Alright. So. I may have mentioned that my Niah character was originally derived from a character I played in D&D with some IRL friends of mine. One of those friends had this wonderful idea to take the events of the campaign and turn them into a cohesive story. We took turns, both writing from each of our character's POV. It was a fun little thing to do (and I need to pick up writing on that at some point......)
Anyway. I wanted to post a section of that story. It's Niah in all her witch glory. She's turning out a bit differently here. Different circumstances. Different characters around her. But this is basically Niah in a nutshell in that campaign. All you need to know is that Heathcliff is her raven familiar. Enjoy!
Part Two: http://hollowworld.co.uk/threads/niah-and-her-whisperer.31740/#post-534709
==================================
“Witchling is a stupid human for backing out,” Heathcliff pointedly stated, staring at me from the cobblestone pavement. I sat on the bench, looking more at the rolling water of the adjacent river than at him. I did, however, notice the disappointment glinting in his beady little eyes. Either that or I was seeing my own indecision reflected there.Anyway. I wanted to post a section of that story. It's Niah in all her witch glory. She's turning out a bit differently here. Different circumstances. Different characters around her. But this is basically Niah in a nutshell in that campaign. All you need to know is that Heathcliff is her raven familiar. Enjoy!
Part Two: http://hollowworld.co.uk/threads/niah-and-her-whisperer.31740/#post-534709
==================================
“You have no place to talk,” I heatedly whispered, furtively glancing at the nobleman who passed by with a package in arm. He raised an eyebrow at my Infernal tongue and how I spoke to the bird, but kept walking past to my relief. Returning my attention to the familiar, I leaned down and glowered at him. “You do not get to decide what I do. You were not face to face with death. You were not fighting off bandits and running from a fiery mist. Youwere flitting about in the trees, nowhere to be seen.”
He preened as I berated him, which fueled my agitation. When I finished, he put down his wing and regarded me coolly before responding. “I am not immortal, Witchling. I am a raven who has been given the ability to speak, but I am still only a raven. I cannot fly into combat and defeat an angry human, no matter how indignant you may be. If I were to try, I would most likely be killed and you would be left without the power I grant you. Without me, you are nothing little Witchling. Remember this.”
I folded my arms and leaned back, sulking in the shade of the overhanging tree. I was painfully aware of how insignificant I was without the magic he granted me. I didn’t know where it came from or even what kind of magic I was using, only that my familiar was the only thing keeping me floating above the common rabble. Sighing, I looked away from the bird and instead focused my attention on a ship sailing by. “Then tell me, oh wise bird- Why am I a stupid human for backing out?”
“Because I don’t teach you these spells so you can flit about and steal from dress shops. When Witchling entered into the contract with me, you begged to never be weak again. You wanted the power to break free of your cages and I gave that to you. It is a waste to see you squander your natural talents on foolish and petty endeavors.”
I weakly laughed, surprised by his speech. “And you suggest I become a hired mercenary?”
“I suggest you do whatever it takes to secure a position in this city. Right now you’re a pretty face with a pretty dress. It’s time you make a name for yourself, Witchling.”
I fell silent as I thought about Heathcliff’s words. The bird, sensing that conversation was over squawked and took off after a group of doves down the street, sending them flying in terror as he swooped amidst them. The animal didn’t know a dwarf from an orc and I doubted if he even knew the name of the continent we were on, but he had a startling wisdom. I stood up and left my spot on the bench, walking towards the water’s edge. The embankment was somewhat steep, but in my travelling gear I managed to get down to the rocky outcropping easily. The water was swift and murky in the evening light. Ships sailed down the river, towards the sea that Ardellon sat on the edge of. They drifted easily by, under the two bridges that connected the city, steering clear of the center island with all the temples. From where I stood, I could see the temples and statues much more easily.
It was calming being so close to the water, though I couldn’t quite explain why. The sound of the water lapping the riverbank and gulls crying overhead put my mind at ease as I considered my position. What did I want? I only came to Ardellon by chance, after running away from my obligations of paying Robert’s debt. I made grand plans of aligning myself with the most powerful people in the city, and while the Council knows me now, was I any more than just a pawn for them? I didn’t want to be a hired dog, but what would the repercussions be if I stayed away? I needed to know more. I needed to find out more about the Council and what other ways I could get the upper hand…
Brian!," I suddenly shouted, mostly to myself as an epiphany washed over me in bright crescendo. I scrambled up the bank, a wide grin overtaking my face at the prospect of utilizing my pawn. I had not checked on my whisperer since entreating him to work for me, but whatever information he'd gathered was pivotal for me now. I honestly had put him far from mind, but if it was information about the Council I needed, he was going to be my best bet. If he did his job well, I would pay him handsomely for his work. If not, I would just have to find another beggar. Perhaps an entire slew of them scattered throughout the city. As I quickened my pace, hair flying wildly about me as I darted around people leisurely strolling down the street, I had my sights set on the Four Stars Inn.
