Nero

Come join Team Garlean Roen and Nero. Isn't the latter honorary? Yes, a Garlean wannabe. He prefers the term "enthusiastic aspirant".

Daegsatz looked up at the paladin with bleary, dull eyes. Doing nothing was truly more of a drain on the body than any manner of activities; every bell that passed forced him to keep himself still, and calm, to keep his mind from breaking from the silence and the isolation. Keeping himself that restrained was more exhausting than one would think, and that made itself clear on his face. "If'n...Nero be gone, then, ye be checkin' th' ports," the Roegadyn didn't say so much as he sighed out the words. "Somethin' be 'appenin' that 'e not be makin' landfall back 'ere fer a while, so 'e'd be...goin' back to the Forte." Daegsatz struggled to sit up straight, and shook his head to clear his speech somewhat. "Mayhaps Vesper Bay, if 'e be movin' everythin' at once."

Day 14 The sound of gulls. The splashing of waves. A distant shoreline. A bright blue sky. All of these things had devolved into mere images, fragments of memory that occupied the edges of the mind. A weak thought floated to the top of Daegsatz Traggblansyn's consciousness; he'd been here, in Ul'dah, for a fortnight. Surrounded by naught but the featureless granite of a gaol, with the only exit being a heavily barred door. No windows existed to allow the passage of light. No comforts existed to allow for hope. Nero hadn't given up on him, but that didn't mean the Hyur was foolhardy. Roen had insisted that she would see him freed, but the Sea Wolf was more aware than most would think; even without knowing the true extent of the city, Daegsatz was more than aware of the corrupted bureaucracy of the city. He knew he wouldn't be free unless the right people wanted him to be free. He did not move from his position of sitting in the gaol, leaning against the wall, slumped in the corner. He found these days that he lacked the energy. It was not an issue of sustenance, but what point was there in moving in the cramped cell? It would accomplish nothing but make him more exhausted, and exhausted he was, even as all of his days were spent doing nothing but sitting in the cell, waiting for the next bell to pass. Thus did he wait, with naught to keep him company but memories of a forlorn fortnight.

I've never been able to play a proper young and naive character. Regardless of archetypes all of my characters tend to be older world-weary sorts that are vary between somewhat experiened to being jaded enough to be claimed by China as a historical artifact.

Daegsatz raised his head slightly as Roen's words gave way to soft, rhythmic breathing; she must have fallen asleep. "S'pose it could 'ave been more awkward," the Roegadyn said quietly to nobody in particular as he swallowed another mouthful of brandy. The problem with spending such long stretches of time in the gaol, he found, was that eventually one ran out of things to think. All that mattered was the passing of the bells and the dimming hope of eventual freedom. Day 13 The empty bottle clattered softly as it rolled across the stone floor of the gaol. The soft tink of it impacting with the wall shook the sensitive Roegadyn's senses awake. Instinctively he gave a spastic shake of his head, and the usual important questions filtered themselves through his mind as they usually did after a night of inebriation. Where was he? A gaol in Ul'dah. What had happened? He was captured and brought here, then Roen brought some brandy. Who was Roen? One of the Paladins who had captured him who visited him daily. Said paladin was now snoozing gently in the uncomfortable cot. Daegsatz was tempted to wake her for her dignity's sake, but decided against it.

The Roegadyn patted her shoulder sympathetically. "Eh, I be thinkin' ye not be in a state ta be goin' 'ome, lass," Daegsatz said, a bit amused at her reaction. Truly, even with the strength of the drink being what it was, the paladin was not very well-versed in holding her liquor. Another baleful glance at the gaol burned from his eyes. "Though, from what ye be tellin' me, ye be plenty familiar wit' these cells already." With a grunt, Daegsatz sat down next to the cot, leaning against the wall as he took the bottle from her. He shook it, giving a surprised look at the sloshing inside. "Ye be drinkin' far more than I be expectin', lass. Everythin' ta yer likin'?" His tone was half-joking and half-serious.

