Arawn
05-07-06, 08:31 PM
Names
Arawn ~ Hikari no Ashigaru ~ Legol Darkweaver
Race
Dark Elven Vampire
Age
157
Height
6’10’’
Weight
180 lbs
Appearance
The white warrior has the basic appearance of most elves regarding body proportion and muscular distribution. Yet, he is quite taller than the norm for Althanas’ native elven peoples. His most distinguishing feature, however, is a skin as pale as snow, paler indeed than that of even most nosferatu, completely white as it is. His hair and eyes also make him quite noticeable, both utterly black. People have often expressed their uneasiness at staring into his eyes, the dark voids revealing nothing of the battle of wills behind them. He enjoys this effect on others, a defining detachment from multitudes. His fangs now protrude noticeably as a consequence of his vampiric taint. The extent of their elongation depends on how much control he keeps over his bloodlust.
Another distinguishing feature about this being’s appearance is his cloak. This cloak is as black as his hair but for mysterious runes inscribed all over it in the deepest blue. The elf keeps his two daggers sheathed at his waist when he isn’t using them and keeps his bow hidden under the aforementioned cloak. His bladed spiked chain hangs in loops from the right side of his waist. More often than not, he is to be found wearing a thin leather shirt that provides little protection but from wind. From his waist to the top of his knees, he has leather pants strapped in belts. His arms are guarded by straps from his elbows to his wrists. The vampiric drow has leather boots as well that come up to the base of his knees. They now have steel shin guards and four rings of iron spikes each to make them more intimidating and lethal.
Personalities
Legol Darkweaver – Such is the name of the Tarnian dark elf’s original spirit. In contrast to the other conflicting souls in the white warrior’s body, Legol is distinctly mild-mannered by nature and morally against the slaughter of innocent beings no matter what he stands to gain. Unfortunately, he has control over his sovereign body for only brief periods of time, often following bouts of unconsciousness on his rival souls’ parts. He is, however, entirely aware of what they do when he isn’t in control, forced to watch silently from the proverbial sidelines of his mind. Legol is without any remarkable powers.
Hikari no Ashigaru – This hostile life force is the result of Tashronde’s Light Scroll being used on Legol Darkweaver. Imbued with the power of light, Hikari has ever been seeking fame and power among the more noted heroes of Althanas. Though not one to kill indiscriminately, Hikari can become quite savage when anyone stands in the way of his goals. Such individuals are equal to cannon fodder in his eyes. He gains control when Arawn is exposed to strong, direct light. Hikari has domain over light magic.
Arawn – This being was born the moment Hikari no Ashigaru was bitten by a vampire in the woods of Concordia. Under normal circumstances, the vampiric infection would have run rampant through its host and Arawn would have been allowed free reign over the elven body. However, Hikari’s rare bond with light has kept the nosferatu from taking full power. Arawn delights in arbitrary death and destruction but, unlike Hikari, prefers to act alone or with a few powerful allies than as leader of subordinates, unwilling to depend on superior numbers of weaker individuals. Arawn takes charge when Hikari no Ashigaru is deprived of light completely. Arawn cannot utilize any light-expelling magic.
Possessions
Jinkourai Ittou – Such is Hikari no Ashigaru’s favorite weapon, a falchion whose blade is made of black diamond. It usually possesses a light glow of moonlight. This light often becomes brilliant when the elf is overcome with any kind of emotion and diminishes to almost nothing when he wishes to keep its power concealed. Through a deep bond with the weapon, the white warrior may now vanish it in a wisp of light and recall it when the need arises.
Daggers – Arawn’s favorite weapons are dual daggers of mythril. Their blades are only 5 inches long, but very sharp. He has modified them so that their hilts now curve upwards like bats’ wings and the blades now curve in order to cause more pain as they tear into the flesh of enemies.
Longbow – Legol’s first and favorite weapon, this longbow is made of eklan and stands six feet tall. It came with a quiver of arrows now possessing delyn tips.
Bladed Spiked Chain – This weapon consists of a curved sickle attached to the end of a twenty-foot length of spiked chain the white warrior usually has hanging at his waist. The whole device is made of titanium.
Kyorl Captain’s Saber – Upon joining the royal army of Alerar, Hikari was granted this saber as a sign of standing in the strict social bounds of the dark elven land. It is presently cast in mythril. Though he has defected from the Kyorl’s ranks, he still keeps this sword as a memento.
Rapier – A simple rapier made of delyn Hikari no Ashigaru stole from his torturer in Castle Honroy.
Cloak – The warrior’s cloak presents some protection from bladed attacks now that it is made of vlince, but is rather a manner of concealing the elf’s arsenal. It possesses deep blue runes upon it that are linked to the white warrior’s transformation. They can be deciphered either when Hikari overcomes a great difficulty or when a powerful foe uses an ability similar to the rune’s in his presence. After a short visit to the Bazaar, it was granted the power to repel light enchantments.
Ring of Five Keys – The only other item Hikari took from Castle Honroy was a ring of five keys. The warrior supposes these keys open chambers within said castle.
Ter-Thok Fryomatic 5000 – This artifact was given to Hikari by a rather small demon. It was a gift for the Day of the Open Hand, which was organized by Ithermoss Hec’Bahal. The trinket comprises a box with a severed gipsy hand within. Hikari was informed that if he were to insert a knife and a potato into the box along with the hand, it could produce fries.
