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* {{Archer Archetype}}: As per the standard trope for elves. He's outfitted with a kyudo style bow and a self-reloading crossbow.
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* ArcherArchetype: As a Moonford Commando, she is this, naturally.
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disambiguated
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* GiveMeASword: A CoolGun actually to Darrian. Subverted as the strategy for shooting the drake's core only made the [[InfernalRetaliation battle worse.]]
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A month after Act 1, with multiple nations still reeling from the loss and threats made during it's finale, the RP now focuses on a new set of protagonists. [[EnergyWeapon Ymir]], a secretive young lady, [[BladeOnAStick Ying Cai]], a soldier from the Jadelands, and [[BarrierWarrior Cyrus]], a mage detective from Velros. The trio was summoned from their respective homes to the heart of the Shadowlands, where they are offered employment from a mysterious organization known as [[TheSyndicate The Cabal]]. There, the trio has to contend with politically sensitive missions, dangerous foes, and their own personal circumstances.
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A month after Act 1, with multiple nations still reeling from the loss and threats made during it's finale, the RP now focuses on a new set of protagonists. [[EnergyWeapon Ymir]], a secretive young lady, [[BladeOnAStick Ying Cai]], Cai, a soldier from the Jadelands, and [[BarrierWarrior Cyrus]], a mage detective from Velros. The trio was summoned from their respective homes to the heart of the Shadowlands, where they are offered employment from a mysterious organization known as [[TheSyndicate The Cabal]]. There, the trio has to contend with politically sensitive missions, dangerous foes, and their own personal circumstances.
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* BladeOnAStick: He is a competent spearman. Although he is proficient with other weapons too.
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* LotusEaterMachine: Starts off its illusions as this, before evolving into:
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* LotusEaterMachine: Starts off its illusions as this, before evolving into:into PsychologicalTormentZone.
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* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: As a general rule, all leaders of all nations from the Elvenking to Orcland Damiyos are required to display badassitude or at least look like badasses of the highest order.
** To elaborate further, all the Damiyos of the Orclands are LargeAndInCharge, and are more than willing to demonstrate their physical prowess, except for Sarukosh, who [[NeckSnap went down]] pretty quickly to his fellow Damiyo. The Elvenking himself is shown to be a being of great magical power and capable of holding off three powerful vampire assassins while performing a complicated spell at the same time. The heads of the vampire clans are even more so.
** To elaborate further, all the Damiyos of the Orclands are LargeAndInCharge, and are more than willing to demonstrate their physical prowess, except for Sarukosh, who [[NeckSnap went down]] pretty quickly to his fellow Damiyo. The Elvenking himself is shown to be a being of great magical power and capable of holding off three powerful vampire assassins while performing a complicated spell at the same time. The heads of the vampire clans are even more so.
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* OneManArmy: Several notable characters are stated and shown to be capable of taking on whole armies single-handedly.
** Examples include all members of [[WorldsBestWarrior The Seven]], Angel and her lieutenants, Elly, and the great Khan Zhang.
** Examples include all members of [[WorldsBestWarrior The Seven]], Angel and her lieutenants, Elly, and the great Khan Zhang.
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* OneManArmy: Several notable characters are stated and shown to be capable of taking on whole armies single-handedly.
**single-handedly. Examples include all members of [[WorldsBestWarrior The Seven]], Angel and her lieutenants, Elly, and the great Khan Zhang.
**
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* RankScalesWithAsskicking: As a general rule, all leaders of all nations from the Elvenking to Orcland Damiyos are required to display badassitude or at least look like badasses of the highest order. All the Damiyos of the Orclands are LargeAndInCharge, and are more than willing to demonstrate their physical prowess, except for Sarukosh, who [[NeckSnap went down]] pretty quickly to his fellow Damiyo. The Elvenking himself is shown to be a being of great magical power and capable of holding off three powerful vampire assassins while performing a complicated spell at the same time. The heads of the vampire clans are even more so.
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The Chick is now a disambig, dewicking
* TheHeart: She fulfils this trope to a T. It's due to her that Tog and Darrian are on the same team in the first place. She has the strongest [[TheHeart moral compass]] among the group, despite her [[OpenMouthInsertFoot awkward social skills]], she's the first to befriend [=NPCs=], she encourages loyalty and teamwork, and yeah, she's the only female PC of the group.
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* TheChick: She fulfils this trope to a T. It's due to her that Tog and Darrian are on the same team in the first place. She has the strongest [[TheHeart moral compass]] among the group, despite her [[OpenMouthInsertFoot awkward social skills]], she's the first to befriend [=NPCs=], she encourages loyalty and teamwork, and yeah, she's the only female PC of the group.
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* {{Buxom Is Better}}: '''Tog''': Orc females have much…huger…[[RunningGag HONOR]]!
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* RunningGag: '''[[BuxomisBetter HONOR!!!]]''' Also, someone will ALWAYS hum the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings One Ring]] theme whenever the broken Drow teleportation artifact is produced, or even mentioned.
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* RunningGag: '''[[BuxomisBetter HONOR!!!]]''' '''HONOR!!!''' Also, someone will ALWAYS hum the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings One Ring]] theme whenever the broken Drow teleportation artifact is produced, or even mentioned.
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* {{Power Fist}}: Her WeaponOfChoice. Possesses [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry elven forged silver gauntlets and greaves]] that add more hurt to her melee attacks.
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* {{Power Fist}}: Her WeaponOfChoice. Possesses [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry elven forged silver gauntlets and greaves]] that add more hurt to her melee attacks.
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* CoolSword: Cool Knife actually, a Mithril dagger, capable of draining magic energy from whoever he cuts. It's his WeaponOfChoice.
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* CoolSword: Cool Knife actually, a Mithril dagger, capable of draining magic energy from whoever he cuts. It's his WeaponOfChoice.
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* {{Knife Nut}}: Has a minimum of four on his person. And a quickdraw Mithril dagger!
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** Garukkesh. Tall, [[UpToEleven even for an orc.]] Known as the greatest warrior in the world. Possesses a battleaxe covered in [[AmplifierArtifact runes.]]
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** Garukkesh. Tall, [[UpToEleven even for an orc.]] orc. Known as the greatest warrior in the world. Possesses a battleaxe covered in [[AmplifierArtifact runes.]]
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* BerserkButton: The insignia that the elven mages wear. It caused him to screw up a [[KillThemAll diplomatically sensitive mission.]]
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* BerserkButton: The insignia that the elven mages wear. It caused him to screw up a [[KillThemAll diplomatically sensitive mission.]]
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* HalfHumanHybrid: [[HumanMomNonhumanDad Half-human, half-vampire.]]
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* HalfHumanHybrid: [[HumanMomNonhumanDad Half-human, half-vampire.]]
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Moved from main wiki
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Midlands is a Tabletop RPG based on the {{Fantasy}} novel, Of Light and Darkness.
This RP tells the story of an unlikely trio of adventurers. Rho, a human girl trained as a [[ElementalPowers Stormspeaker]], is working in a bar on an orcish island. When an elven Tsivarti agent, calling himself Billy gets in trouble with the other bar patrons due to FantasticRacism, she and a bystander paladin named Firon tries to defuse the situation while an out-of-work orc laughs nastily at the situation while devouring lots of meat and gulping ale.
When Billy escapes the bar, Rho gets some news: a massacre between the orcs and elves has happened at the trade hub town of Crossroads. In response to that, the three Damiyos of the orcs, uruks and goblins are gearing up for war, with Damiyo Gokusen, a strong proponent of aggressiveness, has begun to invade the elf territories. While the kingdom of Ellarvin and the royal family is preparing a counterattack. And Rho's [[InterspeciesAdoption adoptive]] father, a well respected orc Stormspeaker known as Sensei Korag has disappeared within the conflict.
She immediately sets out on a journey to find her Sensei, and hires [[TheBigGuy Tog]], an orc ronin [[MageKiller mage hunter]] to help. They are quickly joined by Billy, who later reveals his true name as [[CombatPragmatist Darrian]], who participates in Rho's quest as a matter of gratitude for saving him, and as a quick means of [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere leaving]] an island of angry orcs. Firon sends them on their way, and on their journey, the trio discovers mysteries, meet new allies and friends, and will ultimately participate in a life-changing gladiator fight that will marvel (and confuse) people for generations to come: "The [[TrueCompanions Greatest]] Show In The Midlands."
And then came [[HereWeGoAgain Act 2.]]
A month after Act 1, with multiple nations still reeling from the loss and threats made during it's finale, the RP now focuses on a new set of protagonists. [[EnergyWeapon Ymir]], a secretive young lady, [[BladeOnAStick Ying Cai]], a soldier from the Jadelands, and [[BarrierWarrior Cyrus]], a mage detective from Velros. The trio was summoned from their respective homes to the heart of the Shadowlands, where they are offered employment from a mysterious organization known as [[TheSyndicate The Cabal]]. There, the trio has to contend with politically sensitive missions, dangerous foes, and their own personal circumstances.
[[foldercontrol]]
!The "[[TrueCompanions Greatest]]" Show In Midlands!
[[folder:Rho]]
!!Rho
-> "Where is Sensei Korag?!"
Born human but raised by the orcs, Rho is a stormspeaker, trained to feel the magic tied to the elements, and to bend or shift them to her will. And karate. The mage of the trio. Raised by her sensei Korag, her story begins when he disappears in the war and she sets off to find him. Hot-headed, compassionate and unable to keep her mouth shut, it is her quest that kick-started the plot in the first place. And it is she who dubbed the trio's name: The "Greatest" Show In The Midlands.
----
* {{Action Girl}}: Capable of kicking ass in close combat and raining lightning and earth from afar, utilizes acrobatics to get out of sticky situations.
* AllLovingHero: She's the first of the trio to be friendly to strangers, she goes out of her way to befriend defeated enemies and is willing to extend a helping hand and a second chance to a disgraced orc prisoner convicted for war crimes.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: She decides to WalkTheEarth with Tog to resume her training as a stormspeaker.
* BefriendingTheEnemy: She tries to invoke an inverted case of DefeatMeansFriendship to opponents she has fought before, like Leoskarrion and the Team Typhoon Stormspeaker.
* BrokenRecord: Where is Sensei Korag?!Where is Sensei Korag?!Where is Sensei Korag?!
* ChildhoodBrainDamage: Casually suggested by her teammates and the GM that this is the cause for her not thinking things through and rash behavior. Sensei Korag must have given her [[HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood one sandslap too many.]]
* ComplexityAddiction: A brief case when she tries to have a silent conversation with Sensei Korag.
* {{Cuteness Proximity}}: Has this reaction to Thrilwing.
* {{Elemental Powers}}: As a stormspeaker, she can [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin summon storms]], manipulate [[DishingOutDirt earth]], and [[BlowYouAway wind]]. She will need time to concentrate to do it though.
* FastballSpecial: Turned into this by Leoskarrion into [[GrievousHarmWithABody Darrian.]] Backfires as her help was [[NiceJobFixingItVillain instrumental]] for Darrian subduing Alan.
* FearlessFool: Has traits of this when she chooses the toughest opponents for the trio to fight in two [[TrialByCombat seperate]] [[GladiatorSubquest cases.]] The trope is reiterated when challenging an opponent whose skills are in another class altogether to a friendly [[CurbStompBattle sparring match.]]
* {{Food as Bribe}}: Her MO. Hired Tog's help by offering him roast. Elicited information from bored guardsmen with a couple of riceballs.
* {{Good Samaritan}}: Saved Billy from being beaten up from a [[BarBrawl roomful of angry orcs.]] Is pretty insistent on freeing the captive dragons.
* GroinAttack: That poor Typhoon Stormspeaker.
* HeroicBSOD: Ghiska's sudden execution left her notably quiet for a while afterwards.
* {{Honor Before Reason}}: Has a strong sense of justice and integrity and hates bullies. And she will never stop asserting those beliefs. [[DoNotTauntCthulhu Even in front of people that may be disinclined to agree.]]
* InsistentTerminology: '''The Greatest Show In Midlands!'''
* NoseShove: Inflicts this on Alan while Darrian has him in a [[ChokeHolds choke hold.]] She COULD have ripped his nose off, but she didn't!
* OpenMouthInsertFoot: Done this twice with hilarious effect.
** First to the orcish boy. [[AmbiguousGender Or girl.]]
** Second to the dwarf bartender.
* PetTheDog: She's the first to jump to the dragon's rescue from the hands of the cultists. She's the first to jump to anyone's aid actually.
* {{Power Fist}}: Her WeaponOfChoice. Possesses [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry elven forged silver gauntlets and greaves]] that add more hurt to her melee attacks.
* {{Raised by Orcs}}
* SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining: Downplayed. While Rho is more comfortable around the earth than with people, aside from a few cases where she speaks out when it's wiser not to, she demonstrates adequate social skills.
* {{Team Chef}}: Shares this role with Tog. She handles the staples while he handles the gourmet side. Is a little touchy that Tog is the superior chef.
* {{The Bartender}}: Barmaid actually. Until she got a new gig.
* TheChick: She fulfils this trope to a T. It's due to her that Tog and Darrian are on the same team in the first place. She has the strongest [[TheHeart moral compass]] among the group, despite her [[OpenMouthInsertFoot awkward social skills]], she's the first to befriend [=NPCs=], she encourages loyalty and teamwork, and yeah, she's the only female PC of the group.
* {{Tomboy With a Girly Streak}}: Tough, not afraid getting dirt on herself, [[FeminineWomenCanCook cooks riceballs for the team to enjoy!]] ([[BigEater Tog constantly swipes them from her hands though.]])
* {{Tsundere}}: Still wants to befriend [[IceQueen Veldrina]] despite declaring a couple times of her dislike of her.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Darrian]]
!!Darrian "Billy" Vastari
-> "I'm a TSIVARTI!!."
An elf patriot who is a Tsivarti agent. The sneaky guy of the trio and a consummate combat pragmatist. He ends up with the group for gratitude and as a quick means of escape. Possessing a strong pride in his elf heritage, yet he has a staunch stance on interracial cooperation and is unpopular amongst his peers and superiors for it. He aspires to someday rise up the ranks and be a hero for his people.
----
* {{Archer Archetype}}: As per the standard trope for elves. He's outfitted with a kyudo style bow and a self-reloading crossbow.
* BigBrotherInstinct: To Merrill. Responded to Tog's flippant comment about elves being assholes when Merrill got involved. Threatened to [[AssShove shove an arrow]] up Tog's own if he called Merrill an asshole one more time. [[ExactWords Tog complied.]]
* BeingPersonalIsntProfessional: Subverted. He tries (Emphasis on ''tries'') to maintain a professional demeanor during formal missions.
* {{Blade Below the Shoulder}}: {{Dual Wield}}s Type I, {{Franchise/Assassins Creed}} style!
** Updated his arsenal with a quick-draw mithril dagger!
* {{Butt Monkey}}: If there is a quick verbal putdown to be had, Darrian will most likely be the target. [[KicktheDog Most of them from his teammate Tog.]] Even in his own homelands he is not safe. His [[BadBoss boss]], his [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething prince]] (initially) and even his race's [[TheAce champion]] showed nothing but contempt for him. Various NonPlayerCharacter give nothing but a chilly reception to him. Even his time to shine backfires on him. Wielding Pryce's rifle in mid-air made him look silly being blown away in mid-air by the [[LawOfInverseRecoil kickback]] and broke his arm to boot.
** Small wonder he remembers his time on a [[EqualOpportunityEvil multiracial pirate ship]] fondly.
** [[spoiler:{{Actually Pretty Funny}}: Although he will never admit it out loud, he actually admires the wit behind Tog's putdowns.]]
* CasanovaWannabe: Got hit with this hard in regards to Veldrina. To his teammates' amusement and chagrin.
--> '''Darrian''': Hey Veldrina, sure you don't need an escort?
--> '''Veldrina''': Are you really so quick to identify yourself as a whore?
--> '''Darrian''': For you, baby? I could be.
* {{Click Hello}}: Was on the receiving end of this from the mercenary captain.
* {{Combat Pragmatist}}: Has no problem whatsoever in fighting dirty.
** Would throw {{A Handful For an Eye}} with a [[SmokeOut smoke bomb]], and would {{Throwing the Distraction}} with his cloak against physically superior opponents to gain the upper hand.
* ComfortFood: Tends to indulge in this along with GallowsHumor when faced with the prospect of imminent death or prison time or missions that tests his desirability as a man.
* CoolSword: Cool Knife actually, a Mithril dagger, capable of draining magic energy from whoever he cuts. It's his WeaponOfChoice.
** The Cool Knife got even cooler when the elven government presented him an Oricalchum dagger for his services.
* DeadpanSnarker: Weaponized his wit against Pyron with [[TrashTalk tried and true]] [[YourMom material.]]
--> '''Darrian''': Of course he felt it; he had two arrows up his asshole!
* DeterminedDefeatist: He did not expect his team to prevail against the TrialByCombat against Leoskarrion and Alan, and tried to negotiate with Alan in mid-battle to call the whole thing off. When Alan basically told him to accept the [[HopelessBossFight situation,]]
--> '''Darrian''': Screw that. If I'm going down, I'm going down fighting. (charges Alan)
* FragileSpeedster: He's agile, brute strength is not his forte, and he's very disinclined to take a hit. One clean hit to his ribs visibly affected him for several days afterwards.
* FireForgedFriends: With his fellow cast members of the show.
* GiveMeASword: Briefly wielded Pryce Lodge's rifle for hilarious and explosive results.
