#darksingers

[limbobilbo]

Sellsword characters

Version 1

For those whove missed it this is a character list for a hypothetical fighting game I am doing the lore and characters for. This post will include characters alongside their background. Not movesets yet as Im not equipped to do that.

This will also get reposted with more in future.

Ronan and Edmund

So these guys are separate characters but they are incredibly connected plot wise. Ronan and Edmund are both orphans, raised by a knight from the kingdom of Felmoore, which is on the western coast of Maskanier. Ronan and Edmund grew up as basically brothers, training to fight for most of their lives.

However, during a quest the two of them were on Edmund was temporarily possessed by a Kin named Apollyon. This Kin revealed to Edmund that he was in fact a relative to royal family of the empire of Aravas, and had been kidnapped as an infant to cause an uproar on Talkanier to stop a potential invasion. Edmund, now disillusioned with the kingdom he was raised to defend cast down his long sword and allowed Apollyon to continue possessing him.

Ronan took up Edmunds longsword as his own, now fighting with both swords as a personal oath to save his comrade.

Edmund meanwhile would, on the advice of apollyon, seek out the blade Darksinger, a collosal single edged sword located under the island kingdom of Torland. By retrieving it Edmund triggered the third cataclysm and Torland was destroyed. Edmund, now known using the title of the cataclysm knight wields the blade Darksinger as he works with the Kin posessing him to achieve an unknown goal.

Bjorn

When Torland was destroyed it was in the midst of a succession. Torlanders, priding themselves on their skills in battle, believe their king must be the greatest warrior in Torland. This was traditionally done by oathsworn, a group of warriors sworn to seek out the greatest warrior.

At the time of the cataclysm there was a single Oathsworn off the island, a man named Bjorn who had been getting the skull of the dead King Osmund prepared for its internment in the castle. After the cataclysm Bjorn was left the last true Torlander alive, now armed with his axe Foecutter and the skull of High King Osmund affixed to his belt Bjorn searches for a true succesor to the throne of Torland.

Louis Vangul

Louis Vangul. Full title the Marquis Louis of the house of Vangul, fourth heir to the grand duchy of Lorantia, is the fourth son of the current arch duke of Lorantia, which is a decently sized duchy in southern Maskanier. Louis is 16 and like most 16 year olds is impulsive. In order to prove himsef to both his father and his brothers Louis took up his bow, his his preferred weapon, and set out to help in repelling the Aravasian invasion of Maskanier.

Louis is now basically playing folk hero. Using both his arrows and the magic his family is known for in combat.

(Also for those who are interested Louis is also a trans man)

Captain Barnabus Scrimshaw

The Basin, the huge ocean spanning from the tip of western Maskanier all the way to eastern Sankanier is a hotbed of piracy. And one Pirate crew are known across the waters and islands that fill the basin, the crew of the Jolly Roger led by Barnabus Scrimshaw.

Scrimshaw was, in his youth, a studying philosopher in the republic of Orin in Sankanier however he grew tired of that life and purchased a ship, renaming himsef to Barnabus Scrimshaw and set out to find a pirate crew. Over his decade or so of Piracy Scrimshaw has ammased a loyal, if small, crew.

Scrimshaw is well dressed, well spoken, enjoys wine and is known for fighting with a rapier and pistol in either hand.

Zadkem

Zadkem, formerly Zadkemel, is an angel cast down from the high mountain, the home of God, the new divinities and the angels. What was Zadkem’s crime? They (angels all use they/them) looked upon the veiled face of The Architect. For their crime Zadkemel had their eyes removed and their wings cut.

Now Zadkem wanders the sphere, dressed in preachers robes and a blindfold as they attempt to find someway back to their home. Much like most angels Zadkem eschews traditional weaponry, instead using celestial magic. Zadkem is partial to using pieces of magic infused paper as well as traditional expressions of magic.

Marcia

Marcia is a pretty simple woman. Shes a worshipper of Hitham, the new divnity of peace, who has come to a very simple conclusion. It is her job to bring about peace in any way possible.

Marcia walks the sphere (but mainly Maskanier) fighting against anyone who she deems as standing in the way of peace.

Marcia utilises both magic and a metal tipped quarter staff carved with a symv of Hitham.

Thats its, shes a pretty simple woman.

Hugo Spellbound

In central Maskanier there is a small county carved out of the surrounding kingdom that was given to the grand college of the magical arts. This college is where many wizards learn their craft before going of to Sankanier where they can get work much easier.

However some trainees do not succeed, Hugo Spellbound is one of these unsuccessful wizards. Hugo was always a rebellious man, but he went too far when he took an ancient spellbook from the college’s archives, one which had coalesced during the first cataclysm and was full of unknownable power. Hugo was caught, but not before the book bound itself to his soul, marking it as Hugos for eternity.

Unable to take the book back but not wanting him or the danger he posed, the council of masters kicked Hugo out, but allowed him to keep the book.

Hugo really only knows a few basic spells, but if he allows the book to take hold of him he can summon up unimaginable power.

Now he works as a rather ineffective mercenary.

Horatio Peltan

Horatio Peltan, the first Aravasian character. Hailing from the smallest continent Horatio distinguished himself for crossing the basin and bringing the emperor of Aravas gifts from both the Basin and Sankanier. This was very impressive, as the waters around Talkanier have prevented most sailing vessels from passing easily.

Horatio crossed in Maskanier with the Aravasian forces but in search of treasure and glory over conquest.

