Caelam Zefer Heartstone
Sensei Caelam Zefer Heartstone
" - Human. One of the first folk I’ve met in Vareholm. Seems to be a frequent source of conversation. Seems nice enough, certainly hits like a Roc. I’ll ensure he stays on my side through everything."
"You are strong, human."
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
As a former soldier and trained scout, Caelam is in excellent physical condition. He has a slim, though muscular, build suited for his more offensive form of swordplay. He is quick on his feet and relies more on his reflexes to avoid danger. He appears approximately eight years younger than his actual age may suggest due to the effects of a drink known as Clithni and his cursed Pallid Mask reducing his weight by fifteen pounds.
Body Features
Caelam is of average human height with somewhat messy, dark hair and lightly tanned skin.
Facial Features
While he appears young, his sharp, silver eyes betray his experiences and may appear somewhat disturbing to those who have not seen them before: His right eye appears normal but the sclera of his left eye is entirely black and the pupil emits a soft glow. A shallow scar runs across his left cheek and brow. His skin is somewhat weathered from his time on the road and short stubble graces his angular jawline.
Identifying Characteristics
He possesses a number of scars accumulated from living a life of battle. Of particular note is a large bite wound on his left shoulder, back, and chest that he received from a Nine-Headed Hydra.
Physical quirks
Though naturally favoring his right, Caelam is ambidextrous from training in the use of dual swords.
After replacing his left eye, he can no longer see color through it. This results in an odd dissonance when trying to see things through both eyes that he has been forced to adapt to.
Special abilities
When engaged in battle, Caelam is able to utilize his Fighting Spirit to focus his mind and strike with great accuracy as well as provide a surge of vitality that can keep him fighting despite grievous wounds. Continued use of this ability has heightened his senses and enabled him to maintain his vigilance even while out of combat; he can no longer be caught unawares. This ability synergizes well with his Aegis Armor, which is Blessed to further enhance his accuracy, focus, resolve, and defense. After implanting the Left Eye of the Duergar into himself, he has gained the ability to see in the dark and enlarge his body to double his strength, but at the cost of being unable to see color through his left eye. His Stormbringer Nodachi was enchanted by Pikyr, enabling it to steal the life force of his foes and use that to strengthen his own. This weapon was once again enhanced by the Powder Smith and combined with the legendary Storm Tamer. This has granted him the ability to control winds and throw blades of air. In an area where heavy winds are already present, he can even create an Investiture of Wind around himself, creating a defensive aura of wind and enabling him to fly. Though far more comfortable with a weapon in hand, Caelam is also a skilled practitioner of "Cobra Kai" karate for unarmed combat.
Apparel & Accessories
Has a preference for dark blues, grays, and browns. He normally wears a shabby, but comfortable, hooded tunic and dark slacks under a set of magical plate armor known as the "Aegis Armor". In the winter-time, he dons a thick Dire Wolf-skin cloak made from the creature he hunted for his Heartstone ritual. The hood of this cloak is formed from the creature's head and can be pulled down over his face as a mask. In addition, he has also received a Pallid Mask marked with a number "III" from the King in Yellow. This mask has since fused to his body and, while it cannot be removed, it can be shifted around, slightly, and it is normally positioned at an angle on the upper-left side of his head.
Caelam is normally seen with an arsenal of weapons: sheathed at his left hip are a white longsword known as "Demonslayer", forged for him by Taranis Sköll, and the remains of a black katana whose blade has been broken roughly in half. Across his back, he carries a black, jagged longsword formerly owned by Neris, his massive "Storm Tamer", Nodachi of Life-Stealing, and a magically enhanced longbow. A quiver filled with various types of arrows hangs from his right hip.
Specialized Equipment
Though he is well versed in the use of many weapons, he has a preference for swords. His preferred fighting style consists of a relentless assault with a blade in each hand, relying on multiple swift strikes to overwhelm his foe. During his time in Vareholm, however, he has managed to forge himself a legendary weapon: a nodachi. He has since taken to using the massive blade as his primary weapon. Caelam had also obtained a pair of bestial-looking gauntlets that grant him a boost of strength when worn, though it appears that the strength from this item has become permanent and he no longer needs the gauntlets to maintain the power.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Caelam hails from a small village on the coast known as Arkala. His father, a prestigious Kodenbushi, a legendary warrior, began teaching him in the way of the sword as soon as he was able to walk. When he came of age, he was sent to a military academy to further hone his skills.
