Dead Man Walking! A Way of the Wicked Campaign Phase III (Inactive)

Game Master bwatford

Race: Human
Class: Ninja 1

STR 9
DEX 17
CON 11
INT 20
WIS 8
CHA 8

HP 9
AC 13 touch 13 flat-footed 10
BAB 0
Initiative +3
Fort 0
Ref 5
Will -1

Speed

Skills: (Untrained: add 2 +stat to any skill and can make all skills untrained); Acrobatics r1 +7, Appraise r1 +9, Bluff r1 +4, Climb r1 +3, Craft (Alchemy) r1 +9, Diplomacy r1 +3, Disable Device 41 +7, Disguise r1 +3, Escape Artist r1 +7, Heal r1 +0, Intimidate r1 +9, Linguistics r1 +9, Perception r1 +3, Sense Motive r1 +3, Sleight of Hand r1 +7, Stealth r1 +7, Use Magic Device r1 +3.

Traits: Bruising Intellect (use int instead of cha for intimidate), Sedition (+1 bonus to bluff and bluff as a class skill).

Feats: Fast Learner, Improvisation

Gear: ya, right.

Attack Info:
Unarmed Strike: -1 to hit; 1d3-1 damage; x2 crit.

2. Your experience with PbP
I have been involved in PbP since, if I recall correctly, summer 2012. Mainly on the paizo site, but I've also looked into games on other sites.

3. Expectations for playing and what you want out of the experience
I am interested in a good mix of RP and combat situations. I enjoy RP, but I would prefer not to have everyone writing novels for each post. I prefer one post a day on weekdays, barring holidays, illness and other RL stuff (although, on occasion, I may be able to do more). This is particularly important should I make it to Phase III. I have found it difficult to follow mass RP-style auditions as they tend to get very busy very quickly. I would prefer not to have to wade through 40 posts in order to find something that involved an interaction with my character.

4. Philosophy as a PbP player
Fun: That's why we're all here after all.
Courtesy: Take all OOC things on the internet with a grain of salt as misinterpretations can be detrimental. Be respectful to others opinions.
Teamwork: OOC-ly - A PbP game is a communal story. It requires everyone to be involved in the process. IC-ly - Try not to be the lonely wolf. Characters, even evil ones, should want to work together and not against each other. This is a PbP that, in theory does not include PvP, so my characters should be capable of cooperation.

5. Why you are applying to this game?
I enjoy developing characters in general and exploring the darker sides of things in specific. Evil games are few and far between. Thank goodness (evil-ness?) for Fire Mountain Games and their creation of Evil APs (this and Throne of Night). Honorable mention goes to, not just those who GM WotW but those who modify existing APs towards Evil (e.g. Kingmaker) or who create their own Evil adventures.

6. Define what you think good role-playing is in PbP.
Interacting with the environment and other characters. Understand where your character came from and where it will be going (barring unforseen circumstances that may change its focus). I like posting the thoughts of my characters, although I also see the benefit of keeping them to myself and merely show physical reactions to those thoughts. If there is nothing for a character to do, post anyway, thoughts passing through their head, or even if it's to describe an itch in their nose, the act of scratching that itch, and the offering of the offending nasal blockage to a fellow character (ok, maybe if it's a low Cha character).

7. What is your experience with this adventure path?
I am currently playing a Bard in an Empire of Night (we become Vampires) version of the game and, to be brief and with low-end spoilers, are in or near a certain keep. I'm not sure how much has been altered due to the Vampire focus.
I am currently playing a Barbarian in a Mythic version (although we haven't acquired a mythic level yet) with about 10 characters, so it's been heavily modified to increasy the difficulty due to the numbers and the Mythic theme.
I played an Antipaladin in two games. One made it to the benefactor's before dying out, the other never escaped the prison before same.
Oh yeah. Played a witch in a game that died out before we even left the cell, lol.

The time had come. Gabriel had turned fourteen and was fit and strong enough to serve Talingarde. His father enlisted him. It was a proud moment for the man. Gabriel too was happy. He had not done much to make his father proud. He preferred to be off in the woods playing and learning more of nature instead of drilling with his sword. Two years passed. Gabriel had grown to ba a handsome young man. He proved to be quite strong as well now in his mature body. Though he had no idea what was to happen next.

