BUILD YOUR OWN WORLD Like what you see? Become the Master of your own Universe!

Syrus

Syrus

Syrus is a criminal tracker, who works as a mercenary to locate difficult to find targets.   He began his work for a cartel leader, whom his brother owed a great debt to. In return for forgiving the debt, Sylus would begin working for this leader, and she greatly respected his work ethic and honour towards his family.   This cartel leader would later, as the Solen say, “take him under her wing”, in return for forgiving his brother’s debt. Syrus would begin to train under the tutelage of this criminal mastermind. Here, he could further trained his tracking skills, and worked with the criminal to become the slightly notable Syrus, a young man with great skills at tracking the untraceable people of the world.   But all good things must come to an end, and when his mentor announced her intentions of leaving the criminal enterprise to her son, it was time for Syrus to move on as well.   His new employer was a lot more aggressive in his “negotiation strategy”, and entrusted Syrus with the dirty work of eliminating opposition when necessary. While Syrus initially resisted, he was forced into killing a rival criminal and found that instead of emptiness, a profound sense of joy and peace. He had found his calling.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Early Life

  Syrus, a Solen mercenary known for his exceptional tracking skills, originated from a privileged background he worked to conceal. His career began when his brother's debts forced him to work for a cartel leader. Under her mentorship, Syrus honed his skills and earned a reputation for locating elusive targets. Eventually, this leader took Syrus under her wing, offering tutelage that made him a notable tracker. However, when the cartel transitioned leadership to her son, Syrus departed, seeking new opportunities.   His next employer demanded more aggressive tactics, leading Syrus to his first kill—an act that brought an unexpected sense of purpose. Alongside his lifelong friend Saib, Syrus traveled to Zyniii, the World City, on orders from their cartel, though Syrus secretly harbored plans to establish his own influence.  

Campaign 1: Torn Leyline Tour

 
Episode 1: Never a Dull Day in Zyniii
  Syrus and Saib arrived in Zyniii after a long and unpleasant sea journey. While Saib lamented their time at sea, Syrus was captivated by the city's grandeur. The towering, multicultural architecture and the vibrant chaos of the World City presented a stark contrast to their homeland.   Despite the awe-inspiring surroundings, Syrus remained focused. His instincts as a tracker kicked in, observing the city's overwhelming sensory atmosphere as a challenge to his skills. Saib, amused by Syrus's wonder, teased him about his apparent privileged upbringing, though Syrus brushed it off.   The duo decided to investigate the city's criminal underbelly, with Saib suggesting a visit to a tavern. Syrus devised their strategy—the “Savior Technique,” a ploy to infiltrate new groups by causing and solving a commotion. Once inside the tavern, they encountered a hooded green elf and an enigmatic guide named Nakah, whose knowledge of ley line disturbances intrigued Syrus. Through Nakah, Syrus and Saib began their fateful journey, joining a group of adventurers tasked with investigating the disruptions.  
Episode 2: Recipe for Disaster
  The tavern—Sideways Inn—was in the midst of an unusual magical disturbance. Syrus and his new companions learned from the bartender about a ley line disruption tied to the Fae Realm decades ago. Frannie, the bartender’s daughter, recounted her heartbreak involving a mysterious Fae visitor who disappeared after seducing her.   The group agreed to assist Frannie by gathering potion ingredients to investigate the ley lines further. This seemingly simple task took a bizarre turn when magical effects caused chaos among the group: size alterations, animal transformations, spontaneous singing, and inexplicable visions. Syrus experienced a haunting image of a goblin within his mind, leading him to question the ley line’s power.   Eventually, the disruptions subsided, but the group’s troubles continued as they prepared to hunt in the forest, both to track the ley line’s source and to rescue their missing companions, Ko and Zyanya. Syrus began forming opinions about his new allies, noting their strengths and tensions while keeping his guard up around certain members.  
Episode 3: Nariel’s Great Hunt
  In the forests of Tal'ahm, Syrus encountered a dragon—a creature he believed long extinct. The dragon's cryptic message about its return and the opening of a portal to the Fae Realm hinted at monumental changes. This event marked a turning point for Syrus, as he saw the potential for freedom from his current life.   Reuniting with Ko and Zyanya, who had survived the Fae Realm, Syrus noted the group’s growing reliance on him for decisions. This leadership role was unexpected but not unwelcome, as Syrus began to feel a sense of belonging. The group prepared to investigate the Emerald Grove, seeking to resolve the ley line disturbances and uncover the mysteries of the forest.  
Episode 4: Nightmares of the Heart
  The group’s journey led them to the Emerald Grove, where they sought to awaken the sleeping Dreamwalkers. Syrus harbored skepticism about the druids' connection to Skipan, a traitorous figure in Solen mythology. Within the grove’s dream-like realm, Syrus confronted a great eagle that embodied his father’s voice. Questioned about his reasons for leaving home, Syrus provided an ambiguous response about self-discovery, though he struggled with the truth.   Alongside Talu, who revealed her own past through a similar trial, Syrus battled a grotesque nightmare creature. The victory awakened the druids and earned the group their gratitude. Syrus felt a fleeting sense of fulfillment, enjoying the rare opportunity to make a positive difference. Yet, he remained wary of his growing bond with Talu, whose ignorance of Solen-Lupo tensions tested his patience.  
Episode 5: The Dragon Slayers
  After celebrating their success at the Emerald Grove, Syrus and the group journeyed to the plains near his homeland, where they encountered the Phrat'ii. Trapped in a prison hole by the hostile lizardfolk, Syrus learned of their leader’s plans to attack a nearby Solen city.   Reflecting on the teachings of Foo, one of the four mortals-turned-gods, Syrus contemplated the strength and clarity needed to face such challenges. Though he yearned for the certainty and power of the gods, Syrus remained grounded in the complexities of his present circumstances. The group’s next task was to infiltrate the Sun Dome—a mission that would test their unity and resolve.  
Episode 6: Inside the Sun Dome
  The group infiltrated the Solen encampment at Dahb, where Syrus claimed allegiance to the Princess’s guard to gain entry. Within the camp, Syrus formed an alliance with Tali, a Solen leader seeking revenge against the Phrat’ii for her husband’s death. Syrus’s investigation revealed a shocking secret: the Solen intended to bind the soul of a golden dragon to the spirit of Kah, their ancient god, through forbidden soul magic.   Syrus’s growing concerns about the group’s actions deepened as they stole the dragon egg amidst a chaotic ambush. Injured in the ensuing battle, Syrus narrowly escaped with the egg and his life, but the moral and personal implications of their actions weighed heavily on him.  
Episode 7: Battle of Dabh
  Returning to Dahb, Syrus embraced the familiarity of Solen life while grappling with the tensions surrounding the dragon egg. Mura confronted Syrus, pulling a knife on him and questioning his loyalty after discovering his connection to the Solen. Though Syrus managed to de-escalate the situation, the confrontation left a lasting impression, deepening his doubts about the group's trust in him.   The group’s plans collided with the Phrat’ii’s assault on the city, culminating in a dramatic battle. Despite his injuries and the emotional toll, Syrus continued to lead his companions. Their successful theft of the egg left Syrus questioning the ethical boundaries of their mission. The revelation of the Solen’s soul-binding plan and the strain among his allies further isolated him, deepening his internal conflict.  
Episode 8: Darkened Souls
  The group retreated to Maya to recuperate, with Syrus watching as tensions flared over the methods used to save Lucid’s life through soul magic. Syrus reluctantly supported the decision, prioritizing the group’s survival over moral qualms. A new mission took them to a Mokuna temple, where they confronted their next ley line disturbance.   As rival factions vied for control of the dragon egg, Syrus found himself caught in escalating conflicts. His growing disillusionment with the group and their fractured trust foreshadowed his contemplation of leaving the Misfits.  
Episode 9: Defenders of Lore
  At the Mokuna temple, Syrus worked with unexpected allies to repel an attack by the Frostkyn. Though their combined efforts protected the monks and artifacts, Syrus faced mounting frustration with his companions. Rosa’s relentless demands for the egg and the group’s ongoing distrust left Syrus feeling isolated. He began to question whether his journey with the Misfits aligned with his goals, hinting at a desire to forge his own path.  
Episode 10: Past of the Pantheon
  Syrus embarked on a spiritual journey guided by the Mokunan monks, encountering visions of the mortals-turned-gods Azadeh, Eoin, Cicero, and Foo. Each vision offered guidance on loyalty, identity, and purpose, challenging Syrus to reconcile his conflicting desires. While the experience provided clarity, Syrus remained uncertain of his future, torn between the Misfits and his own ambitions.  
Episode 11: The Ercule Tournament
  The group’s journey led them to an Aurelian Elf colosseum, where they participated in a deadly tournament. Syrus fought valiantly alongside Rosa, using his precision and tactical skill to overcome powerful opponents. However, the tournament’s victories were marred by the growing tensions within the group and the looming threat of the ley line disruptions.  
Episode 12: Aras' Champions' Ball
  During the banquet following the tournament, Syrus gathered intelligence about the royal family while his companions navigated the social intricacies of the gala. However, the night turned deadly when a priestess assassinated the King, triggering chaos and a volcanic eruption. Syrus and the Misfits narrowly escaped, though the devastation of the island and the fracturing of their mission left them questioning their next steps.  
Episode 13: The Fall of Tearmo
  As the island of Tearmo crumbled, Syrus and his companions fought valiantly to escape. Despite their efforts to close the ley line, the destruction of the island and the death of the King weighed heavily on Syrus. The group’s fracturing became evident, and Syrus began to question his place among the Misfits. With the mission incomplete and his goals unclear, Syrus contemplated his future.  

