Serj
"Many dreams don't seem like dreams while you're dreaming..."
Physical Description
Serj most closely resembles a hobgoblin with greenish-blue skin and elongated ears. Officially, however, he is a fey creature and a product of hag magic who is further corrupted by Shadowfell influence. Instead of the bright, flamboyant, and charming aesthetics of his fey cousins, he exudes a subtle aura of silent, predatorial danger. His body is on the side of being fairly average for most lithe adventurers. Slim and well-toned, it suggests an aptitude for swimming and climbing. His shoulders are broad and able to be likened more to a conventional hobgoblin than an elf or human. He’s 6’1” when he stands with a straightened spine, but he can usually be caught hunching and generally making his presence small with the use of body language. Most of his face is all chiseled sharpness with dark eyes neutrally set into a look of exhausted frustration. His hair is straight and long, in a color reminiscent of oil, and extends to the inner arch of his back. Many have audibly regarded Serj as good-looking. This was by the design of his makers. The work of his makers has since been marred. Much of his upper body, throat, and right side of his lower face have been brutally disfigured by acid. The massive scar is in the shape of the tentacle that caused it.
Ethereal Visage
Through hard work and perseverance, with the guidance of a Kalashtar and a secret or two from a Moonstone Dragon, Serj has acquired the phantasmal ability to range through dreams and the Ethereal Plane. In such instances, his appearance can shift into a humanoid shadow-creature with moving depths and facets that only make sense within the dream realm. With the use of illusion magic, however, he has been known to replicate this form in mundane reality.Personality
Serj is nothing if not a tortured artist. Like most creatures who’ve spent too much time on the Shadowfell, he’s contracted Shadow Sickness - the same mind-and-body-distorting affliction that turns people into Sorrowsworn and dragons into Shadow Dragons. It hasn’t consumed him completely however, leaving him with cosmetic alterations and a deeply-rooted sense of despair. He assuages his anguish via the typical crutches of sex, drugs, alcohol, violence, music, and art. Once upon a time, Serj could have been considered among the most driven and ambitious of Vareholm’s denizens. He strove towards Archfeydom on the foundation that it might finally grant him the strength to adequately protect himself and his loved ones. That changed when he went head-to-head against the Court of All-Flesh. After a devastating defeat at the hands of Uursovk, the Mad Oracle, he returned changed, all but internally devoured by despair. Despite his affliction, he’s forged tight bonds with a handful of others. These bonds tend to take constant beatings, but usually, those who survive the initial onslaught are treated to obstinate loyalty and the truth behind the nature of how safe and comfortable a comfortable silence between two people can be.A Man of Many Names
He believes that allowing someone to know his real name grants them power they don't otherwise have over him, especially as a fey creature, and so he keeps it secret. Only three people know what it is: Spoon, Dena Merillin, and Guth-tú-nakash.Reputation
Serj has gained notoriety as being one of the stealthiest active adventurers available. While he is a master in archery, this skill comes second to his prowess in the darkness. It’s common operating procedure for those who’ve worked with him in the past to allow him to move ahead of the group for scouting purposes. He’s very good at tracking. Seldom does he lose the quarry once they’re within a mile, and he can innately sense Feywild and Shadowfell portals within a ten mile radius. His extra sense for knowing what kinds of creatures are in the vicinity has also been historically very useful. It’s widely known that he can converse with plants and animals. He also has some semblance of control specifically over plant life. In addition, when it comes to knowledge regarding the other inner planes (the Feywild and the Shadowfell), he’s as experienced as they come, and it’s usually a very good thing to have him on a team when dealing with either. His experiences with the Nine Hells are also on the rise. As useful as he is, he’s also gained a reputation for being functionally merciless. He has no problem with killing as long as it benefits him or the people he likes. He will usually demand payment for his services of some kind, seldom doing anything for free that takes him any amount of effort. It is a gruesome fact that he harvests all manner of creatures for parts, including those that are strikingly humanoid.The Lunascythes
Dena and him have formed a band. They play at random when they’re together, at local events, and at The Swallow's Pride in Galloran's Port. What instruments they do not play themselves are supplemented by magical, illusory accompaniment.Plot Involvement
- Serj is the foremost expert on what's going on with an Archfey Hag called Mother Maybelle and her Court of All-Flesh. One of the court's members, Malgas, killed and ate his first protégé, Tufi, who he has since named his dog after. He's suffered brutal defeat at the hands of Uursovk, an even stronger member. He was briefly hospitalized after the battle against Uursovk, after which Oko put him into a willing state of perpetual slumber, using a spell of Imprisonment. She is currently the guardian of his body as his spirit travels freely through dreams.
- He is working with Harold on the Voidheart questline, keeping tabs on the greatwyrms associated with Volktollenh who've recently appeared, following Pikyr's demise.
- Along-side Dena, he's attempting to keep Cyrvyntyn under careful observation. He's also hunting for a treatment for Shadow Sickness for both the sake of the dragon and himself, but lacks hope that there is one.
- He's been known to do mercenary work on behalf of The Hells. He's actively participated before in what is famously known as The Blood War, specifically against the demonic forces of the Planes of Silence.
- He accidentally officially kicked off Crabmageddon by eating the heart of Crusty Jones.
- He has recently been enlisted into a highly capable team consisting of Spoon, Adrian, Marr, Oko, and Lani with the goal of returning to many places of power in Idriell to uncover extremely dangerous secrets other adventurers may have missed.
Relationships
Partner
Best Friends
Friends
Played by Casey
Alias: Able, Frankie, Hooded Mr. Mask Guy, Nyx, Star-That-Guides-Passion, The Tooth, and Zarach O'lamaClass & Subclass: Ranger (Gloom Stalker)
Species: Hexblood Hobgoblin
Pronouns: He/Him
Visual Age: Late 20s/Early 30s
Organizations/Affiliations: Former member of the Unseelie Court
Current Residence: #Nightshade Growhouse, Vareholm
Children
