Philomel
05-01-15, 04:33 AM
All hail.
Name: Philomel “Phi” Serkena van der Aart
Aka: Phi, Matriach, Princess
Age: 28
Race: faun
Hair Color: dark violet
Eye Color: grey
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 156 kg
Occupation: assassin-whore
Updates in gold
Personality:
Philomel has a sassy, bitchy attitude, mostly, it has begun to be revealed, to hide the softer interior. Her life, starting fromt he age of 12 as a whore, has led her to appreciate whatever kind things she can get in life. It is really only in the past year that she has escaped the confines of a pimp and become her own person. She has a firm dis-belief in love, and says it is only for hopeless fools. She knows her own body well and is extremely confident. She likes knowing what is happening, and/or being in control, especially of her own fate. Her catchphrases include a mass of swearwords, and things like, "Yeah, whatever," and "Darling Veridian!" when speaking to the only friend she has - her Earth-Spirit-in-fox-form familiar, Veridian Ryuusan.
Appearance:
Goat legs, with cloven hooves in chestnut fur. From hips up human in form with large breasts. Two black curling ram-like horns sprouting from her forehead. Her hair is long and now dyed a pure dark violet, and has been released from their dreadlocks. She tends to keep it in a long plait down her back or over her shoulder. She tends to be rather naked as she usually just wears a simple cotton bustier, and fabric around her waist (belts also), with bare belly and bare arms, with a tattoo of an ash tree sprouting from her pelvic area up and curving around her belly button. Also has a back sheath for her large sword. Can usually be seen, now, with a tricorn hat nestled between her horns.
Skills:
Tracking skills, and survival.
Swordsmanship is expert level.
Knife-throwing, recently advanced to moderate level.
Very very good at sexual intercourse, as an exotic option for the more daring.
Head butting due to her large ram-like horns.
Kicking.
Unarmed combat at a moderate level.
Throwing. Just throwing, in general.
Exotic dancing.
Brewing tea.
Leadership.
Teaching others.
Abilities:
Passive:
Speed: excelled speed when running, to the speed of a deer bounding away from predators, based on an African springbok up to 50km/h and leaping up to 10 m through the air in a single curve. This also enchances her basic attack speed, movement etc, up to 3x a normal person.
Earth-Sense: Her species gives Philomel an acute connection to the earth. Whilst touching earth, or dirt, etc, she can sense what is around her, up to a fifty metre radius. The passive abilities this provides are a detection of animals of un-rational thought (i.e. not humanoids and sapiens) and other rough objects in her way - such as rivers, trees, buildings, and a rough idea of edible plants. She MUST be touching the earth for this to work, with no covering - i.e. via hoof or hand, not through a glove. To advance this to degrees of being of rational thought, Philomel can tell what rough direction they are and a rough distance. For this part to work she must focus on this for half a second. This ability is enhanced somewhat with Veridian, but was naturally hers.
Earth Magic:
Due to the development of her connection with Veridian, Philomel has developed an "awakening" to earth magic. Though very rare in fauns, her linked mind with this Earth Spirit and her dutiful worship of the tree-goddess Drys, has allowed her to be opened up to a world of possibilities. Over time these will develop into something beautiful.
Dusty, Stormy Day: Philomel can summon a dirt cloud, either from the dirt around her, or from the dirt she carries in her vial around her neck. The dirt has to be soil, or common dirt with up to 50% of it being dust. By flattening her palm she can create clouds, up to two feet in diameter, of a swirling form (gentle breeze to begin). This can be used up to six times per day. There is no minumum amount of dirt that has to be in this, however there are stages of the use.
1; If Philomel decides to use the dirt storm straight away it remains as dirt, and is used as a distraction, to get in eyes, etc. Veridian does not need to be in any way close by.
2; If she keeps the storm brewing (for this she must have a hand solely concentrating on it, with palm flat at all times) for half a second, the elements of dirt begin get faster in their swirling, and also heat slightly. If released these cause all the effects as above, plus the damage of a minor cut where the dirt catches flesh, and can rip through fabric. For this stage, and stage 3, Veridian must be within a range of 30 metres.
3; If held for one second, the dirt will reach degrees capable of singing flesh, the speed will get to the point of denting steel armour, and cabable of a major knife wound on direct flesh.
4; If held fully for five seconds (very rare) the effects are as above, be able to penetrate steel armour, and minorly dent any above, with degrees reaching 40 and capable of a minor burn. Also, for this Veridian must be within one metre.
Cracking The Earth: Up to six times per day Philomel can essentially cause a minature earthquake by slamming her hoof, horns or fist on the ground or any other surface. What this does is immediately crack the earth in a 20 degree cone of ten metres, or a web (circulating outwards) of five metres, depending on how her hoof is placed and directed. It upsets ground and plants, cracks concrete and if used against foundations, could destroy buildings. It causes a shake in the earth for three seconds before abating. In the very centre there is no damage exactly where Philomel places her hoof, horns or fist, but three inches from that the damage spreads rapidly out. It can easily cause a praticised fighter with no agility ability to lose their balance and slip, and knock any oncoming blade attacks out of balance with them. If very unstable and at the outermost edge of the crack (i.e. at the worst part) an opponent has the danger of falling over and hitting their head. On a Richter Scale this measures from 0 at the point of incarnation to 7 at the edge.
Quakebow: After having Drys bless her crossbow, Philomel can now send Cracking the Earth across a distance. Philomel must inact Cracking the Earth at the same time as firing a bolt, and essentially what this does is send the earthquake somewhere else. The point at where the bolt hits becomes the new epicentre for the quake, much like her hoof or horns or fist. All stats with Cracking the Earth are still the same (7 richer scale etc), however the shape can only be a web. Number of shots is included in overall Cracking the Earth count (6).
Through the Earth Portal (aka, down the rabbit hole): Essentially a form of teleporation, this ability allows for the transference of Philomel in an almost instance. It creates a portal in the ground, opening up the earth and creating a direct link to another place, but not in a physical way, more like a phasing state of metaphysics. Only creatures who are connected to the earth (fauns, Earth Spirits, possibly men) can use this portal. There are stages and limitations, also, on how close Veridian is to Philomel. This ability can be used up to four times an hour.
By herself Philomel can portal-jump to a distance of 25 metres.
