Tobiy Krown

 

History

Fourth Age

In 1151, Tobiy was born in the village of Damsterhamn in Vizirgina at Markeoy. The son of a Moss'Ari cloth weaver and a Markian cloth dyer, he has always been rather well dressed. He spent his childhood playing as the rest of the village kids but also learning his parental trades. Trades that delivered proximity to traders and guards from distant places when their caravans came around. Slowly his interest turned from splendid goods and good deals to the guards’ weapons and gear.

Thus, the cloth he created was greater than standard durability and became his mark. So, when he came of age in 1164, he was apprenticed to an armour maker. He swiftly made progress in both cloth and leathers, but as his skills grew, so did the urge for what had really fascinated him, although that was not at all what his parents preferred – the weapons.

As his interest shifted from armour to items such as belts, quivers, and scabbards, he began to pursue a different path. His master one day gave him an introduction letter and some coins so he could go to the city of Belgiia and seek out Konall Vahlen, a better-suited master for what Tobiy urged to create. And a crafter that creates what his heart longs for is a better one than an empty-hearted, dreaming anvil-clubber. So off he was shoved in 1167, and he didn’t even say goodbye to anyone; he just walked out the door and straight to Belgiia.

A handful of weeks later, having grown a lot in self-confidence due to the lone travel on the dusty roads, he came to Belgiia. What a difference he found in Belgiia; the streets and squares were far more bustling, with many more Clovincaz, Vular, Rimzir, Mermerant, and Common than back home. A way more bustling hub welcomed him with many impressions, so many that it took him an extra week before seeking Konall.

At the gates of the master-to-be, he was in for a surprise, though. The armoursmith had died just 4 days prior, and the workshop was now closed and, some said, was about to become some sort of rest stop for some foreigners, as there were several armoursmiths in town. Hearing this, Tobiy spent the day walking the city, talking to every armour-smith master, but all had a full house of apprentices.

With no other options and no coins left in his pocket, he sat down to rest on the edge of a fountain. A few hours later a city guard asked him if he planned to camp there for the night or why he was sitting there. Figuring he could just as well be honest, he explained his arrival purpose and the problem. The guard then offered a solution: Tobiy could join their ranks, as they were short a few men.

So, in 1167 Tobiy found himself in the guardsman uniform of Belgiia, not quite what he had envisioned, but as days passed, he came to realise that the way of the blade, well, the billhook for now, was quite satisfying. And actually, what he dreamt of all the years. So he threw his heart into the task. And in 1169 he became a corporal and was given his own squad and area of the city. As his district became one of the quietest in the city, he was promoted to sergeant in 1172.

Years passed, and he became a lieutenant in 1176, then captain in 1179, and eventually major in 1184. Tasks had changed completely, and he was often involved in planning the protection of nobility or royals that came to visit or major city events. During all the years he ordered special clothes, wove, and sewed his own attire. He gained the respect of crafters, received their advice, and earned the jesting nickname ‘the fancy’ among the rank and file, who often sought his guidance on their own matters.

In 1189 he was offered a new function at the capital of Vizirgina; he would become a personal guard for visiting royals and nobles, as well as an escort for them on their travels. The master of court told him he was selected among a few possible heads due to his high quality way of dressing himself. And, as he should keep it that way, he was allowed to talk directly to the weavers’ and leatherworkers’ guilds and order what he needed.

This new function gave him quite a load of work, as he had to read about so much nobility, but also quite a lot of spare time, which he used training with the bladeweavers and crafters. Thus, he passed into journeyman ranks as both weaver and leatherworker in 1190, chief of both in 1192, and master in 1196. He also dedicated years to securing numerous visitors and embarking on several trips across the country.

Then in 1197 he was escorting a Mermerant countess to Ghastoville in Nicaraz, as she was to marry someone there. Deep into Nicaraz they unknowingly rode into an area dominated by Vular, all quite hostile to Mermerants as they quarrelled over some mineral rights in some nearby mines. At a rest stop, just done ordering rooms for the night and readying to dine, a group of Vularians noticed the countess and began badmouthing Mermerants.

