((Very mature themes present, I highly recommend avoiding reading through this if you are sensitive to any subject. Such as abuse, toxic relationships, drug use, objectifying/sexualizing of women, racisms, ect. It's more fun to experience them in character anyways!))
Account IGN: Skellyton175
Character Name: Nick named Copper ((Truename: Ulnar Trinae))
Race: Ash-elf
Age: 43
Gender: Female
Character Description:
Aside from a scarred exterior the first most would notice about Copper is their almost metallic colored eyes of dirty gold, close to brass or indeed copper color. Their hair itself is of course white but in the right light can appear ever so slightly blond in tint. Light gray skin, much less black in tone than their dark-elven roots, they would stand rather tall like their high-elven side at 6’5”. They often have color altering makeup to cover up their scars, but of late their markings are present in many places such as their wrists, neck and ankles as the most notable without heavy inspection.
For apparel most commonly they can be found in rags to cover up their flesh and survive cold conditions. But more recently, wears a dark purple gown of revealing make though on closer inspection was ripped in places. Purposely or from time, wear and tear. Attempting to hide red marks but reveal their assists, undergarments on full display from the right angle which appear in the same state as everything else. Their hair is long but messy and unkempt, though with visible attempts to clean it.
Character Occupation: (Optional)
Copper’s main skills would have to be that of a servant or maid. Though unfortunately for those they serve, they also have a background in thievery and criminal connections.
Character Personality/Traits:
Copper is somewhat unstable in more areas of social interaction, quite literally submissive in most scenarios. But this more so seems to be something learned rather than their own personality, as alternatively they’ll at times snap at those around them violently. Being defiant and aggressive when backed into a corner. They do not seek out social interactions when it is unneeded, finding it difficult to trust people they do not know or do not care for. When they find someone they trust for protection they cling to them tightly, oftentimes ignoring faults in a rather toxic manner.
While scared of much of the world and people in it, they are nearly completely desensitized to violence. Even for those in similar situations to them they show little empathy towards them, they don’t wish them harm but would do near anything for survival or to protect what they hold dear. They have a somewhat addictive personality to many things, people or alchemicals that assist them in their tasks. As they have a drive to be better and be granted the praise of those they care for at nearly any cost.
Character Biography:
Born of a forbidden union, Ulnar was not only rejected by their parents who wished to save face within their society but removed from the equation entirely to ensure they didn’t surface. Given the name Ulnar as a parting gift from their dark-elven father, who might not have even cared for their gender before selling them off as a rare commodity. As the war forced all the races into one place many extoic beings were made from such unions, for some lucky children they had at least one parent that wanted them. For others they would simply be killed, but for others they could be found among the slave trade.
The last of the human kingdoms were able to fall when Ulnar took their first steps. Their owner for the beginning years of their life was of little note, Ulnar couldn’t recall his name for all the silver in the world it’s very likely they didn’t know it, but he did give her the new name of Copper. The only thing of importance was keeping Copper alive and presentable for a buyer, the guards at the time weren’t the most active or concerned with slavery of little known races at the time. However it was still something down behind closed doors, slowly and carefully. It took some years before anyone could be persuaded to purchase Copper at the price her owner wanted. But eventually they’d be purchased by a man named Herthan that could see at least some uses for an elven child.
Herthan would begin to show young Copper the art of thievery, small crime of pickpocketing or slipping through space with their small elven body. While success would bring praise from their master, failure would bring humiliations and beatings from Herthan. Ensuring they had no illusions of fatherhood from this man, childish outbursts and rebellion was put down swiftly. Copper had at one point attempted to escape their master and for that chained her neck and kept them contained at night within a box. These punishments continued for the better part of their childhood, as Copper would work to improve their skills as a thief if only for moments of relief and breaks from isolation.
Which she did get, Herthan was kind when Copper did as they were told. It was a sort of training and conditioning to serve him better. Though Copper would not be the only slave Herthan would purchase, with enough time and success he would get himself a young half-elven woman named Annurith. Copper quite liked them for the time they got together as Copper hadn’t gotten to know any other girls let alone a grown woman. Annurith always seemed sad and distant, but got some moments of joy in little moments with Copper. But Annurith was rather busy working most nights, as they’d bring strangers around and make a lot of noise. Either with the strangers or Herthan, it was harder to sleep with Annurith around. But at least Copper got beat for less, she was a good girl after all.
