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Prequel Part 5: The Wedding

The wedding was fast approaching, and Sophia felt helpless to do anything to stop it. Her mother would be wed to this monster.

Warning, this post may be disturbing to shore readers. It contains: Abuse, terrorizing, and threatening

King Rosen appearing at the wedding was a surprise to everyone, upon arrival he approached his sister to have a word with her before the ceremony. He expressed his concerns about how her husband had only just died, and did she even know this man. She retaliated, saying that he was never satisfied with who she chose to be with, that he should have been happy because at least this one was an elf.

Rosen let the celebration proceed, watching ever so cautiously.

He heard the sound of a violin being played from the other room, curious he came to see who was playing. It was Sophia, she was surprised to see the king. This was the first time she’d ever met her uncle. He told her that she was very skilled, to which she responded coldly, leaving the room.

He took not that she was very subdued, but attributed it to the recent death of her father. However he was still very cautious about all of this. He was a old, and experienced elf.

Sophia made a feeble attempt to tell the king her mother was in danger during the wedding, figuring that perhaps he of all people would be able to help. However the presence of Damian’s spies intimidated her into silence.

The union was made, and Damian had finally gotten what he wanted. The title of duke. Rosen departed after the wedding, however he left a simulacrum, a magical copy of himself to spy upon the house for a little longer.

Damian breathed a sigh of relief, however, being a Duke was not what he expected. He was asked to attend meetings, and make decisions, things he found incredibly boring. He made every excuse to delegate, not wanting to do the actual work himself. He didn’t care about ruling, he just wanted the power that came with it. He put Mr. Pink in charge of making decisions for him, and went off to do something more exciting.

Sophia couldn’t take it any longer, and slipped away in the dead of night, slipping past her captors, and began making her way to Thesilin, the elvish capital where her uncle King Rosen lived.

However unknown to her, Rosen’s simulacrum was watching, and followed after her. He revealed himself to her, offering her a ride in his carriage where they could have some privacy. She then broke down, telling him everything. He listened calmly, but there was fury in his yellow eyes. He alerted the King, and he returned to Liotha’s home with Sophia, ready to question Damian.

When Liotha saw that her brother had returned, she cast glibness upon Damian before inviting King Rosen inside. King Rosen began questioning them under the zone of truth, however with glibness running everything Damian said appeared as truth. And Liotha, an experienced liar, carefully manipulated the conversation to her benefit. Damian told Rosen that after the death of Sophia’s father, Sophia had become unhinged and begun making up tales that she believed were fact, and that she’d been hurting herself. This explained the injuries, however Rosen was skeptical. He decided that Sophia would come back with him for treatment.

Liotha requested that she have a word with her daughter before he took her away. The two of them stepped into the hall and she cast modify memory on her, using it to convince Sophia that she’d made it all up in her grief and had gone mad.

Her and Rosen then left together. He cared for her at his fortress home the best he could, the magic made her believe that she was mad, and caused her to act irrationally. She told Rosen repeatedly that she’d made it all up, and that Damian was innocent. In an attempt to restore her sanity, greater restoration was cast, which removed the modify memory. He was surprised when he story changed once again, this time implicating his sister as well.

Rosen wasn’t satisfied with how things had went, and so he ordered to have Damian arrested so he could be questioned further. Damian learned of this ahead of time because of his spies, and was forced to flee, Liotha also disappeared. Rosen decided this was an admission of guilt, and the search for him began.

Now that Sophia was free, her feelings of terror, turned to feelings of rage. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she wanted to make Damian pay for everything he did. He’d ruined her entire life, he’d killed almost everyone she cared about, and taken her mother away. He fury increased when she realized she was pregnant. She took to playing the violin to vent her rage, her music growing in intensity and violence. She snapped at her uncle often, not believing he’d ever cared about her existence till it was forced on him.

Her rage continued to build, she had no skill at fighting, she didn’t know any magic, she’d been a simple nobles daughter. But then one night, she had a dream, a dream where a man appeared to her, he wore simple garb, and a pair of glasses. He offered her a sword carved with ruins, and seemingly made of bone.

