Post by Gabriel Jhaedaes Os Tar on Dec 21, 2009 19:27:57 GMT -8
Name:
[/color] Gabriel Jhaedaes Os Tar (Gabriel; after the Arch Angel Gabriel, leader of the Seven Arch Angels and bringer of truth. Jhaedaes Os Tar was given to him by the Fae after his appointment as Daemon Leader and representative of Daemons on their council. It means ‘leader of chaos’ in Elvish).
Gender:
Male
Age:
374
Birthday:
Thirteenth day of the Snow Moon
Species:
Daemon - Demon
Affinity:
Bardic Magic Affinity
Level:
Eight
Abilities:
Natural Talent, Natural Charisma, Natural Beauty, Sweet Scent, Talent Manipulation, Changing Perception, Charming Hypnosis, Mesmerism, Command Manipulation, Water Communication
Artifact:
Intricate, heavy silver ring set with three large dark coloured stones which are probably rubies although the ring is from the Daemon world so may contain gems unknown in Illinor.
Level:[/color] 4
Ability:[/color] Water Communication
Activated:[/color] Artifact from the Daemon World so can only be safely used by a Daemon.
Other species risk adverse magical effects ranging from mild pain to death - it's a gamble.
Role:
Daemon Leader of Illinor
Alignment:
Strictly Neutral[/center]
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Features:
Partially thanks to his Bardic Affinity there is only one word for Gabriel - beautiful. But that beauty is wild, feral...dangerous. His features are angular and aristocratic; high cheekbones, an elegant jaw, straight nose. He is an alluring, striking predator. He look to be in his early twenties by mortal standards and seems to be aging very, very slowly appearance-wise, perhaps due to the warping of Daemon immortality in Illinor.
Complexion:
Very pale, Gabriel's skin is almost translucent. Flawless and snowy, it does mean it he looks haggard and unhealthy when he is tired as the dark purple shadows beneath his eyes are so obvious when they're there. When he is flushed from embarrassment or exertion a delicate blush of rose colours his cheeks just beneath his cheekbones.
Hair:
Near shoulder length and inky black, choppy and uneven at the ends as though cut roughly with a knife every now and then. Which it is. Silky and fine, an elegant dark companion to his snowy skin giving him a monochromatic feel.
Eyes:
The only spots of colour the Daemon possesses, they are therefore shocking, striking and mesmerising. A bright, unnatural teal hue and, because they are the first thing another is drawn to, a powerful channel of his bardic influence. They are prettily framed by long, thick dark lashes.
Body:
Above average height though not towering at a little over six foot, Gabriel is elegant and athletic. His slender frame is lightly muscled though he is built for speed rather than strength.
Attire:
Simple light weight, black cotton pants that fall to his ankles. His upper torso and feet are bare; with his naturally higher body heat he requires little else even in winter. On very cold days he may wear a cloak if he can get hold of one. He wears a lot of decorative silver jewellery - chains around his neck, bracelets on his wrists, many rings on his fingers. One in particular, an intricate silver ring set with three dark stones, is a magical artifact from the Daemon world. The rest have purely sentimental value.
Distinguishing marks:
Gabriel has three obvious scars along his left shoulder, the skin healing in knotted pale ropes. These are from the claws of a Daemon he fought and killed. More subtle scars along his ribs and side are also from a Daemon, an insane elemental that attacked him and fled once he disarmed her with bardic magic.
"I'm sick, you see. I haven't been well since the time I left my home in the Daemon world, seeking refuge from disease in Illinor. That refuge was forthcoming but I didn't escape completely - my mind was touched by illness and now I am more than a singe person. My name is Gabriel; that is my true self. His name is Xavier, my alter ego. All of the worst parts of me concentrated and emphasised in one dark personality. I will try to keep him restrained, make every possible effort, but sometimes I will fail. Should that happen keep away from me, please. It's all I can ask..."
[/i][/color]Gabriel
[/i][/color][/center][/font]Charming Gabriel is incredibly, irresistably, delightfully charming. His natural presence and charisma are undeniable. His gaze, his voice, his touch, his appearance, his smell - they all compel you to trust him and listen to him. This makes him a natural leader and oddly mesmerising. It somewhat overrides the natural fear most feel for Daemons although it can never completely erase their uneasiness around him for despite his charm there is an undercurrent of danger about him, as though he is luring you in...
Tempermental His biggest fault and greatest weakness, Gabriel is tempestuous and easily angered. Moody, jealous and volatile, the Daemon has to work hard to restrain his temper.
Intelligent[/color] Well spoken, well read and intelligent, Gabriel is surprisingly educated for a Daemon. This is largely due to his status as a leader of Daemons and thus he has educated himself in the magics, history, lore and traditions of the four races of Illinor. This intelligence serves him well - he is witty, sarcastic and streetwise which translates into pretty good at staying alive.
