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Jul. 29th, 2014 06:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wildgift( CHARACTER INFORMATION )
- ★ NAME: Stefen
- ★ AGE: 18 or 19. Maaaybe as old as 20. Due to his "upbringing" he doesn't really have an exact number.
- ★ CANON & CANON POINT: Heralds of Valdemar/Last Herald Mage Trilogy; just prior to Savil's death
- ★ CANON INFORMATION: http://valdemar.wikia.com/wiki/Stefen
As the wiki is somewhat lacking, I've also included a written history below:
Tylendel was a young Herald-Mage-Trainee under the tutelage of Vanyel's aunt Savil when Van first came to Haven. After some difficulty, the two became a pair and lifebonded (previously explained). When Tylendel's twin, Staven, was killed in a feud between families, Tylendel felt him die through the mental bond the twins shared and became crazed with revenge. Vanyel assisted him in killing Staven's killers, but when Tylendel was repudiated by his Companion for it, he killed himself and Vanyel very nearly did as well, however, the efforts of his aunt as well as his own Companion kept him alive.
Because there is a debt owed to Vanyel for the loss of his first lifebond, Tylendel's spirit was reborn to find Vanyel again. Stefen is this reincarnation.
Stefen was born on the streets of Haven--the capital city of Valdemar--and though he never knew his mother, he knew that it wasn't the old woman who "raised" him. She was simply an opportunist who took advantage of his young Gift by forcing him to sing on the corners for pennies and his next meal, often not feeding him in favor of supporting her drug habit. He quickly learned to fend for himself, but it wasn't until a passing Bard--Lynnell-- heard him sing that he managed to finally escape from a life that he despised.
He was then roomed at the Bardic Collegium* with Medren--the nephew of the most famous Herald-Mage** in Valdemar, Vanyel Ashkevron. Medren, though only a year older than Stefen, took the frightened and small boy under his protection and continued to watch out for him throughout their entire time in training. Once established at the Collegium, Stefen continued to capture the attention of the Bardic Council with the sheer level of his Talent--Stefen was one of the more Gifted Bards the Collegium had seen in years. He became one of the most prolific students in the compound, composing several more songs than others his age or level, which a particular skill in love songs and three of his ballads in common repertoire by the time he reached Journeyman status.
Continuing in his musical education, Stefen became notorious throughout the Collegium for being somewhat loose, though he fast discovered his preference for boys rather than girls. Bards hardly being known for their chastity, he was soon sleeping his way though the other Bardic students, which earned him a reputation that he was actually proud of.
Around the time Stefen turned 18, he really began attracting attention. Medren discovered Stefen's Wild Gift and tested it with Breda--a high-ranking Bard with a fondness for students. As King Randale's mysterious and unknown illness continued to progress, the Court began desperately seeking respite for him anywhere as holding Court was becoming close to impossible. Once Stefen's Wild Gift was confirmed--the ability to literally sing pain away--Medren was able to convince his uncle, Vanyel, to broach the idea to the King's Healers, who agreed to try it. The experiment was an overwhelming success. Vanyel invited Stefen back to his room where they shared a meal and Stefen spent the night (virtuously, while Vanyel slept on the floor) to sleep off the large quantities of wine they had unintentionally consumed.
The next morning, Stefen returned to his own room to find a message from the Bardic Council summoning him to appear before before them that evening. Stefen went nervously, and, after a few very long minutes of waiting, he was shown in front of the seven members, who announced that he was being advanced far ahead of schedule to Master status and permanently assigned to Haven as the King's personal Bard, as his Gift was far too valuable to him to lose. Stefen agreed, though more for selfish reasons, as he would be able to use his position to build contacts at Court for the time after the King's death when he would no longer be needed there.
Stefen continued to play for the King as the Healers began studying his Wild Gift, and Vanyel (one of the highest-ranked Herald-Mages in Valdemar) continued to appear at Court in official capacities, which drove Stefen nearly-wild. Vanyel resisted all of Stefen's advances, and, finally fed-up, he enlisted Medren's*** help. Medren ended up writing home to his grandparents (Vanyel's mother and father who did not approve previously of Vanyel's choice in romantic partners) who expressed interest in meeting Vanyel's "friend," Stefen, and asking Vanyel to come home and visit. Stefen convinced Vanyel to make the trip and he and Savil accompanied him, leaving King Randale in the care of the Healers that had nearly managed to mimic Stefen's Gift.
