Sigil: City of Doors

Cratten Erroc
Name: Cratten Erroc
Aliases: Cray, Half-Friendly Hardhead, Crater
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Age: In his mid twenties.
Profession: Harmonium Spirit Specialist, Spirit Hunter.
Faction and Rank: Harmonium, Mover One
Languages: At least common.
Philosophy: Peace is my ultimate goal, if it requires little war to achieve it, then war it must be.
Deity/Beliefs: Cratten so far hasn't shown much signs to devout greatly on any specific deity and rather devout to larger amount of spirit entities.
Personality:

[u]Authoritarian[/u] [i]Sees himself as most of others superior and expects them to behave accordingly infront of him.[/i] [u]Duty Serious[/u] [i]He takes most business related things seriously, which easily makes him appear dull and duty bound when bashers try to lighten up the situation.[/i] [u]Cautious[/u] [i]He thinks before he acts rashly, especially in dangerous cases.[/i] [u]Wry Sense of Humor[/u] [i]He tends to often make jokes in weird situations and joke about serious matters, except that he generally changes to quite the opposite while on duty.[/i] [u]Etiquetted[/u] [i]He seems to follow most social etiquettes.[/i] [/li]

Height: Roughly 5'9'' (180 centimeters)
Weight: Roughly 157 pounds (71 kilograms)
Body build: Trained, signs of regular physical training are clear.
Skin type: Normal, smooth although hands and legs skin is roughened up from Harmonium training.
Hair & Beard Style: Taken care of, while hair is medium length it is combed neatly around, beard is shaven regularly to keep its short and rather decorative shape.
Scars: Multiple small scars all around body, but none severe enough to really affect in overall look, most are difficult to spot at all.
Tattoos: No tattoos at the time being.
Colouring:

[b]Hair:[/b] Raven black. [b]Eyes:[/b] Azure blue. [b]Skin:[/b] Healthy white. [/li]

Gear: Cratten can most often be seen in his rust coloured Harmonium gear, under his cloak there is large shield, on his armors belt there is several pouches for storage purposes, as well as single handaxe. Generally unseen is a collection of small bones in one of the belt pouches.
Jewelry: Often wears several different rings and few neclases, but rarely they seem static and even less rarely they can be seen in his Harmonium gear.
Habbits/hobbies: Fishing, hunting down spirits.
General Health: Good health, as far as it can be told from the outside, he has no health problems.
Favorite Drink: Foul Olde Spirits, at least until he finds better replacement.
Weaknesses:
- His own secrets
- Female tears (...to extent it does not lead him to clearly ridiculous requests)
- Ambitions (his plans are likely to be his downfall once spotted)
- Spirit focused (while he has wide knowledge of Spirits, he holds only little knowledge of most other things)
- Ixia Larkspur (Yes, he has a crush on her!)
- Spirits generally (possibility of possession in his current condition)

The Path of Spirits
"If ye have questions Cager, then ask... If not, then keep moving."

((Thou shalt not metagame the contents! If your character doesn't see/hear it in game or in forum story that is public, your character does not know it. I'm mostly just writing this down to remember it myself, which you can see from the lack of flavor ;P.))

Born in the Cage at the Clerks Ward as only child, to a rather humble enviroment, but not the worst parts of Cage. Crattens Parents were employees in an exotic store, not exactly handling selling, but rather storage, supply and administrative matters. His parents were part of Fated and also handled taxation around the Cage occasionally with the rest of the Fated. What to say about the childhood? In the Cage, there's not a single eventless and dull day, everyday a new adventure or misfortune.

Crattens mother had always had odd affinity to spirits, she had told stories of times when she had even been granted magic by those spirits, but had lost that capability because she tried to give up that part of her life, she did have a reputation of a barmy around, some said she was at times even possessed by spirits. This affinity carried out to Cratten as well, and his mother taught him how to control it, how to sense spirits and what to do in cases of encountering a spirit...

Though she managed to teach Cratten the gist of it for few years and finally Cratten had got to adulthood, the time got short, the politics of the Cage was circling around as they always do, a group of Bleak Cabal members that had got drunk and displeased of the taxes, spotting two Fated members working in the store they visited, they decided to make them pay and decided to rob the store same time... the whole incidence ended rather bad for both sides, ending to few dead on both sides, the Bleak Cabal retreated, and Crattens mother was killed in the incidence.

