Quinloc Han the Shadowed Strategist, Commander of Battle, Champion of the Massacre

Role

Chapter 8

When Quinloc arrived in Galadon, he found that one guild taught
techniques that were commonplace within his village - though altered
enough that he was forced to re-learn the methods for many of them.

This style of fighting, combined with the stealth teachings
which were vastly superior to anything he had known, suited his
demeanor and tactical thinking perfectly. He enrolled immediately.

Immortal Comments

Immortal Comments

Role

Chapter 1

From a young age, Quinloc Han and a girl from his village, Shozhi, were
certain to be wed one day. They played together as children, and were
formally betrothed to each other in a ceremony involving the parents of
both of them upon reaching teenage years.

This suited Quinloc fine, for he had loved Shozhi since first laying eyes
upon her. Puppy love at first, of course - he had asked his mother if this
was an angel - but as playmates growing up together, they became more than
friends. For Quinloc, time spent with Shozhi was wonderful. Time away from her
was but a shadow of the splendor of her presence.

Then the day came when Shozhi's mystical talents were discovered. A day like
any other, really, except for the testing. Quinloc was deemed ordinary.
No magical talent at all. Shozhi, however, arrived back home after her
testing with her dark almond eyes shining with excitement. She was deemed
powerful enough to be sent for formal training, she explained to Quinloc
with glee.

Quinloc put up a brave front but was hollow inside. He knew that her formal
training would take her away from the village for two years or more. The
wedding would be delayed - bad enough - but he would have to spend two entire
years without Shozhi's light in his life.

Role

Chapter 2

Two years passed over the course of seventeen centuries for Quinloc.
Each day was more miserable than the last. The poor fool had never
learned to live without Shozhi, and now it was killing him, inch by inch.
He counted each day until her return, and when the day finally arrived, he
awoke with hope for the first time in months. The air that day seemed clearer,
and as he performed his daily ablutions, his spirit seemed bouyed with the
idea of Shozhi's return.

When he saw the boat that came upriver to his village each week coming
around the bend, he raced for the dock as fast as his feet could carry him.
There were never more than two or three people who would arrive
on this boat, and so he knew he would not have to wait long.

However, as the boat emptied itself of both passengers and cargo,
Quinloc became more and more disappointed. She was not there.
He knew he had not missed her getting off the boat - he had arrived
at the docks before the boat. Where could she be?

The next week he followed the same pattern, though his optimism was
tinged with the scent of desparation. Rightfully so, it seemed - she
was not there this time, either. The same pattern continued,
with Quinloc becoming more and more unhinged each week. Finally, nearly
a full year after he had expected her, he sullenly walked to the docks
when he became aware of the boat coming. He had given up hope, but kept
returning to this role of eager canine waiting for its owner to show up.
And then she got off the boat.

Role

Chapter 3

She came right up to him. Despite his embarassment at having
not bothered to shave and clean himself well today - his dark
mood had not allowed it - he was overcome with joy. He took her
in his arms. They stood like that for an Age, and when he finally
released her, she kissed his forehead. He did not notice it then,
but it did not take him long.

The strangeness occured shortly after. He was carrying her bags
as they walked to the home of her parents. He could not take his
eyes off of her. It was like drinking the light, and he could not
slake his thirst. She was looking around at the village, remarking
on how it had changed, but she would meet his eyes now and then, and
glance down shyly.

The Wrongness presented itself on one of these moments of eye contact.
Shozhi had changed, and he could see it, somehow. More than the change
that comes when someone returns from seeing the world, her eyes seemed
to be...almost a mask of sorts. He could see "behind" them, and noted
a darkness there.

As the next few days rolled on, he noticed it over and over again.
At one point, the darkness almost seemed to notice HIM noticing IT.
He was happy to have Shozhi back, but frightened. Talk soon turned
to their wedding, and planning. Shozhi seemed to have only a meager
interest in such things.

