Vertigo

D&D 5e Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

𝕷𝖊𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖆 𝕯𝖊𝖜𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖕

__________________________________________________

"Ah, I see! My apologies," Leanna offered when the woman claimed the seat taken. She sounded calm enough - not someone who was being chased or otherwise in trouble. Her concern must've been misplaced.

Leanna thanked the woman, then readied to excuse herself. Before she could however, a shout rattled her from her thoughts. She spun around, a feeling of dread in her stomach. That one shout turned into two, three, a dozen, until she could no longer tell one panicked voice from another. Behind the crowds, a large monster pulled itself up from the well and stood to its full height. Leanna did not know what exactly it was - but she recognized the claws as the ones she'd seen in the well a moment earlier.

I should have told someone sooner, Leanna realized. The moment she saw those claws, even if she wasn't sure whether they were decoration or belonged to something living. Even if she had made a fool out of herself. It would've been preferable to... this. Instead, she'd tried to run - and even that had been a half-hearted attempt.

... She could still run, though. No one would fault her if she did.

But no, she intended to be an adventurer. And adventurers did not turn their backs to people who needed their aid. She could not offer much in combat prowess, that was true, but at the very least she could heal those who did.

"You'd best wait for your friend no longer," she told the woman hastily, standing her ground as she stared down the monster. Formidable as it was, it wasn't the monster from her memories. She could face it.

__________________________________________________

rolls

Leanna rolled 19 for initiative.

D&D 5e Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

𝕷𝖊𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖆 𝕯𝖊𝖜𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖕

__________________________________________________

In the end, the fight was settled with no blood spilled. The humans fled the scene, and the crowds begun to disperse. Leanna let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, then turned back to her companion. Sir Wardragon was speaking, and she didn't want to appear rude.

Leanna followed the motion of his hand as he gestured towards the entrance of the Undermountain, her mind conjuring images of brave warriors and wise mages descending down into its depths. "Unfortunately, not many people make it back out. I’ve been down there, and I was the only member of my party to survive.”

The images Leanna had conjured shattered, and the excited glint in her eye was replaced with wide-eyed horror.

"Oh, I'm-- I'm so sorry," she wasn't sure if she sounded more taken aback than sympathetic, but it didn't make the sentiment any less genuine. "I... had no idea..."

... That adventuring was such a dangerous job, she left unsaid.

Perhaps Wardragon noticed her hesitance, because he was quick to continue and assure her that adventuring did not need to involve the deathly well. A relief and a half, that. He went on to say that not many people ask how to become an adventurer - rather, they simply do. The notion made Leanna's ears heat up with embarrassment. W-was that so? She really did need all the help she could get...

"I’m sure there’s plenty of people around that could use some help in Waterdeep, why not start there?”

She nodded slowly but knowingly. That much she'd gathered from the adventurer she'd accompanied all the way here. Big cities had big problems, after all. This tavern itself was likely no exception.

Leanna took another sip of her liquid courage, then returned her gaze to the chaos that surrounded her. She glossed over the drunkards on the table and the old swindler, trying to see what lay beyond them.

There were quite a few people that looked troubled, in fact. A half-orc left unhappy by the resolution of the fight; a man drinking by his lonesome, tapping a finger to the beat of his impatience; somber tieflings, whose horns made Leanna look away with a startle; a woman glancing behind her at the door, as if afraid; a creature between a man and a cat, and a nervous woman taking its paw.

How was she to know where to start?

Leanna's gaze traced back to the maw of the dungeon, and her heart nearly stopped. On the edge of it, she caught side of a large, clawed hand - almost as if something was trying to claw its way up from the abyss below.

A snowy night, the reek of blood, and a tremendous beast. Its details were scraped away by time - but it, too, had claws.

Leanna stood up.

"Sir Wardragon, you've my utmost gratitude for your time and advice. Please excuse me, I must be off," she gathered her things and her wits, willing her hands not to shake as she picked up her nearly untouched mug. She did not want it to spill. "There is-- there is adventuring to do."

With a curtsy, Leanna excused herself from his company.

