Black Phoenix Corporation

[Kenaz]

Black Phoenix Corporation

Amidst the streets of the bustling Merchantile District where instead of everyday shops, haughty counting houses of great merchants where millions of crowns pass through different hands each day stand proud, the Black Phoenix Corporation is unobtrusively settled in a bland and self-effacing two-storey shophouse pinched between two larger edifices belonging to other commercial entities. The exterior of the structure was a clean sterile white, politely devoid of any cracks or structural flaws. Above the steel-reinforced doors of stout oaken, a wooden sign proclaims 'Black Phoenix Corporation' with the corporate insignia of a black phoenix with sapphire eyes fanning its wings, shrieking as it arose in wrath, while wreathed in black flames. A line of neatly printed old Allerian text beneath the insignia, as common on most coat-of-arms, reads 'In IOANNES we trust, but others must pay cash'.

Walking over the arched doorway and up the steps that lead to the interior of the building, a mild surprise awaits. If one expects the same bland, non-descript appearance that marked the exterior of the office to prevail in its interior decoration, that is. Behind the mahogany desk of the receptionist/secretary, a huge blue velvet banner is draped over the beechwood wall with the insignia of the black phoenix, enlarged about ten times. This time, the glaring phoenix was clutching a sword in each claw, with two smaller alicorns rearing to it at the sides. A set of cushioned chairs, elegantly carved in elvish fashion and apparently for visitors to the office circled a small matching table. Fashioned of the same beechwood, a staircase spirals to the working offices on the second storey while a door leads off to a conference room on the first storey just beyond the staircase. Luxurious and expensive Arakmatian carpets draped the floor, with spinning patterns of many muted colors embraided in them. A few weapons of swords and axes were on display, mainly the finest works from the Celestial Fury smiths and heavily decorated, works of lethal art in their own right that smirked as if they had a life of their own. Two portraits were strategically placed close to the visitors' chairs, one depicting the Naturan Musical Conservatory with its nearby scenery, and the other, an artist's depiction of the chaotic Prime fires that razed the cities several months back.

The only visible staff was the blond half-elf behind the desk, apparently busy writing on stacks of parchments until you came in. Petite and slightly hassled-looking, she seems to be a combination receptionist and secretary. She glances up, then offers a friendly smile even as she shuffles quill and documents to a side. "Serale. How may I help you?"

OOC: (INVISBLE TO THE CASUAL VISITOR)

Conference Room
Tastefully appointed in muted colors, with the same Arakmatian carpeting. A long table stretches down the room with chairs lining down its sides. Stained glass windows offer light and ventilation to the room. Business-like and conventional, nothing very remarkable.

SECOND STOREY
Climbing the staircase that leads up to the second storey, one comes up to a roomy corridor. It leads off into 4 rooms on the right side, and one large room on the left. On the brassplates of each of the four rooms, a name is seperately engraved. The last room had 'Reoul Freewind' on the door, the second last had 'Raziel Nightbane'. Presumably, they are the personal offices of the persons mentioned on the wooden door.

The left door opened into a large office, where one garners the impression that most of the work in the office is done here. Desks, with documents stacked on them were everywhere with three clerks working away quietly on the various documents that dealt with the nuances of supply and demand. Black Phoenix Corporation dealt in many kinds of trade, and most of the written orders were for ore, animals, coal and such were routed to this office, handled and paid for, then orders for delivery were dispatched from here again. Income from large sales were also dealt with here in the office, then routinely deposited in the corporate account with the Bank Of Alleria, which had branches pratically everywhere.

Stores under Black Phoenix Corporation management

Celestial Fury Weapon and Armor Emporium (Prime)

Aslan's Arsenal (Under Construction, Riparia)

Darkmoon Forge (Abestat)

Shadow Blade Forge (Medonia)

Shadow Blade Forge (Candaceburg)

Cloud Swift Stablery and Equestrian Supplies (Prime)

Pegasus Glade Stablery (Candaceburg)

Gracewood Stablery (Medonia)

Orod's Tomes (Candaceburg)

Thunderhammer's General Store (Prime)

Uphill Inn and Tavern (Candaceburg)

OOC: Originally written by Skywander.

[Deuce Devonair]

Deuce approached the non-descript building carefully. Its entrance was foreboding and it had an air of secrecy about it, as if it was intended to be overlooked by ordinary passersby. Nevertheless, Deuce was intrigued at what might lie inside its doors. Taking a breath, he pushed into the main lobby. Spying the blond elf, he approached and inquired, "Serale, ma'am. What exactly is this place? Some sort of spy organization?"

[Charlie Wallace]

Belie Wines walked into the Black Phoenix Corporation and surveyed the rich surroundings.

He waited his turn, then told the half-elven clerk, “I am Belie Wines, I represent the Merchant Guild of Prime. I wish to collect the guild dues for the shops you represent in Prime."

Belie admired the huge blue velvet banner draped over the beechwood wall. He said, "The insignia of the Black Phoenix Corporation is awe inspiring."

[Ahana]

Deuce Devonair: With a light and slightly sarcastic chuckle, the half elven woman batted her deep blue eyes and replied, 'No Sir - We're simply a collection of Forges and Merchants represented under the banner of the Black Phoenix.'

Charles Wallace: 'Ah, Belie..' she said, smiling broadly at the entering guild collector. 'It's so wonderful to have the Guild visit us again.' Tossing her mane of blond hair, the woman smiled flirtaciously and withdrew a pre-packaged purse from the upper right hand drawer of her desk then held it out toward Belie. 'I'm Istu.' she said, '..and we ever look forward to your return.'

