[Location] Sherian Serpents Conscription Center

[Malkaer Andares]

Along Sherital Way stood a building that many respectable Taralonians would fondly remember. Until a freak dominatrix accident some eras ago which bankrupted the owner of the establishment, the three storey building served as the most prominent brothel in the entire Sherian Confederation. It is rumored that no small number of Adam Du’Galle’s bastard children were conceived within these walls as well as a L’Evienne or two. When the building was revamped in the early Summer of Era XIV many citizens were hopeful that The Five Roses was back in business. Alas it was not to be. The central location, large entrance hall and many rooms of the building meant that it would serve excellently as the conscription center of the new provincial army, the Sherian Serpents. Make War, not Love was to be the building’s new motto. A large, golden plaquette above the main entrance left no doubt to the building’s purpose:

Sherian Serpents Conscription Center

The center was a busy place during office candlemarks. The entrance hall was stocked with young Sherian men called up for service. They were waiting to be tested by a physician after which they would receive their military visa. Meanwhile many clerks scurried about the balcony which looked over the entrance hall. These scrawny fellows determined how many healthy recruits every region, town and village had to provide to serve in the provincial army. Occasionally a recruitment team of robust men dragged in someone who tried to shirk military service for the greatness of Sherian.

It was altogether a lively place, except for one area of the conscription center. Stuck in the left side of the entrance hall there was a desk above which was a small sign which read:

Volunteers report here

Clearly the prettiest secretary of the building occupied this desk. The girl’s curly blonde hair was like the golden threads of a monarch’s mantle and her skin of the purest alabaster. With her lips and cheeks rouged and dark eyes in which a man would drown, she would have made a fortune in The Five Roses. This job was not too bad either, as there was little to do and a lot of time left for managing her nails and peeking at handsome recruits.




NPC’s:

Secrets : Name: John Ramekins (Captain Ramekins) Function: Highest ranking officer of the conscription center Race: human male Age: 50 ordinations Skills: Some organizational skills. He does well because of the respect he demands in the eyes of the Sherian population. Appearance: Has the look of a seasoned veteran with grey hair and muddy eyes. Even without the scars on his this man would have been ugly in his younger years, Mannerism: Short, military like. History: John Ramekins was one of the Golden Scales’ more accomplished members and has been recruited into the new provincial army. While loyal to this new institution, his heart will always remain with the Scales. Name: Vanessa Ilivre Function: Secretary of the volunteer desk Race: human female Age: 20 ordinations Skills: secretary skills Appearance: A true Taralonian beauty with curly blonde hair and dark eyes. Mannerism: Vanessa is a tease. Despite her young age this woman manages to wind men around her fingers unlike any other so that they join up before realizing what they are getting into. (Vanessa gets a bonus for each volunteer who applies). History: Daughter of a surprisingly ugly Taralonian middle class couple. Name: Slifter Bodkins Function: Medical tester of recruits Race: human male Age: 39 ordinations Skills: professional doctor Appearance: Does not look very healthy, which may turn off some recruits who have to go through his tests. Bodkins has greasy black hair and walls under his eyes. His white trench coat looks clean though. Mannerism: Bodkins is a dull man who is often depressed about his station in life. Nevertheless he does his duty with precision, although some on the work floor expect him to ‘snap’ some brightening. History: Once a promising med student in Aelyria Prime, he became an alcoholic after his love turned him down and married some rich strumpet from Candaceburg.

[Drake Blackthorn]

───«»───
Brightening Orodisia
Fifth Cycle of Optia
Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XIV Post Fractum
───«»───

It’d been somewhat quiet during his patrols as of late, it could be said that was one of the reasons he was here; although there were many reasons for him to be there.

Being a member of the Golden Scales was fulfilling in its own way, but he’d heard rumors that the new army would have better pay which is what led him to the bustling Conscription Center. Drake did feel a bit discouraged to find that the area for signing up was barren, aside from a little eye candy; he wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. However, he didn’t let it deter him from getting a better paycheck and possibly helping out the people of Taralon which had been his home for quite a few cycles.

The pay had better been higher.

“Serale, I’m here to volunteer.” The half-elf stated flatly, his face as impassive and stoic as ever; he really had to work on those people skills.

