[OOC] The Elder Scrolls: Fruits of Contention - Chapter 1 (Completed)

[Leidenschaft]

Nah, we can start right now. But I'd like to wait until the weekend.

@gcold

Fair enough.

[Frizan]

Okay, here we go! I'm sorry for the long wait, I just couldn't get down more than a few paragraphs at a time. Not really writers block, but I don't know what else to call it.

Anyway, here he is!

Sagax Speculatus

Basic information:

• Name: Sagax Speculatus
• Race: Imperial
• Age:29
• Gender: Male
• Birthsign: The Tower
• Place of Origin: Imperial City, Cyrodil
• Appearance: Sagax is hardly an imposing figure, standing slightly shorter than your average Imperial with quite narrow shoulders. He is thin enough that several people have given him worried glances, while in truth, he simply only eats what he absolutely must which leaves little meat to build on his bones; surviving on nothing during his teen years has given him the habit of rationing every morsel he has, though his experience with scaling walls and buildings gives him a little bit of visible muscle. Sagax keeps his black hair long enough to cover eyes; he is able to feign sleep or inattention while listening in on conversations or keeping vigil for sounds of danger which may entail someone trying to get the jump on him. The man's body is littered with cuts, scars and smudges, with virtually none of those scars and cuts being from any real combat. Instead, Sagax accumulated them from screwing up and losing his footing during deliveries and missing a grab when climbing in his childhood, getting into scuffs with animals making a bid for the same food as him, and other such mundane activities.
• Background: Sagax was born a full-blooded Imperial on the seventh of First Seed 4E 176 in the capital city to a dockworker and a guard captain living in the Elven Gardens District. His name had no distinct connection to what he was like as a very young child, but his parents were both very proud of their Imperial roots, and also believed that people would grow live up to the meanings of their names in adulthood, so Sagax supposes that they chose the name because they liked the idea of a "keen", energetic son. At the age of three on the twenty-eighth of Rain's Hand, Sagax's mother, Equa, gave birth to a second child; specifically, a daughter. Little Piper and Sagax became inseparable over the years, much to the joy(and relief) of their parents. Without any real sibling rivalry happening, Equa and Caius, Sagax and Piper's father, could work knowing that everything would still be relatively the same by the time they got home. Not that the two would stay in the house, though. In fact, by the time that Sagax and Piper were ten and seven respectively, it would be rare not to find them wandering the city.
  
  Sagax enjoyed scaling the many buildings in the districts, and would sometimes feign a slip to scare Piper. He learned to stop those shenanigans when Piper began tossing rocks near him, but never quite hitting her target, whenever she thought Sagax was faking a slip, prompting him to latch back on to whatever ledge he was gripping whether he was going to or not. Piper would always ask around the market district or the docks if she could help out in any way, often conscripting Sagax as well, not that he really minded; he hated having nothing to do. Their main odd jobs usually consisted of package-running for the merchants or putting up advertisement posters for their shops. Sagax was easily the faster of the two, but also easily distracted, always stopping for something before being pushed back on track by Piper. She was always timely and organized in stark contrast to her almost bumbling brother; if not for Piper, Sagax wouldn't have gotten anything done at all. Their differences is what made their bond stronger though, both realizing that the other had skills that they didn't. Piper and Sagax could work in perfect tandem, always getting their jobs done, albeit not always in the efficient manner that Piper would have preferred.
  
  At thirteen, Sagax's father decided that it was time to teach him how to use a blade. Caius deeply wanted Sagax to carry on the family ways, serving the empire and its people faithfully, and prepared his son by tutoring him in the art of combat early. It took only two lessons for Piper, who before then had simply watched, to haughtily announce that she could learn to use swords just as well as Sagax, and demanded that she be allowed to participate. Equa protested initially, worried for her daughter's safety, but soon gave in to Caius's reassurences that Piper would be perfectly fine, and that such tutoring would be very useful to her. Piper took well to what her father taught her, quickly catching up to Sagax in skill, but it wasn't until Caius permitted Sagax and Piper to spar together that Piper was able to display her greater prowess. Piper, while not as quick as Sagax, could manuever herself much better and could land more strikes. Sagax's abilities lied more with dodging and parrying, and he simply couldn't get the timing down for actually swinging and landing a hit. Whenever he went to strike, Piper would smack his blade to the side and counter-attack, but sometimes if he could feint correctly Sagax could cause Piper to lose her balance. Despite their respective shortcomings, Caius was quite pleased with Sagax and Piper's capabilities, and truly believed that they could become masters if they kept with their training. These sessions continued for a few years, and the children would sometimes spar on their own, slowly but steadily increasing their skill over time.
  
  Life was normal, if not happy, for the next five or so years, but only a month after Piper's fifteenth birthday, the Speculatus family was ripped apart. A riot had broken out in the slums over the guards being directly ordered to collect on the taxes of the disenfranchised that lived there. Caius was called to calm the situation and appease the angry crowd, but it only went horribly wrong from there. The mob began attacking the guards surrounding the perimeter, and Caius gave the order to form up and push them back. Instead, some of the guards openly retaliated, and the situation escalated incredibly quickly, with Caius losing control of his men. He shouted to back down but few listened, and what was meant to be a containment procedure turned into a slaughter, with several dead and others sustaining heavy injuries.
  
  Under heavy pressure by the council and the press, the shamed guard captain faced a disciplinary hearing ending with him being stripped of his rank and sentenced to death. The press spun the story to be that Caius had ordered the attack on the mob when confronted peacefully, shattering the reputation of the Speculatus family and causing several good friends of the family to fall out. Even those that believed Caius to be innocent and knew the story feared retribution if they dared to continue to cohort with the Speculatus family, and left them to their own devices. Equa was fired from her job as a dockworker, though it was mostly for her own safety given the proximity of the port to the slums, and had then received an eviction letter a day later, a sort of covert way for those in the slums to feel as though they had achieved some kind of retribution and making them complacent. Equa, Sagax, and Piper were left with no income, no home, and very few friends. No one would let them live in their homes, nor did they dare go to the slums to seek refuge. They spent the following years living in the sewers and on the outskirts of the city surviving on rat and mudcrab meat and water from the lake.
  
