Lyuben walked through the outskirts of the city. He was alone. Lost. He had never been to this part before. Lyuben had left rather unexpectedly too. All he had was a beautiful rose that he kept close to his chest. Lyuben checked his pockets for money.
“I’ll never forget you. Forget this…”
Lyuben had never been to the poorer parts of the kingdom. The houses around him were made of straw and mud--quite the contrast to his large castle. The ground was dry and cracked as the sun glared down on the vast kingdom. He found twelve gold coins in the pocket of his expensive blue pajamas.
Right. I need to change first so that I don’t stand out like this. I’m getting weird looks already.
Lyuben walked quickly to the closest clothing shop. It was located in a tiny hut. There were very few choices and even less that satisfied Lyuben’s desires. The two other people inside the small hut were staring at him and the gold coins in his hand.
Lyuben hurriedly picked up a handmade black robe from the right corner of the room.
“How much can I get this for?”
“I can’t offer you any change, so one gold coin will do.”
Lyuben sighed and handed over the coin.
“Is there a place I can change into this?”
The store owner pointed to a small curtain on the left side of the hut. Lyuben gave him a weird look.
“There’s no changing room or anything?” Lyuben asked.
“Sorry kid, just that,” the owner replied.
Lyuben changed into the black robe and put his remaining eleven gold coins in the pocket of it. Then he exited the store immediately. As Lyuben continued down the dirt path, he found a poster on the floor. The title read “TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS”.
Lyuben read over the paper.
“Huh. Contestants get free housing? I guess I need somewhere to stay. I can’t go back home now. I can't let my parents find me. Ever. Maybe I might even learn a thing or two there...” -----
The queen and king emerged from the rubble of their once beautiful castle. There were scratches and bruises all over their body. A girl came running up to the pair.
“Is Lyuben okay?” the girl asked.
“You’re Cecilia, Lyuben’s best friend from school, right?” the king asked.
“Yes, why-”
“I want you to find him and bring him back to us.”
“Why, is he okay?”
“No. And it is us who need to cure him.”
“Have you heard of the Tournament of Champions?”
“Yes.”
“I have a feeling he’ll find his way there. Do not enter, but make sure you bring him back. He’s hurting, and we’re ready to end it. I will send Ryan, our most powerful knight, and Erin, our strongest mage, with you.”
“Yes. I’ll go right away.”
Cecilia turned to start packing her stuff.
“Oh and, do try to bring him back alive. I have a few things I would like to tell him before we end his pain.”
I just realized I should clarify. The melee that Kaigan goes through is just to get him here if I do get in. There will probably be some "pre-tournament actions" if he is accepted.
Conscience smiled as she walked down the high end street, a servant following her, his arms laden with bags.
“Hey, you!” She called out to a passerby, presumably the butler of someone rich. “Where’s the best place to eat nearby?”
“Conscience?” came the reply. Turning his head, she recognized the man as a fellow child of the Merchant’s Council, Arnold Levier.
“What are you doing here?” Before his answer, she snaked out a tendril of her magic, meant to test if what he said was true. Unnoticed to the untrained eye, this tendril slid over, before twining around his arm. He showed no sign of noticing the magic.
“I’m here to watch you, of course!” Even without the magic, Conscience knew he was lying. It was spelled plain out on his face, and the magic only stood there to confirm that. The Council obviously believes me inept, without magic or talent. Smiling, she took his arm, then said, “Well, since you’re here, let us hang out!” She strode off with him; Arnold providing directions to a supposedly quite good restaurant (that was in his opinion, she had heard it was mediocre compared to some other things).
What she had heard was right. The appetizers they ordered, smoked salmon on small pieces of baguette, as well as a board of cheese and charcuterie, was lacking. The smoked salmon had too much of a burnt taste, the baguette not toasted enough, and the cheese plate had cheeses everyone knew were not particularly good. The charcuterie was fine, not bad, but at the same time, not good. The entrée, duck confit, was fine, but not memorable. The desert was the same, a panna cotta she’d had a thousand times. After seeing the beverage list, Conscience decided to only order water, based on the fact that the list was basically made for a drunkard.
“Well?” Arnold looked happy with the meal as they strode along a boulevard, which overlooked the grime of the lower city. She had already sent her servant to the hotel, so he could put away the gowns she had purchased.
“Well what.” She was not in a good mood after the meal she had been forced to sit through without complaining, since that would offend Arnold, and as a proper lady, she couldn’t do that.