Once they arrived at the ancestral keep of Vanyel's family, Vanyel was "abducted" by his father and brothers for "war meetings" and Stefen by the women and children to entertain them with his his status and skill as Master Bard and his friendship with their cousin Medren. After interminable meetings with his father, Vanyel returned to his room late and found Stefen waiting there for him. Stefen managed to convince him that pursuing the relationship was fine despite the rather large disparity in their ages (Vanyel was nearly 40) and the relative danger Stefen was placing himself in.
After a strange series of dreams that night, Vanyel woke to order his thoughts and realized that he and Stefen had lifebonded, informing the Bard when he woke who, for his part, was absolutely delighted, though understandably shocked.
The next day, Vanyel's mother stole Stefen to play for her and the other ladies in the orchard, however, they were attacked by another mage attempting to hurt Vanyel through his loved ones, and Van arrived just in time to save his mother by taking a leech-blade**** in the shoulder, which rendered him unconscious and impossible to revive by normal means.
Because of the skill necessary to handle a leech-blade, Savil was forced to requisition help from her friends among the Tayledras--legendary and secretive Mage-Adepts concerned with healing the land damaged by pre-historical magic-fought wars. She convinced them to join her at her brother's home where they removed the leech-blade, nearly frightening Stefen to death in the process as he refused to leave Vanyel's side.
The two Adepts--Starwind and Moondance--made a point of mentioning to Savil that Stefen was a reincarnation of her former pupil Tylendel after removing themselves from Vanyel and Stefen's room. Savil made the decision that telling either of the pair would result in negative consequences, and, therefore, all three swore silence on the issue.
At the conclusion of the visit, Vanyel convinced his parents to accompany him, Stefen, and Savil back to Haven where they would be safer from assault intended to strike at Vanyel's emotional core. They agreed and moved to the capital city. He was granted only a few weeks' respite with Stefen, however, before he was called to Rethwellan, another friendly country, with diplomatic purposes.
In the three months that he was gone, Stefen continued to play for the King, enabling him to hold Court and slowly losing the more selfish tendencies in his personality. On the night of Vanyel's return, Stefen presented him with a Mage-focus of pure Amber (Vanyel's more resonant focus-type) that he had been given in exchange for assisting a merchant he had met in the marketplace. After some discussion on the topic, Vanyel violently experienced the death of another Herald-Mage and, once he recovered from the experience, ran outside with Stefen close behind him to inspect the scene. Finding no malice (despite Vanyel's feelings of foreboding), they returned to their room and fell asleep in each other's arms.
*There are three Collegia: Bardic, Heraldic and Healer. Each focuses on training abilities--called Gifts-- specific to the area. Bards focus on music, Healers on Empathy and physical healing ability. The Heraldic Gifts are somewhat more complicated, but consist of several--things like FarSight, ForeSight, Fetching, Mindspeech, etc. In Bardic Collegium, Stefen would learn to compose and play music, as well as how to employ the Bardic Gift, previously explained, more efficiently.
**A Herald-Mage is gifted with both a Heraldic Gift and the Mage Gift, which are two different sets of gifts. Heralds serve as the stewards of Valdemar and are primarily responsible for its protection. Vanyel is unique in that he has all of the Heraldic Gifts, as well as a very minor Healing and Bardic gift along with a powerful Mage-Gift. Heralds are also Chosen by Companions--intelligent creatures resembling white horses--who assist their Chosen in their duties.
***Interestingly, it was Medren who first recognized the lifebond between Vanyel and Stefen, coming to that conclusion based on Stefen's reactions to Vanyel's attempts to maintain distance between the two of them. Medren had also been playing matchmaker to the both of them since he first introduced Vanyel to Stefen, believing (with good reason) that Van needed someone (despite his protests that closeness to him put others in danger), and that he would be unable to resist Stefen's charm or attractiveness.