  It was during these years living in the sewers that required Sagax to learn the art of lockpicking, while Piper killed rats with whatever rusty piece of junk she could find that could even conceivably be used as a weapon, being the more combat-proficient of the group. He had a very rough beginning, with the only source of lockpicks coming from the rare ones that dropped through the sewer grates above them, lost by their unscrupulous owners passing by, and a source that was quite suspect to Sagax: Neat groupings of two to three lockpicks that were too conveniently placed to have been dropped unknowingly that found their way to the grate that Sagax and Piper used to get topside. Sagax was relived to know that the Speculatus family still had allies, though he did not know who. He suspected some of his father's old friends, or perhaps even the Thieve's Guild. Regardless of whoever these friends were, Sagax was grateful, and he set out practicing immediately. Throughout the sewers Sagax found ancient wooden trunks left by their owners to one day recollect, but had obviously been forgotten. Most of them had simply had their lids smashed open to get the goods inside, leaving the locks untouched, and even the ones that were intact had only a few gold pieces and nothing more, but it was still good practice. It took him almost a year to get the craft down, breaking many lockpicks in the process, but Sagax finally had enough skill to warrant being confident. He began his first foray into outright thievery at nineteen, using the sewer entrances to the shops above to acquire things his family would need below. He felt ashamed, having to resort to crime to stay afloat, and hypothetical scenes of his father's words played in his mind, but deep down he knew that it had to be this way. He knew that the merchants above wouldn't deal with him directly, nor did he have anything to barter with. Sagax took only what he had to, mostly loaves of bread and the odd cure disease potion, ensuring that his activities went mostly unnoticed. His only major theft was an iron longsword for Piper, and from what Sagax heard it went reported but the guards gave merely a half-hearted investigation, only checking the main entrance to the sewers and going no further before turning back. He didn't know if the guards were just lazy or if they were intentionally turning a blind eye, but the only thing that mattered to him was that his mother and sister were safe and that Piper finally had a real weapon to use.
  
  Sagax's "spree" went on for six years until he was actually caught. He had snuck into the local potions shop to find a healing potion, as Piper had sustained quite a large gash from a mudcrab's pincers, where the owner, an altmer woman named Varulae Saderin, was waiting for him. She had hid on the staircase, a wall separating it from the rest of the room, and announced her presence as Sagax was half way way back to the sewers. Varulae implored Sagax to stay a moment, and said that she simply wanted to talk to him. Sagax stood close by to the sewer entrance, hand to the knob, but listened out of curiosity, wondering what scathing words were about to be flung this way. To his great surprise, Varulae was very sympathetic to Sagax and his family, and revealed many others were as well. She explained that many of the Speculatus family's allies were too afraid to intervene in the sentencing of Caius, fearful of being lambasted and outcasted. Most people simply followed the story that the papers wrote, and believed that Caius ordered the attack on the slums, leaving the rest to suffer the effects of rather violent peer pressure. She speculated that the council had a hand in how the story was reported, and wanted to appear as though they took a hard stance against corruption in the Imperial City watch and dealt with the root of the problem. As the years passed, however, tension had died down and the incident was hardly more than a bitter memory to most. Now, those loyal to the family were fully willing to assist them, and Varulae even insisted that Sagax and his sister and mother stay with her in the upstairs quarters. Sagax, extremely grateful for the offer, accepted, to the joy of the jovial high elf. He fetched Piper and Equa and Varulae led them upstairs, where a guest room was available.
  
  Too small for all three of them, Sagax offered to clear out some space in the cellar and stay there, but Piper angrily protested, mostly stung with pride and love for her brother hearing him offering to sleep in some cold, dark basement while she and mother stayed upstairs comfortably in actual beds. They eventually compromised: They would all sleep in the same room despite the crampedness, but since the room was too small for three beds, a small mat would be placed in the middle of the room where one of the two of them(neither Piper nor Sagax would hear a word of their mother offering to give up her bed) would swap places and sleep every other night. Sagax insisted that Piper be the first person in the rotation to sleep on the bed under the reasoning that she had been far more active, hunting rats and mudcrubs, so she needed more restful sleep. She begrudgingly complied, but only after heavily inspecting Sagax's bedding, ensuring that he would just as comfortable as she would be sleeping in the bed. As much as she loved the stubborn bastard, Sagax's tendency to give up certain comforts out of some misguided sense of self sacrifice even though he could easily have them just as she and mother did greatly irritated Piper, and Sagax knew this. It was fun to see her get mad sometimes, though.
  
  Under the employment of Varulae, Sagax found himself in the exact same position as he was several years ago, being a messenger and delivery boy, though Equa and Piper went through some pleasant changes in employment. Piper started offering herself as a shop guard to any merchant who would have her, and their mother took up Varulae's craft to assist her in the business. Of course, much to Piper's frustration(and Sagax's endless amusement), Sagax refused most pay, only accepting compensation for significantly laborious or dangerous tasks, which did not come often. For the most part though, the remaining family enjoyed a stable living. This, though, was not enough for Sagax. Not only did he wish for his sister and mother to be able to live comfortably in a home they could call their own with friends to call upon in their time of need, he also recieved a very interesting bit of news: Caius had not yet been executed. According to Varulae and some local guards, Caius's execution had been postponed several times, as, to quote the council, had "much more pressing matters to attend to". Sagax had formed a plan. A very long plan with an admittedly low chance of success, but it was a plan. Sagax bided his time until he was of twenty-nine years, where at that point he had been able to save up enough gold from the jobs he'd take pay from to acquire armor and other supplies.
  
  It was a very abrupt announcement in the early morning, before everyone had set out to do their duties. He was going become a mercenary, and earn his fortune among a capable company and earn fame throughout Tamriel. He was going to become a man of the people and rebuild the Speculatus family's reputation. He would eventually do something so great, so significant, that the council would then grant him any desire. On that day, Sagax would demand the release of Caius Speculatus, and bring the Speculatus family back together once more. Piper told how that he sounded like a raving madman, but Sagax cheerfully declared that he WOULD return, and he would free his father from his false imprisonment. He would hear no opposition to his plans, and even went so far as to acquire his gear the day before. The group spent the next two hours arguing back and forth, but Sagax simply would not give. Knowing that nothing would dissuade Sagax, Piper and Equa both said their goodbyes. It was a heartfelt and tearful event, though Piper tried her damndest to hide hers. Varulae wished Sagax great fortune and gave him several healing potions and one very potent concoction: a potion of invisibility. She very sternly "suggested" he take it as a last-second ace in the hole, so Sagax gracefully accepted knowing full well that the high elf would not take "no" for an answer.
  
  Sagax heard rumors of a group hiring at Markarth in the northern province of Skyrim. It sounded promising, so that is exactly where he headed, and is now where he is at now. No grand heroics just yet, but Sagax still has hope.
• Personality: Sagax is a very passive and agreeable fellow, the kind of man who would rather be at the sidelines instead of in everyone's face. He enjoys listening to the stories of his comrades and adventurers who pass him by, despite how true they may be, and will very seldom interrupt a good tale. He believes that there is always more to see in the world, and that is what drives him and keeps him hopeful for that one day that will grant him the power to free his father and give his family a better life.
  
  Sagax is not a man that is easily angered, as very little is prone to set him off. Even the mention of his father, positive or otherwise, simply fills him with confidence that he will be able to secure Caius's freedom. Even in dire situations, he attempts to keep a cheerful disposition and boost the morale of his mates, despite what he may be really feeling. Sagax also trusts easily, always giving people the benefit of the doubt, and often makes the effort to talk with people he doesn't quite know yet; he is good at taking hints though, he will not push a subject further than the person will allow or feels comofrtable with.
  
