Luv

Luv

A changeling hoping to change the world through connection and the forgotten art of intimacy.

Player Name	Ian O
Relatives	Vix: parent | Iri: parent
Affiliations	Ravel Citizen
Aliases	"Lover" ; "Hero Of Ravel" ; "No-Face"
Marital Status	Single
Place of Birth	Håpe
Species	Changeling
Gender	any
Height	~6ft
Weight	Fluctuating
Eye Color	White

Luv (she/them/his) is a changeling courtesan that practices elementalist magic and is ever present in the pursuit of helping others inside of their community.

Physical Appearance

In changeling form, Luv prefers to be appear as a pale blue changeling with long, white, undercut hair and a notch in her eyebrow. She is known for her translucent eyes that many of her companions say are mirrors into the many loves they have held and still hold onto. It is hard to see her not dressed to impress as she is always on a mission to befriend others and give them the respect they deserve.

Luv is stubbornly left-handed when it comes to writing of any form, if someone were to pretend to be her and use their right hand when signing a parchment then it will be easily known that they have not done their research onto her.

Personality

Luv is a determined peacemaker; sometimes frustratingly so. She is quick to take ownership for her mistakes and will argue for the mercy of most, if not all, sentient beings.

She has picked fights with her fellow adventurers before as she argued against the willing sale of BWMDs (Bone Whistles of Mass Destruction) and the torture / caging of "enemy spies".

Luv also is a determined connection maker. However people need her to reach out to them, she will and she will try at every opportunity to know who they are & what their life has been like. This determination makes her not only a successful courtesan but also a kind friend/lover.

History

Luv was born into the the changeling colony of Håpe and eventually decided to flee from there. Her mission became to explore the world outside because she felt the colony was losing it's love of life due to the secluded nature.

In-Game Involvement

Cold Feet

Luv was in the process of working with a Ravel food kitchen to try and ensure people are well fed and happy. While working on that she met up with a group of adventurers (Adebimpe, Eltolinde, Clover, Lairus, Jaxzo'Ilan) who all seemed to share her wishes of helping the people of Ravel. Suddenly a group of desperate hostile thugs burst in through the doors to try and steal away blankets from the citizens inside. Luv, understanding that these thugs were only looking for blankets because they needed warmth & resources, chose to give away some of her money to ensure that they would leave without a single drop of bloodshed.

After the stressful situation, Luv and the crew of heroes decided to head to the nearest quest board and see what options were there for them to take. They see a ton of options:

• A bone dealer named Otto Bremer who wanted whale bones
• A baker whose fires seem to be magically extinguished by an unknown force
• A citizen who gets the uncanny feeling they are being watched via Elemental Scrying
• Reports of a vision from the Onomancer's Guild of a Kaiju-Sized Penguin
• Worries from citizens about local tortle Captain Kronch
• Several notices about Pirates in the region.

All options appeared to be worthwhile for the party but Luv felt very strongly towards the poster put up by the Onomancer's Guild. One could certainly say that the idea of a Kaiju-Sized Penguin would be reason enough for this to be interesting; but that is not why Luv was drawn to it. Looking at the poster one would see the words "ONOS GO AWAY" vandalized over what was just simply a cry for help. This action and the knowledge of how Onomancers are treated in Ravel quickly won Luv over to their side. Being a changeling and having seen the way fear of smaller communities can harm kind people, she knew that these people wouldn't get help from the town and she felt they needed to be seen for once. So they chose this as their quest.

With their goal set in mind, the party went over to the tucked away building of the Onomancers. It understandably took a little bit of convincing to get the Onomancers to let them in (due to the negative reaction from most of Ravel) but once they did Luv was immediately struck with the beauty of the space. It certainly wasn't the most ornate or the most advanced, but it felt like a home; like that of the community she left behind back in Håpe. While the party spoke she felt herself falling into a rabbit hole of wondering how Håpe is doing... were they also hit by the freeze? If so are they okay? Who is checking in on them..? "I miss them".

In-Character Journal

Luv’s Journal Post Session 11:

"Well I finally understand the frustration many people have towards the LaCroix. I remember hearing Tessa mention a decent bit about them in our previous adventure together but I kind of chalked it up to typical monster dealings; but little did I know that we were apparently already in their sightlines… I thought I made a new friend with an adventurer named Mundy; they seemed a bit eccentric but I mean who isn’t, if we are being honest with ourselves. But after a little bit of exploration and successfully talking us down from an avenue, turns out that the Mundy we originally met was actually a vampire spawn that was serving their lord known as Xilas LaCroix *his name is immediately followed up with an angry face and a crude drawing of his smug nature*.