Either Veridian or Philomel (though Philomel is the one operating the magic) can jump to join each others direct side so long as they are within 10 metres of one another.
If side-by-side Veridian and Philomel can jump together, pouring in her magic, plus his Goodwill enhancing, to a distance of 50 metres. This take two seconds to operate, however, and can be interrupted by a loss of concentration. They must be within half a metre of one another.
As a latent ability, one other person can be joined to the party, so long as they are not water-based or fire-based, and travel with Philomel and Veridian, or just Philomel by herself, to an extent of 20 metres. The subject MUST be willing, therefore this cannot be used against people as a weapon, only as a form of moving people out of situations (innocents, allies, etc). It can be used in combat, in wars etc, but only on people who are willing and are allies.
Armoured with Rocks: Summoning the rocks around her (within a five metre radius, dependent on setting, etc), Philomel can create an amount of armour to protect one place on her. The rocks zoom from nowhere to her, attaching themselves like magnets, attracted by her pure brillance. The rocks cannot be larger than a hand-size. Though a defensive ability, they will likely knock over people in the way, to an amount of a minor wound (up to the opponent to react). Once on her, they attach and stay on for up to five minutes, or until they are shot/worn away by blows etc. The maximum amount of rocks that can attach themselves is enough to cover one side of her torso. Only rocks can be used, or dirt if there are no rocks. Only only placement of this armour can be present at one time, and this can be used up to three times per battle. The sort of damage they can defend against is fist blows (unless those fists are enchanted) and slashes with weapons up to steel. Damasus and beyond will hack at half of the rocks, spilling them like a shot. The armour can also protect against "normal" bullets but this qill requires a judgement call, or discussion with the opposite party.
Minor Earth Healing: By rubbing earth or vegetation onto a wound of any type, be it cut, breakage etc Philomel can heal the wound within two seconds to a minor extent. Minor wounds, such as a simple knife slash, will be healed almost instantly, major wounds, such as a knife stab, will heal only at the surface. Breaks of bone will begin to knit back together, but it will be very unstable, not enough to be used in punching, just enough to hold a sword or to support (for instance, to hold up a person to standing). The pain will still be excruiciating. It is a minor use for adjustment, more or less a temporary measure to stop bleeding. This can be used up to five times per battle.
Monster State(s):
NEW: Terribly Monstrous Echoing Veridian's Terribly Monstrous Ability from level 5, Philomel is now able to transform into a monstrous beast. What this does is allow her goat-side to take over her body almost in its entirety. Letting the rage and animalistic qualities of her race take over she transforms - these take the form of two stages "Raging" and "Enraged". When she is in these, however, her intelligence somewhat declines, and with it much of her earth-magical abilities. Note: Veridian's demise does not affect this transformation.
The duration for these are 3 posts for Raging state and then three after for Enraged. Raging state must be active for at least 1 state before Enraged can come into play.
Raging State: Transforms halfway into a goat. Appearance is of a goat on two legs with the torso of a man. Something akin to a minotaur, her head enlongs, her horns grow, and more fur begins to appear all over her chest and arms. It grows up from her waist, and down onto her arms, and starts to take over head hair, which becomes matted and loses its violet colour. Her entire size swells with muscles, causing any clothes to become several sizes too small. She does, however, have an opportunity to take these off (such as her breast plate) as this form takes two seconds to transform into. In this time she is a mutant half-person with a knobbly ugly face. Her height in this form is roughly 6ft 3inches, and her build is heavy and muscular.
Abilties:
She keeps all passive abilities, as well as the ability to swing a sword as she still retains hands. The Lover, however, becomes incredibly dangerous when it is alight, however, for she is generally more furry, including back of the hand.
Her speed remains the same, however she now gains 3x strength.
Her skin becomes as tough as steel.
Enraged State: Philomel becomes a fully formed massive goat, white and chestnut brown in colour with grey eyes. This beast stands roughly 6 foot to the shoulder and has many more muscles than one would expect. Much closer to a mountain goat than a domestic goat her body is entirely covered in fur, and she has bigger horns than perhaps might be necessary. The process of this transformation takes a further 2 seconds, during which she is pretty much not capable of anything but turning into a goat.
Due to her change in anatomy Philomel loses any ability to wield a sword or other hand-held weapon.
Magic remains, and natural talents, are increased. Her speed and strength goes to 5x that of a normal human.
Her skin and horns also becomes that of damascus strength.
She is still, however, susceptible to any magical abilities, especially fire.
Horns are basically the same size and versility as in natural form (increased slightly in size relative to overall size but no special ability)
Weight is almost half a ton.
Familiar: Veridian - a fox formed earth-spirit.
Veridian is immortal, but when he dies he is out of extistence for ten minutes then reborn back under the ash tree Philomel met him in Concordia Forest. So once dead in a battle he cannot return, but Philomel can use her magical ability after those ten minutes.
Basic Abilities: Can be used in combat - his weapons include a single bite per post that is harsh and brutal, and capable of ripping out large chunks of skin and flesh, down to muscle, causing a major wound. His claws are more or less kept sharp and a scratch will cause a minor wound.
NEW: Bite of Flame: Veridian now has the ability to bite with fire. This is down to the simple fact he has a tenth of a fire whisp inside of him. The flames, however, are not like a normal fire-breath - instead they are connected to his bite. Veridian releases a spew of flames from his mouth, and they are sent towards the victim. The flames then act as a second pair of jaws, immediately clamping around the victim's arm/area of damage. It does the same damage as his jaws, except that it causes a major burn also. The victim must be within ten feet, also, otherwise the flames disappate. Useable 4 times per thread.
Terribly Monstrous: Veridian harbours a secret more terrifying than is suitable for small children. The Earth Spirit he calls his sister, Farragise Onosan, the white rabbit who is as mysterious as she is adorable, has within her the ruined, tortured soul of a demon who went insane a thousand years ago. In their most recent encounter, when Veridian found out that traditional history was missing much of the heroics of the Earth Spirits and thus decided they had to go to war against the mistaken scholars, she granted him part of this soul. Within Veridian now resides one tenth of a behemoth, something that in the beginnings of times roamed the world and slaughtered mercilessly. One time per battle he can call on this darker part of himself and transform into a monster. The monster form lasts around six posts in length, and will soon tire out. It grants him 4x his natural size, and also adds a fire element to each of his attacks. His jaws still cause major wounds, but will also cause major burns when it comes into contact with skin. Claw attacks will grant minor burns. His fur, also, singes on contact, and stands at 55 degrees C. Overall, where he walks, he will singe the earth - if he stands in one place for too long it will get hotter and may burst into flame if on such things as wood, ice will melt etc.