“Wasn’t that the best meal you’ve had in a while?” Shaking her head, she answered, finally free from the judgement that would come from speaking her opinion while in a restaurant.
“The food itself was mediocre at best, the service lacking, and the beverage list was basically made for that lady two tables over who was guzzling back glass after glass of alcohol.” She sighed, a weight off her chest.
“What do you mean? The experience was incredible, and the food was great.”
“For someone with absolutely no taste in food or palate, yes.” Conscience smiled mockingly.
“Was that an insult?” Arnold said darkly.
“Do you seriously have to ask me that,” she said, tone full of contempt. Dragging her into a nearby, dark alleyway, he snarled, pulling a knife to her throat.
“Since you have no concept of how to be civil, I might as well get this over with. I came here to remove you, on orders of the Council. Your father said nothing against it. How does it feel, to know your father ordered your death?” Smiling, he pushed the knife closer to her throat.
“The only reason he voted for it is because he knows I can kill you.” Pushing her hand forward, from where it lay near his chest, a wave of soul magic flew from Conscience’s hand, sending him flying into the alley’s other wall. He slowly got up, gasping after having the wind knocked out of him.
“You can use-“ As he began to speak, she drew a dagger from a hidden slit in her gown, and threw it into his chest. He fell, making a loud noise as he hit the ground, and she cursed. Picking up the hem of her gown so as to not get bloodstains. Conscience ran forward, murmuring words, before placing her hand on his chest and grabbing something, then pulling out the knife. She ran out of the alley, before composing herself, and heading back towards the hotel, flipping a coin that appeared to be gold, yet made out of a metal that could not be found anywhere on this plane.
Aveena wandered around the city, looking for something to waste her time. This world felt so different from her old home in Ravnica. On Ravnica, you’d always hear two marketeers arguing about their stocks, or a guild preparing for the cold season, or even two different guild members debating which guild was better. But here, it felt so empty. She used to be surrounded by the stenches of dead spirits and hungry thrulls, but the air here was too clean. Although she didn’t realize it, she missed Ravnica. It was too different here, but she knew that the mysterious divining force that brought her here could not return her.
Suddenly, a huge shadow descended upon her, and a deathpact angel appeared above her. “How did you get here? I thought mortals can’t travel through the planes.” Aveena called. A deathpact angel always meant bad news, even for the highest ranking member of the Orzhov.
“That matter is not of your concern. I have your parents’ spirits. If you wish for them to be released, you will enter the Tournament of Champions.” the angel roared. Her parents? How had it gotten her parents? That didn’t matter now. “Fine, I will.”
“Good.” The deathpact angel drew a circle with her finger, and a small writing tablet materialized. “This is a gift. What it does is for you to find out.” Then, she raised her scythe to the sky, and departed to Ravnica.
“But my parents! You must release my parents!” Aveena cried. It was to no avail, for the deathpact angel was gone from the world.
Well, Aveena though, I have to study this tablet. I bet this place has a local library or something to research it. I better get started soon.
It wouldn't be directly based on this... the tournament isn't gonna be the entirety of the book. If the prologue wasn't obvious enough, there's things to resolve on Dominaria.
Arn awakened disorientated and wet, half of his body submerged in the swampy water,his head pounding and his body aching. He drifted into consciousness his head placed on the rocky ground nearby slowly sliding deeper into the murky depths that awaited him. He was bleeding profusely and had multiple lacerations and a concussion from the bumpy fall he just endured. "Am..Am I going to die" Arn thought as tears coursed through his eyes. He tried in vain to climb out but then he went unconscious one last time.
He awakened underwater, being dragged by an unseen force to the dark depths below. Each desperate attempt he made to swim up null and void, then a sudden realization that he couldn't feel a thing and that he could breathe under water dawned on him. He gazed up and in the distance he could see a faint silhouette of a body. "It..It can't be" he said with a weak ephemeral voice. He gazed at his sides and noticed that arm like ephemeral tendrils were pulling him closer and closer to the depths, he tried harder and harder to swim, but the harder he attempted to swim the stronger the pull got until he was surrounded in complete darkness.
He gazed at the source of the tendrils and saw a ghastly site. A mass conglomeration of souls forming an arboreal monster pulled him closer, and the longer they grasped on to him, the more he forgot his humanity.
He slowly forgot his cowardice, then he forgot his happy memories, however little they were, then his empathy, then his emotions, then his humanity, and slowly by slowly he began to forget his name.
