Helo

Ember Grove - Reboot

True Life - I was a Holy Savior

Intervention

---

》B a s i c s

Full name: Elias Jonas Shepard
Age: 28
Date of Birth: 11/23/92
Gender: Male
Occupation: Bartender
Where are you from?: Georgia

》A p p e a r a n c e

Height:5'11
Weight: 160lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Hair Length: Short
Skin Color: Tanned
Eye Color: Blue
Tattoos, Piercings, etc skin markings: A cross tattoo on his right bicep from his time as with The Holy Saviors. He wears a large cross around his neck and a Roman collar although he clearly isn’t a priest.

High Hopes

---

》R e l a t i o n s h i p s

Sexuality: Straight
Relationship Status: Single
Any pre-determined friends?: None
Siblings' Status: Only child
Parents' Status: Alive but estranged
Pets: None
How open is your character to friends from 1 to 10?: 8
How open is your character to romance from 1 to 10?: 5

》I n t e r e s t s

Likes:
✡ A hot meal enjoyed with good company
✡ Music that really has something to say
✡ Smoking a cigarette on a quiet night while looking at the stars

Dislikes:
✡ Killing, even when it must be done
✡ The indoctrination of the young and otherwise ill-informed
✡ Hate, and what it does to a person, rotting them from the inside out

Hobbies:
✡ Conversing with strangers
✡ Drinking
✡ Searching for a meaning in a chaotic world

Skills:
✡ Combat, several years training and hunting, and even more years hunting animals have given him decent skills with your standard variety of weapons. He’s no longer fond of firearms and the only one he carries on him, a handgun, is his last resort if it comes down to a kill or be killed situation.

✡ Quick reflexes, a must have for anyone who goes looking for trouble, but he’s not exactly set for endurance, smoking since thirteen will leave you with shit lungs after all.

✡ His ability to relate to and empathize with others, he listens well, seeking to truly understand those he talks to. He keeps an open mind, tries to learn from others and allow them to learn from his mistakes, and he’d rather talk than fight any day of the week.

The Grey

---

》P e r s o n a l i t y

Eli’s personality has gone through radical changes in the past few years. A rebirth of sorts, and he emerged from the shell of an angry and hateful young man as someone who seeks to better understand the world and its people. He has a deep respect for things he took for granted, and the thing he respects the most is life. He his personality is still, in many ways, evolving, having spent much less time away from the cult known as The Holy Saviors than he did as one of its most loyal members. He is driven to become a better person by his guilt and shame of his former self, fiercely determined to put as much good into the world before his number’s up. All that’s left of his rage is directed at no one but himself, for the things he did and the mistakes he made. It’s the last piece of his former self that he can’t let go, because he knows the things he did, are unforgivable.

Outwardly Eli is kind and friendly, willing to help others and as generous as he can afford to be. He strives to stay open to new experiences and anything that can expand his world view and understanding, but he is slow to fully trust. His time in a cult has made him well aware how easy it really is to manipulate and deceive. If the road to hell is truly paved with good intentions then he knows he must be careful where his intentions lead him. For someone who gets such joy from meeting new people; listening to the stories they have to tell and experiences they have to share, he has trouble maintaining friendships. Partially because of his difficulties with trust and his tendency to move around a lot, but mostly due to his self-destructive behaviors and his belief that he doesn’t deserve real happiness.

The majority of what many people might mistake for courage comes from his self-destructive tendencies. Other lives are worth more than his, a grizzly fate is what he believes he deserves and to die in another’s place would bring him peace. Eli is neither closed off or guarded about his past, more than willing to share his past mistakes with those who push for details. If he can dissuade others from going down the same road, it’s more than worth sharing what they would learn in time anyhow. When he was young his faith in things was incredibly strong, but he lost that. If there exists a higher power, well the things he’s seen in this world do not make such a God worthy of worship. He holds nothing aside from life, and simple pleasures, as sacred anymore. The world is a dark and cruel place so he does what he can to feed the light.

》H i s t o r y

“If you’re looking for a tragic backstory to explain the things I’ve done, you won’t find one here. My choices, and mistakes, were all of my own doing. I laid down with dogs and now I’m covered in fleas.”

Raised by a pair of devote Catholics; his father a real fire and brimstone type preacher type, and his mother a cook at a run-down old dinner. He didn’t have much growing up but he had food and shelter and if you asked him, he’d say there are plenty who had a worse start than he. His father was a fan of harsh discipline and Eli was a wild child who grew up having to make his own fun. In essence, he got well acquainted with his father’s belt. When he was you his parents forced him into every church related activity they could. They were really hoping the whole ‘honor thy father and thy mother’ stuff would kick in but what really stuck was all the stuff about evil and righteous fury. His father’s church was very old school, similar in a lot of ways to the Holy Saviors. As a kid, and especially as a teen, Eli was full of rage. There was something comforting about an entire group of people, a whole congregation, who all knew they were better, and to be filled with righteous fury at those who were deemed wicked.

Eli and his father never got along, and at thirteen he left home and never went back. He bounced around through various towns, living in churches and homeless shelters, searching for something even though he wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking for. Eventually he ended up in Ember Grove, and met an incredibly enigmatic young priest, Father Xavier. From the moment they crossed paths Eli idolized the young preacher. He was passionate, so completely sure of every word he spoke, and drew lost souls to him like a righteous flame. The thing about being in a cult is you can’t see it until it’s too late, and once you’ve gone all in you become trapped. Eli devoted his time to doing nothing but serving The Holy Saviors. He helped build that group into what it is today, he recruited, he studied, and eventually he hunted and killed for them too. It wasn’t all hunting and murdering witches though, other members helped him to find what he thought was his way. They studied with him, helped him get his GED, they became like family to him. It wasn’t hard to kill when he thought he was doing Gods work and he was so enraptured by Father Xavier that the preacher’s truth was the only thing he could see.

Eli devoted a large part of his free time to the study of scripture with Father Xavier, becoming a part of his inner most circle. He planned to go to seminary school, become a priest as well, and to help lead alongside his mentor. He took classes at the university in Ember Grove, majoring in philosophy and while he started towards seminary school, he never took his vows. Things changed when he and some others were sent after a coven. Except instead of a coven they found a family. Killing adults weas one thing, but to slaughter children, even witch children, was a horror he had not expected. Doubt set in. How could he be on a righteous path if this is where it led, watching a man who he thought spoke for God, gun down a child. He did everything he could to convince himself it was justified, and thought of leaving the behind the only place that had truly felt like a home was terrifying.

Somehow, he found the strength to draw a line when it came to what he could be asked to do. He no longer found himself worthy of priesthood, if this was what God demanded then he longer wished to submit, and if it wasn’t then he was certainly no righteous man. He left Ember Grove, leaving behind those he thought of as family, a place that welcomed him with acceptance, and every deeply ingrained belief he held about the world. He tried to see more of the world than the small corner he knew and tried to learn more about the creatures he hunted. The painful truth became evident, he found no evil in the majority of witches, at least none that did not exist in the average person. Hunting down vampires and werewolves proved just as complex. There was no easy way to tell the difference between good and evil in the world. So, for a time he gave it all up, even faith itself. Eli believed in nothing, he resigned himself to drink himself to death and ignore every ugly truth about the world.

