The Thanal Manor - Offices and Residence of Lord Thane Kyonos Weatherstone

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

The first brightening of the month of Junctior, in the Season of Autumn, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIII Post Fractum, the First Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne

A sizeable manor had been set aside just inside the grounds of the Concordia Incola and designated as the Thanal Manor.

The manor itself had been built in the old traditional style of the more affluent areas of the city. Styled completely out of large slabs of white marble, the two-story residence sat amid an encompassing sea of luscious green.

Two Dwarven guards bedecked in the plain brown uniforms of the Thanal Guard stood on either side of the gateway. On the other side of the gate stood a messenger, a young female Dwarf. Her beard was barely visible. The thick metal surfaces of their battle axes glistened with a threatening metallic aura as the sunlight hit their sharpened edges just so, becoming a visible reminder of the might of the city’s government.

A few old, large trees dotted the big front lawn, but all bowed their glory to the larger, more ancient looking oak standing guard in the center of the circular driveway directly before the entrance to the Manor. A long, well-trimmed hedge bordered each side of the gravel drive, breaking only for a branching side road aimed toward the Guards Quarters and the Stables.

Two more guards stood at the double doors of the Manor, serving both as footmen and announcers if a guest was allowed entrance past the front gate. Their uniforms matched those of the guards manning the gate.

Directly inside the double doors was the main foyer of the Manor. Extending upward the full two stories of the building, a long rectangular yellow-glass window cut through the roof, allowing merry sunbeams to dance and echo throughout the pale stonework and hung tapestries, broken only by the triangular pattern drawn through the glass to hold the pieces together. A border formed out of small strips of black marble framed the foyer like a stony rug, extending underneath the spiral staircase leading upstairs and into the expansive sitting room just at the end. To the left, another pair of darkly-stained wooden doors flanked the tapestry depiction of the Goddess Carmelya, often left half-open to allow a gentle flow of air through and afford a good view of the foyer. Another guard, this time just one, stood by the left door, matching his uniform and weapon to those standing just outside the door that led directly to the office of the Thane.

Inside, the crest of the city of Primus Gaudeo was proudly displayed just above the Thane’s head, standing stark against the coldness of the white marble walls. A thick rug warmed the feet below while two more tapestries of historic events graced the walls on either side of the doorway, adding to the grandeur and formality of the business office of the Thane of Primus Gaudeo.

The Thane looked at the visitor.

For an ordinary peaceful visit, feel free to self-mod yourself into the Thane's office


OOC: Origionaly created by Tiyribi Andares, edited by Keldon and then further edited to fit the personality and relatively simple living style of a Dwarf. Special thanks for the great writing and detailof both Tiyribi and Keldon.

[Grimkate Overearth]

32nd of Junctior, In the Season of Autumn
Era XIII Post Fractum, Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Morning

Grimkate gave himself a day to settle in. His last two gold pieces had been spent on a room at the dingiest, grittiest Inn he could find. Enough to pay for a day or two's stay. He left his hound there as well. In the past, the dog had given him some trouble at official places, such as the Aedile's. He thought it best to circumvent any potential problems, like an allergic Cether for instance, in order to better his chances of making a good impression.

The dwarf's beard was neatly combed and braided, falling down to his chest, with various golden and silver beads tied into the hairs. Atop his head rested a sturdy skullcap, with copper banding around the rim of it and coating the noseguard. Otherwise, he was dressed in blacks, hidden underneath a brown leather jacket whose hem dropped below his knees. Strapped across his back was his large, dwarfen steel warhammer, and in his belt were four throwing axes.

He nodded brusquely to the guards as he showed them his visa and gave his reason for being here: To meet the Thane. It was uncertain whether he'd need to hand over the weapons that were visible on him. Whatever the case, he would make his way inward, once the guards were satisfied, to meet the new Thane.

Eventually he came to the actual office, and once repeating his reasons for being here, was ushered into the office by the guards. Grimkate returned the Thane's stare, and then nodded slightly, "Greetings, Yer Grace." He said with a quick salute. "I was wondering if I could have a moment of yer time?"

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

When the Dwarf entered, the Thane took note that he was well groomed and properly dressed. It pleased Kyonos to have a Dwarf drop in. He had about enough of problems with the fussing and bickering of alien races, meeting with his own kind was a welcome relief. He took note that the Dwarf appeared older than him, an important point in Dwarven society. After a proper greeting, the Dwarf gave a quick salute and said, "I was wondering if I could have a moment of yer time?"

