someone is watching us...

inependent Thomas of Dishonored Cas || 30+

[withourtraces]

about || hc || rules

the first conscripted whaler and arcane bonded of dunwall

always in the periphery of every major event since he was born

a complete nobody, and take that quite literally

loyal to the death and beyond

do you like guys with incredible observation skills?

do you like dudes with a lot less toes than they should have?

sea shanty enjoyer

chain smoker

will eat anything

the mask stays on during-

[withourtraces]

What the fuck IS THAT THING?!

The last thing Thomas saw was a towering shape yawning into the sky. Pitch black, like a dark dream. The city of Alba was split in two by a scar that tore reality asunder. Earth exploded from under it, every piece of wood and metal ripped to shreds. Clutching a harpoon buried deep in the blubber of a bull whale that was hung for butchery but not yet dead, Thomas held on when the first pulsing wave of force hit with a spectacular cloud of dust. His body broke under the whaling gear, one of the lenses cracking inward and breaking the seal of his mask.

The second pulse threw one of his hands off the harpoon and he dangled like a flag in a typhoon, legs ripped from under him.

GET OVERBOARD. GET OFF THE SHIP-

Scatters of screams were lost to a low humming, deafening explosion.

His hand slipped, and he was thrown into the sky. When he reached into the Void, it was already too late. Shrapnel from the destroyed ship in port flew like bolts and knives in slow motion around him, and the force knocked the whale from its suspension rigging aboard the KELEGA.

The shadow of the bloodied behemoth was flung with him backwards.

Something shattered in him with the force of the explosion and he shut his eyes, feeling a sensation like he was thrown into the water as his body slipped into the void reflexively, vanishing. His soul kept drifting, absent from the world, until the precious seconds of his deformed blink ran out.

Three, two, one.

Impact.

When he re-appeared, it was against a destroyed, rocky shore, his body bobbing like lifeless driftwood, the respirator on his face burbled with foam and water, shattered inward.

And then there was nothing.

[twinbladeknife]

1853

Thomas,

It’s Billie now. It always has been, really. I tried to kill her, and she refused to die.

I know why you lied, yeah. I appreciate it.

I found him at the Albarca baths, he was being tortured by a cult that worships The Outsider. They were forcing him to fight like a dog in the Hounds pit.

He was so sick because of it. But happy to see me. Please don’t worry about that, we reconciled.

He sent me after a void artifact. I found it, I stole it, but he passed away on the Wale while I was gone.

He was so weak when I found him, I knew he didnt have much time.

The Wale’s been set ablaze, I made it his funeral pyre. It was already falling apart, barely hanging on, I don’t feel bad about it.

I’m going to finish what he started, though.

I don’t know what to expect, but I want you to know I’ve always treasured your friendship. Wherever life takes you, now, I hope it’s on calmer waters.

Sorry if I worried you. Thank you for all your kindness. I love you. forgive me.

- Lurk.

[The letter was never received.]

[withourtraces]

1853

Billie,

I haven't heard from you since I sent that letter last year.

I don't know where to send this. I'll leave it in Karnaca when I return.

I left Daud his blade. If he's killed you it was because of me. I'm sorry I couldn't choose sooner.

If Daud killed you, I'll meet you in the Void at a bar, because I know that the years are going to be long and lonely otherwise. I have friends in all corners of the world, but pretending like we didn't do what we did back then is impossible.

I'm in Alba. I've been recruited as an information agent in their stupid wars, while it feels like everything has gone the way of the moon.

This letter might go nowhere. If you get it, I'm returning to Karnaca. I'll be at the same place as last time.

Are you hiring crew, Captain?

-- Thomas

[twinbladeknife]

1852

Thomas,

I can count the Empress among the Wales many passengers now. I’ve been ferrying her between Dunwall and Serkonos to assist her with Delilah.

She’s someone I consider a friend now. Funny, considering our history. She’s a good friend, though. Grew up as beautiful as her mother.

