[hider=Narzul Venim]
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[sub][h2]Narzul Venim[/h2]
[i]The Blade of the East[/i][/sub]
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6’2” | 95kg/210lbs | 41 

Male | Dunmer | The Warrior

STRENGTH | Endurance

Blacklight, Morrowind
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[sub][h2][b]P[/b]rofile[/h2][/sub]
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[b]§ [u] Appearance   [/u][/b] 

[indent]Perhaps the most accurate overarching description of Narzul's appearance is [i]'regal'[/i] in the most Dunmeri sense of the word. His arched eyebrows, high cheekbones, narrow mouth and sharp nose combine to create the impression of a haughty and noble elf -- all characteristics Narzul inherited from his father. His eyes are the same blood-red as the rest of his race, with darker sclera and bright, scarlet irises. Narzul is possessed of an intense gaze that has a habit of discomforting those who stare into it too long, as if he is keenly judging their very souls. While Niernen takes more after their mother, one trait that Narzul shares with his sister is his full set of lips. One side of his head is shaved as part of a traditional Redoran hairstyle. The rest of Narzul's jet-black hair is swept aside out of his face and cascades down to his shoulder in luscious, straight locks. 

Tall, broad and supremely physical, Narzul represents the highest ideals of House Redoran as one of its most capable members of his generation. His body is a finely-tuned instrument sporting unusually heavy musculature for a Dunmer, and yet he is capable of blistering speed and finesse -- the results of a lifetime of healthy eating, a brutal exercise regime and combat training. He toes the line between athlete and hulking juggernaut deliberately and it speaks volumes of Narzul's dedication that he does not falter in achieving this perfect balance.

A few scars here and there are unavoidable when one marches to war but Narzul's use of heavy armor and a shield has limited such marks on his skin to a minimum. Additionally, precious little hair grows on his chest and limbs and he is smooth-shaven, so aside from the scars and calluses on his hands and feet his skin (which is as dark as volcanic rock) is remarkably lustrous and unblemished.[/indent]

[b]§ [u] Motivations and Outlook   [/u][/b]

[indent]There was never much room in Narzul's upbringing for him to become anything other than a true, ash-blooded Dunmer of Morrowind. He is appropriately grim, aloof and stubborn, with the Redoran warrior-code of honor totally and utterly ingrained into his very being. His sense of loyalty and duty overrules almost every other impulse that Narzul might be subjected to and it defines all of actions. Well, [i]almost.[/i] The only thing in his life that can sway Narzul from his intended course is family.

While all of the above is easily attributable to nurture, some of Narzul's natural inborn traits are quick wit, calmness in the face of danger and a resistance to feelings of fear and horror. He is not easily distraught by the ravages of combat or war and has an iron resolve when presented with resistance in executing his plans. He is not nearly as academically capable or intelligent as his sister and lacks her perceptive grasp of theory and spellcasting, but they are equals when it comes to problem-solving and swift thinking on their feet. 

In conversation, Narzul is curt and direct. He is used to commanding swaths of soldiers in the field who obey his every command and he does not waste his time with the frivolities of chit-chat; that he leaves that to House Hlaalu. A man of force and alacrity, Narzul prefers to have his actions speak for him. That is not to say he is entirely unfriendly -- Narzul has often enough gone to great lengths to save those he cares about, treats the elderly with respect, seldom raises his voice in anger and is quick to act against injustice.

What justice means, exactly, is naturally very subjective, but there are many in Tamriel who would not agree with Narzul's view on it. He has no sympathy for the beast-races that his nation shamelessly enslaves, barely counting them as sentient, and looks down his sculpted nose on the rest of the continent's peoples. This is not born out of hatred or dislike of them, but instead stems from deep-seated knowledge that the Dunmer race is superior and Narzul himself, as excellent specimen, even more so. He is supremely confident in himself, his path in life and his abilities as a warrior. His successes thus far seem to suggest this is merely accurate self-awareness, but the slope to vainglory and arrogance is only a short distance away. And yet... there is a small part of him, a resistant nugget, that chews away at him ever since his sister almost died in Black Marsh. Perhaps the great Narzul is not immune to making grave mistakes after all. 

Recent events have shaken his confidence even further, but the murder of his parents at the hands of the treacherous Nerevarine has ignited an inferno of wrath in his heart that will steel his hands and guide his actions for the trials yet to come. With everything he ever worked for reduced to ash back home in Morrowind, he has finally accepted this reality and turned his natural ambition towards a lofty purpose: to become a new, self-made man, a peerless warrior and leader once more, until the day of reckoning comes and he returns his enemies to the dust from whence they came. Only then shall he rest. 

