Performance Anxiety

[gate_crasher]

A white-scaled lizard in bright-polished armor sits on a wrought-iron bench in the Forum, his helmet on the seat beside him. In his hands, he cradles a large, irregular spike of some strange, purple crystal. After contemplating its depths for some time, he looks up to address the passerby.

"I am no stranger to unexpected duty," he begins, "but how does one rise to meet an unexpected trust?"

To explain, he gestures to the crystal he holds. "This stone holds the soul of the Archmage. He placed it there, that I might be protected in facing its master. We spoke but briefly, before he put himself into it. He wished me to take his place, stand as Archmage and lead the Guild. It is scant months since I even joined, how can I do what is needed, know what is needed, to lead? The guild is already rent by conflict, how do I prevent worse arising from resentment?"

Comments

[nodamselnodistress]

"I do not remain in this place of tolerance for such sport. There are many worlds full of many things." Aglaia's been picking portals at random and has, fortunately, always been able to find her way back. Minotaurs are good at that kind of thing.

[gate_crasher]

"Oh. How resourceful." He's impressed, though hopes inwardly that she hasn't found any doors to Tamriel. "What is it that you hunt?"

[nodamselnodistress]

"The beasts of the forests and the fields. Those which appear to be wild and without complex thought, and which are good for food or fur." Practical and ethical. Possibly in Tamriel, but probably not. I mean, what are the odds?

[gate_crasher]

If that's all she hunted, then going to Tamriel is less of a worry, except for the chance that some misled adventurer might mistake her for a local minotaur and attack. "I sometimes pursue the creatures of the field, myself, for meat and hide. Less often, since the Goddess of Nature gave me her blessing."

[nodamselnodistress]

The local minotaurs don't look half so good in pink. They're such Autumns. "The Goddess of Nature would have you deny your own?" She snorts at that idea. "Are you to live on twigs and berries?"

[gate_crasher]

Their final moments would be deeply confused ones.

"Not so much that. Her blessing spares me the hostility of the wild--I need not fear the attacks of wayward bears or wolves, so I need not slay them in self-defense. As such, it seems unsporting to pursue them when they will be placid 'til the moment I strike."

[nodamselnodistress]

"Ah. Yes, that would be beneath you." It's not a blessing she'd seek for herself, but she can see why he'd want to honor it. "You show wisdom in your self-denial."

[gate_crasher]

"Thank you. I can but try," he replies. "I have learned that history will be judging me more closely than I might once have expected."

[nodamselnodistress]

"As the leader of your guild, or in some other regard?" She doesn't know man. You're just that lizardfolk dude she worked with once.

[gate_crasher]

"Both, perhaps, but in another regard certainly."

He considers the tale for a moment, and tries to phrase it in the least-boastful way he can. "At present, the ruler of a realm outside the world seeks to conquer the Empire, opening gates of fire through which his minions invade. I have been one of many to stand against them, and I have learned from people in this Nexus that we will succeed, and that I in particular have some significant duty to perform, though I do not yet know what it will be."

[nodamselnodistress]

She makes a thoughtful sound that is not mooing as she considers the story. "That is a heavy load to bear, but I see in you a strong foundation. Perhaps your guild's former leader saw the same, and gave you this guild to support your further endeavors to save your world."

She clasps his shoulders in a companionable manner and gives him a serious look. "And know that we are allies. Should you require my support in your fight, it is yours to request."

[gate_crasher]

The princess's kind words win a warm smile from the Argonian knight. "Thank you," he offers sincerely, "and should you need my aid, it is yours as well."

[nodamselnodistress]

"I thank you for that, though I hope such will not be necessary. I would prefer my people not see another war of succession."

[gate_crasher]

"I share your hope there," he agrees, "and so I offer my aid not only my sword, but the mind that wields it."

[nodamselnodistress]

"That is a generous offer indeed." She does have some idea that patience is not her strong suit, and this little lizard man is so calm. It will be a good alliance for them both.

"Would you tell me of these fire-portal enemies if yours?"

[gate_crasher]

"They are daedra--hm, perhaps that word means little. Ah, spirits from the other spheres? Some are primal forces given form--fire, cold, and such. Others are soldiers of malice, the warped incarnations of vices." He pauses, checking her expression to see if that sounds more familiar.

[nodamselnodistress]

She gives a slow nod. It's not entirely unfamiliar. "That they may make portals to the mortal lands is most worrying. And these portals remain until forced to close?"

[gate_crasher]

He nods. "On their side of each stands a fortress, and at the heart of each fortress, farthest from the gate, rests a sigil stone. So long as the stone is undisturbed, the gate persists."

[nodamselnodistress]

"I know little of magic," she admits, "but what portals I have seen are fleeting things. The caster must be powerful indeed to maintain such things."

[gate_crasher]

He nods, as that tends to be his experience, as well. "I have learned that the great instigator behind all is one of the daedric princes, who stand nearly on par with the gods. The portals are his work, or that of the mighty among his agents."

[nodamselnodistress]

"Most troubling," she rumbles. "You shall need many allies to defeat such a foe. I trust you have found some amongst your people?"

[gate_crasher]

"I have," he confirms. "We are on our back foot, just at the moment, for the enemy has struck at all but our last stronghold, and stolen the amulet that we believe would ward the world against these portals. But Martin is safe, now, and I gain momentum with each step. Soon, it will be our enemies' turn to stand on the defensive."

[nodamselnodistress]

"It is sometimes when we have only one path to take that we fight most fiercely. We must ever strive forward."

[gate_crasher]

He nods thoughtfully. "I recall reading a treatise on strategy in warfare, which advises against trapping an enemy in circumstances of certain death. When the only way toward life is through oneself, the enemy discards all to cut that path."

[nodamselnodistress]

"And so you will not make that same mistake."