He’s almost like an Aravasian captain Scrimshaw, but in a Tricorne and long coat and armed usually with twin flails.

Maris of Doranie

Maris of Doranie is a warrior of the Doranie peninsula, known for their hand to hand fighting skills and penchant for fighting covered in blue body paint. Maris was the greatest warrior in her village, however during the third cataclysm a strange man would attack the village wielding tamed Kin, he killed two thirds of the people, including Maris’ lover Beatrice.

Maris, now fuelled with vengance for her people has been hunting the man known as The Kinmaster in order to kill him.

The Kinmaster

The Kinmaster is weird. Dressed in a top hat and the clothes of a noble he looks very out of place for what he is. The Kinmaster’s past is a mystery although he speaks as if he’s from Sankanier. He gets his name for his particular form of magic he specialises in, summoning and controlling Kin, basically spirit demons created from strong emotions, for his own nefarious bidding.

Creegan

Creegan was born in far east Sankanier in a small area known as Moril bay, as a child his home was raided by Privateers from the Merchants confederation, a collection of island microstates in the Basin that act as dens of crime and vice. Creegan was sold to pit fighters on one of these islands and grew up fighting for money and fame in the arena.

Creegan is naturally larger and bulkier than most people, making him a renowned fighter.

He would eventually buy himself out of pit fighting and board a ship back to his homeland, finding the bay has grown into a small city Creegan came to the conclusion he could find his purpose in battle. So he took up his mace and became a mercenary.

Creegan is a big guy with a big two handed mace, he doesnt talk much.

Wyvern

In the kingdom of Felmoore there is a group spoken of in hushed tones, the blue hand. The kings personal group of assasins, infiltrators and spies. The leader of the blue hand is wyvern, known to get orders from the king directly. Some even say that Wyvern was once tasked with stealing a child of the Aravasian royals from the palace itself.

Wyvern herself is, despite her older age, one of the most acrobatic and athletic people in Felmoore. Her preffered fighting style is to rely on her guile and assasins tools.

So thats the first list. More will probably come in future so keep an eye out. I will also think about suggestions given to me. Hop you like them.

[cosmicdeity746]

"Call it a Home" - Astarion x Tav

Had a little inspiration one day to write up a sweet little AstarionxTav short story post-BG3 storyline - please enjoy!

Rated T - for mentions of sex, but no actual scenes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If there was one thing Tav Darksinger was not, it was pragmatic. A fact that many learned in traveling beside her over the past months. When her companions fretted and worries, whether about Gods, tadpoles, or nature spirits being curse and in a serious need of a talking to by an adult, Tav went about it with a stupid smile, and a shrug. 

“What happens, happens” she would utter, often knee deep in sludge and Absolute corpses.

It didn’t take a genius to see that it was a coping technique. A way to brush off the severity, and let’s face it, fucked up situation they had all founds themselves in.

Of course, Tav’s other coping method had been to shine the light on others’ problems instead of her own. Selflessness? Perhaps, but she’d meticulously browbeaten, bugged, nagged, and above all wheedled her little elf self into the hearts of what was arguably the most complicated mess of emotionally stunted, trauma ridden individuals in all the Sword Coast.

What was even worse, was that they couldn’t stay mad at her for doing so. Because in the end, she’d healed them. Gave them something they all needed more than anything. A friend.

Tav Darksinger was a force of nature. If anyone in that trauma band knew it more, it would be the vampire spawn she’d simultaneously charmed and infuriated in equal measure.

Astarion found his lover’s (and wasn’t that a phrase that still brought his undead heart to a standstill) propensity for acts of kindness, selflessness, and need to dig, utterly contemptible. And horribly sweet. Like candy.

It had been her to suggest that they stay in Baldur’s Gate for a while after the battle with the Elder Brain. To help the city rebuild (sounded exhausting to him) and take time to drink and be merry (that sounded more his speed). And it was she who after a day’s rest in the local inn, with curtains drawn tight to keep the sunlight far away from the sanctuary she’d given him, suggested picking a plot, fixing it up and making a home.

It was a word he’d so long thought of as a joke. “Home” to him had been akin to stone cold walls, chains, rats in the walls, blood on the floors. A word that felt raw when saying it out loud. Perhaps, he mused, throat tight with slight nausea, with her it may be easier to say. If nothing else, seeing the way her face lit up when he’d agreed had quelled that bit of fear he’d felt at the notion.

Her face had become the closest substitute to sunlight he would ever get again. There was little he would deny her to keep it shining.

She’d come close to testing that though.

A week after, standing outside what would only be described as ‘a dilapidated ruin of a house’, he began to once more question the sanity of his chosen bedfellow.

“A fair deal, and all that, “Tav stated, promptly ignoring the look of utter revulsion that showed on her partner’s face.

“The original structure is still standing. Which says a lot to the craftsmanship, considering a chunk of Illithid ship smashed through the center of it-“

Was that…why yes, that was blood coating the shutters. Not humanoid as far as Astarion could smell. It could only imagine how much worse the place looked in the light, considering it was hideous in the dark.

She continued, undeterred in the slightest, barreling through explanations as if she knew pausing would mean her lover could protest.

“It was a magistre’s home, but he’d converted it before the attack from the Absolute. Some kind of panic vault beneath to base of the structure. It survived, which means its fully capable of some renovation. And the two other plots, well they used to be adjourning houses, but they didn’t stand the fall so hopeless causes. It means we can expand below which would mean –“

“To the point, darling,” Astarion interrupted, well accustomed to the tirades and how to bypass them (Gods save him from another of Gale’s speeches).

