Penance Gaiden

Birth

Penances mother Juliann was a well known member of the high council and powerful summoner, married and with no children.  Then all changed one day, the long time enemies of the Atellians the Demons of the demon world mast at the gates between the worlds in which looked like a standard raid under the banner of Set, Juliann was sent in to counter the threat, the battle was a disaster the arrogant council were stingy in giving Juliann the right amount of forces assuming her summoners powers alone could win the battle, it wasnt until the council released the danger when they finally sent reinforcements and the demons defeated. However it came at a price the exhausted Juliann was captured by a group of demons during the heat of battle and dragged into the demon world and was brought before Set.

After various experiments the demons impregnated Juliann via artificial means using cells from Set, she was then cast out the demon world back to her own. Upon returning to Atellier everyone was shocked to see her return including her husband who had remarried, Juliann was however welcomed back to the council a way of the council saying sorry and she kept what happened in the demon world secret seeing her unborn baby despite the circumstances all she had left, she did make up the lie that she escaped shortly after getting kidnapped and stayed in a small village while she recuperated.

Nine month later Penance was born, he looked like a normal Atellian boy but with a secret as dark as his wings, in order to protect her child Juliann made up a lie that the child was the result of an affair she had with someone she met while resting.

Growing Up

Penance led a normal life growing up like most normal children with parents in high places until the day he turned five Penance showed incredible strength greater than that of a fully grown Atellian, for this he became an outcast, people feared him, he was bullied until the day came when he burst into a rage and nearly killed a group of older kids after that no one went near him but his mother who loved him greatly. When Penance turned 17 his mother died of a mysterious illness but not before telling Penance about who his father technically is and how the council left her for dead, and according to tradition Penance was appointed to replace her in the council despite the councils attempts to find a loop hole but no one could go against the ages old traditions of the Atellian race.

With his mother gone there was no one for Penance and he took to depression and became a very quite person, but secretly growing inside him was a deep hatred towards the Atellian race and especially the arrogant power hungry council, However this hatred was also felt towards him people both jealous and scared of his strength and now high stature, he was officially the youngest council member in the history of the Atellians.

Gaining Power

The council wanted nothing more than for Penance now 20 to die and so when one day things started to get uneasy at the Demon gate Penance was sent with very few men, an army that would stand no chance against even the most basic of Demon raids.

Penance reached the demon gate with his petty army the demons had already massed out side, Penance saw the fear in his army against the overwhelming demon army and preying on there fear took the opportunity to gain there trust giving them motivating talks, but what really one the hearts was when Penance saying that they dont deserve to suffer and die because the council want to kill him and offered them to leave and that he alone will face the demons. The soldiers inspired by his kindness and bravery all had a changed prospective and the man they were taught to hate.

After the army had left Penance walked to the Demon camp coolly, there he met a great red demon with a double headed axe, Beelzebub. The demons laughed as the lone Atellian started claiming that he was here to meet his father Set. Penance demonstrated his demon blood by blowing off the head of petty demon with a demon ball, the demons angered were about to attack when Beelzebub stopped them. He informed Penance that Set had been killed by Diablos and that they were all that was left of his army, they traveled to Spira in order to relies his dream of conjuring it. It was then Penance stated that he will carry on Set legacy and conjure the Atellians for him, it was then a specter of Set appeared before Penance and Beelzebub, Set informed Penance of three artifacts in demonic artifacts with power even he feared and could not control, instructing Beelzebub to bring out the crate he was asked to hide as they fled from Diablos forces. In the crate was a sword, a jewel and an orb.

The Sword Oblivion immediately gave Penance a shiver of overwhelming power, as he picked it up the sword it reacted to his summoner and demon blood and a dark aura surrounded it.  As instructed Penance placed the jewel on his bare chest and was suddenly overtaken with great pain as the jewel carved a slot for itself in Penances chest had it not been for his demon blood he would not have survived the ordeal Set informed Penance that this jewel allows him to absorb the power and soul of those he kills adding all there strength, magical force and skills to him.  Finally Set informed him of the properties of the jewel, it allowed him to reanimate the dead who would serve him loyally and fight without fear, not only that it would allow him to take souls out of the farplain to force them back into physical form.

With all that said Set made the choice to allowed himself to join Penance via the jewel further, this made Penance grow another two wings and caused him to almost erupt with power. Now with new even greater powers and an army of demons at his back Penance was ready to get his revenge on the council and fulfill Sets ambition, but in order to do that much was needed to prepare.

