[Warning, incoming game. Warning, incoming game.] [Date: Tuesday, Ramuh 3rd, 1360.] [It's a good three or four hours after lunch. Dorn recieved his summons earlier that day, and presuming he's following through on his application, is on his way to the councile's hall-type-thingie. Dorn has also filled out and possibly sent in the paperwork that went with the summons, which included a waiver and a note to say be prepared for anything. The sky is clear and the weather warm, and there isn't much else going on.] [A female moogle is at the podium in front of the door, looking bored as ever and playing with her jewelry.] [Session Start!] * Dorn stops in front of the podium, wearing his usual monochromatic outfit with his glaive over his back. "Excuse me?" * The moogle looks up, and blinks. "You would be... Dorn Ahlatt, correct?" I am. * The moogle smiles. "Step right in then! The council's waiting, kupo. Good luck." * She goes back to doing what she was doing before... which is not much. * Dorn walks around the podium and through the door, trying to stay stonefaced. [The council is sitting around a large U-shaped wooden hardwood table. From the left to right you can make out Mog, Penn Lak Illich, Loren Hasgord, Squenix Knackstedt, Cid, Gwesus Masahcarey, Ran Dom Iffin, Yarksetnik Czretzinger, and Darell Racht. Each of them observes you appraisingly, and a few whisper among eachother regarding what they see. Light is centered on you, although you can still see the council.] [Behind you and to the left is a small sparring area, and back and to the right is what appears to be the magical equivalent of a firing range. There is still a good amount of blood in the sparring area, which may or may not disturb you. Once you have entered proper and have had a seat on the chair at the focus of the U, Cid stands up and starts into one of his speeches.] * Dorn takes a seat, leaning the glaive against the chair. Greetings dear friend, and welcome! By brining your presence here, you are attempting to join a rank of people that many, but not all, can become. Though it may be difficult, it is necessary that the most able youths go out and obtain myrr, to keep the village safe for another year. This means that your faith and loyalty to the town will be put to the test, and you shall gain insight into a world that you've only seen or read about. I certainly hope you're up to the challenge, as so ma- * Ran Dom yawns rudely, as signalling something and cutting off Cid's speech. Excuse you Ran Dom. As I was saying, as so ma... A-, oh, that actuall-... Mog, could you please begin? * Mog smiles at Cid and nods. "Kupo, thanks Cid!" He flies over to Dorn and takes a closer look, peering at the application then at the larger- than-him Dorn. "You say you want to see the world and your father. Why do you want to do that, kupo?" To learn more about myself and improve my skills. Why do you want to do that? I don't want to be content knowing only one place and the things it can offer me. Does that mean you would be content knowing only one place and the things it can offer you? Or could be, kupo? I.. don't think I could be. So, why couldn't you be? If I stay in one place for my entire life, I'll never know if there's a better place for me. * Mog sounds a little exasperated. "Kuuupo." He thinks for a little bit. "What would make a place better for you than Sanriem? Why would you want to leave our town?" * Dorn places a hand on his chin. "I.. don't know. It isn't that I don't like Sanriem, just that I'd like to see other places too." * Mog flies back and hands the papers to the next person. "I'm done, kupo." * Penn Lak picks up the papers and looks over them and smirks a little. "Not much of a writer, are you?" * Dorn shrugs. "No one's perfect." * Penn Lak sifts through the papers. "Okay, I've got a question for you. Given the the option, would you rather have immortality, invincibility, invisibility, or omnipotence. Why would you pick the one you chose, and what would be the first set of actions you would use with your power apart from trying it out?" Also, keep in mind that by taking one, you permanently exclude yourself from the other three. Invincibility, and I would.. probably go about my business comforted by the fact that I couldn't be killed. Why? Because taking advantage of my newfound power would probably lead to being ostracized. * Penn Lak blinks. "Could you expand on that, please?" By making a public spectacle of my ability, people would have extreme reactions, which would inevitably include accusations of being evil or a monster. It would be a lot of unwanted attention. * Penn Lak shrugs. "Okay, I'm done. Here you go Loren, knock yourself out." * She passes the papers to Loren, who looks over them. * Loren puts them down. "Many people have different reasons for trying out for the caravan, and you want to see the world to see if there's a better place for you. I would like to ask you, then, why