He offered to make a pact with her, it would give her the power to kill her oppressors. Sophia took up the offer, and when she awakened, the bone sword summoned to her hand. She didn’t know who that man was, but he’d given her the power she’d asked for. She’d use it to become a warrior, and she’d use it to strike down her oppressor.

To be continued

———-

DM note: When Sophia was originally created as an NPC I thought she’d probably die at Damian’s hand early on. I never expected her to survive, or to become a great warrior. She surprised everyone, and has become a favorite NPC of mine. Just goes to show, even as the DM, you never know exactly how the story is going to develop.

[goldelocks-and-mr-beard]

A map of the continent this takes place on, welcome to Eladia

Made in Inkanate.com

[goldelocks-and-mr-beard]

Prequel Part 4: The Lighthouse

He came in the night, smothering her unconscious, and had her transported to his private plane. From there they flew to a small rocky island, that had nothing on it but an abandoned lighthouse. And here Damian showed his true colors, unleashing hell upon her.

Warning: This post may be disturbing to some readers, it contains: Torture, imprisonment and abuse.

Damian was irrationally enraged that she’d made his plans so difficult, from day one she’d denied his advances, and therefore made the difficulty of obtaining Duke exceedingly troublesome. And so he vented his anger upon her. He cut her long beautiful hair short and jagged to humiliate her. He beat her and terrorized her, threatening that if she didn’t go along with his plans from now on he’d kill her like he’d killed her father.

Sophia lived in pure terror for weeks. She was confused, how could Lord Sinbad, her friend be doing this to her? How could he have killed her father? What did she do wrong? Damian turned up the heat, telling her that he’d been the one who’d had her boyfriend killed, that he’d been getting her slowly addicted to drugs and he wouldn’t hesitate to murder her too if she didn’t do what he wanted.

Damian continued to keep her there, he knew that if he let her go back at this point she’d rat him out the moment he let her go. So how would he get the title? No one had witnessed the wedding, that claim would be weak at best, as well as suspicious. He continued to mull over his plan, allowing the punishment to go on. The lighthouse was not well insulated, any windows there were he broke out, as well has removing all the bedding and blankets that could be used to keep warm. So when he’d leave the cold island, Sophia was forced to endure the elements shivering in freezing isolation.

Damian returned to his home where his sister was being kept in the basement. He didn’t know what to do with her now, the last of his family. But she’d also betrayed him. He tried again to sway her to his side, but she shook her head. She would never allow him to continue his monstrous behavior. And so, Damian strangled her to death in a fit of anger. This murder disturbed him more than any other he’d committed. He put the body in a wine barrel where he wouldn’t have to look at it, leaving her in the basement.

He then went to Anna, a special mood upon him. He told her he was letting her go, she was free to go back to her family. He didn’t want to force her to stay if that wasn’t what she wished any longer. She kissed him, grateful, and left with their son back to Oaktown.

Soon after he received a phone call from Mr. Pink, Duchess Amistacia had returned, Sophia’s mother. Damian thought this was perfect, this would be how he would get what he wanted. He had a message sent to her, informing her that he had her daughter, and if she wanted to see her alive again, to meet him alone at a specified location.

[Liotha]

Liotha was a elf of humble tastes, she always dressed if simple loose fitting clothes, though beautiful with woven patterns. She was calm and always assessed situations logically. No one could think of a time when she’d raised her voice, or lost her temper. She was known for her kindness and doing things for herself. But the call of the wild always reached for her, and so staying in one place too long didn’t sit well with her making her a flighty ruler.

Damian waited patiently in the designated location, his assassins waiting in case things went wrong, not that he would need them. He had dinner set out, and was feeling at ease, wondering if she had the guts to come here alone. His first surprise came when she did arrive, escorted by his own hidden assassins. They did not have her in chains, or be threatening her, in fact they looked as though they were her own personal guard. One of them even pulled the chair out for her as she sat.

She introduced herself pleasantly, completely calm. Damian told her that if she didn’t marry him, that he’d kill her daughter. "And the moment we are wed you will strangle me in my sleep?" She guessed. Damian was annoyed by her attitude. He decided to instill a little fear in her, a few broken bones should do it. However before he could do this she seized him by the throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. She looked at him with cold emotionless blue eyes. "I accept your proposal." She decided, as if it amused her. "I would like to see where this goes."

