Born in the great Slave-city of Rendar, Tarekivien Crultel was born with the blessings of the priests of the dark dragon goddess Tiamat. Tareks birth unfortunately resulted in the death of his mother Maldrith, but his father Hezire was overjoyed to have a young, strong and healthy son born by the blade. Tarek remembers little of his first years, wandering around his father's lavish estates in the otherwise depraved city of Rendar. Hezire was a slaver by trade, a dealer in all sorts of creatures and people, and Tarek, despite being a kind-hearted child, was taught from a young age that he and the other chromatic dragonborn were inherently better than those slaves, having been blessed by Tiamat.
His father ensured his son did well but was distant in other ways. He ensured he received private tutoring, and although Tarek wasn't a very bright kid, he definitely had an interest in the art of chemistry and alchemy. Hezire would be very busy with his slaving practice, however, often having various 'curiosities' amongst the slaves that he would focus all his attention on. By the age of 5, however, things started to change for Tarek when a tiefling slave called Lady Nemeia came into his father's life.
Lady Nemeia was a beautiful crimson-skinned woman, and her almost regal charms led his father to be obsessed with her. She was soon elevated from the rank of slave and came to be Hezire's wife. Almost immediately, Tarek noticed a difference in his father's disposition towards him - he was disciplined more, ordered to comply, and sent to attend more of the Rites of Tiamat that Tarek often neglected. Whenever his father would scold him, he could see the tiefling wife whisper into his ear, a sly smile on her face.
Frustrated and bored, Tarek attended the Rites, followed his orders, and lived his life. A lot of frustration and boredom arose in the hot-blooded dragonborn, as he thought the prayer was boring. Part of him also knew that the principles of Tiamat were wrong, were bad, but he knew never to show this doubt in his faith. Because of all these suppressed feelings, Tarek still often has trouble telling the difference between what he really wants and what is expected of him.
Not long after, his father and Nemeia sat him down to talk to him. He was being sent away, to an academy outside of Rendar. Tarek was enraged - why send him away to some commoner's academy? Why not just teach him properly, like he deserved? But when he spoke up, Lady Nemeia chastised him for speaking to his father with such disrespect. Hezire agreed, saying it would be good for Tarek's perceived insolence. Knowing that this was all Nemeia's doing, and angry that all his efforts hadn't been enough, Tarek lashed out, spitting acidic breath at the various expensive pieces of furniture in the house. He was quickly stopped by Hezire, who told him not to speak to him or his wife until he had become a better man.
Tarek was sullenly escorted to the Sesmonia Academy, below the Mirror Reaches far south from Rendar. Here he became quite depressed, unsure of what his path in life would be - he felt barely any connection to the teachers, to his peers, or to the subjects that were discussed. Even his passion for alchemy fell flat when he realized there was nothing he could actually do with his knowledge, other than explaining the theory. To make things worse, the teachers constantly kept a close eye on him for some reason, meaning he didn't even get to work on his own alchemical projects.
After a few years at the Sesmonia Academy, Tarek was sent with a group of students to learn about southern alchemical practices, and they went southwards under the strict eye of multiple supervisors. Again, he felt constant eyes on him, and all attempts to find exciting things were stopped by the vigilant teachers. He travelled long and far but never got to see as much as what he wanted to. His desire for freedom grew into a powerful wave of desperation.
Eventually, they arrived at their final destination - the great city of Drasier, capital of the Etherien Republic. Every student was assigned an alchemical task that would fill their time during the day, as part of their final assignment, and Tarek was sent to a small town south of the city called Villebramar, to aid a small church to Emrys there with their healing salve formulas. As he came here every day for a crossing, he felt his frozen heart thaw as he interacted with a young Tabaxi serving girl who called herself Snap, although everyone else seemed to call her Grape. He told her about the great Mirror Reaches, and the city of Rendar, leaving out the unpleasant parts for her young ears. He felt glad to finally have someone to talk to sincerely.
But all good things had to come to an end, and a crossing later it was time to go back to the Academy. Sadly, he made his way back up to Drasier, where the students would be spending their final weeks before heading up. They were supposed to write out their reports - but Tarek had different interests. He had taken particular interest in a certain southern spice called Wolf Cress, an ingredient he believed to have more potential than was currently found. It was used often in healing salves in the church he worked, because it had a soothing effect on those who came into contact with it. He sneakily worked on a small project, finding himself lying to his supervisors and hiding his true intentions. His spark of curiosity had been rekindled - he needed to know what he could find out. His research proved fruitful - but unfortunately, the amount of contact he had with the Wolf Cress led to a vicious addiction that he still hasn't been able to overcome.
As he finished his project, a great puff of green smoke began to emanate from the potion he had made, and a general haze filled the room. He felt a great amount of drowsiness come over him but managed to escape the room before he entirely fell asleep. As his supervisors ran to see what the smoke was, they inhaled it, and he watched as they slumped and fell into a deep slumber. Realizing how much trouble he was in, he grabbed everything he could and ran away into the city streets.
