Post by Trilly (18426 words) on Oct 1, 2009 20:31:11 GMT -5
Oh, dear. *facepalms* I've been bitten by the NaNo bug, and once again am compelled to torture myself and the world around me with another story. ^^;
This year's is already being planned! Yay!
The genre is fantasy this time, an the story takes place in a nice little kingdom that would be happy, except that two very powerful wizards known as the blood Mages--who happen to also be brothers--live in stone towers at opposite ends of the kingdom. This would not be bad in itself, but the wizards are AT WAR with each other, both intent on wiping the other out. And unfortunately, the entire kingdom is their battlefield.
It is in this peaceful setting that we Find Mr. Baxter Crane, the Humble Solitary Bard. He barely even realizes that there's a war going on over his head, as he's content with writing songs, practicing his small magicks, and making the populace of his hometown laugh. Naturally for the hapless protagonist, however, something must soon come along to shatter his idyllic life, and in this particular case, this involves the involvement of a sentient, shapeshifting puddle of silver goo.
And besides the shapeshifting, it soon becomes clear that the slime-thing (Known by him as "Mooshi") has a gift beyond merely being a scientific impossibility.
Baxter has never hated someone so much in his life.
This year's is already being planned! Yay!
The genre is fantasy this time, an the story takes place in a nice little kingdom that would be happy, except that two very powerful wizards known as the blood Mages--who happen to also be brothers--live in stone towers at opposite ends of the kingdom. This would not be bad in itself, but the wizards are AT WAR with each other, both intent on wiping the other out. And unfortunately, the entire kingdom is their battlefield.
It is in this peaceful setting that we Find Mr. Baxter Crane, the Humble Solitary Bard. He barely even realizes that there's a war going on over his head, as he's content with writing songs, practicing his small magicks, and making the populace of his hometown laugh. Naturally for the hapless protagonist, however, something must soon come along to shatter his idyllic life, and in this particular case, this involves the involvement of a sentient, shapeshifting puddle of silver goo.
And besides the shapeshifting, it soon becomes clear that the slime-thing (Known by him as "Mooshi") has a gift beyond merely being a scientific impossibility.
Baxter has never hated someone so much in his life.
Wheathold Cast
Baxter Crane
Baxter is a simple sort-- he likes his independence, and isn't really tied down by much. He idolized his father (a formerly very popular Bard) as a child, and still does, despite his current miserable state. Like his father, Baxter is a Solitary Bard, and is known as such because he is not affiliated with the Musicians Guild. It is quite illegal to perform in public without being a licensed member of this guild, but Baxter manages it anyhow. In larger or more prosperous towns than Wheathold, he might recieve a fine or be put in prison for a time for not obeying these rules, but in the smaller areas where the Lawkeeping force is thinner, Solitary Bards are adored in an almost Robin Hood-ish manner, and the populace tends to see them as dashing, charming souls. Because of this, Baxter has never had to worry about being turned in. He also enjoys an extra level of popularity.
He is close to the two Guild Bards currently living in town, a sitar player named Felix Featherfinger, and a flute player known only as Chesse. He is also a minor spellcaster, knowing just a few useful magicks to make it easier for him.
Benjamin Crane
He was a well-known and celebrated traveling bard back in his prime, known for recklessly dancing with a number of female patrons and music fans while he was playing. He was practically a legend. Unfortunately, time has robbed him of the ability to travel and play in his preferred means, so he consoles himself with a bottle and opts to stay in his house, complaining about current music.
His more devoted fans prefer to pretend he is dead and tell everyone else this, in an attempt to preserve his status as a legend.
Chesse
An old friend of Baxter's, Chesse is a decent flute player, and has a lot of passion for the instrument. She is a bit young to be a Bard, but is already a member of the Guild and is studying under her mentor, Felix.
She definitely has a secret she's not telling anyone, but she's still the town's darling. No one's going to call her on it.