She pushed her way through the crowd, further and further away from the Undermountain. She did not dare turn around to see what became of the hand; whether it stayed still, or pulled up a monster of some sort. She did not want to know. She just wanted to leave the tavern.

On her way out, she passed by one of the tables she had seen earlier. A woman draped in white, stealing wary glances at the door. She could've walked past her. Should have, even. But the sight of her sitting there, alone and unsure was a bit too familiar for her to ignore.

"May I?" Leanna asked with a smile, tugging lightly at the back of an unoccupied seat at her table. She hoped her voice didn't tremble. The voices of adventurers, in her mind, never trembled. "The tavern is quite packed."

Intertwined | Pokemon

𝐸𝓏𝑒𝓀𝒾𝑒𝓁 𝑀𝒾𝓎𝒶𝓂𝑜𝓉𝑜

__________________________________________________

Kiel woke up late on purpose.

Not because he needed the extra sleep - but because he wanted there to be as little time between waking up and leaving town as possible. He wanted no time for breakfast in the old family kitchen. No time for leisurely walks. No standing around the town entrance, stealing glances at what he was about to leave behind - again.

Most importantly of all, he didn't want to give them any extra time to find him.

The second his alarm went off, Kiel was up. Ten or so minutes later he was clean, clothed, and ready to go. Bag? Check. Ragnar's pokéball? Check. Now all he needed was--

"Hiro?"

There was no answer.

Smile faltering, Kiel stepped out of his room into the second floor hallway. Like the rest of the house, it was expensively furnished - and untouched in years. When Kiel had moved back into his childhood home a few months ago, he'd found it exactly as they left it. No furniture had been moved. No dust cleaned. Even the childish drawings he'd used to take pride in were still proudly on display. Time had eaten away the details of his monstrous lizard-Lugia, but honestly, Kiel found that an improvement.

He found Hiro floating outside a set of closed doors. The master bedroom. A sharp pain wrung Kiel's chest. That's where mom had...

"Come on buddy," Kiel whispered as he approached the Phantump, gently guiding him away from the door. He did not want to have to follow the ghost type inside. "We gotta go. The others are already waiting, you know."

The Phantump turned around, more due to Kiel's interference than his own will. At times, it felt as though the Phantump had no will of his own, simply floating through life as if detached from it. Kiel could relate.

The ghost type glanced up at him with his usual, curious-but-empty gaze, and Kiel gave him an affirmative nod. "We're going on an adventure, remember? It'll be fun. Look, I'll carry you."

He picked the Phantump up and placed him atop his head. "See? You'll see everything from there. Just hold on tight."

With a grin, Kiel hopped down the stairs and made for the exit. He flung open the door, then stopped dead in his tracks. With a heavy sigh, he turned around with a forlorn look.

"We'll be off."

The empty house gave no answer.

Kiel turned around and adjusted the strap of his designer bag - then took his first step beyond the threshold.

Man, it was bright outside. He'd have to find his sunglasses.

- - -

By the time he arrived to the meeting spot, Kiel had found his sunglasses - and his usual grin. Just as he'd expected, everyone else was already there. Some of them he'd managed to reunite with in the past few months - others he had not. He'd have plenty of time for all that mushy stuff once they were on the road, though.

"Yo! The gang's all here, I see. Yeah, uh, sorry for making you wait and all," Kiel jogged his way to the middle of the group, his grin widening that much more. "But you know what they say; good things are worth waiting for." He lowered his sunglasses just enough to manage a visible wink at whichever one of the girls was unfortunate enough to stand closest to him. "Am I right?"

He pushed the sunglasses back up, then addressed the group as a whole with a clap of his hands. "So! Nothing to it but to get going, yeah? Dunno about you, but I'm itching to leave Old Bark Town behind. Cherrygrove's just around the corner. C'mon, I'll race you!"

With that, he dashed towards Route 29 as if the wooden warning sign was not there at all.

D&D 5e Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

𝕷𝖊𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖆 𝕯𝖊𝖜𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖕

__________________________________________________

​
Leanna shifted in her seat nervously.

