Location The Magistrates Office, Apply for Freeborn Status

[Colyn Mercer]

9th Bell - 4th of Summer, AV 515 - The Magistrates Office

Reluctant footsteps scrapped across the finely crafted rug while somewhat laboured and exasperated breathing made his arrival to the Magistrate's Office quite unsubtle. It was a rather unwillingly arrival to the office, he spent over the last decade of his life telling people to be more careful yet here he was, willingly allowing himself to have a hot piece of iron rammed onto his skin. Am I ever gonna stop making stupid choices? I find this goddamn city to hot, let alone a brand! Colyn had been struggling with the heat, even the hottest day in Stormhold castle didn't compare to the heat and humidity of Kenash and this fact was plainly obvious to anyone who looked at him. A mere five days he had dwelt in the city of sin and he had done little but sweat buckets and downed ale in the Traveller's Complex. He was here for work as well as alcohol so after building up the courage over time and booze he arrived at the Magistrate's Office to be branded like a mule.

He dragged his feet along the hall, regretting his decision as he fought every step until he reached the office where a rather attractive blonde sat, looking very bored as she looked of the sheets of paper stacked on her desk. "How is goin' love?" He said as way of a greeting as he stepped up and leant against the desk. "Fill out form if you're here to stay and or want a job" She said with an almost monotone response, her eyes only briefly looked up from her desk before returning back to her work with little interest. In retrospect the sweat patches, the unshaven jaw and the stench of alcohol didn't help.

Name: Colyn Mercer
Age: 30
Place of Birth: Syliras
Job Title seeking: Doctor/Doctor's Assitant
Freeborn Status:(yes or no) Yes
Relevant skills: Medicine (30), Herbalism (15), Philtering (20)
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

"There you go" He said, with his rather forced charm turning to his usual dour tone "So, we do this right now?"
"Yes, you get the brand on the palm of your right hand" She replied with little sympathy as Colyn eyed her own brand with disdain as she read his form "A doctor eh? Well you'll know thatit takes around thirty days to fully heal and I'll remind you not to tamper with it".

[Chione]

2nd of Summer, 515 AV

Chione re Bisret was not an airheaded woman. The minute she arrived in Kenash she began the hunt for information about what she was supposed to do to gain Freeborn status. As it so happened, there was a place called the Magistrate's Office for that very purpose.

While it lacked the wealth and glamor of Ahnatep, the Magistrate's Office was spacious and well-kept. The eye was naturally drawn to the desk in the center of the office, and more importantly the woman sitting behind it. The small brazier also captured the attention of any seeking Freeborn status.

Chione approached the desk and was greeted with the same question in the no-nonsense tone everyone else received, though she thought there was a touch more hostility to it. People in Kenash didn't exactly favor Eypharians, but she'd learned humility early on because of her vitiligo.

The multi-armed woman cleared her throat and thought for a moment. Translating High Arumenic into Common was far harder than she originally thought. "I want status," she said, "Free." Her mode indicated honesty, but non-Eypharians would find her gestures difficult to decipher.

A sheet of paper was pushed across the desk and Chione picked it up with her mid hands. It was in Common, but she wasn't about to ask for one in Arumenic. She doubted they had any in other languages.

She took it to a table and sat down, reading over the form several times to try and understand it. Once she managed to figure out what the words meant she began to fill it out.

Name: Chione re Bisret
Age: 19
Place of Birth: Ahnatep
Job Title seeking: Massage Masseuse
Freeborn Status:(yes or no) Yes
Relevant skills: Massage (26), Medicine (9), Storytelling (5)
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

Once she was finished and ensured that any and all mistakes were fixed, the Eypharian silently handed it back to the blonde woman. She lifted her right low hand and placed it palm-up on the counter, watching the woman opposite her with a cold look. On the inside she was really shaking with nervousness. Was there some instruction she missed? Was she supposed to wait outside?

