I was born in December 1998, and I've been doing Forum RP since 2011. I live in Southeast Asia-- the Philippines (GMT +8:00) in particular, so if I'm not around, I'm probably asleep or otherwise busy. I mostly do Group RPs and Tabletop Games (off-site). I've never been in a 1x1 RP, but some of the premises seem interesting enough.
I like Fantasy, Sci-fi, and certain Anime settings. I do shy away from certain genres as a matter of preference (historical, slice-of-life, grimdark, etc), and if I know nothing about a fandom setting in question, I'm far less likely to throw my hat in the ring-- but if the premise is interesting enough, I may give it a shot regardless.
I like to be relatively active, though life gets in the way sometimes. If you're lurking and are trying to get me to post, if you want to be a mutual friend, or if you want to invite me to a specific RP, just let me know...I don't bite. So long as you aren't rude, we'll get along just fine, and even then, I may extend a sort of professional courtesy between us as writers.
With that out of the way, if you're here, you're probably looking for more of my writing. Thankfully, I've recently compiled a list of my characters (with links to their respective RPs) from this site. If you want to check them out, the link is here.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! May the RPs you're in be of an acceptable posting speed, and eventually, come to end on a decent conclusion...
The rooftops provide for an excellent way to maneuver around the city, and its use now allows for rapid movement, compared to the streets. The light of the sun shines down on the city as the battle rages all around. Most citizens and townspeople have been moved to the city's keep for safety, the streets now used by soldiers and militia to move supplies to the front quickly. Still, the odd peasant, merchant, or child lingers around, gathering their things as they prepare to move.
It doesn't take long for Zatana to reach the West Gate, though, by the end of it, she's gotten quite the workout. Speed for energy, and all of that. True to Balthazar's words, the gatehouse is mostly occupied by soldiers and the occasional straggler. She spots a lone beggar near one of the alleyways next to the Gate. The decrepit-looking man is dressed in a raggedy cloak and scraps of cloth, the pewter bowl in front of him likely his greatest possession. Is this Balthazar's man? You don't see any other beggars around here. As you walk up to ask, he looks up at you.
Balthazar watched as two scouts went on ahead. They could handle themselves. In the meantime, the warlock had decided that his best option was to ride with the prince in the vanguard-- not because he planned to fight in the thick of it (though that would likely naturally occur as a result of doing so), but because the faster the army could link up with the city's defenders, the better. While he still very much able to fight in a battle like that if he had to, he knew that the fight to come would be won with attrition, and not a great melee.
And so, he walked towards his horse, a black courser that was both swift and valiant. It was not bred for war, but it would not flee at the sound of swords clashing or cannons firing, which was all a rider could ask for. Strapping the weighted cane to one of the saddlebags, the man followed behind Prince Leonidas and his squad at a decent pace-- he would need a hand on the reins for this. They would be seeing combat soon, and he needed focus and stability to cast his spells. He half-considered simply letting the cavalry fight, but Mana was muscle like any other, and the failure to use it meant that it would wither away and weaken eventually; something he could not allow.
It was only a matter of time until they met the enemy, and so they did. Fifteen Goblin Wolfriders harassing a caravan on the road. These were an interesting variant on cavalry; unlike horses, these wolves were often bred to fight alongside their masters. Even if the rider was dead, the mount could continue to wreak havoc. Although a single wolf would not be able to do much on their own, such beasts often hunt in packs, and in conjunction with their masters. Much like goblins, these wolves are much dangerous in greater numbers.
...but even in numbers, a weakling is a weakling still.
The warlock tugged on the reins on his horse to curtail its acceleration, before breaking off to the side. He would let the prince, his retainers, and the other cavalry take the front while he flanked the goblins. He muttered a short incantation, causing the grimoire chained to his side to float upwards to chest-level. Guided by an unseen force, the tome opened up and flipped to one of the spellbook's earlier pages. At this point, Balthazar could recite this spell by memory alone, but if he wanted to cast it quickly, he'd need a reference.
And that was something this grimoire could provide.
He touched the page with his free hand, creating a dark magic circle in the air in front of him. The warlock uttered the spell's incantation, gesticulating with that same hand. When the spell was ready, he loosed it with a grunt. With a flick of his finger, he fired off a ray of inky black energy centered at the heart of one of the Goblins. The dark magic pierced through the creature's chest with impunity, causing the being to collapse nearly instantaneously.