After the grieving was over, Cratten had cursed the factions and mentioned things would at times be better without them to some, afterall without factions the whole incidence might've been avoided... few weeks passed and Cratten was contacted by two different factions in just a few days separate of each other... the first was Harmonium that offered way to prevent such things happening if he'd join their lines... initially Cratten was intending to decline until the other faction contacted him, the Revolutionary League. The charismatic Anarchist explained his view of Sigils factions and offered an partnership in attempt to unite the Cage rather than divide it to the large amount of factions and sects, intrigued by the offer, Cratten asked what would he have to do, the Anarchist explained that he should take the Harmonium offer and join them... and weekly visit <hiding place> without anyone seeing to discuss Anarchist matters and explain the views and plans better with likeminded cutters.

Cratten joined the Harmonium the next day already, went through the theory and physical training succesfully and it didn't take long until he was made a Notary of the Harmonium. He visited when he got spare time at the Anarchist hideout he was tasked to go, and it was changed almost each time. He continued to work on the Harmonium for several years, occasionally changing his patrol to different parts of the Cage. After succeeding several tasks already, he was mentioned by one of the Movers of the Harmonium that it shouldn't take long until he is promoted to Measure in the Harmonium...

Then explosion was reported near the Great Bazaar and Cratten was assigned to patrol around the Great Bazaar and prevent similar happenings...

Mastering The Spirits

First he began with simple spirits, communicated with them, found out what they wanted, and in return asked as favor to merge their minds to commune and share capabilities, his mother had not had enough time to teach him these methods, but he had found her old journals to rely on to learn the technique. These lesser spirits held no great talents, but helped him to start. Though he was degenerated to simple errand tasks and Harmonium tasks on the side, he slowly managed to build up more and more spirits within his grasp.

None of is talents came from same spirit, for each spell, for each beneficial talent he needed to merge his mind with another spirit, this took time, patience and mental training to be capable to remain in control of his mind still, the journal helped him greatly.

This increased his confidence day after another, now capable of closing wounds, capable of creating wounds, controlling many elements, he started to take more ambitious tasks... many of the spirits disliked each other, and getting rid of one spirit for another to gain favor and capabilities from them soon became a norm. This got him to the unfavorable side of Seelie court and many Positive Energy spirits, but more in favor for the darker and more ambitious spirits.

His mothers journal had warned him of not becoming too ambitious and be certain which spirits to allow to merge with his mind, he had ignored this first rule until one day he realised why she had placed the rule. A single spirit attempted to intrude his mind and overcome his defenses, while he was taken by surprise, his mind was still enough intact and uncontrolled by spirits as whole for there to be real danger, but it was enough to become wake up call to warn him what would happen incase he continued as carelessly. He pushed away the will of the spirit, and in the becoming days he forced the spirits taint from his mind... for each new spirit he'd merge with, the harder and harder it would become to resist it.

He proceeded more carefully from now on, picking spirits he served more carefully, starting to sense those spirits around him, and the spirits around him sensing him.

Finally he reached to meet with four different spirits which had something unusual to offer to him, a Xac-Yel, Xac-Yij, Xap-Yaup, Xor-Yost and Xong-Yong, of course nothing came without payment, he'd have to do yet another task... hunt down another spirit hunter which was after those four, this wasn't what he usually was tasked for, he had never truly fought against any non-spirits, but he accepted the deal... there would come first time someday after all.

It took months for him to hunt down this spirit hunter down, this spirit hunter was good, he could see it from the traces that were left behind, perhaps even surpassed his own talents, travelling through planes and finally founding him, with one of his "employers" amassing great power by forcing the Xor-Yost remain passive, emitting bursts of energy that burned the essence of spirits. This spirit hunter was wearing some kind of chain armor, with a clothing covering the back and front, filled with symbols, the hunter wielded no chivs nor carried any, much to his surprise the other one was a female as well, slinging spells and capabilities she had no doubt learned much with same manner as he himself.