[Charlie Wallace]

Belie said, "Serale, Istu. I shall report to Guildmaster Carch, the Black Phoenix Corporation remains a friend to the guild.

I will see you in a month. Is there any need we can fulfill?"

[Ahana]

'Nay.' the well-dressed half-elf replied, 'But as always, we are glad to serve the common cause. In a month's time I may yet have need for the guild's promotional services, but for now I fear the Black Phoenix Corporation seeks only the steady business we always count on. Serale until then Belie, fair travels.'

[Charlie Wallace]

Belie took his leave and looked for any new shop signs that migh have sprung up since last month's visit.

[Edwylen D'Feagalen]

Edwylen enter the non-discript building and looked about. He spotted a elf on the other side of the room. He stepped up towards her.

"Serale, ma'am what is this place, also i was wondering about any openings for a job?"

[Qheonor Lescartes]

As Qheonor made his way towards the general market place to purchase some fruits for his new home, he noticed the Phoenix Corporation building.

Intrigued, he stared at the building for one long moment and decided to walk in and enquire if they would be taking job applications. His skills at reading and writing, plus the fact that he was presently a Law and Politics student at the Imperial College might be of use to him here.

He made up his mind to enter and was momentarily surprised at the sumptuos apponitings of the place. A petite blond half-elf was behind a well polished mahogany desk, apparently busy writing on stacks of parchments. She seemed to be a combination receptionist and secretary. She glanced up, then offered a friendly smile even as she shuffleed quill and documents to a side. "Serale. How may I help you?", she said.

"Serale! I wonder if you might be able to assist me. However, let me introduce myself first....my name is Qheonor Lescartes and I just moved into the ciity. I am looking for a job and was hoping you could tell me if your corporation is hiring. It would also be appreciated if you can tell me what exactly your corporation is all about.

As far as skills for the a possible job go, I have excellent communication skills, am quite proficient in reading and writing, plus i have a firm and attentive eye to numbers and detail. I'm presently reading Law and Politics at the college nearby and I need a job to sustain myself. Are there any openings available, please?"

[Ahana]

Edwylen D'Feagalen: 'Serale there Sir, this is the Black Phoenix Corporation. We're a simple group that runs several forges both her and in nearby cities.'

From behind the desk, Istu smiled up at the elf. 'We're not currently looking for any help though Sir, you might try inquiring at the Aedile's. They will usually have a list of what business are searching for employees.'

Qheonor Lescartes: As Qheonor entered, the elf immediately pulled her gaze from the rather mundane paperwork she was doing to address the new arrival. She really was far more of a people person then an accountant. 'Serale Qheonor. I am Istu.' she said with a smile, after taking a moment to work out the man's name. Such an interesting name..

'It's unfortunate..' she went on to say, 'That we don't have any openings at the present. I'm sure a man of your education would be an asset to the company.. but we are simply full.' The woman looked quite chagrined to say so, as if it were somehow a reflection on the company.

[Qheonor Lescartes]

Qheonor smiled at Istu and replied...

"Well, I appreciate your time and patience in answering my questions...I shall have to find a livelihood elsewhere. If a position does arise in the future, please send me a correspondence to my address at the Domicilium"

He quickly scribbled his name and address onto a small piece of paper and handed it to Istu.

"Thank you again for yout time...farewell"

He nodded and left, deciding that he may as well branch the Tavern for a quick drink...

[Deuce Devonair]

Deuce entered the office and walked up to the front desk. "Excuse me, ma'am, but I would like to inquire about the possibility of real estate. I understand that the Black Phoenix Corporation owns several stores in Prime, and perhaps the Corporation would have additional vacant buildings available for rent or purchase." Deuce waited for his answer.

[Ahana]

Istu narrowed her eyes for a moment at the man's question. With Prime the way it was lately, she thought that Deuce was making sport at the plight of those less fortunate then the Phoenix Corporation. Soon enough though, as the glint in her eye revealed, she realized that the man was quite serious.

'Well.' she began, flashing Deuce one of her best smiles. While the half-elf hadn't been hired for her looks, it certainly hadn't hurt. With pale blond hair that travelled the length of her body down to a narrow waist, Istu was more then pleasant on the eye. Today, perhaps to cheer those she dealt with, she wore a gossamer spring blue dress that clung tentatively to the curves of her body.

'We do have some vacant storehouses we could rent, given the right opportunities. Why don't you tell me more about what you're looking to do and what you're able to devote to this endeavor.'

[Deuce Devonair]

Deuce gazed enraptured at the lithe body of the secretary, then abruptly realized she had stopped speaking and was waiting for a reply. Way to be professional, he thought.

"I'm interested in starting a hookah bar, either here in Prime or in one of the Provincial cities, particularly Zerdagia. Perhaps the Black Phoenix has some real estate for cheap rent in either of those locations. I'm planning to grow the tobacco and fruit on a farm in Tirisfal. I have nearly five thousand crowns in capital, and my time would be entirely devoted to the project to get it started and running. What else would you like to know?"

[Ahana]

'..a hookah?' replied the half-elf as she arched a fine blond eyebrow at Deuce. She tried, for a moment, to figure out if the man perhaps just had a strange accent and was attempting to say 'hooker'.. in which case she'd have to direct him elsewhere. The Black Phoenix only ran reputable businesses. Well, out of the front office anyway.

'Have you already purchased the farm?' she asked. 'I think it would be in your best interests to purchase a building as close to your farm as possible not to mention that Alleria Prime, with the current situation, isn't the best place for this type of business. People simply don't have the money.

We do have some properties in other cities and at the very least, our contacts could extend their influence and search something out nearly anywhere. Perhaps somewhere west, where the pox has not yet travelled..'