[b]Name:[/b] Ren Evath [b]Race:[/b] Human [b]Sex:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 31 [hider=Appearance:] Ren stands roughly 6 feet and 7 inches tall. He has red hair and does not bother to comb it regularly. Some say, his dark green eyes give him a certain attractiveness, although he is certainly far from being the most handsome man in Enduwin. Dedicating his time to books rather than exercise, his physique is lacking. Not many muscles can be seen on his slim body. Ren does, however, have a basic amount of stamina. He will usually wear simple clothing: A shirt and trousers. Above that, a coat to protect him from wind and weather, and equipped with enough pockets on the inside to carry some possibly useful substances around. He does also wear a shoulder bag. [img]http://i.imgsafe.org/766efc2.jpg[/img] [/hider] [hider=Personality:] Ren Evath is a clam man, only few things will discompose him. Although he treats other with respect, he considers courtesy to be hindering at times. Sarcasm and irony are an often used part of his rhetorical repertoire. Ren takes pride in his knowledge as well as his work and will be happy to share it with others. He can, however, fall into arrogance when confronted with what he considers to be ignorance. Ren is not much of a fighter, not only does he lack the talent but also the needed desire. Unless unavoidable he will rather talk his way out of a situation. [/hider] [hider=History:] Ren Evath's life began in an almost forgotten village near the southern city of Mervina. His father was an officer in the military, his mother the daughter of a successful merchant. Ren's early years passed without notable events. He was sixteen when he enlisted in the military and joined the famed military academy of Mervina. It was his father's wish, not his own. Although Ren proved to be competent at the theoretical fields, ranging from history to military tactics, he was less gifted in the physical parts of his education. Even after constant exercise, he was still unable to move properly in heavy armor and much less fight in it. His constant failings lead to punishment after punishment and the letters he received from home became fewer and fewer. Thus, the two years in the academy became painful for the untalented young man. Physically and mentally exhausted, Ren Evanth decided that it was time to take his life into his own hands. After all, what is fate but what we make of it? However, he could not simply leave the military academy. Doing so would be considered desertion and was punishable by death. Nevertheless, one can be expelled if unsuited for battle or any other form of military service. So for the next few months, Ren would become the worst recruit in the history of the academy. Eventually, after “accidentally” wounding an unsuspecting superior with a battleaxe, Ren was considered a lost cause and expelled. Not knowing what to do with his newly gained freedom, he returned home just to learn that his mother had passed away. His father sought comfort in drinking and was eventually removed from his position within the military. Ren's once so ambitious father considered him a disappointment and cast him out of his home. Realizing that all he held dear war lost, Ren ventured to find his fortune in the city of Lucra, one of the more technologically advanced places in Enduwin. After all, he did not have much to lose. He quickly found work in the great library of the city and later stroke the interest of an elderly man who frequented the library regularly. The man called himself an alchemist. Alchemy – the craft that seeks to explain the world itself and all its components – had experienced a significant gain in popularity in the past decades. With the fading of magic, man turned to other sources to further his prosperity and development. The man took Ren as his apprentice and thus, the next years Ren spent studying alchemy, with all the passion and joy he had never experienced during his time with the military. He soaked in everything he could to further his knowledge. Ranging from plants and potions to physics and mechanics and even philosophy. When his mentor died of old age, Ren took over his laboratory and continued his studies at the age of 27. Being quiet talented and successful for his age, he quickly found himself in the center of attention of other alchemists. A particular group of seven alchemists approached him with the idea of forming a collaboration. If they wanted to further the rise of knowledge and technology, all those who practiced in this field would have to join together. Alchemy had to be institutionalized, for many can achieve what a single person cannot. Ren was intrigued by that idea, following the ideas of his mentor, he believed that alchemy was supposed to further the good of socitey. Ren decided to join the group and soon helped founding what would be known as the first Alchemist Guild. They began only as eight, but the guild grew quickly and so did its prominence. The alchemists dedicated their new found resources to different projects, most notably the development of steam powered devices. Ren chose the path of education and became a teacher for those who wanted to study alchemy in the guild. However, once again his new found home was not destined to last. The founding members agreed that there had to be rules defining the proper methods and fields of alchemy. However, they did not agree about the content of those rules. Following the teachings of his master, Ren strongly rejected experiments on sentient beings unless absolutely unavoidable. His colleagues disagreed, to further the advancement of alchemy one must take all necessary steps. Ren's objections were ignored. He was considered too young and idealistic to understand. Conveniently the guild was on good terms with the local jurisdiction, allowing them to gain valuable “human resources” - namely: Criminals sentenced to death. Upon witnessing some of the experiments conducted on those poor souls, Ren realized that he helped form not an organization that would further the advancement of society, but its moral downfall. Disgusted by what his guild had become, Ren decided to leave everything behind once more. Being unable to continue his work in Lucra, he traveled to Vrent. [/hider] [hider=Skills:] [u]Alchemy:[/u] Having studied this field many years, Ren has an extensive knowledge in herbalism and chemistry. This includes the use of plants, minerals, liquids and the sort. He will also have basic understanding of mechanics, but mostly theoretical. [u]Quick thinker:[/u] His mind is his dearest possession, Ren has a keen perception and quick wit. [u]Strategy and tactics:[/u] Having been taught the art of war during military training, Ren has knowledge concerning tactics for smaller battles as well as some grand strategy used in wars. [u]Eloquence and rhetoric:[/u] One does not spend years reading without learning how to write and talk properly. [u]Basic swordsmanship:[/u] He will know how to hold a sword and how to wield it without hurting himself, but not much more. [/hider] [hider=Inventory] - Simple Shortsword (Although not very good with it, one would be foolish to travel unarmed) - Coin purse (contains: One Tower, two Shields, five Farthings) - Simple knife - Water Flagon - His shoulder bag (contains: Some vials and other simple tools, basic alchemical ingredients) - A small notebok and a pencil [/hider]