As she ignored the common mob’s insults, they decided to belt up, and as they rose to approach Tobiy, he stepped in between and bade them sit again, or he would be forced to protect his lady by steel. Grinning, some even spitting on the floor and his boots, the group made it clear they would now cut him down and rough up the Mermerant doll.

From another table, a younger man rose, stepped next to Tobiy, and told the group they would all die if not sitting down as he pulled out two slim shortswords. “I’m Garrett, Your Grace, and lady, my apologies for our lands’ lack of courtesy,” with a broad smile and gleaming eyes towards her. Surprisingly she found herself sending back a large warm smile, which annoyed Tobiy even more than these soon-to-become offers to Murf.

As the innkeeper yelled no, the group yelled their war cry, and Tobiy and Garrett swung their blades —in a shower of blood, flesh, and gore. The entire lot of ragtags had all exploded due to a Magic Paths released by the Mermerant Duchess. With a warm, merry smile at the two drenched and soaked men, she told them to go take a bath. Then she paid the innkeeper some gold coins and asked for food to be brought upstairs.

That evening Tobiy and Garrett were taught about mana manipulation, a power a few can fathom and most experience without knowing it. The rest of the trip became quite different from what Tobiy was used to, and he became friends with Garrett. Surprised by Lady Ibiliona’s powers, he spoke with her because he did not understand why she didn’t just use astral travel to get there. “We needed this trip,” she replied.

Garrett stayed with them, and when they had delivered her, they decided to share one last round of mugs before Tobiy had to travel back. That evening, they grinned widely as they reminisced about the exploding group and all the warm nights spent with their ‘necklace lady.’ And even came to discuss the oddness in them both being scratched the same way at their necks by debris from the exploding fools.

Returning home, Tobiys’ life passed on with a new interest, magic paths, as he had seen how defenceless one was with but bladeweaving. Three years later, in 1201, their crown prince was to visit Exicota up north beyond Efron, and this became Tobiys first astravel. Arriving at the astral site outside the capital, they walked the short distance and soon were comfortable at the court of Exicota. As his prince spilt the agenda of the visit to the assembled, Tobiy read the room with growing anxiety.

Meanwhile, the crown prince talked and talked about a joint against Efron, totally unaware of the mood of the room and who had entered. Tobiy was sure it was Nefius ‘the green’ who stood listening silently to this blank noble. At some point he was totally certain they would both die shortly, so he began preparing his escape. It would be daring, as he had never done what he had studied.

Suddenly, the king of Exicota looked directly at Nefius and nodded. As the crown prince of Vizirgina turned to look, his head kept turning with a growing expression of dread. The prince’s throat had been sliced through by the swiftest slice Tobiy had ever seen, and he sensed another coming his way. He spoke the exact same words as Ibiliona and gestured as he had read and practised.

None exploded, none died, but the shadowy, blurred person slashing at his throat was flung backwards. Tobiy used another, practiced path and became invisible to most. The few who spotted him rushed forth; others surged in their way to try to catch what they couldn’t see. And in the turmoil, Tobiy jumped out of the window, hoping his next path would work as well, despite feeling drained.

Nothing happened, and the copples were just about to deliver their Murf’s kiss when Tobiys blue aura exploded, and he did an overcast hurdling nearby stalls, citizens, pigs, chickens, and goods away in a forceful gust of wind. Bathing in a blue aura, he slowly levitated to the ground. Then, standing safely on his feet, he vomited and fainted.

When he woke, several days later, he lay in a soft bed. And a Clovincaz looking warrior looked at him. “I’m Thōm Dūihol, and I assume the fall was not planned, but that landing was quite spectacular; 72 years and I’ve never seen anything like that. No Weaving, no ingredients – you’re a mentalist, I assume. No worries, I saved you, meaning no harm; you had your fate awakening, so you need rest.”

In the days that followed, Tobiy stayed hidden and learned what was said to have occurred. He had slain his crown prince, creating a joint bond between his king and the king of Exicota, as well as with Nefius to avenge this betrayal. Cursing his luck and the lack of information shared, as well as that idiot crown prince’s lack of perception. Well, they were doomed when they entered the city anyways, he assumed.

