The colonies were a set of territories on a gigantic landmass on the western side of The Sleepless Surf, that were discovered some 700 years ago, but colonized a scant 200 years ago. They were a bizarre, untamed place, full of the horrors and curiosities, of many kinds, likely due to the overabundance of magical energy causing mutations in humans, animals, and even non-biotic objects. They were quickly deemed to be impossible for the common people of The Northern Empire, and so, were used as a massive dumping ground for criminals, vagrants, and miscreants that the buerocrats had no idea what to do with. Eventually, they formed their own culture and economy, ones that were in sync and attuned to the queerness of the landmass that birthed them. However, they were not easy places to live, death, poverty, and misery were constant companions for those who lived there, and so, for those who had only lived the relatively cushy lives of the empire, they were effectively a death sentence.

Ameni internally cursed at the fact that he had not foreseen this outcome.

“But-but”, Ameni stuttered, attempting to argue his case

“Silence Mr. Goldmell”, the judge said, “The court’s decision is final, you have been deemed to be an active threat to society, as you have been judged unpure by our companions”

Ameni started staring at the floor, he knew he had lost, as cheers and hoots rang out from the spectator. As he thought, he realized that going to the colonies was a blessing in disguise, his life in The Free City of Briaze, as without the protection of his family, he would live a life on the streets, or in the wilds, as those without family names legally could not own buildings within city limits. The guard that brought him here motioned for him to leave, and Ameni obediently followed him, however before he left, Ameni stole a glance at the judge, who gave him a little wink.

The next week passed slowly for Ameni, he spent most of it simply sitting around and contemplating, trying to form a plan for his time in the colonies. Eventually he arrived at a set of goals that would help him survive in the new world, utilizing the extensive knowledge his father had drilled into his head of the place. Ameni was eventually herded into a prison ship set for the colonies, alongside a group of male criminals accused of as heinous crimes.

To say that the conditions on-board the ship were atrocious would be an understatement, they were each placed into tiny enchanted cupboards, barely the size of a trunk, their bodies contorting to be forced into the tiny space, their heads, and backs tightly pressed against the roof or one of the walls. The cupboards were stacked on top of each other and placed in a long four parallel rows, with thick wooden bars ensuring that no one would die of suffocation. Claustrophobia and filth were constantly their companions as they made their trip, as the guards only allowed them to leave their cubbyholes for meal and exercise time, which meant that most men would seldom get the opportunity to relieve themselves properly. The sound of someone or the other screaming as they succumbed to a panic attack was every present, as those with less stable minds often attacked guards to get themselves out of their misery. Ameni struggled hard to adapt to his new surroundings, the struggles of his previous life of relative luxury paling in comparison to his current treatment. He knew that this experience would have a deep impact on himself as it gave him both a newfound fear of cramped places, and introduce the previously hyperactive young man to the art of meditation. He would likely have gone crazy until one certain night he met a person who would change the course of his already turbulent life

“Hullloooo”, a voice whispered

Ameni turned his head as much as the little space he was allocated allowed to follow it, seeing four fingers barely poking through the thin slits in the bars. It was the dead of night, though their location in the middle of the hull didn't tip them off about it, and most of the prisoners and non-night guards were asleep. The fingers began to shake probably in an attempt at a hand wave, a gesture which Ameni returned.

“Couldn’t sleep?”, Ameni asked, he needed some human interaction other than the curt guards

“Something like that”, the voice rang out

“Me too, buddy, me too”, Ameni whispered back, in a dejected tone

“So, what ya’ in for?”, the voice quietly asked, “Murder? Piracy? Gods forbid rape?”

“Nay, for I am innocent”, Ameni responded, smiling a little from the banter

“Are you though?”, the voice retorted, in a mock curious tone

“Seriously!”, Ameni said, indignation clear in his voice, “I had a mistrial!”

“Sure you did buddy, sure you did”, the voice snorted, sarcastically

“Ah, never mind”, Ameni said, rolling his eyes, “What about you, whats your name? What are you in for, anyway”

“Well, if you want an introduction then…”, the voice began, “I am Laverm Arifold, Child-eater, High Magician of the matters of the flesh, Follower of Ardga, and Flesh Molder”

“Child eater?”, Ameni exclaimed, pressing himself against the wall opposite to the voice,“Are you a bloody paedophile?”

“Paedophile?”, Laverm guffawed, “Heaven no! I am just your regular ol’ cannibalistic grave robber”

“Ah okay, just a cannibal then”, Ameni responded, clearly relieved, “By the way, I am Ameni Goldmell, former heir to the Frontier Trading Foundation”

“Former?”, Laverm asked

“Got kicked out of the family when I was accused”, Ameni said, “Half a month ago, I think”

“Is that so?”, Laverm said, in a more sincere tone, “Well, I’m not the best with people, ‘cause you know, cannibal and all, but if you want someone to talk to, I free all the time”

The finger that was still out of the slit motioned in a circle

“‘Cause, you know”, he continued, “No mind magicians here”

Ameni chucked and thanked him.

“So your a Flesh Magician, huh”, Ameni asked, “Quite a high level one at that, how’d you manage to get deported?”

“Well”, Laverm answered, “Using your magic to raid funerals causes one quite the lot of trouble, one's capabilities as a mage don't matter at that level”

“Laverm Arifold, turning funerals into FUNerals since 1699”, Ameni joked, causing both to crack a dry smile at his horrid joke

Afterwards, Ameni found Laverm to be an excellent conversation partner, though he had a propensity to go on long-winded rants about the health benefits of eating small children, Ameni’s morose attitude mixing excellently with Laverm’s chipper ness, in other words, he and Ameni meshed together like butter and bread, both spending the entire night talking in quiet whispers, whiling away the hours.

Soon enough, it was morning, and when time for their one meal of the day cam around, the two were let out of their cubbyholes, and were able to get a proper look at each other. Laverm was, unlike Ameni, a sleekly built man, with a moderate amount of meat on his bones, his rough, and calloused skin contrasting with Ameni’s smooth skin, his moderately long, brown hair was kept in check with a black headband. On his face, a mischievous grin was plastered, one that was in that sweet spot in between endearing and annoying where one could not help but like.

“The man’s quite charismatic”, Ameni thought, “And he’s also a high level mage, looks like I have made a useful friend”

“Mate, you should get some meat on your bones!”, Laverm remarked

“I am not taking that from a flesh magician”, Ameni retorted, “Unless of course you can help”

“I could definitely help you”, Laverm said, “If you want your body to resemble a eldritch horror that is!”

“Hey a few extra arms, eyes, and legs never hurt ‘nobody”, Ameni said, then getting hit in the face by a guard for standing in line talking instead of walking