Zane's Shack

[Zane]

Standing amongst a row of similar shacks, all stacked up against the town wall, stands a tiny, run down building that is home to one Zane Delacroix.
Unremarkable in almost every respect, the only thing that marks this house as unique, is a fresh coat of white paint, and a sign out front promising free aid to those who are sick.

[Zane]

Zane's Journal

SPOILER: Click to show

So... Here I am in Wistvale. Can't exactly say it's the most 'friendly' of places, but it will have to do. In this entry, I will record my life up until arriving here in town, for posterity's sake. Well, here goes nothing...


I was born in a small village in the northern regions of the world. My father was a scribe in the service of the local lord, and my mother was a nurse, aiding the local doctor. As I child, I had a relatively happy life. There was always food on the table, my father taught me my letters and numbers, and my mother could always make my injuries hurt less.

That all changed one day. I was walking to school on late august, being one of the only children going at this time since my family were not farmers, and as such I didn't have to help on said farm. On my way, I noticed a strange man in a dark cloak. I didn't pay him much mind, but as I passed him, I suddenly stumbled, and scrapped my knee.

The man instantly turned and stared at me, glanced at where my bright red blood had already started to appear at the scratches. He began to walk towards me, and I sought to run from him, though being on the ground I could to nothing but scoot away. Seeing this, the man laughed and raised the hood of his cloak, revealing a smiling, and all together pleasant visage. He approached me more carefully, and spoke as he did so.

"Don't be afraid child. I may look a fright with my traveling cloak, but I mean you no harm. In fact, quite the opposite. I just want to heal your knee there. Is that okay with you?"

Quite relieved by his pleasantness, and nodded my assent, and let the man work. To my surprise, he hands didn't glow like the local cleric's when he went performing healings, nor did he wrap a bandage around my leg like my mother would have done. Instead, he touched a bloody spot on my legs, and the blood shot back intro my veins from whence it had came. Then, a small amount of it spread over the wound and turned into flesh!

I, being only a child of 7, was quite amazed at this. I turned to look at the man, and thank him, but was stopped by the sight. He stood completely still, eyes wide open, and skin paled, staring at a small amount of my blood on his fingers. Slowly he turned to me, and began talking quickly and quietly.

SPOILER: Click to show

"Boy, I don't know if you understand what I did to your leg, but it was something called 'Blood Magic'. Now, most people curse it and consider it an abomination, but I use it to heal and help. Now, before you run off and speak these words to another, I must confess a mistake on my part. I didn't realize it till my work had already begun, but your blood has power, boy. The same as mine. You have the rare and powerful gift of blood magic. Now most born with this gift may never discover it, or be killed because of it. You had the outrageous fortune to be discovered before this happened, however, and as such, now have a choice."

"My name is Elend Venture and I am a doctor from a local town, where I make my living healing and treating the sick, rarely using my true gift of blood magic, excepts in dire cases where none would catch wind. Now, if you agree, I would like to take you on as my apprentice. I would be able to teach you both the art of healing people through means both mystical and mundane. And I would teach you of your gift, of blood magic. You would be able to do things most men rarely dream of, but not in the open, or else the fearful public would rip you apart. What do you say?

Well, at this point, I was thoroughly intrigued, as I had long ago decided that I want to be a doctor, and help those in need. So I took Elend up on his offer, and we went to get my parents consent. The reluctantly agreed, knowing that it was something that I honestly wanted. I spent the next 13 years with Elend. First as an apprentice, and then as a journeyman, earning a steady wage, and all the while learning mastery over the blood of myself and others. Then, there was nothing more to learn, and Elend and I parted ways. I traveled for a time, using my skills to help those in need, but I grew angry at how often a patient died because of infected blood that I could not remove because of the taboo on blood magic.

It was at a bar, drinking away the sorrow of losing yet another patient to bad blood, that I first heard of Wistvale and the lands beyond. I couldn't believe my ears. A place on the edge of the map, with unknown secrets to be discovered. "Why" I thought, "There I could use my magic to help people, and not be the worse off for it. Surely they must have their fair share of strange magics and the like. As long as I help people, who can complain?"

Well, needless to say, that was the booze talking. But I've never been one to change my mind easily, so the next morning I packed up and headed out to Wistvale. And now here I am. Hooray.

SPOILER: Click to show

So, now that I've gotten the story of my life before Wistvale recorded, what's next, you ask? Well, I don't know how you're asking, since you're just my journal, but I'll answer anyway. What's next is the story of my first day in town.

I arrived to town with a caravan full of supplies, and men like me, who wanted to see what all the fuss was about. First thing I did was hunt down the town council, and apply for a house. As it turns out, there are a lot of run down shacks for sale, and so I got one rather quickly, all things considered.

Well, after paying my fee, and getting the deed to my new house, I moved in. Found places for my few belongings, took a nap, bought some food stuffs to keep in case I got hungry, took another nap, and then went out to explore the town… I took a lot of naps because I was tired. So sue me.

While I was out exploring the town, I went to a nice restaurant, relatively speaking, and ate a nice meal. Can't remember the name of the place, but I doubt it'd be fit for proper company even if I could. At any rate, after that I was full and sleepy, so I went back home and slept the rest of the night.

I woke up early the next morning, my sleep schedule back on track, and worked on the first steps of making my house more acceptable. I bought some white paint and a brush, and painted the outside of my house. I also put up a sign in the front so that anybody who is sick and can't afford the normal doctor would know that I would help.

