Xeraph
03-21-07, 08:43 AM
Full Name: Xeraph Tollan
Age: 32
Race: Human
Hair Color: Dark Blond
Eye Color: Light Blue
Height: 6’ 2’’
Weight: 210lbs
Occupation: Mercenary
Personality: On first impressions, Xeraph seems very quiet and withdrawn. He is more likely to be sucking on the end of his pipe in a dark corner of the inn than to be dancing on the tables, making a complete fool out of himself and others. If approached by someone whom he does not take an immediate interest in, he will most likely brush them off with a few choice words, or to simply ignore them completely. This has led some to accuse him of being a man with whom honest folk shouldn’t mingle. In part, this reputation is justified
Despite these initial impressions, Xeraph is actually an observer, not wholly deserving of the reputation he has gained from these lonely sittings. By sitting in the corner, he can observe all, and should someone spark his interest, he will approach them discreetly. As people learn more about him, they will still find him closed on certain matters, yet highly passionate on others. For a man of such rough appearance, he has substantial intelligence, and a quick-witted, yet dark, sense of humor. His loyalty can appear to swing wildly – he may one moment your best friend, the next your worst enemy. However, when everything is up in the air, his true loyalty, regardless of money, will shine through.
As for his moral code, Xeraph Tollan answers only to himself. He has the notion that he should only help those who make some attempt to help themselves. As such, a poor man who merely sits by and does little to improve himself will receive no help should he ask for it, but by contrast, a poor man who actively seeks to better himself will receive whatever help Xeraph can offer him, be it a single piece of gold, a meal or even a spare blanket. Although he will help those in need if he feels it, he is not above committing certain dubious acts in order to achieve his ends. Murder, extortion, blackmail and thievery are things he is more than willing to do, should the situation demand it.
Appearance: Xeraph is well aware of the importance of first impressions – he relies on them often when judging people – and yet he seems to intentionally maintain a shabby appearance. This is perhaps a feint to put others off their guard. His hair is long for a man, almost to his shoulders, whilst his facial hair is that of a rough shave – not quite a beard, and yet not quite smooth skin either. His eyes are set deep in his face, his chin well defined, and he has a distinctive Adam’s apple. Oddly, he has no visible scars on his face, but there is a distinct outline on the back of his left hand.
Much of his torso is covered by his traveling cloak which is clasped at the neck, hiding what lies beneath. When he does remove this cloak, it reveals a long sleeved green shirt, over which he wears an embroidered waistcoat in royal blue. The workmanship is exquisite, suggesting some level of affluence, yet the waistcoat is obviously well worn, suggesting either a fall from grace or he stole the garment. Over both of these, he commonly wears his leather armor.
For his legs, he wears a pair of pants made of brown cloth, held up by a simple black leather belt. His scabbard is tied to the belt on the left hand side of his body, allowing for him to quickly draw his sword in battle. He also wears leather armor on his upper legs, covering the front of his thighs. His boots come to just below the knee, and are laced up the front, tied off at the top. They too are well worn, and seem to be lined with fur of some description, suggesting yet again that he once held some position of affluence. However, they are soft-soled, allowing him to move quickly yet silently.
The entire ensemble, along with his natural confidant stance, gives the impression of being well worn, yet with a quiet dignity about him that seems to be telling of a past of a more gentile life. He has a fairly slim build, thanks to his relative height and weight
History: Xeraph Tollan’s history is complex, and is something that he does not delight in telling.
Born to a noble family, the Tollanmarques, in his native land of Osea, Xeraph was the only child of Lord Gerald Tollanmarque and Lady Elizabeth Tollanmarque nee Howard. It was quickly realized by many that Xeraph had inherited little of the natural aristocratic nature of both of his parents. His studies were easily abandoned, and the young child preferred to spend his time in the woods owned by his parents, working on his sword technique and stalking. He was recognized as very deceptive for a child of his age, to whom lying came easily. By the age of 8, he was so proficient at it; he could deceive easily those who were not used to his lies. He was frequently admonished by both of his parents, and for a time, it appeared as if they succeeded in controlling him, as his behavior calmed down by the age of 11. He applied himself to his studies, particularly chemistry, and there was much hope among the household and his wider family that he would turn into a respectable gentleman. During this time, he adopted his first kitten, which would stay with him until its death eight years later.