I was so fucking annoyed when I found out, I thought I was smart enough to not fall for stuff like that??? But I guess even changelings can get tricked by false appearances…It makes sense too cause he explicitly killed someone in cold blood after I begged everyone to please knock out these bandits that were after my bounty. SPEAKING OF THAT, I can’t believe I have a bounty on me?? I understand that sometimes you’ll frustrate people no matter what you are doing, hell I have dealt with that with the Unravel before as I was trying to find those blankets, but this? This feels different. The Unravel Blanket saga felt like a playful bit of banter to be honest, whereas this wants me gone. I mean Arsonry and cult activity? What are they even talking about?! Who thought this up and tried to tie me into it? I just want to help!!! It’s so FRUSTRATING. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh *angry scribbles follow for a bit here* Sorry for all the scribbling and rambling, my little old journal, I’m just trying to think up new ways for me to process all this chaos. Cause if I am to be completely honest with you it can all be a bit much. There’s the absolute freezing cold that cuts people off from eachother, dying citizens on every street who are desperate for the slighted bit of sympathy, a disturbing creature group known as the Blowt that talks about penance for sins, a rampant money maker who doesn’t care who he harms as long as money is made, disgusting wendigos that are born from that very same desperate starvation that I was talking about and can easily spread to people, vampires that not only hold a ton of power in this area but also actively harm or HAVE harmed my friends, and then also some godsdamn fire cults which I honestly don’t even know that much about, fuck.

I think I got a bit sidetracked…did I really have a point though? Honestly a lot of how I have been using this journal has been to let my mind ramble and process where I am currently…I feel like I should have a goal of some kind or maybe I should be dedicating this time that I am wasting writing to actually helping people who need it…I really should. I can’t just hide amongst my thoughts and forget everyone; not that I am actually trying to, I just.. I don’t know I guess i need a bit of time to just kind of live… selfish. Honestly ever since I honed in on my healing powers and learned how to avoid needing to eat any type of meal, drink any kind of liquid, or even sleep in my once comfy bed I’ve felt more stressed that usual. Is that the wrong feeling to be having? I mean with all this, I can get a lot more done and I can help a lot more people which is good. I mean it has to be good right? People are alive. People are healing. People are finding a reason to be hopeful…so why don’t I feel hopeful? Why don’t I feel like things are getting better? I feel like creatures of all kinds are coming out of the woodworks to harm innocents and to take away whatever kind of safe haven we have going. Is that okay to be frustrated about? I think it is…but what happens when someone who is supposed to be hopeful and optimistic is actually someone that feels like the world is rapidly becoming cruel and heartless? Where life no longer has the value and the appreciation that it should.

I mean FUCK even I wasn’t as upset as I should have been when evil Mundy killed that bounty hunter. I was just frustrated if anything and I chalked it up to “Ehhh I guess that is the risk of what happens when you hunt someone down”... What the fuck? What’s wrong with me?! That’s far too casual of a way to look at life. Sure that person was trying to hunt me down and possibly kill or capture me but we never got a chance to know why they were doing it? What if they too were starving and completing my bounty would have been the surefire way for them to get the currency they needed to have their next meal? Or maybe they needed to be able to purchase clothes for their kids so that they wouldn’t have to risk their own life just to be able to walk outside and see the sun? See what I mean… These are all thoughts that should have entered my head when it happened but they didn’t and I feel wrong because of it… I should feel wrong about it. People matter. Their lives are important and there are so many stories that I am not able to learn anymore because of the way their tales have been stolen away from them or cut short with every hazard out there in this hellscape…

I think I miss being held. It’s hard to make proper connections here with everyone so focused on survival, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to just hold each other and laugh until the stars come out and are soon chased away by the bright, lively warmth of the sun. Maybe I need to reach out to someone properly…I guess I could check in with Jaxzo? I know she definitely had a rough day with everything we went through and she also knows far more about this whole LaCroix group than I ever could hope to know through my own sources… That’s what I’ll do. I’ll go check in with Jaxzo. Thanks for helping me, Journal. I should really come up with a proper name for you. Feels improper to just kind of assume you don’t have one. I mean, you absolutely have a tale of your own right? Who made you? Who crafted the pages that I am currently writing my heart onto and who bound them all together to allow for such an exploration of thoughts? I don’t know yet, but I hope to find out! So please know that you are important to me, Journal. I love you. I love the people of Ravel. I love the people of Håpe. I love many a soul and I hope I get the chance to meet as many as I can in this short amount of time in the world that I have.

See you later, LUV *the ending signature is followed by a wonderful hand drawn heart that comes off of the V, much like her signatures on the completed bounties.*"

Languages

Common, Gnomish, and Elvish

Luv learned both Gnomish and Elvish from their parent's as they viewed any form of communication of great importance throughout the land.

RP

CHASING THROUGH THE STREETS

During one of their times of ravenous animal form, Ilan ran out onto the streets of Ravel and was unable to find their quarry. In sorrow, they went back to their lodgings and saw Luv there waiting for them. This is their conversation...

LUV: "Illan, are you okay? I tried to find you but you were no where near. Did something happen? Do you need anything to help?"

JAXZO: "*She stumbles inside, eyes glazed over*. ...you should have locked the door...you would all be safe, then..."

LUV: "*Luv scrounges up a blanket and some food* "That is a very good point...but with the door locked I wouldn't have been able to see your wonderful face" *Luv smiles and sets them down near Ilan incase she would like*"

JAXZO: "*as Illan/Jaxzo sits, she glances towards Luv, a ghost of a smirk touching the corners of her mouth* ...you can convince stone to move before you, Velosken, but...my face should not be the last thing you see...*Illan shudders an aching breath before noticing the food. She pounces and begins devouring the rations*.