Gaining Allies

Penance started off by catching up on those soldiers he let leave the battle, offering them a place in his army and giving them the chance to get back at the council who sent them to their deaths along with Penance. Few joined and those who refused to fight alongside demons were killed, there souls making Penance stronger, they later joined Penances army although against there own will.

Penance then traveled to the no mans land near the land of thunder.  There he met Ghede the leader of the human exiles a cross between human and Atellian which created sadistic geniuses experts in anatomy and genetics.  They were few in numbers but boosting there ranks were vile creations of various fiends and even modified humans.

Finally Penance declared war on the council, and pleaded for other Atellians to join him in rebelling against the corrupted council, many answered the call including Gaget the Master Engineer who long hated the council.

The Great Rebellion

At first Penance struggled in his war lacking the number to combat the powerful Atellians but after awhile things started to look up, Penances forces were unlimited, every enemy they fell to his forces soon found themselves fighting for Penance and every enemy killed by Penance himself made Penance stronger until the point he almost grew insane, the overwhelmed Atellian forces desperately called for help from the there long time allies the elfs but even with the combined forces they could not defeat Penance the elves only providing Penance with even greater power.

The Atellians send out there summoners but no matter what aeon they summoned Penance brought it down there power greatly enhancing his own, it came to the point where Penance go so power hungry he bagan to attack summoner temple and started absorbing the faith, this immense increase in power caused Penance to shape shift into a completely new form as tall as the sky. It was over for the Atellians and Elves, one by one the great cities of the two divine races burned to the ground.

The First Aeons
 

But the Atellians had one more trick up there sleeves, Ethrel the high summoner and her apprentices pleaded to the gods and the gods answered rising from the ocean depths appeared Levithan the entity which kept all water pure, coming down from the havens came the balance bird Tritoch, rising amongst the land came Ramuh to pass judgment and finally seeing the danger of Penance emerging from the demon world came the leader of all demons, Diablos, although not welcomed at first.

The greatest began as spira shook from the incredible battle; Penance was against the ropes and by using trickery managed to turn Diablos against his allies leading to the deaths of the first aeons.

The Avenging Angels
 

It was over the elf lands and cities were all but nearly gone the once powerful race down to very few. The Atellians had been destroyed apart from one, the capital of Atellier. Once again the council turned to Ethrel and her summoner apprentices, countless apprentices and warrior champions were desperately sacrificed in order to become faith but all in vain, it was then the Atellian had a break through when the first aeons came to Ethral in a dream, with the knowledge gained Ethral managed to bind the entities of the first aeons into four Atellians, the armies of the Atellians marched once again against Penance, the named Avenging angels engaging Penance only to be defeated soundly.

Once again the first aeons bond themselves to another four but were once again defeated, five times the cycle continued until Ethral died from exhaustion, without her assistance the first aeons could not bind themselves to fully grown adults and instead bound themselves to young children.

With help from the elves who took the young children into hiding they mastered there powers and upon reaching their 20s left the hiding place of Ellessar woods and undertook the angel trials created by Eden, the last faith and best apprentice of Ethral. With completion without a shadow of a doubt they believed they were ready. Unfortunatly Atellier was nearly reduced to rubble after barely surviving several attacks from Penances men, the Atellians number dwindling greatly.

Then the day came when the four angels assisted by a mighty elf would fight Penance. The battle was fierce, Penance demonstrating his ability to shrink down to his original form or jump up to his monstrous form. The angel were pushed back to Atellier when they went for it, combining all there powers and by using the host of Diablos connection with the demon world they opened up a great portal to the demon world, using all there life force the angels unleashed there greatest of blasts and in a mighty flash Penance was thrown into the portal, along with his army, when the light faded all that was left was the ruins of Atellier and sand, the surviving elves inspecting the land found only the five bodies of the Avenging Angels. The land where the great battle took place later became known as Bikianel Sands.


Just a brief over view, didnt go into depths with relations or how Penance got people like Ghede and Gaget to join him or his anything about his friends.

Bandit King

Kiba was born into family of bandits. His father was a well known bandit lord one highly sought after by the crusaders, yet one day he met his match with a rival bandit lord. One night while sleeping the rival bandits attacked. Kibas father and the other males fought desperately but in the end it was a massacre.

