Dirzryn DeVagrant (again)

We were not expecting to see Dirzryn again, as our very first interviewee it was clear he disliked sitting for a portrait. A cocky and self-assured man he only plays formalities when he wants something. Sure enough he arrives and graces us with false pleasantries in order to query us about Aezyln’s recent visit. He is clearly not concerned with locating his brother but is rather interested with the workings of our studio and the questions we pose to our candidates.

As he is most obviously fishing for information, we propose that he sits again, in front of our shiny new team of artists and takes the questions for himself. He complies despite the fact it displeases him. Playing tenuous games however is somewhat a speciality of his. At 78 years of age and 5ft 10 in high Dirzryn is freakishly tall for his species.

He is a newly appointed leader. He has had few years governing affairs and ‘slouching from house to house’ as those below him would like to think. The now deceased man who took head position before Dirzryn was well loved and revered; Raeid A'Sahr was everything the people wanted. Dirzryn on the other hand is far too tall and comes from an impoverished background; the people hate him with more reverence than they loved Raeid. This is a factoid that Ungus gleefully likes to reference in between rubbing his greedy little fingers and sneering.

Dirzryn doesn’t care so much for politics; he knows the true nature of this former puppet Raeid. We would like to say he is too kind to tell his people, but as he is quite an arsehole who knows how much they hate him we figure he finds it more an amusing joke. He doesn’t care for the simple men and clarifies, ‘I do not pander to civilian opinion and we have smaller councils to fix those problems. I simply serve my Lord as he asks.’

The Lord he serves is Lukas Graye, yet this subject appears to be a sour one, or at least one he will not speak of at length. He also has nothing to say of his family apart from, ‘I never knew them.’

He bears an air of calm and sedateness around him that is unsettling, quite like the quiet precursor to a storm.

This magical aura is one that settles and rises with his temperament and sometimes catches the feathers of his hair or the trail ends of his long coat. His glyphs occasionally illuminate and the electrics in the room falter. We cite that he is deemed one of the most powerful Mages currently in existence; he is neither boastful nor bashful in admittance of this fact, unfazed he nods, ‘so I am told,’ and then stares blankly at us again.  

His stare is cold with the intensity of fire, a captivating and purposeful icy blaze.  His eyes are bright and yet darkly unfathomable as though he has mastered masking his soul from those who would brave his hardened gaze. His overall expression is equally difficult to read, his lips rarely breech the edge of a smile, his body language calculated and gestures precise. This man leaves nothing to chance and trusts no one. Like a noble and practised master of his skill he judges the situation carefully and concisely before making his move.

We understand he was a high ranked tactician and warrior in the last Great War, yet again he has little to say on the matter. We really wanted to ask how many thousands of men he had slain but the slight and sharp pinch of his brow when we pondered the amount of  ‘bloodshed’ made us realise it was a stupid question and that we quite like having our arteries, organs and brains in the places that nature intended.

Dirzryn has a quick tongue and short patience. He appears aggravated beneath the surface, his mind is busy elsewhere and he resents being pestered. ‘May I now leave?’ he pertinently asks the steel bracer on his left arm catching the light as he twists his hand in questioning.

We know he only asked to be polite and dare not say no. We are well aware that he could leave anytime he wanted. As he exits the energy in the room settles, the lights tick back up to full and those of nervous disposition find breathing space.

Karstine Maranay Zeterra

Karst exudes a persona of instant charm. She is feisty and playful from the very first word. We let her smoke a roll-up during the interview as the room still stinks from the cigars Braus constantly chuffed. Aged 24 and at 5ft 6in tall Karst has a clear sense of her own identity. Her brilliant green eyes flash with a flirtatious defiance. She toys with us at first, acts a little coy and comes off as rather cloying until she realises we aren’t here to steal her smokes or coins.

A very clever and independent woman Karst knows too well how to get the better of her opponent. As half-Felid we are surprised she allows us to call her by one name alone, especially as that name sounds like a forename. (For those who aren’t in the know Felids traditionally stick to being called by a combination of surname and forename ((see Si’Ra/Dro’Zar/Kha'Rii)) it has been a long standing tradition and form of politeness to call Felids primarily by surname.) Karst however denounced her true Felid name and won’t tell us what it was. She now calls herself Karstine Maranay Zeterra. We can’t be sure where those names come from but are quite certain we might get hot ash flicked in our eyes if we ask.

She has a mostly friendly disposition to everyone she meets and indulges in what she deems as ‘playful ribbing.’ She likes pranks and uses sarcasm as though opiate dependant on it. Her off-colour jokes don’t go down very well but we guess she didn’t tell them to please us. 

