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He's a risk taker through and through and never could get enough of the thrill within danger. In every one of his battles peace was never an option And when his back is against the wall he fights harder | He's a risk taker through and through and never could get enough of the thrill within danger. In every one of his battles peace was never an option And when his back is against the wall he fights harder | ||
== Early Life == | |||
Quin’Maer was born in the place he lived out his entire life. In the southern half of the continent of Wruitros, in the Kingdom of Galena under charge of the Virag family, on a farm, on the outskirts of the capital city, Gadena. His father, having once been a talented blacksmith, was pushed out of his shop, the profession, and the city itself by rising rent prices that couldn’t be paid. There were too many blacksmiths and too little work to be found in peacetime, especially when you weren’t the chosen blacksmith of The Reserves. He found work on someone else’s farm. A meager house, a meager wage, and meager food to feed his family. | |||
Quin never felt like he truly had a home. Sure, his parents kept to a physical home, but they were hardly ever available for him when emotional support was necessary. Instead his parents were preoccupied with the farm work while barely able to produce enough to keep up with the royal demand, meager returns, watching struggling horses pull carts with fat noblemen, these fill his memory of his younger years. With the heightened tension on the farm, there were many days Quin would snap, sometimes at farmhands, sometimes at middle class kids who poked fun at his tattered clothes, unkempt hair, and poor crops. Eventually the farmhands had enough of the bad reputation Quin is giving them and urged his father to get him off the farm. The drama ended in one final fight between Quin and his father on his 18th birthday. He had told Quin he would be moving into the city to work in his old smithy with his Mentor Emel’Chon Maer. Quin recognized the name belonging to his mother’s Uncle, an elderly elf with a dusty smithy in the lower districts of the city. | |||
== Life Within the Walls == | |||
Early days of his work at the smithy were filled with cleaning and organizing, something his uncle could no longer do with the state of his back. It was hard for Quin to be antagonistic towards this old man, he was blind in one eye, almost completely deaf, missing several fingers, all his teeth, even a leg. So listened as much as he could about his time as a Smithy in Westerlock and crafting weapons and armor for the Reserves. Without realizing it, Quin started following in his fathers advice and grew a sense of values. | |||
After the shop looked presentable, Quin went through rigorous smithing lessons with Emel, much of which Quin remembered from his earlier years. Quin didn’t quite get his uncle’s excitement at the smelting process until he explained the many specific temperatures certain metals must be at to achieve a pattern or strength. So when it was finally Quin’s turn to try, he gave it the best he got. Emel smoked a pipe while he watched Quin give it all a go. If he did something wrong, he’d flick some embers and ash on him, shouting "WRONG!", until he got it right. Quin never really got ready to take over, even after a year and a half; but to get things back on track, Quin had to build back the smith’s reputation with the city miners to get any and all metals for smelting and interest any and all potential buyers of weapons or jewelry Quin was capable of making. | |||
As you could imagine, he went through many rejections. Talking to his uncle about it, he finally convinced him that they need a friendlier face to the company. After putting up a Help Wanted sign, they somehow got a quick response from a kid named Yafir, a chatty half-elf, only a few years older than Quin, and following him like a shadow was his younger brother Damari. Yafir was a dynamo, quick witted and charismatic, he was able to gain back the distributing mining companies favor but even get a discount for the amount they were buying. And Selling! Every day, Quin, Yafir, and Damari would set up a kiosk in Westerlock and sell just about everything they had. | |||
After about three years of this, business was still booming, so much so that Emel decided he wanted to try his lifelong dream of smelting a set of Mithral armor, a dream Quin scoffed at as something they could never afford; so instead he set Yafir out to find as much Mithral as he could with all the money they had gained over the years. He was gone for months and the entire time the Smithy grew further and further into debt. Damari had to take up the selling part of the business in Yafir’s absence, he was almost just as good as Yafir and it certainly helped that the quality of Quins work improved. His uncle on the other hand – his smoker's lung got worse, not just from the tobacco but mainly from the fumes of the smelter. A Cleric/Priest was visiting the workshop that day when Damari woke him up to give him the news. The Priest said without proper ventilation in Run Row, the mass of fumes slowly suffocated him, a common story for this side of the city. To make matters worse, Yafir returned with empty pockets, empty hands, and a bounty on his head from the famous guild of assassins, thieves, and criminals known as Legion. | After about three years of this, business was still booming, so much so that Emel decided he wanted to try his lifelong dream of smelting a set of Mithral armor, a dream Quin scoffed at as something they could never afford; so instead he set Yafir out to find as much Mithral as he could with all the money they had gained over the years. He was gone for months and the entire time the Smithy grew further and further into debt. Damari had to take up the selling part of the business in Yafir’s absence, he was almost just as good as Yafir and it certainly helped that the quality of Quins work improved. His uncle on the other hand – his smoker's lung got worse, not just from the tobacco but mainly from the fumes of the smelter. A Cleric/Priest was visiting the workshop that day when Damari woke him up to give him the news. The Priest said without proper ventilation in Run Row, the mass of fumes slowly suffocated him, a common story for this side of the city. To make matters worse, Yafir returned with empty pockets, empty hands, and a bounty on his head from the famous guild of assassins, thieves, and criminals known as Legion. | ||
A Criminal Record and Legion | |||
== A Criminal Record and Legion == | |||
With Quin having to sell off the workshop and his uncle's house, he stepped up to help Yafir relieve the bounty on his head. Quin accepted a request to meet with someone from Legion, someone he only knew as Cyclops. Yafir joined the meeting and requested that his labor pay off his debt instead of his life. Cyclops strangely agreed, considering his crime was non violent and impressively cunning. Starting small and petty, they would first target the Mastiff Sprawl and Westerlock markets where cash was easy and loose. Soon enough they paid off the debt. Some with the legion took note of their success and occasionally hired and rewarded them for odd jobs they deem too inconvenient. Their system was standard, Yafir got most of his info and quests from the Legion, while Quin often took on the dangerous side being the runner. They robbed shops, pushed drugs, laundered coins, threatened a few guild members, building good reputations with the clients and Cyclops. Damari wasn’t dumb but he wasn’t privy to this side of their lives. Eventually he became jealous and urged Quin and Yafir to let him in on their next mission stating his sending spell could be useful. | With Quin having to sell off the workshop and his uncle's house, he stepped up to help Yafir relieve the bounty on his head. Quin accepted a request to meet with someone from Legion, someone he only knew as Cyclops. Yafir joined the meeting and requested that his labor pay off his debt instead of his life. Cyclops strangely agreed, considering his crime was non violent and impressively cunning. Starting small and petty, they would first target the Mastiff Sprawl and Westerlock markets where cash was easy and loose. Soon enough they paid off the debt. Some with the legion took note of their success and occasionally hired and rewarded them for odd jobs they deem too inconvenient. Their system was standard, Yafir got most of his info and quests from the Legion, while Quin often took on the dangerous side being the runner. They robbed shops, pushed drugs, laundered coins, threatened a few guild members, building good reputations with the clients and Cyclops. Damari wasn’t dumb but he wasn’t privy to this side of their lives. Eventually he became jealous and urged Quin and Yafir to let him in on their next mission stating his sending spell could be useful. | ||
