Editing Shattered Lands (section)

====Topher and Aniket====
A pair of rogues that work together in deadly unison. Who is their mark in this hostile warrior city? (Half-Elf Ranger/Rogue and Human Rogue? / Strikers)

=====Topher's character:=====
[[File:AureusColor.jpg]]

[[Shattered_Lands/AureusHaaku]]



'''Background''':

Aureus Haaku Khefrotep Dark Moons (Night Runner tribe) was born to a human mother (a Dune Trader) who trafficked with the Night Runner tribe of elves.  His father was aware of his existence, but remained out of touch.  Aureus' only memory of his father is as a silhouette against the setting sun.  His mother, Rassis Khefrotep, told Aureus stories about both of his lineages, going so far as to give him the elven name Haaku (means Two Daggers... she claimed that Aureus' father suggested the name before departing and never returning), should he choose to try and follow that lineage.  He has never felt truly human or elf, and even as a young boy showed signs of withdrawing into himself.  It's as though he wages an inner battle between his two bloodlines, refusing to get too close to others emotionally for fear of finally embracing a lineage and shunning those close to him who don't fit his potential new life.  He even grew distant from his mother, perhaps echoing a stoicism inherited from his father.

He grew up among trade caravans and nomads, learning games of chance and how to handle a blade along the way.  As he grew into maturity, Aureus began running with the trade caravan scouts, learning about the fierce moods of nature and the harshness of the desert.  He learned techniques for trapping water condensation and for getting a feel for sand shifting beneath his feet from skulking predators as well as fleeing prey.  Eventually he began to lead scouting parties and hunts.  He was also making a name for himself as bladesman (haven't decided what exactly he'll fight with... thinking a pair of kukri-like things... or a sword and dagger), and could hold his own among his peers in sparring matches.  

Time in small towns and settlements intrigued him, and Aureus would often employ natural charm and sleight-of-hand tricks to earn extra money from townsfolk.  Though he ran with Dune Traders, he didn't always live up to their philosophy of honest dealings with friend and stranger alike.  His travels with the caravan took him to small pockets of civilization that hinted at a completely other side of life than he had come to know.  He longed for a change.

The change that came was not what he expected.  The trade caravan he ran with was set upon by Draji slavers.  His mother was cut down in the attack, and many who he had grown up with perished defending themselves. Aureus was among the few that survived the carnage and was taken as a slave to Draj.

In the Draj slave markets, Aureus caught the eye of a merchant looking to bolster his guard ranks.  After a time, Aureus' sleight-of-hand skills, as well as his knowledge of lockpicking and disarming traps came to be recognized by his master.  The merchant-prince began tasking Aureus with delicate jobs dealing with rival merchants or beneficiaries who had neglected to pay back their debts.  He took to maintaining the role of a good natured juggler and practitioner of coin and card tricks as a hanger-on to the merchant-prince, while being a silent assassin against said merchant-prince's enemies.  He came to revel in his dual-life, feeling parallels to his dual heritage, and using the assassination missions as a channel to focus his rage and anger at the attack on his mother's trade caravan.   

He developed a handful of contacts in the shadier parts of the city.  Some were informants, others were literal partners in crime who assisted in his missions.  A few became trusted colleagues who Aureus was able to find time to work with on endeavors of their own.

Eventually, however, Aureus ran afoul of the merchant-prince.  He seduced the merchant-prince's niece and had a night of intoxicated passion with her.  It's not clear what enraged the merchant-prince more, the "ravaging" or the intoxication of his niece, but either way Aureus found himself on the out.  Technically freed by the merchant-prince, his former master pulled strings and has arranged for Aureus to fight for his life in the arena.  The fighting chance for survival is the merchant-prince's way of acknowledging the services Aureus performed for him.

'''Personality:'''

Aureus is constantly torn between two worlds and is always seeking a distraction from that turmoil.  He hasn't yet matured to a point where reconciling the turmoil is an option (but it's approaching), or realizing that he is free to carve his own path.  He's moody (but not in an overtly emo way), and tends to be either jovial and easy going or murderously dark.  This is entirely from how he learned to live and survive.  The shift between the two extremes can be dramatic and instant.  He's as likely to overturn a table in a tavern at the first sign of danger during an otherwise friendly card game as he is to find a moment of humor in the death throes of an enemy.  Did I mention he's Chaotic Neutral?

