Da’Vey

 

History

Fourth Age

Born in 1165 in Ahmdalin, the great trade hub at the western shore of Manhover Creek. By an ambassador couple from Skium.

Da’Vey spent his youth playing with the other state staff, nobles and some Clovincaz children, as his mother was half Clovincaz and Moss'Ari. He grew up having access to the Academy of Andalus Souls, so he matured in a pond of knowledge.

He came to favour the academy where he spent countless hours studying. Especially when his parents had visitors from other races, countries, or cultures or those who had been at the larger, more potent Academy of Ri or Mt. Vula. At an early age, he figured out that these guests often revealed hidden information if asked in a way that made the conversations more engaging. Some saw right through his intriguing questions; others became guests who elaborated on the library’s dry texts.

In time, around 1174 or so, he had noticed how some cultures advanced ahead of others; that is, if one discounted the few individuals capable of mana manipulation. Finding this generic trait of swift or slow evolution aroused his curiosity, and he found it so puzzling that his interests turned from childish play to serious studying and determination to become a scholar.

As he learned about those who had raced ahead, and questions for the dinner table turned, the guests’ answers revealed a key fact most of the literature lacked. The hidden influence, often referred to as the double shadow or arcane taint, was attributed to vampires. At first his broadened studies, altered questions, and conclusions brought overbearing laughter. But over time, it changed to nervous looks and glances at nearby shadows.

“Dealing with the unknown added another face to his coin, the mechanisation mantle.”

~Skjald El Mary

 

In 1180, at the age of 15, he apprenticed to the local Engineer Guild. He created odd items and combined elements from his previous examinations into unusual objects. Generally focused on buffing or nerfing abilities. Such was his talent for analysing, decomposing, and wit that, in only 4 years, he surpassed the other students and became a novice. Yet he kept pushing his limits.

With a scoped-up understanding of his main interest came a broadening of skills, so he began exploring alchemy. On his 20th birthday, which he celebrated by becoming a Journeyman, Mumra, Natiha, Nertilu, and other lesser gods came to meet and greet this mortal talent.

It’s said that he pondered the godly visit for almost a year, then decided they must have arrived as part of their scheming. So he worked hard to strengthen his bonds with Gulmur, the greater God of justice, and made beneficial bonds. Oddly enough, due to his extensive work with Essence and strong focus on vampires, he developed into a unique arcane soul. He had indeed become Gulmur’s favourite, which resulted in a strong ability to channel divine energy.

“Even the most pristine beings will become flawed if enough divine energies are poured into them.”

~Skjald Vinotis

 

As he grew in skills, physical and magical, interest in him from the Allele Diploid arose. Strange it was that Rakon Y Kizz and Strah Redek, on their way to the Academy of Ri, both passed by his alchemy shop the day he became 30. As the purchase of goods turned into general conversation and they learned about his birthday, Rakon and Strah asked to share a mug and a meal.

That night, Rakon and Strah still in the house, after they celebrated his 30th birthday, 1195 became a milestone in his life. Initially perceived as an assassin, the attacker attempted to kill him while he appeared to be safely asleep. But thinking about some mechanisations Rakon had mentioned, Davey was not asleep. Feeling the presence, Da’Vey opened his eyes, grabbed the person by the throat, and a fierce melee broke out. The assassin was a better-trained hand-to-hand fighter, but Da’Vey felt somehow far stronger.

Within moments he had the upper hand and managed to get the assassin pinned. Then it turned into a blackened blur, floating out and filling the room; it blurred Da’Vey’s vision and choked him severely. Then it’s arm materialised, and it struck him hard at the throat, thus escaping his firm grip. With a snarl, it drifted out the window in mist form. Furious Da’Vey gained his senses and yelled in anger.

Rakon and Strah burst into the room, both wielding their favourite close-quarter weapons. As the situation relaxed and he went to wash himself, he noticed two small needle wounds in his neck. He was certain that the needle wounds did not result from the melee poke, and since no poisonous effects appeared to develop, he wondered what they might indicate. So he researched those needle wounds and realised they were caused by a vampire.

