#tw&tw

[redwinerozanova]

IM LITERALLY SO EXCITED WITH THIS SOULMATE AU YES QUEEN FUCK IT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

i know you sent this like 3 days ago AND IM SORRY?? AND tHANK YOU !!! WILL DO <3

[yourarmynoona]

The Warrior & the Warlock || Chapter 4

Description:  [Fantasy!AU] You have lost your home, your family, your tribe, and are wanted by a rival tribe for the murder of their general. On the run and seeking vengeance for the destruction of your people in the form of a Sacred Rune, you make an unlikely ally in the form of a wandering Warlock with his own secrets to hide. Your fates intertwine as you journey across to mysterious lands in search of the rune but when destiny has other plans, your journey becomes much bigger than you could have imagined.

Rating: M

Reader x Namjoon

Themes: Fantasy, Smut (eventual), Adventure, Murder, Mystery

15k+ Words

Notes: I AM SO SORRY FOR WAITING A WEEK TO UPLOAD! Life has been crazy and my work, internship, and class schedules are a bit overwhelming. It’s been sitting completed for over a week but this is the longest of all the chapters thus far so I hope y’all enjoy!

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 It seemed in the inn there were only communal showers and though it was an inconvenience taking your things to the shower to wash, you knew you got what you paid for. Your shower had been much needed as your fur pelts and leather armor were most certainly not suited for the environment of Chult. The bayside afforded some breeze but the air was constantly humid and you could almost feel the salt sticking to your skin the moment you were inside a building.

After washing the salt and sweat from your skin, you had made sure to remove your war makeup. It had become habit to smear the stripe of deep red across your eyes and nose bridge daily and mark the warrior lines below your eyes and down your lips. Two thin, black vertical lines that stretched from the top of your bottom lip to just below your chin were enough to remind you of home. One for womanhood and being tied to the earth and one for being a warrior of the gods and tied to heaven. A part of you wished that life had been more peaceful and would have been able to draw one final line down between the two that represented being tied to your people through marriage. You laughed silently to yourself with a sad smile as you walked back to the room. It was ironic yet nostalgic. Who knew that something so small would bring you an odd sense of comfort?

Arriving at your door, it slipped your mind Namjoon was rooming with you and absentmindedly you opened the door full force, startling a shirtless Namjoon and causing him to toss his top into the air and grip his chest in terror, half fallen over a desk in the room. His state made you jump, your eyes go wide in shock and you unintentionally scanned over his figure, the bath items that had fallen from your arms and onto the floor forgotten. For being a bookwork and scholar, he was remarkably fit with toned arms and a solid core and chest. His skin was a light golden hue that formed shadows at the crux of his musculature as the desktop lantern cast shadows upon his core and radiated across his flesh, almost as if his skin glowed. With one hand at his chest be began fumbling to cover himself up, knocking stationary and books from the desk and onto the floor, his shocked gaze leaving yours at the door in a feeble attempt to gather some modesty. You hurriedly closed the door but not before you noticed an unusual tattoo on the inside of his right forearm. You never pegged Namjoon for a tattoo kind of guy but figured it might have something magic related.

“GODS ___! You scared me half to death!” he shouted out as he slipped a loose sleep shirt over his frame.

You were in an unusual stupor. The men of your tribe often went shirtless in the muggy and hot summers so why was it any different now? You leaned over to close the door quietly behind you, kicking away your fallen bath supplies and preventing any unwanted attention for the ruckus you had caused. You felt a bit lightheaded and hot suddenly and your chest was feeling unusually tight. There was an almost palpable sense of pleasant tension in the air. Walking over to the bedside you gathered up the items you had dropped from being startled and placed them back in their respective pouch.

“Sorry, I forgot you were in here” you blushed, standing at the edge of the bed in nothing more than a simple silk robe you had acquired in the town.

“It’s okay, I just got back from the showers myself and was settling in for the nigh…t…” He speech slowed and he sat down carefully on a chair at the desk before giving you a perplexed look.

“What?”

“Did I miss a spot?” you thought to yourself.

Namjoon looked flabbergasted and you grimaced into a tight-lipped frown while he looked as if he was struggling to speak, his hands fidgeting in his lap

“Uh…___ your face…”

You were about to lose it. Just what about your face?!

“Yes…?” you inquired sarcastically.

“It’s just…I’ve never seen you without that facepaint you wear. Just…wow.” Namjoon’s jaw was slightly slack as he took in the appearance of you sans warpaint. You could feel his eyes drinking in the appearance of your sharp nose, plump lips, and angular eyes set beneath a defined brow. His dark irises were scanning over your features and something about the way he looked at you made your heart palpitate a few rhythms and grasp your robe a little tighter around your chest.

“Bad wow or good wow? Because if it’s bad wow, you and I nee-“

“A good wow.” Namjoon interjected before you got mad. “You look….you’re actually really beautiful beneath all that paint.”

Your face heated up and you swore you could feel the temperature in the room raise a few degrees before your echoic memory recalled part of his statement.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘ACTUALLY REALLY BEAUTIFUL’?! DID YOU THINK I WAS UGLY?!”

