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<div class="SpoilerTarget bbCodeSpoilerText"><b><div style="text-align: center">♣ ▬ Dramatis Personae ▬ ♣<br/>
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MAIN<br/>
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<b>Baron Carl Diethelm Van Schwartzhand the Second</b><br/>
”As spooky as he is indiscernible, the Baron rules all of Bruutheim under his iron fist. Towering above others – if not in height then in sheer dominant presence – this elderly man is hard to figure out and even harder to predict. He has found particular interest in Tamaska, for reasons as of yet unknown. But for whatever reason, it's quite clear this top-hatted ”gentleman” shouldn't be trifled with.”<br/>
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<b>Emberspike</b><br/>
”First and leading man of the gruesome twosome in the Barons employ, this sly imp has taken the guise as a long-nosed goblin with a curious sense for fashion. Formally bound to the Baron, Emberspike is considered an effective muscle and remains surprisingly privy to the many secrets his warlock master holds. Having a fondness for cigars, booze and women, Tamaska and her demeanour is right up his alley.”<br/>
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<b>Bahiyya</b><br/>
”As a succubus disguised as a blood elf, Bahiyya isn't lacking in the temptation department. With her fierce red hair and her sultry physique, this despicable demoness revels in the fact that she has found a new girl-toy in Tamaska. While a close confidante to the Baron, she's ultimately subservient to Emberspike, though it can be hard to see.”<br/>
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<b>The Shepard</b><br/>
”Castle custodian, advisor and wild-card – The Shepard as he's simply known is second only to Emberspike and Bahiyya in terms of proximity to the Baron. Often, he's given the charge of overseeing political affairs in the Bruutheim Kingdom. The Shepard has as well as the baron found a curious interest in Tamaska.<br/>
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<b>Kumar the Dragonkin</b><br/>
”The unwillingly appointed fairy-dragon ally of Tamaska, Kumar is a talking and flying encyclopedia of Bruutheim knowledge – that is, if an encyclopedia came with a snarky tongue and a cynical world view. Hard to love and impossible to shut up, Kumar has only so far proven to be a test – but what passive defiance does he harbour for the Baron?”<br/>
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<div style="text-align: center"><b>SUPPORTING<br/>
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<b>The Admiral</b><br/>
”One of the finest nautical minds of contemporary Azeroth, what the Admiral lacks in emotional communication he makes up in impeccable and dependable professionalism. A man not easily phased by mortal concerns, the Admiral has been given the ultimate honour of commandeering the Catharsis under the watchful eye of the Baron.”<br/>
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<b>First Mate Dalton</b><br/>
”You could accuse this man of holding expertise in the rarely recognized art-form of arse-kissing, First Mate Dalton is a plump, short excuse of a man serving as the Admirals right hand (much to said Admirals chagrin) – the only redeeming factor to this man might be his sense of administration, which is cited as a reason – the only reason – he still serves under the Baron. Despises Tamaska mostly because he cannot own her.”<br/>
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<b>Seaman James Echgrey O'Barney</b><br/>
”One of many colourful Bruuts, Jimbob O'Barney could – and often is – mistaken for a particularly lively Forsaken due to his bony physique. Serving on the Barons mighty airship, one'd easily write him off as but another servant in the Barons charge – but don't be fooled: This elderly scarecrow is much more resourceful than his dilapidated exterior lets on!”<br/>
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<b>Sterre, ”Star of the North”</b><br/>
”A warm soul enclosed in a narcissist shell, the blood elf concubine Sterre has a pathological transfixtion towards looking her best in every scenario. However, her narcissism thankfully extends to those around her, demanding and sometimes imposing that they remain at their peak at all times, be that visually or mentally – she will go to great lengths to ensure the mutual proliferation of all around her.”<br/>
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<b>Ife, ”The Exotic”</b><br/>
”Ife is on the surface a lovable and warm-blooded simpleton – but make no mistake; under the almost ditzy outwards behaviour lies a wise womans perceptive glance. She instantly took an immediate liking to Tamaska, a sympathy tinged with subtle hints of pity for her situation.”<br/>
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<b>Aonghus the Saint, St. Aonghus of Eisenkliff</b><br/>
”Curator of the Carnival, Aonghus is a glorified master of the baths. Charged with preparing the concubines and cicesbos for their clients, this kal'dorei has a sharp eye for presentation, manipulation and social etiquette. He puts extra attention onto Tamaska due to her unique role in relation to the Baron and his plans.”<br/>
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<div style="text-align: center"><b>♣ ▬ Theatres ▬ ♣</b>​</div><br/>
<b>Castle Eisenkliff</b><br/>
”The Barons fortress, home and political centre – Castle Eisenkliff exemplifies the riches of Bruutheim, towering towards the skies without apology. Home to hundreds of servants and thousands of soldiers, overlooking a massive amounts of factories, workshops and laboratories, this bastion underlines the Barons dominance.”<br/>
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<b>The Catharsis</b><br/>
”The Barons' flying fortress – the sky-jewel of Bruutheim; The Catharsis remains one of the most potent weapons in the Barons arsenal that the public knows about; this airship puts even the flying behemoths of the Alliance and the Hordes to shame, having been under construction for the last fifteen years. The Catharsis is the largest airship in the small armada that the Baron controls, but its stopping power is unmatched by any recent machines on Azeroth.”<br/>
