(no subject)
Name: Vladimir Taltos
Age: in his mid to late twenties
Series:The Dragaera novels by Stephan Brust.
Job: Assistant to the HR Department.
Canon: In a world not unlike the European Renaissance meets the fantastic, complete with tall, skinny pointy eared elves-known as Dragaerians-magic, and at least seventeen types of winged flying lizard things, where after a time of war and strife, peace and happiness abound and life in the Dragaerian Empire is beautiful and perfe-okay, not quite. Racism is everywhere, Easterners-or as we know them, humans-are second class citizens, the mafia thrives "secretly" under the noble house of the Jhereg, and assassination is still a criminal but viable career move and a human resources strategy in one.
Vlad is an Easterner who works for the primarily Dragerian House of the Jhereg, going up the ranks from collections to area boss and occasionally an assassin for hire in five years by dint of hard work and stubbornness. He'd also like to credit his strong curiosity and intelligence, but they seem to get him into trouble just as often as his questionable sense of "humor". But for all that he's a violent, cynical career criminal, Vlad's not a totally irredeemable person: he likes to act like a gentleman born; he's got his own skewed ethical code; and he's mostly polite as long as you're polite in return. Even to Dragaerians, whom he hates for being repressive assholes towards all Easterners.
Revivification is the term for the resurrection of the recently dead--which doesn't work if person's soul is made unavailable by spell or other means, such as a Morganti weapon. Anyone caught by the Imperials as an assassin will executed permanently without appeal, and because of this, Vlad frequently negotiates his jobs on behalf of "his friend".
The apper is taking Vlad from sometime shortly after the end of Tekla and before the start of Phoenix. Permission was granted by Biz for...well, you'll see.
Sample Post:
You are the Gorilla?
I was sent here by a "friend" on behalf of another friend, to do them a favor if you catch my drift. I'm looking for a retainer of Lady Elizabeth, of the house of the Speakers. But things look a little busy here. I can come back later if you're-done? You didn't need to hurry on account of me. I'm a patient man, I could have waited. He's over to the left? Thanks. Oh, and word to the wise, chum? Lose the fake pointed ears. I don't know who you got to sell you those, but I've never seen an elf with facial hair, let alone with all that purple stuff on your face. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen someone's ears start dissolving on them. You're better off wasting your money on the toucan fights, trust me. Or even just a pair of pants would be a step in the right direction.
Loud Speaker, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Vlad Taltos, here on behalf of a mutual "friend." "He" sends his apologies, but he's a busy man, so I agreed to help him out today. I hear that you might have a man with a speech control problem in your group of associates. Someone who keeps spilling the details on your plans for the lake? I agree that information flow is the key part of a successful enterprise and should be controlled carefully. Loose lips sink ships, as they say on the Adhrilanka docks. I'm more than happy to let my friend know that you have a real problem on your hands. I'm sure my "friend" can manage to find enough time to talk to this Soft Speaker. Make sure he can't speak freely to anyone except on the Paths of the Dead.
Here are my "friend's" preliminary terms for the job: five thousand gold when it's done and passage out of this barrier for us both at the end of the job. Not that my "friend" doesn't trust you, but you must admit that your defenses are legendary. My "friend" is also going to require more information on what Soft's like, and the more personal touches you might want. I assume you want him done unrevifiable, and yes, I'm sure my "friend" can make it stick, no matter how good this "Moogle" is with her revivification spells. Unrevifiable and in public? That will be extra for the risks incurred, you realize. And no, I don't think "my friend" needs to bring anything Morganti into this, unless Soft's spilling more than just information. You're tying my "friend's" hands if we can't bring any more people for legwork, so "he's" going to need names, dates and details on Soft: what food he ate last, where he sleeps, who he's seen with. Where he talks.
You have some preliminary notes? Let's see...mm. Wasn't expecting this sort of information up front, but I think I see something in here that could work... You do know my "friend" charges extra for breakups, Loud Speaker?'