Scrolls of Tashronde - In his exhausting journey, Hikari has been searching for the Scrolls of Tashronde. He has so far found only the Scroll of Fire. Any scrolls he may find will not be used and most definitely not sold.
General Skills
These abilities and proficiencies are common to all of the combating wills within the dark elven body. This means that any among Legol, Hikari and Arawn can make use of them with as much dexterity as either of their rivals. This is the only skill set Legol has to account for as his own when in control of his body.
Superior Senses – As an elf, Legol has long been able to attack his enemies with great stealth and cunning. He possesses superb hearing, allowing him to shoot arrows at some enemies without necessarily seeing them. He has also grown prone to attacking enemies far off with his longbow. This has improved his already considerable sight range.
Mind Block – Through experience with mind-tampering creatures, the white warrior is now able to close his mind to outside invasion. He is, however, completely unable to either send telepathic messages or assault others’ minds.
Weapon Mastery – Firstly, he is most proficient in the use of swords, particularly falchions; both one-handed and two-handed. He is strategically lethal with daggers and has come to use his prized blades as throwing knives. He may now launch daggers with great speed and accuracy. Regarding longbows, he is an excellent marksman. Thanks to Light Manifestation, he can do battle with most any common weapon. Yet, those one-handed weapons he could first create are those he is more deadly with; namely whips, maces, axes, and ball-and-chains. He is as yet ignorant in the usage of so-called ‘tech weapons’.
Light Magic
These abilities are a direct consequence of Shonrade’s actions with the Scroll of Light and are quite beyond Legol’s reach to utilize. Arawn is likewise unable to employ these magical powers with the single exception of Shade, which he has to take care for due to its tendency to strengthen Hikari. All other abilities in this set involve direct exposure to light and would entail excruciating pain for the vampire.
Shade - This allows Hikari to suck the light from a given area, shrouding it in darkness. Hikari may now absorb strong blazes entirely. Further proof of his experience lies in the fact that he may now absorb electric bolts as well as flames. It works a little differently as he has to come in contact with them due to their spontaneous nature. Unfortunately, he is quite unable to avoid being knocked to the ground after receiving any considerable shock. Thus, there is both great risk and reward in this skill. This spell has the secondary effect of strengthening Hikari, more so if he has absorbed light from an electric source.
Illumination - Being imbued with the power of light, Hikari may use light he has absorbed to light up the darkest of places with a flash. This spell has the secondary effect of weakening Hikari.
Light Manifestation – Hikari may now shape the light he has absorbed into forms. He can create shields and objects from absorbed light. This skill has evolved in time as Hikari can now control manifestations’ movements.
Phase – Hikari has communed with the void within him so far that at times he may discard his solid form for one composed of luminosity, allowing objects to pass through him. Anything the elf is wearing or holding at the moment phases as well. This ability comes at a great cost, for it is very taxing. If Hikari should attempt to maintain his ethereal form more than a minute, he would black out.
Chain Lightning – Hikari has undergone a transformation regarding his powers. He is now gaining domain over light; beyond using it to aid him and into the realm of attack. This skill is his fist outwardly offensive form of magic he has come to possess. He can send forth bolt of lightning that passes from one conductive body to the next. It is particularly powerful directly after passing through living beings or water. Its strength will never be enough to kill a being the stature of a human, but it's shock increases exponentially with each jump.
Aides – Hikari can now delve into the very dimension from whence his essence sprung and create a ripple between there and Althanas, allowing beings of pure, solid light to pass over and help him in numerous endeavors. They invariably enter our realm unarmed. At this time, the rip Hikari creates allows only for the passage of two creatures of his size or smaller for a period of no more than ten minutes before they dissipate. He requires at least five seconds to create the tear in dimensions and cannot attempt it more than once every hour.
Vampiric Powers
These faculties go hand in hand with Arawn’s infection of the white warrior’s body. When in control, the vampire’s fangs elongate and his hands transform into cruel claws. Neither Legol Darkweaver nor Hikari no Ashigaru can tap into these abilities in any way.
Racial Traits – As one of the nosferatu, Arawn posseses strength and agility superior to the average dark elf. Also, the dark elf’s sense of smell and agility are increased slightly when he gives in to the vampiric taint, allowing Arawn to stalk his prey most effectively.
Contamination – Arawn can bring others into the vampiric fold by biting them and then letting them drink of his blood. Should he bite a creature and let it die before it drinks his blood, said creature would be reborn as an undead ghoul, unintelligent and weak. The effects of the vampire’s bite upon a still-living and untainted being vary from a profound obsession with Arawn to a slight nagging in the back of the creature’s mind, depending on its will power.
Limited Immortality – Though not invulnerable to the physical or magical attacks of any weapon as yet, Arawn cannot be truly killed unless stabbed through the heart or decapitated. Otherwise, he will eventually regenerate from any wound. For reference, it takes him the length of a day to regenerate a limb.
Hypnotic Control – Many vampires eventually gain the ability to will others to do their bidding. So far, Arawn may only dominate other undead creatures and even then only very weak ones, such as ghouls or zombies whose masters have been obliterated.
