"It's the oldest question of all, Tel. Who can spy on the spies?"
Name: Unknown, goes by Tel
Aliases: Shrouded in mystery, even to veteran members of the crew, Tel maintains a seemingly endless number of aliases and false identities. However, abroad the Nova Dawn she has always been known as Tel Lyed.
Race: The Oml Zevax are a race of mysterious shapeshifters feared across the vastness of the Void for their prodigious talents as spies and assassins. Beyond their ability to adopt the appearance of other beings, the Zevaxu are known to be gifted psionics, who ensnare their prey within complex webs of illusion.
A minor interstellar empire, the Oml Zevax, nonetheless maintain their independence as a result of their mastery of genetic manipulation and biotechnology, particularly their creation of state-of-the-art Bioware implants (cloned and enhanced organs). However, the Zevaux are also skilled at the modification of natural bodily functions for cosmetic and beneficial effect.
Age: Unknown, but clearly adult
Gender: Unknown, presumed to be Female
Appearance:
Safe within her quarters, far away from peering eyes, Tel prefers to wear only a simple tunic. She has a willowy build, elfin features, and alarmingly pointy teeth that not so subtly imply that the Oml Zevaxu are a carnivorous race. Her eyes are a bright amber color, tinted with a warm shade of orange, and her skin is the color of honey. Her hair is short, kept perpetually in a pixie-cut, and while black it is touched by several brushstrokes of blue. There is an unspoken threat of violence in her countenance, concealed by a pleasant, disarming voice, and soft features. Tel moves with an unnatural grace and precision, each captivating and flowing movement she makes hiding the intentions of a killer.
Although clearly not human, to those with training in the biological sciences, Tel's true appearance suggests that the Oml Zevaxu are the decedents of some long lost and forgotten strain of humanity.
Outside of her quarters, Tel wears highly ornate masks that she has taken to painting with all manner of elaborate patterns or faces. Ever protective of her privacy, she dresses in such a way that almost all of her features are obscured. She favors long flowing robes, muted in color, and bereft of any fanciful designs. Tel never removes her mask in the presence of others, unless having already shifted into a different form, and so no one, even among the crew of the Nova Dawn, has looked upon her true face.
Assumed Appearance(s): When disembarking from the ship, Tel assumes a form and manner of dress appropriate to the local environment.
Homeworld: Zevax is the largest planet of the star Osul and the homeworld of the secretive Oml Zevax. An extremely xenophobic and isolationist society, the Zevaxu fanatically guard their small solar system (Talnur), and entire Jihads have been waged over minor incursions into their territory. As a result, despite their occasional contact with other races in pursuit of trade, precious little information is known about the Zevaxu, their homeworld, or Talnur as the entire system is off-limits to outsiders, having long since been declared a holy site by the Zevaxu.
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Role: Spymaster
Skills: A creature of the shadows, Tel lives by her wits, and is a master of quiet, disciplined intelligence work, rather than straightforward combat. The Oml Zevax spy is capable fighter with a blade or gun, but her chief weapons are subterfuge and deception, and she views it as something of a failure on her own part if she has to resort to fighting in the open. Tel's tradecraft in conjunction with her skills as a psionic and shapechanger ultimately contribute to making her an extremely dangerous foe to cross.
Shape Change "Are you one of them!? They could be anyone, anywhere, hiding in plain sight! Damned, damned, I'm damned because I crossed that murdering bastard Tanc! He threatened me, told me it would be best if I just sold him my company quietly...DAMN HIM! It's all I have! I couldn't, it's mine! Listen! Listen, I know they're coming, they're probably here...already...don't you know? They can take any form...Who?...the Oml Zevaxu...they're shapeshifters...demons, demons from the Void...they must be...it's not natural...it's not right, what manner of creature, no monster can change form that?...DO YOU HEAR IT!? THE WALLS! THEY'RE IN THE WALLS!!!"
- Unpublished notes from an interview with Ethan von Humboldt, Atorian merchant, conducted before his tragic suicide following a long bout of madness
My Mind is a Weapon! or How Psionic Powers Can Help You! "In terms of arcane abilities, beyond shape shifting, our race has been blessed with the powerful psionic power of telepathy. Along with my esteemed colleagues, I have come to believe that the psionic powers of our species developed soon after our remarkable phenotypic plasticity. The ability to not only communicate through thought, but read the minds of others, was an incredibly useful ability for our early ancestors and ensured that they could maintain highly accurate disguises.
The value of this adaption for our evolutionary fitness was immense and it triggered a rapid growth in our telepathic abilities. Today, as we all know, many of us can invade the minds others, influence their very thoughts, and create elaborate illusions to control them. In an interesting example of the evolutionary arms-race that all organisms participate in, we can also see that our species developed the ability to resist or guard our thoughts against the intrusion of other telepaths.