Combined:
Excited? Expecting something here? Well you'll just have to wait, cheeky bastard.
Equipment:
Amour as follows:
Leather shoulder guard, covering front and back.
Dragon-scale half-breast plate, covering breasts and neck.
Steel bracers, covering the forearms.
Weapons:
Mythril hand-and-a-half sword, still unnamed.
One iron steak knife.
4 throwing knives.
One keris dagger, nicknamed the Lover, upgraded to plynt. It has a tinderbox and a trigger in the hilt to set the blade alight when desired.
Crossbow, made of yew. Comes with a dozen iron bolts.
NEW: Temptress: A magim beast leather riding crop with calli glass inserted into the keeper at the end.
Refills: Small vials of Calli powder that have been ground into a fine power and mixed with treated (oderless) troll fat as a sticking agent. When applied to a weapon they cause any cuts or broken skin to be extremely painful. Each vial is single use, good for a few cuts. (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?29125-Expanding-on-the-weapon-front)
Other:
A three-inch wide glass vial that is fully sealable and on a steel chain. Usually worn around the neck it is made to carry dirt so that Philomel has some even when on water or a place she cannot get earth from.
A lovely tricorn hat, with "Renegade" stitched in the corner.
Enough changes of clothes for a few occaisions a whore might need them for (dresses, blouses and a couple of corsets).
About a week worth of food when travelling.
Blankets.
Two leather saddle bags.
Dragon Amulet; Capable of turning a baby dragon into a full-sized dragon, at a later level. Obtained hither. Kept in a small lether pouch in Philomel's cabin or tucked into her bustier/corset.
New: Mage's Key: A key obtained from Vaeron. It is capable of opening any lock, magical or normal, with magical spells going to level 4. (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?28354-Fauns-At-Sea)
Ship: Called the Fiesty Fox. Actually owned by Malachi, the pirate king, Philomel is the captain of this ship on permanent loan until she can afford to buy it. Wiki page is available.
Familiars:
The Darling:
An Earth-Spirit in the form of a fox, called Veridian, now with a surname of Ryuusan. He has been with her for a number of years, now, and is entirely devoted to Philomel, whom he calls his "beloved". The two share an intense connection, through which now they can communicate by words, and also show each other what the other is seeing and sensing. They can also cut each other off from the other's mind, if they wish.
As an Earth-Spirit Veridian essentially grants the power of her Earth Magic, giving her Goodwill, or so he calls it. She needs this for some magic, such as Dusty, Stormy Day where it is vital.
Appearance: Fox in form, russet in colour, about the size of a terrier. He has a white-tipped tail and black ears, with brilliant golden eyes. In his right eye sits a crimson fleck, a hint of the behemoth that now resides within him.
Skills:
Immortality; Veridian is essentially immortal, being a creature of Spirit and Earth, that always has rebirth cycles. When he dies, however, Philomel feels the pain and emptiness, and a sudden loss. Her biggest fear (aside from her father) is being in an empty world, alone, and with Veridian gone she feels that fear, and so fears him dying. Veridian is then reborn in ten minutes, under the same ash tree near the bottom of the Jagged Mountains where Philomel found him first. As soon as he dies, also, all of her Earth Magic abilities stop in process, and only will work again when Veridian is reborn (not Earth Sense, as this is an ability latent to her species as a faun). Their telepathic connection will not be reset, either, until they are within a mile of one another.
The New Friend:
Recently bought from a merchant, Delath is a 3 ft baby black dragon, and can fly just a little but with no extra weight, and has a fire breath capable of leaving minor burns. He is adorable and cute, and will take years to grow, though looks at Philomel as his mother/food provider. As a child his intelligence is very simple though he is eager to learn. So far he acts as a scuffling bed-warmer, and does not accompany Philomel and Veridian on their more dangerous quests. Instead he stays with Draak to be trained as a pair of bellows for the troll monk's new exciting forge.
He was obtained hither.
History:
Her mother Lacey was the only faun in a whore house in a thriving city, Radasanth, and was seen one night by a faun iron merchant, Enna, from the mountains when she was offering her trade. He fell in lustiness over her, mostly because it was rare to see one of his own kind in a city, and hired her for the night. He ended up coming back a few months later and doing the same thing, and then again and again over a few years, in shorter and shorter intervals. Eventually he proposed marriage to her, for sake of apparently being “in love” with her. Lacey was very reluctant for a while, but once he promised her a house and money she agreed and they had a short and small, but official marriage. She got him to buy a house in the city, and even though he still had to go to the mountains for his trade she was content for a while.
After a month or so she got bored, and started inviting in men, going back to her old trade whilst Enna was away. She fell pregnant one night when he was around, and had the baby when he was away with one of her customers, thankfully a man of healing, present. She named the baby Philomel after a word meaning “nightingale” because she was born at night, and presented her with a certain pride when Enna returned. Enna did not react, though, how she expected, he seemed more disappointed than overjoyed, so Lacey took to turning cold. Things became a turn for the worse when Philomel was six years of age and Lacey found out Enna had had another family in the mountains all along.
She left Enna with Philomel and returned to the brothel. She was a good mother and took time out most days to raise her daughter well, though perhaps what she taught her was not typical. By the age of twelve Philomel was an excellent lover and plotting revenge on her father. She started earning money herself that same year later, then finally got a human warrior who she offered her services for in exchange for learning the basics of swordplay. The warrior paused, but accepted her offer and he became her teacher, so that over numerous visits in the next six years, at the age of eighteen Philomel could use a sword well. Later that year she left with him when he offered to take her on a hunt into the mountains, where he continued to teach her fighting and tracking, and she tried to find out more about her father. What she gleaned was very little, but has gone back at various points to find out more. During one of these expeditions she found herself becoming mesmerised by a feeling she had, and followed it until she came to an ash tree. When there, she touched the bark and was instantly able to detect the lifespan and events of the tree, when their had been storms, what creatures nested in the branches and so on. From that tree there came a small noise and an earth-spirit emerged, a small fox who she later named Veridian and has not had the want to stop following her since.
