Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

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Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:13 am

(Despite the fact that it is totally finished by now, I'll be posting her backstory in separate episodes because it's really too damn long to fit in one post.

So, post one begins it.)

To ask about Tassi's childhood is to invite a story much longer than it has any right to be. She lived a full adult life before she was born to the Wells family in Baron. In her previous life, she was a happily married woman with a son who was only a boy when she died. She died along with most of her town after a gruesome disease spread through the population. It was immediately assumed to have been caused by demons, as a disease like the slimy doom doesn't just happen. The last thing she saw before she died was her husband lying next to her in the sickroom. He was dying and she must have been as well because the next thing she remembers was warmth… darkness… There was no time, no action or thought. Just existing. Later there was sound, but it was muddled, distant… alien.

She had to learn how to move all over again. This body was small and seemed to belong to someone else. She didn't realize where she was until she noted that she was connected to her surroundings. Next was fear. If she was where she thought she was, she would soon be born. It consumed her developing mind. Birth. Pain. Fear.

The time came, and it was worse than even she had imagined. She was crushed out by her universe, bent and flattened and drawn out into a light so bright she was sure it alone would kill her.

She saw her mother and finally understood. Later her parents would tell her she looked at the world not with a baby's fresh sight, but like there was nothing left in it to learn. She knew it was all happening again. She had another chance, but she didn't know if she wanted it. Not like this.

Their daughter had just been born, and she already looked like nothing could possibly surprise her. She'd seen it all before.

This impression would be borne out by her first efforts at speech. There was almost no childlike babbling, but rather the beginnings of very simple words. She could respond to some speech. She knew, for instance, when she was being directly addressed or discussed. She could not respond for a while, however. One night her father was telling the child a story about a griffon who flew away with the sun. She looked at him and asked, "How." He dropped his book and ran for her mother. When they returned she was sitting in her doorway waiting.

"Tassi dear. What did you tell Daddy?"

She shook her head.

"She asked me how."

"How!" Tassi repeated, making a circle in the air with one hand and gliding one hand over it. I knew this would happen, she thought. Now they'll never leave me alone. Time to grow up already.

After that as her coordination became more developed, she talked to her parents more and more. They began to be disturbed by this child who spoke to them like a tiny high-voiced adult in an accent they'd never heard, but a Rivan could have identified instantly. Her parents, lacking the experience to deal with such a child, called a cleric named Sehaz to advise them. They hoped the King of the Seas might be able to offer them aid for their strange little girl.

Tassi allowed herself to be lifted and spoken to by the priest. He asked her name and she replied, "Tassi Abigail Wells." He asked her who her parents were. "Elizabeth and Jonathan Wells." When asked for her age, she hesitated.

"Two, Tassi," her mother offered. "You're two."

Tassi glanced at her mother doubtfully before turning to the priest. As they looked into each other's eyes he slowly extended his arms and handed Tassi to her father.

"I dare not touch this child any further. She has been claimed by another. I have been sworn to Leviathan. This child--" he pointed at her. "--belongs to Ishtar. If you'll excuse me. Sir, ma'am. Tassi." With that he left.

That's when Tassi stopped seeing other children. Or the neighbors, or her extended family. She never questioned her parents about what they'd been told and over the years her parents almost forgot how frightening their daughter had been to them. Never mind that she didn't resemble either parent. She outgrew her Rivan accent and picked up her parents' way of speaking.

Without that constant reminder of Tassi's strangeness she was even allowed to go to school eventually. She enjoyed the simplicity and innocence of the other children as well as the encouragement of the teachers. Her parents were always leery of her, but all teachers saw was a bright, charming little girl. It was her teacher that she confided in at the age of ten when she received her first vision. <p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kai@rpgww60462>Kai</A]&nbsp; Image at: 3/18/06 1:17

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:14 am

She arrived at a shrine to her goddess for the first time a few weeks later. She stood holding her few belongings as she waited for the head priest to arrive.

When he entered, he spoke directly to Tassi. "Your parents said they had sent you to us. We expected you sooner. Why were you tardy in coming here?"

"My apologies. I was delayed. I requested of my guardian that we escort a child back to his village.

Sehaz, her guardian, spoke on her behalf. "With all due respect, a cleric of your tradition should understand one thing above all else: service to others."

The man was inwardly pleased, but inquired pointedly, "A child? With all due respect, you travel with a child. Who is she to guide others?"

