Appearance

Identifying Characteristics

Five small scars dotted across his chest, a testament to the death he should have received - and a constant reminder that he is in debted to someone.

Physical quirks

When utilising his rapier, Xilix exhibits the sargh'elgg style - striking a single opponent with a lightweight weapon such as a rapier or dagger. It exploits the natural drow dexterity, but was also known in Menzoberranzan as the commoner's style - an irk that Xilix can't quite shake.

Apparel & Accessories

Xilix wears fine clothes dotted with leather armour. A comfortable white shirt is shown underneath a supple leather breastplate. A knee-length hooded cloak as black as his skin leaves only a narrow gap at the front, from which Xilix can draw his rapier to attack, a knife to throw, or one of a seemingly endless supply of steel balls to distract a target with.
In Waterdeep he has taken to wearing a pair of waterproof dark leather boots, folded down at the top so they almost reach his knee. He also wears a thin pair of gloves, more to cover his skin than for warmth, and a belt and bandolier to carry a variety of equipment next to a second belt, made from blue Chultan silk - a gift from his time with Ifran Talro’a.
Xilix’s lower face is covered by a thin black kerchief, covered in white Chultan tribal markings and tied at the back. The upper half of his face is concealed with a unique pair of goggles during the day, and lifted at night when his hood and the darkness is adequate to hide his skin.

Special abilities

Like all drow, Xilix sees the world in thermal vision. People and animals are warm, orange glows while houses, swords and other inanimate objects are a cold blue.

Mentality

Personal history

Disclaimer

1. Xilix's House had soared higher than ever in its history. Prestige, power, and (optional) even the favour of Lolth. It's secret was Xilix's parents: Aleanviir's ruling [queen/faction leader] and her [husband/most favoured consort] worked powerfully in tandem. She provided a cunning, charismatic public face while he supported her from the shadows, using blackmail and assassination. They even had recently secured a small House as a vassal - their first of many to come!


2. Unfortunately, they caught the eye of a larger, more experienced House too quickly. Seeing a threat in the making, they conspired with the freshly acquired House (name pending) to be absorbed into their larger House, (a good deal for their position, with nobles keeping their nobility and nobody dying etc). The cost of entry was to let the larger House's troops in during a celebratory feast when Aleanviir would be most distracted/drunk. The smaller House agreed, and the slaughter began.


3. Captives were gathered in one of the lower dungeons and lined up to die. Being the weaker House, the betraying House was tasked with this tedious chore. The first ten prisoners were executed properly (beheaded) but after that they became bored, and then they became complacent. Their executions became sloppy. They didn't confirm that each one was dead. By the time Xilix was passed around to them they were already half-drunk from the wine dregs the other House had passed down to them and he received five poorly placed stabs and then was tossed into the pile of bleeding, dying brothers and sisters and cousins. He would certainly have died, if not for some divine intervention. His wounds were healed, and Xilix stayed half-hidden under a pile of bodies until the executions were complete.


4. While he was lying there, he had a chance to think. Who was it that saved him? Was it one of the deities? Could it be someone else entirely? The more he thought about it, the more Xilix believed he 'owed this person a favour'. The more he pursued that line of thought, the more he believed it. Whether it was correct or not had been passed by; Xilix owed whatever had saved him the preservation of House Aleanviir. If he could also survive. He realised he had to escape.


5. With the executions finished, the troops poured oil onto the bodies, tossed a match on them and left. Xilix took his chance, using secret passages known only to Aleanviir noblefolk to move about his home. Outside the [manor/fort/house] was guarded to prevent escapees, so that left only one option: the surface. He made his way up, but was stopped by a pair of guards to log his reason for going to the surface. To proceed, he must sign his name and stamp his insignia ring as a credential, which would tell his enemy that he had survived and sign the death warrants for these two men. He had no choice but to do so, and gain enough ground on his enemy that they could not catch him. This done, he went to the surface and was greeted by a man waiting patiently for him: Carric.