High Arumenic | Common

[Rayala]

8th of Summer, 515 A.V. Rayala stepped into the Magistrate's Office, her eyes widening for the briefest of moments. It certainly was decorated nicely, especially considering it was a place of work and not leisure. She wet her lips for a moment as she continued to look around at anyone inside before walking over to the desk in the middle of the room. At the woman's question, she looked to the forms then to the coals and the pokers before back to her, "I'd like to apply for a job and Freeborn status." Once she had the form in hand, she gave a faint nod to the woman before walking to one of the couches, getting comfortable. Comfortable meaning she nearly put a foot on the couch, though stopped at a look from the desk worker. Even so, she could get used to sitting in seats like this. With that thought in mind, she took her time reading over and filling out the form. Why hurry when hurrying only meant she would sooner have to get a brand on her hand? It wasn't that she was nervous of a permanent mark, more the fact that it was a brand of all things. A tattoo she could and would do in a heartbeat, but a brand? At least it wouldn't be on her dominant hand. Name: Rayala Age: 25 Place of Birth: Sunbirth Job Title seeking: Masseuse Freeborn Status:(yes or no) Yes Relevant skills: Massage, seduction Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No Once the form was filled out, maybe thirty chimes later, she brought it back over to the woman, setting it on her desk. "So we do this and then I'm good? No chains?," Raya asked, cocking her head to the side. "As long as no one higher wishes it and you are productive, yes," the secretary replied, taking up her form and reading it over. Rayala grimaced on the inside at the thought she wasn't entirely safe just yet. But this was a step closer. Taking a deep breath, the woman set her right hand, palm up, on the desk, keeping her face expressionless.

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Spring 1, 516 AV

The man he had travelled to Kenash with had said he would have thirty days to be marked, but Valerius thought it best to get it over with sooner rather than later. He did not look forward to the prospect of a blemish on his otherwise flawless skin, a sign of his inferiority compared to those that ruled the city, but consoled himself with the fact that his lower status would only be temporary, if Rhysol was willing.

One of the people on the streets of Kenash had informed him that the Radacke Dynasty had seized the power again this season and that one Mica Radacke had become Magistrate. From what he had heard the man was a brute, loud and vulgar, his body covered with tattoos that he displayed for all the world to see. The Ravokian who took great care of his appearance had little love for people such as him, but knew better than to underestimate them and tell them what he thought of them to their face.

Besides, there had to be something that could be gained from their shared interest in slavery …

With that thought in mind he entered the Magistrate’s office. He was quite aware that he was a stranger to this city. He was not yet sure what kind of signifance his privileged position in Ravok had here, if any, but he knew that first impressions were, as always, crucial.

He held himself completely straight as he approached the woman behind his desk. The expression on his face was polite and cool, but not too arrogant although he did of course think quite highly of himself.

"Good day, Madam." He bowed slightly, a sign of respect for a woman that might or might not really deserve it, but a sign that she probably expected. "I wish to register for Freeborn status."

As soon as she handed him the form, he filled it out. He would not waste her time.

Name: Valerius Nitrozian
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Ravok
Job Title seeking: scholar, teacher
Freeborn status: yes
Relevant skills: rhetorics, teaching, interrogation, persuasion, writing
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: no

As he waited for her to take the filled out form, he cast a glance at the pokers and arched an eyebrow. He was not afraid of the possible pain – he did not care about that in the least - but merely wondered how exactly she would go about it. Would it be quick, and would she send him out of the door immediately afterwards or would there be fancy words to accompagny the procedure?

[Belinda]

Once she got to the Magistrates office the blonde at the desk provided the necessary forms. Belinda filled them out without any words exchanged.

The woman took the paperwork and looked her in the eyes. Belinda just provided a direct look back. There was a nod and a shrug.


"The casinos are going to love you." The blonde woman said.

"Oh do tell." Belinda purred.

The both conversed briefly as Belinda obtained taverns, casinos and other establishments that may like what she does. "Is there busking allowed?"

There was nod from the woman "as long as things stayed covered. Inside the casinos well that's another story."

Belinda takes this all in and nods. "I will keep that in mind. where is the nearest Inn if you please?" The woman asked politely.

"for you till you get your mark, the traveler's rest. " The woman provided instructions on how to get there. Eyed the woman up and down as if appraising her. Belinda knew a predator as she was one herself. The hip with the rapier was subtly brought forward as she turned with the information and sauntered out of the office.



Name: Belinda Lucavis, 'Lina'
Age: 20
Place of Birth: Mithryn Outpost
Job Title seeking: Dancer, escort for the right price
Freeborn Status:(yes or no) yes
Relevant skills: Dance - 10, acrobatics - 10, seduction - 10
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

[Berkley Whispers]

4th of Spring, 516 AV

Ferdinand pushed the heavy door open with one hand and lead Celina into the office with the other. It was a delicate dance that the two made often and Fer had come to love it, perhaps even more than the child. Her bright blue eyes flitted about the room admiring all of the pretties and people. Her curls bounced round her head beneath the scarf and a wide smile sat upon her face. Her tiny hand wrapped around her father’s index finger as he stopped to walk beside her. His face was transparent in the fact that he was more than happy to spend his time being lead around by this tiny person. Almost skipping, the toddler made her way to the desk where a pretty blonde lady sat with an irritated and tired expression on her face. The woman looked up, saw the child and smiled sweetly.

