Pawn
From Changeling Venue
| Seeming | Wizened Gameplayer |
|---|---|
| Court | Autumn Court • |
| Freehold | None |
| Player | David Doherty |
Contents |
Overview
Alias(es): Pawn, Black Pawn, King’s Pawn, D7
Real Name: Unknown or at least unspoken.
Age: Unspoken
Concept: Chess Piece Fixer
Court: Autumn
Seeming: Wizened
Kith: Game Player
Virtue: Prudence
Vice: Pride
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Physical Description:
Neither Pawn's Mien or Mask stands very tall; perhaps five and a half feet at the greatest. Pawn has cleaned up his appearance a great deal as of late. No longer found in Goth trappings instead Pawn dresses in the finest black slacks and button up shirts. His body structure seems to have changed also while he had disappeared from the public eye. He is now lithe and graceful in appearance with long fingers and a wiry build. Some have speculated that in his time away Pawn had gone from being the Piece to the Player.
His Mantle seems to have also become more withdrawn; whereas before his shoulders were covered in a full spread of silvered and mirrored leaves now his subtle Mantle is personified only in the smell of burning leaves and cloves, and the static tingle that permeates the Autumn air around Halloween. He is still somewhat reserved and he speaks with the grizzled accent of a person native to the UK.
His Pawn's Blade is rarely if ever at his side anymore, but he continues to carry many other small arms.
Character Information
Pawn has been on this side of reality for approximately a decade. He only speaks of his time in Faerie when asked, however it is known that his time there has gifted him with a number of martial talents which he prefers to use only as a last resort. He tries the patience of most people, as he seems to look at every situation at length before acting, as if considering all available approaches and possibilities; though once in action his every move is precise and masterfully calculated.
Personable and talkative if engaged, Pawn finds himself with quite a few friends and favors. He has spent most of his time gathering resources and contacts that he puts to use serving the Changeling community both of his home in Kansas City and elsewhere if needed. He's known to be a broker of "the best fake IDs", handy amounts of cash, convenient hideouts, inconspicuous transportation, weaponry and Hedge Goods. Pawn is known to have a high moral code in regards to the type of other services he will provide; but it never hurts to ask.
He also puts his extensive knowledge of psychology toward helping the recently escaped whom he mentors and acclimates to this reality. His knowledge helps as he makes it a point to rally those like-minded souls who are willing risk scouting The Hedge for fellow Lost in need of a hand home.
He keeps his methods of harvesting Glamour entirely private, though he is always willing to help others to discover means of doing so for themselves.
He has not yet sworn to the newly crowned Spring King Johnny of the Freehold of the Crossholds; stating he will need to "look into him" before swearing Oath to him.
Known History
Basic Timeline: Emerged from the Hedge in Kansas City in the late nineties, and has been noted at many other events since then; but keeps most of his activities undated.
Current Activities:
Mentoring *Ballerina, Hedge Running, Fixing, serving the needs of the Changeling Courts, working diligently to set up a Kansas City based Radio Free Fae broadcast; Pawn has just recently returned from events and locations unknown; only saying that he has gone overseas and not detailing out exactly what he has done there. Wherever he went or whatever he did; he is most definitely a changed person for it.
Background:
“Know that I was stolen away from my home many years ago; prized by my Keeper for being a Chess prodigy. Lured by the sweetly whispered promises of being the youngest World’s Grand Champion I followed my captor into the Hedge; only to arrive on the other side finding myself a slave in a vicious mockery of a game between creatures derelict of compassion.”
“The Chess board I served on was not merely patterned in dark and light, but also painted with the blood of the Pieces that moved at our Mistress’ and her opponents’ command. Positioning did not win victory for any Piece; only hard fought battle to the death brought closure to conflict.”
“With victory came promotion. I fought many battles at the behest of the Others, gradually earning more standing and making my way closer to the King. I found myself shedding the blood of White so that I might stand closer to Her most valuable Piece. After the first kill, I knew no remorse for the demise of my fellow slave. My progression was to be bathed in blood that watered the hopes of sabotaging Her at a crucial point, to claim the life of Her King and cause Her to lose face with Her fellows. It would have earned me my death. A sweet death it would have been. Escape came too soon for that reward to be realized.”
