Thaelin Riverhardt
Protector of the Sacred Forest Thaelin Riverhardt (a.k.a. Fish Boy; Tika's Elfcub)
A young Marei who loves and protects the waters of Tampath.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Seafoam green skin.
Lanky and muscular, but not bulky.
Overall, Thaelin might give someone the impression of a dryad.
Body Features
He is slightly tall and young for an elf of this world, appearing still somewhat boyish with no facial hair and a face crowned with shaggy, dark brown, shoulder length hair, highlighted with copper streaks.
His hair is so accustomed to being in water that it seems to sometimes float on its own, even when not submerged, and seems to magically attract bits of plant growth from his environment, be it seaweed, flowering vines, or river lilies and lotuses.
Facial Features
Angular, prominent ears, brow, and jawline.
The skin of his face is highlighted with a baby blue hue around his eyes and cheek line.
Large, soft eyes; His irises start on the outside as a mocha brown and transition to a bright copper as they progress toward his pupils, with shining gold streaks radiating from his pupils to the edge of his iris throughout.
Identifying Characteristics
On his left arm, Thaelin has a vibrant blue and purple tattoo of Tíka, his good friend and guide, an otter river spirit. On his right arm, Thaelin has a new tattoo...
Physical quirks
Like all Marei Elves, Thaelin has gills.
Apparel & Accessories
Thaelin wears medium leather armor fashioned from the hides and furs of water mammals. The armor offers combat protection and keeps Thaelin warm in cold water. He also wears a light leather neck covering which is tied in the front and extends from just below the jawline down to the clavicle; Thaelin is rather new to saltwater, so this serves to mitigate the harsh taste of saltwater in his gills. Also, the neck covering shields his gills and keeps them moist out of water and hides them from other elves, who are apt to dislike their appearance.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Thaelin was born on Tampath to parents Genwarin “Gwen” Lunarwalker and Petyarus “Petyr” Lightriver of Tivr. Thaelin has a twin sister Tova Springstep, whom he rarely talks about.
As young children, Tova and Thaelin were inseparable. Gradually, they were driven apart by social forces, as Tova was more naturally adept at carrying out the skills and rituals necessary to carry on the family tradition as guardians of the sacred forest. Often sternly admonished by his parents for failing to uphold family tradition, Thaelin was often found shirking his studies of the sacred forest to study the rivers, streams, and lakes found therein.
Thaelin spent a great deal of his childhood fishing, playing in the river, admiring colorful scales and shells of river creatures, lounging on the bank of the river under the shade of its trees, and studying the rocks, vegetation, shoreline, wildlife, and trees associated with rivers and lakes.
While other children dreamt of flying, Thaelin dreamt of swimming and floating effortlessly submerged in large bodies of water. While his sister studied the magic and wildlife that sustained the sacred forest, Thaelin was mesmerized by the waters that flowed therein. While Tova found her purpose in protecting and nurturing the sacred forest, Thaelin views its waters as a sacred lifeblood that nourishes the forest’s inhabitants; offers vital pathways for the distribution of nutrients and the movement of creatures; and connects the forest with the mountains and oceans.
Thaelin was taught to fish by bears and otters. While less friendly and sociable than the otters, the bears still tolerated his presence, as they might a curious, but ill-mannered cub. As a slightly isolated child, otters were Thaelin’s secondary community of friends and family.
After being assigned his house, eventually found his way to the underwater village of Casdiun, and heard impressive tales of the larger city of Peltum in the Sea of Malre. Of course, he had to go investigate, and was duly impressed by the vibrant culture of the water elves. Lately, he has been regarded somewhat like a foreign country bumpkin by his friends in Peltum. However, this hasn’t necessarily been a bad thing, as it has given him the mystique of a foreigner and the endearing approachability of an unassuming newcomer.
Gender Identity
More comfortable identifying as non-binary, but is exploring his relatively new, male identity.
Sexuality
Pansexual
Personality is just as likely to excite Thaelin as physique.
...Elves only.
Education
Lessons from the Elders of Tivir.
Life skills from Bears and otters of the River.
Employment
Young and new to the city of Peltum in the Sea of Malre. Survives off of fishing, exploring the waters for shiny things, and trading his excesses.
Failures & Embarrassments
Taunted by some of the forest elves, who dubbed him "Fish Boy"
Intellectual Characteristics
Smart in a wisdom sense (sees patterns and cycles rather than memorizes facts or names)
Curious, Observant, Playful, Scientific Naturalist, Short attention span
Morality & Philosophy
Scientific Naturalist
Thaelin views the water of rivers as a sacred lifeblood that nourishes the forest’s inhabitants; offers vital pathways for the distribution of nutrients and the movement of creatures; and connects the forest with the mountains and oceans.
The ocean is a bounty of life, and Thaelin is sure the heart of Tampath is filled with water.
Community, Stewardship, Somewhat utilitarian
Taboos
Throwing waste in the rivers or oceans, including elven waste.
Damning the river ("stopping the waters")
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Protector of waters, the sacred lifeblood of Tampath.
Attached to community, family, and friends.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Savvy swimmer and fisher.
Likes & Dislikes
Likes sushi and fishing.
Dislikes meat, dirty water.
Annoyed by some of the forest elves, who can be a bit pompous.
Virtues & Personality perks
Wise, observant
Vices & Personality flaws
Short attention span, naive, overly independent
Personality Quirks
Sometimes pops his gills, similar to clearing one's throat, especially when they're dry.
Hygiene
Unkempt, but clean.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Family Ties
Would rather be fishing
View Character Profile
Alignment
Neutral Good
Species
Age
110
Birthplace
Children
Current Residence
Peltum in the Sea of Malre
Eyes
Gold, mocha, copper
Hair
Brown with copper highlights, unruly and shoulder length
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pleasing seafoam green
Height
6'7"
Weight
200
Quotes & Catchphrases
River take it! (a curse)
May the River guide you/me.
May Interla, the Great Tree, shade and shelter you.
Related Reports
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First night on the other side
Tova transported mom home using her ability to travel from tree to tree. I feel lonely and am not sure that I will see them again, now that they feel farther from me than ever before.
The Dream:
In my sleep I'm walking through a dark forest.
It's raining and the puddles are dark and murky.
I get pulled into a dark sea with only a hint of moonlight.
I feel Spirit of the Sea appears and asks how I'm doing.
"When a sea turtle needs to continue its journey, it must crawl up out of the water and make its young."
Aeron will be with me on this important journey.
A dark power
When I wake up, thinking to use my ability that showed the way out of the caves with glowing footprints, I focus on the elven woman who absconded with Savaeris's holy symbol.
A searing pain wracks my brain, and I am barely able to detect a glow from the tower before collapsing to the ground.
When the pain fades, I notice my right hand has become corrupted.
The veins are darkened and varicose.
I decide it's probably not wise to use this "gift," at least not to track members of the death cult.
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