"My name is Arnest"
"My name is Arn..est"
"My name...is Arn"
With one final heave, desperate to leave, flowing on instinct he swam. No longer bound by the laws of death, magic or the world, he pushed, he swam towards his decaying body, his hate for the one who did this to him more alive than ever...but who did this to him, he swam with a killer instinct honed from child hood, he swam with a knack for causing trouble....he swam for his life.
He reached his already dead body, its wounds infected by the unsanitary waters, and his skin anemic from all the blood loss, he forced his spirit into it, despite its resistance or lack of energy. His malice stitched his wounds together and his rage fueled it. His essence merged with his body creating something akin to a zombie but not quite.
He wandered as a spirit for centuries in the lands of Eldraine, searching for the one who did it unbenounced of his death ages ago, searching for the one who could restore his memories. He was violent and untamed. Those who knew not of his past or memory were met with swift judgement, those who lied would survive if they got lucky. His mind was in constant turmoil as he wandered the lands of Eldrine...until one day...
Oko mischievous Schemer -
Arn was wandering the lands of Eldrine when he encountered a mysterious fellow, one whos gifts where beyond what Arn had seen before. He observed his mannerisms for months as he turned foolish dragons to deer and even foolisher knights to foliage. He followed this person in secret and watched him, fasinated by his randomness but also fasinated by his cruelty. It was a day just like none other and he followed this figure with the stealth of a skilled hunter and the silence of the wind but then Oko stopped.
Oko: "You can come out now"
Arn: "How did you know?" Arn says with a disembodied voice
Oko: "I know many things, of which include your lack of being alive"
Arn: "How long have you known"
Oko: Months perhaps...I have a thing for admirerors, It makes me feel important"
Arn: Then answer me this...Oko, who am I?"
Oko's face was that of surprise since not many knew him by name, especially a random stranger, but he didn't let it show.
Oko: Well that is a simple question. You are a prankster.
Arn: A prankster?
Oko: Yes my friend, a prankster. Neither bound by the laws of mortals or immortals, law or chaos, you are freedom in essence and the embodiment of all that is free and wild, and if you stick with me. I will help you reach your potential.
In the following years, Arn would train in Oko's brand of wild magic, he would also strenghten what was left of his identity through hunting, causing mischief and would learn not to hate to one who did this to him for doing it to him, but to hate the world and all in it but Oko for confining him from the truth of his nature. He picked up a few of Oko's mannerisms, and partook in many mischievous acts with Oko in the process learning of Oko's true nature.. Alas it was time for them to part and Oko told him that if he ever needed a favor, he knew where to find him.
Arn was no longer alone in his journey of freedom. He now had a new ally and a new path forged ahead of him.
I'm actually gonna drop out. Life is starting to butt in and I would rather not take a spot only to drop afterwards because I couldn't focus on it. If people wanna use Bernadette in their works they can if they pm me beforehand. (If @TenebrisNemo is okay with it of course!)
Hey @TenebrisNemo can I have a slight extension? I know what character I want to make and have a general outline for the cards, but I haven't finished them yet.
mini chapter 1/ mini story / prologue / whatever the heck it's called
Doctor Cypherous was walking through the streets of Ghirapur. It was about noon, and the city was filled with people and things. Thopters made of gold metal soared through the skies, and constructs crawled, walked, and rolled across the ground. A hunched aetherborn in a black cloak ran past Cypherous, and three dwarves were working at some strange invention. Cypherous was quite bored. He didn't really have anything to do anymore, here on Kaladesh. Help the Renegades defeat the oppressive Consulate? Check. Find a sustainable source of income creating inventions? Check. Create a device that could effectively sustain his lifespan? Check. Life goals? Accomplished. Suddenly, Cypherous noticed a piece of paper blowing across the ground. He picked it up, and it was covered in writing;
Ladies and gentlemen! Warriors and wizards! Beasts and summoners! Angels and demons!
I welcome you to the Tournament of Champions 4!
A tournament? He thought curiously. After reading the paper, Cypherous realized there was a... tournament, of sorts, being hosted in a place called Aveliade. You could enter, and you would fight the other "champions" until one fighter emerged the victor. Cypherous had nothing to do anymore. He had done what he wanted to with his life. Blowing up his old stuff didn't even amuse him anymore. And so, the idea of this tournament sounded quite appealing to Cypherous.
