Lighthawk76
07-14-08, 12:39 AM
I am forfeiting my current character, Blank (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=489), for the following character. Feel free to reset both my experience and gold. I believe this goes here, per this (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=642), but I apologize if it is supposed to go elsewhere.
Here's to hoping I can become more than a simple nuisance around here.
Name: Matthew Connors
Age: 19
Race: Human
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 210
Occupation: Page in the Order of the Servant Knight
I am a servant, I obey the lawful.
I am a servant, I defend the weak.
I am a servant, I help the needy
I am a servant, I live for The One.
-Oath of the Servant Knight
Personality:
Matthew is devoted to his oath of fealty, going where he is sent by his Order. He is rather unfazed by many things, smiling bemusedly or laughing at the unexpected rather than gaping in awe. He is a private person, keeping to his self unless called on to be in the spotlight. He is obedient to a tee, though follows his oath first and foremost. He is quick to laugh, though has a high sense of propriety. If he feels someone is being rude or dishonorable, he will point it out.
Appearance:
Large and muscular. Matthew is his father’s son, a farm hand who handled large cattle. He keep his hair cut squarely at his neck, framing a ruddy, weathered face, defined by a strong jaw and broad nose. His shoulders are wide, with his arms and legs testifying to a great strength. It is clear from his normally functional appearance that he is a country bred small folk, though in many ways he has an earthly handsomeness about him. He wears simple peasants clothing, rough spun tunic and pants, keeping a pages formal garb, simply cut cloth tunic and pants, buried safely among his belongings along with his sleeveless tabard emblazoned with the offered sword of the Servant Knights. He always wears his well made and sturdy boots, polishing them if needed.
History:
Matthew was born on a farm to a family of nine children. His father was a farmhand of Martin Cloverdown, a noble in the small kingdom of Viranon, in charge of the man’s many head of cattle. The noble family was one of the many in the kingdom to embrace a new religion passing through, the faith of the Suffering Servant. They had become a beacon for the faith during the last three generations, and much of their household was exceedingly devoted to the faith in one way or another.
As the youngest of nine children, Matthew had little place to help out, since his older brothers and sisters had much of the family work in hand. At eleven it was found, while playing with one of Cloverdown’s sons in the combat field, that Matthew had some skill in weapons, and it was decided that he would join the household guard, and began training as such. At fifteen the militant order of the faith, the Order of the Servant Knight, found its way to Viranon, and Cloverdown’s family volunteered to begin the chapter house of the order. At the behest of his parents, Matthew swore himself to the order.
He completed his training under a paladin of the order, Michael Angelus, a decorated war hero of his far off homeland who chose to fall away into obscurity as a weapon master of the Order of the Servant Knight. Under his tutelage, Matthew became a knowledgeable combatant in sword and shield, though became especially adept with the use of pole-arms, specifically the partisan.
During this time he also learned a great deal about the faith he served from his catechism. While all members of the order were required to know the basics of the faith, he went some steps farther, meditating over the Book of the Servant, the bible of the faith, as well as the writings of the father’s of the faith. Many thought he may trade his partisan for the robes of a priest, but he chooses the way of the warrior to this day.
At nineteen, Matthew was sent out on a Page’s Pilgrimage. This is a time of pilgrimage and meditation for the prospective knight of the order. It is their last chance to see the world and truly decide to devote their lives to the order. Matthew has embarked on this, the beginning of his path to knighthood. While he is sure that this is his path, only time will tell if he chooses to swear the oath under the eye of The One, and be dubbed a Knight of the Order
Physical Abilities:
Strength – Matthew is stronger than average, having worked at a young age on a farm and participating in weapon’s training. There is nothing superhuman about his strength, though he is the type of man that children will come up to and challenge to feats of strength.
Dexterity – Matthew is relatively quick on his feet. His large build hides this fact, but his muscles react quickly. He is not exceedingly flexible, having to move around a well, muscled form, but his movements are quick from his taught musculature.
Intelligence – Matthew is smart. He has a natural gift for learning and uses it, going through whatever books he can get his hands on. He is not especially quick-witted, though he isn’t a dunce. He is an amateur philosopher and theologian, and his weapons instructor drilled him in history and tactics. He enjoys the philosophy, and begrudgingly muscles through the history.
