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18:21, 27th April 2024 (GMT+0)

Garthurax




Name: Garthurax
Alternative titles: Garthurax the Shieldbreaker, Scourge of the Sands, The Undefeated Dragon of the East (a bit on the nose there, but it fits well)
Alternate name: Garth, Turi'el

Occupation: Gladiator / Bodyguard

Actual Age/Apparent Age: 95 / 32

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Pansexual

Race/Species: Public knowledge is that he is a human with an Exiled ancestor
(The ancestor is a non-human, but is, in fact, a Dragon)

Appearance: Very tall and burly, Garthurax's skin is the color of the desert sand after nightfall; a dull mix of yellowish-gray, covered in a layer of smooth scales, so tiny one has to come really close to even notice them there. His arms and torso are decorated with thin lines of elevated skin, set in swirling patterns - most likely made via a way of scarring when he was very young, in order to create the adornment which would grow with him.

His eyes are a pupilless sort of very dark blue, often being described as being exceptionally unnerving in the heat of the battle, as it is very difficult to read anything from them. He has also been compared to a shark on more than one occasion.

His hair is a long mane of gray, with a few dark streaks through it, usually tied in the back of his head, but hanging loose to the small of his back, when untied. Two large horns protrude forward from his forehead and bend upwards, almost looking like axe heads, fitting the imagery of an axe-wielding warrior.

Garthurax stands and moves like the fighter he is; never quite stealthy, even when he wants to be, used to making room for himself, whether that's squeezing into a too-small a bed, or to make way through a crowd of people.

He is usually dressed in brown and dark yellow colors, wearing loose pants, tucked into leather boots, a wide belt, and his chest usually partly or completely uncovered.

Personality: In the Arena, Garthurax was cold and ruthless, staving off the killing blow only when his Master whistled for him to halt. But off the bloodied sand, under an older fighter's tutoring, he came to know himself as someone who could, on occasion, find some compassion towards others, worse off than him. Overall self-assured and something of a philosopher and never lacking a companion to warm his bed at night, he fancies himself a warrior-poet now, enjoying a brawl and a poetry book alike.

His only resentment towards his lot in life is the lack of freedom to go wherever he wishes.

To both friends and new acquaintances so far, he displays a seemingly effortless sense of humor and is usually very approachable, happy to chat with anyone, about any subject at all. He may not be well-versed in many things, but he is not afraid to admit it, nor is unwilling to be educated of them.

Abilities/Skills:

Exceptional strength and longevity: Due to his "Exiled" (actually Draconic) ancestry, Garthurax was blessed with long life and the ability to stand toe to toe with most of his foes. This, however, has a downside - his appetite is, like him, a fearsome thing. Most of his days after a fight are spent either thinking about food, eating food, or planning to eat a bit later. Needless to say, it takes a lot to fill his belly.

Arena Gladiator: Well-versed in various types of combat and capable of wielding large and heavy weapons, Garthurax is downright deadly with a hammer or an axe in his hands. However, small, fragile weapons, like a bow and arrow, or daggers, are something he simply was not built to handle. Oftentimes, he even abhors using eating utensils, preferring his fingers over the dainty tools he can barely hold onto.

High heat tolerance: Being part dragon, Garthurax can withstand high temperatures and heat in general. Anything but directly being set on fire is not even unpleasant, and he doesn't seem to mind the worst of Al-Jalasn sun at all.

History: The former legend of the Al-Jalasan Fighting Area, Garthurax was brought to Al-Jalasa when he was about 10 years old. Bought at a Slave Trade for a hefty sum, as even as a boy, he already displayed certain physical traits that the Arena Master was looking for in his fighters, he was brought to the Arena and trained to fight for his master.

During his training days, Garthurax had met and befriended an established freeman arena fighter, named Skarn, who eventually taught him to read, write and appreciate the finer things in life, like art and poetry. Despite basically being built to hit things, Garthurax found that he had a growing fondness for that as well, even after Skarn had begun to appear less and less.

Eventually, it turned out that his master's initial assumption has been correct, the strange boy growing and soon earning himself the right to represent his master at the Annual Arena Games.

His very first fight brought him near-instant fame, as he fought his way through hordes of champions, both Al-Jalasan and foreign, and eventually faced off against the current reigning champion; Agaenon, the Behemoth. The battle has been indecisive until the very end, the much older and experienced Agaenon eventually managing to knock Garthurax away from him and, fortunately, taking a moment to gloat over his impending newest victory.

Garthurax, however, wanted none of that. Reflecting on the advice given to him by Skarn, and using the moment of Agaenon's lack of attention, he grabbed a nearby waraxe and, in a bout of speed and strength no one expected, flew directly at the champion. Agaenon only had time to raise his shield, upon which the waraxe fell and split it in half... Taking off Agaenon's arm with it.

The mighty Behemoth fell, clutching his severed limb, and Garthurax has been deemed a new Arena Champion at only 17 years old. He held that title for a very long time, eventually stepping down from fighting to train new gladiators, and it was at the age of 62 that he was spoken to his master, telling him that a nobleman from outside of Al-Jalasa had expressed interest in buying him for a sum that would allow the Arena Master to not only retire in luxury, but to have his grandchildren living like kings.

He had, of course, agreed, the former Champion simply not reeling any more money in, in order to be kept. So, Garthurax had been sold, along with all of his titles and achievements, to one Alastair Eigeron from the Eastern regions. And, once more, he found himself with an axe in his hands, now subjugated into a role of a mere bodyguard, the new master having no respect neither for him, nor the achievements he had, turning him into barely more than a slave, which was occasionally sent to fight in regional combat championships.

Garthurax usually swept the competition up to the point where he earned himself a new title or two, and, along with his master, found his way back to Al-Jalasa, as his master came seeking new opportunities to show off his champion. His Al-Jalasan fame now a mere memory among the people living here, only added to the scorn he felt towards his "new" master, who promised Garthurax he'd be released from his bond of servitude once the Eigeron died.

It has been decades and the old bastard just won't. drop. dead.

The only reason some unfortunate fatal "accident" had not yet befallen the elderly nobleman is because, when he had purchased him, had Garthurax enter a life-bond of servitude; bound to serve the man until either of their deaths. And should the nobleman die first - not from Garthurax's hand, nor via his indirect involvement - he would be a free man.

EDIT: Garthurax's luck has changed, and he is now a free man, left to fend for himself. He has now set up a new goal in life; to overtake the Proving Grounds and remake them into what they used to be; a proper fighting pit, with fighters trained, and properly armed, and the Arena was not used as a slaughterhouse for drunk and easily offended nobles. He also finds himself more inclined towards the arts, instead of fighting.

Other information: Being made aware that Dragons are a hunted breed at some point in his childhood, Garthurax was advised to pass himself off as a descendant of an Exiled; a rouse he had successfully kept going since then, even picking himself an Exiled name to go with it.

However, anyone with even a drop of Dragon blood within them could easily tell him from which race he originally hails from.

The Empty Bottle Gift - given by the Oracle; as long as he holds the coin on his person, he would be able to sense pickpockets and prevent them from stealing anything - this lasts for 1 in-game month,