Character:Caran

Caran the Invincible Golden Tiger
Caste: Dawn
Concept: Exiled Dynast

Motivation

To end the oppressive reign of the Scarlet Empire

Anima

Caran's anima is that of a golden tiger that forms in a translucent shape around his body.

Attributes

PHYSICAL: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3 SOCIAL: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2 MENTAL: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 3

Abilities

Caste Abilities

Martial Arts 5 (+2 Tiger Style), War 4 (+2 Small Units)

Favored Abilities

Athletics 3 (+2 Leaping), Dodge 5, Presence 4, Resistance 4, Stealth 3

Unfavored Abilities

Awareness 3, Bureaucracy 1, Intergrity 2, Linguistics 1 (Riverspeak), Survival 2

Backgrounds

Allies 1, Artifact 2, Followers 2, Influence 2, Resources 2

Each Background

Allies 1 - Caran is still in contact with his great-great-great aunt Mnemon Parceel, who is a very unconvention Dynast. While not very powerful, she's connected enough to hear information that might be of use to Caran, which she passes along when she can.

Artifact 2 - Orichalcum Bracers, 'stolen' from the House of his aunt.

Followers 2 - a small group of loyal warriors who call themselves the Tiger's Claw. Most where members of a small mercenary unit who's captain Caran killed in personal combat. Disciplined fighters, they fight with spears and shields, and when led by Caran are a fairly effective fighting force.

Influence 2 - Caran has begun to make a name for himself as a capable mercenary. His Exalted status isn't widely known yet, though Caran makes no great effort to hide the fact.

Charms

1st Martial Arts Excellency
Crimson Leaping Cat Technique
Striking Fury Claws Attack
Tiger Form
Durability of Oak Meditation
2nd Presence Excellency
Shadow Over Water
Leaping Dodge Method
Graceful Crane Stance
Monkey Leap Technique
1st War Excellency

Combos

Tiger's Unerring Stance: (1st Martial Arts Excellency + Shadow Over Water)

Essence

Essence: 3 Peripheral: 42 Personal: 15 Committed: 10

Willpower

6

Virtues

Compassion: 2 Conviction: 3 Temperance: 2 Valor: 3

Limit Break

Virtue Flaw: Foolhardy Contempt

Equipment

A pair of Orichalcum Hearthstone Bracers and a pair of Orichalcum Razor Claws

Experience

XP: 16/31

3 for Linguistics 1
4 for Tigers Unerring Stance combo
8 for Monkey Leap Technique

History

Mnemon Caran was son of a prominent Dynast family. He went to the finest schools, had the finest instructors, and was as learned as an Dragonblooded child could be. And with all of that, the word that first sprung to mind to describe him was ... unremarkable.

The youngest of 4 children, Caran never quite lived up to the genius of his elder siblings. Both his elder brothers, Rulaq and Delen where among the most adept students their tutors had ever seen. And Aika ... prodigy did not begin to describe her. Everything she did, from etiquette to the martial arts came as natural to her as breathing. Rumor was that Mnemon herself had taken an interest in the child. And beneath all that praise and attention was Caran. The competent. The unremarkable.

As with most things, Aika exalted first, just before her 12th birthday. Rulaq and Delen had both exalted by the time they where 15. As his 18th birthday approached the disappointment from his family became almost more than Caran could bare. It was at a gathering at an elders House in the country when it happened.

Caran thought nothing wrong at first. He had born the others contempt, but that was nothing new. So while outside watching the others spar, he assumed she merely wanted to show how much better she was then him. Knowing Aika to never take no for an answer, Caran agreed, hoping to get the humiliation over with. But when Aika's first blow nearly broke his ribs, and he saw the savage smile on her face, he knew this was different.

He tried to stop the fight. She replied with a punch to the chest that sent him 10 feet. He tried to defend himself. She replied by dislocating his shoulder. As Caran lay there, broken and in pain, he heard his sisters quiet voice ringing in his ears.

