Vahn Meirse

Vahn was the only son from his parents, his father a retired adventurer who took up the hammer and anvil of a blacksmith, and his mother an arcanist who specialized in folk magic and healing. They lived in a small town, the villagers predominantly human and furrekin, taking up the culture of his neighbors with ease; he was not one to act akin to the haughty high elves or the savage forest elves, he preferred the quiet, civilized life of a township.

Before he became of age, the town's baron requested troops to supply the kingdom with, a war on the verge of breaking out between them and the neighboring lands. His father, not too old to be disqualified and carrying significant status as an accomplished adventurer and mercenary, headed off to the front lines as war broke out, leaving Vahn in charge of his smithy. His father never returned, presumed lost during battle, and left behind the young elf and his mother to fend for themselves.

Taking to the smithing trade like a fish to water, Vahn learned how to harness metal, whether pure or alloyed, to assume any shape of his imagination. With the skills of the arcane imparted by his mother, he learned how to work magic into his creations similarly to the great profession of enchanting, though just a bit more. Using a simple stick, he could fling bolts of lightning; with a patch of cloth and a metal chisel, he could imbue boots to be as quiet as the wind. He later learned this was known as 'artifice', the ability to manipulate magic through the medium of devices and objects, and soon he made a name for himself with his ultimate creation: Benny, a light crossbow made with clockwork parts, brass plating, and the intelligence and mannerisms of a crow, his very first homunculus.

Upon reaching the age of adulthood, Vahn set out to make a name for himself, taking odd jobs and helping those he came across as best he could. As of now, he was an adventurer of some renown, never seen without the cheerful chirrupping crossbow clinging to his shoulder, doing his best to make the world a little better than he found it.

Entry 1: Just Arrived!
Well, I'm finally here in Idavollr... It was a long year under the wing (and claws) of the Cuprum family, but... Finally, I made it. Everything has changed, significantly. I guess that makes sense, when one's entire reality has been shattered by a world-ending calamity called "Ragnarok"?

Izalco brought me. I think he's pissed, said I no longer needed to call him 'brother'. It makes sense... After seeing Aeralis practically frothing at the mouth in anger about the loss of Xyomara, Izalco's own actions fit the bill perfectly. Benny and I were taken along through one of his blood magic portals, and dumped on the field outside of what would eventually be a city, judging by the amount of construction going on.

I've set up camp and settled in. I've got enough supplies to last me a month, I figure... But I'll meet others around here, I'm sure. Hopefully they're a bit friendlier than the Cuprums?


Entry 2: Vigmar
I met Vigmar. She looked so much like Xyomara... Exactly like Xyomara, in fact, but... impulsive, brash, aggressive. MaraMar doesn't like being referred to or reminded of her past self, so I've got to be careful. She also was pretty keen on ripping off a leg of mine for intruding on her territory... As if all of the fields belong to her? Typical dragon trait?

She wants me to make her a hatchet. Something she can bind to her innate magic, to allow her to summon it from shadow as she wishes. But she said it must be made with a marble haft. Marble's pretty fragile and soft... but I know of some enchantments to strengthen it. Just need to borrow some forge time. The blacksmith's forge in the city looks to be largely complete, probably due to the need for metal rivets and nails for the construction effort. I'll have to introduce myself to the smith and see about securing some use.

Why is her hair so soft, even when it's all tangled up and knotted with twigs and sticks...? Mara...

Addendum
She liked the hatchet. And got pretty pissed when I gave her a comb to help make brushing her hair easier for her. She took it as an affront, that I want to keep people from wanting to groom her. But the axe seemed to satisfy, even if she removed one of my personal embellishments. That's fine, I'll use the emerald elsewhere.

Benny had to stand up to her. I honestly don't know what to expect from that little guy. He just stared her down, and she balked. She actually backed off! I was expecting to lose a leg for my 'insult' to her, and here comes this little homonculus, staring down Vigmar, and she blinked! It's all good now, at least. I've secured permission to stay in the forest and fields unmolested by her, as long as I "respect the nature". Maybe being closer around her will help me get to know her better? Or try to... I don't know, stabilize her emotions a bit? Wishful thinking? Maybe I should dig a grave for myself just in case.