** Played seriously when Alan loaned his Oricalchum dagger to him. It was the only thing that could reliably penetrate the vampire warriors' armor.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Black Mask grazed Darrian with his own Mithril dagger, which was super effective.
* IJustWantToBeSpecial: The reason why he seeks glory and fame.
* InTheHood: Frequently to hide his PointyEars and unwanted attention.
* {{Knife Nut}}: Has a minimum of four on his person. And a quickdraw Mithril dagger!
* LiteralistSnarking: Delivered a glorious one to Tog.
--> '''Tog''': Tog's [[MySignificanceSenseIsTingling asshole sense]] is tingling!
--> '''Darrian''': ...your asshole is tingling?
--> *cue fits of giggles across the party. [[ActuallyPrettyFunny Including Tog.]]*
* MadScientist: May have slight tendancies of this, seeing as he arcane shocked an elf frozen in stasis to see what would happen and is BlownAcrossTheRoom.
--> '''Darrian''': (to no one in particular) ...[[Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger Write that down.]]
* NeverLiveItDown: HI!! I'M DARRIAN THE TSIVARTI!!!
* PoisonedWeapons: With cockatrice blood for a non-lethal takedown.
* {{Teleport Spam}}: Can pull this off on his best day.
* {{The Paralyzer}}: Has the ability to knock out a person by arcane shocking their nervous system. [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs Orcs, berserkers, orc berserkers]] however, have a resistance to this.
* {{PressGanged}}: At one point [[{{Backstory}} before the story started]] he was shanghaied with a potato sack into a pirate ship under [[CaptainErsatz Captain]] [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag Kenward Edway]].
* TheResenter: His POV chapter revealed that he's secretly jealous of [[HeroOfAnotherStory Alan]] who enjoys the recognition by various authorities that Darrian has been working towards his whole career.
* SmokeOut: A regular trick he uses to distract and confuse opponents. Combined it with DefiantToTheEnd and SpitefulSpit when he spat a smoke bomb into Black Mask's face as a response when he taunted Darrian, having him dead to rights.
* TimeToUnlockMoreTruePotential: He stays with his people to serve, train and prepare himself for the coming conflicts with the vampires. Latest news is he's growing into a BadassBookworm.
* VitriolicBestBuds: Being friends ain't gonna stop him from VolleyingInsults with Tog.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tog]]
!!Tog
!!!Toguro, THE BOULDER
-> '''"YOU WORK FOR TOG NOW!!!!"'''
An orc ronin hired by Rho. The fighter of the trio and all around big eater. Previously a mage hunter in service to the Damiyo before he left. His father died at the hands of Tsivarti elves and he consequently picked up a hatred of them. An orc of many hidden talents; a tactician, a diplomat and a better chef than Rho. His dream is to travel the world and form his own mercenary group.
----
* AndTheAdventureContinues: He decides to WalkTheEarth with Rho to train as an iron chef.
* BerserkButton: The insignia that the elven mages wear. It caused him to screw up a [[KillThemAll diplomatically sensitive mission.]]
* {{Big Eater}}: Constantly swipes food, to Rho's chagrin.
--> '''Tog''': Tog is always hungry!
* {{Buxom Is Better}}: '''Tog''': Orc females have much…huger…[[RunningGag HONOR]]!
* {{Chef of Iron}}: As stated above, he shares the role of {{Team Chef}} with Rho, but he's more of a gourmet cook as opposed to Rho who makes the everyday meals. Also, rubbing spices on bear meat ''sensually!''
* CoolSword: His [[AncestralWeapon father's]] nagamaki. Tog typically wields it ReverseGrip style, and it has been reinforced with Adamantium, forged by an UltimateBlacksmith.
* CrazyIsCool: His "recruitment drive" during the trio's first battle.
--> (in orcish) '''Tog''': ALL GOBLIN NINJAS TO ME!!!!
* {{Deadpan Snarker}}: Always has a line ready to verbally demolish [[ButtMonkey Darrian.]]
* DeniedFoodAsPunishment: Rho tries this in response to Tog bringing unwanted attention onto the trio and putting Darrian in trouble. [[{{Hammerspace}} Doesn't work.]]
* DopeSlap: Does this on Darrian exclusively whenever he can't keep up with Darrian's snark. With varying degrees of success.
* DualWielding: Has two nagamakis.
* {{Everythings Better with Samurai}}: He's an Orc samurai!
* {{Fantastic Racism}}: Hates elves. Darrian suffers for it.
* FreudianExcuse: His father was killed by elven mages.
* GeniusBruiser: Tog's more than simple hired muscle. He's also a tactician, a chef and diplomatic skills too.
** His tactics may have singlehandedly led the Trio to victory during the finale. His KansasCityShuffle and BatmanGambit tactics has allowed the trio to get hits in to unstoppable vampire warriors who were previously {{NoSell}}ing everything.
* GrievousHarmWithABody
* IncomingHam: His '''BOULDER''' persona.
* {{Indy Ploy}}: Often does this, often succeeds.
* {{Large Ham}}: While throttling a goblin ninja after killing his uruk partner, this is what he has to say:
--> '''Tog''': YOU WORK FOR TOG NOW!!!!
--> '''To Pryce Lodge''': *shakes hands* YOU WORK WITH TOG NOW!!!!
** Again when challenging Alan to an [[RockPaperScissors orcish game of chance.]]
* {{Made of Iron}}: Has taken an arrow wound to the shoulder and fought the next day with no visible ill effects. Endured a broken nose, cracked skull, and shattered armor which could have been his ribs. Took them all, shrugged them all.
* MageKiller: Is a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Mage Hunter]] due to his [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest past.]]
* {{Mundane Solution}}: Done this twice to date successfully.
** Need a boat to leave the Orclands to the Human lands? While Billy and Rho were discussing a [[ComplexityAddiction complex stealth plan]] to steal one off the docks, he simply walked to the Orc Guardsmen and asked for a boat AND a [[OneSceneWonder guide]] on the grounds that it'll get the human and elf off their lands much quicker.
** When Rho and Darrian were busy negotiating a slot in the Fighting Ring (with little success), Tog simply went to a random blacksmith and got corporate sponsorship AND brand new armor.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: However, he revealed to the above mentioned blacksmith that his teammate Darrian is a Tsivarti to get the sponsorship. This bites them all in the back when the merchant goblin comes out to capture him.
** Darrian has not failed to note that while Rho tried to defend him, Tog was quite willing to leave Darrian to his [[KickTheDog fate.]]
* {{Outside The Box Tactic}}: His greatest strength. Natch. When the GM angled him into a mirror match opponent that is better equipped and a better swordsman to boot, Tog rose to the challenge and prevailed in a way that's unexpected.
** When the opponent (in full armor) made it clear that he's faster with a sword, Tog got in very close and grappled to null that advantage. The opponent then responded by [[UseYourHead headbutting]] Tog with his heavy helmet against Tog's bare face. He then used the blood from his bleeding nose and mouth and spat it into [[AHandfulForAnEye his opponent's eyeholes]], blinding him. Tog then got out of range and began firing great arrows at him. One was knocked away, the other hit his shoulder. The opponent made one last swipe with his katana at him. Tog blocked it with an arrow, and stomped on the blade, [[WreckedWeapon shattering]] it. Tog then played on his opponent's [[ProudWarriorRace honor]] by declaring his defeat, and walked away. No one, not even the GM saw that coming.
** Came up with the idea to plant his [[ImprovisedLightningRod nagamaki]] into the colossal fire drake to strip away it's tree armor.
** Tog's strategies during the finale was essential to victory. The trio switching enemies and stabbing his opponent with Darrian's dagger when the GM did not expect it? His idea. Setting the GM up for the same trick on Black Mask and subverting it at the last moment with a smoke bomb? It was all Tog.
* ScarilyCompetentTracker: Comes with the territory of living off the land. Demonstrated when he points out that the stasis spell in the GhostTown only affected living things.
* {{Skeletons in the Coat Closet}}: Wears Sankaku Bone Armor as per Orcish tradition.
* {{The Big Guy}}: What other role would you expect a seven feet tall orc to take?
* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: The tough Orc ronin Tog fanboys over Garukkesh, and wishes for senpai to notice him.
* TheStrategist: See OutsideTheBoxTactic. Tog is the trio's main strategist in tight spots and he often succeeds in delivering victory from the jaws of defeat.
* {{Third Person Person}}: Tog uses "Tog" as opposed to "this one" that Tog's kin uses in conjunction with his culture's humble roots. That humility goes out the window in his '''BOULDER''' persona.
--> '''THE BOULDER''': '''THE BOULDER IS WINNING THIS! BY A LANDSLIDE!'''
* TragicKeepsake: His late father's [[AncestralWeapon nagamaki.]]
* TrashTalk: He and Darrian speculated liberally on the nature of Pyron's lineage, particularly on the [[YourMom maternal]] side, as their conventional attacks were useless and they needed to distract him from the Seven.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Darrian. Won't stop them both from [[VolleyingInsults snarking]] however.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Utilised unusual grappling techniques to subdue Leoskarrion with great effect. Embraced everything about it with his '''BOULDER''' persona; hamminess, showmanship, bicep flexing, all of it.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Act 1 Non-Player Companions]]
!!Merrill
-> “Um, are they always like this?”
A female elven Moonford Commando assigned to the trio. Unlike her stoic, dignified colleagues, Merrill is rather shy and reserved. She seems quite inexperienced for a Commando, but behind her quiet demeanor lies some steel.
* ArcherArchetype: As a Moonford Commando, she is this, naturally.
* BerserkButton: Her reaction to Darrian [[SeriousBusiness breaking his crossbow]] may be a downplayed version of this.
* CoolHelmet: Moonstone Helms. As WordOfGod put it: a hollowed out stone bathed with moonlight in their sacred ford, which becomes hard as mithril. Despite being featureless and [[OneWayVisor even without holes to see]], the wearer somehow maintains perfect aim.
* CutenessProximity: Thrilwing does have that effect on people.
* ItGetsEasier: Worries that killing enemy combatants will become too routine.
* NaiveNewcomer
* TheHeart: It's what enabled her to talk Veldrina down.
* ReluctantWarrior: Summed up in this quote.
--> '''Merrill''': “Well, I hope I never have to spill that much blood again.”
* SeriousBusiness: The care of their Snapdragon Repeating Crossbows is reputed to be this.
* SweetTooth: [[WordOfGod Word of Alan]] says she partial to strawberry cakes.
* YouthfulFreckles
----
!!Shen
-> *nods stoically* “Hm."
A taciturn paladin assigned to the trio. Sober, dutiful, and stoic, Shen doesn’t speak much. When he does, it’s to the point, with little time for pleasantries or insults. He prefers to stay focused on the matter at hand, but sticks around in case things get out of hand.
* AfterActionPatchup: Plays this role after the trio's [[GladiatorSubquest gladiator fight.]] He [[NoHeroDiscount taxes them for it.]]
* BareFistedMonk: His fighting style may be this, seeing as he has no weapons.
** His fighting style is a much better [[LightEmUp version]] of Rho's karate.
* BigDamnHeroes: Saves the "heroes" diplomatic mission by invoking [[TrialByCombat Ran-Ku Batoru!]]
* CombatMedic: His healing may not be refined, but it gets the job done.
** Practically promoted to TheMedic, seeing he's the only one in the party who can heal.
* ConsummateProfessional: Never partakes in any hilarity the trio goes through.
* CoolHelmet: And it's collapsible!
* [[DefrostingIceQueen Defrosting Ice King]]: He, at Merrill's prodding, is slowly warming up to the trio. And they, him.
* SourSupporter:
--> '''Shen''': “Your methods are [[ConsummateProfessional questionable]]. But your intent is pure.”
* TheFaceless
* TheStoic: His defining trait.
* TranquilFury: Never loses his calm facade, even when frustrated.
----
!!Veldrina
-> “What kind of Tsivarti makes common cause with the likes of them?”
Elegant and comely, but extremely cold, a female elf Tsivarti agent. She is utterly unimpressed with the group and unperturbed by her situation. A consummate Tsivarti, she is devoted to only the preservation and advancement of the Firstborn, no matter the cost to the other races. She met the trio as a business partner that the trio was supposed to escort and protect, and attached herself to the group for unknown reasons.
Not to be confused with the other [[Characters/TheOrderOfTheStickOthers Veldrina.]]
* AloofAlly: Has emotionally isolated herself from her traveling companions. But her aim's the same as the trio's, stop the war.
* BeneathTheMask: Reveals to Darrian (during his extremely clumsy attempt at seduction) that she's more alone than anyone thinks and that she may be out of her depth than previously thought.
* ButNowIMustGo
* DeadpanSnarker: Has an insult ready for anything and anyone. Primarily at Darrian's CasanovaWannabe antics.
* DefrostingIceQueen: Slowly, but surely. Her side-story reveals that Kelenos is the most successful at this.
* FantasticRacism: See her page quote. It's so prominent that even [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Shen]] had something to say about it.
* {{Foil}}: To Darrian. Both are proud to be elves and of their heritage. However, while he's acknowledges the strengths of the other races and is willing to work with them, she considers them beneath her and only trusts in the strength of her people.
* IceQueen: Her defining trait.
* LadyOfBlackMagic
* TheFriendNobodyLikes: Her emotional detachment from the rest of the group is finally straining relations with her and the party. Tog and Rho are suspicious of her, not even Merrill and Shen has anything nice to say about her.
* TheStoic: Even more impressive than Shen as she does not have the benefit of a face-concealing helmet.
* TheUnfettered: Taught her whole life to be this trope for the cause. Very nearly put it into practice when she considered stealing the fire soul orb. Fortunately, Merrill and Darrian talked her out of it.
** Is decisively growing out of it further still with her sabbatical with Kelenos.
----
!!Garrukesh
-> [[Film/SpaceJam “COME ON AND SLAM! AND WELCOME TO THE JAM!”]]
Breaker of Armies, Whirlwind of Steel, one of the Seven Knights, a hulk of an orc with a runed axe crafted from metal, not bone. He is undoubtedly the single greatest warrior in the Desolation, and a contender to be the World’s Strongest Warrior.
* TheAce: With his help, The "Greatest" Show in Midlands mowed down a dragon hunting cultist party easily. Even siccing a fully grown dragon on him barely slowed him down.
* AffectionateNickname: "Rook" by Pryce Lodge.
* ButNowIMustGo
* CrutchCharacter: It's fairly obvious he's not here to stay.
* GuestStarPartyMember
* HyperAwareness: Able to sense Veldrina tailing the party and sees through her true profession effortlessly.
* ShutUpHannibal: Delivered a [[OffWithHisHead welcome]] one to Pyron.
* WorldsGreatestWarrior: A contender for the title!
----
!! Pryce Lodge
-> “Aaaaand why would I tell you anything, little boy or girl?”
Sardonic and relaxed, with a magical rifle at his side and a cloak on his back, this vagabond is the World’s Costliest Mercenary and one of the Seven. Unlike Garuk, however, he seems to derive some slight enjoyment from bantering with others. In battle, he is a rapid and sure shot, though one wonders what other skills he has as one of the Seven Knights. His cloak seems to be covering more than his figure.
* TheAce: As one of the Seven, able to mow down a small army with [[MoreDakka gunfire]] easily and go toe to toe with a colossal fire drake.
* BarrierWarrior: Without his aegis, the "Greatest" Show in Midlands would have been reduced to cinders many times over.
* ButNowIMustGo
* TheBusCameBack: For a brief period when he resurfaced in The Shadowlands and co-opted a ride across the sea from the trio of Act 2.
* FriendlySniper: The most friendly of the Seven that the group has met.
* GiveMeASword: A CoolGun actually to Darrian. Subverted as the strategy for shooting the drake's core only made the [[InfernalRetaliation battle worse.]]
* TheDrifter
----
!!Sensei Korag
-> "Strength is being able to stand up for what one should truly believe in; the truth."
Known as something of an iconoclast among the other orcs, Korag was nevertheless respected for his wisdom and kindness, virtues which endured in the Great Desolation. He took it upon himself to raise the human foundling Rho, once it became clear she had the gift of magic.
----
* AesopEnforcer: As per the orcish tradition!
* AffectionateGestureToTheHead: From the In Which Rho Needed to Pee and Earned a Knockout short story, to Rho, revealing the tenderness beneath the gruff exterior.
* AnAesop: When you uphold the truth, there will be many who will beat you senseless for doing so. But you must, above all else, remain true to it, no matter how hard the beating.
* BadassCreed: May have declared one in the Rho Needs To Pee side-story.
--> '''Sensei Korag''': "No disciple of mine will ever lie to win a battle. Truth will triumph above all else, for the truth will set you free."
** [[ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes The truth will set your teeth free.]]
* BadassTeacher: Yes. Yes he is.
* BigDamnHeroes: Was the "little help" to Rho in sealing the colossal fire drake.
* FlatWhat: His reaction to Rho peeing.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Will not hesitate to deliver a knockout blow to his adopted daughter if it means imparting a crucial life lesson.
* LivingMacguffin: His disappearance is the reason why our "heroes" are even out adventuring. Rho most of all.
* MentorOccupationalHazard: Of the Missing Mentor variant.
** Not anymore.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: May or may not share the same catchphrase as [[Creator/GeorgeTakei George Takei.]]
** ''"Oh myyy!"''
* LotusPosition: The first thing mentioned in the Rho goes peeing side-story.
* MentorArchetype: Wise, experienced, advisor, and confidante to a young, inexperienced heroine? Yup.
* TrainingFromHell: Downplayed. While Sensei Korag does hit Rho, he never hits harder than he has to and always for a good reason. All in all, stormspeaker training has some strenuous aspects but as a whole is not "hellish".