  He will sometimes offer solutions to problems that crop up, and will more often than not lean toward the path of least bloodshed, leading some within the company to label Sagax as a "milk-drinker". He isn't completely familiar with the term, but he is sure it means something quite biting in nord culture. He doesn't let this stop him though. Sagax refuses to let petty name calling get the better of him.

Capabilities:

• Skills: Expert Acrobatics; Adept Athletics and One-Handed Blade; Apprentice Lockpicking, Light Armor, and Sneak; Novice Speech, Mercantile, and Alchemy
• Weaknesses: Reduced Hitpoints - Sagax is physically frail due to his time in poverty. He had not much to eat and often times the lake water would make him ill, weakening his body over time, so he cannot take much punishment.
  Does not work well under pressure: In extreme circumstances, Sagax is liable to break lockpicks, fumble a grab during an escape, and alert an enemy to his location accidentally, amongst other things.
• Relations to Other Characters: Sagax doesn't quite know anyone by name yet, but he's made the effort to at least talk to a few people, hopeful that he'll make some friends in the long run.
• Affiliation(s): N/A
• Spells (if any): N/A
• Other Capabilities: Despite being weak physically, his stamina is almost boundless as well as being very quick on his feet. Sagax particularly loves the cold Skyrim wind against his body as he sprints to his destination, giving him a bit of extra energy on those longer journeys.

Inventory:

• Cash: 100 gold coins
• Keys and Lockpicks: Ten lockpicks, all placed on his belt like decorations.
• Clothing and Armor: The outer layer of his attire is leather, with small, thin plates of iron on the chest and sides with thick wool guards fastened to the knees and elbows. Draped across Sagax's neck is a half-cloak reaching slightly below his shoulder blades made with flexible leather layered on top of a cloth buffer. His hard leather boots and detachable hood resist the elements very well. Under the armor though, is a quite standard cotton shirt dyed green with few adornments and no detail to speak of. He covers his hands with black cotton gloves.
• Weapon and Ammunition: Steel shortsword.
• Potion and Arcane Supplies: Three potions of healing, and one potent invisibility potion.
• Jewelry and Novelty Items: N/A
• Books and Documents: Several letters adressed to him from his mother and sister and friends in the Imperial City.
• Food, Drinks, Provisions: Small loaf of plain bread, three portions of hardtack, a canteen of water, and a basic firestarting kit.
• Bags, Pouches, Packs: One bag which is sectioned for convenience which holds most of his stuff and two pouches which haven't really found much of a use yet.
• Other: A roll of cotton that is used as a makeshift pillow.

[Haeo]

@gcold Thank you for the invite. I had no prior knowledge of this particular Elder Scrolls scenario but I am definitely interested. I'm thinking of simply making some minor alterations to the argonian that I never had a chance to use in the last TES role-play that I applied to join. I have actually already started the conversion process. I'll get it done as soon as practical. For now, sleep and whiny children call.

[Peik]

Squeezed a couple inches in on Jorwen

@Leidenschaft

[ButtsnBalls]

@gcold Thank you for the invite. I had no prior knowledge of this particular Elder Scrolls scenario but I am definitely interested. I'm thinking of simply making some minor alterations to the argonian that I never had a chance to use in the last TES role-play that I applied to join. I have actually already started the conversion process. I'll get it done as soon as practical. For now, sleep and whiny children call.

@Haeo

Awesome, feel free to ask if you have questions.

Sagax

@Frizan

Reading now, will get back to you ASAP.

@Peik

Don't get too excited.

[Karos]

Hello, I'm a bit new to the site, however I would be very interested in participating in this RP. I'm very interested in the Elder Scrolls lore however having only joined the series in Skyrim, my knowledge of the older games is a bit shaky (I know some but not all of what happened in the other games).

If you're still accepting characters I would be interested in reprising the role of a young Khajiit who has chosen to leave Elsweyr after the rebellion to seek fame and fortune. Jo'Vesrai is the 4th Son of a Merchant and thus has some coin to his name and has developed the skills of a caravan guard, typically fighting as a rather nimble spell sword.

Of course I will elaborate further on this character if I'm able to join the RP proper and hope that brief overview will suffice for now.

[Peik]

Don't get too excited.

@gcold

Oh you ain't any fun are ya

[ButtsnBalls]

Hello, I'm a bit new to the site, however I would be very interested in participating in this RP. I'm very interested in the Elder Scrolls lore however having only joined the series in Skyrim, my knowledge of the older games is a bit shaky (I know some but not all of what happened in the other games).

If you're still accepting characters I would be interested in reprising the role of a young Khajiit who has chosen to leave Elsweyr after the rebellion to seek fame and fortune. Jo'Vesrai is the 4th Son of a Merchant and thus has some coin to his name and has developed the skills of a caravan guard, typically fighting as a rather nimble spell sword.

Of course I will elaborate further on this character if I'm able to join the RP proper and hope that brief overview will suffice for now.

@Karos

Welcome. A working knowledge of TES lore is required before joining. If you feel like you are particular lacking, I suggest you head over to UESP and read over any relevant content.

Oh you ain't any fun are ya

@Peik

You know the rules...

[Karos]

@gcold Okay, I shall look at producing a character sheet in full. I've got a very good understanding of Skyrim's Lore and the most closely associated elements of the other games.

Are there any elements in particular you recommend I read up on, and which games are you including? How far back need I go?

[ClocktowerEchos]

<Snipped quote by gcold>

Oh you ain't any fun are ya

@Peik

Don't worry, I know how you feel. Gcold refused to allow cheese as legal tender :<

[ButtsnBalls]

Everything on UESP are canon here, in addition to user created content in our factbook and characters tab.

Try starting from Elswyer and Khajiit, and also read over the 4th era.

[Mortarion]

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been showing any progress with my character, I think that I should be able to finish it today

[HHShetland]

If you're still accepting characters I would be interested in reprising the role of a young Khajiit who has chosen to leave Elsweyr after the rebellion to seek fame and fortune. Jo'Vesrai is the 4th Son of a Merchant and thus has some coin to his name and has developed the skills of a caravan guard, typically fighting as a rather nimble spell sword.

@Karos

Khajiit, eh? That'd be great, especially considering my character.

I'm surprised it took this long for us to see one of the Beast races, actually; I remember in my last TES RP, about half the cast were Khajiit or Argonians. I even had my character lampshade it. :V

[Peik]

<Snipped quote by Karos>

Khajiit, eh? That'd be great, especially considering my character.

I'm surprised it took this long for us to see one of the Beast races, actually; I remember in my last TES RP, about half the cast were Khajiit or Argonians. I even had my character lampshade it. :V

@HHShetland

If it's a growler, put it in a collar.

[The Grey Dust]

Well, this is interesting.

If I were to join, I'd probably have a CS by Wednesday. I have no planned character archtype for now.

Do we need a Breton Dwemeri Scholar?

[Haeo]

Alright, here goes.