Felix Featherfinger
Also known locally as "The Angel of Music", Felix is a more talented bard than a place like Wheathold is used to seeing. He and Baxter often play duets at gatherings and in the tavern, and they are actually at a similar level despite the fact that Felix is several years older than Baxter.
Although his music is arguably some of the best around and is said to put songbirds to shame, Felix's overall manner of acting would do nothing to suggest this. He's forgetful, and often forgets to do simple things like tie his boot laces, and winds up tripping himself. He also gets up in the middle of the night to practice his playing whenever a new idea comes to him, and as a result often falls asleep in the middle of the day.
Other
Mooshi
Mooshi is a genderless being known as a Mirrorling, a shapeshifter created by dark magic from the water of a specific (and well-hidden) magical lake. Mooshi is the 9th member of a batch of 10 nearly identical Mirrorlings, only distinguishable by the number "9" that shows up without defer success on the back of the neck of any form (s)he takes. This helps their creator distinguish them, and marks out their weak spot should the mage ever choose to terminate them.
Mooshi's natural form resembles a pool of highly reflective, animated silver slime. The only forms (s)he is allowed by the Blood Mage creator are those of whomever (s)he is to impersonate. The Mirrorlings' purpose is to serve as spies or weapons in the Blood Mages' war, and as such, they have little or no sense of self. They can copy the appearance of someone they've only seen once flawlessly, but their eye colour (silver) can never change.
Baxter discovered Mooshi while (s)he was impersonating someone he knew well, which eventually resulted in Mooshi becoming Baxter's captive. This is a development neither of them likes much.
The Blood Mages
Not much is known about them, apart from the fact that they are very powerful, brothers, and that they have been fighting for a long, long time. Long enough that if a few smaller towns occasionally get leveled by fire raining from the sky, no one is really surprised anymore.
Morgano is the elder twin (yes, twin) brother, a mage who specializes in deception and trickery. He is the creator of the Mirrorlings and generally prefers to take an underhanded approach. He is also extremely vain, and permanently maintains an illusion around himself that gives the appearance of youth.
Lucianus is a war mage. He likes large scale destruction, and has strong ideals of honour and dignity. Despite his somewhat barbaric appearance and approach to problem-solving, he sees himself as a gentleman of sorts, and war as a "gentleman's sport".
Duke Peregrine
The nobility that governs the area of land that includes Wheathold. He's been a bit off his game for about 7 years, since his only child ran away (and was undoubtedly stolen by gypsies). As a result, the agricultural area has "gone to seed" (pun intended), and all sorts of riff-raff has come in. It is also his job to keep the Blood Mages in line, but he hasn't been doing that very well, either. Poor guy.
Gwenna Jay
A licensed travelling bard, Gwenna is Benjamin Crane's biggest fan. She's an accomplished bard within the guild, and it's strongly suspected that she's on her way to becoming a legend, as well. She only stops by Wheathold every once in awhile to see if Benjamin is playing again, and Baxter is just a little bit fond of her. Maybe. Perhaps.
More will probably come. ^^ But that's a start.
Baxter Crane
Baxter is a simple sort-- he likes his independence, and isn't really tied down by much. He idolized his father (a formerly very popular Bard) as a child, and still does, despite his current miserable state. Like his father, Baxter is a Solitary Bard, and is known as such because he is not affiliated with the Musicians Guild. It is quite illegal to perform in public without being a licensed member of this guild, but Baxter manages it anyhow. In larger or more prosperous towns than Wheathold, he might recieve a fine or be put in prison for a time for not obeying these rules, but in the smaller areas where the Lawkeeping force is thinner, Solitary Bards are adored in an almost Robin Hood-ish manner, and the populace tends to see them as dashing, charming souls. Because of this, Baxter has never had to worry about being turned in. He also enjoys an extra level of popularity.
