Ebon_Arbiter
Grand Abolisher
Nagao the Dawnbringer
Character Apperance
Character Background
Character Sheet <p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2012_06/Nagao_pdf.003011fcd19ae3a9feb835bbed57c520" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="23624" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2012_06/Nagao_pdf.003011fcd19ae3a9feb835bbed57c520" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>
Nagao.pdf
Character Apperance
Nagao was born in the city of Thorns, the second son and scion of a wealthy and reknowned family of nobles, thirty five years ago. He was quite young by the time of the great conflict between his city and the Confederation of Rivers' armed forces but old enough to remember what transpired and those memories still haunt him. The look on his family member's faces, on the faces of women and children, on elderly people awaiting their death. Despite the heavy losses, Thorns stood and weathered that storm but his glory and power was greatly diminished.
Nagao grew up and this early experience drove him to pursue a career in the military force of the city. Well after passing a puberty that almost drove his parents and relatives crazy, since Nagao was quite a troublemaker and a royal pain in the ass for any effort to maintain a decent face to the rest of the city, ruining their reputation with gang affairs, illegal pit fights and many other escapades. It was with major relief that they accepted his sudden impulse to enlist in the city's guard force. For Nagao though, it was a realization that had stemmed from his childhood experiences and suddenly woke him from his life as an ignorant, young troublemaker.
In that, his elder brother's example helped quite a lot as well. Always kind and protective, steadfast and dedicate he was taking care of family issues, assisting parents, brothers and sisters whenever possible. Nagao aspired to be like him and prove worthy of such a great family. If another danger threatened his people he would make sure to stand as a shield in front of them and do all in his power to protect them. Little did he know then that such a danger would come and almost claim his life and soul.
As the years passed and he excelled in his duties in the guard, where a sister of him was also serving with distinction (albeit on a different post, guarding caravans of Thorns interests) black clouds gathered gradually upon Thorns. The fate of the city was to fall under the eye of Mask of Winters, Deathlord, enemy of the living and relentless conqueror. They tried their best to defend against the onslaught of his forces. It was futile, a concept young Nagao wasn't familiar with. He was young, his life ahead of him, his duties in the guard were carried out properly, his family was happy and he was thinking of his future marriage. All these were shattered in those fateful days and nights. All these and alongside them the freedom of Thorns and the safety of its residents.
The walls were breached, the defenders of the city slaughtered, the courage of the rest broken. Surrender wasn't in Nagao's vocabulary and the image of his family being in danger burnt in his mind. He ran to the streets accompanied by few guards. The dead were everywhere. Skeletons clad in armour and wielding blades cold as death, as well as other obscene and terrifying creatures were pouring in the city and attacking its belaguered defenders and helpless citizens. Courage is hard to be found in those moments yet a flame still burnt in Nagao's soul, driving him on. He didn't even know why he was still fighting, the icy breath of death was all around him, the silence of the grave about to absorb him in mere moments.
A terrible warrior, in bony armor, wielding a blade black as night approached. The soldiers with him engaged Nagao's unit and he moved towards him. Nagao's house was visible in the distance and flames were approaching it dangerously. He couldn't allow himself to fall, he had to get there, despite that black knight, even if he died trying. The black armoured knight laughed as Nagao attacked him, cackling maniacally at the young warrior. He readied his blade to kill this ignorant fool with a stroke, when the unthinkable happened.
At this very moment, amidst the furious battle, mere moments from the cold edge of death, Nagao felt a blinding light to engulf him and a reservoir of power to come alive inside him. His wounds didn't bother him, his heart wasn't feeling fear and despair anymore and his hand was gripping his sword with utmost certainty.
For an instant he thought he was somewhere else. A huge valley, a glorious army gathering on one side. A horde of hideous monsters waiting on the other, full with the taint of death and decay, of void and unlife. In the forefront of the glorious army there was a lone figure atop a rock overlooking the assembled forces. The figure raised his greatsword, reflecting the sunlight upon it and gestured to the monsters on the opposite side. "Today we carry the Unconquered Sun's cleansing light to this wretched place. Today we fight with the fury of the champions of the Sun. Forward brothers and sisters. For glory, for justice , for righteousness!"
Nagao returned to his senses and saw the knight before him to go back a few steps and shout orders to his soldiers. Something was happening, serious it seemed but he had no time. He charged to the black armoured figure and with furious strokes of his sword drove him back and ran away. Thorns was in chaos. Nagao couldn't reach his family's estate since many buildings had collapsed and flames barred the way, so he decided to save as many of the citizens as possible and lead them away, to safety.
