[IC] The Dark Brotherhood

[xXSINXx]

It was a brisk Tirdas morning in Falkreath, Three members of the Dark Brotherhood make their way to the Sanctuary.

Alexi the leader of the Sanctuary walks up to the door. "What is the music of life?" It asks her, she motions for her two followers to come with her. "Silence, my brother." With that response, the door opens, and the three descend into the Sanctuary. Alexi takes her seat at the round table. "So, there have been quite a few contracts that have been fulfilled, but none of them by us. Seems like there are murderers looking for a place to fit in."

Kraven looks at his sister. "I've sent out the hand letters to those whom took our kills, hopefully they find their way here.

Carva pours them two glasses of mead on the house. " Are we looking to recruit members Ms. Alexi?" She asks, bringing them the beverages, of course one extra for herself.

Kraven smirks. "Well dear sister, we kill em' or have them join us."

Alexi ponders. "Would be nice to find a listener again, but to be honest, I have something better planned." She smirks and places her hands on the table standing up. "We take over, develop sanctuaries across all of Skyrim, then Tamreal. We will be feared once more.'

Kraven smiles "By Sithis, thats grand. I'll see if I can recruit in Dawnstar. Carva will you join me?"

"As long as I can have a bar." Carva replies

"Then it's settled, we grow as a family." Alexi states before walking into her room.

"HAIL SITHIS!" Kraven and Carva reply, packing their things to relocate.

[Vortex]

Aenor

It was another cold night in the mountain crags of the Reach, and Aenor Maelys was hunched by the campfire to keep herself warm. In the flickering of the fire she went over the note she got from a courier about a week ago once again "The Dark Brotherhood..." she murmured under her breath. Was she truly ready to join the infamous group of shadowy assassins? Was she ready to kill so many? She looked up from the campfire and looked at the several dead Stormcloaks around her, reminding herself that she had more or less been killing for a hobby since the war ended and didn't do much different before that anyway. So yes, she decided that she was definitely ready to join the Brotherhood. She rode on a dead Stormcloaks horse to Falkreath the next morning.

"Silence, my brother" she said to the overly decorated door, she considered saying something in jest like "the Lute" or "Drums" but decided against it as the door might end up permanently baring her access. The birds chirped and the wolves howled for several moments until the blasted door finished taking its time opening and Aenor was finally granted access. She walked down the chipped stone steps into a spacious open hall and immediately noticed a woman standing to the side "Hello? I suppose you're a part of the Brotherhood aren't you. Well I got your note."

Alaus

"Bah!" Alaus Loreltheim scoffed "You idiots! You Nords are just as bad as the Imperials! You're all children the lot of you!" he howled at the entire College of Winterhold, neglecting the fact that Nords were one of the least present races at the college. Alaus was, as usual, furious with the Archmage and the teachers of the College for not teaching the magic schools of Mysticism and Thaumaturgy which had now not been used in 300 years. He stormed off the premises into the snowy wastes, walking across the northern coastline when out of nowhere a courier appeared to give him a letter. "You lot always appear in the strangest of places, but very well" Alaus grumbled as he tore open the note. "Hmph, well its about time they got around to contacting me" he muttered tossing the note to the wind.

It was a remarkably bad snowstorm in Dawnstar, although there always seemed to be a remarkably bad snowstorm in Dawnstar and Alaus Loreltheim was trudging through the snow wondering where this black door was supposed to be. He had been a part of the Brotherhood for sometime now, but after his previous sanctuary had been destroyed in the Great War he was forced to become a wanderer once again. Fortunately for Alaus he had the magical capabilities to protect himself from awful weather like at the moment, much to the envy of the Dawnstar guards who gave him only glares, either because of the fact he was an Altmer Mage or because they were jealous or perhaps a bit of both. Eventually he found the black door, did the silly little performance each sanctuary door made you do and entered. Inside he found an interesting looking pair, a Nord barkeep and a wild eyed wolf like man. "Salutations, the name is Alaus Loreltheim and I'm your new brother".