She later killed the warrior when she found him raping her own mother, and fed his body, ironically, to nightingales and crows, piece by piece.
She remained in Radasanth for some time. Her pimp, Mort, threatened her mother's life, and so along with a wizard Philomel brought about his death. She took her mother to safety, and then sent her to an island resort. After this, and finally independent and free, Philomel sought work. In doing so she befriended two people - first the half-imp telepath boy Felix and the monk-come-underworld-genius troll Mister Draak. She is currently staying with Mister Draak, in his hall where he acts as the monestry's cook and herbalist.
Philomel later on was discovered by the talented Lye, Master of Assassins, and was invited to become a member of the Crimson Hand, after a meeting with the infamous half-demon Aurelianus. When this inappropriate lover of violence opened his brothel in Salvar, Philomel became one of the prime attractions, and she now spends her time between Salvar and Raiaera, where she stays with Draak and works alongside him (or for him in a way). As an independent whore and a well-skilled killer she is never out of possible work, though will come when the Crimson Hand trumpet calls. She has met many people, including Jensen Ambrose and Astarelle Set'Roh on an ordinary drunken night out ...
Recently she took part in the War in Eiskalt, and was one of the last attackers to remain there. After the rest of the Crimson Hand left or went to finish off their private battles, she remained to help destroy the capital city. It was here, in the last standing building, a church, that she met, once more, the Ixian darling Astarelle, or Roht Mirage, and after a brief amount of fighting and threatening, the two had relations in the burning building. Philomel was later accused of rape by Ambrose, attacked and defeated, then saved by Astarelle, whom is severely attracted still to the faun who does not believe in love. In this battle Veridian died, and for the first time Philomel felt the true sense of loss and emptiness that she now loathes, and therefore she fears and dreads his death.
After this Philomel went back to Raieara and assisted in a few ambitous assassinations and plots, before turning her head back to adventure. She volunteered when the call came out for the slaying of an infected dragon over the skies of Alerar, and helped slay it. Unfortauntely in this time she met Astarelle and Jensen once more, and was subject to some degree of accusations. When the dragon died she intended to leave, however made the last minute decision to save Astarelle and so, by chance of being somewhere, was framed by Zack Blaze himself for the murder of Zack Blaze.
After a daring escape, with assistance from her curious one-time lover Astarelle, Philomel left Alerar. She was partly helped to flee by her "boss" Lye Ulroke, and told to not go back to Alerar for some time. Agreeing to this, Philomel went back to her some city of Radasanth and spent time there, spending time with her brother and making friends with the small curious thing known as Yakob de Void. Her mind raced, her spirit tingled with near-boredom, until she began to concoct a plan of deviousness. As word got to her of an apparent plan for the Crimson Hand to have a deathly tournament, one that was supposed to get Ulroke back to popularity or some such, Philomel considered her own future. In this way she realised she had some money placed aside from her months of working for and with the troll Draak, and placed it towards a project she likes to call the Gilded Lily.
Made to serve the needs of whores in danger, and those who wish to go beyond the call of their pimps, Philomel set about gaining trust of various other prostitutes, namely those from her first ever brothel, and creating a large group of fighters and spies for her guild. They are slowly spreading out across the city of Radasanth, right into the Red Light District and the high-end Courtesans to create a society of devious individuals. The eventual aim is to spread across the entire world. For this end also, Philomel figured she needed to travel, and so hired a boat to take her to Raiaera. During this time, however, her ship was beset by pirates, and by long-raucous means including a few mages and a nice key, Philomel found herself within the arms of the pirate company and in use of a boat she likes to call The Fiesty Fox.
A few stories shorter, complete with a failed trip to find the faun homeland, Paradisia, Philomel has set about with her ship and her Guild mostly in mind, travelling to Salvar to take part in these games for the Crimson Hand. Rumours, however, are spreading, and she is concerned with what murmurs she hears of the possible remergence of the traitor Tobias Stalt, and the works of the plague-witch Madison Freebird, with whom Philomel had a close shave with. She is coming back to Salvar tentitively, with part of her crew with her, and two companions by her side - one of them is her beloved fox, Veridian, and the other is her eager dragon.
The Crimson Hand Deadliest Warrior games prooved to be something of a rouse. Instead, what occurred during them is that Madison Freebird and that tiefling, Aurelianus Drak'Shal ended up cause a coup and taking over the Crimson Hand in its duration. Trapping Lye Ulroke, Madison placed herself as Master of the group and Philomel was installed as Master of Secrets. Though Philomel was very much between loyalties at this point, she decided that for now it was better to concentrate on her Guilded Lily project. With it, using her place as Master of Secrets as infleuence, she transformed the Gilded Lily into something of a spy network, set within brothels and pubs, with her ship as the Head Quarters for it. So far she has enabled to spread her influence over Radasanth, into Concordia, and is now enthusiastically working at conquering Eluriand.
Raiaera was also of interest in the quelling of Pode. There was call for adventure, from the High Bard Council of Raiaera, to call for warriors to help heal the Red Forest. Eager for adventure, Philomel joined them, along with Veridian. She got as far as suffering an illusion wherein she was killed by the ghost of Argarron, a once-friend of Veridian's, and she reawoke to discover that once more Drys had saved her and Veridian. She went back to Radasanth, mainly to work on the expansion of the Gilded Lily into Akashima, a place which is being helped much in the way of a faun called Blodwen. However, this point has proven to be something of an impasse, for no sooner had Philomel returned to Corone than war was declared on her. Or rather, the Gilded Lily, and by the Crimson Hand no less.
Quite disbelieving, Philomel is currently summoning all the warriors she can find together, calling on friends, females, allies and lovers to come and defend her right to run her own Power Group. She has little idea why this has occurred, though after meeting the curious Zelrius suspicion runs through her mind that Madison does not trust her anymore. What is possibly more strange is that Lye Ulroke has come back from prison and is apparently Master of the Crimson Hand once more, though Philomel suspects Madison's foul hand at play. Still, though, the Gilded Lily and its associates, will not stand for this, and thus many people are flocking to her side, and her direct team of advisers is preparing for possible death.
