Attributes are traits ingrained in people that come from the life they lived as a person, they make them who they are in essence. This can be thought of as overarching roles, jobs, and stories that your character has which can evolve as you progress through the story.
Genius Monster Hunter [Rare]:
Parameters:
Strength: Journeyman [C Rank - 55]
Endurance: Journeyman [C Rank - 61]
Agility: Apprentice [D Rank - 43]
Intelligence: Apprentice [D Rank - 35]
Wisdom: Apprentice [D Rank 32]
Luck: Journeyman [C Rank - 67]
Skills
A listing of skills, such as horseback riding or cooking. Levels include Common (1 pt), Uncommon (2 pt), Rare (4 pt), Peerless (8 pt), Legendary (16 pt), Mythical (24 pt). Each character can spend up to a maximum of 15 points. If your character knows magic, it counts as a skill. Skills that are needed for basic function in society are considered to be around novice to apprentice. Any skill that is not under a normal person's skill set is considered to be at poor level.
These are considered 'freebies' granted by backstory and history as years of practice which are also combined with your stats on top of everything when using them. This ranking is treated not only as experience and control over the skill you have but also its overall power.
C , D , D , E , E , E
Advance Monster Knowledge Lv. 5 [C Rank - Rare]
Weapon Training Lv. 4 [D Rank - Uncommon]
Tracking and Hunting Lv. 4 [D Rank - Uncommon]
Pain Resistance Lv. 2 [E Rank - Common]
Cooking Lv. 2 [E Rank - Common]
Poor (-): You possess no experience or training at whatever it is that you might be attempting to do. Treat this statistically an unknown 0.
Novice / Common (E): You have done it before twice or maybe even three times and while you aren't good or talented at it, you are able to do it (or have the idea of how to at least). Treat this as a understanding of levels 1 to 2.
Apprentice / Uncommon (D): You reached to the point where you have a solid idea or concept behind what you are doing that only needs to be tempered with experience now to become a fine part of yourself. Treat this as a greenhorn of levels 3 to 4.
Journeyman / Rare (C): You now are considered as a peer of equal standing among the others who possess this skill, with time invested to thoroughly learn what they have learned that bonds you all together as one. Treat this as reliably of levels 5 to 6.
Expert / Peerless (B): You are now a talented individual with your skill that sets you apart from your peers and shows the dedication that is need to carry through what others may not preserve through or talent that has you simply as a natural. Treat this as expertise of levels 7 to 8.
Master / Legendary (A): Among the most dedicated of members who have hone their experience along with their craft, you are one who has decisively stood among them that have spent either an immense amount of time dedicated to your craft or some natural talent that has been honed to a deadly use. Treat this as mastery of levels 9 to 10.
Grandmaster / Mythical (S): You could be considered as one among the legends with stories told about your skill and experience that surpassed nearly everyone who practices your skill, as a master among master, only a few of the living stand as your peers. Treat this as a myth of levels 11 to 12.
Equipment
Through the collective grace of [■■■■■■], one item and one body modification [B-Rank] or under will be obtained from the system.
Provide your 1 equipment choice here.
Provide 1 body modification choice here.
Novice / Common (E): You have done it before twice or maybe even three times and while you aren't good or talented at it, you are able to do it (or have the idea of how to at least). Treat this as understanding.
Apprentice / Uncommon (D): You reached to the point where you have a solid idea or concept behind what you are doing that only needs to be tempered with experience now to become a fine part of yourself. Treat this as greenhorn.
Journeyman / Rare (C): You now are considered as a peer of equal standing among the others who possess this skill, with time invested to thoroughly learn what they have learned that bonds you all together as one. Treat this as reliably.
Expert / Peerless (B): You are now a talented individual with your skill that sets you apart from your peers and shows the dedication that is need to carry through what others may not preserve through or talent that has you simply as a natural. Treat this as expertise.
Master / Legendary (A): Among the most dedicated of members who have hone their experience along with their craft, you are one who has decisively stood among them that have spent either an immense amount of time dedicated to your craft or some natural talent that has been honed to a deadly use. Treat this as mastery.
Grandmaster / Mythical (S): You could be considered as one among the legends with stories told about your skill and experience that surpassed nearly everyone who practices your skill, as a master among master, only a few of the living stand as your peers. Treat this as legendary.
On most mornings you can find Alex already in his morning routine before even the crack of dawn, it doesn't matter if he only went to sleep a few hours ago, he'll keep on continuing. That doesn't mean that every day is sunshine and lollipops for him, some days are definitely better than others like anyone else but this is why this is called a routine with his establish set of good habits. Whether it be keeping up with material fashion or physical health, he always seems to have his fingers on the pulse in addressing them if he wants to change anything.
His secret to taming his messy bed head? It's located in the shower with some water and a bit of soft handling, it can do wonders for anyone, isn't that amazing? Of course, that's the easy part before he has to the mop up his wet locks of dark brown hair with the blow dryer while simultaneously combing to shape it into shape. It not hard after a few years of ingraining it as his muscle memory since all the best things come after working for them, plus the countless amount of dollars spent but he doesn't talk about that. In the end though, he makes it look effortless when his wavy hair has been styled to the side yet still with volume that has strong sense of care for the way it has been handled.
Imagine all of that was just for his hair, now think about the rest of him. Just kidding. Or am I?
Continuing on for Alex, his closet of clothes has a little bit of everything that he can fit into any occasion which may come up so he could be called someone with a pretty solid foundation clothing-wise. He generally doesn't fall into any category or style for the clothes he wears but overall would be considered as someone who was well dressed for the situation. It is a skill that is much harder than it sounds as having a solid understanding on what kind of event he is going to and fitting himself to match while still being tasteful is not something one just picks up without much experience and deliberation. Thankfully, his height of 5' 8 is quite average that most things he looks for are quite accessible for him if he searches with enough effort.
PSYCHE
Personally, Alex has always seen himself as an introvert but repeatedly the idea has been rejected by people as he's seen as 'the popular one' or as 'someone who knew everyone'. This might of been a shallow observation from others, but Alex never had really close friends that he's let into his own life. Mostly having presented himself as a cheerful person who went along with anything lead many people to find him simply easy to talk to and befriend. Over time, he has come to interpret his experience and perspective of him simply having many casual friends he has but not having any close individuals who know him in and out.
However, there is truly a difference between being truly a kind and compassionate individual or being kindhearted so that other people would like you. As for himself, he's always gauged himself to fall in the latter category as a phony, keeping himself under wraps as the outside world never managed to pierce through the veil he always placed up. That never meant he didn't truly interact with people genuinely but he's like a baby chick who never broke out of their shell, having never found a solid anchor for himself to establish on. As such, he always enjoyed the presence of others who he finds as better people than him, supporting them and wishing them the best over his own self.
If he was to perform his own evaluation on his personality, he'd fall under the archetype of the Mediator, being quite the accurate description for him yet not without a few discrepancies. Same with the star sign of his birth being Cancer, it is also another aspect of him that he resonates with parts of the description yet does not fully describe him. Together with the two of them, he'd agree that he would be a prime example as he places his own emotional baggage onto the back burner while prioritizing others, being a behavior that he aptly does which align with the two classifications. In a sense, the protective and cautious aspect of his personality takes to the forefront, while his emotional side is truly evident in the care he provides for his friends that may surprise people.
However, the mask that he placed on simply end when graduating, like any habit you'd continue with them until yourself or something pushes a change to say otherwise. In fact after High School, the pressure to fit into the mold and mask that he designed for himself is becoming more of a natural instinct for him. Anything that is going on in the back of his mind will build up there until he eventually implodes in one way or another, whether it be today or next week, that is simply how his personality is and always been. As time passes on, a palpable feeling of distance has become stronger, intertwined with the presence of melancholic aloofness. Sometimes if you catch him at the end of his fuse, his emotional side may violently crack its way through the mask that he placed in front of him, but that's when a person should notice that it's really a red flag.
BACKSTORY
Born to a family that always seemed to change faces, there were never the same people in one household for too long. If this family were to live together, they would be six people total who would be together with the hierarchy of the father, mother, brother, and sister who also loved each other. Once upon a time, they did exactly that but now, they were shattered and splintered into pieces that everyone knew better than to even touch or get near. Still, before the cracks severed their family apart, his parents were both witches who came together to raise a family and everything that would be entailed in their not so mundane lives.
However, disagreement found its way through their lives that ended up with their mother leaving the family when Alex was around 9 years old without an announcement. While too young to completely understand what happened, his older siblings were the ones to take the brunt of the drama and chaos that entailed such a messy separation. As the second youngest of the household and with a ten-year gap between his older siblings, the only thing he members are the tiny flecks of the conflict that echoed throughout the household between his mother and father that largely remains scattered.
Despite a few memories being firmly ingrained in his recollection, the time of his childhood were rough placed to the side as he barely remembers anything meaningful outside of a few select pieces. To him, he prefers to not think about this time when he used to bounce between two households before it became just one, is a very troubling time for not only just him but his father who served as the pillar to what remained of their family. As there was a time were they were dealing with the aftermath of what had happened to their family, healing over the cracks and wounds in any way they could so nothing else have to be lost. Even at that time, things still fell through everyone’s hands as it was impossible to catch everything but they tried.
