OOC Minecraft Username: Valeure Are you at least 18 years old?: Yes Have you read the rules? (Link): Yes   In-Character Read the following prompt: The sound of clinking glasses and idle chatter welcome you in as you find yourself stepping into The Full Cask. An older man with a full mustache and warm smile beckons you over to the bar he's tending. His gazes washes over you, a glint of some knowing look shining in his eyes. As you sit, his voice rumbles out: "Hello there stranger! What can I get for you?"  After you order, he continues to make small talk. "You must be a newcomer. I'm Maarten, glad to meet you." He says with a certain kindness in his tone.  "Tell me, what brings you to the Spire?"   How do you respond (in character)? (250 word minimum - please make sure to include at least three references to our lore in your response, with two coming from different pages in the Compendium.  Two of the three selected should also be in-depth, avoid simply name-dropping lore terms. Tie the terms into your character's backstory. Why are they important to them?) Your Response: Oisín sauntered into the bar, his steps carrying an air of confidence; although the uncertain expression that crept onto his visage betrayed his initial apprehension. He approached the bar without word, sliding onto a stool and unclasping his scabbard before setting down the sheathed blade across the blemished wooden countertop. Oisín met the bartender’s gaze, his voice rough from the voyage: “Ale.” After Oisín ordered, the bartender started to make small talk. "You must be a newcomer. I'm Maarten, glad to meet you" He said with a certain kindness in his tone. "Tell me, what brings you to the Spire?"  “Better ale than Shokyu,” Oisín joked, clearing his throat and taking a long sip before he continued: “I’m sure the same reason the rest are here – adventure, wealth, discovery, blah blah blah.” Oisín waved dismissively as his gaze trailed to the other occupants in the tavern. Maarten’s smile faltered, and he moved to polish another section of the bar. Oisín sighed as he continued people-watching, a feeling of anxiety washing over him as he realized just how foreign the Spire was. Long gone were the grain-fields of Iria and the clan-halls of his Korami kin - his mind beginning to wander to his own past.  Oisín was well-educated in the heterogeneity of cultures and races spanning Avalore, but this was his first real-exposure to the diversity of the world. He had spent the better half of his life in sparring rings and barracks, preparing for the day he’d fight to defend his liege - the Kensho. He was seen as a promising young warrior, even permitted to attend a Hangawi as an onlooker.     Shortly after his attendance at the Hangawi, the majority of Oisín’s clanmates were slain in a border skirmish by a tributary under the Odokhi clan – such was war. In the aftermath, the several villages his clan oversaw sought out new protectors. There was little for Oisín to salvage: his direct kin were largely dead, clan influence waning with the Kensho, and an estate in disrepair. He was not in grieving – Oisín believed many of his kin had been reincarnated into fearsome animals for their deeds – but he was left with a profound lack of purpose. While Oisín’s martial education was engrained deeply, his allegiance to the Kensho and the lands of Kor’am began to dissipate. He looked to the horizon, whispers of the Spire reaching his ears and igniting an unexplainable curiosity. Perhaps the Spire offered a way to strengthen his soul better than the crimson world of Korami politics. His attention snapped back to the present, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips - perhaps this was the right place to be after all.    Character Name: Oisín Ó Síoda (“uh-sheen oh shee-uh-duh”) Character Race: Arsa Sidhe / Korami Character Age: 37 Brief Physical Description: Height: 6’3” Weight: 185-190 lbs Build: Narrow-shouldered and lithe, although honed by years of exercise Face description: Generally striking features – angular face, sharp chin, defined cheek and jawbones. Roman nose (i.e. prominent bridge, downward sloping) Hair: Medium-length tousled hair, curtain middle part. Light blond color Eye color: Glacial blue iris, white sclera   Skin tone: Fair, bordering on pale complexion Distinguishing marks/scars/tattoos: No visible marks on his face, though his torso and legs are decorated with a motley collection of scars Attire: Typically donning weathered full-plate. Armor bears no insignias and has seen use, embellished with scratches and chips. No apparent rust – Oisín keeps the plate in good condition despite the wear. Otherwise, Oisín rocks a tunic and blue overcoat for travel. (Understand full plate requires a +3 in Strength: Athletics and characters start at 0. Happy to RP that this armor is in an unusable state until that metric is reached - cool with me to remove as well) Notable Items: Bastard Sword (hand-and-a-half sword): Double-edged blade. Fuller set down the middle, running from hilt to ¾ length of the blade. Cross-guard, pommel and blade are steel, with the hilt wrapped in black leather. Attached with a simple leather scabbard. Mace: Fully-casted flanged steel mace. Attached with belt ring Rondel Dagger (Family blade): Steel blade in standard fashion for medieval rondel. Rounded hand-guard set in gold and black leather. Elvish words engraved along the blade, reading: “By wisdom and arms”. Sheathed in a simple leather scabbard Flute: Oisín is attempting to learn but plays so badly it could almost be considered a weapon  Languages: Fluent Elvish (Ancient Tongue) Fluent Common, but spoken with a slight accent Korami Handsign   I'll make a real character sheet... eventually...  Image of Skin and Figura Model: