Drunken Conquistador

Tear the World Down

Got a post out.

It's not as... Colorful, but hey.

@Isotope

TASTE THE RAINBOW!

Tear the World Down

And posted.

"Oh, you spent 17 years building up a life as a respected mercenary Captain? Too bad, we gotta leg it now, boy."

Tear the World Down

GABRIEL DIGANI

WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE LANTERAN LEAGUE

Beneath the beautiful snow capped summits of the Sirosan heights, the village of Lobremor burned. Gabriel Digani, or Agatho D'amere as he was known these days, watched with two set of eyes. With armored feet firmly planted on top of one of the snowy hills that surrounded the village, his body stands still as a marble statue. Watching as his men carry out their orders with eagerness. Meanwhile, high above in the sky, the Thorn Captain watched through the eyes of his beloved Alessandra. Feeling the wind rushing against her feathers as if they were his own, only half paying attention to the devastation below. More worried instead, about surveying the horizon. Always on the lookout for something. It had been weeks since they started their ravaging of these lands. But so far no sign of even a single Lanteran host. "But carelessness is death, and I made you smarter than that. They are coming. They can't afford not to."

And as he watched as his men finally set fire to the temple of Miramis, he also recalled the orders he had received before setting out on this endeavor. And how close to desperation Commander Lorenzo Manzini sounded: "Leave no field unburnt, no maiden unspoiled, no house standing. Make them fear us more than the Orcs." Raiding wasn't an uncommon tactic in the Free Cities, but for Commander Manzini's plan to work, for the Company of the Rose to have any chance to make out of this alive, then Lobrenor and many other villages did burn. And thousands of peasants did die. No big loss on the grand scheme of things. There would always be more filthy farmers and simple minded shepherdesses somewhere else. "An easy sacrifice to see our dream made true.". It was impossible not to agree. He had seen it so many times in his dreams over the years. A land that shone in prosperity, with loyal and obedient people inhabiting glorious cities. Where petty squabbles were put aside for the greater good. Where law and justice flowed not from distant and uncaring Gods but from a wise and benevolent ruler, a God-King made flesh who sometimes was Gabriel, sometimes the Brazen Prince himself with Gabriel at his side and sometimes even a glorious amalgam of the two.

"Gotta give it to ya. This all actually makes up for that merry trek over tha mountains." Gabriel didn't even bother to keep the scowl or turn his face to look at the interloper as he trudged through the snow to reach his hill. Captain Amarro, of the Silver Spurs, one of the lesser companies assigned to this task. "A man like him has his uses. But I also despire him."

"You should not have doubted me." Was all that he spoke, still somewhat distant and lethargic as he made Alessandra swoop down and claw out the eyes of a girl that had managed to escape the cordon. Lobrenor would die, all of it. There was no true host in this region capable to stand up to them. But even a single survivor could warn the surrounding villages. And while Gabriel's host could easily crush whatever rabble the locals gathered. But why risk taking the attrition? They would need every soldier they could if they were to tie down the armies of the Lanteran League.

"And here I hoped another victory would get that stick out of yer ass" Amarro mocked as he settled down by Gabriel's side."Figured ya woulda at least be enjoiyn' tha spoils."

"This barely counted as a skirmish. We've yet to face anything else than desperate farmers with pitchforks." Gabriel snorted, mind now fully back in his own body. "And I am not so destitute to need to take whatever shabby trinkets there may be hidden in those hovels." There was no glory here, no great treasures or rewards. Just a bloody task. Sneak through snow covered mountains and butcher villages until someone shows up to stop you because the fat oligarchs employing them had overreached and made enemies of all their neighbors. "Even with the Lanterans coming for us, the others still have more than enough force to crush the Wise Masters. They were foolish in starting this war and even greater fools in not striking first before their enemies mustered their forces."

"Suit yerself, cunt." Amarro grumbled as he stood up to leave, mood soured and in search of something better to do among the looters.

Gabriel suppressed a frustrated sigh. He trusted the Prince, he really did. The specter was the only one the Thorn Captain really trusted. But he couldn't help but feel angry at the endless waiting. This job was beneath him. He was supposed to be tearing down the old order and bringing about the perfect state. Agabyzus had been drilling that on his mind for well over a decade years now. But so far he was forbidden from taking any real action towards that goal. It was all preparation, learning aetheric disciplines, setting up the occasional safehouse and stashes for future use. But nothing else, no alliances, no real efforts to build an army or power base. Gabriel didn't want to doubt Agabyzus, but unlike the Prince, the mortal man wasn't getting any younger.