It was hard for everyone and he still remembers the time when his older brothers were still troubled by their parent’s separation as they acted out in their own unique ways which Alex learned from. He was the quietest child of the family who always stuck with himself, he kept things tucked away so nobody would have to worry about him which allowed his mother to take care of his mentally challenged sister who had several complications since birth. As such he never grew much into himself but from an outside perspective, things began to get better as the years went on when they managed to plant their feet as they found a new house in Maryland to start anew from the west coast. His father even found someone special who went through something similar as they came together to raise their families together, resulting in Alex gaining an older stepbrother.
Only through his wife was Alex's dad was able to acquaint himself with the coven of The Sisters of the Dying Branch years ago, allowing his two older children to be initiated with the voucher of goodwill as a fellow witch on his behalf. They were older than average was their age for initiation by the time approval went through but they were indeed trained as witches by his father. As such, Alex got accustomed to the mountainous roads that lead to the coven, finding it to have its own charm that he appreciated as naps were taken and music played in the car. From his family's rocky circumstances, he rarely got to formally learn magic outside of the few things he was taught and the discoveries he found out on his own. With their new start, Alex finally got the taste of magic in his system that never truly left him as he began to dig into.
As the years passed, Alex grew wiser and smarter as anyone should and soon reached the age that he was expected to join the coven.
Notable Rumors:
Claimed to be currently seeing one of his girlfriend's guy friend behind her back
While he does hang out with a handful of female friends he's friendly with, he's only dated one of them and even then they have broken up.
Had to move schools because of a bullying incident that happened with the kids there.
It's true that he had to move from that incident but the events of what happened have been hushed up by the school for good publicity.
Said to have gotten involved with the cute chemistry / physics teacher at his high school.
Calling a teacher good looking doesn't mean anything. Besides, other students have been around, even when they had a celebration at their place.
Heard to be involved in some sketchy things outside of school that the adults don't know about.
His younger sister has a learning disability and activities are provided for enrichment, sometimes it's playing some soccer and other times volunteering.
Greatest Fear: Rejection and Failure are two palpable feelings for Alex that's caused him trouble before, accompanying each other wherever they go that hangs onto him when they get a chance.
NOTABLES
Magic:
Most Notable Study: Fate/Entropy Spinning A curious area of study that witches have done over the centuries that have been grouped up or attributed to other forms of magic. It is truthfully an area that one could be considered to be separate from other forms of magic and worthy of focusing which is what Alex has done. The roots of its influence dig into the crafting of 'good luck charms' to 'readings of the future' and even 'curses felled upon people' which only scratches the surface.
The closest practice of magic could be considered 'Divination' that deals with readings of the future by diving through time but Fate Spinning focuses instead on the 'present' that it influences to affect the 'potential future'. It is an unpredictable, ultimately uncontrollable, yet potent form of magic as probability and even the concept of 'destiny' can be bent. As such the more complex and higher forms of this practice are incredibly costly and present a danger that restrictions have been placed on it.
It hasn't stopped him from experimenting on his own, hiding his proficiency in this area under the guise of creating 'good luck charms' and performing 'fortune readings' for others which are within his capabilities. Beyond the oversight of the adults, he uses this magic more freely as a strange hobby that he indulges in, watching the patterns flow to places and strings of fate being pulled that he watches and follows. That has earned him the reputation of being someone who had his fingers in everything seemingly, knowing a surprising amount of people from different places as performs random odd jobs and favors for them. People know better to avoid playing games of chance with him if they don't want to lose and that he seems to be occasionally involved when shifts of events seem to work out a few steps in his favor.
Interested Studies: Wards The magic used to create protected objects or spaces that have a wide area of application depending on the situation that a witch can find themselves in. As someone who has a few things he likes to hide at times, he is skilled for someone of his age group, having established the good habit of making sure no one can listen or watch when having an important conversation. It's a common joke that he likes to make about making sure that they have a 'safe space' that people would be comfortable talking within which isn't a total lie.
It is his father's trade which gives him someone to study under whenever he has time and his stepmother isn't also too bad with it either that results in him having a healthy education with this area of magic. While simple, his fondest memory was during a camping trip when he was younger where he finally set up a ward to prevent bugs once he polished it up. The sweet relief of no mosquitos or creepy critters in the night was a small blessing for everyone after getting bitten.
Interested Studies: Spatial Interference A branch of magic that could be considered to be an extension of Elemental Magic to a degree. It is a base component to witches who are able to teleport as they bend space to physically disappear and reappear somewhere else. Taking that principle, one is able to reinforce the space around them to prevent it from being used in such ways with enough practice and extend it through the use of Wards as well. It is something that Alex hopes to accomplish one day but he doesn't have many other peers who can help him make such a task.
However, that doesn't warrant a witch to take such an interest in such nuances unless they wish to also achieve teleportation which Alex does want one day but isn't his current focus. His current expertise is involved in making compartmentalized space or 'pocket spaces' where he can put inorganic items in, currently at the size of a business briefcase out nothing. If he is given some material around the size of a school backpack or smaller, he can give about 50% more space they have within them that increases with smaller items, which is the most he can work with.
