Ryuzaki's Thoughts

[Ryuzaki]

This is my story, my world as I saw it. This is the path I have taken. I have no regrets.

• It's Dangerous to Go Alone: In Santaruz, I was robbing guards when a man got in my way. We briefly glared at each other, before I disappeared into the shadows.

• Sanctuary Disturbed: Near Santaruz, I joined a bandit group to loot a village, but turned on them after a young mage, Vivian, convinced me that there would be more rewards if I helped defend them. A mysterious swordmaster, Yaen, and a fiery mounted mage, Elias, helped and the bandits were utterly demolished.

• There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch (support): I spoke with Vivian about my dream to destroy privilege over lunch. She convinced me to visit her grandfather, who she claimed might be able to help me discern a path.

• Homecoming: I visitied Vivian's grandfather, who told me of his own struggles trying to equalize the world and eliminate the rule of the nobles. He cautioned me about my approach and told me to value what I have.
  

• The Less than Noble Thief: I was in Caelin trying to continue petty thievery when I saw a man rushing a young girl to a church. I followed, expecting to steal coin, but saw from his fishy demeanor that he was up to no good. I joined his effort, and found my truest friend, Rogus. The girl, Ingrid, was full Sacaean, so she had a lot of moral issues and created quite a fuss. We were almost caught because of her interference, but she escaped with her life and so did we. The church robbery was quite successful.

• Honor Among Thieves (support): Rogus and I discussed our heritage. He was a Lycian noble, or once was, and we couldn't figure out exactly how to see eye to eye. We went our separate ways.

• Preparing for the Expedition: I ran into Rogus once more when I answered a flyer for an 'expedition' in Tuscana. It was a treasure-hunting gig, and to confuse matters, the girl Ingrid from before was working with the employer, Oleg. Other members included perky girl Oichi, dumb brute Carmichal and moody fool Kyle. We all signed on for the expedition on promise of handsome pay.

• Expedition on the Road: We set off from Tuscana. Immediate attacks by Molerat bandits forced us into combat, and we survived with few injuries. Rogus was wounded, though it was minor.

• Expedition: Resupplying and Resting: The expedition fell apart, still near Tuscana. I abandoned it, as did everyone else, since it seemed to be in shambles and I couldn't get along with Ingrid.

• Skeletons (support): Rogus and I talked and drank as we left the expedition. We threw around the rumors about a massive attack on the City of Heroes, and both left for Bern together. Rogus had a call from a boss of his, so I headed off on my own route.

• Hidden Gems: I made a pit stop on the Western Isles and promptly decided to leave, given the state of the tavern I had entered and the abundance of things to steal back on the mainland. 

• Clearing the Trail: I joined another expedition in Thria. We were attacked by Baels - giant spiders. The leader, Aegis, had assembled quite a group, which included the moody Kyle and other, more competent fighters. I believe their names were Orcleous, Feren, and Dietrich, mercenaries, Aethan, a knight, and Reid, a shaman. I was injured, though I survived.

• Creed of Greed: Rogus and I put forth a new plan back in Santaruz - recruit thieves to form a guild, a shadowy organization that worked to control the underworld. We laid a trap, a test of sorts, and met two new women for the guild - Burgid and Charlotte.

• Walk Back (support): As we returned to the city, Charlotte and I talked. We discussed how we worked, our strengths, and our weaknesses. She was surprisingly perceptive, like my mother. That made me uneasy, as I disliked the thought of someone who could read me and understand my misgivings.

• Masks (support): I spoke with Burgid in a Santaruz alleyway. We talked honestly, discussing strategy, and I showed her the abandoned guard tower where I was hiding out. We shared a toast to future success, and gazed at the stars.

• Logistics (support): Rogus and I spoke truly honestly, truly frankly. I shared my ultimate goal: my desire to destroy the nobles and their influence, to build a world where everyone had equal opportunity, equal hope, equal chance of success. Rogus thought me mad - I don't blame him.

• Sanguinem Symbolum: The members of our new group signed the contract, and we laid out our expectations, our rules, our code. We committed ourself to the promise of great reward for trusting in each other and working with each other.

