#homm3 oc

[ariviadraws]

Viskri and Zavu sharing an apple

Art Fight Attack on Celozon. Another HoMM3 oc that I got very excited to draw ❤️

[paradoxbeta]

Heros of Might and Monolith. God I love AUs.

[auntarivia]

I kill Romania all the time. I literally try to get her to die 9 times so I could call her a cat. Right now I have:

First death: she was 19, got killed by a Necromancer while being a nosy, trouble seeking kid with Jeddite, Eret and Sandro. Jeddite, in desperation to heal her, unleashed something deeper within himself and resurrected her. It's shown in a messy comic that I one day may redraw and share here.

Second death: actually just "almost" death, but she would die without magic, so I count it. Her first confrontation with Sandro, shown in this short story.

Third death: Mentioned in her character sheet. While on a mission against necromancers, her squad got attacked by an undead dragon. She got thrown out of the sky with her pegasus and died, but Andreé found her and resurrected her in time. Shown in a short story I wrote in Polish, I may rewrite it and share it one day.

Fourth death: during the Reckoning. I'm quite indecisive if she's gonna die there or be saved by Andreé, but I think that her dying would actually fit the most. The death itself isn't shown anywhere yet, but it's shown from Jeddite's perspective in one story I wrote in Polish some time ago and then mentioned in this story. In both cases, there is actually no body or proof of her death, so you know the golden rule of "until you see a body, the character is alive." I'm really leaving myself a way to get her to be alive here.

[auntarivia]

Doing this again bcs I'm bored.

You can ask about Voraxian and Arivios (wow), Romania and Jeddite (homm3) or just like "nr. 1 for your fav wow oc's" or "nr.83 for your fav fully original couple"

I'll answer with sketches ofc.

Who fell first? Who fell harder?

Who is the one who fusses the most? Does their S/O mind very much?

What is their love language?

Has either OC ever gotten a hickey off the other? What was their reaction?

What is something they like to do together?

Who would ask the "would you love me if I were a worm?" question? How would their S/O answer?

Who likes forehead kisses? Who likes hand kisses? Who likes neck kisses?

Who is the big spoon? Little spoon?

If there wasnt enough seats, how would they sit? One on the other's lap? One on the armrest? One on the floor in front of them?

Who plays with whose hair?

Who is clingy?

What is something their S/O does that makes them flustered?

What is something they find hot about their S/O?

What is something they argue about constantly? Is it a deep-seated issue or something small?

How do they comfort one another when the other is upset?

Who is the better caretaker? Does their S/O like being taken care of?

Who steals whose clothes? Does their significant other mind?

They've had a major blowout. How do they handle it?

How good are they are communication?

Who handles the spiders? Who screams directions in the background?

Who typically tends to initiate intimacy first (this can be a conversation, action or anything)?

What is something - either character - doesn't like about the other?

Who said "I love you" first?

Who kissed who first?

Do they have any pet names for one another?

Who gets jealous most often? How does their S/O deal with that?

Who tends to drive on long journeys? Who navigates?

Do they trust one another? Are comfortable discussing their fears with one another?

What's an insecurity they hold about their relationship?

Describe how one character would cheer the other up after a hard day.

How would they describe one another.

Can they communicate private thoughts whilst in company? If so, how?

Which one of them gives "that look" when they other is acting like a fool?

How do they address a problem in their relationship?

How does each significant other view any exes and former relationships?

What is something that would break their hearts?

Who is more likely to avenge their S/O if they were hurt or killed?

What would be their ideal evening in?

Do they dance? If so, who's better?

What is a song that reminds you of the OCs' relationship?

Who sings to the other? Are they any good?

Who teases who? What about?

Who gets up early? Who stays in bed late?

Who's more likely to bring the other coffee or breakfast in bed?

What's the worst thing the other can say to one?

If they were ever in a life or death situation, who risks their life?

If it ever came down to it, who is turning to the darkside to save the other?

If they ever had less that 5 mins to tell their S/O something before never seeing them again, what would they say?

Is there a word or gesture that makes either of them melt?

Who's the romantic?

Are there any characters who ship them?

Who cooks? Who does the dishes?

Who eats healthier? Who's got the sweet-tooth?

What's something that they don't really care for but tolerate because S/O has an interest?

Who spoils who? Does their S/O tolerate it? Do they secretly enjoy it?

Who tends to be the level-headed one? Who is feral?

Who reminds the other to wear a coat when it's cold out?

Do they hold hands?

Is there a spot they tend to kiss or caress habitual?

Are they willing to show PDA? If not, is there a reason?

How would they describe their S/O in one word?

How would outside characters describe their relationship?

How would they describe one another in bed?

Would they ever answer the above question if it was asked to their face? How would they react?

Who tends to take the lead in intimate encounters?

Have they ever been caught in the act? What would be their reaction if they were?

Have they ever done it anywhere questionable?

Who is more vocal? Who is more experienced?

If they were to go shopping, who holds the bags? Who decides where they go?

If they went out to dinner, who is paying? Would there even be a discussion?

If someone were to insult their S/O, how would the other handle it?

If someone flirted with or showed an interest in their S/O, how would the other react?

Who knows the other better? Why is this?

