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.
I was sitting at my desk, getting lost in my thoughts and plans, when all of a sudden, I heard a knock at the door. I jolted from my seat, and without any more warning, my brother Darius kicked open my door. “Wotcha got there, Diggy Boi?!” As he looked at my dagger.
Diggy Boi, only Darius called me that. It was such a stupid name, but it grew on me over time. All my other siblings called me Damien or Big Brother. Growing up, Darius and I were always close. Where I went, he followed. He would always see me digging for scraps, and hence, my name.
“Nothing!” I responded and quickly hid the dagger behind me.
“I know ya got somethin’ there.” He tried to peek behind me.
“Get outta here!”
“No!” He lunged towards me and wrestled the dagger out of my hands. “Whoa!! Where ya get dis?” His eyes widened when he saw the bejewelled handle.
“Stole it, duh.” I shrugged.
“Wotcha gunna do with it?” He asked suspiciously. He has known me well enough to know something was up.
“Wotsit matter?” I snapped back and glared at him annoyingly.
“Thought we were close, man. I know yer up to somethin’, and I want in on it.” His face softened when he saw my annoyance. “Look, wotever it is yer up to, I wanna help.”
“It’s dangerous, wot I’m ‘bout to do,” I responded as I let my guard down, not sure why I was getting worked up in the first place.
“So? Ya think that’ll scare me?”
“Fine, ya stubborn fool. I’m leaving…”
“WOT?!” Darius yelled before I could continue.
“Oy, would ya shut up and lemme finish?” I snapped. Darius backed down and went quiet. “As I was sayin’, I’m leavin’ to the surface world. I want to take it back for our race. Those cursed humans ran us out.” I could feel the bitterness run through me thinking about it.
“I like it here, though. We’re all safer down here. No one pays us no mind.” Darius said as he looked around my room and took it all in.
“I know, but we used to have free reign above ground. Now we’re nothing but rubbish or target practice for those scum, and I’m so sick of it!”
“Diggy, don’t risk yer life fer that, man’.”
“Ya don’t get it. Ya haven’t been up there in a long time. It’s gettin’ harder to gather food. Why do ya think I’ve been gettin’ back later?”
Darius sighed loudly, “Well, Diggy, if ya think it’s betta for us, then I’ll come with ya.”
“I need ya here.”
“I’m not some punk kid ya can push around; I’m comin’ whether ya like it or not! I’ve been down here long enough.” he retorted.
“No, I do need yer help, but I need ya here,” I reassured him, knowing I couldn’t shake him off either way. “Trust me, you’ll know when the time comes. I just need to work out a few more things.”
Darius smirked proudly, knowing he had me include him. “Catch ya later.” He said as he grabbed a pillow and threw it at my head before leaving.
“Close the door, will ya?”
“Wotever.” As he closed the door behind him.
I tossed the pillow back onto my bed and leaned back into my chair, staring at my ceiling. I let my thoughts take over again and began planning my next moves.