Name: Aramil "Cor" Vale
Age: 25
Race: (Half) Elf
Gender: Male
Class: Wrathful Hammer Runepriest
Deity: Corellon
Appearance:
My, my, describing myself would seem incredibly haughty of me, hm? But
rather than let some ignorant peasant try to capture my appearance in
words, probably butchering the common language, why not let the one in
question do the describing? Many have called me 'good-looking',
'dashing' even, but I can only say I have a simple kind of beauty.
Simple brown hair, simple brown eyes. Boyish? No, but neither have I
been worn with age. A smile that can make woman and men alike swoon, but
these too are not my words. My elven blood has no shame in my face. My
ears are neither horn-like nor human, the perfect balance of pointed and
curved. And though I am aware that my human blood urges a beard onto my
chin, I won't impede it. Rather than hide my flaw, I would rather show
it proudly. The same way a scar may be flourished and glorified. It only
grows uglier in the dark. (Plus who would want to hide something that
looks this good?)
Personality: I have,
many times, asked acquaintances to describe myself in one word. Many
times have they paused, letting me linger in their contemplative
silence, and though I have asked many people, both human and elven,
their answer is always the same. Narcissistic. I'm not even sure these
people are aware what the word means. How can anyone describe one such
as myself as vain and egocentric? If any thing, I favor the entire
population, man and elven kind, in my bedside prayers. My eventual
ascension back into the immortal realm is not done for myself, but for
every living creature (besides the horrid drow and equally repulsive
orcs, may they remain in their squalor mud pit forever). Sure I may
smile when complimented, even urge others to do so, but this is not
uncommon. I can't help it if people are naturally drawn to me.
Corellon's power courses through my veins after all. I am a modest man,
humble in upbringing. I believe myself to be kind, level-headed,
charismatic with a noble heart. Faithful and dedicated, just like
everyone else. The only difference between you and I is the artistry I
dedicate to my life. Oh, and my godhood of course, but honestly, I think
myself to be part of the common man.
History:
Let me tell you an interesting story. You may call it legend but never a
myth. It is a known fact that deities have the power to materialize in
the mortal realm, take on a familial form as an avatar (blue skinned
cat-like humanoids? What nonsense do you speak of? Corellon would never
take the form of something so bizarre!) to their greater being. Well, it
wouldn't be surprising that Corellon would descend into the mortal
realm to fight against Gruumsh and his army, a tale I'm sure you're
familiar with. Controlling the orc fiends is quite a task, even for a
deity. Anyway, in this one battle Corellon was ambushed by a team of
orcs bearing the insignia of Gruumsh. Niyakhi the Blighted, infamous orc
bowman, dead now I assure you, unleashed a cursed arrow which, despite
Corellon's graceful agility and impeccable reaction time, could not
dodge. It struck him center in the back, not too inches from his heart.
The arrow shattered into black dust that seeped into his skin, stained
his blood and severed the unbreakable connection he had with his astral
form. Corellon was ripped from our realm and the battle was lost.
Legend
has it that Corellon's avatar died in that battle, but few know the
truth. A shard of Corellon's spirit was split from his core that day the
moment the cursed arrow hit it's mark. Where his avatar fell and died,
from his blood was birthed Paelias Tejal of the Skyborn, an eladrin who
wielded unearthly magic, whose arrows flew true as if guided by an
unseen being, whose blade always found his enemy. Coincidence? I think
not. Hardly anything happens in life that can be considered coincidence.
Many scholars believe Paelias is Corellon's fragmented spirit
given form. Paelias' devotion to Corellon was almost unreal. He traveled
to every place of worship, from grand cathedrals of Corellon to meager
roadside shrines til the head priests knew him on sight, slayed anyone
who dare defile Corellon's name, took pilgrimages one after the other.
He often began long journeys 'til hunger and thirst nearly claimed his
life, scouring the undeveloped wilderness, searching endlessly. No one
could stop him, save the limitations of his mortal coil. He was
constantly venturing forth well into his waning years, almost as if he
were searching for Corellon himself, seeking to return the shard that
was retained in him.
He never did, of course, or else this story
would have ended with a happier tone. It would fall to his descendants
to carry on this task. Eons of Corellon's spirit withering in mortal
flesh. Generations have passed with Paelias' will turning into fancy
stories to keep children brave and cunning, quite a popular hero made
quite a popular story, but the truth of the matter is it was seen only
as a story. Who would believe that Corellon had manifested himself in
our realm? Eladrins became elves and elves deviated into half elves.
Corellon's spirit is nothing more than a flickering light, but it does
exist. Paelias to Aramil Vale. A humble half-elf with nothing more but
symbols and lines to prove his connection to Corellon.
Aramil
was but a mere child when the story of Paelias drifted to his ears. An
insignificant whelp born from overly religious zealots, holing himself
inside the cramped confession booth of the town's church (in order to
avoid the evening's studies) while his parents gave thanks from the worn
pews. Bored of the mundane lives of layman, growing more restless with
each passing day, the only thing Aramil had going for him were his skill
with the runes. He scribbled all over the church walls, scratched
symbols into the backs of the wooden seats, even sneaked a doodle or two
into the pages of the holy manuscripts. He was scolded endlessly by the
monks and clerics of the church. Until one day, half drugged with
sweets and amidst all of his childish antics, he stumbled into the
ancient reliquary and was suddenly overcome with a great wash of light.
Gentle yet all encompassing. Reality became muffled as if filtered out.
All he could hear was one voice. It spoke to him quietly though clearly,
as if he were speaking to himself with hands drawn over his ears, and
only said one word: Return.
It may have been 'retrieve' or 'join'
or 'get-off-your-lazy-ass', but the point is clear. Return, he asked?
Return what? Return to Corellon. Return the spirit that was abandoned
thousands of years ago. This very spirit that was now dwelling inside
him. Was it a coincidence that though his father, once gifted with magic
instantly lost touch with his power once he wed to a human wife? Was it
coincidence that he was told by every clergyman to be thankful for his
ability because runes were said to be manifestations of divine power?
Was it coincidence that Paelias' tale be told to him that exact same
day? It wasn't hard to put two and two together. After this, how should I
say, epiphany, little Aramil was changed forever. Corellon, mustering
what strength his lordship regained, perhaps even fueled by the mystical
energy within the reliquary chamber, spoke to Aramil, pleaded
to reunite with his greater whole. Aramil was overcome with religious
fervor. From that day forth, he would be known as Cor, but a mere
fragment of Corellon.
So here he is. And so here I am. Where
Paelias was able to conjure Corellon's strength through sheer will, I
suffer through my ancestors ignorance and can only create a mere shadow
of Corellon's power with my runes. I can bless, I can strengthen, but
not much else. Even a fool can see the shard of Corellon's spirit that
was severed that day dies with me. And so I shall dedicate my life to
completing what Paelias failed to do.
This is privy information
you see. Paelias openly declared his connection with Corellon and thus
was assailed day in, day out by Gruumsh followers, by Lolth's drows and
any other misfits with nothing in mind but disrupting the status quo.
His strength was what kept the assassins at bay, but it was not natural
causes that took his life at the end. I won't make that same mistake,
especially as Corellon's strength in me is feeble at best.
Equipment:
Warhammer
Light Shield
Scale Armor
Ability:
At will- Word of Diminishment, Word of Shielding
Encounter- Rune of Mending, Executioner's Call, Twisted Eye
Daily- Rune of the Undeniable Dawn