****A leech-blade is a dark magic-forged weapon that feeds on life energy. It is, in regular cases, universally deadly as no matter where it hits, it digs in and drains the energy out of a person. However, in Vanyel's case, the lifebond to Stefen allowed for him to draw additional energy from the Bard and slow the process. This gave Savil the time to retrieve the assistance necessary to remove it.
- ★ PERSONALITY: If there were one word to describe Stefen's personality, it would be "young." While there are some aspects of his thought process that are very naive and self-centered, because of his young life on the streets, he has seen a lot of the dark things that are in the world. On the one hand, he is a teenager coming into adulthood and still getting used to his responsibilities, and on the other, he is an adult missing a childhood. To that end, Stefen is very capable of being oblivious to the needs of others and can be quite focused solely on his own comforts. This is changing, though, since meeting Vanyel and being commissioned to aid the King. He is slowly learning to be more considerate of those around him and losing more of the "me"-centered thinking as he continues to grow up.
Even naive, Stefen is hardly innocent. He knows precisely how the world operates and how to survive in it. He isn't blind to the darker things, realizing quite keenly that humanity is far from perfect and that vices often are what motivates others. He is usually suspicious of the apparent "good intentions" of strangers without some Collegium uniform, whether it be Herald, Bard, or Healer. Once one has managed to earn that trust, however, it is all but unshakable. Still, that slow to trust idea was necessary for street life and, while it has been nearly a decade since he has needed to survive on the streets, the idea remains as one of the basic groundings of his personality. This is even helpful in some cases--or would have been if Stefen had been sent away from the Palace--as Bards are often called on by the Crown to serve as spies due to their near-universal acceptance, where a Herald would arouse suspicion.
Still, Stefen is both sweet and charming when he puts his mind to it. Part of being at Court is playing "The Game" and Stefen has gotten quite good at it, attracting a rather large female following at Haven with both his flattery and his looks. He does consider it a game, however, and does not expect anything to come of any of these compliments and flirtations he dishes out freely. He is no stranger to flattery and is certainly not shy of handing out praise--whether deserved or not. Even so, he is eager to please and earn attention--he enjoys being the center of attention and all but thrives on the compliments and sometimes jealousy of others.
Ten years on the streets necessitated that Stefen be able to determine motive and intent at a glance, and as such he has become incredibly perceptive (a Bard has to know what to play for them, after all). This has been trained by Bardic Collegium as part of standard training given to all those that come through, though around mental shields and emotional walls it is far more difficult. Anyone with practice hiding their emotions, really, is safe from that particular aspect of him. Still, he is accurate more often than not. In the reverse, Stefen is also well-trained in controlling his own expressions--he is quite capable of delivering dazzling smiles and even laughter despite any level of anger, shock, or depression. He is very hard to read sometimes, and he tries to be so around strangers. He will open up a little more once he gets to know a person, but reserves totally dropping his walls for his closest friends.
Stefen makes no secret of the fact that he prefers men. He was, in fact, quite notorious among the Bardic students for being rather insatiable--enough so that Medren is surprised when Stefen drops all other potential partners and single-mindedly pursues Vanyel. Now with the lifebond, he has become quite passionately monogamous. The loyalty, however, isn't really all that strange despite the apparent clash with his personality. Stefen is one of the most loyal and devoted friends to those that he cares about.
Because of the habits of his childhood "caretaker," Stefen is adamantly against drug use in any format. And expressive of and occasionally violent about it. He refuses to take even prescribed potions,* not wishing to jeopardize what he has earned. He has sworn that he will never go back to the streets, and would rather not take the risk of becoming addicted to anything that would destroy his life and put him back there. For the same reason, he avoids fighting, claiming that he doesn't want to ruin his hands and be unable to play, convinced that that would be the end of his career and he'd end up right back where he started. Still, he isn't afraid to defend himself--as long as he is in his own element. He is more likely to run from a fight than participate in it.
*As this is never mentioned in the book, it is, in fact, headcanon. Though, from what is said in the canon source, this is logically inferrable.
