Shard

[closed]

“What a fucking nuisance,” came a small groan from an equally small individual. The shape of his humble home was nothing to consider impressive, with little more than a living room attached to a minuscule kitchen. At the very least, one could commend the young man on his cleanliness, considering the eternal nineteen-year-old mature enough to maintain a reasonable outlook on his abode. Artemis crumpled the letter in his hand and dropped the parchment into a metal cup. What followed were the embers of a matchstick, complying with the instructions he had been given.

“It is an honorable assignment, Artemis,” a ghostly voice trickled through the boy’s mind, before a shape manifested itself before him. It was a shame, indeed, that none could witness the beauty of Angelicus, a spirit embodying the very concept of valor and chivalry. “You ought to make your way towards the gates. Do not cause your companions to linger, on your behalf.”

Rolling his eyes, Artemis reached for a pair of cargo shorts which he proceeded to slide onto slender legs, followed by a t-shirt to cover his scrawny torso. Truly, the gear of a noble warrior. “Dude,” the boy spoke, lowering himself to the floor as he began to tug his shoes on, “they likely don’t give a shit whether I’m there, or not.” Artemis wrapped a set of dainty fingers around his trusty sword, a shorter blade that functioned perfectly with the size of its wielder. He clasped the buckle around his waist and reached for a small round shield which had kept him safe since even the days before valor followed him closely.

“Mind your language,” the ghostly entity returned, a soft sigh leaving its inhuman visage, “whether your companions' desires maintain a want for your presence is irrelevant. You have a duty, and that supersedes an emotional response.”

With a moment of silence, Artemis raised a brow at his closest friend and ally. Angelicus was a wise entity, without fault, a creature of ancient worth. Though the boy had asked his spirit of a past long since brushed aside, Angelicus maintained that previous chapters of his existence were unimportant. He would have been right, of course, but curiosity lingered within the boy now bound to this ghostly entity.

With a hand on the doorknob, Artemis stepped out of his small apartment before starting down the stone steps in an empty stairwell. Battle, war, blood, and endless conflict did not bother the boy as much as it probably should have. Indeed, there were those fearing for their lives on the daily, those who embraced their loved ones in a desperate attempt to freeze time, if for just a moment, before being forced into the abyssal maw of the Badlands. Artemis did not fall into any of these categories. He was a lonely boy, and of that, there were no lies. Only Angelicus lingered at the young man’s side, and the spirit’s presence offered the boy an ability that Artemis had no control over. The very same ability which removed his worry, and rather replaced it with a desire to fight, or die in the process.

With a long distance traveled, and the lighting of a cigarette, an exasperated sigh escaped Artemis’ lips, along with a puff of smoke, following suit. Before him, there were three other spirit users, each one a sight to behold. However, the boy did not linger and rather approached the bench before dropping to the ground next to it. “‘Sup?” Came a quiet greeting, with all the enthusiasm of apathy, where Artemis leaned against the wall in a lazy fashion. He adjusted the beanie atop his head, preventing a messy mop of raven black bangs from covering a set of large, obsidian eyes. It was time to get going.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

A slight yelp escaped Shade’s lips as he felt his chest suddenly squeezed, or rather, his lack of one. The boy’s scrawny shape was quite easily felt beneath his clothes, and the blatant vacancy of any female parts made itself abundantly clear. These people put the word ‘odd’ to shame, indeed. Never before had Shade been so blatantly grabbed, in a manner evidently.., impulsive. The boy was far from a prude and no boundaries had been crossed. However, the situation was unexpected and most certainly one to remember. Did humans interact with one another like this? The ones that he knew tended towards a more reserved disposition, perhaps considering their profession. Even so, the scene was not yet cast aside. Rather, as his new companion’s arm was grabbed, and that was oddly enough what she was, Shade’s hand immediately moved towards the hilt of his blade. None of this had played out smoothly, and every advantage the boy possessed by virtue of his appearance was dispelled by the archer at his side. She meant nothing by it, naturally. Very few people had a mindset like Shade’s, and those people were all a part of the same cult.

Countless thoughts passed through the boy, all at once. At the very least, no one was focusing on him, which allowed for a stealthy maneuver to be performed without risk of failure. However, he was not a fool, and knew full well where he found himself. In a room full of people. Perhaps if he possessed a hidden blade beneath his sleeve, he would have been able to perform a takedown without anyone noticing, but Shade had yet to achieve that rank within his own organization. Only seasoned assassins were equipped with the exotic weapon he had yet to earn.

