There and Not So Back Again: A Hin's Tale.
Nov 23, 2015 21:28:22 GMT
Post by Pieman102 on Nov 23, 2015 21:28:22 GMT
((Before this begins, this is technically a backstory, but I don't wish to spam the biography section as I will be adding and revising this story as I play. That being said feel free to give feedback on what you like and think could be better. Enjoy!))
So, travelers, you wish to know my tale do you? I must warn you that it is not for the faint of heart and I can't guarantee that your tears will remain in your eye holes. Still wish to know do you? Very well, I suppose it would be rude to ignore such a plea. In this age of undead and the fall of society trustworthiness is a highly regarded value. I am rambling? Oh fine, I will start from the beginning then, as all good stories have a strong foundation...
********************************
A lazy sun spilled its light down on a small, coastal village. Small wood shacks leaned against each other, thatch roofs with scattered holes piercing the protective shield. Cold and isolated, this village seemed to embody the word: sturdy. It's residents shuffled the streets almost like all the life had been drained from them. Rina watched these people from a small window. Home was a strong word to use for this prison cell. She was hated and feared by her own family, locked most days in the dusty attic, crammed with old furniture and heirlooms. Among the mess was a clutter of fused together glass and hastily nailed lumber. It took the shape of odd tools and containers, or at least to her they did. Books littered the floor around her little work station, she often stole them from traveling merchants when she could escape the attic. Today's food sat cold on the window sill, a meager helping of eggs and a strip of bacon. Which was a step up from only bits of the greasy meat.
Rina grew bored of watching the lucky people outside waste away their unknown freedoms. What she would give to be able to scurry around with friends, playing games and enjoying her life. No. She had to be born a freak. The little hin jumped from the window sill and walked over to an antique mirror. A tall, reflective surface surrounded by aged brass and golden inlays. Viewing herself, she looked normal enough to her young eyes. Rina was a little shorter than most halflings her age, she was still barely entering adulthood though and surely that will change as she grew older. A wave of ruby colored locks of hair cascaded down past her shoulders. Rina supposed she could be considered cute with her little button nose and cupid bow lips. Not like she had much of a romantic future ahead of her.
Anger bubbled up from Rina's stomach as she threw a punch at the mirror. Her small fist collided with the mirror but it didn't so much as crack. She howled in pain and waved her hand about, tears welling up in her eyes. "D-Damnit!" She silently cursed as she glared at the mirror. There was a familiar warmth that billowed forth. It was almost like the warmth of direct sunlight only she could feel it physically moving through her tiny body. An invisible force collided with the reflective mirror and it shattered in a shower of glimmering shards. Panic gripped her stomach as she rushed over to the mirror, trying to put it back together. It was because of this that she was locked away up here, and now she didn't even have a mirror.
"Way to go, stupid." She uttered to herself while pushing a fist against the side of her skull.
Ever since her birthday three years back, Rina had been dealing with a certain gift. A curse more like it. It had started out as similar outbursts and grew to include a variety of crazy manifestations. From fire to changing the color of a villager's skin and everything in between. Her parents tried to be supportive at first, she guessed, but then her mother died of a disease and her father turned his back to her just like the village did. He was the reason she was locked up in disgusting room. Rina was never one to fully hate someone. But that dark emotion was starting to cling onto her every thought. Lately she had been imagining just how she would escape and master this craft. A lot of those thoughts started with burning down the isolated fishing village. These thoughts were immediately dashed and forgotten though. That was not her. She was a good person and would never dream of harming people who were scared of a monster like her.
Rina moved over, flopping forward onto the small cot that was her bed. Being trapped in that attic gave her too much time to think and dwell on the fact that she was different. There was a loud THUMP THUMP THUMP crashing up the stairs. A series of rattles as chains and bolts were unlocked from the solid oak door leading to the rest of the house. The door flung open to reveal an overweight halfling man. He was balding and had a very strong face under all that blubber. It was her father. The man was red faced as he saw the mirror and immediately started towards the young halfing with something in hand. Judging from the smell as he drew closer, it was liquor. Sure enough as the fat hin stumbled up to her, frothing at the mouth, she could see the nearly empty bottle.
"Lishten 'ere, you little shit, I gotta 'nough on my plate without you ushing your demon magic in the houshe!" Her father practically screamed in her ear, words slurring into one another.
"Maybe if you weren't so drunk all the time, you would actually find work." Rina replied with an even tone, staring up at the drunkard.
"Why you ungrateful!"
Pain exploded from the side of her head, causing her to sprawl to the ground. Lights danced in her vision as she felt something warm trickling down the side of her face. It took a while for her brain to comprehend that her father had just smashed the bottle against her head. She struggled to rise, but her found her arms were fighting against her. The big man stepped forward and slammed a foot against Rina's side, sending her hurling into the wall. The wind in her lungs rushed out, leaving her breathless and her body screaming in pain. It did not stop there as meaty fists assaulted her small body. More than once she lost consciousness, which was a blessing as it offered an escape from the pain. Then there was a bright flash of light and all was quite.
