"This didn't come from any shop or crafter, if that's what you're wondering about. The place I come from is harsh, where just about everything is trying to kill you. It's a sort of a ritual back there that you make one of these, to prove that you've got what it takes to survive."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Corti grins when Twitch first approaches her, but it wanes to a ghost of that as he continues talking. "Well, I... I suppose I like to help where I can. You're right about me, of course." Corti breaks eye contact with Twitch and surveys the small group of workers, "I wasn't meant to work, but I know what it's like to feel as if you and your people don't have a voice. You all aren't being treated like living beings who deserve rights, and I know what that feels like too." Corti glances back at Twitch and smiles again, "I relate to your cause, and it seems as if I can lend my skills to it, so I'm happy just to help." Corti laughs a little and shakes her head, "And... it might be foolish, but I've been hoping that if all this works out, it will help my people as well."
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Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Milo quickly makes his way back to the Velvet Glove, excited to share the news of Mei Ling agreeing to join the Company. He also hoped that with his first task accomplished so successfully in such a short amount of time, Sparks might recognise his skill and invite him along to the backroom deals, to the real decisionmakers.
As he got to the establishment however, the elven girl that had served them last night greeted him with a smile. "I'm sorry, but Mr Sparks has already left for the day. He said to let you know he was heading to the Hill for some meetings, and to wait for him here, he'd be back in the evening."
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Sylvia, already expecting Tarian's answer, sighed as if a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders. "I guess it's best this way. Come inside, and we'll explain." With that, she knocked on the door of her apartment with her right hand.
At the sight of the mostly unhurt Sylvia, John burst into tears, and flung the door open to embrace her in a hug that seemed as if it would crush her. Between tears of joy and kisses, he looked down at Tarian and said: "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done, if Sylvia wouldn't... thank you." She, however, calmed him somewhat, before saying: "My dear, she knows. let's get inside and talk to her in truth." John looked at her, incredulous at first, but then, seeing her stern face, accepting the wisdom of his wife's words. The two of them invited Tarian inside, before John closed the door to the apartment behind him.
After Tarian took a seat, Sylvia nodded to her husband, and before her eyes, the behemoth of a half-orc who had always seemed too large for this space shifted and morphed. After a few moments, she was seated before a rather diminuitive drow, with a slit ear and a broken nose. The drow, with a croaky voice that had lost all of the booming quality of the half-orc, began:
"My true name is Saelvek. I have lived on the surface for most of my life, but for a drow like me, life in Breland wasn't easy. The military expected treachery from me simply as a result of my skin. They didn't understand that I had left my house years ago, and could never go back. To them I was a drow, and that was that. I was young, used to a life of violence, and any attempt I made at an honest life was seemingly doomed from the start. It wasn't long until I started making a name for myself in the streets of Duskrock. Before long, I ran with a group of similarly shunned lowlifes, all of them rejects and outcasts, because they where goblinoids, orcs, or of another race that was not to be trusted by the human powers to be. We formed the Skins, and we carved our own place in Duskrock. We helped those who were looked down upon as a result of their race, even if it meant we had to steal and to murder to secure that foothold."
Tarian's eyes wandered occasionally to Sylvia, but it was clear that she was familiar with all this. Seeing her glances, Saelvek continued.
"After a few years of living life as a gang leader, everything changed. I met Sylvia, and we fell in love. She was the proof that what I had learnt as a young boy, that the surface races hated us and were deceivers, was wrong. Despite my wickedness, she loved me, and she showed me the good inside of me that I had forgotten to see. But if I had stayed in the gang, she would have been at risk, because we had expanded so far that other gangs started to take notice. If we could live in security, Saelvek would have to die. We hatched a plan: Sylvia managed to convince a friend to get her an enchanted ring, and I faked my death. Meeting up with Sylvia, I slid on the ring and became John Krull, a recent arrival in the Forge, looking for work."