"I think our family has tolerated your failure for long enough. After today, folks will say 'Oh, what a tragedy, a boy taken so young.' Mother and Father will accept sympathies. I'll make sure to wear something appropriate to your funeral. And after a few weeks, this family will move on to better things then worrying about you."

It was at that moment that something awoke inside Caran. It was beyond anger, a rage so primal that to give words is to do it an injustice. As Aika moved in for her final blow, Caran exploded in a golden blast of light. The next thing anyone saw was Caran, engulfed in what all described as a golden typhoon punctuated by blue and white bolts of lightning. He grab his sister by the throat and effortlessly tossed her across the training ground. Cries of 'Anathema!' broke out, and one of his cousins rushed Caran. Without thinking Caran lashed out with a blow powerful enough to break the boys skull. The rest hesitated, and after a moment the halo subsided and Caran saw his sister kneeling across the field, his brothers at her side. They had a look to them, and instantly Caran's senses took hold and told him that he must either flee, or die. He turned and ran like the wind in to the forest.

---

Caran awoke with a start. He looked around the unfamiliar room, nerves racing as we wondered where he could possibly be. The room was lavishly furnished, a room fit for a proper Dynast. Caran was in mid thought when the door opened. Reflexively he leaped from the bed, ready to attack. He was taken a back when the old woman walking through the door paid him no mind, walked calmly over to a small table and set down the tray she was carrying. She then looked at him with an easy smile.

"So, I see running across the Blessed Isle didn't take as much out of you as I thought, hmm?" Realization set in, and Caran burst in to an enormous smile. "Aunt Parceel!" He rushed over and hugged the woman, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around.

"Bah, is this how you treat an old woman, throwing her around." Aunt Parceel chastised him good naturedly. Caran quickly set her down, and she looked him over.

"Not too bad boy. A bit thin, but you always had a leanness about you. Now get some clothes on and join me for tea. I think we have much too discuss."

Parceel was more than just his aunt. She was actually his grandfathers great aunt, but she preferred being called "Aunt Parceel" if only because it was simpler. One of the eldest woman in House Mnemon, she had retired some time ago from active life and now spent her time at her house near the shore writing and teaching the younger dynasts a great deal history and lore. She was a respected member of the House, if not a very well liked one. Most considered her not nearly ambitious or ruthless enough for great things, and that combined with her somewhat disturbingly lenient attitudes made most of the House leave her in peace save for when they wanted information from her.

After getting some food in him, Caran was able to recall what had happened, and how he'd spent nearly a week running to he finally reached his aunt's house, hoping she at least would be willing to help. As they sat and ate Caran noticed that the house was strangely empty. Only a couple servants remained. Parceel seemed to read his mind when she said "There is a festival in the village down the road, a celebration of some kind. I like to let the help go to these kinds of things, makes them more pleasant to be around." She paused for a second. "Luckily it helps us now as well. Less people to see things we'd rather they not see."

Chewing quickly, Caran quietly asked "Are you going to help me?". Parceel smiled. "Of course. But we must be clever. I'm sure you left a path that will be easily followed, so we haven't a great deal of time." She poured another cup of tea. "In a little while I'm going to have my servants take me down to the lake so that I may paint." Parceel motioned to one of the servants, who brought over a tightly wrapped bundle. "This should be enough food to last you a while, but ration it as much you can." Parceel looked at Caran. "While we are gone, I want you to break down one of the doors. Then, go up to my office. In the desk you will find a box with enough jade to get you off of the Isle."