The mission began by meeting the client at the Magenta Plenum, the girl’s name was Caira, daughter of the Aquila House, no older or younger than Quin. They were told to meet the unknown client at a tavern called Magenta Plenum and discussed plans to rob a higher up at the royal bank but as soon as the client walked in and revealed she was in fact the daughter of Ryul, the Banker, Yafir urged Damari to opt out of the mission. The idea of a family revenge quest sounded compromising to him and not a risk he was willing to put on his brother. But it didn’t matter to Damari, he wanted to be a part of the action. On the other hand was Quin, who was struck by her beauty and her words that he already agreed to the quest before she opened her mouth. Yafir begrudgingly agreed anyway. Hoping for the best, knowing Quin wouldn’t put his brother in any danger. | The mission began by meeting the client at the Magenta Plenum, the girl’s name was Caira, daughter of the Aquila House, no older or younger than Quin. They were told to meet the unknown client at a tavern called Magenta Plenum and discussed plans to rob a higher up at the royal bank but as soon as the client walked in and revealed she was in fact the daughter of Ryul, the Banker, Yafir urged Damari to opt out of the mission. The idea of a family revenge quest sounded compromising to him and not a risk he was willing to put on his brother. But it didn’t matter to Damari, he wanted to be a part of the action. On the other hand was Quin, who was struck by her beauty and her words that he already agreed to the quest before she opened her mouth. Yafir begrudgingly agreed anyway. Hoping for the best, knowing Quin wouldn’t put his brother in any danger. | ||
After the meeting was officially over, Yafir talked Quin into convincing Caira to stay and have a few drinks with them. It turned out to be a busy night at the tavern as Yafir got wasted on brews dancing with Caira to the Bard’s songs. Quin wasn’t much of a dancer so he sat back and watched until Yafir ran to the back to vomit. Unfortunately he wasn’t much of a talker too because Caira came right over to him in amusement of Yafir’s eccentricity. Many questions were thrown at Quin about his personal life, and in his nervousness paid for four rounds of drinks. Finally the ability to speak returned to him and he asked why she felt so comfortable being outside the Penrose District. Her answer began with a story of how she was born on the roads to Gadena, though couldn’t finish as the Bard began a new song, one of her favorites. “We have to dance!” she exclaimed as she grabbed Quin’s arm. He couldn’t even get a “But I | |||
On the night of the heist, Caira’s father was distracted by Yafir who was pretending to doorknock to sell leftover jewelry from Emel’s workshop while Quin and Damari meet Caira at the wall behind the Aquila estate. After waiting a few hours for everything to be set in motion, a rope finally falls over the wall. Quin and Damari climb over, meeting Caira on the other side. Damari stays in the back garden scouting through the windows, while Quin follows Caira into the house. The shimmering gold and the comfortable furniture completely impressed Quin, he has never seen wealth like this. But when brought to Caira’s attention, she tells a story about her mother, a commoner who met the young and wealthy Ryul through the brothel of Gadena. She was a favorite of his, and eventually she came back with a daughter – and an illness. She | After the meeting was officially over, Yafir talked Quin into convincing Caira to stay and have a few drinks with them. It turned out to be a busy night at the tavern as Yafir got wasted on brews dancing with Caira to the Bard’s songs. Quin wasn’t much of a dancer so he sat back and watched until Yafir ran to the back to vomit. Unfortunately he wasn’t much of a talker too because Caira came right over to him in amusement of Yafir’s eccentricity. Many questions were thrown at Quin about his personal life, and in his nervousness paid for four rounds of drinks. Finally the ability to speak returned to him and he asked why she felt so comfortable being outside the Penrose District. Her answer began with a story of how she was born on the roads to Gadena, though couldn’t finish as the Bard began a new song, one of her favorites. “We have to dance!” she exclaimed as she grabbed Quin’s arm. He couldn’t even get a “But I can’t dance” out before she dragged him to the center of the tavern. She taught him some moves and eventually he got the hang of it. The song sped up some and the pressure was put on Quin before the crescendo. The two held each other's hands for a couple moments longer, hearts fluttering as they caught their breath. Finally, Quin noticed his friend was gone for too long and they parted ways for the night. | ||
The Founding of the Red Berets | |||
Quin and Damari returned with the Sword while Yafir returned with some extra coins stating he was able to sell some jewelry to the man. A couple days pass and they met the Fixer in the Iron Bar, near the southern mines. Quin almost felt reluctant to sell the sword to Cyclops but Yafir’s debt was just about paid for and this would set him free. In the Legionnaires final farewell, the boys expressed their desire for more jobs. Cyclops only responded with a name and place to drop it. And with that, they never saw Cyclops again. The next day they went to the spot and dropped the name and deep within the sewers of Gadena they discovered a secret betting ring with an arena in the center. No one but | On the night of the heist, Caira’s father was distracted by Yafir who was pretending to doorknock to sell leftover jewelry from Emel’s workshop while Quin and Damari meet Caira at the wall behind the Aquila estate. After waiting a few hours for everything to be set in motion, a rope finally falls over the wall. Quin and Damari climb over, meeting Caira on the other side. Damari stays in the back garden scouting through the windows, while Quin follows Caira into the house. The shimmering gold and the comfortable furniture completely impressed Quin, he has never seen wealth like this. But when brought to Caira’s attention, she tells a story about her mother, a commoner who met the young and wealthy Ryul through the brothel of Gadena. She was a favorite of his, and eventually she came back with a daughter – and an illness. | ||
It was from here on out that life for Quin was on the up and up. He wasn’t always the strongest in the ring, nor the best fighter but he certainly drew attention, even winning big a few times with larger betting pools. One of his “rivals” in the ring, Riez became a quick friend to Quin, often being a workout buddy, always bragging to each other about their goals to be the best of the best and the top of the top. “To the top and beyond” was their catchphrase. And the jobs that Yafir was able to get through his shmoozing were just enough for a modest den for the boys. As they grew in reputation over the years the jobs got better. Sometimes it would even be Quin and Riez on a job (often the intimation ones). But through it all he still felt there was something – someone missing from his life. He couldn’t get Caira out of his mind. Beyond her beauty, the words she told him kept circling around his mind. The last thing she told him, “soon” made every minute feel like an eternity. But soon enough while Quin and Yafir were gathering information for a job at the Magenta Plenum, there in the corner, surrounded by swooning men, she stood, smoking a cigarette and competing in a shots competition against another guy. As the guy fell to the ground, drunk off his ass, Quin and Caira locked eyes. Before he knew it, she was in his arms, squeezing him tight. “You showed up,” he told her. She explained that after the heist on their estate she was forbidden to leave the house until they found the sword as her father deemed it ‘too dangerous’. She scoffed at this notion and said she finally was able to get him to ease up. Quin couldn’t talk long with her, he was still working then but instead of putting distance between them, she said she wanted in. No matter what it was, she wanted to stick it to the man (so to speak). | |||
After they got what they wanted for the job, he went out with Caira. They spent the night drinking and talking, he explained his relation to the sword and his family out on the farm, and what he’s learned about the city and the people who live under the banner since he left the home of his birth. They planned several dates already for when she returns. Later, he took her to see his home. Modest in comparison to her mansion estate but it didn’t matter. They spent the night together, a night Quin would nigh forget. Afterwards, Caira begged | She lamented about how her father never really helped her mother through the sickness that slowly ate away at her body. After her death, Caira never felt like she was viewed as a real Aquila, but only as a means to an end if he should find a wealthier family and a suitable partner for her. Damari communicated with Quin the location of the Sword they were meant to steal and if any servants or guards were in their way. Eventually, Quin got the sword and was met with nostalgia. Not only did he recognize the craftsmanship but also the engraved E’CM on the base of the blade. Caira remembers the day he got that sword, she was only a child when he brought it home, claiming it’s their new family sword, bragging about the price he got it for. Later learning from the servants that the blacksmith soon lost his status and workshop in Westerlock and was forced to work in Run Row for the rest of his life. | ||
A Complicated Love Life | |||