- ★ COURT ALLIANCE: Seelie; Since meeting Vanyel, Stefen has become less selfish and more concerned about the well-being of others. Additionally, as a Bard, he values creativity and beauty rather highly. I also feel that due to his "upbringing," it is not unreasonable to assume that he craves and thrives on the order provided by the Palace and the Collegium, after surviving and escaping the chaos of the streets. As such, I feel he is better suited to the Seelie Court, rather than the Unseelie.
- ★ ABILITIES: Stefen is Gifted with the somewhat-rare Bardic Gift*--the ability to make others feel through music. When Stefen plays and/or sings, he is all but able to control the listeners' emotions, his Gift making them feel the emotion that he puts into the song, as if they themselves are part of it. This Gift, however, is only semi-effective without music--if he were not playing or singing, he would be more difficult to exert the same kind of influence, though he may be able to do some less fantastic influencing (Vanyel's nephew, Medren, was able to use his Gift to make Van feel more sorry for him in one instance, without doing more than speaking to his uncle. As Stefen is much more powerful than Medren, it's not a stretch to believe that he could do the same).
Additionally, Stefen has a unique ability, called a Wild Gift, and extremely rare (one in a generation is being generous). Namely, Stefen has a strange Gift that allows him to essentially sing pain away. The effect is limited to those listening to the music and is inneffective without a musical medium with which to exert the ability (he must be playing or singing). For the most part, this gift was employed in Court to assist the ailing King Randale continue his rule to the best of his ability, but will work on any listener, so long as he keeps singing or playing.
As part of the standard training given to all those attending the Collegium (be they Herald, Healer, or Bard), Stefen would have learned weapons as well. Bards are often sent into places that Heralds cannot or will not go to as diplomats of Valdemar and must be able to defend themselves. While never stated in canon, because of his slight build, Stefen would have received light armor and dagger-training in addition to refined hand-to-hand combat on top of what he had learned as a child on the streets of Haven, though he isn't afraid to fight dirty, either.
Stefen is also able to read others without much effort, occasionally able to infer what someone is thinking with eerie accuracy (it is mentioned that, though Bards are not Thoughtsensers, with the type of training they receive to read others' body language, they may as well be). This grows more difficult to downright impossible with beings other than humanoids, when he has no point of reference. Others guarding their expressions and movements are also able to essentially "block" his reading of them.
*It is canonly mentioned that there were “legendary Bards” capable of controlling the physical actions of others through music. Stefen’s Gift may very well be that powerful, though never shown in canon. He is said the be the most talented and Gifted Bard the Collegium has seen “in an age,” though he never actually uses that Gift to control physical action, though it is hinted in one instance that he could have. Furthermore, without direct orders or mission from the Crown, such an act is illegal, and punishable by being stripped of the Gift and turned out of the Collegium. Additionally, since meeting Vanyel, Stefen’s desires to use his Gift to get ahead have diminished drastically, and if he is capable of such a thing, he would not exercise his Gift in that way, self-limiting to the Bardic Gift’s regular influence on emotion and his Wild Gift.
**AUTHOR'S NOTE: If necessary, I am willing to put up a permissions meme in his journal to track limits on his Gift for other players/characters.**
- ★ INVENTORY: Stefen will be bringing his gittern--a stringed musical instrument similar to a lute--and its leather carrying case. There is nothing inherently magical about either the instrument or the case.
( SAMPLES )
- ★ NETWORK SAMPLE: [Stefen seems just slightly confused as the video comes up, though he puts on his best and most charming smile anyway. It maybe doesn't work out so well, but at least he's trying.]
I'm afraid I've gotten myself rather lost. I would very much appreciate a rescue, if someone can see it to come find me. You would certainly be given my eternal gratitude for it.
[His expression grows just a touch pained, and he tries to keep the smile up despite that.]
I suppose I might need to find myself a map. Or else take the next week to wander around and get my bearings. [He gives a short, self-deprecating laugh at that thought.] Then, I imagine, I'll be asking for more rescuers!
[There he shakes his head.]