And so started the remainder of the night of you chasing Namjoon down the hall as he avoided you swinging at him full force dual-wielding two rather large down pillows and somehow involving Taehyung and Yeontan in the chaos as Jungkook cheered for each of you intermittently. You were starting to believe that maybe you could find happiness again far from home.

The next day you awoke, you felt completely refreshed, though your messy hair and groggy face probably indicated otherwise. By the time you had gotten up, Namjoon and the boys were already downstairs in the tavern planning for the day and most likely eating a hearty breakfast.  Scanning around the room, you saw that Namjoon had already had his things packed and ready for the day ahead that would be filled with gathering supplies in the Market Ward. You got ready as always, a splash of cold water to your face from the bedside basin, strapping on your armor and bindings, lacing up your thick leather boots, struggling to tie your gauntlets, putting on your headdress, and smearing the usual war paint across your eyes and drawing the two lines down your lips before fastening your axe into its holster. With one last look in a small wall-mounted mirror, you bounded down the stairs, the smell of savory meats and spices filling your nose and making your stomach rumble.

Taehyung, Jungkook, and Namjoon were sitting together chatting idly while devouring bits of bread and cheeses along with some local fruits. They appeared to be laughing at Taehyung once again struggling to eat in peace with Yeontan nipping at his food. “Good morning guys!” you exclaimed cheerfully, a small yawn following your greeting. “Good morning ___! How did you sleep?” Jungkook asked before popping a piece of bread into his mouth.

“Actually pretty good. I think staying in an inn and having actual baths is spoiling me. I don’t get to do this often.”

Taehyung chimed in with a boxy grin, “Come eat ____! There’s lots of food. We ordered more than usual so everyone could get enough for the day.”

You took him up on the offer and sat down between Jungkook and Namjoon. Namjoon smiled and offered you a small “Good morning” before looking away promptly. He seemed quiet but you were assuming this was due to the incident the previous night catching him shirtless. You could feel a slight flush creep onto your cheeks as you recalled how beautifully sculpted his body appeared sans shirt under the light of the glowing amber lantern and how his golden skin seemed to shine and glow under its light. There was something ethereal about him.

“___! So did you catch that?” Taehyung asked, his head cocked inquisitively to one side.

Apparently you had lost your focus while they were informing you of the days agenda but you had fallen so far into your reverie of Namjoon that the entire plan didn’t even make it into the annals of your memory.

“Uh….can you repeat that?”

“We’re going to the Market Ward today and Namjoon-hyung said he would introduce us to a friend that could possibly be of help on our journey” Taehyung stated, turning his head towards Namjoon as if to emphasize the fact that your party would need all the help it could get. Namjoon took a swig of water from a cup before adding more to what Taeyhung had said.

“I figured we could stop at the Apothecary, Blacksmith, Armory, and Explorers shops to gather some supplies and after go visit the temple and maybe the local bathhouse. I have a friend there who is a Cleric and he specializes in ancient runic texts and ancient religions. I’ve known him for many years and he has deciphered more than one codex, so he should be interested in our cause.” Namjoon spoke cheerfully and the dimples in his cheeks returned for a brief moment as he smiled. Your chest tingled.

“So what are we waiting for? The sooner we get our supplies, the sooner we can have one more night to relax!”

 After breakfast, the group of you had waved to the Inn owner and she had said something unusual about needing to speak with your group later but you wrote it off as regarding your stay and tab. The day was eventful, the group of you waltzing in and out of shops to the melodies of street performers and the bustle of city life. The orchestra of sounds had become so familiar to you that it was almost as if the noise had faded into the background during your day. Since breakfast you had felt something off about the day, almost as if you were being watched but you chalked it up to paranoia. There were a few moments you had stopped briefly and looked around, Namjoon checking your alert form to see if you were alright only to be told you were just anxious. You were mildly irked that this paranoia was affecting your day but it was quickly squashed with Taehyung’s excited yelps of joy playing with Yeontan as they ran down the bazaar streets, flitting between stalls, shoppers, and various thunder beasts of burden. Taehyung had been eager to visit the Apothecary and gather a variety of medicinal herbs and concoctions that were native to the area and he felt could be useful in the jungle while Jungkook visited the local Blacksmith and Armory to ensure his weapons were in adequate condition as well as gather a few javelins, caltrops, and tools for repair. The pair of them were rather talkative throughout the morning regarding the things they were ready to purchase for the trip, despite your shock when they showed you the price tag on several items. You had felt your stomach drop when you saw the number of zeros behind the pricetag of a small vile of antidote that Taehyung had shown you and you had paled when Jungkook had stated the true price of a repair kit for his armor. Namjoon was busy trying not to break expensive items during your shopping trip add to your mounting bill and you prayed to whatever gods would listen that you would be able to survive the pervasive nausea at the cost of what should be a simple expedition. You were starting to notice that Namjoon, though thoughtful and intelligent, was actually extremely clumsy with a penchant for breaking anything he touched.

