Let the curtains rise on our glorious tale of a young man with a beautiful Fallen Crest.
In the 5^th year of the Gelimerian Empire, Gaut Deimos, the emperor, has ruled his new realm with a firm compassion. Gaut Deimos, and those loyal to his cause, planned a swift coup d'etat taking only three days to fully eliminate or convert all those with the power to oppose him. Only three days to safely sit upon the throne. Only three days to cure the land of the Angelica Plague devastating the people. On the 6^th day of the 6^th month, the Kingdom of Furseo was nothing more than a name. Gaut Deimos had solidified his rule over the people. To oppose his reign now would lead to harsh abuse and harassment from your fellow man, not the governing force.

However during such an uplifting time, not all are better off. One such man is named Lionell Del Core. Born to a family of knights, his life's path was laid before his birth. But Lionell would have had it no other way. To become a valiant warrior, to defend his home and king, to be honorable and just, as was his father. Those were the goals of young Lionell's life, from his birth well into his squirehood. Being trained by his father's old comrade in arms, Sir Primo D'Antoni, Lionell would go on to learn many tactics to maneuver around the battlefield. Spending years away from his home, only seeing his father at certain knightly events, never sincerely meeting his younger siblings, Lionell still proved himself as a true knight. While most squires wouldn't enter knighthood until their 20^th birthday, his accomplishments and deeds put him on the path to swear his oaths on his 16^th.

Shortly before the Gilimerian take over, Sir Primo sent Lionell to Augusto Salvato, the leader of a small mercenary company. Sir Primo was well known for his "gut feeling more accurate than a map of the stars." Augusto took Lionell in as a favor to Sir Primo, but Lionell was forced to earn his keep by taking on jobs. Making just enough to get by on his own, he never fully committed to a new life with the company. He still longs for a life where he can live with his parents and siblings. If it wasn't for Sir Primo's words convincing him not to return home, "you would be dead", or so says Augusto.

Now, a time like any other, Augusto visits Lionell with word of a new job. "If you pass on this one, I'll kill you myself. Now get out of bed punk." The faint smell of burning tobacco slowly fills his lungs as Lionell awakens. Sitting in the window sill if Augusto in his battle ready attire, a freshly lit rolled cigarette in his mouth. "Well come on, I need to talk to you," he says before sliding off into the open courtyard of the inn at which Lionell has been staying. He's been helping the elderly woman that owns it take care of general maintenance in exchange for a room on the second floor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:49, Tue 12 May 2020.

In reply to ThatDMYeah (msg # 1):

The baited breath of desperation would beat frantically past his lips as the young squire made strained strides through the friendly villa that had momentarily accommodated the young squire and his mentor. Sir Primo was indeed right to trust his gut feeling, however the flames of war licked their way so quickly even this deep into Furseo. Fire reflected off Lionell's eyes as he watched the buildings around him burn with such savagery only realized through conquest and pillaging. Spotting an elf, they young warrior unsheathed his blade, taking in heavy and fierce breaths he let out a loud scream. Though before he could act on his aggression there was a sudden yank that pulled his sword arm back as he was forcefully turned around to look at a face he had just recently grow to know, that of Augusto. Without a word he was relatively helplessly dragged away, surely out of respect to his mentor's request.

"No!" The young Lionell screamed. "I'll! I'll kill them! I'll kill those monsters! Unhand me!" Struggle as he might he was incapable of freeing himself from his new charge's grasp as the smells of burning infrastructure filled his nose. The sensation was painful and suddenly more real than he could imagine.

Lionell's eyes blinked open to see a haze above him as he started to sit up groggily. "Oh... morning Augusto..." Though before he could really have a proper exchange with him the man had already dropped from the second story building into the courtyard. The young merc kicked his feet over the side of the bed and rolled his neck rubbing it. He gave out a little scoff as he shook his head at the man's rather commanding tone. Jumping out of bed he began fitting himself in his hide leather armor, tailored specifically for him. As he tightened it, for a moment it was just a slight bit tighter than the last time he prepped for fight. "Ugh... Maybe I'm past due for another outing..." he muttered to himself as he worked his way downstairs.

A mostly redhaired elderly dwarf woman was working hard at cleaning the foyer of her better than modest corner of the village, her head nodding up seeing Lionell. "Leo!" she called out hobbling over to him. "Will you open this jar son?" her accent was rather distinct and spoke with a hurried tone, that of someone with a line up of chores to complete.

"Oh... sure Ralvila" he said taking the jar sliding it open with a distinctive pop. "What is this" he asked taking a sniff then pulling it away with a choke. "You can't eat it that's for sure" he remarked a she grabbed it from him.

"Foolish boy not all things in jars can be eaten! This is a sort of cleaner I bought from ye merchants! They went n' told me that this'll make the wood shine like gold!" she remarked as she began pouring some of the concoction on a rag as she began buffering the table with distinctive squeaks.

Lionell laughed a bit. "Well hopefully they don't pray after naive' dwarves."

