Mica "Shadowbloom" Conan

This article is depicting a potential future of this world. Some events in here might not have happened yet and will be changed by the actions of the players involved in this world. Until these campaigns have concluded, this article will exist in a superposition between existance and non-existance.   Some version of this article will survive, but who knows what it will be when all of this is over
This is a stub

This article will be expanded upon in the future

A light for those in the dark

Mica "Shadowbloom" Conan

Cause, when we all, together as one,
Focus on all that unites us, we'll grow,
Put differences aside, and focus on what counts,
And then we can all make the whole world glow.
 

Mica grew up in the Shadowcliff of Okodranous, the poorest district of the city. As the daughter of two Planars she had to deal with a lot of rejection in her life and she had to work hard for everything she has today.

Shadowbloom - a name she has received after playing in many taverns and inns in the Shadowcliff. Her open and honest music inspired people. It made them believe in a brighter future, so they called her "Shadowbloom" - a bloom in the shadows.

Mica has been playing in many districts of Okodranous for nearly a decade now, but she never lost track of where she came from. She knows how it feels to be at the very bottom of society and she also knows that there are countless people that are less lucky than her, and she wants to leave this world a better place for everyone.   Today, Mica is using her fame and popularity to criticise the rich and powerful, pointing at countless injustices, while inspiring the poor and less fortunate. She is a thorn in the side of the rich, and a beacon of hope for the poor.  

Biography

Forced into darkness

Nobody cares about the people living deep within the Shadowcliff. It seems like everybody just forgot any of us exist at all. I guess it's just easier to look away when things are going wrong - otherwise you would have to fix something.
— Mica
  About 150 years ago, during the Resurgence, the balance of magic in this world changed. To this day, nobody knows why it happened, but suddenly many people were born, touched by extra-planar forces. In the Kingdom of Abonaria, the Academy of Arcane Arts hunted down these new Plane Touched, in fear their uncontrolled magical abilities could destabilize their own seat of power, or society as a whole. Many of these Plane Touched fled to the Golden Coast and settled down in the Shadowcliff of Okodranous.   Mica's family is a part of these so called Planars. Her ancestors originated from Asolios and owned a very well respected bakery in one of the nicer districts of the city. But when they had to flee, they had to leave everything behind.   Her grandparents eventually settled down in Okodranous and rebuilt their life there. After working many poor paying jobs, they finally saved up enough money to reopen their bakery in the Shadowcliff.  

The Shadow Blooms

The world might be dark, but we are in it.
Day by day, we build a better place.
So put aside your pride, let's all come together,
This world can be, whatever dreams we chase
  Mica was born on the 3rd of Duskfall 868 and grew up in the poorest district of Okodranous, the Shadowcliff. The family's business was not going very well, and Mica had to work very hard for everything she wanted.   Not having much else to her name, music quickly became her creative and emotional outlet. She saved up for her first guitar, at 12 years old, by helping in the bakery and around various shops in the neighborhood. During this time, she met Valryn, who quickly became her best friend.
  Without Valryn, the world probably would have never heard of Mica. He was the one who encouraged her to play her music in public. It took a lot of convincing, but eventually, at roughly 16 years old, Mica had her first performance in a local bar.  
Valryn
I've never seen her that nervous! She could barely hold her guitar without shaking. But once she sat down and focused on her music, all that nervousness was just gone. She just sat down and played. I always believed she could do it, but at that moment I was certain.
Valryn
  From this point forward, her career exploded. She inspired the people in the Shadowcliff with her music and grew a very loyal fanbase. Quickly, even more popular bars, inns, and taverns asked her to perform there, and at only 18 years old, her music was enough to provide for herself.  