@xXSINXx

[xXSINXx]

@Vortex
Alexi turns to see a woman descending down the stairs. She smirks, "Welcome sister." She studies her for a moment. "I can see by the look in your eyes that you're killer, a quite skilled one at that. You're truly worthy of being here. Welcome to the family." Alexi leads Aenor down the stairs and presents the Sanctuary to her. "This is your new home dear, my name is Alexi. You may choose any room you like and do whatever you please with it. If you're looking for work, come to me for contracts."

Kraven looks up at the man making his presence known. "Ah and so the new blood arrives." He says with a chuckle, he then approaches the man and gives a bow. "I'm Kraven the overseer of this sanctuary, please make yourself at home." He then looks at Carva "Give our new brother a drink on the house."

Carva smiles and walks to the bar, she pulls out a bottle of her special Colovian Brandy and a shot glass. She then approaches Alaus, "Mmm. Hello handsome," She sets the bottle on the table and sits in the chair next to him. "Go ahead, take a shot, It's my signature Colovian Brandy."

[DragonofTheWest]

The Daedric armored warrior strolled forward on his dark armored mount in a relatively relaxed pace. He was to reach his destination soon, at least that’s what the note said in regards for the direction. Considering his status with the Volkihar perhaps traveling to join with this new faction may have been considered a downgrade to most but Dragos had his reasons. Under the disguise of a mission Dragos had left the fabled vampire stronghold to join up with the Dark Brotherhood. The kill that earned him an invitation seemed coincidental though if you are wanted by both the most powerful vampire faction in Skyrim and the Dark Brotherhood, you’re bound not to live long.

Every once in a while there was a group of adventurers on the road that encountered the vampire lord yet they never said anything or tried anything. Rumors of a dark armored warrior riding throughout Skyrim slaying Stormcloaks and bandits or even random individuals were relatively common and those who tried pursue said warrior never returned. Those on the road knew to keep their space less they earned the warrior’s wrath.

“Silence my brother” Dragos stated when he had finally arrived at the door of the Falkreath Santucary. The door, the location everything about the place screamed Dark Brotherhood. It seems all the rumors were true, at least so far. Despite his advanced age Dragos doesn't recall personally dealing with a Dark Brotherhood member so all of this was a first. When the door opened Dragos could already sense the presence of several others inside as he removed his helmet as a sign of respect and advanced forward..

[Vortex]

Sister, huh? Well isn't this just going to be one fucked up little family of sociopaths. The closest Aenor ever got to a proper family was with the Legion, and they had all been cut down by Ulfrics boys. These murderers would probably never live up to those good men and women, but then this lot probably werent going to get killed either. "Thank you, Alexi. The name is Aenor Maelys" she said giving a curt bow and proceded to follow the woman through the halls of the Sanctuary. It was a nice place, even had its own little waterfall, but it still felt a bit.. empty, like the void if you would. Like Sithis himself coincidentally, Aenor mused to herself as she recalled the relgious studies from her youth. "I'll get setteled in and then come see what you have for me". Aenor turned around and saw a man in a very impressive suit of armor "Looks like you have another recruit"

Alaus stepped closer to the pair and gave them bot a closer inspection. And this boy was an Overseer? Hmph, Kraven was nothing but a young inexperienced pup. Literally it would seem, as he was also quite obviously a werewolf as Alaus knew the signs quite well, such as the boy's wild eyes for example or the distinct smell of dog clinging to his presence. Still, he seemed polite enough which was more than could be said for most people in Skyrim these days, indeed most of Tamriel. "Mmm... Thank you" Alaus said making some attempt to return the niceties. He took a swig of the Brandy. It was decent enough he supposed. Not like superior Altmer wines of course, but alas they were so rare in the Human provinces and even rarer in Skyrim due to the Nords absolute barbaric obsession with the swill they call Mead. Regardless, the Brandy did the job "That was lovely, thank you Carva dear" Maybe it was the Brandy, although probably not because he only had one mouthful, but the woman was somewhat attractive. For a Human at least. She had some sort of rugged domineering charm to her, Alaus couldn't quite put his finger on it, probably because he refused to admit the thought and was beating it back into repression. "So, is this it then?" he said noticing that no one else was present, or at least no one else had made the effort to greet his welcome "Are we all thats left of the Brotherhood?"

