Departure

Leaving a place is never easy. Despite the prevailing mood, there is always that undercurrent of uncertainty, one that we all experience when leaving a comfortable, familiar home on the path to somewhere new. What will we find when we get there? Will it be shabby, dingy, scary, unfriendly? What will the neighbours be like? Suppose we don't like where we've come, or something terrible happens to us on the way there? And more importantly, did we remember to pack that bloody toothbrush? Leaving is a difficult thing, because it can imply a sorrowful abandonment of a long-loved place, as well as joyful anticipation of what lies in store ahead.

The two persons leaving now are just such an example of this principle. One of them is full of the joys of discovery, looking to make his mark in territories unexplored and dreaming of the possibilities. The other is striving not to look back upon the place she abandons, lest the awful sight stir any doubt or second thoughts in her mind.

Try and see which is which.

Steel Komodo's Character Interviews 2014 - Voting!

Are you all quite done beating the shit out of me?

 

 "Yes."

 

Thank fuck, because I think I'm going to be in this wheelchair for quite a while.

 

 "Frankly, I think it is still a miracle the desk emerged unscathed."

 

Yes, well... Look, here's the thing - I was originally going to sign up four characters per setting, but then I remembered Carol was coming back because...

 

 "Because Sine is returning?"

 

...Yes. So I had to make up a new opening on the fantasy side pretty quickly, and since Barbara managed to get her application in first I put her onto the main roster. There's still a space left for one of you guys to get in, but I'll have to get them reviewed first.

 

 "And how is that done, my lad?"

 

Oh, that goes to the comittee, who reads each one and makes an informed decision about who whould get in and who shouldn't. I'll feed you all the results as soon as I can.

 

Now go away, I have to mourn my shattered ribs. Ow.

 

"Metal lizard has bones like young gazelle."

 

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Yes, it's time! Time for you, the public forumgoers, to vote on who should make their official debut into ZFRP 2014! Simply vote the same as you would in a Fite or for Monster Mash and I'll tally then up as soon as I have a large-enough pool of votes to put in. Your choices are:

• Lord Geo "Le Bello" Dampierre, the famous con-man and criminal noble!
• Chief Thunder, the plains-wandering native with vengeance on his mind!
• The Tactician, a mysterious youth from parts unknown!
• Ymir the Tusk, the Terror from the Barrier with a deadly left hook!
• Count von Sabrewulf, the regal Lycanthrope in search of a cure!

If you haven't already, check out the cases they have made on my blog, then get to voting in the comments! First place ensures a definite spot in the roster, whilst the runner-up has the potential to become a FYM regular over the year.

 

VOTE NOW!

Steel Komodo's Character Interviews 2014 - Sabrewulf

Uuuuurgh... my head. What happened? Where am I? And more importantly, why is my desk not a shattered mess?

 

AAH A WOLF D:

 

"Good evening, sir. I apologize for my current state, but my formal clothes no longer fit me."

...Oh, yes. Count von Sabrewulf, was it? You're the last one I have to interview before I can start the voting.

"Indeed. Oh, I see you have a mahogany desk! And an expensive one, too!"

Trust me, you won't believe how much it cost. And it's had no end of bad things happen to it.

"Yes, I heard about what happened with the Barbarian. Most unfortunate - the previous one was an antique, I hear. What a waste..."

I'm still a bit sore about that, to be honest...

Steel Komodo's Character Interviews 2014 - Tusk

Last time on Steel Komodo's Character Interviews...

WHY IS THE WATER COOLER EMPTY D:

We now return to your regularly scheduled programme...

-------

Jesus H. Christ, who forgot to fill up the water cooler?! I swear, when I find the guy responsible for this, I am going to-

Oh. Here comes my next interviewee.

 

 

"Ah, I hope I am not too late, friend!"

 

No, you're just in time. Come on, have a-

 

...you brought beer.

 

"Well, I heard you were in a bit of difficulty! Hah, hah! Fancy a swig?"

 

You, sir, are a lifesaver. Give me that.

 

Aaaaah, that's better. Shall we get this underway, then?

 

"Why not?"

 

Steel Komodo's Character Interviews 2014 - The Tactician

Well, that took long enough. Bloody barbarians just can't use the front door, can't they? Thank God I've managed to fix this office up - didn't want this to look like a pigsty all the way through the character interviews!

 

Right, send the next one in!

 

 

"I hope I am not too early. I was a little worried about making it on time."

 

No, I like early. It means we can get the business over and done with, you see. I'm expecting someone else in this afternoon...

 

"Very well, shall we begin?"

 

Of course. Have a seat!

 

"Now, I would just like to warn you that due to my... condition... I may not be able to provide all the facts you desire. I hope you understand."

 

Can't be any wierder than a con-man talking in riddles, or a crazy native who thinks he's real.

 

"Pardon?"

 

...Never mind.

Steel Komodo's Character Interviews 2014 - Chief Thunder

Ah, finally. My new desk has arrived. Now, wasn't there someone meant to come in today?

 

Ah, yes. Lemme just get my Babelfish in... aaaaargh.

 

There we go. Now, let me just.

 

THUNK

 

SON OF A BITCH

 

 

 

"(Why have I been summoned to your hollow totem, metal lizard?)"

 

You know damn well why, Thunder! And look - this desk was brand new!

 

"(Leaves die and fall away in the autumn. Nothing lasts forever.)"

 

Cut it out with the prophetic wisdom already! Ugh, let's just get this dome. Take a seat.

 

...Ah.

 

"(I find it unnatural to be raised off the ground. I hope you will forgive me.)"

 

No, it's my fault. I should have brought cushions, perhaps. Anyway, let's start.

 

Steel Komodo's Character Interviews 2014 - Dampierre

"Sir, I have good news and bad news."

 

Start with the good news, please.

 

"Your replacement desk has been ordered and will arrive in short order. On top of that, we have now accepted Barbara's application and made her a permanent member of the roster."

 

...and the bad news?

 

"Lord Dampierre is here to see you."

 

Ugh... Send him in.

 

 

"Ho ho! Le Bello apologizes for the lateness, dear boy! It's just that I'd got into a rather unfortunate scrape involving some armed guards, a priceless painting and-"

 

Save the theatrics for later, Dampierre. Are you finally ready to hand in that bloody application or what?

 

"Of course, my lad! Here you go - signed in triplicate, as promised!"

 

...Half of these signatures are-

 

"Oh, but Le Bello has to take precautions, does he not? After all, some people simply can't be trusted nowadays! Oh, your desk is a frightful mess!"

 

A barbarian put an axe in it. Anyway, shall we begin?

 

"But of course! Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!"