Unreliable[/color] Well, at least when it comes to the opposite gender. With his ability to mesmerise people, especially woman, he can be unfaithful and flirtatious. It's a natural companion to his charm. It takes a special kind of woman to keep him restrained for any length of time. Part of the reason for this is that Gabriel has been wary of forming strong attachments since the deaths of his family and friends in the Old World.
Confident[/color] Daemon royalty, a charismatic manipulator and approaching four hundred years old, Gabriel has had the time and success to grow confident in his abilities and in himself. He radiates a quiet undercurrent of power and can be almost arrogant at times.
Diplomatic[/color] Due to his natural Daemon weapons of claws and fangs that he can lengthen and shorten at will he is accomplished when fighting and confident of staying alive although he prefers to use his bardic influence to avoid the fight instead. He is good at talking people out of things, or indeed into obeying his will. Years of experience within the High Council has taught him diplomacy when dealing with his own species or others and he is accomplished in most social situations.
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"He needs me. He'll tell you otherwise but without me he would be weaker, more vulnerable, chained to his morals and unable to act on his anger. I let him do that; I'm brave enough to take his temper and channel it into something beautiful, something creative. Gabriel keeps me locked up, festering in a dark part of his mind, hidden from the world. But sometimes I will emerge. When his anger bubbles over, whenever they push him past the point of no return, it's me they will meet. And when they do the world will know the name of Xavier, know it and respect it..."
[/i][/color]Xavier
[/i][/color][/center][/font]Sadistic[/color] Xavier is a sadistic, bloodthirsty, cruel murderer. He delights in the pain of others and his unwary victims often undergo torture before their deaths if they do not have the means to fight back. He is particularly fond of the sight and smell of blood so slow deaths are something of a specialty.
Artistic[/color] Xavier is creative with his murders, and it pleases him to create colourful, dramatic scenes when he kills a person. Blood is his chief paint although the body is likely to feature too. All in all it's a pretty unpleasant scene for someone to find; only Xavier can really appreciate the beauty in death. Most just find it gruesome and sickening.
Immoral[/color] Not only does Xavier enjoy murder, he is also lustful and has a weakness for the company of the opposite gender. It is very common for him to pick a young female as a victim, luring her in with bardic charm, hiding his dark intentions, and murdering her when he is done. His lack of morals extends to most areas of his life. He is certainly not above thievery, cheating, gambling or drinking.
Narcissistic[/color] Xavier is vain, conceited, egotistical and selfish. He tends to overestimate his abilities and not only desires affirmation and admiration, he requires it or soon becomes even more dangerous and violent. The disorder has basically created a personality with the darker sides of Gabriel's personality magnified, and this is probably an emphasis of his far less unpleasant arrogance.
Obsessive[/color] Once Xavier has chosen a victim, that victim is highly unlikely to survive the experience. Indeed he has yet to leave one alive. His chosen victim is hunted, tortured and killed to the exclusion of all other needs. The only way to survive for sure would be to kill Xavier himself - if one manages to escape their first experience with the beautiful, murderous Demon he will hunt them feverishly and recklessly until he finds them.
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Natural Talent (Base)[/color] The base ability of his Bardic Affinity means Gabriel is talented at all performance arts. Though he rarely uses this talent, his interests lying in leadership and diplomacy instead, he does sometimes use story-telling simply to amuse himself.
Natural Charisma (Level 1)[/color] Gabriel is, at all times and with no conscious command or effort of his magic, naturally charismatic. People are drawn to him and listen to him when he speaks. He holds an unusual intrigue allure that makes people curious. He is good at speaking in public and swaying opinion.
Natural Beauty (Level 2)[/color] Again, though this is an earned ability it becomes more of an attribute as Gabriel does not need to think about it to activate it. At all times the Daemon is attractive to others, especially those with an interest in the male gender. People find him striking and interesting, leading them into an ever neater starting point for him to work more powerful bardic charms.
Sweet Scent (Level 3)[/color] Gabriel is able to release a powerful, appealing scent that is a concentrated version of his natural perfume. Unique to each user, his smells of musky summer roses and dark honey in the sun - heady, delicious, tantalizing. This even further enhances his attractiveness and charm to anyone smelling it, concentrating his appeal into an almost irresistable force.
Talent Manipulation (Level 4)[/color] While Gabriel rarely utilises his base ability of natural talent in the performance arts, when he does his chosen act is usually story-telling through which he can subtly though powerfully suggest orders and manipulate others through his bardic magic. He is a creative story-teller, rich in detail and clever in the manipulation of his listeners so they become spell-bound before ever realising they are being hypnotised. He also occassionally sings.
