ough! agh!

Bronze & Crystal Sword,

Warring States Period and Wudi Period of Han Dynasty (c. 4th-2nd century BC),

Chinese bronze sword with turquoise studded, gold inlaid rock crystal hilt.

Length 22.83 in / Width 3.15 in /

I was learning to draw backgrounds and experimenting with different brushes in PS. It was a nice time.

Summer flashmob in TES OC ask VK

Like say they recruit like in Oblivion, they find people who've killed (or anyone with a sufficiently high bounty) and approach them out of the blue - with completely different dialogue & framing this could work so much better. You're probably on the run from the law, alone and vulnerable, that's prime cult recruitment fare, so instead of Lucien being all "muahaha you're evil like me" make him a smooth, comforting presence, he shows up and offers you sanctuary and a family who can protect you, make sure you're safe forever and nobody will ever come after you again. Don't even give the trial contract, just hand over the Blade of Woe and invite them to the Sanctuary, making it clear he expects your presence - if you don't show in a couple of days he'll come back and give you an oh-so-friendly reminder, and if that doesn't work then other members will ensure you never do. Let him show up in the middle of the night still too, just to make it clear that despite the friendly welcoming air he knows who you are, knows you're vulnerable and can reach you anywhere.

Then, all the early contracts should be easy, simple jobs against targets you're told deserve it - corrupt guards, abusers, that sort of thing - and your "family" are all so comforting and reassuring and encouraging, after all this isn't that different to what you did before, and your family are more experienced and always willing to support new members; after all, the rest of the world hates you now, so who else do you have for support?

There's also an inconspicuous locked door leading to the basement where other members will nonchalantly tell you you're not allowed to go right now, but you will be once you're more established in the family; then at the above mentioned point where you're in too deep to mentally back out, that's where you're taken and shown what the Brotherhood really is. This is the bit that looks like a Hot Topic kink dungeon, and there's an altar to the Dread Father you're expected to kneel at and shed blood for and yeah it's disturbing but what are you gonna do, say no to the guy standing over you with a knife and run up the stairs into the arms of your fellow murderers?