Upon his graduation he returned home only to find his village in flames. He made his way into the burning remains of his home to find his parents lifeless bodies surrounded by those of unknown assailants. However, one still lived. Though heavily wounded, the sole survivor still managed to scar Caelam's face with a broken blade before fleeing.
Caelam attempted to track the assassin out of the village yet all traces simply vanished, save the remains of their weapon. Unable to identify the other assassins, Caelam left the smoldering remains of Arkala. With no home to return to and a broken sword as his only clue, he decided to try and find its owner and "return" it.
Sexuality
Heterosexual
Education
Caelam attended a military academy and has extensive knowledge of fighting techniques and battle tactics. He is a trained scout, proficient with infiltration and reconnaissance, and highly observant with an eye for maps, terrain, and directions. He maintains extensive records and notes and has proven himself a skilled linguist. He has become fluent in six full languages and even three dialects native to the land of Idriell.
Employment
Caelam has worked a number of odd jobs. After arriving in Vareholm, he made a living as a dockworker for a time, in addition to adventuring, until he was recruited by Jack Tillerman and Traains Weck to form SWAT. There he became a lead instructor, or "sensei", teaching the townspeople how to fight and fend for themselves. After meeting and beginning a relationship with Mirini Heartstone, she taught him how to hunt and skin all manner of beasts and the two purchased some land on the outskirts of the town on which they built a home and tannery which he has expanded upon over the years and now runs with the help of Kitarel Vesneyva. After helping several other adventurers learn to write and speak other languages, he volunteered to help Arias Dreisari teach at the Healsgood-Cato Public School. In addition, he has become a capable carpenter and often helps Jack with various projects and he has learned to brew various herbal potions and teas and provides these items to the town through The Consortium.
Accomplishments & Achievements
He dealt the killing blow against the Tanarukk guarding the Planar Prison, thus allowing his Demonslayer longsword to truly earn its name.
Managed to slay a fearsome Bone Devil with only eight strikes.
Forged the Stormbringer nodachi and had it enchanted by Pikyr.
Assisted Varan Themenor in defeating a Mind Flayer, liberating a group of kobolds who carved his likeness into the wall of their cave alongside the rest of his party.
Dealt the killing blow against Christo the White Dragon Knights.
Survived the Test in the caverns below the Kobold Cave.
Recieved the Nightstaff from Rillitar Xyrren as a reward from the Oshran army for assisting in defending the Sunken Fortress.
Slew an Ancient Red Dragon with the assistance of Arabella Aerywna in less than twelve seconds.
Defeated Connal, a massive and powerful fey warrior in the service of the King and Queen of the Wolves, during Langston's concert.
Dealt the killing blow against a mutated Drow Matron Mother during a battle in the throne room of the Duergar castle.
Defeated the "Son of Mystra", a god-killer that was completely immune to magic.
Failures & Embarrassments
Caelam failed to prevent his parents' murder and was bested in combat by their wounded killer. He carries the assassin's broken blade with him as both his only clue to the person's identity and whereabouts and as a reminder of this failure.
He failed to prevent the death of his beloved Mirini Heartstone and watched in horror as she was slain by a group of Sword Wraiths.
He also failed to save Ieara Biros from an ogre under the employ of the Storm Giant Orsuld that was scouting in the forests near Vareholm.
He was unable to save the satyr, Petros, when they were attacked by a flesh golem outfitted with a Delayed Fireball collar that detonated, trying desperately but failing to pull him out of the blast radius.
Most recently, while fighting a nest of baskilisks, he was fast enough to reach Sylhorn before the genasi was overwhelmed and slain.
Mental Trauma
After the deaths of Mirini Heartstone and Ieara Biros, Caelam has become much more overprotective of those he cares for.
Intellectual Characteristics
Though he is not a genius by any means, Caelam has received a formal education and has a knack for picking up new languages rather quickly. He is usually logical and pragmatic in most circumstances but can occasionally seem somewhat naive due to a sheltered upbringing.
