Tarkas Verik
Appearance
Tall, imposing, broad-shouldered and big in the chest, Tarkas is an ideally built soldier. His scarred face and piercing, hateful gaze only reinforce his build and stature. Shrapnel from a past battle marks his face, where a Dwarven siege engine lobbed an explosive device at his position, forever imprinting the golden-colored metal in his skin.
Skills and Abilities
- Man at Arms
Tarkas is an excellent soldier, experienced in battle and gifted with sword and shield. His time in the military has made the daily drills and exercises into reaction for him- subconscious actions during combat have granted him survival. He is also adamant about maintaining his arms and equipment, and by extension, himself.
- Warrior Monk
Hardly a foolish brute, Tarkas is unique that he spends as much time on his body as he does on his mind. He frequently studies tomes and accounts of past battles and events, and is often spent in his downtime reading. He can actually read in other languages as well, on top of his Vel Anir gifted abilities with Anirian and the Common tongue.
He is also able to speak and read in Elvish- though not particularly well in the speaking aspect, as he does not have many Elves to speak to, and his practice has only been with other scholars. To that end, he is fond of learning and takes time to find out something new.
- Gift of Presence
Whether by reputation or sheer physical presence, Tarkas has an ability to command a room, or battlefield well.
- Teacher
Tarkas is a good instructor, taking time to ensure that the Dreadlords he trains and the Anirian Guards are well-prepared for the tasks they face, and takes the time to learn as much as he can about his students.
Tarkas is an excellent soldier, experienced in battle and gifted with sword and shield. His time in the military has made the daily drills and exercises into reaction for him- subconscious actions during combat have granted him survival. He is also adamant about maintaining his arms and equipment, and by extension, himself.
- Warrior Monk
Hardly a foolish brute, Tarkas is unique that he spends as much time on his body as he does on his mind. He frequently studies tomes and accounts of past battles and events, and is often spent in his downtime reading. He can actually read in other languages as well, on top of his Vel Anir gifted abilities with Anirian and the Common tongue.
He is also able to speak and read in Elvish- though not particularly well in the speaking aspect, as he does not have many Elves to speak to, and his practice has only been with other scholars. To that end, he is fond of learning and takes time to find out something new.
- Gift of Presence
Whether by reputation or sheer physical presence, Tarkas has an ability to command a room, or battlefield well.
- Teacher
Tarkas is a good instructor, taking time to ensure that the Dreadlords he trains and the Anirian Guards are well-prepared for the tasks they face, and takes the time to learn as much as he can about his students.
Personality
Tarkas, in his youth was a prideful and boastful man. As he aged and gained more experience, the pride and hubris turned to humility, as he began to realize the folly of Vel Anir's propaganda- and at having witnessed it first hand.
After the brief but violent civil upheaval, Tarkas is far more cautious to whom he speaks and shares his thoughts to. It is rare, if ever, he says more than a few things to most people. However- the words he speaks are carefully and diligently chosen, and he repeats the thought process to his younger soldiers and students:
Mean what you say, and say what you mean. No more, no less. Hardly, stoic though. To his friends and close allies, he is a talkative, if relatively quiet man otherwise.
For leisure when not training and reading, Tarkas is fond of gardening and sketching scenes of nature. He will take brief periods of respite, going on long hikes alone or with students to spend days in the woods to sketch the beautiful things he comes across. He typically carries a sketchbook with him, taking time to relax once and a while.
After the brief but violent civil upheaval, Tarkas is far more cautious to whom he speaks and shares his thoughts to. It is rare, if ever, he says more than a few things to most people. However- the words he speaks are carefully and diligently chosen, and he repeats the thought process to his younger soldiers and students:
Mean what you say, and say what you mean. No more, no less. Hardly, stoic though. To his friends and close allies, he is a talkative, if relatively quiet man otherwise.
For leisure when not training and reading, Tarkas is fond of gardening and sketching scenes of nature. He will take brief periods of respite, going on long hikes alone or with students to spend days in the woods to sketch the beautiful things he comes across. He typically carries a sketchbook with him, taking time to relax once and a while.
Biography & Lore
Tarkas Verik was a boy born into service, from tending the fields to carrying a sword. First rising to prominence from the working class shared farm that he came from, Tarkas' brute strength and size- a gift and testament to his work on the farm, earned him a quick place on the Anirian Guard.
He was thrust into training at the age of 17, and became an exceptional soldier shortly after. Serving in several conflicts and sieges of Vel Anir, Tarkas earned a reputation for a steadfast reliability, calm under pressure, and unwavering devotion to his fellow soldiers. Unfortunately, a young age, combined with financial stability, and constant praise turned him quite prideful and boastful. He earned several stints in the brig for days here and there, or extra duties. He is not particularly proud of this period of his life, but nevertheless it happened and he uses it as a teaching tool.
It was a Dwarven Siege Engine, stolen, shot by a would-be attacker of Vel Anir, that humbled Tarkas. The explosion sent him flying, breaking most of the bones in his body, and leaving a permanent reminder on his face of his failure. The resulting burns also made it impossible for him to grow a beard. A small twinge of jealousy pings in Tarkas whenever he sees men with glorious, full beards.
The resulting year of constant healing and exercises made him appreciate the scholarly pursuits of life. Without the ability to exercise greatly, Tarkas took to reading and studying to supplement his mind. His mind is constantly on a task, and having to lie while healers worked over him for days at a time nearly drove him mad.
After his healing and physical recovery, Tarkas was notably less prideful and boastful.
He served the people and King well, loyal to a fault, despite the King's shortcomings. At the Seven Houses rebellion, Tarkas was one of the heartiest and deadliest defenders of the King, slaughtering and repelling several attempts on the King's life, before succumbing to exhaustion and sheer numbers. Tarkas was spared, thankfully, and continued to serve the city.
He particularly hates most of the houses, and has a hard time speaking to many who chose a direct side in the conflict. He saw his defense of the King as a duty to the city of Vel Anir, it's people and humanity in the region as a whole. He of course, for his own self-interest keeps these thoughts rather private, and does his duty well as he has for the past 20 years.
He was thrust into training at the age of 17, and became an exceptional soldier shortly after. Serving in several conflicts and sieges of Vel Anir, Tarkas earned a reputation for a steadfast reliability, calm under pressure, and unwavering devotion to his fellow soldiers. Unfortunately, a young age, combined with financial stability, and constant praise turned him quite prideful and boastful. He earned several stints in the brig for days here and there, or extra duties. He is not particularly proud of this period of his life, but nevertheless it happened and he uses it as a teaching tool.
It was a Dwarven Siege Engine, stolen, shot by a would-be attacker of Vel Anir, that humbled Tarkas. The explosion sent him flying, breaking most of the bones in his body, and leaving a permanent reminder on his face of his failure. The resulting burns also made it impossible for him to grow a beard. A small twinge of jealousy pings in Tarkas whenever he sees men with glorious, full beards.
The resulting year of constant healing and exercises made him appreciate the scholarly pursuits of life. Without the ability to exercise greatly, Tarkas took to reading and studying to supplement his mind. His mind is constantly on a task, and having to lie while healers worked over him for days at a time nearly drove him mad.
After his healing and physical recovery, Tarkas was notably less prideful and boastful.
He served the people and King well, loyal to a fault, despite the King's shortcomings. At the Seven Houses rebellion, Tarkas was one of the heartiest and deadliest defenders of the King, slaughtering and repelling several attempts on the King's life, before succumbing to exhaustion and sheer numbers. Tarkas was spared, thankfully, and continued to serve the city.
He particularly hates most of the houses, and has a hard time speaking to many who chose a direct side in the conflict. He saw his defense of the King as a duty to the city of Vel Anir, it's people and humanity in the region as a whole. He of course, for his own self-interest keeps these thoughts rather private, and does his duty well as he has for the past 20 years.