Title: A Web of Truths
Written By: Belzari Gilnith (Dunmer)
Genre: Misc
Settings: Morag Tong guild in Almalexia (assuming it exists), Narsis, Necrom,
List of Characters: Darvanter Varyon, Dunmer Morag Tong operative. Methez and Valen Dralniti, Dunmer brothers of the slain Farthel Dralniti. Valni Drayem, a Temple acolyte in Necrom. Ra'Nafir, khajit Morag Tong operative.
Plot: A writ to honorably assassinate a noble of House Hlaalu, Methez Dralniti, is recieved by Morag Tong operative Darvanter Varyon. The charges are that Methez killed his brother, a recently slain (three weeks ago) Hlaalu House Brother, Farthel Dralniti. Interestingly enough, the writ was given by Valen Dralniti, the victim's (and supposed killer's) brother. Darvanter accepts the writ, given to him by the Khajit Ra'Nafir, and sneaks into Methez' rooms in Narsis the following night. As Darvanter is about to slay him, Methez shouts that he is innocent and he has proof. He shows evidence that he has an unnatural phobia of knives, and demonstrates this irrational fear. Darvanter temporarily spares him and travels to Necrom, reaching the body (with the aid of the young Dunmer acolyte Valni Drayem) just before it is buried. He sees several deep scratches in the body, almost undoubtedly done with a knife. He returns to Narsis to question Valen Dralniti, Methez' brother. Valen states that Farthel was spending more time than usual with Methez. He was last seen alive walking towards Methez' house. His body was then found, brutally slashed, in the middle of the street in front of Methez' residence. Methez has been unable to produce a plausible excuse for his brother's death, and there had been no sign of forced entry, and thus Valen sent the writ in. Valen admits he would gain considerable funds if Methez were slain, but insists that he seeks justice for his brother's death. Darvanter accepts Valen's words and leavs. As he is walking down the streets of Narsis, he overhears two commoners conversing in the street. One mentions that it is the thirtieth of the current month. An idea occurs to our protagonist. That evening he re-enters Methez' house. He demands more information on Farthel's death, yet is really only playing for time. As the night begins, Darvanter notices without surprise that a thin layer of fur has begun to grow on Methez' face, and his face begins to extend. Methez sighs and states that all he truly desired was to live a normal life, and all know that there is no cure to lycanthropy. He had typically locked himself in his room on the full moon and feigned illness the following week. However, Farthel's troubles had been many and he had forgotten to tell him to leave, thus killing him after changing into a werewolf. And now, because Darvanter found him out, he, too, would have to die. Methez finishes transformation and he and Darvanter engage in an amusing little bit of violence until our hero outsmarts the lycanthrope and kills him. He then leaves his writ of execution by Methez' corpse and returns to claim his reward.
Possible Lore Issues: It has a Morag Tong operative doing more detective work than assassin work, though the detective work was more a means to complete the assassin work. I also don't know if anyone who is not a relative of the deceased is allowed to observe a corpse in Necrom before it's buried. There are also a few loose ends to tie up for the story to be complete, but they'll be rounded off when (if this is passed) I write it.
Due to its length, it might have to be in several volumes. It's also a fairly weak title (I based it on it being a mystery, but both Methez and Valen telling the truth.)
A Web of Truths
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Darth_Blade
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The script suggests that the MT operative is not new to his job. The assassins just kill the "ordered" people, without listening to what they have to say. Breaking the rules of MT means bringing the whole wrath of the organization on yourself.
Consider making Varyon an unskilled assassin, and tell something of his further fate in the ending - he got away with it all, he ran to the west or maybe he was killed by another Assassin later. Overall, though, the idea is quite good. I like it.
Consider making Varyon an unskilled assassin, and tell something of his further fate in the ending - he got away with it all, he ran to the west or maybe he was killed by another Assassin later. Overall, though, the idea is quite good. I like it.
Lazy@$$ interior maker.
Title: Shooshpan-ataman
Finished interiors: Four
All things are but a horse.