The morning after his sixteenth birthday he awoke to a quite a surprise. As he put his feet from his bed to the floor a clack was heard instead of the normal thud. As he looked down he saw hooves were his feet were supposed to be. As his eyes came up his leg they two had changed. His legs now looked as if they were of a a goat. Even his skin changed it was now the color of a deep crimson, the color of blood. He did not scream. He was in too much shock. Surely this had to be a dream. He stood, and as he did debris fell from the ceiling. As he looked up more debris fell as his massive horns scratched and tore the thatch roof. Oh my god, what has happened to me. What? What am I? He slumped back down to the bed and wept for a moment not knowing what to do. He softly called for his mother after he gathered himself. She came to the door. Everything alright in there honey?. Gabriel paused a moment. Umm… I don’t know. I think I have a problem. Just listen to my voice mom, you know its me. Is dad here? Maybe you should come in. I don’t what to do. His mother opened the door and as her eyed fell to her son she let out a scream. MONSTER!!!, HELP A MOSTER HAS MY SON!!! Gabriel moved quickly and grabbed his mother. Mom, I don’t know what happened, but its me. I’m Gabriel. A few moments passed. She stared into his eyes and focused on his voice. Gabriel? Can this be? How did this happen? What happened? Oh know it can’t be. Gabriel looked to here inquisitively. What can’t it be? What do you know you’re not telling me? His mother replied. Well son, it seems you have the blood one put into my family’s line. My mother told be of such things when I was a girl. I think she mentioned that my father’s father had made a deal and bedded a devil. He had children with this devil and my father was one of them. I never thought it was true. I thought it was something she made up because he left us before I could remember him. Now given what we are looking at here, well I’m not so sure.

Honey, I’m home. Gabriel and his mother heard the door open and the voice of his father fill the house. Gabriel looked to his mother. What do we do about dad? His mother looked on, but quickly turned he attention to the door. Honey, where are you. You in there? A knock at Gabriel’s door. Honey? His mother paused. Yes dear. Come in, but please be calm. Be calm, what in the devil are you talking about woman? As the door opened his father’s eyes darted to the two sitting on the bed. What in Sarenraes name is going on here? A fiend? Unhand my wife devil. No honey it’s Gabriel, he awoke this way he needs are help. His father paused a moment. What do you mean that’s Gabriel. That is no son of mine. Now step away I will kill this thing. Gabriel’s father drew his blade, he stood staring down the beast that was his son. So devil, what have you done with my son. Tell me and your death will be quick. Instinctively Gabriel gave a small roar showing his toothy maw to the man. I am your son you fool. Dad it’s me. Please don’t do this. A look came over the mans face as if he thought for a moment what he hears was the truth. Even if this is so, you are my son no longer. My name is one of honor and no devil blood will taint it. Now die. The man charged at Gabriel with lethal intent. Gabriel was trained and reacted as such. He managed to deflect the blade using his horns, but not enough. The blow struck true enough, it buried deep into and punctured through Gabriel’s shoulder pinning him to the wall. Mother, help me. Please. He looked to his mother. You will do no such thing woman. Whatever was our son is no more. His mother looked on shocked. She fell to her knees tears streamed from her eyes. Witnessing all he knew turn upside down Gabriel had but one choice, to flee. As his father looked on to his mother still he swiped his head down and then up. His horns opened up a gash along his father’s chest. The man fell backwards in pain. Gabriel then pulled the blade from the wall and ran off into the woods.

Gabriel was fortunate. He had grown up in these woods and spent much of his time here. He had no trouble hiding and eluding any thay may have tried seeking him out. Time passed. Gabriel’s heart started to grow bitter. He had turned to a life of banditry. He would steal from those off to market to trade. He gathered most of what he needed and stole anything else. In this time he fostered his ability to hunt men. Since he was once one he knew them well and knew how the ones that didn’t like the woods acted in them. This made them easy prey for the boy. He soon met others like himself. Living on the run taking what they want or what they need. He was given another home. One made up of misfits and like minded people. Here he thrived. One day the leader was looking for the next big score. Well Gabriel wanted to impress and move up the ranks and he had a plan. His thought was to hit the garrison he was once station at. They had weapons and supplies. In fact his time as a soldier let him know the location of many such garrisons, and how they were manned. He expressed further that their needs as a group were small. They only needed enough armor and weapons for the men they had, but if they could trade with the tribes beyond the watch wall they could become rich. Possessed by greed the leader agreed and the men started hitting garrisons.

The plan was working. They had sacked three garrisons and had plenty of supplies, but both the greed and the want for more took a hold of Gabriel and the leader. It was at the next garrison they were surprised. It seemed news had circulated of their deeds. Her waiting for them was none other than Sir Balin Knight of Alerion. The knight had prepared and ambush and it was executed flawlessly. At the end of the scuffle most of the bandits were dead or ran off. Gabril laid bloody and beaten at Sir Balin’s feet. This devil must have been in charge. Hunt down the rest or what you can find. This one will be taken to Brandiscar to face his punishment. With this Gabriel was shackled and put onto a wagon. He now finds himself on his way to Brandiscar, the famed prison that none have ever escaped. He is to be drawn and quartered for High Treason.

