[The X Phial]

Character Description Form:

Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn or in The White Horse in Rohan? No

Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES: Truth in a Dark Place

For your character please include:

NAMES: Pirro, Yawla, and Athel

AGE: 5

RACE: cats

GENDER: Pirro is male, Yawla and Athel are female

WEAPONS: teeth and claws

APPEARANCE: All three are lithe, sleek black cats with small builds. Pirro has a touch of white under his chin, but otherwise they are as black as midnight. As litter mates they resemble each other very highly, especially the two females, and Beruthiel is the only human able to tell Yawla from Athel from one another.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
Yawla is the leader of the three cats. Sensible, bold, and loyal to a fault, she usually volunteers herself and her siblings for assignments when extra stealth is required. She knows her litter mates and herself are the smallest and sleekest of the cats, and therefore have an advantage in staying hidden.

Athel is a playful and cunning cat. She delights in playing tricks and has been known to put personal amusement over the goals of a mission, though never enough to put herself or her siblings in danger. When the troop is in need of a quick idea, Athel is consistently the one to provide it.

Shy and somewhat timid, Pirro is also the most sensitive of the three. His senses are far more acute than those of the others and he is an excellent lookout unless his nerves betray him. He is a favorite of Beruthial because of his lapcat tendencies. He would much rather sleep on a lap than prowl the night, but his talents (and his sister) keep him out more often than not.

All three cats are faster than the average cat due to their size. However, they also have lower than normal stamina and strength levels. Their strength lies in their sprint and their stealth, but all can be ferocious when need calls. They communicate with each other and Beruthial’s other cats through a thought language and cannot converse with humans directly.

HISTORY: Like many other street cats, Pirro, Yawla, and Athel were on their own early in life. Pirro, the runt of the litter, would not have survived without the help of the other two. In fact, their closeness is likely due to having to fend for themselves after their mother was killed by a soldier’s hunting dog. As soon as they were strong enough they swore revenge and managed to sneak into the royal complex undetected. Their revenge was exacted quickly and silently, and not even the dog himself knew why he was suddenly lame in three legs, tendons cut after waking from an accident with a falling planter.

Shortly thereafter the three were approached by an older white cat. She had a message from the Queen congratulating them for their mission and extending an invitation to join her in the royal complex. They were offered food, shelter, comfort, and affection for life and all they need do was put their amazing talents to work for the Queen. Thus began their life as pets and soldiers for Queen Beruthial. They valued their position and worked hard, grateful for the chance to pay Beruthial back for her kindness and simulntaneously work against the soldiers and their dogs, for whom they still harbor a deep hatred.
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First Post:
The light was quickly fading in the streets and men were hurrying about their business. None noticed three small dark shapes as they slipped from shadow to shadow, silently making their way back to the royal complex. If they had noticed, they would not have paid attention; street cats were common. The three felines did not mind being ignored by the townspeople. In fact, they relied on it. If the men knew the secrets padding silently through the shadows they would likely kill the cats – if they could catch them.

Yawla, the shadow leading the others, glanced back to check on her siblings. Despite their talents, they required some looking after. She stopped short; one of her companions was missing. Her eyes were clear in the twilight but she did not need them to know that the missing cat was Athel, her sister. Pirro never wandered alone if he could help it, preferring the strength of numbers. She flicked her tail at her brother, asking him without words if he knew where the wayward follower might be. Athel liked to trail behind, but Pirro’s sensitive ears could sometimes track her movements even without visual confirmation. This time, however, he was just as lost as Yawla. He hated it when Athel played these little games, and wanted nothing more than to get back to their comfortable rooms and deliver their message.

Yawla hissed faintly, annoyed with her sister. She should know better than to play when serious work was to be done.

“Stay here,” she told her brother. “I will go find our prodigal sister.”

Pirro cut off his reply. He knew that was just what Athel wanted, and that Yawla was playing her game, but he also knew better than to argue.

Yawla retraced her steps, sniffing and hoping to catch the scent of her sister. Half a block back she found a small alley and knew that this must be her sister’s hiding place. She searched it thoroughly, growing more and more annoyed. Finally, she resolved to let Athel find her own way back to the complex, if she wanted to compromise the security of the troop, it would be upon her own head. She turned to go and nearly leapt out of her skin. A huge figure was attacking. A microsecond later she realized it was simply Athel animating a cast off coat and her fear turned to anger.

Athel was laughing, silently as only cats can. Yawla, on the other hand was poised for fighting. Her ears were laid back against her head, her tail was slashing wildly and she was crouched low. She hissed at her sister as she spoke.

“Athel! Why must you be so foolish? You know we have a job. Would you have us betray our mistress with amusements?”

Athel remained unfazed. “You take things far too seriously, as usual. You know, if you could laugh at yourself you wouldn’t be anywhere near as fun to tease.”

She turned to walk out of the alley, only to be pinned by her sister a moment later.

“I may be too serious, Athel, but your games could get us noticed and killed. Look at how easily I pinned you. Pay more attention or I cannot be responsible for what happens to you. Now let’s get back to Pirro before he gets paranoid.”

“No one asked you to be responsible,” Athel snapped back. Secretly, however, she regretted upsetting her sister. She sighed inwardly. Perhaps there would be some fun to be had back at home. She followed her sister back to Pirro’s hiding place, looking properly chastened but cherishing the look on Yawla’s face just the same.

The two became three again and melted into the twilight. They still had important news to deliver.