He didn't really know where he was going - part of him knew eventually he'd have to go back to the Academy. But before he could, a figure approached him, a Tabaxi wielding two swords. He explained that the young dragonborn had shown talent, that his organization had been watching him. How would Tarek like to forget his past life, and become one of the Blood Hunters of the Order of the Mutant? He doubted for a second, but realized soon his life was nothing to be proud of, and that this was a way to finally put his alchemical knowledge into something exciting. He accepted.
A year he spent, training amongst the order. His addiction was something he had to keep as a secret - a deep shame for his dependence on the drug formed within Tarek, as if he failed to take it for more than a few days his hands would start shaking and he would have fits of uncharacteristic rage. Slowly, Tarek began to find himself amongst the members of the Order. He found he could slowly let go of the indoctrination of the Church of Tiamat, training in the blade as well as a more intense level of alchemical substances. He learnt that the members of the Order were generally despised by the commonfolk, seen as almost just as dangerous as the monsters he hunted. But he knew with his newfound purpose he could finally be what he wanted to.
As his training came to a close, he travelled across Etherien, readying himself for a journey further north. As he went through a familiar small town, he saw a familiar face - Snap, the young Tabaxi from so long ago, spotted him from across the street. Glad to see each other, they spent the night talking about what had happened to them. He heard from her that the church she worked in had been disbanded for some reason, and he told her stories that carefully left out information he didn't want to share with her. To his surprise, the next morning she asked if he wanted to travel with her from now on, and he gladly accepted her offer - they headed northwards, towards adventure.
The pair made their way northwards, Tarek enjoying Snap's personality being completely different from his own. He enjoyed telling stories about his alchemical findings, and stories he heard, and Snap loved to listen to him ramble on. She seemed worried for him whenever he would use his blood magic, and did her best to take care of him. He, in exchange, fought fiercely, forming a strong bond with the girl. Days turned into weeks, and both of them became more and more capable. Tarek learned how to craft the concoctions he had learnt about in the Order, creating potions from the remains of creatures the pair had slain, as Snap learnt how to move through the land, becoming skilled with the art of the bow. They became more and more confident, despite both being terrible at interacting with other people, often frightening them off accidentally. They eleminated an infestation of giant disease-ridden rats, and helped a small tavern owner take care of some ruffians.
Now, Tarek and Snap headed northwards into the great mountain reaches of Folkmar, to see what other alchemical mysteries the cold climate would hold. Despite their strong bond, Tarek never told Snap about his addiction, or about his life in Rendar, afraid that she would resent him for his participation in slavery. He had been meaning to ask her for some time what drove Snap to such lengths to protect him, but was still too anxious to fully express how he felt.
His father ensured his son did well but was distant in other ways. He ensured he received private tutoring, and although Tarek wasn't a very bright kid, he definitely had an interest in the art of chemistry and alchemy. Hezire would be very busy with his slaving practice, however, often having various 'curiosities' amongst the slaves that he would focus all his attention on. By the age of 5, however, things started to change for Tarek when a tiefling slave called Lady Nemeia came into his father's life.
Lady Nemeia was a beautiful crimson-skinned woman, and her almost regal charms led his father to be obsessed with her. She was soon elevated from the rank of slave and came to be Hezire's wife. Almost immediately, Tarek noticed a difference in his father's disposition towards him - he was disciplined more, ordered to comply, and sent to attend more of the Rites of Tiamat that Tarek often neglected. Whenever his father would scold him, he could see the tiefling wife whisper into his ear, a sly smile on her face.
Frustrated and bored, Tarek attended the Rites, followed his orders, and lived his life. A lot of frustration and boredom arose in the hot-blooded dragonborn, as he thought the prayer was boring. Part of him also knew that the principles of Tiamat were wrong, were bad, but he knew never to show this doubt in his faith. Because of all these suppressed feelings, Tarek still often has trouble telling the difference between what he really wants and what is expected of him.
Not long after, his father and Nemeia sat him down to talk to him. He was being sent away, to an academy outside of Rendar. Tarek was enraged - why send him away to some commoner's academy? Why not just teach him properly, like he deserved? But when he spoke up, Lady Nemeia chastised him for speaking to his father with such disrespect. Hezire agreed, saying it would be good for Tarek's perceived insolence. Knowing that this was all Nemeia's doing, and angry that all his efforts hadn't been enough, Tarek lashed out, spitting acidic breath at the various expensive pieces of furniture in the house. He was quickly stopped by Hezire, who told him not to speak to him or his wife until he had become a better man.
Tarek was sullenly escorted to the Sesmonia Academy, below the Mirror Reaches far south from Rendar. Here he became quite depressed, unsure of what his path in life would be - he felt barely any connection to the teachers, to his peers, or to the subjects that were discussed. Even his passion for alchemy fell flat when he realized there was nothing he could actually do with his knowledge, other than explaining the theory. To make things worse, the teachers constantly kept a close eye on him for some reason, meaning he didn't even get to work on his own alchemical projects.