I wouldn’t bring up Daud if it wasn’t mission critical. I dont want to involve you, but I dont have any other leads.

The nightmares havent stopped. If they’re trying to tell me something, it involves a lot of suffering for no reason.

After all this, I’m tired of running away.

I just hope you’re doing well.

- Lurk

[withourtraces]

Billie. Or Meagan. Or whatever you go by these days, I don't know anymore.

It was easy to pretend we didn't know each other when you were Meagan. We agreed to respect both our new lives and not dredge up bad memories. So what are you doing?

Yeah. I saw him. Two years ago, here, in Karnaca. He even asked after you. I said I hadn't seen you since that night in the Flooded District. I'm sure you know why I lied.

He never stopped killing, you know. He's got the same old grudges. I just hope you're not one of them.

-T

[The note is rushed and seems uneasy. On the back is scrawled 'Meet me soon.']

[twinbladeknife]

1850

Thomas, forgive me for not finding your last letter sooner. Something happened, recently. I can’t explain it, but it has to do with my friend Aramis Stilton in Karnaca. Ever since I last visited him, I’ve been plagued with nightmares of being attacked by the grand guard, I lose my arm and eye in the process.

I don’t understand them. They keep me awake at night, I haven’t been sleeping.

Have you seen Daud at all? There's a few things I need to ask him about. He’s made himself extremely hard to track down.

Keep yourself safe. This Crown Killer situation doesn’t bode well and reeks of Brigmore.

                                                                          - M I miss you

[withourtraces]

1851

Meagan,

I thought we agreed on not bringing up the past.

I don't know what to say about the nightmares. Maybe they're trying to tell you something. Don't go running after the guard here for answers.

-T

[Much of the letter has been crossed out.]

[twinbladeknife]

1847

Thomas, Just address things to the Wale. I usually dock in Karnaca at least once a year, or try too, at least.

[There's several long strings of blocked out text from her scribbling with a pen]

You remember Anton Sokolov, right? I picked him up recently and brought him on my ship. I regret this immensely. He's done nothing but turn the Wale into a den of science experiments gone wrong. There's bloodfly hives in the cargo hold. I'm going to throw him overboard if he doesn't knock it off, but I need his expertise. I hate this.

Might be a good idea to stay away from Karnaca for a while until the unrest calms down, though. If you're ever in Morley, I have a box in Wynnedown too.

I'm turning the whale tooth into a necklace. It's very thoughtful, thank you.

Safe journey, - M (Keep this gift or sell it if you need the coin, should be worth a lot.)

This letter came attached to a small canvas- a Sokolov painting depicting a shipyard full of whalers hard at work.

[withourtraces]

1849

Meagan, I haven't been in the Isles for a year. I've been off the coast of Pandyssia. The whales are disappearing eastward. I've been to the Pandyssian Islands.

The Kelega is going to be one of the last whaling ships.

Why the hell do you have Sokolov? I feel like I've missed too much in two years. Philosophers like that always seemed moonstruck. At least you get something out of it. Bloodflies are getting worse in Karnaca. There's something else going on, too. Something strange. Thanks for the painting. I traded it to a private collector for some coin. 

[There's a large puddle of ink on the page, as if it was spilled, but there's a dug in impression on the page, hidden. "I wanted to ask-"] 

I don't know when I will hear from you next. I will be in Karnaca no matter what unrest there is next year. I will be in Morley once the following year. Meet me in Karnaca in the summer if you get this. 

Same place. I have something to give you. - T

[twinbladeknife]

1844

Thomas, It was good to see you again. Thank you for the drinks. I know this is likely finding you a long time after the fact, but I'm overjoyed to see you survived. Even if that old charm didn't have any power, I guess it served it's purpose of protection. I'd have hated to see Dunwalls ghost taken out so easily. 

I wanted to  Do you remember w  I was thinking of y 

I found this lighter in Serkonos. Figured you'd need a new one if your old one was lost to the sea. I'll find a way to put this plank to good use. Might make a nice art piece. Safe waters, my friend. - M

A flip-top lighter was included this time, made of a smooth silver metal carved with the image of a whale on one side, and Thomas' name etched into it on the other.