Meanwhile, every Adder within a three-hundred yalm radius was laughing their ass off at just how much the young hyur male stood out amidst the foliage, dressed in his dark leathers with their bright red trim. Real men don't hide! A real man of indomitable spirit and masculinity looks his enemies square in the eye! These bright colours serve as a reflection of the flames within my soul, striking fear into the hearts of my foes!

The only thing I have to contribute to this topic is my personal belief that a roleplayer should care more about telling a good story than they should care about their characters. That's obviously a sweeping generalisation that doesn't apply to everything, but it's a maxim that's good for making it look like I know what I'm doing.

It's shots like these that make me wish I had written Nero as an archer.

He raised an eyebrow. "A pillar. Well, it not be th' oddest thing 'e be doin'." Daegsatz wasn't especially certain on how to react to this whole situation. On the one hand, the idea of a romance blossoming between Nero and Roen both piqued his curiosity and instilled some feelings of protectiveness in the Sea Wolf; the smuggler could not possibly be a good influence on someone like Roen. Conversely, the paladin might actually be enough to motivate Nero to actually change for the better, though Daegsatz wasn't sure if that was necessarily a good thing. Morality was all well and good, but often got in the way of things like, well, piracy. "So, eh...how that be makin' ye feel?" Daegsatz offered rather pathetically. He was not exactly a Casanova and as such felt as if he did not have much advice to offer on the subject. Hopefully the drink was strong enough that Roen wouldn't notice his struggling to carry a conversation like this. He took another swig of the brandy and swallowed it quickly.

Daegsatz raised an eyebrow, holding the bottle to her. "On secon' thought, mayhaps ye be 'avin' more," he offered. Clearly, not all was well, especially between her and Nero. The Roegadyn had always been aware of his captain's frequently coquettish behaviour--like father, like son, so it went--but this was the first time he'd become aware of it happening to someone he was relatively familiar with, and judging by her reaction, Roen did not take it all too smoothly. In fact, the Sea Wolf was rather annoyed at this. The paladin was chaste, partially because Roen was, in her own way, innocent and unblemished, and Daegsatz felt oddly protective of those qualities, even as he offered her another drink. Alcohol would have been fine, but when he was free of the gaol, Nero would certainly receive a stern talking-to about his amorous advances. Part of the problem was that it was typically easy for Daegsatz to tell whether or not such affections were true on his part, and more often than not they weren't. "Talkin' 'bout it be makin' it easier?" The Roegadyn questioned. Even with his disapproval, he was...well, curious.

Daegsatz did his utmost to keep from rolling his eyes. The drink was truly deceptive; the sweet aroma and cloying warmth hid the intoxicating strength. Even the Roegadyn was starting to feel his inhibitions lower; the drink's effect on Roen was clear enough as only after a few drinks she had begun to sway gently and slur her speech somewhat. "Eh, lass, mayhaps ye be 'avin' enough," Daegsatz said, gently trying to herd her towards the cot, placing the bottle on the ground behind him. It'd be rather awkward having her rest on the cot that was ostensibly for prisoners, but it would be more awkward if more of Roen's sobriety left her.

Daegsatz did his best to keep his expression from turning into a frown. If the chaste paladin was capable of taking a swig of it with a straight face, it was likely that the drink was not nearly as potent as the initial claims made it out to be, and that meant that its ability to make the bells pass by faster was probably not as strong either. Still, drinking was always better with company. "It prob'ly be best that ye nev'r be exposed ta Lominsan liquor," Daegsatz said amiably, taking the bottle and downing a large gulp in one swig. It was sweet, spicy, and slightly warm. The temperature bit the tongue and inside of the mouth very lightly, as if teasing, but it lacked any sort of kick to the texture. Unfortunate, but it'd have to do for now. The Roegadyn passed the bottle back to her. "It likely be knockin' ye right on yer feet. This likely be distilled from plums. Dinnae taste any sense o' long agin'." He shook his head. "Real shame, that."