That he managed and as the new day dawned over the almost destroyed and now enslaved city of Thorns, he made his way to the nearby settlements. He was careful not to draw unwanted attention, even thought the light that radiated from him had by then subsided and after he made sure that the refugees following him were safe, he set on to uncover his destiny.
To this end, he began his travels in all nearby cities and settlements, searching for clues regarding his family and also for wise people who could help him and explain what was happening to him. Of course, like most people in Creation, he had heard as a child the tales of the Anathema, demons of old with the appearance of men, corrupted and evil with hideous powers. He was taught to fear and shun them, as a child, but now he didn't see any evil in his soul. He felt good, more strong, powerful and certain than ever before in his life and he wanted to make a difference in Creation. So wherever he traveled he strived to help the local population with their problems (especially those of in need of military assistance since this was his field of expertise), in exchange for food and shelter and then he moven on again.
The barbaric incursions seemed to lessen a bit in the area after his interference while bandits reduced their activities and their leaders thought of a way to recruit him in their ranks. When Nagao would be presented by such offers, he'd usually deny them and if challenged he'd defeat the opposing champions and continue on his way. He was becoming sort of a wandering hero and even though his was enjoying this life, he still helt an emptiness and a need for guidance.
His travels led him to a small, quiet settlement inhabited by few people, in the slopes of a mountain near the Marukani territories. Further up the mountain, as they informed him, an old man was residing, and many people across Creation would come to him for advice, guidance and training. The prospect appealed to Nagao so he decided, after a brief rest, to meet him and request his assistance.
And so it was that he met Teruo the Wise, an old man, with long white hair and beard, piercing blue eyes and stern demeanour. Teruo listened carefully to the young man and then took him to the garden outside his house to test his prowess. Nagao was surprised that such an old man could avoid his blows with supernatural agility and retaliate in kind. Finally he accepted him as a student, told him that it was fate that brought him here and that a long and arduous road was before him, albeit one that would lead to greatness.
Teruo told him that he had been exalted by the Unconquered Sun and as such it would be his duty to protect Creation and fight evil wherever it may be found, whenever necessary. "Most people will think of you as Anathema, returning demon of ages past, but know within your soul that you are the exact opposite. You're a champion of Sol Invictus, a pillar of righteousness and you're a Dawnbringer upon a world that is about to be plunged in darkness".
His training began and it was gruelling indeed. Nagao livep ud to his mentor's expectations though and soon he was wondering himself how could manage such feats in combat, endurance and agility, while retaining a clear mind and awareness of his surroundings. In addition to that he was taught the language of the Old Realm when Solars reigned supreme and a perfect hierarchy of the Exalted served Creation's needs under the august rule of the Solar Deliberative.
The flows of essence coursing through his body were now more obvious to him and various meditation exercises helped him to control them better. He was forming himself gradually, under the watchful eye of Teruo into a true champion of the Sun.
Yet all this time, his family was never away from his thoughts and daily prayers and he used to ask Teruo if any news arrived from Thorns or if there was any change to the city's situation. All that his mentor told him was that he'd find out when he would be ready.
The greatest test ever (and probably the one that proved him ready enough to his mentor's eyes) was the one during which he recovered an ancient relic of the First Age, a magnificent daiklave, forged for a champion of the Sun like himself. His mentor pointed him to the nearby wilderness and said that there was an ancient tomb that he should visit before completing his training.
Indeed in the jungles the was such a tomb and Aentor managed to enter it, defeat its guardian and emerge with his prize. The daiklave was truly a wonder to behold. Made of orichalcum, with a phoenix engraved on the blade alongside an inscription in the Old Realm reading:"He who wields this blade, shall be the eternal champion of Sol Invictus and as the phoenix he shall rise from the flames of adversity to exact His divine will".
What transpired in there, what Nagao saw and why his face bears the cold certainty of resolve and iron will since then is only a matter of speculation. Only his mentor talked with him on that subject and no one else. After that, he gifted him with a magnificent armour, made of orichalcum, the Hauberk of Righteousness as he called it. With shoulderguards resembling lion heads and the symbol of Sol Invictus engraved on its front part it was truly majestic, worthy to protect a chosen of the Sun. "Wear it with pride when duty calls and when you must face the enemies of the Sun. It will protect your body, as His unending righteousness shall preserve your soul" Teruo told him.
"Now the time has come. Deathlords, servants of sinister forces and other hideous enemies of Creation are on the loose ravaging the lands and people. They must be stopped. Return to the civilized cities across the lenght and breadth of Creation, gather those with a flicker of courage in their souls and ignite them again into bonfires of determination and valor. Exact His divine justice upon the creatures of darkness, upon the corrupt and undeserving, cleanse our land once and for all and initiate a new era of splendor, justice and valour".
Those words, were etched deeply in Nagao's soul, as he left his mentor's pagoda and continued on with his quest of protecting the people of Creation from the multitude of threats that beset them and forging for himself a destiny worthy of a returned God - King.
Nagao grew up and this early experience drove him to pursue a career in the military force of the city. Well after passing a puberty that almost drove his parents and relatives crazy, since Nagao was quite a troublemaker and a royal pain in the ass for any effort to maintain a decent face to the rest of the city, ruining their reputation with gang affairs, illegal pit fights and many other escapades. It was with major relief that they accepted his sudden impulse to enlist in the city's guard force. For Nagao though, it was a realization that had stemmed from his childhood experiences and suddenly woke him from his life as an ignorant, young troublemaker.
In that, his elder brother's example helped quite a lot as well. Always kind and protective, steadfast and dedicate he was taking care of family issues, assisting parents, brothers and sisters whenever possible. Nagao aspired to be like him and prove worthy of such a great family. If another danger threatened his people he would make sure to stand as a shield in front of them and do all in his power to protect them. Little did he know then that such a danger would come and almost claim his life and soul.
As the years passed and he excelled in his duties in the guard, where a sister of him was also serving with distinction (albeit on a different post, guarding caravans of Thorns interests) black clouds gathered gradually upon Thorns. The fate of the city was to fall under the eye of Mask of Winters, Deathlord, enemy of the living and relentless conqueror. They tried their best to defend against the onslaught of his forces. It was futile, a concept young Nagao wasn't familiar with. He was young, his life ahead of him, his duties in the guard were carried out properly, his family was happy and he was thinking of his future marriage. All these were shattered in those fateful days and nights. All these and alongside them the freedom of Thorns and the safety of its residents.
The walls were breached, the defenders of the city slaughtered, the courage of the rest broken. Surrender wasn't in Nagao's vocabulary and the image of his family being in danger burnt in his mind. He ran to the streets accompanied by few guards. The dead were everywhere. Skeletons clad in armour and wielding blades cold as death, as well as other obscene and terrifying creatures were pouring in the city and attacking its belaguered defenders and helpless citizens. Courage is hard to be found in those moments yet a flame still burnt in Nagao's soul, driving him on. He didn't even know why he was still fighting, the icy breath of death was all around him, the silence of the grave about to absorb him in mere moments.
A terrible warrior, in bony armor, wielding a blade black as night approached. The soldiers with him engaged Nagao's unit and he moved towards him. Nagao's house was visible in the distance and flames were approaching it dangerously. He couldn't allow himself to fall, he had to get there, despite that black knight, even if he died trying. The black armoured knight laughed as Nagao attacked him, cackling maniacally at the young warrior. He readied his blade to kill this ignorant fool with a stroke, when the unthinkable happened.
At this very moment, amidst the furious battle, mere moments from the cold edge of death, Nagao felt a blinding light to engulf him and a reservoir of power to come alive inside him. His wounds didn't bother him, his heart wasn't feeling fear and despair anymore and his hand was gripping his sword with utmost certainty.
For an instant he thought he was somewhere else. A huge valley, a glorious army gathering on one side. A horde of hideous monsters waiting on the other, full with the taint of death and decay, of void and unlife. In the forefront of the glorious army there was a lone figure atop a rock overlooking the assembled forces. The figure raised his greatsword, reflecting the sunlight upon it and gestured to the monsters on the opposite side. "Today we carry the Unconquered Sun's cleansing light to this wretched place. Today we fight with the fury of the champions of the Sun. Forward brothers and sisters. For glory, for justice , for righteousness!"
Nagao returned to his senses and saw the knight before him to go back a few steps and shout orders to his soldiers. Something was happening, serious it seemed but he had no time. He charged to the black armoured figure and with furious strokes of his sword drove him back and ran away. Thorns was in chaos. Nagao couldn't reach his family's estate since many buildings had collapsed and flames barred the way, so he decided to save as many of the citizens as possible and lead them away, to safety.
That he managed and as the new day dawned over the almost destroyed and now enslaved city of Thorns, he made his way to the nearby settlements. He was careful not to draw unwanted attention, even thought the light that radiated from him had by then subsided and after he made sure that the refugees following him were safe, he set on to uncover his destiny.
To this end, he began his travels in all nearby cities and settlements, searching for clues regarding his family and also for wise people who could help him and explain what was happening to him. Of course, like most people in Creation, he had heard as a child the tales of the Anathema, demons of old with the appearance of men, corrupted and evil with hideous powers. He was taught to fear and shun them, as a child, but now he didn't see any evil in his soul. He felt good, more strong, powerful and certain than ever before in his life and he wanted to make a difference in Creation. So wherever he traveled he strived to help the local population with their problems (especially those of in need of military assistance since this was his field of expertise), in exchange for food and shelter and then he moven on again.
The barbaric incursions seemed to lessen a bit in the area after his interference while bandits reduced their activities and their leaders thought of a way to recruit him in their ranks. When Nagao would be presented by such offers, he'd usually deny them and if challenged he'd defeat the opposing champions and continue on his way. He was becoming sort of a wandering hero and even though his was enjoying this life, he still helt an emptiness and a need for guidance.
His travels led him to a small, quiet settlement inhabited by few people, in the slopes of a mountain near the Marukani territories. Further up the mountain, as they informed him, an old man was residing, and many people across Creation would come to him for advice, guidance and training. The prospect appealed to Nagao so he decided, after a brief rest, to meet him and request his assistance.
And so it was that he met Teruo the Wise, an old man, with long white hair and beard, piercing blue eyes and stern demeanour. Teruo listened carefully to the young man and then took him to the garden outside his house to test his prowess. Nagao was surprised that such an old man could avoid his blows with supernatural agility and retaliate in kind. Finally he accepted him as a student, told him that it was fate that brought him here and that a long and arduous road was before him, albeit one that would lead to greatness.
Teruo told him that he had been exalted by the Unconquered Sun and as such it would be his duty to protect Creation and fight evil wherever it may be found, whenever necessary. "Most people will think of you as Anathema, returning demon of ages past, but know within your soul that you are the exact opposite. You're a champion of Sol Invictus, a pillar of righteousness and you're a Dawnbringer upon a world that is about to be plunged in darkness".
His training began and it was gruelling indeed. Nagao livep ud to his mentor's expectations though and soon he was wondering himself how could manage such feats in combat, endurance and agility, while retaining a clear mind and awareness of his surroundings. In addition to that he was taught the language of the Old Realm when Solars reigned supreme and a perfect hierarchy of the Exalted served Creation's needs under the august rule of the Solar Deliberative.
The flows of essence coursing through his body were now more obvious to him and various meditation exercises helped him to control them better. He was forming himself gradually, under the watchful eye of Teruo into a true champion of the Sun.
Yet all this time, his family was never away from his thoughts and daily prayers and he used to ask Teruo if any news arrived from Thorns or if there was any change to the city's situation. All that his mentor told him was that he'd find out when he would be ready.
The greatest test ever (and probably the one that proved him ready enough to his mentor's eyes) was the one during which he recovered an ancient relic of the First Age, a magnificent daiklave, forged for a champion of the Sun like himself. His mentor pointed him to the nearby wilderness and said that there was an ancient tomb that he should visit before completing his training.
Indeed in the jungles the was such a tomb and Aentor managed to enter it, defeat its guardian and emerge with his prize. The daiklave was truly a wonder to behold. Made of orichalcum, with a phoenix engraved on the blade alongside an inscription in the Old Realm reading:"He who wields this blade, shall be the eternal champion of Sol Invictus and as the phoenix he shall rise from the flames of adversity to exact His divine will".
What transpired in there, what Nagao saw and why his face bears the cold certainty of resolve and iron will since then is only a matter of speculation. Only his mentor talked with him on that subject and no one else. After that, he gifted him with a magnificent armour, made of orichalcum, the Hauberk of Righteousness as he called it. With shoulderguards resembling lion heads and the symbol of Sol Invictus engraved on its front part it was truly majestic, worthy to protect a chosen of the Sun. "Wear it with pride when duty calls and when you must face the enemies of the Sun. It will protect your body, as His unending righteousness shall preserve your soul" Teruo told him.
"Now the time has come. Deathlords, servants of sinister forces and other hideous enemies of Creation are on the loose ravaging the lands and people. They must be stopped. Return to the civilized cities across the lenght and breadth of Creation, gather those with a flicker of courage in their souls and ignite them again into bonfires of determination and valor. Exact His divine justice upon the creatures of darkness, upon the corrupt and undeserving, cleanse our land once and for all and initiate a new era of splendor, justice and valour".
Those words, were etched deeply in Nagao's soul, as he left his mentor's pagoda and continued on with his quest of protecting the people of Creation from the multitude of threats that beset them and forging for himself a destiny worthy of a returned God - King.
Nagao.pdf