Letting his words sink in, Saelvek took a seat himself. After a small while, he continued, with a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately the plan wasn't as good as we thought, somehow the Suits must have figured it out. When I received the package, it just contained a single playing card, the Ace of Hearts. I knew they had her, and I was sure they were going to kill her. You can't understand how glad I am to see Sylvia standing before me now. But this" he held the wedding band he had taken off his finger between his thumb and forefinger, "is of no use to me now. Take it as my thanks for the safe return of Sylvia. It pains me to see all this go, but we'll have to go on the run again. Take what you want, we can't take it with us."
It is only now that Tarian noticed that there were several ready packed bags lying under the small bed in the corner. Clearly Saelvek had prepared to leave as soon as she had left his apartment, but had stayed behind out of hope that she could bring Sylvia back to him despite all odds.
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Twitch's face was filled with apprehension. "That' makes sum sense, I guess. Well, happy t'haf ye here wit' us, Corty. Sorry ta say tha' I donnae really see how this cud help yer people. I mean, fer starters, it's not like you knows them, do ya? You's are all built, no?"
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Thia would nod, sympathizing with Brandt’s story, though it’s definitely not his weapon she’d be interested in. What she was interested in would be a lot simpler and a lot smaller. She’d shift her weight and would stare off into the distance, “We’ve all done things to survive this far Mr. Brandt. But it’s not all we are.” She’d focus her eyes back on him, “I’ve been told only mercenaries know who or where to go. I am but a bookworm to them. I’d be lucky enough to get offered a pen.” Thia would shrug, “I suppose I was mistaken to ask you then.” She’d wink then would take a few steps towards Alexis, not wanting to keep her waiting much longer, but not walk far enough away in case Brandt spoke up.
Alexis greeted Thia: "Glad you could make it, I brought a friend along, so he can tell you why he's with the Veiled Valor now. This is Wilfred, Wilfred, this is Thia. She helped me after the protests and agreed to come along on my round today, if we show her some things in return."
Looking at Wilfred, Thia could see a human male, clad in the loose clothing favoured by travelling monks or southern merchants. The double chevron with the horizontal line at the tip of the upper chevron adorned his sleeves. He was in his thirties, but his face was pock-marked with many different scars, although he tried to hide some of them with a short scraggely beard, and she saw several of his fingers of his right hand missing. At Alexis' introduction, he gave a quick nod to Thia, as a means of greeting.
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
It doesn't take long for Colette and Brandt to find an empty stretch of grassland under the city walls. Looking around herself to make sure they were suitably alone, Colette turned to Brandt: "How about here? I want to learn more, and after yesterday I think we can both agree that I need to train more. And if you want I can repay you in trade." She underscored her offer with a lude sway of her hips, though her eyes rested firmly on Brandt's musket and rapier, to make it clear that she had come here to learn primarily.
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"Maybe that last part can come later." Brandt teaches Colette how to shoot, showing her how to load a rifle as well as a general rundown of its parts, demonstrating the proper way to hold it, and finishing off by showing her how to aim. "Make sure that it's not pointed at anything you don't intend to actually shoot." After he's satisfied that she knows what she's doing with it, he hands her the rifle. "All right, I think that you're ready. Load this up and fire at one of those birds up there."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
As she walked away from Brandt, she’d throw up an arm in a wave of acknowledgment. She felt sure they’d run into each other again. From her peripheral vision, Thia would also try to pay attention to the direction he led his companion in just in case.
As Thia approaches the pair, she would hold her hands in front of her and with a friendly smile she would bow in her respectful greeting. “Thank you. I hope I didn’t keep you both waiting too long. It’s a pleasure to meet you Wilfred.” She’d nod again.
“Look, Mister… eh… Saelvek—” Not only was the name hard for Tarian to pronounce, it was also the third name she had for this man. It was more than she usually put in the effort to remember. “—I know it might be tempting for you to just pack up and leave town.” Tarian waved both hands at the idea. “I’m not going to say that’s a bad idea. In fact, it’s possible you might be safer if you did. However,” she lightly gestured toward Sylvia’s left hand, “your wife will probably never regain use of her hand if you do.”