Casual Studies: Healing His stepmother's trade as a seasoned practitioner of healing magic, she was always the one to patch up his bruises and scratches after his dad's lessons. He tried to pick the art up from a young age but always lacked the aptitude for it that he never more focus on it.
While not inexperienced or untrained, at most he's simply good at magical first aid should the occasion ever bring itself to him. He would leave any of the further delicate processes to those more skilled in his age group if they're any or the adults who eclipse him with experience.
Lackluster Studies: Combat Magic Defensive and Combat Magic are his father's trade as he is properly trained should trouble every arise, he is more than capable of handling himself compared to the average witch.
It is an area of magic that should run in the family, with his older siblings easily picking it up from their father but Alex was always the one getting wiped even when others came to practice. Sure he was given the proper instruction and knowledge that his father isn't at fault but rather a surprising lack of affinity on Alex's part that he just doesn't 'click' with it. It does leave him being more comfortable moving his body in such situations and acting than those without but those with more combat sense and experience especially will find him easily read in upfront confrontation.
Lackluster Studies: Elemental Magic Similar to his experience in combat magic, he just seems to be trumped in elemental magic that he obviously knows he's behind them. That doesn't mean he hasn't learned anything but natural progression just seems to be difficult for him, stacked along with the fact that he's interested in other areas. He's still able to throw pebbles at annoying people, wring out water from his hair, or try to air out some last-minute laundry. It's just that nothing is impressive or substantial compared to others in his age group.
Abysmal Affinity: Illusion/Mental Magic If it is possible to have an adverse affinity to a type of magic, it is of this nature for Alex as they seemingly gobble him up. While it may seem that he is the type of person to excel in this kind of magic, after an incident in his childhood of trying something overambitious left him worse for wear. It was an issue that only got noticed when something designed to be 'fake' began to affect something that was 'real' which his parents scolded him for after resolving it and taking care of him.
Ever since then, he's mostly stayed away from such magic and the skill he had in that area has atrophied into a shadow of itself. Attempts to use it since that event has resulted in him easily losing control of the spells that he tried that he called it a lost cause to pursue.
Other:
His family has two German Shepherds that got when he was around 12 years old. They're called Maximus and Hermes.
He has three older siblings (Luke, Caius, and Melphina) and one younger (Leia).
Recorational drugs were introduced to him by his older siblings, even then they only do it once or twice a year (that he knows of).
He's pretty decent at roller and ice skating but he has had a few nasty falls that he prefers to do it with someone.
Has a nicotine habit that he takes care of whether it be with normal cigarettes or electronic ones, it reaches his hands either way.
It was just Summer being her typical self and he wouldn't expect anything less of her when Jeremy had introduced himself, interceding on his behalf for a possible escape if he wanted. It wasn't that he disliked Summer, she was like anyone else that when she was in a good mood it was a nice experience and when the reverse happened, the opposite was expected. What was surprising was that it wasn't often that he helped someone during their own ruts or was the cause of someone's displeasure but it seems like he was in this case. Despite what the surface may have said or didn't say, there was always more than what the eyes could see.
As during the end of the day came around with the setting of the sun on the horizon, it disguised the faint glow of Alex's own eyes alongside the fading daylight as subtle magic happened within him. It pulled on his heartstrings as the sacrifice was consumed in silence but the world ignited in color despite the darkening evening, strands of light connected people as they talked to one another, gathering to the meeting that they were called here for.
To say at the very least, there were many people gathered here today but it wasn't a subtle occurrence that around twenty or more of those light trails led away from the party in a direction away from where most of the guests came from.
'Is that perhaps where we are going later tonight?'
Thinking to himself quietly as his attention returned to the conversation in front of him, their words pulled aside as he watched, a pale pinkish light surrounded Summer as she talked to Jeremy whose own strand of light blue light mingled with several other ones. Who was-
Then the feedback of speakers cut cleanly through the air as the party grew quiet, his focus ruined as the magic unravel itself, blending the bands of light into the scenery around them as if the exposure of a camera was dialed down. He blinked several times as his mind stopped wandering, recognizing the voice of Sister Deborah as she began talking into the microphone as the start of a speech began. It detailed the plans that would happen tonight for the initiates but also confirmed where they were going, following the trail of lights that he saw earlier. Not long after Sister Deborah finished her speech, it seemed like the rightful owner of the came as Calypso stared confusedly at the scene. While correcting a mishap, she introduced herself warmly to the new initiate which wasn't an everyday occurrence since most of them knew each other already.
