101 Untold Tales: 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

The House of Blackwell

Blackwell magi are known for their use of necromancy, black arts and nearly any other form of power to maintain their control over their interests.

History

The House of Blackwell is one of the oldest and well-respected (feared) houses in the British Empire. Situated within the inner circle of the comings and goings of the crown, they have served the royals since the early 1600s and some say earlier.

Their knowledge and use of dark rituals and magic are rumored to have been the source of the great storm that wiped out the Spanish armada that Queen Elizabeth faced. Because of their success they have been given a wide latitude within the empire to 'ensure its protection and success'.

Blackwells are the dirty secret of the British Crown. They have their fingers in so many things its difficult to know where the crown begins and they end. They are also indiscriminate when it comes to where they get their power. Though many of their ranks assume a fairly 'spooky' and occult facade, not all of them use magic to get what they want out of life. Some use political power, others economic. Those who dabble in the dark arts whisper the name Blackwell as a warning for just how corrupt one can get.

Members Include:

Name	Position
Arkkon Blackwell	Leader of the Household
Artemis Blackwell	Daughter to August
Borgia Blackwell	Daughter to Arkkon
Justin Blackwell	Son to Arkkon
August Blackwell	Brother to Arkkon
Russell Blackwell	Son to August

TB: Character: Daniel Locke

No...Daniel writes tripe...Though he might also do actual scholarly work...Doesn't bother with a pseudonym like so many of the "Scholars" of the period who slummed it writing fiction.

Just to be a dick, he might have been the one to out Westcott as a member of Golden Dawn, forcing him to either resign as a London Coroner, OR from the Order.

(he resigned from the Order...Funny how noble our vows and ideas hold up to a bank note, is it not?)

Perhaps a bit of medical training, but not a full on Doctor..At least not of medicine.

Now, he might have the equivalent of a Ph.D, in a couple of topics, and maybe even the medical knowledge of at LEAST a Nurse, but nothing finalized.

As in, he went to medical school for a while, but never finished, worked on an advanced degree here...and one there...in different subjects...Studied with so-and-so for a year in Turkey....On to Vienna for this other thing.

Comes from money, but not the "First Son," so none of the responsibility, but HATES the idle rich..

So, rather than bounding about the continent from one party to another, he bounds about the continent in search of more knowledge.

Writes, is often read, but not openly respected by the Academy.

He's not one of them...Outsider, trouble maker, has blasphemous ideas, and even more outlandish manners.

(but secretly, lots of scholars think his work is solid and well thought out.)

Victorian hunting whip, (nicer and longer than that one,) silver handle that conceals a long, thin stiletto blade.

He is an occultist...Just doesn't play well with others.

Mostly elementals...Demons and angels too...shit you encounter dealing with Solomonic and Enochian, (which was just REALLY coming to light at this time,) stuff.

Not as comfortable in dealing with shifters or Fae, but he knows enough to either A. Get himself out of trouble or B. Protect himself with that fails.

Concept: Thomas Book

Original 6/7/2005

Thomas Book

Adventure Serials

Character Quirks
- Indiana Jones
1. Whip
2. Several past failed relationships (romantic and otherwise)
3. Well-Traveled
4. Well-connected (he's got friends in every town from here to the Sudan)
5. Generally well-liked
6. Tries to do the right thing
7. Unresolved issues with his father
8. Mother died when he was young
9. Likes to challenge authority
10. Noble calling
11. Speak much, read some, write less

Dean Corsoe
1. Merchant Mercenary
2. Doesn't trust anyone much
3. Several contacts, few friends
4. Respected for his accomplishments, but generally well liked
5. Almost no relations with his parents
6. Few personal, material or social ties to hold him in any one place.
7. Well-traveled
8. General Bullshitter
9. He believes in his percentage
10. Read much, speak little, write less.