Tassi stepped in front of her adult companion. "I am the chosen of our goddess. There was no mistaking the meaning of my vision. A great circle of light spreading over all that is, purifying it. I was at the center of my vision, the center of that light. It and I were one." She pointed at him to emphasize her words and he leaned backward repressing a smile. "I know why I am here. If you will not help me you shame your goddess and you shame yourself!"

He smiled broadly and knelt before this angry child with the eyes of a woman. "My name is Farrian." He took her face in his hands. "Welcome, child. You're home."

Sehaz left the next day. "I have done my duty and it's time for you to do yours. You know you're ready. You were ready the day I met you."

"Goodbye Sehaz. When I return you'll be the first to know." <p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:15 am

Farrian started her with simple tasks like gathering herbs. When they moved on to magic, he discovered a student with remarkable talent but unusual limitations. No matter how she tried she was unable to learn some of the spells. Any spell not directly related to healing was beyond her ability. Tassi, it seemed, was not meant to be a cleric of Ishtar. She was destined to be a healer. For the magic she could not learn from him, Farrian sent her to mages and clerics with different lessons to offer.

She stayed with Farrian's shrine for years as she continued her training and service there. When she was twelve she was judged ready to handle healing responsibilities normally reserved for adults. Many patients laughed, or demanded to see a real cleric. Others were simply glad for her help. Some of the more accident-prone repeat patients got to know Tassi and helped give the apprentice healer a good reputation. Her gentleness and dedication won over even skeptical visiting priests.

She got in trouble with Farrian about once a month for sneaking out in the afternoon to heal locals who couldn't afford the minimum donations. Farrian didn't know where she was going until he started keeping track of her prepared spells. Every time she came back she was a bit tired and a few spells short.

"Tassi, you can't keep doing this. I understand that you want to help them, but if we can't maintain this shrine we will not be able to help any of them!"

"Why not? Don't look at me like I don't understand. Maintaining the shrine is one thing, but I refuse to believe we can't heal anyone if we can't put candles in solid gold candlesticks!"

Farrian sighed. "We've had this discussion before. If you were any other thirteen-year-old girl it would be different but you and I both know the rules. No one will come to the shrine if you're out there providing the same services on your own."

"Fine," she said. "I understand."

"No. You intentions are good but I don't think you do."

It was Tassi's turn to sigh. "Farrian, there are wounded in the shrine. We're wasting time arguing about his. If you'll excuse me." She walked past him through the door to greet the supplicants. Farrian let her go. <p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:16 am

"Come on, Tassi. My little shrine maiden, come with me."

"No, Isaiah. I have obligations here. Responsibilities."

"Oh, duty, rules, obligations. When do you get a chance to have a good time? I can't stand the idea of you spending the rest of your life taking care of complete strangers who will never appreciate you! They're using you, Farrian's using you!"

"Enough, Isaiah."

"Look, I- I'm sorry. Just think of it. You and me. Come with me, Tassi."

"I understand that you can't stay here. We can't shelter you any more than anyone else. I don't blame you for what you did, but I can't go with you." She took his hands in hers and sat down, drawing him down next to her. "You don't have to worry about anyone here telling them where you've gone. Farrian doesn't know anything and you know I'd never lead them to you."

He pulled his hands back and covered his face with them. "Maybe I don't have to go. They might understand. He was drunk, and it was self-defense--"

"But he was a member of the city guard. His family owns everything in this town. You know as well as I do that you can't stay."

"I'm so sorry, Tassi. They're going to come here and ask you all sorts of questions and I don't want you to have to lie for me."

"I will. They're corrupt and it doesn't matter."

"If they don't matter then why won't you come with me? Why do you have to stay here to help them?"

"Isaiah, you know why. It's not time for me to leave. Besides, what would people say if they saw a ragged elf, a fugitive from the law, trailing a fifteen-year-old girl along with him?" She laughed. "They'd probably assume I was a hostage no matter what we said."

That got a little smile out of him. "Then we'd just tell them you're really a grown woman in a teenaged girl's body and I'm sure that everyone would believe us."

She kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You see? They wouldn't believe anything we said. They'd assume you were a criminal who had a liking for naïve young girls." They both laughed, and he wrapped his arms around her.

He rested his face against her shoulder and his voice was quiet… resigned. "Tassi, you know I can't come back."

"I know. It's all right. Take good care of yourself."