* WillNotTellALie: Seems to hold this philosophy.
----
[[/folder]]
!Agents of The Cabal
[[folder:Ymer]]
!!Remillia Anne Arcturus
!!!Ymer, Remy
An elegant looking mysterious lady until she opens her mouth. A graduate of the Magus Institute, she keeps her personal history a guarded secret and seems to be troubled by any reminders of it, living or otherwise. She's actually a half-human, half-vampire daughter of a minor House Tepes-Impala noble. She cares for her homeland deeply, and determined to save it.
----
* AloofBigBrother: Her half-brother, Lars. But he shows visible concern for his half-sister.
* BrokenBird: She struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, and as a result, extremely reluctant to return home to see her beloved mother.
* CoolMask: She wears one to avoid recognition from certain vampire parties. Seems to have abandoned it when her identity was outed in front of the full Tepes-Impala council.
* DaddysGirl: Has stated to be once quite close to her father.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Implied. Her childhood was presumably not idyllic.
** It is revealed so far that she had failed to return to her clan after a mission she disagreed with.
* EnergyWeapon: Her main means of offensive magic.
* FoeTossingCharge: Hilariously subverted. Turns out a skinny waif isn't very good at shoving fully armored soldiers out of the way. Who knew?
* HalfHumanHybrid: [[HumanMomNonhumanDad Half-human, half-vampire.]]
* HeroicSafeMode: Entered one of sorts once news of the Drow invasion of her home reached her. She's more prone to rash decisions and generally not so calm as before she heard the news.
* SdrawkcabName: Her Ymer alias is her AffectionateNickname spelled backwards.
* ThatCameOutWrong: In [[EpicFail epic]] [[NeverLiveItDown fashion]] when she tried to co-opt [[IgnoreTheDisability Elly's]] help.
** [[DontExplainTheJoke Elly's hands are manacled.]]
--> '''Ymir''': Hi Elly, could you lend us a '''hand''' if you're '''free'''?
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Ying Cai]]
!!Ying Cai
A human soldier from the Jadelands' Imperial Army. His goal is to protect his home from the threat that the Khan represents. Pursuing a lead meant for another, he solves his problems with water, first-aid, and spearwork.
----
* AmazonChaser: Fell for Elly, monstrous strength and all.
* BladeOnAStick: He is a competent spearman. Although he is proficient with other weapons too.
* CombatMedic: He's a healer, and knows how to tend to battlefield wounds.
* CoolHorse: Managed to tame a sand-steed from a bandit he killed. Its name is Peng.
* DoggedNiceGuy: He's in love with Elly, but she likes someone else. Doesn't stop him from looking out for her though.
* MakingASplash: He's a low-level waterbender.
* MidSeasonUpgrade: His original spear was sheared by an orc bandit chief. So Ying has replaced it with a magically enchanted one. One that returns to his hands at will.
* MommasBoy: He was raised by his single mother, so he's a bit of one.
* NiceGuy: He went out of his way to buy and free slaves from a market, and he's always ready to tend to his comrades' medical needs, from hamstrung legs to dislocated shoulders.
* NotInThisForYourRevolution: He cares little and less for the ambitions of The Cabal, as long as his own country's problems are solved.
* RightManInTheWrongPlace: The invitation to join the Cabal wasn't even meant for him, but for his accomplished superior officer. Ying was sent in his place because the invitation was so vague, it did not warrant his full attention.
* SuppressedRage: He was breathing very deeply and deliberately when he discovered that he's in the same room with the Khan.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Cyrus]]
!!Cyrus
A Velrosian mage detective. Has a mysterious past of his own, and similarly keeps it to himself. Has a keen analytical mind, and practiced diplomatic manners. He has a colored career history as a detective, even being on speaking terms with the former head of the Tsivarti of Ellaravin.
----
* AnArmAndALeg: Has a prosthetic arm.
* BarrierWarrior: Can generate a force field at will.
* BlowYouAway: Is able to control wind.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: He's in the Cabal because he is being blackmailed.
* HurricaneOfPuns: On the receiving end of one when his prosthetic arm is ripped off.
--> '''Angel''': “Let me lend you a '''hand'''.”
--> '''Alan''': “Cyrus seems to have a good '''grasp''' of the situation.”
--> '''Ying Cai''': “Calm down, it's only a little '''armless''' fun.”
--> '''Elly''': “…Uh…hand…pun. I’m sorry, I’m out of practice."
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Is a mage detective.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Act 2 Non-Player Companions]]
!!Kel'rus
-> “Uh, OK, am I the only person here without any baggage?”
A Drow, one of the more senior members of The Cabal. He's also cheery, helpful and prone to saying wrong things at the wrong time. In short, he's everything his race doesn't stand for. He has offered his aid to the trio freely in missions and is on good terms with everyone within The Cabal.
----
* HeroicBSOD: The worst affected by the Brain In The Jar's illusions.
* HiddenDepths: On the positive side, he's a competent actor and can pose as a disdainful and arrogant guard who he is anything but. On the other side, his failure to resist his MindRape hints at a DarkAndTroubledPast.
--> '''Kel'rus''': “Oh, sure. I can look disdainful and arrogant. I worked with people who lived that.”
** Further demonstrates another side when he singlehandedly tracks down a group of fleeing Drow assassins and delivers one as crucial evidence for the Cabal to analyze before he is forcibly teleported away.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: He is the antithesis of all the traits of a typical Drow.
--> '''Kel'rus''': “If you need someone to confide in, you can talk to me. He says as he realises that his people have a reputation for betrayal and selling secrets. Eeeeeesh.”
* NiceGuy: His defining trait.
* OnlySaneMan: See his character quote.
* WideEyedIdealist: His outlook and attitude really contrasts with his more somber teammates and the DarkerAndEdgier environment.
----
!!Elly
!!!Elly Kirinedge
-> “Sometimes life just gives you a shit hand. All you can do is try and lose as little as possible.”
A human female, with brown hair tied into a single braid and amber-golden eyes. Aside from basic combat gear, her most striking accessories are silvery white gloves that extend to her elbows and manacles of Jadeland craftsmanship around her arms. Even manacled, she is monstrously fast, direct, skilled, and strong. She is actually a daughter of Tallen Kirinedge, the greatest hero in history. She has a troubled past and possesses a cynical view of the world, and herself.
----
* BadassBoast: Delivered one to the last of the mountain bandits after brutally crushing them.
--> '''Elly''': “Stop what you’re doing or we’ll come back. And I won’t go easy next time.”
* BadassFamily: She and Angel are daughters of the greatest hero in history and both have been seen defeating small armies by themselves.
* BrokenAce: She's monstrously strong, keeps her distance from others, and has a cynical outlook on life.
* BrokenBird: Checks out almost every box on the list: she's female, TroubledButCute, deals with a DarkAndTroubledPast as evidenced by her reaction to her MindRape, and is TheStoic yet demonstrates a pronounced sense of [[LittleMissSnarker sarcasm]].
* TheComicallySerious: She really needs to brush up on her one-liners.
* CursedWithAwesome: Possesses immense combat strength, and fears it.
* HotBlooded: Not [[TheStoic immediately evident]] but it's there. She has a strong sense of justice and will openly mouth off at anyone who violates her moral code. No matter how powerful they may be.
* IAmNotLeftHanded: All that power and strength and she is still manacled with shackles of the highest quality. And now they are off.
* IHaveYourWife: Shows visible signs of distress at the prospect of Kel'rus in trouble.
* NotSoAboveItAll: Despite the distance she keeps with the rest of the Cabal, she does show a lighthearted childish side when she's with the Satreans. Like defending her Lightning-fisted monk's claim to glory in a game of [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons Lizardfolk and Labyrinths]] or trying to participate in a HurricaneOfPuns regarding Cyrus' arm.
* [[OneManArmy One Woman Army]]: She is so strong that the trio's strategy basically boils down to: point her in the right direction and let her do her thing while they handle the fine tuning.
----
!! Alan Draile
!!!Longhilt, The Light
-> “At what point did any of this seem like a good idea?”
Hero of another story, the main protagonist of Of Light and Darkness saga. Born Satreian, and trained as a paladin. Described as introspective, pleasant, and diplomatic. Crossing paths frequently with the [=PCs=] of Acts 1 & 2, he's a firm ally of both trios, ready to help with any problems they may have. Shown to be a fairly formidable fighter and strategist, he's played a part in every significant event that has happened as of late, and is usually shown having one or two hidden trinkets that sparks the curiosity of one PC.
----
* HeroOfAnotherStory: What he is. It's made very clear that he has had adventures that run parallel to the PC's.
* LightEmUp: As a paladin standard power. He also can produce a fighting avatar of light and control it remotely.
* MrExposition: He fills in the [=PCs=] on anything they may not know about the political situation they're dealing or about to deal with. Justified as he has connections everywhere.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: His outburst at One-Arm. Particularly notable since the only emotions he's expressed until then is mild pleasantness.
* OurGryphonsAreDifferent: His loyal steed Thrillwing that allows belly rubs after careful consideration.
* ThePaladin: A straightforward example of the trope. Alex even refers to him as [[LightIsGood The Light.]]
* RousingSpeech: Delivered one before the Titan subjugation quest began.
--> '''Alan''': “Our enemy thinks us prey. Show him we are the [[Franchise/AttackOnTitan hunters!]]”
* RunningGag: Is the victim of various unrelated parties commenting on how 'weak-looking' he is.
---> '''Guard A''': "Him?"
---> '''Guard B''': "Who?"
---> '''Guard C''': "She could do better."
* WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys: So far, an Oricalchum dagger and a Phoenix Tears healing potion.
----
!!Angel Kirinedge
!!!The Ghostblade
-> “I may not care too much about the Shadowlands, but I know the importance of family.”
Daughter of the legendary Tallen Kirinedge, greatest hero in history. Born Satreian, and a powerful fighter. Confident, forthright and loyal to her comrades. Wandering the earth for preparation for the Dark Lord's arrival, she's now working with the Agents of the Cabal to protect and keep an eye on Alan.
----
* ActionGirl: Capable of kicking all sorts of ass.
* TheAce: She has halted whole armies in their path and has bisected a titan's face in half.
* BadassBoast: Like Elly, she has the power and skill to back them up.
---> '''Angel''': "If I’d intended to come here and fight my way through to thwart you, trust me: '''You’d know'''"
* CombatPragmatist: Isn't above asking personal questions to gain the upper hand.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: She's had her own adventures whenever her paths with Alan and the [=PCs=] don't intersect.
* LargeHam: Surprisingly, she makes a loud old woman.
--> '''Old!Angel''': “Listen here, sonny, granny was a valkyrie in the Crusades, walked all the way through it all!”
* LoveInterest: To Alan.
* MoreDeadlyThanTheMale: She's stronger than Alan, more ruthless and more ready to throw down to protect the ones she cares about.
* [[OneManArmy One Woman Army]]: She's taken down small armies by herself, full armies when backed by her lieutenants.
* [[SamusIsAGirl Ghostblade Is A Girl]]
----
!!Keira
A Drow prisoner of war captured by the Cabal after a mysterious third party slaughtered her group, leaving her and another the sole survivors. Comely, but rather malnourished. She currently serves as an apprentice of sorts under Cyrus in exchange for her life held under pain of death if she ever were to turn against them. A talented mage in the making, she has demonstrated great loyalty to her leader and mourns the loss of her group, and her lover.
----
* ExplosiveLeash: A collar with a [[Series/GameOfThrones ruby]] set in the middle. Only Alan knows the phrase to trigger it should she betray them.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes
* MyMasterRightOrWrong: She is loyal to Vosquin and obeys the most heinous commands, despite her personal misgivings.
* JerkassWoobie: She is introduced as a part of a terrorist group that kidnaps civilians, but there is no doubt that the past few days have been very traumatic for her.
----
!!The Brain In The Jar
-> “You…will all…serve…ME!”
A disembodied brain kept alive by incredible arcane power. Once an experiment by a local lich, it took over operations when the lich accidentally jumpstarted its latent arcane powers by destroying its creator. Since then, it survived on ensnared travelers of the Shadowlands and, so it claims, their own pain and suffering. Judging by the mass grave in its chamber which it transformed into artificial leylines, that seems to be true. It had considerable power over the mind and could read it sufficiently to craft personal (but imperfect) torments.
----
* BrainInAJar: Which fits the theme of this encounter. Its true danger lies in its mental attacks, although its physical threat is nothing to sneeze at either.
* GuestStarPartyMember
* BarrierChangeBoss: A minor example, as there were many misleading targets for the trio to target to break the barrier protecting the jar.
* LeyLine: Its main means of power, and its weakness.
* LotusEaterMachine: Starts off its illusions as this, before evolving into:
* PsychologicalTormentZone: Assaulting every member of the party with their own personal illusions, each designed to [[DespairEventHorizon break them down]] with their own inner demons. The DarkAndTroubledPast of most of the cast gives it plenty of ammo to work with. With varying [[NoSell degrees]] of [[HeroicBSOD success]].
* NightOfTheLivingMooks: It being the creation of a lich, a powerful undead, the Brain naturally has powers of necromancy at its disposal. Even if its minions are cut apart, they can reattach themselves for a second attack.
* TurnedAgainstTheirMasters: There are no signs of its creator lich, having usurped it as the local regional threat.
[[/folder]]
----
!!Acts 1 & 2 of Midlands provide examples of:
* ArcWords: "Idealistic fool!"
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: As a general rule, all leaders of all nations from the Elvenking to Orcland Damiyos are required to display badassitude or at least look like badasses of the highest order.
** To elaborate further, all the Damiyos of the Orclands are LargeAndInCharge, and are more than willing to demonstrate their physical prowess, except for Sarukosh, who [[NeckSnap went down]] pretty quickly to his fellow Damiyo. The Elvenking himself is shown to be a being of great magical power and capable of holding off three powerful vampire assassins while performing a complicated spell at the same time. The heads of the vampire clans are even more so.
* BadassFamily: Anyone whose name is Kirinedge or even his disciples. His two daughters, Angel and Elly, can wreck your day hard if you get on their bad side. His greatest disciple, Zhang has single-handedly carved out his own country from Imperial Jadelands territory.
* DeadpanSnarker: Every PC, NPC and the GM.
--> '''Alan''' : (With arm in sling) “Yes, we wouldn’t want this to be unfair, would we?”
* ExperiencedProtagonist: The "heroes" aren't newbies and have already obtained the bulk of their power by the time the story starts.
** Rho is a (albeit inexperienced) stormspeaker with knowledge of martial arts. Darrian is a full Tsivarti agent with a couple of missions under his belt. Tog is a former Mage Hunter with plenty of kills to his name.
** Ymir is a mage with deadly long-range magic at her disposal. Ying Cai is a qualified soldier and a master of the spear. Cyrus is a veteran detective with a eventful career history behind him.
* GreaterScopeVillain: The Dark Lord who's been stated to return someday.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: [[TheHero Alan Draille]], [[ActionGirl Angel Kirinedge]] and their respective sidekicks. Their paths frequently cross with the [=PCs=] of both Acts.
* OneManArmy: Several notable characters are stated and shown to be capable of taking on whole armies single-handedly.
** Examples include all members of [[WorldsBestWarrior The Seven]], Angel and her lieutenants, Elly, and the great Khan Zhang.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Of the super-cool, all-the-strengths, and very little weaknesses variant. Possessing SuperStrength and SuperToughness, are high-functioning, and not even needing to bite a victim to [[TouchOfDeath drain]] their blood. They are immune to typical vampire [[AchillesHeel weaknesses]] like [[HolyBurnsEvil crosses]], garlic, [[CannotCrossRunningWater running water]], save for direct [[WeakenedByTheLight sunlight]], and [[KillItWithFire fire]], and those are more inconveniences than weaknesses. They are vulnerable to [[RemovingTheHeadOrDestroyingTheBrain decapitation]] and [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice staking]], but on the other hand, those work on everybody else too.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Barring a certain few, every faction leader that the trio encounter are this or have a reputation of being this. Extends to the [[IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace Shadowlands]] as well.
[[folder:Act 1]]
* AggressiveNegotiations: What the gang meeting between the Selkies and Red Caps quickly devolved to. Naturally, a BarBrawl ensued.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Angel to pretty much most of the cast.
* {{Animorphism}}: Lokenn and his Skin-changer kin from the tribes of Beast and Bird.
* AnArmAndALeg: Leoskarrion at some point lost his right arm. [[ArtificialLimbs He got better.]] Threatened by Garrukesh.
-->'''Garrukesh''': Try anything funny, you lose the limb trying to be funny.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: The ending for the Heroes of Act 1. Rho and Tog continue to adventure and travel in order to become a better fighter and a better chef respectively. Darrian however, chooses to stay with the elven government and train with the elite to prepare for future adversaries that await his people.
* AnOfferYouCantRefuse: What Sensei Korag and the Ghostblade essentially offer to any elven settlements unfortunate enough to cross [[GunboatDiplomacy Damiyo Gokuzan's army's]] path. Zig-zagged in the fact that the elf civilians have the threat of invasion hanging over them nonetheless.
* ApocalypseCult: The party may have stumbled across one. Their mantra is KillItWithFire, they worship the ancient dragon which the Seven have defeated. Probably made their headquarters within the bones of the said dragon, and is currently kidnapping any wayward dragon and magic users for their nefarious purposes.
** It is revealed that they have abducted orc stormspeakers and human Arcaniers to drain their [[LivingBattery magic]] to revive the colossal dragon.