The creature was, of course, no assassin, nor do I believe it was a vampire. From the description, I believe it to have been the ’11th’, an agent of the Twelve Fangs, trying to test his ‘bite’, and I wonder who they have as a match—if any yet. Regardless, after Rakon and Strad left, Da’Vey intensified studying vampires and turned his crafting towards countering their magic, tricks, and inert power. He would spend the next 15 years as a journeyman, meanwhile studying vampires.

“I think it was Gulmur meddling with Allele’s work.”

~Skjald Ulrich

 

In 1196, he sailed across the strait and in Brakylhe met Wilson and Atallanti, who were on their way to visit Krokus in Rupeu. So he travelled along and met Krokus. Atallanti left the gang in the late summer. That same year, in the spring of 1197, they heard about an exciting find of a first-age Astral Site/Gate, so Wilson and Da’Vey went to Tulsa to see the excavation led by Longhorn.

Finding the excavation rather uninteresting, Da’Vey soon left to pursue his prey and thus missed the spectacular event. Only later did he hear about the great Gaji-Kulat slaying carried out by Varrol. His feet took him from Tulsa into Pokalu, where he met a pair of travelling performers, the Dreamer and the Ashentree. As he watched their show, he came to notice they utilised quite some impressive gadgets and seemingly were skilled alchemists.

Asking them to share a mug and a meal, the trio clicked at once and enjoyed each other’s company and stories. It’s unknown who brought it up, but they came to talk about the wondrous Padurian carpets and decided to go there and see for themselves. So in the autumn of 1197 they set out to travel across Midgard, and at each rest stop, settlement, village, and town, Da’Vey visited the local well of wisdom while the pair performed.

One day in the winter of 1198 they met Rakon, Tomaltu Baer, Lord Nam, Murf'ar, and Leerche – a lord alchemist and crafter who noticed the unfolded talents of The Dreamer. After a long talk, the Dreamer decided he would leave the performance duo and go with Leerche to Mt. Vula to pursue alchemy. Rakon, Tomaltu, Lord Nam, the Ashentree, and Davey continued towards Padurian lands.

In Fril, the group split once more. Rakon and Lord Nam left towards Fridor, and Murf’ar left for Uhmzel, as something urgent seemingly had come to his attention, indicating that he had received important news that required his immediate action. So only Ashentree and Davey set out for the last part of the journey to see and try the carpets. The studies became fewer, and the performance had changed as the new duo had adapted to the dreamer leaving. In the spring of 1201 they finally reached Vutheua and began searching for Padurian weavers, meanwhile doing their theatrical performance of the ‘vampire queen’s demise’.

One day, though, the show took a different, horrible twist. As Ashentree was wrapped in the dark velvet cloth of the final act. Davey felt a stir of cloth and a gust of arcane wind and sprang across the square and tore the cloth off the holders. There stood a vampire, one of those that had gone wrong, grotesquely distorted; it held an almost drained ashentree in its arms. Davey immediately threw some special ingredients at it, blinding it. He was able to smack one of his stakes right into its heart and then decapitate it.

As the crowd scattered, Davey knelt, grabbed, and held Ashentree in his arms. Looking into his eyes, she whispered, “So, hon, your stories were true. I’m changing; all dreams are gone; I can feel it. So please, please do me a favour and she clenched his fist holding a stake. And then go ride on those carpets for us.” She looked deep into his eyes, then closed hers and smiled. Davey held firm to the handle, and with one strong push, the stake was driven deep. The gasp filled the empty town square, and as the dust began to drift, Davey rose and walked off.

As he began to walk, two men, Eradol Flint and Testiculas, started to follow. As they came to a rest stop that evening, they finally spoke over a shared meal and some mugs. They discussed vampires, as they had both thrown their energies and resources into his actions against them. They discussed various topics, including combat herbs, ingredients, magic paths, and gadgets. But also Padurian carpets, and many other things. Only Ashentree was not mentioned by a single word or hint, as the sorrow of the loss was obvious.

