOP.
From the end of the street, not one but three mounted Hellknights approach the crowd. One breaks off down a side street. The other two approach the Teatro.
One speaks his voice muffled in his dark helm, "See hear Citizens. It is a crime to loiter so! Disperse lest we be forced to disperse you!"
As Jing considers the offer, his words are made manifest.
CLIP. CLOP. CLIP. CLOP.
A mounted Hellknight heads down the street towards the two of you, "Citizen, what are you doing interacting with this... thing. As I understand it, a thief of his very description... no wait, the coloring is all wrong..." He pauses staring at King thoughtfully, or at lest you suppose he is as you cannot see his face beneath the helm.
From around the corner, you both hear a crowd of people gasp in dismay...
Is it worth a possible part to take on the Hellknights? I don't think so. Sia glances at Vara. "Maybe we should come back later when the crowd is gone? My names Sia. Want to find a place to wait a while before we try to return?"
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Jing tenses up a bit, but relaxes quickly when he hears the coloring being wrong bit. He turns about giving a polite grin. "Ah, good sir I thank you for taking the time to verify that. Indeed, I am no thief...I am a good cleric of Asmodeus. Never would I stoop to break the law of this fine country and earn his ire."
He smiles politely and even offers a prayer for the safety of the Hellknight in his work tonight.
"We aren't loitering if we have a legitimate reason to be here..." Keamba said calmly, standing up straight and stepping forward, glaring up at the Hellknight with mutiny in his eyes. "There was a call for actors, looking for work. Well I am here to get money so I can live. I do not loiter!"
"My good sir, I was merely speaking with the priest about a blessing for my sister. She is quite sick you see, filth fever from when she drank from a puddle. You know how younglings are. We were just now going to to see her.
"My good sir, may I then apply for a permit for a performance? I was just about to begin the story of Paralictor Varkonian's heroic battle against the Balor champion Paleflame deep in the Worldwound. Surely this is a tale worth telling."
At this point Lettu simply kept looking at the approaching Hellknights, while the others interacted with them; finally, though, he spoke.
I'm on the same situation. I'm an actor from the Grand Academy. Like my colleagues, I was informed to wait here for the tests for the parts - if, however, my presence is undesired, I apologize and will leave.
The bronze Vudrani initially scowls at the pretty Chelaxian woman who sidles up next to her. But when the hellknights appear, Vara's confidence dissapears and she is secretly glad to have someone to help watch her back. A smile cracks her visage. "Very well. I am Vara. If you know somewhere safe, let's hurry. There will always be other auditions!"
She grasps Sia's hand and nods for her to lead the way. She could be useful to have around. Plus, I'm still prettier.
Sia walks away from the crowd with Vara. "There should be a tavern nearby we can wait in." She passes Wings on the way. "Wings want to join us? We're going to wait until the crowd disperses."
Oh, definitely, my dears. - replies the tiefling with his exotic accent - I'll be the envy of the entire city, accompanied by the lot of you two.
He completes with a bright and warm smile, blinking as he gives them passage.
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala
The quieter Hellknight replies to Blackspire and Lettu, "Permits are not issued by us here on the street! Indeed, your presence here is a nuisance at best and a mob at worst. We do not tolerate lawlessness here foreigners".
As Vala and Sia begin to step away and Keamba starts friction with a Hellknight the doors to the Teatro burst open!
"Welcome. Welcome! One and all! Auditions will begin come inside, come inside, no crowding! You there, yon Hellknights, be good citizens and keep those interested orderly if you please! I am Ian Branagh proprietor of the Teatro and it is for me you shall all read this fine afternoon or is it morning? Yes welcome, I need many skilled actors and actresses for my play so many parts, so little time to fill them all. Five gold per head, per performance! On the weekend two performances per day. A limited time run for this and it will be a must see for the highest to the lowest born of Westcrown!"
The man calls out to Sia and Vala, "Ladies, where do you go? Come back, come back!"