"The time for action is coming soon, I feel it in my very soul. But I think we have enough of a window to finish this little diversion. We gave our word after all, didn't we?"

He once again sought Alessandra with his thoughts. Flying always helped to clear his mind and settle his thoughts. Gabriel felt himself being thrown across a great distance. But that lasted a mere moment and soon he was once again watching the world from the eyes of one of Avalon's mightiest birds of prey.

And that was when he saw it in the distance. Almost unseen in the horizon. A cacophony of banners, spears and sounds that signified a marching army. Willing the eagle to dart in the direction of the army, powerful wings flapping as the Sybarite Eagle flew over the army of the Lanteran League. Back in his own body, Gabriel smiled. Battle was finally upon them and they probably had less than two days to prepare for it.

"Win or lose, the time has come to abandon the Rose. Fight your battle if you must, but we must make haste to Silverwick regardless of the result."

The shock passed in a moment. Replaced by elation that turned Gabriel's smile into a vicious grin.

THE NEXT DAY

To say that the mercenaries weren't happy would be an understatement. Weeks of easy life killing, raping and stealing from defenseless villagers had apparently been enough to make them forget the true purpose of their mission. Not that it mattered to Gabriel anymore. He finally had a goal, Silverwick. The Legion would be reborn in the very place it was destroyed. "Seems fitting don't you think? I'm rather eager to see just what sort of people my fellows have brought up as their Chosen. Though knowing them, we shouldn't be holding much hope of anything worth our Dream."

Gabriel for his part, was busy riding along the hastily assembled battle lines placed directly before one of the river Saerin's fords. The only place within marching distance where they could make a stand and nullify the Lanteran numerical superiority. The Thorn Captain wasn't really invested into winning the battle for the Wise Masters, Manzini or the Rose. It would simply be easier to sneak away if his army didn't collapse at the first charge.

Bringing Megathocles to a stop above the hill that rose behind the right flank of his army, Gabriel dismounted and drew the longbow from its quiver in the saddle. "Is it really worth the effort?". Of course it was. With Alessandra flying over the opposing army and the Prince's command of the winds, Gabriel would be able to land impossible shots upon the Lanteran ranks. Slay officers and force them to charge through the ford. They had done it before, "Agatho" was renowned as the best archer within the Rose. And it wasn't only because he favored the weapon since his youth.

[color=GOLD]"The men are exhausted, surly and outnumbered. We could certainly win this. But it's not worth the effort or attention it would draw to us." Gabriel ignored him and drew an arrow even as he also saw with Alessandra's eyes, hovering above the enemy lines looking for a suitable target.

The Thorn Captain loosed the arrow and smiled beneath his helmet as it kept flying longer than it had any right to be. Until it eventually fell among the Lanteran troops. From Alessandra's eyes, he saw a officer fall from his horse with an arrow lodged in his visor. And so he did it again, again and again. Until the front ranks of the enemy force took up into a run, while the rest rushed to catch up after a moment of indecision. As they got closer, the Rose's own archers loosed their own arrows. Their barrage felling more men as they reached the ford, but not nearly enough

The two lines clashed. Pikes, spears and polearms thrusting from both sides of the brawl as the Lanterans, more numerous and fresher, pushed on from their inferior position. With water up to their knees and their own archers now starting to form up at the opposite bank. Gabriel watched, frown deepening and forehead sweating under the sun, as his lines started to buckle. "Took them long enough"

"Send Amarro with the reserve to the center!"Gabriel barked to one of his aides. Fighting off the slight soreness that crept into his arms whenever the Prince allowed him to use his arrow trick. It used to be worse, but it seems even years of practice can't really make him fully immune to its effects.

By this point Alessandra had already returned to him, digging her sharp talons on his right shoulder guard as both watched the battle on the ford. The river runs red as clumps of bodies flow downstream. But even then the men under Gabriel's command are faltering. The Lanterans have a foothold on their bank and his reserves are spent. They are still going to hold out for a while yet, if morale doesn't crumbles now. But there's no way they can win this. Not that surrender is an option either. After everything his mercenaries did, Gabriel doubts the Lanterans will be in the mood for mercy.

