Gages story  imp3.5.htm

Born in the great forest 35 years ago, gage is the son of Shea Ohlmsford and a Dark elven assassin by the name of Jack Tenbrea.

As Shea is the elven Queen and master ranger and Jack was one of the most prolific and deadly dark elven assassins of the age, Gages conception and birth caused quite a stir. Especially as it was not even a midsummer conception but a true meeting of the master ranger and a dark elf. They had been meeting on and off for centauries

However as Shea was quite open about the whole matter the forest accepted him as a quirk but still Shea’s son. Even the trees surrounding the house would occasionally speak to him (normally thy don’t like dark elves) he lacked the true connection to the forest though

Raised as a normal elf for the most part he learned the bow and survival skills most elven children learn, he also accompanied his mother on her less dangerous duties as master ranger.

However as most Dark elves learn far earlier he discovered the forest was not his place and he asked to be allowed to go to the cities.

The time had come to be introduced to the infamous Jack. Shea had never been secretive about what Jack was and the reality was not a disappointment. Jack was everything Gage wanted to be

That meeting was surreal, Jack took the news with hardly a raised eyebrow and happily agreed to show Gage “civilization’’

After a brief test Gage found himself inducted into the shadow guild

His grace, speed and charm made his a good candidate. Added to that was the rumor that he was Jacks son (neither ever confirmed or denied that) His mothers name was never mentioned outside of the forest and Gage uses neither of his surnames, preferring just Gage

Life was good to gage; he made some progress in the guild and was treated well. He suspected part of this was the rumor about his parentage but he also acquitted himself well in the assignments he was given and pleased the guild by occasionally accepting a job without his fee, seemingly on a whim. He also turned down some high paid jobs for no apparent reason but the guild was remarkable lenient with that.

It was at this time that the Oni Caleb started his reign of bloodshed, the guilds best were sent to first recruit then kill this Caleb, their heads were sent back in boxes. Jack refused the contract for some reason. It mattered little, Caleb has a thing for trophies of warriors and Jack was a challenge.

Gage got to the scene, as Jack was dying, jack told Gage to be careful but to enjoy every second, and to tell his mother that it had been good.

Gage took Jacks remaining knife and buried his body, Caleb had taken the Katana and other shadows edge knife

.

Returning to the forest to tell his mother he found an odd thing, the trees seemed comforting and far friendlier than he remembered. It wasn’t till he reached the council glade he found the elves in mourning. The king was dead, killed by Caleb although the rangers had stopped the theft of his weapons. Shea was being sworn in as the Queen, Further saddened by the news of Jacks death, Shea went into deep mourning and Gage found himself back home staying with his mother again

After a while Shea come round again and got back to work, namely strengthening the borders of the forest and recruiting more rangers.

She also noticed the single blade Gage carried and explained about the shadows edge blades, a pair of almost sentient knives of huge power.

The single blade could not be used but she also had a pair, as a gift she gave Gage one of her set and explained that it would take time for the blades to get used to him and to each other but when and if they did they would be a formidable weapon. Gage wears the mismatched pair now as a tribute to both parents but also as a reminder of the differences between them. Jacks knife is very human, made by him personally and Shea’s is one of the original elven shadow blades.

Returning to IMPERIALES he found the guild already moving against Caleb and gladly offered his services with no fee for any job designed to thwart Caleb. Some in the guild recognized Jacks knife and this further increased the rumors and raised many questions about the other obviously elven crafted blade, none of which Gage was inclined to answer.

Life went on, Caleb’s bloodshed continued, Gage started to notice a disturbing pattern. Out of his last 10 jobs, 8 had the same woman contracted as bodyguard. The score stands at 4 each but this seems indicative of either Fate or manipulation at a high level.