Character Theme
"Feel that chill coming down from the coast? Like the wind is ignoring your furs and digging straight into your bones? New, that is. Unnatural. There's more for a soul to fear than the Thalmor up that way, mark my words." -Borjold Oakarm
Name: Alazir
Aliases: The Hungerer, Hunger of the North, Ugatka (a Redguard word meaning "rage")
Sex: Male
Race: Redguard
Class: Necromantic Spellsword
Alignment: Chaotic/Lawful Evil
Title(s): Lord, Thane (various)
Age: 67
Appearance
Skin Tone: Brown of frozen earth
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 230lbs
Build: Toned muscles developed by years of hard labor in his youth and soldiering as a young man
Eyes: Originally, brown | post-experimentation, white | post-vampirisim, red-orange
Hair: Black with scattered gray
Apparel: When in the court at Volkihar, Alazir always wears the Royal Armor he "inherited" from Lord Harkon. While in public he prefers to maintain the same standard of dress, wearing the armor of the Clan or other finery. At times, particularly during the day, he may travel wearing a hooded mask. If needing to move about unnoticed, he may wear the hooded robes of a monk as a disguise.
The same Royal Armor serves him well for combat, but if knowingly going into battle he may don the set of ancient Snow Elf armor he claimed from Arch-Curate Vyrthur.
Tattoos/Scars: Puckered pink scars curl on his right cheek, between eye and mouth, earned on the battlefields of the Great War. The warpaint he wore then has also become a permanent fixture, surrounding his eyes and running down the sides of his face.
Weapons:
- Alazir went to great effort to learn the Dunmer techniques used to forge weapons from malachite in order to reproduce their beautiful war axe design. He uses a pair of them, usually imbued with life stealing or immobilizing enchantments.
- He sometimes carries Harkon's own sword, but more often than not the weapon is locked away, its power disturbing even to him.
- He now keeps Auriel's Bow with him at all times, along with a supply of Bloodcursed arrows. While he enjoys the immense power of the weapon, he is neither a proficient archer, nor willing to incur retaliation from mortals, and so uses it sparingly and irregularly. This is usually reserved to times when he must travel long distances, or if he wishes to attack a group unexpectedly in otherwise broad daylight, such as during his noon-day assault on Fort Dawnguard.
Background
Special Abilities/Skills: A highly talented hand to hand combatant and passable archer, Alazir relishes the opportunity to get his hands dirty in battle, specializing in the use of war axes. He has also developed a talent for necromancy and blood magic.
Place of Birth: Hegathe, Hammerfell
Religion: Follower of the House of Troubles
Residence: Primary: Heljarchen Hall, Secondary: Castle Volkihar
Political Affiliation: He claims to believe in independence, including an independent Skyrim, but only because it allows the vampires to operate without attracting organized Imperial attention. Among his kind he freely acknowledges that he would more than gladly subjugate all of Skyrim if he thought he could.
Occupation: Lord of the Volkihar
Organizations/Factions: Volkihar Clan, Stormcloaks (see above)
Favorite food/drink: Rare blood
Interests: Collecting books (but not much reading)
Flaws: Even if his mind had survived the March of Thirst, delving into the dark arts ensured that by the time he arrived in Skyrim, Alazir was thoroughly unhinged. He has acquired a violent temper, which, combined with a cunning nature and vampiric hunger, has been the death of numerous travelers, merchants, thieves and other innocents in the dark of Skyrim's corners and roads.
Citizenship: Hammerfell
Relationships: Enthralled wife, Jordis the Sword-Maiden; Guard Death Hound, CuSith; Various servants and housecarls throughout Skyrim, both willing and enthralled.
Personality: Calm and collected on the surface, Alazir easily deceives strangers regarding his volatile nature. He will seek to repay almost any slight tenfold, and it is not uncommon for the punishment to be death. With an insatiable lust for power, he exerts only enough self control to achieve his designs and will quickly betray any accomplice to avoid sharing power, riches or glory. What passes as affection for him, reserved for his wife, others would call a controlling obsession.
Backstory
Born in 4E 133 outside of Hegathe to a lower class family of laborers, Alazir grew up knowing little more than the menial and back breaking tasks that fed the family from week to week. Beginning at a young age he started the appropriate training to serve in the militia, which he found a much more agreeable use of time and energy. But a military lifestyle would take away his contribution to the family, and abandoning them was out of the question. By the time he had grown, married and settled nearby, that reality had not changed. He still had a family that needed him, and he resigned himself to that unremarkable life.
When change came, it was by the most unwelcome of means: The landing of the Aldmeri Dominion. Alazir's family, from father, mother, sister and brothers to wife and child were killed before they could find safety in Hegathe. Alazir was left for dead, and when he came to and found the Aldmeri forces between himself and the city, he crawled from the ruins of his former life and eventually made his way to Gilane, where he fell in with the militia. As if by some twisted fulfillment of his life-long wish, he became a warrior.
The Great War and the loss of his family awoke a deep darkness in Alazir. He came to delight in shedding Dominion blood, becoming a pariah even among his Imperial allies and Redguard comrades for his impulse to hunt down and slaughter whatever Dominion force came in reach. Eventually regarded as a berserker, his commanders soon found it necessary to restrict and even bind him to keep their positions secret. It wasn't long before the Imperials and Redguard were driven back and forced to retreat across the Alik'r Desert, beginning the grievous March of Thirst.
Many lives were lost during the desert crossing, and there were some who resorted to extreme means to survive. It was on the March that Alazir first quenched his thirst with blood. Of the soldiers that fled into the desert with him, only Alazir emerged, and by that time he had grown to despise the infernal heat of the sands and the pantheon which seemed to have abandoned him. In shame, he did not rejoin the Imperials near High Rock, but disappeared, not to be heard of again for nearly ten years after the war's end. His greatest regret became losing the chance to avenge his family and die honorably, and with blood pounding, on the field of battle. The March had been just the opposite, confronting him with his mortality far from the adrenaline-fueled pitches of war. He had felt fear and instinctive self preservation and he became obsessed with the idea that he would live forever, repaying the Dominion for the blood they had spilled until the elves killed him themselves. Quietly taking up residence a day's journey from Elinhir, he spent the remaining years of the war, and many after, trying to unlock the secrets of eternal life.
To fund his research he became a mercenary under an assumed name, and quickly garnered a reputation for reliable, if blunt service. While he kept his axes honed, he delved into the dark arts, being well versed with the stories of kings, priests and liches who derived longevity from their mastery. Through alchemical experiments, he succeeded in markedly slowing his aging. As a side effect, the color drained from his eyes, leaving them white as snow, but mercifully he kept his vision. He quickly abandoned the process to avoid further mishap.
Skyrim
It wasn't long before the methods of the Vampire became a recurring subject in his study. The disease could be the answer, but it came at a price. A small price, he thought. One he had willingly paid in the desert. He began attempting to reach out to the Hammerfell Clans, to see if they would accept him into their fold. The better part of the next fifteen years was spent in this effort, though he continued his own experiments in life force and necromancy. At one point he was sure he had successfully contacted a member of the Selenu Clan, based in Sentinel, or at least one of their agents. He was preparing to leave his work and travel there himself, but not a week later, a mob from Elenhir appeared on his doorstep. Amid shouted accusations of soul stealing, curses and with the threat of militia support, Alazir was driven out of Elenhir and into Skyrim with nothing but the clothes on his back. To this day he believes it was the Selenu that outed him to the people of Elenhir.
Wandering the borders of Skyrim for weeks, he eventually found a hospitable cave from which to live until a more permanent home could be found. It was not far from there that he came upon an Imperial ambush attacking a group of Nords in armor he didn't recognize. However, his moment of inattention cost him, as the Imperials mistook him for part of the now subdued rabble and capture him as well. He first entered a Skyrim settlement as a prisoner, having escaped death in Hammerfell only to quickly find it at the chopping block in Helgen. He was spared at the last moment by the violent return of the dragons to Tamriel. Escaping with one of his fellow captives, Alazir found himself with a clean slate, and a chance to begin his work anew.
Taking advantage of his position as a stranger, Alazir worked to gain the trust of the local Nords, including even the Jarl of Whiterun. Before long he discovered his dormant power as the Dragonborn. Knowing of the dragons' supposed immortality, he grew more confident in his believed destiny. As if a new fortune was smiling on him, he soon discovered a group of dedicated vampire hunters calling themselves Dawnguard. Not only could they lead him to Skyrim's Clans, but if he could turn the hunters over to them, he was sure to be welcomed with open arms. It turned out to be easier than he imagined possible. After "capturing" the entombed Serana, Alazir returned her to her home and was granted the gift he'd sought for years, and much more. Now undying, a Lion among Sheep, Alazir pursues his own ends in Skyrim: The eradication of Thalmor influence, the harnessing of his new abilities, and the amassing of his own power.
***Notes***
Any comments, questions or critiques are welcome. I'm mainly concerned by the length, but it's easier to trim down than add on. Please enjoy!
Character Theme
"Feel that chill coming down from the coast? Like the wind is ignoring your furs and digging straight into your bones? New, that is. Unnatural. There's more for a soul to fear than the Thalmor up that way, mark my words." -Borjold Oakarm
Name: Alazir
Aliases: The Hungerer, Hunger of the North, Ugatka (a Redguard word meaning "rage")
Sex: Male
Race: Redguard
Class: Necromantic Spellsword
Alignment: Chaotic/Lawful Evil
Title(s): Lord, Thane (various)
Age: 67
Appearance
Skin Tone: Brown of frozen earth
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 230lbs
Build: Toned muscles developed by years of hard labor in his youth and soldiering as a young man
Eyes: Originally, brown | post-experimentation, white | post-vampirisim, red-orange
Hair: Black with scattered gray
Apparel: When in the court at Volkihar, Alazir always wears the Royal Armor he "inherited" from Lord Harkon. While in public he prefers to maintain the same standard of dress, wearing the armor of the Clan or other finery. At times, particularly during the day, he may travel wearing a hooded mask. If needing to move about unnoticed, he may wear the hooded robes of a monk as a disguise.
The same Royal Armor serves him well for combat, but if knowingly going into battle he may don the set of ancient Snow Elf armor he claimed from Arch-Curate Vyrthur.
Tattoos/Scars: Puckered pink scars curl on his right cheek, between eye and mouth, earned on the battlefields of the Great War. The warpaint he wore then has also become a permanent fixture, surrounding his eyes and running down the sides of his face.
Weapons:
- Alazir went to great effort to learn the Dunmer techniques used to forge weapons from malachite in order to reproduce their beautiful war axe design. He uses a pair of them, usually imbued with life stealing or immobilizing enchantments.
- He sometimes carries Harkon's own sword, but more often than not the weapon is locked away, its power disturbing even to him.
- He now keeps Auriel's Bow with him at all times, along with a supply of Bloodcursed arrows. While he enjoys the immense power of the weapon, he is neither a proficient archer, nor willing to incur retaliation from mortals, and so uses it sparingly and irregularly. This is usually reserved to times when he must travel long distances, or if he wishes to attack a group unexpectedly in otherwise broad daylight, such as during his noon-day assault on Fort Dawnguard.
Background
Special Abilities/Skills: A highly talented hand to hand combatant and passable archer, Alazir relishes the opportunity to get his hands dirty in battle, specializing in the use of war axes. He has also developed a talent for necromancy and blood magic.
Place of Birth: Hegathe, Hammerfell
Religion: Follower of the House of Troubles
Residence: Primary: Heljarchen Hall, Secondary: Castle Volkihar
Political Affiliation: He claims to believe in independence, including an independent Skyrim, but only because it allows the vampires to operate without attracting organized Imperial attention. Among his kind he freely acknowledges that he would more than gladly subjugate all of Skyrim if he thought he could.
Occupation: Lord of the Volkihar
Organizations/Factions: Volkihar Clan, Stormcloaks (see above)
Favorite food/drink: Rare blood
Interests: Collecting books (but not much reading)
Flaws: Even if his mind had survived the March of Thirst, delving into the dark arts ensured that by the time he arrived in Skyrim, Alazir was thoroughly unhinged. He has acquired a violent temper, which, combined with a cunning nature and vampiric hunger, has been the death of numerous travelers, merchants, thieves and other innocents in the dark of Skyrim's corners and roads.
Citizenship: Hammerfell
Relationships: Enthralled wife, Jordis the Sword-Maiden; Guard Death Hound, CuSith; Various servants and housecarls throughout Skyrim, both willing and enthralled.
Personality: Calm and collected on the surface, Alazir easily deceives strangers regarding his volatile nature. He will seek to repay almost any slight tenfold, and it is not uncommon for the punishment to be death. With an insatiable lust for power, he exerts only enough self control to achieve his designs and will quickly betray any accomplice to avoid sharing power, riches or glory. What passes as affection for him, reserved for his wife, others would call a controlling obsession.
Backstory
Born in 4E 133 outside of Hegathe to a lower class family of laborers, Alazir grew up knowing little more than the menial and back breaking tasks that fed the family from week to week. Beginning at a young age he started the appropriate training to serve in the militia, which he found a much more agreeable use of time and energy. But a military lifestyle would take away his contribution to the family, and abandoning them was out of the question. By the time he had grown, married and settled nearby, that reality had not changed. He still had a family that needed him, and he resigned himself to that unremarkable life.
When change came, it was by the most unwelcome of means: The landing of the Aldmeri Dominion. Alazir's family, from father, mother, sister and brothers to wife and child were killed before they could find safety in Hegathe. Alazir was left for dead, and when he came to and found the Aldmeri forces between himself and the city, he crawled from the ruins of his former life and eventually made his way to Gilane, where he fell in with the militia. As if by some twisted fulfillment of his life-long wish, he became a warrior.
The Great War and the loss of his family awoke a deep darkness in Alazir. He came to delight in shedding Dominion blood, becoming a pariah even among his Imperial allies and Redguard comrades for his impulse to hunt down and slaughter whatever Dominion force came in reach. Eventually regarded as a berserker, his commanders soon found it necessary to restrict and even bind him to keep their positions secret. It wasn't long before the Imperials and Redguard were driven back and forced to retreat across the Alik'r Desert, beginning the grievous March of Thirst.
Many lives were lost during the desert crossing, and there were some who resorted to extreme means to survive. It was on the March that Alazir first quenched his thirst with blood. Of the soldiers that fled into the desert with him, only Alazir emerged, and by that time he had grown to despise the infernal heat of the sands and the pantheon which seemed to have abandoned him. In shame, he did not rejoin the Imperials near High Rock, but disappeared, not to be heard of again for nearly ten years after the war's end. His greatest regret became losing the chance to avenge his family and die honorably, and with blood pounding, on the field of battle. The March had been just the opposite, confronting him with his mortality far from the adrenaline-fueled pitches of war. He had felt fear and instinctive self preservation and he became obsessed with the idea that he would live forever, repaying the Dominion for the blood they had spilled until the elves killed him themselves. Quietly taking up residence a day's journey from Elinhir, he spent the remaining years of the war, and many after, trying to unlock the secrets of eternal life.
To fund his research he became a mercenary under an assumed name, and quickly garnered a reputation for reliable, if blunt service. While he kept his axes honed, he delved into the dark arts, being well versed with the stories of kings, priests and liches who derived longevity from their mastery. Through alchemical experiments, he succeeded in markedly slowing his aging. As a side effect, the color drained from his eyes, leaving them white as snow, but mercifully he kept his vision. He quickly abandoned the process to avoid further mishap.
Skyrim
It wasn't long before the methods of the Vampire became a recurring subject in his study. The disease could be the answer, but it came at a price. A small price, he thought. One he had willingly paid in the desert. He began attempting to reach out to the Hammerfell Clans, to see if they would accept him into their fold. The better part of the next fifteen years was spent in this effort, though he continued his own experiments in life force and necromancy. At one point he was sure he had successfully contacted a member of the Selenu Clan, based in Sentinel, or at least one of their agents. He was preparing to leave his work and travel there himself, but not a week later, a mob from Elenhir appeared on his doorstep. Amid shouted accusations of soul stealing, curses and with the threat of militia support, Alazir was driven out of Elenhir and into Skyrim with nothing but the clothes on his back. To this day he believes it was the Selenu that outed him to the people of Elenhir.
Wandering the borders of Skyrim for weeks, he eventually found a hospitable cave from which to live until a more permanent home could be found. It was not far from there that he came upon an Imperial ambush attacking a group of Nords in armor he didn't recognize. However, his moment of inattention cost him, as the Imperials mistook him for part of the now subdued rabble and capture him as well. He first entered a Skyrim settlement as a prisoner, having escaped death in Hammerfell only to quickly find it at the chopping block in Helgen. He was spared at the last moment by the violent return of the dragons to Tamriel. Escaping with one of his fellow captives, Alazir found himself with a clean slate, and a chance to begin his work anew.
Taking advantage of his position as a stranger, Alazir worked to gain the trust of the local Nords, including even the Jarl of Whiterun. Before long he discovered his dormant power as the Dragonborn. Knowing of the dragons' supposed immortality, he grew more confident in his believed destiny. As if a new fortune was smiling on him, he soon discovered a group of dedicated vampire hunters calling themselves Dawnguard. Not only could they lead him to Skyrim's Clans, but if he could turn the hunters over to them, he was sure to be welcomed with open arms. It turned out to be easier than he imagined possible. After "capturing" the entombed Serana, Alazir returned her to her home and was granted the gift he'd sought for years, and much more. Now undying, a Lion among Sheep, Alazir pursues his own ends in Skyrim: The eradication of Thalmor influence, the harnessing of his new abilities, and the amassing of his own power.
***Notes***
Any comments, questions or critiques are welcome. I'm mainly concerned by the length, but it's easier to trim down than add on. Please enjoy!