@MonkeyPirate2002 - That is a shame, but thank you for saying about it here before the game starts! I have no problems with Bernadette becoming a side character in other people's stories. Good luck on your personal matters and stay safe!
@Everyone - Today is the last day you can post your entries and/or edit them! On 23:59 Central Standard Time (that's almost 12 hours from the time I posted this comment) the tournament will be closed for entries and the draft elimination will begin, where the best 16 fighters will be chosen to compete in the tournament! Get your late entries in! Since we have well over 16 entries here (thank you @everyone for your support!!), no one is guaranteed to fight in the tournament, but take the chance anyway by posting your entry on time! Don't miss your chance by leaving your entry unposted!
@Red_Tower & @FourEyesIsAFish - You don't need to have everything lined up for your character as you post your entries here. The cards are most important, and even a little bit of backstory can go a long way! If your characters get picked, you can build more around them as the game goes on.
Well with that said then, I'll post the cards now and update this post in an hour or so with writing. I started writing the post last night but was going to pass out on the keyboard haha.
Story post (along with backstory post) will be a separate post due to length total length of this post.
Additional
Details and Summary
General
personality:
Nilfi would generally be considered pretty intelligent, but
he’s not always able to articulate the "inner machinations of his
mind" coherently to others which can make him come off kind of “out
there/weird” and maybe not the sharpest. If he wasn’t so blunt and inelegant in
conversation he’d almost be charismatic. He’s often self-destructive and
reckless, jumping off of buildings to escape pursuit and piecing himself
together after rather than trying to find less dangerous solutions. These sado-masochistic
tendencies also serve as a form of self-punishment/harm.
A major driving element for Nilfi is their own dualities, to
resist the urge to fall into mindless debauchery and bedlam whilst also trying
to maintain distance from mortal/human attachments and relationships thanks to
their previous trauma and guilt and the realization that any attachments they
form will eventually fade to dust. Despite these attempts, Nilfi often finds
themselves getting wrapped up in people’s lives, acting out of emotion and care
for the common people and their communities. Politics and strict law and order aren’t
really his thing, but he tries to do the right thing – or at least the next
best thing – when he can, and when he can’t it’s often because “the end
justifies the means” to him.
Socially he comes off eccentric, sometimes deliberately,
sometimes unknowingly. Years of childhood trauma and diving into the depths of
madness for knowledge and answers have left Nilfi on the verge of breakdown and
insanity at times. They often play into this perception in broad social groups
in an attempt to leave him unpredictable and difficult for others to get a
psychologic understanding of him. Nilfi learned a bit from watching his mother’s
street performances, how to “act” and things that draw attention or that seems
strange and unusual, such as simple acrobatics like walking on his hand or
playing music on his flute.
General
Powers & Combat Abilities:
Nilfi is skilled in both magic and alchemy. They have a
high preference for elemental fire magic, as well as a plethora of simple
cantrips as their disposal. He has proficiency with brewing potions, often
maintaining a supply of various different tonics and remedies of various
utility. Nilfi is also a vampire, granting him increased agility, sharpened
senses, and a restorative healing factor that given enough time can piece back
together severed limbs and repair bones and organs.
Stabbing entirely through his brain or heart – usually with
a wooden stake although other methods may work – and leaving it there will immobilize
him and will leave him entirely helpless. He cannot regrow limbs, if severed
and separated by a great enough distance or sealed within separate containers they’ll
be unable to do anything really and render him practically dead. Magical diseases/ailments
are also incredibly hard or impossible for his healing to counteract, which if infecting
enough of him body might actually kill him.
He has a moderate amount of prowess in physical combat – in
part thanks to his vampirism – although he tries to avoid it when possible.
Nilfi’s primary weapon is their staff, made of a hardy “unknown” bone it also
comes equipped with a spear blade concealed under a simple cap on the bottom.
The top is ornately decorated has head of a dragon with a slot in its mouth
that can be used to affix a magical crystal to serve as a catalyst for spells.
The dragon head can also be removed, and serves as both a wand and as a flute (recorder).
