Description
A man stands here clad entirely in black. Expensive robes and ornate
armor which is trimmed with gold. A sigil is displayed on his chestplate
of a crow perched in a nest filled with gold coins, small runes and a
dagger. His lanky, lithe form stands several inches over six feet in
height. His face is broad and handsome with strikingly powerful blue
eyes which exude intensity. His head is clean shaven and two inch tall
tattoos of runes run from his temples to the back of his skull like a
crown. You recognize these runes to be the same as those that are
depicted in the nest on his breastplate.
Role
The Shadow of Greed
Added Wed Feb 7 16:18:58 2018 at level 7:
The House of Aquinaes (pronounced Ah-kin-ays) was formed in the last Age
A noble house of merchants and slavetraders they came to prominence by
filling the void left in their Kingdom from a crippling civil war. The
Aquinaes family played many sides against each other in order to inherit
the ashes left from the war. It was during this time that the Aquinaes
family took the crest of a crow, considered to be the most cunning of
creatures, perched in a nest filled with riches, runes of knowledge
and a dagger. This was meant to symbolize the family's emphasis on the
accumulation of great wealth, of the importance of information and on
the necessity that violence/murder plays in the struggle for power.
The Crows, as they became known, often ruled from the shadows. They would
finance the families who would formally rule, allowing these people to
believe they had power while serving as a lightning rod to draw attention
away from the Aquinaes dishonorable acts. These included a great many
ventures: murder, prostitution, gambling, smuggling and slavetrading.
As the generations went on these activities made more and more of the
humans carry a vile red aura with each generation becoming more driven
and detestable than the last.
By modern times it was such that nothing was ever enough to satisfy a
Crow. This was no better displayed than in the beliefs and actions of
Vhaelian Aquinaes.
The Age of Indulgence
Added Wed Feb 7 16:19:45 2018 at level 7:
Vhaelian, the eldest son of the current Patriach of the Crows, was always
an astute student of "the game" as the family refers to it. He understood
that true power comes not from brute strength but from the finesse that is
born from the balance of cunning, strength and information. Vhaelian became
a student of this art by representing his Kingdom in the numerous Royal Courts
of Thera. These included the Sky Court of Ayr'Trinil, the War Court of the
DWarven Kingdom of Akan, the Court of Wisdom in Hillcrest, The Court of Spiders
in Teth Azeleth and then the Court of Sand in the Sultanate of Hamsah Mu'tazz.
As a Courtier Vhaelian learned many things about the different races and align-
ments of Thera. He also learned a lot about himself. Most notably that civilization
provided the comforts that his inner Greed required. He drank and whored his way
across Thera, from court to court, learning more and more about the world and his
own diabolical nature.
At the end of this when it was time to return home to his isolated Kingdom he
declined. The world had shown him it's bounty and it was too much to resist.
With Greed as his sole motivation he became the first Aquinaes to leave the comforts
of home for the vast potential of the mainlands. He has deemed the present Age the
"Age of Indulgence" and he seeks to fulfill a selfish destiny of gold and power.
Selfish Ambitions
Added Wed Feb 7 16:21:04 2018 at level 7:
In order to understand the depth of Vhaelian's greed you have to first understand a
few things about him as a human man:
I) Vhaelian was born with a distinctly evil aura. Like most of his family he is ruled
inherently by an Orderly ethos which dictates his approach to all things. The most
prominent manifestation of these vile tendencies is his greedy nature.
II) That Greed drives him in all he does. He longs for more and is never satisfied
for long. This isn't relegated to simply monetary gain as he desires power over all
else. He considers information to be as valuable a currency as any coin and desires
to hoard all of the above. He is extremely vain and believes in his own superiority.
This will drive him to be the most powerful/influential man in any room. This is a
stark rebuking of the Aquinaes family who have prided themselves on ruling from the
III) Since moving to the mainlands he has began openly worshiping and proselytizing
for Lord Morius. Through this indulgent worship he believes he is unlocking his true
potential as a Crow by embracing the Greed that his family had tried to restrict. He
continues to desire to control underworld activities and to profit off how others
indulge in their own vices.
IV) In contradiction to the above he desires to join the Blood Tribunal. This is
largely self-serving as he believes it provides him the cover to manipulate the world
as he sees fit. Furthermore he believes the Provost is the true King of these realms.
He believes that no one takes the word of the Emperor seriously beyond his own citizens
while the Law is obeyed even by the Lightwalkers who are forced to bend knee to the
Provost's decisions. Perhaps more applicable is the fact that the Greedy Vhaelian would
rather be paid than to tithe for his services.
V) Vhaelian joined the assassins guild. This was for two reasons: first he believes that
life as a thief would be limited to street dwelling. He believes he can still profit on
the underworld by controlling aspects of the Thieves guild without having to actually
join it himself. Secondly he finds the art of assassination to be a beautiful manifestation
of "the game".
