85th
04-17-06, 07:38 PM
Name: Strias Blackbird
Age: presumed 100/15
Race: Human
Hair Color: reddish brown
Eye Color: blue
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 122lb.
Occupation: none
Personality: Strias is not one extreme or the other, his character lies somewhere in the middle of every spectrum. Usually he is mellow- calm cool, collected. However when his distress level reaches high peaks he can easily fall apart.
Appearance: Strias has the build of an average 15 year old boy, though his frame is on the somewhat smaller side. He wears clothes that don’t really show the exact build of his body, muscle wise, not that it is anything to brag about. His lean body is covered by crème colored cotton pants and a tighter cotton ridge knitted sleeveless navy blue zip up turtle neck. Over that he wears a loose cropped brown robe. His last layer of clothing is a deep royal purple poncho with a few golden patterns towards the collar and hood. His hands are covered by black leather half gloves, and his feet are covered by black leather boots bound tightly with laces.
Brief History:
Strias was born 100 years ago to a pair of farmer’s on an island named Lifebridge. The church of this island took him in to school him in order to become a priest under their god Kauxdyne along with 99 other children , making 100 total. Strias’ parents resisted but were killed and Strias was taken anyways. The church educated in him academically as well as religiously. When the students reached the age of about 15-16 the church informed them that they would be put through a trial to determine whether or not they were worthy to serve Kauxdyne and continue to priest hood.
However, this trial was just a cover up for a sinister agenda the church had. They prayed to Kauxdyne to rid the world of the monsters that plagued it. The islanders believed the monsters to be the mauropteran, winged creatures who resided in a cave island just north of Lifebridge. But in reality humans themselves were the monsters the church was referring to. It turned out the priests and monks were actually genetically altered humans who had become mauropteran by drinking their blood and allowing their cells to fuse.
The 100 students were sent to the cave island to spend the night in the cave, and if they were worthy Kauxdyne would let them know. That night the students were all killed by the mauropterans, except for Strias who had been given a small vile of their blood by one of his friends who valued friendship over duty. Because of this Strias was seen as one of their own by the mauropterans and spared. However, watching the massacre of his classmates left him in a state of shock. The next day Strias was retrieved and declared the proper host body for Kauxdyne who the church believed would be descending that night. Because he was spared they believed that the mauropteran left him alive as the host body for their god, Kauxdyne. They referred to Strias as the 85th, for that is where his name appeared on the list of the student’s names.
The students who were killed were used as host bodies for mauropteran offspring which were unleashed upon the villagers who believed they were welcoming home their children. Meanwhile Strias was fed ambrosia, the food which would supposedly open his body for Kauxdyne to take over. This didn’t happen. Instead Strias awoke in a rage and slaughtered everyone in the church including his friend, Reven. Further he went into the village, following the smoke coming from the burning houses and continued to kill everything in his path mauropteran and human alike. In the end he could see some mauropteran escaping their cave, but was too exhausted to pursue them and fell into a comatose state, which would last 84 years. He awoke in an entirely new place, having been taken off the island by fishermen 84 years prior. He spent the next yea rlining the pieces of his past up, though some pieces are still missing, he searches for these lost pieces. He feels the best place to start is the mauropteran…
( to clarify: Strias is not aware of the church’s conspiracy, mauropteran aren’t a very threatening force on Althanas, really they’ll only be used for solo quest purposes, Strias does no have amnesia, Strias is unaging because of the ambrosia he ate, this does not mean he can’t be killed, he just doesn’t age)
Extended History: Strias story begins to unfold 100 years prior to the present. Where on a small island nation, Lifebridge, detached from most other outside influences two farmers were lucky enough to be blessed with a healthy beautiful baby boy. Who they affectionately named Strias. Life was simple until the day Strias turned three and was chosen as a representative of the Island’s church; it was a great honor for he would serve along with 99 other children as students preparing to become the church leaders when their elders passed away. Strias’ parents declined the offer. But they soon discovered it was no an offer they could not decline.