He stayed with Thom for a week, sharing information, and then they both left, as Tobiy wanted to inform his king about Nefius’ plot. Thom was not sure it was a good idea but was up for some adventure. So they walked to an astravel site a few days away astravelled to Vizirgina. Arriving there, they found a group of Tobiy’s most trusted men, who heard them out but also said the king had sentenced Tobiy to death.

So they could not pass on information, to which Thom replied that it was easily fixed. Then he smacked down the three guards faster than they could react. Bruised, battered, and bleeding, they were told to run off screaming alarm and then pass the plot of Nefius upwards. Tobiy was still not on top of his senses and had not managed to react, so he just tagged along as they went to the astral site.

Arriving there, Thom realised he didn’t have the proper shards to get home. Suddenly they heard guard yells and hounds baying. So he yelled for Tobiy to ready on the pink tile, and as the guards came into sight, the dou disappeared. At the astral, Tobiy had no clue when to step out, so he began walking. As he walked on, his aura began to glow more and more, and he began to feel drained when a thought entered his mind: “You better come with me.” And he was pulled out of the astral.

“Never seen a mentalist aura do that. How long had you been in? “Where are you from?” asked the beautiful young blonde. Replying he had no clue what she meant, but he was Tobiy Krown of Vizirgina, hewn into the astral by Thom, some Clovincaz… just a little ago. You’re the Tobiy, the bodyguard of the crown prince. Nefius used to outmanoeuvre their king back in 1201? She asked.

He asked what she meant back in 1201, and she told him she was Citrine, he was now in Obran, and it was the year 1206. Realising he had been at the astral for 5 years without dissolving, she said there were some people he ought to meet. And he should not worry about the old death sentence. Nefius had managed to topple the old king, and his new puppet in Vizirgina had nullified it.

He spent the next week in the company of Citrine, somewhat recovering from the astral fatigue and gaining another. But eventually he was ready for another guided walk there when an elderly-looking woman of uncertain origin appeared together with a towering male shaman of wanderer origin, Rimzir most likely. Deepminded and Kanziganthir presented themselves, and Tobiy explained about his astral trip, the fate awakening, as Thom called it, and the Mermerant duchess.

When he finally stopped, the guests having said nothing and Citrine merely gazing at him, Kanziganthir asked about that ‘necklace dutchess’ and if they had ever noticed if she had the same scratches as he and Garrett. He had to admit that it had never occurred to her to hide similar marks, keeping that broad black pearled band on despite everything. Then both guests rose, and as they began astravel right there with no gate present, Deepminded smiled and said something that was cut off.

He stayed a week more with Citrine, then he wanted to examine something in regard to the ‘neclace duchess’. Thus, in the late autumn of 1206, he once more stood at the gates of Ghastoville. A few days later he saw Ibiliona again at a distance, walking heavily guarded through the market with two children looking to be around 9 years old but as different as day and night. Grinning to himself over her two tall massive guards, she suddenly turned and stared right at him.

Startled, he stepped back and felt he stepped on someone’s boot heel. Seeing her smile, then shake her head, he turned. Staring into the chest of a T'Aurs, he looked up and stammered an apology as it clenched fists and was readying to teach him a lesson. Then it relaxed and instead extended a greeting with a grand fist. Taken aback, he grabbed the hand and suddenly felt a familiar sensation. ‘Have we met before?’ said Tobiy.

Oh yes, we met a handful of years ago at the Astral; I’m Mino, and I was talking with a Boriac when you came right up and bumped into us. All blurred and dissolved, little one, but sensing your marks, we both decided to give you a slight buff, as you most certainly were off course. Good to see you safe; shall we say a meal and a couple of mugs will do as payment for stepping on my hoof?—I’m starving.

As they munched and gulped, the mood changed completely, and it was not until Mino suddenly mentioned Ibiliona by saying that one of her twins was indeed Tobiy’s. But it was extremely important that he did not seek her out again or mention this to anyone, not even Garrett, sire of the other one, as it would endanger everyone far more than Tobiy could ever imagine.

