Meet my Tarnished - Fortiotva (or just Forti), who accidentally acquired an excellent brain antenna.
Like a classic Viking, Forti comes from somewhere up north - from Kaiden, which was located near the Mountaintops of the Giants. There were rumors that the Kaiden folk had giant blood in their veins. Then he heard that Godfrey was waging a war somewhere nearby and raising an army - and he just couldn’t miss out on the action. So what if Godfrey was marching on the Giants? They should watch their step from now on!
Then Forti found out Godfrey served the Golden Order.
He moved to Altus. Decided things were pretty chill there and the Order was cool, so he got a tattoo its Great Rune right onto his forehead.
Then, along with all the other Tarnished and Godfrey himself, he was driven out of the Lands Between on a long march beyond the sea and fog, where he died in yet another battle somewhere.
When Grace resurrected the Tarnished and called them back, his homeland was unrecognizable. Forti didn't appreciate the "exile" bit as a joke and decided to look into what this witch Ranni was offering - she seemed to know some secret about reality itself. Kaiden was gone somewhere - maybe those weird Albinaurics, who keep dreaming about some kinda trees, had taken over its ruins. What the hell.
Long story short: nothing makes sense. Forti slept through the Shattering War. He's a spare part everywhere. Ugh, a Grace-deprived maidenless loser. This isn’t your home anymore. Why did you even come back?
But this time, Forti decided to play it smart and study the situation - the gods, the whole deal - from all angles… not as an observer, but as a participant in everything at once, and a follower of everyone at once!
So he swears loyalty to anything and everything. Eats dragon hearts. Smears himself in blood. Tells one group: “The Order rules,” and memorizes its incantations. Tells another: “I’m a heretic to the bone, snakes are awesome.” Tells a third: “I’ll shove all sorts of crap into the Rune - curses and Death - so everyone ends up cursed and finally finds peace.” Or he fights for the Age of Stars.
The truth is, he doesn’t really care about the fate of the world - more about his place in it. So he tries on different roles, looking for whichever is cooler to be, and gets super invested, genuinely buying into each new idea - until someone says: “That’s all nonsense, I know the truth!” Then he immediately jumps ship to that guy's side and goes: “Oh yeah? What’ve you got? What secrets will you unlock?” He’s never really tried piecing all the gathered puzzle bits together in his head - because that’s not interesting. A samurai has only his path.
Sometimes this approach leads to madness… but that only made him even more flighty. Madness, after all, seems to doubt all the old concepts, calls them wrong, says they must all burn. Forti subconsciously feels that as: “Yeah, this is bullshit, time to go look for something new.” Luckily, there’s a whole new world out there - it’ll take a long time before it exhausts itself and becomes completely understandable.
Forti often seems serious and thoughtful - and he really is. He’s usually a pretty calm, phlegmatic guy, hard to shake, who listens carefully and studies things to get to the core, to “feel” or “live through” an idea - to put himself in someone else’s shoes and understand: what do they fight for? What do they dream of?
But at the same time, he’s a nutcase for whom no truths are sacred, no paths too long, no oaths unbreakable - and no places off-limits. Morally speaking, he’s true neutral: no personal code, nothing personal against anyone.
It might look like hyper-compensation for being an outcast - becoming part of everywhere - but no. Because after switching sides so many times, who from his old crew would ever trust him? No one. So most of his old acquaintances would describe him as a lunatic you’re better off avoiding.
That is - unless you, too, are a leaf blown by the wind.
Lautrec: So, you say you are also a pilgrim?
Solaire: Hmm... I suppose so, yes. One might call it that.
Lautrec: And who is your god?
Solaire: The Firstborn of Gwyn, the God of War! Though, truth be told, I know not his name.
Lautrec: Is he not considered a heresy?
Solaire: Indeed, I have heard such claims. But we do no wrong! Is not purity of intent what truly matters?.. ...I believe so. Ah! Perhaps you would consider joining us. It would be an honour to have you in our ranks!
Lautrec: What need have I for your cult? To wage endless battle in the name of... ah, yes, his name no one even recalls. I serve only Fina. And I know, with certainty, that she loves me and awaits me.
Lautrec: Can you say the same of your god? Have you never considered that you might be the one mistaken in your faith?
Solaire: ...Ouch.
Patches: Well met, little friends! I know just how to settle this quarrel of clerics! Fly, pilgrims! He whom the gods save shall be declared the winner. Ah, no need to thank me, heh heh!
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Collaboration with notamused (nnotamused/notamuused).
I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer...
...and Hades was following close behind him.
-- I wish you find love and friends in the new year!
-- And I wish you less burnout.
-- Do you have anything to say?
News ticker: An attempt to flood a skating rink in New Londo ended in tragedy. The Sealers are refusing to comm...
Lower third: Lautrec of Carim. He's sitting there again, just watching the others. And yet he was grumbling that Chosen undead had nothing better to do.
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The Little Blue Light parody
One day in our small art community, Lautrec was chosen by lot to congratulate the Bloody Crow of Cainhurst on a holiday. That's why I drew this weird crossover. Happy New Year's Day!
-- This seems to be the place...
-- You are, I presume, Crow?
-- Put your stick away. I was sent to congratulate you.
--Congratulate?
-- Well, yes. It's winter outside. New Year's traditions, all that stuff... I'll wait outside.
-- Wait, what are...? Damn it...
-- I couldn't think of anything better than giving you the chance to return home. I heard the bridge to the castle was destroyed. Climb in if you dare.
-- ...
-- Here!
-- Well... Happy holidays. And I still need to return this crow... So goodbye...
-- Listen, maybe you could stay with us for a while? If we're going to celebrate, let's all celebrate together.
-- Umm...
-- I can't stand elves! Are there any creatures more selfish, arrogant, and contemptuous of everyone else than them?
-- Oh, wow. What if an elf knows how to make moonshine stills?
-- And I always say that there are exceptions to every rule! Sometimes there really is something to be proud of!
_____
The elf character belongs to Rakshemau.
I remembered that I drew a crossover in 2018, so why not share it? At the bottom is the signature of my old comic book group, it's a little sad that I abandoned it…
janainaart
turnnoffyourmind
vaporwave
baratheonpilled
snowghoul
yousharknotpass
romaincrisis