Inquisitors-
As my sister Opalexian has told me that I must speak with several Grim to understand your Mandate better, I present for you 'dossiers', as the Shado-Pan call them, on three of your esteemed members for your approval.
Yours in Battle-
Yuolin
Trainee of the Shado-Pan, Wu Kao School
Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
Last edited by opalexian on Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
SURVEY SAYS: Sandwiches cut in 1/2 catty-corner taste 5 times better than those cut lengthwise!
FFXIV-Linji Zlykot, Queen of ALL THE THINGS
WoW (retired)-Opalexian, Killyzix, Yuolin, Sujibga, Hajae, Oxauun, Rasputine
FFXIV-Linji Zlykot, Queen of ALL THE THINGS
WoW (retired)-Opalexian, Killyzix, Yuolin, Sujibga, Hajae, Oxauun, Rasputine
Re: Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
Dossier-Acherontia
This undead warlock of slight build proved as interested in me as I did in her; our interview started with her asking questions of her own with regards to my intentions for joining The Grim. According to her she was doing 'what I must to ensure loyalty; loyalty to us above all.' Her questions about if my sister Opalexian died tomorrow gave me much to meditate on the following morning.
Contrary to what I had been told I found her to be an interesting and fanatically devoted individual, with her main (perhaps only) interest being in upholding the Mandate and being the epitome of what it means to be Grim.
She began her life in Andorhal before her reawakening in what she called 'Capitol City', now the Undercity. She described the awakening as confusing, with her senses dulled. Her thoughts originally returned to trying to 'foolishly' return to her former, presumably human, life. Again something I pondered heavily upon in the following days since my fellow undead recruits seem to be disinterested in talking about their awakenings in favor of focusing on the future with their training at the the Peak and in the restored Monastery.
Asked about her training, Acherontia told me that she was not trained so much as thrown in with the Cult of the Damned (those who brought about the damnable destruction and the King of Skulls) during her waking life; undeath appears to have made her training more useful to her as she appears to be using fel-energies to replace her eyes.
When asked why she fights for the Mandate she replied 'Because it is the duty of every Grim.' It seems however that The Grim gave her purpose first, as she told me that the priest who found her, Melchiesedech, helped her understand that her new life was not to seek out her old (living) one but to find meaning in her new one; The Grim were, to her, 'uncomplicated' in their purpose. By contrast the Sindorei (as an example) are not without, as she said, 'their arrogance (...) their lusts.' Perhaps seemingly a harsh observation to a Sindorei, but one that I think is honest with a razor-sharp edge-a trait I find invaluable in an ally.
Our interview concluded with her telling me she no longer has a strong presence within The Grim's daily functions due to some personal disagreements with certain leadership, and while she distastefully said these had to do with emotional behavior I found that she is a loyal compatriot and not nearly as 'terrible' or cold-feeling to be around as I had been given the impression of. I actually found her to be rather good company as her honesty was a welcome relief from the sometimes overly-abstract lessons the Pandaren masters seem to revel in giving trolls in particular.
If The Mandate is about loyalty, Acherontia is certainly a person to speak to about this aspect of being Grim.
This undead warlock of slight build proved as interested in me as I did in her; our interview started with her asking questions of her own with regards to my intentions for joining The Grim. According to her she was doing 'what I must to ensure loyalty; loyalty to us above all.' Her questions about if my sister Opalexian died tomorrow gave me much to meditate on the following morning.
Contrary to what I had been told I found her to be an interesting and fanatically devoted individual, with her main (perhaps only) interest being in upholding the Mandate and being the epitome of what it means to be Grim.
She began her life in Andorhal before her reawakening in what she called 'Capitol City', now the Undercity. She described the awakening as confusing, with her senses dulled. Her thoughts originally returned to trying to 'foolishly' return to her former, presumably human, life. Again something I pondered heavily upon in the following days since my fellow undead recruits seem to be disinterested in talking about their awakenings in favor of focusing on the future with their training at the the Peak and in the restored Monastery.