Astarion observed the instant true worry crossed the wood elf’s face when her teeth began to chew oh so nervously as her bottom lip. He had half a mind to chastise her, as that was his job to wreck that beautiful mouth, not hers, but he could see thoughts spiraling behind those expressive eyes.

“If we buy this plot, and the two besides it, we can maybe build down. Make a full home below the surface…”

At her pause, Astarion nodded, and she began to speak again. Without a break, she began to describe her dream. A small house above ground, surrounded by gardens. A place for evening strolls, gatherings in the moonlight, guests, and entertainment. Underneath the surface, a sort of house, made of earth and natural stone. Not too large, but comfortable. Perhaps some underground plant life like the Underdark’s foliage. A place filled with art, lavish bedroom, spares for their guests. Describing earthen greens, and browns, blues, and purples. 

He noted her vision forgo the specifics of an extensive mansion like Cazador’s. No servants (he wasn’t opposed to a construct or two doing the laundry or dusting now and then), no dark spaces, red hues, or anything cold to think of. Warm hearths, cozy kitchen, modest, but artistic. Paintings of landscapes. Of them.

‘Home’ he began to realize for Tav, was akin to ‘warmth’. She was crafting the sunlight under the shadows.

He caught her face between his palm’s mid speech, turning her gaze to him. Selfless, self-sacrificing sentimental fool.

“Darling,” he hushed, unable to keep a thumb from stroking her cheek. “It’s sounds lovely.”

The sun streamed out under moonlight, and he was reminded again how well and truly whipped he was.

For the next few months, while they stayed in the inn (honored guests, the owner had said, gaining more from their popularity than their actual spending) Tav took to her project like a storm through the sea. 

During the day, while the world around them rebuilt itself, she spent her time planning, plotting. With a fire burning, and Scratch snuggled at her feet, she sketched, and researched. Furniture pieces, craftsmen, artists, builders. With her many connections established over their journey, and the gold they’d accumulated throughout, they could pay for it all and more.

Considering how little he knew about the subject, Astarion enjoyed the time he got to rest. Put his feet up, read some new books. Drink the sweetest wines, and feed on the rarest of vintages.

She did consult him. Often. He still couldn’t get used to the idea of being asked what his opinion was. Especially not on rugs, or the color wallpaper, whether they should invest in oak or birch cabinets for the bedroom sets.

Their other companions visited, happy to provide their own feedback for the project. Tav noted it all down, no matter the extent. There was to be a library, Gale’s fervent suggestion, and he would be happy to reach out and provide tomes and books to fill those shelves. A training room, with dummies and walls of weapons, of which Laezel was happy to acquire the inventory of. An indoor grove that extended out towards the gardens, with flowers and shrubs (Halsin reiterated that he desired to tend to such gardens often when he came to see them – though Astarion joked they often left little time for puttering about when he did visit).

Shadowheart had his favorite suggestion of an indoor pool. Astarion always did appreciate the way they thought in terms of taste, and he couldn’t fault the logic behind perhaps seeing if he did remember how to swim after all. And naked swim time sounded delightful. He’d said as such, smirking with Shadowheart, both for the sheer pleasure of seeing Tav’s delicious blood flood her cheeks. The simplest of flirts still brought a blush to her face, despite, he added, having been in much more embarrassing positions before. Halsin has only nodded sagely in agreement. Which sent everyone in hysterics when Tav blushed even further at the reminder. 

All in all, it was remarkably different to be considered in opinions and choices. Even if they didn’t matter in the long haul. 

It was on one early morning, when they were sleeping away the night’s activities, he lay watching Tav sleep. Even with shutters drawn tight, and Scratch asleep at the end of the bed (he’d given up complaining about the mutt on the delicate sheets when he found how much he secretly enjoyed the feeling of the slobbering mass warming his cold feet), Astarion found that his mediation eluded him. Instead of fighting it, he instead took the calm peace of the morning to watch her.

She was truly beautiful. Not in the usual way he would muse often, like the ladies of court he’d used to charm, or the whores in the brothels. She was beautiful in the way she smiled or frowned. Whether covered in guts, or fresh as a daffodil.

Even her anger was beautiful, though often rare. He’d seen her true anger when he’d been suspended in the air, hanging by a thread. She’d spat his former master’s name, vowing to string out his guts, eyes filled with that same fire as the magic she wielded. And so full of love and sadness when he’d managed to crawl himself away from the wreckage of his vengeance.

He wondered in that moment, glancing at the nearby desk covered in sketches and building plans, if she realized she was still trying to save him. Gently, to not break her trance, he slipped from the warm covers to wander over to the contents on that desk.

He admitted to himself that he’d kept a degree of separation from the logistics of her project. Who needed to know the little details when someone else could take care of it for you. But Tav was ruthlessly hands on about everything as he could attest. 

No doubt she’d wheedled her way into the design phase of the project. He was not at all surprised to find he had been correct in his assumption, noting that the usual design work usually given to the master carpenter sitting amongst the sketches. 

The little notes scrawled on the parchments were hardly the plots of a master craftsman, lines such as “white wood sounds nicer to say” or “is it sturdy enough for Minsc to headbutt?”. “Floor to ceiling, Gale, really?” They had him chuckling. How his lover’s mind worked. He we shifted the documents he noticed the designs for the master suite. Notes still scrawled the edges here, more numerous, more questions. 

All of them, he realized, were regarding him.