My Hider

Basic information:
Name: Utu-ja
Race: Argonian
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Birthsign: The Thief
Place of Origin: Markarth
Appearance:
Short for an Argonian and more forward-leaning, Utu-ja naturally moves closer to the ground. His build is lithe and defined though his tail is a little flatter than most. In the eyes of an Argonian, he wouldn't be that handsome or masculine but his looks tend more toward aesthetically pleasing than most and the soothing brown of his eyes can be disarming. His arms are also a little on the long side, almost enough to be touching the ground when he runs. His skin coloration is a non-uniform mottling of dark grays, blues and black. Combined with a swept back head crest he has a very subtle and unusual profile and is difficult to pick out and recognize from a dark background or the bottom of a body of water.

Background:
Utu-ja was born in the prison mines owned by the Silver-Blood family. His mother was a prisoner there after failing to pay her husband's debt. She was kind but the work was hard on her and she had little left for her son at the end of the day. He lived and worked there with her until he was fifteen when his mother died in a small cave-in. This would have been a personal tragedy had he not been somewhat distanced from his mother by the extremes of their living conditions. In the mines, where he had been born and where he had only heard of things like weather and the sky, was the only world he knew. Here he learned the art of not being noticed even when he was right in front of someone. He also became strong and patient and honed his observational skills on the many people who were incarcerated during his life there. He picked up a few practical skills from them as well. Lockpicking and the basics of using one handed weapons were the most useful of these skills, though he had only the most simple of locks and shanks or pickaxes to practice with. Thankfully, a few of the guards and inmates treated him with some leniency since he had never been free, though they did tease him often.

The family's debt was mostly paid off by the time of his mother's death but a small amount remained. Since he was already employed there the debt was quietly transferred to him on the books and he continued as a worker in the only world he knew until he was sixteen.
A few months after his sixteenth birthday an enterprising hunter by the name of Ulster came and purchased his small remaining debt from the Silver-Bloods. This hunter became the closest thing that Utu-ja would have to a father figure. He was also the man who first showed the argonian youth the sky for the first time. But, before he left the mines, one of the guards gave him an iron dagger to help him in the real world. He and his mother hadn't caused any trouble, a very rare thing in those mines.

Over the next seven years Utu-ja proved a diligent student and a talented one, though more diligent than talented. His master was a skilled enough hunter but needed extra help on longer hunts and it had actually been cheaper to buy out the remaining debt than it was to hire help. In this case, the hunter counted himself very lucky. Utu, as he came to be called by his master for the sake of convenience, was naturally gifted at swimming even in the strongest currents and proved capable with a bow as well as an axe. He made more money on the long hunts of those years than he had hoped for and rewarded his quiet helper with periodic gifts of equipment or trinkets to practice his skills on.

Those seven years of indentured service ended shortly after a bad river crossing when Ulster was attacked by seven slaughterfish and knocked into the deep water. Unable to fight in the water or get away to shore, he would have died if not for the skill of his quick learning servant. Utu dove into the water with his dagger in hand and killed the fish then pulled his master to shore. They were both badly wounded but they managed to reach a small fishing village and survived. After this incident Ulster completed the legal process of declaring the argonian's family debt paid in full. He also offered the young man an apprenticeship. Utu accepted quickly.

The next three years passed quickly with even more successful hunts and the gradual improvement of the skills that had proved vital so many times. However, all good times come to an end eventually. Ulster fell ill and died shortly before Utu would have turned 25. At this time he inherited his master's most prized tool of the trade, one that he had learned how to maintain at some expense and rarely used except when having to deal with some of the more dangerous beasts such as a wandering troll or a particularly strong example of frostbite spider. This tool was an elven bow. However, as his master did, he rarely used it unless he believed he needed its greater range and power to survive a dangerous encounter. In fact, since his master's death, the elven bow spent most of its time in a well oiled roll of leather to protect it from weather and hide it while it sat in camp.

Without a master he found that his apprenticeship proved a handicap. He couldn't get good prices for meat or hides and his fortunes dropped considerably. Without knowledge of reading or writing he had little alternative but to continue on as he was. Soon he was only able to afford short hunts and had to live in the warrens, back underground and only seeing the sky when he could manage to get out to hunt.

Things were not improved by the worsening political climate. However, with the arrival of war there arose new opportunities for his existing skills to turn a better profit. Unfortunately, his illiteracy and general ignorance about the larger world caused him to fare little better in his search for a profitable mercenary position. He was shunted into a mismatched bunch of mercenaries who generally fit each other like poorly sized boots. At least the looks on a lot of their faces reminded him of the look that others had when they said their boots were too tight. With the kind of work that was likely to need doing, Utu has taken to carrying the elven bow and leaving the hunters bow in camp, though he does carry both arrows for men and for beasts. More food and hide in camp was almost always welcome.

Personality: His time in the mines taught him to learn the behaviors of others quickly and to keep his head down and his mouth shut. He is one to work well but he never gives his all to a single task so that he has enough left to take a beating or handle other unexpected trouble. While he is illiterate, he has a bookish mentality. He studies by observation and has a keen eye for behaviors and trends in everything.

His natural instinct for survival leads him to act quietly and quickly without advertising his efforts whether he's setting up a campsite, picking a lock, or shooting a hawk on the fly. In short, you are most likely to realize that he entered the fight when an arrow flashes past you to strike an enemy that was paying too much attention to you and too little to the shadows in the background.

He also lacks any real sense of honor but respects power of all forms. As a misshapen argonian raised in a prison mine in Skyrim he has neither a personal culture nor anything to gain by the glorified high-horse that is a noble reputation. He has nowhere to go. With every step away from the abyss the edge gets that much closer.

Capabilities:
Skills:
Expert Marksman- All of his hunting and almost all of his fighting have been at medium to long range since his scent spooks game before he can get close enough for easy shots.
Adept Athletics- He can run or hike long distances without notable difficulty and traverse rough terrain without trouble. Most significant is that he is a very adept swimmer and is able to fire his bow from deep water while using his tail and feet to maintain his balance and buoyancy. However, this is difficult and cannot be done in flowing water with noticeable current or at long ranges.
Adept One-handed Blade- He is competent with an axe but lethal with a dagger, especially if he can get his opponent into the water.
Apprentice Sneak- It's amazing sometimes how much easier it is to sneak up on people rather than animals.
Apprentice Light Armor- Normal clothing and fur keep moisture next to his skin so he just wears leathers, as he has since he was given his first set.
Apprentice Smithing- He knows his leather and his bows but has little experience with any other metals above iron due to a lack of funds or raw materials. His iron knowledge is largely limited to maintenance of his dagger and axe though he could probably make a shiv if he had to. He does have a decent eye for where the ore is likely to be, though that has little likelihood of being useful in mercenary work.
Novice Lockpicking- Some of the trinkets that were given to him by his master were locks to practice on. You could encounter a lot of interesting and valuable things if you hunted in less traveled places.
Novice Acrobatics- He had to jump well enough to cross rivers by hopping stones without getting the furs he was carrying wet. But, his unusual body shape prevents him from jumping high.
Novice Alchemy- He knows how to find the ingredients for, and make, simple health potions and poisons but that's all.

Weaknesses:
Illiterate - He wouldn't even know his own name or age on paper.
Abnormally low natural mana - Even if he could read the books he couldn't make the spells work.
Relations to Other Characters: Due to the present xenophobia in Skyrim Utu has kept to himself, worked harder than most in camp, and taken care to be seen as reliable and capable to those with rank. Specifically, he has used his natural skills to be of use to Ashav whenever called for. However, most of what could be idle time has been spent helping Edith with food and leather supplies and Daelin with any scouting too dangerous for booted humans.
Affiliation(s): N/A
Spells (if any): N/A
Combat Style (or the Lack of): Stealth and long range archery and ambush dagger work comprise most of his fighting experience. His axe work is pretty crude though unusual. He tends to swing sideways instead of down, using his tail to add force. It's how he learned to use a pickaxe when he was young.
Other Capabilities: Natural Water Breathing, resistant to disease.

Inventory:
Cash: 30 septims
Keys and Lockpicks: 20 lockpicks
Clothing and Armor: oiled leather hauberk, oiled leather greaves, oiled leather helm, oiled leather bracers
Weapon and Ammunition: Elven bow, Hunters bow, 20 iron arrows, 20 steel arrows, iron war axe, iron long dagger ~12"
Potion and Arcane Supplies: 2 vials of poison, 1 health potion
Jewelry and Novelty Items: N/A
Books and Documents: N/A
Food, Drinks, Provisions: smoked venison, smoked salmon, skin of cheap wine, skin of cheap ale
Bags, Pouches, Packs: 2 large oiled knapsacks on a belt with leg straps, one for each hip.
Other:

Anything at all as regards advice, recommendations, or criticisms would be welcome. I'd like to take advantage of the more stringent standards here to hone my character creation skills.

[Peik]

Anything at all as regards advice, recommendations, or criticisms would be welcome. I'd like to take advantage of the more stringent standards here to hone my character creation skills.

@Haeo

Does he shoot bows underwater, or just from water? As far as I know, using a bow underwater wouldn't be very efficient.

[Haeo]

@Peik From water. I'll take a look at the wording to try to clarify that.

Edit: And clarified.

[Karos]

@HHShetland Just finished reading your character should be interesting indeed let me finish putting my character sheet together.

[Leidenschaft]

Alright, here goes.

My Hider

Basic information:
Name: Utu-ja
Race: Argonian
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Birthsign: The Thief
Place of Origin: Markarth
Appearance:
Short for an Argonian and more forward-leaning, Utu-ja naturally moves closer to the ground. His build is lithe and defined though his tail is a little flatter than most. In the eyes of an Argonian, he wouldn't be that handsome or masculine but his looks tend more toward aesthetically pleasing than most and the soothing brown of his eyes can be disarming. His arms are also a little on the long side, almost enough to be touching the ground when he runs. His skin coloration is a non-uniform mottling of dark grays, blues and black. Combined with a swept back head crest he has a very subtle and unusual profile and is difficult to pick out and recognize from a dark background or the bottom of a body of water.

Background:
Utu-ja was born in the prison mines owned by the Silverborn family. His mother was a prisoner there after failing to pay her husband's debt. She was kind but the work was hard on her and she had little left for her son at the end of the day. He lived and worked there with her until he was fifteen when his mother died in a small cave-in. This would have been a personal tragedy had he not been somewhat distanced from his mother by the extremes of their living conditions. In the mines, where he had been born and where he had only heard of things like weather and the sky, was the only world he knew. Here he learned the art of not being noticed even when he was right in front of someone. He also became strong and patient and honed his observational skills on the many people who were incarcerated during his life there. He picked up a few practical skills from them as well. Lockpicking and the basics of using one handed weapons were the most useful of these skills, though he had only the most simple of locks and shanks or pickaxes to practice with. Thankfully, a few of the guards and inmates treated him with some leniency since he had never been free, though they did tease him often.

The family's debt was mostly paid off by the time of his mother's death but a small amount remained. Since he was already employed there the debt was quietly transferred to him on the books and he continued as a worker in the only world he knew until he was sixteen.
A few months after his sixteenth birthday an enterprising hunter by the name of Ulster came and purchased his small remaining debt from the Silverborns. This hunter became the closest thing that Utu-ja would have to a father figure. He was also the man who first showed the argonian youth the sky for the first time. But, before he left the mines, one of the guards gave him an iron dagger to help him in the real world. He and his mother hadn't caused any trouble, a very rare thing in those mines.

Over the next seven years Utu-ja proved a diligent student and a talented one, though more diligent than talented. His master was a skilled enough hunter but needed extra help on longer hunts and it had actually been cheaper to buy out the remaining debt than it was to hire help. In this case, the hunter counted himself very lucky. Utu, as he came to be called by his master for the sake of convenience, was naturally gifted at swimming even in the strongest currents and proved capable with a bow as well as an axe. He made more money on the long hunts of those years than he had hoped for and rewarded his quiet helper with periodic gifts of equipment or trinkets to practice his skills on.

Those seven years of indentured service ended shortly after a bad river crossing when Ulster was attacked by seven slaughterfish and knocked into the deep water. Unable to fight in the water or get away to shore, he would have died if not for the skill of his quick learning servant. Utu dove into the water with his dagger in hand and killed the fish then pulled his master to shore. They were both badly wounded but they managed to reach a small fishing village and survived. After this incident Ulster completed the legal process of declaring the argonian's family debt paid in full. He also offered the young man an apprenticeship. Utu accepted quickly.

The next three years passed quickly with even more successful hunts and the gradual improvement of the skills that had proved vital so many times. However, all good times come to an end eventually. Ulster fell ill and died shortly before Utu would have turned 25. At this time he inherited his master's most prized tool of the trade, one that he had learned how to maintain at some expense and rarely used except when having to deal with some of the more dangerous beasts such as a wandering troll or a particularly strong example of frostbite spider. This tool was an elven bow. However, as his master did, he rarely used it unless he believed he needed its greater range and power to survive a dangerous encounter. In fact, since his master's death, the elven bow spent most of its time in a well oiled roll of leather to protect it from weather and hide it while it sat in camp.

Without a master he found that his apprenticeship proved a handicap. He couldn't get good prices for meat or hides and his fortunes dropped considerably. Without knowledge of reading or writing he had little alternative but to continue on as he was. Soon he was only able to afford short hunts and had to live in the warrens, back underground and only seeing the sky when he could manage to get out to hunt.

Things were not improved by the worsening political climate. However, with the arrival of war there arose new opportunities for his existing skills to turn a better profit. Unfortunately, his illiteracy and general ignorance about the larger world caused him to fare little better in his search for a profitable mercenary position. He was shunted into a mismatched bunch of mercenaries who generally fit each other like poorly sized boots. At least the looks on a lot of their faces reminded him of the look that others had when they said their boots were too tight. With the kind of work that was likely to need doing, Tss has taken to carrying the elven bow and leaving the hunters bow in camp, though he does carry both arrows for men and for beasts. More food and hide in camp was almost always welcome.