As hard as he tried to ignore it, he saw evidence of people being slaughtered by creatures and creatures whose deaths were caused by hunters. Guilt of being nothing more than a bystander to the bloodshed he’d once been such a willing participant in, set in and that guilt ate at him. He couldn’t do nothing, and there was no going back to what he’d been before, and so Eli became something new. He knew that his first step had be returning to Ember Grove, the place where he had done the most damage, a place where creatures of all kinds were drawn. The Roman collar that hangs heavy around his neck serves as his reminder, of all things he won’t do, the terrible mistakes he’s made, and of his new calling, a promise to do what he can to preserve life. This is his form of atonement though he knows that there is no grand redemption from his crimes. If there is a soul, he knows his is far too tarnished to be clean again. All he can do now is put as much good back into the world to offset some of the evil he put into it.

Now Eli hunts by his own rules, he can no longer see the world in black and white, there’s too much gray everywhere, and he knows it’s not always as clear as creatures bad, people good. He’s encountered far too many sacks of shit who call themselves people and a good number of supernaturals who don’t even seem capable of doing the things he’s done. So, he only goes in for the kill when he’s sure, sure that the thing he’s hunting is killing. Being a vigilante is not as cracked up as he once thought it would be, but he can’t go back now, can’t know what’s out there and do nothing. However, there’s plenty of days though, were he questions if doing something is just as bad. Even with the rules he set up for himself, only killing things he knows are dangerous, it still eats at him. How can judge he monsters when he’s a monster himself?

Hurt

---

》G r o u p

Unaffiliated and while he’s willing to work with others, Eli isn’t going to let anyone command him to kill ever again.

》P r e f e r r e d W e a p on (s)

A Barretta 9mm handgun serves as his last resort and he prefers it in its holster than in his hand. He has a collection of UV, silver, and regular bullets. He also carries with him a powerful UV flashlight, his vampire deterrent knowing they can get pretty hungry at times, as well as silver coated brass knuckles in his pocket for frisky werewolves. When actively hunting something across his back he carries a combat machete.

》C o m b a t S k i l l s
✡ He does okay in a fist fight but is by no means a brawler. He’s quick and scrappy, relying on improvising and ending things quickly.

✡ Tenacity, he doesn’t give up, and fights without any fear of death.

✡ When it comes down to it, Eli is a good shot, and he doesn’t scare easily.

》W e a k n e s s e s

✡ Smoking habit’s done a lot to lessen his endurance.

✡ Not much in the way of brute strength when compared to supernaturals and even other hunters.

✡ Extreme reluctance to kill.

Ember Grove - Reboot

So, if hunter spots are closed I understand but I thought I'd submit this guy and see what you think, just trying to throw in someone who can have friendly interactions than Noah...

True Life - I was a Holy Savior

Intervention

---

》B a s i c s

Full name: Elias Jonas Shepard
Age: 28
Date of Birth: 11/23/92
Gender: Male
Occupation: Bartender
Where are you from?: Georgia

》A p p e a r a n c e

Height:5'11
Weight: 160lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Hair Length: Short
Skin Color: Tanned
Eye Color: Blue
Tattoos, Piercings, etc skin markings: A cross tattoo on his right bicep from his time as with The Holy Saviors. He wears a large cross around his neck and a Roman collar although he clearly isn’t a priest.

High Hopes

---

》R e l a t i o n s h i p s

Sexuality: Straight
Relationship Status: Single
Any pre-determined friends?: None
Siblings' Status: Only child
Parents' Status: Alive but estranged
Pets: None
How open is your character to friends from 1 to 10?: 8
How open is your character to romance from 1 to 10?: 5

》I n t e r e s t s

Likes:
✡ A hot meal enjoyed with good company
✡ Music that really has something to say
✡ Smoking a cigarette on a quiet night while looking at the stars

Dislikes:
✡ Killing, even when it must be done
✡ The indoctrination of the young and otherwise ill-informed
✡ Hate, and what it does to a person, rotting them from the inside out

Hobbies:
✡ Conversing with strangers
✡ Drinking
✡ Searching for a meaning in a chaotic world

Skills:
✡ Combat, several years training and hunting, and even more years hunting animals have given him decent skills with your standard variety of weapons. He’s no longer fond of firearms and the only one he carries on him, a handgun, is his last resort if it comes down to a kill or be killed situation.

✡ Quick reflexes, a must have for anyone who goes looking for trouble, but he’s not exactly set for endurance, smoking since thirteen will leave you with shit lungs after all.

✡ His ability to relate to and empathize with others, he listens well, seeking to truly understand those he talks to. He keeps an open mind, tries to learn from others and allow them to learn from his mistakes, and he’d rather talk than fight any day of the week.

The Grey

---

》P e r s o n a l i t y

Eli’s personality has gone through radical changes in the past few years. A rebirth of sorts, and he emerged from the shell of an angry and hateful young man as someone who seeks to better understand the world and its people. He has a deep respect for things he took for granted, and the thing he respects the most is life. He his personality is still, in many ways, evolving, having spent much less time away from the cult known as The Holy Saviors than he did as one of its most loyal members. He is driven to become a better person by his guilt and shame of his former self, fiercely determined to put as much good into the world before his number’s up. All that’s left of his rage is directed at no one but himself, for the things he did and the mistakes he made. It’s the last piece of his former self that he can’t let go, because he knows the things he did, are unforgivable.

Outwardly Eli is kind and friendly, willing to help others and as generous as he can afford to be. He strives to stay open to new experiences and anything that can expand his world view and understanding, but he is slow to fully trust. His time in a cult has made him well aware how easy it really is to manipulate and deceive. If the road to hell is truly paved with good intentions then he knows he must be careful where his intentions lead him. For someone who gets such joy from meeting new people; listening to the stories they have to tell and experiences they have to share, he has trouble maintaining friendships. Partially because of his difficulties with trust and his tendency to move around a lot, but mostly due to his self-destructive behaviors and his belief that he doesn’t deserve real happiness.

The majority of what many people might mistake for courage comes from his self-destructive tendencies. Other lives are worth more than his, a grizzly fate is what he believes he deserves and to die in another’s place would bring him peace. Eli is neither closed off or guarded about his past, more than willing to share his past mistakes with those who push for details. If he can dissuade others from going down the same road, it’s more than worth sharing what they would learn in time anyhow. When he was young his faith in things was incredibly strong, but he lost that. If there exists a higher power, well the things he’s seen in this world do not make such a God worthy of worship. He holds nothing aside from life, and simple pleasures, as sacred anymore. The world is a dark and cruel place so he does what he can to feed the light.

》H i s t o r y

“If you’re looking for a tragic backstory to explain the things I’ve done, you won’t find one here. My choices, and mistakes, were all of my own doing. I laid down with dogs and now I’m covered in fleas.”