Her mind was jumbled with many thoughts as she started to gain control of her injured body. Sluggishly she stood up and got her first look around. Rina's sanity almost broke with what she saw. Before her lay a charred lump of meat that could only be her father based on the scraps of clothes still on it. Around her the whole attic was singed and coated in soot, centered around where she had been laying. Fear and crippling sorrow grasped at her mind. Sure he was garbage and a terrible parent, but she would never wish death on him. Yet there he was and another sound. The sound of someone else entering the home. Acting quickly she opened the small window and shimmied herself onto the small overhang over the front door. Rina heard a woman's scream behind her in the attic and a desperate cry for the guards. There was no time to hesitate or dwell on the horrific thing she had done.
The young halfling jumped down from the overhang, tumbling end over end as she landed. She felt something pop in her left knee and a shooting pain to add to the collection of suffering she had gathered in such a short time. Rina didn't look back as she staggered towards the docks and more importantly towards a small rowboat. There was increased panicked sounding behind her as she barely managed to pull herself into the vessel. With a heaving grunt she dislodged the boat from the shore and was set drifting into the water. Only then did she see the mob forming in the village. There was pointing in her direction as the villagers stumbled over each other to reach their boats. Rina grabbed an oar and paddled with all she had, but it wouldn't be enough. So she stood and did the only thing she could think of. Extending her left hand out towards the two larger sailing ships in the dock. She focused on that internal power. Her curse. There was a build up of heat like before and the sails in the distance bursted into flames. The villagers were now fighting the fire to their source of living rather than worrying about the little witch girl.
Away she paddled, days on the water, maybe a week. Rina was too weak to tell how much time had passed since the incident. She arrived at a mysterious island, her boat sliding into the sandy beach with a grinding of sand against wood. She was too starved and depressed to climb out of the boat. Maybe this boat would make for a fitting grave for a monster like her. Darkness swept into her vision as she passed out again for what seemed like the hundredth time. Luck was on her side however as a man, clad in thick robes was out gathering materials from the beach. He quickly moved over to see the young halfling, half-dead in the boat. Worried for her health, the man gathered her up in his arms and made haste to the nearby city that sprawled a good portion of the island. Upon entering the gates a few guards were there to greet him.
"Welcome back to Kalaram-" One of the guards started.
"No time! Get me the doctor!" The robed man shouted at the guard.
To the guard's credit he did not hesitate, starting immediately off to fetch the local doctor. The man looked to the small girl in his arms and muttered to himself. "Hold fast now girl, your time isn't up yet."
((End of part 1))
So, travelers, you wish to know my tale do you? I must warn you that it is not for the faint of heart and I can't guarantee that your tears will remain in your eye holes. Still wish to know do you? Very well, I suppose it would be rude to ignore such a plea. In this age of undead and the fall of society trustworthiness is a highly regarded value. I am rambling? Oh fine, I will start from the beginning then, as all good stories have a strong foundation...
********************************
A lazy sun spilled its light down on a small, coastal village. Small wood shacks leaned against each other, thatch roofs with scattered holes piercing the protective shield. Cold and isolated, this village seemed to embody the word: sturdy. It's residents shuffled the streets almost like all the life had been drained from them. Rina watched these people from a small window. Home was a strong word to use for this prison cell. She was hated and feared by her own family, locked most days in the dusty attic, crammed with old furniture and heirlooms. Among the mess was a clutter of fused together glass and hastily nailed lumber. It took the shape of odd tools and containers, or at least to her they did. Books littered the floor around her little work station, she often stole them from traveling merchants when she could escape the attic. Today's food sat cold on the window sill, a meager helping of eggs and a strip of bacon. Which was a step up from only bits of the greasy meat.
Rina grew bored of watching the lucky people outside waste away their unknown freedoms. What she would give to be able to scurry around with friends, playing games and enjoying her life. No. She had to be born a freak. The little hin jumped from the window sill and walked over to an antique mirror. A tall, reflective surface surrounded by aged brass and golden inlays. Viewing herself, she looked normal enough to her young eyes. Rina was a little shorter than most halflings her age, she was still barely entering adulthood though and surely that will change as she grew older. A wave of ruby colored locks of hair cascaded down past her shoulders. Rina supposed she could be considered cute with her little button nose and cupid bow lips. Not like she had much of a romantic future ahead of her.
Anger bubbled up from Rina's stomach as she threw a punch at the mirror. Her small fist collided with the mirror but it didn't so much as crack. She howled in pain and waved her hand about, tears welling up in her eyes. "D-Damnit!" She silently cursed as she glared at the mirror. There was a familiar warmth that billowed forth. It was almost like the warmth of direct sunlight only she could feel it physically moving through her tiny body. An invisible force collided with the reflective mirror and it shattered in a shower of glimmering shards. Panic gripped her stomach as she rushed over to the mirror, trying to put it back together. It was because of this that she was locked away up here, and now she didn't even have a mirror.
