*Super Smash Brothers Announcer Voice* Choose Your Character!

Up next on the roster of fighters is Marquis Rowyn Banebury, or at least someone who looks like the late marquis. The original Banebury died several years ago, and was replaced by a clever facsimilie; an Augment summoned to Chromaldus by the marquis's wild magic. The *new* marquis has tailored his appearance to match the original, including human-looking skin and hair to conceal his synthetic nature. 

Marquis Banebury's skill is largely mechanical, as he has an affinity for electronic devices. The false marquis also has "attunement" with devices in Banebury Hall, including the laboratory, tools, and weapons within, which respond to non-verbal commands in an instant. Rowyn also has some combat skill, primarily with melee attacks. His jeweled walking stick is nightmarishly tough, and can easily incapacitate or destroy anyone foolish enough to attack him.

The Augment also has abilities relating to his race, including: improved resistance to ether-based and physical attacks, immunity to deception magic, immunity to disease/illness, ageless body, enhanced senses, and more. So much is unknown about the Augment race, and the synthetic being masquarading as the marquis... Only time will tell how much Khazmine and her extended family will learn of the mysterious Invader from parts unknown.

We've had a few requests for additional characters to be added to the line-up, and I'll be releasing bonus uploads with fan favorites as often as I can (at least one more before the break in December). Can you guess who's up next?

Week Two of the Tapas Tourney Reading Challenge is underway, and "Of Lowlifes, Lutes, & Liars" is one of the stories available to earn ink! Top participants who read stories from the Week Two list can qualify to win free ink from Tapas, so I hope you'll give "Lowlifes" another read and boost your chances of winning!

Tapas members also have the opportunity to vote for up to three of their favorite stories, and I hope "Lowlifes" is among them. Competition is fierce, and every vote counts to earn a coveted spot among the Top 25 stories. To those of you who've voted already, thank you so much for your support; your kindness keeps the story going!