Theryn

[Pippa]

UPDATE NEWS:
February 17: Updated the media section. Wandering around on various costume sites (where I have no business at all, since I don't larp and won't give that kind of money to something I can't wear out on the street... sigh), I stumbled across these pictures. Some nice stuff they got there, btw.
January 20: Totally forgot to mention I updated the media section with some folk/filk music. Enjoy!
August 19: Seeing I was lagging behind some in the pictures section, I threw in the latest batch of character art as well. You've probably seen those in other places already, but it can never hurt to have them all in one place!
June 1: New update in the Media Section. No, I won't tell, you'll have to see for yourself!
May 31: I made a post for Theryn's Accomplishments, for when Bob needs to hand out Life Points. See post # 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Post # 2. Theryn's character sheet
- basic info and stats
- looks and personality (in short)
- occupations
- relations
- possessions of note (includes artifacts and magic items that he hands out to followers)
--> Blue Hope stats (I don't know if I got everything right, but I'm a newb so there you are)

Post #3. Servants and Followers

Post #4. Pictures

Post #5. Fiction (not a whole lot, though)

Post # 6. Assorted Media

Post # 7. Theryn's Accomplishments

[Pippa]

Theryn
Alignment: LG
Rank: 4 (Eternal)
Portfolio: Loyalty, Nobility, Healing
Home Plane: Palidanea -Infinite Plane of Light. (Upper Realms, I assume. Look for the exuberantly large mansion.)
Holy symbol: wreath of bay laurel

Worshippers: nobles, healers,... knights? The historical kind though, not the Prestige Class specifically.
Domains:
Favoured Weapon: two-handed sword
Career Paths: Holy Adept 26, Paragon 9

Life Points - _. (8 Means Level-up!)

Standard Divine attributes:
Cosmic Nodes: 0 (how 's that for a nice, round number?)
Divine Points (max): 20 minus 10 (artifact cost), (currently: 10)
Divine Talents: Healing (2 points), Knowledge: 'civics' (1 point), Muse (1 point)

"A noble's worth is only as much as he gives, not what he has – promote virtue and lead by example. Forge connections and cement them with loyalty – stand as one against Evil and corruption. Whose word is given but broken is undeserving of another's. Lastly, and most importantly: mend any evil and each and any wound, be it physical or spiritual, or it will fester and grow beyond hope of restoration. This is Theryn's law."

Statistics:
STR: 7 (5+2)
DEX: 8 (5+3)
CON: 7 (5+2)
INT: 10 (5+5)
WIS: 9 (5+4)
CHA: 13 (5+8)

Hit points: 673 (rank x 50 = 200, + CON X char level = 7 x 35 = 245, + 9 levels paragon = 72 + 22 levels holy adept = 156)
(Currently: 673)

Initiative: +25 (half level plus DEX), 27 when wielding Blue Hope

Damage Reduction: 24/+4
Spell resistance: 24

DEFENSE ARRAY
(Casual garb: Theryn wears bracers of Natural Armor, and of course his sword and cloak too.)
DEF: 49 (10+4+8+8 for Bracers of natural armor +17 for level +2 for cloak) +2=51 when wielding Blue Hope
DEF (CON): 38 (10+4+7 +17 for level) +2 cloak = 40
DEF (DEX): 39 (10+4+8 +17 for level) +2 cloak = 41
DEF (WIS): 40 (10+4+9 +17 for level) +2 cloak = 42
(Combat garb - yet to come!)

OFFENCE

Power Attack (Primary = Holy Adept powers): (+9 WIS +35 for level)= 44

Power Attack (Secondary = Paragon powers): +5 (Blue Hope) +7 STR +17 for level) = 29
4 attacks per round.
Damage based on target type, minimum 7 + 7 STR +5 weapon = 19

Looks and personality:
Theryn is (usually) dark-haired and bright-eyed, his shoulder-long locks framing a slim, angular face. Appearing exclusively in luxurious and ornate garments, making sure to look smart on each occasion – including in battle, Theryn is easily mistaken for a spoiled dandy.
The truth is Theryn enjoys things of beauty and amasses fine works of art and craft in the lofty halls of his home, not forgetting to share this wealth with others, effectively propagating the Arts.
As generous as he is though, Theryn keeps much of his thoughts and emotions for himself, and it needs a very gross insult to provoke the young nobleman and spoil his calm and pleasant demeanour.

