...Totally did not forget to hit the "Post Reply" button when I went to put my character here

[hider=Icarus Candor]
[h1][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Icarus Candor[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[center][img]http://static.tumblr.com/211243ca506e360a35b918bf7a9f8462/xa4gzs1/AVrnjf992/tumblr_static_7vio9mip0vgo00s84csg84sc8.jpg[/img][/center]
[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Character Summary[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[b][color=ff3333]Name:[/color][/b] Icarus Cando
[b][color=ff3333]Aliases:[/color][/b] The Living Flame, The Immortal Knight
[b][color=ff3333]Titles:[/color][/b] Grand Knight, Hero of Iron Gate
[b][color=ff3333]Age:[/color][/b] 58 (Appears 29 as their aging process was slowed)
[b][color=ff3333]Time of Death:[/color][/b] 9000 Years ago
[b][color=ff3333]Place of Origin:[/color][/b] The City of Iron Gate (Former Region near Illisk)
[b][color=ff3333]Gender:[/color][/b] Male

[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Physical Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[b][color=ff3333]Eyes:[/color][/b] Ruby Red
[b][color=ff3333]Hair:[/color][/b] Blonde with Streaks of Red
[b][color=ff3333]Day To Day Attire:[/color][/b] Outside the realm of Combat, Icarus will still keep his Breastplate worn, however the rest of the armor is replaced with more casual and plain garments. A simple gray shirt underneath the chest piece and a fur vest layered over the top, with dull gray/brown leather pants that are best suited to travelling through various regions
[b][color=ff3333]Strengths:[/color][/b] Strength, Endurance, Focused
[b][color=ff3333]Weaknesses:[/color][/b] Stubborn/Tunnel Visioned, Maneuverability, Blunt/Rude

[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Psychological Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[i][color=ff3333][center]Vengeful * Unyielding * Protector * Rash[/center][/color][/i]

[b][color=ff3333]Sexuality:[/color][/b] Heterosexual
[b][color=ff3333]Relationship Status:[/color][/b] Single
[b][color=ff3333]Personality:[/color][/b] Due to both his blunt nature and lack of concern for social grace Icarus can come off as abrasive and aggressive upon first approach. Those that manage to stick around him though will find despite the rough outwards personality, Icarus can be someone that one would call a friend. His experience from his training have left him with a sense of justice and desire to protect those he deems as his comrades. 

While Icarus is by no means slow or dim-witted, his rashness can result in Icarus preferring simple, straightforward approaches to problems. Icarus is more than happy to cede the problem solving to those that are proven capable planners. Though one should be careful as Icarus can be rather vengeful and is more than happy to hold a grudge for extended periods of time if it turns out their plans result in serious danger to himself

Icarus can maintain himself suitable in crowds or social situations when required by as a man of action he avoids this situations where possible. In the end, despite his rough edges those that manage to become his allies will have a friend that would stare down death by their side

[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Skills & Abilities[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[color=ff3333][i][center]A listing of skills, such as horseback riding or cooking and abilities or magic. You can have a total of ten, but temper them to not be overly powerful - except one can be noticeably more powerful, usually the one skill/ability/magic/item that makes them recgonizable.[/center][/i][/color]

[list]
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Weapons - Sword/Shield Style (Skill - Master):[/color][/b] Having trained with a Sword and Shield for most of his life, the fighting style provides Icarus the perfect mix of defense and offense as needed. The shield can just as easily become a weapon of blunt force as the sword can be used for defensive parries.
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Heightened Awareness (Skill):[/color][/b] After years of combat and adventuring, Icarus has honed his ability to sense the natural surroundings, often allowing him to tell when something is amiss with a situation or there is a subtle change in the atmosphere. He lacks a level of divinity to be able to tell why a change may have occurred, only enough to sense that there is something amiss with a situation
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Dragonwurm Blade (Item):[/color][/b] An ancient blade from an Age long since lost to the ravages of time. It is said to have been forged in the blood of a great Red Dragon, its essence forever imbued into the blade. The blade itself is deceptively heavy for the size of the sword, its centre seeming to glow like the embers of a fire. As the vigor of combat grows, the blade itself seems to burn with excitement as well, cleaving through flesh and metal with ease as the length of the blade begins to burn. For those skilled in the use of Fire magic, it may also act as a conduit of power, slightly amplifying spells that are funnelled through it. Despite the eons of combat it has seen, it is as undamaged as the day it was forged.
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Wall of Steel:[/color][/b] Though Forged during the same age as the Dragonwurm Blade, the Shield wielded by Icarus is the lesser of the two items. Though rare, multiple instances of the item exist leading many to believe that the items were crafted together to outfit an order or small army. Despite this though the shield’s have proven to be incredibly resistant to damage, absorbing some of the force of vicious blows to protect the wielder.

