You know, dreaming is great . . . Not just great . . . awesome . . . no . . . beyond awesome. To be able to dream . . . to be able to escape into a state of unconsciousness separate from the world we live in, is wondrous. I used to dream once . . . it was a long time ago . . .
A large bell begins to ring, each toll shakes the foundation of the decrepit church. From somewhere within the abandoned structure, a deep groan is heard. “Damn that bell, couldn’t they just leave me with an alarm clock?” Sunlight begins to pour in through holes and cracks in the dust covered stained glass windows, illuminating the abandoned chapel. The pews are covered in dust and cobwebs, and the rugs tattered and deeply stained with dirt and ash. As more light enters it’s revealed that some of the pews have been shattered and are covered in scorch and claw marks.
As the bell's tolling fades to silence, a yawn is heard coming from the front pews, as a set of black fur covered arms stretch up towards the ceiling. One hand lands on the back of the pew, while the others snaps its fingers. Suddenly all of the candles in the church come to life with eerie orange flames. The one previously sleeping in the front pew sits up and stretches again. He stands and stares at the giant cross that hangs on the wall before him. He cocks his head to the side and asks, “Why the hell does a lower case “T” stop me again?” Standing alone in the church is a cat with two tails, his fur is jet black and he is dressed in a charcoal colored vest and shorts with dull red trim.
He turns and walks down the aisle towards the large church doors with his hands in his pockets. My name is Percival, but if you ask anyone, they’ll call me Percy. He approaches the doors and places one hand on them. My story is . . . fuck the backstory, all that matters is what I do now. He removes his hand and does a quick spin on one foot while kicking his other foot at the doors, forcing it open with a loud crash that echoes through the valley, frighten birds scatter from their perches letting feathers and leaves rain down upon the forgotten cobbles of the church's courtyard. Percy steps out and looks up through the canopy of the trees at the sky. “It’s still pretty early. I guess I’ll go for a little run before I go hunt down breakfast.”
He walks towards the edge of the cobbles that connects to what was once a path that led to the village, it's now overgrown and forgotten. As he steps off the cobbles onto the dirt his body is engulfed in a dark fiery aura. Percy snickers as his body slowly begins to change. Fire colored stripes appear along his arms and legs, his tail splits in two and the tips ignite into small blazes, and finally a small set of horns sprout from his head. “Ah, that’s better.” He looks back at the abandoned church before taking off at full speed down the old path. That run down old hut is my place. It used to be the main church for the area, but apparently there was an incident there some years back. As he approaches the end of the path he jumps and lands on the branch of a nearby tree, then proceeds to jump from tree to tree. Apparently I was here when whatever happened, happened, but I can’t remember anything. I’ve tried asking my brother who was here with me at the time, but he never gave me a straight answer, so I gave up on it. He stops on a branch next to a small opening in the tree canopy. He crouches down low before springing up through the opening into the air, several meters above the trees.
With the snap of his fingers his hands and feet are engulfed in flames, and he begins to levitate in the air. Oh, yeah I guess I should explain all of this, he begins to fly in the direction of a village a few miles away. You see, I’m what a lot of people call a demon. I’m not 100% on the story, but apparently some years back, around the time of the incident at the church I mentioned, I died and my soul was dragged to what most call hell. That’s an experience I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy, I’d describe it, but I wouldn’t want anyone having nightmares. He spots another opening in the trees and dives into it extinguishing his flames. Like most cats he lands on his feet, but without missing a beat jumps through a bush and begins running down the new path to the village. My time there was short, but horrible. As soon as I understood what was happening I fought and clawed my way to a faint light in the distance. Needless to say it wasn’t easy with dozens upon dozens of demons trying to drag me further into their domain, but you can bet your ass I never gave up. You hearing this is proof enough that I succeeded
Percy approaches the gates to the village, but instead of entering through the gates, he turns and goes along the wall until he reaches a bush. He looks around to make sure no one is around, then dives head first into the bush. He pops up in a well-trimmed hedge within the village. He looks around before leaving the hedge and walking down a nearby alley. Yeah, I could go through the front gate like a normal person, but then the guards would’ve have to go through the trouble of escorting me to the cathedral in the town's square, and the head priest would have to take time out of his day to perform a ritual. I don’t want to do that to them, their busy enough.
Percy sneaks through the alley sniffing at the air. “Hmm, my breakfast is around here somewhere.” he says as he turns down a small cobbled path between a few residential buildings. Then his nose catches the scent of bacon, sausage, eggs, and toast. It’s coming from an elevated window a few buildings down. “Bingo, there’s my morning sustenance.” Percy says to himself before creeping below the window, then springing onto the ledge. Inside a older badger is standing in front of her stove preparing breakfast. "Heh, a defenseless old woman busy at the stove. Easy pickings." Percy checks in the alley behind him before quietly sneaking into the kitchen. He positions himself behind the badger who is humming happily as she fixes two plates. Percy bares his claws and swiftly pounces at her.