Abandoned in a pile of garbage and traded for a gold piece to a local orphanage Harlskards start may explain a lot about his views on other people. Garbage. Property. Only worth what you can make.

His time in the orphanage was rough. They gave him a name and he grew hair worthy of the worst kind of attention. So he learned to fight, learned to run, and learned to look meaner then sin.

There were few who cared for him. A young girl called Minerva watched out for him, scraped him off the street from time to time. The drunken priest who headed the orphanage did as much as he could to guide him by rod if not by hand, wooden spoon, or whatever else was stiff and available.

When he turned twelve a fancily dressed man took notice of his violent tendencies and offered him a job. He gave him a poisoned dagger and told him to insert it as often as necessary into a particular man who ran a particular shop who always left at a precise time in a precise way. HE accepted after careful thought figuring that the reward was well worth the risk.

Harlskard did the job and much to his surprise he did not vomit, did not feel shocked, empowered or anything when he took the mans life (a difficult thing since the man was not exactly as defenseless as he was led to believe). He felt nothing.

What he did feel was the cold weight of iron shackles and the lashes of the guards as the man who hired him gave him over to the guards instead of rewarding him his due.

He spent the next ten years of his life on the second stage of his education. Prison.

In prison he learned trades and means unimaginable to his juvenile street education. He learned to make anything into a weapon and how to speak in ways so puzzling that entire conversations can be whispered in the dark with no one else being the wiser. He also learned how to cook. A surprising skill to anyone but a prisoner forced to live off of the guards scraps and whatever passed for kindness behind the walls.

His chance to escape came when a new prisoner suddenly, and explosively, developed budding sorcerous powers in secret. The magical battle and riot resulted in a pretty comrpomised security with which HArlskard gladly took advantage of after collecting a few blood debts.

He fled for several weeks before starving, ragged, and desperate he accidentally stumbled across the infamous Shadow Wolf mercenaries. Sometimes bandits, sometimes assassins for hire this group of opportunistic men debated for hours on what to do with the ragged young man freshly escaped from prison. Eventually they settled on some good old fashioned blood sport before turning in his ragged corpse for some small coin to drink with.

What happened was something unexpected. The large man they pit him against, a fearsome tavern brawler, was crying for mercy (and to have his testicles back), before the end of it. Afterwards they decided he was much more valuable bearing that ferocity against their marks rather than against them and he was officially inducted. A position with a number of benefits. Steady pay, steady work for a man with his skills, formal training in actual weapons and few authorities were willing to dig too deeply into an organization with so many "friends" among the nobility.

He spent several years, made several important connections, including the middleman nicknamed "thumbs", and earned the nickname "butcher" both for his bloodthirst and his skill in the kitchen. But, he made enemies as well. One particularly ambitious officer saw him as a threat to his rank and profit and arranged for him to get killed during one particularly difficult battle. HArlskard fought his way through this trap and right through the chest cavity of the officer who wanted him dead. Deciding it would be best to take his leave rather than try to explain the pile of bodies to the commander he returned to the city of his birth.

He met up with Minerva once more who grew up into a fine and beautiful woman. Though in keeping with harsh reality this beauty was just a tool which she used to make money. Still, her compassion for him hand't dwindled and she found other ways to comfort him.

In the meantime he reconnected with "thumbs" and started working solo. Taking oddjobs here and there whether murder for hire, collections, professional dueling, or other such violent and seedy pursuits. His only rule was No children

This was a life not without its perils. A certain eaglecrest knight seemed to make it his duty to hunt him down everytime he seemed to be getting a head in life. But, rather than cut him down he played into the game of law, surrendering peacefully when caught and never giving more than he got. The result was that he always managed to escape the noose, bribe the guards, or in one case slipped the shackles and forced a guard to choke on his own spoon.

Except this last time the infernal purge did a lot to get rid of the corrupt guards, the easy ways to escape. And at least for now it seems Harlskard The Butcher may not be able to escape his ultimate fate.