There came a night that a stranger knocked upon the farmer’s door. It was late and the father grew suspicious. The mother and young Strias waited anxiously near the fire place while the father bravely opened the door. Unable to even react he was struck down by a swift dagger into his heart. The woman’s life was ended nearly as fast by a steel arrow from a cross bow. Strias, though crying, was taken away from the small village and his parents’ dead hands.
The child was taken to a monastery on the opposite side of the Island, separated down the center by a river, only connected by a bridge. At the monastery Strias joined the other 99 children to begin religious studies and preparation to serve their god, Kauxdyne. The children attended daily classes which taught them simple things like arithmetic, writing, reading, and science, as well as religious based classes. Everyday over 3 hours were spent in prayers to Kauxdyne to rid the world of the monsters which plagued the world.
The islanders were under the understanding that these monsters were the Mauropteran which dwelled in the rocky cave on the small island just north of Lifebridge, though the church never explicitly said it was so. The mauropteran were beasts of the dark, rarely seen by the islanders. Few who lived to tell the tale claimed the creatures were the size of humans, had skin gray like ash, and eyes black as a starless sky. It is said their teeth are like glimmering blades and claws like a bird’s talon’s ready to tear flesh apart. The most distinguishing feature about these creatures are the black leather wings protruding from their back. The wings are hardly used for flying, but instead masking themselves into the darkness so they cannot be seen.
However, before the students could pursue further enlightenment they were to pass a test of their loyalty to Kauxdyne. Strias who was one of the most promising students was positive he would pass and go on to serve the church. His mentor and friend, Reven, a young priest, knew all too well this was no ordinary test. What he felt in friendship was stronger than his obligation to the church, he wouldn’t allow Strias to be harmed. To warn Strias of the danger would be treachery, but he could properly prepare him for what was to come.
The day before the trial Reven pulled Strias aside and slipped him a small vile of red substance. Strias was confused but Reven insisted he drink it, it would ensure his success during the test. Wanting nothing more than to serve Kauxdyne Strias agreed to do as told. That night, before he slept, after he was done with his prayer, he uncorked the vile and sniffed it. The liquid inside smelt strange, but he drank it quickly. Though it may have only been 1 table spoon it was enough to make Strias quickly fall to his knees. The taste was blood. He’d tasted the familiar metal like taste before when he’d bit his lip. He drank blood! Covering his mouth and doubling over Strias tried to throw it back up, unable to understand what sort of joke Reven was playing on him. But before strias could even wash his mouth out a strange pain began in his stomach, it started small then grew to become almost unbearable. The pain tightened and spread throughout his entire body, so intense he couldn’t even call out. He opened his squinted eyes wide, briefly, before he lost consciousness, they were black as death.
The next day Strias awoke on the floor of his room, but not feeling unusual. He recalled what had happened and would be sure to tell Reven his trick was not funny when he got back from the trial. Along with the other 99 Strias boarded the boat which would take them to the trial. As they sailed Strias noticed they were going to the island with the cave where rumors of the mauropteran had been about. The students began to get a little ancy but didn’t ask question, for they knew whatever was in store for them Kauxdyne would lead them through.
The 100 students were lead to the cave in which they were told to enter, they would spend the night there, and if they were worthy Kauxdyne would speak to them, and they would know. Hesitantly, the students entered, clinging together, fearful of the darkness inside the cave. Strias entered last, being the one to linger at the cave’s entrance the longest. He felt a strange feeling in his heart, it felt as if within this cave his fate would be decided. He convinced himself it was that he was nervous if Kauxdyne would speak to him, and entered.