Personality: His time in the mines taught him to learn the behaviors of others quickly and to keep his head down and his mouth shut. He is one to work well but he never gives his all to a single task so that he has enough left to take a beating or handle other unexpected trouble. While he is illiterate, he has a bookish mentality. He studies by observation and has a keen eye for behaviors and trends in everything.

His natural instinct for survival leads him to act quietly and quickly without advertising his efforts whether he's setting up a campsite, picking a lock, or shooting a hawk on the fly. In short, you are most likely to realize that he entered the fight when an arrow flashes past you to strike an enemy that was paying too much attention to you and too little to the shadows in the background.

He also lacks any real sense of honor but respects power of all forms. As a misshapen argonian raised in a prison mine in Skyrim he has neither a personal culture nor anything to gain by the glorified high-horse that is a noble reputation. He has nowhere to go. With every step away from the abyss the edge gets that much closer.

Capabilities:
Skills:
Expert Marksman- All of his hunting and almost all of his fighting have been at medium to long range since his scent spooks game before he can get close enough for easy shots.
Adept Athletics- He can run or hike long distances without notable difficulty and traverse rough terrain without trouble. Most significant is that he is a very adept swimmer and is able to fire his bow from deep water while using his tail and feet to maintain his balance and buoyancy. However, this is difficult and cannot be done in flowing water with noticeable current or at long ranges.
Adept One-handed Blade- He is competent with an axe but lethal with a dagger, especially if he can get his opponent into the water.
Apprentice Sneak- It's amazing sometimes how much easier it is to sneak up on people rather than animals.
Apprentice Light Armor- Normal clothing and fur keep moisture next to his skin so he just wears leathers, as he has since he was given his first set.
Apprentice Smithing- He knows his leather and his bows but has little experience with any other metals above iron due to a lack of funds or raw materials. His iron knowledge is largely limited to maintenance of his dagger and axe though he could probably make a shiv if he had to. He does have a decent eye for where the ore is likely to be, though that has little likelihood of being useful in mercenary work.
Novice Lockpicking- Some of the trinkets that were given to him by his master were locks to practice on. You could encounter a lot of interesting and valuable things if you hunted in less traveled places.
Novice Acrobatics- He had to jump well enough to cross rivers by hopping stones without getting the furs he was carrying wet. But, his unusual body shape prevents him from jumping high.
Novice Alchemy- He knows how to find the ingredients for, and make, simple health potions and poisons but that's all.

Weaknesses:
Illiterate - He wouldn't even know his own name or age on paper.
Abnormally low natural mana - Even if he could read the books he couldn't make the spells work.
Relations to Other Characters: Due to the present xenophobia in Skyrim Tss has kept to himself, worked harder than most in camp, and taken care to be seen as reliable and capable to those with rank. Specifically, he has used his natural skills to be of use to Ashav whenever called for. However, most of what could be idle time has been spent helping Edith with food and leather supplies and Daelin with any scouting too dangerous for booted humans.
Affiliation(s): N/A
Spells (if any): N/A
Combat Style (or the Lack of): Stealth and long range archery and ambush dagger work comprise most of his fighting experience. His axe work is pretty crude though unusual. He tends to swing sideways instead of down, using his tail to add force. It's how he learned to use a pickaxe when he was young.
Other Capabilities: Natural Water Breathing, resistant to disease.

Inventory:
Cash: 30 septims
Keys and Lockpicks: 20 lockpicks
Clothing and Armor: oiled leather hauberk, oiled leather greaves, oiled leather helm, oiled leather bracers
Weapon and Ammunition: Elven bow, Hunters bow, 20 iron arrows, 20 steel arrows, iron war axe, iron long dagger ~12"
Potion and Arcane Supplies: 2 vials of poison, 1 health potion
Jewelry and Novelty Items: N/A
Books and Documents: N/A
Food, Drinks, Provisions: smoked venison, smoked salmon, skin of cheap wine, skin of cheap ale
Bags, Pouches, Packs: 2 large oiled knapsacks on a belt with leg straps, one for each hip.
Other:

Anything at all as regards advice, recommendations, or criticisms would be welcome. I'd like to take advantage of the more stringent standards here to hone my character creation skills.

@Haeo

Well, I like the idea of an Argonian Navy SEAL commando. I will bring up one thing though- Silverborn needs to be corrected to Silver-Bloods. Lets wait around for Gcold now.

Okay, here we go! I'm sorry for the long wait, I just couldn't get down more than a few paragraphs at a time. Not really writers block, but I don't know what else to call it.

Anyway, here he is!

Sagax Speculatus

Basic information:

• Name: Sagax Speculatus
• Race: Imperial
• Age:29
• Gender: Male
• Birthsign: The Tower
• Place of Origin: Imperial City, Cyrodil
• Appearance: Sagax is hardly an imposing figure, standing slightly shorter than your average Imperial with quite narrow shoulders. He is thin enough that several people have given him worried glances, while in truth, he simply only eats what he absolutely must which leaves little meat to build on his bones; surviving on nothing during his teen years has given him the habit of rationing every morsel he has, though his experience with scaling walls and buildings gives him a little bit of visible muscle. Sagax keeps his black hair long enough to cover eyes; he is able to feign sleep or inattention while listening in on conversations or keeping vigil for sounds of danger which may entail someone trying to get the jump on him. The man's body is littered with cuts, scars and smudges, with virtually none of those scars and cuts being from any real combat. Instead, Sagax accumulated them from screwing up and losing his footing during deliveries and missing a grab when climbing in his childhood, getting into scuffs with animals making a bid for the same food as him, and other such mundane activities.
• Background: Sagax was born a full-blooded Imperial on the seventh of First Seed 4E 176 in the capital city to a dockworker and a guard captain living in the Elven Gardens District. His name had no distinct connection to what he was like as a very young child, but his parents were both very proud of their Imperial roots, and also believed that people would grow live up to the meanings of their names in adulthood, so Sagax supposes that they chose the name because they liked the idea of a "keen", energetic son. At the age of three on the twenty-eighth of Rain's Hand, Sagax's mother, Equa, gave birth to a second child; specifically, a daughter. Little Piper and Sagax became inseparable over the years, much to the joy(and relief) of their parents. Without any real sibling rivalry happening, Equa and Caius, Sagax and Piper's father, could work knowing that everything would still be relatively the same by the time they got home. Not that the two would stay in the house, though. In fact, by the time that Sagax and Piper were ten and seven respectively, it would be rare not to find them wandering the city.
  
  Sagax enjoyed scaling the many buildings in the districts, and would sometimes feign a slip to scare Piper. He learned to stop those shenanigans when Piper began tossing rocks near him, but never quite hitting her target, whenever she thought Sagax was faking a slip, prompting him to latch back on to whatever ledge he was gripping whether he was going to or not. Piper would always ask around the market district or the docks if she could help out in any way, often conscripting Sagax as well, not that he really minded; he hated having nothing to do. Their main odd jobs usually consisted of package-running for the merchants or putting up advertisement posters for their shops. Sagax was easily the faster of the two, but also easily distracted, always stopping for something before being pushed back on track by Piper. She was always timely and organized in stark contrast to her almost bumbling brother; if not for Piper, Sagax wouldn't have gotten anything done at all. Their differences is what made their bond stronger though, both realizing that the other had skills that they didn't. Piper and Sagax could work in perfect tandem, always getting their jobs done, albeit not always in the efficient manner that Piper would have preferred.
  
  At thirteen, Sagax's father decided that it was time to teach him how to use a blade. Caius deeply wanted Sagax to carry on the family ways, serving the empire and its people faithfully, and prepared his son by tutoring him in the art of combat early. It took only two lessons for Piper, who before then had simply watched, to haughtily announce that she could learn to use swords just as well as Sagax, and demanded that she be allowed to participate. Equa protested initially, worried for her daughter's safety, but soon gave in to Caius's reassurences that Piper would be perfectly fine, and that such tutoring would be very useful to her. Piper took well to what her father taught her, quickly catching up to Sagax in skill, but it wasn't until Caius permitted Sagax and Piper to spar together that Piper was able to display her greater prowess. Piper, while not as quick as Sagax, could manuever herself much better and could land more strikes. Sagax's abilities lied more with dodging and parrying, and he simply couldn't get the timing down for actually swinging and landing a hit. Whenever he went to strike, Piper would smack his blade to the side and counter-attack, but sometimes if he could feint correctly Sagax could cause Piper to lose her balance. Despite their respective shortcomings, Caius was quite pleased with Sagax and Piper's capabilities, and truly believed that they could become masters if they kept with their training. These sessions continued for a few years, and the children would sometimes spar on their own, slowly but steadily increasing their skill over time.
  
  Life was normal, if not happy, for the next five or so years, but only a month after Piper's fifteenth birthday, the Speculatus family was ripped apart. A riot had broken out in the slums over the guards being directly ordered to collect on the taxes of the disenfranchised that lived there. Caius was called to calm the situation and appease the angry crowd, but it only went horribly wrong from there. The mob began attacking the guards surrounding the perimeter, and Caius gave the order to form up and push them back. Instead, some of the guards openly retaliated, and the situation escalated incredibly quickly, with Caius losing control of his men. He shouted to back down but few listened, and what was meant to be a containment procedure turned into a slaughter, with several dead and others sustaining heavy injuries.
  
  Under heavy pressure by the council and the press, the shamed guard captain faced a disciplinary hearing ending with him being stripped of his rank and sentenced to death. The press spun the story to be that Caius had ordered the attack on the mob when confronted peacefully, shattering the reputation of the Speculatus family and causing several good friends of the family to fall out. Even those that believed Caius to be innocent and knew the story feared retribution if they dared to continue to cohort with the Speculatus family, and left them to their own devices. Equa was fired from her job as a dockworker, though it was mostly for her own safety given the proximity of the port to the slums, and had then received an eviction letter a day later, a sort of covert way for those in the slums to feel as though they had achieved some kind of retribution and making them complacent. Equa, Sagax, and Piper were left with no income, no home, and very few friends. No one would let them live in their homes, nor did they dare go to the slums to seek refuge. They spent the following years living in the sewers and on the outskirts of the city surviving on rat and mudcrab meat and water from the lake.
  
  It was during these years living in the sewers that required Sagax to learn the art of lockpicking, while Piper killed rats with whatever rusty piece of junk she could find that could even conceivably be used as a weapon, being the more combat-proficient of the group. He had a very rough beginning, with the only source of lockpicks coming from the rare ones that dropped through the sewer grates above them, lost by their unscrupulous owners passing by, and a source that was quite suspect to Sagax: Neat groupings of two to three lockpicks that were too conveniently placed to have been dropped unknowingly that found their way to the grate that Sagax and Piper used to get topside. Sagax was relived to know that the Speculatus family still had allies, though he did not know who. He suspected some of his father's old friends, or perhaps even the Thieve's Guild. Regardless of whoever these friends were, Sagax was grateful, and he set out practicing immediately. Throughout the sewers Sagax found ancient wooden trunks left by their owners to one day recollect, but had obviously been forgotten. Most of them had simply had their lids smashed open to get the goods inside, leaving the locks untouched, and even the ones that were intact had only a few gold pieces and nothing more, but it was still good practice. It took him almost a year to get the craft down, breaking many lockpicks in the process, but Sagax finally had enough skill to warrant being confident. He began his first foray into outright thievery at nineteen, using the sewer entrances to the shops above to acquire things his family would need below. He felt ashamed, having to resort to crime to stay afloat, and hypothetical scenes of his father's words played in his mind, but deep down he knew that it had to be this way. He knew that the merchants above wouldn't deal with him directly, nor did he have anything to barter with. Sagax took only what he had to, mostly loaves of bread and the odd cure disease potion, ensuring that his activities went mostly unnoticed. His only major theft was an iron longsword for Piper, and from what Sagax heard it went reported but the guards gave merely a half-hearted investigation, only checking the main entrance to the sewers and going no further before turning back. He didn't know if the guards were just lazy or if they were intentionally turning a blind eye, but the only thing that mattered to him was that his mother and sister were safe and that Piper finally had a real weapon to use.
  
  Sagax's "spree" went on for six years until he was actually caught. He had snuck into the local potions shop to find a healing potion, as Piper had sustained quite a large gash from a mudcrab's pincers, where the owner, an altmer woman named Varulae Saderin, was waiting for him. She had hid on the staircase, a wall separating it from the rest of the room, and announced her presence as Sagax was half way way back to the sewers. Varulae implored Sagax to stay a moment, and said that she simply wanted to talk to him. Sagax stood close by to the sewer entrance, hand to the knob, but listened out of curiosity, wondering what scathing words were about to be flung this way. To his great surprise, Varulae was very sympathetic to Sagax and his family, and revealed many others were as well. She explained that many of the Speculatus family's allies were too afraid to intervene in the sentencing of Caius, fearful of being lambasted and outcasted. Most people simply followed the story that the papers wrote, and believed that Caius ordered the attack on the slums, leaving the rest to suffer the effects of rather violent peer pressure. She speculated that the council had a hand in how the story was reported, and wanted to appear as though they took a hard stance against corruption in the Imperial City watch and dealt with the root of the problem. As the years passed, however, tension had died down and the incident was hardly more than a bitter memory to most. Now, those loyal to the family were fully willing to assist them, and Varulae even insisted that Sagax and his sister and mother stay with her in the upstairs quarters. Sagax, extremely grateful for the offer, accepted, to the joy of the jovial high elf. He fetched Piper and Equa and Varulae led them upstairs, where a guest room was available.
  
  Too small for all three of them, Sagax offered to clear out some space in the cellar and stay there, but Piper angrily protested, mostly stung with pride and love for her brother hearing him offering to sleep in some cold, dark basement while she and mother stayed upstairs comfortably in actual beds. They eventually compromised: They would all sleep in the same room despite the crampedness, but since the room was too small for three beds, a small mat would be placed in the middle of the room where one of the two of them(neither Piper nor Sagax would hear a word of their mother offering to give up her bed) would swap places and sleep every other night. Sagax insisted that Piper be the first person in the rotation to sleep on the bed under the reasoning that she had been far more active, hunting rats and mudcrubs, so she needed more restful sleep. She begrudgingly complied, but only after heavily inspecting Sagax's bedding, ensuring that he would just as comfortable as she would be sleeping in the bed. As much as she loved the stubborn bastard, Sagax's tendency to give up certain comforts out of some misguided sense of self sacrifice even though he could easily have them just as she and mother did greatly irritated Piper, and Sagax knew this. It was fun to see her get mad sometimes, though.
  
  Under the employment of Varulae, Sagax found himself in the exact same position as he was several years ago, being a messenger and delivery boy, though Equa and Piper went through some pleasant changes in employment. Piper started offering herself as a shop guard to any merchant who would have her, and their mother took up Varulae's craft to assist her in the business. Of course, much to Piper's frustration(and Sagax's endless amusement), Sagax refused most pay, only accepting compensation for significantly laborious or dangerous tasks, which did not come often. For the most part though, the remaining family enjoyed a stable living. This, though, was not enough for Sagax. Not only did he wish for his sister and mother to be able to live comfortably in a home they could call their own with friends to call upon in their time of need, he also recieved a very interesting bit of news: Caius had not yet been executed. According to Varulae and some local guards, Caius's execution had been postponed several times, as, to quote the council, had "much more pressing matters to attend to". Sagax had formed a plan. A very long plan with an admittedly low chance of success, but it was a plan. Sagax bided his time until he was of twenty-nine years, where at that point he had been able to save up enough gold from the jobs he'd take pay from to acquire armor and other supplies.
  
  It was a very abrupt announcement in the early morning, before everyone had set out to do their duties. He was going become a mercenary, and earn his fortune among a capable company and earn fame throughout Tamriel. He was going to become a man of the people and rebuild the Speculatus family's reputation. He would eventually do something so great, so significant, that the council would then grant him any desire. On that day, Sagax would demand the release of Caius Speculatus, and bring the Speculatus family back together once more. Piper told how that he sounded like a raving madman, but Sagax cheerfully declared that he WOULD return, and he would free his father from his false imprisonment. He would hear no opposition to his plans, and even went so far as to acquire his gear the day before. The group spent the next two hours arguing back and forth, but Sagax simply would not give. Knowing that nothing would dissuade Sagax, Piper and Equa both said their goodbyes. It was a heartfelt and tearful event, though Piper tried her damndest to hide hers. Varulae wished Sagax great fortune and gave him several healing potions and one very potent concoction: a potion of invisibility. She very sternly "suggested" he take it as a last-second ace in the hole, so Sagax gracefully accepted knowing full well that the high elf would not take "no" for an answer.
  
  Sagax heard rumors of a group hiring at Markarth in the northern province of Skyrim. It sounded promising, so that is exactly where he headed, and is now where he is at now. No grand heroics just yet, but Sagax still has hope.
• Personality: Sagax is a very passive and agreeable fellow, the kind of man who would rather be at the sidelines instead of in everyone's face. He enjoys listening to the stories of his comrades and adventurers who pass him by, despite how true they may be, and will very seldom interrupt a good tale. He believes that there is always more to see in the world, and that is what drives him and keeps him hopeful for that one day that will grant him the power to free his father and give his family a better life.
  
  Sagax is not a man that is easily angered, as very little is prone to set him off. Even the mention of his father, positive or otherwise, simply fills him with confidence that he will be able to secure Caius's freedom. Even in dire situations, he attempts to keep a cheerful disposition and boost the morale of his mates, despite what he may be really feeling. Sagax also trusts easily, always giving people the benefit of the doubt, and often makes the effort to talk with people he doesn't quite know yet; he is good at taking hints though, he will not push a subject further than the person will allow or feels comofrtable with.
  
  He will sometimes offer solutions to problems that crop up, and will more often than not lean toward the path of least bloodshed, leading some within the company to label Sagax as a "milk-drinker". He isn't completely familiar with the term, but he is sure it means something quite biting in nord culture. He doesn't let this stop him though. Sagax refuses to let petty name calling get the better of him.

Capabilities:

• Skills: Expert Acrobatics; Adept Athletics and One-Handed Blade; Apprentice Lockpicking, Light Armor, and Sneak; Novice Speech, Mercantile, and Alchemy
• Weaknesses: Reduced Hitpoints - Sagax is physically frail due to his time in poverty. He had not much to eat and often times the lake water would make him ill, weakening his body over time, so he cannot take much punishment.
  Does not work well under pressure: In extreme circumstances, Sagax is liable to break lockpicks, fumble a grab during an escape, and alert an enemy to his location accidentally, amongst other things.
• Relations to Other Characters: Sagax doesn't quite know anyone by name yet, but he's made the effort to at least talk to a few people, hopeful that he'll make some friends in the long run.
• Affiliation(s): N/A
• Spells (if any): N/A
• Other Capabilities: Despite being weak physically, his stamina is almost boundless as well as being very quick on his feet. Sagax particularly loves the cold Skyrim wind against his body as he sprints to his destination, giving him a bit of extra energy on those longer journeys.

Inventory:

• Cash: 500 gold coins
• Keys and Lockpicks: Ten lockpicks, all placed on his belt like decorations.
• Clothing and Armor: The outer layer of his attire is leather, with small, thin plates of iron on the chest and sides with thick wool guards fastened to the knees and elbows. Draped across Sagax's neck is a half-cloak reaching slightly below his shoulder blades made with flexible leather layered on top of a cloth buffer. His hard leather boots and detachable hood resist the elements very well. Under the armor though, is a quite standard cotton shirt dyed green with few adornments and no detail to speak of. He covers his hands with black cotton gloves.
• Weapon and Ammunition: Steel shortsword.
• Potion and Arcane Supplies: Three potions of healing, and one potent invisibility potion.
• Jewelry and Novelty Items: N/A
• Books and Documents: Several letters adressed to him from his mother and sister and friends in the Imperial City.
• Food, Drinks, Provisions: Small loaf of plain bread, three portions of hardtack, a canteen of water, and a basic firestarting kit.
• Bags, Pouches, Packs: One bag which is sectioned for convenience which holds most of his stuff and two pouches which haven't really found much of a use yet.
• Other: A roll of cotton that is used as a makeshift pillow.

@Frizan

I don't exactly have any gripes with this character. We'll see what Gcold has to say about it. I will say that Jorwen will probably like him for trying to avoid bloodshed.

Well, this is interesting.

If I were to join, I'd probably have a CS by Wednesday. I have no planned character archtype for now.

Do we need a Breton Dwemeri Scholar?

@The Grey Dust

As long as you can find a reason for him being with the company, I don't have any quarrels with the idea.