Astram Blackfall

Astram Blackfall (a.k.a. Kulemul/Monster)

He is a flame, that boy—bright, relentless, but not yet a wildfire. Knows the strength of the burn but not always the warmth of its light. He grips his sword as if it were his own heartbeat, beats it against the world and waits for an echo. A sharp edge in a dull world, he is; yet, I wonder, does he see that the blade cuts both ways? My son, Astram... He listens to the song of steel but not the music of the wind. He'll learn, or he'll break—there’s no in-between for one like him. He walks with the weight of a thousand expectations, but his feet still find the earth, always seeking, always moving, as if he might outrun whatever it is that haunts him.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Astram Blackfall was the prodigal son of his father, Kaine Blackfall. Though he had many siblings, none could outdo him; none could even pursue his coattails for reference of being framed behind him, always at his back. Especially his younger twin siblings, Amir and Ani.

Astram was the firstborn, older than the rest, and this permeated through everything. He was always stronger, always smarter, always meaner. Astram was better than them in every regard. Even as they began to compete as Emberkeepers, Astram always held back, and even in these states, his brothers and sisters stood no chance. Astram learned young that his mother's status was directly tied to his abilities and performance, and he loved his mother dearly.

Kaine Blackfall isn’t what one would call a doting father. Between managing the Blackfall Duchy, the Blackfall Knights, and still overseeing the Dynasty, few even saw his face. Astram, however, was the exception. He played the game his father dished out for them, and he did so without thought. He beat his siblings until their skin split from his blunted strikes and their tears flowed in degrees above normality. If anyone saw the state of this young child, they’d look in his eyes and refer to him by a moniker he earned: "Kolemul," meaning Monster.

A monster he was. Every waking moment for Astram was one of training and preparation. He didn’t see those behind him as threats, maybe training dummies, maybe sandbags. He only looked up, toward his father, and as the Blackfall Dynasty came together, with his cousins joining the fray, this only meant Astram needed to prove evermore that he was the only possible candidate to become heir apparent. However, one of his sisters, Ani, feared the state of affairs if Astram ever beat the Patriarch and became the Duke. She was the first of the Blackfalls to even consider killing another Emberkeeper.

The day came for the Blackfall Tournament, where the current Torchbearers of the generation would be proven and chosen. While the Emberkeepers waged brutal conflict in the arena, the eldest lied in wait—Astram was only allowed to face the victor. For days, the children of Blackfall fought to become Torchbearers; few became victorious. Amir, Ani, Evara, Jasmine, and Eleric. Then came the fight amongst themselves where the pecking order would be determined. At first, many thought it would be Amir to come out victorious and face Astram, but they were wrong. Ani Blackfall destroyed her siblings as if they were her mortal enemies, but Astram could see the way she gazed at him in the stands that she wasn’t aiming to be number two, she was trying, intending to become number one. At the time, the children were only at the oldest sixteen, but the silent exchange between them placed a dissonance in the air.

With a few days' rest, the final day of the Tournament had begun. Astram rose into the arena, his weapon on his back, though his eyes never left his opponent. Ani rose, the rapier she wielded practically hollering across the arena into the clamorous crowd itself, yelling it would taste the blood of Astram. Like it truly believed itself capable. Astram was taken aback—to kill each other, was it the only way?

The battle began, and the gap in their abilities had closed significantly since they last fought. Whatever Ani had done since they last faced each other had raised her ability exponentially. He couldn’t get the upper hand; even worse, she was likely to. However, Astram knew he was holding back, and she wasn’t. She was aiming to kill him, to end his life, while Astram refused to do the same. This disconnect in their intentions meant the fight bled on for multiple minutes, with neither gaining a clean lead. They separated, the air between them charged, the labored breathing the only sound. Then, Astram looked into the eyes of his sister again; they were filled with nothing but stark desperation, like everything hinged on his loss. He also realized the only way to win would be to kill her where she stood—he couldn’t win otherwise, and she wouldn’t surrender.

Astram took his greatsword out of its readied position, and when his sister ran forward with a burst of speed unlike ever before, he gripped her weapon with the force of a vice, stopping the tip of the sword just before it struck him through his abdomen. He looked her in the eye and shouted in the arena, his hand bleeding all the while, "Grit your teeth!," before he let it go, and straight through him the rapier stabbed. The crowd, even his mother, were aghast. Few whispers, others staring in horror. He stood still, her hand holding the weapon in place pushing against to stab him true. He dropped his greatsword and raised a single hand to his father. "I resign to stewardship," he spoke, a smile on his face. This was the last time anyone ever saw Astram Blackfall, leaving Ani and Amir to become the first and second Torchbearers. Many whisper that his giving up was a sign of his trust in Ani, elevating her on the coattails of her older brother's reputation; others saw it as a plan executed by Kaine to have his daughter as his successor.

