#thief mage beggar mage

[theinquisitxor]

July 2024 Reading Wrap Up

July started off very strong, but then completely fell apart :/

I haven't picked up a book in almost 3 weeks, and had to temporarily stop reading Daughter of the Forest because life got very busy and stressful. But! all of that is almost behind me, and I hope I can start to get back to normal. I don't think I've ever gone 3 weeks without reading anything :(

I managed to get through 5 books at the beginning of July, with 4 physical books and 1 audiobook. I had an ambitious tbr, but I guess I will be trying to finish that up in August.

1.Equal Rites (Discworld 3) by Terry Pratchett (4/5 stars) This was a fun change for me, as I haven't read many discworld books. I've been meaning to read more, and I'm glad this introduced a few popular characters. Overall I had a good time with this!

2.Thief Mage, Beggar Mage by Cat Hellisen (3.5/5 stars) This book has less than 100 ratings/reviews on Goodreads, so I was intrigued to pick it up. This was one of my Random TBR picks for the month of July. This was a slower paced southeast(?) asian fantasy with lots of angst and characters who can't catch a break. I can't say this book is going to be very memorable for me, but I did enjoy it.

3.River-Horse: A Voyage Across America by William Least Heat-Moon. I started this book in June, but realized I needed to switch to the audiobook if I wanted to finish it. Reading the abridged audiobook was 100% the best decision. This is a travel narrative about the author's journey to cross America on rivers, and I thought the audiobook was excellent.

4.The Stardust Thief (The Sandsea Trilogy) by Chelsea Abdullah (2/5 stars). This is difficult for me to rate this book, because while I don’t think it’s bad or poor quality, I just couldn’t get into the plot or characters at all. I think it’s just a me problem :( This was a fast paced, action packed adventure quest story that I should’ve liked. It did have more of a YA feel to it than I was expecting though. Overall, it’s not a bad book, just not for me apparently. I ended up skimming the last 40% just to see what happened.

5.The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison (5/5 stars). I really like post- apocalyptic stories with women main characters, and this was so excellent. I read this in about 24 hours, and I could barely put the book down. It is very dark and traumatic, so be warned. This follows a lone woman trying to survive in America after a pandemic wipes out most of the population (especially women)

I started Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier, but had to put it down because of life stuff. I'm hoping to pick it back up soon. I'll be done with grad school in less than 2 weeks, so I'm hoping to have much more reading time soon!

I'm not posting an August tbr, since my brain can't really think of/process creating a tbr right now :(

[llaberration]

Coyne's Chronicles: Shadow over Yfiria - Prologue and Masterlist

Coyne let out a tired little sigh, sneaking slowly along the road, his eyes firmly fixed on the two travellers heading along the path towards him. The damp crunching of their boots on the stone path leading him through the mist even when he drew far enough ahead that his sharp eyes lost sight of them.

The rain was coming down heavy now, concealing the stealthy rustle of the man's light footsteps on the soft ground. The heavy bout of storms darkening the skies over Yfiria were uncommon for this time of year, a land better known for much more moderate weather. Coyne had heard talk among the people that it was the gods, angry at the world's state of war and decay that had sent the uncharacteristic weather. Coyne himself thought that that this was unlikely. If sending storms was the worst thing the gods had to say in response to the situation, the people should really consider themselves fortunate.

He had been staying ahead of these two men for some time, a pair of merchants, waiting for them to make camp. It was getting late, and he had hoped that they would stop some time before this point so that he could rob them, but they were persistently walking on in defiance of both weather and good sense, and he was getting impatient.

Begging just wasn't doing the job any more.

He sighed a little, running a dirty hand along his side, feeling his ribs, how much they protruded from his flesh. He didn't have long left if he couldn't get just a few more coins.

A silver coin per day.

That was how it had always been.

The price of living for a monster like him. A monster born from the most unfortunate of circumstances; hybridised from a mage under a curse of undying, and a mimic that had taken it upon itself to eat that mage. The curse of undying had taken the two beings to become a new consciousness, neither man nor mimic, and yet both.

It didn't matter in what form the fee was paid. Whether it was twelve copper, one silver, or one gold which could cover six days. Gems, treasures and trinkets were all accepted, valued at 'what a man of reasonable means would pay for them.'

He remembered how the good times had been once, before the war. When he had been healthy and handsome, able to fool arrogant soldiers and drinkers into gambling against him, using his tricks to cheat and win bags of gold. To keep him young, to keep him healthy... to keep him alive.

Those times felt very distant now.

He was a shadow of a man. His skin greying and covered in scrapes, his once handsome face drawn and thin. Once he had possessed a healthy crop of curly auburn hair but now it was thin and the curls loose, badly conditioned. His bony form was clad in ragged brown clothes that had never properly fitted, and time had been most unkind to the harsh material. On his wrists lay two heavy iron bands, studded with smooth, rounded rivets, a souvenir from his mimic side, he could not remove them, as they were as much a part of him as his hands. Sometimes, they felt so heavy he could barely raise his arms, and the worn metal was pockmarked and uncomfortable to wear, showing the same poor condition as the rest of him.

War had torn the land for almost a century, and in its wake, at the hands of foolish men seeking a key to victory, had come disease, a terrible plague that tore the bodies of the dead from their rest and forced them to walk again, doing its bidding. The people of Yfiria, a once prosperous, if divided, land had grown poor, frightened and desperate, with no money to gamble, and less to spare for a skinny beggar such as he had now become. Coyne had quickly learned to be an adept thief, gifted with uncanny speed and the ability to detect gold and valuables from quite some distance through cloth, bags and containers. But finding anyone with anything actually worth stealing was increasingly difficult in these turbulent and dangerous days.

The two men now before the mimic hybrid were traders, and though their wares were basic, and of no immense value, he had heard the clinking of coins in a money pouch like the ringing of a dinner bell. Perhaps enough for another week if he was extremely fortunate.

He continued to move along the track, staying ahead of his target, staying hidden, waiting as darkness fell.

Eventually, their steps slowed on the worn ground, and he heard muttered voices that they should stop for the night. Their cart creaked in objection as they heaved it up onto the slightly more solid mud beside the track, and stopped. There were rustles as they settled in, unrolling bedding beneath the cart, and laying down back to back to rest.

Coyne continued to wait with the patience of a stone.

Only once he heard their breaths thicken with sleep did he move forwards.

He moved slow, maintaining absolute silence, drawing close to them before activating his limited magic, one of the few things inherited from his two part predecessors. One of his green eyes glittered in the darkness, then glowed golden as he used his treasure-seeking spell, glancing over them to spot the coin purse glowing on one man's belt.

He leaned closer, his tongue flicking across his lips as he reached out slowly, and with agonising delicacy, began to work the purse free. He held his breath as he did so, praying that the water dripping from his dark, rain drenched hair, would not fall on the men and wake them.

It must have taken him the best part of ten minutes to loosen the purse, but he was skilled at his art, and used his patience to get his prize safely before stealing away into the night, the object clasped tightly in his hand and rain filling his tracks as he went.

Once he was well away in the trees, he deftly clambered up one, and settled in the branches to tug open the small purse.

Inside was a meagre amount. Seven copper coins, two silver, and a small silver ring set with jade.

Nothing particularly valuable. But better than nothing and certainly worth the trouble.

Moving swiftly, he stuffed the coins into his mouth, swallowing them eagerly, feeling them clink together as they landed against each other in his empty belly.

He held the ring on his tongue for a while, tasting it, rolling it around, adoring the metal's flavour, before finally swallowing it, and settling down to sleep right where he was, wedged in the branches of the tree. That should give him a few more days leeway. He was down to a matter of weeks, so every day he finished with more than he woke up was a major win.

Still.

He was getting worried.

He still had his magic but it had faded to its dregs now. He had to use it sparingly.

If things did not improve soon. The price would be his life.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masterlist! (New chapters uploaded fortnightly!)

(not all chapters on Tumblr yet, I'm going a little at a time until they're all caught up! I'll keep updating this with tumblr links as they arrive so please be patient with me!)

Prologue <- You are here Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 <- Last freely avilable chapter presently. Chapter 33 (Kofi / Patreon) <- Currently available on my ko-fi and Patreon, Free release October 12th ish.

[vesemirsexual]

Minor Women in The Witcher 3:

Note: this is not the full list of every woman found in-game, however a list of many minor woman that do appear.

• Anabelle - Plague maiden from Fyke Island. In love with a local fisherman (Graham) but her father (Lord of Velen) disapproved. During a Nilfgaardian invasion, fled to Fyke Island to hide in a mage tower with her family. Took a paralysis potion to protect herself from assault when peasants stormed the tower, however when she woke she was unable to move, everyone else was dead, and rats descended on them, hence her ghost from a grisly death.

• Anna Strenger - Wife of the Bloody Baron, mother of Tamara Strenger. Fled from the Baron, his drunken rages and beatings, with her daughter. The Crones placed a curse on her which turned her into a monster after making a pact with them to abort her pregnancy, and she is dragged into Crookback Bog to repay her debt.

• Anisse - Young Aretuza graduate.

• Aynara - orphan found in Crookback Bog.

• Bea - Barmaid in Novigrad, non-human sympathiser and a friend of Ciri.

• Bergthora - Wife of Eiric in Skellige.

• Birna Bran - Widow of the King of Skellige, engaged in a conspiracy that ends in a massacre at Kaer Trolde due to her disdain with customs and wish to establish a hereditary rulership.

• Carthia van Canten (Cantarella/Sasha) - Head of Nilfgaardian Secret Service.

• Catarina - Actor in the Foxen.

• Corinne Tilly - Oneiromancer (deciphering the past and present in dreams).

• Dolores Reardon - Old woman, ran away from her Temerian wealthy family with her lover.

• Dora - young woman harassed by thugs who Geralt walks home (even though she can take care of herself).

• Edna var Attre - Daughter of a Nilfgaardian ambassador, twin sister to Rosa.

• Elsa - Innkeeper in White Orchard.

• Eveline Gallo - Circus acrobat, accomplished thief and an elf.

• Felicia Cori - Young aspiring sorceress, former Philippa pupil, burned by the Church of the Eternal Fire.

• Gretka - Girl which Ciri saves from wolves in Velen.

• Ingrid Vegelbud - Daughter of Patricia Vegelbud.

• Irina Renarde - Leader of the Foxen (Mummers troupe), an actor.

• Jacquette - Young woman who is engaged to a knight errant of Toussaint.

• Jonna - Alchemist in Rannvaig.

• Josta - Priestess of Freya.