Tarian leaned back in her seat, folded her hands over her crossed knees, and looked across at the drow. “Mister Saelvek, Mister Cannith has offered his assistance in getting your wife whole again.” Tarian nodded to Sylvia. “Missus Kru—Sylvia can fill you in on the details.” Tarian again leveled her gaze at Saelvek. “Now, if you choose to leave town, that may never happen. Mister Cannith can’t help you if you’re in a place where he isn’t. And do you really think that you’ll be able to save up the kind of money that a healer capable of restoring her would demand? On your own?” Tarian shook her head. “I won’t tell you to stay. You two need to do what’s right for you. But if you can be a different you with the tools you have at hand,” for a moment Tarian dropped her gaze to the ring, “can you not think of a way to stay here a little longer, to at least get your wife the help she needs?”
Tarian turned away. “I… know what losing the part of your body that earns your livelihood can do to someone. How they can… change… over time.” She shook her head sharply, as if the motion alone could shake the thoughts from her mind. “Of course, I also know you can still find happiness in exile. There’s a lovely rustic mountain town near the border I could recommend. I could even put in a word for you with the head lawman there. Just, you know, at least consider getting your wife the help first.”
Tarian pushed the ring back toward Saelvek. “In either case, stay or run, I think you’ll still need this. Besides, I’d never consider taking someone’s wedding ring as payment, and I’ve already been paid for the work I’ve done. Though if you still really want to thank me, some nice art might spruce up my room.” Tarian nodded toward Sylvia’s easel.
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"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Still back in his mansion, Arc has finished preparing his gear and was now looking for Lucius, his family's butler. Upon finding him, Arc politely calls out to him, "Ah, Lucius. I have something to inquire of you. I'm sure you've heard my father discussing the Warforged protester seen involved in the strikes. Might you have any information on where I might locate them?" He's polite and respectful to the man, he had served his family for a long time, and was a good man.
Milo facepalms at the sound of “wait for him to come back” rubbing his temples with his left thumb and middle finger he gets the girls attention “If Sparks comes back before I do tell him I’ll be back”. He continues to mutter to himself “I’m a business associate, not your assistant..”
Hey heads out towards the docks for a leisurely stroll while mentally noting any signs of smuggling, drug trade, or the “Skins” organization.
Corti shrugs, "I don't know, I've been thinking that maybe - just maybe - if some beings that aren't... built start pushing for their labor rights, it'd show that we deserve them too. The fighting's done, but we still aren't treated as anything more than workers that they barely have to pay, or worse, don't have to pay at all." Corti's voice is rising as she is talking, "On top of all that, ex-soldiers from both sides seem to hold grudges against us, and there are plenty of people who treat us like another factory machine!" Corti catches herself and pauses, rubbing her forehead. The motion doesn't actually do anything, as headaches aren't really a concern for her, but she has mirrored it from people she's known. In a calmer tone, she continues, "I like to think that rights and protection for you and your fellow workers will mean one more step towards rights and protection for warforged. We're built, yes, I suppose you could call us artificial life, but we think for ourselves. We know that we aren't being treated right, and some of us are lucky enough to be able to try and do something about it."
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Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
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Colette eagerly takes to the lesson, and though struggling with the long and cumbersome rifle, she loads it up as he taught her, and takes aim at a sparrow landing on a nearby tree branch.
15
What follows is a loud crack, as if of thunder, and Colette, stunned by the force of the rifle, drops it to the ground, holding her left hand clasped over her throbbing and bruised collarbone. The bird, unharmed, flutters away, though the branch it sat on is blown into a hundred tiny splinters by the impact of the projectile.
"I'm sorry, I had no idea it was so powerful... I... I don't think this is the weapon for me. It's too big and unwieldy, and I don't think my collarbone could take firing this thing more than once or twice. Is there some way I could train on something smaller?"
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
The monk gives Thia a warm smile, before falling in behind her and Alexis, as they head out of the gate. "Alexis here told me about you yesterday. He was quite taken with your committment to helping others" At that, Alexis interrupted him: "Sorry Wilfred, I told you before, it's Alexis. I don't like pronouns."
