Encounters

Kailon & Granny

Granny’s connection with Kailon is a pretty simple one. After roaming the countryside and discovering what hunger and thirst are for the first time, the newly minted aasimar sells some of his meager possessions for a little food and drink. Later on he is approached by the ISA and after they tell him the importance of what he sold off, he realizes he has made a terrible mistake. Granny is part of the team that helps him try and track down this link to his past, but even though ultimately unsuccessful the two become fast friends and Granny thinks of him fondly as her “little chick”, a precious innocent that could use more than a little guidance. After some time they part ways but she knows that one day soon their paths will cross again.

Oh dear me, what pretty little birds you have there! What? Oh no no I’m not looking to buy, what would I do with a bird? Except cook it up for dinner maybe! But you do have some pretty looking things though. Mind if I rest my bones a moment on this stool? Oh thank you kind sir. This city gets in the bones, you know? The aches and pains! And mine aren’t what they used to be, no not at all. The bones, not the aches and pains teehee. But we do as best we can with what we have right? Yes indeed.

So a bird seller in Malixia City, what a curious thing! Oh and that one…what a beauty! Prize of your collection I’m sure, not from around here at all! Exotic, I guess you’d call it. So regal and fine, as white as clotted cream. And those eyes like two little sapphires trapped in that face, trembling and keen. Reminds me of another stranger in a strange country I met once, let me tell you. What an odd boy he was…

We crossed paths not too long ago. He was tall, yes…but to me, who isn’t? I ain’t never been overtall to begin with, and age has shrunk me down like an old apple, or like one of them savages with their shrunken heads! Hehe. But yes, tall and handsome, slender as a reed and oh so serious. He was desperately searching for…what? Oh, something or the other. That part isn’t important really though is it? Let’s just say he was looking for something he lost, something he didn’t realize he needed until it was gone. Isn’t that often the way of things? It’s in our nature to want what we don’t have, tisk tisk. If only we could be happy with the Mother under our feet and the sweet air around us! We could learn a lot from little mushrooms, that’s for sure, minding no one’s business but their own. But…oh yes, what was I saying?

Oh, the boy! Yes, after something lost, and I was there to help him find it. Sent by…well that doesn’t matter either. We met with the boy, and right off the bat I called him out for an odd one. Like he wasn’t even used to living in his own skin! Poor thing either had the wits of a stripling or, well…maybe something else? The simplest of things were a wonder to him, those sharp eyes flitting about like that bird there, surprised by everything and anything. Just precious. We sat down for dinner around the fire that first night, and he didn’t even know how to use a fork! The poor thing. He tried to hide it yes, but not very well. As guileless as a babe that one was. I’ll admit it was endearing in an odd sort of way. Such a handsome devil hehe…what? Oh yes my eye can still be caught by a pretty face, don’t you doubt it!

Well anyways I said to myself I says, Granny? This little peep needs you, he needs to be told what’s what and that’s no joke, before someone takes advantage! So I took him under my wing…get it?! Hehe. I showed him about all the simple things and he took to them like they was all new and curious. Over the next few days of travelling, I showed him lots of easy things, things we all take for granted. And I’ll admit I grew a little envious, seeing this hatching out in the world, fully grown mind you but oh so young and everything is fresh and new and exciting and it bit at my shriveled little heart! He made me feel young for a time he did, or at least reminded me of what it was like once, to take such simple joys in things. Sigh…

What? Oh no, he never did find what he needed. At least not yet, I imagine he’s still out looking for it somewhere…out there in the world. But what he did find was little old me, and I like to think he was grateful for it. I get this feeling we’ll meet again, the little bird.

Oh! But you’re a young lad, you’re as bored as a plank of wood ain’t ye? Hehehe made myself giggle I did. But no! Here’s a little something you might care to bend your ear at. We was out and about hunting for this…thing, and our feet led us into a dark wood. Some grumpy orcs or some such came at us that night, and lo! The little peep did something none of us expected, he did! He stood up by that campfire, his innocent face all gone dark and righteous, and his eyes blazed bright and fierce, blue as the sky they were and glowing! Wings unfurled from his back like an angel’s, ethereal and bright like sunlight through water. It was a sight to see!

