Appearance

Physical Description

After training for most of his life as a monk in the desert climes of central Nasir, Rannulin is well-built and athletically toned, but not buff or stocky. In fact, even though he's slightly taller and more muscular than the felimera he's trained with, he's fairly average in height and size to other humans his age; but the definition of his muscles show that his body has been honed into a weapon.

Identifying Characteristics

The progeny of chimera and human parents largely adopt the genes of the mother, meaning that Rannulin lacks the Felidae ears and tail of his father, whomever that was or may be. But even though he looks almost completely human, he has one noticeable tell... Sometimes, the eyes can reveal the truth of a child's parentage by their color. In Rannulin's case, his eyes are a deep, dark red—a trait highly unusual for humans but very common for chimeras. It immediately singles him out as a "half-breed", a term used by humans derogatorily, and one that has become something of a nickname among circles of humans familiar with Rannulin.
 
But in spite of the sideways glances and hushed talk behind his back, Rannulin has learned to live with his father's genes being present for all to see. When he used to shy away as a child or feel belittled, he now stands proud and insists that others meet him eye-to-eye if they have something to say about his parentage. This pride, however, doesn't come from any love for the parents that abandoned him, but rather from his love for the felimera monks that raised him.

Apparel & Accessories

Rannulin typically wears the monastic martial uniform of Semyaza's Sanctum; which, depending on the climate, is either black or white. This uniform's main article is a singlet with zuave-style leggings that gradually tighten to the body and rises into a backless halter top suspended from the neck. The leggings are embroidered with a golden dragon crossing from the left to right leg. The second article is a crimson sash around the waist with gold trim, firmly held by a black leather belt.
 
Monks may pair any gloves and footwear of their choice with the uniform, as long as it's "modest", so Rannulin wears leather calligae with light metal plates to protect his shins. He compliments these with similar-plated greaves that protect his wrists and forarms.
 
Finally, the monks of Semyaza's Sanctum grow their hair out and only ever cut it if it falls past their shoulder blades. They may otherwise wear their hair as they wish. Most adopt a ponytail, and so does Rannulin. He keeps his tied with a yellow ribbon.

Mentality

Personal history

Rannulin (or Ran; pronounced "Ra-hn") was abandoned as a babe at the steps of a secluded monastery of mostly-felimera Sun Soul monks and then raised in their esoteric lifestyle. As is customary for their order, monks that have at least reached maturity and passed an exam in martial arts must leave the monastery on a journey to see the world and return only when they have learned "three great lessons". Cryptically, these lessons "must be enlightening and give fire to the soul." Determining if a learned lesson qualifies is up to the individual monk themselves.
 
Ran began his three lessons journey late, having struggled throughout most of his training because of an inherent lack of focus. He was a rambunctious child that couldn't sit still for even the briefest moments. Meditation was always a chore to him as he could never quiet his mind. But with great patience and wisdom, one of the few elders he looked up to in the order taught him a unique way to meditate while simultaneously allowing his excess energy to flow freely. Senginu is a form of shadowboxing that simultaneously hones the mind and body. It was the perfect form of meditation for someone like Ran.
 
As a parting gift to aid him on his journey, Ran's mentor gifted him a golden circlet with an inlaid diamond (Circlet of Blasting). "In the darkest of shadows is when light shines ablaze with hope."

Education

Being well-within the Nasir Dominion, which prides itself on an educated populace, Semyaza's Sanctum is blessed with magisters from multiple lyceums (colleges) of the Library of Sena. Even though they are predominantly chimera, the monks are respected by the Library for esoteric teachings and many human magisters find in them kindred spirits. Monks of the sanctum are therefore blessed with an extensive education that includes mathmetics, astrology, herbalism and cultivation, economics, history, art, and language.
 
However, inspite of having direct, free access to some of the most studied minds in the Dominion, Rannulin was too distracted and hyperactive as a child to glean the most benefit from his schooling. He was more interested in sparring and learning new martial techniques. Nonetheless, he's not a complete dolt and can at least recall enough of his schooling to figure things out on his own... if he can learn to sit down and focus every once and a while.

Morality & Philosophy

Monks of Semyaza's Sanctum practice esotericism, which, in the world of Adarus, means the understanding of universal truths demands actively persuing them through the attainment of knowledge.
 
Rannulin may have been difficult to train as an apprentice, but his excitable nature didn't mean he wasn't wholly devoted to this ideal. Rather, his mentor recognized before others that the boy was probably the first among his peers to demonstrate a fervent pursuit of knowledge. His devotion just never came in the form of academia. Rannulin instead chases after martial knowledge, believing he can acheive truthful perfection of body and mind through martial arts, and that the Way of the Sun Soul is the path to that truth.

Known Languages

Common

Personality

Motivation

Rannulin is primarily motivated by one thing: standing at the end of the Way of the Sun Soul.
 
It was a lofty (and, all intents and purposes, an unrealistic) ambition he adopted as a child when being inducted into the sanctum as an apprentice monk. He incorrectly understood "the Way" as a sort of path that eventually had an end goal or point of achievement. With his energetic nature, he also had (and still has) a competitive spirit that drives him ever onward, so he loudly proclaimed in front of the elder felimera of the sanctum:

I'll get there some day! I'll stand at the end of the Way, and I'll get there before anyone else! Just watch me!

The elders had a good laugh at that. The young Rannulin was pink from head to toe when he was corrected and told: "The Way is not a trail with a start and end, but a form of guidance. It is a path practiced, not raced."
 
However, deep down, Rannulin still believes that there is a destination that can only be reached by following the Way; and he'll prove it by reaching that point, no matter what form the end may take.
 
His proclamation that day earned him the monicker "Sun Chaser".

Social

Birthplace

Unknown

Family Ties

Rannulin was entrusted to the Semyaza's Sanctum as a newborn and thus has no known blood ties. However, he's always considered the monks of the sanctum to be his family. In particular, he's developed a close attachment to Elder Ryuu, who he has frequently called "uncle".
 
Ryuu was the only mentor that was able to help Rannulin control his excitibility, especially when it came to mastering meditation.

Religious Views

Semyaza is the patron astral to all monks that follow the Way of the Sun Soul. Semyaza is the astral of the virtue temperance and interestingly associated with the sun. Rannulin gives thanks to Semyaza when he feels accomplished, and asks for guidance when he's feeling frustrated.

Social Aptitude

Oblivious to etiquette and social expectations, Rannulin will sometimes embarrass himself in more formal settings. He usually messes up something as simple as bowing before nobles, and he often forgets to address them by ranks or use proper styling when first speaking to them.