Rich fuddy duddies would be a walk in the park.
He began rehearsing his best arias and local folk hero stories that he knew would go very well. He had written a piece on his and his friend's recent escapades and planned on ending the show with. He was excited but decided it was best to keep all of this to himself until after the audition.
When the day came, he was in good health. He felt as well as ever and there was great timbre in his voice. As he walked through the streets of Purse he remembered the last time he was in a neighborhood of great wealth and how it cost him everything. He'd built himself back up and here he was again. He slowly built up an inner dialog of anger and spite until he realized the papers in his hand were crumpled in his fist. He laughed at himself and relented, he didn't care anymore, he was great at what he did now more then ever.
"Hi, yes, come in. Please begin, we don't hav... uh, go ahead."
Tabog was suddenly in alert mode.
This guy doesn't seem to care to have me here. Something is not right...
Though he was agitated by the impression the host was giving him, put on his best face and begin a short song, well practiced and varied in voice and texture.
Before he could finish the doors of the study burst open and a very well dressed man walked in. He was hugely fat and began shouting his greeting to the host, interrupting Tabog; leaving him startled and subsequently furious. Following the fat man were two guards and the valet that let Tabog in. They started to grab him but in an instant one guard was dead and the other was bowled over by the valet. When the host and the fat man realized what happened and began screaming for help, our catlike friend was already in the main hall, ducking into an empty sitting room and gone, vanished into the void. The only thing around was large, white, longhair cat bound out an open window and trotting down the back streets.
It was broken finally but Ivan, he addressed the crowd with an accusing and condescending tone. He questioned their ideals and reasoning, what made them better, the impact they weren't making and pointing out the frailty of their mortal toil. So frail, in fact, Ivan finished his speech and stood still as the night. Suddenly he collapsed in on himself, crumpling to the floor in a heap of clothing and canvas and other material that made up his skin, shape and heft.
As the crowd broke into a panic, guards rushing to the aide of the deflated man and many weak willed patrons becoming panicked or fainting; only a few noticed the white cat emerge from the disturbing pile and escaping through a window and down the streets.
Joy wonders at how much Anophth knew before Dramm's ritual. But she does not bring it up.
********************
Once he is more recovered, Dramm brings everyone together (excluding Anophth) at Ezekia's.
"I owe you all an explanation." Dramm begins. Waves of tension exude from him. "I... I misled you with the ritual. The stone was not something my brother owned. It... it was all that was left of his body after the spell he tried to cast. He made a deal with the creature you saw, The Long Mother. She was the patron of our village, and she promised to help him ascend with his magical talent. Become a patron himself. It failed." Dramm's body tenses in anger.
"I needed the magic trapped inside his flesh. It was still tainted with the Long. She saw me. She knows me and hasn't forgotten. Now she knows I will kill her. I'm sorry for involving you all, I did not think she would still be watching. I... wanted you all to know the truth."
"Dramm, thank you. That makes things make more sense. And this "Long Mother" sounds horrible. If she's as horrible as you say, then we should help you fight her."
***********************************
Over the past several months, Ezekia has worked closely with you, teaching you to control your natural magic but also taking a measure of your personality. She has taken note of your desire to do good works and help others, and one night she bids you to meet her on the shores of the Dark Waters. The young witch awaits you with a boat, a blindfold, and a length of rope.
"Joy Summers, the time has come for you to know thyself. Do you have the courage to be purified and learn the ancient secrets of the Craft? If so, you will allow yourself to blinded and bound. We must preserve our mysteries from those who are not Chosen."
Joy gulps.
And then nods.
"I am ready, Ezekia. As ready as I can be."
Ezekia places the blindfold over Joy's eyes and binds her wrists with the cord, then guides her into the boat. The journey to a nearby island is made in the dark, and Joy remains blinded as the witch marches with her a few hundred feet inland. The magician can feel a faint hum of magical power coming from the ground, a magic circle channeling the energy of the surrounding woods.
"Step forward now, Joy Summers, into the sacred circle. With perfect love and perfect trust, you shall be purified and learn."
Joy feels the touch of cords across her body as Ezekia lightly whips her, a symbolic scourging. She is then measured with a cord, which is tied in knots to mark the measures; and administered an oath. "In the presence of the Lord and Lady, mighty Dead and Sisters and Brothers of the Craft, do you vow to guard and protect the Craft, the Secrets of the Craft, and the brothers and sisters of the Craft, and to render aid to said brothers and sisters when called upon?"
Joy winces a little at the strikes but comport herself well.
It's not iron. It's not iron. And I'd manage even if it was iron.
Joy is about to mumble a reply, but seizes the moment instead.
In a clear voice, she replies:
"I do so vow!"
Ezekia removes Joy's blindfold and bonds. She anoints the girl's forehead with fragrant oils, then kisses her lightly on the lips. "Welcome to my coven, sister. You are now a witch, forever more."
She presents Joy with an athame and a pointed hat of her very own!
A few weeks later, a letter arrives for Joy. It's an invitation to an exclusive party in a club called the Two-Faced Man in the Purse district...
Joy blushes at the contact and the attention.
But she still feels pride and accomplishment and...kinship.
"I'll do my best, sister!"
*******************
Joy is thrilled to receive the invitation, but then starts to wonder what it is about. She reads the invitation carefully for any instructions, say on wardrobe.
She tries to work out if she has heard of the Two-Faced Man or what she knows of the Purse district.
And regardless, she will go to her trusted mentor (and sister!) Ezekia, to speak with her in private.
"Sister, may I have a moment?"
"Thank you. I received an invitation to the Two-Faced Man club. Do you know anything about it? If it's safe?"
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Dramm meets Joy at the hill one morning carrying two half full sacks. He observes her focus as she practices manipulating the magics swirling around her. As she finishes the most recent spell, he hands her one of the sacks.
"Morning, Joy. You're getting better." He opens his own sack and begins to spread a reddish mixture across the budding plants, talking as he goes. "Thank you for your help. Couldn't do this on my own. Takes too long. New mix today, I think the flowers will like it more. I used to like growing things. Forgot that."
Joy is smiling pleasantly, as she does more often these days. As strange as it may seem, being exposed to horrors has not shattered her mind. She seems to have grown a little more confident in her own strengths and that has more than made up for any harm done by what she has witnessed.
