Darlingverse/Roric

Roric: The Swift Impulse

Before Darling: Roric was a spirited brass dragonborn boy of eleven, rarely standing still. Growing up in the bustling streets of Waterdeep, he found immense joy in the thrill of movement, whether racing through the market or delivering messages for local merchants with unmatched speed. He was driven, competitive, and took great pride in his efficiency, often trying to beat his own best times. He longed for the freedom of the open road, unfettered by the confines of the city.

Captured by Papa: One blustery afternoon, Roric was halfway through an important delivery, relishing the wind on his scales, when a sudden, jarring impact brought him to a halt. A heavy net, smelling faintly of something sweet and sickening, enveloped him. He remembered a brief, desperate struggle, the tightening ropes, and then a profound, suffocating darkness as he was taken.

Papa's Basement and the Void: His next awareness was of the chilling, unyielding stone beneath him. He could hear the terrified whimpers of other children echoing in the grim, metallic-scented air. Through the gloom, he saw a looming, obscured figure—Papa—moving with terrifying precision towards a nearby cage. Then, a blinding surge of visceral terror consumed him, and the memory violently ripped itself away, leaving a hollow, echoing void where the terrible truth should be.

Life in the Darlingscape: The Executor of Action: When Roric awakened within "The Golem's Canvas," his natural drive to act and move became his core purpose in this strange purgatory. He perceives Darling's mind as a vast, interconnected network of pathways, and his role is to ensure that Darling's intentions and physical impulses are executed with maximum speed and efficiency. He often patrols the Crucible of Wills, pushing its phantom combatants to greater exertion, and races through the Mnemonic Veins, ensuring thoughts flow unimpeded.

   Closer To: Roric sees Grut as a powerful, direct force, a brute instrument for clearing obstacles quickly, and they often work together to subdue more physical aberrations. He values Zee's agility and stealth, seeing her as an ideal scout for tricky paths where speed is crucial, and they coordinate to navigate difficult mental terrains. He also respects Kael's strategic mind for efficient movement and tactical actions.

   Antagonistic Towards: Roric often loses patience with Lyra's meticulous over-analysis, finding her slowness frustrating when swift action is needed. He finds Elara's theoretical musings too detached from immediate needs, preferring to act rather than ponder. He also views Pip's whimsical antics as a distracting inefficiency, getting in the way of his constant pursuit of progress.