#poor pine

masterlist

While their status as household pets and decoration is widely known, there are far more gruesome uses for a Dryad; things not discussed in polite company, if at all.

Many human scientists have taken to researching the species' regenerative properties, often subjecting Dryads to brutal experiments in order to test and document their limits.

Other researchers try for innovation: experimenting with Dryads' limbs and organs in an effort to create something that would be compatible with a human in need of a transplant, or testing new agricultural formulas and methods.

Not every research project is legal, but most governments are willing to turn a blind eye to the science guilds' work on Dryads in the name of progress.

Darker still are the underground circles frequented by those who are rich and depraved enough to access them. Here, Dryads (and Naiads) may be forced to fight, experimented on by inexperienced lords, or even eaten as a delicacy.

(art under the cut. cw for vivisection/gore)

I started to play and it got out of hand, haha!

War: Foster brother (of no biological relation) recruited with Death into the crime world, only on the weapons end, and she now uses as a connection. He knows near everyone in the arms dealing world - including Roper, who he had dealings with and now aims to take the place of in his way - and is a touch miffed Death cleaned out one of his main sources all for an agent more likely to arrest than join them. He is, in fact, the father of the child she never had and one of the very few she enjoys beyond “just business”. War is remarkably unassuming, often presenting as a meek, awkward, military tech genius (though never a solider), but like Death he’s incredibly vicious and without remorse. He’s also been described as “aggressively smart” and highly manipulative.

...AND...

Ruin: Mentor to and recruiter of both War and Death in the world of espionage and crime; if the two were to have a father figure, it’d be him. Still sometime assassin he helped cover some of War and Death’s first kills and got them the training and connections they needed to start their own careers. In exchange for a percentage he gets Death a vast majority of her jobs and negotiates many of War’s deals through his various connections. Ruin’s quite displeased to see Death getting close to anyone outside his little organization, but especially someone on the other side of the law who could not only take her down, but him and everyone else he knows. Presents as friendly and relaxed, but can quickly and suddenly turn very violent when crossed. He maintains a cover of a “well-being manager” for major companies around the world and running a series of non-profit orphanages...the second actually a front for his own recruiting of assets, often picking those already primed for his world and just needing a little “guidance and purpose”.

...Only thing I’m not sure of is if Pine should be assigned to take this little “organization” down - including Death - OR if he should stumble upon it through Death and decide to take them down, while simultaneously torn about whether or not to let Death slip away.

Leaning towards the second...Whaddya think?