Tales of the Heroes

[Asinjin]

Gabriel Hosten (Master Po, Seas)

Owner of the Redemption, he sailed the seas around Icefia as a corsair for the years that Iott began its reign.  He found a steady stream of employment in those years working for Kathow-tio-Horari.  The Yinites having split themselves off from the Shelleshe were at first bereft of ships.  The Redemption served as an escort for passenger ships for a hundred voyages.  Numerous times, in fended off a Shelleshe attack.  Gabriel and his ship were known in every Icefian port for its skill.

With the arrival of hostilities after the Day Magic Broke, Gabriel and his ship were called into service by the Icefian navy.  Charged with making it to and from Layraedia, his ship became one of the few to successfully make the voyage over the next twenty years.  The route Gabriel ran became known as the Redemption Run.  But notoriety was not the friend of such route, and on his last trip, Gabriel was nearly killed, his ship nearly destroyed.

The Redemption limped into Cape Tolya in 813.  Gabriel retired, forever wounded, but having accomplished what he had set out to do more than two decades before.  He lives in a fishing village on the coast, adopting war orphans and teaching them the about the sea.

Rogue 2 / Fighter 4 / Crafter 2 / Renowned Captain 5

[Asinjin]

Wignston (Windblade, Seas)

Such terrible timing for a gnome that wants to search the world.  With Iott's reign beginning, his efforts were stymied.  Travel and information became more difficult for one such as he was.  Cities became wary of him either because they were given instruction by Iott or because they feared Iott's wrath.

His misery continued unabated for more than two decades.  Accomplishing nothing, tossed from city to city, more than a few times he swore he would give up, only to be rescued by a faith in a divine presence that was his only hope during the years.  Two whole years of that time were spent convalescing.  During a visit to the city of Magenthia, Wignston caught one of the plagues.  Known as Altaemia, it destroyed vision and appetite.  If not for a kindly cleric of Quan Yin whom he never got a good look at, he would have surely perished.  When he was finally able to make his way around, she was gone.  The innkeeper told him she had been dragged away by gladiators.  Having little in the way of coin, Wignston spent another two hard years in the city earning scraps and barely surviving.

Desperate to find the cleric that had saved him, he searched for clues, but he poor vision and lack of any coin made it impossible.  He saved enough to buy passage, hoping to one day return.  More than a year at sea, sleeping in rough conditions, eating little, he ended up in the city of Ermaneo.  Able to find a job crafting and amazed at the history of this city he had never heard of, Wignston thought maybe he had fallen into some luck.  But he was still poor and friendless.  Once a week, he would go to the Low Bar and listen to the music of a skilled bard.  This particular night, the thunder and lightning made listening difficult...

Ranger 5

[Asinjin]

Alubrin the Purist (Whitesword, Wizards)

Having survived ever major event since the ban on creation, one of the world's oldest beings in the world had seen more activity in the past five years of his life than the previous fifty and likely more.  Those five years he had thought was enough for another century, but Lyla had others plans.  A master of arcane history, Alubrin knew what had been tried and what had not been tried.  He had met a hundred arch mages, and every ruler of Iott for centuries.  He had not seen a ruler like Lyla in five hundred years.  This intrigued him.  Her grasp of experimental magic was unmatched and what she was able to accomplished excited even him, a little.

When he returned to Habololy and saw the stones broken by fools, he was shocked as he rarely had been before.  When he learned of Iott's new roll in the world and how anarchists, tinkers, and the ungrateful were in revolt, he was disgusted.  Lyla assigned him a task upon his return to Iott: research ways the wizards of old cast powerful spells without the use of the stones.  In his years, he uncovered a few.  His idea sparked Kallark's departure.  His other ideas were shelved or put into practice, as he uncovered no fewer than five ways to power the greatest spells without the stones.

As most of his life had gone, much of the war passed Alubrin by as he studied and researched.  As he neared the midway point of his 8th century of life, he wondered if his time was about up...

Wizard 15

[Asinjin]

Korda (Valdis, various)

Traveling martial expert Korda quickly turned his aggression to Iott when it became clear what they were aiming to do.  Always on the look out for an Iott wizard, he stationed himself in and around his home town of Bemord and made it his goal to keep out Iottian influence.  Blessed in the mission by Father Haas, he four three years kept up his covert war.  He would tell it differently, but little action came his way.  The Iottians were very skilled and rarely allowed brute force and a hidden attack to catch them.

One day in early 796, he received word that an Iottian troop was coming through Bemord.  He readied his band and set an ambush.  The ambush would have worked, but the troop was not Iottian.  A group of gnomes and humans, posing as Iottians were looking for those that might be willing to fight.  The ruse worked and Korda and his band were recruited into a surprise assault against Iott.