Kiba who by quick instructions by his mother ran and hid in the forest, when the sun began to rise and the fires died he returned, in the center of the settlement Kibas fathers body was impaled on a spike, a sick declaration of victory, yet the horrific sight never bothered Kiba, he had seen death, he was raised around suffering, he even assisted in slaughtering innocents, but this was his father, picking up a bloodied sword laying on the ground Kiba swore to kill those who did this. Then he heard a cry he approached a body which turned out to be his mother, an arrow through her back as she tried to flee, turning over the body Kiba saw his 4 year old brother Jerek crying at the loss of his mother, Kiba instructed his brother to go into the forest and hide, and that only to wait for him to return, after wiping the blood from his sword he left.  Those who survived were few but all those who did having no other leader turned to their heir. Kiba was only 12.

Kiba tracked his enemies to there home base, the bandits were indulging themselves in a victory drink, Kiba and his few men hid in the overgrowth outside the small settlement watching, waiting, patiently for his time to strike.

Night fell, and by this time the bandits had all drunk themselves to sleep, many still remained awake yet groggy. Silently Kiba crept from the overgrowth, avoiding those still awake and stepping over those asleep he approached the Bandit lords tent, he was still awake shouting loudly in a drunken state at those around him, yet most of them were asleep or to drunk to pay any attention, then they all gasped as Kiba ran his sword through the bandit lord, chopping off his head Kiba raised it in victory, the others in the tent reached for there weapons but stumped in there drunken states, one by one Kiba killed them all. Then stepping out the temp he raised the Bandit lords head a signal for his men to attack, the mostly passed out enemy were easily slaughtered by the very few bandits.  With this victory Kiba was crowned Bandit King at the age of 12.

With the fall of two of the greatest bandit leaders, bandit activity dropped drastically, Kiba spending most of his time defending himself from assassinations and killing gangs which might rise against him. When he was 21 he had his own sword created, a great sword with a double axed head and even got it magically enhanced giving him the power of earth magic. The next 3 years he spent training himself to use this larger than life sword. Before returning to his duties as a bandit, around this time Kiba started to become well known for his ruthlessness and intense strength; he was soon feared by both other bandits and Crusaders.

Revenge on Neji

Kiba now 26 was summoned to Luca by his brother, however upon arriving he was greeted by a group of panicking followers telling him Jerek had been killed by a man with a great silver like sword. Kiba for the first time wept by the body of his brother, then gripping his sword and swore vengeance on the man who killed his only family left.

Kiba chased after the man to Mushroom Rock after gathering information on a man with a silver sword, where operation Mihen took place. However he arrived to late the battle was over and Kiba believed the man was already dead.  Angered he retreated to the wilderness.

A few days later Kiba was attacked by a group of crusaders, easily he killed them all, but this attack turned out to be test, after the fight Mika stepped out the shadows and offered Kiba the chance to join him, he refused until Mika offered him a chance for revenge against the man he had hunted, the man Neji.  Hell-bent on revenge Kiba sold his soul and sword to Mika and became the first assassin.

The five assassins

As the first assassin Kiba was giving the job of working with Mika in recruiting other assassins to fight the other angels.  The second was a witch called Kirareq who hid herself away in Macalania forest, after Mika tempted the witch with more souls and magic she joined without a fight. The third was a legend in Guado tale, the story of a crazed Guado who was master of poisons, who also hunted innocents in the Thunder Plains, Kiba had to fight the Guado to test his abilities Mika was impressed and the fight was stopped when Kirareq stepped into sight promising herself in exchange for the Guados services, the Guado agreed.  Later Mika was approached by a figure dressed in Black requesting to join the assassins, not trusting the figure he ordered Kiba to get rid of them, however he was defeated only being able to knock back there hood to reveal an elf women the girl offered Mika one more chance to recruit her before she cut off Kibas head, Mika highly impressed recruited her and even appointed her the new leader of the assassins, much to Kibas dismay.  When Kerr was recruited the five assassins  set out on there first mission under Mika, hunt and kill the Avenging Angels.

Kiba finally got to meet his brothers killer in Macalania forest and there had his first fight against Neji, the overpowering Kiba defeated Neji but failed to kill him as Melinas aeon Bahamut forced him to retreat, furious he retreated.

He returned to Mika angered and requested more power so he could deal with both Neji and Melina, Mika infused Kiba with the power of a dark aeon greatly enhancing his strength but also through this power Kibas swords control of earth grew so much that he gained complete control of sand, however he became a loyal servant of Mika, hell bend only for revenge.