Obfuscation – When in darkness, Arawn may now render himself completely invisible. This is only effective so long as he does not make any great movement. He will not cease to be solid or make sounds.
Transformation
Hikari must create a direct bond with a source of light to implement this transformation. The ability consists in his cloak enveloping him completely and then his body bursting into light. The dark elf retains the same shape with a brilliant white glow, but has improved characteristics depending on which rune he activates during transformation. Unlike phasing, here Hikari retains solidity and may be harmed as he would outside of this new form. Every rune he deciphers upon the dark cloak is a new ability waiting to be unlocked for his transformation. Should the source of light he bonds with be blocked from him before he chooses to return to normal, he would instantly revert and fall unconscious. Also, he may not use any magic that expels light.
Kyo – This rune increases the elf’s size while transformed. He does not become a giant, but his already considerable height is roughly doubled so that he looks down on his enemies in battle and poses a greater threat.
Hane – This rune grants the elf bat-like wings. They are white and glowing as the rest of the elf’s body while transformed and give him the ability of flight. He may sore high, but not exactly quickly.
Fera – This rune makes the elf’s movements more or less three times faster when transformed. It does not increment his aerial movements as much as it enhances his speed on the ground. This allows him to run rapidly and act more agilely than usual in normal combat.
Vepres – This rune manifests razor-sharp curved spikes across Hikari’s transformed state; mainly on his arms. They appear only where he desires them to be, making him lethal in close-quarters combat.
Ayor –This rune encases his shape in armor. It has openings only for his eyes unless he desires otherwise. The strength of the armor is equal to damascus at this point. This creates a stronger barrier against attacks for the elf.
Argen
The elf’s familiar is a silver dragon by the name of Argen, a parting gift from Castle Honroy. Argen has domain over wind and is at its sub-adult stage, standing a considerable twelve feet tall. His wings carry him in the air with ease, but he still prefers to walk. Now accustomed to taking humanoid forms, Argen can pass very convincingly as a human or similar being and handles himself expertly in combat with such forms.
Cyclone – Argen can produce a tornado of air with the batting of his wings. It can no sooner blow away an opponent than crush him. However, Argen can make many of these with ease to confuse or disorient an enemy. They have grown more powerful with usage and can now cause considerable chaos when debris is caught in them.
Gust – With an opening of his mouth, the dragon can let forth a burst of air. This force is very strong and can knock back a foe. It takes the form of an orb of swirling wind that makes contact with the target.
Polymorph Self – Argen, as many dragons do, has learned the ability of changing shape. He can take the form of a creature relatively his size or smaller. The dragon may still communicate with Hikari telepathically in these moments of transformation, but cannot perform his other skills.
Control Weather – Argen may now manipulate the weather of an area with a one mile radius around him. He cannot force any drastic conditions such as blizzards, but he can bring rain to an arid land or part clouds to expose a concealed sun.
History:
Far from the known regions of Althanas, there is a land called Tarn. It is a beautiful land covered with blue-green trees and a rich coating of grass that never dies. The feeling of tranquility and calm it produces takes your breath away. Many races inhabit this land. Some at peace and others wage war. The main races in Tarn are Dark Elves and the Lokshen, a group of elite goblin archers.
The Lokshen came to Tarn merely 500 years ago. The reason for their arrival is in great dispute among the Dark Elves. Some say they were sent to colonize new lands for the allegiance between orcs, trolls, and goblins. Others speak of their exile from their homelands by armies of humans. Whatever the reason for their arrival, they have been a threat to the Dark Elves from the beginning. Unlike most goblin battalions, the Lokshen are very well organized and use stealth to attack their adversaries, the Dark Elves.
The Dark Elves have lived in Tarn far longer than the goblins. Most Dark Elves have pale gray or purple skin and have either dark green or blue hair. Their culture is based on the search for unity among all races of elves, believing them to be the superior race in the world. They also believe in honor and the shame in treason among their noble people.
This leads us to Shonrade’s banishment and his son’s involvement, Hikari No Ashigaru. Long ago there came to Tarn a stranger who was neither elf nor human. He brought with him scrolls containing unknown spells, which he entrusted to the Dark Elves. He soon left, but not before giving the Dark Elves a warning.
“Let no one so much as view the content of the scrolls, for they hold the power to imbue the power of elements into individuals. This power comes at a great price, the individual would be cursed to wander and feed upon the element with which he had been empowered.”
With that, the mysterious being disappeared. For millennia the Dark Elves did as he had said and kept the scrolls hidden away in the hollow of their most aged and holy tree. As centuries passed, many of them began to take the stranger’s warning about the scrolls for granted. Among these elves was Shonrade, husband to Kal’ Men and father to Hikari No Ashigaru.
Shonrade decided to steal the scrolls one day and succeeded easily. The scrolls had been there for so long no one bothered to guard them anymore. Shonrade looked through the scrolls and saw they did indeed contain spells to empower individuals with water, fire, earth, wind, and light. Shonrade was immensely tempted to use all the spells on himself immediately, but on further consideration of the stranger’s warning decided it would be better to test their power on another.