No one threats the Matriarch.
Name: Philomel “Phi” Serkena van der Aart
Aka: Phi, Matriach, Princess
Age: 28
Race: faun
Hair Color: dark violet
Eye Color: grey
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 156 kg
Occupation: assassin-whore
Updates in gold
Personality:
Philomel has a sassy, bitchy attitude, mostly, it has begun to be revealed, to hide the softer interior. Her life, starting fromt he age of 12 as a whore, has led her to appreciate whatever kind things she can get in life. It is really only in the past year that she has escaped the confines of a pimp and become her own person. She has a firm dis-belief in love, and says it is only for hopeless fools. She knows her own body well and is extremely confident. She likes knowing what is happening, and/or being in control, especially of her own fate. Her catchphrases include a mass of swearwords, and things like, "Yeah, whatever," and "Darling Veridian!" when speaking to the only friend she has - her Earth-Spirit-in-fox-form familiar, Veridian Ryuusan.
Appearance:
Goat legs, with cloven hooves in chestnut fur. From hips up human in form with large breasts. Two black curling ram-like horns sprouting from her forehead. Her hair is long and now dyed a pure dark violet, and has been released from their dreadlocks. She tends to keep it in a long plait down her back or over her shoulder. She tends to be rather naked as she usually just wears a simple cotton bustier, and fabric around her waist (belts also), with bare belly and bare arms, with a tattoo of an ash tree sprouting from her pelvic area up and curving around her belly button. Also has a back sheath for her large sword. Can usually be seen, now, with a tricorn hat nestled between her horns.
Skills:
Tracking skills, and survival.
Swordsmanship is expert level.
Knife-throwing, recently advanced to moderate level.
Very very good at sexual intercourse, as an exotic option for the more daring.
Head butting due to her large ram-like horns.
Kicking.
Unarmed combat at a moderate level.
Throwing. Just throwing, in general.
Exotic dancing.
Brewing tea.
Leadership.
Teaching others.
Abilities:
Passive:
Speed: excelled speed when running, to the speed of a deer bounding away from predators, based on an African springbok up to 50km/h and leaping up to 10 m through the air in a single curve. This also enchances her basic attack speed, movement etc, up to 3x a normal person.
Earth-Sense: Her species gives Philomel an acute connection to the earth. Whilst touching earth, or dirt, etc, she can sense what is around her, up to a fifty metre radius. The passive abilities this provides are a detection of animals of un-rational thought (i.e. not humanoids and sapiens) and other rough objects in her way - such as rivers, trees, buildings, and a rough idea of edible plants. She MUST be touching the earth for this to work, with no covering - i.e. via hoof or hand, not through a glove. To advance this to degrees of being of rational thought, Philomel can tell what rough direction they are and a rough distance. For this part to work she must focus on this for half a second. This ability is enhanced somewhat with Veridian, but was naturally hers.
Earth Magic:
Due to the development of her connection with Veridian, Philomel has developed an "awakening" to earth magic. Though very rare in fauns, her linked mind with this Earth Spirit and her dutiful worship of the tree-goddess Drys, has allowed her to be opened up to a world of possibilities. Over time these will develop into something beautiful.
Dusty, Stormy Day: Philomel can summon a dirt cloud, either from the dirt around her, or from the dirt she carries in her vial around her neck. The dirt has to be soil, or common dirt with up to 50% of it being dust. By flattening her palm she can create clouds, up to two feet in diameter, of a swirling form (gentle breeze to begin). This can be used up to six times per day. There is no minumum amount of dirt that has to be in this, however there are stages of the use.
1; If Philomel decides to use the dirt storm straight away it remains as dirt, and is used as a distraction, to get in eyes, etc. Veridian does not need to be in any way close by.
2; If she keeps the storm brewing (for this she must have a hand solely concentrating on it, with palm flat at all times) for half a second, the elements of dirt begin get faster in their swirling, and also heat slightly. If released these cause all the effects as above, plus the damage of a minor cut where the dirt catches flesh, and can rip through fabric. For this stage, and stage 3, Veridian must be within a range of 30 metres.
3; If held for one second, the dirt will reach degrees capable of singing flesh, the speed will get to the point of denting steel armour, and cabable of a major knife wound on direct flesh.
4; If held fully for five seconds (very rare) the effects are as above, be able to penetrate steel armour, and minorly dent any above, with degrees reaching 40 and capable of a minor burn. Also, for this Veridian must be within one metre.
Cracking The Earth: Up to six times per day Philomel can essentially cause a minature earthquake by slamming her hoof, horns or fist on the ground or any other surface. What this does is immediately crack the earth in a 20 degree cone of ten metres, or a web (circulating outwards) of five metres, depending on how her hoof is placed and directed. It upsets ground and plants, cracks concrete and if used against foundations, could destroy buildings. It causes a shake in the earth for three seconds before abating. In the very centre there is no damage exactly where Philomel places her hoof, horns or fist, but three inches from that the damage spreads rapidly out. It can easily cause a praticised fighter with no agility ability to lose their balance and slip, and knock any oncoming blade attacks out of balance with them. If very unstable and at the outermost edge of the crack (i.e. at the worst part) an opponent has the danger of falling over and hitting their head. On a Richter Scale this measures from 0 at the point of incarnation to 7 at the edge.
Quakebow: After having Drys bless her crossbow, Philomel can now send Cracking the Earth across a distance. Philomel must inact Cracking the Earth at the same time as firing a bolt, and essentially what this does is send the earthquake somewhere else. The point at where the bolt hits becomes the new epicentre for the quake, much like her hoof or horns or fist. All stats with Cracking the Earth are still the same (7 richer scale etc), however the shape can only be a web. Number of shots is included in overall Cracking the Earth count (6).
Through the Earth Portal (aka, down the rabbit hole): Essentially a form of teleporation, this ability allows for the transference of Philomel in an almost instance. It creates a portal in the ground, opening up the earth and creating a direct link to another place, but not in a physical way, more like a phasing state of metaphysics. Only creatures who are connected to the earth (fauns, Earth Spirits, possibly men) can use this portal. There are stages and limitations, also, on how close Veridian is to Philomel. This ability can be used up to four times an hour.
By herself Philomel can portal-jump to a distance of 25 metres.