Redding with embarrassment, Wilfred corrected himself: "I'm sorry, yes. They were quite taken with you yesterday. It's good to see someone so young already so committed. But let me ask you, what have you learnt so far? What's your speciality? And who did you learn from? These days, I feel more often than not that those who teach don't treat people and those who treat people don't teach. I just wanna know how much you need to unlearn first." At the last, he gave a little chuckle, to take the sting out of his words. Regardless, Thia could sense that Wilfred had his opinions for learned men and institutions such as those she had devoted most of her life to so far.
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Saelvek seemed even more desperate at this news. The survivor in him screamed to run, but the health and wellbeing of the woman he loved who had already kept him here was in his hands now too. Sylvia, seeing his pained expression, spoke in a soothing tone: "Saelvek, dear. They had me in their power and handed me back. If they had wanted me dead, I wouldn't stand here now. Besides, running away, we tried that once. I want to take Mr Cannith up on his offer. I don't know how long it might take until the prosthetic is finished, or even if it can be done. But I want to give it a shot. I need time to adapt and learn to paint with the other hand, if only to give Tarian here her proper reward. And you dear, you can make things right this time. You have a chance to say goodbye to your friends, to speak with Mei Ling and prepare her to fill your role completely. Not like last time. They deserve to know that John Krull is leaving."
Seeing the sense in his wife's words, Saelvek collapsed onto an empty chair, giving a long sigh. "Tarian, I thank you. And I'm already forever thankful to you for bringing my Sylvia back to me, but if you could give word to the lawman that we would like to move there, to help with Sylvia's recovery, I'd thank you immensely." He gets up and turns to the footlocker at the side of his bed, returning shortly thereafter with an old, but warm-looking coat made of dark blue wool with a golden trim. "If you don't wanna take our ring, then please accept this, as my thanks. I used to wear this back when I was still on the street. It's got hidden padding that can help keep you safe against attackers. My life on the road is finished, and I could never wear it as John, but you might need it, if only to save others in the future. Please, if only to make me feel slightly better about the immense debt I owe you already."
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Lucius had always treated Arc with the necessary respect that was due to him, but he prefered Arc's calm temper to Volten's often violent outbursts. "Master Cannith, the reporter who was here the other day insinuated that said unit was leading a column of the protest march made up primarily of workers from the Cannith Foundry, in the southern part of the Forge. I might inquire there, the workers might be aware of the whereabouts of the unit. Additionally, your father wanted me to remind you that you had best resolve the strikes within two days, he said you'd know the consequences of failure. Do we need to worry, sir?"
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Milo had a keen eye for people, and the flow of goods and information. It's what made him successful at what he did. As he walked towards the docklands, he paid less attention to the half-rotten timbers and the salt-crusted walls of the houses he passed left and right, but was carefully mapping which of these warehouses were supposedly empty, which seemed abandoned, and which had people working in or near them. Of the latter category, a particular note was placed on buildings with no clear merchant's brand or other insignia denoting who the warehouses belonged to.
Although it was early morning, the activity in the docklands did not seem abated, if anything the hustle and bustle of sailors and dockworkers seemed to be pretty consistent regardless of the time of day he passed through here. Most of all though, he spotted, dotted throughout the crowd, a good dozen or so islands. People who, amids of the moving masses, stood out for standing still, or barely moving from their spot, of not going with the flow. There was nothing that outwardly distinguished them from the people around them, but by the very fact that they seemed like they had nothing to do, he was certain that these were some of the Broadstreet agents that Tarian had mentioned. With this many eyes in the harbour, any smugglers that moved their product here would have to have had them on thier pay roll, but the magistrates and the guard would know to look for that and the more lawful amongst them would jump at the opportunity to bring the Broadsters to heel. No, if he wanted to find the smugglers, he wasn't in the right place here.
