Lazul Paz
The Noble Lazul Capal Paz
Lazul is a young, up-and-coming diplomat for the Cyanni. As a relative to the current Queen, Kivas Callos (who currently has no children), he is approximately 19th in line to the throne. He is known for a number of recent diplomatic achievements that have greatly benefited the Cyanni, though he is a target of contempt by much of the known world, and has a friendly outward demeanor.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Lazul, while a worker for the cause of diplomacy and peace, hasn't neglected his physical abilities. His strength is above average, he regularly works out, his agility is nothing to sneeze at, and as is standard among his culture he is an expert with the Cyanni longbow.
Specialized Equipment
Lazul (like almost everyone in Avanima) has at least decent understanding of how to use a number of weapons. If possible he always prefers short-swords, infantry sabers, rapiers, and his custom-fashioned longbow. He is also capable of using metal armor while in flight (but he prefers gambeson and leather).
Mental characteristics
Personal history
I was born with many privileges. Yet only when I saw the suffering and despair of those who had nothing did I realize that my greatest privilege was the power to help them.Lazul was born during what is perhaps one of the worst economic periods in Cyanni history since the Cyanni War. Even as an aristocrat in the upper echelons of society, he witnessed firsthand the troubles the country faced. During this trying time, Lazul became good friends with the twin son and daughter of a family servant. They knew each other for multiple years before, when he was only eight, the entire family came down with Soul Sickness due to contamination in the kingdom's food supply. Lazul was in the room when his childhood friend, who was soon followed by most of that family, transformed into Apogees and had to be put down. The daughter, Allie Paz was adopted into the Paz family after the epidemic of soul sickness had swept through the nation that summer, and famine plagued the winter that followed. Though among the wealthiest families in Cyanni, the Paz were still affected by the rationing and starvation. Lazul was too young to understand most of what was going on, but the horror of that year sank into his nightmares and one fact stuck in his mind: when the Cyanni requested aid from the Treaty of Passaran, they received nothing. Only the Altowood and Jasani provided any help in these two crises.
Education
Like most members of the Aristocracy, Lazul was given private schooling at one of the caste nurseries since his youth. Though he recieved benefits from his family standing that influenced how he was taught he still had to earn his way into his caste. This required his success in a number of challenges and exercises that pushed his abilities to their limit. He became interested in diplomacy after one of these exams, in which he and a few other students took a wilderness survival trip in some of the savannahs of northwest Kinavi. They encountered a tribe among the Morcoran Confederacy with a culture that fascinated him, including tribesmen who openly practiced dark magic. Any chance he got Lazul began to beg his parents to take trips down into this remote and fascinating area, interacting frequently with the natural life of the region and a few of the local societies.
Accomplishments & Achievements
They claim these tribes are savages. Yet, they also say us Cyanni are savages. If we are equally savage, why should we hesitate to work with them?This education from frequent visits into the 'savage' areas of the world quickly brought what Lazul considers his greatest achievement: his friendship with Kadrisa Lrevgm. She is a tribe-witch a few years younger than him who wanted to explore more of the world than just her tribe. Though she can get a little intense and openly practices Dark Magic, which is illegal in most countries, Lazul likes her a lot (in a brotherly, non-romantic way, Lazul would like to add). After a few years of them being friends Kadrisa began to come with him on his travels, and when he officially began work as a diplomat she became one of his most trusted assistants. This paved the way for another of Lazul's most recognizable political achievements: the Cyanni-Confederate deal. Because of his family's friendly ties with the cultures of Northwest Kinavi, Lazul was assigned to be a minor part of the delegation to propose trading arrangements and mining rights. However, with his unique perspective and connections Lazul, only sixteen at the time, became a major part in securing a deal that benefited both sides of the arrangement. It granted the kingdom of Cyanni sole access to a number of resources unique to this region of the continent, giving them economic leverage that they hadn't had in centuries. After this clear and unparalleled success on the six-month expedition, Lazul became the bird of choice for a new mission made possible by the economic growth: rediscovering the lost continents (Azin and Kahdro). He, Kadrisa, and a number of other Cyanni set sail in deep-ocean vessels to be the first in decades to cross the sea. They ended up landing far south of their intended destination, but this happy accident led to their discovery of the Terazin and their capital city, Terazi. With some common basis of language due to cultural diffusion from the lost northern colonies, Lazul spearheaded an effort to learn more about their culture and establish friendly relations. Over the course of the past 4 years, he has gone back and forth between his homeland and Azin to engage in these once-in-a-lifetime negotiations. These are heralded by many among the Cyanni as game-changing advantages that will help their downtrodden country finally break free of its decades of suffering.