Either Veridian or Philomel (though Philomel is the one operating the magic) can jump to join each others direct side so long as they are within 10 metres of one another.
If side-by-side Veridian and Philomel can jump together, pouring in her magic, plus his Goodwill enhancing, to a distance of 50 metres. This take two seconds to operate, however, and can be interrupted by a loss of concentration. They must be within half a metre of one another.
As a latent ability, one other person can be joined to the party, so long as they are not water-based or fire-based, and travel with Philomel and Veridian, or just Philomel by herself, to an extent of 20 metres. The subject MUST be willing, therefore this cannot be used against people as a weapon, only as a form of moving people out of situations (innocents, allies, etc). It can be used in combat, in wars etc, but only on people who are willing and are allies.
Armoured with Rocks: Summoning the rocks around her (within a five metre radius, dependent on setting, etc), Philomel can create an amount of armour to protect one place on her. The rocks zoom from nowhere to her, attaching themselves like magnets, attracted by her pure brillance. The rocks cannot be larger than a hand-size. Though a defensive ability, they will likely knock over people in the way, to an amount of a minor wound (up to the opponent to react). Once on her, they attach and stay on for up to five minutes, or until they are shot/worn away by blows etc. The maximum amount of rocks that can attach themselves is enough to cover one side of her torso. Only rocks can be used, or dirt if there are no rocks. Only only placement of this armour can be present at one time, and this can be used up to three times per battle. The sort of damage they can defend against is fist blows (unless those fists are enchanted) and slashes with weapons up to steel. Damasus and beyond will hack at half of the rocks, spilling them like a shot. The armour can also protect against "normal" bullets but this qill requires a judgement call, or discussion with the opposite party.
Minor Earth Healing: By rubbing earth or vegetation onto a wound of any type, be it cut, breakage etc Philomel can heal the wound within two seconds to a minor extent. Minor wounds, such as a simple knife slash, will be healed almost instantly, major wounds, such as a knife stab, will heal only at the surface. Breaks of bone will begin to knit back together, but it will be very unstable, not enough to be used in punching, just enough to hold a sword or to support (for instance, to hold up a person to standing). The pain will still be excruiciating. It is a minor use for adjustment, more or less a temporary measure to stop bleeding. This can be used up to five times per battle.
Monster State(s):
NEW: Terribly Monstrous Echoing Veridian's Terribly Monstrous Ability from level 5, Philomel is now able to transform into a monstrous beast. What this does is allow her goat-side to take over her body almost in its entirety. Letting the rage and animalistic qualities of her race take over she transforms - these take the form of two stages "Raging" and "Enraged". When she is in these, however, her intelligence somewhat declines, and with it much of her earth-magical abilities. Note: Veridian's demise does not affect this transformation.
The duration for these are 3 posts for Raging state and then three after for Enraged. Raging state must be active for at least 1 state before Enraged can come into play.
Raging State: Transforms halfway into a goat. Appearance is of a goat on two legs with the torso of a man. Something akin to a minotaur, her head enlongs, her horns grow, and more fur begins to appear all over her chest and arms. It grows up from her waist, and down onto her arms, and starts to take over head hair, which becomes matted and loses its violet colour. Her entire size swells with muscles, causing any clothes to become several sizes too small. She does, however, have an opportunity to take these off (such as her breast plate) as this form takes two seconds to transform into. In this time she is a mutant half-person with a knobbly ugly face. Her height in this form is roughly 6ft 3inches, and her build is heavy and muscular.
Abilties:
She keeps all passive abilities, as well as the ability to swing a sword as she still retains hands. The Lover, however, becomes incredibly dangerous when it is alight, however, for she is generally more furry, including back of the hand.
Her speed remains the same, however she now gains 3x strength.
Her skin becomes as tough as steel.
Enraged State: Philomel becomes a fully formed massive goat, white and chestnut brown in colour with grey eyes. This beast stands roughly 6 foot to the shoulder and has many more muscles than one would expect. Much closer to a mountain goat than a domestic goat her body is entirely covered in fur, and she has bigger horns than perhaps might be necessary. The process of this transformation takes a further 2 seconds, during which she is pretty much not capable of anything but turning into a goat.
Due to her change in anatomy Philomel loses any ability to wield a sword or other hand-held weapon.
Magic remains, and natural talents, are increased. Her speed and strength goes to 5x that of a normal human.
Her skin and horns also becomes that of damascus strength.
She is still, however, susceptible to any magical abilities, especially fire.
Horns are basically the same size and versility as in natural form (increased slightly in size relative to overall size but no special ability)
Weight is almost half a ton.
Familiar: Veridian - a fox formed earth-spirit.
Veridian is immortal, but when he dies he is out of extistence for ten minutes then reborn back under the ash tree Philomel met him in Concordia Forest. So once dead in a battle he cannot return, but Philomel can use her magical ability after those ten minutes.
Basic Abilities: Can be used in combat - his weapons include a single bite per post that is harsh and brutal, and capable of ripping out large chunks of skin and flesh, down to muscle, causing a major wound. His claws are more or less kept sharp and a scratch will cause a minor wound.
NEW: Bite of Flame: Veridian now has the ability to bite with fire. This is down to the simple fact he has a tenth of a fire whisp inside of him. The flames, however, are not like a normal fire-breath - instead they are connected to his bite. Veridian releases a spew of flames from his mouth, and they are sent towards the victim. The flames then act as a second pair of jaws, immediately clamping around the victim's arm/area of damage. It does the same damage as his jaws, except that it causes a major burn also. The victim must be within ten feet, also, otherwise the flames disappate. Useable 4 times per thread.
Terribly Monstrous: Veridian harbours a secret more terrifying than is suitable for small children. The Earth Spirit he calls his sister, Farragise Onosan, the white rabbit who is as mysterious as she is adorable, has within her the ruined, tortured soul of a demon who went insane a thousand years ago. In their most recent encounter, when Veridian found out that traditional history was missing much of the heroics of the Earth Spirits and thus decided they had to go to war against the mistaken scholars, she granted him part of this soul. Within Veridian now resides one tenth of a behemoth, something that in the beginnings of times roamed the world and slaughtered mercilessly. One time per battle he can call on this darker part of himself and transform into a monster. The monster form lasts around six posts in length, and will soon tire out. It grants him 4x his natural size, and also adds a fire element to each of his attacks. His jaws still cause major wounds, but will also cause major burns when it comes into contact with skin. Claw attacks will grant minor burns. His fur, also, singes on contact, and stands at 55 degrees C. Overall, where he walks, he will singe the earth - if he stands in one place for too long it will get hotter and may burst into flame if on such things as wood, ice will melt etc.