Shonrade took his 150-year-old son to the woods alone one starry night, telling him nothing of the scrolls. He had decided to use the power of light on him and began the incantation. As soon as Shonrade started, his son’s face grew pale. Shonrade attributed this to fear, but he soon noticed that it wasn’t only his son’s face being affected. Hikari’s dark blue hair was slowly turning black and his eyes were also losing their entire glow. Soon Hikari’s face was completely white and his eyes and hair were jet-black.
When Shonrade finished, his son’s body lay motionless on the floor. He began to shed tears of rage for having been so thoughtless and taking his son’s life for the search of power. He looked up at the sky in despair and noticed something strange. The stars seemed to be dwindling out and as he looked down, Hikari began to twitch. The stars continued to lose brightness until they couldn’t be seen and Hikari stood up. He now felt emptiness within him, a void he longed to fill and had only partially satisfied by absorbing the starlight. His father explained all about the stranger’s scrolls and his message.
Soon all the Dark Elves knew what Shonrade had done and banished him from the land of Tarn. Hikari No Ashigaru was allowed to stay among them, but was blamed by many for their now-starless nights in Tarn. These same people soon fell into the habit of blaming anything that went wrong in their land on Hikari. He decided to leave, having nothing to keep him there; his mother had died a century ago in a goblin raid.
Hikari came to the conclusion that what he needed to do was find the stranger who had brought the scrolls in the first place. He went to see the High Elves of Tarn and the only help they could render was telling him that the stranger called himself Tashronde. As Hikari was leaving, he noticed there was a great commotion around the Great Tree. He soon found someone had taken the scrolls once again. Hikari vowed to all of them that he would search for the thief on his travels. So he left Tarn to distant lands, searching for both the stranger, Tashronde, and whoever stole the scrolls, in order to save whoever he might be from harm he might on himself and others.
After searching for several weeks, Hikari met a strange man in a tavern. He called himself Kaejil and claimed to know his father. This man told Hikari that it had been none other than his father that had taken the sacred scrolls. It seemed Shonrade was deeply troubled. Kaejil told about how Shonrade was unsure of what to do with the scrolls. He was torn between using them on him for power and selling them for wealth. Hikari was enraged that his own father had done such a thing. He of all people knew the consequences of using the scrolls. Hikari began searching for his father then.
On his travels, he has met many orcs and goblins and has slain them in revenge of his mother. Presently, Hikari met a man calling himself Zoze who assisted him in locating a tome known as the Sacred Book. It told Hikari that he might find the scroll of fire in Corone. Hikari wondered why the scrolls had been separated. Had his father decided to sell them after all? Though he did not understand this riddle to its entirety, he searched Corone nonetheless. He looked for several months and still didn’t find his heart’s desire. He was growing weary of his fruitless search. However, he has begun to cope with his desire for light and has noticed his skin has lost some of its deep white shade.
During his long inhabitance of Corone, Hikari found himself joining a group of adventurers that fitted his tastes. Their clan went by the name of the Order Within Chaos. Since his entry into the Order, Hikari has been most active in the organization and execution of several missions. However, after the abrupt departure of their leader, several of the Order feared it would be lost to power struggles among the remaining members. Luckily, three came forth and brought order to the chaos erupting. The restructured the Order and appeased many, including Hikari.
The elf also made himself a member of the Red Hand. At first attempting a position as a woodsman, he failed miserably. He felt he would give up on becoming an active member of the group until news reached him that they were in need of hunters. He immediately felt comfortable with his most recent line of work and it helped in improving his marksmanship. Fully active within these two influential clans; as well as being a prime contender in the Cell; Hikari felt his accomplishments were slowly being recognized.
The elf eventually discovered something disconcerting. The owl that had been accompanying him in his travels was not doing so by chance. It embodies the spirit of a mage who studied under Tashronde. Her name is Tsuraria, though she was very vague in her description of her knowledge of Tashronde and the basis of her studies. Hikari suspects her placement in an animal form has made her mind forgetful, yet it was still her who braved so many dangers with the elf and their friendship endured.
Then it came that Hikari No Ashigaru was trapped and separated from Tsuraria. His jailer was a human named Raiba. For the better part of two months, he was sequestered in the Castle Honroy. Eventually, he escaped, with certain things troubling his mind. In came to be that Raiba had used the Scroll of Wind upon himself and was hungering for the power of the rest of the scrolls. Hikari had met another challenge in his pursuit of Tashronde’s scrolls. Raiba gained his knowledge of the scrolls from Kaejil, whom he tortured and murdered subsequently.
Upon his escape of the dreaded stronghold, Hikari set out to meet his old acquaintances. He was saddened to discover that Ithermoss Hec’Bahal, half-drake leader of the Red Hand, had passed on. Yet, in his stead he left another clan subsidiary to the Red Hand called the Black Hand. This group of elite fighters and warriors fell under the leadership of the elf, who accepted the post with honor. Now, he commands a sizeable host of individuals that inhabit Keller Hall.
Another passion besides the Black Hand at this time of his life is the Theater of War. He has come to battle as much as the rules will allow in hopes of improving himself. The new acquisition of powers by this method has only spurred him to greater heights. Reminiscing of the Cell, he longs to create a name for himself after his imprisonment, as he has fallen out of remembrance in many people’s eyes. He regrets backing out of the Lornius Corporate Challenge and failing to register for the Gisela Open. Still, his mind is ever on the thought of somehow attaining more glory.
