Lanrete Iresoul

Lanreté Iresoul Dark Knight Merchant of War "A masterpiece flirts with desire, brings critique and prejudice... and inscribes thoughts of conceit and murder. What's so masterful about that? Sounds more like a curse to me." About Alignment... Lawful-Evil(?) Occupation... Iresoul Industries Presumed Age... Mid-Late 20s Gender... Male Race... Highlander, 6'8" Residence Nightforge Castle Orientation... Demisexual Marital... Widower; single Deity... Oschon Character Flaws/Quirks Alcoholic: Years of drinking has given him a high tolerance for drink; the man is oft seen with an expensive cigar in mouth. Craftsman Hygiene: Often smells of sweat, soot, dirt and alcohol; may also have the scent of wood and burnt materials. Wears a weak perfume smelling of oak when in a suit. Metal is overpowering when in his self-made plate armor. Combat Experience:Basic self defense training. Makes up for this by using finely crafted armor and weapons -- as well as an attunement to Darkness magic due to a combination of his past, morals and alignment (see Brief History section). Somewhat Detached: Only has a few expressions -- A daydreaming "don't bother me / I don't care" and an imposing "I'll kill you". It's unfortunate since he doesn't mean to display either of them and would actually enjoy conversation over a drink. Socially Awkward:Approaches complete strangers to strike up conversation and share a drink with; knows little of personal space or how to differentiate interactions between age groups and social classes. Doesn't know own birth date or age. Seems to gravitate and get along with those with ill-repute. Often considered as very rude and without manners. Brief History Child Labor & Enslavement Eyes glistening from an early age whenever a tool was picked up, the boy was found to have gift at creation. Intricate and complex techniques were quickly understood and employed on but simple whims and when directed. This came at a high cost as the young child was tossed from mentor to mentor and subjected to extremely strict regiments through his early years and well into young adulthood. Injuries, splinters and bruises were of no matter as a healer was assigned to him to ensure that even broken bones were mended and each failed attempt at making any item was redone until successful. During this time, the boy became ostracized by his fellow apprentices and seniors, that became emphatically jealous of the attention he received from their customers and teachers alike. Many of whom either referred to him as the "Goldenboy" or "Godhand" out of envious mockery or admiration. Separation of his own age group only serve to further sever his social skills, allowing for his wide-eyed family to exploit his skills for fame as well as money within certain circles. Sixteen to eighteen hour sessions of training and work-shop conditions to produce high quality items that were sold were more the rule than the exception in his life, causing him to feel more like a slave than a member of any family. It wouldn't be until his late teens that he came to a horrible realization that his parents were murdered by his godparents once his skills were recognized, thus sealing the boy's path towards servicing them with riches. In the end, his so-called family met their demise when their estate was raided by a group of bandits that brandished a very familiar mark of a craftsman on their weapons. The flames of the mansion were burned into his memory as he walked away from that life, with hopes to never look back on it again. Merchant of War: A term generally described for the despicable who plan or profit off of warfare. This could be said for Lanrate in a sense, as he earned his freedom from enslavement to this. While enslaved by his supposed family and the taskmasters they hired, Lanrete purposely allowed flaws in some of his armor and weapons in the later years. His experience and skills allowed him to fool even many experts into believing that his works were still of exceptional quality as he flooded his household -- and their personal armory -- with inferior weaponry. On the side, however, he began to craft his real treasures with a heightened sense of responsibility, duty and skill. These weapons -- considered relics by him now -- had peerless designs and were signed with a unique craftsman tag of "Iresoul" rather than a family name that he had been directed to use on past items. They proved to be the downfall of his godparents, as he then armed a large group of disgruntled soldiers turned bandits with these superior versions of his works. This became a sort of a tactic that defined much of his life thenceforth with the young man performing the same actions in various circumstances for both altruistic and selfish reasons. Many a noble house was brought down, and weapons sold or offered at high price to either fill his coffers or his conscience. Indeed, several slavers, in fact, were tricked into declaring war with their rivals and ultimately lost everything due to the man's manipulation of events and the desperation of sides seeking his signature weaponry. Lost Children & Widower: Lost his twins when they killed each other by accident with a pair of blades he had crafted after playing with them without permission. Wife and last child were slain by bandits, with their bodies left impaled with the very spears he had crafted to bring about the downfall of his godparents. This was the start of his alcoholic tendencies, as well as his desire to speak to others while drunk to avoid delving too much in the past. Magic Knight Caravan An episode of his life encompassed traveling with a host of melee hardened casters from differing alignments and specialties. There he had worked as a master weapons and armorsmith