Donovan's Notes on Life and Giants

[Donovan]

Name: Fragarach

Magic: Anima

Tome: Excalibur

State: Unleashed


Physical Description:
Fragarach is a beautiful sword with an otherworldly atmosphere. Its leafed blade is lined with a spiraling pattern etched into the metal that should have long since faded away, yet are somehow still slightly visible. It’s blade is a around 3 feet long and either side has a razor sharp edge. It is a weapon that is clearly designed to cut and slash, rather than pierce. The blade seems to radiate a barely visible green aura if you aren’t looking directly at it, but when used in a more serious battle, or when it a great injustice is occurring, the pattern etched into the blade become very clear and glow a rich green.

Its grip is made out of a horn, the specific species it comes from is unknown, but given that the blade was forged around the Scouring, it may very well be dragon. Worn green leather wraps around the horn, to improve its wielder’s grip. The pommel, made of the same material as its blade, is an exquisitely detailed visage of a dragon’s head, with an open mouth; small, sharp fangs; and emerald eyes.


Personality:
Fragarach has some slight delusions of grandeur. Fragarach sees itself as a guide toward greatness for its wielder, therefore, it won’t unlock its power to you until it sees you complete a daring act of heroism. Whenever the blade sees actions it dislikes, it tends to rile up the air around it. How heavily things will gust depend on how grotesque the act. When it notices something like slavery taking place nearby, the air near the blade will lash out rapidly, to inform Fragarach’s wielder.

Being a sword who so staunchly believes in honor, whenever Fragarach believes someone to be lying, a breeze will blow off of the blade. This is how, for a time Fragarach became known as “The Answerer”, because its wielder seemed to have a supernatural intuition when someone was lying. It hates when its owner lies or cheats, thinking that anything less than complete honor is unworthy of its power. On rare occasions through the sword’s history, it will begin to overlook trivial behavior if its wielder repeatedly proves themselves to be a true hero.


Origin:
Forged in a time long past, its creation story remains little more than myth. The story of Fragarach says that it was made during the Scouring, not to fight against the Dragons, but to protect innocents on both sides. It is said to choose its wielder, bound to them until death. Due to the type of master it is so often drawn to, coupled with the blade’s constant insistence on pure honor and nobility, the heroes it chooses tend to have bloody ends. Fragarach remained intact, traveling from hero to hero, always ending in their unfortunate demise, until lost in a large stone fortress hidden in the mountains of Tania where its wielder, his army, and his enemies army allegedly routed each other. 100 years past, until a young mercenary named Donovan with a penchant for lying, manipulation, and generally roguish behavior found Fragarach in those ruins and was unexpectedly bonded to the sword.


Post count obtained: 100

[Donovan]

Updated Appearance:
Donovan, 21 during the LCO arc, is significantly stronger than when he first left home, his time traveling with Perun forcing him to grow far beyond what he'd thought possible when he'd left. He now weighs in at somewhere around 215 pounds, no longer just toned, but actually having some useful muscle. Along his chest run three long scars from where he was nearly killed by an undead in the Ilian forest, a constant reminder of why running away is sometimes not just the best option, but the only option. He keeps Fragarach belted at his hip, ready to be drawn when needed, and still wears a targe on his left forearm. While his cloths and armor have remained mostly the same, the silver tongued mercenary thinks it might be time for an upgrade, with the Etrurian war looming overhead and him right in the thick of things.

Combat Style:
Donovan fights with a Sword and Shield - Slash and Bash ruthless efficiency. He has blended element’s of Duma’s graceful skill and Perun’s ferocity. He will frequently use his skills of deception to trick his opponents into lowering their guard. He has adapted an unusual use of the sword Fragarach, emitting a constant coating of air around the sword that allows him to more easily manipulate and parry his enemies attacks and defenses. Donovan will not always focus on using lethal force with the blade, as disarming or inhibiting your enemy's ability to fight is, in his opinion, often more efficient in combat than actively trying to kill with each blow.

With Fragarach, Donovan is particularly dangerous. He applies his out of the box thinking into using the weapon not just for launching attacks, but also to manipulate the battle field and improve his mobility. Now that his connection with the weapon is at a near unrivaled level, he is able extend the reach of his weapons defense, making the sword an even more powerful weapon when parrying other's weapons. The force of the wind around Frag able to redirect most weapons in close combat. He's also teaching himself how to use powerful bursts from the weapon to launch himself further into the sky with jumping, to allow himself some extra ability to avoid and move around enemies. He'll often use blunt gusts of wind, rather than sharp attacks, to set his opponent off balance rather than just try to kill them outright. 

