Hall Of Fame!

Survival - 9 Wins!

Brutal - 1 Fatalities

AFFILIATION

Alignment: Hero

Team: Solo Hero

VITAL STATS

Strength: Standard

Agility: Standard

Mind: Superior

Body: Standard

RECORD

Personal Wins: 9

Personal Losses: 3

Jojo

Jal Nicabar was well-liked within the Romani tribe; the first-born son of Rylan and Marguarite. He was in line after his father to be head of the tribe, to lead the camp as his grandfather Andrzej Nicabar had for the past thirty years. He would some day guide his people, and he had great dreams of what he could do for them. Jal had always been an idealist, but with practical plans for the good of the people. He trained long under the older members of the Kris, who sat in judgement over the tribe. As is fit for a future leader of the Rom, he dealt often with trade and negotiation to other Romani and with the Gaujo, those not of Romani blood. He proved quite skilled in the art of throwing the dagger, and easily charmed the Gaujo girls with his skill and courtesy at the fairs. In spite of his youth, Jal was one of the better-known traders in his kumpania. Even the Gaujo knew him for his charm and honesty, though in a few cases they disliked him for his cleverness. All was well within the kumpania until the winter of his seventeenth year. The weather was cold and damp, and even Jal's youngest sister, Lilac, could do nothing. Her magery was strong, but that year her best efforts helped little. The kumpania had little luck in finding food, and the Gaujo had scare money and no stores to spare. Andrzej had instructed his people not to worry, and indeed managed to provide just enough food for all. Jal did what he could to provide for his share in trade; he spent time carving toys and tools and selling those that he could, as well as the mechanical toys his sister Emily would make in her spare time. He had almost no success, despite his skill, for where there is no money, there is no purchase. He also sensed an odd tension in the camp; his mother seemed often concerned, and his father more impassive than ever. His Uncle Wesley, who lived outside the kumpania so he would have peace to work on his inventions, visited less often and seemed upset through his visits, despite treating Jal, Emily, and Lilac with his usual kindness. Jal could tell something had happened, but he didn't know what it was until one day when he was preparing to leave for the village, with a few horses to bring for trade. A distant cousin of his named Mihai, older by some years, helped him ready the animals, and he instructed Jal in their history. He had only been speaking a bit when he suggested Jal lie about the mares' ages and conditions, and raise their prices as far as possible, and also to 'mistake' the quality of their last batch of wool. Jal interrupted furiously; it was not honest, and he'd have no part in cheating even a Gaujo. Before Mihai realized what he was saying, he reprimanded Jal by telling him it was no worse than what the others had been doing recently. Jal nearly responded in anger, but caught himself in time. Later that day, after he'd returned, he went out a ways from the kumpania, to speak to his uncle Wesley. The man would at least speak truth, Jal knew, if he would speak on it at all. His sister Emily, who was training to be a mechanic under Wes, met him at the door. She guessed what was happening by his dark expression, and took him in to their uncle. Jal had at last understood where their impossible supplies came from that winter, and the source of the ill feeling within the kumpania. He brought it to his uncle, who confirmed his suspicions; the men had in truth been stealing from the surrounding villages. Wesley had, indeed, been planning to go into the camp that day and speak his mind to Andrzej, though it would normally be beyond considering to openly object to a decision made by the head of the tribe. Jal hesitated, but decided his honour, and the honour of the tribe, were more important than the respect owed to the Ataman. He insisted on coming, though Wes warned him of what might happen; dishonour, or worse, exile. That night there was a terrible scene before the Kris; Wesley spoke against Andrzej's decision, as did Jal. Ataman Andrzej would hear none of their complaints, and ordered them never to speak of this again. When Wesley finally threatened to separate himself from the kumpania as long as this continued, Andrzej was angry enough to order him to leave and not return, much to the horror of the Kris. They were upset further when young Jal strode forwards and announced that he was leaving with his uncle; he would have no part in dishonesty, to spread ruin to the kumpania's name. Rylan Nicabar was horrified, and forbade his son to leave, but Andrzej interrupted. He declared all who stood against the decisions of the Ataman would be better away, so that their poison would spread no further. That night, as Jal packed, standing against Rylan's anger and Marguarite's tears, his youngest sister Lilac came in, nearly in tears. Jal stopped his work, and explained, as kindly as he could, what had happened. He and Nano Wesley, and of course Emily, as she was Wes's apprentice, were leaving the kumpania, perhaps forever. Lilac was shocked, as she'd noticed nothing before, and Jal spent some time trying to calm his youngest sister. She demanded to come along; she trusted her brother more than anyone, and depended on her siblings to watch over her. She would worry constantly as well if she was not able to watch over them, and she begged Jal to take her with them. Jal knew her heart would break, and promised to do what he could to convince Nano Wes to let her come. It took a bit of doing, mostly on Lilac's part, but at last he agreed. The next morning, they left the kumpania, before the sun had yet risen.