However, the smile is replaced by intense concentration when she sees the new mixture. "Growing things is something everyone should like, Dramm. You should feel good about growing things."
As she speaks, she very carefully takes the proferred bag with her thick gardening gloves, and draws it closer to her. Though slightly awkwardly, as if unconciously (or consciously) keeping it at a slight distance from her.
"I did once. Small village, everyone works the fields or hunts, and you can't hunt all the time. Too little game. It's been a long time since I thought about it. I've been thinking more since..." he trails off with a slight flush.
"It's fortunate. These flowers, they don't normally grow this quickly. I can repair flesh, but I cannot accelerate life. How unique." Dramm bends down to inspect the new sprouts with a pleased grin.
Joy, turned with back against the light breeze, grasps a handful of the mixture and kneels to carefully begin applying it.
"There is magic in nature, in life. It's not all scary like...like some of the things we've seen."
A sudden recollection of the things in the fey prison bothers Joy, and she fails to realise that the breeze has ever so slightly changed.
It is a small slip, but it is enough. For the briefest moment, a little of the powder is scattered into the air, and some strikes Joy on the chest.
The sight is of Joy's girlish face wincing - while her chest appears to briefly display a collection of sticks, bound tightly together. And tucked into this bundle, peeking through and glowing, is a strange small twig of what appears to be wood petrified into a glowing green crystal. Or crystal that has grown akin to wood.
And then the image disappears, and Joy's chest is as it as always appeared. That of a skinny girl.
Joy can feel the magic in the air thicken before she sees it, the familiar tingle of power gathering. She looks up to see that Dramm has dropped his bag, and his knife has already been drawn. The tip glows, ready to carve the air. He stares at Joy with a stony face, but hesitates at her eyes. For a tense moment he just looks at her.
"Who are you? What are you? Where is Joy?" The tattoos on his arms have begun to fill in as magical energy infuses them.
Joy's mouth opens in terror. And it takes a few moments for anything comprehensible to emerge. She does not rise from her kneeling, her own bag dropped on the ground, though not blowing on her now.
"Ah....ah....ah...I am Joy! I copied her, not stole from her! I was so frightened, and she was kind to others, I could see it! I copied her face, her name, and something of her! I left, I left that very night, so as to never cause her trouble, never cause her a problem! I came here...I started gardening....I met Tabog, Nutmeg, Father Gregory...I...I...think I am a changeling, but I am Joy Summers!"
She finishes with a piece of her newfound determination, though still steeped thoroughly in fear and panic.
Dramm's eyes narrow, but the glow wavers at his dagger point. He is still tense as he considers what she said.
"Prove you are the Joy I know." He says sternly. His grip on the knife tightens again. "Something only we have discussed."
Joy is getting tearful, but tries to restore her composure, at least enough to get the words out.
"T...t...t...the rules! You gave me three rules when I told you that I could do magic, and wanted to help!"
She tries to clear her throat.
"To study my m...magic, to practice daily and show you the r...results, and...and...I run if you tell me to run."
Joy looks up at Dramm, fear and hope swirling in her.
Dramm stares hard, a conflicting storm flowing over his face. For a long moment, you aren't sure if he might rend you in spite of your words. Then it passes. Dramm softens visibly, and slowly the knife is lowered and sheathed.
"Are you really?" he say flatly. "Are you... okay?"
Joys nods, starting to feel shame.
He must feel tricked, he must hate me!
"Y...yes...I am. And I don't know. I didn't want you to find out. I didn't want a-a-anyone to find out! I was so careful! Ezekia might have figured it out, she's clever, but I never changed around her so maybe even she doesn't know."
Fresh fear rises in Joy's eyes.
"You won't tell the others, will you!? I don't want them to know!"
Dramm reaches down and picks up his bag.
"No. Won't tell them." He starts to spread the filings and soil. "I've heard stories about changelings. Babies made of sticks and twigs. Trades from the stealing fey. Empire farmers burn them in the stories. It's not safe."
Dramm stops. "Why don't you want the others to know?"
Joy looks less fearful, but still very sad. She reaches around, trying to gather together the contents of her now-remembered bag for spreading.
"Because people h...hate me when they know. I don't remember the start, but I remember being alone, and hiding, and r...running."
And then the sadness lifts a little.
"And then I saw her. The first Joy Summers. She was helping an old lady who had been injured in an accident, her arm was cut. The old lady knew her, she wasn't surprised that Joy would help."
Joy almost smiles.
"I knew then. I knew that was how I could be better. I was close enough, just about from the alley I was in. I thought - and then I looked just like her! I even felt...different. I remembered some things that she knew!"
Joy's smile stiffens but does not disappear.
"And I knew that I had to leave. Right away. Two Joy Summers in one town? It would make trouble, for her and for me. And I...I'd be found out. I had to leave!"
Oh no, do I have to leave again!?
Joy goes quiet, fearful and sad.
"Oh. That hurts." kneeling to pull a rock loose, Dramm gives a small grunt. "I try not to be stupid. Ez really worked to teach me."
Joy continues working on spreading the mixture, so that a large amount isn't dumped on any one patch, which might spoil the plants.
"I'm sorry, Dramm. I didn't want to scare you, or have you hate me. I couldn't tell anyone. I don't want to leave again."
"You would leave?" Dramm stops. He looks confused. "Did the city threaten you?"
"I don't want to! B...but...wait...you want me to stay?" Joy seems genuinely confused.
Dramm now looks even more confused.
"I don't understand." He says simply.
Joy is flummoxed.
"You know...but it doesn't bother you? People hate me when they find out. They always do."
"Oh. It bothers me. I said that hurts. I told you Ez tried to teach me not to be stupid like farmers or the people that made you move. So when you said that, it hurt." Dramm seems satisfied about his explanation. "I don't like being told I'm like them. You're usually really positive. That's odd. Not like you."
Joy starts to realise what Dramm meant and calms down appreciably.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. I really expected you to hate me, when I should have thought about it, that you might not. I...I..got scared, and I remembered a lot of bad things that happened. I'm sorry for hurting you, you're a good person."
Dramm nods. "Okay."
A small time of pondering later he's checking over the plants and spreading out spots that are too thick (more his poor handiwork than yours, you note).
"I can't hide it from Ezekia." He taps his head gently. "She's in here, can't keep her out when I'm near her."
Once Joy is done with spreading her bag, she will carefully check to make sure that all of the patches are evenly covered, both hers and Dramm's.