• Jutta an Dimun - Shield maiden on Faroe, clan Dimun.

• Karli - Mother of two sons killed by a dragon in Fyresdal.

• Kurisu - Kidnapped by pirates, escapes and is found around Freyas Temple.

• Lena - Young woman attacked by a griffin while sneaking out to meet her Nilfgaardian lover.

• Liesje - Farmer and wife in White Orchard.

• Marabella - Teacher in Novigrad, poet and fond of horses.

• Margrit (Margaret) - Sister of Niellen's missing wife.

• Maria Louisa La Valette - Foltests mistress. A baroness, has two illegitimate children by Foltest.

• Marlene de Trastamara - Noble woman who turns away the wrong beggar and is cursed.

• Marquise Serenity - Madame at the Passiflora.

• Matilda de Vermentino - Owner of the Vermentino vineyard.

• Molly - Maid or noblewoman, depending on previous player choices.

• Nissa - Elven comedienne in The Puffins troupe.

• Patricia Vegelbud - Matriach of the Vegelbud family.

• Pinastri - Lapsed Eighth Day Flagellant, herbalist.

• Polly - Choreogapher in Novigrad. Dandelion used to hide out in her house.

• Rosa var Attre - Daughter of the Nilfgaardian ambassador, twin sister of Edna. Fencer.

• Sara - Godling "haunting" a house in Novigrad.

• Sweet Nettie - Sex worker, potential serial killer victim.

• Tamara Strenger - Witch hunter, daughter of the Bloody Baron. Fled with her mother, and joined the witcher hunters so she would be able to survive trekking into the bog to save her.

• Thecla - Wise woman in the village below Bald Mountain. Seeress.

• Vernossiel - Leader of a small Scoia'tael commando group.

• Viki - Shipwreck survivor, sheltering a young boy in Widows grotto.

• Vivienne de Tabris - Lady in waiting to Anna Henrietta. Cursed to turn into a bird when the moon is out.

[thearcanaeumsresident]

On the Astrological Magic

My studies in the Arcanaeum have proven fruitful, and I now find myself gathering information on the Stones so as too learn the possible astrological applications. Gro-Shub has been accommodating enough to lend me a spare copy of the Firmament for further study.

To begin, we have the idea of the Aedra and Daedra. The planes of the Aedra are correlated to the visible spheres as they appear to those on Nirn. The planes of the Daedra formulate the spaces between, and even moving through, the aforesaid spaces. For example, we might consider the realm of the Atronach familiars especially close because f their elemental connection. Therefore, a place of fiery condition may have connection to the plane of the Fire Atronach, though not the ones rumoured as being under the domain of Bal.

Though the Stars themselves have aspects impacted by, presuamably, the Divines as they rotate in the Spheres, so too the impacts of the Moons and, most notably, the Serpent Stone, we cannot fully identify these patterns without needing to go to the orrey.

Still, we find prevalence in the Serpent, who is more a shadow-sign that wanders through the stars so as to bring their own latent energy to the season. Theirs is then a sign of omen, making the Thief more daedric than aedric, and thus more attuned to vast, creative and chaotic energies of Oblivion and its many realms as compared to the Aedric Planes extended further.

Our Three Guardians are where we shall begin in this study:

The Thief Stone

The three stones are located alongside each other outside of Helgen, which, so as my sources state, are gradually recovering from a dragon attack. How times change.

The distance between the stones being a scarce minimal points twards their makers as seeing a connection between the three. Beyond theirs being archetypal forces, the Warrior, the Magician and the Thief, they may well be considered the 'Gatekeepers' of their respective quartet. For example, to invoke the Lady, one must go through the Warrior.

To the Thief is ascribed skills of luck, fortune and stealth. I would then assume the following:

Positive Aspects:

Luck, especially in works of gambling or requiring the voice (speechcraft).

Stealth works (invisibility spells, glamours)

Insight into situations (such as the story of Nocturnal's Cowl, suitable for tricksters like Clavicus Vile)

Negative (Serpentine) Aspects:

Misfortune (just as the Sepulchre closes.)

Corruption, bribery, exposing of lies and flatteries.

Causing illusions, deceit, loss of profits.

Legend so states that the Cowl of Nocturnal created the infamous 'Grey Fox', supposedly the curse that Nocturnal established upon it was that the person who had it would be 'erased from history' and, consequently, the memories of all those who knew its bearer. To the thief, this forgetfulness is a boon but may well be established by the sorcerer to curse another to be forgotten, should the Serpentine Thief be invoked under the name of the Same Queen of Evergloam.

We may well also consider the Thief as within the realm of Namira, relating then to those taboo qualities that set one outside, invisible, to society. To this, I would review the Beggar Prince. A possible attempt at appeasing the aedroth and daedroth of this sphere may then be tending towards the needy.

The Mage Stone

The Mage governs over the faculities of magick and magicka, either making their company sterile of its production (yet protected), weak against it (but able to understand it) or very diverse in their occult skill (which is dependent on the stars of birth.)

For the most part, it is easy to see the application of the Mage to the magus, beyond such deities as Julianos, Herma Mora, Peryite and even Magnus and the corresponding Magna Ge (even going so forward as to say the Fallen and Risen Meridia).

Therefore, any skill learned is learned under the Mage Stone, from that of divine symbolism (Magnus), Divine Knowledge (Herma Mora), Spiritual Works and Purification (Meridia), Arcane Knowledge and Orthodoxy (Julianos) and more. We can establish a great amount of skill under this stone, and its dark Serpentine side reflects the destructive aspects of those qualities.

If the school of Restoration heals, under the Mage Stone, then the Serpentine Restoration is akin to Peryite's sphere of Sickness and Infirmity. If a ritual done to raise the dead is done under Conjuration, the Serpentine may well reflect the use of the baneful dead.

The Warrior Stone

More akin to the Earth Element, tied to harvests and physical standing, the Warrior Stone can be connected to the body and all aspects thereof. if one is seeking strength, law, control of temper, then the Warrior Stone and his charges are suited for that. Contrary to the Thief, he would operate on affairs of diplomacy, much akin to the Paterfamilias in the Lord. So too would ideas of finances, strength and just force be under him (Mercury in the Steed, the Paterfamilias/Emperor/Hierophant/Zenithar in the Lord and Mara in the Lady.)

Conversely, his serpentine aspects may be considered more Martial, though also Saturnine. Martial in that his temper may manifest as destructive tendencies. Beyond simply 'rulers', the Martial Warrior makes his appearance known during the harvest where his strength is required, and so is also the deity of farmers (connecting then Mara and Zenithar to this particular sect, especially in areas of animal husbandry, artisan vocations and concepts like Pragma, Storge and Agape).

Whereas his axe can be used for defense, it can be used for destruction and domination thus shown through the affairs of Molag Bal. It can be used to instill change, such as that of Mehrunez Dagon, and to invoke weakness and sickness in the target, thus under Peryrite.

[bretongirlwrites]

for the worldbuilding prompts: dawn in a city, listening to it wake up

I was awoken though underground, from a red-tinged half-dream I couldn’t recall, by some commotion outside: Balmora’s windows hardly meriting the name, I must go entirely outside to sate my curiosity; and indeed, to determine the very time. I’d been so used to Solstheim’s eternal light, that I’d gone blinking into the darkness of last night; so I was comforted, by a sort of watery dawn, and besides the commotion, a silence half as if upon snow. A moment, before I may work out which side of the building I must investigate; then quite without ceremony, a woman shot past me, beating off some canine-thing with a stick. 

The creature, which I later knew to call a nix-hound, was half the size of a wolf, and possessing none of the grace nor wit, scarpered legs in all directions over the flags, and disappeared. The woman had not seen me; or pretended not to. My explanation must be sought, when she returned, and began to re-stack a collection of crates; my reassurance, solely from her continued presence on the streets. She and I were the only ones yet up, – but did not exchange a single glance though I, City despite myself, looked for one, – a strange sort of dawn, this obstinate silence; and the threat from the hills, of oversized vermin with too many appendages. A fine introduction to Balmora.

A fine introduction! – I had not quite so much, yesterday, felt as if I intruded: but this was no Imperial City dawn. In the City, I might have gone inconnu even leaping between the rooftops. Here the roofs were tightly walled; and there was nobody, nobody, around. The only chimes hung clattering in the wind, on the doors of those nostalgic for some Ashlander tent; but not nostalgic enough, that they had not settled in the most Imperialised city in all Morrowind. – I’d been told that: Imperialised, and half believed it; but the City, but even Kvatch, had been half up before dawn; but here, with no corn-exchange nor shambles-market; with no dustbin-men nor knocker-uppers; with no church-bells!...

A thief’s paradise: had I been more in my right mind, and not still in the silt-strider swaying and dizzying discussion of destiny from yesterday, then I should have picked a dozen locks before anyone saw me: for the guards, becoming tired and lazy, kept to narrow unconscious patrols. Nobody burgles in broad daylight: they’d doubtless been told. The thief’s eye would have mapped out half of the city, before anyone else was up and about. As it was I found the same streets as had brought me, yesterday, to the Mages’ Guild; and sitting at last at the door to the Cornerclub, I must sit and wait…

In the City, I’d have been pushed away half a minute after sitting: by some guard thinking me a beggar, – by the very door slamming open in invented urgency, – by someone already late, – by the movements of crowds. I half wanted it: half wanted not to have to think. Half wanted not to be so present, that I could hear a cliff-racer a mile off; that when at last the doors started to open, I may identify one by one, by smell, what constituted each inhabitant’s breakfast. In the City, – one cannot intrude on a place already filled to bursting; nor is one’s mind still hazed in the confusion of yesterday, when it is replaced and spectacularly, by the confusion of today. I stood, –

I was not the only one out, now: heard indeed, low voices greeting each other, even a tuneless whistle: but heard also, still the cliff-racer on the horizon; and when I walked, and when I tried as I had in the City, to be unobtrusive, – still I felt unseen glances towards me; and still my shoes, my damnable shoes, echoed magnificently upon silent flagstones! –

[detectivesteamo]

This kingdom is full of unexpected ideas, as she would say in her imaginative head. Might be heavy-guarded soldiers, but there's another thing that this queen's trained guards will see more than what this thief is divergent from how they can see other ones in this kingdom. She just came back to the street, readying herself to cook up the new dishes thanks to her recipe book as she started to cook up the grand food serving for the royalty, humming as usual as she's been the free-spirited street merchant, but in confidence got her grand plan for setting up for the royal masquerade ball coming up as she placed it under her table to remember. It could be easier to say nothing about the plan to steal and disguise her as a lone larcenous beggar, but in her mind, it's going to be well planned.

