Description
You look upon a tall man with a slight build.
He has deep, brown eyes with green-flecked irises. A strong nose and chin
give him a defined and stern look, softened only by his smile that sometimes
cracks his visage into a cheeky and attractive grin. His skin is smooth and
unmistakedly elven in its complexion. Running down his shoulders, is his long
blond hair - except where you see unmistakedly shining green threads. Peering
closer, it looks as if large clumps of his hair have actually turned green.
The color is not unlike that of the moss on a tree, but it gleams and shines
with the look of normal, healthy hair. Looking down his slim body, he seems
built to a thin design while his shoulders give him space to accomodate
something of a masculine chest. As you glance at his feet, something almost
seems to shine. Like a coin reflecting sunlight just out of the corner of
your eye. Peering harder reveals nothing, but you feel a distinct sense of
mystery behind his footwear.
Upon his right wrist, a vivid tattoo flares with divine energy.
Role
Raphru's strange origins, the Nymph mother and the Knight father.
Added Fri Oct 6 10:12:41 2006 at level 15:
Born and orphaned, Raphru was adopted by Katrin, a water Nymph of a pond in a
forest no one can name, until the nymph felt it time to give him up and lured
a knight to her home feeling she could trust a good man to take care of her
charge.
Alkeed, Raphru's foster father in the guild, raised Raphru as the nymph
instructed keeping to the three requests she had made upon parting. That
Raphru's hair be covered unless he felt it safe to show. For the Nymph's
dreams of her lover, after whom Raphru was named, had given him the curse of
taking some of his appearance. Raphru often has grows of green-tinted hair
amongst his own blond and his eyes are flecked with green. The nymph's
influence also gave Raphru the charm of an angel and she asked it not be
abused to lure women in. Raphru was infertile because of her touch and it
would be only false love because of it. She also warned Alkeed of the bonding
that would happen if Raphru were to walk with wet feet upon unguarded land.
This was the first rule broken.
Raphru became bonded by the holy waters of a fountain and bound not only to
serve the blessing that touched him but to spread the waters that carried it.
This coincided with the rise of Rayihn, a patron deity to the waters, and
solidified Raphru's fate like clay in the oven. It is from there he marches
out to find his fate, the man who is part human, part elf and touched by a
nymph of a pond.
Raphru was not born as a true half-elf as many believed for so long. He was
given to the world by a Nymph.
Many wonder how the spirits that are nymphs reproduce. They can just keep on
wondering, its none of their business. But what is known is that when a Nymph
adopts a child, either of out a whim or because of a favor owed, there is a
bond between them that will never be broken. Just as the nymph becomes more
like a mother to cater for the child, the child becomes ever so slightly like
a nymph. Just ever so slightly.
When Katrin, the water nymph, was given the child she adopted it just as
nymphs on those rare occasions do. She gave him a name, Raphru, after her
favorite Satyr who had long since left her to prance in a different glade.
She said the child had his look. She took the baby in, teaching him to swim
and love the water to which she was bound. She would nestle him amongst the
reeds at night and gently bring him back to the water and the rocks when the
sun had warmed them. Like something from a fairy tale, trouble would pass
them by until it was clear the child was aging slower than Katrin expected.
Raphru did have elven blood in him, thin as it was, and she began to feel the
obligation was too great for a fickle nymph like herself. When a sad looking
knight passed by, she sung to him and begged him come to the waters edge to
help her. It was then that Alkeed, Raphru's foster father, first held the
child naked in his arms. Katrin refused to reveal anything of the childs
origins but Alkeed was made to understand he would not be like other
children. She gave him but three rules.
The child must have his feet bound, when he learns to walk. And there after,
when his feet are wet from bathing, do not let them settle on the earth until
they are dry.
The sweet child has gained some look to him that would
One foot in the water, the other on his path. Raphru's binding ritual.
Added Fri Oct 6 10:14:49 2006 at level 15:
Raphru made a choice that in reality was no decision. Being of age, and
trained in the faith of the Light, he was given the recommendation of the
guild for any church he wished to choose. Many great gods and goddesses
called for champions but Raphru felt confused by them all. It was then the
world changed. People panicked as disease spread, the cities were a awash
with fear. The guild turned away those afflicted, it had proven non-fatal and
almost incurable, giving them only what they needed to carry on their
travels. The mageplague had come to Thera. From amongst the chaos that Raphru
heard only rumors of, new presences were felt. Like an arrow to its mark,
Raphru felt a call older than the hills yet to him it was as sweet as fresh
honey. The whispers and urges that swelled in him called but he found it hard
to decipher their meaning. Retreating into meditation, he used the guild as a
home once more to seek out his path. It was while he was pre-occupied, that
the holy waters of the Spa made their mark.
Washing his hands and feet, an ancient ritual for pilgrims, Raphru found
himself absently staring off as he dried them. Sat on the floor, he balanced
precariously on his buttocks. His daydreaming cost him his balance, and he
fell forward nearly diving back into the spa. One foot was thrust into the
water, to stop his descent. The other had placed on the edge, balancing
himself once more so delicately as humans do. Upright and stable, it was then
that fear came. The foot on the stones about the spa was wet. A second passed
like an eternity as Raphru's mind span into a dark hole of terror, as if his
thoughts were sucked up into the cold void of fear itself. His heart
followed, leaving him empty and lost.