Over the years Copper and Annurith made Herthan plenty of silver enough to purchase a place outside of Barkamsted, now that the alliance had pushed back the pact from most of the countryside. Bandits swept through to claim land while at the backs of actual heroes, knowing well that either the war would end soon or the pact would rush through the lands again. So they took every opportunity to pick up what remained and secure a place in whatever outcome took place. Herthan and his slavery connections weren’t much differant, buying up captives or selling slave labor to those that could afford it. As Copper’s brain began to develop and grasp the situation they were in, they realized how high up Herthan’s position was. Or at least where he had reached over the last few years. He had many slaves at this point as well as men that worked under him. A child meant little to him, which meant less attention and ire from Herthan.
It might have been smarter to just keep to the shadows and do cleaning duties for the real women of the house. But Copper had been trained to seek approval from their master, so they’d try to get some of Herthan’s guards to train her in combat. Most pushed them away, or worse pulled them into their own service for a time. Cleaning their armor, doing errands for them or scouting the surroundings instead of them. To a degree she saw this as training in itself, too well trained and submissive to refuse. At that point no one worried about them escaping or perhaps didn’t care if they died in a ditch. But was permitted some freedoms when overseen by a guard, besides her work was to steal from passers by and return with their valuables. It was during this job where they’d meet their next teacher, Voorian, a human bandit that assisted Herthan with thieving and spying those that might threaten his position. Most likely a replacement for a novice Copper so that he might begin making some real silver. However Voorian would take Copper along on his jobs, at least the less active ones.
Common robberies, extortions and even murders of pesantry. Not all of which copper took part in, but each was done as a learning experience. It was unclear why Voorian took an interest in them but it seemed Copper had an eye for truly valuable things, a sort of feeling for it. Regardless of the reason, Copper was happy to please and serve. Voorian was perhaps the kindest to them, aside from Annurith but Copper knew them to be a slave at this point. Voorian was a free man worthy of their devotion, Copper oftentimes fantasized about Voorian being her master instead of Herthan. It was a very twisted kind of young crush but it made them happiest in their bleak situation.
Around when Copper was a teenager the hell gates began to open, making the countryside erupt in panic. The reasonable and sane of them threw down their way of lives to seek safety within Barkamsted and Falkvard. But those mad enough to hold out turned to sacrifices to appease what they saw as the end of the world, damning their souls in an attempt at survival. While others turned to sin knowing nothing would matter once they died, what order and structure there was within Copper’s side of the criminal world broke down. As the Bandits that knew of Herthan stormed their home taking his slaves for themselves as gutting the man for his hoarded silver.
Voorian would take advantage of this using the fears and desires of these masses to take over much of Herthan’s holdings. Direction them to perform their sacrifices and indulge in vise to appease the invading God. Vorrian had spared Copper from these practices, but certainly didn’t free them from service. Forcing them to clean up after the men and women that got to partake or be used for sin. The Teenage girl grew jealous of many of them, but that faded when it came to the deaths and beatings. She was not completely spared from the wraith of her masters but most knew not to take it too far less they join the sacrifices. This was true for all the slave women and men after all, while disposable and expendable most were loyal, obedient to their masters. Their years of service were rewarded with protections from newcomers to the fold.
While this crisis would only last a year, it undeniably had an effect on Copper on those they served. The actions of these criminals turned lesser cultists more than likely drew the attention of demons, to take advantage or enjoy in the festivities. But everything seemed to turn out fine for them once the gates closed. Copper couldn’t have known but it was likely Voorian himself was possessed by a demon, it was unclear but their little cult and business only grew more successful after the hell gates. While most realized what they had done and felt remorse, others enjoyed a more sinful lifestyle provided by Voorian and his loyal slaves.
Over the years things calmed down for the sinful lot, as order returned to the kingdom. More patrols and firmer laws were put in place. Voorian, apparently not a demon to the core, decided to make a change once again. Releasing those enslaved if they agreed to enter his service more formally, quite a few agreed. Some argued they’d want true freedom and to return to their lives. While others accepted but attempted to escape soon after, those that resisted change or attempted to break this agreement were sent off to be part of a more distant slave trade. One Voorian would have no true connection to, Copper was among those that accepted willingly. Openly insisting he remain her master, but he would hear none of it in public. Instead of slavery they moved on to the far more legal practice of prostitution that they’d be doing for years, Distributing drugs, leading to extortion. Essentially allowing for people to pay for both in favors and IOU’s driving up the price when they couldn’t pay. Keeping up connections with bandits and even some local authorities by offering these services to them as well.