Who's more likely to bail who out of jail? Would they give the other one shit for it?

Which - if any - other famous ship's vibes do they emulate?

Are they soulmates? Do they believe in that?

What is something they would never forgive the other one for doing/saying?

Who has memorised the other's medical history?

Also, are they each other's first contact in an accident?

What tropes could be applied to this relationship?

Did they have a meet cute? Or was it a train wreck?

Make their relationship into a list of A03 tags.

Who gets frustrated more easily? Who does the other calm them down?

Have they ever almost lost one another? How does it effect their relationship?

Their S/O is tipsy. How do they handle it?

Who gives the best gifts? Who gives the more thoughtful? Who goes for expensive?

If they ever lost one another in a public place, how do they find the other?

What's the darkest secret they have ever told one another?

Would they ever consider marriage?

Would they ever consider starting a family?

Who likes kids more? Who can't stand them?

There's a puddle in one's way. What does their S/O do?

One has hurt their leg on a hike. How does their S/O carry them?

Their pet has caused destruction. Who puts the pet in jail? Who defends the pet?

Who gives flowers to their S/O? What sort of flowers do they like?

Who reads the newspaper? Who wants to see the cartoons?

How do they wake their S/O up? Is it difficult to rouse them?

Who would burn the world down for who?

Who gives off "they said no pickles" energy?

Make a meme of this ship.

You can ask me about: Nikolai/Misha, Alekks/Erika, Katya/Marina, Hadrien/Art

[deeerdance]

[royal-insane]

1/22 Sickle Moon Tarot Challenge: 00 The Fool

So, about challenges. Once I was done with my HOMM3 sketch thingy, I decided that that felt good, and carefully went on to start another one. This time I decided to use my own characters from the thing (idk if I should call it a book at all) I've been doing since I was 12. I call it project 'Sickle Moon'. Last year I made progress and the thing acquired wonderful little details, like plot. Nice.

Anyway, so I thought it would be good to try and slap those OC's onto Major Arcana cards. No, I don't know much about Tarot. Yes, I read about it. YES, I would like some help if you are into it.

Anyway, I found the format I was looking for at, like, the 4th card, so at least the first two cards I drew I intent to redo at some point. This is one of them.

So this is Xan (spelled Ksan), initially named after one of my fav game characters (fun fact). He is one of the two POVs, but the first part of the book is definitely mostly his journey. He is an heir of a powerful family, hailing from the south-east of his country. Xan is a spirited guy about 30, whose occupation is that of a family disappointment. He is a walking MCR song, depressive, romantic and still somewhat naive, dependant on many things including alcohol and other people's approval. Disappointed in shallow life and relationships he made in capitol, he tags along with his father's mining operation in... well, think Siberia, think polar Norway, think lifeless places with lots of snow, think Twin Peaks if it was white depressing nothing. And that is where the things start to happen.

[ariviadraws]

What can I say, Eeofol and AvLee are not the biggest fans of each other...

My first ever Art Fight Attack is finished! When I found another homm3 oc, it obviously had to be the first one for me to draw.

Nymphus (right) belongs to AnxiousPinto.

[ariviadraws]

Romania character sheet and a bit of lore!

[ariviadraws]

Sketch of Romania I made today while being on a boring party.

I love my tortured girl.

[paradoxbeta]

Monolith in the HOMM3 portrait style

[auntarivia]

March whumpness 2025 by @marchwhumpness

Day 9: Chronic illness/chronic pain

Fandom: Heroes of Might and Magic

Characters: Romania (oc), Andreé (oc)

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so I apologise for any errors. I also won't mind if someone points them out (spelling, grammar etc.) It would help me improve :)

 Romania once again woke up in pain. Each time she got stabbed, hit, knocked off her pegasus, struck with a spell, or seriously damaged in any other way, the painful days would become more frequent, hurting especially around the mortal wounds that Romania survived only thanks to the healing magic, or literally did not survive and was resurrected shortly after. Alas, it seemed that even magic was not able to fully fix such serious injuries.

 Despite the pain, that day radiating especially from her arm and side, Romania still forced herself to get up at the regular time and go with her training. Discipline was important to her, and giving herself a day off was unthinkable.

 She was alone on the training grounds, swinging her sword at a wooden training dummy. She didn’t want to risk training with another person – during such painful days, if they hit any of her wounded parts, the pain maight become unbearable and hard to hide, and she didn’t want her soldiers to see her weakness.

 There was one person that Romania would never be able to hide her suffering from – Andreé. The angel seemed to not only be able to see when the general was in pain, but to simply know it. Romania suspected that after they resurrected her, there was some invisible link between the both of them, which Andreé never confirmed nor denied, yet also never explained how they could read Romania’s moods and feelings so easily. That’s why she wasn’t surprised when Andreé’s white figure appeared on the stands surrounding the training grounds.

 Romania didn’t stop and continued her training, while Andreé slowly made their way down the stands and rested against the fence near the general. They watched her in silence, with a neutral and calm face that didn’t betray their thoughts, but Romania knew her friend well enough to guess what they were thinking about.

 „We talked about this,” said Andreé calmly when she took a break to catch her breath. „You should not train so hard when you are in pain.”

