About Nigrum Ensis HalfbloodNigrum Ensis Halfblood
Money: 6214 gp, 10 cp Mount and Gear:
Alerdene- Female Hippogriff Gear- Fighter's Kit, Gear Maintenance Kit, Grooming Kit, Shaving Kit, Exotic Riding Kit
Background:
Nigrum was born of a Cisor woman and wandering swordsman that had chanced upon the Cisor village. He called himself Nameless and when he first encountered the village asked for a friendly duel with their most skillful swordsman. Unknown to Nameless the Cisor were a secretive people and did not allow the unworthy to live with the knowledge of their existence or location. Accepting the duel in order to more easily kill Nameless as well as satisfy their swordsmanship cultural honor. To the Cisor's surprise Nameless effortlessly defeated their greatest swordsman with such skill that it shamed them as a whole. Nameless for his part praised his foe for their potential and balanced sword style. With this act Nameless was considered worthy and invited to stay, his graceful swordsmanship playing no small part in that. So Nameless stayed a year, teaching his own style before leaving on his travels. Apparently unknowingly leaving behind a child as well. While Nigrum grew up without a father it did not bother him. For like many young boys in the village he took to sword fighting. Training without end and showing a passion impressive even among the sword obsessed Cisor. Nigrum quickly passed the ritual test and challenges until he was one of the youngest to ever complete them all. Earning not only the status of an adult but that of great swordsman. Still his desire to be the greatest did not end with his village or even his people, he wanted to be the greatest in the world. So he would leave his home, with his favored blade gifted to him by the elders. A year later he found his gold gone and was forced to take on work. Becoming a bounty hunter where he could both train and employ his skills, he excelled at it. Gaining a strong reputation in much of western and northern Tian Xia. It was during one such job that he found himself out at sea, in pursuit of a pirate captain. The two ships met on open water during a storm, both ships were lost and Nigrum found himself washed on some unknown beach. No stranger to living in the wild he went about finding his way to civilization. After a full year of wondering he came across a docked ship which seemed to be the site of a battle. While having no interest in getting involved he did notice a skilled half orc that seemed to be cutting all his enemies to pieces. Feeling that he would be a worthy opponent he charged in to face the half orc. To his surprise the half orc defeated him without taking a single strike, more so he disarmed him and knocked him out. When he awoke he was on the ship that had been attacked. The half orc was sitting near by having a drink with Tsui on his lap. Before he could get up the half orc pushed him over with his own sword and laughed. Explaining the battle and that he had spared his life because he recognized a Tien when he saw one and that none of his people were found on Crabfield Island where they had been. The half orc introduced himself as Zhen Halfblood and proceeded to educate him on where he was. Finding himself far from lands he knew and in need of work yet again, Zhen offered him a job. So with Halfblood's recommendation and help he quickly found himself under his wing and with plenty of chances to test his skills. So did Nigrum make Katapesh his new home and professional hang out between jobs. Visiting Zhen every once in a while but not overly bothering the half orc that had done so much for him. It was during one of these long absences between visits that he had heard news of Halfblood's impending death, so he raced to the old half orc.
Description:
Ht: 6'6" Wt: 190 lbs Age: 21 Hair: Reddish Orange Eyes: Golden Dragonlike Skin: Lightly Tanned Nigrum is a well muscled, tall, and sharp featured man. His deep reddish almost orange hair is short and slicked back. His most distinct feature are his dragon like golden eyes, otherwise he lacks any distinct features which in itself is odd. As he is a practiced swordsman with many battles, duals, and experience under his belt. Few that did not manage to inflict wounds of some kind. He is never without his well known and large sword across his back. His Wakizashi on his waist and his chain shirt hidden beneath his black robes with high collar and drawn back hood, serpentine dragon motifs flow down his robe's arms. His pants in contrast are a pale white, which he tucks into his boots.