VI) If there's a single word to describe Vhaelian it is selfish. He will cut any corner
to satisfy his inner thirst for greed. He is a master of manipulation and will use his
tongue with the same deadly intent as his blade.
A Crow's Journal
Added Mon Feb 12 18:15:28 2018 at level 30:
***The private journals of Vhaelian Aquinaes***
Today was an affirming day for me.
After years of solitude, honing my craft in anticipation of the Great War
to come, I stepped foot upon the holy ground of Lord Morius' church. I will
admit my body was crippled by my own nerves. Morius has given me much and
there I was, standing before the indulgent majesty of His church with nothing
to offer in return for the freedom by which He has blessed me.
I did my best to blend in with the crowd of supplicants. The first thing that
struck me was how everyone here were equals. The fat man with mustard stains
on his shirt stood side by side with a harlot I recognized from my time in the
brothels of Hamsah Mu'tazz. She was one of the Sultan's favorite due to her
Lust. But she did not look down upon the gluttonous, poverty stricken mess
beside her. Furthermore no one batted an eye at the sight of a Magistrate
standing amongst them.
In Sin, we were all brothers and sisters.
In Sin, we were all free.
I was then approached by a felar named Freadahr. I could tell by the glint in
the eye of the cat that this was a kindred spirit. Yet still my nerves demanded
submission. I spoke with the greedy cat for some time on the virtues of indulgence
and how my family had sought the manacles of mediocrity. As we spoke my guard
slowly came down and I realized I was amongst a new family. The fat man, the slut,
the cat. I was at home and for the first time in my life: understood.
Then it happened. I had my baptism in the spirit of Morius. Freadahr told me of
his want for More and how Morius granted it to him. It was at that moment that
I had my own awakening. More. It is what has been taken from me. It is what my
soul yearns for. If this is the Age of Indulgence then the utterance of the Age,
the Word which guides it is surely MORE! I screamed it outloud to the heavens,
I shook with holy zeal.
I shed tears as I gave praise to my god. I was ready for more and I will have it.
In the Spire, in the bed chambers, in the guild, wherever I desire it. It is the
Age of Vhaelian, as well and all will be mine.
I left the Church a new man with a simple instruction from the cat: The days of
solitude are coming to an end. My blade is trained and now it is time to form a
new Murder of Crows in service of Him.
-V.A.
7pm, Day of the Great Gods
5th of the Month of Grand Struggle
In the Year 88 of the Lord of Sin
PK Wins
Feb 14, 2018|Lv 33|Akan|Alingert vs 1: [33] Vhaelian (100%, searing cut)
Feb 15, 2018|Lv 35|Upper Cragstone|Piliear vs 1: [35] Vhaelian (100%, ground control)
Feb 16, 2018|Lv 36|The Plains of Arendyl|Gort vs 1: [36] Vhaelian (100%, defilement)
Feb 20, 2018|Lv 41|Grinning Skull Village|Alingert vs 1: [41] Vhaelian (100%, ground control)
Feb 21, 2018|Lv 41|Graveyard|Vikka vs 2: [38] Ghaunghar (8%, torments), [41] Vhaelian (91%)
Feb 25, 2018|Lv 47|Galadon|Rogos vs 2: [47] Vhaelian (36%, throw), [51] Luciaquos (63%)
Feb 28, 2018|Lv 50|Galadon|Derigan vs 2: [50] Vhaelian (25%, throw), [51] Rogos (74%)
Mar 2, 2018 |Lv 51|Galadon|Mozug vs 4: [51] Vhaelian (48%, slash), [51] Arkanthaleon (20%), [51] Knaor (9%), [51] Jeunne (21%)
Mar 3, 2018 |Lv 51|The Imperial Lands|Rogos vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, slash)
Mar 3, 2018 |Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Liesliah vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, hit)
Mar 4, 2018 |Lv 51|The Aryth Ocean|Nenn vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, wrath)
Mar 4, 2018 |Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Valtiare vs 3: [51] Quchack (24%), [51] Vhaelian (45%, throw), [51] Luciaquos (30%)
Mar 5, 2018 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Ocrisae vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, slash)
Mar 5, 2018 |Lv 51|Grinning Skull Village|Mozug vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, hit)
Mar 6, 2018 |Lv 51|Galadon|Ocrisae vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, slash)
Mar 6, 2018 |Lv 51|The Galadon Sewers|Rogos vs 2: [51] Quchack (3%), [51] Vhaelian (96%, cleave)
Mar 8, 2018 |Lv 51|Galadon|Zah vs 2: [51] Quchack (40%, lightning strike), [51] Vhaelian (59%)
Mar 10, 2018|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Zerin vs 3: [51] Nayoguew (33%), [50] Nenn (11%, blast), [51] Vhaelian (55%)
Mar 18, 2018|Lv 51|Grinning Skull Village|Nenn vs 1: [51] Vhaelian (100%, wrath)
Mar 20, 2018|Lv 51|Outskirts of Galadon|Rogos vs 2: [51] Ghaunghar (42%), [51] Vhaelian (57%, ground control)