Time to put the escape plan into motion. The hill turned command post was somewhat removed from the host. And now that the entire mercenary force has thrown itself into holding the ford this distance has only increased. Which makes this next step easier. Gabriel mounts Megathocles again, turning his horse and riding down the hill on the opposite side. If any of his men were looking back, they would see their commander apparently abandoning them. That would be enough to end the battle right there. Without anyone else able to rally the men, they would crumble and route. But mere moments after he disappears, the Thorn Captain crests the hill again, on foot. Now shouting encouragements to his men as he waves the Rose banner over his head.

Meanwhile, Gabriel spurs Megathocles faster. He's not even sure the ruse may hold. And even then that still wouldn't mean shit if the Lanterans still broke through the weakening battle line. So all he could do was ride faster and hope that he had gotten enough distance between him and the Lanterans by the time they finally crushed the mercenaries. It was an unfortunate sacrifice to sacrifice his closest followers like that. It had taken over a decade of subtle influencing and exhausting channeling of Agabyzus' power to get those men to the level of blind loyalty that made them agree immediately to die for him and cover his flight. "Good pawns are hard to come by, yes. But even the best pawn is expendable. Think no more of it, we have a long journey to Silverwick. Just be glad no one else caught us while we packed our things last night."

Tear the World Down

@Drunken Conquistador@MegaOscarPwn I've got "Entire Family likely slaughtered" I'd say we're all good.

@BurningCold

Maybe we could set up an EVIL support group or something.

Tear the World Down

There is mine, hope you all like it! Sorry if the backstory is a bit cliché with all the "uh my mama dead" but I think it's actually a good set-up for Rägnar.

@MegaOscarPwn

I've got "Dead Little Sister" in mine :P. As long as it justifies why we're going to go all "Fallen Lords" on Avalon I think it will be fine

Tear the World Down

Also @Drunken Conquistador @Silver Carrot I know it may be force of habit from other RPs, but you don't have to tuck CSs into hiders in the Characters tab. Feel free to show 'em off!

EDIT: @Whoami snuck one in on me too while I was typing that. This applies to you too!

@Sierra

I wanted to give readers a chance to prepare themselves before witnessing the glory of Agabyzus :P

Tear the World Down

@Drunken Conquistador Yes, that is the initial premise. I needed a metaphorical flagpole around which to rally the party and the sight of the Legion's greatest rampage seemed fitting.

@Sierra

Ok, two further questions: Where is Silverwick in relation to the rest of the world (Imperium, Free Cities, etc)? and are our own separate trips there going to be arc unto themselves or are we just time skipping?

Tear the World Down

Working on my intro post. And just to make sure, we're all supposed to be heading to Silverwick, right?

Tear the World Down

Art by by Pojypojy ©

GABRIEL DIGANI / AGATHO D'AMERE
THE THORN CAPTAIN

{{ MALE || 37 }}

APPEARANCE

Tall and dark haired, as usual among the people of Valette, Gabriel lets his hair grow to reach the nape of his neck and wears a beard that is as well kept as one would expect from a mercenary. His features transmit an aura of confidence and his behavior often changes at the drop of a hat, depending on who he's dealing with. Sometimes, however, the mask slips and the disdain he feels for most of those around him leaks.

Like any self respecting sellsword, Gabriel is paranoid enough to keeps his wealth close to him. Rings, earrings, chains and hidden pouches sewn into his clothes.

BIOGRAPHY

The middle child of Antonio Digani, one of the most prominent merchant princes of the Grand Republic of Valette, Gabriel grew in a life of privilege wanting for nothing under the care of a loving parents and two sisters with which he got along reasonably well. Values such as loyalty to the family and the importance of duty were instilled into young Gabriel ever since he could walk. The boy did not question it. As far as Gabriel was concerned, that was to be his lot in life and he would be content doing it.

