In The Eye of The Storm: An Update of Detroit

It occurred to me (mostly through a little bit of confusion in some reviews) that one of the bigger problems of posting has come to infect my story. To wit, with a long story, with long gaps between posts, it is near inevitable that a reader might become confused as to the flow of the story. Thus I thought (literally) that since I am at more or less the halfway point in the story, it was about time the 'eye of the storm' came around. (You get it? Halfway? Eye of the storm? Get it, get it? Hahaha- why is nobody laughing?) In any case this will be a little update on my vast horde of characters (and I swear this is all there will be...no really...okay, there will be another major one or so, but I'll mention them here too...literally!) And also a brief recap of the story thus far.

Dramatis Personae

The Garou (Our Heroes)

Dominic "Rend-the-Darkness" Winford: In many ways one of my favorite characters. Dominic is a skilled Shadow Lord and Philodox (Judge of the Ways). He is one of the heroes of The Pit and wields the klaive Bonespur. (A klaive being a special blade made by Garou to kill Garou) He is a powerful force in the tribes, and apparently serves on the council of elders and serves as the enforcer for many of the edicts. His name is spoken with respect and fear by even the Black Spirals. He is harsh and caustic, yet extremely honorable and loyal to his friends (to the extent of being willing to face near certain death for them) Dominic has some unresolved issues with most of the other heroes of The Pit (Especially the ronin) He seems to care for Jo (and is the only one who calls her Josephine) yet is also often angered by her actions. He is annoyed by much of Charlie's naiveté, and has offered his own dark views on Garou life as a counterpoint to Charlie's bright visions of heroes. Dominic also seems to share a dark connection with Syntax, but as of this writing hasn't spoken of it.

Charlie "Blackmuzzle" Snyder: A member of the Get of Fenris, Charlie isn't quite as bull-headed as his tribe is usually stereotyped. A Galliard, Charlie is a speaker of songs and tales. As a result he does have a surprising amount of information in his head, the problem is it's usually colored by misconceptions and poetic license. Charlie started the story as a bit of a loser, however his trials are quickly forging him into a better Garou. He admires Dominic, yet fears him. Is impressed by the ronin, yet disgusted by his depression. And seems to have managed to actually annoy Jo (worth noting since usually she just annoys everyone else) Charlie is learning some harsh lessons, it remains to be seen if his beliefs will survive his dark times with the last of the heroes of The Pit.

The Ronin: The lone enigma of the forces of good, the ronin is a character shrouded in mystery. What is known is that he was apparently one of the great heroes of The Pit. During their final battle he apparently made a mistake or committed some crime. (Speculation abounds, but it is suspected Snowflake was involved) He was dishonored and tossed out of the tribes It appears as though Dominic was principle in this event taking place, and that the ronin holds some harsh feelings over the event. He also suffered from Harano (the deep mystical depression of the Garou) but recently seemed to pull himself out of it in an attempt to aid his fellows. He is also a highly skilled warrior, though he is loathe to use his skills. Has a connection to a young human he saved from rape, in return she seemed to give him the boost out of Harano.

Syntax: A Glass Walker (the technology using Garou tribe) and a Theurge (spirit sorcerer) Syntax has been a powerful and capable ally to the other Garou. She dwells in her 'jungle' composed of technology and uses her powers to crack codes and seek out danger and secrets. She isn't good with people and seems to have a deep hatred for Dominic that she doesn't wish to discuss. This anger also extends in some degree to the whole Garou council. She is aided by Blue Storm, a modified Net Spider. She uses the technology spirit as an advisor and weapon.

Lord Moros Argent: The eldest of the heroes of The Pit. Moros can feel the grip of old age, and seeks one last great victory for himself before his final passing. He is a skilled Theurge and canny politician. He seems to share much of Dominic's distaste for the ronin, and also has issues with Marn. The Black Spirals apparently don't consider him dangerous anymore.

Leona "Throatripper": A member of Charlie's pack. Leona is a lupus, a Garou born and raised as a wolf. She is impulsive and rather violent at times, and has little patience for technology and diplomacy. Due to her wolfish upbringing she is uneasy in or around technology, however her senses seem sharper then even the other Garou. She seems to care about Charlie, but still considers him a bit of a weakling. She reveres Argent and seems to have also been mesmerized by the ronin.

Snapback: The other surviving member of Charlie's pack. Snapback is a deformed hunchback due to his metis (being born of a Garou and Garou mating) nature. He is a skilled warrior though his attitude seems rather harsh to his packmates. Thus far Leona seems to be the only one who likes him. He has been a member of other packs, however they were always wiped out, leaving only him alive. Thus he is considered somewhat unlucky by the other Garou. (Leona considers him lucky)

Lord Marn "One-eye": Get of Fenris Galliard, Charlie's uncle, one of the heroes of The Pit, and leader of the Raging Falls caern (spiritual wellspring from which Garou garner energy). Marn is the most powerful and respected Garou in the Detroit environs. He is a friend of Dominic, yet seems to have strangely abandoned him to Detroit without aid from the tribes. His reasons for this remain unknown.

