Hysteria
02-02-10, 02:49 AM
Talen Shadowalker
Name: Talen Shadowalker
Age: 19
Race: Human
Hair: Short Black
Eye Color: Blue
Height: 195cm
Weight: 110kg
Occupation: Shadow Puppet Master
Personality:
To most Talen appears mysterious, not freely talking, shying away from conversation or confrontation. However, to those that know him it is apparent that his is more withdrawn. His introverted character causes him to tend to find the alternative route rather than facing a confrontation. He is however a good person, helping those in need, but not seeking them out.
In talking to the Puppet Master, he might describe himself as looking for something in his travels, but in truth, he is probably running away. He is a wanderer through and through, staying in one place for only a week or two before he feels the itch to leave.
Appearance:
Coming from a lack of direction and guidance in his childhood, Talen is rather idealistic in his beliefs. This tends to make him pick the common and often silly perceptions as a basis for how he acts. He can manipulate shadows, so he tries to dress in black. Although due to his rough lifestyle, his black cloths have a worn grey look about them. He tends to shy away from confrontation and you will often find him sitting in the back of a tavern in the shadows, despite many more comfortable seats being available.
Despite his slightly childish way of dressing and acting, Talen is quite tall and decently muscled as any traveller quickly burns away excess fat. He has a kind and quite handsome face, at least he would be if you could get a proper look at his face when it isn’t half obscured with a hood. His skin is quite pale, drawing a contrast between his dark hair and blue eyes.
History:
My earliest memory is of warmth. Of beng held and feeling safe. There are no images that I can recall, but rather a feeling of smiles and calm, soft hands. The next thing I can remember is darkness and the cold streets of Radasanth. I don’t remember what happened, or how. I can’t even be sure I didn’t just appear on the streets one day and the earlier memories are false. Whatever the case, it doesn’t change how my life went after that point.
I must have been five at the time, I don’t know exactly. I had to make a living begging for food or the odd coin. More often than not I received a quick kick rather than charity. Life is hard on the streets, the only people that really wanted to help you would take just as much, or more. The thing I remember the most was the boredom. Days and nights seemed to drag on in an endless parade of fear and darkness. I started entertaining myself by making shadows in the sunlight on to the ground with my hands. The prospect of actually have toys was so foreign to me that I didn’t even try to find some. Even if I had they probably would have been taken from me by other street children bigger than me. The shadows became powerful warriors defeating the evil mage to save the damsel. They became characters that fought for justice and unleashed righteous rage against their enemies! I became alive in those fantasies and my real life just a waking dream.
I think around my eighth birthday was the moment I first moved a shadow without simply blocking the light. I have often wondered how it worked. Surely as a child I should have had more trouble performing magic. I think the key was believing in the shadow. Normally people think of them as either nothing, or something housing a danger. I thought of them as friends and one day I asked them to play with me and they did.
It was soon after that when I realised that other people enjoyed watching me play with the shadows, and that I could even earn some money by doing it. It was then that I was approached by people who wanted to use my talent for their own goals. I knew that I couldn’t stay in Radasanth, but having no love for my guttural life style made it easy to leave.
My travels took me across Corone, and from there across to Scara Brae. I made the most of my travels, selling my talents for places to stay and a few coins here and there. I managed to stay out of the eyes of most of those that would misuse my talents and me relative pauper status allowed me to be ignored by any seeking to make a more underhanded living.
The years passed by and I started to get older. Thanks to the relatively steady income I made through my shadow shows I managed to eat fairly well and stay out of the cold. A few close incidents with bandits caused me think again about my relatively indefensible ways. I was getting bigger and often I saw fights that started not because of money or need, but to prove something. Men who could not defend themselves could be killed for the sake of bragging rights, and while I was a child I was shielded from that culture. I was about sixteen when I started saving up to buy a weapon.
The idea of using a weapon was not something that I thought about much. I wasn’t really used to using tools at all. It was probably fortune smiling upon me when I entered the small weapon shop. The owner was an old war veteran who wanted only to be called ‘Mel’. Mel seemed to both love and hate the weapons he sold. I don’t know why, but the I instantly liked the old grizzled man. He returned the feeling, I think in part because I had struggled in my life and he respected how far I had come. I remember walking into the shop with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Until now I had focused on living and surviving with the money that I had earned, to be now buying something more important than new shoes was a new experience. The shop was not that impressive, but to the eyes of a child it was the best thing I had ever seen.
