Complete Eastern Brisshal A Sword That Sings in Scarlet Hues

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

Midday in Honeyhome. A loud voice could be heard echoing through the doors of the weapons shop.

"HEY! ANYONE IN HERE! I'M LOOKING FOR A WEAPON! SOMETHING THAT CUTS UP ENEMIES REAL GOOD."

Regan had entered the store looking for her first weapon. Though she had experience created weapons with her blood magic, Regan figured having a true sword would be good. Plus, Regan felt having a real sword and creating a magical one with blood magic would look badass when she dual-wielded them.

The shop keeper came out from a room in the back obviously startled.

I'm sorry Ma'am I was just in the back. We have a variety of blades here for sale. What are you looking for? A straight sword? Perhaps a curved...

"I JUST TOLD YOU DIDN'T I? IT'S GOTTA BE SHARP ENOUGH TO CUT ANY MAN OR BEAST IN HALF AND NOT GET STUCK IN THE BONES!"

The shop keep was visually taken aback by this. Regan was crude, straight forward and violently to the point, but she knew what she wanted.

"It should also look badass, like maybe red or something."

We... well I take pride in all my weapons so... so please help take a look. I even have some dummies in the back if you'd like to try a few out. We can also apply leather to the handle in whatever color you want.

"I didn't say any color... I SAID RED."

Yes, ma'am we have red.

"Okay good."

Bowing deeply, the shop keep went and hit behind the counter leaving Regan to look over the blades.

"Alright, let's see what we got here... there's a lot to choose from. Tough choice."

Beginning to get frustrated by her lack of knowledge on blades, Regan looked around. Unfortunately, the store was empty. Stomping towards the door, Regan opened it and popped her head out.

"HEY! ANY OF YOU BASTARDS KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SWORDS THAT CAN CUT THROUGH BEARS AND SHIT? IF YOU DO GET IN HERE. NOW!"

 

[Jin]

Swords that can cut through bears... and shit. Oddly specific request.

Honeyhome was a peaceful place, so travelers who disrupted that status quo were historically unwelcome, but that never stopped them. While the world itself rarely varied here, diversity among those who logged in did bring with it more undesirable traits. As evinced by the presence of a loud and boisterous woman screaming at the top of her lungs and disturbing the peace. Jin's appearance was disruptive in its own way: dark colors, alabaster flesh, and a crooked smirk only ever summoned when he was up to no good.

Yet they ignored him completely, because he was not the nexus of disorder. The myriad scornful gazes and quick gestures to usher children away from a terrible influence were a quiet voice of dissension. These people would never directly stand up to something. They were accustomed to peace, and wanted no part of its antithesis.

On the other hand, he wanted everything to do with violence.

"You may have come to the wrong place for 'swords that can cut through bears," Jin swept through the door past the woman without glancing in her direction. "This town is peaceful and has arms intended for fledgling adventurers. People of common or middling skill, not the sort who would cleave through large beasts. Shit, though- they could probably cut through shit with relative ease."

The Bloodsworn swordsman made his way to the counter where the proprietor stood, fidgeting with unease though he maintained his composure and seemed to have greeted and answered the woman's questions skillfully. His crimson gaze evaluated the shopkeep, who matched it with yet more uncertainty. His day had promptly gone sideways. "Sir, my wares, while modest, are guaranteed quality-"

"Aye, no doubt of that," Jin dismissed his commentary with a wave, "just responding to the woman's request, verbatim." Though he sighed, there was no relief in the man behind the counter. He was clearly waiting for them to just go away. The darkly dressed man, not much taller than the Beastfolk woman, tapped at the countertop and pointed toward a larger weapon behind the shopkeep.

"There," he gestured. "Zweihander. Perfect for someone looking to fight bears."

Finally, his eyes shifted to the anomaly.

Jin shifted so that he leaned against the counter, sizing the woman up with his arms folded across his chest. "Though I can't speak to how useful it will be in the privy."

@Regan

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

Regan watched the man come in with a scowl, he stuck her as something of a snake, his voice oozing with subtle venom.

"Ask for a bastard and you get a bastard..."

Regan turned to the shopkeeper.

"I WANT TO SEE THAT ONE! THE BIG ONE!"

"Yes... yes ma'am."

The shopkeeper brought it out to her quickly. Taking it one hand, the woman swung it around.

"You're right, bastard. This would be good for chopping up bears. In fact, I bet a could chop up a dozen bears with this thing. Only one problem.

