Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20151228164805/@comment-5543592-20151229035707

7 months ago…

“He’s one of our best soldiers, sir.”   Elder Atticus Collins informed his distinguished guest. The two moved along the bunker. Collins was a large man, just a bit over 6’, and stocky. He’d once had an impressive warrior’s body, although age had caused his muscles to sag and for the definition to peter out of them.

“He was recruited two decades back, before I was even Elder. He’s never stepped out of line once and has become an icon for the other tribals in our ranks. I don’t know why you’d want to talk to him.”

“That’s my business. What’s his name?”

“Dix.”

The guest raised a brow.

“All their names are like that.”      Collins explained. “And don’t make fun of how he speaks.” He added sternly.

“Jesus…”   The guest muttered, as they came to a stop outside Paladin Dix’s room. Collins came to a stop to the doors side, and nodded at the portal. The Boss grunted, before stepping past the Elder and pushing the steel door open, entering the room.

The room was sparsely furnished- a locker, a bed, a desk, a chair, and a table for weapons. A man sat on the bed, his hands together between spread knees. His body was decorated with piercing and tattoos, probably memorials for battles or kills, or something stupid like that.

The Boss put his hands on his hips, his duster swishing, and light showing faintly on his rough, red-fleshed face, as the door closed behind him.

“Paladin Dix?”   Hades asked.

Dix looked up at the man. “Yes?”   He pronounced his “S’s” with a distinct sibilant noise, as if he were hissing them. It was a lisp that all Beastlords had.

“I got some questions for you.”   The Boss said, taking the desk chair, and pulling it over.

“Of course.”   Dix said, nodding. “What do you want to know?”

The Boss was quiet for a moment, as if considering, before asking, “How old are you?”

Dix blinked in surprise, taken aback by the question.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Forty-six.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“And both your parents are dead?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Dix was even more surprised by this one. “Yes. My father died when I was very young, of disease.   My mother five years ago.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“What can you about your people’s homeland?”   He was trying to sound respectful and not call it a ‘dingy cave.’   He’d already explored it himself and found, well, jack shit. “Mardin.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Dix frowned, but answered. “It is a cave system. It was chosen because it was defensible, and remained our tribal grounds do to the fact that it granted us our abilities.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes.”   The Boss began, “Tell me about those, your abilities.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Dix shrugged. They weren’t secretive. Brotherhood Scribes had documented such things long ago, and his people were happy to give up information to their new clan. Even though it had been the Brotherhood who had invaded and crushed the Beastlord Empire, they had in fact saved them from a slow death by genetic inbreeding and decisions made by foolish leadership. Now Beastlords lived freely among society, only their youths sent to Mordin so that they would be able to gain their abilities.

<p class="MsoNormal">That was what the Boss wanted to know- why a person with only Beastlord blood could gain a Beastlord’s abilities from radiation, and everyone else who tried was met with a painful death by sickness. He’d assumed a mutation, but such a thing, well, it’d be impossible. The amount of radiation in Mordin would’ve wiped out any population that tried to settle there, even the original Beastlords, before they’d been more than just normal men and women.

<p class="MsoNormal">The numerous military bunkers scattered around the area hinted at something, and the Boss was beginning to get a clue.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I can speak to animals.”   Dix said. “With my mind. I feel their thoughts, and they mine. They listen to me, recognize my strength and power, and become mine to command.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Boss wanted to scoff, but held it in. He couldn't afford alienating Dix. But what the man said was tribal superstition. Science didn’t have a more cohesive explanation, the idea of mind control with psychic powers dumbfounded the Brotherhood Scribes, and so the Boss was trying to figure that out himself. How did one get and use such abilities? He knew of other such beings- the Master himself had been one of them. The most powerful creature to ever wield such powers, probably.

<p class="MsoNormal">But the Boss’ interest in this went far beyond simple curiosity. He wanted to understand everything behind it. How something so impossible could work so flawlessly and with such precision.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What do you feel when you, uh, speak to them… with your mind?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Dix smiled dreamily. “I feel a sense of warmth, like I’ve just gotten in a hot shower after a cool day. The sensation is always familiar. I feel like I have never been without it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I bet.”   The Boss muttered dryly and condescendingly, but Dix didn’t notice. “Have your abilities had any negative effects on you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No.”   Dix said. “Although…”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Boss canted his head.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It just isn’t the case for others. I have known people who overused their gift, and it drove them mad.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Boss nodded. Good. That was in line with what he’d heard. He may have be annoying superstitious, but at least Dix was smart and knew what he was talking about.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s all.”   The Boss said abruptly, rising to his feet.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Of course, sir.”   Paladin Dix said, rising as well. He extended his hand, which the Boss took. “It is an honor to meet you. When Elder Collins said who you were…”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Boss nodded, looking away. “Just don’t let it go to your head, kid.”   Hades said, addressing the middle-aged man as so.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dix nodded, stepping back, and the Boss departed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Collins was leaning against the wall outside with his arms crossed and head bowed. He looked up as the Boss exited Dix’s room.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Did you find what you were looking for?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The Boss nodded. “I did. Now, let’s talk about your son.”