A few days later, Eradol and Testiculas parted ways, and Davey continued on his own; as his knowledge of the Padurians grew, he realised that the secrets lay hidden in Flurg. It’s said that the demise of Ashentree, the vampire queen, in the theatrical disaster spread across Padurian lands faster than Da’vey’s feet. Thus, in the autumn of 1201, he finally sat down on a Padurian carpet and had a ride. And in the spring of 1202 he was gifted a specially woven Padurian jacket, made by Zair Sah Barakzi.

“Gulmurs’ eyes were blinded by velvet, and a new elevation was gifted to him.”

~Skjald Sigurd

 

After fulfilling their dream, he decided to visit some of the world’s eldest mortal tribes, as he had heard they knew recipes of potent alloys. So he set out for Darin and arrived there in the autumn of 1202. It was not really the best time to go further south; he stayed in Saamur until the spring of 1203. But the travel in the ‘weighty lands’ became a slow one, not due to terrain and weather but due to the totally different culture he experienced.

Yet, as he moved southwards and inland, he met a plenitude of Izir, Rimzir, Kobolds, Moss’Ari, Drakk Alfar, and Mawmen. Many were very suspicious, especially the Drakk Alfars, when they learned of his life goals. But as they were of a different life cycle, they acted with empathy towards this hunter of their ancestral kin’s siblings. Thus, although sceptical at first, he had these facts confirmed by Ljost Alfar and met the Wickeryadi Yürriathrull Oirarrapür, whom he remembered Zair Sah Barakzi had mentioned. It looked at him and, rather surprised, burst out, “Gulmur, would you mind leaving this one out?” Thank you.”

Davey immediately felt drained, then dizzy and almost tumbled to the floor. Held steady by the Wickeryadi, he was seated and offered a bowl of Stoicheian Soup. The combination of the divine aid and potent combat herb, as well as Alfar enhancements, freed his mind. He felt Gulmur was still attached but no longer his umbrella; in fact, it was as if his mind kept expanding. Yürriathrull rustled its leaves and grinned. “It’s always a pleasure to see the fate awakening of someone and witness a hero’s birth.” There Davey gained a renewed view on vampires and decided to only hunt the community-disturbing predators.

Thus, it was not until summer 1206 that he, for the first time, stood at a Mawmen forge, aiding in their metal melting and alloy mixing. Having them aid him with the creation of more potent weapons and gadgets, he continued his journeyman travel and vampire hunt. In 1210 he became chief, and in 1214, visiting Mt. Vula with Rakon, Jadob Le Wils, and F.F. Jaeger, he became master. In 1215 he settled in the town of Cypril at the border between Æbalgo, Ebrar, and Ladris. But left it for a while as he went below the rim with Murf’ar, Sang Marsol, and Toorpe Thot.

When he came back in the winter of 1215, he barely managed to clean up before Dreamer knocked on his door. It became a mixed reunion, as both mourned the loss of their Ashentree but also felt excitement as Dreamer had found a functional ancient astravel site and wanted Davey to come along as they – Dreamer, Jutai Fereira, Painbringer, and Drumin Minol – all believed it fully loaded could bring them to the Outlands. A place with golden roofs, beautiful women, and a cure for vampires. It still puzzles me why Painbringer travelled along on this journey.

Davey decided to join them; later he mentioned it was most likely because of shared memories of Ashentree rather than believing a cure for vampirism. And although their first jump in 1216 was successful, the Romasai were not that beautiful at all, and the golden dunes of Lizard Lands or the golden cheeks of Pigryn were anything remotely as valuable as roofs of gold. And their more or less panicked retreat to the astral gate, hastily activating, and loss of the Dreamer still haunts his dreams. Thus, the summer of 1216 saw him increase his presence at his workshop.

“Divines have always fought for dominance, as that ensures survival.”