Thomas Book - Character Sketch
1. No relationship with his parents
2. Several contacts, few friends
3. Few personal, material or social ties to hold him in any one place for long
4. Read much, speak little, write more
5. Well-traveled
6. Unresolved issues with his Uncle Julian
7. Questing Nature
8. Shaolin Staff Fighting?
9. Loves kung-fu movies and Chinese food - learned most of his kung fu from the movies.
10. He has a Mailboxes Etc. account where he sends his completed journals while he's over seas. This way he knows that they're just waiting for him. He tries to get back to the account once in a while to pick up the journals and put them into safer storage.
11. He has another account at a coffee roastery where he stores his beans until he needs them. Inside the bean account, he has a passport and a few thousand dollars as an escape plan.
12. Always a back door. Always a plan
13. One journal for each 'quest', dig
14. Satchel of useful things
15. History of failed relationships with women, some success with men
17. Uncle Julian became a surrogate parent and big brother to Book when his parents died in one of the planes of 9/11. By this time, Book was in college for his Master's degree so it was just to give him some sense of connection.

The Adventures of Thomas Book in 1920's?

Titanic 1912
King tut 1927

Neo Victorian
The world is still small
There are still blank places on the map
Steam Ships
World War I
1890 - 1930 Period
1929 Stock market crash

This would make Uncle Julian an Occultist
British Museum
Royal Geographic Society

He can never seem to actually write his Dissertation to get his Ph.D.
Every time he tries to get it done, something jumps up that he can't miss.

Uncle Julian has money the old fashioned way - he inherited it. Thomas' journals are mailed back to Julian for safe keeping. Julian has been all over the world several times and then, when Thomas turned 25, he came home and hasn't really left. He's poured himself into his research.

When was the Anenerbe founded? Thule Society?

Templar gold - scotland
Curse of the Mummy - Egypt
Machu Pichu - peru

Fountain pens?
Communication mediums? Radio, telegraph, telegram
Travel - Steamship, Dirigible, Rail,
Linburg - 1927 Trans-Atlantic
Submarine?

Allies
Submarine Pilot - Capt. Roark (ret)
Steamboat Pilot -
Airplane Pilot - (Midwest Barnstormer)
Professional Jewel thief (Ariana)
Steam Engineer - Chloe

Movies:
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Rocketman
King Kong
The Adventures of Jules Verne
The Mummy (Part 1 and 2)
Alan Quartermain (King Solomon's Mines)

Satchel:

Canvas with leather strap

3 Journals (Current, Reference, Blank)
- Thin journal, probably a modified size 2
Fountain Pen and 2 bottles of ink (in a wooden case)
Envelopes and letter paper, sealing wax
Mag glass
Compass (military or otherwise)
Match case
Small Camera

Jewelry
1. Signet Ring
2. Necklace (Malachite (something egyptian))

Tattoos
1. Ankle band? (South American)

Childhood -

Uncle Julian was his guardian after his parents died in an accident. His uncle was an explorer (occultist) and traveled the ancient world extensively looking for bits of this and bits of that. He went to China, Japan, South America, all over Europe, and always drug young Thomas along with him.

At first Thomas was confused that they never seemed to stay put in one place, but then enjoyed the 'adventure' of always going from one place to another.

Summers were always spent traveling with Julian or finding him on some trip. During his Master's degree, the two started to split up but remained connected. Julian became more secretive about his research and the details of his trips and suggested that Thomas might enjoy some adventures of his own.

Thomas speaks Mandarin and Arabic with passing fluency.

Mother, Emma, was British and Father, Maxwell.

Emma is sister to Julian Blackwell

Assisting Characters
1. Karl Gagen - Friar from VanHelsing. Inventor
2. Bridget X - Saphron from Serenity. Thief.
3. Adira - Anara from Serenity. Thief. Agent. Society member

Timeline from 1890 to 1939 (Invasion of Poland)

Thomas lives in New York in 1921, above a bookstore

Jade Dragon Shipping Company - front for the organization that killed his parents. Xian Yu, leader

Thomas played piano in a New Orleans Jazz club for a year, it's where he met Ms. Susan - a HooDoo woman.

Thomas is a big fan of Zorro and always wanted to have some version of the Fox's Lair of his very own. So he has something like the Phantom's lair under the bookstore as a trophy room and 'sanctuary'. The loft apartment above the bookstore is more for guests and lovers to see.

Half of the Thomas Book stories involve friends that he's either made along the way or will make through the course of the journal. These friends are often larger than life and sort of like Thomas' own Seven Samurai if he ever had to pull in help. One of these friends is a character by the name of "Eric (Rick) J. Hunter".

