In a town square in a moderately sized village in the Temperate region, a shadow mage stood staring at a tapestry. It was a very nice tapestry, one depicting the creation of the Spirits. The reason that this shadow mage was standing in the town square of a moderately sized village in the Temperate region (seriously where was he, it was all starting to blend together) staring dumbly at a very nice tapestry (well, one of a few reasons anyway) is because The Shadow Spirit was not on it. Not exactly unusual, but it hurt nonetheless.
It was probably best not to dwell on it but, well, here he was, dwelling on it, because that's what he does apparently, dwells on things. So he sits there scowling in self pity.
Of course that's when the tapestry moves, being taken from the shop window and handed to a customer, which is likewise, when the mage sees that inside the shop purchasing the very nice tapestry, was a gaggle of Brotherhood missionaries so of course that is also when he decides to get out of there. As they exit the building clutching the very nice gift bag holding their very nice tapestry, the mage pulls his hood over his head and calmly, discreetly makes his way to the other side of the street. The damn zealots in the Brotherhood of Iriphos were a constant thorn in his side which he was keen to avoid whenever possible. It likely did not help his case that he definitely dressed like a shadow mage in his dark indigo cape, but what could he say, he suffered for fashion,that is if “fashion” meant walking around in daylight wearing an outfit that mainly consisted of comfortable loungewear and drapery that kept the always too bright sun off his pale skin. As it turns out, on the other side of the street, was a tavern, one which he quickly went inside.
‘Great.’ he thought ‘Fucking fantastic idea. There's no way a bunch of traveling missionaries will want to come to the tavern. Whatever, this is fine, its at least a good place to disappear. I'll just sit here in the corner booth and radiate a very clear signal to anyone with serviceable social skills that I want to be left alone.’ He sat down and ordered a glass of water and some empty calories to pass the time.
And then someone walked up to his table.
He looked up to see a young dragonkin, earth dragonkin judging by the pallet of sand and clay colors he looked to be painted in and a mage himself by the looks of it. He was mostly human-like but with scales scattered across his skin, massive clawed hands and two short horns extending from his head. And he was bearing his chest showing off two symmetrical scars, but no shirt was just customary attire for dragonkin in warmer climates. Honestly, pretty attractive guy, if you were into this kind of look. He flashed a huge sharp toothed grin. “Hey, mind if I sit here? You look pretty lonely”
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The shadow mage, who was of course completely unprepared for this interaction, silently begged himself ‘Don’t say yes. Do not say yes.’ “Um…sure.” he said ‘Damn it!’
He sat down “So, what’s your school of magic?” He asked as was customary. The shadow mage was silent. The silence was taken as an answer, after all in cases like his, it’s not a wise thing to share with strangers. “Ah…I’m guessing shadow. You have that look about you. Mine is wind actually.” The shadow mage quirked an eyebrow “Sandstorm Nation.” the dragonkin explained “Over in Terramat, we’ve been worshipping Rluhava for years. Wind has real power out in a sandy desert. I’m Sunny, like I said, wait, I don’t think I said that. What’s your name?” The shadow mage paused again. He considered coming up with a fake name, but it was too short notice “Nyx.” “Whoah,” said Sunny “you’re named for your Spirit, that’s pretty rare.” “Pretty good reason for that” said Nyx “It’s hard…to be associated with magic like that.” Sunny propped his head in his hands “Tell me about it Nyx.”
So Nyx ranted and vented and told him all about how he had to hide, constantly look over his shoulder, put up with micro aggressions from a world who thought he was some kind of villain. “I just- I just wish I could show them there’s good in shadow magic, it’s so frustrating all the damn time.
“So why don’t you?” asked Sunny, his face open and serious.
“…What?”
“This world is full of monsters and criminals and actual bad people. There are so many people who need help. And if you use shadow magic to do it, it could change someone’s whole perspective. Maybe start an adventuring party.” Nyx laughed through his nose “With who?”
“Why not me?”
Nyx was taken aback. All these years he hadn’t thought to do anything but move from place to place, not letting anyone too close and trying to avoid attention while wallowing in his self pity. But this was an actual plan… “I don’t even know you.” Sunny smiled, “Most new friends don’t.” he extended a hand.
Nyx took it.