Training:
Before becoming a mercenary, Donovan had been a trouper well versed in stage combat. This training gave him the basics of combat, but he was prone to over exaggerating his attacks for most of his days as a caravan guard because of this.

After meeting Perun, he received informal strength training from the Giant, resulting in the mercenary adapting a pure strength approach to his combat that had a tendency to leave him relatively open to counter attacks. He still travels with Perun and they have been on the road with each other for more or less half a year.

His latest training was from Duma, focusing on speed and efficiency. During his time traveling with the sword master, Donovan learned how to control his strength and speed and closed up many of his once glaring defensive holes. His training included sparring on many occasions with the sword master, and learning how to fight with or without his shield, and with his sword in either hand. He trained with Duma for at least 3 months.

Battle Experience:
Donovan has gotten into a number of fights and killed a number of men. He started out getting into bar brawls (Which are still occasional occurrences for the lad), but has elevated himself to bigger prey in his time with Perun - the two becoming bounty hunters then body guards for the perpetually assaulted priest, Remus. After finishing that journey, they went on to take government jobs rooting out banditry and the like in the Lycian area, as well as taking a short trip to the recently discovered Vinland, before joining the LCO where Donovan became the leader of their mercenary branch, Wein Lowell's confidant and subordinate.

The mercenary is skilled in single combat with an equal opponent, but really excels when paired with Perun, as they often know each others moves before they are even made. He has been involved in many bandit raids, but has not yet fought in a true war. Formality in battle is still an area Donovan is unskilled in, relying on his intuition and the skill of himself and his allies.

While still a very competent fighter, he tends to let allies like Perun and Duma take on the stronger opponents, as he knows his own limits. His intelligence, however, leads him to be rather proficient at strategy when on the field making him a natural leader — though long term campaigns are an area he is currently being tested in through the LCO.

Donovan's most notable fight thus far, was alongside Duma, Perun, Remus, and an Ilian mercenary named Carter. Donovan and Carter held off the Swordmaster, Sev, until Duma was able to take over the fight. Donovan then took on an assassin that had had an arm crippled by Duma. After getting wounded multiple times by the assassin without being able to land a solid hit, the silver tongued mercenary allowed himself to be stabbed in the leg, so that he could hold the assassin in place, granting him the chance to land a finishing blow. After being healed by Remus, Don told Michael to give up, taunting the Ilian Reaper into attacking him with his flaming sword. Carter sacrificed himself to save Donovan's life. The silver tongued mercenary then proceeded to help Duma and Perun defeat the Ilian Reaper, landing a few hits himself. Ultimately Donovan used himself as a distraction, taunting the Reaper into attacking him, so that his allies could attack his exposed back. He managed to survive the fight, though with multiple broken bones and ribs.

Monster Experience:
Donovan learned quite a bit when he nearly died whilst being attacked by a horde of the undead. It was here that he began to see the value of his shield in combat. The mercenary has also taken on a pack of Doogs lead by a Gwyllgi, killing one of the hounds, and assisting in the death of the alpha. he mercenary has also fought a giant Bael in Vinland, though he and his allies were not the ones to land the finishing blow.

He and Perun took on a Bael in Laus that nearly killed the both of them, but the combined strength of their magic weapons and a loose pillar allowed them the chance to kill the horrifying monster before being chased away by a mysterious monster hiding in the depths of halls of the fortress. 

While fighting for the LCO, in an effort to solidify Lycian support and build/train a competent mercenary force to face Etruria, Donovan has faced Bonewalkers and a wight. Leading a small group of mercs in the battle with the skeletons, and personally dueling the Wight. He has also partaken in defending a town in Khathleet from an assault by gargoyles, leading his own men and rallying the town guard.

[Donovan]

Thread Timeline

Unlucky Day

It’s been a long time since I thought about that day. back when I was a pretty fresh faced caravan guard. I’d been running ahead of Grev’s wagon, because it was Nabata and that sandbox is hot and dry and terrible, so I convinced the merchant to let me “scout” ahead. Really I just wanted to go grab a drink in a pub. Of course, there was a brawl going on. At least it was one that I didn’t start. Ended up saving some kid and a thief from a group of drunk, axe wielding fighters, but otherwise the trip was uneventful. The kid stunk and the thief was rude, so I got out of their lives before they dragged me into any more trouble. 


Where Mountains Pierce the Sky

This wasn’t a great day for me. Grev’s entire caravan guard had been wiped out on a mountain pass by the undead, with the exception of George and myself. We finally found a town to camp at, only to be told the town was also under attack. I wanted to stay and help defend the village, but after being threatened by some bandit named Bones, I realized how in over my head I was and fled the mountains with the small remainder of the caravan.