She was no stranger to taverns. On the contrary, she had been a regular patron at the Azure Mare, the largest tavern in her hometown. It had been a wonderful place for stories and conversations, whether they were shared willingly or overheard from a table over. Yes, there had been the occasional brawl, and every now and again someone had drank too much or said a few words too many. But overall, the atmosphere had been cozy, even quaint.

The Yawning Portal was a tavern of a different sort.

She was used to noise, but not quite this kind. It wasn't simply loud; the tavern overwhelmed every single one of her senses. It was chaos made manifest, unashamed, unapologetic, unrelenting. There was no respite to be found, even in the most quiet corner. She would know; she'd tried to find it. Yet even where she sat, close to the walls and away from the bustle of the counter, she found herself surrounded. The scents lingered. The noise blared. Everywhere around her, perturbing scenes fought for her attention.

To her right, an old hag was swindling young men from money. At least she assumed the victims were young men; she had never seen their kind before. To her left, two patrons lay intertwined on a table, only separating their lips long enough to draw breath. Thank the gods they were too drunk to find their way out of their clothes.

Somewhere unseen, an amateur lutist filled the gaps between clatter and gossip with off-key tunes. Leanna did not know who or where the bard was. That was, perhaps, for the best. Then there was the inevitable brawl, escalating a few tables over. Leanna had done her best to ignore it, unwilling to make eye contact with any of the participants so as to not get roped into their trouble. But the louder the belligerents got, the harder it was.

"Is the Yawning Portal always quite this..." Leanna hesitated, fiddling with the handle of her mug as if hoping the right words would spill right over its brim. They did not, so she chose the first word that came to her, "hm, rowdy?"

She turned her gaze to the man across the table. Meloon Wardragon, she believed his name was. 'War Dragon' - such a mighty name for a man that seemed anything but. He was a human man like any other, and by no means in the prime of his youth. Compared to the many formidable patrons around her, he seemed almost diminutive.

But looks could be deceiving. She had been told he was a famous adventurer, so treat him like one she would.

"Never mind that. My apologies, I've yet to grow accustomed to the city," Leanna hurried to say, hoping Wardragon had not taken offense. She had not come here to complain. She was to start a new life, and this was the man who ought to tell her how. She had sought him out for a reason. "A mutual friend ushered me to find you."

The man in question was not a friend of hers in truth. She did not even know his name. He was but a member of a group of adventurers who took notice of her wanderlust. But that was quite a bit more mouthful than simply 'friend', and a little pitiful besides.

Lanna glanced down at her ale, which Wardragon had kindly treated her to. She had yet to drink alcohol in her life, but she knew they called it liquid courage. It made every boy a warrior, and every old man a casanova - at least in their own minds. She took a sip. The foreign taste burned on her tongue, yet she felt no more courageous than she had before. A pity. She could not keep the man waiting any longer with good conscience.

"Sir Wardragon," she set down her ale and rested her hands upon the table, one folded atop the other. The ladies back home did so quite often. Perhaps they feared their hands would run off otherwise.

Leanna understood. Part of her wanted to run, too.

"How would one go about becoming an adventurer?"

Before the man could offer her an answer, a bellow silenced him - and many others besides. Leanna craned her neck to find its source, but there was already a crowd gathering around the ever-escalating brawl. All she saw from her seat were backs and raised fists.

She took another nervous sip of her ale.

D&D 5e Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

~

Intertwined | Pokemon

"Hmm, what's this now? Why the long face? You aren't a Ponyta, you know!"

---

Name: Ezekiel Miyamoto

Nicknames: Ez, Kiel

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Appearance: Few can pin Kiel as a Johto native, and the reasons why are apparent. He inherited a lot from his mother; her Kalosian facial features, the lime hue of her eyes, and her signature blonde hair. As such, until he opens his mouth and speaks fluent Johtonese with no trace of a Kalosian accent, many tend to assume he's a tourist. Once or twice, he's even been mistaken for a famous actor from Lumiose City. Most likely due to the way he carries himself; as if he was important, an actor on a stage, and the whole world was watching.