 „It’s bearable,” responded Romania casually, but was aware that she was way more sweaty than she should be, and her arm started going numb. She put away her sword and started massaging the limb, while trying not to show the amount of discomfort she was in.

 „Many things are bearable for you, my dear, but we both know that you are pushing yourself while you should be taking it easy during days like these. You are destroying your body – more than it already is destroyed.”

 „It’s nothing. I wouldn’t have a choice if we were in the middle of a battle.”

 „But we are not. Besides, then you are filled with adrenaline and healed right after, are you not?”

 Romania frowned but didn’t respond. Andreé was right about that. The rush of the battle often made her ignore even the fresh wounds, and she was always being taken care of right after.

 „How long have you been here, my dear?”

 The woman looked up at the sun to calculate the time and then responded:  „Around an hour or so.”

` „Great, then it’s time for a break.” Andreé smiled at her. „Let’s go. I asked to prepare you a bath.”

 Romania tried to protest, but then realized how sore her muscles were, and how much more painful the old wounds became after the training. Yes. A warm bath would be nice.

 „Alright. You win.” She hid the sword and jumped over the fence to join the angel on their side.

Both of them started climbing up the stairs and turned towards the door that led inside.

„It’s easy to win you over with a bath,” Andreé responded with a chuckle.

Romania frowned.

„Don’t push it. I can still change my mind.”

„Of course, my dear. I apologize.”

They walked through the wooden corridors that connected the training grounds with the castle. They passed a few soldiers and servants that greeted them with either salutes or small bows, to which Romania responded with the same, while also doing her best to hide the growing pain. When they were alone, she clenched her teeth and grabbed her side, that started to hurt even more than her arm.

Andreé looked at her with worry.

„Is it that bad?”

„Worse than before,” she murmured through her teeth.

„Do you need me to carry you?”

„No,” she said sharply, but then forced herself to respond softer. „No, Andreé. It’s alright, I can walk.”

„If you say so,” the angel didn’t seem convinced and gently spread their wing behind Romania, but didn’t say anything else.

They finally made it to the general’s chambers, where in a room with the bathtub were two servant girls, finishing preparing the bath.

„Thank you, ladies. You can leave us now,” said Andreé to them, softly.

The servants looked at the general in search of a confirmation, and when she nodded, they bowed quickly and left the room. Then Romania finally allowed herself to collapse on a chair and groan with pain.

„Just give me a second,” she said to Andreé and started massaging her side.

The angel patiently stood… well, hoovered over the floor, waiting for their friend to collect herself. When she finally managed to get up, they helped her to the bathtub and got themselves a chair, while Romania took off her clothes.

The general got into the tub and sighed with relief when her body got fully covered by the warm water mixed with healing herbs. She rested her head against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes. Her muscles slowly relaxed and the pain started to disappear.

„How does it feel?” asked Andreé gently.

„Better.” Romania opened her eyes and looked at her friend with gratitude. „Thank you, Andreé. I needed it more than I had realized.”

[auntarivia]

March whumpness 2025 by @marchwhumpness

Day 6: Alone

Fandom: Heroes of Might and Magic

Characters: Romania (oc), Jeddite

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so I apologise for any errors. I also won't mind if someone points them out (spelling, grammar etc.) It would help me improve :)

It's a longer one. I wrote it some time ago, after finding out that Jeddite has a bit more lore in HoMM4, where he is insane, which motivated me to write something about his madness and relate it to Romania. I may post the story about the events predating this story, but only if there is anyone interested.

Ten years.

It's been ten years since he had been completely alone. Not that loneliness ever bothered him. Since he became an independent warlock, he spent most of the time alone in his tower. But there was always someone. He could go out of his chambers, talk to a friendly face, drink a beer or two, laugh, listen and then go back to his place, where sometimes he was being bothered by that damn harpy, what he secretly enjoyed. But now there were no one. He was alone in his little fort he found on that damn wild island in this damn strange world.

No wonder he got crazy.

He got nightmares, full of fire, lightning, death, chaos, and destruction. He heard screaming. Especially her screaming, which was weird, since he didn't even heard them back then, in real life. Just thunders and rumblings of the whole world falling apart.

Nightmares became dreams, dreams became fascination and fascination become worship. He wanted to spread destruction as far as and as fiercely as he could. It was the last thing he remembered from his world, and he wanted everyone to experience it. Especially necromancers. He despised them with all the might he had, remembering his old friend, whose treason was the first step before falling for his madness.

He was wandering through the halls and corridors of his fort, sometimes seeing shadows crawling around, which were summoned by him to serve. Heavy raindrops hit windows and roof, and dark clouds covered the sky. He was bored, and boredom always irritated him. It had been a long time since he had hunted for necromancer scum, and he missed that entertainment. The best thing about it was that it was really hard to kill a necromancer who had already become an undead, which allowed him to torture them longer and longer. Although they seemed to be done with his insanity and started to unite against him, as well as against other living beings on the island.

Good, it will be only more fun.

Suddenly, he felt something. Something different, alive yet not from this island, perhaps not even from this world. It appeared as a strange tickling in the back of his mind, but got stronger with every minute. Someone or something was getting close to his lair.

Finally something interesting.

