Phillips, Andrew
Character's Name: Andrew Phillips
Email Address: [email protected]
Character's Age: 20
Race: Kaled'a'in Human
Gender: Male
Home: Valdemar, AU (Alternate Universe) Earth
Rank: Head of Class, Co-president of Student Council
Major: Art of Sorcery
Hobbies: Medieval Arts (falconry, jousting, riding, duelling, archery, etc.), reading/translating literature of all kinds, perfecting the efficiency and effect of spells, researching in the university Archives.
Physical Description:
Though at one time it had been darkened to the colour of charcoal by fire his long, straight hair has been bleached over time from use of the magic of the Pelagiris. It is now a pale whitish-grey colour. His eyes are a darker grey around his pupils, but the colour shifts to a bright green around the edge of his irises. Those eyes appear thoughtful, though at the same time they give the impression of being cut off from the world as if he were surrounded by an invisible shield.
Because the form of his familiar is always changing he keeps his left arm and shoulder completely encased in a sleeve of padded leather as it is sometimes required of him to provide a perch for the sharp talons of bird or lizard. He wears this guard over a floor-length jacket of an intense red with gold trim (in a way similar to what Zechs Merquise from GW wears...except floor-length, as I had mentioned. Hey, he's a mage, not the pilot of an MS! No gloves either, except when riding.). Underneath this he wears a loose white robe with gathered sleeves as well as riding breeches and boots. He has a thin, light build. He tries hard not to show weakness in front of others, however many people would say he looked tired and strained most of the time.
Personality:
Walking silently comes easily to him and he often turns up when and where people least expect him, giving the impression that he is always present. He takes responsibility seriously and cares for the well-being of those around him, though they may not realise it. He's a bit on the arrogant side yet remains sensitive to the opinions of others. He has a large amount of Mind magic and always keeps mental shields at their strongest to guard his thoughts from intrusion though he'll admit to sometimes taking a peak at those of others. He has good intentions, but can easily hold a grudge for a long time. It is best not to cross him as he's not afraid to do battle no matter who the opponent is. He believes that even if he loses the fight will draw enough attention to the matter to satisfy him. He has a (usually) patient attitude and is tolerant of a certain amount of foolishness. Past this point, however, he's not shy about telling them exactly what he feels. Most people seem to believe he has an almost obvious regal bearing about him which demands respect. He himself dismisses such a notion, preferring to believe he gains respect simply through his skills alone. He doesn't allow anyone to get too close but remains on good terms with nearly everyone.
Background History:
Skyshadow can't remember how old he was when his real family died. All that he remembers is a horrible dream of a battle, a bird whose body was all ablaze with fire, the smell of smoke, and the sound of people screaming. Nevertheless, his records show that he was adopted and raised by the nomadic Shin'a'in people. By them he was given the name Te'sorthene shena Vuysher'edras
(tay sohrthayne shaynah vi-ooshear saydhrin), meaning "spirit-friend of the children of the wolves". Throughout his life he appeared to different people at different times, taking another name each time. To the Hawkbrothers he is known as Skyshadow, though the reasons for this are not on record. While training with them to learn their magic he searched for a familiar to aid him, soon finding himself bonded to a hawk-owl. It was not long before he discovered its unique ability to change form at will.Some time ago he was selected by a Companion. Usually when this happens the Chosen is sent to the royal Collegium in Valdemar, however Skyshadow was given another duty. He was to return once more to the Vale where he had lived with the Tayledras and seek out the Adept he was sure to find there. He would take care of things from then on. The Companion left him with the warning that when the time was right he would be summoned to take his place as a Herald, but until then it was best to be patient. So, at the bidding of a Companion Skyshadow arrived at YUME to train and prepare for the day he knew would come.
Though he himself does not know it he is in fact a holographic image and does not exist. His real form is shrouded in mystery and is rumoured to be extremely skilled in the arts of magic. So powerful is it that it is able to create this hologram which is perfectly true to life (thus, weaknesses and imperfection) even from its unknown location on the Astral Plane. This understandably uses a lot of power and even with the amount of skill the creature has it is only able to spare enough to give Skyshadow weak skills to begin with. This is the reason why the Companion wishes him to train further. Skyshadow's past is a tangle of mysteries he has not even begun to unravel.
Though both past and present are uncertain he appears to be destined to become a Herald-mage.
Strengths:
Magic Powers-Ability to cast spells, heal, have magical weapons like amulets, staffs and such
Animal Kin-Ability to talk to animals, train them, have familiars, tap into animal instincts within soul and become more bestial
Weaknesses:
He is weak to Fire elemental attacks of either physical or magical nature. Even though he is a hologram he does bleed and experiences pain as much as anyone else. Like any spell, however, his has a very important weak point. The Focus point of hologram spell is a bluish orb located where his heart would be, if this is destroyed the spell will be broken and if harmed he also suffers. Any magically draining/magic resistant/magic dampening creature/person/spell often causes great damage to him, especially the latter. Even encountering an item which has magic dampening properties causes him to be physically sick, sometimes seriously so. He also seems to suffer frequently from what appear to be migraines.
Equipment:
1. Skyshadow's familiar usually takes one of two forms:
a) kyree: a lupine sentient being. They communicate telepathically with whomever they choose and are often the creature of choice when it comes time for a mage to choose a familiar. Rumour has it that when that when they communicate mind-to-mind they are unable to tell anything aside from the absolute truth. A kyree throws three kinds of pups: male, female, and neutral. The third type has no place in the pack and thus, become loners. It is the kyrees lacking in gender who usually respond to a mage's plea. They have an amazing appetite and are designed for short bursts of energy, lacking the endurance for long exertions. They dislike cold weather. It is said that a powerful Adept created the species long ago. They possess their own magic though the extent of this is widely unknown.
b) Hawk (merlin)-owl (bondbird): A bondbird chooses who it bonds with and once it does the partnership is lifelong. They can project images and the person they are bonded to can actually "see" through their eyes. They also communicate in simple sentences telepathically as well as verbally making calls. Bondbirds are two to three times the normal size of whatever type of bird they are and one who is bonded to such a large bird requires a heavy wrist-to-shoulder gauntlet to protect the partner's arm from the sharp claws. Due to their soft-edged feathers hawk-owls are equally adept to night or day flying and make no detectable sound unless very close. These birds are very rare. Their talons are so strong they can pierce the skull of a goat. They are intelligent enough to target distinct areas such as vulnerable eye sockets. Like a kyree they eat quite a large amount of food. Typically they are extremely vain and very fond of admiration and caressing. Their feathering is very dense which makes cold not much of a problem.
When in the form of a kyree the colouring of his familiar is a very dark grey, turning to black at the tips of his long ears with a face appearing more fox-like than lupine. When in the form of a bondbird his familiar's plumage is similar to that of Earth's merlin.
2. He also owns a disc made of the legendary metal Damascus, an odd, black metal possessed of elasticity and durability. He doesn't know why, but whenever he carries it his defense against the element of Dark is improved a great deal. He thinks it has some other purpose, but what it is he cannot fathom.
Moves:
1. White Wind: A wind from world's end with healing properties. A shimming, white breeze surrounds the caster in a false whirlwind, leaving him feeling refreshed and his body healed. A moderate amount of hp is restored with each casting. Target-selective spell.
2. Limited Moon: Light-elemental. Clouds gather overhead and then clear, revealing a full moon. Beams of moonlight stream forth towards the opponent, causing direct damage when they meet their target straight-on and indirect damage otherwise. Area-wide spell.
3. Black Saber: Dark-elemental. Gathers the energy of darkness into a single wave-like blade which stops time on the battlefield as it surges towards a single opponent. Target-selective spell.
Andrew can also perform a variety of minor spells, but those listed above are his personal specialities.
[ice_song's note: the background colour used in these profiles indicates rank, the closer to black it is the higher up in the YUME ladder. Sort of like how security clearance level is sometimes colour coded. ^_^;]