Damian knew that this woman wasn’t what she seemed, and immediately changed is attitude, opening the door for her as he escorted her back to her car. She instructed that he return her daughter to the house, and that the wedding would be in three weeks time. Damian accepted the terms, curious about who she was.

Damian retrieved Sophia from the island, telling her that if she told anyone about what had happened that he’d kill her mother. She was to tell everyone that she’d been on vacation the last few weeks to mourn the passing of her father. Sophia reluctantly agreed for the sake of her mother.

Damian continued to harass her over the next few weeks, just to make sure that she got the message, so she wouldn’t get any ideas. He beat her, but made sure the bruises weren’t anywhere visible to anyone else. She became quiet and withdrawn, taking often to her room to play her violin. People assumed this was because she was in mourning.

The wedding was fast approaching, people were surprised to hear that lady Amistacia was moving on so quickly after the death of her husband. This included her brother the war hero, King Rosen, who announced that he would be attending the wedding. Another obstacle Damian would have to face in order to get what he wanted.

To be continued.

[goldelocks-and-mr-beard]

Prequel Part 3: Lady Darklyn

Damian’s sister was alive, after all this time he’d thought he was alone.

[Elizabeth]

Warning: This post may be disturbing to some viewers, It contains: Violence, kidnapping, and murder.

Damian wasn’t sure weather to feel happy or betrayed. It’d been over a hundred years since he’d seen her. He’d been a young boy when she disappeared. Elizabeth proceeded to tell him that she’d gotten into crime fighting to stop people from being abused and stolen as she had been. She then extended an olive branch. She would sweep all his crimes under the rug if he stopped. They could move in together and try to be a family.

But Damian wasn’t ready to let go, not everything he had worked for. He’d clawed his way to the top, he wasn’t going to just drop everything he’d earned. And so he made the ultimatum. She was either with him, or against him. Because of her past she would not turn a blind eye to everything he was doing. He warned her not to get in his way, and then he left in a rage. But he did not try to kill her.

As he was driving, he saw something he thought he had hallucinated. A woman, walking down the road, she had the same thick brown hair, the same pearl necklace, and she was very pregnant. It couldn’t be, it was impossible. He’d killed her. His Anna.

He pulled over, getting out. And sure enough she recognized him. She met him with fear and uncertainty, and he knew he couldn’t allow her to go now that she’d seen him. So he pulled her into the car and took her back to the estate. She explained that she’d been searching for her father, and heard he was in the area. She also told him that she had survived his attack, and would be delivering his baby soon.

Damian wasn’t sure how he’d felt, he’d left that life behind him, but he couldn’t quite forget the feelings he’d had for Anna. So he decided to let her live, imprisoning her in his manor under threat of death if she told anyone about his past.

Sophia’s 18th birthday was coming soon, and Damian knew that this posed the opportunity for the proposal. By now he was the most wanted bachelor in town, and things were going well between them. She was completely dependent on him due to the drugs and grief, and once she was an adult a union between them was possible. So he announced that he’d be throwing a large party for her 18th birthday, and everyone was invited, including her father.

Many people came to the party, and though Sophia’s father didn’t approve, he decided to allow her to go since she was an adult now. When the party was in full throws Damian made his move, announcing the proposal in front of everyone to Sophia and her fathers shock. Sophia awkwardly said she would consider it, knowing all eyes were on her. When Damian pulled her aside and asked why she had not accepted she told him she was still young and didn’t know if she was read for that.

This was very frustrating for Damian, he’d already waited so long for her, and still she was denying him. However he appeared to take in in stride, and invited Sophia and her father on a flight around the jungle in his private plane. This grabbed Sophia’s attention, she loved the idea of traveling and quickly accepted. Not wanting to leave her alone, the Duke did as well.

When Elizabeth heard of this venture she was immediately suspicious, and insisted to the Duke that she come as well as a body guard. He accepted, and it was decided that they would not inform Damian of this until she had already arrived.