He is close to the two Guild Bards currently living in town, a sitar player named Felix Featherfinger, and a flute player known only as Chesse. He is also a minor spellcaster, knowing just a few useful magicks to make it easier for him.
Benjamin Crane
He was a well-known and celebrated traveling bard back in his prime, known for recklessly dancing with a number of female patrons and music fans while he was playing. He was practically a legend. Unfortunately, time has robbed him of the ability to travel and play in his preferred means, so he consoles himself with a bottle and opts to stay in his house, complaining about current music.
His more devoted fans prefer to pretend he is dead and tell everyone else this, in an attempt to preserve his status as a legend.
Chesse
An old friend of Baxter's, Chesse is a decent flute player, and has a lot of passion for the instrument. She is a bit young to be a Bard, but is already a member of the Guild and is studying under her mentor, Felix.
She definitely has a secret she's not telling anyone, but she's still the town's darling. No one's going to call her on it.
Felix Featherfinger
Also known locally as "The Angel of Music", Felix is a more talented bard than a place like Wheathold is used to seeing. He and Baxter often play duets at gatherings and in the tavern, and they are actually at a similar level despite the fact that Felix is several years older than Baxter.
Although his music is arguably some of the best around and is said to put songbirds to shame, Felix's overall manner of acting would do nothing to suggest this. He's forgetful, and often forgets to do simple things like tie his boot laces, and winds up tripping himself. He also gets up in the middle of the night to practice his playing whenever a new idea comes to him, and as a result often falls asleep in the middle of the day.
Other
Mooshi
Mooshi is a genderless being known as a Mirrorling, a shapeshifter created by dark magic from the water of a specific (and well-hidden) magical lake. Mooshi is the 9th member of a batch of 10 nearly identical Mirrorlings, only distinguishable by the number "9" that shows up without defer success on the back of the neck of any form (s)he takes. This helps their creator distinguish them, and marks out their weak spot should the mage ever choose to terminate them.
Mooshi's natural form resembles a pool of highly reflective, animated silver slime. The only forms (s)he is allowed by the Blood Mage creator are those of whomever (s)he is to impersonate. The Mirrorlings' purpose is to serve as spies or weapons in the Blood Mages' war, and as such, they have little or no sense of self. They can copy the appearance of someone they've only seen once flawlessly, but their eye colour (silver) can never change.
Baxter discovered Mooshi while (s)he was impersonating someone he knew well, which eventually resulted in Mooshi becoming Baxter's captive. This is a development neither of them likes much.
The Blood Mages
Not much is known about them, apart from the fact that they are very powerful, brothers, and that they have been fighting for a long, long time. Long enough that if a few smaller towns occasionally get leveled by fire raining from the sky, no one is really surprised anymore.
Morgano is the elder twin (yes, twin) brother, a mage who specializes in deception and trickery. He is the creator of the Mirrorlings and generally prefers to take an underhanded approach. He is also extremely vain, and permanently maintains an illusion around himself that gives the appearance of youth.
Lucianus is a war mage. He likes large scale destruction, and has strong ideals of honour and dignity. Despite his somewhat barbaric appearance and approach to problem-solving, he sees himself as a gentleman of sorts, and war as a "gentleman's sport".
Duke Peregrine
The nobility that governs the area of land that includes Wheathold. He's been a bit off his game for about 7 years, since his only child ran away (and was undoubtedly stolen by gypsies). As a result, the agricultural area has "gone to seed" (pun intended), and all sorts of riff-raff has come in. It is also his job to keep the Blood Mages in line, but he hasn't been doing that very well, either. Poor guy.
Gwenna Jay
A licensed travelling bard, Gwenna is Benjamin Crane's biggest fan. She's an accomplished bard within the guild, and it's strongly suspected that she's on her way to becoming a legend, as well. She only stops by Wheathold every once in awhile to see if Benjamin is playing again, and Baxter is just a little bit fond of her. Maybe. Perhaps.
More will probably come. ^^ But that's a start.
*shot*