They then sat in silence as Luv watched on to this magnificent figure and had her heart ache as she pondered on options to help.

"MISSING YOUR GUIDANCE"

After a long night of providing warmth to whoever she can and occasionally receiving threats of violence, Luv finally heads back to Windows Of The Soul and falls onto her uncovered bed (she has given all blankets/sheets away to those in need). She tries for a moment to just let the silence take over her mind and guide her to rest but she knows that it's not going to be possible... it's still there. THAT feeling. It sits right there just on top of her gut, always weighing deeply into her every fiber.

"YOU'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH". It rises in her body, now compressing her chest. "YOU LET THOSE ONOS DIE." It tightens further, restricting her breath. "WHY DO YOU EVEN TRY, YOU NO-FACE?". She can no longer breathe. "YOU CAN'T REST. EVERY DEATH RIGHT NOW IS ON YOU. MAYBE THEY SHOULD HUNT YOU DOWN. ATLEAST THEN YOU'D BE OF USE". It rises further and now she can't even get the decency to swallow it down. Please...Please free her from it...but it won't. She attempt to swallow once more and the feeling races in a blinding speed up to cripple her mind..."YOU ABANDONED THEM. YOU ABANDONED HAPE. THEY WERE YOUR PEOPLE, YOUR LOVED ONES, YOUR EXISTENCE. NOW YOU KILL YOURSELF TO TRY AND MAKE UP FOR THAT. TO MAKE UP FOR YOUR COWARDICE. MAYBE THE FREEZE SHOULD HIT THEM SO THAT THEY NEVER KNOW HOW MANY YOU HURT WITH YOUR WEAK PRESENCE AND YOUR DISGUSTING INABILITY TO KEEP YOUR WORD" The thoughts are now overwhelming and she wails in agony as though it is the only way to release these tortures out so that they atleast have a presence outside of her own mind.

Usually Luv is openly one to enjoy speaking and knowing that she is heard but right now that same ability is hampered as speaking feels like tearing yourself through hellish shrapnel || "I............     .I'm........so...    ..... ...       ..  SORRY"

There is a quiet echo of this all throughout the building as a feeling of sorrow creeps into the lights and turns them into shadows along the walls...Luv is lost. Sure she's felt sadness before but it's never outwardly hit like this. She's been so angry lately, so frustrated, so hopeful, and yet so hopeless. Every paradox choosing to take over and blend themselves together into a cacophony of emotion

After awhile, there is a moment of much needed silence as Luv gathers what remains of her psyche, a quill, ink, and some parchment to begin writing a letter...

"Dear Vix & Iri,

How are you doing? Are you okay? Any new updates on how everyone is doing? I'm not doing okay. I feel detached from any of the ideals I was chasing. I thought when I left Håpe that I'd find all new adventures out here and be able to help people. Help them with my powers, with my strength, with my determination, and with my presence; just like you taught me too. (though you taught me so that I'd help out those in Håpe) But I don't think I'm doing it right...

I made a promise to people that I would be there for them...but I wasn't and many of them died because of it. I try to tell myself that there was nothing I could have done because I have also been helping to keep others alive but the guilt still sits with me... Their faces are etched into my mind and it's like they have tattooed themselves onto my own eyelids...I haven't been sleeping. I tell myself it's because I need to be awake to help everyone and I know that that is true but I also know that it's because I hate seeing their faces. I hate knowing I made a promise and couldn't keep it. You raised me better than to do that...

I write and I feel all this but I know that even this isn't the reason why I am writing to you now. I am writing to you because I miss you. How FUCKING selfish is that?? Here I am feeling the guilt of betraying someone's trust and allowing them to die on my own watch and yet all I can do is think about you. To think about my parents and how you raised me to solve people's problems with words but also hold your own in times of conflict. About Forgo and how we would act the heroic tale of Rivan...how we would hold each other and look at the stars. About Klick and how we ran from Hari after drawing a bunny face on his boots...about our first kiss shortly after that... It's all so distracting and SO GODDAMN SELFISH. WHY AM I THINKING OF THIS ALL??? THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP??

I don't know anymore...I don't know what I am trying to do...

Some people here call me a hero and others call me a monster...I can't tell which one is the most truthful...Is that wrong? I think I need to go back out there and help...sleep can wait. I don't know if I can even send this anyway with the big goddamn frozen oceans so now I've just wasted valuable time writing when I could have been out there saving someone's life... See what I mean by selfish? I'm sorry. I love you and I miss you. If you get this somehow, please tell everyone I am thinking of them.

Missing your guidance,

Blueberry/Luv"

Luv signs the sodden, tear-filled letter and closes it in an envelope that she hopes to send off somehow...who knows if that's even possible anymore though.