Damian found, and hired a con artist, and used her skills to forge a marriage certificate. He then planned to have a group of lizard folk waiting for them on the island where he’d fly them, and they’d ambush the duke and his daughter.

When they came to the air strip, Damian was surprised to see his sister. This threw a wrench in his whole plan. He knew that she was a very formidable warrior, and he didn’t want to kill her. But if she witnessed him murder the duke and his daughter he knew that she wouldn’t hesitate to turn him in.

He informed them that there was not enough room for all of the guard to fit into his private plane. So Sophia, the Duke, and Elizabeth were the only ones to enter the plane. As he took them over the ocean, and through the jungle of Meshan he tried to think of a plan. How would he kill them without implicating himself?

Elizabeth during the flight came up to join him, confronting him. In a fit of rage, he decided to crash land the plane, knowing with his barbarian strength he’d survive. The crash was violent leaving the duke and Sophia unconscious or dead, it was hard to tell, but the duke was bleeding profusely. Elizabeth however was still conscious, and so was Damian. She was severally injured, and she knew Damian would win in a fight. Barely winning the initiative she was able to teleport with the bodies of the duke and Sophia before he could cave her head in.

Damian knew this was bad, he hitched a ride back with his waiting lizard folk, knowing that he’d likely have to go on the run. However when he returned, he learned from Mr. Pink that the Duke had perished in the plane crash, and Sophia was in critical condition. He could still make this work, there hadn’t been a warrant sent out for his arrest yet.

Not long after his return Anna went into labor. And soon, his child was born, a son. Damian was not sure how he had felt about being a father, he was a bit apprehensive, not sure if it was something he would be involved in or not. But curious he came to see his newborn child, and something stirred in him, a feeling of protectiveness he’d never experienced before. He decided then that he would be a father to this child.

Elizabeth showed up at his house. Grieving the death of the Duke she once again confronted Damian, seeking for just a bit of redemption from him. She had puzzled out his intention for Sophia, and told him he had to stop. Damian would not, he would have it all. Full of conflict, Elizabeth came to a decision. Her brother was beyond redemption, and he was her responsibility. So she decided she had to put him down, attacking him with a devastating opening move. Damian retreated back to the room where Anna was staying and told her that Elizabeth would kill their child.

So together they fought Elizabeth, bringing her down. However, Damian did not wish to kill his sister still, and so he dragged her down to the hidden basement cell where he chained her up to stop her from teleporting. Elizabeth was out of the way now, and with her gone things would be a lot easier he was sure.

He presented the wedding certificate to the other nobles, and placed himself as Duke while Sophia was recovering. This didn’t last long however, after about a week Sophia woke from her coma, she didn’t have a recollection of many of the events that had resulted in her fathers death or the proposal. Damian quickly came to see her, pretending to be relieved, and telling her the tragic news of how Elizabeth had tried to kill her, and slew her father. She was shocked by the news, devastated by the death of her father. Damian then informed her about their secret wedding.

Sophia in her confusion believed this tale, however she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She said that she had a lot to think about and it’d be best if he went home. Again she denied him. Damian smiled at her, but it was a manic look, eyes too wide, malicious rage apparent for the first time for Sophia. She demanded he leave immediately, and he did.

But that night he returned for her. And just as when Anna had denied him, his patience had worn out, he kidnapped her, and brought her to a special place where no one would find her. A lighthouse.

[goldelocks-and-mr-beard]

Prequel Part 2: Dayln

Damian fled Oak town, and took the first flight to the furthest city he could find. And this is where the story of Lady Darklyn begins.

Warning: This post may be disturbing to some viewers, contains Violence, drug use, torture, and murder.

Sophia Darklyn was the young noble daughter to the Duke of Dalyn, a city that resided in the small elvish nation of Thesilin. Her mother was the sister to King Rosen Amistacia, and her father, Lord Mordici Darklyn, was a human man, who was known for his inventions. Sophia’s mother, Duchess Liotha Amistacia, was a very spirited woman who would often travel away from home, sometimes years at a time exploring and visiting other countries and cities. This left Sophia’s father to rule the city of Dayln on his own, but Sophia, 17 at the time was nearing the age where she could begin to assist him, and one day take over.