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<b>The Carnival</b><br/>
”The home of Tamaska and the lair of the fabled courtesans and companions of Castle Eisenkliff, the Carnival is a cage that'd put envy into the hearts of any noble. It acts as a small, almost autonomous society within the walls of the castle, providing a much needed breathing space for these sexual servitors. This wing of the castle has been equipped with everything the risqué socialite needs: a kitchen to serve healthy foods, an auditorium and library for learning and a very extensive bathing hall for preparations before meeting clients.”</div>
</div><br/><div style="text-align: center">▬▬▬<br/>
▬▬▬​</div><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“Oh darling, that's so sweet of you to worry about me already-..”[/COLOR]</b>Sterre said through a haughty chuckle that defied itself by carrying an earnest tone. She continued matter-of-factly:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“But to my defense, dearest, it did take six hours of arguing back and forth with this Bruutheim agent and another five days of consideration. But you see, when the alternatives to what he was offering were so much worse, I couldn't really deny myself – and more importantly – my ailing family the extra income.”[/COLOR]</b><br/><br/>Kumar took over this time, out-pacing Sterre's arrogance with his know-it-all attitude:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: grey">“Most “Carnival Companions” - as is the official title for people working in the Carnival – come here because they've come from disenfranchised backgrounds. Rampart poverty, racial tensions, the harsh crushing hold of war-..”</span></b><br/><br/>The dragon idly fluttered his wings before continuing:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: grey">“The Baron pays both the Companion and the family of a companion hefty sums for the services he or she provides. Now, some of the Companions -are- slaves, but they enjoy the same benefits as most other Companions within the boundaries of the Carnival..”</span></b><br/><br/>Sterre chipped in, saying:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“You see, being a Carnival Companion requires a lot of the person; we naturally have to look our best at all times – something I personally find effortless-..”[/COLOR]</b>she added, throwing her hair demonstratively; she recalled she was in the process of making a point and went on:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“...but conversely, the rights we hold within these walls eclipse the rights that some free men and women have out there in the wide world. The Clients that make use of our services must hold to a draconian standard before they're even allowed to “browse the wares”, so to say:  <br/>
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They have to have a particular societal standing as men or women of respect; they must meet certain levels of physical demands, NOT to mention that violence against a Carnival Companion is one of the harshest punished offences you can commit within Bruutheim borders. And even IF they meet these standards, a person can – assuming a good reasoning is provided – even deny them still. Now, some Companions willingly allow for people who don't normally meet the lofty criteria, but those are special cases.”[/COLOR]</b><br/><br/>Kumar bounced back:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: grey">“Slaves are only slaves for three years upon being purchased – once they've served their time, they are offered either to leave with a very generous starting sum of gold, or stay as free people, continuing their work. And – little as I desire – I must give the Baron credit for the extensive measures he's taken into educating people within the Carnival: Lectures in Orchish and Common, intellectual history, poetry, critical thinking, politics..”</span></b><br/><br/>Sterre enthusiastically returned:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“Not to mention rigorous physical training, creative exercises, social speaking lessons-.. why, if we disregarded the fact that there's an emphasis on coitus, this place is a haven for a budding intellectual or artist!”[/COLOR]</b><br/><br/>Kumar said with a smirk creasing on his lizard face, as if he personally was responsible for all this:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: grey">“It'd be easy to accuse person who do NOT like this place as straight out mad; HOW or WHY his “highness” apparently finds it fit to burn ludicrous amounts of gold on preserving this place is quite beyond my understanding, but I've always held the opinion that our dear Baron is as demented as he is unsympathetic.”</span></b><br/><br/>Sterre rebuked:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“Now, it's not to say that there's not a few controversial things about the Carnival-..”[/COLOR]</b>Sterre superfluously said,  not knowing what utter madness Tamaska already had suffered through:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“...but we'll take this later; first allow me to present you to Aonghus, the Master of Baths”[/COLOR]</b><br/><br/>By now, the group was at the other end of the mighty baths, entering one of the smaller enclosed areas at the far end; this place was lined with dressers and tables for makeup, barber chairs and mirrors to inspect one self. It felt like a staging area for a theather, but the nature of the Carnival naturally distorted such a potential first impression towards something less.. public:<br/><br/>And there, on a broad stone bench topped with deep cushions, sat a mighty tauren who put the physique of the orc before to shame; brown furred, black-horned and naked, he seemed very satisfied with the gentle hold the hand of Aonghus the Bath Master had on the massive manhood jutting proudly into the air:<br/><br/>The night elf man was a spitting image of male handsome. In fact, he was almost insulting in that regard. Everything seemed almost designed about every inch of this grass-green skinned man – his head was crowned with thick, tumbling dark brown curls that fell down to his shoulders. They almost pleaded for ones fingers to run through them, feel their texture, tug at their roots in a gentle fashion. An impeccably tended short-box beard coiled around his mouth, rounded off by distinct sideburns running halfways down his jawline.