Role

Chapter 4

As the weeks rolled on toward the wedding, Quinloc became increasingly
concerned about the malevolence he sensed behind the eyes of his beloved.
It did not help his anxiety that Shozhi seemed to be growing distant. While
he wished to be together every waking moment, she would often brush him off
because she needed to continue her studies in the magical arts.

Each time he would see her after a study session, the presence would be stronger.
He dared not speak of it openly, so he would attempt to discern what exactly had
occured during her long absence. She would not speak in any sort of detail, only
telling him he would not believe the marvels she had seen and been a part of, and
that as a non-mage he would never understand. When he pressed, she pulled away
even further. The topic was beyond him, and he should just leave it be.

But he just could not. One day while she was at her studies, he crept into
her bedroom in the home of her parents to read her journal. He had not learned
much of anything when the door opened - Shozhi had forgotten something, and returned.
Caught in the act, Quinloc scrabbled to find some excuse, but could not. He was
forced to tell her the truth, about everything. When he tried to tell her about
the...presence...behind her eyes, she scoffed, told him he was imagining things,
and told him to get out. She did not want to speak to him right now.

The next day, Shozhi was nearly unrecognizable. When Quinloc went to further apologize
for invading her privacy, she brushed it off. She told him he was too primitive - too
immature - for her to waste any further time upon. She was going to return for more
formal instruction in the mystic arts, and did not intend to come back to this
"backwater village" ever again. As she began to turn away from him, he once more
caught a glimpse behind her eyes. The presence seemed to be smirking at him.

Role

Chapter 5

Quinloc's despair threatened to consume him. He began to drink heavily.
He did not bathe for days on end, nor move beyond absolute necessity -
usually for another bottle. His parents tried everything, but he always
found a way to secret away some form of liquid numbness to attempt to ease
his pain.

Eventually, his parents' shame became too great. With heavy hearts, they
cast him out of their home. Unable to look anyone in the eye in the
village, he made his way down to the docks and slipped aboard a boat
under the cover of darkness.

Eventually he was, of course, discovered - retching over the side of the boat
(though due to alcoholic withdrawal or the slow corkcrew motion of the river
vessel, one cannot be certain). The captain nearly had him thrown overboard,
but relented and allowed Quinloc to work for his passage. Over the next while,
Quinloc was forced to overcome any addiction to alcohol due to the lack of any
on board. He also grew strong, working the sweeps, moving ballast and so on.

Once he had finished working off his passage, he asked to be dropped at
the nearest port. There, he inquired as to where a mage student would go
to gain formal study. His time on the boat had given him clarity and focus.
Shozhi needed to be saved - from herself if need be. When told that the most
likely place was known as the High Tower of Sorcery, west of Galadon, the main city
on a large continent across the vast ocean, he narrowed his eyes with determination.

"How can I get there?"

Role

Chapter 6

Though it took months to finally achieve his goal, Quinloc finally stood before
Shozhi once more. She looked very different from the village girl he had grown with.
A contempt had crept onto her face - not just for Quinloc, but for the world.
She looked down her nose at anyone and everything. When she saw Quinloc,
she rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. He was a fool, she told him,
and should have stayed home and found some other girl to hover over.

He puffed up his chest and told her he had come to rescue her from this tower,
magic, and herself. And she laughed at him. Other students, wondering what was
happening, approached the pair. As Quinloc looked, he could see that same ominous
presence behind the eyes of each of them.

They all began to laugh with Shozhi at him, calling him pitiful, mocking his
lack of magical ability by calling him "a normal."

As Quinloc fled the taunting, he heard Shozhi call out one last thing to him:
"You shouldn't have tried to come between my magic and me!"

Quinloc nearly turned to the bottle again - but as he was headed for the nearest
tavern, he overheard a pair of large warriors talking as they walked down the road.
One was telling the other of how there was an entire village of fighters who hated
magic and wanted to destroy it. Quinloc lurked in the shadows eavesdropping, eager
to learn more.

