Based on the tabletop RPG game Gloomhaven. The Vermling race also belongs to the game.
The characters and story, however, are my own. I gave my favourite character (Damien, aka Diggy Boi), who I was playing with, his very own story.
It was the dead of night. It had just rained, and the ground was wet. My feet made little splashes with each step on the cobblestone. I had spent the day out scavenging for food for my family and collecting trinkets and weapons for myself. Being the eldest son, it was my duty to keep my siblings fed.
I spent most of the day scavenging in the shadows and alleyways of Gloomhaven. Empty houses, behind pubs and landfills, were places I would be found digging through. I would always walk on my hind legs and hide behind my cloak; I could easily be mistaken as a halfling if you were to catch a glimpse of me. You won’t see many of my kind around out in the open. Most of us kept to the alleyways and darker parts of town when we were up on the surface to avoid being driven out or killed.
Our home is in the sewers, underneath the city. That was where I was headed after a busy day. My pouches were full of food and trinkets. As I walked through the streets, I reached a manhole that was closest to my home. It was surrounded by tall buildings that blocked out the light. The alley leading to it was filled with rubbish, and it smelled of rotten fish and vegetables. Most would turn away at the stench, but for me, it was home.
As I reached the sewer entrance, I looked around to see if anyone was looking. I saw that it was deserted, so I bent over and lifted the steel cover. I jumped in and closed it up behind me. I climbed down the steps and descended deep into the dank sewers. When I reached the bottom, I landed in a large puddle from the rain earlier. The tunnels were dark, but it was my home, and I knew exactly where I was headed. As I headed deeper, lights started shining through.
When I stepped into the light, the tunnels opened up to a whole underground city. It was nestled within the vast network of sewers beneath the surface. It mirrored the human cities above, with streets, little homes and a variety of establishments. The city was illuminated by bioluminescent fungi and salvaged human lighting fixtures, casting a warm flow over the busy streets.
As I walked through the narrow, well-maintained streets, I could see the familiar small arches made from old sewer grates and pipes frame the entrances of each establishment. It was warm, and I was never sick of the sights and smells. As much as I hated the surface world, I loved the underworld.
When I got to my home, I opened the door and was met with a flurry of fur yelling and running towards me.
“Damien!! You’re back!! What did you bring us?!” Exclaimed Luna, my youngest sister. She had a small light pink dress on with a small bow on one of her ears. I loved her dearly. She was always so kind.
“Yer late, Diggy Boi!” Yelled Darius as he jumped onto my back and slapped my head. He was the second oldest and always dressed in ripped leather. As kids, we would always be found together causing mischief.
I could see my other siblings fighting over each other to see who could reach me.
“Kids! Will you shut up?!” I could hear my mother screaming before turning the corner. My siblings stopped fighting, and she walked over to me.
“Damien! I was so worried about you. You were out later than usual.”
“I lost track of time, mum. But I'm back now, yeah? And you can see I brought back a lot of stuff.” I casually said.
“You’re such a good boy. You take such great care of your brothers and sisters. Darius looks up to you, you know.”
I shrugged and grinned.
“Come on, guys. Let’s go eat.” I said to my siblings as we all headed for the kitchen.
I unpacked all the food I scavenged from the day and laid it all out. My siblings got excited and started fighting each other over it.
I smiled at them before leaving for my room. I dug through my pouch for the trinkets that I had stolen and went through them one by one.
A lot of it was useless, and I could give it to my siblings. There were items that I could use to make new light armour. But there was one item that I couldn’t wait to examine. It was a small and beautiful dagger. The handle was polished silver with red gems built into it. The blade was sharp with a slight curve. I had snatched it off an unsuspecting city guard.
The dagger fits so perfectly in my hand, and it pairs well with a previous blade that I had stolen. I glanced over to my cabinet, filled with poisons that I had crafted and prepared. My plan was to coat my daggers in these deadly concoctions for the fight ahead. Unbeknownst to anyone, I have been plotting to reclaim the surface world from the worthless humans who drove my race into the sewers. I’ve been patient, but the time is near.
I stared at my dagger with bloodlust building in my eyes.
Love it! My partner and I have played hundreds of hours of Gloomhaven.
My favorite character was my Quatryl Trixie.