Story:

Of the time before now, there is little to tell. My childhood was unremarkable, except for the stirrings of musical greatness, which were evident from a young age. When I became a man, I set out on my own, yearning to see the world and the melodies locked up inside it. I traveled widely through the Northern Realms, acquiring the captivating accent that entrances all who hear my singing. For several years my voice and my lute were my life and my livelihood as wandered from town to town, delighting the locals with tunes that told of the larger world.

Being a charismatic figure can have its disadvantages, too, I have discovered. On more than one occasion I have found myself a pawn in some petty political squabbles or disagreement. One tactic frequently used by my enemies is falsely accusing me of petty crimes, something well beneath an artisan of my stature. Numerous times I've been erroneously indicted of purloining articles which were not mine, but I have always been able to straighten out the matter by performing a song or two for them.

One of these unfortunate occasions found me in the city Portus. I was engaged in a playful competition amongst my peers at a local establishment, the Silver Pebble. Needless to say I was the highlight of the evening, regaling the patrons with epic Signii odes, heart-rending love songs that make one weep with both laughter and sorrow, and even a few bawdy ballads (Signii pretend to be above such things, but enjoy them immensely). The prize, a night's lodging and meal, was already mine, but I sang into the evening. But unfortunately, not all was well. A rival, consumed with jealousy at having to settle for second place, had placed a purloined item of value into my pocket. At the end of the evening the remaining patrons were departing when a Krieger woman noticed her loss. Of course I was the first to volunteer to assist the constables in their search, and left no table unturned nor corner unsearched in an effort to help the woman.

As I was searching in the kitchen, behind some barrels near the back door, one of the constables noticed something shiny in my pocket. Imagine my surprise when he reached in and removed the missing necklace. I began to explain that I was as surprised as he was, but the constables, brutish and unreasonable (and most likely tone deaf) fellows, escorted me immediately to the city constabulary. For two days I tried in vain to convince them of my innocence. On the evening of the third day I was visited by a Signus unknown to me. He asked to enter my cell, then bade the guards leave him in peace until they called for him. "But sir," one of the impudent guards started, "Is it wise to be alone with a common criminal?" In a wordless motion he pulled aside the cloak revealing the gilded hilt of a sword. "Apologies, sir" demurred the guard, and left the room as he had been instructed. The Signus sat down in the chair in the corner of the room. I did not recognize him, and he displayed no signet, something odd for most Signii in this bustling town.

GM Summary		For Public Consumption
"I know what you are," he started, in a soft voice. "You are a second rate troubadour, and third-rate thief." I started to protest, but with a wave of his hand I was struck dumb. "Do not toy with me, or I will strike you blind as well." He leaned forward, fixing me with an icy glare. "Those first two are evident to anyone with half a brain. But from your little 'performance' at the tavern I know also that you have a rudimentary knowledge of spellweaving" he let his voice trail off. I felt a lump in my throat; I did not like where this was going. "You are probably wondering why a person such as myself takes time to talk to scum like you. It turns out I have some tasks that require a person of your... abilities. As such I am prepared to make you an offer: you can work for me or I will leave you to rot here in jail. Which incidentally won't be very long, when the Emperor's Knights find out they have an unsanctioned Krieger mage on their hands." His eyes gained a mock sadness. "Have you heard what they do to rogue mages?" I had heard what the Emperor's Knights did to people like me, and I was no fool. I was in very serious trouble. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. The stranger moved his hands and uttered a spell. Suddenly I could hear breath escape from my throat. "I will do what you ask" I croaked. "What do you want?" "I need someone to gather," he paused, searching for the word. "…information for me. To be my eyes and ears where and when I direct. That is all you need to know for now." "When you leave here you will go to the house of Navis Fabricator and offer your services to him. He will find employment for you and you will serve him in any way he desires. When it serves me I will have one of my agents contact you, and you will do his bidding without question. You will never speak to another person about me or this conversation. Cross me and you will die a painful death. Do you understand?" He shot me an icy glare. I nodded my head, still disbelieving that this was happening to me. "I don't know your name, nor your signet; how will I know when you contact me?" He stood up, untying a small pouch from his belt. Tossing it in my direction, I caught it clumsily as he turned and left the room. That was the last time I ever saw him. I sat down on the rough-hewn cot and opened the bag. Inside was a gesang, a brightly plumed songbird of the valleys. I had often heard their melodious songs as I traveled. This one was different, though; there was only a ragged stump where the head should have been. I threw the bag across the room in horror.		He explained that he was the husband of the wife who claimed to have been robbed. "I have come to apologize. My wife has admitted to arranging the entire event as a publicity stunt. She bribed our house musician into arranging the crime. You were a pawn to try and trick me into buying her a new necklace." "Before my wife's little scene, I saw your entire performance, and I must tell you I was tremendously impressed with your skill. It is not often that we hear a musician of such power in these parts. A talent such as yours is ill served playing in common inns such as the Pebble. I would make you my house troubadour in an instant, but I fear that I would not be able to pay you what you deserve." "Although I cannot help you, I have heard that Navis Fabricator is looking for a bard, and a talent such as yourself would be greatly praised and properly compensated by a notable Signus such as he. This note," he handed me a letter in a linen envelope, a symbol of one with true culture, "will recommend you to him. Also take this small token of my sincere regret for the inconvenience my wife has caused, and as a token of thanks for the unforgettable evening of song with which you blessed me and our community." He handed me a small purse, bulging with coin. "Sir," I replied in all modesty "I am but a simple tunesmith; this is more than I deserve. Please, patronize some of the other bards of this city, as they can surely use it more than I." Try as I might, I could not dissuade him. To avoid making a scene, I finally took the purse. He thanked me again, and then departed the cell.