Notes:
Slaverbane - News of your reputation has spread among slavers and those who fight them. You get a +1 bonus to intimidate any slavers, and a +1 to diplomacy to anyone fighting against, including the Eagle Knights, Bellflower Network and most Andorans. Tsui the Dark Light (Underworld Dragonskin Grip +5 Flaming Holy Impact Adamantine Nodachi/False Bottomed Scabbard) Surum the Unbreakable (Modified O-Yoroi of Imperial Rule, +5 Adamantine Glamered Ghost Touch O-Yoroi) Cinvo the Preserver (+5 Living Steel Determination Buckler) Progression Slayer 4 (+1 Str, Weapon Specialization)
Mythic Tier 1st- Champion (Mythic Weapon Focus, Hard to Kill, Mythic Power, Surge +1d6, Sudden Attack, Light Armor Master)
Belkik Kobolds:
Leader: Chieftain Ixen Ternock Point of Contact: Ambassador Seeza Plans: Alliance and integration into Khalharum. Doruk and The Lotus Guard:
Name: Doruk Class: Male Hobgoblin Samurai Role: Military Leader Savage Honor Nigrum had returned to Katapesh with Grimrod Guthook. The city as ever was both unchanged and the same. Gold was everything and the only laws were there to protect that gold. He wondered if Khalharum would be like this, a mixing pot of countless beings. That didn't sit well with him, Katapesh was bound by gold and greed alone. He wondered if their was anything else that could bind any and all to a place. He thought differently but had never seen otherwise. Shaking his head at the thoughts he made his way down the sandy street with Grimrod. He was wearing his old clothes and gear, the mithral o-yoroi armor would draw to much attention. He didn't need foolish thieves or the zephyr guard taking note, much less the merchants. Not that Grimrod didn't attract plenty of attention, only that was the kind you didn't mind. Finally the cramped stoned streets and endless shops gave way to an open area with a raised stone platform surrounded by pens, cages, and zephyr guards. They had reached the slave block. Almost any creature could be bought or sold here, if not on hand they could even be requested. They passed the small group bidding on a mwangi elf upon the block, it was a public open auction. A setting for novices and bulk buyers, he was not interested in any of that. The pair meet with a personal auctioneer, Khair a keleshite with black hair, matching goatee, and brown eyes. He bows deeply before speaking. "Master Guthook, Master Half-" Both Nigrum and Grimrod give him a look that promises a quick impalement if he finished that word. To his credit he kept the smile on his face but flinched none the less before clearing his throat and starting again. "Master Grimrod, Master Nigrum. Welcome, welcome how can I be of service. No doubt you have something special in mind. Worry not we will find it today and if by some misfortune we can not then we will arrange it. Let it be known that we do not disappoint. Come, come, let us walk the wares. Hmmmm." Khair lead the way with a pair of zephyr guards in tow. The pens held the least dangerous and most numerous slaves, the common races chained to each other and post. The cages were reserved for the more uncommon or dangerous sorts. Sometimes the cages were as much to keep things in as they were to keep things out. "Anything catch your eye, Masters. I may be able to help if your more specific." Khair spared a look at the pair. Nigrum caught that look for what it was, they were being baited. It didn't matter. "Show us your more dangerous kind, those that can fight." The auctioneer claps his hands. "Something for the pits perhaps, a bodyguard, or even a good attack dog so to speak. Hmmmm yes." The keleshite picks up the pace as he leads them pass the pens towards an area made up only of various cages. "Now masters if I may. Let us start with some small shall we." Khair directs with a flourish at a cage filled with what appears to be small blue ugly men. "Spriggan, fey with the ability to become giants as well as revert to their current form. They are kept in a special cage that prevents them from doing this of course as well as blocks their other magical abilities. Versatile little creatures. In their smaller forms they are good at sneaking about and trickery while when they become giants their usefulness becomes more direct in nature. Of course maintenance and control methods must be considered. Let us move on." They move to the next cage, this one seems to house a few statues. Until Khair tosses bit of meat from a near by bucket. Then the statues come to life and fight over it. "Gargoyles, as tough as the stone they pretend to be and nearly as strong. As you can see their very well suited to task that require them to stand guard. Still I suppose the flight and their habit of hiding may not be overly useful to you. On wards." The next cage holds many bodies, all chiseled and gray skinned. They all sit quietly with small orange eyes watching carefully. "Hobgoblins, nothing overly impressive in itself. If anything they excel at discipline, rather their own. If you invest a little they yield a good return. Next we have some giant's." Khair is about to lead them away when Nigrum puts up a hand. "I'll take the hobgoblins." The fact of the matter was he already had certain requirements and prospects in mind