Skills:
Swordplay – Matthew is an average swordsman, equivalent to the local town guard or militia. His style is linked with the use of the shield, so his abilities strictly with a blade are mostly offensive. He is adept with a shield, slightly above average, being a more defensive fighter when using the traditional weapons of his order.
Polearms – Matthew is above average in the use of polearms. He is practiced in many styles, though normally uses his partisan. He keeps simple staves at hand when he can, knowing that it is not always the best option to kill an opponent.
Nature Studies – Matthew grew up on a farm and took a great interest in the local hunters and woodsmen, learning basic survival abilities for woodland environments. He can survive some days out in the woods, taking down game, searching for herbs, building shelter, and the like. His skills in tracking are minimal at best.
Hawking – A pastime he enjoyed while living with the Cloverdown family. Matthew learned how to train and hunt with a hawk. His weapon instructor, Michael, also trained in hawking, worked with Matthew to train a few Hawks in battle tactics. While nothing was ever gained from the teaching, they ended up with a few Hawks that understood a visual and verbal command to strike a man’s head.
Equipment:
Page’s Blade and Shield – These are a well crafted long sword with a simple hilt along with a steel shield. The steel shield is decorated with the offered blade of the Servant Knights.
High-Tooth (Partisan) – Matthew’s partisan is a six foot tall polearm of sturdy oak. The tip is forged steel. The point of the partisan has two “wings” which allow it to capture other weapons, suck swords and spears, and deflect them at a safe distance. Matthew has had these wings sharpened to form High-Tooth into a type of poleaxe as well. He keeps a heavy leather covering sleeve over High-tooth’s high tooth, allowing it to be used as a heavy ended non-lethal stave.
Book of the Servant – The book is a collection of stories about the Servant’s life. Considered the holy book of the Faith of the Suffering Servant, it is given great respect and treated as an authority on the human person and his connection to The One, the world, and the Servant’s place in this connection. While still considered a “Book of the Servant,” Matthew’s book is far from a complete Book of the Servant. He has only a few stories, few complete works existing in the world, and none in the lands he is now traveling though.
Prayer Beads – Matthew keeps a small bracelet of prayer beads around his wrist. They are a collection of ten beads and a center piece of a stylized hand, offering help.
Riding gear, feed, Hawking gear, Hunting Bow, Hunting Knife
Familiars:
Pride – As a parting gift from the Cloverdown family, Matthew was given a stallion. He is a surly and unruly animal, though he has been trained as a light warhorse. His prideful nature, allowing only those able to be firm with him near to him, gave him his name. Pride is untested in battle, however, so may be more of a hindrance than a help in battle. He is a deep chestnut color, and Matthew keeps him well groomed, shod, and fed.
Agony – A tamed hawk, which Michael and Matthew both trained to be a weapon of his handler. He is an older bird, large with a cruel beak and talons. He is exceedingly well trained, keeping absolutely calm when handled by a man. He is used without a line, and Matthew will regularly allow him to fly on his own, disappearing for hours into any woodland he may be travelling through. If given a verbal and visual command, the hawk knows to dive and claw at the eyes of a target.
The Faith of the Suffering Servant:
The faith of the Suffering Servant is a religion based around the teachings and existence of a man who is remembered as the Suffering Servant. He lived in a far off land some three hundred years ago, teaching a preaching among a monotheistic people who worshipped the One, a being which was said to be absolutely transcendent source of creation. The Servant held up these beliefs but denounced the power of the priest and holy people of the faith, claiming that the One wanted servants, not leaders, and that the greatest life one could live was one that was lived for others.
He gained a great following from the people of the One, becoming a threat to the priestly class. They chose to kill him. They captured him and tried him for treason along with his seven disciples. The seven were tortured and each lost three fingers off their right hand.
The Servant was tortured and then Self-hung, a humiliating death. The victim is hung from a tree by a rope connecting his neck and arms, with another anchoring his legs to the ground. In order to keep from hanging, the victim must grasp onto the rope, and pull himself up enough so as not to asphyxiate, the anchor not allowing him to pull himself up the rope to freedom. The Servant held out for a half hour, before his arms gave out and he asphyxiated.
The seven continued his teaching, taking on the name of the Servant’s Servants. Their preaching was listened to, and when they died, either from persecutions or from natural death, a budding church was growing.
Now, three hundred years later, the church is alive and spreading swiftly. There is now an order of non-religious among the church, the Order of Servants, broken in the Order of Servant Knights and Order of Servant Healers. They are the missionary arm of the church, starting hospices where they can, and acting as defenders of the weak where they are needed.