“Alignment”:
Approximately Neutral or Chaotic Good, with drifts towards True/Chaotic Neutral
Occupation: Primarily
an Alchemist selling potions, creams, salves, etc. Occasionally does street
performances using magic, acrobatics, and music (Flute/Recorder)
Hobbies:
Reading, cleaning his flute, listening to music performances, playing cards
Hair
color: Seems to shift between crimson red and auburn red, how
mysterious
Eye
color: Normally a light greenish color that will occasionally
shift to more of a yellowish red probably not a good sign
Weight
and height: 5 ft 9 in / 175 cm, 145 lbs / 66 kg
MTG Cardsmith Community Forums
Comments
Chapter One - The Tournament of Champions
Lyuben walked through the outskirts of the city. He was alone. Lost. He had never been to this part before. Lyuben had left rather unexpectedly too. All he had was a beautiful rose that he kept close to his chest. Lyuben checked his pockets for money.
“I’ll never forget you. Forget this…”
Lyuben had never been to the poorer parts of the kingdom. The houses around him were made of straw and mud--quite the contrast to his large castle. The ground was dry and cracked as the sun glared down on the vast kingdom. He found twelve gold coins in the pocket of his expensive blue pajamas.
Right. I need to change first so that I don’t stand out like this. I’m getting weird looks already.
Lyuben walked quickly to the closest clothing shop. It was located in a tiny hut. There were very few choices and even less that satisfied Lyuben’s desires. The two other people inside the small hut were staring at him and the gold coins in his hand.
Lyuben hurriedly picked up a handmade black robe from the right corner of the room.
“How much can I get this for?”
“I can’t offer you any change, so one gold coin will do.”
Lyuben sighed and handed over the coin.
“Is there a place I can change into this?”
The store owner pointed to a small curtain on the left side of the hut. Lyuben gave him a weird look.
“There’s no changing room or anything?” Lyuben asked.
“Sorry kid, just that,” the owner replied.
Lyuben changed into the black robe and put his remaining eleven gold coins in the pocket of it. Then he exited the store immediately. As Lyuben continued down the dirt path, he found a poster on the floor. The title read “TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS”.
Lyuben read over the paper.
“Huh. Contestants get free housing? I guess I need somewhere to stay. I can’t go back home now. I can't let my parents find me. Ever. Maybe I might even learn a thing or two there...”
-----
The queen and king emerged from the rubble of their once beautiful castle. There were scratches and bruises all over their body. A girl came running up to the pair.
“Is Lyuben okay?” the girl asked.
“You’re Cecilia, Lyuben’s best friend from school, right?” the king asked.
“Yes, why-”
“I want you to find him and bring him back to us.”
“Why, is he okay?”
“No. And it is us who need to cure him.”
“Have you heard of the Tournament of Champions?”
“Yes.”
“I have a feeling he’ll find his way there. Do not enter, but make sure you bring him back. He’s hurting, and we’re ready to end it. I will send Ryan, our most powerful knight, and Erin, our strongest mage, with you.”
“Yes. I’ll go right away.”
Cecilia turned to start packing her stuff.
“Oh and, do try to bring him back alive. I have a few things I would like to tell him before we end his pain.”
Cecilia nodded.
The queen smiled devilishly.
“Soon, Lyuben, you will be back with us...”no
Part 1: Doubt and Revenge
Conscience smiled as she walked down the high end street, a servant following her, his arms laden with bags.
“Hey, you!” She called out to a passerby, presumably the butler of someone rich. “Where’s the best place to eat nearby?”
“Conscience?” came the reply. Turning his head, she recognized the man as a fellow child of the Merchant’s Council, Arnold Levier.
“What are you doing here?” Before his answer, she snaked out a tendril of her magic, meant to test if what he said was true. Unnoticed to the untrained eye, this tendril slid over, before twining around his arm. He showed no sign of noticing the magic.
“I’m here to watch you, of course!” Even without the magic, Conscience knew he was lying. It was spelled plain out on his face, and the magic only stood there to confirm that. The Council obviously believes me inept, without magic or talent. Smiling, she took his arm, then said, “Well, since you’re here, let us hang out!” She strode off with him; Arnold providing directions to a supposedly quite good restaurant (that was in his opinion, she had heard it was mediocre compared to some other things).
What she had heard was right. The appetizers they ordered, smoked salmon on small pieces of baguette, as well as a board of cheese and charcuterie, was lacking. The smoked salmon had too much of a burnt taste, the baguette not toasted enough, and the cheese plate had cheeses everyone knew were not particularly good. The charcuterie was fine, not bad, but at the same time, not good. The entrée, duck confit, was fine, but not memorable. The desert was the same, a panna cotta she’d had a thousand times. After seeing the beverage list, Conscience decided to only order water, based on the fact that the list was basically made for a drunkard.
