The home of The Dealer, a physical entity born in Purgatory. Manifesting to cleanse the wasteland of souls, The Dealer uses his skills of cunning and deal-making to take claim of lost souls and use them for his own bidding. Forcing a life force to sign their name in the Courtyard of Signatures.
Upon entering the courtyard, people are quick to notice the colour of the place. Shades of white on the smooth pillars surrounding them, the hues of blue and grey in the mosaic cobblestone beneath their feet, a grey veil in the sky above the open top enclosure. While the colours should be bright and vibrant, the courtyard and everything inside it feels, muted. As if a sadness has washed over the world in this one particular building.
The next thing people realise is the lack of windows and doors. No entrance, no exit. No ability to see outside the walls of the courtyard and no way to climb upon the canopy wrapped around the edges of the circular room. The courtyard is empty besides a plain wooden table in the centre, with a chair on either side. On the back of the chairs is a spiral pattern engraved into the presumed metal back panel. The furniture sat in the centre of the courtyard is highlighted by a single floating candle, bobbing in the air above the table. Giving a warm orange glow and drawing the attention of those who enter.
On top of the table is a quill, ink and old parchment, written on the parchment is the words offered by The Dealer who is nowhere in sight. Seeing no other option, many choose to sign the papers and seal their fate. Hearing the sudden sound of stone grinding and watching their name being engraved into one of the pillars which have transformed from a smooth surface to being filled with the names of all the souls The Dealer owns.
Throughout the Realms:
The Dealer is known throughout time and space, given many names by the various worlds and cultures. Creating several myths and legends surrounding The Dealer and his lair in which contracts are signed and deals are made. The most common legend throughout Violem involves naming The Dealer as an entity from the realm of souls, who escaped his original realm during the age of Exploration. Stalking those who are close to death and offering them to avoid the misfortune of an early grave. Once signed, your soul belongs to The Dealer. Only he can scratch your name off the stone pillars and free you of the contract binding you to his will.
In the realm of Fairies, the intelligent cat race known as the
Jynx believe The Dealer to stalk The Trail of Rebirth. Persuading souls to fall from the path laid out for them by the Feline Gods. Once completely lost, The Dealer offers the soul of the Jynx to help them, in return for signing their soul over to him.
Finally there is the fable from the realm of Humans. Instead going by the name of Rumpelstiltskin, this tale is supposedly fantasy amongst humans. Involving a woman who is granted the ability to spin straw into gold. In return he shall take the soul of her firstborn. After years have passed, The Dealer returns for the child, the woman has three days to find his name or he will take the child. Using the power of naming, the woman figures out the true identity of The Dealer and banishes him from the realm of humans.
Comments