He worships the Reclamations and the warrior-aspect of Boethiah in particular.
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[b]§ [u] Background   [/u][/b]

[indent]The older brother of Niernen Venim, Narzul was born into an aristocratic and influential family of House Redoran. He was groomed from birth to be his father's successor and, as first-born son, took to this calling with ease and enthusiasm. An intensive regimen had been prepared for the boy since before his birth and was imposed on Narzul as soon as he could walk. Even then, at such a young age, he never complained. Father commanded and Narzul obeyed. At the age of six Narzul began training for combat, clashing wooden swords with the sons of other Redoran prominents. He learned how to maintain arms and armor before he turned eight. Hours upon hours were spent in the training yard doing pushups, crunches, situps and other exercises. It got to the point where even Narzul's mother, devoted wife to his father, began questioning the intensity of what Narzul was subjected to. His father dismissed those thoughts, so engrossed was he with his son's prodigious aptitude for blade-dancing and long marches that he only saw the future of his family in Narzul. The boy bore this burden silently.

When Narzul was ten years old, his sister Niernen was born under poor auspices. The young elf relished the idea of gaining a sister and spent entire days by the crib looking at her with fascination and love. It is the nature of older brothers to be protective of their younger sisters and Narzul was no different. As she grew up and Narzul entered adolescence it became obvious that Niernen did not share his talent for warmongering and weaponry. Initially disappointed, Narzul quickly got over that hurdle when his father seemed to insist on Niernen following the same path as Narzul regardless. The boy fiercely protested and demanded that Niernen was allowed to determine her own future; only the first of many times in which he would leap to his sister's aid. Niernen was slightly bitter over Narzul's status as favored son but nevertheless loved him dearly and their bond was strong.

Narzul officially joined the ranks of House Redoran and its standing army as soon as he came of age and began putting all of his training into practice. It started with simple missions; defending Redoran lands against bandits, escorting trade caravans, serving as a guard, and various other tasks. Narzul immediately benefited from years of discipline and hard work by performing with distinction -- unlike many of his fellows, Narzul never complained, never tired and never faltered. Niernen left to pursue her own career in the arcane arts, something Narzul encouraged, and he redoubled his efforts. Narzul was rewarded with greater responsibilities and, proportionally, greater rewards. He was directly involved in the witch-hunt for the Cult of the Four Corners, slaying their Smiling Lord in single combat; commanded the initial resistance against the Dreugh Assault of 4E195; won the Tournament of Ashes in Necrom in the category Long-Blade-and-Shield and, finally, became the commanding officer of the Redoran garrison in Soluthis. By the time his sister returned to Blacklight from her studies Narzul had risen to the rank of House Cousin. He was then thirty-seven years old.

The return of the Nerevarine to Morrowind shook the very foundations of Narzul's life. His father had intended for him to become the next Archmaster, following in the footsteps of his ancestor Bolvyn Venim. Unfortunately, the long-lived Nerevarine had slain the very same Bolvyn Venym more than two hundred years ago in a duel for the title of Archmaster in his quest to become Hortator and unite the Great Houses against Dagoth-Ur. With the Nerevarine claiming the throne of High King for himself, not only did the influence wielded by the Archmaster of Redoran decrease significantly it was also likely to become much harder for Narzul to ever attain that position. Even worse; Narzul's father expected retributions against his family immediately following the Nerevarine's ascension. None came. Narzul and Niernen both reasoned that so much time had passed that the Nerevarine had no reason to hold a grudge against the Venim family anymore. Their father remained highly suspicious but nevertheless agreed to send Narzul to join the slave-raids in Black Marsh. If Narzul was to retain the momentum of his meteoric rise within House Redoran he had to make the most of this opportunity.

Narzul was given command over an entire regiment of soldiers of the Redoran standing army and clad in the finest ebony armor the Redoran war-smiths could forge. His sister insisted on accompanying him. Narzul was initially wary and shared his father's concerns -- for different reasons. Their father was afraid Niernen would die in Black Marsh. Narzul, instead, worried that Niernen's life of scrolls and quiet study hadn't prepared her for the grim reality of war. Either way, neither of them could technically forbid her from heeding the Nerevarine's call to action and Narzul acquiesced. While Narzul led his forces from the front, diving into the thick of it against the Argonians, he stationed Niernen at the edge of the battlefields from where she worked her (quite literal) magic.

