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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 4, 2022 0:01:05 GMT -5
Darkveil City, despite its age, has a dichotomy unique from any other city in Charon. Freedom is the name of the game, whether that be in one's expression of oneself or in justifying heinous acts. One person's freedom may come at the price of another's. That is just how it is. Those who know the system well and play their cards right stand at the top, often not caring of those they crush along the way.
While some come to this city to partake in their deepest desires and vices, others profit off the corruption and loose excuse for law. All kinds of folk may enter the city. While the lucky may survive it, it's the clever ones who thrive in it.
In a dark alley away from the singing, dancing, and general festive merriment, a broken piece of wood clatters loudly to the ground, spooking some crows eating some discarded food scraps dumped out someone's back door.
"I'm asking you nicely here, pal. You know something about what happened. Spill it and we'll let you be on your way."
Zarius is leaning with his back against the wall and his arms folded across his chest. He wears a bemused smile on his face despite being surrounded by five hooded vagrants in scuffed leather and chainmail armor.
The two hanging towards the back, an elf of some description and a human, are armed with loaded crossbows that they keep at the ready, but are not currently aimed at the charcoal skinned tiefling. In front of them is a gruff pair of stocky dwarves. One leans on a warhammer and has an eyebatch across one eye, while the other has her arms crossed and is squinting at Zarius while chewing on the end of a pipe. The last member of this group, and the closest to the tiefling, is a towering, burly individual with a reptilian face and long tail that looks like the tip was cut off sometime in the past.
"My deepest apologies, gentlemen and lady." He nods to the dwarf who just scowls in response. "I am afraid I can not help you. I only make deals with upstanding citizens."
"Like hell you do." The lizardfolk snarls in his face. "Ain't no one in the city who don't know who you are and what you are all about."
He shrugs his shoulders dismissively. "Well, then you should know that threatening me will only ensure you an early grave."
Zarius feels his feet leave the ground as the lizardfolk roughly grabs the front of his garments and lifts him up. "You threatening me? With what army?"
There isn't much of a reaction from the tiefling. This was classic shake down tactics and it was almost cute that the gecko thought that would be enough to intimidate him. No. He'd faced much scarier things before in these streets.
"I do not need an army against your ilk. You and your friends are clearly products of inbred stock." He mocks with a toothy grin.
The lizardfolk hisses in his face. "You can't do squat, and you know it. That's why your dear daddy h-" A cracking noise cuts off his words as Zarius sharply palms him under the jaw causing the reptile to bite his own tongue.
Blood splatters across the ground between them as the the lizard folk reels back, releasing his hold on Zarius who lands on his feet. The two with crossbows snap into action and aim their weapons at him while the dwarves draw up their weapons and stand at the ready.
"What a shame, your friend seems to have bitten his tongue quite badly with all that smack talk. I advise you take him to a healer." Zarius smiles at the others like he did nothing wrong.
"Heckin' demon spawn! Now you've done it!" The male dwarf sneers through his ratty beard. "I'll smash your knee caps in!"
"Really, you should attend to your friend." He gestures towards the lizardfolk and before suddenly being slammed back into the wall.
He grunts and grips the lizardfolk's arm as he's lifted off his feet again, the lizardfolk's scaly talons tightly wrapped around his neck this time. Its lips pull back in a fierce snarl, exposing its bloodied, sharp teeth. It leans in close and spits in his face. "We could have done this all peaceful-like, but now we're going to beat the information out of you."
Zarius scoffs. His eyes catch a quick flicker of movement from past the lizardfolk's shoulder, and behind the other goons. What was that? Did he just imagine it?
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Post by Plague on Oct 4, 2022 11:49:17 GMT -5
Plague had never been to Dark Veil, nor the Ash Lands at that, it was always too expensive or too arduous to make such a trip across Charon to a place like this. But with the way the world was transforming, and the new heights her life were beginning to take, it had become all too real a possibility to travel the world. While sol city was her primary base of operation, her influence was starting to branch out across the world, seeping into all the cracks in society it could find. The young woman was starting to realize just how sick the world was, it was not an issue contained within her home city, but a problem that afflicted the entire continent, and she was going to be the reason it recovered.
Her current dealings brought her here, to the city beneath a volcano. She had a little mice who called this place home, one that had been gathering information for her on the dealings of the city. It was a very interesting place, unlike Sol city, this place did not answer to a king or its snobby royal family, but instead a collection of crime families. She had been very interested in learning this way of life, experiencing what it was like for others to claim what they believed to be theirs.
