silvermist1116

Neon Rainbow: Royals of Miami (Crime/Gang story satire with a neon aesthetic)

I'm here! So Royals are Fast and Furious without superpowered cars? I dig it.

{MxM} Just A Couple Ideas In Here :D

I'm interested in the arranged marriage plot.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

After hearing the queen's mission, Kai wasn't so sure this was a good idea. They couldn't do recon, no disguises, no routines to learn, no teams to build based on skill sets of their choosing, nothing. Little information and blind faith shit wasn't go south. Fuck. Kai kept their face straight. They can't let the queen or anyone else know they have doubts. They'll need to pray to Khiar-koff twice a day on this journey, because he is the only reason they'll see another sunrise.

"I accept," Kai said. Regardless of whatever the queen said about the mission, Kai's goal is at the end of it and they'll go where they need to. If they live Khiar-koff blessed them, and if they didn't, then they'll be with their god in the afterlife.

Others in the group announced their doubts. Kai stiffened and inched away from them. They clearly remember what happened when someone questioned high authority. The scars on their back was proof enough and they didn't fancy more scars for someone else's screw up. Though they can't disagree with getting more information. The more they knew the better the outcome. What little they could plan, they would. They paid intense attention to the queen's answer, planning to write everything down in their notebook later and forging a plan from it. They can't predict everything, especially traveling into New Kaimeria, the Sorrowfields, and Desolation. The latter being the place of death and nothing else. Khiar-koff might bless them for traveling to such a waste land and living to tell all they've seen.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

Kai wasn't sure if whatever plan the Kaimerian came up with was working, but the tent fell over just the same, and not a moment later they weren't in Hope Passage anymore. El made scarce and disappeared among the group surrounding them, before flying up and out of sight. The bright sun the glints off the knights' suits burned when one caught them in the eye. 'Ah, fuck.' They shield their sight from the glaring sun. One of the knights, soft spoken as he was, told them to relinquish their weapons and anything they used for magic. Kai handed over their dagger and a few of the bones they collected from the desert. If they get stuck here over night they need to have something on hand for prayer to Khiar-koff or El would have to be sacrificed and they're not making an offering that big.

They tied their jacket around their waist, the scars from their time as a slave noticeable on their lowerback, and followed the group into the palace. They stuck close to the Kaimerian, figuring they might have made somewhat nice with the old crone. Plus it's always best to stick to the strongest person in the room in case everything goes down hill. They didn't come here with the intention of being murdered, then again that's Khiar-koff's decision to make. Just because he saved them during the sandstorm and made their journey to Hope's Passage easy, doesn't mean he won't get rid of them here.

They traveled down a long pure white hallway that glistened like Khym's coins and jewels he spent hours a day cleaning. The the throne room, darker in comparison, yet more ostentatious, was long and the queen sat upon the throne looked like she hasn't lifted a finger in her life. The dress she wore didn't exist in Deadwood. Too hot and not free flowing enough for the nobles that had to flee assassination attempts or fight for their life. Queen Tabitha directed them to come closer, than told them to stop when they were close enough. Kai kept their eyes down and hands behind their back in total deference. Their slave training was still good for something it seemed.

Kai didn't much care for why anyone else was here, besides the Kaimerian. Her people had a whole kingdom they were thriving in. What sense did it make to come to a place like this? When everyone else had their turn, Kai stepped forward, smiling like they were delighted to be here in the presense of someone so great, and bowed.

"My most gracious queen. Thank you for allowing someone as lowly as myself in your presence. My name is Lan and I am here seeking indepence from my father. He is a wealthy man, but none of it is rightfully mine. I wish to have something I earned with my own two hands." As if they didn't bleed and sweat over most of Khym's wealth. Stingy bastard. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you." They bowed again, then stepped back in line. They didn't once look the queen directly in the eyes.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

Kai kept their ears open, but they couldn't hear anything other than the fighting in the tent. Metal sang with each clash, dull thuds of flesh hitting sand, or swords piercing bodies, created worst images in their mind. Chances are some of the people they're supposed to split the cut with are dead. Good. More money for them. It got louder when the flap opened. The presense of someone more dangerous than them made their skin crawl. They turned around and peeked open an eye, shielded by their hand. The Kaimerian woman stood right below them, peering up at the sky. She's not looking for me, is she? Kai had no idea anyone in that tent knew they were there in the first place.