Despite the chaos, Shade could breathe a sigh of relief, following the development of an unwanted situation. Another actor had entered the scene, and she fell into Shade’s vision before then. It was the very same individual who clad herself in armor clearly more useful in terms of seduction than impactful resistance. She had a personality strong enough to compete with two very large.., sections of interest for most men who undoubtedly viewed the girl, and it brought light onto a scenario which could have ended in disaster.

Shade lowered his hand from the hilt of his blade, where it remained sheathed above his tailbone. Fourteen inches of curved steel, well-forged and clearly smithed for one purpose, the assassin’s blade was of very simple design, and lacked adornments. A weapon of functionality, with a minimalist approach.

A pair of large, black eyes peered forward, analyzing the girl who had managed to disarm the situation through little more than the use of her voice. An impressive skill to have, where Shade lacked in social prowess. It was a feat he was somewhat envious of, indeed. “I’m okay,” came a quiet response, but it was clear that the boy had lost his appetite. He tossed the mostly-eaten apple into a trashcan, and shifted his attention back to the girls at his side. Most young men would likely consider themselves quite fortunate to stand between an armored maiden with features of beauty, and the exotic wanderer possessing an aura of grace. Shade was, however.., not quite like most young men. “Thanks..,” the boy continued, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head. “I think..,” he tried, looking towards the archer for a brief moment, before turning back to their savior, “we were hunting.., rats.”

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

It was an unexpected development, to say the least. Shade had not anticipated being approached, much less by what appeared to have been a newly spawned adventurer, much like himself. She seemed somewhat lost, which was a sentiment shared with the Dark Elf, and her attire hinted at a different venue, entirely. However, such was the case in an Adventurers Guild. Few locals made it their duty to delve into dangerous venues, and even less so the surrounding world where monstrous humanoids made their homes. Dark Elves fell into the category of those very monsters, as most would insist. It was a hatred that Shade had been warned about in a repeated fashion by both mother and father, which warranted a somewhat startled response as he turned to greet the girl who had approached him.

“O-oh, hey..,” the boy tried, nearly dropping his apple before regaining his composure. A rather embarrassing turn of events, for sure. He was, after all, supposed to be a practitioner in the shadow arts, someone who always maintained their balance and remained a step ahead at all times. At this moment, he had fallen woefully short. “Uhm..,” Shade tried, viewing the girl from beneath his hood, the boy’s ghostly skin somewhat visible beyond the shape of fabric. “Rats..,” Shade repeated, tapping his dainty fingers against the apple in his hands. It was better than cleaning ditches, that much was certain. He was also willing to admit that other than being an exercise in humility, taking on the role of cleaner warranted little in the pursuit of knowledge. Considering the girl for a moment, Shade would eventually clear his throat, and nodded. “Rats, yeah.., that sounds good,” he stated, clearly unsure. This was the first time he would work together with anyone outside The Moonshadow Cult, and it was a daunting prospect, to say the least.

However, it did not take long for the boy’s attention to snap towards someone else, entirely. Tension immediately rose to the forefront, and Shade raised his head somewhat to get a better view of the man who had made himself known with heavy, armored steps. Countless errors could be spotted in his choice of words, mainly when relating them to Shade’s gender. He was being mistaken for a girl, yet again. “I..,” the boy tried, unsure of how to approach this issue. The first lesson of a Moonshadow Assassin was to use what you had at your disposal. Being mistaken for a female could very well have been advantageous, and it was ironically one of the most effective measures in approaching a target. Women were generally prefered within close proximity, which in itself allowed for deadly executions. As was the boy’s reflexive measure, Shade immediately analyzed the man for weak spots. He was wearing scale mail, which rendered slashing motions useless. A strong enough thrust could very well break the links binding his armor together, but Shade had neither the strength nor the weapon for such a feat. Rather, it would require a routine approach.