Cratten didn't hesitate for long, he drew out his axe and strapped his shield on his left arm, shouted at the opposing spirit hunter that just finished the Xor-Yost it had began foughting against, without any great efforts it seemed as well. Cratten hesitated for while, could he even kill her if he somehow managed to defeat her?... one way to find out he decided finally and shouted that she had become to the end of her line, he demanded her to yield and cease hunting spirits. The female only looked towards him, tilting her head slightly, making Cratten unsure if she had even understood what he said. He decided that he might just as well leave the language barrier out with talking through actions...

He tapped his shield with his axe few times, then started calling off the spirits he had merged his mind with to call their powers to aid him, she seemed to take this as hostile action, but she had a benefit, her protections were on already, granted she was more sufficient to fight against spirits no doubt. Still without any words she started to call forth a globe of cooled air, which froze up quickly into ever growing piece in the air, as if the air itself froze, then moved her arms to send off the icy missile at his direction, Cratten barely had his own protection put up which provided resistant against magical attacks. Not however trusting it overly much he quickly embraced himself for the impact and got to his knees while holding his shield on top of himself and partially against the ground when the large piece of ice collided only a few feet away of him, exploding to hundreds of ice pieces and throwing him despite the sturdy position to stumble backwards almost a feet length.

He finally managed to look around at the devastation only to see another spell incoming, this time not from above, but below, the entire ground started shaking and creating cracks to the floor level around him, making him lose his balance and bounce around the ground in poor attempt of keeping his stand, while the armor protected him from severe injuries, his helmet had broken his nose inside, grumbling he managed to get up to face yet another spell, he knew he'd have to start doing something or else he'd be dead meat, the spell this time was a ray of fire emitting from the female spirit hunters hand towards him, covering his body with his shield against the beam, the ray rather than ending to his shield started to spread through the shield and towards his hand, he didn't hesitate to use his axe to cut the shield straps to prevent it spreading to him entirely and soon the shield fell down, the ray had ended, but the fire spreaded to the entire shield.

The other spirit hunter was already casting another spell, but this time Cratten got to cast his own spell, he called for an air spirit to speed up his movements, while she casted spell which produced a large stone to appear from the Plane of Fire only to drop by the aid of Gravity towards him and several smaller pieces all sides. Cratten used his now faster moving speed to run towards the spirit hunter which let him avoid the huge rock only by inch or two, the impact on ground made him stumble few steps but he caught up and brought his speed as fast as he could to charge towards the spirit hunter, gripping to his axe with both hands as the spirit hunters eyes went wide open and hastily managed to channel a last spell which made her skin as hard as stone, this didn't stop Crattens movement...

He charged with full speed and swinged at the neck of the spirit shaman, a loud crack could be heard, the spell protection held only barely, tiny crack opened to her neck through the defense and she instantly tried to avoid the blood coming through the hole and gasping for air... it wasn't enough for Cratten, calling forth for negative energy spirits he had made deals with earlier he finished the already dying spirit hunter... his task was done.

Although one of his employers had died, the others were pleased and provided the reward of a power combined by them all... an orb like no other that spreaded destruction, it was difficult for him to maintain control after they all merged with his mind and he understood he had reached his limit... and mastered the spirits.

*all this written while in his private quarters in the inn and stashed to his back of holding, not a public one*

*Cratten takes out a notebook and for a first time in longtime he carves his thoughts on the parchments with ink and quill, eloquently, neatly... although a bit of frustration and venting can be seen within it*


Divided and Frustrated

Today I had a set back with Ixia, although it was reasonable from her side, I cannot deny my own frustration after all I've done for and to her, she wanted more distance after so brief while of having her heart broken by this Domiscus. I understand and respect her wishes, but I wonder how long I will bother. She admitted that she was frightened of losing her friends and me perhaps more than others, this keeps me going still.

It also seems that Neli, my friend, had put a lawsuit against one of Ixias friends which created quite the mess, first Ixia and her friends attempted to force me to pick a side, but I have known Neli long, fortunately I managed to state my case to Ixia by compairing it of me suddenly accusing one of her friends of many unwanted things. However this still required investigations, so I decided it was time for me to take a step back and let other Harmonium members handle the matter, while it does not bring me further in my career, I still hold enough respect on both Ixia and Neli to choose either ones sides. But I foresee problems rising from this sooner or later none the less where I will have to choose side, I must admit that I am not entirely sure which side to pick... while I like love Ixia, I have also strong bonds with Neli, a long mutual friendship.