<br/>His body structure was everything to be desired – arms lined with muscle, but not bulky beyond comprehension, a slim waist complemented with a clear-cut V-shape, embellished with the gracious, soft hint of an underlying six pack beneath soft and inviting skin. Four silver piercings ran up either of his graceful ears, a single silver stud boldly protruding from his left nostril.<br/>All this (naked) elf was more or less leaning against the mighty frame of the tauren around him, muttering through a faint, endearing smirk as hardy fingers traced along the contours of the taurens twitching man-rod.<br/><br/>At a glance, it was evident that the tauren in question was at the sinful mercy of Aonghus, his face contorted into a bashful, helpless smile, eyes barely able to connect with the night elven assailant. As the quartet approached, the gentile administrations of Aonghus stopped as keen eyes snapped to attention on Tamaska:<br/><br/>The night elf whispered silly nothings into the ear of the tauren, gave his pecker a convicted squeeze that elicited a rattling moan from his victim and patted him on his cheek. Both got up, the bashful tauren scurrying away without the capacity of looking people in the eyes.<br/>Aonghus stood straight, his own stark nakedness on shameless display. Not that Tamaska was given too much time to take any good looks; Sterre just managed to utter the words:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“Aonghus, this is Tamaska-..”[/COLOR]</b>before she was interrupted:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“Aaaaah-.. Darkspear Origin. Initial impressions communicate a meek and impressionable woman – barely stepped out of her 18th year. Indications of fiery sexual drive based on enlarged iris', complemented by fidgety posture...”</span></b>he unleashed without taking the time to even acknowledge Sterre or what she said:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“...Adventurous, though-..”</span></b>he continued, squinting his eyes as he approached her:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“..though recognising her curiosity as fundamentally going against what is percieved socially acceptable; possible mental declarations impressed upon her by conservative parents; presumably leading to a silent rebellion disguised under the horde “call to arms”-..”</span></b><br/><br/>The man continued his throaty dialogue, concentrating on the details he could draw out from her:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“You enamoured the uncomely henchmen lolligagging in the service of his Royal Highness, lest they wouldn't have chosen you above all else. Subservience and unwilling enthusiasm for rampart sexual rapture must consequently be the case. Intriguing – wouldn't have chosen a troll myself; maybe the appeal of troll mythology juxtaposed with natural prejudice depicting trolls as primitive and animal-.. hrrrm.”</span></b><br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“Starkly amateur in the art of copulation offset by aforementioned enthusiasm-.. Are you -certain- this is the selection the Baron made, Sterre?”</span></b>he finalised as he strolled to a stop at arms length in front of her.<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“Aye, Aonghus. She's the one.”[/COLOR]</b><br/><br/>The night elf finalized his almost mechanical analysis of Tamaska with a regretful sigh, muttering audaciously:<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“Quoting Brightsunder's piece, “At Fools Foot” - “Accursed the Wise Man lives, knowledge festering to instil in him the certainty that he shall drag the meek and foolish from their mind-void muck in perpetuum”..”</span></b><br/><br/>Aonghus leaned forward, his height trumping hers; a truly annoyed expression marred his otherwise enticing face:<b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“You, young lady, will apparently be my personal headache forward this instance..”</span></b><br/><br/><b><span style="color: purple">“Oh ACH, you are SUCH a BORE, Aonghuz! Zhe hraz BARELY arrived and you are already lecturingk! PFAH!” </span></b>Ife broke through, sweeping by the lot starkly naked, heading straight for the baths.<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“...huh, with that pet perching on her shoulder, I thought our female phenomenon gracing our presence was used to a livid assessment. -Kumar-..”</span></b>Aonghus punctuated with a chilly voice and a nod.<br/><br/><b><span style="color: grey">“-Bath Master-...”</span></b>Kumar retorted in an as equally professional expression of vast disdain.<br/><br/>Their mutual pleasantries could freeze oceans solid, which only make Sterres rolling, indolent titter seem even more out of place:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“We'll bath her while you find her gown, Aonghus. As you can plainly see, she needs it.”[/COLOR]</b>- the blood elf promptly seized Tamaskas arm gently and guiding her back towards the baths.<br/><br/><b><span style="color: RoyalBlue">“Ah yes! For the Baron tonight! Miss Tamaska, I will expect you to clear your busy schedule for the coming weeks; Elune knows that you're not much to work with, but work with you I will!”</span></b>the night elf proclaimed punctually before turning on his heel and heading towards the nearby dresser with dedicated steps.<br/><br/>Sterre chuckled warmly before addressing the troll at her arm with a whisper of reassurance:<br/><br/><b>[COLOR=dark_green]“Don't worry, darling. Aonghus acts tough like that towards people he isn't familiar with – he's not half as bad as he sounds; I can guarantee that he'll grow on you.”[/COLOR]</b><br/><br/><b><span style="color: grey">“-That- can be debated-..”</span></b>Kumar commented with a steely tone of voice that didn't befit his small being.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>