Dural Shieldsplitter

Error creating thumbnail: File missing  Dural Shieldsplitter
Dural Shieldsplitter, Ala Mhigan refugee
The Wanderer
Gender	Male
Race	Hyur
Clan	Highlander
Citizenship	Ul'dahn
Age	28
Nameday	31st Sun of the 4th Astral Moon
Guardian	Rhalgr, the Destroyer
Height/Weight	6' 5"/252pz. (Sans armour)
Occupation	Freelancer
Alignment	Neutral Good

This character article or section of a character article is a stub -- a small, but growing, work in progress. If you're the creator of this character, why not consider expanding it?

Character

Overview

A friendly, if initially imposing, worn Ala Mhigan refugee of early-middling years. Easy to smile, fond of the 'occasional' drink, and something of a slave to his moods/emotions.

Appearance

	Summary
Height	Weight	Eye colour
6' 5"	252pz.	Blue
Build	Markings	Distinguishing features
Stocky and muscular. Suitable for heavy physical work.	Clan tattoo covering a portion of the right side of his face	Two facial scars. Several body scars.

Physical appearance

Following in the sizable footsteps of his forbears, Dural maintains the naturally imposing figure of the Highlander whether it be in armour or out. Possessed of naturally darkened skin from birth, and sharp, clear blue eyes that peer from beneath a thick, heavy brow, his heritage is somewhat clear to any who have met with the Ala Mhigan refugees that have come and gone over the years. Measuring in at a somewhat impressive 6' 5", the more natural upper end of his folk for height, and naturally broad of shoulder while weighing in at around 252 ponzes of hard-earned muscle, Dural's figure is that of someone who has spent many a year laboring intensely. Thick upper arms knotted with broad muscle look to be in their element when hauling or swinging something equally large and weighty, whether it be an axe, pickaxe, or Miqo'te that's had the misfortune of agitating him too much. The theme of practical muscle continues across most of his beaten body, whether it be the taut, seemingly ever-tensed mass across his shoulders and neck, the flat slabs of durable muscle that make up his rest of his torso, or the resilient pillars that comprise his legs, Dural's form is one that has been forged through sweat, blood, and many, many malms of travel. (Recent acquisition of a Chocobo just before the Calamity has done little to lessen this, Dural often being seen walking alongside the bird.). Complimenting this warriors physique, Dural's body features a number of criss-crossed scars, the greater number of which having faded from the passing of time, suggesting a natural progression of skill over the years. The most persistent of the scarring coming in the form of several small circular wounds forming a rough, zig-zagging line of across his back - five in total, and each seem hesitant to ever truly fade via natural means. And perhaps look a mite too old to be healed via magical means, at that. Additionally, adorning the right side of his face sits a simple but striking tatoo, inked in a dark blue, spanning out in several thich arcs, sitting above and just beneath his eye, across his cheek, and down onto his jaw. As chance would have it, to balance out these markings, the left side of his face features two narrow grooves - old scars in fact, one clipping across his nose, and the other crossing the edge of his lips in a nigh-on perfect vertical line.

Voice and speech

Possessing a depth and volume to match his size and bearing, Dural's voice rings out like the tolling of a sizable bell. However, while a bell often rings clear and true, Dural's manner of speech can on occasion be something of a challenge to understand due to the frequent clipping of words. Thankfully, the careful, almost ponderous pacing of his speech tends to alleviate the issue to a degree. Except when he's excited, then it's been known to be quite a challenge. Or after a few flagons of mead, then too.

Behavior and Personality

Behavior and Personality

Loud and perhaps, occasionally brash, Dural's been known to speak his mind in public regarding most matters. Sadly, it's not always been in the most helpful or appropriate manner, although restraint has been shown on occasion, oftentimes with the Highlander falling into silence and donning a small smile, evidently content to merely watch and listen to those about him until such a time as he has something to add. It -is- quite possible that the loud and brash personality is merely a tool, a social defense mechanism, But you'd never catch Dural putting much thought into such topics. Publicly. As an aside, it's not rare to see the Highlander fidgeting in some manner, whether it be tossing pebbles, twisting a tankard around in his hands, or tapping his foot to some unknown tune in his head. A lack of motion or action doesn't seem to sit well with the Highlander a lot of the time. Rare exceptions have been known, however. After a particularly long day, the large Highlander has been spotted crashing out at the foot of a tree/rocky outcropping with an old, frequently repaired book and a fond smile lighting up his heavy features.