Jal looked out over the prow of the Esmeraldas II, the flying ship that Wesley and Emily had built. It had been years since they had left their kumpania, and still he missed it. Life as an adventurer had more than enough excitement, though it had not made him forget his past. He tried to brush away thoughts of his uncle; when Wesley had vanished mysteriously during one of their journeys, Jal had taken over the responsibilities as leader. He reminded himself that it was what he had trained to do since he was born, but his decisions still weighed on him. There was no way of changing the past, but he could not help but wonder if there had been a way to find Nano Wes, or to convince Ataman Andrzej that his ways could only harm the camp. They had faced many dangers indeed, and though Emily had suffered more perhaps than any of them by Nano Wes's loss, and though Lilac had nearly died once of a poisoned dart she had fallen victim to in the tropics, the three of them were still alive. Things had changed since Wesley had vanished some months ago, not only in terms of Jal's responsibility, but in how far he deemed himself worthy to lead. Wesley, and fourteen natives who had agreed to join him in his search of the ruins, had vanished, shortly before the ruins themselves collapsed of unknown causes. All men make mistakes, he reminded himself. He, Emily, and Lilac had been unable to do anything at the time. They had spent months researching, but at last even Jal came to a dead end. Recently though, they had heard rumours of mulos with amulets bearing an arcane symbol walking about, dead yet not dead members of Wes's old team. Jal feared that their uncle was dead, or worse. Regardless of his opinion, he ordered their course to be set for the location of these mulos, and towards the artifact called the Heart of Dios; he could do no less for such a man as Wesley had been. He hoped to find something, anything, that would give them a hint of what had happened so many years ago, but dared not hold too much faith in finding answers. He sighed, and leaned out over the railing. Whatever they sought surely was no worse than some of their previous ventures. . .

Romani Draba

     Emotion Control: Superior

It was not quite a year ago that Wesley Nicabar had vanished, and Lilac had come close to leaving them as well. . . Jal sighed and shifted Lilac's weight to his other shoulder. His youngest sister, fallen victim to a poisoned dart, had been unconscious for nearly two hours now. She had been injured during their fight with the temple guardians, statues seemingly brought to life, and they retreated to the Esmeraldas. They had been trapped in the ship for a time, as the mulos had attacked fiercely. When the temple itself had mysteriously collapsed, off in the distance, their forces had finally begun to wane. Emily destroyed enough of the clay mulos for Jal to slip through, carrying Lilac. The girl desperately needed treatment, and Nano Wes, who alone among them was a healer, had not yet returned from wherever he was. Jal half-jogged down the dusty drom to the village, praying that a doctor there could help Li. He made it to the town at last, only to be met at the gate by the chieftain's right hand, who held up a hand to stop him. 'You are no longer allowed inside the gates.' Jal's eyes flashed. 'What is this? We have done nothing to you.' The man said sternly, 'You have brought ruin to us all, with your meddling. Surely you'd not claim to be unaware that the old temple is no longer? Your mad uncle has brought the deaths of fourteen of our people this day. The counsel has decided.' Jal was stricken, and he said hotly, 'We were not even near the temple when it collapsed! Wesley Nicabar is not tok andri sjeron, and you cannot say this was his doing.' Jal paused, as he came to realize his uncle was most likely killed in the temple's destruction. He continued more quietly, 'My phen Lilac Nicabar is sick; she was stricken by a poison dart of the temple guardians. We can do nothing for her, and without help she will likely die.' Jal looked into the eyes of the tribesman, exerting all the command he possessed. 'You would not wish the girl to die for lack of a doctor? She has done nothing.' The tribesman returned his gaze for a moment, then weakened. 'Very well. But only for her, and you must be gone by morning.' Jal nodded in relief as the man took Li from his arms. 'Nais tuke.'