"You too, Tassi."


(Believe it or not, this isn't even close to all of it. However! This is enough to start. I'll post more when it occurs to me to do so. Maybe in a couple of days.) <p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:42 pm

When Farrian told Tassi her training was completed, she was nineteen years old. With a promise to Farrian that she would keep in touch, her first destination was home. She had little notion of her parents as family,but they were good people who were genuinely supportive of her in their own bland and confused manner. After a brief visit with her parents,she found her way to a temple of Leviathan.

She stepped through the door and was politely greeted by a familiar man. His short-cropped hair was a mix of black and grey, going slightly whiter at the temples.

"Hello. Is there something I can help you with, miss?" She shook her head and gestured that he should continue setting up his altar. He raised an eyebrow at her unexplained presence but lit the last few candles before turning to her again. He held out a hand as if insisting on the propriety of an introduction. "I'm sorry I don't believe..." He trailed off as she took his hand."My god. Tassi?"

She nodded. "Hello, Sehaz."

A broad smile spread across his face. "How nice to finally hear that voice coming from a young lady. Farrian has told me you've done quite well in your studies."

"You've been talking to Farrian?" she asked, amused.

"I have. But tell me, have you come to stay or is this just a visit?"

Tassi sat down on a stretcher."Quite frankly I think I might be more helpful elsewhere. I was considering Riva."

Sehaz was taken aback. "Riva? Any particular reason?"

"I think it's where I lived. Before I was born to John and Elizabeth. I remember things. I remember a husband, a son. I had a life there."

"Do you think it will be the same? That everyone you know has been waiting for you to return?"

"You know that isn't true. I'm just testing my memory. I don't actually know who or where they might be. I haven't the faintest idea how long ago it was or if someone who knows me would even recognize me."

He nodded. "Well, good luck. You'll be in my prayers. You said you had a son, Tassi?" She dropped her eyes and nodded. "Do you think he might still be living there?"

"He might not have survived the epidemic. Even if he did I have no way of finding him. I don't even know his name."

"But the last time we spoke you said that you remembered it all."

"Not everything, Sehaz. Not by far. I remember images, feelings, places, but it's as if every specific detail has been wiped away. There are no names, no specific geography. Even the faces of my family are usually beyond my reach."

Sehaz sat on the stretcher across from hers. "I'm sorry."

Tassi brightened a little and shook her head. "Don't be sorry. It isn't your fault and I'm certain there's a reason for it. Perhaps Ishtar is reminding me that I have a job to do. I can't preoccupy myself with the past without compromising my duties now."

Sehaz laughed. "You duties. You really haven't changed a bit, have you?"

"Well, you know how it is. I'm old and very set in my ways," she said with a smile.
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:43 pm

It took Tassi a long time to reach Riva, nearly a year. This was mostly a result of her stopping along the way for a week or more to stay with local families. She offered her services as a healer in return for a roof over her head and whatever meals were available. She found her childhood accent returned to her as naturally as breathing the longershe stayed with the Rivans. She also rediscovered a love for Rivan whiskey.

There were times when Tassi felt more at home than she ever had. The people she met were more like her than she could have predicted,and this became more apparent as the accented speech she'd learned from her parents began to fade. She was just another woman passing through. To be a welcome stranger was better than feeling foreign everywhere she went.

For the most part Tassi worked well with the temples she found along the way. She'd pitch in when she could, mixing potions or assisting with basic blessings. Sometimes she stayed in the temple itself, but more often she took up temporary residence with whoever had an extra room in town.

One night as Tassi was was walking home from the temple with the owner of her current residence. There had been some strange attacks in the area, so people were discouraged from travelling alone. They were surprised on the way home by the source of these attacks, and they found themselves confronted by some form of incorporeal undead. Later Tassi learned that it was probably a wight. Her companion was, if possible, less-suited for a fight than Tassi herself,but Tassi was unsure of an appropriate course of action. She was forbidden by her goddess to kill, even in self-defense. At the same time, her adversary could hardly be classified as alive in the first place.

Tassi's decision was made for her when it became clear that she and the elderly woman at her side would certainly die if Tassi didn't do something about it. She cast a spell to heal herself and her friend. Unsure of the consequences, Tassi did not intentionally target the creature. Unfortunately for the wight, it wandered into the range of her spell and was sadly destroyed.