Occupations:
Theryn has been guiding nobility to use their resources and influence to inspire greatness in others, and fend of the forces of Evil when they present themselves. Among his favourites are both the Therylaubar, or Oathknights that travel the Addican Empire to organise people into civilian military forces when facing conflict, leading them in battle, and the men and women of the Hospital Founders.
Wanting to live up to expectations (being the son of his father), working hard to inspire and organise his worshippers into an effective force of Good in the mortal realms, Theryn can't enjoy the spoils of his position as much as he would want to. He has a passionate love for fast horses however, and any sport that involves them.

Relations:
Theryn is the son of Adgerin the Infinitar who chose Jahweh above Mitra, denying worship, and of Shaesa, goddess of Charity and Children. Theryn's mother had followed her husband to Bytopia, but returned with her son to Palidanea after Adgerin refused to be worshipped any longer. Though Theryn still resides there, he hasn't severed his ties with his father and the two visit one another often.
Theryn maintains a warm friendship with Taarna and Ellesar among others. Being someone who first tries to solve problems through diplomacy, Theryn prefers not to meddle more with any of the evil gods than he has to for fear of ruining future negotiations in advance, although he can't help but dislike Ariam, personification of Jealousy and Corruption with a passion.

Possessions of note:
- 'Ivory Cloak of Theryn': this big, flowing cloak protects its wearer in combat and from certain harmful elements. As a bonus, it can double as a blanket for the wounded - the Healing god has seen to it that whoever wears the Ivory Cloak will see his injuries slowly and steadily disappear. Theryn also provides followers that have distinguished themselves with lesser variants of the Ivory Cloak: these only have the regenerating ability, and are handed out to both warriors and healers.
- 'Bay Laurel Signet Rings' are another kind of gift from Theryn to his faithful. These allow their owners to communicate with one another over quite a distance - making quick, coördinated decisions possible. The various devisions of the Oathknights, for example, have put these gifts to good use on many an occasion.
- 'Blue Hope', the product of the joint efforts of Theryn and his father Adgerin, is a splendid two-handed sword made from blue steel - its grip is adorned with silver and cobalt-blue bands, and its pommel sports a sapphire the size of a dove's egg. The sword has been infused with intelligence, its personality a copy of that of a planetar who has perished in Theryn's service.
Only recently finished, Theryn has not yet been able to try it out in combat, although it's certain that it's going to be an unusual and magnificent weapon, given the time father and son spent on its creation.

Statistics for Blue Hope:
Blue Hope is a +5 Holy, Merciful, Healing Burst Keen intelligent two-handed (great-)sword that knows a neat trick.
Damage: 7.
7 more if the target has betrayed another or attempted to slay an aristrocrat within a number of days equal to the Theryn's divine rank (4).
All damage becomes nonlethal if desired (merciful).
Blue Hope boosts Theryn's awareness, granting a +2 DEF and +2 Initiative.
Crit range: 18-20; only half of the DP spent on the attack is lost on a critcal hit.
Healing Burst is an artifact power and is considered a complex Talent, meaning that it only refreshes once per day. The wielder can use it a number of times equal to 1/2 his divine rank per day upon successful hits (max. 1x per round, recharges once per day when one gets his other casting powers back. Heals 20 points to 1 ally per divine rank) It's the wielder's choice whether he activates the power or not.
Neat trick: now what could this be?
DP cost: 5+2 for trick

Statistics for (Greater) Ivory Cloak of Theryn:
+2 Defense Array
- Heals a number of hit points equal to the wearer's faith per hour. If an evil creature wears the cloak, it acts as a normal cloak, though Theryn can override this and allow it to heal the creature, if he so chooses. (When Theryn wears the cloak, it heals him at a rate of 30 points per hour).
- Removes 1 additional effect per day worn (from most severe to least, including poison, disease and insanity.
- A dying creature wearing this cloak immediately becomes stable.
DP cost: 3

Statistics for Lesser Ivory Cloak of Theryn (greater magic item):
- Heals a number of hit points equal to the wearer's faith per hour (1/2 this amount if tainted).
- Removes 1 additional effect per day worn (from most severe to least, including mundane poisons and natural diseases and insanity (supernatural poisons or diseases require an additional day each, though in all cases, such conditions do not worsen while the cloak is worn).
- A dying creature wearing this cloak immediately becomes stable.
- If an evil creature wears the cloak, it acts as a normal cloak.