Arawn ~ Hikari no Ashigaru ~ Legol Darkweaver
Race
Dark Elven Vampire
Age
157
Height
6’10’’
Weight
180 lbs
Appearance
The white warrior has the basic appearance of most elves regarding body proportion and muscular distribution. Yet, he is quite taller than the norm for Althanas’ native elven peoples. His most distinguishing feature, however, is a skin as pale as snow, paler indeed than that of even most nosferatu, completely white as it is. His hair and eyes also make him quite noticeable, both utterly black. People have often expressed their uneasiness at staring into his eyes, the dark voids revealing nothing of the battle of wills behind them. He enjoys this effect on others, a defining detachment from multitudes. His fangs now protrude noticeably as a consequence of his vampiric taint. The extent of their elongation depends on how much control he keeps over his bloodlust.
Another distinguishing feature about this being’s appearance is his cloak. This cloak is as black as his hair but for mysterious runes inscribed all over it in the deepest blue. The elf keeps his two daggers sheathed at his waist when he isn’t using them and keeps his bow hidden under the aforementioned cloak. His bladed spiked chain hangs in loops from the right side of his waist. More often than not, he is to be found wearing a thin leather shirt that provides little protection but from wind. From his waist to the top of his knees, he has leather pants strapped in belts. His arms are guarded by straps from his elbows to his wrists. The vampiric drow has leather boots as well that come up to the base of his knees. They now have steel shin guards and four rings of iron spikes each to make them more intimidating and lethal.
Personalities
Legol Darkweaver – Such is the name of the Tarnian dark elf’s original spirit. In contrast to the other conflicting souls in the white warrior’s body, Legol is distinctly mild-mannered by nature and morally against the slaughter of innocent beings no matter what he stands to gain. Unfortunately, he has control over his sovereign body for only brief periods of time, often following bouts of unconsciousness on his rival souls’ parts. He is, however, entirely aware of what they do when he isn’t in control, forced to watch silently from the proverbial sidelines of his mind. Legol is without any remarkable powers.
Hikari no Ashigaru – This hostile life force is the result of Tashronde’s Light Scroll being used on Legol Darkweaver. Imbued with the power of light, Hikari has ever been seeking fame and power among the more noted heroes of Althanas. Though not one to kill indiscriminately, Hikari can become quite savage when anyone stands in the way of his goals. Such individuals are equal to cannon fodder in his eyes. He gains control when Arawn is exposed to strong, direct light. Hikari has domain over light magic.
Arawn – This being was born the moment Hikari no Ashigaru was bitten by a vampire in the woods of Concordia. Under normal circumstances, the vampiric infection would have run rampant through its host and Arawn would have been allowed free reign over the elven body. However, Hikari’s rare bond with light has kept the nosferatu from taking full power. Arawn delights in arbitrary death and destruction but, unlike Hikari, prefers to act alone or with a few powerful allies than as leader of subordinates, unwilling to depend on superior numbers of weaker individuals. Arawn takes charge when Hikari no Ashigaru is deprived of light completely. Arawn cannot utilize any light-expelling magic.
Possessions
Jinkourai Ittou – Such is Hikari no Ashigaru’s favorite weapon, a falchion whose blade is made of black diamond. It usually possesses a light glow of moonlight. This light often becomes brilliant when the elf is overcome with any kind of emotion and diminishes to almost nothing when he wishes to keep its power concealed. Through a deep bond with the weapon, the white warrior may now vanish it in a wisp of light and recall it when the need arises.
Daggers – Arawn’s favorite weapons are dual daggers of mythril. Their blades are only 5 inches long, but very sharp. He has modified them so that their hilts now curve upwards like bats’ wings and the blades now curve in order to cause more pain as they tear into the flesh of enemies.
Longbow – Legol’s first and favorite weapon, this longbow is made of eklan and stands six feet tall. It came with a quiver of arrows now possessing delyn tips.
Bladed Spiked Chain – This weapon consists of a curved sickle attached to the end of a twenty-foot length of spiked chain the white warrior usually has hanging at his waist. The whole device is made of titanium.
Kyorl Captain’s Saber – Upon joining the royal army of Alerar, Hikari was granted this saber as a sign of standing in the strict social bounds of the dark elven land. It is presently cast in mythril. Though he has defected from the Kyorl’s ranks, he still keeps this sword as a memento.
Rapier – A simple rapier made of delyn Hikari no Ashigaru stole from his torturer in Castle Honroy.
Cloak – The warrior’s cloak presents some protection from bladed attacks now that it is made of vlince, but is rather a manner of concealing the elf’s arsenal. It possesses deep blue runes upon it that are linked to the white warrior’s transformation. They can be deciphered either when Hikari overcomes a great difficulty or when a powerful foe uses an ability similar to the rune’s in his presence. After a short visit to the Bazaar, it was granted the power to repel light enchantments.
Ring of Five Keys – The only other item Hikari took from Castle Honroy was a ring of five keys. The warrior supposes these keys open chambers within said castle.
Ter-Thok Fryomatic 5000 – This artifact was given to Hikari by a rather small demon. It was a gift for the Day of the Open Hand, which was organized by Ithermoss Hec’Bahal. The trinket comprises a box with a severed gipsy hand within. Hikari was informed that if he were to insert a knife and a potato into the box along with the hand, it could produce fries.