* AtTheCrossroads: Figuratively when Firon (who was also present at Crossroads) presented two choices to the "heroes" on the night he met them. Literally when the trio arrive at Crossroads, the site of a tragedy. [[SubvertedTrope Though no major decisions was made there.]]
* ArtificialLimbs: Leoskarrion, champion of the elves. His right arm is the metallic kind, powered by magic.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: The Titans of the Second Age which resurface during the penultimate and finale of Act 1. The latter which is offscreen.
* BadassAdorable: Thrilwing oh so much. A gryphon that enjoys belly rubs, eats anything, and his fuzziness produces a CutenessProximity effect.
* BigBad: Black Mask of Act 1. Dressed in RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver, is heavily implied to be a vampire.
* BigDamnHeroes: Pryce Lodge to the rescue! Not that Garrukesh needed it. The trio to Councillor Melkhoris's [[HappilyMarried marital life.]]
* BoisterousBruiser: Magnar Hammerborn, the anti-Shen. He has NoIndoorVoice, warms up to the "heroes" at first sight, and graciously took up [[DreadfulMusician drumming]] for their sake as long he's [[TheAlcoholic liquoured up]].
--> '''Magnar''': “Well, per’aps SOME o’ us are nae sticks inna mud!”
* BuriedAlive: The colossal fire drake's [[SealedEvilInACan final fate.]]
* BurnBabyBurn: The trio burns Alan's secret letter to them with a handy campfire.
** [[spoiler: But it refused.]]
* BusCrash: Firon and Marshal Zhao, paladins who died offscreen fighting the forces of evil. These two were particularly liked by the [=PCs=] and were sad to see them go.
* CasanovaWannabe: Whenever any of the males attempt to flirt with a [[DeadpanSnarker female NPC.]]
* CoolOldLady: Angel's stint as Darrian's grandma. A hardened war veteran with no compunctions about speaking her [[ScrewPolitenessImASenior mind]], with her [[HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood domestic]] life with Darrian's long suffering Grandfather, detailing too much on what happens in her bedchamber to her grandson's young [[HarmfulToMinors mind]], and [[PassiveAggressiveKombat loudly]] prescribing remedies for constipated bowels.
--> “Listen here, sonny, granny was a valkyrie in the Crusades, walked all the way through it all!”
* CoolSword: Cool Knife actually. It's availability in the endgame of Act 1 meant life and death for the trio.
* TheCynic: Plenty of [[JadeColoredGlasses [=NPCs=] in warzones]], but most notably the barkeeper Hugin and Commander Orm. Both have seen their fair share of [[SuicidalOverconfidence adventurers eager]] to hunt dragons and are both sick of the loss of life.
* CurbStompBattle: As the GM succinctly put it: ''Rho gets her butt handed to her by the [[LamarckWasRight daughter]] of the world’s greatest hero.'' Generally any fight against Angel. She took down a dwarf with [[MadeOfIron muttonchops]] with just a walking stick. That same dwarf that took a double drop kick by [[TheBigGuy Tog]] to the face without [[NoSell flinching]] and Darrian's arcane shock, maximum output.
* DramaPreservingHandicap: The final two fights of Act 1 up to and including the BigBad has the trio deprived of full use of their magic. Darrian couldn't teleport, and Rho couldn't control the elements effectively. (Tog however, remains unaffected.) This forces them to utilize all of their physical techniques, tactics, gambits, teamwork, and what little remains of their magic they could muster to prevail.
* Main/DestinationDefenestration: MAXIMUM TOG. Self-inflicted.
* ElephantGraveyard: The Wyrmwood. Build near the gravesite of a humongous fire drake, the carcass exudes magic that draws more fire drakes and dragons towards it, where they are promptly killed or driven off by the town guards.
** Complete with dragon merchandise!
* EqualOpportunityEvil: The [[ApocalypseCult cult.]] Members comprised of all races, both genders, and are fanatically loyal to the cause.
* FantasticRacism: Both Orc/Uruk Hai and Human/Elf races had a long history of violence and oppression over multiple ages on both sides.
* FantasyMetals: Alan's {{Mithril}} and {{Orichalcum}} blade that breaks arcane flow and steals it.
* FireForgedFriends: Since the YourMom barrage on F̶r̶o̶l̶l̶o̶ Pyron, Tog and Darrian have gotten along much better. Bonus points as it all happened in a fire themed arena against fire themed enemies.
* FriendlySniper: [[TheAce Pryce Lodge]], the world's costliest mercenary. The least aloof among the Seven the trio has encountered.
* GhostTown: The trio encounters one in the heart of the [[DesolationShot Desolation.]]
** It was a dead elven town with some of it's inhabitants and living trees frozen in time, a somber reminder of the horrors the arcane could offer.
* GratuitousNinja: The Ninja Goblins. Tog wants one!
* GreenThumb: Paradoxically, the collossal [[KillItWithFire fire drake]]. Capable of spontaneously regenerating it's outer shell of trees and siccing [[WhenTreesAttack trees]] on the party.
* HenpeckedHusband: Councillor Melkhoris.
** The [[TheAce Seven]] also had their own adventures. They had something to do with the death of the humongous fire drake.
* HoldTheLine: The Trio's mission during the Senate Assault.
* HonestyIsTheBestPolicy: A principle passed from Sensei Korag to Rho, which she follows faithfully to this day.
* HotSpringsEpisode: Happens during the trio's time in the Guardswood. Tog demonstrates his [[GagPenis prowess]] to Darrian there. Repeatedly.
* HuddlePower: Often done by the trio before a collective decision and for battle strategy.
** [[Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick huddles are fun.]]
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: Gareth and Lynnette. Overlaps with MasculineGirlFeminineBoy as she's standoffish and very protective of her friends while he's the more peaceful and calmer of the two.
* IHaveYourWife: The Councillor's wife, actually.
* InstantDeathRadius: Pyron for anybody and any arrows that gets too close to him. It's why Darrian and Tog had to find...[[TrashTalk other]] [[YourMom means]] of attacking.
* IronicEcho: When the trio had signed up for their GladiatorGames Rho greets the passerbys on the way and uttered the unfortunate line to an orc child, "Thank you little boy...or girl!" Much later...
--> '''Pryce''': “Aaaaand why would I tell you anything, little boy or girl?”
* LameComeback: Halfway through Vicilren's duel with [[BullyingADragon Alan]] when he's visibly losing and Alan called on him to stop and be smart;
--> '''Vicilren''': “I’ll show you who’s smart!”
* LargeAndInCharge: Every. Single. Damiyo. To put it in perspective, [[WorldsBestWarrior Garukkesh]] is a head taller than the already ridiculously sized orcs. Damiyo Ozan is as tall and TWICE as wide. Damiyo Gokusen towers at 10 feet, the tallest Uruk Hai the trio has ever encountered and Damiyo Sarrukesh (a goblin) is human height.
* LargeHam: Any time the PC's need to get theatrical. Angel's crone persona too.
--> ''“MAGNAR’S SUBTLE! DWARVES AR’ PLENTY SUBTLE! WHY D’YE THINK WE LIVE UNDERGROUND?”''
* LaserGuidedKarma: Invoked by the GM when Darrian [[TheDogBitesBack killed the ninja goblin Tog was throttling in his hand to foil his "recruitment drive".]] He sent an Uruk Hai with his ninja goblin [[ParrotPetPosition partner]] directly after Darrian for this.
* LawOfInverseRecoil: Inverted with Pryce's rifle, unfortunately for Darrian's dignity.
* LetsSplitUpGang: At one point in the colossal dragon, the party consisted of 8 people. The two Seven went on to the head, the "heroes" split into two parties: [[FighterMageThief Tog, Rho, Merrill,]] and [[FighterMageThief Shen, Veldrina, Darrian.]] Partly for taking down whats happening in the wings simultaneously, partly for improving RelationshipValues with the NPC s.
* MadeOfIron: The Orcs and Uruk Hai are this. Special mention to the Red Cap's dwarf leader.
* MeaningfulName: F̶r̶o̶l̶l̶o̶ Pyron. An artificial [[HalfHumanHybrid half-dragon hybrid]] and his magic deals exclusively with [[KillItWithFire fire.]]
** And a prime target for YourMom jokes.
* MotiveRant: Done by Pyron. Nobody paid much attention to it but he went on anyway.
* MotorMouth: Visaj. The GM's ability to keep in character without stuttering is uncanny.
* MuggedForDisguise: That poor random soldier in the mercenary camp. BoundAndGagged and left in a bush while his camp got invaded. Darrian tells the paladins where to rescue him though.
** And his uniform is now stretched.
* NeckSnap: The Firestorm's sudden fate, much to Rho's horror.
** Now extended to Damiyo Sarukosh, courtesy of the same executioner, Gokusen.
** Performed as a CoupDeGrace by Tog on Hooded Leather. Seems to be a standard Orcish execution method.
* NoIndoorVoice: MAGNAR and KAI!
* NoodleIncident: Just what happened during Darrian's pirate ship stint?
* ObfuscatingStupidity: The [[ClickHello mercenary captain]].
* OurElvesAreDifferent: Taking after the High Elf variant. Part of an ancient kingdom, lives in a ShiningCity, (complete with Hot Springs!) proficient with magic and producing magical items and artifacts. Main weaknesses tend to be blind narcissism, are slimmer and more delicate physically than the other races. Arrogant, though they may not necessarily be openly antagonistic.
** The Drow variant also exists, and they openly offer their [[EvilChancellor services]] in the political field and woe betide the unprepared fool that steps into their [[DecadentCourt realm.]]
* OurOrcsAreDifferent: Taking after the [[Creator/BlizzardEntertainment "Blizzardian" orcs]].
** Let's see, a ProudWarriorRace with an extensive '''[[RunningGag HONOR!!!]]''' system, possesses intelligence on par with humans with other races, [[BigEater omnivorous]], have cities and settlements, a much more fleshed-out [[{{Wutai}} culture]] than "Tolkienian" orcs, green skin and tusks, much bigger than humans (at least seven feet tall), and one of them is a protagonist character? Check!
* PassiveAggressiveKombat: The entire exchange between Angel's crone persona and Darrian's grandchild-handler role. From loudly announcing her grandchild's bowel troubles to publicly calming his grandma's slipping mind, both of them are clearly enjoying every minute of it. Except [[OnlySaneMan Lex.]]
* PokeInTheThirdEye: Happens repeatedly to Rho when she tries to communicate with the walls of the Guardswood.
--> '''Wall''': ''Kyaa!'' Kocchi wo mienai, hentai!
* RaisedByOrcs: Rho. By Sensei Korag. He taught her to be a [[ElementalPowers stormspeaker]] like him.
* RedShirt: Gleefully parodied in the first act in the tavern where the trio encounter a squad of soldiers [[TemptingFate pretty much ticking off the checklist]] for this trope. Complete with a guy showing the others a [[FatalFamilyPhoto picture of his family]], the squad leader taking solace in the fact that [[{{Retirony}} today's his last day]], capped off with a veteran who's [[Film/LethalWeapon too aged to tolerate such events]].
** WordOfGod says that they [[BrickJoke survived.]]
* RidingIntoTheSunset: Pryce Lodge, once the day is saved.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Elven [[TheGoodPrince Prince]] [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids Theron]] and Princess Ariel.
* RunningGag: '''[[BuxomisBetter HONOR!!!]]''' Also, someone will ALWAYS hum the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings One Ring]] theme whenever the broken Drow teleportation artifact is produced, or even mentioned.
* [[SamusIsAGirl Ghostblade Is A Girl]]: [[spoiler:It's Angel.]]
* ScrewPolitenessImASenior: You can tell Angel is having a lot of fun in that persona.
* ShapeshifterModeLock: Archdruid Kelveyn's final fate as a treant.
* ShutUpHannibal: Delivered as a CoupDeGrace by [[OffWithHisHead Garukkesh.]]
** AndThereWasMuchRejoicing.
* SpitefulSpit: One random Moonford ranger's reaction to the subject of [[NoIndoorVoice Magnar]]. [[DidNotThinkThisThrough Too bad he had his helmet on at the time though.]]
* SummonBiggerFish: Played straight by the Tog, Rho and Merrill team. Sicced a dragon onto a mage group and their guard with excellent results.
* TheSpymaster: Tsivartor Beleron. He's a supremecist [[{{Jerkass}} douche.]]
--> '''Beleron''': [[CantGetAwayWithNuthin I heard that.]]
* TakingYouWithMe: Which failed and resulted in the altered Guardswood.
* ThirdPersonPerson: The entire Orc and Uruk-Hai races have this characteristic due to their [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Samurai culture.]]
** And [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg Tog.]]
* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Darrian, facing the prospect of wall of fire up close and personal from a fire mage, did this.
* TrainingMontage: By two of the party members in Wyrmwood. Rho with [[BareFistedMonk Shen]], Tog with [[TheAce Garrukesh]].
** Darrian had his own of sorts earlier when sparring with Alan.
* TrialByCombat: Invoked by Shen [[spoiler:RAN-KU BATORU!]] in a BigDamnHeroes moment to save the "heroes'" diplomatic mission from collapsing.
* TrueCompanions: The "Greatest" Show In The Midlands. For all the japes and snipings and squabbles the trio has gone through, Rho, Darrian and Tog eventually grew into a united group, capable of defeating superior opponents through [[ThePowerOfFriendship sheer teamwork]].
* VerbalTic: Most Goblins will have this. ''[[Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle Yes? No? Maybe?]]''
* WarriorMonk: Damiyo Ozan's {{praetorian guard}} certainly gives off this vibe.
* WorldsBestWarrior: The [[TheAce Seven Knights]]. The trio has met 3 of them so far.
** Leoskarrion. The best archer in the world. Towers over the average elf. Has an artificial [[AnArmAndALeg right hand]] powered by magic.
** Garukkesh. Tall, [[UpToEleven even for an orc.]] Known as the greatest warrior in the world. Possesses a battleaxe covered in [[AmplifierArtifact runes.]]
** Pryce Lodge. The most expensive mercenary in the world. A BarrierWarrior, has a [[FriendlySniper rifle]] and can [[MoreDakka wipe out a small army]] with it.
* WelcomeToCorneria: Completely and utterly averted here. All [=NPCs=] have lives of their own. Treating them like a shallow, one-line person is a surefire way to [[TheDogBitesBack piss them off.]]
* WhenTreesAttack: As an alternate means of attack by the collossal fire drake. Kept as a universally hanging threat on all in the altered Guardswoods on all who would deploy lethal force.
* WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys: Darrian is notably impressed by Alan's Arcane blade, and less impressed that it's not easily acquired.
* {{Wutai}}: The Orclands are this trope.
** Although, their lands lack the natural resources to build the majestic pagodas and temples that often accompany this trope. But they do have dojos.
* YouAllMeetInAnInn: A tavern in the orclands actually, but the spirit is there.
* YouHaveFailedMe: Gokusen executes Ghiska at the end of his trial for his wanton brutality.
--> '''Gokusen''': “You panicked. And your weakness cost you the lives of your men, your position, and my honour.” *{{NeckSnap}}*
* YourMom: Darrian and Tog made [[OverusedRunningGag many]] comments disparaging [[HalfHumanHybrid Pyron's]] lineage to distract him to buy time for the Seven to buff themselves.
** Mostly speculation of the actions taken during the moment of conception.
--> '''Darrian''': Soooo, did your mom give birth or she just laid an egg? Just asking.
* ZergRush: The cultists attempt this on the party as a last ditch attempt. Barely slows them down.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Act 2]]
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: The Drow Imperium has occupied vital House Ahriman's strongholds, and their corresponding assets.
* TheCameo: Magnar, the Velrosian crime bosses and Captain Edway from Act 1.
* TheComicallySerious: Somehow, Lich Captain Cunningham. There is something inherently amusing about a ship's captain who's powered by forsaken, undead arcane arts, ordering a Ymir who [[ComeToGawk came to gawk]], off his ship.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Practically invoked by the new trio. Ymir is carefully secretive compared to the carefree Rho. Ying Cai is a front-line warrior compared to the sneaky pragmatic Darrian. Cyrus is diplomatic, subtle, and controls magic compared to the loud, hammy, non-magical Tog.
** Even the character dynamics are foils of the original trio; Rho, Darrian and Tog despite initial difficulty, bonded quickly before the first half of Act 1 ended. But took a whole campaign's worth of time to achieve true synchronized teamwork. The new trio, Ymir, Ying Cai and Cyrus on the other hand, with no prior contact, worked very well in sync with each other in combat from the get-go, but are closely emotionally guarded from each other.
* DarkerAndEdgier: And how! What would you expect of a campaign set in a place called The Shadowlands? The trio aren't as open to each other compared to the first team, they regularly engage in fieldwork in places where powerful and dangerous vampires rule, with dark magics such as Necromancy being used freely, and their allies make it very clear that secrets are withheld from them. All in all, in-game jokes just aren't as frequent as it was in Act 1.
** But the meta-jokes are still going strong.
* EnemyCivilWar: What the situation in the Shadowlands looks like to other nations. The Drow Imperium has invaded vampire territories, and the major vampire houses are gearing up for a counterattack.
* EnemyMine: For now, any personal agendas or vendettas has been put on hold in favor of the Cabal's missions.
* EmpathyDollShot: Discussed and mercilessly mocked for laughs regarding Alan's and Cyrus's search for a missing doll. A meme of Shang Yu got involved somehow.
* ExactWords: Invoked and exploited by all parties regarding the Order of Light's expulsion from Vampire lands. They wanted them gone, they didn't say how.
* {{Expy}}: Arbitex is set for one as [[WesternAnimation/BigHero6 Baymax's.]]