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
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"This didn't come from any shop or crafter, if that's what you're wondering about. The place I come from is harsh, where just about everything is trying to kill you. It's a sort of a ritual back there that you make one of these, to prove that you've got what it takes to survive."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Corti grins when Twitch first approaches her, but it wanes to a ghost of that as he continues talking. "Well, I... I suppose I like to help where I can. You're right about me, of course." Corti breaks eye contact with Twitch and surveys the small group of workers, "I wasn't meant to work, but I know what it's like to feel as if you and your people don't have a voice. You all aren't being treated like living beings who deserve rights, and I know what that feels like too." Corti glances back at Twitch and smiles again, "I relate to your cause, and it seems as if I can lend my skills to it, so I'm happy just to help." Corti laughs a little and shakes her head, "And... it might be foolish, but I've been hoping that if all this works out, it will help my people as well."
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Milo quickly makes his way back to the Velvet Glove, excited to share the news of Mei Ling agreeing to join the Company. He also hoped that with his first task accomplished so successfully in such a short amount of time, Sparks might recognise his skill and invite him along to the backroom deals, to the real decisionmakers.
As he got to the establishment however, the elven girl that had served them last night greeted him with a smile. "I'm sorry, but Mr Sparks has already left for the day. He said to let you know he was heading to the Hill for some meetings, and to wait for him here, he'd be back in the evening."
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Sylvia, already expecting Tarian's answer, sighed as if a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders. "I guess it's best this way. Come inside, and we'll explain." With that, she knocked on the door of her apartment with her right hand.
At the sight of the mostly unhurt Sylvia, John burst into tears, and flung the door open to embrace her in a hug that seemed as if it would crush her. Between tears of joy and kisses, he looked down at Tarian and said: "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done, if Sylvia wouldn't... thank you." She, however, calmed him somewhat, before saying: "My dear, she knows. let's get inside and talk to her in truth." John looked at her, incredulous at first, but then, seeing her stern face, accepting the wisdom of his wife's words. The two of them invited Tarian inside, before John closed the door to the apartment behind him.
After Tarian took a seat, Sylvia nodded to her husband, and before her eyes, the behemoth of a half-orc who had always seemed too large for this space shifted and morphed. After a few moments, she was seated before a rather diminuitive drow, with a slit ear and a broken nose. The drow, with a croaky voice that had lost all of the booming quality of the half-orc, began:
"My true name is Saelvek. I have lived on the surface for most of my life, but for a drow like me, life in Breland wasn't easy. The military expected treachery from me simply as a result of my skin. They didn't understand that I had left my house years ago, and could never go back. To them I was a drow, and that was that. I was young, used to a life of violence, and any attempt I made at an honest life was seemingly doomed from the start. It wasn't long until I started making a name for myself in the streets of Duskrock. Before long, I ran with a group of similarly shunned lowlifes, all of them rejects and outcasts, because they where goblinoids, orcs, or of another race that was not to be trusted by the human powers to be. We formed the Skins, and we carved our own place in Duskrock. We helped those who were looked down upon as a result of their race, even if it meant we had to steal and to murder to secure that foothold."
Tarian's eyes wandered occasionally to Sylvia, but it was clear that she was familiar with all this. Seeing her glances, Saelvek continued.
"After a few years of living life as a gang leader, everything changed. I met Sylvia, and we fell in love. She was the proof that what I had learnt as a young boy, that the surface races hated us and were deceivers, was wrong. Despite my wickedness, she loved me, and she showed me the good inside of me that I had forgotten to see. But if I had stayed in the gang, she would have been at risk, because we had expanded so far that other gangs started to take notice. If we could live in security, Saelvek would have to die. We hatched a plan: Sylvia managed to convince a friend to get her an enchanted ring, and I faked my death. Meeting up with Sylvia, I slid on the ring and became John Krull, a recent arrival in the Forge, looking for work."
