Gahamer
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-- Gahamer the Godsworn of Clan Aiyala, Chieftess of the Hallows Tribes
-- Ishidori Naomi, human witness from <Here Be Esnamonian Legends>
A colorful speck races over white sands and golden grasses. Tangibly toned and dense muscles are packed into a deceptive visibly lean stature. Before long, the figure fades far too quickly, as if she has evaporated. Yet in the mere seconds that follow, sanguine fountains burst to life before painting the earth, signifying the presence persists. With all enemies fallen, the air distorts with magic before that which was translucent returns to blood, tissue, skin. There is no sweat to shed; there is no need for tears. All the figure does is smile as she admires her own handiwork as red as the muslin of her dress, the ruby of her brooch, the auspices of her face. She throws her hands outwards, flicking her fingers clean of claret and mana in the same forceful motion, and her fleet feet take off once more. Hair of the most imperial shade of purple billows out behind her like a banner heralding the fall of all who cannot withstand the might of her magic.
Table of ContentsBackstoryThough appearing much like humans, the yureokts are anything but. Coming in various shades of white (with their tinted hues differing by ethnicity), members of this race have been romantically referred to as "eidolons of war" or "souls at the brannigan" in the most ancient of texts. This is not without reason: many a yureokt whose legacy reached the fine print of world history has been noted to be bloodthirsty, jubilant, or both in life. It should make sense, then, that this fact reflects less their personalities, and more their cultures. Yureokt societies can generally be divided into two kinds. The yureokts that have more facts on them recorded but are generally less thought of are the ones who have chosen the ceremonious lifestyles of metropolitan folk, showing deference to punctilio after punctilio within the conventions of what one is inclined to call refined civilization. Gahamer is not of this culture.
The community Gahamer directly belongs to is one of the many large tribes of nomadic yureokts that travel through deserts and plains. Her people are feared by the people of cities; they have a reputation for being barbarians and clerics that have mastered the art of combat on scales both large and small. The fact that these tribes who were once content to pursue their ways of life separately have bound themselves into one alliance for the last few generations (according to the dragons, anyway—who knows how long a draconic generation is with their unpredictable lifespans) does not put anyone at ease. These bellicose yureokts call themselves the Hallows, for they believe that they themselves embody what remains of their gods' wishes. Their penchant for consecrating people, places, and things all over the world contributes to the eternal debate of whether or not their pantheon truly exists. Many are careful to avoid earning the wrath of this society, and travelers of all races that must cross the harsh deserts or the wide plains are frequently advised to carry items of goodwill on their person to give away upon encounter. Word of mouth has it that if one impresses them, these priestly "savages" may part with talismans or even prophecies in return. The Hallows Tribes have been the subject of fascination and superstition among other civilizations for their tendency to defy expectations. At the consternation of settled peoples, though, the tribes only laugh. After all, the Hallows never pass up an opportunity to distinguish each yureokt they call their own for their strengths—and is it not several individuals excelling at different skills who bond to cover up weaknesses and grow a brave community?
The most exalted of all among the Hallowed Alliance is Aiyala Gahamer of the Esnamonia tribe. She was born in the purple—or rather, born to divine blood. What else could those markings upon her face be? Soon after her birth parents died in a skirmish against a cavalry of knights on dragonback (half of whom their sole daughter slew in retaliation), Gahamer claimed absolute power over all the Hallows Tribes, answering to none save herself and the pantheon henceforth. The chieftains and chieftainesses of the other tribes had no complaint for this turn of events; in fact, her influence is considered by these yureokts to be the greatest gift their gods have bestowed upon them in eons. Backed by ordained rule and popular opinion, the young (by yureokt standards) chieftess fights incessantly for the high hopes of the Hallows—the desire to prove their power and prosperity to be considered something other than "uncivilized" to the larger world being their most prominent hope of all. |
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Personality
It really should come as no surprise that someone of allegedly divine blood has zero problems with her sense of worth. Gahamer believes herself to be superior to most others around her, and her position as the Chieftess of the Hallows does not exactly prompt her people to convince her of otherwise. Though individuals who are as proud as she is may find themselves offended, most are inclined to let her haughtiness slide due to the fact that her ego does not prevent her from treating others with casual civility (unless they've gotten on her bad side one way or another). She does not see the point in being an honorable person herself, but she holds in high regard the power of choice and agency, and will become greatly furious on the behalf of others should she learn they are acting in any capacity without consent or compensation involved.
As Gahamer is always willing to stand up and fight for whatever she deems her own, those who see her in a positive light are prone to considering her an icon of bravery. Though not without fear, being in danger seldom incapacitates her from confronting these risks head-on, and she finds little shame in issuing or accepting challenges she may not be well-equipped for. Her courage and reliability under pressure is such that others who face her in combat are daunted by her sheer mettle. She holds steadfast to her ideals, but is not beyond the realm of reason—if one wishes to convince her to act not in accordance with her own beliefs or decisions, they'd best prepare a sufficient rationale. She holds instinctive disdain for the weak, and yet is more than willing to help those with bodies that she judges are on the decline, possibly because she believes anyone can become fit and sound of body if they put in the work for that strong physique. What she really can't stand are the weak-willed, with their susceptibility to pain and temptation; she finds no joy in commanding or influencing those who have become cowards out of indolence.
It comes as a surprise to many a "civilized" person that much of Gahamer's—and her people's—wisdom lies in various disciplines that are often considered to reflect sophistication. Of all the people that Gahamer deems worthy of respect, she holds artisans and artists at the pinnacle, and she would do most anything to ensure they continue their contributions to tribal economy. Every Hallow makes a big deal out of such activities; they don't understand why secular city folk are so adamant about keeping art separate from other aspects of life such as trade or warfare. The Godsworn herself goes so far as to proclaim that ANYTHING—even medicine—should count as art. How radical!
Likes
- Being revered
- Expert artisanry
- Combat sports
- Powerful aromas
- Spa treatments
Dislikes
- Those that lack appreciation for the arts
- Unrewarded and unwilling labor
- The feeble of mind and body
- People who don't do self-care
- Anybody without commitment
Abilities
✦ Energy Conversion
Yureokt physiology truly is something to behold; this race is so in tune with energy itself that it is apt to claim they are outright made of it. To simplify, the body is packed with energy by default, thus optimizing it for innate mysticality. The average yureokt has greater muscle density than the average human from the same (mental) age group, tending to be weighty despite their agility. One would be hard-pressed to find a visibly "buff" yureokt anywhere, but a lean yet toned yureokt is about as common as fish in the sea. So what benefit does such densely packed flesh give them? All physical perks aside, the extra energy storage that results from this comes into use whenever a yureokt must show off their great spiritual and magical prowess. They can convert, channel, and control any form of energy for a myriad of purposes (though they are wont to stick to maneuvers that reflect their personal interests). Nomadic yureokts are more in tune with their spiritual side than their magical side, so this power grants them one extra gimmick: the ability to convert every cell of their body into pure spirit. This greatly amplifies the magical capability of the yureokt, at the cost of leaving them with more vulnerability to the energy that flows throughout the world. Because of this, many nomads learn to both partially and fully turn spiritual, sometimes even learning how to only do so for selective parts of their body. Reasons for turning into energy can include making their body weight lighter, requiring more magical power than physical force, phasing through solid objects and difficult terrain, evoking and hiding through insensibility, stemming damage from injury or ailment, and so much more. Is it any wonder those of the past used to call them "eidolons" or "souls"?
✦ Combat Intuition
Yureokt nomads have amassed a fearsome reputation throughout history due to being naturally built for withstanding conflict and violence, often to the point of being able to return the favor with brutal efficiency. Martial games are more common pastimes than mere training exercises, and the skill of detecting and defending from danger is taught to every tribal child from the moment they can write. Gahamer is no exception to having the instincts and aptitude for battle ingrained into her the Hallows way, albeit more rigorously. What use is a chieftess that cannot fend for herself well enough to fend for her people? Any combative maneuver or technique that Gahamer learns of is one she can mimic if not outright enhance, and her proprioception and kinesthesia are largely believed to be beyond compare. Weapons are bound to catch her interest, and if she finds wielding them inconvenient in the moment, she can always manipulate some energy to either make it easier to carry or create a magical version of it. Woe to the unlucky ones who must face her at her most wrathful or zealous.