'''Appearance:'''

Aureus in his mid 20s and having a kind of unique look (in Draj, anyways).  He wears trappings of Elven nomads mixed with vaguely Urikite attire (his mother was from Urik), along with various tokens of his travels.  He's lighter skinned than people from Urik, but wears his beard (which has a reddish/copper tinge, hinting at his elven blood) in a similar, clipped and pointed style.  He keeps his head shaved bald and has a small network of tattoos from various cultures adorning the back and sides of his head, neck, and shoulders.  

He wears a saber crafted from the rib-bone of some beast, rumored to be from an archaic age when Athas was covered in seas, as well as a dagger made of the horn of a young kirre... pointed so much as to almost be more a stiletto than dagger.   Various smaller daggers of bone and horn can be seen adorning his person.  His leather armor is a deep purplish-red, being made from the jhakar skin.  The hit-and-run nature of the jhakar is something Aureus takes inspiration from.

=====Aniket's Character=====

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Memory. Memory is a curious thing. Remus mused darkly.

When you try to remember something worthwhile, it escapes you. Like an oily Silk Wyrm. You cannot hold on to it enough to focus. It sucks up all your energy in that dark vortex and leaves you broken and bruised. And when you want to forget something terrible, it latches onto your mind, sinking its claws, making deep bloody scars. It never lets you go.

Of the three guards that are circling him right now, the one at the back left is new. Probably a recruit. Remus could tell by the way he handles his spear. The grip was totally wrong. You should never grab so close to the blade end. And also by the faint line of sweat visible above his trembling lips. He didn't expect a chase on rooftops so early in the morning.

That's the one who is useful to him.

"Give it up, assassin," called out the Captain as he readied his shield. "You have been giving us too much trouble. But you're at the end of your road here. Look behind you. No place to run". He cautiously stepped forward. "All those burglaries. And murders! For what? Money? Whores? Trying to make a name among the lowlife criminals? There are other ways to impress your girlfriend, kid."

"How well you know me Captain," Remus said quietly, trying to buy some time, just like the Captain was. His eyes moved to the only other guard- an archer, lining up a careful shot. He clearly did not use a bow at this height- above a palace roof. The wind is strong here. And Remus just knew which way the arrow would go. He smirked.

"Oh I know all about your types," the Captain spat, "You are moths drawn to the fire. You are so desperate for warmth, you don't see you will burn up!" He took another step. He's good.

Remus knew this was the right time. The Captain's shield was Inix bone. Not the best. And he could see where it was cracking. And the oblivious archer aimed at exactly where he wanted, while the recruit with the spear barely stood on his shaky feet. Poor guy was probably afraid of heights.

"But I have no thirst for warmth, Captain," said Remus with a mischievous smile, "Your daughter provided that so readily in her bedroll last night. You know, it's hard to believe she was a virgin until yesterday."

That did the trick. The guard Captain was visibly red, completely falling for the taunt. "You son of a-" he yelled ferociously as he jumped at Remus. Remus was ready. He leaned right, jabbing the sword in his right hand at the weak point of the shield- completely breaking it, and going through. It hit his stomach. And the arrow shot by the guard was embedded on the back of is neck. Lowering the body with his right hand, Remus shot his trusted hand-crossbow with his left. In a moment the archer was down with a bloody stomach. Remus leaped, leaving the sword with the body and landing near the archer, delivering a well placed kick on his jaw. He rolled over to a side. He'd live. Probably.

The recruit was already running towards the ladder. Remus aimed his crossbow. It had already loaded herself. The bolt touched his ankle. Bad miss. He was aiming for the thigh. Lucky he fell down anyway.

Running to him, Remus dragged him up and put him against the wall with one hand at his neck. The left hand aimed the crossbow just between his eyes.

"I'll ask once," Remus chewed the words. That way they sound more scary. "Where. Is. He?"

The recruit broke down, sobbing. That was easy.

"The Arena." he chocked through his tears, "I swear! They want him to fight!" Remus spotted an yellowish flow down his legs. He wet his chainmail.

"Do yourself a favor," Remus said, more quietly this time, "Forget my face. I'd hate to kill you in your sleep." He left him on the wall, and slowly walked towards the body of the Captain. He took out his sword, wiped it on the Captain's tabard and sheathed it.

The Arena. That certainly complicates things. A lot.

'Hold on, my friend. I'm coming,' he murmured, smirking, as he walked towards the ledge of the roof and leaped down.

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[[Shattered_Lands/remus]]

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