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Description
Felix Dells was only three years old when he was adopted by the kindly elderly couple he would come to know as Gram and Pappy. Orphaned tieflings rarely find a loving home, so even at a young age, Felix realized just how fortunate he was.

Gram and Pappy adored their little "Golden Boy" and made sure he received a good education and never wanted for anything. Even the home they lived in was lovely, with sweet-smelling flowering trees out front and a pretty circular stained-glass window at the top of the house.

Felix was a happy little boy, always eager to help with chores and do anything else that was asked of him. Though wary of him at first, his neighbors quickly came to be fond him.

Every night before he went to sleep, Felix would pray in gratitude to the God of Fate. "I know I'm so happy because I'm very lucky! Not everyone is as lucky as me. I wish they could be happy and lucky too."

One day, when he was eight, one of his neighbors, a jolly and rotund Mr. Pelsborne confided in Felix that he had entered a lottery in town the day before. Mr Pelsborne even showed Felix the ticket; a little white square of vellum with a number and an official stamp.

"If I manage to win, we'll be able to pay off our debts and buy a plot of land for that farm our son's been dreaming of." Mr. Pelsborne said. "Wish me luck, Felix! But, uh... don't tell the missus. She doesn't like me gambling."

"Good luck, Mr. Pelsborne!" the little tiefling smiled. "I'll pray to the God of Fate for you so you'll win!"

And just as he said, that night, Felix made a special prayer to the God of Fate. "Please help Mr. Pelsborne win the lottery! I already have lots of luck, so he can have mine, I don't mind!"

Three days later, the Pelsborne family won the lottery. They were so happy, they hosted a grand dinner and invited everyone in the neighborhood. The food was wonderful, and there was music and dancing.

Felix loved dancing and enjoyed himself greatly, until he slipped on a bit of spilled wine and fell to the ground, breaking his wrist as he landed.

~*~

When Felix was ten, he was playing with his good friend Alexander. Alexander was a halfling boy from a nice family who lived further up the road. Alexander had many aunts and uncles and cousins who were always going back and forth from the neighboring towns to visit one another.

"We're supposed to travel to see Uncle Roman and Aunt Rose next week," Alexander sighed, "But Father thinks the rains are coming. If it rains too hard we won't be able to make the journey. Mother will be so disappointed!"

"I wish the rain would hold off, just for a little while." Felix agreed. "I don't want you to have to miss out on seeing your Aunt and Uncle."

But the rains started that very night, and didn't stop for the next few days.

Felix felt very sad for Alexander and his Mother and Father. As always, he prayed to the God of Fate. "Please stop the rain so Alexander can visit his Aunt and Uncle. Just for for a few days so they can make their journey?"

The rain slowed to a drizzle the very next morning, and stopped altogether the day after that. The roads dried, and Alexander and his family were able to go on their trip.

The day after they left, Felix was helping his Pappy move some crates up in the attic. He stumbled and dropped one, which hit an old clock, which tipped over and broke the beautiful stained-glass window at the top of the house.

~*~

Many years later, when Felix was in his teens, his schoolmate Julia confided in him about her upcoming audition for a coveted bardic college. Julia was a very talented musician, but the school was quite elite and gaining admission was no small task.

"I'm so nervous, Felix." she whispered. "My older brother's wife is friends with the Headmaster. He's visiting them for the weekend, and he's agreed to hear me play tomorrow! If I do well enough he says he'll recommend me for a place at the school."

"Oh, Julia! I know for sure you'll play beautifully." Felix said encouragingly. "You're the best piano player I've ever heard."

"Thanks Felix." She blushed. "But I still feel like I'll need a bit of luck on my side."

"I'll give you all the luck I have!" Felix promised, as he hugged her tight.

Felix prayed diligently to the God of Fate the morning of Julia's audition. "It's so important to her to be able to go to college. Please help her play flawlessly for the Headmaster!"

Julia's performance was perfect, and her judge was very impressed.