Campaign 2: Gangs of Zyniii

 
Episode 2: Golden Superstars
  Returning to Zyniii with Saib, Syrus resumed his mission to dismantle the city’s gangs. A chance reunion with the Misfits—now scattered and pursuing their own goals—complicated matters. Learning of Ko’s involvement with the Leishu Yakuza, Syrus’s focus shifted to uncovering her fate while navigating the city’s volatile underworld.  
Episode 3: A Vampiric Evening
  The group followed a lead to a Victri party, where Syrus encountered Lacey, a mysterious woman whose allure and connections to the criminal underworld intrigued him. However, the party turned deadly when the group was drugged, and Syrus found himself manipulated into a puppet-like fight. Overcoming the ordeal with the help of his allies, Syrus faced Celeste, one of the orchestrators, and ended her reign of terror. The experience deepened his distrust of the city’s elite and the dangers of Zyniii’s underworld.  
Episode 4: Pod Riders
  While tracking down more leads, Syrus found himself involved in an Aether Pod race orchestrated by green elves. The race provided valuable intel about a Yakuza Crystal Storage facility, setting the stage for a high-stakes heist. Syrus’s growing confidence in his abilities contrasted with his ongoing doubts about his allies’ reliability. He especially harboured great distaste for Arthom's unfair treatment of Saib and Lucid.  
Episode 5: Crystal Heist
  Syrus and the group executed a daring raid on the Yakuza Crystal Storage facility. Despite initial success, the mission went awry when a Leishu child ambushed them. Syrus’s attempts to subdue the child and gain leverage for Ko’s release highlighted his strategic mind, though the encounter left him shaken. The fallout of the mission underscored the volatile nature of their quest in Zyniii.  
Episode 6: Yakuza Youth
  The fallout from the heist escalated when Syrus discovered Arthom’s violent confrontation with the Leishu, culminating in Arthom’s brutal actions and Ko’s arrival. Ko’s accusations and betrayal left Syrus reeling, prompting him to reflect on his role in the group and the cost of their mission. Despite his doubts, Syrus made a heartfelt attempt to reach out to Ko, leaving behind a message of support.  
Episode 9: Agent of the Sun
  Syrus’s journey came full circle as he faced Victri assassins targeting him and Arthom. In a moment of divine intervention, Syrus unlocked his latent sun powers, bestowed by Kah. This newfound strength allowed him to overcome Lacey and her forces, solidifying his resolve to fight for himself and his ideals. Syrus emerged as a transformed figure, embracing his divine potential and recommitting to his mission with newfound clarity.

Employment

Syrus began as a tracker for a cartel, where he developed his skills under a mentor before transitioning to more independent mercenary work. His work often intersects with criminal enterprises, but his time in Zyniii marks a shift toward disrupting gang influence and seeking personal agency.   Syrus is a founding member of the Misfits of Mayhaos guild.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Successfully recovered the golden dragon egg from the Solen. Played a pivotal role in multiple battles, including defending the Mokuna temple and defeating Victri assassins. Unlocked divine sun powers, marking a significant step in his personal growth.

Mental Trauma

Syrus carries the emotional scars of his early life, including his brother’s debts and the moral compromises of his work. Key moments, such as Ko’s betrayal and Mura’s confrontation, have left lasting impressions on his psyche.

Intellectual Characteristics

An exceptional tracker and strategist, Syrus excels in analyzing complex situations and devising solutions. His ability to adapt to diverse challenges highlights his intellectual versatility.

Morality & Philosophy

Syrus’s philosophy is rooted in a balance between personal freedom and duty. While he seeks to forge his own path, his decisions often reflect a nuanced understanding of justice, shaped by his faith and experiences.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Syrus is driven by a desire for freedom, loyalty to his brother, and a pursuit of self-discovery. His actions often balance personal ambition with a sense of responsibility toward his companions and faith.

Likes & Dislikes

Syrus enjoys challenges that test his skills and intellect. He values loyalty and camaraderie but harbors disdain for betrayal and unnecessary violence. His Solen upbringing instilled an appreciation for discipline and honor.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Misfits of Mayhaos
  Talu Talu's relationship with Syrus is defined by ideological clashes. As a Lupo with strong ancestral ties, Talu’s view of history often conflicts with Syrus’s understanding of Solen traditions. While Talu has attempted to find common ground, her ignorance of ongoing Solen-Lupo tensions frustrates Syrus, who sees her as naïve. However, their shared experience in the Emerald Heart dream trial—where they faced their personal fears—provided a moment of understanding. Syrus remains guarded but open to the possibility of forging a deeper connection with Talu.   Arthom Arthom’s volatile nature often puts him at odds with Syrus’s strategic mindset. While Syrus acknowledges Arthom’s strength and resourcefulness, he struggles to reconcile these traits with Arthom’s destructive tendencies, especially during their time in Zyniii. Syrus is particularly unsettled by Arthom’s brutal actions against the Leishu, which Syrus views as unnecessary and harmful to their mission, and his friend Saib. Despite their differences, Syrus works to keep Arthom aligned with the group’s goals, seeing his potential as an ally when focused.   Ko Ko’s betrayal serves as one of the most emotionally charged moments in Syrus’s journey. Initially, Ko and Syrus shared mutual respect, with Syrus admiring Ko’s resourcefulness and independence and seeing her an important ally. However, her alliance with the Leishu Yakuza and her accusations during their confrontation in Dabh has changed this bond. Syrus’s attempt to reconcile by leaving a message of support reflects his lingering hope for resolution, though it remains unclear if their relationship can ever be repaired.   Lucid Lucid is a dependable yet enigmatic presence within the group. Syrus appreciates Lucid’s straightforward nature and dedication to the mission, seeing him as one of the more stable members of the Misfits. Their bond grows stronger during the second campaign, where Lucid’s loyalty contrasts sharply with the betrayals and fractures among other group members. Syrus values Lucid’s reliability and often turns to him for support during critical moments.   Mura Mura represents one of Syrus’s most fraught relationships. Initially, her quiet and observant nature intrigued Syrus, but her skepticism about him grew as his connection to the Solen became apparent. The confrontation in Dahb, where Mura held a knife to Syrus and questioned his loyalty, was a turning point. Though the situation was de-escalated and Mura left the party, it left a scar on Syrus's ego, feeling the weight of mistrust.   Zyanya Syrus’s relationship with Zyanya is relatively neutral but supportive. While they do not share as much personal interaction, Syrus recognizes Zyanya’s value to the group and respects her contributions. Their shared experiences in dangerous situations have fostered camaraderie, though their bond lacks the complexity of his relationships with others.  
Relationships with Key NPCs
  Saib Saib is Syrus’s oldest and closest companion, with their relationship forged through years of shared struggles. Saib’s sharp wit and confident demeanor often complement Syrus’s more calculated approach, creating a dynamic where trust and loyalty are central. Saib frequently teases Syrus about his noble origins, but this camaraderie underscores a deep respect for Syrus’s abilities. As the story progresses, Saib provides emotional stability, even as tensions arise with other members of the Misfits. Syrus values Saib as both a confidant and a reminder of his roots, though the latter has withdrawn as other members of the Misfits have bullied him.   Nakah Nakah serves as a mentor and guide, providing Syrus with insights into the ley line disturbances and the broader stakes of their mission. Syrus respects Nakah’s wisdom and sees him as an invaluable resource. However, Nakah’s sudden confession about lying regarding the Lazarus Academy leaves Syrus feeling abandoned, reinforcing his growing distrust of authority figures.   Tali Tali’s leadership in the Solen encampment at Dahb resonates with Syrus, who admires her dedication to her people. Their shared heritage creates an unspoken bond, though Syrus remains cautious about fully aligning with her, especially after uncovering the soul-binding plans involving the dragon egg. Tali’s mix of resilience and vulnerability leaves a lasting impression on Syrus.   Lacey Lacey represents a darker, more seductive force in Syrus’s life. Her initial charm belies her dangerous nature, which Syrus uncovers during the Victri party. The ensuing conflict between them culminates in a deadly confrontation, with Syrus ultimately overcoming her. Lacey’s actions leave Syrus wary of those who use manipulation as a weapon, cementing her as a key antagonist in his journey, despite her early defeat.   Celeste As one of the orchestrators of the puppet-fight plot at the Victri party, Celeste becomes a symbol of the corruption and danger within Zyniii’s criminal elite. Syrus’s decisive action in killing her reflects his growing willingness to confront threats directly, even as it deepens his understanding of the moral compromises required in his world.   Foo, Eoin, Cicero, and Azadeh (The Elemental Gods) Syrus’s encounters with these divine figures during his spiritual journey provide critical guidance and reflection. Each god challenges Syrus to examine his loyalty, purpose, and identity. These interactions deepen Syrus’s connection to his faith and help him navigate the complexities of his relationships with others, as he seeks to balance duty with personal freedom.

Religious Views

Syrus is a devoted follower of Kah, the Solen sun god. His faith, tested throughout his journey, deepened when he received divine powers during a critical battle. His relationship with Kah reflects his internal struggle between duty and independence.

Social Aptitude

Syrus is analytical and resourceful, with a keen sense of strategy. Though he projects confidence, moments of doubt and vulnerability reveal his introspective nature. His wit and adaptability are tempered by a lingering mistrust of others due to past betrayals.

A Solen mercenary who works alongside his friend Saib. Comes from a privileged background that he tries to hide.

View Character Profile
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral
Current Location
Species
Age
17
Birthplace
Helios
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Yellow
Hair
Green Plumage
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Green
Height
5 ft 8
Quotes & Catchphrases
"Nah, I'd win."

Climax

It was time for our final strike against the Triad. It was now, or never.   While Lucid, Zy and Mogg along with the Blackskulls took on a large portion of the Triad at sea, my role with Saib and the Ghosts of Zyniii. While I performed my role perfectly, the rest of the Ghosts were not as lucky. Only Myself, Saib and the bulky Ahmed survived.   This lead Arthom into a confrontation with some of the Yakuza when he was spotted by the guards who survived. Luckily, he made it inside and found Yifeng.   Talu and Ko worked with the Mafia and Yakuza to lay waste to the Triad members and stormed in through the front gate, while Yifeng pleaded with her mother and supporters to join us in overthrowing the uncle. Both were successful, and we rendezvoused for the final confrontation.   There, while he put up a valiant fight, together the Misfits took down Yifeng's uncle, and I burned him for all the pain and suffering that he has caused us, and this city. But it was not us alone who took him down. It was the city that beat him. We beat him.   As we left the burning ruins of the Triad HQ, somehow I knew we wouldn't be the same again.