Copper would remain as a petty thief on the side as well as runner for drugs. As she was still too young to be a prostitute when their organization and or gang got started. While Voorian would call the Bliss Bringers. As a sort of deterrent to investigation into it, ever since going mostly legal the treatment of those under Voorian has improved quite a lot. But that doesn’t mean beatings can’t happen behind closed doors or people can’t go missing. Over the years Voorian confirmed the fact that Copper can detect magical items, so he keeps her close and secret as a means to power as well as fortune.
This was the standard and simple life Copper would live until the void and plague would hit the cities. While the Void attacks seemed like another opportunity to extort those in need with shipments of supplies or taking advantage of the chaos to loot. The plague brought a much bigger issue. While Copper and the others of the Bliss Bringers departed from the city at first chance, one or more of the prostitutes caught the plague before they were clear of it. Which infected a great deal of them, Copper with her resistances to sickness was better off but before long they all were sickened. Even Voorian fell ill, while he did debate attempting to consume Copper’s blood to gain immunity in the end he showed a hint of humanity and ordered her away to Falkvard. While copper was extremely loyal, they were still a dumb teenager, she was told to get medicine for them but Voorian knew the people their would stop them from leaving. Thankfully this worked and Copper would be cured and held until after the plague cleared up, they even debated sending her to the orphanage until they came of age. But they decided otherwise when they made every attempt to escape, threatened violence and proclaimed they had a owner profusely.
When Copper returned to where they left Voorian they found only a pyre of the dead as the clean up through the countryside had been in full swing for sometime. For once in a long time Copper was alone and directionless, this more than saddened the young girl but broke them. They couldn’t just find a new master, nor could they really trust anyone around them. Without much thought they simply returned to what they had been told to do, stealing and extorting. They attempted to pick up what pieces they could, selling what was left of the drugs the Bliss Bringers which at first they used for food. In time they began trying to find other drug providers, with what connections she recalled they’d track down a source. They would think they wanted to sell the stuff to a wider crowd, but Copper would end up using them personally to attempt to ease their suffering. So they’d steal more and more to feed this cycle until people started to take notice.
It wasn’t the guard however, but rather members of the more criminal side of Falkvard, more specifically organized bandits that survived the plague. Seems they were smart enough to seek a cure as well. But much like Copper and others they had lost people as well, leaving many in disarray. These lot were hopeful to take the place of their bosses and start something new now that the board was cleared. While they didn’t see much value in copper, they knew she was Voorian’s priced pet so they grabbed her up and smuggled her back out into the countryside. Finding that she was quite violent and resistant they kept her tied up until they calmed down. Sooner rather than later realizing they were going through with withdrawals, offered her some relief if they calmed down and did as they were told. Reluctantly they agreed and before long Copper was as obedient as ever.
For the next few years of their life, they would be passed around by bandit groups and shady figures until they reached adulthood proper. They would mostly clean up camps and act as a servant to whoever requested them. Accepting in most cases that they were property to be won or traded and they did. Copper made their fame even as a teen by being the complete opposite of a snitch, even killing when tasked with a job they could handle. If there was a mediator between low lives it would be Copper, who would never backstab anyone and would submit to the orders without question. Though most would just treat them as a servant, others asked of their other skills which seemed honed once their mind had fully developed.
Now an adult, Copper was more picking about those they served. At times faulting powerful men and women that knew they could have them if they forced Copper into submission. However, in pushing away from bandit life and the basic desires of men have made them lose favor with many of that lifestyle, though if they were to return they’d likely have a better reputation than others. In recent years they’re mostly freelance, but have some connections and contacts they keep in good communication with. Having insider knowledge of the criminal world, most that are serious keep an eye on Copper and keep them in mind if they need a disposable asset that won’t lead back to them.
One of their last jobs was fairly tame, during the farm blight they would transport food into the cities to feed those favored by their boss. In attempts to both parties on friendly terms, but on the other side of that also sell what remains of that food to the poor at a high price. Normally taking all they have, putting them into debt for a time. As well as most recently working as a prostitute within Barkamsted, for anyone that had a thing for elves where she would further earn the name Copper by being a cheap whore. This was to pay off her own debts this time around, as she had no skills or job outside of such work. She would often serve people in exchange for food and shelter, when they kicked her out they’d be left homeless once more. Though there was very likely a side of her attempting to recapture the high of serving someone like Voorian again. If only for a time, before going back to waiting for someone to give them a purpose.