King Rosen was known to be a Xenophobe to outside races. He did not wish the culture of the elvish people to be tainted. He came from a time where his nation had nearly been wiped out, but through his prowess, and ruthlessness, was able to stop the orcish invasion. He was a celebrated war hero, but from that time, he wished to keep his borders closed to other races, other than trading and the occasional tourism.

So King Rosen was not pleased with his sister Liotha’s decision to marry, and then leave her title to a human man. However, he did respect Lord Darklyn’s intelligence, innovative decisions, and care for his people. And so he allowed him to maintain the position. But very rarely did King Rosen come to Dayln, it was so rare, that Sophia had never once met King Rosen, or much of the royal family.

Lord Darklyn was very protective of his daughter, perhaps it was because of how absent his wife was, that he didn’t want her to disappear as well. This gave her a bit of rebellious princess syndrome, and she really wanted to see the outside world. She spent a lot of time reading adventure stories, and playing the violin. She also had her eye on the stable hand, who was not bad with the violin himself.

When Sophia heard about the new millionaire who bought out the abandoned vineyard mansion she was intrigued. She was further excited when she learned that this Lord Sinbad had been an adventurer, and was going to throw an incredible party to welcome himself to Dayln. She had to be at that party, but she knew her father would never allow it. And so she snuck out.

The party was one like she’d never witnessed before, dancers, illicit substances, heavy drinking. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. She’d heard that Lord Sinbad had found a lot of treasure from his adventuring, and that he’d decided to settle down, at least for now.

She broke away from the party, to snoop around the house only to meet him in the hall. His perceptive gaze hadn’t missed anything. He told her he’d be happy to show her around if that’s what she wanted. Embarrassed, but trying to save face she told him "It’s not as fun that way." He seemed to enjoy her quip, and showed her around. He was charming, and handsome, this scarred wood elf from the north.

She went home that night wanting to find a chance to meet him again. Little did she know, that this wood elf, was Damian Hollilum, and he knew exactly who she was. He had his eye set on her, and most importantly, on that title her father held.

Damian’s plan was simple, seduce Sophia, marry her, and then kill her and her father. However, this wasn’t going to be as easy as he was hoping. Sophia already had her eye on the stable hand, and though she took the bait when it came sneaking out, and coming over to his place, she didn’t seem too interested in him sexually. He would have to figure out a way to change her mind.

Damian was good at exploiting the seedy underbelly of any city, and quickly discovered the rampant drug problem that was coming from the Crescent islands. Lizard folk were growing and brewing cocaine, and then shipping it on quick speeds boats into Dayln during the night. However the Lizard folk were not the brains behind the operation, but a human man who went by the name of Mr. Pink.

Damian used his unground knowledge to invite Mr. Pink to his house personally, under the guise of making a big purchase. He then attacked him and took him hostage. Mr. Pink quickly relented, allowing Damian a sizable portion of the profits, and a leadership role in distribution on the island. This is where Damian quickly began amassing income.

But this wasn’t good enough, he didn’t want to just have a leadership position, he wanted to be the boss. And so he went to the Crescent islands and defeated the chief of the lizard folk, Black scale, a half dragon. This in their eyes made him the leader now. And within a few months he had total control of the the drug operation. And this, would be part two to his plan for Sophia.

He invited Sophia, and her now boyfriend the stable hand to his house. He offered to sponsor her boyfriend since he seemed good with the violin, which gave him them the excuse to come over to his place more regularly. Since Sophia didn’t want her father to know about her relationship with the stable hand this seemed like the perfect place where she could hang out with him unsupervised.

And then Damian began drugging them. Putting cocaine in the wine, in the food, anything that was given to them. This would solidify their dependence on him. And it worked. The two teenagers became quickly addicted, and their visits became constant.

However, Damian didn’t go unopposed. Officer Elizabeth Wallow soon found him increasingly suspicious. Watching his home, the people coming and going. She quickly became a thorn in Damian’s side. She was very intelligent and knew he was up to no good. She caught shipments of drugs, which hurt his income. She would uproot his entire plan before long. She had to go.