Entry 3: Bryn's Leg
Finally journeyed into the city. It's huge already, and everything is coming together all at once! It's amazing to see so many different beings, all pitching in to construct a new home and rebuild from the apocalypse...

I met Brynhildur, the Thane. She was walking and struggling to help, on crutches. Her right leg was missing. After introducing myself, she told me how she lost her leg. She actually fought Jormungandr, the World Serpent, and the beast just bit her leg clean off! It was apparently quite the battle, but she felt depressed because of her loss, and not being able to help more.

She took interest in my arm. The gauntlet definitely isn't something new to me, but to her... I watched her eyes light up, like a child with a new toy just out of reach. I came up with a new design for her, a prosthetic leg based off of the gauntlet's construction, that would replace the one she had lost. The word "grateful" doesn't really appropriately fit how she sounded when hearing that. I made her a simple prosthetic in the interim, really little more than a steel peg-leg with hinges to help her get around a bit better. It would suffice until I was done with my work.

Addendum
She loved the leg! And she took to it like a fish to water. Honestly, I never thought I'd seen anyone so excited to have cogs, gears and brass stuck to their stump, but hey, first time for everything. She particularly enjoyed the special enhancements I put into it. She's a Thane, so she has to have some abilities to help her... Thane-ing, right? An extra burst of speed, extra strength when jumping, and the ability to kick a door down with little effort. I think that's a good place to start.

She liked it so much that she asked if I'd be interested in working for Ljos, the goddess of the realm, and her immediate boss. I've never actually worked for a goddess before... Most of the ones from Vanadia and the lands of Aranis were pretty hands-off, only accessible via their clergy. The others were... not gods or goddesses at all, just beings of incredible power that posed as them. Maybe Ljos is different? A true goddess among the people. I said yes, and Bryn promised to talk to Ljos about me when she saw her next. Fingers crossed!

Entry 4: The Butler and the Elf
Imagine my surprise when, as I'm preparing breakfast one morning, and this tall, winged cat-man lands on the grounds not far from me. Said his name is Islington, and he's one of Ljos's advisors. Or lieutenant? Right-hand man? Either way, he's an important sort, and seemed to be gathering a tally of everyone in the realm. A census, perhaps. He couldn't stay for breakfast, sadly; he had to go locate his husband for their own meal. Curiously, another individual slipped on by, a snow-mink girl. I didn't quite catch her name, but she had a very peculiar way of speaking, like in riddle. And her song... I swear I saw images in my head as she sung, and by the time the visions stopped, she was gone. I'll have to keep an eye out for her again.

It wasn't much longer until another form approached my little camp. An elven man, quite easy on the eyes (though I did notice most of his ear missing; maybe a battle wound?), dressed in simple garb I couldn't quite place where from, but with a small toddler in tow that was far more interested in catching frogs than listening to the man. He introduced himself as Ecksel, and apparently, he is the husband of Islington. Small world! I made breakfast and we talked about the realm of Idavollr and more. The toddler, a little girl named Kiera or Kieva, I believe, kept hunting down frogs and generally being absolutely adorable. Benny decided to say hello, and do a little dance for her. Amusingly, the little one followed suit, and both were dancing! They ate breakfast, little more than some egg and bacon. Ecksel excused himself to leave, and the pair of them set off back towards the city.

Sometimes, I wish I had a child of my own...


Entry 5: The Frost Dragoness
Imagine my surprise when I'm settled at my campfire, and I hear wings on the wind. And they aren't Vigmar's; no, they belong to a frost dragon! Brilliant white scales, massive frame, all the power of a dragon radiating from its form as it alighted... And then it looked upon me and seemed to recognize me. When she spoke, though, I recognized it. I had seen her before, in her human form, alongside Aeralis one evening in the meadhall before Ragnarok. She was... a little drunk, and -very- flirty. Thankfully, nothing happened that night, but... damn, she was beautiful.