Step one, focus on the hamstrings. His ankles lacked protection. Step two, maintain an agile maneuver, as the man’s upper body would still maintain its autonomy. Step three, seize the moment and strike at his throat when the man’s knee connected with the ground. It was one scenario that could play out, one of countless. The other was to focus on that heavy mace that hung at the man’s belt. Maintain patience, and wait for him to reach for the weapon, where a much faster draw would allow Shade to strike at the man’s hand, before the mace found itself in his grip. A steel badge hanging from the man’s belt indicated one truth more so than anything else. This man was far more experienced than the elf, and in a fight, Shade stood no chance. The boy’s father could have ended an aggressive exchange within seconds, with lightning-fast motions barely registered by an untrained eye. However, Shade remained far from that level. “Thank you,” the Dark Elf spoke, maintaining a polite approach. The second rule of a Moonshadow Assassin, always disarm the person you are interacting with, by making them feel at ease. “Your offer is appreciated, Sir,” Shade continued, “but I believe we’ll manage the feat on our own,” he finished, offering the man a soft, if tender smile beneath the boy’s hood. This less than desired guest was not the only man who made himself a source of attention, however. Shade needed only turn his head slightly for the boy’s eyes to widen. Never before had he seen an armor so.., exotic, in its design, as it was on a girl who had only recently stepped through the front door.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Barely an acorn among oak trees stretching far into the sky, a mere child in the presence of the ageless, elven-kind surely viewed the young creature timidly pushing a wooden door open, with curious eyes. This would, of course, have been true, had a hood not obfuscated that of which lingered beneath, ghostly pale skin with pointed ears making themselves known through strands of thick, black, and unkempt hair. It was a common choice of attire for the youngster, black eyes vigilantly maintaining a guarded disposition in response to slight paranoia. Dark Elves, they were creatures trusted as far as the edge of a knife, and for good reason, indeed. Yes, despite the ageless beauty of elven kind, the nature of their darker cousins warranted distrust and hatred. One would not blame Shade for keeping his hood secured over the boy’s features, in response to this truth.

His father’s instructions were clear, and the days where Shade had been traveling left little else to consider. ‘Learn of the world’, he said, ‘know what it is we seek to protect, from the shadows where we hide’. Indeed, The Moonshadow Cult was a group of outcasts, a gathering of criminals seeking a new path through the devastated remains of what they called their existence. Murderers, thieves, and assassins gathering to put aside what had previously painted them unsavory and rather repenting from beyond the veil of darkness. It was a controversial development, for who would forgive those with blood on their hands? Ironic was it, then, that the boy whose eyes dark like an abyss was draped in a blanket of innocence, still. There was no past which he sought to escape, no misdeeds he had put behind. Of course, the virtue of his birth could perhaps be debated in terms of criminal acts. ‘The only good Dark Elf is a dead Dark Elf,’ was a saying Shade had come across on his travels, albeit short-lived as of yet.

”Rats, cleaning, and goblins..?” A thought trickled through Shade’s mind, small, dainty fingers tracing themselves across the Adventurers Guild bulletin board which towered over him. Entering the building had been a daunting prospect in itself, and now it appeared all the more real. ”Should I start small?” The boy continued, slender, pale lips remaining shut as consideration circled his focus. ”Don’t think I can fight a bunch of goblins on my own..,” a small sigh slipped past the boy’s parted lips, before he took a step back. Reaching a hand into his shoulder bag, Shade produced an apple before biting into the succulent, green surface. ”Dad would have had me cleaning the ditches in a heartbeat,” Shade rolled his eyes, and took another bite of his meal. Fruit was an elf’s first choice of nourishment, and meat did not go well with the ageless entities. It was a common statement that the ecosystem would suffer in response to creatures of such longevity to live through the death of beasts.

The slender dagger gently resting above Shade’s tailbone would proceed to paint the boy somewhat exotic, in his approach. He wore no armor, for the weight would slow him down, and the sound of metallic grinding severely hindered motions of stealth. He was clearly a dextrous individual, judging from a lithe, slim frame, with little more than a curved blade at his disposal. Indeed, Shade’s dainty nature had warranted misjudgment several times already, where he was mistaken for the fairer sex. Androgeny in his voice did little in rectifying the issue. Inhaling a sharp breath, the elf leaned back on the balls of his feet, looking from right to left, and considered his next action. This was the start of a long, arduous trial.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Shade

Name
🌑 Shade.

Age
🌑 Sixteen.

Race
🌑 Dark Elf.

Gender
🌑 Male.

Appearance
🌑 A pair of large, black and somewhat melancholy eyes would appear prevalent over a small, pale nose.
🌑 Upon a face offering the impression of a ‘resting bitch’, one can note pale, almost ghostly skin.
🌑 An expression of apathy could perhaps be pinpointed on the young man's features, which at times makes way for a barely visible smile or subtle frown.
🌑 A distinct lack of facial hair makes itself obvious on his Shades features, lacking a shave's lingering shadow, which could very well be a racial trait.
🌑 His lips are a thin, pale line beneath a small nose, most often remaining closed unless words cling to the boy’s mind.
🌑 Following this theme of petit, and pale, Shade’s pointy, if somewhat small ears are constantly hiding beneath a mop of black, oftentimes unkempt hair.
🌑 Indeed, the raven black nature of the boy's hair would clearly contrast itself against a ghostly shape.
🌑 One would be right considering Shade’s somewhat soulless gaze an unnerving experience, to say the least, which has been a rather detrimental part of social interaction, for the teenager.