But Felix lost his favorite pocketwatch.

~*~

One evening, when Felix was a little over twenty, he was looking down on the street below from his bedroom window.

Gram was across the street, talking happily with Celia, nice woman whose house faced the Dells' house. Their voices were always so loud! Gram had become rather hard of hearing in her old age.

Felix worried for her a lot these days. It was getting harder for Gram to get around. Felix knew she was an older woman and should be trying to take it easy on herself, but Gram always insisted that she would be able to get by just fine.

Even now, as the rain was starting to fall, she was lingering outside to talk to her friend.

Felix sighed. Gram definitely shouldn't be standing in that kind of weather. She could catch a cold!

He opened the window and called down to her. "Gram, come inside! You'll get wet!"

She didn't hear him, but by the gestures the pair were making, Felix could tell they were getting ready to say goodbye and go back to their homes. At least Gram was pulling the hood of her cloak up to protect herself from the rain.

It was then that Felix heard the carriage clattering down their little street.

Peering further out the open window, the tiefling noticed how fast it seemed to be going. The horses were racing as if no one was behind the reins, and the wheels were skidding against the wet ground.

It was going far, far too quickly and showed no signs of slowing down.

He looked back down to where Gram had been standing. Celia had turned and was heading back to her house. And Gram was starting to cross the road to come back home.

Her cloak was covering much of her face, making it harder for her to see.

Felix called out to her again, his voice much louder this time. "Gram, stop! There's a carriage!"

When she didn't hear him, the young man turned and dashed out of his room and down the stairs. He prayed feverishly to the God of Fate as he ran.

"Please, don't let anything happen to hurt Gram! I'll give you whatever you want! Please, just don't let her be hit by the carriage!"

As Felix burst through the door and out into the yard, the sound of horses' hooves and creaking wood caught his ears. The carriage turned sharply, barely missing the elderly woman as it whisked by.

"Gram! Gram, are you okay?!" Felix cried as he rushed to her, opening his arms to hug her tightly as he closed the distance between them.

"Oh, who was driving that awful thing?" Gram gasped, shaking slightly in his embrace. "I didn't see it! Those horses were absolutely mad! Help me inside, will you, my dear?"

"Of course, Gram." Felix held her elbow carefully as they crossed the wet street together.

The rain was falling heavily now, and the clouds gathered darkly above them. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

As they climbed the stairs to their home, the old woman paused, moving her hand to the pocket of her cloak. "Ah, one of my gloves seems to have gone missing! I put them in my pocket while I was talking to Celia. I should go back and check before it's washed away by the rain."

"You go on inside, Gram. I'll fetch it."

Felix hurried back across the street. He worried that he might not be able to find the glove in the dimming light, but it was laying in plain sight on Celia's lawn. He bent to pick it up.

It was at that moment when the heard the most deafening crash. A blinding bright burst of white light surrounded him.

And then it was dark and quiet.

~*~

The roar of the lightning seemed to linger in Felix's ears for ages. But slowly, other sounds came to the surface. Voices.

Two voices, discussing something in hushed tones.

"... as I was looking at it! Now it's saying she won't pass for another six and a half years."

"But that's not possible, Lore. You've always told us the book doesn't change. Once it's written, it's what will be. How could this have happened?"

"I don't... I don't know! It's never, ever happened before. But I swear to you, her date changed. The circumstances of her death will be different, too. When we arrived it said it would be here in the street, because of the carriage. Now it says it's going to be in her sleep, from a respiratory infection."

"The God of Death changed his mind? Can he do that?"

"I don't think it was him. It was... someone else."

"Someone..." the voice sighed softly. "Let's put that aside for now. For whatever reason, she didn't die. Just tell me then - who's this person in front of us?"

"I have no idea. His name's not in my book."

"But he's definitely dead, isn't he?"

"Well, obviously, but he's -"

A nervous giggle suddenly sounded from somewhere nearby, and a third voice interrupted.

