[Expanded Character Backgrounds]

[Andrew Phillips]

[Version 1.5]

[General Information]

Name (True/Mortal/Nicknames/Aliases):
Te'sorthene shena Vuysher'edras (tay sohrthayne shaynah vi-ooshear saydhrin)
Skyshadow k'Leshya 
Andrew Phillips


Place/Date of Birth: 
Birthplace Unknown
DoB registered as March 7

Gender: 
Male

Height/Weight:
5'10", Weight Unknown.


Race/Nationality: 
Shin'a'in/Kaled'a'in
/Valdemaran

Chronological/Apparent Age: 
20 years RET

Organisational Affiliation: 
Lothlaurien, adopted k'Leshya, adopted Vuysher'edras


Hair: 
Long, bleached white


Eyes: 
Dark grey around pupils, bleeding into vivid green around edges


Skin: 
Pale, almost colourless, but a little sun darkened so that it's not completely
white, but across his back and arms are scars, which are a stark white, enough to
contrast with his skin noticeably.

Wardrobe: 
Floor-length jacket of deep red bordered by gold over-top of loose, white shirt
gathered at sleeves, white breeches and black over-the-knee boots.  Over one arm
there is a guard made of tough, leathery material.  Most of wardrobe is of
similar type, everything with a slightly aristocratic touch.


Marks/Scars: 
Patches of scarring visible on the back, damage evidently caused by fire, thin
scars over legs and arms probably caused by falls and other rough treatment


Education: 
Evidently well read, educated by private tutor until death of parents, educated
by separate individuals/groups as met, evident love of learning led to drastic
increase in knowledge and skill.  Educated in many things to certain degree.


Occupation (Mortal & Otherwise): 
Student, Herald Apprentice


Politics: 
High respect for the chain of command, does not view self as a figure of
authority.  Strong supporter of peace at all costs, even if a war is necessary
to achieve it.  If such a thing were to happen he would not hesitate to take a
command position on the side he saw as just.


Religious Beliefs/Observations: 
Chooses not to mention any religious beliefs that he may have.  Does not openly
worship any god or gods, though he believes that something must have been
watching over him in order to get him this far.  Does not believe religion
should account for anything.


Relatives: 
Parents are confirmed deceased.  Other living relations unknown, presumed to be
non-existent.  A "cousin" or two may be referred to casually once in a while,
but it is likely they are part of adopted clans or merely sarcastic comments. 


Martial Status: 
Single


Sexual Orientation: 
Heterosexual


Hobbies:
Literature, especially medieval Earth, medieval arts (jousting, fencing,
falconry, archery...etc.), training his familiar, tirelessly perfecting the
harnessing and creation of Node energy (he is determined to set up a system like
the one on his home planet), perfecting the efficiency and effect of spells,
researching in the university Archives.


Motivations: 
He does not wish to fail in his task, will to be ready whenever the Companion
returns, fear of never becoming a Herald, want of respect


Goals: 
To retain the respect and admiration of those around him, to impress the
Companion and become worthy of becoming a Herald, to gain a reputation of being
just and fair, to protect what is most important to him


Bad Habits/Vices:
Sometimes seems to look for a fight, rather than ways to prevent one, is
sometimes too caught up in ideas of honour and justice, is not afraid of the
threat of war, is extremely reserved and does not confide in others


Pet Peeves/Gripes:
People who fight without a real purpose, those who would abuse the government
and those who are unimaginably selfish or cruel.

Things That Make Uncomfortable or Embarrass:
Any mention of his physical appearance, any hint of romance directed at him,
questions about his "distant" past


Admirable Personality Traits:
Trustworthy, respectable, responsible, makes certain to finish a task, patient,
kind-hearted, wise to an extent, forgiving of the faults of others, open-minded


Negative Personality Traits:
Some people see him as being arrogant because he always strives to look sure of
himself when taking a leadership position and doesn't always think through what
kind of image he's presenting.  He can also be a little obstinate when it comes
to something he is certain is right and refuses to stand up to anyone who's
higher than him in rank.

Quirks:
Obsessed with being perfect.


[Morality & Psychology]

How do you (as your character) feel about:


Murder: 
"Whose blood is it?  Is it I who have murdered?  War is dirty...Making people
understand this is, in a way, a friendly act...sometimes evil must be fought on
the same level."


Stealing: 
"An act of theft speaks little of the thief.  It proves that they would be
unable to attain what they had stolen without the victim's help."


Lying: 
"Sometimes a lie is merely a way of protecting others from the truth...However,
in answer to a direct question from a figure of authority there is no
justification for it."


Honour: 
"Though honour can sometimes lead one to an early grave it is a what I live by."


Fair Play: 
"I play by the rules of Honour, Justice, and Time."


Torture: 
"The torture of mind, body, or soul?  The first two can be healed, but the last
is unforgiving."


Loyalty: 
"Loyalty is something that is earned, not bought.  One must be loyal to his
enemy, his betters, his word, and himself."


Charity: 
"Charity is not something which will make the lives of others better, it is a
temporary gift which paves the way for the true solution: understanding."


Sex:
"I...I...uhh..." (this would probably be followed by a bit more stuttering and
his whole face turning bright red)


Life in General: 
"If everything is Fated to be then the object isn't to change that Fate, but to
shape it to ones will...to make the best of the situation, if that's your way of
looking at things.  I'm sure there's a Shin'a'in proverb which can explain it
better than I."


[Opinions on Others]

How do you (as your character) feel about:


Elves: 
"I have only heard of them in myths and legends, but what I've heard fascinates
me, especially their languages and I would be grateful for the chance to
converse with one of their kind."

Mortals (specifically humans): 
"Small waves in the Ocean of Existence."


Vampires: 
"To live eternally without ever seeing the beauty of a sunrise?  Whatever did
they do to deserve such damnation?"


Technological peoples (by which is meant androids and other sentient robots): 
"The concept is so new to me I can't give an opinion."

Aliens (be specific if necessary): 
"I suppose that I, myself, am one if your definition is one not of this present
Earth, but I feel that I am no different than anyone here."

Wraiths (and other spirits): 
"I...don't know."

Celestials (Angels, Demons and others of the same classification): 
"Beautiful things can also be terrifying and there is a thin line between the
two.  Coming so close to perfection is a dangerous proposition."

Changelings (Shape-shifters): 
"Being bonded to one gives me a unique perspective, but the important thing to
remember about shape-shifters is that even if the form changes the soul remains
the same."

Commoners: 
"No less deserving of respect, but luckier, in a way, than others in that so
little is expected of them and they lack some of the more undesirable
responsibilities those of higher standing must heed."

Nobles: 
"Every fortune must be balanced out and thus, nobles suffer in equal amount to
all others."


[Romance]

What kind of qualities do you (as your character) look for in a significant
other?
"W...what??"


Favourite Body Part:
"Uhh..."



[Social Advantages]

Liege Lord (or Ruler): 
The current monarch of Valdemar and the surrounding kingdom.

Oaths Sworn: 
Skyshadow is bonded to both a Companion and a bondbird (shape-shifter)

Badges of Honour (Titles): 
Unknown

Mentor: 
Several private tutors, various Kaled'a'in, Talseydras, and Shin'a'in Adepts,
Healers, etc.

Contacts: 
Kethveren Wyntern and Farhunter Willare (Winchester, England)
Adept Lauren (k'Vala Vale)
Journeyman S'ren (Valdemar)

Allies: 
Kaled'a'in and descendent peoples, Valdemar and others.


[Equipment]

Carried: 
A disc of Damascus, possibly a small ornamental dagger.

Owned: 
Several pieces of equipment, such as horseback riding tack and various objects
and items used for entertaining at Court (i.e. illusory magic, etc.)

Familiars/Treasures (special items): 
Darkwind, a shape-shifting soulbond


[Character History]


Mortal
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.

Other
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.


 [Secondary Abilities]


Talents

Name:								Level:	
Sixth Sense							O 2 O O O		
Sense of Taste							O O 3 O O		


Skills

Name:								Level:	
Medieval Arts							O O O 4 O		
Foreign Languages						O O O 4 O		
Cooking								O 2 O O O		


Knowledges 

Name:								Level:	
Literature							O O 3 O O		
History								O O 3 O O		
Government Systems/Politics					O 2 O O O		
Etiquette							O O O 4 O		


[Any questions should be emailed to ice_song at WhiteMage_1@yahoo.com
 after reading the FAQ]