6. Carric explained that he had suffered poor sleep for as long as he could remember, due to dreams of a Drow House being slaughtered and the single survivor emerging onto the surface. Carric described in almost perfect detail the events of the last few days, including the secretive tunnels known only to House Aleanviir nobles. Carric was feverishly convinced that Xilix was his destiny, and he had spent a good portion of his life searching the world for him. Xilix trusted Carric (who else did he have?) and the two moved away from the underdark entrance and began to plan the return of House Aleanviir. As if to confirm that the two were meant to be together, Carric was no longer troubled by his dreams and Xilix found a loyal servant and (although he would never admit it) friend.

Education

Xilix received private tuition from a variety of teachers, all from outside the House and regularly cycled through so that he would not gain an attachment to any potential opponents.

Employment

Xilix is currently self-employed, using his skills to take various contracts for money - and gathering information as he does so.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Mental Trauma

His near-death experience has not shaken Xilix nearly so much as the unexpected rescue he received directly afterwards. The identity of this obviously powerful being has shaken him to his core: obviously someone is watching him, but who? And why? Do they expect recompense? If so, what will it be? Will he be required to give his life for it? If so, how can he refuse?
 
The questions in his mind continue on and on, plaguing Xilix's every endeavour and casting a shadow over all his carefully-sculpted plans. He will never truly rest until that debt is paid or invalid.

person.sexuality

Asexual

person.gender_identity

Masculine

Known Languages

• Common (which includes the Gnoll and Halfling script)


• Elvish (which includes the Aquan script)


• Thieves' Cant


• Undercommon


• Dwarven (which includes the Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Orc and Primordial script)

Personality

Motivation

To reclaim the old glory of House Aleanviir, with Xilix at it's head. Also, revenge would be quite enjoyable.

Xilix also fears and detests the imagined (though possibly quite real) debt he owes to the being that saved him from execution: not only for his own life, but again for preventing the extinction of his House.

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Let's just say you...owe me"

— Xilix, quite regularly

Social

Birthplace

Menzoberranzan, the Underdark

Current Residence

None

Contacts & Relations

• Ifran Talro'a, merchant prince of Port Nyanzaro, Chult.


• Asger, a Goliath from whom Xilix was contracted to steal the Horn of Ammon.


• Pitz, the most selfish and spoilt halfling Xilix has ever met. Prefers to beat his pets into submission, either verbally or physically.


• Balveroth, a formidable Dragonborn with deadly prowess in combat.

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Wealth & Financial state

Although the House of Aleanviir still maintains considerable wealth, it will remain untouchable to Xilix until he can make his way back to Menzobarranzan safely. The ancestral family home awaits him, along with large amounts of money that only noblefolk are accustomed to.

Family Ties

Aleanviir Sigil: Seven-pointed black sawblade.

Religious Views

Although Xilix was raised to chase after the favour of Lolth, he found this loyalty sifted away in his first months on the surface. Lolth has shown her displeasure towards him, but she is thus far prevented from directly harming Xilix - perhaps by the same being that also prevented his execution? If so, Xilix might find himself relying on a new deity.

Social Aptitude

Xilix's ability to exploit social encounters for his own gain is astounding. The come and go of favours has kept not only him but Carric as well out of starvation and carried them into the beginnings of prosperity. A kind word, a small lie, an innocent comment that threatens to expose are by far the deadlier weapons in Xilix's arsenal. He is not above

Mannerisms

Prefers to spend a lot of his rest time thinking, plotting and planning. This may look like he is starting off into the distance, but close examination may reveal him muttering silently to himself.

Hobbies & Pets

Not quite a hobby, but Xilix was taught the intricacies of dragonchess as part of his education in strategy and planning. At Carric's request to fend off boredom and complacency, Xilix and Carric engage each other in boardtop warfare once a week, with the winner increasing their handicap with each win.

Speech

Thick, heavy underdark accent. Tends to open with another, seemingly unrelated topic in a casual manner before engaging with the real business at hand.