The raids -- which quickly turned into a proper war -- were some of the heaviest fighting Narzul had ever been a part of. The long slogs through marshland and the asymmetrical warfare waged by the Argonians was exhausting. The lizard-folk would seemingly disappear and reappear at will within their half-aquatic, half-terrestrial environment and Narzul quickly learned that engaging them out in the field was pointless. He instead took to full-scale city-sieging, something the Argonians were unprepared for, and achieved great success in the Battle for Stormhold in combination with Niernen's seething flames. Now it was Narzul's turn to inherit his father's blindness in the face of success and he did not see how his sister struggled to cope with the charred corpses she left in her wake. Insensitive to such horrors, Narzul only felt pride at his achievements and his sister's and encouraged her to keep up the good fight. 

After the horrifying incident that almost claimed Niernen's life in the Battle for Thorn, Narzul's confidence was shaken for the first time in his life. His sister was sent home so badly injured that she could barely walk and he received a stern admonishment for his actions from the Archmaster of House Redoran himself, Roark Farandras. Narzul had abandoned the frontlines and sprinted back to where his sister lay surrounded by the corpses of her bodyguards and two Argonian Shadowscales, arriving just in time to deliver her dying body to the outstretched arms of the Temple Priests that proceeded to save her from the brink of death. He was wracked with guilt and firmly of the opinion he should not have agreed to let her come with him. Despite this, the siege was only set back a few days and Narzul successfully led his soldiers to victory after all. Because of this, he was allowed to remain in his position.

The final years of the decree and Narzul's post in Black Marsh passed without great incident. The foothold Narzul and his colleagues had managed to secure in Black Marsh was enough to supply Morrowind with slaves by the thousands and Narzul spent the rest of his time in command over the field-garrison in Stormhold. 

In 4E205, the decree was lifted. Satisfied with his achievements in Black Marsh, Narzul wagered it would suffice to ensure his position within the upper echelon of House Redoran for the foreseeable future and returned home to Blacklight. His father, now approaching old age rather rapidly, was more than happy to step aside for his son and Narzul was unanimously voted to replace him as House Father, one of the highest ranks within the Great House. He was the youngest to attain this position in over a century.

Now seemingly at the apex of his power and ready to finally rest on his laurels, Narzul was distraught to learn that Niernen insisted on traveling away from home by herself. He tried to talk her out of it and failed -- all he managed to negotiate was that she would bring one of the family's Nix-hounds with her for protection, and off she went. Narzul watched her go with a heavy heart and decided to deal with this in the same way he dealt with all of his problems; work harder.  

The Nerevarine revealed his plans for an invasion of the rest of Tamriel with the aid of the mysterious "Kamal", a group that Narzul had never heard of before. Being such a high-ranking member of House Redoran Narzul was privy to more details than most, and a creeping feeling of impending doom came over him when he realized the full implications of the Nerevarine's plans. What if Niernen was in the wrong place in the wrong time? Alas, no mere mortal can sway the mind of a Godkiller, and Narzul was powerless to stop the Akaviri invasion. Abandoning his post to look for Niernen would put him out of his sphere of influence at a key moment in Morrowind's history and Narzul decided against risking everything he had ever worked for. He had to trust that Niernen would do the sensible thing and come home. 

After the start of the invasion in Sun's Height, 4E205, Narzul had finally resigned himself to this idea and expected his sister's return any day when the Nerevarine's intelligence agency began spreading lists of Dunmer that had been branded 'traitors' by the government. Narzul's heart skipped a beat when he saw his sister's name on it -- she was accused of colluding with a 'foreign power', whatever that meant, and sentenced to slavery in the event of her capture. Terrified for her safety and simultaneously angry with his sister for getting caught up in this mess, Narzul was torn between leaving Blacklight and traveling to Skyrim to search for Niernen -- a reckless endeavor that could very well land him on the list of traitors himself -- and staying at his post and doing his duty to his country and his High King.

In the end it was Narzul's father that made the decision for him; an unexpected change of heart from the old elf. 

[i]"What are you still doing here? Go save your sister, n'wah!"[/i] 

That turned out to be easier said than done. Narzul managed to track Niernen down to a mercenary company in Dawnstar. She had been captured after the siege of Windhelm by the Dunmer of Morrowind and sold to the Kamal as a slave, but escaped from one of their frigates during a reckless (and ultimately ill-fated) attack by pirates. Fate had reunited her with the Company, and determination had brought Narzul to her. He insisted that she return home with him but she refused, citing her camaraderie with the other mercenaries and a particular fondness for the Khajiit Do'Karth. Narzul was apoplectic. After a philosophical sparring match with Sadri Beleth, one of the Company's other Dunmer members, Narzul decided to stay with the mercenaries to look after Niernen. He would bide his time and when the moment came, he would convince her to come back home.