• The Only Good Bandit: I assisted in the assault on a bandit stronghold. Hadrian, the weak Bishop with no mind for strategy, had hired me, Dietrich, and a far too friendly mercenary named Alos. We broke into an old church the bandits were using as a hideout and ascended to the top, where a crack shot from Dietrich's friend ended the struggle in style.

• Concepts of Killing: I commissioned an exotic sword, which I named Gemini. It is a larger, heavier Killing Edge, much as an Iron Blade is a larger, heavier Iron Sword. But Gemini has a secret - it can be separated into two swords, each as light as a Killing Edge, and with one serrated and one razor edge. I consider it my finest idea and my favorite weapon.

• Performance of Sword: Back in the ruins of my old village in Sacae, I met two travelers, Haschel and Duma. Both were skilled sword-fighters, and we shared stories. Duma and I had a friendly duel, which ended in a draw.

• Agent Orange: I was sent to assassinate a man named Michigan for a client. Unfortunately, the Bernese village was a hotspot for other activities, including that blasted fool Kyle, who was bumbling about, a man with a big club, and a most promising young man with silver hair. I marked the young one and then left. I'm sure he will seek me out eventually.

• Gathering Supplies: I assisted Rogus in plundering a Bernese town for supplies, though we were separated. He was working with a blue-haired mage, and I cleared out quickly when things started to go south.

• Siege South (1): I joined up with Hargus and his forces, but turned tail and ran when the battle began. It looked like a good way to avoid getting slaughtered. It apparently did turn into a slaughter, so I'm glad I had the foresight to get out of there.

• Contract with the Abyss: I killed a Lycian magistrate and bestowed upon myself the title of Assassin. Through the flashy, showy kill, I let my alias be known in order to boost my own reputation and disseminate my ideals of equalization.

• The Ashes of the Phoenix: Near Santaruz, I saw a commotion, and, moving in to see if there were any loose things to steal, saw the silver-haired one I had marked earlier trying to escape with two women, one of whom was a Pegasus rider and one of whom was a mage, 'Clover'. We escaped, and I spoke to Vincent about joining me. He accepted, and we dueled to test his power. It was nothing very elegant, but he possesses remarkable potential.

• Phantasms and Illusions (support): I followed Clover in order to help her through the confusing deep forest. We spoke and shared a meal in the woods, and I learned her real name is Mila. Something about her is exquisitely alluring, keeping my mind active and my wits on end. Or I could be going crazy. Both are possible.

• Border Battle: Vincent and I arrived near Araphen after a week of traveling and training. The village we stayed in had a problem with looting bandits, and so I agreed to help when Vincent pleaded with me. We assaulted their fort and killed their leader after a brutal struggle that got both of us wounded. Vincent seems to be reluctant to fight, but when no other options are possible, fights with great vigor, like a cornered animal. Vincent left, without a word or a trace. I did not give chase.

• Hunting Smugglers: I took a contract to intercept a smuggling caravan bound for Laus and retrieve samples. I succeeded, but ran into many old allies who stood against me - Charlotte and Duma. Another swordsman was with Charlotte, and a Cavalier was riding around raising hell as well.
  

• The Missing Persons of Ciaran: I was in Ciaran, just biding my time, when I saw Mila chasing some kidnappers. I decided to follow her and help her out, but it rapidly devolved until she was kidnapped herself. A man, Charles the Mangy, was the head honcho of the kidnappings, and I remembered him as the man with a big club from back when I first met Vincent. A Shaman, Drei, nearly bungled the whole assault on their safe house, and the mage Samantha didn't help much either. Charles the Mangy escaped.
  

• Grey Skies (support): Mila knocked on my Santaruz house door. She needed a place to stay and recuperate after her ordeal, and had managed to shake her tail. I too had avoided mine when I got home. We had a meal, and I helped her relax with a massage. She was definitely traumatized, and I couldn't blame her. She needed help falling asleep... And we had quite the time sleeping. Together, of course. It was crazy. Crazier than I am. The next morning, we shared a chocolate kiss and she departed. I... hope to see her again.

