The Ledger of Hidden Fortunes and Other Orzhov Tales
Project Overview
As Wizards of the Coast continues to release their weekly Magic Story updates, it is our goal on the Voice of All podcast to bring these stories to life through audio.
The Ravnica Allegiance stories bring us small vignettes of life on Ravnica. This week we follow Miri, a young Orzhov tithe collector as she tries to do right by her family and herself. Our main character is also our narrator this week so if you are prepared for that, read on! You can check out this story in full here:
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/ledger-hidden-fortunes-2019-02-20
In addition, we are casting some important roles for other Orzhov related stories, Teysa Karlov and Family Values. These are great tales on their own and feature characters who are important to Ravnica and may appear again in the future.
If you're interested in hearing our past works, you can listen to all of them here:
https://www.voiceofallmtg.com/
We can also be found on Soundcloud, Stitcher, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Podcasts! We are looking to keep up with the release of Wizards' stories as best as possible and will release our version the second following Friday, so expect to be cast this week and have your lines to me within a few days.
As a general casting note, I do not typically have any voice requirements in mind for characters. I would much rather hear your interpretations and choose from among them.
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Miri is a young member of the Orzhov, a corrupt guild that combines banking and monetary debt with religion and the afterlife. Her family, previously wealthy, has come on hard times and they are working hard to make ends meet and keep up appearances. She is working as a tithe taker, but doesn't enjoy taking by force from those who are even less fortunate. She loves her family and would do anything for them. Through this tale she will learn more about compassion and what she values most. This particular story is her writing in her journal over several months.
Miri is also the narrator of this tale, so in addition to her in character lines, you will need to read narration for the story - about 15 pages (~5000 words) in total.
"Father, do you honestly think I'd wear these confounded rags if I didn't think this tip could bless us with unfathomable wealth? I've seen how you and Mother have struggled, forgoing your own happiness to bolster mine."
"I would like to barter this for those robes, please." [Proud that she was able to gather the requisite item]
[Narration test] Today was my first refusal. The citizen in question tried to argue with me that the new thirty-percent requisite tithing was too much. It used to be ten percent, he said, as far back as he could remember. I gently explained that it was still ten percent—the first ten percent going toward defense and war management, the second ten percent going to social services and infrastructure, and the final ten percent going to Orzhova to compensate Kaya and the Oligarchs for their valuable time, but he didn't want to hear that. I presented him with the opportunity to make up the other twenty percent in debt promises if he needed to, but then he started cursing the guild, saying that our guildmaster had better get her greedy hands out of his pockets before he did something about it.
I could overlook his agitation and swearing, but I couldn't ignore a blatant threat against Kaya. As I moved to subdue him, his eyes twitched like those of a rabid bat. He charged me, his bare hands beating against my gold-plated armor until the metal turned red with his blood. I dealt him a forearm to the temple and then used my staff to sweep his feet from underneath him. He fell back and hit the dirt, his breathing heavy and hard. He locked eyes with me, like the punishment that was about to befall him was all my fault.
Teysa Karlov is an advokist and the Grand Envoy of the Orzhov. In essence, she is a lawyer and the Orzhov representative to meet with the Guildpact. She is no nonsense, cunning, and ambitious. She seeks to depose her ghostly ancestors who rule the guild so that the living can rule themselves. At 112 years old, she barely looks a day over 30 thanks to powerful Orzhov magic and only has to walk with a cane due to a lame leg.
Teysa is a major character in Magic lore. Should she reappear in future stories, you will be asked to reprise the role.
"I'll get right to the point. I know you to be a man of your word, Tajic, and unquestionable integrity is something that I value above all things—coin, land, or even power. We both know that integrity is power and that which has no integrity has no power." [Tajic rhymes with Magic]
"Well, I do appreciate the principle, but the execution is a bit flashy."
"Everything about the Obzedat, everything about how our guild has functioned is wrong in the eyes of the law." [dripping with venom and frustration]
Commander Tajic, First Guildmage of the Legion, is the highest ranking human soldier in the Boros Legion and advisor to the Warleader Aurelia. He is every bit the paladin you might expect him to be: strong-willed, impassioned, and kind. He favors strengthening his legion over cooperation with other guilds, but will do what is necessary to secure a place for his people.
With his status, Tajic is an important character in Magic lore. Should he reappear in future stories, you will be asked to reprise the role.
"I knew that you appreciated the law and what it means for Ravnica. That is why I accepted your invitation to talk today. I have to be honest with you, Teysa Karlov, I have always admired your courage from afar but now that I am in your presence, I can sense what makes you a great leader."
"An accurate description of every interaction with the Azorius I've ever had." [A dry delivery of a joke following Teysa saying describing a spell as "Starchy. Lukewarm. Like a family dinner you couldn't get out of."]
"How did the Obzedat manage that?! They are dead! They cannot perform magic!" [Incredulous]
Karlov is Teysa's deceased grandfather. The fat, richly clothed ghost sits on the Obzedat, the Ghost Council that rules the Orzhov. He is greedy, callous, patronizing, and cruel. He cares only about gaining power and riches and using others to achieve those goals, including his own living family. Rules do not apply to him and he cares nothing for the law.
If you plan to use effects when you try out, please include a version with none so I can hear just your acting.
As part of the Obzedat, Karlov is a major character on Ravnica. Should he appear in future stories, you will be asked to reprise the role.
"I see you're a narcissist even in your spare time, Granddaughter."
"There are more important laws than the ones in your books."
"You are small." [threatening and seething with anger]
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