Jack loves to cook up the very delish dishes as she always does and would like to have people's personal taste of luxuriousness; it's the work of art, as any painters would think as well. Every recipe counts in her little cookbook. After hours of getting work done for the masquerade ball, thanks to her alter ego's words, she began to work on the next step, getting the design for the royal masquerade ball, but what kind of outfit? This young busker walks down to the different street and finds a place for answers she could use in Royal Ball, the craft store she can certainly see through. Once she finds it with many choices, she makes a little smirk with plans coming up with little coincidence.

"Perfect!" She wears a cloak and has a type of masquerade mask she chooses, but also purchases it in case this plan needs to be quiet and settled if she wants to get these treasures from the queen's under nose. And maybe this royal mage she met.

So the grumpy homeless thief walks out of the kingdom and scowling at the royal mage over her impudence. She could try to walk away and never think of that place again... or not. She secretly smirks and pulls off her eyepatch and fake scars off from her left eye and fake disgusting tooth throws to the trash can near her, shows that being herself felt more relived being herself than being one who angry at everyone else coming into this kingdom without reason, it's her least favorite disguise. "Whew, it's sweating over there. Now," she have poster she secretly stole from the golden wall that palace have when she disguised as lone angry petty thief, "royal treasure room, here I come."

@sinshosted

[namika-saya]

Twisted Wonderland Lore Theory

This of course will include spoilers.

With the latest chapters in part 5, it has been established that aladdin and jasmine actually exists in history and is now known as a legend. This clears up A LOT about how the Great Seven managed to gain their fame up to this point. While kalim speaks of the story about aladdin fondly, he makes no mention that the thief turned righteous king is actually the same thief that Jafar is known for “protecting the kingdom from being decieved by”. So throughout the flow of time it seems as if the Great Seven was severed from their own stories and since they are great mages their actions have been glorified overtime to the point where it’s not even connected to the original story anymore, hence how the protagonists and good characters are still treated well separately. Eg. the King triton statue and this legend about a noble beggar turned prince.

Also apparently Kalim WAS originally not an NRC student and transfered in, so what school did he attend before? It was probably RSA. No wonder Kalim has such a pure soul despite being a student of this school, he wasn’t supposed to attend NRC at all, but did it to stay by Jamil’s side ;-; how precious of a boi he must be (much to jamil’s chagrin though lol)

[skrimcats]

Paju

Dragonborn Ysmir, the Dragon of the North Champion of Meridia Champion of Azura Nightingale of Nocturnal Master of the Thieves Guild

They were born in Riften, Skyrim. Their father, Ri’yppy, is the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, and their mother, Daro’ruis, was a member of the Thieves Guild. She disappeared when Paju was a child and their father became distant.

Masser

Paju and their twin sister Pujo have always been very close. Their family occasionally refers to them as “twin moons”, Paju often associated with Masser and Pujo with Secunda

Amulet of Articulation

Paju loved and admired their mother and thus they joined the Thieves Guild in order to find out what had happened to her. Daro’ruis had devoted almost her entire life to the guild and following her footsteps, Paju restored the guild to its former glory and became both a Nightingale and the Guild Master.

Thu’um

Despite their parents’ magical abilities, Paju’s magicka reservoir is almost non-existent. The only form of magic they can use effortlessly are dragon shouts. Their favorite shouts to use are:

Animal Allegiance — Makes travelling through the Rift less time and energy consuming when the bears are your friends. They also use falcons to carry out messages: letters to the family while they are adventuring and orders to the guild while they are at home.

Elemental Fury — While their magicka is low, their stamina is endless. They are always running around and they are fast at their feet, fast at shooting, fast wielding the blade, and fast at thinking. And almost unstoppable when they call wind to carry their attacks even more effortlessly.

Ice Form — They are almost always cold and so ice shouts come more naturally to them. Ice Form allows others to experience their cold hands while also allowing Paju a few precious seconds to escape.

Slow Time — They freeze the flesh, they freeze the time. Slow Time gives them extra time to aim their arrow and lessens their enemy’s time to avoid it.

Clear Skies — While the night hides them, they also love the sun and it’s warmth.

Vampirism

Paju has been a vampire twice. The first time they turned from Alva’s attack in Morthal. The second time Serana turned them so they could survive the Soul Cairn. They loathed themselves as a vampire and even after that because the cure required a black soul. Still, with Serana, they decided that life would be better for them and Paju’s family if they were mortals. Together, they sought the cure. After that, Paju offered her a new community from the Thieves Guild.

While Paju has been able to process some of the traumas and memories caused by the vampirism, they still avoid eating red meat and blood.

Chidna Mine: Paju was thrown into the jail of Markarth after unfortunate events as a vampire. They don’t really talk about that time, but it left them with a Skooma addiction (that their sister Pujo helped them to overcome) and a fear of tight underground spaces. They still keep the shiv they used to break out alone in their office’s locked coffer.

Dawnbreaker

Paju found Meridia’s Beacon from a small and remote cave when they were unknowingly becoming a vampire and weren’t feeling well either mentally or physically. As they picked up the beacon, a ray of light shone to their face through a crack in the ceiling and Paju felt like there was someone watching over them.

A day after they had returned the beacon, they became a vampire. They had already sworn to be the wielder of Meridia’s cleansing light and thus their own undeadness caused an identity crisis. They continued to use Dawnbreaker even though it burned their skin as well and they refused to drink blood, starving themself. Eventually, they no longer trusted their self control around human settlements and the pain started to become unbearable as they withered away. They had to seek a cure, even when it required sacrificing someone’s soul.

Despite the rather traumatizing events, Paju continues to believe that Meridia guards them, and Dawnbreaker lights their steps in dark and tight caverns they nowadays fear.

Letters From a Friend

Paju also believes that Meridia is the one behind the mysterious “letters from a friend” as the “friend” always seems to witness their deeds and the first one of such letters pointed them to Mount Kilkreath.

Nightingale Bow

Their mother’s old bow that Paju inherited. Daro’ruis was a legendary sniper whose every arrow was said to hit its target. Paju wanted to be like their mother in this too, but no bow seemed to fit in their hand — before this. Still, they cannot help feeling that they are unworthy of it.

Auriel’s Bow

During the years they spent seeking their mother, Paju also hoped to find their mother’s most treasured artifact: a circlet that seemed to give its wearer a magically accurate aim. They dreamed that it would aid them reach their mother’s level in archery. While searching it, Paju trained every day, completed Angi’s archery trials, and found and earned — not inherited — Auriel’s Bow. They never found the circlet, but although they do not fully realize it, they are more skilled than their mother ever was.

Nightingale Blade

Paju has one bow and one blade for dawn and day, and another ones for dusk and darkness. Through them they honor all their princes. The weapons also visualize Paju’s desire to not live contained within one of the opposites, but rather in both, neither, and in between.

Invisibility

Paju avoids killing people because of their personal morals and the convenience of leaving little as possible traces behind. That is why they have perfected the arts of stepping lightly and blending into shadows. More than that, they often literally disappear into thin air. While Paju is usually terrible with magic, at best they could switch between visible and invisible almost indefinitely. (with Shadowcloak of Nocturnal, the Shadow stone, Embrace of Shadows, and potions.

Jaska

A tame gray horse Paju found roaming Skyrim alone. He was a loyal friend until bandits killed him. The two were reunited when Paju found him again from Soul Cairn.

Tea

or infusions. After Chidna Mine and Skooma, Paju doesn’t really want to touch any addictives — including alcohol. Unfortunately, there aren’t many drinks in Skyrim that do not have alcohol in them. Fortunately, they are resourceful and after reading about the teas of Morrowind, they decided to try to brew their own.

I may write another post where I introduce more of their fave recipes because honestly they were fun to make, but their absolutely favorite is canis root and elves ear tea that is flavored with juniper berries.

Books

Paju’s library is one of the biggest in Skyrim and there is a copy of almost every book available in Skyrim. Collecting books is their passion and they are fortunate enough that their spouse, Nauris, is enthusiastic to help (even though she doesn’t really pay attention what books she brings and whether Paju already owns two of them). Paju’s career choice has also helped them to acquire rarer books that actually weren’t on sale.

More than collecting books, they enjoy reading books while relaxing at home or taking a break with them while travelling. Their favorite books are:

A Dance in Fire series

A Game at Dinner

Advances in Lockpicking

Beggar, Thief, Warrior, King series

Chance’s Folly

The Firmament

Herbalist’s Guide to Skyrim

Incident at Necrom

The Locked Room

Mystery of Talara series

Purloined Shadows

Three Thieves

Vernaccus and Bourlor

Words of Clan Mother Ahnissi

2920 series

Solstheim

After Alduin was defeated, they decided with their wife Nauris and their sister Pujo and her wife Lydia, to leave the Windstad manor they had built in Morthal and move to Raven Rock. Some born in Skyrim and other in Solstheim, with them also came the children of Paju and Nauris — Lydia (II), Jone, Jode, Ruis, Ulfric (‘Lilfrick’) — and the adopted son of Pujo and Lydia, Briar. The twins had also reconnected with their father, who retired and came with them. Together the two couples (occasionally with the help of Ri’yppy) can hopefully live in peace and rise their six children to a happier home than the twins had.

After the world was saved and the twins had found their mother, Paju felt a moment of emptiness with no pressing responsibilities. They continue to run the Thieves Guild with the help of messenger falcons and occasionally travelling to the mainland themselves. They have also started to write a biography of Daro’ruis with the help of their father, and an autobiography of the twins.

Trivia

Their name means ‘willow’

I omitted the “the last” from their Dragonborn title because in this universe they weren’t the only dragonborn. Their wife Nauris, their friend Lydia, and Pujo were all the last dragonborns simultaneously.

I tried to avoid Paju’s death while playing and while I did not succeed 100% I got relatively far. I gave them their scar after the first death (they were ambushed by bandits between Morthal and Dawnstar)

Their eyes are actually so narrow that whenever they are in combat and they squint slightly, their eyes just seem closed. They are just… so mad at mudcrabs…… they don’t want to even see them...

[the-storyteller-and-her-soldiers]

Dragonborn S/I

So as I mentioned yesterday, my newest f/o is a man named Bishop from that Skyrim follower mod... But since he is a follower to my Dragonborn, I figured I'd write her backstory out a bit!

