Know thy enemy

[Malkaer Andares]

Timestamp: Imperos 13, Autumn of Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV PF.

Alyssan strategy lessons had taught the former cadet much on all aspects of war; from defense to offense, sieges and logistics; every subject was covered in the thick tomes of the manuals. Armed with this knowledge the proud esh’lahier had thrown himself in the conflict between the Enamorian cities, led by Daltina, and Malice. This eventually resulted in the disastrous defeat of Enamoria’s combined militia forces and an uneasy, informal truce between the province and the dark stronghold. During Malkaer’s imprisonment in the Malicean dungeons he had a long time to think over his actions, faults and education.

He came to the conclusion that while the knowledge the Alyssans had imparted in him was valuable, there was a considerable difference between war fought in the classrooms within Midpoint’s strong walls and war fought in reality. A good many theoretic rules of warfare were just that: theoretic. While perhaps they granted one a greater insight in the conduct of war they did not tell which decisions were to be taken in specific campaigns.

One such rule was the following, Malkaer dictated as had once done his teacher, Captain Sakura: ‘Know nothing, never win. Know thyself, win half of the times. Know thyself and thy enemy, win always.’ There apparently was no room for chance in strategy, which was Malkaer’s main argument against it, but there certainly was a degree of truth in the sentence.

The pale elf thought he knew himself reasonably; his virtues and more importantly his vices, strengths and weaknesses. His knowledge of the enemy was however sorely lacking. His unfortunate visit to Ire demonstrated this amply. What moved the orc? What did it like or loath? How was their society constructed? Apart from grand generalizations and stereotyping, Malkaer realized he was clueless about this green race. Thus on this morning the elven Thane set out to a place of knowledge, the Deangela Library. Hoping of course that his findings on the orcish race, their culture and society, he could make more accurate estimations of their leadership’s actions. To defeat an enemy one had to be one step ahead of him, was another strategic anthem.

Flanked by two bodyguards Malkaer entered the serene building, while more took post outside the library. “Serale Master Librarian”, Malkaer greeted the gnome. “I am Lord Andares”, if that had not been clear already, since there were not many powerful esh’lahier elves in the city with a large vertical scar on their faces. “I seek whatever knowledge this establishment has of orcs and the city of Ire. History, culture, language, society... everything.”



OOC: The library: http://www.playbypost.com/forums/taralo...a-library.html

[Gauls]

The gnome gave a stern look toward the esh’lahier as he entered. "No doubt this one is gonna come in here an' mess up my books." He mumbled to himself.

Just as Malkear stepped up to the counter Robin was at the gnome's facial expression changed to a pleasant look. "How may I help you?"

After listening to what Malkaer needed, the gnome rested his chin in his right hand as the highly personalized filing system Robin had ran through his head. "Hmmm, touchy subject. This library is not so big as you can see. Not many books especially on races you don't see in this city." robin paused for a moment then his eyes shined. "Ah! yes, yes... there is but one book related to orc culture here. Probably not gonna find another here but there is a fella over there at one of the tables with the brown cloak that has some knowledge of orcs in general. He was a ranger and was captured way back long ago. Walking book he'd be!"

Robin rolled off the chair he was in and lumbered over to a small bookshelf that was in a far corner of the room. Luckily the book was on the lowest shelf and so the gnome did not need any height aides to reach it. All the books on the shelf this time were arranged by whether there was a title on the spine of the book or not. Robin ran his finger across the book spines until he spotted it. Pulling the black hardcover book from its spot in the shelf, the gnome read out loud the title:
http://www.playbypost.com/forums/cultur...ish-games.html

Returning to Malkaer, he handed the book over.

[Malkaer Andares]

No doubt anything orcish was a subject of controversy, but on the other hand the academic type of people generally cared less about the opinion of those outside their enclosed world. There were scholars that could speak with great ease about the horrible subjects they studied. For this the were always skeptically received by the common people, let alone the clerical class.

One book was still a bit of a disappointment. The Thane had already ordered his assistants to clear all official records in the Thanal (and in secret, the Provincial) chancelleries with little result. With his grey blue orbs Malkaer shot a glance at the fellow with the brown cloak. Having first hand experience at being captured and imprisoned, the former ranger could count on some sympathy from the esh’lahier. One problem was that a former captive was extremely coloured in his opinion, while the Thane was actually looking for somewhat objective information. A chat with the lad might still give some results though.