But he was not done yet.
With that same spell, the man focused the ray into a single, piercing point, before flicking his hand in the direction of an adjacent Goblin Wolfrider. This caused the magic circle in the air to change its orientation somewhat, which in turn caused the beam to cut through the wolf's throat. Now dead, the beast stopped moving, which would fling his rider forward, were he not saddled. Instead, the mount tumbled through the air, crushing its master under the weight of its body. That one would not be an issue any longer.
The spell now complete, Balthazar clasped his hands together, causing the tome in front of him to rapidly flip to a new page, this one an entry on curses. He stared at the Wolfrider he presumed to be the leader-- one that was dressed in the armor made of human and animal bones and was riding atop the largest of the wolves. The warlock uttered a dark incantation with malicious intent, and then suddenly, the Goblin leader's movements seemed to be much more sluggish, as if he were moving underwater.
The warlock did not kill this one-- not directly. He simply waited for someone else to follow up on his spell. With the leader's movements slowed, slaying him would not be a particularly difficult task.
Balthazar stared at Zatana impassively. Her request for information was a reasonable one-- in fact, he had been expecting at least one of them to ask questions. After all, only fools rush off not knowing the full picture. Still, while this was a matter that was imperative to the battle's victory, he knew she would be capable of that much. Considering the assassin's set of skills, he had no doubt that even if he did not give any additional information, that she would be able to ferret out the informant with relative ease. In the end, he decided to take the middle ground.
"He is in the guise of a beggar. That is all I will say." The man explains. There were scores of impoverished men and women in the city, but how many beggars would be waiting near the West Gate? "Of course, the City Guard is not aware of such an arrangement. You will have to find your own way in." Perhaps they could convince the guards to let them through, or find an alternate way to enter the city. As he recalled, there was an old drainage pipe near the south side where people empty their chamberpots, sometimes used by smugglers and spies to enter the city. It was not the most glamourous of entrances, but it was one of many.
He knew deep down that they will not fail him. This was not a particularly complex task, but it was not exactly a straightforward one, and it was extremely time-sensitive to boot. Still, they would not be a part of the Prince's retainers if they were not capable of this much. They would succeed and continue their service, or they would fail and the Prince would find better retainers.
In the end, the Empire will get its due. He will make sure of it.
The Grand Duchy of Bergkoff was once left ravaged and desolate by a Drow Warlord. The city-state is now in a much better position than what it used to be, having given up its sovereignty in exchange for assistance from the Empire. This subservience is an asset; better that they serve the greater interests of the Empire than to pursue its own goals. Thus, this invasion from the local orc and goblin tribes is... problematic.
Even more problematic is the incompetency of this army's scouts. Normally, Balthazar would send for a report from one of his informants within the Duchy, but the fact that the land is being pillaged has made it difficult for couriers to reach him. Five miles was too far away for his Record-Hunters to reach, and any ravens sent to and from the city is shot down by the enemy-- if he wanted accurate information about the situation in the city, he'd need someone competent enough to evade enemy patrols, retrieve the package from one of his informants, and then return swiftly to the army.
Balthazar knew he would have to ask this of the Prince, or from one of his retinue.
After finishing reading these reports, Balthazar neatly stacks the papers atop one another, before placing them in his trunk. This chest contained information the scholar had accrued about the army, its movements, the region it's in, and any potential threats, both internal and external. It also contained one of his familiars, just in case someone would try to take a look inside. Sealing them away with a magical key, the man stood up from his chair and stretched-- not so much that he'd strain himself in his old age, but enough to shake some of the cobwebs away.
The old man secured his grimoire and took up his cane, speaking an incantation to extinguish the candles in the tent, before walking out and into the army camp proper. A camp of soldiers is hardly the quietest place to write, so he had his tent pitched near the officers' lodgings. Some of the soldiers whispered about the man as he walked, but none of them were foolish enough to openly speak of him in his presence. Balthazar made his way through the winding paths, having an inkling of where the Prince may be at this time.
Sure enough, the Prince was found with most of his retinue near the edge of the camp, upon a ridge with a clear sight of the city. Balthazar eyed them all with scrutiny as he moved closer. It seemed like they were in the middle of a conversation-- or nearing its end, at the least. He quickly reviewed what information he had gathered about them in his mind, before entering himself.
Rudolf Kestrell, a loyal soldier and officer of the Grand Duchy of Bergkoff. A halberdier trained in both leadership and demolitions. His ambitions are modest. Manageable, even.
Faira Bloodwen, a mercenary of some skill. Raised by Beastmen near Dragon's Maw. A swordswoman who can harness Life Magic to enhance physical capabilities. Unlikely to turn upon her employers, but has no intrinsic loyalty to the Prince or the Empire itself.
Acrius Stroude, a young and brash gladiator turned retainer. Lacks restraint, and has yet to grow any true loyalty to the Empire, but follows the Prince. Can be molded into something greater, with some training.
Zatana Aleana, a foreign assassin who had intercepted another group of assassins intending to kill the Prince, though these assassins may have been themselves, a ploy to get her in the Prince's good graces. She is a Drow in disguise, and it is clear that her loyalties are split. Dangerous... but useful. Will need to see if she can be subverted completely, or if she must be disposed of eventually. Her talents will greatly assist our own efforts, provided she can be controlled.
Manald Halung, a Beastman warrior. Skilled mercenary working in service of the Prince. Unlikely to be loyal to the Prince or the Empire at the current time. Nevertheless, he is a powerful combatant. To be watched.
Merik Roak, another Beastman. A gladiator rescued from the fighting pits. Extremely loyal to the Prince, but knows little about the world at large. Can be molded to serve the Prince as a warrior, with a bit of grooming.
Leonidas Lionheart, Prince of the Grand Empire of Man. Son of Emperor Graham Lionheart, and Paladin of the Silver Flame, trained by Siegfried Lightbringer. He has much to learn, but he is truly his father's son. He is excellent at martial matters, but only time will tell if he can learn statecraft and politics in time for his ascension. Must be guided and protected at all costs, lest the Empire's sovereignty withers away.
"Your Majesty." Balthazar bowed formally, before giving everyone else in the group a nod in greeting. Before he could relay his request to the Prince, however, cannons can be heard firing the distance. The attack had already begun.
"It appears I am too late. We will have to march without perfect information. Although if I may suggest a plan, Prince Leonidas... I may have a way to get information before then." He commented, before turning to Faira and Zatana, the two people in charge of riding ahead and reporting on the enemy numbers. He leveled a serious glare at both of them, expecting their full attention.
"It is unlikely you will be able to get so close, now that the attack has begun." He started. "...but if you can find a way to enter the city before the horde encircles it completely, you will find one of my informants waiting for a courier near the West Gate. Give this to him." He presented to them a wooden token with a strange symbol etched upon it. "He will give you a parcel in return."
"If you manage this, we will be able to gain information on enemy numbers, their composition, and perhaps even their locations." Balthazar explained. "...and if you fail, you will either be dead, captured, or stuck in the city when we arrive-- all of which, would not be an ideal situation for any of us." He sighed for a moment, allowing himself a moment to breathe.
"...can I entrust this task to you two?"
He posed the question openly. It was a gambit, for certain, and the Prince was always free to object to this plan and that would be the end of it... but Balthazar figured it was time to see if these retainers would have any worth in tasks that weren't simply direct combat. He knew that Zatana could handle it, but he was unsure of her loyalty at this time. Meanwhile, the old man also suspected that Faira could do this, but if they deign to fight every patrol they come across, it would be too late.
Name: Balthazar Trevarthen Race: Human Gender: Male Age: 57 Appearance:
With long hair grey from ages past, Balthazar is in remarkably good shape, for a man pushing sixty. His posture, though drooping and hunched when examining books or files, stands to full when he deems it necessary. Perhaps once, his eyes were bright, but now his steely-grey eyes pierce through all-- scrutiny and intellect tempered by years of suffering. He tends to trim his facial hair when he can, finding the long mustache and beard a pain to maintain.
His build is tall and wiry; seemingly frail, but hides a certain vigor in his body. It's not uncommon to see his fingernails stained by ink or to see bags underneath his eyes from lack of rest. On some nights, he doesn't sleep at all, spending hours at a desk, finishing paperwork, working on magic, or recording secrets. His attire is that of a scholar: robes atop traveling clothes or noble finery, with a cloak thrown atop that when outdoors. A pair of spectacles is perched upon his nose, which helps him examine things up close. Although he does not need it, he walks with a weighted cane, in part to help with exercise, and in part to defend himself if someone gets too close. A heavy-set grimoire is chained to his hip.