Combat

General

Axe

Axe in hand, Dural is a fearsome sight to behold on the battlefield, displaying some of the traits of the famed Warriors of old. Heavy sweeping arcs blend seamlessly into one another, the Highlander able to display a grace and agility unbecoming of his size and frame once he's united with a beloved heavy blade, always moving forwards in the assault. Dismissing the marauding mans smoothed, chained movements as lacking in any strength or power however, is a mistake likely to cost a man, woman or beast a limb. His chosen name of Shieldsplitter being more than just something to sound impressive, the towering Highlander displays a great knack for bringing his blade down just so upon a shield as to cleave through the thin layer of protection to sever the arm beneath. Wooden shields have been known to splinter entirely, the metal frame buckling, whereas bucklers and even full towers eventually crumple and fold beneath the repeated battering of the raging warrior. Dural's form, one hand near the head of the weapon, one resting around the halfway point of the shaft, affords the dark-skinned destroyer a surprising amount of control over the clumsy, weighted axes he tends to lean towards and thus lends itself well to an impromptu defence; He displays little to no concern with his wellbeing in combat, opting to absorb just as many blows into his mixture of padding, plate and chain armour as he is to parry or deflect with the weapon. Years of practice have taught the Highlander the best time to use his body to soak up the worst of a blow, and when to cease his assault and put the body of his weapon in the way of his own instead, as testified to by the lack of recent scarring.

Unarmed

((Draft)) Deprived of his beloved axes, Dural's tendency in hand to hand is to bring his entire form into the fray - the Highlander often using his entire body as a weapon, throwing himself bodily into a foe, or perhaps a knee. Or an elbow. Or his head. Oft times, even teeth have been brought to bear against whatever he happened to be facing down if the opportunity arose. While there is some degree of discipline to Dural's movements in hand-to-hand, his form is worlds apart from the famed Monks of his homeland.

Tendencies

Likes	Dislikes	Hobbies/Talents
The cold Snow and rain Oddly, also sun and comfortable levels of heat Mountains Scenic vistas Good company Having something to 'do' Drinking. Goes well with the above two points.	Overly smarmy, insincere, holier-than-thou types Bullying Garleans	Mining. (The farther away from civilisation, the better) Dancing Sparring

