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1899 - The Hidden Hands of the Aether
Esther:
Josie (Josephine)
Josie was born in a rural religious community north of London. She lived a simpel live as a child, taking care of the animals, cooking, sewing, ect. With two older bothers, three younger sisters and a little baby brother there was work a plenty. It was a harsh life but she was loved and taken care of by her family. Then at the age of ten, something happend that turned her world upside down.
After putting the animals indoors for the night, Evan, her oldest brother tried to rape her, saying she would be a woman soon and she better get used to it.
Josie froze, praying this wasn't happening. Praying someone would make it stop. She felt a strange tingeling sensation in her hands and feet and a force taking over her body. Somebody was making it stop by clawing into Evan's flesh. When Josie realised it were her own hands and feet transformed into claws that were nearly slicing the flesh from her brothers bones she stopped.
Evan managed to run home and told a story of how Josie had attact him suddenly and nearly killed him for no reason. Josie stood behind the shed. Regaining her sanity and human shape, trying to comprehend what had happend. They found her there with her brothers blood all over. She tried to explain why it happend, how she had no control over it. She begged them too listen, to forgive her, to help her. But everyone looked at her with fear and loathing, as if she was a foul demon. They spat at her and told her she deserved no justice. She begged them to understand. But the people she loved bound and blindfolded her, took her to a remote forrest and bound her to a tree. Josie was left to die.
For a while Josie wanted to die. She had lost everything she had ever known and loved. She wanted to give up, just stand there till she would be no more.
But she didn't. This little ember inside refused to go out. She had prayed for help and it had come; a gift from the gods. How could that be wrong? Evan and the others had done her wrong, for no reason. What is the use of loving if people betray you? What is the use of speaking if people don't believe you? Big questions for a little girl. After two days she told herself she didn't deserve to die and used her blessing to escape her fate.
From the age of ten Josie had to take care of herself. Wandering around the country, she met good and bad people. The good she showed her gratitude, the bad she showed her blessing. Dead mutilated bodies and ten year old girls alone on the road don't get connected easily. She ended up in London at the age of thirteen. She arrived during an extremely cold winter and was nearly dying when she knocked on the door at the Lock and Feather inn. They took her in for the night and let her stay and earn her keep by doing the odd jobs. Josie has been working here for 2 years now. She hasn't spoken a word since she arrived.
Age: 15
Virtue: Faith
Vice: Wrath
Attributes:
Physical Social Mental
Power Str 2 Cha 2 Int 2
Finesse Dex 3 Man 2 Wit 3
Resistance Sta 3 Com 3 Res 2
Skills:
Mental: (4)
Housekeeping 2
Herb Lore 2
Physical: (11)
Larceny 3: specialty lock-picking
Survival 3
Stealth 2
Athletics 2: specialty climbing
Brawl 1
Social: (7)
Animal Ken 2
Empathy 2
Subterfuge 2: specialty spotting lies
Streetwise 1
Other Traits
Size: 4
Speed: 5
Health: 7
Willpower: 5
Initiative: 6
Defense: 3
LuckyDee:
The Lock and Feather Inn
For nearly three centuries, the sign of the Lock and Feather has been a respectable part of the Lewisham community, and its fame is still on the rise. Starting out as a simple pub, the building has expanded both in size and in function over time, and now boasts a large common room serving quality ales, wines and food, plus a dormitory and nearly a dozen rooms to accommodate weary travellers. The current owners are Albert and Mellie Fines – often referred to as Mr. Lock and Mrs. Feather by the regulars - who run a staff of half a dozen, which increases in size when business booms due to festivals, holidays and other important events.
Albert Fines
For three generations, the Lock and Feather has been owned and run by the Fines family, with Albert being the current landlord. He often is mistakenly thought to be the his bouncer Hugo’s older brother – even by some of the newer regulars – due to the similarities in their appearance: Albert sports the same bald scalp and moustache, and even their eyes look similar. At 5’7”, Albert just a lot smaller than Hugo, and more than slightly flabbier.