Rick Hunter, one of Thomas' best friends and guides in the Amazon

I'm not sure how they met, but I'm guessing it involved some kind of adventure in a forgotten Mayan temple. Maybe Rick helped Thomas get out or Thomas used his contacts to bail Rick out of a Columbian jail. Anything's possible but I like the 'bailing him out of jail' idea. Rick strikes me as the kind of guy who would get ankle deep into trouble before he got his boots laced up in the morning and would end up waist-deep in trouble before lunch if there was a friend involved.

Rick and Thomas have the kind of relationship where half of their conversations involve "Remember that time when..."

It would be very bad if any of Thomas friends back in New York were to ever get Rick drunk enough to start telling stories about their trips together. While in NY, Thomas tries to keep an image of respectability and professionalism, but a few bottles of some scotch (Rick's favorite drink) and he'd be more than just a little embarrassed.

TB: Character: Amelia Stone

Professor Amelia Stone is a noted Historian and Archaeologist who specializes in Egyptology. Trained in America, she was recently invited to lecture and consult at the British Museum.

Professor Stone wears a scarab necklace given to her by an Egyptian Pharaoh. The necklace contains the memories of each of her many past lives and serves as a 'memory archive' that she can occasionally tap into allowing her to temporarily "remember" skills and knowledge that she has acquired for each.

The scarab also acts as a spirit director. Should any ghost, wraith or other spirit enters her presence she will instantly know it.

I'm thinking poison, delivered by something small and pointy

hairpins for street use, as well as maybe a blowgun

Your Egyptian name: Amaret. Ah-mer-et

TB: Character: Robert Amos

Robert Amos

Captain Robert Amos is captain of the Mermaid's Tear, a clipper ship that ran cargo for Thomas' father's company. Captain Amos was charged by Book's parents to deliver him to Melbourne where he would be transferred to another ship for the trip back to London.

Thomas Book: Jade Dragon

A picture of the Jade Dragon figurine

The Jade Dragon is one of the lost 13 treasures (or something there about). The dragon originally appears as the white, creamy jade but for each soul it takes it becomes more and more green until it's "full" and can rewind the clock on an intended target, returning them to their youth.

The Jade Dragon is a toxic item; anyone whose flesh touches the statue loses their soul to it and is reduced to a fleshy husk of a corpse that's covered in an oily black film. The film is also toxic, causing a violent plague upon any around it. Any who are consumed by the statue become Wraith

TB: Character: Elizabeth Longstreet Sommerset

Miss ..... Elizabeth Longstreet Sommerset

"Of the Savannah Sommersets, if you please, sir. Atlanta is so low; all that new money."

Bachelor's degree majors in Ancient Greek, Latin, etymology. Master's degree in Symbolic Logic.

Doctorate in Ancient Cultures.

Working on a second Doctorate in linguistics.

She has her own theory (The Babel Theory) that all languages are connected to a unique, extinct root.

She's an expert swordswoman - lettering in Fencing (foil and epee) while at Mt. Holyoak and Wellesley University. Even to this day she is known to show up and teach Yale's fencing club a lesson in humility. When out and about, she carries a lady's umbrella with a hidden epee blade.

cryptography being her hobby/obsession

When she publishes, it's under the name "Peter Longstreet." She's like a grand niece of General James Longstreet (called Pete by his friends), and uses his name when she writes.

JOTB: The Winter Rose

The third book for Thomas Book (well, possibly third book) is the introduction of the Fae into his world.

The story takes place while he travels to... somewhere by train.

Thomas Book: The Fae

The Fae of Thomas Book

The Fae of Thomas Book are organized into Four different Courts, each one based off a different season.

The Summer Court, ruled by Lady Titania, Lady of Light and Fire
The Autumn Court, ruled by Lord Oberon, Lord of Forests and the Hunt
The Winter Court, ruled by Queen Maab, Queen of Night and Air
The Spring Court, ruled by Lady Aurora, Lady of Storms and Regrowth

Brief History:

Originally there were two Queens of the Wilds: the Mother of Summer, known simply as Ember, and the Mother of Winter, known simply as Alba. They each had two daughters; Titania and Aurora for Summer and Mab and Kerwyn (whom the mortals renamed 'Keridwyn') for Winter. In time each of the daughters took a season to rule as their own and the Wilds of the world of the Fae were split into Courts.

