Damien
"I never see you at the club!"
Okay? I never see you at the creek
Okay? I never see you at the creek
Damien hadn’t known what kind of turn-out to expect. There were those he’d asked, and those he thought might come, but it was anyone’s guess whether his little notice on the palace board would catch enough eyes. With his usual crew laid up—or scattered across Torchline chasing drink and noise—he’d half-resigned himself to working slow, brick by boring brick, if it came to that. But he trusted Halovians; if nothing else, they were reliable. Sooner or later, someone would show.
He didn’t have to wait long. A bundle of wool and jacket bounced toward him, all energy despite the cold. Theea knocked into his shoulder, her grin bright against the chill, and Damien’s own mouth tugged upward into a smile that was understated but genuine. “Morning, Theea,” he rumbled, raising his cup slightly before tipping his head at the kettle. At her hopeful question, he gave a slow shake of his head—no sugar to offer—but the thought lodged itself away all the same. Her proud claim about noodle arms earned a low chuckle. “Don't worry, there'll be plenty to do that isn't hauling logs.”
The shadow overhead drew his attention next. Wings flared, talons catching the light, then Deimos landed in eagle form and shifted just as Marcus came sweeping in on his own descent. Damien’s brows lifted faintly at the sight of the Warden here in the flesh, and again at the unknown youth greeting him with such familiarity. But the surprise was the good sort, and the weight of his expression softened into something like welcome as he nodded to both in turn. “Glad you’re all here. Thank you. With this crew, I’ve no doubt we’ll make good headway. I'm just waiting on one other person...”
As if the timing had been rehearsed, another figure emerged from the trees. At first just a bundle of scarf and messy hair, but one Damien would have known anywhere. His composure held, but his voice carried more warmth as he called, “Thorn! Glad you made it.” The man’s promise of extra food drew a sharper flicker of a smile, but Damien let it fade back to something steadier as the circle filled out. He let himself feel the weight of it: a full crew, fire stoked, the project alive in more than just his own head.
He set down the tin cup on a rock by the firepit and straightened out, brushing his gloves against his coat. “Alright. Here’s the plan. Today’s about getting the bones in place and making sure it's enough to last through Deepfrost. We’ll need a cabin to store supplies and take shelter, and I want a raised platform alongside it. A vantage point. It doesn’t need to be finished in a day, but the more we get done now, the less we leave to the weather.” He glanced around the small circle, his tone even but carrying the weight of quiet conviction. “A cabin out here means less running back and forth to the Citadel. It means we can bring in wood, fish, herbs, whatever we can find, and know it’ll keep. And maybe more, down the line.”
“Deimos,” Damien’s eyes settled on the Warden, a faint ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth, “I’ve seen what you can do with lumber. Think you could start felling us some trees?” His tone made it less an order than a recognition of skill, a trust passed into capable hands.
His attention shifted to the unfamiliar man (Marcus). “And you—” he paused, brow raised, “I don’t think I caught your name. I’m Damien.” A dip of his head sufficed for greeting before he went on. “We’ll need the ground cleared. Stones, brush, anything that’ll get in the way of laying a foundation. It’s steady work, but it’ll set us up right.”
Finally, he turned to Theea, his expression softening. “You’re our overseer. Keep an eye on things, make sure we’re working safe and smart, and step in where you’re needed most. Could be stoking the fire, organizing tools, or spotting for Deimos... It’s not a small role. I need you to make sure nothing slips through.”
As the trio set to motion, Damien let Thorn linger at his side. He gestured with a broad sweep toward the clearing, the treeline, and the stream glinting faintly beyond. “What do you think? It’s a good spot, isn’t it?” His tone was more companionable here, a different cadence from the one he’d used giving orders. “I’ve got the broad strokes, but you’ve got the better eye for details. Cabin first—room for dry goods and supplies. A workshop, for wood and hides. Maybe a loft instead of a separate bedroom, keep it simple. And I’d like some kind of lookout. A tower, maybe. Something that lets me watch out for the herds, or trouble coming out of the trees. Could even combine the loft and tower, I suppose.” He exhaled through his nose, head shaking faintly. “How would you do it? How would you build it?”
You guys are awesome!
let's get this breaad
Breakdown for Round 2:
Deimos - start on felling some trees for building material.
Marcus - clear the ground of rocks, brush, and debris to make way for the foundation.
Theea - as overseer, you have a few options this round: organize tools, keep the fire stoked, help Deimos or Marcus, or watch for safety, or... do something else entirely?
Hawthorn & Damien - discuss plans for the cabin/workshop/lookout and decide on the layout.