“Mirror in bedroom?” Crossed out, then scribbled back in, with “ask Astarion, above ceiling”. Or “wardrobe too big? No Astarion likes clothes, need space”. 

The little comments he’d peppered her way when prompted, without thought. A mirror was fine, he’d said, so long as it didn’t overtake the room. No, he had said, a wine cabinet in the bedroom was tacky. A clock, he had mentioned, would make noise all day long, and would drive them both mad. A bathtub of copper would be better, fireplaces made of marble were last century.

Everything he’d thrown her way, just to play it off, she’d considered, contemplated. Even things he hadn’t thought relevant at all. Tav had noticed. 

Touched beyond belief, Astarion could only stare at those designs. It hit him all at once, full force that while he had been playing along with the idea for her sake, she’d been determined to bring him into every aspect. 

Determined, she always was. Optimistic certainly, almost overly so. But when surrounded by idealistic notions, practical people, it had helped he imagined having a little bit of sunshine leading the way.

Finding himself almost fighting back tears (sentimental fool), Astarion turned away from that expression of love to partake in the sight of his sun once again. Snoring away, with just the tiniest bit of drool escaping those beautiful lips. 

Gods he would do anything for her. It was a fact that both confused and frightened him. 

He’d been a slave for hundreds of years to a man who’d beaten him, degraded him, and controlled him mind, body, and soul. And while he was free of that now, he realized that once more he was in a position of belonging to another. 

The thought should rightfully make him angry. Instead, he felt nothing but relief. The difference, he’d come to understand was that individual also belonged to him. She had changed him. Again, the similarity of that with Cazador should have confounded him.

He was bound to her now, as he had been with Cazador, but this time it had been his choice. And she in turn had bound herself to him. Forsaken a life in the sun to live in the shadows with him. Cazador had destroyed the man he’d once been all those years ago. Twisted him into an image he wished. Tav in her own way had destroyed the man Cazador had created, but she’d done so by giving him the space to change himself. Untwisting the knows and in a way, bringing back the man he once was. Well, perhaps not exactly the man he was, but someone who cared. 

And wasn’t that a funny thing to say.

Astarion cared. Not just about Tav. But the people he could almost call his family. Halsin, Shadowheart, the blasted dog, hells even Gale. 

He had a family. One he chose to acknowledge.

He would have a home. A home with her.

The word didn’t stick when he whispered it out loud, letting it settle in the air. It brought a certain fear, that was for sure, but not one that kept him from accepting its meaning. Home. 

Gently, Astarion crawled back beneath the covers, shushing Scratch lightly when he’d roused enough to look at him and sunk into the soft mattress. Face close to hers, he breathed in her scent. So bright, and strong. Not only her blood, which he would always crave, forevermore, but the sweet scent that made him think of candy.

Tav Darksinger, he mused. Eclectic, strong, capable, a tempest, a wheedler, and most importantly, his.

He shut his eyes to her scent and let himself imagine the next coming years living in their home together.

[nathalerias-danudiel]

Nyterias Darksinger

Art of my Shal'dorei character, Nyterias! Complete with a process video.

[shannaraisles]

@poteto-go-zoom Bojangles' Darksingers? :D

She regrets nothing.

Please check out Crow Time for more immaculate bird vibes.

[derosnec]

THIS FRIDAY! I got a fresh single being released for Bandcamp Friday, which is a dark and intense cover of one of my favourite Garbage songs that I did with @davoodfaramarzii - go pre-save it and have a listen when it comes out tomorrow! 🖤 #newmusicfridays #darkpop #femalesingers #darksingers #dramaticcoversong #garbage #queerartists #queer #90scoversongs #90smusic #coversongs #bigvocals #epicsinger #gothic (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZZr7uJpNc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[saintcranky]

There are so many things about this I love.

Jeva challenging him to pick on someone his own size, meaning her and she only comes up to his belly button.

The fact he probably didn’t mean cubs but actual adult bears.

and that he is basically wearing Norn Crocs.

[scornfluke-archive]

artemisia absinthium and a charles darksinger-dreadful for @hautefunebre (really some of the ocs of ever)

[gracefuldissonance-blog]

Orphan Mother

((I was sent a prompt by @ilansar and this is the original, and my VERY wordy reply...))

Original Prompt:

The heart of an orphan was...special. It learned to long for something that wasn't there. It learned to grip tightly on to whatever it could, small as it may be. And most of all, it learned how to trick itself into acting normal. Onilwyn's heart was particularly good at that. Today, as it poured rain in Dalaran, her heart was having trouble fooling itself. She knew that she could find comfort in her beloved, or maybe in her friends, but today she knew that she wanted something else. She was a priestess, after all. A firm believer that helping others could in time, heal one's soul. And so, on a day where the streets were empty and the many denizens of the magical city hid from the rain she made her way over to the orphanage. She had been there before, however, not for many years. She wondered which of her little friends wouldn't be there anymore, a bitter-sweet musing, but sweet nonehteless. Unfortunately, this day would bring her no sweetness at all.

The woman she had taken to calling 'mother' just out of sentiment and respect was nowhere to be found, or at least that's what it looked like on the surface. In fact, almost no one was at the orphanage. Should Onilwyn venture further she would find the children huddled together in the back room, eyes full of fear. In other rooms she would find the remainders of toys, seared green and smelling of brimstone. Eventually, she would find her 'mother', although the horns and fel pocked skin would hardly make her seem like the sweet Quel'dorei she had once been. The heart was good at tricking itself, but sometimes...sometimes it just didn't want to keep going. And the 'mother's heart was full of bitterness and hatred, as vile as the fel fire that now pumped through her veins.