Rallying the Troops

While Talu discussed with the Aurelian Mafia, Arthom with the Gleam Boys, and Ko with the Yakuza, I found myself distracted.   I love each of the Misfits in their own ways, some more than they would ever know. Ever could know. I started to feel comfortable enough to let my guard down, to start to open up. But I know how dangerous that could be, not only for me, but for them too. I needed to act soon, and leave them before things got out of hand.   As these thoughts permeated my brain, Ko had to make her own sacrifice - in order to save Yifeng, and Zyniii, and even Arthom, she would have to take his punishment for attacking the Yakuza. For her, that meant being exiled, and becoming a Ronin.   To think that she would sacrifice so much, and now I'll have to ask her to sacrifice more... it hurts my heart. I hope one day she'll understand my hope for her, my love for her, and the desire I have for a better future for us all.   If not for me, then for those who come after.

Regroup

Inside the Crystilline Fotress, we had time to lick our wounds and regroup. Arthom was healed up, while the rest of us worked out our next moves. Clearly, we would not be able to take on this threat alone.   Of course, I managed to loop Saib into this with his new "friends", Talu would work on allying with the Mafia, and Ko would discuss with the Yakuza on their allegiance as well.   This would be the fight of our lives so far, and with so much hanging in the balance, including my freedom... I was not going to lose. Not again.

Danger

It was finally time for us to face the Triad once and for all. Together with Yifeng, Talu, Ko, Lucid, Arthom and some of our allies, we would stop their reign of terror across Zyniii. Or at least that was the plan.   After practically being let in the front door, Yifeng reveals that one of the co-leaders of the Triad was non other than her estranged mother, that Yifeng left behind upon leaving the Triad. Despite her efforts to calm her down, she remained adamant that Yifeng was leaving with her, and that we should leave before we are killed.   Suddenly, her uncle appeared, and tired of Yifeng's insolence, ordered for our executions. While we all fought as hard as we could, Arthom and Ko went down, and Gee, Illyana and the other Zeno were killed in the crossfire by the uncle. As the enemies swarmed in, but before I could fully unleash any of my power, we were teleported away by none other than Nakah. But Yifeng was not brought with us, which could only mean one thing...   She was still inside the Yakuza fortress.

Welcome to Misfit High

Today, in the ever-growing list of bad ideas we commit to with full confidence, the Misfits went back to school.   Why?   Because Ko’s old teacher, Master Opah, suspects that the Triad has infiltrated the academy.   And of course, Ko’s brilliant solution was: “Let’s all go undercover as students!”   Anyway, I woke up, put on a uniform that surprisingly fit, and got to work as a dude disguised as a dude disguised as another dude. I’m so tired of pretending to be someone I’m not.   “BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”   Class One: Lore & War.   Arthom got smacked by a teacher. Suprisingly, Arthom did this incredible thing where he didn’t murder anyone. Character growth!   Then some snot-nosed kid made fun of him, and Arthom responded with a death threat. The teacher allowed it. Back home, our commander would never have permitted anything close to this, further solidifying how *weird* Zyniii is. Even for us.   Recess:   Ko confronted her archnemesis, Chi Ling—who, by all accounts, is dumber than a brick wearing a wig. Ko tried to keep it together, but let’s just say teenage drama is petty no matter the continent.   Meanwhile, Yifeng pulled off a textbook-level stealth maneuver and nicked a letter from Chi Ling’s bag. We agreed to meet up at lunch to check it out.   Class Two: Chi & Spirit.   A class that’s basically emotional therapy disguised as a martial arts lesson. • Ko vs. Me: She tried to trip me. I shoved her down. She looked offended, like she forgot I’m taller, heavier, and allergic to losing.   • Talu punched Arthom in the face and injured herself.   • Mogg slapped himself, and Zy tried to pants Mogg mid-combat. The teacher gave up and called it a draw.   Class Three: Arcana with Master Opah.   Opah convened with us regarding our infiltration mission, and worked with us to find our “elemental affinity”. While some already made sense, apparently mine is clouded and murky, showing aspects of all 4 elements. I tried to ask Opah for more information, but he simply replied that I would “find my truth”.   And I thought that I was cagey.   Lunch:   We opened the letter. Big surprise—it had the Triad’s golden lotus seal and led to a location we’d busted before.   So, obviously, we confront Chi Ling. She cried (a lot), admitted she’s dating a Triad guy twice her age, and that he’s “testing” her loyalty by dragging her into criminal activity.   Classic grooming behavior.   Ko wanted to set the school on fire.   Yifeng wanted to give her a second chance.   Arthom wanted to “have a word” with the boyfriend.   My compromise?   Kidnap the boyfriend after school.   “There’s the soldier I remember! Not this snivelling school brat!”..

A Moment of Respite

~The child wanted to play and train as their brother did, but their mother prevented it. She wasn’t going to let both her children go to war.~   All of the Misfits, bar Gurval, met in a Tavern together. Starting to feel a little too predictable. Included among us was the Lupo Akamwhoworst, who was one of the slaves we rescued, who did not remember much beyond being a mining slave for a while. He wished to return to his people, and Talu had some idea of where he came from.   Later, one of Arthoms old teachers also arrived, hearing that he was cursed. While she didn’t know how to cure him, they wanted to see their ancestors for guidance. From personal experience, ancestors tend to be know it all gloryhog douchebags, but maybe they’ll fair better.   “Godhood is not a mantle for the weak and feeble”   While it was good to see everyone together and cheerful for once, I couldn’t help but feel on the outside. It didn’t feel like anyone really wanted me there or valued my input in any conversation. I can’t really blame them, but I hope they understand that I want a better world for us all. One where days like this are the norm, not the exception. Where good things happen every day.   While in my musing, I lost track of Arthom, his tutor, Zyanya and Zeno. Suddenly, we hear screams and shouts of pain and fear. We follow the sound to a side room, where several Mokuna have attacked our companions and a Nusaru lady. Akumwhoworst flies into the room, angry with rage, and beats one of the Mokuna before summoning a flaming stump to slam him to a pulp.   Talu and I dispatch a Makuna each with our arrows, Arthom and Lucid another with their claws/daggers, and Ko forces one to claw its own eyes out until it bleeds out and dies. Altogether, a good bit of teamwork.   While this was a rousing success for the group, I personally note that we have to stop meeting in taverns where we can be attacked. I know a base I never told Saib about, that we could use to meet. It has a few trinkets from home that I don’t necessarily want to share, but maybe that’s better than being killed while in a drunken stupor.   “Being around them is dangerous. You know that.”

The Triad

~Once, there was a young child. The child always looked up to their brother, and wanted to be just like him.~   After our confrontation, Saib did not speak to me for a week. Understandable, but his actions against Arthom were unwarranted. However, I received a letter to meet with him again at a new hideout in the Moonstone district.   “I told you that you could not trust your allies. Look where this has gotten you”   Turns out he had invited all of the Misfits, bar Arthom and Gurval, to show us some information on a Triad stronghold. He claimed that there was something interesting in a “red room” underneath that would likely either help us or destabilise the Triad. He also introduced us to his new crew;   Ahmed - a brutish ox of a Solen, with more muscle than brain Torrek - an arsonist that clearly burned half his mind away Shalza - Saibs new second in command, quiet but composed Bravu- Green Solen that copies me. Shot Arthom and framed me implicitly.   “Look how quickly he replaced you, child.”   Together, we Misfits devised a plan, that quickly went awry. Myself and Ko would sneak in from the roof, only to be spotted by the Triads leader (Yifengs uncle). While Ko was frozen by some spell of his, I aimed an arrow at his head, only for an explosion of sewage to flood the room and take the Triad with it. Somehow, Talu and Lucid had managed to find a Nusaru, Mogg, and crash through the floor and flood the hideout.   As they sailed across the base, we found the Red Room we were looking for. Inside, we found power sapping crystals that we promptly broke, and several slaves kept in cages. Most horrifying, half of them were children.   We rescued them, including a Rojikan girl that seemed to take me as a savour. Returning back to the base, we wrestled with what we found, including new information - that the Triad planned to destroy the other gangs and rule Zyniii. This cannot happen.   “Zyniii is beneath our notice, child. We must aim higher”   Who knew Kah could be this fucking annoying?

Fire and Blood

We were instructed by Liuni to take on the cultists by force - aiming at their strongholds and attacking them directly. This would not only reduce their numbers and support significantly, but also send a clear message that they were not welcome in Zyniii. While I had no particular interest in the cults, it is what was bothering my friends - Gurval and Lucid in particular - so I assisted as I always do.   Myself and Zyanya were instructed to take an Edo'ghan cult based out of a church in the Amber district. The fire cultists were planning some sort of ritual that night, so we planned to interrupt it and end them in turn. Zeno, the lovable oaf, and Saa'diah, Liuni's half sister and powerful paladin in her own right.   Together, we hatched a plan to burn the cultists inside, which posed no real risk to our party. I helped the others get in position, and barred the doors shut.   Quick, easy and simple, the job was done. The same couldn't be said for the other Misfits. (Note to self: noticing a pattern of events when I am not there.)   Rundown of events:   Azurite district - Arthom and Talu, along with Liuni, Whisper and mafia soldiers, took on water cultists of Prima. All out assault, but cultist eliminated.   Turqoise district - Lucid, Ko and Forge, took on earth cultists of Morvor. Forge heavily injured in attack.   Tanzanite district - Gurval and Yifeng, took on lightning cultists of Encelados. Apparently convinced them just to leave? Concerning.   Going to reconvene with Saib back at HQ. Haven't spoken to him in a while, and he's been really reserved as of late.

WTF

After receiving the letter from Jupius, I headed towards the encampment where they had set up. I assumed the other Misfits were also invited, so I was not surprised to see Zyanya, Ko and Lucid outside.   Upon arriving, we heard that Arthom was attacked and recovering in the infirmary. Zyanya and Ko left to mingle with the others, while myself, Lucid and Gurval headed upstairs to help Talu.   Upon arriving, Arthom seemed to be angry towards me. I tried to calm him down, only for him to spontaneously turn into an Ibis. Not only that, but he decided to start attacking me as well! While myself and Gurval tried to wrestle and calm him, he kept attacking me.   Eventually, driven by both my confusion at the situation and Kah’s mocking laughter, I punted bird-Arthom across the room, knocking him through a window and into the corridor outside. Once he awoke, he apologised for whatever the fuck just happened, and we all went downstairs to Liuni.   On the way, Gurval noticed something odd with one of the walls, but decided to ignore it. Me and Lucid checked it out, only to find Zeno and another elf tied up, cursing Zyanya’s name. Having had enough of people in this group fucking around, I untied him, only to bump into another Zeno.   I have no idea what’s going on, or any patience to deal with this bullshit right now.