Daegsatz grinned, briefly taking the bottle and sniffing it himself. The Roegadyn's experienced nose told him that it was some kind of wine or brandy. The aroma was potent indeed, with the strong sweetness of plums. Privately, Daegsatz was glad that it was some form of liqueur; while the Sea Wolf was hardly adverse to whiskey or other such bitter drinks, it was fairly evident that Roen did not drink often, so a sweet drink would hopefully not stave her off the idea too much. Still holding a smile on his face, he held the bottle out to Roen. "Nay, lass. Ye be breakin' first seal, so th' first swig belongs to ye."

Daegsatz raised a bushy brow in consternation as Roen entered his cell. The paladin looked dizzy, distracted, and confused. Something had happened, and the Roegadyn did not know whether or not it would be prudent to ask about it. He waved her generic query away. "Same as always, lass," Daegsatz said nonchalantly. There was not much else to say. Every passing day began to bleed into one another; sooner or later it would become hard to track time. He only knew the cycle of the sun from his sleeping habits; since he couldn't even see the sun from the cell, what day or time it was would eventually become impossible to tell. Daegsatz held the bottle out to her. "Ehh...I not be one ta ask, but mayhaps ye be needin' this?" he said awkwardly.

Day 12 Daegsatz spun the bottle idly in his hands. The temptation was there, and it would certainly help pass the bells, but on the other hand the Roegadyn found that using alcohol as a form of escapism was a rather detestable way for a man to avoid facing his dilemmas. He meant it when he said that strong drink should be reserved for celebrations. Inebriation in other situations in a more negative state were reprehensible. Nearly a fortnight had he spent in the gaol, and the signs were not hopeful that his imprisonment would end any time soon.

I'd probably take up religion.

Daegsatz shrugged sheepishly. "Not 'specially, lass. Honestly, I not really be an ideas sort o' person," he said. "Mayhaps ye be askin' N--" the Sea Wolf managed to catch himself and cut his sentence off mid-statement, aware of the tense relationship the paladin shared with his captain. "I not be knowin' th' circumstances o' Ul'dah. Truth be told, this be me first time inside th' city." He snorted, glancing about the gaol for the umpteenth time. "I be sure th' city be in possession o' its own brand o' charm, but I not be sold on it." "But fer what it's worth, lass, ye be 'avin' a good heart, an' ye be wantin' ta help it fer the better," the Roegadyn affirmed. "Can't be sayin' that that be a common trait these days."

Six pages and no foxes. This must be rectified immediately.

Daegsatz frowned in disapproval. "Ye be punishin' crime an' corruption, but removin' evil not be th' same as creatin' good," he said. "Ye be hangin' a metaphorical blade 'bove th' people's necks, threatenin' the lifestyle o' th' majority because ye disagree with it. From what I know, this city be th' sort o' place where th' rules exist to be broken, aye?" The Roegadyn clasped his hands together in thought. "Ye be bringin' yer brand o' justice ta those who be doin' wrong, but what motivation ye be offerin' fer people to follow yer path?" Daegsatz asked frankly. "As it is, what ye be holdin' in yer hands is naught but a sword: ye be holdin' on ta th' deterrent. To many o' these people, ye be seen as naught but another oppressor, attemptin' ta force yer ways on those who don't want it, even if'n those ways be just an' good in yer eyes." "Why do people be driven ta crime, lass? Because that way be th' most effective an' safe way fer them ta secure a livin'. Ye be takin' Limsa Lominsa as an example. We be 'avin' our own share o' problems, sure, but th' city be sidin' with the Maelstrom, not 'cause th' Maelstrom be tyrannical, but 'cause it be seen as more profitable by th' majority ta side with the rule o' law." Daegsatz snorted. "Ye be damn'd sure that if th' course o' the Maelstrom cease bein' worth it, th' free pirates be takin' control and everyone be jumpin' that ship like rats, and from what ye be tellin' me, 'ere in Ul'dah," He gestured to the gaol. "That concept o' findin' profitability wit' honesty not be th' case. Fer a city that be extollin' the virtues o' coin 'bove all else, what ye be offerin' them ta convince them ta change course?" He patted her shoulder again. "Th' key ta changin' 'ow people act, is ta arrange things such that their self-interest be causin' 'em ta act in yer favour."