Lady Titania was appointed as Ember's successor when she took Lord Helios, Lord of the Sun, as her Consort. Not to be out-done, Lady Mab took Lord (SOMETHING), Lord of Ice and Snow, as her Consort and became the ruler of Winter. To balance these two polar opposites, the Mothers then appointed their other daughters as the respective rulers of Spring and Autumn with the Lord of Storms for Aurora and the Lord of the Forest and the Hunt for Kerwyn.

Rulership

Each of the Courts built for themselves great palaces on the fringes of the Wilds of Fae, each standing as polar opposites to the other against the rocky cliffs that mark its borders. All those who dwell within their domain are under the rulership, and the protection of the Lady of that season.

As the seasons change, the strength of the two courts rise and fall with the Solstices being the time of great power for both and the equinoxes being times where the strength of one court is equal to the other - often when small battles occurred.

The four courts will squabble with each other during the year but sometimes unify to defend their realms within the Umbra from the brood of creatures that would attack and corrupt them.

Politics

The summer court opposes the Winter Court's campaign to sew destruction in the mortal world and reclaim it as their own. The Winter Court continually attempts to take down the technological authority on reality that mortals have had for the past few centuries. If Winter had her way, she would freeze the mortal world in a season of ice (that lasted a few years) until they were willing to accept her authority once more.

The Autumn and Spring courts, as it is a season of change, accepts that things must change and attempts to maintain their place within the Umbra.

See also:

1. The Wilds
2. Fae Typology
3. Fae Courts

JOTB:The Curse of the Jade Dragon

-Revised 12/12/14

The Jade Dragon is an introductory story about the search for an item among many competing factions; each one wants it for their own purposes.

Thomas Book's parents were stationed / living in Hong Kong in the mid 1800's. They were heavily involved in the diplomatic mission to China but also had commercial and economic interests in Asian Trade. Book's family was of the status of British Society who were 'known' but on a minor level. Thus their position was delicately balanced upon public opinion.

Book was sent back to London to live with relatives a few years after he entered puberty. His parents wanted him to attend a proper English school and, though not publicly, wanted to keep him out of the public eye. Thomas' ability to "know" things about people and objects was difficult for him to control and he tended to blurt out what he knew rather than keep it to himself.

When he was sent back to London he was sent in the company of Aunt Lilly and Uncle Chu, servants of the family who had basically raised Thomas.

As they are leaving Hong Kong (his parents do not see him off), there is a scuffle on the docks and a man is killed right in front of Thomas. Thomas is thirteen and is not exactly trying to get in the way but the man is close enough that the two touch as the man is dying.

DEATHBED SCAN!

This is Thomas' first 'read' of a man's greatest secret (how he dies). He learns of a name; the one that the dying man was most afraid of. When he asks his 'aunt' and 'uncle' if they know anyone named "Lord Wu" both look fearful and change the subject.

Characters Introduced:

-Hong Kong
Aunt Lilly
Uncle Chu
Lord Wu

-Melbourne
Robert Amos

Items Introduced:

-Jade Dragon

See also:
-Jade Dragon Pages

TB: Character: Bloodthorn

BloodthornA Wildling Fae that Thomas Book has dealt with before.

Appearance:

Bloodthorn appears to be a young boy somewhere in his early teens with long, elven ears and a big, red, burlap sack slung over his shoulder like a weird version of Santa Claus.

Bloodthorn's skin is somewhat tanned, though not 'baked'. Considering that most of the Fae have very fair skin, the bit of sun that has given him some color makes him stand out as if he had lived in a tanning booth. The near-tanned complexion marks him as a member of the Wyld Fae - the unaligned peoples of the Wilds.

Bloodthorn stands a bare three and a half-feet tall when he manifests to his fullest height. With the lean and well-muscled features of a track and field runner, his frame is slender and defined. His eyes are a shade of green similar to fresh acorns and his hair is a dirty blonde, the color of staw-colored autumn leaves. Wherever he stands there's the faint smell of fall about him; the smell of a pile of dead leaves.

Bloodthorn patrols the Umbra but rarely enters the city unless he's on an errand for the Lord of Autumn, Oberon. He prefers the solace of trees and the forests but has been summoned within the confines of a cemetery once - since there were so many Oak Trees there it was a "City Forest".

