Darling

Darling Papyr is an adventurer and mercenary searching the world for gold and glory. While he only started adventuring recently Darling has shown competence with his longsword. As such he seeks out dungeons and parties willing to travel with him.
== Background ==
=== The Name ===
Darling doens't remember how he got his name.
 === WARNING ===
 The following is "Secret Knowledge".
 Darling was born as a Fraternal twin (Twins with different genders) In the local belief Darling is born into. The daughter is "always" born first. 'Darling' was the chosen name to the first born daughter... of course our dear character came out first. Darling's sister either died at birth or died very young at an age before Darling would remember it
=== Darling's Childhood ===
 The following is "Restricted Knowledge".
 Hidden behind a sleeping cot in their old home is a small book passed down to the eldest daughter. It told tales of adventure and wealth to those who were willing to take the risk. The book is 4 piece's of paper stitched together using an 'x' sewing pattern It's bound using a large jagged sheet of "hard paper" that's misshaped compared to the proportions of the pages
When Darling's mother Amelié fell ill Darling decided that now was the perfect time to seek these alleged riches in the world. Picking up a couple of mauls and starting to Seeking out ways to make money in hopes of covering his mother's medical bills.
== Description ==
=== Physical Description ===
Darling is of the Imperial race but due to a geneflaw he has more human in him than elf thereby loosing some of the benefits of being an imperial such as dark vision.
=== Emotional Description ===
Darling as a character is not necessarily motivated. The thing that primarily drives him is the prospect of money and gold. This often can make him a 'bad actor' at times working against the interests of the party in a blind rage to secure what he believes is rightfully his.
Additionally, Darling doesn't easily make friends having hardened himself to find comfort in those he trust. This often being the party he travels with.
== Meeting The Party ==
Darling met the party in the dungeon in the town of Sternfallster. His party, having been wiped by clusters of explosive crystals left Darling emotionally devastated. Being brought into the party by Katarina and Fritz. Fritz then attempted to use Darling as the brawn in a marketing scheme. Offering loads of novice adventurers a guided tour of the dungeon in exchange of gold. Lots of these novice's however were also Darlings only remaining friends and connections in town.
Due to the massive amount of people gathering causing more monsters to gather in the upper floors. And the devastated Darling as a tank on the front lines the party was pushed back the the elevator leading out from the dungeon. Most of the novice's slaughtered in the process.
=== Emotional Distress ===
This experience has caused Darling a severe amount of emotional distress. Often leading to a point where if Darling sees a crystal he will act in an almost PTSD like manner being reminded of his dead companions. However having worked with himself emotionally and having an outlet through Ed, Darling has been able to overcome some of the challenges that are associated with this experience.
== The March on Emberforge ==
Darling- Having joined the party. Marched along after one of the parties' familiars, a cat who secretly was one of the princesses of Frostheim, Katarina, in disguise. Traveling through unknown lands Darling discovers lands he's unfamiliar with while growing bonds to the people around him. Particularly he grows closer to Ed. A companion in the party who shared similar financial burdens as Darling. Both of them not having much wealth compared to the rest of the party, They often gambled or played games to determine which of the two that would pay for their room costs in taverns along the road.
=== The Forest ===
The party. Having determined that travel by boat wouldn't be optimal and their polymorphing companion unwilling to polymorph into an avian creature in order to travel fast over the forest. The party was forced to move through the magic infused druidic forest. During the travel through the forest the party was attacked by a Rocc and killed a couple of druid seeds by accident- In relation to the accidental harvesting of druids Darling accidentally contracted frost aids(i dont remember the actual magical disease) making it even more important for the party to press forward in order to be able to seek aide from the Frostheim druids and wizards.
=== Frostheim ===
Arriving at Frostheim the party was tired. After visiting the druids and getting salve for Darling's wounds the party pressed to the main Frostheim town the fact that Katarina was a Princess being revealed to the party as they transformed into their regular imperial form in front of their parents and pulling the party into a war along with them- Immediately saying that they should be rallying troops and support for the march towards Emberforge the stronghold of Kai the Dragon who had cursed Katarina.
=== E-Day (The March on Emberforge) ===
The party traveling along with the officers of the Frostheim army in the march would look upon the beaches of Emberforge- An island just off the coast of the Frostheim peninsula, the Frostheim soldiers and officers setting up camps along the banks of the beaches facing the bunkers and fortifications on the opposite side of the channel.
The party met in a small circle along with the officers of the army organizing the first assault on the bunkers utilizing the party as a squad of commandos in order to take the bunkers with as few casualties as possible. The party, utilizing a form of Katarina's that had stealth benefits in water to sneak up to the shore as well as Darling tackling the captain commanding the bunkers and subduing him as a prisoner of war it allowed the Frostheim army to come up on the beach and help take the remainder of the shoreline.
