Mutugen
Mutugen
"It's not worth it! Take my hand, brother, if you want to live!"
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Mutugen is tall and brawny, with an evil eye.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Raised by a wealthy, widowed woman, Mutugen never knew the hardships that others faced. He grew up believing that his father died in battle, a hero who protected his Lord with his final breaths against a group of Trel deserters. Mutugen was raised on tales similar to this, of the human spirit, and the will to fight on. These fantasies guided his every step, and the truth concerning his heritage remains hidden. His father did not die, as the story goes, alone in the frigid north. He ascended.
Mutugen was born in the burning wastes, what remained of Feldaga'r. Smoke filled the air, the face of death welcoming him into this world. In the custom of the Orcs, his mother marched alongside the armies, hoping for her child to be chosen for greatness by the goddesses of war. His father rode in the vanguard, pierced through by arrows and dogged by Orcish spears. Corpses littered the ground. The sun was blotted out in a haze of blood and iron, so brutal was the skirmish between the two forces. Although the Vampires had emerged victorious, their march was slowed by several hours, hours vital in the war against the Outsiders lost for nothing.
Their losses were steep, for the Orcs attacked recklessly, embracing death gleefully where others would have fled. With his loyalty and courage against the insurmountable odds, his father was rewarded with the Gift of Vampirism. As was the custom, his mother would be the newly turned Vampire's first victim. Mutugen was left to be raised by his aunt.
The child was a whirlwind of energy, eager to explore and discover. When he saw a Vampire for the first time as a young boy, he became obsessed with becoming one. His father, however, like many others who have tasted immortality, realized it was not worth the steep price. Desiring a better life for his son and not wishing him to follow in his footsteps into damnation, Mutugen received secret funding for a proper education. His father's connections offered Mutugen an extensive number of possible tutors.
Yet, the apple never falls far from the tree. Mutugen channeled the funds meant for his education to purchase a horse and, in a matter of days, had stolen his first sword. Finally equipped for the life of a hero, he began brutally training himself in several techniques, aspiring to one day become worthy of the Ascension. That was what he told his peers, anyway.
Mutugen was more observant than skilled, neither was he as brutal as he peacocked himself to be. His stances barely resembled the schools of combat that he claimed to have studied, though the strength behind each swing persuaded anyone from confronting him. Underhanded techniques, he quickly learned, were the most efficient way to secure victories. Although lies, ambushes, and a hidden dagger were his go-to, he struggled with the mentality of the ends justifying the means.
Despite his delusions of being unfeeling, he couldn't bring himself to acts of cruelty, especially on those that he knew didn't deserve as much. His skills and flaws were noticed by those he longed to impress. They deemed him unworthy.
Education
Mutugen, despite his protests, received a partial education. There were a few things that he felt drawn towards, though nothing more so than the arts. Like a moth drawn to the flame, Mutugen avoided almost every other subject in favor of it. He was obsessed with color theories, how shapes connected, and what he called 'the hidden mysteries' of Xùyì. He loved words, rhymes, and stories, many of which resembled those his aunt told him as a young boy.
Struggling to express his thoughts and those feelings he barely understood left Mutugen isolated from his peers. Through paintings, he could feel freely, learning about himself further.
Although Mutugen has never claimed to be good at what he does, the act of creating has furthered his horizons. He has grown to acknowledge and appreciate the simplicity and beauty surrounding him, finding peace, though the path to Vampirism is long. He emphasized with the storm clouds that would gather, brewing a storm that no man could contain, and with the wisps that gave off rain though the sun shined brightly.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Mutugen has built himself a reputation as a fearsome fighter. Despite his apparent apathy towards others, has always been seen as a reliable blade for those he has served. Throughout his career, he has made several impressive pieces of art, though none have been seen.
Ironically, Mutugen considers befriending Khaguran and the adventures they've been through already to be his greatest achievement. Mutugen cannot admit to this, however.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Since he first laid eyes on a Vampire, Mutugen has dreamed of becoming one. He longs to hold his fate in his own hands, leading the masses as he deems fit. It is all he has ever desired.
He has meticulously crafted a persona that he believed would fit the criteria of the Vampires, cutting away at his true thoughts and suppressing his emotions to be deemed worthy. He has fought, struggled, lied, and cheated in the name of ascending. Daily, he would pray to whatever god, spirit, or otherwise that may listen, hoping to be chosen.
Yet, Mutugen remains shackled to his mortality. Every year they pass over him, his hard-earned skills overlooked. It's as though the Vampires can see through the facade he puts on, knowing how desperate he is to become one of them. Doubts creep into his mind, questions of his own worthiness plaguing him. The reality of the matter is far different.
It is his father who has secretly barred him from ascending, warding prospects away. The soul is something beyond wealth, and everything within his power will keep Mutugen from tarnishing it.
Mutugen, in turn, blames the bureaucracy that snared the Vampires. He longs for the old ways, a time before the slayers and the alliances. He seeks after that which is called by many names: The Exiled, The Restless Hunger, and The Bringer of Woes. He seeks The First.
Vices & Personality flaws
Mutugen suffers from impostor syndrome. His desperation for the gift of Vampirism is apparent, as he believes that only then will he be worthy. Yet, there are many more flaws that can deter him from such a vocation.
Mutugen is a liar and is willing to resort to theft to further his own goals. He portrays a dark persona, revealing an, at times, barely concealed sadistic nature. Yet his callous disregard for life is a thin disguise for what he truly is, as he torments himself for the greater good of his people.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Mutugen retains several contacts from the cities that he has taken shelter in over the years, those he believes can offer him some boon later on. Although he doesn't truly care for them, he memorized most of their names to make them feel more at ease.
He's careful that they have no contact with each other, ensuring that he and Khaguran cannot be tracked, should these contacts be compromised.
Family Ties
Mutugen was always the black sheep of his family. He was filled with wonder, desiring something just beyond reach, while the younger children were contented with their lots in life. Mutugen grew to be their protector, ensuring that none of them got bullied by the other children. Yet, he desired something more.
He shared in his fathers skill, but lacked the qualities that made his senior stand out. He lacked the conviction, and the loyalty that his father had shown. Mutugen had no one who he could prove his loyalty to, the one who Sired his father seemed to avoid him.
The moment he was old enough to strike out on his own, he abandoned his family in the dead of night, not wishing for a final goodbye.
Religious Views
The gods have little purpose. Mutugen couldn't fully deny them, but he couldn't understand them either. Those that followed them were contented, able to dedicate themselves in a certain way. They, Mutugen would muse, would be rewarded for their faith.
Mutugen had no desires, except to ascend like his father had. Without gods of Vamprism, Mutugen would have to forge his own path.
Hobbies & Pets
Mutugen practically worships the arts. He spends every free moment admiring not only the works made by man, but the gods themselves. The ways the trees bend, moved by the winds inspires him. Mutugen admires all creation. To him, the reason behind the art doesn't matter, whether religious or not.
Speech
Conversing with Mutugen is a peculiar experience. He acts as though he has no opinions, indifferent to most things, and presents himself with a gruff exterior, though this shell is easily cracked when topics that he is passionate about are introduced. No matter the topic, he remains interested, and observant, his desire to know more of others and their inner working far outweighing his own boredom.
Those that he trusts, and is close to witnessed the full extent of his passion, at times unable to slip any words in.
Relationships
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Comments
Author's Notes
Part of the March of 31 Tales