The cave was dark and damp and smelt of stale water, every sound echoed off the ebony walls, making the students feel small against the cave’s giganticness. They walk near 5 minutes from the entrance when they decided on a place to stop where they could sleep for the night. The hours passed and nothing happened. A few students claimed they had already begun hearing Kauxdyne, but it was obvious it was out of nervousness. Strias kept to himself, the sinking feeling in his stomach growing stronger and stronger. Awkwardly he squirmed, not knowing how much longer he could stand it. To preoccupy his mind he wondered why his fellow classmates couldn’t see so well. To him it seemed that the cave was well lit, but the rest of the students fumbled clumsily, complaining about the dark.
When the sun had gone down the students knew, for they began to feel tired. But it was just as they began to relax the noises started. Sounds of skitters on stone and strange animal like noises echoed all the way to their ears. Frightened the children gathered together as the sounds grew closer and closer. Before anyone knew what happened something was upon them. Strias saw 4 large figures drop from the cave’s ceiling and snatch up 4 students. Only their screams were left, but those too were soon silenced. Panic could not be contained. Students darted every which way, blindly fumbling for the way out. Strias was knocked over in the frantic escape, and he was sure he was done for. The mauropteran rumors were true! And now he could see what they truly were. Two taloned feet dropped onto the cave floor just before him, it was humanoid in structure but its skin was the color of ashes and it’s eyes black voids, looking into his soul. Along the black wings protruding from the creature’s back were ridges of small blade like bones. Its teeth were long and sharp and ripping with saliva, it’s talons were sharp as daggers with pieces of flesh still clinging. Strias felt his end. His heart seized up and his body grew pale and cold, but the mauropteran did no attack. Instead, it turned it’s back to Strias and returned to its family to finish off the rest of the students.
Frozen in terror Strias could only watch his classmates be ripped limb from limb. He saw those he’d studied with gutless, in pieces, stained in red… beneath his hands which propped him up from his fall he felt something warm run under them. Barely able to break his gaze from the carnage he looked down to see a small river of red running between the rocks on the cave’s floor, staining his own skin red. Throughout the massacre of all 99 students Strias could do nothing but feel the images burned into him. Yet, as terrified as he was. He couldn’t let himself leave, the smell of all the death was intoxicating, and Strias began to feel himself slip away. Curling up into the fetal position Strias began to quiver until his eyes closed and he lost consciousness from sheer distress.
The next morning the retrieving priests only found Strias alive, still unconscious amongst the corpses and pieces of his classmates. It seemed he was the only one to survive. The trial was over. They hadn’t expected any more than one to survive anyways. The trial was not to test their fate, but to select a host body for the return of Kauxdyne, the god of all Mauropteran. Strias proved to be this host body, for the mauropteran had spared him. The truth behind the church was that the monster’s they prayed to Kaudyne to eliminate from the planet were, in fact, humans. For it was believed that mauropteran were on the planet first and were rightfully supposed to inhabit it, but were driven back onto a desolate island by humans. The church members were all mauropteran themselves, of course they were not fully the beasts but just human embodiments of them. To become a maurotperan is was necessary to drink the blood of a mauropteran, so their virus like cells could inject themselves into the human cells to alter the genetic coding. After this process the mauropteran would behave as if the infected humans were one of their own. For the smell of their blood ran through the human veins as well. However, everyone but Reven and Strias were unaware of the circumstances. Reven had ensured Strias’ survival by giving him mauropteran blood so they would spare him. So he, in fact, was not the host body for Kauxdyne. The other children were not a waste, those who were not entirely devoured would become cradles of sorts. The corpse served as shells for the mauropteran offspring.
Strias was taken back to Lifebridge and to a chamber where he could continue to rest. They referred to him as the 85th, for he was he 85th name on the list of 100. Later that day he would be fed the ambrosia that would open his body for Kauxdyne to enter. Reven was assigned to watch over his friend while preparations were made for the arrival of the other students… at least, those who were left. The other students arrived and were hastily prepared to return to the village where the mauropteran offspring would hatch and be released into the world. The parents of the students were ecstatic to see their children again, and welcomed them home with open arms, although, they soon found, as soon as removing the red cloaks from their beloved children, these were not the children they once knew. To the horror of mothers and fathers they saw their children in some cases missing an arm or maybe an eye or perhaps their faces were so mangled they could barely recognize them. Shedding the skin off the mauropteran offspring hatched and began their first meal on the people of the island.