“Hello, dear, what can I do for you?”

Celina curled into her father’s leg looking out of the corner of one eye to the clerk. Ferdinand cleared his throat and smile politely to the woman. When she looked him over, she paused a moment before the smile faded. “We’re here to apply for freeborn status.”

The woman bit the lower inside corner of her lip as her eyes fell on the little girl. Ferdinand had been told about the branding. He still hadn’t come up with a way to deal with that. Celina wasn’t exactly a tough child. The father cupped his hand against the back of her head as his eyes glazed over with a memory. A piece of paper was pushed across the desk with a charcoal pen.

“Can you read and write?” The woman’s voice was dull and her attention had turned back to a stack of papers before her.

“Yes, I can. Thank you for asking.” Ferdinand stooped over the desk keeping Celina in front of his body. Her little fingers curled over the desk’s edge. Celina stood on her tippy-toes until her nose rose above the desk. Those bright blue orbs danced as they followed the motions of her father’s hand.

“Sing, Papa.” The tiny voice commanded.

Ferdinand smiled as he filled out the forms. He felt the eyes of the secretary on him and blushed a bit. He didn’t want to sing and couldn’t think of a song offhand so he just started to hum a bit of a lullaby. This did not suffice. Celina huffed and tugged at the cuff of her dad’s sleeve.

“Peeaase.” She stared up at him. To the girl, her father was a giant but he was her giant. As far away as his face always seemed to be, she knew in a whisper, he would scoop her up and fly her through the air.

The man finished the forms and spun them around ebfore pushing them back across the desk to the employee. “There ya go, Miss.” He squatted down and put his hands over Celina’s before whispering something in her ear. Then he stood and looked back to the woman. “What’s next?”

Name: Ferdinand Waylon Fitzkleiner Age: 20 Place of Birth: Nyka Job Title seeking: Shop keeper Freeborn Status: Yes Relevant skills: Organization, Gardening, Cooking, Writing, Book keeping Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

Name: Celina Quinn Fitzkleiner Age: 3 Place of Birth: Nyka Job Title seeking: Dependent Freeborn Status: Yes Relevant skills: N/A Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

The woman took the forms and looked them over briefly. “Do you have employment?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be running The Bur-“

“Yes or no will do.” She looked up at him briefly. The look was cold and plainly stated that she had no interest in his life. “Down the hall and to the left, you’ll find a door that leads to outside. There’s a small shed where you can receive you brands.” The eyes of the clerk fell to the little girl and a brief moment of regret flashed behind the woman’s eyes. One hand went idly to the palm of the other. Ferdinand couldn’t tell but he was certain that she was freeborn and had also been branded as a child.

“Thank you. Have a good day.” Fer escorted his daughter around the desk and started down the hallway.

“Buh-bye!” Celina chirped as she walked quickly to keep up with the long strides of her father.

Once they were outside, Fer scooped Celina up into his arms and transferred her weight so that she rested comfortably in the crook of his right arm. They watched each other as her little hands clapped over his cheeks. Ferdinand crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue which caused a giggle to erupt from the small figure.

A man emerged from the shadow of the outbuilding. He seemed much older than he should but given his job, it was no surprise that a chronic fatigue had set over his face. He clicked his tongue once seeing the girl and then spit some tobacco juice off to the side.

A father hugged his daughter tightly as they approached. Celina read the hesitation on her dad’s face and looked warily at the man. Behind him was a brick chimney full of red hot coals and a poker nestled within. Ferdinand squeezed his daughter tight with his right arm and used his left to hold out her left hand where she couldn’t see it. He nodded to the man who was already reaching for the iron. Fer used his jaw to hold Celina’s head against his shoulder and he began to sing softly into her ear.

“There was a decorated general with a heart of gold
That likened him to all the stories he told
Of past battles won and lost and legends of old
A seasoned veteran in his own time.”

The song was interrupted by sizzling and the piercing scream of a young girl. Ferdinand’s heart shattered at the sound and he hugged her tight trying to continue the song amidst her sobs. Celina held her hand up not knowing what to do with the pain. Fer released his grip and opened his hand giving the ‘smith’ a nod to mark him as well.

“On the battlefield he gained respectful fame
With many medals of bravery and stripes to his name
He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his ffffffffffffffffffface
And always urged his men on.”