Kyonos responded with a casual salute of his own, pointed to a chair and said, "Set yourself down for a spell and relax, no point standing when you can sit. Take all the time you want, first tell me who you are and what brings you here."

The Thane leaned back in his chair, relaxed and looked at his visitor in a friendly manner.

[Grimkate Overearth]

Grimkate nodded gravely at the Thane's request. Thankfully, in this instance, the chair was actually built for a dwarf. Although the wood it was made of was a bloody, mean comprimise, it was one Grimkate was willing to deal with. If he had things his way with an office of his own, he'd decorate it not only with the Dwarfen race in mind, but with all stone furniture.

Even so, Grimkate couldn't hold it against this Thane for using the wood furniture. Doubtless he'd inherited his office from the seemingly countless elves that had come before him. The dangerously incompetent Elsdragon being one of the more notables.

He took a seat, "My name's Grimkate Overearth, Yer Grace." The dwarf wouldn't go about expounding on his family history, as sometimes was the custom in Dwarfen society. As far as Grimkate was concerned, he was the first of his line. Perhaps even the last, with the way things were going. "I've come to discuss the prospect of service? Perhaps on a temporary basis depending on your needs."

Here came the part where he'd explain his position, and what he'd done in recent eras. "My most recent service was to the city of Paxia. I was in command of the gates and the evacuation of the city during that invasion as a deputy Constable. It was a field promotion, more or less, but I did as well as I could under the circumstances, saving a good many thousands. I would have saved thousands more if that fool Elsdragon hadn't crowded so many into the Citadel." He scratched his beard on remembering that night. The details of the invasion, after the gates were abandoned and blasted into nothing, escaped him. And however much he liked to believe that Keldon had made too many mistakes that night, it wouldn't be right to make further assumptions, even with as much distaste as he had for the elf.

"Since then I've been wandering the Empire with my dog in tow. I've been to Daltina, Taralon, Alleria Prime, and other places," Grimkate looked at the Thane, somewhat relaxed in his posture, "Just adventuring."

He would tell the Thane of specific incidents that had occurred only if the other dwarf asked. He wouldn't inundate him with the details, although he was certain that another dwarf would be very interested to hear about the trials he'd undergone in that abandoned, Dwarfen mine in the Khardran Mountains. Some of the things that had happened to the dwarf in the past eras would seem like madness to hear them aloud, and Grimkate had no intention of making himself out to be a madman in front of someone as important as the Thane of the greatest Dwarfen city there was.

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

Kyonos folded his hands and listened attentively as Grimkate spoke. The Thane nodded in acknowledgement when he gave his name. That was an important matter. So, he wanted to talk about the prospect of service. What a welcome conincidence, here Kyonos was needing to fill spots in the city government. They just might be able to work out something. The Guards and other staff in the Thanal Manor had already been replaced, it was time to to put in his own appointees elsewhere, unless the present holder of a position was deemed as particularly suitable. He wanted Dwarfs but Kyonos would not rule out other races if they were obviously the best available for a given position. Of course there were races he would not consider because they had an ugly history and were not suitable for anything.

Being a Deputy Constable in time of war was experience that could be put to good use here in Primus Gaudeo. Kyonos was favorably impressed and raised his eyebrows attentively. Grimkate's further comments made it plain that he had a dislike for the former Thane of Primus Gaudeo. He had heard about that matter before. Further, wandering around the Empire adventuring was good experience for a prospect.

"Tell me the highlights of your experience in those cities. Then I'd like to know how much you have learned about law of Alleria and any other knowledge or experience you gained that pertains to Government.

"I have found that those of our kind are dependable and will continue with a task until it is done. I expect that as a minimum from anyone who works alongside me."

Kyonos then waited patiently for additional remarks.

[Grimkate Overearth]

Grimkate nodded, and relaxed somewhat in his chair as he recounted what he'd done in the cities he'd been to. "In Daltina it was merely meant to be a vacation, coming off of the invasion of Paxia. There I fraternized with the locals in Dargistown, acquired a good stock of spiced Dwarfen ale from the brewery there... I still have a whole cask left, surprisingly enough… and gave my dog some rudimentary training in obedience while I was staying at a respectable boarding house in Cheapside. At some point during my stay, I was confronted by a mage employed by the then Intendant, who gave me a summons to appear at a private pracenda with he and his wife. Of course, being immensely distrustful of magic, I refused to be teleported. The mage gave me the invitation, and said that I need only present it to the Intendant to receive a future audience. That set me to thinking that I should go, if only to see how I could be of service that the Intendant would ask for me to begin with."

