Iconic Bard: Tog'gin

by Frank Gori

Tog’gin

The Mage was waving his hands and speaking some nonsense when Tog’s thunderstone bolas hit him. They swiftly entangled his arms and clapped together in a percussive sound that in all likelihood left the ears of Tog’s target ringing. The quad of brute squad bruisers that accompanied the two hired Mage’s Guild security specialists ran in Tog’s general direction. They managed to trip on the well placed wire and set off the smokesticks and land in the caltrops that the Krishtog had scattered a few minutes ago in stealth.

Tog murmured a few choice phrases and gestured with his palm towards his foes and gently blew over them. Glittering motes of irradiance fanned out and stuck true to the brutes that dared pursue him. Another gesture commanded the small air elementals he had summoned to attack his enemy caster. Tog had about a dozen more loud and flashy tricks to draw out all the security for the warehouse and the local watch after him. He had set traps and hired a few locals to do seemingly simple tasks that would confound and draw attention away.

Tog loved nothing more than the thrill of a crowd, or in this case a blood thirsty mob. He is leaping, climbing, swinging, gliding, and swimming and tonight would, with any luck, test all his abilities and skills. He’d prove himself worthy of his own crew and score a nice cut of tonight’s take, it made him feel like singing.

On the surface the Music Guild is about entertainment: to those in the know it’s a den of spies and thieves. The truth is less delineated than all that, some like to be both performer and thief, taking in the admiration of the crowds by day and robbing them in their sleep.

Tog’gin grew up in the anarchy of the Krishtogalog like most Krishtogs. He had a natural gift of song that was hopelessly average in his community and considered a fine and rare gift anywhere else. Unlike most Krishtogs Tog craved both a sense of structure and the thrill of being the center of attention. He was lucky to be noticed by a Music Guild talent scout.

Now Tog’gin has the honor of being one of the opening acts for Jax, and he’s well on his way to earning the right to run a crew in the evening. Leading a double life is easy when to the outsider all Krishtog pretty much look alike.

Tog’gin is a bit of an adrenalin junkie and seems to like to take big risks, trusting his planning and varied skills to get him out of tight spots. The few times that hasn’t worked magic and the natural charms of being a bard have.

On one hand the guild sees Tog’gin as a liability having a public face and taking such risks can only be effective for so long. On the other hand Tog’gin has repeatedly brought in highly profitable scores and earned a reputation among his peers as being a shrewd and wily planner.

Recently Tog has begun opening for Jax, some say it’s because Jax’s advisor wants a closer look at the up and comer. Others have speculated that Jax might be fostering some professional jealousy from the diva like bard.

Iconic Monk: Garkk

By Scott Bingham

“We should take up the Mage’s contract and the Blacksmith’s be daMMNGH…” Whatever else the opposing Foreman had to say quickly became a muffled mix of curses and cries of pain as he disappeared beneath a flurry of blows. His violent work done, Garkk separated himself from the tangled mess and hopped upon his chair, bellowing across the Assembly Hall.

“The Mages shorted our members from our last contractual agreement. Besides, if we favor the Blacksmiths and support their claim upon the downtown warehouses, we pit the two against one another! They would enter into a bidding war with us the benefactors!” Roars of support were soon followed by heated argument and more than a few fists were thrown. Garkk nodded to himself in satisfaction. He had spoken clearly and his influence among the Assembly was growing. The goblin looked across the Hall to the Grand Foreman, his greedy eye falling upon the Gavel. It would be his. With every meeting and gathering of the Assembly, Garkk was making himself heard and gaining support from among the other guilds. It was only a matter of time.

Every goblin faces the realization of their limited lifespan and the need to either live a meaningful life or to die a glorious death. A young goblin called simply “Garkk” determined that his was a life meant for more than the sweet enticements of battle and the call of a bloody and magnificent death. Garkk was set upon becoming a someone, a person of influence who would be remembered for more than their grisly and blood soaked end.

After taking the Goblinmark, Garkk threw himself into his work as a laborer and as a fighter. His talent as a fist fighter shined and he was taken under the wing of the Kindred Monks. Through their extensive training he learned to master “The Haze”, the fury fueled focus of their order. However, despite his life among his brethren and the influence of the Kindred whole, Garkk grew dissatisfied with just how far he could rise among his peers. With every passing day he grew convinced he needed to depart Kindred lands and pursue his desire among a different culture, one wherein he could climb higher than any among his Kinsmen.

Nonetheless validated among his people and considered one of high standing, Garkk left the pits of the Kindred and found his way to Hub. From there the young goblin wasted no time in joining up with one of the lesser of the Workmen’s Guilds, his fervor and determination as a laborer allowing him to rise quickly through the ranks of the guild. The Goblinmark inspired Garkk to further the interests of the guild and to keep them free of any outside manipulation. This also led Garkk to spend more than his share of time serving on the Brute Squads, readily enforcing the tenacious authority of the Guild. Within the short span of a decade, Garkk was elected by his guild to act as Foreman.

Though considered to be a bit volatile, Garkk has proven himself to be effective among the Grand Assembly with both voice and fist. Garkk has cast himself among the Assembly as one who holds the needs and best interests of the Workmen’s Guild most dear, acting as advocate of the Guild’s authority and their aspiration to hold the respect of the other Guilds. It is among The Rabble that Garkk finally saw his path made clear. Setting his sights upon the Illustrious Gavel of the Assembly, Garkk would fight and bellow and draw the support from the other guilds until his vision was realized and the title of Grand Foreman his. Garkk fervently seeks to make the position more than it is and feels that he alone can fulfill such a role. 

 

Garkk’s end lay not at the edge of a blade but in the memories of all the Guilds and the entirety of Desylinn as the one who had united the Workmen’s Guild, bringing meaning and respect to the title of Grand Foreman.