@Fetzen i hope you dont mind i added your character as a rival but like a friendly rival. Merik sees your character as a older brother almost, some one to try and one up while also learning from them lol.

Name: Balthazar Trevarthen
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 57
Appearance:

With long hair grey from ages past, Balthazar is in remarkably good shape, for a man pushing sixty. His posture, though drooping and hunched when examining books or files, stands to full when he deems it necessary. Perhaps once, his eyes were bright, but now his steely-grey eyes pierce through all-- scrutiny and intellect tempered by years of suffering. He tends to trim his facial hair when he can, finding the longer mustache and beard a pain to maintain.

His build is tall and wiry; seemingly frail, but hides a certain vigor in his body. It's not uncommon to see his fingernails stained by ink, or to see bags underneath his eyes from lack of rest. On some nights, he doesn't sleep at all, spending hours at a desk, finishing paperwork, working on magic, or recording secrets. His attire is that of a scholar: robes atop traveling clothes or noble finery, with a cloak thrown atop that when outdoors. A pair of spectacles is perched upon his nose, which helps him examine things up close. Although he does not need it, he walks with a weighted cane, in part to help with exercise, and in part to defend himself if someone gets too close. A heavy-set grimoire is chained to his hip.

Bio: For as long as people could remember, there have been two people by the Emperor's side: Siegfried Lightbringer, a Paladin of the Silver Flame, and Balthazar Trevarthen, the Keeper of Secrets. Both are integral to the continued prosperity of the Empire, but whereas Siegfried serves as the Emperor's right hand, Balthazar serves as the Emperor's left. Tasked with advising the Emperor with secrets he hears around the land, his role is that of a spymaster.

As the man rarely talks about his past, only the few close friends that remain truly know of it. Some claim that he was a scholar at one of the Great Libraries who caught the Emperor's eye. Others claim that he is a warlock who had performed a dark ritual in service to some otherworldly entity, and that when the ritual went awry, the Emperor had saved him, earning him the warlock's eternal loyalty. A few claim that they had known each other since they were children, one as a minor noble, and the other as a princeling. Nobody is quite sure, and some speculate that it is all of those.

The speculation suits him just fine, though. The less people know of him, the better.

Whatever the case may be, it is clear that the man has experienced great suffering in his life, and that his loyalty to the Emperor and his country is all that keeps him on the right path. Many people write him off as a foolish old man, and others still are afraid of what may happen should his loyalty change. The Emperor knows the truth of the matter, however.

At the Emperor's personal request, Balthazar has moved to support the prince in his journeys. The scholar has passed off his duties as spymaster to someone capable and trusted enough in the courts, and now moves to see what is going on in the land of Hitor for himself. The prince must learn of how to make use of every tool at his disposal, and the Emperor has decreed that Balthazar is a worthy enough teacher in that aspect.

Only time will tell if things work out, but the Emperor puts his faith in Balthazar Trevarthen.

Personality Quirks:

• Traits. I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. I am slow to trust, but incredibly loyal to those who have earned it.
• Bonds. My loyalty to my country is unwavering. Everything I do is in service of its prosperity.
• Ideals. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking.
• Flaws. I am easily distracted by the promise of information. The ends justify any means.

Allies:

• Graham Lionheart. Having known each other for a long time, the Emperor has much faith in Balthazar as a retainer, and advisor, and a friend. It's said that the scholar was once part of the Emperor's retinue, back when he was still a prince himself. He has reassigned his friend to his son's guard, knowing that one day, Leonidas will need to have a sense for the underhanded if he wants to succeed as the next Emperor.
• The Spider's Web. An information network that Balthazar has developed over years of intrigue and politicking. Its reach is far, stretching throughout the Empire, with a few informants in other regions. Mostly consists of beggars and urchins who can be trusted to perform surveillance-- or to keep their mouths shut when the time comes. It also consists of a few merchants and minor nobles who owe him a favor, whether that's willingly or otherwise.

Rivals:

• Siegfried Lightbringer. Whereas Siegfried serves in the light, Balthazar serves from the shadows. They do not get along. The paladin dislikes the warlock's methods, and the warlock dislikes the paladin's foolhardiness. This animosity has existed since they have met, all those years ago. However, while they don't agree with one another at the best of times, they can rely upon the other to have their back.
• Mirius the Immortal. A vampire lord who has eluded the warlock at every turn. He is a powerful wizard and necromancer in his own right, and is responsible for the deaths of many Empire Citizens, including Balthazar's own wife and daughter. To Mirius, this is all a game, but to Balthazar, it is personal.

Fighting Style: Balthazar is a warlock, and prefers to stay away from the frontlines, blasting at enemies and supporting his allies with his magic. However, the man rarely backs down from a duel with another spellcaster, trading shots as they maneuver around the battlefield. If pressed, the scholar can defend himself in melee with his cane or his dagger, but this is almost always done in desperation, rather than any true attempt at slaying his opponent.