[Malkaer Andares]

As usual Vanessa had little to do this brightening when Drake showed up at her desk. She put the pocket mirror away with which she was just checking whether she had applied her eyeshade correctly this morning. Her attention was now fully with the potential recruit and the half-elf received a warm smile. “Serale mister, I have a form here. If you would please fill that out…” She handed Drake a pencil. The form read:

Sherian Serpents volunteer recruitment form
Fill in all fields

Name:
Race:
Age:
Place of birth:

What position are you applying for:

- Light infantry (archers)
- Basic infantry (pikemen)
- Heavy infantry (swords- and macemen and halberdiers)
- Administrative position
- Leadership position

The Sherian Serpents cannot guarantee you will be placed in your preferred section. If you are applying for a leadership position you will be interviewed by an officer to test your skills of leadership.

Detail your skills and/or prior experience which you believe are helpful for the Sherian Serpents:



Explain why you would like to be part of the Sherian Serpents:



Thank you for volunteering for the Sherian Serpents.

While Drake was filling out the form he heard Vanessa sigh dramatically and mumble: “Why is it always the pretty ones that have to go…”

[Blayde]

Aperitus; Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate

The formidable building of the recruitment center was now within his sights. Having found a suitable location for his tent, he had constructed it quickly, and then set off again to find the recruitment center. Its central location, coupled with the Stable hand's excellent directions, and had been easy to spot.

Walking in confidently, Blayde brushed past volunteers, staff, and clerks alike, busily working to help make the province's army project into a well-managed machine. From all points, Blayde could tell that the Army project was indeed in a building state, still not yet completed, at least not from the looks of it. Indeed, if it wasn't for the signs and orderly lines, it would have been complete chaos within the building.

One sign was marked for volunteers, leading to an uncluttered area for signing up. An attractive woman sat at the desk, and though Blayde was indeed fond of beautiful ladies, he left no indication upon his face, allowing only a cold facial expression.

"Excuse me, Miss. I have a few questions. This provincial army interests me greatly, but I've found no information about it. Do you know who is in charge of this operation? And how much does the pay go - specifically, Captain's pay?"

The girl just shrugged, not knowing answers for either one of his questions. Heh, guess this girl is just paid for looks Blayde thought, an annoyed look crossing his face. Leaving the counter, Blayde sought out one of the clerks, asking for information on where the men could be trained. After a few moments, he had all the information he needed.

A wry smile formed, as he realized that he was skipping the bureaucratic red tape of joining, and instead, was going right to the source.

[Drake Blackthorn]

Name: Drake Blackthorn
Race: Kemite-Nimâlni
Age: 33
Place of birth: Medonia

What position are you applying for:
Light infantry

The Sherian Serpents cannot guarantee you will be placed in your preferred section. If you are applying for a leadership position you will be interviewed by an officer to test your skills of leadership.

Detail your skills and/or prior experience which you believe are helpful for the Sherian Serpents:

Other than being a Makaz in the Golden Scales for a few cycles, not much experience other than that

Explain why you would like to be part of the Sherian Serpents:

It seems to be a logical conclusion for any Golden Scales member, when it comes to protecting the Citizen’s of Taralon, pre-emptive is better than waiting for the enemy to breach the walls. I see this merely as an extension of the job I have been serving so far.

Thank you for volunteering for the Sherian Serpents.

As Drake completed the form, he wondered if maybe he should have written something heroic or pleasing to the brass in his reason for joining. The half elf also couldn’t help being curious at the young receptionist comment, was this also a part of the recruiting? He’d have to be careful from now on, for if they were this desperate to recruit men, than what other ploys they may have up their sleeves.

“Here you go,” he handed the sheet back to her. “I am certain I filled out everything properly.”

[Malkaer Andares]

Blayde

Not used to such a cold stare from a member of the other gender, Vanessa was dumbstruck for a moment. As soon as she gathered her wits she fumbled for a chart with the payscales of the Sherian Serpents which she was sure had to be in one of these drawers. “The Governor is in charge of the army, but he has yet to appoint a Commander to see to the brightening-to-brightening running of the army and command it in action”, the secretary said, but as she looked up noticed her words had been directed at air. “As if you qualified for a Captain’s position!” Vanessa yelled at the white haired figure that was just leaving the building. Obviously the guy was not from these parts, or he would not be so rude.

Drake

“Thank you mister… Blackthorn”, Vanessa said as she accepted the form and read his last name out loud. “Yes this is fine.” Drake’s reason was solid; even in her short time as receptionist the girl had seen quite a number of outrageous reasons or lack thereof. “There is one more thing the Serpents have to know, mister Blackthorn. What is your marital status?” The human girl cast her eyes downward on the form and her cheeks slightly flushed. “This is… -ahum- an older form, wherein that question has not been included yet.”