✦ Consecration
The tribal yureokts by large would be universally vilified if not for the many legends of their boons and hexes of purportedly divine origin. As they roam the land, and occasionally interact with others, the Hallows tend to generate more hallows: relics, shrines, and even apostles. Artifacts enchanted by Hallowed hands are popular, if expensive, exports. That being said, an item or a locale that has been consecrated by a yureokt nomad may not necessarily work in the favor of its owner or guest. This is because Hallowed perception of gods differs from pop cultural convention—their pantheon is never meant to be strictly divided into good and evil. Whatever infusion of divinity has been performed is what determines what exactly will take effect. Many make the mistake of not asking for what precisely a type of blessing entails, and quickly accuse the product (and its merchant) or the property of cursing them. The blessing of sapient creatures is different; it is considered rude to "grant wishes unspoken". Therefore, the catch that comes for non-yureokts lies not with the lack of knowledge on what the consecration will do, but with the lack understanding on how to make use of said consecration. Though Gahamer's methods of active consecration have no difference with those of the rest of her tribespeople, the fact that she herself of consecrated blood means that her very presence comes with an interesting passive side effect. Any paraphernalia that stays in physical contact with her for longer than 5 hours is 100% guaranteed to be granted a status effect. The same goes for any premises she has physically stayed on for longer than 3 hours, or for any people who have been in her immediate physical proximity for longer than 1 hour. Of course, what isn't guaranteed is which status effect has been unconsciously imparted, let alone the intensity of said effect—though the general rule of thumb is that the longer the exposure to Gahamer, the more apropos and effective the boon or hex that can be utilized is.
Skills & Stats
Being of a nomadic tribe that frequents deserts, Gahamer is well adapted to the heat of the day and the cold of the night, those two extremes that flip within the span of a single day constantly. She doesn't need to hydrate herself as often as a human does, though she and her people always drink whenever they can so that their body can retain the moisture for later. As her community is well-accustomed to life in the plains too, she has grown used to moving quickly on foot over long periods of time without rest. Her visual perception remains keen even when the elements of harsh weather are obscuring her sight.
Gahamer's exaltation as a warlord is more than well-deserved. Even beyond the tribes, she has earned notoriety for the ease with which she turns around every battle in which she has ever participated—or so rumors among urban settlements claim. Contrary to popular (and misconstrued) belief, she does lose or retreat on occasion, but the fact these fabrications hold up for as long as they have despite what defeats she's got on her record is a testament to her brilliance as a strategist. When she and her people pass through regions on the verge of strife, major powers that live there rush to gladly or grudgingly ally themselves with Esnamonia, and potentially other Hallows.
True to her nature as a yureokt, Gahamer's pain threshold, endurance, and other physical resistances reach rather uncanny levels. Just as true to her nurture as a Hallow, she has learned to approach her fights elegantly, displaying grace and resilience with every painful blow she inflicts. Her balance and reflexes allow her to practically spin as a buzzsaw would without any signs of dizziness, and her flexibility is frequently exploited so she can contort herself to evade threats—or just put on a show.
Speaking of a show, Gahamer has pursued the performative and culinary arts for much of her life. Her reasons for this tie into what she believes would best represent her if one takes her warrior priest status out of the question. She is prescribed to the philosophy that what one does with one's life in and of itself is a form of art. This includes care for one's body; to maximize bodily control and appeal, it stands to reason that one must take care of the physical self to render oneself a masterpiece. Since her decrees to invest in the beauty and the welfare of her people, the Hallows have paid more attention than they have under previous rulers to fashion and grooming on top of health. What an aesthetician Her Holiness has proven herself to be!
✦ General Stats [INCOMPLETE]
| ✦ Strengths |
✧ Weaknesses |
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✦ Imperative Strengths [INCOMPLETE]
[In depth explanation of important strengths]
✧ Imperative Weaknesses [INCOMPLETE]
[In depth explanation of important weaknesses]
✦ Psychological Stats ✦ [INCOMPLETE]
| Charisma | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Kindness | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Patience | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Intelligence | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Confidence | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Perception | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Discipline | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Psych stamina | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Courage | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ | Caution | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Honesty | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Loyalty | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Maturity | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Creativity | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Cleanliness | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Work ethic | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ |
✧ Physical Stats (Corporeal Form) ✧
| Physical Strength |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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Speed |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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| Magical Strength |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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Constitution |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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| Physical Defense | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ | Dexterity |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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| Magical Defense |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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Stamina | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ |
✧ Physical Stats (Incorporeal Form) ✧
| Physical Strength | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ | Speed | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Magical Strength | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ | Constitution |
✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
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| Physical Defense | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧ | Dexterity | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Magical Defense | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ | Stamina | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ |
Usage Notes
Extremely technically, anything can be done to, with, and by Gahamer. This being said, communication is expected. If you are uncertain, please ask, as what may be permitted when can differ on a case-by-case basis.
Gallery
Gahamer with Color Palette [Art by Kid-die]
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| A Pleasant Surprise [Art by Kid-die] | Revelry Among Guests [Art by Kid-die] | Just Phasing Through [Art by Kid-die] |
Author's Notes
✦ When required to say her full name, Gahamer will always, ALWAYS introduce herself with her clan name before her given name. Whoever heard of putting one's own source of flesh, blood, and glory behind them? Put your best foot forward!
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