 About SolonchakStats
Initiative 5(D8)
Karma Points 4/4 DEFENSES
ARMOUR
UNCONSCIOUSNESS/DEATH RATING 31/39
ELEMENTALIST TALENTS
SKILLS
SPELLS
GEAR
Legend Points Earned
Legend Points Spent
Legend Points Remaining
Background Within the small citadel of Xeric which had sprung up around the liferock known as Ustalf, the small group of Obsidimen had long since earned their reputation as valuable citizens, fulfilling vital roles within the community. Perhaps they drew strength and purpose from being so close to the element that defined their very essence, but the Obsidimen carried out the functions assigned to them with stoic purpose. Unofficial leader of the group was Solonetz. Using knowledge of medicines handed down to him by the Obsidiman elders, he served as Xeric's doctor, herbalist and often assisted midwives of the other namegiver races with births. Craggy featured, with a deep bass voice and gentle manner, his infectious rumbling laugh was a well-known and welcome sound throughout the dwellings of the citadel. He and Rendzina were the two oldest Obsidimen in the enclave, and acted as father figures to the younger members of their small group. One of those was Solonchak. Small for one of his race, he grew up as bright and determined as Rendzina had been as a youngster, and had much of Solonetz's gentle nature and love of life in him. And so it was with a sense of puzzlement that Solonetz and Rendzina greeted his desire to seek training with the warrior's academy when he reached his majority. Gaining acceptance was easily accomplished, such was the esteem with which the elder Obsidimen were held. But for all his attempts to apply reason to the art of war, the bare truth of the matter was that young Solonchak would never be the fighter he wished to be. While not exactly clumsy, he had no feel for the blade, and despite endless hours of practice, he was easily beaten by almost all of the other students. Only one other apprentice proved to have as little flair for the martial arts as he did, an Ork named ZuZu. Whether it was a shared acceptance that this was not destined to be their path in life, the two became firm friends, and often practiced together both in class - where the instructors welcomed the fact that neither would be paired with a more promising candidate - and outside, where they hoped extra hours might suddenly unleash the secret techniques of a master. That extra practice was to change Solonchak forever, but not in the way he had imagined... One day after a particularly gruelling and difficult lesson, ZuZu was heading for home when Solonchak pleaded with him to return to the practice area. Convinced he had almost mastered the parry and riposte, he asked ZuZu to thrust at him so he could try the extravagant flick of the wrist Master Arathan had demonstrated so beautifully earlier. Perhaps it was fatigue on the boys' part, a slip on the damp floor, perhaps even the hand of Fate herself, but as Solonchak brought his blade up to parry, his opponent's weapon deflected off the cross-guard and plunged through Solonchak's wrist, severing one of the arteries there. With a cry Solonchak dropped the blade and stumbled out into the citadel, his lifeblood fountaining on the tiled floor of the great plaza. He had barely made it 5 paces before blackness overtook him and he slumped to the ground... --------------------------------------------------------------------- When he awoke it was at home in bed, Solonetz's kindly face peering down at him. And the sensation of intense pain in his right hand. Crying out he looked down to see with horror that where it pained him so, there was nothing. His arm ended in a bandaged stump, and yet the pain was so intense tears overcame him. Laying a hand on Solonchak's shoulder, Solonetz rumbled 'they call it phantom pain, brother. The mind cannot conceive that the body is gone, and so it makes pain out of its own grief. It will lessen with time, but you may never be free of it entirely. I am sorry my brother, the wound was infected. We are too few to lose you and so...I...had to do what I felt was right...' he said, unable to meet Solonchak's eyes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Weeks passed, during which to Solonchak all hope had gone from the world. When he was well enough he rose and spent the days watching the citadel guards patrolling; when he finally ventured outside, all who looked upon him did so with pity in their eyes, as they saw the life had gone from the previously happy young Obsidiman. One morning, Solonchak arose and went to the practice ground. He waited until Master Arathan saw him and asked when he could restart his training. With a sad smile, Arathan said he should wait until his body was stronger then come back. And he did. Every morning, Solonchak arrived at the Warrior's academy hoping he would be re-admitted. Every day he was told 'just a little longer'. From his vantage point within the trader's district, the dwarven smith Hamlan watched the boy repeat his daily journey. He wasn't aware of when he had first noticed him, but he had to admit the lad showed spirit. It was painfully obvious to all but him that the way of the Warrior was closed to him, and yet he still came, still hoped. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Solonchak packed his practice bag as he had done every day for 6 weeks and slipped out of the house. Rendzina, who had felt the loss of his brother's spirit more acutely than the others watched him with sadness as he walked through the citadel, his right arm now no longer strapped to his body to prevent the wound re-opening. Arriving at the front gate, Solonchak went through the same routine as he had every day; again he was told that the master was too busy to see him and to come back tomorrow. He was about to leave when he felt a hand on his arm. Looking round he saw the old dwarven tinker who repaired metalwork and had a small blacksmith's forge in the bazaar. 'Walk with me lad' he said, 'I have something to show you'. Hamlan took him not to his stall but to his home, a small apartment on the edge of the settlement. Amongst the scraps of metal, tools, and items the like of which Solonchak had never seen before, the dwarf made Solonchak sit down. 'Now watch' said the dwarf. At that a small flame burst forth from his finger, and he proceeded to cause it to leap and flicker, before snuffing it out. 'Mastery of fire is but one part of the Elementalist's trade' he said.'Water, Air and Earth may be shaped and commanded by one with knowledge - and for a wielder of that power, no sword blade can stand before it'. The next day, Solonchak didn't go to the Warrior's academy. He packed his satchel with food, waved to a confused Rendzina, and with a smile strode out of the house. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At first the handicap of having only one hand meant progress was slow, but when he had finally mastered his first incantation, a warming bowl of broth, it tasted sweeter than the finest ale, and made his passion swell more than the finest Troubador's song. Solonchak had found his purpose in life. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- More about Solonchak How large is he? Small for an Obsidiman, and rather thin. Skin/Hair/Eye colour? Like the elder Obsidiman Solonetz, Solonchak's skin has the appearance of granite, with silvery flecks of mica (like a human youth might have acne) which glint when the light catches them dotting his face. His eyes are a deep tourmaline colour General Appearance? Slightly awkward physically, Solonchak is not shy but is very reserved and introspective. He can, however, talk confidently and with authority about his Discipline, his beliefs and about the skills he has learned. He wears simple clothes, and a leather cap covers the stump where his right hand used to be. Birthplace? From the liferock Ustalf, and he has lived all his life in Xeric How old is he? Solonchak is young for an Obsidiman who has reached this point in his Discipline - perhaps equivalent to around 20 in human terms Family? All Obsidimen from Ustalf are his 'family' although he feels a close bond to Solonetz and Rendzina Moral code? Never take a life unnecessarily. Respect nature and the power of the elements. Seek knowledge and self-improvement always. Pass on knowledge to those who seek wisdom. What special qualities does he possess? What he might lack in strength (although despite being weak for one his race he is still strong compared to many others), speed and grace, he makes up for in steely determination, resolve and honesty. He has learnt that while others talk, a careful eye often reveals more than words ever could. |