Drukkeriben

     Telepathy: Supreme

After Wesley vanished, it became Jal's work to support their small group; he did as best he could, but there were always problems. . . Jal replied politely to the man sitting across from him. 'But I am not seeking your foros's gold. We only wish to explore the old catacombs; they belong to no man, and surely there is nothing of great value inside.' The man merely glared, but Jal sensed that while sceptical of the value of the mines, he wanted no outsiders in what had once been a burial ground for his people. Jal himself was not certain what secrets the old tombs held; he had found a reference to ancient weaponry hidden in its vaults, and there were people who would pay well for enchanted arms. Emily and Lilac had gone to shop for supplies, with what little coin they had left, while their eldest brother remained at the inn to search for information. Jal continued, 'Though I have heard that it can be dangerous inside, if one is unfamiliar with the traps.' The man opened his mouth, but closed it. There was a shift in his sense as he decided that it would perhaps be best if all the troublesome adventurers were lost in the catacombs forever. The woman next to him frowned. 'Boy, you're not going in there? It really is dangerous. Bunch of people have gone in and come out not quite the same. It's why we don't mess with it much. Not as though we need to; we get enough money from trade.' Jal smiled confidently at her, while in the back of his mind wondering what it was she had been lying about. 'Then truly no-one has entered the catacombs for years?' She shrugged. 'Not that I know of; no-one foolish enough to try.' She was lying again, very strongly so. The man next to him stalked off, and Jal smiled at the lady across the empty seat. 'Indeed, I have heard that the traps are there, but largely centred on the southeast side of the area.' She frowned. 'Who told you that?' He was, then, on the right track. She had gone there once, and seen the traps, but his direction was incorrect. 'Or was it northeast?' Jal felt her agreement as he spoke, but continued lightly. 'A man, a teller of the darane svature. He could not but mention the catacombs in his talk of the legends of your foros.' Jal rose gracefully and set a few coins on the counter. 'A pleasure to talk with you. Ashen Devlesa Romale,' he said, the traditional parting surprising the woman slightly, and taking her mind off of the catacombs. 'Nais tuke for the advice; the catacombs are not to be entered lightly.' The lady looked at Jal. 'Yeah, no problem.' Jal grinned as he walked out of the small inn; that, at least, had never kept them back.

Bavol Churi I

     Thrusting Attack: Standard

• Ranged Attack Only
• Ranged and Melee Attack

Providing had now and then had proven hard, though they always seemed to find something. At times, though, Jal had almost told himself the risks outweighed the advantages. . . Jal, Emily, and Lilac halted at the mouth of the cave. 'You're sure this is it?' Emily asked Jal. 'The caves look almost the same.' Jal said cautiously, 'I hope so; it needed enough research to last a seaman his journey across the bori lon pani. It does fit the records,' he added as he lit a torch and held it aloft. The cave extended in several directions. 'I didn't know it would be this big.' Lilac said, her voice echoing in the still. 'Arva, Li; the caverns extend for miles on end.' Jal handed Emily the torch and opened the large book he carried in his pack. 'Maybe we should look somewhere else?' Jal smiled at his youngest sister. 'Do not worry, Li. It will be no different from our other travels.' Lilac looked dubious, but said nothing more. Her brother leafed through the maps, and at length found the one he sought. He studied it in the weak light, as Emily waved the torch in the general direction of the gloom at the back of the cavern. 'We're looking for dwarven treasure, then?' Jal nodded. 'Arva, we are. If it is indeed here, it will be very difficult to find.' Li craned her neck to look at the map in their book. It was marked in a foreign language, but there were pictures indicating directions and objects. 'It looks as though it is to the west,' Jal told them. He put the book back, and ran his hand along the hilts of the daggers he carried in his belt. They themselves were dwarven work, bought long ago in a trade. 'There may yet be goblins in the caverns; the darane svatura say they left after slaying the last of the dwarves, but legends can be untrue. Be wary.' Emily snorted. 'The treasure part at least had better be.' Jal grinned, 'Aye, even so.' He lit another torch off the first, and set off for the western caverns.