Meanwhile, Strias was being fed the ambrosia, in order for Kauxdyne to descend. As soon as the ambrosia reached Strias’ stomach his eyes were wide open, black like those of a mauropteran. The priests around him bowed down and sang their praise, but stopped in confusion when Strias merely stared, blankly. The memory and scent of carnage still fresh to him it was all that was on his traumatized mind. And it was because of these men that it all happened. Because of these monsters… Without warning Strias attacked with his bare hands, strangling the first priest in his reach. Another tried to stop him with the long sword from the suit of armor next to the altar, but met his swift end as Strias placed a hand on either side of the mans head, twisting his neck much further than it should go. The long sword fell into his hands… Reven pleaded with him to stop but was silenced by Strias’ sudden thrust into his chest. Looking into his comrade’s eyes as his life slipped away Strias felt regret and sadness in his heart but it was overcome with rage. He laid his friend down gently and continued the massacre on the priests, killing everyone within the church. From the bridge he could see across the river there was commotion and fire for the night sky was ablaze.
Strias spared no one, he was sure to slay every last mauropteran and human being on the island. In the end he stood admist his own burning home, the blood of his own country men staining his skin and clothes. He could see in the distant sky a small cloud of black leaving the cave… He couldn’t move anymore.
The next day some men from a nearby fishing ship cam to investigate since they had seen the sky ablaze in the direction. They found the village practically burned to the ground and the church a blood bath. The bodies in the village had been singed beyond recognition, including the mauropteran offspring, but Strias lay amongst the ashes, untouched. The fishermen brought him aboard their ship, deciding he was lucky to have survived such a massacre that must have been by pirates. He was taken to the mainland where he was placed under the care of a doctor who called his comatose state, temporary, however he did not awaken in the doctor’s life time. When he passed away Strias, who hadn’t aged a day was moved to a school of medicine where he was to be used for study. His comatose body remained there for the next 30 years, making him exactly 99. It was that day he awoke, having been asleep for 84 years. As if he’d only been asleep hours Strias regained his coordination and escaped the institute before tests were to be run on him. Over the next year he worked to piece together everything. He remembered bits and piecing but in no order. It was the hardest thing Strias had ever done but somehow he was able to align the pieces again, however, there were still missing pieces he wanted to fill. It became his purpose for living, to uncover every lie he was told and to understand what truly happened 84 years ago. And he had a strong feeling that would all start with the mauropteran…
( to clarify: Strias is not aware of the church’s conspiracy, mauropteran aren’t a very threatening force on Althanas, really they’ll only be used for solo quest purposes, Strias does no have amnesia, Strias is unaging because of the ambrosia he ate, this does not mean he can’t be killed, he just doesn’t age)
Skills:
Mauropteran level 0- Strias is able to connect to the mauropteran blood within him and use it to fight. Without tapping into this he is still able to fight, but Mauropteran gives him a limited time of enhanced strength and speed/agility. Tapping into this as a source of power can be taxing so he can only use it once per battle, however it lasts for up to 3 posts.
Specifications for level 0 mauropteran
Strength boost - he’s a scrawny kid anyways so it’ll put him on par with a full grown man.
Speed/ agility boost- This mainly effects his reaction time and not so much his physical speed, since he is no seasoned warrior Strias as a normal boy has slightly slow reaction time, but this allows him to more effectively defend himself by dodging or blocking , not to say he’s always fast enough.
Night vision- during this time he can see night as clear as day.
swordplay- there is also an increase in his capability with a sword, because he relies purely off instinct, this is part of the increase in reaction time and strength. He doens't gain and automatic set form when he uses his mauropteran powers, but he is more formidable. For now he would be considered average with a sword.