Combined:
Excited? Expecting something here? Well you'll just have to wait, cheeky bastard.
Equipment:
Amour as follows:
Leather shoulder guard, covering front and back.
Dragon-scale half-breast plate, covering breasts and neck.
Steel bracers, covering the forearms.
Weapons:
Mythril hand-and-a-half sword, still unnamed.
One iron steak knife.
4 throwing knives.
One keris dagger, nicknamed the Lover, upgraded to plynt. It has a tinderbox and a trigger in the hilt to set the blade alight when desired.
Crossbow, made of yew. Comes with a dozen iron bolts.
NEW: Temptress: A magim beast leather riding crop with calli glass inserted into the keeper at the end.
Refills: Small vials of Calli powder that have been ground into a fine power and mixed with treated (oderless) troll fat as a sticking agent. When applied to a weapon they cause any cuts or broken skin to be extremely painful. Each vial is single use, good for a few cuts. (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?29125-Expanding-on-the-weapon-front)
Other:
A three-inch wide glass vial that is fully sealable and on a steel chain. Usually worn around the neck it is made to carry dirt so that Philomel has some even when on water or a place she cannot get earth from.
A lovely tricorn hat, with "Renegade" stitched in the corner.
Enough changes of clothes for a few occaisions a whore might need them for (dresses, blouses and a couple of corsets).
About a week worth of food when travelling.
Blankets.
Two leather saddle bags.
Dragon Amulet; Capable of turning a baby dragon into a full-sized dragon, at a later level. Obtained hither. Kept in a small lether pouch in Philomel's cabin or tucked into her bustier/corset.
New: Mage's Key: A key obtained from Vaeron. It is capable of opening any lock, magical or normal, with magical spells going to level 4. (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?28354-Fauns-At-Sea)
Ship: Called the Fiesty Fox. Actually owned by Malachi, the pirate king, Philomel is the captain of this ship on permanent loan until she can afford to buy it. Wiki page is available.
Familiars:
The Darling:
An Earth-Spirit in the form of a fox, called Veridian, now with a surname of Ryuusan. He has been with her for a number of years, now, and is entirely devoted to Philomel, whom he calls his "beloved". The two share an intense connection, through which now they can communicate by words, and also show each other what the other is seeing and sensing. They can also cut each other off from the other's mind, if they wish.
As an Earth-Spirit Veridian essentially grants the power of her Earth Magic, giving her Goodwill, or so he calls it. She needs this for some magic, such as Dusty, Stormy Day where it is vital.
Appearance: Fox in form, russet in colour, about the size of a terrier. He has a white-tipped tail and black ears, with brilliant golden eyes. In his right eye sits a crimson fleck, a hint of the behemoth that now resides within him.
Skills:
Immortality; Veridian is essentially immortal, being a creature of Spirit and Earth, that always has rebirth cycles. When he dies, however, Philomel feels the pain and emptiness, and a sudden loss. Her biggest fear (aside from her father) is being in an empty world, alone, and with Veridian gone she feels that fear, and so fears him dying. Veridian is then reborn in ten minutes, under the same ash tree near the bottom of the Jagged Mountains where Philomel found him first. As soon as he dies, also, all of her Earth Magic abilities stop in process, and only will work again when Veridian is reborn (not Earth Sense, as this is an ability latent to her species as a faun). Their telepathic connection will not be reset, either, until they are within a mile of one another.
The New Friend:
Recently bought from a merchant, Delath is a 3 ft baby black dragon, and can fly just a little but with no extra weight, and has a fire breath capable of leaving minor burns. He is adorable and cute, and will take years to grow, though looks at Philomel as his mother/food provider. As a child his intelligence is very simple though he is eager to learn. So far he acts as a scuffling bed-warmer, and does not accompany Philomel and Veridian on their more dangerous quests. Instead he stays with Draak to be trained as a pair of bellows for the troll monk's new exciting forge.
He was obtained hither.
History:
Her mother Lacey was the only faun in a whore house in a thriving city, Radasanth, and was seen one night by a faun iron merchant, Enna, from the mountains when she was offering her trade. He fell in lustiness over her, mostly because it was rare to see one of his own kind in a city, and hired her for the night. He ended up coming back a few months later and doing the same thing, and then again and again over a few years, in shorter and shorter intervals. Eventually he proposed marriage to her, for sake of apparently being “in love” with her. Lacey was very reluctant for a while, but once he promised her a house and money she agreed and they had a short and small, but official marriage. She got him to buy a house in the city, and even though he still had to go to the mountains for his trade she was content for a while.
After a month or so she got bored, and started inviting in men, going back to her old trade whilst Enna was away. She fell pregnant one night when he was around, and had the baby when he was away with one of her customers, thankfully a man of healing, present. She named the baby Philomel after a word meaning “nightingale” because she was born at night, and presented her with a certain pride when Enna returned. Enna did not react, though, how she expected, he seemed more disappointed than overjoyed, so Lacey took to turning cold. Things became a turn for the worse when Philomel was six years of age and Lacey found out Enna had had another family in the mountains all along.
She left Enna with Philomel and returned to the brothel. She was a good mother and took time out most days to raise her daughter well, though perhaps what she taught her was not typical. By the age of twelve Philomel was an excellent lover and plotting revenge on her father. She started earning money herself that same year later, then finally got a human warrior who she offered her services for in exchange for learning the basics of swordplay. The warrior paused, but accepted her offer and he became her teacher, so that over numerous visits in the next six years, at the age of eighteen Philomel could use a sword well. Later that year she left with him when he offered to take her on a hunt into the mountains, where he continued to teach her fighting and tracking, and she tried to find out more about her father. What she gleaned was very little, but has gone back at various points to find out more. During one of these expeditions she found herself becoming mesmerised by a feeling she had, and followed it until she came to an ash tree. When there, she touched the bark and was instantly able to detect the lifespan and events of the tree, when their had been storms, what creatures nested in the branches and so on. From that tree there came a small noise and an earth-spirit emerged, a small fox who she later named Veridian and has not had the want to stop following her since.
