Anarxos Voralius's page

Daily spells / powers / items
Inspiration 3/4

Notes
The librarian's information
Razelago's insights on Bacusis and rebel cell

Macros
[dice=Knowledge (X)]1d20+X+1d6[/dice]
[dice=Intimidate (demoralize)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Mwk Rapier]1d20+1;1d6-1[/dice]
[dice=Light crossbow]1d20+3;1d8[/dice]

Intimidate (demoralize) rules

Level 1
Ant Haul
Comprehend Languages
Heightened Awareness
Longarm
Monkey Fish
Shield

L3 Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade, Noble Fencer)
3 Fencing Grace
4 Infusion discovery
5 Dazzling Display
6 (discovery)
7 ???
8 Skill Focus (Intimidate), (discovery)
9 ???
10 (discovery)
11 Shatter Defenses
12 (discovery)
13 (feat)
14 (discovery)
15 (feat)
16 Skill Focus (?), (discovery)
17 (feat)

Alternative feats: Endurance, Eldritch Heritage (arcane - familiar), Improved familiar (imp)

Discoveries: Expanded Inspiration, Inspired Intimidator, Mutagen, Quick Study, Empathy, Combat Inspiration (9th), Eidetic recollection (11th+)

Egorian, 14 Desnus 4714, in one of the rooms in the Ministry of Historical Accuracy's basement.

The tall, almost gaunt man wearing robes slammed the door open, treading briskly into the room illuminated by four red candles that were already half-consumed by the time he came in.

"Well, well, Mr. ... Zelatios, is it? Sorry to keep you waiting, I've had a very busy day, and I have the sense it isn't about to get better. Is it?" the man asked, stroking is beard. "No, don't feel obliged to reply just yet. Let's make this a little more formal. Have you heard of me? I am Anarxos Voralius, the one they call "the Historian". Not that your presence here will be a noteworthy event in the history of our glorious country. Not even a footnote, I'm afraid." he quickly added with a playful tone.

The other man was tied to a solid wooden seat, not the kind to offer an amazing sense of comfort though. He was bound, with his head only allowed to move slightly on either side. On the bald head, drops of sweat were already running down.

"I've heard of you," replied the tied man with a groan "but people usually call you "lapdog of the Thrunes". I can't say I blame them. You're going to torture me? You're losing your time - I won't say a thing."

No emotion manifested on the Historian's pale face. No anger, no pleasure, nothing. He replied on a very matter-of-fact tone.

"My, my. No need to be rude at this stage of the proceedings, is there? No, I'm not going to torture you. My presence here - for which you should count yourself privileged - is only meant to establish the One and Only Truth, to banish all kinds of foreign propaganda, lies, and historical fallacies. But I won't insult your intelligence, since you know we're at the Ministry of Historical Accuracy."

The other man's voice blurted out, almost chuckling. "Do you actually believe what you're saying? Listen to yourself. That's a bunch of crap and you know it. Historical Accuracy? What a pathetic way to conceal the fact that the Thrunes have been altering the history of our nation for decades, only to serve their own interest."

Anarxos's voice rose slightly, accepting the implicit challenge. "Ah, but you will admit that their interest is paramount, and the very balance of our glorious empire resides in the solidity of its foundations - its History. Besides, do not tell me you're gulliable enough to believe there's only one way to tell a story. You see, everyone has their own point of view. Sadly for you, the only one that matters is the one of those who won. Ergo, the Thrice-Damned House Thrune."

Zelatios clenched his teeth, looking at his interrogator with defiance. A cold rage was slowly coming to a boil in his mind.

"Curse you and your warped logic! Whatever lies you're telling yourself, it won't make me bow to you. It's precisely that attitude that will be the downfall of the Thrunes. Arrogance."

During the whole exchange, Anarxos had stood very still. He started to roam with a steady, clockwork-like pace around the chair where the man was bound.

"You speak of precision, one thing that is paramount in our proceedings here. Let me tell you about it. You will remember your precious Salya, of course. Let me tell you precisely what I will do to her when I'm finished with you."

He let the information be absorbed by Zelatios, pausing for a moment, reveling in the superiority he had established within seconds over the captive wretch. He stepped forward, coming from behind, and leaned to the man's ear, whispering now so that no one could hope to hear him save for his prey.

"Unless you tell me the name of your contact within the Glorious Reclamation, of course. Such a meaningless thing to you, but that could mean so much to your dear Salya... don't you think?"

Zelatios lowered his head in resignation.