Equipment:
1 steel longsword
Age: presumed 100/15
Race: Human
Hair Color: reddish brown
Eye Color: blue
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 122lb.
Occupation: none
Personality: Strias is not one extreme or the other, his character lies somewhere in the middle of every spectrum. Usually he is mellow- calm cool, collected. However when his distress level reaches high peaks he can easily fall apart.
Appearance: Strias has the build of an average 15 year old boy, though his frame is on the somewhat smaller side. He wears clothes that don’t really show the exact build of his body, muscle wise, not that it is anything to brag about. His lean body is covered by crème colored cotton pants and a tighter cotton ridge knitted sleeveless navy blue zip up turtle neck. Over that he wears a loose cropped brown robe. His last layer of clothing is a deep royal purple poncho with a few golden patterns towards the collar and hood. His hands are covered by black leather half gloves, and his feet are covered by black leather boots bound tightly with laces.
Brief History:
Strias was born 100 years ago to a pair of farmer’s on an island named Lifebridge. The church of this island took him in to school him in order to become a priest under their god Kauxdyne along with 99 other children , making 100 total. Strias’ parents resisted but were killed and Strias was taken anyways. The church educated in him academically as well as religiously. When the students reached the age of about 15-16 the church informed them that they would be put through a trial to determine whether or not they were worthy to serve Kauxdyne and continue to priest hood.
However, this trial was just a cover up for a sinister agenda the church had. They prayed to Kauxdyne to rid the world of the monsters that plagued it. The islanders believed the monsters to be the mauropteran, winged creatures who resided in a cave island just north of Lifebridge. But in reality humans themselves were the monsters the church was referring to. It turned out the priests and monks were actually genetically altered humans who had become mauropteran by drinking their blood and allowing their cells to fuse.
The 100 students were sent to the cave island to spend the night in the cave, and if they were worthy Kauxdyne would let them know. That night the students were all killed by the mauropterans, except for Strias who had been given a small vile of their blood by one of his friends who valued friendship over duty. Because of this Strias was seen as one of their own by the mauropterans and spared. However, watching the massacre of his classmates left him in a state of shock. The next day Strias was retrieved and declared the proper host body for Kauxdyne who the church believed would be descending that night. Because he was spared they believed that the mauropteran left him alive as the host body for their god, Kauxdyne. They referred to Strias as the 85th, for that is where his name appeared on the list of the student’s names.
The students who were killed were used as host bodies for mauropteran offspring which were unleashed upon the villagers who believed they were welcoming home their children. Meanwhile Strias was fed ambrosia, the food which would supposedly open his body for Kauxdyne to take over. This didn’t happen. Instead Strias awoke in a rage and slaughtered everyone in the church including his friend, Reven. Further he went into the village, following the smoke coming from the burning houses and continued to kill everything in his path mauropteran and human alike. In the end he could see some mauropteran escaping their cave, but was too exhausted to pursue them and fell into a comatose state, which would last 84 years. He awoke in an entirely new place, having been taken off the island by fishermen 84 years prior. He spent the next yea rlining the pieces of his past up, though some pieces are still missing, he searches for these lost pieces. He feels the best place to start is the mauropteran…
( to clarify: Strias is not aware of the church’s conspiracy, mauropteran aren’t a very threatening force on Althanas, really they’ll only be used for solo quest purposes, Strias does no have amnesia, Strias is unaging because of the ambrosia he ate, this does not mean he can’t be killed, he just doesn’t age)
Extended History: Strias story begins to unfold 100 years prior to the present. Where on a small island nation, Lifebridge, detached from most other outside influences two farmers were lucky enough to be blessed with a healthy beautiful baby boy. Who they affectionately named Strias. Life was simple until the day Strias turned three and was chosen as a representative of the Island’s church; it was a great honor for he would serve along with 99 other children as students preparing to become the church leaders when their elders passed away. Strias’ parents declined the offer. But they soon discovered it was no an offer they could not decline.