Perhaps in part for that very reason, Kiel likes to look good. He keeps himself well-groomed at all times and dons designer clothing whenever possible, along with matching jewelry, of course. Rings, earrings, necklaces; on a day when he feels particularly fancy, you can find him wearing it all. He always has sunglasses on his person, even if you can't seem them. They're there, somewhere, and he can whip them out at a moment's notice if the situation calls for it. The same can be said for his portable comb, made of the tusk of a Copperajah - a fact he stopped advertising once owning items made with it became illegal.

When it comes to height, Kiel has a surprising amount of it, standing at an above average 6'3''. He has long legs, which make him come across even taller - lanky, some say. It does make his confident stride that much more eye-catching though, for better or for worse. And while he hasn't done enough physical labour or weight lifting to earn a muscled physique, he does have strong legs - almost as if he's accustomed to running.

Personality: Kiel is one of those people who split the opinions of all that bear them witness. Some admire his carefree vigor and endless positivity, others find his shameless flirting and devil-may-care approach towards adversity obnoxious at best, offensive at worst. He's unapologetic and brazen, never hesitating to speak his mind - or others' mind, if he finds them having trouble voicing their thoughts. He loves to talk and he loves to joke, even when it would be best not to. Those in the know call it a coping mechanism; others might mistake it for lack of empathy. Kiel lacks many things in truth, but empathy is not among them.

The ones that do find themselves liking Kiel call him friendly - those that do not, superficial. He's both. Exchange a few pleasantries with him, and he's ready to treat you like his best friend. Favours and friendly gestures will be showered upon you in abundance, and if you do not explicitly forbid it, so will physical displays of affection. Come what may, he'll be there to pick you up, both in the figurative sense and literal. He's difficult to make enemies with too, as insults and dismissals don't seem to deter him - and he's yet to be seen lose his cool.

However, if you ever try to have a conversation beyond pleasantries and banter, you'll quickly find that Kiel is not quite as open as you thought. When it comes to genuine feelings and problems, he doesn't ask and he doesn't answer. You can keep your demons, and he will keep his. Those are the terms of his friendship. Infringe upon them severely enough, and he is as quick to drop your friendship as he was to announce it. It's better that way - you wouldn't like what you find behind the smiles, anyway.

Short Biography: Considering Kiel was born to a family with close ties to Johto's largest and most notorious criminal organization, his childhood was relatively normal. He spent the first five years of his life in Goldenrod, none the wiser of what his father did for work. All he knew was that he was loved and cared for, and whatever he wanted, he tended to get; be it a brand new toy or a favoured food. What little Kiel remembers of those years, he remembers fondly.

A little after he turned five, Kiel's family moved to New Bark Town at the request of his mother. She was originally from a small town in Kalos, and never did manage to grow accustomed to the bustle of Goldenrod. Her health had been deteriorating as of late, and she hoped clearer air and less stress might aid in her recovery. Worried for his wife and wanting to accommodate her, Kiel's father agreed to relocate - but had to travel to Goldenrod for business quite frequently. At times, he was gone for weeks on end.

Even so, for the next eight years Kiel lived an even more peaceful life than during the five prior. Kiel made friends with the local kids, had his first crush, got his first Pokémon - a rowdy little Meowth - and eventually, even became a big brother. Even his mother's health had taken a turn for the better. Whether it was really the fresh New Bark air that did the trick, no one knew.

If only things had stayed the way they were, perhaps Kiel would have grown up to be an entirely different man.

Alas.

At thirteen, Kiel's father took him along to Goldenrod. He had visited it many a time with his parents, mostly for shopping trips or seeing old friends of the family. But this time was different. This time, Kiel's father had something to show him. For the first time in his life, he was introduced to his father's business - and told that one day, he too would take part in it. He was spared the details of what the organization did, but the men and women he met that day were not the friendly sort, even if they did their best to smile at him. Kiel knew as much with a glance.

He was supposed to spend no longer than a week in Goldenrod, but while there, his mother's condition worsened - and eventually claimed her. So, what remained of the family moved away from New Bark Town, and that week became nearly a decade.

To this day, Kiel doesn't talk about his time in Goldenrod.

Some of the people that know him say they saw him during that time; just passing glimpses of a boy glad in the finest of clothes, accompanied by a redheaded boy his age with an unnerving smile. Some saw him accompanied by people far more sinister yet, with dark clothes and darker yet gazes. And yet, Kiel was rarely caught without a smile on his face. He was the happiest of all when accompanied by a little boy that looked much like him - his brother, some knew. The two were very close. Inseparable. Never one without the other.