you don't simply join one of the other caravans that passes through every once in a while. They usually have extra provisions and supplies." Why go through the pain of trying for the crystal caravan when you can have a much more painless process with one of the merchant caravans that travels through every so often? It's a challenge and a noble cause. Why do you wish to accept the challenge? I've heard that you've shown profeciency in use with a poisoned blade, which I must admit isn't very noble in itself. Still, you want to go on this challenge, which as you've said yourself, is noble. Is there another reason? Or am I just spouting something that doesn't make sense to you? Poisoning my blade isn't ignoble. I make no secret of it, and it improves my chances of victory. As for the challenge.. because it's there. * Loren nods slowly. "Okay, I have no further questions." He passes the papers on to Squenix, who has been staring at Dorn for the entirety of the audition. * Dorn has noticed, but doesn't seem to mind. * Squenix looks up at the light, then back at Dorn. She points down at her schematic of a fish (made out of cashews) and picks up one from the tail fin. Holding it out, she asks. "What is this?" ..It's a nut? * Squenix offers him the cashew. * Dorn shrugs and takes it, not yet eating it. * Squenix passes the papers to Cid. * Squenix is still staring. * Cid takes the papers and rummages over them. Do you like working with others? Thank yo-- ..ah, yes. I do. * Cid glances back at Squenix, then talks to Dorn again. "Don't mind her, really. You do! Well, good. Because if you get on, you'll be doing a lot of that. Why, back in the day when I was on the caravan, we did everything as a team, ran around, played sports, pulled pranks (nothing permanent, might I add), Ah, those were some good times... O-... Okay, Um, what were we talking about?" Working with others. Ah, of course. How would you work with someone you don't like or argued with you a lot? Not as well as with someone I did get along with, but I would put my dislike aside. Suppose you were given a choice of someone who was better at a task but you didn't like them, or someone you really enjoy company with and isn't as talented at the task. Now, you have to work with whomever you choose. Which would you pick? The person better at the task. It isn't a pleasant choice, but it's the best one. * Cid nods. "Yhy?" (Err, Why) Why is it the best choice? Because even though I might enjoy the work more with the friendlier person, it would be better if done with the unfriendly one. * Cid nods and passes the papers, taking a seat. "Thank you, Dorn." * Gwesus starts looking through the papers. * Gwesus spurts as she reads through, and just passes the papers on. "I have no questions." * Ran Dom rolls his eyes and looks through the papers. "Ah, I see... Hey, Dorn, I'd like to ask you something. Let's say there was a giant worm that tormented a village and desired a virgin sacrifice from the villagers, and you were one of the ones eligable for this sacrifice. To what lengths would you go to keep yourself from being selected?" I'd try to kill it. ( "I'd find a nice girl and..." "EW!" ) (It'd totally work.) * Ran Dom shakes his head. "For this instance, let's say that is not an option." (No comment. ~_^) If it meant saving the life of another and I couldn't kill the worm.. I'd allow myself to be sacrificed. * Ran Dom nods and has a seat. He passes the papers down. "Quite courageous of you. Not terribly wise, but courageous." * Yarksetnik takes the papers and puts them down, not bothering to look at them. From somewhere he can't discern, Yarksetnik's voice can be heard: "You have the heart of a warrior, but is fighting your first instinct?" No. I would attempt to talk down a sentient foe if they tried to attack. * Yarksetnik nods and looks through him. After a few moments, she ceases and passes the papers down. (Meanwhile, Squenix keeps staring.) * Squenix does do that. * Darell glances over the papers... "So, Dorn, you're half-Selkie half- Lilty? Those usually don't work out. How do you feel about your family, if I may ask?" I.. don't have any opinion on my father's side. I do love my mother and sisters a lot, though. * Darell nods. "That's good. Which side's your mother's and which side is your father's?" Selkie and Lilty, respectively. * Darell nods. "Did you get along with other lilties, or anybody else for that matter, when you were younger?" I had some friends, some lilty, some others. * Darell nods. "Are they still your friends, or have you lost them and made others?" I keep in touch with a few of them. * Darell smirks, then starts to pass the papers to Gwesus. She sneers at him, and he holds onto them then. Okay, now comes the second part. You say you're strong and physically adept as a person. Could you display that to us in some manner? We can provide props if needed. (Replace that smirk with a smile.) * Dorn stands, shouldering