Description
Bright orbs of fiery red look out from the fierce visage of a male fire
giant. Scars crisscross from his wide face down to the rest of his deep
ebony skin. Dark orange hair is tightly tied into a single neat braid
that hangs down his back. His crooked mouth reveals a brutal mouth with
a few missing or jagged teeth. His muscular frame reaches just over
eleven feet in height. He wears a white linen shirt tucked into a pair
of brown cotton pants. Beyond a little bit of mud on his leather boots,
the rest of his appearance is intentionally well-kept and clean. He
carries a baldric with weapons over one shoulder while a satchel hangs
from the other, both bound tightly to his body.
Role
Slave
Added Tue Dec 5 08:52:16 2023 at level 1:
Zieq looked sleepily up at the rocky ceiling above him as the yells for
the slaves to wake came. He quickly stretched his large limbs out and
stood up, though he had to hunch forward to not hit the ceiling. He had
long ago learned that being slow provided painful lessons. The dream he had
last night hung in his mind, the last image of a shackle strengthening
him burned into his brain. It truly stuck with him for he did not ever
recall dreaming.
He thought the same thought he had every morning - he was not meant for
this. He had been a slave so long that he barely remembered his life
before, sold as a young fire giant to Aran'gird. This morning he had a
new thought with the image of a shackle still fresh in his mind - what
if he actually tried to be a good slave?
He began hauling rock and moving quickly. If another slave struggled, he
would help those who were simply past their physical limits but if they
were just pretending he would strike them to quicken their step. He found
that in time his behavior was noticed and his life improved. The guards
gave him more food and as long as he caused no problems they ignored him.
If another slave wanted to cause problems for him, the rest of the slaves
would step in and put them in their place. They knew Zieq was if nothing
else being fair and treating them all equally, even if brutal at times.
The guards that used to torment them for fun now rarely if ever stepped
in to strike a slave. It just wasn't necessary, Zieq had it under control.
Head Slave
Added Tue Dec 5 08:52:56 2023 at level 1:
Zieq was surprised when one morning he was placed in shackles on his
hands and feet before being trussed up and dragged to speak with the
slave master. He wanted to be angry and struggle but realized that it
would be pointless. Even just trying to sit in a position to see
them left him in immense pain. He instead just sat there and looked
up.
"Good, you have learned your place," said the slave master. He smiled
and motioned for the guard to free him. He was then allowed with another
gesture to move and sit in the chair in front of the massive desk of the
slave master. After he was comfortable, he looked down at the desk and
not directly in the eyes of the slave master. One of many painful
experiences were gained as a slave.
"I am very pleased, Zieq. The production in my slave mines has nearly
doubled. I have been able to buy fewer new slaves as mine are lasting
longer now. You have done the impossible," said the slave master. Before
Zieq could feel too pleased with himself, they continued to speak.
"Yet, I now have you here before me ready to put you down. I can't have
you responsible for my success," said the slave master as Zieq felt a
sword lay against either side of his neck. He felt the danger and knew
the inevitable would come - so why fight it?
Zieq spoke for the first time in a long time, his speech terse and
direct, "You own me. I just do your plan. Why great success." He then
nodded his head barely, wary of the blades at his neck then continued
to stare down ready for them to fell him.
"As yes, it was my plan wasn't it. You executed it perfectly, my head
slave. It is about time you get some more training - you will need it
to help with your new duties", said the slave master.
Changes
Added Tue Dec 5 08:53:40 2023 at level 1:
From that moment on, Zieq's trajectory in life had been forever changed.
He had willingly accepted a bad situation and embraced it with great
reward. Zieq now had his own room. That was almost unimaginable to him
before. He even had a soft bed, though he had grown so used to the ground
he did not sleep there. In his mind, he was still proud of the bed. He
now spent time with tutors in the late evening. He learned his letters,
numbers, and how to behave in duergar society. He no longer had to look
down at everyone, though he still bore the mark of a slave. He walked
freely through Aran'gird.
He managed the slaves in the slave mines and those that were sent out
of Aran'gird into the Underdark. They traveled with many guards due to
the danger. It was on his third trip out that they were ambushed by drow.
They had surprise on their side and were quick, but the duergar were tough
fighters. When one of the duergar guards fell, the rest were surprised to
see Zieq pick up their sword and help them beat back the drow.
When the fight finished, Zieq went to hand the sword back to a guard but
by this point they respected him. They let him keep it. Word carried and
soon he also had time with tutors who began to teach him to fight with
more skill than pure brutal strength.
Freed
Added Tue Dec 5 08:54:47 2023 at level 1:
As he rose in the ranks, so did the notoriety of the slave master. Zieq
had come far enough that his loyalty was to him, and the brand meant
little. It had never happened before, but Zieq was freed from being a
slave. It was known and if he wanted to, he could have left the gates
to make a new life elsewhere.
He had often dreamed of leaving, but found that he enjoyed his life
even with the challenges and stares he received. He now operated as a
guide and a guard on the expeditions and rarely went down to the mines
anymore. If he did, a slave was likely to be beaten to death. This was
a rarity for they still viewed him as one of their own and the guards
still treated them better than they had before he had risen.