After a final trip to the Explorers shop to get water skins, rope, and rent a boat for the trip up the river, Namjoon was quite literally jumping with joy to head to the temple and to finally be saving himself some money after accidentally breaking two separate items in the last shop. Thankful for being finished with the shopping excursion, you were also excited to see the local temple. Though you served no patron god, there was something fascinating to you about the religions and cultures of the world that had yet to be seen. Namjoon emphasized that he hadn’t seen his friend in some months and was hopeful that his friend would agree to perhaps take a leave of absence for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at examining ancient runes willingly. Whatever that meant.

As the group of you approached the temple, you realized you had never noticed how massive and imposing the temple really was despite being in the port for some time. Situated nearly central to all of Port Nyanzaru, it was a large building, made of smooth white limestone with white marble columns and golden accents upon its brilliantly glistening marble stairs that led to la large archway to which patrons would enter. It was surrounded by lush foliage of various palms and flowering shrubbery, giving the entire temple an almost ethereal feel. As you drew closer to the enormous steps that led upwards to the temple grounds, you could feel a visible change in the air, almost as if you were gently being swayed in a boat on a calm lake. Though you were not a mage and had little experience with magic, there was something surrounding the temple that calmed your mind and relaxed your body as small, welcoming pulses of energy resonated deep within your bones.

Slowly the group of you climbed the many steps up to the temple arch, your feet clicking with every step on the smooth marble steps. The closer you drew, the louder the cacophonous sounds of voices and running water from the spring located inside the temple to which patrons could cleans themselves became. The sensation being rocked seemed to become more prominent after ritually cleansing your feet in the spring and removing your shoes at a small alter. Perhaps it was part of the divine energy that was granted by the resident god or goddess. As you ventured through the main hall, Namjoon picked up the pace and was leading the group of you past enormous stone statues of the gods, the sound of your bare feet pattering across various large marble tiles. Namjoon spoke to your group to follow him as he took a sharp right towards a hallway that lead to an internal garden situated in a large courtyard at the center of the temple grounds. It was lush, full of green foliage, tall palms, and exotic flowers that were a stark contrast to the native foliage of Chult. As soon as you had left the main area of the temple and the soles of your feet had kissed the rich green grass, Namjoon sprinted briefly ahead onto a puzzle-like array of smooth stones and towards a rather large winding tree central to the stone maze of flowing waterways. He stopped briefly, rocking onto his toes and looking around the courtyard area before making a b-line to what appeared to be a veranda directly across from your group. Taehyung was holding Yeontan in his arms as he, Jungkook, and yourself sped up your pace to reach Namjoon, who had wandered off to the veranda area, looking at what appeared to be bronze name plates and peeking in doorways, before backpedaling and stopping suddenly.

“Ah, there you are!” Namjoon exclaimed happily, his dimples making an appearance with his broad smile as he walked casually into a nearby room labeled  Temple Archives. He approached a tall man clothed in a simple white robe with large bell sleeves and a hood that was overlaying a loose pink-hued shirt and a loose pair of dark trousers. Before you could get a proper glimpse of his face, he had turned back to a bookcase behind him and you were offered a view of his broad back and messy black hair before he offered a wave over one of his shoulders, which appeared to be directed at Namjoon who was inquisitively looking around the room at various texts and bookcases.

“Namjoon-ah! It’s good to see you! I never took you for a man of the gods. What brings you to the Temple other than my handsome face?” he stated, his figure bent over as if trying to pick something up.

Namjoon jokingly scoffed, idly paced over to the man and assisting him picking up whatever he was off the floor. “Well other than your handsome face, I was hoping that maybe you had some free-time to chat. I need a small favor.”

The man who was previously bent over did a small pop, balancing some books in his arms before turning around and offering a surprised face when he looked past Namjoon to you and the other 2 boys who were patiently waiting to greet him in the doorway of the archives. His lips were full and he had large, dark almond eyes that grew wide when he saw your group. “Yah Namjoon! You should have told me you were bringing guests and I would have prepared tea for them! So sorry Namjoon is so inconsiderate,” he gave a joking glare towards Namjoon before making his way over to your group and bowing, “I’m Seokjin, you can call me Jin. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”

 After a brief introduction of your group by Namjoon and Jin leading your group to another small courtyard with a bench hidden in the massive temple, your group had finally had a chance to breathe and actually discuss what was going on with Jin. You were sitting cross-legged on the grass next to Jungkook and beneath Taehyung who as sitting on the bench petting a sleeping Yeontan in his lap, all of you listening to Namjoon and Jin discuss the details of the quest and the role you all played in it. The air around you was calm and much thinner with that feeling of being rocked before but it was still present enough to nearly lull you to sleep.

“So I’m asking you hyung, if you would consider joining us on our trip into the jungle to Madukka and then wherever we need to go according to the scroll I just showed you. Your skills as a Cleric would be a great asset to our team since there is a large change of encountering necromongers that deep searching for runes.” Namjoon spoke confidently, his hands animatedly expressing his desire for Jin to join your presently growing group.