She later killed the warrior when she found him raping her own mother, and fed his body, ironically, to nightingales and crows, piece by piece.
She remained in Radasanth for some time. Her pimp, Mort, threatened her mother's life, and so along with a wizard Philomel brought about his death. She took her mother to safety, and then sent her to an island resort. After this, and finally independent and free, Philomel sought work. In doing so she befriended two people - first the half-imp telepath boy Felix and the monk-come-underworld-genius troll Mister Draak. She is currently staying with Mister Draak, in his hall where he acts as the monestry's cook and herbalist.
Philomel later on was discovered by the talented Lye, Master of Assassins, and was invited to become a member of the Crimson Hand, after a meeting with the infamous half-demon Aurelianus. When this inappropriate lover of violence opened his brothel in Salvar, Philomel became one of the prime attractions, and she now spends her time between Salvar and Raiaera, where she stays with Draak and works alongside him (or for him in a way). As an independent whore and a well-skilled killer she is never out of possible work, though will come when the Crimson Hand trumpet calls. She has met many people, including Jensen Ambrose and Astarelle Set'Roh on an ordinary drunken night out ...
Recently she took part in the War in Eiskalt, and was one of the last attackers to remain there. After the rest of the Crimson Hand left or went to finish off their private battles, she remained to help destroy the capital city. It was here, in the last standing building, a church, that she met, once more, the Ixian darling Astarelle, or Roht Mirage, and after a brief amount of fighting and threatening, the two had relations in the burning building. Philomel was later accused of rape by Ambrose, attacked and defeated, then saved by Astarelle, whom is severely attracted still to the faun who does not believe in love. In this battle Veridian died, and for the first time Philomel felt the true sense of loss and emptiness that she now loathes, and therefore she fears and dreads his death.
After this Philomel went back to Raieara and assisted in a few ambitous assassinations and plots, before turning her head back to adventure. She volunteered when the call came out for the slaying of an infected dragon over the skies of Alerar, and helped slay it. Unfortauntely in this time she met Astarelle and Jensen once more, and was subject to some degree of accusations. When the dragon died she intended to leave, however made the last minute decision to save Astarelle and so, by chance of being somewhere, was framed by Zack Blaze himself for the murder of Zack Blaze.
After a daring escape, with assistance from her curious one-time lover Astarelle, Philomel left Alerar. She was partly helped to flee by her "boss" Lye Ulroke, and told to not go back to Alerar for some time. Agreeing to this, Philomel went back to her some city of Radasanth and spent time there, spending time with her brother and making friends with the small curious thing known as Yakob de Void. Her mind raced, her spirit tingled with near-boredom, until she began to concoct a plan of deviousness. As word got to her of an apparent plan for the Crimson Hand to have a deathly tournament, one that was supposed to get Ulroke back to popularity or some such, Philomel considered her own future. In this way she realised she had some money placed aside from her months of working for and with the troll Draak, and placed it towards a project she likes to call the Gilded Lily.
Made to serve the needs of whores in danger, and those who wish to go beyond the call of their pimps, Philomel set about gaining trust of various other prostitutes, namely those from her first ever brothel, and creating a large group of fighters and spies for her guild. They are slowly spreading out across the city of Radasanth, right into the Red Light District and the high-end Courtesans to create a society of devious individuals. The eventual aim is to spread across the entire world. For this end also, Philomel figured she needed to travel, and so hired a boat to take her to Raiaera. During this time, however, her ship was beset by pirates, and by long-raucous means including a few mages and a nice key, Philomel found herself within the arms of the pirate company and in use of a boat she likes to call The Fiesty Fox.
A few stories shorter, complete with a failed trip to find the faun homeland, Paradisia, Philomel has set about with her ship and her Guild mostly in mind, travelling to Salvar to take part in these games for the Crimson Hand. Rumours, however, are spreading, and she is concerned with what murmurs she hears of the possible remergence of the traitor Tobias Stalt, and the works of the plague-witch Madison Freebird, with whom Philomel had a close shave with. She is coming back to Salvar tentitively, with part of her crew with her, and two companions by her side - one of them is her beloved fox, Veridian, and the other is her eager dragon.
The Crimson Hand Deadliest Warrior games prooved to be something of a rouse. Instead, what occurred during them is that Madison Freebird and that tiefling, Aurelianus Drak'Shal ended up cause a coup and taking over the Crimson Hand in its duration. Trapping Lye Ulroke, Madison placed herself as Master of the group and Philomel was installed as Master of Secrets. Though Philomel was very much between loyalties at this point, she decided that for now it was better to concentrate on her Guilded Lily project. With it, using her place as Master of Secrets as infleuence, she transformed the Gilded Lily into something of a spy network, set within brothels and pubs, with her ship as the Head Quarters for it. So far she has enabled to spread her influence over Radasanth, into Concordia, and is now enthusiastically working at conquering Eluriand.
Raiaera was also of interest in the quelling of Pode. There was call for adventure, from the High Bard Council of Raiaera, to call for warriors to help heal the Red Forest. Eager for adventure, Philomel joined them, along with Veridian. She got as far as suffering an illusion wherein she was killed by the ghost of Argarron, a once-friend of Veridian's, and she reawoke to discover that once more Drys had saved her and Veridian. She went back to Radasanth, mainly to work on the expansion of the Gilded Lily into Akashima, a place which is being helped much in the way of a faun called Blodwen. However, this point has proven to be something of an impasse, for no sooner had Philomel returned to Corone than war was declared on her. Or rather, the Gilded Lily, and by the Crimson Hand no less.
Quite disbelieving, Philomel is currently summoning all the warriors she can find together, calling on friends, females, allies and lovers to come and defend her right to run her own Power Group. She has little idea why this has occurred, though after meeting the curious Zelrius suspicion runs through her mind that Madison does not trust her anymore. What is possibly more strange is that Lye Ulroke has come back from prison and is apparently Master of the Crimson Hand once more, though Philomel suspects Madison's foul hand at play. Still, though, the Gilded Lily and its associates, will not stand for this, and thus many people are flocking to her side, and her direct team of advisers is preparing for possible death.
No one threats the Matriarch.