Three Goddesses - IC (Thread #2)

[lostsole31]

LILDORRINENE (LINDOR the LUCKY)

"But I'll follow your knowledge."

'He' looks at the group. "Ireth, you are an elven slave and bodyguard to Tallesin. You belong to him, physically in all ways. Ride Sword in the middle, next to your 'master.' Tallesin, you are what you are. Warmages are prized - though your ability to handle a weapon will keep you from being 'second-class.'

"Dot, you are my son. Choose a strong name for yourself. Your menagerie are the servants I have set over you to protect you. This also keeps you close to me for information; be advised, in certain scenarios, you may have to pare down your menagerie to one so as not to be too intimidating a crowd for more sensitive discussions. Clyde, in particular, is your personal bodyguard. Your position as my son, despite your size and apparent age, gives you a sense of spoilage. Feel free - within some limits - to give orders to the others as befits the situation.

"My own servant Lok-too-loo-baz is one that I bested in combat, but instead of death I offered him adventure as my bodyguard. It is a tenuous arrangement, kept in check only by a balance of power ... not love or true loyalty.

"Taleira, Bea .... as with Tallesin, you are brothers-in-arms I have collected over the years. Figure out names for yourselves. Often, monikers are just as good as names ... or at least a name with some interesting quality.

"All ... Don't overdo playing caricatures of men. Swear, spit, boast ... but always have a reason for it. Don't do silly things out of hand, it will read poorly. The less information you give about yourselves, the better ... except when boasting. Feel free to exaggerate your deeds - sexual and battle - as long as you recognize that such deeds might engender the 'swordslinger mentality' in others that want to earn the worth of your deeds through ending you.

"I will be the only one not to boast, spit, or swear. Feel free to allude to boasts on my behalf, but don't add to many details. Give postulations to what I might be able to do, but nothing concrete. The very concept that you follow me but do not give particulars of any boasts will only heighten the sense of danger one might have from me, given that mystery.

"Don't be humble, unless there is a very tactical reason to be so. Wear your sense of personal strength and power on your sleeve, even if your specific talents are not listed there.

"Try not to let your pride get in the way of me bossing you about, but especially where befits Dot ... BUT don't always openly look happy about it, either. In truth, I only rarely would give orders, but following me simply out of a sense that I've led you to success in the past is what keeps the band together. Let there simmer under the surface a sense of 'If I were in charge, I'd...' Feel free to grimace as well at being ordered around by a petulent, spoiled, seven-year-old when Dot flexes her muscles. She's the one that might give more spontaneous, selfish orders. Do them. Balk lightly, but do them.

"If you are challenged, don't fight fairly. They won't. One-upmanship is important. While they don't care about subtlety, be advised that they do appreciate finesse and style. They'll be just as impressed by someone who is sneaky and underhanded as they are by someone who simply batters their foe into pulp. Have style, but don't try to be stylish. Be clever, don't be witty. But above all, even if you never strike a blow in all your time here ... be dangerous."

Lindor looks at Talbot and whispers. "Talbot, every mysognistic and crass thing you ever thought to say about women is best now then ever. I originally thought to ask you to not say anything. But .... and only if you agree ... I ask if you adopt something of the nastiest, most curmudgeonly, boastful, and pompous air imaginable. If someone would curse, you'd be the first to do so. If someone would be insulting, yours would be the deepest barbs. I leave it to your keen sense of judgement to understand when that might not be prudent .... but prudence should NOT be your watchword. In many ways, this gives you the freedom to simply say what's on your mind, without all of the worry of social consequence that constrained even a free spirit as yourself before. Have fun with this, that's the important thing."

She looks to all. "I'm asking a lot of you. Dot and Taleira might again be uncomfortable with the thought of me running the show ... but the necklaces - which we will all now wear underneath our clothing - are the manner in which we can air any grievance once we're in the encampment. But other than the high-density sausage-fest over there, I understand the power politics here because it is little different than the Abyss. Does anyone have any problem with this plan."

Lindor puts his ruby necklace under his black shirt and awaits replies (names of each 'character'; arguments to the plan/ cover; possible refinements).