[*] [b][color=ff3333]Heart of the Phoenix (Blessing):[/color][/b] The world of Arlina has born host to many ancient creatures, their physical forms long since having yielded to the passage of time. Despite the death of their bodies however, some of their essences has lingered in the world through various means, infusing themselves to other creatures who still walk the earth. Such is how Icarus has the blood of the long dead Phoenix within him. Through this essence, Icarus is granted both fiery destructive powers and restorative healing magics that the Phoenix is know for. Though this essence gives Icarus an immense well of endurance to tap into and draw from, giving the appearance of immortality - these powers are inseparable tied to his own life-force. If Icarus exhausts the well of power but continues to use his abilities, the essence will begin converting his own life-force to fuel itself, shorting his own life. Continued abuse will lead to an untimely end. 
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Essence of Rebirth (Blessing):[/color][/b] Linked to the Essence of the Phoenix, Icarus’s heritage bestows him with the unique ability of regeneration. Though the ability is incapable of replacing lost limbs before one’s eyes, it can easily close small wounds, knit together broken bones and even replenish his stamina and blood during the course of combat and allowing Icarus to fight on from what would be otherwise crippling wounds.
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Essence of Warmth (Blessing):[/color][/b] Graced with the essence of renewal from the Phoenix, Icarus has a natural talent for Healing magic. Though it leaves a burning sensation for the recipient the ability to close wounds and replace lost stamina is worth a small measure of pain
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Essence of Destruction (Blessing):[/color][/b] The other half of the Phoenix essence grants Icarus destruction powers in the form of divine purging fire. Though the flames can take many forms such as Fireballs, cones of destruction or mentally directed orbs, all must origin from his physical form. Additionally the flames from this ability are unlike a regular fire, burning away at a targets life-force just as much as they do at flesh, unnaturally animated beings being especially suspectiable.
[*] [b][color=ff3333]Feeding the Everburning Flame (Blessing):[/color][/b] As the essence of the Phoenix can feed on Icarus’s own life-force, so to can it feed on the life-force of others to sustain itself. The longer the lifespan of the target, the more energy that is restored from the feeding. Unfortunately as hostile individuals are likely to resist such an attempt it can only be used on those near death's door to restore a tiny portion of energy. An individual who is willing to sacrifice their life however, or is unable to properly resist can restore a far greater portion.

[/list]

[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]History[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[b][color=ff3333]Backstory:[/color][/b] Icarus’s childhood was not a tale in itself. Born into a period of war between ‘Iron Gate’ and its rival, Icarus was raised in a simply blacksmith family. Though the time of war introduced hardships for the people, as a Blacksmith his father was able to make enough of a livelihood for them to survive. As Icarus grew and the war waged on and the leadership found themselves requiring more able-bodied men they found themselves having to recruit younger and younger, requiring them to be trained earlier and earlier.

As such Icarus learnt the ways of combat at a young age, the lost years of his childhood depriving him of more of the social skills one would develop in exchange for knowledge on how to fight and survive. As he became a young adult, it was declared they had been trained sufficiently to set foot into the theatre of war. Through a mixture of skill and luck, Icarus managed to survive these earlier conflicts where he was still but a mortal, many of his peers and friends falling beside him.

It was only during one particular disastrous battle, the Iron Gate forces having been outmaneuvered found their lines stretched and flanks exposed. Having been unable to break the enemy’s front line after exhausting themselves, the appearance of the opposing heavy cavalry from the east caused the morale to plummet and turn the situation into a total rout. In the disorderly retreat, Icarus found himself rushing for the forest, the tree-lines being the only protection available from the mounted cavalry, those on the open field being chased and cut down where they stood.

