app for exsilium.

[arcanepower]

» PLAYER INFORMATION
Player NAME: Saffy
Current AGE: 23
Personal JOURNAL: sora
IM & SERVICE: AIM: herioc BSOD.
Player PLURK: Mine is invite only.
Current CHARACTERS: Thrall (shamanism), joined August 2012. Note here that blood elves are only part of the Horde out of convenience and Belth does not give a shit about major lore characters, so there will be no interaction between them.

» CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character NAME: Belthazar Spellscry
Character PULL-POINT: After Deathwing has fallen. Belthazar is finally coming into his own as a mage and that brings plenty of problems with it.
Character AGE: In elven terms he's about 15, but in human years he's around 60.
Character ABILITIES:
Belthazar is a master of spells. Being incredibly smart, isolated, and focused, he's spent the majority of his life honing his skills. He reads advanced textbooks usually reserved for established wizards, and he has written a few lengthy papers on arcane theory. What he can't do with magic, he supplements with Warcraft's version of alchemy, usually to make healing salves and mana potions. (His other hobby is cooking. He's good at it, but only ever makes food for himself.)

In World of Warcraft, mages practice three main schools of magic: arcane, full of charms and constructions well as pure energy; frost, slowing enemies and decimating them with the force of an avalanche; and fire, burning enemies and stunning them with the ferocity of a wildfire. Belthazar's research delves into arcane magic more often than not, but since he aspires to be an archmage, he has some practice in everything. Most notably, he has a Water Elemental familiar help him with his chores by carrying things around and telling him when danger's about.

Some arcane magic, as written in the books, resembles threads wrapped tightly around an object or person. Depending on the way it is woven, it can be a prison or protection. As a mage, Belthazar is aware of this fact. He can make shields and wards of his own, and untangling 'knots' of magic is challenging and exciting to him. He doesn't often do it, but he knows the incantation to turn enemies into small, harmless critters for a limited amount of time. It's just not his style. He can conjure and imbue objects as well, but it takes a great deal out of him.

As a blood elf, he has a terrible dependence on arcane magic. As of his canon point, the Sunwell has been restored and gently nourishes those around it with an odd mixture of arcane and holy magic. Eventually, after a few generations, the blood elves will no longer display their fel taint. Still, Belthazar will have glowing green eyes for a long time and that's that. Separated from the Sunwell, he can sustain himself by 'mana tapping' items or creatures with any kind of magic inside.

He's far from a trained soldier, and his physical prowess is laughable. He'd probably keel over if he ran up the stairs of Dalaran's tallest tower. That said, he knows enough about fighting with a staff that he could probably trip someone who wasn't expecting it.

Character HISTORY:
Belthazar was the youngest child born into a reasonably-sized high elf family. Both of his parents were mages of average skill. They didn't take part in the politics of Quel'thalas yet aided the people and the military as best as they could. Belthazar's older sister, Caspa, was a devout follower of the Light and trained from a young age. The eldest son, Melkior, had little talent for slinging spells and preferred a more direct approach to his problems. Usually involving steel. This created something of a sticking point between Melkior and his family, and he left when Belthazar was still in his elementary years.

Around this time, Belth started showing some natural talent with basic spells. Unfortunately, his parents didn't live long enough to train him properly: they died while on a mission on the outskirts of elven lands. Caspa looked after her brother despite her own young age, teaching him how to cook and clean and look after himself, and bringing him books from the library when she could. He gobbled them up like no one's business. They were a small, poor, and fairly happy family.

Of course, like any sad story, it wasn't meant to last. Quel'thalas was betrayed from the inside. Arthas Menethil steamrolled the city, slaughtering everyone he saw and tainting the Sunwell beyond repair. Belthazar ran and hid-- he was small and not very brave-- and he survived, along with about ten percent of the total population. His sister disappeared during the chaos.

Eventually he was found by an orphan matron and grouped up with the other victims of war. At this point, the elves were desperate. Without the Sunwell, there was no long-lasting source of arcane energy to sustain them. Belth learned how to siphon the magic from other creatures, though he didn't enjoy having to do it. Some disagreed with this practice so much that they left to join the Alliance, believing they could meditate away the pain instead of resorting to desperate measures. The rest stayed and became blood elves, aligned to the savage Horde. Belth, however, didn't have a choice. Being small, not so powerful, and unable to provide for himself, he was forced to watch as everyone in the city became tainted by fel energy. Though it was not widely known, several magisters and their followers fed upon demons rather than arcane creatures, and such magic permeated the city. The effects were soon known.

This was a major turning point for Belthazar. He knew that his sister wouldn't have approved of this, that she would've tried to find another way. Belth threw himself into his studies with a ferocity no one else could understand, believing that if he was powerful enough, he could find his sister. Within mere months, he became apprenticed to a magister on the council: a feat for someone of his age.

Belth watched everything-- the Horde and elf alliance, gossip about Illidan and Kael'thas-- from a distance, still quite displeased. His people had gone mad with power and he knew it, desperate as they were. Kael'thas turned against them, forsaking his people for the Burning Legion. He died for it. And then, unexpectedly, the Sunwell was brought back. It was not without the sacrifices of many from the Alliance and Horde, but it was a start.

Still without a single clue about his sister's whereabouts, Belthazar looked upon the aftermath of what Prince Kael'thas wrought. Magic could do some terrible things if left in the wrong hands. He believed that if someone like himself became an archmage, maybe even part of the Kirin Tor (believe him, he'd fight for it) he could change the destiny of his people for the better. He'd always nurtured aspirations of joining the mages in Dalaran as a child, and this was just an extension of it. The news of a certain Aethas Sunreaver proving himself and shoehorning the Horde into Dalaran was also very, very good news.

Unfortunately, he still had a lot to learn before he could become a full-fledged arcanist. He studied diligently for a few more years, and finally began to venture out of Silvermoon as word of victory against Arthas came from Northrend.

Then the Cataclysm happened. It was scary and exciting all at once. Deathwing was not great to have around, but there were plenty of ancient artifacts and arcane secrets begging to be discovered and studied. Belthazar took a leave of absence from his apprenticeship and set out into the great unknown. From Winterspring to Silithus, he found no word of his sister, but he tempered his spellslinging with real-world experience. And a lot of embarrassing situations.

Eventually, he came back home and resumed his apprenticeship. This time, he had the intention of surpassing his batty teacher and taking his place on the council. From there, the only way to go was up.

Character PERSONALITY:
Though he has the face and build of a child, Belthazar is anything but innocent. He has lived as long as a human veteran and seen almost as much, just from being born a high elf and living through the genocidal slaughter of his people. His appearance is at odds with his hotheaded and arrogant nature, a natural product of being forced to fend for himself.

Belthazar learned to read before many of his peers. His thirst for knowledge overruled any childish instinct to chase or play tag. He was more interested in the way the world worked. He constantly asked questions that even adults found it hard to answer. At the end of the day, he enjoyed older company more. He became rapidly isolated, a condition that only worsened when he lost his parents. His sister became his life and his world, and she was the only thing that mattered in an otherwise lackluster utopia. Belthazar was bright and curious and hopeful, which set him up for failure when his sister was killed.

Every elf responded to the Fall of Quel'thalas differently. Some followed Kael'thas into Outland, some remained to try to rebuild... Belthazar was left to his own devices, and so he became distinctly withdrawn, bitter, and in denial. Though he was picked up by an orphan matron, there is hardly enough to go around for orphans in a city that pretends they don't exist, let alone after being devastated by war. Belth had to eat rats and roots to sustain himself for a while, and no one gave a damn. His personality shifted when his world did in order to protect himself.

For example, blood elf society is built on appearances. Belthazar isn't decadent, nor does he put up with frivolity. These are things he never learned as an orphan raised by a genuinely kind-hearted sister. Also, he's looked down upon because he isn't nobility. This kind of double-standard bothers him, and always drives him back to the wall he's constructed around himself. He has every reason to behave the way he does (at least in his mind).

Oh, and the denial is strong in this one. He believes with all of his heart that he will find his sister someday. It drives him to better himself and his magic, and to leave Silvermoon City. The illusion of not being alone is, ironically, the only thing that keeps him from being truly alone. It's a sign of his immaturity; where on Azeroth could this woman be, if she didn't die during the attack? It's a question he wrestles with frequently. Accepting her death and moving on is unthinkable at this point-- and he doesn't even know where to start.

For all his foul attitude, he does have a soft side. Part of him still believes in the same values as his sister; he'll never abandon someone who genuinely needs his help. When he cares enough to drop the hateful facade, Belthazar is a shy, scared, and disillusioned kid with no idea of how to socialize, smile, or enjoy himself. He can never be as bright-eyed as he was before his sister's disappearance, but he is hardly one to play the victim.

Like many of his people, Belth has found strength in the face of adversity. Even if it's belief in his own abilities, or a wish to see his sister again, his faith is unshakable. Most of the time it comes off as arrogance and ego, but his determination has given him a sharp edge that can easily cut someone who isn't careful.

Deep down, he is concerned with the state of his people, and also the world. He wants to win power and influence in Silvermoon and in the Kirin Tor, but he isn't trying to become a magister or an archmage for personal gain. One doesn't become an archmage because they were born into nobility or money, but because of pure skill. Knowing this, Belthazar strives for it even more. It is the one way to prove to himself-- and to his people-- that destiny isn't decided from the start.

» EXSILIUM INFORMATION
Chosen WEAPON: His weapon will be an ornate metal staff with an orb on the end, salvaged from home. At first the orb will be dormant, but as he grows more powerful, the orb will begin to pulse and glow purple as if alive. It's also rather tall. Belthazar will be wishing for a growth spurt.
Chosen SKILLSET: He is an intellectual, but he can definitely fight. The only problem with sending him out on the battlefield is that he is still bothered by taking lives, and he tends to be a bit reckless. Should be fun. Since he refuses to work with other people most of the time, it's the best course of action to dump him on the battlefield and let him blow shit up to his heart's content.
Character INVENTORY: He has a spare change of robes, empty vials, various Azerothian herbs used for healing salves, a couple arcane tomes, his actual spellbook, a journal, a fountain pen, a pencil, a pocket knife, a needle and some spare thread, a small cooking pot, salted meat, a loaf of bread, some cooking spices, a pat of butter, a pouch of arcane dust, and a water canteen.

» SAMPLES
First PERSON:
[Belthazar eyes the camera with suspicion. He's pretty unfamiliar with technology. At this point he's just trying to figure out if the feed is right side up or not. It's pretty cool, actually, and part of him wants to take it apart... but he knows he probably wouldn't be able to put it back together.

With glowing green eyes, long knifey ears, and a case of permanent bedhead, he's still not as weird-looking as some of the residents.]

These people have no idea of what they're doing. [Direct and to the point. His voice has the awkward, sharp tone of someone who hasn't completed puberty. It's kind of annoying actually.]

They expect me to attend training. I cannot train in this place. They can give me all the money they want, but I need resources for my craft. At home, I had a library of books regarding magic at my disposal. [He points at the bare-bones room behind him.] Here, I am forced to start over from nothing, and without even a former magister to bargain with!

This is unacceptable. It is no wonder that they eke out the last of their lives on some gods-forsaken island. If this is how they wish to fight a war, then they have lost already.

Third PERSON:
Ophelia said I could link this as a third person sample. Let me know if you need something different.

» ADDITIONAL NOTES
Will the Initiative be providing magic for him to feed on? The Sunwell has been restored for a few years in his time, so he's used to the weird arcane/holy magic thing sustaining his addiction. However, without that presence or something to draw mana from, he'll be in PHYSICAL PAIN until it's satiated. It's not like needing a blood transfusion. The more you use arcane magic, the more you need, and Belthazar's mageyness is a prime example. I saw in the FAQ that medications would be provided monthly but uh. He might need it more than that, especially if he's fighting. He could theoretically ask the Transports, too, but I wanted your take on this.