The man enunciates the pronouncement so loudly and so clearly, that Malqazar and Jing can hear it from around the corner. The Hellknight accosting them turns his mount around and heads around the corner to get a look at the situation. He mutters under his breath, "For five gold per day perhaps I should consider reading..."
Keamba smiles cockily at the Hellknight before walking past the retreating women and the rest of the crowd, and pushing his way inside.
"F$**ing Hellknight scum!" He muttered under his breath as he stepped in to the building.
"Ah well. Perhaps you shall hear my tales another time, valiant knights."
Blackspire is not actually mocking them.
There have indeed been some honorable Hellknights, especially from the Order of the Godclaw or the Order of the Pike. If only more took inspiration from such heroes...
He goes inside with the others.
Sia looks at Vera and Wings shrugging. "Better late than never I guess. Shall we go back? I'm interested to see how many parts he has, and if there is going to be a chance to shine." She turns back and enters the open doors with the crowd.
Vara's eyes look eerily like gold pieces momentarily. "Yes, I suppose for that rate I can stick around for a bit."
Lettu shook his head in agreement and opened the best of his smiles while he came back and entered through the doors of the theater. He briefly eyed the Hellknight but didn't say anything else.
Malqazar raises his eyebrows at Jing, "Well then, shall we see what the commotion is? Could be a chance to make some coin."
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala
The Hellknights break off ad trot away once it is clear that the crowd had a purpose for being where they were though one of them looks back several times as if intrigued. None challenge any of you that challenged them.
The applicants enter the Teatro which has clearly received a recent renovation. The building was once a Trade Hall but has been reborn.
The foyer has its floor and walls covered in thick red carpet. Hanging from the ceiling are two small silver chandeliers to the right and left of the front with the crown jewel a crystal chandelier which hangs the lowest and gives off the brightest light. To the right and the left are stairs leading up to a second floor.
The crier introduces himself, "I am as I stated before Ian Branagh proprietor of the Teatro. Follow me, I have enough pamphlets for everyone to do a reading. While the play, King Choral of Brevoy, written by me, has many parts, I will be reading only for the male and the female leads today. From them I will get a sense of your range as an actor or actress. Now follow me!"
Through the foyer are two sets of double doors both of which are currently open. As the applicants filter through, the room reveals three sections of seating each contains approximately six seats and approximately twenty rows. The stage is larger than the stages one normally sees at a theater but then seating for such a large space seems underwhelming.
Most of the stage is blocked off by various curtains. on either side of the stage are two spotlights which appear to be created by bullseye lanterns from above or the magical equivalent.
As the doors close, the only lights present are those up on stage.
Ian steps to the front near a podium, "Come up, first come first serve!"
Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I
Return those duties back as are right fit,
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
Why have my sisters husbands, if they say
They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,
That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry
Half my love with him, half my care and duty:
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,
To love my father all.
Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower:
For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;
By all the operation of the orbs
From whom we do exist, and cease to be;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Chelexian,
Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved,
As thou my sometime daughter.
"Now, Act!" he points to the stage once he hands each applicant a copy of the script.
Vara immediately takes the stage and passionately enacts the assigned monologue.
Ever the professional, she takes in her surroundings while she performs.
A lead role? Most unlikely for a gnome in Cheliax... Let us see how this goes.
Blackspire takes the stage and reads his part.
Something seems to be distracting him, or maybe he just isn't feeling this piece.
Sia reads over the monologue while waiting for her turn. She turns over the paper sure there was something written on the other side, but sees nothing. She grimaces at the monologue lines. That's just wrong. This would be a tough part to play. Ever the professional she takes her place and reads with what appears to be angst at her unrequited love. While she's on the stage she takes a chance to glance around.
Despite lacking professional training in acting, Malqazar is able to use his charm and gravitas to excellently make his way through the audition. He is so caught up in acting he doesn't notice the finer details of the room, but in studying the script notices the hidden text.
Keamba takes the script and reads through it, memorizing his piece before rolling it up and sticking it in to his pocket. He hops up on to the stage and tosses his coat to the side before rolling up his sleeves and moving to his mark. He takes a minute centering himself, before beginning.