Raised by a pair of devote Catholics; his father a real fire and brimstone type preacher type, and his mother a cook at a run-down old dinner. He didn’t have much growing up but he had food and shelter and if you asked him, he’d say there are plenty who had a worse start than he. His father was a fan of harsh discipline and Eli was a wild child who grew up having to make his own fun. In essence, he got well acquainted with his father’s belt. When he was you his parents forced him into every church related activity they could. They were really hoping the whole ‘honor thy father and thy mother’ stuff would kick in but what really stuck was all the stuff about evil and righteous fury. His father’s church was very old school, similar in a lot of ways to the Holy Saviors. As a kid, and especially as a teen, Eli was full of rage. There was something comforting about an entire group of people, a whole congregation, who all knew they were better, and to be filled with righteous fury at those who were deemed wicked.

Eli and his father never got along, and at thirteen he left home and never went back. He bounced around through various towns, living in churches and homeless shelters, searching for something even though he wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking for. Eventually he ended up in Ember Grove, and met an incredibly enigmatic young priest, Father Xavier. From the moment they crossed paths Eli idolized the young preacher. He was passionate, so completely sure of every word he spoke, and drew lost souls to him like a righteous flame. The thing about being in a cult is you can’t see it until it’s too late, and once you’ve gone all in you become trapped. Eli devoted his time to doing nothing but serving The Holy Saviors. He helped build that group into what it is today, he recruited, he studied, and eventually he hunted and killed for them too. It wasn’t all hunting and murdering witches though, other members helped him to find what he thought was his way. They studied with him, helped him get his GED, they became like family to him. It wasn’t hard to kill when he thought he was doing Gods work and he was so enraptured by Father Xavier that the preacher’s truth was the only thing he could see.

Eli devoted a large part of his free time to the study of scripture with Father Xavier, becoming a part of his inner most circle. He planned to go to seminary school, become a priest as well, and to help lead alongside his mentor. He took classes at the university in Ember Grove, majoring in philosophy and while he started towards seminary school, he never took his vows. Things changed when he and some others were sent after a coven. Except instead of a coven they found a family. Killing adults weas one thing, but to slaughter children, even witch children, was a horror he had not expected. Doubt set in. How could he be on a righteous path if this is where it led, watching a man who he thought spoke for God, gun down a child. He did everything he could to convince himself it was justified, and thought of leaving the behind the only place that had truly felt like a home was terrifying.

Somehow, he found the strength to draw a line when it came to what he could be asked to do. He no longer found himself worthy of priesthood, if this was what God demanded then he longer wished to submit, and if it wasn’t then he was certainly no righteous man. He left Ember Grove, leaving behind those he thought of as family, a place that welcomed him with acceptance, and every deeply ingrained belief he held about the world. He tried to see more of the world than the small corner he knew and tried to learn more about the creatures he hunted. The painful truth became evident, he found no evil in the majority of witches, at least none that did not exist in the average person. Hunting down vampires and werewolves proved just as complex. There was no easy way to tell the difference between good and evil in the world. So, for a time he gave it all up, even faith itself. Eli believed in nothing, he resigned himself to drink himself to death and ignore every ugly truth about the world.

As hard as he tried to ignore it, he saw evidence of people being slaughtered by creatures and creatures whose deaths were caused by hunters. Guilt of being nothing more than a bystander to the bloodshed he’d once been such a willing participant in, set in and that guilt ate at him. He couldn’t do nothing, and there was no going back to what he’d been before, and so Eli became something new. He knew that his first step had be returning to Ember Grove, the place where he had done the most damage, a place where creatures of all kinds were drawn. The Roman collar that hangs heavy around his neck serves as his reminder, of all things he won’t do, the terrible mistakes he’s made, and of his new calling, a promise to do what he can to preserve life. This is his form of atonement though he knows that there is no grand redemption from his crimes. If there is a soul, he knows his is far too tarnished to be clean again. All he can do now is put as much good back into the world to offset some of the evil he put into it.

Now Eli hunts by his own rules, he can no longer see the world in black and white, there’s too much gray everywhere, and he knows it’s not always as clear as creatures bad, people good. He’s encountered far too many sacks of shit who call themselves people and a good number of supernaturals who don’t even seem capable of doing the things he’s done. So, he only goes in for the kill when he’s sure, sure that the thing he’s hunting is killing. Being a vigilante is not as cracked up as he once thought it would be, but he can’t go back now, can’t know what’s out there and do nothing. However, there’s plenty of days though, were he questions if doing something is just as bad. Even with the rules he set up for himself, only killing things he knows are dangerous, it still eats at him. How can judge he monsters when he’s a monster himself?

Hurt

---

》G r o u p

Unaffiliated and while he’s willing to work with others, Eli isn’t going to let anyone command him to kill ever again.

》P r e f e r r e d W e a p on (s)

A Barretta 9mm handgun serves as his last resort and he prefers it in its holster than in his hand. He has a collection of UV, silver, and regular bullets. He also carries with him a powerful UV flashlight, his vampire deterrent knowing they can get pretty hungry at times, as well as silver coated brass knuckles in his pocket for frisky werewolves. When actively hunting something across his back he carries a combat machete.

》C o m b a t S k i l l s
✡ He does okay in a fist fight but is by no means a brawler. He’s quick and scrappy, relying on improvising and ending things quickly.

✡ Tenacity, he doesn’t give up, and fights without any fear of death.

✡ When it comes down to it, Eli is a good shot, and he doesn’t scare easily.

》W e a k n e s s e s

✡ Smoking habit’s done a lot to lessen his endurance.

✡ Not much in the way of brute strength when compared to supernaturals and even other hunters.

✡ Extreme reluctance to kill.

Avalia

Time: Late Afternoon
Location:Roshmi City
Interactions: Ayita @13org, Sakura @baraquiel, Artemis @Potter

“A worry we both share, it is, unfortunately a myth that cats are always graceful.” Cade spoke to Ayita, who shared her concerns about making a misstep during the dances. He was certainly not a skilled or graceful dancer but his lack of rhythm never prevented him from enjoying it. He chuckled a bit at the child who spoke to Sakura, who handled the comment with the same graceful pose she always seemed to show. The child seemed completely out of place, not even making an attempt at proper table manners the way Cade was, and he was almost certain the boy wasn’t actually invited to the ball. He had to admire the craftiness of the young fox for sneaking in for a chance to raid the feast, something he could easily imagine himself doing as a child.

Cade notice the approach of another woman, with a hand outstretched holding a paper butterfly. He had not noticed his own paper fluttering about due to the food. He was delighted to see so many of the paper butterflies about the ballroom, and had he still been a cub he imagined they’d be great fun to chase about. He did not think about the butterflies for long though, quickly noticing that the woman who had approached looked quite distressed. Although she wore a mask, he could see the red tinge to her eyes, the way those who looked less animalistic than he got when they cried. He noticed how she did not meet his eyes nor did she speak to him. Cade worried that his dance partner might be afraid of him and he sat his plate down no longer thinking about the food he’d left unfinished. In an attempt to seem less imposing he relaxed his posture, hoping to lessen his height to the clearly nervous woman with brightly colored hair.

