Ivan Thurisaz

Written by TheFinalTre

Baron (Hu'an Title) Ivan Thurisaz (a.k.a. The Emissary)

A Weiss-Jarai more fit towards Hu'an nobility than many of the human nobles he's met, despite accidentally falling into the role of emissary simply because of his association with a remarkably talented mage, and a tall, disproportionately baby-faced paladin.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Exceptionally tall for any sub-race of Jarai, standing at 5'2". His musculature is wiry as Jarai go, but on a Hu'an, his muscle structure is substantial. Similar to those on a bodybuilder with functional muscles. The definition isn't evident as, given that the Weiss-Jarai are a northern dwelling race, they commonly possess an insulating layer of adipose tissue.

Body Features

Dense body hair, secondary eyelids that are reactive to sustained bright light, arms with fingertips that touch the top of his knees, broad torso, short legs, and large ears.

Facial Features

Prominent brow Deep-set, round eyes High cheekbones Hawkish nose Heavy lower lip Square jaw

Identifying Characteristics

White, wavy hair (curls in humidity) Faint scratch scars on his cheek

Physical quirks

He can voluntarily put himself into a berserk rage that increases his strength while still maintaining mental acuity.

Special abilities

Having been made a paladin of Amares, he can call forth a ball of light to help him see in deep darkness. He's also immune to most poisons, except for the Tulsa flower.

Apparel & Accessories

His typical outfit is a combination of Galam, black wool, purple silk, and a sash of red satin. When on official, diplomatic missions, his clothing consists of green, blue, and gold.

Specialized Equipment

As per Jarik tradition, he has a braid framing either side of his face, sectioned to indicate how many years he's lived with his parents, along with four smaller braids, two on either side of his head, to show how many siblings he has.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Up until leaving the Shadow Mountains of the north, Ivan lived life in a way that was relatively average of a Weiss-Jarik aristocrat. Opportunities were plentiful in the mountains with a family name like the one he had. Due to a quirk inherited from his father, though, Ivan felt different from other Weiss-Jarai his age, yet had no idea why. Eventually, his father informed him of a curse placed on him and any children he might have; they would fall in love like humans. For most, this wouldn't be a problem. For a Jarai of any kind, it's a tragedy. Feeling that it was unjust to remain in the mountains and risk one of his people falling in love with a person that couldn't love them in the same way, Ivan left and traveled south. Along the way, he smothered his sorrows in the abuse of various substances for a few years before eventually getting himself hired on as an assistant blacksmith in Fort Hill.
He remained there for a time, working alongside a Hu'an blacksmith, and generally accepting his lot in life being quiet, yet somewhat lonely due to his limited understanding of Hu'ans. Thankfully, the head blacksmith took the time to teach him Lainshoan to make his life less stressful.
Then, one winter in his 42nd year, an odd group decided to stay in Fort Hill to train and wait for the snows to melt. The paladin, which he later learned was named Cyren, made regular visits since Ivan was working on a set of armour for him. As friendly as the strange teenager was, Ivan was looking forward to the other, leaving Fort Hill and letting him work without interruption. At least, so he thought.
When the snows began to melt, the baron of Fort Hill asked the wintering group of heroes to find and capture a vampire for him, as this vampire had been causing trouble with the locals, and staying in abandoned Jarik tunnels. Unfortunately, none of those heroes knew how to navigate such areas, but Cyren remembered a Weiss-Jarai was working at the local smithy that just might agree to guide them. Given that he was ordered by the baron to assist, Ivan had little choice in the matter.
During their investigation, the heroes and their Jarik guide came across sets of Galam armour. Upon donning the armour, Ivan found a spark of confidence in himself in that he didn't need to stay at the forge his whole life. He knew how to use a sword, so why just stick to making them when he could do something more interesting.
When they returned to the baron, vampire in tow, an invitation to join the heroes was extended to Ivan, and he accepted it without hesitation. Since then, he's learned that he can want things and that, while he might not make a very good Jarai in a few ways, being a little more Hu'an isn't so bad.

Gender Identity

Given that physical characteristics don't vary that wildly for Jarai in terms of apparent differences, Ivan identifies as male, though he has no considerably strong feelings about it. For Jarai, concepts of emphasized masculinity and femininity are foreign and, while they do acknowledge differences, those hold no bearing on how their society functions. Positions of influence are determined purely by an individuals capabilities.
For show, Ivan can play up being exceptionally masculine for humans that require that of him in specific moments, though it strikes him as farcical to the point of absurdity.

Sexuality

As Jarai only typically have one individual that they fall in love with, specific sexualities for Jarai are less concrete than they are with most races. For Ivan, having not grown up with any sense of how to establish tastes while lacking the trait that would have him fall in love with only one person for his entire life, has decided just to try things. So far, he's taken widely varying types of lovers and has expressed curiosity towards other conquests, solely on the grounds of wanting to experiment.
He does have one consistent lover, a human by the name of Pether, who is both understanding and patient, likely as he knows he's the favourite since Ivan's taken no other consistent lovers as of yet.