He went toward the front side of the fort, with a maniac smile on his face. When he stood close to the window and looked through it, the feeling was already strong and weirdly familiar. He definitely know this… someone.

From the forest emerged a rider. There was some pride in their straight posture, despite their horse being just some poor, tired creature. Their face was hidden under the hood and scarf. Together with shadows and rain it made them only some unrecognisable gray human–shaped smudge. Usually, this wouldn’t be a problem for him, since magic allowed him to see more than a normal human. Yet this time, he saw only an unidentified aura that he couldn’t shape in his mind. Or at least he didn't want to.

As the rider got closer and closer, he began to recognize the aura more, feeling a familiarity he hadn't felt in a long time. This soul, just like himself, belonged to Enroth – his home world, destroyed by the Armageddon years ago. But there was more. This aura had more familiarity than just Enroth.

The person got off the horse, came closer to the door and knocked. He didn't move, still watching the intruder. They seemed to be patient, yet nervous. Like they were not sure if they were safe or in the right place. Another knocking. He moved and made a noise with magic in order to get their attention. The stranger moved rapidly and  placed a hand on their sword.

„I'm not an enemy! I want to see the warlock who, as I was told, lives here!”, they yelled.

When he heard the familiar voice, he got pale and started to think that he is asleep and this is nothing but another nightmare. They were that realistic sometimes.

„If I am at the wrong place, just let me know and I will be on my way! I don't care about whatever you do or whoever you are unless you are the said warlock! And I mean you no harm!”

He took a deep breath and teleported himself to the entrance where he waited for another knock. When it occurred he knew how determined the person was. He disappeared in the shadows and with one movement of his hand opened the door. The person came inside, hand still on their sword. The door shut behind them causing them to freeze. They were listening, running around with they eyes. Finally, the warlock decided to break the silence.

„You don’t seem to be afraid of death.”

The person relaxed a bit and put their hand on the hood, slowly taking it off.

„It's not hard when you have nothing much left to live for.” 

He was unable to say anything back, standing in shock. He finally allowed himself to recognise intruder's aura and shape it into a real picture of their body. Her hair had much more greyness in it, leaving little of its natural auburn color. Face was tired with more wrinkles yet still strong and healthy and eyes still had the same deepness, wisdom and sharpness as they used to.

„I was looking for you for some time already,” she turned to him. „I was told you got crazy.”

„Perhaps it was true,” he stepped from the shadows. „I saw you dying.” 

„Then that is definitely true, since I didn't die.” 

„I– no, impossible! I saw the fort falling apart, the fire, you screamed… or was this just a nightmare? No, no, the fort wasn't a dream, for sure,” he was trembling, carefully getting closer. „I was sure you were dead.”

���Oh, Jeddite. It’s so good to see you,” said Romania with a pale smile as she gently touched the warlock’s cheek. „Oh goodness, you look terrible.” 

„And you are so beautiful.” He touched her hand as if it was about to disappear. „Are you really here? Are you not another nightmare?” 

„I’m really here.” 

„But… The Armageddon… The fort… You were in it!”

„I wasn't. We went to support Gelu's army when the Armageddon started. Andreé helped me and others escape.” She lowered head. „Not that I wanted it… They forced me to escape. They said I wouldn't help my soldiers anyway.” 

„So what had you been doing here?”

„Long story, but I couldn't find my place. I didn't have anything, anyone. Adamas, Eret, they both,” she paused for a moment to took a deep breath. „They didn't survive the Armageddon. I think my parents didn't either. For some time I was with Andreé but they had to go with the other angels. I've heard that Sandro is still alive, but–” 

„He is?!” Jeddite screamed, making Romania jump back. „I'm sorry!” he added immediately, but caution didn't disappear from woman's face.

„Yes,” she said slowly. „But I don't know where or what he is up to. I've heard about you and here I am.”

„No, no, no…” Jeddite walked around, holding his head. „You shouldn't! Sandro… Find Sandro, kill Sandro, that bastard!”

„I decided that finding you was more important…” 

„He is dangerous! What could be more important–” 

„…to me. To me, Jeddite, you were more important.” 

For a moment there was a silence, with both of them thinking about what was just said. Finally, Romania continued speaking.

„This is not AvLee, Nighon nor Erathia. Not even Antagariah, goddammit. Nothing I feel or care about,” she started walking slowly around the main hall. „Back there I was called a hero, but I wouldn't consider myself one. I wasn't fighting for justice, only for what was dearest to me. My country, my family, my friends…” She stopped near the piece of clothing which perhaps, long time ago used to be an arras. „There is nothing left for me to care about. Except you.”

„But this world–”

„Isn't ours!" she shouted with despair then took a deep breath to calm down. „This world has his own heroes, just like we used to be the heroes of ours. They don't need us nor want us. Look at yourself! You used to be a respected warlock, and now I only hear about your madness. I used to be a general, knight, war hero, and here I'm just some kind of a warrior. Do you think I didn't try to find myself here? I wanted to prove myself but to whom, since there is noone I care about? Everything and everyone I had is lost. There is nothing left from my life, except you.” She once again came closer to him. „Let me help you, fight for you, whatever is the cause. Because I need a cause I could belive in and I belive in you. I need a cause related to my world and you are all that's left from it. You are my world now.” 