"Child, cut through the cord."

Kai barely made out what she said. "What?" They weren't questioning the command, but they weren't sure it was a good idea. However, a worst idea was disobeying a Kaimerian. Khiar-koff has let them live for this long. They weren't going to give him any reason to change his mind. Kai pulled a dagger out of their waist band and started in on the rope. Sawing back and forth didn't seem to do any good, until it snapped. Their side of the tent collapsed more than it should have. Kai sung down from the rope they held onto and rolled out of the way of the tent falling on them. Once they got their barings, they found out that the Kaimerian also worked on the rope supports.

El flew out of the tent and to their side, chattering away about what went on inside. Kai didn't care about anything other than the fact the people they were going on this journey with are still alive. Couldn't they at least get a larger cut after surviving this shit show? Kai untangled themself from their jacket and wrapped it back around their head, then shot passed the Kaimerian to the next rope. If this was the plan, then they might as well help.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

The tent filled with more and more people joining whatever quest the queen sent invite for, and Kai hated every minute of it. They kept to the back, but even that space became cramped with three giants and a horse. All the creatures that came in where ones they'd seen in Darington. Everything could be found in Darington, except Kaimerians. How a flyer got all the way out there had to be the work of magic. No one went to New Kaimeria and lived to tell what they'd seen. Kai's heard rumors of the place, but they didn't take any stalk in any of them. There were simply too many people involved in this quest. Never have more than four people on a crew at a time, more people means more chances for shit to go wrong and less money that needs to be divided. Surely Exusia doesn't have so much wealth that it'll pad the pockets of the twelve of them for a life time? (Some life times last longer than others, but all die under the hand of Khiar-koff.)

The emissary, they didn't get the name of, proposed they all go to the castle in the sky unarmed for their mad queen. Kai didn't have much on them anyway. A dagger, sure, but they could ditch that easy. El, however, wasn't an option to be left behind, nor were they going to tell them El exists until it was necessary. Should be easy enough to have El fly to the castle and wait for them. Kai didn't bother verbally agreeing to give up everything, they would've left if it was an issue. The emissary called for a captain, but something was off. The dint of the tent wasn't louder than the casual street noise outside. Kai could hear it clearly being near a little opening, but now it was quiet. Dust kicked in near their hip, then El flew in from the dust, and rested on their shoulder.

"Oedi!" El shriked no sooner had a Bonesman attacked the emissary.

Everyone jumped into battle, but Kai wasn't equiped or skilled for this. Conman didn't fight their way out with swords, but with words and they knew Bonesman weren't the type for civil conversation. So they crawled out of the flap in the tent and left El there to keep an eye on things. Outside they nearly got blown away in the wind and had to hold on tight to a rope that kept the tent nailed to the ground. Sand would've kicked up in their eyes if they weren't closed. Around them the wailing and violence of the Bonesman didn't compare to the howling of the wind. Kai pulled off their jacket and tied it around their face for protection, then felt their way up the tent rope as they climbed to higher ground. In sandstorms they're supposed to lay low, but no visibility and the threat of getting stabbed didn't leave them with many options. Khiar-koff didn't deign that they'd die today, so they must survive. Once at the top, they found a support rod under the fabric and laid across it, then they untied their jacket, wrapped it around their waist and tied it to the rope instead. They held onto the rope for dear life while they road out the storm.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

Kai drew a circle, then four short lines coming out of it pointed towards the cardinal directions. In the center they placed the bones of the chicken they ate last night, clapped their hands twice, then called upon Khiar-koff to hear their prayer, before setting the bones on fire. The flames were magenta; Khiar-koff was present. Kai said a prayer in the language of the dead, asking for another day their death is delayed. As the prayed the flames turned dark purple, then black, before burning out and leaving nothing behind.