1. Write five things essential to your character’s background including previous adventures and events.
Dr. Ottokar Wilken was born and raised in Ustalav, where he attended Lepidstadt University and studied natural science and medicine. As a young man, his familial blood-curse of lycanthropy manifested for the first time, causing him to lose control and slaughter a man who he felt had wronged him, as well as the man's family. This even caused him to move away before he was arrested, and after some wandering he found himself in Talingarde. It was here that he met a woman, they fell in love, and were married. Desperate to make sure he did not have to leave this life as he did the last one, he researched a serum to help him keep his curse at bay, while continuing to research ways to remove it for good. The authorities caught up with him as he was disecting a vagrant... alive. He was charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and grave-robbing when all the evidence against him was compiled.
2. List your character’s goals and things you want to see happen to your character.
He wishes to cleanse himself of his curse, and live a life where he will be respected for his intelligence and learning. Of course, now he wishes to also break free of what he thinks are trumped-up charges leveled by ignorant god-mongers who cannot appreciate what he has done to advance the knowledge of anatomy. I want to see him struggle to swallow his own pride, play well with others, and eventually wreck things when he loses control. Think Dr. House meets the Hulk. :)
3. List two secrets about your character. Keep in mind secrets your character may not know yet.
One, as much as he tries to convince himself otherwise, deep down he does not know what he would do without the Beast. He secretly believes the constant struggle makes him better than other people. He also is a closet sadist, secretly delighting in the power he possesses to inflict pain, especially in his capacity as a physician.
4. List three people that are tied to the character through blood, romance or honor. Remember to include positive and negetive reflections.
There is his estranged wife, for one. She still loves him, and respects his brilliant mind, but chose to separate from him when he became more and more brooding and secretive, going to live with her sister. She feels guilty that she was the one who tipped off the authorities to the fact that he had something to hide, though she thought it was something much less dire, like a drug addiction, and was hoping they would actually help him.

His only other friend is an Abadarran cleric and barrister. The two men like to take lunch together, play strategic board games, and debate matters of theology and science.

Then there is a man who has sworn to kill him, the now-grown son of the family that Dr. Wilken slaughtered in Ustalav years ago, who happened to escape the carnage by being away with friends at the time. The man does not know for sure the doctor's identity as of yet, and actually believes he is tracking a full-blown werewolf, but he is a formidable foe who has distinguished himself as a slayer of lycanthropes, and it is only a matter of time before he tracks his family's killer down.
5. Describe your character in detail as you see fit. Relate any additional information you believe is important or required. Include personality and mannerisms.
Dr. Wilken is a severe, understated man of half-elven heritage. He would probably be considered handsome, if not for his constant scowling. His skin is fair, hair is blonde with a premature shock of white on the left side, with pale blue eyes and sharp features. He dresses as a gentleman, and is almost always seen wearing spectacles and gloves. He tends to carry basic surgical equipment with him, as well as a sword cane in order to "see off vagabonds". The man is an intellectual elitist, full of himself, and prone to dismiss anyone who he sees as stupid out of hand. He respects those who succeed at daily struggle, and those who manage to keep themselves fit both physically and mentally. It is not readily apparent under his normal clothes, but he is actually in excellent shape, as he believes his curse is best kept in check through a combination of mental discipline and physical hardiness. When annoyed, he tends to purse his already thin lips, and when deep in thought he tends to tap his fingers against his temple.

1. How does your character interact with the others within a group?
He is a bitter realist who believes that maximum efficiency is achieved when each member sticks to his or her own speciality. Do not question him in the realm of science or medicine, and he will not question... whatever it is that you are doing there.

2. What is your character's role in a group?
He is a gentleman (the term is applied loosely here) and a scholar, capable of dealing with minor mechanical problems (read: traps), utilizing alchemical applications to overcome adversity, and, when necessary, giving in to his blood-curse and becoming a slavering beast intent on rending foes limb from limb.

3. How is your character not as they seems? I want one or two skills that would surprise others if they found out he knows them. Also include personality traits, positive or negative, that would similarly surprise others.
The very concept of this character is that there is something monstrous lurking unexpectedly just beneath the surface. He seems the picture of the sophisticated doctor: intelligent, urbane, acerbic... few would guess that he is a talented pick-pocket when such is called for, and fewer still would guess his darker secrets. He also is an avid fitness enthusiast, enjoying both climbing and swimming as means of recreation and keeping in peek physical form.

4. What are your character's goals, conscious and, perhaps, subconscious?
He tells himself that his most cherished goal is to excise the bestial curse that he inherited from his father so that he may live a normal life as a doctor and scientist in peace. A more introspective soul might question if that is indeed what he really wants, however, as he uses the curse as an excuse to delve into experiments of a much darker sort. The Beast, of course, revels in bloodshed and misery.

5. How easily does your character love? Have they been in love?
He is too self-absorbed to love easily, but has loved enough in the past to be a married man. As his obsession grows, however, he has less and less of either time or attention to pay to his wife.

6. Is your character racist at all, either now or in their past?
He is an intellectual elitist, and therefore automatically looks down on races known for being less intelligent.

7. All people believe something that is not true, both about the world around them and about themselves. What lies/untruths does your character believe about themselves and the world around them?
He believes that everything, and I do mean everything, has an underlying order that can be observed, cataloged, and made use of. Science, he believes, holds all answers to those who are brave enough to seek them out. He also believes that he is an individual, the Beast nothing but a curse. He has never contemplated the idea that they may simply be two sides of the same coin...