“Apologies, m'lady, it seems I have forgotten my manners when surrounded by a great feast. How shameful to make such a lovely maiden search me out, I hope I have not offended you.” Cade bowed politely and did his best to keep his normally booming voice soft as he spoke. “I am called Cadence of a Thunderstorm, but most simply call me Cade. While I would be honored to share a dance, if you’re not up for it I am an excellent conversationalist.” He offered, hoping to put her mind at ease some.

---

Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Roshmi City
Interactions: Torvi @Tae, Belle, and Corvina @Potter

Boreas had noticed the approach of the elf even before Bowyn did, the bird seemed quiet interested in the amount of paper butterflies flapping around the room. As the elf spoke it was more than clear that the time to duck out unnoticed had more than certainly passed them all by. He let out a sigh as he accepted that he was going to be stuck here for the time being. He realized he had to play the part, like he was supposed to be here and act like he too was some grand noble who found such an event to be his idea of a great time. He buried down his utter disdain for the whole thing as deep as he could and focused on what he had to do, figure out who at this party they could trust.

”Hi, you must be my dance partner. It’s nice to meet you.”

Bowyn paused for a moment as he studied the elf that had approached him, her dress and mask both invoked imagery of fire. He quickly finished what was left of his mead and with one final glance towards Torvi and Belle he stood to face his dance partner, wearing his very best fake but polite smile. He had no way to know for sure whether this elf was a friend or foe, heck he couldn’t even be sure she was, in fact, even an elf. He hoped for the sake of his friends that it was not so easy to tell the difference between a disguised human and an elf. Her expression seemed calm and neutral, one not easily read, though he noticed a slight nervous tick; her momentary chewing of her lip. That could easily be nerves from dancing with a complete stranger. He hoped his unease with strangers was difficult to read, but none the less it seemed now was the time to play with fire.

“Hello. I’m Bowyn.” He spoke softly, the way those who concerned themselves with politeness frequently did, and bowed to the female elf before him. “May I have a dance?” He asked offering an outstretched hand to the elf. Although the dances had been magically predetermined it still seemed ruder than even he cared for to assume there was no choice in the matter. “My incredibly handsome friend is called Boreas, and he insists on following me around. He’s quite clingy so I hope you don’t mind if he comes along.” Bowyn added gesturing to the bird and attempting to cut through some of the awkwardness of the whole situation. He had only one dance to determine how trustworthy this elf was so he did what he could to seem charming, not matter how irritating he found the charade.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Night
Location: From the forest to The Pit
Interaction with: Good friends and a good meal

Mood Music

Although Noah felt a deep sense of pride that they had accomplished something beautiful in the grizzly scene they had left within the woods this was just the beginning of the night. After such hard work he, and the vampires who accompanied him, were more than ready for something to eat. Hunger burned in his throat, awakened even more so by the small lick of blood he’d tried from the witch. While Ember Grove offered a handful of places for vampires to hunt it was, when compared to large city, terribly dull. Noah longed to see the world, to visit the places he only knew of through stories, but Ember Grove remained all he knew of the world. It was loyalty that kept him here, both to his clan and to Celeste, the one who had sired him. The sense of loss at having been abandoned by his sire was greater than what he felt even as human, when his entire family had been taken from him one at time.

From Celeste he had learned everything about pain, and every time be brought torment to another living thing, he felt a fleeting sense of connection to his sire. Blood and pain where all that Noah had to keep his damaged mind at peace, and the only thing he truly feared were the places his mind wandered to when he was left alone. But now, now he didn’t have to be alone, he had found friends within his clan. First there had been Sierra, similar in age to Noah they had quickly bonded during time spent torturing those held captive by Sanguine Moon. As they began to hunt together Noah could see the same hints of damage and madness in her eyes, although the pair rarely spoke of their mortal lives. Together they had found a mentor in Silas.

Though Silas did not share their delight in causing destruction, he instead seemed devoid of any joy, but he too needed the comfort that came with being surrounded by pain. Noah was fascinated by Silas; his quiet rage, his tales of a mortal life as a killer, and his complete lack of any traces of humanity. He was older than Noah, though when asked about his age the only answer Noah ever got was ‘I do not count.’ Silas said very little but his ideas were always the most brutal. Strangely though, he seemed content to mostly watch as Noah and Sierra played their games. As the trio of vampires walked through the pitch-black forest Noah and Sierra casually discussed where they wanted to grab a bite.

“The University? With everyone walking around buzzing on caffeine and stress, their skin vibrates against my teeth.” Sierra suggested with a delighted giggle.

“Alexander’s art showing is tonight.” Silas reminded them. “And you two would distract from his event.”

“All those people admiring his work, not knowing what befell the subjects. The irony is so delicious.” Sierra smirked at the thought of watching humans admiring the paintings of victims. Noah chuckled at this thought as well.

“We should have an art show, decorate the building with entrails.” Noah said as he wrapped an arm around Sierra’s shoulders. “Imagine canvas made from skin and painted on with blood. A sculpture made from turning a person inside out. A grand chandelier, embedded with teeth and with eyeballs covering the all the lights…” Noah continued on describing his own version of an art show so that Sierra would not feel like she was missing out on the fun. He knew Silas was right, their master would not appreciate his night being ruined.

“How horrific.” Sierra whispered with sense of awe, the way a normal person might speak on the beauty of something.

“Instead of wine and cheese we’d end the night by eating everyone who came to see, and the slaughter would be our grand masterpiece.” Noah continued on describing his idea of a lovely art show until they made their way through the forest and into town, towards somewhere they could grab a bite.

The group of vampires made their way through town looking for the right opportunity to grab someone to eat. Sierra seemed to be drawn towards the center of Ember Grove’s nightlife and the other two simply followed her and the obnoxiously loud music they were drawing closer to, made it clear they were headed towards The Pit. Noah hated The Pit, its lights that strobed and flashed. Its overpowering scent of sweat, lust, and alcohol. But most of all, its incessant music that rattled his insides to the point where he thought his head would split right open. Here he couldn’t focus, couldn’t think, all he wanted to do what was tear everything in that building apart. But how could he not follow them? Without his friends he would be alone, and he wasn’t sure which was worse. But Noah didn’t have to decide, as Sierra grabbed his face with her hands pulling his attention away from the club.

“Noah.” Sierra sang his name and he focused in on her wild eyes. “Wait in the alley, we’ll bring you someone nice and fresh to eat.” Moonlight gleamed of her exposed fangs as she smiled at him. Noah nodded, he could handle being just outside the club, and he headed off to the alleyway behind the club while his friends went inside.

So, Noah waited, and in the alleyway the sounds of the club more of a dull ache than a full-on assault. He could almost see the back wall pounding with the bass of the music. He wondered how the building could even begin to contain such noise. So much of his life had been spent in the quiet and in the dark that it was jarring to think of people living surrounded by such vibrant things. While he could vividly recall his time in captivity the part of his mortal life that was normal was so foggy and distant. He remembered being prey and then becoming the predator, and like a predator he waited in the shadows for the prey to come to him.