Related to this...W-what? What are you doing!? Stop, put down the gun! You don't have to-"
- Notes from the final lecture of assassinated Oml Zevaxu scientist Yiro Skelt
The Importance of Blending In "The key to being a great spy is really quite simple, don't stand out, and don't mention the war. Appear to be the most average, unassuming, and harmless individual in the room...and it is likely that you will survive. Be old, be fat, be dumb, and most importantly be poorly dressed. Your false persona should be so boring that the most clever guard quickly dismisses you as too simpleminded to even tie your shoes correctly. You see, the true master assassin, is so unremarkable that no one even remembers that he/she was there in the first place."
- Zid Ath, famed Oml Zevaxu Spymaster
Can't Catch Me "Hiding is good, being stealthy is great, and killing your mark without being noticed is the only real goal. However, no matter how good you are, sometimes things go wrong, sometimes things go so wrong that there's no other option but to run. So run, run as fast and as far as you can, run until you can't run any more...and then run some more.
You must learn to be an escape artist...you have to be able to break out of any binds, any prison, steal any thing or any ship. You have to make it off-world, at least, and find some immoral merchant or pirate willing to spirit you away.
It's an endurance race, not a sprint."
- Dras Del, infamous Oml Zevaxu Assassin, reportedly responsible for over 400 assassinations
A Most Charming Spy! "A good disguise can only go so far, and when it fails, and it will, well then trust me when I say that you better be ready. Charm! Charm is what will get you out of any danger! The right words, spoken at the right time, to the right person, can turn the most desperate of situations around. You have to be a social chameleon, always shifting, always changing! You must be whatever it is they desire, whatever it is they need to see or hear to turn them to into your ally! You have to be the sweet innocent flower, the silver-tongued demigod, the pious priest, the wealthy socialite, and the wicked temptress with a voice of silk, alternatively, and sometimes, but less often, all at once."
- Zid Ath, famed Oml Zevaxu Spymaster
Flexible Anatomy
"Be sure to select your poisons carefully based on the physiology of your target. Many races that travel the Void, such as the Nova Lepid, are unfortunately gifted with a strong resistance to particular kinds of poison. Other more deceptive species, such as the Oml Zevaxu have instead learned to mimic the natural resistances of other races. In general, I would advise any budding assassin to be most cautious of these and other shapeshifters."
- Kinh Eere, proprietor of "Bargain Poisons and More!"
Monstrous Form
"There are times when you should blend in, look normal, look harmless, and above all appear to be anything but an alien. However, when you are in danger or when your cover has been compromised rather than try to remain unnoticed it can often be better to aim to scare and unnerve your pursuers. The particular talents of our race allow us to assume the visages of monsters and the stuff of nightmares. And what creature, even a very brave one, faces their greatest fear without hesitation?"
- Adelu Turg, (deceased) Oml Zevaxu smuggler
History:
Top Secret: Urgent Message: Arc Luminous Naval Liaison Wolmorian Sector:
Intelligence has leaked regarding fleet operations in the Wolmorian Sector. It is believed that the Crux Tenebre have acquired detailed information of not only ship deployments, but also the location of our hidden supply caches and individual personnel files. The breech was detected abroad the battleship Tront and computer logs indicate that the data was last accessed by Engineering Specialist Lliak Cerl. However, upon examination of his quarters, Cerl was found dead with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Chief Surgeon abroad the Tront has reported that the crew member has been dead for at least 48 hours, a strange finding considering the data was stolen a mere twelve hours ago. All ships in the sector have been put on high alert and we are conducting a search of all nearby civilian vessels.
Signed, Naval Liaison Lerr Voc
Message to Defense Minister Akima from the Main Intelligence Agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Crux Tenebre:
Defense Minister Akima,
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Operation Askela has been successfully concluded thanks to the aid of one of our agents Delst Zorr. We have liberated the scientist Iacko Umll from Arc Luminous and in gratitude he has generously provided us with detailed schematics of their latest class of warships, codenamed Fulcrum. As previously agreed, Delst Zorr has seen to the 'retirement' of all other involved personnel, and all ties to the honorable Crux Tenebre have been swept aside.
The prison shuttle Hatck, which was expected to arrive at 17.00 hours yesterday, has now been overdue by more than a day. The shuttle was transporting a high-value detainee, the infamous corsair Itore "Twice-Hanged" Neth. The last communication from the ship came at approximately 15.00 hours, when the pilot, Maer Thez, notified the penitentiary at Upera that they were having minor technical difficulties with an air filter after-which all contact was lost with the vessel. Military vessels have been conducting a search and rescue operation for some 24 hours now, but as of yet nothing, even so much as a piece of debris, has been found. A reward of 5,000 golden doubloons is being offered for any information that leads to the recovery of the Hatck, its crew members or Itore Ias.