My S/I was orphaned when her mother died in childbirth and her father is unknown. So she got sent to Honorhall Orphanage. But after receiving horrible treatment there, she ran off and decided it'd be better to live on her own on the streets as a beggar than rot there. So among the beggars, she picked up pickpocketing, lockpicking, and a sliver-tongue. The other beggars used her as a scapegoat since if she was caught, the guards would go easier on her and send her back to Honorhall. But my S/I never wanted to return to Honorhall.

Although one day when trying to find a target to pickpocket, she came across this dark elf covered in jewels. She thought they were just a noble and an easy target, if they were flaunting it around without any guard. But they were a mage... And they were quick to notice their soul gems missing, so my S/I didn't even make it around the corner before she gets caught.

But since the mage admired the gall of this child to go for the soul gem instead of their other baubles, the mage doesn't get the guards involved and instead takes my S/I in. Not so they can have a child, or even an apprentice, but to have her be their ingredient collector.

This situation isn't much better BUT there's a roof over her head, a warm bed, and steady amount of food, so my S/I doesn't mind going back with them to Cyrodil. Through the years though my S/I bonds with their mentor enough for them to teach her the BASICS of magic. Destruction for self-defense, healing for my S/I's own wounds and theirs, and alchemy so that my S/I can make potions of stealth for more dangerous gathering missions.

My S/I has such an aptitude for it that the dark elf convinces her to go study at the college. This is so that she can then come home and join the mages guild along with her mentor in Cyrodil

So it's time to head back to Skyrim! But my s/i of course, stops to gather the flowers, and ends up in the imperial ambush.

So after escaping from Helgen, my S/I goes on the run thinking she's still wanted for her childhood crimes and uses her newfound magic skills as an advantage to retreat to her old life of being a thief while trying to get to the college.

But as she's running through Riverwood, happy she's found a safehaven in Ralof's family, she's catcalled by two nord men. She figures she'll hide in the Sleeping Giant Inn since she can't kill them in broad daylight. She's got issues with men catcalling her since she's had some issues with creeps ever since her own childhood. But as she's heading in the tavern, Bishop is leaning against the door and is surprised that someone so pretty and frail ignored them.

So he questions her like, "You a noble who turns her nose up at this kind of thing?" And my S/I kinda hates the rich and being affiliated with them since she was taken advantage of by them before she met her dark elf mentor. So she replies, "No, I, uh, really didn't hear them..."

So the two banter back and forth while getting drinks and that's when he mentions his wolf Karnwyr got lost then taken by some bandits for pit fighting and of course, my S/I is like "Pubby? There doing that to a poor pup??? LEMME HELP!"

Bishop's taken back but since he's also got ties to the ubandit life he knows it's best not to go in alone so he agrees to let me tag along. Bt as my S/I goes to sell some of her baubles since she really needs the gold, and finds out that the poor general store was taken advantage of... My S/I wants to help them too.

And thus begins my adventure with Bishop following me on my adventures. In doing so, he gets more attached, falls in love with me and my selflessness (I just want to help everyone in Skyrim!) to the point where he cares about me and my safety more than his own. Plus even though he knows as the Dragonborn it’s my duty to save everyone but he just wants to steal me away where nothing could ever hurt me or steal me away again since I'm the only one he's ever let into his heart...

[nithhaiahh]

The woman continued walking down the long alley, the gate could be seen in the distance as well as the vendors coming and going. At that, a noise from behind distracted her. Some boxes had fallen over and she could see shadows hiding to the side. For a moment Nith thought about ignoring it and moving on, but another side of her was tired of being the prey. Besides, it was clear to her that even if she continued on her way these men were not going to leave her alone. Taking a breath, Nith turned around and walked in the direction of the crates.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" -she asked in a calm manner. It was the same men as before, though they seemed a little scared for some reason- "Ah. Hi. Sorry, I thought it was a cat or something. I'll be on my way."

Then, one of them grabbed her veil.

"Stop using tricks on us woman!" -the man reneged without letting go of the cloth that Nith was now also holding with her other hand, trying not to let it reveal her face.

"I-I don't understand what you mean. Please let go of my cloth, it's important to me. I just came to sell an herb and some of my partner's products."

At that moment, the other knight used his leg to push her to the ground.

"Don't lie to us, boxes and bottles don't fall down on their own! You sure are a mage."

The banshee wasn't expecting a kick. It was common such reactions qhen it came to dealing with demacians but no knight would throw a kick at her during day light, it cleared her doubts about these individuals. They were thieves in disguise. Ah, well, this would make it easier and more fun to eliminate them, but in the meantime, a woman lay on the ground with white-pink hair, pointed ears and eyes as red as blood. The basket also fell to the ground from which rolled some bags of simple herbs, dried fruit and some white cloth with exquisite details. Clearly these fabrics were not made with the regular cotton of the kingdom. They looked like something only royalty would pay for.

"Ha! She's not only a mage, but a thief as well." -said one of them reaching his hand towards a handkerchief which Nith managed to snatch from him.

"I AM NOT A THIEF. My fiancé is a seamstress, he makes them and I only come to sell them. He works with a very fine silk from Ionia, he-"

With one arm, one of the thieves lifted one of the dust-filled boxes and tossed it in the direction of the basket. Nith didn't think twice and pounced on it, covering it with her body.

"Stop lying, mage! It's impossible for a beggar like you to carry products like that. Surely you and your poor devil of a companion are in the business of swindling people."

This was beginning to irritate her. Why did she have to put up with them? It would be easier to just tear them apart and cover that alley with blood, but, she would lose the opportunity to go back to selling.

"Look, we can let you go this time. We won't call the mage seekers but you have to leave everything you have with you. It's a good deal, isn't it?"

Filthy rats... so that's what they wanted all along. No, she didn't mind receiving insults but she wouldn’t allow anyone to say one mean word towards her beloved. On one movement, Nith threw back the box who hit her earlier, took her merch and ran until she found an empty room where she waited for them. Breathing she laid against the wall and waited for them to approach her. The man at the left pulled out a dagger from his boot while the other held a rope. How common... she just had to wait for them to come close enough.

// New Starter for @nithhaiahh //

------

It was quite the normal day in Demacia; the locals going about and doing their own thing, the mage-seekers doing their job, and the royals living a high life as ever.... or so it is what Nightfall believed.

Upon re-entering this world, his memories were wiped clean and his only objective at this point was to study this planet's kingdoms and people, and he started with Demacia. Lurking in the shadows of one of the bigger alleyways is where the robot resided for now, scanning any nearby civilians and mage-seekers and learning about life here in Demacia. Of course.... it came with eliminating some very curious intruders and was the only reason that he hadn't been discovered yet. Everyone had looked pretty much the same until one individual stood out, and Nightfall immediately grew interested. He enhanced his optics to have a closer look, as he started to say to himself,

" This person doesn't appear to be from here.... a tourist....? A visitor....? A lost creature....? All possible answers.... "

He simply growled and stood watch, hoping to find and acquire more information before being spotted and having to either relocate or go on a killing spree.

[the-punslinger]

Quick D&D Adventure Matrix

Quest type  [1d10]

Fetch [object]

Gather [items]

Escort [NPC]

Protect [NPC]

Protect [object/location]

Kill [target]

Infiltrate [location]

Escape [location]

Explore [location]

Deliver [object]

Location  [1d20]

A castle

A temple

A grove

A ruin

A cave

A forest

A valley

At sea

A volcano

An island

A city

A mountain

A cliff

A tundra

Plains

A waterfall

A desert 

The underdark

The fey wild

Another plane

Involved NPCs* [1d20]

A thief/assassin

An acolyte

A shopkeeper

A librarian

An archaeologist

A ruler or other royalty

A council

A nomad

A witch/hag

A mage

A fighter

A bard

A demon/fiend

A vampire

A monk

A druid

A barbarian

A wealthy merchant

A herbalist

A beggar

* could be the quest objective, quest giver, or involved in another way.

[theinquisitxor]

June 2024 Reading Wrap Up

I read six (6) books in June, and was able to get through most of what I wanted to read. I ended up reading several books that all take place in Britain, in a similar time-frame, which was completely coincidental. I read 4 fantasy, 1 historical fiction, and 1 nonfiction.

1.The Magician's Daughter by HG Parry (5 stars) This was a delightful standalone novel that is a coming of age story set in Edwardian era in England. When I first read the blurb about this novel, I thought it was going to be a retelling of The Tempest. It is not-- but it is an original story yet classic in its own way. While I would consider this a 'cozy fantasy' it does have its darker moments. I also really enjoyed the lack of romance in this book.

2 & 3. The Greenhollow Duology by Emily Tesh (4/5 stars) This was my Random TBR Pick for the month of June, which I was very happy about since this duology has been on my tbr since 2020. This was exactly what I was expecting- folkloric, woodsy, queer novellas following fairy lore and mythology. I'm glad I finally picked this up!

4.1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline: this was my nonfiction book for the month, and this book takes a look at how an ancient civilization collapsed, and ushered in the first 'dark age'.

5. The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry (4/5 stars) I found this to be a very atmospheric period novel set in Essex in the 1890s. This is the type of novel where you can tell the author did a lot of research on the time period, and I felt transported right into the time period. Each character was very distinct and different from each other, and I enjoyed the hint of the fantastic in the novel surrounding the Essex Serpent.

6.The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (3/5 stars) My brother got me the series for my birthday, after he read the books and enjoyed them. I will admit, that this type of fantasy is not necessarily my favorite, but I wanted to give this series a chance. I thought it was fine overall, but I can tell it's not my cup of tea. I have seen things about the second and third books being better than book 1, so I am hoping to continue. Glokta is my favorite and I would start book 2 just for him.

I have also been reading River Horse: A Voyage Across America this month too, but I've only been reading a few chapters at a time. This is a travel narrative about a man who traveled across the US by river. I'm enjoying it so far!

Those are the books I finished this month!

Books I'm hoping to read in July:

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Thief Mage, Beggar Mage by Cat Hellison

Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones

second First Law book by Joe Abercrombie

finish River Horse by William Least Heat-Moon

Most of these I have access to the audiobooks, so I'm hoping to read at least one via audio. I kinda fell off reading audiobook lately, so I want to get back into it.

[kittkaleen]

FFxivWrite 2020 - Prompt #18 Panglossian [https://ffxiv-write.carrd.co/]

She’s thinking about something her Gran once said, “There is a point where optimism crosses to stupidity and you’ll find that point without looking for it.” Today is that day, now is the moment, and she’s not the offender. A man by the name of “Master Jax” has requested her services and he hasn’t shut up since the moment she met him. Kitt’s trying her level best to get basic information to decide whether she’ll accept the job. It’s not going well.