" Well that's five down out of the... twenty-ish people give or take that we are going to meet tonight. "
" If you haven't eaten yet Jeremy, want to head over to the food first? We have the ten minutes before we're whisked away for who knows how long it might take, so might as well. We could then tackle the ones at the house who arrived early if you're interested? "
He said amusedly with a grin to Jeremy, wondering if they could still make their rounds in that short of time or simply later when everyone was asked to meet up. It also wouldn't hurt if they were there a little early as well for whoever was there as prime targets to tack off the list. It also seemed that their conversation group was turning a tad bit bigger and bigger as more people were pulled in, which he didn't mind, as he added onto what Charlie had said nearby to spread the places where chips could be placed on the table.
" Same goes for everyone if you want to grab more food. I know for sure I'm gonna nab something light like the grilled squash and zucchinis that I saw earlier to hopefully hold me over for tonight if Jeremy here says yes. "
" Probably then going to join everyone else at the entrance after that if you all are interested in getting a small headstart afterward. "
He said earnestly to everyone as he turned to them so they were in sight. It was only polite to include everyone if they were interested but if they all came together as a group, he didn't mind again but just wanted to place the option on the table. Either way, even if Jeremey had other plans, Alexander himself didn't mind as he was already okay with being his chaperone for tonight unless the new initiate felt he was comfortable enough.
While today was the big day for Alex, his Dad sighed as he looked at the dashboard clock as it continued to tick on and on, why did he feel more nervous about this than his son? The drive itself wasn't terrible as they left quite early and stopped along the way to finish the second part of their trip but at this point, he'd definitely be late if he didn't get out to accomplish the final trek. He had already said what he wanted to but it has already been what... twenty or so minutes since their heartfelt talk about how proud he was.
"Alex... Are you heading out yet? You need to actually leave the car in order to get to your initiation, you know that right? "
He asked while his son was still fretting around in the pulldown mirror, occasionally taking a glance outside the window as more and more initiates arrived. Alex had already taken an hour to get himself ready before they even left and at this point, was it worth fretting over nothing? It looked like if he wasn't going to be the first one to do it there wouldn't be anything that would happen, being the first one to open the door and unhook the keys as the engine died down.
" Wait, don't we still got some time until we need to be there? Can't we leave in five- "
And... the door was shut in front of Alex as his Dad went around the car and knocked on the door after trying to pull the handle open, looking at him expectantly. He had locked it to try and delay the inevitable but the mechanical "Beeep Beeep" signaled his doom as the lock undid itself like magic, curse technology.
" Alright! I'm coming. I'm coming. "
He unbuckled himself from his seat and opened the car door, his feet crunching on the ground as they began to make their way over to the initiation. Before he could do anything, his Dad was the first casualty as several of the people he knew came over for the usual pleasantries when they arrived on the scene. With question after question, he politely answered them while he inched farther and farther away to escape the unfortunate trap his father was caught in. He took a glance at finding the best place escape, for the eyes on his back wouldn't leave him alone to wander just anywhere, taking this as his chance to head towards the table full of initiates and hope they would relent in their attention. He made his excuses to remove himself and began to head over towards the table, grabbing a cup of something to occupy his hand, as he looked for his seat and the other initiates that were there.
Perhaps he was butting on the tail end of things but it looks like an introduction was being made as he sat down, following the look of the teen he didn't know and who it was directed to... aah... Summer. He knew most of the initiates that would be participating in today's events over the course of years being with the coven ever since his Dad got them in but it seems like he was completely new from the sounds of it. Still, he needed to make his rounds with his peers to see how they have been and what better place to start off with someone new to bring along.
Setting his cup on the table, about halfway empty, he checked his pockets again before he took another glance to his left then right to place where everyone was.
"It's nice to meet you Jeremy but we're not the elders, you know that right? "
He welcomed with a small laugh and smile at the formal introduction, turning the attention that was once gazed on the surrounding crowd now focused on the person seated in front of him. For sure, he was definitely shorter than the dark-haired brunette but besides that, it looked like he recently got here just like him which was convenient.
"If you aren't busy with everything that is going on, I could introduce you to some of our peers. Hopefully, you will get to meet most of the others in our coven who will be with us tonight. "
_______________________________________________ Nikos Athanasiou _______________________________________________ Adventerous Nightingale | Songbird Free of Its Cage _______________________________________________ Male _______________________________________________ Physical Profile ___________________________________
Basics _____
// Basics: • Height | 5 Foot 8 Inches
• Weight | 171 lbs
• Build | Average / Lean
• Hair Colour | Blondish Silver / Platnium
• Eye Colour | Light Blue
Parameters _____
// Magic Circuit Parameters: • Quality | ✦✦✦✦✧ B~
• Quanity | ✦✦✦✦✧ B~
Miscellaneous ___________________________________
//Notes: • Birth & Age | Athens, Greece. 62 YO
• Nationality | Greek
• Alignment | Chaotic Neutral
• Rank | Fes: Festival
Personality ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Raised in a household that sheltered him from the world, it only encourages those who are rebellious to grow their desire of whatever lies outside, whether it be for good or bad. This has set up Nikos to being who he is today, an adventurous soul at the very core of his being despite what anyone in his family could do to stem that desire. While he does miss the familiar sights of home and voices of everyone, the desire to explore the wide expanse of the world and everything that is out there simply calls to him. A strange duality of selfish indulgence yet caring desire that he brings with him wherever he goes, it is no doubt who is the strangest one out of the three siblings that his parents had. Playful and bubbly almost to a fault, it is a visage bound to bring at least a smile or laugh upon meeting such an individual whether it be a good or bad impression.