"TELL ME ABOUT XILAS"

LUV: Amongst the freezing cold whipping of the winds we see Luv strolling casually along checking out the nearby dilapidated rooftops to see if she can spot her friend, Jaxzo. "Jaxzo... I don't know if you are near and honestly I really don't know where a good place would be to find you...for how powerful of a frame you have, you have a tendency to vanish. But I'm here, wandering around trying to find you...I want to talk. I know what we went through a few weeks ago was a bit rough and I would love to know if I can help you somehow...or atleast know you are okay." Luv continues down the street wandering, unaware of wherever Jaxzo may be in this cold dreary night. She takes a moment to breathe and turns off into a more secluded alley

JAXZO: red eyes flash open from a nearby rooftop as Jaxzo'llan drops down right behind Luv, probably startling then “Xas?...Ah! Luv....it appears you are the one freezing, no?”

LUV: Luv jumps back in a startle as her skin quickly morphs into all sorts of beings, a kenku, an elf, a tiefling, a blue dragonborn, and then back into her usual typical self "AH SWEET RIVAN..." She catches her breath "Sorry about that, Jaxzo, I forget how quiet you can be when you want to. It's nice to see you good friend. Thankfully no, I am not cold. One of the benefits that comes from being an Elementalist is that any type of temperature just feels like home to me. Though I'd be lying if I said I don't crave a good bed every now and then… How are you doing? Are you staying warm?"

JAXZO: A Green vein bulges in her neck “I...do not know...I cannot...feel these things like I used to. Before-” She glances back to Luv “I won't bore you.” She turns to leave.

LUV: Luv reaches out compassionately "No wait! Jaxzo please don't go...You could never bore me...and honestly I'd love nothing more right now than to hear whatever is on my friend's mind."

JAXZO: Jaxzo'llan stops, the wind blustering through her, rattling the chains that remain, till they fall silent once more “...I...am not dro, er, alive... I am not dead, either...I've been locked in between by-” Her skin bristles briefly “HIM!...I wish the wind would hurt. I wish I could feel your hand…” Jaxzo'llans hand tightens for a moment, then drops. “But she is dead now, myself. I-” she pauses, lost in thought

LUV: Luv will gently pick up and hold Jaxzo's hand "She may be dead, but you are still very much here...and if you can't feel my hand, then let me describe yours. Let me describe how the grip of your hand, while strong, still holds within it a compassion that you may believe to be lost. How that very same grip holds so tightly onto a hope that people will see you for the kind being you are. You have an affliction yes, but that doesn't change the heart of who I'm speaking to. It doesn't change the way you've been racing to save others while fighting to take back a life that was stolen away from you..." Luv pauses to let her words truly sink in for a moment "Tell me about her, tell me about who you once were. I'd love to know both parts of you... Or if you have an anger you currently can't quell then...Tell me about Xilas. About the bastard who stole her away from your very being..."

JAXZO: After several moments of silence, Jaxzo'llan begins “He came to us when the glow fungi were the most dim...My Ilhar, er, mother, was told of a large party of surface dwellers traveling through the Tunnel Networks, unaided by Dwemer Kyorek'larst, dwarven patrols. Naturally, she believed such arrogance should be met and delt with personally. She found Him...with many, many others...hu-mans. But somehow, despite her cloaking herself and her guard in the very shadows of the cavern, He could see them. And he made an offer. A belbol...a gift...30 Rothe, er...cattle, in this case, for Mother was in no mood for slaves. In exchange, He would be allowed passage udossta qu'ellar, to our house...Mother knew this man was dangerous, but how could she refuse such a novel request from such a brave and foolish nesst? Why not entertain herself till the time for murder was at hand? And so, under heavy guard, the... (how do you say this word?)...Em-i-ssary? Was escorted to my House, to my Home. What I will always remember from that day, if I should be cursed to walk these lands till the wind grinds the very mountains to dust, when all other memory joins the wailing dead, are Ukt Solen. His Eyes.” At this very moment, Jaxzo'llan looks to Luv, and almost seems...heartbroken?

“They were...like yours...they were not filled with the misogynistic impulses that the Zhuantur Wiu, the Elder Boys, had. Nor did they reek of licentious fantasy like the FAT Mer-Chants” Green ichor pulses within her veins before she clams and returns to her melancholic, heartbroken gaze “The...they were...kind. They were...gentle...He looked at me, not as a master or mistress, not as a living link between goddess and kin, removed from mortal affairs. But as an equal...as a man wanting to know more about a strange land. And I...I was his guide…” Jaxzo'llan almost seems to blush. “In my culture, any non-drow is Rothe. Slave. But somehow...He knew I did not think that. Queelas, quickly, he learned that I did not feel like my sisters, my kin. I...cared. For the Rothe, for the Zhuantur Wiu, even for Mother, who I was somehow expected to kill so I might one day become Ilharess?” Jaxzo'llan begins to hyperventilate for a moment, before tightening her grip on Luv's hand, pausing, then continuing “Xilas...He knew that I was different. He said, that is what made me vunder'zel...special.” Her blush returns, then vanishes, her demeanor chilling “Mother...grew tired of him, after a time. She wanted to feed him to the Quaggoth. I...fought with her. Pleaded for his life to be spared” Jaxzo'llan chuckles grimly at that specific line “Mother could not kill him in any way that mattered, even if she tried.”