Scrolls of Tashronde - In his exhausting journey, Hikari has been searching for the Scrolls of Tashronde. He has so far found only the Scroll of Fire. Any scrolls he may find will not be used and most definitely not sold.
General Skills
These abilities and proficiencies are common to all of the combating wills within the dark elven body. This means that any among Legol, Hikari and Arawn can make use of them with as much dexterity as either of their rivals. This is the only skill set Legol has to account for as his own when in control of his body.
Superior Senses – As an elf, Legol has long been able to attack his enemies with great stealth and cunning. He possesses superb hearing, allowing him to shoot arrows at some enemies without necessarily seeing them. He has also grown prone to attacking enemies far off with his longbow. This has improved his already considerable sight range.
Mind Block – Through experience with mind-tampering creatures, the white warrior is now able to close his mind to outside invasion. He is, however, completely unable to either send telepathic messages or assault others’ minds.
Weapon Mastery – Firstly, he is most proficient in the use of swords, particularly falchions; both one-handed and two-handed. He is strategically lethal with daggers and has come to use his prized blades as throwing knives. He may now launch daggers with great speed and accuracy. Regarding longbows, he is an excellent marksman. Thanks to Light Manifestation, he can do battle with most any common weapon. Yet, those one-handed weapons he could first create are those he is more deadly with; namely whips, maces, axes, and ball-and-chains. He is as yet ignorant in the usage of so-called ‘tech weapons’.
Light Magic
These abilities are a direct consequence of Shonrade’s actions with the Scroll of Light and are quite beyond Legol’s reach to utilize. Arawn is likewise unable to employ these magical powers with the single exception of Shade, which he has to take care for due to its tendency to strengthen Hikari. All other abilities in this set involve direct exposure to light and would entail excruciating pain for the vampire.
Shade - This allows Hikari to suck the light from a given area, shrouding it in darkness. Hikari may now absorb strong blazes entirely. Further proof of his experience lies in the fact that he may now absorb electric bolts as well as flames. It works a little differently as he has to come in contact with them due to their spontaneous nature. Unfortunately, he is quite unable to avoid being knocked to the ground after receiving any considerable shock. Thus, there is both great risk and reward in this skill. This spell has the secondary effect of strengthening Hikari, more so if he has absorbed light from an electric source.
Illumination - Being imbued with the power of light, Hikari may use light he has absorbed to light up the darkest of places with a flash. This spell has the secondary effect of weakening Hikari.
Light Manifestation – Hikari may now shape the light he has absorbed into forms. He can create shields and objects from absorbed light. This skill has evolved in time as Hikari can now control manifestations’ movements.
Phase – Hikari has communed with the void within him so far that at times he may discard his solid form for one composed of luminosity, allowing objects to pass through him. Anything the elf is wearing or holding at the moment phases as well. This ability comes at a great cost, for it is very taxing. If Hikari should attempt to maintain his ethereal form more than a minute, he would black out.
Chain Lightning – Hikari has undergone a transformation regarding his powers. He is now gaining domain over light; beyond using it to aid him and into the realm of attack. This skill is his fist outwardly offensive form of magic he has come to possess. He can send forth bolt of lightning that passes from one conductive body to the next. It is particularly powerful directly after passing through living beings or water. Its strength will never be enough to kill a being the stature of a human, but it's shock increases exponentially with each jump.
Aides – Hikari can now delve into the very dimension from whence his essence sprung and create a ripple between there and Althanas, allowing beings of pure, solid light to pass over and help him in numerous endeavors. They invariably enter our realm unarmed. At this time, the rip Hikari creates allows only for the passage of two creatures of his size or smaller for a period of no more than ten minutes before they dissipate. He requires at least five seconds to create the tear in dimensions and cannot attempt it more than once every hour.
Vampiric Powers
These faculties go hand in hand with Arawn’s infection of the white warrior’s body. When in control, the vampire’s fangs elongate and his hands transform into cruel claws. Neither Legol Darkweaver nor Hikari no Ashigaru can tap into these abilities in any way.
Racial Traits – As one of the nosferatu, Arawn posseses strength and agility superior to the average dark elf. Also, the dark elf’s sense of smell and agility are increased slightly when he gives in to the vampiric taint, allowing Arawn to stalk his prey most effectively.
Contamination – Arawn can bring others into the vampiric fold by biting them and then letting them drink of his blood. Should he bite a creature and let it die before it drinks his blood, said creature would be reborn as an undead ghoul, unintelligent and weak. The effects of the vampire’s bite upon a still-living and untainted being vary from a profound obsession with Arawn to a slight nagging in the back of the creature’s mind, depending on its will power.
Limited Immortality – Though not invulnerable to the physical or magical attacks of any weapon as yet, Arawn cannot be truly killed unless stabbed through the heart or decapitated. Otherwise, he will eventually regenerate from any wound. For reference, it takes him the length of a day to regenerate a limb.
Hypnotic Control – Many vampires eventually gain the ability to will others to do their bidding. So far, Arawn may only dominate other undead creatures and even then only very weak ones, such as ghouls or zombies whose masters have been obliterated.