“Miss Kaleen, I coulda been anythin’. Smarts run in me family and I’m smart as anythin’.” He’s grinning and winks at her slyly. “Now lotsa people say they’re smart, but I really am! I gotta brother who’s a big-time magistrate in Limsa, and another who’s some hotshot alchemist in Ul’dah. Me sister, Jemma, married this Gridanian fella who’s kinda like a farmer, but he owns stuff everywhere. They got one of the biggest places ‘round here” He pauses thoughtfully. “Oh! I didn’t tell ya yet. I’m a thief, and me name is Jaret. I’d tell ya I’m at yer service, like the fancy folk does, but truly, I’m only ever at me own service.”

Kitt tilts her head, taking in his family history, which she did not ask for and considers the wiry Miqo’te man, not much taller than she is. A slick, fast talking thief.

“I was telling ya I coulda been anythin’, and I coulda but thievin’ is tailor made for someone like me. I’m not a big fella, as ye can see, and I’m not too strong. But then, I don’t haf to be. Me fingers are nimble and quicker than a virgin in a whorehouse.” He’s grinning again and it’s a little disconcerting.

He hooks his fingers into his belt, rocking back on his heels. “You might be thinkin’ I’m a flashy fella, what with me silk blouse, scarves and these trousers. Flamboyant. Jemma says I’m flamboyant. Only she says it kinda like a cuss word and she screws up her face when she says it.” He takes a quick breath and continues. “I dunno but that she never got over I stole her weddin’ ring and sold it. Sheesh, accidents happen, ya know? These silk scarves I acquired from a spice trader down way from Amh Araeng. His caravan was full up with salt peter and dimythrite, but what do I need that fer? Preferred the scarves. I like to dress like this but when I need to, I can vanish in a crowd so’s even me own mum couldn’t find me.”

Kitt interjected, “You were saying you require a healer?” He keeps right on talking.

“Speakin’ of mums, I must say for all some people would have ya believe thieves are without conscience, it’s me that supports me mum. Both me brothers, and sister too, got lotsa gil, but they rarely part with any of it. Me mum woulda been a beggar if not fer me. As is, she’s got a nice little cottage in the Lavender Beds and even a cow of her own. She’s happier than a pig in a puddle, and the only one in me family that lets me visit. That’s where I was when Reggie the Lunatic’s men found me.” He stops to inhale deeply.

“Are we getting to the healer part now, Master Jax?” Kitt’s voice drips with sarcasm, which is completely wasted on the man.

“Miss Kaleen, believe me when I say me mum is the worst cook in Eorzea, no contest. Me Fa ustta say if he’d married her fer her cookin’ he’d been mighty disappointed indeed. But he married her ‘cause she is the sweetest woman ya can imagine. She loves everyone and everyone loves her.” He’s beaming as he speaks. Kitt finds it exceedingly difficult to disregard any man who loves and respects his mother, so she listens. “This day, I’m telling ya about, I was over at her cottage. I was sittin’ at this little wooden table she has under the window. The shutters were open and I was watching her cow, name of Daisy, eatin’ the buttercups outta the window box, listenin’ to me mum sing. Suddenly these fellas come strollin’ up the walk, casual like, I recognized Maddog Wharton, and quick as that, I was looking fer the back door. I bolted past me mum, whose eyes were like saucers, but then the back door opened, and two other fellas were there. I was caught like a rabbit in a snare trap. This fella asks if I’m Jaret Jax and me Mum says to them, yes I is, at the same time I’m sayin’ no I ain’t. I felt the noose tighten around me throat sure. The bigger fella says Reggie is givin’ me a invitation like, to go with these fellas and visit him at the Reaper.”

Somehow she’s still tracking this story, so she asks, “The Reaper?” “Yeah Miss Kaleen, little underground pub out Thanalan way,  but anyway, like I says to you earlier, I’m a smart fella, and I added two and three together and made six, quick as could be, knowing that invitation was not a good thing at all.” He’s shaking his head and she snorts softly.   “I says, “no thank ye” – and they just grab me by me arms, and me mum was worried as ever. I didn’t like they was takin’ me out like a prisoner, but I liked it less they was givin’ me mum a fright. She was sayin’ t’ let me go and they didn’t pay her no heed at all! I was feelin’ pretty sad fer me mum on account that when you are a thief sometimes these things just happen. But hey, I’m like a cat, 29 lives and always landin’ on me feet, ya see? I says to me Mum not to fret, that I’m curious and gotta go and see Reggie. I says it like I mean it, and as I’m bein’ bullied down the path, I see she’s more relaxed, but frowning.

So off we go to Thanalan. The Reaper’s is not inside the town. You gotta ride fer a ways to get there and lemme tell you, it was a quiet ride. I was attemptin’ to make some nice social conversin’ and these fellas were shut up as tight as a princess’ chastity belt. Not a word the whole way. When we rode into the yard I was impressed. Now I been a lot of nice pubs on account me trade allows me to move in some elegant circles. Still I was dazzled when we got to the door and it was gold. The door was made of gold! I admit I was thinkin’ on how to thief that door, not to sell or nothin’, cause you never could sell something like that easy. Just to keep it and look on it cause it were so pretty. That’s what I was thinkin’ when I walked into the bar.

Strangest pub I ever saw. A long bar with a few stools and that were it.  On the other side o’ the room a fancy chair was sat upon a dais, I knew from experience it weren’t fer me to sit in. The fellas left the room and I was standin’ there. Some time goes by and I was gettin’ fidgety. I don’t like standin’ around. It makes me nervous. I was wanderin’ around lookin’ to see what I could thief to make up fer the inconvenience of waitin’ and all. But there weren’t nothin’ in that room that I cared anything fer. Then a door banged open and the hugest man I ever saw comes in bellowing Reggie’s name, as if I didn’t know who I was supposed to see. Still I wasn’t sayin’ nothin’ cause all that fella woulda haf t’ do is sit on me and that’d be it, life over! So I looked on polite like as Reggie came into the room.” Jaret shakes his head, whistling through his teeth. She rolls her eyes.

Reggie is old. Older than me Mum even. He had all these fancy clothes on and his pants were terrible tight, big belly showed that he’s real well fed. When he sat on that chair I was waitin’ to hear those pants split. But they didn't. He was wearing more jewelry than a magistrate’s wife, and I know cause me brother’s a magistrate, he has a wife and I had a chance a coupl’a times to look in her jewelry box. Anyway, he had this one ruby ring t'was near big as his head and it was damn tough fer me to pay attention since I was lookin’ so hard at the gem.”

Kitt sighs. “Can we please get to the point?”

Jaret looks at her with a wounded expression. “Course Miss Kaleen. Reggie said, “Get over here!” So I did. I walked up to the chair and stood by him, quiet and waitin’. When he started talkin’, he had my attention like right sharp! So I can tell ya about it accurate like here.” “He says to me he hears I’m a thief. Well likes I been tellin’ you, I’m a smart fella so I says I certainly ain’t a thief. Then he waves his hand all angry like and tells me to shut up. So I did. He says I got a reputation as a thief of extraordinary talents. Well, I thought that was a right nice compliment, so I relaxed a little. Then he says he has a employment opportunity for me on account I’m so good at what I do. Well sure I was all ears then, what would Reggie the Lunatic want with me?”

Kitt’s tail is twitching, back and forth, back and forth, sharp little movements, manicured fingernails lightly drumming against the table top. “Okay okay, I’m gettin’ to it now, Miss Kaleen. Reggie tells me he wants a wife, and it can’t be just anyone. So I’m thinkin’ what’s the problem and what does he want with a thief? He says the lady he wants is rich as a princess and lives in Kholusia. Her name is Leylah and she’s engaged, apparently even likes the fella she’s s’posed to marry. Reggie says he wants me go there and steal him a heart. A heart I says? He nods ever slow like and says, yes, I am to go and steal this Leylah lady’s heart and bring it to him.”

So I’m scratchin’ at me head wonderin’ a little about all this. I asks him, “you want me to steal the girl fer you?” He says no, that’s not what he wants. He doesn’t only just want the girl; he wants the girl’s heart. Like he wants the girl to love him.” Kitt scowls. I’m with you Miss Kaleen. Dirty dealings. I’m thinkin’ about all these implications, and Reggie is tellin’ me if I can do it, he’s gonna make me a very wealthy man and I’ll never have t’ steal nothin’ again. He doesn’t understand I’m a thief because It’s me passion not ‘cause I’m poor. Sheesh. He’s tellin’ me I’m goin’ t’ have the best equipment and all to help me, and can even hire a healer t’ protect me.” She sighs with relief, surely this is the end point. But no. “Well like I been tellin’ you, I’m a smart fella.  So I says I think he’s got his-self the wrong man. What he’s askin’ fer is a serious warrior fer the kidnapping and a mage type for a love spell or somethin’. I says this ‘cause I am considerin’ the whole thing. A woman already in love isn’t gonna wanna marry some old ugly fart, even if he is a rich crime boss. Her husband t’ be ain’t gonna just let me take her away without some interference. So that’s a bit of trouble I wouldn’t want t’ be borrowing neither. Stealing a heart ain’t somethin’ I ever did fer hire. I had me share of the ladies; they love me fer some reason. I love ‘em too. I dunno but I think ladies’ hearts should just be left alone. So I tell Reggie, Eorzea’s a big sea with a lotta eager fishes, and he hollers at me to shut up. I’m a smart fella. So I did.” “For the love of the almighty Twelve”, Kitt’s patience finally snaps. “You have 20 seconds to wrap this story up and get to the point.”

He gestures for her to calm down, shaking his head. “Yer a lil impatient for a healer, aint’cha?” Kitt growls, low and quiet in the back of her throat.  “Okay okay, I’m near done. See Reggie’s face was getting damn red and seeing him mad didn’t make him any better lookin’. I almost felt sorry fer him. He’s like me nephew, Willy, who is the worst spoilt kid I ever met. He wants somethin’ and there ain’t no sayin’ no to the brat. It ain’t even worth tryin’ to reason with him. I could see Reggie is a lot just that way. So I was thinkin’ what I was goin’ t’ do when Reggie snarls at me sayin’ it ain’t really a choice. I HAVE t’ do it else he’s gonna remove me head from me shoulders. So that was that. I had a new job. None too happy about it either. But then I’m a smart fella so I smiled and nodded.” Kitt is not smiling and not nodding. “Let me see if I have followed you. You are being coerced to steal a woman and her heart, under the threat of death and you think I’m going to join you in this deranged adventure?”