I instantly tried to buy a massive axe, awed by the shield size and power of the weapon. Mel quickly put a stop to my purchase, I believe the phrase he uttered was ‘You couldn’t even hold the blasted thing!’. The old man’s face softened a little as mine flushed red. We started talking about weapons and I could see how the man respected weapons as tools, for everyone there was a suitable tool that matched his or her style.
Mal lived alone in Scara Brae. Though our talks, often his eyes would glaze over when mentioned the war, remembering long-lost friends and battles. He eventually offered to train me at nights until we found a weapon that suited me and I was able to pay it off. I think I reminded him of someone, a friend or a son perhaps, but he would never say. Together we agreed on the Katana as my weapon. Mal said that it suited my speed and body shape, but I never really understood what he was going on about.
I trained with Mel in the afternoon and plied my trade during the day. The money I earned paid off the Katana set, though I think Mel charged far less than he should have. I felt happy, confident for the first time in my life that I could live for more than just survival. I could succeed at something. Weeks turned into months, but I felt I needed to move on. When I can I go back to the small shop to check in on my first living friend.
Now I am still wandering from town to town, plying my trade and seeing the world.
Skills/Abilities
Above Average Shadow Play:
Talen is able to create an shadow illusion. The illusion is limited to a small size (about a basketball size at maximum) of darkness. He can create life-like (albeit completely black) shapes which lack a physical presence. Used at its maximum size and detail, it can be used three times a day. The shadows themselves cannot damage anyone and can only be manipulated within a metre of Talen.
Above Average Swordsmanship:
Talen is pretty good with a sword. He is able to use the blade fairly well.
Weaknesses:
Illiterate: Talen was never taught to read or write, so he can do neither.
Equipment:
Weapons:
Steel Katana: A basic Steel Katana that Talen bought.
Steel Wakizashi: A basic steal wakizashi which came with the Katana in a set.
Armour:
Black Cloths Set: Talen has a woollen black cloak, black linen shirt and pants and black shoes.
Other:
Travelling Goods: Talen owns a small sleeping mat, a blanket and a small bag with a few travel provisions.
Gold:
Name: Talen Shadowalker
Age: 19
Race: Human
Hair: Short Black
Eye Color: Blue
Height: 195cm
Weight: 110kg
Occupation: Shadow Puppet Master
Personality:
To most Talen appears mysterious, not freely talking, shying away from conversation or confrontation. However, to those that know him it is apparent that his is more withdrawn. His introverted character causes him to tend to find the alternative route rather than facing a confrontation. He is however a good person, helping those in need, but not seeking them out.
In talking to the Puppet Master, he might describe himself as looking for something in his travels, but in truth, he is probably running away. He is a wanderer through and through, staying in one place for only a week or two before he feels the itch to leave.
Appearance:
Coming from a lack of direction and guidance in his childhood, Talen is rather idealistic in his beliefs. This tends to make him pick the common and often silly perceptions as a basis for how he acts. He can manipulate shadows, so he tries to dress in black. Although due to his rough lifestyle, his black cloths have a worn grey look about them. He tends to shy away from confrontation and you will often find him sitting in the back of a tavern in the shadows, despite many more comfortable seats being available.
Despite his slightly childish way of dressing and acting, Talen is quite tall and decently muscled as any traveller quickly burns away excess fat. He has a kind and quite handsome face, at least he would be if you could get a proper look at his face when it isn’t half obscured with a hood. His skin is quite pale, drawing a contrast between his dark hair and blue eyes.
History:
My earliest memory is of warmth. Of beng held and feeling safe. There are no images that I can recall, but rather a feeling of smiles and calm, soft hands. The next thing I can remember is darkness and the cold streets of Radasanth. I don’t remember what happened, or how. I can’t even be sure I didn’t just appear on the streets one day and the earlier memories are false. Whatever the case, it doesn’t change how my life went after that point.
I must have been five at the time, I don’t know exactly. I had to make a living begging for food or the odd coin. More often than not I received a quick kick rather than charity. Life is hard on the streets, the only people that really wanted to help you would take just as much, or more. The thing I remember the most was the boredom. Days and nights seemed to drag on in an endless parade of fear and darkness. I started entertaining myself by making shadows in the sunlight on to the ground with my hands. The prospect of actually have toys was so foreign to me that I didn’t even try to find some. Even if I had they probably would have been taken from me by other street children bigger than me. The shadows became powerful warriors defeating the evil mage to save the damsel. They became characters that fought for justice and unleashed righteous rage against their enemies! I became alive in those fantasies and my real life just a waking dream.