Equipment:

• Book of Shadows. Balthazar's personal grimoire, cultivated for over nearly a half a century. It contains knowledge of both Shadow Magic and Arcane Magic that he's accrued throughout the years. Some speculate that he writes secrets in the corners and spaces where no text lies. Bound in the leather of an unknown beast, the fine vellum pages have been enchanted to protect from fire and water-- though it will not stop any earnest attempt at destruction. This book rarely ever leaves his side, quite literally chained to his belt, or locked away and put under surveillance.
• Weighted Cane. A gift from a friend. He doesn't need it to walk, but he has been known to use it as a secondary arcane focus, or as an impromptu bludgeon. This heavy oak walking cane holds a secret in its steel topper: if a switch is flipped, he can pull on the head to unsheathe the thin, but sharp blade within. Balthazar is an amateur with the sword, however, so he only ever uses it in times of desperation.
• Dagger. A worn iron dagger. Kept sharp, but mostly used to cut open envelopes, rather than people.
• Traveling Clothes. The simple attire of a scholar, complete with a cloak. Balthazar keeps spares in case they become dirty.
• Noble Finery. The attire of a nobleman or merchant. Seldom ever used, unless he attends a noble function himself.
• Scholar's Pack. A scroll holder containing sheets of vellum and parchment, a small pack with bottles of ink and paint, and quills, brushes, and inkpens. Candles for writing in darkness. A magnifying glass for examining smaller text. A wax seal, used to write official letters, though rarely used in his line of work.
• Imperial Ciphers. Codebooks containing methods on how to crack coded messages, both within the empire, and of its neighbors. These books are similarly obfuscated, the method to deciphering which is only known to him and a select few others.
• Pocketwatch. A simple silver pocketwatch, tarnished somewhat by age. Tells the time, right down to the second. Inside is a portrait of his old life, a family, now lost and gone forever.
• Traveling Supplies. Rations. Waterskin. Coin. Essentials for extended trips away from the Capital.

Skills/Abilities:
Inscrutable Mind. Due to his life experiences and immense mental fortitude, it is nigh-impossible to affect Balthazar with mind-altering magic, or to divine information from his memories without extreme effort. The man does, however, suffer from frequent headaches and nightmares.

Dark Magic. Balthazar's natural affinity towards the magical element of Darkness has served him well over the years. This is where the bulk of his magical mastery lies, though while skilled, he has not yet reached the apex of skill.

• Tenebrous Blast. Balthazar fires off a ray of inky blackness at a target, damaging them. This ray extinguishes any light source it touches, although it may not affect powerful light magic.
• Hex. Balthazar puts an ominous curse upon a target, weakening one of their attributes and making them more vulnerable to his attacks.
• Investiture of Shadow. Balthazar imbues his body with pure shadow, making him difficult to see, and giving him the ability to see in darkness both natural and magical. While active, he can also create small spheres of magical darkness to blanket the area with shadow at-will.

Arcane Magic. In addition to his affinity for darkness, pacts and rituals made in the past have given him access to Arcane Magic, though he has not mastered this element to its fullest potential.

• Presditigation. A minor trick that can do various things, typically used by mages as a training spell, or by common mages to make their lives easier. This spell can be used to light or extinguish small fires, clean or dirty a surface, and create minor sensory effects, and other such things.
• Analyze Magic. Balthazar can extend his senses in an attempt to detect the use of magic in the area. Alternatively, he can focus his senses on a single object to identify its effects. Both versions of the spell require time to cast and are difficult to perform in the midst of combat.
• Find Familiar. Balthazar imbues a piece of paper with his magic, or with a Soulstone to create a Record-Hunter. These diminutive origami figurines are adept at seeking out knowledge and secrets. These beings are typically used for reconnaissance or information-gathering, but if pressed, can be used to support Balthazar in combat against enemies. Record-Hunters are especially effective against spellcasters, as their silent secrets can often confound and confuse an opponent enough to prevent them from casting spells.

Other Information:

@Sanity43217

Hey, if you don't mind trying to form bonds ahead of time, I have a proposal. My character, Faira, came from an unnamed mercenary group to the royal guard, could it be possible that she was a member of The Shattered Discipline, and knows Calral from there?

Might be she taught him swordplay, as they use the same kind.

@Sanity43217

Hey, if you don't mind trying to form bonds ahead of time, I have a proposal. My character, Faira, came from an unnamed mercenary group to the royal guard, could it be possible that she was a member of The Shattered Discipline, and knows Calral from there?

Might be she taught him swordplay, as they use the same kind.

Yeah, sounds good. Gives Calral a reason to join the group.

I should have the character done in the next few days. Just had a hectic week. Birthdays, weddings, the whole thing.

It begins.

If all goes well I will be popping a draft in soon.

The holiday rush has come to a close for me!

@Borosev@Gisk@Inertia@LadyRunic@Fetzen@ReusableSword@Pagemaster@Forett

Hey guys, making a formal announcement as a Co-GM here-- if you're still interested in participating in the RP, please respond to this post! If you're not, then no worries; we'd rather know for sure that you've decided to drop rather than waiting in uncertainty. If we don't hear from you in a week or two, we will have to assume that you have dropped from the RP.

Thanks in advance!

Here, and can't escape.

Here as well!

Always.

I'm always down.

COLLAB TIME!

Um, I'm interested in this!

@DraconiWarlord I don't mind if we take on one more. Go ahead and hop in the discord server if you would like. Other wise I'm looking forward to seeing your character. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions

I've been looking at it and...
1.You guys look like you have your hands full
2. I don't have discord
3. I don't see it fitting the type of character I'm envisioning.
I'll continue to work on a character to fit the setting and storyline, however.

@Hawthorne cant get rid of merik that easily

I've been looking at it and...
1.You guys look like you have your hands full
2. I don't have discord
3. I don't see it fitting the type of character I'm envisioning.
I'll continue to work on a character to fit the setting and storyline, however.

No worries. Just give us a shout if you have any further concerns.

@Hawthorne, I am sorry but I’ll have to quietly bow out. I apologize for not saying so earlier!

@Hawthorne, I am sorry but I’ll have to quietly bow out. I apologize for not saying so earlier!

That's too bad. No worries though! Good luck on your future RPs!

@PagemasterSee you around bud.