Bjarnemon’s Trial of Resolve
*Lilliana (regardless of what she’s doing at this hour), finds her pack suddenly get about 5 pounds heavier. Upon opening, she finds an ancient metallic gear that looks like it belongs in a titan’s vault. Upon inspection, there’s a single ‘button’ in its centre. Upon pressing the button, the mechanism expands in Lilliana’s hands and whirls to the closest waist-level flat surface. A holographic image of Bjarnemon wearing otherworldly clothing expands and hovers above an open lens within the mechanism; at which point, it begins to monologue.*
Heheh, ‘ey dere Lilliana. Dis be mah report on da Grim Trial ‘o Resolve. Dis device be equipped with a modified artificial intelligence; meanin’ I can be answerein’ any simple queries you may ‘ave to da best of my limited abilities. I be hopin’ this be gettin’ to you in enjoyable time.
*Ahem* I met with Vincent Malhavik Undercroft at ‘is place o’ residence in da Aggaman Fields, an’ I met with Leyu’jin Zeysoga da Wordbearer in a busy bar in Warspear during your last week. Lastly, I met with da Cen in da sundered Eco Dome o’ Netherstorm in 6 years, 3 months an’ 1 hour from you. At first, I be skeptical o' da value of such a trial. But I be ‘appy I talked to dese people in de end. Except Malhavik.
*Bjarnemon glares*
*Bjarnemon laughs*
I kid. ‘e be findin’ ‘is stride eventually. After what ‘e did to Brast, I wanted to teleport ‘im into da Far Beyond. But now I be glad I never did. Don’ you dare tell ‘im I said dat. ‘e needs to sweat a bit to get ‘is shit done. *Bjarnemon’s eyes portray that he’s rethinking what he just said* Metaphorically, of course.
Anyway, da three o’ dem ‘elped me find mah resolve to serve da Mandate, an’ dat be da impo’ent thing. I be fightin’ for da underdogs o’ da war because dey needed me. Da ‘elpless ‘o da Horde needed me. It served me well to undergo dis challenge, as I be masterin’ a half-century’s study in six short years o’ Alliance slaughter. We be goin’ through a world ‘o pain together, an’ I be still confident dat I made da right investment to da Mandate. I met many o’ my favourite people o' all-time. *winks*
If you like (an’ if you be in da neighborhood), den please be tellin’ Vul’jin to get some better bodyguards an’ to put up better wards. Da fool be about to get ‘imself assassinated again. Dis be one o’ only a handful o’ golden ages fo’ da Horde dat I’ve yet found. Don’ let dem fuck it up.
Lastly, I be thinkin’ you would enjoy da future conversation dat Cen an’ I ‘ad. I foun’ dis little gem in mah archives an’ I edited it for your fascination. An’ to show you dat I not be so crazy as Syreena. *chuckles* Jus’ pop dis lens into da left side o’ da goggles I gave ya an’ say “Bjarnemon is da mon!” to activate! heheheh.
*If Lilliana attempts this, the hologram immediately disappears. Once the lens is detached from the device and inserted into her own goggles, she sees a familiarly-styled “recording” automatically playback in her left eye. It’s upside-down until she whirls the lens into focus. Surprisingly, this time, there’s audio!
Lilliana tries to move the camera by looking around, and is saddened to see that the view remains that of Bjarnemon’s (she’s to assume it's his). He appears to be wandering inside a giant purple-domed jungle with a large cat at his side. They seem to be hunting some wildlife until he spots a woman wearing oddly fashioned clothing; Bjarnemon starts casting protective spells as she swoops down in front of them on a large, fiery bird. Bjarnemon looks to his side to see his hunting partner is no longer there. He looks back to the Sin’dorei woman as she dismounts. The pheonix flies off on command.*
Bjarnemon looks for escape paths on both sides.
Bjarnemon says: What'chu wan’?
Cen doesn't say anything, but smiles slowly and points at you.
Bjarnemon says: You wit' da infinites?
Bjarnemon attempts to dispel an illusion on Cen.
Cen dismisses the concern with a wave of her hand and a friendly wink.
Cen says: Bjarnemon. The troll. Of the Grim.
Bjarnemon says: I not be knowin' you. Do I?
Cen sounds a little dry of voice, as if she has been silent a long, long while.
Cen says: No and yes. Yes and no.
Bjarnemon rubs his chin.
Cen says: ...
Cen says: You will.
Cen says: I am the Cen.
Bjarnemon ponders the situation.
Cen clears her throat, bringing vitality back to it from long lack of use.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] You don' seem like my type.