And now here she was. I finally got her name, too. Syla'nieves, a frost dragoness serving under Ljos, a protector like Vigmar. We got to talking, and I did let slip how Vigmar had been treating me previously, something that Syla took great offense to. I'm guessing there is likely some kind of rivalry between the two. Dragon factionalism? Maybe just a clash of personalities, or something to do with sharing space? Sadly the conversation didn't last much longer, but she promised to visit again soon. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear she was eyeing me as more than just an acquaintance... Is it wrong to admit that I liked it?

Entry 6: Goddess Ljos
Ljos was just as impressive as I had imagined, and everything that anyone who knew her said about her. She honestly seemed young to me., at least physically, but there is wisdom in her eyes that I just know comes from experience. She also was incredibly sweet and kind! Riding down on a winged horse and greeting me like an old friend... We shared some wine, something special I had stashed away from a vineyard in Vanadia that I loved, and spoke about Idavollr, the city under construction, Bryn and her leg... She was delighted in the prospect of having me included in helping around the realm, and offered me a position as a soldier, under an individual named Tiressa. Good compensation, a place to live, and a chance to work on my crafts. It seemed a prime offer!

I'm a bit unsure about soldiering, though. I've witnessed a lot of incredibly powerful individuals, and I know that the realm is inhabited by more than just mortal folk like myself. Can I really stand up against such awesome might? Sure, I have Benny, and my own magics... But really, it would be like giving a fly a fly-sized club and telling it to take down an elephant. Maybe I can contribute more with... perhaps automaton soldiers? Maybe.

Benny was a little weirdo as usual. There was a white raven that came along with Ljos, named 'Blade'. Beautiful bird, she is. Benny began to dance and sway, similar to how he danced for the little girl under Ecksel's wardship. Then he produced the gold coin that Vigmar gave him when he challenged her and won. I guess that Blade had something else in mind, because the next thing I knew, she was nuzzling up to Benny and letting him preen her feathers. Pretty sure he just scored a mate. My creation, my little automaton, just met someone, and made a mate.

Is it weird to be jealous that he's got one and I don't?

Entry 7: Battle of Dragons
I'm still a bit shaken. Vigmar and Syla got into a fight, and it went bad. I caught only the tail end of it. Vigmar struck Syla down, sealing her to the ground with serpentine forms of water. Syla yielded, but Vigmar continued, cutting her arm clean off. And then she... She bit it! Not just biting and holding, no, she actually bit into, chewed a hunk of the arm off, and then ate it! It was horrifying!

Vigmar left shortly after that. I suppose Syla must have said or done something to anger her even more, but she spat the partly-eaten arm out and vanished into shadow. Two others joined up, I don't recognize them, but one of them was a healer of some sort, and the other was just... unhappy-looking. The healer bound the severed stump of Syla's arm, even as she froze it over to preserve her blood. Syla looked to me. I swear, I saw tears forming in her eyes, and she apologized to me... But why? I don't know. I recovered her arm and took it along as she and the two escorted her to the healer's hut. I couldn't bear the sight of it and left the arm with them once Syla was settled in. I had to talk to Vigmar about this, and so I left. I didn't see the dragon the rest of that day though. I hope Syla recovers quickly... Maybe I can make an arm for her, to replace the one she lost? Dragons are tough beings, maybe she was able to get it reattached anyway...

Entry 8: Dragons are Complicated
I finally found Vigmar. She seemed completely normal, no worse for wear, though it was a couple of days after her fight with Syla. I told her what I thought about the fight, demanded to know why she did what she did. She just deflected the conversation, talking instead about how her hatchet was damaged, and she needed a new one. I tried to steer it back to pressing at her, but she wouldn't deign to give me a response... I'll have to press again another time. She has to understand that what she does has consequences.

I can't really say what happened next, but... Vigmar commissioned a replacement of her hatchet, and several more. She provided a sizeable compensation as payment, too. Lots of ore and materials. I'm still not happy with her, but... In time, it'll be worked out. I'm sure of it.