Post by matt on Aug 24, 2009 21:07:24 GMT -5
Mel is a well-versed traveler in pursuit of his craft, forging new relations, learning interesting, new knowledge, and exploring different and intriguing locales among the four City-Islands and realms beyond. He has a strong sense of morality, but not necessarily justice due to a ingrained mischievous nature and a penchant to pull tricks and deception, and a sly tongue to gain what he wants and desires.
His home-city is the island of Zhar, where he was born and well-bred as the only child of a high-class Tiefling clan, the Fienslef. He also received his initial training as a spell-caster and scholar there, home-schooled by his well-paid wizardry tutors and appointed teachers of history and religious rites. His family hoped that their son would serve as a magically-trained adviser to the king, or at least in their rose-tinted eyes, the leading politician of Zhar. He was somewhat sheltered from the outside world, but that slowly changed when he reached ten years old.
On his tenth birthday, Mel received a personal servant- a young female Halfling named Callie Prinsbrooke. Despite size differences, age differential and class disparity, Mel started to learn from her to be more open-minded, as well as extremely devious and tricky with his powers- to understand more than just what books and tactical/political savvy could teach him...A levitating "ghost" here, an interesting concoction here with some "special" herbs there...He always remembered something Callie told him; "Sure, spells can do any number of things. But life is short-show those cloth-wearin', pencil-necked tallies I don't know some fun!" While his parents saw Callie as their son's friendship as a slightly negative influence; they saw no reason to stop it. After all, they wanted their child to be happy so he would work more effectively. Not to mention that Callie worked well, serving the boy's needs.
Eight years later, his father brought him into a locked door within their non-furnished home, as Mel laid eyes upon an altar made of obsidian rock. He was initially excited; his family had told him about the Infernal Pact his parents had made-where they would share their body with another and gain more powers and a "friend" who was always there. He had wanted another friend since he had so few. Callie stodd by him and supported him, but with a worried expression-not for his safety, but for both of them against things they did understand. As the ritual proceeded, an demonic-looking creature shining green within a wreath of flame appeared and looked down at the boy, his single-glowing eye amused and glad with this being as his host. It was so glad, in fact, that he decided to have some fun. It turned to the Halfing beside him, and unleashed a part of its mind unto the girl. Screaming and collapsing, Callie fell as Mel went to check on her. The ritual was called off.
Callie was still alive, and was taken to medical treatments, magically and non-magically that money could afford as soon as possible, but they weren't sure exactly as to the effect the creature had. She lies motionless in a temple of Avandra even now, sometimes screaming at whatever mental images the creature gave her.
Mel came to decision then, based on what he saw. While he held to ill will towards his family, the creature and those like him, as well as those who would willing give their soul to some power to be dominated was deadly and unacceptable. Religion also fell under this realization, but a distinction was made due to their beliefs and a guiding force as a source of their power, not direct control. He left that night without telling anyone, taking a couple books, some rations, and enough money to make it to Rivinnia. There, he learned much and trained his magic through self-instruction and corroboration with other wizards. Through his own research, he found his blood had infernal heritage, and could adapt its use to bolster his own magical abilities, as well as use that part of himself-a relatively-portable substance- for other uses. he spent the rest of his years there in relative harmony until recently.
He heard of King Melkar's call for adventurers, and having decided upon a more interesting life than research and study-like Callie would have wanted- he made his way to Salamar without looking back.
His home-city is the island of Zhar, where he was born and well-bred as the only child of a high-class Tiefling clan, the Fienslef. He also received his initial training as a spell-caster and scholar there, home-schooled by his well-paid wizardry tutors and appointed teachers of history and religious rites. His family hoped that their son would serve as a magically-trained adviser to the king, or at least in their rose-tinted eyes, the leading politician of Zhar. He was somewhat sheltered from the outside world, but that slowly changed when he reached ten years old.
On his tenth birthday, Mel received a personal servant- a young female Halfling named Callie Prinsbrooke. Despite size differences, age differential and class disparity, Mel started to learn from her to be more open-minded, as well as extremely devious and tricky with his powers- to understand more than just what books and tactical/political savvy could teach him...A levitating "ghost" here, an interesting concoction here with some "special" herbs there...He always remembered something Callie told him; "Sure, spells can do any number of things. But life is short-show those cloth-wearin', pencil-necked tallies I don't know some fun!" While his parents saw Callie as their son's friendship as a slightly negative influence; they saw no reason to stop it. After all, they wanted their child to be happy so he would work more effectively. Not to mention that Callie worked well, serving the boy's needs.
Eight years later, his father brought him into a locked door within their non-furnished home, as Mel laid eyes upon an altar made of obsidian rock. He was initially excited; his family had told him about the Infernal Pact his parents had made-where they would share their body with another and gain more powers and a "friend" who was always there. He had wanted another friend since he had so few. Callie stodd by him and supported him, but with a worried expression-not for his safety, but for both of them against things they did understand. As the ritual proceeded, an demonic-looking creature shining green within a wreath of flame appeared and looked down at the boy, his single-glowing eye amused and glad with this being as his host. It was so glad, in fact, that he decided to have some fun. It turned to the Halfing beside him, and unleashed a part of its mind unto the girl. Screaming and collapsing, Callie fell as Mel went to check on her. The ritual was called off.
Callie was still alive, and was taken to medical treatments, magically and non-magically that money could afford as soon as possible, but they weren't sure exactly as to the effect the creature had. She lies motionless in a temple of Avandra even now, sometimes screaming at whatever mental images the creature gave her.
Mel came to decision then, based on what he saw. While he held to ill will towards his family, the creature and those like him, as well as those who would willing give their soul to some power to be dominated was deadly and unacceptable. Religion also fell under this realization, but a distinction was made due to their beliefs and a guiding force as a source of their power, not direct control. He left that night without telling anyone, taking a couple books, some rations, and enough money to make it to Rivinnia. There, he learned much and trained his magic through self-instruction and corroboration with other wizards. Through his own research, he found his blood had infernal heritage, and could adapt its use to bolster his own magical abilities, as well as use that part of himself-a relatively-portable substance- for other uses. he spent the rest of his years there in relative harmony until recently.
He heard of King Melkar's call for adventurers, and having decided upon a more interesting life than research and study-like Callie would have wanted- he made his way to Salamar without looking back.