"Thank you for letting me know. And thank you for...everything else. I know this must have been a shock! Would you be okay with me telling Ezekia? If she is going to know anyway, I think I should tell her. You can be there too, if you want."
"You should go first. She'll feel it when I'm near her. Know something is up. I'll wait." he carefully dusts himself.
"Don't tell her about the field. Needs to be secret. Want to surprise her." He says with a blush.
"You're a good kid. People forget to tell good kids that." he adds.
Joy nods, the fear leaching from her faster.
"Thank you Dramm! And I won't say a word to her about the field."
The moment she's satisfied that the field is as good as she can make it, she stands up, with a smile. A genuine one.
Joy returns with Dramm as far as he is heading to Ezekia's, then breaks off by herself.
She approaches the house and enters, calling:
"Ezekia? Are you in? It's Joy."
Please let her be in! And no one else.
"I don't know much about the club. I hear it's very exclusive. Only a handful of people are ever allowed inside. If you accept the invite, you should keep your wits about you."
Ezekia emerges from the adjoining room. I'm here, sister. What is the matter?"
Joy nods.
"Thank you sister. I'll go. I want to know why someone would invite me there. It might be important to speak with them."
"Ah sister!", Joy says, slightly out of breath from her fast walking pace.
And a serious tone enters her voice, with not a little fear.
"I need to speak with you in private. It's very important."
Ezekia nods and gestures for Joy to have a seat. She pours tea for both of them and sits across from her. "You can tell me anything, sister. What is troubling you?"
Joy feels a little relief but braces herself to start talking. She sits, and sips her tea.
Ezekia has put her brewing skills to good use!, Joy thinks randomly.
She looks at her mentor.
"Sister, thank you for the tea, and the rest. I'll start with a question. Have you noticed anything...unusual about me? As a person?"
I'd like to know if she's realised yet. It might make this easier or harder.
So she does not know. I think. Oh well, here we go.
Joy braces herself internally.
"Sister, you are close to the truth, but there is more. I...I...am of the faerie. In a way. It...it may be better to show you."
Hopefully I have prepared her enough!
Joy breaths in - and changes into her true form.
Where there was a skinny girl in her mid-teens, there is now a well-woven bundle of sticks in a humanoid shape with green eyes and a green glow emanating from within her chest. The source of the latter being a twig of crystalline wood, or a wood-like crystal.
Joy wants to change back immediately, but she gives Ezekia time to see her as she truly is, and awaits her mentor's response.
She reaches out and places her hand on Joy's wooden one. "Thank you for sharing your secret with me. I know it must have been a difficult decision to make. I promise I will not betray your trust, sister."
Joy is surprised at Ezekia's touch.
Wait...that's never happened before. Once they see me.
Joy looks down and then back to Ezekia's face, and words tumble out of her mouth.
"I...didn't want anyone to know. I had an accident with iron, and Dramm saw. Iron...stings, hurts, and shows my true body. I had thought of telling you sooner, but...it's never gone well for me. Dramm felt hurt, he didn't understand why I was so afraid. Before today, anyone finding out seemed to hate me. Maybe some didn't, but I had to run and hide anyway. I...copied a girl. The original Joy Summers. She was kind, and helpful, and I thought I would be better to be like her. I left that town straight away, not wanting to cause her trouble. I remember bits of her memories, I didn't mean to take those..."
Joy trails off, clearly very emotional.
"I'm sorry. You've been kind to me, and I deceived you. Thank you for being kind."
She leans forward and gently kisses Joy's forehead.
Joy smiles, and as Ezekia moves back from her, she returns to the girlish form of Joy Summers, smiling slightly.
"Thank you, sister. I'll do my best!"
Joy washes her least patched clothes, and makes sure she is well-bathed.
And then she seeks out the Two-Faced Man in the Purse district.
The Two-Faced Man stands at the end of a secluded side street in the shadow of a hill. At Joy's knock, a slot in the door opens and a scowling man on the other side asks to see her invitation. He looks it over then opens the door for her.
Inside, a short flight of stairs lead down to a smoky room dimly lit by flickering oil lamps. Several comfortable chairs and couches are arranged throughout, and a bar occupies one corner. A mosaic on the ceiling depicts a mask with both laughing and crying faces.
A man behind the bar steps forward, sipping a brandy. He wears a one suit and has short dark hair and a fit physique. "You must be Joy Summers. Welcome. My name is Regis. You are a tad early--the others have yet to arrive. Would you like a drink while we wait?"
Joy stares at all sorts of things in the room as she walks in, and then turns to face Regis when he addresses her.
"Hello Regis. I am indeed Joy Summers. I'll have a glass of water if that's okay. Do you happen to know why I received an invitation here?"
Regis smirks. "I do. Don't fret, all shall be revealed in due time."
He pours a glass of water and hands it to Joy. "How long have you been in Crossings, Joy? Do you find the city to your liking?"
Joy sips at the water.
Why is he so interested in me?
"I have been here a number of months now, Regis. The city...the city has many good people in it. But there are terrible people too. And monsters. I help when I can, to help protect the good people. And how about you, Regis? Do you like this city?"
"Yes, I will admit to a certain fondness for this place. With all the people here, one can go unnoticed if they so choose, or they can shape themselves to become any type of person they want to be. No one choice is more valid than the other. Each of us must make that choice for ourselves."
The door opens and closes as a middle-aged woman descends into the room. "Ah, the others are beginning to arrive. Excuse me, Joy."
Regis moves to greet the new arrival, and one by one more people show up until there are about a dozen total. The club's bouncer locks the door and nods to Regis.
"Welcome, everybody, to the monthly gathering of the Alias Society. As always, you are among friends here. Please, remove your masks."
The people concentrate and one by one, they begin to glow softly. Their features shift as flesh and blood gives way to wood and earth. Regis is the last to undergo the change, and soon Joy finds herself among a room full of changelings! They look at her expectantly...
Joy looks stunned.
Changelings! So many!
When they look at her, it takes a moment for her to realise what they expect.
"Ah..ah right. One moment!"
And the girl's form is replaced by her well-woven form, with the crystal embedded within.
"That...explains the name of the club!", Joy says, trying to bolster her spirits.