Her fiery nature makes her difficult to be around at times and she is prone to outbursts of anger. Still her main goal appears to be seeking entertainment, a talented and yet bored woman who bears a half-mouthed grin on her face and a sparkle in her eyes.

Karst’s overall philosophy on life is, in her words, ‘too damned short not to have fun with.’

Can we ‘like’ or thumb this up more than once?

Omo Odomko

At first glance we panicked and thought a savage wild beast had broken into our studio. It took several moments for us to realise (well those of us who didn’t bolt straight out of the emergency exit) that this hulking beast was actually the man we were set to interview. 

As an Anthropomorphic Komodo Dragon Omo is extremely muscular and clearly unaware of the power in his limbs, his skin too boasts a tough hyde of hardened dark green scales that make him almost impervious to physical attacks and pain. Standing at a colossal 7ft and 3in tall and as impressively broad Omo is every inch the brute he appears to be. Aggressive, untrusting and fierce we are relieved that his lifelong partner Ake chose to be in attendance. Ake is the only one able to calm Omo and in return he protects her with his life.

The two of them work as Shrine Guardians. They never disclose the location of the shrine, nor what it is they are protecting or worshipping. Omo isn’t the perceptive or intelligent sort; in fact we are surprised he is able to string more than two words together.  Ake explains several things on his behalf, such as the fact he is around 32 years old and that their dedication to protect the shrine is born of passion and love for their surroundings. 

This statement both puzzles and amuses us as we try to imagine Omo as a ‘peace and love’ hippy. 

The two massive Scimitars he refuses to put down tell us otherwise, we’re pretty sure most hippies don’t carry anything more than maybe a small knife to cut resin. Ake tells us Omo never goes anywhere without his Scimitars. Then just to reassure us further she reveals that he literally possesses inhuman strength and can uproot trees with ease.

Ake smiles at this in a way we find unnerving and Omo seems to be restless again, the studio confuses him greatly and he keeps trying to study the equipment by breaking it. At least we hope he broke the lighting out of curiosity rather than suppressed rage.

Needless to say it was a relief when he left and we pray that he doesn’t return when we interview Ake. In fact can we pray to their shrine for this, sacrifice a small crew member maybe?

Aezlyn DeVagrant

Aezlyn is a hardworking, understated and friendly fellow. Standing a haughty 5ft 1in tall and at 82 years old he is the youngest of Dirzryn’s brothers. The two of them never really knew their father Dachlyn before he passed away and hence Aezyln bonded well with his younger sibling. He wasn’t old enough at the time of their father’s death to understand the shame of having a fourth child in the family. In drow culture having more than three children is deemed very taboo.

The two older boys, Xiaz and Erynai have a grudge against Dirzryn; they see him as one who brought shame upon their family, worse still even as a toddler Dirzryn grew unnaturally tall. He was removed from the household at an early age to study magic as it became clear he was very skilled. Aezlyn also had the privilege of education whereas Xiaz and Erynai were never gifted such an opportunity. Resentment in the family runs deep. Their house has always been a poor one, one propped up by long hours of graft and working the land in order to bring supper to the table.

Xiaz is the eldest and shortest in both stature and temperament, he is a lot like their father. Erynai isn’t quite so stern but is also a man who understands the way the world works in terms of sweat and physical effort. Aezlyn on the other hand is a bit of a jovial dreamer, a soft touch pampered with schooling who never had to weather the burden of supporting others.

Instead Aezyln was able to cultivate alternate skills. He is quite a fine craftsman, knows a little about sword-smithing and has an interest in alchemy. He made a small patch in their garden to grow alchemic plants. Xiaz trashed this garden because he found it distasteful. Xiaz hates all of Aezylns advances, he hates Dirzryn most of all and refutes anything to do with magic or mage skills.

The three of them work several jobs to make ends meet. When their mother’s health failed they knew that upkeep of the crops was down to them alongside not only the physical labour but also the processing and accounts she used to keep. Aezyln explains that this is the point he knew he was in the wrong place. A drifter and dreamer he could not stay and aid with the upkeep. His brothers were so efficient and he didn’t really understand them. 

Now he is looking for Dirzryn, not for money although money would help. He has hazy golden memories of their time together. Aezyln does not believe the current news of Dirzryn’s evil conquests. The person he grew up with was not cold hearted. He is not interested in Dirzryn’s wealth per-say but does hope that his brother will offer to help him set up a small business in alchemy, be it in monetary forms, in teaching or simply some advice. Since Dirzryn is a famed and renowned mage, and now the highest ranking drow to serve under Luka, Aezlyn assumes he will be able to reconnect and glean something. All Aezyln wants is to set up a new alchemic garden.

Maybe we are suckers or he is a better grafter than we realise. However being so friendly and humble we all willingly gave up a few coins to help him start his garden.