#mcdm chain

Hops

an exceedingly nimble dwarf woman with thick sideburns and tied-back hair. She wears a simple dress and an apron; when shes on a mission she'll change into light armor and a hood. She has a deep interest in the craftsmanship of alcohol (she has a soft spot for sour ales) but doesnt seem to drink large volumes. She is eager to be part of Angel's/Boots' spy network but is being kept away by Angel as she has already been seen around Capital as a Chain member.

She joined the chain as a way to experience the cultures, food and drink of the surface-dwellers of orden, and the timescape itself; the ability to test her steel and cunning in honorable (and not so honorable) combat was only a bonus.

What with the prevalence of reporters in the Stays and interest surrounding the Chain, I thought it might be interesting to consider one of these journalists approaching rank and file Chain members for interviews (sort of mockumentary style). While on the one hand I think Chain members know better than to blab, on the other hand what if this was sanctioned by the higher ups to drum up some good press and attract recruits. Maybe even conducted under the watchful eye of a Junior Officer (I’m assuming Two Shoes as the only one trusted and responsible enough for the project but who knows). 

I’m far from an expert in journalism, but here goes:

Alright, well, why don’t we start at the beginning: Where did you join the Chain of Acheron?

So, as far as I understand, Helltroopers get pretty descriptive nicknames when they join up. What’s the story behind yours? 

And what attracted you to the Chain initially? What was your first impression on joining? Has that impression changed lately?

Has anything really surprised you since joining the company? Any particular memories that stand out to you?

Why have you stayed on with the Chain? Do you see yourself sticking with the company for much longer?

And how exactly do you contribute to the Chain? Do you ever see yourself as doing more and moving up the ranks?

Do you have any beliefs or convictions apart from membership in the Chain?

I’ve heard that Helltroopers leave their old lives behind, but what was your life like before you joined the Chain?

What’s the most challenging thing about being a member of the Chain?

If you could direct the Chain’s next action, what would you have the company do?

What is your opinion on the Senior officers?

Any Helltroopers, officers or otherwise, you have a problem with?

What do you know about the Chain of Acheron’s intensions here in Capital?

I imagined this as starting out like a human interest piece that escalates into an interrogation. 

Fetter

Vanirman Monk (subclass tbd)

She’s on the taller side (not for a Vanirman but sure compared to the rest of the world), and fit af. Honestly though, she’s pretty average for a Vanirman, the only variation being her somewhat darker hair.

A woman of few words, she almost exclusively uses Chain Sign - theories vary as to why: can’t speak common, doesn’t have a tongue, is just fucking with everyone, etc. Nonetheless she manages to be plenty expressive and get her point across. 

She is a very big fan of the general adage: better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Independent by her own nature and her upbringing in the north, she respects rules that come from a place of strength and wisdom, but doesn’t care for authority for the sake of authority.

While no stranger to a fight, she’s slow to provoke with a generally easy-going attitude. She prefers to prove herself against forces far beyond her - nature itself.

Along with her general martial prowess, she’s well known for being an adept mountain climber and spelunker, having learned on the harsh glaciers of the north. She can often be found free climbing whatever happens to be around: cliffs, chasms, castles, and whatnot.

Unusual for a Vanirman, she favors fighting with her fists and improvised weapons. She’s particularly fond of using chains and pitons (which she has on her for scaling particularly intense slopes), and has frequently been known to use the chains as wraps to make her strikes that much more devastating.

She also doesn’t wear armor, but exclusively wears long sleeves (but you still see hella muscle definition tho). Rumor is that she has intense tattoos twisting up her arms that she’s hiding, but most people think that’s ridiculous.

Joined the Chain to see more of the world. She particularly respects the variety of skills the various members of the Chain display.

The Twins (Mercy and Truth)

Tieflings 

No consensus who is Twin 1 and who is Twin 2

Met the Chain of Acheron in Alloy towards the end of the Company’s time there; it’s unclear how long they had lived in the Burning City, and some things indicate they’ve also spent some time in Hell

Tend to wear loose fitting, light linen clothing indicative of Alloy (unless Matt Colville specifies otherwise)

Heavy accents (Infernal and Primordial)

Will talk about their past, but it usually sounds absurd and the story is often left unfinished as one of the twins will either trail off or be interrupted by the other (but as crazy as it always seems, they haven’t contradicted themselves yet)

Like to tease each other and bicker a lot, but are extremely protective of one another

Trust Issues (but the Chain is growing on them)

Don’t like to stay in the same place for too long, and are generally excited to travel to new places and see strange things

Don’t actually like taking orders and will be petty about it

Afraid of heights

Such stupid kids tbh

Mercy

Phoenix Soul Sorcerer

Chaotic Neutral (Evil leaning)

5’, she/her, unnatrual white skin, silver hair, black horns that start at her temples and sweep back along the sides of her head, magenta eyes with black sclera, tail that tapers flat like a thresher shark

Eyes occasionally glow, the center of her irises turning white, fading to yellow, orange, and finally back to magenta (as per her subclass flavor)

Burn scars

Nicknamed by her brother sarcastically and now she’s stuck with it; “You may call me Mercy, but don’t expect me to have any.”

A little sadistic, but can be kept in check (give her a reason to and she will set you on fire though)

Sites her brother as her moral compass

Honest (unless she’s covering for her brother)

Reckless

Smarter than her brother (by like 1 but likes to remind him of it)

Cheeky and likes to get the last word (occasionally by any means necessary); particularly sharp tongued when on the defensive

A good bet if your goal is destruction

Would call Big Cat a pretty kitty

Truth

Inquisitive Rogue

Chaotic Neutral

6’1”, extremely dark grey skin, black hair, bone white horns that start at his temples and arch up and curve over the top of his head, magenta eyes with black sclera, tail that tapers flat like a thresher shark

Missing a chunk of one of his horns

Nicknamed by his sister sarcastically and now he’s stuck with it; “You may call me Truth, just don’t expect me to share it with you.”

Compulsive liar, but doesn’t lie to his sister (not as of yet anyways)

Huge flirt (his sister sometimes plays his wingman)

Sneaky son of a bitch

Somewhat cautious

Older than his sister (by only a few minutes but likes to reminder her of it)

Definitely knows Mercy’s True Name

Has a misshapen pearl earring he got when he beat Mercy at chess (or Orden equivalent) as she was using it as her queen; he claims it reminds him of her

Some songs that give me vibes for these characters:

Mark (not his real name)

a new recruit, a Riojan man with messy short-ish black hair and a close cropped beard, seems to be in his late 30s. He is an excellent archer and not bad swordsman either. He loves to play cards and other gambling games with the rest of the helltroopers (though he mostly loses); though hes a pretty calm guy and takes his losses in stride. He spends a lot of time learning and practicing chain sign, and seems to be picking it up quickly. He can read pretty well although he mostly cares about books on Caelian engineering, architecture, and warfare. It's clear to the other members that he has served in some military capacity previously based on how he carries himself (and sometimes slips up and give the Riojan salute) but never brings it up-that life is gone now. He doesn't talk much outside of the increasingly frequent use of chain sign and other simple gestures and emoting.

Hes joined up with a mercenary company because part of him missed service and the opportunity for gold; and the chain specifically because chain sign and the chronicle were a great interest to him.

Were he to be a player character he would be a human fighter (probably battlemaster) with the solider background