"Indeed," Regis says. "Our people are few in number, and the humans and their ilk tend to look poorly upon us if our true nature is revealed. I formed this society as a safe place for changelings to gather to support each other and look out for our own interests. We would be honored if you would join as as a full-time member, Joy."
Joy does nod then look back at Regis.
"They normally do. I thought all did, but a few haven't. What do you do as a group? What would you have me do?"
"As I said, we look out for our own interests," Regis says. "We help new changelings who come to Crossings find their place in the city and protect those whose true natures become compromised. Plus, this is a safe place to spend time in our natural forms without worrying about what others might think of us."
Joy relaxes more, still unused to situation.
"I have a coven vow already but that shouldn't clash. I'll join!"
Regis nods and places a wooden hand on Joy's shoulder. "Then welcome to the Society!"
Joy hugs Regis spontaneously.
She is happy but does wonder:
Why did that feel so strange?
Uruuna Level 4:
+4 Health
Rising Fortunes: Whenever you roll a 6 on the die for a boon, you make all attack rolls and challenge rolls with 1 boon for 1 round.
Anophth Level 4.
+4 Health.
Gain 1 Spell: Compel (Rank 2)
Trade Compel Demon (Rank 1) for Command (Rank 1).
Gain 2 gold crowns from adventure.
Lifestyle. Getting By (Free). Purchase Comfortable, minus cost of Getting By. (1 SS).
Level Up, Expert Ferren:
Health +4
Lynx Form:
Size 1/2
Perception: + 2; Defense: 13
Str: 11; Agi: 13
Speed: 12
Claws/Bite: Finesse, 1 boon (1d6)
Sneak: 2 boons
Maintain speech
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Joy, visibly tired, leans back against the wall.
It's done. He's done., she thinks, too exhausted to think much harder.
Before her, the quartet of brown cloaks finish roughly affixing manacles to Bertram Yoff. Up until tonight, he had been gaining a reputation for vastly improved pies, the best in the city.
Tonight, Joy had learned his secret and immediately brought the brown cloaks with her to his shop.
One turns to her.
"Miss Summers, you did well to figure out his tricks. Enchanted meats, to spread madness and hide the signs of plague? He would have killed far more people. We won't forget it."
Gagged after trying to bite a brown cloak, Bertram glares at Joy with pure, burning hatred in his eyes.
Neither will he.
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Dramm becomes more concerned about the threat to the city after the events in Katandramus' manor. The praise of the council for their heroic deeds in combating the plague falls on deaf ears for Dramm. He makes his feelings on the matter clear to the council.
"Everyone is meat to a demon."
He receives the gold crowns with far more interest. The experience in the temple changed Dramm, and his hunt for power becomes more focused. As with his conversation with Imedren, he expresses the belief that the city will need more powerful weapons if they're going to stop the Brotherhood. As such, he starts his preparations.
Within the first week, Dramm's spending increases dramatically. His sparse living arrangements remain the same. Instead, he pours a full gold crown into his expenses, making use of the political and educational connections associated with money. Books, materials, papers, and theories on magical study and history find themselves delivered to Dramm's apartment. He pours through them desperately, searching for rituals or artifacts that would increase the reach of his magic.
After Tabog secures the deed to the manor, that money begins to go toward rebuilding and stocking the ruined estate.
"We will need a place to strike from."
The other gold crown soon follows as Dramm throws himself in to the preparations.
Dramm is careful with the gold, making sure it is spent efficiently for their purpose. He turns away more than one poorly written book or building contractor trying to skim a little more silver.
-----
What remains of the new wealth is spent on a surprise for Ezekia. A few days away in a small cottage away from the city, if she is willing. Dramm would like time alone with her to understand more of their new relationship. As the time passes over the next few weeks, their connection allows Ezekia a glimpse into Dramm that is not normally expressed. She finds that his passions and thoughts are quite tumultuous and intense behind a rather plain and disconnected face. When he is with her, he is quite warm (for Dramm) and there is a temporary calm in the storm of emotions.
When he is studying, there is a single minded determination that drowns out the world around him. Through it all, she begins to find a cold, seething thread that winds itself inside him. It is an icy, creeping hatred that never fully dissipates, and it drives him to seek deadly magics.
-----
Dramm insists on being present for Anophth's exorcism. He watches the Orc exorcist closely. When the Demon is pulled forth, Dramm is by Anophth's side, healing where he can. Once all is said and done, he appears quite happy for Anophth and his newfound freedom.
Anophth continues to see Dramm often, and Dramm continues to work at the shop when he can. He is mostly relegated to stock and lifting when Anophth finds he is as poor a salesman as expected. His magical knowledge makes acquiring objects and trinkets valuable, however, and he is happy to appraise what he can for the Goblin to sell.
-----
Dramm's encounter with the Wizard's Tower invigorates him. He still speaks with Caribdus often, asking about how he came to be in such a place. The Wizard's considerable skill and library are of great interest to Dramm. Caribdus would find it is hard to deter Dramm's questions and curiosity unless he threatens to expel the young Sorcerer for bothering him. Ezekia would find that Dramm actually enjoys the company of the old man, much to her surprise.
"Talks to me. Lets me talk. Doesn't look at me funny." Dramm would say about Caribdus.
-----
Dramm makes it a point to visit a few members of the council over the next couple of weeks. He even seeks an opportunity to speak to Dreen. He arrives at the office with two objects in tow: A heavy, green metal sword and a necklace. Candace's necklace. He places them both on Dreen's desk with a dark look.
"Katandramus. He did this. I plan on killing him. I haven't forgotten the island. If you want him to pay, help us find him."
-----
Joy's actions to bring Bertram to justice surprises Dramm and impresses him greatly. He listens to the tale with great interest.
"I always underestimate you, and you always show me how wrong I am. This is a lead we didn't expect. I hope the Brown Cloaks extract what we need to know. You never stop surprising us, Joy."
-----
Nutmeg's disappearance hits Dramm very hard. He becomes depressed and desperate. Ezekia can feel a sense of personal failing from him. He spends more than one night wandering the streets and fruitlessly searching. He looks haggard and angry every night when he returns.
"We'll find him Tabog. We'll find him. If someone took him, they won't live long enough to regret it."
As the days pass, Dramm's fears grow in spite of attempting to hide it. He is very worried. Eventually he approaches Joy with something on his mind.
"Joy... Ezekia said to look after you. Keep you safe. Do you have a place to live? Do you want one?" He offers to make room at his own home for the girl with as much privacy as his small apartment can afford.