=== Flames of the Forge ===
The party having secured shore access decided that rushing the gates of the fortress would not be advantageous. As such the party scaled the nearby hills/mountains and attempted to enter through the forge chimneys that occasionally would fire hot flames up through the chimneys. Fighting the workers and magicians protecting the melders who were preforming repairs on the chimneys while they were active.
Making their way through the chimney opening in the forge. The party fought off the artisans and workers in the forges and made their way into the Emberforge streets using sending to inform the officers and waiting armies that it's safer(-ish) to enter the chimneys and advance upon the stronghold. The party advanced upon the catalytic crystal that was storing magic. Having obtained a potential contact from the captain who would aide the war effort on the Frostheim side in order to reduce the amount of casualties making a wholehearted attempt to stop people form attacking unless attacked first. 
Having conquered the crystal the party took it upon themselves to siege the artillery tower that posed both a danger to the advancing army but also the army that was posted up on the opposite side of the channel. 
The party having been contacted by the officers on the opposite side of the channel are informed of an advancing force that pose a threat to the encampment. Travelling as fast as possible back from the Emberforge stronghold and across the channel. The party successfully defends against Kai's forces Braznii Absolutely obliterating one of the poor soldiers who was a week away from retirement.
Returning to the citadel the party raided the Emberforge stock rooms before they took on Kai's main castle/stronghold
=== The Battle with Kai ===
The party. After a long and elaborate speech that definitely deserves its own page. Duked it out with Kai on the upper level just for Kai to break the floor and land the party and Gun Team 6 in Kai's horde before chasing him down into his lair. Following the party poking around during the fight Darling fled out of the lair and in an attempt to aquire some wealth for his troubles ran into the treasure room expecting the party to run past and up the stairs to safety... Instead they ran into the room after him. Getting help from the drunk wizard who teleported them out of the treasure room before Kai could blast them.
The party having escaped the lair retreated briefly to the crystal catalyst and held their positions. The open area allowing for the artillery to easily hammer down on Kai. Additionally the open space also allowed for the use of cannons and more versitile positioning. Braznii having a plan blew up after getting in close proximity to the crystal that was right next to Kai. The party, after having revived Braznii, felled Kai before he reached the forges.
=== Aftermath ===
After the siege of Emberforge Citadel the party returned to camp. Ed and Darling discovering that the prisoners had killed themselves. And that the guards had little to no regards for their lives. Had a long discussion about where their priorities laid as well as who they thought they might be able to dedicate their loyalty to in case they got split up.
== Ed's Goodbye ==
In the end. After the army had returned to Frostheim and Catarina had declared that she had to stay behind in order to rebuild the region. Ed said that he too was gonna stay behind. This tugging at Darlings heartstrings brought about a very emotional exchange between Ed and darling in which they both expressed a wish to stay together and work on goals. Especially since during the war Ed and Darling's morals aligned in the end with both hoping for as little civilian casualties as possible without having to withdraw or relinquish the war effort.
Before departing Ed chose to leave Darling his spellbook and muskets. In the exchange Ed and Darling also gambled one last time. A simple cointoss. Which Darling ended up winning. One of the Gold Piece's Darling won he has kept safe ever since as a reminder of Ed.
This exchange also threw Darling down the path of the mercenary being asked by both Ed and Katarina to protect the party.
== Finding Milri's Wife ==
=== Meeting with Anna ===
Shortly after leaving Frostheim Ed used sending to communicate with Darling one last time. Sending Darling a message telling him that he has sent a trustee to help the party in any troubles they might face. Additionally it was someone Darling had seen before and therefore knew a little. The last remaining member of Gun Team 6. Anna a rather reserved Elf seemed rather regular with a fairly serious composure. With a need for work after the siege of Emberforge Citadel was done she had accepted Ed's task to travel with the party in order to protect them.
=== Strange Towns and Weird Community ===
Shortly after leaving the Frostheimi peninsular the party came to a strange town by the name of Plerats. Coming upon their gates they were asked to strip down to their under garments in order to be permitted entry into the town. The same happened in some of the following towns. Each time confusing members of the party... Were these guards just perverts or what? 
=== The Rose Knight ===
Having been approached in a tavern by a lady claiming to have work for the party from a noble lady. The party had taken upon themselves to guard the noble woman's home from intruders boarding up the home during the night in order to prevent an ambush. However the following day after having been out in town in order to collect food a strange knight came to the door seeking an audience with the noble lady who had asked for no visitors. The party, in a noble effort took it upon themselves to prevent this knight access fighting with all of their might they wrestled the knights weapon out of its hand but could not attack it due to the fact that the blade recognized its rightful owner. The knight slew the noble woman that night. The lady who originally had approached the party disclosed that they knew this would happen but had hoped that the party could have bought them time, telling the party that they may help themselves to anything in the house before they depart.
=== The Stranger by the Fire ===
Departing following the compass that Milri had in her pockets the party came across a tiny bonfire on their path. By the fire sat a small figure. Introducing herself as a but a humble traveler, the party sat down next to her. In order to calm Milri's nerves after she refused to sit down Anna disclosed that she knew that the small figure was in fact Lyra the god of travelers and wanderers. At which point Milri exclaimed the fact letting everyone present know...