[withourtraces]

1846

Meagan, I'm on a new ship, the Kelega.

On a new route that docks in Serkonos rarely. I stayed in Karnaca for a year after you left. The Dreadful Wale never returned to port. I don't know where to send this letter, so I will leave it in Karnaca for you.

If you come back and find this, tell me where I can find you.

Thanks for the lighter. My old one was taken by the ocean. I was thinking about what you told me. You're out of practice lying.

I took a whale tooth for you. If you believe the superstition, it's for letting ghosts go. Safe waters to you. - T

He'd sent a small tooth, a calf tooth, with a hole drilled into it by hand.

[twinbladeknife]

1842

Thomas,

The Abbey can't touch you where you are. To the void with their teachings.

The sea doesn't give a shit what humans think is taboo, she'll swallow you whole either way and never feel a lick of remorse.

Smoke, drink, whatever you fancy. You've got one life, live it how you want.

I did get my hands on it. I've stripped the name off the side, settled on a name. The Dreadful Wale. Small skiff, bit of a project, but, it's worth working on.

I'll take you up on that, and make sure I head for Karnaca in the winter. Thank you. The drink was good. I'm sending a bonecharm I found in Tyvia. I don't think it has much power to it, it's made of Ice seal tusk, but you always seemed to have a real knack for using them. Maybe you can figure out what it does. - M

It was a bonecharm simply labeled for 'protection from illness'.

[withourtraces]

1843

Meagan,

I got your letter early. I got your charm. I don't believe in the Strictures, but I know them. I won't reveal your heresy. Particularly because your charm is just a fishmonger's tale. I think it brought me a little luck, because the Loraine's at the bottom of the ocean.

Sunk by a whale. A big bull. Not everybody made it, but another ship, the Gallant picked up who did. Your charm's gone, but I'm still here.

You must be smoking a lot, drinking a lot. You're staining your letters with smoke.

See you in half a year. - T

He burned a mark into this one with a cigarette, and tied a piece of the old ship to it. Just a scrap of wood, salt spattered. The last remains of the Loraine.

[withourtraces]

rules/boundaries

my writing boundaries/ stuff I expect from people who want to write (ps I want to write I am writing. I like writing. At length.) I'm here to write characters doing adventure.

I had to think about this for a while. Subject to change/expand.

I truly don't believe in ooc dash vagueing as a way to address any issue. It does not promote community health and proven time and time again destroys it. This doubles for callout blogs / shoutout blogs for venting. I will block if I find out you have submitted something to a callout blog. I will also block you for vagueing.

I enjoy directness the most. You want to do something? Talk to me about what you want to do. The best way to RP with me is talk to me consistently.

I like when people are super passionate about their characters and would love to hear about it. I do in fact want to hear about your character.

I like mutual investment in the story beyond a "romantic" plot. If romance happens it happens. I'm really into horror and adventure.

You gotta talk to me to write. DM's are open and I'm absolutely interested in hearing about the ideas you have at any time. I'll get to responding when I get to it.

My fav style of writing is "yes and" and "what if" to increasingly wildass ideas. This is the best way to write with me. Bring a whack idea to me and we can figure it out.

I have an issue with non-con from other players without my explicit consent. I'm not interested in rping non-con. If this is a problem for you, I suggest you find someone else to play with.

I'm super against metagaming without communication. I'm trying to constantly talk to my partners and check what is cool and what isn't.

I am against using characters to "get back at" people through roleplay. This has been a recurring theme. If you don't like me, that's fine. Respect me as a person.

I'm super against the "whump and dump" IE: when one person uses another person to exclusively have their character use a person For Whump without respect to that person. If you're not interested in playing with me as a person and having fun, then I don't see any reason to roleplay together.

NSFT is fine to me. I am not writing hot steamy sex on the dash with another person. My wild days are over. I'll do nsft memes and I'll do solo character studies. If you're looking for some hot cybering, you might want to find someone else.

