Canon is BBC's The Musketeers - Major Voicetesting

[firstminister]

My Dear Player,

I do believe it would be best for you to stop visiting that website. The authors there clearly have no understanding of French Government in the 17th Century nor my role within that structure. As such, it paints me in an entirely negative light without paying heed to the nuances that exist.

I am not a "villain". I simply want what is best for France and I have growing concerns that the King is taking too much advisement from the Musketeers rather than from me. After all, as First Minister, such matters fall under my jurisdiction and I have a better understanding of France's place within the political world than they do.

As to your concerns, I think it would be best if you simply left all worrying to me. Things in general tend to run more smoothly when I am in charge. If you fail to do so, please remember that I have ways to encourage your cooperation. I do not enjoy relying on such methods, however they do happen to be ever so useful.

Sincerely,

Cardinal Armand Richelieu


[Cross-posted to dear_player]

Comments

[greatdragon]

[That glint is back in his eyes.]

You would have remembered meeting me.

[Something rather self-important about him, as though he feared no one.]

My name is Smaug. [Perhaps curious to see if his reputation preceeds him. He's bound to be terribly disappointed.]

[firstminister]

You state that name as if I should know it. I have never heard of you.

[The tone is soft, but there is a demand for information.]

[greatdragon]

[His amusement simmers into disgruntled disappointment. Though he does try to stay his charming self.]

What a pity. I suppose the stories have not come this far. There are even songs about how the great city of Dale and the kingdom of Erebor fell to my....hands.

[firstminister]

Am I supposed to be impressed?

[greatdragon]

[Now that hurts. He scowls.]

Perhaps not. Too small, too insignificant this human form for such claims.

[How he wished he could be rid of it. Unfortunately, the lady Maleficent has cursed him to stay human till he has learned his lesson about the ways of men. Whatever that means.]

[firstminister]

[He arches an eyebrow.]

So am I to assume you are not human? What sort of witchcraft is this?

[greatdragon]

Oh I am human.

[A beat]

I was not human before. I am one of the last fire drakes of the north. Smaug the Golden, Smaug the Terrible....fire and death. In a word, a dragon.

[firstminister]

[Worse than witchcraft, insanity. No such things as dragons.]

I see. Dragons do have their place. I could ensure you are given proper accommodations for one as... magnificent as you.

[greatdragon]

[If he wants to think about it that way, it wasn't far off from being the psychopath Smaug really was.]

[He scoffs at the compliment.] Do not patronize me, insincerity is the sourest of notes to play. There is nothing more weak, more useless than the human body.

[He loathes every minute he has to remain as one. There have been little to none advantages to being human.]

[firstminister]

Forgive me, I was unclear. You made mentions of your great attributes as a dragon. It was to these that I was referring.

Which leaves the question of how you took on this form. I can only assume you were cursed, and then we are back to witchcraft, as I mentioned earlier.

[greatdragon]

You assume correctly. [He sighs as if being human was a tedious bore.] But there is little I can do about it at present.

[firstminister]

Witchcraft is punishable by death under French and Church laws.

[greatdragon]

[Great. More good news.]

I was hardly the one doing the deed. Though I would gladly help you find her if that would mean turning me back.

[firstminister]

One thing at a time. If the witchcraft was done to you and against your will, you have nothing to fear.

[greatdragon]

How fortunate for me.

[Yes, that was sarcasm.]

Little good it does me unless it is reversed. Which will take more of the same, if I am not mistaken.

[firstminister]

[He raises an eyebrow at the sarcasm.]

Reversing the curse would be allowed prior to the execution.

[Having a dragon on the side of France could be beneficial, if he weren't a lunatic.]

[greatdragon]

[Interesting. Almost interesting enough to consider going along with. Till it suited Smaug to go back on his word, if course.]

That is different. And what would you have in this situation? Other than your public execution?

[firstminister]

I do not understand the question? I am a leader in France and the Church, the death of a heretic is enough for me.

[greatdragon]

If you say so.

[Enough of power? In the world of men, there was no such thing.]

[firstminister]

[The Cardinal simply nods. He does say so and his word is law.]