Green Bird

I'm planning to meet with Saib tonight, to discuss our next moves. He's been quiet lately - to be fair, I've been working with the Misfits again as of late anyways. I have a bad feeling in my gut - which hasn't proved me wrong so far. Hopefully this will be the first time. Possibly he could help me find that other Green Solen that attacked Arthom.   (The Journal abruptly ends there. The rest of the page is left blank, except for a few talon marks.)   Mental Log:   How could he be so *fucking* stupid? Why? Why would he send a fucking assassin after Arthom of all people? I'm so tired of trusting others. The Misfits wonder why I don't tell them the whole truth? Look at what happens when I do. I need to leave. I need to go home. I need to confront my family. My past. My failures.   But before I do all that? I will dismantle the An-Xiel from the ground up for what they've done to my family. Both my real family and now my found one. And if that means doing what I think I will, then so fucking be it. I'm not letting ANYONE hurt my family again. Ever.

Seafarers

We rallied together behind Lucids wish - to avenge his fathers death at the hands of a Dwarven Melvor cultist. Prince Jupius also tagged along - wanting to make a stand against similar cultists to the Enkelados cultists that took over his home.   While this was not ideal, if I wanted their help in my own tasks, I would need to help them. Yifeng was adamant that we should try to resolve this diplomatically, which was obviously a non starter, but we would humour her if it keeps her onside.   We also picked up another straggler - the Nusaru Froblina, who is an ally of Prince Jupius. Together with Yifeng, the monks seemed to share a common understanding and bond between themselves. They used their combined elemental energy to help hurry the ship towards the escaping cultists.   As the ship rocked and roared, I took to the sky to surveil the surrounding area, noticing the cult ship in the distance. It seemed that our ship had lurched while I was airborne, rocking everyone around. I informed them that our prey was ahead, including Lucid’s father’s killer, based on his description of the dwarf.   We quickly assembled a plan - my role was to simply rain fire from above, which suited me. Arthom transformed into an octopus - another form to add to the list - with the others each attending to either storming the ship or fireballing it as necessary.   Yifeng suggested we try diplomacy, which irked me. When dealing with thugs and murderers, trying to talk them down never works. Unfortunately the world isn’t like the stories of old, where heroes hold such sway over the minds of evildoers. However, we did humour her, and let Froblina communicate with the Nusaru who did not realise their leader was a Morvor cultist, and abruptly dove off the ship to leave him.   The rest of us mopped up any resistance, while Lucid took on the man who killed his father and in turn, killed his, achieving his vengeance.   With the death of Moadhog, we rescued the cults prisoners, and returned home for a well earned rest.   Shortly after, I received a letter from the Prince, asking to meet him regarding the future of his campaign into his homeland. While I processed his offer, I thought of my own home, and how I had to return there before I make any further promises.

A Meeting of Misfits

We met back up in a tavern in the Emerald District, hoping to make amends and bring the group back together. While we had been apart for a while, I still feel a strong bond with the group, and hope that they might be able to help me as I helped them before.   After making an admittedly shitty toast and trying to make small talk with the group, Lucid drops a bombshell - his father is dead, murdered at the hands of cultists of Morvor. This was a shocking admission from a normally stoic man, and I was lost for words at the time.   Gurval surprisingly brings in a number of allies from across our adventures, including a Mokuna Monk named Yi Feng, the Black Skull pirates, and even Ko Rava herself! While I was excited to see Ko safe and sound again, she did not share the excitement with us, which I understood. If my brother’s murderer stood in front of us, I would not be able to have the same composure she had in that moment.   Before tensions had a chance to rise, Zyanya brings another ally into the fold - a Aurelian elf named Prince Liuni Jupius, crown Prince of Diometa, the island that blew up in a volcano many months ago. He has been preparing and biding his time to take his home back from the Encelados cultists that overran his home, and aim to continue their assault on Elven lands.   I managed to pick up several quests, and relayed my own to the group:   Ko: investigate cult activity in the Yakuza Lucid: return his fathers remains to Larion Gurval: return to Diomeda and find Lu Zyanya and Zeno: want to impress Jupius and gain his allegiance Talu: wants companionship Arthom: wants a reason to live   Myself: I want to escape the guild that has haunted my family and myself for a while now. I want to return home, and figure out what the plot with the dragon egg has to do with my father. And above all - I want to create a world where people are free to live and die as they choose, not forced to live under masters just to survive. But I’ll need the Misfits help to achieve that.   We decide the easiest bet would be to make for Larion and Diomeda first, and after weakening the cults outside influence, take on the gangs back in Zyniii. While I’d rather deal with the gangs for now, I understood that Lucid and Jupius were on a time limit for their missions.   Together we could make a real difference, and I hope to show that to the group.

All That Remains

As Gurval and Talu recovered from whatever drug induced hallucinations they were going through, me and Arthom took them to a secluded base of mine. Gurval seemed completely out of it, talking in a strange accent and questioning everything, while Talu was… Talu.   I suggested our next step to be to gather the remains of the two pirates who came with us to the Victri mansion. Then, we can meet back up with the rest of the group to discuss our next steps.   As we made our way back to the ruins of the mansion, we were stopped by one of the pirate leaders, who questioned where Lucid was. When we explained our mission, she agreed to join us and take the bodies back to their ship.   As we arrived, the mansion was choked in ash and dust, left behind by Arthom as he burned the place to the ground. We managed to find a way in, and navigated the halls back to where we thought the bodies would be.   The gruesome sights we saw did not phase Gurval and Arthom, and only seemed to further their beliefs that the Victri were not to be trusted. While I still have my doubts, I think they could be redeemed, if I can show them the path.   As we ventured back, Arthom managed to fall down a hole in the wood, and Gurval and I followed after him. After a short fight with a starving Warhound, we followed back to make sure Talu and the pirates were okay.   Further down, we found the remains of the Victri that Arthom had murdered on his way out of the mansion. I try my best to peer inside the minds of my friends, to understand them and their pain, but I cannot understand why Arthom would do this to innocents like this.   After locating what was left of Fingers, and recovering a comatose but alive Toes who had also lost his legs, we left the mansion to hopefully never return. The pirates took the, well, remains of the pirates, and promised to be back for Lucid.   The remaining Misfits agreed to meet back up with the rest in the Emerald District, in the hopes of putting our merry band back together.

A Letter

O,   I don’t know if this will ever reach you, but I know you’re out there somewhere. I hope you’re doing well and that you’re in a good place.   For the longest time, I never knew why you did what you did. You sacrificed yourself, your wellbeing, potentially even your future for me. The hopeless fuckup of the family. And yet again, you paid the price for my mistakes.   I never understood why you always stood up to me when the other noble children would mock and insult me. Why the preened, pampered and pompous princess of our nation would head off to join the army in my place. When you came back, you still protected me in every single way you knew how, and even several you didn’t. When I fucked up the most, and risked my life, you still risked yours to save me.   Ever since then, there’s been a fierce look in your eyes. The look of someone who would sacrifice everything if it meant the world could be happy. But the only thing that would make me happy is for you to return home. I miss you more than anything in the world, and I’d give anything to see you safe and home, and to take up the mantle I never deserved.   I hope and pray to all our ancestors, and to mighty Kah himself, that I’ll see you home soon. May the winds carry you safe, and the sun shine forever on your path.  
  • S
  • Assassins