Bloodthorn is one of the Wild Fae, technically unaligned to the Courts, but has worked for Oberon on a few times and is usually the one contacted if the Lord of Leaves wishes to speak to the Wilder Brood.

Thomas has used Bloodthorn once to direct him towards a spirit within the Umbra.

"Why you seek Crow?"

He speaks like a younger version of Yoda; and rarely gives anyone a straight answer.

Generally speaking, he doesn't wear much when he's coming and going. Aside from a loincloth of deer skin and his red, burlap bag of infinite holding, he doesn't wear much. Thomas gave him a tear-drop pendant of green amber for helping him out once and Bloodthorn carries it as a favorite piece of jewelry.

Bloodthorn's abilities include:Wild growth (causing any plants to spontaneously grow rapidly and up to a giant size within moments)Nature's Grace (Absolute Elven Grace. Walk on the smallest branches, leaves no trace, breaks no leaves, etc.)Bramble Thorns (Ensnaring thorny vines to grasp and hold people)

Bloodthorn's Allies:

1. Oberon
2. Thomas Book
3. Titania

Bloodthorn's addictions:
1. Honey Roasted Peanuts

Bloodthorn's Bribery:
1. Amber of any kind but prefers green
2. Sack of Acorns

Bloodthorns' Enemies:
1. Queen of the Winter Court & her Emissaries
2. Tree-Killers

Gear: Thomas Book's Flashlight

According to Wikipedia: The invention of the dry cell and miniature incandescent electric light bulbs made the first battery-powered flashlights possible around the year 1899 A.D. So it's not impossible that Book had his own, special, flash light prior to this time but it would have been made by some mad scientist who was experimenting with the combination of light bulbs and batteries.

The light isn't that strong but it's more than what you would see from a few dozen candles. (as there's no reference for how bright early flashlights were). However, since this is a steam-punk verse, the flashlight "could" have three settings: off, on and HOLY JEEBUS!

Character: Russell Blackwell

Russell was the typical book nerd all through his early years. Books could take him to places that were far better than his meager, tortured adolescent life. Being gifted with an affinity towards languages, specifically, Latin, was a handy thing growing up in the catholic church his family attended. Not exactly the most athletic of young men, he mostly kept his head down, pretended to be part of the walls and said nothing until he got to college.

With his grades Russell was able to get a scholarship to University . In truth he didn't care exactly where he went to college so long as it was far far away from the small town where he was born. University was everything he wanted it to be. He was able to expand his mind, break out of his shell. It was in his second year at University that Russell started dating; a guy named David. While in High School he was lucky to go to anything resembling a social event - prom or homecoming dances - but he was not really interested in the girls he had classes with. He just didn't dare admit the reality of his feelings until he was one of the anonymous freshman at NYU. David was replaced with Thomas who was replaced by Ed, Larry, Michael, Nelson, and eventually Brian. By the end of his first year - Russell was definitely 'aware' of his sexuality - and his thirst for physical affection.

There wasn't much he was able to do with a BA in history but he knew that going in. Once he was accepted into a master's program in Art History in a new city; Cambridge Mass. The University offered him the opportunity to study medieval manuscripts up-close. He couldn't resist the chance to explore his life-time fascination with rare books.

Russell, still a college student at heart, is commonly seen with a canvas satchel slung over his shoulder and a smart phone.

Among his more prized possessions is an antique fountain pen that was a gift when he received his first college degree. He's also shown his eclectic side by turning an old, silver cigarette case into a business card holder. In addition to his eccentric side for collecting old memorabilia, he's also very practical. Where ever he goes, at least with his satchel, he carries with him a long, black umbrella. He explains that it was a gift while he was at NYU where he was constantly being caught running from class to class in a sudden downpour. He likes to boast that having the umbrella, once, was the key for him securing a date with a guy.

"It's amazing what friends can be had when you're the one holding an umbrella."

Russell isn't usually one for wearing jewelry but one of the few items that he does wear is an old bronze signet ring with the shape of an owl on its face.

What's Known

University Student
Gay (but not effeminate)
Book Nerd
Fencer
Business: Russell, though enrolled in college, is still an avid antiquarian and still works as a rare book agent.

What's Not Known

Tattoo: Russell has a quarter-sized tattoo of an owl sitting in an oroboros. The tat is located on the inside of his left ankle.
Musician: Russell is a secret violinist. He's not one to brag or to show off but he likes playing when he needs to calm down and think.