Changing Perception (Level 5)[/color] Gabriel is able to change his appearance at will, within the confines of remaining humanoid and recognisably a Daemon. This doesn't involve any actual physical change, rather it is a magical perception change. The difference can be as subtle as simple tweaks of his features or hair, to a full on change in gender or Daemon species.
Charming Hypnosis (Level 6)[/color] Gabriel can channel a powerful hypnosis through his eyes, voice and touch. It's his gaze that is the most powerful and therefore this strongly affects one person, however all in hearing vicinity will be affected by his voice. When he uses this his eyes darken to inky black and his victim will see something in them that fully occupies their attention; a wheeling universe, deep in his eyes. It is very, very difficult to break out of this hypnosis though it does drain his magical energy so its use is limited. This works rather like regular hypnosis - the person can be persuaded to do almost anything Gabriel commands but nothing that contradicts their true nature (for example, only someone capable of and willing to kill can be directed to murder another). Obviously he can only work the most powerful side through holding eye contact and the range of the lesser hypnosis of voice is limited to the hearing range of his voice.
Mesmerism (Level 7)[/color] Gabriel is also able to powerfully affect a single person so that they become utterly mesmerised by him. They will experience feelings of love, desire, need and obsession and wish to be close to him and obey his orders while under the spell. This is much more powerful than his general hypnosis, affects just a single person and even once the spell is broken the victim is likely to experience residual though weakened feelings of obsession and desire. Also unlike the hypnosis he does not need to maintain eye contact for the full effects to continue.
Command Manipulation (Level 8)[/color] This is basically a more powerful version of Charming Hypnosis, having the same affect but on a large group of people and without needing to maintain eye contact. Needless to say, this is useful for controlling armies, meetings, brewing discontent...however, it is a large drain on magical energy so cannot be maintained for a long period of time unless a constant source of replenishment is available. The more people under Gabriel's sway, the larger the energy drain.
Water Communication (Artifact)[/color] The artifact he holds from his home world holds the ability water communication. He is therefore able to communicate with any individual in any part of Illinor or the Daemon world that also has this ability, through any water source. He must know the true name of the person he wishes to communicate with in order to get their attention when using the magic. He most frequently uses this ability to communicate with Glaux, a Daemon king back in the Old World.
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Through the rift...[/color]
Seventh Day of the Harvest Moon, Year of Magic (12)
They're all dying. I've been watching them for weeks now, watching as those I love and care for slowly succumb to a terrible disease. It weakens them first, attacking their joints and bones, bringing terrible pain. The healers try everything but all they can do is give numbing herbs to ease the agony; nothing seems to improve the condition. Then they struggle for breath, coughing up blood. Their dreams must be unpleasant for our homes echo with the screams and whimpers of terrified Demons...and all I can do is watch and wait for my turn. Two or three more each day, as relentless as the cycles of the moon. Finally they slip into the release of death, more than two weeks after the process begins, falling into a coma before they simply stop breathing. Each day we hold funerals and the bodies are cremated, dressed in white linen and whatever gold jewellery the family can afford to part with, according to our traditions. The ashes we scatter into a north breeze but there is no time for proper grieving as more die each day. Whole families fading, and nothing we can do about it.
Twenty-ninth Day of the Harvest Moon, Year of Magic (12)
My mother joined the ranks of the dead this morning. We cremated her according to tradition and that marks the last of my family to die. My father passed weeks ago, my two brothers shortly after him. Her last words to me implored that I try to escape, try to leave our home. I rebelled against the idea at first but I have nothing left here now. There are only three of my community remaining alive and I have no wish to linger and wait any longer for the disease to claim me too. I have heard whispers of a rift in space, and tear in the fabric of time that could allow a Daemon to exit this world and enter another. It is this I will seek, leaving at first light tomorrow.
Third Day of the Wolf Moon, Year of Tradition (13)
I travelled months before I even confirmed this rumour was true. Months longer before I reached the point I stand now. The rift is in front of me, a thin tear in the sky, almost invisible unless you know what to look for. Ordinarily I would fear stepping into this strange passage but only death awaits me here. Whatever is on the other side surely cannot be worse.
Fifth Day of the Wolf Moon, Year of Tradition (13)
Colours. I had never seen many of them before, though the hues did not excite my imagination. Mostly I just felt ill, lost, untied to any place. It was like floating and falling all at once. I often saw images of the Demons I had seen dying. Then blackness...
Into Illinor...[/color]
Date Unknown
This new world has many similarities to my old one, but also many differences. Though the trees and plants are often similar, the inhabitants are not. I have met people that call themselves Shifters, that can change into animals at will or fashion weapons from strands of hair. And I met the native species, called the Fae. Keepers of this forest they name Illinor, powerfully magical. And Daemons! I have yet to meet Demons of my own nature but the elementals and golems and vampires I knew from the Old World are here. Many have been here over twenty years and undoubtedly more will come; who knows how long the rift will remain open? I find my memories are now vague at best; I can recall my mother, my family, and the horror of the deaths but the sharp pain of that time has faded.