Bio: For as long as people could remember, there have been two people by the Emperor's side: Siegfried Lightbringer, a Paladin of the Silver Flame, and Balthazar Trevarthen, the Keeper of Secrets. Both are integral to the continued prosperity of the Empire, but whereas Siegfried serves as the Emperor's right hand, Balthazar serves as the Emperor's left. Tasked with advising the Emperor with secrets he hears around the land, his role is that of a spymaster.
As the man rarely talks about his past, only a few close friends that remain truly know of it. Some claim that he was a scholar at one of the Great Libraries who caught the Emperor's eye. Others claim that he is a warlock who had performed a dark ritual in service to some otherworldly entity and that when the ritual went awry, the Emperor had saved him, earning him the warlock's eternal loyalty. A few claim that they had known each other since they were children, one as a minor noble, and the other as a princeling. Nobody is quite sure, and some wonder if their relationship is all of those things.
The speculation suits him just fine, though. The less people know about him, the better.
Whatever the case may be, it is clear that the man has experienced great suffering in his life, and that his loyalty to the Emperor and his country is all that keeps him on the right path. Many people write him off as a foolish old man, and others still are afraid of what may happen should his loyalty change. The Emperor knows the truth of the matter, however.
At the Emperor's personal request, Balthazar has moved to support the prince in his journeys. The scholar has passed off his duties as spymaster to someone capable and trusted enough in the courts, and now moves to see what is going on in the land of Hitor for himself. The prince must learn of how to make use of every tool at his disposal, and the Emperor has decreed that Balthazar is a worthy enough teacher in that aspect.
Only time will tell if things work out, but the Emperor puts his faith in Balthazar Trevarthen.
Personality Quirks:
Traits. I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. I am slow to trust, but incredibly loyal to those who have earned it.
Bonds. My loyalty to my country is unwavering. Everything I do is in service of its prosperity.
Ideals. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking.
Flaws. I am easily distracted by the promise of information. The ends justify any means.
Allies:
Graham Lionheart. Having known each other for a long time, the Emperor has much faith in Balthazar as a retainer, and advisor, and a friend. It's said that the scholar was once part of the Emperor's retinue, back when he was still a prince himself. He has reassigned his friend to his son's guard, knowing that one day, Leonidas will need to have a sense for the underhanded if he wants to succeed as the next Emperor.
The Spider's Web. An information network that Balthazar has developed over years of intrigue and politicking. Its reach is far, stretching throughout the Empire, with a few informants in other regions. This network mostly consists of beggars and urchins who can be trusted to perform surveillance-- or to keep their mouths shut when the time comes. It is also comprised of a few merchants and minor nobles who owe him a favor; willing or otherwise.
Rivals:
Siegfried Lightbringer. Whereas Siegfried serves in the light, Balthazar serves from the shadows. They do not get along. The paladin dislikes the warlock's methods, and the warlock dislikes the paladin's foolhardiness. This animosity has existed since they have met, all those years ago. However, while they don't agree with one another at the best of times, they can rely upon the other to have their back.
Mirius the Immortal. A vampire lord who has eluded the warlock at every turn. He is a powerful wizard and necromancer in his own right, and is responsible for the deaths of many Empire Citizens, including Balthazar's own wife and daughter. To Mirius, this is all a game, but to Balthazar, it is personal.
Fighting Style: Balthazar is a warlock and prefers to stay away from the frontlines, blasting at enemies and supporting his allies with his magic. However, the man rarely backs down from a duel with another spellcaster, trading shots as they maneuver around the battlefield. If pressed, the scholar can defend himself in melee with his cane or his dagger, but this is almost always done as a last resort, rather than any true attempt at slaying his opponent.
Equipment:
Book of Shadows. Balthazar's personal grimoire, cultivated for over nearly a half a century. It contains knowledge of both Shadow Magic and Arcane Magic that he's accrued throughout the years. Some speculate that he writes secrets in the corners and spaces where no text lies. Bound in the leather of an unknown beast, the fine vellum pages have been enchanted to protect from fire and water-- though it will not stop any earnest attempt at destruction. This book rarely ever leaves his side, quite literally chained to his belt, or locked away and put under surveillance.
Weighted Cane. A gift from a friend. He doesn't need it to walk, but he has been known to use it as a secondary arcane focus, or as an impromptu bludgeon. This heavy oak walking cane holds a secret in its steel topper: if twisted clockwise, he can pull on the head to unsheathe the thin, but sharp silver blade within. However, while Balthazar used to be a decently-skilled swordsman, his age has made his movements slow and sluggish. As such, he only ever uses it in times of desperation.