* IHaveYourWife: The current issue poised by the Drow towards house Orlock. The lives of their captured civilians in exchange for abstaining from taking up arms.
* LeyLine: Contributed to the obstacle that is the brain in the jar.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Lampshaded by [[NiceGuy Kel'rus]], a cheerful Drow.
--> '''Kel'rus''': “Just because my people are shadowy, it doesn’t mean I can’t be an optimist!”
* NobleDemon: Khi’Ras Tal D’Launz, the Bloodstone Sentinel, tries to cultivate this image with his speech. Jury is still out if he really is a SmugSnake underneath though.
* SacredHospitality: A big deal in these parts, due to the prominence of the vampire clans. Notably, House Orlock refused to give any to the trio when they arrived, just in case. On the other hand, House Tepes-Impala immediately offered their guest right to the Cabal when they arrived, to demonstrate how much they needed the Cabal's intervention.
* SlaveLiberation: A small sub-quest initiated by Ying Cai. The [[UngratefulBastard hawk boy]] took the satisfaction out of it though.
* TheSyndicate: The Cabal. Which touches many tropes at once. Claims to exist to maintain [[TheOrder order and balance]] in the Shadowlands, with history of its founding [[AncientConspiracy dating]] back to the Second Era, having access to near [[NGOSuperpower unlimited resources]] and PrivateMilitaryContractors. They are firmly independent from all governments, and commands a reputation that all parties fear and respect.
* TerribleIntervieweesMontage: Happens when Ying and Cyrus attempt to scout out prospective employees for The Cabal in a prison. Keyword here being "attempt".
--> '''Ying Cai''': *brightly* "So I heard you killed quite a few people in the woods. May I ask why?"
--> '''Hunter''': "The ''hunt.''"
--> '''Cyrus''': "Do you think you'd be a good fit with us in The Cabal?"
--> '''Hunter''': "The ''hunt.''"
--> '''Ying Cai''': *losing hope* "What would you say your skills are?"
--> '''Hunter''': "The ''hunt.''"
--> '''Ying Cai''': *facepalming* "You're gonna kill us the moment we let you out aren't you?"
--> '''Hunter''': [[BrokenRecord "The hunt".]]
* ToWinWithoutFighting: Suo Cheng the Vangard Beast, leading a small army [[AggressiveNegotiations confronts]] Angel and her gang and orders her to leave the Jadelands. She refuses and both are too stubborn to back down. The skirmish is sparked when Alan, controlling an avatar of light demands Suo Cheng to leave. The trio is left with the choice to sit out the battle or participate. The trio, led by Ying Cai sets out to [[TakeAThirdOption end the fight]] quickly and successfully appealed to Suo Cheng to stand down. However, the trope is downplayed when a few other lone elite soldiers insisted on keeping up the now-pointless fight, and Ying Cai had to [[MakingASplash intervene personally]].
* VoiceWithAnInternetConnection: [[NonIndicativeName Mr. Blue]], leader of The Cabal, who communicates with his subordinates through magenta books.
* WhamEpisode: The character development session. Huge bombshells were [[TheReveal dropped]]: One-Arm is actually ex-Tsivartor Bheleron in exile, Elly and Angel are sisters, and The Blade is Zhang the Beheader, the great Khan, and Jadeland's public enemy number one. All in one room.
* WouldHurtAChild: The raiders slain in the first mission. A battle trophy was found in their hands. The vampire tooth of an adolescent.
[[/folder]]
----
-> "So... At what point did any of this seem like a good idea?"
----
This RP tells the story of an unlikely trio of adventurers. Rho, a human girl trained as a [[ElementalPowers Stormspeaker]], is working in a bar on an orcish island. When an elven Tsivarti agent, calling himself Billy gets in trouble with the other bar patrons due to FantasticRacism, she and a bystander paladin named Firon tries to defuse the situation while an out-of-work orc laughs nastily at the situation while devouring lots of meat and gulping ale.
When Billy escapes the bar, Rho gets some news: a massacre between the orcs and elves has happened at the trade hub town of Crossroads. In response to that, the three Damiyos of the orcs, uruks and goblins are gearing up for war, with Damiyo Gokusen, a strong proponent of aggressiveness, has begun to invade the elf territories. While the kingdom of Ellarvin and the royal family is preparing a counterattack. And Rho's [[InterspeciesAdoption adoptive]] father, a well respected orc Stormspeaker known as Sensei Korag has disappeared within the conflict.
She immediately sets out on a journey to find her Sensei, and hires [[TheBigGuy Tog]], an orc ronin [[MageKiller mage hunter]] to help. They are quickly joined by Billy, who later reveals his true name as [[CombatPragmatist Darrian]], who participates in Rho's quest as a matter of gratitude for saving him, and as a quick means of [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere leaving]] an island of angry orcs. Firon sends them on their way, and on their journey, the trio discovers mysteries, meet new allies and friends, and will ultimately participate in a life-changing gladiator fight that will marvel (and confuse) people for generations to come: "The [[TrueCompanions Greatest]] Show In The Midlands."
And then came [[HereWeGoAgain Act 2.]]
A month after Act 1, with multiple nations still reeling from the loss and threats made during it's finale, the RP now focuses on a new set of protagonists. [[EnergyWeapon Ymir]], a secretive young lady, [[BladeOnAStick Ying Cai]], a soldier from the Jadelands, and [[BarrierWarrior Cyrus]], a mage detective from Velros. The trio was summoned from their respective homes to the heart of the Shadowlands, where they are offered employment from a mysterious organization known as [[TheSyndicate The Cabal]]. There, the trio has to contend with politically sensitive missions, dangerous foes, and their own personal circumstances.
[[foldercontrol]]
!The "[[TrueCompanions Greatest]]" Show In Midlands!
[[folder:Rho]]
!!Rho
-> "Where is Sensei Korag?!"
Born human but raised by the orcs, Rho is a stormspeaker, trained to feel the magic tied to the elements, and to bend or shift them to her will. And karate. The mage of the trio. Raised by her sensei Korag, her story begins when he disappears in the war and she sets off to find him. Hot-headed, compassionate and unable to keep her mouth shut, it is her quest that kick-started the plot in the first place. And it is she who dubbed the trio's name: The "Greatest" Show In The Midlands.
----
* {{Action Girl}}: Capable of kicking ass in close combat and raining lightning and earth from afar, utilizes acrobatics to get out of sticky situations.
* AllLovingHero: She's the first of the trio to be friendly to strangers, she goes out of her way to befriend defeated enemies and is willing to extend a helping hand and a second chance to a disgraced orc prisoner convicted for war crimes.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: She decides to WalkTheEarth with Tog to resume her training as a stormspeaker.
* BefriendingTheEnemy: She tries to invoke an inverted case of DefeatMeansFriendship to opponents she has fought before, like Leoskarrion and the Team Typhoon Stormspeaker.
* BrokenRecord: Where is Sensei Korag?!Where is Sensei Korag?!Where is Sensei Korag?!
* ChildhoodBrainDamage: Casually suggested by her teammates and the GM that this is the cause for her not thinking things through and rash behavior. Sensei Korag must have given her [[HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood one sandslap too many.]]
* ComplexityAddiction: A brief case when she tries to have a silent conversation with Sensei Korag.
* {{Cuteness Proximity}}: Has this reaction to Thrilwing.
* {{Elemental Powers}}: As a stormspeaker, she can [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin summon storms]], manipulate [[DishingOutDirt earth]], and [[BlowYouAway wind]]. She will need time to concentrate to do it though.
* FastballSpecial: Turned into this by Leoskarrion into [[GrievousHarmWithABody Darrian.]] Backfires as her help was [[NiceJobFixingItVillain instrumental]] for Darrian subduing Alan.
* FearlessFool: Has traits of this when she chooses the toughest opponents for the trio to fight in two [[TrialByCombat seperate]] [[GladiatorSubquest cases.]] The trope is reiterated when challenging an opponent whose skills are in another class altogether to a friendly [[CurbStompBattle sparring match.]]
* {{Food as Bribe}}: Her MO. Hired Tog's help by offering him roast. Elicited information from bored guardsmen with a couple of riceballs.
* {{Good Samaritan}}: Saved Billy from being beaten up from a [[BarBrawl roomful of angry orcs.]] Is pretty insistent on freeing the captive dragons.
* GroinAttack: That poor Typhoon Stormspeaker.
* HeroicBSOD: Ghiska's sudden execution left her notably quiet for a while afterwards.
* {{Honor Before Reason}}: Has a strong sense of justice and integrity and hates bullies. And she will never stop asserting those beliefs. [[DoNotTauntCthulhu Even in front of people that may be disinclined to agree.]]
* InsistentTerminology: '''The Greatest Show In Midlands!'''
* NoseShove: Inflicts this on Alan while Darrian has him in a [[ChokeHolds choke hold.]] She COULD have ripped his nose off, but she didn't!
* OpenMouthInsertFoot: Done this twice with hilarious effect.
** First to the orcish boy. [[AmbiguousGender Or girl.]]
** Second to the dwarf bartender.
* PetTheDog: She's the first to jump to the dragon's rescue from the hands of the cultists. She's the first to jump to anyone's aid actually.
* {{Power Fist}}: Her WeaponOfChoice. Possesses [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry elven forged silver gauntlets and greaves]] that add more hurt to her melee attacks.
* {{Raised by Orcs}}
* SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining: Downplayed. While Rho is more comfortable around the earth than with people, aside from a few cases where she speaks out when it's wiser not to, she demonstrates adequate social skills.
* {{Team Chef}}: Shares this role with Tog. She handles the staples while he handles the gourmet side. Is a little touchy that Tog is the superior chef.
* {{The Bartender}}: Barmaid actually. Until she got a new gig.
* TheChick: She fulfils this trope to a T. It's due to her that Tog and Darrian are on the same team in the first place. She has the strongest [[TheHeart moral compass]] among the group, despite her [[OpenMouthInsertFoot awkward social skills]], she's the first to befriend [=NPCs=], she encourages loyalty and teamwork, and yeah, she's the only female PC of the group.
* {{Tomboy With a Girly Streak}}: Tough, not afraid getting dirt on herself, [[FeminineWomenCanCook cooks riceballs for the team to enjoy!]] ([[BigEater Tog constantly swipes them from her hands though.]])
* {{Tsundere}}: Still wants to befriend [[IceQueen Veldrina]] despite declaring a couple times of her dislike of her.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Darrian]]
!!Darrian "Billy" Vastari
-> "I'm a TSIVARTI!!."
An elf patriot who is a Tsivarti agent. The sneaky guy of the trio and a consummate combat pragmatist. He ends up with the group for gratitude and as a quick means of escape. Possessing a strong pride in his elf heritage, yet he has a staunch stance on interracial cooperation and is unpopular amongst his peers and superiors for it. He aspires to someday rise up the ranks and be a hero for his people.
----
* {{Archer Archetype}}: As per the standard trope for elves. He's outfitted with a kyudo style bow and a self-reloading crossbow.
* BigBrotherInstinct: To Merrill. Responded to Tog's flippant comment about elves being assholes when Merrill got involved. Threatened to [[AssShove shove an arrow]] up Tog's own if he called Merrill an asshole one more time. [[ExactWords Tog complied.]]
* BeingPersonalIsntProfessional: Subverted. He tries (Emphasis on ''tries'') to maintain a professional demeanor during formal missions.
* {{Blade Below the Shoulder}}: {{Dual Wield}}s Type I, {{Franchise/Assassins Creed}} style!
** Updated his arsenal with a quick-draw mithril dagger!
* {{Butt Monkey}}: If there is a quick verbal putdown to be had, Darrian will most likely be the target. [[KicktheDog Most of them from his teammate Tog.]] Even in his own homelands he is not safe. His [[BadBoss boss]], his [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething prince]] (initially) and even his race's [[TheAce champion]] showed nothing but contempt for him. Various NonPlayerCharacter give nothing but a chilly reception to him. Even his time to shine backfires on him. Wielding Pryce's rifle in mid-air made him look silly being blown away in mid-air by the [[LawOfInverseRecoil kickback]] and broke his arm to boot.
** Small wonder he remembers his time on a [[EqualOpportunityEvil multiracial pirate ship]] fondly.
** [[spoiler:{{Actually Pretty Funny}}: Although he will never admit it out loud, he actually admires the wit behind Tog's putdowns.]]
* CasanovaWannabe: Got hit with this hard in regards to Veldrina. To his teammates' amusement and chagrin.
--> '''Darrian''': Hey Veldrina, sure you don't need an escort?
--> '''Veldrina''': Are you really so quick to identify yourself as a whore?
--> '''Darrian''': For you, baby? I could be.
* {{Click Hello}}: Was on the receiving end of this from the mercenary captain.
* {{Combat Pragmatist}}: Has no problem whatsoever in fighting dirty.
** Would throw {{A Handful For an Eye}} with a [[SmokeOut smoke bomb]], and would {{Throwing the Distraction}} with his cloak against physically superior opponents to gain the upper hand.
* ComfortFood: Tends to indulge in this along with GallowsHumor when faced with the prospect of imminent death or prison time or missions that tests his desirability as a man.
* CoolSword: Cool Knife actually, a Mithril dagger, capable of draining magic energy from whoever he cuts. It's his WeaponOfChoice.
** The Cool Knife got even cooler when the elven government presented him an Oricalchum dagger for his services.
* DeadpanSnarker: Weaponized his wit against Pyron with [[TrashTalk tried and true]] [[YourMom material.]]
--> '''Darrian''': Of course he felt it; he had two arrows up his asshole!
* DeterminedDefeatist: He did not expect his team to prevail against the TrialByCombat against Leoskarrion and Alan, and tried to negotiate with Alan in mid-battle to call the whole thing off. When Alan basically told him to accept the [[HopelessBossFight situation,]]
--> '''Darrian''': Screw that. If I'm going down, I'm going down fighting. (charges Alan)
* FragileSpeedster: He's agile, brute strength is not his forte, and he's very disinclined to take a hit. One clean hit to his ribs visibly affected him for several days afterwards.
* FireForgedFriends: With his fellow cast members of the show.
* GiveMeASword: Briefly wielded Pryce Lodge's rifle for hilarious and explosive results.
** Played seriously when Alan loaned his Oricalchum dagger to him. It was the only thing that could reliably penetrate the vampire warriors' armor.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Black Mask grazed Darrian with his own Mithril dagger, which was super effective.
* IJustWantToBeSpecial: The reason why he seeks glory and fame.
* InTheHood: Frequently to hide his PointyEars and unwanted attention.
* {{Knife Nut}}: Has a minimum of four on his person. And a quickdraw Mithril dagger!
* LiteralistSnarking: Delivered a glorious one to Tog.
--> '''Tog''': Tog's [[MySignificanceSenseIsTingling asshole sense]] is tingling!
--> '''Darrian''': ...your asshole is tingling?
--> *cue fits of giggles across the party. [[ActuallyPrettyFunny Including Tog.]]*
* MadScientist: May have slight tendancies of this, seeing as he arcane shocked an elf frozen in stasis to see what would happen and is BlownAcrossTheRoom.
--> '''Darrian''': (to no one in particular) ...[[Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger Write that down.]]
* NeverLiveItDown: HI!! I'M DARRIAN THE TSIVARTI!!!
* PoisonedWeapons: With cockatrice blood for a non-lethal takedown.
* {{Teleport Spam}}: Can pull this off on his best day.
* {{The Paralyzer}}: Has the ability to knock out a person by arcane shocking their nervous system. [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs Orcs, berserkers, orc berserkers]] however, have a resistance to this.
* {{PressGanged}}: At one point [[{{Backstory}} before the story started]] he was shanghaied with a potato sack into a pirate ship under [[CaptainErsatz Captain]] [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag Kenward Edway]].
* TheResenter: His POV chapter revealed that he's secretly jealous of [[HeroOfAnotherStory Alan]] who enjoys the recognition by various authorities that Darrian has been working towards his whole career.
* SmokeOut: A regular trick he uses to distract and confuse opponents. Combined it with DefiantToTheEnd and SpitefulSpit when he spat a smoke bomb into Black Mask's face as a response when he taunted Darrian, having him dead to rights.
* TimeToUnlockMoreTruePotential: He stays with his people to serve, train and prepare himself for the coming conflicts with the vampires. Latest news is he's growing into a BadassBookworm.
* VitriolicBestBuds: Being friends ain't gonna stop him from VolleyingInsults with Tog.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tog]]
!!Tog
!!!Toguro, THE BOULDER
-> '''"YOU WORK FOR TOG NOW!!!!"'''
An orc ronin hired by Rho. The fighter of the trio and all around big eater. Previously a mage hunter in service to the Damiyo before he left. His father died at the hands of Tsivarti elves and he consequently picked up a hatred of them. An orc of many hidden talents; a tactician, a diplomat and a better chef than Rho. His dream is to travel the world and form his own mercenary group.
----
* AndTheAdventureContinues: He decides to WalkTheEarth with Rho to train as an iron chef.
* BerserkButton: The insignia that the elven mages wear. It caused him to screw up a [[KillThemAll diplomatically sensitive mission.]]
* {{Big Eater}}: Constantly swipes food, to Rho's chagrin.
--> '''Tog''': Tog is always hungry!
* {{Buxom Is Better}}: '''Tog''': Orc females have much…huger…[[RunningGag HONOR]]!
* {{Chef of Iron}}: As stated above, he shares the role of {{Team Chef}} with Rho, but he's more of a gourmet cook as opposed to Rho who makes the everyday meals. Also, rubbing spices on bear meat ''sensually!''