Mage Variant

His professor, (unknown) was a member of the Order of Hermes and, apparently sensing that Russell was close to awakening and so 'encouraged' his ascension from sleeper to dreamer. Russell's awakening to the fallacy of reality was a nightmarish experience. (More to come on that)

While Russell was at New York University and in the presence of the Medieval Manuscripts that he was studying - the secrets of a hidden reality began to unfurl before him. Most manuscripts have been photographed, scanned and documented from one end to the other. They are available for download as pdf or images on most library websites. It's a means for the library to 'brag' a bit that they have such old documents in their collection. However, when one of his professors asked him to look in on a recent acquisition, Russell realized that this new find was unlike any book he had seen before. The book was a record of a researcher's quest to uncover the culture that somehow influenced both Egypt, South America and almost every coastal civilization on record. It told secrets of an ancient society, Atlantis.

The book did not make outlandish claims of the civilization, the FIRST civilization, it documented a case in which it 'could' have existed. The author presented his findings in such a way that Russell started to question every historical 'fact' that he had learned for the past several years. He could see, through this one book, how societies around the world could so easily be influenced by the First Society. That book was the key - a temporal tether that connected him to the author, the scribe who wrote the original pages that the author was referencing and every other 'hand' that had been linked together in a chain of knowledge stretching as far back as the recorded history; and earlier.

Paradigm:

The actual processes of Hermetic magic follow a few basic concepts that are modified by each house. Most important is the idea of symbolism: the world is made of concepts that are linked to other concepts, and by commanding many linked concepts, the target can be commanded. For example, fire is linked to its name in various languages, to objects that have been burned and can ignite fire, to spirits and angels that embody fire, and to vibrant numbers, colors, and inflections. To create fire a Hermetic would use a spell that incorporated a number of these symbols in the hope of creating a conduit through which to manifest her Will and thus cause fire to spring into being. Hermetics extend this symbolic knowledge to other elements of the world, the mythic threads, such as astrology, numerology, and other "pseudo"-sciences, and can incorporate into their spells the most powerful symbols for any given situation or circumstance for a greater degree of influence.

Foci:
-Forces
General: Sound, Movement
Specific: Fire
Unique: None

-Correspondence
General: Portals, Doors, Water

Specific: Mirror
Unique: None

-Mind
General: Music (melodies), Names (of those involved), Chanting
Specific: Violin
Unique: None

Description:

You see before you a young caucasian man in his early twenties who stands about six feet tall and weighs no more than a hundred and ninety pounds. Blessed with what some would call a 'baby face' he will perpetually appear to be younger than he is naturally. This coupled with a pair of glasses that frame a pair of BRIGHT blue eyes gives him the face of a guy who's probably been picked on his entire life. Short, light-brown hair is kept neatly cropped in a no-nonsense style to match his no-nonsense features. %R%RDressed in khaki pants, brown, leather dress shoes and a button-up shirt with a neck tie hanging loosely around his collar would suggest that he's something of a professional though at his age it's hard to understand what he would be able to call a job. Seen occasionally with a leather satchel slung over his shoulder and a heavy canvas jacket he looks like an over-grown high school student or perhaps a librarian.

Vampire Variant

His professor, Artemis Blackwell, was a member of the Tremere / Mekhet Clan of vampires. After sensing that Russell would make an excellent asset to the local chantry he was introduced to her sire, August Blackwell who approved of his becoming a ghoul. He felt that he could use Russell to further the House's agenda as well as his own, personal goals. Eventually embraced him to act as an agent for the House of Blackwell

Over the next year or so he was able to finish his Master's degree though, by comparison, it seemed like a smaller accomplishment than when he started.

