Description
A kindly old Felar with a coat of weather-beaten fur that seems to have
grown both grayer and fluffier with age, but is nevertheless well-groomed.
Overall, his appearance is very exotic - most of his coat is of sandy color,
yet the paws, ears and the length of his tail are contrast black. His face
is also dark, his almond eyes shimmering pale blue against the dusky fur.
He gives an impression of a refined aristocrat or perhaps academician, but
under the mannered facade there's an occasional toothy smile, an impatient
flick of his tail, or just curious poking of his nose at whatever's around.
He is quite clearly of arcane background, as he doesn't seem to ever stand
still without complementing it with a short spell once in a while, and is
carrying a copious array of wands, potions, charms and trinkets in a myriad
of pockets all over his heavy robes. His presence is also accompanied by a
faint but noticeable herbal scent, primarily that of saffron and wormwood.
The robes he's wearing seem to have an earthy texture that brings to mind
the image of inflexible stone, but are in fact loose and practical. The
resilient fabric bears no visible insignia of rank other than a tarnished
steel Blood Tribunal badge pinned over a chest pocket. A short string is
tied firmly to the robe's collar, with an enamelled silver ring attached.
Role
Background
Added Mon Nov 23 11:50:20 2015 at level 9:
Laeden is a cheerful young Felar who loves to adventure and make friends.
He was born in a family that traces its lineage to a mage and a witch of the
Jhaana al Fiern. Up until recently, his parents ran a small-time business of
brewing and selling potions in Hamsah Mu'tazz, but following the recent
world-shaking events and the famine, they decided to travel to the southern
continent to reunite with their distant relatives among the fire people.
Laeden decided to stay for his magic studies, not to mention he likes the
life in a big city. Having to sustain himself all on his own, he starts
adventuring for profit and looking upon possible careers.
He has a very minor talent for precognition, which, he believes, could serve
well to solve and fight crime in Blood Tribunal, but his relaxed and happy
outlook on life might also drive him towards Heralds. Needless to say, he is
not talented enough to look into his own future to determine where it lies.
Small time and big time
Added Thu Nov 26 08:28:51 2015 at level 30:
Up until recently, it seemed dull enough. Dealing with wretched folks who
defy or subvert the law and are in need of a criminal mark. His dream job,
the exterminator of petty crime. Laeden did not at all aspire to be a great
beacon of heroism. He had a place, and he was content to have it, and have
his share of fun and adventure in the days off.
What changed it was how serious some people are about opposing everything
he works for. How bad the situation is with his peers, the Spire's latest
crop, most of them opportunistic bastards with no moral compass to speak of.
Pondering this on his off day, he sits by a fireplace, staring into the
flames and hoping for an insight from within. And it comes. Enchanted by
the ever-dancing flame, he extends a paw as if to touch it - and it hurts!
Moments later Laeden darts into the washroom, almost knocking over a basin,
and sticks his burned paw into the water.
...Nursing the wound, he looks at the burn mark and is startled to find it
in the shape of an hourglass. As if the fire and his subconscious conspired
for the moment to tell him: it is time.
The Spire doesn't need another paper pusher - it needs a hero.
Development
Added Mon Nov 30 11:44:23 2015 at level 39:
Laeden's orderly alignment is not rooted in desire to regulate, only in his
belief of honesty and trustworthiness. His manners are thus very informal,
even blunt. One who looks past this might find out he's none the less very
appreciative of good talk - funny epigrams and thoughtful discussions alike.
He seems to get along well with Fortress and Heralds, and looks to them for
what his evil cabalmates can never offer. He especially fancies Renize.
Despite this and despite certain disdain for protocol, he is completely
loyal to Tribunal. Laws are necessary when so many people are evil and it's
the only thing keeping them in check - if only other good people would learn
to work within it, it'd be better for all involved.
After visiting Raltevio's shrine, he is considering finding an outlet in
art. Learning to dance sounds really nice, and it might help him understand
his affinity with fire.