A story of light

The future ahead, a new path in front of you
Do your best, wherever you go.
You won’t be alone, we all walk next to you
Day by day, we will all grow.
  Valryn was always a tinkerer, even before meeting Mica. So for her 18th birthday, he made her a very special gift. Combining his knowledge of technology, magic and enchantment, he created an instrument that can amplify sound and voice, distort the tone and even create fully unique unfamiliar sounds. He called this new instrument an Arcane-Guitar, and Mica has been using it ever since.   Over the next couple of years, Mica played in countless different bars, restaurants, taverns or inns, mostly in the poorer parts of the city. She inspired hope and kept criticizing the rich and powerful. She became a beacon of hope for many people, and her performances always filled the place she was playing at.  
You can often find Mica walking around Shadowcliff or the poorest parts of the Docks helping wherever she can. She truly believes that if everybody does their part, the world will become a better place. Leading by example, she tries to improve the world step by step, day by day.
Shadowbloom Sanctuary
In her quest of helping people, she created the Shadowbloom Sanctuary - a place for those in need. Everybody can come here and get a free meal or a place to stay for the night. Mica uses all profits she gets from her performances and pays for all expenses of the sanctuary herself.

Where there is light...

The Dragons of O'dranous, have money without end
While other folk are starving, their belies will extend.
They only seems to care, to grow in size and mass
The Dragons of O'dranous, can come and kiss my...
  Mica always used social critique in her songs, and always was a thorn in the side of the rich and powerful. As her popularity grew, so did her enemies. They tried to put as many stones in her way as possible. Unlike many other bards, nobody invited her to any official events, and she never got permission to play in public places. But that did not stop her. She played many small concerts in public all over the city, just long enough so no guards showed up in time.   For a while, someone even tried to run a smear campaign against her and her family, but ultimately, this all was short-lived. But in the end, her song "The Dragon of O'dranous", finally broke the camel’s back. She openly criticised and attacked the Morris Family, who had gotten the nickname “Dragons of Okodranous” because of their wealth. The day after she first sang this song in public, she got an envelope containing a single crow feather - a death threat.  
Valryn
To be fair, we always knew that some people didn't like what we were doing. But Mica inspired people, made them believe things can get better, and I was there in the background cheering her on. It all went so well. We were doing something truly good! We didn't really care about the consequences, but then at a normal evening in the Fallen Anchor it finally happened. I guess we are lucky that Mica is that picky with her instrument....
Valryn
  The day after receiving the feather, Mica still played in the Fallen Anchor. She didn't even think much about it, believing it just to be another weird prank or attempt at intimidating her, but it was way more than that. She headed to the tavern and prepared for the evening. Mica already had forgotten about the letter she received in the morning until she noticed her guitar case was not closed properly. She always took great care of that, and nobody else was touching her most valued possession.   So she carefully investigated the case, looking for anything out of place, anything weird. She knew her instrument in and out; she spent hours upon hours with it every day, but still it took her a couple minutes to find this tiny poisoned needle positioned right on the clasp. Someone actually tried to kill her and had they correctly closed the case again, she would have totally fallen for it. It was just one tiny mistake, but it saved her life.  

The Glowing City

You know what? If these rich prigs up in their fancy homes really think I'm a danger for them, then we are doing something right! If we stop now, those prigs have won. That's not gonna happen! They can kiss my ass! Let's get this concert going, we've been talking about! Let's make it the biggest one ever and let's just spit into their faces! We've come too far to stop now.
— Mica
  After the attempt on her life, Mica did not play it low. She took this as motivation to create her biggest show. She and Valryn always had the dream of a big concert in the harbour of the city. The huge cliff side as the backdrop, with Tria's Light reflecting in the water beneath. Her music echoing over the sea, and people watching her from the shore.   So for the next couple of weeks, Mica and Valryn planned this event. Of course, they did not get permission from the city, but that didn't stop them. Over the last couple years, Mica had become incredibly popular with the poorer folk of the city, including the dockworkers in the harbour, and for this one evening, they just took it over.  
We were sent there to stop the rebels taking over the harbour, but when we arrived, we just saw a young woman, playing an amazing concert and countless people peacefully watching. We all looked at each other, and without saying a word, we just nodded, put away our weapons, and listened. It was a breathtaking evening.
— A guard sent to the concert
  As soon as the sun sat behind the mountains, Mica started playing in the harbour. Her music echoed over the water and quickly, the harbour settled down and became quiet. People stopped what they were doing and listened. The harbour of Okodranous never sleeps, but during this night, it stood still. The news of this event spread throughout the city, and more and more people came to the harbour to listen to Mica's music. In the end, thousands of people came together that night.  
Music and Lyrics by Satrium. Vocals by Diane Morrison
 