Tassi didn't realize what she'd done until they were most of the way home. She said a brief goodnight to her still-shaken host and hurried to the room she'd been given to consider the implications of what she'd done.

It was Tassi's fear that by killing the wight she had violated the role she'd been given by her goddess. It was her place to preserve life, not to destroy or kill. What did this mean? She had been given a great gift by Ishtar, something few people ever got: a new life. All Tassi was supposed to give in return was as much a service to those around her as it was to Ishtar. Tassi herself was supposed to live as an example to others, but were her hands still clean? Was she a hypocrite for what she'd done, or could it possibly be some kind of forgivable sin?

Tassi had acted without thinking, but as much as the consequences worried her, she could not bring herself to regret her decision. She had acted to protect a friend from a creature that was a disgrace to the term 'life.' Even by her own exacting standards she found the act difficult to condemn. The wight had been killing people, ending innocent lives for no apparent reason. It was an abomination, its very existence an offense to everything Ishtar stood for in Tassi's mind.

That gave her a moment to pause in her prayers. Her childhood vision hadn't merely shown her healing people. It was a command that she purify the world, using the powers given to her for just that purpose.

Was it possible that she had not erred in Ishtar's eyes? She was charged with protecting life but perhaps undead simply didn't count. After all, her abilities were designed to heal the living. Even if she was intended to preserve undead-- which she was beginning to doubt-- Tassi wasn't sure if she could even do it.

Tassi found herself with what felt like an impossible decision to make. On the one hand, she was clearly expected to preserve the sanctity and quality of sentient life, and some undead were sentient. On the other hand, even if they were sentient, were they really alive? If she coldn't help them because they were a perversion of life, was she obligated by her faith to protect them at the cost of her own life or the lives of others? It didn't seem right.

Tassi deliberated late into the night, weighing her decision against what she knew of her mission from Ishtar herself. Her hand moved to the small of her back. She couldn't feel it on her skin, but she could see in her mind the elaborate and densely patterned circle from her vision. The ochre-colored tattoo on her skin was the physical mark of her covenant with her goddess. Tassi had gotten it when she finished her training. It was a permanent reminder of the importance of her task. If she failed in her convictions, who would step up?

She needed an answer. She needed to know if her judgement on this was correct. She pulled her robe from the end of her bed and stepped quietly out the door into the backyard. As she put on her robe a breeze began to sift through the trees at the edge of the yard. The thin material of her robe didn't offer much warmth, and was really only designed to cover her nightgown. Tassi watched the leaves shifting in the wind. She listened to the shufflings of nocturnal animals beyond the treeline. She stared into the sky in her unease and prayed for a sign. A sign that she had not rashly broken her vows and forsaken the gifts of her goddess. It was a very real possibility that such a grave violation of her oath would result in a permanent loss of the gifts of her goddess: her powers and possibly even her life.

As she looked up at the stars, she was amazed at the sheer number of them. Her eyes followed the path of a comet, burning white as it fell. She watched the star and her vision abruptly went dark.

"Has she violated our agreement?" asked the voice of a woman.

"We agreed she wouldn't kill anyone," answered a man.

"We did. You are aware, as I am, of what she has done."

"Well, sure. But think about it. No sense in getting all bent out of shape just because she's doing away with things that aren't even alive."

"That was my opinion as well."

"Yeah. Tell her she's fine."

Tassi covered her eyes with her hands and when she lowered them she was standing at the edge of her bed with her robe over one arm. Her door was still locked. She dropped the robe back on her bed and sat down.

She crawled into bed and prayed until she fell asleep. Tassi had her answer.
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:44 pm

After that, Tassi seldom stayed in one place for long unless she felt the local people required her assistance for a protracted period of time. In the course of her travels, she came across a Celestial being attacked by a lich in green robes. As she watched, the Celestial was paralyzed by his undead opponent. She was unsure about the particulars of the situation, but Tassi didn't need details. An angel was fighting an undead spell caster. Tassi ran to the Celestial's side and removed the paralysis. She did not directly involve herself in the fight, but she used area healing spells to keep both of them alive until the lich could be defeated, doing significant harm to the lich before he realized she was a threat.

"Why are you here?" asked the Celestial. "It is not for mortals to involve themselves in the affairs of my race."

She looked at him quizzically, then spoke to him in Celestial. "I see. But more importantly, Tassi Wells at your service. I do believe we ought to be properly introduced before we get to the part where you put me in my place."