[Pippa]

In alphabetical order:

Alathon - dragonspawn paladin tasked with exploring the Southern Kingdoms. Recently incarcerated in a Keldek dungeon as a result of Theryn's decision to not cure an evil burocrat unless the patient first repented, Alathon had been lured to Shroud by Poisyn, and was possessed by a fragment of the spirit of Zool, the Illuminari. As dead as a doornail now.
Andrira - Matron of the Hospital Founders, like her mother and grandmother before her. Having no headquarters, all Hospital Founders including the aging Andrira travel the land in parties, starting up houses of healing or acting as medics in local armies, maintaining contact with other Founders through magical signet rings.
Barrilei - Rothan captain of the skybarge 'HLS Timely Arrival'. Has a love for big amounts of G-force.
Deleron - Not an actual folower of Theryn, but of Kane. As a guest, this high elven Holy Adept is Kane's eyes and ears in the Healer's realm, and a way for Theryn to keep a line open for the God of War.
Edaniël - Servant Theryn calls 'his most skilled Adept'. Around the mansion, Edaniël tends to the sick pilgrims that come there, but sometimes Theryn needs him in the field.
Emylia - Divinal minotaur midwife, recently bombarded to wetnurse of the child found on Palidanea's borders. Isn't allowed to leave the mansion's protecting walls for the time being.
Fenriël – planetar who fell in battle; Blue Hope has a copy of his psyche for a personality. Twin brother of Seraphan.
Gamus – centaur (wears shiny platemail). Centaurs make up for the majority of the guards that patrol the grounds of Theryn's home, and Gamus is one of them. It takes a swift quadruped or someone on the wing to quickly get from one place to another in the vast gardens that compose Theryn's domain.
Jerymus - young human paladin almost ending up as zombie dinner back in the Draegaran desert. Currently, Jerymus is on an expedition to find out why there is such a concentration of undead in the area.
Lodemai – female aasimar courier - brought Theryn the little babe that was found near the borders of Palidanea, after Kane dealt with the jormunder there. She is now being sent to Kane's domain.
Loswyn – assistant in watching the mortal realms via the 'Mirror to Worlds', doing a great job.
Seraphan - planetar, since Fenriël's death Theryn's only squire in battle. Seraphan is also Theryn's trusted bodyguard - with magic to make him invisible and guide his enchanted ammunition, this eagle-eyed sharpshooter is not to be underestimated. Current occupation is gaurding Emylia and her charge, Mabon.
Torsdan - senior Oathknight; all Oathknights are of equal rank once they have pledged, but in discussing matters the longest serving knight's vote is given the most weight.

[Pippa]

Pictures!

Firstly, the sword:
The way it looks now, I'm considering putting a crystal shard in the flattened part of the blade right below the guard, replacing that part I had really difficulties with giving it the right color and lighting. Just considering, mind you though - I don't want the sword to become too complicated-looking - I like its simplicity so far, even though I don't seem to succeed at making it look as big as I imagined it to be.



I've also been (and still am) working on something with a bit more action in it. I wanted a situation where I could show some emotion, and started out with Theryn on a charging horse - I changed things as I kept thinking of other situations, so now there's a dead horse below Theryn's feet that he's using as an improvised little barricade in his 'final stance' sort of thing that he's got going on. Might never happen but I don't really mind.
If you can't see a horse, that's because I'm ony posting a fragment I'm happy with of the work in progress yet... If people have an idea for the kind of threat he's facing (demons, skelettons, you name it), suggestions are welcome since I can't seem to make up my mind about it.




... Okay I tossed away the work in progress - here's the finished version (scaled down - the original is twice this size)! Got me a couple of very good comments on this one so I'm more than happy to present this to y'all here. Photoshop, tablet, small brush strokes with opacity varying between 10-50% to make it look really traditional and artsy. Originally I wanted to put handwriting in the top half with some significant quote or other (and I found a couple of lovely candidates), but this made it look like a movie star autographed photo, and though funny this wasn't what I was going for. Hence, make up your own words of wisdom to go with the picture (or try googling quotes).
Anyway, I like this technique and might do more of this kind of thing in the future. Unless I've set my mind on walking the path of experiment again by then.