“At length, Xilas was brought before Mother and he made his intentions known to us. The land of LaCroix was in need of powerful allies. The pitiful nations above had chosen to forsake LaCroix and would never expect there ruin to come from below. In addition to the Rothe, Prestige, and Riches we were to possess in such an alliance, Xilas would impart upon us our greatest ritual, L'Ndeir Valbylis. The Final Binding. This was the ritual that was used to bind the soul of the goddess Lolth, now descended, back into the body of a drow, so that the goddess can rule her people from the living world. The ritual was stolen by Llar'ena Xsa'us Olplyen, the Thrice Damned Thieves, many generations ago. When Mother asked how LaCroix came to possess our most treasured, and most sought after, ritual, Xilas simply replied that LaCroix were VERY good archeologists.” The wind howels through the alleyway, and you can swear that there is a mocking laughter echoing against the walls, before all goes silent again. Jaxzo'llan continues “Mother, at once, agreed to his prop-o-sition, with one request. That Xilas perform the ritual upon myself, to prove his loyalty to the Drow. He agreed.”

A MOMENTARY PAUSE FILLS THE SPACE

Jaxzo'llan takes a shuddering breath and wraps her arms around herself. She looks to Luv before continuing “I was so scared....for Him, for myself, for the both of us...I called him vigh, mad, lying to my Mother like that. But he said he was not mad, he did have the ritual, and that he wanted me to partake. He...NEEDED...me to partake...I told him that I did not want to change, I wanted to flee, for him to take me to the surface, to start anew as his and him as mine. His words...Luv, if you only heard his words...He spoke of how he knew I was frightened, how my innocence is WHY I had to be L'Vrekhtasi, the vessel. He said it was my nature, so pure, so beautiful, was going to be strong enough to change the black heart of the goddess. When she and I were one, together we would walk the surface and bring my people back into the sun. And He...He would stand by my side…” Jaxzo'llan begins to cry green ichor from her eyes “I....loved him, Luv...and when the time came....when we drew the anchient glyphs....spilt the blood of a thousend Rothe....surrounded by strangers in robes...all I could do was look into his eyes...as amidst the chanting and screaming and laughter...I heard him whisper...what a lovely, foolish, little girl...and then he bit down on my neck…” All at once, the green ichor bulges accross Jaxzo'llans veins, her body twitches and convulses with rage “he....he.....HE TOOK MY HEART....HE STOLE MY LIFE.....HE.....LIED! AND I SHALL HAVE MY VENGENCE!” At this moment, Jaxzo'llan transforms into her Warform and Howls into the night air. After a moment, the Beast drops its gaze to the cobblestones below its clawed, cloven feet, still crying green ichor.

LUV: "Jaxzo...I... I'm so sorry..." Luv stands ready to give Jaxzo a hug, should she want it "He abused not only your trust but also your love...I understand why you hate him so. Thank you for telling me." Luv pauses a moment and tries to process all the visible pain Jaxzo is going through "If you are okay with it, I believe we should tell the others. Have your story be known and help us not only protect others from that same situation but also finally bring him to face the consequences of his actions"

JAXZO: The Beast looks up, and bleats a mournful howl, almost like a question “ARwoooO?”

LUV: "Only if you want to though. It is your story and it is your voice that should be telling it; the last thing I'd want to do is steal away any part of you now. " Luv lightly hugs Jaxzo "For now though, I say we find a spot to rest. Have a bit of peace and help heal some of the wounds you carry with you. I do know how to brew a nice tea if you'd like?"

JAXZO: The Beast begins to shake with excitement “aRWOOO!”

About an hour will pass before Jaxzo'llan regains control, but The Beast is generally pretty behaved.

LUV: Luv gently holds The Beast's face and presses her forehead against them. She wants to say more; to immediately heal that of the poor being in front of her but she knows that that isn't possible right now. Right now, it's time to remind The Beast of their soul. Their connection to the lovely being known as Jaxzo'llan. They have different urges and goals but they share the same presence and in doing so, share the same beauty and spirit. Luv stays for as long as The Beast would like and sheds a tear in this moment of vulnerability "...Thank you." Luv raises her head and takes a gentle hold of The Beast's hand, as she leads them into the warmth of companionship and home.

A MOMENT TO GRIEVE

(Ideal viewing here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17JCyOzDCcEvugLwGXQqpX5iJRSWwTo_m5x2fIMLMrYc/edit?usp=sharing )

“...I am doing my best to rally forces… different heroes should be making their way to Manquel to facilitate proper defence of the city…”

---

The lines from Five’s message echo throughout Luv’s mind, wreaking havoc with any semblance of peace she thought she’d have today… “Are we really about to wind ourselves up in a war? Why? Why does this have to happen? Yes people are desperate but how the hell can that justify the murder of others in an effort to control a land that is barely struggling to survive… HOW IS THIS HAPPENING??...” She pauses for a moment…What is this rage building up? It feels like an old friend but it’s not one that she recognizes; at least not at first. Then it hits her.

