3. Tommy the Merc

Tommy the Merc


  • ((If my concept of time on this story is off, just bear with me… and use your imagination 😛 ))

    Background

    _Thomas was born in Peltarch, not to long before the N'jast war. Only the age of twelve when the war broke out.

    It was after the war that his father, a bodyguard for hire, became even more strict. Previously, he had been teaching Thomas the basics of self defense for when the inevitable fights in life come his way. The lessons were somewhat strict then, but the training did not go into all hours of the night. The war had made Tom's father a little paranoid, and in turn, more strict when it came to his son's lessons.

    "One day, you'll need these skills… because you never know when someone will want to take away your life, just because they feel like it." He'd say to Tom, who now was seventeen.

    Everyday at the crack of dawn, when his father wasn't on a job, there'd be training and lessons. Often the two would spar, and everytime Tom's father would win, beating the young man until he surrendered. It seemed every time Tom's father won, he would become more dissapointed in his son.

    "An old man is beating you! How can you expect to be anything if an old man is pinning you to the ground? You have youth on your side, use it while you can."

    Thomas, however, was not keenly interested in battle in his younger days. He was more inclined to relax and enjoy life, not have to worry about all the dangers the world has to offer. But no, his father seared it into his head that these skills were absolutely necessary... and if and when he died, he'd take up the work as a sword for hire to help support his mother, who was much younger than Tom's father.

    "If you dont care about your own defense, then think about your mother. You'll need to support her some day."

    Tom just grumbled through it all, taking the beatings and learning self defense. He was taught all the basics.

    About five years later, when Tom was twenty-two... his father passed to disease. It was due to a plague that had infected the crowded docks. So now it was just him and his mother, with a few uncles in distant places around the world. Tom mourned his father, though he mourned the one that he knew before the N'jast war. Not the cynical, paranoid version after.

    In his will, Tom's father left him his greatsword, along with the armor he regularly used on his jobs. For another year, Tom trained some more, and then decided it was time to venture out and look for work. Narfell outside the walls of his home and city will most certainly prove to be a dangerous place..._

  • R

    ((bump))


  • Training

    _Tom pushed himself to his feet, after being tripped for the third time. Rolling his neck, he stood up straight, a plain wooden staff in his hand. A young woman's voice said, "Again." He then caught his breath, standing in a defensive position.

    Recently, Tom had met a young guardswoman by the name of Yana. Her dicipline intrigued him. Compared to the various other adventurers, she was the most like him. All the others were over-eager and impatient, with Admiral Drelan being the exception.

    Thomas was surprised to find out she had interest in taking him on as a student. She understands the strict nature of battle. It isn't a game like some others treat it. She asked him to meet for some lessons, to test him and maybe teach him a new technique or two. While Yana's style and his own style were quite different, there was something to learn. Such as keeping your feet when something tries to trip you, or to put more force into a blow to knock something down… something bigger than you even.

    Her sweeps were quick and accurate, and he fell nearly every time she attempted. But as the lessons wore on, he learned to balance himself more, and recover more quickly from a hit.

    It was different from the teachings his father gave. She encouraged him, while his father punished him for failure. She wasn't as strict, but held enough firmness to get the message across. Not once did Thomas flinch or loose his emotions, seemingly keeping those under perfect control...

    If only he could keep his feet under control when a leg swept under them.

    Like any young man, he found this strong, young woman attractive. Considering this is the first time he met a woman who had something in common with him. Though they were only idle thoughts. For now, he concentrated hard on the training and lessons she taught._


  • ((These are just my character's opinions of the mentioned characters in this entry. The negatives dont mean I hate the characters, I love all you guys 🙂 ))

    The Company

    _Tom eventually found and was hired by the Black Sails Company. For a few weeks now, he's travelled and fought with them. Each of the members seeming to have their own personality. Everyone completely different in some way, everything seeming so chaotic within their ranks. His thoughts of each member go from disdain to respect:

    Sabre. The captain of the company. To Tom, she seems lacking in any ability to lead effectively. Though perhaps that is due to him comparing her to his father. A strict, military man. Whereas the captain seems more relaxed and care-free. That aside, she really seems to care about her employees, stating that they are family. He finds the concept odd, but he'll continue to learn their ways and find out what she means.