Prompt Reply:

The priestess stood in the doorway to the back room, the room where she had spent hours helping the little ones in the orphanage with their studies. Her white eyes were trained on who...no, what...used to be mother. Now, all she saw was death and destruction. All she saw was that bitter, snarling thing watching her right back. She did not move, didn't make a sound for quite some time. All she did was breathe, albeit a shallow inhalation to avoid breathing in that felfire and brimstone smell. The fetid odor made her stomach roil with nausea, but she remained stoic. So was the woman's nature. When she finally spoke her voice was calm and as cultured as it always was. "So, I see the legion has ruined another heart that was once full of light." She moved then, lifting her skirts just slightly to keep them clean of the debris and ash. "What have you done, Mother? What were you thinking?"

The creature curled it's lips back in a semblence of a smile, though to anyone else it was a baring of teeth that looked more a snarl. A laugh escaped it's mouth, the sound full of vitriol and scorn. Even her voice was different, the once sweet and clear sound was now dissonant and grating to the ears. "I have done nothing you would not have done, Onilwyn. I can offer you the power to raze cities and set ablaze everyone who comes against..."

Onilwyn didn't even let her finish the sentence, she held up a hand that ebbed and flowed with holy light. "ENOUGH! I need not hear anymore of your babbling, you foul creature. You have brought fear and hatred into the lives of these poor children. You will pay for it, even if I am not the one who brings the wrath of the light into your veins." She raised her voice to call for guards. She was only able to squeak out one word before a clawed hand closed around her throat and squeezed. Her eyes went wide, fingernails clawing at that pocked skin as if she could peel it away. Her vision dimmed for a heartbeat of time, the edge of unconciousness slipping toward her.

Her head lolled to the side and then she snapped back as her her spine and the back of her head cracked against the wall. She dug her fingers into the arm that held her captive, pushing that holy fire into each digit, willing it to burrow and slip through the creature's body. Onilwyn's eyes shed tears that tracked down her cheeks in warm rivulets, glowing a gold with the reflection of the power she could wield with ferocious power. "Let. Me. Go." She groaned out the words, not wanting to take a life. She was finally let loose, gasping for breath as she leaned heavily against the wall.

In that moment she made the decision. It was the woman she once called mother who would not take another breath, who would not walk away from this. She could not make a sacrifice of her own life and the innocence that huddled together in the rooms outside this one. A burst of holy energy knocked the creature back away from her as a halo of light gathered at the Priestess' middle, expanding outward. The 'thing' that had been the mother, fell to her knees and grabbed for the priestess' robes. She caught the skirt of it in her fel singed fingertips, and dragged them downward. It left the bottom of her robes in tatters, but as she stood there trying to pull herself back together...it didn't matter. She knelt down to press her hand to the creature's back, feeling for the small spark of light of life. It slowly flickered out even as her palm pressed down gently.

Onilwyn stood and took a deep breath, letting it out on a sigh. It would be a long time before the children of the orphanage would trust again.  It would be quite some time before she would trust anyone else to be here with the children again. So, she would speak to the Kirin Tor and Khadgar, offer her services as orphanage mother until they found another. But, for now, it would be her one and only duty to soothe the nerves and fears of those small children in the other rooms. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and steeled herself, stepping over the corpse of the creature she had once called mother.

[aldridge-asset]

3 and 4 for Rook, 17 and 18 for Root, 15 for Dark!

Rook:

3. Scars or painful spots - The plating found at her neck is removable and quite heavy for someone with a willowy frame. They tend to make knots in her shoulders from causing them to slope at a slight angle and the artificial muscle of her neck “feels” stiff after a while. There are some scars found around her Vitalus tanks from the operations needed to install them but they are otherwise painless and very hard to see given her ashen complexion. 

4. Best places to kiss on their body - She likes her neck, chest and belly kissed. Lips of course are a given but in more intimate situations, the previous three might as well be buttons to get her into the mood. 

Roottap: 

17. Regrets - Not looking for his sister as much as he now feels he could have. He wasn’t aware that she survived Arboria’s assaults by the Dominion and thought that he was alone. They were recently reunited but he feels immense guilt for not trying more, though it should be known he had no indication she survived at all. 

18. Things they’ll never admit - Roottap makes no effort to really ask for it but he does like being picked up to be held and cuddled. If you’re lucky enough to do either without startling him, you’re trusted enough to do so. Just be prepared to have the lilac cat stick with you for a long while. 

Darksinger:

15. What it takes to make them cry - If any of the myriad of those known to her are upset or hurt, Darksinger becomes visibly distressed. She’s a pretty happy-go-lucky and confident young woman but she is quick to take on the emotion of others like her brother, Roottap. It’s not entirely known if either sibling are empaths, though given their reactions to the emotions of others, it’s certainly not off the table of possibilities. 

[limbobilbo]

Sellsword characters

Version 2

For those whove missed it this is a character list for a hypothetical fighting game I am doing the lore and characters for. This post will include characters alongside their background as well as basic concepting about character movesets and gameplay style

This is the second version and includes the original list as well as new characters

This will also get reposted with more in future.

Ronan and Edmund

So these guys are separate characters but they are incredibly connected plot wise. Ronan and Edmund are both orphans, raised by a knight from the kingdom of Felmoore, which is on the western coast of Maskanier. Ronan and Edmund grew up as basically brothers, training to fight for most of their lives.