The morning went pretty easily, She had met with her little mouse, gathered the information she needed, and rewarded her child with a nice day out on the town. However it was now time to leave, things never stayed settled for long and the more she was away the more room there was for issues to arise. Destiny had other plans for the small woman though, for as she was headed out of the city, she just randomly happened to pass by a tight alley way, one with a large group of individuals present.
At first she paid no mind to what was happening, she had learned better to stay out of other peoples business. She was in a good mood though, in a mood for action and adventure. Taking a step back she took a second glance at the alley, observing the scene play out. She chuckled to herself as the interaction unfolded, some Tiefling had apparently gotten into trouble, and was currently being surrounded by a gang of some kind.
Seconds into her observation, the interaction suddenly became violent, a large lizard person had now pinned the man against the wall and was raising their voice. Plaque quickly considered things, should she just keep walking, avoid the thing completely and let the man get what was coming? Normally this would have been the right choice, but a new idea was forming in her devious little brain. Having an ally in Dark Veil was not lost on her, and saving this man, regardless of who he was, could benefit her in the long run.
The leather clad woman decided, turning on the heels of her leather boots Plague entered the dark corridor. Her brown muddled leathers were cloaked with a dark piece of fabric, who features hidden by the gas mask she wore on her face and the hood she had pulled up over it. No one would have any clue who she was. Sneaking into the alley way, the woman used the confrontation to her advantage, managing to close the distance before anyone noticed her.
Gripping one of her smoke flash in one hand, Plague sent it flying down the alley way, crashing into the opposite wall directly behind the lizard and his captive. The sound was sure to get their attention, but before they had the chance to realize anything, a cloud of smoke would have begun to fill up the tight space. It would only take a matter of seconds for the dark cloud to completely engulf the entire group.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 4, 2022 12:33:46 GMT -5
Clink. FWOOSH!
"What the-GAHCK!" The lizard folk exclaims as smoke fills the alleyway quickly, blinding the whole group in an instant.
From within the cloud, the lizardfolk releases its hold on the tiefling's neck as a boot is planted firmly in its snout. The distraction was a welcome surprise, but Zarius couldn't see any better than those surrounding him. Their exclamations of surprise and confusion echo through the alley.
After kicking the lizardfolk off of him and landing back on his feet, he considers which direction to go. Forward? The lizardfolk. To the sides? The dwarves and the crossbowmen had that covered. Back? A solid wall.
Up.
Up was an option.
Taking a flying guess he jumps forward and feels his feet connect with the lizardfolk once more. Hopefully this worked. He springs straight up off of the lizardfolk and appears out of the smoke cloud with a line of smoke trailing after him.
Now able to see, he quickly assesses his surroundings. A roof's edge is just within reach. He twists in the air like a cat and manages to grab onto edge before flipping up onto the roof, the tiles clinking under his boots.
Standing up, he surveys the scene before him. The sound of coughing and confusion continued.
"What was that!?"
"Damn demon, where'd he go?!"
"Ow! Watch it!"
"I can't see anything!"
"This was a set up, man!"
"Calm down! All of you! Spread out and search! Don't let him get away!"
Zarius chuckles. Fools. Then his gaze drifts past the cloud of smoke to the small cloaked figure standing just down the way. They must have been the one to throw the smoke bomb.
Perhaps they were one of his father's agents. It wouldn't be the first time they had stalked him out of concern and paranoia for his safety despite his protests.
He narrows his golden eyes picking out some of the details of the stranger's attire. No. They didn't appear to be one of theirs. This curious stranger must have gotten involved for a reason though. He wanted to find out why.
It wasn't likely the goons below would just give up on their harassments though. They would most certainly shoot first and ask questions later at this point.
He waves a hand in the air to get the stranger's attention without alerting the goons in the alleyway. Then he points down the street and starts running across the roofs that way. With any luck, the stranger would take the cue and they could meet up somewhere safer.
Just as he is about to jump across to the next building, a crossbow bolt whizzes by him and grazes his shoulder. He winces and glances back. The elf had made it out of the smoke and has him in his sights.
"Over here! He's on the roof!" The elf shouts and looses another bolt before reloading.
Zarius dodges back and huffs. Of course getting away wouldn't be so simple.
The other goons start finding their way out of the cloud. The dwarf with the eyepatch waves smoke out of his face as he stumbles out of the cloud and catches sight of Plague.
"Who're you, huh?" He drags his war hammer up and widens his stance.
