Hey there! So, a little backstory on me. Special Ops in Army while younger (Airborne Ranger). Was very heavy into High Fantasy during my teen years. Favorite Author is R.A. Salvatore. I collect comics, swords and love moving metal (blacksmithing). My mom was an English teacher, so I've had a knack for writing since young. Along the years I've completed an MS, with complete world built and magic system from scratch. These are a couple of backstories and excerpts for you to enjoy and judge me off of (no worries, I have thick skin) and hopefully give me the chance to create something epic for you!

 Character Backstory 

Varkurael Dorel - Drow Elf

Contemplating, already past three centuries, an innumerable amount of times the beautiful, intricate, sinister and deadly show of force that were the slender filaments of magically calcified webbing upon which the great city of Ched Nasad proudly stood atop, Varkurael Dorel allowed himself a moment to lose himself in the dream of being free. A rare moment of self reflection, which leads to momentarily lost focus, which leads to an untimely end, which once again had him shaking his head and asking himself… Why?

He was a Soldier. More than that, he was an Assassin for House Dorel. Clandestine Dark Operations  was his unit, of which he had been apprenticed to the Qu’el’ Velguk (Head Assassin) for the last century. He was nothing more than another male drow in a city full of male drow, but he knew his ticket out would be to become Qu’el’ Velguk himself - and there was only one way that would happen. His latest mission had left him extremely troubled. There were always plots against the city and his House, but whispers foretold of a coming, large-scale attack, which had the Underdark’s Underdark on edge. 

…He was of the few left after the duergar had completely bombed the web filaments upon which stood the city, the scene of the great Cocoon houses falling down to the levels underneath them and so on for the next five levels forever etched in his long winded memory. Having barely escaped Ched Nasad’s destruction, Varkurael Dorel now had a decision to make.  Stay and help rebuild House Dorel now that he was Qu’el’ Velguk, his master having died by his blade in the rubble when the city came crashing down, or follow the forbidden map to the surface world. He had heard of an infamous Drow doing such a thing, even making a life at the surface. He was from House Do'Urden.

Varkurael Dorel carries around with him a broken blade belonging to his master, who was both friend and abuser. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least. 

Magic System - This is a small excerpt from my MS where I use one of my supporting characters to explain who Magic, or Magia, works in their world.

“So, laddie, yer father wanted me to talk to ye about something.” He eased his nearly seven foot frame gracefully onto the chair and looked at Jarkäel. “What’s the problem? Some lady friend ain’t takin’ to yer advances?” He raised an eyebrow as he spoke, aware of the redness developing in Jarkäel’s face. He chuckled, and in his deep voice while waving his huge hands side to side said, “Pay no attention to me, I’m just havin’ some fun with ye.” A moment passed, then he suddenly became serious, asking Jarkäel, “What’s me swords name?”

Jarkäel hesitated, and then slowly answered, “L’brexad.”

Crychek never changed expression. “What does it mean, lad?”

“Father said it means Liberty.”

“Aye, that it does. Did he mention why I gave it a name?”

Jarkäel bit his lip recollecting the day’s earlier conversation with his father and said, “It has something to do with magia and how it’s bonded to you or something.”

Crychek smiled. “Aye, smart lad. But do ye understand the concept behind it?”

I don’t understand what the big deal is about a sword having a name, thought Jarkäel.  I guess it sounds kinda nice, but how would that help you in battle? Jarkäel frowned and shook his head.

Crychek proceeded to draw L’brexad out of its sheath, and held it with his right hand just above his lap, perpendicular to his body. He ran two fingers over the cold metal reverently, then mouthed some words that were unintelligible from where Jarkäel was sitting. As soon as he did, the emeralds on the swords pommel and the hawk’s eyes started to emanate a faint light, casting a faint greenish hue on Crycheks forearm. 

“Ye see, lad, some people are born with different gifts. Take yer father fer example. His gift is the ability ta forge and shape metal into works of art; whether they be small statuettes or killers of men. I could try till me death day and never even come close to what yer father can do.” Jarkäel listened intently now, interested in where he was going with this. “Other people have a more innate gift. This gift helps them manipulate the world around them in different ways.” All the gestures Crychek did with his hands as he was explaining this to Jarkäel seemed to emphasize the importance of what he was saying.  “This innate gift is called Magia.”

Magia. 

“I’ve heard about that before.” Jarkäel opened his mouth as if to say something else, then thought better of it.

“Well, what I did with L’brexad is just that. Therein, laddy, lays the reason to givin’ yer sword a name…or more than likely, yer sword will tell ye its name.”

Jarkäel raised his eyebrows incredulously and let out a chuckle.

Crychek frowned and said, “What I’m tellin’ ye be the truth, boy. Only reason ye laugh is ‘cuz of ignorance.” At that Jarkäel immediately sat still and once again paid intense attention to what Crychek was saying. “Everything around ye can be manipulated one way or another, be it yer sword, the plants and animals, even other people.” Crychek took his sword and then laid it on the ground next to his feet. It was still glowing green, pulsing faintly. 

“As always, some are more adept than others, especially if the training begins early.” Crychek then proceeded to stretch out his hand, and said, “Quîn’ë toûs viädden.” Suddenly, his fingers shone a light blue, followed by small lines of dark blue energy flowing around his hand.

Jarkäel gasped and asked, “Does that hurt?”

Crychek laughed good-heartedly and said, “No.”

“How did you do that?” Jarkäel moved forward and touched Crychek’s hand, receiving a slight shock. He then smiled, imagining the power one must be able to wield to be able to harness the sky’s power like that. Crychek closed his fist and the blue energy dissipated.

“What does that mean, ‘Quîn’ë toûs viädden’?” The moment the words left Jarkäel’s mouth, a sharp crack was heard and a small spark jumped from his right bicep. He jumped in his chair, more shocked at seeing the small spark than anything else. What just happened?

This time, it was Crycheks turn to release a small gasp. He looked at Jarkäel and asked, “Do it again fer me, would ya lad?”

Jarkäel thought about it a moment then repeated, “Quin’e tous viadden.” Again, the sharp crack was heard followed by a slightly larger spark lancing out of his right knuckles.

“Well, well. It seems that I’m talkin’ to a fellow magerre.” He sat back in his chair and absently scratched his beard in thought. “Has something like this ever happened to ye before?”

Jarkäel looked at him sheepishly and smiled, saying, “Not really, but ever since about three summers back, I’ve been feeling a bit strange…like weird sensations and feelings coursing through my body. The only way I can describe it is… like a stronger spiritual connection with the world around me. Sometimes, I can even detect minor flaws in fathers work by just holding it in my hands. Does that sound weird to you?”

Crychek shook his head. “Lad, when ye’ve done and seen what I have, nothing is weird any more. 

I wonder what he’s seen and done. No doubt countless things from all the adventures he’s told me. I wonder how many more adventures he hasn’t told me about. Jarkäel then thought about it some more and looked at Crychek in a new perspective.

I hope whomever reads these enjoys them. Maybe gets inspired or judges me sufficiently qualified to create epicness for their character or campaign or world building. Send me a PM if interested. For Character background I just need your PC race, class, sub-class and any traits you want to add for flavor. Thanks again!