Before long he spotted Sierra bounding through the back door first, followed by a young couple, then Silas behind them. As Silas went to light the cigarette the female held between her teeth, Noah skulked forward. Moving silently until he was behind the male. As the male turned to see Noah behind him, Silas grabbed the female by the hair, slamming the human’s head into the wall with a loud crack. The male tried to scream but Noah already had a hand over the guys mouth and Sierra wrapped her fingers around the male’s neck, her sharp fingernails digging into his throat. Instead of a scream all that came out of the male was a gurgling sound. Silas never shared his meals, which Noah thought was a bit greedy of him, it wasn’t like there was a shortage of people to eat walking around. He and Sierra never minded sharing a meal and they hunted together often. After feeding the bodies they left behind were tossed into a dumpster with the rest of the trash. Although they’d likely be found soon enough it seemed no matter how many people in town ended up dead or missing there still seemed to be plenty of humans roaming the streets, even at night. Their prey had little in the way of sense.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Dusk
Location: Deep within the Woods
Interaction with: N/A

“Deck the witch with gasoline
Light a match and watch 'em gleam
Dance until they’ve burnt to ashes
It’s always fun to play with matches.”

Noah gleefully sang as he played with a zippo lighter, slapping the top open and flicking it back closed repeatedly. Noah and two other vampires gathered deep within the woods of Ember Grove. A makeshift stake and wood pile sat withing a small clearing. Tied to the stake was warlock, and a blood-soaked gag stifled any attempts to scream. One of the other vampires, Silas, splashed a can of gasoline onto the warlock and the wood pile. Although the smell of gasoline cut through the air, Noah could still catch delightful whiffs of fear. He let out a low and sinister cackle as he turned his attention to the other witch there, one held still by the third vampire, Sierra.

“Try anything and I’ll cut your tongue out too.” Noah threatened as he waived a blood-stained knife in front of the witch’s face. The warlock had tried to use magic against them, but Noah had been clever; warlocks can’t speak their magic without a tongue. Noah used the hunting knife to lower the gag from the mouth of the witch, this one could still speak and he was going to give them one last chance to give up the information he wanted. “Just tell us what you know about Shay and we’ll kill him quick.”

“We don’t know anyone named Shay.” The witch continued to persist and after all the time spent torturing the warlock while the witch was made to watch Noah was beginning to believe them.

“Well that’s a shame isn’t it.” Noah replied grinning. He took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it and flicked it onto the woodpile. The witch in front of him screamed in absolute terror as both the wood and the warlock ignited. Noah let out his own guttural scream which slowly devolved into more sinister and mocking laughter. “You can scream all you want, no one can hear you.” He shouted over the witch’s screams, enjoying the theatrics of it all.

“Well now what? They’re useless.” Sierra asked.

“Guess we’ll just have to track down more witches until we find one who knows something useful.” Noah said, shrugging. He hadn’t really thought the first pair of witches they found would know anything about Shay but it had been fun to try, gave him something to do on a relatively quiet Friday night. Noah tried to think of a way to expedite the whole process though, finding these two had taken them while and it wasn’t as if they could smell witches they way you could with werewolves.

“Would you shut the fuck up already I’m trying to think.” Noah shouted as the witch kept screaming. He shoved the gag back over her mouth before turning his attention back to the other two vampires. “Maybe not entirely useless, we can use them to send a message, and maybe if we kill enough of them we can draw Shay out.” Noah suggested.

Tonight, Noah’s chaos was not random; he had a plan. He was going to track down Lord Drake’s missing pet even if it meant he’d have to burn through every witch in Ember Grove to do so. Shay had escaped from New Paeonia, and although the young vampire was still naive enough to think nothing could truly be a threat to a vampire, he knew that their location was supposed to be kept secret. Having a witch running around knowing exactly where they lived was a nuisance, but dragging her back and leaving her gift wrapped for Alexander would certainly earn the master’s favor. Noah and his friends had been careful not to bite either the witch or the warlock, leaving no traces that this had been done by vampires. He wanted to be sure not to ruin the surprise for their master. Now he had a new addition to his plan, every useless witch they killed would have a message for Shay. Maybe if they killed enough of them, she’d come back willingly just to make it stop. Or maybe it would be enough to draw her, or someone who knew her, out for them to find. Either way Noah was very proud of his plan, and if they didn’t succeed at least it would be fun.

Noah then took his time carving the name ‘SHAY’ into the stomach of the witch while Sierra and Silas held the creature still. “You can kill her now.” He said flippantly once he was done. There was a crack as Sierra snapped the witch’s neck and dropped her body to the ground. Noah paused for a second and licked some of the blood from his knife taking his first taste of witch’s blood. He was disappointed to find it didn’t taste any different than a regular human, there was no power he could detect in this blood. Noah plunged the knife through the witch’s heart, leaving it there for who ever found the bodies, and they stuck around just long enough to ensure that the fire didn’t spread throughout the forest, it would do them no good to burn up their message for Shay after all.

Avalia

Time: Late Afternoon
Location:Roshmi City
Interactions: Ayita @13org, Sakura @baraquiel

Cade’s interest in the food was momentarily forgotten as a new guest entered the ballroom drawing a great many stares and whispers from other guests. A fairy dressed in the unmistakable garb of the old royalty, a line of true rules who could never be forgotten by those who truly loved what Avalia had once been. There was no mistaking who the pink haired fairy was and those he had met from the Flower Kingdom had spoke only of the kindness and generosity of their beloved princess. The mere sight of a living remnant of a time where the rulers of Avalia had been honorable and just, before the darkness of undead lich, inspired a powerful feeling of hope in him for the return of that prosperity. He fought the urge to kneel before such a figure but the enthusiastic flicking of his tail and joyous grin gave away his excitement.

”What a remarkable display of courage.” Cade said in a soft whisper, more to himself than to his companions. His tone full of pride for all that Avalia had once been and for what he was certain it could be again. Cade’s momentary loss in his sense of awe was ended by the man handing out papers for the icebreaker dances and he quickly turned his attention back to his friends. Ayita was still concerned about fitting in with the rest of the ball goers, a concern he shared for himself as well. It was much easier for Cade to fit in with those considered commoners than the higher classes where rules of etiquette were learned from birth. He looked to Sakura, who carried herself with the elegance of those who could claim noble birth to answer any questions on proper decorum though he wasn’t sure how much anyone could really learn in only twenty minutes.

”I have always found that when lacking the knowledge of proper customs, others respond well to common politeness and respect. My village did not have the vast diversity of Roshmi but most people enjoy talking about themselves and one can get by through listening and observing. At least that has been my experience though I’ve never really spent time around the more noble classes.” Cade said offering what advice he could as he headed towards the assortment of food.

”And I can only assume it would be rude not partake in such a finely prepared feast, and worse yet to make the food continue to wait for the company of such fine ladies.” He added grateful for the chance to indulge in the fine collection of meats and fish prepared by those whose greatest skill was in the culinary arts. He made conscious effort to both keep his mouth closed when chewing and to use the provided cutlery, which felt very unnatural in his grip.