Years go by and the Red Berets become well enough known in the Gadena Underworld to merit all sorts of jobs. Yafir was the leader and the shmoozer, Caira also often took those titles with her own connections in the Penrose District, Damari was a scouter, and Quin – often with Riez – were the muscle/runners being on the front lines of most jobs. All together they pulled enough money to grab several hideouts throughout the city, Quin often sending that money back to his home at the farm. Things were good but unknown to Quin and the gang nothing lasted forever, so it came as a shock especially to Quin when one day Caira stopped coming to the Magenta Plenum and more importantly his fights. Quin even threw pebbles at her window to see if she was there. But he got nothing. Until one day, after half a year of her disappearance she finally showed back up to the Magenta Plenum where Quin was of course very glad to see that she’s okay but frustrated as to why she couldn't tell him what was going on. She said her father caught her going out and | With the weight of the sword in his hands, it was clear to Quin that this was after more than just revenge, but a personal symbol and a constant reminder of a family’s decision to turn a conflicted status into a personal benefit regardless of who they stepped on. As they came back to the wall of the Penrose, Quin asked the next logical question anyone would ask, “When am I going to see you again? You should come back to the Magenta Plenum with us.” With only a smirk and a wink she replied with a heartfelt “soon”. | ||
“Quin, I’m sorry to have been gone for too long in your life but I spent every night thinking of you. To see you once more, I still feel like I was dreaming, a dream that I’d never want to wake up from. But one that I must. I’m beyond sorry I have to leave you like this with nothing but a note but I didn’t have the heart to tell you last night. What I told you about this business trip was a lie. Instead my father had arranged for me to marry into a wealthy family in a far away city. Please understand that I do not even want this. If I could run away with you today I would but I know my father would eventually find me. Perhaps one day I could return to Gadena and find you and, if you could forgive me, we could live life the way we want to. Until then, never stop fighting for your family’s freedom nor the good of the city. | |||
With love, hopes, and dreams, Caira Aquila” | == The Founding of the Red Berets == | ||
Unfortunately Quin is illiterate so he had Yafir read the letter to him. He became defeated after hearing the words and his demeanor tightened. Every fight in the ring thereafter became more aggressive and brutal. Once even hospitalizing and eventually ending the life of a man who pushed him a little too far. Yafir and Damari took notice of his anger and asked him to take a break. They gave him some intoxicating plants and sent him back to the fields outside Gadena to see his family. Once he reunited with his Mother and Father he explained what happened between him and Caira. His Mother retained sympathy but his Father reaffirmed his reasons why not to mess with any of those nobles in the city, which of course ticked him off but he couldn’t find the evidence to argue. He spent a few months helping the farm like he had as a child. Strangely he felt it calming to work with his hands once more. After a time he felt like he was ready to return to the city and continue living his life with Yafir and Damari, and working out/ competing with Riez. | Quin and Damari returned with the Sword while Yafir returned with some extra coins stating he was able to sell some jewelry to the man. A couple days pass and they met the Fixer in the Iron Bar, near the southern mines. Quin almost felt reluctant to sell the sword to Cyclops but Yafir’s debt was just about paid for and this would set him free. In the Legionnaires final farewell, the boys expressed their desire for more jobs. Cyclops only responded with a name and place to drop it. And with that, they never saw Cyclops again. | ||
Final Heist with the Red Berets | |||
Upon his return home, they bore news of a great heist brought to them by Riez and his sponsor. The job was complex and seemed dangerous, they were hired to rob the big bad Justicar Mathaius and part him with a magic stone. Riez’s sponsor gave them all the details they needed and Yafir and Damari scouted the area for the Justicars schedule to make the best plan of attack. So when the Heist began, it seemed like it would go off without a hitch. They stuck to their basics, Yafir stayed behind to distract anyone that might get in the way, Damari helped Quin by keeping watch. But as he entered the complex and entered the supposed room of the stone, the Justicar was home, waiting for them. And by his side was Riez, a traitor where he stands. In his ear he could hear Damari try to warn him but his voice cut out and all he could hear was the gurgling of blood. But as he tried his best to escape, Quin couldn’t quite make it out. He became subdued by Riez and as he held him to the ground he got to ask him why. The only thing he said to him was “To the top and beyond.” The Justicar later explained that he hadn’t planned on killing him, despite his own desires, but that someone had paid a lot of money to meet Quin if he had ever been captured. | The next day they went to the spot and dropped the name and deep within the sewers of Gadena they discovered a secret betting ring with an arena in the center. No one but Kobolds were here. Yafir asked one of them what goes on here and they explained about a fight club. Looking at Quin’s arms, they noted that he’d be an interesting match up. Almost immediately Quin was looking to sign up. They all knew how this could play out for them, winning money on fights while Yafir and Damari worked on gaining clients. | ||
It was from here on out that life for Quin was on the up and up. He wasn’t always the strongest in the ring, nor the best fighter but he certainly drew attention, even winning big a few times with larger betting pools. One of his “rivals” in the ring, Riez became a quick friend to Quin, often being a workout buddy, always bragging to each other about their goals to be the best of the best and the top of the top. “To the top and beyond” was their catchphrase. And the jobs that Yafir was able to get through his shmoozing were just enough for a modest den for the boys. | |||
As they grew in reputation over the years the jobs got better. Sometimes it would even be Quin and Riez on a job (often the intimation ones). But through it all he still felt there was something – someone missing from his life. He couldn’t get Caira out of his mind. Beyond her beauty, the words she told him kept circling around his mind. The last thing she told him, “soon” made every minute feel like an eternity. But soon enough while Quin and Yafir were gathering information for a job at the Magenta Plenum, there in the corner, surrounded by swooning men, she stood, smoking a cigarette and competing in a shots competition against another guy. As the guy fell to the ground, drunk off his ass, Quin and Caira locked eyes. Before he knew it, she was in his arms, squeezing him tight. “You showed up,” he told her. She explained that after the heist on their estate she was forbidden to leave the house until they found the sword as her father deemed it ‘too dangerous’. She scoffed at this notion and said she finally was able to get him to ease up. Quin couldn’t talk long with her, he was still working then but instead of putting distance between them, she said she wanted in. No matter what it was, she wanted to stick it to the man (so to speak). | |||
After they got what they wanted for the job, he went out with Caira. They spent the night drinking and talking, he explained his relation to the sword and his family out on the farm, and what he’s learned about the city and the people who live under the banner since he left the home of his birth. They planned several dates already for when she returns. Later, he took her to see his home. Modest in comparison to her mansion estate but it didn’t matter. They spent the night together, a night Quin would nigh forget. Afterwards, Caira begged him to include her on their next job but Quin kept deflecting saying many of them are dangerous. Eventually he gave in and added her to a simple job. A thieving job, thinking she could be useful for distractions but turned out to be the one to take over the whole thing and with total ease. Yafir, Damari, and Riez all agreed: she’s an asset. And with that, the final member of their crew joined in only needing a name and call signs. They settled on ‘The Red Berets’ as they all put on red berets – the hats were Caira’s idea. | |||
== A Complicated Love Life == | |||
Years go by and the Red Berets become well enough known in the Gadena Underworld to merit all sorts of jobs. Yafir was the leader and the shmoozer, Caira also often took those titles with her own connections in the Penrose District, Damari was a scouter, and Quin – often with Riez – were the muscle/runners being on the front lines of most jobs. All together they pulled enough money to grab several hideouts throughout the city, Quin often sending that money back to his home at the farm. | |||
Things were good but unknown to Quin and the gang nothing lasted forever, so it came as a shock especially to Quin when one day Caira stopped coming to the Magenta Plenum and more importantly his fights. Quin even threw pebbles at her window to see if she was there. But he got nothing. Until one day, after half a year of her disappearance she finally showed back up to the Magenta Plenum where Quin was of course very glad to see that she’s okay but frustrated as to why she couldn't tell him what was going on. She said her father caught her going out and the "fucked up shit" they were getting into. So she was sent away on a family trip to another city, only just getting home a week ago. But while her father has eyes on her, she was able to sneak out to see him as the family was once again slated to head out of Gadena for a business trip. She would grow a little distant when asked when she’d be back. But all she asked for was a normal night with Quin. Family is too complicated to get hung up on specifics. So the spent the night together again. | |||
