[ coa interviews! ] entry no. 3

[Seiiko-emerald-dream (Seiiko)]

When Seiiko arrived at the interview place, a wave of spookiness assaulted her. She nodded in disapproval, this was no place for a fluffy pandaren. After some time staring at the door of the Slaughtered Lamb, she felt a strong glare towards her, and found the Archon’s eyes showing a pleased grin in his face. Seiiko shook her head to let the eery feelings go, she knew she was in good hands, the Archon Baneheart was without much doubt, the most powerful being of the Coalition, leader of the Obsidian Order.

They enter the place and find a table in the corner, where she served a plate of seasoned steak and potatoes, because she wouldn’t eat the food of this place for sure! She was getting her notebook when heard a loud mess, and a huge figure approached the table, stealing a steak. The Archon looked livid at his pet, the Interceptor, and promptly punish him by electrocuting the hound in its nose. Seiiko was breathing hard at the sudden event and tried to eat a little more to calm down.

Finally, she managed to start the interview, Baneheart retained a calm look answering the first question “The Obsidian Order started as a group of rebels called the Enclave of Immortals. They were associated with the House of the Nobles. When the kingdom of Southguard fell apart, Primarch Azaezelus changed the name to Obsidian Order.” she writes down and underlines “House of the Nobles” and ask why they were considered rebels in the first place, the Archon proceeds “Originally it was created to house those who bear any corruption of the fel, the shadow or the undeath. They were considered rebels because the Syndicate wanted to destroy the House of the Nobles, but we still needed a home for the cursed” with a toothy grin he completes “we are still part of the Alliance after all”. The interviewer comment that it’s not fair for those who already bear a curse, still have to live separated from the others, if they all serve to the Alliance! But Baneheart knows better and answer “We possess powers that terrorize the populace. Those powers must be controlled and focused within a central group and lead by those who have the will to do so. Due to the nature of our powers we also enforce discipline upon those who get out of line.” she nods in understanding, trying to picture it but proceeds to the next question before the disturbing mental images strike.

Asked about a highlight of the Order, the Archon acknowledge that “the Order is supporting the other organizations that need the powers of Darkness to achieve their objectives” Seiiko blinks, trying to understand what that means but before she could ask better, he continues “We also recently built a colosseum for gladiatorial arena events that has been popular among the Coalition as well as the prisoners at the Island. The very worst of the Alliance gets sent to us, and depending on how they adjust, they sometimes fight alongside the Order” Seiiko thinks it’s pretty shocking, she had no idea the Order was that powerful! The Island of Elysium was a grim place, she never looked twice at the landscape, it gave her chills every minute she spent there… shaking her head from the thoughts, she comments “Interesting! And you are the head of everything!” as the Archon agrees “I am. My will is enforced by my Imperators, Ryn Felsinger and Netharja Felvale. We have Praefects who specialize in unique areas. They enforce my specific agendas. Liethorn controls and researches all of the artifacts that we possess. Our Warden Netharja has been promoted to Imperator… she is in charge of the beasts and menagerie, as well as the Colosseum. And finally there’s Azaezelus, he is the Praefectus of the Vampyres so he is in charge with keeping all Vampyre strains in order. Also… Azaezelus was the original leader of the Obsidian Order before he passed down the mantle to me. He wanted to devote himself to his blood magics and Vampyres. And I was already first Imperator at the time. I was honored when he passed the leadership to me.”

Seiiko was finishing her notes when saw a small but fierceful figure bowing and quietly sitting down, with the Archon’s nod, she understood it was a member of the Order and offered a portion of Seasoned Steak and Potatoes to the female void elf, then she continues “I can imagine, but you all have to work very close to keep all the structure and care, is that right?” Baneheart nods once more “That is correct. Failure is not tolerated within the Order. Last night I had to discipline a Vampyre who got out of the line during a mission. I will not elaborate the details here but I used silver and fire to achieve that objective” Seiiko think that is detailed enough and was wondering if she should write that, when looking across the table she saw the void elf lady smiling at the words and decided to write down those methods, when with a sudden chill she dare to ask “What would be go out of line with the Order???” the Archon calmly responds “Disrespecting higher authority. Treason. Disobeying orders. Those are not tolerated in the Order.” with a relief sigh the pandaren agrees “those are good standards!” as the Archon continues “Because we can’t afford to be an undisciplined group. Our powers are too great to wield around carelessly.” Seiiko feels the inevitable question coming “What… what if they attack… a human or other creature?” She looks worried at the massive shadow of the Interceptor waiting for the answer “That depends but if a member of the Order attacks another human or creature unjustly then the punishment is severe. We ultimately defend the Alliance… even if the Alliance doesn’t wish to acknowledge our existence. We are called because we can do things most people cannot stomach… and we are called upon when failure is not an option.” both void elves grin at each other “It is a true statement. We don’t fail because it is removed from our being.” Seiiko looks at them in confusion “What is removed? The possibility to fail?” Baneheart gives a wicked grin “Exactly” then he laughs at the poor interviewer silly face. “If we fail then discipline will be enacted. Death is a wise teacher and mistress of the Order.”

That was a very odd affirmation but she could see the truth beyond, but before the subject begins to drift she goes back to the interview script “So… that’s how you deal with conflicts that might come up among the members? With punishment and discipline?” the Archon agrees “Correct. But discipline is customized for the individual for maximum learning. For example, we had a member try to free a prisoner because she felt that I was wrong in taking him prisoner. That degree of disrespect and recklessness earned her a mind wipe. She now has fractured memories of her little sister. Other times death is called for and I have administered such punishment, but I try to avoid that. Every member of the Order is useful to me.” Seiiko was overwhelmed by the disturbing mental images, even more because the quiet void elf was smirking over a glass of wine. She tried to recompose herself and the Archon said in an appeasing tone “Don’t think too hard on it Seiiko. It is easy for those not used to our ways to see us as violent and cruel. What we are is this… necessary and vital.” she nods, trying to find her line of thought back, while the Archon drinks the wine and say something to the void elf lady. Finding her notes again, she proceed to the next question “Well can you tell us a little about how is the routine in your Headquarters? I mean in the Island…” as the Archon answers “The prisoners have their own city and government. We don’t interact with them unless we need something. We take what we want since they were banished from their homes for terrible crimes.” Seiiko blinks in astonishment “What do you mean? They don’t live incarcerated?” and he continues “Some do, especially the newer prisoners. But eventually they can fight for land. It’s survival of the fittest, everyone in the isle knows that. That’s how the weak ones are weeded out and only the stronger remains.” the pandaren tries to coop with the idea for a while “That’s… a way of selection… I suppose, for your ranks, in the future” Baneheart confirms, saying that once they are proven exceptionally strong, they can join the Obsidian Knights. And he continues to explain the structure of the organization “Then there is the Obsidian Order itself, we have a military base on the island and we have the Chariot of Neraka. It is our floating fortress and was recently acquired about half year ago. The Chariot is a Vampyre creation of what is believed to be the first Vampyre… it was created by Neraka, she was the first. At the time I was still the first Imperator of the Order we took possession of the Chariot. It also flies and moves through the Shadowlands in order to get to any place in Azeroth.” The interviewer nods, that is certainly a good catch. She tries to finish the interview asking if the Archon could share some plans of the future but he firmly answers “No” and Seiiko wonders if she should take that question off the script, while a low voice says “I would like to make sure my name is off papers please”. The pandaren nods and review the notes while they have a small talk, then she stands to bow at them, leaving the Archon, the Countess and the Interceptor at the same time a sinister chant starts echoing from the basement of the Slaughtered Lamb.