~Skjald Ulrich

 

In 1218, after Zambuk had completed many novice examinations, he wanted to meet Davey, so he sailed up Lake Komla, landed in Æbalgo, rode across the flatlands, passed back into Ladris, and continued up to the mountain town of Cypril. There he found Da’Vey and presented himself and said that he wanted to share knowledge about blacksmithing, alchemy, and mechanisation.

That year they invented several new things, and in the autumn both Herdsman and Jakki Yingki came to Cypril as well. Jakki, merely passing by, stayed only for a few days, but Herdsman stayed for a full year. By sharing knowledge, they greatly improved their skills.

In 1220, as Zambuk had just left, Atallanti came by after some days. Herdsman took off, and Davey closed the shop and travelled off with Atallanti to Remas to meet Woodmaster and share knowledge about monsters and vampires. Davey stayed with them until 1226, and as they wanted to travel to Midgard, he decided he would go back to Andalus, his birthplace at Findon.

As they stood there all packed up ready to leave, Homed el Rial and Iaspa Roullo walked into the yard. As the two groups stared at each other, Homed looked at Iaspa and said, “Just our typical luck, huh.” In a split second, as Atallanti thought them some bounty hunting assassins, he surged forward. Just to be parried by Homed’s small curved scimitars. Iaspa’s voice rolled across the brewing tension. “Now stop that; we are not here for that.”

Davey looked at the calm Woodmaster, who nodded in agreement, and relaxed as well. Atallanti excused himself from the rush, as he was always extra tense when around Davey. Being told why and that the trio were actually leaving. Homed and Iaspa properly presented themselves and their business. Davey asked if they would care to travel along to Andalus; if not, they could stop at Cypril. Both nodded yes to the long trip. “Long? Oh no, the quick one.” Davey grinned.

As they walked to the nearest astral travel site, Atallanti explained the concept of astral travel, while Woodmaster showed some magic shards and explained their uses as well. Late that evening they arrived and after Atallanti and Woodmaster had left Davey prepared their journey by feeding the pillars, and when ready, they cramped at the tile, and Davey started the astravel.

The trip had been swift and without problems. Iaspa mentioned that he thought he had seen creatures lurking in the blurred mists and had been close to drawing his weapon. Davey said it was most likely Atallanti and Woodmaster keeping an extra eye out for them. Then Homed said he thought the sun felt rather harsh, and he was quite surprised when Davey explained that this was because they were in northern Andalus.

Two days later they reached Da’Vey’s home, or his former home. A few years ago, his father became quite ill, which led his parents to move back to Skium. Torn between seeing parents and finishing the task he was on, and out of the right shards, anyway. He decided they should go to the Academy of Ri. But as he was out of shards, three horses were bought, and they travelled ahead. Halfway up there he came to think of a closer forge that might offer aid, as he had a special token.

He asked his companions if they were willing to take a bold and potentially rewarding action, agreeing they sold the horses at Nuag Thizal. Then they sailed across to Axni Island, land of the Drakk Alfar. Arriving there, they were at first treated as any other visitor, but then Da’Vey managed to talk to an elder summoned to decide how the trio should be treated. He showed him the tokens given by the Drakk Alfar and Yürriathrull. Gates to Axni opened, and they were led to one of the forges. Unable to complete the task, they was guided to another, and then, at the third forge, a group of lord crafters believed they could create what was requested.

Homed and Iaspa then took two small paintings from their bags. And as both held the paintings, tilting them slightly face down, they began uttering the enchantments they had been taught. Davey noticed a pair of the Drakk Alfar lords, wide-eyed and gaping, began to whisper something about The Void, Sarcian, and Stoicheian. And then his eyes almost fell out as elements in the two small images began to fall out as full-size bars, ingots, and gems. Seeing the looks on Davey’s face, they said they had no clue how as Jiakob Burne had made them.