Fires to embers
Added Sat Dec 5 02:56:10 2015 at level 51:
... "O beneficious Fate, might ye show me the way
... with your index finger, and not the middle one."
They say a shapeshifter often takes on characteristic traits of his forms.
This is certainly true of Laeden, who progressed from a playful coyote, to
lazy leech, then fidgety gazelle, and finally a gloomy hyena. He looks back
at his dream of being a dashing hero, hunting criminals and saving damsels,
and it makes him laugh. He did not foresee this at all.
Having believed for his whole life that he was fated to be a fighter, and
being proven wrong, he's more skeptical about fate, divination, and about
magic being the solver of all problems. He's glad to still have his post as
it helps him feel useful despite not being cut out for efficient killing.
His personality shifted somewhat to that of a survivor, benevolent but with
a hint of cynicism, and his antics go for dark humor more often than not.
Thoughts on being Felar
Added Fri Dec 11 17:53:50 2015 at level 51:
Laeden wonders if growing up among so many humans made him even less of a
proper example of his race. While his heritage shows in his fighting style,
silly feline antics and wildly unrestrained manners, he values and considers
things that make him feel completely alien in, say, Blackclaw. His habits of
anxious laughter or eating unsavory things don't help matters either.
He sees a kindred soul in Renize because of their similar background, and
it's small wonder things led to a whirlwind romance. The two are soon to be
married, the prospect of which has been spurring him to seek extra wealth
and status - that's something he didn't care all that much about previously.
And he did in fact triple his savings in a relatively short period of time.
Thoughts on alignment
Added Fri Dec 25 11:10:08 2015 at level 51:
... "My wish was to slay criminals.
... They say, be careful what you wish for."
A saying goes, people's nature is mostly evil, and goodness is only caused
by intentional activity. In a world where everyone is free to act on their
base impulses - the world envisioned by Outlanders and Scarabites - this
translates to evil in dominance, simply because most people aren't virtuous,
and those who are, are vulnerable.
Some people (Fortress) believe it is possible to exterminate evil. Wrong,
unless you exterminate all humans, arials and felar (who will never be pure
inherently as elves or storm giants are, and thus some of them will always
turn to evil). Besides, greatest evil is often committed by people without
red auras (Nexuns and Battleragers being obvious examples).
Now, in a world where people are restrained by laws - the world envisioned
by Tribunal - this translates to evil being protected, and again good people
are disadvantaged because rules can always be bent.
But it is a *smaller* disadvantage.
Not very optimistic, but such is the way Laeden came to think. He killed
a good man recently. In a way, things will never be the same.
Time and symbolism
Added Sat Jan 30 05:04:16 2016 at level 51:
The hourglass image that "happened" to Laeden many years ago, he interpreted
as a sign of encouragement, to hurry up and seize the moment. Looking back,
he understands the sign could mean anything, and he simply took it for what
was desired. Time, and its symbols, are deceptive like that.
He contemplates that all of his best achievements were made through patience
and resolve, and only seizing the moment when it was the correct one. Even
though he mostly failed to improve his precognition, the thought of having
better understanding is... pleasing.
He chooses an hourglass glyph as the symbol to be displayed on his personal
seal, given it also resembles Tribunal's symbol of justice, the Scales.
Lessons for the war-weary
Added Sat Feb 13 06:52:24 2016 at level 51:
Laeden took some cues from the late Commander Varnon, about pressing every
advantage and giving no quarter to the enemy - and he intends to use these
lessons against the Ragers. Pride and honor have so little place in war.
Kick them when they are weak. Pit them against each other. Grace is for the
defeated, enemies who still fight will get none. He wouldn't do it for fun
or personal gain, though, nor betray the trust of another Good person.