[Drake Blackthorn]

"Single, so there is no need to worry about benefits in case something happens to me in the upcoming war." Drake surmised that this was why they wanted to know his marital status, and when you thought about it, it would be much better to recruit people who were unmarried or without family; it meant less fuss after everything was said and done.

[Malkaer Andares]

Of course that was the reason Vanessa had informed about his marital status. She wrote it underneath the form along with a number. “Very well. If you have no more general questions you can proceed to the medical inquiry.” Smiling she added: “I’m sure an ex-Scale qualifies, so don’t you worry.” Somehow a lot of the men that passed her desk feared doctor Bodkins for some reason. She pointed at a double door at the end of the busy hall. Above the wooden doors a sign read “Medical examination”.

[Drake Blackthorn]

Drake looked over to the doors Vanessa had pointed, before looking back and giving her small nod of his head. "Have a good day, hopefully we may meet again." He turned away from the receptionist to visit with the good Dr. Bodkins, or at least that was the plan, he'd never met a doctor before so he had no idea how one would be. Though there seemed to be an air about the Dr. that would unsettle someone who took notice, unfortunately Drake wasn't one of those people, and entered the examination room.

[Malkaer Andares]

“Hopefully, hun.” Vanessa smiled as she watched Drake walk to the examination room. Another job well done.

The examination room had been the party lounge of the old brothel and was a spacious hall. The old woodwork of the room spoke of luxury, but the fine brightly coloured sofas had made way for sturdy benches and tables with doctor’s materials. Not that the most gruesome surgical items were displayed here. This place was no hospital after all, the common man’s nightmare location.

A mature adult human dressed in a shabby doctor’s uniform whom insistently scratched his unshaven chin was in charge here. A few other recruits were waiting before being tested. As Drake entered the room he was ordered by the man to strip to his underwear and join the line.

When it was Drake’s turn he had to step forward upon which the examinator repeated the same steps as the half elf had seen him doing with the other recruits. First Bodkins checked Drake’s body for irregularities*. Then he measured his length and asked him to stand on scales. All information was meticulously noted down on a chart. Meanwhile the human tried to start up a conversation: “So what’s your name lad? Which section do you want to join?”



* Describe if you have scars or missing toes or any other remarkable physical features.

[Erhıne]

2nd Brightening of Winter, Era XV PF

The directions given to her by the aedile were direct and, although Erhıne was no city girl, she found them easy enough to follow. So they were called the Sherian Serpents...

The place looked extremely busy, which the elf supposed was due to the upcoming turmoil. Taking a moment to read the sign for volunteers, Erhıne stepped up to the blonde woman and made her request in plain language, without mincing words, her foreign accent as strong as ever it was: "Serale. I would like to enter service here... my name is Erhıne," she withdrew her visa, just in case it was needed, "And I have some skill with the staff." She nodded at the staff which she carried. All in all, she considered her chances of being accepted fairly good - particularly since this place seemed to be in need of a few good hands.

"I would prefer it if you had some sort of place for me to stay, as well, however." The aedile had been encouraging on that point, and Erhıne hoped it was true. Later on, she'd get the details of the situation, figure out what was going on in the countryside, and try to seek out some leads to her family. But first things first - right now she had to work on getting herself a place to stay and some crowns for food.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Erhıne

It wasn't every Brightening that Vanessa had a person of the same gender standing in front of her desk. Taking a deep breath she prepared herself, although being the sweetest thing every man who stepped in her office had ever seen she had always wondered how it would be to try it...with someone not of her gender. That would have to wait obviously as she had work to do, but her soft smile and seductive blinking eyes would still be there.

"Serale, m'lady. To enter service in the Provincial Army you will need to fill this form. Lodging is given in the Barracks of the Training Fields, just outside the city."

Sherian Serpents volunteer recruitment form
Fill in all fields

Name:
Race:
Age:
Place of birth:

What position are you applying for:

- Light infantry (archers)
- Basic infantry (pikemen)
- Heavy infantry (swords- and macemen and halberdiers)
- Administrative position
- Leadership position

The Sherian Serpents cannot guarantee you will be placed in your preferred section. If you are applying for a leadership position you will be interviewed by an officer to test your skills of leadership.

Detail your skills and/or prior experience which you believe are helpful for the Sherian Serpents:



Explain why you would like to be part of the Sherian Serpents:



Thank you for volunteering for the Sherian Serpents.