Objective for the Grail ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Losing the Unified Language was a point in history where the world was being broke asunder, where the living could once communicate with the dead or non-living was now impossible. Even in the waking world of humanity, they were shattered as the language which wove their culture was now gone from the hubris of mankind, separating them into different societies with different thoughts that could not be communicated with each other.
Despite that history which has been buried beneath the sands of time, mankind have striven for attaining something that transcended the limitations that were placed on them, time and time again. Whether it be the Root that mages seek or a masterpiece that speaks to the heart of all who witness it, there is little difference for Aleksei Morozov. For in his eyes, the best work seeks to not only transcend but encompass and overwhelm human understanding, being something that ultimately resonates with the world itself.
Character Synopsis ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
They say that when the Gods retreated to the Reverse Side of the world, they left us entirely. That is what the twilight world of magi would teach in ignorance of the old ways, still seeking to hold their roots firmly in the world. Lineages and agreements still tie families beyond the Age of Humans to a time where the Gods were worshipped and the people received their gifts, persisting even to modern-day even if the Mystery of the divine has waned. Still, they're remnants of an age long past and thus irregularities to the eyes of Magi in modern practice, leaving them as outliers and outcasts in the best case.
The Athanasiou family is one of those who trace their lineage back to the Age of Gods in Greece, carrying the boons typical of such a bloodline that survived since then. Despite the age of their blood, they are considered to be third-rate as Magi but their capabilities as spellcasters are top-notch, renowned as musicians with a gift for their music-based magecraft.
While generations separated from their ancestors, they are a family of magi who have the inhuman blood flowing through them. A union between such was not uncommon back then whether it be intentional by the Gods or accidental, it has resulted in them possessing such a heritage that still remains in Greece. As such, they are formally respected in Greece for their age and stature but ultimately overlooked, known as 'the Golden Songbirds of Greece' who are likened to beautiful birds trapped in a cage.
It is a situation that isn't much of a stretch despite what they may say, holding a way of life that isolated themselves from the world, as every piece of them is worth much in the twilight world of magecraft. They keep themselves isolated in their ancestral homeland where they can stand powerful, where their magecraft is embedded into the land and its foundation lies as a solid safety net.
For Nikos, he risks his life by leaving the protection of his family and the home country where he holds at least some power with. That is simply the spirit of the adventurer inside him that seeks out the glamourous treasures of the world at his own peril. This may be due to the fact that out of all of his living relatives, he is frighteningly considered to be the closest in psyche and nature to their inhuman ancestors, eclipsing them in talent for their family's teachings.
And so, the call for adventure and so many interesting things pulled him all across the world that nobody would deny that he is someone well-traveled. Picking up stories and memories along the way that he keeps close to him, whispers of something interesting intrigued him as he began to make way to Switzerland. He made a few important calls and letting those be in the know in case opportunity decided to bless him, it's a chance that anyone would die for.
Magic Circuits ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
// Activation:
The deliberate breath of air before his voice comes out to sing.
// Quantity:
C Rank | Considered to be the least gifted in terms of natural ability to perform magecraft, Nikos possesses 30 natural magic circuits since the day of his birth which is a very respectable amount. Coming from the age of his family, it is considered to be lackluster but he makes up for it in other ways that define him. For his family's crest, while he is not the one who is to inherit it, it gives roughly around 50 additional magic circuits that his eldest brother is granted.
// Quality:
B Rank | Each of his Magic Circuits can handle around 40 units of magical energy, meaning that his maximum output is around 1200 units worth of magical energy. Once again coming him his lineage and the age of his family, the overall characteristics of his natural Magic Circuits are superior to the average magus. As such, he is more than being capable of supporting most of the upper class servants but is considered to be 'just barely average quality' within their family.
Magecraft ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
// Elemental Affinity:
Wind | Water
He possesses Two of the Five Great Elements that are a part of most Magecraft schools in some shape or form.
In terms of the Wind element, it represents the direction of energy and the movement of forces. The Wind element holds features pertaining to Warm and Wet qualities.
As for the Water element, it is related to the flows, forms, cycles, combination and manipulation of things. For the Water element, it has qualities pertaining to Cold and Wet features.