Education

As the firstborn of the Blackfall Dynasty, Astram's education was all-encompassing, setting the standard for all future Torchbearers and Emberkeepers. Academically, he was groomed with the knowledge necessary to inherit the title of Duke, a task beyond mere governance. His studies covered history, politics, battlefield tactics, and the art of war, delving deep into the victories and failures of past leaders. He learned the intricate dance of diplomacy, how to sway hearts in the courts of nobility, and the finer points of etiquette. His tutors and father taught him that knowledge and strategy were as much a weapon as a sword or spear.

Pain, while fleeting, was Astram's most formidable teacher. His tutors and teachers guided him to master all the weapons before him. Between shields, bows, polearms, and swords, there are few weapons he can't use effectively, even less he can't use at all. All of it culminated in building the boy's strength, resilience, a sense of discipline, and an intense confidence that borders arrogance. This piece of his education crafted and molded him into something percievably destructive. It wasn't just that he didn't want to lose; he couldn't lose, he was incapable, and from that mindset, he was born a monster.

Astram's mother, Noémie Blackfall was the only person in his life not pushing him to become the next duke. She told him relentlessly in his youth he could stop whenever he wished. Of course, this young Emberkeeper refused such a thought. Now in his early adulthood, he appreciates the moments she begged to teach him emotional strength. Where he learned discipline she taught him compassion, where he gained strength, she gifted encouragment. Many assume Astram's drive was to be the duke, when in actual reality, he just wanted the woman he adored to be secured in a seat she deserved. In her eyes and in his, he made her the Matriarch, and she made sure he stayed human.

Employment

Emberkeeper

As the firstborn of the Blackfall Dynasty, Astram’s journey as an Emberkeeper was more than a test—it was a brutal experiment. Kaine Blackfall used him as the measure of what a child could endure, pushing him to limits that would later be tempered for his younger siblings. Sometimes, the training was too much; other times, it was hardly enough. There was no middle ground for Astram; he was forged in an environment that broke lesser souls, yet he endured it all. Where his brothers and sisters faced structured challenges, Astram's early years were a relentless crash course, a trial by fire. But this made him resilient, tougher than any sibling who came after. It became evident that he wasn’t just the strongest because he was older by a single year—he was the strongest because Kaine Blackfall had sharpened him that way, making him the benchmark by which all others would be measured.

Torchbearer

Astram would've ascended to the rank of first Torchbearer at the age of sixteen, however, Astram shocked the family by resigning his fight. His decision came as a blow, as he was expected to stand unchallenged at the pinnacle of the Blackfall hierarchy. Yet, with his resignation, he chose to step back, casting his gaze outward rather than downward at his trailing siblings.

Steward

After stepping down as a Torchbearer, Astram vanished into the empire, becoming a shadow of his former self. He kept to the outskirts of the family’s reach, embracing a life of secrecy and adventure. For two years, he wandered, gaining strength through solitude and the trials of the unknown. All the while, his father, Kaine, maintained contact, sensing the potential that still burned within him. During these travels, Astram learned more than just survival; he grew into a symbol of what the Blackfall torchbearers could become if they sought more than just raw power. Kaine recognized this and redefined the requirements for the title, demanding not just prowess but accomplishment. Astram returned home bearing the head of an ogre, a feat achieved alone and repeated many times over, a clear threat to the current hierarchy. Yet, before any challenge could be mounted, he was pulled into his father’s schemes and sent to serve as a bodyguard for Zara Greyfall. Now, back under the Blackfall banner, Astram bides his time, fulfilling the menial tasks his father assigns, waiting for the moment when the true depths of Kaine’s plans are laid bare, and he can act accordingly.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Weapon mastery, beating trained and experienced combatants, surpassing the level of strength required to hunt monsters well out of typical range; Astram has always been surpassing and smashing expectation after expecation, but his greatest public accomplishment is the defeat of Tristain Greyfall, who at the time was not only older, but renown for his spearmanship. Astram didn't just trample and sully the man's reputation, he almost ended the duel in death. Astram is the reason people now comprehend what is to be feared of kaine Blackfall, not him but the hounds he raises.

But if you were to ask Astram, he'd say his greatest accomplishment was racing against time to save a village from an attack of dire wolves in northern Bheria. While simple and far from a feat of strength, it was the fact that he made it in time that mattered most. Something almost knows of him or his activities. Besides of course those he's saved, who tell stories of his bravery and kindness when it mattered most. Of strength not just ot destroy, but to protect.

