NewSun — Roleplayer Guild

Major Character

Name
Eidolon

The Scholar, Austen Redtail, Scourer of Knowledge and Curator of the Valinfor Library on the subject of Eidolon, the Half-Phantom said "Eidolon? Oh goodness, no! I can't imagine that is his real name. Not by a long shot. To even presume that such a creature is even capable of remembering something as simple and fundamental as its own identity is a preposterous notion at best! I would scoff at the notion that he even retains his personality, let alone his humanity. The creature you wish to study is no longer the man he once was; he is a new creature entirely.”

Race
Planewalker, Half-Phantom, Returned.

Rikkard the Storyteller, on the Legend of the Planewalkers said
"There have been many references to creatures such as this throughout the ages, though sightings and evidence that their existence is more than a mere myth have been... less than abundant. They have been referred to as many things: Planewalkers, Half-Phantoms and Returned, but they all ultimately point to the same, unusual creature we're discussing at this very moment. And what are they, you ask? Well... They're a kind of undead, but not the kind you're used to. The story goes that if an individual is killed in a way that is not in accordance with their fate, then their soul will find a way to cling to its body. They will become locked in a state of existing both in our mortal world, and that of the realm of death. These 'Planewalkers' can become astounding creatures if the soul can latch to its body permanently; though they lose almost everything that made them... well, them. Their memories? Gone. Hopes and dreams? Gone. Replaced with a constant search for identity and meaning. Though they are said to reawaken to the world with no clear purpose, as if it a dream to them. A puzzled and shadowy world is all they can see - a macabre combination of both the world of the living and the dead. While of course this presents the Planewalker with many unusual abilities and skills, such as the ability to move short distances faster than the eye can follow, or install the greatest of fears into the hearts of their enemies and expose weaknesses that are known to few, there are obvious downsides to such a position. But this is all obviously speculation. Everybody knows that they are simply creatures constructed in our own heads. Imagine if it were true! Ha! What a horrible fate it would be to endure!"

Age
Unknown

Historian Aldrek, when interviewed about recent sightings of a Planewalker said
"I would not care to estimate the lifespan of those things. They could have come from a time long ago. They could have come from recent days. When they reawaken is not necessarily in accordance with when they die. So yes, he could be thirty, he could be three hundred. Now can you stop asking, I don't want to talk about it anymore!"

Appearance

The Scholar, Austen Redtail, Scourer of Knowledge and Curator of the Valinfor Library on the subject of Planewalkers said
"Oh, goodness no. They aren't like your typical undead. Their flesh doesn't rot from their bones, they aren't shambling and decaying frames of what they once were. They just look like you or I - just regular people. They don't often act like it, but thats what they look like. They're hard to tell apart from regular people if you don't know what you're looking for, and there are things to look for: subtle differences, mostly. The eyes are a dead giveaway. Don't stare into them for too long, because the reflection you can see in their inky blackness is only one of the world of the dead. They say you can see your fate if you gaze too long, you can see the representation of your own mortality, your own face being flayed from your skull. Other than that, though, you have to get pretty lucky to spot the signs. You can sometimes see the deathly visage of the spirit that surrounds the body in the right light, and under the right circumstances. Ghostly white, it is, misty and bright. Other than that, you probably won't know unless they wanted you to know."

Personality

Doctor Rashald Veilin of Valinfor, after a supposed encounter with Eidolon the Planewalker said
"Yes, that is correct. The Planewalker came to me in the night. He came into my home seeking some sort of answers. I panicked, obviously. This man was, from the outset, obviously not Human; he was not entirely inhuman, ether. He seemed to be more lost than angry - though I cannot tell you for what he was searching. He pleaded for me to banish the spirits that clouded his vision... Now i'm no expert on matters such as these, but it seemed to me that this particular individual was recently awakened. His face fluttered between sheer terror, to rage, to calm. Like a soul that was lost between worlds, he was not sure what he should feel. Of course this is simply my take on what I saw, for obviously I could not see into his mind. But I have heard stories, you know, the ones about them being trapped in a foul amalgamation of worlds, where terror and death reigns alongside life and light, so I can imagine, if true, why he acted the way he did. He vanished into the night after only moments, and I can only speculate as to how this 'man' will develop as he comes to terms with what he has become. I only hope that he finds peace."