Of course, given his nature, such methods of control would only work for so long. By the age of 14, he had regained his reputation as a trouble-maker in the local area, as well as beginning to gain a reputation with the girls of his age. These problems only worsened as he aged, and he caused great embarrassment to his parents when, at the age of 19, he impregnated a local village girl. Of course, to his parents, the question of marriage was out of the question – no son of theirs would marry a commoner – and so they sought a way to remove him from the area, at least until the furor had died down. Using his contacts in the army, Lord Tollanmarque was able to secure a commission in the cavalry for his son. Hence, for the first time in his privileged life, Xeraph Tollanmarque found himself away from home, eating bad food, sleeping in a rough bed and experiencing a life of discomfort he previously had no knowledge of.
It was during his time in the military that he not only learned how to ride and fight from horseback. It was during his time in combat that he picked up a scar on the back of his left hand, a relic of overestimating his abilities and underestimating his opponent. It was a mistake well learnt.
Upon his return from the army four years later, it was the hope of his parents that his time on campaign would have straightened him out. It appeared his time in the army had served only to improve his skills with fighting in combat, and little to curb his sexual exploits. After a number of highly-publicized flings with married women, one of whom was a wife of a high court judge, his father finally confronted him. The resulting argument would cause a rift in the family like no other, and also cause Xeraph to take a long look at himself. His father disowned his only son, an act that later led to his death due to the strain on his heart and mind.
Of course, Xeraph knew nothing of his father’s demise. Having been disowned, and with a numbness like no other on his heart, he had returned to his room immediately, taking the sword his father had made for him and tying it to his belt, changing into the roughest clothes he could find (bar his waistcoat, one of the view items of clothing he allowed himself to keep), and leaving home for the wilderness. Nothing was heard of Xeraph Tollanmarque after this, for he ceased to exist. It was two years before a stranger surfaced in an inn far from the manor house of the Tollanmarques, wrapped in a woolen traveling cloak and carrying a pack on his back. When asked of his identity by the barman serving him the pint of ale, he smiled slightly through the rough shave and long, straggly hair, ‘My name, barman? Xeraph Tollan is my name, and I’ll ask you to ask no more questions.’
Since then, this stranger has flitted from settlement to settlement, often not staying longer than a few weeks. Where he earns his money, none truly know, but many have guessed. Often, when he is resident in a settlement, the number of deaths appears to rise, only to fall again when he leaves.
Equipment: Aside from usual traveling essentials such as food, fire-lighting gear, bedding and water, Xeraph carries a few choice items he has either obtained on his travels, or carries as heirlooms of his family:
Leather Armour – Cheap, easily maintained, flexible. Such are the positive attributes of this leather armor that Xeraph wears over his traveling clothes. Although the protection it provides is minimal, the flexibility it allows means that, should all go to plan, Xeraph will not be in the way of the blade, arrow or shot that threatens him. Of course, if he could get his hands on chain-mail or even mithril, but the chances of that currently seem to be slim to none.
Sword – The sword is another heirloom of Xeraph’s family. The workmanship is of a fair quality, and the hilt has seen much usage on the field of battle, as evidenced by the many chips along its length. The scabbard also shows signs of wear. The sword itself is made of cold forged steel, and is kept sharp by Xeraph at all times.
Knife - In addition to his sword, Xeraph also carries a hunting knife, which he uses not only for its intended purpose, but as a more general utility tool. The knife itself is again made of steel, and the hilt is made of black compressed leather, the standard form for such a knife.
Pipe – Xeraph has taken to carrying a wooden pipe, one of his more constant possessions, along with a few ounces of tobacco and matches. He is often found in the corner of the inn, smoking gently away. Of course, having a ready source of light can come in very useful…
Skills: Xeraph’s privileged upbringing, time on the front lines and time spent alone on the road have given him a variety of skills:
Swordplay – Xeraph is a reasonably skilled swordsman, although only with a single blade. He can also carry a shield, though he chooses not to, preferring to use two hands on the hilt of his long sword. In terms of sheer skill, Xeraph is most likely above average for many people, but he realises he can improve and wishes to do so.
Silent Movement – Given he has had to steal at times just to survive, and others to complete his contract of the moment, Xeraph strives to work silently. However, it requires that he leave all but his knife and leather armor (anything else would make too much noise) in a safe place, leaving him vulnerable to attack.
Familiar: Xeraph’s singular constant companion is his cat, known as Tabitha. This cat is a tortoiseshell, black being the dominant color, with fletches of brown and orange spread across the entire length.
Name: Tabitha
Race: Cat
Eye Color: Green
Fur Color: Primarily black, fletches of brown and orange.