Sent west, he met up with others.  Their target was the Iottians mountain base in Baenrl.  The giants had agreed to Iott's demands early in the reign.  Korda and his band, which numbered near one thousand on the day of the assault, would swarm in to the governor's palace and kill him, never evading and ignoring the giants.  After that, they would flee.  Given a token of Dedestroyt to make sure the death was permeant, Korda was confident.

All plans of the assault worked until they reached the palace.  Giants were evaded and many reached the governor.  But the governor was prepared by the time they reached him.  Even with their protections, his fire scorched them.  Every attack they landed only burned them more.  Worse for Korda, the governor was a skilled martialist.  Not a talented as Korda, but those things that would have quickly thwarted most wizards failed due to the governor's skills.

Unable to defeat him, unwilling to withdraw from a martial fight, Korda attacked until none of the others were left standings.  Some were dead, some fled, some captured.  The governor, having beaten back the attackers and burned Korda badly, stopped the fight for a moment, dropped his spells and fought Korda in the honorable way.  Korda gave his all, but there was not enough left in his burnt body and the governor defeated him, wishing him a pleasant trip to meet Tyrogatore.

Monk 5 / Emenote 8

[Asinjin]

Sunjata (Whitesword, various)

As it is with those that rage furiously in combat, life can be gone in an instant.  When the opportunity arose to be paid to fight a worth wild enemy, Sunjata took it.  The Iottians had a base in Port Springs, as they did in many cities.  Approached by elements in the city that opposed the Iottians, for which Sunjata had no fondness, he agreed to join an attack on their base.

Fitted with protections against spells, when the day came, he lead the charge into the breach of the wall.  To his disappointment, he was confronted not with weakling wizards or cowardly spellcasters, but summoned creatures of all types.  Protected from their attacks, he nonetheless could not push past them.  Seeing no wat forward, he through off the ward and charged into the beasts.  Inspired by his audacity, those behind him swarmed past him.

Because the beasts disappeared when destroyed, none could count how many were dispatched by Sunjata, but the tale was told in taverns and throughout Port Springs for years.

Fighter 4/ Berserker 3/ Rager 6

[Asinjin]

Gno Gnub Gregnoble (Zunder, various)

Business was very good for the gnomish entrepreneur as Iott's reign began.  The pirates were weak and Iott only brought increased order and structure.  Gno became wealthly and more important.  Port Talp grew in its influence as well.  Arsenal's ascension to the Counsil had increased the quality of his fleet.  By 795, he was on top of the world.

In 796, he was approached by Gneon, the Revolutionary and the truth of Iott was revealed to him.  Gno was torn.  Business was so good and what Iott was doing seemed reasonable and fair.  No pirates, no seas wars.  Only those that stubbornly refused had problems.  But Gneon was persuasive, and Gno feared slippery slope of control that might come.  Things that seemed to good to be true always were.

So Gno agree to help, passively.  Covertly moving pieces around the world on his ships to help Gneon.  He never asked what exactly the plan was, not knowing offered a form of safety.  Gno always made sure nothing vile or traditionally illegal was being moved, but other that that he turned a blind eye.  Without the help of his fleet, it is unlikely the plans of the Day Magic Broke would have succeeded.  Twenty ports at least owe their ability to disrupt the Iottians that day to Gno's ships.

After that day, Gno was surprised that life continued as if had for him, except even more profitably.  Magic travel was heavily curtailed.  Riches that he would not have dreamed came his way.  His fleet doubled in size over the next five years.  His company reached a height few others had.  He had even been allowed to add two airships to his fleet.  The world was his.

The rise of Kallark was an event that Gno did not think would have much an impact.  Travel for most of the world was not returned to the magical ease it had before.  But something did change.  Iott went back on the offensive, and in a way it had not before.  For ten years, their efforts was mostly diplomatic arm wrenching with the occasional demonstration of overwhelming force.  Now, all those that had acted to break magic and disrupt their rule became a target.  With magic back, but not open to everyone as it had been before, Iott charged forward.

For a few more years, Gno did very well.  Then warning signs began to appear.  To his dismay, on a windy spring day, he received a message, "You are on the list".  Over the course of the next few months, his ships burned.  Nothing he did stopped the destruction.  Asking to negotiation, threating retribution, pleading with others for help.  Even within Port Talp, he was not safe.  Several of his most valuable staff were beaten into quitting the company.  His stock rooms were robbed, his employees framed.

The ultimate insult came during an unusual dry month in the city.  Calls of fire rang out and Gno feared the worst.  He gathered his gear and ran out, to be confronted by a horrible sight.  His warehouses and socks were ablaze.  Creatures of fire danced around them gleefully.  He heard a voice, "Write a note to your family.  Write a note to the city.  Explain your mistakes.  Receive a quick end.  The alternative is a fiery death for all you love and a slow burning death for you."