Role

Chapter 7

The very abridged version of the above: Quinloc lost his "One True Love"
when she went off to become a magi and came back changed. He views the
change as something insidious that has infected her mind and changed her.
That may be true, or the truth may be as simple as she went out to see
the world and become a woman, and then returned home to find that he was
still a little boy. Regardless, he developed a passionate hatred for magic
as he feels it is what stole his beloved from him.

Immortal Comments

Role

Chapter 9

Quinloc's obsession with Shozhi was never something that one would consider a
pure and wholesome love. His inability to find good in the world without her
lead him down a darker path than the standard individual, though falling well
short of being truly wicked. He is a decent fellow, willing to lend a hand
here and there, but unafraid to strike out at someone or something if it suits
him, regardless of whether that someone has a pure heart or a wicked one.

Role

Chapter 10

At times, Quinloc may sound relatively normal. Other times, he may sound
slightly unintelligent, using some speech mannerisms that are common with
"dumb giants." This is due to his upbringing on a different continent.

When he arrived on the mainland, he found that while those from here spoke
the same language, they spoke it in a different rhythm and cadence than he
did. A great deal more use of pronouns was also the case. Quinloc may frequently
leave out "I" or "We" when speaking of something. For example, if summoned to
speak with someone, he may reply with "Am coming." or "Will come soon."

As he gains experience with the people of this continent, it is likely he
will begin to sound more and more normal - though since much of that experience
will likely be around giants such as Zah and Grord, it may take some time.

Role

Chapter 11

Two times participating in the Rites, two times dominating the various competitions.
The first Rites had been an odd one, couched as a "challenge event" held by Thirisg,
who was Drillmaster at the time. "Three-legged" races, trivia, sprints to obscure
locations - Quinloc had won each of them. And then the Circle of Rites was opened,
and Quinloc defeated nearly everyone he faced, whether single combat or group combat.

At the end of that Rites, Quinloc was not selected for Commander or Drillmaster.
Thirisg was moved from Drillmaster to Commander, and Oliopterix was named Drillmaster.
This suited Quinloc fine. He had not been expecting leadership - this was, after all,
not formally named a Rites - and had shown his skill, wits, and experience.

No reward at all was a bit of a disappointment, but Quinloc did not join the Village
for rewards.

Much time passed, and Thirisg took his own life. Oliopterix did a very good job of
making the Village stronger as Drillmaster. Quinloc expected the Drillmaster to be
named Commander, and to choose a Drillmaster of his own. Then the Rites were announced.

Time to make a good showing, and see what happens, Quinloc decided.

Role

Chapter 12

The second Rites saw even more success for Quinloc. He defeated all comers
in the single bouts, and in both group fights, his party was the winner.
Moreover, during the group fights, it was his own strategies that were employed
to ensure Victory.

Quinloc and Rastensol were selected to participate in the Wits portion of the
Rites, where Lord Panmorne and Lord Jormyr grilled them with many questions
relating to the Village and leadership.

Though Quinloc felt he acquitted himself well in the Wits portion, ultimately
Rastensol was selected as Drillmaster, with Oliopterix becoming Commander.

While disappointed, Quinloc had stated he would follow Rastensol happily, and
he had meant it. He did ask, however, where he had failed, so that he might
do better if there were a next time. He probably should not have asked.

Lord Panmorne stated that while Quinloc had fought well in the single-combat
portion of the Rites, he had fallen a bit behind in the group portions.

Quinloc was upset at this evaluation. He had led both groups to victory. It
was his own tactics that had been employed to do so. And he had "fallen a bit
behind?"

When Quinloc protested this, he was told that he had also not fared as well
in the Wits portion. This was much more acceptable to Quinloc. Speaking has
never been his strong suit.

In his own mind, Quinloc has completely disregarded the idea that the choice
had anything to do with the combat portion of the Rites. He has decided that
his awkward cadence and lack of pronoun use is holding him back. He has come
to the conclusion that he must learn to speak more like the rest of Thera.

He has apparently forgotten that many giants who spoke of themselves in the
third person and some who barely spoke more than a grunt have led the Village
in the past. More of Quinloc perhaps not seeing the entire truth of a matter,
when he himself is involved.