Jin appeared to contemplate the idea, his arms crossed and his fingers grasping at his chin, his plush lips downturned in thought. “And you are positive you need my expertise, yes?” His voice was smooth and almost melodic.

Namjoon shook his head positively and looked towards your group before offering his commentary on the situation. “We have a diverse array of skills but even I do not have your level of knowledge when it comes to runic texts or ancient glyphs. You’ve got a 180 years on me and Taehyung here and you were born into magic. When we took up the offer, you were the first person who came to mind with knowledge of this sort of thing.”

The exchange between Namjoon and Jin looked as if it was a younger sibling trying to convince an older sibling to do something bad. Namjoon had explained to your group that Jin and himself were distantly related through some convoluted family tree but Jin was of noble blood and was a High Elf, a pureblooded elf who dedicated himself to the Goddess Sunê, the Goddess of Light and Beauty. Not only was he dedicated to her from a young age, but was apparently the holder of the Rune of Sunê which he had come across by chance as an elven child more than a hundred years ago in an abandoned temple. It gave him access to the powers of the goddess in exchange for holy work in her name. You had met a handful of clerics in your time however Jin was rather….interesting.

“Yah Namjoon-ah! You make me feel old! Do I honestly look that old?! ___ do I look that old?!” Jin’s hands were flailing as he leaned in your direction and you couldn’t help but laugh.

“No Jin, you don’t look old. In fact, you look like you’re only 150” you said with a hint of sarcasm, only for Jin to scoff at you and cross his arms dramatically.

“That’s right! I’m still young and handsome! See Namjoon?! Even she thinks so!”

Your group laughed at his antics as Namjoon hung his head in defeat. Jin apparently had an obsession with his looks but it was to be expected of him you remarked to yourself. After all, his patron god was the goddess of all things beautiful and good and he was gifted with his patron goddess’ rune, which probably endowed with even more beauty than he was naturally born with as an elf of noble blood. In addition, he also seemed very close to Namjoon, something that you knew was very unusual for full-blood elves, particularly High Elves. It made you wonder how their unusual friendship and lack of prejudices came to be.

“So what do you say Jin, do you think you could come with us to resolve this wasting disease curse? It’s unlikely we would be able to do it alone and your expertise would be greatly valued.”

Namjoon looked as if he was mildly pleading with glossy eyes, his hands clasped together.

“Ch! You don’t need to beg, of course I’m willing to go. I haven’t been on a quest in ages and I’ve been in this city way too long. Aish! So I’m assuming you wanted to depart to Madukka tomorrow, Namjoon?

“Yes, that’s what we had hoped. Do you need any supplies or texts before we head out?”

Jin looked up thoughtfully, his dark eyes flitting up to his right.

“Mmmm, perhaps. Why don’t you all join me in the archives. I recall a tome that would have something that may be useful to you and Taehyung.”

The archives were rather massive once you ventured past the initial lobby area with smaller shelves. It was a large open room akin to a academy library filled with dark wooded shelves surrounding the open area that reached upwards of at least 3 stories in height and lined with large ladders that seemed to glide along the floor with magic. You glanced around in awe. There were rows upon rows of large bookcases and shelves with tomes, scrolls, books, and codices of all sizes neatly stacked. The group of you walked to the far side of the archives,  your footsteps echoing between the maze of books. You were fascinated with the size of the archives and as you followed behind Namjoon, you stole glances as the bronzed plates on each shelf attempting to decipher the words. You could read the words “History” “Languages” and “Ancient” on some of the plates but the rest of it was lost to you. Jin stopped suddenly and you bumped into Namjoon harshly, your headdress flicking up in the back and the feathers on it flicking Jungkook below his chin as you ducked your head upon collision with Namjoon’s back.

“This is it,” Jin rose his hand and suddenly a large tome illuminated with light slid itself out from a shelf high above and fluttered down into his outstretched hand. “This tome should have what we need. It’s an ancient text written in Elvish from the Aril-Tel'Quessir over 500 years ago” he opened the text, kneeling onto the floor and illuminating a nearby fairy lacrima to offer enough light to read the text.

“Jin, aren’t Aril-Tel'Quessir extinct?” Namjoon questioned.

“Not necessarily. There are rumors amongst my people that they still reside in seclusion far to the North. I have heard that even human travelers have seen them flying alongside Wyvrn.”

You cocked your head and squinted your eyes. Elves can fly? That was new.

“___, Jungkook, I’m sure you know there are different races of elves. We are all related to some degree however, Aril-Tel'Quessir  or Avariel, are the only ones that can fly. They were gifted with flight by the goddess Seldarine whom they serve.”

“They wrote about a plague that spread through the plains to the North that was the result of a curse,” he pointed to a paragraph above a sketched drawing, “it says here that it was a curse by the gods. Particularly, the gods of death and disease.” Jin waved his hand once more, briefly looking up before looking back down to the text and flipping a couple pages, a large scroll floating to the ground and rolling out above the tome. “This scroll here is a map of Chult from around the same time this tome was written,” Jin explained, nodding his head towards the map. You looked at the fragile scroll, its edges torn and battered, the ink faint and discoloration occurring in patches across the paper. It was older than Jin by far and you wondered how the temple had managed to attain such an artifact. 