The place wasn’t very far from where I sat at the river. Being positioned right by the bridge, it was easy to make it there in a quick fashion. Almost immediately my gaze drifted to the wrought-iron light post just outside and as I walked towards it, a fine piece of cream colored cloth caught my attention. It seemed the beggar remembered the agreement after all. I cast curious glances up and down the street, looking for any sign of followers but saw no one looking suspicious enough to halt my progress. A man leaned against the inn smoking a cigar while a group of lower class women ambled by in trite conversation. Nothing out of the ordinary. Strolling nonchalantly across the street, I found the familiar alleyway, the place I told him I would come, and ducked into the darkness between the two buildings in search of my informant.
The smells had not changed and felt nauseous as the familiar cocktail of disgust wafted into my face. A rat scuttled away a stack of wooden crates as I walked past, but as I scanned the gloomy darkness of depravity, I saw no one waiting. He was not there, as he had last appeared to me, and I let my shoulders slump a little from my annoyance. It wasn’t fair to expect him to wait days on end for me here, but what else could the miscreant be doing?
“Brian, are you here?” I called out, although I knew he wasn’t. It was more of a confirmation than actual curiosity. “Of course not. Probably in some hole, wasting away…”
“I wouldn’t say I’m wasting away,” a man said with a familiar voice. I smoothly turned around to see an older fellow at the entrance of the alley way. He’d snuffed out the cigar, but it was the same gray haired figured that had leaned against the inn from moments ago.
“My apologies, Sir. I was trying to find a dear friend of mine. It seems he is not here.” I nodded both my salutations and goodbyes to him with a polite curtsy, though I looked somewhat out of place doing so in my leather breeches and worn out tunic. “If you’ll excuse me,” I added as I began leaving the darkness.
I walked to the far side of him and came out onto the comparatively bright street, though the sun was nearly set. As I stood there, at a loss of what to do next, I heard his footsteps come up behind me and stop a few paces back. “I know I don’t have the same look, but I believe I’m the friend you’re looking for.”
I looked back, ready to write him off when I caught his gaze. There was something familiar to the man, but I could not place him. He stood tall and clean shaven, appareled in merchant’s manner. But his eyes… I widened my own as realization hit me. “My, my, my. You certainly have a new look about you, Brian. Not quite the same man I left in the alley all those nights ago.”
He toothily grinned and nodded. “Aye. I’ve had some better fortune since ye found my against that wall. With your generosity, I got a good bath and a hot meal over at the inn and made a bit of a name for myself as a bard. Not much, but people are starting to wave and smile at me now, thanks to you.”
Thanks to me? I only gave the wretch two gold pieces and a thousand empty promises. No tailor in any city could dress a rascal in such finery for that price. Though finery was not quite befitting as he wasn’t exactly upperclass material. I glided over to him and laced my arm through his and smiled. At least his odor had been washed away. “Come, my lucky gentleman. I believe we have things to discuss. Shall we?”
I waved my free hand towards the shadows I’d just left and he nodded gingerly. I led him past the rats and crates, far into the back where it closed off into a dead end of high wall. The air was stale here and I could hear a few people scuttling about in the adjacent buildings, living their daily lives. Once we were save away from prying eyes and deft ears, I dropped Brian’s arm and raised an expectant brow. “All business, I see. I expected as much.”
“I saw the cloth you tied for me, so I came. What have you learned, dear Whisperer?”
He cocked his head, forwardly asking, “What have ye to pay me?”
Pitiful creature, I bemusedly thought. He gets a few meals and a good bath and all of a sudden he’s in the position to bargain? He is quite mistaken, I’m afraid. Regardless, I needed the information and I was willing to play along for now. Reaching for my coin purse, I held it out for him and shook it. The fifty gold pieces from the council rattled loudly in the bag, as well as the few pieces of my own. I still kept the brunt of my fortune tucked away in the room, but for now, the sound of gold spurred the man into compliance.