"Na'mn," Kai ended their prayer, then smudged out the markings just as the boat pulled into the dock a mile or so outside Hopes Passage.

Weeks ago, Kai said farwell to the only father they acknowledge having, Khym, and traveled days through the mountains west of Darington. On the other side they paid for a boat and crew to take them around the east outskirts of the Shattered Isles and down the Ophran River to the lake below Exusia. The journey was safer than traveling on land where they would have run into bandits, slavers, any manner of deadly creature. Pirates didn't bother traveling this far inland. Not many ways to escape going in a straight line, and it wasn't worth the gamble of whether or not whatever crew they run into being stronger than them.

Kai paid the captain the other half of the amount owed for the journey, then set out to the land of new opprotunity. They sent their Kisha, El, ahead of them to scout for danger. The sun beat down from above, worse in the Bone Sea than in Darington and Dakora, their water skin might not make it to Hopes Passage, and their hair on their neck didn't help. They tied back their brown and blond locks with thread from their sowing kit. El came back with nothing to report other than sand and bones; those of which they picked up on the way and put in their sack for tomorrow's sacrifice. When they reached the eastern gates, two soldiers asked them to state their business.

They pulled out a flyer Khym brought home; it promised riches beyond anything they've ever accumulated for themself. The soldiers let them through, and told them where to go. Finding a colorful tent in the middle of the town was easy. The set El to hover above it and be their look out. Inside the tent were four others: the delegate looking over a marked up map, a woman flittering over the map with a pen, and a little man and a large woman off to the side. Kai didn't bother introducing themself, and instead took a seat toward the back where they noticed a little opening where the tent wasn't held down properly. Kai didn't trust places with only one exit, so making one themself was sometimes called for.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

Nikaiel Nazareti

Credit to TAZMYNBURT.TUMBLR.COM _______________________________ NAME: Nikaiel Nazareti AGE: 24 RACE: Human raised by Augury PRONOUNS: Refers to themself as Ko-Kio (They/Them in augury), but anything is fine. HOMETOWN: Dakora HEIGHT: 5'4 WEIGHT: 130lb _______________________________ "Not gonna lie, I kinda hate you."

_______________________________ The Quick-witted Schemer The Quick-witted Schemer "If you're dumb enough to get yourself into this shit, then you deserve what you get." ▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅ ▅▅▅▅▅ What are you? What are you? APPEARANCE ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "You into freckles and scars? So was my master." Kai is an enigma to everyone that meets them. Everything about them, from their face to their body can either be a flat-chested angley girl or a slight boy with little muscle definition. Their look makes it easy to switch between feminine and masculine clothing for whatever role they need to put on for their current scheme. Their tan skin has freckles everywhere, and is marred by old whipping scars on their back, and other cuts and wounds that come with being an ex-slave. Their high cheekbones and defined jaw were said to give them a regal look by their ex-master. Their light brown hair is wavy and comes down a little below their chin. Exposure to the sun gives their hair blond highlights. Their voice is neutral and a little husky. Their eyes are dark, their lips are thick, and when they truly smile it unsettles people like there's an ulterior motive behind their happiness. On their left shoulder is a red swirl tattoo that trails off into a straight line down their arm and ends in a circle on the palm of their hand. It is the mark of the Deveau family slaves. Their day-to-day clothing is a simple high-necked, tight black crop top revealing their abdomen, a red puffy mid-sleeved robe that ties around the waist with a burgundy belt that has a gold hoops at the end of it, tight black capri pants, and flexible close toed shoes. CAPABILITIES ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "If people just gave me their shit, life would be easier." Con-artist: Kai spent the first eight years of their life learning how to con people for money for their family's personal gain. They use disguises, both masculine and feminine, for whatever their newest scheme requires. Taylor and Shoemaking: Costumes for cons are hard to come by when Khym won't fund their newest project, so they have to improvise, and use whatever cloth they have on hand, or steal, to make outfits. Sailing: They knew how to sail before they learned how to walk. At least that's what their father used to say. Kisha making: Kai worships Khiar-koff, the death god, and through ritual sacrifices she learned from Khym. EQUIPMENT ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "Not saying I'll stab you in the back...more likely in the chest." Coin bag: It's not just for purchases. When there's coins inside, it makes a good weapon to knock someone in the face with it. Dagger: Their clothes don't have enough loose fabric to conceal weapons, but they carry a dagger in the back of their pants that's covered by their jacket. Kisha: Kai has their own bird-cat homunculous. It has the skull and wings of a bird, and the skeleton and conscious of a house cat. It's name is El, and it helps them do recon for whatever con they are scheming. Sowing Kit: Never know when they'll need to put something together.