Culinary Chef - Pastery / Station Chef at a Restraunt
Appearance:
As a man standing around the average height of people, Ashby usually has sleek short blonde hair after a shower that he styles it or wears something over his head, taking his time to groom and ready up for the day. It's not unusual for his routine to take several minutes as he usually finishes leaving the bathroom with faint warm notes of vanilla and cinnamon unless he covers up with cologne or deodorant before next getting dressed.
His athletic body makes it's easy to find well-fitting clothes that he likes which suits his well-dressed demeanor when you first meet him, having a taste for something more stylish than subdued as even plain clothing can be eye-catching in his hands. Even if it is a trip to the gym or having an outing with several friends, he is meticulous about his appearance that there is rarely a time where something catches him unprepared for.
Biography
Rasied to be independent, brought up to be strong, taught to be a man and so Ashby was to their eyes, painted pristinely onto a door that creaked at its hinges when opened. It was just how he was brought up by his parents who expected and planned many great things for him in the future as they provided for the family. Of course, this attention didn't just go sorely on him as his two younger brothers were also raised in the household only two years younger than him who he watched over as they went through their own lives.
Born and raised on the sunny coasts of California, they lived a fairly privileged life compared to others as their parents worked early in the mornings to the mid-evenings where they saw each other again. This left the three boys fairly a lot of time to themselves as they were expected to take care of each other until father and mother got home. Growing up close to each other backs and having a cheerful relationship with each other as they got into their own problems in school. Together, they all lived as a fairly normal family with their own quirks and tics that made their lives uniquely theirs alone.
But eventually, even kids had to grow up and enter the world as Ashby and his own brothers soon entered college one by one. Each of his siblings went on to do their own thing as they stumbled in their own ways but eventually ended up where they were meant to be. His youngest brother, Brian, was the most gifted yet troubled as nobody doubted him when he enrolled in university to become a doctor as they knew he was capable of it. As the middle child, Vincent was the most unique out of them all as he found success being sponsored by a sports organization and owning a business in the rollerskating scene.
For Ashby himself, he took a different path and went to culinary school despite his parent's insistence, managing to eventually brush them off as he worked his butt off. Not only getting into his desired school but graduating as one of the top students of his class with a bachelor's in both culinary science and business management which, to say the least, was an intense experience...
From his internship, he was recommended and landed a well-paying job after graduation into the world of fine dining in Los Angeles as one of the kitchen cooks. With three-course meals priced at one hundred dollars or more per person and required being smartly attired with their dress code, high-end restaurants are a completely different beast from the common restaurant. Taking the culinary skills of a chef and forging it into a sharper blade with the trials and tribulations of every working night, it a job only for those who are truly passionate.
As upon hours on hours, his hands are unmistakable for those who have worked hard in the kitchen but there is still a life outside the bustling nights of restaurants. With the world passing by as his attention laid on his career, even his parents had moved to Colorado for their retirement while his two younger brothers went off to continue their own paths that separated them in different states. Entertaining the thoughts of opening a restaurant of his own until in 2016 it happened.
Global news covered the event all over the world as the chaos brought people fear of what would happen next and the actions of the government to address the situation. Thankfully, no one Ashby personally knew was involved but a few coworkers talked about hearing a relative being questioned and interviewed by the police. In light of the situation, however, he called and eventually moved with one of his younger brothers to a new house where they lived together on the condition he always cooked. Then life continued as always but with more frequent (every other month or so) visits from their youngest brother and parents just to check up on each other. Plans would get delayed over some of the concerns over the unprecedented event people would later call The First Wave but life carried on.
At the start of 2017, Vincent and his family got together in celebration of what the new year would bring, with hopes of better fortune for everyone. Their cheerful and slightly inebriated gathering while a good memory was blanched by the news in the following day, reports coming in of people like the incident from the previous year. Again, nobody that they knew personally was affected but it still rattled them of the situation that was happening, with the government seeming more prepared this time around than before. Or at least, that was what the internet forums claimed as Ashby looked up some of the discussions alongside his more tech and social media-savvy brother who followed them more closely than he did.
Conversations nervously grew as the start of 2018 passed them but coverage of the incident seemed... different compared to the previous years. It was an apprehensive hope as there were no blatant displays, instead being a slow burn that slowly the general public caught onto in the following weeks and months of what went wrong. At this point for his brothers and their parents, New Year's celebration took the entire week just for making sure everyone was okay before heading back home since they all visited Ashby and his brother's home in California. It was a strange twist that his brother decided to stay in California longer, having come down to visit them with a short flight they'd taken. That was when the strange things started happening with his youngest brother, always being out late until the wee hours of the morning that even Ashby got back home earlier from his late-night restaurant shifts. Cameras that they installed in the house started going Paranormal Activity on them as they caught the strangest things that made the two brothers concerned for their youngest. Their initial plan was to confront him if it wasn't reversed against them, resulting in an argument that left them blacked out of whatever happened next. In the following days, their concern grew after their brother stopped coming home that they issued a missing person report and looked for him but nothing bore fruit.