Morality & Philosophy
Caelam follows a personal code of honor passed down from his father and his own brief time in the military. He will fight to protect those who cannot fight for themselves and has great respect for those who can prove their courage. He believes in helping others whenever possible and will strive to always uphold his word; if he says he will do something, it is as good as done.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Having witnessed the death of his parents, Caelam is hunting their murderer. Despite a lack of leads, he has managed to trace a trail that led him to Idriell. After meeting and getting to know Mona, he has also vowed to assist the tiefling in her quest. After her subsequent departure, Caelam is now working to strengthen himself even more so that he may be of more use to her as well as survive the journey to meet her in Ohst Lor. In addition, he has since become romantically involved with both Mirini Heartstone and Ieara Biros. He has sworn to help Mirini defeat the Storm Giant, Orsuld, and to help rebuild the Heartstone tribe with both her and Ieara.
Likes & Dislikes
Likes swords, fighting, and tea. Dislikes trapped doors and birds.
Virtues & Personality perks
Honorable, strong, alert, ambidextrous, perceptive
Personality Quirks
He has a tendency to bow to others, usually as a sign of respect or gratitude. Since the death of Mirini, he has developed a strange habit of talking to himself...seemingly speaking to her...
Hygiene
Caelam tries to stay relatively clean, though he is used to a life in the wilderness and doesn't mind going several days without a bath. His clothes are well-worn but mostly intact.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Kitarel Vesneyva - significant other
Vazhnyy - former ward
Vazhnyy - former ward
Family Ties
Buran Zefer - father (deceased)
Aella Zefer - mother (deceased)
Mirini Heartstone - claimed (deceased)
Ieara Biros - claimed (deceased)
Aella Zefer - mother (deceased)
Mirini Heartstone - claimed (deceased)
Ieara Biros - claimed (deceased)
Social Aptitude
Caelam is a somewhat quiet and reserved individual and can occasionally come across as awkward and naive when engaging with others, due to a lack of experience interacting with others.
Hobbies & Pets
Caelam has inherited the red fox, Boxxy, from Mirini, a as yet unnamed riding horse from Traains Weck, and a flying baby tiger shark with three red eyes arranged in a triangle that he has named "Akula". He has spent some time attempting to teach his fox to wield a dagger...
Speech
He is very polite in his speech and mannerisms and tries to address others by their official titles when possible.
Relationships
Wealth & Financial state
After the loss of his home and family, Caelam did not have much besides the pack on his back. He managed to scrape by through helping others and doing odd jobs along his journey. After his arrival in Vareholm, however, he has since accumulated a decent amount of coin from his many ventures beyond the Barrier and has become one of the wealthiest residents of the small town. He and Kitarel tend to not flaunt their wealth and live in a modest home on the northern outskirts of Vareholm.
Alignment
Lawful Good
Species
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Master Sensei
Galahad
Galahad
Year of Birth
215
40 Years old
Birthplace
Arkala
Spouses
Kitarel Vesneyva
(Significant Other)
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Gender
Male
Eyes
Silver
Hair
Black
Height
5'10"
Weight
155
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Ruled Locations
Dreams of Ivory
16th of Snowmoot, 240
AAR for "Dreams of Ivory" (3/2/18)
Caelam stumbles into Galloran's Hearth and collapses onto the nearest table. He is drenched in sweat and dirt and blood, his breathing labored.
"Water!" he manages to croak out. "Please!"
A tankard is placed before him and he downs it with some difficulty, choking a little between gulps. He sets the empty container down heavily and closes his eyes for a few seconds, focusing on slowing his breathing. He regains his composure somewhat and relaxes into his seat.
"It took Kaecil," he sighs. "We went out a few days ago to help him gather some pearls. He said the spellcasters around here needed them to help them identify arcane objects. Myself, Wesley, Taur, and Irhtos agreed to assist him but we couldn't save him from that...that...monster of a bird.
"It began simply enough. We traveled a few miles east along the coast and Taur's dog sniffed out suitable location. We set up camp and managed to dig up a decent amount of clams, but no pearls. And then, we saw it..."