Managing to evade pursuit until darkness fell, the opposition fell back - no doubt to regroup and press forward to the capital. Lost in the darkened forest, Icarus wandered aimlessly - knowing he had to find a way back to ‘Iron Gate’ to inform them of the results of the battle but doubting the knowledge would change anything with their army shattered. Scavenging for food in the wilderness Icarus managed to survive for two days before stumbling upon an ancient ruin. Underneath the gnarled roots of ancient trees, Icarus was drawn towards a heavily obscured entrance.

As he approached though the aged stone work of the building gave way, collapsing beneath him and plummeting him deep into the heart of the structure. Dazed and blinded Icarus fumbled in the darkness for hours before the faintest of glows provided refuge from the darkness. Having no other options, Icarus followed the light as he was lead into the very heart of the temple. As he entered a great chamber, with carvings of a giant winged beast adorning all of the walls Icarus saw the source of the light - in the centre of the room hung a still beating heart, chained and impaled above what appeared to be a sacrificial altar as it illuminated the chamber in a strange red glow.

Drawn towards the heart - Icarus could feel a presence emanating from the object, demanding freedom from its torment. Drawing closer, Icarus could feel his stamina returning and strength seeping into him as the presence continued to communicate with him. The presence wished for freedom, though its body had long since succumbed to the ravages of time, leaving it with only the option of taking residence in another. Sensing Icarus’s plight, it offered its powers to turn the war if Icarus granted it its wish of freedom. Having little option, Icarus agreed, tearing apart the metal chains with his imbued strength before finally taking the heart.

Flames washed over Icarus as his hands touched the organ, pain wracking his body as the fire spread across his form. The pain intensified as he absorbed the essence, as the very core of his soul seemed to ignite. After what seemed like an eternity the pain subsided, mentally exhausted but physical rejuvenated from the experience Icarus struggled to his feet and left the temple, reborn as more than just a mortal.

Guided by the phoenix he was able to quickly leave the temple and the forest, finding his way back to Iron Gate only to find the city already under siege. Feeling it was too late, Icarus considered fleeing but the Phoenix encouraged him to take up his blade, and to trust in its power. Feeling doubtful, Icarus strode towards the army as the sun began its ascent as he attacked the army from behind as a lone individual. In the hours that followed was the most bloody battle Icarus had engaged in, the enemy surrounding him on all sides and striking him from all angles. Bleeding and engulfed in pain, Icarus refused to fall however and as the hours passed, more and more forces were drawn from the walls to engage him. Finally, it was only as the sun was setting that the opposing army’s morale finally broke - unable to keep Icarus down as the fires of the Phoenix lashed and consumed his opponents, they all began to flee from this Immortal soldier.

In truth, the battle only went so well as the Commanders refused to treat Icarus as a serious threat, sending small bands of infantry to deal with the ‘lone’ soldier, numbers that would overwhelm a mortal but found themselves unable to stand up to Icarus. By the time the full extent of Icarus’s power had been realized, none of the soldiers wished to engage him, causing chaos in the ranks and preventing any organised force from truly overwhelming him. Regardless of the reason however, Icarus had provided hope to Iron Gate in its bleakest hour and was heiled as a hero.

Promoted to a Knight, Icarus led a number of charges against the enemy over the next few years, becoming a symbol of hope for his people and one of terror for his enemies. Unable to fell this lone individual an uneasy truce was reached between the two warring kingdoms - Iron Gate having suffered so many casualties that they simply wished for any peace so they could recover.

Decades later, old feuds came to the surface and the bad blood between the two nations boiled once more. War was declared and this time the enemy refused to fight Icarus head on, having superior numbers they launched multiple theatres of war - losing wherever Icarus was stationed but winning the other engagements. Slowly but surely Iron Gate was losing the war of attrition - even if they could not kill Icarus, without resources and food, Iron Gate would be forced to surrender.

As the Leadership of Iron Gate bickered and debated on the course of action, Icarus became frustrated by their indecision. Knowing there was only one way to end this, he gathered those that were willing and began a march straight for the opposing capital. Each day, Icarus and his forced marched towards their goal, at first their opponents tried to ignore them and siege Iron Gate itself, but as their march continued and their destination was realized, the King of the opposing kingdom fearing for himself demanded his army return and slay this demon before he reached the city.