It took him few solid seconds to understand what she just said. Then he leaned against the wall, covered his face and started sobbing.

„I'm so sorry,” he mumbled. „You shouldn't have to see me like this. I have nothing for you, no purpose, cause. I'm not even the same man you used to know. The gossips are true, I'm just a mad mage now, nothing more. Nothing you would like to remember. You… I'm so sorry, you can't stay with me.” 

„I don't have much of a choice.”

„But this isn't an option for you either. I'm nothing now, I'm doing nothing and, the most important, I may hurt you. Sometimes I can't control myself, I see things that are not there, sometimes I see you and the only possibility to get rid off that nightmare is by killing it. Now I'm talking to you, yet I'm not sure if you are really here or if I had to treat you with fire.” His grim laugh made Romania concern.

„It's not like I'm afraid of you,” she said, hiding her worries.

„But you should!” once again his voice broke down. „You should because the truth is you have what to live for. You have your pride, your honor. You don't want to fight for what's strange, but…” he paused, took a step towards her and gently cradled her face between his hands. „But you can make it yours. Your mind is playing tricks on you, my dear. Making you feel like there is nothing for you while there is so much. Being away from home never made you less Romania that you are, and so it is this time. You can go after Sandro or find new enemy. You don't need to find your place because your place is whenever you are. And about me… I think I should be dead for you. No, no, don't interrupt me.  I want you to remember me as the person you saw last time in Nighon. Not the best memory but still better than the one you could have from this moment. And I… I really want you to be dead for me. I mourned you so many times, trying to accept your death, and now you are here, forcing me to look you in the eyes and face the reality that mourning isn't over yet. Please, don't force me to watch you dying once again and going through this over and over. Be merciful and let me burry you for good, making this meeting just another nightmer. You have much more time than I do. Don't waste it. Go, be a hero for this world, don't look back, and burry me in your memory.” His thumb softly stroked her cheek. „Please, my love, treat this words as the last demands of the dying man.”

[auntarivia]

March whumpness 2025 by @marchwhumpness

Day 5: Betrayal (from alternate prompts)

Fandom: Heroes of Might and Magic

Characters: Romania (oc), Sandro

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so I apologise for any errors. I also won't mind if someone points them out (spelling, grammar etc.) It would help me improve :)

Yeah, I'm reposting this one because I don't have a time or strenght to write today and I honestly just like this one, even tho there is no HoMM fandom on tumblr. And I just like Roma. There will be more of her in the whumps.

The orders were clear. Stay near the borders, watch for Sandro trying to cross, wait until he gets close. They couldn't go either on the Erathia's or Deyja's territories, since, as Lord Ufretin said, "We want to stop the Necromancer, not start a war."

It was eating Romania from the inside.

A few weeks ago, she got a report from the field about how Jeddite failed and his forces had to fall back to Nighon. It didn't contain much details about Warlock as the report wasn't even intended for her – it was a copy that her Lord received gods know how long ago and it was sent to her with orders that summarised the situation and only emphasised that she and the other capitans were to stay "vigilant" and "ready" or simply – how Romania saw it – useless.

Romania sent the messenger back with a request to get a more detailed report about casualties on Nighon's side but she could only hope that her Lord would agree on sending his scouts out there to gather the intelligence. Of course, she justified it reasonably, claiming it would be useful to know how much support they could still get, how powerful Sandro was and what he was capable of, and other simply tactical reasons like that. She wouldn't just write "I need to know if my boyfriend is alive."

But gods, she really wanted to know if he was alive.

Stay, watch, and wait. Stay, watch, wait. Stay. Watch. Wait. Like an obedient dog. Not that Romania wasn't used to being one – as a soldier, her whole life was about listening to orders, and usually she had no problem with waiting, but this time it wasn't just a normal war, hunt or battle. This time, it was a fight against someone she trusted, who used to be her friend and now betrayed her, and hurt or probably even killed her partner.

No, Romania shook her head, Jeddite is not dead. I know it. No matter how far Sandro has fallen, he wouldn't kill his best friend.

Right?

Romania kept walking around the camp hidden under the trees, and anxious thoughts kept bothering her mind. Stay. Watch. Wait.

"Capitan, ma'am!"

Romania almost jumped when she heard the scout calling her. She stopped, stood straight, and looked towards a young, slim elf that ran towards her.

"Capitan! I saw the Necromancer and his troops west from here, going north, an hour from Captain Gaie's squad!"

"How long ago?!" asked Romania way louder than she planned.

"No longer than half an hour, ma'am!"

"Did you see the Necromancer? Are you sure it was him?" Her voice was shaking, and she was sure the scout noticed it.

"It was a figure on a black horse, in dark clothes, and with two dozens undead marching with it. I'm pretty sure it was him!"

"But did you–" Romania bit her tongue before finishing the sentence. She knew that Sandro had at least one more Necromancer on his side that the scout might have seen instead of him, and she didn't want to waste time on chasing one of his minions, but the scout wouldn't recognise Sandro anyway and her orders clearly stated that she was supposed to wait on her station unless the other squads needed her help.

But what if it was Sandro? Was she about to just let the other Capitan take him?

"Sound the alarm! We are moving now!" she stated and started walking towards the stables.