Who'd have known! I liked the way Corax talks so here he is again. I took the liberty of making him grin - after all, when you're having a good chat with people, you smile every now and then, right? I guess for a god of Murder this is as good as it gets. I finally got to finish him - his picture, I mean. Enjoy!



As for the pencil sketches. People may or may not have heard, but I'm working in Antwerp for the time being, which means I have some time on the train at my disposal for pencil sketching. It's not going as smooth as I had wanted it to be, trains not always being the most stable of workingplaces, and especially at six o'clock things tend to get crowded. But when I have room to wiggle my elbows, here's what comes of it.
Of course, the legionaires may not be entirely as their players or gamemaster imagined them to be, and I never read full descriptions either. I only knew Lazaress was quite tall, and I'm assuming Theryn takes a little to his dad. I don't even know for sure that Fairwing is fair, to name one thing.
Nevertheless, here they are, first the initial sketch that started to get smudgy so I abandoned it - by that time I heard Lazaress was much taller too, and second is the new sketch, just faces though.
(I included the links to Photobucket, as I had to post sized-down versions of both pictures.)


Link: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/annemiethijs/Legion_firstdraft.jpg


Link: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/annemiethijs/Legion01.jpg

In hindsight, Theryn shouldn't be left alone with Corax up there. Now that I did portraits of Valenara and Fairwing too, I'll upload those to this thread as well. I'll even toss Witherwing into the mix, so Gaia won't show up to nag about balance.
It's alright, the good guys can take it.







Also, I am proud to present to you all, One of Theryn's first PC paladin, the High elf Thalion, played by Archpaladin Zousha in the Lost Illuminari PbP:



More pictures to come!

[Pippa]

Fiction!

In my experience, the process of writing is quite inspirational (leading to ideas you wouldn't conceive of otherwise), and helps define story-arcs, character personality and -objectives... So mostly, I'll be playing around with ideas I have for the things going on in Theryn's psyche, but once we'll be getting some action - who knows?

Here's a first draft of something I've been having on my mind for a couple of days. It's quite short so I'll wrap it up with quote-tags to up the apparent length a bit.

Introspection

It was early in his life as an eternal that Theryn looked into the Mirror to Worlds one day, and gazed upon himself.
The young duke called Farinn looked in no physical way like him – flaxen curls, broad in the shoulders but short in the limbs, his face still more that of a boy than of a man. Yet, Theryn recognised the young noble's tenseness when attending meetings, or crossing the nobles many times his age in halls or garden walkways. He was aware of his cramped efforts to make a difference, and avoid being reminded of his father's methods of running the duchy and standing strong against foreign threats. Like this boy, Theryn had received lands and goods and power as a birthright, instead of earning them with feats of arms or other achievements. In his case, competence did not so much precede his position as it was expected from him afterwards.
Expected, and not expected, since the men and women at the court felt comfortable relieving their young colleague of his daily duties, running the realm for him and deeming significant input from a youngster not very likely in general. The boy had seen politics being discussed and decided on by others in his stead – his voice lacking strength and reach did not convince anyone to heed his opinion. So deep was his desire to rise up and take a stance in next day's negotiations with the aggressively expanding Free Traders' League, that Theryn did not need the Mirror at all to notice this young duke's prayers.
When he placed the inspiration and confidence in Farinn's heart and mind, and watched the boy passionately defend his people's rights in front of astounded elders the other day, he felt very much like he had granted the boy a wish he had actually been longing for himself.
-”If I in my near-eternal lifetime can taste but a sliver of the feeling of accomplishment you experience right now,” Theryn said to Farinn in thought, “I will praise myself happy indeed. Until then, I will have to make do with hoping that the confidence and gratitude people much like you may have in me one day will help me reach that moment of glory.”

[Pippa]

Because.

