Name: Alaric Vastille
Gender: Male
House Name: Vastille
Age: 19
Appearance:
Homeland: Gorgon
Race: Mage
Spells:
Hydromancy- Alaric's specialization in water magic comes from growing up near the Gorgon coastline, where the sea can be life or death, and very often both. As such, he naturally gravitated toward manipulating it with his magic, and he's gotten quite good at it.
Constructs- In particular, he's very adept at creating and controlling Water Constructs, with his favorite being a large serpentine dragon that he uses for both attack and defense.
Bio:
If you were to ask any of the noble families in Gorgon of the Vastille family, you'd get a number of mixed responses. The family is most known for providing Officers in the Gorgon Navy, many of them the finest Captains of their time. While this makes them potent protectors of the nation on the high seas, on land it makes them nearly nil. Thus, when the civil war broke out between the Briars and Blackwaters, the Vastilles were largely unable to assist either side. As a result, they did the only thing they could do- they continued to lend what naval support they could to the war against the barbarians, often transporting lifesaving supplies to the forces of Valeal. Thus, their reputation at home was divided; some agree that their course of action was correct, and that doing what they could for the greater good was for the best, while others declare them unloyal to one or both kings for not sending their support to Traitor's Pass. Through it all, however, the Vastilles stay true to the words of their House; "Safe harbor amidst any storm." Or, as the patriarch often translated, "The storm cares not for the color or creed of those in its path. The port should care just as little for such things." Any who come to the Vastilles seeking aid or assistance would have it if it could be, and that mentality has rubbed off on the middle child of the current generation, Alaric.
While his older brother Tobias is groomed to be the next head of the House and his little sister Lily is taught to be a proper lady, Alaric has by and large been taught the ways of the sea and the wind in the hopes of becoming a captain in his own right. But more than any chart or knot, Alaric has taken his family's philosophy to heart; he makes it his priority to be a rock for those around him, someone who they can rely on to defend them in their time of need. So much so, in fact, that he dreads not being able to protect those important to him, and even moreso he fears needing the protection of others- all because of an incident when he was younger.
During the war against Malfear, the Vastille fleet often served as rescuers for every nation, ransoming survivors from the necromancer's clutches time and again throughout the war. One such rescue was made by Alarcic's uncle, Vardos, as he salvaged a battered group of Ferrosian and Kainian warriors and children from the rocky coast. One of the survivors was an orphan who had lost her entire family. Her name was Kotori, and young though she was, there was a fire within the girl. Vardos took a liking to her, and instead of leaving her to the refugee camps he brought her home and introduced her to his favorite nephew. "This," he told her, "Is Alaric. I've made arrangements for you to be our ward and his right hand as he grows up, so the two of you should try to get along." And so they did. It was unusual at first, as neither one of them was accustomed to such things, but over time Alaric took a shine to the young girl, and as they grew up they were nearly inseparable. One day, however, all of that changed.
It was seven years before. Alaric and Kotori had ventured into the wilderness near the family estate, as they had been wont to for years. They knew it like the backs of their hands, and they saw no need to fear. This time, however, something occurred that they did not expect; a man suddenly appeared before them, brandishing a sword and muttering about betrayal and abandonment of the king. Before any sense could be made of him, he was lunging toward the two, his weapons singing as it tore through the air, barreling toward Alaric. At the last second, however, a force knocked him to the side as Kotori threw herself into him. The blow sent him sprawling, but as he recovered he looked up just in time to watch the assailant slice Kotori's arm off as she took the blow meant for him. As she collapsed, Alaric felt utterly powerless. How could he have allowed such a thing to pass? But, as the man advanced on him again, he found himself unable to do anything, in spite of the rage that broiled within him. Not long after, however, an arrow flew forward and struck the man in the neck, slaying him as one of the sailors under his uncle arrived on the scene. With great haste they carried Kotori back to the family estate. Alaric was told she would survive, but her arm could not be saved. For his part, Alaric was devastated. Not only had he failed his friend, he felt, he had failed his family creed. That was when he made his decision. He had some magical power, that the family was aware of, and in his mind honing it was the only way he would find the strength he needed to live up to his family and overcome his regret. Thus, with a heavy heart, he bid adieu to his home and set off for the Mage's Tower.
Much to his surprise, however, was who arrived the next year, declaring that she was still his right hand, and that if he was set on becoming a full-fledged mage it left her one recourse- becoming his Guardian. Try as he might have, there was no dissuading her, and several years later they both graduated from the Tower, and now roam the world helping those in need and hunting Feral Mages who would do others harm...