Sworded Tales

The “Riddles and Rhymes” and “Echoes of Her Past” series here on Sworded Tales refer to a PC named Cynthia Anna Marie Domin.  She was birthed for a World of Darkness Changeling game in which we played chyldlings.  Here is the original concept sheet for her (an act I perform for many PC’s, but hers was more involved than most):

Profile:
– a 37″ tall, seven year old girl, app. 42 lbs.
– long, dark auburn hair that always seems to be hanging in her face
– little pug nose, deep brown eyes, prominent throat mechanics and a gap between her left incisor and canine
– ears are attached to the head the whole way around, not pierced
– round, dark, slightly raised birthmark on her hamstring about three inches above the knee
– always wears a denim jumper in varying shades of blue with a front chest pocket
– shiny black patent leather shoes with frilly white ankle socks
– always carries her backpack with her

Backpack:
– black with leather bottom, front and main pouch
– carries: a book and crayons for coloring, a stuffed animal, a pouch of goodies, a play phone, marbles

Notes:
– the howl of the wind
– screams of the dying live on in a curse
– ‘We are the screams of the dying.  We are the howl of the wind.  We are everywhere.  We see everything.  You can not hide from us…’
– do not scream, it will only make them stronger
– they are at peace during the calm, during the storm, none can withstand them
– each whisper, each moan, each howl, each scream…is another one
– we travel the void, the space between life and death
– we walk with the dead living and the living dead
– we are the echo
– ‘Do you hear it? Strength from the screams. There is peace in silence, but the screams are what make me whole. Will you scream for me?’

Looking back on that initial concept and then the host of memorable scenes that developed in playing Cyndi, she was a landmark character for me.  I can’t say I fancy playing children, but I made my little Sluagh girl an ancient soul who was a delicious cross between Wednesday Addams and Samara from The Ring, though Cyndi was alive and kicking (quite literally) long before Samara found her way to mainstream media.  The chyldling flashbacks I had when I first saw Samara squirm from the television…  *FALCONPUNCH!*

The fact that I could play Cyndi like the prodigal visionary added such potential.  I think she gave me further insight into character depth than any other I had played, at least up to that point.  The innocence of youth blended with the horror of eternal precognition.  What’s not to like?

I’m sure her echoes will be long lived both here and throughout the other paths I walk.

Curse

I curse this place and all who enter here.
Within these walls of dishonor and fear
Will be a haven of distrust and lies
Breeding hate and anger and despise.

Never again will trust break through.
Never again will the truth ring true.
Hone will be lost in this tomb of gloom.
All attempts at ruling here will end in doom.

In this place of darkness, shadows will reign,
Echoing their unavenged screams of pain.
An abyss of horror all things good will shun
Until the wrongs have been righted, and justice is done.

Continue reading

The city had always been home to Grenna, caressing her with the mercantile aroma of war and the languid touch of sewage.  The storm seasons grew worse and the daily fallen now outweighed the newborn hope, but gods how she loved it!  The savage thrum of power and the criss-crossing array of cultures were a breeding ground for dreams.  That the goddess of sleep interlaced such wondrous moments of unconsciousness with nightmare was only fitting.  A young girl could not afford to become placid.  Not when that young girl intended to become a legendary purloiner. Continue reading

Lies

Left to right and right to left
Fear by stolen, truth of theft  (Theft of truth, stolen by fear)
Lies about truth and truth about lies
Wrong come words the when surprise  (Surprise when the words come wrong)
Quick to judge and judge too quick
Reflections of power, mirrors of trick  (Trick of mirrors, power of reflections)
Eyes blind open & open blind eyes
See not will that those awaits demise  (Demise awaits those that will not see)
Choose friends carefully and carefully friends choose
Change and shift they as threaten and confuse  (Confuse and threaten as they shift and change)
Fun is foreboding and foreboding is fun
Done is that all undo can mistake the simple one  (One simple mistake can undo all that is done)
Sidhe to Satyr and Satyr to Sidhe
Lies into truth turn will Cyndi.  (Cyndi will turn truth into lies) Continue reading

Money in the bank.  That’s the way you see it.  When your boss, Hollis Sawthorne, organized this little project, he knew only the best man for the job would do.  That would be yours truly.  There isn’t anyone sharper, keener or saltier this side of Carson City.

So when word came down that Mr. Sawthorne was offerin’ thirty percent of the take from his new mine up near Damrea for recoverin’ some stolen property of his, you naturally jumped at the chance.  You’ve had your eye on a piece of land up Damrea way for some time now, and heaven knows you’ve parted more than your share of me from their most trusted companion.  What’s one more?  With what you’ve got stashed added to the take of that mine, you could finally get away from dodgin’ bullets and find yourself some young filly to settle down with, maybe even raise some young ‘uns of your own.

But to business first. Continue reading

How does a lovely young lady like yourself always manage to get into so much trouble?  Easy enough, I suppose, when you go looking for it.

For once your stupid oaf of a brother, Glenn, had made some pretty good sense.  The two of you had been running a smooth con game up and down the Mississippi ever since your momma passed on from the yellow fever twelve years ago.  When you started landing some big scores by bilking well-mannered, upstanding citizens out of some of their inheritance, you also gained some notoriety.  The sheriff who recognized you in Memphis was none too pleased when you took Glenn up on his suggestion to pack up your things and head out west to get a fresh start.

Everything seemed to blow over quite nicely until you crossed into Nevada. Continue reading

“If the dice don’t get you, then the cards certainly will.”

Those were the last words your pappy spoke to you as you left behind the Arkansas farmhouse where you had grown for sixteen summers.  For years after that, you scoffed at the stupidity of such a statement, the utter impossibility of your luck ever going that bad.  After all, you had the gift.  Everywhere you looked, opportunity stared back, and lady luck was always on your side.

Well, gift or not, the years that kept on rolling by had a way of making you wonder about the truth of the matter.  Was the magic of your youth truly a blessing or more like a curse in sheep’s clothing?  There were always ups and downs in the game, good times and bad, but the lucky lady never failed to come through when it really mattered.  Never!  So how in God’s name did you wind up sixteen grand in the hole to that bloodthirsty wretch, Hollis Sawthorne? Continue reading

The Company has reprogrammed your mind so many times that you don’t even remember your real name anymore, only your codename:  Rupture.

So what the hell is going on?  One minute you’re running an op for Colonel Lincoln, despite what a bastard he is.  The next thing you know, there’s a flash of bright green light and then a whole lot of nothing.  You’re used to a few memory gaps with each new assignment, but come on, this is ridiculous!

You take a moment to assess what you now. Continue reading

Ripped from a dream where you were soaring high above the clouds on powerful wings, the frigid air caressing the ancient scales which for eons have protected you and your family, your eyes scrape painfully open.  The wailing of harpies assaults you as you fight to see through the blood red haze that engulfs you.

Where are you?  What has happened?

Your newborn son, strong and healthy, being tossed up into the air, laughing and giggling, returning to your strong, sure hands.  Those same hands, now claws, held out in front of you, gently clasping the claws of your mate during your Eternal Blood Rite.

Staggering forward, your mind and your vision begin to clear and sharpen.  Flashing red lights cast a fiery glow over the figure standing beside you and across another laying at your feet. Continue reading

Helix case file excerpt – Baron Krühl – Code Name: Blunt Force —

Former leader of the Gutter Gods Gang (3G), the subject was recognized as the only individual who emerged from the subterranean wreckage of a gang war which decimated the Oleander Business District.  Numerous subway explosions destabilized the infrastructure of the area and buried the combatants beneath an untold amount of cement and steel tonnage.  Estimated death toll was 7,700. Continue reading