Jaret blinks, “Deranged adventure? Weren’t ya listening? I’m a smart man and an excellent thief. If ya stick with me it’ll be the heist of the century!”

[mellifera38]

Mel’s Big Fantasy Place-Name Reference

So I’ve been doing lots of D&D world-building lately and I’ve kind of been putting together lists of words to help inspire new fantasy place names. I figured I’d share. These are helpful for naming towns, regions, landforms, roads, shops, and they’re also probably useful for coming up with surnames. This is LONG. There’s plenty more under the cut including a huge list of “fantasy sounding” word-parts. Enjoy!

Towns & Kingdoms

town, borough, city, hamlet, parish, township, village, villa, domain

kingdom, empire, nation, country, county, city-state, state, province, dominion

Town Name End Words (English flavored)

-ton, -ston, -caster, -dale, -den, -field, -gate, -glen, -ham, -holm, -hurst, -bar, -boro, -by, -cross, -kirk, -meade, -moore, -ville, -wich, -bee, -burg, -cester, -don, -lea, -mer, -rose, -wall, -worth, -berg, -burgh, -chase, -ly, -lin, -mor, -mere, -pool. -port, -stead, -stow, -strath, -side, -way, -berry, -bury, -chester, -haven, -mar, -mont, -ton, -wick, -meet, -heim, -hold, -hall, -point

Buildings & Places

castle, fort, palace, fortress, garrison, lodge, estate, hold, stronghold, tower, watchtower, palace, spire, citadel, bastion, court, manor, house

altar, chapel, abbey, shrine, temple, monastery, cathedral, sanctum, crypt, catacomb, tomb

orchard, arbor, vineyard, farm, farmstead, shire, garden, ranch

plaza, district, quarter, market, courtyard, inn, stables, tavern, blacksmith, forge, mine, mill, quarry, gallows, apothecary, college, bakery, clothier, library, guild house, bath house, pleasure house, brothel, jail, prison, dungeon, cellar, basement, attic, sewer, cistern

lookout, post, tradepost, camp, outpost, hovel, hideaway, lair, nook, watch, roost, respite, retreat, hostel, holdout, redoubt, perch, refuge, haven, alcove, haunt, knell, enclave, station, caravan, exchange, conclave

port, bridge, ferry, harbor, landing, jetty, wharf, berth, footbridge, dam, beacon, lighthouse, marina, dockyard, shipyard

road, street, way, row, lane, trail, corner, crossing, gate, junction, waygate, end, wall, crossroads,  barrier, bulwark, blockade, pavilion, avenue, promenade, alley, fork, route

Time & Direction

North, South, East, West, up, down, side, rise, fall, over, under

Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, solstice, equanox, vernal, ever, never

dusk, dawn, dawnrise, morning, night, nightfall, evening, sundown, sunbreak, sunset

lunar, solar, sun, moon, star, eclipse

Geographical Terms

Cave, cavern, cenote, precipice, crevasse, crater, maar, chasm, ravine, trench, rift, pit

Cliff, bluff, crag, scarp, outcrop, stack, tor, falls, run, eyrie, aerie

Hill, mountain, volcano, knoll, hillock, downs, barrow, plateau, mesa, butte, pike, peak, mount, summit, horn, knob, pass, ridge, terrace, gap, point, rise, rim, range, view, vista, canyon, hogback, ledge, stair, descent

Valley, gulch, gully, vale, dale, dell, glen, hollow, grotto, gorge, bottoms, basin, knoll, combe

Meadow, grassland, field, pasture, steppe, veld, sward, lea, mead, fell, moor, moorland, heath, croft, paddock, boondock, prairie, acre, strath, heights, mount, belt

Woodlands, woods, forest, bush, bower, arbor, grove, weald, timberland, thicket, bosk, copse, coppice, underbrush, hinterland, park, jungle, rainforest, wilds, frontier, outskirts

Desert, dunes, playa, arroyo, chaparral, karst, salt flats, salt pan, oasis, spring, seep, tar pit, hot springs, fissure, steam vent, geyser, waste, wasteland, badland, brushland, dustbowl, scrubland

Ocean, sea, lake, pond, spring, tarn, mere, sluice, pool, coast, gulf, bay

Lagoon, cay, key, reef, atoll, shoal, tideland, tide flat, swale, cove, sandspit, strand, beach

Snowdrift, snowbank, permafrost, floe, hoar, rime, tundra, fjord, glacier, iceberg

River, stream, creek, brook, tributary, watersmeet, headwater, ford, levee, delta, estuary, firth, strait, narrows, channel, eddy, inlet, rapids, mouth, falls

Wetland, marsh, bog, fen, moor, bayou, glade, swamp, banks, span, wash, march, shallows, mire, morass, quag, quagmire, everglade, slough, lowland, sump, reach

Island, isle, peninsula, isthmus, bight, headland, promontory, cape, pointe, cape

More under the cut including: Color words, Animal/Monster related words, Rocks/Metals/Gems list, Foliage, People groups/types, Weather/Environment/ Elemental words, Man-made Items, Body Parts, Mechanical sounding words, a huge list of both pleasant and unpleasant Atmospheric Descriptors, and a huge list of Fantasy Word-parts.

Color Descriptions

Warm: red, scarlet, crimson, rusty, cerise, carmine, cinnabar, orange, vermillion, ochre, peach, salmon, saffron, yellow, gold, lemon, amber, pink, magenta, maroon, brown, sepia, burgundy, beige, tan, fuchsia, taupe

Cool: green, beryl, jade, evergreen, chartreuse, olive, viridian, celadon, blue, azure, navy, cerulean, turquoise, teal, cyan, cobalt, periwinkle, beryl, purple, violet, indigo, mauve, plum

Neutral: gray, silver, ashy, charcoal, slate, white, pearly, alabaster, ivory, black, ebony, jet

dark, dusky, pale, bleached, blotchy, bold, dappled, lustrous, faded, drab, milky, mottled, opaque, pastel, stained, subtle, ruddy, waxen, tinted, tinged, painted

Animal / Monster-Related Words

Bear, eagle, wolf, serpent, hawk, horse, goat, sheep, bull, raven, crow, dog, stag, rat, boar, lion, hare, owl, crane, goose, swan, otter, frog, toad, moth, bee, wasp, beetle, spider, slug, snail, leech, dragonfly, fish, trout, salmon, bass, crab, shell, dolphin, whale, eel, cod, haddock

Dragon, goblin, giant, wyvern, ghast, siren, lich, hag, ogre, wyrm, kraken

Talon, scale, tusk, hoof, mane, horn, fur, feather, fang, wing, whisker, bristle, paw, tail, beak, claw, web, quill, paw, maw, pelt, haunch, gill, fin,

Hive, honey, nest, burrow, den, hole, wallow

Rocks / Metals / Minerals

Gold, silver, brass, bronze, copper, platinum, iron, steel, tin, mithril, electrum, adamantite, quicksilver, fool’s gold, titanium

Diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, opal, pearl, jade, jasper, onyx, citrine, aquamarine, turquoise, lapiz lazuli, amethyst, quartz, crystal, amber, jewel

Granite, shale, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, diorite, basalt, rhyolite, obsidian, glass

Earth, stone, clay, sand, silt, salt, mote, lode, vein, ore, ingot, coal, boulder, bedrock, crust, rubble, pebble, gravel, cobble, dust, clod, peat, muck mud, slip, loam, dirt, grit, scree, shard, flint, stalactite/mite

Trees / Plants / Flowers

Tree, ash, aspen, pine, birch, alder, willow, dogwood, oak, maple, walnut,  chestnut, cedar, mahogany, palm, beech, hickory, hemlock, cottonwood, hawthorn, sycamore, poplar, cypress, mangrove, elm, fir, spruce, yew

Branch, bough, bramble, gnarl, burr, tangle, thistle, briar, thorn, moss, bark, shrub, undergrowth, overgrowth, root, vine, bracken, reed, driftwood, coral, fern, berry, bamboo, nectar, petal, leaf, seed, clover, grass, grain, trunk, twig, canopy, cactus, weed, mushroom, fungus

Apple, olive, apricot, elderberry, coconut, sugar, rice, wheat, cotton, flax, barley, hops, onion, carrot, turnip, cabbage, squash, pumpkin, pepper

Flower, rose, lavender, lilac, jasmine, jonquil, marigold, carnelian, carnation, goldenrod, sage, wisteria, dahlia, nightshade, lily, daisy, daffodil, columbine, amaranth, crocus, buttercup, foxglove, iris, holly, hydrangea, orchid, snowdrop, hyacinth, tulip, yarrow, magnolia, honeysuckle, belladonna, lily pad, magnolia

People

Settler, Pilgrim, Pioneer, Merchant, Prospector, Maker, Surveyor, Mason, Overseer, Apprentice, Widow, Sailor, Miner, Blacksmith, Butcher, Baker, Brewer, Barkeep, Ferryman, Hangman, Gambler, Fisherman, Adventurer, Hero, Seeker, Hiker, Traveler, Crone

Mage, Magician, Summoner, Sorcerer, Wizard, Conjurer, Necromancer, 

King, Queen, Lord, Count, Baron, Guard, Soldier, Knight, Vindicator, Merchant, Crusader, Imperator, Syndicate, Vanguard, Champion, Warden, Victor, Legionnaire, Master, Archer, Footman, Gladiator, Barbarian, Captain, Commodore, 

Beggar, Hunter, Ranger, Deadman, Smuggler, Robber, Swindler, Rebel, Bootlegger, Outlaw, Pirate, Brigand, Ruffian, Highwayman, Cutpurse, Thief, Assassin

God, Goddess, Exarch, Angel, Devil, Demon, Cultist, Prophet, Hermit, Seer

council, clergy, guild, militia, choir 

Climate, Environment, & The Elements

Cold, cool, brisk, frosty, chilly, icy, freezing, frozen, frigid, glacial, bitter, biting, bleak, arctic, polar, boreal, wintry, snowy, snow, blizzarding, blizzard, sleeting, sleet, chill, frost, ice, icebound, ice cap, floe, snowblind, frostbite, coldsnap, avalanche, snowflake

Hot, sunny, humid, sweltering, steaming, boiling, sizzling, blistering, scalding, smoking, caldescent, dry, parched, arid, fallow, thirsty, melting, molten, fiery, blazing, burning, charring, glowing, searing, scorching, blasted, sun, fire, heat, flame, wildfire, bonfire, inferno, coal, ash, cinder, ember, flare, pyre, tinder, kindling, aflame, alight, ablaze, lava, magma, slag,

