Male | 34 |Tal-Vashoth
Basic Info
BirthplaceQunandar, Par Vollen
Appearance Background The lives of all young Qunari are the same, they are brought into a world of absolute order and have been bred for generation upon generation for a sole purpose, it was no different for the Qunari that would one day become Shok. Unlike many of his brutish kinsmen that have become rather infamous to the rest of Thedas this young Qunari never had the same drive to become a warrior, instead he was born with an inquisitive mind that thirsted for the answers that littered the world around him. While other children marveled at the explosions gaatlok made or sat in awe from the stories of the aban-ataashi that prowled the seas the young Qunari pondered about what substances made up gaatlok and how did the mighty sea beast's body produce such powerful bolts of lightning, he found himself not being able to rest until he found the answers to these questions. The tamassrans took note of these interests and directed the boy down the path of an ashkaari, the scientists and philosophers of the Qun, just as they always planned for the boy.
The young Qunari, now known as Ashkaari, dove whole heartily into his schooling, excelling in a multitude of fields that were presented before him. From the philosophies and teachings of the Qun to the recipes of gaatlok and vitaar Ashkaari's sharp mind soaked it all in, even adding further insight that helped birth a number of advancements. What Ashkaari was most drawn to was study of medicine, he poured hours into learning about what made the body tic and just how he could help it heal be it from sickness or more physical injuries. Ashkaari was without a doubt a prodigy with all the makings of going far in his career, given the right circumstances Ashkaari could of found himself becoming the Ariqun, one of three leaders of the Qunari triumvirate. Unfortunately it seemed that fate had different plans in store for him.
It was a day like any other for the boy, he had spent hours that day studying away in class with his peers. As he scanned over yet another set of books he began to feel it, a slight burning in his chest. It had appeared seemingly out of nowhere and without cause, but the heat continued to build and build, drenching the young Qunari into a sweat, until finally it happened. The last thing Ashkaari remembered before blacking out was an intense bright flash... and the smell of burning flesh. When he awoke he was being dragged away from his still ablaze classroom. That was the day that his magic reared itself to the world, the day that Ashkaari ceased to be, and the day Saarebas was born.
Everything was stripped from Saarebas; his home, his peers, his promising career, even his very name, everything that made him who he was. He had his horns sawn off to brand him as a danger to his people, his lips sewn shut to prevent him from spreading his corruption to others, and bound to an arvaarad who would control his actions day and night. Just as he thought his life had reached its complete bottom Saarebas' karataam, a group of saarebas bound to one arvaarad, was assigned to go to the war scarred island of Seheron in order to aid with the struggle against both the remaining Tevinter forces as well as the growing Tal-Vashoth rebels. Despite all of this Saarebas was able to swallow back his grief and force himself to believe that this was the only way he could keep the world safe from himself.
The time on Seheron began to meld together for Saarebas, each day the same as the last, days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. He would be awoken by his arvaarad, marched on patrol along with his other bound mages, and sicced upon any forces that his arvaarad deemed a threat to the Qun. At first it was hard, the killing and fighting haunted Saarebas' nightmares, but eventually the metallic smell of freshly spilt blood and the cacophony of screams spurred by foes being set ablaze were all second nature to him. It got to a point that Saarebas had almost forgot who he use to be... almost.
A raid on a Tal-Vashoth camp, an event that had become so common to Saarebas one would never really think twice about it, but it was in the midst of this chaos that it happened. A stray spear thrown by a dying rebel pierced the heart of Saarebas' arvaarad. It was as if the world froze as the group of mages watched the life fade from the man who held their leash, the man that had bound them but gave them purpose for so many years. Despite the eternity that that moment felt like it eventually came to an end, and the morbid realization that followed quickly arose. Each of the saarebas knew what they now had to do, they had been left without an arvaarad, they were now corrupted in the eyes of the Qun and there was only one way to ensure they did not spread that corruption. The first of them to take their life was one of their younger members, a poor girl that was barely over the age of ten. One by one they prayed their last prayer before slitting their own throats, until their was only one left. This sole saarebas remained amongst the corpses of the closet thing he had had to a family, this same saarebas who was once a young boy who wanted nothing more than to explore and study the world around him, he found himself questioning again.