His idyllic childhood ended shortly after his 11th birthday when a shipwreck killed his father. The death of its patriarch threw the Digani family into disarray. With his mother withdrawing into depression and seclusion, the family's affairs were left into the hands of Gabriel's older sister, the then 16 year old Isabella. The host of lesser functionaries and relations was simply not enough to rein the wild and free spirited girl, who for the first time in her life could finally enjoy the total freedom she craved for so long. The Digani's fortunes faltered, of course, and some of their standing within Valette was lost. But disaster was avoided, even if sometimes only barely, by loyal and skilled stewards. Sometimes Isabella even managed to actually do something useful, like land a useful contact in one of her wild parties. Meanwhile, Gabriel continued to be the always dutiful younger brother, even as he grew to disapprove his sister's behavior.

With his mother still withdrawn into her own little sad world, Gabriel was yet too young to be fully involved in the family's affairs. So he busied himself with caring for his younger sister, Alessandra. By the time he had grown old enough to work in the Digani business, Gabriel's opinion of his eldest sister, now the family's matriarch, had sunken even lower. Under Isabella's stead, the Digani's had been gone from one of the greatest trading families of the Grand Republic to a mere middling power. Not only that, but as the siblings grew older, their personalities became too much for the other to bear.

Still, Gabriel served the family to the best of his abilities, whether it was managing the accounts or leading bands of retainers into the mountains to raid rival caravans or protect their own. For some time this routine continued even as Gabriel grew increasingly disgruntled with how his older sister handled their estates. Even young Alessandra grew distant from his brother, now her own woman eager to get out of her sibling's shadows. It was during this time that the then 20 year old Gabriel found a pair of silver earrings among the goods of a caravan belonging to a rival family.

Over the next two years, the relationship between all Digani siblings only worsened. Still, Gabriel served his sister. With grinding teeth, deep scowls and recriminations flowing whenever he opened his mouth to her, but still the ever obedient little brother. Things finally exploded when Gabriel caught his sister sneaking out of their mansion. Following her through the wide cobbled streets of Hightown and into the narrow and dizzying pathways of the lower city, he was shocked to discover that his little sister was on the verge of eloping with Enrico Firnesse, the scion of one of the Digani's greatest rivals and whom they were fighting an all but declared trade war.

Listening only to his anger, Gabriel stormed into the lovebird's alcove. Deaf to their words, by the time he realized what he had done it was too late. Alessandra and Enrico were dead, alongside a few unfortunate bystanders who had stumbled upon the scene and had to be silenced. Hurriedly switching his bloodied clothes for a mismatch of clean garments from his victims, Gabriel rushed back home. For the first time in years, completely at a loss of what to do.

Two weeks later, his hands would be forced, as word of his foul deeds finally came to light. With a bounty on his head and two powerful families baying for his blood, Gabriel fled the city of Valette with whatever he could carry. Eventually settling in the Free City of Rialza and joining the Company of the Thorn, like desperate and aimless youths often do. Taking the name of Agatho D'amere and forging a fake identity to escape the bounty hunters after his blood and Isabella's vengeance.

And so 17 years passed, "Agatho" distinguishing himself among the ranks of the Free Companies for his talents both inside and outside the battlefield. Eventually reaching the rank of Captain and earning his own command within the Company of the Thorn, alongside a reputation across the land for both competence and his cruel treatment of both deserters and oathbreakers.

That is not to say that Gabriel Digani is completely dead. Deep within his soul, the man still holds out a sliver of hope that someday he will return home and not only take his rightful place as the head of the Digani family, but the entire Grand Republic of Valette. For too long greedy, foolish and decadent wastrels have been allowed to run his homeland. Too busy with their petty games of coin and wealth to realize the true potential of the realm they claim to rule. For now, however, Gabriel is forced to cavort with swaggering killers and disgusting, sniveling servants. But someday, and he feels that it's soon, the day will come when he will finally gain the means to make his dreams come true. And when that day comes he is ready to throw himself headfirst into whatever enterprise or adventure presents itself, consequences be damned.


SKILLS

-- An example of his trade.

A noble's education followed by years commanding the Digani retainers and then even more time doing mercenary work have made Gabriel a force to be reckoned with in the battlefield, both as a commander of man and a fighter.

-- A head for numbers.

As the scion of a family of wealthy traders, Gabriel also received a merchant's education. Something that was honed by his years working for the Digani's. When he came to the Thorn's employ, these financial and administrative skills proved to be well regarded by the mercenaries.