Title: Shooshpan-ataman
Finished interiors: Four
All things are but a horse.
I was thinking of that after I wrote it. Here's what I can say:
I pictured Varyon as more of a skilled Morag Tong operative than a thrall. It's a possibility that the guy has a history being 'soft' (if he suspects the mark isn'truly guilty) yet the Morag Tong spared him because he's one of their better members.
And it's not like they send cliff racers to spy on all their agents, in the end Darvanter kills Methez, so he really did complete the writ, and no one would know the difference.
I pictured Varyon as more of a skilled Morag Tong operative than a thrall. It's a possibility that the guy has a history being 'soft' (if he suspects the mark isn'truly guilty) yet the Morag Tong spared him because he's one of their better members.
And it's not like they send cliff racers to spy on all their agents, in the end Darvanter kills Methez, so he really did complete the writ, and no one would know the difference.
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Fallen Murk
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A "better member" kills quickly and cleanly. Maybe a better way of phrasing it is that he's well connected (a relative high in the ranks) or is simply personally liked by a ranking member.Garriath wrote:...yet the Morag Tong spared him because he's one of their better members.
Quite true, but you do have Varyon talk directly to the person who put out the hit, Valen. Maybe Varyon's visit could be posed as fact-finding without Valen knowing he's already spoken to Methez, that way there's no way any "he talked to the mark before killing him" rumors could possibly go back to the MT....And it's not like they send cliff racers to spy on all their agents, in the end Darvanter kills Methez, so he really did complete the writ, and no one would know the difference.
On the topic of burial rights, viewing the body, etc. I can't be of any help. Sorry.
Good Hunting
Fallen Murk
Fallen Murk
I like the basic premise of this story a lot Garriath.
An idea occurred to me that would help to fine tune and reinforce the tension between truth and falsehood that underpins the story.
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By way of an introduction to the character of Darvanter Varyon, you could describe how, when he was a young mer, he came into possession of an enchanted ring with a clear stone set in a simple band. Perhaps it was a gift from an elder kinsmer who was fond of the lad.
The enchantment upon the ring was such that the stone would blacken in the presence of dishonourable deed or spoken falsehood. As he matured, this enchantment guided Darventer in making honourable and honest choices. This path of honour has eventually led him into the service of the Morag Tong, which he considers his highest vocation attained at last.
Flushed with pride in his new responsibilities as Morag Tong operative, he sets off to undertake his first mission with earnest seriousness.
***
This literary device would open up the opportunity to fully exploit the irony of the situation where, upon undertaking his first mission of honour for the Tong, Darventer wavers when the enchanted ring that he trusts to guide his honour indicates that Methez Dralniti speaks the truth, and his mission appears to be unjust.
IMO, it would also allow for a more complete sense of satisfaction and closure, when Darventer dispatches the werewolf and the balance of trust and honour, and Darventer's faith in his calling and his fate are restored.
HTH
An idea occurred to me that would help to fine tune and reinforce the tension between truth and falsehood that underpins the story.
***
By way of an introduction to the character of Darvanter Varyon, you could describe how, when he was a young mer, he came into possession of an enchanted ring with a clear stone set in a simple band. Perhaps it was a gift from an elder kinsmer who was fond of the lad.
The enchantment upon the ring was such that the stone would blacken in the presence of dishonourable deed or spoken falsehood. As he matured, this enchantment guided Darventer in making honourable and honest choices. This path of honour has eventually led him into the service of the Morag Tong, which he considers his highest vocation attained at last.
Flushed with pride in his new responsibilities as Morag Tong operative, he sets off to undertake his first mission with earnest seriousness.
***
This literary device would open up the opportunity to fully exploit the irony of the situation where, upon undertaking his first mission of honour for the Tong, Darventer wavers when the enchanted ring that he trusts to guide his honour indicates that Methez Dralniti speaks the truth, and his mission appears to be unjust.
IMO, it would also allow for a more complete sense of satisfaction and closure, when Darventer dispatches the werewolf and the balance of trust and honour, and Darventer's faith in his calling and his fate are restored.
HTH
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