Here's to hoping I can become more than a simple nuisance around here.
Name: Matthew Connors
Age: 19
Race: Human
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 210
Occupation: Page in the Order of the Servant Knight
I am a servant, I obey the lawful.
I am a servant, I defend the weak.
I am a servant, I help the needy
I am a servant, I live for The One.
-Oath of the Servant Knight
Personality:
Matthew is devoted to his oath of fealty, going where he is sent by his Order. He is rather unfazed by many things, smiling bemusedly or laughing at the unexpected rather than gaping in awe. He is a private person, keeping to his self unless called on to be in the spotlight. He is obedient to a tee, though follows his oath first and foremost. He is quick to laugh, though has a high sense of propriety. If he feels someone is being rude or dishonorable, he will point it out.
Appearance:
Large and muscular. Matthew is his father’s son, a farm hand who handled large cattle. He keep his hair cut squarely at his neck, framing a ruddy, weathered face, defined by a strong jaw and broad nose. His shoulders are wide, with his arms and legs testifying to a great strength. It is clear from his normally functional appearance that he is a country bred small folk, though in many ways he has an earthly handsomeness about him. He wears simple peasants clothing, rough spun tunic and pants, keeping a pages formal garb, simply cut cloth tunic and pants, buried safely among his belongings along with his sleeveless tabard emblazoned with the offered sword of the Servant Knights. He always wears his well made and sturdy boots, polishing them if needed.
History:
Matthew was born on a farm to a family of nine children. His father was a farmhand of Martin Cloverdown, a noble in the small kingdom of Viranon, in charge of the man’s many head of cattle. The noble family was one of the many in the kingdom to embrace a new religion passing through, the faith of the Suffering Servant. They had become a beacon for the faith during the last three generations, and much of their household was exceedingly devoted to the faith in one way or another.
As the youngest of nine children, Matthew had little place to help out, since his older brothers and sisters had much of the family work in hand. At eleven it was found, while playing with one of Cloverdown’s sons in the combat field, that Matthew had some skill in weapons, and it was decided that he would join the household guard, and began training as such. At fifteen the militant order of the faith, the Order of the Servant Knight, found its way to Viranon, and Cloverdown’s family volunteered to begin the chapter house of the order. At the behest of his parents, Matthew swore himself to the order.
He completed his training under a paladin of the order, Michael Angelus, a decorated war hero of his far off homeland who chose to fall away into obscurity as a weapon master of the Order of the Servant Knight. Under his tutelage, Matthew became a knowledgeable combatant in sword and shield, though became especially adept with the use of pole-arms, specifically the partisan.
During this time he also learned a great deal about the faith he served from his catechism. While all members of the order were required to know the basics of the faith, he went some steps farther, meditating over the Book of the Servant, the bible of the faith, as well as the writings of the father’s of the faith. Many thought he may trade his partisan for the robes of a priest, but he chooses the way of the warrior to this day.
At nineteen, Matthew was sent out on a Page’s Pilgrimage. This is a time of pilgrimage and meditation for the prospective knight of the order. It is their last chance to see the world and truly decide to devote their lives to the order. Matthew has embarked on this, the beginning of his path to knighthood. While he is sure that this is his path, only time will tell if he chooses to swear the oath under the eye of The One, and be dubbed a Knight of the Order
Physical Abilities:
Strength – Matthew is stronger than average, having worked at a young age on a farm and participating in weapon’s training. There is nothing superhuman about his strength, though he is the type of man that children will come up to and challenge to feats of strength.
Dexterity – Matthew is relatively quick on his feet. His large build hides this fact, but his muscles react quickly. He is not exceedingly flexible, having to move around a well, muscled form, but his movements are quick from his taught musculature.
Intelligence – Matthew is smart. He has a natural gift for learning and uses it, going through whatever books he can get his hands on. He is not especially quick-witted, though he isn’t a dunce. He is an amateur philosopher and theologian, and his weapons instructor drilled him in history and tactics. He enjoys the philosophy, and begrudgingly muscles through the history.
Skills:
Swordplay – Matthew is an average swordsman, equivalent to the local town guard or militia. His style is linked with the use of the shield, so his abilities strictly with a blade are mostly offensive. He is adept with a shield, slightly above average, being a more defensive fighter when using the traditional weapons of his order.