for not only the caravan, but also the traders that oft paid to tag along and the isolated villagers that invested in their services. A lone Dark Knight Adept was among these men and women, teaching Lanrete a number of Dark Magic techniques after hearing both his story and for his continued services as a craftsman. It was found that he had an affinity to such due to his own past and mindset when it came to justice by any means necessary. Profit and Hobbies While crafting dominated the man's life ever since he was able to stand upright as a child, there was one hobby in particular that he started for when he couldn't get to sleep or some free time was miraculously given to him. Writing became a sort of escape for him, creating and writing about different worlds and various social circumstances that only one without experience in such could dream up. While many of his works were very obviously written by a child, a few did manage to acquire some acclaim as he grew under the pen-name of "Lavisin". It, combined with his crafts and tactics as a Merchant of War, earned him vast sums of money and the term "goldenboy" became more of an accurate description of him instead of a tease. He currently owns a Mansion in the Lavender Beds, as well as being the benefactor of a Dojo and several trading companies -- providing the funds and materials to not only acquire their houses, but also build their airships and sponsor their trade (Actually in game -- find out ICly where these places and companies are). Character Strengths Expert Craftsman Decades of training under multiple masters, access to materials and a will to survive. Veteran BusinessmanAlways interacting / having a drink with people from different towns to learn of the market. Deep Pockets Gil is generally an afterthought. He does not, however, typically flaunt it or accept the unknown. Experienced TravelerA nomad for much of his later life. Survivalist and hunting / foraging instincts are solid. Extremely Patient:Years of crafting and traveling has steadied his hand. Specific memories negatively impact such. Morally Grey Areas Merchant of War/Death Through various partnership and underhanded tactics learned from his youth, the man has amassed a large fortune. This has caused the downfall of many factions, some of which were purposely pit against one another. Though all business transactions were done within the boundaries of the local laws, or moved to a more lax location. Teetering Alignment While he considers himself Lawful Neutral, the reputation as a Merchant of War (or death in some cases), has placed a stigma of Lawful Evil on him by a few parties. They oft view his works as cursed as many that were given or took hold of them met their untimely death -- or timely demise depending on who you ask. Blood Money Aside from a few partnerships and a couple of published books, most of the man's wealth was made on items of warfare. It is even rumored that he has sold to other businesses said to have ties with the Garleans; said businesses, however, have legal permits for trade and claim to have no control on where their customers take their wares. Cursed Reputation The man's own weapons have killed his distant or immediate family in the past -- perhaps an example of karma. Many who bought his arms have also met their demise, whether through manipulation on Iresoul's party (pitting two sides against each other for various reasons) or the black market coveting said items for their exorbitant prices and killing their owners for such. There were even times when inferior products were sold to overly arrogant or unquestionably evil entities, just to have them cut down from either of the above. Many say that the weapons have to choose their wielder, and that only one with the luck, skill or strength of a god could hope to have long lives after holding one. Odd Appearances: If he isn't wearing his usual crafting attire that is typical of a Highlander (shirtless, loose clothing), the man may dress a bit flamboyantly to display his wealth. This includes an expensive ballroom tuxedo lined with gold and an exorbitantly priced set of plate armor (see below). Appearance & Traits Unkempt hair may be the first thing to draw one's eye when noticing this man's presence; full of dirt and soot, nature seemed to have taken up residence within its confines. A stench of the wild -- of sweat and the aroma of wood -- permeating the air and potentially insulting the senses if they were strong enough. Muscles next, exposed and gleaming with the sheer ocean of sweat that was upon his person when beset against the dying sunlight. The drops of water near perfectly flowing down his body, entering the crevices of his well toned highlander abdomen that was cultivated from decades of hard labor. Then the tattoos, several intricate tribal pieces encircling both biceps, with a more ambiguous design forming on his upper back. Scars may come into view after such, a myriad of lashes to the back that seemed to have had decades to heal, along with minor cuts all over his fingers, hands, arms, shoulders and legs. Some look accidental, in particular the wounds upon his hands which help signify that the man is a laborer of sorts. A bottle was in hand, with a shit-faced grin plastered upon his lips after partaking in far more than he should have. Gold eyes that have long lost their luster stared down intently upon the swirling liquid in hand before it was promptly brought to mouth. Drizzling from his lips, portions of the drink streamed downward, landing upon what seemed like it was an expensive pair of pants, dyed black from his constant exposure to ash and grime. Armor (when worn): The term "goldenboy" -- originally an insult as a child -- was taken to heart as the man