They stayed for one and a half months, and when they were to leave, they were asked where Jiakob lived. When they answered willingly, they received shards that allowed them to travel anywhere. Homed and Iaspa travelled with a Drakk Alfar lord to Jiakob. Davey travelled to Skium, and one week later he stood at the gate of their original home at the outskirts of the bustling city of Ontago. A sad surprise greeting him, as his father had died a month ago and his mother just one week prior.

“The heroic life, of shining halls and glorious events, has a price.”

~Skjald Yell'a'Beard

 

His younger siblings, a sister and baby brother, could hardly remember their elder brother; only a few servants and state staffers had memories of the curious boy he once was. So after a week, he travelled back to Cyril and spent the rest of 1226 there. A few years passed and then a trio stood at his door. Eyeing Holli d'Ay, Jadob Le Wils, and Jocky Chan, they asked if it was true he had once been below the Rim. Sensing something interesting brewing, he stepped back, and as he nodded a yes, he gestured them inside.

Through Jocky, they had heard a rumour about some bird-like creatures with the most precious treasure in the world. They wanted to go below the rim, they wanted to see these creatures, and they wanted to find out what that treasure was. The main objective was not to acquire anything but to gain knowledge about the topic. Sensing that one lied, he found it intriguing. As he knew nothing of these creatures, he also wanted to know what was being covered up.

So, in early 1229 the quartet set out; at first they astravelled to southern Claun in West Fjella, then on foot to Najaguur, a town at the shore. As they walked around at the harbour trying to find a vessel that would sail them to the Rim. Varrol walked up and asked where this adventurous lot were going. Jadob stepped forth and bade him begone, or… Varrol merely laughed and spat an ‘or’ at Jadob’s feet. Then he said that from Jadob’s stance and the way the rest carried themselves, they would most likely perish by the hands of the first Ye'Til they met. And if they planned to crawl over, ha.

As he turned to walk away, Jocky Chan asked Varrol if he truly understood Ye’Til’s or if he was just pretending to know. Turning, Varrol slowly eyed them all and finally said he could lend a hand if food was paid for. As he had figured out who this person was, Davey was the first to agree with the words, ‘As you can best a Gaji-Kulat, “Varrol”, then you would be a welcomed hand. Varrol quickly found a captain willing to do the trip, and they sailed off to the Rim.

Landing there, they unloaded; the captain told them the direction to the Lofgren Peninsula, and the boat sailed off. They then began to cross the frozen tundras and icy-blown jagged spires of stone and ice. Finally, with Davey in front, they reached Murf'ar's Pass and were told to keep eyes out for Ye’till. They met none. After a three-week-long passage they began to descend on the other side. They constantly watched out for and avoided anyone until they were quite far from the pass. Eventually they came to the human settlement Davey remembered, but it had been razed several years prior.

Holli said that according to what he had heard, they should continue to the shore, and if they couldn’t see the birdfolk isles out at sea, they should travel west. Varrol said what Davey was thinking: “Out at sea, you say. How should we get there?” Holli replied, “I was told they would come to us when they spotted us.” Varrol replied, “This is how monster and bounty hunters die, do you know that?” As their voices became harder, Jadob suddenly drew forth his long axe, and with squinting eyes, he looked southwest.

What seemed to be a seabird slowly grew in size and eventually split in two separate shapes. ‘Holli, my apologies,’ said Varrol as he loosened his giant two-handed sabre. The encounter turned into a fight, as these creatures were truly hostile, but the details of what occurred during the battle have been kept secret. They returned with intriguing loot, especially two odd eggs; Davey won one, Holli the other. After the brutal and exhausting fight, they marched quickly towards Murf’ar’s Pass, as they were in no mood for more of these fights this close to the rim.

In the late summer of 1229 Davey was home again, began the usual cleaning up and dusting off and started working and studying. One morning in 1230 heavy hands knocked on the door. As he turned, a very large shamanistic-looking male, possibly of Rimzir origin, entered. Followed by another, and a third. These three large muscular mountains, one bigger than the next, presented themselves as Black Oak, Kanziganthir, and Aragon. King, Merksmadhir, and Jarl of Ye Olde Zephyrs. They wanted to talk with him about neck-marks. During this talk Davey realised that he had indeed focused very little on vampires since he met the Wickeryadii.