After a few years at the Sesmonia Academy, Tarek was sent with a group of students to learn about southern alchemical practices, and they went southwards under the strict eye of multiple supervisors. Again, he felt constant eyes on him, and all attempts to find exciting things were stopped by the vigilant teachers. He travelled long and far but never got to see as much as what he wanted to. His desire for freedom grew into a powerful wave of desperation.
Eventually, they arrived at their final destination - the great city of Drasier, capital of the Etherien Republic. Every student was assigned an alchemical task that would fill their time during the day, as part of their final assignment, and Tarek was sent to a small town south of the city called Villebramar, to aid a small church to Emrys there with their healing salve formulas. As he came here every day for a crossing, he felt his frozen heart thaw as he interacted with a young Tabaxi serving girl who called herself Snap, although everyone else seemed to call her Grape. He told her about the great Mirror Reaches, and the city of Rendar, leaving out the unpleasant parts for her young ears. He felt glad to finally have someone to talk to sincerely.
But all good things had to come to an end, and a crossing later it was time to go back to the Academy. Sadly, he made his way back up to Drasier, where the students would be spending their final weeks before heading up. They were supposed to write out their reports - but Tarek had different interests. He had taken particular interest in a certain southern spice called Wolf Cress, an ingredient he believed to have more potential than was currently found. It was used often in healing salves in the church he worked, because it had a soothing effect on those who came into contact with it. He sneakily worked on a small project, finding himself lying to his supervisors and hiding his true intentions. His spark of curiosity had been rekindled - he needed to know what he could find out. His research proved fruitful - but unfortunately, the amount of contact he had with the Wolf Cress led to a vicious addiction that he still hasn't been able to overcome.
As he finished his project, a great puff of green smoke began to emanate from the potion he had made, and a general haze filled the room. He felt a great amount of drowsiness come over him but managed to escape the room before he entirely fell asleep. As his supervisors ran to see what the smoke was, they inhaled it, and he watched as they slumped and fell into a deep slumber. Realizing how much trouble he was in, he grabbed everything he could and ran away into the city streets.
He didn't really know where he was going - part of him knew eventually he'd have to go back to the Academy. But before he could, a figure approached him, a Tabaxi wielding two swords. He explained that the young dragonborn had shown talent, that his organization had been watching him. How would Tarek like to forget his past life, and become one of the Blood Hunters of the Order of the Mutant? He doubted for a second, but realized soon his life was nothing to be proud of, and that this was a way to finally put his alchemical knowledge into something exciting. He accepted.
A year he spent, training amongst the order. His addiction was something he had to keep as a secret - a deep shame for his dependence on the drug formed within Tarek, as if he failed to take it for more than a few days his hands would start shaking and he would have fits of uncharacteristic rage. Slowly, Tarek began to find himself amongst the members of the Order. He found he could slowly let go of the indoctrination of the Church of Tiamat, training in the blade as well as a more intense level of alchemical substances. He learnt that the members of the Order were generally despised by the commonfolk, seen as almost just as dangerous as the monsters he hunted. But he knew with his newfound purpose he could finally be what he wanted to.
As his training came to a close, he travelled across Etherien, readying himself for a journey further north. As he went through a familiar small town, he saw a familiar face - Snap, the young Tabaxi from so long ago, spotted him from across the street. Glad to see each other, they spent the night talking about what had happened to them. He heard from her that the church she worked in had been disbanded for some reason, and he told her stories that carefully left out information he didn't want to share with her. To his surprise, the next morning she asked if he wanted to travel with her from now on, and he gladly accepted her offer - they headed northwards, towards adventure.
The pair made their way northwards, Tarek enjoying Snap's personality being completely different from his own. He enjoyed telling stories about his alchemical findings, and stories he heard, and Snap loved to listen to him ramble on. She seemed worried for him whenever he would use his blood magic, and did her best to take care of him. He, in exchange, fought fiercely, forming a strong bond with the girl. Days turned into weeks, and both of them became more and more capable. Tarek learned how to craft the concoctions he had learnt about in the Order, creating potions from the remains of creatures the pair had slain, as Snap learnt how to move through the land, becoming skilled with the art of the bow. They became more and more confident, despite both being terrible at interacting with other people, often frightening them off accidentally. They eleminated an infestation of giant disease-ridden rats, and helped a small tavern owner take care of some ruffians.
Now, Tarek and Snap headed northwards into the great mountain reaches of Folkmar, to see what other alchemical mysteries the cold climate would hold. Despite their strong bond, Tarek never told Snap about his addiction, or about his life in Rendar, afraid that she would resent him for his participation in slavery. He had been meaning to ask her for some time what drove Snap to such lengths to protect him, but was still too anxious to fully express how he felt.
Appearance
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Personality
The major events and journals in Tarekivien Crultel's history, from the beginning to today.
The list of amazing people following the adventures of Tarekivien Crultel.
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