Further troubles ensued when I apparently broke into Ixias comfort zone by kissing her, and she used some form of arcane spell to set me on fire, while the damage was not great, it still hurt. I'm not sure I entirely understand her side on this... my kiss was brief and she stepped off and resorted to violence? Perhaps I am too etiquetted in the Cage to understand this kind of behavior, but I was taught to use my communication capabilities instead, until no other choice is given. Not to mention, we've already kissed in past for extended times, it is not like she dislikes doing it with me, unless I've miss interpreted her?

I must admit that my feelings were mildly hurt by her action, despite me gaining warning before hand that she might use such means... as I was growing aggrovated, I wanted to use words to hurt her back and decided that everytime she uses fires to burn me, everytime there's lesser chance of me coming back. It was harsh, but she did not appear to listen otherwise... we made peace soon again, but at least I opened her eyes to true consequences of simply setting others on fire. I do not care if Azrinoth, Domiscus or rest of her friends never minded of being set on fire, but I will not approve requiring to protect myself from lethal forces just to remain friends of someone. I admit I had for a few moments second thoughts of this possible relationship, but I will keep my faith, Ixia is still young and unsure in many sides, she is quite the opposite of me, perhaps that is why I feel drawn to her also?

I cannot truly answer that yet, but I will continue seeking my feelings and perhaps a step back was a wise choice in the end.




As side note, my business matters with the Revolutionary League has seemed to come to a halt, I have not yet abandoned the plan. I just feel that I will need more support to be capable of handling this all... I need time.

- Cratten Erroc,
Measure One of Harmonium.

*Cratten takes out his quill and ink jar once more in his private inn room to scribe his memories and thoughts down.*

After Thoughts...
Ixia returned just for a few days to Cage, I wish she had remained longer, but the time we spent together once more was delightful, enjoyable, precious?... alas, no word can describe it perfectly. Catching up with what we've done, sharing dark of what we haven't truly told of each other... trust for trust as I put it.

Ixia gave me new dancing lesson, seemed to go rather well this time already, granted it was pretty simple dance. Didn't at least ruin her pretty feet while I was at it. I found out that we perhaps weren't quite as opposite as I had first thought, we both have... secrets, as vague as it sounds. We're both damaged, yet do not wish aid, but rather to master ourselves, maybe this is the connection which draws us together? Though do I really care fo the reason as long as I enjoy her company?... I suppose not.

I have an ethical conflict after Ixia revealed something to me which I should technically report to Harmonium, but what she did seemed morally right... and I... love her. I shall close my eyes, for the Harmonium does not truly share my loyalty anyhow. The evening was about over, until it turned to a night of passion and desire, I could give it no credits by writing it with my words, so I shall only keep it within my memories.

I could finally say to her out loud that I love her, while she did not say it back, I believe she felt the same way... at least I can always hope.

Cratten Erroc
- Measure One of Harmonium

*Cratten takes up his quill once more to write down his thoughts, though this time the handwriting is different as he writes on his left hand.*

I Wonder...

If I was too hasty. If I'm wrong. If I made mistake. If I'm only a bandage in her wounds. If I'm more sorry for her, or myself? But no matter how much I wonder, it always ends to the inevitable, now what?

Things were going very well between me and Ixia, we shared plenty time together when she has been around the Cage, while we're often the negatives, we're well attracted to each others. Yet I see some of the same between her and Domiscus, seeing how persistant she's with him, it sometimes makes me wonder if he's the one she truly wants rather than me... what if I'm the one just comforting her until she gets back with Domiscus?

Occasionally both of us get damaged by the others words, but just yesterday what she told had poorly chosen words... while technically correct, it could be taken severely wrong way. I misunderstood it terribly wrong causing me to leave the scene in rage... and maybe hit a wall a tad too hard and kick a few rocks on the way... which is also incidentally reason why I'm writing this all with my left hand... One of my fingers broke and knuckles bleed, but the physical pain helped to clear thoughts, or rather getting something else to think...

She followed me eventually and explained the case, granted at first I didn't even want to hear it, as I was expecting for excuses. Once she explained herself, I felt that I had made fool of myself and let her fix my hand. I refused to get any magical healing for it, better I learn from my own mistake the hard way. When it came to talking deeper afterwards, she explained to me that she didn't consider what we did as a commitment and wasn't ready for such, but to her credits, she explained it all rationally and well. I decided that all this made me need some time to think and finally said that maybe we should take step back, as a favor for me stepping back last time, she reluctantly agreed.