An expedition to Bleakrock Isle that turned into a disaster meant the moment never came. During combat against enemy Armigers Narzul hesitated and was humiliated when Sadri had to save him, and he well and truly condemned himself to the side of the resistance after he killed two enemy Dunmer in a fit of rage during a series of ritual duels demanded by the Armiger commander -- a feat that almost cost him his life. Sadri had to come to his aid once again and carried the fuming Redoran aristocrat to their ship as the Company escaped. His sister cared for his injuries as best she could, but he was not able to receive proper treatment from an expert until they reached Solitude. On top of his injuries, Narzul worries; when will he ever find an opportunity to bring Niernen home if they keep going even further away? Is it even possible for them to go home now, after their misadventure at Bleakrock Isle? 

That question was answered by the cowardly murder of his family at the behest of the Nerevarine and at the hands of the Grandmaster of his very House. The Venim siblings were truly lost and alone in the world, save for the mercenary company they were traveling with. In shock, the pair of them slowly digested this turn of events while their adventures saw them square off against Sload, vampires and all manner of foes as the mercenaries traveled even further west. Before they made landfall at Wayrest, Narzul finally resigned himself to the fact that he could never return to his old life and let his sorrow and his wrath fuel the ambition he needed to aspire greatness once more -- even if it was amid the lesser races and under Gustav’s command. Now, a new chapter in his life begins; one that will be bathed in fire and blood. 
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[b]§ [u] Skills   [/u][/b] 

[indent][b]Expert:[/b] [i]One-Handed Blade, Heavy Armor.[/i]
[b]Adept:[/b] [i]Shield, Athletics.[/i]
[b]Apprentice:[/b] [i]None.[/i]
[b]Novice:[/b] [i]Dunmeris, Hand-to-Hand.[/i][/indent]


[b]§ [u] Flaws   [/u][/b]

[indent][i]Ego Optimus Sum:[/i] Being so firm in his self-perceived superiority makes Narzul difficult to work with for people who want to be seen as equals, especially for Khajiit and Argonians. It hasn't been a problem before because of Narzul's immensely privileged upbringing and the hierarchy of Dunmer society but this is very likely to cause grief and woe now that Narzul is traveling outside of his comfort zone. 

[i]Avatar of Wrath:[/i] Recent events have forced Narzul to side with the resistance in a war he didn't want to be a part of in the first place, seen his family murdered by traitors that he thought were his allies, and his rightful place in Morrowind denied to him as long as the Nerevarine lives and rules those lands. As such, the desire for vengeance he harbors burns so brightly in his heart that there is no room left for anything else -- only the death of the thrice-cursed Hortator and the survival of his sister matter to him now, and he will stop at nothing to achieve either goal. He will readily deviate from any plan, risk victory and even sacrifice thousands of lives in a heartbeat, and woe betide any that get in his way… friend or foe.

[i]Path of the Warrior:[/i] Having spent his entire life taken care of by servants that attended to his every need, Narzul only ever needed to learn how to do two things: fight and bark orders. While his ability as a warrior is undeniably immense he possesses absolutely zero utilitarian skills and is reliant on others to provide such services. This bothers him, though he’ll never admit it.[/indent]

[b]§ [u] Spells   [/u][/b]

[indent]None.[/indent]

[b]§ [u] Tactics   [/u][/b] 

[indent]Three decades of intensive training, two of which were also spent engaging in combat frequently and with enthusiasm, have honed Narzul into one of the most capable warriors this side of the Niben Basin. His skill with the long blade is such that his prized ebony longsword has become an extension of his arm, the power of its strikes fueled by his fearsome strength and dexterity. He practices an aggressive combat style that forgoes acrobatics and flashiness for hard-hitting, fast and relentless strikes. Capable of great precision and brute force, Narzul can pierce the weak link in his opponent's armor as easily as he can punch through steel plate with a powerful thrust. 

Additionally, Narzul has spent so much time in heavy armor that he shoulders its burden like a lesser man might wield leather. Despite the weight he can be alarmingly fast when he needs to be -- Narzul has won many duels by dashing foward with great speed while his armor protects him from any potential counter-attacks. The addition of a shield further increases Narzul's defensive options, blocking and deflecting blows that would pierce even his armor, rounding out his skillset nicely. 