However, during a quest the two of them were on Edmund was temporarily possessed by a Kin named Apollyon. This Kin revealed to Edmund that he was in fact a relative to royal family of the empire of Aravas, and had been kidnapped as an infant to cause an uproar on Talkanier to stop a potential invasion. Edmund, now disillusioned with the kingdom he was raised to defend cast down his long sword and allowed Apollyon to continue possessing him.

Ronan took up Edmunds longsword as his own, now fighting with both swords as a personal oath to save his comrade.

Edmund meanwhile would, on the advice of apollyon, seek out the blade Darksinger, a collosal single edged sword located under the island kingdom of Torland. By retrieving it Edmund triggered the third cataclysm and Torland was destroyed. Edmund, now known using the title of the cataclysm knight wields the blade Darksinger as he works with the Kin posessing him to achieve an unknown goal.

Moveset basics: ronan and edmund are sellswords resident shotos. Considering their weapons (two longsword and a huge cleaver retrospectively) you can probably assume what they lean towards. Ronan is a shoto focused more on speed and neutral tools. Edmund meanwhile is focused on big damage.

Bjorn

When Torland was destroyed it was in the midst of a succession. Torlanders, priding themselves on their skills in battle, believe their king must be the greatest warrior in Torland. This was traditionally done by oathsworn, a group of warriors sworn to seek out the greatest warrior.

At the time of the cataclysm there was a single Oathsworn off the island, a man named Bjorn who had been getting the skull of the dead King Osmund prepared for its internment in the castle. After the cataclysm Bjorn was left the last true Torlander alive, now armed with his axe Foecutter and the skull of High King Osmund affixed to his belt Bjorn searches for a true succesor to the throne of Torland.

Moveset basic: idk what exact role bjorn fits into. But his moveset is based on big commitment big damage from his axe as well as having a command grab (albeit not a huge one)

Louis Vangul

Louis Vangul. Full title the Marquis Louis of the house of Vangul, fourth heir to the grand duchy of Lorantia, is the fourth son of the current arch duke of Lorantia, which is a decently sized duchy in southern Maskanier. Louis is 16 and like most 16 year olds is impulsive. In order to prove himsef to both his father and his brothers Louis took up his bow, his his preferred weapon, and set out to help in repelling the Aravasian invasion of Maskanier.

Louis is now basically playing folk hero. Using both his arrows and the magic his family is known for in combat.

(Also for those who are interested Louis is also a trans man)

Louis a zoner, focusing on projectile zoning using his bow. He can infuse his arrows with other properties to change up his projectiles.

Captain Barnabus Scrimshaw

The Basin, the huge ocean spanning from the tip of western Maskanier all the way to eastern Sankanier is a hotbed of piracy. And one Pirate crew are known across the waters and islands that fill the basin, the crew of the Jolly Roger led by Barnabus Scrimshaw.

Scrimshaw was, in his youth, a studying philosopher in the republic of Orin in Sankanier however he grew tired of that life and purchased a ship, renaming himsef to Barnabus Scrimshaw and set out to find a pirate crew. Over his decade or so of Piracy Scrimshaw has ammased a loyal, if small, crew.

Scrimshaw is well dressed, well spoken, enjoys wine and is known for fighting with a rapier and pistol in either hand.

Moveset basics: Scrimshaw is a rushdown with a unique meter. He is able to spend this meter to summon his crew members to perform what are basically follow ups to his moves.

Zadkem

Zadkem, formerly Zadkemel, is an angel cast down from the high mountain, the home of God, the new divinities and the angels. What was Zadkem’s crime? They (angels all use they/them) looked upon the veiled face of The Architect. For their crime Zadkemel had their eyes removed and their wings cut.

Now Zadkem wanders the sphere, dressed in preachers robes and a blindfold as they attempt to find someway back to their home. Much like most angels Zadkem eschews traditional weaponry, instead using celestial magic. Zadkem is partial to using pieces of magic infused paper as well as traditional expressions of magic.

Moveset Basics: Zadkem is a pretty standard zoner character. They can throw their blessed paper as projectiles as well as doing some cool angel magic shit.

Marcia

Marcia is a pretty simple woman. Shes a worshipper of Hitham, the new divnity of peace, who has come to a very simple conclusion. It is her job to bring about peace in any way possible.

Marcia walks the sphere (but mainly Maskanier) fighting against anyone who she deems as standing in the way of peace.

Marcia utilises both magic and a metal tipped quarter staff carved with a symv of Hitham.

Thats its, shes a pretty simple woman.

Moveset Basic: Marcia is a rushdown, focused on utilising her magic to change up her moves while using her staff.

Hugo Spellbound

In central Maskanier there is a small county carved out of the surrounding kingdom that was given to the grand college of the magical arts. This college is where many wizards learn their craft before going of to Sankanier where they can get work much easier.

However some trainees do not succeed, Hugo Spellbound is one of these unsuccessful wizards. Hugo was always a rebellious man, but he went too far when he took an ancient spellbook from the college’s archives, one which had coalesced during the first cataclysm and was full of unknownable power. Hugo was caught, but not before the book bound itself to his soul, marking it as Hugos for eternity.

Unable to take the book back but not wanting him or the danger he posed, the council of masters kicked Hugo out, but allowed him to keep the book.

Hugo really only knows a few basic spells, but if he allows the book to take hold of him he can summon up unimaginable power.

Now he works as a rather ineffective mercenary.

Moveset Basic: Hugo is the one im not sure about tbh. I want him to have a meter and I maybe want him to have an install super but thats really it.