    I found Arthom alone at the bar, as usual. It surprisingly wasn’t hard to find the “Hound of Zynii”, but perhaps nobody was game enough to try anything with him as of yet.   I knew exactly what I needed to say and do to push him where I wanted him to be. The entree, where he was going next (no plans), making things up to Ko (I knew he’d bite), the successes of the group (he seemingly forgot about how we saved the Grove). The only thing I didn’t expect was that he was so self centred enough to not ask a single question about me other than “What’s next for Syrus?”. No matter, I needed him back as part of the team, the rest can come later.   Just as he was starting to budge, he suddenly went outside and commanded a bird to find Ko so we could deliver the crystals back to her. He then came back, sat down, and declared that he saw Victri assassins coming towards the bar - towards us.   Ever since the mansion, since the crystal warehouse raid, I knew someone would be coming for us. Funny how me and Saib were able to disrupt and damage the gangs so greatly without a single person figuring out it was us (gang war is easy when you don’t pick a side!) but after just over a week with the Misfits we’ve become enemy number one.   I tried to steel Arthom with a bit of divine energy, but he just gave me a strange look and grunted. One of the assassins walked straight up to us, declared his name (Sir Alistair), and declared that he would kill us for “harming innocent women and children”. To be honest, I had no idea what the hell he was talking about - the Victri ambushed, drugged and attempted to kill us, parading me and Saib around as a puppet and draining Arthom of his energy. But he didn’t seem to be open to a discussion on ethics and morality at this point.   The Victri quickly stabbed Arthom in the chest, and I instinctively tried to launch a Rising Sun Arrow at him, but I was still getting used to the power and missed entirely. I swear I could hear Kah cackling somewhere in my head, but I pressed onwards, only to be hit with a familiar silk net by none other than Lacey, whose girlfriend I killed back at the mansion.   I could see a hatred in her eyes that I’ve not seen in any foe so far. She didn’t just want my death, she wanted me to suffer. I rolled out of the net, and fired off a couple of arrows in her direction. These were more on target, hitting her directly in the eye, enraging her further.   Arthom got managed to distract Alistair while I fought Lacey, when suddenly the Gleam Boyz arrived to help Arthom (and me by extension). Ryder tripped Alistair over with a swift kick, while Forge and ((uhhh the other one)) attacked Lacey while she was off guard.   That’s when things started to go off the rails, unfortunately. Lacey started to draw symbols in the air, that echoed over and over in my head, obstructing my vision and thoughts until they completely consumed me. I could see the same happening to everyone else, as they got lost in the hypnotic pattern.   Just as I started to feel myself slipping away, a blinding light filled my vision, with Kah himself moving the symbols away and carving a path back into consciousness. As I floated back towards the moment, he gives me a sly knowing smirk. “The rest is up to you, child.”   As I opened my eyes, I tried to fire off a Rising Sun Arrow at Alistair again, hitting him directly in the chest and knocking him off guard. He was stunned enough he stayed out of the rest of the fight, while Lacey cast a spell to create duplicates of herself.   Seeing this is my chance to wake everyone up, I launched two more arrows at her. One was somehow redirected to me, hitting me in the chest, while the other shattered her duplicates. Alistair began to recover from the shock of “being hit for the first time”, and also stabbed me while I was recovering.   Before I knew it, Lacey hit me with another spell, kicking me lot the floor and leaving me bloody and bruised. This was it, what my life had been leading up to. Another dead body in a bar, left abandoned and alone. Wonder how Kah would react to this. What would my parents think? What would my brother think?   With that last thought, I remembered the last thing my brother said to me before I left. “Stay safe … and if you die, I’ll kill you!”. His smile permeated my body, even now. I won’t. I can’t. Not even for him. Not for Arthom or Saib, not for Ko, Gurval, Talu, Lucid, Zyanya. Not for my parents, not for anyone.   I’ll live for myself.   I felt my battered body get up, and without realising, smiled a wide grin across my face. I finally understood it now. I don’t need to hid from myself anymore.   I’ll live for myself. I’ll fight for myself. I’ll fight for what I want.   I want to save my friends.   I launched two more arrows at Lacey. The first one was diverted to me again, but I knew to expect it this time and took it in stride. The second arrow - straight for her eye again. But this time, it split the previous arrow, and pushed the head back into her skull, killing her.   Her body slumped to the ground, and I could see everyone else start to come back to consciousness. Panic set upon Alistair’s face as he realised that he was losing, and he declared that he would remember my name and “see you soon, Syrus” before disappearing.   Arthom quickly came and healed me, making sure I was okay, before I ordered a round for everyone. Arthom claimed the next round, and promised to stay with us, at least until the group is back together. I promised Arthom we would meet back up tomorrow morning, to try and find the rest of the group. From the tavern chatter, it seemed like this was an eventful night in Zynii for more than just us.   When I returned back to the hideout, I was surprised to see Saib still awake. He saw the state I was in, and asked if Arthom did it to me. I informed him of the situation with the Victri, and he smiled, glad that I was okay and that Arthom was back on our side. There was a strange glint in his eye I hadn’t seen before, of concern for me and my wellbeing. I told him again he had nothing to worry about - the plan to get the Misfits back together is working so far, we just need to keep working on getting Ko back on side.   I went to sleep that night, that for the first time in weeks, I was sure of what is to come next.

    Broken Bird

    None of this was meant to go this way. Everything got out of hand so quickly, and there was nothing I could do to stop it, no matter how hard I tried.   It started when me and Saib noticed that Arthom was not on the preplanned escape route. Fearing the worst - and Saib noticed wanting to deal with Arthom’s grumpy side if he was fine - I gave the crystal cache we had to Saib while I retreated to follow up on Arthom.   I noticed the crashed wreckage of the Gleam Pod, and perched up on the roof to see spot Arthom, in a massive lizard form, tearing at a Samurai Leishu and the kid Leishu from earlier. I fired two arrows at the Samurai, a glancing deflection and a a direct hit in the eye, which was starting to become my signature move.   Suddenly the kid teleported behind me and and shoves me off of the roof! I luckily manage to stabilise myself instead of crashing into the ground, and float back up to try and hit the Samurai again.   Out of nowhere, Gurval grabbed both the child and another Leishu, and notices me floating nearby. After a small discussion about the situation, Arthom suddenly rips the Leishu Samurai in half in front of us. Talu, Lucid, Gurval and myself can only watch in horror at the scene in front of us, as Arthom unleashes his wrath on the assailant.   Of course, now is when Ko Rava, of all people, arrives, and shoves Arthom and Talu to the ground with a wind rune. She begins screaming at us, saying we killed her sister (I didn’t know she had siblings?) and wanted us all dead, before escorting the other two Leishu away on her own.   Yet again, I’m left feeling hurt and betrayed by someone I thought was a close friend, on two fronts. Arthom let loose his aggression out of nowhere, and Ko was not only in the city, but working for the Yakuza the whole time? And never let me or anyone else know or help? I was literally streets over from where she was, and she never reached out to any of us. Whatever small feeling I had left for our group is left shattered to pieces, how ironic that Lucid and Talu, the two I never really trusted, were the only ones to not break my trust.   Not only that, but Ko’s situation reminded me heavily of the reason I joined the guild in the first place - to protect my brother. Without that, I would never have gotten to know Saib, or visit Zyniii, or even meet the Misfits. Maybe none of this would have happened if I let my brother face the wrath of the guild himself.   In my lonely stupor, I rush away from the scene to deal with my emotions myself. Gurval managed to catch up to me, and convinced me to at least leave a line of communication open with Ko. I go back to our hideout with him, tear the last page of my Ko location notes, and leave a message saying “My condolences. Let me know if you need anything.” With a drawing of myself. I attach this to a bag containing the kid’s shurikens, and leave it where Gurval said Ko lived. A gesture I doubt Ko will even remember, but at least I tried.   As I returned to our other hideout, I realised Saib had no idea what had happened this night. He could tell something was off - he always could - so I explained the situation. And I told him the truth. The whole truth. I don’t know why I did, or if it was a good idea. But I was so tired of running, so tired of being betrayed, so tired of being alone. He told me afterwards to get some rest while he processed things, and I found sleep came surprisingly quickly.

    Awakening

    I went to sleep that night with one word echoing in my mind - “failure”. On and on it droned, “failure”, like a demonic calling towards the abyss. “You failed”. Again and again and again I failed. Over and over and over again I barely grasped onto survival, filled with the scrapes, cuts and bruises I have become all too accustomed to. When I finally fell asleep, I appreciated the silence. For now, at least, the voice stops.   I find myself in a desert expanse, that seems familiar yet eerie. The sun is high in the sky, giving a warm and welcome glow to the landscape. As I turn around the get my bearings, I recognise the dome of Dahb in the distance. I fly my way over there, to the one thing I recognise.   As I arrive, the strange feeling I had kicks in louder. There’s no one here at all, and yet the city looks untouched. I search far and wide, guard posts, houses, the marketplace, even the casino where we found Zyanya, and yet the whole place seemed abandoned. As I further explored, that eerie feeling starts to drone, louder, louder, and louder still. I focus my senses, and notice it seems to be coming from the temple, so I follow the noise.   Louder, louder, louder the feeling becomes, going from an eerie drone to a strong feeling of dread shivering up my spine. I ignored the feeling, knowing I had to find the source of the noise if I am to understand this dream. As I get closer and closer to the temple, I start to see some kind of light emanating from the centre of it - dull, but more obvious as I approach.   Suddenly, when I am within view of the temple entrance, I see a Solen, with golden, partially glowing feathers, perched on the roof, eying me. He sits there, with a smirk, waiting for me. I stop, trying to gauge if he is friend or foe, until he beckons me forward with a finger.   “Come now, child. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, do not delay it further.” His voice surrounds me entirely, despite being so far away. I follow his instructions, the feeling getting louder and louder as I approach. He must be the source. As I reach around 10 metres away from him, the dreading feeling almost drowning all of my senses, it is suddenly replaced with a divine, radiant warmth. It was as is I was untouchable, that nothing could possibly stop me.   “Who, or what, are you?” I queried the Solen. “Some kind of Angelic demon?”. I had heard that demons were able to penetrate the dreams of those in strife, and would manipulate people into doing their bidding. The dreamwalkers spend their time fighting these demons in the dreams to prevent them from manipulating mortals. It was one of my worries about Gurval, considering he believed Ailil had information about Ko of all people, 6 months after we last saw her.   His face suddenly turned into a fierce scowl. “Don’t be so naive, Syrus.” He practically spat the last word. “I have been following you, alongside you, and you don’t even recognise the radiance of your own flesh and blood?” Suddenly, I feel a sharp warmth spread throughout my body, getting warmer and warmer, until it starts to become searing and painful. As I look down at my body, I see my veins underneath my feathers glowing golden, and starting to burst with light.   He continues, “You have been hiding who you are, from yourself, and from others. And where has that brought you?” I start to see flashes of my adventures with the Misfits - the dream I had with Talu at the Emerald Grove, in Dahb fighting against the Phrat’ii with the white Solen soul, at Diometer when the Enkelados cultists killed the king, during the fight with Naoto and Misato - he was there at every moment, watching me. Waiting to see how I would react.   Suddenly, the voice I heard when I first tried to rest echoed, this time I recognised it as the Solen’s. “Failure. Failure. Failure.” I tried to fight off the voice, fight off the pain, but in the end I submitted. He was right. I had failed. That was all I was.   He hops down, without any effort, and approaches my hunched over figure. As he gets closer, both the noise and pain start to fade, disappearing entirely when he is beside me. “Arise, my child. We have much work to do, and you need to awaken the strength within to achieve it.”   As he puts his hand on my shoulder, guiding me back up, I finally recognise the figure before me. I had seen this figure in so many books, in so many stories my mother and father taught me as a child. “You’re… you’re Kah, aren’t you?” I tried to state calmly, but came out as a blubber.   “Emperor, God, Demon, Warlord, Savior. I have been called many things. Kah will suffice.” He responds. Suddenly, he passes me a bow - my bow - and disappears 15 metres away. “I want you to hit me with everything you have. Don’t hold back” - the smirk reappears - “If you hit me, I’ll explain the path forward.”   I prepared my bow, and notched two arrows. Before he could react, I pulled back and fired, one after another. Before my eyes, he disappeared in a gleam of light, and I felt his warmth behind me. The arrows continued into the wall of the temple, and I was suddenly shoved from behind. “You’ll have to be much faster than that, Syrus”, he mocked, practically spitting my name yet again.   As I turned to face him, he was gone again. I tried to scan the area, but couldn’t find him at all. Suddenly, I felt myself ripped from the ground, and hurtled hundreds of metres in the air. The city of Dahb was a speck down below - this is much higher than I have ever flown before. As I stabilised myself in the air, I notice Kah watching me with his smirk again, upside down.   “My turn,” he mocks again, sending a bolt of light towards me. In my shock, I barely have time to move out of the way, until I realise that I wasn’t the target. With a searing radiance, my bow snaps in half, and the arrow in my hand disintegrated into light. I had no other weapons or way to fight.   “Don’t tell me you’re done already, child. I didn’t come all this way for this pathetic display.” He continued, as the voice started to echo in my head again. “Failure, failure, failure.”   “Shit.” I murmur, realising the gravity of the situation. Faced with a god, surrounded by nothing but air and sun, with no weapons - no, I still have my arrows. I quickly grab one from my quiver, and perioutte in the air, launching it at the god. As it leaves my hand, I feel and see a divine spark of light, and the arrow glows with a bright radiance and approaches at a far faster speed than I can throw.   “Now you’re beginning to understand.” He comments, effortlessly dodging the throw arrow. “Now we can begin.” He smirks.   The next few minutes we spent dogfighting around the sky, but I could not manage a single hit. Several sparks of divine light would ricochet off my body, knocking me off course until I recovered and pressed on.   Until suddenly, miraculously, one of my Divine Arrows managed to curve in midair to hit Kah. I had someone done the impossible, and managed to strike a god. His smirk turned insta a manic grin, and his laugh shattered the tension in the air. “You actually managed to hit me, huh? I guess there’s hope for you after all!”   With a snap of his fingers, we were suddenly in an Oasis far away. Standing in a clear, shallow pool of water, the name of this place came to me suddenly, “The Radiant Garden?” Kah’s afterlife for all Solen who follow his guidance.   “You’re not so naive after all, child. What better place for us to make our deal. You wanted to know the next step in your journey, correct?”   “I don’t need to know anything. I know what my role is, and where I’m going.” I replied.   Kah laughed uproariously, loud enough to shake the very palm trees and ripple the water. “You cannot be serious, you absolute pestilent brat! What, you plan to take down the insignificant roughnecks of Zyniii that call themselves gangs? They mean nothing to the likes of you or me. You have the opportunity for power - real power - if you embrace your heritage. Your blood. My blood.   “The dragon egg Syrus. That is our deal - you collect the egg, and I will grant you the power of your birthright, and you can be by my side as my first warrior of light. All you need to do is stop hiding behind your childish subterfuge and embrace who you truly are.”   The Misfits immediately came to my mind. “What about my friends? Where do they fit into this plan?”   The laugh was even louder this time. “Friends? The dwarf that is more monster than man, who attacked your closest ally. The overgrown lizard that had forsaken you in your time of need. The sewer rat that refused to tell you anything, then got upset when things went fatally wrong. The golden jesters who only show up after the hard work is done. The moon pup with father issues. Or the twisted union of two imperfect souls. Those friends of yours? If they’ll help you get the egg where it belongs, you can use whoever you wish. But don’t waste your time with those who would abandon you without a thought.”   I suddenly awoke with a start, almost throwing myself out of the bed. As Saib ran in to check on me, I looked down at my hands, and notice a faint glow.   “Saib, we need to find the egg,” I say to him, as I hear that same voice echo in my mind. “