Cen says: [Thalassian] I am not. Though we become fast friends. erm... slowly.
Bjarnemon looks skeptical.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Alrigh', den you know me well enough to know dat I don' know you now.
Cen takes a lazy seat, twisting her fingers in the damp rich earth.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] What'chu wan'?
Cen says: [Thalassian] The Cen is here to impart wisdom, if'n she can.
Bjarnemon hesitantly crouches down to listen closely.
Cen tilts her head back and forth, pouting her lips at the thought of it.
Cen says: [Thalassian] When are you troll?
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] I be now, as always.
Bjarnemon says matter-of-factly.
Cen turns her hands over open-palmed and shrugs.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Of course. But not so simple, yes?
Cen looks to the stars.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Simpler to some den others, mon.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Well... I am here. Now is the when you said I should, and so I did as wanted would.
Cen smiles warmly and reaches out her hand to offer a letter.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] *I* be sendin' you 'ere?
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Ah... I 'adn't though' o' dat. Yet.
Bjarnemon chuckles at his brilliance!
Cen nods and gives the letter a little shake.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Am I to read it now, mon?
Cen says: [Thalassian] Take it. But read it later. You have time...
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Dat I do.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] So what “wisdom” you be sharin' den?
Cen says: [Thalassian] It is for the Grim. You will join them, and you will accomplish great things together.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Da Grim Reapers?
Cen says: [Thalassian] I have watched you, erm... known you, for many seasons now.
Cen says: [Thalassian] No. The Grim. Just as that.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] An' dis be da first time we meet?
Cen says: [Thalassian] For you. Yes.
You nod at Cen.
Cen says: [Thalassian] For the Cen we will meet...
Cen inspects you to try and gage the years.
Bjarnemon seems about 15 years younger than "present day".
Cen says: [Thalassian] Well... some years at the least... you will be older when the Cen meets you: she will be younger.
Cen twitches her ears as she stares a while, taking in the wonderment.
Cen says: [Thalassian] My but aren't you just an interesting sort!
Cen takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, grounding herself.
Bjarnemon waits patiently. Ears still alert, waiting for any imminent ambushes.
Cen says: [Thalassian] We will fight many battles together my friend... though I am yet not yours, so shall I call you as mine.
Cen smiles and nods to herself, eyes still closed.
Cen lights some incense and wafts it about them as she humms.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Dat all?
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] I be friends wit' a bleedin' elf someday?
Cen says: [Thalassian] Larast, minathra ta talin talin...
Cen prays.
Bjarnemon looks confused.
Cen opens her eyes.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] I not be familiar wid dat dialect, mon.
Cen says: [Thalassian] That is hard for you, to know you do not know a thing.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Let us... mmm... move ahead, yes?
Bjarnemon says: Please.
Cen says: [Thalassian] You will seek of the Cen to Try her Resolve.
Cen says: [Thalassian] After Grim you have become.
Cen rambles quickly, not concerned for what does and does not yet make sense.
Cen says: [Thalassian] I have thought on what to tell you. For years have I reflected.
Bjarnemon pays close attention to this mystic "message" in tongues. The Cen is likely possessed by demons or some-such to be speaking like this.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Prepared me well did you, for too to prepare you.
Bjarnemon doesn't want to miss a word, as these messages rarely come twice.
Cen breathes in again, wafting the forest scents to her nose.
Cen says: [Thalassian] This is what the Cen will tell you.
Cen nods.
Cen says: [Thalassian] ...
Bjarnemon looks to be listening closely.
Cen says: [Thalassian] In the Grim, the Cen will have... trials, after her trials.
Cen narrows her brow.
Cen says: [Thalassian] On fragile ground will she walk in her intent to serve the Grim and serve her truth.
Cen goes silent a moment to accept her sorrow.
Cen says: [Thalassian] The Grim, for when you join know this: have strict manners, masters, and motives.
Cen says: [Thalassian] And their cause may challenge your own, as the Cen's it has done.
Cen raises her hands.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Blood.
Cen looks at her hands and shows them to you, clean but for the dirt they have been digging in.
Bjarnemon says: Dere be a lot o' blood on your hands?
Cen says: [Thalassian] There is blood of innocents upon these.
You nod at Cen.
Cen says: [Thalassian] And innocents saved for the blood of others thereupon.
Cen says: [Thalassian] And there does the Cen live, within the Grim.
Cen has a furtive look as she says "within the Grim".
Cen says: [Thalassian] ...
Cen says: [Thalassian] The Cen would wish to save.
Cen says: [Thalassian] And in the Grim, does witness... murder, she would call it. But, these deaths dealt may yet save other lives.
