Weynon Priory, West of Chorrol
It was the dead of night in the Chapel of Weynon Priory; perfect for a clandestine meeting of the Hidden Militia. On the stone floor, among the pews, were the nine members recruited so far; the number was a good omen. Before the candle-lit altar was the person who had called the Hidden Militia to the Priory, an Imperial Woman who wore the flowing, shimmering silk of a higher clergywoman of the Church of the Nine Divines. Despite her green-ish hair, no doubt either an unsanctioned fashion choice or a mark of some magical accident, the lady had a solemn smile as she greeted the group with all courtesy and introduced herself as, "Confessor Elessenia of the Church of the Nine Divines, at your service."
She then spoke to them, "You are all members of the Hidden Militia, sworn to aid the Empire by by clearing the way for actions that many among us will not understand. Among these are the strengthening of what remains of the Empire of Tamriel through two new provinces; provinces whose current inhabitants have not been fully won over to the Nine Divines, much less Talos himself. Nevertheless, it is our hope that with the embrace of the Wrothgar Mountains and Orsinium, plus The Reach and its silver and soldiers, they will one day see Talos' light."
She then elaborated, "The Elder Council, with the reluctant backing of the new Emperor, Titus Mede II, have offered to engage in secret talks with delegates from Orsinium and some prominent clans from The Reach as a prelude to their recognition as Imperial Provinces on par with High Rock, Hammerfell, and Skyrim. Those delegates and a contingent of the Blades have left under safe conduct to the town of Bruma, where they are to rendezvous with you and go south to the Imperial City where those talks are to be held. However, this will not be easy - We have internal enemies who want to see these talks fail, and the road to Bruma is crawling with bandits now. Not just that, but there will be opposition in Bruma itself, as the Mayor of the town is suspicious of our activities and is likely to rally the Nord population to riot if he finds out about the purpose of their and your presence."
She looked at the gathered members of the Hidden Militia as they absorbed her words in the candlelight of the Chapel, before adding, "You will all receive a stipend of septims not just as work expenses, but as wages, along with special passes and documents that will allow you to go through Legion checkpoints and avail of the services of Imperial offices and the Imperial Cult. You will also be given a provisional pardon for previous crimes committed before your recruitment. Still, your documents will not clear you from committing new crimes, although we will loan money for bail and fines if the crimes are minor enough - Yes, a loan, not a gift."
Confessor Elessenia then stretched out her hands and spoke once more, "Now, let me bestow upon you all a weaker version of the Blessing of Talos - A less potent version of that which was granted to the Divine Crusader against Umaril the Unbound during the Oblivion Crisis; my great-grandfather was The Prophet. You are free to refuse this, but that will increase the tribulations you will go through."
She waited for their acceptance or refusal, then asked, "Are there any more questions?"
@Carantathraiel@Lunamaria Hawke@Alfhedil@Raqueltrper@Crimson Flame@Randomguy@Andre Valias@WSilversun@Rune_Alchemist
It was the dead of night in the Chapel of Weynon Priory; perfect for a clandestine meeting of the Hidden Militia. On the stone floor, among the pews, were the nine members recruited so far; the number was a good omen. Before the candle-lit altar was the person who had called the Hidden Militia to the Priory, an Imperial Woman who wore the flowing, shimmering silk of a higher clergywoman of the Church of the Nine Divines. Despite her green-ish hair, no doubt either an unsanctioned fashion choice or a mark of some magical accident, the lady had a solemn smile as she greeted the group with all courtesy and introduced herself as, "Confessor Elessenia of the Church of the Nine Divines, at your service."
She then spoke to them, "You are all members of the Hidden Militia, sworn to aid the Empire by by clearing the way for actions that many among us will not understand. Among these are the strengthening of what remains of the Empire of Tamriel through two new provinces; provinces whose current inhabitants have not been fully won over to the Nine Divines, much less Talos himself. Nevertheless, it is our hope that with the embrace of the Wrothgar Mountains and Orsinium, plus The Reach and its silver and soldiers, they will one day see Talos' light."
She then elaborated, "The Elder Council, with the reluctant backing of the new Emperor, Titus Mede II, have offered to engage in secret talks with delegates from Orsinium and some prominent clans from The Reach as a prelude to their recognition as Imperial Provinces on par with High Rock, Hammerfell, and Skyrim. Those delegates and a contingent of the Blades have left under safe conduct to the town of Bruma, where they are to rendezvous with you and go south to the Imperial City where those talks are to be held. However, this will not be easy - We have internal enemies who want to see these talks fail, and the road to Bruma is crawling with bandits now. Not just that, but there will be opposition in Bruma itself, as the Mayor of the town is suspicious of our activities and is likely to rally the Nord population to riot if he finds out about the purpose of their and your presence."
She looked at the gathered members of the Hidden Militia as they absorbed her words in the candlelight of the Chapel, before adding, "You will all receive a stipend of septims not just as work expenses, but as wages, along with special passes and documents that will allow you to go through Legion checkpoints and avail of the services of Imperial offices and the Imperial Cult. You will also be given a provisional pardon for previous crimes committed before your recruitment. Still, your documents will not clear you from committing new crimes, although we will loan money for bail and fines if the crimes are minor enough - Yes, a loan, not a gift."
Confessor Elessenia then stretched out her hands and spoke once more, "Now, let me bestow upon you all a weaker version of the Blessing of Talos - A less potent version of that which was granted to the Divine Crusader against Umaril the Unbound during the Oblivion Crisis; my great-grandfather was The Prophet. You are free to refuse this, but that will increase the tribulations you will go through."
She waited for their acceptance or refusal, then asked, "Are there any more questions?"
@Carantathraiel@Lunamaria Hawke@Alfhedil@Raqueltrper@Crimson Flame@Randomguy@Andre Valias@WSilversun@Rune_Alchemist