Taking her back to his place as though it was their first night together. But in the morning he awoke to her gone, leaving nothing but a note:<blockquote>“Quin, | |||
I’m sorry to have been gone for too long in your life but I spent every night thinking of you. To see you once more, I still feel like I was dreaming, a dream that I’d never want to wake up from. But one that I must. I’m beyond sorry I have to leave you like this with nothing but a note but I didn’t have the heart to tell you last night. What I told you about this business trip was a lie. Instead my father had arranged for me to marry into a wealthy family in a far away city. Please understand that I do not even want this. If I could run away with you today I would but I know my father would eventually find me. Perhaps one day I could return to Gadena and find you and, if you could forgive me, we could live life the way we want to. Until then, never stop fighting for your family’s freedom nor the good of the city. | |||
With love, hopes, and dreams, Caira Aquila”</blockquote>Unfortunately Quin is illiterate so he had Yafir read the letter to him. | |||
He became defeated after hearing the words and his demeanor tightened. Every fight in the ring thereafter became more aggressive and brutal. Once even hospitalizing and eventually ending the life of a man who pushed him a little too far. Yafir and Damari took notice of his anger and asked him to take a break. They gave him some intoxicating plants and sent him back to the fields outside Gadena to see his family. Once he reunited with his Mother and Father he explained what happened between him and Caira. His Mother retained sympathy but his Father reaffirmed his reasons why not to mess with any of those nobles in the city, which of course ticked him off but he couldn’t find the evidence to argue. He spent a few months helping the farm like he had as a child. Strangely he felt it calming to work with his hands once more. After a time he felt like he was ready to return to the city and continue living his life with Yafir and Damari, and working out/ competing with Riez. | |||
== Final Heist with the Red Berets == | |||
Upon his return home, they bore news of a great heist brought to them by Riez and his sponsor. The job was complex and seemed dangerous, they were hired to rob the big bad Justicar Mathaius and part him with a magic stone. | |||
Riez’s sponsor gave them all the details they needed and Yafir and Damari scouted the area for the Justicars schedule to make the best plan of attack. So when the Heist began, it seemed like it would go off without a hitch. They stuck to their basics, Yafir stayed behind to distract anyone that might get in the way, Damari helped Quin by keeping watch. But as he entered the complex and entered the supposed room of the stone, the Justicar was home, waiting for them. And by his side was Riez, a traitor where he stands. In his ear he could hear Damari try to warn him but his voice cut out and all he could hear was the gurgling of blood. But as he tried his best to escape, Quin couldn’t quite make it out. He became subdued by Riez and as he held him to the ground he got to ask him why. The only thing he said to him was “To the top and beyond.” The Justicar later explained that he hadn’t planned on killing him, despite his own desires, but that someone had paid a lot of money to meet Quin if he had ever been captured. | |||
After days in a cell, he finally had a visitor, it was someone who he’d thought would be forever gone from his life, Caira Aquila. She entered holding her belly which took the shape of a healthy melon. When he saw her, not a word came from his mouth, only shock to see her again let alone in this state. She told him that this is not how she hoped to meet again and that she was avidly against the bounty he had. But before she could tell him more, an older elf with long hair and grey streaks and a permanent frown upon his face entered. Ryul Aquila. He went on about the loss of a great investment and a failed arrangement and that if it wasn’t for Caira’s words he’d already have Quin assassinated and the illegitimate child purged. But instead he came with an offer. “Live the rest of your days taking care of my daughter and your child outside the walls of the city, on a farm of my choosing with a percentage of your profits going directly to me or rot away in a cell until the day of your execution mandated by the Justicar”. The choice was easy for both Quin and Caira. | After days in a cell, he finally had a visitor, it was someone who he’d thought would be forever gone from his life, Caira Aquila. She entered holding her belly which took the shape of a healthy melon. When he saw her, not a word came from his mouth, only shock to see her again let alone in this state. She told him that this is not how she hoped to meet again and that she was avidly against the bounty he had. But before she could tell him more, an older elf with long hair and grey streaks and a permanent frown upon his face entered. Ryul Aquila. He went on about the loss of a great investment and a failed arrangement and that if it wasn’t for Caira’s words he’d already have Quin assassinated and the illegitimate child purged. But instead he came with an offer. “Live the rest of your days taking care of my daughter and your child outside the walls of the city, on a farm of my choosing with a percentage of your profits going directly to me or rot away in a cell until the day of your execution mandated by the Justicar”. The choice was easy for both Quin and Caira. | ||
A Return to Farm Life | |||
And so he honored the agreement, and planned to live the rest of his days humbly. Caira gave birth to the child and they named him Daelen Westo. The early months were tough to get used to, not only tend to the crops but also take care of Daelen, Quin hardly got any sleep. But his parents stepped up, seeing his life turning around. They even got a starting batch of seeds to give them a head start. After a few successful plants and plenty of help from his father, the conclusion was that the land was no longer usable. Coarse, dry, and overworked. Every time Ryul’s accountant would come to collect his tax, Quin could only give him so much, telling him they needed more fertile soil. But no help would come, and the only thing Quin’s father could do is to pull some cow dung from neighboring farms which lasted them a few years, enough for Daelen not to starve. But eventually the money ran dry and Quin could no longer pay Ryul’s tax. So to make up for it he went to Yafir, in his brief absence of a couple years, and had become something of known in the underground of the city. Not the level of Legion, not near enough to even give them cause for concern, but enough that he had spoken with them, made sure no territories were crossed and bought himself a modest abode within the city’s walls. | == A Return to Farm Life == | ||
One Last Job | And so he honored the agreement, and planned to live the rest of his days humbly. Caira gave birth to the child and they named him Daelen Westo. The early months were tough to get used to, not only tend to the crops but also take care of Daelen, Quin hardly got any sleep. But his parents stepped up, seeing his life turning around. They even got a starting batch of seeds to give them a head start. After a few successful plants and plenty of help from his father, the conclusion was that the land was no longer usable. Coarse, dry, and overworked. | ||
That was a week. For a week he sat, fed meager meals that reminded him of his childhood and listened as well as he could to the sounds of the city outside the thick walls. That was how he knew what day it was. The trumpet blew, the people cheered. The wedding day at last arrived. The day turned. At first it was hard to hear the turn, but eventually Quin was pulled from a stupor by the thought that the cheers were now screams. The sound of armor, more soldiers than usual collecting in one place and then gone again. The prison guards were nervous, but lacking information, no one had come to collect them or tell them what was happening. And then a new arrival. A halfling man, fighting against the guards. “Sure, sure I was in the castle. That’s where you found me. But I had nothing to do with that! I swear!” Not being listened to, unceremoniously tossed into the cell next door to Quin. Much faster than Quin imagined, seeing as he hadn’t seen the workings of justice, the halfling man was taken away again and when he came back, he was rather worse for wear, less of a fight in him, more dejected. Though none of this was directed toward his sentence - he seemed to not be worried about that in slightest. “I have people… they won’t let me rot. Especially not now. Not here.” | Every time Ryul’s accountant would come to collect his tax, Quin could only give him so much, telling him they needed more fertile soil. But no help would come, and the only thing Quin’s father could do is to pull some cow dung from neighboring farms which lasted them a few years, enough for Daelen not to starve. But eventually the money ran dry and Quin could no longer pay Ryul’s tax. So to make up for it he went to Yafir, in his brief absence of a couple years, and had become something of known in the underground of the city. Not the level of Legion, not near enough to even give them cause for concern, but enough that he had spoken with them, made sure no territories were crossed and bought himself a modest abode within the city’s walls. | ||