Class
Assassin / Hit and Run Attacker

Combat Specialist, Sir Talken, on the theoretical combat applications of a Planewalker said ”Hmm.. That is a good question. How would a Planewalker fare as a part of a larger unit? Well, I don’t know why you’re asking, but one may speculate. First of all, it would be fair to say that they would be especially deadly in singling out targets. I would wager that they could do this from any applicable distance - you know how the stories go; that they can flit from one place to another with minimal effort. Other than that, I think they would serve you well as a momentum-based hit-and-run attacker. I have no doubt in my mind that they would have reactions like lightning and strength to match; so bearing all this in mind, you, son, have yourself one highly adept killer. I wouldn’t recommend actually trying to fight one if your little search turns up more than empty handed, eh?”

Strengths

Footsoldier Arkan Ilias, the only surviving member of a patrol that was supposedly the target of a Planewalker said ”Oh god. You don’t even realise, do you? It was fast. Too fucking fast. I didn’t even realise what was happening until Bones and Tomas were cut down out of nowhere. It just… it just appeared. It appeared and sliced them damn near in two. It didn’t even break a sweat. I saw Rekiel lunge, and then I saw the thing deflect his sword with such ease that I realised it can’t have been Human. No chance. I mean this thing fought with more grace than even an Elf or an Aasimar. But… I don’t know, it never made any sort of expression. It never made any sounds. And it’s eyes had nothing within. Just darkness.
It was then that Rekiel died. I blinked and then Torshul died. Then Arkile and Remus. It just bounced between them, suddenly appearing where it was not before. It placed it’s blade between armour points as if it knew exactly where to strike. It even knew about the three archers camped up in the trees. They died next, but not before the finest Valinfor steel arrows found their mark through its heart and head. I thought that was the end, but it never even flinched. It was then upon me - I thrust my blade through it’s belly before it simply yanked it back out, tossing the weapon aside. It lifted me by my neck, high above it’s head and I immediately blacked out. I guessed I was dead for sure, as the last thing I saw and heard was the unbearable howling of the world as it must have seen it.
And then… I was here. I have the scars to prove it; but for whatever reason, he didn’t choose for me to die.”

Planewalker section from the Tome of Mythical Beasts and Entities said "It is necessary for men and their ilk to understand the Planewalkers; they are entirely unlike any other creature that walks the land, which is demonstrated in their myriad of unusual traits and abilities.

1: Planewalkers are spirits linked to a dead corporeal form. Their mind and soul exists in a perverse amalgamation of the world of the living and the dead. This, while having its obvious complications, allows the Planewalkers to associate, communicate with, and influence with the spirits that share their world. But the benefits of their situation do not stop there; Planewalkers can peer past mortal veils, seeing fears and vulnerabilities, past both obscurities and mortal uncertainty - they can identify objects and people of importance with a certain grace that others could not.

2: Worryingly, a deceased physical form cannot be impeded by physical means. For many years men have attempted to hunt these creatures with iron and steel, and have been met by an entirely unflinching spectre of death upon them, unharmed by mundane weaponry.

3: Planewalkers have a tendency to ‘ghostwalk’ from place to place. This means that obstacles that may be a hindrance to you or I may not be such an obstacle for a Planewalker. As they exist in the afterlife at the same time as the mortal world, distances for them differ to our perception. Some objects can be passed through entirely, and some distances are minuscule to them. It is common during Planewalker encounters to hear accounts of these mysterious creatures simply 'appearing' in places they were not only moments before. A Planewalker with intent to kill could certainly use this ability to get the drop on a potential target, with lethal consequences."

Weaknesses

Planewalker section from the Tome of Mythical Beasts and Entities said ”After learning the specific strengths of the Planewalkers, we are better able to understand how to repel them.