Dagger. A worn iron dagger. Kept sharp, but mostly used to cut open envelopes, rather than people.
Traveling Clothes. The simple attire of a scholar, complete with a cloak. Balthazar keeps spares in case they become dirty.
Noble Finery. The attire of a nobleman or merchant. Seldom ever used, unless he attends a noble function himself.
Scholar's Pack. A scroll holder containing sheets of vellum and parchment, a small pack with bottles of ink and paint, and quills, brushes, and inkpens. Candles for writing in darkness. A magnifying glass for examining smaller text. A wax seal used to write official letters, though rarely used in his line of work.
Imperial Ciphers. Codebooks containing methods on how to crack coded messages, both within the empire, and of its neighbors. These books are similarly obfuscated, the method to deciphering which is only known to him and a select few others.
Pocketwatch. A simple silver pocketwatch, tarnished somewhat by age. Tells the time, right down to the second. Inside is a portrait of his old life, a family, now lost and gone forever.
Traveling Supplies. Rations. Waterskin. Coin. A pouch of Soulstones. Essentials for extended trips away from the Capital.
Skills/Abilities: Inscrutable Mind. Due to his life experiences and immense mental fortitude, it is nigh-impossible to affect Balthazar with mind-altering magic, or to divine information from his memories without extreme effort. The man does, however, suffer from frequent headaches and nightmares.
Dark Magic. Balthazar's natural affinity towards the magical element of Darkness has served him well over the years. This is where the bulk of his magical expertise lies, and although his skills rival that of a master Dark Mage, his power has waned significantly as he aged. He will need more practice to reclaim his lost prowess.
Tenebrous Blast. Balthazar fires off a ray of inky blackness at a target, damaging them. This ray extinguishes any light source it touches, although it may not affect powerful light magic.
Hex. Balthazar puts an ominous curse upon a target, weakening one of their attributes and making them more vulnerable to his attacks.
Investiture of Shadow. Balthazar imbues his body with pure shadow, making him difficult to see, and giving him the ability to see in darkness both natural and magical. While active, he can also create small spheres of magical darkness to blanket the area with shadow at-will.
Arcane Magic. In addition to his affinity for darkness, pacts and rituals made in the past have given him access to Arcane Magic, though he has not mastered this element to its fullest potential.
Prestidigation. A minor trick that can do various things, typically used by mages as a training spell, or by common mages to make their lives easier. This spell can be used to light or extinguish small fires, clean or dirty a surface, and create minor sensory effects, and other such things.
Analyze Magic. Balthazar can extend his senses in an attempt to detect the use of magic in the area. Alternatively, he can focus his senses on a single object to identify its effects. Both versions of the spell require time to cast and are difficult to perform in the midst of combat.
Find Familiar. Balthazar imbues a piece of paper with his magic, or with a Soulstone to create a Record-Hunter. These diminutive origami figurines are adept at seeking out knowledge and secrets and can fold into other forms of origami to better suit the situation. These beings are typically used for reconnaissance or information-gathering, but if pressed, can be used to support Balthazar in combat against enemies. Record-Hunters are especially effective against spellcasters, as their silent secrets can often confound and confuse an opponent enough to prevent them from casting spells.
Other Information:
1. Listen to the GM(s), If you have a complaint tell me. I am not an evil dictator and if I am wrong I will admit it. 2. Romance and Gore allowed, But keep it in good taste and in site rules 3. Now not all characters will play nice with each other I understand that, but keep the disputes in the RP not in OOC 4. Be civilized and polite please 5. All basic RP rules apply to this roleplay: Power playing, Meta gaming, and others are not allowed. 6. The story isn't exactly set, if you have an idea for a mission feel free to pm me the details and I'll try to work it in. 7. Copy the rules into a Hider in the "other" of your cs so I know you read them. 8. Get into your character's skin become him or her as you are playing have fun and give us insight into their thoughts. 9. Try to keep active, in both the IC and OOC pages please. And even if you don't have anything to say, at least read the OOC
Name: Balthazar Trevarthen Race: Human Gender: Male Age: 57 Appearance:
With long hair grey from ages past, Balthazar is in remarkably good shape, for a man pushing sixty. His posture, though drooping and hunched when examining books or files, stands to full when he deems it necessary. Perhaps once, his eyes were bright, but now his steely-grey eyes pierce through all-- scrutiny and intellect tempered by years of suffering. He tends to trim his facial hair when he can, finding the longer mustache and beard a pain to maintain.