He took her outstretched hand and replied, "Sebastian. My apologies for my rudeness to a stranger who chose to aid me."

"Don't give it a second thought. At the risk of becoming too involved in the affairs of your race, what exactly was going on? I've been through this area before and I don't believe I've seen either you or that here previously."

"I am afraid that, while I am not inclined toward secrecy I am not free to discuss many of the details of this situation. Suffice it to say, you have saved me a great deal of trouble. I still must destroy the last of him, but I shall not require any assistance for that."

"Is that what you said before you fought him this time?"

He smiled slightly. "I assure you. It is far from necessary for you to concern yourself any further."

"All right then. Just remember that I really have no life and nothing better to do, so if you find yourself needing an extra set of healing spells…"

"You will be contacted." And with that, Sebastian flew away, presumably to destroy the phylactery of whatever lich had been causing such a problem.

Now that was odd, Tassi thought. I suppose if he needs me he can find me. <p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kai@rpgww60462>Kai</A]&nbsp; Image at: 3/18/06 21:45

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:45 pm

A week later Tassi woke up in a peasant's spare room to find a Celestial watching her sleep. He was standing patiently in a corner of the room.

"What-- I beg your pardon! How in the hell did you get in here? Do I know you?"

He replied, "Tassi Wells. You offered your assistance to one named Sebastian. I have come to ask you to honor that promise."

"I'm not even going to ask what's going on because I know you won't tell me. Do we need to leave right now?" He nodded. "Fine, then. Let me put something on at least." With that, Tassi covered her barely-opaque nightgown with a white cotton robe. She put her normal clothing into her backpack and packed the few things she had taken out over the past couple of days. "There. No time for real clothing, but I'm decent enough for a meeting with the Celestial host, I suppose. If you don't mind then I don't mind."

"Your clothing is irrelevant. We should be going." He laid a hand on her shoulder and in a wash of light shifted them both to a small garden in the Celestial plane.

Tassi's escort simply walked away. Sebastian was the first to greet her. "Miss Wells. We require the assistance of one native to the material plane. The enemy we face would not be a cause for outside assistance were it not for the fact that he can banish extraplanar beings to their home planes." He let slip a very small smile and told her confidentially, "It is difficult to secure an impressive victory if your adversary is forever sending you straight home."

She laughed. "I see. I'm not certain how I may be of assistance to you. I can't keep you on the material plane… at least, not by any means I am aware of."

"That is unnecessary. As a healer you are well-suited to fight undead. It was a lich you fought before, and it is the very same lich you will fight now. I know where he keeps his phylactery, but was unable to destroy it in time after our last meeting."

"All right. So, I am to provide a distraction, preventing him from banishing you. What do I do if he does manage to get you out of the way?"

"You fight him."

"I fight him. That sounds like an excellent plan." She repressed an urge to roll her eyes. "Well, I can't imagine that you're trying to get me killed, but forgive me if your courage in the face of my death is less than contagious."

"No permanent harm will come to you. Those here who know something of my plan believe that I am somewhat of a busybody for even getting involved, but it is my choice and they choose to ignore it." He paused, examining her carefully. "If you are afraid I can always find another mortal to assist me."

"Oh, filth. I didn't allow myself to be brought all the way here in the dark hours of the morning in my nightgown just to let you down. I'll help you."

"It seemed likely that you would. We leave in two hours."
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kai@rpgww60462>Kai</A]&nbsp; Image at: 3/18/06 21:48

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:46 pm

The two hours were spent locating armor for Tassi. Sebastian found her a suit of scale mail made from the hide of a white dragon. Tassi was initially a little uneasy, but Sebastian knew the angel who had slain this dragon. Though sentient, the creature had more or less lost its mind long before it was killed. Her friend insisted, and Tassi relented.

When he felt certain that his fragile mortal companion had some protection, Sebastian wrapped a wing around her shoulder. He teleported them to a dry riverbank with a near-dead willow tree overhanging it. He swept aside the withered branches to reveal a darkened cave. They walked in there a ways before finding the diverted river. The water stank and tied to a dock was a single canoe, presumably for use either by the lich or his servants.