Mental Trauma

Astram carries deep psychological scars from a childhood that demanded too much too soon. The burden of being the firstborn in a family obsessed with power left him with an unshakable sense of guilt and inner conflict. Raised to surpass his siblings and driven to dominate them, Astram wrestles with the haunting memories of their fear and pain—wounds inflicted by his own hand. That whcih haunts him worst of all is the duel with his sister Ani, where he grappled with the implications of possibly killing her, a line he never wanted to cross. The desperation in her eyes that day marked him deeply, revealing how far their father's ambitions had twisted them all. This moment, more than any other, forced him to confront his constant "victories" and the cost of his father's relentless demands.

Morality & Philosophy

Rifted by the presence of his father's instilled ambitions and his mother's concern, Astram has grown to balance strength and compassion in equal measure. He doesn't just comprehend what killing means, but weighs it, letting it rest heavy in his heart. May it be a monster or man, he doesn't take killing lightly, deciding never to move past the lives he's taken. His empathy, however, only extends so far—the apple hasn't dropped far from the branch in which it fell. Astram is just as ruthless as he is kind; where some see mercy, it is simply the man weighing his options.

Every enemy he faces, he already considers a life lost because to be his enemy means to be on the blade tip of his greatsword. There is no line to walk—stand behind or against him. As such, betrayal comes with an outstanding tax. This overcritical view of loyalty extends to himself as well. Astram is honest, well-mannered, and loyal to those he respects or who hold authority over him. He is, by many, regarded as the perfect soldier but far from a weapon.

Personality Characteristics

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Artistic Eye

Astram possesses a surprisingly keen eye for art, particularly in sculpture and painting. He has a natural ability to appreciate and critique artwork, often visiting artisans in his spare time.

Card Games

Astram is skilled in various card games, particularly those involving strategy and deception. He learned these games during his travels and has a knack for reading opponents, making him a formidable player. He often carries a deck of cards with him in case someone is keen on losing a pocketful of coin.

Ineptitude with Animals

Despite his natural touch with horses, Astram is notably poor at handling other domesticated animals. He lacks the patience and care required to bond with them, often finding them more trouble than they’re worth. Horses tolerate him enough he can bond with his own, but he avoids situations where he must rely on other animals for companionship or labor.

Cooking

While Astram can manage basic wilderness survival cooking, he is far from a skilled chef. His meals are often bland and utilitarian, lacking any real flavor or creativity. When it comes to more refined cooking, he is all but useless, preferring to leave such tasks to companions or those suited for the kitchen.

Likes & Dislikes

Artistic Eye

Astram possesses a surprisingly keen eye for art, particularly in sculpture and painting. He has a natural ability to appreciate and critique artwork, often visiting galleries and artisans in his spare time. This talent is not something he speaks about often, but it provides him with a quiet escape from the pressures of his lineage.

Card Games

Astram is skilled in various card games, particularly those involving strategy and deception. He learned these games during his travels and has a knack for reading opponents, making him a formidable player. His skill at cards also serves as a tool for understanding the psychological tactics of others.

Floral Arrangement

A skill he picked up from his mother, Astram is adept at creating intricate floral arrangements. This hobby, which he keeps private, allows him to connect with the memory of his mother and serves as a meditative practice that calms his often turbulent thoughts.

Ineptitude with Animals

Despite his survival skills, Astram is notably poor at handling domesticated animals. He lacks the patience and gentleness required to bond with them, often finding them more trouble than they’re worth. Horses tolerate him, but only just, and he avoids situations where he must rely on animals for companionship or labor.

Cooking

Virtues & Personality perks

Decisive

Astram has a talent for making quick and firm decisions, especially in high-pressure situations. This decisiveness is a key part of his leadership style, allowing him to take control and act without hesitation when needed.

Loyal

Loyalty is one of Astram's strongest traits. He stands firmly by those he respects and considers allies, valuing their trust above all else. This loyalty also extends to his family, even if it means facing difficult choices.

Adaptable

Astram can quickly adapt to new situations and challenges. His ability to think on his feet and adjust his tactics as needed has been a vital asset, especially during his time away from the Blackfall estate.

Compassionate

Beneath his hardened exterior, Astram carries a genuine compassion for those who cannot defend themselves. He does not take pleasure in unnecessary cruelty and prefers to act with a sense of fairness whenever possible.

Disciplined

Years of rigorous training and expectations have made Astram highly disciplined. He has a strong work ethic and an unwavering focus, never allowing personal distractions to interfere with his objectives.