* CoolSword: His [[AncestralWeapon father's]] nagamaki. Tog typically wields it ReverseGrip style, and it has been reinforced with Adamantium, forged by an UltimateBlacksmith.
* CrazyIsCool: His "recruitment drive" during the trio's first battle.
--> (in orcish) '''Tog''': ALL GOBLIN NINJAS TO ME!!!!
* {{Deadpan Snarker}}: Always has a line ready to verbally demolish [[ButtMonkey Darrian.]]
* DeniedFoodAsPunishment: Rho tries this in response to Tog bringing unwanted attention onto the trio and putting Darrian in trouble. [[{{Hammerspace}} Doesn't work.]]
* DopeSlap: Does this on Darrian exclusively whenever he can't keep up with Darrian's snark. With varying degrees of success.
* DualWielding: Has two nagamakis.
* {{Everythings Better with Samurai}}: He's an Orc samurai!
* {{Fantastic Racism}}: Hates elves. Darrian suffers for it.
* FreudianExcuse: His father was killed by elven mages.
* GeniusBruiser: Tog's more than simple hired muscle. He's also a tactician, a chef and diplomatic skills too.
** His tactics may have singlehandedly led the Trio to victory during the finale. His KansasCityShuffle and BatmanGambit tactics has allowed the trio to get hits in to unstoppable vampire warriors who were previously {{NoSell}}ing everything.
* GrievousHarmWithABody
* IncomingHam: His '''BOULDER''' persona.
* {{Indy Ploy}}: Often does this, often succeeds.
* {{Large Ham}}: While throttling a goblin ninja after killing his uruk partner, this is what he has to say:
--> '''Tog''': YOU WORK FOR TOG NOW!!!!
--> '''To Pryce Lodge''': *shakes hands* YOU WORK WITH TOG NOW!!!!
** Again when challenging Alan to an [[RockPaperScissors orcish game of chance.]]
* {{Made of Iron}}: Has taken an arrow wound to the shoulder and fought the next day with no visible ill effects. Endured a broken nose, cracked skull, and shattered armor which could have been his ribs. Took them all, shrugged them all.
* MageKiller: Is a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Mage Hunter]] due to his [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest past.]]
* {{Mundane Solution}}: Done this twice to date successfully.
** Need a boat to leave the Orclands to the Human lands? While Billy and Rho were discussing a [[ComplexityAddiction complex stealth plan]] to steal one off the docks, he simply walked to the Orc Guardsmen and asked for a boat AND a [[OneSceneWonder guide]] on the grounds that it'll get the human and elf off their lands much quicker.
** When Rho and Darrian were busy negotiating a slot in the Fighting Ring (with little success), Tog simply went to a random blacksmith and got corporate sponsorship AND brand new armor.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: However, he revealed to the above mentioned blacksmith that his teammate Darrian is a Tsivarti to get the sponsorship. This bites them all in the back when the merchant goblin comes out to capture him.
** Darrian has not failed to note that while Rho tried to defend him, Tog was quite willing to leave Darrian to his [[KickTheDog fate.]]
* {{Outside The Box Tactic}}: His greatest strength. Natch. When the GM angled him into a mirror match opponent that is better equipped and a better swordsman to boot, Tog rose to the challenge and prevailed in a way that's unexpected.
** When the opponent (in full armor) made it clear that he's faster with a sword, Tog got in very close and grappled to null that advantage. The opponent then responded by [[UseYourHead headbutting]] Tog with his heavy helmet against Tog's bare face. He then used the blood from his bleeding nose and mouth and spat it into [[AHandfulForAnEye his opponent's eyeholes]], blinding him. Tog then got out of range and began firing great arrows at him. One was knocked away, the other hit his shoulder. The opponent made one last swipe with his katana at him. Tog blocked it with an arrow, and stomped on the blade, [[WreckedWeapon shattering]] it. Tog then played on his opponent's [[ProudWarriorRace honor]] by declaring his defeat, and walked away. No one, not even the GM saw that coming.
** Came up with the idea to plant his [[ImprovisedLightningRod nagamaki]] into the colossal fire drake to strip away it's tree armor.
** Tog's strategies during the finale was essential to victory. The trio switching enemies and stabbing his opponent with Darrian's dagger when the GM did not expect it? His idea. Setting the GM up for the same trick on Black Mask and subverting it at the last moment with a smoke bomb? It was all Tog.
* ScarilyCompetentTracker: Comes with the territory of living off the land. Demonstrated when he points out that the stasis spell in the GhostTown only affected living things.
* {{Skeletons in the Coat Closet}}: Wears Sankaku Bone Armor as per Orcish tradition.
* {{The Big Guy}}: What other role would you expect a seven feet tall orc to take?
* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: The tough Orc ronin Tog fanboys over Garukkesh, and wishes for senpai to notice him.
* TheStrategist: See OutsideTheBoxTactic. Tog is the trio's main strategist in tight spots and he often succeeds in delivering victory from the jaws of defeat.
* {{Third Person Person}}: Tog uses "Tog" as opposed to "this one" that Tog's kin uses in conjunction with his culture's humble roots. That humility goes out the window in his '''BOULDER''' persona.
--> '''THE BOULDER''': '''THE BOULDER IS WINNING THIS! BY A LANDSLIDE!'''
* TragicKeepsake: His late father's [[AncestralWeapon nagamaki.]]
* TrashTalk: He and Darrian speculated liberally on the nature of Pyron's lineage, particularly on the [[YourMom maternal]] side, as their conventional attacks were useless and they needed to distract him from the Seven.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Darrian. Won't stop them both from [[VolleyingInsults snarking]] however.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Utilised unusual grappling techniques to subdue Leoskarrion with great effect. Embraced everything about it with his '''BOULDER''' persona; hamminess, showmanship, bicep flexing, all of it.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Act 1 Non-Player Companions]]
!!Merrill
-> “Um, are they always like this?”
A female elven Moonford Commando assigned to the trio. Unlike her stoic, dignified colleagues, Merrill is rather shy and reserved. She seems quite inexperienced for a Commando, but behind her quiet demeanor lies some steel.
* ArcherArchetype: As a Moonford Commando, she is this, naturally.
* BerserkButton: Her reaction to Darrian [[SeriousBusiness breaking his crossbow]] may be a downplayed version of this.
* CoolHelmet: Moonstone Helms. As WordOfGod put it: a hollowed out stone bathed with moonlight in their sacred ford, which becomes hard as mithril. Despite being featureless and [[OneWayVisor even without holes to see]], the wearer somehow maintains perfect aim.
* CutenessProximity: Thrilwing does have that effect on people.
* ItGetsEasier: Worries that killing enemy combatants will become too routine.
* NaiveNewcomer
* TheHeart: It's what enabled her to talk Veldrina down.
* ReluctantWarrior: Summed up in this quote.
--> '''Merrill''': “Well, I hope I never have to spill that much blood again.”
* SeriousBusiness: The care of their Snapdragon Repeating Crossbows is reputed to be this.
* SweetTooth: [[WordOfGod Word of Alan]] says she partial to strawberry cakes.
* YouthfulFreckles
----
!!Shen
-> *nods stoically* “Hm."
A taciturn paladin assigned to the trio. Sober, dutiful, and stoic, Shen doesn’t speak much. When he does, it’s to the point, with little time for pleasantries or insults. He prefers to stay focused on the matter at hand, but sticks around in case things get out of hand.
* AfterActionPatchup: Plays this role after the trio's [[GladiatorSubquest gladiator fight.]] He [[NoHeroDiscount taxes them for it.]]
* BareFistedMonk: His fighting style may be this, seeing as he has no weapons.
** His fighting style is a much better [[LightEmUp version]] of Rho's karate.
* BigDamnHeroes: Saves the "heroes" diplomatic mission by invoking [[TrialByCombat Ran-Ku Batoru!]]
* CombatMedic: His healing may not be refined, but it gets the job done.
** Practically promoted to TheMedic, seeing he's the only one in the party who can heal.
* ConsummateProfessional: Never partakes in any hilarity the trio goes through.
* CoolHelmet: And it's collapsible!
* [[DefrostingIceQueen Defrosting Ice King]]: He, at Merrill's prodding, is slowly warming up to the trio. And they, him.
* SourSupporter:
--> '''Shen''': “Your methods are [[ConsummateProfessional questionable]]. But your intent is pure.”
* TheFaceless
* TheStoic: His defining trait.
* TranquilFury: Never loses his calm facade, even when frustrated.
----
!!Veldrina
-> “What kind of Tsivarti makes common cause with the likes of them?”
Elegant and comely, but extremely cold, a female elf Tsivarti agent. She is utterly unimpressed with the group and unperturbed by her situation. A consummate Tsivarti, she is devoted to only the preservation and advancement of the Firstborn, no matter the cost to the other races. She met the trio as a business partner that the trio was supposed to escort and protect, and attached herself to the group for unknown reasons.
Not to be confused with the other [[Characters/TheOrderOfTheStickOthers Veldrina.]]
* AloofAlly: Has emotionally isolated herself from her traveling companions. But her aim's the same as the trio's, stop the war.
* BeneathTheMask: Reveals to Darrian (during his extremely clumsy attempt at seduction) that she's more alone than anyone thinks and that she may be out of her depth than previously thought.
* ButNowIMustGo
* DeadpanSnarker: Has an insult ready for anything and anyone. Primarily at Darrian's CasanovaWannabe antics.
* DefrostingIceQueen: Slowly, but surely. Her side-story reveals that Kelenos is the most successful at this.
* FantasticRacism: See her page quote. It's so prominent that even [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Shen]] had something to say about it.
* {{Foil}}: To Darrian. Both are proud to be elves and of their heritage. However, while he's acknowledges the strengths of the other races and is willing to work with them, she considers them beneath her and only trusts in the strength of her people.
* IceQueen: Her defining trait.
* LadyOfBlackMagic
* TheFriendNobodyLikes: Her emotional detachment from the rest of the group is finally straining relations with her and the party. Tog and Rho are suspicious of her, not even Merrill and Shen has anything nice to say about her.
* TheStoic: Even more impressive than Shen as she does not have the benefit of a face-concealing helmet.
* TheUnfettered: Taught her whole life to be this trope for the cause. Very nearly put it into practice when she considered stealing the fire soul orb. Fortunately, Merrill and Darrian talked her out of it.
** Is decisively growing out of it further still with her sabbatical with Kelenos.
----
!!Garrukesh
-> [[Film/SpaceJam “COME ON AND SLAM! AND WELCOME TO THE JAM!”]]
Breaker of Armies, Whirlwind of Steel, one of the Seven Knights, a hulk of an orc with a runed axe crafted from metal, not bone. He is undoubtedly the single greatest warrior in the Desolation, and a contender to be the World’s Strongest Warrior.
* TheAce: With his help, The "Greatest" Show in Midlands mowed down a dragon hunting cultist party easily. Even siccing a fully grown dragon on him barely slowed him down.
* AffectionateNickname: "Rook" by Pryce Lodge.
* ButNowIMustGo
* CrutchCharacter: It's fairly obvious he's not here to stay.
* GuestStarPartyMember
* HyperAwareness: Able to sense Veldrina tailing the party and sees through her true profession effortlessly.
* ShutUpHannibal: Delivered a [[OffWithHisHead welcome]] one to Pyron.
* WorldsGreatestWarrior: A contender for the title!
----
!! Pryce Lodge
-> “Aaaaand why would I tell you anything, little boy or girl?”
Sardonic and relaxed, with a magical rifle at his side and a cloak on his back, this vagabond is the World’s Costliest Mercenary and one of the Seven. Unlike Garuk, however, he seems to derive some slight enjoyment from bantering with others. In battle, he is a rapid and sure shot, though one wonders what other skills he has as one of the Seven Knights. His cloak seems to be covering more than his figure.
* TheAce: As one of the Seven, able to mow down a small army with [[MoreDakka gunfire]] easily and go toe to toe with a colossal fire drake.
* BarrierWarrior: Without his aegis, the "Greatest" Show in Midlands would have been reduced to cinders many times over.
* ButNowIMustGo
* TheBusCameBack: For a brief period when he resurfaced in The Shadowlands and co-opted a ride across the sea from the trio of Act 2.
* FriendlySniper: The most friendly of the Seven that the group has met.
* GiveMeASword: A CoolGun actually to Darrian. Subverted as the strategy for shooting the drake's core only made the [[InfernalRetaliation battle worse.]]
* TheDrifter
----
!!Sensei Korag
-> "Strength is being able to stand up for what one should truly believe in; the truth."
Known as something of an iconoclast among the other orcs, Korag was nevertheless respected for his wisdom and kindness, virtues which endured in the Great Desolation. He took it upon himself to raise the human foundling Rho, once it became clear she had the gift of magic.
----
* AesopEnforcer: As per the orcish tradition!
* AffectionateGestureToTheHead: From the In Which Rho Needed to Pee and Earned a Knockout short story, to Rho, revealing the tenderness beneath the gruff exterior.
* AnAesop: When you uphold the truth, there will be many who will beat you senseless for doing so. But you must, above all else, remain true to it, no matter how hard the beating.
* BadassCreed: May have declared one in the Rho Needs To Pee side-story.
--> '''Sensei Korag''': "No disciple of mine will ever lie to win a battle. Truth will triumph above all else, for the truth will set you free."
** [[ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes The truth will set your teeth free.]]
* BadassTeacher: Yes. Yes he is.
* BigDamnHeroes: Was the "little help" to Rho in sealing the colossal fire drake.
* FlatWhat: His reaction to Rho peeing.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Will not hesitate to deliver a knockout blow to his adopted daughter if it means imparting a crucial life lesson.
* LivingMacguffin: His disappearance is the reason why our "heroes" are even out adventuring. Rho most of all.
* MentorOccupationalHazard: Of the Missing Mentor variant.
** Not anymore.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: May or may not share the same catchphrase as [[Creator/GeorgeTakei George Takei.]]
** ''"Oh myyy!"''
* LotusPosition: The first thing mentioned in the Rho goes peeing side-story.
* MentorArchetype: Wise, experienced, advisor, and confidante to a young, inexperienced heroine? Yup.
* TrainingFromHell: Downplayed. While Sensei Korag does hit Rho, he never hits harder than he has to and always for a good reason. All in all, stormspeaker training has some strenuous aspects but as a whole is not "hellish".
* WillNotTellALie: Seems to hold this philosophy.
----
[[/folder]]
!Agents of The Cabal
[[folder:Ymer]]
!!Remillia Anne Arcturus
!!!Ymer, Remy
An elegant looking mysterious lady until she opens her mouth. A graduate of the Magus Institute, she keeps her personal history a guarded secret and seems to be troubled by any reminders of it, living or otherwise. She's actually a half-human, half-vampire daughter of a minor House Tepes-Impala noble. She cares for her homeland deeply, and determined to save it.
----
* AloofBigBrother: Her half-brother, Lars. But he shows visible concern for his half-sister.
* BrokenBird: She struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, and as a result, extremely reluctant to return home to see her beloved mother.
* CoolMask: She wears one to avoid recognition from certain vampire parties. Seems to have abandoned it when her identity was outed in front of the full Tepes-Impala council.
* DaddysGirl: Has stated to be once quite close to her father.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Implied. Her childhood was presumably not idyllic.
** It is revealed so far that she had failed to return to her clan after a mission she disagreed with.
* EnergyWeapon: Her main means of offensive magic.
* FoeTossingCharge: Hilariously subverted. Turns out a skinny waif isn't very good at shoving fully armored soldiers out of the way. Who knew?
* HalfHumanHybrid: [[HumanMomNonhumanDad Half-human, half-vampire.]]
* HeroicSafeMode: Entered one of sorts once news of the Drow invasion of her home reached her. She's more prone to rash decisions and generally not so calm as before she heard the news.
* SdrawkcabName: Her Ymer alias is her AffectionateNickname spelled backwards.
* ThatCameOutWrong: In [[EpicFail epic]] [[NeverLiveItDown fashion]] when she tried to co-opt [[IgnoreTheDisability Elly's]] help.
** [[DontExplainTheJoke Elly's hands are manacled.]]
--> '''Ymir''': Hi Elly, could you lend us a '''hand''' if you're '''free'''?
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Ying Cai]]
!!Ying Cai
A human soldier from the Jadelands' Imperial Army. His goal is to protect his home from the threat that the Khan represents. Pursuing a lead meant for another, he solves his problems with water, first-aid, and spearwork.
----
* AmazonChaser: Fell for Elly, monstrous strength and all.
* BladeOnAStick: He is a competent spearman. Although he is proficient with other weapons too.
* CombatMedic: He's a healer, and knows how to tend to battlefield wounds.
* CoolHorse: Managed to tame a sand-steed from a bandit he killed. Its name is Peng.
* DoggedNiceGuy: He's in love with Elly, but she likes someone else. Doesn't stop him from looking out for her though.
* MakingASplash: He's a low-level waterbender.
* MidSeasonUpgrade: His original spear was sheared by an orc bandit chief. So Ying has replaced it with a magically enchanted one. One that returns to his hands at will.
* MommasBoy: He was raised by his single mother, so he's a bit of one.
* NiceGuy: He went out of his way to buy and free slaves from a market, and he's always ready to tend to his comrades' medical needs, from hamstrung legs to dislocated shoulders.
* NotInThisForYourRevolution: He cares little and less for the ambitions of The Cabal, as long as his own country's problems are solved.
* RightManInTheWrongPlace: The invitation to join the Cabal wasn't even meant for him, but for his accomplished superior officer. Ying was sent in his place because the invitation was so vague, it did not warrant his full attention.