“According to the text here,” Jin pointed to a single set of characters, “we’re going to be heading into the Peaks of Flame and a few meters Southeast towards North Samarch. There is apparently a tomb there that was meant for a Lich or Demilich in a forgotten city of somekind.” Jin’s eyes squinted as he picked up the book to look closer, only for his eyes to widen considerably.

“The tomb…it is The Tomb of the Nine Gods. The Soulmonger, the artifact we need to get to end the curse…it’s in the Tomb of the Nine Gods…the Tomb of Annihilation.”

[yourarmynoona]

The Warrior & The Warlock || Chapter 2

Description:  [Fantasy!AU] You have lost your home, your family, your tribe, and are wanted by a rival tribe for the murder of their general. On the run and seeking vengeance for the destruction of your people in the form of a Sacred Rune, you make an unlikely ally in the form of a wandering Warlock with his own secrets to hide. Your fates intertwine as you journey across to mysterious lands in search of the rune but when destiny has other plans, your journey becomes much bigger than you could have imagined.

Rating: M

Reader x Namjoon

Themes: Fantasy, Smut (eventual), Adventure, Murder, Mystery

Notes: If you haven’t already figured it out, this Fantasy!AU is a D&D!AU following a campaign I’m actually currently on. Yeah, yeah my nerd is showing but I’m hoping to update regularly as we go through our own journey! 

Notes 2: This chapter goes out to @kpopluvwriter because well, she deserves to have a good week and it’s the best I can do! (And she does amazing reactions fyi)

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

The last 24 hours had been a hell of a lucid nightmare for you. You were drugged, nearly abducted and sold into slavery, and now you were bruised and imprisoned for the unintentional destruction of a bar after a handsy bar patron thought it was a bright idea to touch you. Your head was aching, your face was bruise, your ankles were growing irritated with the dirty iron shackles you were currently walking in, and you were hungry and hungover. A winning combination you remarked to yourself sarcastically. Namjoon and yourself had been fetched from the cell you shared and walked to a large room with a single dark wooded table before a hearth and several bookshelves lined with an assortment of tomes, scrolls, and books. Your eyes scanned the room and Namjoon seemed to mumble something about the vast number tomes he has yet to see in the room. You were standing before the large table, your hands bound behind your back and the sound of your chains dragging across the floor as you settled into a comfortable stance while the jail guard stood behind the both of you.

“What do you think they want with us?” you whispered, leaning over to Namjoon at your left who was wearing a serious look. He leaned over slightly stating “No idea” before returning to his standing position.

“Ah, dey look positively fit for de job!” a voice behind the both of you announced. Namjoon and you turned your heads to a man in a brightly patterned caftan and covered in golden chain necklaces, rings, and bracelets. You raised an eyebrow. He was tall and somewhat plump, his round cheeks high into a searingly white smile that was a stark contrast to his dark skin and hair. You could tell he was a Turami like many other of the natives of Port Nyanzaru.

“Please, let dem out of deir cuffs. Dat is no way to treat guests!” he commanded the guard behind you, his hands expressively waving in the air as if batting something invisible away. With a clang, the iron cuffs were removed from your wrists and ankles, and you rotated a sore foot bare on the stone flooring of the room while Namjoon shook his hands out and squatted down to rub his own sore ankles. You scoffed and glared in the direction of the guard who was gathering the chains into his arms. If only you had your axe you would have massacred him by now.

“I am Wakonga, de purveyor of dis place and masta merchant for all of de port. I am sure you are aware by now dat you have done much damage to one of my many establishments. Not only did you destroy property, you started a war in dat tavern and it took a dozen of my men to get it under control.”

You were staring at him as he paced back and forth across the floor in front of you, his hands and face expressively detailing the incident to which you had barely any recollection. “De damage was so great, I had to shut down de place for repairs. Do you know how much dat costs me?” he did a quarter turn to Namjoon and yourself, waving his finger aggressively. You were about to speak when Namjoon cleared his throat, telling you to remain silent. Wakonga again spoke, his voice rising “It costs me more dan you would make in a yeah! So as you can see, de events of last night have affected my bottom line and as a man of business, I cannot just let that slide.” Wakonga walked slowly over to you, his footsteps echoing in the room against the adobe and mud dap walls. He looked straight at you, one of his hands to your face, the cold of his gold rings hard under your chin. You stared into his eyes as he evaluated you, your expression unperturbed.

“I have use for you, barbarian. And you, half-elf.” You could see Namjoon cringe out of the corner of your eye as he let your chin go during that statement and walked over to him. Wakonga stood before Namjoon assessing his clothing and his features before Namjoon spoke.

“I deeply apologize for our actions in your tavern,” he bowed deeply as he continued to speak, “It was not our intent to cause chaos or harm to anyone, much less damage your establishment. In what way can we repay you?”

Wakonga scoffed.