With his new powers Kiba fought Neji once again in Macalania forest, he was successful in not only defeating Melinas Bahamut, but also breaking Nejis powerful sword. He then proceeded to crush Neji to a near paralyzed state, before getting chased away by Nejis companions.

Death

Kiba fought Neji once again in the Calm Lands after Neji had completed his training with the elves; Kiba fought a brilliant battle and nearly killed Neji but was however killed by Nejis lightning edge attack.

Since Kiba was not sent and his soul was still connected to Mika his soul lingered in Spira, it was drawn to the Trials of the Angels, there his soul waited along with all those killed by Neji all eager for revenge. When Neji ventured into the angels trials Kiba was his final test emerging once Neji had defeated all other opponents, this form of Kiba was pale imitation of himself, and was defeated after a single combined lighting edge from Neji and Diablos.

Kiba soul was still however forced to remain in Spira until Mika passed on. His tortured soul was finally able to rest when Mika after being defeated by the angels, sent himself, Kiba joined him in his travel to the farplain.

Due to Kibas ruthlessness and crimes committed he was banished to dark lands in the Farplains a land of nothing where all those who have committed many serious crimes are sent a land where there is nothing to do but fight amongst themselves. Amongst those there were Mika, Seymour and his Assassin comrades and Kiba was reunited with his brother Jerek and even his entire family. Kiba remained by Mikas side serving as a body guard of the old soul in the troubled land.

In the Afterlife

During the 17 year time skip Kiba served under Mika and Seymour and together with the help of Selina brought order to the Dark Lands.

When Tanis travelled thought the Farplain Kiba was one of the many old enemies he met along the way, yet the pair didnt fight Kiba ended up standing at the sidelines while Selina fought Tanis.  After Selina was defeated, Kiba after following Mikas orders guided Tanis through the Dark Lands as a way of saying sorry for all the trouble he caused them while living.  This however angered Selina who barely survived the fight and once recovered she banished Kiba and Mika to the Desert Lands of the Farplain.

Joining Penance

Pops Gaiden

Background

Born Richard Morgan on the planet Sarhara a planet long engulfed in a civil war between the planets government and the rebel army. Richard was born into the conflict and like many children born to parents in the rebel army was trained as a child solider. It was during this time Richard met Robert a fellow child solider having trained and after fighting together the pair became like brothers.

When Richard and Robert were 15 the rebel army were eventually defeated by the planets government luckily the two friends managed to evade the enemy army and escape on one of the rebels ship.

The DarkCity

Richard and Robert having escape the war torn planet of Sarhara docked there ship on the backwater planet of Mightess in the city of Lacklight a massive bussling city which due to its location is covered in darkness for 20 hours a day, due to this the city is infamous for its crime and several large criminal organisations operate within the city.

Richard and Robert immediately started separate jobs Richard working in a bar and Robert a salesmen, the pair led fairly normal lives keeping themselves out of trouble for 3 years until Richard started getting involved with a young prostitute called Rowena.

Rowena wasnt always a prostitute, originally a regular resident of Lacklight her parents ran into a gambling debt to one of the major crime lords of the city and a son of the universally feared crime lord Dirk Hammer and were forced to sell there daughter to work off there debt. This naturally led to a major falling out between Rowena and her parents there relationship already shaky.

Wanting to help Rowena, Richard offered to pay off her parents debt and offered Rowena to stay with him and Robert yet Rowena could not accept Richards offer.

One night while on duty Rowena was caught speaking to Richard which prompted her bosses lackeys to get involved after seeing Rowena getting slapped, Richard flipped and immediately attacked overwhelmed he was saved by the timely arrival of Robert. Now on the hit list the trio went into hiding eventually leading to Richard and Robert sneaking into Harry Hammers Mansion where after a confrontation with Harry and several of his bodyguards Richard killed the crime lord and claimed a massive bounty from both Harrys rivals and the Bounty on the Bounty Hunters network, using this money Richard quickly bought a ship and bought safe passage for Rowenas family out of Lacklight and into a better life due to not forgiving her family Rowena decided to travel with Richard and Robert.

The Sarhara War

After the death of his son Harry an enraged Dirk immediately put a large bounty on the heads of Richard, Robert and Rowena on the Black Bounty Market and the trio found themselves to prey of many bounty hunters as well as targets of Dirk. However the death of Harry made Richard and Robert famous universally and after joining the mercenary network under the name of R3 were never short of jobs.

