Erek Blackmore
Appearance
Erek is a tall and muscular dark-skinned man. His height is enhanced by his physical build, holding himself with a large muscular build, carrying the body one would imagine a massive fullback in America's 'Football' may have. He, however, is not hulking, but lean and well built. His body as a whole is defined he holds every muscle with equal strength, tone, and definition. His broad shoulders slope a bit before angling into a well-muscled chest and then moving down into a full six-pack that he's worked hard to earn.
From his mother, he inherited his elven traits: pointed ears, tall stature, and her natural good looks. His red locks are straight initially before spiraling into a mass of curls and waves that stem from his father's curly hair. He tends to wear his hair at varying lengths, but is never shorter than his shoulders, and is usually closer to the middle of his back in length. Tending to wear it well brushed, maintained and sleek pulled back into a ponytail with his bangs at around his chin in length. All of it is well kept and cared for showing his dedication to his physical appearance. His eye's stem from his father's side of the family holding, mesmerizing sky blue eyes that have a dark green hinting around their pupils, giving them a blended shade when looked at closely.
Erek's general physique is that of an individual who spends hours upon everyday training, doing pushups, lifting weights, running laps and doing everything he can to cut as much body fat from his body as possible and replace it with dense, tight, and lean musculature. The young half elf's body is covered in signs of past violence, and they come to form many different scars and the appearance of old damage across his entire form. The start of which being a cross-shaped scar that has two parts, the first starting at his forehead, traveling down his forehead, skipping over his eye and re-starting at his cheek to end just over where his facial hair would begin if he grew it. The second being a scar that starts at his temple crosses horizontally over his face and nose and ends on his opposite cheek.
From his mother, he inherited his elven traits: pointed ears, tall stature, and her natural good looks. His red locks are straight initially before spiraling into a mass of curls and waves that stem from his father's curly hair. He tends to wear his hair at varying lengths, but is never shorter than his shoulders, and is usually closer to the middle of his back in length. Tending to wear it well brushed, maintained and sleek pulled back into a ponytail with his bangs at around his chin in length. All of it is well kept and cared for showing his dedication to his physical appearance. His eye's stem from his father's side of the family holding, mesmerizing sky blue eyes that have a dark green hinting around their pupils, giving them a blended shade when looked at closely.
Erek's general physique is that of an individual who spends hours upon everyday training, doing pushups, lifting weights, running laps and doing everything he can to cut as much body fat from his body as possible and replace it with dense, tight, and lean musculature. The young half elf's body is covered in signs of past violence, and they come to form many different scars and the appearance of old damage across his entire form. The start of which being a cross-shaped scar that has two parts, the first starting at his forehead, traveling down his forehead, skipping over his eye and re-starting at his cheek to end just over where his facial hair would begin if he grew it. The second being a scar that starts at his temple crosses horizontally over his face and nose and ends on his opposite cheek.
Skills and Abilities
Swordsmanship. Erek is a proficient swordsman. He has spent his entire life practicing his craft, and because of his dedication, it feels like second nature to him. Though he is far from being called a swordmaster Erek is skilled enough to hold his own against most.
Ki User. Having a background in Ki magic, Erek can target single muscles as recipients of energy. He can incorporate his magic into his movements allowing him to perform superhuman feats.
Hypnotist. Competent in the ways of the mind, the Erek can induce flashes and piercing thoughts in the target's mind. He can also manipulate a few targets at a time with lesser effects. He can make a willing subject enter a hypnotic trance for various purposes.
Primal magic. Erek is confident with two elements(Fire + Wind) and their combination(Lightning). He also is proficient at generating and manipulating his magic. His zone of control is several meters, and the speed and accuracy of his spells are proficient but are still far from perfect.
Ki User. Having a background in Ki magic, Erek can target single muscles as recipients of energy. He can incorporate his magic into his movements allowing him to perform superhuman feats.
Hypnotist. Competent in the ways of the mind, the Erek can induce flashes and piercing thoughts in the target's mind. He can also manipulate a few targets at a time with lesser effects. He can make a willing subject enter a hypnotic trance for various purposes.
Primal magic. Erek is confident with two elements(Fire + Wind) and their combination(Lightning). He also is proficient at generating and manipulating his magic. His zone of control is several meters, and the speed and accuracy of his spells are proficient but are still far from perfect.
Personality
Traits
- Protective. Should someone gain his attention and loyalty enough for them to matter, Erek is incredibly protective of any and everything that he may care about. Especially if something is what he considers "his," be it a person, romantic interest, or in some cases an item.
- Loyal. A King cannot command the loyalty of his followers if he is not loyal. Erek holds himself to this philosophy, and if someone has earned his loyalty, he will do anything but die (and in some cases may even be willing to do that) for them. Though the idea of him sacrificing himself for anyone or thing is incredibly unlikely.
- Calm. Erek is always calm and collected- level-headed. This is not to say that his boiling rage and bloodlust do not bare their fangs- no. But it does, however, mean that even when in the midst of his,' hatred, he remains calm. Years of practice have taught him that losing himself to his rage causes him to become the prey quickly- instead, even when angry he retains a level head and his analytical abilities. A quiet hatred like the sea, and not an explosive rage like a volcano.“Patience, careful planning, and strong tactics can turn the tide in any bad situation."
- Cynical. Erek is incredibly cynical, dissecting everything he see's to its base components, be it emotion, thoughts, questions, statements- it doesn't matter. If it exists he will poke every hole he sees in it until there are no more, this also is what drives the immense perfectionist streak that is so firmly embedded in his psyche.
- Vindictive. Erek is anything but 'nice', that much is clear. However, when it comes to getting payback, Erek is a silent but deadly poison. Very rarely will it ever be as simple as a punch, or a simple solution, no, Erek isn’t the type of man to allow you to 'win' or harm him. Let it be for months, waiting until the person's guard lowers- only for them to come home one day to find their entire family and friends corpses piled on the ground with a note saying "With Love" on top of it.
- Manipulative. Erek has a horrible habit, that he is fantastic at. That is finding the weak points, flaws, negatives, and positives of another person- and dissecting them. Finding what makes them tick and abusing it in any way to manipulate others into doing what he wants, making the best of friends (or so they think) only to make them sacrifice themselves without even realizing it was his plan all along.
- Brutal. Whether it be in combat, torturing, or the political field- Erek is brutal and ruthless. Willing to go to any length to win, certainly- but more importantly he will pull no punches. Terrible at holding back, and believing there is no such thing as 'fighting dirty' he will happily throw dirt in an opponent's eyes, hit a man between the legs, or use a person's family under hostage to get what he wants."Idiots boast about honor and glory, there's no glory on the battlefield. It's hell, and if you want to escape it, you do anything you can to win."
- Proud. Erek, like many nobles/elves, is incredibly proud. However he is not proud of his blood, not thinking his heritage or anything about what he was "born with" matters in the slightest- instead, his pride, confidence, and a slight streak of arrogance stems from his outright dedication. Proud of what he has earned, what he's bled for so desperately. This sadly means that he often comes off a bit pompous or "all-knowing" even if he tends to mean well with his words."I'm a soldier, and I've earned every damn thing I have on my own."
- Willful. For better or worse, Erek’s willpower and determination is a force of nature. He will endure any pain- be it emotional, physical or mental.
- Faithless. Many cultures are based on powerful ties to religions, or beliefs of some sort- but Erek isn't, not in the slightest. Too jaded and full of a hidden loathing for such idea's, and life in general, Erek considers the concept of faith in anything but one's skill absolute trash. Thankfully, he isn't one to rub these thoughts in the faces of others, but it has come up in the past and has certainly caused him problems when a bit too much booze loosens his lips. People tend to be overly sensitive about these things."The gods aren't going to help you, trust me, I've seen plenty of 'faithful' men get their heads lopped off mid-prayer—the gods don't exist, and if they do, they sure as hell don't give a shit."
Overall Personality
Like most sentient beings, Erek is a complicated individual. On the outside is a laid back, jovial, humble and a moderately eccentric man that is willing to do anything to protect his family. On the inside dwells a sleeping monster. Sheer bloodlust, hatred for the world that he was forced to be born into a desire to maim, kill, rule by the law of only the strongest can survive. Anything to get his way, a never-ending ambition with a dark, twisted personality that is willing to delve into any dark act if it means getting what he desires in the end. Once a good heart, but now long tainted black with hatred and anger- tempered into a refined, and cruel being. Erek is what many would deem a monster, as he no longer sees sense in such idiotic ideas like "morality" and similar notions. Slavery, Attacking from behind, poisoning, using underhanded methods, assassins, sacrificing an entire platoon to weaken a foe to maximize his own chances of killing the target and stealing all the credit- all of this and more are things he would do with no hesitation or issue. Similarly, being known for dedicating years of his life to bond with a person, making them think he would die for them, spinning a complex web of lies, of a past life, never lived, of dedication and focus- all up to the point of making them sacrifice themselves at a dire point where he gets to run away smirking, as they die thinking they just used their life to save a dear friend. Similarly- even if an individual is truly his friend, someone he considers dear to him, in the end- he will always come first. It does not mean he doesn't love them .. but it does mean that he will let them die, for his own benefit- or even kill them himself to save himself if he must. He may even cry as he drives the knife between their ribs.
Although Erek often will hide his darker self behind his smiles, charm, and silver tongue- his manipulative nature and allies, it does not change the fact that the man has a far darker side to him, all hidden behind his pretty, kind, easygoing "mask" hiding his true nature. Erek when in a serious situation tends to be called a calm, cool, collected and thoughtful individual- but has an almost scientific and sociopathic way of looking at things. Always focused, willing to do anything to save himself (and others if he must keep up his act). He nearly drops his morals when in this mindset, and is faster, more thoughtful- and often, cruel. Willing to slaughter a hundred infants, if it means saving an entire town- but even worse, he is excellent at guilting, and manipulating those around him to do it for him instead, turning others into monsters just like himself, as if it was just a personal little game for him to see how long it takes for people to break. Because in the end, they always did. As a great man (at least a man Erek would likely consider great) once said: All it takes is one bad day.
Though usually, his 'mask' suppresses such dark tendencies and people only see what he wishes them too, Erek constantly shows a deceptively cunning and serious side when the situation warrants it. He commonly uses idle conversation and outward concern to distract his opponents, or just those that surround him, in general, to calm a situation, break someone down, or to trick them into doing what he wants revealing his manipulative and cunning nature. Despite his carefree attitude, he always speaks politely but is sometimes sarcastic often heavily so when it is on a subject matter that he is passionate about. However, despite this he knows how to hold his tongue, and is an incredibly skilled actor good at making up stories on the fly, lying without any hesitation or need of forethought to fluidly make it believable and fit into his persona.
The mask, nor what it hides are the "true Erek" there is only one- and that is the man that is hidden beneath the mask. That holds all aspects- materialistic, dark, analytical, manipulative, charismatic, cruel, and yet kind. Like all humans, he is not one-dimensional, and all he is does and has been having a rhyme and reason to it. He understands what he is, and knows he is- likely, evil. He just doesn't care. He does whatever is necessary and finds the concept of 'honor' or 'pride' on the battlefield a fanciful tale that only those who wish to become heroes by standing upon the dead bodies of other soldiers for their fame and 'honor.' There is no honor or pride in war or battle; it is a cruel, dark, and despair filled necessity that he embraces- to create a world that is perfect in all sense (at least to him). One that allows the original law of the world to be embraced once more, Only the strong can survive, natural selection allowing only the strong genes and beings to continue in existence- anyone who cannot survive that world, to him, has no purpose existing in the first place.
Biography & Lore
Part 1
Erek's parents, Heryn and Elwyn Blackmore, were leaders within one of the largest farming villages in the area. It had one of the most fertile of lands, and with its resources, their village lived a life of plenty. However, this was one of the reasons that many people eyed them with envy and hate. Erek was not even six months old when his village's most hated enemies descended on them. Despite being an outsider, Heryn was a talented warrior and leader that was just as talented with his sword as he was in the arcane arts. Armed with his magic, martial prowess and his natural born ability to inspire men, Heryn led the charge against the invaders. He exhorted them, "Do not give them a blade of grass nor a drop of water." Their villagers fought with the ferocity of beasts. The bandits were beaten back after a bloody and long-drawn-out conflict. Both sides suffered a lot during the battles and lost many people. Unfortunately for Heryn, his village stood alone, and although victorious, their loss of manpower hit them hard. While the enemies had more resources and warriors left, coupled with the fact that a few other small mercenary bands allied with the enemies to get their cut of the profit. And yet the enemy leaders knew that another battle would most likely result in a stalemate. They decided to “cut off the head of the snake” and end the war.
Heryn and Elwyn were both invited by the enemy leaders to a cease-fire meeting. It was agreed that the place would be neutral and no hostile action would befall him or his party. But that was just the theory. Heryn and Elwyn were both poisoned at the meeting. It was all pre-planned. Their bodies were taken outside and burned. With their enemies leader eliminated, the mercenaries attacked again and this time overtook all the land. One of the victorious enemy mercenary leaders Genghis, took baby Erek, the son of Heryn, as a trophy and a symbol of his victory over the mighty warrior. He decided in that moment of fervor, to raise the baby of his enemy. Not as his son, but as his family slave for life.
Erek grew up in the household of a man that killed his parents and sold his village into slavery. In the household of the Warlord Genghis, from the time when he was a little boy, Erek was treated like a slave of the house, especially by Genghis and his wife. However, the fact that never reached his ears that he was living in the home of the man who brutally killed his parents. He was merely told that Genghis is his father. And yet he was treated with scorn most of the time, like a common slave. The hardest, the lowly and humiliating tasks were given to little Erek. By the older people of the family, he was treated with deliberate disdain. By the youngsters, like mere dirt. Other kids of his age did not want to play with him since they knew his past from their parents but were forbidden to divulge. The child couldn't find out why everyone was so hateful towards him. He was confused. They said he was part of the "family" but wasn't treated like one. He tried to do everything correctly, and as far as his knowledge did so. But still, those were not enough for the family. Every good thing of him was scoffed at openly, while his mistakes earned him severe beatings and humiliation. Genghis, whom he knew as his father, took sadistic delight in humiliating, beating the little boy and in breaking his Will.
"You are worthless! A mere waste of flesh and blood!" Genghis told him one day. The rest of the family echoed these words on various occasions until the boy started believing them. His growing years were dark and lonely. With very few to confide in, he turned to himself. He could love nor trust no one. With no place for love and care in his heart, Hate and Sadness took their place on his heart's throne. And yet, somehow he managed to keep his feelings buried. At the age of eight, Genghis decided that now was a perfect time for him to cash in his on his investment. On the boy's birthday, Genghis forced the young boy into the pits. The pit was a fighting arena where Genghis and his friends forced their slaves to fight among each other, as they gambled drank and partied. Sometimes they would even throw in a wild animal or two to add even more excitement.
Adolescence "You reap what you sow."
It was not till he was 11 that he came across the truth of his past. He overheard his "father" talking with a group of his friends at his house. Full of alcohol that day, Genghis boasted and congratulated himself, not only for killing Heryn and enslaving his people but for also breaking the Willpower of Heryn's only child Erek forever. He did not know that Erek heard every word from a distance. Erek seethed inside, anger and hate boiling inside him. He wanted to storm in and kill Genghis. But he bided his time. Killing him would be too easy. No. Erek would give him a more fitting death. Sure enough, he got a chance, some days later. This was the easy part. The hard part was keeping his expressions neutral throughout that time. When his chance came, Erek poisoned the whole family one evening. Strangely on that evening, the sky was alight with violent thunder and furious lightning. When all of them were dying around him, Erek advanced on Genghis. The old man was now begging pitifully for his life. But Erek said coldly, "You reap what you sow." He dragged Genghis, outside, tied him up against a post and burned him alive with his magic. A fitting and swift vengeance. There was no time for mulling over the past and of his heritage. Erek knew that after what he had done, the authorities would be looking for him soon. He would probably even get a bounty placed on his head name. And since Genghis was a well-known man, his men would be looking for him too. Armed with nothing but the clothes on his back and a sword on his hip Erek, planned to flee the country.
Heryn and Elwyn were both invited by the enemy leaders to a cease-fire meeting. It was agreed that the place would be neutral and no hostile action would befall him or his party. But that was just the theory. Heryn and Elwyn were both poisoned at the meeting. It was all pre-planned. Their bodies were taken outside and burned. With their enemies leader eliminated, the mercenaries attacked again and this time overtook all the land. One of the victorious enemy mercenary leaders Genghis, took baby Erek, the son of Heryn, as a trophy and a symbol of his victory over the mighty warrior. He decided in that moment of fervor, to raise the baby of his enemy. Not as his son, but as his family slave for life.
Erek grew up in the household of a man that killed his parents and sold his village into slavery. In the household of the Warlord Genghis, from the time when he was a little boy, Erek was treated like a slave of the house, especially by Genghis and his wife. However, the fact that never reached his ears that he was living in the home of the man who brutally killed his parents. He was merely told that Genghis is his father. And yet he was treated with scorn most of the time, like a common slave. The hardest, the lowly and humiliating tasks were given to little Erek. By the older people of the family, he was treated with deliberate disdain. By the youngsters, like mere dirt. Other kids of his age did not want to play with him since they knew his past from their parents but were forbidden to divulge. The child couldn't find out why everyone was so hateful towards him. He was confused. They said he was part of the "family" but wasn't treated like one. He tried to do everything correctly, and as far as his knowledge did so. But still, those were not enough for the family. Every good thing of him was scoffed at openly, while his mistakes earned him severe beatings and humiliation. Genghis, whom he knew as his father, took sadistic delight in humiliating, beating the little boy and in breaking his Will.
"You are worthless! A mere waste of flesh and blood!" Genghis told him one day. The rest of the family echoed these words on various occasions until the boy started believing them. His growing years were dark and lonely. With very few to confide in, he turned to himself. He could love nor trust no one. With no place for love and care in his heart, Hate and Sadness took their place on his heart's throne. And yet, somehow he managed to keep his feelings buried. At the age of eight, Genghis decided that now was a perfect time for him to cash in his on his investment. On the boy's birthday, Genghis forced the young boy into the pits. The pit was a fighting arena where Genghis and his friends forced their slaves to fight among each other, as they gambled drank and partied. Sometimes they would even throw in a wild animal or two to add even more excitement.
Adolescence "You reap what you sow."
It was not till he was 11 that he came across the truth of his past. He overheard his "father" talking with a group of his friends at his house. Full of alcohol that day, Genghis boasted and congratulated himself, not only for killing Heryn and enslaving his people but for also breaking the Willpower of Heryn's only child Erek forever. He did not know that Erek heard every word from a distance. Erek seethed inside, anger and hate boiling inside him. He wanted to storm in and kill Genghis. But he bided his time. Killing him would be too easy. No. Erek would give him a more fitting death. Sure enough, he got a chance, some days later. This was the easy part. The hard part was keeping his expressions neutral throughout that time. When his chance came, Erek poisoned the whole family one evening. Strangely on that evening, the sky was alight with violent thunder and furious lightning. When all of them were dying around him, Erek advanced on Genghis. The old man was now begging pitifully for his life. But Erek said coldly, "You reap what you sow." He dragged Genghis, outside, tied him up against a post and burned him alive with his magic. A fitting and swift vengeance. There was no time for mulling over the past and of his heritage. Erek knew that after what he had done, the authorities would be looking for him soon. He would probably even get a bounty placed on his head name. And since Genghis was a well-known man, his men would be looking for him too. Armed with nothing but the clothes on his back and a sword on his hip Erek, planned to flee the country.
Magic Disciplines
Primal Magic
Primal is a discipline of magic that is similar to the Divine magic Evocation which allows the user to manipulate the elements. However, this is where the similarities end, because unlike Evocation, the user doesn't need the help of a deity to utilize their magic.
Primal magic allows the user to expel their magic out of the body. Once it's discharged, the user can then transmute their magic into a different elemental substance (fire, water, air, earth) at the user's whim, or attract this substance from the environment. While beginners can only grasp one element, the greatest wizards can master all four. Users can accomplish a range of effects, from vomiting a short burst of flames to crafting spears of rock, but every time they use this power they are throwing out a part of themselves.
Users can also utilize Primal magic in another way, in which, instead of transmuting magic, they can manipulate that substance from the environment. This is more cost-effective and gives the user an essential edge in the right situation - for example, a fire-based wizard in the middle of a blazing inferno.
Users may transmute the four natural elements: fire, water, air, earth. Since Magic can be turned into any combination of the substances that the user can utilize, it is possible to craft para-elements such as lava (fire+earth), ice (water+air) and lightning (fire+air).
The hazards of Primal magic are two-fold. On the one hand, once the magic has been transmuted, the wizard is not immune to its effects. Many users have died from getting involved in backfires from their own spells. On the other hand, generating too much magic without rest causes the user to pay for their heavy use of magic, and the only they are able to pay for it is with their life.
Primal magic allows the user to expel their magic out of the body. Once it's discharged, the user can then transmute their magic into a different elemental substance (fire, water, air, earth) at the user's whim, or attract this substance from the environment. While beginners can only grasp one element, the greatest wizards can master all four. Users can accomplish a range of effects, from vomiting a short burst of flames to crafting spears of rock, but every time they use this power they are throwing out a part of themselves.
Users can also utilize Primal magic in another way, in which, instead of transmuting magic, they can manipulate that substance from the environment. This is more cost-effective and gives the user an essential edge in the right situation - for example, a fire-based wizard in the middle of a blazing inferno.
Users may transmute the four natural elements: fire, water, air, earth. Since Magic can be turned into any combination of the substances that the user can utilize, it is possible to craft para-elements such as lava (fire+earth), ice (water+air) and lightning (fire+air).
The hazards of Primal magic are two-fold. On the one hand, once the magic has been transmuted, the wizard is not immune to its effects. Many users have died from getting involved in backfires from their own spells. On the other hand, generating too much magic without rest causes the user to pay for their heavy use of magic, and the only they are able to pay for it is with their life.