"Hey guys, he can HEAR you."

Felix opened his eyes. "Gram?" His vision was hazy, but he could make out the face of a horned young man looking at him intently.

"I'm so sorry." The young man said with a gentle smile. "That was... unprofessional. You surprised us. But don't worry, everything's going to be alright."

Felix blinked, and the figures around him became clear. There were three men with horns. The one who spoke to him had long robes and a kind face . Just behind him stood a pale and slender man , clutching a large book. Finally, a few feet away was a more muscular figure with dark curly hair , casually holding an enormous scythe.

"Come with us." The man with the kind face said warmly, extending a hand. "There's no reason to be scared. It's always nice to meet another tiefling."

~*~

Felix, or "Jinx" as he came to be called in his Afterlife, is not only unusual amongst The Reapers, but unique amongst most other souls. Through his wish to the God of Fate, he managed to change the date of his own death, sacrificing himself to save his beloved Gram.

The God of Death found this anomaly fascinating, and was quick to make Jinx one of his Reapers.

Jinx's bright, cheerful personality has made him popular amongst his fellows in Grymm 's Brood, though the Scribe Lore avoids working with him whenever possible, as the unusual circumstances of Jinx's death make Lore nervous.

Jinx is partnered with the sullen Slayer Cypher , and though Jinx's attempts to cheer the Slayer up never seem to work, Cypher does care deeply for his partner and protects him with fierce determination.

Jinx's unusual ability to affect circumstances by pleading to the God of Fate has greatly diminished since his untimely death. Only twice in all of his years as a Guide has he ever managed to do so successfully, arranging for luck to favor Cypher during a battle against the undead.

Both times Jinx himself was seriously injured afterwards.

Background - Sveva's Spirits of the Past

For more stories and images of original Reaper characters, please check out their gallery !

You may NOT reupload or edit my images or use them for your own avatars, fiction or roleplays. None of my characters are for sale, trade or adoption.

Description
Felix Dells was only three years old when he was adopted by the kindly elderly couple he would come to know as Gram and Pappy. Orphaned tieflings rarely find a loving home, so even at a young age, Felix realized just how fortunate he was.

Gram and Pappy adored their little "Golden Boy" and made sure he received a good education and never wanted for anything. Even the home they lived in was lovely, with sweet-smelling flowering trees out front and a pretty circular stained-glass window at the top of the house.

Felix was a happy little boy, always eager to help with chores and do anything else that was asked of him. Though wary of him at first, his neighbors quickly came to be fond him.

Every night before he went to sleep, Felix would pray in gratitude to the God of Fate. "I know I'm so happy because I'm very lucky! Not everyone is as lucky as me. I wish they could be happy and lucky too."

One day, when he was eight, one of his neighbors, a jolly and rotund Mr. Pelsborne confided in Felix that he had entered a lottery in town the day before. Mr Pelsborne even showed Felix the ticket; a little white square of vellum with a number and an official stamp.

"If I manage to win, we'll be able to pay off our debts and buy a plot of land for that farm our son's been dreaming of." Mr. Pelsborne said. "Wish me luck, Felix! But, uh... don't tell the missus. She doesn't like me gambling."

"Good luck, Mr. Pelsborne!" the little tiefling smiled. "I'll pray to the God of Fate for you so you'll win!"

And just as he said, that night, Felix made a special prayer to the God of Fate. "Please help Mr. Pelsborne win the lottery! I already have lots of luck, so he can have mine, I don't mind!"

Three days later, the Pelsborne family won the lottery. They were so happy, they hosted a grand dinner and invited everyone in the neighborhood. The food was wonderful, and there was music and dancing.

Felix loved dancing and enjoyed himself greatly, until he slipped on a bit of spilled wine and fell to the ground, breaking his wrist as he landed.