“Well?” Arnold looked happy with the meal as they strode along a boulevard, which overlooked the grime of the lower city. She had already sent her servant to the hotel, so he could put away the gowns she had purchased.
“Well what.” She was not in a good mood after the meal she had been forced to sit through without complaining, since that would offend Arnold, and as a proper lady, she couldn’t do that.
“Wasn’t that the best meal you’ve had in a while?” Shaking her head, she answered, finally free from the judgement that would come from speaking her opinion while in a restaurant.
“The food itself was mediocre at best, the service lacking, and the beverage list was basically made for that lady two tables over who was guzzling back glass after glass of alcohol.” She sighed, a weight off her chest.
“What do you mean? The experience was incredible, and the food was great.”
“For someone with absolutely no taste in food or palate, yes.” Conscience smiled mockingly.
“Was that an insult?” Arnold said darkly.
“Do you seriously have to ask me that,” she said, tone full of contempt. Dragging her into a nearby, dark alleyway, he snarled, pulling a knife to her throat.
“Since you have no concept of how to be civil, I might as well get this over with. I came here to remove you, on orders of the Council. Your father said nothing against it. How does it feel, to know your father ordered your death?” Smiling, he pushed the knife closer to her throat.
“The only reason he voted for it is because he knows I can kill you.” Pushing her hand forward, from where it lay near his chest, a wave of soul magic flew from Conscience’s hand, sending him flying into the alley’s other wall. He slowly got up, gasping after having the wind knocked out of him.
“You can use-“ As he began to speak, she drew a dagger from a hidden slit in her gown, and threw it into his chest. He fell, making a loud noise as he hit the ground, and she cursed. Picking up the hem of her gown so as to not get bloodstains. Conscience ran forward, murmuring words, before placing her hand on his chest and grabbing something, then pulling out the knife. She ran out of the alley, before composing herself, and heading back towards the hotel, flipping a coin that appeared to be gold, yet made out of a metal that could not be found anywhere on this plane.
New Sensations
Aveena wandered around the city, looking for something to waste her time. This world felt so different from her old home in Ravnica. On Ravnica, you’d always hear two marketeers arguing about their stocks, or a guild preparing for the cold season, or even two different guild members debating which guild was better. But here, it felt so empty. She used to be surrounded by the stenches of dead spirits and hungry thrulls, but the air here was too clean. Although she didn’t realize it, she missed Ravnica. It was too different here, but she knew that the mysterious divining force that brought her here could not return her.
Suddenly, a huge shadow descended upon her, and a deathpact angel appeared above her. “How did you get here? I thought mortals can’t travel through the planes.” Aveena called. A deathpact angel always meant bad news, even for the highest ranking member of the Orzhov.
“That matter is not of your concern. I have your parents’ spirits. If you wish for them to be released, you will enter the Tournament of Champions.” the angel roared. Her parents? How had it gotten her parents? That didn’t matter now. “Fine, I will.”
“Good.” The deathpact angel drew a circle with her finger, and a small writing tablet materialized. “This is a gift. What it does is for you to find out.” Then, she raised her scythe to the sky, and departed to Ravnica.
“But my parents! You must release my parents!” Aveena cried. It was to no avail, for the deathpact angel was gone from the world.
Well, Aveena though, I have to study this tablet. I bet this place has a local library or something to research it. I better get started soon.
imma still make a chapter tho
Lost Memories-Betrayal Of A Son (Part two)
Arn awakened disorientated and wet, half of his body submerged in the swampy water,his head pounding and his body aching. He drifted into consciousness his head placed on the rocky ground nearby slowly sliding deeper into the murky depths that awaited him. He was bleeding profusely and had multiple lacerations and a concussion from the bumpy fall he just endured. "Am..Am I going to die" Arn thought as tears coursed through his eyes. He tried in vain to climb out but then he went unconscious one last time.
He awakened underwater, being dragged by an unseen force to the dark depths below. Each desperate attempt he made to swim up null and void, then a sudden realization that he couldn't feel a thing and that he could breathe under water dawned on him. He gazed up and in the distance he could see a faint silhouette of a body. "It..It can't be" he said with a weak ephemeral voice. He gazed at his sides and noticed that arm like ephemeral tendrils were pulling him closer and closer to the depths, he tried harder and harder to swim, but the harder he attempted to swim the stronger the pull got until he was surrounded in complete darkness.
