SHR Main Page | Opera Propria | Camera Mysteriorum Introduction
Characteristics: Int +3, Per 0, Str +2, Sta +1, Pre -2, Com 0, Dex +2, Qik -2
Size: 0
Age: 26 (26)
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 2 (5)
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Major Magical Focus: Metals; Affinity with Smithing, Affinity with Terram, Inventive Genius, Learn Smithing from Mistakes, Privileged Upbringing, Self-Confident, Skilled Parens, Verditius Magic; Ambitious (Major), Short Ranged Magic; Clumsy Magic, Incompatible Arts (Creo and Herbam, Rego and Herbam), Magical Animal Companion (Fides [Dog]), Obsessed: Neat Workplace
Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Tidy +3, Disinterested Love of Beauty in All Forms +2
Reputations: None
| Weapon/Attack | Init | Atk | Dfn | Dam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fist | -3 | +4 | 0 | +2 |
| Kick | -4 | +4 | -1 | +5 |
| Dodge | -3 | n/a | 0 | n/a |
| Dagger | -3 | +6 | 0 | +5 |
| Hammer | -2 | +6 | -1 | +10 |
Soak: +3 (Stamina, Heavy Leather Apron)
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Abilities: Artes Liberales 1 (Ritual Magic), Athletics 2 (Weight Lifting), Awareness 2 (Alertness), Bargain 2 (Metals), Brawl 2 (Grapples), Carouse 1 (Drinking Songs), Code of Hermes 1 (Mundane Relations), Concentration 2 (Lab Work), Craft: Smithing 5 (12) (Swords), Czech 5 (Smithing Vocabulary), Finesse 1 (Terram), German 1 (Czech Loanwords), Latin 5 (Hermetic Usage), Magic Theory 4 (Enchanting Items), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (History), Parma Magica 1 (Aquam), Penetration 1 (Terram), Philosophiae 2 (Ritual Magic), Prague Lore 2 (Merchants), Profession: Scribe 1 (Neat Hand), Single Weapon 1 (Mace/Hammer)
Arts: Cr 5, In 5, Mu 5, Pe 5, Re 5, An 0, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 0, He 0, Ig 5, Im 5, Me 5, Te 11 (2), Vi 5
Twilight Scars: None
Equipment: Heavy Leather Apron, Files, Small Chisels, Hammer, Finely-Made Dagger, Many Small Pendants and Charms as his Foci
Encumbrance: 1 (3)
Spells Known:
Description and Background:
Kolarros is a man of large muscles, dark auburn hair, bright eyes, and a collection of small scars and burns - none of these are major, but none of them truly adds to his appearance. He looks like a man born to the forge, which for all intents and purposes he is, but there is a look of inward-looking serenity that comes across his face at times.
Kolarros was born Jan the Smith's Son in the city of Prague. His father, Hermann, was the swordsmith to the lord of the city and a man of fantastic reputation as a metalworker. At an early age Jan showed promise, and so he began an early apprenticeship as a swordsmith. He was encouraged at every turn and was identified almost immediately as a true prodigy. Even his mistakes seemed helpful, as if each one was there only to encourage him further in his endeavors. In other words, despite his strange air he was thoroughly cosseted and loved, utterly showered with attention.
Despite all of this attention, deep in his soul Jan knew that he could do even more, that he could surpass his father if only he was given a chance to shine and to learn from an even greater master. His triumphs seemed somehow limited, even hollow. Deep within his soul was a crying need, but he had no notion where to turn. An Italian merchant, Mercurio of Padua, took to hanging out around Hermann's forge. He struck up many a conversation with the boy, probing his knowledge of metals and forging techniques while constantly pressing Hermann for business. Eventually, however, Mercurio asked Jan to meet him at a local tavern. There Jan was handed a glass of buttermilk only to find himself falling asleep.
When Jan awoke the man who had called himself Mercurio of Padua revealed himself as Fabricator Vulcanus, a magus of the Order of Hermes affiliated with House Verditius. Jan was then informed that his true apprenticeship had begun, that all that had come before was mere preparation for his true calling, the office of magus and a creator of items of pure wonder.
Fabricator proved to be a demanding master but also a fair one. He pushed Jan to his very limits, requiring him to know by smell and touch where a particular lump of raw ore was mined from and challenging him to extend his senses into the very inner nature of metal and stone. He would tease Jan with visions of great power that would be achieved if only the lad could push his understanding but a bit more. For all the pushing, however, there was also the sweet leavening of genuine praise, carefully measured so as to never be too great or too mean. No master and apprentice were ever more perfectly suited for each other, and with each advancement Jan's enthusiasm, skill, and self-confidence grew ever stronger. Down to his very bones Jan knew he was to be one of the greatest mage-smiths the Order had ever dreamed of, and Fabricator knew that his supreme creation was this young apprentice.
At his Gauntlet Jan received his new name - Kolarros. Fabricator praised his craftsmanship, his magical abilities, and his creativity. Kolarros felt prepared to take on the world, to find his own way in a new covenant and prove himself to be the finest Verditius since the Founder himself! And so, backed with much praise, amazing skill, and praising ringing in his ears, he set off.
Kolarros has found subsequently that he does, indeed, have a few limitations to his power, although none of them feel particularly significant. No, his magic does not seem to fly out from his hands to any great distance, but why would that be a worry when he is working at the forge? And admittedly he is not very good at working magics on wood and herbs, but what does that matter when one is creating a sword or armour? As has been seen over and over, his true forte is with metals and to a lesser extent stones; their slow and careful growth makes more sense to his mind. A few people complain that Kolarros is too rigid concerning the ordering of his tools, but he dismisses such commentary - what is the use of a craftsman if he cannot immediately lay his hand to his files and chisels? To work in anything other than an orderly space is to invite disaster! This, he realizes, is not a problem but mere sensible working habits, and anyone who does not realize the truth of this has no business being anywhere near his forge.
While out gathering materials for setting up his forge in his new covenant he ran across a happy dog with the most startling blue eyes. The dog, which he named Fides, has been following him around ever since. The dog seems remarkably intelligent and never gets in Kalorros' way when he is busy at his work.
Busy, accurate, confident, content in his work - Kolarros considers himself a Verditius' Verditius. One day he is determined to forge the perfect sword, a sword of legend worthy of being remembered side by side with Durendal and Excalibur. When he completes this task, he will be content. Until then, he shall strive with all his power towards that perfect goal.
Text copyright © Angus Macdonald 2005.