After this show he raises from the earth…yes he did! Don’t look at me that, Granny ain’t never feedin’ anyone no tall tales! He raises like a phoenix and points his hand all terrible like and the orcs well, they were just done with it all! They fled all catawampus through the woods like the cowardly little things they were. Then the boy well, he drops back down to the earth like nothing at all had happened, sits his arse back down on the log and carries on eating, using his fork like a good boy, but like a good boy that’s being so careful doing something he’s only just learned how to do. What a strange boy he was, and no mistake!! I’ve never been one to truck with the divine, to be sure, all fussy and self-absorbed and such. I’ll take the simple wonder of the Mother over all that any day. But this boy, he’s been touched by one of them gods or something. I’m as right as rain on that account and that’s no joke, no sir no ma’am.

What? You’ve got work to do? Oh I see how it is. You’d rather clean up bird shit than listen to an old wise woman tell you about the world? Well with that attitude sonny, it’s all you’re ever gonna do! A pox on ya then. People are so rude these days! Back when I was a young lass, people knew how to respect their elders! Why, there was this one time….

Kailon & Rogan

After Kailon discovered his strange new abilities (which so feebly mimicked the divine might he once wielded), he took to practicing them after dark in the most secluded places he could find, hopefully out of sight of curious and prying eyes. During once such excursion, he stumbled across Rogan struggling against five or six assailants and slowly losing. Later, Rogan would tell him that the thugs were sent by one of the more vicious Malixian gangs in an attempt to put Rogan "in his place." But all Kailon cared about was that a Watchman--a guardian, a protector, precisely the kind of mortal his god would have championed--was being brutally beaten in a shameful, cowardly attack.

All thoughts of caution or self-preservation were incinerated in a flash of righteous rage, and Kailon flew into the melee, unfurling his incorporeal wings without conscious thought. The attackers' shock at Kailon's fierce, otherworldly appearance and the blows he managed to get in before they recovered gave Rogan a chance to rally his strength. Together, Rogan and Kailon ruthlessly felled opponents until only one remained, but that one delivered a blow which would have been fatal for Kailon had Rogan not blocked it with his own body.

Kailon allowed the last attacker flee as he turned his attention to the mortal wound that Rogan had taken in his stead. He could only send up a prayer of thanks to his lost god that there was still enough divinity in him to pull Rogan back from the brink of certain death.

Kailon and Rogan became fast friends after that. Rogan offered Kailon lodging at the Watch barracks, and in exchange Kailon offered his services as a backup watchmen, filling in whenever extra hands were needed.

Kailon & Ebor

Kailon met Ebor the day after he'd regretfully sold his sword and armor in order to procure the necessities for surviving his new mortal life. He was fed and well-rested for the first time in weeks, but he found himself at a loss when he went to market. Mortals needed so many things, and Kailon didn't understand the purpose of half of them. And there were so many choices. Nearly every item, from clothing to waterskins to soap, came in so many colors and sizes and even scents! How did mortals ever decide?

Ebor approached Kailon after watching him stand bewildered in front of a selection of coin purses for nearly half an hour. Ebor struck up a conversation with Kailon, gently prodded him to discover the source of his confusion, then took it upon himself to advise Kailon on his purchases for the rest of the afternoon. Kailon was immensely grateful for Ebor's assistance (though he did balk at some of Ebor's clothing suggestions).

Once Ebor was satisfied that Kailon had all the essentials and a solid understanding of how to choose for himself in the future, he treated Kailon to dinner at The Gilded Lily. Ebor seemed to thoroughly enjoy Kailon's company, though Kailon contributed little to the conversation. Mostly he just listened as Ebor spun his grand and elaborate tales. At the end of the evening, Ebor sent a slightly tipsy Kailon (wine was a new experience) back to his lodgings at The Dirty Dog with a cheerful embrace and a hearty fare-thee-well.

When Kailon unpacked his purchases the next day, he discovered a simple but elegant silver circlet that he didn't remember buying. He soon realized it was a valuable magical item (his Headband of Intellect) which Ebor must have bought and accidentally left in Kailon's bags. He immediately went to The Gilded Lily to return it, but Ebor was no longer there. Kailon has kept an eye out, but despite his inquiries and searching, he hasn't seen Ebor since.

Kailon & Lavinia Pennywash

Lavinia knows that Kailon is a fallen angel and not a natural-born aasimar. She probably doesn't know all the details--who his god is/was, why he fell, his specific enemies, etc. She hasn't used it against him yet, since he's working with the ISA voluntarily, even if it is out of guilt. He may not even know she has the information.