***
Dreen is silent for a few moments as he looks at the items on his desk. He meets your gaze, cold fury burning in his eyes. "I'm in. That bastard will pay."
Joy looks back at Dramm, thinking.
"I have a small apartment. And that was fine - before awful things started happening. If you'll have me under your roof, Dramm, I'll accept. I don't need a lot of space, but privacy and a mirror, if that's acceptable."
************************
"I'm glad to help, Regis.", Joy says, smiling a little.
"My friends have done a lot to help this city. If you happen to spot one in trouble, it's worth helping them, because they'll repay it ten-fold, if not necessarily directly. And feel free to let me know of anything you do hear about monsters and evil people, and I'll pass it on."
Maybe it'll help...
Level 4 Magician / Witch
Characteristics Health: +4 (19)
You either learn one spell or gain Doppelganger’s Advantage. (Fiery Pinecones, p134)
Insanity down to 0 thanks to magic.
A tiny metal ball that when released floats 1 inch above any solid surface.
"Things are getting dangerous. It might be safer to have each other closer together. At least until the manor is repaired. Besides, Ezekia is fond of you and enjoys seeing you."
Dramm is able to provide a place to stay using screens to partition off his apartment and adding a second bed. He purchases a mirror as well, as it turns out he does not have one aside from a small hand mirror that he uses to test angles in his diagrams.
"I'm not sure how closely the Brotherhood is watching us now. We have to watch out for each other."
Dramm is a fastidious roommate, and Joy can quickly identify a routine of study he follows closely. The greatest variance in the routine seems to be dinner meals. Dramm seems to enjoy the precision of his cooking, more so having someone to share it with.
Dramm swiftly finds that Joy is quite an easy housemate. She eats little, makes little noise, and takes up little space.
She does not refuse cooking and offers to aid in household tasks, not shying from work, or advising on vegetables.
@All: My free time is going to be quite limited over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I might be able to post later on over the three days, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to.
Origins: 5. You became lost in the woods until faeries found you and led you to their realm.
Escape: 3. You planned your escape and slipped out of the faeries’ clutches.
Family Circumstances: 3+3+2=8. Your family was poor. Subtract 1 from your Childhood roll.
Siblings. 6+4+5=15. You have 1d6 siblings --> 1.
MF: 5. Male.
Siblings Age: 2. Same age as you.
Twin, Bastard, or Adopted: 1. Twin.
Relation with Mother: 3+3+3=9. No relationship.
Relationship with Father: 1+3+5=9. No relationship.
Relationship with Brother: 4+6+6=16. Friendship.
Mother Fate: 5+1+6=12. Alive.
Father Fate: 6+6+2=14. Alive, but disgraced.
Brother Fate: 1+6+6=13. Alive, but disgraced.
Starting Age: 5+2+2=9. You are an adult, 26 to 35 years old. Roll three times on the Life Experiences table.
Build: 6+3+2=11. You are of average height and weight. 54", 110 lbs.
Appearance: 3+4+6=13. You have a physical quality that makes you attractive.
Distinctive Feature: 19. An ugly brand somewhere on your body.
Childhood: 4+4+2-1: 9. You stayed with your family or adopted family, but were hidden until you came of age. Gain a random profession.
Random Profession: 6, 11. Wilderness (Hunter). Start game with bow and 12 arrows.
Life Experiences (3).
1: 3+2+4=9. Job! Worked as a hunter. +1 to starting lifestyle roll.
2: 3+1+6=10. Job! Worked as a hunter. +1 to starting lifestyle roll.
3: 4+2+6=12. Job! Worked as a hunter. +1 to starting lifestyle roll.
Starting Lifestyle: 6+6+4+3=19. Rich.
Clothing: 1. One set of nobles clothing and a fine cloak.
Weapons: Dagger.
Personal Gear: Cosmetics, bottle of perfume, handkerchief.
Special Gear: Healing potion, a personal servant (commoner), a guard (mercenary), and three horses with bits, bridles, saddles, and feed for each.
Wealth: 1. One Silver Shilling.
Personal Effects: 17. A frog named Phillip.
Personality Tables.
Personality: 1+6+6=13. You trust yourself to do what is right, even if others disagree with your tactics.
Relationships: 5+5+4=14. You light up a room. People want to know you and befriend you.
Fear: 2. Death.
Desire: 3. Friendship.
Obligations: 3+3+3=9. You usually keep your word and break promises only when you have to.
Morality: 4+3+6=13. You strive toward goodness. You’re no saint, but you do the best you can.
Religion: 1+1+2=4. You belong to a minor religion centered on a small god.
Piety: 4+3+2=9. The strength of your faith is neither too strong nor too weak.
Foul creatures swept through your community. You helped to fight them off but, seeing the situation as hopeless, you led the survivors through the wilds to safety.
Downtime:
You killed a faerie, and you still see the creature’s blood on your hands. Gain 1 Insanity.
Background:
As a boy, Selgaer and his twin brother were exploring the woods, when they got lost. A group of fae found them and brought them to the Hidden Worlds. The brothers were branded on the arm, for all to know whose property they were.
Years passed. Sel was trained for the hunt by the Fae, learning bow and arrow, how to track, and to remove the skin and carve the meat. Bel was taken to the Court and taught etiquette and procedure. Sel was in and out of the Fae realm, often travelling back into the mortal world for the hunt.
Their time spent in the fae realm changed them. Sel's brother changed much more dramatically than he did. Bel grew long curved horns on his temples, and his legs became covered in fur ending in goat hooves. Sel's feet changed into hooves and he grew small nubs of horns under his hair.
As they grew, Sel watched his brother change more and more. He watched his brother become ridiculed, laughed at, teased. His kind - whatever he was now - were not treated well by the Fae. Sel was lucky enough to be gone most of the time, but his brother was around it constantly. It was time to get them out. Sel spent the new few months planning their escape. It worked. They escaped.
The two set off into the world. They avoided other people, especially the Fae, for some weeks. But Bell missed the Court. He missed people. Sel was content to live off the land, but eventually Bel convinced him that they needed to find a more permanent home.
Bel's words made Sel curious - what was the mortal world like? He barely remembers it from his youth - parents, a house, a small town, children laughing. Sel found a town and wanted to spend at least a month just watching it from the outskirts, but Bel convinced them to head in within a week.