Obfuscation – When in darkness, Arawn may now render himself completely invisible. This is only effective so long as he does not make any great movement. He will not cease to be solid or make sounds.
Transformation
Hikari must create a direct bond with a source of light to implement this transformation. The ability consists in his cloak enveloping him completely and then his body bursting into light. The dark elf retains the same shape with a brilliant white glow, but has improved characteristics depending on which rune he activates during transformation. Unlike phasing, here Hikari retains solidity and may be harmed as he would outside of this new form. Every rune he deciphers upon the dark cloak is a new ability waiting to be unlocked for his transformation. Should the source of light he bonds with be blocked from him before he chooses to return to normal, he would instantly revert and fall unconscious. Also, he may not use any magic that expels light.
Kyo – This rune increases the elf’s size while transformed. He does not become a giant, but his already considerable height is roughly doubled so that he looks down on his enemies in battle and poses a greater threat.
Hane – This rune grants the elf bat-like wings. They are white and glowing as the rest of the elf’s body while transformed and give him the ability of flight. He may sore high, but not exactly quickly.
Fera – This rune makes the elf’s movements more or less three times faster when transformed. It does not increment his aerial movements as much as it enhances his speed on the ground. This allows him to run rapidly and act more agilely than usual in normal combat.
Vepres – This rune manifests razor-sharp curved spikes across Hikari’s transformed state; mainly on his arms. They appear only where he desires them to be, making him lethal in close-quarters combat.
Ayor –This rune encases his shape in armor. It has openings only for his eyes unless he desires otherwise. The strength of the armor is equal to damascus at this point. This creates a stronger barrier against attacks for the elf.
Argen
The elf’s familiar is a silver dragon by the name of Argen, a parting gift from Castle Honroy. Argen has domain over wind and is at its sub-adult stage, standing a considerable twelve feet tall. His wings carry him in the air with ease, but he still prefers to walk. Now accustomed to taking humanoid forms, Argen can pass very convincingly as a human or similar being and handles himself expertly in combat with such forms.
Cyclone – Argen can produce a tornado of air with the batting of his wings. It can no sooner blow away an opponent than crush him. However, Argen can make many of these with ease to confuse or disorient an enemy. They have grown more powerful with usage and can now cause considerable chaos when debris is caught in them.
Gust – With an opening of his mouth, the dragon can let forth a burst of air. This force is very strong and can knock back a foe. It takes the form of an orb of swirling wind that makes contact with the target.
Polymorph Self – Argen, as many dragons do, has learned the ability of changing shape. He can take the form of a creature relatively his size or smaller. The dragon may still communicate with Hikari telepathically in these moments of transformation, but cannot perform his other skills.
Control Weather – Argen may now manipulate the weather of an area with a one mile radius around him. He cannot force any drastic conditions such as blizzards, but he can bring rain to an arid land or part clouds to expose a concealed sun.
History:
Far from the known regions of Althanas, there is a land called Tarn. It is a beautiful land covered with blue-green trees and a rich coating of grass that never dies. The feeling of tranquility and calm it produces takes your breath away. Many races inhabit this land. Some at peace and others wage war. The main races in Tarn are Dark Elves and the Lokshen, a group of elite goblin archers.
The Lokshen came to Tarn merely 500 years ago. The reason for their arrival is in great dispute among the Dark Elves. Some say they were sent to colonize new lands for the allegiance between orcs, trolls, and goblins. Others speak of their exile from their homelands by armies of humans. Whatever the reason for their arrival, they have been a threat to the Dark Elves from the beginning. Unlike most goblin battalions, the Lokshen are very well organized and use stealth to attack their adversaries, the Dark Elves.
The Dark Elves have lived in Tarn far longer than the goblins. Most Dark Elves have pale gray or purple skin and have either dark green or blue hair. Their culture is based on the search for unity among all races of elves, believing them to be the superior race in the world. They also believe in honor and the shame in treason among their noble people.
This leads us to Shonrade’s banishment and his son’s involvement, Hikari No Ashigaru. Long ago there came to Tarn a stranger who was neither elf nor human. He brought with him scrolls containing unknown spells, which he entrusted to the Dark Elves. He soon left, but not before giving the Dark Elves a warning.
“Let no one so much as view the content of the scrolls, for they hold the power to imbue the power of elements into individuals. This power comes at a great price, the individual would be cursed to wander and feed upon the element with which he had been empowered.”
With that, the mysterious being disappeared. For millennia the Dark Elves did as he had said and kept the scrolls hidden away in the hollow of their most aged and holy tree. As centuries passed, many of them began to take the stranger’s warning about the scrolls for granted. Among these elves was Shonrade, husband to Kal’ Men and father to Hikari No Ashigaru.
Shonrade decided to steal the scrolls one day and succeeded easily. The scrolls had been there for so long no one bothered to guard them anymore. Shonrade looked through the scrolls and saw they did indeed contain spells to empower individuals with water, fire, earth, wind, and light. Shonrade was immensely tempted to use all the spells on himself immediately, but on further consideration of the stranger’s warning decided it would be better to test their power on another.