Education

He trained with his uncle in both blacksmithing and the use of a bastard sword. He also learned the art of interrogation from his mother. Once appointed as Althea's emissary, he threw himself into learning the nuances of Hu'an politics and diplomacy. Though he doesn't flaunt it outside of specific circumstances, he can name off most, if not all, the heraldry one can find throughout the Valkran kingdom, and a couple of countries besides.
To go with being a paladin, he went and tried to learn about how one properly prays to their god. Still, upon learning the formal prayers, he decided he liked his way better and is very likely one of very few paladins that can yell at Amares and get away with it.

Employment

He started as a simple blacksmith's assistant, then went on to work for Althea in whatever she needed him to do before being officially made her emissary.

Accomplishments & Achievements

He's very proud of being made a baron, but, of all his achievements, he's most proud of beating the shit out of a paladin, stealing a holy weapon off said paladin, then making the hammer his own.
Being made an actual paladin after doing all of that still baffles him.

Failures & Embarrassments

Ivan doesn't acknowledge embarrassments and sees his "failures" as "slow-burning towards success." Most don't remind him of them since he's ready and able to break a person in half if the mood strikes him, and he feels they've earned it. Only his close friends can get away with that kind of thing, and nine times out of ten, it's because Adaon is there, or it's Adaon himself doing the reminding.
He's reckless, but he's not stupid.

Mental Trauma

He's not proud of how he spent his first years on the surface and actively tried to forget about them. He's used to seeing the carnage of a battlefield, to the point where he can't call seeing them in his sleep nightmares anymore. As much as he'd benefit from taking time to come to terms with some of what he's seen and done, he doesn't feel he has the time to and, instead, buries himself in his work.

Intellectual Characteristics

Ivan is intelligent and stubborn. A natural diplomat with a lot of patience, but he doesn't put up with people he feels have no place running any territories. Were it up to him, he'd replace most of the Hu'an nobility with other individuals that are a better fit, whether they have a noble family or not.
He doesn't believe someone should expect the worst out of any given person, no matter where they come from or who their family is. Through this he's managed to make ready friends with a vampire, a large, semi-humanoid spider, and a mage that had once kidnapped Adaon and that Ivan had nearly run over with a horse.

Morality & Philosophy

In most circumstances, Ivan would describe himself as purely ambitious but, while he does have ambitions, he's more sensibly altruistic. He understands that he can't fix everything immediately, not to the extent Ivan wants to, but also wants to bring his barony up to the standards he grew up with while living in the Shadow Mountains. Part of that is why he ended up adopting his daughter, Kiera.

Taboos

With the exception of family and one's betrothed/lover, no one else is to touch or cut a Jarai's hair.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

His motivation is genuine curiosity, along with a desire to see the world better than it currently is. In many ways, he sees a lot of it as a big game because, in the end, he could go back up north if he wanted to. As he becomes more and more attached to his friends, that option is steadily growing less appealing.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Ivan has a great understanding of human social nuances, except for delivering bad news about someone's death. As Lainshoan and Valkran are not his native language, he misses some verbal queues involved in softening sensitive information. While aware of that fact, he has made little effort to improve upon that since Ivan sees no point. He believes speaking plainly with people brings everyone to the same level.

Likes & Dislikes

He adores beautiful fabrics made with costly dyes, and wildly expensive metals that he can make himself if he has enough time to do so at a forge. Ivan has an appreciation for Hu'an fashions but has any clothing he orders incorporate a bit of Weiss-Jarik flair. Simultaneously, this allows him to both blend in and stand out.
He won't allow any fabric below linen of fine quality to touch his skin and will go without clothing if the weather permits this. Burlap clothing is set fire to without question.
He likes the heat of battle, but hates warfare. While some claim it creates industry, he believes you could still have industry but apply resources to improving peoples lives instead of creating things that kill people faster. He does like weapons created with artistry that can be both functional and decorative.

Virtues & Personality perks

Despite the somewhat frightening exterior, Ivan is soft-hearted and kind, as well as just. Whether something is temporarily honest or dishonest doesn't bother him. What matters is that it works out best for the most people in the end.

Vices & Personality flaws

Somewhat licentious and quick-tempered. Ivan has a weakness for expensive things and operates on the belief that he'll be able to afford those things soon enough. Though his tastes are decadent in all things, he has people with him that temper them, reminding him that expensive items cost money.
When bored, he may stir up trouble for fun, wanting to see what happens.
Far too protective of his adopted daughter Kiera, though this is due to knowing what circumstances she'd come from.
Outside of diplomatic situations, he doesn't care to think before he speaks.
Ivan can often be far too reckless, getting caught up in the heat of the moment before thinking about what he's doing.

Personality Quirks

Ivan can't stand being idle for too long, which results in him either finding something to do or creating his own project.
Can't stand being on ships and loathes the open ocean, so will often sit somewhere that won't give him a view of the water.
Adamantly refuses to tell Cyren how old he is or what his birthday is. Adaon knows due to frequent walks through Ivan's mindscape, but has been polite enough not to share that.