“You cannot repay me in coin, but I have use for your talents. You see, I have a friend from fa away that is sick…very sick. She has asked me to lend my services to her aid but my men are ill-equipped for such a venture. Dere is a plague, a death plague, where anyone who is touched by it will meet a true death. After dey are raised, deir body will slowly rot, waste, and dey will die. You cannot resurrect dem anymore. My friend, she is near de end and she wants to put and end to dis cursed wasting plague. With her magic she has sent two heroes from Baldur’s Gate on de Sword Coast. If you accompany dem an tour dem around de city, I will forgive your debt.”

Namjoon and you looked at one another. He must have been thinking the same thing as you; there was a catch.

“Say we did do this and act as their guides, would you really forgive the debt we have caused?” Namjoon spoke, an eyebrow arched in suspicion. Wakonga placed his hands up in mock surrender and stated with a playful smile “Yes, all will be forgiven and you may go on your way.”

You grimaced. Your brow furrowed before you inquired further “And if we do not comply?”

Wakonga frowned and shrugged nonchalantly before stating matter-of-factly “You will stay in here and rot or be sentenced to hard labor.”

Your frown deepened and you let your shoulders slump with a defeated sigh. It looked like you were going to have to comply with what he was saying. So much for getting the rune you needed and getting out of there.

“We’ll do it.” Namjoon spoke up before you had a chance to answer, his posture firm and his expression serious. Wakonga clapped his hands together excitedly, his chains and bracelets rattling. “Wonderful!” he exclaimed, his cheeks bunching up to his eyes, “I will see to it dat your contract is drafted by dis afternoon. Until den, gather your tings and meet back here at high noon. We will discuss de matter further.”

Wakonga walked around you and Namjoon and as he entered the doorway he stopped suddenly and turned around.

“Oh and barbarian, don’t break anymore of my tings.”

 The jail guards had gathered up your materials left in the jail cell as well as handed back your shoes, coin purse, and axe.  You made sure to check that they had not robbed you of coin and you let out a relieved sigh as all of your money was still accounted for. Namjoon sat beside you on a wooden bench in what would appear to be a moderately sized lobby area with two desks, a receptionist, and guardsman walking about on duty.

“So I guess we’re stuck together for a while.” He stated playfully as he slipped on his jacket and secured the buttons on his shirt sleeve beneath.

“I suppose so,” you said wistfully as you glided a hand across the face of your axe, inspecting it for undue damage from the previous night.

You both agreed to go about your business and meet back in an hour, gathering what material possessions would be needed for the day and so that Namjoon could gather some research from the library on exactly what you were facing off against. As you walked through the streets back to the inn to which you were staying, your mind began to wander. Though you had just met him, you knew you could trust him. He had saved you from being sold into slavery or worse and had upheld a warriors honor. In your culture, such an act of selflessness is to be repaid with servitude. As you imagined in what way you could best serve Namjoon to repay the debt for him saving your life not once, but what could be considered twice, you blushed.

You had begun to imagine his handsome face and warm smile which had somehow morphed into you imagining how his plush lips would feel on yours and if he would accept your body as payment for a life saved. This idea shook you to your core, forcing you to suddenly stop in the streets of the Red Bazaar as you quelled your racing heart and heated face. “What the heck am I thinking?! Of course someone like him wouldn’t do that!” you fought an inner monologue after your sudden stop, continuing to walk straight down the avenue filled with merchants and tourists.

It was not unusual that barbarians would offer a life of servitude to a master if they had been saved by someone of higher blood but it was also not unusual that barbarian women tended to offer themselves in payment for a debt to another warrior. You started to imagine how his caring hands would feel on the exposed part of your thigh, how he would look at you as you removed your breastplate and left yourself bare for him to see. Your mind was out of control and you hastened your pace, picking up speed through the bazaar and attempting to avoid people caught in the crosspath. Faster and faster you walked until your walk became a sprint through the crowd, dodging carts and shoppers. You thought you were in the clear until, BAM! You collided with a solid piece of metal, knocking you, and the metal to the ground with a giant timbre.

“PELANA!!” you yelled in your native tongue, your butt sore from hitting the ground and your bruised cheek throbbing from the impact. You glanced upwards to see what you had collided with and it was a young man with doe-like eyes and an elegant silver suit of armor graced with spirals of gold. His helmet was in hand and he seemed amused as to what had just happened. Just as you began to apologize he smiled and laughed heartily before reaching down to help you up.

“Are you okay? You ran into me pretty hard” he said, his eyes scrunching into crescent shapes. He was very handsome indeed with a moderate build that you could see, brown messy locks upon his forehead, a prominent nose, and large eyes that you could see were full of mirth.

“Yes, I apologize! I should have been watching where I was going!” you nodded apologetically.

“Don’t worry about it, you looked like you were in a rush. Besides, I’m pretty well protected!” he exclaimed, knocking a metal fist into his breastplate where it rang out loudly. “Just be safe and get where you need to, okay? See you around.” And with that, he continued on his way with a wave leaving you to contemplate how it was you were in the port for 3 weeks and all of a sudden, you’re just now meeting people.