There came a night that a stranger knocked upon the farmer’s door. It was late and the father grew suspicious. The mother and young Strias waited anxiously near the fire place while the father bravely opened the door. Unable to even react he was struck down by a swift dagger into his heart. The woman’s life was ended nearly as fast by a steel arrow from a cross bow. Strias, though crying, was taken away from the small village and his parents’ dead hands.
The child was taken to a monastery on the opposite side of the Island, separated down the center by a river, only connected by a bridge. At the monastery Strias joined the other 99 children to begin religious studies and preparation to serve their god, Kauxdyne. The children attended daily classes which taught them simple things like arithmetic, writing, reading, and science, as well as religious based classes. Everyday over 3 hours were spent in prayers to Kauxdyne to rid the world of the monsters which plagued the world.
The islanders were under the understanding that these monsters were the Mauropteran which dwelled in the rocky cave on the small island just north of Lifebridge, though the church never explicitly said it was so. The mauropteran were beasts of the dark, rarely seen by the islanders. Few who lived to tell the tale claimed the creatures were the size of humans, had skin gray like ash, and eyes black as a starless sky. It is said their teeth are like glimmering blades and claws like a bird’s talon’s ready to tear flesh apart. The most distinguishing feature about these creatures are the black leather wings protruding from their back. The wings are hardly used for flying, but instead masking themselves into the darkness so they cannot be seen.
However, before the students could pursue further enlightenment they were to pass a test of their loyalty to Kauxdyne. Strias who was one of the most promising students was positive he would pass and go on to serve the church. His mentor and friend, Reven, a young priest, knew all too well this was no ordinary test. What he felt in friendship was stronger than his obligation to the church, he wouldn’t allow Strias to be harmed. To warn Strias of the danger would be treachery, but he could properly prepare him for what was to come.
The day before the trial Reven pulled Strias aside and slipped him a small vile of red substance. Strias was confused but Reven insisted he drink it, it would ensure his success during the test. Wanting nothing more than to serve Kauxdyne Strias agreed to do as told. That night, before he slept, after he was done with his prayer, he uncorked the vile and sniffed it. The liquid inside smelt strange, but he drank it quickly. Though it may have only been 1 table spoon it was enough to make Strias quickly fall to his knees. The taste was blood. He’d tasted the familiar metal like taste before when he’d bit his lip. He drank blood! Covering his mouth and doubling over Strias tried to throw it back up, unable to understand what sort of joke Reven was playing on him. But before strias could even wash his mouth out a strange pain began in his stomach, it started small then grew to become almost unbearable. The pain tightened and spread throughout his entire body, so intense he couldn’t even call out. He opened his squinted eyes wide, briefly, before he lost consciousness, they were black as death.
The next day Strias awoke on the floor of his room, but not feeling unusual. He recalled what had happened and would be sure to tell Reven his trick was not funny when he got back from the trial. Along with the other 99 Strias boarded the boat which would take them to the trial. As they sailed Strias noticed they were going to the island with the cave where rumors of the mauropteran had been about. The students began to get a little ancy but didn’t ask question, for they knew whatever was in store for them Kauxdyne would lead them through.
The 100 students were lead to the cave in which they were told to enter, they would spend the night there, and if they were worthy Kauxdyne would speak to them, and they would know. Hesitantly, the students entered, clinging together, fearful of the darkness inside the cave. Strias entered last, being the one to linger at the cave’s entrance the longest. He felt a strange feeling in his heart, it felt as if within this cave his fate would be decided. He convinced himself it was that he was nervous if Kauxdyne would speak to him, and entered.
