Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-13615389-20160629224326/@comment-13615389-20160707042425

Admiral Avik's villa was a beautiful two-story compound made of a mixture of stained marble and hardened clay. The man wasn't known to be bragadocious, and although his home was large, it reflected that humble quality in him. The architecture was simple and rectangular, with simple bands of dark brown capping off the top of the building. The windows were large and curtained by a simple baby blue fabric; perhaps linen, or cotton, but not silk. The true beauty lied in the area it was built. It was a lovely green in the general area, lined with palm trees and potted ferns. The back of his villa overlooked a white sand beach set up with chairs and small area with other such furniture. A rather large dock was set up there as well, with both the tall masts of The Scorpion and The Emperor's Hand visible over the tan structure. The presence of both flagships meant that both admirals must've been present already.

After a moment, a man not dressed in the attire of the rest of the guards came forward and approached the gates. The two men standing there uncrossed their spears as he arrived, letting him pass through. "This is Dhovom and the Dinals, yes?" Kane nodded in response. They looked convincing enough. He likely saw Kane and Ramol as the brothers, and Brandon as Dhovom. "The admiral has one bodyguard present already, so he began the meeting without you." The man continued. "Right this way please, and try not to disturb him."

The Redguard guided the trio through the cool interior of the villa up to the second floor, only allowing the pirates a brief moment on the clay tiles of the first floor. They finally stopped at a small balcony overlooking the docks. Admiral Avik and Admiral Ocarus sat at opposite ends of a long table as the curtains at the balcony's doorway billowed in the gentle wind.

Admiral Ocarus was a tanned Imperial, his skin leathery and weathered from years at sea. He wore a regal red and gold uniform, stiff and adorned with stylish epaulettes. The brass buttons on his outfit were done up flawlessly, and his left chest was adorned with a wide variety of crests. At his side stood four bodyguards, all wearing a mixture of red and silver body armour.

Admiral Avik looked similar, though generally more weary and a lot less extravagent than his Imperial counterpart. His skin was an earthy ebony, sagging and wrinkled. His square-jaw bore a series of small scars across its left length, leaving one to wonder how such a peculiar scar is earned. Avik's uniform was a lot more simple, a mixture of orange and tan beige. It looked rather similar to the barred officer uniforms that the three impersonators wore, but the symbol conveying rank was a tad more remarkable. The strangest thing, however, was the one man who stood behind the admiral, likely acting as the bodyguard mentioned earlier.

There was something strange about this man, something... Haunting... He stood completely upright; his stance flawless. The man's hands were held behind his back as he looked on intently. He wore a mask similar to those of the dragon priests’ of Skyrim. It was smooth, almost as if it was handcut by an expert jewelsmith. Most of it was a rich brown colour, the area around the eyesockets a dark grey adorned with a beautiful spiraling design. Two tusks stuck out of the ridges of the mask's mouth, a light brown decorated with an enchanting pattern. However, the most engrossing part of the entire mask was the eyes. Black, gaping, and endless; it was like staring into the void itself. The rest of his face wasn't visible either, as it was covered by a black hood bordered with gold. The rest of his armour was partially concealed with a black robe, but it was almost entirely made of a combination of dragon scale, and dragon bone. To top it all off, he wore an amulet of Talos over it.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">There was something about him that deeply unsettled the trio, but Kane hesitantly guided them over to stand next to him nevertheless. The man didn't even turn to look at them as they took their place by his side. Admiral Avik gave a slight nod towards the three, before turning back to Ocarus.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Ah, seems the rest of my security detail has arrived." Admiral Avik spoke.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Was <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">he <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">really necessary?" Ocarus said, gesturing to the mysterious masked man. The enigma in dragon armour barely reacted in response.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Ah, yes. The Dragonborn and I really saw eye to eye during our last discussion." Avik replied. "Konahrik respected how Hammerfell fought back the Dominion rather than rolling over like the Empire did. And I respected his one-man crusade against the Thalmor." The masked man turned to Avik, but said nothing.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Konahrik is a madman, Avik. Does Hammerfall harbour terrorists and criminals now?" Ocarus snapped, not all being fond of the Dragonborn; apparently named <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Konahrik <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Settle down admiral, or my men will make you." Avik spoke in a stern and commanding tone. "The Dragonborn was just a little extra security, that is all."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Very well. Let's return to the matter at hand then." Ocarus looked back to Konahrik warily, but eventually pulled away and looked back to Avik.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"The conflict must be concluded as soon as possible," Avik continued, "My people are still recovering from their battle with the Aldmeri Dominion; we don't have the strength to deal with you as well." Ocarus nodded slowly.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"I understand, Admiral. But allow me to remind you: I am not your enemy. I have never <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">been <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">your enemy." Ocarus replied, "And I don't wish to be. I wished to meet with you so I could propose an alliance, or, at the very least, a truce."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"And the very least you shall recieve." Avik immediately said, coldly. "I refuse to assist you in your misguided endeavour. That would be a waste of time and resources." Ocarus grit his teeth. "No, allow me to remind you, <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">old friend, <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">" The way he said it implied contempt. "Though you are not my enemy, you are not my ally either. I offer you this truce solely because my hatred of the Aldmeri Dominion trumps my distaste of the Empire. It is the lesser of two evils." The Redguard admiral settled back in his seat.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Avik-- Admiral," The Imperial corrected himself. "I know you want the Aldmeri Dominion out of your waters at all costs, but wouldn't working with us get you that result sooner?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"I'm not willing to sacrifice my men for you, you know that."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"You don't have to fight with us, just tell me what you know of the scroll. The sooner we have it, the sooner this whole crisis is averted." Ocarus replied in a calm and methodical manner, leaning forward in his seat.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"I don't know much of the Elder Scroll you seek, but I can offer you the council of someone who might." He called for one of the men who stood at the balcony's threshold to come forward, and whispered something in his ear. After a moment, the guard retreated into the villa. "She is called Tiana the Seer." Ocarus remained silent, waiting for Avik to finish. "She... Is not quite <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">there <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">, but as you might have guessed, she has visions. A connection to the Abecean unlike any other. She's a mystic who resides in the deep bayou swamps of Cespar, in a small wooden shack at the mouth of the Tengai River. She may not seem like much, but be wary not to underestimate her. Tiana has... Powers."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"What kind of powers?" Ocarus asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Dark magic, and an ability to see things others can not." Avik said, speaking in a low voice. "But... At the cost of her sanity. She's a fickle being, and is very selective of who she speaks with, but I have a solution." Just as he finished his sentence, the guard from before reentered the balcony carrying a small parcel, which he placed in front of Ocarus. "A few of my men managed to have a peaceful talk with her. She enjoyed their company and offered them this little trinket in return. Bring this to her, and she'll know that you come in good faith.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Ocarus passed the parcel off to one of his men and nodded in gratitude towards Avik. "And you think that she'll know something about this scroll?"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"If anyone would know, it would be her." Avik replied confidently. Ocarus grinned in response. This would be his ticket to getting ahead of the Aldmeri Dominion in this race.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.89;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">"Thank you, Admiral. It's been a pleasure working with--" Before Ocarus could finish, a hail of cannonfire rained down upon the villa, killing several of the men stationed in the back. Avik and Ocarus quickly took cover along with the others.

"Inside, now!" Avik shouted, rushing everyone on the balcony back indoors in the brief moment of silence.