Well, this night may not be such a long one after all.

Anarxos Voralius was born the second son of Athis Voralius, head of a minor noble house in Westcrown. His childhood was not an easy one, between the contempt of a father and the constant rivalry with his elder brother. Anarxos quickly understood his only way to make his own path in life lied with his intelligence, whereas his brother Aricas was a more physical type. The boy's father quickly realized this, and offered Anarxos what he needed the most: a teacher and an education. The boy's mentor, Calixarr Oberigo, proved to be a perfect match for him, always seeking to give him a taste for knowledge.

Anarxos took great pleasure in studying History under Calixarr's guidance, and came to realize the common saying was true - "Knowledge is Power". He grew up with this in mind, his thoughts focused on the achievement of great reknown and power. For this, he knew he had to make himself a necessity for the right people. He perfected his skills in writing, eventually catching the attention of representatives of the Thrune government. Thus, he was selected to work at the Ministry of Historical Accuracy, a part of the nation's authorities aiming to establish the One and Only Truth - the vision of the Thrunes, their perception of Chelish History. Rising quickly in the ranks of that organization, he was also trained, then entrusted with the interrogation of those who hold heretic beliefs in the eyes of the Thrunes. His emotionlessness and sense of observation became assets for the young man. His career was well on its way!

It was then he was sent to Longacre to spot and excise the veterans who'd claim themselves as members of the Glorious Reclamation. A welcome assignement indeed, for his most zealous rival at the Ministry was about to unleash her wrath. As he arrived in Longacre, he received dire news. His brother, now a Hellknight in the ranks of the Order of the Godclaw, was missing since the attack of the Iomedaeans upon Citadel Dinyar... This was now a personal affair.

A note on religion:
It is known to all that the Thirce-Damned House Thrune decided to make Egorian the capital city of Cheliax after the end of the civil war, forsaking Westcrown and its "old guard" nobility. One of the reasons is that several of these houses weren't too keen to worship Asmodeus at first, though they understood the necessity to bow to the Thrune. Such an hestiation proved unhealthy for House Voralius, who traditionally worshipped Abadar, patron of urban civilization and trade. In the aftermath of the war, the Voralius were deemed a "less worthy" house in the Thrunes' eyes, and became a minor house. Since then, they've struggled between their customary worship of different patrons - accepted in the order of the Godclaw - and saving their public face towards the Thrunes, paying their respects to Asmodeus as well. Old habits die hard, and the customary worship has persisted until today. Seeing the Order of the Godclaw as a way to reconcile their beliefs with the Asmodean Cheliax, Athis Voralius pulled some strings so that his eldest son Aricas could enter the order and pave the family's way to religious reconciliation with the Thrunes.

As for Anarxos, he has always seen religion as a mere tool, and refused to indulge in the family tradition. Instead, he has realized that worshipping Asmodeus - a god much closer to his won beliefs anyway - could prove very beneficial for his own career. Hence he decided to publicly renounce Abadar and embrace the Asmodean faith. This has also contributed to weaken his relationship with his father and his brother. When word of the Godclaw's failure to defend Citadel Dinyar spread, the resentment towards his brother become all the more intense.

5 concept points
- Anarxos is a dedicated man who loves his craft, and who will stop at nothing to see it done properly.
- His priorities in life are as follows: Power > Loyalty to the Thrunes > Knowledge > Loyalty to House Voralius > Anything else. He's ambitious beyond measure, and only grants his loyalty to those who hold power over him.
- Although he takes pleasure in dealing with others to assert his superiority, he can't stand people. They are purely means to an end. The sole exception to this is his former mentor.
- He thoroughly enjoys Chelish Opera, one of the rare leisures he allows himself beside his work.
- "Inhuman" would quite fit the bill to describe Anarxos. He's cold and methodical, but doesn't like the sufferings he inflicts in his "interrogations" - they are simply a powerful tool, and Anarxos doesn't allow himself to like tools.

Goals
- Anarxos's most prominent project and goal is to author a book in the field, to write History as it is happening. Maybe the rise of the Glorious Reclamation will prove to be the opportunity he's looking for.
- His goal is to prove his worth to his masters, so that they eventually allow his house (a minor noble house) to eventually rise as a major house. He may not think about it consciously just yet, though.

Secrets
- Anarxos likes other to think he hates people. To think otherwise would prove a weakness, a soft spot that his enemies and rivals could use against him. There is one exception he's hiding, though: his former mentor, Calixarr Oberigo.