However after a close encounter with a group of Dirks bounty hunters the pair seeking protection took up a job for the military fighting in the war effort on Sarhara where the rebels after rising for a second time had nearly overthrown the planets government, Richard once again found himself fighting on Sarhara this time however for the government forces.

Richard fought on Sarhara for several months till eventually on the famous battle of the Dunes Richards actions and leadership led to the ultimate defeat of the rebels and after infiltrating the Rebels base personally killed the Rebels leader Kirk who was also Richards father.

The Slave Pits

Richards actions on Sarhara brought him and his team considerable fame and they were soon named the greatest Mercenary Group ever and one for other mercenary teams to look up to.

After a successful escort mission Richard and his team were relaxing when they were suddenly assaulted by a group of Dirks bounty hunters, during the confusion Robert and Rowena managed to escape however Richard was captured and taken straight to the planet Hammer, a planet ruled entirely by the crime lord Dirk Hammer.

Hammer a dangerous planet was entirely ruled by crime, murder, prostitution, slavery and illegal blood sports. After being brought before Dirk and after being tortured Richard became a slave forced to fight in Hammers famous illegal gladiatorial battles. For a 6 months Richard fought in several unfair battles, however constantly prevailed usually resulting in more torture. Until after sneaking onto the planet Hammer, Robert and Rowena disguised as guards rescued Richard and the trio went into hiding deep into Hammers capital city Metallic.

The Hammer Uprising

Outraged Dirk assuming the trio escaped the planet set his bounty hunters out on the hunt once again, unaware hiding deep within his planet Richard was plotting his down fall. Robert after striking a deal and gaining support from Liandri secured trained soldiers and supplies while Richard gained the support of the people of Hammer.

With an army and a wealthy backer Richard set to motion his plan of over throwing Dirk Hammer and a massive uprising began. After a month of fighting Richard personally confronted and killed Dirk leading to the downfall of one the universes greatest villains. As agreed with Liandri the Planet was immediately handed over to the company and the Planet was later renamed Hammers Fall.

This feat raised Richards and R3s fame to even greater heights to the point many myths and legends were created of there feats.

R3s fall

(See LT RP)

After R3

Afrer the fall of R3 in an attempt to escape his past Richard changed his name and went back to being a barman after raising some money he eventually started his own bar on Metallic to keep an eye on his old friend Robert who renamed himself Draulic. He also started up a travelling barman carrier where he would travel on several military and public ships working behind the bar, although settled in his new life Richard known as Pops to most was forever haunted by his experiences as a mercenary.

Walkers Mentor (a little side story)

After escaping as Draulics apprentice Walker immediately began searching for Draulics old allies eventually he figured out Pops true identity and sought the now middle aged man out.

Walker found Richard in his bar on Metallic and after telling his story was taken in by him. Richard continued Walkers combat training and taught him new morals quickly changing the young man.

Richard supported Walkers decision to become a relic hunter and travelled with Walker in his search for The Thorn Spear were they frequently crossed paths The Reaper Cult. Eventually Richard was forced to return to Metallic admitting he was too old and out of shape leaving Walker to search alone, however after Walker ran into deep trouble with the The Reaper Cult now supported by Draulic set out and assisted Walker in defeated them on the desert planet Grains where Walker secured the The Thorn Spear.

Metallic Arc

On Metallic Richard not for the first time met with Nature Deadliest and provided a safe haven for them in his bar and offered to help them escape Draulic. Secretly Richard once again organised another up rising on Metallic this time on his former best friend which led to Draulics ultimate downfall.

Diegos Mentor

During Diegos time forced to fight in Liandris Tournament, Richard who had started a bar on the Liandri compounds was asked by Mander to mentor Diego. Richard revealed his past to Diego and told him about his old adventures while teaching Diego to be a better leader.

During his time on the Liandri compound Richard was also re-united with Rowena and became more involved in the war against Liandri sheltering Rowena from the Liandri angels.

Richards Death

During the final battle against Liandri on Haven Richard coming out of retirement battled on the frontlines. During the battle Richard proved despite his age he hadnt lost his edge being a leading figure on the battlefield. Richard fought well against the Liandri Agents but died heroically when facing the Linadri Androids but not before renewing his relationship with Rowena. Richards death effected the ND crew greatly and he was buried a hero on Haven.