Cen says: [Thalassian] So the Cen has had to hope.
Bjarnemon ponders.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] You wan' me to slaughter innocents to save your life?
Cen closes her eyes.
Cen says: [Thalassian] No. But you will.
Cen says: [Thalassian] The Cen would see no death, had she her way.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] I see. An' dis Grim; dey be da instrument o' dis slaughtering?
Cen says: [Thalassian] But death, a paradox, might yet lead to the preservation of life. And so the Cen has stood beside the Grim to stop death: in death.
Cen nods.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Does it work?
You smile at Cen.
Cen opens her mouth and shrugs.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Not yet.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] What makes you be thinkin' it be da best way, den?
Cen says: [Thalassian] But do not tell your Cen that. She has many burdens on her heart.
Cen nods.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Hm. I won' burden your Cen.
Bjarnemon seems to mostly understand.
Cen says: [Thalassian] Some lives has the Cen saved. Even some lives that her Grim may have taken. .. The other way is within this way.
Cen says: [Thalassian] ...for now...
Cen rises.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] Who be da innocents needin' slaughter?
Cen says: [Thalassian] Well. The Grim will say, and you with and through them. The Alliance.
Cen says: [Thalassian] But might the Cen, now and then, your future old Cen too will feel the same. ... ... Save the children.
Cen smiles warmly.
Cen says: [Thalassian] My friend.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] I be skeptical.
Cen grins and takes her leave unceremoniously.
Cen says: [Thalassian] I know.
Bjarnemon says: [Thalassian] But dere be enough connections to believe.
Bjarnemon's Trial of Resolve Report
Re: Bjarnemon's Trial of Resolve Report
Although not in Bjarnemon's report (and is thus, not IC knowledge for the reader), below is the dialogue that preceded the interview (preceded by about 6.25 years):
[Guild Chat:]
Bjarnemon says: 'ey Cen, I need to be talkin' to you right now.
Cen: Now is the right time for such?
Bjarnemon: Ya mon, I be thinkin' it is.
Bjarnemon: Where can you be meetin' me?
Cen: Have you seen the coast of Tanaan? Lovely lovely!
Bjarnemon: I be seein' ya dere.
...an hour later, at the coast of Tanaan...
Bjarnemon says: 'ey mon
Cen seems to be doing some sort of prayer.
Cen looks up.
Cen says: Oh!
Cen says: Salutations.
You greet Cen with a hearty hello!
Cen grins a quirky smile.
Bjarnemon says: I don' mean to interrupt.
Cen says: No concern. Now is now, that was then.
Cen says: How can the Cen help you?
Bjarnemon says: Ah. I be askin' a favour of you. It be for da sake of continuity.
Cen nods as she listens.
Bjarnemon checks his watch.
Cen checks the stars.
Bjarnemon says: In about 6 years, 3 months, 1 day, an' 5 hours I need you to be lookin' for me on da Eco Dome o' da shattered Netherstorm.
Bjarnemon says: You be comin' across me as I was a couple o' years ago.
Cen twists her ear in her finger as she mouths back the very specific date.
Bjarnemon says: I'm'a need your wisdom.
Cen says: I do believe I am free that day…
Cen ponders.
You laugh.
Bjarnemon says: Ah, mebbe you be wantin' to put it in your calendar?
Cen makes no note of the time but seems to absently forget it in the manner she treats most information: with a wink.
Cen says: No, no.
Cen says: That'll be fine. If the Cen you need, then the Cen you shall have.
Cen watches a butterfly.
Bjarnemon says: You may bring a note to be givin' me. Da younger me. Da naïve one.
Cen says: A note?
Cen holds out her hand as if expecting something.
Bjarnemon says: Ya mon. I won' be trustin' you den, so I be needin' a note to dwell on. One from you.
Cen narrows her eyes in thought.
Bjarnemon misunderstands and shakes Cen's outstretched hand.
Bjarnemon says: Danks mon.
Cen says: What might the Cen tell you in the future that you… in the past? … That younger you might know to trust her?
Bjarnemon says: Well, I be needin' to know dat my place in da Grim be destined.
Cen looks at Bjarnemon intently, nodding her head as she inspects with her gaze.
Cen says: So be it.
Bjarnemon says: Great.
Cen grins, something in this prospect she likes.
Bjarnemon says: Oh, an' I be 'avin' to do mah trial 'o resolve too. You be 'ere now, so could you be tellin' me about your resolve?
Cen says: Oh no, no, no.
Bjarnemon says: No?
Cen says: Let us wait a few years, for a wiser Cen.