Over the next week, small raiding parties attacked, whittling down Icarus’s forces but their will would not break and they soon found themselves standing before the walls of the Citadel. At first light of the week, they charged the walls as the opposing army collapsed from all sides, surrounding and attempting to overwhelm them. The hours passed as many fell on each side, Icarus’s energy bolstering his own forces and helping them fight on past mortal wounds but still they fell, even into night the carnage raged. Having become a beacon of hope, the forces of Iron Gate willing gave their lives for Icarus, fueling the Phoenix within and letting him fight past his limits as they fell.

At midday on the second day, the Citadel walls were breached by the surviving Iron Gate forces, spilling into the streets of the town. Protected by buildings and unable to be fully surrounding they fought on, the defenders energy and morale plummeting as they pushed forward. By the dawn of the third day however, Only Icarus remained - the last of his soldiers having given their life for him at the steps to Palace at the centre of the town in which the king hid behind his royal guard. With the remnants of the army still blocking his escape, Icarus pushed forward, beginning to burn his own life-force to bring the battle to an end.

Pushed beyond its limits, his mortal form began to fail as he was struck. As the wounds accumulated on him, his flesh began to fall away to reveal only a raging inferno beneath with an intense heat that made even his armor glow. Eventually though, even his will was not enough to maintain his form through all of his injuries. With his life force fully consumed and essence hungering for more fuel, the flames from Icarus body ripped through what remained of his physical form and lashed out, burning all they touched in a desperate attempt to fuel the fire.

Only those who were outside the city told the tale of what happened that day, a radiant inferno engulfed the entire capital with a heat so intense even metal succumbed to its might. In only minutes, the mighty citadel had been reduced to nothing. All those that had been inside, the army, Icarus and the King had left no trace, all consumed in the struggle to feed the essence. With nothing left to fight force and no home to return to, the survivors fled into the wilderness, some even heading to Iron Gate in the hopes of surrendering and perhaps joining that society.

Thanks to Icarus’s sacrifice Iron Gate survived for another century before it was once more drawn into war in the region, becoming a part of another kingdom before falling as that empire collapsed. Its town is now one of the many ancient sites that act as a tribute to the ages past, only its myths still living on.  


[b][color=ff3333]Myth:[/color][/b] In the history books one may find the tales of Iron Gate, amongst it stories is the ‘Tale of Icarus’. [color=ffaaaa][i]
Soul survivor of the failed battle of Bloodmarsh, it was this hero who saved the town. It was only thanks to his pure will and the desire to save his town that he was gifted with divine powers. Unable to be struck down in battle and commanding the flames of both destruction and rebirth, Icarus was a force unlike any other.

Single handedly he routed the enemy army time and again, faced down 1000’s of soldiers and emerged unharmed and even brought those who fought honorably by his side back from the brink of death to join in battle beside him once more. So legendary was his power that his opponents cowered in fear and begged for a truce, to which his noble spirit accepted.

But alas, though Icarus’s spirit was noble those of his enemies were wicked and rotten. Scheming behind the pretense of the truce they gathered the might and struck back at Iron Gate. Disgusted by their actions, Icarus strode out onto the field of battle to do battle but the cowards refused to fight him, striking from multiple angles to avoid their divine retribution. Such treachery only enraged Icarus further and he knew what had to be done.

Gathering the noble hearted in Iron Gate, they strode out towards the opposing kingdom, knowing that even these scum would protect their homelands. Guided by the divine themselves, Icarus delivered the judgement to the enemy, purging their very kingdom with his holy fire and scattering their armies to the far wind. As he gazed amongst the destruction though, it is said that Icarus realised what he had down. In his rage he had allowed his noble heart to become clouded with hatred - saving his own city through the destruction of another. Heart heavy with doubt, Icarus sent the survivors of his company to return to Iron Gate with the news of victory as he wandered into the wilderness, to only return once he had atoned for his sins’[/i][/color]


[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Relations[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[color=ff3333][center]* ☠ Enemy * ⚜ Unfriendly * ☯ Neutral * ☮ Friends * ღ Ally * ♥ Crush/Significant Other * [/center][/color]

[list]
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[/list]

[h3][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Extras (Optional)[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[b][color=ff3333]Character Quote:[/color][/b] “Stand against me and you stand against the fire of destruction themselves”
[b][color=ff3333]Theme Song:[/color][/b] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGUEhj58FOk
[b][color=ff3333]Anything Else:[/color][/b] N/A
[/hider]