“Owen Cogwright, I do not care what he’s done for me. The man has committed countless atrocities…”
“I hope Pandora gives him all the forgiveness he deserves…” — Diana De La Dáinn
Owen Cogwright is a man who was outcasted by everyone, from Agrona to Abella.
Until Caligo…
As the son of a Shimmer miner and a maidservant, his family grew up poor. His parents would soon die on a trip, a trip they had so carefully planned and paid for.
All because of the Mages.
Owen would become very resentful and angry towards the Mages. And soon, would proceed to find himself with a hand extended to him by the only people he could dream about working with.
The Valors.
He soon became a general, an unsettling, sadistic, man. He was known as The Caligan Executioner, the most dangerous of the 5 Red Generals.
However, seeing how things started turning out with Caligo, and seeing the writing on the wall that he was next on the chopping block for the Songbirds, he fled.
He hides his true identity, keeping his unsettling and intimidating nature, but still just as capable of violence. However over time, he learns to integrate into society, and he ends up becoming a mercenary.
Learning a new code of conduct.
Protecting the vulnerable. The same vulnerable who he exploited and harmed, It’s a strange change for him. But he sees the world through different eyes now.
He things he’s turned over a new stone
Until familiar golden eyes stare down at him…
…and yet it all comes flooding back, and the fear of death is looming.
And the entirety of The Crux is just like “[ points ] group dad.”
Then they become his found family and try to help him with the project he’s forced to work on. Nico, Pandora, and Josiah all help in healing him to ease the pain he gets when he’s not working on it.
Pandora’s magic isn’t really the best for healing (at least at first), so she typically gives him recipient life steal and then they go out and kill things so he gets the life steal from it.
Noah typically hangs around because he wants to learn more about organic people. Also he and Owen are super close and bond immediately after they meet due to their experiences with Alice.
Owen, who had locked himself away for decades and the only time he did open up to someone it… didn’t go well, is surprised to see all these people around him and wanting to be around him.
It’s nice to be wanted y’know?
Edit: I KEEP FORGETTING TO PUT THESE IN WRITEBLR AAAAA
Character spotlight challenge is credited to @did-i-do-this-write :)
Who is he?
Owen, or, the second mind in the making of Noah, is a troubled man. Cursed with the heirloom curse given to his family by the god of souls, he is forced to work on the project for the god, lest he be in an immense amount of pain that slowly kills him.
He locked himself away like so many do, attempting to do the project on his own. That’s until the woman Alice Ripper weasels her way into his life, and promises more than she can offer.
Owen works with her, creating the first 5 blueprints for Noah, ages 5-10 years old. He thought he was in love, a strong woman who seemed to care about him and his wellbeing.
But there would be trouble over time, Alice begins to get progressively more belligerent and cruel towards Owen.
Until one night, Alice threatens Owen with his life if he didn’t leave the project with her and that he would have to deal with her taking credit.
Scared for his life, he unwillingly left, heartbroken for having to leave the one creation he saw as his own son behind.
Years and years passed and Owen never made another project, suffering with the pain and agony he endured from not working on it, slowly dying in hopes of finding his son.
Until one day, he meets a group of people in the tavern he worked at, who he tells his story to. The short half elf girl with, white streaks in her hair, asks him if he’d like to travel with them. And Owen, seeing as his time was running out in life due to the curse, decided to go with them. To see the world before he died.
What does he look like?
Owen is a heavier set guy with a full beard and mid length hair tied back into a low ponytail.
He has grey hair, tan skin, dark yellow eyes, a brown, unbuttoned trench coat, a scar across his nose, and a black button down.
He is muscular, but still has a fair amount of chunk on him :)
He wields a large hammer, and uses lightning magic
What’s his personality and age?
Owen is a self loathing and grumpy man, but he’s definitely got a soft spot for The Crux and its members. It’s also said that he’s got a soft spot for the De La Dáinn family in general.
But he’s also very bitter, very angry at many people. He’s learning to be kinder, but damn is it hard.
He’s 61.
What’s his role in the story?
Owen plays the “grumpy mentor” character in the group, he is a secondary protagonist.
How can I start talking to him?
Ask him about literally anything, but don’t be surprised if it turns into him self loathing unfortunately. Maybe trying to metaphorically slap some sense into him if he starts in, I doubt literally will be a good idea…
Misc.
- Owen is a big guy, both weight wise and height wise, he’s 6’5.
- Owen is a human
- Owen is an Artificer (Artillerist Variant)
- His hammer’s name is “thunder bringer”
- He absolutely despises Alice, similarly to Noah.
- He’s Noah actual creator, although this isn’t known to the group until later on.
Diana meets her daughter once more, and, her friends.
A series of over a dozen footsteps were heard, walking up the granite steps to the De La Dáinn estate.
Pandora was able to get her and the rest of The Crux in through the gates, despite the strange looks the guards gave her when she said she was friends with the group.
Soon they approach the large, ornate, double doors. They are a nice navy blue color, with golden knockers.
She stands at the front of the group, staring at the double doors with an uncomfortable expression.