Havens, lets all hope it doesn't come to that. If someone could please see fit to come and find me, I really would be very grateful.
- ★ LOG SAMPLE: Putting it lightly, Stefen was exhausted. His hands ached and his head hurt, but he knew if he stopped he was liable to fall asleep in the hallway. Only a few weeks ago he would have resented that, but now all he felt was frustrated.
Watching Randale crumble just a little more every day, dying by inches, and knowing he could do nothing about it except make the next inch more comfortable was...discouraging. The man looked to be half a ghost already, and every day he was that much closer to becoming one. But then, he could probably have crossed into the Beyond and no one could have told any difference.
He hated it. It wasn't fair. Court was supposed to have been a boon, but now he could only feel guilty that he'd ever felt that way. Now, it had turned into doing his utmost for a man who would likely be dead before the year was out. It was hopeless, and he had to be careful not to fall into the trap of depression that usually accompanied activities with very little in the way of reward--at the least, it wasn't equal to the risk.
He swayed on his feet a moment, bracing himself against the wall, swearing under his breath, the pride in him thankful that no one was around to see him do it. "Hellsteeth... What are you doing, Stefen? There used to be a time when this wasn't worth it." He had to sigh at the thought, though. He knew what it was. It was meeting Vanyel and finally learning that there were other people in the world who mattered more than he did.
It still wasn't a pleasant thing to come back to his room late, aching and dizzy and utterly spent. But he knew he'd do it again the next morning, without complaining about it to anyone but himself when no one was around to hear it. He was the only one that could help, and he would certainly continue to try.
He didn't even notice his eyes closing until he found himself trying to pull them open again. As much as he wanted to curl up on the floor, it wouldn't have done anyone any good--least of all himself. So he pushed himself straight again, took a deep breath and continued down the hall, trying not to weave too much. Someone will think I'm drunk and Lord can you imagine the scandal! All it would take is some Lord or Lady to walk by and I'm already snubbed enough as it is. I sure as hellfire don't need to get the nobility after my skin as well. I may not have been raised in the gentry, but even I know they can be vicious.
He bit back a sigh, though, and paused again, blinking for a few moments before his sleep-addled brain recognized the hall he was standing in. There's no way in hell I'll make it back to my own room. This time it wasn't a sigh, but a yawn. He didn't even bother to stop it. I suppose I don't have much choice. To Vanyel's room, I suppose. I don't believe he'll mind. At least I can take an hour or so to take some of the edge off. Even if it was alone and in a chair, regardless of how much he wanted it to be in a bed, next to the beautiful Herald...
Another thought he had to watch for. He'd drive himself mad in the hunt.
Decision made, he cut back another yawn and pressed forward to the Herald's wing. If he moved quickly, maybe he wouldn't end up on the floor...
- ★ NAME: Stefen
- ★ AGE: 18 or 19. Maaaybe as old as 20. Due to his "upbringing" he doesn't really have an exact number.
- ★ CANON & CANON POINT: Heralds of Valdemar/Last Herald Mage Trilogy; just prior to Savil's death
- ★ CANON INFORMATION: http://valdemar.wikia.com/wiki/Stefen
As the wiki is somewhat lacking, I've also included a written history below:
Tylendel was a young Herald-Mage-Trainee under the tutelage of Vanyel's aunt Savil when Van first came to Haven. After some difficulty, the two became a pair and lifebonded (previously explained). When Tylendel's twin, Staven, was killed in a feud between families, Tylendel felt him die through the mental bond the twins shared and became crazed with revenge. Vanyel assisted him in killing Staven's killers, but when Tylendel was repudiated by his Companion for it, he killed himself and Vanyel very nearly did as well, however, the efforts of his aunt as well as his own Companion kept him alive.
Because there is a debt owed to Vanyel for the loss of his first lifebond, Tylendel's spirit was reborn to find Vanyel again. Stefen is this reincarnation.
