Zeg Ward
Zeg Ward
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Zeg is a tall and well built young man with long, dark hair and piercing, blue eyes. His body is covered in scars; most of them are cuts from blades but some look nastier.
His face is sharp, with high cheekbones and a crooked nose. His eyes are squinty and framed by dark eyebrows, one of which is cut in the middle.
Zeg is seen as very attractive by many in his surroundings. His sharp features drag people in, and some like him for his mysterious look. And also being well built doesn't hurt.
Physical quirks
Apparel & Accessories
Specialized Equipment
He is one of the best fighters at the Academy, especially when it comes to hand-to-hand combat and using small blades. When he was young, Zeg received a knife from his father. His father had gotten it from his father and so on. It was a small handmade blade with a handle made from the horn of a sun deer, an uncommon deer that lives in the north plains. Zeg used it as a ceremonial hunting knife and treasured it dearly. He still has it, but he hasn't been able to make himself use it since his parents died. He saves it for a very special occasion.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Zeg was born in a small shed in the backyard of a friend of his parents'. Elila and Kasim were not safe in the own house. Being wanted for crimes was not very fitting when planning on giving birth. Their friend had hid them away from prying eyes, and helped them to some medical supplies.
Their little son was weak when he was born, and they feared for his life. Elila often worried they would not see him grow up. But, as time passed, Zeg grew stronger. Their secluded life gave them much time together, and Zeg received all of his parents' attention. The family moved to Orebo when Zeg was one year old. There they were often visited by Kasim's younger sister Kamria. She was also involved on the side with the crimes, and she and Zeg's parents often discussed the subject. She came with news and information from the network when Kasim and Elila couldn't themselves.
The family lived on the edge of the city, in the Red Grove, a possible escape route. Zeg quickly learned to fight; to hunt for food; to pick both locks and pockets. Kasim gave Zeg an amber knife that he had received from his father. It was small and simple, but with a little sigill on the butt end of the handle. Zeg took it with pride and only used it on special occasions, like when they had caught a big deer for dinner.
Zeg had been taught early what to do in case the city soldiers found them. One day in the early spring the network his parents' were part of shook. Multiple people had been seized by the guard and executed publicly as a campaign against the weeds of the city. The family was getting ready to leave. As Elila opened the door guards came bursting through it, grabbing hold of her. Kasim threw himself on the guards, freeing her. Elila found her son and said a short goodbye, then pushed him through the small, hidden tunnel behind the kitchen cabinet. Zeg heard her grab a knife and run back to the hallway. He froze, standing on all fours in a pitch black tunnel, completely alone. Outside he heard the muffled cries of his parents as they were taken away. He snapped back to reality as heavy boots came closer to his hideout. Zeg started crawling through the tunnel and came out in a bush on the other side of the street. He was almost caught by a guard who cornered him in an alley, but he escaped the encounter with his life intact, contrary to the guard.
His parents had always told him to go to the Academy. They took in orphans and gave them education, and in turn received candidates for their work. At the Academy, Zeg could learn and use his already acquired skills in combat, and also stay safe from any nosy guards looking for connections o his family.
He spent a lot if time alone at the Academy. Zeg became mute and would neither speak to kids his age nor adults. He was assigned a psychologist to try to understand and get him out of his mute state, but it took a couple of years before Zeg began talking againi. The kids at the Academy were still interested in playing with him, like kids are, and he came along on some occasions. Though, he was still very much of a lone wolf the majority of the time.
A couple of years after joining the Academy, he came in contact with his aunt Kamria again. She had gone underground when the network cracked, and had deeply mourned her brother's passing. She did not know that Zeg had survived until now, and was glad to find something left of her family. Kamria took Zeg under her wings for a while. Her hatred and disgust for the king spilled over the young boy and it did not take long before he felt the same. His closest family was gone, and it was the king's fault. Kamria sowed the seed of revenge in her dead brother's son.
When he grew older, 12-13 years old, he became aggressive and violent. The kids who had played with him followed to other children's lead and kept away, not liking his new attitude. Adults became cautious around him and he was kept under a watchful eye by his psychologist and the other teachers.