A quick note on how this PQ will run: no dice rolls. Success is more of a spectrum — how effective your character is depends on how you write your approach, with stats/abilities factored in. Some tasks are simple, others may present choices or complications that ripple into later rounds. (Yes, consequences.) Assume you have access to whatever basic tools your character would reasonably need.
He didn’t have to wait long. A bundle of wool and jacket bounced toward him, all energy despite the cold. Theea knocked into his shoulder, her grin bright against the chill, and Damien’s own mouth tugged upward into a smile that was understated but genuine. “Morning, Theea,” he rumbled, raising his cup slightly before tipping his head at the kettle. At her hopeful question, he gave a slow shake of his head—no sugar to offer—but the thought lodged itself away all the same. Her proud claim about noodle arms earned a low chuckle. “Don't worry, there'll be plenty to do that isn't hauling logs.”
The shadow overhead drew his attention next. Wings flared, talons catching the light, then Deimos landed in eagle form and shifted just as Marcus came sweeping in on his own descent. Damien’s brows lifted faintly at the sight of the Warden here in the flesh, and again at the unknown youth greeting him with such familiarity. But the surprise was the good sort, and the weight of his expression softened into something like welcome as he nodded to both in turn. “Glad you’re all here. Thank you. With this crew, I’ve no doubt we’ll make good headway. I'm just waiting on one other person...”
As if the timing had been rehearsed, another figure emerged from the trees. At first just a bundle of scarf and messy hair, but one Damien would have known anywhere. His composure held, but his voice carried more warmth as he called, “Thorn! Glad you made it.” The man’s promise of extra food drew a sharper flicker of a smile, but Damien let it fade back to something steadier as the circle filled out. He let himself feel the weight of it: a full crew, fire stoked, the project alive in more than just his own head.
He set down the tin cup on a rock by the firepit and straightened out, brushing his gloves against his coat. “Alright. Here’s the plan. Today’s about getting the bones in place and making sure it's enough to last through Deepfrost. We’ll need a cabin to store supplies and take shelter, and I want a raised platform alongside it. A vantage point. It doesn’t need to be finished in a day, but the more we get done now, the less we leave to the weather.” He glanced around the small circle, his tone even but carrying the weight of quiet conviction. “A cabin out here means less running back and forth to the Citadel. It means we can bring in wood, fish, herbs, whatever we can find, and know it’ll keep. And maybe more, down the line.”
“Deimos,” Damien’s eyes settled on the Warden, a faint ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth, “I’ve seen what you can do with lumber. Think you could start felling us some trees?” His tone made it less an order than a recognition of skill, a trust passed into capable hands.
His attention shifted to the unfamiliar man (Marcus). “And you—” he paused, brow raised, “I don’t think I caught your name. I’m Damien.” A dip of his head sufficed for greeting before he went on. “We’ll need the ground cleared. Stones, brush, anything that’ll get in the way of laying a foundation. It’s steady work, but it’ll set us up right.”
Finally, he turned to Theea, his expression softening. “You’re our overseer. Keep an eye on things, make sure we’re working safe and smart, and step in where you’re needed most. Could be stoking the fire, organizing tools, or spotting for Deimos... It’s not a small role. I need you to make sure nothing slips through.”
As the trio set to motion, Damien let Thorn linger at his side. He gestured with a broad sweep toward the clearing, the treeline, and the stream glinting faintly beyond. “What do you think? It’s a good spot, isn’t it?” His tone was more companionable here, a different cadence from the one he’d used giving orders. “I’ve got the broad strokes, but you’ve got the better eye for details. Cabin first—room for dry goods and supplies. A workshop, for wood and hides. Maybe a loft instead of a separate bedroom, keep it simple. And I’d like some kind of lookout. A tower, maybe. Something that lets me watch out for the herds, or trouble coming out of the trees. Could even combine the loft and tower, I suppose.” He exhaled through his nose, head shaking faintly. “How would you do it? How would you build it?”
You guys are awesome!
let's get this breaad
Breakdown for Round 2:
Deimos - start on felling some trees for building material.
Marcus - clear the ground of rocks, brush, and debris to make way for the foundation.
Hawthorn & Damien - discuss plans for the cabin/workshop/lookout and decide on the layout.
A quick note on how this PQ will run: no dice rolls. Success is more of a spectrum — how effective your character is depends on how you write your approach, with stats/abilities factored in. Some tasks are simple, others may present choices or complications that ripple into later rounds. (Yes, consequences.) Assume you have access to whatever basic tools your character would reasonably need.