Karissa notices, “Pan?”
“H-huh? Yes?” She puts on a smile, which drops once she sees how worried the rest of the group is. She looks down.
“It’ll be okay, Pan.” Nico mumbles
Lilith nods, “Yeah! They’re probably just worried!”
“And if they’re not, we’ll be here. You’ve got us, and we’ve got your back.” Noah says.
“Okay… thanks guys.” She smiles.
Taking a deep breath, she turns around and knocks on the doors, using the knockers.
And now they wait.
Eventually, one of the maids answers.
Pandora lights up, “Amara! Hello!”
The maid lights up as well, “Hello my lady! Come in, come in! I’ll go fetch your family.”
As the group walks in, the group looks around.
“Woooow. Fancy…” Nico gasps.
Noah sneers, “Kinda stuffy.”
Pandora glares at him
He cracks a smile “relax, I meant metaphorically.”
“As if that makes it better.” Pandora huffs
“I’m just saying, you’re from a stuffy rich family.”
“Will you be nice? They could hear you, you dick!”
“Pandora Selene De La Dáinn since when have I ever heard you swear in this house?” A booming, deep, female voice questions.
The group looks up the grand staircase to see a dark haired woman, tarnished gold eyes, fair skin, and in royal dress. Her hair had grey streaks throughout, and her face covered in aged lines. She had an air of authority to her, and even a royal collar.
Pandora huffs and mumbles, “I’ve heard you swear all the time…”
The woman raises her eyebrows and smiles.
“I think I may like your new friends already.” She chuckles.
Pandora looks at her, confused.
“You didn’t ever stand up to your mom, did you?” Noah smiles.
“No, she didn’t. Always the quiet one who did what she was told. Always waiting for direction, sometimes it could be worrying.”
“Mum…”
“It’s the truth, my dear. Anyways, to everyone in The Crux, it’s an honor to meet all of you. My name is Diana, and I am the Lady of Morgana. Along with being Pandora’s mother.” She winks.
Pandora smiles.
The Crux gives their collective “hi’s” and “hello’s”.
Diana smiles before her smile falls, when one particular person catches her eye.
“Mum?”
“You… I haven’t seen you in a very long time, Owen.”
Owen’s eyes widen before he bursts out laughing, Diana looks shocked at this reaction.
“I’m surprised you recognize this old man!”
She blinks, before giving her own laugh, “As if, you certainly don’t act like an ‘old man’”
“True. But hey, I saw that look. And I don’t want any more of your damn pity.” He smiles, crossing his arms.
“Oh?”
“I’ve found a better life. Left the bitch, joined this awesome group of kids, and,” He walks over to Noah and puts his hand on his shoulder. “I met my son. After she basically hid him from me.”
“Ah. So you are Noah.”
“Heard of me?” He cracks a smirk
“I have. Pandora has explained all of your group’s stories, however yours was… truly something. I hear you’re not a good proponent of your mother?”
“Tch. No.”
“Your distaste is reassuring to my family and I. That being said, come along! It’s dinner time.”
“Sure you’re gonna have enough food for fourteen more?” Owen asks.
Pandora giggles, “Oh please, there’s like 17 of us as is and we like leftovers so there’s plenty.”
You’re still getting technically Noah. But it’s also not Noah so it’s FINE.
I need to start doing this to you, dropping prompts that you aren’t expecting and then scurrying away 👀
/lh /j
Two Sides of the Creation Coin
Owen Cogwright, just like his forefathers and their forefathers, is cursed. A terrible curse, truly. He asks for help, and gets much more than he bargains for.
He will never ask for help again.
Or will he?
Owen Cogwright, just like his forefathers and their forefathers, is cursed.
An heirloom curse, they call it.
Akwan’s curse.
It doesn’t even have a name.
All he knows, is that his body begins to ever so slowly shut down on its own, sending him into increasingly more excruciating pain until he eventually dies.
Make artificial life that is identical to organic life.
All of that if he doesn’t work on this stupid project for this stupid god.
If he works on it, he’s given healing and relief as a reward.
But it’s ripped from him the second he stops.
So he’s had to get creative.
“What are you working on?” A snarky voice questions.
And Owen, age 34, looks up and smiles. The love of his life is standing there, hands on her hips.
“Just a little something for a bigger project.”
She smirks, “You gonna tell me what it actually is?”
Owen thinks for a minute with a solemn look on his face.
Alice notices, and worry crosses her face. “What’s wrong Owen?”
He thinks, then stands “follow me, I think there’s something I should tell you.”
And that’s where it started. The majority of the work on the project. He explained to her his entire life story, everything, every little detail.
And she comforted him, and made a promise.
“I will help you make this project. And I will do whatever it takes to make it perfect. It must be perfect.”
She helped him, they bonded over the project, talking about the days where once this being was done being made, they’d have a family.
It would’ve stayed that way forever, and they would’ve lived happily ever after with one another. And Owen would be free.
Until they showed up.
“You two are incredibly talented, highly intelligent, and my husband and I believe that nobody is giving you two your due.” She said.
