Luthor Aesernus's page

About Luthor Aesernus

Background

Additional Background for intro to campaign:

It was dim, almost dark out in the small streets of Old Kintargo. Curfew would be in effect in half an hour, and Luthor needed to escape the stifling atmosphere of the town after a day of painting Queen Abrogail over and over and over again. He slipped into an alley way, his dark eyes able to see much better than any normal human, and crouched down. In a moment, he was no longer human, but a lithe silver fox. Try fining me now Barzillai. he muttered to himself, though it was virtually unintelligible coming from a fox's lips.

Luthor made his way towards the south gate of Kintargo to escape out into the country side. Slipping past the guards would be relatively easy, he'd just make one punch the other in the face and they would quickly forget the small creature wandering back into the wild. He was only a block away, crouched on a low rooftop while street bum passed, when his ears twitched with the sound of rustling feathers. He might have dismissed it as a quail, except it was too loud, and he only just avoided the claws of... Holy Irori that crow is enormous! he flattened himself in the gutter, causing the crow to miss, it's momentum carrying it over the edge. It was time to go.

***

Damn it, almost had it! muttered Pakuzzo, leaping from the next roof over. What an interesting find! A silver fox lurking in the gutter of an old shop in Kintargo? It's fur was shiny enough he just might have to keep it! In any case, he saw it slip over the edge of the building and take off down the street. The chase was on.

The fox was fast, but apparently wasn't confident enough in it's roof jumping to take the shortcuts like Pakuzzo. He hiked over a chimney, swung around a weathervane, leaped from one house to the next; meanwhile Vinz, his giant raven, attempted to box them in. He ran over a an apothecary's roof, and to his dismay found that most of the heavy clay shingles were kept on by gravity, and in his haste several went flying over the edge.

Hey! What's going on up there?came a gruff voice. Uh-oh, better move quick... Pakuzzo thought. It took only another minute or so before he had the fox cornered in an alleyway.

***

Luthor was panting heavily. What did this overgrown pigeon and his pet dodo want? Then he remembered Barzillai's first proclamation. Oh, that is just insulting... he thought. He rounded a corner, and to his dismay found a brick wall in front of him. His pursuers slipped into the alley behind him. There was nowhere to go. They all tensed, ready to spring as soon as the other made a move. And then, Luthor vanished.

***

Pakuzzo's eyebrows, if he had any, nearly shot off his face. Now there's a cool trick. he thought. He looked and felt the ground were the fox had been. Nothing. Just then he heard some footsteps behind him, and two of the new mayor's Dottari entered the alley. Now it was his turn to be caught. Lovely night out isn't it?

It's past curfew, crow. Whaterya doin out so late? the dottari looked strong, but not very quick, maybe he could slip around him. The other had a small blade drawn. That could be a problem...

I could say the same to you lot. I'm just enjoying the night, hunting a few critters like a good citizen. Pakuzzo struggled to hide his surpise as the fox reappeared on a barrel behind the dottari, and he could have sworn it gave him a dirty look.

Nice try buster, responded the dottari wth the blade, we're going to have to take you in. A night in a cell and the confiscation of your pet should teach you a lesson.

Pakuzzo was just about to respond, when out of the blue the larger guard gave the armed one a solid sucker punch, knocking him into the brick wall. Ya blitherin fool! What are you, the Rose of Kintargo for half-breeds!?

I don't know what happened! said the offender, I don't know what came over me!

I'll tell ya what came over ya! You've gone soft!

Pakuzzo took his cue to leave, and was well past them before they even noticed. And up ahead, he saw that darned fox. He decided on a more cautious approach this time; he wanted to study this mysterious creature. He followed at a distance, taking care not to let the fox see him and some times relying on Vinz to find him again. He tracked him into a small alley, where the fox stood up on it's hind legs, and grew nearly 4 feet into a man. The man made sure the coast was clear, walked across the street, and entered a house with several paintings displayed on the outside. Well, isn't this interesting? I'll be back for you... Pakuzzo said grinning.

***

Luthor was putting the finishing touches on his 23rd painting of the queen when there was a knock at the door, and a Tengu walked in. He did his best to conceal his shock when an oversized raven fluttered down behind him, but was only marginally successful. Hey foxy. said the Tengu.

Quickly, Luthor shut the door and drew the shutters. Who are you? he asked, glaring at him.

Who am I? I am just a thankful bird, thankful to a fox (of all things) who saved me.

I don't know what you're talking about. said Luthor, turning away.

Oh come now, quit trying to hide it, you've been caught! But don't worry, I don't want to turn you in; I actually think we could be friends! With your talents you could do a lot of good for this city! Protect the innocent, undermine the government, you could... he noticed the completed painting of the Queen. Bit of an artist eh?

It puts food on the table. Luthor replied coldly.

Funny, I figured you'd just hunt some mice.

Don't insult me bird.

No need for the attitude, comrade. My name is Pakuzzo, this here is Vinz he said gesturing to the raven. Anyways, I know nobody with a working soul likes House Thrune, least of all me, right? Well tell you what, fox, you may think you can hide it but I see the bitterness behind your eyes. Whether out of kindness or maybe just pure spite you gave those dottari a hell of a time last night. I think you hate the Thrune government just as much as anyone, and probably a whole lot more. Just think on the offer. I'll be back. he strode over to the door, but as he was about to open it, the bitter painter spoke.

Luthor. My name is Luthor.

Be seeing you, Luthor. The tengu smiled and left, the giant raven following after him.

Two days later, Pakuzzo managed to convince Luthor to attend the protest, and while Luthor didn't seem particularly excited at the prospect, it didn't take THAT much work to convince him to come.