When not trading blows with his opponents directly, Narzul is a capable and experienced battlefield commander that has presided over large-scale engagements and entire sieges and is well versed in strategy and the logistics of troop deployment. He knows how to delegate tasks, predict enemy movements and utilize force multipliers within his command to tip the scales in his favor. Last but not least is his talent for setting the example and leading from the front. Narzul’s most admirable quality is his fearlessness in the face of danger, which is something that can rally the troops behind him and turn the tide of battle when all hope looks lost. He will never surrender. [/indent]

[b]§ [u] Relations & Affiliations   [/u][/b]

[indent]After the murder of his parents and the excommunication of the Venim family, Narzul has lost all friends and family he has ever had -- save for his sister, Niernen. The two scions are alone in the world.
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[b]§ [u] Opinions   [/u][/b]

[indent](For group members; fill after IC introduction)[/indent]

[b]§ [u] Crimes and Accomplishments   [/u][/b]

[indent]Narzul has successfully laid siege to several cities in Black Marsh during the war between Morrowind and Black Marsh, serving as general of the armies of House Redoran. Additionally, he faced the Smiling Lord in single combat and slew the Dremora for good.[/indent] 

[b]§ [u] Other   [/u][/b]

[indent]Narzul's heavenly virtue is [i]Diligence.[/i] His deadly sin is [i]Pride.[/i][/indent]

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[sub][h2][b]I[/b]nventory[/h2][/sub]
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[b]§ [u] Cash & Valuables  [/u][/b]
Being an aristocrat, Narzul had access to significant funds. What currently remains of that fortune is a paltry 52 septims.
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[b]§ [u] Keys & Lockpicks  [/u][/b]
Keys to his family's estate in Blacklight, now doubtlessly repossessed by the Nerevarine’s government.
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[b]§ [u] Tools & Crafting Materials  [/u][/b]
A whetstone to keep his blade sharp.
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[b]§ [u] Clothing, Armor & Jewelry  [/u][/b]
Having relinquished his suit of ebony armor upon his return to Blacklight, Narzul has to make do with lesser materials. Before his departure, he has scrounged together a [url=http://i.imgur.com/kxJl7xa.png]full suit of inconspicuous heavy armor[/url] that he hopes will hide his identity. The various mismatching pieces (cuirass, gauntlets, pauldrons, greaves, boots and full-faced helmet) are made of iron and steel, and a hooded all-weather cape (full of patchwork and holes) is fastened around his shoulders, falling all the way down to his heels. Beneath his armor Narzul wears a sturdy Dunmer tunic. And last but not least, his shield; a simple, round, iron thing. It'll do the job. He has recently painted his entire suit of armor black in mourning. As such, in full gear Narzul looks more like a fearsome bandit or a rogue hedge knight than a Redoran nobleman, which is precisely his intention.

As for valuables, Narzul has a Redoran signet ring, normally worn on the ring finger of his left hand, now hidden in a pouch, and a necklace given to him by his sister that he wears underneath his clothes and armor.
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[b]§ [u] Weapon & Ammo  [/u][/b]
Disguised in an ordinary leather sheath by his waist is Narzul's fearsome weapon, a master-crafted ebony longsword in the [url=https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/100/images/43484-2-1424851022.jpg]old Vvardenfell style[/url], featuring a straight blade tipped with a sharp point, a curved crossguard and a round pommel. Its material and make mean that Narzul can go edge-to-edge with practically any other sword in Tamriel without fear of chipping his blade, and its weight and durability let him thrust straight through armor and sever limbs like nobody's business.

In case of emergencies, Narzul has a steel dagger strapped to his boot.
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[b]§ [u] Potion & Arcane Supplies  [/u][/b]
None.
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[b]§ [u] Books & Documents  [/u][/b]
A map of Tamriel, one of the Nerevarine's 'traitor lists' that has Niernen's name on it and the copy of the Tamrielic Gazette that informed him of of his parents’ execution.
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[b]§ [u] Consumables & Ingredients  [/u][/b]
Nothing.
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[b]§ [u] Bags & Containers  [/u][/b]
Several pouches clipped to his belt and a large rugsack he wears slung around his back, kept safe beneath his shield.
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[b]§ [u] Other  [/u][/b]
Two straps on the bottom of his rugsack hold a quilted bedroll in the traditional Dunmer style and a blanket for sleeping out in the wilderness (or to cover barbaric Nordic straw bedding with).
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