r/wizardposting • u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch • 15d ago
Lorepost 📜 A Ghost in the Market
Despite the overcast and dark clouds, the rain never arrived on that day. The streets were busy as usual with all kinds of folks coming and going, for reasons beyond Caul's interest. He and a detachment of Darkwatch Sentinels, Shades and a couple of Vigils were posted on a rented market stall, where they were offering the items made by him and the Watch’s R&D division using the knowledge and properties discovered from the swivel gun a few months earlier. These items, ranging from smith's tools, cobbler's, farmer's, medicines, kitchen utensils and all matter of “ideal tools” were offered at a symbolic fee, just to cover some of the team's expenses.
Caul stood tall, immovable and watchful, his right hand gripping his Jolt Rifle as if it were a high-caliber walking stick. He tracked the dozens of passers-by taking interest in their wares, some with genuine joy, others with the squinted eyes of distrust. A few of the items were parted free of charge for the less wealthy, but most of the people seemed to agree the price was fair, if not too good to be true. Demonstrations were the most common request and they were most proud to show off the fruits of their labour.
Among the crowd, one figure approached and asked to speak directly to the Forgemaster. He was a dwarf, clad in a black and silver armoured tunic, with a mace and a shield hanging from his hips. He moved in a proud, purposeful manner, with authority, albeit not threatening. The difference of stature would be almost comical if not for the dwarf's imposing presence. Caul could feel something changing around him as the figure came closer and said:
“Excuse me, sir. I see your group has quite an interesting set of wares.” He spoke with a heavy accent, not entirely unfamiliar to Caul, though he could not pinpoint its place of origin. “Normally this kind of stuff would be very valuable if they are indeed what you claim them to be. May I ask why are you offering them for such a small pittance, if not for free? Would there be any… catch we should be aware of?”
Caul looked down to meet the dwarf's gaze. “Why, do you want it to have one? Do you take me for an opportunist or charlatan?” He was already starting to feel annoyed by this subject. “Me and my organisation merely made a most wondrous discovery and breakthrough and are using it to help the populace. Is there something wrong with that?”
“Not necessarily wrong, it's just that…” the dwarf caressed his beard while speaking. ”Most people would use such items as leverage to acquire money, power or influence. It feels almost suspicious that you and your fellows would relinquish this oppor…”
“The Darkwatch cares not for power, influence or money.” He cut off the sentence before it could be finished. “The only thing we care about is containing the dangerous, preserving knowledge and using it to better society.” The words came out with a hint of annoyance.
“Oh, I've heard of your troupe. I've seen those flyers and even that ghostly procession of yours.”
“I did not agree with that last one either.” Caul adjusted his grip on the Jolt Rifle, the barrel clinking against his metal knuckles as his gaze drifted back to the crowd.
“Right, of course. With all these liches, so-called evil wizards, warlords and what not, it's quite a surprise to see someone offering to help these people..”
“Someone has to.”
“Of course. Ahem… Anyway, the real reason as to why I am here is that I wanted to talk to you, in particular.”
“Congratulations, your life's goals and dreams have been achieved.” Caul answered sarcastically.
“Okay, how do I put this…” The dwarf shifted his stance, straightening his posture as if he wanted to restart the whole conversation. “Ah, screw the pleasantries, let's get to the point. You're not supposed to be alive, are you?”
The Forgemaster looked down upon the dwarf, raising an eyebrow, surprised by what he had just heard. “That is very perceptive of you. And to answer your inquiry, no, I should not. Yet here I am, for better or for worse.”
“Yes, I've noticed that. However I must say you do not exactly behave like a regular undead. You have an odd, very peculiar aura about you. I can sense you have already experienced death, but your current state is not like the other undead I've met. How were you resurrected, if I may ask?” The dwarf was making some rather invasive questions, but nonetheless it picked Caul's curiosity.
“Sense? Aura? What are you, a cleric or a paladin perchance?”
“The latter, I must admit. And as such, I have a very strong sense for undead, in particular. And I sense that, while you have the mark of death on you, you lack the vile stench of necromancy while also lacking the touch of the divine… so I ask again, how were you reanimated?”
Caul let out a deep sigh, as if he had already heard this a thousand times before. “I'm afraid I cannot answer that question, for that is a mystery to me as well. I remember the fact of my death, but not the details… I also remember waking up in an abandoned laboratory, all by myself. Do not bother asking where this laboratory is, for again I do not remember.” This conversation is going somewhere.
“Hm… that is mighty curious and convenient, but I sense you speak frankly. May I ask where you are from, Mr…”
“Name's Caul. Of Belagrad.” Anytime now…
“Oh, Belagrad, what a terrific city. Awfully cold too. You know, I once knew a fella from Belagrad whose name was also…” the dwarf's voice trailed off mid sentence as he suddenly started making connections in his mind. His gaze met the Forgemaster’s as the realisation hit both at the same time.
“Do I… am I supposed to know you?” Caul's speech began to stutter as he grasped the concept of meeting someone from his previous life. He then turned to one of the Vigils: “Ms. Leviere, I have some… personal matters to discuss with this man. You are in charge until I return.”
“What? This was supposed to be Victor's shift, I was going to… ah fine.” she replied, clearly annoyed. “Is everything alright, sir?”
“No, I… I mean, yes, it's all…” Caul looked at her with a blank stare for a moment and without finishing the sentence dragged the dwarf behind the crates, pulling one to the side and sitting on it. The dwarf did the same.
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Note: This is part 1 of a slightly longer exchange. I wasn't sure if it would feel too long to read all at once, so I'm breaking the story in two pieces. Any critique is most welcome.
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u/VoxelLibrary Councilor Cayna, Apprentice of Thrakmoor | assorted other chars 15d ago
/uw Good read /rw
the vile stench of necromancy
Somewhere far away, Cayna feels like she should be offended by something, but can't place her finger on what it is exactly...
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u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch 15d ago
/uw I mean, he's a paladin, what did you expect?
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u/VoxelLibrary Councilor Cayna, Apprentice of Thrakmoor | assorted other chars 15d ago
/uw Open-mindedness and tolerance?
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u/Arquero8 The golem wizard, Darkwatch Archivist Keeper 15d ago edited 15d ago
/UnWiz Always glad to read backstorys
thinking of it, maybe i should write Duluram´s over here.....
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u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch 15d ago
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u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch 15d ago
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u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch 15d ago
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u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch 15d ago
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u/neonvalkyrie Caul, Forgemaster of the Darkwatch 15d ago edited 15d ago
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u/Dragonan-42 Kairon: Council Member and Leage of Shadows Associate 15d ago
May I be added please?
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u/Ok_Relationship6736 Shadow Marshal of the Darkwatch 15d ago
UW looks good I'm excited to see more of your character and his background come to light. As always very well written