“I see that you mean business then. In that case, I’ve been doing as ye asked. Watched the houses and the families. Learned quite a many things in that time. They’re not all that they seem to be. For example, the gnome, Eugene? He’s a summoner.”
My eyes widened. “Summoner? I had no idea any of them possessed magic. Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Aye. I watched his home and his great beast inside. I couldn’t get a good look, but I know it was a great, dark thing. But Eugene’s not the only one. Eliana Blackheart, the elf, and the Halfling, Victor, both have magic too. Not quite sure what type, but I warrant that they’re all mighty powerful to be where they are now.”
“You think they used magic to get their positions? If they’re powerful, it would be child’s play to secure a seat on the council.”
He shrugged in the half-light, rubbing at his chin as if his beard were still there. “I can’t say. The rest of the Council are adept fighters though and I’m surprised they chose to join into this bureaucracy instead of aligning themselves with the City Watch. Well, the rest barring that scumbag, Mortlock. When ye told me to keep my eyes on them, I’ll admit I was eager to see what I could find on him. But the bastard keeps himself hidden away when he’s not conducting business at the hall.”
“Curious then,” I muttered quietly. If they were so skilled, why send grunts out? Why not send out the City Watch to retrieve the cargo from earlier today? And why not send them out tomorrow for the ‘more pressing matter’? Sending out unknown fighters was an illogical thing to do when they had a loyal task force at their disposal. Unless… “Whisperer, tell me this. Do you have any clues into their private affairs? Any dealings they would want to keep secret?”
“I’m afraid I couldn’t find anything like that out without going up to one of ‘em and asking.”
“I see. It seems to be that the Council is trying to hide something from the general populace… It’s the only explanation for sending us out instead of those directly tied to them.”
“Milady? What do you mean?”
I shook my head and smiled. “Oh, it’s nothing. I thank you for what you’ve given me. It’s been a most fortuitous meeting, but I’m afraid I must be off. I have much to think about.”
Brian cleared his throat as I began to walk away, and I paused midstep. I did not turn to look at him, but merely stood quietly as I listened. “Milady, I do believe there was a promise of payment. I have delivered, and I think it deserves quite a bit of recompense for the work I put in.”
“Of course. How silly of me,” I said with a smile, turning on my heels. I stared directly into his eyes, and holding out my hand, I blew towards him as if blowing dust in his face. He looked at me strangely and I just mirthfully shrugged. “Just cleaning my hands.”
“Right. Well, I believe… S-several gold pieces are in order. ‘Bout thirty, I’d s-say…” His eyes were drooping now and he took a few uncertain steps backwards against the wall. “It’s only right, Mi-Milady.”
“Of course it’s right, Brian. But you see, I have a bit of a problem. When I came into this alley, I hired a beggar. And you are not that same beggar. You are a man that people recognize now. You said it yourself. People wave to you. And that’s something that I can’t have. I can’t have a whisperer who doesn’t whisper.” I smiled darkly as he slowly slid down the wall. My slumbering hex had taken a hold and it was all he could do to look up at me.
“B-but what I… I told you what I knew…”
“You did. And I thank you for that. But I’m afraid I have no use for a well-to-do bard. You understand, I’m sure.”
However, I doubted he heard my parting words as his head fell over to the side, and his chest began to rise and fall evenly as a slight breeze rushed into the alley. Just like I had done with Eron, I did the practiced motions, carving signs and runes into the air with practiced ease and then I leaned forward until I was standing right above his slumped body. With a giddy gleam in my eye, I inhaled until all of the oxygen in his body had left him to suffocate. He did not go as quietly as Eron, though there wasn’t any lake water to help the process this time. Instead, the man began to writhe on the ground and I took a step back to avoid his death spasms. He gasped so violently for air but none would come to him and after a few minutes, Brian the Beggar Bard lay dead at my feet.
“If only you had continued to rot in filth, I would have let you live then. But no man can have such a turn of fortune with two measly gold pieces. You had help, which means that you were not so loyal as I had hoped.” I kicked his boot out of the way and turned from him, feeling surprisingly refreshed by the scene.
Last edited:
Also- You guys might notice the name Aracena popping up in this. If you've ever RPed with Niah, especially in her early days on the server, she had a thing for using an alias. In the campaign where she was first conceived, her alias was Aracena. >.> Anyway. Yeah. So... Here's the section that directly follows. 