"But ma'am!" the scout trotted next to her. "Weren't we supposed to stay in our area and–"

"Sandro is strong," Romania cut him half–sentence. "One squad won't stop him. Even if Gaie has her archers, Sandro has the kind of magic that arrows will do nothing against. They will need help. We are going now and we are surrounding him!"

"Yes, ma'am!" the scout didn't protest anymore, just ran to pass her orders.

Five minutes later, they were already going. Romania's squad was made of pegasus riders and archers, swiftly moving through the woods.

Too slow, thought Romania while barely stopping herself from making Achates fly up and over the trees. She wanted to get there as fast as possible before either Sandro annihilates the other army or Gaie puts an arrow through his head, and she wasn't sure which one she was more afraid of. Part of her still couldn't believe that her friend became a twisted undead and overambitious Necromancer, which was one of the reasons why she needed to see him with her own eyes. That and the bloodthirsty desire to cut his traitorous head of his shoulder.

The forest was silent, too silent. According to the scout they should've been getting close. At this point, Romania should've been able to hear the sounds of a fight, even if they surrounded Sandro and caught him from behind. Was the fight over already?

Right before they left the forest, Romania stopped and gestured on her soliders to do the same. Way in front of them, through an empty field, where the forest continued to grow, was hoovering a thick, green cloud. Through it she was able to notice a few moving silhouettes. After a moment the fog started to collapse and uncovered bodies laying scattered on the ground, with few skeletons moving around, while in the middle was standing a person wearing dark blue robes, and, despite being so far away, Romania knew it was him.

She saw movements between the trees, glimpses of white bones noticable against the greens. Undead pushed elfes back to the forest and were fighting there.

Romania sent another gesture towards her soliders and they continued to move along the forest line, still hidden from the Necromancer, trying to get as close as possible without getting noticed.

Sandro kept standing between the bodies, still like a tree, while his cape was waving on the wind. Romania kept her eyes on him, watching his every subtle movement. Slowy, Necromancer started raising his hands, with glimpses of a soft green light dancing on his fingers. Romania's face went pale. She realised what he was doing before even the first bodies started to move. She shouted the orders, and her troops jumped from between the trees as Sandro's first animated undead started walking towards the woods, with more still rising. Capitan with terror saw how previously dead elfes were getting on their legs, sometimes just as clean, white skeletons, sometimes with flesh still dripping on their bones.

Sandro must've finally heard them as he turned his head towards the uncomming troops. New bodies stopped rising and his attention seemed to be fully focused on the new enemies. Now Romania was able to see his pale, collapsed face and light long hair falling on his shoulders. A grin appeared on his lips and he rapidly turned his hand towards them.

Romania recognised the spell and lifted Achates up in the air right before lighting struck the ground.

"To the forest, support Gaie!" shouted Romania to her soliders and turned pegasus towards the Necromancer. "This bastard is mine."

Her adjutant led the troops according to Capitan's orders while she flew towards her target. She was seeing red, her fingers clenching on the reins and for a moment she held her breath. As she got closer, she could've swear that Sandro's face adjusted and became even more familiar.

She struck from above, but her sword bounced from the magic barrier that Sandro put between them. The force of her hit pushed her hand away and caused her to lose her balance. She dodged lighting bold that flew inches above her head and realised that Achates was too open on the magick from below. She turned the mount around to once more face the Necromancer, but this time, right before the strike, she turned Achates to fly up while she herself jumped on the ground and rolled to amortise the fall. It disoriented Sandro, who missed another shot and then turned toward her while Achates flew away. Romania didn't waste a second and swung her sword that bounced from ebony armour on Sandro's chest. She narrowed her eyes. She had never seen this kind of armour before, and she felt dark magic pulsating from it. "Armour of the Damned". The cursed artefact that they were warned about.

It's an armour, she thought to herself, and every armour can be destroyed.

"Romania!" Sandro raised his hands in a greeting gesture while the devilish smile was still present on his face. "I was getting afraid that I might miss you! It's good to see that you were just as eager to meet me as I was to meet you, old friend."

"Shut up!" she shouted through her teeth and attacked, aiming for the weak spots in the armour, yet she missed as she had to avoid another spell.

"Eloquent as always," he mocked her while teleporting a few feet away. "Jeddite at least gave me a little talk before trying to burn me alive. Don't you wanna try to talk me out of it? Reason with me?"

"I have nothing to tell you!" She charged at him, swinging her sword that Necromancer once more pushed away. It seemed pointless to keep attacking him like that, but Romania knew how to fight magic–users. They had a limited amount of magica, exhausting them and playing on time was the key. She was also taking his attention from the main fight, which gave her troops a chance against the undead.

More merciless strikes fell on Sandro, and Romania saw how his grin pales. Finally, she struck his face, cutting through his cheek, yet instead of familiar feeling of steel slashing through the fles, she heard a grinding sound of cutting a bone. Sandro's face flickered and for a moment became transparent, showing white scull under it. Illusion.

Romania froze for a second. So he truly was an undead. A damn skeleton.

"My, my," Sandro touched his cheek and his face became human once more. "You are even more fierce than Jeddite!" He chuckled. "You must hate me even more than I thought! Is this betrayal that fuels you? Oh, or perhaps you think about your poor boyfriend? You know what happened to him, don't you?"