“It’s happening again… a land… a home of many is soon going to be a warzone…What do I do?? Do I just drop everything and rush out to help Five? I should… he did ask for me a-a-and they are going to need all the help they can get to repel an army. They need to save as many lives as possible. But I have people here I am trying to help. What if they need me while I am gone?” The candle in Luv’s room begins to glow brighter. “What if more people die on my watch?” Brighter it burns as the oxygen in the room is paradoxically being ripped away. “What if I can’t actually help stop anything?” Brighter yet as the flame radiates and spills overtop the container. “What if I watch my friends die?” Fire “What if?” Burns “What if??” Everything “What if?!” You “WHAT IF!!” Love “WHAT IF!!!” Away “FUCK!!!” An ashen smell claws its way into Luv’s nose as she freezes. “what if…” Smoke rapidly expands throughout and smears Luv’s once translucent eyes…

“At least… that was the home I remembered; before it was torched…”  The smoke of a dwindling campfire stings the eyes of a young 13 year-old Luv. As she rubs them clean, where there was once a blurry personification of strength now stands the imposing figure of Vix; one of Luv’s livsveileders (“Life Guides” a.k.a. changeling parents). The moment stands achingly still for a bit as Luv’s memory reconnects…This was the night Vix had told Luv about Black Hollow; the original changeling home.

The night had started with an innocently asked question by Luv, “Vix, What do you remember about Black Hollow?”. Initially Vix was taken aback by the out of the blue question but, much like how they act in conflict, quickly adapted to the opportunity now present. Hours quickly passed as Vix regaled an ecstatic Luv with stories of love, community, adventure, and trade. Of how Vix and Iri fell in love amongst the pulsating black wisps of the trees. How they would chase each other around the town and bump into passerbys of all kinds; dragonborn, elf, orc, human, etc. How the flowers flourished along every road and how smiles would dance across all faces when they bore witness. But much like any ecstacy provided by the high of nostalgia, it was all temporary…

The memory reconnects back to where it began,  “...before it was torched…They couldn’t leave us be. T-T-They wanted to wipe away our very existence. And they were nearly successful!” Vix recognizes her frustration and takes a moment for breath. “We lost so many, Blue… and all we could do to survive was run away…” Those final words scrape their way through her teeth as she relives the experience. Thoughts of what she could have done ever present and suffocating while the embers reignite a vicious spark in her eyes. She watches in a haze as the campfire strengthens into a blaze; unaware that the young Luv is enraptured by every word and unspoken emotion. The high of being furious; it’s so intoxicating that not even Luv herself notices how every ounce of rage and sorrow is being channeled into this now screaming flame.

It burns.

It breathes.

IT ENGULFS.

It tears through the sky. Yearning for any chance, any opportunity of escape; as the two figures sit in this trapped experience…

Then it dies, smothered in water.

Young Luv blinks back control of her mind as she spots a recently emptied pail on the ground and turns her attention to Iri, her other livsveileder, who is now gently taking hold of her.

“Luv, what happened? Are you okay?”

“Y-y-yeah, I’m fine. Vix was just telling me about Black Hollow…”

“She was, was she?” Iri turns her gaze over to Vix, noticing that they, like Luv, are coming back into the real world. A solemn smile sneaks across her face. “Y’okay over there?”

“...Always am.”

“Of course you are, my love”

Luv now sits wrapped in her usual blanket, running her hands along it’s recently added stitchings as she eavesdrops on Iri & Vix from across the home. It feels wrong for her to listen in on another but she’s rarely ever gotten a chance to hear Iri and Vix debate; it’s an enthralling experience.

“...I know you’re upset, my love; hells, I still am too. But we both know that we can’t just forget about what we have now and go backwards…”

“That’s not what it’s about.”

“What?”

“It’s not about going backwards!” A deep sigh is heard through the home as Vix strategizes her words carefully. “...I don’t want to go backwards. I know that the time has passed. I know the Great Story is over for those we lost. I know how thankful I am to be here with you and with Luv – Believe me, I cherish every day that that remains true…I just also know how much anger I hold towards them. I never even got a chance to say goodbye to Black Hollow; I was so focused on making sure people survived.”

“And they did, because of you.” The conversation gets harder to hear as Luv holds her breath and tries to listen as closely as possible. “...you are a natural protector, you saved so many lives that day; including mine. I’m so sorry that that was thrust upon you in that moment; it wasn’t fair-”

“-I’d do it again in a heartbeat-”

“-I know you would; because that’s who you are. That’s who Vix is – That’s who I love with every fiber of my being and every line written on whatever story may exist out there. You are stunning and thank you for all that you do, all that you are doing, and all that you have done.” Iri’s gentle footsteps echo throughout as they walk over to Vix and hold them. “...And you’re right. You never did get to say goodbye; so let’s do it. Let’s make a trip there. We can even bring Luv-”

“-Iri, that’s incredibly dangerous. I don’t kn-”

“-I don’t see how it could be dangerous. I mean…they don’t have a strong, handsome, and beautiful warrior like you now, do they? Someone who’s so irresistible that many desire an opportunity to fight them, all to feel just a touch of their body; of their force. ”

There’s a noticeably long pause in their conversation; which isn’t surprising to Luv. This is the side of them she is used to, Vix may be the strength and the fire, but Iri has a way with words and presentation that turns any lover into a blushing fool. Luv moves her ear away from the wall and stops eavesdropping; they are going to need some privacy… and eventually some rest.

