Watcher’s Eye Journal written by Vasper V.1
We are survivors of the reign of Aaron the Fourth. It has been seven long years since the kingdom was plunged into darkness. A darkness that was brought upon us by a tyrant, a madman who believed that uncontrolled magic would be his undoing.
Aaron the Fourth was not always a king. He was once just a simple noble, but his ambition and thirst for power led him down a blood-soaked path. He saw magic as a threat to his rule, smartly so, and made it his mission to rid the kingdom of it. He started by raiding magic shops, burning their wares, and imprisoning magic users. The royal guard became the king's personal army, and they showed no mercy to those who practiced magic.
I was just a young man on the city watch when the raids started. I watched in horror as my neighbors and community were dragged from their homes, their families torn apart. My younger brother Mateo was also interested in magics, and I knew that if we stayed, we would not survive.
One night, Mateo came to me with a plan. He had managed to smuggle two transmutation scrolls, and with them, we could transform ourselves into mangy cats. A common creature with an air of sick to it, something no one would bat an eye at. It was a risky plan, but we had no choice. Our time to leave had come.
We slipped away under the cover of night, evading the guards and making our way through the chaos that had consumed our kingdom. We traveled into the mountains, living off scraps and avoiding humans at all costs. We had become two strays, hiding from people until the heat died down.
As we lived simple lives, we talked about what we would do once we found a safe place to settle down. Perhaps we could find a community of magic users who had also fled the kingdom, or maybe we could find a way to overthrow the king and bring freedom to our people. Anything was possible as long as we were alive.
Now, seven years later, we have settled down in the crook’s den of Cassiery, not far from the kingdom we once called home. We have found a new life, but we will never forget the horrors that we had to endure. But together, we will never stop fighting…
38ºS, 27ºW
My previous life proved to be invaluable, as I have both awareness of those who wish me well, and those who wish to leave me buck naked without a copper or modesty to my name. But, instead of hunting these underbellied louse, I find myself slithering amongst their streets.
There is no place for pride here, only survival and surveillance. Two things I’m exceptional at. Mateo is doing well, he has taken a fancy to fishing. I can’t help but feel a creeping sadness, he is about the age where he could have joined me in the city watch had our lives not been disrupted.
Today I received word from the Gnomes Tanpip and Farlos
Luckyhand, co-owners of the Riverside Repair, that they were able to get the item I requested.
Log of Purchases:
1. Cracked horn repaired
2. Hemp Rope, 50 ft
3. Patched Water Skin
4. Fixed Mateo’s Rod
5. Replaced shattered Javelin head
6. Blast, he broke it again!!!
7. Special request
1 Gold
1 Gold
2 Silver
5 Silver
2 Gold
5 Silver
50 Gold + 10 Gold ‘Finder’s Fee”
My hair has finally grown back from when I shaved my head to get my Masquerade Tattoo done. It is still much shorter than I’d prefer.
I chosen an eye to remind myself of my duty. I had to wear a silly bandana for three months while the hair grew in. But, I wasn’t exactly trying to show off my new illegal ink. You never know who is around…
While wearing these boots, I can choose to have them leave tracks that are not my own!
This tattoo will allow me to magically disguise myself once a day. It should work in good conjunction with my boots.
Furthermore, I’ve been practicing Gibberish. Still have a lot to learn, but I’m sure it will be worth learning the language.
Money - Ribbon Jail - Guest House BrothelAcademy
Fake Coins - Dumps Captured - Hooked ArrestedInvited
Most of the time it seems they choose words that are in opposite meaning, or they say words that have aspects of the true word. For example, teeth means dog. It is getting late, Mateo will be home soon, more later.
Tabaxi Prints
The Town of Cassiery is like a watery mistress. She is picturesque and gently reminds you through the wind of a whisper in the ear, to take time to enjoy the basic things, such as moving water, the smell of wildflowers with warm bread, and the stars reflected back to the cosmos through an enchanting pool of deep hues. But like a mistress she has her dark and alluring side, one that anyone can lose themselves in, forgetting their troubles of the above word….
Port Mistyhaven is the main water access point for merchants and traveling vessels. Mateo doesn’t like to fish here, he says all the rustle and bustle scare the fish away. I must admit, now that I live so close to water, I’ve grown very fond of the environment. The fresh water frogs sing so loud at night, they used to drive me up a bend, but now, I’m flushed to profess, they have become my own night time serenade.
Driftwood Bar is our local spot. There are enough regulars for it to feel like home, but enough new faces to keep things interesting. The owner claims that the bar was made out of several recycled sailing ships, the town’s original dock wood, and the body of his first wife.
Nice enough fellow anyways. Recently, while at the bar, one of these new faces approached me, something to do with my human father. Maybe the timing is coincidence? Or maybe everything is finally falling into place….
….Either way, father or not, nothing comes between me and Mateo.
Please read carefully.
The map displayed in this art piece is property of Wave and cannot be distributed, copied, or altered without his permission.
This art piece is intended to be used as a tool to help visualize an active story. Please be respectful to the ideas within.
Dedicated to Wave, thank you for the inspiration.