InterviewWithVikundIndex | Time Under Chaos | Player Characters | Vikund | Vikund's Hotseat Vikund in the HotseatYour story is one that in some shadows has been dismissed as 'Rags to Riches'. Others might say that you are finally rising to the level of your bloodline, in the personage of your father. You prove yourself by remaining within the often treacherous circles that surround any king, especially King Merlin, and remaining one of its fixtures to this day. And yet, in such waters, rivals are inescapable, for the most innocent, and the darkest of hearts. If you could arrange to have one of your rivals delivered into your power, which rival would it be? Vikund chuckles as he settles into the wing-backed armchair, and takes time to light a half-corona and send plumes of smoke skyward. "You misjudge me. I have no rivals at all, just people I haven't had the chance to talk to. I usually find the most obnoxious people can be friendly when you present them with certain facts." So, you're out of the gutter now. What do you want? "To serve, of course. Loyalty and dedication can be such rare things these days," he replies. "And buy insurance to make sure my trip was strictly one-way," he smirks. Going from vagabond to courtier of the King has earned you both admirers and detractors and your own place as a topic for gossip. To address some of this gossip, what exactly is it that you do? "I am a facilitator," Vikund replies, "I get things done. If you have a pressing need for some good or service, I can usually oblige," he smiles. "Here, you can keep this. Just drop by BlackHall and we can arrange a private meeting." He pushes a business card across the desk. Many of the nobility of Amber and Chaos clearly despise you because of your lowly birth. Considering that most of them are fairly useless wastes of food and water, whereas you have actually done something with your life, just how much resentment do you harbour against them? "Everyone was put here for a purpose," he says sincerely. "They may not know what it is, but be certain that I do. There is enough resentment in the family already for deeds past and best forgotten. I am not going to add to that." What secret of Merlin's did you keep to rise to power so quickly? Vikund laughs, takes a sip of wine. "Let's just say His Majesty is a good judge of character and ability." Is your mother Akasta still alive? If so, what has she been doing lately? Vikund sobers quickly. "No comment." In which guilds did you apprentice? "The Armorer's Guild," Vikund replies, "making metal things to hurt people with. The smithy was not for me, though." He rubs his hands as if soothing old blisters. "I learned that words are more potent weapons." Would you abandon a woman who loved you and was pregnant, just as your father did with Morganthe? "No," he replies simply, "but everyone is young and stupid at least once in their lifetime." Do you ever seek to use your influence with Merlin for something other than your personal advancement? If so, what? "I have worked closely with the King's Prime Minister to maintain Amber's status as the First City. My advancement and influence has been a consequence of working hard to make this City great again, and the king's style of government has facilitated the process. I doubt any of Amber's former administrations could have done better," Vikund replies earnestly. "It saddens me to read that some people would rather see the Four Horsemen released in this city again to further their own agenda rather than supporting the king and his ministers." (end) |