Arcanum Variant

While Russell was at New York University, he discovered a hand-written journal among the stacks of books in the occult section of the university library. Thinking it to be something of a prank or possibly some artistic work of fiction, he plucked it off the shelf and began reading it. Like some kind of semi-graphic novel, he devoured the pages within a few hours and was going to look up the author but found no contact information. Digging a bit more, he saw that there was no publisher, copyright date nor any information that would make it a 'real' book. This basically confirmed his suspicion that it was just some artistic work of fiction and was going to put it back when he happened upon one of his professors standing right where he found it. The professor, a middle-aged man who liked to fancy himself as a modern archaeologist of the strange and unusual, he was not well-respected within the department after several of his claims were refuted and his publications rejected. He was the 'Daniel Jackson' of the university and many considered his future within the department to be short lived though, somehow, he managed to continue to get research grants to dig on topics like lost cities, ancient aliens, and the like. The conversation between the two of them was strange - as Russell was seen trying to put the journal back onto the shelf by the professor who was alarmed to find anyone else in that section. He saw through the professor's lie about looking for some random title and slid the 'fiction' into his satchel when a student passed close by. He could tell that the professor wanted it and he wanted it badly. This arose Russ' curiosity enough that he decided to keep the journal and dig as to its origin.

Sure enough, the professor and Russ had a run-in only a few days later and he demanded to know the location of the journal. Russ played innocent for a time, trying to glean any information about the author but realized that there was a measure of desperation within the professor's voice. It wasn't that he -wanted- to find the journal, rather he -needed- to find it. That drove him to want to investigate it even more. He analyzed it over the next several days, taking high-res photos of it on his phone to ensure that if he had to surrender it, he would still be able to continue his digging. It was a good thing too, within a week there was a surprise drug inspection in his dorms and the cops were going through everyone's room. For some reason, he suspected that they weren't looking for marijuana or heroine but rather the book. When he got back into his room he discovered that it was missing from his hiding place though, obviously, no drugs were found. So he headed straight for the professor's office and demanded some answers. It took him a while to track down the man and when he did, he saw him meeting with one of the cops that was present during the drug raid. The two were having a quiet cup of coffee and a nearby shop and he watched the journal, or what he suspected was inside a manila envelope, being passed from the cup to the professor during their conversation. His spidey-senses were screaming that something -big- was going on and he had to find out what it was.

A few days later, when he was able to catch the professor during his office hours, Russ confronted the man and wanted to know what was so important within the journal that he sent the cops to search his room for it. Holding up his cellphone with an image of one of the pages on it to tease him, he mockingly said that he could post every page to reditt with a tap of his finger - unless the professor explained what was so damned important about a work of fiction.

That conversation lasted nearly two hours. By the end of it, Russ had more questions than he thought possible could fit in his head. The first thing he did once he left the professor's office was to jot down nearly 53 questions that came to mind and he was certain that he missed out on at least two-thirds of what was running through his mind. He began digging on the journal like it was his own, personal, grail quest - trying to uncover some of the details disclosed within its pages. One of the first things he did was to print it out and bind it at a local kinkos so that he could see it as a 'real' thing in front of him; something to scribble on, add notes to, etc. Within two weeks, he had crossed paths with the professor about four times - the two of them obviously trying to track down the origin of it together - though separately. When it became apparent that Russ wouldn't give up his search, the would-be Giles offered him an independent study course the next term and the two could work on it together. That became the beginning of a two year long mentorship that shaped Russ into what he would become: a man with a mission.

Eventually, Russ finished his degree and, with urging from his parents, was considering graduate school. He never discussed his sexual orientation with his mentor though there was never any secrets between the two men. Dr. Abrams taught him to see the world through a new set of eyes and, should the occasion call for it, a means of defending himself within it. Dr. Abrams was, at least at one time, a very good fencer. Russ, having no real athletic prowess, was glad for the training and was a good study - it appealed to his fantastical mind as he imagined himself having to defend himself with a sword from all manner of things in the night. However, how does one carry a sword out in broad daylight? The answer, Dr. Abram's sword umbrella. The concept of a sword cane is nearly two-hundred years old and the modern equivalent was to simply shroud the cane with enough fabric to make it an umbrella - something found tucked into the bags of most academics as they trudge across campuses. Though not nearly as good as his mentor, Russ did develop a hand with the blade and, as a parting gift, his mentor gave him a sword umbrella to carry of his own. He was truly sad to leave the university but his professor had suggested that he attend a graduate program at Fallcoast University. It would be a good 'learning experience' for him as he didn't want to pressure the boy into following directly in his own footsteps. His path would be his own as would be his choices.

Thomas Book: Jade Dragon Details

The Cold Iron "bell" cover for the Jade Dragon Statue. The Dragon will drain the life force of any who touch it until it's been fully charged (fully green).