I like using dice randomness to solve some outcomes but not all. Talk about the end result of what you want to write. This is optional. I'm not going to force you to roll dice. I just like to.

I really don't tolerate bullying. Break my boundaries accidentally that's fine. Do it repeatedly or intentionally, goodbye.

Blocking is not a moral issue to me. If you want to block me, block me.

If you're acting like a fool to me I'll tell you about it. If you consistently act like a fool to me and haven't made the effort, you're gone.

I don't interface with TERF rhetoric. I don't want to see racist shit on my dash. I don't interface with anyone who refuses to acknowledge indigenous people.

You will not ever use AI to speak to me or roleplay with me. It's copping out, and chickening out. I do not consent to AI training on my content or my writing.

Please respect my boundaries. I will respect yours to the best of my ability. If I misstep, tell me so I can correct it.

You'll see my commissioning art (Also you should commission artists). Artists are credited on my art credits page.

[twinbladeknife]

1841

Thomas,

You always have your hands on a whale, it seems. One way or another. I just hope this new line of work is kinder to you then Greaves was, though by your accounts, the bar is in hell.

I've been making my way around Serkonos too. Karnaca is lively, way nicer then Dunwall by a mile. I'm in talks to procure a ship for myself soon. Need the work, I can't keep getting ferried everywhere. Shipping things around doesn't sound that interesting, but at least I'd get to explore the isles a bit more. Stay safe.

Hope the tobacco reaches you unharmed. - M

The letter was tied to a small box of fine Serkonan tobacco, rolled into a neat set of 10 cigarettes.

[withourtraces]

1842

Meagan, 

Got your letter. Thanks for the herb. Heresy I know, but I miss the smokes from Greaves. The Whalehouse wasn't bad enough that I'd consider jumping in the Wrenhaven. Guess my accounts of the place must've left an impression on you. I thought I was sharing stories over drinks. 

It's warmer in Serkonos, but winter's here. We sail north now on the Loraine. We took three whales. Not great. Folks are saying the trade is dying, but Dunwall is so hungry for oil. The more I've been at sea, the more I wonder if I should've always been here. 

Once you find a ship, you have to strip the name off it and make it your own. 

Maybe we will meet in Karnaca in a year. The Loraine will dock in the winter, along with anything she catches. There's a watering hole, First Catch, along the docks in the south side. I'll leave a few drinks under your name. 

Never occurred to me that we saw the same sky. Now it occurs to me that we're on the same seas. 

Safe waters to you. 

Left you a bottle of something I brewed out of Serkonan plums. - T

[withourtraces]

1841

You asked me to leave everything from the past out of these letters, so I will.

Meagan, 

I've left Dunwall behind me for the first time. 

I'm shipping out with other men on The Loraine, a whaling ship docked in Baleton, to become a whaler. We are said to be hunting pods to the south of the Isles, and docking in Saggunto before leaving again. Never seen other cities. I know Dunwall like the back of my hand, but I don't know anywhere else. 

Postmark any letters to The Loraine. If you write me back, I'll get it.

- T

@twinbladeknife

[withourtraces]

billie, thomas, daud :)~.

[withourtraces]

lets go tommy boy

[withourtraces]

about thomas

Name: Thomas Sameil Age: 41 Description:

Thomas is a 6'2’’ man with an unassuming, weather-worn, tanned and salt spitted face, with a shaved head. He is broad shouldered and wiry. Part of his calf has a chunk taken out of it and is always covered by cloth. He is missing five toes between two feet, and a middle finger on his left hand. No stubble seems to like his chin, which is disappointing. Thomas has a scar over his right eyebrow. Usually he keeps a hood up over his face, or a working mask over his mouth.

In his Whaling attire, he wears a very thick mask with a filter at the beak, that has chlorine green lenses and completely obscures his face. He prefers to be faceless.

