(no subject)

[herr_bookman]

After his "conversation" with the Dark Dragon and Mia's subsequent tongue-lashing, Autor found himself chastened and in need of a bracing cup of tea. He picks up a face mask for protection from the flu and soldiers out to see if his worries about Oswin and Rae being infected are well-founded.

Catch him out and about in the main bar.

Comments

[fluffiest_archadian]

"I couldn't say. I did my training at the Bellona Mountains Training Camp - thin air, freezing cold, but at least it was a lot less sandy and you weren't likely to get sunburn," Sherral says. "And when I went on to do my further training at the Akademy, that's in central Archadia, where the climate is fairly pleasant."

[herr_bookman]

Autor wrinkles his nose again. "The cold's even worse than the sand, I'd think, though sunburns are the worst," he says. "I'm beginning to suspect I'm terribly spoiled. How long did you spend at the Akademy?"

[fluffiest_archadian]

"Only a few months. The training there is intensive, but fairly short - officers train there briefly after their basic training, and pilots, dog handlers and gunners do their courses there, as do the lower ranks of judges."

[herr_bookman]

"Where do the higher ranks of judges go to train after their time spent at the Akademy?" he asks, setting aside his empty cup.

[fluffiest_archadian]

"At the barracks, like everyone else, I assume. It's just that a course of training at the Akademy is a requirement when you first join that particular order," Sherral says.

[herr_bookman]

"Have you ever considered becoming a Judge Magister?" Autor asks, tilting his head.

[fluffiest_archadian]

Oh, Sherral is the absolute picture of innocence right now.

He lifts an eyebrow, tilting his head in response. "That would be a fairly lofty goal."

[herr_bookman]

"It would be, wouldn't it?" Autor says, clasping his hands behind his back. "What would you have to do to get there?"

[fluffiest_archadian]

"There would have to be some manner of disturbance to their ranks. The last two Judge Magisters to be appointed, Judge Gabranth and Judge Zecht, were not appointed to the position until there was a need for it, because other Judge Magisters had died or disappeared," Sherral says.

"I would need to know three Quickenings. I'd need to be a decorated soldier - although I already am that. I'd need to already be at least a Judge Third Class. I'd probably need a recommendation from either another Judge Magister or a member of House Solidor."

[herr_bookman]

"How many Quickenings do you know? Just the one?" he asks, looking the man over. "How soon could you get to be a Judge Third Class?"

He backs off a bit, and tilts his head in return. "What would you do as a Judge Magister, should you seek to join their ranks?"

[fluffiest_archadian]

"Aye, just one. As for becoming a Judge Third Class - most soldiers go their whole careers without being promoted into that role, and quite often they're just the sons of noblemen given that rank out of a desire for more influence. I couldn't put a number on it."

He rubs the back of his neck. "They're the highest authority in our military, but what they do has always just been 'whatever the Emperor commands of them.'"

[herr_bookman]

Autor nods thoughtfully as he takes in the information. "Then why would anyone want to be one?" he asks. "Just hypothetically."

[fluffiest_archadian]

"Prestige, pay, vast amounts of influence over the Empire, and they are the elite of our military," Sherral says. "They're answerable only to the Emperor, so they have great autonomy, and the assignments he sends them on - well, they're often the most interesting and dangerous assignments."

Beat.

"Not always - Judge Magister Ghis has spent his entire career as a Judge commanding airships, plotting troop movements, and whispering in the ears of senators, but then, that's what he's best at."

[herr_bookman]

"Prestige, pay, and power... that would do it," Autor says, nodding again. "Judge Magister Ghis probably enjoys his career as much as any other Magister. I wish you the best of luck should you chose to go down that road. And in the meantime, good luck finding his airship as well."

[fluffiest_archadian]

"Assuming he didn't die in that crash. I imagine that may put a damper on his career-related enthusiasm," Sherral says, a little dryly. "Thank you. And my best wishes for your friend - with luck, his recovery will be a smooth one."

[herr_bookman]

"Fair point," Autor concedes, raising his teacup. "And thank you, I'll pass those on. He needs all the help he can get."

[OOC: Thanks for the thread! Is Wan's still open?]

[fluffiest_archadian]

[It is!]