Thread: Playing the Game [ Chai & Razgriz ]

RE Along Came Trouble Ariamella Razgriz Magic. A force mystified and shrouded in myth and superstition for so many years. For the children, the stories served as tales of wonder, of how it helped great heroes accomplish impossible feats to defeat the vilest forces of Darkness. For adults, it was often a tool to scare their juniors into compliance, telling of how those who knew it would corrupt them of the 'good' in their hearts. And for these reasons, those of the magical persuasion sought to fled as their colleagues, friends and lovers were hunted and persecuted. The mass killings in Salem, the Reformation in Central Europe, and that bastard King James of Scotland were but a fraction of the atrocities committed against magic users. With this, the magically attuned formed their own society, their own government quickly being established as the Council of Ten. Under their leadership, the society grew and grew, becoming more and more advanced at a pace that would make even the development of electricity seem a cheap parlor trick. And like any society, there were social rungs, not unlike those of Victorian England. There were the rich elite, the royalty, the middle class and the poor. Then there were the Dregs, a class of magic users all their own. Though many of them were very skilled a large number more so than even the Council of Ten, it was in fact this extreme power differential that contributed to them being feared and respected at the same time. The Dregs were often looked down upon as criminals and utter undesirables, better sentenced to life imprisonment or swift execution rather than a chance at a normal life. And it wasn't unfounded, not entirely the majority of 'Dregs' were caught using their magical talents for crude experimentation and nefarious plots rather than working with the governments of the world and their own people to help solve real-life problems. In other words, menaces to society aptly described them. And like every society, it was these bad apples that gave even those with the best intentions a bad name, and from there anyone who earned the label 'Dreg' was beyond even the lowest of the low, a true bottomfeeder. In the beginning, the governments of the world performed rough-shod 'Dreg hunts' in attempts to lure these warlocks and witches out and eliminate them, using the power of their own arcane masters alongside normal human soldiers to accomplish their objectives. The results were far less than satisfactory For every Dreg eliminated, twenty to forty 'good citizens' died. In the end, the Council of Ten coincided with the powers of the 'normal' world to construct specialized detention centers. And with this, a message was sent to the Dregs Remove themselves voluntarily from society and be provided with a modest but comfortable place to reside, or continue to be hunted without relent. Naturally, there was next to no voluntary enrollment who in their right mind would sacrifice their freedom just because some stuck-up bureaucrat didn't like the idea of magic users more powerful than them? No one, that was who. And so the hunting continued, the Council of Ten even going so far as to recruit Dregs to bring down other Dregs in exchange for lighter sentencing when andor if they were captured. It was a nasty time, and those who were imprisoned became incredibly violent and angry. Some so much so they were executed almost instantly it was clear another solution was needed. One issue that was accounted for but underestimated in its severity was the buffer effect these rouge elements had Many of the Dregs had in fact taken the role of paid mercenaries, hired on occasion by local town governments to quell threats to their prosperity. With them removed, these warring factions rose again, monsters attacking peaceful settlements and criminal elements vying for control of key cities. In an attempt to re-balance, House Durante brought forth to the Council of Ten a new policy Council Order 2209 - D.I.R.T. Dreg Initiative for Reintegration and Tenancy. Under this act, strict timetables and provisions were set in place such that if a 'Dreg' could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that heshe was not a threat to society, the prison warden was authorized to have them become an 'agent of the Council', performing incredibly dangerous missions in lieu of their own forces. Because if a Dreg died in the line of duty, it wasn't like there was a shortage, a replacement could always be found. After a trial run, it was found to be incredibly successful and became widely adopted, much to the chagrin of the select elite. Those who performed well enjoyed certain perks, like extra cell accommodations and better food. And from there, once a certain period of service was attained and should no incidents of crime against the general populace be found committed, the Dreg would effectively earn their freedom and allow them to become full-fledged members of society. Some even earned their freedom through contracts with important families to serve such roles as a bodyguard, a house apothecary, or a resident scryer. However, even with these hopes of eventual release, there were the select few who were deemed far too dangerous to ever be