Lettu notices something about the paper, but he quickly imagines it's something his mind is making up because he's nervous. He focus, however, and then tries to perform his best targeting the role of male lead.
He recites, to the best of his abilities, while acting.
"Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower:
For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;
By all the operation of the orbs
From whom we do exist, and cease to be;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Chelexian,
Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved,
As thou my sometime daughter."
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Jing scratches behind his ear a bit as he listens to the others. Bah, acting is more useful on the streets but perhaps a good catterwalling was in order.
He gets up on stage and grabs the hand of the nearest lady as he does so. His paw lands upon the hand of the exotic young lady who's performance was so beautifully done.
He proceeds to read the lines out loud, doing his best to act alongside them and attempts to end with a flourish by coming to a knee and resting his head upon his "sometime daughter's" hand.
Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower:
For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;
By all the operation of the orbs
From whom we do exist, and cease to be;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Chelexian,
Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved,
As thou my sometime daughter.
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala
At the end of each reading Ian shouts, "BRAVO!' giving encouragement to each of the readers.
"Very well done, all of you. If I point to you, please remain behind so we can discuss further roles in the play. The rest of you, please leave your address by the front door, there is ink, parchment and quill for that purpose that I may contact you for other roles".
He points to, Malqazar, Jing, Lettu, Blackspire, Sia, Keamba, Vara and one other quite attractive woman who gave her name as Janiven.
As the other people step outside of the theater disappointed, Ian turns back to address you all, "Welcome, some of you I recognize from your other works and some of you I do not. While your performance was poor on this reading Master Thundergloom, I would recognize you anywhere. However, I must confess, the reason why I called people here was not for a mere play though I do believe with some hard work we can pull this off, instead I am my friend Janiven here seek something more. In a word, Freedom. Does Freedom interest any of you?"
"Freedom? Freedom from what? There are many ways people can lack freedoms. Their social class, the government, the things that go bump in the night all curtail freedoms." Sia looks slightly interested, but not willing to commit to anything just yet.
"Sia speaks true. And against these forces, sometimes we must merely endure, and sometimes we must take a stand. To what are you referring?"
Blackspire is concerned that this could be entrapment of some sort.
Is he working for the Hellknights to sniff out potential rebels?
The duelist didn't say anything - while he was particularly excited this wasn't going to be another common test for a part in a play, he kept his cool and watched as the others questioned the man.
Vara is nonplussed. "What are you saying, this was all a ruse? Because I earned a starring role with that performance."
Keamba arches his eyebrow and tuts softly. "Another wasted trip and almost running in to those c!@~s in the spiky armour for what? Nothing. Talks of freedom? A childs dream. We are none of us free." He scowled, pulling out another wad of rustleaf from a pouch at his waist and beginning to chew it thoughtfully.
"But... if you mean it, I will listen to this so called freedom. This lady is right though," Keamba grinned, baring red stained teeth as he did, gesturing to Vara. "Her performance was beautiful, as was mine. Surely we deserve something for making this trip!"
Malqazar smiles and and shoots a sideways glance at Jing. He clears his throat and looks at Ian, "This proposition of...Freedom intrigues me. Beyond the moral responsibility of attaining freedom for those who cannot, what motivation is there in this quest to spur us towards to goal of liberty?"
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala
Ian raises his hands, "Do not misunderstand me friends! I do intend to put on a play, this play, within the next week. Let us just say that the play and preparation for the play is a ehm... convenient excuse for those of us who love and cherish freedom to congregate together".
Janiven speaks, "Basic freedoms as what we and our allies are interested in. The Thrune have said for as long as anyone can remember that the shadows keep the streets safe at night? Safe for who? Safe from what? The Freedom just to come and go is denied most of us.
If Freedom such as this intrigues you then come meet with us tomorrow at noon. On the back of your parchment is the address to our safehouse. Expose the back of the parchment to the sunlight in the morning and the address shall be revealed".
Ian breaks in, "But, if you do not wish to get involved then simply return here at 3 PM tomorrow where I shall assign more lines to ascertain who among you will play what roles..."