I was released shortly thereafter, my mysterious benefactor having paid all fines. I quickly left Portus, lest my enemies attempt to trap me again. I made my way to the coast, and sought out the house of Signus Navis Fabricator. He was obviously expecting me,. For several weeks I was left alone, with nothing to do. The rest of the staff was polite, but aloof, most likely because I had no chores and they were not sure what to make of me. One day he bade me come to his workshop on the waterfront.

"Boy, I know you have spell talents. Have you ever served as a doga?"

"No, sir"

"I have need of another doga to help me with my work. I will teach you the spells, and afterwards, I will mark you with my signet and register as your sponsor. Do you have a problem with this?"

"No, sir"

I spent most of my time at the shipyard during the next few weeks, learning the doga magic and helping Navis Fabricator in his work. When I was too spent to assist my master, I entertained the dock workers with my lute. I had to be careful, as they often became so entranced in my playing that all work would cease. So I restricted myself to playing simple sea shanties and journeying tunes I had learned on my wide travels.

GM Summary		For Public Consumption
My relationship with Navis Fabricator was cool at best. While he treated me with respect, I was never trusted as much as the other dogas. I assumed this was because of the strange circumstances surrounding my employment. I performed my tasks when asked, and performed for him and his guests when asked, but he was always wary of me. One day, a Krieger came to visit Fabricator. I was not privy to their conversation but could tell Fabricator was not happy. (I guessed he had come to collect a gambling debt, but I was no mind reader) Later that day I was summoned to Navis Fabricator's office. His mood was especially dour. Without looking at me he thrust a slip of paper in my direction. I took it and unfolded it. On it was a crudely sketched bird, without a head. "I was told to show you this. Do you know what this means?" he asked. "Yes," I gulped. He told me to gather my things quietly and go with the messenger. I was to obey him completely as I would him. Confused, I packed my things and left with the stranger. The stranger spoke very little; his name was Anon and he bore no mark or signet. He told me he was sent to teach me spell craft and that we would be here, in the wilderness, until I had learned all he was to teach me. The next few months were very difficult. The spells he taught me were spells to read others minds, nothing like the doga spells or the few simple ones I had picked up in my travels. He taught me how to weave the spells into my songs, so it would be difficult to recognize them. Every few days we would travel to a different local village to buy supplies and Anon would have me practice on them. After a month or so Anon said my training was complete, and I was returned to Navis Fabricator. He asked no questions where I had been, and I resumed work as a doga. Several months later I was informed by Fabricator that I was being loaned to Signus Mollis Mamor, for reasons not explained to me. I was told to obey her in all things. On my way, I was met again by the mysterious Kreiger, who informed me that I was to note the activities of all Signi in the house, and especially to keep an eye on Hinnuleus, Mollis Marmor's daughter. He told me I would be contacted again when the time was right. I don't know why, but I suspected there would be more involved than "keeping an eye on someone…"		Navis Fabricator became quite enthralled with my playing, and would often invite me to play for guests. Word of my talent spread, and Navis Fabricator's gatherings became quite popular. Of course, this engendered some resentment from the other show dogas, who incorrectly perceived me being given special treatment. Several months later I was informed by Fabricator that was told that I was being loaned to Signus Mollis Mamor. I guessed that Navis Fabricator owed her a debt of some kind.

Life at the house of Signus Mollis Marmor is a good one for an accomplished musician such as myself. Mollis Marmor is a cultured patron of the arts, and I appreciate her praise and criticism. She's possessed of a somewhat uneven temperment, though, and at times it takes a great deal of intuition to select music to suit her mood. Luckily, possessing the power to read an audience comes quite naturally to a veteran. I look forward to an extended stay with my new patron.

Story:

No really. A Soom Low artist did his project thingy on me and that planet I come from. It must have been real good 'cause he got his degree or whatever from that art school. Of course they have to destroy the project, but I bet he uses some of the stuff he painted, sculpted and stuff of me during that year in some of his other work some day.

But I'm babbling again, aren't I...

I am an actress. I grew up on the distant colony of Utryck. (YES, I've had my shots!) My parents died when I was around 5. They were killed by a nest of Odun's Wraiths that they stumbled into. It wasn't their fault. My younger brother and I were each adopted by other Junglers (name for families that make a living farming, scrounging, hunting, and whatever out in the primitive areas of Utyck). I don't know anything about him he was just a baby, I'm sure they took good care of him.

Well, I lived with my adopted parents until I was 16 and could go out on my own. They were nice but made it real clear that I wasn't really a family member. So I left the Junglers and moved into town. All those people and buildings made quite an impression on a "jungle girl" like me. I was young and headstrong and just a little naive; let's just say that I spent a lot of time in trouble and leave it at that.

Then I met Michaelangelo, the Soom Low I was telling you about before. (Did you know Soom Low are really clean and their fur is very soft?) He had come to Utryck to complete his final project for the Arts Institute or whatever, and needed a guide into the primitive areas. We made a deal: I would help him find his way around Utryck to work on his art project, and after one year he would help me get a real acting job. Well, the year came and went, and he found me this acting job at the Brint theatre. After a quick stop at Earth for training (I can't believe they wouldn't let us see any of the planet while we were there!!) I was shipped out again to Umbel's Stake. It isn't exactly what I had in mind but at least I'm off that planet! Who knows how much money I can make doing stuff here...

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