Wet, damp, dank, soggy, sodden, soaked, drenched, dripping, sopping, briny, murky, rain, storm, hail, drizzle, sprinkle, downpour, deluge, squall, water, cloud, fog, mist, dew, puddle, pool, current, whirlpool, deep, depths, tide, waves, whitewater, waterfall, tidal wave, flow, flood, leak, drain

Wind, breeze, gust, billow, gail, draft, waft, zephyr, still, airy, clear, smokey, tempest, tempestuous, windswept, aerial, lofty, torrid, turbulent, nebulous, tradewind, thunder, lightning, spark, cyclone, tornado, whirlwind, hurricane, typhoon

Man-made Item Words

Furnace, forge, anvil, vault, strap, strip, whetstone, brick, sword, blade, axe, dagger, shield, buckler, morningstar, bow, quiver, arrow, polearm, flail, staff, stave, sheath, hilt, hammer, knife, helm, mantle, banner, pauldron, chainmail, mace, dart, cutlass, canon, needle, cowl, belt,  buckle, bandana, goggles, hood, boot, heel, spindle, spool, thread, sweater, skirt, bonnet, apron, leather, hide, plate, tunic, vest, satin, silk, wool, velvet, lace, corset, stocking, binding

Plow, scythe, (wheel) barrow, saddle, harrow, brand, collar, whip, leash, lead, bridle, stirrup, wheel, straw, stall, barn, hay, bale, pitchfork, well, log, saw, lumber, sod, thatch, mortar, brick, cement, concrete, pitch, pillar, window, fountain, door, cage, spoke, pole, table, bench, plank, board

Candle, torch, cradle, broom, lamp, lantern, clock, bell, lock, hook, trunk, looking glass, spyglass, bottle, vase, locket, locker, key, handle, rope, knot, sack, pocket, pouch, manacle, chain, stake, coffin, fan. cauldron, kettle, pot, bowl, pestle, oven, ladle, spoon, font, wand, potion, elixir, draught, portal, book, tome, scroll, word, manuscript, letter, message, grimoire, map, ink, quill, pen, cards, dice

Coin, coronet, crown, circlet, scepter, treasure, riches, scales, pie, tart, loaf, biscuit, custard, caramel, pudding, porridge, stew, bread, tea, gravy, gristle, spice, lute, lyre, harp, drum, rouge, powder, perfume, brush

bilge, stern, pier, sail, anchor, mast, dock, deck, flag, ship, boat, canoe, barge, wagon, sled, carriage, buggy, cart

Wine, brandy, whiskey, ale, moonshine, gin, cider, rum, grog, beer, brew, goblet, flagon, flask, cask, tankard, stein, mug, barrel, stock, wort, malt

Body Parts

Head, throat, finger, foot, hand, neck, shoulder, rib, jaw, eye, lips, bosom

Skull, spine, bone, tooth, heart, blood, tears, gut, beard

Mechanical-Sounding Words

cog, fuse, sprocket, wrench, screw, nail, bolt, lever, pulley, spanner, gear, spring, shaft, switch, button, cast, pipe, plug, dial, meter, nozzle, cord, brake, gauge, coil, oil, signal, wire, fluke, staple, clamp, bolt, nut, bulb, patch, pump, cable, socket

torque, force, sonic, spark, fizzle, thermal, beam, laser, steam, buzz, mega, mecha, electro, telsa, power, flicker, charge, current, flow, tinker

Atmospheric Words

Unpleasant, Dangerous, Threatening

(nouns) death, fury, battle, scar, shadow, razor, nightmare, wrath, bone, splinter, peril, war, riptide, strife, reckoning, sorrow, terror, deadwood, nether, venom, grime, rage, void, conquest, pain, folly, revenge, horrid, mirk, shear, fathom, frenzy, corpselight/marshlight, reaper, gloom, doom, torment, torture, spite, grizzled, sludge, refuse, spore, carrion, fear, pyre, funeral, shade, beast, witch, grip, legion, downfall, ruin, plague, woe, bane, horde, acid, fell, grief, corpse, mildew, mold, miter, dirge

(adjectives) dead, jagged, decrepit, fallen, darkened, blackened, dire, grim, feral, wild, broken, desolate, mad, lost, under, stagnant, blistered, derelict, forlorn, unbound, sunken, fallow, shriveled, wayward, bleak, low, weathered, fungal, last, brittle, sleepy, -strewn, dusky, deserted, empty, barren, vacant, forsaken, bare, bereft, stranded, solitary, abandoned, discarded, forgotten, deep, abysmal, bottomless, buried, fathomless,unfathomable, diseased, plagued, virulent, noxious, venomous, toxic, fetid, revolting, putrid, rancid, foul, squalid, sullied, vile, blighted, vicious, ferocious, dangerous, savage, cavernous, vast, yawning, chasmal, echoing, dim, dingy, gloomy, inky, lurid, shaded, shadowy, somber, sunless, tenebrous, unlit, veiled, hellish, accursed, sulfurous, damned, infernal, condemned, doomed, wicked, sinister, dread, unending, spectral, ghostly, haunted, eldritch, unknown, weary, silent, hungry, cloven, acidic

(verb/adverbs): wither (withering / withered), skulk (skulking), whisper, skitter, chitter, sting, slither, writhe, gape, screech, scream, howl, lurk, roil, twist, shift, swarm, spawn, fester, bleed, howl, shudder, shrivel, devour, swirl, maul, trip, smother, weep, shatter, ruin, curse, ravage, hush, rot, drown, sunder, blister, warp, fracture, die, shroud, fall, surge, shiver, roar, thunder, smolder, break, silt, slide, lash, mourn, crush, wail, decay, crumble, erode, decline, reek, lament, taint, corrupt, defile, poison, infect, shun, sigh, sever, crawl, starve, grind, cut, wound, bruise, maim, stab, bludgeon, rust, mutilate, tremble, stumble, fumble, clank, clang

Pleasant, Safe, Neutral

(nouns) spirit, luck, soul, oracle, song, sky, smile, rune, obelisk, cloud, timber, valor, triumph, rest, dream, thrall, might, valiance, glory, mirror, life, hope, oath, serenity, sojourn, god, hearth, crown, throne, crest, guard, rise, ascent, circle, ring, twin, vigil, breath, new, whistle, grasp, snap, fringe, threshold, arch, cleft, bend, home, fruit, wilds, echo, moonlight, sunlight, starlight, splendor, vigilance, honor, memory, fortune, aurora, paradise, caress

(adjectives) gentle, pleasant, prosperous, peaceful, sweet, good, great, mild, grand, topic, lush, wild, abundant, verdant, sylvan, vital, florid, bosky, callow, verdurous, lucious, fertile, spellbound, captivating, mystical, hidden, arcane, clandestine, esoteric, covert, cryptic, runic, otherworldly, touched, still, fair, deep, quiet, bright, sheer, tranquil, ancient, light, far, -wrought, tidal, royal, shaded, swift, true, free, high, vibrant, pure, argent, hibernal, ascendant, halcyon, silken, bountiful, gilded, colossal, massive, stout, elder, -bourne, furrowed, happy, merry, -bound, loud, lit, silk, quiet, bright, luminous, shining, burnished, glossy, brilliant, lambent, lucent, lustrous, radiant, resplendent, vivid, vibrant, illuminated, silvery, limpid, sunlit, divine, sacred, holy, eternal, celestial, spiritual, almighty, anointed, consecrated, exalted, hallowed, sanctified, ambrosial, beatific, blissful, demure, naked, bare, ample, coy,  deific, godly, omnipotent, omnipresent, rapturous, sacramental, sacrosanct, blessed, majestic, iridescent, glowing, overgrown, dense, hard, timeless, sly, scatter, everlasting, full, half, first, last

(verb/adverbs) arch (arching / arched), wink (winking), sing, nestle, graze, stroll, roll, flourish, bloom, bud, burgeon, live, dawn, hide, dawn, run, pray, wake, laugh, wake, glimmer, glitter, drift, sleep, tumble, bind, arch, blush, grin, glister, beam, meander, wind, widen, charm, bewitch, enthrall, entrance, enchant, allure, beguile, glitter, shimmer, sparkle twinkle, crest, quiver, slumber, herald, shelter, leap, click, climb, scuttle, dig, barter, chant, hum, chime, kiss, flirt, tempt, tease, play, seduce

Generic “Fantasy-Sounding” Word Parts

A - D

aaz, ada, adaer, adal, adar, adbar, adir, ae, ael, aer, aern, aeron, aeryeon, agar, agis, aglar, agron, ahar, akan, akyl, al, alam, alan, alaor, ald, alea, ali, alir, allyn, alm, alon, alor, altar, altum, aluar, alys, amar, amaz, ame, ammen, amir, amol, amn, amus, anar, andor, ang, ankh, ar, ara, aram, arc, arg, arian, arkh, arla, arlith, arn, arond, arthus, arum, arvien, ary, asha, ashyr, ask, assur, aster, astra, ath, athor, athra, athryn, atol, au, auga, aum, auroch, aven, az, azar, baal, bae, bael, bak, bal, balor, ban, bar, bara, barr, batol, batar, basir, basha, batyr, bel, belph, belu, ben, beo, bere, berren, berun, besil, bezan, bhaer, bhal, blask, blis, blod, bor, boraz, bos, bran, brath, braun, breon, bri, bry, bul, bur, byl, caer, cal, calan, cara, cassa, cath, cela, cen, cenar, cerul, chalar, cham, chion, cimar, clo, coram, corel, corman, crim, crom, daar, dach, dae, dago, dagol, dahar, dala, dalar, dalin, dam, danas, daneth, dannar, dar, darian,  darath, darm, darma, darro, das, dasa, dasha, dath, del, delia, delimm, dellyn, delmar, delo, den, dess, dever, dhaer, dhas, dhaz, dhed, dhin, din, dine, diar, dien, div, djer, dlyn, dol, dolan, doon, dora, doril, doun, dral, dranor, drasil, dren, drian, drien, drin, drov, druar, drud, duald, duatha, duir, dul, dulth, dun, durth, dyra, dyver,