While he wasn't received with open arms, he also wasn't chased off right away. That was good. He wondered the town just watching the people go this way and that, hammering on steel or working with wood. So this is normal life, huh? Bel, on the other hand, was in love. In love with the sounds of the city. Of people working and laughing and arguing. All of it. Despite the way he was treated, Bel actually enjoyed the court; he enjoyed being around others. Sel wasn't so sure about all that.
Sel found a place to stay and paid for it by trading meats and furs. Soon, his reputation as a hunter grew and he was hired by a young nobleman to guide a hunt. He was sure Bel had more than a little to do with that. Over the next few years, Bel made contacts and talked his way into the life of the Rich and Wealthy, and managed to get Sel a lot of work as a guide and a hunter.
The two of them as a team made a lot of money. They bought a manor, hired servants, and were living the life. Food, drink, women; everyday spent riding or hunting or planning. It was the life.
Lifestyle: Rich.
Level 0.
Sel woke up with a start. Something was wrong. That scream - that wasn't a child's squeal of laughter. It was bloody. A bloody scream. A scream of terror. He ran to the window and saw a woman get cut down by the ugliest man he's ever seen. And there! Over there! Another one! Identical in ugliness! Identical in almost every way.
No, he whispered to himself. Hobgoblins.
He ran to get Bel. Bel! Bel! The Fae are here! We have to go! Grab what you can, we're leaving!
Sel roused the house and woke every servant, every guest. Grab what you can. We have to go. We need to flee, now! He sent his servants to go to nearby houses and wake them up, as well. Soon, he had dozens of people ready to leave with what meager belongings they thought was prudent to grab. They fled into the wilderness, abandoning everyone else to their fate.
Some of the hobgoblins took chase. The chase lasted for days, with Sel and whoever else could wield a weapon fighting back. By the end of the third day, the last of their pursuers were dead. They did it. They survived.
Sel led them back to their homes, to find the town sacked and raided. Some people were still alive, meandering about in a daze. Others were starting to rebuild. Many of the buildings were burned. All of the children were taken.
After seeing the destruction, many of the wealthy blamed Bel and Sel for what happened. Perhaps they could have made a stand. Perhaps they could have saved their homes. It was their fault.
The nobles all moved away, back to the city in their winter homes and castles, while Sel and Bel were forced to stay in their burnt out home.
Downtime: Work. Poor.
The living conditions made the next few days hard, as they had to rebuild what they had lost. Sel spent his time working, but due to the state of the town, he didn't earn much. Especially with Bel having lost his connections. While they still lived in the Manor with their servants, the food was of lesser quality, the walls didn't hold back the weather, and they had to sell their valuables to maintain some semblance of their previous life.
Level 1.
"You contracted a disease while exploring a filthy warren. You recovered from the disease, but you have a persistent cough, pockmarks on your skin, or prematurely gray hair."
Sel knew he had to rescue the kids. It was the only way to bring his brother back into grace. He chased down every lead he could, but he was unable to find a portal back to the Fae Realm.
Finally, he found one. At the bottom of a warren. It was a nasty place, full of giant rats and goblins and other nasty critters. He searches that entire place, but it was a dead end. Nothing. No portals, no Gates, no wardrobes. Nothing. Unfortunately, he did not manage to get out unscathed. Over the days after he left, it became clear he brought something back with him.
The disease spread.
Many died. It was known that it originated from the House of Faun, and of course, Bel was to blame, again. Sel's personal servant survived died, but his guard did not. By the time Sel recovered, pocked scars remained on his skin.
Once again, the house name was brought into disgrace.
After the disease passed, a woman was passing out cakes for people to eat. Sel grabbed six of the small cakes. (Can nourish the person who eats one until the next day at dawn).
Downtime:
Minor Setback. "You tried to travel, but a storm or a natural disaster dashed your plans. You lost one item of the GM’s choice."
A drought had been coming up recently, originating, it seemed, from a small trading village down the road. Whatever forced were at work, it was holding the rains back.
Just as Sel set off in search for a way back to the Far Realm, the droughts suddenly stopped. The rains came back in full force and even caused a flood in a local valley. The weather was too harsh to continue. Sel wanted to press on. A sudden surge of water from an overflowing creek took his spare horse. He could hear the thing screaming in pain as it crashed into some rocks downstream. It took two arrows to put it out of it's misery.
Lifestyle: Wealthy.
Level 2.
"A skilled hunter, you put your talents to use hunting down and destroying strange monsters spawned in places stained by darkness."
Sel set out once again. Once again on the hunt. He would find that portal.
He disappeared into the forest, searching for any signs or clues he could find. He moved silently, his bare hooves easily able to traverse the forest floor. He preferred not to wear shoes, they were heavy and took away his ability to feel through his goat-like feet.
After a few hours, he found it a sign. A print. This was a Cu Sith - a fey hound sent to guard and track. Sel had taken down larger beast before. But none so cunning. He would have to be careful. He knew he was close, but this thing would be on him if he slipped.
He didn't hear it when the beast slammed into him. Damn, he got careless. The damn thing can be perfectly silent. But Sel was quickly on his feet, spear whirling around to pierce the Cu Sith. His blade sliced through the skin, leaving behind a wound dripping fey blood. Where he blood landed, flowers would grow.
Sel jabbed again, but the beast ducked under the wooden handle and leaped inwards to Sel's throat. He turned to redirect the jaws, causing them to tear into his arm instead of neck. It ripped open his leather armor and bit into his flesh.
Arm screaming in pain, Sel let go with one hand and using his other slammed the tip of his spear into the creature. It wailed in pain. He twisted the blade and the beast collapsed onto the ground.
A slow clap sounded in the forest. Sel's head snapped to the sound. Good job, Selgaer. I wasn't sure if you were up to it, based on the last time I saw you.
From around the backside of a tree, and elf stepped out. It was September. One of his trainers. I've been watching you since you escaped.
You were the one who sent the hobgoblins. Sel said. It wasn't a question.
Yes. I was. The elf said. His voice slowing the words into an almost musical-like quality. I also spread the warrens rumor. Everything you've experienced since I left, I was behind.
You know you caused a diseases to spread. A lot of good people died because of you.
Yes. But they're only mortals. Their lives do not count. Plus, their souls are recycled, so it's not like they won't get another chance at life. Us? The Fae? We don't have that option. Once we die, we die. There is not afterlife for us.