"Way to go, stupid." She uttered to herself while pushing a fist against the side of her skull.
Ever since her birthday three years back, Rina had been dealing with a certain gift. A curse more like it. It had started out as similar outbursts and grew to include a variety of crazy manifestations. From fire to changing the color of a villager's skin and everything in between. Her parents tried to be supportive at first, she guessed, but then her mother died of a disease and her father turned his back to her just like the village did. He was the reason she was locked up in disgusting room. Rina was never one to fully hate someone. But that dark emotion was starting to cling onto her every thought. Lately she had been imagining just how she would escape and master this craft. A lot of those thoughts started with burning down the isolated fishing village. These thoughts were immediately dashed and forgotten though. That was not her. She was a good person and would never dream of harming people who were scared of a monster like her.
Rina moved over, flopping forward onto the small cot that was her bed. Being trapped in that attic gave her too much time to think and dwell on the fact that she was different. There was a loud THUMP THUMP THUMP crashing up the stairs. A series of rattles as chains and bolts were unlocked from the solid oak door leading to the rest of the house. The door flung open to reveal an overweight halfling man. He was balding and had a very strong face under all that blubber. It was her father. The man was red faced as he saw the mirror and immediately started towards the young halfing with something in hand. Judging from the smell as he drew closer, it was liquor. Sure enough as the fat hin stumbled up to her, frothing at the mouth, she could see the nearly empty bottle.
"Lishten 'ere, you little shit, I gotta 'nough on my plate without you ushing your demon magic in the houshe!" Her father practically screamed in her ear, words slurring into one another.
"Maybe if you weren't so drunk all the time, you would actually find work." Rina replied with an even tone, staring up at the drunkard.
"Why you ungrateful!"
Pain exploded from the side of her head, causing her to sprawl to the ground. Lights danced in her vision as she felt something warm trickling down the side of her face. It took a while for her brain to comprehend that her father had just smashed the bottle against her head. She struggled to rise, but her found her arms were fighting against her. The big man stepped forward and slammed a foot against Rina's side, sending her hurling into the wall. The wind in her lungs rushed out, leaving her breathless and her body screaming in pain. It did not stop there as meaty fists assaulted her small body. More than once she lost consciousness, which was a blessing as it offered an escape from the pain. Then there was a bright flash of light and all was quite.
Her mind was jumbled with many thoughts as she started to gain control of her injured body. Sluggishly she stood up and got her first look around. Rina's sanity almost broke with what she saw. Before her lay a charred lump of meat that could only be her father based on the scraps of clothes still on it. Around her the whole attic was singed and coated in soot, centered around where she had been laying. Fear and crippling sorrow grasped at her mind. Sure he was garbage and a terrible parent, but she would never wish death on him. Yet there he was and another sound. The sound of someone else entering the home. Acting quickly she opened the small window and shimmied herself onto the small overhang over the front door. Rina heard a woman's scream behind her in the attic and a desperate cry for the guards. There was no time to hesitate or dwell on the horrific thing she had done.
The young halfling jumped down from the overhang, tumbling end over end as she landed. She felt something pop in her left knee and a shooting pain to add to the collection of suffering she had gathered in such a short time. Rina didn't look back as she staggered towards the docks and more importantly towards a small rowboat. There was increased panicked sounding behind her as she barely managed to pull herself into the vessel. With a heaving grunt she dislodged the boat from the shore and was set drifting into the water. Only then did she see the mob forming in the village. There was pointing in her direction as the villagers stumbled over each other to reach their boats. Rina grabbed an oar and paddled with all she had, but it wouldn't be enough. So she stood and did the only thing she could think of. Extending her left hand out towards the two larger sailing ships in the dock. She focused on that internal power. Her curse. There was a build up of heat like before and the sails in the distance bursted into flames. The villagers were now fighting the fire to their source of living rather than worrying about the little witch girl.
Away she paddled, days on the water, maybe a week. Rina was too weak to tell how much time had passed since the incident. She arrived at a mysterious island, her boat sliding into the sandy beach with a grinding of sand against wood. She was too starved and depressed to climb out of the boat. Maybe this boat would make for a fitting grave for a monster like her. Darkness swept into her vision as she passed out again for what seemed like the hundredth time. Luck was on her side however as a man, clad in thick robes was out gathering materials from the beach. He quickly moved over to see the young halfling, half-dead in the boat. Worried for her health, the man gathered her up in his arms and made haste to the nearby city that sprawled a good portion of the island. Upon entering the gates a few guards were there to greet him.
"Welcome back to Kalaram-" One of the guards started.
"No time! Get me the doctor!" The robed man shouted at the guard.
To the guard's credit he did not hesitate, starting immediately off to fetch the local doctor. The man looked to the small girl in his arms and muttered to himself. "Hold fast now girl, your time isn't up yet."
((End of part 1))