Shonrade took his 150-year-old son to the woods alone one starry night, telling him nothing of the scrolls. He had decided to use the power of light on him and began the incantation. As soon as Shonrade started, his son’s face grew pale. Shonrade attributed this to fear, but he soon noticed that it wasn’t only his son’s face being affected. Hikari’s dark blue hair was slowly turning black and his eyes were also losing their entire glow. Soon Hikari’s face was completely white and his eyes and hair were jet-black.
When Shonrade finished, his son’s body lay motionless on the floor. He began to shed tears of rage for having been so thoughtless and taking his son’s life for the search of power. He looked up at the sky in despair and noticed something strange. The stars seemed to be dwindling out and as he looked down, Hikari began to twitch. The stars continued to lose brightness until they couldn’t be seen and Hikari stood up. He now felt emptiness within him, a void he longed to fill and had only partially satisfied by absorbing the starlight. His father explained all about the stranger’s scrolls and his message.
Soon all the Dark Elves knew what Shonrade had done and banished him from the land of Tarn. Hikari No Ashigaru was allowed to stay among them, but was blamed by many for their now-starless nights in Tarn. These same people soon fell into the habit of blaming anything that went wrong in their land on Hikari. He decided to leave, having nothing to keep him there; his mother had died a century ago in a goblin raid.
Hikari came to the conclusion that what he needed to do was find the stranger who had brought the scrolls in the first place. He went to see the High Elves of Tarn and the only help they could render was telling him that the stranger called himself Tashronde. As Hikari was leaving, he noticed there was a great commotion around the Great Tree. He soon found someone had taken the scrolls once again. Hikari vowed to all of them that he would search for the thief on his travels. So he left Tarn to distant lands, searching for both the stranger, Tashronde, and whoever stole the scrolls, in order to save whoever he might be from harm he might on himself and others.
After searching for several weeks, Hikari met a strange man in a tavern. He called himself Kaejil and claimed to know his father. This man told Hikari that it had been none other than his father that had taken the sacred scrolls. It seemed Shonrade was deeply troubled. Kaejil told about how Shonrade was unsure of what to do with the scrolls. He was torn between using them on him for power and selling them for wealth. Hikari was enraged that his own father had done such a thing. He of all people knew the consequences of using the scrolls. Hikari began searching for his father then.
On his travels, he has met many orcs and goblins and has slain them in revenge of his mother. Presently, Hikari met a man calling himself Zoze who assisted him in locating a tome known as the Sacred Book. It told Hikari that he might find the scroll of fire in Corone. Hikari wondered why the scrolls had been separated. Had his father decided to sell them after all? Though he did not understand this riddle to its entirety, he searched Corone nonetheless. He looked for several months and still didn’t find his heart’s desire. He was growing weary of his fruitless search. However, he has begun to cope with his desire for light and has noticed his skin has lost some of its deep white shade.
During his long inhabitance of Corone, Hikari found himself joining a group of adventurers that fitted his tastes. Their clan went by the name of the Order Within Chaos. Since his entry into the Order, Hikari has been most active in the organization and execution of several missions. However, after the abrupt departure of their leader, several of the Order feared it would be lost to power struggles among the remaining members. Luckily, three came forth and brought order to the chaos erupting. The restructured the Order and appeased many, including Hikari.
The elf also made himself a member of the Red Hand. At first attempting a position as a woodsman, he failed miserably. He felt he would give up on becoming an active member of the group until news reached him that they were in need of hunters. He immediately felt comfortable with his most recent line of work and it helped in improving his marksmanship. Fully active within these two influential clans; as well as being a prime contender in the Cell; Hikari felt his accomplishments were slowly being recognized.
The elf eventually discovered something disconcerting. The owl that had been accompanying him in his travels was not doing so by chance. It embodies the spirit of a mage who studied under Tashronde. Her name is Tsuraria, though she was very vague in her description of her knowledge of Tashronde and the basis of her studies. Hikari suspects her placement in an animal form has made her mind forgetful, yet it was still her who braved so many dangers with the elf and their friendship endured.
Then it came that Hikari No Ashigaru was trapped and separated from Tsuraria. His jailer was a human named Raiba. For the better part of two months, he was sequestered in the Castle Honroy. Eventually, he escaped, with certain things troubling his mind. In came to be that Raiba had used the Scroll of Wind upon himself and was hungering for the power of the rest of the scrolls. Hikari had met another challenge in his pursuit of Tashronde’s scrolls. Raiba gained his knowledge of the scrolls from Kaejil, whom he tortured and murdered subsequently.
Upon his escape of the dreaded stronghold, Hikari set out to meet his old acquaintances. He was saddened to discover that Ithermoss Hec’Bahal, half-drake leader of the Red Hand, had passed on. Yet, in his stead he left another clan subsidiary to the Red Hand called the Black Hand. This group of elite fighters and warriors fell under the leadership of the elf, who accepted the post with honor. Now, he commands a sizeable host of individuals that inhabit Keller Hall.
Another passion besides the Black Hand at this time of his life is the Theater of War. He has come to battle as much as the rules will allow in hopes of improving himself. The new acquisition of powers by this method has only spurred him to greater heights. Reminiscing of the Cell, he longs to create a name for himself after his imprisonment, as he has fallen out of remembrance in many people’s eyes. He regrets backing out of the Lornius Corporate Challenge and failing to register for the Gisela Open. Still, his mind is ever on the thought of somehow attaining more glory.