Asked about her training, Acherontia told me that she was not trained so much as thrown in with the Cult of the Damned (those who brought about the damnable destruction and the King of Skulls) during her waking life; undeath appears to have made her training more useful to her as she appears to be using fel-energies to replace her eyes.
When asked why she fights for the Mandate she replied 'Because it is the duty of every Grim.' It seems however that The Grim gave her purpose first, as she told me that the priest who found her, Melchiesedech, helped her understand that her new life was not to seek out her old (living) one but to find meaning in her new one; The Grim were, to her, 'uncomplicated' in their purpose. By contrast the Sindorei (as an example) are not without, as she said, 'their arrogance (...) their lusts.' Perhaps seemingly a harsh observation to a Sindorei, but one that I think is honest with a razor-sharp edge-a trait I find invaluable in an ally.
Our interview concluded with her telling me she no longer has a strong presence within The Grim's daily functions due to some personal disagreements with certain leadership, and while she distastefully said these had to do with emotional behavior I found that she is a loyal compatriot and not nearly as 'terrible' or cold-feeling to be around as I had been given the impression of. I actually found her to be rather good company as her honesty was a welcome relief from the sometimes overly-abstract lessons the Pandaren masters seem to revel in giving trolls in particular.
If The Mandate is about loyalty, Acherontia is certainly a person to speak to about this aspect of being Grim.
Last edited by opalexian on Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:14 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Re: Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
Dossier-Addikus
(Small note-I find it interesting that most Grim go by only one name while most of the cultures they come from have two or more given to them at birth; this perhaps points to a more 'compartmentalized' membership than my sister had led on to.)
I found Addikus on a brief patrol of the upper sewers of Undercity; perhaps he wanted to scare me out of interviewing him, particularly when he drew back his mask to reveal his severely-disfigured face. As I have slogged through and seen worse on the battlefield I believe his attempts to disgust me were somewhat humorous, perhaps even endearing. Otherwise, he would be the height of the average man but undeath has brought with it the seemingly perpetual greasy and bedraggled hair that all undead share, as well as a permanent limp and a hunched over disposition that reminded me of when I gave our pet cat sungrass back in Sen'jin Village-it couldn't walk straight for a week and didn't seem to remember it had bones most of the time.
Addikus was born to the human world in Menethil Harbor to a 'working girl' and maintains the accent that gives this background away. My sister, who had interviewed him previously and felt they had become decently aquatinted, had told me that he had worked for SI:7 and the human lie-keeper Mathais Shaw. She also said he seems to loathe the human waste so I can only assume that his mastery of the stealthed assassin abilities came from his human life at a price that those bastards reminded him of frequently. He told me himself that he learned rudimentary skills such as pickpocketing in the Stratholme of old and, after his training and likely abuse at the hands of the traitorous human scum he was then brought into undeath in the wake of the King of Skulls' rampage at its inception in that same city. The disfigurement to his face was apparently inflicted shortly before his rebirth by human filth. This only furthers my theory that they are, as a race, a blight on Azeroth that birthed the King of Skulls but would better serve the world if they all just gave themselves to the Lady Sylvannas's call.
When asked why he fights he told me plainly that he fights because the humans betrayed him, particularly Shaw, and 'the world can't be right until he be dead.' Revenge, as my people say, is a dish best-served raw. I appreciate this sentiment quite a bit, and that The Grim may be a place to cultivate this attitude makes me think that I may not be as out of place as I once thought.