8. How is your character about material possessions?
He sees them as a means to an end, nothing more. Knowledge is true power.

9. What does your character perceive their major problems to be?
He views his curse as his only true flaw.

10. What does he perceive the solutions to those problems to be?
SCIENCE!

11. What are your character's religious beliefs?
Religion is useful for what it can provide, but hardly worth dedicating one's life to. It is unfortunate how many of them cling to dogmatic beliefs, however, instead of embracing the wonders that science can bring.

12. What does your character fear?
He fears nothing so much as losing himself, and his mind, permanently to the Beast.

13. How much of a temper does your character have? What sorts of things set them off?
He is easy to annoy, but difficult to truly anger. Displays of ignorance or stupidity are most likely to draw his ire, and his list of what constitutes stupidity is long indeed.

1) She is a barrister. She generally defends clients in criminal matters, but has been retained on many occasions to assist with drafting contracts and representing individuals in civil matters.

2) Historically, she has been incredibly organized (unlike her player). Over the past year, however, she has on many occasions come to her office in the morning and discovered her desk a complete mess, as though she just got up and left. She has vague recollection of leaving on some occasions, but truly does not know what she would have done this.

3) Never the most creative, she tends to use her personality to win over the magistrate or most anyone else she needs to speak with.

4) About a year ago, a strange dark client came into her office in the dark early evening hours near the winter solstice. As she recalls, she was retained to represent him in several contractual matters. However, as much as she tries, she cannot recall exactly what these matters were, or what the name of the client was. Although she is fairly sure that he paid, but not entirely.

5) About a year ago, close to when the strange dark client retained her and when she began to notice that her office was frequently messy, she began to have strange gaps in her memory. On several occasions she would not recall leaving her office, but would find herself waking in her bed still clothed from the prior day. She spoke with several Iomedean clerics regarding this, but none were able to determine what the cause was.

6) About six months ago, she disappeared for approximately a week. She has no recollection of this week. However, what she does recall is that since this time, she has frequently felt much weaker with frequent illness.

Step 2: List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.

1) Tkaara wants to discover what is wrong with her. She has vague recollections of committing the crime for which she has been imprisoned. However, it is not something that she would ever do. She is a good person (or so she thinks) who believes that someone is to blame for what happened. That someone else is responsible.

2) Somewhere, I would like her to once more discover the dark stranger who has caused her fall from grace. Who has infected her with a disease that is not only altering her body, but also altering her soul. Presumably this meeting will not end in a happy reunion. The first time perhaps, but when she discovers what he is, it will soon lead to a showdown.

Step 3: List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!

1) Tkaara has always wanted to become part of the ruling magistrate. To be the one ruling on the guild of others, rather than just representing them in front of other judges.

2) What Tkaara does not know is that she is no longer, or at least not for long, going to be a human. Soon, the dark taint in her blood will overtake her living cells and bring its curse upon her.

Step 4: Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.

1) The dark stranger who hired her. This one is neither hostile, not friendly, but rather manipulative, if they ever run into each other again, then it is likely that hostility will soon arise.

2) Friends -- need to decide on this, have not really fleshed out this much. Her family is still alive, but not really part of the background yet. Because of how devoted she is to her work, she has had little time to socialize. However, several local lesser noble men have courted her over the years, she has rebuked these approaches, but the men still continue to seek her affections.

3) Several individuals, at least one or two of which include lesser nobles, are less than thrilled with her work recently. While she was always extremely diligent in her early years. Over the past year she has royally screwed up cases recently. Often because of having to arrive in court unprepared due to strange gaps in her memory. As a result, she has lost several cases causing at least two men to be sentenced to prison, and causing one noble to lose a case involving a contract which he should have easily won. The noble and the families of the imprisoned men are less than happy with her.

Step 5: Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.

1) Tkaara likes beautiful and expensive clothes. She grew up of modest means, and since she now makes a fairly good living, has decided that spending her earnings on clothes and jewelry is what she likes.

2) Tkaara insists on thorough planning. Carefully making sure that each step in a plan is thought about and well laid out. She is not the most creative, but will still make sure that when someone else has an idea, the idea is thoroughly vetted before she will agree to it.

3) When she is unable to beat someone with her intellect, which is fairly frequent, Tkaara is very willing to use her god given assets - a pretty smile and whatever else is legally allowed - to gain an advantage and win. She will not break a law, but generally is well versed in what the laws are so that she can make sure her clients are vehemently represented.