Milri and Braznii the proceeded to ask Lyra a bunch of questions about gods and the imperial pantheon. All the while Darling and Anna were trying to just play a simple card game with her.
After the card game concluded and the questions died down the party was asked to deliver a letter to the head priestess of the imperial temple in Badenbach, in exchange the goddess would grant the party safe passage to the town.
==== The Letter for Badenbach ====
The party after traveling a day or two arrived at the town of Badenbach after having estimated that it would've taken a lot longer. Arriving in the town the party split up. Some wanting to talk with the Shimmerhand Association while others just wanted to deliver the letter. In exchange for the letter the party received a pendant from the head priestess which would grant the party free lodgings and food. Paid for by the church.
=== City Ablaze ===
Darling stumbling out of the tavern fell upon the cobble. His partymates in what he assumed to be an offensive stance as they protected the wizards which were constructing runes that surely would save them from the zombie hordes...
Badenbach the city of magic and home of the Shimmerhand Association took flight as a large portion of earth took to the skies at the request of the wizards of the association. Darling in his hammered state after the immense alcohol consumption he had taken part in walked along with his party back to the church and fell asleep on the couch.
==== The Banner of the Old Empire ====
Upon aiding a hospital in badenbach which had come under siege by the followers and elementals of Emberot the adventurers were presented with and asked to protect an old banner which was originally given to Milri but after a long philosophical and political debate she eventually relented the banner to Darling after he absolutely insisted that the party should not destroy it even if it was a symbol for all of the stuff Milri hated since it might help motivate warriors or people in the event of a large fight or battle in a minor war by rallying people under the banner.
=== Airship Shenanigans ===
After having helped the shimmerhand association with teleporting Badenbach away from Emberot the party was graciously allowed to control where Badenbach was headed in order to help them in return. Having spotted an airship in the distance where the compass pointed towards the party requested that they be allowed to hop off a couple of kilometers/miles away from the seemingly anchored airship in order to approach it more peacefully. Upon approach armed guards ordered the party to step away from the lift that lead up to the airship while Milri frantically tried to explain that she believed that her wife was aboard the vessel and that she should be permitted aboard.
==== A very loud engine ====
The trip from the eastern part of Ferra to Lauria was a relatively short one. Usually the trip would've taken months but by traveling using the Laurian air-navy's ship it only took a mere 9 days. While the crew aboard the vessel assured the party that the engine would quiet down upon departure it seemed almost unpleasantly loud during the entire trip. Occasionally the ships engine would quiet down just for it to start up again usually after Milri or Silva had a waterskin or two of water.
==== Laurian Welcome ====
Upon arrival at the Laurian capital Darling was fast asleep prompting him to- upon waking up- be escorted to his rooms by esteemed and well armed honor-guards which not only scared the hell out of him but put him on edge. This prompted Darling to look for every possible exit or way to escape the honor guard and their entourage which included a psychic replikant.
===== The Contract =====
Upon having their mind probed and cleared of any obvious danger. With the replikant also revealing that there was more than just Milri among them as a beastfolk they were brought before the empress of Lauria who then proceeded to put a deal before Milri which was a lose-lose. Either
A. Don't agree to sign this contract which is obviously flawed and heavily in favor of the Empress of Lauria and be turned over to Milri's father who does not care at all for imperials or non-merfolk.
B. Sign the contract, become a spy for Lauria and live a life constantly slaving away at having to be "of value" to the Laurian Empire.
As both seemed like shit but one was the more obvious deathtrap the party chose to walk into the maws of the beast with option B. letting Milri sign the contract and have a life of servitude.
==== Quiet Ship Home ====
Upon embarking the ship, Milri requesting to for the ship to go "home" the party entered an ATLAnd that's not Atlanta Airport but rather an "All Time Low" Milri became moody having yelled at Silva mere moments ago for leading her into a trap. Darling was trying to reconcile with Milri in order for her to see the error of her ways and the party were planning where towards next in the dining room in order to prepare in case they had to potentially jump off the airship and cast spells on the way down. Upon realizing how much the party loved and cared for Milri they decided that they could not leave her to die a slow and miserable death being a pawn to the empire of Lauria.
===== Kidnapped* =====
*Okay maybe kidnapped isn't entirely the correct term
The party in their infinite wisdom decided that in order to prevent the Laurian clause of having to provide safe passage and in order to not cause harm to the Laurian empire they kidnapped Milri and jumped out of the airship... or that's atleast what they would've done if it wasn't because they were STUPID enough to do it on THE LOWER DECKS!!! where there isn't any windows or readily available access points prompting a large fight between the party and the Marines that were onboard the vessel.
=== Road to the Mechanism ===
[WIP]
==== Laia! Laia! pants on fire-ia! ====
[WIP]
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Category:Draft