Letting his words sink in, Saelvek took a seat himself. After a small while, he continued, with a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately the plan wasn't as good as we thought, somehow the Suits must have figured it out. When I received the package, it just contained a single playing card, the Ace of Hearts. I knew they had her, and I was sure they were going to kill her. You can't understand how glad I am to see Sylvia standing before me now. But this" he held the wedding band he had taken off his finger between his thumb and forefinger, "is of no use to me now. Take it as my thanks for the safe return of Sylvia. It pains me to see all this go, but we'll have to go on the run again. Take what you want, we can't take it with us."
It is only now that Tarian noticed that there were several ready packed bags lying under the small bed in the corner. Clearly Saelvek had prepared to leave as soon as she had left his apartment, but had stayed behind out of hope that she could bring Sylvia back to him despite all odds.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Twitch's face was filled with apprehension. "That' makes sum sense, I guess. Well, happy t'haf ye here wit' us, Corty. Sorry ta say tha' I donnae really see how this cud help yer people. I mean, fer starters, it's not like you knows them, do ya? You's are all built, no?"
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Thia would nod, sympathizing with Brandt’s story, though it’s definitely not his weapon she’d be interested in. What she was interested in would be a lot simpler and a lot smaller. She’d shift her weight and would stare off into the distance, “We’ve all done things to survive this far Mr. Brandt. But it’s not all we are.” She’d focus her eyes back on him, “I’ve been told only mercenaries know who or where to go. I am but a bookworm to them. I’d be lucky enough to get offered a pen.” Thia would shrug, “I suppose I was mistaken to ask you then.” She’d wink then would take a few steps towards Alexis, not wanting to keep her waiting much longer, but not walk far enough away in case Brandt spoke up.
just an unstable unicorn.
"See ya. If you need me, just ask around. It's not like there are too many gunslingers in town." Brandt gets back to leading Colette out of town.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Alexis greeted Thia: "Glad you could make it, I brought a friend along, so he can tell you why he's with the Veiled Valor now. This is Wilfred, Wilfred, this is Thia. She helped me after the protests and agreed to come along on my round today, if we show her some things in return."
Looking at Wilfred, Thia could see a human male, clad in the loose clothing favoured by travelling monks or southern merchants. The double chevron with the horizontal line at the tip of the upper chevron adorned his sleeves. He was in his thirties, but his face was pock-marked with many different scars, although he tried to hide some of them with a short scraggely beard, and she saw several of his fingers of his right hand missing. At Alexis' introduction, he gave a quick nod to Thia, as a means of greeting.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
It doesn't take long for Colette and Brandt to find an empty stretch of grassland under the city walls. Looking around herself to make sure they were suitably alone, Colette turned to Brandt: "How about here? I want to learn more, and after yesterday I think we can both agree that I need to train more. And if you want I can repay you in trade." She underscored her offer with a lude sway of her hips, though her eyes rested firmly on Brandt's musket and rapier, to make it clear that she had come here to learn primarily.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"Maybe that last part can come later." Brandt teaches Colette how to shoot, showing her how to load a rifle as well as a general rundown of its parts, demonstrating the proper way to hold it, and finishing off by showing her how to aim. "Make sure that it's not pointed at anything you don't intend to actually shoot." After he's satisfied that she knows what she's doing with it, he hands her the rifle. "All right, I think that you're ready. Load this up and fire at one of those birds up there."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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As she walked away from Brandt, she’d throw up an arm in a wave of acknowledgment. She felt sure they’d run into each other again. From her peripheral vision, Thia would also try to pay attention to the direction he led his companion in just in case.
As Thia approaches the pair, she would hold her hands in front of her and with a friendly smile she would bow in her respectful greeting. “Thank you. I hope I didn’t keep you both waiting too long. It’s a pleasure to meet you Wilfred.” She’d nod again.
just an unstable unicorn.
“Look, Mister… eh… Saelvek—” Not only was the name hard for Tarian to pronounce, it was also the third name she had for this man. It was more than she usually put in the effort to remember. “—I know it might be tempting for you to just pack up and leave town.” Tarian waved both hands at the idea. “I’m not going to say that’s a bad idea. In fact, it’s possible you might be safer if you did. However,” she lightly gestured toward Sylvia’s left hand, “your wife will probably never regain use of her hand if you do.”