After this, I went to the river and washed myself off, and then put on a nice change of clothes. I decided to finally visit the tavern that seemed to be the town's main hub, but before I even managed to make it inside, I noticed a flyer tacked up outside asking for help. Not being one to deny help to those in need, I signed up.

Next thing I knew I was on a cart, and being whisked off to go help, but that's a story better left for later. Now, my back hurts, so I'm going to go to bed. Yes, that means you have to go back in the drawer. Now don't give me those eyes-… Wait, what the hell am I talking about… You're a book… Sigh… I need to make some more friends, so that I don't end up talking to a book likes it's a person. Cause that's just be crazy!

(Click on a page listing to read that page. For example, clicking 'Page 1' will allow you to read the first page)

[Zane]

Zane steps into his house, and looks around. He had only been living there for a few days, yet the place had already began to feel like home. In the corner he had a bed, slightly beaten up and ragged, but comfortable after a day's work. Also present was a small writing desk and chair, where his writing materials lay. There was an armoire, in which his clothes lay, and a small cupboard for the non-perishable foods he kept in his house. Closing the door behind him, Zane makes his way towards the writing desk, and squeezes into the tiny chair.

"Okay... first thing I do when I have time, find a bigger chair..."

Putting aside his discomfort for the moment, Zane prepares his quill and ink, making sure that they are in order and ready to write. He then removes his journal from it's place within a drawer, and begins to write in it. He sits there for an hour or so, writing his experiences and thoughts before finally putting an end to the entry. He coats the journal pages with sawdust to remove the excess ink and prevent smearing, and then cleans it and places it back in the drawer. He stops his inkwell, and then stands and stretches. Looking out the window, he notices that it is already dark, and heads for his bed. As he climbs into the bed, and begins to fall asleep, he has one last thought.

"I have GOT to get a bigger chair..."

[Serenity]

It wasn't so hard to ask around about a doctor, seeing as he was the best one around. Serenity eventually found her way to Zane's office to tell him that she has chosen him for her personal adviser, if he'll accept.

Stepping up to the shack she knocked on the door, waiting to see if he was home or not.

[Zane]

Zane, hearing a knock on the door, stands up from his place at his desk. He walks to the door and opens it. Seeing Serenity he smiles, and holds the door open.

"Hey Serenity, what are you doing here? Didn't even know you knew where I lived."

[Serenity]

"Its not hard to find a good doctor, especially if you're the only one people will recommend." she said smiling.

"I hope I'm not bothering you, but I've come to ask if you'd like to be my adviser on the council."

[Zane]

Zane's eyes widened a bit and he looks at Serenity a bit oddly

"Serenity, I would love too, however, you do remember my odd... skills, yes? That would make it rather difficult to be in a position of power...

[Serenity]

Serenity laughed a little, to herself mostly, she didn't want to possibly offend Zane at least not more than she was about to right now.

"I'm not going to make you a king, doctor, and...well about your skills I have a confession to make. The council already knows."

Biting her lip, she wasn't sure how Zane would react to that news, its what was on her mind most of the time while walking over here to see if he'd even accept in the first place. Hopefully the fact that she didn't bring any armed guards with her, not that there were any yet anyway, would hint that her proposition wasn't a joke and she just wanted to arrest him.

"The council's laws are its own, and as far as I'm concerned you will not be thrown behind bars for possessing the magic that you do. I chose you because I knew you would be an important voice when it came to matters revolving red magic." she said that last part quietly so that no one would hear her, while the council was fine with Zane possessing it, for now anyway, the fear of the people would not be waned as quickly.

"I also want you to know that whether you accept or not you will not be hunted down, you may remain here and perform medicine in peace."

[Zane]

When Serenity says that she told to council about his magic, a panicked expression overcomes him, and his eyes dart around a bit, looking for guards. Seeing none, and hearing her explanation, he calms down some.

"Well, I can't say that having more people know about it necessary makes me comfortable, but I guess having those in power know would be an advantage. And I would like to do anything I can to help out this town, so count me in."

As he comes to his decision, Zane smiles, feeling a bit more at peace then he had in a while

[Serenity]

She smiled, almost knowing that he would say yes, or else she joked to herself, "I'm glad you decided to agree, Zane. I believe you're the best man for the job, not that I know many others in this town. I will expect you at all the meetings then, and I can assure you that your voice will have as much weight as any other, I wouldn't have chosen you otherwise."

The mage was about to depart but not before answering any of Zane's questions if he had any.

[Zane]

Zane nods as Serenity speaks, and then smiles

"I thank you very much for this opportunity, and I will do my best to help. See you at the next meeting then, I guess."

[Serenity]

"Glad to have you on board, Zane. I know you will be a great help to us all, as if you weren't already." she winked back at him and walked away from the shack, back to her own to finish cleaning.

[Grayell]

It was late in the day when Grayell approached Zane's sack. He was alone and unarmed, but was carrying a small pouch. He looked about, up and down the street before he walked to the door and knocked.

[Zane]

Zane sits up from his desk, turning to look at the door

"Two guests in one day? How interesting..."

He stands up and make his way to the door. He opens it and, seeing Grayell, smiles

"Hello there councilman, how may I help you?"

[Grayell]

Grayell nods but his expression indicated that this was not simply a stop by for a casual chat. He looked over Zane's shoulder and then his own.

I don't suppose we can speak privately?