[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][CENTER][sup][h2]O[i][sub][sup]nce was a man who lived a life so mundane, it could only be true. [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] Practically invisible to the world around him, life carries on while he felt perpetually stuck treading water just to keep his head [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] afloat. Fortunately for the man, fate had different ideas and intervened with a heavy hand. Pushed into a corner, the man [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] was driven to hide amongst dusty shelves and heavy tomes. In the silence, he could hear his name being whispered, [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] over and over again, until his hand touched one particular opus. A worn book, bound in leather and tarnished steel. Though [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] sealed, it opened for a price, and upon spreading its pages, the man's life was changed forever. [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] [color=2c2c2e]_[/color] Now, he is the Warlock they call...[/sup][/sub][/i][/h2][/sup][/center][/INDENT][/INDENT][sub][hr][/sub][sup][hr][/sup][CENTER][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5661999][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019e83f9-259f-75fb-95e3-57387106ed18.webp[/img][/url][/CENTER][sub][hr][/sub][sup][hr][/sup][SUB][SUP][table][row][cell][INDENT][h2][b][COLOR=SILVER]L[SUP][SUB]OCATION:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]WANDA'S HOUSE DINER - THE SOUND[/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h2][/INDENT][/cell][cell][INDENT][RIGHT][h2][b][COLOR=SILVER]U[SUP][SUB]RBAN [/SUB][/SUP]G[SUP][SUB]OTHIC[/SUB][/SUP] #1.09[SUP][SUB]:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]HANDS[/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h2][/RIGHT][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/SUB][hr][SUP][SUP][table][row][cell][INDENT][sup][h1][b][COLOR=SILVER]I[SUP][SUB]NTERACTIONS:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]NONE[/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h1][/sup][/INDENT][/cell][cell][INDENT][RIGHT][sup][h1][b][COLOR=SILVER]P[SUP][SUB]REVIOUSLY:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5665307]HARDBOILED[/URL][/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h1][/sup][/RIGHT][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/SUP][INDENT][INDENT]Leaving the diner, Archie awkwardly tipped his head towards the hostess on his way out the door, nearly tripping over incoming patrons before stumbling out onto the busy streets of Pointe Bordeaux. His arms swayed from side to side as though he wasn't totally in control of his body, while the lanky, young man wandered aimlessly onto the sidewalk. It was only now that he remembered Boz had driven them here, and he wasn't in Milk Street anymore. His stomach was feeling more than a little heavy for a walk through Pointe Bordeaux, especially when he wasn't entirely sure where he was going. A loud bark nearby caught Archie's attention, and he turned towards a familiar sight. Sitting on the edge of the sidewalk was the black dog that had followed him his entire life. Is this what the voice in his head had meant by familiar? He really did need to start asking more questions. The barghest barked again, ensuring it had Archie's full attention before standing and pointing toward Milk Street. Passerbys looked startled by the loud bark, with Archie realizing that the wolf-like dog had once again made itself visible. The sight of the large dog simultaneously drew attention to itself while off-putting anyone who got too close. Nearby bystanders were visibly shaken by the sight of a wolf-like beast in the middle of the busy sidewalk. [COLOR=C0C0C0][i]Couldn't have done that for me when I was younger, could you?[/i][/COLOR] He inwardly cursed the beast before approaching it trepidatiously. He stretched out a hand, touching the soft fur for the first time in his life, before relaxing it and gently scratching the creature behind its tall, pointed ears. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"You know where to go, don't you, boy?"[/color] Archie paused, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"At least, I think you're a boy, are you a boy beastie or a girl beastie?"[/COLOR] Its thick, shaggy coat obscured the most obvious tell while Archie stood, staring at the dog. In return, the canine stared back at him. Archie waited a few more minutes before letting out a long sigh. Shaking his head in disbelief at himself, he rubbed a hand along his forehead. It had been a very long twenty-four hours. [COLOR=C0C0C0][i]Was I seriously expecting you to respond?[/i][/COLOR] As if hearing his thoughts, the black beast let out a sound suspiciously similar to laughter, causing Archie to hesitate before speaking again. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Okay, what about a yes or no question. Can you bark for yes?"[/COLOR] Archie could have sworn the black dog raised an eyebrow at him for a second before a loud bark affirmed his request. He nodded slowly, still unaccustomed to actually remaining calm in the presence of the large animal, let alone civilly conversing with it. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Are you a boy dog?"[/COLOR] There was silence for a moment before the Grim finally answered with a thunderous bark that made Archie feel like he had just jumped out of his skin. People around them scattered in every direction, cursing audibly, while several more remarked that the creature should be on a leash. [COLOR=C0C0C0][i]I'd like to see you try.