The guards were glad when he joined them on their expeditions, for he
had a keen eye and quiet step in the caverns. He would protect the
operation by striking from behind rocks or calling out ambushes. It is
easy to hate one who rose far when you do not until they save your life
repeatedly. At some point the guards had just become thankful he was on
their side.
As word spread about Zieq and talk began of finding more fire giant
slaves, the upper echelons of Aran'gird began to toy with the idea of
promoting the slave master to their ranks. It was not surprising that
a few did not want this to happen. The slave master was quietly
assassinated with no trace of the attacker. When Zieq learned, he took
a walk to think but found the stares far more hostile than they had
been the previous day. Zieq gathered the sword he had taken and left
immediately before his freedom became conveniently forgotten.
Above Ground
Added Tue Dec 5 08:55:36 2023 at level 1:
Zieq could not remember how many years it had been since he had been
above ground. He had not thought about the sky in a long time. He was
surprised when his eyes hurt upon first rising from the underdark to
a pathway near a river. He left and traveled across Thera for a time,
growing used to the brightness as well as density of people walking
so freely.
It was obvious over time that the people above moved around with both
more freedom and more danger. There were none to look over most so their
first step down a path could end with them set upon bandits or savages.
Zieq found the lack of structure unsettling, and it wasn't until he
walked within Galadon that he felt at home. The guard was strong and
numerous and it appeared commanding them was easy as pledging to the
Spire.
Zieq was not prone to deep thought, but knew that he had enjoyed being
over the rest of the slaves. He had protected them from each other when
necessary, but it wasn't because he liked them or felt like he should.
He wanted to have power over them, wanted to have others who depended
upon him to control them. He wanted those who he could order to protect
the true person that mattered - him. While he didn't truly understand
these feelings, it was easy to see others of the spire and to want what
they had.
Many priests moved through and preached their religion from Galadon. He
had heard little to interest him until a priest of Destuvius came. Zieq
listened intently and found much to think about with the Twin Honors. He
was born under the star of protection, but it had a twisted path through
the heavens that night. Zieq cared most for his own protection and knew
that came best with guards around him in a system set for him to thrive.
He visited many of the guilds within and finally around Galadon before
finding a home in one not commonly studied by those that seek the Spire.
The ranger's guild was outside of his new home, but they abided by the
laws enacted within. The guildmaster found his talents within the caverns
of the Underdark interesting and assured him they had ways to train him to
better fight there. While he wasn't sure how much he planned to continue to
dive within the caves, he did feel they were another home. When he began to
learn of the other ways he could train within the guild, he settled upon
learning to hunt with bow and arrow. The patience and skill gained would
make him very valuable to the Spire, exactly the sort of position he wished
to be in.
Magistrate
Added Mon Dec 11 14:04:32 2023 at level 20:
Zieq was quick to speak with those above him to offer his loyalty and
eyes. He knew that those of his guild were often hunted as they were
assumed to be a savage or villager. He spoke to the Emperor Kareloth
and offered his eyes for aid, knowing in time they would help him as
much as his little effort scouting helped them. He was also quick to
speak with the leaders within the Spire. The Provincial Celdimerick
even offered him a bounty for future criminals shot out of the sky
of ten gold.
His chance came when he was finally able to meet with the Provost Atrael.
It was difficult to have a long conversation with them, as they were
busy overseeing many manners. It was a key reminder to Zieq, that while
he wanted guards to boss around he did not wish to have to do so much
busy work. The Provost provided challenging questions, and Zieq thought
as hard as he could but struggled with the minute ways one could be
considered to be breaking the law. He remained respectful and firm in
his desire and was soon let within the Spire. He was disappointed with
his first station of Seantryn Modan, but didn't let it be known for he
knew in time he would be where was needed in Galadon.
Zieq quickly read through the library and looked over the rooms before
seeking one last conversation with the Provost. He spoke of his clear
intentions and before he could continue the Provost was quick to ask
for him to aspire to be a Vindicator. This suited him well and he was
glad to know he would have the support once he had proven himself. Zieq
had already experienced the slowness of being away from the wilds for
too long, so was quick to return for now. It felt like a blessing and a
curse, for he was going to be a great scout and powerful fighter in time
but he was forced to spend so much time in such a filthy place.
PK Wins
Dec 14, 2023|Lv 27|The Grove|Sezzelli vs 1: [27] Zieq (100%, serpent strike)
Dec 26, 2023|Lv 47|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Brorin vs 1: [47] Zieq (100%, hit)
Dec 28, 2023|Lv 51|The Tahril Mountains|Stilisyin vs 2: [51] Iskrith (100%, burning, weeping sores), [51] Zieq (0%)
Dec 28, 2023|Lv 51|The Outlander Refuge|Stilisyin vs 3: [51] Celdimerick (38%, bleeding), [51] Ghakler (19%), [51] Zieq (41%)
Dec 28, 2023|Lv 51|Silverwood|Stilisyin vs 1: [51] Zieq (100%, immolation)