Hearing this, Tobiy noticed that not a single sound of the bustling guests reached them, so he looked around, and when looking back at his companion, the T’Aur was gone. Startled, he jumped up, and as his chair toppled backwards, it was grabbed. Then a familiar voice rang in his head, “Don’t turn; don’t come again. What was, was. They are not ours alone. Please do as Mino advised.” As he reached back to grab hold of his chair, he felt Ibiliona’s hand gently cover his and give a caring squeeze. Then it was gone, and the sound of tavern life once more hit his ears.

Quite surprised about how things unfolded, he decided he would test his luck, and what better than to seek out the one who had affected his life the most? So he set out for Efron to find Nefius, who gained more and more control over the entire Markeoy. So, in the early spring of 1207, at a large tournament, Tobiy finally faced Nefius again. As the grand king walked around the attending contenders, he noticed Tobiy looking directly at him.

Not easily scared and a quite capable fighter himself, Nefius waved his trailing lot off and walked over to Tobiy. And just as he was about to speak, Tobiy interrupted, saying, ‘So we meet again, trickster. I must admit, although on the receiving end, it was well played.’ Nefius replied, ‘The well-played all came from you, Tobiy; mine was but a simple plot, yours was quite stunning.’

Nefius gestured that they should walk, and Tobiy followed. It became an interesting talk, Nefius at first apologising for taking him for a disposable dumb guard and having in fact been looking for him ever since. But whenever agents reported news, Tobiy was gone again. Nefius wanted Tobiy to be part of his Triad Traders network and actually wondered if Tobiy had done any formal training in any of the magic academies.

The talk lengthened, but Tobiy never relaxed or let his guards down. Eventually Nefius commented on it and stated that if he wanted Tobiy dead, he would have tried when he saw him, despite the uncertainty of outcome. From what he had seen from the window, down the cobblestones, was potential rarely seen.

Tobiy spent the next 20 years, at the expense of Nefius, in various magic academies of the mana manipulators. In 1227, when he had passed his master’s degree as a mana manipulator, he was far more skilled than most with his bladeweaving. Nefius visited Tobiy, and they agreed that he had now properly repaid his previous dues.

Nefius told about the grand plot for Markeoy and some issues in Anadak, up north beyond Efron and Nicaraz. Tobiy offered to help with this, so he agreed to travel there with Nefius. As they were just about to step onto the astral, Elu Frantzi stepped out. Both stared at the elegantly clad character, who just stood there with arms out and a smile that just kept widening. The stranger finally burst in, exclaiming, ‘Nefius, just the man I wanted to see.”

Elu explained he had overheard some of Nefius’s agents discuss their plans regarding a shift in power and the unification of all Markeoy. So he had his group look into it, and those of their court left favouring an alliance. That agreement, of course, could always be altered as soon as it is signed. Oh, and he assumed it was okay to mention it with this Nefius companion nearby. Otherwise, it could be resolved in a manner similar to how Nefius’s talkative former agents were dealt with.

Nefius burst into a grand laugh and said it would be foolish to attempt such a thing, as that most definitely would spoil both the day, the news, and Elu himself. Tobiy extended his open fist, and a hearty grin was shared with Elu over a steadfast handshake. All three went to Anadak, but Nefius left three days later. Tobiy stayed at Elus for a month and then decided to go to Skium and visit Muldum.

Arriving at Muldum, he enquired about a famous T’Aurs, a grand weaponsmith with a renowned shop. As he entered Mino's Owing to refresh himself before the meeting, he heard a familiar voice. ‘If it ain’t the shimmering wanderer, by my ingots and bars, what brings you to Muldum?’ ‘You and Nefius and curiosity alike, I guess,’ Tobiy replied. You need to go easy with that name here in Muldum, or you’ll be duly tested, but be glad this is my place.

Tobiy stayed in Muldum for a month, but as he kept hearing stories about Ye Olde Zephyrs, he eventually sailed off to Midgard. In the spring of 1228, Tobiy came to their gate; once inside, he suddenly recognised Kanziganthir and hailed him. Surprised to see him, Kanziganthir paused, and tilting his head from side to side, he studied Tobiy for a long time. Then finally said, ‘So you’re touched by both Boriac and the Bullheaded.’ You keep surprising me.