Bavol Churi II

     Thrown Objects: Standard

They eventually found themselves in a large cavern filled with broken boxes and the shattered remains of furnishings. 'What are we looking for, Jal?' Lilac asked, staring wide-eyed at the debris. Jal leaned against the wall and brought out the book. 'I am not certain, but I believe there is a room hidden behind one of the cave walls. Which it is, I cannot say.' He looked up, and then back at the map. Emily held her torch up to the walls, revealing writing in the language of the map and large murals, mostly depicting dwarves at work. 'Know what this is?' Jal shook his head. 'I had not so much as seen the language before I found the book.' He fingered one of the pages and sighed. 'We will have to search for the opening, as I can find nothing in here.' Em nodded, and headed towards the far corner. Jal lit their third torch and handed it to Lilac. 'Be careful, phen. This place is very old, and perhaps dangerous. Touch nothing, but if you see something promising, call to me or to phen Emily.' Lilac nodded timidly and left to explore around the walls next to the cavern entrance. Jal began his search in the far corner, cautiously tapping walls and moving old boxes. He found a great quantity of small spiders, but no more, until he at last came to a pile of boards against the wall. He tried to push one of the boards aside, only to find them connected somehow. Working on a hunch, he forced the tip of one of his daggers between the boards and what seemed to be a chink in the stone. There was a slight click and the boards swung aside, exposing a dark, narrow tunnel. Jal raised his torch cautiously. A slight skittering noise came from inside, and Jal hesitated to enter. He stepped back, creating a small rush of pebbles. The noises increased, and Jal found himself sought upon by dozens of shiny, red eyes. He tried to move the boards back into position, but they had locked into place. Jal called out, 'Ware Emily, Lilac!' as he backed away from the cave. He drew a handful of daggers, and threw one into the ranks, hoping to frighten the creatures away. He hit one squarely between the eyes, as was usual for him. There was a flurry of movement, and then the beasts paused for a moment. Emily's voice came from the shadows, 'Jal! What's wrong?' The animals, roused by the noise, made a sudden rush for the door. 'I have loosed something, I know not what-' his voice cut off abruptly as the beasts reached him.

Bavol Churi III

     Sword Master: Superior

Jal backed against the wall, brandishing his torch in one hand and a dagger in the other. The beasts swarmed against him, bats and rodents, all twice their normal size and in a fury. Emily appeared on the other side of the animals. 'Can you keep them off till I get through?' she called, trying to clear a path through the beasts, setting upon them with her wrench and knocking out several. Jal choked out, 'The caverns are surely cast under an amriya; no normal animal attacks that way. Best act quickly. . . Where is Li?' Jal threw his torch away; the beasts seem to have no fear of being burned. He held a dagger in each hand, and fought to keep them off his skin. He was bleeding from several bites and scratches in minutes, despite the skills he had learned in the kumpania, and Emily fared a bit better but made little headway. Emily just shrugged, and tried to hold back the beasts. From behind them, Lilac's voice came urgently, 'Jal, I don't want to hurt you! Can you move away from the monsters?' Jal said roughly, in his relief that she was indeed safe, 'Be careful, Li! I cannot move for the beasts; I can barely hold out against them as is.' He bit his lip as a rat tore into his sleeve. There was a sudden whirlwind above, and the bats were slammed against the wall. It distracted the rats for a moment, and Jal had a sudden idea. Emily was in a recess of the cave wall; she would be protected. Jal called out, 'Phen Li, where are you exactly?' He edged back beneath an overhang in the wall. 'I'm up here,' she called back from the projection over him, her voice barely heard above the wind. Jal nodded decisively as the rats attacked again at full strength, the whirlwind having dissipated. 'The rocks on the ledge, you see them?' he called. 'I do,' her voice came back. 'Good; Emily, stay back as far as possible. Lilac, you must blow them over the edge, onto the beasts below.' Lilac's eyes widened, but she obeyed her brother. There was a thundering rumble as the rocks tumbled down. Before even the dust cleared, Jal slipped along the side of the wall, out from the centre of the beasts. Most had been killed or injured by the rocks, and he could at last force his way through. Emily grabbed his arm once he reached her, and dragged him up to the entrance, where Lilac waited nervously. 'Jal, Emily!' she said, glad they were unharmed. 'Let's go, Li,' Emily said, taking Lilac's hand in her free one as the beasts below began to chitter. 'Mulos, undead beasts,' Jal muttered as he led them out of the caves. Later that day, as Jal bathed his injuries on board the Esmeraldas, Emily grumbled about their lack of success. Lilac timidly came into the main room, carrying something rapped in cloth. 'I found this while I was searching,' she said quietly, 'but I didn't have time to say anything.' She handed it to Emily, who carefully unwrapped it. Jal watched as she drew out the object inside. He grinned suddenly. 'Congratulations, Lilac; that, if I am not mistaken, is the legendary sceptre of the dwarven royalty.' She looked up at her brother, and he nodded. 'It is extremely valuable.' Emily beamed. 'Nice going, Li!'