Enhanced Physical Strength

Astram's training and natural prowess have given him strength beyond the typical soldier's capabilities. This allows him to wield heavier weapons with ease and overpower most opponents in hand-to-hand combat.

Resilient Constitution

His body has been conditioned to withstand significant physical punishment. Astram can endure harsh conditions, fight through pain, and recover quickly from injuries that would debilitate others.

Keen Intuition

Astram has a natural knack for sensing danger and reading people. This intuition often serves him well in both combat and social interactions, allowing him to anticipate moves and uncover hidden motives.

Vices & Personality flaws

Stubbornness

Astram often refuses to back down once he has set his mind on something. This stubborn streak can lead to conflicts with others who have different viewpoints or strategies, and he sometimes struggles to admit when he is wrong.

Gambling

During his travels, Astram developed a taste for gambling, particularly in games that involve high stakes. While it started as a way to pass the time, it has become a habit he finds hard to shake, occasionally leading to reckless bets and debts.

Impulsiveness

Though generally disciplined, Astram can be impulsive when he feels strongly about a situation. This tendency can lead him to make quick, sometimes rash decisions without considering all possible consequences, especially when emotions are involved.

Aloofness

Astram can be distant and unapproachable, often keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself. This can make it difficult for others to connect with him or understand his motives, leading to misunderstandings and a lack of trust from those around him.

Tendency to Overindulge

While Astram maintains a strong and disciplined exterior, he occasionally overindulges in food or drink as a way to unwind. This habit, while not frequent, can sometimes affect his judgment or slow him down when he needs to be at his best.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Ayen Rozen

Ayen Rozen, a young sorcerer hailing from Rozen County, is perhaps the most enigmatic of Astram’s companions. With his auburn hair and sharp wit, Ayen is a blend of curiosity and danger, often blurring the lines between humor and bloodlust. His unpredictable nature keeps even Astram on his toes, making their interactions a blend of camaraderie and cautious observation. While they are close as party members, there remains a certain distance between them—a gap that comes from Ayen’s often cryptic behavior and Astram’s tendency to keep his cards close to his chest. Though they respect each other's abilities, both seem to understand that their relationship is more one of convenience and mutual benefit than deep friendship.

Nastya Ironheardt

Nastya Ironheardt is a former inquisitor turned cleric who follows Astram out of a bond forged through battle and a promise she feels honor-bound to keep. Her commitment to Astram was once fueled by both respect and a hint of something deeper; their moments of intimacy hinted at possibilities that were ultimately left unexplored. When Astram left the group for nearly a year to guard Zara Greyfall, whatever spark that had existed between them seemed to extinguish, replaced by a more grounded companionship. Upon his return, it was clear that Astram’s focus had shifted entirely back to his mission and less on personal connections. Despite this, Nastya remains a trusted ally, her loyalty unwavering, especially when they stand side by side in combat. The bond they share is now one of unspoken understanding—of what was and what might have been.

Mara Fafin

Mara Fafin is a thief with a story bound tightly to Astram's sense of mercy. Having been spared by him during one of his expeditions, she pledged herself to his cause, not out of admiration but necessity. Astram, in return, agreed to keep her brother away from the frontlines as a Blackfall soldier—a promise that serves as the fragile glue holding their alliance together. Though they have grown to share a friendship of sorts, there is a mutual understanding that their arrangement is built on practical needs. Mara remains ever wary, knowing full well that Astram is not one to make concessions without reason. For Astram, Mara's skill set as a thief and archer is an invaluable asset, but he is always aware of the thin line they walk between allies and two people bound by circumstance. Their dynamic is a constant negotiation, a dance of trust and guarded intentions.

Zara Greyfall

Astram’s assignment to guard Zara Greyfall began as a reluctant duty, a political maneuver by his father, Kaine Blackfall. Initially, Astram viewed Zara as just another burden—a noblewoman known more for her failures than her strengths. However, the forced proximity over the months allowed them to see beyond their preconceived notions. Zara’s resilience and hidden depth slowly broke through Astram’s cold exterior, and he found himself drawn to her in unexpected ways. What started as a mere obligation turned into something much more personal and intense.

Six months in, the lines between duty and desire blurred entirely. Astram and Zara's relationship evolved from mutual respect to a full-fledged affair, marked by a passionate and consuming intimacy. In each other, they found a reprieve from their family obligations and the burdens of their roles. Their bond was not just physical but emotional, forming a deep connection that neither had anticipated. For a time, they became lovers, united in both vulnerability and strength, an escape from the rigid expectations placed upon them.