Tobiy was just about to speak, but Kanziganthir turned and left, waving a goodbye. Seeing their Merksmadhir talk to this stranger, a few warriors came over, and as they began to enquire, they benched. Tobiy became one of their horde and stayed for 2 years. Sparring with Aragon, Black Oak, the Pilgrim, Tuuna, and a plenitude of the world’s finest bladeweavers.

But in 1230 he decided to go back home to Damsterhamn. Arriving there, he found it had changed into a larger town, their old quarters gone. But he was told both parents still lived and managed to track them down. Despite their high age and faltering health, it was a warm reunion, and Tobiy immediately sought work and improved their lives. His mother died 3 years later.

Following his father’s wish, they astravelled to Braburg so he could be put to rest at his tribe’s place. They spent a few months at that Mossari tribe, but so did his father in the following winter. He left for the nearest city, and as he rode around a rocky bend, he saw a young broad-shouldered stocky man being attacked by 2 rather small ugly-headed and hunchbacked beings alongside a large frog-like nastiness with a long-bladed halberd.

Shouting for distance distraction, he charged them as if he were but a bladeweaver. Seeing the small ones continuing their focus on the man, he focused on the jumping frog-like creature. Its jump was higher and longer than anything he had ever seen. Taken by surprise all he could do was parry the blow, which broke his blade and fractured his arm.

The Anurai’s attack would have killed a normal bladewearer, but to its surprise, Tobiy instead became all whiteeyed and released a large energetic blast of wind and frost. Flung back it felt the chill in legs and lower body and  dropped the halberd. As it landed, grabbing its waist – the frozen splintered in a thousand fragments.

Standing on its torso, in a pool of leaking blood and guts and thawing gore, it hissed a stream of strange words at him as it stared in disbelief before it died. The two small ones turned in surprise, stunned over the Anurai’s fate; they completely shifted their focus, allowing for the stocky powerhouse to leap forth, grab both by the necks, and press their heads into a grip so forceful that their heads were crushed.

Dropping the wriggling Kinoblins, he began drying his hands in their clothes. He said, ‘My god, that was a neat trick you had there.’ What a chaos that frog… still somewhat stunned. Tobiy replied, ‘Yes, you got to be Kaosfrog; I’ve heard about you.’ What a crush you did. Starting to correct the stranger, Urai said, ‘Well, yes, I’m Kaosfrog, and you better sit.’

Tobiy woke and stared wide-eyed as Kaosfrog searched the two dead Kinoblins’ hollow hunches. Pulling out pouches sounding like they were filled with gold, gems, or shards, or smelling like combat herbs, Kaosfrog grinned at Tobiy.

Since you passed out from that save so close to certain death, I assume you’re unaccustomed to using magic, but what a grand blast it was. Tobiy sat totallly dizzy he realised he heard about what just happened. He just had his Fate Awakening. As he staggered to his feet Kaosfrog was done looting and tossing corpses into the nearby rocks and scrubs.

‘Mind if I keep that halberd, sir?’ he then asked. By all means, it’s not a favour of mine. By the way, I’m Tobiy Krown. Kaosfrog looked surprised and asked if he was then not a friend of Nefius, as he had heard him mention a Tobiy. It turned out the heavy bag Kaosfrog carried was loaded with exceptionally rare combat herbs, and it was their luck it didn’t fall in the hands of those Outlanders.

Outlanders asked Tobiy, and Kaosfrog began explaining what he knew about these astravelling foreign odd races. And the business he knew Nefius and some other notabilities conducted, keeping a lot for himself. As one never knew how a told fact was to be used by others, he didn’t want to blurt away his life.

Reaching the city of Belvedir, the weather had begun to be rather cold, so Tobiy stayed there during the winter. With the share of their loot Kaosfrog had tossed him, it became a rather pleasant stay. Then, one day, in early January 1234, Kaosfrog was in the guestroom, and Tobiy was tending his gear in his room. Nefius and two other persons came to their inn, and The Chuckling Sproblin emptied of all other guests as if a city fire had broken out.

Asking where his favourite lad might have gained the precious stones he’d been so kind to disperse to keepers and gals alike. Kaosfrog merely grinned. ‘You most likely already know King Nefius; it’s from some Outlanders who tried to rob you of this,’ he said and planted the backpack on the table. ‘I think they are beginning to dry out, but with none here before you to come fetch, I assume you were but testing me.’