before he ever came to the slave block. The hobgoblins were among them, but that was only half of it. "Good good, which one do you want or shall I choose for you?" "You misunderstand. I want all the hobgoblins." Again Khair kept his smile in place but his eyes darted slightly to the zephyr guard. "Masters I am sure you are aware of the laws of the block. We can not accept payment without assurance that you can handle the merchandise. One or even a few hobgoblins would not be a problem, but this many." Nigrum removed Tsui and his chest armor, giving it to Grimrod. "Open the cage. I am going to introduce myself." Khair looked at the zephyr guard directly this time. The guard only nodded. The hobgoblins were listening now and were already standing. Nigrum entered into the hobgoblins cage shortly. The hobgoblins only watched, wondering if it was some sort of trick. Nigrum spoke in the goblin tongue to the hobgoblins. "I am Nigrum Ensis Halfblood, I invoke kalech-mar against your leader. If I am the victor you will serve as is my right and your duty. If I am defeated, your freedom will be granted. Who accepts on your behalf or do you submit." If any of the hobgoblins were surprised they hid it well. They spread apart until one stood out and stepped forward. "I am Doruk, Lieutenant of this warband. I accept." With that the hobgoblin charges Nigrum intending to tackle him. Only when he hit Nigrum he may as well have tried to tackle an iron pillar. Stopped dead and stunned from the impact, Nigrum didn't miss the chance and slammed his fist into Doruk's stomach. Lifting the burly goblinoid with the sheer force of the blow. When he landed the hobgoblin couldn't rise again. "Doruk has failed. You serve me now. Come and prove your loyalty or your challenge." Some of the hobgoblins attempted to challenge Nigrum only to fall to him as well. The others took his strikes willingly, realizing the depth of his strength. He was no fool, the hobgoblins were weak from their capture. They would have been stronger if they were healed and healthy, still the result would have been the same. He left the cage and nether the guards or Khair had any misgivings about the hobgoblins any longer. Khalharum had it's first group of warriors, not that he wasn't going to train them properly in the ways of war and honor. Lotus Guard
Special
Reda Zirul and The Sword Dragon Crew 8/17:
Name: Reda Zirul Class: Female Half Elf Unchained Rogue Role: Ship Captain Half Pirate, Half Privateer, All Captain Nigrum was still making the rounds with Khair babbling as they walked after the first sale. The auctioneer seemed pleased with himself, as if he had persuaded them into the sale. He ignored it, such things mattered not at all. He had more to seek out. Suddenly a strange sound near by broke Khair's endless speech. The sound of a short lived scuffle ending with a all to familiar death rattle. The trio, with Khair bring up the rear, found the body of a zephyr guard, his own knife in his heart. Another pair of guards holding a struggling woman, a third quickly bent over the fallen guard extending a hand. A single ring faintly glittered as it's empty socket filled with a newly formed red gem. "That was foolish, slave. If you were free, you would die for this. Be thankful you are a slave. As for this one, they will be returned. As they were or as a Aluum. If you do not sell, perhaps that will be your fate." The woman gives a smile and spits at the feet of the dead guard. "What did you expect. Me and my crew killed half the dogs and jackals that tried us, even as our ship sank and theirs circled. The only slaves I see here are you and yours. Oh and that's Captain to you footman." The bent over guard nodded and one of those holding her struck her hard in the stomach. She saw it coming and braced herself, giving only a grunt. Nigrum was interested in this one. He cut in before another blow could fall or they took her away. "What of this one Khair?" The auctioneer didn't miss a beat and to his credit seem to know about her even as she was being brought into the slave block. Something that seemed odd indeed considering. "Ah yes, Reda. A half elven female of aquatic elven ancestry and seafaring exploits. Until quite recently the captain of a modest vessel. She lost her vessel in her acquisition, still most of her crew survived and arrived with her as well. Apparently she ran afoul of the yellow sails well before their recent interaction. If your interested I would advise against it. Clearly she is not worth the effort in her current state. Unless you insist in which case I am certain arrangements can be made, a fine addition for a man of taste." He leered at Reda only to find her smiling back, inclining her head toward Nigrum. Khair spared a sidelong glance and caught the same look of impalement he received at their first meeting. Apparently he had gotten sloppy and missed it before finishing. He gave a false coughing fit before clearing his throat and starting again. "If you would be so kind as to release Reda for inspection. I am sure Master Nigrum would like to speak with her." He bowed toward Nigrum. For his part he focused on the task, this worm was merely a part of things in Katapesh, no need for him to be