[xXSINXx]

@Vortex @DragonofTheWest
Alexi nodded to Aenor. "Do make yourself at home.." She then turns to see a man in a Deadric suit of armor. " Hmm, aren't you an impressive one." @DragonoftheWestShe states before approaching him. "Welcome to the Dark brotherhood. Come, make yourself at home brother." Alexi then guides him through the halls to his room. " You seem tired, probably from carrying all that weight." She leans against the wall and smiles. "I'm Alexi, the leader of this outfit, need work, come to me."

@Vortex

Kraven descends into his room as Carva and Alaus talk. "Sadly, yes." Carva replies before leaning in close to talk quietly. " Kraven and his sister Alexi are very powerful, and they've earned their way here. Alexi has a plan to revive the Brotherhood and take all of Skyrim, eventually all of Tamriel. That's why they're recruiting." she pauses and takes a swig of the brandy. " Alexi is the brains and the shadow of the Brotherhood, while Kraven is executioner. Seeing both means Sithis is coming to collect his due, and were his beloved children."

[Saarebas]

@Vortex@xXSINXx

"Glad to see you still hold me in such regard, Carva." A gruff voice cut into the conversation between the High Elf and Nord woman. It was a moment later that the owner of the voice entered the room and it was no other than the behemoth of a Orc known as Gur. He offered the two a crooked grin as he looked down at them as he approached. Gur had been part of the Brotherhood for a better part of a decade now so he had time to become familiar with their dwindling numbers, much to some of their distain. He looked to the newly arrived Altmer and offered him a nod. "Welcome brother, the name is Gurlog, but most of this lot calls me Gur." Gur introduced himself before continuing. "I'm the resident blacksmith so if you need any weapon or armor repairs you can come to me, but looking at you..." He said as he gave Alaus a quick glance over. "You don't look like much of the sword and shield type. More of a spell slinger eh?" Gurlog said before he gave a shrug. "Regardless if you ever need help with the forge come to me." He finished before looking to Carva. "How about a drink? Got anything strong, I'm looking to properly welcome our new brother."

[DragonofTheWest]

Upon entering the sanctuary it was obvious that the rumors were true, the Dark Brotherhood was on its last legs, but it was also gradually rebuilding itself. There was a sense of pride as Dragos looked throughout the place, he imagined in a couple of years this hideout of theirs would gradually look completely different provided they were successful. Upon stumbling upon the two females before him Dragos took a quick look at both of them and took note of the looks they gave him. They both had a presence about them, it was controlled but they both had a look in their eyes that showed they weren’t just playing assassins. Both of these women were killers.

Dragos however was different, he wasn’t exactly armed in an assassins clothing and the giant weapon he carried on his back was also not an assassins weapon. Still however Dragos thought privately, they could use someone like him, an executioner who was fit to attack directly when perhaps no stealthy ways were possible. As the vampire was greeted he made sure to nod respectfully towards Aenor, acknowledging her presence.

As Dragos was led to his room he took a quick look before returning his attention back to Alexi. While he had traveled on horseback, he carried few supplies, mostly spare clothes or various books and documents he felt necessary to keep around. Anything valuable he brought with him, the rest of it however was left back at the Volkihar castle. As Alexi introduced herself, Dragos bowed his head “My name is Dragos. I look forward to working with you and the others” But just as Dragos finished his sentence he took a closer look at his superior and that’s when he realized she was just like him, vampire. Dragos smirked slightly at this revelation “Thank you for the hospitality as for the possible status of my stamina, well let’s just say we both know you and I are a bit special when comes to our physical traits”

[xXSINXx]

@DragonofTheWest

Alexi smirked. "Trust me brother, I know where you come from. We are part of the same breed you and I." She says, examining his fangs as he spoke to her. "How is Serana now a days? It's been a while since I've wandered the castle halls." She knew not to ask of Harkon, for the lord met his fate a while ago.

