OOC

Minecraft Username: StevePunk

Are you at least 18 years old?: Yes, 1996.

Have you read the rules? (Link): Yes.

How did you hear about Avalore?: Searching for new experiences.

Introduce yourself if you’d like: I’m a Mexican teacher. I would love to learn and challenge myself.

—

In-Character

The rhythmic lull of hoofbeats are a marching drum to the small group of pioneers and variety of folk you have found yourself amongst, packed into a wobbling wagon. The rolling plains of the Southern Reach and a clear sky stretch out all around you, the buzz of excited chatter a dull wash in your ears as your mind strays to your former life and what has led you here to new lands.

“Nervous?” You blink, returning to the present moment.

A kindly older woman sat near you is smiling warmly with a crinkle to her eyes.

“I can tell it’s your first time. Still remember mine,” she flashes a grin and leans in.

“Tell me my dear, why have you come to the Reach?”

Velko opens his mouth, but no word is spoken. As he closes it, his eyes wander on the roof of the wagon.

“It is my first time in the Reach, but not in a wagon.” he smiles at her.

“I’ve come to find myself. Probably I could find something more. I am mentally lost as I was physically lost.

I was born in a Domicile family. My father would take me and my sister on their adventures. When I was a child, my father took me and my sister to a meeting at the Vale. You can hear a lot of fantastic stories on those adventures!” his eyes shone bright only to fade instantly.

“My sister and I heard about the portal to the Ether. A portal hidden in the mountains. As my father, I wanted to be an adventurer myself. So, when the gathering was having its place, I did not hear the warnings of my father nor my sister about not to go alone to the mountains. But I was decided to find that portal. My sister, just to protect me, started to follow me. I just remember from the map I took, I was sure I was heading to the Amafell Mountains but I was four, probably five years old. What does a child know about orientation? I wish I should have known.

My sister fell from a precipice of a strange rock formation. At the time I did not care about it, but the more I think, the mysterious it becomes. A rock formation that disappeared as I jumped to help my sister.

I fell among bushes and tree branches. I fell, but not my sister. She disappeared.

Then I saw it. A shimmer-fox. I heard it, in my head. Talking. It was not our language, but somehow, I could understand what it was saying. It guided me through the Amafell mountains. Can you imagine? I crossed the vast mountains in a matter of minutes. Later I understand that those creatures were like nature itself. They could change and modify at will their surroundings. I can tell by your eyes you do not believe me. I know shimmer-foxes are rare to see, but it was real.

I learned with it to listen to nature. It guided me for years. Twenty-five years passed and it told me I should continue. My destiny was not there in the woods, but somewhere else. I can barely remember my time with a civilization.

Now, I am trying to find my own way: I want to find my sister, but I don’t know where to start. Probably she reached the Valkian Realm or probably she is not in this world anymore and I shall not stop until I have clarity.

The shimmer-fox told me I should start here and if I listen carefully, time would tell me where to go. It told my story was similar to the great disappearance and that probably the Spire could offer me some answers. After all, nothing truly disappears, it just remains hidden, and sometimes, it can be right in front of our eyes.

—

Character Name: Velko Cavalera.

Character Race: Human.

Character Age: 29-30

 Brief Physical Description: He’s 185 cm (6’1) Average weight but athletic physique. Long hair, no beard.

Image of Skin and Figura Model:

Hello! My name is Blinx, and I'll be handling your whitelist application. Reading over, I'm going to need some revisions before I can approve Velko's backstory and the application as a whole.

Namely, many of the events as described are situations I don't believe a five-year-old would have survived alone, or are inaccurate to Avalore's lore. As a rule of thumb, while characters can have experiences in backstory with Fabled or Mage NPCs, the expectation is that these encounters generally can't convey any magical or supernatural benefits -- that is to say a character wouldn't have unique favours or attention from any of those forces in backstory without getting approval from the Lore Team. Shimmer-Foxes have a unique connection to nature, but are elusive to almost everyone except Shrine Keepers and are not stated anywhere to be telepathic. They have no special capabilities to alter the world in the way Velko describes, and would certainly not guide a child through the Amafells in a matter of minutes. While I can appreciate the way Velko's backstory seems to be constructed almost like a fairytale in establishing an element of mystery and magical intrigue, I'm going to ask it be revised to be more grounded in what it would be possible for a child that age to accomplish alone, with only the aid of a sibling, and without that level of supernatural interference.

As an example, rather than encounter a Shimmer-Fox without the presence of a Shrine Keeper, Velko could instead get lost outside the Vale and be safely guided by a Shimmer-Fox towards a location maintained by a Shrine Keeper. If you'd like him to see one up close or be mentored in the ways of the wild, a character in backstory can do that in the Fox's stead, and their connection to nature through their Shrine can be how Velko could have seen one up close over the years as it comes to visit. As is, though, one will likely not have taken interest in a child for their own sake, especially not for decades at a time.

Two notes, as well:

1. You're welcome to say Velko's sister disappeared on such a trip--but if he's to be as young as he is in this version, I doubt he'd have the clarity to know whether or not that rockface really disappeared. Magical occurrences like that are certainly possible, but would likely be outside the understanding of a young child.
2. The Great Disappearance is currently a mystery. As previously noted, a Shimmer-Fox wouldn't have given Velko insight into its cause in backstory. 

You're welcome to change, modify, and re-write whichever sections of the reply you'd like in order to make the revisions necessary. Velko's skin and appearance section are fine as is, and require no changes unless you'd like to make additions. Please reply here when you'd like me to take another look, so I'll be notified and can get back to you ASAP!

Hello! Just posting to remind you that this application is still pending further review until revisions are made in line with the feedback above. If I don't hear back, I'll be denying the application for inactivity.

Hello! As it's been more than a week since I picked up the application with no response, I'll be denying it for inactivity during the review process. This is not a ban or a blacklist, and you're welcome to reapply at any time.