Tarian leaned back in her seat, folded her hands over her crossed knees, and looked across at the drow. “Mister Saelvek, Mister Cannith has offered his assistance in getting your wife whole again.” Tarian nodded to Sylvia. “Missus Kru—Sylvia can fill you in on the details.” Tarian again leveled her gaze at Saelvek. “Now, if you choose to leave town, that may never happen. Mister Cannith can’t help you if you’re in a place where he isn’t. And do you really think that you’ll be able to save up the kind of money that a healer capable of restoring her would demand? On your own?” Tarian shook her head. “I won’t tell you to stay. You two need to do what’s right for you. But if you can be a different you with the tools you have at hand,” for a moment Tarian dropped her gaze to the ring, “can you not think of a way to stay here a little longer, to at least get your wife the help she needs?”
Tarian turned away. “I… know what losing the part of your body that earns your livelihood can do to someone. How they can… change… over time.” She shook her head sharply, as if the motion alone could shake the thoughts from her mind. “Of course, I also know you can still find happiness in exile. There’s a lovely rustic mountain town near the border I could recommend. I could even put in a word for you with the head lawman there. Just, you know, at least consider getting your wife the help first.”
Tarian pushed the ring back toward Saelvek. “In either case, stay or run, I think you’ll still need this. Besides, I’d never consider taking someone’s wedding ring as payment, and I’ve already been paid for the work I’ve done. Though if you still really want to thank me, some nice art might spruce up my room.” Tarian nodded toward Sylvia’s easel.
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Still back in his mansion, Arc has finished preparing his gear and was now looking for Lucius, his family's butler. Upon finding him, Arc politely calls out to him, "Ah, Lucius. I have something to inquire of you. I'm sure you've heard my father discussing the Warforged protester seen involved in the strikes. Might you have any information on where I might locate them?" He's polite and respectful to the man, he had served his family for a long time, and was a good man.
Milo facepalms at the sound of “wait for him to come back” rubbing his temples with his left thumb and middle finger he gets the girls attention “If Sparks comes back before I do tell him I’ll be back”. He continues to mutter to himself “I’m a business associate, not your assistant..”
Hey heads out towards the docks for a leisurely stroll while mentally noting any signs of smuggling, drug trade, or the “Skins” organization.
Corti shrugs, "I don't know, I've been thinking that maybe - just maybe - if some beings that aren't... built start pushing for their labor rights, it'd show that we deserve them too. The fighting's done, but we still aren't treated as anything more than workers that they barely have to pay, or worse, don't have to pay at all." Corti's voice is rising as she is talking, "On top of all that, ex-soldiers from both sides seem to hold grudges against us, and there are plenty of people who treat us like another factory machine!" Corti catches herself and pauses, rubbing her forehead. The motion doesn't actually do anything, as headaches aren't really a concern for her, but she has mirrored it from people she's known. In a calmer tone, she continues, "I like to think that rights and protection for you and your fellow workers will mean one more step towards rights and protection for warforged. We're built, yes, I suppose you could call us artificial life, but we think for ourselves. We know that we aren't being treated right, and some of us are lucky enough to be able to try and do something about it."
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Colette eagerly takes to the lesson, and though struggling with the long and cumbersome rifle, she loads it up as he taught her, and takes aim at a sparrow landing on a nearby tree branch.
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What follows is a loud crack, as if of thunder, and Colette, stunned by the force of the rifle, drops it to the ground, holding her left hand clasped over her throbbing and bruised collarbone. The bird, unharmed, flutters away, though the branch it sat on is blown into a hundred tiny splinters by the impact of the projectile.
"I'm sorry, I had no idea it was so powerful... I... I don't think this is the weapon for me. It's too big and unwieldy, and I don't think my collarbone could take firing this thing more than once or twice. Is there some way I could train on something smaller?"