Snowflake, First-to-Find, Quentin "Shattered Tower": The other three heroes of The Pit, these three apparently fell in battle during that final conflict or since then. First-to-Find was destroyed by Malise, the dark priest of the shattered temple. Snowflake's story ties in with the ronin's somehow. What is known is that they trained and fought together expertly. However in the final moments of battle something happened that apparently slew her, and damned him. Quentin performed the ritual to banish Tyranthraxus, he was apparently a mighty Theurge, his fate is unclear, but it is presumed he died somewhere along the way.

Jo (you knew she needed her own section)

Josephine Corven (Jo): The last of the heroes of The Pit wasn't a Garou, rather it was a Corax, a wereraven (literally). Jo seems loyal and helpful to her friends, however it is quite clear she has her own agenda most of the time. She was a bit of a catalyst for this story as she is responsible for involving both the ronin and Syntax with Dominic's affairs. (and for this he is most angered at her...literally) Not a front line fighter or skilled Theurge, Jo has nonetheless saved the others in many subtle ways and means. Despite her often literally rambling speech methods Jo is an excellent source of information and advice. She has proved her willingness to manipulate her friends if she thinks it necessary. (And she seems to hold Dominic in contempt for what he did to the ronin) She also seems to hold a grudge against Garou who act too proud or superior to the other Changing Breeds. Despite her feminine nature Jo is quite mouthy and aggressive, and willing to do whatever it takes to get things done. Needless to say, this is one bird (Get it? I get it.) you don't want to turn your back on.

The Black Spirals (Our Foes)

Fer-guath: Leader of the Black Spiral tribe of Detroit, Fer-guath is an aged and dangerous Theurge. He forms one third of the ruling Triat of the tribe, and seems to hold the most sway. He is also one of the few people The Master lets see him.

Endelon, The Master Assassin: The thin and deadly figure in black robes may not be the angel of death, but he may be just as deadly. Another part of the ruling Triat, Endelon is the wild card and silent killer. He seems to hold even his own tribe in contempt, though he does share a close kinship with Kendar. He wields two flaming klaives in battle and has proved capable of defeating almost anyone he has faced. (He even claims Dominic couldn't stop him) As such his lone hunting of the Garou is not to be taken lightly, as he can strike without warning, and kill quickly. Thus far only the ronin seems even a possible match for Endelon's skills.

Kendar, The Head Collector: The hulking war leader and final third of the ruling Triat. Kendar is violent and feared. Despite his bestial nature he occasionally reveals flashes of insight that prove he is a wise and capable commander. Should he and his hunting packs ever locate the Garou they could be hard pressed to survive.

Stinkface: The story started with him (will it end with him too?) Stinkface is something of a dark reflection of Charlie. He is an eager young pup struggling to learn and claim his place amongst his tribe. He too looks up to the great heroes of his tribe, and seeks to learn from them. Along with his packmates, Treeshaker and Rockcrusher, he has had a few embarrassing run-ins with Puck and desperately wishes to get his hands on the pooka trickster.

Gorefist: One of the more effective pack leaders of the tribe. She is known for her murderous and lustfull tendancies. The current mate of Kendar, she enjoys a fair amount of power in the tribe.

Allied/Pentex (Evil fomori...oooh, they're evil)

Robert Sands: Head of Allied Chemicals and a member of the Wyrm infested mega-corporation Pentex, Robert Sands heads up the fomori and human operations of The Master in Detroit. He is one of the few pawns The Master openly appears to. He is apparently a capable and dangerous businessman, as to his other abilities little is known.

Mr. Kay: Mr. Sands' chief aide and bodyguard. The grim Mr. Kay has revealed little of himself.

The Colonel: Lurking on the perimeters of the story, The Colonel is a formori in charge of a kidnapping and white slavery ring. It is unclear if he will play a larger role in the plots of The Master.

Strange Forces in the Shadows (even more evil then evil, more like Eviel)

The Master: This strange shadowy figure seems to be pulling all the strings. What is known of him is that he controls Allied, The Spirals, some vampires, and the mage. He has revealed a fair spate of powers, and seems to have all his pawns intimidated. Who (or what) he is and what his/her/its plans are remain as shadowy as his form.

The Mage: Obviously a little deranged and covered with old scars and wounds. This reclusive figure dwells in tunnels deep under the city and serves The Master. He seems to be preparing for a ritual, and has also summoned 'The One From The Pit' to serve The Master. He seems to have a deep hatred/fear of the heroes of The Pit. (As to his past, I leave you to surmise the truth.)