- The Historian isn't aware of it yet, but his sexuality may be very different from what he expects. For many years, Anarxos has had numerous intercourse with girls, although all of them were based on him asserting his power over his concubine. Yet for all of his experiences, he has never experienced love. However, Anarxos's relationship with his mentor - based on a mix of power held over him, a passion for History going beyond words, and the fact that Calixarr has always been the one to initiate Anarxos to things that really mattered for the young man - everything points to a possible "awakening" to a homosexual relationship with his mentor. In some respects that relationship already exists on a platonic level, but the blooming (or discovery by an ill-intended third party) of that relationship could bring great shame to Anarxos in one way or another.

Three people tied to Anarxos
- The first and most important person in Anaroxos's life by far is Calixarr Oberigo. Also a member of a noble house of Chelish aristocracy, the teacher - who's twenty-five years older than Anarxos - has always managed to mix benevolent authority and the ability to awaken passion in the young man's heart. The mentor gave lessons to Anarxos since the latter was five, and managed to draw the attention of the young man towards History, knowledge, and the art of observation. He taught Anarxos to read, write, and ultimately rewrite History in a fashion that would please House Thrune. Anarxos quickly excelled in that craft, and caught the attention of members of the Ministry of Historical Accuracy in Egorian. Thus, the young man - now twenty-two years of age - left his manor house to pen his future with a deft hand. That being said, he hasn't forgotten his mentor, but he shields himself from thinking too much about him, preferring to devote himself to his work.

- The second person of note is Anarxos's elder brother Aricas Voralius. The relationship between the two brothers has always been difficult when they were young, as they were constantly pushed against one another by their father in hope to hone their combativity and character. From that confrontation, a feeling of mutual respect came to be. Aricas eventually became a Hellknight of the Order of the Godclaw. After three years as an Armiger, Anaraxos's brother became a full-fledged Hellknight not long before the Glorious Reclamation attacked Citadel Dinyar to retrieve Heart's Edge. Anarxos doesn't know yet if his brother is dead or alive, but one powerful feeling swelled in the young man: Aricas has failed House Voralius, he has shamed us. Now it is up to me to show what we're capable of. I was always the better one. thought the Historian.

- The third person that had a meaningful role in Anarxos's life so far is Catylinia Maledetta, who also works at the Ministry of Historical Accuracy and is Anaraxos's arch-rival. Many historians have come to envy the young man's quick rise in the ranks of the ministry's hierarchy, but none can match Catylinia's mettle and desire to see Anarxos brought down and humiliated. The two were lovers for a time, though both of them envisioned the relationship as a power play to sway the other and make him an obedient ally. Needless to say, both failed and the breakup was messy. When I mean messy, I mean blood on the walls and merciless deathmatch-messy. But with a sense of civilization, of course - we are in Cheliax, after all. Anarxos tried to frame Catylinia as an Arodenite, attempting to see her removed from office for illegal possession of dangerous literary material that could endanger the legitimacy of one of Cheliax's major noble houses. The plan failed since the "proof" that were planted proved inconclusive, an observation that Anarxos took as a personal slight since he had spent so many nights working on it. Catylinia's move is yet to be seen, but it's bound to be bloody.

Three mannerisms
- Anarxos revels in excitement as he beholds his "prey" - the person he's interrogating or confronting - squirm before him.

- He strokes his beard when he's about to discover something new.

- He delights himself in asserting his superiority by being overly pedantic, and resorting to unnecessarily verbose sentences.

Anarxos has been sent by the Ministry to investigate some intelligence showing that a known Arodenite could be living in the town of Longacre. That hunted man is allegedly still in possession of old pre-civil war manuscripts revealing the importance of a Chelish noble house and Thrune methods to eradicate the heretical house. Of course, if those manuscripts were to fall in the wrong hands, it would strengthen the position of anti-Thrune groups. However, the possibility that such a man (and the manuscripts) is hiding in such a backwater town is somehow remote, which explains why a relatively new agent from the Ministry is sent on the field.

While he was in Longacre getting to know the local powers that be, Anarxos may have met Cimri and impressed her with his restless intelligence. She may have proposed to him to take part in a small heist, which Anarxos could see as an opportunity to show what he's worth, perhaps proving to Cimri he can come up with a better plan than hers. Although he'll bve very careful about not infringing the Thrunes' sphere of influence or rules, he'll indulge in that challenge.

For him, the added benefit would be to gain allies within the town to eventually help him track down his quarry. Since this is his first mission on the field, he'll make sure to put every chance of success on his side.