Fighter 8 / Strategist 5

[Asinjin]

Gnelson (Zunder, Seas)

Life as a seafaring tinker who knows Gno is about was a great place to by in the early 790s.  Arsenal ascended and the shipping was easy.  Gnelson was constantly designing and crafting.  Moving from ship to ship, his skills were in demand and he was paid well for them.  He traveled where he wanted and worked on fascinating ships.  He got to see the Grean warships in all their glory and not at the end of an elemental cannon.

After the day that Magic Broke, things slowly began to change.  He received a commission working in Kathow-tio-Horari that was a but surprising for him, but it was safe and paid well.  Working with the faith of Lansin, he was bringing technology to the Horarians.  On one visit to Port Talp, he had a strange meeting with Gno.  A bit flustered and nervous, Gno was not himself.  He gave Gnelson a chest and half asked but mostly told him to take it with him back to Kathow tio Horari.  "Don't open it unless you hear from me.  Keep it safe and I will collect it later."

Paid well and happy for the intrigue, Gnelson returned to Kathow-tio-Horari, this time to the island of Eikōnokenkō.  He remained there for more than a decade.  While his time there was peaceful, it did grow boring.  He had little news from the rest of the world and few other tinkers or gnomes.  He did know that strife had befallen much of the area and that the Horarian islands offered an uncommon safe haven.  He was thankful to live there for the time.  In 815, that peace was finally broken.  A Shelleshe ship sailed near and pirates came ashore.  This had not happened to his knowledge since coming to the island.  While the Yinites were able to drive them off, Gnelson soon learned why they were there.  They were searching for the chest Gno had long ago given him.  The others on the island didn't know it, but he figured out based on what the pirates had said.

Having grown bored, knowing the war with Iott was over, and not wanting to endanger the people that had treated him so well for so long, Gnelson boarded the first ship that was leaving and took his chest with him.  He spent a long dinner with the townsfolk and held his tongue about leaving.  He tearfully watched the island fade on the horizon.  The ship, a strange one that had only been sailing for a year and named the Mistcast Original took him to the city of Ermaneo.  He settled into a place called the Low Bar, and hid the chest while he planned his next move.  This out of the way city seemed safe enough for the time...

Tinker 6

[Zunder]

I know i'm setting a "Low Bar", but I hope someone else is tracking on these hints...

[Asinjin]

I know i'm setting a "Low Bar", but I hope someone else is tracking on these hints...

My amusement at the Easter Eggs being dropped in here is far higher than it should be.  My entertainment is a low bar.

[whitesword]

Robert Axeson (DMD, Constables)

Robert remained in Phiam until 795.  Brentan thinks very highly of him, valuing both his knowledge of the law and unarmed fighting skills.  As it was clear Rob would prefer to avoid any further cases with supernatural opponents (a common feeling among your fellows), and not wanting to lose your services, Brentan was selective about your assignments and in 792 appointed you as an instructor for new constables assigned to Phiam.

In 795 the High Constable, Xander Caladrian, retired, and his second in command, Adjutant Constable Stanton Corum was appointed High Constable.  Corum is a very formal man, who had more experience as an administrator than a patrolman.  He promoted Rob, and several others like him, to a working group to recommend changes to the RIC to the Lord Protector.  As the situation with Iott and the Protectorate occupied most of the government’s attention, Corum’s recommendations were accepted with little review.  The next five years did not go well, for a variety of reasons, for the RIC.  Corum created a bureaucratic mess and the RIC was perceived as less effective than it has been in a generation.

Likely this would have been the end of Rob’s career, but in 801, the High King appointed Martine Vanyar as High Constable and he in turn appointed Brentan as Adjutant.  Brentan assigned Rob to the recently established Academy, as chief unarmed combat instructor, where he served with distinction until  . . .

[whitesword]

Gneetaugh (Malchia, Constables)

Gneetaugh remained in Phiam until 801.  Brentan formally took Gneetaugh on as an apprentice following the battle with the Wugs.  Though he finds your choice of weapon perplexing, he admires your decision to become a constable, as few who pursue a weapon master’s path persevere in a career that often denies them their chosen weapon. During the decade Gneetaugh advanced quickly, and in 800 won the Constables’ Armed Combat Tournament for the first time (neither Brentan nor Deidre Yarmouth, the First Deputy of Fort Pinceer, participate).

In 801, Gneetaugh was transferred to Degalas.  The far northern city had become increasingly dangerous and constables are permitted lethal arms at all times.  Gneetaugh was promoted to sergeant and served with distinction for 7 years before being transferred to Northwatch.  Northwatch is the Kingdom’s majority Ice Gnome city and in 810 Gneetaugh married and started a family.