When Kiel returned to New Bark Town some months ago, he did so alone.

Someone even claimed they saw him without a smile, once - but that must've been just hearsay.

Pokemon:

Ragnar Tanglebeard
Meowth (Galar) | M | Tough Claws

An absolute rascal, Ragnar is always looking for trouble. He thrives on attention, be it positive or negative, and pulls no punches in his attempts to acquire it. If he isn't trying to pick fights with other Pokémon, he's picking the pockets of unsuspecting humans or leaving his mark on public property. He has clawed his way through most of Kiel's furniture at this point, and has an unhealthy obsession with plushies. If he sees one, he must destroy it. No exceptions. The only way to truly calm him down is to pick him up and shower him with food, scritches, or both.

Like his name implies, he has an unusually long beard even for a Galarian Meowth. Ragnar refuses to let Kiel cut it, so he braids it to keep the cat from tripping all over it instead. His fur is messy, and there's a piece missing from his right ear.

Hiro
Phantump | M | Natural Cure

Hiro is... there are many things Kiel would like to say to and about Hiro, yet he never finds the words. Hiro is a shy but curious little Phantump, new to this world and everything in it. His curiosity tends to make him wander and float around things that interest him, be they people, Pokémon, or inanimate objects. Bright ligths scare him however, and he tends to avoid the sun. During daytime, he can often be found in Kiel's bag. He would not mind being recalled into a Pokéball either, but Kiel adamantly refuses to put him there. Hiro has also yet to be used in a battle.

The stump that functions as Hiro's body has two dates engraved onto it.

Reason for Traveling with Main Group: Kiel's reasons to travel are aplenty, though he doesn't readily share most of them. If asked, he'd cite boredom; New Bark Town is small and quiet, totally unlike the metropolis he spent his teenage years in, and he feels it's suffocating. What better way to fix that than a little adventure? He's definitely not running away from past deeds or "friends" of ill repute, nah, of course not.

Relationships:

Diana Miyamoto nee Clarity | _^Mother
Toushiro Miyamoto | _^Father
Tomohiro Miyamoto | _{^{Little Brother [deceased]}}
Dimitri Eliades | _^"Brother"

Other:

Kiel is left-handed, but can use his right one almost as well.
Is deadly afraid of certain ghost Pokémon, though he tries to hide it.
His dialogue colour is #e1ca6d.
Prefers cats over dogs.

D&D 5e Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

This should be everything, let me know if anything needs fixing.

Oh and grabbing Meloon Wardragon for my NPC, if I may.

Leanna, the Bard

Leanna Dewstep

Bard^「lv1」| Half-Elf | Chaotic Good | Guild Artisan

---

Combat Stats

Armor Class: 13
Initiative: +2
Hit Points: 9 ^[1d8]
Speed: 30 feet

---

General Stats

Strength 8
Dexterity 13 ^[+1]
Constitution 11 ^[+1]
Intelligence 9
Wisdom 10
Charisma 13 ^[+2]

---

Proficiencies

Proficiency Bonus: +2
Passive Perception: 10
Proficient Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Proficient Skills: Insight, Persuasion, Performance, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Acrobatics, Animal Handling
Proficient Weapons: Simple Weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Proficient Armor: Light armor
Other Proficiencies: Flute, lute, harp, leatherworker’s tools
Languages: Common, Elven, Draconic, Goblin

---

Attacks & Spellcasting

Spell save DC 12
Spell Attack modifier 4

Rapier | +4 | 1d8+2 Piercing
Dagger | +4 | 1d8+2 Piercing

---

Features

Fey Ancestry^{「half-elf」} You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.