Luv is awoken in the early morning to the presence of both livsveileders geared up for the outdoors. They hug and inform her of how they plan to head to Black Hollow this morning; excitedly Luv prepares while the other two head out to inform others of their “long hiking trip”. The trek will take roughly a week there and a week back, so Luv knows to pack food, bedding, and a few clothing options in case any outsiders they meet get too curious. A few hours later, all three reconvene and begin their adventure in the personas of a fictional half elf family.

The trek itself proves to not be as difficult as it once was; turns out a long walk in nature is quite nice when you aren’t being chased away. The first few days are spent with laughter as the trio brainstorms what their “half-elf” family story is; Luv says that she’s an aspiring meteorologist, Vix and Iri decide that they are a roaming restaurant business that goes town to town in an effort to advertise their brand. They all know this probably won’t matter much, but it doesn’t hurt to have a story just in case.

The last few days go well with a bit of hunting, fishing, and campfire stories; but something isn’t quite sitting right with Vix. All felt fine at the start of the trip, merely just a little pit in the stomach, understandable anxiety. But it hasn’t been going away…it’s growing. It’s taking up space with every step that’s taken. Vix initially ignores it and downplays it at every step whenever the other two would ask but it all comes to a head when they are within a few miles from Black Hollow.

“...I know this spot.”

“What was that, my love?” Iri pauses Luv in her steps and recognizes Vix’s now frozen position.

“I killed someone here. They-they were chasing a family and I tried to get in between to stop them but they were much stronger than I thought…” Vix swallows but feels no relief; the pit now has moved it’s way upwards and is threatening to strangle her airways. Iri races over to distract Vix’s vision but it barely helps. “I panicked…I remember my thoughts racing and their yells for my head… then the sound of theirs’ as it fell.” She shakes as the pit  expands throughout her body, from the throat to the head and throughout her limbs. It has taken the reins. It wants to move. She needs to move. They need to see.

“Iri… you had to. They would have-”

Vix darts into the woods without a second thought while a bewildered Iri and Luv chase after. The branches SNAP with Vix’s speed as shrapnel breaks off across her clothing. Iri’s yells provide little more than white noise to fill the gaps between Vix’s breaths. One would normally care, but right now there’s only one thought on her mind;

“What’d they do with our home?”

The thought races through her mind faster than any lighting bolt has shot from a cloud. It tears through her mind and wreaks a welcome havoc that provides the pit a goal. One that stops in a dead halt when she finally breaks into a clearing. “It should be here.” But it wasn’t there. She knew it wouldn’t be. She knew it was burned and cleared away, chosen to never be known. Never to be cherished with the same love her and Iri gave to it. Never to provide safety from all the world’s terrors. It’s story was shredded without a semblance of mercy.

Vix falls to the ground; the pit now releases it’s grasp as it tries to escape. She fights it back once more but she knows it’s not a battle she can win. She needs to let it out. She needs relief.

“...I’ve got you. We’ve got you. You haven’t lost us...”

The tears burn worse than any blaze could ever dream to. Each drop carving their way through her cheeks. With each one gone, a piece of the pit fades. Vix can no longer see as the tears screen any bit of reality away from her; but she can feel. She can feel the pathways carved along her face. She can feel the now sodden blades of grass curling their ways through her fingers. She can feel her family, her home, their warmth, as they push into her. She always knew that their home in Black Hollow would be gone, but she knew deep down that she’d never believe it to be true unless she saw it with them.

“...It…It really does just live in my memories now…”

Iri picks up Vix’s face and holds it with only the tenderness that love provides as she responds, “It lives in both of our memories, you don’t have to remember it alone anymore.”

Winds through the trees carry a symphony of healing as the trio takes this chance to finally grieve together. Luv mourns the life they could have had here, Iris mourns the loss of the loved ones from years ago, and Vix mourns the years she spent burying it all away; only to be uncovered when she finally lets the walls back down again. The pain won’t ever go away. There will always be a part of each of them that was stolen by another’s cruelty, someone’s willingness to feed into fear and hatred, and a being’s certainty that there should not be mercy in the world for those you don’t know. Yet, for just this moment there is a reminder of what they have now, what they have to hope for, and what they can fight for.

As young Luv looks to her parents with tears in her eyes, she knows that this was needed. They needed a chance to breathe again. A chance to live again. Through the grieving pain and the somber memories she knows now the blessings that mercy can create. The importance of being curious about this world. The importance that love and support can have. She takes the chance to save this memory and these lessons; for they will be what guide her. As her lungs fill, she rubs the last bit of tears away and with them goes the memory.