He then went on to stutteringly divulge a secret. Sometimes he would stop in the middle of the sentence, as if choked, a word going silent here and there. Always a proper noun | |||
== One Last Job == | |||
Yafir found a job for Quin, stealing from the caravans transporting mines from the south. It was risky, the Elevation Mining Company was owned by Master Julian Lockhall, an even richer acquaintance of Ryul. A couple jobs went by just fine, Quin finding that more was being transported than just platinum. Blue, glowing crystals, in small amounts, packed away under the rest so as not to be seen when passing by the guarded gates. But what Quin didn’t know was that Ryul had hired people to follow Quin, spies to make sure that he didn’t break their deal, that he never went back to a life of crime. | |||
Caught on the job and tossed in a cell, Quin had another brief conversation with Ryul, saying, “thank you for giving me exactly what I wanted”. An odd thing to say as the punishment for thievery was well-known to Quin, a handful of days incarcerated or a fine of twice the worth of whatever was stolen. However, it became clear to Quin, very quickly after arrest, that things were not working how they usually worked. For one, the Justicar, Matthias, was nowhere to be seen. He was the one to mete out the punishments, but as Quin was walked through the doors of the Justicar’s Office and into the small prison section in the back, the only man he saw was the one who had been seen proselytizing around the city - a stand in, an interim while the prince was preparing his wedding. But this man didn’t seem concerned with time or how long Quin was sitting in his cell, wasting the days. No amount of begging or pleading the Peace Reserve guards did anything to help. They simply responded, “The Justicar is unavailable as of the moment. He will see to it when he can.” | |||
That was a week. For a week he sat, fed meager meals that reminded him of his childhood and listened as well as he could to the sounds of the city outside the thick walls. That was how he knew what day it was. The trumpet blew, the people cheered. The wedding day at last arrived. The day turned. At first it was hard to hear the turn, but eventually Quin was pulled from a stupor by the thought that the cheers were now screams. The sound of armor, more soldiers than usual collecting in one place and then gone again. The prison guards were nervous, but lacking information, no one had come to collect them or tell them what was happening. | |||
And then a new arrival. A halfling man, fighting against the guards. “Sure, sure I was in the castle. That’s where you found me. But I had nothing to do with that! I swear!” Not being listened to, unceremoniously tossed into the cell next door to Quin. Much faster than Quin imagined, seeing as he hadn’t seen the workings of justice, the halfling man was taken away again and when he came back, he was rather worse for wear, less of a fight in him, more dejected. Though none of this was directed toward his sentence - he seemed to not be worried about that in slightest. “I have people… they won’t let me rot. Especially not now. Not here.” | |||
He then went on to stutteringly divulge a secret. Sometimes he would stop in the middle of the sentence, as if choked, a word going silent here and there. Always a proper noun, always the name of something. He always sheepishly smiled as if each time, he forgot it would happen. And Quin was told about a crime syndicate, a group in Chelcam, a city in The Broken Plains next to Anson Hill. A place described to him as a city of nightlife, of lights, of a plethora of wealth for people, “just like us!” run by those who hid in the shadows, run by those like he had been striving to become his whole life. A place that could hone the skills Quin has mustered and mastered throughout the years. But more importantly, a place without The Reserves and those who knew his face. “I’ve seen the likes of you around. Bigger. Imposing. I’m sure you’ve got quite the swing. So I’m sure there’d be a spot. Though who or what they belong to, I’m not privy too. You’ll have to figure that one out once you get there.” | |||
Weirdly grateful for the recent attack and assassination meted out on the royal family as it created confusion amongst The Reserves, and things quickly began to be forgotten and left behind. Which is how Quin managed to escape. Fleeing the city, his family, his friends, and all he knew on the word of a halfling he had just met and with the fear of an even worse sentence. “Tell ‘em Welby sent ya!” Though who ‘them’ were, Quin wasn’t exactly sure. “Go to this street at this time. Go to this casino and ask for this person.” Welbly had a lot of different ways you might be able to find them, but couldn’t promise any would work. | Weirdly grateful for the recent attack and assassination meted out on the royal family as it created confusion amongst The Reserves, and things quickly began to be forgotten and left behind. Which is how Quin managed to escape. Fleeing the city, his family, his friends, and all he knew on the word of a halfling he had just met and with the fear of an even worse sentence. “Tell ‘em Welby sent ya!” Though who ‘them’ were, Quin wasn’t exactly sure. “Go to this street at this time. Go to this casino and ask for this person.” Welbly had a lot of different ways you might be able to find them, but couldn’t promise any would work. | ||
So, Quin did what he knew best. After a couple nights of careful observation, found a target, got into a fight to show his fighting prowess, and was, as he had hoped, swept up into the fold. The Black Gloves - the name of the organization - though Quin soon found that just as Welby had tried and failed, the words could not leave Quin’s lips without stealing the air from his lungs. A “taboo” they called it. Put on a person upon the completion of their signature. Dmitri Gulev, the Dom and Keeper of The Black Gloves, a group of bouncer, bodyguards that carried messages, made sure jobs were completed and money changed hands when it was supposed to, who blooded their knuckles when this needed to be set straight. The one thing Quin noticed though, was that Welby had definitely described a group of thieves and no one had yet asked Quin to steal anything. | So, Quin did what he knew best. After a couple nights of careful observation, found a target, got into a fight to show his fighting prowess, and was, as he had hoped, swept up into the fold. The Black Gloves - the name of the organization - though Quin soon found that just as Welby had tried and failed, the words could not leave Quin’s lips without stealing the air from his lungs. A “taboo” they called it. Put on a person upon the completion of their signature. Dmitri Gulev, the Dom and Keeper of The Black Gloves, a group of bouncer, bodyguards that carried messages, made sure jobs were completed and money changed hands when it was supposed to, who blooded their knuckles when this needed to be set straight. The one thing Quin noticed though, was that Welby had definitely described a group of thieves and no one had yet asked Quin to steal anything. | ||
Revision as of 19:52, 29 March 2026
| File:Westo's Wanted Poster Sketch | |
| Quin Westo | |
|---|---|
| Quin'Maer Westo, The Pugilist | |
| Player Character | |
| Basic Info | |
| Race | Half-Elf |
| Class | Fighter |
| Creature Type | Beast |
| Pronouns | He/Him |
| Details | |
| Age | 32 |
| Occupation | None, Criminal |
| Status | Alive |
| Languages | Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Thieves Cant |
| Connections | |
| Family | Father: Corbus Westo
Mother: Yenna'Maer Westo Uncle: Emel'Chon Maer Wife: Chaira Aquila Son: Daelen Westo Father-in-Law: Ryul Aquila Mother-in-Law: Nysa |
| Affiliations | Leigon, briefly
The Red Berets, disbanded The Black Hand, briefly The Fortune Bringers, currently |
| Regions | City of Gadena, Kingdom of Galena |
| Locations | Westo Farm, Old Blacksmith in Gadena |
Description
Quin is Described as a large Half-Elf, about 6"4', with dark shaggy hair. His nose is bent from years of physical damage and a scruffy beard covers his lip and chin, only patches lay on his cheeks. He often still wears his Red Beret, a symbol of his criminal group and a mark on his past. Roughed up pants and a green vest are normally all the clothes he has on. He's the kind of guy that charges headfirst into all battles, physical, social, or mental though doesn’t care about winning. Money was interesting but more of a burden on his life than a need. Like any addiction he has, either to alcohol or smokes, he finds it central to his life, not as a want but an aching need. The art of the game, heists/Petty Thievery, was the most fun he's ever had but he could never figure out why. The only thing he knew was the bigger the target, the bigger the stake, the bigger the fun. He's a risk taker through and through and never could get enough of the thrill within danger. In every one of his battles peace was never an option And when his back is against the wall he fights harder
Early Life
Quin’Maer was born in the place he lived out his entire life. In the southern half of the continent of Wruitros, in the Kingdom of Galena under charge of the Virag family, on a farm, on the outskirts of the capital city, Gadena. His father, having once been a talented blacksmith, was pushed out of his shop, the profession, and the city itself by rising rent prices that couldn’t be paid. There were too many blacksmiths and too little work to be found in peacetime, especially when you weren’t the chosen blacksmith of The Reserves. He found work on someone else’s farm. A meager house, a meager wage, and meager food to feed his family.