"Ye not be tryin'a change th' city, then, lass," Daegsatz said thoughtfully. "A city be naught but a system o' buildings. It can be destroyed, or conquer'd. Now, if'n ye be tryin'a get in wit' politics," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I not be any 'elp there. What ye be tryin'a do be more...insubstantial." The Roegadyn frowned and pursed his lips as he reconsidered his diction. "Nay, that not be th' right word...not physical, is what I be tryin'a say." "That said, lass, if'n ye be askin' me, th' first step ta changin' people be changin' th' culture." He patted her on the shoulder. "In th' end, we all be pack animals o' some sort or anoth'r. When we be seein' our peers follow an icon, it be an urge within us ta follow that icon. So paint th' art. Sing th' music. Write th' stories. Surround th' people wit' evidence that they can improve." "If ye be 'avin' the power ta change a culture, well, there be little stoppin' ye from changin' the world if ye choose."

Daegsatz rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I be naught but a simple pirate, lass," he confessed as he scratched his ash-coloured beard. "I admit, th' politics an' moral quandaries be above me. But I be tellin' ye what I see when I be lookin' at you, an' that be someone who wants ta see somethin' be better fer people." The Sea Wolf frowned, his thoughts spilling out of his mouth without a hint of restraint, as the blunt pirate was wont to do. "Far be it from me ta try an' be th' cynic in all this, but what ye be proposin'...ye be tryin'a change th' nature o' th' mortal soul." It was rare for Daegsatz to take on such expressions of eloquence. At first glance--and second, and third, and fourth, and so on--the Roegadyn was the definition of simple. Where most people made the mistake, however, was believing that simple meant stupid. "Ye be tryin'a change th' presence o' greed, yet greed be tied in wit' self-preservation," Daegsatz reasoned. "It not be inherently wrong fer self-interest to exist, though..." he passed a half-hearted grin towards the paladin sitting next to him. "I s'pose my opinion be biased. Pirate an' all." The Sea Wolf folded his fingers together. "Vail be fond o' askin' people questions. 'e used ta be sayin' that th' truly right questions be those where there be no wrong answer, 'cause those answers be providin' insight ta whoever ye be askin' th' question to." Daegsatz exhaled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, 'e be sayin' it far more eloquently than me. Point is, lass, one o' this questions be this: what do ye believe be capable o' alterin' th' nature o' a mortal soul?"

PM is go!

Daegsatz eyed the bottle curiously, taking it and nodding at her as he sat on the cot. He placed the bottle gently under the cot, not even deigning to take a swig of it. "Thank ye, lass, though if what ye be sayin' be true, I think I be savin' it fer me release," he said, grinning weakly. "Strong drink be reserved fer celebrations. Mayhaps ye be joinin' me fer this drink on that day?" Daegsatz leaned forward in the cot, folding his fingers together, his face furrowed in quiet contemplation. "Lass, ye be sayin' earlier...that ye be wantin' ta change Ul'dah," Daegsatz said, an unusually intellectual look on his face. "After bein' in th' gaol for nearly a fortnight...it be givin' a man time ta think." Daegsatz glanced at her. "This goal ye be workin' towards. Tell me 'bout it."

Day 11 Were Daegsatz a writer, it would be around this time that he would realise constantly writing someone waking up in a gaol and having nothing to do was starting to get rather tedious. The monotony of waiting for the bells to pass had reduced any semblance of thought into mush the idly echoed around his mind. Sometimes he would revert to counting cracks on the ceiling, other times he would reminisce. The thought crossed his mind to attempt the sick man routine and try to escape, if only to liven up the days a bit.