After gathering your materials and paying your inn fee, you were feeling quite famished and had grabbed two kebabs and some fruit from a food cart near the inn. As you continued to meet back near the jail with Namjoon, you were giving one of your last looks to the city. Your time in this place was coming to an end and after this, you had decided you were going to travel up river into the jungle to Madukka, the Rainy City and see if they had any information on the Lost Runes.

Walking through the bustling streets you saw children playing with a rubber ball and small Thunder Lizards pulling merchant carts filled with goods through the streets and towards the docks. It was something you always found fascinating. The people of Chult relied on Thunder Lizards, reptiles of all sizes, for transportation and hunting. You had only ever seen them in Chult and you remember the first time you entered Port Nyanzaru from the ship, you almost attacked a small stray Thunder Lizard that was eating fish from a nearby fishing ship on the docks. When you had asked locals about it, it apparently was commonplace but you still could not wrap your mind around the fact they had tamed such incredible beasts.

When you had finally arrived and finished up your meal, Namjoon was waiting with a side pouch and what appeared to be a scroll in hand. His quarter staff was strapped to his side opposite his daggers and his frilled jacket laid out on top of his pouch, leaving him in a loose white shirt and patterned vest. He looked almost regal looking about the crowds. You waved out to him and he smiled, walking over to meet you halfway.

“___! Did you get everything you needed?”

“Yeah, I travel pretty light these days. What’s that scroll your holding?”

Namjoon looked to what you were pointing at and nodded for you to follow him to the outside of a nearby cafe that was near the jail. It was a large establishment that had an enclosed patio area filled with lounging cushions, smoking towers, and covered by fabric awnings and fairy lacrima hanging above the iron fence. He ushered you into a corner of the outdoor portion of the café and you both sat down on some large plush pillows before settling in. A waitress came over and offered a special tea, to which you and Namjoon accepted to quench your thirst in the thick midday heat. Taking a large sip of his tea, he released the scroll from his grasp and rolled it out on the floor before you. It was old and tattered and in a language you couldn’t quite understand but had symbols and drawings you recognized instantly.

They were Runes.

“___, I did some quick digging through our archives at the Academy and found something really interesting. This wasting disease….it isn’t the first time something like this has happened. There have been isolated incidents throughout history and most contributed to failed attempts at Necromancy or weak magic. But no, the things Wakonga was saying and the things this scroll said match up. I think the Wasting disease is related to these Runes right here,” Namjoon pointed at the familiar symbols “The scroll is damaged in some parts so I’m not exactly sure, but there is a tomb in the jungle here that may hold Runes that can stop the curse.”

You looked up at him in surprise. Namjoon wasn’t only good looking, he was highly intelligent, and apparently spoke and read multiple languages.

But he was out of his mind.

“You’re thinking of accompanying our visitors and going into the jungle instead of just being tour guides because….?”

“Because the Runes in this temple have great power. They can right wrongs, grant incredible powers, heal people, cure sickness, make them whole again, and….they can bring back the dead.” His last words were somber and sullen.

You gazed at him sorrowfully but with the realization that he too knows loss.

“Can I ask who you’ve lost?” you settled into the cushion, leaning a slight bit closer to him as if seeking to comfort him. His shoulders were down in defeat and his hands loose in his lap. You were sincere in your words, knowing that maybe you could help him here as part of your servitude. Slowly he looked up, his eyes were somewhat glossy.

“My mother and sister. They…there was war. I was away in the capital studying to become a great scholar and wizard. I wanted to make them proud.”

You frowned in concern.

“What about your father?”

“He...he left many years ago. It isn’t safe for Moon Elves to be near humans for too long. Humans can be vile and selfish, not to say elves cannot, but things are different for them. Elves live for many years longer than humans and live cloistered lives in cities hidden by magic. Their laws are different and life is spent in scholarly ventures and bettering society. Since elves live such long lives, most may take many lovers in their lifetime and have many children until they meet someone whom they wish to bond with until death. This is like human marriage but so much more sacred because of how long it lasts. Elves are prefer to choose mates of nobility or of high blood purity close to royalty. They call this Sacred Bone. Hence, it is frowned upon to marry a human and even more frowned upon to breed with humans because they value this blood purity.”

Your brow furrowed and you could feel the sadness in his voice. From what you knew, half-elves resembled their elven cousins but their lifespans were considerably shorter and they were not accepted by humans nor their elven blood because their existence is a taboo. You recall visiting the Western Highlands and seeing many half-elves be shunned by humans in their villages and by their elven brethren, hearing things like “mutt” and “half-breed” yelled openly. Slowly, you reached your hand over to his that was lying on the map in an empathetic gesture.

“When was the last time you saw him?” you asked softly.

He hesitated in response.

“I…I think it would have been about 23 or 24 years ago?”

You looked up quizzically. Namjoon couldn’t have been more than 24 or 25 so how did he remember his father at such a young age? Taking a sip of tea, you were trying to do the math on just how old he was. As if sensing your confusion Namjoon interjected “I was still young but I think it was when I was about 22 or 23.”