That hurt more than he had anticipated and it stunk a bit as well. Fer looked to the swelling flesh in his palm; a script FB. How clever. He looked up to see the man who had inflicted the mark offering two poltuces. The father eagerly took them and dropped to one knee resting the small frame of his child upon it. He quickly took her hand and while whispering assurances, he wrapped the bandage over her burn. Celina looked over at her hand as it was being tied and wiped a few tears from her face. She moved her gaze to her father and then the man who had harmed her. There was a soft light about him as he tried to smile. She smiled and waved to him as her dad scooped her up and carted her towards the front gates. Fer wrapped his own hand while Celina clung to him with her arms around his neck and face resting against his shoulder. As they headed towards their new home, the father resumed the quiet serenade of his beloved daughter.

“For I have seen the others and I will no other to follow me where I’m going… so.”

Speech | Thoughts | Celina | Others

[Wikus]

44th - Spring - 516AV

8th Bell

Name: Wikus.
Age: 36.
Place of Birth: Sea of Grass.
Job Title seeking: Wilderness Guide.
Freeborn Status:(yes or no) Yes.
Relevant skills: Wilderness Survival, Weapon: Whip.
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: Only for sale for the immediate future.

Wikus slid the form to the unamused female, whom was apparently more comfortable with the sound of her quill pressing against paper than to even bother sensing someone near her. Wikus was certain she had no man, or if she did, that man would've been dead and mounted on her wall. Wikus nodded to his own assistant, the man having kindly helped him write the form in exchange of a coin. Truly, everything was to be paid in this disgusting city. The woman briefly glanced at the paper, only to later on point towards the nearby benches in which Wikus would wait.

A chime passed. Then a dozen of them. Thankfully, the ousted Drykas fell asleep on the spot and most of the wait was spent in his dreams. Only an entire bell later he'd wake, his stomach growling as the hunger began making a way within him. It may have been the delicious smell of meat cooking what awoke it, too, for this office smelled as if something real good was roosting. He sniffed, only to see an Akalak walking towards the exit with a trembling hand, in which a burning iron had left a harsh burn on the purple flesh. Wikus felt the need to vomit, for he had temporarily thought an Akalak could smell good. To think his own hand would be branded... He'd do it either way. At least in this city would point their fingers at him.


"Mister Wikus, its your turn." Called the assistant, Wikus sighing as he stood up and approached her, placing his right hand on the wooden surface and waiting for the kick of pain.

[Konrad Venger]

40th Day of Spring, 516AV (16th Bell)

"Rhysol's petchin' Nadsack...!"

It wasn't the most creative curse she'd heard, but Rachel had to admit, the scarred traveler but a lot of feeling into it. Konrad's face contorted and twisted even worse than it usually was as the Freeborn brand was applied to his forearm, easily exposed with just a flick of his sleeve if needed. On the bench next to him, Three Eyes was already slapping the healing salve over the red-raw wound that he petching sword he could still hear sizzling.

"Gonna be smelling that fer a while," Konrad grumbled as Rachel rolled her eyes and handed him a dusty little twig.

"Ginger root. It will help for the pain, and this... is to be applied daily, until the brand properly heals."

Konrad studied the little glass bottle of clear, smelly jelly as he chewed the root. Sure enough, after a chime or two it started to deaden the pain. He would have liked to have been stoic and unflinching, of course, but a white-hot rod of iron pressed to your arm will rob a man of those delusions.

Still, over with now...

His eyes flickered to the scrap of paper he'd left on the girl's desk, covered with his careful scrawl and usual spelling errors.

Name: Konrad Venger
Age: 36
Place of Birth: Sunburf
Job Title seeking: Gard
Freeborn Status: Yes
Relevant skills: Sword, Cook-Ree, Dagger, Fists, Boots
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

Three Eyes' was right next to it, although he'd been the one writing it out, of course. Eyes' could read just fine, most of the time, but reproducing the letters by his own hand... that still eluded him. He looked over at his partner and the small man nodded, flexing his forearm until he could move it without pain.

"Gentlemen," Rachel said as they bore all the trappings of men about to leave. "Would you like to stay for possible job openings? I'm sure with your... skill sets, we could find-"

"I'm sure we'll be okay, love," Konrad said with a smile as he settled his hat back on his head. He'd already wetted his blade that day and chatted with a Dynast; the former being the result of the latter, and after both, he knew he had employment, even if record of it was not written anywhere. "But if we need it, we'll know where t'find ya."

Three Eyes touched to fingers to his brow and snapped off a quick salute before following his partner out the door.

