Vangelo

Vangelo .

In the depths of the city, at the lower levels lives a young boy (?) called Vangelo. Delivery boy in the morning but inventor by night, the human tries to make a living big enough to accommodate his hobby of crafting useful tools from junk and scrap. The job at “Gearoulis” benefited him in that sense: for all the annoyance and disdain he received as a coworker, he made up for in speedy out-of-tavern performance. Fanis made a good decision letting them outside for most of their work hours.

However, no job in the slums they live in will ever let them earn enough to live comfortably. 

He isn’t devoid of sin, resorting to steal parts he likes from expensive stores or trash-diving in restricted junkyards as a side gig. It’s not like the government is “devoid of sin”, why would its citizens be? Vangelo wouldn’t trust the media or police with his life; they all work for the same old liars at the top.

Those “liars” have made bold claims about the world and about Vaxel. They prohibit unauthorised travel outside the city, they fake the sky and the horizon and they hide aliens underneath the city to mask the leaps of progress as standalone “human” advancements. It’s some of the many things his best friend, Fynch, has revealed to him after the two befriended each other in the town plaza. Ever since their odd first encounter, they’ve been sharing theories, “truths” and legends - though it’s mostly just Fynch lore-dumping his distinguished speculations.

Vangelo is blunt and daft, especially in conversation. Fynch’s conspiracy theories have made them paranoid about the people around them (especially government-affiliated people) as they’ve begun aligning themselves with the “underground”. Whilst having no real ties to the crime guild, their friend insists on being his confidant for… stealing parts? Sure, have at it boys. However, once they have made sure someone isn’t with the government, they will excitedly share and spread the gospel of the dome ceiling, the luxurious jacuzzis built underground and the mysterious mechanic who will save all of them when the end days come near.

Despite the obvious loose screw in his head, he’s really good at building and crafting little gadgets and hopes that after he reveals the secrets behind Vaxel, he can make a small career making and selling little things like sending stones and robot toys…

That day hasn’t arrived yet, as for the millionth time, Vangelo is about to get into trouble; unlike the million other times, this type of trouble is much more significant than he thinks. After a strange sound from outside Fynch’s window, he proceeds to jump out of it (falling in the process) and meet some curiously dressed cosplayers (one dressed up like a cat and another dressed up as a… bull? It’s more abstract). There’s no time to ask for questions, since an ALIEN (?!) stands before them. The ant-looking creature is ABSOLUTELY not docile as Vangelo and the strangers start attacking it and its OTHER ALIEN COMRADE???

This kerfuffle leads the three of them inside a bar… or the crime guild by the bull’s words. Watching the watchdogs walk by, Vangelo is met by the sight of the Watcher, an imposing intimidating woman, who will threaten to give him over to the government police unless he joins her organisation, much like how the bull and cat already technically have. The city is really out for alien-believers isn’t it…

In exchange for the trouble the three have caused, they must complete a smuggling quest out in the industrial docks. This leads to Vangelo learning more about the cosplayers and even entering the bull’s home, who keeps calling himself a “tiefling” and goes by the name Damien. The constantly medicated cat lady is apparently called Kardala and Vangelo can’t help but feel he’s been dragged into some crazed company of people…

Fun facts:

• Their favourite colour is violet.
• Their goal is to uncover what’s really happening in the city.
• Steampunk. Steampunk! STEAMPUNK!!!
• Their voice is hard to keep up, it’s slightly raspy but high-toned.
• As a battle smith, they get to build a robot companion, which in this case is a turkey-looking-robot called Tackey (pronounced tacky).
• Tackey is a multitude of puns. It sounds like Τάκης, it’s tacky and the “key” to learning it’s a turkey.
• Speaking of names, I was split between Elijah and Vangelo for the lil guy! The choice was hard but I like the gender neutral vibe Vangelo gives. It’s also semi-religious and for an angel-aasimar-thing that’s cool.
• My heart broke when I found out aasimar wings are only temporary ;-;
• I took inspiration from the steampunk outfit in ACNH, I don’t know why, but it came to my head when I was designing Van.