    The Raid

    I perched along a rooftop, scanning the alleyway for any guards alongside Saib. Talu and Lucid were on distraction duty, and managed to drag the majority of the guards away and knock out the others.   Our amazing stealth mission was then broken by Arthom rocking up on his Gleam Pod, smashing into the facility and running out with a storage crate of crystals.   As the alarm blared and we planned on how to split the crystals, a Leishu child tried to attack me and Arthom. We subdued him, but couldn’t get much information out other than that the Crystal storage warehouse was also a factory of some kind. I took the child’s throwing stars away, and we tied him up to take with us as leverage for getting Ko back.   As we returned home, I noticed Arthom was missing along our planned route. As I backtracked, I found his pod crashed, and two Leishu standing before him - the child, and a Samurai looking one. I swooped down to meet Arthom, and hopefully talk down the aggressors

    Pod Riders

    ((Not gonna lie, Syrus didn’t do much this session because he was checked out))   After the disaster at the Victri party, and Arthom and Gurvals departure from the party, I was left reeling. How could I have let my guard down this badly? I needed some time to myself, but Talu, Luvid and Saib were adamant that we reconvene with Arthom and plan our next move.   We found him at a dwarven themed tavern after several hours of searching and accidentally finding a striking similar dwarf. Arthom was drunk over himself, and I had no plans on convincing him to come with us.   Eventually, Saib managed to get him to come hit on these Green Elves who arrived with some kind of vehicle. They convinced Arthom, who also had a spiritual connection with the land, to try racing the pods.   Arthom managed to win the race, and earned himself the admiration of the Elves and a pod to call his own. As well, he learned of the location of a Yakuza Crystal Storage facility, which if we could raid, we could trade the Crystals with the Elves for more information on the Yakuza, and potentially Ko’s whereabouts.   Arthom set out to plan the raid, and I didn’t stop him. If this fails, me and Saib can always go back to what we usually do, and gather more info before the Yakuza go to ground.

    The Party

    The Yakuza Warehouse in the Amethyst district turned out to be a disappointment. No Leishu Yakuza or any sign of life. Zyanya's lead left us empty-handed, except for a single clue.   We received an unexpected invitation to a Victrii party from a mysterious woman named Lacey, whom we encountered at the Velvet Lotus in the Topaz District. Her enigmatic charm drew me in, despite the skepticism of Arthom and Gurval. I sensed that attending the party could unveil crucial information about locating Ko.   Upon our arrival at the Ruby District for the extravagant event, Lacey graciously offered attire to those lacking suitable garments and welcomed us to join the revelry. Gurval's uncharacteristic behavior, opting for alcohol over his usual milk, raised my concerns.   Regrettably, we fell victim to a nefarious plot that left us drugged, except for Gurval. Saib and I awoke to a nightmarish scenario, manipulated into a puppet show duel until Gurval intervened. In a fit of rage, I confronted and dispatched Celeste, the orchestrator of our ordeal, while Lacey crumbled at the sight of her lover's demise.   As chaos ensued and our companions escaped their own predicaments, Gurval unleashed a surge of chaotic energy that caused Lacey to vanish. Arthom's descent into frenzy led to destructive outbursts, culminating in the manor igniting in flames.   Amidst the turmoil outside the burning estate, tensions escalated between Gurval and Arthom, with Gurval opting to depart in search of Ko alone.   With our group fractured, we dispersed to regroup later and strategize our next steps. Yet, Arthom's dismissive behavior left lingering doubts about our alliance. His treatment of Lucid, Saib, and Talu weighs heavily on my mind. Blame-shifting and discord cannot form the foundation of our endeavors. Respect and unity must guide our path forward, not division and reproach.

    Reunion

    t’s been almost 6 months since our group - the Misfits of Mayhaos - have gone their seperate ways. Me and Saib returned to Zyniii, to continue our mission of removing the gangs of Zyniii and creating a power vacuum. But deep down, I think we both know that we cannot allow the guild to move in and start a whole new gang in the city. There’s nothing wrong with the selling of hashish to citizens to enjoy, but the ruthlessness and vigor that the assassins will bring with them will only drive Zyniii further into sin.   Of course, when me and Saib decided to - finally - to follow up on Zyanya and Zeno’s antics in the Topaz district, who else do we run into than Gurval, Talu, Arthom and Lucid! Our reunion was cut short by each member trying to find information on Ko, who according to Gurval, is in trouble. How could I have missed that she was in the city, let alone that she was involved with the gangs?   Luckily, Gurval was able to determine that it was likely the Leishu Yakuza who had taken her, and Zyanya and Saib figured a Yakuza warehouse would be a good place to start our search.

    Escape

    As the volcanic eruption rained down the island, we fought off the priestess and the army of guards that assaulted the palace. While we didn't kill her, unfortunately, we wounded her enough to escape while the guards surrounded us. Just as things seemed dire, with lava pooling up around the castle and only us and the King's sons remaining, Nakah and Lucid appeared outside urging us to jump into the portal.   We recouped - while we had managed to close the ley line, the King was dead and island destroyed. We had nothing to do with it, and it wasn't our duty to protect it or the people, but it still felt like we failed.   Zeno decided to stay in Maya with us while we recouped and recovered from the crazy events that befell us, but just as things seemed to go back to normal, Nakah announced that he would use his research to JOIN the Lazerus Academy. With that note of betrayal, he teleported away to parts unknown.   From here, who knows? My adventures so far have not gotten me any closer to my goals, save for the egg - this bargaining chip could become useful with returning home and wiping away the clan's influence on me. But even if I do return, what then? I don't know if I'm ready for that responsibility yet.

    Preparation

    As we explored the city, Rosa ran into Zeno again, who congratulated her and spoke of how strong she was. Rosa ignored this, focusing instead on gathering a gala dress to wear that night. Zyanya took to Zeno however, and asked to be his date to the feast.   Gurval, meanwhile, ran into a gelato selling family in the streets, and used all of his coin to buy up as much gelato as he could. The old man running the shop told Gurval to 'take his daughter and give her big home', which Gurval took to mean invite her to the feast.   Ko, Talu, Lucid and even Arthom all worked on getting outfits for the night, while I focused on learning as much about the royal family as I could. Even this far from home, I still couldn't break my ettiquite conditioning it seemed.   We had a great time at the feast, with plenty of food had by myself and Arthom while the others spoke with the King and royal family. Lucid and Nakah disappeared at one point to "deal with the Ley Lines", and eventually as the party winded down, me and Gurval decided to mess with the weird blind priest lady.   Suddenly, I detected elemental energy coming from somewhere nearby, and as Gurval poked the blink lady in the forehead, she suddenly darted for the King, and as a volcanic eruption sounded in the background, the King's sword was taken and stabbed through his chest by the priestess.