Continuing the interview, Addikus told me that he joined The Grim to fight the Alliance head-on. He joined when Thrall was still Warchief and wanted to fight all the encroaching destruction of the Horde with peace treaties, compromises, and other such niceties that the ridiculous shamanic teachings of my youth assaulted me with. He sought a solution counter to this school of thought and found that within the violence against the Alliance (and indeed any force that wishes to harm The Horde) that The Grim espoused. As he said, 'I hears the Grim be the meanest sons a bitches there is. Asked where do I sign. First one I spoke te was that Syreena. Mean little devil. Liked her right off. The rest be the rest.' The seeming overabundance of undead rogues in the guild must certainly be an asset that makes The Grim as knowledgeable as they are violent (a reputation the Shado-Pan have certainly warned me about, but my duties to family are firmly above their black cloaks and furs.)
Addikus's opinion on the Mandate proved interesting to me. He felt that the Mandate is a 'phrase' that can be 'tossed' to other guild members but for him he didn't need words to tell him where to aim his considerable arsenal of tricks, traps, and pointed objects. He did, however, point out that the verbiage of it 'fetches like minded folks together, te one place (...) that be helpful.'
While his life had been very grim (no fun intended), The Grim have given him a place to perform the more violent tasks that The Horde needs to protect itself against outside (and perhaps inside?) threats. Whether it is protection or revenge that Grim hold in their hearts, I think that Addikus very plainly says what needs to be said about The Grim's means of operation. In another life he will make an excellent Troll.
(Small note-I find it interesting that most Grim go by only one name while most of the cultures they come from have two or more given to them at birth; this perhaps points to a more 'compartmentalized' membership than my sister had led on to.)
I found Addikus on a brief patrol of the upper sewers of Undercity; perhaps he wanted to scare me out of interviewing him, particularly when he drew back his mask to reveal his severely-disfigured face. As I have slogged through and seen worse on the battlefield I believe his attempts to disgust me were somewhat humorous, perhaps even endearing. Otherwise, he would be the height of the average man but undeath has brought with it the seemingly perpetual greasy and bedraggled hair that all undead share, as well as a permanent limp and a hunched over disposition that reminded me of when I gave our pet cat sungrass back in Sen'jin Village-it couldn't walk straight for a week and didn't seem to remember it had bones most of the time.
Addikus was born to the human world in Menethil Harbor to a 'working girl' and maintains the accent that gives this background away. My sister, who had interviewed him previously and felt they had become decently aquatinted, had told me that he had worked for SI:7 and the human lie-keeper Mathais Shaw. She also said he seems to loathe the human waste so I can only assume that his mastery of the stealthed assassin abilities came from his human life at a price that those bastards reminded him of frequently. He told me himself that he learned rudimentary skills such as pickpocketing in the Stratholme of old and, after his training and likely abuse at the hands of the traitorous human scum he was then brought into undeath in the wake of the King of Skulls' rampage at its inception in that same city. The disfigurement to his face was apparently inflicted shortly before his rebirth by human filth. This only furthers my theory that they are, as a race, a blight on Azeroth that birthed the King of Skulls but would better serve the world if they all just gave themselves to the Lady Sylvannas's call.
When asked why he fights he told me plainly that he fights because the humans betrayed him, particularly Shaw, and 'the world can't be right until he be dead.' Revenge, as my people say, is a dish best-served raw. I appreciate this sentiment quite a bit, and that The Grim may be a place to cultivate this attitude makes me think that I may not be as out of place as I once thought.
Continuing the interview, Addikus told me that he joined The Grim to fight the Alliance head-on. He joined when Thrall was still Warchief and wanted to fight all the encroaching destruction of the Horde with peace treaties, compromises, and other such niceties that the ridiculous shamanic teachings of my youth assaulted me with. He sought a solution counter to this school of thought and found that within the violence against the Alliance (and indeed any force that wishes to harm The Horde) that The Grim espoused. As he said, 'I hears the Grim be the meanest sons a bitches there is. Asked where do I sign. First one I spoke te was that Syreena. Mean little devil. Liked her right off. The rest be the rest.' The seeming overabundance of undead rogues in the guild must certainly be an asset that makes The Grim as knowledgeable as they are violent (a reputation the Shado-Pan have certainly warned me about, but my duties to family are firmly above their black cloaks and furs.)