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Who are you?
Who are you?

GOAL
_{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}
"The wealthy are only one bad investment away from being poor."

Kai is a con artist for survival and because they owe Khym their life, but they long for independence. To have a stockpile of riches in their own basement, so they can relax and live freely.

PERSONALITY
_{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}
"There's me, then there's whoever I have to be to get the job done."

Kai doesn't trust anyone, but El and Khym. They hang around the crowds of Darington, was raised by a pirate, and a thieft, so they know no one can be trusted. It takes a lot to catch her off guard, because she assumes everyone will stab her in the back eventually. They are guarded and never talk about themself passed general information. When asked questions about themself, they'll either lie or deflect. If someone knows too much it can be used against them. Kai is introspective, always to the first to beat themselves up when a plan goes wrong. They can't afford for that to happen. They are calculating, and make contingency plans for contingency plans. They never follow through with a plan, unless they accounted for all the ways it could go wrong. But no matter how much they plan for it, life is full of surprises, and when something unexpected happens, they are good at coming up with improv to unfuck the situation. Kai is good at putting on a fake face for whatever situation they are in. Comes with the con territory. Kai is a workaholic. Once a job is done, they move onto planning the next one, and will work for days without sleep before they pass out. Dreamless sleep is the only way they're able to rest. Nightmares of their time as a slave is crippling and they can't afford to be out of it for a day to recover from anxiety and extreme paranoia.

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Why are you?
Why are you?

"If my past was a person it'd be at the bottom of the sea."

Nikaiel was born in Krist (town on the west coast near the Shattered Isles), Dakora to one of the finest con artist, turned pirate, of the Shattered Isles. He made his money conning people in Krist during his youth, before he turned to piracy. His ship, the Forgotten Goddess, was where they learned all the tools in the conman trade. They started off conning people out of their money by pretending to be homeless and starving, but they had to sell the act. No one would feed a child that looked healthy, so whenever father thought it was a good time for them to go out on a con he would starve them for two weeks, then set them to work as a beggar child. They never got much, but it was a lesson learned in how to be someone else for the long game. When Nikaiel was eight their father had pillaged from the wrong ship. A noble woman from Dakora by the name of Lady Deveau, lord of the Deveau estate, and one of the most dangerous lords in Dakora, had a ship transporting money to Darington in exchange for slaves. Their father stole from her ship and it didn't take long for him to get found out. When Lady Deveau caught up to him, she made him pay with the freedom of his crew and his child. She didn't care where she got her slaves, as long as she got them. Nikaiel never saw their father again.

As the child of Deveau's thief, Kai was not treated kindly. They became Deveau's plaything; barely clothed, starved, and beaten for the smallest mistakes. Deveau used to have Nikaiel whipped during social gathering just to see how strong their threshold for pain was, and to put on a show for her guest where she waged bets on how long it was take them to pass out. On the rare days she decided to be kind, she had Nikaiel dress in noble clothing like a doll and praised them for their regal features. It's the only reason their face was spared scars and abuse no stronger than a slap. Nikaiel knew not to fight back no matter how much they wanted to, so they kept their head down, did as they were told, and became "loyal" to Lady Deveau, waiting for the opportunity to slit her throat. The moment never came. Deveau a political falling out with a neighboring lord, and the ensuing disagreement lead to her assassination when Nikaiel was twelve. They didn't stick around to be taken as a spoil of war and stowed away on a merchant ship going literally anywhere else.