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Post by Plague on Oct 5, 2022 15:03:27 GMT -5
The smoke had done its job, now spreading out through the alley and clouding the group of individuals involved in whatever this was. Plague stood there at the mouth of the alley for a moment, watching the dark cloud form, unsure if she should have dashed in and got involved, or waited to see the out come. She was still unsure who was who and what any of this meant, so it was hard to choose who to root for. The sounds of conflict could be heard from inside the cloud, many of the attackers obviously confused and unaware of what had happened.
Moments into the squabble the dark slender Tiefling suddenly jolted upwards, as if they had vaulted off of one of the other men. They soared upwards into the air, finally clinging to the top of a building before fully escaping the scene below. It was a clever move, one that she admired. The stranger noticed Plague as well, waving their hands in the attempt to gain her attention, indicating a spot further down the road where they could meet. The hooded woman gave a simple nod before the sounds of a bolt could be heard.
A few of the men inside the cloud of smoke had wizened up, now moving out of its range to gather themselves. One of the elven men had escaped on the far side, but was not able to aim at the Tiefling, taking a quick shot at them as they moved across the roof top. Watching this unfold, Plague was almost completely unaware of the Dwarf who was currently bringing a war hammer down on top of her. She had seconds to react, luckily having enough time to narrowly side step as the hammer crashed into the ground, sending bits of dirt and stone flying everywhere.
So a fight was needed huh, these thugs were relentless. Now standing beside the Dwarf with her back to the wall, Plague pulled another glass bottle off of her hip, this one a potion meant for her. Popping the cork she took a quick sip of the concoction as the Dwarf lifted his hammer upwards again, preparing to strike a second time. The liquid entered her body, allowing magic to course through her veins as the effects quickly took hold. Her muscles tightened, growing in size a tad as she could feel the strength enter her.
The hammer came down with a huge amount of force, aimed to knock the girl out. However instead of meeting its mark, the weapon was halted midair as Plague grabbed the flat end of it, just holding onto what was supposed to whack her. The effects of the bull strength potion were in full swing now, allowing her to simply ignore this puny weapon. The dwarf stared at her wide eyed, not really sure what to do as she ripped the hammer from his grip and tossed it aside, clanking against the stone ground.
"Oops, looks like you fucked up little man"
A devious cackle could faintly be heard from under neath her mask as her other arm shot straight out, catching the dwarf under his chin and by his neck. His screams could be heard by the others as what was left of the thugs finally regrouped.
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 5, 2022 17:13:03 GMT -5
"This blasted smoke!" Snarls the lizardfolk as it stumbles from the cloud.
"We've been had!"
"Shut up! Just get him!"
"Wait, where's-"
The dwarf's screams from beyond the smoke cloud causes all the goons to whip around with their weapons drawn except the lizardfolk. He hisses in frustration.
"Idiots! Don't take your eyes off of-" The lizardfolk is interrupted as Zarius grabs the back of his head and slams his skull down into the cobblestone. He had jumped off the roof while they were distracted.
He had planned to just run, but it seemed whoever came to his aid had other plans. Fine, he thought, he'd play their game. These fools deserved it anyway for daring to try and extort him.
"Change of plans, how unfortunate for all of you." Zarius smiles maliciously at them as he stands up, the lizardfolk unmoving at his feet.
"Dammit!" The elf fires a crossbow bolt at the tiefling, aiming for his face.
With a flash, Zarius catches the bolt mid air and whips it into the elf's leg. The elf exclaims in pain as the tiefling closes the gap between them with a sudden burst of speed. Zarius grabs the crossbow, yanks the elf forward, then bashes him back with his own weapon. The elf staggers back holding his now busted nose as it gushes blood.
The female dwarf steps up with a pair of daggers in her hands. "Bolts won't work! I got this one, go see what that screaming is about!" She shouts at the human.
With a quick nod, the human turns and goes down the alley to see what happened to the other dwarf. He holds his crossbow at the ready.
Zarius looks between the injured elf and the knife wielding dwarf. He gets a smug look on his face. "Swords too big for you?" He comments towards the dwarf.
"Piece of shit, I'll dice you up and feed ya to the rats." She makes a slicing motion across her own throat.
Zarius chuckles and assumes a defensive stance, making sure to keep the elf in his periphery. "You can certainly try."
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Post by Plague on Nov 4, 2022 19:18:33 GMT -5
Plague glared through her mask, eyes bloodshot and bulging as the effects of the potion continued to course through her body. Her hand was still clasped around the head of the dwarf, his eyes lifeless and empty as she pushed it further into the stone alleyway. Anger welled up inside of her as she turned her head back towards the ally, locating a human with a crossbow, slowly and defensively walking towards her. With a deep growl the girl stood, faced the man and gripped a stone in her hands, she then waited, staring the man down.