    Colosseum

    Our next location was a grand Aurelian Elf colosseum, which Rosa immediately recognized. We could hear the announcement of the Ercule tournament, who was supposedly a grand fighter in this arena some 30 years ago. We were told by a soldier outside our little cage that we were here to fight against the great gladiators of the arena, and would have an audience with the King and our freedom if we win. With that note, Nakah disappeared to go and find the Ley Line disturbance while we fought.   First, me and Rosa fought against a Gold Elf named Zeno, who apparently knew Rosa, and a Aurelian elf cultist of Enkelados. Me and Rosa quickly damaged Zeno, who used a shockwave to throw me against a wall and her back. Before we could counter the cultist tripped and fell in the dirt, causing Zeno to erupt and smash him into a pulp against the ground. I managed to skillfully shoot Zeno in the eye, while Rosa went for the killing blow before being stopped by the King's magic as he declared us the winner.   Gurval and Arthom fought next, against these Green and Blue twins. They attempted to do some sort of combination move, but tripped over eachother as Arthom went in for the kill, and they knocked eachother out.   Talu and Lucid also fought against some more cultists, and they were killed after the King have his permission.   Altogether, we were all invited to see the King at his tournament banquet the following night, giving us a whole day to explore the city and get prepared.

    Wisdom

    Master Jfif of the Mokunan monks wanted to take us on a spiritual tour of sorts, while Gurval, Rosa and John argued over the egg again and Nakah went about fixing the Ley Lines. I agreed, seeing no harm in partaking in such a ritual. After all, no point going on a world seeing adventure if you don't see the world!   As we delved deeper, I realized that even though this spirit journey was individualised, I could still see the others around me, in their own similar journeys. It was a strange feeling, even as I considered leaving the group, I almost felt lost without them. Adrift in my own mind.   The first vision was of a Rojikan princess who was struggling with what she wanted, and what her family required of her. A shocking facsimile of my own situation, which ended with her asking who I wanted to be. I was still unsure, and am still unsure, of what I really want, but she seemed satisfied with my answer.   The second was of a great stone Elf, who seemed at peace with his surroundings. He spoke of how we need to focus ourselves on the here and now - not our future.   The third was an Aurelian Elf at war, who demanded to know our loyalties and where our heart truly lies. He was happy with my loyalty towards myself, as he believed that true honor comes not through courage or loyalty, but being true to yourself. He later met up with the Rojikan from the first vision, which makes sense given their similar philosophies.   Lastly, was the Great Monkey King Foo, who ranted at us about visions past and future, and the 'great stories' we held. But most of all, opposite to the stone Elf, he warned us to be ready for the future we share.   These were the former mortals turned gods, Azadeh, Eion, Cicero and Foo, who appeared to us all in spirit to guide us.   Once back at the temple, we saw Nakah waiting for us to visit our next, and presumably final, location.

    Defence

    The Frostkyn came, demanding payment from the Mokuna, which they steadily refused, so they came barreling towards us. We split up, aiming to lock down the raiders and prevent them from reaching the inside of the temple.   Myself, Rosa and John worked well together to take out the Frostkyn in our section before they could do any harm to the Mokunan monks or their artifacts. Rosa continued to make demands of me regarding the egg, but I told her I have no say in the matter - the egg is with Ko, and that the group would not listen to me anyways.   I had no issue with the group, but the constant distrust and arguements had become grating. I am strongly considering leaving this band of misfits as soon as I can - my path does not intertwine with their misadventures.

    Revival

    We took a week to rest and recuperate in Maya, hoping that Lucid would get better. Unfortunately, the green elves could do nothing for us, and all we could do is await the inevitable.   Luckily, the Phrat'ii slave Slender had found our location, and offered a solution - the soul that Lucid was promised from the Phrat'ii leader. The soul had a good chance of restoring Lucid in the process. However, this angered Gurval and Arthom, who both refused to leave the lizard out of their sight.   Luckily, at one moment while Arthom had gone to get a drink and Gurval was distracted by a timely illusion spell, we managed to get Slender to perform the ritual. Lucid was alive and recovering, even if this pissed off our companions.   We then were sent by Nakah to a Mokuna temple in the mountains, to ascertain the next Ley Line crack. However, as soon as we entered the temple, we were accosted by none other than Roza and John, the two who we met back at the Phrat'ii camp.   Roza demanded the egg back, for 'safety reasons', which none of us believed, but before a fight could break out, the Mokuna warned us of a Frostkyn raiding party that had just arrived. We decided to team up for now, thinking that we could argue over the egg later.

    Betrayal

    Finally, somewhere that resembled home. The fresh sunlight pouring down on me, and the hustle and bustle of a busy Solen city reminded me of my youth as a young bird strolling around Heliopolis. But unlike those days, I had a mission to do - helping my people against the Phrat'ii invasion happening the following day.   While some of my companions returned to the Phrat'ii camp to set up and ambush, I endeavered to help those who stayed behind - Ko, Mura, Zyanya and Talu - with a shopping trip while I found out more information on what the Solen were doing in the plains.   The Solen were apparently protecting a sacred egg - of a golden dragon who once roamed the plains back before the extinction. This was enough of a shock, but what they planned to do with the dragon egg was worse.   Soul Magic. The binding of the ethereal soul of someone into another, entangling them together. Not only is it risky, and permanent, in many faiths it is considered abominable. But they planned to entwine the soul of this young dragon with the soul of none other than the ancient Solen Creature of Mayhem, Kah. This would be done to bring about peace, justice and security to a new Solen empire.   Before I had the chance to interpret this information, Mura had me cornered and a knife at my throat, demanding answers to questions never asked to anyone else in the group. I gave back the most basic of answers, completely calling her bluff while Ko and Zyanya watched on, refusing to help.   Further, Mura suggested we steal the egg, not even waiting for my approval before discussing a plan with the others. I nodded along, since taking the egg would only help me get answers later down the line.   After successfully stealing the egg while me and Talu fought off the Phrat'ii, we all met up with the rescued Nakah to escape the town. I took a hit to the face from the Phrat'ii leader, who had the soul of a white Solen, but Lucid had his chest cut open and was not likely to survive. We barely made it out of Dahb, before Lucid collapsed and we took him to rest in Maya.

    Syrus Plains Journal 2

    Lucid convinced the Phrat'ii that we were on their side, and would disable the sun dome to let them inside. While I was incredulous at the thought, he later assured us that he was just looking for a way out of the encampment, and could warn the Solen about the coming forces once we arrived at the township of Dahb.   For his trouble, Lucid received a Phrat'ii slave, who he could not even understand apart from the broken Common she spoke. She informed us of the way Phrat'ii soul sucking works, and what awaits the souls who suffer that awful fate. We then released her, and she walked away, solemnly, into the desert.   At the Solen encampment, I fudged my way inside, claiming to be a member of the Princess' guard. I guess, by technicality, I was, but this was enough to let me in without proof. I still keep a tattered piece of their banner, in case I needed to prove my identity, but this was not needed yet.   While the rest of the group spent some time in a Solen brothel, I conversed with the leader of the camp, Tali. She told me of the Phrat'ii leader, who killed her husband and took his soul, and how her people fight not only to protect the Sun Dragon egg in their care, but out of revenge for their fallen comrades.   I told her that we could plan an ambush, and take out the Phrat'ii leadership and leave them scattered enough for us to collect our captured comrades and leave. She agreed to this arrangement, on the provision that Gurval and Talu stay in the palace, while myself and Tali discuss what comes next. Zyanaya, who was kicked out of the local brothel, also agreed to stay with us in the temple hall.   What Tali wants to discuss, I am not certain, but if it involves the fate of the Sun dragon, it is likely important to the Solen as a whole.

    Syrus Plains Journal 1

    After reconnecting with the group back at Lotterdad's tavern, we celebrated our successes and said our goodbyes to the Green Elves. We were hailed as "Dragon Slayers", which leaves a gross taste in my mouth to even think about.   Our next location to travel to is the Plains near my homeland, where the Phrat'ii have set up an encampment. We immediately fell into a prison hole dug by the Phrat'ii, and were threatened when I tried to fly out to reconnoiter the area. Here we met John, a Victri who has been trapped here for form time.   Soon, we were magically floated out of the hole, but before the Phrat'ii could explain themselves, Ko and Lucid had performed a combined oil and arcane attack to blow some of the Phrat'ii away. I tried to ready my bow to strike, but the lizard closest to me just pushed it away before being struck by Mura.   Furthermore, the leader of the Phrat'ii called for us to stop, and explained that he wanted to use us to infiltrate a nearby Solen city and disable their shield so the Phrat'ii could attack. I could feel his gaze upon me, knowing that I would refuse his offer, but perhaps he hoped my allies would agree regardless.   I thought back to my teachings at home, of the 4 chosen who would become Gods like Kah did centuries ago. In particular, I thought of Foo, who once returned from his exile to train his Monk abilities, proclaimed himself as one of the chosen of Alpha. "Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one", he declared, his head held high, sure in his strength, his wisdom, his purpose.   If I was at his level, these Phrat'ii would not be a problem to take care of, and I wouldn't have to worry about playing into their game. Perhaps one day, I can become as holy and sure as him.

    Syrus Tal'ahm Journal 3

    We travelled to the druid's sacred Emerald Grove, to see if there was a way to wake the sleeping Dreamwalkers of the grove. While I was initially skeptical - due to their connection to the traitor Creature of Mayhem Skipan - the grove proved more than ready to let us help draw the nightmare dragon out in the hopes of waking the sleepy druids.   Talu is continually trying to form a bond with me, making out like we are not so different. She says that we should ignore the issues that our ancestors may have had with each other. It seems she comes from a more isolated tribe, unaware of the continued aggression the Lupo show against us even to this day. I will forgave her ignorance, and look to guide her towards a better path if possible.   When we entered the endless dream, I was confronted with a great eagle that shared my father's voice. It questioned why I left home - something I am not entirely sure of myself - and I answered with a vague notion of wanting to find myself. Not entirely wrong, but not entirely truthful. Unfortunately, Talu was part of the dream too, and heard my answer. She was asked the same question by a giant wolf (she left due to not wanting to marry), who seemed unsatisfied with our answers and transformed into a grotesque abomination that was neither wolf nor bird.   Together, we slayed the beast, and woke up to see miniature dragonspawn attacking us. We quickly defeated them, which caused the druids to wake up and thank us for saving the grove. Unfortunately, Arthom ran off before we could celebrate as a group, but I'm sure he's doing fine.   I liked the feeling of being hailed as heroes, of making a real difference in the world. And not one forced upon me by lineage or expectations. Its a warm, fuzzy feeling... not one I have had in a while.