Cen winks slyly at you.
Bjarnemon says: Ah
Bjarnemon winks slyly, tapping his nose twice.
Cen says: Whatever this Cen might know, so too shall she later. Yes?
Cen says: How fun!
Bjarnemon says: Ah, ya... dat might work
Cen pauses in thought.
Bjarnemon says: ...hopefully I listened
Bjarnemon tries to remember.
Cen says: Hmm... I will have to ensure I live a little longer then.
Bjarnemon scratches his chin.
Bjarnemon says: You will on some line.
Bjarnemon says: Since I be 'ere already.
Bjarnemon says: ...In theory.
Cen says: ...
Cen says: ...
Cen says: ...
Cen says: I'm convinced!
You wave goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
*Cen abruptly turns and skips away.
[Guild Chat:]
Bjarnemon says: 'ey Cen, I need to be talkin' to you right now.
Cen: Now is the right time for such?
Bjarnemon: Ya mon, I be thinkin' it is.
Bjarnemon: Where can you be meetin' me?
Cen: Have you seen the coast of Tanaan? Lovely lovely!
Bjarnemon: I be seein' ya dere.
...an hour later, at the coast of Tanaan...
Bjarnemon says: 'ey mon
Cen seems to be doing some sort of prayer.
Cen looks up.
Cen says: Oh!
Cen says: Salutations.
You greet Cen with a hearty hello!
Cen grins a quirky smile.
Bjarnemon says: I don' mean to interrupt.
Cen says: No concern. Now is now, that was then.
Cen says: How can the Cen help you?
Bjarnemon says: Ah. I be askin' a favour of you. It be for da sake of continuity.
Cen nods as she listens.
Bjarnemon checks his watch.
Cen checks the stars.
Bjarnemon says: In about 6 years, 3 months, 1 day, an' 5 hours I need you to be lookin' for me on da Eco Dome o' da shattered Netherstorm.
Bjarnemon says: You be comin' across me as I was a couple o' years ago.
Cen twists her ear in her finger as she mouths back the very specific date.
Bjarnemon says: I'm'a need your wisdom.
Cen says: I do believe I am free that day…
Cen ponders.
You laugh.
Bjarnemon says: Ah, mebbe you be wantin' to put it in your calendar?
Cen makes no note of the time but seems to absently forget it in the manner she treats most information: with a wink.
Cen says: No, no.
Cen says: That'll be fine. If the Cen you need, then the Cen you shall have.
Cen watches a butterfly.
Bjarnemon says: You may bring a note to be givin' me. Da younger me. Da naïve one.
Cen says: A note?
Cen holds out her hand as if expecting something.
Bjarnemon says: Ya mon. I won' be trustin' you den, so I be needin' a note to dwell on. One from you.
Cen narrows her eyes in thought.
Bjarnemon misunderstands and shakes Cen's outstretched hand.
Bjarnemon says: Danks mon.
Cen says: What might the Cen tell you in the future that you… in the past? … That younger you might know to trust her?
Bjarnemon says: Well, I be needin' to know dat my place in da Grim be destined.
Cen looks at Bjarnemon intently, nodding her head as she inspects with her gaze.
Cen says: So be it.
Bjarnemon says: Great.
Cen grins, something in this prospect she likes.
Bjarnemon says: Oh, an' I be 'avin' to do mah trial 'o resolve too. You be 'ere now, so could you be tellin' me about your resolve?
Cen says: Oh no, no, no.
Bjarnemon says: No?
Cen says: Let us wait a few years, for a wiser Cen.
Cen winks slyly at you.
Bjarnemon says: Ah
Bjarnemon winks slyly, tapping his nose twice.
Cen says: Whatever this Cen might know, so too shall she later. Yes?
Cen says: How fun!
Bjarnemon says: Ah, ya... dat might work
Cen pauses in thought.
Bjarnemon says: ...hopefully I listened
Bjarnemon tries to remember.
Cen says: Hmm... I will have to ensure I live a little longer then.
Bjarnemon scratches his chin.
Bjarnemon says: You will on some line.
Bjarnemon says: Since I be 'ere already.
Bjarnemon says: ...In theory.
Cen says: ...
Cen says: ...
Cen says: ...
Cen says: I'm convinced!
You wave goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
*Cen abruptly turns and skips away.
Re: Bjarnemon's Trial of Resolve Report
(( Those were really fun to do with you Bjarn. And great write up!
Now the mystery of when and how Cen recruited Bjarnemon, for her own trial, finally makes sense. ))
Now the mystery of when and how Cen recruited Bjarnemon, for her own trial, finally makes sense. ))