1: Note that Planewalkers exist in both our world and the afterlife simultaneously. They are capable of seeing things that mortals simply cannot. However, this can be as much of a hindrance to them as an advantage. They can be distracted and even attacked by spirits from beyond the veil of life, where any normal creature would be undetectable. They must deal with threats from both worlds if they are to reap the benefits of such. They are often tormented by spirits as much as they are aided by them.

2: While regular weaponry will do little to harm them, Silver, Enchanted weaponry and Magical attacks can lacerate the spirit that hold the Planewalker in existence. While the creature will likely recognise threats such and escape (or neutralise) them as they become apparent, if you wish to hunt these creatures, do so via these methods. They are highly vulnerable to such.

3: Thankfully, it is possible for our kind to alter the afterlife in subtle ways in order to impeded the ghost walking abilities of a Planewalker. Magical wards and divine protection may impede a charging Planewalker momentarily, buying you precious seconds with which to escape with your life should your quest go awry. Signs of faith and demonstrative power of divine energy are consistently uncomfortable to a Planewalker, and utterly unbearable with enough applied power."

Current Location
Shallow Point
Drestin

Dhal'kul, Drestinnian Assassin said "Yeah, I know somebody like that. Last I heard, he was at Shallow Point, causing a bit of a ruckus in the criminal underworld. Want more information? Ten gold pieces. Want him dead? A thousand."

History

Unnamed Elven War Historian said "Now, from what you have told me, and from the evidence you have provided, we can assume a few things about your Planewalker quarry. Your description of his apparel is almost perfectly concurrent with accounts of Valinforian War-Scout outfits; specifically the tailoring and hem you would see in the sets produced before and within the first months of the last great war. I am confident that this individual was from Valinfor, most likely a new recruit into the armed forces, specifically within the scouting division. It can't have been long into the conflict that he must have died, and I can't imagine it was a pretty death. A noble end in battle does not produce a creature such as this. He was most likely assassinated through a most unholy of means, though it is difficult to say for sure exactly what transpired. His armaments sounds like your typical Valinforian weapons, seemingly with alterations performed by the conspicuous smiths of Shallow Point..? How odd. And.. and you say that he seemed to covet an encrusted locket? Most interesting indeed. Maybe that is the object through which his soul latches to his body - an object of great sentimental value to the man he once was, maybe? He likely does not remember its value, but perhaps he knows it is significant somehow. I couldn't tell you why it was significant, not without further study into the matter. Maybe an heirloom? Maybe he has a family. Somewhere."

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Minor Character

Name
Ûur Lesâêde | "Warden of the Burning Sword"

Race
Spirit

Age
Unknown

Appearance

Ûur Lesâêde, which translates directly from ancient Spiritongue as: "Warden of the Burning Sword," is a spirit... A revenant. A ghost. He, or it, exists entirely within the realm of spirits and of the dead, separate from our own; only those sensitive to the spirits could perceive this creature, and those that do would see this ethereal, tattered creature standing tall within his world, a beacon and guide to those that are dead. If he has a face, it is obscured behind a ghostly helm and an unnatural shadow; the rest of his apparel follows this style. It is battle worn, broken, shredded. Dilapidated remnants of fabric flap in the bitter, howling wind of the spirit realm and a dull, spectral glow just barely staves off the darkness that surrounds him.
He must have once been a proud creature, a majestic warrior who was built like the mightiest of oaks - lean and strong. An incorporeal and wraithlike blade hangs at his side, but it is eroded and ancient, all intricacies lost to the inconceivable pattern of time beyond the veil of life. Yet this sword is eternally aflame, a conflagration of ghostly fire that matches the hue of his own bodily glow. But for some reason that even he has forgotten, holding the blade causes him the utmost pain - the fire does not just burn his spirit, it burns the entirety of his being as if it were some metaphor for his bane in life.