Weapons: Teeth and claws
Age: 32
Race: Human
Hair Color: Dark Blond
Eye Color: Light Blue
Height: 6’ 2’’
Weight: 210lbs
Occupation: Mercenary
Personality: On first impressions, Xeraph seems very quiet and withdrawn. He is more likely to be sucking on the end of his pipe in a dark corner of the inn than to be dancing on the tables, making a complete fool out of himself and others. If approached by someone whom he does not take an immediate interest in, he will most likely brush them off with a few choice words, or to simply ignore them completely. This has led some to accuse him of being a man with whom honest folk shouldn’t mingle. In part, this reputation is justified
Despite these initial impressions, Xeraph is actually an observer, not wholly deserving of the reputation he has gained from these lonely sittings. By sitting in the corner, he can observe all, and should someone spark his interest, he will approach them discreetly. As people learn more about him, they will still find him closed on certain matters, yet highly passionate on others. For a man of such rough appearance, he has substantial intelligence, and a quick-witted, yet dark, sense of humor. His loyalty can appear to swing wildly – he may one moment your best friend, the next your worst enemy. However, when everything is up in the air, his true loyalty, regardless of money, will shine through.
As for his moral code, Xeraph Tollan answers only to himself. He has the notion that he should only help those who make some attempt to help themselves. As such, a poor man who merely sits by and does little to improve himself will receive no help should he ask for it, but by contrast, a poor man who actively seeks to better himself will receive whatever help Xeraph can offer him, be it a single piece of gold, a meal or even a spare blanket. Although he will help those in need if he feels it, he is not above committing certain dubious acts in order to achieve his ends. Murder, extortion, blackmail and thievery are things he is more than willing to do, should the situation demand it.
Appearance: Xeraph is well aware of the importance of first impressions – he relies on them often when judging people – and yet he seems to intentionally maintain a shabby appearance. This is perhaps a feint to put others off their guard. His hair is long for a man, almost to his shoulders, whilst his facial hair is that of a rough shave – not quite a beard, and yet not quite smooth skin either. His eyes are set deep in his face, his chin well defined, and he has a distinctive Adam’s apple. Oddly, he has no visible scars on his face, but there is a distinct outline on the back of his left hand.
Much of his torso is covered by his traveling cloak which is clasped at the neck, hiding what lies beneath. When he does remove this cloak, it reveals a long sleeved green shirt, over which he wears an embroidered waistcoat in royal blue. The workmanship is exquisite, suggesting some level of affluence, yet the waistcoat is obviously well worn, suggesting either a fall from grace or he stole the garment. Over both of these, he commonly wears his leather armor.
For his legs, he wears a pair of pants made of brown cloth, held up by a simple black leather belt. His scabbard is tied to the belt on the left hand side of his body, allowing for him to quickly draw his sword in battle. He also wears leather armor on his upper legs, covering the front of his thighs. His boots come to just below the knee, and are laced up the front, tied off at the top. They too are well worn, and seem to be lined with fur of some description, suggesting yet again that he once held some position of affluence. However, they are soft-soled, allowing him to move quickly yet silently.
The entire ensemble, along with his natural confidant stance, gives the impression of being well worn, yet with a quiet dignity about him that seems to be telling of a past of a more gentile life. He has a fairly slim build, thanks to his relative height and weight
History: Xeraph Tollan’s history is complex, and is something that he does not delight in telling.
Born to a noble family, the Tollanmarques, in his native land of Osea, Xeraph was the only child of Lord Gerald Tollanmarque and Lady Elizabeth Tollanmarque nee Howard. It was quickly realized by many that Xeraph had inherited little of the natural aristocratic nature of both of his parents. His studies were easily abandoned, and the young child preferred to spend his time in the woods owned by his parents, working on his sword technique and stalking. He was recognized as very deceptive for a child of his age, to whom lying came easily. By the age of 8, he was so proficient at it; he could deceive easily those who were not used to his lies. He was frequently admonished by both of his parents, and for a time, it appeared as if they succeeded in controlling him, as his behavior calmed down by the age of 11. He applied himself to his studies, particularly chemistry, and there was much hope among the household and his wider family that he would turn into a respectable gentleman. During this time, he adopted his first kitten, which would stay with him until its death eight years later.