The cave was dark and damp and smelt of stale water, every sound echoed off the ebony walls, making the students feel small against the cave’s giganticness. They walk near 5 minutes from the entrance when they decided on a place to stop where they could sleep for the night. The hours passed and nothing happened. A few students claimed they had already begun hearing Kauxdyne, but it was obvious it was out of nervousness. Strias kept to himself, the sinking feeling in his stomach growing stronger and stronger. Awkwardly he squirmed, not knowing how much longer he could stand it. To preoccupy his mind he wondered why his fellow classmates couldn’t see so well. To him it seemed that the cave was well lit, but the rest of the students fumbled clumsily, complaining about the dark.
When the sun had gone down the students knew, for they began to feel tired. But it was just as they began to relax the noises started. Sounds of skitters on stone and strange animal like noises echoed all the way to their ears. Frightened the children gathered together as the sounds grew closer and closer. Before anyone knew what happened something was upon them. Strias saw 4 large figures drop from the cave’s ceiling and snatch up 4 students. Only their screams were left, but those too were soon silenced. Panic could not be contained. Students darted every which way, blindly fumbling for the way out. Strias was knocked over in the frantic escape, and he was sure he was done for. The mauropteran rumors were true! And now he could see what they truly were. Two taloned feet dropped onto the cave floor just before him, it was humanoid in structure but its skin was the color of ashes and it’s eyes black voids, looking into his soul. Along the black wings protruding from the creature’s back were ridges of small blade like bones. Its teeth were long and sharp and ripping with saliva, it’s talons were sharp as daggers with pieces of flesh still clinging. Strias felt his end. His heart seized up and his body grew pale and cold, but the mauropteran did no attack. Instead, it turned it’s back to Strias and returned to its family to finish off the rest of the students.
Frozen in terror Strias could only watch his classmates be ripped limb from limb. He saw those he’d studied with gutless, in pieces, stained in red… beneath his hands which propped him up from his fall he felt something warm run under them. Barely able to break his gaze from the carnage he looked down to see a small river of red running between the rocks on the cave’s floor, staining his own skin red. Throughout the massacre of all 99 students Strias could do nothing but feel the images burned into him. Yet, as terrified as he was. He couldn’t let himself leave, the smell of all the death was intoxicating, and Strias began to feel himself slip away. Curling up into the fetal position Strias began to quiver until his eyes closed and he lost consciousness from sheer distress.
The next morning the retrieving priests only found Strias alive, still unconscious amongst the corpses and pieces of his classmates. It seemed he was the only one to survive. The trial was over. They hadn’t expected any more than one to survive anyways. The trial was not to test their fate, but to select a host body for the return of Kauxdyne, the god of all Mauropteran. Strias proved to be this host body, for the mauropteran had spared him. The truth behind the church was that the monster’s they prayed to Kaudyne to eliminate from the planet were, in fact, humans. For it was believed that mauropteran were on the planet first and were rightfully supposed to inhabit it, but were driven back onto a desolate island by humans. The church members were all mauropteran themselves, of course they were not fully the beasts but just human embodiments of them. To become a maurotperan is was necessary to drink the blood of a mauropteran, so their virus like cells could inject themselves into the human cells to alter the genetic coding. After this process the mauropteran would behave as if the infected humans were one of their own. For the smell of their blood ran through the human veins as well. However, everyone but Reven and Strias were unaware of the circumstances. Reven had ensured Strias’ survival by giving him mauropteran blood so they would spare him. So he, in fact, was not the host body for Kauxdyne. The other children were not a waste, those who were not entirely devoured would become cradles of sorts. The corpse served as shells for the mauropteran offspring.
Strias was taken back to Lifebridge and to a chamber where he could continue to rest. They referred to him as the 85th, for he was he 85th name on the list of 100. Later that day he would be fed the ambrosia that would open his body for Kauxdyne to enter. Reven was assigned to watch over his friend while preparations were made for the arrival of the other students… at least, those who were left. The other students arrived and were hastily prepared to return to the village where the mauropteran offspring would hatch and be released into the world. The parents of the students were ecstatic to see their children again, and welcomed them home with open arms, although, they soon found, as soon as removing the red cloaks from their beloved children, these were not the children they once knew. To the horror of mothers and fathers they saw their children in some cases missing an arm or maybe an eye or perhaps their faces were so mangled they could barely recognize them. Shedding the skin off the mauropteran offspring hatched and began their first meal on the people of the island.