You choked on your drink, a small dribble of tea falling from your lips and onto your chin.

“H-how old are you?!” you stuttered out in shock, wiping the tea from your chin, only for Namjoon to look at you in surprise.

“____ I’m 46?”

You were in shock. When you did the math that means Namjoon’s father disappeared from his life when he was about 21 and you were barely a toddler. Trying to put your shock behind you and act like he wasn’t a 46 year-old man that looked like he was 20-something was difficulty for you to comprehend as you stared at his physical appearance. “If I can ask…when did you lose your mother and sister?” you asked carefully.

“Less than a year ago. My sister was only a couple of years younger than me. I miss them every day.”

Namjoon was looking downwards with a sad smile playing on his lips as he looked on at the map. “What do you say we pack up and go see about a contract?” he said with a heavy breath. With that, you both got up and paid your server and adjusted what equipment you were currently carrying. Straightening out your pelt skirt and ensuring your axe was secured, you wondered how he had been so open with you when he had endured so much loss. You wish you could have told him you know how he felt because you too had lost your family, but you yourself had yet to come to terms with it as well. Perhaps one day you could tell Namjoon that he wasn’t alone. For now, you were content offering whatever servitude you could.

As you entered the jail once more, the pair of you were escorted to the back room where you had first met Wakonga. The air was cooler inside but had a dank and musty smell inside, your nose scrunching in displeasure as you took a whiff of what smelled like day-old dirty, wet fabric and moldy wood. A guard ushered you towards the table to which you and Namjoon were formerly shackled before and on it you saw the contract that had been drafted up. Namjoon went over to take a look and was reading the detailed portion at an alarmingly fast rate when Wakonga made his appearance.

“Ah, my friends! So glad you are back. I see you have read de terms of de contract. Do you have any questions?” he walked around the table, his golden chains clanking as he walked. You looked towards Namjoon for some sense of confirmation. Unfortunately, you couldn’t read Common as much as you could speak it making the words of the contract beyond your comprehension. His brow was stern and focused as his eyes rapidly skimmed through the papers before looking towards you.

“It looks okay to me however, we are at the mercy of our patrons. Are you okay with that ____?”

You nodded in agreement.

“Okay Wakonga, we’ll sign it.” Namjoon stated firmly, being handed a quill and signing Kim Namjoon on the line. You thought it was odd in the manner he signed but realized that Shou and Mulan often put their surnames first. After he signed, he handed you the quill pen and gave you a confident nod. You signed your name in Common before setting the quill back in the ink pot. Wakonga clapped his hands happily before stating “Ah wonderful! Now let me introduce you to de heroes sent here by my colleague, Syndra.”

Just then, you heard a pair of rather footsteps walking across the stone floor and into the room. When you turned around you saw first, a very tall young man of about your age, fluffy blonde locks and light grey eyes wearing a rather unusual silk garment that was colored cream and a dark purple. The top hung loosely from his tall frame and was tucked into loose pants that were held up by a leather belt that had various pouches, small loops with viles attached to it, and what looked like a schmitar. He smiled a boxy smile as he turned to wave at the pair of you, a long silver earring swinging too and fro from his left ear and a charm hanging from the staff in his hand jingling lightly. You simply nodded in return before someone walking in behind him caught your eye. It was the guy in the suit of armor you ran head first in to earlier in the market! The stranger stood tall with his helmet in his hand before clearing his throat.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Jungkook and this is my partner Taehyung. We’re looking forwards to  seeing the city with you.”

[yourarmynoona]

The Warrior & the Warlock || Info Guide

So I decided to create this post as an info guide for readers who are following the TW&TW saga. It's hard to know the world and I do my best to describe it in detail but if you have questions, I'll do my best to answer in this post. From even races and culture, races in general, tribal affiliations, magic, and more, I have you covered!

What is the name of the nation in TW&TW?

Faerûn is the name of the world in this series and it is composed of many countries and cultures as well as crazy landscapes. This is one of the Three Realms for this AU.

Do you have a map of the world in TW&TW?

YES! I try to stay as close to this map as possible with the story so if you're ever confused about a location, take a look!

How many races are there in the world?

Oh jeez, there are the main races and several ethnicities under each. In the story, you'll be seeing about 7 or 8 races and ***SPOILER ALERT*** various species of beasts.

[theweirdandthewonderfulofficial]

Louisahhh's debut album 'The Practice Of Freedom' is almost here! Save the date of 13th of March to see what has been brewing over at HE.SHE.THEY. Records for the past year!

If you want a little teaser of what's to come, listen to Rebekah's remix of 'Numb, Undone' and check out its review on RA!

[theweirdandthewonderfulofficial]

HE.SHE.THEY. founders Steven and Sophia talk to Jaguar over on BBC Radio 1 about the label and upcoming projects and releases! Listen back here. To keep up to date with all the latest HE.SHE.THEY. releases follow our official Spotify Playlist!

[theweirdandthewonderfulofficial]

Kessler's remix of KRUDO's 'Erational' OUT NOW on HE.SHE.THEY. Records!