Addikus's opinion on the Mandate proved interesting to me. He felt that the Mandate is a 'phrase' that can be 'tossed' to other guild members but for him he didn't need words to tell him where to aim his considerable arsenal of tricks, traps, and pointed objects. He did, however, point out that the verbiage of it 'fetches like minded folks together, te one place (...) that be helpful.'
While his life had been very grim (no fun intended), The Grim have given him a place to perform the more violent tasks that The Horde needs to protect itself against outside (and perhaps inside?) threats. Whether it is protection or revenge that Grim hold in their hearts, I think that Addikus very plainly says what needs to be said about The Grim's means of operation. In another life he will make an excellent Troll.
Last edited by opalexian on Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
Dossier-Abric
Interviewing Abric reminded me, ironically, of trying to speak with Taran Zhu within the halls of the Monastery. I suspect that the two of them would see kindred souls in each other and would enjoy each other's company...or try to kill one another immediately. I am not sure which result would win out.
When I was finally able to pin down Abric in one location I found him at the Shadowmoon Faire, which seemed like an idyllic enough setting for an interview. His presence there gave the happiness the Faire usually has a bizarrely sinister feel since he needed (or perhaps wanted to SHOW a need) to walk around the Faire grounds and pass odd packages between himself and a few of the more shady members of the Faire's crew. Of his appearance I can say little aside from that he was obviously attired as a rogue, but both his clothing and his skin seemed a bit too large on his very gaunt frame, and an unusually-large proboscis protruded from inside his mask.
His answers to my questions proved equally as odd and obviously were thought of beforehand to make me question my presence in the guild. His loyalty to The Grim was obviously his main priority but his dubious answers would have made a person of lesser convictions likely run screaming off the pier to be eaten alive by the usually-docile crabs in the shallows there (those or that bothersome gnome who is perpetually fishing while watching people be thrown through the air to try and hit that ridiculous floating target in front of him.)
As we made our way around the Faire grounds he enlightened me on his origins (born twice, both in Azeroth), he was trained by his 'former captor (...) as with most Forsaken', he fights because he must, and some 'whore' found him and brought him into the Grim fold 'when the call was first given'-presumably he was referring to the guild's beginnings although I have no knowledge of the guild's former life as a brothel.
It was my final question that elicited the most ambiguous (and Lord Tzu-worthy) answers. While seeming testy at having to answer my questions previous to this point (as this Trial is required of all supplicants and it was only a matter of time before someone approached him to be interviewed) my final question, 'how does the Mandate affect you?' first required a clarification of the initial question ('what do you achieve personally by upholding the Mandate?'), then I had to actually stop him from completing his odd 'rounds' of the Faire to give me an answer I felt satisfied the requirements of the Trial. I committed to memory as much as I could of what he said before slipping into the shadows to leave me with things to ponder (and possibly avoid more questions-again, a move that Lord Tzu has used with glee on more than a number of Shado-Pan, no matter what their level of training.) I write here what I remember-
1. The answers to his questions lie within my previous interviews and a closer scrutiny of the Mandate, as well as observation of The Grim's activites while also participating in them.
2. The Mandate is inherently designed to bring the very different individuals in the guild together for a unified purpose. Again, this is something that I found in previous interviews in less obtuse terms.
3. Abric is impatient and feels that this Trial is of little use (to himself at least) and I'd like to reiterate that I felt like I was talking to Lord Tzu while talking to Abric. Perhaps he should join the Shado-Pan in my absence-he almost seemed too calm to be Grim and might be excellent at writing koans as well.
At any rate, Abric has, if nothing else, told me that I should never stop questioning my place in The Grim (and likely the world in general.) I hope to never be on the wrong end of his daggers on the battlefield; to this end, I would implore the Inquisitors to burn this dossier after they have read and approved of it.
Interviewing Abric reminded me, ironically, of trying to speak with Taran Zhu within the halls of the Monastery. I suspect that the two of them would see kindred souls in each other and would enjoy each other's company...or try to kill one another immediately. I am not sure which result would win out.
When I was finally able to pin down Abric in one location I found him at the Shadowmoon Faire, which seemed like an idyllic enough setting for an interview. His presence there gave the happiness the Faire usually has a bizarrely sinister feel since he needed (or perhaps wanted to SHOW a need) to walk around the Faire grounds and pass odd packages between himself and a few of the more shady members of the Faire's crew. Of his appearance I can say little aside from that he was obviously attired as a rogue, but both his clothing and his skin seemed a bit too large on his very gaunt frame, and an unusually-large proboscis protruded from inside his mask.
His answers to my questions proved equally as odd and obviously were thought of beforehand to make me question my presence in the guild. His loyalty to The Grim was obviously his main priority but his dubious answers would have made a person of lesser convictions likely run screaming off the pier to be eaten alive by the usually-docile crabs in the shallows there (those or that bothersome gnome who is perpetually fishing while watching people be thrown through the air to try and hit that ridiculous floating target in front of him.)
As we made our way around the Faire grounds he enlightened me on his origins (born twice, both in Azeroth), he was trained by his 'former captor (...) as with most Forsaken', he fights because he must, and some 'whore' found him and brought him into the Grim fold 'when the call was first given'-presumably he was referring to the guild's beginnings although I have no knowledge of the guild's former life as a brothel.
It was my final question that elicited the most ambiguous (and Lord Tzu-worthy) answers. While seeming testy at having to answer my questions previous to this point (as this Trial is required of all supplicants and it was only a matter of time before someone approached him to be interviewed) my final question, 'how does the Mandate affect you?' first required a clarification of the initial question ('what do you achieve personally by upholding the Mandate?'), then I had to actually stop him from completing his odd 'rounds' of the Faire to give me an answer I felt satisfied the requirements of the Trial. I committed to memory as much as I could of what he said before slipping into the shadows to leave me with things to ponder (and possibly avoid more questions-again, a move that Lord Tzu has used with glee on more than a number of Shado-Pan, no matter what their level of training.) I write here what I remember-
His answer seemed to force introspection on its surface but upon further scrutiny, and as I read it in its entirety here, I think the circular logic he has applied has brought about a few basic conclusions-The Mandate is not about personal achievements - so I achieve nothing personally. I want little in this life, Supplicant. Of what little I want, the welfare and opinion of an untested is not one of them. You seek answers to questions that are meaningless... an effort at prattle for those who seek its comfort. The Truth is not in the subtle, but the plain. When you have embraced the Mandate, you will understand. Or you will not - and become as meaningless as the questions you have asked me. What you have heard and what I have said are two different things... one is Truth and the other opinion. Now you must decide of the two which is which.
1. The answers to his questions lie within my previous interviews and a closer scrutiny of the Mandate, as well as observation of The Grim's activites while also participating in them.
2. The Mandate is inherently designed to bring the very different individuals in the guild together for a unified purpose. Again, this is something that I found in previous interviews in less obtuse terms.
3. Abric is impatient and feels that this Trial is of little use (to himself at least) and I'd like to reiterate that I felt like I was talking to Lord Tzu while talking to Abric. Perhaps he should join the Shado-Pan in my absence-he almost seemed too calm to be Grim and might be excellent at writing koans as well.
At any rate, Abric has, if nothing else, told me that I should never stop questioning my place in The Grim (and likely the world in general.) I hope to never be on the wrong end of his daggers on the battlefield; to this end, I would implore the Inquisitors to burn this dossier after they have read and approved of it.
Last edited by opalexian on Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
*an additional page, folded elegantly, is delivered addressed to the Inquisitors*
Inquisitors-
After perusing the previously-sent dossiers, Opal brought it to my attention that I have neglected to include anything on a former Grim, living or otherwise. She also pointed out that I had only written of the 'deadehs' as she says so I needed to include a more well-fleshed Grim in my observations. She assisted me in writing this as she knew him in her days before and immediately after joining The Grim, but I insisted on 'interpreting' and writing this dossier to spare you her terrible interpretation of what Orcish should look like.
Dossier-Ashenfury
Ashenfury came from the peon 'caste' of orcs and discovered his natural talent for bonding with the elements when he met a hostile camp of Alliance. Upon joining The Grim he rose quickly through the ranks until he was first Harbinger and Warbringer, then later High Inquisitor. He led the guild to many victories in the advanced battlegrounds where it was said only giants tread (I personally haven't found any giants there since joining the guild's ranks, but I suppose I may not be looking hard enough as the Wu Kao elders tell me often.) Opal recalled to me many fine battles led by Ashenfury, as well as former Warbringers Leyu'Jin and Kailei. He also ushered in some of the finest Grim to ever have passed through the guild hall's doors in his turn as High Inquisitor.
She related to me that she had heard whispers from the spirits of Ashenfury's passing into the spirit world to do battle with those beyond who would do harm to the living, but her knowledge of these things far surpasses any shaman training I (or indeed almost anyone) would have received. While he is 'officially' said to be 'missing in action,' odd creaks in the guild hall as well as strange objects appearing randomly in his former office and breezes where no air moves have been claimed to be him haunting the guild hall. I personally think this is just something that senior members tell supplicants to keep them on their toes while the esteemed shaman is just out on one of those crazy shaman strolls they tend to take. The possibility does remains though that it may be his spirit. I am not one to judge, as it sounds like he was a Grim of formidable power who has more than earned his freedom from whatever responsibilities he once held to the guild.
Inquisitors-
After perusing the previously-sent dossiers, Opal brought it to my attention that I have neglected to include anything on a former Grim, living or otherwise. She also pointed out that I had only written of the 'deadehs' as she says so I needed to include a more well-fleshed Grim in my observations. She assisted me in writing this as she knew him in her days before and immediately after joining The Grim, but I insisted on 'interpreting' and writing this dossier to spare you her terrible interpretation of what Orcish should look like.
Dossier-Ashenfury
Ashenfury came from the peon 'caste' of orcs and discovered his natural talent for bonding with the elements when he met a hostile camp of Alliance. Upon joining The Grim he rose quickly through the ranks until he was first Harbinger and Warbringer, then later High Inquisitor. He led the guild to many victories in the advanced battlegrounds where it was said only giants tread (I personally haven't found any giants there since joining the guild's ranks, but I suppose I may not be looking hard enough as the Wu Kao elders tell me often.) Opal recalled to me many fine battles led by Ashenfury, as well as former Warbringers Leyu'Jin and Kailei. He also ushered in some of the finest Grim to ever have passed through the guild hall's doors in his turn as High Inquisitor.
She related to me that she had heard whispers from the spirits of Ashenfury's passing into the spirit world to do battle with those beyond who would do harm to the living, but her knowledge of these things far surpasses any shaman training I (or indeed almost anyone) would have received. While he is 'officially' said to be 'missing in action,' odd creaks in the guild hall as well as strange objects appearing randomly in his former office and breezes where no air moves have been claimed to be him haunting the guild hall. I personally think this is just something that senior members tell supplicants to keep them on their toes while the esteemed shaman is just out on one of those crazy shaman strolls they tend to take. The possibility does remains though that it may be his spirit. I am not one to judge, as it sounds like he was a Grim of formidable power who has more than earned his freedom from whatever responsibilities he once held to the guild.
Re: Efficient Notes-Yuolin's Trial of Resolve
Supplicant,
I see you have learned much. Yet, there is still plenty of knowledge to be gained. I await your final trial.
-Inquisitor Aureliya Raindawn
I see you have learned much. Yet, there is still plenty of knowledge to be gained. I await your final trial.
-Inquisitor Aureliya Raindawn