Nikaiel ended up in Darington hiding and keeping to the shadows, so they wouldn't be taken by a slaver. They weren't on the street long, before they were found by Khym. The augury was an ex-slave that got spoiled by having at least one meal a day, which was more then he got when he traveled with his tribe through the Bone Sea, before he got caught by slavers in Darington decades ago. Khym didn't spend too much time with his master, having been cunning enough to steal coin and gems from the master's own safe, and pretended that the goods were stolen from someone else so he could buy his freedom. When Nikaiel and Khym met, Khym was getting on in years, and wasn't as agile as he used to be. In the time of his freedom, he spent most of it stealing gold and gems from merchants and the rich in Darington, so he never went without another meal again. He was able to get in and out without getting caught. He keeps a low profile, virtually a nobody, no one knowing he's the richest creature in Darington with his basement full of riches.

Khym took Nikaiel in when they caught him sneaking off with stolen goods. They'd been hiding in an alley next to a jewelry shop for the night and just happened to see Khym's escape. Nikaiel was desperate for money, so they could buy food, and thought they could take Khym in a fight, since he was tinier than them. Nikaiel had the element of surprise and was able to take the bag Khym carried. They would've made off with the loot had they not been malnourished and passed out from running. Khym was surprised the kid was able to get the drop on him, since he's usually aware of his surroundings. He took his bag back and would have left Nikaiel on the street, but decided to wake them up and welcome them into his home. Once Nikaiel got their strength back, they told Khym everything, minus details of their life with Lady Deveau. Learning they were an amateur con artist, Khym saw this as an opportunity to mold Nikaiel into his new money maker. Combined with the skills Nikaiel learned from their father and Khym, they became the best con artist in Darington. They did away with their birth name and took up the name Kai. Kai wasn't a slave with a master, but a master of disguise.

Khym set Kai to work, unfortunately spending gold and jewels on temporary crews to help Kai get the job done. Kai never worked with the same people twice, and whatever cut Khym gave them had to be spilt with their partners. Kai learned quick to vet potential crewmates, never tell the crew the entire plan, and keep it to four to five people. Any more than that and shit gets messy. Khym also inducted them into his religion worshiping Khiar-koff. Kai is a devout follower, and often prays to Khiar-koff first thing in the morning praying for their death to be delayed another day. Through the ritual sacrifices, Khym taught them Kisha making. Kai's first few attempts at making kisha failed, but when they finally got the hang of it they made El, a bird-cat homunculus.

After working for Khym for over a decade, Kai wants to branch out on their own, and find riches that'll be all for them and not mostly for Khym.

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What else is there?
What else is there?

Kai has plenty of names they use for different cons. And when they introduce themself to people, it's always a name on the long list of aliases. If their enemies ever found out their true identity they'd be in trouble.

*Most of the worldbuilding about Auguries in my posts are by Maxx.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

Nikaiel Nazareti

Credit to TAZMYNBURT.TUMBLR.COM _______________________________ NAME: Nikaiel Nazareti AGE: 24 RACE: Human raised by Augury PRONOUNS: Refers to themself as They/Them, but anything is fine. HOMETOWN: Dakora HEIGHT: 5'4 WEIGHT: 130lb _______________________________ "Not gonna lie, I kinda hate you."

