Norrittsama
09-26-2007, 07:49 AM
<p>((After trying my hand at this whole in-character writing thing, I find that I'm digging it so much that I just have to bother you all with another post <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />. To that effect, I'd like to take a peek into the day to day dealings of the Freeport Inquisition, and how they mete out justice to the heretic. Kick back, pop a top and enjoy! Incidentally, I draw quite a bit of inspiration from the omnibus edition novel <i>Inquisition</i>, published by Black Library. Yes, it's Warhammer 40k fiction, but hey, I'm a fan.))</p><p>--Chapter 1: Rumours of War--</p><p>"The Holy Inquisition is one part adventure, nine parts tedium. The catch is, tedium can't kill you. A large, angry orc with a thirst for blood and a penchant for sticking his axe in parts of you not designed to have axes stuck in them, however, can, and will, if you are not wary."</p><p>--Asphyxious Daemortus, Field Journal Entry, prior to The Kunark Incident</p><p><i>Highdusk falling, second bell</i></p><p><i>Sighted subject 2071 fraternizing with a Qeynosian by the name of Roshaku. Subject passed to Roshaku an arcane object of no small value (I believe it was some sort of fighting implement).</i></p><p><i>Highdusk falling, third bell</i></p><p><i>Sighted aforementioned subject fraternizing with same Qeynosian, then travelling to Crow's Resting Place in Qeynos via forbidden arcane means. Subject consorted with members of the known terrorist organization, the Order of Marr (see appendix IV, as well as binder 20991A.37- Order of Marr for more details).</i></p><p><i>Lowdusk rising, first bell....</i></p><p>"Bah!" spit Asphyxious Daemortus, rising to his feet, knocking several leaflets, pamphlets, binders, folders, books, and other debris from his holy calling to the floor from his desk. "Fraternization, consorting with the enemy, aiding and abetting heresy. We've seen it all before, I tell you."</p><p>Silently, the huge Kerran standing idly in the corner nodded his assent. Indeed, Asphyxious, Halakhan, and the rest of the Inquisitorial team had run the gamut, from goblin flensing, to orc purgation, even an exterminatus extremis declared against a certain portion of the Thundering Steppes. Still, at this point in his career, Asphyxious was beginning to feel restless. This, of course, bled off into his subordinates' character as well.</p><p>With a resounding crash (causing yet more documents to drift silently to the floor), a small, yet burly Ratonga capered into the room. Circu, follower of the ways of the Ashen Disciples, stood, grinning ear to ear, as though he had just eaten a cat. Which, in hindsight, he may have.</p><p>"BOSS!" he exuberantly called. "BOSS! I gots some informationses you may enjoys!" The cant of the Ratonga was always something Asphyxious despised. He would have declared it Malificarium had it not threatened the stability of his operation.</p><p>"What is it, Circu? What could bloody be so important as to delay my prosecution of yet another malefactor in Freeport? Raining frogs, perhaps? Or did you see something on the fence that struck your fancy and you want me to disburse you platinum coin to purchase it?"</p><p>"Better!" Circu's eyes gleamed with mischief. Asphyxious knew, without knowing how he knew, that Circu was on to something. Or had been dipping in his stash of Nagafen's Flame again. Whichever the case may have been, it had to be better than yet another droning report of minor heresies.</p><p>"Pirates! Iksar pirates! Spotted off the coastline, even encroaching so far as the Pilliars of Freedom!"</p><p>"And....?"</p><p>"They're...they're from Kunark!"</p><p>"KUNARK?!" Asphyxious gasped this word. Kunark had haunted him from his upbringing. It was his people's steadfast conviction that they would be restored to their former glory in Kunark that had caused his split from the denezins of Scale Yard. "Kunark? Are you sure? You had better be, rat, or I'll roast you alive, and have Halakhan over there devour you. Whole. With a sprig of mint, for flavour."</p><p>"Easy, there, my friend." This last was spoken by an older barbarian, clad in chain, with spear in hand. "The spirits have spoken, as well, and they say his tale is true. This is no hoax by Gunthak Pirates. This is no ploy by Antonia Bayle. This is what it is. And it is piracy. And war." Chandos, barbarian shaman, and the wise inner voice to Asphyxious's volitile temper, spoke calmly, clearly, and without equivocation. Asphyxious was almost certain the man couldn't lie to him even had he wanted to.</p><p>"Kunark, found. I can't believe it. Ha! The Iksar of Freeport must be in an uproar by now. Have the rumours hit the street yet?"</p><p>"They have. There are extra guards posted at the docks, as well as in Scale Yard. The Yard itself is under quarrantine and curfew pending investigation. The pressgangers are out in force recruiting Seafury Buccaneers to fight back the menace. If this continues, there is fear that our contact with forward forces in Faydwer will be lost."</p><p>"Drat and bebother! Why am I just now finding out about this?"</p><p>"You asked not to be disturbed."</p><p>Asphyxious had nothing to say to that. Instead, he hefted his maul, Gackhammer, and stalked toward the door. "Are you dolts coming, or do I have to defend our interests at home and abroad by myself?" The three others made their way out, Circu carefully locking the door behind them.</p><p>"Boss? Dids I do goods?" Circu was always one for praise.</p><p>"You did, I suppose. I am pleased with you. Lucan is pleased with you. FINALLY! A chance to flex my muscle again, a chance to take heretics down with zeal and fervour without trials, and prosecutions, and pointless diatribes about justice and equal rights. A battle, my friends. A battle!"</p><p>--End Chapter 1: Rumours of War--</p>