Good. Sel said. And he charged.
Downtime.
Minor windfall. Gain a random interesting thing.
A jar of otherworldly fire on which has been written “Do not open.”
Level up to 3. Ranger. Non-magical items are gone. Gain new interesting thing: a pet mouse, squirrel, or rabbit.
The elf was a trove of valuables.. A strange jar with green fire inside. Multiple potions. A long bow, a spear, some armor, a shield, and a dagger. His own spear broken, Sel took the elf's spear and the strange fire for himself. He donned the hard leather armor and shield, and packed up the rest.
Sel knew he was close. The portal had to be here.
Are you looking for this? a voice asked. It was a jackrabbit.
I am, Sel said back. He found it. This was it. The Fae Realm. The talking animal was proof enough.
Why do you want to come back here, Faun? The rabbit asked.
A few weeks ago, the Fae stole children from an entire town. I seek to bring them back.
Then you have a noble heart. Come, I know where they have been taken. It wasn't but a few hours ago.
The rabbit lead Sel into the realm, and together they went to hunt for the missing children.
Lifestyle: Destitute.
Level 3.
Sel went in to hidden realm with the jackrabbit. It was a few hours of travel, which Sel knew meant that weeks or months had passed back home.
They exited out another path, wrapped around a old Elm tree eight and 5/6ths times, then back around an ok fifty paces that way, three times. The more they walked around the trees, the more the two worlds blended together. Soon, he found himself on the other side.
Where are we? He asked.
Near Crossings. The rabbit replied.
Crossings? In the North? That has to be hundreds of leagues from where we were. Sel said. He held his hand up against the noon sun.
By now, you should be more than familiar with how the hidden realms interact with the mortal world, Faun. the rabbit said back, more than a little snippy.
Yes yes. I know. Still, it always amazes me. Sel said.
Come. This way, the rabbit said. There's another doorway a few miles from here. That is where they've been taken. I won't be able to speak to you anymore once we get a few yards away from the border, so keep an eye on me. I move fast.
Sel smiled.
The rabbit bolted off, but Sel was just as quick and easily kept pace.
Before they could make it to the next door, they witnessed a halfling on horseback chasing a satyr. The satyr was hooting and hollering as it danced to the portal, while the halfling was determined and angry. It easily escaped in and she was stuck, not knowing how it worked.
The satyr could be seen on the other side, faded. It waggled its tongue at her while making obscene gestures.
Hello there! Do you need some help? Sel called out.
Gah! How do you get in this thing?! She roared out, as she paced around the entrance.
Why do you need to know? Sel asked.
The halfling answered, It stole my friend's panpipes! Those are mine! Not his! Not this stupid goatman's! I want them back!
Ha! Those satyrs! Always up to no good. Sel said, jovialy. Come on, I'll get you in. He started to activate the portal. As the satyr watched, it became increasingly alarmed that the halfling ball of rage was going to get in. Before it could escape, the portal was open and they were in. The satyr bolted off! The halfling took chase.
Sel took a knee and knocked a blunted arrow. He aimed carefully and loose the arrow, hitting the satyr in the back of the leg and knocking it to the ground.
The woman stomped up to the satyr and grabbed her panpipes. Not yours! she said, as she gave him a good kick for good measure.
Violent one, isn't she? said the rabbit.
Hush now. She was just angry. I'd be the same.
The halfling came back. Thanks for your help. Hey, look, I've got some friends in town. They've got a nice place. How'd you like to join us for dinner. I'm sure you'd get along with them.
Sel said, I'm sorry, but I cannot. I'm hunting children right now.
Excuse me? You're hunting what? She said, her hand drifting towards her sword handle.
Sel backpedaled. No no. Not like that. They've been kidnapped. I'm trying to rescue them. They came this way not a few hours ago in the mortal realm. They're bound to be somewhere here. Time flows differently, and often slows down.
Ahem. The rabbit said.
The halfling gave out a stifled yelp. Is that a talking rabbit?!
Yes. Sel and the rabbit both replied.
How is that possible?! she asked, exacerbated.
It's the Fae Realm, he explained. Many animals can talk here. But as I was saying. I cannot dally. I have children to rescue. Come along, Rabbit.
It's Stuart, by the way. Faun.
Right. Stuart. Sorry. Selgaer. My friends call me Sel.
I'd like to help, said the halfling.
I wouldn- Stuart started, but Sel interrupted him.
Are.. are you sure? asked Sel.
Yes, she said. You said children's lives are at risk. I can't let that stand by.
Wow. Thank you. As I said, my name is Sel. Sel held out his hand to shake.
The halfling accepted the hand. Uruuna.
------
The three of them set off. The trail was difficult to find. Much more faded than Sel had thought it would be. Almost completely overgrown. It took days to follow what should have been hours. The bramble and brush seemed to lean into him to impede his movements. It was frustrating.
Uruuna turned out to be quite the traveling companion. She was strong of body and mind, but soft with her emotions when she had to be. They quickly becoming friends. They had a similar disposition on life, similar curiosities and similar code of morals. Unlike Thomas, his servant, and Bel, but brother, this little halfling woman could easily keep pace with him. At least so long as he was in the thick forest. Once in the open, he was sure he could outpace her, but that was a matter of biology, not a weakness in body.
After a week, Sel's frustration was truly shining through. I don't get it! Why are they so difficult to track?! They couldn't have made it that far.
Stuart answered, That's what I was trying to tell you. This realm doesn't move slower like the other one. It moves faster. Much faster. It's probably been years back on the mortal realm.
Uruuna's face went pale. What? She said, her voice barely a whisper.
Sel looked at her with genuine concern. He knew what was about to come.
Yes, the rabbit said, It's probably been years. Maybe. I don't pay much attention to the world outside; I am a rabbit, after all. But this world has a different flow. The time we spent in the mortal world traveling from the other hidden realm to this one, gave them weeks of a head start. It would explain why the trail is so cold, wouldn't it?
Gah! You're right! That's why the trail is so overgrown! Sel yelled out. We need to pick up the pace. We need to move faster. Come on.
But Uruuna was still in shock. She couldn't move. Her husband. Her friends. They probably thought she was dead by now. Years. No, it couldn't have been. But yet, she recalls the tales of her youth, of children gone missing only to return hours later as full grown adults. She shook her head and pushed the idea to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to think about it. There were kids who needed saving. She swallowed her fears and got up. Let's go.