_______________________________ The Quick-witted Schemer The Quick-witted Schemer "If you're dumb enough to get yourself into this shit, then you deserve what you get." ▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅ ▅▅▅▅▅ What are you? What are you? APPEARANCE ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "You into freckles, and scars? So was my master." Kai is an enigma to everyone that meets them. Everything about them, from their face to their body can either be a flat-chested angley girl or a slight boy with little muscle definition. Their look makes it easy to switch between feminine and masculine clothing for whatever role they need to put on for their current scheme. Their tan skin has freckles everywhere, and is marred by old whipping scars on their back, and other cuts and wounds that come with being an ex-slave. Their high cheekbones and defined jaw were said to give them a regal look by their ex-master. Their light brown hair is wavy and comes down a little below their chin. Exposure to the sun gives their hair blond highlights. Their voice is neutral and a little husky. Their eyes are dark, their lips are thick, and when they truly smile it unsettles people like there's an ulterior motive behind their happiness. On their left shoulder is a red swirl tattoo that trails off into a straight line down their arm and ends in a circle on the palm of their hand. It is the mark of the Deveau family slaves. Their day-to-day clothing is a simple high-necked, tight black crop top revealing their abdomen, a red puffy mid-sleeved robe that ties around the waist with a burgundy belt that has a gold hoops at the end of it, tight black capri pants, and flexible close toed shoes. CAPABILITIES ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "If people just gave me their shit, life would be easier." Con-artist: Kai spent the first eight years of their life learning how to con people for money for their family's personal gain. They use disguises, both masculine and feminine, for whatever their newest scheme requires. Taylor and Shoemaking: Costumes for cons are hard to come by when Khym won't fund their newest project, so they have to improvise, and use whatever cloth they have on hand, or steal, to make outfits. Sailing: They knew how to sail before they learned how to walk. At least that's what their father used to say. Kisha making: Kai worships Khiar-koff, the death god, and through ritual sacrifices she learned from Khym. EQUIPMENT ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "Not saying I'll stab you in the back...more likely in the chest." Coin bag: It's not just for purchases. When there's coins inside, it makes a good weapon to knock someone in the face with it. Dagger: Their clothes don't have enough loose fabric to conceal weapons, but they carry a dagger in the back of their pants that's covered by their jacket. Kisha: Kai has their own bird-cat homunculous. It has the skull and wings of a bird, and the skeleton and conscious of a house cat. It's name is El, and it helps them do recon for whatever con they are scheming.

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Who are you?
Who are you?

GOAL
_{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}
"The wealthy are only one bad investment away from being poor."

Kai is a con artist for survival and because they owe Khym their life, but they long for independence. To have a stockpile of riches in their own basement, so they can relax and live freely.

PERSONALITY
_{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}
"There's me, then there's whoever I have to be to get the job done."

Kai doesn't trust anyone, but El and Khym. They hang around the crowds of Darington, was raised by a pirate, and a thieft, so they know no one can be trusted. It takes a lot to catch her off guard, because she assumes everyone will stab her in the back eventually. They are guarded and never talk about themself passed general information. When asked questions about themself, they'll either lie or deflect. If someone knows too much it can be used against them. Kai is introspective, always to the first to beat themselves up when a plan goes wrong. They can't afford for that to happen. They are calculating, and make contingency plans for contingency plans. They never follow through with a plan, unless they accounted for all the ways it could go wrong. But no matter how much they plan for it, life is full of surprises, and when something unexpected happens, they are good at coming up with improv to unfuck the situation. Kai is good at putting on a fake face for whatever situation they are in. Comes with the con territory. Kai is a workaholic. Once a job is done, they move onto planning the next one, and will work for days without sleep before they pass out. Dreamless sleep is the only way they're able to rest. Nightmares of their time as a slave is crippling and they can't afford to be out of it for a day to recover from anxiety and extreme paranoia.

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Why are you?
Why are you?

"If my past was a person it'd be at the bottom of the sea."

Nikaiel was born in Krist (town on the west coast near the Shattered Isles), Dakora to one of the finest con artist, turned pirate, of the Shattered Isles. He made his money conning people in Krist during his youth, before he turned to piracy. His ship, the Forgotten Goddess, was where they learned all the tools in the conman trade. They started off conning people out of their money by pretending to be homeless and starving, but they had to sell the act. No one would feed a child that looked healthy, so whenever father thought it was a good time for them to go out on a con he would starve them for two weeks, then set them to work as a beggar child. They never got much, but it was a lesson learned in how to be someone else for the long game. When Nikaiel was eight their father had pillaged from the wrong ship. A noble woman from Dakora by the name of Lady Deveau, lord of the Deveau estate, and one of the most dangerous lords in Dakora, had a ship transporting money to Darington in exchange for slaves. Their father stole from her ship and it didn't take long for him to get found out. When Lady Deveau caught up to him, she made him pay with the freedom of his crew and his child. She didn't care where she got her slaves, as long as she got them. Nikaiel never saw their father again.