Their affair did not go unnoticed. Sensing the implications of their growing attachment, Alaric Greyfall, Zara's father, decided to intervene. Deeming Astram’s presence no longer necessary, he had him pulled away to prevent any further entanglement. The abrupt separation left both Astram and Zara with unresolved emotions, victims of the political maneuverings of their fathers. Though Astram returned to his duties, the time spent with Zara left an indelible mark on him, a reminder of the complexities of power, love, and the battles fought outside the battlefield.

Family Ties

Kaine Blackfall

Astram’s relationship with his father, Kaine, is defined by expectations and distance. Kaine views Astram primarily as a tool to shape the future of the Blackfall Dynasty, and Astram understands this well. He has a sense of respect for his father’s ambitions but doesn’t see Kaine as someone with whom he can have an emotional connection. Their relationship remains one of mutual understanding of each other’s roles within the dynasty, rather than any semblance of familial warmth.

Noémie Blackfall

Noémie offers a stark contrast to Kaine’s cold, calculating demeanor. Her compassion and concern were the few sources of genuine warmth in Astram’s life. However, even with his mother, Astram remains somewhat detached. While her influence has taught him to balance strength with empathy, he keeps an emotional distance, knowing that to indulge in that softness too much might make him vulnerable in a family that values strength above all else.

Amir Blackfall

Amir, being one of the twins alongside Ani, was often close to her in their mutual ambition to surpass Astram. Unlike Ani, who directly challenged Astram, Amir’s rivalry is more measured. He has often been caught between supporting his twin sister's drive and his own personal ambitions. Astram’s departure has created a rift, and now that both stand as Torchbearers, Amir grapples with what it means to no longer compete with the elder brother who was once their measure of greatness.

Ani Blackfall

Ani’s relationship with Astram is marked by the intensity of their confrontation during the Blackfall Tournament. She harbored a desire not just to defeat him, but to surpass him entirely, driven by her determination to break free from his shadow. Astram respected Ani’s resolve but also saw her as a threat that could have fractured their already fragile sibling bonds. Since his departure, he views Ani from a distance, recognizing her ambition but wary of what that ambition might cost them all.

Eleric Blackfall

For Eleric, Astram represents an unreachable standard. Throughout their upbringing, Eleric found himself struggling to catch up, often feeling overshadowed and frustrated. Now, with Astram gone, Eleric is left to navigate his own path as a Torchbearer, sometimes questioning if he would ever measure up to the legacy his elder brother left behind. Their bond was never close, and with Astram’s absence, it is filled more with what-ifs than any true connection.

Jasmine Blackfall

Jasmine was one of the few who saw past Astram’s cold exterior, understanding that his actions were often a product of their father’s expectations. Despite this understanding, Astram’s self-imposed isolation means they never developed a deep connection. Jasmine respects his choices and decisions, but there is a sense of distance that lingers—a silent acknowledgment that they could have been closer had circumstances been different.

Raia and Terys Blackfall

To Raia and Terys, Astram is more a story than a sibling—a figure spoken of in hushed tones, representing strength and the peak of what a Blackfall should be. They’ve only ever known him from afar, and their perceptions of him are shaped by the tales told by their older siblings. Astram, in turn, views them as the untouched potential of the family, still too young to be entrenched in the conflicts that divide the rest of them. While not close, he feels a distant sense of duty to them, hoping they might grow to understand truly what it meants to be an Emberkeeper, away from teh shared perception of the young assuming lethal combat or backwards methods are the way to success.

Hobbies & Pets

Horse: Vesper

Astram’s only true companion in his travels is his horse, Vesper—a dark-coated stallion with a temperament as steadfast and intense as his own. Vesper has been with Astram since he first left the Blackfall estate, and the bond between them has grown unbreakable. Trained for endurance and speed, Vesper is a reliable ally in both battle and solitude. The horse is his constant, a quiet presence that shares in his journeys. Astram often talks to Vesper as one would to a silent friend.

Whittling and Carving

Despite his rugged exterior, Astram has a surprisingly steady hand for detailed work and enjoys whittling and carving wood during quieter moments. What began as a way to maintain dexterity and focus has become a calming hobby. He often creates small figures or tokens, sometimes shaped like animals or abstract designs. These carvings are never grand but they carry a certain rough beauty. He rarely gives them away, but he has, notably to three people. His mother, lover, and his youngest brother Terys.

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Bherian Human

Year of Birth

1633 AAE 20 Years old

Parents

Kaine Blackfall

Noémie Blackfall

Children

Eyes

Dark

Hair

Short Dirty-Blonde

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Rosy

Height

6'1

Weight

215 Lb

Quotes & Catchphrases

Astram Blackfall