Personality

An inexplicable sadness permeates the very nature of this spirit. Something from the past continually haunts this soul, and redemption cannot be achieved in his eternal prison of death. He has long been known among the newly dead as a shepherd and guide, a proverbial boatman that leads lost and confused spirits to peace in their afterlife - a sad notion indeed, given that he himself is tormented relentlessly and is incapable of achieving the peace which he so fervently works to provide his fellow spirits.
Few living creatures will have ever, or will ever be subjected to this spirit and his musings, but it is clear that he was noble in life. He maintains a well spoken tone that inspires chivalry and a deep sense of calm in those he makes his acquaintances; he is soothing in all aspects of his personality, and is generally regarded as a humble and noble soul... if you can overlook his ferocious contempt of those who willingly intrude upon the world of the dead. He devoutly believes that those who are dead deserve to remain undisturbed, and that death is a hallowed and sacred state, not to be forced upon others, but those that are taken into the afterlife should be given their due in peace. This often means that he actively resists and combats the magical efforts of necromancers in the mortal plane, doing all he can to cause their magic to backfire - the same is true of particular mages who attempt to bind 'innocent' spirits to their will, where no communication channels are opened, and the sacred dead are all but enslaved.
He has found himself drawn to Eidolon the Planewalker for a reason he does not yet understand, but he hopes that the strings of fate will reveal themselves yet.

Class
N/A

Strengths

The Warden of the Burning Sword is beyond the mortal world. A spirit, imperceivable to most, who is older than most would care to imagine. He maintains a veritable wealth of experience and wisdom, and his advice is of the highest calibre. He is immersed in ancient language, and can speak in the powerful tongues that give power unto magic. His knowledge of times past is staggering, and has something intellectual to contribute to almost every situation.
His link with Eidolon draws him to the Planewalker; the two are, for whatever reason, inseparable. They complement each other well, offering different perspectives to one another to handle almost anything the world can throw at them with skill and determination.
It is also worth noting that The Warden can be extremely hostile towards those who attempt to manipulate the spirits. Such individuals, when channels are opened to the spirit world, leave themselves vulnerable to the onslaughts of dangerous spirits, and The Warden is often the one who commits such assaults. When an individual leaves themselves open to manipulation by the spirits, he becomes lethal. In addition to this, he is highly sensitive to magic and the magical ebb and flow of the world, and can detect and identify its use far sooner than most mortals are capable of.

Weaknesses

The Warden of the Burning Sword is a spirit in every sense. He does not exist in the mortal world, and cannot influence it in any way. He can only speak to those who are capable of hearing him, and can only truly affect a mortal who creates a bridge between their soul and the spirit world. In the case of there being no spiritual manipulation, he is completely helpless to make a difference in any situation. His influence is unseeable and intangible to almost every mortal, meaning that the only way he can make a difference is through another - the Planewalker, in this case. If the Planewalker were to die, it is doubtless that he would once again fade into the raging, chaotic currents of the spirit world and be unable to return for some time.

Current Location
Shadow of Shallow Point
Spirit Realm

History

The Warden can only remember the pain of dying. No sights or sounds remain in his memory. To him, it is like a dream that one cannot quite recall upon awakening, the details of which are on the tip of your tongue, yet unattainable from the recesses of your mind. Every day they drift further from him, becoming more lost in his ancient mind; and with every passing hour he grows more dejected at this revelation. He awoke within the spirit world within a tower of shadows of ash, where the wind blew so cold and frigid and with such force that it had dissipated to nothing within moments. Between him and a tree that was half dead and half in blossom lay a burning blade embedded in an opulent bed of flowers that would have made the royal groundskeeper fall to his knees with admiration. Only by freeing the mysterious weapon from its rest did the true spirit world reveal itself to him - a macabre shadow of the real world manifested before him, populated by wandering and lonely shades of the recently dead, murmuring to themselves a myriad of lamentations and ceaseless prayers that filled the empty, black sky with the echoes of the sorrowful dead. There seemed to him that no purpose existed within this world of darkness, so he sought to make whatever difference he could by guiding the lost to their destinations: to the river, to the crypts, the mountains and the endless plains. It was a journey without end, a never-ending tide of souls would come to him each day seeking his vigil among the shadows.

Until a very bright spirit descended from the living world. One that was not entirely dead, but his soul did shine like an incandescent sun that The Warden had sorely missed. A Planewalker, perhaps?

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