Regan cleared her thought.

I'M A LADY! LOOK AT THE DRESS, BASTARD! I AM A VAMPIRE QUEEN IN THE MAKING! A WOMAN OF MY ELEGANCE AND SOPHISTICATION CAN'T USE A CLUB WITH AN EDGE! I WANT A SWORD WITH CLASS AND ELEGENCE! IF I WANTED A CLUB I'D JUST USE A WOLF SPINE. NOT TO MENTION I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DUAL-WIELD. DOES IT LOOK LIKE I COULD DUAL WEILD THIS THING AND STILL LOOK ELEGANT! I'D LOOK LIKE SOME KIND OF BARBARIAN TRIBES WOMAN! IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY GOOD IDEAS THEN KEEP THEM TO YOURSELF, BEFORE I FORCEFULLY STUFF THEM BACK INTO THAT BRAIN OF YOURS!"

Regan plopped the Zweihander down on the table.

"SHOPKEEPER! SOMETHING I CAN USE IN ONE HAND, AND I SWEAR TO THE HEAVENS ABOVE IF YOU BRING ME A TINY KNIFE I'LL STUFF IT DOWN YOUR THROAT! A SWORD! I WANT A SWORD!"

Looking back at the man that had come in, Regan sneered.

"Any other suggestions, bastard?"

@Jin

 

[Jin]

"My sincerest apologies, your grace," he bowed mockingly at the shoulders, feigning deference. "How utterly mindless of me to make such a blunder. But of course, I can see the regality of your bearing now."

Jin forced a smile and listened as the woman screamed for something else, as if beseeching the heavens themselves let alone the shopkeeper. Given the ease with which she hefted the weapon in a single hand, the youth found it comical that she complained about the difficulty. This was the sort of thing that you just couldn't find in the real world.

Terrasphere was already failing to disappoint. "If the lady would permit my saying so, dual wielding is hardly graceful," he gestured by turning his wrist over several times, indicating the bestial woman vaguely. "You are looking for a blade befitting of a queen, no? A vampire queen, no less? Then a rapier is the only proper option."

The man behind the counter was visibly uncomfortable now, what with the talk of vampires and the woman's unstable outbursts. There was merit in that. Every request or statement she spoke seemed to contradict the last, to a fault. Jin knew that this type of person was the most unreasonable, and perhaps impossible to please, and yet, fanning such flames was the only recourse for a man who's life up to this point had been lived in the dredges of boredom.

The burden fell upon the woman not to disappoint him. "Bring her a rapier, man," he entreated the armorer. "Quickly now, be about it!"

@Regan

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

"Good, it seems you've finally opened your eyes, bastard."

Regan was pleased that the man treated her with the reverence she deserved, though to be fair wasn't necessarily picking up on the idea that it was being feigned. Unfortunately, at the man's next mention that dual wielding wasn't graceful, Regan's anger once again reached a fever-pitch.

"Not graceful you say... then please explain to me what would be graceful? Better yet, explain to me how WIELDING TWO-BLADES IN PERFECT TANDEM ISN'T GRACEFUL! THE BLADES SWEEP AND SLICE THROUGH THE AIR AS THE WARRIOR MANUEVERS ELEGENTLY AROUND THE BATTLEFIELD! IT'S A WALTZ OF DEATH, ARE YOU SAYING A WALTZ IS NOT GRACEFUL! HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A WALTZ YOU LOWLEY BASTARD, IT IS A DANCE OF KINGS AND QUEENS, BOTH HANDS AND BODIES UTILIZED TOGETHER! IT'S EXCUISTE! LIKE WATCHING SWANS GLIDE ACROSS THE LAKE! AND IN THE SAME WAY THE BLADE MASTER MOVES ACROSS THE BATTLEFIELD A BLUR OF MOVEMENT AND GRACEFUL BEAUTY!"

Regan sighed to herself.

"I'm beginning to think you may not have any understanding of combat at all, bastard."

As the shopkeeper handed Regan the rapier, Regan swung it around lazily.

"It's pretty, but no. I need something that can slash. Piercing weapons are not my forte."

Regan placed the rapier back on the table.

"And if I might ask, what weapon do you use, bastard?"

@Jin

 

[Jin]

There was something beautiful about anger, volatility, the scathing heat of an intense emotion that threatened to burn him as effigy that brought him to life. People just did not react like this in the real world. This array of color was only visible when humanity cast aside the pall of societal graces. The self-ordained queen lost herself in the heat of her passion, and he leaned forward, watching closely as she explained to him the inherent grace of swords. Grace inherent to savagery.