[/i][/COLOR] [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Good boy, alright, I guess you need a name then."[/COLOR] Archie replied, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Hmm, do I name you then?"[/COLOR] A drawn-out silence hung between the two before Archie finally took it as a negative response. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"So you have a name?"[/COLOR] A bark instantly came, the dog's tail wagging happily at the question. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"But you're not going to tell me, are you?"[/COLOR] Another immediate bark caused Archie to place the heel of either palm to his temples. He moved them in a circular motion while slowly exhaling, a groan of frustration escaping between his lips. Through his narrowed eyelids, he could have sworn the dog's tail wagged faster at the sound. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Alright, well, this is fun. You are my familiar, right?"[/COLOR] Archie had expected the wolfdog to bark, but was met with silence instead. He shuffled his feet awkwardly, looking at the passing crowd while the black dog turned his head to its side, as if to exhibit confusion at Archie's own regarding the unexpected answer. Just as Archie was about to open his mouth to ask another question, the Grim barked an affirmative towards him. Standing up and stretching before pouncing down onto its front legs, and wagging its tail wildly. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Uh huh,"[/COLOR] Archie nodded slowly, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Cool, cool, cool. My familiar is a troll."[/COLOR] A rapid sequence of barks caused Archie to jump again. Regaining his composure, he turned in the direction that the Grim had originally pointed and began to walk, waving for the familiar to follow. Walking through the Sound, the bagherst eventually took the lead as they reached the familiar stress of the Milk Street district and meandered their way through several allies and side streets until Archie found himself standing in front of Galloway's Emporium of Antiquities. A small bell rang from above the door as Archie entered the shop for the second time in the past twenty-four hours. Beside him, the Grim suddenly disappeared from view, leaving Archie alone in the dusty shop. The hairs on the nape of his neck stood on end, while goosebumps travelled down each of his arms. In the dark, he had barely noticed the objects that littered the shelves and displays of the shop, but now, in the light of the day, he was able to take in the eccentricities of the back alley shop truly. Shelves of weathered books and journals dotted the back walls, though none bore the same metal edging as the tome which called to him. Whispers had begun to crawl into the crevices of his ears the moment he had opened the door, calling his name again while the light outside somehow seemed a bit dimmer within the four walls of the strange store. The temperature inside was cool, nearly sending a shiver down his already shaking spine. In addition to the walls of books were strange vessels and equipment Archie had only seen in old movies featuring mad scientists. Various bottles of liquids, bones, and what he had to guess were other ingredients filled further displays. Swords, axes and all manner of archaic weaponry hung on racks, some having almost a glow about them while others were transcribed in symbols and languages Archie didn't recognize. Mounted above the counter at the rear of the shop was a long, rod-like instrument. Nearly a foot in length, Archie peered closely, realizing it was ornately carved and decorated, likely made from bone or ivory. The etchings had been filled with a metal, likely silver and the end was capped with a pommel made of an amethyst or another violet-coloured gemstone. Unlike the other items around the shop, Archie noted, it wasn't displayed like something for sale, but rather like a trophy. Deliberately kept out of reach and inspection of patrons. Circling back around, he found himself in the center aisle once more, still no sign of the shopkeeper as Archie continued to wander, his eyes scanning for any sign of the grimoire. Unable to spot the tome, he instead opted to walk towards a glass case atop a small pedestal in the middle of the aisle. Approaching it cautiously, Archie found himself intrigued by its contents. Inside the display lay an armoured gauntlet connected to an ornate vambrace which extended all the way to a couter. The complete piece would have covered the hand all the way to just above the elbow. A wave-like pattern was present throughout the entirety of the steel, while the intricate designs appeared to be made of inlaid gold and cobalt. [COLOR=#4682B4]"The Arquus de Vice is a beautiful piece. The vambrace itself might even date all the way back to the eighth century."[/COLOR] For the third time that morning, Archie nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned to see the man in the well-kept black suit, leaning on a cane behind him. How a man who required the use of a cane could walk silently enough to sneak up on Archie was a mystery for a time when Archie didn't feel the need to run into the bathroom and check his boxers for stains. [COLOR=#4682B4]"Apologies, Mr. Hardwick, it was not my intention to startle you,"[/COLOR] The man said before extending his hand towards Archie. [COLOR=#4682B4]"Deaglán Galloway, I've been expecting you."[/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT][/COLOR]