In 812 Northwatch was besieged by an army of barbarians and Chosen of Frostine. They flew the black icicle banner of Azelec the Souless, a Chosen of Frostine Doomknight.  The siege lasted two months and the fighting was terrible.  Between starvation and disease, the inhabitants were pushed to the brink.  Just when it seemed the city would fall, the army of Gnarland arrived, commanded by Gnadine Silverstone, a Captain of the Knights of the White Sword.  The gnomes and dwarves hurled themselves against the besiegers with fury and after three days and nights of fighting the attackers withdrew.  Azelec slew Gnadine and took her head as a trophy.  Though the siege was broken, the Gnarland army was decimated and Northwatch is now very isolated, as travel is only safe by river in either direction.
For his heroics, Gneetaugh was named First Deputy of the City.  He continues to compete in preparation for the Suian.

[Asinjin]

Jack "Falcon" (Valdis, Seas)

Seafaring marksman, the unassuming yet talented elf found life during the reign of Iott quite boring.  Life as a corsair on seas without pirates was dull.  He bounced from ship to ship, hoping to find more adventure and more coin.  Little came from his efforts.  Guardian of the Tides, Endless Treasure, Virtuoso, Ch?sananami, and the Fifth Star all proved not to be able to get into an adventure in this time.

He found useful and gainful employment on the Sel Hope, a Scaled Elven merchant ship.  A small merchant ship sailing across the northern sea, it sought to make a better life for the remnants of the scaled elven nation by bringing in supplies from around the world.  As it turns out, the pay was not gainful, but the mission pulled at the heart strings of Jack and he continued to work for the ship for two decades, becoming the spotter and Master of the Tops for the ship. 

During his time aboard, he helped them evade numerous Grean and Icefian ships.  He was often one of the crew charged with delivering good to the city, primarily Portet, since he had an unknown face.  In one such visit, he had a run in with the city's nefarious guardian and survived only when he learned the goods being delivered were actually herbs and spices.  In another visit, he was nearly press ganged into a religion while attending services.  His deftness and quick thinking barely allowed him to escape having to pick a side of Lakius.

Jack's knowledge of the goings on the in the world was limited during this time.  He knew Iott and the world were at odds, but little else.  Life on a ship in the Godsea was removed.  Even after he heard that Iott was finally at a loss for power and no longer was a threat to most of the world, the need in Portet was still large and he continued his voyages.

Ranger 5

[Asinjin]

Xavier Foreshot / Foreman (Hero, Seas)

A capable gunner, despite the loss of some hearing, Xavier's life was dull as Iott took the reigns in Port Talp and much of the world.  The seas were calm, the pirates non-existent.  He found employment outside the city, to the east in a large testing range.  Here, tinkers that had left the city for fear of the Iottians where going about their business of crafting and designing better clickers, specifically cannon.

With the ascension of Arsenal, they were inspired.  Xavier for years earned good coin testing the cannon.  Using his good luck, he faired better than any other tester.  Such was his reputation, that Gnettor Longbarrel, cannon master for non other than Gneon, Heir to Arsenal, visited and allowed him to be the first to test fire the Longneck 98 TowerBreaker Cannon.  It was glorious.

Things were going well and word was that the cannon would soon be moved south for the coming siege of Iott.  Xavier dreamed of launched an endless stream of cannon fire over the bay and into the wizard's towers.  He had been told he would be on the first volley.  Bets had been made with other gunners.  One day, he arrived at the testing ground, and the mood was different.  Rumor was magic had returned and no one knew what it meant.  For days, nothing happened, the cannon were silent.

They the rain began.  It was warm, which was odd.  Then it burned.  Xavier was lucky near a bunker, and dove inside while other wailed.  Screams were muddled by gurgling, the rains poured down in a torrent.  Streams appears out of no where.  Luck found its way to Xavier in the form of a SummonShatter Widemouth Cannon that was pushed by the current next to the bunker, which happened to be on high enough ground to not be flooded.  He spent minutes readying it, in case someone approached.

For ten minutes, the deluge continued.  The rain subsided and the only sounds were drips and the gentle flow of water.  The clouds were still dark overhead and a form appeared before him in an instant, forming from the water mist in the air.  Xavier swung the cannon around and fired directly at the form.  The area was covered in shot and for a moment the form splatted...only to reform moments later.

Suddenly, he couldn't breath and water was pouring out of his mouth and nose.  The form watched with a vicious smile as things went dark.

Rogue 2 / Oddsmaker 4

[Asinjin]

If anyone feels at any point the story has badly misrepresented the idea for their character, let me know, I am not opposed to altering if that's the case.  Message that request, not post please.

[Zunder]

Ok

- Death - 21 ( 2 pending )
- Life - 23
- Erased - 2 ( might as well be dead )
- Mortal Peril - 9 ( Low Bar, Red Sky )