The One From The Pit: Brought back from some unimaginable torment by the mage, the one seems to be hell bent on destroying the Garou. All that is (reliably?) known of the one is that it is (was?) apparently a Garou and causes fear in the mage. However The Master seems certain this one piece shall crush Dominic and the others.

The Fae (Evil Fae...well...they're at least a little annoying)

Puck: Pooka, trickster, dating advisor, sage, spy, fighter, and lover of all things childish, Puck is a pooka with a mission. (A mission you can hold FuryS Forge responsible for...literally) After interrupting a meeting to discuss the Spiral threat Puck was given the job of going out to keep an eye on them. She is a random and chaotic being, who at times seems childishly useless, and at other moments brilliantly insightful. There is only one thing you can expect when dealing with Puck...the unexpected

Lord Cruss: A member of the sidhe, the ruling class of the Fae, Lord Cruss has been saddled with the most common of commoners for a partner. With Puck's random (and sometimes not so random) abuse and constant chatter Lord Cruss seems doomed to the loony bin (or prison if he kills her first). Thus far Cruss' only true addition to the mission (despite his best wishes) has been his spyglass (which Puck has been eyeing...)

Lady Ayloshia, Arienkel: The head of the Fae court and her advisor and friend. They sent Puck and Cruss out. Lady Ayloshia seems to have a soft spot for Puck. But shall the Fae court become involved again? Only time will tell.

Our Story Thus Far...

The story of course arguably begins many years ago when the eight great heroes (and yes there is a reason the poem referred to seven) descended into The Pit to stop the resurrection of the dark spirit Tyranthraxus. Great suffering was caused and blood was spilled in the battle, yet the greatest wounds they had received had not been to their bodies, but to their minds and souls.

We begin with a tale of a botched pooka hunt by Stinkface, and the dark dreams of a failed warrior of the Garou. We also learn of the mysterious Master, and of a plot he has that shall bring deeper darkness to the doomed city. However it is decided certain heroes (who thwarted an earlier plot) must be dealt with so the ritual may go as planned.

Dominic takes a young pack into Detroit to ambush and put a stop to an illegal dumping operation by Allied Chemicals. However he soon discovers that it was all a setup, as Black Spirals swarm out of hiding to destroy them. After a brutal fight upon a frozen lake the pack is divided. One is dead, slain by Endelon. Snapback and Leona are separated and flee back to the caern. And Dominic and Charlie (both heavily wounded by Endelon) are forced to flee into the city.

Thankfully Jo (who had earlier been trying to get the ronin and Dominic to join together) was nearby. She quickly aided them in their escape and got them out of immediate danger. Then she was able to contact the ronin and get him to offer them refuge in his apartment. The Master is angered the ambush didn't work, and contacts his fomori servants (Allied) to help find the Garou. In the apartment Dominic recovers and he and the ronin realize Jo arranged their meeting.

The obligatory Jo beating is interrupted when the Spirals are able to track them to the apartment. The ronin and Charlie escape out the window, and Charlie witnesses the ronin's skills, and his internal angst. Dominic stays to fight off the fomori who assault the room, Jo stays with him to make sure he is okay. The two groups both make their way to Jo's chosen meeting spot, Syntax's warehouse.

Dominic realizes once again he was tricked. Syntax also seems displeased, but still heals many of their wounds and helps hide their tracks. Through her powers she reveals that the Spirals have withdrawn, leaving the humans to scour the city. Dominic realizes that would leave their primary office weakened, and decides for a reprisal strike and information gathering run on the reason of the dumping. The ronin refuses to help, and leaves.

Meanwhile. Leona and Snapback return to the caern, only to discover a surprising apathy for going to aide Dominic and Charlie. Lord Moros Argent suspects there is something wrong, and recruits them to accompany him back into Detroit. Endelon, who has decided to keep hunting, finds them and begins to follow.

Dominic, Charlie, and Jo infiltrate the Allied Towers and soon learn that near everything that could go wrong has. Charlie feels inadequate as he barely holds his own, leaving Dominic to battle the lion's share of fomori agents. Jo proves her skills by offering surprisingly useful aid. Syntax sends forth Blue Storm and assaults the tower's computer and spiritual systems.

The ronin regains his sense of duty from a chance encounter. He rushes to help the others, and happens upon Moros' expedition just as Endelon attacks. Endelon flees the combined force of Garou, and then continue on to Syntax's warehouse. Dominic and the others barely manage to escape the death-trap of the towers, and flee into the city. The Master urges Sands to again call in the Spirals, since his own men can't cut it...

Next shall be more thrills, more spills, and whole lot more literallys...literally!

So stayed tuned noble reader. There are still many questions that shall be answered. What is The Master's plot? What is the history between Syntax and Dominic? What is the secret of the ronin? Who was the traitor of the tribes? Why does Dominic call Jo Josephine? All shall be answered as we roll out of the eye, and back into the storm of...The Fall of the Heroes.