How inspired.

Jin drummed at his arm patiently when she resigned herself and doubted his abilities. "It seems that I have offended your grace," he sighed. Too much anger and she might become less fun to play with and more of a problem. That would not be ideal. He lifted his thumb to his teeth and chewed on it, pantomiming deep thought. "I see now that you are a woman of culture."

Culture was an interesting word. A catchall that could mean anything, but most people who heard it rarely took offense. Interpretive slaughter ticked several boxes. Jin did not feel the need to elaborate.

Instead, when she asked about his weapon, he patted the tsuka of his katana. "Sword," he replied at a drawl. It wasn't false, but it was far from the whole truth. She didn't need to know that, though. "One that was forged for two hands, not unlike the blade you found distasteful a moment ago, though I've never heard of anyone describing a katana as "barbaric."

It was the opposite, in fact. The Katana was lauded as one of the most beautiful or graceful weapons, likened to a paintbrush. Whether it was or was not barbaric carried no meaning for Jin. A tool was just that to him. "A shamshir, perhaps, might suit your tastes?" he suggested after a moment. "Curved, made for slashing, less focused on accuracy than speed- though by no means inaccurate as a rule."

He glanced and sighed quietly. "Not that this place is selling anything like that," he muttered as he lamented the limited stock of the current venue.

@Regan

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

Regan looked down at the man's katana and frowned. It looked nice in its sheathe and looked like it could be decorated to match the user.

It looks like a two handed weapon but maybe I could find one shorter or just have one with a sleeker design. It also looks like its for slashing. Hmm... not to mention it would look tastefully out of place at my side. Or maybe not even at my side. Maybe I could find something with the same sort of design but long enough to carry on my back. That might be good.

"SHOPKEEP! I'VE MADE MY DECISION!"

Regan pointed to the weapon at the man's side.

"I WANT ONE LIKE THAT! WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT'S THE SAME OR SIMILAR?"

As she waited for the shopkeeper to reply, she shifted her eyes around the store looking for anything else that might fit the bill. Still, now at least she knew what she wanted. She looked back at the man.

"Where did you get yours, bastard? I'm assuming it wasn't in a place like this for beginners."

@Jin

 

[Jin]

The man seemed despondent trying to keep abreast of their demands. Jin smiled and watched the shopkeep have a mild panic attack when the Beastwoman indicated the weapon at his side, and rightly so. Such things were not generally found in their current region. A curiosity, a foreign weapon- something one might search for at a trading post, or in a port city. He didn't interject, however. Watching the back and forth was enough to earn a quiet smile from him.

Where did you get yours, bastard?

Ah, so she does know how to ask the right questions. "I bought it off of a trader in the port of Stokbon," he answered. "Anything that you might want can be found on the coastline somewhere, provided you're willing to pay the right price for it." It was a boorish answer, but honest. "Though it takes the requisite skill to use a blade not intended for beginners."

He left her to draw her own conclusions from those words, drawing back and leaning once more against the counter with his arm draped across the pommel of his blade leisurely. The shopkeep rushed back in from the storeroom with the closest thing he could find to "one like" the blade at Jin's side. With a worried look, the man offered it to the self-proclaimed vampire queen. The sooner he could fill her order, the sooner she would leave.

At least, that was the hope. Jin had no intention of letting the fun die that quickly. "What do you think?" he asked of the woman as the blade came within reach.

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

"Stockbon, huh?"

Being new to the world and having hadn't yet left East Brisshal, Regan had no idea where that was but she didn't care at the moment She'd find it soon enough. If she was going to be the strongest in the world, she'd need to visit just about everyone in the world to prove it anyway.

"Well, whatever."

Taking the blade from the shopkeeper Regan swung it around.

"Yeah, this might work. You said there were training dummies in the back right?"

"Ye...ye..."

"WHAT! ARE THERE OR AREN'T THERE! SPEAK UP!"

"Yes! Yes, there in the back."

"Good, I'm going to test this out. You're coming too bastard, I want to see what that sword you got can do."

Heading outside to the back of the shop several dummies were set up. Regan looked to Jin.

"ALRIGHT BASTARD, SHOW ME WHAT THAT SWORD CAN DO. IF IT WORKS AS WELL AS YOU SAY MAYBE I'LL MAKE A VISIT TO STOKBORN MYSELF! NOW GO ON! YOU'RE A MAN AREN'T YOU?!