His build is tall and wiry; seemingly frail, but hides a certain vigor in his body. It's not uncommon to see his fingernails stained by ink, or to see bags underneath his eyes from lack of rest. On some nights, he doesn't sleep at all, spending hours at a desk, finishing paperwork, working on magic, or recording secrets. His attire is that of a scholar: robes atop traveling clothes or noble finery, with a cloak thrown atop that when outdoors. A pair of spectacles is perched upon his nose, which helps him examine things up close. Although he does not need it, he walks with a weighted cane, in part to help with exercise, and in part to defend himself if someone gets too close. A heavy-set grimoire is chained to his hip.
Bio: For as long as people could remember, there have been two people by the Emperor's side: Siegfried Lightbringer, a Paladin of the Silver Flame, and Balthazar Trevarthen, the Keeper of Secrets. Both are integral to the continued prosperity of the Empire, but whereas Siegfried serves as the Emperor's right hand, Balthazar serves as the Emperor's left. Tasked with advising the Emperor with secrets he hears around the land, his role is that of a spymaster.
As the man rarely talks about his past, only the few close friends that remain truly know of it. Some claim that he was a scholar at one of the Great Libraries who caught the Emperor's eye. Others claim that he is a warlock who had performed a dark ritual in service to some otherworldly entity, and that when the ritual went awry, the Emperor had saved him, earning him the warlock's eternal loyalty. A few claim that they had known each other since they were children, one as a minor noble, and the other as a princeling. Nobody is quite sure, and some speculate that it is all of those.
The speculation suits him just fine, though. The less people know of him, the better.
Whatever the case may be, it is clear that the man has experienced great suffering in his life, and that his loyalty to the Emperor and his country is all that keeps him on the right path. Many people write him off as a foolish old man, and others still are afraid of what may happen should his loyalty change. The Emperor knows the truth of the matter, however.
At the Emperor's personal request, Balthazar has moved to support the prince in his journeys. The scholar has passed off his duties as spymaster to someone capable and trusted enough in the courts, and now moves to see what is going on in the land of Hitor for himself. The prince must learn of how to make use of every tool at his disposal, and the Emperor has decreed that Balthazar is a worthy enough teacher in that aspect.
Only time will tell if things work out, but the Emperor puts his faith in Balthazar Trevarthen.
Personality Quirks:
Traits. I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. I am slow to trust, but incredibly loyal to those who have earned it.
Bonds. My loyalty to my country is unwavering. Everything I do is in service of its prosperity.
Ideals. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking.
Flaws. I am easily distracted by the promise of information. The ends justify any means.
Allies:
Graham Lionheart. Having known each other for a long time, the Emperor has much faith in Balthazar as a retainer, and advisor, and a friend. It's said that the scholar was once part of the Emperor's retinue, back when he was still a prince himself. He has reassigned his friend to his son's guard, knowing that one day, Leonidas will need to have a sense for the underhanded if he wants to succeed as the next Emperor.
The Spider's Web. An information network that Balthazar has developed over years of intrigue and politicking. Its reach is far, stretching throughout the Empire, with a few informants in other regions. Mostly consists of beggars and urchins who can be trusted to perform surveillance-- or to keep their mouths shut when the time comes. It also consists of a few merchants and minor nobles who owe him a favor, whether that's willingly or otherwise.
Rivals:
Siegfried Lightbringer. Whereas Siegfried serves in the light, Balthazar serves from the shadows. They do not get along. The paladin dislikes the warlock's methods, and the warlock dislikes the paladin's foolhardiness. This animosity has existed since they have met, all those years ago. However, while they don't agree with one another at the best of times, they can rely upon the other to have their back.
Mirius the Immortal. A vampire lord who has eluded the warlock at every turn. He is a powerful wizard and necromancer in his own right, and is responsible for the deaths of many Empire Citizens, including Balthazar's own wife and daughter. To Mirius, this is all a game, but to Balthazar, it is personal.
Fighting Style: Balthazar is a warlock, and prefers to stay away from the frontlines, blasting at enemies and supporting his allies with his magic. However, the man rarely backs down from a duel with another spellcaster, trading shots as they maneuver around the battlefield. If pressed, the scholar can defend himself in melee with his cane or his dagger, but this is almost always done in desperation, rather than any true attempt at slaying his opponent.