Relationships

♥ Romantic Interest    ★ Trusted    ● Liked    ● No Opinion formed    ● Disliked

Family and Close friends	Friends and Acquaintances	Others and Disliked
★ Hagar Stonehew - Father (Deceased) ★ Siganda Blacke - Mother (Deceased) ★ Lewwel Shortblade - Brother (Deceased) ♥ Aria Benett Where t' begin... afore ah met the lass, ah were pretty 'appy t' accept that life were gonna be one short, fun blast afore ah 'eaded north t' try an' retake Ala Mhigo. Weren't gonna get close t' no-one 'cause all ah 'ad t' offer were the widows black. Then Aria turns up t' 'eal me nose after that scuffle on the beach, an' ah'm smitten on first sight. Second time, ah couldn't 'elp meself, ah were selfish, an' asked the lass out on a date, an' she said aye. Since then? Ah've come t' know things about the lass that 'ave 'ad me rethinkin' what ah've been fightin' for. Not wantin' t' sound soppy, 'cause a manly man like me shouldn't be doin' that, but ah think ah'm fightin' fer 'er more'n Eorzea, now. Lass 'as me 'eart, it were 'ers the moment she lowered 'er defenses an' let me see the spirit within'. ★ Mimiru Miru Ah've taken t' the lass like she were me own sister. Short, fer me sister, but love the lass t' bits all the same. She's got the 'eart'ah someone twice 'er size. More, ah guess. Twice 'er size ain't all that much, bein' a Lala. ★ Magdalena Duskwight Head of the Travelers Guild at the time when I found 'em. Another Highlander, somethin' 'bout her accent felt... familiar. Couldn't place it for a sodding age, but as'n it be turnin' out, we both be hailin' from the same village. Which... ain't a thing, anymore. Not after the Garleans took Ala Mhigo. Anyroad, after I parted ways from the Travelers, lost contact and ain't seen or 'eard from 'er since. Or, thinkin' about it, about 'er. Which be worryin'. Damn shame, she were quite the lass. Feisty! Man could get used to that.	● Daiyumi Maeda A spritely an', in me own discernin' an' 'umble personal 'pinion, rather pretty Miqo lass I met during a gatherin'a the Travelers. Paraded 'bout fer us all in 'er swimear. Bloody fine show that were, lemme tell ye! Certainly 'ad our collective attention. Lost contact when I went an' parted with the Travellers t' go off an' do what needed t' be done. Pretty sure it were my loss. ● Darte Skyfire 'nother Highlander, and one I got quite the admiration fer, too! Now there were a man who could 'old 'is drink. An' 'e often were drinkin' too, when I knew him. Man 'ad more drinks on 'is person than most inns I've seen. Rumour has it 'e cut down these past few moons, though. Bloody shame. Still, so long as sobriety ain't made 'im borin', 'e should still be an alright sorta fellow. ● Lukas Valenwood Used t' be the martial saint'a the 'arbingers, 'though I be thinkin' that's mostly 'cause the other one up fer vote weren't there. Ain't sure where 'e is now though! Came across as, well... somethin' of the stereotypical Elezen fella. Wouldn't be surprised t'learn he's from Coerthas next, too. 'ad a manner much in line with Thazar, but mebbe a li'l less uptight. Mebbe. Ain't gonna 'ave much of a chance t' find out, now. ● Thazar Dragonswrath Uptight, possibly 'as that lance'a 'is stuck up 'is arse in me 'pinion, and 'e speaks in a way that that -strongly- reminds of a Midlander lass I knew, afore the Calamity. Very proper, an' all that. Seems like a genuine sort though, and pro'lly someone ye can be trust t' stand at your side in a fight. I likes 'im.	● Keiran Aislinn Unsure what t'make'a this Miqo. Quite 'ot-'eaded, it seems. An' distant, and generally gave the 'pression'a being a bit of a grumpy sod. Or 'e jus' be thinkin' he's better. Gonna need more info afore I go with me gut feelin' on this one. ● Faye Covington Everyone be lookin' up to 'er 'bout 'ow much of a "Lady" she bleedin' well be. Ain't a fan of 'er since findin' out 'ow she treated Tasa. ● Nolan Karaan Nolan The other grumpy sod who were up fer strategist. Or tactician. Or whatever the saint post were for. Don't know enough t' work 'im out, yet. ● Ohk'a Rizai The Miqo maneater. Ain't got no idea if'n 'e were serious 'bout wantin' that other Miqo, but gotta admire the lads stones! Gonna 'ave t' speak to 'im some more, but seems a'ight. ● Amitiel Custos A'ight, I -tried- t' like 'im. Honest! I don't be makin' a point'ah dislikin' people 'til I've 'ad a few meetin's with 'em t' make sure I ain't jus' misjudged, but I be damned if this miserable sod that looked like 'e dropped from Titans loins ain't earned me dislike. Every time I be seein' 'im, 'e's been a miserable sod, 'n then when I finally try to be nice an' talk to 'im proper, I offer 'im me 'and in friendship, an' the bleedin' arse turns 'is back an' moves off! Bloody sod ain't gonna be gettin' no drinks from me, I can be tellin' ye that fer nothin'! 'ope 'e ain't with the martial branch. I ain't gonna turn aside a comrade, but things run smoother when ye can like an' trust the people ye be fightin' with! ● Barbarccia Valadis Wish ah could say ah could trust 'er as far as ah could throw 'er, but ah can't even give 'er that much. Ain't 'appy with the way she treated Mimi, 'ow she's treatin' An (Although ah guess ah jus' don't care as much 'bout that), an' 'ow ah always end up agreein' with 'er, despite what ah may 'ave set out thinkin'. Lass is poisonous.

Rumors

Common Rumors

• "So, the fella jus' up an' leaves like, ain't seen fer a moon at the least, an' then turns 'imself back up in civilised lands, lie, lookin' all 'aggard. Strange fella."
• "For someone who claims 'e don't want no relationships, 'e's an 'ell of a flirt. 'course, that could just be 'im bein' polite? Manners, or summint?"
• "Simple sod has -no- talent for Aetherial manipulation whatsoever. The oaf seems to think he can get by just swinging that tree chopper about."

Moderate Rumors

• "Dural? Aye, I know the man, fought alongside him during Archon, less than a moon back. Scary sod when riled, seems to have some personal issues to resolve with the invading forces."
• "Oh, him? Yeah, I know him. He's started dating that... is she old enough to be a lady? Don't think she looks... well... just ain't my place to say. She acts old enough, at least?"

Rare Rumors

• "Heard him talking, man seems obsessed with taking back Ala Mhigo, and don't give no damns about surviving the liberation neither."
• "So, plenty of folk from 'is town went an' died that night. Dural got two'ah them bullet scars, but I've heard tell there were other survivors. Not all chose to turn tail and flee from the Empire, from what I've overheard."

PC Rumors

• -
• -
• -

History/Timeline

((Soooo much WIP for this section.))

Annotations