It's even harder to maintain his moral integrity now that he is fighting so
many wars at once. Given the savage nature of his guild and his lifelong
dream of being a fighter, it is way too easy to revel in the enemies' blood
and forget why he is fighting. But there are people all around who will
remind him constantly - his beloved Renize, his brothers-in-arms, and many
friendly folk who look to him for advice. It is also a lesson to take.
Finally, another one he should have learned long ago, but didn't until now,
is that best way to deal with external politics is to not have much of it.
At least in regards to Law, nobody outside Tribunal will decide what should
be done. If someone doesn't like your policy, ignore them. If they insist
violently, fight back but don't argue. Give them no ground for discussion.
Be boring and they'll leave you alone. This lesson is Hitrilipimi's legacy.
Lifepath summary so far
Added Sat Feb 13 10:15:36 2016 at level 51:
* Cheerful youth, stays in the city to learn magic when family moves.
* Adventures for profit, has ambition to kill criminals and be a hero.
* Falls in love, learns to appreciate art, eventually gets married.
* Wealthy and skilled, but unsuccessful in pursuing his ambition.
* Personality shifts to more gloomy, survivalistic, black-humor kind of guy.
* Well-meaning, but thinks there's no ideal way to make good in the world.
* His attitude might've helped him thrive in Tribunal. Named Provost.
* Feels his ambitions are fulfilled, but worries about enjoying killing.
* Hates politics, scheming and outside meddling in Tribunal affairs.
* War declared by both Empire and Battle, further reinforcing his distaste.
PK Wins
Nov 28, 2015|Lv 35|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Xigon vs 2: [35] Laeden (7%), [51] Bhayden (92%, slash)
Dec 5, 2015 |Lv 51|Copeham Inn|Xigon vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, bite)
Dec 11, 2015|Lv 51|Galadon|Faldor vs 2: [51] Laeden (22%), [51] Doranallanas (77%, hit)
Dec 13, 2015|Lv 51|Azreth Wood|Varnon vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, bite)
Dec 15, 2015|Lv 51|Galadon|Gorrborno vs 3: [51] Laeden (31%), [51] Sachi (62%, drowning), [48] Shendrar (6%)
Dec 24, 2015|Lv 51|Voralia's Tears|Lathlaeril vs 2: [51] Laeden (51%, bite), [51] Zalgordrax (48%)
Dec 26, 2015|Lv 51|Galadon|Gromm vs 2: [47] Dvorkin (30%, KB), [51] Laeden (69%)
Dec 28, 2015|Lv 51|Underdark|Dvorkin vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, claw)
Jan 15, 2016|Lv 51|The Galadon Sewers|Faldor vs 2: [41] Mhirnal (80%, black light), [51] Laeden (19%)
Jan 22, 2016|Lv 51|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Thuoren vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, bite)
Jan 25, 2016|Lv 51|Desert of Araile|Thuoren vs 2: [51] Laeden (27%), [51] Gaspare (72%, KB)
Jan 28, 2016|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Thuoren vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, bite)
Jan 31, 2016|Lv 51|Galadon|Yaellik vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, hit)
Feb 1, 2016 |Lv 51|Galadon|Grimghal vs 2: [51] Kinaghe (25%), [51] Laeden (74%, slash)
Feb 1, 2016 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Shravthar vs 2: [35] Isihl (46%, disruption), [51] Laeden (53%)
Feb 1, 2016 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Grimghal vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, slash)
Feb 4, 2016 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Torzen vs 2: [51] Laeden (69%, slash), [51] Kinaghe (30%)
Feb 4, 2016 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Tanzer vs 3: [51] Laeden (6%, bite), [51] Kinaghe (15%), [51] Trilhir (77%)
Feb 4, 2016 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Trilhir vs 3: [51] Tanzer (22%), [51] Kinaghe (21%, sting), [51] Laeden (56%)
Feb 4, 2016 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Bilgritik vs 4: [37] Wiglaf (4%), [37] Telufial (4%), [51] Abelmon (12%), [51] Laeden (78%, slash)
Feb 7, 2016 |Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Shravthar vs 2: [43] Rudrriw (93%, bite), [51] Laeden (6%)