E - H

ea, eber, eden, edluk, egan, eiel, eilean, ejen, elath, eld, eldor, eldra, elith emar, ellesar, eltar, eltaran, elth, eltur, elyth, emen, empra, emril, emvor, ena, endra, enthor, erad, erai, ere, eriel, erith, erl, eron, erre, eryn, esk, esmel, espar, estria, eta, ethel, eval, ezro, ezan, ezune, ezil, fael, faelar, faern, falk, falak, farak, faril, farla, fel, fen, fenris, fer, fet, fin, finar, forel, folgun, ful, fulk, fur, fyra, fallon, gael, gach, gabir, gadath, gal, galar, gana, gar, garth, garon, garok, garne, gath, geir, gelden, geren,  geron, ghal, ghallar, ghast, ghel, ghom, ghon, gith, glae, glander, glar, glym, gol, goll, gollo, goloth, gorot, gost, goth, graeve, gran, grimm, grist, grom, grosh, grun, grym, gual, guil, guir, gulth, gulur, gur, gurnth, gwaer, haa, hael, haer, hadar, hadel, hakla, hala, hald, halana, halid, hallar, halon, halrua, halus, halvan, hamar, hanar, hanyl, haor, hara, haren, haresk, harmun, harrokh, harrow, haspur, haza, hazuth, heber,  hela, helve, hem, hen, herath, hesper, heth, hethar, hind, hisari, hjaa, hlath, hlond, hluth, hoarth, holtar, horo, hotun, hrag, hrakh, hroth, hull, hyak, hyrza

I - M

iibra, ilth, ilus, ilira, iman, imar, imas, imb, imir, immer, immil, imne, impil, ingdal, innar, ir, iriae, iril, irith, irk, irul, isha, istis, isil, itala, ith, ithal, itka, jada, jae, jaeda, jahaka, jala, jarra, jaro, jath, jenda, jhaamm, jhothm, jinn, jinth, jyn, kado, kah, kal, kalif, kam, kana, kara, karg, kars, karth, kasp, katla, kaul, kazar, kazr, kela, kelem, kerym, keth, keva, kez, kezan, khaer, khal, khama, khaz, khara, khed, khel, khol, khur, kil, kor, korvan, koll, kos, kir, kra, kul, kulda, kund, kyne, lae, laen, lag, lan, lann, lanar, lantar, lapal, lar, laran, lareth, lark, lath, lauth, lav, lavur, lazar, leih, leshyr, leth, lhaza, lhuven, liad, liam, liard, lim, lin, lirn, lisk, listra, lith, liya, llair, llor, lok, lolth, loran, lorkh, lorn, loth, lothen, luen, luir, luk, lund, lur, luth, lyndus, lyra, lyth, maal, madrasm maera, maer, maerim, maes, mag, magra, mahand, mal, malar, mald, maldo, mar, mara, mark, marl, maru, maruk, meir, melish, memnon, mer, metar, methi, mhil, mina, mir, miram, mirk, mista, mith, moander, mok, modir, modan, mon, monn, mor, more, morel, moril, morn, moro, morrow, morth, mort, morum, morven, muar, mul, mydra, myr, myra, myst

N - S

naar, nadyra, naedyr, naga, najar, nal, naal, nalir, nar, naruk, narbond, narlith, narzul, nasaq, nashkel, natar, nath, natha, neir, neth, nether, nhall, nikh, nil, nilith, noan, nolvurm nonthal, norda, noro, novul, nul, nur, nus, nyan, nyth, ober, odra, oghr, okoth, olleth, olodel, omgar, ondath, onthril, ordul, orish, oroch, orgra, orlim, ormath, ornar, orntath, oroch, orth, orva, oryn, orzo, ostel, ostor, ostrav, othea, ovar, ozod, ozul, palan, palad, pae, peldan, pern, perris, perim, pele, pen, phail, phanda, phara, phen, phendra, pila, pinn, pora, puril, pur, pyra, qadim, quar, quel, ques, quil, raah, rael, ran, ranna, rassil, rak, rald, rassa, reddan, reith, relur, ren, rendril, resil, reska, reth, reven, revar, rhy, rhynn, ria, rian, rin, ris, rissian, rona, roch, rorn, rora, rotha, rual, ruar, ruhal, ruil, ruk, runn, rusk, ryn, saa, saar, saal, sabal, samar, samrin, sankh, sar, sarg, sarguth, sarin, sarlan, sel, seld, sember, semkh, sen, sendrin, septa, senta, seros, shaar, shad, shadra, shae, shaen, shaera, shak, shalan, sham, shamath, shan, shana, sharan, shayl, shemar, shere, shor, shul, shyll, shyr, sidur, sil, silvan, sim, sintar, sirem, skar, skell, skur, skyr, sokol, solan, sola, somra, sor, ssin, stel, strill, suldan, sulk, sunda, sur, surkh, suth, syl, sylph, sylune, syndra, syth

T - Z

taak, taar, taer, tah, tak, tala, talag, talar, talas, talath, tammar, tanar, tanil, tar, tara, taran, tarl, tarn, tasha, tath, tavil, telar, teld, telf, telos, tempe, tethy, tezir, thaar, thaer, thal, thalag, thalas, thalan, thalar, thamor, thander, thangol, thar, thay, thazal, theer, theim, thelon, thera, thendi, theril, thiir, thil, thild, thimir, thommar, thon, thoon, thor, thran, thrann, threl, thril, thrul, thryn, thuk, thultan, thume, thun, thy, thyn, thyr, tir, tiras, tirum, tohre, tol, tolar, tolir,  tolzrin, tor, tormel, tormir, traal, triel, trith, tsath, tsur, tul, tur, turiver, turth, tymor, tyr, uder, udar, ugoth, uhr, ukh, ukir, uker, usten, ulgarth, ulgoth, ultir, ulur, umar, umath, umber, unara, undro, undu, untha, upir, ur, ursa, ursol, uron, uth, uthen, uz, van, vaar, vaelan, vaer, vaern, val valan, valash, vali, valt, vandan, vanede, vanrak, var, varyth, vassa, vastar, vaunt, vay, vel, velar, velen, velius, vell, velta, ven, veren, vern, vesper, vilar, vilhon, vintor, vir, vira, virdin, volo, volun, von, voon, vor, voro, vos, vosir, vosal, vund, war, wara, whel, wol, wynn, wyr, wyrm, xer, xul, xen, xian, yad, yag, yal, yar, yath, yeon, yhal, yir, yirar, yuir, yul, yur, zail, zala, zalhar, zan, zanda, zar, zalar, zarach, zaru, zash, zashu, zemur, zhent, zim, ziram, zindala, zindar, zoun, zul, zurr, zuth, zuu, zym

A lot of places are named after historical events, battles, and people, so keep that in mind. God/Goddess names tied to your world also work well. Places are also often named after things that the area is known for, like Georgia being known for its peaches.

My brain was fried by the end of this so feel free to add more!

I hope you find this reference helpful and good luck world-building!

-Mel

[yourplayersaidwhat]

Don’t Eat The Bread

Context: At the beginning of the game an insane old beggar woman managed to sell our paladin “bread” in an ally way. We had nearly forgot about it until we took inventory at a hot spring where the boys of our group got curious.

Paladin: I take out the bread

DM: *sighs* I would implore you not too

Warrior: I’ll take a bite if you take a bite

DM: I IMPLORE YOU NOT TOO

Paladin: I take some of the bread and split it with Burn Tee

DM: some crumbs fall into the water you’re sitting in and fizz/green smoke come out

Mage + Tank + Thief: DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

Paladin and Warrior eat the bread

DM: Congrats!!1! You fucking idiots!! You both are now unconscious for the next 42 hours!!! Fuck Y O U!

[ofkingsandvagabonds]

Benicio Casko, 45 year old human Mercenary (Mage)

Benicio has had a long, dark past, which haunts him to this day. He was born of black magic, his parents conceiving him during a blood ritual. They did terrible things, most of which is a blur to him, lost in the fog of trauma. Glimpses of what he had witness do however occasionally flash before his eyes and terrorize him.

When he was seven they tried to sacrifice him to their demons, but he was able to escape. He ran from them, ran so far until his feet were bloodied and lungs almost burst. He’s not sure if they ever searched for him but for years he never felt safe.

Out of necessity he taught himself everything he needed to survive. He started off a thief as a young boy, robbing only enough to keep him fed, but not too much to alarm the authorities. With age and experience he became more resourceful and could talk a beggar out of his last coin. He could also be discreet were it counted and was hired for some assassination jobs.

His wit, charm and sleight of hand got him far in life. He had ways of extracting information and disappearing into the shadow like none other.  He lives his life as a chess player, always thinking ten steps ahead, although to others it might seem frivolous, impulsive and to some degree radical.  He charmed his way into a friendship with the Half-Faye Gilroy to get an in with  Galdor’s royal family. This secured him steady work as a Spy.  Benicio extracted information that the King`s unworthy son-in-law Tarik had broken their agreement and was now residing in Wydda, for what reasons he did not yet know. Furthermore he found out that the Kings grand-daughter Alyssa had escaped and was most likely headed towards Gailrock. Benicio was asked to find the girl and bring her to court, without revealing what their plans for her were.

Benicio had no difficulty finding her, after spreading horrible rumors about the Wydder - rumors which would later have serious consequences - in public. He was soon confronted by a Half-Elf maiden fitting the description of the girl he was searching for.  Enticing her in a riveting conversation he tried to extract more information from her, although she was equally careful not to reveal anything personal and had a clever backstory prepared to explain her knowledge. Isabelle, was her name. His persistent, yet charming ways led them to a love affair neither of them were prepared for. Although he knew she was the King’s grand-daughter, he was not yet ready to give her up and kept her identity a secret.

One day the King had another quest for him. To protect a messenger on her way to the Borderlands. She had important information for the Prince and was suppose to retrieve him and his army.  Benicio and Yara set off. Her fiery hair matched her personality and he rather enjoyed her company. One night he was plagued with terrible nightmares and was woken by Yara. His hands were lighting up in static and flame, a magic he was unable to control. Yara grabbed his face and talked him down. Although she was injured slightly in the process she did not leave his side. That night he found out there was dark magic in him. Magic he would have to learn to contain.  What neither of them knew at the time is that the injuries Yara sustained left a mark on her skin of Dark Magic which would slowly fester.  Covered in sweat, pulse racing, driven by fear, anxiety and desire he stole a kiss from her. Although their relationship never went any further it planted something in him. A feeling he had never felt before, not even with Isabelle. He loved that woman with the fiery hair. The relationship with Isabelle, built on lies did not stand a chance. He confessed everything to her and was dismissed by the Elf. He also confronted the King and told him of his grand-child’s whereabouts. She was taken in, not as a prisoner, but as a long lost relative. After the battle he was back to his old, witty, self, hiding the fact to everyone, but Yara, that there were powers in him he deeply feared. She asked him to join their band of heroes in search for the Lost Prince and on the way find someone who can help detain or take away his magic. Both of them still unknown of the dark mark on Yara’s body.