Darkvision^{「half-elf」} Thanks to your elven heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Skill Versatility^{「half-elf」} You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

Bardic Inspiration^「bard」 You can inspire others through stirring words or music. To do so, you use a Bonus Action on Your Turn to choose one creature other than yourself within 60 feet of you who can hear you. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a d6. Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check, Attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls The D20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails. Once the Bardic Inspiration die is rolled, it is lost. A creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain any expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

---

Spells

Cantrips (2): Prestidigitation, Mage Hand
1st level (4): Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Sleep, Healing Word

---

Personality

Personality Traits

I judge people by their actions, not their words.
If someone is in trouble, I'm always willing to lend help.
When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way.
I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer.
I'm driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home.

Ideals

People. I like seeing the smiles on people's faces when I perform. That's all that matters.
Free Thinking. Inquiry and curiosity are the pillars of progress.
Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it.
Aspiration. I'm going to prove that I'm worthy of a better life.

Bonds

My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love.
I've been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question.
My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots.

Flaws

I'm never satisfied with what I have--I always want more.
I am easily distracted by the promise of information.
The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear.
Once someone questions my courage, I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation.
I'm horribly jealous of anyone who outshines my handiwork.

History

By now, time has washed away most of Leanna's early childhood memories. All that remains are scattered sceneries and emotions, all from different times and places. She knows her family used to travel, and that most of her days were spent on the road. But where they were going and what they had left behind, she does not know.

Her first clear memory is of a cold winter night. Her mother embraced her with trembling hands, repeating words of comfort like a mantra. She remembers the reek of blood, and the glint of metal in the moonlight. She remembers a beast, larger than any she's seen since. She remembers the soldiers that escorted them to the nearest town. She doesn't remember where her father went. All she knows is that she never saw him again.

From that night onward, Leanna and her mother no longer traveled. She can't recall if she ever asked why - or whether or not her mother answered. Whenever the topic of travel was brought up, her mother's smile faded and her features were overtaken by anguish. In time, Leanna learnt to fear the world beyond the city's borders, though she never learnt why.

With elven blood in her veins, Leanna grew up much slower than the humans around her. She was barely a woman grown when her mother left the mortal realm. And when her friends' hair begun to ashen and fall, Leanna remained youthful. Her godchildren grew from tiny bundles of joy to men and women like her, and then had children of their own. She saw the master under which she studied leatherworking grow old and retire, and before she knew it, she ended up a teacher herself. Though few said it out loud, it was clear she did not quite belong among the humans.

Then one day, her city was visited by a band of adventurers. They were a ragtag group from different backgrounds and races, united by a common cause. Leanna met a few of them as they came to buy her wares, and ended up listening to the stories they had to share in the local tavern. The more she heard, the more she was overcome by a peculiar sense of... she hesitated to say nostalgia, yet knew no other name to call it by. The scenery the adventurers described roused vivid, familiar images in her mind, stirring memories she did not even realize she'd possessed.

The world beyond the city... was it not, perhaps, as scary as she had thought? Would it have a place for her to belong? Or did she belong nowhere but the roads themselves?

Noticing her intrigue, one of the members of the adventuring group offered Leanna a chance to travel with them to their next destination: Waterdeep, a magnificent city far up in the north. If she truly wished to experience adventuring for herself, there was no better place to start.

Or so he said. Leanna could only hope his words rung true.

---

Equipment

PP 0 | GP 15 | EP 0 | SP 0 | CP 0 |

⇴ Rapier
⇴ Entertainer's pack

⇴ Backpack
⇴ Bedroll
⇴ Costume x2
⇴ Candle x5
⇴ Rations x5
⇴ Waterskin
⇴ Disguise kit

⇴ Leatherworker’s tools
⇴ A letter of introduction
⇴ Set of traveler’s clothes
⇴ Lute
⇴ Leather Armor
⇴ Dagger

Intertwined | Pokemon

Kiel, the human disaster

"Hmm, what's this now? Why the long face? You aren't a Ponyta, you know!"

---

Name: Ezekiel Miyamoto

Nicknames: Ez, Kiel

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Appearance: Few can pin Kiel as a Johto native, and the reasons why are apparent. He inherited a lot from his mother; her Kalosian facial features, the lime hue of her eyes, and her signature blonde hair. As such, until he opens his mouth and speaks fluent Johtonese with no trace of a Kalosian accent, many tend to assume he's a tourist. Once or twice, he's even been mistaken for a famous actor from Lumiose City. Most likely due to the way he carries himself; as if he was important, an actor on a stage, and the whole world was watching.