the glaive. "Hm. Fighting dummy?" * Gwesus gets up and walks forward. She mentions back to the council. "I've got this." Whenever you're ready. * Gwesus assumes a guard position and awaits for Dorn to try and attack her. * Dorn takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, centering the spear in front of him and touching the butt to the ground. First step on the Path of the Dark Sword.. Initial technique, Darkblade! * Dorn snaps into a ready position as motes of black energy flow up his arms and into the blade of the serrated glaive, eyes focusing directly on Gwesus. * Gwesus murmers a quick protection spell right when Dorn does that. A brief black barrier springs into force around her as she raises her guard. * Dorn lunges forward, springing into the air and bringing the darkness-infused polearm around for a mighty slash at Gwesus. * Gwesus keeps her guard raised. The barrier blocks the dark energy easily, and she losely holds her polearm, sliding back a few inches. After letting the power clash for a second, she pushes Dorn's weapon back *hard*. "A dark knight, hmmm? I remember... I remember one I used to know." * Dorn is flung backwards, managing to backflip in midair and land on his feet briefly before falling to his knees. He's breathing hard and supported by the now-mundane glaive. * Gwesus's field dissipates and she's standing, unharmed. "You're a merchant, right?" She throws him a small, slightly-flawed ruby. "Try selling this to the council." * Dorn catches it and pulls himself to his feet, straightening his clothes and wiping his brow. * Soon after she does that, she murmers softly and motions at Dorn, who is briefly covered in a soft blueish-greenish glow. He feels considerably better than before. * Dorn nods in thanks to Gwesus before buffing the ruby up slightly with his jacket and taking on a tone of voice a few octaves lower and noticeably warmer. "This perfect specimen comes from the Nenva Caverns and the personal horde of its ice-dragon guardians. It was discovered in 475 when the caravanners took a wrong turn and, in a sequence of exciting events, left the caverns two members short and several fortunes richer." It is said that it was the crown jewel of the dragon queen's tiara, and is a steal at three hundred gil! * Cid nods. Mog seems to buy it up, but Penn Lak is there to hold him back. Darell nods and asks. "Are you talented at anything other than fighting and selling items?" I can brew poisons and I'm a fairly good judge of character. * Darell nods. "There is one more test that you must endure before your audition is over. Gwesus, Squenix, he's all yours." * Gwesus walks over to the training area with all the blood and motions for Dorn to enter. While he does so, she talks. "As you know, caravaning is dangerous, dirty work. And as such, it is likely that you will, at least once, pay the price with your life. Sometimes... forever. It is important that you know how it feels to do such a thing so you know the concequences of both your failure, and the decisions you make." * Dorn starts walking, pauses when he hears Gwesus, and takes off his jacket and shirt. Both are neatly folded and laid on the chair, before he walks into the arena. Are you ready? Yes. * Gwesus assumes an attack position. "Very well." * Gugnir's blades glow for a moment. In less than an instant she's in front of Dorn. Using her spear in a smooth motion she sweaps him off his feat with the butt-end, then uses the blades to throw him in the air in a spin. Impailing him three times in quick succession, she then throws the spear through him on the last attack, jumps up and grabs the spear, then drives it home and through his horizontal, prone form on the final hit. * This lands Dorn in a nice crater in the floor of the arena. * Dorn is very, very dead. (Wow. My mom sure is a bitch.) (She KILLED YOU.) * Dorn, after what seemes like an eternity of nothingness and emptyness, returns to life. He first sees Ran Dom looking over him. In particular, he's got that gem in his hand. As Dorn looks around, he notices the headache and pain in his chest, as well as Gwesus cleaning blood off her spear and some of the other council members around you. Squenix is playing with cashews. ..That hurt. It does, don't it? Now get yourself up and clean off those pants as much as you can. I can give ya another pair if you need. I must say you take death a lot better than most. * Dorn stands and nods, making sure his necklace is okay before walking over to the chair. Am I done? Yeah you are. Don't go tellin' this to anyone... And between you and me... * Darell whispers to Dorn. "I think ya got Gwesus really mad. I haven't seen her use *that* in a long long time." * Dorn sighs, slipping the jacket on and placing the shirt under his arm, spear on his shoulder. "Of course." * Cid butts in. "Ah, yes, that is all. Are there any other questions you have?" No, thank you. Good luck then. [Session End!]