Here's a snippet from the Da Vinci Code soundtrack by Hans Zimmer / Graham Preskett (one day I'm going to marry that guy). Turn the volume wide open, lay back and let the music wash over you - preferably, think about endless green rolling hills, forests,natural bridges across majestic rivers, snow-topped mountains, huge waterfalls.
I present to you - a flight across Palidanea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X4VQp6F8yQ





Next up is a theme for the Legion, taken from the soundtrack by Patric Doyle of the motion picture 'Hamlet'. Listen to the music building up to a glorious hymne - of Unity and Strength.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exh_J68sbE4



Recently, I discovered this piece, from the original soundtrack from Hannibal. It's a very sad piece, befitting what I imagine Theryn must feel when he glances over the battlefield after a costly victory of his beloved Oathknights, or any knights upholding law and virtue at the cost of their own lives and health. Too often, blood has clung on his hands when he sent his most faithful into the fray.
Enjoy this track aptly called, 'Virtue'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWzelYim1G4



New update: the ever-beautiful song sung magnifically by Brian Stokes Mitchell, in The Man of La Mancha. I'll go as far as saying that this could be Theryn's personal anthem. Below the link, You'll find the lyrics, for singing along!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soG_q3Yuunw

Lyrics for 'The Impossible Dream':

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

Now here's a nice find:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ7osoZZsRk&feature=related



Wikipedia states: "In ancient Celtic religion, Maponos or Maponus ("divine son") was a god of youth known mainly in northern Britain but also in Gaul. In Roman times he was equated with Apollo." A better name for the infant couldn't be found, and the music from the neofolk band Omnia is also befitting: neither happy nor completely sad, and a bit ominous, this piece evocates the doubtful nature and uncertain future well.

Also by Omnia is the following song, based on the immortal poem by E.A. Poe 'The Raven'. Neither title or text have anything to do with Theryn - however, lead singer Steve Evans - van der Harten has a gentle and melodious voice that, while maybe a tad deep, I am currently considering for our Divine Healer. Take your time to listen; timbre and melody get better after the first minute, and you'll find that while Poe's original text has been shortened and subtly altered in places, this song is well worth your time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQyGWZWqKT8



Wow! He's alive - and out there!

http://armstreet.com/image/172/big_img_2008070895838.jpg
http://armstreet.com/store/clothes/1/172.html

[Pippa]

Accomplishments

CHAPTER 1: Prologue.

Firstly, there was Lazaress. While Theryn did not succeed in fixing the broken relations between his father Adgerin and the Legion of Good, he seemed to leave a good impression overall, especially later when they sought out Mitra.
Mitra's avatar Mithras then, that's another story. In fact, Theryn's is going to feel all the more awkward once he realises he might have interpreted Mithras' kindness as soliciting for a relationship. Which isn't necessarily untrue; he just fears he has overstepped his bounds, and hasn't got a whole lot of experience to compair the situation with.
There was also the business with Alathon, the dragonspawn paladin. Theryn believes he didn't do a very good job there either.
Jerymus' quest seems to go rather well though, barring the problems and dangers that were to be expected.
The issue with the foundling babe that Theryn named Mabon, while the mystery hasn't been unraveled yet, has ben handled well enough, or so Theryn thinks. If other palidaneans thought it was a child of his, they aren't far away from the truth anymore now, as Theryn has made the infant his protegé and will see to it that it gets raised and educated properly.
Finding Valenara went well enough, and dealing with the imposter-remmorae has gone smoothly. Only in the battle with Thaeg does Theryn believe he has made at least one bad decision on his part.
Time will tell if mentioning the Legion will be another bad move, or not.

The fact that Theryn didn't find out the thruth behind Helvex' prank is solely because of that god's incredible unpredictability, by the way! If it was a regular impostor, he'd be captured and unmasked, but who could expect an extravagant escape like that?
Meeting Erid the Outlander was something that, although it wasn't meant to happen given Theryn's tight schedule, was a pleasant experience (despite touching a sensitive chord). Keeping the wolf from tearing someone apart was more of a challenge, and though Theryn got more things to ponder on than he anticipated, at least no-one got hurt... for more than 5 divine damage, that is to say.

Oh, and Heimdall's poisoned warrior seems to be all better now, hehe.

Theryn arrived on Celestia just in time to assist in tending to the wounded after a severe planar storm there, but too late to make a difference at the orphanage, and he also managed to let himself be insulted by an imprisoned remmorae, but at least he knows now that he's got the information he was looking for.