A Yaun ti came to Damian one day, wanting to make a massive purchase. He was clean cut, and a perfect gentleman. Bringing gifts for Damian, and making a very appealing deal. Damian learned from this Yaun ti, Lucian, that the drugs were being used in a human trafficking organization. Damian took the deal, and began working with the Yaun ti on the side.

As for Sophia’s boyfriend, now a hopeless drug addict, he fell deeper for the stuff than Sophia had. He lost his stable hand job because of it. However, Damian would take care of him, he would fly him over to a renowned orchestra where he could play for all sorts of professionals who would want to hire him. He never returned from this trip. Damian arranged a fatal mugging to occur while he was there.

Sophia mourned his deeply, spending more time at Lord Sinbad’s house, she saw him as a good friend. Someone who always supported her. And the drugs he gave her made the pain go away. Damian had her where he wanted her, completely dependent on him. He ‘confessed’ his ‘love for her’ one night, and she hesitantly told him that she’d give him a chance.

Elizabeth had caught onto the fact that Sophia had been visiting Damian’s estate. Damian had tried to have her killed, but had failed on multiple occasions. Elizabeth suddenly sent a message to him one night to meet her alone in the park. Suspicious he came armed and ready. However as promised, she had come alone.

She pulled out a file, somehow she’d found out about his past, she knew that he’d been to prison, she knew that he’d come from Oak town. And she knew that he’d grown up in Elestril. She had become very somber, and then told her story. "When I was a girl, I was kidnapped by an organization that specified in making compliant slaves by drugging them until they forgot about everything about themselves. I lived like that for a very long time before I was rescued by authorities in the area I was in. For a long time I was a very broken person, I had learned that my parents had been killed by these same people, but my little brother still lived.

I found the prison he was in, and I went there to see him. I saw him step into the room on the other side of the glass and pick up the phone. I stood in the corner and watched him, knowing he couldn’t see me.

He waited for me to come, but I couldn’t move, I was too afraid. And so I stood there until he got up and left...

I never went back again. I never told him I survived. I was scared of him, I was broken. And by the time I had found myself again, he was no longer in prison."

Damian was stunned. He listened to the entire story in silence. "I remember that day... I’d gotten a visit, but no one was there..."

"Brother... I’m sorry it took so long."

To be continued.

[goldelocks-and-mr-beard]

Prequel Part 1: Oaktown

It all started with this sledge hammer wielding sociopath, Damian Hollilium:

Warning: this post contains violence, kidnapping, and terror.

Damian was a trouble shooter for one of the big mafia families in town. He was a player character made by my husband, Mr. Beard. He’d been picked up, and offered a job, a few years prior to the start of the game by the Castello family, who’d been having trouble with another local rival. The Castello family consisted of the head of the family Don Nicoli Castello, his eldest son Amilio, his second son Archelli, and his youngest daughter Anna.

At the start of the game, Nicoli Castello had been gone over seas for some months, and many wondered if they were covering up his death. Amilio was the acting head of the family in his absence, but was a impulsive, violent tempered young man, driving the conflict between the rival mafia to a head. Damian, his second hand man was only happy to take up the call to war.

Anna was a very pious young lady, who often tried to separate herself from the business. She was the only one who seemed to keep things from going out of control. And Damian, had his eye on her. She often, and always turned down his advances, which he didn’t entirely mind, enjoying the game. She studied to be a cleric.

Archelli was a silent assassin. He often stood in the shadow of his brother, carefully assessing the situation, deciding when to step in. Damian was made uncomfortable by his ever watching eye. Archelli was a mute from an injury to the throat he sustained as a young boy.

The family lived in the growing city of Oak Town, named after the large tree at it’s center. And this is where the violence began.

Damian had gone to prison for killing one of his superiors in the army. He was scentanced to 30 years, but because he was an elf, this was not much time. His violence began when he was a young boy. He’d been born in a small elvish village in the forest called Elestril. His sister dissapeared when he was a small child, and his parents were determined to find out what had become of her. However they went to deep, and they were murdered by an organization hidden within the village.