@Saarebas@Vortex

Carva smiles and holds up a bottle of her special Colovain Brandy. "Tonight is the night for family, everyone is welcome to drink to their hearts content." She chuckles, giving Alaus a sweet smile, then motioning for Gur and the new blood to join them.

Kraven ascends from his room and looks around. "Ah Gur, It's a pleasure to see you working the forge here. Might have to work on my blades soon." He then came to the table where Carva and Alaus sat. "Mind if I get a shot Carva?"

Crava chuckles and pours Kraven a shot of Brandy. "Well this is a first, seeing the great master Kraven drink my fine brandy."

[Vortex]

"Ohhhh..." Aenor murmured as she trailed a few paces behind Alexi and her new brother Dragos, realizing that the pair were a bunch of vampires. Well that did make sense she supposed, or at least it did explain the glow of Alexi's eyes, the hunger she sensed in them. Hmm it would be extremely convoluted and rather serpentine if this was all an elaborate plot to lure the unsuspecting and then feed on them. Too convoluted and elaborate that it didn't make much sense, as the pair could certainly take whatever they wished if looks were anything to go by. No, she had no doubt that she was a proper member of the brotherhood and that the pair wouldn't decide to eat her out one night. Still, a little precaution never hurt.

"Ambitious. Daft. Interesting." Alaus said to Carva as she explained the plans of the twins. Taking all of Tamriel would have been highly ambitious even if the guild was in its glory days, but to try and do it while they were in such a miserable state? Well that was just folly. No wonder they asked for his grand expertise.

Alaus turned to the new voice enter the room. Oh, an Orc. Charming. Alaus could recall the time when they were still considered to be wild animals no better than Goblins or Trolls, before that bastard Gortwog and the Warp in the West. A better time, everything was better back then, Alaus sighed. "Yes you're right I won't be needing your services Orsimer" he said a little condescendingly and then turned to Kraven "Carva has just been telling me of your plans to reestablish the Guild to its former prestige. I propose a toast then. A toast to restoring the old ways. A toast to better days." he said raising his cup.

@xXSINXx@DragonofTheWest@Saarebas

[xXSINXx]

@Vortex @DragonoftheWest

"Ah, If it isn't Aenor. This Is Drago, our newest brother. She says with a smile, her fangs showing slightly. " Here shortly we are to go to Dawnstar to meet the rest of the family and my blood brother, Kraven." She chuckles. "Knowing Kraven and Carva, they're probably drinking right about now. Since its the night of new kin, tonight is all about celebration.

@Vortex @Saarebas

Kraven smiled at the toast Alaus made. "Ah, good man. he says, raising his glass to the High elf's "Hail Sithis! He takes his shot and shakes it off. "Ooo, it's the brandy. Here shortly my blood sister, Alexi, and the rest of the family will be coming from Falkreath to join us in celebration.

Carve rose her glass with Kraven and Alaus. "Hail Sithis! For this is the night of new kin. She then smiles and winks at Alaus. "Quite handsome kin indeed." She then tooker her shot and went to her bar for another bottle of her special brandy.