Escape from Frozen Mountains
The day got worse. To make a long story short, after fleeing the mountain town, our caravan met up with a mage named Ravvus, who joined us in trying to flee the mountain. We were attacked by a small group of undead, though they were nothing we couldn’t handle. When we had gotten close to the hub town we were fleeing to, we were overrun by the rotting men. Ravvus decided to try and fight an entombed, so I foolishly went back to save his life. George died because of me. And I nearly died myself. If it wasn’t for that old fighter, neither the mage nor I would have made it out of those mountains with our lives. I’ll never forgive myself for that.

   
    Smile Back(Support, Ravvus)

I’m in it for the Money!

After recovering from the undead’s attack and bringing Grev and his family back to Lycia, I started looking for a new job. I was knocked to the ground by the Giant, by accident, of course, and figured that he could be a useful ally in bounty hunting. We got a gig taking out an acolyte who was sacrificing townsfolk to St. Elmine. That was the first man I’d ever killed. As much as it needed to be done, a part of me will always hate that memory. But it wasn’t all bad. It was because of that day that I met my best friend. 


    Please Explain (Support, Perun)



Frozen Flame

I met the girl who played with fire today. She’d had her sword stolen, so I helped her track it down to the local slum pub. When she saw the guy who had it, she poorer a bottle of rum on his head and lit him on fire. Then she set the whole bar on fire. All in: Interesting night. Probably wouldn’t do it again. 


Hounds of Sacae
I joined Verdant Cross on a doog hunt. It was an eclectic band of hunters they’d found. Yorrick, Mila, and Jule were of particular note, as the others got lost in the grass when combat began. It was a brutal fight, but we all managed to come out of it alive. Jule, a young thief, actually managed to get the killing blow on the Gwyllgi! It was one hell of a gig.


        A Loaded Lance and a Boozy Blade (Support Yorrick)(Unfinished)
        
Yorrick and I went out for a drink after getting patched up. I… Don’t remember the rest of the night.


Enter Sacae; The Sea of Green

Perun and I were on our way through the plains when we saw a huge group of bandits attacking a caravan with children. We ran in without a second thought to help protect the kids. Thankfully there were enough protectors to defeat the black hearted men. Perun and I decided to sign on as body guard for the caravan. Owain and Amelia are good kids, we were happy to be their guardians.


        Comparing Swords (Support Duma)

        After seeing the sword master in combat, I knew that I needed to learn as much as I could from him. It was grueling and painful, but this was the first step toward me becoming a truly skilled swordsman.


        The Priest and the Liar (Support Remus)


Fortunes Folly Oh Dear God. 

    Recovering Bladeaholics (Support Duma) Duma went off the deep end. 

Smoke ‘em Out I let Bee lose on some bandits and regretted the decision as per usual. 

    Blowing Smoke 

Light through the Darkness We met Remus' sister. She was, well, as scary as he is jolly. 

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boot Remus got lost in the woods and Perun and I went out looking for him. Well, we didn't find him, but we did find a terrifying giant, jumping spider. And an ancient, magical sword that I've decided to call Fragarach. And - perhaps most mysteriously of all - a map of Elibe that is entirely black expect for one mountain in the Lycian mountains with a word written in old Pheraen. A word that spells "Perun."

Fortune's Fury

A whole new world (Incomplete/event)

No Rest for the Wicked A relatively uneventful trip back home to help my mother ferry a couple of Etrurian Refugees away from their False Prophet. 

Unlikely Leader I met Wein, one of the leaders of the LCO and convinced him to gather Lycia's strength before we make our intentions known - even to our own troops. We can't risk Etruria finding out about Lycia's counter offensive before we are prepared. He gave me funds and contacts to form a mercenary guild with the intention of wiping the monster population out in Lycia as much as we can, to stabilize the country before we attack. 

Bones Should Stay Buried  We took out the bonewalkers, but they were smarter than we thought. They had strategy and traps. This is behavior we haven't seen them exhibit before. I'm going to have Mila look into this. 

Upon Fell Wings Gargoyles from Bern found their way into Lycia, so we found our way there to combat them. With some aid from The Devil Slayer himself and rallying the guard, we were able to route them all. 

And Fragarach Sang Something happened that I can't quite explain. I met Fragarach. I went into the sword itself. It was a world of wind and storm and Frag seemed to be everywhere around me. And He - It? - talked to me and told me what we're facing in Lycia. It isn't good, either. I need to tell Wein what we're up against so we can properly focus our attention on this creature. 
I also met this girl who played the harp so beautifully that the spirits seemed to be drawn to her, imitating the songs she sang. Though her music was even more beautiful than her magic.