Addendum 1: The Crux Tenebre Martial Police are hereby offering an additional 5,000 gold doubloons for the capture of Maer Thez, a suspected pirate who is now believed to have commandeered the void-ship Hatck in order to free the convicted criminal Itore Neth.
Addendum 2: Citizens, we would like to remind you that it is a capital offense to aid escaped or wanted criminals.
Memo from the Office of Intelligence, Arc Luminous :
We are providing direct, on on-the-ground support for rebels on Oeme that are currently waging a guerrilla war against the Crux Tenebre-led coalition occupying the Ehtri system. As part of this effort we have acquired the services of Aessa Verg and a collection of mercenaries under her command. Calling themselves the VoidShip Irregulars, they have provided equipment, training, and intelligence for the rebel forces. Given the unstable nature of the Crux Tenebre leadership in the region, approval has been granted for Operation Drumbeat, with the aim of further destabilizing the occupation forces through the elimination of commanding Crux Tenebre officers.
Message to the Office of the Navy, Crux Tenebre:
Contact has been lost with our spy network in the Sull Treuz system. The last transmissions from our agents indicated that the Arc Luminous forces had begun engaging in counter-intelligence operations. The linchpin of this effort is an individual refereed to only as Sol Udra. Thus far, we have been unable to ascertain much, beyond the fact that Udra has ties to several active bands of pirates in the area and appears to show little regard for the rules of war.
Update: Following the interrogations of recently captured pirates, we have learned that Udra is newcomer to the system, and appears to be operating through a complex series of intermediaries, complicating our efforts to identify him. However, it is safe to say that he is no common pirate, unfortunately our informant posted with the local Arc Luminous naval detachment had no knowledge of any official operations currently underway.
Banking House Aldem: Internal Communications: Tasl Alev
My Lord Baron,
We have scoured every shipping log for the last several months and we now believe that the assassin Tasl Alev may be one of the despicable Oml Zevaxu. However, as of yet we have been unable to penetrate the borders of the Talnur system or find any definitive proof regarding the assassin's true identity. We have tried to bribe members of the shipping guild for information, but no one appears willing to risk the ire of the damned changelings.
My apologies for our slow progress, none more than I, burn with the desire to avenge the murder of our young lord. I promise you, my Lord, I will chase this wretched assassin into the deepest depths of the void myself and I will not rest until I have restored the honor of your great house!
Respectfully, Security Officer Lombard
Cartographer's College, Broik Outpost:
Ral!
Ruined! We've been ruined! A thief has stolen our most recent starmaps of the Koeth system! It took five years to map out that damned system and we lose it all in a matter of weeks! We should never have trusted Risl Therl, that damned Jezebel stole everything, cleaned us out for all we're worth, and left us to rot! I've contacted friends within the local magistrate, but they've told me in so many words it's a lost cost, they can't find a single record of Risl Therl, not in the Cartographer's College, not in the Mercantile Assembly, not in the Scrivener Fellowship, and certainly not in the Business Bureau of the Arc Luminos!
Aleg
"Viktor, how long have you served abroad the Nova Dawn?"
"Twenty years, give or take," the one-eyed pirate replied without looking up from the arcane battery he was repairing, "Ever since the Captain dragged me out of a Arc Luminous prison."
"So you pretty much know everyone that's part of the crew, right?"
"Sure, Gir," Viktor said looking up from his work and breaking into a broad grin."Is someone giving you trouble again? They can be a difficult lot but if you give them some time to get used to you then ---"
"No, no, it's not that, I was just curious about --"
"Woah, woah there, friend, let me just stop you there. Since when were pirates known for answering questions?" Viktor interrupted with a chuckle and raised hands. "What the hell, I'll give you a pass this time kid, what do you want to know?"
"Who's the masked woman, the one with the hooded robes? what does she do? I've seen her all over the ship, but I still haven't figured out what she actually does on the ship and it's like half the crew are afraid to mention her name."
"Ah, you mean Tel Lyed, the Captain's spymaster and the most infamous spook this side of the void," Viktor said, finally putting down his tools, and casting his eyes around to make sure no one was listening. "Shut the door, Gir."
"So you know her then?"
"Ha, listen kid, no one knows Tel Lyed, least of all me."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing's ever the same with her, not her appearance, not her voice, and certainly not the stories she tells about her past. She's what a more educated man might call an enigma, my boy."
"She doesn't seem that bad, maybe she's just shy?"