Equipment:
Book of Shadows. Balthazar's personal grimoire, cultivated for over nearly a half a century. It contains knowledge of both Shadow Magic and Arcane Magic that he's accrued throughout the years. Some speculate that he writes secrets in the corners and spaces where no text lies. Bound in the leather of an unknown beast, the fine vellum pages have been enchanted to protect from fire and water-- though it will not stop any earnest attempt at destruction. This book rarely ever leaves his side, quite literally chained to his belt, or locked away and put under surveillance.
Weighted Cane. A gift from a friend. He doesn't need it to walk, but he has been known to use it as a secondary arcane focus, or as an impromptu bludgeon. This heavy oak walking cane holds a secret in its steel topper: if a switch is flipped, he can pull on the head to unsheathe the thin, but sharp blade within. Balthazar is an amateur with the sword, however, so he only ever uses it in times of desperation.
Dagger. A worn iron dagger. Kept sharp, but mostly used to cut open envelopes, rather than people.
Traveling Clothes. The simple attire of a scholar, complete with a cloak. Balthazar keeps spares in case they become dirty.
Noble Finery. The attire of a nobleman or merchant. Seldom ever used, unless he attends a noble function himself.
Scholar's Pack. A scroll holder containing sheets of vellum and parchment, a small pack with bottles of ink and paint, and quills, brushes, and inkpens. Candles for writing in darkness. A magnifying glass for examining smaller text. A wax seal, used to write official letters, though rarely used in his line of work.
Imperial Ciphers. Codebooks containing methods on how to crack coded messages, both within the empire, and of its neighbors. These books are similarly obfuscated, the method to deciphering which is only known to him and a select few others.
Pocketwatch. A simple silver pocketwatch, tarnished somewhat by age. Tells the time, right down to the second. Inside is a portrait of his old life, a family, now lost and gone forever.
Traveling Supplies. Rations. Waterskin. Coin. Essentials for extended trips away from the Capital.
Skills/Abilities: Inscrutable Mind. Due to his life experiences and immense mental fortitude, it is nigh-impossible to affect Balthazar with mind-altering magic, or to divine information from his memories without extreme effort. The man does, however, suffer from frequent headaches and nightmares.
Dark Magic. Balthazar's natural affinity towards the magical element of Darkness has served him well over the years. This is where the bulk of his magical mastery lies, though while skilled, he has not yet reached the apex of skill.
Tenebrous Blast. Balthazar fires off a ray of inky blackness at a target, damaging them. This ray extinguishes any light source it touches, although it may not affect powerful light magic.
Hex. Balthazar puts an ominous curse upon a target, weakening one of their attributes and making them more vulnerable to his attacks.
Investiture of Shadow. Balthazar imbues his body with pure shadow, making him difficult to see, and giving him the ability to see in darkness both natural and magical. While active, he can also create small spheres of magical darkness to blanket the area with shadow at-will.
Arcane Magic. In addition to his affinity for darkness, pacts and rituals made in the past have given him access to Arcane Magic, though he has not mastered this element to its fullest potential.
Presditigation. A minor trick that can do various things, typically used by mages as a training spell, or by common mages to make their lives easier. This spell can be used to light or extinguish small fires, clean or dirty a surface, and create minor sensory effects, and other such things.
Analyze Magic. Balthazar can extend his senses in an attempt to detect the use of magic in the area. Alternatively, he can focus his senses on a single object to identify its effects. Both versions of the spell require time to cast and are difficult to perform in the midst of combat.
Find Familiar. Balthazar imbues a piece of paper with his magic, or with a Soulstone to create a Record-Hunter. These diminutive origami figurines are adept at seeking out knowledge and secrets. These beings are typically used for reconnaissance or information-gathering, but if pressed, can be used to support Balthazar in combat against enemies. Record-Hunters are especially effective against spellcasters, as their silent secrets can often confound and confuse an opponent enough to prevent them from casting spells.