Meanwhile, Strias was being fed the ambrosia, in order for Kauxdyne to descend. As soon as the ambrosia reached Strias’ stomach his eyes were wide open, black like those of a mauropteran. The priests around him bowed down and sang their praise, but stopped in confusion when Strias merely stared, blankly. The memory and scent of carnage still fresh to him it was all that was on his traumatized mind. And it was because of these men that it all happened. Because of these monsters… Without warning Strias attacked with his bare hands, strangling the first priest in his reach. Another tried to stop him with the long sword from the suit of armor next to the altar, but met his swift end as Strias placed a hand on either side of the mans head, twisting his neck much further than it should go. The long sword fell into his hands… Reven pleaded with him to stop but was silenced by Strias’ sudden thrust into his chest. Looking into his comrade’s eyes as his life slipped away Strias felt regret and sadness in his heart but it was overcome with rage. He laid his friend down gently and continued the massacre on the priests, killing everyone within the church. From the bridge he could see across the river there was commotion and fire for the night sky was ablaze.
Strias spared no one, he was sure to slay every last mauropteran and human being on the island. In the end he stood admist his own burning home, the blood of his own country men staining his skin and clothes. He could see in the distant sky a small cloud of black leaving the cave… He couldn’t move anymore.
The next day some men from a nearby fishing ship cam to investigate since they had seen the sky ablaze in the direction. They found the village practically burned to the ground and the church a blood bath. The bodies in the village had been singed beyond recognition, including the mauropteran offspring, but Strias lay amongst the ashes, untouched. The fishermen brought him aboard their ship, deciding he was lucky to have survived such a massacre that must have been by pirates. He was taken to the mainland where he was placed under the care of a doctor who called his comatose state, temporary, however he did not awaken in the doctor’s life time. When he passed away Strias, who hadn’t aged a day was moved to a school of medicine where he was to be used for study. His comatose body remained there for the next 30 years, making him exactly 99. It was that day he awoke, having been asleep for 84 years. As if he’d only been asleep hours Strias regained his coordination and escaped the institute before tests were to be run on him. Over the next year he worked to piece together everything. He remembered bits and piecing but in no order. It was the hardest thing Strias had ever done but somehow he was able to align the pieces again, however, there were still missing pieces he wanted to fill. It became his purpose for living, to uncover every lie he was told and to understand what truly happened 84 years ago. And he had a strong feeling that would all start with the mauropteran…
( to clarify: Strias is not aware of the church’s conspiracy, mauropteran aren’t a very threatening force on Althanas, really they’ll only be used for solo quest purposes, Strias does no have amnesia, Strias is unaging because of the ambrosia he ate, this does not mean he can’t be killed, he just doesn’t age)
Skills:
Mauropteran level 0- Strias is able to connect to the mauropteran blood within him and use it to fight. Without tapping into this he is still able to fight, but Mauropteran gives him a limited time of enhanced strength and speed/agility. Tapping into this as a source of power can be taxing so he can only use it once per battle, however it lasts for up to 3 posts.
Specifications for level 0 mauropteran
Strength boost - he’s a scrawny kid anyways so it’ll put him on par with a full grown man.
Speed/ agility boost- This mainly effects his reaction time and not so much his physical speed, since he is no seasoned warrior Strias as a normal boy has slightly slow reaction time, but this allows him to more effectively defend himself by dodging or blocking , not to say he’s always fast enough.
Night vision- during this time he can see night as clear as day.
swordplay- there is also an increase in his capability with a sword, because he relies purely off instinct, this is part of the increase in reaction time and strength. He doens't gain and automatic set form when he uses his mauropteran powers, but he is more formidable. For now he would be considered average with a sword.
Equipment:
1 steel longsword