For a decade Essenia traveled with the Varisians, and in this time she blossomed into a true beauty. Still very young by elven standards, she was nonetheless courted by many of the young men who she remembered as but boys when she had joined the band. Confused and uncomfortable, she spurned their affections, but one, a young man named Varlich, was truly persistent. He doted upon Essenia, constantly showering her with gifts and compliments to her beauty, trying to win her heart. For her part, Essenia was flattered by the attention, but continued to make it clear to Varlich that she simply had no desire for romantic entanglements at that point in her life.

One day, Varlich came to her with a truly great gift: a beautiful necklace he had purchased from a merchant in a town they had passed through, wrought in silver and set with moonstones, that he had scrimped and saved for years to afford. He presented it to her with the expectation that she would finally see how great his devotion for her ran, and accept him as her husband. When she did not, but rather declined the gift as too valuable for her to accept in good conscience, Varlich became incensed. He screamed at her for having impossible standards, struck her, claimed that the necklace was cause enough for him to claim her... and then he forced himself upon her and quickened her with his seed. After the deed was done, Varlich, whether from shame or fear of retribution, fled.

The elders were furious when the bruised and shaken Essenia stumbled back into the camp hours later, sobbingly confessing the story of her mistreatment and rape. One in particular, a cunning old crone with a strong gift for magic, angrily growled a curse upon the absent man as punishment for his deeds. "If he shall behave as a beast," she intoned, "then a beast he shall be. His baser urges have led him to defile something that was beautiful and pure, and so shall he forever be ruled by them and forced to live apart from those who might have otherwise offered him succor." It is not known how this curse affected Varlich, for he was never heard from again by any who would know who he was. What is known, is that somehow the energies of this curse targeted his blood, and so part of it latched onto the blood of the unborn child even then quickening within Essenia's womb.

When the baby boy, Ottakar, was born, many whispered that the babe was an ill omen and should be left for the elements. He had his mother's coloration, and the sharply pointed features of the elves, but he also was born with a full set of teeth, and the midwife swore that when he was born he did not cry as a child, but howled like a wolf. Essenia would hear nothing of it, however, and chose to raise the boy despite her family urging her to the contrary. Wishing to ensure Ottakar grew to know something other than the dangerous life of a wanderer, she moved to the city of Chastel, where she found work as a maid. In fifteen short years, the boy had grown into a handsome young man, tall, strong, and keenly intelligent. He had a manner about him that dissuaded others from getting close, however, choosing to spend his time with his mother, or the rare book he could get his hands on. Intent on making sure her son's gifts were put to good use, Essenia packed up Ottakar and moved them to Lepidstadt, where she was told resided the finest university in all the Inner Sea region. Upon presenting him there, along with a "gift" comprising of almost everything she had saved over the course of fifteen years, Ottakar was accepted as a student at the university.

As Ottakar grew, so did his intellect, but so, too, did his off-putting nature. He was sarcastic, acerbic, sometimes outright cruel, but, as he painstakingly pointed out, always truthful, always technically right. He excelled in his classes, taking most to the study of anatomy, medicine, alchemy, and the natural sciences. At the age of twenty five, he graduated as a full doctor, a great honor for one so young. His mother was overjoyed, and had happy tidings of her own: she had finally fallen in love, and wished his blessing upon her union with a local man named Gottfried. Ottakar was surprised to find that his mother, who had always been his only confidant, and, he thought, he hers, had met someone and fallen in love without him knowing. She explained that she had not wished to distract him during his final year of examinations, but was now hoping that he, too, would have time to look to romance. Ever mistrustful of outsiders, Dr. Wilken decided to investigate this Gottfried on his own.

His suspicions were upheld when he discovered that the man who had stolen his mother's heart was already married and living a life as a miller with a wife and children in Tamrivena. Incensed at this perceived betrayal, the doctor burst into their home where he fell upon the family like a beast possessed, striking, strangling, and finally tearing Gottfried's throat out with his bare teeth, all the while displaying superhuman levels of strength and shrugging off the man's dagger as if it were nothing. When he gained control of himself once more, Dr. Wilken did as his father had done before him a quarter century before, and fled the scene of his crime before he could be brought to justice.

For the next few years, Dr. Wilken moved from one nation to the next, trying to find a home. His skills were welcomed, but his tendency to alienate those around him insured that he was constantly at odds with what he deemed "The willfully ignorant, boorish, and vapid." During this time, he also came to better understand the Beast that was his father's legacy: at times, especially those of high stress, he would all but lose control as his vision turned red, his muscles bulged, and a desire to kill and destroy pounded through his brain. He was certain that it is some form of brain disorder, treatable with the right alchemical formula, and sure that any hints of his nails, teeth, and hair growing during these episodes was simply a result of distorted perception.