‘That would come as no surprise,’ said Tobiy as he entered the room. Good day, King Nefius; nice to meet again. Grinning Nefius sat, dispersed his guards, and told the keeper to leave too. He then explained a new plot he was brewing: by disobeying the council of light, he planned to seize all of Markeoy. The next day all three travelled in different directions.

Plenty of magic shards in store. Tobiy walked to a nearby astravel site and went directly to Skium. There he found and bought a horse and rode to Muldum. It was pleasant to see the city again, but something had changed. Mino was gone. Instead, he met Mayor Tri-M and became quite intrigued about what they were doing with the Bulls Order.

He stayed there for the summer and then travelled back to Nefius, just about to discuss the strength of the Bulls’ order, but Nefius had envisioned a new option on the horizon. The realm, which might bring him the leadership of Markeoy without fighting anyone but those opposing this mighty alliance of most of the nobility of the Isles.

From the autumn of 1234 to the final fight against the torch in 1249, Tobiy worked alongside those of the Fur Oracles to strengthen them the most when spoils were eventually distributed. At the final battle, fighting the torch’s leaders, he noticed a couple that looked like older versions of the twins he once saw.

Just as he reigned his horse to turn and ride in their direction, a friendly voice yelled, ‘Tobiy, Tobiy Krown.’ How long has it been? Looking in that direction, he saw Garrett. Stunned by the coincidence, he looked back at the couple, but they were gone in the turmoil, and his group, now joined by Garrett and Ze'o Lobio, was hard-pressed by those of the torch, frantically fighting for their lives.

Later that day after celebrating their victory, he asked Garrett and Ze’o if they had noticed the couple. But they hadn’t, and Garrett enquired why he needed them. Tobiy said he owed them his life and wanted to say thanks. The trio rode together to Grimsborg, exchanging many stories along the way. It was Tobiys’s first visit to Grimsborg, and he became totally captivated by its size, architecture, and beauty.

The coronation in 1250 was grand, with thousands of important people attending this mighty feat of unity. He even saw Ibiliona, hiding his presence from her; he noticed she kept looking at two persons; indeed, it was the twins. Staring at them, one of them suddenly turned his head and looked straight at him. Eyes meeting, the stranger nodded, then tightened his lips, and Tobiy could hear a clear, ‘Don’t do as suggested.’

Surprised his path had been pierced so easily, he looked back at Ibiliona, but she was gone. Tobiy went to see Kanziganthir once more and was told time was nearing its beginning. So he should not tamper with fate. As usual, the cryptic riddles of the eternal shaman annoyed Tobiy. So he left Grimsborg and spent the next 27 years fighting those who bore the torch that had been revealed.

He disregarded every approach from the triad traders, outlanders or their agents and from Nefius, who had quite some ups and downs. But when the outlanders released the great invasion, he sure didn’t ignore a single invader or traitor they encountered. They were slain in the hundreds. As he was at Mt. Vula getting a new weapon made at the time of the favoured eights’ confrontation with the descending contender, he didn’t experience any of the energetic disturbances.

Then news hit the few there: the 2nd Alliance had won, the invaders were defeated, and The Favoured Eight had prevailed. At first he didn’t understand. However, the explanation of the fates of the previous eights left him quite upset. So that was the reason for the marks, the reason for the distance to the offspring, the reason for riddles and rubbish. Leaving Mt. Vula he began to search the Isles for his and hers.

“The feelings and dreams of mortals are strong but matter little to the astral spin.”

~Skjald Sejrik

 

Organisation

Tobiy was a member of Ye Olde Zephyrs and is still welcomed there.

Also a guilder of several trades and a mana manipulator.

He is now a member of Fur Oracles.

“Like fur, his loyalties keep him warm although they stick out in different directions.”

~Skjald Sigurd

 

Special

Tobiy is fascinating as he blends his bladeweaving with his mentalist magic paths in a unique manner.

“He’s a very skilled bladeweaver due to his mentalist buffs.”

~Skjald El Mary