Why did they have to die? Why did he have to die? Why did the Qun demand this sacrifice?... Was the Qun wrong? The questions whispered in Saarebas' mind as he held the dagger to his throat. They repeated over and over, growing louder and louder, until Saarebas found himself speaking them aloud. The Qun... is wrong. He said as he lowered the dagger. It took everything in his being not to join his brothers and sisters on the ground, but he knew that this was a waste, that each of these people who had so willingly gave their life in the name of the Qun were just that, people. Each of whom deserved the life that was stolen from them from people who were too closed minded to accept them for despite their nature. It was in that moment that Saarebas refused to let the fear of others bind him any longer, that he would fight for his right to live and question the world, and it was the moment that Shok was truly born.
The days that followed were a wonder for Shok, it was the first time in years that he was free. He wandered the wilds of Seheron aimlessly, finding refuge under whatever tree would hold him for the evening and feeding on the animals that were unfortunate enough to cross his path. Those days of lost bliss came to an end when a group of the fabled fog warriors stumbled upon him. Be it from pity or curiosity, but the fog warriors did not outright attack Shok. They took the poor wretch back to their camp and even helped nurse his wounds, freeing his lips from their stiches and giving him a true place to rest.
Shok had spent a few years among the fog warriors, he felt indebted to them for what they did. He learned much about their plight and cause, wanting no more than a place where their people could be free from the control of the war of the Qunari and Tevinter, Shok couldn't help but empathize. The fog warriors helped improve Shok's understanding of the common tongue and in return he aided them with their medical needs, it appeared they had been with out a proper healer for quite sometime and his expertise from his past life were greatly appreciated. He eventually was even taught their secret of creating their legendary fog, it was rather simple alchemy in Shok's opinion, but the symbolic importance was not lost on him.
As Shok lived among the fog warriors he found himself studying a different field that he never expected in his previous life, magic. With the restriction that he once lived under lifted he poured everything he had into understanding the ebbs and flows of the mystic arts. Lacking a formal instructor Shok turn to studying the most active magic users on the island, the Tevinter mages. Shok managed to get ahold of quite a number of Tevinter tomes about magical practice, their techniques were a whole new world of magic to him. Eventually his studies lead him to the school of magic that made Tevinter so vilified, blood magic. Blood magic was more primal and powerful than anything Shok had ever felt, but more importantly it was the most free form of magic he could find, he did not need to tap into the Fade or rely on a demon or spirit, all the power came from him.
Eventually Shok's studies started to pull him away from the fog warriors, he would not be able to continue to grow if he stayed with them. He thanked them for their kindness and swore that if they ever needed them that he would be there for them before he bid them a goodbye. Shok managed to smuggle himself off of Seheron to the mainland on a cargo ship with a small family of run away elven slaves who he quickly formed a bond with. He decided to remain with the group until he felt that they had reached a safe enough location outside of the reach of their master. They traveled together for a few weeks until they parted ways in a small village in the Free Marches. With that endeavor aside Shok was now in what might as well been a whole new world.
He wondered Thedas, acquiring as much magical knowledge as he could. Shok found that whenever he needed coin, which was quite the new concept to him, he was able to offer his services as a healer. Eventually his travels lead him to Hasmal where he would find his services being requested by a group of mercenaries, Shok took the job seeing that the coin was far more than he had been receiving as a wandering healer.
PersonalityA lifetime of having the world beat him down has left Shok rather cold, he finds it hard to not see the horrors that lay just beneath the surface of things. Despite this and all the atrocities he has both gone through and committed Shok still has a burning passion for healing, he tries his best to make the pain of life just a little bit easier where he can. He still has his inquisitive mind, he yearns to unlock the secrets of the world regardless of the form that they present themselves to him in. It should be no surprise that Shok does not shy away from getting his hands dirty, even if it means delving into more morally questionable actions. He has a soft spot for the downtrodden, being able to empathize with their situations. Shok is a rather straight shooter, he doesn't really know how to sugar coat things for people. Though he has renounced the Qun he still acts with the strong sense of purpose that a Qunari would. During his time with the fog warriors he learned to appreciate the art of story telling, he spent many a night enthralled by the tales of the group's fog dancer. It also seems to be quite the universal truth that many of the horned giants, Qunari or not, have quite the sweet tooth and Shok is no exception.
