Character:Candles

Candles

A lean and wiry soldier apparently in his late thirties though his long white hair seems like it should belong to a much older man. His hands are those of an artist or watchmaker though marred by the faint traceries of old scars; his eyes are a steely gray that at times can carry the sharpness and intensity of unsheathed knifes. Dusky, blue-tinged skin marks him as a native of the Nap Isles but he has long left accent and idioms of his homeland behind, exchanging them for a cosmopolitan mix from all directions of the Malazan Empire. Candles prefers to dress in loose clothes of muted colors with wide sleeves, simple-looking but of good quality. Over that an old but well-maintained leather armor of Malazan design with a few modifications, and a slightly singed army issue gray rain cape. Two horn-handled Wickan long-knifes jut out from under his shoulders and are his only visible weapons. A silver emblem on his breast, often hidden, identifies him as a cadre mage of the 10th Army.

Candles was born the son of a glass-artisan and candle-maker. His Talent was discovered only two years into his apprenticeship and to his father's great dismay the the newborn Malazan Empire that had just conquered the Nap Isles had a great hunger for mages of all kinds. After a period of initial training he was quickly inducted into one of the Malazan 1st army's adept companies. Over the long years of the unification wars he rose through the company ranks and eventually attained the title and responsibility of cadre mage. That would prove to be his last promotion, though, as Candles had learned to leave glory and fame - as well as the danger that accompanies it - to others. Instead he preferred to quietly hone his craft, be a solid and dependable second to his cadre's commanders, and avoid drawing attention. In that way he fought through and survived the Emperor's numerous campaigns as well as the quiet purges after Laseen's usurpation. Initially only a mediocre sorcerer Candles has relentlessly exercised his Talent over the decades, tempering, refining, and sharpening it like a blacksmith folds and hammers mere steel until he has shaped it into an unbreakable blade. The day will come when he is officially recognized as a High Mage but Candles dearly hopes that day is far away still - as he remembers Kellanved saying, "every throne is an arrow-butt".

Aspects

• From my father the artist I learned to appreciate beauty.
  • Invoke: Creating or protecting things of beauty
  • Compel: I must have this statue! Who could say 'no' to such a beautiful face?
• My sorcery is High Thyr, the warren of Light protects me and strikes down my enemies.
  • Invoke: Using sorcery in general but especially for wards and blasting
  • Compel: Unwanted attention, open warren when threatened, uneasy when not able to access warren
• I have fought for the Emperor in a hundred battles and have the scars to prove it.
  • Invoke: Wherever the skill and experience of a veteran is called for, the Emperor's memory
  • Compel: Bad memories, old injuries, weariness, questionable loyalty to the Empress
• I have learned never to fight fair when I can fight dirty.
  • The best way to survive is to fight unfairly. Also, since the easiest way to get rid off a mage is a knife in the back you had better be prepared to avoid it and do some stabbing of your own. Candles has learned this lesson well.
  • Invoke: Dirty tricks, surprise attacks, avoiding a knife in the back
  • Compel: Avoid a fight that seems 'too fair', attack targets of opportunity
• I will master that which was used against me and turn it back on its originator.
  • While with the 5th army at Blackdog Forest Candles drew too much attention from the Crimson Guard mage cadre and was thrown through a portal into deepest Serc. Miraculously he managed to survive and emerged from the warren a week later determined to return the favor with his newfound powers over Serc.
  • Invoke: Using Serc, understanding enemy tactics and using them against them, getting revenge
  • Compel: Wait for the enemy to act rather than take the initiative, morbid curiosity, obsessive analysis
• "Always an even exchange" - I owe my life to these words.
  • Near the end of the Seven Cities campaign Candles along with several others was captured by Seven Cities forces using Otataral. Shy and a team of sappers mounted a rescue operation without orders and managed to save them at extreme personal risk. Candles will never forget that.
  • Invoke: Duty and responsibility to fellow soldiers, paying back Shy and everyone else who has safed his life in the past
  • Compel: Follow duty into danger, fight hopeless battles for the sake of comrades, owing Shy

Current Fate Points: O O

Stunts

• Iron Will to Survive (+2 to resist torture or mind-affecting sorcery, +3 when full defense, may take one additional Major consequence)
• Pain is Nothing (May spent FP to take 2 Composure instead of physical stress of attack, can freely invoke consequences)
• Cadre Mage
• High Thyr Sorcery

Skills

• Great (+4): Sorcery
• Good (+3): Resolve, Perception
• Fair (+2): Lore, Stealth, Melee Weapons, Physicality
• Average (+1): Deception, Survival, Craft, Science

Stress & Consequences

• Physical: 4
• Composure: 5
• Consequences: 4

Equipment

• Paired Wickan-style long-knifes (+2, Close Combat Weapon)
• Enough throwing knifes (+1, Small, Poor Defense, Close Combat Weapon)
• Marine scout issue leather armor (Absorbs 2 Minor) -- inscribed with warding sigils
• Army issue rain cape, slightly scorched
• Marine standard issue shield (-1, absorb 1 Major, Cumbersome, Wall of Protection)
• Marine standard issue crossbow (+2, range 2, Slow Reload, Armor-piercing)
• Backpack, bedroll, water flasks, candles, two lamps (shuttered, signaling capable), oil, writing equipment (including tools to etch stone and metal), half-filled book, rudimentary equipment to make/work with glass and wax, an impressive collection of old campaign badges
• Map in an expensive leather scroll case, signet ring with a family seal, expensive-looking dagger, a pouch with a not-inconsiderable amount of Khaderian currency