Getting to know Brux

[ehren]

"Well, I guess you'll be tagging along with us for awhile. I don't think we've been introduced formally. I am Mes'yall [can't remember how to spell my own name...], these are my brothers -Mal, and Maw; who of course needs no introduction!" (points to them as they are named).

"I don't know what you've heard about our adventures, but we are some of the few who have taken the fight to the Enemy. We have dispatched many a Horror spawn, and foiled many a dark plot. We are trying to figure out who is behind some attacks on some poor villagers, by beasts possessed by Shadow spirits."

(delivered openly, honestly, but probably a little like a boring lecture)

[Sveja]

Brux nods to Mes in acknowledgment, "It is a pleasure to finally meet the three of you. Brux D'anathen. I've heard some of the stories - I could probably tell you some that you haven't even heard before." He cracks a half-smile, wryly. "You seem to do good work."

The name should sound familiar to Mes, the D'anathens are a family of fading glory tied to the Verdants. There are stories and rumors about the death of Brux's mother involving horrors (some say that he was cut from the womb of his mother who was slain by a horror, and that it only allowed the unborn child to live because to bear a powreful mark that shall present itself at the right moment!). He is known as damaged goods among the upper crust, and as the doom of his family.

Publicly he's known as a Blood Guard (a favor to his father), and as a quiet poet and songsmith.

[Mawaris]

"Oh, so you know some stories we haven't heard? Have you heard anything of the fate of William Panache?"

[ehren]

"yes! i hear that is a particullarly good story."

[ehren]

"While we are walking, I'd like to hear those stories." (or, preferably, write them up and post them as journal entries)

[ehren]

"We've got a few minor stories, that might interest you... Maw, do you remember the time (insert a couple of times we wittnessed the bllod guard conducting questionable buissness), you tell it better anyway."

intent is still not confrontational, just want to know what could have been going on, or if there was a more plausible explination than the blood guard are a private army carrying out horror tainted orders or personal vendettas. ie, looking for good in the blood guard, or to get brux a good reason to leave.

[ehren]

"ah, Brux, I do recognize the name in conjunction with a poem (mes recites it), but what brought you, a poet into the blood guard?"

[Sveja]

The bloodguard offers an amused smirk in response to Mes’ enthusiastic questions. He doesn’t turn his head – in fact his body language has barely existed since he was first encountered in the street. There’s something of an orderly unkemptness in his appearance, the slightly shaggy black hair that despite an apparent lack of attention still appears groomed, complemented by dark whiskers that hovers between laziness and an intentional beard. Yet, at the mention of his poetry the smirk shifts into a smile of undisguisable satisfaction.

“It is a good question, Mes’llayah.” He chooses to use the full formal name, not wishing to presume the familiarity of the others.

“It is unfortunate that one’s passion, and one’s calling do not always overlap. I must say that I am deeply pleased that you have heard, let alone remember, that verse. It is an honor you do me, one that is most welcome.”

“We have a difficult mission. Horrors are subtle things. Their tendrils have a way of wrapping around events and people, making the webs they weave difficult to untangle. This makes combating them difficult, and sometimes confusing. I will not claim that all of us are purely motivated by the desire to protect Daiche – you can take my partner Vranoff, for example, who is more interested in finding opportunities to prove his strength. But, by and large, we do not compromise in our mission: failure means the end of Daiche, and all that we have struggled for, something we are well aware of."

“I can assure you, if we had lost sight of this goal I, and many like me, would no longer serve.”

[ehren]

"Well do I know the conundrum of which you speak. For, I feel torn as well. While I feel called by Garlen to heal the sick, and donate many hours to their care, Warrior, Wizard, and Scholar also call for my time. It is a delicate balance. But, Warrior is not some brute seaking death, he is a caring defender of the innocent. Wizard and Scholar, even though some see them as didactic, also care for people... they choose to focus on protecting the mind and perserving the history; the soul of society if you will... which is why I believe Garlen has called me to those paths."

"It is sometimes difficult for us... for as the saying goes, "Who watches the watchers?" There must be adiquate checks on power, so that we don't fall to despotism - the first step and an easy path to the Enemy's victory."

[Sveja]

"No doubt - the Blood Guard are answerable to the Council. And to those truly aware of the threat we face." Brux turns his head toward Mes, the slightest smile curled on those lips, and a somewhat unsettling look in his eyes. "If you were our foe, where is it you would most want to spread your influence?"

He returns to looking ahead as they continue to walk forward, "On that we are agreed."

[ehren]

"I think on both counts we can be agreed. Both that the blood guard must be watched, and the council, or its agents should do some of that watching."

[Sveja]

"Your suspicion is understandable. however, I would rather not let such inward navel gazing cause us to lose sight of the true threat. Politics is nothing compared to that which dwells in shadows: searching for each crack and fracture in our defenses.

"We are here, together now, with that one aim in mind. I suggest we let that be the focus of our united effort."

[Sveja]

Reconsidering Maw's question Brux draws his fingers down his beard. "That is a name I have heard before. A playwright, perhaps? Traveled some, I believe among humans and dwarves. I've heard these journeys referenced in the past. Though I suspect you know all of that and more if he's someone of interest to you?"

[Mawaris]

"I certainly know that much. I'm interested in what became of him. Everyone has a theory. Everyone. What do you think happened to him?"

[Sveja]

Brux smirks for a moment, and replies in that tone that makes it not quite entirely clear if he is joking, "Knowing Playwrights? Probably walked into the wrong kind of bar...."

[Mawaris]

"Ha! Good answer. I will remember that one."

[Mawaris]

* Mawaris thinks, and hums quietly to himself a little *

"Yes, that will be a popular one. I'd break into song but that might draw undue attention at the moment."