Exar Katarn
From Valwiki
Author's note: A great deal of poetic license has been taken regarding Exar's early history in an attempt to refresh the otherwise stale - and in some cases entirely devoid of history - periods of Valikorlia that were childish and unfitting. The Dragoons have little to no modern documentation on their origins or history. Take anything found herein with a grain of salt, and dismiss as you so desire. Oh, and this is - and will be for some time - a WIP. One doesn't eat a barve like that in one sitting. I'll update as inspiration comes. Oh, and PS! I've never done a wiki-anything. Am I using bold/italics in the right context? -Ben
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| Player: | Exar | |
| Full Name: | Exar Katarn | |
| Age: | ~270 Years | |
| Race: | Draconian | |
| Eye Colour: | Green | |
| Hair: | Black | |
| Skin Tone: | Fair | |
| Height: | 5'10" | |
| Weight: | 210 LBS | |
| Alignment: | Lawful Neutral. | |
Personality
"Once, when I was very little, I was a slum rat living off the streets of Staghorn. Starving, sick, unwanted. The day came when I felt I could go no further. I knew I was going to die. By chance, I came upon Exar in his travels. He was...shorter than I expected...and when he walked he kept his head bowed, like a servant walks in the king's courtyard. I didn't dare speak to him - but our eyes met, and he approached. I didn't know what to say - so I didn't say anything. He smiled at me - I'll never forget it - and he put his hand on my shoulder. He told me to live. I-...don't know how, but I've never been hungry since. It was as though god had touched me. That was twenty years ago." 'Sal'vossk, Draconian Orphan
Soft spoken and humble, Exar is terse in his dealings, and apt to resign himself to silence and solitude. Many, however, are surprised to find that in spite of his mild temperance, Exar is readily approachable and thoroughly enjoys philosophizing and sharing words with whomever desires his council.
Exar has a close bond with the Draconian Race. He can instantly befriend even the most corrupt of dragon-kind. Exar tends to ride Dragons, due to the relationship they have with the Dragoons. If you see Exar with a Dragon, it is most likely Riv'Shil-Lak, (Exar calls him Riv or Riv'shil for short. Not without humor, Riv'shil-lak has been known to call Exar "Ex") a noble Dragon distinguished by his blue coloring. Exar and Riv'shil-Lak are nearly inseperable, and have a close mental bond. Riv'shil was the one that brought Exar out of his emmence depression that ensued when his master Cevin died. It is rumored that they even have a lifeforce-bond,sharing the same wounds and bleeding the same blood, but Exar has not addressed these rumors.
History
A Birth Marked in Prophecy.
"And so it was, that on the twelfth day of the fourth month under siege, the high council acquiesced to the demands of the Desolate One. The warriors of Thalaria, weary and starving, laid down their arms in surrender, having been promised mercy. The marauding army, in their lust for blood, rode through Thalaria's open gates and cut a swath of destruction through the city, sparing neither children nor the elderly. Women were raped in the streets, their mates forced to watch. One such rape by the Desolate One himself so conceived the Twin Dragons of Prophecy. Thus from the womb of the ravished maiden, light and darkness were born." -The Codex Draconis
A bastard child of the genocidal warlord solely responsible for driving his own race to the brink of extinction, Exar was born into a life of scavenging for scraps and stealing to survive. The nature of his heritage and the prophecy marking his birth (apocryphal though it may be) eluded him for the first twelve years of his life. The colorful, bright vision of a world full of magic and wonder - as only one so young could see - was denied the lowly Draconian. While other children laughed and played, Exar labored - often without success - to keep his clothing from falling into complete disrepair. A discarded pair of old, worn shoes was the most valuable treasure he could chance upon - he never could stay in one place long - and so he drifted. Always, drifted; the hearts of men were hardened against his plight, and he was driven away with rocks or a switch as one would chase off a beast. Often he would curse the stars above - sometimes scream at them until he cried - but always demanding an answer to the only question he had to ask. Why. The stars held fast their secrets. Yet little did the child know that from the moment his mother died, a lone guardian had kept silent vigil over him day and night without rest, and with patience and subtlety, guided him slowly toward his destiny. The road to Thalaria, and his kindred.
Awakening
"Never once did you leave my sight. I walked among you. Beside you. As different men and women, all of whom directed you to this very place you stand now. Your home." "But there were men who would have killed me, I barely escaped. Would you not have helped me?" "I would not." "I don't understand." "You will, in time." - 'The Dragon Riv'shil-lak, speaking to the squire Exar Katarn
Apprenticed to the venerable Dragoon Cevin, the first several years of Exar's training were of a spiritual and scholarly nature. He immediately embraced the beliefs of his people, and pledged a life of servitude to the Dragon Spirit. Where once there was only inner turmoil and doubt, the young boy now had purpose and meaning; gifts for which he was all too grateful. Next, Exar's training delved into linguistics, and he learned to read and write. Often, Exar would work into the late hours of the night, translating various poems and edicts into Draconian, Elvish and various other languages. It was a miserably boring and exacting task - but Exar's master insisted his mind and spirit be honed to a keen edge before the dance of blades was to be learned. It also served a valuable lesson in patience. Exar's training in swordplay endowed him with both the strength of a warrior and the elegant grace of a dancer. Often, tournaments were held which pitted the young squires against each other, and one by one the others fell to Exar's blade. After an uncanny year of remaining undefeated, rumors of his lineage and speculation about the prophecy began to circulate. Everyone wished to see how the young squire would fare in real combat.
"You walk these halls at a late hour, my squire. One so young should not be restless." "Master, my heart is troubled. I am a warrior...but I wish not to hurt anyone." "This is good. Let your blade reflect your desire. Disarm your enemy rather than hurt them. Hurt them, rather than maim them. Maim rather than kill. Above all, find a way to settle these matters without ever drawing your sword. You will find, my young squire, the greatest of warriors defeat their enemies with their words, not their weapons."
