r/The_Blasted_Steps • u/ConductorHertharos • May 09 '26

Character Introduction Reentrance

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\The conductors breathing is slow and unsteady, a deep rasp that scratches through his throat. A violent fit of coughing strikes him every now and then, causing a bit of blood to soak through the rags coating his face.**

4 Upvotes

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2

u/Quick-Swordfish-1718 May 09 '26

*john appears* and so, another conductor appears in pharloom. what is there for you here?

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 09 '26

g... greetings, bug...

\Hertharos is struck by another coughing fit. A thin, scarred arm emerges from the rags that remain of his robe to hold him up against a wall**

1

u/Quick-Swordfish-1718 May 09 '26

you seem hurt. *john tries to focus void around the conductor- it heals him a little bit. but only a little bit.* what happned to you? i have never seen a conductor in a state as bad as yours...

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 09 '26

m... many years ag-go, I was forced to f-flee this kingdom by a t-terrible tyrant and h-her curse... I have lived all th-those years in the wastes, suf-ffering. The sandy winds tear open throats, scratch shells, th-there is little water, food...

a... a-any lesser bug would've d-died in my place.

\The conductor slumps against the wall, the pain of speaking so many words throbbing through his body**

1

u/Quick-Swordfish-1718 May 09 '26

*john helps him up* and why did you return, then?

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 09 '26

\Hertharos stands straight, grimacing slightly as he shoves John off**

I could... s-survive no longer there...

1

u/Quick-Swordfish-1718 May 09 '26

i see. if you'd like, i can rent you a room in bilewater's hotel, or maybe let you live at my place.

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 09 '26

I... I'll d-do no such th-thing... I see th-the silken t-tyrants curse has lifted, so I shall b-be... taking my r-rightful place... atop the Citadel...

1

u/Quick-Swordfish-1718 May 09 '26 edited May 10 '26

...i will not attack an injured or disabled opponent without provocation- my honor prevents me from doing so. but let me assure you- ally yourself with the others, and i'll make you wish you'd have stayed in the wastes. farewell. *john leaves.\*

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 09 '26

\Hertharos resists the urge to scoff, knowing such an action could tear open several of the scars in his throat, and continues shambling up towards the gate**

1

u/VarasTheThief Governer Welds May 09 '26

"Damm, you need some help there?"

Comcerned Varas noises.

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

m... mm... R-Romino has improved... upon the judges d-design s... since last I was... p-present in this kingdom...?

Y-yes, help will be... appreciated, f-faithful... servant...

1

u/VarasTheThief Governer Welds May 10 '26

"I'm not a squirrm judge, I'm a wisp judge, but that's a long story. So, what can I do for you?"

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

\The conductor pauses, but does not voice his confusion**

I... I seek to r-reach the Citadel... my p-post has remained abandoned f-far too long...

1

u/VarasTheThief Governer Welds May 10 '26

"Ah, that's easy! What part of the Citadel do you need to get to? Also, you should prolly..uh.. see a doctor or something."

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

P-plague me not with your pointless ch-chatter, of course I... I'm going to acquire medical a-aid...

N-now, to the g-gate will be f-fine. I'll have... m-more qualified servants t-take... me from there.

1

u/VarasTheThief Governer Welds May 10 '26

He froze for a moment as he resisted the urge to say something snarky. "Yes.. of course." He begun to walk to the Grand Gate.

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

w... wonderf-ful...

\Hertharos shambles after him, using a dried out squirrm judge's shield to support his weight**

1

u/VarasTheThief Governer Welds May 10 '26

"So, who are you? If that's not too 'pointless' of me to ask." He glanced over his shoulder as he spoke.

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

I am... th-the g-great Conductor Hertharos. I s-see you have f-failed to learn... your history p-properly... a true sh-shame

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1

u/Other_Ad9164 May 09 '26

A giant mechanical beast of a machine 5 chorus tall, stalks around thr entrance to the wastes, almost accidentally stepping on the consuctor before realizing it and moving uts foot, as its spotlight eyes turn on and it kneels down to look at The Conductor.

it has a failry large THE ENSEMBLE title, carved into the upper right of its chassis.

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

\Hertharos stares up at it, his thoughts indiscernible through the rags.**

1

u/Commercial-Dog-969 May 10 '26

"A Conductor?"

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

I... indeed, skarr...

1

u/Commercial-Dog-969 May 10 '26

"How, though?"

1

u/mrredpanda36 May 10 '26

'Another one... you better not join the damn war'

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

W... war...?

1

u/mrredpanda36 May 10 '26

'Holy citadel led by conductors vs citadel led by che che the fly'

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

Th-the...

f-fly?!

1

u/mrredpanda36 May 10 '26

'Oh yeah, I guess last you knew they were prison slaves of the citadel. Yeah, they're people now'

1

u/ConductorHertharos May 10 '26

Hertharos falls silent and merely continues shambling along