As the child of Deveau's thief, Kai was not treated kindly. They became Deveau's plaything; barely clothed, starved, and beaten for the smallest mistakes. Deveau used to have Nikaiel whipped during social gathering just to see how strong their threshold for pain was, and to put on a show for her guest where she waged bets on how long it was take them to pass out. On the rare days she decided to be kind, she had Nikaiel dress in noble clothing like a doll and praised them for their regal features. It's the only reason their face was spared scars and abuse no stronger than a slap. Nikaiel knew not to fight back no matter how much they wanted to, so they kept their head down, did as they were told, and became "loyal" to Lady Deveau, waiting for the opportunity to slit her throat. The moment never came. Deveau a political falling out with a neighboring lord, and the ensuing disagreement lead to her assassination when Nikaiel was twelve. They didn't stick around to be taken as a spoil of war and stowed away on a merchant ship going literally anywhere else.

Nikaiel ended up in Darington hiding and keeping to the shadows, so they wouldn't be taken by a slaver. They weren't on the street long, before they were found by Khym. The augury was an ex-slave that got spoiled by having at least one meal a day, which was more then he got when he traveled with his tribe through the Bone Sea, before he got caught by slavers in Darington decades ago. Khym didn't spend too much time with his master, having been cunning enough to steal coin and gems from the master's own safe, and pretended that the goods were stolen from someone else so he could buy his freedom. When Nikaiel and Khym met, Khym was getting on in years, and wasn't as agile as he used to be. In the time of his freedom, he spent most of it stealing gold and gems from merchants and the rich in Darington, so he never went without another meal again. He was able to get in and out without getting caught. He keeps a low profile, virtually a nobody, no one knowing he's the richest creature in Darington with his basement full of riches.

Khym took Nikaiel in when they caught him sneaking off with stolen goods. They'd been hiding in an alley next to a jewelry shop for the night and just happened to see Khym's escape. Nikaiel was desperate for money, so they could buy food, and thought they could take Khym in a fight, since he was tinier than them. Nikaiel had the element of surprise and was able to take the bag Khym carried. They would've made off with the loot had they not been malnourished and passed out from running. Khym was surprised the kid was able to get the drop on him, since he's usually aware of his surroundings. He took his bag back and would have left Nikaiel on the street, but decided to wake them up and welcome them into his home. Once Nikaiel got their strength back, they told Khym everything, minus details of their life with Lady Deveau. Learning they were an amateur con artist, Khym saw this as an opportunity to mold Nikaiel into his new money maker. Combined with the skills Nikaiel learned from their father and Khym, they became the best con artist in Darington. They did away with their birth name and took up the name Kai. Kai wasn't a slave with a master, but a master of disguise.

Khym set Kai to work, unfortunately spending gold and jewels on temporary crews to help Kai get the job done. Kai never worked with the same people twice, and whatever cut Khym gave them had to be spilt with their partners. Kai learned quick to vet potential crewmates, never tell the crew the entire plan, and keep it to four to five people. Any more than that and shit gets messy. Khym also inducted them into his religion worshiping Khiar-koff. Kai is a devout follower, and often prays to Khiar-koff first thing in the morning praying for their death to be delayed another day. Through the ritual sacrifices, Khym taught them Kisha making. Kai's first few attempts at making kisha failed, but when they finally got the hang of it they made El, a bird-cat homunculus.

After working for Khym for over a decade, Kai wants to branch out on their own, and find riches that'll be all for them and not mostly for Khym.

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What else is there?
What else is there?

Kai has plenty of names they use for different cons. And when they introduce themself to people, it's always a name on the long list of aliases. If their enemies ever found out their true identity they'd be in trouble.

Deadwood: Hope, Death, & Misery [Closed]

Is there a deadline for character sheets?