Race: Valheru
Age: Far older than he cares to think.
Height: 6' 1" -variable-
Weight: 226 lbs.
Hair: Dark brown, seeming black, with a pair of silver forelocks, reaching in length past his shoulders.
Eyes: Dark green, sometimes blue; Turn red when the Valheru inherent rage comes over him.
Family: Wife Nissandra Xternal, Daughter Zephyr Xternal, Daughter Kalyndria Xternal, Son Lerav Xternal, Son Veldan G. Draven/Xternal, , Daughter Calais Xternal, , Son Lance Kalidor Xternal, Daughters Ashliah and Ashlee Xternal, Sisters Sansa, Slashing Fist, Cherry, Brothers Loki, Merloch, Trunks, Malkhorn, niece Hel, nephew Haze, Talon Darklighter nephew, Prisma Darklighter niece, Mielikki X niece in law, adopted son Jerihan Ramsey, adopted son Zane Alexander Faust
Background:
Riptide-Xternal is one of the last remaining Valheru in the world. Only three remain after the rest were destroyed in the Chaos Wars. Power is only the key to destruction.
The Valheru, sensing the apex of their dominion threatened by the infant gods that had just come into being, decided to band their power together and prepared to destroy them. Two Valheru opposed this banding and were excluded. Ashen-Shugar and Riptide-Xternal. These last two remained for many many years on the face of the planet, watching over it vigilantly, protecting it until the time came for them to pass into their next existance. Ashen-Shugar infused his armor with his essence and was later reborn in a young man by the name of Tomas of Crydee. Riptide left the world of Midkemia for his own ends, and upon arrival, bound himself to protecting his new home. At one point, he too, had to pass on. He infused a great deal of his essence in the Moon Blade that he wore upon his side and wielded in battle. This sword he gave to the first king of a new kingdom named Altreas after the war had ended. He told the Elf-king to pass the sword to his son and his son after, until it came into the possession of the last prince of the kingdom. The Elf-King agreed to the terms and Riptide stayed to aid them in a great war that sealed the peace and prosperity of the kingdom. Afterwards, he left and was never seen again. Years passed as though a blink of an eye and soon a young prince was born. This prince was named Talon Darklighter and it was him that would one day wield the power of the Valheru within him... after the devastation of his home realm.
Now, 281 years after his rebirth within the elfin prince, Riptide is once again alive and well. He has recently reunited with his daughter, Zephyr, after these many long years....
Riptide and Zephyr reunited and stayed with one another off and on and she was his only family. And then, one day he was wandering the Gem Forest when he met a young but troubled woman. He introduced himself to her and she in kind to him, telling him that she was the DarkMistress Nissandra Ramsey. Many months later, he went to her castle and spoke with her on the beach outside for many hours and told her that he would come back and visit her soon. This seemed to make her happy and that in turn, made him happy.
Up until a point, Talon had been staying with Nissandra and keeping her comfort and company and the two had become quite close, despite the fact that Talon was happily and solidly married to Mielikki X... when it came time for Talon to leave Nissandra, he asked that Riptide stay with her so that she would not be alone and not fall oncemore into the black pit of loneliness and depression. Riptide agreed eagerly and went to her within moments of Talon's departure. They shared the night in one another's arms and Riptide rediscovered that night a joy that had long been gone from his heart.
Over the many months later, Riptide was nearly constantly in Nissandra's company and they shared warmth and happiness. Riptide had begun to notice a change in her... he began to notice how much happier she had become, and that he had begun to desire her for more than just her friendship and companionship. He felt great love in his heart for her, but only could stand helplessly by because she was already engaged to Wraith. He knew that Wraith would not show up for her and as much as he wanted to ask for her hand, he felt as though he were unworthy of her... and then, the night before her wedding day, she reassured him for the final time that he was indeed worthy of her and she made his mind up without realizing it. The next day, even though she was left at the altar, she was engaged again. This time, the groom would show and she would never be lonely again.
But, it was almost not to be. The morning of the day they were to be wed, she was accosted by a man from her past, Kereg. He stole from her her memories, leaving her with only those of when she had first come to the realm. Riptide was once again filled with hopelessness as he felt everything he cared about and gained had been suddenly ripped away from him. It was only shortly later that Caleb Widow, a friend, told him of the spell placed upon Nissandra. After a few words and a backhand from Caleb, Riptide set about his task with renewed vigor. He was going to reclaim his bride and would not stop until she was his once again. Within days, the spell was broken and her love for him, as the spell required it be proven, was true and unassailable. They were married in a Druidic Ceremony by the honorable Dragonmyst. (details given in the Journals of the Mistress. See my links for DM's site.)
They have lived together ever since and though they have had their share of fights, their love is still as true as it was the day they proved it together. Their children grow more numerous and life is good for them for the most part.
Powers:
As the Valheru Lord of Shadows, he can control the essence of shadows, and can cause them to constrict around those he seeks, whether he knows their location or not. This allows him to also teleport within them silently, as well as drain the essence from those in them, with a cost for the more targets designated.
He is somewhat resistant to psionic attacks and manipulations and has a mild resistance to psionic healing. He is mildly telepathic, able to speak and read thoughts to and from willing minds. He has the ability to sense moods, as well. He absorbs shadow and darkness attacks and spells, which strengthen him. Light magic only does half damage due to his nature. Most poisons are useless against him, as he heals almost instantaneously. He is also somewhat resistant to the elements, able to withstand greater limits than most beings. This resistance allows him to withstand great colds and heats with little difficulty, up to a certain point.
Immunities:
As the Lord of Shadows, Heron-marked Weaponry has no damaging effect on him. Instead, they heal him and make him stronger. Being a Valheru, he has a natural regeneration factor that allows him to recover from wounds and injury quickly and he has nearly limitless stamina.
Life draining touches and spells only work on him when he is in a weakened state or if they have a direct connection to his heart through a physical medium.
Riptide has a high pain tolerance and can withstand quite a bit of damage before it begins affecting him.
Weaknesses:
His weaknesses are few, with only one fatal one that only the very closest know.
Riptide has a pact with the Death Goddess that states he cannot move on to the afterlife unless both he and his wife leave this one together. This, however, does not mean he can't be killed, but it does mean that he can be ressurected in nearly any case of death. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule.
Recent News:
Riptide and Nissandra have had their new twins born and after a bit of trouble from the Enigmatic Dark Triad, they had a temporary seperation. Riptide returned to her and managed to save her life at the last second, giving her the Kiss of Life which put him in a regenerative coma while his essence healed itself. He has just awakened and is now setting about the task of righting the wrongs and proving his love to the woman who he loves more than life itself.
Riptide and Zephyr... father and daughter.
The first pic I ever posted of Riptide.
