Jonny/Background

It was just over a year ago now that I 'arrived', a sort of confluence of circumstances or passing of ships at night one could say. Jonny Vaughr was 'leaving' and I was 'arriving'. It had been so long since I had encountered mortals, I had forgotten how frail their bodies are. Pierce their skin and see how they leak. A sharp piece of metal, thats all it took, motivated by mortal greed. I could 'smell' his passing, his soul loosened from his meat - until that final thread broke and he faded into the veil. As he left, I willed myself into his mortal shell. That in itself was an experience I did not want to repeat. Going from complete deprivation of sensation to suddenly feeling human senses, let alone senses that are assaulted by the sting and burning from a stab wound - his pain assailed my mind from all directions - all I could do, was retreat into unconsciousness.

I awoke in the hospital, a place mortals consider places of healing, but I could smell the death in the air. More people died in that place than ever recovered. The doctors were confused at my recovery, the wound healed much faster than they had ever seen before. My mind was fractured, parts of my own past blurred and merged with Jonny's, his family and friends - some I could recall, others I struggled with. The doctors attributed it to brain trauma caused by lack of oxygen while I was 'dead'. It was a few days before my senses returned to normal and I remembered my true nature.

I was a Slayer, a member of House Halaku, one of the ferrymen.

As Jonny's past became more known to me, I sensed within his memories a hunger for secrets and knowledge of the past, but also a willingness to lie and cheat his way to get there. He had made enemies, the stab wound that brought us together was evidence enough of that. I vowed I would not allow myself to be left vulnerable to mortal feuds. My ability to speak to the dead was also useful. You would be surprised how many mortals die with hidden stashes or heirlooms and wealth that they didn't want their families to have. A few spirit's formed a 'nervous' relationship with me - some feared me, others found it comforting having a connection to the mortal world in the form of a 'person' who could perceive and speak to them without them having to exert much effort. The shadowlands are not safe for spirits in this day and age - perhaps they need allies as much as I do in this dark world.

Within a few months, I had accumulated a good amount of wealth and my collection of heirlooms attracted the attention of those who deal in the blackmarket trade of illicit goods. My knowledge of the occult and ancient cultures was useful in appraising and identifying certain relics, which was of particular interest to me.