His wanderings eventually brought him to the island nation of Talingarde, where he hoped the tradition of law and order would indicate those of sufficient intelligence to overlook his less-than-stellar bedside manner and appreciate him for what he brought to the table. That is exactly what he found, though not in the matter he had expected, when he met a young woman, also a half-elf, by the name of Talia, who seemed oblivious to his coarseness, but quickly grew enamored of his mind. Unused to being shown affection by anyone but his mother, Ottakar was at confused by Talia's advances, and before he knew it he had taken to simply agreeing to her suggestions in order to see the radiant smile she favored him with that, inexplicably, made him feel very good. One of those suggestions, after a couple years of companionship during which time she had levied her diplomatic skills into securing him work as a healer, was that they marry, and so, under the auspices of the church of Abadar, they did.

Still, Dr. Wilken never trusted Talia with the secret of his curse, nor did he do so with Stengur, a dwarven Abadarran priest who was the only other person who seemed willing to put up with him for long enough to call him friend. Rather, he led a secret double life, one in which he researched formulae with the intent of finding one that would finally forevermore excise his "demon" which he had taken to referring to as the Beast. After almost losing himself at a party Talia had dragged him to, he realized that he finally had something other than just his freedom to lose, and so he redoubled his efforts to find a cure. Since his simple dabbles into herbs and chemicals had revealed nothing, he decided to investigate the possibility that it was not the mind, but the body that was the culprit, and in order to do that he decided he needed to study the body more closely. At first he started with small animals, then larger ones, always working late into the night in the basement of his office. Eventually he decided that he would get nowhere without studying the anatomy of fellow humanoids, and so began his stint as a graverobber. Unhappy with the difficulty and the state of most of the cadavers, he decided what he truly needed was a live subject, and so he began to lure vagrants, prostitutes, the lost and unremarkable that had yet to be swept up by Talingarde's laws into his basement, and the things he did to them are best left unwritten if you want to keep down your supper.

Such activities take their toll on a psyche, and so it was that the already taciturn doctor became more and more obsessed, haunted, and reclusive. Talia begged him to tell her what was wrong, but he took to ignoring her, his all-consuming search for a cure more important at that time than seeing her smiles, for he feared if no cure was found he would eventually lose control at the wrong time and lose those smiles forever. After some time, Talia finally left him, broken-hearted but convinced that she could not remain with the shell of a man her husband had become. After living with her sister and seeking her advice, she became convinced that her beloved Ottakar must have become addicted to a drug, and so she informed the authorities that they should search his business, thinking they would arrest and fine him, but then heal him and set him back on the road to becoming once more the man she knew and loved. What the constables found when they broke through the sound-proofed door of that basement, however, was darker than anyone had predicted...

2. What is your character's role in a group?
He is quick to be the glue that melds a group together, making himself feel subtly more important than the others, he likes to be in the lead. In combat he is the one wading head first into battle, tearing apart his enemies with unholy strength and shrugging off their blows.

3. How is your character not as they seems? I want one or two skills that would surprise others if they found out he knows them. Also include personality traits, positive or negative, that would similarly surprise others.

Cedric has a wonderful singing voice, one that is seldom heard, but will touch the heart of the most distant of people, and is in fact a lover of music himself. He is also surprisingly willing to listen to the critisisms of others. In an unfortunate twist for an Anti-Paladin and worshiper of Asmodeus, Cedric is very reluctant to cause pain to children or mothers protecting their children, despite this he is willing to harden his heart if he must.

4. What are your character's goals, conscious and, perhaps, subconscious?

His most important goal is to bring down the Talingardian power structure and replace it with something of his own design if he can. After that he would love nothing more to wage war on Mitra himself. Subconsciously Cedric wants to know who his celestial mother is and why she lay with a mortal man, sired him and then left him among the humans. He also yearns to find the love of a woman with whom he can rule the Kingdom.

5. How easily does your character love? Have they been in love?

Cedric falls in love far too easily, though he is certainly more in love with the idea of love and an eternal companion than he is with any of the women he has proclaimed to love.

6. Is your character racist at all, either now or in their past?

In Cedric's eyes all races have equal opportunity to be friends or foes, though more likely the later.

7. All people believe something that is not true, both about the world around them and about themselves. What lies/untruths does your character believe about themselves and the world around them?

Cedric strongly believes that Talingarde and Mitra are the true evil, he doesn't see himself as a bad man, but as a saviour stained with the blood of progress.

8. How is your character about material possessions?

Material goods mean little to Cedric unless they can be put to practical use.

9. What does your character perceive their major problems to be?

He realizes that his need for love and companionship is antithesis to his goals and that it makes him weaker than he could be.

10. What does he perceive the solutions to those problems to be?

To only find the strongest and most loyal of companions.