swayed by it. He closed the distance with Reda as she yanked herself free of the watching guards. Glaring at him as much as she had at the guards. "What do you want slaver? If you think I am some prize or flower for you, guess again. You'll get nothing but thorns and a shorter dagger for the attempt." "I have no interest in you in that way." For the first time Reda seemed surprised, as if she had been slapped across the face without seeing it coming. She recovered quickly and seemed to grow hateful towards Nigrum. He spoke before she could respond. "I am in need of someone with your talents. Service in exchange for your freedom." Reda snorted in amusement. "Your a dumb slaver aren't you. What keeps me from taking your offer and running. Or better yet gutting you the first chance I get." "The terms of your service will be agreed upon in a contract noterized and kept by the church of Abadar. If ether of us willingly breaks our agreement, we answer to them. The gold fisted's flock enforce their contracts as holy writ, break them at your peril. As a bounty hunter, more then a few targets were so foolish. As for attempts on my life, you would fail." Reda had watched Nigrum carefully, her expression neutral. She wasn't going to give anything away easily. "If I accepted, why couldn't I just pay you double and be done with it." "You misunderstand, it is an offer you have to earn. Some of your crew still live. I am not interested in weaklings. Kill one of your crewmen, then you can have my offer. The same will go for your crew. Only the strong will survive and earn their freedom." This time it was clear what was going through Reda's mind. The guards tensed and she all but spit in his face. "To the nine hells with that! Take your offer and shove it! I'll rot in these sand blasted cages of piss before I do that!" Khair gave a quick gesture and the guards grabbed Reda. One grabbed her by the throat to quiet her. The auctioneer quickly moved forward. "Apologies, such insolence to refuse such a generous offer. If your looking for sailors then we have others. Come, come, our selection is vast." Nigrum didn't move. "I wasn't serious about that. I was interested in your reaction. If you had accepted my terms, then I would have left you. My offer extends to you and your surviving crew." This time everyone from Grimrod to the guards looked at Nigrum with an expression of stunned shocked, as if he had sprouted two more heads. For his part he seemed not to notice or perhaps care. Sword Dragon Crew
Special
Qarven The Reborn:
Name: Qarven Class: Male Dwarf Druid Role: Gardener and Brewer Green Among The Sand Khair was all but dancing as he skipped along, now going over the numbers in his head instead of pleasuring himself about the recent sales. Nigrum had his own thoughts flowing through his mind as they walked about the slave block. He did not expect to find anything else he was looking for. Apparently fate had other plans as once more something drew his attention. This time it was a strong and surprisingly amused voice, a true oddity in this pit of sorrow, that captured his interest. "Silence runt!"
The guard growled as he moved towards the cage with it's sole occupant. A dwarf with strange colored hair, little clothes, and a oddly calm sense about him. That is until the other guard grabbed him by the arm. "He is baiting you. He wants you to open the cage, it's what is keeping him here. You open it and he will escape or cause trouble. We don't need ether."
The other guard pulls the first away as Nigrum arrives with Grimrod and Khair. The auctioneer looks hopeful and does not need to be asked this time. "Aham. This is Qarven the Reborn, a druid. Extensively well traveled and well informed in the ways of the wider world. His sheer experience in natural matters is impressive. As one could guess he is a product of reincarnation, the extent of and duration is unknown. As is his original race, gender, name, and total age. He was brought in by a gnoll raiding party, a rarity in both his survival at their hands and his condition." Khair's false smile had faltered more and more as he had spoken. Clearly he did not like knowing so little about the mystery of the dwarf. For his part the dwarf simply stroked his long thick green tinted beard with leaves entwined, looking pleased with himself. That was when Nigrum noticed the small patch of grass that had somehow grown beneath his feet. The dwarf looked Nigrum up and down, sniffing the air. "You smell sort of like a Tian, but your strange as the stars. A sort of mixture, which tells of. Hailing from Tian Xia, northwestern part, hm, Shaguang, no, Goka, no.... What in the name of Gozreh's sweet breath, Qiang Tian. Then their is that other scent it's even stranger, natural and not at the same time, interesting. Well I am not going to keep on, at least not with that one here." He gestured towards Khair, which got him a look from both Nigrum and Grimrod. Khair merely bowed. When Nigrum looked back he noticed for a moment one of the leaves in the dwarf's beard had moved on it's own. Qarven picked up on what Nigrum had seen. He kept a blank smile, his grey eyes pools of serenity. This time Nigrum spoke first. "Would you be willing to serve me?"