Legacy (so far)
They may deride and hate me for what we are doing, but they got their chances to help and they refused. Now, they are angry that we are finally helping ourselves.With this impressive record as a diplomat, Lazul has become a well-respected individual among his caste and the Cyanni in general. Their economy has been on the improvement and a new political trend towards defying the Treaty of Passaran has grown within the government, inspired by these recent successes. His actions have seemingly emboldened even the Queen herself to take actions unheard of just a few years ago. Thus, he has also become a target of derision among anti-Cyanni members of the other kingdoms. In particular the Olaran warn that Avani like Lazul are an indication of undercurrents of extreme Cyanni nationalism that will inevitably lead to a second Cyanni War. Lazul's next step in his diplomatic path will perhaps have the largest impact on the current world order: an establishment of friendly relations and even (potentially) a trade deal with the Jasani. Rumor has it he could end up permanently in charge of an embassy in their capital. If successful, these negotiations could seriously benefit Cyanni and would signify an alliance between two of the biggest enemies to the Treaty nations. However, Lazul cares less about these diplomatic ramifications than how much it would help the citizens of Cyanni who suffer under the lack of resources and near-universal embargo.
Intellectual Characteristics
Lazul, though he frequently reminds people he is only of average intelligence (and tests have proved it), is very knowledgable and wiser than his years would indicate. He is learned in history and magic and has a decent bit of experience in the natural world. In the right environments he can locate food and track any foe he might be searching for.
Personality Characteristics
Vices & Personality flaws
Though he is generally regarded as friendly and cheerful, Lazul hides a bitter side to him that resents the suffering his nation has gone through. He can also be quite stubborn.
Personality Quirks
Likes to hum and whistle, even in the most dreary of circumstances.
Social
Social Aptitude
Curiously for his career choice, Lazul isn't any better at speaking than the average populace. He just has a perceptive mind that can press just the right buttons to persuade someone to his worldview. Curtsey of his physical stature, though weaker than the average Cyanni, he can be very intimidating to the average race of avani. However, this is a tactic he uses sparingly: he prefers to woo individuals with his charm and sincerity.
Relationships
History
These two met very recently, at the Summit between the Cyanni and Jasani, and so don't know each other that well. However, after the events of the summit they have to work together if they want to prevent the world from descending into war.
Shared Acquaintances
They both know Kadrisa and Soren's parents
History
Kadrisa and Lazul met when, after tragedies overwhelmed the Cyanni kingdom, the young noble began to make frequent trips to Northwest Kinavi. As kids they used to frequently play in the swamps and savannahs near Lake Talahoe, and eventually she began to accompany him back to Cyanni and on his travels. By the current date, they've known each other for over six years. Lazul frequently confides in her and has no problem with the fact that she is undead and frequently uses dark magic. However, she keeps certain secrets about herself from him, and neither of them are truly honest about the relationship they have with each other.
by jmcninja
A stylized portrait of Lazul Paz
RaceCyanni
Known Languages
As a skill that is essentially required for a diplomat, Lazul knows a number of languages: his native Cyani, Chitterup, Kish, Azin, and Arkosian. Kish is one he picked up from Kadrisa, while he learned Azin while exploring the southern continent.
Species
Year of Birth
442
19 Years old
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Gender
Male
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White chest and stomach with blue feathers covering the rest of his body and a black ring around his neck. His arms and legs are obsidian black.
Height
4.8 spans
Weight
48 flaps
Aligned Organization
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1. I was expecting a comic relief article from the art, which is a bad assumption on my part. Having been prepared for something extremely light hearted, I was surprised with a very serious, well written narrative. 2. The quotes from Lazul are very well done. They give a really good idea of why someone would have listened to him. He took the label of a savage and ran with it. That is a very powerful move, and clearly, it worked! 3. I like they way the text has little references to what he would say, like the mention that his relationship with Kadrisa is strictly platonic. It's a very sweet detail.
Thank you for the compliments! I'll need to make sure to keep using these techniques in the future.