@Jin

 

[Jin]

He watched her harass the man with a neutral gaze, wondering if all shopkeeps in this world were quite so docile. If they were, theft or intimidation were not off the table for cutting back on expense. It was something he could experiment with in the future, but for now, the woman barked at him about training dummies. Then at Jin, explaining that he would be joining her soirée into dummy training.

Jin shut his eyes and shook his head, a mirthless chuckle escaping him. "Of course, your grace," he gave a shrug and shoved off the counter and followed her out the back door. "You want to watch me use my blade?" he asked incredulously.

In all likelihood, she sought to emulate him. Jin caught up quickly and turned his attention toward the dummies. Most who focused on the katana prided themselves on speed, their reaction time, and the ability to overtake others with a single stroke. He preferred it for other reasons. Guile, for one- the expectation of speed on the part of the enemy. Misdirection was a powerful tool.

Simply because it was not his preferred method of combat, however, did not mean he was incapable of using it. Quite the contrary- he had taken the necessary skills and spent time with the blade to cultivate skill so that he could pass as a swordsman, even if he was not a scion of bladework. He took a step toward the closest dummy and his arm darted forward as though he intended to throw a simple cross.

After the false strike took him wide of the dummy, Jin stepped and followed through, his body crouched and his arm dipping low to his hip. The art of drawing the blade had many applications, some direct, others less so. As the weapon left the sheathe and whispered death to the wooden target, his blade left a deep impression in its broad side.

The weapon was already slinking back into its sheath, not unlike a snake.

Jin did not look to the dummy to appraise the damage, rather, he watched the woman to ascertain how she enjoyed the mummery she had coerced him into acting out. "Now, you try," he gestured toward the targets for her to take her turn.

@Regan

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

Regan took the blade the shopkeeper had given her. It wasn't the same, more of a saber than a katana but the basic idea was the same, it was a slashing weapon with a sheathe not nearly the same grade as Jin's but as Jin said, this was a beginner's area.

Taking the sword out of the sheathe, Regan threw the sheathe on the ground. Suddenly, she turned to Jin.

"Like I said, bastard. I fight dual-wielding."

Taking the blade, Regan ran the blade along the palm of her hand. Blood started to gurgle out, but then quickly congealed into a long second blade made of hardened blood. Holding her saber in one hand and her blood sword in the other, Regan readied herself.

"Alright, LET'S GIVE THIS A PROPER TEST!"

Dashing forward, Regan quickly reached the target slashing upward with the saber Regan lopped off the dummies arm, then with her blood blade, she sliced horizontally cutting the target in twain.

"HAH! NOT BAD! NOT BAD AT ALL."

Turning to Jin, Regan grinned a wolfish smile.

"Like I said, elegance and brutality merged."

Suddenly, the woman looked to the shopkeeper.

"I'LL TAKE IT!"

Picking up the scabbard, Regan slide the blade in and tossed it to the shopkeeper.

"WRAP IT UP. OH, AND MAKE IT RED!"

The shopkeeper bowed and quickly went inside to ready the blade.

"So bastard, who the hell even are you. From the looks of your equipment, you have little need for sitting around in a backwoods town like this."

@Jin

 

[Jin]

There was a malign elegance in the way she moved. Most worthy of note, the intoxicating slip of an edge across flesh. His eyes came to life at the display of blood magic as she stretched out her vitae and honed it into a blade. His face betrayed nothing of the visceral appreciation he felt at such a wanton display of profane magic, even as the shopkeep visibly recoiled. Perhaps the woman was blissfully unaware of the taboos surrounding dark arts and blood magic, and the fact that they were utterly reviled by the general population. A player might be more understanding than a 'lander, but the NPCs were steadfast in their disgust.

He fumbled the weapon when she tossed it to him and hurried away, careful to only handle it by the wrappings and not touch the blade directly. Jin watched him leave and turned his attention toward her. "You should be more aware of your magicks," he warned. "There are those who would hunt you down like a beast if they were aware of what you can do, and the common landfolk who see it will gladly turn you over to them."

That was all the warning he felt like giving. She did not seem the type to care much for the rules, and he was hardly the type to try to convince her otherwise. In fact, if she felt the urge to start a conflict and make a bloody mess, all the better.

At least it wouldn't be boring.

So bastard, who the hell even are you. From the looks of your equipment, you have little need for sitting around in a backwoods town like this.