"Don't be fooled by her fanciful alien charms, Gris," Viktor added with a wink,"Best stay away from her Gris, she's bad news, and doesn't take kindly to people asking questions about her. If she doesn't kill you, then she'll pass your name off to someone else who will, and she's in deep with the worst of the worst, the real villains, who'll happily murder a system or two to keep a secret."
"So then why does the Captain keep her around?"
Clearly amused, Viktor patted Gir good-naturedly on the shoulder,"I'm not sure if you've failed to notice kid, but we aren't exactly the good guys."
"I know but we're not that bad, we don't--"
"Listen, sometimes we need someone like her, someone who can get whatever information we need for a score, someone willing to kill at drop of hat, and someone who knows who to bribe when things don't work out according to plan."
"Sure, but what about--"
"Good evening gentleman."
Startled, both Viktor and Gir turned in the direction of the sound, only to be met by the robed figure of of Tel Lyed. Drawing a short, paniced breath, Viktor looked upon the terrifying visage of her painted mask, skillfully painted to look like some form of Void demon, unmoving and unchanging, for what felt like an eternity. He was sure that he was experiencing the last seconds of his storied and remarkably long life as a pirate. Muttering a brief series of prayers to all the gods he could remember, just to hedge his bets, the grizzled pirate consoled himself with the thought that at least it would be a quicker death than that offered by the Steward's cooking.
The Gods were merciful however and with only a polite nod in their direction Tel Lyed left the room just as quietly as she had entered. So shocked was he, that he failed to notice if she had even used the door. There was no way he could know, but Viktor felt certain that the Oml Zevax spy was smiling beneath her mask.
"Gods, how'd she get past the door?" He muttered, face still ashen.
Personality: A talented and committed actress, Tel will assume whatever identity or personality she has to accomplish a mission. However, beneath the multitude of adopted identities and mannerisms she carries with her, Tel is in fact a complete and fairly sane person (as sane as a Space Pirate can be). She treats the other crew members of the Nova Dawn warmly, never forgetting that they are currently her only colleagues (and remembering that it's quite bothersome to vet new crew members). Despite her status as the resident spook, Tel relishes any opportunity to be social, and to drown away the monotony of Void travel by imbibing a tasty drink or more. After all...Spies just want to have fun.
Unlike many a spy she is more than happy to talk about her past, past exploits, and current targets...however, the veracity of her stories is an entirely different matter.
Tel has a sharp eye for detail and catches the details that others miss or forget in passing. Most importantly, she knows when and how to listen (a supremely underrated skill). She is both a keeper and dealer of many secrets, secrets that are best forgotten or more likely saved for a rainy day. Long years of experience have cultivated in her the two traits most important to a spy: patience and self-control.
An exceptionally skilled spymaster, Tel is gifted with a prodigious memory and a talent for convincing people, very politely, to talk. Years spent in the shadows, weaving webs of deception, and dealing in death have provided her with a profound insight into the weaknesses of others. As a result, she eschews the heavy-handed tactics of soldiers and lesser spies, favoring subtlety and guile over brute force.
While conscious of the grim nature of her profession, Tel rarely concerns herself with the morality of her actions. Some might perhaps uncharitably call her self-serving, but Tel would counter that she very much enjoys being alive, thank you very much. Spies with consciences having notoriously short lifespans in the darker parts of the Void.
Other:
- The Oml Zevaxu spymaster has a large collection of ornate theater masks that she has taken to painting with both beautiful and terrifying visages. Valuing her anonymity, she wears these masks when wandering the decks of the Nova Dawn in her true form.
- Tel has a fondness for tea and when not otherwise engaged she can often be found sitting in various parts of the Nova Dawn nursing a cup of freshly brewed tea.
- She has a minor obsession with honey and all things sweet.
- Perhaps, as a result of her love of honey, Tel is fascinated by the art of beekeeping, and treasures an ancient tome about beekeeping that she often reads in the privacy of her quarters. When asked about this book, Tel has always maintained that she plans to retire one day and live the rest of her days quietly as a beekeeper.
I could be wrong, but I recall reading that the Nova Dawn was designed to support a crew of less than twenty
Once, long ago, before we had an OOC:
Another thing I wanted to mention, just offhand, is that the Nova Dawn is not a big ship. It has the living space and amenities to support a crew of about twenty tops.
Personally, I'm always partial to the mixed newness crew (I think it offers the most RP fun, wherein some people can help provide a "fresh character's perspective" and others can provide the perspective of slightly less new crew members).
For Tel (the spymaster), I just figured she'd been on the ship for quiet some time (but not several hundred years, she wouldn't want to be the "old man" of the boat, so to speak), however, I'm happy to change that if needed.
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Sent @Dead Cruiser a draft of my CS, so pray for me friends. :3