He noticed Kanziganthir smile to himself as he had just confirmed a question. Kanziganthir answered the thought, “Divines, regardless of type, fight constantly to control mortals.” In that there’s no difference in gods, astral divines, or void divines; the astral itself; or vampires.” Davey was quite surprised and asked if vampires were Divines. Kanziganthir said that since they had Wickeryadi spirits, those Alfar had indeed become Immortal and of divine power. That’s why gods hate them so much; they rival them in power. And, speaking of power, a friend of mine told me you once were neck-marked, hence why we are here.

Only two mortals knew of that, but as Da’vey felt safe with this group, he confirmed, and then Kanziganthir pulled forth a small gadget and asked if Davey had ever seen such a blood infuzor before. Seeing it, he had memory flashes of a black fog, an arm materialising itself – no, wait, two arms. Jumping up, he burst, “There were two, not just the one poking my throat; the other arm’s hand fumbled for… that one, or such a one.” Pointing at the blood infuser, Da’Vey stood shaking and staring in disbelief. So, Allele Diploid did test you; I wonder if they found a match yet. Have you ever been approached by a female? asked Aragon rather bluntly. Thinking hard, Da’vey shook his head.

The trio stayed for a few days and then left a puzzled Davey, who began researching about Allele Diploid. But as every small hint ended in blind alleys or as planted distractions, his urge faded. And he went back to work and studies. In 1231 Aragon once more knocked on the door, asking if Davey wanted a crafting job. For an item to be forged and enchanted at Mt. Vula. ‘Never pass a chance to go to Mt Vula’ is the base rule of any crafter, so off they went. There he met F.F. Jaeger, Jutai, Lord Nam, and Tomaltu again. ‘Exactly, it’s what we’re making,’ he said, and Jiakob answered, ‘a pair of enhanced bear claws for Aragon, the melee man.”

Returning home in the autumn of 1233, he focused on studies and examinations. Most of the work he did was for the 1st alliance. What very few realised was he used astravel to travel the isles and finish off the vampires he discovered through his growing network. In 1246 he was lord in all his crafter trades, and he spent quite some time at Mt. Vula. Some claim it was because he slayed so many vampires that they began hunting him.

As he was about to go to the high king's coronation in 1250, news came to him about his siblings. His brother had died, and his sister had disappeared. So instead of going to Grimsborg, he astravelled to Skium. At their former residence, now sealed off by authorities, he forced entrance by kicking the cracked door of its hinges. Inside there was dried blood of slain servants and guards everywhere. Imagining the battle, he came to the simple, obvious conclusion. As vampires could not hurt him directly, they found another way to deal their nasty damage.

Devastated, he visited the nearest inn, where for the first time in ages he drank too many mugs, and emotions related to his lost parents, siblings, Ashentree, and Dreamer began to spill out. Then suddenly a soft voice from another table asked if he was all right. Staring in the direction he saw two black-haired rogues, bounty hunters, or assassins. He tried to clear his head, cursing his situation. If these were vampires, he would most likely be embraced now. But they were nothing like that at all, as it was Siim Svollur and Ann Beahaug. So as the night turned to morning, the embrace had been a totally different one.

When he woke, the trained drinkers had long been gone. Trying to remember the night before just resulted in blurred memories. So he left as well, and he once more focused fully on the vampires, becoming ‘the winged stake’ due to his padurian jacket and his preferred quick-strike attacks. This meant he sold his workshop and became a ghost of the isles. People never knew where he was, but if anyone came looking, he found them. His few long-term friends at times had visits, but they were short visits or in the highest secrecy. As his enemies were as deadly as those enemies Allele Diploid had. It didn’t really matter, as divine enemies are divine. So if you’re found, you’re dead.