* SuppressedRage: He was breathing very deeply and deliberately when he discovered that he's in the same room with the Khan.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Cyrus]]
!!Cyrus
A Velrosian mage detective. Has a mysterious past of his own, and similarly keeps it to himself. Has a keen analytical mind, and practiced diplomatic manners. He has a colored career history as a detective, even being on speaking terms with the former head of the Tsivarti of Ellaravin.
----
* AnArmAndALeg: Has a prosthetic arm.
* BarrierWarrior: Can generate a force field at will.
* BlowYouAway: Is able to control wind.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: He's in the Cabal because he is being blackmailed.
* HurricaneOfPuns: On the receiving end of one when his prosthetic arm is ripped off.
--> '''Angel''': “Let me lend you a '''hand'''.”
--> '''Alan''': “Cyrus seems to have a good '''grasp''' of the situation.”
--> '''Ying Cai''': “Calm down, it's only a little '''armless''' fun.”
--> '''Elly''': “…Uh…hand…pun. I’m sorry, I’m out of practice."
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Is a mage detective.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Act 2 Non-Player Companions]]
!!Kel'rus
-> “Uh, OK, am I the only person here without any baggage?”
A Drow, one of the more senior members of The Cabal. He's also cheery, helpful and prone to saying wrong things at the wrong time. In short, he's everything his race doesn't stand for. He has offered his aid to the trio freely in missions and is on good terms with everyone within The Cabal.
----
* HeroicBSOD: The worst affected by the Brain In The Jar's illusions.
* HiddenDepths: On the positive side, he's a competent actor and can pose as a disdainful and arrogant guard who he is anything but. On the other side, his failure to resist his MindRape hints at a DarkAndTroubledPast.
--> '''Kel'rus''': “Oh, sure. I can look disdainful and arrogant. I worked with people who lived that.”
** Further demonstrates another side when he singlehandedly tracks down a group of fleeing Drow assassins and delivers one as crucial evidence for the Cabal to analyze before he is forcibly teleported away.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: He is the antithesis of all the traits of a typical Drow.
--> '''Kel'rus''': “If you need someone to confide in, you can talk to me. He says as he realises that his people have a reputation for betrayal and selling secrets. Eeeeeesh.”
* NiceGuy: His defining trait.
* OnlySaneMan: See his character quote.
* WideEyedIdealist: His outlook and attitude really contrasts with his more somber teammates and the DarkerAndEdgier environment.
----
!!Elly
!!!Elly Kirinedge
-> “Sometimes life just gives you a shit hand. All you can do is try and lose as little as possible.”
A human female, with brown hair tied into a single braid and amber-golden eyes. Aside from basic combat gear, her most striking accessories are silvery white gloves that extend to her elbows and manacles of Jadeland craftsmanship around her arms. Even manacled, she is monstrously fast, direct, skilled, and strong. She is actually a daughter of Tallen Kirinedge, the greatest hero in history. She has a troubled past and possesses a cynical view of the world, and herself.
----
* BadassBoast: Delivered one to the last of the mountain bandits after brutally crushing them.
--> '''Elly''': “Stop what you’re doing or we’ll come back. And I won’t go easy next time.”
* BadassFamily: She and Angel are daughters of the greatest hero in history and both have been seen defeating small armies by themselves.
* BrokenAce: She's monstrously strong, keeps her distance from others, and has a cynical outlook on life.
* BrokenBird: Checks out almost every box on the list: she's female, TroubledButCute, deals with a DarkAndTroubledPast as evidenced by her reaction to her MindRape, and is TheStoic yet demonstrates a pronounced sense of [[LittleMissSnarker sarcasm]].
* TheComicallySerious: She really needs to brush up on her one-liners.
* CursedWithAwesome: Possesses immense combat strength, and fears it.
* HotBlooded: Not [[TheStoic immediately evident]] but it's there. She has a strong sense of justice and will openly mouth off at anyone who violates her moral code. No matter how powerful they may be.
* IAmNotLeftHanded: All that power and strength and she is still manacled with shackles of the highest quality. And now they are off.
* IHaveYourWife: Shows visible signs of distress at the prospect of Kel'rus in trouble.
* NotSoAboveItAll: Despite the distance she keeps with the rest of the Cabal, she does show a lighthearted childish side when she's with the Satreans. Like defending her Lightning-fisted monk's claim to glory in a game of [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons Lizardfolk and Labyrinths]] or trying to participate in a HurricaneOfPuns regarding Cyrus' arm.
* [[OneManArmy One Woman Army]]: She is so strong that the trio's strategy basically boils down to: point her in the right direction and let her do her thing while they handle the fine tuning.
----
!! Alan Draile
!!!Longhilt, The Light
-> “At what point did any of this seem like a good idea?”
Hero of another story, the main protagonist of Of Light and Darkness saga. Born Satreian, and trained as a paladin. Described as introspective, pleasant, and diplomatic. Crossing paths frequently with the [=PCs=] of Acts 1 & 2, he's a firm ally of both trios, ready to help with any problems they may have. Shown to be a fairly formidable fighter and strategist, he's played a part in every significant event that has happened as of late, and is usually shown having one or two hidden trinkets that sparks the curiosity of one PC.
----
* HeroOfAnotherStory: What he is. It's made very clear that he has had adventures that run parallel to the PC's.
* LightEmUp: As a paladin standard power. He also can produce a fighting avatar of light and control it remotely.
* MrExposition: He fills in the [=PCs=] on anything they may not know about the political situation they're dealing or about to deal with. Justified as he has connections everywhere.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: His outburst at One-Arm. Particularly notable since the only emotions he's expressed until then is mild pleasantness.
* OurGryphonsAreDifferent: His loyal steed Thrillwing that allows belly rubs after careful consideration.
* ThePaladin: A straightforward example of the trope. Alex even refers to him as [[LightIsGood The Light.]]
* RousingSpeech: Delivered one before the Titan subjugation quest began.
--> '''Alan''': “Our enemy thinks us prey. Show him we are the [[Franchise/AttackOnTitan hunters!]]”
* RunningGag: Is the victim of various unrelated parties commenting on how 'weak-looking' he is.
---> '''Guard A''': "Him?"
---> '''Guard B''': "Who?"
---> '''Guard C''': "She could do better."
* WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys: So far, an Oricalchum dagger and a Phoenix Tears healing potion.
----
!!Angel Kirinedge
!!!The Ghostblade
-> “I may not care too much about the Shadowlands, but I know the importance of family.”
Daughter of the legendary Tallen Kirinedge, greatest hero in history. Born Satreian, and a powerful fighter. Confident, forthright and loyal to her comrades. Wandering the earth for preparation for the Dark Lord's arrival, she's now working with the Agents of the Cabal to protect and keep an eye on Alan.
----
* ActionGirl: Capable of kicking all sorts of ass.
* TheAce: She has halted whole armies in their path and has bisected a titan's face in half.
* BadassBoast: Like Elly, she has the power and skill to back them up.
---> '''Angel''': "If I’d intended to come here and fight my way through to thwart you, trust me: '''You’d know'''"
* CombatPragmatist: Isn't above asking personal questions to gain the upper hand.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: She's had her own adventures whenever her paths with Alan and the [=PCs=] don't intersect.
* LargeHam: Surprisingly, she makes a loud old woman.
--> '''Old!Angel''': “Listen here, sonny, granny was a valkyrie in the Crusades, walked all the way through it all!”
* LoveInterest: To Alan.
* MoreDeadlyThanTheMale: She's stronger than Alan, more ruthless and more ready to throw down to protect the ones she cares about.
* [[OneManArmy One Woman Army]]: She's taken down small armies by herself, full armies when backed by her lieutenants.
* [[SamusIsAGirl Ghostblade Is A Girl]]
----
!!Keira
A Drow prisoner of war captured by the Cabal after a mysterious third party slaughtered her group, leaving her and another the sole survivors. Comely, but rather malnourished. She currently serves as an apprentice of sorts under Cyrus in exchange for her life held under pain of death if she ever were to turn against them. A talented mage in the making, she has demonstrated great loyalty to her leader and mourns the loss of her group, and her lover.
----
* ExplosiveLeash: A collar with a [[Series/GameOfThrones ruby]] set in the middle. Only Alan knows the phrase to trigger it should she betray them.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes
* MyMasterRightOrWrong: She is loyal to Vosquin and obeys the most heinous commands, despite her personal misgivings.
* JerkassWoobie: She is introduced as a part of a terrorist group that kidnaps civilians, but there is no doubt that the past few days have been very traumatic for her.
----
!!The Brain In The Jar
-> “You…will all…serve…ME!”
A disembodied brain kept alive by incredible arcane power. Once an experiment by a local lich, it took over operations when the lich accidentally jumpstarted its latent arcane powers by destroying its creator. Since then, it survived on ensnared travelers of the Shadowlands and, so it claims, their own pain and suffering. Judging by the mass grave in its chamber which it transformed into artificial leylines, that seems to be true. It had considerable power over the mind and could read it sufficiently to craft personal (but imperfect) torments.
----
* BrainInAJar: Which fits the theme of this encounter. Its true danger lies in its mental attacks, although its physical threat is nothing to sneeze at either.
* GuestStarPartyMember
* BarrierChangeBoss: A minor example, as there were many misleading targets for the trio to target to break the barrier protecting the jar.
* LeyLine: Its main means of power, and its weakness.
* LotusEaterMachine: Starts off its illusions as this, before evolving into:
* PsychologicalTormentZone: Assaulting every member of the party with their own personal illusions, each designed to [[DespairEventHorizon break them down]] with their own inner demons. The DarkAndTroubledPast of most of the cast gives it plenty of ammo to work with. With varying [[NoSell degrees]] of [[HeroicBSOD success]].
* NightOfTheLivingMooks: It being the creation of a lich, a powerful undead, the Brain naturally has powers of necromancy at its disposal. Even if its minions are cut apart, they can reattach themselves for a second attack.
* TurnedAgainstTheirMasters: There are no signs of its creator lich, having usurped it as the local regional threat.
[[/folder]]
----
!!Acts 1 & 2 of Midlands provide examples of:
* ArcWords: "Idealistic fool!"
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: As a general rule, all leaders of all nations from the Elvenking to Orcland Damiyos are required to display badassitude or at least look like badasses of the highest order.
** To elaborate further, all the Damiyos of the Orclands are LargeAndInCharge, and are more than willing to demonstrate their physical prowess, except for Sarukosh, who [[NeckSnap went down]] pretty quickly to his fellow Damiyo. The Elvenking himself is shown to be a being of great magical power and capable of holding off three powerful vampire assassins while performing a complicated spell at the same time. The heads of the vampire clans are even more so.
* BadassFamily: Anyone whose name is Kirinedge or even his disciples. His two daughters, Angel and Elly, can wreck your day hard if you get on their bad side. His greatest disciple, Zhang has single-handedly carved out his own country from Imperial Jadelands territory.
* DeadpanSnarker: Every PC, NPC and the GM.
--> '''Alan''' : (With arm in sling) “Yes, we wouldn’t want this to be unfair, would we?”
* ExperiencedProtagonist: The "heroes" aren't newbies and have already obtained the bulk of their power by the time the story starts.
** Rho is a (albeit inexperienced) stormspeaker with knowledge of martial arts. Darrian is a full Tsivarti agent with a couple of missions under his belt. Tog is a former Mage Hunter with plenty of kills to his name.
** Ymir is a mage with deadly long-range magic at her disposal. Ying Cai is a qualified soldier and a master of the spear. Cyrus is a veteran detective with a eventful career history behind him.
* GreaterScopeVillain: The Dark Lord who's been stated to return someday.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: [[TheHero Alan Draille]], [[ActionGirl Angel Kirinedge]] and their respective sidekicks. Their paths frequently cross with the [=PCs=] of both Acts.
* OneManArmy: Several notable characters are stated and shown to be capable of taking on whole armies single-handedly.
** Examples include all members of [[WorldsBestWarrior The Seven]], Angel and her lieutenants, Elly, and the great Khan Zhang.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Of the super-cool, all-the-strengths, and very little weaknesses variant. Possessing SuperStrength and SuperToughness, are high-functioning, and not even needing to bite a victim to [[TouchOfDeath drain]] their blood. They are immune to typical vampire [[AchillesHeel weaknesses]] like [[HolyBurnsEvil crosses]], garlic, [[CannotCrossRunningWater running water]], save for direct [[WeakenedByTheLight sunlight]], and [[KillItWithFire fire]], and those are more inconveniences than weaknesses. They are vulnerable to [[RemovingTheHeadOrDestroyingTheBrain decapitation]] and [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice staking]], but on the other hand, those work on everybody else too.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Barring a certain few, every faction leader that the trio encounter are this or have a reputation of being this. Extends to the [[IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace Shadowlands]] as well.
[[folder:Act 1]]
* AggressiveNegotiations: What the gang meeting between the Selkies and Red Caps quickly devolved to. Naturally, a BarBrawl ensued.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Angel to pretty much most of the cast.
* {{Animorphism}}: Lokenn and his Skin-changer kin from the tribes of Beast and Bird.
* AnArmAndALeg: Leoskarrion at some point lost his right arm. [[ArtificialLimbs He got better.]] Threatened by Garrukesh.
-->'''Garrukesh''': Try anything funny, you lose the limb trying to be funny.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: The ending for the Heroes of Act 1. Rho and Tog continue to adventure and travel in order to become a better fighter and a better chef respectively. Darrian however, chooses to stay with the elven government and train with the elite to prepare for future adversaries that await his people.
* AnOfferYouCantRefuse: What Sensei Korag and the Ghostblade essentially offer to any elven settlements unfortunate enough to cross [[GunboatDiplomacy Damiyo Gokuzan's army's]] path. Zig-zagged in the fact that the elf civilians have the threat of invasion hanging over them nonetheless.
* ApocalypseCult: The party may have stumbled across one. Their mantra is KillItWithFire, they worship the ancient dragon which the Seven have defeated. Probably made their headquarters within the bones of the said dragon, and is currently kidnapping any wayward dragon and magic users for their nefarious purposes.
** It is revealed that they have abducted orc stormspeakers and human Arcaniers to drain their [[LivingBattery magic]] to revive the colossal dragon.
* AtTheCrossroads: Figuratively when Firon (who was also present at Crossroads) presented two choices to the "heroes" on the night he met them. Literally when the trio arrive at Crossroads, the site of a tragedy. [[SubvertedTrope Though no major decisions was made there.]]
* ArtificialLimbs: Leoskarrion, champion of the elves. His right arm is the metallic kind, powered by magic.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: The Titans of the Second Age which resurface during the penultimate and finale of Act 1. The latter which is offscreen.
* BadassAdorable: Thrilwing oh so much. A gryphon that enjoys belly rubs, eats anything, and his fuzziness produces a CutenessProximity effect.
* BigBad: Black Mask of Act 1. Dressed in RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver, is heavily implied to be a vampire.
* BigDamnHeroes: Pryce Lodge to the rescue! Not that Garrukesh needed it. The trio to Councillor Melkhoris's [[HappilyMarried marital life.]]
* BoisterousBruiser: Magnar Hammerborn, the anti-Shen. He has NoIndoorVoice, warms up to the "heroes" at first sight, and graciously took up [[DreadfulMusician drumming]] for their sake as long he's [[TheAlcoholic liquoured up]].
--> '''Magnar''': “Well, per’aps SOME o’ us are nae sticks inna mud!”
* BuriedAlive: The colossal fire drake's [[SealedEvilInACan final fate.]]
* BurnBabyBurn: The trio burns Alan's secret letter to them with a handy campfire.
** [[spoiler: But it refused.]]
* BusCrash: Firon and Marshal Zhao, paladins who died offscreen fighting the forces of evil. These two were particularly liked by the [=PCs=] and were sad to see them go.
* CasanovaWannabe: Whenever any of the males attempt to flirt with a [[DeadpanSnarker female NPC.]]
* CoolOldLady: Angel's stint as Darrian's grandma. A hardened war veteran with no compunctions about speaking her [[ScrewPolitenessImASenior mind]], with her [[HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood domestic]] life with Darrian's long suffering Grandfather, detailing too much on what happens in her bedchamber to her grandson's young [[HarmfulToMinors mind]], and [[PassiveAggressiveKombat loudly]] prescribing remedies for constipated bowels.
--> “Listen here, sonny, granny was a valkyrie in the Crusades, walked all the way through it all!”
* CoolSword: Cool Knife actually. It's availability in the endgame of Act 1 meant life and death for the trio.
* TheCynic: Plenty of [[JadeColoredGlasses [=NPCs=] in warzones]], but most notably the barkeeper Hugin and Commander Orm. Both have seen their fair share of [[SuicidalOverconfidence adventurers eager]] to hunt dragons and are both sick of the loss of life.
* CurbStompBattle: As the GM succinctly put it: ''Rho gets her butt handed to her by the [[LamarckWasRight daughter]] of the world’s greatest hero.'' Generally any fight against Angel. She took down a dwarf with [[MadeOfIron muttonchops]] with just a walking stick. That same dwarf that took a double drop kick by [[TheBigGuy Tog]] to the face without [[NoSell flinching]] and Darrian's arcane shock, maximum output.
* DramaPreservingHandicap: The final two fights of Act 1 up to and including the BigBad has the trio deprived of full use of their magic. Darrian couldn't teleport, and Rho couldn't control the elements effectively. (Tog however, remains unaffected.) This forces them to utilize all of their physical techniques, tactics, gambits, teamwork, and what little remains of their magic they could muster to prevail.
* Main/DestinationDefenestration: MAXIMUM TOG. Self-inflicted.