Still, life carried on even as the Fourth Wave fell upon them as another year passed them by. It was the painful fact that they entered a new year with a missing brother, still not found and perhaps nagging at their conscious of what blatantly happened to him, it was a solemn start to the year that no one knew what was going to happen. Everyone in the family took a step back from their work and separate lives to come together, taking a month or so to go through memory lane and get their tears out. In time, 2019 did get better for them in a way as they all took strides in achieving something new as they dug in to distract themselves. His brother's viewership increased to a steady average of around one hundred thousand views for the videos he released that resulted in him grabbing a second sponsor for his career. Ashby himself moved up the food chain as the pastry station chef with several other cooks assisting him whenever a shift comes around for lunch or dinner time.
As time went on during the year, it seemed things were getting back to normal and maybe even looking better in the right perspective. That's at least until the new year came around once more...
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Skills and Weaknesses
Skills:
Passion, Cooking: One doesn't just go to school for four years, especially culinary school, 'just for fun' as there also has to be passion involved to persevere through the hardships. This results in the culmination of Ashby's greatest strength, having hundreds upon hundreds of hours and experience invested that he has picked up a variety of skills in the kitchen beyond just cooking. However, out of them all, cooking is most assuredly his most polished ability he has command over that the common person wouldn't dream of reaching. Given a few more years, he would be a good person to become a sous chef or even an executive chef when he got some more experience.
Conversationally Fluent: While not expected to learn any other languages in his family, living on the west coasts of California allows a lot of people for Ashby to meet. The contact and exposure he got was a fun thing for him that influenced him to learn new languages so that he could interact with people. As such his most comfortable languages are Spanish and French, due to the culture he has come into contact which that gave him plenty of practice. Also, embarrassingly enough, he also learned some Arabic in order to make a good impression on one of his friend's parents but it's still at a level that he has much to learn. It from that friend and their family that he's getting the opportunity to learn from, or at least that was the case until everything happened that he had to drop it.
People Person: People are interesting and Ashby likes getting to know them better, all with their own lives and stories packed within them. As such he is generally an open and outgoing person, preferring to entice people to do the same with his honeyed personality. Like a sponge that just doesn't seem to have a limit, he is earnestly a curious person who likes to learn and doesn't mind even if it may be a tad personal at times. This is especially true with people that he mutually likes, growing easily attached to them but isn't such a bad thing depending on how you look at it.
Weaknesses:
Self-Conscious, Self-Critical: Sure he presents himself as an open and relatable person which he's happy that everyone takes to but that is also the end goal and result he wants to achieve. Finding it hard not to be judgemental about himself or the qualities that he feels are lacking, he likes to always be working on himself even if others say he needs to take a rest. Its a terrible combination of being a workaholic and self-critic that will one day bring Ashby down piece by piece if he doesn't tone it down for his own good.
Stonewalled Empathy: "I don't mind honestly. Besides your happiness is indirectly my happiness as well."
Overprotective: As an older brother and sometimes referred fondly as a dad to his friends, Ashby does seem to take the protective role in personal situations involving them. Being earnest and genuine in where it is coming front, he only wishes for them to be their best but sometimes he takes it a step or two more than he means to. It just feels like everyone needs that somebody to challenge them or keep them on track when they have so much 'potential' that can slip through their hands.
Spells: Choose specific abilities with reasonably well defined capabilities and drawbacks. These spells reflect the knowledge your character already had, not arcane study or sorcery tutorship, and similarly are unlikely to be very well refined or powerful.
Refine Control(Red): A simple spell that allows Ashby to greater manipulate part of his body, allowing things that already be possible to be a step or two better. In exchange for overclocking, he burns through calories faster and gobbles up stamina for the focus that is involved.
Enchant Object: Sharpen(Violet): Truly a deadly spell that imbues an object with a 'sharp edge' refined cutting capabilities about twice as effective but does completely nothing else. It is a fairly non-taxing spell but requires him to be in contact with a viable object and focus on the action of 'cutting' to make it effective. Continuous and constant use generally leads to sore hands and eventually cramps that forces him to drop it around the hour mark.
Sense of Change(Green): In his affinity for cooking, Ashby currently has an uncontrollable ability that enhances and refines his senses to changes occurring in his area of focus. It only comes into effect when he is in a state of calm and focus that comes to him in the kitchen.
Extraction(Red): Resonating with that peaceful state of mind from previously, this is another ability of Ashby that manifests in that kind of environment. Augmenting his ability to pull the best qualities of the ingredients he's using to the forefront