---

Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Roshmi City
Interactions: Torvi @Tae, Belle @Potter

Bowyn took the long way around the room to the area dedicated to food and drink, carefully observing his surroundings, noting the possible exists from the ballroom. Though the space itself was quite large the vast amount of people inside provided him with a very claustrophobic feeling. This was not a place he would ever want to be trapped in, surrounded by a great number of people who he did not doubt willing served Aklenroth, and knowing every possible escape gave him a mild form of relief from that thought. His attention was momentarily drawn from his surroundings at the arrival of a fairy who cause those nearby him to change their tones to hushed whispers. Upon seeing the garish attire worn by that fairy, a dress that seemed to exist for no other reason than to attract attention, Bowyn couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Some member of the practically defunct royal family from the Flower Kingdom had foolishly deemed this ball the place to try and stir up trouble, the only foreseeable outcome of such a blatant display of title.

Boreas remained still and equally observant as he rested on his shoulder, sensing the winter fairy’s unease. Bowyn would’ve preferred to leave as the whole event seemed destined for trouble and he eyed the closest exit for lingering moment before continuing through the crowd of people towards a table that contained both mead and glasses. He quickly rushed to fill three glasses spilling some of the mead in the process, but he was far too vexed by his choice not to leave immediately to remain undistracted. He allowed himself to become far too attached to both Torvi and Belle, making him unable to leave a situation where the potential for danger far outweighed any gain for him alone. The only reward this ball could offer was in helping them find allies and keeping them alive. This ball offered him no chance at getting any closer to tracking down the monstrous creature that Aklenroth had turned Aeryn into, and Bowyn could see no good reason to stay here. He carried the glasses back towards the table where Torvi and Belle where, pausing once more near an exit before continuing towards the table.

”We can’t leave them here.” Boreas said with his tone carrying message that bird understood both the sense of danger he felt from Bowyn and what staying here could mean for them.

”You don’t have to stay, you’ve done more than enough for me.” Bowyn whispered back to the merlin.

”I will stay too.” Boreas replied and Bowyn knew the bird understood what that meant, they would likely continue to put themselves in dangerous situations. That now more creatures mattered to Bowyn than just one bird.

”Then you are a fool too.” Bowyn whispered back to the bird with a hint of a smile.

”Then we will be fools together.” Boreas agreed as Bowyn and the loyal bird found their way back to the table where Torvi and Belle were seated.

“It seems the flower kingdom has sent a princess to honor us all with her presence.” Bowyn said, with mock enthusiasm, as he sat three glasses of mead at the table. He glanced at Belle who he now remembered had requested water rather than a real drink and simply shrugged.

“Didn’t see any water but there’s definitely some water in there.” Bowyn added before taking a long drink from his glass. He had a feeling he was going to need as much liquid courage as possible befor the night was through. He paused for a second to assess those who were near their table before continuing in quiet whisper. “That fairy everyone keeps looking at, a princess from the Flower Kingdom, her showing up here, and in that dress, can only lead to trouble. Our situation here is mostly likely more dangerous than we originally expected. I am still not opposed to leaving, I doubt anyone would really notice if we go before the dances start.” He offered though a part of him already knew he had missed his opportunity to so, and he doubted they would share his eagerness to leave based solely on a fairy in an old and expensive dress.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Forged in Blood

You Want it Darker

---

》B a s i c s

Full name: Noah William Beaumont
Age: 27 technically, eternally 22
Date of Birth: Febuary 11th
Gender: Male
Where are you from?: Ember Grove

》A p p e a r a n c e

Height: 5’9
Weight: 165lbs
Hair Color: Red
Hair Length: Medium, shaggy
Skin Color: Pale
Eye Color: Green
Tattoos, Piercings, etc skin markings: None, his scars were healed when he was turned.

》R e l a t i o n s h i p s

Sexuality: Straight
Relationship Status: Single
Any pre-determined friends?: TBD
Siblings' Status: All thought to be dead, although his youngest sister, Angel Beaumont, still lives.
Parents' Status: Both dead
Pets: None
How open is your character to friends from 1 to 10?: 5
How open is your character to romance from 1 to 10?: 3

》I n t e r e s t s

Likes:
✡ Indulging his whims
✡ Destruction
✡ Pain
✡ Listening to stories from other vampires
✡ Music
✡ Strength and Power

Dislikes:
✡ Daylight, he finds it incredibly irritating
✡ Humanity, and the remnants of it that exist within himself
✡ His own, broken, mind
✡ His own reflection, especially his eyes
✡ Failure
✡ The disgusting, smelly werewolves, though hunters and witches are also high on his list

Hobbies:
✡ Hunting and Killing
✡ Reading
✡ Torment the human blood slaves

Skills:
✡ Very high tolerance for pain
✡ Ruthless and headstrong, Noah is not easily swayed from his goals
✡ High endurance

Whistlin' Past the Graveyard

---

》P e r s o n a l i t y
Little remains of the person Noah once was, the amount of physical and emotional torture he received before being made vampire has broken down and reformed him into a monster. Noah acts selfishly, fueled only by his own desires, but his need to be accepted by other vampires often keep his desires in line with the clan he serves. He wants deeply to prove himself as a vampire, trying to wash himself of his humanity with constant blood drinking until it is all but a distant memory. He has no empathy for humanity, they are but cattle for the vampires who are the ultimate apex predator. Towards other vampires he feels a deep-seated need to be accepted, wanting their approval, craving it almost as much as he craves blood. He despises being alone, so much of his time as a human captive of vampires has made loneliness almost unbearable to him. His outgoing nature remains, he is friendly and occasionally chatty with other vampires, and he enjoys hearing the stories from the past older vampires have to tell.

Noah is cruel to his prey, enjoying toying with them, hunting and stalking them until their blood is made even tastier with fear and adrenaline rushing through it. His self-control is poor, as a young vampire, Noah is prone to impulsiveness and can’t easily control himself in the presence of human blood or around potential victims when hungry. He often forgets his new found vampire strength and speed as well, and with how easily he is distracted by his heightened sense these things make it difficult for him to even be around humans without seeming suspicious. Noah has an unnerving intensity to him, everything he does is fueled by a need to become what he was meant to be; a perfect monster. When set on a task he becomes completely obsessed with it, be it killing someone, learning something new, or even a small task assigned by his clan, he cannot stop until he succeeds. More than one task at a time is, however, difficult for him, it’s too overwhelming for him to try and split his focus.

His biggest weakness is how fractured his mind is, those who like him might call him unhinged but most would call him insane. Noah often hears voices or sees ghosts of his past. He hates this, they are constantly judging him and his new way of life, taunting him with what remains of his humanity. The only thing that makes these visions stop is blood, something he is more than happy to indulge in. The visions and constant sensory overload of being a vampire make him prone to horrible headaches, and when his mind hurts, he often flies into fits of rage. He enjoys destruction, cruelty, and anything that helps smother that spark of humanity buried deep that he desires to rid himself of. Once that spark is gone, he knows he can be truly free.

Duality

---

》H i s t o r y
Noah Beaumont was once a promising young man determined to change the world for the better and follow in the successful footsteps of his parents. His father was a celebrated journalist and his mother a brilliant nurse. The eldest son of the Beaumont family always had big dreams, aspiring towards greatness even if he never really decided what path he would take towards the great future that surely awaited him. His interest in science and education pulled him towards a career as a doctor, and his desire to help change the world fueled his interest in either becoming a great detective or lawyer. He never settled on what career he wanted to pursue but he knew he wanted to help make a better world, tragically though his young life would be snuffed out, and that bright future stolen from him.