Other Information:
1. Listen to the GM(s), If you have a complaint tell me. I am not an evil dictator and if I am wrong I will admit it. 2. Romance and Gore allowed, But keep it in good taste and in site rules 3. Now not all characters will play nice with each other I understand that, but keep the disputes in the RP not in OOC 4. Be civilized and polite please 5. All basic RP rules apply to this roleplay: Power playing, Meta gaming, and others are not allowed. 6. The story isn't exactly set, if you have an idea for a mission feel free to pm me the details and I'll try to work it in. 7. Copy the rules into a Hider in the "other" of your cs so I know you read them. 8. Get into your character's skin become him or her as you are playing have fun and give us insight into their thoughts. 9. Try to keep active, in both the IC and OOC pages please. And even if you don't have anything to say, at least read the OOC
Castle was silent as the impromptu excavation took place. It wasn't just an Oberth Reactor, but a full-blown Orbital (albeit, a deactivated one) with potentially hundreds more beneath the surface. He was no archaeologist, but the recoverable artifacts from this dig site alone would be one hell of a find.
<<Looks like they've got their very own Terracotta Army... except with working suits rather than sculptures.>>
The words from Command had been more than enough to take Holden out of his casual demeanor, though. If this wasn't enough to remind people that they were on an alien planet, then he didn't know what would.
<<Copy that, Command. Ground team, secure the perimeter. Airborne units, we're gonna need eyes on the target.>>
Castle's orders mostly echoed that of Command. Hell, he was certain that with a team like this, he probably wouldn't even need to give instructions and they'd all jump into action. In fact, the Outrider, the Starstrike, and AGL-001 had already begun their recon of the target, in their own ways. Still... the chain of command was here for a reason, and organization and squad cohesion doesn't just appear over the course of a battle.
And yet in spite of everything...
<<...how about a giant worm? Those are classic.>>
...he couldn't help himself from joking around, even a little bit.
There's not much about me to say.
I was born in December 1998, and I've been doing Forum RP since 2011. I live in Southeast Asia-- the Philippines (GMT +8:00) in particular, so if I'm not around, I'm probably asleep or otherwise busy. I mostly do Group RPs and Tabletop Games (off-site). I've never been in a 1x1 RP, but some of the premises seem interesting enough.
I like Fantasy, Sci-fi, and certain Anime settings. I do shy away from certain genres as a matter of preference (historical, slice-of-life, grimdark, etc), and if I know nothing about a fandom setting in question, I'm far less likely to throw my hat in the ring-- but if the premise is interesting enough, I may give it a shot regardless.
I like to be relatively active, though life gets in the way sometimes. If you're lurking and are trying to get me to post, if you want to be a mutual friend, or if you want to invite me to a specific RP, just let me know...I don't bite. So long as you aren't rude, we'll get along just fine, and even then, I may extend a sort of professional courtesy between us as writers.
With that out of the way, if you're here, you're probably looking for more of my writing. Thankfully, I've recently compiled a list of my characters (with links to their respective RPs) from this site. If you want to check them out, the link is [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185346-hawthornes-rpguild-characters/ooc]here[/url].
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! May the RPs you're in be of an acceptable posting speed, and eventually, come to end on a decent conclusion...
...A man can dream, eh?
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">There's not much about me to say.<br><br>I was born in December 1998, and I've been doing Forum RP since 2011. I live in Southeast Asia-- the Philippines (GMT +8:00) in particular, so if I'm not around, I'm probably asleep or otherwise busy. I mostly do Group RPs and Tabletop Games (off-site). I've never been in a 1x1 RP, but some of the premises seem interesting enough.<br><br>I like Fantasy, Sci-fi, and certain Anime settings. I do shy away from certain genres as a matter of preference (historical, slice-of-life, grimdark, etc), and if I know nothing about a fandom setting in question, I'm far less likely to throw my hat in the ring-- but if the premise is interesting enough, I may give it a shot regardless.<br><br>I like to be relatively active, though life gets in the way sometimes. If you're lurking and are trying to get me to post, if you want to be a mutual friend, or if you want to invite me to a specific RP, just let me know...I don't bite. So long as you aren't rude, we'll get along just fine, and even then, I may extend a sort of professional courtesy between us as writers.<br><br>With that out of the way, if you're here, you're probably looking for more of my writing. Thankfully, I've recently compiled a list of my characters (with links to their respective RPs) from this site. If you want to check them out, the link is <a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185346-hawthornes-rpguild-characters/ooc">here</a>.<br><br>If you made it this far, thanks for reading! May the RPs you're in be of an acceptable posting speed, and eventually, come to end on a decent conclusion...<br><br>...A man can dream, eh?</div>
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Inertia
