Watchers are the bounty hunters of Avendar. Often employed by the noble and the wealthy for hunting the rogues who have wronged them, watchers often work for a contract, demanding payment for thieves returned alive - or dead. Due to their association with law enforcement, watchers are never chaotic, making their fortune from their necessity in civilized society.
As you enter the Hall of Records, you note a tall, lithe woman sitting at a distant desk, a small ink-letter in her hand. Strands of strawberry blonde hair float from over and under her ears, the rest tied back into a ponytail. Upon your last step, her ruby eyes dart up from her scroll, fixing themselves upon your face.
"Hello," she says, "May I help you?"
You open your mouth to speak, but before the first sound leaves your throat her voice perks up again. "Ah, you must be one of the initiate Watchers whom Eithol has been speaking of. I am Ralia A'sentha, Master Watcher of Earendam and Bandor." Her eyes unrelentingly scrutinize your features, the irises darting back and forth alertly. Calmly, she adds, "You look uncertain of being part of this Guild. Perhaps it would be of help to describe something of what you open unto yourself."
"Knowledge is what a watcher thrives on. As a watcher, individuals are trained to see many things the average warrior or scholar would miss. This includes thefts, hiding or camouflaged persons, and concealed messages and loot. Magic is not our trade, however, so that which has been concealed magically will be beyond your grasp. I would recommend carrying a healthy supply of potions of vision." At this comment, she smiles to herself. She continues, "Money is vital to the survival of a Watcher. Within our guild are many shadowy persons who will watch for us, and even locate those we seek. However, due to the perilous nature of their task, you must reward them with a handsome sum."
Lifting a scroll, the woman motions over it. "Our guild watches anyone and everyone, and in this nature we do support a type of public, copious record for the use of any within it. If you enter the guild, perhaps you should look into the records of your enemies, friends, relatives, pets... you may be surprised at what is contained within them."
Ralia looks over your body, saying after an instant, "You seem to be a more martial type to me, and perhaps all this talk of information bores you. Would you care to see what comprises the Watcher's combat arsenal?" Not waiting for you to nod, she rises from the desk at which she is sitting. Aloft on shadowy wings, the aelin flutters gracefully towards you. From her appearance, she seems somewhat delicate in build: thin, but supple. The woman gently takes your hand in hers, with a smile. She says, "Come. To the Training Room."
"This is the Training room, where the young watchers learn their trade," says she, as the two of you enter the chamber. It is cavernous, and sporting a number of instruments, including bolos, daggers, wires, and staves. She steps away from you, stretching out her body in various exercizes. Her face also appears somewhat more alert, as if expecting danger at any moment. "The best thing a watcher can do is be prepared... fight on his own terms. You must never let your enemy catch you off guard." Suddenly, a spring trap snaps from behind the woman's body, lurching at her with amazing speed. You raise your voice to speak just as her form blurs, nimbly evading the brutal strike. She says, with a slight pant in her voice, "My point made."
"In a combat situation, as I said... our best strategy is always to be ready. Do everything to fumble up your enemy, in combat or in escape. This is where tools such as these come in handy." In the aelin's nimble hands rest a line of fine wire, a bolo, and some fashion of digging tool. "These wires come in very handy on land-borne creatures," Ralia says with a grin, "They seem to expose the silent, and drop them to the ground, albeit momentarily." Examining the digging tool, she giggles, "You can dig a punji pit with this, to catch an unwary person, and skewer them. You can also use them to hide, or hold meetings... if you like that sort of atmosphere, anyway." The aelin places a bolo in your hands and points to a distant humanoid dummy, stuffed with hay and covered in leather. "Throw the bolo at it, and understand its value."
Drawing your arm back, you let the bolo fly towards the dummy. As the cord strikes the model target, you see the weighted ends twirl, wrapping a tight bind around the dummy's legs. Ralia grins, whispering, "He will have trouble moving like that. Although it is best if...." Before finishing her sentence, her arm whips forward, hurling a bolo at the target. The cord impacts the model's neck, wrapping tightly about it. The woman glances back to you, finishing, "...you catch them about the neck. It cuts off their breathing, rendering them unconscious."
Picking up a wooden practice staff, the woman turns to you. "The staff is the primary weapon for a watcher. With it, he has the ability to do many things, offensive and defensive." The aelin woman points to a staff leaning against a nearby wall, and you retrieve it. Instinctively, you shift into a fighting stance. The woman smiles, her crimson eyes intent on yours. "I like a young person with initiative," says she, "This will inform you much better than any textbook ever could."
Calmly, Ralia motions for you to strike. Lunging forward, you send blow after blow with your practice staff. At first, the smiling woman merely sidesteps or parries your strikes. Without even a bead of sweat on her brow, she says, "Anyone can do what I am doing now. The watcher, however, is a master of the staff, and can do much, much more." Shifting in stance, she twirls her practice staff as you send each strike, effectively deflecting them harmlessly aside. "Now you try it," Ralia grins. Shifting slightly in stance, Ralia sends moderated strikes at your body after evading yours. You frantically attempt to parry or dodge them, but without the twirling technique, many slip through your defenses, pummeling your chest and sides. In pain and afraid, you attempt to withdraw. Before a step is taken, you feel your feet swept out from under you, and you hit the hard floor with a thud. "A watcher fights on his own terms. You can make it more difficult for fleeing opponents, if sufficiently trained in this technique."
Helping you to your feet, the two of you return to the Hall of Records. Ralia again seats herself at her desk, and points to the junction awaiting to the east. She says softly, "If you care to enlist, someone will help you in the room to the south of that junction. Have a good day," before returning to her penning.