App - Demeleier

[just_a_delusion]

Player Name: Aya
Player LJ: disposableninja
Contact: AIM: Anryuu Nata / Plurk: trilobite_punch
Character Number: 1

Character: Soren
Source: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Appearance: Image link
     A young figure, appearance-wise possibly in his mid-teens at the most, Soren bears an air of maturity about him. Smiles rarely touch his lips, his crimson-eyed gaze likely not helping to soften his features. His hair is dark green, its length falling down his back, split loosely in two but both bound into a ponytail. His bangs and whatever proves too short to be gathered with the rest in the back falls to frame his face, and in the center of his forehead is a mark in faint magenta- a broken circle halved by two lines.

     The young mage wears dark-colored robes trimmed in gold and comprised of several layers. Tied about his waist are a pair of sashes of faded green and teal, those belted over with a braided belt of leather, the end from which dangles a metal decorative piece inset with a green gem. The belt loops through a small satchel which is useful for holding his tome and whatever else might be useful. Over his shoulders and spilling down to his ankles is a gray-green hooded cloak. Thick leather sandals are bound on his feet.


History:
     Considering his background, it's no wonder why the young mage keeps to himself most of the time and why his interests are invested in self-preservation as well as that of Ike and his closer comrades. Part of his reasons for being so withdrawn is due to his upbringing. Raised by a woman not truly his mother, he was never loved by her as she always complained of her burden. He was then given over to an old sage that was merely interested in teaching someone the arts before he passed on, believed to be one Spirit Charmed due to the strange marking on his forehead. Soren only later discovered that the mark was that of a Branded- a half-breed of both Beorc (human) and Laguz (beast) blood. It has not been clearly revealed as to which blood of the Laguz flows through his veins, although it is later revealed to be that of the Goldoan dragons. Out of fear that he would be shunned by all, more importantly worried that he would lose Ike's friendship, Soren kept his knowledge of being Branded to himself. Ike had come upon the orphaned mage and shown him kindness when others would not, and ever since has proven an invaluable friend due to his understanding and unbiased acceptance of Soren. The young mage would not risk losing this trust and relationship.

     It was Ike who had introduced Soren to the Greil Mercenaries, and had interceded in having his father accept the mage into their group. Soren proved himself a valuable tactician to the mercenaries, Commander Greil asking his opinion on troubling situations when their group was thrown into the sudden affairs that surged from Daien's attacking of their current land of residence, Crimea. His view would often be at odds with Titania's, her options favoring Crimea's well-being despite the potential danger they would find themselves in were they to assist Crimea. In the end Soren found himself tagging along with the group, if only because he had little other place to go, and he hoped that at least he could try to minimize their chances of getting themselves killed- granted that they heeded his advice. Any hopes of remaining a neutral party in the brewing war become dashed when they come upon Crimea's sole-surviving member of the royal family, Princess Elincia. Daein's soldiers quickly catch wind of the princess' whereabouts, and the Greil Merceneries are left with little option but to flee to the Laguz country of Gallia in order to deliver Elincia to safety, as well as perhaps find safe grounds themselves. Their journey is not without incident, and unfortunately their losses are great. Greil falls to the Black Knight's blade, two of their members desert them with the responsibility of the mercenaries falling upon Ike's shoulders. Ike continues to carry through with the mission they had undertaken despite their heavy hearts and grieving for a father and leader lost.

     Their journey takes them through Gallia, and then aboard a ship towards the empire of Begnion. It is in the port town of Toha that Ike and the others see how easily the residents have become sympathetic to Daein with Crimea's fall, despite being formerly Crimean territory. Soren was disgusted by the carefree atmosphere and admitted he would not feel sorry for whatever befell those people. They stayed only long enough to acquire a ship that would give them passage to Begnion, but even that was difficult for Daein's soldiers arrived, and anti-Laguz sentiments amongst the townsfolk did not help matters. The Black Knight, one of Daein's most formidable generals, also made an appearance, but fortunately they did not have to face off with him and were able to make their escape across the sea. Naturally their journey would not go any more smoothly as they moved through Laguz territory, becoming acquainted with the bird tribes as well as having a brief encounter with the Goldoan Dragons, although Soren remained strangely scarce during the situation regarding the latter. Once they arrived in Begnion, Soren's mood doesn't seem to improve. He becomes noticeably distracted at times, but never so much that it hinders him from properly offering his advice to Ike in the best course of action for their troops.


Timeline: Not long after their arrival within the Begnion empire.


Personality:
     Seeming ever surrounded by a solitary, untouchable sort of air, Soren might appear somewhat mysterious. He has a cynical streak at times, but even though there are rare moments where he might show a rare sense of humor, his words are always straight to the point, his opinions blunt and painfully truthful in how he sees things for what they are, positive or negative. Soren doesn't bother to sugar his words with false hopes when it's obvious things will be anything but. He's very practical in manner and in thought, his decisions based upon logical reasoning and circumstance as to what will be most beneficial for him and the current party of his interest, if there is one. There is likely a desire to be able to trust others, to open up and relieve himself of the burden of his dark and secretive past, but he's buried it so deeply that it's all but forgotten. For someone that values speaking his mind, he certainly keeps much locked away.

     Soren has not been known in the Greil Mercenaries for his amiability towards others. His concern has always rested upon the well-being of his comrades and he has never hidden this fact, even when they were caught between the verging war brought on by Daein against Crimea. The former Commander Greil as well as his son Ike have always valued Soren's opinions regarding matters, even though in most cases the opposite of his suggestions have been done, leaving Soren to rethink plans for their next course of action to ensure that they all live through such foolhardiness. Not all of the mercenaries of the group are as patient with Soren's bluntness, but then he does not seem to let any reprimanding or obvious distaste for his opinions upset him. The only person who he will listen to and who he actually cares in regards to possibly losing as a friend is Ike.

     Although his confidence in acting as though he is nothing more than human and so able to blend in amongst other Beorc is for the most part a carefully kept facade, he is naturally bound to deny anyone that might say otherwise. Due to his encounters with Laguz in his early wanderings, Soren holds no great love for them. While Beorc were ignorant of the half-blooded lineage even he didn't know he possessed, the Laguz could sense it and would completely ignore him, and it's difficult for him to forget such experiences. Yet for Ike's sake, he tries to be better in tolerating those Laguz that have become allies. He will not readily open up to others, afraid of rejection, but perhaps things can change with time. He does not really seek acceptance from others although he wouldn't be opposed to gaining such. His experiences in battle and interaction with others have at least opened up his perspective to how the world works, and although not all of it has been positive, he knows that there is still some good worth fighting for. Soren is open to learning from others so that he may better serve his own group, and is not so insecure as to be afraid of traveling on his own in order to do such.


Abilities:
     Soren was the Greil Mercenaries' token mage, specializing in anima magic- elemental magic that covers wind, fire and thunder. He seems most at home with using wind magic. Perhaps surprisingly enough for a mage, Soren is quite skilled that he's able to hold his own for a while be he directly pitted against an opponent. Casting comes naturally to him, and his commanding of anima spells has been mastered at such an early age that even first level spells result in devastating damage. With his additional skill as an adept, Soren can usually follow up his initial attack with another blow to finish off his opponent if the first doesn't cut it, although he is also capable of focusing great power into a single attack to be equally effective.

     He's fairly quick on his feet for a mage, but even though he is sometimes able to evade an attack as well as provide defense or deflecting of attacks by his magic, there's only so much he can do. Of course, physically his body is small and falls into the stereotypical expectance of a magic user in terms of endurance. He has minor training with a knife, but it isn't his forte and so not something he relies on.

     Likely due to either his half-Laguz heritage (that he will never speak of) or his relation to the anima spirits by his magic prowess, Soren is able to keep track of where he is more so than others might. Even when trekking through a dreary forest where everything looks the same as everything else, as his friend Ike tells him, Soren seems to always know where he is. His senses in general may be a little sharper than he'll let on. Also, as with Laguz and even halfbreeds, Soren will age less quickly than humans.

     He's experienced as a strategist when it comes to battles, good in analyzing the situation and making suggestions as to placement of their capable fighters and where they would be most effective with their skills. While he would rather choose an option that would most definitely ensure the safety and survival of his comrades, he will definitely work to the best of his capabilities no matter how bad a situation they may be thrown into.


Inventory: A magic tome, a vulnerary bottle for quick, slight healing (good for 3 uses).


Prose Sample:
     He was no more at ease in this place as he was in Gallia, a realization which made him bitterly wonder if there was ever a place that he could truly believe himself to be comfortable within. There is no such place... he thought with a faint snort as he paused to look out one of the windows in the long hallway he had been making his way through. He caught a glimpse of blue down below, and he stepped closer towards the smooth, carved sill to watch as Ike was intercepted by one of the Apostle's aides. ...no place but his side, perhaps...

     Soren closed his eyes, sighing quietly. Another summons by Sanaki? He wondered what the young girl that held the lofty title of Apostle could possibly want of their lowly, rag-tag group of mercenaries now. Things were deceptively peaceful here, quiet within the Apostle's palace, and yet he couldn't help but feel like a caged animal within such spotless and empty stone walls. He also knew that things were anything but calm- the tension of Daein's movement within the recently conquered Crimea giving plenty of cause for reasonable people to be concerned. Even though Begnion was great in power, he was aware of what potential interest could be held in the other two countries, given they had once been a part of Begnion territory. And then there was Gallia... Thinking of the Laguz made the young mage grimace involuntarily, and he shook his head as though the gesture would help to clear his mind. No, he couldn't let such things bother him now. Ike was depending on him. The young commander had already noticed the other day when they were in the desert that something had been on the mage's mind, and Soren knew it was only because Ike was becoming increasingly busy that he hadn't been able to further inquire about it.

     "Things aren't going to get any easier, either..." he said to himself as he stepped away from the window. Soren turned, looking back down the hall. The Apostle's receiving room was that way. He may as well head that way to see what it was Sanaki wished of Ike this time. His sandals barely made a sound as he stepped along the polished floors. He was such a drastic contrast to the light-toned surroundings, and he wondered why people felt it necessary to shine every flat surface in this structure, even when it was to be trod upon daily. Trivial things, anything to keep his mind off of the other things he'd been plagued with.

     ....but just how long is that going to last? he asked himself.


Journal Sample:
[A frown mars the brow of the young face that peers suspiciously at the mirror in his hand. He eyes it a good several seconds longer before emitting a sigh.]

Well, what have I to lose? There seems no one around to poke fun at a fool speaking into a mirror, and if it is truth, then I suppose it's only beneficial.

[Crimson eyes flick sidewise to glance at the woven crown of twigs held and turned in his other hand. The young mage lowers it, looking into the glass again.]

Information would be appreciated more than greetings. This isn't where I am supposed to be, and although I doubt I'm going to receive a satisfactory answer, I must ask the obvious- how do I get back?