Feb 8, 2016 |Lv 51|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Sekope vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, bite)
Feb 9, 2016 |Lv 51|The Outlander Refuge|Whembly vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Feb 9, 2016 |Lv 51|The Imperial Lands|Ludgurz vs 3: [51] Laeden (53%, slash), [51] Tanzer (12%), [51] Gwildaththea (34%)
Feb 10, 2016|Lv 51|Eil Shaeria|Sangrazul vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Feb 10, 2016|Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Praghrik vs 2: [44] Ludgurz (64%, cleave), [51] Laeden (35%)
Feb 11, 2016|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Sekope vs 2: [51] Laeden (63%, slash), [43] Rudrriw (36%)
Feb 11, 2016|Lv 51|Galadon|Sekope vs 2: [49] Wiglaf (7%), [51] Laeden (92%, magic missile)
Feb 12, 2016|Lv 51|The North Road|Choinon vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, claw)
Feb 12, 2016|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Gandular vs 2: [51] Laeden (23%, claw), [44] Qaqah (76%)
Feb 12, 2016|Lv 51|The Nexus Island|Grimghal vs 2: [44] Qaqah (4%), [51] Laeden (95%, KB)
Feb 13, 2016|Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Choinon vs 2: [45] Rudrriw (23%), [51] Laeden (76%, slash)
Feb 17, 2016|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Shravthar vs 3: [51] Telufial (18%), [51] Juven (3%), [51] Laeden (77%, KB)
Feb 19, 2016|Lv 51|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Tanzer vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, slash)
Feb 20, 2016|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Yaellik vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Feb 23, 2016|Lv 51|Valley of Veran|Melissa vs 2: [51] Laeden (64%, claw), [51] Tanzer (35%)
Feb 24, 2016|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Darvoderis vs 2: [51] Laeden (37%, KB), [51] Abelmon (62%)
Feb 24, 2016|Lv 51|Voralian City|Lathlaeril vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Feb 25, 2016|Lv 51|Ancient Emerald Forest|Jrury vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Feb 25, 2016|Lv 51|North Sutherspring Road|Shravthar vs 3: [51] Sanshia (0%), [51] Laeden (90%, KB), [47] Qaqah (9%)
Feb 26, 2016|Lv 51|Galadon|Kratz vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, claw)
Feb 28, 2016|Lv 51|The Tower of Sorcery|Kratz vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Mar 1, 2016 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Choinon vs 2: [51] Laeden (32%, slash), [47] Isihl (67%)
Mar 1, 2016 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Choinon vs 2: [51] Laeden (82%, KB), [36] Krisnif (17%)
Mar 1, 2016 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Shravthar vs 2: [51] Laeden (28%), [47] Isihl (71%, hit)
Mar 2, 2016 |Lv 51|The Galadon Sewers|Choinon vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, slash)
Mar 2, 2016 |Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Horner vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, slash)
Mar 4, 2016 |Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Gandular vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Mar 5, 2016 |Lv 51|The Seaport of Hamsah Mu'tazz|Choinon vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Mar 14, 2016|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Ardish vs 2: [51] Laeden (75%, slash), [51] Golthazar (24%)
Mar 17, 2016|Lv 51|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Tanzer vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, slash)
Mar 19, 2016|Lv 51|Galadon|Ardish vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, claw)
Mar 22, 2016|Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Gandular vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, KB)
Mar 23, 2016|Lv 51|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Zephys vs 1: [51] Laeden (100%, hit)
Mar 23, 2016|Lv 51|The Imperial Lands|Ardish vs 2: [51] Laeden (58%, claw), [51] Darvoderis (41%)
Mar 24, 2016|Lv 51|Galadon|Sekope vs 2: [51] Laeden (87%, slash), [51] Lolatah (12%)