As he closed in, the human took aim, and prepared his trigger finger. With a woosh the echoed throughout the back alley, the bolt clicked loose and flew through the air, heading directly towards her midsection. With a quick snap of her wrist Plague launched the stone, sending directly at the bolt, colliding with it and throwing it off course. The now shunned human took a step back, realizing his shot missed. Crazed, the masked girl took off down the path, wilding waving her arms as she quickly closed in on her prey, using her strength boost to close the gap.
Now standing face to face with her shooter, Plague used both arms to arch out, then return, clapping against either side of his head. Like squishing a melon, the girls hands clapped together, smooshing everything in between. The carnage and gore splatted against the side of the nearby building. The power pumped into her veins, giving her one last moment to use her strength. Looking from side to side she tried to locate the dark Tiefling, noticing a knife wielder engaging them. She was interested in what this person could do and why they were being shaken down. So Plague waited, watching, ready to see who came out on top.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 8, 2022 1:15:11 GMT -5
As the smoke starts to settle, the knife wielder tromps towards the tiefling with her weapons drawn. A toothy grin spreads across her face as she darts forward quickly. She goes in for a pair of swipes as his knees to try and hinder his mobility.
Zarius steps back, his eyes keep locked on her movements as she approaches and goes in for the combo of slashes. He dodges the first slash then blocks the second one with his knuckle knives. The clang of metal rings out through the air.
The knife wielder pulls back for another strike when the tiefling hooks his foot around the back of her ankle as she shifts her weight back. He pulls her leg out from under her and she falls onto her back with a thud and a grunts. She winces as she pushes herself up only for the bottom of the tiefling’s boot to meet her face and slam her back down on the stone street while his other foot pins her wrist down.
“Surrender and I will let you keep your teeth.” He hisses down at the women as she struggles beneath his boots. He keeps his balance easily despite her thrashing.
“Get off me!” She slams her other blade into the side of his leg.
Zarius grimaces and lifts his one foot off her face only to bring his heel down fast and hard between her eyes. Her grip on her blades falls limp and the one in Zarius’ leg clatters across the cobblestone. He huffs and steps off of her and tucks his hands into his pockets as he glances about the alleyway. There was a good amount of blood running down his leg and the stain seeps across his pant leg, but he pays it no mind other than keeping his weight back on his uninjured leg.
“What a mess.” He spots Plague still lingering about. “I suppose I owe you my gratitude for stepping in, though I wonder if you did so because you want something from me too.”
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Post by Plague on Nov 9, 2022 21:26:18 GMT -5
The masked young girl watched in glee as the two dueled each other, their weapons clashing with rings in the afternoon air. It was exciting to see, two skilled warriors engaged in the dance of combat, something she herself had been through a few times. The effects of her potion had started to wear off, the strength leaving her body and returning the girl to her normal state. As the dark Tiefling won their battle, Plague couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, realizing that with her potions effects over, a further drawn out fight would not have been in her favor.
Zarius took notice of Plague once more, finishing up with their opponent and now making their way towards her. In all honesty she really had no idea why she stepped in, this person was nothing to her, like everyone else in this town. But she had come to realize that making friends and having people owe you a favor was more useful than making enemies out of everyone. So as Zarius asked what Plague needed them for, she could only let out the first thing that came to her mind.
"Well since I saved your ass, you could give me some money."
She let out a comical half laugh, which echoed from behind her mask. While what she said came off as a partial joke, she was completely serious. While her response was not what she expected to say, it was a good response none the less.
"By the way, why were those thugs beating you up anyway? You owe them money or something?"
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 10, 2022 12:49:45 GMT -5
The tiefling tilts his head a bit. The masked individual had a curious laugh that rang hollow despite the attempt at light humor. He decided it was best not to draw attention to that and instead acquiesce to their request.
“Oh? Well I can certainly oblige.”
He reaches back into a pouch on his belt and rummages about for a handful of Solars. He holds up one of the coins while keeping the rest hidden in his palm.[1]
“Will this do?”
He wanted to see how the short individual would react to his offering. It was not that he was trying to short change them, but it would reveal a bit of their intentions if they were expecting to be able to extort him on the pretense of being owed something for their interference.
“Quite the opposite, actually. They were trying to get my services for free and I was not about to tarnish my reputation by giving in to a bunch of hot headed bullies.” He waves his hand dismissively.