Quin never felt like he truly had a home. Sure, his parents kept to a physical home, but they were hardly ever available for him when emotional support was necessary. Instead his parents were preoccupied with the farm work while barely able to produce enough to keep up with the royal demand, meager returns, watching struggling horses pull carts with fat noblemen, these fill his memory of his younger years. With the heightened tension on the farm, there were many days Quin would snap, sometimes at farmhands, sometimes at middle class kids who poked fun at his tattered clothes, unkempt hair, and poor crops. Eventually the farmhands had enough of the bad reputation Quin is giving them and urged his father to get him off the farm. The drama ended in one final fight between Quin and his father on his 18th birthday. He had told Quin he would be moving into the city to work in his old smithy with his Mentor Emel’Chon Maer. Quin recognized the name belonging to his mother’s Uncle, an elderly elf with a dusty smithy in the lower districts of the city.
Life Within the Walls
Early days of his work at the smithy were filled with cleaning and organizing, something his uncle could no longer do with the state of his back. It was hard for Quin to be antagonistic towards this old man, he was blind in one eye, almost completely deaf, missing several fingers, all his teeth, even a leg. So listened as much as he could about his time as a Smithy in Westerlock and crafting weapons and armor for the Reserves. Without realizing it, Quin started following in his fathers advice and grew a sense of values.
After the shop looked presentable, Quin went through rigorous smithing lessons with Emel, much of which Quin remembered from his earlier years. Quin didn’t quite get his uncle’s excitement at the smelting process until he explained the many specific temperatures certain metals must be at to achieve a pattern or strength. So when it was finally Quin’s turn to try, he gave it the best he got. Emel smoked a pipe while he watched Quin give it all a go. If he did something wrong, he’d flick some embers and ash on him, shouting "WRONG!", until he got it right. Quin never really got ready to take over, even after a year and a half; but to get things back on track, Quin had to build back the smith’s reputation with the city miners to get any and all metals for smelting and interest any and all potential buyers of weapons or jewelry Quin was capable of making.
As you could imagine, he went through many rejections. Talking to his uncle about it, he finally convinced him that they need a friendlier face to the company. After putting up a Help Wanted sign, they somehow got a quick response from a kid named Yafir, a chatty half-elf, only a few years older than Quin, and following him like a shadow was his younger brother Damari. Yafir was a dynamo, quick witted and charismatic, he was able to gain back the distributing mining companies favor but even get a discount for the amount they were buying. And Selling! Every day, Quin, Yafir, and Damari would set up a kiosk in Westerlock and sell just about everything they had.
After about three years of this, business was still booming, so much so that Emel decided he wanted to try his lifelong dream of smelting a set of Mithral armor, a dream Quin scoffed at as something they could never afford; so instead he set Yafir out to find as much Mithral as he could with all the money they had gained over the years. He was gone for months and the entire time the Smithy grew further and further into debt. Damari had to take up the selling part of the business in Yafir’s absence, he was almost just as good as Yafir and it certainly helped that the quality of Quins work improved. His uncle on the other hand – his smoker's lung got worse, not just from the tobacco but mainly from the fumes of the smelter. A Cleric/Priest was visiting the workshop that day when Damari woke him up to give him the news. The Priest said without proper ventilation in Run Row, the mass of fumes slowly suffocated him, a common story for this side of the city. To make matters worse, Yafir returned with empty pockets, empty hands, and a bounty on his head from the famous guild of assassins, thieves, and criminals known as Legion.
A Criminal Record and Legion
With Quin having to sell off the workshop and his uncle's house, he stepped up to help Yafir relieve the bounty on his head. Quin accepted a request to meet with someone from Legion, someone he only knew as Cyclops. Yafir joined the meeting and requested that his labor pay off his debt instead of his life. Cyclops strangely agreed, considering his crime was non violent and impressively cunning. Starting small and petty, they would first target the Mastiff Sprawl and Westerlock markets where cash was easy and loose. Soon enough they paid off the debt. Some with the legion took note of their success and occasionally hired and rewarded them for odd jobs they deem too inconvenient. Their system was standard, Yafir got most of his info and quests from the Legion, while Quin often took on the dangerous side being the runner. They robbed shops, pushed drugs, laundered coins, threatened a few guild members, building good reputations with the clients and Cyclops. Damari wasn’t dumb but he wasn’t privy to this side of their lives. Eventually he became jealous and urged Quin and Yafir to let him in on their next mission stating his sending spell could be useful.
The mission began by meeting the client at the Magenta Plenum, the girl’s name was Caira, daughter of the Aquila House, no older or younger than Quin. They were told to meet the unknown client at a tavern called Magenta Plenum and discussed plans to rob a higher up at the royal bank but as soon as the client walked in and revealed she was in fact the daughter of Ryul, the Banker, Yafir urged Damari to opt out of the mission. The idea of a family revenge quest sounded compromising to him and not a risk he was willing to put on his brother. But it didn’t matter to Damari, he wanted to be a part of the action. On the other hand was Quin, who was struck by her beauty and her words that he already agreed to the quest before she opened her mouth. Yafir begrudgingly agreed anyway. Hoping for the best, knowing Quin wouldn’t put his brother in any danger.
After the meeting was officially over, Yafir talked Quin into convincing Caira to stay and have a few drinks with them. It turned out to be a busy night at the tavern as Yafir got wasted on brews dancing with Caira to the Bard’s songs. Quin wasn’t much of a dancer so he sat back and watched until Yafir ran to the back to vomit. Unfortunately he wasn’t much of a talker too because Caira came right over to him in amusement of Yafir’s eccentricity. Many questions were thrown at Quin about his personal life, and in his nervousness paid for four rounds of drinks. Finally the ability to speak returned to him and he asked why she felt so comfortable being outside the Penrose District. Her answer began with a story of how she was born on the roads to Gadena, though couldn’t finish as the Bard began a new song, one of her favorites. “We have to dance!” she exclaimed as she grabbed Quin’s arm. He couldn’t even get a “But I can’t dance” out before she dragged him to the center of the tavern. She taught him some moves and eventually he got the hang of it. The song sped up some and the pressure was put on Quin before the crescendo. The two held each other's hands for a couple moments longer, hearts fluttering as they caught their breath. Finally, Quin noticed his friend was gone for too long and they parted ways for the night.