[Saarebas]

@xXSINXx@Vortex

"By the Night Mother's tits, he is going to be one of those..." Gur thought with an inward groan as he received Alaus's oh so humble response to his welcoming. The Orc had had a life time to get to know the holier than thou attitude that so many Altmer seem to develop, even more so when it came to the pompously named High Elves and their view on the Orcs. "My name is Gur, my brother, not Orsimer. It is best to remember that." He said, the mirth from earlier having vacated his tone all together. Gur quickly downed the first shot that was offered to him, it seeming to have no effect on him, before his attention was called to Kraven entering the room. "Ah it is the old hound himself!!" Gur said with a hearty laugh as he greeted his old friend. "Ah of course, the forge here would be lost without me. But you of all people know that blades only do so much, better to get our hands involved. Er claws in some cases I suppose." He joked as he poured a second shot that again he quickly drained. It was as he was pouring a third one that the toasts were proposed. Though the taste in his mouth regarding the sanctuary's new arrival was more than a bit bitter Gur couldn't help but agree with the idea of restoring the Brotherhood to a proper state. "Hail Sithis!!" Gur howled before taking down yet another drink and went to start pouring another.

[DragonofTheWest]

Dragos calm expression soured slightly at the mention of Serana and he gazed elsewhere to gather his thoughts. The mention of Serana was an all too familar remindee that his previous home was consumed in petty infighting. "She is... fine." Dragos finally replied though his answer was rather lack luster and while it seemed too early to reveal his eventual ambition, the vampire privately conceded it was likely best to be honest. "The castle is in much chaos however. Nobody can tell whose friend or foe, civil war amongst our kind is inevitable. Perhaps one day with Sithis blessing you can assist me in taking the throne and reuniting the clan... for the Brotherhood of course." Dragos added on and rather bluntly. Straight truth, no hidden messages. Dragos crimson eyed gaze then turned to Aenor who looked a bit cautious at the sight of two vampires speaking of royal family business. He didn't blame her. "No worries... sister" Dragos stated, oh how the words of labeling each other family still sounding a bit off despite vampires doing the same thing. "We are on the same side and it seems there are more of us to meet."

[Vortex]

"Yes... indeed" Aenor said with a cautious smile "Well it's a pleasure meeting you Dragos, I'm sure we'll get along famously. Or infamously, considering our line of work and the pair of you being big bad vampires." Although considering that they work in the shadows and everyone they met ended up dead, fame may be a little hard to acquire. At least for them individually, she had no doubt that word of the Brotherhood as an organization itself would spread like wildfire soon enough. Although luckily for Aenor fame wasn't something she had ever been particularly interested in. Turning to Alexi she said "Speaking of big bad vampires when do we leave and go meet the rest of our little family?" The family was turning to be quite larger than first impressions made it seem, Aenor thought pleasantly surprised.

Alaus was going to comment further and make more disparaging remarks to Gur until Kraven came in. Afterall, his name was Alaus but the fact remained that he was also a pure born Altmer. And he might be called 'Gur', such a stereotypically savage name, but he was also one of the Orismer whether he liked it or not. Regardless, he drank down the rest of his Colovian while Kraven discussed that his sister would be coming to Dawnstar with the other half of the Guild. Bother. The place was going to end up rather cramped with people. Maybe one of them migh be a mage. Perhaps one of them has respect for the old ways. It was a stretch and Alaus knew it, he had been disappointed by his fellow mages for the last several hundred years and knew what to expect of them by now, but still the hope remained. With that faint hope he sighed "I look forward to meeting them'.

[xXSINXx]

@Vortex@DragonofTheWest@Saarebas

Ko'iska appears from shadows. "Ko'iska is pleased to see new family, Are we to set off to Dawnstar Ms. Alexi?"

Alexi nods. "Well, Ko'iska. I take your trip from Elsweyr was pleasing? Yes everyone come with me." She leads Ko'iska, Drag, and Aenor to a hidden room where a portal to Dawnstar awaits them. She walks through to his her Brother Kraven, Carve,Gur, and the newcomers.

Kraven holds up his mug to Alexi. "It seems my dear sister has arrived with the rest of the family."