Sebastian dimmed his natural glow until the banks were totally dark along both shores. For a few brief seconds his grey eyes shone silver and were reflected in sparkling fragments by the surface of the water. Eventually they too went dark and Tassi was forced to trust in her companion's superior eyesight.
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kai@rpgww60462>Kai</A]&nbsp; Image at: 3/18/06 21:49

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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:47 pm

Sebastian rowed for many long minutes in total darkness. He hesitated in his rhythm as if momentarily distraged. Tassi asked him what was wrong and he warned her he was going to light the area. There was some need for stealth, so Tassi didn't inquire further. He rowed the canoe to shore and helped Tassi out in the dark.

The angel lit the cavern to reveal a drow hanging on the wall. He had been crucified on two lengths of wood that were leaning against the stone to form a giant 'X' in the shadows. The two had no way of knowing what he had done to so displease the lich, but it must have been relatively aggravating.

Tassi rushed over and found that the drow was still alive. She waved Sebastian over and he pulled the structure down to the floor. Tassi bent to look over the man, and found that he was hovering on the edge of consciousness. He couldn't have been up there very long. Tassi pulled some of her tools out of her bag and did her best to extract her patient's wrists and ankles from the nails. She knew she had to conserve her power, but she healed him as much as she dared. She bandaged his limbs and gestured to Sebastian to lift the man and place him in the canoe to wait for them.

Tassi left a couple of potions for whenever the drow woke fully and the two continued on foot. The only sound was their footsteps. They entered an enormous cavern where they could hear the river. It was easy to forget from the sound of the water how foul it was up close. At the far end of the cavern, Tassi and Sebastian were reminded when an aboleth rose out of the water at the far end of the room. The giant mucus-covered fish was no match for Sebastian, who brought out his flail and began bludgeoning it to death enthusiastically.

Tassi took a step forward to make sure Sebastian didn't get hurt. Before Tassi could reach him, a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her back. Before she could get free, death energy leeched from the figure into her body. For a moment she couldn't see or hear, and the only thing supporting her was a pair of withered arms. They hadn't found the lich. He had found them.

Sebastian turned as the aboleth fell back beneath the surface of the water. When Sebastian saw his enemy had Tassi, he drew a javelin from its mounting between his wings. The glow from his body spread down the weapon's shaft as Sebastian pointed it at the undead wizard. "Do that again, violate her but one more time, and I will grind you into splinters like the reanimated desiccated husk of a cockroach that you are."

The wizard scoffed at Sebastian's insult. "Desiccated? You would do well to--" His sentence dropped off as Tassi began gathering positive energy to herself. Since he had no way of knowing for whom the spell was intended, he made the safe choice and tossed the healer aside. Tassi directed the healing magic into herself, and Sebastian took the opportunity to throw his javelin into the lich. The wizard screamed as he was covered in white light.

It seemed that the lich didn't remember Tassi, but she jogged his memory by sending holy energy his way. He grinned at her, but rather than attack her directly he turned and cast a spell on Sebastian.

Sebastian's expression grew confused, as if he was suddenly unsure what to do. Deciding apparently at random, he swung his flail around over his head, finally bringing the weapon crashing down into Tassi. The force of it knocked her into the wall, where she left a smear of blood on the stone.

Ignoring her own wounds for the moment, Tassi had to address the ally attacking her. Tassi shoved off of the wall and reached out to touch Sebastian's arm. She forced a spell over him that would clear his mind and hopefully help him focus on the more pressing target at hand.

Sebastian shook his head and turned to face the wizard. The lich, seeing that Sebastian was in his right mind again, cast a spell to send the angel back to his native plane. Sebastian blinked out, leaving nothing behind to suggest he'd been there at all.
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kai@rpgww60462>Kai</A]&nbsp; Image at: 3/18/06 21:49

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Kai
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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:50 pm

Tassi and the wizard were alone. She had a choice between healing herself and attacking her enemy in Sebastian's stead. The choice wasn't a hard one, though. She was there to keep the lich occupied, and occupy him she would. Tassi tensed and threw herself bodily onto the lich. Holding him by his withered shoulders, Tassi began filling him with the holy energy that was so poisonous to his kind.

A grin spread over his skeletal face at having her so close. As his dried lips pulled back from his teeth in a sneer, he reached up and grabbed her jaw. No less skilled with unholy magic than Tassi was with its opposite, the wizard used it to begin drawing the life out of her and into himself.