At The Beastmaster Fair in 1262, which he also attended, he met Methil Maiur, the young, massive muscle mountain that dared to wrestle the high king Solvarr Svartholtr. He came to like him quite a lot and travelled along to Grimsborg. But as he didn’t like the things brewing in the shadows, such as the growing tensions among the local factions and the whispers of impending conflict, he left again in 1264.

In 1269, he was on a mission in Keshon, tracking down a rather thirsty female vampire. Finally finding it, he surprised it with his flying and staked it dead. When a female voice, ancient tones to the lyrics, says, “So that’s your trick, a Padurian weave. Interesting.” Totally surprised by its presence and speed, Da’vey found himself dangling from a grip around his neck stronger than anything he ever experienced. “Oh, you blind and obedient fool. Unable to see what is in front of you. Did you not recognise your own blood? Ended by your hand now. Just like all those of mine, you have taken. Maybe I, Liamonda Nialva, should take the one that is truly yours, even though it’s to be one of eight instead of you. The brief moment of pleasure from delivering that sorrow would be worth it.

Unable to speak, he tried. And as the vampire realised he was trying to say something, it loosened the grip. Davey then said, “Sure I did, but my sister deserved peace just as I gave Ashentree…” At that word, ‘Ashentree’, all the studs in his chestbelt exploded in a moist powder-cloud of Ljosti Bronze and tainted water. The astral shock stunned the vampire, allowing Davey a slip-of-hands trick, planting a stake up its ribcage and into the heart. The shriek was horrible, but the effects of the tainted water on a dying vampire were unexpected.

Just as tainted liches and vampires may receive energies, Davey received a large portion of the vampires’. Almost torn apart mentally and physically, he was blown backwards. Landing on his back, he felt the stake in his hand. Looking up, he stared at the wounded vampire staggering as it forced words out, “My, my, that was close. What a gift that would have been had you been able to absorb it fully. If your eights are but a fraction of you, then there’s hope for us, and I will let it pass.”

As it disappeared, Davey sat motionless on the floor looking at his sister’s dust, the words of Liamonda echoing in his mind. Then he came to think of Aragon’s question and the dark-haired one’s embraces. Recalling Kanziganthir’s words about the divine’s mind games, he was in doubt. But he never heard of vampires lying to those they believed secured prey. Could it really be true? He had to search, so he set off to meet Kanziganthir, who had lived next to Oantuurs Spring in Zilbur since his departure from the court of The Realm. Discussing the vampire’s words and the dark-haired pair. They were certain it had been the Allele Diploid match, and he most likely had a child.

What worried Kanziganthir the most, though, was the mentioning of the eight, and he summoned Deepminded, Zizu, and Den Godan. Within hours, all three had arrived through Lelang de Trier’s magic mirrors. Davey explained his story, the neck marks, the two mesmerisers, and the words of Liamonda. As he completed his story, Den Godan closed his eyes and seemingly communicated with someone. My mistress and Gulmur tells me they are impressed you survived, as she knows Liamonda’s power. But they won’t tell anything about your child, as it might taint what lies ahead, especially considering the potential consequences of revealing such information to those who seek to manipulate fate. And we should not look either, as neither divines nor fateborn heroes should meddle with that astral swirl.

Hearing that Zizu rose, bade them farewell and then dissolved. ‘I’m still impressed he can do that; every time it is so awesome to watch him astravel so effortlessly,’ said Den Godan as he stepped back into the mirror. Deepminded stood and gave Da’Vey a huge hug, with the words, “I wanted to wait until the contender gods' favourite had left. But Liamonda was not quite right; you have not one but two burdens to bear. But seek none until after the day, if they manage.” Then she dissolved with a girlish grin. Kanziganthir laughed at her playful gesture. “Well, Den Godan might not know that one, but he is our equal for sure. The mere fact he beds a goddess puts him there, and then there’s all the rest. Anyways, what now, my friend?”