Yet I gave her some perfumes soon after that, I wonder why... did I feel sorry for her? I don't have answer for that... for now I just need to clear my mind...

As a side note, it's really time consuming to write on left hand...

Cratten Erroc
- Measure One of Harmonium

*once more Cratten starts to scribe down his thoughts into parchment, seemingly his right hand fixed again, at least enough to write*

In Search For Original Gift
Well, since I kind of promised Ixia that I'd look for original gift, I will start my search now that she's elsewhere. I am unsure where to even start, but suppose I will ask around from bashers for ideas. After all, nearly all has been already given, but I refuse to believe that everything has been given as a gift. The multiverse is a huge place after all.

Of course can't be just original, but also has to be either practical, cute or otherwise appealing... somehow I don't think bucket with holes in it or jar of Ditch water won't do it.


As for regarding my earlier entry? I decided it ain't mattering... It ain't mattering that much how she feels or what she does, but rather what I do in the end. If I ain't the one she wants, then I just need to improve. If it ain't commitment she wants yet, then it's just matter of time.

- Cratten Erroc
Measure One of Harmonium

*After the long pause Cratten takes up quill and ink to scribble down memories*

Attack of the Constructs
It was a normal day in the Bazaar and Cage, small conflicts, but nothing that required Harmonium interference at my patrol and watch area. Until all of sudden screams started to come not far away and metal hitting metal as massive amounts of clockwork machines and metallic beings started to swarm the streets attacking anything organic in sight, taking only a short moment to react in the situation I started to shout to rest of the Harmonium to take the civilians to safety and protect them.

Fought my way through the swarms to ward and heal the wounded, calling forth the spirits to lend their destructive spells to melt and disable the unnatural creations, many were destroyed easily, but the sheer amount made them danger to all nearby. Many of the prominent adventurers took up their chivs and spells to fight back the menace alongside the Harmonium, with the combined forces the constructs were pushed back. I guided the others to move on while I stayed behind to tend to the civilians wounds, once all the major wounds were handled I ran after them and caught up in the Hive Ward where they were fighting off forces, tracks seemed to lead towards the Lower Ward.

With the united force we quickly moved to the Lower Ward only to see a sight of dozens of civilians torn to pieces on ground and streets before the Great Foundry, fighting was going on around, but seemingly Harmonium had managed to isolate the Hive Ward and Ladys Ward from the attacks, many civilians were barricading their united forces to nearby houses, inns and buildings, chaos was set loose. Without wasting time I shouted the people to protect the civilians once more and try to find the source...

Many wounds were got during the fierce battle, but slowly with a large force they were forced to get back to the Great Foundry from where a gnome managed to run out, ain't remembering tag, but he seemingly was brother of some other whom had created a sentient large golem which produced more... sodding gnomes and their inventions... I took him under custody for questioning later on, before we managed to enter the Great Foundry, a huge tons weighting golem stepped out and crushed two buildings to block the path with rubble. Some sods started to carry rocks out one by one, well there ain't no sodding time while there's people alive in there I figured and measured the damage, an explosion at that rubble would have no effect... there's more at the sides which would fill the hole ... but on something thinner and less rubbles... like the wall...

I stumbled few dozen feet away to measure the wall and started to gather spiritual energy, this blast would take most of the strength I had, but I decided the others could manage without me inside as well. After the energy of multiple spirits were gathered in single destructive orb, I unleashed it towards the wall, which tore it to shreds with crackling boom... alas that was the end of my journey since it drained most of my strength and I fell to my knee... told them to go on without me.

What happened then is only what I know from S.I.G.I.S. the large golem managed to escape... doubt it's the last we hear of it, but at least we got through it with only little damage done.

- Cratten Erroc
Measure One of Harmonium


Sodding Seven Minutes
How in the sodding nine hells is it possible that during seven minutes of me being absent, all the abyss breaks loose?... Theft, theft attempt, bar brawl, TWO assaults, burning of hairs... and I was gone for seven minutes... how is it possible all that happens during that time right at the Khazeets bar or right outside it?

- Cratten Erroc
Measure One of Harmonium