[Erhıne]

Vanessa's bright eyes and bright looks were lost, however, on the grey elf. Even if Erhyne had any idea what that young girl was trying to do - and she didn't even pause to think about it - her idea of "pretty", and Vanessa's idea of "pretty", probably differed very widely indeed. It took a grey elf to appreciate grey, colourless skin, dark hair, stocky builds, and indelicate features. Then again, humans and other elves generally looked too skinny, too pale, and too delicate to Erhyne; so all in all, they were even.

With painstaking slowness - reading and writing common was still difficult for the grey elf, who had just learned the basics of those skills a few eras ago, and didn't much like practicing them - the Nimalni filled out the form the girl had given her.

Sherian Serpents volunteer recruitment form
Fill in all fields

Name: Erhyne ShuLytaem DUrhan
Race: Nimalni elf
Age: 102 ordinations
Place of birth: Sherian, outside of Vers

What position are you applying for:

- Basic infantry (pikemen)


The Sherian Serpents cannot guarantee you will be placed in your preferred section. If you are applying for a leadership position you will be interviewed by an officer to test your skills of leadership.

Detail your skills and/or prior experience which you believe are helpful for the Sherian Serpents:

Intermediate skill in staff and basic skill in dagger. I have fought before, but not in the army.



Explain why you would like to be part of the Sherian Serpents:
My home is in Sherian. I have heard of the unrest and the orcs, and would like order to be restored for the good of all. This is a worthy cause.


Thank you for volunteering for the Sherian Serpents.

Having finished, Erhyne silently handed the form back across the table to Vanessa.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Erhıne

The young girl stopped playing with her hair when the Elf woman handed her the form back. Apparently she hadn't been able to create a little spark of interest on this Erhıne, too bad. But at least she would have all the male recruits she wanted, as long as they were pretty and not crippled.

"Thank you..." Vanessa said while taking the form and placing it in the top of a pile. Seemingly she wasn't taking care of them, just piling them so someone could take the forms later. "Now procceed to medical examination. It's that door over there."

The examination room was a big one filled with tables and wooden benches where some simple medical tools were displayed. A group of recruits lined in front of a man with a shabby's doctor uniform.

"Take out your clothes and wait for your turn to be examinated."

Said the rispid voice of a man standing next to the door. Some whistles followed her actions and some men stared at her with open mouths until it was their turn to be examinated.

"Brute and rude peasants, don't mind their manners. Just be careful on where you choose your bunk in the barracks, lass. Now...do you have any malformation? Any desease I should know about?"

The doctor said after pulling her by her arm to a more private corner of the room.

[Erhıne]

Erhyne nodded and moved over where the girl pointed, looking with some interest around at the rest of the men there - it appeared she was the only woman, at least for now. It didn't make her particularly uncomfortable - not until the doctor asked her to take her clothes off, at least, and the rest of the (presumably naked) recruits began hooting.

The grey elf was no prude, but she had a good share of modesty derived from a very private lifestyle. Though it was not for any provocative or sexual purpose... but it still, it made her feel a bit awkward, and she set a stony, unblinking face as she untied the straps that held the simple smock around her waist and at each elbow. When this was done, the sack-like cloth of its own volition slid down, and Erhyne bent to pick it up, holding her things neatly in front of her chest and keeping her facial expression studiously rigid. If the other men wanted to make a big deal out of it - that was their problem, and their folly. The Nimalni quashed her sense of shame with a force derived from long ascetic practice.

The only thing she was still wary of, then, when the doctor got to her, was the tiny tatoo of a tarot card with a sunburst in it on her hip. It was hardly likely that the doctor would know what it was: it probably looked like no more than a fancy design to anyone who didn't know its true meaning. But for a second the Nimalni would look at the man curiously to see if he had any reaction to it. It had been a long time - many eras - since she'd met with another Brother of Maj. She almost thought that they might have forgotten her, or fragmented themselves... but there was always some slight chance that the tell-tale signs that marked her as one of them would be recognized.

He seemed to take no notice, however, and with a slightly twinge of disappointment or relief - she couldn't clearly make out which - the elf nodded as the doctor told her to pay no attention to the men and choose her bunk wisely. If she had to put up with such ignoramuses in the Serpents, she certainly would.

"Nothing... no." Erhyne replied to his questions with a slight shake of her head. Hers was a sturdy race that didn't get sick easily; Erhy couldn't remember the last time she'd felt poorly, at least since she'd been a child and prone to such things as children were.