He gazed at the source of the tendrils and saw a ghastly site. A mass conglomeration of souls forming an arboreal monster pulled him closer, and the longer they grasped on to him, the more he forgot his humanity.
He slowly forgot his cowardice, then he forgot his happy memories, however little they were, then his empathy, then his emotions, then his humanity, and slowly by slowly he began to forget his name.
"My name is Arnest"
"My name is Arn..est"
"My name...is Arn"
With one final heave, desperate to leave, flowing on instinct he swam. No longer bound by the laws of death, magic or the world, he pushed, he swam towards his decaying body, his hate for the one who did this to him more alive than ever...but who did this to him, he swam with a killer instinct honed from child hood, he swam with a knack for causing trouble....he swam for his life.
He reached his already dead body, its wounds infected by the unsanitary waters, and his skin anemic from all the blood loss, he forced his spirit into it, despite its resistance or lack of energy. His malice stitched his wounds together and his rage fueled it. His essence merged with his body creating something akin to a zombie but not quite.
He wandered as a spirit for centuries in the lands of Eldraine, searching for the one who did it unbenounced of his death ages ago, searching for the one who could restore his memories. He was violent and untamed. Those who knew not of his past or memory were met with swift judgement, those who lied would survive if they got lucky. His mind was in constant turmoil as he wandered the lands of Eldrine...until one day...
Oko mischievous Schemer -
Arn was wandering the lands of Eldrine when he encountered a mysterious fellow, one whos gifts where beyond what Arn had seen before. He observed his mannerisms for months as he turned foolish dragons to deer and even foolisher knights to foliage. He followed this person in secret and watched him, fasinated by his randomness but also fasinated by his cruelty. It was a day just like none other and he followed this figure with the stealth of a skilled hunter and the silence of the wind but then Oko stopped.Oko: "You can come out now"
Arn: "How did you know?" Arn says with a disembodied voice
Oko: "I know many things, of which include your lack of being alive"
Arn: "How long have you known"
Oko: Months perhaps...I have a thing for admirerors, It makes me feel important"
Arn: Then answer me this...Oko, who am I?"
Oko's face was that of surprise since not many knew him by name, especially a random stranger, but he didn't let it show.
Oko: Well that is a simple question. You are a prankster.
Arn: A prankster?
Oko: Yes my friend, a prankster. Neither bound by the laws of mortals or immortals, law or chaos, you are freedom in essence and the embodiment of all that is free and wild, and if you stick with me. I will help you reach your potential.
In the following years, Arn would train in Oko's brand of wild magic, he would also strenghten what was left of his identity through hunting, causing mischief and would learn not to hate to one who did this to him for doing it to him, but to hate the world and all in it but Oko for confining him from the truth of his nature. He picked up a few of Oko's mannerisms, and partook in many mischievous acts with Oko in the process learning of Oko's true nature.. Alas it was time for them to part and Oko told him that if he ever needed a favor, he knew where to find him.
Arn was no longer alone in his journey of freedom. He now had a new ally and a new path forged ahead of him.
Betrayal Of A Son conclusion...
Doctor Cypherous was walking through the streets of Ghirapur. It was about noon, and the city was filled with people and things. Thopters made of gold metal soared through the skies, and constructs crawled, walked, and rolled across the ground. A hunched aetherborn in a black cloak ran past Cypherous, and three dwarves were working at some strange invention.
Cypherous was quite bored. He didn't really have anything to do anymore, here on Kaladesh. Help the Renegades defeat the oppressive Consulate? Check. Find a sustainable source of income creating inventions? Check. Create a device that could effectively sustain his lifespan? Check. Life goals? Accomplished.
Suddenly, Cypherous noticed a piece of paper blowing across the ground. He picked it up, and it was covered in writing;
Ladies and gentlemen! Warriors and wizards! Beasts and summoners! Angels and demons!
I welcome you to the Tournament of Champions 4!
A tournament? He thought curiously.
After reading the paper, Cypherous realized there was a... tournament, of sorts, being hosted in a place called Aveliade. You could enter, and you would fight the other "champions" until one fighter emerged the victor. Cypherous had nothing to do anymore. He had done what he wanted to with his life. Blowing up his old stuff didn't even amuse him anymore.
And so, the idea of this tournament sounded quite appealing to Cypherous.