IN. (46/6)
Age: in his mid to late twenties
Series:The Dragaera novels by Stephan Brust.
Job: Assistant to the HR Department.
Canon: In a world not unlike the European Renaissance meets the fantastic, complete with tall, skinny pointy eared elves-known as Dragaerians-magic, and at least seventeen types of winged flying lizard things, where after a time of war and strife, peace and happiness abound and life in the Dragaerian Empire is beautiful and perfe-okay, not quite. Racism is everywhere, Easterners-or as we know them, humans-are second class citizens, the mafia thrives "secretly" under the noble house of the Jhereg, and assassination is still a criminal but viable career move and a human resources strategy in one.
Vlad is an Easterner who works for the primarily Dragerian House of the Jhereg, going up the ranks from collections to area boss and occasionally an assassin for hire in five years by dint of hard work and stubbornness. He'd also like to credit his strong curiosity and intelligence, but they seem to get him into trouble just as often as his questionable sense of "humor". But for all that he's a violent, cynical career criminal, Vlad's not a totally irredeemable person: he likes to act like a gentleman born; he's got his own skewed ethical code; and he's mostly polite as long as you're polite in return. Even to Dragaerians, whom he hates for being repressive assholes towards all Easterners.
Revivification is the term for the resurrection of the recently dead--which doesn't work if person's soul is made unavailable by spell or other means, such as a Morganti weapon. Anyone caught by the Imperials as an assassin will executed permanently without appeal, and because of this, Vlad frequently negotiates his jobs on behalf of "his friend".
The apper is taking Vlad from sometime shortly after the end of Tekla and before the start of Phoenix. Permission was granted by Biz for...well, you'll see.
Sample Post:
You are the Gorilla?
I was sent here by a "friend" on behalf of another friend, to do them a favor if you catch my drift. I'm looking for a retainer of Lady Elizabeth, of the house of the Speakers. But things look a little busy here. I can come back later if you're-done? You didn't need to hurry on account of me. I'm a patient man, I could have waited. He's over to the left? Thanks. Oh, and word to the wise, chum? Lose the fake pointed ears. I don't know who you got to sell you those, but I've never seen an elf with facial hair, let alone with all that purple stuff on your face. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen someone's ears start dissolving on them. You're better off wasting your money on the toucan fights, trust me. Or even just a pair of pants would be a step in the right direction.
Loud Speaker, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Vlad Taltos, here on behalf of a mutual "friend." "He" sends his apologies, but he's a busy man, so I agreed to help him out today. I hear that you might have a man with a speech control problem in your group of associates. Someone who keeps spilling the details on your plans for the lake? I agree that information flow is the key part of a successful enterprise and should be controlled carefully. Loose lips sink ships, as they say on the Adhrilanka docks. I'm more than happy to let my friend know that you have a real problem on your hands. I'm sure my "friend" can manage to find enough time to talk to this Soft Speaker. Make sure he can't speak freely to anyone except on the Paths of the Dead.
Here are my "friend's" preliminary terms for the job: five thousand gold when it's done and passage out of this barrier for us both at the end of the job. Not that my "friend" doesn't trust you, but you must admit that your defenses are legendary. My "friend" is also going to require more information on what Soft's like, and the more personal touches you might want. I assume you want him done unrevifiable, and yes, I'm sure my "friend" can make it stick, no matter how good this "Moogle" is with her revivification spells. Unrevifiable and in public? That will be extra for the risks incurred, you realize. And no, I don't think "my friend" needs to bring anything Morganti into this, unless Soft's spilling more than just information. You're tying my "friend's" hands if we can't bring any more people for legwork, so "he's" going to need names, dates and details on Soft: what food he ate last, where he sleeps, who he's seen with. Where he talks.
You have some preliminary notes? Let's see...mm. Wasn't expecting this sort of information up front, but I think I see something in here that could work... You do know my "friend" charges extra for breakups, Loud Speaker?'
IN. (46/6)