“I escaped with many others; taking only my Pawn’s Blade to defend myself. I knew none of the other souls that I took flight with, and it was such a twisted menagerie of beings that fled Her grasp; not all made it. We were pursued into the Thorns by Her Hounds and Guards. In case you didn't know, let me tell you that combat in the Hedge is never a good thing. The conflict that ensued there rent most of the memories of my life before Faerie from my mind, and now they hang as tattered shreds of Thought on the malicious thorns.”
“I made it here. Many wonder if I served in such a violent manner why I do not embrace the Wrathful ideals of the Summer Court. I understand my Summer brethren. I comprehend their views, but it was not my will to embrace violence. It was by order of my Keeper that I learned the physical aspects of battle. Now I will not raise a blade save for my own desire to do so. I harness the brilliant landscape of my mind and the power it exudes, and choose to employ it as both weapon and shield. Guile, wit, and knowledge are my sharpest blades and my staunchest plate. Understanding this is understanding me.”
Known Hang Outs
Organization Affiliation
- ROTA - Royal Order of Travel Agents
- Mother Rowan's Family - Group of Lost formed by Rowan in pursuit of assisting those recently Crossed.
Motley
Pawn has long gone without a Motley as he finds ties to others can be dangerous; but now he finds himself negotiating a Pledge with Ballerina and Samantha Glass as well as possibly a few others.
Allies
- Dr Somnus - The Doc's got more than 'alf a clue, an' more goin' on upstairs then most.
- Jack Sprat - Now Jack-ol'-boy's got stuff goin' on upstairs, but it's the kind best left upstairs. Fancies himself the King o' Fear, which I'll admit he's gotta way with givin' a man that spinal chill. Over all he has a purpose, and one I can agree with. Different means to the ends is all...
- Maelstrom - Wise, honorable, not much like his name...unless ya give him a cause ta boom...
- Nothing - A Lost soul, an' tha' means so many things. She creeps out some, but personally I find calm in her quiet.
- Sebastian Wulfhiem CEC - Artisan extraordinaire, the lad's got talent. The kinda food that'll warm the soul and bring the color in the world around ya. A Ling with talents like his is always gonna have plenty of good company, and proud to call myself such.
- Elvis O'Connor - 'Tween me and Elvis, if we can't get what yer lookin' for; it don't exist.
- Nathaniel Fellows - Good peoples, as I like to say. Winter Courtier socialite with very refined tastes; but well versed in manners. Good person to know for many reasons. More money than God, Oprah, and Bill Gates combined. Sure as ever if I get a Ling who just made it through and looks to be made for Winter Court; Nathaniel is who I send 'em to for polishing.
- Nycto Feraz - Nycto and I have a long past. I brought him in to the Autumn Court, he showed me the meaning of the finer points of being a Courtier. Go figure. Good chap.
- Cosmo - When people come to me lookin' for work, there isn't much I don't have the nerve for. For everything else, there's Cosmo.
- Tommy Blue - I wasn't always the go-to guy. I had to pull my sorry arse out of that Hedge once too. When I did, there was Tommy Blue. She showed me around and got me acquainted with things. She showed me to the Autumn Court, and I'm forever grateful.
- Rook - Rook is Rook. He's not really an ally. He's not really an enemy. Most importantly Rook is not another Piece. I heard his name floating around, and nearly shat myself; so I checked into him. From what I could tell I still don't want to find myself on the worse side of his gun barrels; so I've taken to providing those guns and ammunition. Rook makes sure I catch minimal flak. It's business, and business is good.
- Ballerina - Tiny dancer. Poor thing just came through to this side, and she still can't help but be the toy she was 'fore she came through. I've had 'bout a month ta work with her, and she's comin' along. It's a slow process, and with her it'll probably be slower than any of the other's I've helped.
- Samantha Glass - She's a little quirky, but who here ain't? Jack'O found this little vase, and she's come along pretty well. 'Course like most uv' the folks in Kansas City, she's found things easier with some help from me...not to boast...I'm sure I'll need the favor returned sooner than later...