The elven lord inclined his head and accepted the book with a white gloved hand. “Thank you Master Librarian.” There was something morbid about the black hardcover and simple title. Orcish Games… something told Malkaer they were very different from the games he played as child. With a graceful movement of his elven fingers he opened the book to read the introduction.

A white eyebrow was raised when he finished doing so. “Interesting… do you have any more works by this author, or perhaps something on him?”

[Gauls]

Robin looked upon Malkear as he read. Curious as to why this esh’lahier was so interested in orcs and their culture. Robin couldn't fathom ever wanting to intentionally learn about such a foul race much less keep books about them.

"No my Lord. This particular author was in fact eaten by orcs as I recall from a friend of mine that was a cousin to the author's sister's grandmother. Nope, not gonna find anything else on that person... nope, none."

It was an odd reply. Robin's eyes shifted from side to side as not to look the esh’lahier in the eye. Gnomes were famous for hording things especially things that they found precious or important to them and not wanting to share those things or the knowledge that they even have them with others. Robin's eyes were telling that he had something, perhaps something really interesting for Malkaer. Trying to get it out of the gnome was a whole other matter.

[Malkaer Andares]

The esh’lahier shook his head slowly. To lie to an experienced deceiver as this shadow elf required some more talent. “Eaten by orcs hmm?” On top of that, ever since Malkaer’s first sorcery lessons by a gnome master of arcana the Thane had come to dislike the little creatures. Their stubbornness to share information and conviction of being intellectually superior to ‘big nobs’ were frustrating qualities. There were people who thought gnomes to be harmless, or even cute, but the pale elf did not fall for these little buggers.

“That is too bad then… it would have pleased me to find out more… and you know pleased Thanes are always far more generous than displeased Thanes. Unfortunate that the poor man could not have finished more work before being eaten…” Perhaps the prospect of a reward would entice the librarian to lose his tongue. If not Malkaer would approach the man with the brown cloak and put some more pressure on the gnome later.

[Gauls]

An eyebrow perked up on the gnomes face as Malkaer spoke but was still unsure about handing over one of his prized possessions to a shadow elf. Surely they cannot be trusted being of the same darkness as the orcs themselves.

"You know, the widow of the author did have a memorial fund that one could contribute to. Yeah, a memorial fund. If I was to put a good sum of crowns into the memorial fund... uh... vault, then I might find something in there that would interest my Lord. But, I cannot go into the memorial fund vault unless I was puttin' money in there. Just wouldn't be right otherwise, Diana rest that poor soul."

Robin truely believed that he was covering his tracks well. He began to scribble upon a parchment as if not to care one way or the other if Malkaer paid the crowns or not but shot a look up at him once in a while just to see if he was buying it or not.

[Malkaer Andares]

Antipathy towards ‘dark’ races was never that great that it could not be overcome by a good bribe. As a matter of fact money could get many things done. Most beings on Telath would gladly sell their own mother if the price was good enough (and pay if you took the mother-in-law as well). Intimately aware with the euphemisms that accompanied incorrect payments the esh’lahier put on a serious face.

"A memorial fund..." Malkaer nodded. "Yes, it does seem a noble goal to support the intellectual heritage of a great author like this one." The elf reached in his cloak, searching for a hundred crowns banknote; the city paid for these sort of expenses anyway. Upon finding it he slid the note across the counter. "May he find peace in Ioannes' Kingdom..."

[Steve]

The Gnome took the banknote and deftly slipped it into one of his pockets. The city just did not pay the librarian enough to maintain the standard of living he felt that he deserved. Thus he needed to supplement his income whenever the opportunity presented itself. The amount he received from the Thane was adequate to merit special treatment.

"Should there be an interesting work in the Memorial, this donation would be adequate to secure it for you. The widow will indeed appreciate this tribute to the memory of her late husband. I will go when the first sun rises on the next brightening. I expect to return with something on the following brightening."

[Malkaer Andares]

Malkaer had not expected the vault wherein the special works were stored was located somewhere not in the library building. It made him a little suspicious, but he did not expect someone to run off with a mere hundred crowns. “Two brightenings from now…” the Thane pondered, trying to remember whether he had an important appointment on that date. “I will either return myself or send a servant”, he decided to be safe. “Serale.” Nodding at the gnome, the esh’lahier turned to leave the library, but before he did so remembered the ranger the librarian mentioned.

He passed Orcish Games to one of his servants and walked slowly towards the tables where he spotted the brown cloaked man last. Having been a prisoner himself on more than occasion Malkaer it might be difficult for the former ranger to talk of his captors, but he would try nonetheless. First, if the man was still there, Malkaer would look if he was reading a book.