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
The monk gives Thia a warm smile, before falling in behind her and Alexis, as they head out of the gate. "Alexis here told me about you yesterday. He was quite taken with your committment to helping others" At that, Alexis interrupted him: "Sorry Wilfred, I told you before, it's Alexis. I don't like pronouns."
Redding with embarrassment, Wilfred corrected himself: "I'm sorry, yes. They were quite taken with you yesterday. It's good to see someone so young already so committed. But let me ask you, what have you learnt so far? What's your speciality? And who did you learn from? These days, I feel more often than not that those who teach don't treat people and those who treat people don't teach. I just wanna know how much you need to unlearn first." At the last, he gave a little chuckle, to take the sting out of his words. Regardless, Thia could sense that Wilfred had his opinions for learned men and institutions such as those she had devoted most of her life to so far.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Saelvek seemed even more desperate at this news. The survivor in him screamed to run, but the health and wellbeing of the woman he loved who had already kept him here was in his hands now too. Sylvia, seeing his pained expression, spoke in a soothing tone: "Saelvek, dear. They had me in their power and handed me back. If they had wanted me dead, I wouldn't stand here now. Besides, running away, we tried that once. I want to take Mr Cannith up on his offer. I don't know how long it might take until the prosthetic is finished, or even if it can be done. But I want to give it a shot. I need time to adapt and learn to paint with the other hand, if only to give Tarian here her proper reward. And you dear, you can make things right this time. You have a chance to say goodbye to your friends, to speak with Mei Ling and prepare her to fill your role completely. Not like last time. They deserve to know that John Krull is leaving."
Seeing the sense in his wife's words, Saelvek collapsed onto an empty chair, giving a long sigh. "Tarian, I thank you. And I'm already forever thankful to you for bringing my Sylvia back to me, but if you could give word to the lawman that we would like to move there, to help with Sylvia's recovery, I'd thank you immensely." He gets up and turns to the footlocker at the side of his bed, returning shortly thereafter with an old, but warm-looking coat made of dark blue wool with a golden trim. "If you don't wanna take our ring, then please accept this, as my thanks. I used to wear this back when I was still on the street. It's got hidden padding that can help keep you safe against attackers. My life on the road is finished, and I could never wear it as John, but you might need it, if only to save others in the future. Please, if only to make me feel slightly better about the immense debt I owe you already."
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Lucius had always treated Arc with the necessary respect that was due to him, but he prefered Arc's calm temper to Volten's often violent outbursts. "Master Cannith, the reporter who was here the other day insinuated that said unit was leading a column of the protest march made up primarily of workers from the Cannith Foundry, in the southern part of the Forge. I might inquire there, the workers might be aware of the whereabouts of the unit. Additionally, your father wanted me to remind you that you had best resolve the strikes within two days, he said you'd know the consequences of failure. Do we need to worry, sir?"
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Milo had a keen eye for people, and the flow of goods and information. It's what made him successful at what he did. As he walked towards the docklands, he paid less attention to the half-rotten timbers and the salt-crusted walls of the houses he passed left and right, but was carefully mapping which of these warehouses were supposedly empty, which seemed abandoned, and which had people working in or near them. Of the latter category, a particular note was placed on buildings with no clear merchant's brand or other insignia denoting who the warehouses belonged to.
Although it was early morning, the activity in the docklands did not seem abated, if anything the hustle and bustle of sailors and dockworkers seemed to be pretty consistent regardless of the time of day he passed through here. Most of all though, he spotted, dotted throughout the crowd, a good dozen or so islands. People who, amids of the moving masses, stood out for standing still, or barely moving from their spot, of not going with the flow. There was nothing that outwardly distinguished them from the people around them, but by the very fact that they seemed like they had nothing to do, he was certain that these were some of the Broadstreet agents that Tarian had mentioned. With this many eyes in the harbour, any smugglers that moved their product here would have to have had them on thier pay roll, but the magistrates and the guard would know to look for that and the more lawful amongst them would jump at the opportunity to bring the Broadsters to heel. No, if he wanted to find the smugglers, he wasn't in the right place here.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms