2025-10-31 21:25:42The Shattered Fang (Outlander Mercenaries)
Jon Va'ul Role & Core Gift: Perfect Mimicry Description: The reluctant leader. His rare gift allows him to perfectly copy and retain the Blood Gifts of anyone he touches. Unbeknownst to him, this power links him to a terrifying, buried lineage. Isabel Korva Role & Core Gift: Primal Dominion Description: The fierce protector. In her human form, she is defined by her autonomous, whip-like spike tail. She can transform into a seven-foot, cobalt-skinned Primal Beast Form of immense strength. Holst Durren Role & Core Gift: Earthsmith Description: The grounded pragmatist. A master of defensive and siege tactics, he can manipulate and shape earth and stone into weapons or fortifications. Wields the Stone's Kiss crossbow. Mercy Korva Role & Core Gift: Plasmacore (manifests as the plasma blade "vipers tongue") Description: The captured sister and the prophet. A natural-born master of Green Plasma, a rare anomaly that led to her kidnapping and indoctrination by the zealous House Orsaan. Echo Role & Core Gift: Sonar/Echolocation Description: A swift, independent mercenary and scout. Known for his flirty arrogance and effective, high-frequency scouting gift. Echo's Dad Role & Core Gift: Indestructibility Description: A massive, silent man who serves as the group's simple, unyielding shield. His gift makes him immune to nearly all physical and energy damage. The Great Houses & Key Figures Korrath Leader: Gorath the shatterer/ King Dainar the Hollow-Eyed Gift & Culture: Bone Shaping. Rulers of death and primal strength. Currently initiating war against Orsaan. Orsaan Leader: High Priest Ignarion Gift & Culture: Plasmacore. Fanatical zealots who wield controlled fire. They believe their tyranny is a divine act of cleansing. Syndri Leader: Magnus Aurelian Gift & Culture: Telepathy & Midas Touch. The merchant-oligarchy, specializing in information and commerce. Veythari Leader: House Veythari IX (Veyros) Gift & Culture: Shadow Step. Masters of stealth, poison, and assassination who rule from an Obsidian Castle. Tarrith Leader: Old Blade Arrock Gift & Culture: Shape-shifting. The oldest, most disciplined military power, now governed by a council of retired warlords. Valthorn Leader: The Immortal Gift & Culture: Agelessness and Five Stolen Gifts. The founder of the extremist Eclipse Order. ✨ Glossary of Gifts & Lore Blood Gifts (The Source of Power) Blood Gift Definition: The unique, inheritable supernatural power possessed by an individual. Context in the Story: Outlanders have varied, often unstable gifts. House members have standardized, superior Sacred Gifts. The Source Definition: The shared, finite reservoir of raw, stable energy that feeds the Sacred Gifts of the Five Houses. Context in the Story: The location is known only to the oldest Houses (guarded by Tarrith). Its monopoly justifies the Houses' tyranny. Sacred Gifts Definition: The five superior, uniform powers possessed by the Houses (Bone, Plasma, Telepathy, Shadow, Shape). Context in the Story: These powers ensure the Houses' dominance and were deliberately chosen to enforce control over the chaos of the old world. Perfect Mimicry Definition: Jon Va'ul's unique gift; the ability to perfectly copy and retain any Blood Gift experienced or touched. Context in the Story: This power links him to the suppressed Trueborn lineage, making him an anomaly and a target for all factions. Major Factions & Concepts The Age of Tumult Definition: The era before the Houses, characterized by relentless anarchy where reckless humans used random, unstable gifts for constant warfare. Context in the Story: Valthorn remembers this age and believes the Houses' tyranny is necessary to prevent its return. Eclipse Order Definition: A fanatical cult led by the immortal Valthorn. They are dedicated to brutally enforcing the established tyranny of the Houses. Context in the Story: Natural enemies of the Hollow Legion. They specialize in kidnapping and brainwashing with powers Valthorn has stolen from the Houses. Hollow Legion Definition: The secret, revolutionary army founded by the heroic Dain Trueborn. Now led by his deranged descendant Varian, who experiments on recruits to create "monsters." Context in the Story: They are the only political lineage whose Gifts are naturally capable of disrupting the bloodgifts of others Trial by Requital Definition: The ancient Korrath law invoked when a Tribunal verdict is divided. It demands a duel between champions to determine the final, binding judgment. Blood moon 🌕 Description: an festival celebrated throughout the world which marks the manifestation of bloodgifts along the youth. Government Systems of the Five Blood Houses Syndri: Merchant Oligarchy Description: Rule by a small group of powerful and wealthy merchant families (like the Aurelians). Decisions are based on economic advantage, trade routes, and profit. They control through commerce, information, and financial leverage. Orsaan: Theocracy Description: Rule by religious leaders (like High Priest Ignarion) who claim divine authority. Laws and policies are derived from religious doctrine, and dissent is viewed as heresy. Control is maintained through faith, fear, and "purification." Korrath: Warrior Monarchy Description: Rule by a king (like King Dainar) whose authority is based on martial prowess, strength, and the ability to command loyal warriors. Loyalty is earned through displays of power and a reverence for a brutal, often death-worshipping, warrior code. Succession may involve trials of combat or displays of dominance. Veythari: Shadow Hegemony Description: Rule by a dominant, often secretive, elite (the Veythari family/House Veythari IX) who maintain power through unseen influence, espionage, assassination, and the control of crucial information or resources. Their control is absolute but operates from the shadows, making it difficult for outsiders to understand or challenge. It's a system where the puppet masters are rarely seen. Tarrith: Martial Council (The Seven Old Blades) Description: Rule by a council of the most venerable and experienced (retired) warriors, "The Seven Old Blades." While technically a council, their decisions are rooted in military strategy, honor, and ancient traditions of warfare. They prefer decisive action and strategic positioning over complex politics, often acting as a highly disciplined, collective military command. ************************************************ author's note: I was so scared to actually put this out there, came up with this story one midnight and I've been improving on it since then. just like most of my works I didn't expect it to see the light of day, but I'm in a position where I just have to put this out there, still anxious, still scared of how this may be received but it's coming from my heart and I hope you all enjoy it. BLOOD GIFT COMING SOON!!!
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CHAPTER 07: THE FUSE
The Law of Containment was absolute, holding the city fast, but the Nexus Program was a volatile cancer that Jon knew had to be cut out. The Shattered Fang’s escape depended entirely on pitting the hidden threat against the arrogant Tarrith House and they were going to do it. they sat in a room on the second floor of the gilded cage they had purchased two rooms like they did in graith, one for the girls and one for the boys, they were currently in the girls room Jon finalized the plan. “We can’t just tell Vellis the location. He’ll send a token force, the Nexus crew will run, and we’ll be stuck here. We have to create a convincing distraction to the south, and then lead a single, panicked patrol right to the real Nexus lab outside the north market walls.” everyone nodded it seemed simple enough, mercy , Jon and Holst would cause a distraction while Isabel would lead the enforcers to the real deal but before then they needed to locate their target and gather a few things. the
CHAPTER 06: TROUBLE IN HILSTON MARKET
The massive grey city of Hilston Market finally appeared, and the quartet stopped dead in their tracks, staring. It was vast, constructed of light, uniform stone, and everything was clean. The dominant motif was the Hundred Hands Sigil the symbol of the Tarrith House carved into every lamppost, archway, and official doorway. The symbol of law and absolute control. “Look at that! the buildings are so tall!” Mercy gasped, her eyes wide as saucers as she stared at the three-story buildings. Jon adjusted his worn tunic, suddenly feeling painfully rustic. “Well, this is different. It smells like baked bread and money. Mostly money.” Holst, instead of being impressed, wrinkled his nose and spat on the immaculate cobblestones. “I hate it. Too many rules in the air. These Tarrith folk are so worried about order, they probably fine you for smiling too loud.” , mercy frowned and nudged Holst for his pessimism. Isabel laughed, her quiet amusement a welcome sound. “It’s impressive, Holst. J
CHAPTER 05 :THE QUIET HUNTER
The horses the chief of Graith gave them were tough and fast. The four members of The Shattered Fang rode with a new sense of purpose. Jon kept whistling, occasionally turning back to Holst."Did you hear that, Holst? 'You're welcome in the bar anytime!'" Jon mimicked the server girl, Grace.Holst sighed, clutching the reins tighter. "Shut up, Jon. It was nothing.""It was a kiss! On the cheek! The first action a girl has taken on any of us, and it had to be you, Mr. Grumpy Face."Mercy, riding behind Jon, chimed in, "Holst has a girlfriend! Holst has a girlfriend!""I swear, if one more person says that, I'm going to start running barefo—” Holst cut himself off, realizing he didn’t want to run barefoot through the Outlands.Isabel, leading the group on her horse, simply smiled. She was happy. They were out, they had a name, and they had completed their first mission. Even if Jon and Mercy acted like the children they were, they were doing this together.They rode until midday, and th
CHAPTER 04: TROUBLE IN GRAITH
"Are you sure you're reading that thing right?" Mercy grumbled at Jon, who held a map with confusion written all over his face."Sure I am," he feigned annoyance. "Our first stop is a small farm town called Graith. We should be there in no time."The carriage they were in suddenly stopped. "Hey mister, is this Graith?" Holst shouted to the rider."Yes," a distant voice replied. They instantly got off and retrieved their things."Well, let's get an in," Isabel said after inhaling a breath of air. They'd been on the road for a day now.The gang nodded and headed into Graith. The town was small, not much bigger than The Promise, but even though it was midday, there was hardly anyone on the street. Those that saw them instantly gave them stares of death. "Damn, talk about inhospitable," Jon grumbled.They headed for the nearest inn, a shabby, three-story building with a bar occupying most of the first floor. A worn-out sign saying "La Rosa's Place" was fixed at the entrance. This was the
CHAPTER 03: THE DEPARTURE
The sun rose on the Promise. Thankfully, due to the efforts of the teens and adults, the borders of the village were not affected by the plant-thing's attack. But the air was heavy with tension; they had faced attacks before , it was the Outlands, after all , but something was different about last night's assault."Alright, kids," Miss Kai said. Isabel, Jon, and Holst sat before her desk. She had health-checked all the kids and adults who participated in the fight against the nightwolves last night but had asked them to report to her at the crack of dawn since they took down the threat. Mercy was asleep, but it was no matter; this conversation was centered around the adults."I'd like to thank you guys on behalf of the village elders, who are still too busy doing damage control for taking care of the beasts. Special points to Holst for getting me a sample," she smiled at him. "I haven't analyzed it yet, but I'll get to you when I do. Now, to more pressing matters: when are you guys le
CHAPTER 02: BLOOD MOON 2
What an amazing story! Too bad it's the hundredth time we've all heard it," a small boy yelled, and a choir of smaller kids followed immediately. Jon winced, feeling a familiar flush crawl up his neck. He was standing in front of the kids, a bit taller now, with more well-defined features and a sharp face. His jet-black hair was neck-length, but still couldn't hide his embarrassment at being called out. Both Isabel and Holst were behind him. They were also older now and seemed to be teaching the kids in front of them something.The Promise had grown, its cluster of tents and ramshackle houses expanding under Miss Kai’s watchful eye. Being part of the eldest kids, Miss Kai had tasked them with watching the younger ones and talking to them about the Blood Moon and the reality of getting a Bloodgift, your entire anatomy changing in a night to accommodate an ability. They were here to tell the kids that not all Bloodgifts are combat-oriented like they'd hoped, but every single one was pra
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