His childhood was relatively unremarkable; he grew up with two younger sisters, Hope and Angel, both of whom he was incredibly protective of. He made sure to look out for them and no one was going to pick on his little sisters while he was around. He embraced his role as a big brother and needed little encouragement from his parents to look out for them. Sure, there were times, especially as a young teen, where he’d have rather gone off with his friends than stay home babysitting on the weekends but his parents both had important jobs and so he did what was expected of him. He always put a tremendous amount of pressure on himself to be a good son, brother, and student. He worked hard in school hoping to one day attend a prestigious university and spent most of his free time after school at baseball practice. At school he was almost effortlessly popular; he was good-natured, outgoing, charming, and both intellectually and athletically gifted. While it all seemed to come easy for him that was because Noah worked hard to keep up with his image of a well-rounded, all-American, boy.

His parents were too consumed with their careers and raising their younger daughters to notice the incredible amount of stress Noah was putting on himself. He rarely let anyone see him crack, keeping up the image that he was the perfect son who needed little parenting and allowing them to focus on what he considered to be more important matters. His occasional stress induced outburst were always written off as unavoidable teenage angst, and with Noah so willing to apologize for any such behavior his parents never really seemed worried about him. If his life hadn’t taken the unexpected turn that it did, it is likely that Noah wouldn’t have been able to keep up his façade all through High School with his responsibilities and stress continuing to mount.

During the holiday season in 2007 his life changed forever. As he and his family went to visit relatives for Thanksgiving, they made an unexpected stop at a strange gated community. His father, the ever-curious journalist, couldn’t help but investigated the strange place despite the eerie feeling it gave off. They were attacked and taken prisoner by some sort of gang, by people who seemed to be impossibly strong and fast. To his own horror Noah would soon learn that these people were vampires. His father fought valiantly, desperate to protect his family, and was quickly slaughtered in front of his wife and children. His body was left for days, in front of the cage Noah and his family now lived in, as a constant reminder that they had no power here. He couldn’t be sure how long his father’s lifeless body was left before them, but they all were left with little to do but watch as William Beaumont rotted away.

Months went by as the family was weakened from the constant hunger and blood loss as they were used as human cattle for the vampires who lived in the community. He was helpless as he watched his mother and sister, Hope, fall ill and try as he might to keep his younger sister’s spirits up, he had little optimism left himself. As both his mother and Hope faded away until they too were gone, Noah did whatever he could to protect his youngest sister, Angel, the only family he had left. Giving her as much of his own stringent rations as he could manage, telling her stories to keep her spirits up, and desperately trying to convince her, and himself, that they would get out of this. By some miracle they managed to convince a guard to let them outside, a plan they had conceived together knowing there was no way they could overpower their captors. But Noah had a plan of his own, to create enough of a distraction that the vampires would go after him, giving Angel the best chance at getting out and surviving.

So, once they were freed Noah ran from her, shouting, trying desperately to fight any vampire that tried to take him and using every bit of strength he had left. He could accept dying like this if it meant his little sister would live, but once they had recaptured him, they told him Angel had been killed as punishment. This was the final straw for him, his plan to save her had got her killed and all he could think about was 'what if', if had stayed by her side maybe she’d still be alive. Noah’s escape had done more than just destroy what remained of his hope, it had attracted the attention of a particularly cruel vampire who he would come to learn was called Celeste.

Celeste took an immediate interest in Noah as her new plaything, physically and mentally torturing him to see just how far she could push a person’s limits. Noah was most of the gone to begin with, with his entire family and any hope of freedom lost he had very little to live for. In time Noah accepted his fate, he gave up on fighting and collapsed into a shell of person. He was broken, the wires in his brain became crossed and pain became pleasure. He was held alone in a cage with no light at all, the only part of his day he could begin to look forward to were the visits from Celeste. Sometimes to bring him pain, other times to show him kindness. He hated her, and loved her, it was all the same. This was his life until he died.

It was Celeste who sired him, and he awoke a vampire. By this point his sanity had been stripped from him. Noah had been broken down into a subservient shell and all that was left to create a monster was to remove his humanity. His first night as a vampire was spent in his cell, a thirst and hunger like he had never felt before, even through years of being kept in constant starvation, burned in his throat. He tried to resist the urge to kill the bloodied human tossed into the cell with him, but at this point Noah had little fight in him. He tore into human flesh with the savagery of an animal. Blood quieted his mind, it washed pain away from his body, it made him stronger than he’d been even before his capture. Another year went by and Noah was kept well fed, a constant stream of humans for him to rip into were provided until, finally, Celeste was sure his humanity was also gone. Noah now understood that blood was what he needed to ensure he would never be helpless again.

Once Noah Beaumont had been a kind-hearted boy with a desire to make the world better, now he is a savage monster able to kill without a second thought. As a vampire he is free, he can be selfish, he can do what he wants, and anytime he questions this all it takes is fresh blood and his mind is quiet again, and he is content. Noah is no longer caged, he is free to do as he pleases and remains a loyal vampire, having accepted that they are the superior creatures, and that humans are but cattle for them to feast on. He counts himself lucky to have been turned, to have been given true power. Now that he has been successfully turned into a killer, Celeste has left, on to more interest places after having grown bored of Noah. Tossed aside like a toy that a child has lost interest in Noah is consumed with the question of what he did wrong. He tries to please the other vampires left in the community, and it would seem that what remains of the old Noah is his need to please others, now directed towards monsters.
 

Do You Love Me?

---

》C l a n
Sanguine Moon

》P u r e b l o o d?
Bitten

Avalia

Time: Late Afternoon
Location:Roshmi City
Interactions: Ayita @13org, Sakura @baraquiel

Cade grinned at the compliant given to him by Sakura; he thought her well versed in the high society of Avalia and if his new clothes were enough to impress her then he felt confident that he could blend in well at the ball. “Sakura you are magnificent a vision of spring.” He said as he admired the beautiful dress. “Truly a sign of the renewed life we shall bring to Avalia, and what a fetching mask to match. I have always suspected that everyone secretly desires to be cat.” He added chuckling a bit at his own joke.

He nodded when Sukura asked if they were ready to head out. Although the prospect attending an event with so many enemies seemed daunting, he felt that they had already survived worse. If there truly were allies to be found at the ball, Cade had faith they would find them, after all, Avalia herself wanted them to succeed. ”I wouldn’t worry too much Ayita, we have survived an encounter with a dragon, I have no doubt we can survive a ball.” He said confidently, he felt more than ready to give this new adventure a try.
----------------------------------------

Although the place the ball was held at was grand and beautiful the first thing Cade noticed when they arrived was the smell of food that permeated the air. His stomach growled with excitement as he scanned the room until his eyes became fixed upon the most radiant of sights; the table that held a massive feast. With a great amount of restraint, he stayed with his group and continued to take in the sights of the rest of the room rather than follow his nose directly towards the food. Upon taking in the sights of the rest of the grand hall he wondered just how easy it would really be to blend in with high society. This ball was very different from any gathering he’d ever been to and he doubted the people here traded stories of battles with trolls or of hunting great beasts. They even seemed to dance and eat differently than the company he usually kept. It was clear he would have to study people hear more closely in order to mimic their behaviors.