11. What are your character's religious beliefs?

He is currently a follower of Asmodeus, but much of his belief is simply for show to gather followers.

12. What does your character fear?
Meeting his mother and facing her scorn, but more than that he fears dying before he can accomplish his goals.

13. How much of a temper does your character have? What sorts of things set them off?

Cedric has very little temper and it is very hard to cause him to be visibly angry. Devote followers of Mitra bother him, but it would take much religious prodding to provoke him. If provoked and his inner hatred is unleashed he may go on a rampage.

2)
He wishes to bring Talingarde under his heel, dismantling their power structure and from their ashes forming an army to wage war on Mitra himself. I wish to see him meet his mother for better or for worse.

3)
His mother was an angel of Mitra, Cedric does not know this, but he is betraying her just as greatly as he is betraying Talingarde. He also does not know that it was Asmodeus himself who incited the mob to kill his family, hoping to push Cedric down a darker path, gaining a powerful servant and spiting Mitra in one move.

4)
Harthorn Black, Cedric's right hand man and a true believe in Asmodeus was one of the only members of his congregation that attempted to save Cedric from capture. When he failed he ran for his own life, never looking back, which is seen by Cedric as an even greater betrayal than those who sold him out to Talingarde.

Benjamin Barrio, the captain of the guard that Cedric contacted when his family was murdered by an angry mob. He was the only person who still wished to bring justice against the mob when it was found out that Cedric's parents had been heretics. Cedric doesn't know this however and to him, Benjamin Barrio is synonmous with hatred.

Talia, a woman whom Cedric has met only a single time but whom he cannot forget. They spent a single night together after he brought her into his home during a storm. He wished to attempt to have her stay and perhaps have her join his congregation, but in the morning she was gone.

5) Cedric is a tall and broad shouldered man, some would even call him towering with a body akin to that out of a heroic myth. He has a mane of white-gold hair and beautiful glowing amber eyes. He is usually garbed in fine clothing, not so much for his own benefit but to put himself above others, in fact many things Cedric does are to place him above others, for he sees himself as enlightened above the masses. He is unfortunately rather reckless, and it is most likely for this reason he was caught. He always trust his instincts on whom he invited to his congregation, but he is not the greatest judge of character and would often invite people on first meeting them.

Meanwhile the rumors spreading about the family grew, it was simply obvious to the locals that the boy's new mother must be a witch or a demon worshiper who had ensnared the boy's father in some kind of spell, it was the only way a commoner could lie with a man so blessed by the celestial. These rumors came to a head as the locals decided to take matters into their own hands. In a frenzy that could only be described as a mob the boy's family was attacked, the boy's father was struck down for defending his family, 'he was too far gone anyway' the villagers reasoned, then his mother and his siblings were killed in front of the boy one by one. The mob tried to convince the boy to come with them, to be the brightest light of their people.

He ran. For days he ran until he made it to a greater settlement, there he found the proper authorities and brought them back to his village to bring justice upon the people who killed his family. In the end the acts of the villagers were ruled just when among the items his parents had owned were discovered many heretical writings, proving them heretics to the ways of Mitra. The name of the guard captain who had led the investigation would be forever etched into Cedric's mind, a name that would become synonmous with his hatred, Benjamin Barrio. It was that day that the boy lost his belief in the goodness in people's hearts. From that moment he has toiled endlessly to bring down the power structure of Talingarde, the memory of his smiling and laughing family urging him ever downward into the darkest depths of his own soul. Over time his need for justice has warped into something greedier, a need to claim ownership over the country so that he had absolute control, so that he could build an army to fight a god, so he could destroy Mitra, the being worshiped by those who had taken his family.

Cedric grew to be an incredibly beautiful man, tall and broad shouldered with a mane of white-gold hair and glowing amber eyes, despite the dark personality harboured inside his outward appearance is that of an easily approachable and friendly man with a quick smile and an even quicker laugh. Being a supremely charismatic man with the blood of the celestial flowing through his veins it was not hard for Cedric to gain a following. He spent years attempting to convert the people of Talingarde, his whispered words spoke of a greater god, of Asmodeus the King of Hell. He continued down this path never knowing that he betrayed the celestial mother who sired him, an angel of Mitra, never knowing that it was work of Asmodeus himself that led to the mob that killed his family to lead Cedric to a darker destiny and to spite Mitra. Cedric was sent to prison after being betrayed by one of his congregation and accused of Heresy, all of his following turned away from him in that moment, except for one, his right hand man and a true believer in Asmodeus, Harthorn Black, but there was nothing the two could do against the might of Talingarde, Cedric was captured and Harthorn escaped. This is the story of that boy turned man, the story of how Cedric White and his allies came to subjugate the world for the cause of justice.