As the chill of death energy blasted through her neck and down her body, Tassi's grip loosened slightly. She closed her eyes and screamed, her pain and hatred and disgust carrying the sound out into the air. Her hands tightened and she attacked him again, pumping divine power into his body and degrading the bonds that held his evil essence to this plane. The undead wizard enjoyed repaying Tassi's efforts by raking over her aura with negative energy, and saw it as a fitting course of action once again.

Sebastian returned in time to see Tassi hit the ground, having been tossed aside by the lich. A short sigh of relief passed his lips as Tassi stirred to brace herself up on one arm. She wasn't strong enough to stand, but she was alive and conscious when some would not be. As long as Tassi was conscious, there was a good chance she could be left to take care of herself. Sure enough, Tassi held a hand to her throat, sending holy magic through her body to repair what damage she could.

Sebastian flared his wings in anger and he used them to lift himself up off the ground. Swinging his flail in a circle he brought it up under the wizard's arm, tearing it off at the shoulder. With one more swing he caved in the side of the wizard's skull. The body of the lich fell to the stone floor, and would require considerable repair before it would be any good to him again.

There was no time to waste before the lich managed to repair himself. Tassi followed Sebastian along the water's edge past the corpse of the aboleth. The mucus-covered tentacles had left trails of slime on the rock in the aquatic monster's death throes. Tassi carefully stepped over one such appendage and looked up at Sebastian. "May I assume you know what we're looking for?"

Sebastian nodded. "His phylactery is in the form of a small statue. It is a carving of a dragon that he has hidden on his property. I believe it to be in his garden."

"He has a garden?"

"It's dead. I do not actually know why he maintains a garden full of dried and withered plants. Perhaps to a lich the sight of colorful blossoms and lush foliage is... depressing."

Tassi smiled as Sebastian motioned her to a halt. "Yes. I suppose that must be truly terrible."

Sebastian ran his hand over a large rock forming the cornermark of what had probably once been a delicately landscaped flower bed. The dirt beneath the rock was soft and moist,not hardpacked like much of the surrounding soil. Tassi watched as Sebastian sifted through the soil with his fingertips. His hand emerged with a fistful of dirt. The Celestial opened his hand and allowed the dirt to fall away. What remained was a dragon carved in polished white stone. Tassi could tell the moment she saw it that it was saturated with evil.

"Sebastian, it--"

"I know." Sebastian laid the statue on the pathway and raised his flail to strike. He was interrupted by the creak of a bow and he turned to see the drow they had found before. The recently crucified elf fired, and the arrow flew directly for Tassi. Sebastian threw open one wing and caught the arrow before it could strike the healer. The projectile embedded itself deep in the flesh of Sebastian's upper wing, staining the feathers below it with blood.

"Go back to the caves where you belong," Sebastian snarled. "Or I'll put you back where we found you." Sebastian stood next to Tassi, one wing hanging open and bleeding. He reached over to tear the arrow out and tossed it on the cobblestone pathway next to the dragon. Tassi stepped forward, noting the unimpeded flow of blood from the Celestial's injury. She reached out with one hand, releasing holy energy to stop the bleeding and close the wound. The drow looked from one to the other of them and muttered something in his own language.

"Your master is dead," Tassi said. "If you wish to join him I will not save you again."

As if to emphasize Tassi's point, Sebastian brought his weapon crashing down on the phylactery. The initial shower of dust was overtaken by a backlash of death energy that swept over the garden. The drow's eyes widened in fear as the wave receded.

"Your master is dust," Tassi said.

Sebastian nodded and folded his bloodied wing around her shoulders. "Nothing more than that. We will leave you to decide if he still deserves your loyalty. You will see me again," the angel finished. A moment later and they were gone, back on the Celestial plane.

"Tassi," he began. "If you will remain a while, we are not finished yet." Tassi nodded.
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Kai
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Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:51 pm

Tassi's angelic comrade left her for more than an hour. In the meantime she walked by herself. No one bothered to address her or question her, and she did not bother speaking with anyone else. Tassi decided that while this plane was beautiful to look at, in her mind it would make a better painting than a vacation spot. Everything was too orderly and far too completely perfect.

When Sebastian returned, he had cleared the blood off his wing and maybe even brushed his hair for once. Tassi wondered briefly why he'd bothered to make himself so presentable. The questions in her mind multiplied when she noted that he was also carrying a small parcel wrapped in brown paper.

He handed her the parcel and interrupted her as she opened her mouth to ask what was going on. "Sorry I left you for so long. It was important that I see to this personally. There is nothing further for you to do here, so with your leave I will return you to your home."