Curriculum Vitae
Years servedA little bit under one year
ProfessionMage | Saarebas/Blood Mage
Modius OperandiShok is like a glass cannon, he unleashes powerful attacks but he can't take too much damage. His best place on the battle field is mid range where he can get close enough to lay into enemies, but still able to retreat if need be.
SkillsHealer
Shok spent years studying both the body as well as the advances in Qunari medicines. Even without his magic Shok is able to provide medical aid in times of need.
Qunari Born
Many outsiders and even many converts to the Qun have a hard time understanding it, Shok dose not have this problem. Being born into it Shok had the lessons of the Qun drilled into his mind everyday. If one has questions about anything from Qunari beliefs to their military strategies Shok would be a great start.
Forbidden Knowledge
Unlike many others Shok does not hold back from diving into what many consider the darker and dangerous studies.
Important RelationsFog Warriors
The freedom fighters back on Seheron, Shok still feels that he owes them for everything they have done for him.
Zathlen Family
The elven family he traveled with, they are currently settled down in a small village in the Free Marches
ThoughtsAseema Viranni
"Much like a leaf in the breeze her course changes on a whim. The girl is young and adventurous, with a mind that questions the world around her. Though her inquisitive nature is commendable her naivety when it comes to understanding the effects of her actions will one day be her undoing."
Eirny
"A small flame in a raging storm, always on the verge of being blown out. Her passion for the care of others is amiable, I have seen far too little of it in my life. Her sharp mind and skill in healing is impressive, but she is far too trusting. Her willingness to hear the whispers of the beings from the Fade is concerning, how long until one leads her astray."
Erinya - Ishanni
"Like a diseased tree she appears to stand strong, but what lies beneath her bark is twisted. The woman is hurt in a way few understand, the Qunari call it asala-taar or soul sickness. I have seen it on Seheron, when a warrior goes through the fires of battle they may come back unscathed physically but missing a part of themselves far more important. I do not know what has broken her, but I know she drives on because that is all she has left to do."
Garlenn Fellblade
"Tough as the same stone his people worship. He is bold and crass, the dwarf lacks a sense of restraint. He does however understand that in this world some situations can only be resolved with bloodshed."
Krios Ar Tae O Darkhold
"Cold and strong like the mountains he hails from. He reminds me much of a Qunari; quite, focused, and tasked driven. I admire the fact that he is one of the more practical humans I have met in my travels."
Ovra Paerat
"Confident and silver tongued, her words flow like honey, but behind it all lays a viper. She reminds me of the ben-hassrath, her motives unknown but her actions absolute. Though I admire her skill I do not wish to turn my back to her less her dagger finds a place in it."
Tools of the Trade
Weapons & Ammunition Shok, like many saarebas, does not chanle his magic from a staff but rather fires bolts of energy from his hands. The closest thing to a weapon he carries is a small dagger that he uses to draw his blood.
SpellsSaarebas
A saarebas is not like most mages when it comes to combat, they attack harder and with a ferocity of an animal. Shok himself had always focused on ice and fire attacks to lay waste to his enemies. His magic is mainly offensive focused with the occasional spell thrown in to help him get away from enemies.
Blood Mage
Shok uses his blood to power his magic, preferring this over pulling power from the Fade. He does not have the level of control to manipulate the actions of others, but he is able to heal himself from the blood of fallen enemies as well as boil the blood within a foe to damage them. Clothing & Armor1x Hooded Leather Coat
2x Cloth Shirt
2x Cloth Pants
2x Leather Boots
Tools & Things1x Medical Kit
1x Personal Magic Tome
Potions & Poultices2x Health Potions
1x Lyrium Potion
3x Regeneration Potion
Ingredients & Rations1x Waterskin
?x He always some how has some sort of small baked good, usually a type of cookie
Bags & Pouches1x Satchel
1x Coin Purse
1x Backpack
Odds and Ends 1x Saarebas Mask
1x Tent
1x Bed Roll