Of course, given his nature, such methods of control would only work for so long. By the age of 14, he had regained his reputation as a trouble-maker in the local area, as well as beginning to gain a reputation with the girls of his age. These problems only worsened as he aged, and he caused great embarrassment to his parents when, at the age of 19, he impregnated a local village girl. Of course, to his parents, the question of marriage was out of the question – no son of theirs would marry a commoner – and so they sought a way to remove him from the area, at least until the furor had died down. Using his contacts in the army, Lord Tollanmarque was able to secure a commission in the cavalry for his son. Hence, for the first time in his privileged life, Xeraph Tollanmarque found himself away from home, eating bad food, sleeping in a rough bed and experiencing a life of discomfort he previously had no knowledge of.
It was during his time in the military that he not only learned how to ride and fight from horseback. It was during his time in combat that he picked up a scar on the back of his left hand, a relic of overestimating his abilities and underestimating his opponent. It was a mistake well learnt.
Upon his return from the army four years later, it was the hope of his parents that his time on campaign would have straightened him out. It appeared his time in the army had served only to improve his skills with fighting in combat, and little to curb his sexual exploits. After a number of highly-publicized flings with married women, one of whom was a wife of a high court judge, his father finally confronted him. The resulting argument would cause a rift in the family like no other, and also cause Xeraph to take a long look at himself. His father disowned his only son, an act that later led to his death due to the strain on his heart and mind.
Of course, Xeraph knew nothing of his father’s demise. Having been disowned, and with a numbness like no other on his heart, he had returned to his room immediately, taking the sword his father had made for him and tying it to his belt, changing into the roughest clothes he could find (bar his waistcoat, one of the view items of clothing he allowed himself to keep), and leaving home for the wilderness. Nothing was heard of Xeraph Tollanmarque after this, for he ceased to exist. It was two years before a stranger surfaced in an inn far from the manor house of the Tollanmarques, wrapped in a woolen traveling cloak and carrying a pack on his back. When asked of his identity by the barman serving him the pint of ale, he smiled slightly through the rough shave and long, straggly hair, ‘My name, barman? Xeraph Tollan is my name, and I’ll ask you to ask no more questions.’
Since then, this stranger has flitted from settlement to settlement, often not staying longer than a few weeks. Where he earns his money, none truly know, but many have guessed. Often, when he is resident in a settlement, the number of deaths appears to rise, only to fall again when he leaves.
Equipment: Aside from usual traveling essentials such as food, fire-lighting gear, bedding and water, Xeraph carries a few choice items he has either obtained on his travels, or carries as heirlooms of his family:
Leather Armour – Cheap, easily maintained, flexible. Such are the positive attributes of this leather armor that Xeraph wears over his traveling clothes. Although the protection it provides is minimal, the flexibility it allows means that, should all go to plan, Xeraph will not be in the way of the blade, arrow or shot that threatens him. Of course, if he could get his hands on chain-mail or even mithril, but the chances of that currently seem to be slim to none.
Sword – The sword is another heirloom of Xeraph’s family. The workmanship is of a fair quality, and the hilt has seen much usage on the field of battle, as evidenced by the many chips along its length. The scabbard also shows signs of wear. The sword itself is made of cold forged steel, and is kept sharp by Xeraph at all times.
Knife - In addition to his sword, Xeraph also carries a hunting knife, which he uses not only for its intended purpose, but as a more general utility tool. The knife itself is again made of steel, and the hilt is made of black compressed leather, the standard form for such a knife.
Pipe – Xeraph has taken to carrying a wooden pipe, one of his more constant possessions, along with a few ounces of tobacco and matches. He is often found in the corner of the inn, smoking gently away. Of course, having a ready source of light can come in very useful…
Skills: Xeraph’s privileged upbringing, time on the front lines and time spent alone on the road have given him a variety of skills:
Swordplay – Xeraph is a reasonably skilled swordsman, although only with a single blade. He can also carry a shield, though he chooses not to, preferring to use two hands on the hilt of his long sword. In terms of sheer skill, Xeraph is most likely above average for many people, but he realises he can improve and wishes to do so.
Silent Movement – Given he has had to steal at times just to survive, and others to complete his contract of the moment, Xeraph strives to work silently. However, it requires that he leave all but his knife and leather armor (anything else would make too much noise) in a safe place, leaving him vulnerable to attack.
Familiar: Xeraph’s singular constant companion is his cat, known as Tabitha. This cat is a tortoiseshell, black being the dominant color, with fletches of brown and orange spread across the entire length.
Name: Tabitha
Race: Cat
Eye Color: Green
Fur Color: Primarily black, fletches of brown and orange.
Weapons: Teeth and claws