Tassi glanced down at the package he'd given her and then back up to Sebastian. Apparently explanations would have to come later. The angel took them both back to Tassi's bedroom where his friend had initially found her several hours ago.

"My apologies for the rushed farewell. I still have much to do before the day is done." Sebastian gave a brief bow and didn't look hurried and busy so much as slightly embarassed.

"Well, I'll let you return to your work, then. I appreciate the opportunity to help out. Feel free to find me again if you need me."

"I may. Until then." Sebastian bowed again and vanished in a rather overdramatic spray of blue and gold light.

Tassi sat down on her bed and carefully pulled back the brown paper wrapping on the parcel she'd been given. Directly beneath the wrapping was a folded paper card. Tassi opened it and read the words written inside in a careful, flowing hand.

A token of gratitude and respect
between friends and fellow warriors.
Wear it proudly.
~Sebastian


Tassi smiled and set the card aside, curious to know what he had sent her home with. She thought initially that the parcel was full of feathers, and in a way she was correct. The feathers had been saturated with holy magic and crafted into some form of enchanted armor. "See to it personally?" Tassi asked the empty air. She smiled and her vision blurred a little with tears. "Oh, Sebastian they're yours aren't they?"

She slipped it on over her clothes and was surprised to find that the material shrank to fit her. It also took more or less the form she'd expected, suggesting that it was at least partly affected by the wearer's will. She ran a hand down her arm, enjoying the unfamiliar sensation of her own skin covered in soft feathers. She couldn't bring herself to take it off, like a child with a much-anticipated Ishmas present. When her current host opened her door to wake her for breakfast, he found Tassi curled up in bed still wearing Sebastian's gift.
<p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>

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Kai
Fighting the Iron Law of Oligarchy Since 2006
 
Posts: 2408
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:32 pm
Location: Indianapolis

Re: Tassi Abigail Wells: The Super Epic Backstory

Unread postby Kai » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:52 pm

It was a good long while before Sebastian found her again, but this time he did not come on his own behalf. An army of Celestial warriors was being deployed to Ka'thalar to spearhead an assault on the base of operations of a necromancer named Elaith Thenswick. Tassi could hardly sneak into the ranks of a Celestial army, but human mages were also being sent under the command of General Hakaril Silvar. Certain that the presence of one more healer wouldn't be a problem, especially since she wasn't asking to be placed on the royal payroll, Tassi became an informal member of a company under Silvar's command.

She kept a low profile as long as she could, not wanting to be a burden to the people she was trying to help. She went with them to Ka'thalar, and when it came time to hold off an army of animated undead, Tassi did everything she could to help. Very rapidly the soldiers learned to keep close to her. She was more than willing to heal anyone she could, and her holy magic helped the fighters cut their way through the ranks of undead.

Many of the people who fought by her side never left Ka'thalar, but in the end Thenswick was defeated through the combined efforts of Doman soldiers and mages, Celestials, drow reinforcements, and adventurers. Tassi returned with the Domans, but wasn't quite so wary of the military authorities now that the operation had concluded. She never spoke with them, but a couple of them caught her eye. A man named Darin Prentiss spent so much time alone that she was occasionally tempted to approach him. She always decided against it, and merely accompanied the group back to Doma.

Tassi still lives in Doma, sleeping in the temple where she works. She's beginning to see the attraction of the city and why people who come to Doma tend to stay. Tassi made many friends in Doma proper, including a talking duck named Vasquez. Perhaps the most odd acquaintance Tassi has made is a vampire named Jazz Tymisonn. Initially there was nothing but veiled hostility between the two women, but Tassi found herself suprised to enjoy the woman's company. Never in her life did Tassi ever imagine she would be concerned for the safety of any undead.

Tassi's closest relationship is with Darin. She eventually did find an excuse to talk to him, largely due to the misbehavior of her pet badger, Pele. The two found a great deal of common ground and struck up a friendship that quickly turned romantic in nature. The two are still together, even after months of "encouragement" by Darin's good friend Hakaril. Hakaril's "support" is not always welcome, but Tassi and Darin will probably be just fine nonetheless.

(And that's it. There isn't any more. If you're reading this, then you read through a hell of a lot more backstory than I thought anyone would bother with. Yay.) <p>-------------------------
"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit and the emperor remains an emperor." -- Sandman "The Kindly Ones" </p>


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