"From there, I went on to journey to the Khardran mountain range, which was infested heavily by orcs and their ilk. Well into the mountains, I came upon a group of goblins that were holed up in some ancient, played out mine. Their initial attacks in the night were easy enough to fend off. I merely crushed the heads of a few of them with my hammer, and that sent the rest scattering. The blasted things actually threw an axe at me, though, and managed to make a crack in one of my casks of ale." There was no need to expound on the effect this had had on the dwarf. To get between any dwarf and his drink meant wrath, pain, and destruction for anyone involved in the deed. "Needless, to say, I hunted them down afterward."

"I actually captured one of their number during that first raid on my camp, and through blunt threats managed to get him to guide me to their hideout, the aforementioned abandoned dwarfen mine and keep." Grimkate licked his lips to wet them, and then continued, "I left my dog behind well away from this stronghold, and once there, my goblin guide led me into an ingenious trap, one no doubt left over from their dwarfen predecessors. After some time of going through the tunnels, I walked through the threshold into a room full of gongs, after which the threshold was sealed automatically behind me. How the goblins had figured it out is beyond my ken. In the chamber was a large orc. It was a simple enough matter to destroy the beast, but once that was done, I came to realise that there was no conventional way to escape from the chamber."

"My imprisonment is a story in itself, rather unbelievable even to my ears, so I'll refrain from relating it, unless you're really intent on hearing it. Suffice to say, my perserverence in the effort to escape paid off, and with a little luck, I was able to break free."

”After that, I merely chased the goblins off, and killed what ones I could. Then I made my way to Alleria Prime.”

”I met the Regent there. For a human, he had an incredible presence, and certainly knew how to speak to a dwarf. I offered my services to him, at which he asked whether I’d take political service or military. Saying that I’d prefer neither, I expressed my interest in becoming an inquisitor. He directed me to the Imperial Judicator from there, where I received an application, to be filled out when I pass a civil service exam.”

”Afterward, I made my way south to Taralon. There I stayed for a time. It was mostly uneventful, until the beginning of this Autumn, when the Prefect announced that there was a madman who’d killed an entire village, who intended to poison the water supply of Taralon. Feeling a debt to a city so important to the opposition of orcish expansionism, I accepted the mission. I and my fellow investigators made headway fairly quickly after that.”

”Once that was settled, I made my way here, having arrived at Primus Gaudeo on Selhaim day.” Grimkate looked at the Thane, wondering if at this point he’d think him a mad, dishonest fool.

As to the dwarf’s requirements for employment, Grimkate nodded firmly, ”And you should come to expect more, not less, of me should I enter your service. As for my knowledge of the law and ways of government, I only have working knowledge of the Annarian Code, gleaned while I was a lower level Constable in Paxia. I was all set to learn about the Articles from the Prefect before the invasion happened.”

OOC: The Event in Taralon concerning the poisoned water supply isn't concluded just yet, but I think it's safe to say that it ended harmlessly, if not successfully for Grimkate. Would probably be best if I didn't mention it at all, but I don't want it to seem like Grimkate was idle while he was there. Sorry for the super-long post.

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

Grimkate related some interesting experiences and a good bit fighting was included. That was good. In the normal course of a Dwarf's life, several fights now and then are to expected as a way of life. The Dwarf's attitude toward Orcs pleased Kyonos as well. The last thing he needed was another Orc lover in the Province. The Lieutenant Governor was more than enough, much more than enough, but that was something he had to live with. Kyonos was not about to have a City Official who did not recognize that Orcs were and abomination. The only drawback about Grimkate that Kyonos could see was that he would most likely leave if offered a position as a Inquisitor. But......., the Thane could not hold ambition against him so he decided to offer him a job.

"I'm in need of lots of help right about now, but it has to be people I can trust. It is easier to put trust in a Dwarf than in other races. More important you not only know right from wrong but you're ready to right a wrong. I'd like to have you as Prefect of Primus Gaudeo. If you accept, get yourself a copy of the Annarian Code and the Articles of the Imperium. Go to the Articles and memorize the responsibilities and authority of a Prefect. Then you study both books so's you know what you're doing. Might be good knowedge if you end up being an Inquisitor.

"Do you accept?

"Any questions?"