    Urgh. A large, simple half-orc. Though from just watching him fight, Tom has learned a bit in his own technique. Urgh is quiet, and does whatever he is told without question. Tom respects those traits in the half-orc, and looks forward to fighting by his side again.

    Luke. A half-elven man with a lazy, uncaring look. Tom often shakes his head, wondering what it'd be like if Luke had met Tom's father. There'd certainly be yelling and beatings, whipping the half-elf into shape. Tom's own thoughts of the helf-elf are few. Just that Luke seems more interested in the woman standing closest to him than the job.

    Jaelle. A haunted look is constantly on this woman's face. Looking as if her spirit was completely broken. Tom avoids prying, occasionally just watching her silently at the Ferret when they both happen to share the same shift.

    Drelan. Grumpy, irritated, and seemingly depressed with life… at least in Tom's mind. Those are the only conclusions he has come to about the man, other than Drelan seems to be annoyed whenever Tom speaks to him.

    Mercy. He was warned many times about this particular priestess of Umberlee. Though when they first met, she asked sensible questions about him, and then proceeded to insult the fact his father wasn't a sailor. That didn't seem so bad to him, as she didn't attempt to kill him like most other recruits others in the crew have told him about. Still, he kept his distance.

    Korlis. Much like Luke. Seeming more interested in women then anything else. Though Korlis thought enough to warn Tom of some particular crew members. Nice of him.

    John. Like Luke and Korlis... but times two. Groping, squeezing and putting his hands wherever he wants to. Tom finds the behavior a little irritating and John's intelligence lacking. Though his skills in stealth and inflicting hurrendous injury is something Tom cant deny.

    Caling. A spirited elven woman, young in age, at least by her personality. Tom thinks she's a little too eager, but it's better then having no ambition at all. He failed to help her in the goblin caves in the Rawlins, and regrets he couldn't do more. Though he uses that failure to drive himself to train harder.

    Overall, the company has introduced Tom to a whole new world. One that he isn't used to. Relaxing, drinking, being rowdy and laughing... it's not something he is used to. He feels out of place there, but he was hired as an employee, and will do what the job requires. Perhaps in time, he'll get used to it all, and ease up a bit himself._


  • First Job

    _It was quiet in Peltarch. Tom had heard that there were some troubles to the south in a town called Norwick, but nothing specific. So he bought passage there via boat ride to see if he could find some work.

    He first ran into a woman named Ashe, who seemed cheery enough to him. She was a little odd to him though, considering she acted like a young teenage girl, yet carried all types of weapons on her person.. usually small weapons that were concealed, and only by the gleam of their metal did he spot them. He asked if she had any work, considering she looked like one who knew how to fight at least a little bit. She mentioned the Sails company, and it was at that time a few more approached.

    One was an elven female who covered herself in black charcoal, to mimic the appearance of a drow. Tom thought her more than mildly insane, and decided to just shrug off her "quirks." Not his business after all, as long as she's keeping to herself.

    Another was a woman named Gina, who apparently overheard the conversation he had with Ashe. She asked for ecort through some crypts, to which he negotiated a contract with her. Three healing droughts for the escort… seems a decent price, as he'll probably be beat up in this line of work often enough. So the two set off, with Ashe, the pretend drow woman, and two other men he didn't remember the names of. One began with a T...

    They entered the crypt, the stench of death smelt almost immediately. This was the first time Tom had actually walked into a fight that was considered life or death. Though for some reason, he wasn't as scared as he thought he'd be.. at least he wasn't fighting alone, and he had companions to back him up against the slow moving zombies. So easily trusting of his employers... that may or may not prove to be his downfall someday.

    The slow zombies were a perfect thing to start with for a real battle. Stupid, limping and easy to deflect their blows. Though if they did hit, it hurt quite a bit. They ventured through, his companions gaining a few injuries along the way, but he seemed to be lucky... only getting a scratch or two.

    By all descriptions, the job just seemed like a standard adventure for any seasoned veteran. Killing monsters for knowledge, gold, or trinkets... whichever the case may be. Tom didn't care, he just needed to find steady work to help support his mother. He felt relief when the job was done..

    After, he talked to Ashe some more about more work opportunities. She directed him back to Peltarch, where he went to seek out her employers.

    "Is it really this easy?" Tom thought. Dont get cocky though, else you'll lose your focus.._