Hygiene

If the option is available, Ivan will keep himself immaculately clean, wearing lightly scented oils and powders to keep himself ready for any occasion. If the option is not available, he can go for weeks encrusted with blood, dirt, and grime from the road, which sometimes results in his hair looking more of a mousy brown than a pearly white.

Social

Contacts & Relations

- A fellow paladin, and a human that he sees as more of a little brother. Sometimes, he feels terrible that he's so quickly able to convince Cyren to do foolish things, but that feeling leaves when whatever he convinced Cyren to do was funnier than expected.
Lord Arch-Mage Adaon of Datova - A mage that Ivan has tremendous respect for, yet often worried after due to Adaon's near-constant attraction towards dangerous situations. Ultimately though, whatever Adaon asks of him, Ivan trusts it's for a good reason and will most often agree, and with only mild complaining.

Family Ties

Matron Loni Thurisaz, First Daughter of House Thurisaz, Interrogator [mother]
Ivaldi Thurisaz, Second Son of House Kenaz, Bard [father]
Sviura Thurisaz, First Daughter of House Thurisaz, Guard to the King [oldest
Eisa Thurisaz, Second Daughter of House Thurisaz, Official First Heir [second]
Nali Thurisaz, Third Daughter of House Thurisaz, Priestess of Amares [third]
Felix Thurisaz, Second Son of House Thurisaz, Ward of Exile Fjalar Kenaz [fifth]

Patron Sviur Kenaz, First Son of House Kenaz, Blacksmith and Weapons Master [uncle]
Ginnar Kenaz, First Son of House Demir [uncle by marriage]

Fjalar Kenaz, Third Son of House Kenaz, Self-Titled Skylord [uncle]
Alma Kenaz, Second Daughter of House Berkana, Alchemist and Herbalist [aunt by marriage]
Almar Kenaz-Berkana, First Son of Houses Kenaz and Berkana, Acquirer of Art and Artifacts [cousin]
Ivali Kenaz-Berkana and Fjali Kenaz-Berkana, First Daughters of Houses Kenaz and Berkana, Twins [cousins]

Religious Views

Though technically a paladin, which makes him worshipful by default, he doesn't address Amares with reverence, but more in the way one would treat a business partner that they have a casual friendship with. Ivan doesn't think that any god is more powerful than any of the others, but more that they have specific skillsets. He does firmly believe that Ga-La is the least fun of the gods.

Social Aptitude

Surprisingly high, despite his blunt nature. He attributes much of that to his "exotic" features, given that it's rare to see a Weiss-Jarai outside the Shadow Mountains.

Mannerisms

Though many of his mannerisms are common amongst Weiss-Jarai, some of them are strange to Hu'ans, so he's learned to adapt and keep them to a minimum. Overall he's polite, but some circumstances call for a forthrightness that Jarai are known for.

Hobbies & Pets

Blacksmithing, though it started as his profession, has become a hobby in the past few years. Overall, he seems to have bad luck with pets, so he has stopped trying to keep one.

Speech

Casual in most circumstances, though formal when necessary. It takes on a rougher nature around those he's familiar with.

Wealth & Financial state

Now has his own barony in a Hu'an kingdom, run in part by himself and his friends, as well as relatives of said friends that have a better understanding of economics than he does.

A Weiss-Jarai the fell into the role of a hero and has gone with it, to whatever end that may be.

Character Location

Bear Keep

Current Location

Bear Keep

View Character Profile

Alignment

Chaotic Bastard

Current Location

Bear Keep

Species

Jarai

Honorary & Occupational Titles

• Baron Ivan Thurisaz
• Althea's Emissary
• First Son of House Thurisaz [former]
• Bianca LaBlanc [disguise]

Birthplace

The Shadow Mountains

Parents

Loni Thurisaz

Ivaldi Thurisaz

Current Residence

Bear Keep

Gender

Male

Eyes

Grey

Hair

White

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale

Height

5'2"

Weight

132kg

Quotes & Catchphrases

"As much as I hate to say it, I don't think fire's going to fix this."
"Cyren, I'm going to let you try it, but when it doesn't work, we'll do something else."
"The nice thing about being uncomfortably close as a party means we can trust each other to take anything."
"If it helps, I don't need any of you to defend my dignity. Guaranteed, you'd fight for it a lot harder than I ever have."
"Sure, Adaon MAY be a Hu'an, but he's also a wizard, so that basically cancels it out."
"Considering that you're a vampire and vampires can command mammals, does that mean you could also command dolphins?"
"Alright, if all of you have slept with Cyren, then tell me... How big is he?"
"Ah yes, vacation on an island, that's great... But do you think they have any work available?"
"The only way people take us seriously is if they've never actually met any of us face to face."

Aligned Organization

Valkra

Known Languages

Jarik, Lainshoan, and Valkran.