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A Path to Darkness

Getting a back full of wooden shrapnel is never a fun experience.

The wizard's mind was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that clouded his emotions. He couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't. The figure seemed... compassionate? Or simply of aid? And then suddenly, it came. A cannonball, most likely. But regardless of what it was, it's path sent a hail of splinters into his back, piercing his cloak with ease. The force shoved Card against the ground, and the pain surged through his spine.

After that, Card's movements were sluggish to say the least. While his pride would refuse his acceptance of help from one of his cabin-mates, he wished he had accepted it about halfway through his attempt at practically crawling up the steps on to the deck. With every crashing wave or rocking lull, the acid in his stomach getting upset enough to nearly spill from his lips. But he just forced it back down his throat every time.

By the time the wizard emerged on to the deck, the scene was utter chaos. The Tiefling seemed to be inclined in some sort of magic. This ship was clearly engaged in combat, which was something Card was not particularly suited for. He did have some tricks up his sleeve still.

Card raised his staff, one of the few possessions the wizard still had, and slammed it once against the ground. He pointed the tip of the staff from one railing of the ship to the other, muttering under his breath in an ancient language even he barely understood on a bad day. From out the tip of the staff, a line of arcane energy began drawing an glowing, interconnected web along the ship. It formed around those on the ship's deck, seeming drawn to secure them to some extent as waves seemed to crash against the ship's hull.

[Jedi] Tython

Jedi Knight Jex Saranth

”Remember, never rule out the unlikely.” Jex flashed a borderline uncomfortable smile to the Initiates sitting on the floor before him and gave a far too formal bow. ”Thank you for your time.” The Initiates responded with a cacophony of iterations of “Thank You” that fell on deaf ears. The Jedi Knight gave a slightly robotic nod and smile to the Jedi Master who had asked him to give the lecture. As soon as the pleasantries were over, Jex turned on his heels and exited the chamber, walking out into the hallway.

He wasn’t particularly fond of “teaching.” Jex was always more of a fan of learning instead, and he currently had a rather fascinating case that one of the Jedi Masters had tipped him off to. A case that had yet to be formally solved, and was even one that Gareth had taken a crack at near the end of his life. Even in death, Master Selbuk seemed to leave the fun ones for his last student.

So Jex set about his typical process. He found his usual spot in the Archives and began to set up his datapad and other documents, muttering the code to himself. While his master had often given him flak for it time to time, repeating the code was one of the simpler meditations the Jedi had grown accustomed to. Hearing the same words that the Jedi were so obsessed with worked to calm Knight Saranth’s mind. Clearing the mind typically helped him approach a case fresh.

---

The turmoil made the studies difficult. Of course, the Knight was somewhat used to distractions when studying. The sound of his boots stomping against the library’s floor remained a series of constant dull thuds, even if the entire planet of Tython seemed ready to tear itself apart for some time. As far as Jex was concerned, the murder of a Republican envoy to Onderon some ten years prior was the only pressing matter.

No blaster burns, no notable lacerations. Mild bruising around the throat wasn’t deep enough for strangulation, but even that wouldn’t cause brain hemorrhaging in that way. It could be a neuro-

Of course, Jex was always prone to the stray distraction. And while Jex wasn’t usually one to care about a stray set of eyes, the intense and patient staring of one of his fellow Jedi Master standing patiently and waiting derailed Jex’s train of thought. His heart skipped a beat. This could be the moment he had been waiting for. Knight Seranth stopped pacing and turned on his heel, flashing a small grin. ”Yes, Master?”

The response was simple and uplifting. ”Master Shan wishes to speak with you. She’s in her chambers.” With the lightest of a flourish, the Master mimicked Jex’s own heel-spin. The Jedi Knight took a deep breath before lifting the datapad from the table he was working at and carrying it under the crook of his elbow. Perhaps this would be the moment he had waited for.

X-Men: The New Era

Nocturne Part 7

Nathan slid in front of Nik ready to take the bullet. He concentrated and went to freeze Lex to the spot making him imoblie. Softly so that only Nik could hear him. “Nik something is up with Unà. Fix it. I have the big guy. That pulse came from her. Talk her down or this might get ugly. Something isn’t right. You know her better than I do, sad but true. And this is feeling like bleed over onto everyone when she should just be mad at, well me and apparently him.”

When Aya woke up this time, it was gentle – a muffled rise to the surface rather than the crashing, desperate experience it’d been the last time.

Everything hurt. Why did everything always hurt? Dull pain echoed in her body and mind, drowning out everything else. There was a voice. Aya wondered if she was supposed to be scared. She thought she was – she remembered being terrified. She remembered dying.

Her eyebrows pulled together weakly and there was a small sound in the back of her throat. She didn’t want to be awake.

Nik looked about at the scene before him. A strange albino with a gun, half of his friends were bloody and beaten, and the adrenaline was somehow starting to wear off. Nik’s muscles were aching more than they ever had before. He turned his gaze towards Unà, and he could see the rage. The air had become thick, and he could tell that she was the cause. He took a very brief moment to try and catch his breath before finally calling out. ”Unà! Stop… Please. You’re hurting us, Unà… let’s just go home. We have a Calc test coming up and I’ll be honest, I need help with derivatives.” Nikolai turned his gaze towards the rest for a moment, before turning his gaze back. ”You still owe me a favor, from the chamber. Vanilla and Jasmine. Well, I’m calling it in: Walk away. He’s not worth it.” He held out his right hand, the energy seeming to dissipate from the cloth wrapped around his knuckles.

Unà looked at Nik eyes flashing back and forth from blue and normal to a solid alien black. “This is what is right. This moment taking the bad guy out. If we let him go then it happens again. THIS is why we are here.” Unà looks over at Lex. “Give me one good reason we shouldn’t end it now Demo.”

Nik opened his mouth to speak for a moment, before shutting it again. He stared at the ground for a moment, before the corner of his mouth lifted up for a tiny grin. ”Return of the Jedi.” He spoke it with a confidence that almost suggested that it was an obvious answer, the brief moment of dead air afterwards punctuating the statement. But then he continued on, ”You can’t accept that deal, or go down that path. It only leads to the dark side, Unà. It doesn’t matter if he continues doing bad things, it’s about whether you do something evil to him.”

X-Men: The New Era

Nocturne Part 4

Cleo had kept a low profile since the appearance of the guy holding Uná , she didn’t know what to do while the scene had started to unfold before her, it eventually clicked to her that right now the pale individual was not aware of her presence and this presented a golden opportunity.

A crazy idea had popped in her head. Sure it was probably stupid, crazy even, but she had been fighting a monster drunk tonight so what would be different this time round? More of her friends were here this time.

Concentrating, Cleo closed her eyes for a moment, soon she would become invisible, her powers kicking in, she stood up from behind the car, and quietly as possible was making her way round through the other entrance while the others where keeping the man preoccupied with talking, it seemed the only thing to do until she could do her plan, hopefully not harming Uná or Heidi in the process. The plan was to flank and use the element of surprise, but that was a far as she got in her mind so she’ll make it up once inside.

It took a while to figure a way around the place once in, but soon enough the mutant had found herself behind the figure holding Uná just standing within the doorway. But now that Cleo was there she was freaking out in her mind what to do next as she observed what was going on still, she had to get her friends away from him, but then there was another crazy idea. * Yeah that’s it, you can do, just knock them out of his grasp and out the door, how hard can that be?* she was mentally preparing herself.

Pacing back and forth, Cleo battled in her own head how she would do this and simply ended up with a ‘Fuck it’, facing her target, Cleo focused, putting her hands together for a moment against her forehead. *You can do this.* changing her stance to get ready to make the flanking run… She went for it. Full speed, fast as she could before he could realize what was happening, as she got to Uná , Cleo made the grab, using her own momentum and weight to shove into him and take Uná , knocking her out of his arms, it must have looked and felt strange for the person you are holding to suddenly fly out your arms and hit the ground outside the door your standing in.

A few seconds later, it became apparent what just occurred, mainly because in her effort to take Uná , Cleo collided with Heidi in the process which had knocked them out of the doorway, but not by much, Cleo had fallen on Uná by accident; but ultimately, Cleo was visible again and the blonde had realized it too, she can only apologize later to the girls for her actions, if she hurt them but for now, she turned facing Lex. “Think I will keep hold of Red for you darling” She smiled placing herself between him and Uná , turning her head to the others. “Now!!” she yelled urgently.

Nik gave a devilish grin as his hand slipped out of his pocket, revealing a glowing chunk of wood in his grip. With an aim and windup he had trained since he was eight, Demo launched the chunk of wood directly towards Lex’s exposed chest before rushing forward, his right fist cocked back and ready to plant one right in the bastard’s kisser… with a bit of a charge prepared for the son of a bitch.

Lex grabs Nik’s wrist as he staggered a bit under the impact of the small explosion that came off of the splinter. “You’re about to pay dearly for that one pip squeak.” Lex then grabbed the front of Nik’s shirt and tossed him directly into Nathan.

Nathan who was dressed in one of the suits and weilding a pair of knives made out of blood. Quickly he banished the blades as he caught Nik. Well sort of caught Nik. More like broke his fall...with his body. “Damnit Demo!!! Let’s kick this guys teeth in!! We should be working together not trying to do this on our own.” Nathan pulled Nik to his feet offering his left hand noting that his right was glowing.

Uná fell into Heidi and Cleo as a mass of tangled limbs. “Ouch!! That hurt!!! Ugh!! Off!! Now!!! Before I stuff you in a barrel you Kook!!!” Her temper was showing as well as falling into old habits of using surf lingo.

Heidi groaned, at the bottom of the pile. She couldn’t see on account of Uná and Cleo, so had literally no idea what was happening. There were many possibilities. Was everyone okay?Was anyone hurt? Heidi tried to struggle free of the pile which wasn’t easy when her body was already tired. ”What’s going on?” she asked aloud. ”Are you two alright?”

Jasper hadn't known what she would be getting into when she stole a car and rushed to Avalon. But she had known it would be exciting, different, and perhaps a chance to show off. She hadn't planned to suddenly become a super hero, and likely wouldn't stay as such. Jasper wasn't a good person by nature, but by effort she managed to be a decent human being.

Well… not exactly human, but still.

Nik and Nathan were closer than her to begin with, but it was Cleo that randomly appeared, knocking Uná out of his grasp and tackling another girl she couldn't immediately name. Shortly after Nik went after the albino, only to be thrown back into Nathan, leaving Jasper as the only one of them actually standings.

That's awkward.

Rolling her shoulders, Jasper lilted every so slightly to the left, tilting her head as if listening to something. She blinked, and through the material of the suit a faint neon green glow could be seen along her arms to her fingers. Fingers that crackled still with the overcharge. Finally she stepped forward, unhurried, patient, measured steps. By the time she reached Nik and Nathan, she could speak without Lex hearing her.

“Cover your ears boys.”

Seconds later every network connected car in the area had its headlights on, and radios blaring static. Jasper stood barely three feet from Nik and Nathan, but her attention was on Lex. Her mouth moved, but the sound came from the radios, the cameras she could reach.

“So sorry for the interruption everyone, but it's important. This guy right here, the one with the gun obviously, not the tumble of girls beside him. He kidnapped a girl from a club tonight. No clue why, but she's clearly not old enough for him. Don't talk to strangers kids, especially creepy albino dudes with guns.”

The radios all simultaneously stopped, headlights fading out. The furthest away stopped first, until the only lights were the street lamps and the glow from Jasper's skin. To Lex, she flashed a grin.

“I hope you like being famous.”

Nik placed fingers in his ears for a moment as Jasper did her thing. He was a little disoriented from charging forward one second and being tossed aside like a newspaper the next. As the broadcast played, Nik stared in bewilderment. This… this was a new power. And it was intense. Once it was over, Nik tried to take Nathan’s hand again to get back to his feet. His right hand was still charged up and ready to go. He just needed a good shot.

X-Men: The New Era

Nocturne Part 3

Nik’s eyes locked on to the taller form, his fists clenching hard enough that his fingernails began to draw blood in his palms. His eyes flicked to Uná , held in that man’s arms. He then turned his eyes back towards Lex, anger practically oozing from his squinted eyes and grit teeth. Energy arced more furiously around him as Nik practically spit out the words in a commanding tone. ”Put. Her. Down.”

“Who the hell are you?” Lex didn’t put Uná down. He had the advantage here, why lose it.“And I’m the one with the gun. I says she stays with me.

Uná ’s head turned and she whimpered her face contorted in what was clearly fright.

Eventually they made it, though along with the professor who'd failed to get them to stay. Jasper, winded, stepped out of the tesla. She stretched her arms up, glancing around at everyone else there. There was urgency in two boys faces, and a drunken grin on the other conscious girl. Cleo, right? Jasper compared their faces to those she'd seen in security feeds. Cleo, Nick, Professor Kaylee, Elijah?

[Approved] Jedi Knight, Jex Saranth

OoC

How long do you usually write?

One to two paragraphs
Several paragraphs
(Depends on the Circumstance)

Do you enjoy writing collaborative posts for things like conversations, combat, etc.?

Yes.

Is grammar and depth of writing important to you?

Grammar isn't as important as the story being told. I wouldn't make a fuss over bad grammar, nor spend the effort to pick it apart.

Are there any writing subjects you particularly enjoy exploring?

I mostly focus on character development, and enjoy good character interaction regardless of general writing subjects.

Is there anything you really dislike and want to avoid like the plague?

Pretentious Behavior.

Is there something you are uncomfortable with happening to your character?

Nothing of note.

Do you have any short-term or long-term goals with this character?

My primary goal for the character is to develop Jex into a Jedi Investigator.

Jedi Temple Public Records

Name: Jex Saranth
Species: Human
Homeworld: Alderaan
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Rank: Jedi Knight
Master: N/A
Former master(s):
Jedi Master Gareth Sulbek
Apprentice(s): N/A

Jedi Temple Internal Records

_{Short description of the Jedi.}

Image

Jex Saranth has always appeared to be a little more brutish than his fellow padawans. When he was younger, he was always a bit larger than the other humans he trained with. Currently, he stands at 1.9 meters, and weighs 83 kg. With his partially shaved head and noticeable scar on his right cheek, one would be forgiven for immediately assuming the hulking Jedi was a bouncer or street thug. The Jedi Knight has two outfits he keeps on hand: his traditional Jedi robes for wear around the temple, and his nondescript jumpsuit worn when trying to blend in to the crowd. He almost always is seen wearing combat boots, and his weapon is often found proudly holstered on his left belt.

_{Simplified report on known Force techniques and estimated levels.}

Jex's suite of force training has been suited towards his intended specialization. They include:

• Telekinesis (Basic)
• Force Throw (Basic)
• Force Sight (Basic)
• Force Sense (Intermediate)
• Mind Trick (Intermediate)
• Force Jump (Basic)
• Detoxify Poison (Experienced)
• Force Bellow (Miniscule)
• Telepathy (Intermediate)
• Comprehend Speech (Intermediate)
• Force Stun (Basic)
• Tutaminis (Basic)
• Malacia (Intermediate)

_{Simplified report on other known skills and estimated levels, including lightsaber training.}

As a Jedi Knight brought up as an Initiate from a very young age, Jex was studying and training at the Jedi Temple for years. He has an understanding of the Jedi principles regarding the History of the Republic and the Jedi Code, as well as basic training in piloting and survival. Jex's most extensive training has been in the fields of negotiation and forensics. While he didn't start off as a fond student of medicine and science, Master Selbuk instilled an understanding of it's importance in bringing order and balance to an unstable galaxy. Jex has a near expert understanding of Forensics, and is incredibly proficient in the arts of interrogation, negotiation, and occasional deception.

Jex's lightsaber training is geared mostly towards defense. He has a decent understanding of Form I and Form II, but is most proud of a development of his own personal defensive flair. He is well trained in Soresu and Shien forms, mostly for their benefit in both blaster and bladed defense. His offensive strategy is best described as "the best offense is a remarkable defense."

_{Quick report on political influence, associates and rivals.}

Jex doesn't have much political influence, both inside and outside of the Jedi Order. He was made a Jedi Knight mere days after the Sacking of Coruscant, and has spent the time since training to be an Investigator. He has no notable associates, though has made enemies with a few low-level crime lords on Coruscant.

_{Psychological evaluation of Jedi Order member.}

Jex Saranth seems to be a remarkably stable individual, despite prior fears of life events drawing him down a darker path. He takes after his former Master Gareth Selbuk, seeming to be rather stern and grizzled for a man of his age. He often bears a sour expression, and carries himself with a domineering tone. At times, it seems he gets along better with criminals and Republic security officers than his fellow Jedi Knights. In the Temple, he is much more quiet and reserved. Reports of Jex in the field and even on assignment as a Padawan suggest he enjoys regaling the populace with tales of his escapades.

_{List and description of known and suspected flaws. To be put into restricted database.}

Jex's greatest flaws seem to come from a personal instability. While he does seem keen on achieving peace, Jedi Knight Seranth has been known to have fits of anger when he was younger. As for more personal flaws, Jedi Knight Seranth has a hard time trusting others, even members of the Jedi Council.

_{Major achievements and failures on record.}

Completed the Initiate Trials
Constructed Standard Lightsaber
Completed Jedi Knight Trials
Gave a lecture at Tython's Temple on Forensic Pathology

Interview

_{Personal biography, as detailed by the candidate for use in Jedi archives. Acquired shortly after last achievement of note.}

Jex Saranth was born to an unremarkable life. His family operated a small speeder and droid repair shop. They had little way to support their child, but did the best they could for three years. That was until a Jedi Recruiter had shown up on their door, and offered Jex the life they always wanted: he would receive an education and would help make the galaxy a better place. And so, while Jex was too young to understand what was happening, he was shipped off to the Temple on Coruscant for training.

Jex didn't adapt well to his new environment. He wasn't the best student, and had issues finding inner peace. He took better to more practical skills, from navigation to dueling. It took him until a year before the Initiate Trials for him to begin making peace with his life at around the age of ten. He took his studies more seriously, and truly began to find a love and appreciation for his studies and the Jedi Code.

Jex Saranth's trials were an interesting sight when he began them at age twelve. During the Trial of Wisdom, he seemed to demonstrate a passable understanding of the Jedi Code and it's true meaning. The Trial of Skill was a bit shaky, as Jex had some difficulty connecting to the force under such pressure. The most difficult trial, however, was the Trial of Insight. Jedi Investigator Gareth Selbuk oversaw Jex's trial personally, as something about the Intiate spoke out to him. Gareth had given Jex what seemed like a simple case: a local criminal was accused of murdering his girlfriend. Jex poured over the case files, and it seemed rather open and shut. Yet, something seemed... wrong. So Jex went over it all again and again for hours, with Selbuk watching intently. After seven hours, the Initiate finally delivered his verdict: the hitman was guilty. The smoking blaster? The blast wounds were inconsistent for the hitman's height, and it was clear from some bruising and burn marks that the body had been moved. With that verdict, Jex was made a Padawan. Better yet, Gareth Selbuk had accepted the boy as his Padawan.

Jex served as Gareth's Padawan for his entire career. Gareth was almost always stationed for missions within the Inner Rim, from Coruscant to Manaan. As a result of Gareth's training, the two often found themselves working to solve strange cases and aiding local law enforcements to deal with organized crime rings that had risen up as a result of the war.

Beyond practical training in applying his understanding of the force and a remarkable education in the fields of interrogation and forensics, the most important lesson Jex learned under Gareth: patience. Patience was the key to balance. A case didn't just solve itself overnight, nor would the galaxy suddenly temper in a matter of days. The next most crucial lesson: the purpose of peace is to protect, not attack. Everything about Jex's lifestyle, from his daily interactions to his saber style, grew to reflect these lessons.

When Jex turned twenty, he began his Knight trials. The first test he engaged in was the Test of Skill, in which Gareth had chosen to test out Jex's ability to concentrate. Rather than simulate a storm, Gareth chose something he figured Jex would not be able to resist: Gareth openly talked his way through a case, intentionally making slip-ups along the way while Jex was forced to levitate a few heavy crates. Jex, by some miracle in Gareth's eyes, was able to keep his mouth shut and focus on the Trial at hand.

The second trial he engaged in, the Trial of the Spirit, may have led Jex to be the paranoid man he is now. The two delved deep into Jex's psyche, and found that which he feared most: betrayal. The same betrayal he had felt towards his parents for abandoning him, and the fear of Gareth or even Republic security officials to betray him and leave him for dead.

The Trial of Insight was the easiest of the trials Jex engaged in. Gareth had pulled some strings, and managed to convince Republic officials to allow Coruscant's very own small-time Crime Lord Rex the Ripper to be interrogated by Jex. The interrogation took three days in total, after which Jex had managed to rat out only accurate leads on his known associates.

The Trial of Courage was the most dangerous that he engaged in. Following the Trial of Insight, Gareth was tasked with aiding in finding one of Rex's close associates and known smuggler, Dev Arx. The Padawan went undercover, attempting to purchase spice from the smuggler while wearing a wire. Needless to say, the whole event went sideways after Jex was recognized by one of the thugs Arx had hired as protection. Given the fact that Jex had to subdue Dev while fending off a small band of criminals, the Trial of Courage was considered to have been passed.

There was only one Trial left to be completed, and one that Gareth had been reluctant to prepare for his Padawan (and thus, was the last Jex was subjected to). The Trial was set to take place closer to the front lines of the conflict, but Gareth had arranged for Jex to spend time on Alderaan briefly. It, too, was a test: to see if Jex would go rogue to try and speak with his parents. Gareth would have been proud to see his Padawan succeed.

That is, if Master Selbuk had made it to Alderaan to pick up his Padawan. Instead, he found himself at the Jedi Temple on the day of the Sacking of Coruscant. He was slaughtered in the conflict. Jex knew that something was wrong when he felt something stirring inside of him that day. Then the waiting began. For days, Jex waited for his master. He never showed. It was only when news broke of the Sacking of Coruscant that Jex knew what had happened to his master. He got in contact with the Order, and was sent to the Jedi Temple on Tython. In a bittersweet day, Jex's loss of Master Selbuk led qualified for the Trial of the Flesh. The Padawan was promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight.

For the past six years, Knight Saranth has dutifully followed the will of the Jedi Council. He has adjusted to his rather lonely lifestyle, travelling throughout the Republic on various assignments. He has not yet taken a padawan, but has been asked to help train padawans on a regular basis. His most recent case has been a lecture for initiates on Forensic Pathology. All the while, Jex would spend any downtime he had left at the nearest Jedi Temple, making sure to hone his understanding of Forensics. It was either that, or finding the nearest local police bar to interrogate detectives on their most remarkable cases. He is waiting for the moment the Council the Jedi Council calls him in to give him the role he has been desiring since he became a Padawan: an Investigator.

A Path to Darkness

I'll get a post out as soon as I can.

A Path to Darkness

I'm happy to be here with y'all. Card... not so much.

A Path to Darkness

Card wasn't particularly used to the waves of the sea. Hell, this was his first time not on dry land. What seemed like a good idea, namely moving away from the last town he had set up his cons, was beginning to turn into a living nightmare. He was able to manage the more gentle waves before the storm, but the insane churning of the sea had forced Card's head into a bucket. He hadn't been this sick since he had tried what turned out to be rancid salmon some ten years prior.

Card lifted his head back to get some air, doing his best to try not to breath in the putrid fumes as his eyes watered. Card's gaze temporarily wandered over his strange company. He could almost hear his old mentor's advice in his ear, and found himself muttering it under his breath. _{"Never try a con if there's no exit."} Though, at this point, perhaps a dive into the raging seas and letting the waves take him to his watery grave.

The slamming open of the door caught the wizard by surprise. Standing in that doorframe was something he was certain wasn't real. He didn't recognize the man as part of the crew, and his armor appeared rather ornate for someone to travel among this crowd. And then, with a flash of lightning, the face changed... certainly a trick of the light. Or an illusion of some sort. It wasn't natural, it couldn't be.

Of course, it couldn't be a complete illusion. His fellow passengers seemed disturbed by the figure. Card's eyes darted between the boy and the tiefling again, before he too spoke in a weak and shaky voice. "He's right... always tales of strange spirits... on these sea-" He wasn't even able to finish his stunted speech before he had to thrust his head back in the bucket, heaving out little more than his own stomach acid.

A Path to Darkness

Name: Vaezel Vzaz
Alias: Card
Age: 103
Gender: Male
Species: Drow
Class: Wizard

Appearance: Vaezel Vzaz, who only goes by the moniker "Card" these days, is a rather ordinary looking Drow. His face is rather pointed and jagged in every sense of the word, from his pointed ears, pronounced jaw-line, and sunken eyes. His skin is a purplish-blue tone that is somewhat uncommon, and more of a byproduct of his exposed time above the surface and a family line leading back to a High-Elven family that's name has long been forgotten. His figure is rather lithe from a malnourished lifestyle and a lack of exercise, while his chest and back expose the marks of a childhood spent whipped and beaten. Card's hair is a tangled mess of stark white hair

Card's entire look is designed to hide his true skill-set. His fondness of reds, greens, and browns within his style are more of a byproduct of his mentor's own apparel rather than his own stylistic choice. The clothes don't exactly fit on their own, so Card has to actually pad his clothing to make it seem more well-fitting than it would hung on his lithe and bony form. His accessories, namely his jewelry and his highly stylized pack of cards in a holster on his belt, make Card appear as little more than a charlatan pretending to be a wizard.

Personality:

• Grandiose - When in public, Card overplays the persona of a wandering magician as much as possible. It's all part of the act.
• Cautious – Card isn't one to be overly trusting. He keeps his past close to the chest.
• Greedy – Who doesn't like to hoard as much coin as possible?
• Narcissist – Card knows that he is typically one of the most knowledgeable people in the room, and he will be the first to tell you as such.
• Pretentious - While he only lived the life of a refined scholar for a short time, he took a liking to it and seeks its comforts even on the road.

Motivation:
Card is seeking the better life he believes he is owed. He wants wealth, opulence, and status as a respected academic. And he will do whatever it takes to achieve as such.

History:
Vaezel, nicknamed "Card" from a young age, was born into a world destined for nothing great. He was a peasant of two exiled Drow who tried to make their money through cons, thievery, and murder. They met violent ends when Card was still a child, killed by the guards after a botched robbery turned into a homicide. And as a young Drow watched the corpses of his parents dragged away by the guard, his new life began when he was approached by a strange looking man.

Garkan Blackwell, a semi-trained street magician, took the boy under his wing. He taught the boy everything he needed to know about the art of deception. From that young age, Card helped the magician to con his way into moderate wealth. As he grew older, Card learned more than just tricks with a deck of cards and how to give a false fortune. Garkan was a semi-trained wizard, and did what he could to begin teaching Card the same tricks of the trade. By the time Card reached his 100th birthday, he had learned practically all he could from the now old man. Garkan's health was failing, so the two settled down in a small town and used their gathered wealth to live for two years in relative opulence. It was nice for the two to not have to worry about skipping from town to town, and instead had plenty of wine and food to keep them well.

All good things must come to an end, however. Garkan died in his sleep one night about a year ago. Card used the money he had saved up to pay for a decent funeral, and left without a coin to his name. He spent the past year travelling and performing on his own, but he hasn't felt the same since Garkan's passing. The two had always dreamed of making it big, and having their name whispered about in even the largest of cities as celebrities of sorts. Fame may have a higher price, however, than Card will be willing to pay.

Equipment:

• A rather odd Outfit,
• a dagger,
• a staff,
• basic pack of scholarly supplies,
• A Charlatan's Die,
• An Enduring Spellbook made of cards,
• and a few spare coins.

Weakness:

• Weak Constitution – All studying and no play makes Card a very weak Drow.
• Greed – A desire for wealth, coin, and respect can make men do irrational and dangerous things.
• Center of Attention – Card isn't exactly one for blending into the crowd... which isn't always ideal if you cheat and swindle people.

Relationships:
N/A