He takes a moment to steady his breathing again. "It was massive. Bigger than any creature I'd ever seen. A roc, they called it. It dove straight into the ocean and burst out back into the sky with a fully grown shark in its grasp."
He shakes his head as if still in disbelief, "That should've been a sign, a warning, right there to turn back. Yet, we simply retreated into our shelter as it passed us by. We continued on due east for the next few days, stopping each day to camp and search. We managed to dig up plenty of shellfish but only found 4 pearls and only 1 that was suitable for use by the spellcasters.
"Faced our fair share of challenges though, almost all in the last 2 days of the quest. We were turned around while passing through a wooded area and nearly cornered by a pack of wolves. Though Kaecil was heavily wounded, Wesley and I kept them off him as Irhtos conjured some kind of skeletal hand to claw at them from a distance. Between us slaying a number of them and Taur's threats we managed to drive off the pack and tend to Kaecil.
"A small group of fish-men came to investigate our camp that evening but Irhtos noticed their approach and they were swiftly dispatched. When Wesley and I went to dispose of the bodies...get that awful stench away from our camp...we may have alerted a large group of goblins to our presence. Luckily, I heard them sneaking around our shelter later that evening and alerted the others. While they managed to take down Taur and his pup since he was not able to don his armor in time, the rest of us were able to spread out and take defensive positions in the surrounding wilderness. We slew them all and revived our allies. This was in no small part due to Kaecil's magic being able to sleep and burn whole swaths of our foes at once and Wesley's shear speed and skill with blade and fist. Damn...that man is fast."
Caelam sighs once more, "After that evening we decided to head back. Several miles out from the barrier is where we saw him. Wesley spotted him first...an orc druid or shaman of sorts. It wore furs adorned with bones...antlers upon its head. It held a staff with some sort of bird skull strapped to the top. On its arm was a symbol...a large, yellow eye. It simply stood on the beach staring out towards the water at a bird in the distance. We wait a bit...waiting to see if the orc would move on. None of us were ready to start another fight.
"Then we notice the bird approaching. It's figure growing as it gets closer. As the realization dawns upon us, Wesley begins to panic. He tries to lead us around the orc and its beast but both have us in their sights! Kaecil and Irhtos shout we need to hide and Taur spots a cave nearby. We scramble into it just before the gigantic bird crashes down outside. Though we hear the beast and the orc tearing through the foliage outside for a short time before flying off again, we stay in the cave an extra hour or so to be safe. Then we run back to town. A hundred feet out, Kaecil...he notices the orc sitting above the cave we'd just left. He gives our foe a small wave as a sign of respect.
"It just...laughs at us."
"We hear it coming for us, a great 'whooshing' noise above the tree tops. We pick up the pace and make a mad dash for the barrier. Wesley shouts at us to hand him the valuables as he is quicker than us...he could at least ensure the journey was not for naught. We don't have time to argue. We pass him the loot."
Caelam shakes his head again, "Damn...that man is fast. He makes it into the barrier well ahead of the rest of us and screams for help. Meanwhile, the bird crashes into the ground beside the rest of us, raking the dirt with its massive talons before shooting back...up into the air. The orc bastard...he was riding it, laughing his head off as he toyed with us. We keep moving...sprinting for town. Kaecil moves ahead of us.
"Then he trips. The creature is on him in a flash, screeching down from the heavens in an explosion of dust and dirt! He is knocked unconscious from the impact but Taur...he manages to quickly rouse Kaecil with a word. Yet, we cannot stop the beast from flying off with our ally.
"The three of us...we make it into the barrier in time to witness the top of the Hearth split open. Evander...he's there at the controls of a giant siege weapon, a ballista. He fires bolt after bolt at the creature in an attempt to bring it down. Myself and several other adventurers join in...with our bows as Sir Boaz charges out upon his steed.
Caelam's head bobs for a second. "The creatures grip...it falters and Kaecil falls to the ground yet...somehow...slows his descent just before impact.
"But...that damned orc...and its bird! It...follows poor Kaecil to the ground...and snatches him up once again. It quickly...moves out of range of our weapons... We need to...save him..."
Sheer exhaustion finally takes its toll on the young warrior. His consciousness fades and he collapses in his seat.
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