Like the a flood, a torrent of energy and light poured out from the void. It
came from beyond, somewhere out of reach yet tangable with his heart and
mind, with what he felt was his whole being. It filled the gaps between his
feelings and his thoughts, it washed away all darkness to leave only himself
bobbing in a sea of something he could describe only as enlightenment... and
then as quickly it left him dry, upon the shores of reality. What had
happened, he could not understand but he knew something of Nymph's and was
warned of what might be. Natural spirits like Nymphs are bound to their
places. Where they call home, becomes their prison and their haven. Something
of this was remembered by Raphru's body and it bound him to the waters he had
spread with his foot. Yet he was not a nymph, and it could not hold him. He
replaced his boots and felt a pang as he walked from the spa. Taking his
water skin, he filled it and blessed it at the spring. The pang came again
but it felt satisfyingly diminished. No mere fountain could hold him, for his
feet were taking the Light within them to other places. Like a torch reaching
out into the night to find the path, he thrust the skin out and let it guide
him.
From there, his feelings led. Like many young mean he was bold and the world
was new. His heart would guide him.
Raphru's thoughts on becoming an Acolyte.
Added Tue Oct 10 10:36:14 2006 at level 33:
I thought I'd start keeping a journal of my personal thoughts. I've been told
its theraputic to write down your ideas, lest they jumble your head and cause
chaos. Clear thought and diligence are necessary in my world. You never know
when the time might come and its important to seize it when it does.
Recently, I have joined the Squires of the Fortress. There are so many I can
meet through my work there, and it will only help me spread my holy waters
and the word of Lady Rayihn. It fascinates me how many different faiths can
be brought together under the Light. Understanding each and every religion I
come across, lends more weight to my persuasive arguments. Those who have
heard my message, are happy to support it. I know the Lady Rayihn will be
pleased. I only hope, that if and when the time comes for another great act,
I can show them how such moments are only attained through embracing their
potential - that hidden ability inside us that the Lady Rayihn showed me.
Perhaps we do not all have it but I am glad to discover some who clearly are
special.
The Lady wishes most to change the world for the better. I can see no better
way, than by acting as an avatar of the Light I am bound to now. Like the Sun
and the Waters, I can embody what it is to give life and faith to the masses.
Let me become an example to them all.
Raphru confronts his past, and thinks upon Vanity.
Added Wed Oct 11 11:05:34 2006 at level 36:
Though it is not what prompted me to write this day, I had a fascinating talk
with a friendly dwarf I feel I should note. I think I finally understand why
the world wrongly thinks the Lady Rayihn vain. They are so truly mistaken!
Belief in yourself is what drives a mortal forwards. There are so many of the
Light that try to be humble, to underplay their true potential as if it was
nothing. I strive so hard to break this taboo, for it is ridiculous. Those
who are known to be great warriors, should proclaim that they are so. They
must try to know and stretch their limits, understating them to the world
will only hold themselves back. What would I be, if I were to tell everyone I
was but a simple paladin? I am Raphru, raised by Katrin and a gifted priest
of Rayihn. I am blessed and eternally thankful fate chose such for me. But
why would I try to lie? I will not overstep the bounds of boasting, for the
bounds lie both sides. Yet those who are foolish enough to believe I
overstate something as simple as the beauty of my Lady must learn they cannot
comment upon what they have not experienced themselves. To be conceited is
small crime and I believe to empower people with confidence and positive
thinking is not. I must be careful to stress the later, lest the guild come
harshly upon me mistaking such teachings for encouraging sin.
I wanted to note this day, that I removed my shawl. It is silly to pretend I
am not what I am. Why my Father insisted on it, I don't know. Perhaps he
might have been embarassed to tell people what I am. Thank the Goddess, that
I was shown the way through my heart. I washed my hair beneath the falls in
the Emerald forest and let it dry for the first time in the sun. I think that
might have been a mistake, for now it looks somewhat ragged but I pray with
soap it will straighten itself once more. A paladin must be pristeen in his
appearance, so that none might mistake his role in society. Something about
washing still feels so good inside. The water running through my fingers,
makes me want to sing. It fills me with a passion I only feel that often with
Myala's song. Why do I not sing? It feels so natural. I want to spend more
time with Myala, she teaches me much and I enjoy helping her realise her
Gift. One day I might bring her before the Lady Rayihn, and show her what
talent lies within the Fortress. Maybe then she'll see the faith of the Light
is the salvation of all mortals.
A summary of Raphru's beginnings
Added Thu Oct 5 18:19:52 2006 at level 1:
Born and orphaned, Raphru was adopted by Katrin, a water Nymph of a pond in a
forest no one can name, until the nymph felt it time to give him up and lured
a knight to her home feeling she could trust a good man to take care of her
charge.
Alkeed, Raphru's foster father in the guild, raised Raphru as the nymph
instructed keeping to the three requests she had made upon parting. That
Raphru's hair be covered unless he felt it safe to show. For the Nymph's
dreams of her lover, after whom Raphru was named, had given him the curse of
taking some of his appearance. Raphru often has grows of green-tinted hair
amongst his own blond and his eyes are flecked with green. The nymph's
influence also gave Raphru the charm of an angel and she asked it not be
abused to lure women in. Raphru was infertile because of her touch and it
would be only false love because of it. She also warned Alkeed of the bonding
that would happen if Raphru were to walk with wet feet upon unguarded land.
This was the first rule broken.
Raphru became bonded by the holy waters of a fountain and bound not only to
serve the blessing that touched him but to spread the waters that carried it.
This coincided with the rise of Rayihn, a patron deity to the waters, and
solidified Raphru's fate like clay in the oven. It is from there he marches
out to find his fate, the man who is part human, part elf and touched by a
nymph of a pond.