* ElephantGraveyard: The Wyrmwood. Build near the gravesite of a humongous fire drake, the carcass exudes magic that draws more fire drakes and dragons towards it, where they are promptly killed or driven off by the town guards.
** Complete with dragon merchandise!
* EqualOpportunityEvil: The [[ApocalypseCult cult.]] Members comprised of all races, both genders, and are fanatically loyal to the cause.
* FantasticRacism: Both Orc/Uruk Hai and Human/Elf races had a long history of violence and oppression over multiple ages on both sides.
* FantasyMetals: Alan's {{Mithril}} and {{Orichalcum}} blade that breaks arcane flow and steals it.
* FireForgedFriends: Since the YourMom barrage on F̶r̶o̶l̶l̶o̶ Pyron, Tog and Darrian have gotten along much better. Bonus points as it all happened in a fire themed arena against fire themed enemies.
* FriendlySniper: [[TheAce Pryce Lodge]], the world's costliest mercenary. The least aloof among the Seven the trio has encountered.
* GhostTown: The trio encounters one in the heart of the [[DesolationShot Desolation.]]
** It was a dead elven town with some of it's inhabitants and living trees frozen in time, a somber reminder of the horrors the arcane could offer.
* GratuitousNinja: The Ninja Goblins. Tog wants one!
* GreenThumb: Paradoxically, the collossal [[KillItWithFire fire drake]]. Capable of spontaneously regenerating it's outer shell of trees and siccing [[WhenTreesAttack trees]] on the party.
* HenpeckedHusband: Councillor Melkhoris.
** The [[TheAce Seven]] also had their own adventures. They had something to do with the death of the humongous fire drake.
* HoldTheLine: The Trio's mission during the Senate Assault.
* HonestyIsTheBestPolicy: A principle passed from Sensei Korag to Rho, which she follows faithfully to this day.
* HotSpringsEpisode: Happens during the trio's time in the Guardswood. Tog demonstrates his [[GagPenis prowess]] to Darrian there. Repeatedly.
* HuddlePower: Often done by the trio before a collective decision and for battle strategy.
** [[Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick huddles are fun.]]
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: Gareth and Lynnette. Overlaps with MasculineGirlFeminineBoy as she's standoffish and very protective of her friends while he's the more peaceful and calmer of the two.
* IHaveYourWife: The Councillor's wife, actually.
* InstantDeathRadius: Pyron for anybody and any arrows that gets too close to him. It's why Darrian and Tog had to find...[[TrashTalk other]] [[YourMom means]] of attacking.
* IronicEcho: When the trio had signed up for their GladiatorGames Rho greets the passerbys on the way and uttered the unfortunate line to an orc child, "Thank you little boy...or girl!" Much later...
--> '''Pryce''': “Aaaaand why would I tell you anything, little boy or girl?”
* LameComeback: Halfway through Vicilren's duel with [[BullyingADragon Alan]] when he's visibly losing and Alan called on him to stop and be smart;
--> '''Vicilren''': “I’ll show you who’s smart!”
* LargeAndInCharge: Every. Single. Damiyo. To put it in perspective, [[WorldsBestWarrior Garukkesh]] is a head taller than the already ridiculously sized orcs. Damiyo Ozan is as tall and TWICE as wide. Damiyo Gokusen towers at 10 feet, the tallest Uruk Hai the trio has ever encountered and Damiyo Sarrukesh (a goblin) is human height.
* LargeHam: Any time the PC's need to get theatrical. Angel's crone persona too.
--> ''“MAGNAR’S SUBTLE! DWARVES AR’ PLENTY SUBTLE! WHY D’YE THINK WE LIVE UNDERGROUND?”''
* LaserGuidedKarma: Invoked by the GM when Darrian [[TheDogBitesBack killed the ninja goblin Tog was throttling in his hand to foil his "recruitment drive".]] He sent an Uruk Hai with his ninja goblin [[ParrotPetPosition partner]] directly after Darrian for this.
* LawOfInverseRecoil: Inverted with Pryce's rifle, unfortunately for Darrian's dignity.
* LetsSplitUpGang: At one point in the colossal dragon, the party consisted of 8 people. The two Seven went on to the head, the "heroes" split into two parties: [[FighterMageThief Tog, Rho, Merrill,]] and [[FighterMageThief Shen, Veldrina, Darrian.]] Partly for taking down whats happening in the wings simultaneously, partly for improving RelationshipValues with the NPC s.
* MadeOfIron: The Orcs and Uruk Hai are this. Special mention to the Red Cap's dwarf leader.
* MeaningfulName: F̶r̶o̶l̶l̶o̶ Pyron. An artificial [[HalfHumanHybrid half-dragon hybrid]] and his magic deals exclusively with [[KillItWithFire fire.]]
** And a prime target for YourMom jokes.
* MotiveRant: Done by Pyron. Nobody paid much attention to it but he went on anyway.
* MotorMouth: Visaj. The GM's ability to keep in character without stuttering is uncanny.
* MuggedForDisguise: That poor random soldier in the mercenary camp. BoundAndGagged and left in a bush while his camp got invaded. Darrian tells the paladins where to rescue him though.
** And his uniform is now stretched.
* NeckSnap: The Firestorm's sudden fate, much to Rho's horror.
** Now extended to Damiyo Sarukosh, courtesy of the same executioner, Gokusen.
** Performed as a CoupDeGrace by Tog on Hooded Leather. Seems to be a standard Orcish execution method.
* NoIndoorVoice: MAGNAR and KAI!
* NoodleIncident: Just what happened during Darrian's pirate ship stint?
* ObfuscatingStupidity: The [[ClickHello mercenary captain]].
* OurElvesAreDifferent: Taking after the High Elf variant. Part of an ancient kingdom, lives in a ShiningCity, (complete with Hot Springs!) proficient with magic and producing magical items and artifacts. Main weaknesses tend to be blind narcissism, are slimmer and more delicate physically than the other races. Arrogant, though they may not necessarily be openly antagonistic.
** The Drow variant also exists, and they openly offer their [[EvilChancellor services]] in the political field and woe betide the unprepared fool that steps into their [[DecadentCourt realm.]]
* OurOrcsAreDifferent: Taking after the [[Creator/BlizzardEntertainment "Blizzardian" orcs]].
** Let's see, a ProudWarriorRace with an extensive '''[[RunningGag HONOR!!!]]''' system, possesses intelligence on par with humans with other races, [[BigEater omnivorous]], have cities and settlements, a much more fleshed-out [[{{Wutai}} culture]] than "Tolkienian" orcs, green skin and tusks, much bigger than humans (at least seven feet tall), and one of them is a protagonist character? Check!
* PassiveAggressiveKombat: The entire exchange between Angel's crone persona and Darrian's grandchild-handler role. From loudly announcing her grandchild's bowel troubles to publicly calming his grandma's slipping mind, both of them are clearly enjoying every minute of it. Except [[OnlySaneMan Lex.]]
* PokeInTheThirdEye: Happens repeatedly to Rho when she tries to communicate with the walls of the Guardswood.
--> '''Wall''': ''Kyaa!'' Kocchi wo mienai, hentai!
* RaisedByOrcs: Rho. By Sensei Korag. He taught her to be a [[ElementalPowers stormspeaker]] like him.
* RedShirt: Gleefully parodied in the first act in the tavern where the trio encounter a squad of soldiers [[TemptingFate pretty much ticking off the checklist]] for this trope. Complete with a guy showing the others a [[FatalFamilyPhoto picture of his family]], the squad leader taking solace in the fact that [[{{Retirony}} today's his last day]], capped off with a veteran who's [[Film/LethalWeapon too aged to tolerate such events]].
** WordOfGod says that they [[BrickJoke survived.]]
* RidingIntoTheSunset: Pryce Lodge, once the day is saved.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Elven [[TheGoodPrince Prince]] [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids Theron]] and Princess Ariel.
* RunningGag: '''[[BuxomisBetter HONOR!!!]]''' Also, someone will ALWAYS hum the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings One Ring]] theme whenever the broken Drow teleportation artifact is produced, or even mentioned.
* [[SamusIsAGirl Ghostblade Is A Girl]]: [[spoiler:It's Angel.]]
* ScrewPolitenessImASenior: You can tell Angel is having a lot of fun in that persona.
* ShapeshifterModeLock: Archdruid Kelveyn's final fate as a treant.
* ShutUpHannibal: Delivered as a CoupDeGrace by [[OffWithHisHead Garukkesh.]]
** AndThereWasMuchRejoicing.
* SpitefulSpit: One random Moonford ranger's reaction to the subject of [[NoIndoorVoice Magnar]]. [[DidNotThinkThisThrough Too bad he had his helmet on at the time though.]]
* SummonBiggerFish: Played straight by the Tog, Rho and Merrill team. Sicced a dragon onto a mage group and their guard with excellent results.
* TheSpymaster: Tsivartor Beleron. He's a supremecist [[{{Jerkass}} douche.]]
--> '''Beleron''': [[CantGetAwayWithNuthin I heard that.]]
* TakingYouWithMe: Which failed and resulted in the altered Guardswood.
* ThirdPersonPerson: The entire Orc and Uruk-Hai races have this characteristic due to their [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Samurai culture.]]
** And [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg Tog.]]
* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Darrian, facing the prospect of wall of fire up close and personal from a fire mage, did this.
* TrainingMontage: By two of the party members in Wyrmwood. Rho with [[BareFistedMonk Shen]], Tog with [[TheAce Garrukesh]].
** Darrian had his own of sorts earlier when sparring with Alan.
* TrialByCombat: Invoked by Shen [[spoiler:RAN-KU BATORU!]] in a BigDamnHeroes moment to save the "heroes'" diplomatic mission from collapsing.
* TrueCompanions: The "Greatest" Show In The Midlands. For all the japes and snipings and squabbles the trio has gone through, Rho, Darrian and Tog eventually grew into a united group, capable of defeating superior opponents through [[ThePowerOfFriendship sheer teamwork]].
* VerbalTic: Most Goblins will have this. ''[[Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle Yes? No? Maybe?]]''
* WarriorMonk: Damiyo Ozan's {{praetorian guard}} certainly gives off this vibe.
* WorldsBestWarrior: The [[TheAce Seven Knights]]. The trio has met 3 of them so far.
** Leoskarrion. The best archer in the world. Towers over the average elf. Has an artificial [[AnArmAndALeg right hand]] powered by magic.
** Garukkesh. Tall, [[UpToEleven even for an orc.]] Known as the greatest warrior in the world. Possesses a battleaxe covered in [[AmplifierArtifact runes.]]
** Pryce Lodge. The most expensive mercenary in the world. A BarrierWarrior, has a [[FriendlySniper rifle]] and can [[MoreDakka wipe out a small army]] with it.
* WelcomeToCorneria: Completely and utterly averted here. All [=NPCs=] have lives of their own. Treating them like a shallow, one-line person is a surefire way to [[TheDogBitesBack piss them off.]]
* WhenTreesAttack: As an alternate means of attack by the collossal fire drake. Kept as a universally hanging threat on all in the altered Guardswoods on all who would deploy lethal force.
* WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys: Darrian is notably impressed by Alan's Arcane blade, and less impressed that it's not easily acquired.
* {{Wutai}}: The Orclands are this trope.
** Although, their lands lack the natural resources to build the majestic pagodas and temples that often accompany this trope. But they do have dojos.
* YouAllMeetInAnInn: A tavern in the orclands actually, but the spirit is there.
* YouHaveFailedMe: Gokusen executes Ghiska at the end of his trial for his wanton brutality.
--> '''Gokusen''': “You panicked. And your weakness cost you the lives of your men, your position, and my honour.” *{{NeckSnap}}*
* YourMom: Darrian and Tog made [[OverusedRunningGag many]] comments disparaging [[HalfHumanHybrid Pyron's]] lineage to distract him to buy time for the Seven to buff themselves.
** Mostly speculation of the actions taken during the moment of conception.
--> '''Darrian''': Soooo, did your mom give birth or she just laid an egg? Just asking.
* ZergRush: The cultists attempt this on the party as a last ditch attempt. Barely slows them down.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Act 2]]
* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: The Drow Imperium has occupied vital House Ahriman's strongholds, and their corresponding assets.
* TheCameo: Magnar, the Velrosian crime bosses and Captain Edway from Act 1.
* TheComicallySerious: Somehow, Lich Captain Cunningham. There is something inherently amusing about a ship's captain who's powered by forsaken, undead arcane arts, ordering a Ymir who [[ComeToGawk came to gawk]], off his ship.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Practically invoked by the new trio. Ymir is carefully secretive compared to the carefree Rho. Ying Cai is a front-line warrior compared to the sneaky pragmatic Darrian. Cyrus is diplomatic, subtle, and controls magic compared to the loud, hammy, non-magical Tog.
** Even the character dynamics are foils of the original trio; Rho, Darrian and Tog despite initial difficulty, bonded quickly before the first half of Act 1 ended. But took a whole campaign's worth of time to achieve true synchronized teamwork. The new trio, Ymir, Ying Cai and Cyrus on the other hand, with no prior contact, worked very well in sync with each other in combat from the get-go, but are closely emotionally guarded from each other.
* DarkerAndEdgier: And how! What would you expect of a campaign set in a place called The Shadowlands? The trio aren't as open to each other compared to the first team, they regularly engage in fieldwork in places where powerful and dangerous vampires rule, with dark magics such as Necromancy being used freely, and their allies make it very clear that secrets are withheld from them. All in all, in-game jokes just aren't as frequent as it was in Act 1.
** But the meta-jokes are still going strong.
* EnemyCivilWar: What the situation in the Shadowlands looks like to other nations. The Drow Imperium has invaded vampire territories, and the major vampire houses are gearing up for a counterattack.
* EnemyMine: For now, any personal agendas or vendettas has been put on hold in favor of the Cabal's missions.
* EmpathyDollShot: Discussed and mercilessly mocked for laughs regarding Alan's and Cyrus's search for a missing doll. A meme of Shang Yu got involved somehow.
* ExactWords: Invoked and exploited by all parties regarding the Order of Light's expulsion from Vampire lands. They wanted them gone, they didn't say how.
* {{Expy}}: Arbitex is set for one as [[WesternAnimation/BigHero6 Baymax's.]]
* IHaveYourWife: The current issue poised by the Drow towards house Orlock. The lives of their captured civilians in exchange for abstaining from taking up arms.
* LeyLine: Contributed to the obstacle that is the brain in the jar.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Lampshaded by [[NiceGuy Kel'rus]], a cheerful Drow.
--> '''Kel'rus''': “Just because my people are shadowy, it doesn’t mean I can’t be an optimist!”
* NobleDemon: Khi’Ras Tal D’Launz, the Bloodstone Sentinel, tries to cultivate this image with his speech. Jury is still out if he really is a SmugSnake underneath though.
* SacredHospitality: A big deal in these parts, due to the prominence of the vampire clans. Notably, House Orlock refused to give any to the trio when they arrived, just in case. On the other hand, House Tepes-Impala immediately offered their guest right to the Cabal when they arrived, to demonstrate how much they needed the Cabal's intervention.
* SlaveLiberation: A small sub-quest initiated by Ying Cai. The [[UngratefulBastard hawk boy]] took the satisfaction out of it though.
* TheSyndicate: The Cabal. Which touches many tropes at once. Claims to exist to maintain [[TheOrder order and balance]] in the Shadowlands, with history of its founding [[AncientConspiracy dating]] back to the Second Era, having access to near [[NGOSuperpower unlimited resources]] and PrivateMilitaryContractors. They are firmly independent from all governments, and commands a reputation that all parties fear and respect.
* TerribleIntervieweesMontage: Happens when Ying and Cyrus attempt to scout out prospective employees for The Cabal in a prison. Keyword here being "attempt".
--> '''Ying Cai''': *brightly* "So I heard you killed quite a few people in the woods. May I ask why?"
--> '''Hunter''': "The ''hunt.''"
--> '''Cyrus''': "Do you think you'd be a good fit with us in The Cabal?"
--> '''Hunter''': "The ''hunt.''"
--> '''Ying Cai''': *losing hope* "What would you say your skills are?"
--> '''Hunter''': "The ''hunt.''"
--> '''Ying Cai''': *facepalming* "You're gonna kill us the moment we let you out aren't you?"
--> '''Hunter''': [[BrokenRecord "The hunt".]]
* ToWinWithoutFighting: Suo Cheng the Vangard Beast, leading a small army [[AggressiveNegotiations confronts]] Angel and her gang and orders her to leave the Jadelands. She refuses and both are too stubborn to back down. The skirmish is sparked when Alan, controlling an avatar of light demands Suo Cheng to leave. The trio is left with the choice to sit out the battle or participate. The trio, led by Ying Cai sets out to [[TakeAThirdOption end the fight]] quickly and successfully appealed to Suo Cheng to stand down. However, the trope is downplayed when a few other lone elite soldiers insisted on keeping up the now-pointless fight, and Ying Cai had to [[MakingASplash intervene personally]].
* VoiceWithAnInternetConnection: [[NonIndicativeName Mr. Blue]], leader of The Cabal, who communicates with his subordinates through magenta books.
* WhamEpisode: The character development session. Huge bombshells were [[TheReveal dropped]]: One-Arm is actually ex-Tsivartor Bheleron in exile, Elly and Angel are sisters, and The Blade is Zhang the Beheader, the great Khan, and Jadeland's public enemy number one. All in one room.
* WouldHurtAChild: The raiders slain in the first mission. A battle trophy was found in their hands. The vampire tooth of an adolescent.
[[/folder]]
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-> "So... At what point did any of this seem like a good idea?"
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