It wasn’t uncommon for him to be approached by folks who bit off more than they could chew. He often traveled alone and since he always appeared unarmed, opportunistic thugs often underestimated him. Most people in the know around Darkveil knew better than to make such a mistake. That didn’t stop dumb grunts from rival crime families from testing his patience from time to time.
The masked figure before him didn't seem to be someone he recognized. They didn't wear any items that suggested they were running around with an established gang within the city. That said, there were plenty of folk who operated their own independent side hustles. Whoever this person was, he would keep his guard up just in case their interaction sparked a bigger fire.
[1] Quick Palm
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Post by Plague on Jan 3, 2023 22:37:16 GMT -5
Although Zarius would not have been able to see it, the small girls eyes grew wide at the sight of that one single solar, her entire body shaking, holding back the excitement. She stared up at the coin for a moment, completely forgetting about the Tiefling. Like a child reaching for candy, her stubby arm jolted forward, as if trying to snatch the coin from Zarius before they could resend their offer. Due to their height difference and the space in between their bodies, Plague's little arm was unable to reach, but boy did they try.
Now calmed, the masked girl took a few steps back, still solarless, a tad embarrassed and wanting to give the man space. In all honesty, she did not really care about the group that had attacked them, or why this guy was dealing with them. She had managed to accomplish what she was after here in the city, and as a bonus, was potentially about to earn a whole Solar. Tugging on her shirt to straighten it out, she sighed and addressed Zarius.
"Sorry for that, I do believe that will be enough to compensate my help. Whatever you had going on with those dummies, I hope ya figure it out, I wont be around to save your ass next time."
She chuckled and waited patiently, eager to see if Zarius was truthful about giving them the money. She didn't really expect to get this far or make this much, so while she had managed to compose herself, the excitement was starting to build once again.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jan 3, 2023 23:54:52 GMT -5
Zarius watches the short individual's body language shift. He tilts his head curiously as they try to snatch the coin, but miss due to the height difference. The masked figure seems to snap out of it and recompose themselves. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit in amusement.
"I appreciate the sentiment. Though I think this is hardly enough to compensate you for going out of your way to help a complete stranger against such a group of brutes."
He closes his fist around the coin then shakes his hand and opens his palm again and drops the handful of Solars in Plague's hands. It was a pittance to him, but this stranger hadn't even hesitated at the meager offering of a single Solar. Either they did not understand the value of their actions, or they were very hard-pressed for coin. Possibly both. Most likely both.
The tiefling got the feeling that the individual before him was on the young side. Perhaps one of Darkveil's many orphans. It was an unfortunate reality of such a volatile place where debts were often paid for in blood and innocent children suffered for the drunken mistakes of their parents. The gang wars and protection rackets kept the working class firmly in place, and any dissent was met with cruel violence, destruction or property, and theft. If you had no one powerful backing you, you were just a doormat to be tread upon by the many bullies roaming the streets.
"You fight well. If you are looking for work, perhaps we can make some sort of arrangement."
Looking around, it wouldn't be long before someone came across all the bodies in the alleyway and started asking questions he really didn't feel like answering at this current point in time.
"We should probably make ourselves scarce. Thank you again for your assistance, and if we do not cross paths again, best of luck in your ventures."
He starts off towards the street, peering around the corner cautiously before stepping out of the alleyway.
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Post by Plague on Jan 7, 2023 8:27:04 GMT -5
Holding her excitement in over just one single Solar was hard enough, but as the Tiefling disagreed and turned the one coin into a handful, Plague could not help but to audibly cheer out, like a kid getting excited over a new toy. Zarius poured the golden coins into the girls gloved, grubby hands, only to quickly tuck them away under her clothing, as if afraid someone would try to take them back. She had done a lot of different work for different types of people, and none of them had ever treated her this well.
"Woah Mr. This sure is a lot of money you are giving me. This is going to help me out a lot back home. I am actually working at the moment, have a few things I need to take care of around Charon and can't afford to get distracted. But if you are ever in Sol City, you can find me at the Rat's Nest, or just ask a homeless person for Plague, they will know who you are looking for. "
It was rare, but nice to have had a decent interaction with a stranger. And while this man was most likely not going to be a close friend, it was always good to have different kinds of people tucked away in case you needed something. With her plans for the future being put into motion, she was going to need all the help she could get. As for now, it was time to head home, and as Zarius turned to go one way, Plague turned to go the other.
"Try not to get into anymore fights, I can't always be around to save your ass"
A hearty laugh echoed through the alley way as both individuals went their separate ways, Plague giving a final wave to Zarius before vanishing around a corner.
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