Date Unknown
I have grown used to Illinor. Grown to love the forest as I loved the Old World, grown to respect the trees and the species that live here. But something happened to shake my happiness here. One day I awoke, covered in shallow cuts and bruises. A dead shifter girl was close by, her body decorated with the cuts of Demon claws. She was young, pretty, a panther shifter I think though I can't be sure. I have no memory of what happened but those claw marks, impossibly, must have been mine. It has taken me some time to come to this conclusion and I have no idea what has happened. Perhaps I am ill after all.
Date Unknown
No further incidents. I travelled to the Fae High Council in search of answers but they couldn't tell me and indeed seemed largely uninterested in my description of the murder. They seemed surprised to meet a Demon well-spoken and polite enough to cause no offence within their circles, intelligent and focused enough to contribute to their conversations. After lengthy dealings they appointed me Daemon Leader of Illinor, responsible for ruling and disciplining the Daemons according to their laws and our own. They gave me the Elvish name 'Jhaedaes Os Tar' - leader of chaos, and a place on their council as a representative of my kind.
Arrival of Mortals...[/color]
Date Unknown
I was with the Fae on the distant shore of Illinor when the mortals arrived. I had been in Illinor over two hundred years by then. We were all confused, but the Fae are just and fair types and welcomed the odd newcomers. They are not comfortable in the forest - I can see this in the fear in their eyes and the wariness of their movements. They are strange creatures, very short-lived. I learned in this time too that I have begun to age. It is a slow process but it came as a shock nonetheless for Daemons are immortal in the Old World, death comes only by injury or disease. Strangely I find I do not mourn the loss of this immortality - it is almost a relief to know one day I will be reunited with those I loved.
Date Unknown
The forest is in uproar. I hear the trees whispering, anger in their words. The Fae are shocked and furious. After fifty years of relative peace the mortals have betrayed us all. We awoke today to the scream of dying trees, able to feel their pain. Fae, Daemons and Shifters alike travelled at once to the source only to be repelled by armies of heavily armed Mortals. They are building a Wall, I think, to enclose a city in which they intend to hide like rats from the wrath of the species and forest of Illinor. This betrayal will not be forgiven. Plans are being made to attack, to stop them, but I fear it will be impossible to do this before the wall is completed. The mortals are so numerous; children are rare and treasured among the long-lived, slow breeding species but the mortals produce children like rabbits to swell their ranks.
Date Unknown
The wall is finished, the mortals hidden behind it. They do not venture into the forest often any more - the trees do not like them, and nor do we. In time the Daemons may become indifferent and the Shifters may forgive but I think the Fae will hate them forever for hurting their precious forest.
Date Unknown
It happened again. I awoke within the mortal city, shocked and afraid within that wall and their buildings. More frightening still, the young mortal female dead by my side. The walls of the room were painted with blood, hers I've no doubt. A name was scrawled in that blood in elegant cursive...Xavier. This time I was determined to discover the cause of my loss of memories and I asked any mortal I came upon for weeks. I managed to fit in the city without terrifying them too much by changing my appearance in their eyes using bardic magic, and using my charm and influence to get information. Eventually an elderly shaman explained what had happened. She told me she had seen me charm the young girl away from the crowd, playing havoc with her heart. When she did not return she guessed what I had done. She was well versed in the dark arts though and didn't seem outraged by my murder of her. Xavier's murder of her. I am no longer a single person. Two personalities, within a single body. One myself, the other murderous and cruel. It was the anger over the wall that brought him out; she advised I control my temper to keep him at bay. I begged her to kill me but she refused. Said I should learn control rather than seek an easy way out. Perhaps she is right.
Recent History...
Date Unknown
I am comfortable in my role as Daemon Leader. Confident in my abilties. I have educated myself over the years, become unsually intelligent and well-read for a Daemon. I am respected among the Fae and among the Daemons. I've had very little to do with Shifters since they allied with the mortals although I've nothing against the few that remain in the forest. I am happy in Illinor and like that old Shaman suggested, I learnt how to control Xavier. I have kept him locked away in my mind since that mortal girl died at my claws, except for one provoked incident with a Daemon that dragged him out despite my best efforts. She, too, he killed. Xavier does not fail. I now spend my time between High Council and my own affairs. I occassionally find myself embroiled in trouble; fights with insane elementals and the such do occur. I go behind the wall on occassion out of interest and sometimes find employ there. All in all, I can't complain. I can only look forward to the future, to what Illinor has in store for me.
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