Polearms – Matthew is above average in the use of polearms. He is practiced in many styles, though normally uses his partisan. He keeps simple staves at hand when he can, knowing that it is not always the best option to kill an opponent.
Nature Studies – Matthew grew up on a farm and took a great interest in the local hunters and woodsmen, learning basic survival abilities for woodland environments. He can survive some days out in the woods, taking down game, searching for herbs, building shelter, and the like. His skills in tracking are minimal at best.
Hawking – A pastime he enjoyed while living with the Cloverdown family. Matthew learned how to train and hunt with a hawk. His weapon instructor, Michael, also trained in hawking, worked with Matthew to train a few Hawks in battle tactics. While nothing was ever gained from the teaching, they ended up with a few Hawks that understood a visual and verbal command to strike a man’s head.
Equipment:
Page’s Blade and Shield – These are a well crafted long sword with a simple hilt along with a steel shield. The steel shield is decorated with the offered blade of the Servant Knights.
High-Tooth (Partisan) – Matthew’s partisan is a six foot tall polearm of sturdy oak. The tip is forged steel. The point of the partisan has two “wings” which allow it to capture other weapons, suck swords and spears, and deflect them at a safe distance. Matthew has had these wings sharpened to form High-Tooth into a type of poleaxe as well. He keeps a heavy leather covering sleeve over High-tooth’s high tooth, allowing it to be used as a heavy ended non-lethal stave.
Book of the Servant – The book is a collection of stories about the Servant’s life. Considered the holy book of the Faith of the Suffering Servant, it is given great respect and treated as an authority on the human person and his connection to The One, the world, and the Servant’s place in this connection. While still considered a “Book of the Servant,” Matthew’s book is far from a complete Book of the Servant. He has only a few stories, few complete works existing in the world, and none in the lands he is now traveling though.
Prayer Beads – Matthew keeps a small bracelet of prayer beads around his wrist. They are a collection of ten beads and a center piece of a stylized hand, offering help.
Riding gear, feed, Hawking gear, Hunting Bow, Hunting Knife
Familiars:
Pride – As a parting gift from the Cloverdown family, Matthew was given a stallion. He is a surly and unruly animal, though he has been trained as a light warhorse. His prideful nature, allowing only those able to be firm with him near to him, gave him his name. Pride is untested in battle, however, so may be more of a hindrance than a help in battle. He is a deep chestnut color, and Matthew keeps him well groomed, shod, and fed.
Agony – A tamed hawk, which Michael and Matthew both trained to be a weapon of his handler. He is an older bird, large with a cruel beak and talons. He is exceedingly well trained, keeping absolutely calm when handled by a man. He is used without a line, and Matthew will regularly allow him to fly on his own, disappearing for hours into any woodland he may be travelling through. If given a verbal and visual command, the hawk knows to dive and claw at the eyes of a target.
The Faith of the Suffering Servant:
The faith of the Suffering Servant is a religion based around the teachings and existence of a man who is remembered as the Suffering Servant. He lived in a far off land some three hundred years ago, teaching a preaching among a monotheistic people who worshipped the One, a being which was said to be absolutely transcendent source of creation. The Servant held up these beliefs but denounced the power of the priest and holy people of the faith, claiming that the One wanted servants, not leaders, and that the greatest life one could live was one that was lived for others.
He gained a great following from the people of the One, becoming a threat to the priestly class. They chose to kill him. They captured him and tried him for treason along with his seven disciples. The seven were tortured and each lost three fingers off their right hand.
The Servant was tortured and then Self-hung, a humiliating death. The victim is hung from a tree by a rope connecting his neck and arms, with another anchoring his legs to the ground. In order to keep from hanging, the victim must grasp onto the rope, and pull himself up enough so as not to asphyxiate, the anchor not allowing him to pull himself up the rope to freedom. The Servant held out for a half hour, before his arms gave out and he asphyxiated.
The seven continued his teaching, taking on the name of the Servant’s Servants. Their preaching was listened to, and when they died, either from persecutions or from natural death, a budding church was growing.
Now, three hundred years later, the church is alive and spreading swiftly. There is now an order of non-religious among the church, the Order of Servants, broken in the Order of Servant Knights and Order of Servant Healers. They are the missionary arm of the church, starting hospices where they can, and acting as defenders of the weak where they are needed.