released. They were still rewarded, though to a lesser degree than their 'less dangerous' counterparts, and often had fewer and consequently even more perilous missions. As such, they were also often imprisoned at the very bottom, and in exceptionally well-warded prisons like Periculosus. One such individual was Ricendithas Wolfswift, sometimes known simply as 'Ric'. In his cell he sat on his haunches with his limbs bound in heavy chain, his clothing consisting of a heavy black cloak with strange bluish-white sigils lining the sleeves, black poly-blend shirt and, pants and strong leather gloves and boots. The magic-canceling sigils that lined the chains and walls glowed with active suppression, bathing the man in an eerie light. The hood of his cloak concealed his face, but thin silvery tendrils of hair could be seen from beneath the edge. And he would not stir as Alexei pounded on the glass, remaining utterly still despite the jarring strength of his hammering. Wolfswift! I know you can me, pizda! Today's the day! Lorencio looked to his friend, Is he sick or something? Alexei just grimaced, No, he's just being stubborn. Pounding again, he bellowed, Ricendithas! Wake up! It's for your contract! Just then, all three of them would hear a voice, Oh, come on, Alexei...Must you be so loud? Lorencio and the Warden both turned to see none other than the warlock himself standing behind them. What... mouthed the Russian, looking back to see the warlock still crouched inside. How did you.... he started to say, Ricendithas pressing a finger to the Russian's lips with a wicked grin on his own, Shhh, let's not spoil this moment with words. The only thing I want to hear...is the sound of this pretty little lady screaming from the thralls of bliss. His visible eye, the iris a vibrant piercing green, gave him an aura that sound would consider borderline psychotic. Lorencio immediately stood in front of his daughter, You won't lay a hand on her, animal...Alexei, I thought you said this prison was secure! Now, the Warden was not a man easily frightened under most circumstances, but with HIM out of confinement he had reason enough to be scared. Ricendithas took one step forward, Lorencio shouting Rejicio! and thrusting a palm forward, a beam of light shooting out and piercing Ric in the chest. As it faded, the warlock was left with a hole in his chest, eye staring down at it. Alexei looked back at his friend, Lorencio himself even in shock that spell wasn't supposed to be lethal, not even close. Even under duress, the most it would normally do was give someone a sore chest for a while. Ric then looked back up, eye glinting with delight before wordlessly dissipating. Only silence remained for a moment, before long a low laugh resonated throughout the hall. All eyes then went to the man in the chains, his voice muttering with glee. Got you again, Alexei. The Russian's expression turned from stupefaction to indescribable rage, Wolfswift, you goddamned little...I should just let you rot in there! Ric just chuckled, I've been rotting here for a while now...But even so, I know I won't be for much longer. You can try to tell me all you like that I can just be left here...But I know better. Mister Durante here will see to my release. Won't you, Lorencio? Ric then peered up, his uncovered eye looking right at his daughter, And you must be Ellastaria Durante...My apologies, you prefer Stella, right? Suits me fine. You can just call me Ric. His grin grew even wider, Yes, I can see why your father is going through so much trouble to protect you. You're a prize. Now it was Lorencio's turn to be annoyed, Be silent, Dreg. You might earn your freedom through me, but we have means to ensure your cooperation, and to keep your hands where they belong. Away from my daughter. Ric sneered, You wound me, Mister Durante. I would never dream of hurting such a lovely young lady. Unless she's into that sort of thing, hahaha. Alexei then spoke to the Italian, Lorencio, you and I are friends. Please, I beg you, choose another. A woman, perhaps. Sydney is two cells down, and she's quite skilled in potions. Would make for an excellent house doctor. Ric then piped up, Would also give her an easy means to poison poor Stella without anyone being the wiser. Lorencio's brow furrowed, No, from the stories I've heard and the people I've talked to, this man is one of the best there ever was. I want him...Now get him out of his cage. Alexei sighed, snapping his fingers such that an iron key appeared out of seemingly nowhere, sliding the object into a spot where a keyhole normally would be. He then placed his fingertips on the surface and muttered 'Aperta', the glass door sliding down and allowing himself access. Te obliges intra corde tuo fortitudo mea Alexei then stated firmly within seconds, the chains freed themselves from the walls and wrapped themselves around the warlock's form. Surge et sequere was his next statement, Ricendithas' form rising a few inches and starting to follow him as he backed out of the cell. Kinky, kinky, Alexei...And here I was starting to think you were too vanilla for this sort of thing Ricendithas joked, giving the princess a wink as they started to make their way back to the warden's office for the final 'checkout'.