A hint of rebellion

And then we can all, whoever we are,
become the very best, what we're all meant to be,
Uniqueness is our strength, no matter what they say
And it will be the path, to a brighter day.
  During the months following Mica's concert, critical voices around the city became louder and louder. Mica and her music inspired people, and she started something she could no longer control.   After hundreds of years of inequality growing in Okodranous, the less fortunate people finally had enough. They no longer wanted to watch the rich and powerful living in their mansions and estates, not having to work a day in their lives. They no longer wanted to work day in and out, and just barely being able to scrape by every single day.  
Somewhere in the city, the spirit of rebellion is growing, and only the future might tell what happens next.
Work in Progress

This article is still heavily WIP and can change at any moment

Current Location
Conditions
Ethnicity
Date of Birth
3rd of Duskfall
Year of Birth
868 29 Years old
Birthplace
Shadowcliff of Okodranous
Children
Known Languages
The Golden Tongue and Abonarian
Ruled Locations

Many Plane Touched have magical abilities, but I've never seen you do any magic?

Mica: Yeah, I can't cast any magic. The only "magical" thing I have is my music. But if you think about it, music by itself is magical, right? It can paint images in your mind, heal old wounds deep inside of you, and create this magical atmosphere when you are listening to it. But actual magic? No, you'll have to talk to Valryn about that.
Valryn: I'm not too sure about the "Not having any magic part". Magic can show itself in countless ways!

Who created that guitar? And could I get one myself?

Mica: *laughs*, sadly no, this is one of a kind. Valryn made it for me for my 18th birthday. He is really talented with magic! All this fancy light and illusions during my performances? That’s all him! I couldn’t do this without his help!

People have been talking about you and the Mortal's Society, any comment on that?

Mica: Ohh, the society? I've seen their posters countless times, but no, I have nothing to do with them. I guess I see why people would think that, though. I'm not a faithful person. The gods never did anything for me. If you find peace in praying to them, I won't stop you, but I think if we really want to change something, we'll have to do it ourselves.

There are a lot of rich people who really don't like what you are doing. Are you worried they might eventually take more drastic measures?

Mica: I'm not too worried about them. They can't even get their fat ass out of their enormous mansions! *grins* But seriously, they always tried to undermine what I was doing, but they never did - and I don’t think they ever will do- anything drastic against me, except for a smear campaign here or there and I can deal with that!


Further Reading
Thanks for giving this a read!
  If you enjoy what I'm doing consider giving this a like, and let me know what you think about this article in the comments.

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!
Jan 25, 2022 13:46 by Bart Weergang

A very nice read, I like how the history seemlessly goes into troubles today, while all the time enriching the character with details.

Jan 25, 2022 20:33

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 25, 2022 14:14

Great read and as always very nice looking layout! Especially like the small music notes you added in the various containers :) She really seems like she will become a very important figurehead for the downtrodden.   I was wondering if Valryn actually also does something during Mica's perfomances?

Feel free to check my new world Terra Occidentalis if you want to see what I am up to!
Jan 25, 2022 20:34

I could not quite fit it into the article (yet), but Valryn is a master of illusions, so he is using that to enhance Mica's performance. Basically, imagine a magical light show of sorts..... I really should add that to the article somehow :D

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 28, 2022 16:00

Ah that explains it :) thanks for the clear up :)

Feel free to check my new world Terra Occidentalis if you want to see what I am up to!
Jan 25, 2022 18:20

This is the one. This I truly enjoyed reading. The Bard from rock bottom angering the upper classes and playing the best, the greatest, the brightest concert on this side of Hades. Damn I would pay so much of my goldbars just to be at this concert. Well done \m/

You wanna see what we did for the last events? Go, click here: Eddies Major Events
Jan 25, 2022 20:36

Thank you! The best thing, you wouldn't even have to pay for the concert! But I guess you would have to live in my world, which might be a tiny bit harder.... but if you manage that, concerts are free! :p

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 25, 2022 19:44

You've truly outdone yourself once again, Satrium! What a fantastic read! I love the balance of quotes, information, and lyrics which made the read so seamless and enjoyable.   I love her attitude towards life and how she's become a beacon of light for those left in the dark.   Keep up the good work! :D

Jan 25, 2022 20:37

Thank you! She indeed has become a beacon for those left in the dark. And maybe somewhere in there, there is a rebellion brewing as well - inspired by her music.