Parceel finished off her tea, then smiled at Caran. "Once you get through, head north. There is a small village not too far from here on the coast. You'll be able to find a ship heading across the sea. That should buy you enough time too lose whoever is chasing you." Parceel stood up, walked over to her nephew and kissed him on the forehead. "It is not much, but I pray it's enough to get you safely away." Parceel turned, and headed towards the door. Caran turned to her and called "Wait! Why, why are you helping me, considering ... what I've become. Why would you help an ..." Caran couldn't say the word. Parceel didn't turn, but her voice grew softer. "My boy, one of the benefits of age is knowing that not everything that's been taught to you is the truth. And knowing when to trust your own judgment." she took a step, then stopped. "In my office there is a large chest. At the bottom is a black box. My granddaughter brought it too me as a gift, a token she took from one of her Wyld Hunts. You may find it useful." She waited a moment longer, then quickly walked out the door..

Caran was quick, and made certain to leave the appropriate traces. Then he left with all swiftness towards the harbor to the North.

---

Caran wandered the outskirts of the Threshold for a time,still unsure what he was to do. His resentment at the Dynasty grew daily, and so did his strength. It was during this time that, while striding through the plains he discovered the Way of the Tiger. He was quietly crotched near a bush, watching a deer, trying to figure out how he could catch it. While he thought, he was astonished to see a tiger seemingly appear out of the grass and grab hold of the animal. The deer struggled, but it was a futile gesture. The tiger quickly killed the beast and then stood watch, looking for anything that might try to steal his prize.

Caran was enthralled by the tiger, it's power, it's speed, and it's ability to approach it's prey without being seen. Caran felt something primal by watching the beast, a feeling of oneness. He had heard that some of the great martial arts had been developed by studying various animals. And Caran was certain that there was much to be learned by watching a beast such as this.

So that is what he did. He stayed in the wilds, and he watched. He watched how they hunted. He watched how they stalked. And he watched how the fought even amongst themselves. And as he watched he practiced, day after day, till he felt like a tiger himself at times. And after a time, Caran felt he'd learned all he could. So he continued walking, farther and farther from the Threshold, avoiding folk the best he could, still working over in his mind how he could make the Empire pay.

---

"Listen, you pathetic runt, do you have any idea who I am? I'm-" Caran cut him off with a gesture. "Spare me. You're nothing but a bully who thinks having a sword and some men who'll follow you around makes you important. Now step aside before I make your day all the more unpleasant."

Snarling the man lunged at Caran, who sidestepped the attack with little difficulty. As the man picked himself up and pulled his sword, Caran spoke savagely. "I give you this last chance. Walk away now, or it will be the last mistake you ever make." With a cry the man attacked, swinging his sword high. Caran dashed forward with impossible speed and struck the man dead in the chest. As he collapsed Caran drew back his hand, and struck a final blow to the mans head.

Caran looked down at the body for a moment, then turned to look at the assembled men. "Any of you wish to follow this man to hell?" The silence that followed told Caran everything he needed to know. He turned and walked onward down the path. He had traveled only a few dozen yards when a voice called out to him.

"Sir?" Caran turned back and looked at who had spoke. A woman, holding spear and shield, armored just like the rest was jogging after him. "The man you slew was our captain. We are mercenaries you see, and it was Captain Berlew that found us work and kept us paid."

Caran narrowed his eyes. "Is it revenge you seek?" The woman shook her head. "No sir." She looked back at the fallen captain. "I have never seen a man killed so effortlessly. If you would be willing to take his place, to teach us and lead us in to battle.." Her voice trailed off as she grew nervous under the Solar's gaze.

Caran thought for a moment, then he asked "What is your name?" The woman replied "I am called Joy, sir."

"Joy, I must say your offer intrigues me. Are you camped near here?"

She nodded, "Just over the ridge sir, overlooking the road." Caran smiled. "Then lead on, we have many things to discuss."

Personality

Caran is outgoing and self confident bordering on arrogant. He's quick to laugh and joke, and generally saves his anger for those who deserve it. Unfortunately, Caran doesn't take nearly enough care to hide his exalted status, and the fact that his siblings are part of the Wyld Hunt means that a confrontation is inevitable.

Goals and Motivations

Caran's deepest desire is to see the reign of the Dynasts come to an end. He doesn't much desire to rule himself, but is willing to if that is what it will take to ensure fairness and justice for all.