Arkanian Roguestar--"Wraith"

What is your full name (and any nicknames)?
Arkanian Mandalorian. In an attempt to distance himself somewhat from his family, he usually goes by Arkanian Roguestar instead. He likes to use the nickname “Wraith” in his professional capacity, because it sounds mysterious and hardcore, but thus far most people think it’s kind of silly and pretentious, so it hasn’t really caught on.

What do you look like?
Tall and slim, with a lankiness that verges on a slightly unhealthy gauntness. As an albino, Arkanian has milk-white skin with faint blue tatoos on his right cheek, forehead, and arm in an intertwining ivy pattern. Long white hair, generally worn in a ponytail. Large, round grey eyes with a hint of cobalt, which look alarmingly like the dull grey of humans that have gone blind. Unusually large ears with dramatic points, even for an eladrin. His jaw was broken as child and did not heal properly, but rather than scarring him it has resulted in an ability to produce a rakish lopsided grin and a wolfish predatory scowl.

Arkanian dresses entirely in white, generally with tight pants, a vest over a tight shirt, a somewhat short cloak, and white calfskin boots. Since it is extremely difficult to keep such clothes clean, they tend to quickly acquire a washed-out look that fades quickly into ivory and grey. He almost always wears an extremely large long-brimmed cavalier hat (folded up on the right side, very much like the sort of thing you’d see a musketeer wear). The only spots of “color,” if you can call it that, are the silver plated buttons on his vest, a blue-enameled broach in the shape of a seven-pointed star, and a grey goosefeather stuck into his hat. He wears a high-quality rapier with an ivory pommel and white-gold basket hilt, as well as a dagger with a black-leather grip.

What is your family like?
Father: Arannis Mandalorian, “businessman.” The son of an inveterate gambler, whoremonger, and drunkard who ended up knifed in an alley for unpaid debts, Arannis clawed his way up through the underbelly of Aonu to become a successful petty crimelord. Under the umbrella of a modest tailoring business, Arannis has become a moneylender and, more dangerously, a source of illicit magical trinkets and services. His organization relies on loyalty bought through extensive patronage networks, so that many of the folk in Twilight Heights rather like him for his ability to provide jobs and social support services, and the local politicians are firmly in his pocket. Arannis is a distant man, so committed to providing for the protection and well-being of his family that he often oppresses their free will and independence. He is determined to avoid his father’s fate, and so disapproves of Arkanian’s rakish ways, fearing that he will end up crossing someone who shouldn’t be crossed or wasting his potential drinking and gambling. He is unaware that his wife is having an affair.

Mother: Mirielle Mandalorian, trophy wife. Still young and excessively beautiful, Mirielle is the daughter of a talented watchmaker who ran afoul of the Voice for his dangerous love of technology. Mandalorian was able to save the man from prison at the price of Mirielle’s hand in marriage. She does not particularly love Arannis, but has grown to respect him as a man for his strength, decisiveness, and loyalty to his family and children. She shares her father’s fascination with borderline-forbidden lore, though she lacks the talent to really explore such subjects. She plays the role of a trophy wife deliberately, often appearing rather dull or kittenish as the occasion demands, but she is an intelligent woman whose instincts and advice her husband has come to trust. She is devoted to her children’s welfare and has undermined her husband’s attempt to restrict them by encouraging them to explore their talents and various proclivities (particularly Jarael, in whom she sees much of her younger self). Though she disapproves of Arkanian’s choices, she secretly envies his carefree life. She is having an affair with Cassus, her husband’s bodyguard and chief enforcer.

Brother: Sikainder Mandalorian, favored son. Arkanian has a cordial and friendly relationship with his younger brother Kane, but they are not close. He cannot help but be hurt that his brother has become the favorite son and heir apparent in the Mandalorian family, even as he pretends not to care. He secretly envies his brother's dedication and is proud that his accomplishments have been recognized by his elevation to the First Ring. Though he would be mortified if Kane ever realized it, Arkanian is intimidated by his brother's intelligence, confidence, and conviction in his decisions.