As the flaming cat bears down on the badger, she quickly turns around holding out a fork with a small piece of toast, egg, and bacon on it and proceeds to push it into the cat's maw. Percy pulls the food off the fork and sits and the stove chewing it. “My my, a thousand years could pass and you would still take the most absurd measures to get your breakfast.” the badger says. Percy swallows and looks at her, “Can’t help it. It’s in my nature.” The badger picks up the two plates and moves them over to the table. “You better mean your cat nature, or else you’re getting another holy water bath.” she says. Percy hisses at the mention of the bath as his fur stands on end. “Oh cut that out,” she begins, “I won’t do that to you. Now get your rear off my stove and come eat your breakfast.” Percy hops off the stove and takes his place at the table and grabs his fork. As he’s about to dig in, the badger swiftly hits him in the back of the head. “I’ll over look you not checking in with the guards and head priest before coming here, but you have to give thanks for your meal.” the badger says firmly. Percy bows his head and says “Thanks for the food.” before glancing up at the badger. She sighs, “Good enough, dig in.” They both begin eating.
This old chick is Francis. When I was assigned to work out here she was put in charge of me, well the church was, but she has the most authority over me. Apparently she knew me, or the old me should I say. I can’t say I remember much about her but apparently she was a nun in training at the old church, so… Why is it every time I think about that, or even anything about the church I feel like there is an important detail I’m missing?
Percy finishes his breakfast and washes his plate before going back to sit on the windowsill. “Leaving already?” she asks. “Yeah, thanks for the grub, now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got an important job to do. The weak won’t destroy themselves you know.” He smiles and winks, “Later Francis.” he hops out the window back down to the alley. “Percival, wait!” Francis calls out. Percy stands in the alley looking up at the window, a moment later Francis appears at the window holding a bundle in her arms and tosses it down to Percy who catches it with one hand. “I mended your cloak and packed you a lunch.” Percy undoes the bundle and it separates into a cloak and a small satchel filled with food and water. With a smile Percy looks up to the window and calls out, “Thanks Franny.” She simply nods with a smile, “Now get, like you said the weak won’t destroy themselves.” Percy nods and throws on his cloak and swiftly rushes through the alley back to the way he came in.
Kanta Village is very important, mainly because it’s the only one within miles of this valley. You see this valley is home to numerous dangerous and deadly flora and fauna. In ancient times only massive armies would pass through this valley, because they were the only things that could get through without being completely wiped out. The thing is though, to go through the valley is much quicker then to go around, so, many merchant companies and caravans attempt to pass through, and as expected few make it to the other side. Though, this has caused the need for mercenaries to rise, which caused the number of violent crimes to drop. But enough stats, let’s get to where I fit into all of this. I am a member of the ancient order of NPC, a group as old as time itself. Our job is simple. Whenever the world plays too rough, we step in and even the odds in some way. Normally via items, tips, or other passive means, but not me. I get the fun job. You see, no amount of spare items can assure you safe passage, and there ain’t no cheats to get through this place, so I have to help out in a more unique way. My job is to wait by the entrance to the valley and inspect all that try to enter. With my hunter instincts I can gauge a how well they’ll hold up in there. If they’re prepared enough I let them pass, but if I sense even the slightest element of weakness. I strike. I take out all of the guards and send them running back to the village with their tails between their legs until they pass my inspection. Only if they pass are allowed to enter.
By the time high noon has come, Percy has dispatched two caravans that attempted to enter the valley and approved of one. He suddenly senses something he hasn’t encountered in quite some time. “Hehehe, adventures.” A few moments later a party of five approaches the entrance to the valley. They consist of a warrior, a ranger, a cleric, a rogue, and a mage, all five look fairly young. Percy sits perched high up and a tree and gives each member a good look over. Hmm, they’ve got the confidence and the gear, but… Percy sets himself ablaze and jumps in between the group and the entrance. “W-who are you?” the warrior ask quickly drawing his sword. Percy snickers, “I guess you could say I’m the gatekeeper. No one passes into the valley without my approval.” The Cleric moves to stand beside the warrior while the mage and ranger take readied stances a few yards away, with the rogue ducking behind them. “I can assure you we are more than worthy of your appro…” the warrior is cut off when the Cleric puts her arm out in front of him. “Don’t trust him, he’s a demon. He’s probably here to lead us to our doom.” the cleric says. “Come now,” Percy begins, “didn’t anyone ever teach you not to judge a book by its cover?” “Yes, so I’ll just have to open you up.” says the rogue who managed to sneak behind Percy while he was talking. The rogue lashes out with his blade, but Percy counters him without hesitation and sends him crashing into the cleric and warrior.
Without missing a beat the ranger opens fire on Percy and the mage sends an ice bolt at him. Percy rushes towards them summoning his blades, and uses them to deflect the attacks. He then lashes out at the two using the backs of his swords. They narrowly dodge as the warrior, cleric, and rogue form a triangle surrounding Percy. “Stand down foul demon.” demands the cleric. Percy takes a flawless stance and calmly and confidently responds, “Make me.” At this all five attack the cat at once.
I am NPC number 3, Percival the Hell Cat. Let all who challenge me be turned to cursed ash.
