ZorkalukAug 07, 2014Aug 07, 2014 at 12:31 AM
#1
You've been invited to a small shop in Woodhearth. A local contact of yours has informed you it is an excellent place to get jobs done quickly and simply. You enter, the shop is modestly furnished, with a tasteful Dominion banner beside the door. An orb of magelight sits over a desk just off center, combining with the fading evening light to create an atmosphere of solemn reflection. Nondescript art adorns the smooth stone walls, with an unassuming bookcase on the opposite wall. Behind the desk sits a robed figure, pouring over a large ledger. As you enter his gaze shifts to you, his face rises into the light, a large masculine jaw and chin, high cheeks and a deep brow, the signs of a well bred Altmer. His skin is a slightly darker hue than is natural, but his golden eyes glow with a receptive light. He has a burn on his left cheek, but it doesn't seem to interrupt his light smile. "A customer!" He jumps to you with enthusiasm, rising and greeting you with a firm handshake. "How can I be of assistance?"
He motions to a chair in front of the desk. As you sit he closes the ledger, and puts it aside. "I'm looking for some workers. I've been told you are the man to see." He smiles and glances downward humbly. "I'm flattered. You were referred by my friend Noxien weren't you?" You nod. "Of course," he says. "One of my most loyal clients. He helped me get my little business up and running." He throws his hands up, as if dismissing himself. "Listen to me ramble. What kind of worker do you need? Domestic servant, unskilled laborer, or are more specialized skills needed for the task you have? As you are surely aware, all you must do is specify and pay the daily wage, I get my cut, my worker gets his or hers, you get your task completed. Simple as could be."
You give him a knowing nod. "Simplicity is a prerequisite of order." His salesman's smile fades and is replaced by a far more self-satisfied one. "So, Noxien told you the full extent of my business? Excellent." He rises and places a closed sign in the window. He advances to the bookcase and motions you forward. As you approach he pulls a book and the case swings forward, leading to a stone staircase. You descend and he follows, closing it behind him. You enter a much more interestingly furnished room. Magic artifacts of various shapes and sizes sit in display cases, and a ruby red carpet adorns the floor. There are two chairs sitting across from a small table, and you are seated in one. As the Altmer joins you, he snaps his fingers. A small Bosmer girl emerges from a shadow, pouring you each a glass of wine. She scurries back to her place, kneeling with her head down and hands held in her lap. The Altmer turns to you.
"Now, I'm sure Noxien didn't fill you in on the particulars. Should I give you the rundown of things?" You nod, sipping the exquisite wine. "Slavery has many disadvantages and many advantages. My system seeks to keep the good and expunge the bad. Starting with the fact that you don't ever own the slaves. You pay me a lump sum and you get my sanction to treat them how you please and work them to whatever extent you want, within reason. But they return here at night, removing the necessity for food and housing. I train them so you don't have to. There are no requirements or concerns for my customers, other than the coin." He smiles. "Any questions?"
You ponder things for a moment. "Can I purchase them for non-work tasks? What if I need someone eliminated...?" He nods professionally. "Of course. Nothing is off the table for the right price. They are perfect for such tasks, as there is no way to link their activities to you." You nod back. "Very good. How do you control them, and find them? And are there any special services you offer?" He motions for the girl to come over, she refills your glass and retreats to her position. "Black soul gems. If they run away or threaten things, I can destroy the gem and poof," He animates with his hands, "They go. No need for heavy handed doctrines of racial superiority or divine right like the Dunmer. Simple cause and effect. "Recruitment" is as simple as finding those without purpose, those who are better off under my guidance and won't be missed. As for special services... Currently there is one. If you wish to punish someone for a wrongdoing, I can enslave them. This requires a larger fee, as it is risky. In fact, I'll show you how it works."
You nod calmly, but you begin to feel a pinching in your chest. The Altmer stands and motions to the girl, who runs down a door at the end of the hall. You fall from your chair as the pinching turns into a dazing pain, and your wine glass rolls into view. "Noxien has had his eye on you for awhile, friend. You won't believe what he paid to have you, without limits." A heaviness overcomes your body, and you see the Altmer produce a black gem from his coat before you collapse.
You awaken in a cage, with a dank smell. A plate of stale bread sits before you. You glance around, and see a seemingly endless line of others in the same state, of all races and creeds. The Altmer squats down to meet your eyes. "Don't worry, you won't be harmed. I protect my investments. But you'd best eat well." He twirls a gem in his hand, and you feel as if you can see your reflection in it. "You begin tomorrow." He returns up another flight of stairs and you see the warm light of the previous room fade as the door closes, as if sealing a tomb with utter nonchalance.
He motions to a chair in front of the desk. As you sit he closes the ledger, and puts it aside. "I'm looking for some workers. I've been told you are the man to see." He smiles and glances downward humbly. "I'm flattered. You were referred by my friend Noxien weren't you?" You nod. "Of course," he says. "One of my most loyal clients. He helped me get my little business up and running." He throws his hands up, as if dismissing himself. "Listen to me ramble. What kind of worker do you need? Domestic servant, unskilled laborer, or are more specialized skills needed for the task you have? As you are surely aware, all you must do is specify and pay the daily wage, I get my cut, my worker gets his or hers, you get your task completed. Simple as could be."
You give him a knowing nod. "Simplicity is a prerequisite of order." His salesman's smile fades and is replaced by a far more self-satisfied one. "So, Noxien told you the full extent of my business? Excellent." He rises and places a closed sign in the window. He advances to the bookcase and motions you forward. As you approach he pulls a book and the case swings forward, leading to a stone staircase. You descend and he follows, closing it behind him. You enter a much more interestingly furnished room. Magic artifacts of various shapes and sizes sit in display cases, and a ruby red carpet adorns the floor. There are two chairs sitting across from a small table, and you are seated in one. As the Altmer joins you, he snaps his fingers. A small Bosmer girl emerges from a shadow, pouring you each a glass of wine. She scurries back to her place, kneeling with her head down and hands held in her lap. The Altmer turns to you.
"Now, I'm sure Noxien didn't fill you in on the particulars. Should I give you the rundown of things?" You nod, sipping the exquisite wine. "Slavery has many disadvantages and many advantages. My system seeks to keep the good and expunge the bad. Starting with the fact that you don't ever own the slaves. You pay me a lump sum and you get my sanction to treat them how you please and work them to whatever extent you want, within reason. But they return here at night, removing the necessity for food and housing. I train them so you don't have to. There are no requirements or concerns for my customers, other than the coin." He smiles. "Any questions?"
You ponder things for a moment. "Can I purchase them for non-work tasks? What if I need someone eliminated...?" He nods professionally. "Of course. Nothing is off the table for the right price. They are perfect for such tasks, as there is no way to link their activities to you." You nod back. "Very good. How do you control them, and find them? And are there any special services you offer?" He motions for the girl to come over, she refills your glass and retreats to her position. "Black soul gems. If they run away or threaten things, I can destroy the gem and poof," He animates with his hands, "They go. No need for heavy handed doctrines of racial superiority or divine right like the Dunmer. Simple cause and effect. "Recruitment" is as simple as finding those without purpose, those who are better off under my guidance and won't be missed. As for special services... Currently there is one. If you wish to punish someone for a wrongdoing, I can enslave them. This requires a larger fee, as it is risky. In fact, I'll show you how it works."
You nod calmly, but you begin to feel a pinching in your chest. The Altmer stands and motions to the girl, who runs down a door at the end of the hall. You fall from your chair as the pinching turns into a dazing pain, and your wine glass rolls into view. "Noxien has had his eye on you for awhile, friend. You won't believe what he paid to have you, without limits." A heaviness overcomes your body, and you see the Altmer produce a black gem from his coat before you collapse.
You awaken in a cage, with a dank smell. A plate of stale bread sits before you. You glance around, and see a seemingly endless line of others in the same state, of all races and creeds. The Altmer squats down to meet your eyes. "Don't worry, you won't be harmed. I protect my investments. But you'd best eat well." He twirls a gem in his hand, and you feel as if you can see your reflection in it. "You begin tomorrow." He returns up another flight of stairs and you see the warm light of the previous room fade as the door closes, as if sealing a tomb with utter nonchalance.