🌑 Standing at a meager five feet and three inches, there is not much which would indicate a threat, from Shade.
🌑 In fact, it would be safe to say that his petite and scrawny frame offers a somewhat pathetic aura.
🌑 If he was to remove his shirt, a pale body with each rib visible would make itself known, where Shade’s scrawniness settles itself in confirmation.
🌑 A set of slender limbs color him dainty, if anything, where Shade’s digits could easily be mistaken for that of a female's.
🌑 As per the lack of facial hair, one would be right in suspecting that the theme is continued across Shade’s scrawny body, which is a clear indication of his elven heritage.
🌑 With a weight of seventy pounds to carry him, Shade would not be seen eager to participate in heavy-lifting.
🌑 Few muscles can be seen across his body, which at this point any onlooker would have been able to deduce.

🌑 In regards to clothing, Shade feels most at home in baggy fabric, which isn't hard to procure for his specific body type.
🌑 He is often seen in a shoulder bag, which contains a case of pens, along with notebooks, sketchbooks, and also, lockpicks.
🌑 Upon his hands, Shade wears a pair of black, fingerless gloves.
🌑 It is not uncommon to see him wrapped in scarfs, considering how the teenager freezes incredibly easily, and can barely handle the cold.
🌑 He variates between shoes and boots, with the former choice a much more common sight.
🌑 It is very common for Shade to have a hood on, mainly to obscure his nature.
🌑 When speaking, Shilo's quiet, somber voice has a raspy tint to it.

Height
🌑 Five feet, three inches.

Eye Color
🌑 Black.

Hair Color
🌑 Black.

Personality
🌑 Quiet, reserved, and withdrawn people are not a rarity, and most would consider this fortunate.
🌑 Shade is one of these reserved individuals, who prefers silence over rhythm.
🌑 This is not to say, however, that the teenager's introverted personality warrants a dislike of company.
🌑 Indeed, Shade enjoys having others at his side, despite what one would, perhaps, initially suspect.
🌑 Where he is most often seen secluded in solitude with eyes set on a drawing coming to life upon the pages of his sketchbook, Shade would welcome others into the scenario.
🌑 He does not seek company in the form of an active decision, however, which does brand him an oddity.
🌑 Yes, Shade is an outsider, if there ever was once.
🌑 Though, with all of his in mind, those who do know Shade could point towards him as a pleasant individual, all things considered.

🌑 Shade conducts himself with discipline and respect towards his elders, which would immediately hint at a background of distinct regality.
🌑 Manners, most would claim, are Shade’s most notable social strengths, whether at a table, or hallway.
🌑 He speaks in a quiet tune, which oftentimes warrants a repeat of his statements.
🌑 Shade is a kind-hearted teenager, indeed, but lacks much of what would be considered an attractive approach in groups.
🌑 If he finds himself amongst others, Shade tends to make himself scarce, and acts as a voice unheard.
🌑 He tends to pull away, and maintain his presence in the background, which has often prompted others to pull him back in.

🌑 Shade’s love for animals knows no bounds.
🌑 If he is seen with a critter on hand, it is because somewhere along his daily routines, the teenager found a wounded animal which he promptly decided to nurse back to health.
🌑 Equally so, Shade has a weak spot for the 'cute and fuzzy', which is a secret he keeps close to heart.
🌑 He enjoys romance, to a fault, and reads novels with a heavy focus on the subject more often than he would like to admit.
🌑 Around those he happened to feel an attraction to, Shade comes off as shy, but is easily hidden beneath his overall reserved nature.

🌑 With all of this in mind, the boy is still part of a cult.
🌑 Being an assassin, or an acolyte in the way of murder, Shade carries himself with cold and calculated executions in more aggressive interactions.
🌑 Despite valuing life to a certain point, cracks in this philosophy can be seen, when he draws his blade.

Likes
🌑 Knives.
🌑 Sneaking.
🌑 Animals.
🌑 Playing cards.
🌑 Guessing games.
🌑 Parlor tricks, (watching them).

Dislikes
🌑 Bright lights.
🌑 Large, open spaces.
🌑 Loud sounds.
🌑 Recklessness.

Hobbies
🌑 Drawing.
🌑 Wood carving.

History
Birth
🌑 Stories concerning Dark Elves tend towards a single tune, that they are servants of Evil.
🌑 This is, related to the absolute majority, true.
🌑 However, as is the case for most sentient beings, not all agree on the same ideals.
🌑 A handful of Dark Elves strayed from their kinsmen, which in turn branded them traitors and deserters.
🌑 Shade's parents were two of these peculiar individuals, those who saw less of an appeal in bowing to the forces of evil.
🌑 Whether an act of morality or self-preservation, it was a motion dictated by differing desires.
🌑 Demons are interested in one thing, and one thing alone, which is power.
🌑 Where most Dark Elves either ignored this fact, or failed to witness it, some were heavily affected by the glaring truth.