"What was that Lionell? I don't thin' I heard you right!"

"Nothing Ral!" he called back as he jogged out, his sheath and sword flopping on his back in small amounts with each step that he took. In a matter of moments he found himself, fully dressed and battle ready in front of Augusto. "So... Augusto what's got you so worked up that made you want to drag me out of bed?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:40, Tue 12 May 2020.

As Lionell steps out of the inn, the cool chill of the morning greets him kindly. He can just barely make out his breath as he jogs along. The smell of pumpkin coming from Ralvila's kitchen. The song of the morning beasts seems to be quieter than they had been in quite some time. It's clear that autumn is here.

Standing before our young hero is a red scaly dragonborn wearing no apparent armor of any kind. Simply sporting a vest, loose fitting pants, a slightly torn black tricorne, a few pouches on his waist, and a lit cigar casually laid between his lips. If this wasn't so far inland, one would assume he flew a black sail and terrorized the sea. Either way, you wouldn't want to bump into him in an alley at night.

"It took ya long 'nough," he gripes in a low growly voice, sitting on the edge of the beautiful stone fountain placed in the middle of the courtyard; offhandedly looking around. "We got two jobs. They're both big. Real big. Me 'n the boys are gonna go cross the sea to Gedora. Won't have time for the other. That's where you come in. This is a simple job. A big wig from the theocracy." The Pontalian Theocracy shares the northern and eastern border with Gilmer, and is a trustworthy ally to the emperor.

"Get in good with him, and you'll be set for a long while," he pauses for a beat. "But," he immediately stops again and stands up. As he now stands in front of Lionell, his towering height is truly a thing of wonder. When their eyes meet, Lionell can suddenly and clearly feel Augusto's burning intensity through the thin shroud of smoke rising from the lit cigar. Augusto's eyes peering deep into his soul, just like the night they met. The night he'll never forget. And for a moment, the chill is gone. The smell of pumpkin and tabacco, gone. Time, gone. Not even air seems to exist as Lionell can't find a breathe to take. All that remains is Augusto's dominating presence.

He commands with a growl, "You can't do it alone. I need you to have someone that can keep you under control. Do you understand me boy?" He walks back and sits casually on the edge of the fountain once more. Time finally resumes as a slight chill runs down Lionell's spine. Was it because he was reminded of the chilly autumn wind? Or perhaps...?

Continuing to casually browse around the courtyard, Augusto resumes once again, "Can't have ya failin' a job with my name on the line."

Lionell had really grown to love the brisk air and humbly peaceful arrangement he had found himself in. It was nothing like the castles and fortresses he had grown up in, but the only value such arrangements had were to train boys into instruments of war for pampered nobles. The knights were all good and valued mentors, but the peaceful and humble arrangements of village life was something Nell had grown to value and love. Not that he neglected his training, but having days to relax and take in the world around him was never afforded to him during his rather militant childhood.

That said, it's not that he had grown to detest his more martial ventures. He enjoyed fighting for his causes quite a lot, likely moreso than what could probably be called healthy. So while his exchanges with Augusto were filled with apprehension and deflection to save face, it was probably pretty obvious to him that the thought of going out back into the world to fight excited the young fighter. His arms were crossed and a defined but small smirk graced his lips, despite his attempts to conceal it. His posture was slightly tense as he tried to contain his interest in such a big job. Though he seemed to relax some as Augusto made his tone clear. At the man's reprimand Lionell's dark blonde eyebrows furrowed.

"If you don't trust me why waste time sending me on such a big mission to begin with? Are you gonna send one of your boys with me or something?"

His arms unfolded from in front of his chest as both hands tensed into fists at his side. "I figured you'd have more faith in me than that."

Augusto flicks his cigar into the fountain and watches the clock tick to 6:59. "Ya saved my ass enough times. I know ya got what it takes." He pulls out another cigar and places it in his mouth, spitting out a small flame to light the tip, a scene Leo's very familiar with. "Its a request of the client. Don't come nagging to me about it. Even if I don't think its a terrible idea," he adds quietly to himself.


"Either way, if ya want this job, ya gotta play by the rules. None of that lone wolf bullshit this time. But I already did some diggin' 'n' got ya hooked up with a couple suitors. We're leaving at sundown so meet me back here so I can tell you and your new partner about the mission. No partner, no information. Sorry kid, but that's the way it is this time."

He reaches into one of his pouches and pulls out a folded up parchment. He walks over to to Leo and hands it to him. He keeps walking, leaving the courtyard, and adds, "That's got the time and place to meet'em. Don't be late." The clock strikes 7am and the inn's guests start to slowly come to life.

On the parchment in large letters at the top is "The Tomb." Leo recognizes this as a local pub in town, about a 20 minute stroll away.
Following is a list of names: "Andres, Arturo, Francisco Javier Bailén, Amir, Cyrila"
And finally at the bottom is marked "7:05 am, because I know you're a slacker"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:37, Wed 13 May 2020.