Other/Extra:
((The main thing I’m hoping for with Copper is to have a criminal background with some connections as you can likely. While knowing people and having connections isn’t necessarily an advantage. I’d definitely like this balanced with disadvantages to their actions in some cases, much like a Scroll Guardian or Noble would have in relation to elven society.))
Magic Biography; Explain your character's magic through backstory application:
Copper's first interaction with magic would have been back when working with Voorain on their thieving skills. As when scoping out the richer of those in the city, they would at times claim they could feel the valuables on people. It was rare, but whenever they managed to pocket the source of that feeling it turned out to be magic in origin. Voorian couldn’t tell for certain but would always hike up prices if Copper claimed it was valuable.
When they were a bit older they had a better sense for what things were, they proclaimed feelings of fire, earth and even holy power coming off of some people. During the time of the Hell Gates, they seemed more on edge around one of the strangers that came around. Feeling darkness coming off him, this figure took an interest in them and began requesting to test Copper. This dark mage would reveal to Voorian that the girl was magically gifted in some way. But couldn’t manage to cast spells when testing their dark trinket.
For a time Copper was permitted to use an enchanted item for one of their jobs, a minor thing that silences footsteps. She was quite surprised to realize they could understand how it works on their own, more surprised to realize it worked better than expected. Lasting longer and being more effective than her master had expected. Silencing her breath as well as being able to use it more often than others. Those that realized this feat kept an eye on copper and utilized them more when dealing with mages.
In the present day, regardless of affiliation she does not reveal this information. While loyal to a fault they do have fears of being tested on or abused for their gifts. She often avoids mages altogether in an attempt not to give off a tell. Being able to take people by surprise if needed has saved her from a view of undesirable situations. Though currently has no enchantments to assist them currently.
Please explain, in your own words, the limits Ash-Elves have placed on them:
Ash elves can have a part of Bothimir’s gift bestowed onto them, the ability to sense magical objects and aspects of trinkets like a normal mage. But where the difference comes in is with enchantments, being able to at times activate more powerful effects. Have the drain of magical items affect them less than others, as well as being able to trigger enchantments slightly sooner than the time they are meant to. In general those with this magic gift are more attuned to controlling magic in their own way.
Please give a description of the magic system in your own words:
While it doesn’t apply to Ash-elves for the most part, as their gifts relate to enchantments. The magic system is based around trinkets, each trinket has a magical level. When beginning with any type of trinket you begin at a weak level. If you were to take up a different aspect trinket the progress made with the other aspect would not carry over. But to make progress to begin with you must cast spells, doing so depends entirely on the aspect in question. But a few things stay the same throughout, casting of any spell causes drain on the caster. After five spells from their top leveled aspect they’ll be spent for the day, attempting to cast over this limit will be considered overcasting. Which will require a roll to see if the character dies, survives or by some miracle gains another spell spot of energy. When progressing in magic the caster will need to keep in mind their aspects, which are the limitation of how many types of magic the caster can have above medium. This number is based on race, it cannot be exceeded. However all but two types of magic can be brought up to medium, Holy and Dark. You may level one but not the other, attempts to do so will see the caster lose all progress in the other aspect. There’s also teacher experience bonuses, mixed magics and rules for dual-casting. Alternative magics such as mysticism and witchcraft, but these are the basic details needed to grasp and properly use the magic system of the Realm of Saphriel!
This character and magic application is: Accepted. This character looks to accurately follow with the general timeline of events through the latter stage of the Pact War, and what followed. Though it would be difficult to maintain a large criminal complex in such a time, it could well have survived as a small black market ring due to the majority of military and guard forces having been focused on the war effort, but not at all as a large one: quiet trades here and there, in the Gut or the slums or what have you. Any and all characters with particular ties or past affiliation with specific subfactions or groups are accounted for, so that additional note should be fine. While Copper won't have much in the way of knowing where individuals are, she can certainly be known to some minor extent by the rare few. Enjoy your new character! Before starting funds are allocated, please edit this post to include the account IGN with which you'll be playing Copper.