Romania clenched her teeth and hardly stopped her hands from shaking before continuing attacks.

"Of course you do! You two loving doves kept such a sweet correspondence!" Necromancer didn't stop his mockery.

I guess he doesn't have to worry about losing his breath, thought Romania. She did her best not to focus on his words, yet it was hard. Sandro struck a weak spot.

"I bet you would love to see what he wrote to you this time! To be honest, it was so sweet that if I could, I would've throw up. So I had to burn it. You two are disgusting."

"Shut up!" she yelled, trying to hide the trembling of her body. Her sword struck his neck only to once more cut through the illusion and miss the spine.

"Or perhaps I should say 'were'. I doubt he will be able to write anymore. Now I wonder," he pushed her away with magical wind, leaving a few steps of distance between them. "Since you loved him so much, would you be able to recognise his bones?" He gestured towards the remains scattered around.

Romania's face went pale and she stopped with her sword half risen. With wide eyes she followed his hand and then looked at the bodies and bones that surrounded them.

"You– you didn't." She whispered, terrified. "You wouldn't!" She added with even more fear and desperation as tears started gathering in her eyes.

Sandro responded with laughter.

"It's so nice to know you think so highly of me, dear Romania! But what can I say, I wanted to always have my best friend by my side, even if he refused to do so while being alive! But don't worry. I will animate his bones once more while I'm done with you and perhaps even let you join him!" Sudden lighting bolt came from his fingers, that shocked Romania barely avoided. "Or not!"

"You… you…" Romania was trembling but then clenched her sword even harder and threw herself on the Necromancer with scream: "You motherfucking bastard!" Her attacks became faster, filled with desperation and pain. "You traitorous piece of shit! I will cut your head of!"

Sandro laughed, blocking and avoiding her attacks. How much magica did he still have, thought Romania for a second, but then hatered once more filled her mind. It doesn't matter. I have twice as much strength and much more rage.

Sandro once more pushed her away with wind and then struck with lighting. This time Romania didn't dodge, instead took the spell on her sword. Electricity shattered the weapon, but capitan didn't even flinch, fueled by anger and adrenaline. She reached for her dagger and run towards Sandro. She avoided another lighting by rolling on the ground, and while getting up, grabbed some sword abandoned by a fallen solider. Armed with dagger in one hand and sword in the other, she once more charged at her opponent. Sandro's smile disappeared. Now he seemed angry and almost… scared?

Good, thought Romania, while her sword swung towards the Necromancer. He pushed it away, but then the woman struck him with dagger, cutting leather strip of his chestplate and causing it to uncover a fragment of his body. Shocked Sandro tried to cast another spell, but he was too late. Romania pushed her dagger through the unprotected body, once more destroying the illusion, yet now with enough force to break a few ribs and push the Necromancer. He lost his balance and fell on his back. Romania threw away the dagger and grabbed the sword with both hands, then raised it above her head, ready for the final strike.

And hesitated.

Sandro looked up at her with pure terror on his pale face. Suddenly, he looked so young, like the man she last saw those few years ago when him and Jeddite left AvLee with their master. When he was her friend. His blue eyes looked at her, almost begging for mercy, lips were trembling with fear, and he tried to cover his face with his skinny, shaky hand.

"Roma, please," he whispered.

It's just an illusion, Capitan remainded herself. Too late. From the hand that Sandro moved up to pretend to cover himself, flew a lighting bolt. It struck Romania in the chest, shattering her chestplate and pushing her off the ground and few feet away. Sword slipped from her fingers as she fell on her back and lost her breath. Her mind became foggy, and her vision blurry.

"Bastard," she tried to say, but her lips were shaking and a bit of blood poured from her mouth. Did she bite her tongue, or did her lungs get damaged from the spell? She couldn't get up, couldn't move, and in a short moment lost consciousness.

***

Romania was sitting in the infirmary, with bandages around her wounds. It's been five days since the battle, after which medics found her, healed and then transported with some of her surviving soldiers to the nearest fort. Healing magic didn't fix her completely – her wounds were too severe, and others needed healing as well, so while her lungs, concussion and other deep damages were fixed, the flesh wounds still needed to heal, like the one on her head, chest and arm. The last one surprised her. Apparently, when she took the lighting on her sword, some shock still transfered to her arm. She didn't feel it during the fight, probably because of the adrenaline, but also thanks to her leather gloves stopping some of the electricity.

Yet it wasn't what confused her the most.

Why did Sandro leave her alive?

This question kept bothering her for days. Her surviving soldiers said that right after her fight, Sandro called for retreat. Were his undead losing so badly without his constant support? Or did Romania manage to damage his artefact armour? Even if, why didn't he finish her off? One lighting in the head and she would've been dead. Did she drain his magica? Or was there still some humanity in Sandro? Some remnants of his old self, of her friend? Some part of her wanted to believe that, hope that he wasn't completely lost. Yet the other part preferred him to be completely lost and corrupted. It would've been way easier to kill him.

Why did I hesitate? It was the other thing that kept haunting Romania and she hated that she knew the answer. Because she saw her friend… No, because he tricked her to see her friend.