@Everyone - Today is the last day you can post your entries and/or edit them! On 23:59 Central Standard Time (that's almost 12 hours from the time I posted this comment) the tournament will be closed for entries and the draft elimination will begin, where the best 16 fighters will be chosen to compete in the tournament! Get your late entries in! Since we have well over 16 entries here (thank you @everyone for your support!!), no one is guaranteed to fight in the tournament, but take the chance anyway by posting your entry on time! Don't miss your chance by leaving your entry unposted!
@Red_Tower & @FourEyesIsAFish - You don't need to have everything lined up for your character as you post your entries here. The cards are most important, and even a little bit of backstory can go a long way! If your characters get picked, you can build more around them as the game goes on.
Presenting my character Nilfi:
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/nilfi-blood-alchemist
And who comes equipped with their own Philosopher's Stone:
https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/the-philosophers-stone-14
Story post (along with backstory post) will be a separate post due to length total length of this post.
Additional Details and Summary
General personality:
Nilfi would generally be considered pretty intelligent, but he’s not always able to articulate the "inner machinations of his mind" coherently to others which can make him come off kind of “out there/weird” and maybe not the sharpest. If he wasn’t so blunt and inelegant in conversation he’d almost be charismatic. He’s often self-destructive and reckless, jumping off of buildings to escape pursuit and piecing himself together after rather than trying to find less dangerous solutions. These sado-masochistic tendencies also serve as a form of self-punishment/harm.
A major driving element for Nilfi is their own dualities, to resist the urge to fall into mindless debauchery and bedlam whilst also trying to maintain distance from mortal/human attachments and relationships thanks to their previous trauma and guilt and the realization that any attachments they form will eventually fade to dust. Despite these attempts, Nilfi often finds themselves getting wrapped up in people’s lives, acting out of emotion and care for the common people and their communities. Politics and strict law and order aren’t really his thing, but he tries to do the right thing – or at least the next best thing – when he can, and when he can’t it’s often because “the end justifies the means” to him.
Socially he comes off eccentric, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unknowingly. Years of childhood trauma and diving into the depths of madness for knowledge and answers have left Nilfi on the verge of breakdown and insanity at times. They often play into this perception in broad social groups in an attempt to leave him unpredictable and difficult for others to get a psychologic understanding of him. Nilfi learned a bit from watching his mother’s street performances, how to “act” and things that draw attention or that seems strange and unusual, such as simple acrobatics like walking on his hand or playing music on his flute.
General Powers & Combat Abilities:
Nilfi is skilled in both magic and alchemy. They have a high preference for elemental fire magic, as well as a plethora of simple cantrips as their disposal. He has proficiency with brewing potions, often maintaining a supply of various different tonics and remedies of various utility. Nilfi is also a vampire, granting him increased agility, sharpened senses, and a restorative healing factor that given enough time can piece back together severed limbs and repair bones and organs.
Stabbing entirely through his brain or heart – usually with a wooden stake although other methods may work – and leaving it there will immobilize him and will leave him entirely helpless. He cannot regrow limbs, if severed and separated by a great enough distance or sealed within separate containers they’ll be unable to do anything really and render him practically dead. Magical diseases/ailments are also incredibly hard or impossible for his healing to counteract, which if infecting enough of him body might actually kill him.
He has a moderate amount of prowess in physical combat – in part thanks to his vampirism – although he tries to avoid it when possible. Nilfi’s primary weapon is their staff, made of a hardy “unknown” bone it also comes equipped with a spear blade concealed under a simple cap on the bottom. The top is ornately decorated has head of a dragon with a slot in its mouth that can be used to affix a magical crystal to serve as a catalyst for spells. The dragon head can also be removed, and serves as both a wand and as a flute (recorder).
Additional assorted stats:
Age: Mid to late 20s
Gender Identity/Presentation: Male/Masculine-Androgynous
Pronouns: He/Him/His and They/Them/Theirs
Race: Human Vampire
“Alignment”: Approximately Neutral or Chaotic Good, with drifts towards True/Chaotic Neutral
Occupation: Primarily an Alchemist selling potions, creams, salves, etc. Occasionally does street performances using magic, acrobatics, and music (Flute/Recorder)
Hobbies: Reading, cleaning his flute, listening to music performances, playing cards
Hair color: Seems to shift between crimson red and auburn red, how mysterious
Eye color: Normally a light greenish color that will occasionally shift to more of a yellowish red probably not a good sign
Weight and height: 5 ft 9 in / 175 cm, 145 lbs / 66 kg