Asher

Lightbridge Asher Williams

Background

Asher grew up in a small town named Orthod in the country of Urland, and like most others lived a simple life. He married his childhood sweetheart, Ava Oleander and eventually, she became pregnant. That winter was particularly harsh and due to a lack of food variety, the biting cold, or some unknown reason three months before the baby was to arrive, she miscarried. Their relationship was stressed and as time went on they couldn't bring themselves to try again. It was ultimately the beginning of the end and after years had passed, their marriage dissolved.
Feeling justified at the time Asher left in a sudden frenzy of packing while she was visiting his own family. Always taking her side in every argument he packed and left the same evening without a good bye. A few years of odd jobs moving from town to town eventually found Asher as a member of the Disciples of Oolia. His natural charisma made for an easy fit and as he continued his travels brought many into the organization. Passing his trials he was eventually granted leadership of a small shrine in Lastwall. Disliking the newly granted authority Asher shouldered the burden of leadership thinking that if he could do anything with his life, at the least he could shine a bit more light into it.
His following grew over time along with his confidence in his own position. While never fully feeling that he had a full connection with Oolia he at least had gotten into a rhythm and felt things were at least "good enough". Then at midday during the ritual of light, as he lead a small gathering through the ritual everything changed for him. He had performed the small divine task multiple times by that point, summon a bonfire and burn a blacked cloth signifying the purifying light destroying the darkness. This time however, as he leaned forward to toss the strip of cloth in while chanting a prayer he suddenly fell forward into the fire as if pushed by an invisible hand.
As the heat and light consumed him he braced for the pain that was sure to come. Yet, as he waited he felt nothing but the pull of the winds and eddies created by the fire and coals around him. As he moved to push himself up and away from the fire the pain suddenly came. It wasn't the fire that caused the searing burns, but instead the great light seemingly coming from every direction. His eyes felt as if they had exploded as the scarlet, white, and yellow light surrounded him.

"My radiant light will flood this world once more! I shall abide no darkness, but only light and beauty as clear as morning. My wrath will abide none of this filth that has been allowed to fester and cause rot upon this world, MY WORLD, and my people. The beauty of my temple shall be restored, and YOU will be my vessel. Now rise from these cleansing fires and prepare."

Asher awoke with his disciples and faithful surrounding him, the fire burned out and only blackened coals remaining. The looks of shock on the faces surrounding him told Asher that he had not dreamed the last few minutes. "Your, your eyes Lightbridge" whispered a portly man too his left. Gathering his unburnt robes Asher quickly made his way towards his room and looking into the reflection of his washbasin gasped in shock. His eyes were a solid glass blue with no pupil contained within the milky orbs.
He would later learn that the majority of those participating in the ritual would report seeing a female form through the smoke of the fire vanishing just before the fire itself followed suit. Although the majority of the conversation was of the priest who fell into fire, and emerged unharmed as if guided by the hand of Oolia herself.
The Oolian Inquisition paid a visit a few days later, and through questioning determined that Asher had fulfilled his oaths and must be in the grace of Oolia herself. Their report was thorough and contained a final line that Asher read a hundred times with his pupiless eyes. "No work of charlentry, it is believed that Asher is full of faith and has been given supreme guidance by the Holy Light. May his faith remain strong". It was Asher though for the better that the Inquisition, or at least those that had written the report were unable to read his mind. For if they had they would have found a sea of jarring and conflicting thoughts all jumbled together.
Believing in a church was one thing, a faith that was meant to bring light into the world and help those that needed it. Being granted small divine gifts was no more surprising than the first time Asher had seen a wizard perform his magics. Impressive, and surly proof that the divine existed in some way but far different than what had happened to him. To suddenly feel as if you were a speck of dirt on the waves of power that a single divine being possesses was unsettling and truthfully, Asher just didn't know how he felt about it.
Unable to shake his unease Asher decided he needed some time away from the shrine and his followers. Believing him to be on a divine quest the other priests of the city were more than welcome to take over his duties and wish blessings upon him. Having found that his divine gifts had increased Asher felt that moving into the world and using them to do some good would at least give him time to decide how he felt. After all he had spent most of his life in sleepy villages, it was time to see the world and find out what Oolia wanted to burn away.

Current Personal Objectives

• Learn what it takes to live on the road as a mercenary
• Improve his individual skills and become more self sufficient

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

• To embrace the life of a mercenary and find peace in anonymity 
• Uncover the truth behind the message from Oolia the God of Light
• (Subconscious Goal) Atone for his guilt in leaving Ava in Urland
• (Subconscious Goal) Discover his place in the world and what that means to him specifically

Virtues & Personality perks

• Asher keeps a very optimistic outlook in most situations
• He is charismatic, but does not desire the spotlight
• Idealistic in the way the world should work he believes its more black and white than is possible
• Trusts that Humanity (read: intelligent life) is more good than bad
• Believes that the ends do not always justify the means
• Believes that the simplest path is often the best (keep it simple stupid)

Vices & Personality flaws

• Asher may drink a bit too much
• Asher has recently become very conflicted on how to live

Social

Contacts & Relations

• The Disciples of Oolia 
• The Oolian inquisition
• The Oolian order of Paladins
• The Disciples of Vanalia
• The Vanalian order of paladins

Family Ties

• Previously married to Ava Oleander Asher has since left and had little too no contact with his family in the town he originally grew up in. Having felt that both his mother and father sided more with his wife when they were having rough times Asher has not returned since he left years ago.

Religious Views

• Once the leader of a medium sized temple to the God Oolia Asher has recently become more conflicted in his view of The Deities of Telduria. Often believing them to be an idea and while powerful still part of the natural realm. His recent direct contact in the heart of the flames has changed that outlook and while still faithful, is now questioning the choices that lead him too his oath.

Social Aptitude

• A charismatic natural leader, that intrinsically hates the idea of being the center of attention. Often finding himself pushed into a leadership role due too his charismatic nature Asher often pushes back or simply leaves once the social pressure becomes too great. Often thinking the best of people and situations it can quickly clash with the real world but despite hardships he has maintained his optimistic and oftentimes idealistic outlook. 

Wealth & Financial state

• Modest Lifestyle - provided by The Disciples of Oolia 

Species

Human

Honorary & Occupational Titles

• Light bringer of Oolia (Previous Title)
• Lightbridge of Oolia

Year of Birth

1473 PGAC 533 Years old

Birthplace

Urland

Current Residence

None

Gender

Male

Eyes

Glass Blue, Without Pupils

Hair

Bald Head, Black Beard

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Tan

Height

5'9"

Weight

160

Aligned Organization

Disciples of Oolia

Other Affiliations

• The Heros