~*~

When Felix was ten, he was playing with his good friend Alexander. Alexander was a halfling boy from a nice family who lived further up the road. Alexander had many aunts and uncles and cousins who were always going back and forth from the neighboring towns to visit one another.

"We're supposed to travel to see Uncle Roman and Aunt Rose next week," Alexander sighed, "But Father thinks the rains are coming. If it rains too hard we won't be able to make the journey. Mother will be so disappointed!"

"I wish the rain would hold off, just for a little while." Felix agreed. "I don't want you to have to miss out on seeing your Aunt and Uncle."

But the rains started that very night, and didn't stop for the next few days.

Felix felt very sad for Alexander and his Mother and Father. As always, he prayed to the God of Fate. "Please stop the rain so Alexander can visit his Aunt and Uncle. Just for for a few days so they can make their journey?"

The rain slowed to a drizzle the very next morning, and stopped altogether the day after that. The roads dried, and Alexander and his family were able to go on their trip.

The day after they left, Felix was helping his Pappy move some crates up in the attic. He stumbled and dropped one, which hit an old clock, which tipped over and broke the beautiful stained-glass window at the top of the house.

~*~

Many years later, when Felix was in his teens, his schoolmate Julia confided in him about her upcoming audition for a coveted bardic college. Julia was a very talented musician, but the school was quite elite and gaining admission was no small task.

"I'm so nervous, Felix." she whispered. "My older brother's wife is friends with the Headmaster. He's visiting them for the weekend, and he's agreed to hear me play tomorrow! If I do well enough he says he'll recommend me for a place at the school."

"Oh, Julia! I know for sure you'll play beautifully." Felix said encouragingly. "You're the best piano player I've ever heard."

"Thanks Felix." She blushed. "But I still feel like I'll need a bit of luck on my side."

"I'll give you all the luck I have!" Felix promised, as he hugged her tight.

Felix prayed diligently to the God of Fate the morning of Julia's audition. "It's so important to her to be able to go to college. Please help her play flawlessly for the Headmaster!"

Julia's performance was perfect, and her judge was very impressed.

But Felix lost his favorite pocketwatch.

~*~

One evening, when Felix was a little over twenty, he was looking down on the street below from his bedroom window.

Gram was across the street, talking happily with Celia, nice woman whose house faced the Dells' house. Their voices were always so loud! Gram had become rather hard of hearing in her old age.

Felix worried for her a lot these days. It was getting harder for Gram to get around. Felix knew she was an older woman and should be trying to take it easy on herself, but Gram always insisted that she would be able to get by just fine.

Even now, as the rain was starting to fall, she was lingering outside to talk to her friend.

Felix sighed. Gram definitely shouldn't be standing in that kind of weather. She could catch a cold!

He opened the window and called down to her. "Gram, come inside! You'll get wet!"

She didn't hear him, but by the gestures the pair were making, Felix could tell they were getting ready to say goodbye and go back to their homes. At least Gram was pulling the hood of her cloak up to protect herself from the rain.

It was then that Felix heard the carriage clattering down their little street.

Peering further out the open window, the tiefling noticed how fast it seemed to be going. The horses were racing as if no one was behind the reins, and the wheels were skidding against the wet ground.

It was going far, far too quickly and showed no signs of slowing down.

He looked back down to where Gram had been standing. Celia had turned and was heading back to her house. And Gram was starting to cross the road to come back home.

Her cloak was covering much of her face, making it harder for her to see.

Felix called out to her again, his voice much louder this time. "Gram, stop! There's a carriage!"

When she didn't hear him, the young man turned and dashed out of his room and down the stairs. He prayed feverishly to the God of Fate as he ran.

"Please, don't let anything happen to hurt Gram! I'll give you whatever you want! Please, just don't let her be hit by the carriage!"

As Felix burst through the door and out into the yard, the sound of horses' hooves and creaking wood caught his ears. The carriage turned sharply, barely missing the elderly woman as it whisked by.