Months passed as they hunted down where the children went. They kept finding old encampments. The bastards kept moving. They'd stay at a place for as little as a few hours or as much as a few days before moving on.
Slowly, Uruuna began to accept her fate - that if she ever returned, years or perhaps even decades would have passed. Or longer. Her husband would have written her off long ago, if he hasn't died of old age by now. I hope he found happiness in his life, she thought to herself. I wonder if I can.
Argh![b] Sel yelled out at yet another abandoned camp. How do they set up and tear down so quickly? And look at this building here. It looks like it was grown right out of the ground!
As the months went on, the two grew closer. Uruuna was a great source of emotional comfort when Sel felt useless or felt like he'd never find them. Sel proved a good shoulder to cry on when Uruuna's emotional well overflowed as she thought about her husband and her past life. It must have been decades now, back home. Maybe a century or more, Sel thought.
Finally, they found it. Looks like they've set up a new encampment. These were the same bastards who stole me and my brother, back when we were kids. I killed one of them a few weeks ago, the day we met.
Let's scout the area; perhaps we can rescue them without a fight.
I like the way you think, but I'm not sure we'll get away so easily. Be on guard.
I always am, said Uruuna, with a half smile.
Together, they scouted. They discovered where the children were held and who was guarding it. The camp was now run by an elven druid, who kept bramble growing to prevent anyone from going where he didn't want them to go.
That's how they kept getting new encampments. The druid would just grow them!
Uruuna agreed, We'll have to take out that druid first. He'll be out biggest hurdle.
Ok, Sel said.
Uruuna looked at Sel and they locked eyes.
Are you ready?
Yes.
Hours later, they were bringing the children out. The druid was full of arrows. It was a tough fight. They were more than a little lucky. More than one shot felt like it would have missed when he released the string ended up right on target. Sel was nearly sliced open by a swordsman before Uruuna jumped in and killed the elf.
When he ran out of arrows, he took his spear and grabbed a shield from a fallen elf, and came in full force. Uruuna was right beside him the entire time. Stuart snuck past the battle lines and managed to find the children, guiding Sel and Uruuna to the cage doors for them to open.
When all was said and done, they had rescued them all.
On the way back, Uruuna asked, What are we going to do with them? Haven't their parents grown old by now?
I don't know. Sel admitted. My brother and I have a manor in the south. We were fairly rich, too. At least we were before the raid. He's a clever man. Without me to mess things up, I'm sure he's earned back the family fortune. So long as the manor is still in his name, I bet I could take them back and raise them there. At least they'll get human instead of a faun, like me.
Uruuna put her hand on his. You've really got a good heart, Sel. You know that?
He smiled down at her. Thank you. So do you.
He leaned in and kissed her. She kissed him back.
It only took a month to find their way back to the original portal. During that time, their relationship blossomed. They truly fell in love with each other.
They also became close with the two dozen children, helping them accept their fate, deal with the emotional fallout, and they even started teaching the kids how to defend themselves and how to hunt for food.
When they got to the portal, they held hands. Are you ready? He asked.
I'm ready. Come along children. Everyone hold hands, Uruuna called out.
Stuart activated the portal and the all stepped through. On the other side was a saddled horse, silhouetted by the sunset. A familiar horse... That's.. that's my horse! Uruuna said. How can that be? It's been dozens of years! Decades! Even if he was still alive, he wouldn't be here!
Sel followed behind, I.. I don't understand. It's.. he looked down at Stuart. Explain yourself, Rabbit!
Well, I don't know either! Maybe I got it wrong. I don't pay attention to your world that much. I am just a rabbit, after all!
The druid! Sel declared. The druid explains it! Remember back at the start all those months ago? How we couldn't find the trail? It was the druid who covered it up! Not time! The forest didn't grow back. It was magically coerced! The druid explains everything!
But Uruuna wasn't paying attention. Imedren.. she said. IMEDREN! She leaped up into the saddle of her horse and took off, headed back to Crossings.
Uruuna! Wait! Sel called after her. He started to run, but stopped. No, I have to get these kids home. Their parents, they're still alive! They're still alive, too!
---------------
On her way back into town, Uruuna spotted another child. Another face she thought she recognized. But it was a face in the wrong spot. Nutmeg? she thought to herself. What's he doing here. That's the Moore House. What's he doing near the Moore House.
NUTMEG! she called out. But she wasn't heard. And that's when she saw the cultists, dragging the boy along. They took him into the house. She kicked her heels into her horse and rode as fast as she could to her husband. Her husband, who was still alive.
------------
Sel and Stuart brought the kids back through the second portal and again through the woods back to their home. Parents cried and people cheered. But not all was full of fortune and laughter. Not all the parents survived that fateful day the hobgoblins raided. Bel and Sel took in any who had no home of their own.
Downtime. Work. Poor.
After Sel returned the children and proper celebrations occured, he grew slightly depressed. He missed Uruuna. Why did she ride off like that? Who was this Imedren character? He decided to head North to Crossings to find her. He had his servant saddle the horses and prepare them for a journey. He hugged his brother goodbye, and hugged the children as well. I'll return. As soon as I find her, I'll return, he promised.
Sel rode off, his servant Thomas and Stuart the Rabbit not far behind. He went through the hidden realm shortcut, even though time was slower there and it took weeks of mortal time for him to cross. It was still faster. He was out the other end, and he was but a few hours from Crossings. He made his way into the strange city - he'd never been in a city this large before.
After his servant secured room and board, Sel set off to find her. It was difficult. Very difficult. How did people find their way around this place? Too many buildings, too many people, too much trash on the ground and filth in the river.
After some weeks, his servant said, You'll have to find a job, Sir. We can't keep this up much longer. Our coin is almost out.
And so he did, but his heart wasn't in it. There wasn't much use for a hunter and a tracker in the city, and he refused to leave the city in case he might spot her. He had to take small jobs for the unskilled.
One day it all changed. He didn't see her, but he got wind of her. She would be investigating a tower that only appears in the light of the full moon. That's it! Of course she'd be somewhere like that; likely saving someone's life. Because that's the kind of person she was. That was the woman he fell in love with.
Come, Stuart! Thomas! Saddle the horses! We ride to Carbuncle.
Lifestyle: Poor.