Thomas was born in 1812 during the Month of Ice to an extremely impoverished family with three other sons. Born in Dunwall, Gristol, work for the lower caste was exceptionally grueling, unforgiving, and mirthless. Opportunities to rise in the caste system were non-existent, and the famines of that year made eating an impossibility. Unsure of what to do, his mother and father agreed to sell him into a trade when he was 6, and he began work at the Greaves Whale House. Work was ruthless, and a lifestyle that didn’t allow for much of a childhood to happen at all. His coworkers were prison laborers who would never escape the hours, and the undesirables of Dunwall’s underbelly. The incredible industrial boom meant coin flowed fast for the upper crust who invested in Whale Oil and their industries, but very little of it went to the workers.

At age 8, he met Daud. Daud was his coworker and whale butchery worker, before the two of them escaped that dreadful place and began to enact their disdain for the upper class upon Dunwall. Thomas became Daud’s first assassin, his scout, and a friend. For years, The Whalers carved high born nobles of Dunwall up, paid by other nobles. The beginning of the end of that was when Empress Jessamine Kaldwin’s contract. Daud murdered the empress, and broke.

Thomas continued to serve Daud for missions after that moment, but he could sense the drastic change in the master assassin, and noted the Whaler’s impending doom. Without Daud’s magnetic violence, there wasn’t going to be a Whaler gang.

He was correct. Daud left. Thomas tried to mitigate the damage by leading the Whalers himself, to no avail. He couldn’t draw people in like Daud did, and the supernatural abilities that defined most of them were fading.

A culminating incident led him to disbanding the Whalers.

Thomas faked his death shortly after that, seeing no end to the cycle of violence and no way to continue without Daud.

He kept in contact with his fellow assassin, Billie, continuing to scout information for the shattered remains of the Whalers while taking jobs at Karnaca’s docks and living off the blood money he’d saved for over a decade of assassination jobs, and the money he was making from conscription on various expedition and Whaling vessels.

In 1850, he saw Daud again, and sheltered him for a time while the man got back on his feet. He never saw him again.

And life continued, but the world seemed like it was falling apart.

In 1853, while he was sailing around Morley as a conscripted guard against pirates, a horrific rift in reality appeared and seemed to tear the shoreline in two and keep going. Thomas went to shore, and ended up here.

Personality:

How does your character act? What personality traits stand out about them? How do they react to different situations? Etc. (This is required to be 10 sentences long or more. We will not accept any less than that.)

Thomas is a middle-aged man that has had a calm and even temper his entire life. The expectation of his life was a constant stream of destitution, and his expectations had always been met for his entire childhood, only shifting upon meeting Daud. Daud’s vision of a bloodbath of nobles was one that was fantastical, but Thomas took it very seriously as the kind of work that would ensure their survival. Nobles had money and the means to eat, and from personal experience, Thomas had always seen them as a kind of cannibal.

Thomas is a quiet, meditative personality that will always play a middle, rational party unless he is pushed to one or another side by an extreme stressor. He doesn’t make decisions without all of the information himself, making him a terrible leader for fast paced work, but an incredible scout with a keen eye for detail. He was the best surveyor the Whalers had, and even after his shadowy days are over, he still has an incredible perception of the world around him. Thomas loves exploring the world around him, and engaging in new experiences. He enjoys the freedom to walk away from something, but is patient enough to suffer periods of time where that isn’t possible.

In terms of personality, Thomas can mitigate and redirect anger like no other. He is a good friend, fiercely loyal, and protective of those he calls friends. He is modest, not boisterous, prideful, or vain. He considers those in power to be willfully incompetent, and addicted to their own riches.

When it comes to people, he prefers seeing everyone else’s true face, while hiding his own behind a mask to navigate interactions. He once again, is navigating social landscapes for all of the information. Thomas seems like an empathetic ear at all times. People tell him things that they might not reveal to their closest loved ones. He uses the secrets he hears to guard the people he trusts and calls allies.

Old habits die hard. He might have vanished from his time as a simple sailor, but there is nothing simple about the way he learned to navigate the world and its people.