Sister: Jarael Mandalorian, magic slut. Jarael, a 19 year old girl who has inherited her mother’s striking beauty and wild spirit, feels oppressed by her father’s restrictions. She (correctly) suspects that he is grooming her for an upwardly mobile marriage that will improve the family’s social standing and possibly allow them to leave behind crime and enter a lucrative legitimate business. His attempts to cultivate her respectability (especially by threatening to kill any boy who shows the slightest bit of interest in her) have caused her to hate him and plan to spite her plans in any way possible. Like her mother, she is fascinated by magic (though less so technology), and unlike her mother seems to have a natural talent for it. Though her father has denied her access to the hedge-wizards that work for him, she has been developing her skills in secret. To aid her in this, she has begun illicitly procuring materials from Rohlan Querril, an elven member of the Voice who is allowed to wield magic. She is also sleeping with him. She is fond of both her brothers, Arkanian for his mercurial character and Kane for his kindred interest in magic. She envies both of them their relative freedom from the Victorian restrictions that Arannis has placed upon her. Arkanian is extremely close with his sister, who he sees as being a fellow rebellious spirit.

Where do you live?
Twilight Heights, a poor neighborhood on the slope of one of Aonu’s hills. Twilight, as it’s usually known, is notable for its large ratio of eladrin to other races. It is also known for its shady element, particularly a thriving red light district and lively gambling scene, mostly along an infamous street called Three Wishes. Arkanian is entirely at home here and is a well-known frequenter of a cantina called The Dirty Leprechaun. Twilight Heights is also well-known for the influence of organized crime, including a somewhat brutal dwarf gang known as the Iron Fist.

What sort of training did you receive as a child and young adult?
Extensive self-defense training from Cassus, at his father’s behest. Arkanian took immediately to swordplay and has devoted a considerable amount of time developing his fencing skills. Despite Cassus’ exasperation at his excessively showy style, Arkanian is skilled at two-handed fighting with his rapier and dagger. He has gained a great deal of experience skulking and spying, largely as a result of his love of sneaking out of the house without his father’s permission. Despite his family’s insistence that he get a decent education, he has always been an indifferent student who quickly becomes bored when books are involved—a fact that he sarcastically attributes to his loyalty to the Church, who prefer to keep their people ignorant.

Do you have a job? What do you do for money?
Not really. It has been made clear to Arkanian that his dissolute ways, flamboyant methods of attracting attention to himself, and his embarrassing physical appearance have disqualified him from taking over the family business. More seriously, Arkanian has earned an extravagant gambling debt to an Iron Fist moneylender (to the tune of 500 gp) that Arkanian has desperately tried to keep his father from discovering. Arannis, of course, knows exactly what is going on, and has used his money, connections, and the implicit threat of retaliation, to prevent harm from coming to Wraith; it is also possible that Mirielle's clandestine visits to Vandal, a Fist boss, have something to do with this unusual leniency. Blissfully unaware of all this trouble on his account, Arkanian To this end, he has been trying to set himself up as a bounty hunter of sorts, and has attempted to gain the attention of church members to become a private agent that brings lawbreakers to justice. Not because he’s particularly interested in law and order, but because he finds the idea of a crime lord’s son being a lawman amusing. He has created a professional persona, calling himself Wraith, to create a mystique of intrigue and fear around himself. So far no one has paid much attention, and he has begun to inquire about hiring onto an exploratory expedition into the Dark.

Do you have any hobbies?
Drinking, gambling, womanizing, and otherwise being a useless dandy. He’s an accomplished singer, a poor lute player, and has a flair for poetry (particularly extemporaneously composed verses shouted from the tops of tables while drunk). He would like to ride horses, and doesn’t really have the opportunity in the close confines of Twilight Heights. He spends a lot of his time fencing, which is the one thing that he bothers to practice with any degree of discipline. He does have a fascination with Aonu, thinking of it as a living breathing organism that he calls “my lady” in conversation. He loves to spend hours wandering through its streets and alleys, exploring hidden corners or just breathing in the variety of people that inhabit her.

Do you have a love interest?
No, Arkanian is far too manly to be a one-woman man. Unfortunately, he is not very successful with the ladies, many of whom find his albinism rather off-putting. (Many of those who don’t find it off-putting just think he’s a jerk.) He does have a crush on a red-haired human named Cayden Greysteele, an intensely serious waitress at the Leprechaun. For reasons unknown to him, this woman intimidates him and he has been reluctant to put the moves on her, as if he would be afraid of losing her respect (which is not to say that she respects him right now). He is unaware that she belongs to a secret society that calls itself the Watchers in White.

Are you religious?
No, but he’s not particularly unreligious either. He’s more or less indifferent to Erathis, and doesn’t really care for the rituals and other silly aspects of religion. He does find the existence of a mother goddess caring for all the people very comforting, and has a secret belief that when he fucks up too badly she intervenes in some subtle way to help him out. He does not mind the [CHURCH]’s repressive rule, since it has allowed his family to become rich.

What are your three biggest fears?
Being horribly scarred or maimed.
Giant rats.
That something terrible might happen to Jarael.

What is your biggest dream?
Starring in the best swashbuckling scene the world has ever known. He wants to be a hero that has to dash through a castle to save the day, battling hordes of soldiers in order to rescue the damsel in distress while swinging from chandeliers, balancing on tightropes, leaping from castle walls, and other romantic notions. If at all possible, he would like to receive a facial scar from the blade of a dastardly enemy that enhances his rakish handsomeness. He would also like to someday trick someone into making a bargain that he is able to cleverly turn around on the other guy, like in all the faerie tales, but so far he hasn’t had much of a chance (nor have any clever ideas about how to go about getting this to happen). More realistically, Arkanian is fascinated by the prospect of unknown worlds that lie beyond the boundaries of the Dark, and dreams of visiting them someday as an explorer. Ideally this would involve riches and women, but mostly he is inspired by the idea that something bigger, grander, more beautiful, more exciting lies beyond the boundaries of the known world, and that he would have the chance to be the first one to see it.

What are your quirks or pet peeves?
He is quite fond of lying, especially when it’s unnecessary to do so, and likes to invent elaborate stories about random shit. He hates spicy food, and in fact doesn’t eat very much. He is a magnificent drinker, though, able to hold his liquor for hours and hours (his record is a binge that lasted 37 hours), and he is completely indifferent to the quality of ale or wine that he drinks. For some reason, spirits do not agree with his system and, to his shame, he is unable to stomach more than a belt or two of the Leprechaun’s famed whiskey. He shares his brother's racism against humans (which makes the whole thing with Cayden kind of weird), whom he sees as degenerates who are too corruptible to really even be capable of sustaining civilization. Dwarves make him uncomfortable for some reason, and he has a natural attraction to halflings that makes him feel a little dirty. He is a little ashamed of his albinism, and angry sometimes when people treat him differently because of it, but he also enjoys being able to make people uncomfortable on purpose. He has gotten used to getting odd treatment from people put off by his appearance, but he can’t stand it when people laugh at him. He loves gambling and is terrible at it, regularly losing both on games of skill and games of luck. He wonders sometimes if this means that Erathis hates him, hates gambling, or both. He is somewhat fascinated by his fey heritage and likes to cultivate a persona reminiscent of the faeries of legend: mercurial, fickle, arrogant, treacherous, lecherous, dangerous, and fun-loving.

What is most important to you?
Respect—something he felt he never received in the Mandalorian household. To be accepted and appreciated for who he is. But more importantly, to be admired for who he is and what he does. As of right now, his notions of reputation mostly have to do with being liked by the scum that frequent taverns and gambling halls, and he takes great pride in being the guy that all the drunkies clap on the back when he arrives because he buys them drinks and is a very entertaining drunk. It hasn’t yet occurred to him that there might be something to respect beyond this.

How do you imagine yourself in ten years?
He doesn’t really think that far ahead, which is probably why he enjoys life so much and gets into trouble so often. He would like to avoid the indignities of old age and plans to have some sort of glorious death, though like most young people he’s too stupid to really understand what growing older is all about. If he has anything resembling a “plan,” it is to cultivate a mystique about his Wraith persona, becoming a feared bounty hunter that (he romantically pictures) is a haunted loner, having no one and needing no one, totally free to go where he wants and do as he pleases, feared by powerful men and loved by women, and of course rich beyond imagining.

A few words on the profile above:

First, several elements here are intentionally suggestive. Their chief intention is to give little tidbits of color and definition to parts of our world. These include the neighborhood of Twilight Heights, the Iron Fist, the Watchers in White, etc. I think they're neat ideas, but I'm not welded to them by any means. Dean: as DM, you naturally have plenary power to say "I like X, but Y needs to be changed, and Z doesn't work at all."

Second, I'm intentionally including relationships with people and organizations that allow for adventure hooks. I'm putting information about Jarael's illicit dealings, Arkanian's debts, and so on, into this so that it can be easily put into play as a story element or rough material for the DM. Not that they have to be used. But they can be, as a jumping off point or complication or whatever.

Third, the overall feel for this character so far is kind of a gritty realism. There is gambling, drinking, whoring, mob bosses, etc. This may not be appropriate for certain campaign styles. Upon being given more information about such things, these elements may change.

Finally, this is a work in progress. Patrick and I have been discussing various things about our characters (who are brothers), so these ideas will develop over time.

Questions, comments, and criticism is welcome.

Good lord that's a lot to read. I think I'll come back to it later I'm sure it's awesome though...

Wall of text crits you for 9000!!! haha, just kidding I will make a real post later I'm on my lunch break and couldn't help myself

Well done, I commend you on helping build the world. All other players please feel free, I want the world to be some thing we all "get" because we all helped make it and also I won't think of as many cools things as all of us together.

Responses from an in world perspective:
Wraith has caused trouble before but has been saved from a visit from the Fist only thanks to his father's money and connections. A lesser known fact is that his mother's charms may have also played a role in said pardons.
The church does not pay much mind to Twilight and generally turns a blind eye toward such a small and impoverished area. Your father is known among a few of the church's members as a societal member of ill repute but not someone that would cause the church to send a squad to deal with him. He is viewed as a natural part of society and sometimes the buyers of his wares and his associates can lead them to more direct threats to society. Wraith is known by roughly ten members of the church and the the butt of jokes made by that same number, considered to be someone who will be even less of a threat than his father. While his name is changed he is well known as the son of Arannis and his features make him easily recognized and oft remembered
Members of the Twilight society have mixed feelings about the Mandalorian family, some fear them as mobsters and other like them for the business they provide the area. Others are impartial and see them as "just another gang of criminals". Jarael is often the topic of conversation amongst the local males and her name can be heard at night at the Dirty Leprechaun (edit: this IS the slums) which serves as the local huant, his mother's name is often proceeded by the words "would" and "you..." in either order.

Some questions: How large is the family organization, i.e. are their croneys and or thug types employed by the family? Has Arkanian ever been recruited into helping with the family "business" at any point in his life? Also has he thought about joining another gang/organization? How does he feel about his brother? Also what is getting him into adventuring (I assume just to make his own name?) Is he opposed to helping the church as a means to branch out on his own?


Also there is a star wars reference that I will not breach but...I see it.

The Sarge wrote:

Some questions: How large is the family organization, i.e. are their croneys and or thug types employed by the family?

I figure yes. The size and influence of this organization depends on the size of [CITY], and to a more important extent on whether you would like to leave the fam as background or might want to use it sometime as a story/plot element. Offhand, I'd say that if we assume a city size of about 10,000 (very large for dark ages times, more modest but still respectable for Renaissance times), the croneys and thugs might number as many as 5 full-time bodyguard types. Obviously, they have extensive connections with other sorts of characters who might hire themselves out for specific jobs, but that's a more temporary sort of thing. I don't really care, so if you want to make it bigger or smaller that's cool with me.

The Sarge wrote:

Has Arkanian ever been recruited into helping with the family "business" at any point in his life?

Not really. His dad doesn't really like him that much, partially because he's a fuck-up and partially because Arannis' entire goal is to climb the social ladder and the albino-freak thing doesn't help the respectable image he's trying to cultivate. He's a disagreeable sort of chap, Arannis. I would also say that Arkanian isn't particularly interested in the family business. He would be much more interested in daring exploits that demonstrate his awesomeness to the ladies. Failing that, getting drunk is just more fun than running an organized crime syndicate.

The Sarge wrote:

Also has he thought about joining another gang/organization?

No. Unless there is some reason that he might consider doing so, which I am open to if you have something in mind.

The Sarge wrote:

How does he feel about his brother?

I have no idea. Patrick's been pretty mum so far about his dude. Also, I should note that everything about the family background applies to him as well, so he has got veto rights and/or the ability to add anything he wants.

The Sarge wrote:

Also what is getting him into adventuring (I assume just to make his own name?) Is he opposed to helping the church as a means to branch out on his own?

To a large extent that depends on what our campaign is all about, what brings us together, what happens on the first adventure. Right now, he's not actually into adventuring at all--he's a lazy dilettante with romantic notions who has gotten into trouble and needs money. And he is more than happy to help the church in the process.

The Sarge wrote:

Also there is a star wars reference that I will not breach but...I see it.

Nice. There are actually six separate Star Wars references. A cookie to anyone who can name them all.

I think like every name in there was one, I don't read enough of the novels to know them I just know the standard old lore shit. Oh god why didn't you just name him Anakin Cloudscraper so we could all make fun of you.

Anyways see my city section going up today, it was close to done last night but I got to messed up and couldn't type (ask patrick) but today was my last day at work so its getting posted. I also drew up a rough draft of the map basically you are looking from end to end of the known world is like 1000 miles by maybe 600 longitude-wise. the cities have like 50K people...well just read that should help you flesh him out more.

If you have questions that you dont want to post on the board message or email me. goes for everyone if you have something about your guy that everyone might not know but you want me to or want to know if something works just shoot. Open door policy nagas.