[DragonofTheWest]

"So perhaps the Brotherhood isn't as depleted as he once thought" Dragos thought as he surveyed the room and eyed the 2nd half of the brotherhood. Quite useful that the Brotherhood managed to have a quick way of traveling to Dawnstar, such convince would definitely make it easier to travel throughout Skyrim considering the rather sizable travel difference between the two sanctuaries. Considering the amount of individuals they had gathered it would not be long for the Dark Brotherhood to actually go about and complete their tasks, Dragos personally wondered just how potent they could become considering their start was already looking like a success. The vampire bowed his head as he introduced himself "It is an honor to meet the rest of the brotherhood" short and sweet but from the looks of it, he would have plenty of time to meet the rest of the other members.

[xXSINXx]

@DragonofTheWest

Kraven eyes the vampire and the other newcomers, catching his scent. "Ah, you and my sister share the same blood, come my friend drink." He then sees Ko'iska. "Well look what the cat dragged in, you know we have a few mice..." Ko'iska interrupts him. "You dare speak to Ko'iska traitor?" There was an intended pause for dramatics before they started bursting out laughing. They were close friends and it showed.

Alexi spots Carva and Gur. "Whose idea was it to let Kraven drink?" she says jokingly. " Ko'iska then looks at her. "And yes Ms. Alexi, Ko'iska's voyage was very warming, but Skyrim is home to me now. The Sanctuary is home.." He replies with a since of nobility.

[Saarebas]

Gur had lost count on the amount of drinks he had already downed, the behemoth of a Orc was quite renowned for his ability to take on tidal waves of drink and it seemed that this evening his skills were living up to their legacy. He was half way through downing yet another drink when suddenly the small group seemed to double in size, for half a moment the big lug thought he had drank too much, but that thought was quickly kicked away when he realized that it was the rest of his family joining in on the festivities. "Ah look at these old faces, almost enough to make me put down my drink... almost." He said with a hearty laugh before he downed his drink and then patted Ko'iska on the back. "It is good to have you back brother, I hope the sands of home weren't too boring for you." He said before looking to Alexi. "Oh don't be like that, it isn't everyday that we get to welcome so many people into the family at once." Gur said with a laugh. He finally turned his attention to the armored individual that had accompanied Alexi. "Welcome to the family brother." He said as he walked over to Dragos. "The name is Gur, I'm the family's blacksmith and by looking at you I can tell you are not the quite type. I can appreciate that. He said before offering him a drink.

[Vortex]

Aenor stepped out of the portal into the sanctuary. Cold. Was her immediate thought as there was a noticeable difference between the two locations. She looked at her now visible breath and the faint mist that lurked around the floor of the building, even for Skyrim this was a bit much. She turned and looked at the others enjoying themselves. It might be cold in the air but the warm personality of Carva and the fiery intensity of Gur almost made up for it. She scolded herself for being so sentimental about people she literally just met and walked over to the table and sat down. She took a cup of... Colovian brandy according to the taste and remembered she hadnt actually introduced herself "Oh I'm Aenor by the way, but my friends just call me Aenor."

A vampire, a daedra, an unfunny girl and their cat. Oh wonderful, Alaus sighed. As if the place wasn't full of fools already, four more had to pop out of his portal. Well, they were apparently going to be a family now so he decided he may as well get acquainted with the sods. "Yes... Hello dear" he replied to the Breton. He looked at her more closely. Hmm. Odd. Alaus couldnt put his finger on it but it was almost like they were made by the same person. Impossible of course. As he was a pure bred mage from Summersets finest, while she was a disgusting Half breed. It was disconcerting and he would have to consider the Metaphysics of it later but now was not the time. It was time for another bottle "Carva! Be a dear and start another round"

[DragonofTheWest]

Dragos took his time analyzing each of the gathered family. He wasn't expecting this type of gathering to happen so soon but it seemed reassuring that the members that knew each other got along fairly well. As Dragos watched the situation unfold, he was approached by the massive orc. It was strange having to look upwards for once, it's been awhile since he encountered an individual with such a physical presence. Dragos nodded at his greeting and took the drink offered to him as a sign of good gesture. "Honored to meet you Gur" Dragos stated as he smirked slightly at the orc's words and offered a joke in reply "Some say I talk too much. Others too little... I guess it depends who you ask"