"I'm a failure," whispered the Capitan to herself while resting her head against the wall.

Suddenly, someone burst through the door. Romania turned her head towards him and noticed Eret looking around. When he noticed his sister, he ran towards her, ignoring other patients and a medic that told him to calm down.

"Roma, Romie, I came as fast as I could!" he said while sitting on the bed next to her and wrapping arms around her to hug her. Despite him obviously bursting with emotions, the embrace was careful – he saw her wounds. Roma returned the hug with her healthy hand.

"How do you feel?" He asked after moving away and looking her up and down.

"I'm… Let's get outisde." Romania looked at the medic that gave them both a warning look. "Besides, I could use some fresh air."

Eret nodded, and after Romania put on a shirt, they both left the infirmary.

For a moment they walked in silence, down the wooden stairs and through the green town. Romania looked down at her naked feet, enjoying the feeling of the soft grass soothing her nerves.

"It's not your fault he escaped. Don't blame yourself."

Romania sighed when she heard Eret's words. He always knew what was on her mind.

"I hesitated, Eret. I almost got him, but I hesitated."

"It's not your fault," he repeated firmly. "You did your best."

"You don't know that, you weren't there!"

"No, but I know you. You did well because you forced him escape. Thanks to that, some of the soldiers survived instead of being massacred and reanimated as his undead."

"But how many will die because I didn't stop him?"

"That's all on his conscience."

Roma scoffed.

"I doubt he even has one."

Eret let out a sad chuckle and nodded his head.

"Perhaps he doesn't."

There was another moment of silence as they kept making circles around the infirmary.

"What else is bothering you?"

Romania hesitated from answering but then sighed. There was no point in hiding anything from Eret.

"Sandro said he killed Jeddite and reanimated his bones."

Brother frowned.

"And you believed him?"

Capitan blushed slightly from embarrassment and looked away. Now it seemed obvious that Sandro just tried to manipulate her and make her lose her cool – even if at the end it worked against him – but what if there was some truth in it?

"I guess I did…"

"We both know that he always cared for Jeddite much more than for anyone else. If he spared you, then he spared him."

"We don't know why he spared me."

"Apparently, he didn't hate you enough to finish the job."

"Eret, it's not that simple."

Brother sighed and wrapped his arm around Romania's shoulder.

"Send a messenger to him. Maybe they will find out if he is fine."

"I don't have my own scouts that I would be able to send so far away."

"Well, they have to find something, right?" He then turned Romania to look at him and with all seriousness said: "We will find him. I promise."

Capitan managed to smile slightly and give him a nod. Eret pulled her to hug her once more.

"Alright, time for you to get back to bed. You really need to stop getting so close to the death."

"Well, I can't promise that."

"Yeah, I know you can't."

[auntarivia]

87 with Romania and Jeddite please <33

87. If they ever lost one another in a public place, how do they find the other?

That's just how they roll with each other.

[auntarivia]

Romania's genesis and why she is who she is.

The first instance of Romania as she is now came to existence while I was playing Heroes of Might and Magic Online (now a dead game), and wasn't really written anywhere - I was just imagining her personality and story as I played, like I often do while playing any character with no lore on its own.

The game is also a reason why she has an angel as a lieutenant, even though in HoMM3 Bastion doesn't have angels. In HoMM Online, one of the units were angels, and in my mind, the picture with Roma next to an angel was too clear to just abandon. This is also why Andreé looks more like HoMM Online/HoMM5 angel than HoMM3 one.

Romania started existing as an oc with lore much later. While playing HoMM3 I got very frustrated while Jeddite wouldn't drop a skill called "Earth Magic" - something I will rant about in a different post. In my frustration, I drew myself as a general berating Jeddite for not having an Earth Magic, but then thought to myself, "Why not make a whole comic about it? But who would be the "general"? Oh, I remember that HoMM Online character. But what should her name be...?"

Why "Romania"? Well, as a kid/teenager i was obsessed with Italy. I wrote a book that took place in a country inspired by it, with a capital city named Vittoria ("victory" in Italian), so in my mind Rome = Vittoria. So, how should I name my character that represents an always winning, tactical genius that is the player? Roma, of course. Or, to sound more like a name - Romania. At that time, I didn't know that it's an English name for a country, and found out years later, when the name was stuck already. My fellow Polish speaking friends always think of the city of Rome first, but some English speaking people were already confused. Why not just Victoria? Don't ask me. I couldn't tell you. Would fit her, tho.

On the other hand, there are many pizzerias around called "Pizzeria Roma" and I always chuckle a little.

As I continued drawing the comic, I started thinking of her relationship with Jeddite. How did they know each other? Were they just friends? Old allies? Exes? I'm a sucker for ships, dramas and all that, so I went with the last one. And so the rest is a history of me asking questions and answering them in messy comics or short stories.

In general (heh) I love Romania. I put lots of thoughts into her, her personality and looks. The game (HoMM3) is very important to me, as well, as I was raised on it (alongside Warcraft 3 and Gothic) and I could yap for hours just about the game, the units, the tactics, the heroes, even though of the official lore I don't know that much.

[auntarivia]

There are three (3) HoMM3 oc on artfight, including mine, and I feel required to draw them.