[Grimkate Overearth]

Grimkate thought for just a moment. Prefect of such a great city, and a predominantly dwarfen one at that, was a high honor for a lawman such as him. While he wasn't sure he was quite experienced enough to do the greatest job he could, he couldn't rightly turn down such a boon. The prefect as he understood it didn't see much action in the way of fighting, but that was well enough. Grimkate didn't back down from a fight ever, but also didn't go actively seeking them. It was a bit more political than he was wanting, but he supposed in positions of importance that aspect couldn't be easily avoided.

"I'd be honored, Yer Grace, to be the Lord Prefect of this great city." He said with a rare but subdued grin, "I most definitely accept."

"I have a question or two, however." Grimkate said, turning grave ever so slightly. He needed to feed his dog and himself, obviously, and be able to afford shelter. And that required a steady salary. He'd also like a little extra than that, to save for a house of his own, and possibly more to set aside for other personal projects. "How much will I be paid, and when and where do I start?"

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

When Grimtake accepted the assignment it was cause for Kyonos to smile just a bit as well. This was his first appointment and much to his satisfaction it was a Dwarf. Kyonos was not about to perpetuate what was going on before, that there weren't qualified Dwarfs to fill the important appointed jobs in Primus Gaudeo, hogwash!

He noticed the bit of a smile from Grimkate when he said, "I'd be honored, Yer Grace, to be the Lord Prefect of this great city." He said with a rare but subdued grin, "I most definitely accept." They ought to get on well enough to get things done. The questions that followed were reasonable enough, to the point and pertinent. The Thane replied, "Well, first things first, the pay is 200 crowns per cycle. You don't have an expense account but you don't have to pay for office supplies from your own pocket. I haven't been by the Prefect's office so it's up to you to find where it is. That ought to easy enough for the one who is charged with doing the investigating in this city. You start right now."

Kyonos got up and extended his right hand. "Congratulations Lord Prefect. The job is yours to do as you see proper, but when you want, do drop by to tell me what I ought to know. Take care with the Lieutenant Governor. Though you work for me and not for him, be careful with him. He takes offense pretty quick if somebody doesn't agree with him. And he's quick to point out that he's the boss. Just follow the Annarian Code and the Articles of the Imperium and do what's right, then you won't go wrong."

[Grimkate Overearth]

Grimkate was surprised that the pay was so much. Honestly, he'd been expecting half that. Even so, the dwarf was sure he'd have to earn every crown of it, as high a paycheck as it was. The responsibilities of the Prefect were many, being the essential head of law enforcement and highest judge, barring the Justicar, in the city. He'd have to get the low down from the rest of his compatriots, and soon. But first he'd need to find that office. Shouldn't be too hard, just follow where the guards are going.

Grimkate nodded as he shook the Thane's hand, and then the red-bearded dwarf gave him some advice. The dwarf took it gratefully. He'd heard of the announcement coming from Centripax, of the welcome of orcs. What kind of bloody fool would do that was beyond Grimkate's understanding. It was an idiotic act worthy of the name Elsdragon, if nothing else. Grimkate wouldn't be surprised if he found out that Elsdragon and the Lieutenant Governor were close. Birds of a feather flock together, afterall.

"Aye, that I will. Thank you Yer Grace." And with that, the dwarf left, seeking to fullfill his duties to the city and acclimate himself to the role of Prefect. But first to find that office!

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

Good enough that the Prefect was forewarned about the Lieutenant Governor. This was a chance for the Dwarfs in the Province to take control of their own destinies and it would be counterproductive to stir up those who were now in power any more than he had already. Wiser minds that his had chosen to become part of the Allerian Empire and there is where their lot lay.

As Grimkate left, Kyonos felt confident that he made a wise choice. Now he hoped that others would come forth to serve as well. The new Thane would feel a lot more comfortable with city officials that were appointed by him rather than holdovers from the Elven Thane. Loyalty was important to Dwarfs and Kyonos was no exception. He not only wanted city officials who would loyal to him but he realized the loyalty that was due to those in the Provincial government. It was the way to maintain order. He did not agree with having alien races ruling over Dwarfs but that is the way it was and until more Dwarfs were properly appointed to take the place of the others, that is the way it would be.

Kyonos got to his own copies of the Annarian Code and the Articles of the Imperium and studied them.

[Kyonos Weatherstone]

Well it was an interesting experience. albeit an extremely short one.
Kyonos took his few belongings and moved out.