Qarven stared at him for a while before responding. "I think you need more then a gardener. But that's sounds fair. I should point out that I am a fair brewer, oddly enough I picked that up before I was a dwarf. Ha!"
He smiled at the guard, he glanced over to Grimrod and did a double take. "Hmmm, nothing personal. But that one smells worse then the gnolls and I already used them a while ago. Don't want to beat a dead horse." The dwarf shrugs. Qarven The Reborn
The Nossa Family:
Mastersmith: Contar Nossa Class: Male Half Elf Sorcerer (Salamander Bloodline) Weaponsmith: Jessilanis Nossa
Armorsmith: Jacvae Nossa
Trapsmith: Vannik Nossa
Family Flame Nigrum was finally out of the slave markets and away from the smiling Khair. Grimrod was all for finding a good tavern to end the day's labor but Nigrum had another stop before any drinks could flow. The pair walked down what seemed to be blacksmith row, shops of all sorts of metal working lined the street. The sound of hammers striking, cooling water hissing, and a song of exerting grunts sang around them. Yet in the desert city of Katapesh, it was the increased heat that was most keenly felt. Nigrum ignored most of it looking for more then a common smith. As they walked by a dwarf comes tumbling by. "Next time you insult my work, I'll beat you into the ground and see if you grow." The dwarf picked himself up and stormed away from the lithe half elven woman. She swung her hammer at air before turning around and returning to her forge. Nigrum looked at Grimrod, he had a knowing look in his eye. "Let me guess, you want to go in." So they did, the building was bigger then most others around it. Half shop half home with more then a single inhabitant. Nigrum had to look twice as the woman on the street seemed to have multiplied. Their were now two of her and both were working the forge, only one was beating a longsword while another was working on armor. Behind them at the main forge was an older half elven man. To the side and in a dimly lit corner was a young half elven man working with fine tools. "Do you have an appointment or are you just browsing?" A lazy voice spoke from above causing Nigrum to look up directly into a draconic eye. Laying atop the doors border was a small dark violent hued dragon. "Don't mind him, how can I help you?" The elder man had finished what he was doing and come over. He wore a thick bandana to hold back his long tied hair. While he showed clear signs of varisian heritage, he wore a thick and well maintained vandyke. "I am Nigrum Ensis Halfblood. I'm in need of skilled blacksmiths willing to relocate from Katapesh." The elder blacksmith immediately gave Nigrum a skeptical look, his gaze wondered to Grimrod beside him more then once. "Well I'm Contar Nossa and I've been in Katapesh for longer then ether of you has been alive and then some. And while others come and go, here I am. So if your not interested in buying something, I suggest you get on your way." Nigrum takes a moment to go over the man's words before responding. "Is there a reason you do not wish to leave Katapesh? Our settlement currently has only a single dwarven blacksmith. We can not expect him to shoulder the burden alone as our settlement grows." Contar looks confused for a moment. "Your serious?"
The half elf was wondering if Nigrum was insulting him or not before replying. "You want me to pick up shop, my livelihood and family, to move to some settlement somewhere without a second thought. Why should I?" Without missing a beat. "Considering your last visitor, your work is not appreciated in Katapesh. Among many masters that covet their skill instead of challenging and comparing it with each other. It stifles growth and advancement. While you may be the first to come to our settlement, you will not be the last blacksmith to make it their home. So would it not benefit you and your family to call such a place home, would your skills not grow and be given proper merit beyond the measure of gold." Speaking slowly he replied, ending with a smug expression. "I'll need a shop, home, and bonus upon arrival. Free passage to this settlement too."
Nigrum pointed to an item before starting to write on a scrap of parchment. Contar looked over at the item, a odd colored buckler. |