“I guess now we mingle, and hopefully eat? It seems they have a fine spread laid out and I would hate to see that go to waste.” Cade suggested.

---

Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Roshmi City
Interactions: Torvi @Tae, Belle @Potter

”I’d vote for anywhere but here, but since I doubt that’s still an option the back tables are closer to the exits.” Bowyn suggested once Belle had asked where they should go. He was less than impressed with the obscene opulence of the grand hall, the damn building, and the things it contained, were probably worth more than the entirety of the village he once called home. The shear amount of people here made it seem like finding other humans would be more difficult than locating a needle within a haystack. But at least there seemed to be an ample supply of alcohol which would mean soon enough the vast majority of the ball goers would be losing their wits enough to make picking pockets a more useful way to spend his time here. It would be easy enough to get money for further travels with the amount wealthy people packed into the hall.

”Check out Lord Turnip over there, I bet just one of those gems would feed an orphanage for weeks.” Bowyn whispered to Belle and Torvi as the entrance of the light elf governor was announced to the crowd of people. The sickening amount of wealth on display at the ball was more than enough to make Bowyn lose any appetite he might have had for the table of finely prepared food. A lifetime of seeing rulers and nobles flaunt their wealth and power while the common people toiled and starved was more than enough to convince him that living away from it all, alone in the forests, was a better way to live.

”Shall I go grab us some drinks while you pick out a table?” He suggested, doubting he’d make it through the evening sober without scoffing audibly at the whole thing.

Avalia

Time: 4pm
Location: Roshmi City
Interactions: Torvi @Tae, Belle @Potter

Bowyn was thankful for the free room provided by Elleta and Belle, and the house, which was a lot more extravagant than he expected, was more comfortable and secure than the tavern. It was comforting to spend time alone in a room, not quite as comforting as the absolute solitude of the forest, but as close as he was going to get in the foreseeable future. With just himself and Boreas he didn’t have to keep himself so guarded, and it wasn’t until he finally had the chance to relax that he realized how exhausting it was to keep his guard up all the time. As much as he hoped for a full night of restful sleep his mind kept that out of his reach. Nightmares of the undead continued to haunt his dreams, the decomposing visions of Aeryn, and of his own failure to act. The nightmares, as unpleasant as they were, served as reminder for what he still had to do, his burden to carry until he fixed his mistake of leaving Aeryn as a ghoul.

The day that followed saw Torvi and Belle learning the ways of elves and training in their magic, training that Bowyn opted out of; what use did a fairy have for learning to pretend to be an elf. He also saw little use in weapons training, there was no way to learn enough in a single day that would make him chose a weapon over the magic that had been a part of him since birth. He would’ve liked to use the day to form and sculpt ice from a pound on the property but the overbearing heat of Roshmi would require too much energy to maintain the ice. Instead Bowyn found a spot outside far away from the others to meditate. If he could not properly rest while asleep then resting while awake would be his bet in keeping up his strength. He didn’t share the others enthusiasm for attending a ball in Roshmi, it instead filled him with a sense of dread.

The second night was similar to the first night, and every night of the past week or so, but his much needed bath that morning had calmed his nerves for a bit. Bowyn had found clothes in the days before that suited him; black trousers, a white shirt, and a blue and silver vest. With a slight sense of whimsy he had even gotten a small bowtie that matched the fabric of the vest for Boreas. The bird found the idea of wearing said bowtie absolutely abhorrent but reluctantly agreed to do so only for the sake of being included in the groups outing. The mask he had chosen went well for someone constantly accompanied by a bird and overall Bowyn looked much more put together than he normally did. This was not his first venture into the world inhabited by wealthy elites. He had no doubts though that the more prestigious events of his own village paled in comparison to a ball held in Roshmi. When he heard Belle call for both him and Torvi he felt the sense of dread in his gut rise again. There had once been a time where he would’ve enjoyed such a thing, back when he had attended fancy parties with Aeryn, but to attend one now without her, and while she still walked the earth as an unnatural creature, just seemed like a betrayal.

“Careful Torvi, talking about being naked might summon our friend with the apple.” Bowyn said with a smirk as he entered the living room where the other two already stood, dressed and ready. “You may not have your weapons but you have magic now, a weapon that is much harder to disarm from you. Know your magic and it will know you, it will understand what you want and bend your element to your will. That is more power than any blade could ever possess.” Bowyn said while crafting a small knife out of the moister in the air. He then tossed the knife straight up and willed it to change to snow before it started falling back down. The small amount of snow then turned back into the ambient water vapor before it finished falling. The party trick from his home and the sight of snow again made him feel a bit homesick, which was strange because he was pretty sure hated his home. “And if we encounter trouble Boreas can always peck the eyes of our enemies to even the odds." Bowyn added with a smirk as the bowtied bird nodded with agreement.

Avalia

Time: 4pm
Location:Roshmi City
Interactions: Ayita @13org

The rest of the time at Roshmi City leading up to the ball had been great fun. Cade enjoyed exploring the city with the new friends they had made and spending time surrounded by the natural beauty of the greenhouse where they often met up. Even more than the greenhouse he enjoyed eating at the various vendors around marketplace after said meetings as Roshmi was a city with food from all different races and cultures of Avalia. He found Ilan and Regulus to both be great company, both demihumans seemed to have a down to earth and compassionate nature making them easy to get along with. Eventually it had been suggested that they attend the masquerade ball being hosted in the city as other rebels would be meeting there as well and it would serve as an excellent place to make new allies while remaining in disguise.

Cade had never been to a fancy ball before and while he normally embraced new experiences this one left him feeling more than a bit nervous. He was from a modest village, all the parties he’d ever been to had been very informal and even the experience of wearing formal clothing was strange to him. Although this opportunity to make new allies was one he couldn’t pass up, Cade worried he would stick out far too much when surrounded by the most elite members of the grand city of Roshmi. He had managed to quickly find an outfit that suited him and just barely met the standards of a grand ball with a great deal of help from the tailor. Although the tailor did a fine job and the clothes were certainly well-made Cade found them overly stiff and constricting. He was easily more comfortable when dressed for battle or adventure than he was for a formal evening. He did thank the tailor for the help though and was sure to be careful not to fiddle with the clothing too much so as not to accidently tear anything with his claws.

Finding a mask to wear proved a much more enjoyable experience. He tried many different ones on finding a great deal of amusement in looking like a different demihuman. This kept him entertained for a while as it took Ayita a bit longer to decide on clothing. He could only assume the fellow warrior was sharing the strange experience of dressing unlike one’s self. Eventually he settled on a leopard mask deciding that this would make it simple for his friends to spot him and he didn’t want to disguise himself from his allies. Eventually Ayita emerged from the dressing rooms and Cade stopped playing with the various masks the shop offered to see what she had decided on.

“Ayita you look as if you are draped in night’s sky itself and just as radiant.” He said as he did he best to bow formally. “Do you think Sakura will recognize me with this mask?” He asked as he lowered the leopard mask down over his face.