    Syrus Tal'ahm Journal 2

    Dear Saib,   The dragons are back. I wouldn't have believed it myself if I didn't see them with my own eyes. We tracked one through the forests of Tal'ahm, and it spoke directly to us, telling us of their return, and left a portal to the Fae realm in its wake.   This means many things for the future - but most importantly, its a sign of change. Huge, unpredictable change. The kind of change that could finally get us out of this life and on our own terms.   Continue your investigations in Zyniii while I continue working with this adventuring group - Name still pending. Nakah wants to call us "KET", whatever that means, but I'm heavily against the name.   We also met back up with our missing companions - Ko and Zyanya - who seem to have been travelling the Fae realm on their own. To be able to do that with no training is impressive, especially at Ko's age, suggesting they are both more capable than I initially assumed.   I'm finding that the majority of the group are starting to turn to me to make decisions, such as when we had to split up to search the forest. I don't mind stepping into this leadership position - but I not expect it. Somehow, I am the least outlandish of this group of vagabonds, but I will take this in stride.   Our next step is to investigate the Emerald Grove, somewhere I always intended to visit. Hopefully there we can find what is causing these Ley Line disturbances, and make some effort into closing them permanently. Until then, I'll continue with this group of adventurers. I'm sure you and them will be good friends.   Catch up soon.   -S

    Syrus Tal'ahm Journal 1

    We landed in the Sideways Inn tavern in a purple haze, causing the other members of my party to throw up. Luckily, I was able to orient myself quickly - all that time spent flying must have honed my aerodynamics well.   Quickly establishing ourselves in the tavern, we discussed the issue with the Ley Lines with the bartender, who informed us that the tavern did have a weird disruption occur 30 years prior, which he blamed on a Fae Realm incursion. He saw several strange creatures, resembling those of our realm, but slightly off, and blamed them and the Fae for the events that occurred, including the tragic breaking of his daughter, Frannie's, heart.   Speaking with Frannie, she recalled that the visitors made their way around the bar, and one - who looked like an Infernal - seduced her before teleporting away. She wanted to try and follow the Ley Lines, to see where they may have gotten, but required some potion ingredients, which is where everything started to go wrong.   Soon after Arthom and Gurval returned with the ingredients, everything started to go... strange. Arthom turned small (smaller than usual), Talu into a frog, Mura and Lucidius broke out into song, and Gurval seemed... smarter? Which is strange considering he didn't even drink anything.   The strange thing that happened to me was... a small goblin, staring at me from inside my mind. Like it was inside my own mind, leading me somewhere.   Eventually, all of our conditions faded, as Arthom came out of a room with Frannie after doing... something, and Nakah closed the Ley Line disturbance. However, the Green Elf trio wanted to take us on a hunt in the forest, while we make sure there were no further issues with the Ley Lines.   We also need to find our missing companions, Ko and Zyanya, who went missing after jumping into the portal.   Gurval - smarter than he looks and acts, and has a strong devotion to Alpha, who he believes is the god above all. Also has a devout issue with criminals and the Phrat'ii race as a whole. Definitely a good ally going forward.   Arthom - has issues with Gurval, but seems to like me well enough. Probably because I respect his space and try not to cause issues. If things stay that way, I can see us working well together.   Mura - quiet and reserved, but she knows many things that her appearance would betray. She got along well with Frannie, showing a knack for persuasion when needed. She did not know much about the Aurelian Elves back in Zyniii, but her and the bartender know they are troublemakers who act like they own the bar. I hope Saib is okay dealing with them, but sounds like he could be fine if he plays up his boastfulness as usual.   Lucidius - really down to earth and straightforward, he seems to have grown up on the streets like Saib has. While I'm sure the two would get along fine, I've also made fast friends with him.   Talu - saving the worst for last. While she claimed that the looks she gave me were not meant to cause offence, and attempted to find some middle ground between us, she keeps pushing me more and more on my nerves. While I can put up with a Lupo moon worshipper, it was when she disrespected Kah and our history by claiming that we were the aggressors that really got on my nerves. She should check her own history, about Skipan slaying my ancestors, including Kah's own father, before daring to call my people's faith into question. I will keep a close eye on her, or enlist one of my allies to do so. My faith will not falter.

    Syrus Zyniii Journal 1

    Syrus and Saib had been seasick and very eager to get off their ship, after the long travel to the central city of Zyniii.   "You are a bird of the sky, and I am an elf of the desert." Saib comments impatiently in his heavy accent. "We are not meant for the sea."   Finally, after a few more times of emptying their stomachs overboard, they sight Zyniii, the World City, the busy polis where the two mercs had been sent to investigate.   It would be unlike anything either of them had ever seen. The buildings were immensely tall and complex, even compared to the high cities of the Solen. Truly representative of its multicultural reputation, the architecture reflected no specific culture, but rather instead an array of impressive crystal technology, with each section of the city powered by gems of a different colour. “I have never been this far from home before… are all the cities this stunning?” He mused to his friend. “I’ll be glad once we are back on dry land and I can roost. What about you Saib, what are you planning to do first?”   Before his friend could respond, Syrus’ eyes, ears and nostrils were already taking in the aura of the city. It was an exhausting aroma, difficult to discern all the varying details amongst the different cultures of the city. It would make tracking people difficult. A smirk crossed his face. A **challenge**.   Saib grinned, proud of his remarkable travel experience already at such a young age. "I've been to many cities, Green Bird (his childhood nickname for him), just follow my lead."   However, he had never been to a city like this.   Even the busiest Grey Elf bazaars were not as chaotic and alive as the streets of Zyniii, and never had even the revered traveler seen as many different kinds of people and races as they did here.   Here, everyone was active, and larger than life.   "Gods... they weren't kidding when they said World Capital... this is insane. How are we going to make our mark here, letalone the world at all?   “The same way we made our mark in the An-Xiheel, Grey Fox. We start with the biggest target.” Syrus mused back.   Him and Grey Fox, his nickname for Saib ever since he tried to grow his prepubescent whiskers, quickly moved up the ranks after they worked together to take out the biggest targets on the An-Xiheel shit list. Syrus believed it was the easiest way out of the organisation, and told Saib as such one night when they were deep in their cups. “So, since you know cities so well, where should we start? And don’t say the tavern.” He quipped.   Saib smiled his trademark toothy grin, knowing he was about to suggest exactly that. “What about the Crystalline Fortress, that looks right up our alley! Plus, doesn’t a fancy emerald bird like yourself deserve to set foot in a place matching your stature?”   “Fancy, huh?” Syrus questioned. “What gives you that idea?”   “Syrus, I’ve been alongside you for a while now, and even longer in the underbellies of the world. You think I wouldn’t notice? Your stride, your confidence, your word choice. I may not know much about Solen culture, but even the shininess of your beak gives it away, friend. You didn’t grow up in this life like I did. I’m sure you’ll tell me all about over a couple of drinks though!”   ‘How in the hells’, Syrus thought. ‘Why would he keep this quiet for so long?’ “Very well, we’ll stop by the tavern then. Just in case, I’ll head in first, and if we notice any strange people there, we’ll perform the savior technique, understood?”   Saib nodded happily. He loved the savior technique, where the one who stopped by first would cause a commotion near their target, and the second would come in to “save” them. Very good at establishing a first impression on a target.   And so, the two would enter the tavern after a hooded green elf, unaware of how both their lives would change by this chance encounter.

    Syrus Zyniii Journal 2

    Saib suggested we stop into the Emerald Tavern in the Emerald District of Zyniii. This proved to be a good decision, as we ran into a Mokuna named Nakah who works for the “Lazarus Wizard Guild”. Getting into the good graces of such an organisation would give us plenty of knowledge of Zyniii and its criminal underworld.   While Saib was investigating a group of Aurelian Elves on the other side of the bar - who Nakah described as making the barkeep uncomfortable- a green flash appeared, with two massive green hulking creatures dropped out of a portal in the middle of the bar. Together with some fellow patrons, we pushed these creatures back into the portal, which promptly closed.   Nakah informed us that this was due to “Ley Lines” being twisted and thrown out of order, and requested that myself, along with the other patrons of the bar, assist him with investigating this phenomenon.   Discussing this with Saib, we agreed that I would go and get involved with Nakah and the Lazarus guild, and he will continue investigating the Aurelian Elf organisation.   The members of our party include: Arthom - a Dwarven Druid from the Emerald Grove. Claims to be new to the city, and hates the atmosphere, and thus does not know many people there. He was instructed to “follow the green”, and believes that to reference either Nakah or the Green Elves in the bar.   Gurval - a Phrat’ii Paladin of Alpha who was in the Emerald Tavern looking for a monkey he was told to follow by his master. Is also new to the city, and does not like criminals. Is willing to share any information he finds out.   Ko Rava - a young Leishu Wizard who wants to join the Lazarus guild. She’s ambitious and eager to prove her worth to Nakah and the guild, and was not afraid to throw herself at the enemy. And she’s cute.   Other members of the group: (Zyanya) - a gold elf who drew everyone’s attention upon entering the bar. Seems to be some type of Bard. Having someone capable of seducing and interrogating people would be advantageous, so I will seek to learn more about her.   (Lucidious) - a green elf rogue who initially tried to sneak into the bar. Made quick friends with most of the group. Could be a member of a criminal element, will require further investigation.   (Talutah) - a Lupo who gave me dirty looks from inside the bar. Not the first time I’ve dealt with racial tensions, I will keep a close eye on her. If necessary, I will defend myself in the language the wolfkin understands most - violence.   (Maiv) - an Aurelian Elf who served at the bar of the Emerald Tavern. Could know something about the other elves in the tavern, due to the tension between the barkeep and the elves. Will need to discuss with her to see.   Side note: Saib was right, the chicken wings were delicious. Need to see if we can import some to the capital.

    Comments

    Please Login in order to comment!