Daren Valhaikor

[darkwulf365]

Daren Valhaikor Level 20 (Over 2 million until level 21)  Original Submission  Development Thread.  A large man sits at a desk, a few assorted candles light his face as he pours over a stack of parchments.  Scribbling a few notes here, scratching out others there, frowning with absolute concentration at a word or phrase before turning to a large bound volume of words that some would call a dictionary.  He hoped that one day he could turn this mass of parchment and scribbled notes into a book.  A book of his life's accomplishments, and also of his failures and shortcomings.  He has planned this as a gift for his daughter Sharyn', possibly others if they ever cared to read it.  She was a good girl to be sure, but he wanted something to let her know the mistakes he had made, to try and keep her from repeating them.  To let her know how he had grown, to let her know that the person she may hear about and the person he really is are not the same.  As he thumbs absently through the pages, he runs his free hand along the side of his face.  Tracing the remains of a long jagged scar that he received while captive in the underdark as his eyes search the pages of the dictionary, looking for the perfect word.    Minutes pass, and he runs his hands through his blue black hair that is now peppered with the silvery streaks that accompany increasing age.  More a gesture of tiredness then irritation, he closes the dictionary with a frown and then a sigh.  He would have to settle for asking his wife in the morning, it was getting far too late, and there would be chores for certain come daybreak.  After carefully arranging the parchments he had been attempting to  write upon, he stood, carefully blowing out the lamps. Checking the front door and the fireplace one last time he headed toward the back of the house.  Stopping by his daughter’s room, he peeked in to make sure all was well.  Sleeping soundly, and snoring lightly (she was indeed her father’s daughter in that respect at least), tangled up in her blankets.  He closed the door as quietly as he could, with a loving smile on his face.  Whispering an almost silent prayer of thanks and protection to Az’atta, he opened the door to his bedroom.  Creeping in between the covers, and draping an arm around Jil.  Taking in a deep breath, he had time to wonder how she always smelled so nice.  He closed his eyes, laying there quietly for a long moment.  Dancing upon the edge between sleep and conciousness, the place where all the good thoughts lay, only to be forgotten upon awakening.    He had to inwardly smile at how strange life could be at times.  The strange twists and turns that are destiny certainly had a way of catching one unawares.  Coming from absolutely nothing, fighting all over the world in what had to be one of the longest wars in history.  Marrying the most wonderful person in Layonara, and having a beautiful daughter.  He did have to chuckle a bit, thinking he may be just a bit biased however.    Thinking back, he had come to the conclusion that he had Az’atta to thank for this more then anything.  Good intentions may pave the road to the hells, but all of his accomplishments…his mistakes even, were motivated by love.  Love of his goddess, love of his life, and the lives of those around him, his family, his friends, even for all of the intermittent passers by in the streets.  He had to admit, even Az’atta had to appreciate the irony of him.  Even if his methods were unconventional, at least he hoped She would understand that he always tried his best to act with Her ideals in mind.  He believed that peace was something that sometimes had to be fought for.  Violence just wasn't the end and the answer to every problem, now to just convince the millions of people in Layonara.  Inwardly he laughed, thinking that should only take a thousand years or so.  His interior smile widened, he thought that now he felt complete…well, mostly complete anyways, still a few rough edges to shave off, another few centuries of work for that.  Too much to do and not nearly enough time in his life to…the smile faded, and he hugged Jil tighter to him, the fearful realization of elves and comparative lifespans slowly sinking in again. Best not to think of such things.  He knew what he was doing when he married her, better to just enjoy the time he had with her while he could.  He didn’t feel any signs of incipent mortality creeping up on him, but still, he knew that even another fifty years wouldn’t be long enough to spend with her.  He sighed quietly, holding his wife, eyes open for another few hours before his mind could quiet enough to let him sleep another troubled night away.  Major events in Daren’s life:  While I only use four examples here, there have been numerous plot quests, and other world altering series events that Daren has been part of.  I’ve omitted them due to the fact that they speak of only heroic deeds, and would not help indicate the type of WL I envision Daren becoming.  Bloodstone’s Siege of Velensk/Daren’s wedding - Daren fought in this battle, which incidently lead right into his marriage at Rondora Lake.  One of first to be in the thick of the battle, and also one of the last to fall.  This was probably the last showing of the original warlike, violent side of Daren’s nature.  His life took a major turn only a few (RL) hours later after his wedding to Jilseponie Wyndon was complete.  This was probably the first instance that really illustrated the duality that is Daren, the fierce warrior for good on one hand, and the beginnings of the loving, caring family man he would become on the other.  Ael Rynthien’s CDQ – Daren’s role as the only (at that time) cleric of Az’atta was a fairly important one to the success of this quest, all the way back to it’s roots with Kayla Warcrest.  Although the nature of the quest(s) kept him in more of a secondary role, he was fairly vocal and did try to advise the party as much as he was able to.  The series reached it’s culmination with Daren fighting drow warriors of Ca’Duz at the gates of their temple, killing many in order to rescue Aylahadratha.  This seemingly victorious battle left a sour taste in his mouth as he gained the realization that of all things, Az’atta does not wish for war and violence to be the first means toward any end.  The Orb and the Lich - This series started out innocently, then started to revolve around Daren, all because he was the only one brave/stupid enough to pick up that silly orb.  It ended up becoming pretty much the finishing touches on what he is now.  He came out of Cezene’Tolan scarred, beaten and battered, but his faith was unshaken if not made even more solid.  Literally scarred for life by a Ca’Duzite priest while being tortured.  Learning to rely on his faith, and the realization that strength doesn’t always have to come from your arm or a weapon.  The Silent War - Dealing with the corruption in Fort Velensk, the Mistone Alliance and within the temple of Rofirein.  Not letting the relationship between Rofirein and Az’atta become an issue, he helped end the corruption, and in the process earned the respect if not friendship of Kobal Bluntaxe and Jennara Creekskipper.  Thus began his thinking that different faiths were not hurdles to be overcome just bridges to be crossed until a comprimising solution could be found.  Daren has grown a lot since inception, although he is by no means perfect.  Throughout his existance his faith has been a constant influence until he has now found something he believes fits within the bounds of his own personality and the dogma of his goddess.  In a sense, he’s become something of a Paladin or Champion of Az’atta.  As a World Leader I would view him as the martial arm of the Az’attite church who is able to use his prowess to promote peace throughout the world as well as words, blessings and diplomacy.  That’s the first part, the second part being, he is acutely aware of the difference between humans and elves.  As such, he would like to earn Az’atta’s favor so that she may grant him the longevity to be with his wife until the end of their days.  He would use this time to guide and protect his family and the world he has come to love so much.  Although he is not one to ask Az’atta for favors, he would do whatever it takes to gain this one from her.  Daren is also not involved very much with church politics, it’s day to day workings and dealings with the public (He feels there are others far more qualified and intelligent then himself), I think that this would be a good way to round him off as a character (smooth off those rough edges as he thinks it) and the way in which he would gain Az’atta’s grace.

[darkwulf365]

*As politely as possible for such an act...bump*

[Leanthar]

Sorry it took so long. You are approved. Please grab a GM but keep in mind the long lines. You may continue to level as normal.

[regnus]

Picked up, planned, will run after Ael's is finished.