Some would say that the arrival of Operator Alden and his artifacts and knowledge on Terra was a blessing; others, a curse. But that doesn't change the fact that certain aspects of the world have been transformed for the better over the centuries thanks to what he brought.
However, after his arrival, more mysterious objects and constructions appeared around the world: weapons, armor, rings, fortifications, cities, and more, and with them came their inhabitants.
Many proved friendly, willing to collaborate with the populations of the places where they appeared; others adapted or isolated themselves after localized conflicts. As impossible as it may seem, for the people from the other world, Terra is a peaceful and safe place when compared to their land of origin.
Unfortunately, the journey between worlds also brought dangerous and problematic individuals, among them Creighton the Wanderer and Mild-mannered Pate.
Creighton claimed to be just another warrior who came to Drangleic seeking to hone his blade, a lie, as Cale the Cartographer revealed he is an infamous serial killer from the kingdom of Mirrah, known for killing purely for pleasure. Although he can conceal his murderous nature and convince others that he is not a threat, he can sometimes be heard talking to himself or to people who are not present.
He harbors a fervent hatred for his former companion, the deceitful Pate, who left him in the Huntsman's Copse cell, which closed behind him using a mechanism rigged by Creighton himself with the intention of capturing Pate. However, after being accidentally freed by the Operator Alden, he began his hunt for his jailer.
It is assumed that the conflict between them began with a disagreement over who would keep the magical ring known as the Ring of Thorns, an artifact blessed by Kremmel, god of Struggle. The ring's thorns dig into the wearer's skin, so that each blow received fuels resentment against the aggressor. When the wearer takes damage, the ring retaliates and inflicts damage on the enemy.
Creighton also seems to have a predilection for imitating equipment. His armor set indicates that it is an imitation of that used by Mirrahian soldiers. His weapon also appears to be an imitation of the legendary Dragonslayer's Crescent Axe, wielded by the legendary Forossan general Lothian the Shieldless, as it lacks the lightning enchantment, and the breastplate of his armor bears the crest of a stag, similar to that of Benhart of Jugo.
Creighton's end came after crossing Drangleic, cornering Pate in his old hideout in the mining duchy of Tseldora, and initiating a fight. Operator Alden appeared in the middle of the combat by pure coincidence, seeking the next Lord to slay on his journey.
Both combatants cried out for his help, and between a mad assassin and a deceiver, he chose the lesser of two evils. Creighton was killed, and the survivors went their separate ways.
That would have been the end of the story, were it not for the reports of Operators Nearl, Shinning, and Nightgale, who, during their journey to Rhodes Island, heard of mysterious disappearances of travelers in the distant villages of Kazimierz.
Creighton had returned from the dead. How? It is unknown, but he perfectly remembered how he died and, during his maddened rants, declared his desire for revenge. Fortunately, this never came to pass, and the man left the world of the living again thanks to the efforts of the aforementioned Operators.
Pate is a treasure hunter known for his kindness and politeness, offering help during fights or pointing the way to various treasures, warning of traps along the way.
His hidden side is revealed by his former partner in crime, who claims that Pate is a greedy deceiver and a skilled manipulator who uses his charm to trick people, alleging that he takes pleasure in hurting others, resorting to his tricks to keep all the loot for himself.
Pate's equipment reflects his nature, not drawing attention and hiding something behind it.
His Long Spear appears to be an ordinary weapon, but it has been enchanted to accumulate power with each battle fought. His shield was forged by overlapping thin plates of iron, giving it good defensive capabilities compared to its weight. His armor, made of leather and metal, was meticulously customized, increasing protection without being conspicuous.
It's not always advisable to stand out. Especially if you have something to hide; that seems to be Pate's philosophy of life, and just like Creighton, he arrived on Terra, and rumors say that he has been traveling the world accompanied by a man named Patches, who closely resembles him in clothing and personality.
There are countless stories of them tricking lost travelers or naive people, leaving them in their underwear and deeply humiliated. Operator Alden personally requested to be notified of their location when they are found, and if the tone of his voice and the expression on his face, in a rare moment of anger, are true, the two men will not have a happy ending in his hands.
Whether they survive or not, I can't say, and frankly, I don't care.
END OF CHAPTER