Role

Chapter 13

Quinloc found himself, inexplicably and suddenly, Commander of the Village.
Rastensol had removed himself after making a mistake (and thereby making another),
leaving the Village with no leadership at a time when the Empire was growing in
strength. Panmorne stepped in and made Quinloc Commander. Largely because there
was almost no other choice.

Still, Quinloc's prior work toward improving his speech paid off - if not how
he had thought it would. Over many months he struggled with being more verbose,
less terse, and having a more..."normal" speech.

He now speaks much like any other adventurer, that is, more "normal" except in the
occasional time of duress, where he might resort to clipped tones such as "On Eastern."
instead of "I am on the Eastern Road."

Now he must work to keep the Village strong in lean times, so that a proper Rites
might be held, and the true Commander can be named out of them.

He's also engaged in an attempt to finish a quest that Oliopterix had undertaken.
Much on the plate of this aging human. Perhaps some of it will be completed before
his old bones turn to dust.

Role

Chapter 14

Quinloc had his worst showing in any Rites thus far - physically at least.
However, all of the Villagers present stated clearly that Quinloc would
be their choice for Commander. And Lord Panmorne agreed. Quinloc's choice,
Ihjezhed, was made Drillmaster.

Quinloc finally feels that he is truly Commander, now. Not just a stand-in.

Role

Chapter 15

The messenger dropped the missive at Quinloc's feet and then turned and
walked away. No bow, no courtesy at all. Didn't even give his name. Quinloc
dismissed the insult - if he killed every man who had disrespected him, he'd
have to remove himself from the Village for losing sight of the true War.

Instead, he scooped up the parchment. He did not often receive correspondence.
This should be interesting.

The missive was quick and to the point:
"The woman you once loved has been taken. Perhaps you do not care. If you do,
seek her out in the 'care' of a dragon. You'll either find the woman,
or you'll find her remains. Or ignore this missive. I care not."

The parchment was not signed.

After some time debating, Quinloc has decided he will visit the various
dragons of the world and check into this business. When his duties as Commander
allow.

Role

Chapter 16

Quinloc entered the Ancient Red Dragon's lair warily. There was no dragon.

There should have been a dragon.

Instead, there was a woman. A human woman. But not bound or trapped in some
fashion, as Quinloc had been led to believe. No, this woman stood and smirked
at him.

"So, our little ruse has worked. You've worked yourself down to a shadow of a
man," she winked at him as she made the pun, "running all over Thera to see
if you could 'save me' from the various dragons. Tch. They've really beaten
you up, haven't they?"

Quinloc remained in a fighting stance, scanning for the dragon. It had to be
near.

The woman moved nearer. "You know, I realized I no longer loved you long before
I ever went to learn magic. I just didn't have the heart to tell you. But still,
I could have wished you well - but you just had to blame all mages...all magic
in the world...for your poor broken heart."

Quinloc let his guard down slightly. "Where is the dragon, Sheu-lin?"

Sheu-lin laughed. "She's blocking the exit, foolish boy. She agreed to give me
a moment to gloat, and just make certain you didn't escape. My colleagues and
I had to go to quite a bit of work to bring about your end. But seeing you here,
falling right into my trap, makes it all worthwhile."

Quinloc dropped his weapons and moved nearer to the woman. "Don't do this, Sheu-lin.
I know I can help you rid yourself of this cursed magic."

Before she could open her mouth to reply, Quinloc moved with a sudden burst of speed.

Tigerclaw to the throat. A barrage of punches, followed by a double spin kick.

As the mage crumpled, Quinloc spoke. "I knew all about your ruse, Sheu-lin. I just
had to get close enough to end you."

The Ancient Red Dragon ate well that day. She had expected one human, but he had
made a lovely human corpse of the other, first. Another day, another foolish
adventurer.

PK Wins

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Edges

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Timeline

Leveling History

PK Deaths

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PK Wins

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Skill List

Skill List

PK Statistics

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