Horatio Peltan

Horatio Peltan, the first Aravasian character. Hailing from the smallest continent Horatio distinguished himself for crossing the basin and bringing the emperor of Aravas gifts from both the Basin and Sankanier. This was very impressive, as the waters around Talkanier have prevented most sailing vessels from passing easily.

Horatio crossed in Maskanier with the Aravasian forces but in search of treasure and glory over conquest.

He’s almost like an Aravasian captain Scrimshaw, but in a Tricorne and long coat and armed usually with twin flails.

Moveset Basic: Horatio is a rushdown built around mixups. He is able increase the spinning speed of his flails (represented by a meter) to increase the effectiveness of his attacks.

Maris of Doranie

Maris of Doranie is a warrior of the Doranie peninsula, known for their hand to hand fighting skills and penchant for fighting covered in blue body paint. Maris was the greatest warrior in her village, however during the third cataclysm a strange man would attack the village wielding tamed Kin, he killed two thirds of the people, including Maris’ lover Beatrice.

Maris, now fuelled with vengance for her people has been hunting the man known as The Kinmaster in order to kill him.

Moveset Basic: As you may be able to assume, Maris is the grappler of the cast. focusing on command grabs and high damage attacks.

The Kinmaster

The Kinmaster is weird. Dressed in a top hat and the clothes of a noble he looks very out of place for what he is. The Kinmaster’s past is a mystery although he speaks as if he’s from Sankanier. He gets his name for his particular form of magic he specialises in, summoning and controlling Kin, basically spirit demons created from strong emotions, for his own nefarious bidding.

Moveset Basics: Kinmaster is sellsword’s resident puppet character, specialising in throwing out and controlling his captured Kin for attacks and utility.

Creegan

Creegan was born in far east Sankanier in a small area known as Moril bay, as a child his home was raided by Privateers from the Merchants confederation, a collection of island microstates in the Basin that act as dens of crime and vice. Creegan was sold to pit fighters on one of these islands and grew up fighting for money and fame in the arena.

Creegan is naturally larger and bulkier than most people, making him a renowned fighter.

He would eventually buy himself out of pit fighting and board a ship back to his homeland, finding the bay has grown into a small city Creegan came to the conclusion he could find his purpose in battle. So he took up his mace and became a mercenary.

Creegan is a big guy with a big two handed mace, he doesnt talk much.

Moveset Basics: HAVE YOU PLAYED OR KNOW GOLDLEWIS DICKINSON FROM THE HIT GAME GUILTY GEAR. Creegan is a big body (like a grappler hut not focused on grabs) based around his large quarter and half circle mace attacks.

Wyvern

In the kingdom of Felmoore there is a group spoken of in hushed tones, the blue hand. The kings personal group of assasins, infiltrators and spies. The leader of the blue hand is wyvern, known to get orders from the king directly. Some even say that Wyvern was once tasked with stealing a child of the Aravasian royals from the palace itself.

Wyvern herself is, despite her older age, one of the most acrobatic and athletic people in Felmoore. Her preffered fighting style is to rely on her guile and assasins tools.

Moveset Basics: Wyvern is the rushdown, low health, high mixup, air game and pressure. This is countered by her low health.

Justine and Wilhelm

So as previously stated, during the third cataclysm when Edmund the knight of cataclysm retriefed the Darksinger and caused the island of Torland to be destroyed along with its inhabitants.

Bjorn is the last remaining Torlander. However he was not the only survivor of the cataclysm, as a large brown bear survived. This bear was struck by such an overwhelming amount of magic his brown fur became streaked with white. This bear would eventually wash ashore in northern Maskanier where a young girl named Justine would him. Awaking the bear found itself capable of speech and advanced thought. He would eventually name himself Wilhelm.

Wilhelm would bond with Justine and after some time the two would set out to see the world together.

So a 12 year old girl is riding a magic talking bear and going on adventures.

Moveset Basics: Justine and Wilhelm are a combo grappler, built around grabbing to extend, build and continue combos over simple command grab into damage.

Johannes Mill

Johannes comes from a small forest community who call themselves the freemen. The Freemen espouse a collectivist, anarchist belief system and are very protective of the liberty of their community.

Johannes himself is one of most respected members of the Freemen, currently on a journey to argue his people’s independence before the rest of Maskanier as the Freemen, despite not recognising the authority of any countries or rulers the Freemen do understand that if they dont get recognition things will end quickly for them.

Johannes himself fights with a bastard sword, moving between single and double handed as a fighting style. He also likes quoting the tenets of the Freemen at people.

Moveset Basics: Johannes is a pseudo stance character, with many of his moves switching him between holding his sword with one or two hands, this changes his moveset up. As one handed is more about speed and two handed is damage and pressure.

Glup

Glup is a weird case. For context glup is a character that I have a commitment to putting in basically everything I make. Glup is a strange man with frog like biology. He claims to have seen a thousand universes and truly does exist outside the power of the architect.

Moveset basics: Glup is a mid range poke character. His effective range is just further than most other people meaning his optimal style is to be just outside where others can hit him easily.

[derosnec]

Merci beaucoup Concert Monkey pour ça!! I am so honoured- I often feel like I don’t know if people “get” my music, but obviously the French do and I couldn’t be happier about it! #gothmusic #darkelectro #musicreview #unsignedartist #darkpop #darkmusic #femalesingers #electrogoth #darksingers #indieartists (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWFfychLMGo/?utm_medium=tumblr

[saintcranky]

Happy Fourth Birthday to Goth Mom™ Jeva! I can’t believe it’s been four years since I started GW2.