Perhaps in part for that very reason, Kiel likes to look good. He keeps himself well-groomed at all times and dons designer clothing whenever possible, along with matching jewelry, of course. Rings, earrings, necklaces; on a day when he feels particularly fancy, you can find him wearing it all. He always has sunglasses on his person, even if you can't seem them. They're there, somewhere, and he can whip them out at a moment's notice if the situation calls for it. The same can be said for his portable comb, made of the tusk of a Copperajah - a fact he stopped advertising once owning items made with it became illegal.

When it comes to height, Kiel has a surprising amount of it, standing at an above average 6'3''. He has long legs, which make him come across even taller - lanky, some say. It does make his confident stride that much more eye-catching though, for better or for worse. And while he hasn't done enough physical labour or weight lifting to earn a muscled physique, he does have strong legs - almost as if he's accustomed to running.

Personality: Kiel is one of those people who split the opinions of all that bear them witness. Some admire his carefree vigor and endless positivity, others find his shameless flirting and devil-may-care approach towards adversity obnoxious at best, offensive at worst. He's unapologetic and brazen, never hesitating to speak his mind - or others' mind, if he finds them having trouble voicing their thoughts. He loves to talk and he loves to joke, even when it would be best not to. Those in the know call it a coping mechanism; others might mistake it for lack of empathy. Kiel lacks many things in truth, but empathy is not among them.

The ones that do find themselves liking Kiel call him friendly - those that do not, superficial. He's both. Exchange a few pleasantries with him, and he's ready to treat you like his best friend. Favours and friendly gestures will be showered upon you in abundance, and if you do not explicitly forbid it, so will physical displays of affection. Come what may, he'll be there to pick you up, both in the figurative sense and literal. He's difficult to make enemies with too, as insults and dismissals don't seem to deter him - and he's yet to be seen lose his cool.

However, if you ever try to have a conversation beyond pleasantries and banter, you'll quickly find that Kiel is not quite as open as you thought. When it comes to genuine feelings and problems, he doesn't ask and he doesn't answer. You can keep your demons, and he will keep his. Those are the terms of his friendship. Infringe upon them severely enough, and he is as quick to drop your friendship as he was to announce it. It's better that way - you wouldn't like what you find behind the smiles, anyway.

Short Biography: Considering Kiel was born to a family with close ties to Johto's largest and most notorious criminal organization, his childhood was relatively normal. He spent the first five years of his life in Goldenrod, none the wiser of what his father did for work. All he knew was that he was loved and cared for, and whatever he wanted, he tended to get; be it a brand new toy or a favoured food. What little Kiel remembers of those years, he remembers fondly.

A little after he turned five, Kiel's family moved to New Bark Town at the request of his mother. She was originally from a small town in Kalos, and never did manage to grow accustomed to the bustle of Goldenrod. Her health had been deteriorating as of late, and she hoped clearer air and less stress might aid in her recovery. Worried for his wife and wanting to accommodate her, Kiel's father agreed to relocate - but had to travel to Goldenrod for business quite frequently. At times, he was gone for weeks on end.

Even so, for the next eight years Kiel lived an even more peaceful life than during the five prior. Kiel made friends with the local kids, had his first crush, got his first Pokémon - a rowdy little Meowth - and eventually, even became a big brother. Even his mother's health had taken a turn for the better. Whether it was really the fresh New Bark air that did the trick, no one knew.

If only things had stayed the way they were, perhaps Kiel would have grown up to be an entirely different man.

Alas.

At thirteen, Kiel's father took him along to Goldenrod. He had visited it many a time with his parents, mostly for shopping trips or seeing old friends of the family. But this time was different. This time, Kiel's father had something to show him. For the first time in his life, he was introduced to his father's business - and told that one day, he too would take part in it. He was spared the details of what the organization did, but the men and women he met that day were not the friendly sort, even if they did their best to smile at him. Kiel knew as much with a glance.

He was supposed to spend no longer than a week in Goldenrod, but while there, his mother's condition worsened - and eventually claimed her. So, what remained of the family moved away from New Bark Town, and that week became nearly a decade.