Zeg became calmer and more mature with age. He started superficially opening up to people (making people believe they knew him) and they dared to come close. His aggressive behavior did not disappear entirely, as he had a short fuse and could easily bark at unnecessary things. With his rocky past of being violent many were still careful around him, feeling intimidated.
Education
Before the Academy, Zeg did not have any formal education apart from the practical things he learned from his parents, and it was very difficult for him to learn well when he first arrived. His mute state and no prior school made it very tough in the beginning, but as the years went by he was able to slowly catch up to the other children his age.
As a young child att the Academy you learn basic things about the world and the society. Reading, writing and counting are very basic and thus very important.
When the foundation is laid down, the students can branch off in different directions depending on their strengths and interests. With Zeg's past he could use his fighting skills to advance on the guard/solider branch. While he excelled among his peers, he also wanted to be more intellectually stimulated. As his second branch, he chose to study the mind and society.
Employment
Mental Trauma
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Likes & Dislikes
Zeg doesn't like showing people his personality or things he genuinely enjoys. It feels too revealing and he doesn't trust his surroundings enough. Dislikes are generally easier for him to show because most of them feel less personal and important.
He has never understood horses, and has not bothered to learn how to ride one. He tried in his teens, but he didn't agree with the big animal, and then just decided it was not worth it.
Many of the things he likes (especially those he keeps hidden) have something to do with his parents. His mother kept a small garden, and grew vegetables that they could eat themselves. She also grew flowers from time to time, and Zeg likes to spend time in gardens to take in the smells and memories. The knife Zeg received from his father is a dear possession, and as meditation he likes to polish the blade.
Hygiene
As long as he and his surroundings are not dirty Zeg is comfortable. He thinks putting extra effort in cleaning himself and his belongings are a waste of time, except for his precious knife.
Zeg will never say no to a hot shower or bath. It helps him relax his mind and body.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Zeg is well known in the Academy; he is one of the few who came as a child and never left, and he is a skilled fighter with a good reputation. Some people find him a bit strange or "too mysterious", considering he doesn't really share anything personal and seem to unnecessarily collect scars. Others like the mystery and try to get close to him. Zeg doesn't really care about either. As long as he doesn't do anything outright bad the ones who think he's too strange won't stand in his way, and those who find him attractive he can always get something out of, be it just sex or useful information.
He is mostly a lone wolf, but the few "friends" he has are his three roommates at the Academy: Brice Denkar, Lukah (?) and Yfir (?). They have lived together for 4 years and study mostly the same areas. Brice is a cunning fladdront with a taste for gossip, just like Lukah, who is a human with big muscles and high aspirations. Last is Yfir, a dwarf with a taste for knowledge. Zeg finds their conversations interesting during school hours, but doesn't have much interest in the others' hobbies.
Family Ties
Zeg was very close to both his parents when he was young. He was their only child and the center of all their attention.
The small family had very little contact with their other relatives, except for Kasim's sister Kamria. She had no family of her own, but was comfortable that way.
Social Aptitude
Zeg is very charismatic when he wants to, but would rather be left alone most of the time. He can engage well in conversations and make his peers feel valued and listened to. Everyone sees him as very confident and competent.
Even though he is socially skilled and well liked for his mannerism, no one really knows much about him. Zeg is good at subtly steering away from subjects that touch too close to home. If he has to he will make up a lie rather than to tell the truth about his background or "real" person.
Speech
Zeg's voice is deep and quite monotone. But when he needs to (convince people, attract them, etc), he can make an effort to sound more compelling.
He frequently uses sarcasm and makes remarks on things people say. It can easily come off as brash and as if he looks down on some people, which he does.
Wealth & Financial state
During your time at the Academy you get paid a small "salary", and the amount depends on your age and how long you've been there. The jobs you take also generate an income, so Zeg has a steady flow of money. Not much, but well enough to live on. He doesn't have to waste the money on food and shelter as the Academy offers it for its students, and he isn't a big spender either.
Zeg usually donates a lot of money to orphanages and the Academy's education for the young kids. When he uses the money for himself it's for new equipment (weapons, clothes, etc) or pleasures of the flesh.
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