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 25, 2022 22:22 by Erin McRoy

Excellent article, sounds like a woman I would want to meet

Jan 27, 2022 13:42

Thank you. Glad you liked it!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 26, 2022 15:36

I love this article! A glimmer of hope in dark times!

Check out the worlds of Starhome and Magic Earth
If you are looking for my Worldember articles check Magic Earth or My Worldember Progress Page
Jan 27, 2022 13:42

Thanks! And yes she definetly is!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 27, 2022 02:38 by Diane Morrison

Interesting character! I love her moxie! And beautifully presented, as always, too. Looking forward to the music!

Author of the Wyrd West Chronicles and the Toy Soldier Saga. Mother of Bunnies, Eater of Pickles, Friend of Nerds, First of her Name.
Jan 27, 2022 13:43

Thank you! Will hopefully be able to get the music done over the weekend.

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 28, 2022 18:33

Great job on the article. Both Mica and the other characters feel real. Also awesome job on the music inspiring a movement. Helps the world feel more real, or at least relatable, as well.

Check out some of my summer camp articles, like the dangerous flying jackalope or dragon wasps. Or, for something more light-hearted, there is the whimsical language Gobbledygook and Jaden's interesting job as a guano polisher.
Jan 30, 2022 20:17

Thanks! Making characters feel real is a thing I'm often struggling with, so I'm glad it worked out nicely here :D

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 29, 2022 17:20 by Catoblepon

Strong-willed woman. I like how she didn't let the power go to her head and always stayed close to her origins. Lovely history!

Jan 30, 2022 20:19

She indeed is! She always stayed close to her origins, and does the best she can do, because somebody has to, right?   I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the comment!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Jan 30, 2022 22:14 by E. Christopher Clark

"It made them believe in a brighter future, so they called her 'Shadowbloom' - a bloom in the shadows."   I loved that opening, which really set the tone well. And I loved the details about the Arcane-Guitar. And that tooltip about the single crow feather in the envelope?! GREAT detail.

Enroll in Yesterland Academy today!
Jan 31, 2022 19:31

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!   The funny thing about it, all those little details were just random shower ideas. But they just fit so well into this article, and I'm quite proud of them. :D

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 1, 2022 08:13 by Amélie I. S. Debruyne

What a nice character :p and a rebellion is coming! Nice touch that the guard ended up joining the concert in the end rather than cause troubles.   Did she make it publicly known that someone attempted to kill her with the poison? I imaging people would not react well to that at all, and it would make everyone even more angry with those in power.   I love the names Shadowbloom and your lyrics about the dragons :D

To see what I am up to: my Summer Camp 2024.
Feb 4, 2022 18:59

Thanks! I knew you would like the rebellion part! :p   I did not quite fit it into the article, but no, she did not make it public. Eventually myths and rumours about that spread, but she never confirmed or denied it. She knows that this could cause violence, and that's something she doesn't want to be responsible for.   And yes I also love the "Dragon of O'dranous" and her nickname. Both random shower ideas :D

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 3, 2022 19:17 by Laurabones

Oooo, you added an aftermath bit to the end, I like it. Another story waiting to happen!