crafted well-made plate armor that was then further imbued with golden casings surrounding the entirety of his body. The core of his outfit is mainly comprised of expensive Nightsteel, with the pure gold cloth, chain and plate on the outside serving as a reinforcement -- a sort of initial studded barrier of defense. The golden portions, while adding additional defensive properties, are entirely flimsy compared to the interior, as one would expect of materials made almost of pure gold. Yet still, its presence has caused more than one soldier to think twice on attacking someone that obviously has money to spare to spend on such superfluous addons. Indeed, it would be a gamble to think that the golden portions are the sole defenses of a man that has a means to make it in the first place. Likes Alcohol & Company: Whisky, Ale, Spirits... anything that causes inebriation and social engagements. Simplicity: Rarely seen indulging aside from an expensive cigar, in private the man has a very different life than he lets on. Eyes:Anything unique about eyes -- an eyepatch, heterochromia, fierce colors, etc. Writing:Always interacting / having a drink with people from different towns to learn of the markets for his trade and situations for his books. Patience:Years of crafting and traveling has steadied his hand. Specific memories negatively impact such. Dislikes Oppression: Forced Slavery, bullying, banditry and uneven or unfair odds due to growing up in such conditions. Black Markets: Mainly information, he often buys his own signed wares from the market whenever he sees them. Pushy Clients: Usually refused at the start, so it extends to pushy people in general when it comes to his crafts. Hostile Beastmen:Parents were killed by Beastmen in a scheme by his godparents during his youth. He now crafts weapons for adventurers to kill them. Working:Full days of crafting throughout his life have taken their toll, and he looks for ways to avoid work. He fails at it most of the time, as his hands just naturally gravitate to a tool when materials are around. Iresoul Industries "A masterpiece flirts with desire, brings critique and prejudice... and inscribes thoughts of conceit and murder. What's so masterful about that? Sounds more like a curse to me." An organization of crafters and gatherers that rarely take on commissions. Both a base and a front for various other businesses, including an mercenary corps, Dojo, Library and Alchemy shop. Typically the only jobs accepted are ones that help keep others employed, or if the owner takes a liking to a person. Otherwise most are refused with extreme prejudice. Almost always on the lookout for making investments into new business ventures, or becoming a benefactor or partner in such. Rumors Common Rumors The Drowning Wench Patron: "Ah've seen 'em welcome one drinking partner. An' then tha' next. An' then the next. An'... Well. Ah can't say much for the rest, as ah joined him for a few rounds and lost consciousness!" Quicksand Patron: "'Eard he was buyin' people drinks. Also 'eard that he sometimes goes broke doin' such and has to work his bill off, craftin' or some such... Poor sob must be desperate for company." The Missing Member Patron:"Saw a couple of the girls start to flirt with him. But he didn't seem too interested. Made me wonder what he's into... of course, some of these girls are dangerous and may live up to the place's namesake if you know what I mean. Maybe he just knew that, eh?" Costa Del Sol Bar Patron:"Always have a nice word for me whenever we see each other. Seems like he's always gazing into that cup of his when he's alone, so I strike up conversation when I see him." The Bismark Patron:"At first I thought he was a thug, with the way he dressed and... ugh. Smelled! I tell you, if that's what nature smells like, than I should think to stay inside my estate. What? More about him? Ugh! I'm far to busy to be spoken to by the likes of you. Go ask him yourself. He's sitting in the corner where he always does." Rare Rumors The Roost: "Who? Oh... Well, I don't really know anyone by that name. If he frequents taverns, then perhaps he has somewhere else that he goes to when in Gridania?" Gossiper: "I heard he got most of his scars as a kid; some from crafting, others from his task masters beatin' the shit out of him. It's a shame that talent is abused by others." Adventurer: "He repaired my equipment for free; he also replaced my sword free of charge. I don't know how he affords his drinks, but I treated to him one afterwards." Adventurer "Some people call him a Merchant of War. But I've seen him refuse people outright despite shoving cases of gil in his face. He mentioned something about not liking the look in the patron's eyes." Very Rare Rumors The Roost: "Who? I don't really know much about him. Hear he has some expensive castle or something he lives in. So he doesn't spend much time around here." Elder Adventurer: "Is that... is that him? I heard some rich Ishgardian sold one of their mansions just to get a contract from him! " Shady Individual: "Iresoul... a name that fits a kinslayer, a devil. Stay away from his branded items -- they're effective, but cursed. You're likely as to lose your life as well as your vault." OOC Notes Accepts most types of RP that have plot and natural progression; will mirror post length/styles. Feel free to whisper / walk up! Credit Starting Template made by User:Abelia Kir Armiger and is free for use! Looking for a simple template that fit my want, I smashed together two different templates and rewrote a few minor things. Special Thanks To: ■ Bancroft Gairn. ■ Xheja Rajhera. ■ Atreus del Alumet. ■ Suen Shyu. ■ Glioca Sargonnai. ■ D'lyhhia Lhuil. Examples and or text were copied/inspired/referenced from them.