Da’vey looked at him and told him he had a sense about where Liamonda resided, but she most likely also could feel his whereabouts. So there was no point in hiding, and he could just as well go as close to where things unfolded as possible. This meant that he would take up residence in Grimsborg. Kanziganthir warned him that not only he, but Black Oak and many others had retired as age had begun to take hold in them. And he had heard that the shadows around Methil were growing. ‘The more I’m needed there,’ grinned Davey. Two days later, they stepped through the mirrors and arrived at Grimsborg.

Kanziganthir quickly pawed the road for Davey to purchase a building, join the proper guilds, and open a workshop. What would have taken months to accomplish was completed in just a few days. They even saw the High King, and Methil mentioned he had missed Davey’s company these last five years. As they talked, Davey studied the court staff, young nobles, liaisons, and guests. He especially took notice of those quite interested in his proximity to the high king. He did not like the expressions he saw on certain people’s faces, as they seemed to convey jealousy and suspicion regarding his closeness to the high king.

In the following days, while carpenters worked on his workshop, he went to the courtyards to observe the nobles who spent time training with weapons. Within a few days he had noticed two who fought with a certain calm, but it seemed they shared the same underlying pattern. Approaching them, they presented themselves as Kruz A'Dez and Ze’o Lobio, and both had indeed trained with Latinoor. As they discussed styles and moves, they became quite impressed with what Davey seemingly knew about melee. They became friends and often visited each other, sharing mugs and meals, discussing art and crafts, and training melee.

In 1271, he met Iaspa again, who introduced him to Hebra Hargi and Zoe Egrn all three were part of the group working for the Grimsborg Court on the new coins.. But in the spring of 1274 Ze’o travelled home as Grimsborg began to stir with problems. A month later, Kruz did the same. Davey saw several of Methil’s strongest supporters leaving and felt something was brewing. And sure, the cauldron tipped in the spring when Methil was couped up and forced out of town. One day even Iaspa and his comrades had left in a hurry. When Davey heard what they had taken, he laughed and knew he should just as well leave. Selling his workshop, items and all, to a lord guilder. He travelled off to Mt. Vula to try for overlord status in his crafts. With all the items in mind, he made a single stop at Jutai, then onwards to Darin and the Mawmen he knew.

When the great invasion struck, he was at Mt. Vula. But he came back for theBattle of Weeping Plains. Suddenly finding Liamonda fighting at his side, he was torn, but as she focused on slaying invaders so did he. At some point she suddenly turned towards him, smiled, and yelled, “Incredible, they are both safe. Both the talented and the divine. Good luck, my bonded shadow.” And then she vanished.

As the 2nd Alliance stood victorious, he declined joining the Cleansing Crusade, as he had a far more important search of his own to conduct. As he began searching, so did we, as those we believed of the favoured eight had been proven wrong. We saw the true ones, briefly, at the battle of weeping plains. At least one of them, Davey’s child, was an Allele Diploid creation.

“To know about dual charms and manage to let fate run its course is calm beyond belief.”

~Skjald El Mary

 

During the Cleansing Crusade, as Davey finally began looking, he found both Siim Svollur and Ann Beahaug, but neither had borne him children. In fact they hadn’t even been with him that night, as he had passed out at the table in the main room. Both said it could have been the dark-haired wench in the corner that had taken the opportunity after they left. Their words surprised him quite a lot, as he now didn’t even have a name as a guide. And when he came back to Ontago to start all over, he found that the tavern and its owners had perished during the great invasion.

“When real power plots, it generally runs broad and deep. Allele Diploid is one such master.”

~Skjald Sejrik

 

Organisation

He is of course still involved with the vampire hunters, but his hunt have changed into only slaying the embraced who becomes disrupting predators. He is also associated with several guilds as the bond with Liamonda, has instilled a strange truce between vampires and him. So he needs no longer hide in secrecy.

“Imagine vampires allowing a vampire slayer to breathe and clean.”

~Skjald Valgrif

 

Special

Due to his bond with the Padurian Jacket… his floating might come as an evasive surprise… or a speedy displaced attack.

“I’ve seen it myself… that flickering zip-zap… just like my words…”

~Skjald Kazumix