Her assessment was not far off the mark. Jin had spent an extensive amount of time logged in and started to learn about the intricacies of what he could do and not do, and about the world itself. He was obsessed with every mechanical aspect. The entire world was a plaything, and the rules were black and white. The things that the system didn't care about were completely at the whims of a users moral compass.

And so, the most interesting people to watch were the ones who had yet to figure out just what type of place this was.

"But a traveler looking for endless amusement, if it please your grace," he answered with a flourish and a smile, "I am called Jin, and for my part, I am quite glad to have met you," he told her, with no agenda at all.

In that moment, at least.

@Regan

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

"HAHAHA HUNTED LIKE A BEAST, HUH? WELL LET THEM COME AFTERALL I AM A BEAST, A MONSTER EVEN..."

Regan grinned showing her fangs. In regards to the warning, Regan continued.

"Magic is magic and power is power, but I'll keep it under consideration in the future. Though whatever power I choose to use is mine to control. Hah... so there are rules in this world. Still, the only rule that truly matters is survival of the fittest. Even an idiot knows that."

Smiling, the Beastfolk shouted.

"POWER IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS. THE STRONG RISE AND THE WEAK FOLLOW!"

Laughing hardily, Regan continued.

"So Jin the bastard is a bastard that seeks amusement. Haha you're quite the snake aren't you? I don't know what you're up to, or why you're really here, but I don't trust you. HAH! Still, you haven't done any harm and in some respects, you've even been a bit helpful. I won't thank you, but I will say you're not bad at following orders."

Snarling, Regan licked her lips.

"I'll give you one warning though, Jin the bastard. Cross me and I'll decorate my new scabbard with bones from your spine."

Turning towards the door. Regan called back to Jin.

"I'm going to go pay for this sword. What are your plans, Jin the bastard?"

 

[Jin]

The only rule that truly matters is survival of the fittest. Even an idiot knows that.

The wisest words you've spoken yet, woman. Jin listened to her cry out to the heavens in protest of the rules and of society, and at her proclamation of the strong eating the weak, he could not help but smile. Perhaps her tyranny would spread, or perhaps should would make for a fantastic spectacle. In either instance, she would be an entertaining actor to watch. "Here, here," he said in appreciation of her words.

I don't know what you're up to, or why you're really here, but I don't trust you. HAH! Still, you haven't done any harm and in some respects, you've even been a bit helpful. I won't thank you, but I will say you're not bad at following orders.

It was quite astute of her not to trust him, but then, he was hardly forthcoming with information. Only a fool would readily let him stand at their back. The same could be said of most people, though. While most would be offended by the thought of being consigned to the role of lackey, Jin knew better.

The nail that stands out highest gets hammered down hardest.

"I'll give you one warning though, Jin the bastard. Cross me and I'll decorate my new scabbard with bones from your spine."

And here is a woman who stands out taller than everyone around her.

Jin leaned closer and his lips curled into the most sadistic of smiles. His eyes remained half open, filled still with amusement rather than malice, and he let out a soft chuckle. "Even a Fool knows better than to cross a Queen," he replied, "but your grace, I counsel you to not threaten me with a good time."

The Bloodsworn withdrew from his menacing encroachment and his smile flattened into something much less malicious than moments before. "From here, I will make for Astorea," he told her. "Unlike in Faldaren, uncertainty grips the land there, and opportunities abound for a Traveler looking to advance or grow."

The perfect place to find no end of entertainment. "Killing thieves and aiding merchants can only keep one interested for so long, after all." He raised a hand to indicate his departure.

"Good-bye, your grace," he intoned in an almost sing-song voice, "I am certain we will see each other again."

@Regan

 

[Gutsy Ironvolt]

"Hmph... I see. Astorea, huh. With time I suppose I'll need to travel there but right now I still have work to do here."

Regan grinned.

"I need to hone my new blade on my enemies in this area. Bandits make for great quarry, not to mention I'm doing these villagers a favor by removing them and keeping the area safe. It's win-win. The same can be said of goblins and any other monsters. Once I've had my fill of this area I'll leave and march onward so that more enemies will meet their inevitable demise at my hands."

Looking upward almost serenely, Regan smiled.

"That's the beauty of this world. There's so much to explore, so much left to battle, and so much more power to take hold of. It makes me giddy to think of how much stronger I can become."

Regan watched as Jin left her sight.

"I suppose we shall, Jin the bastard. Until next time."

@Jin