Although he doesn’t look it at first glance, Albert is possessed of the same business instinct as his father and grandfather before him. He’s sharp as a tack and cunning, slow to anger and generally very much at ease – as long as mrs. Fines isn’t on his case.
Mellie Fines
Born Melissa Bonham, Mellie is widely seen as the actual power behind the Lock and Feather. She’s a stout woman whose laughter never seems to run dry, gentle and merry, but tough when she has to be. To her dismay, the Fines’ ownership of the Lock and Feather is going to end with her husband, as they seem to be unable to produce offspring. This predicament has left her prone to bouts of extreme sensitivity towards the problems of children big and small, and more than one soul to knock on the inn’s door have found themselves taken in and sometimes even employed; Josie’s is one such example, and although Hugo doesn’t realise it, more or less the same goes for him.
Joshua
One of the most enigmatic patrons of the Lock and Feather would be Joshua, who is an allegedly very successful bounty hunter, even at his rather young age – although no one knows exactly how old he is. He’s not big on talk, although friendly and courteous enough; he usually just sits at the bar and drinks a few. On the rare occasion that he does get drunk, he generally grows introvert to the point where someone has to lead his absent-minded form to the door come closing time – or chuck him in a bed, if there are rooms to spare.
Joshua’s presence works miracles for the atmosphere in the common room, as he exudes a deep kind of menace just soft enough to not annoy anyone, and just loud enough to make any would-be troublemaker think twice before trying anything.
He never does business inside the inn, although from time to time he is approached by would-be clients there. If dealing needs to be done, it’s done elsewhere.
[MORE REGULARS TO FOLLOW]
LuckyDee:
Unexpected Guests – a Prelude
May 3rd 1856, Saturday evening – Tea time
After a winter that seemed to last a full year, the cold winds blowing in over the Atlantic ocean have finally receded, and most of the Anglican Republic is preparing for its first day of rest in the newborn spring. In London the factories are shutting down, offices are closing and the streets are thronged with people trying to get out of the shadows cast between the high downtown buildings, and into the sunlight. It’s like the city is finally exhaling after months of holding its breath, and the people seem to radiate a deliciously good vibe.
Under the sign of the Lock and Feather, business is good. The Engineers’ Guild is holding its annual conference and exhibition week at the end of May, and already guests from both within the guild and without are flocking to the city. Half of the inn’s separate rooms have already been booked for the second half of May, and the dormitory is drawing a better than average share of travellers in advance.
And now, at dinner time on a Saturday evening, the common room is stuffed. Some new arrivals, having come in over the past days; a large group from the Founders’ Guild, who are celebrating someone’s jubilee; several of the regulars – and a whole lot of well-to-do citizens taking their spouses or friends – or even themselves – out for dinner.
Albert is currently manning the bar, with Mellie bustling about in the kitchen and around the tables. Both Hugo and Josie, being part of the inn’s regular staff, are naturally found at the inn, going about their usual business….
Klear:
With a loud creak of wood, Hugo leaves his place near the entrance and walks slowly to join Albert at the bar.
"I'll need next Saturday off, Boss" he says. "I'm fightin' some out of town chump. I'll be here right next mornin', no problem."
He states this completely matter-of-factly, as if it was a done deal, but waits at the bar awkwardly, waiting for Mr. Fines to approve his request.
Esther:
Josie is running around trying to keep the tables clean, get the food out and the dirty dishes back to the kitchen.
She has been watching a stranger for a while now. He worked himself through a large number of drinks and a big plate of food. But has been sitting on an nearly empty glass for an hour now, constantly eyeing the door. As Josie comes rushing back from the kitchen she finds Hugo standing at the bar. She spots an empty place at the table and the strange customer moving towards the door. With one swift move she places herself between him and the only way out. As she's holding a hot stew with her apron, just out of the oven, all she can think of is trying to burn him with it. She moves towards him holding the lid ferm on the hot stew pot, moving it towards his body every time he tries to get past her. Hoping that Hugo will notice the commotion.
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