Meanwhile in the Empire / Villain TDM

[vivalamods]

MEANWHILE IN THE EMPIRE

The crash of a burnished bronze plate echoes through Varschein Palace alongside the sound of shattering crystal goblets as several servants are sent scurrying.

“Defeated!?” The Emperor roars, his face mottled with fury. “MY legions? DEFEATED!? By some rabble? This is intolerable!”

Throwing his rich red cloak behind him he stalks the halls.

“Take any of the cowards who dared return alive and crucify them around the palace,” he snarls to his aide, a studious man with a calm expression who is scribbling notes in his wake, seemingly unperturbed by the violence inflicted upon the fallen wine glasses, or the greater violence against the surviving legionnaires yet to come.

“Summon every Legatus in the Imperial army, every general, every irregular, every Exceptional Servant. Bring them to me.” The Emperor’s snarl is fierce, he is speaking through grit teeth and barely restrained rage. His aide continues to take notes, completely unfazed.

Over the next few days, some of the most powerful warriors in the Empire begin to gather. Legatuses who command entire legions, “irregulars” who possess unmatched battle prowess but enjoy working alone or in small companies, servants who have bent the knee and earned the Emperor’s favor, all are assembled before him as he sits in his throne, his expression cold.

“I have summoned you here because the Crimson Corsairs have attained a degree of power that is unacceptable. Destroy them. I care not the means, I care not the method. The Vaults of the treasury are open to you, but know well the price of failure. I want every Corsair put to flame and sword, and I want their heads mounted on spikes around my palace to serve as an eternal warning to all who dare oppose our Empire.”

With a studied, almost bored expression he waves his hand in dismissal.

“The council chambers are yours. Go, discuss your plans. Should you fail, your life is forfeit. Throw yourself upon a Corsair sword if it so pleases you, for I will not be nearly as merciful.

[This is an open TDM for all potential villain characters. Villains are encouraged to discuss plans, forge alliances and petty rivalries for later betrayals, and do any kind of plotting they might wish.]

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Rocket | MCU, native AU | current player, potential new character

[fakelaugh]

In the Waaaaay Back

With the Empire officially acknowledging the Corsairs as the threat they are, a number of talented mercenaries and bounty hunters are called to listen to the Emperor's declaration. A raccoon beastkin, among the smallest people present, takes a seat in the far back of the large venue next to others from the Bounty Hunter's Guild. He listens when the Emperor speaks, not daring to be caught off guard then, but after the big guy leaves and the councilmen start explaining logistics, Rocket puts feet up on the back of the chair in front of him and starts to nod off.

After the Formalities [cw: alcohol]

The announcements drag on for what feels like forever. Rocket is relieved when they're finally dismissed and he perks up at the first sight of a tavern. Not every tavern so close to the royal palace serves beastkin, but he tries his luck slipping inside unnoticed with the crowd of his fellow bounty hunters.

He pulls a couple coins from his bag and tries to get the attention of someone who doesn't look at a glance like staff (though he could be mistaken). "Hey! Get me a couple pints of the cheap stuff before the barmaid notices I've got fur," he says, holding up his money.

After the Emperor's unsettling words about failing being a death sentence, there's no way he's staying sober the night before the job begins.