Valerie…
The Lockwoods.
Before he knew it, he was watching an entire family of nobles being murdered right before his eyes. Alice, the love of his life, smiling all the while. Looking freer than she ever had when working on the project with him.
Gods he couldn’t sleep after hearing their screams. Every time he’d close his eyes he’d see them. See the two survivors, staring in fear at him.
Why did he do this? For some sense of stupid justice for his parents? For himself?
Why did he join this?
“What’s your problem?!” Alice roars
“I was just—“
“Those two got away you moron! I couldn’t catch them!”
“I’m sorry…”
“Sorry won’t cut it when the Lockwoods hear about this.” She sneers.
What?
She’d never spoken to him like that before.
But before he knew it, it became common, this became a common song and dance. He’d come back, apologize, and get screamed at.
Soon it became more than that. Soon it became violent. She’d throw things at him, hurl hurtful things, all of it.
And he couldn’t even leave. He’d die if he did. Thanks to the Lockwoods.
But he didn’t regret what he did. He was happy those girls got away.
And maybe Alice still cared, because she didn’t ever tell them about his “mess up”.
And eventually, the gods would give him a way out. Those two would come back, Elizabeth and Diana, part of the Illusionary Kindred. A very strong adventuring party, who would kill the Lockwoods.
He didn’t get to see it, Alice grabbed him and ran with him and their stuff before he could.
They retreated to a cabin in the woods. And continued to work on the project, the only thing keeping them together.
Except…
“Keep working on it you asshole, it’s the only thing you’re good for. It must be perfect.”
Those words cut like a razor. All he was good for… maybe she was right.
He was tired, tired of trying to fight her, so he started agreeing with her. Because what kind of man helps to murder a giant family of people?
And then the night came.
She had gone out, and come back with something in a pouch.
Before he knew it, he had a gun in his face.
“Get out.” She sneered.
“W-“
“Get. Out. And you leave the project with me. Pack your shit. And get out.”
Leave the project. He didn’t get a choice.
He had to leave it there.
He had to leave him there.
He was almost done, too.
So he did, with a broken heart, and a realization that she probably never loved him back, he left.
“I’m sorry, my boy.”
But all the while, Alice stares out the window. How could she have just done that, she just chased the last person who cared out of her life.
Idiot.
She collapses to the floor, crying.
And then it occurs to her.
She walks back to their workshop and turns the android on.
It opens its golden eyes, and looks up at her.
Mascara running down her face, she stares at the young Android.
“You must be perfect. You are going to be perfect.”
The Android stares curiously at her and tilts its head, those loving eyes. And she wants to rip its head off.
It looks just like him.
She punches it. It holds its eye and cowers in the corner, crying for the first time.
“Don’t ever look at me like that again.”
And it wouldn’t. It wouldn’t ever look at her like that again.
Year later, Owen stands in a tavern, now 61, cleaning a glass.
He sees a particularly rowdy group, the center of it all, a young man with freakishly golden eyes and what looks like a metal seam down the right side of his face. He looked, familiar.
He hears a young female voice yelling at all of them to stop, and the young man immediately looks guilty. The voice belongs to a young girl, white hair, tarnished gold eyes. She also looked familiar…
She walks up to him.
“I’m so sorry, I… here.” She hands him a small pouch of several platinum coins.
His eyes widen. Oh. That’s who she is. Accent, eyes, money, she’s a De La Dáinn.
“You don’t have to—“
“Take the gold, Owen.” His boss calls from behind him. A tiefling woman, who had taken him in.
He sighs and thanks the girl, putting the coins in his pocket. The two get to talking, and he slowly becomes more invested in this girl.
He was seeing what the aftermath was of his actions. A pang of hurt shoots through him. He didn’t have the heart to tell her.
“So, you said this is all you have?” The girl, Pandora, asks.
“Yeah.”
She thinks, with a hand on her chin, similar to that of her mother, Diana.
“What about traveling with us?”
“Don’t you think I’m a little old for that?”
“Nope! I think there’s no such thing as too old to see the world!” She smiles
“I’ll think about it. Be right back.” He takes the cleaned glasses and takes them to the back where the shelf is.
“You should go.” His boss says with a smile.
“You think so?”
“It’d be good for you. See some good in the world before you die from being a nihilistic old man.”
“Ha-ha” he says deadpanned.
“I’m serious, you’ve only seen the worst in people. What if these kids show you the good in the world? It’s worth a shot, right? Maybe they could help you.”
She was right.
Maybe it was worth taking a chance on these kids.
Maybe he could prevent them from making the same mistakes.
He walks back out.
“I think I’ll join your little group.”
“That didn’t take long!” She laughs.
“Nah. I think I need to see the good in the world. I’ve seen nothing but bad.”
“At least you’ve seen the world, I haven’t seen any of it.”
He snorts, “there’s a lot to see, Pandora. I’d be happy to show you and your friends.”
She grins, “sounds like a plan. Welcome to The Crux, Mr. Cogwright.” She holds out her hand.