Feb 4, 2022 18:57

Yes, I did and yes there is! Just had to add something like this. This concert could not be the end of the story, it just had to trigger something.   Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 6, 2022 07:10 by Stormbril

Aw, I love so much that she's got such a strong friend in Valryn. I love that it's with his encouragement that Mica is able to really get going on her music. The quotes in the article are so well done, and I really love the ones from Valryn in particular, I love learning about Mica through the perspective of her best friend.   The narrative of her using her music to be a thorn in the side of the rich and corrupt is excellent. Especially the way it crescendos with the big show and growing rebellion afterwards! Makes for a really compelling story throughout the article. Also, just wanted to add, ending with that interview section is fantastic :D

Feb 6, 2022 20:31

Thank you very much! I'm really glad you liked it!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 10, 2022 19:18

I can see her becoming the voice of the revolution. There's so many interesting ways where the setup can go. I think the powers that be will rue the day they tried to poison her. Though whether she can stay as close to the ground and naive when things get violent?   Well, there you have it. I'm invested now.

If you have some time, I would much appreciate your feedback on my entry for Adventure April: Carbon Copy Paradise
Feb 10, 2022 23:29

Thanks for the comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!   She definitely doesn't want to be in the center of a violent revolution, but maybe she has started something that's now completely out of her control? But something is certain, something will change, either peacefully or with a violent revolution, and the people in charge will hate it.

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 11, 2022 03:57 by K.S. Bishoff

This has all come together fantastically!! I have been dying to hear how the song came out ... AMAZING!

Come vist my worlds
PANGORIO
and
HYPNOSIUM
Feb 11, 2022 09:49

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!   I'm quite happy with the music, even if there is a lot I would like to improve, but that's for after the challenge :D

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 13, 2022 00:06 by Secere Laetes

So, now I finally have something to comment on.   Great work - and I'm not even talking about the song you came up with especially for this.   I like the general structure, even if I have to admit that some elements are too "fancy" for me. I don't understand the point of the colour-changing headlines or the hover shadows. Maybe I'm just not used to that ^^".   But I like the story itself much more - and the interview. It's really nicely done. I just like it when someone fights his way up (lawfully, so to speak) despite all adversities, preferably without violence, and then also succeeds. I'm more than happy to suffer/fear along with them. Thank you. And let's see how it goes in the city ^^.

Feb 15, 2022 21:36

Thanks for your comment! I'm glad you liked the story! I'm really interested in seeing where this story goes as well. I have no clue about that as of yet. It's a potential storyline for my DnD game, so it's at least partially up to my players.

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 16, 2022 15:04 by Secere Laetes

Ah, I see (we also play RP in my world). Of course, if you haven't already done so, you can fill a plot article with it if a contest comes up soon (or just independently of it). Anyway, I wish you a lot of fun playing, in any case you will have a wonderfully elaborated NPC for it.

Feb 15, 2022 15:37 by Bob O'Brien

I can't like it again, but If I could, I would! The music addition is fantastic (congrats to you and Sable!), and the additional "hint of rebellion" piece leaves me wondering what's going to happen next.

Check out my latest efforts:
Laurels & Loot is a new, lightweight TTRPG rules system that hearkens back to the early days.
Feb 15, 2022 21:29

Thank you! Glad you liked it :D

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 17, 2022 03:01 by Diane Morrison

Thanks for thinking of me for the vocals for this, Satrium, and for giving me the opportunity to sing it. It's a beautiful song, and I admit, I had trouble holding my voice steady for the recording because I found it so moving. It was such a joy to do this and I look forward to future colabs!

Author of the Wyrd West Chronicles and the Toy Soldier Saga. Mother of Bunnies, Eater of Pickles, Friend of Nerds, First of her Name.
Feb 17, 2022 22:58 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

You did such an amazing job with the vocals, Sable! <3

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Feb 23, 2022 20:06

I'm really glad you helped me out with the vocals, so thank you!

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub
Feb 17, 2022 22:58 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

This is such a great article and what an amazing song. Sable did a really good job of the vocals.   I love the fact that she used the attempt on her life as motivation, rather than going into hiding. What a strong person she is. <3   Wonderful job, Satrium!

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Feb 23, 2022 20:04

Thank you! Sable indeed did a really good job with the vocals. There is still a lot I want to improve on the music, but that's for a later date

Want to find more of the things i'm doing? SatriumHub