"Gram! Gram, are you okay?!" Felix cried as he rushed to her, opening his arms to hug her tightly as he closed the distance between them.

"Oh, who was driving that awful thing?" Gram gasped, shaking slightly in his embrace. "I didn't see it! Those horses were absolutely mad! Help me inside, will you, my dear?"

"Of course, Gram." Felix held her elbow carefully as they crossed the wet street together.

The rain was falling heavily now, and the clouds gathered darkly above them. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

As they climbed the stairs to their home, the old woman paused, moving her hand to the pocket of her cloak. "Ah, one of my gloves seems to have gone missing! I put them in my pocket while I was talking to Celia. I should go back and check before it's washed away by the rain."

"You go on inside, Gram. I'll fetch it."

Felix hurried back across the street. He worried that he might not be able to find the glove in the dimming light, but it was laying in plain sight on Celia's lawn. He bent to pick it up.

It was at that moment when the heard the most deafening crash. A blinding bright burst of white light surrounded him.

And then it was dark and quiet.

~*~

The roar of the lightning seemed to linger in Felix's ears for ages. But slowly, other sounds came to the surface. Voices.

Two voices, discussing something in hushed tones.

"... as I was looking at it! Now it's saying she won't pass for another six and a half years."

"But that's not possible, Lore. You've always told us the book doesn't change. Once it's written, it's what will be. How could this have happened?"

"I don't... I don't know! It's never, ever happened before. But I swear to you, her date changed. The circumstances of her death will be different, too. When we arrived it said it would be here in the street, because of the carriage. Now it says it's going to be in her sleep, from a respiratory infection."

"The God of Death changed his mind? Can he do that?"

"I don't think it was him. It was... someone else."

"Someone..." the voice sighed softly. "Let's put that aside for now. For whatever reason, she didn't die. Just tell me then - who's this person in front of us?"

"I have no idea. His name's not in my book."

"But he's definitely dead, isn't he?"

"Well, obviously, but he's -"

A nervous giggle suddenly sounded from somewhere nearby, and a third voice interrupted.

"Hey guys, he can HEAR you."

Felix opened his eyes. "Gram?" His vision was hazy, but he could make out the face of a horned young man looking at him intently.

"I'm so sorry." The young man said with a gentle smile. "That was... unprofessional. You surprised us. But don't worry, everything's going to be alright."

Felix blinked, and the figures around him became clear. There were three men with horns. The one who spoke to him had long robes and a kind face . Just behind him stood a pale and slender man , clutching a large book. Finally, a few feet away was a more muscular figure with dark curly hair , casually holding an enormous scythe.

"Come with us." The man with the kind face said warmly, extending a hand. "There's no reason to be scared. It's always nice to meet another tiefling."

~*~

Felix, or "Jinx" as he came to be called in his Afterlife, is not only unusual amongst The Reapers, but unique amongst most other souls. Through his wish to the God of Fate, he managed to change the date of his own death, sacrificing himself to save his beloved Gram.

The God of Death found this anomaly fascinating, and was quick to make Jinx one of his Reapers.

Jinx's bright, cheerful personality has made him popular amongst his fellows in Grymm 's Brood, though the Scribe Lore avoids working with him whenever possible, as the unusual circumstances of Jinx's death make Lore nervous.

Jinx is partnered with the sullen Slayer Cypher , and though Jinx's attempts to cheer the Slayer up never seem to work, Cypher does care deeply for his partner and protects him with fierce determination.

Jinx's unusual ability to affect circumstances by pleading to the God of Fate has greatly diminished since his untimely death. Only twice in all of his years as a Guide has he ever managed to do so successfully, arranging for luck to favor Cypher during a battle against the undead.

Both times Jinx himself was seriously injured afterwards.

Background - Sveva's Spirits of the Past

For more stories and images of original Reaper characters, please check out their gallery !

You may NOT reupload or edit my images or use them for your own avatars, fiction or roleplays. None of my characters are for sale, trade or adoption.