On the night of the heist, Caira’s father was distracted by Yafir who was pretending to doorknock to sell leftover jewelry from Emel’s workshop while Quin and Damari meet Caira at the wall behind the Aquila estate. After waiting a few hours for everything to be set in motion, a rope finally falls over the wall. Quin and Damari climb over, meeting Caira on the other side. Damari stays in the back garden scouting through the windows, while Quin follows Caira into the house. The shimmering gold and the comfortable furniture completely impressed Quin, he has never seen wealth like this. But when brought to Caira’s attention, she tells a story about her mother, a commoner who met the young and wealthy Ryul through the brothel of Gadena. She was a favorite of his, and eventually she came back with a daughter – and an illness.
She lamented about how her father never really helped her mother through the sickness that slowly ate away at her body. After her death, Caira never felt like she was viewed as a real Aquila, but only as a means to an end if he should find a wealthier family and a suitable partner for her. Damari communicated with Quin the location of the Sword they were meant to steal and if any servants or guards were in their way. Eventually, Quin got the sword and was met with nostalgia. Not only did he recognize the craftsmanship but also the engraved E’CM on the base of the blade. Caira remembers the day he got that sword, she was only a child when he brought it home, claiming it’s their new family sword, bragging about the price he got it for. Later learning from the servants that the blacksmith soon lost his status and workshop in Westerlock and was forced to work in Run Row for the rest of his life.
With the weight of the sword in his hands, it was clear to Quin that this was after more than just revenge, but a personal symbol and a constant reminder of a family’s decision to turn a conflicted status into a personal benefit regardless of who they stepped on. As they came back to the wall of the Penrose, Quin asked the next logical question anyone would ask, “When am I going to see you again? You should come back to the Magenta Plenum with us.” With only a smirk and a wink she replied with a heartfelt “soon”.
The Founding of the Red Berets
Quin and Damari returned with the Sword while Yafir returned with some extra coins stating he was able to sell some jewelry to the man. A couple days pass and they met the Fixer in the Iron Bar, near the southern mines. Quin almost felt reluctant to sell the sword to Cyclops but Yafir’s debt was just about paid for and this would set him free. In the Legionnaires final farewell, the boys expressed their desire for more jobs. Cyclops only responded with a name and place to drop it. And with that, they never saw Cyclops again.
The next day they went to the spot and dropped the name and deep within the sewers of Gadena they discovered a secret betting ring with an arena in the center. No one but Kobolds were here. Yafir asked one of them what goes on here and they explained about a fight club. Looking at Quin’s arms, they noted that he’d be an interesting match up. Almost immediately Quin was looking to sign up. They all knew how this could play out for them, winning money on fights while Yafir and Damari worked on gaining clients.
It was from here on out that life for Quin was on the up and up. He wasn’t always the strongest in the ring, nor the best fighter but he certainly drew attention, even winning big a few times with larger betting pools. One of his “rivals” in the ring, Riez became a quick friend to Quin, often being a workout buddy, always bragging to each other about their goals to be the best of the best and the top of the top. “To the top and beyond” was their catchphrase. And the jobs that Yafir was able to get through his shmoozing were just enough for a modest den for the boys.
As they grew in reputation over the years the jobs got better. Sometimes it would even be Quin and Riez on a job (often the intimation ones). But through it all he still felt there was something – someone missing from his life. He couldn’t get Caira out of his mind. Beyond her beauty, the words she told him kept circling around his mind. The last thing she told him, “soon” made every minute feel like an eternity. But soon enough while Quin and Yafir were gathering information for a job at the Magenta Plenum, there in the corner, surrounded by swooning men, she stood, smoking a cigarette and competing in a shots competition against another guy. As the guy fell to the ground, drunk off his ass, Quin and Caira locked eyes. Before he knew it, she was in his arms, squeezing him tight. “You showed up,” he told her. She explained that after the heist on their estate she was forbidden to leave the house until they found the sword as her father deemed it ‘too dangerous’. She scoffed at this notion and said she finally was able to get him to ease up. Quin couldn’t talk long with her, he was still working then but instead of putting distance between them, she said she wanted in. No matter what it was, she wanted to stick it to the man (so to speak).
After they got what they wanted for the job, he went out with Caira. They spent the night drinking and talking, he explained his relation to the sword and his family out on the farm, and what he’s learned about the city and the people who live under the banner since he left the home of his birth. They planned several dates already for when she returns. Later, he took her to see his home. Modest in comparison to her mansion estate but it didn’t matter. They spent the night together, a night Quin would nigh forget. Afterwards, Caira begged him to include her on their next job but Quin kept deflecting saying many of them are dangerous. Eventually he gave in and added her to a simple job. A thieving job, thinking she could be useful for distractions but turned out to be the one to take over the whole thing and with total ease. Yafir, Damari, and Riez all agreed: she’s an asset. And with that, the final member of their crew joined in only needing a name and call signs. They settled on ‘The Red Berets’ as they all put on red berets – the hats were Caira’s idea.
A Complicated Love Life
Years go by and the Red Berets become well enough known in the Gadena Underworld to merit all sorts of jobs. Yafir was the leader and the shmoozer, Caira also often took those titles with her own connections in the Penrose District, Damari was a scouter, and Quin – often with Riez – were the muscle/runners being on the front lines of most jobs. All together they pulled enough money to grab several hideouts throughout the city, Quin often sending that money back to his home at the farm.
Things were good but unknown to Quin and the gang nothing lasted forever, so it came as a shock especially to Quin when one day Caira stopped coming to the Magenta Plenum and more importantly his fights. Quin even threw pebbles at her window to see if she was there. But he got nothing. Until one day, after half a year of her disappearance she finally showed back up to the Magenta Plenum where Quin was of course very glad to see that she’s okay but frustrated as to why she couldn't tell him what was going on. She said her father caught her going out and the "fucked up shit" they were getting into. So she was sent away on a family trip to another city, only just getting home a week ago. But while her father has eyes on her, she was able to sneak out to see him as the family was once again slated to head out of Gadena for a business trip. She would grow a little distant when asked when she’d be back. But all she asked for was a normal night with Quin. Family is too complicated to get hung up on specifics. So the spent the night together again.
Taking her back to his place as though it was their first night together. But in the morning he awoke to her gone, leaving nothing but a note:
“Quin,
I’m sorry to have been gone for too long in your life but I spent every night thinking of you. To see you once more, I still feel like I was dreaming, a dream that I’d never want to wake up from. But one that I must. I’m beyond sorry I have to leave you like this with nothing but a note but I didn’t have the heart to tell you last night. What I told you about this business trip was a lie. Instead my father had arranged for me to marry into a wealthy family in a far away city. Please understand that I do not even want this. If I could run away with you today I would but I know my father would eventually find me. Perhaps one day I could return to Gadena and find you and, if you could forgive me, we could live life the way we want to. Until then, never stop fighting for your family’s freedom nor the good of the city.
With love, hopes, and dreams, Caira Aquila”
Unfortunately Quin is illiterate so he had Yafir read the letter to him.
He became defeated after hearing the words and his demeanor tightened. Every fight in the ring thereafter became more aggressive and brutal. Once even hospitalizing and eventually ending the life of a man who pushed him a little too far. Yafir and Damari took notice of his anger and asked him to take a break. They gave him some intoxicating plants and sent him back to the fields outside Gadena to see his family. Once he reunited with his Mother and Father he explained what happened between him and Caira. His Mother retained sympathy but his Father reaffirmed his reasons why not to mess with any of those nobles in the city, which of course ticked him off but he couldn’t find the evidence to argue. He spent a few months helping the farm like he had as a child. Strangely he felt it calming to work with his hands once more. After a time he felt like he was ready to return to the city and continue living his life with Yafir and Damari, and working out/ competing with Riez.