Luv coughs away the smoke now inhabiting her body as she notices the growing blaze. “You may be a part of me but you don’t control me.” she says as her powers hone in and bring the flame back to that of an ever-guiding candle. “I won’t let another lose their home for the goals of the selfish, nor will I let others act without mercy. I will help Five; but I will do it with my own guidelines.” Luv gathers her gear and sets back out into Ravel; for each night brings with it unending cries for help that she will never ignore. Too many stories have been stolen in this freeze and though she is only one person, she will fight against these losses the only way she knows how; with love.

Powers and Abilities

• Elemental Resilience: Due to Luv's elementalist abilities, she suffers no damage from natural extremes of heat/cold and half damage from magical sources of those types.
• Elemental Blast: Luv can hurl an element of any kind she deems fitting to either knock out a hostile or create an exciting show for others to watch/partake in.
• Harbinger's Face: Being a changeling, Luv is able to change their appearance at will.
  • Though it must be know that Luv rarely ever changes into a form that is different from that of her usual changeling self. Not out of stupidity or arrogance but out of a confidence of believing that it is okay for people to see her as who she is.
    • Her original changeling community of Håpe also followed the belief that changeling's did not evolve in this world to "steal" away the lives of others, but forged their powers as a way to spread the tales of others and keep their stories alive even when they are not. (i.e. They may turn into an elder who recently passed when they spread the same kind of wisdom that the elder may have shared before.)

• Henchkeeper: Has a henchman named Throk and a gnome one named Ipanam

Attacks and Weapons 

• Short Sword: Not Luv's ideal weapon but one that they keep on their person incase they no longer have access to their magic and have no way to talk their way out of a situation.
• Small Shield: Luv's preferred way of defense in dire situations

X Add worldbuilding credits now!

TIMELINE

Key	BG	Bold & Underlined Names
	Before Game	Important NPCs & PC

29BG (437 PR)

• Luv is born in a small community town on Isonhound called Håpe
  • They are born to the loving changeling family of Vix & Iri
  • Håpe is a community of changelings formed after many were forced to flee from their original home of Black Hollow due to it’s torching by the citizens of Goldcrest
    • Many of the changelings work together to raise their young, hunt, care, entertain, build, love, etc.
    • The community is hidden away from any groups not changeling and purposefully tries to keep it that way.
• A couple of villagers are a bit surprised by her blue-ish skin but the initial surprise wears off pretty quickly due the rapid acceptance throughout the community.

28BG-15BG (451 PR)

• Throughout the years Luv befriends multiple of their peers:
  • Forgo: a primarily male-presenting changeling, who prefers his pale moss covered human persona.
    • Known for his obsession with the history of other personas. He has a particular fondness for the tales of one known as “Rivan” (mainly due to the name being attached to many heroic acts but having it’s use tragically be cut off after the Black Hollow burning).
    • Luv befriended him when she found him in the forest rushing back and forth between reading a history book and acting out the characters. She helped make the process easier by taking turns reading/acting.
    • Their friendship usually consists of hangouts where they talk about changeling history, interview elder changelings, and play pretend.
  • Klick: primarily female-presenting changeling who prefers to be in the persona of a half tiefling / half kenku being.
    • Known for her troublesome nature. Takes a great amount of enjoyment from playing harmless pranks on others and trying to see how long she can pretend to be other children before their parents notice. Occasionally breaks into other people’s homes to place her carvings.
    • Luv befriended her when she found Klick impersonating her to ask out someone that Klick liked. Luv found the whole thing amusing and asked Klick why she would do that when she was already stunning as is.
    • Their friendship consists of high speed flees from frustrated village folk, daring each other to step out of their comfort zones, discussing fun hypotheticals, and creating unique wooden carvings.

8BG (458 PR)

• Frustrated by their village’s unwillingness to adapt to the world and allow new personas/ stories/ ideas to enter, Luv decides it’s best to leave her home behind her and start a new life elsewhere.

7BG - 3BG (463 PR)

• Luv makes her way to the landmass of Osugbo and goes from town to town in failed attempts to make lasting connections.
• Luv is near giving up when she comes across an overgrown shack in the wilderness that houses a shifter named River
  • River joyfully lets Luv crash in his house for a few months while she rests and regains her mission’s determination
    • In this time, Luv learns of Healer’s history as a soldier of war and how he had been heavily wounded when he stumbled onto the doorstep of a nearby home and passed out. From there he was awoken by a wonderful Tortle named Ubo, who had nursed him back to life.
    • Luv gains a bigger realization of how destructive wars can be based off of Healer’s accounts and those of the changelings back home
• After a refreshing time in River’s cabin, Luv eventually makes her way to the town of Ravel. Here she chooses to stay for a bit due to the wonderful art community it has fostered.

2BG-GAME (466 PR)

• Luv takes up residence in the nearby courtesan home of Windows Of The Soul
  • Luv gets a bit of a popular name for herself through her unconventional means of connecting to clients through proper conversation, questions, soft intimacy, and kindness.
• With The Freeze now deeply impacting Ravel, Luv takes on the responsibility of ensuring people are well fed, warm, and cared for.

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