🌑 Shade was born following these events, where his early years were spent in hiding.
🌑 Of course, one ought not to blame the family of three, as Dark Elves had warranted their prejudice through actions of horror and tyranny.
🌑 Due to the immensely difficult climate, maintaining the presence of other Dark Elves who had abandoned the Demon Lords was nearly impossible.
🌑 Larger groups are easier to spot, and most certainly warrant more attention.
🌑 A small family of Dark Elves might be considered a shunned oddity, but not quite a threat.
🌑 A group of Dark Elves is an act of aggression all on its own.

🌑 It was what prompted Shade's parents to separate from their kinsmen even further, abandoning both friend and foe, in an attempt to remain sheltered by this obfuscation.
🌑 Shade was born, though cliché, in a cave.
🌑 It was his home, and it was a location both remote, and easy to protect.
🌑 Vegetation was rich, which allowed for fruit, and the confined space of a dark cave allowed for protection.
🌑 This was where Shade's life began, the product of two Dark Elves who had taken a step away from everything they once knew, in an attempt to carve their own path.

Cult of Moonshadow
🌑 Not long after Shade's sixth birthday did his father introduce him to the arts of shadow stalking.
🌑 It was also when Shade was initiated into a cult ran by his parents.
🌑 It was called The Cult of Moonshadow, and consisted of mainly humans, all of whom hailed from darker backgrounds.
🌑 Though controversial, and by all intents unknown, The Cult of Moonshadow was a new chapter, a haven for thieves, thugs, murderers, and criminals to cast aside their past misdeeds, and aim their dark skills at another target.
🌑 The Cult was built by Shade's parents as a zealous organization focusing on the assassination of monsters, and those who would support in their advance.
🌑 'Evil, to fight Evil', is a saying often used within this obscure, unknown cult.
🌑 The Cult of Moonshadow currently has fifteen members, and Shade is by far the youngest.
🌑 The main goal of this cult is to eventually assassinate the Demon Lords, and those who would follow them.
🌑 It is a far off dream, but one they pursue with extreme intent.

Setting Out
🌑 Still in training to become a true slayer of monstrous fiends, no acolyte on this path would manage a day in the role, without understanding the surrounding world.
🌑 Shade needed to learn what it meant to actually fight monsters, and what it meant to interact with the environment.
🌑 Where the safety of a cult he had known throughout the boy's life was comfortable indeed, the trials ahead would not look kindly upon him.
🌑 At sixteen years of age, Shade was deemed ready to venture beyond Moonshadow, and return one day, when he had grown accustomed to the world his cult aimed to aid, in their own way, through the shadows.
🌑 Shade was instructed to join the Adventurers Guild where this trial would find itself performed most effectively.
🌑 He was also told to hide his true nature whenever possible.
🌑 Of course, he was to never speak of Moonshadow, but rather return a wise young man, with the world surrounding him none the wiser in turn.

Adventuring Rank
🌑 Porcelain

Equipment
Assassin's Blade
🌑 A light-weight, small blade.
🌑 Not suited for prolonged clashing.

🌑 Blade

Traveling Gear
🌑 Light, barely defensive armor.
🌑 Includes a cloak for obfuscation, and warmth.

Lockpicks
🌑 Intermediate tools for less advanced locks.

Porcelain Adventurer's Tag
🌑 Just a start.

Skills
Assassination
🌑 Shade's main skill is delivering attacks to unguarded, weak spots.
🌑 Rather than swinging at his opponent, Shade gauges their movements and calculates the most devastating area to strike.
🌑 He prefers his opponents to be focusing on someone else, in combat, which makes Shade far deadlier.

Stealth
🌑 As is the bread and butter of an assassin, Shade is incredibly stealthy, and sneaky.
🌑 He moves with weightless steps, and prefers to stick to the shadows.

Lockpicking
🌑 Shade is adept at picking locks, and going where he's not supposed to be.
🌑 The ability can, however, be used for good, especially when releasing prisoners.

[closed]

Question - Can we interact with our spirits? I saw that only the spirit user could see their own spirit.

Question 2 - If so, can the spirit appear and vanish into the user at will?

Question 3 - If the spirit can appear for the spirit user, and also interact with them, I assume that the spirit is limited to physical interaction with only their spirit user, and none of the environment?

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I'll make my character once I get home from work.

[closed]

Still accepting people?

I read that you were going with a four person team, so I'm wondering if the rp is full.