Final Heist with the Red Berets
Upon his return home, they bore news of a great heist brought to them by Riez and his sponsor. The job was complex and seemed dangerous, they were hired to rob the big bad Justicar Mathaius and part him with a magic stone.
Riez’s sponsor gave them all the details they needed and Yafir and Damari scouted the area for the Justicars schedule to make the best plan of attack. So when the Heist began, it seemed like it would go off without a hitch. They stuck to their basics, Yafir stayed behind to distract anyone that might get in the way, Damari helped Quin by keeping watch. But as he entered the complex and entered the supposed room of the stone, the Justicar was home, waiting for them. And by his side was Riez, a traitor where he stands. In his ear he could hear Damari try to warn him but his voice cut out and all he could hear was the gurgling of blood. But as he tried his best to escape, Quin couldn’t quite make it out. He became subdued by Riez and as he held him to the ground he got to ask him why. The only thing he said to him was “To the top and beyond.” The Justicar later explained that he hadn’t planned on killing him, despite his own desires, but that someone had paid a lot of money to meet Quin if he had ever been captured.
After days in a cell, he finally had a visitor, it was someone who he’d thought would be forever gone from his life, Caira Aquila. She entered holding her belly which took the shape of a healthy melon. When he saw her, not a word came from his mouth, only shock to see her again let alone in this state. She told him that this is not how she hoped to meet again and that she was avidly against the bounty he had. But before she could tell him more, an older elf with long hair and grey streaks and a permanent frown upon his face entered. Ryul Aquila. He went on about the loss of a great investment and a failed arrangement and that if it wasn’t for Caira’s words he’d already have Quin assassinated and the illegitimate child purged. But instead he came with an offer. “Live the rest of your days taking care of my daughter and your child outside the walls of the city, on a farm of my choosing with a percentage of your profits going directly to me or rot away in a cell until the day of your execution mandated by the Justicar”. The choice was easy for both Quin and Caira.
A Return to Farm Life
And so he honored the agreement, and planned to live the rest of his days humbly. Caira gave birth to the child and they named him Daelen Westo. The early months were tough to get used to, not only tend to the crops but also take care of Daelen, Quin hardly got any sleep. But his parents stepped up, seeing his life turning around. They even got a starting batch of seeds to give them a head start. After a few successful plants and plenty of help from his father, the conclusion was that the land was no longer usable. Coarse, dry, and overworked.
Every time Ryul’s accountant would come to collect his tax, Quin could only give him so much, telling him they needed more fertile soil. But no help would come, and the only thing Quin’s father could do is to pull some cow dung from neighboring farms which lasted them a few years, enough for Daelen not to starve. But eventually the money ran dry and Quin could no longer pay Ryul’s tax. So to make up for it he went to Yafir, in his brief absence of a couple years, and had become something of known in the underground of the city. Not the level of Legion, not near enough to even give them cause for concern, but enough that he had spoken with them, made sure no territories were crossed and bought himself a modest abode within the city’s walls.
One Last Job
Yafir found a job for Quin, stealing from the caravans transporting mines from the south. It was risky, the Elevation Mining Company was owned by Master Julian Lockhall, an even richer acquaintance of Ryul. A couple jobs went by just fine, Quin finding that more was being transported than just platinum. Blue, glowing crystals, in small amounts, packed away under the rest so as not to be seen when passing by the guarded gates. But what Quin didn’t know was that Ryul had hired people to follow Quin, spies to make sure that he didn’t break their deal, that he never went back to a life of crime.
Caught on the job and tossed in a cell, Quin had another brief conversation with Ryul, saying, “thank you for giving me exactly what I wanted”. An odd thing to say as the punishment for thievery was well-known to Quin, a handful of days incarcerated or a fine of twice the worth of whatever was stolen. However, it became clear to Quin, very quickly after arrest, that things were not working how they usually worked. For one, the Justicar, Matthias, was nowhere to be seen. He was the one to mete out the punishments, but as Quin was walked through the doors of the Justicar’s Office and into the small prison section in the back, the only man he saw was the one who had been seen proselytizing around the city - a stand in, an interim while the prince was preparing his wedding. But this man didn’t seem concerned with time or how long Quin was sitting in his cell, wasting the days. No amount of begging or pleading the Peace Reserve guards did anything to help. They simply responded, “The Justicar is unavailable as of the moment. He will see to it when he can.”
That was a week. For a week he sat, fed meager meals that reminded him of his childhood and listened as well as he could to the sounds of the city outside the thick walls. That was how he knew what day it was. The trumpet blew, the people cheered. The wedding day at last arrived. The day turned. At first it was hard to hear the turn, but eventually Quin was pulled from a stupor by the thought that the cheers were now screams. The sound of armor, more soldiers than usual collecting in one place and then gone again. The prison guards were nervous, but lacking information, no one had come to collect them or tell them what was happening.
And then a new arrival. A halfling man, fighting against the guards. “Sure, sure I was in the castle. That’s where you found me. But I had nothing to do with that! I swear!” Not being listened to, unceremoniously tossed into the cell next door to Quin. Much faster than Quin imagined, seeing as he hadn’t seen the workings of justice, the halfling man was taken away again and when he came back, he was rather worse for wear, less of a fight in him, more dejected. Though none of this was directed toward his sentence - he seemed to not be worried about that in slightest. “I have people… they won’t let me rot. Especially not now. Not here.”
He then went on to stutteringly divulge a secret. Sometimes he would stop in the middle of the sentence, as if choked, a word going silent here and there. Always a proper noun, always the name of something. He always sheepishly smiled as if each time, he forgot it would happen. And Quin was told about a crime syndicate, a group in Chelcam, a city in The Broken Plains next to Anson Hill. A place described to him as a city of nightlife, of lights, of a plethora of wealth for people, “just like us!” run by those who hid in the shadows, run by those like he had been striving to become his whole life. A place that could hone the skills Quin has mustered and mastered throughout the years. But more importantly, a place without The Reserves and those who knew his face. “I’ve seen the likes of you around. Bigger. Imposing. I’m sure you’ve got quite the swing. So I’m sure there’d be a spot. Though who or what they belong to, I’m not privy too. You’ll have to figure that one out once you get there.”
Weirdly grateful for the recent attack and assassination meted out on the royal family as it created confusion amongst The Reserves, and things quickly began to be forgotten and left behind. Which is how Quin managed to escape. Fleeing the city, his family, his friends, and all he knew on the word of a halfling he had just met and with the fear of an even worse sentence. “Tell ‘em Welby sent ya!” Though who ‘them’ were, Quin wasn’t exactly sure. “Go to this street at this time. Go to this casino and ask for this person.” Welbly had a lot of different ways you might be able to find them, but couldn’t promise any would work.
So, Quin did what he knew best. After a couple nights of careful observation, found a target, got into a fight to show his fighting prowess, and was, as he had hoped, swept up into the fold. The Black Gloves - the name of the organization - though Quin soon found that just as Welby had tried and failed, the words could not leave Quin’s lips without stealing the air from his lungs. A “taboo” they called it. Put on a person upon the completion of their signature. Dmitri Gulev, the Dom and Keeper of The Black Gloves, a group of bouncer, bodyguards that carried messages, made sure jobs were completed and money changed hands when it was supposed to, who blooded their knuckles when this needed to be set straight. The one thing Quin noticed though, was that Welby had definitely described a group of thieves and no one had yet asked Quin to steal anything.