• Out of the Woodwork: I robbed a Caelin noble house in order to disrupt a wedding and send a message. During the process, I met a wanna-be pirate thief, Jude, who I helped escape and who joined me. As we looted the vault, I saw a strange sword that glowed with indigo light and hidden power. I stole it.

• Getting Stronger (support): Jude and I sparred to teach him how to fight like a thief, not a damned sea snake. During the battle, my sword spit out a purple glow and made Jude quite sick, retching and collapsing. It appears that the blade is magical, or cursed, or something. How unusual.

• Unlocking the Mysteries: In Etruria, after Jude disappeared, I met Evelyn, a woman searching for a traveling companion and protector. She had eavesdropped when I brought my new sword to an old associate, Father Jorge, for examination. He found that its name was Shinryu and that it had been forged for a Scouring warrior's use against monsters. He believed it was inhabited by the magic of Worm, a Nether art that inflicted sickness and debilitation. I agreed to escort Evelyn to Lycia.
  

• Wherefore Art Thou: I visited Tuscana and searched for Mila there. I was immediately confronted by a mysterious gold-haired assassin, who was the previous owner of Shinryu, the sword I stole from the vault. We dueled, and I defeated the adversary, claiming the allegiance of the dark blade and becoming its new master.

• Encounter: In Pherae, I met the Emerald Wraith, the assassin Jya. Together we fought off some attackers, who seemed to be out for our heads. Immediately following the battle, she was gone without a trace. Truly remarkable.
  

• A New Beginning: Vincent and I met on the plains of Sacae. After our introductions, we dueled, a fierce conflict that ended in a draw. In the battle, we both showed our proficiency with our weapons, including our magical blades. Phoenix Heart draws upon sheer power and force of light, and Shinryu calls out the debilitating power of darkness.

• Blademaster...?: After leaving Vincent on the plains, I ran across a girl dying from hunger and thirst. I spoke with her and gave her a chance to live, taking her under my wing as an apprentice. The girl, Leiva, showed great promise, and we arrived in Bulgar on our way to the rest of the world.

• Humble Beginnings: Leiva and I traveled through Bulgar and 'shopped,' allowing me to give my young apprentice some good hands-on practice. It was quite exhilarating to see her operate. It reminded me of when I began thieving, so long ago.
  

• Behind These Tired Eyes: Ongoing

• Deals With Shadows: Ongoing

[Ryuzaki]

Name: Shinryu, Fel Sword
Magic: Elder
Tome: Worm

Physical Description: i.imgur.com/o2bUYvy.png

Personality: Shinryu is an oddly quiet blade. Its power is always visible, in the form of a faint indigo glow around the blade, but it proves to be difficult to utilize. The spirit, which according to Father Jorge's estimations dates to around the Scouring, only lends its power when Ryu feels most filled with emotion, rather than reason. It seems to enjoy feelings of passion and hate particularly, and loves oaths and curses Ryu utters. How ironic.

When Ryuzaki feels strong emotions and becomes invested in a battle, Shinryu glows more ominously and emits streams of blood from the blade, which are filled with poisonous, vile Nether energy. The assassin has begun to be able to rudimentarily use this power, by causing sprays of blood droplets to splash outward over an area, or by directing smaller streams of blood over short distances. It appears to be most effective when the edge of the sword physically cuts an opponent, causing necrosis of the immediate area and other sicknesses, but the assassin lacks the experience and knowledge to detail more about its abilities yet.

Origin: Ryu found Shinryu in the vault of a minor noble, but the weapon appears to date to the Scouring, when it was forged for "Vinh the Nabatan" to be used to combat monsters. Ryu knows little more of the weapon's past, but he seeks to unlock its secrets in time. Ryuzaki has also learned that the sword was previously used and owned by a minor Lycian noble's son; the assassin stole it from its owner's possession when the sword was stored in the father's vault during the celebration of a wedding.

Post Count Obtained: 273