I think around my eighth birthday was the moment I first moved a shadow without simply blocking the light. I have often wondered how it worked. Surely as a child I should have had more trouble performing magic. I think the key was believing in the shadow. Normally people think of them as either nothing, or something housing a danger. I thought of them as friends and one day I asked them to play with me and they did.
It was soon after that when I realised that other people enjoyed watching me play with the shadows, and that I could even earn some money by doing it. It was then that I was approached by people who wanted to use my talent for their own goals. I knew that I couldn’t stay in Radasanth, but having no love for my guttural life style made it easy to leave.
My travels took me across Corone, and from there across to Scara Brae. I made the most of my travels, selling my talents for places to stay and a few coins here and there. I managed to stay out of the eyes of most of those that would misuse my talents and me relative pauper status allowed me to be ignored by any seeking to make a more underhanded living.
The years passed by and I started to get older. Thanks to the relatively steady income I made through my shadow shows I managed to eat fairly well and stay out of the cold. A few close incidents with bandits caused me think again about my relatively indefensible ways. I was getting bigger and often I saw fights that started not because of money or need, but to prove something. Men who could not defend themselves could be killed for the sake of bragging rights, and while I was a child I was shielded from that culture. I was about sixteen when I started saving up to buy a weapon.
The idea of using a weapon was not something that I thought about much. I wasn’t really used to using tools at all. It was probably fortune smiling upon me when I entered the small weapon shop. The owner was an old war veteran who wanted only to be called ‘Mel’. Mel seemed to both love and hate the weapons he sold. I don’t know why, but the I instantly liked the old grizzled man. He returned the feeling, I think in part because I had struggled in my life and he respected how far I had come. I remember walking into the shop with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Until now I had focused on living and surviving with the money that I had earned, to be now buying something more important than new shoes was a new experience. The shop was not that impressive, but to the eyes of a child it was the best thing I had ever seen.
I instantly tried to buy a massive axe, awed by the shield size and power of the weapon. Mel quickly put a stop to my purchase, I believe the phrase he uttered was ‘You couldn’t even hold the blasted thing!’. The old man’s face softened a little as mine flushed red. We started talking about weapons and I could see how the man respected weapons as tools, for everyone there was a suitable tool that matched his or her style.
Mal lived alone in Scara Brae. Though our talks, often his eyes would glaze over when mentioned the war, remembering long-lost friends and battles. He eventually offered to train me at nights until we found a weapon that suited me and I was able to pay it off. I think I reminded him of someone, a friend or a son perhaps, but he would never say. Together we agreed on the Katana as my weapon. Mal said that it suited my speed and body shape, but I never really understood what he was going on about.
I trained with Mel in the afternoon and plied my trade during the day. The money I earned paid off the Katana set, though I think Mel charged far less than he should have. I felt happy, confident for the first time in my life that I could live for more than just survival. I could succeed at something. Weeks turned into months, but I felt I needed to move on. When I can I go back to the small shop to check in on my first living friend.
Now I am still wandering from town to town, plying my trade and seeing the world.
Skills/Abilities
Above Average Shadow Play:
Talen is able to create an shadow illusion. The illusion is limited to a small size (about a basketball size at maximum) of darkness. He can create life-like (albeit completely black) shapes which lack a physical presence. Used at its maximum size and detail, it can be used three times a day. The shadows themselves cannot damage anyone and can only be manipulated within a metre of Talen.
Above Average Swordsmanship:
Talen is pretty good with a sword. He is able to use the blade fairly well.
Weaknesses:
Illiterate: Talen was never taught to read or write, so he can do neither.
Equipment:
Weapons:
Steel Katana: A basic Steel Katana that Talen bought.
Steel Wakizashi: A basic steal wakizashi which came with the Katana in a set.
Armour:
Black Cloths Set: Talen has a woollen black cloak, black linen shirt and pants and black shoes.
Other:
Travelling Goods: Talen owns a small sleeping mat, a blanket and a small bag with a few travel provisions.
Gold: