Villam Regis
"I understand your concern, noble Somners. However, I assure you he's been taught and trained to the utmost. He is ready."
"It is not a question of his training, Solomon, but of his temperament. He wields your infamous passion with none of the wisdom that counterbalanced it. You always knew when to stop. Villam does not."
"The boy is somewhat troubled, I admit that. His intentions are pure, though. I would not recommend him for this position if I thought his heart to be tainted in the slightest."
"A dark cloud hovers over your son, My Absalon. We will anoint him, but we will not stay our hand if we believe him to be abusing the Runestone."
"I understand. I will monitor the boy as well. Rest assured I will not jeopardize Valentennia to safeguard my son."
--The Confirmation of Villam Regis' anointment as Guardian
Appearance
Villam Regis is the spitting image of his father in his prime, save for the hazel of his mother's eyes and a paler complexion. A bit slimmer and less broad-shouldered than Solomon, Villam nevertheless maintains the intimidating glare and imposing presence that made his surname famous.
Viewing armor as too restricting and cloth as far too vulnerable, Villam wears leather padding more often than anything else, usually strapped with his knives, spare vials, an array of various pouches for materials, including a hidden pocket for his Stone.
Viewing armor as too restricting and cloth as far too vulnerable, Villam wears leather padding more often than anything else, usually strapped with his knives, spare vials, an array of various pouches for materials, including a hidden pocket for his Stone.
Skills and Abilities
Villam, much like his Father, served in the Vanguard from a young age. Unlike Solomon, however, he found his talent was not with large weapons and spellcraft, but more practical skills. Villam is an excellent potion-maker and is an expert at constructing and laying traps and snares. Frequent nights of sneaking into Valenntenia Tower at night have also left him with a knack for picking locks and sticking to the shadows.
Success would not come to him without some combat prowess, however. Villam is proficient with small arms and hand to hand combat, as well as crossbows, especially the ones handcrafted by him. In his mind, anything that allows him to defeat his opponent before they have an opportunity to fight back is the better option.
Success would not come to him without some combat prowess, however. Villam is proficient with small arms and hand to hand combat, as well as crossbows, especially the ones handcrafted by him. In his mind, anything that allows him to defeat his opponent before they have an opportunity to fight back is the better option.
The Runestone of Passion
Villam is the Guardian of the Stone of Passion, a stone most flexible in its usage. Passion comes in many different forms, and what one may feel an exhilarating rush of emotion towards, another may be apathetic. As such, the Passion Stone can have extremely unpredictable effects when used by different people. Or, in some cases, on different people
In his seventh year as its Guardian, Villam has begun to grasp the intricacies of the Rune's magic, and how it manifests itself in his possession. So long as he remains passionate about something, pursuant of a certain attainable goal, the Stone will heed his bidding.
MANIPULATION
While not as potent at affecting the minds of others as some of the other Stones, Villam can slightly manipulate the emotions of others with his Stone. This has very strict limitations and uses; Villam cannot bend free will or change any person's opinion or way of thinking. He can, however, amplify the thoughts that they do have greatly. A coward who wishes to fight but is filled with fear can be inspired to take up arms, or a foe questioning his allegiances can be pushed towards giving into the doubts in his mind.
This is, of course, morally questionable. Whilst Villam cannot make anybody do anything they do not have some desire to do, his power does often result in actions being taken by those who would normally not take them. For this reason, Villam is often looked at with increased scrutiny during his thrice yearly check-in's.
INDEFATIGABILITY
Villam is capable of carrying on for long periods of time without sleep or rest by bolstering his own spirit with the Rune without much in the way of adverse effects until after the magic wanes. So long as he carefully monitors both himself and the energies of the Stone, Regis can go several days without sleep, and even longer with short, hour long naps.
Though useful, the toll this takes on a person is somewhat obvious; when the increase in passionate resolve passes, Villam is left utterly exhausted for just as long as he'd carried on with the Rune's help. This is an ability to be used tactically and is especially useful when cornered or in long battles.
PERSUASION
Changing opinions through magic is folly, but to inspire others through your voice alone is a powerful ability. Villam's passion shows through in his voice, allowing him to sway others with his speech and rally them to his needs. While far from foolproof, the emotion behind his words often finds Villam allies when he needs them most.
INSPIRATION
Less of an ability and more of a passive effect caused by the Stone of Passion, those in Villam's presence more often form grand ideas and visions, and are more inspired to act upon them. Villam himself has no control over who is affected in this way, and to what end, so some level of care must be taken. After all, not all designs of the mind are for the good of the world.
This also applies to Villam himself, constantly assailed by thoughts and ideas that would be no more than seedlings in the back of his mind otherwise. For the sake of his own time, he has mostly mastered filing these ideas away, but it's not uncommon for him to take small bouts of time off focusing on a strange new hobby or work just to get it out of his system.
In his seventh year as its Guardian, Villam has begun to grasp the intricacies of the Rune's magic, and how it manifests itself in his possession. So long as he remains passionate about something, pursuant of a certain attainable goal, the Stone will heed his bidding.
MANIPULATION
While not as potent at affecting the minds of others as some of the other Stones, Villam can slightly manipulate the emotions of others with his Stone. This has very strict limitations and uses; Villam cannot bend free will or change any person's opinion or way of thinking. He can, however, amplify the thoughts that they do have greatly. A coward who wishes to fight but is filled with fear can be inspired to take up arms, or a foe questioning his allegiances can be pushed towards giving into the doubts in his mind.
This is, of course, morally questionable. Whilst Villam cannot make anybody do anything they do not have some desire to do, his power does often result in actions being taken by those who would normally not take them. For this reason, Villam is often looked at with increased scrutiny during his thrice yearly check-in's.
INDEFATIGABILITY
Villam is capable of carrying on for long periods of time without sleep or rest by bolstering his own spirit with the Rune without much in the way of adverse effects until after the magic wanes. So long as he carefully monitors both himself and the energies of the Stone, Regis can go several days without sleep, and even longer with short, hour long naps.
Though useful, the toll this takes on a person is somewhat obvious; when the increase in passionate resolve passes, Villam is left utterly exhausted for just as long as he'd carried on with the Rune's help. This is an ability to be used tactically and is especially useful when cornered or in long battles.
PERSUASION
Changing opinions through magic is folly, but to inspire others through your voice alone is a powerful ability. Villam's passion shows through in his voice, allowing him to sway others with his speech and rally them to his needs. While far from foolproof, the emotion behind his words often finds Villam allies when he needs them most.
INSPIRATION
Less of an ability and more of a passive effect caused by the Stone of Passion, those in Villam's presence more often form grand ideas and visions, and are more inspired to act upon them. Villam himself has no control over who is affected in this way, and to what end, so some level of care must be taken. After all, not all designs of the mind are for the good of the world.
This also applies to Villam himself, constantly assailed by thoughts and ideas that would be no more than seedlings in the back of his mind otherwise. For the sake of his own time, he has mostly mastered filing these ideas away, but it's not uncommon for him to take small bouts of time off focusing on a strange new hobby or work just to get it out of his system.
Personality
Villam is, as the stone he guards implies, a passionate man. He pursues his goals without fail, and is very difficult to distract from whatever he has set his mind to. That is not to say he is entirely single-minded; Villam cares deeply for his fellow Guardians and their safety, perhaps more than he does the Stones themselves.
Indeed, while his focus is impeccable, he often allows it to put him into situations that could easily have been avoided. As is often the case with Passion, Villam thinks with his heart before his mind, and a troubled childhood has left that heart wounded and impulsive.
Villam holds a small level of resentment towards his Father and the Somners relating to the death of his mother, Aurabella. He disagrees with the rule of the Sixteenth; that the Stone of Life and Death must never be used. In defiance of them, he's garnered a reputation for being willing to do anything to attain his goals, at cost to himself and at times those around him.
Indeed, while his focus is impeccable, he often allows it to put him into situations that could easily have been avoided. As is often the case with Passion, Villam thinks with his heart before his mind, and a troubled childhood has left that heart wounded and impulsive.
Villam holds a small level of resentment towards his Father and the Somners relating to the death of his mother, Aurabella. He disagrees with the rule of the Sixteenth; that the Stone of Life and Death must never be used. In defiance of them, he's garnered a reputation for being willing to do anything to attain his goals, at cost to himself and at times those around him.
Biography & Lore
Villam Regis was born the only son of Guardian Solomon Regis and his wife Aurabella Regis. Aurabella's health was compromised and failing at the time of Villam's birth, and the stress of his entry into the world was the final straw; Aurabella died shortly after holding Villam for the first time. Though a newborn, the event had a profound effect on the boy's life from then on. He was left the son of the most respected, revered man in Valenntenia, one who would soon ascend to Absalon.
It was a tall shadow to live in.
Solomon's work, by his own admission and regret, left him little time to be a proper father figure for Villam. The Somners and the Vanguard did most of the work raising him into a man, and as such there was little in his life as a child but training and study to eventually reach the level of his predecessor. Villam was a peace-loving child, one who cared not for violence or battle. Still, he was given little choice in the matter. Solomon wished to one day see his son as a Guardian, and young Villam was too frightened of losing the parent he had left to refuse.
Villam took solace in service, finding a passion for brewing potions and hunting wildlife outside the city. It was not long before he too was making his name known amongst the Vanguard. His ability to take down his foes without having to fight them directly unique amongst his peers. Sometimes he would strike with traps or potions, leaving his enemy no chance to fight back. Other times he would rally others to fight for him, playing to their own passions and desires.
As he matured into a man, Villam did find his desire for Guardianship. In a strange and sudden change of heart, Villam reconciled with his Father, forgiving him for the lack of attention he'd been spared and declaring his attention to seek anointment. Only two years later, he was selected for the very Runestone his Father had once held, The Runestone of Passion.
Villam's aspirations are not as black and white as he would make them seem, however. For men and women ruled by passion must have a goal, and Villam Regis has a goal far higher than any in Valenntenia suspect.
It was a tall shadow to live in.
Solomon's work, by his own admission and regret, left him little time to be a proper father figure for Villam. The Somners and the Vanguard did most of the work raising him into a man, and as such there was little in his life as a child but training and study to eventually reach the level of his predecessor. Villam was a peace-loving child, one who cared not for violence or battle. Still, he was given little choice in the matter. Solomon wished to one day see his son as a Guardian, and young Villam was too frightened of losing the parent he had left to refuse.
Villam took solace in service, finding a passion for brewing potions and hunting wildlife outside the city. It was not long before he too was making his name known amongst the Vanguard. His ability to take down his foes without having to fight them directly unique amongst his peers. Sometimes he would strike with traps or potions, leaving his enemy no chance to fight back. Other times he would rally others to fight for him, playing to their own passions and desires.
As he matured into a man, Villam did find his desire for Guardianship. In a strange and sudden change of heart, Villam reconciled with his Father, forgiving him for the lack of attention he'd been spared and declaring his attention to seek anointment. Only two years later, he was selected for the very Runestone his Father had once held, The Runestone of Passion.
Villam's aspirations are not as black and white as he would make them seem, however. For men and women ruled by passion must have a goal, and Villam Regis has a goal far higher than any in Valenntenia suspect.
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