To this day, Kiel doesn't talk about his time in Goldenrod.

Some of the people that know him say they saw him during that time; just passing glimpses of a boy glad in the finest of clothes, accompanied by a redheaded boy his age with an unnerving smile. Some saw him accompanied by people far more sinister yet, with dark clothes and darker yet gazes. And yet, Kiel was rarely caught without a smile on his face. He was the happiest of all when accompanied by a little boy that looked much like him - his brother, some knew. The two were very close. Inseparable. Never one without the other.

When Kiel returned to New Bark Town some months ago, he did so alone.

Someone even claimed they saw him without a smile, once - but that must've been just hearsay.

Pokemon:

Ragnar Tanglebeard
Meowth (Galar) | M | Tough Claws

An absolute rascal, Ragnar is always looking for trouble. He thrives on attention, be it positive or negative, and pulls no punches in his attempts to acquire it. If he isn't trying to pick fights with other Pokémon, he's picking the pockets of unsuspecting humans or leaving his mark on public property. He has clawed his way through most of Kiel's furniture at this point, and has an unhealthy obsession with plushies. If he sees one, he must destroy it. No exceptions. The only way to truly calm him down is to pick him up and shower him with food, scritches, or both.

Like his name implies, he has an unusually long beard even for a Galarian Meowth. Ragnar refuses to let Kiel cut it, so he braids it to keep the cat from tripping all over it instead. His fur is messy, and there's a piece missing from his right ear.

Hiro
Phantump | M | Natural Cure

Hiro is... there are many things Kiel would like to say to and about Hiro, yet he never finds the words. Hiro is a shy but curious little Phantump, new to this world and everything in it. His curiosity tends to make him wander and float around things that interest him, be they people, Pokémon, or inanimate objects. Bright ligths scare him however, and he tends to avoid the sun. During daytime, he can often be found in Kiel's bag. He would not mind being recalled into a Pokéball either, but Kiel adamantly refuses to put him there. Hiro has also yet to be used in a battle.

The stump that functions as Hiro's body has two dates engraved onto it.

Reason for Traveling with Main Group: Kiel's reasons to travel are aplenty, though he doesn't readily share most of them. If asked, he'd cite boredom; New Bark Town is small and quiet, totally unlike the metropolis he spent his teenage years in, and he feels it's suffocating. What better way to fix that than a little adventure? He's definitely not running away from past deeds or "friends" of ill repute, nah, of course not.

Relationships:

Diana Miyamoto nee Clarity | _^Mother
Toushiro Miyamoto | _^Father
Tomohiro Miyamoto | _{^{Little Brother [deceased]}}
Dimitri Eliades | _^"Brother"

Other:

Kiel is left-handed, but can use his right one almost as well.
Is deadly afraid of certain ghost Pokémon, though he tries to hide it.
His dialogue colour is #e1ca6d.
Prefers cats over dogs.

Gritty, Dark Pokemon RP -- A Coming of Age Story!

I'm leaning towards a guy so far, but if we get a lot of those I can also switch it up. No biggie.

Yeah, all the regions until Unova were based on areas of Japan.

Gritty, Dark Pokemon RP -- A Coming of Age Story!

You could always make a scientology cult like break for freedom @Vertigo during a fire on a compound. Maybe my character is being dissuaded from the public service for some reason and wants to go out on an adventure

@jackal0per

That's one idea! Though I was thinking more "family" in mafia terms, rather than a cult. They were never a threat to the character's well-being, and were actually quite good to their own (which leads to the dilemma the character faces later on). There was no dramatic escape. Of course, they might not like them now that they left, but... yeah. Easier to have emotional attachment, moral qualms and grey morality when the bad guys you left behind weren't bad to you or yours.

As for the region, my vote goes for Johto! Partly due to shameless nostalgia, partly because I'm actually familiar with the map, ha.

Pretty set on character basics, but not yet sure on personality details or gender. Hmm. How's the ratio on that so far?

For Pokémon, might have Galarian Meowth at least. I love them and will spam fanart endlessly if given incentive. (Don't give me incentive).