Damian grew up under the care of the village, a young boy with a lot of anger, and no one truly wanted to be the ones to help him with his issues. And so he was left to plot his revenge.

When he was a teenager he began to execute his plan, finding the people who had killed his parents, and murdering them one by one. He was never caught, but people suspected that he was responsible and shunned him. So he left on his own, the taste of blood still fresh in his mouth when he joined the army.

After intergrating with the Castello family, breaking knees, and heads for them for a few years, this is where we began the game.

Damian was good at what he did, and being a barbarian, he was very hard to bring down. From fighting entire squads on his own, to crashing semi trucks into mobsters, he was not one to be trifled with. And as he grew more powerful, and more ruthless, his fear of his employers began to decrease.

Anna continued to turn down Damian’s advances, which were becoming a little more aggressive. She told him that this was not the life she wanted. And then she met officer Ian Roy.

They immediately hit it off, but this was a classic forbidden love because she was in the mafia, and he was a justic seeking cop, actively trying to stop the mop activity in the area. And once Damian learned about their relationship, he exploded.

Damian attempted to murder Ian, however he was beaten back when Anna and Ian fought him together, Anna, believing in second chances, spared Damian. A decision she’d live to regret every day of her life.

Damian waited till the dead of night, and kidnapped her as she slept. He kept her in a storage room that was sound proofed, threatening her, and tormenting her, until she told him, that she would marry him.

He let her go back home, under his watchful eye. Making sure she didn’t talk, ever paranoid of Archelli who seemed to always be watching him. They announced the wedding and Amelio was very pleased to hear about it because he was good friends with Damian. And Anna, true to her word, told no one about what had happened.

Damian had gained the attention of a beautiful woman who appeared at the house one day, claiming to be Don Nicoli Castello’s new wife. This was met with a lot of suspicion because Don Castello was nowhere to be seen, and had never mentioned this new woman, Mara. She congratulated them on their wedding announcement, and would be sure to reach out to the Don and let him know. He hadn’t been answering phone calls in months.

Weeks passed, and the wedding day was growing closer. She looked forward to it with dread, Damian was growing increasingly paranoid about her ability to keep up the act. If Amilo found out that he was pressuring her into the wedding then he’d have Damian killed.

The day before the wedding, Anna attempted to try to reach out to Damian, asking to go to his home village, and tried to unlock the compassion he’d had locked away for so long. He showed her where he’d grown up, his child hood forest. She then told him, she was pregnant with his baby. She nearly got to the heart of it, the heart of his pain. But then he snapped, he bashed her in the head with his sledge hammer, and then drove to the Castello’s house, leaving her for dead, where he faced off with Ameilio. Damian had decided that he’d outgrown this family and brought him down as well. He stole a huge sum of money, and was setting himself up to be the new head. He tired to drive away the haunting images of his beloved Anna who’d he’d left on the side of the road with their unborn child, dead.

But then, on the morning of the wedding, the familiar vehicle of Don Nicoli Castello pulled into the drive. He’d returned for his daughters wedding. The one person Damian truly feared in this family. He took the money and ran, not willing to see what Nicoli Castello would do when he found out what he’d done.

But then, on the morning of the wedding, the familiar vehicle of Don Nicoli Castello pulled into the drive. He’d returned for his daughters wedding. The one person Damian truly feared in this family. He took the money and ran, not willing to see what Nicoli Castello would do when he found out what he’d done.

He bought a seat on a private plane, and flew it to the furthest place he could think to go, leaving Oak Town behind for good.

To be continued.

[goldelocks-and-mr-beard]

Wartorn is a homebrew co-op run by my husband and I. We created the map, the world, and the NPC’s together. We divided up the towns and cities that we’d control and run mini plots in, but the over arching plot we created together.

It’s been a really fun project to work on together. We’ve put a lot of work and time in it, including running mini campaigns in this world to build up important NPC backgrounds and to develop the world itself. We wanted it to be super open world.

We’ve also introduced new injury systems to make the campaign more realistic (which I’ll post later). So if you’re interested in following the story along the way, make yourself at home!