In-character

I started adventuring like everyone else: In the wrong place at the wrong time. What time it was, I'm not 100% sure. I awoke to the glow of street lamps. Had I overslept or not slept at all? I wasn't tired however, so I took it as a sign to get up. I went for a walk outside the city gates as I always did. This time I didn't recognize any landmarks. I was certain home was nestled in a valley, so why was there a large port? And why were those humans aiming their bows at me? Also why were there humans at all this deep in Elvish territory?

"He's not the prisoner. Bows down.", one of them said.

"Let's shoot 'em any way! Knife ears is good target practice." another said, bow still trained on me.

I did what any sane man would. I threw myself across a pile of rocks, dashed through the brambles, and kept running until I was out of archery range. So much for my normal morning stroll! I gasped for breath as I huddled on the ground between the roots of a large tree. I tried to clear my head. What was going on here? A rustle in the underbrush caught my attention. My head snapped upwards as I looked to the sound. No archers, just a scar-covered old human male in rags. An old adventurer?

"Thank you for the distraction. My name is Luthor." the old man said, "You don't look like you are from around here."

I blinked, "Where is... Here? I fell asleep in Mydnite. I woke up and took a walk, and now I have no idea where I am."

Luthor blinked, then rubbed his forehead as a confused look spread across his face "That is strange. I could have sworn Mydnite was far east of here, definitely not within walking range. Probably some mistake of magic. Let's try to get you back the way you came. I need out of here anyway."

From there we began to walk... and walk... and walk... honestly, I had mostly noticed what was missing, not what was there. Between the unknown terrain and the fact that both of us were nervously armed with large sticks, we weren't making fast progress. It was almost dawn by the time I saw something that looked familiar. But when I continued in that direction, the city was gone.

And so I started to wander with Luthor, who I learned actually is a retired knight. Oh, I'm certian you've heard of him. You probably have even run around with him at some point. The old man seems to travel even more than home does. Oh yes, my home city. Mydnite.

I never paid much heed to politics. So when the queen finally remarried, I really did not think much about it. What I didn't realize is that she married a daemon. His influence was not exactly evil. Not everyone with horns is out to ruin you! But he didn't like humans at all because, frankly, they seem to think all daemons are evil. He was very tired of humans attacking him on sight. And his distrust rubbed off on her, made her even more fearful of the growing mass of humans outside of our walls. Distant, yes, but still a looming threat. So she used her husband's ties to gain some magic to protect the city. But where do you go when humans will eventually cover the world?

You move outside of the world. Perhaps even outside of time itself! But things from inside the world can't stay outside forever. My home was now blinking in and out of existence at random under a perpetual night. Even worse, I learned I was not alone. I kept running into others from home who went a little too far from the city gates and got stuck. Some of them took up mercenary work with roving humans. Some were hunters. A few made what looks like a circus on the underside of the world. Don't go there. It's definitely not a circus.

With so many of us randomly appearing the humans eventually took notice. Say what you like about them, but they are a curious people! Word spread about Mydnite. Soon enterprising folk made long expeditions to try to break the "Mydnite Curse" and return the city to reality. Many folk. Too many for the queen to be able to turn everyone away. Eventually the magic was broken and my home settled to it's current location.

I finally could go home. So I did! Everything was dusty but mostly where I left it. Mostly. Thankfully, I was able to use the money I had earned as I adventured to rebuild anything that had been stolen or destroyed. I even was able to upgrade a little! But I had gotten accustomed to wandering. So you'll still see me out on long, long walks far from the city. This time I know where I am going. Oh, and now I remember to always be armed... no more big sticks!

I spend most of my time away from home down in Zaejin. The antics of the goblins never cease to amuse me! The things they can turn into food and weapons boggles the mind. As a tip, always bring extra food and a few unique items to barter or gift. If you have food or "shinies" to share, the goblins are more likely to want to be around you instead of turn you into food or a weapon. With time and persistence they will shout "friend!" on sight and be happy to see you. Remind me to show you some of my goblin artwork sometime. It's all so delightfully creative and unique. You're sure to smile.

I also go to that terrible circus more than I should. The reason I warn you away from it? It's a trap. It wasn't always, though. A few people from home found each other. All of them were hungry, scared and lost. One elf convinced the rest to start a circus so they all could have enough money to live on. The idea worked for a time, but the numbers of people attracted by the circus kept growing and growing. Soon there were more non-elves than elves. I'm not sure who put out the idea, but someone said "Let's just sell the ones we don't need" and, terrifyingly, they did. Things have since gotten out of hand. It's literally a front for a group of slavers now. I keep coming back, hoping that one day I can talk them out of selling lives. Instead, the ringmaster keeps attempting to recruit me. I am far from interested, even if he does have beautiful eyes...

Oh, I see you are looking at my hourglass and whip? Souvenirs of my journeys. The sands of this hourglass literally can control time! It's a reminder of the magic that once held my home suspended in the most peculiar of nights. The whip was a gift during yet another recruitment attempt. I do not want to know what bones are studded into the leather. I also am afraid to ask what donated it's skin to become the leather itself. Either way, both are reminders of what I never want to be: greedy, fearful, and cruel.

Does this make me a hero? If so, maybe you can be one, too....

Out of Character

TL;DR: I'm an old chatty gay nerd who loves horror, science fiction and video games.

Marbles of Mydnite is my in-world character. As the Gems of War doesn't have anything elvish as a playable class, I used Night Cafe Studio to make a portrait of my character. I have many names across many games, but I chose Marbles because it's a gem matching game. Also if I leave the chat, everyone can joke about "losing their Marbles". I chose Mydnite as I found the lore fun and the designs appealing. It's a city full of fae, daemons, and elves that all can use magic but would rather punch you in the face (most abilities create skulls, physical damage). Punch-wizards! I don't normally roleplay in-game. It's more of a fun in-world fiction I have built up while playing.

I'm ancient by internet standards. My first RPGs were Nethack and DragonQuest AKA Dragon Warrior. I have run and been in guilds on various games for decades. I made my first web site around 1997 on a free host that is now long dead. I occasionally still like making little content-focused sites like this one to help people out. I sometimes am told I'm too nice. I'm not sure about that. Maybe we're all just too bitter. Sometimes I think the world needs a dose of nice.

I will admidt, though, that I am both nerdy and derpy. And I'm not talking the mainstream nerdy where I just like popular comic book movies! No, I can geek out for hours about horror films, software from the 1980's (shoutout to those who remember Babbages!) and the many reasons I swear we literally live in a 1980's style cyberpunk dystopia minus the cools parts like uploading your consciousness to hard drives and space Rastafarians. At least we have Sina Ginger Chews. And if you know what book I'm referencing here, you are awesome. Also join the EFF. We need you.

Anyway, have fun and see you in game!