- Cordelia Marrow - Just met this lil' Dark Sprite. We've made arrangements to both see to helpin' new Lings to getting back on their feet. She's a valuable ally and contact; can't wait to get to work more with her.
- Shula - Can't even say her name without breakin' a sweat. A wild fire stoked by the passion of a woman. A Helluva fighter and a best friend on a cold night.
- Dame Solan - One of my closest allies...by proximity I mean. Columbia and Kansas City need to have more communication, and we're the two to work on that.
- Mother Rowan - God Bless Rowan, the proverbial Heart of Gold. A voice of comfort to rally and care for Lost Lings. Her deeds are what I strive to accomplish with my every breath. I look to her for guidance and offer her my all at every chance.
- Mavis Thornsby - What a gruff ol' bag'uv bones, but a kindred spirit none-the-less. Mavis is my main contact in Denver, and we play informant back and forth. The brew is good, the information is better.
- Wendy Ann Dahl - She's the newest one I've found, and 'tween her and The Ballerina I've got my hands full. Dahl is a doll, quite literally. Unlike The Ballerina she's gotta sense of Self, and tha' makes teachin' her so much easier. Suspect I give her maybe another two months an' she'll be able to go out on her own.
- Mr. Alexander - Kinda like Jack'O, he's got that intimidatin' manner; big and strong without the storybook tongue. 'Course just like Jack, I know that strength is going to an agreeable goal.
Enemies
Pawn tries to keep his enemies few and far between, but it can't really be helped in Changeling society that after a decade a few grudges come about.
Most recently he has run into a number of other Changelings who shared the board with him. Apparently his Mistress seeks to have him brought back and has sent Her Pieces to retrieve him. The higher the station the Piece, the harder the battle. To date, Pawn has killed two other Pawns; B7 and H7...though he narrowly avoided capture at the hands of the ruthless A8, known as The Bloody Black Rook. The Rook is still out there, as Pawn was only able to run as the Rook overpowered him in head to head conflict. In an odd turn of events, Pawn was only able to escape due to the intervention of a creature he only caught a glimpse of, but appeared to be The White Bishop, C1.
Pawn has yet to be able to confirm if he was indeed assisted by The White Bishop, but he has realized that if it was indeed his foe on the board that the Keepers may be moving their game to This Side; and there is no way to measure the amount of dread that concept invokes in him.
Soundtrack
- Radio Free Fae ^-_-^ and...
Lateralus - Tool
Solitaire Unraveling - Mushroomhead
Fear Held Dear - Mushroomhead
Clubbed to Death - Rob D
Golgotha Tenement Blues - Machines of Loving Grace
Cold – Static X
Black and White - Static X
I'm So Sick (T-Virus Remix) - Flyleaf
Burn – The Cure
No Leaf Clover - Metallica
The Outsider – Tool
Passive – A Perfect Circle
Navras - Juno Reactor and Don Davis
Mona Lisa Overdrive - Juno Reactor and Don Davis
Save Yourself – Stabbing Westward
Creepy Green Light – Type O Negative
The Big Empty - STP
The Sound of Silence – Simon and Garfunkle
Lux Aeterna (Two Towers Remix) – Clint Mansell
Dead Souls - Nine Inch Nails
Crazy – Mushroomhead
What I've Done - Linkin Park
The Game - Disturbed
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence
Moonlight Sonata - Mozart
Fur Elise - Mozart
Halcyon & On & On - Orbital
This Is Your Life - Fight Club Soundtrack
Score Music from The Crow - Graeme Revell
Quotes
"Not all who wander are Lost."
- "The hues of Autumn range widley in color. So it is with Pawn and I." -Nycto Feraz
- "It's always a blessing to meet others who share my goals, and I treasure Pawn's help and friendship." -Mother Rowan
Rumors
Pawn is a member of a secret society where he takes part in strange rituals and ghoulish ceremonies. Rumors of everything from human sacrifice to the deflowering of nuns have been heard.