"G'day to ya."

"Indeed..."

[Reisen Widerspruch]

516 AV, 2nd of Spring, 14th bell 24th chime, Name: Reisen Widerspurch Age: 31 Place of Birth: Syliras Job Title seeking: Animal Handler Freeborn Status:Yes Relevant skills: Animal Husbandry Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No 'Doubt I'd ever want one' Thought Reisen as he looked over the form he'd just filled out. His eyes darted to the brazier that was a comfortable distance away from the pretty blond manning the desk. He'd been warned about this, he can't believe he'd forget about it but still he had been warned. To stay in Kenash any long-term amount without suddenly being whisked way into slavery meant one had to get a Freeborn brand. The Caravaan master emphasized it a lot during the journey and somehow he'd plum forgot. "Are you done filling out your form?" She asked with a pointed edge and gave Reisen an equally pointed glare. ' Well excuse me for wanting to avoid excruciating pain by being branded like cattle' He thought with resignation as he handed back the form. The lass looked it over then looked back over to Reisen and tilted her head to one of the chairs near the brazier. His eyes widened despite themselves, he knew what was coming and quite honestly was ready to bolt away to Syliras by foot if he had to. Reisen wasn't much for pain, not that he couldn't take it just that he didn't like and really who could blame him? Still, the blonde woman's glare overrode his fear of branding and he complied by sitting down next to the brazier. " Now, before we begin; would you like the brand on your arm or hand?" She asked was with a bit more sympathy, perhaps knowing full well how painful would this be. Her gaze said differently however as she removed one of the pokers from the brazier to reveal the branding iron for the Freeborn mark. " Hand, miss" Feeling his last dredge of hesitance fading away, now just wanting to get the shyke out of here. " Now, this will just hurt a bit..." Needless to say, she lied and Reisen now sported a new mark that will take a month to settle. Also his voice was now a little hoarse.....

[Savacea Jovellana]

.

1st, Spring 516av

After becoming slightly loss in Kenash and having a rather foul introduction to many of the people of Kenash, she had finally found where she was going. Her long arms hung down at her sides, the sharp ebony claws scraping at her knees. She was nervous to go inside, since many people frowned upon her kind. Biting down on her lower lip, her fangs exposed ever so slightly, as she gazed up at the intimidating building before her. The idea of running and just forgetting about applying for Free Born Status, ran through her mind. Her heart pounded a slight rhythm against her chest, as her anxiety peaked. She placed her palm on the cold wood of the door and pushed in, it was time to do what she came to do, to start a new life, again.

The place was large, larger than the office at Black Rock. The decoration style was different then Black Rock too, as it was all pale colors and whites giving it a bright and airy atmosphere. Opulent couches lined the room, while the dark tables laid out starkly against the whites, holding beautiful plants in bloom and different types of ivies. Pale blues and greens dotted the floor, the rugs appearing to be of rich and fine fabric. She stepped upon the rugs that laid spontaneously on the floor and they were like cushions against her tired and sore feet. She let out an audible sigh of pleasure from the richness of the rugs.

The observance of the room now finished, she looked ahead of her, passed the decadent decorations, and towards a blonde whose hair shimmered in the rays of the sun. She was perched in a chair behind a large desk. Before her there were several forms, all organized in various stacks. Savacea approached the desk, with a closed mouth smile, "Good day, how may I help you?" She said in a sturdy no-nonsense voice that spoke quietly of 'don't waste my time if you don't need anything' tones coating her words. Savacea spoke quietly, “I am here to register for Free Born Status.” She said as her red gaze fell upon the blonde, the smile still held in place on her face. The woman just nodded and handed her a form to fill out, saying nothing more as she went back to organizing a stack of papers. Savacea gave a sigh and sat at one of the luscious couches she had seen when she first came in, to fill the form out.

After a moments wait, she was instructed to hold out a right palm. She did as instructed and the Free Born mark was seared into her skin. She hissed in pain and wanted to jerk her arm away, however it was held in place until the mark was complete. She looked down at the mark and frowned, it was never going to go away now, she would always be marked for hence forth.

Name: Savacea Jovellana
Age: 20
Place of Birth: Kalinor
Job Title seeking: Poison Crafting
Freeborn Status:(yes or no) Yes
Relevant skills: Poison (38xp) , Herbalism (22xp), Philtering (9xp), Cooking (8xp), Foraging (7xp), Wilderness Survival Forest (6xp), Wilderness Survival Swamp (1xp) Skills relating to crafting and gathering ingrediants for Poison Crafting.
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

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