Through the eyes of beasts.

Secret to all but him, the Thorn Captain has mastered a unusual aetheric discipline at the behest of his hidden benefactor. With some little preparation, Gabriel can impose his will upon animals, control their actions and see through their eyes. The extent of this control varies depending on the animal, wild beasts whom he has just met are harder to dominate than those who are already bonded to him.

WEAPONS

Serathi longbow

A masterwork bow the color of burnished gold Gabriel looted from a dead Wrelm during his early days in the company. The weapon has grown to be his favorite and the Thorn Captain can easily be found among the front ranks, loosing arrow after arrow with constant accuracy before joining the fray.

Alessandra

A Sybarite Eagle Gabriel has raised himself, Alessandra is both a companion and vessel of his will. Always hanging at her master's shoulder, a large and imposing figure of deadly talons and piercing eyes. It also serves as a scout, as unknown to others, Gabriel can take over the animal's mind and fly across the land to bring valuable information to the Company.

Assorted weaponry

As a mercenary of both certain wealth and status, Gabriel has access to a small variety of weaponry, which he selects according to his needs on the battlefield. And though none of these tools are as prized as the Serathi longbow, the Thorn Captain is also rather fond of the simple sword and shield combination or the halberd.

OTHER

-- Megathocles

Gabriel's own warhorse. An animal of impeccable breeding that cost the Thorn Captain a small fortune to acquire. The black horse is temperamental with anyone that isn't his own master, quick to anger and attack but utterly obedient whenever the Captain sits on the saddle or hold its reins.

AGABYZUS, THE BRASS PRINCE

{{ MALE }}

TOTEM

A pair of silver earrings

The trinket

.

PERSONALITY

Proud, blunt, disdainful and with grudges for several lifetimes, Agabyzus was once a Prince. Believing himself a great and just Lord, young Agabyzos looked at the world around him and found it wanting. When his father died, he sought to usurp his brother so that he could tear down the nation and rebuild it in his own image of what a land should be. Though victorious, a single kingdom wasn't enough for the now King Agabyzus. The whole world would be remade according to his perfect ideals, and if he had to burn it down first to make his dream come true, then all the better.

Among the Legionnaires, Agabyzus was regarded as perhaps one of the most merciful. Though destructive, cruel and callous to almost all those around him, the Brass Prince overall goal went beyond simple minded revenge or the desire to burn down the world. Agabyzus wished to create a perfect state, where he could rule as God-King and create his own vision of paradise on Earth. As twisted as it may have looked like to a sane outside Observer.

The defeat has only embittered Agabyzus. Who saw his chances to realize his life dream slip through his fingers as he was confined to the enchanted trinket. Upon finding his way to Gabriel, however, the Brass Prince found someone that he could almost relate to. Sibling problems and a burning hidden ambition (who even Gabriel refused to acknowledge) were something he was familiar with. And so he started influencing the young man who now wore his totem. Slowly and subtly at first, waiting for a chance to fully reveal himself.

This chance finally appeared after Alessandra's murder and Gabriel's flight from Valette. Hopeless, desperate and aimless, the young man was smitten by the regally beautiful figure that showed up in his dreams. So easily swayed and enthralled by harsh but honest words and promises of glory and forbidden knowledge.

SKILLS

-- I am the Storm

From using the winds to give greater range and accuracy to arrows to bringing down the wrath of the heavens upon his foes, the Brass Prince's domain over the winds was without equal.

-- Even in Death

Despite considering himself less barbaric than his fellow Legionnaires, Agaybyzus still left a trail of death and destruction in his quest to create Paradise. Always a practical man, the Brass Prince sought to learn ways to make use of the piles of bodies left by his grisly work for something other than grim warnings and food for his servants. Necromancy proved to be a very fertile field of research.

-- Golden Radiance

Though not as apparent as his other abilities, the Brass Prince also learned to use aetheric power as a subtle way of ensuring the loyalty of his followers. Emitting an aura of regal authority that wore down even the most stalwart enemy if given enough time.

Tear the World Down - Dark Fantasy Done Differently

@Isotope Well it is seven, eight if you count Sierra's character. And what delightful company we're all bringing to the table!

@BurningCold

A lot of people from the Free Cities though

#FREECITYREPRESENT