My blind, underfed lil street rat rose from thug to gang leader to be the beloved Pact Commander, author and finally retired to Goth Mom™ of the best pet (and people) sanctuary in Kryta. 

You’ve come a long way baby!

[derosnec]

This will be the photo that lands me a role on the Game of Thrones spin-off, I’m sure… thanks @kaseesphotography for taking pictures of this here goth queen at @hb_studios_ #gothqueen #headshotsla #darkroyalty #darkpop #femalesingers #ladygoth #darkmusic #darksinger #lowsinger #valkyrievoice #songsfromthedarkness #originalpopmusic (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUFioihFEEK/?utm_medium=tumblr

[saintcranky]

Jeva Darksinger

Age: 35

Birthday: unknown, estimated in May

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Asexual

Marital Status: unmarried but in an LTR

Physical Appearance 

Hair: Black, thick straight

Eyes: cloudy with deformed irises and no pupil

Height: 5′1

Build: slim, petite

Distinguishing Marks: None

Common Accessories: pen and paper, she is a writer when not commanding.

Personal

Profession: Necromancer, author, Leader of the Pact, Goth Mom™

Hobbies: knitting

Languages: Kytan, Orrian

Residence: Divinities Reach

Birthplace: Unknown, assumed Divinities Reach

Religion: Never goes into it

Patron Deity: Grenth

Relationships 

Children: Amelia, daughter (deceased) Quinn, brother(deceased)

Parents: unknown

Siblings: unknown

Other Relatives: unknown

Pets: many, many cats and necrominions

Traits 

* Bold your character’s answer.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional information

Smoking Habit: trying to quit Drugs: when she was a kid Alcohol: when she was a kid

she quit all her bad habits when she got pregnant at 17 but started smoking again when Amelia died, she is still trying to quit

Theme: Cursum Perficio

[saintcranky]

Vivi The Raincaller

Age: 38

Birthday: April 11

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Asexual/Aromantic

Marital Status: Deliriously happily married  for over a decade

Physical Appearance

Hair: White/Grey

Eyes: icy blue, or white (they glow when uses her powers)

Height: 5′6

Build: VaVa Voom

Distinguishing Marks: Her right arm has a lightning shaped scar from the first time she discharged electricity, often hickies

Common Accessories: more like a lack of accessories, Vivi hates clothes and shoes and if she can get away with it will not have them

Personal

Profession: Adventurer, translator for the durmond priory, explorer

Hobbies: Languages, drawing

Languages: All, and most lesser known dialects, even more than one extinct language. Fluently.

Residence: Lions Arch

Birthplace: Not known

Religion: agnostic, though she is very curious about the dream

Relationships

Children: none

Parents: unknown

Siblings: Though she and her husband think there is a noble woman who is related to her. They see her from time to time in LA.

Other Relatives: unknown

Pets: an elderly cat named Ichabod

Traits

* Bold your character’s answer.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional information

Smoking Habit: no Drugs: experimented,  uses Hylek herb blends to relax sometimes Alcohol: about average, prefers Cider 

Vivi got her moniker when she was a young teen hiring out her elemental services to farmers during a drought. The ministry arrested her for this and though she was pardoned she never set foot back in Divinities Reach again. To this day she adamantly refuses to return. 

She was recruited to the priory due to her flair for languages. Pact Commander Jeva Darksinger mentored her and had met her previously when she imprisoned as Jeva and her gang were also imprisoned and awaiting sentencing.

She has been happily married to a Sylvari named Tristan for over a decade. They traveled extensively for her work with the Priory and Pact but have recently retired to take care of their aging cat Ichabod.

Vivi’s birth parents threw her out when they decided she was a burden and taking care away from their son. She was 3. She has no memory of them or her brother. 

She is average height but as she is seldom seen without her husband at her side she seems small.

Theme: Caravanserai

[aldridge-asset]

5, 17, and 18 for Rook and 7, 10, 14 for Am Roottap!

Rook:

5. Guilty pleasures - Rook is a whiskey lass. She doesn’t drink as much as she may like but she loves the burn of a good bottle, especially if someone shares the taste with her. She also loves to dance and learned a myriad of styles from a young age.

17. Regrets - She deeply regrets not having settled into her life in Nexus in a less formal aspect. Her upbringing is largely to thank for this, as much of her life centered around traditions, formality and presenting one’s self as nothing short of perfect. Nexus is a completely different animal than Grismara. She’s only learning just now, among friends, that she doesn’t have to uphold such a profile as much as she used to. 

18. Things they’ll never admit - Rook will never admit that she likes being so well respected - and feared - among the power players of the underground and black market. She comes from a long-standing tradition of it and followed her father into the profession when he realized that she had great potential.

Roottap: 

7. Their tickle spots - Roottap is very ticklish around his sides and belly. But much like a cat, too many tickles quickly leads to kicks, warning bites and claws. You have been warned. 

10. Fears/phobias - Being trapped, forced into enclosed spaces and bound terrify the lilac cat. He developed claustrophobia when he woke in his cryopod and the arkship hands were too slow to free him from it. They released a terrified, near-feral aurin into the ship and lost him for hours. 

14. Ingrained habits/forces of habit - The most obvious is his constant squinting. Unlike his twin sister Darksinger, his eyes are fairly light-sensitive and much of Nexus that he has seen is quite bright. His eyes open wider to convey what he says and emotion better, but it does sting some so he will go back to squinting shortly thereafter.