Stefen was born on the streets of Haven--the capital city of Valdemar--and though he never knew his mother, he knew that it wasn't the old woman who "raised" him. She was simply an opportunist who took advantage of his young Gift by forcing him to sing on the corners for pennies and his next meal, often not feeding him in favor of supporting her drug habit. He quickly learned to fend for himself, but it wasn't until a passing Bard--Lynnell-- heard him sing that he managed to finally escape from a life that he despised.
He was then roomed at the Bardic Collegium* with Medren--the nephew of the most famous Herald-Mage** in Valdemar, Vanyel Ashkevron. Medren, though only a year older than Stefen, took the frightened and small boy under his protection and continued to watch out for him throughout their entire time in training. Once established at the Collegium, Stefen continued to capture the attention of the Bardic Council with the sheer level of his Talent--Stefen was one of the more Gifted Bards the Collegium had seen in years. He became one of the most prolific students in the compound, composing several more songs than others his age or level, which a particular skill in love songs and three of his ballads in common repertoire by the time he reached Journeyman status.
Continuing in his musical education, Stefen became notorious throughout the Collegium for being somewhat loose, though he fast discovered his preference for boys rather than girls. Bards hardly being known for their chastity, he was soon sleeping his way though the other Bardic students, which earned him a reputation that he was actually proud of.
Around the time Stefen turned 18, he really began attracting attention. Medren discovered Stefen's Wild Gift and tested it with Breda--a high-ranking Bard with a fondness for students. As King Randale's mysterious and unknown illness continued to progress, the Court began desperately seeking respite for him anywhere as holding Court was becoming close to impossible. Once Stefen's Wild Gift was confirmed--the ability to literally sing pain away--Medren was able to convince his uncle, Vanyel, to broach the idea to the King's Healers, who agreed to try it. The experiment was an overwhelming success. Vanyel invited Stefen back to his room where they shared a meal and Stefen spent the night (virtuously, while Vanyel slept on the floor) to sleep off the large quantities of wine they had unintentionally consumed.
The next morning, Stefen returned to his own room to find a message from the Bardic Council summoning him to appear before before them that evening. Stefen went nervously, and, after a few very long minutes of waiting, he was shown in front of the seven members, who announced that he was being advanced far ahead of schedule to Master status and permanently assigned to Haven as the King's personal Bard, as his Gift was far too valuable to him to lose. Stefen agreed, though more for selfish reasons, as he would be able to use his position to build contacts at Court for the time after the King's death when he would no longer be needed there.
Stefen continued to play for the King as the Healers began studying his Wild Gift, and Vanyel (one of the highest-ranked Herald-Mages in Valdemar) continued to appear at Court in official capacities, which drove Stefen nearly-wild. Vanyel resisted all of Stefen's advances, and, finally fed-up, he enlisted Medren's*** help. Medren ended up writing home to his grandparents (Vanyel's mother and father who did not approve previously of Vanyel's choice in romantic partners) who expressed interest in meeting Vanyel's "friend," Stefen, and asking Vanyel to come home and visit. Stefen convinced Vanyel to make the trip and he and Savil accompanied him, leaving King Randale in the care of the Healers that had nearly managed to mimic Stefen's Gift.
Once they arrived at the ancestral keep of Vanyel's family, Vanyel was "abducted" by his father and brothers for "war meetings" and Stefen by the women and children to entertain them with his his status and skill as Master Bard and his friendship with their cousin Medren. After interminable meetings with his father, Vanyel returned to his room late and found Stefen waiting there for him. Stefen managed to convince him that pursuing the relationship was fine despite the rather large disparity in their ages (Vanyel was nearly 40) and the relative danger Stefen was placing himself in.
After a strange series of dreams that night, Vanyel woke to order his thoughts and realized that he and Stefen had lifebonded, informing the Bard when he woke who, for his part, was absolutely delighted, though understandably shocked.
The next day, Vanyel's mother stole Stefen to play for her and the other ladies in the orchard, however, they were attacked by another mage attempting to hurt Vanyel through his loved ones, and Van arrived just in time to save his mother by taking a leech-blade**** in the shoulder, which rendered him unconscious and impossible to revive by normal means.
Because of the skill necessary to handle a leech-blade, Savil was forced to requisition help from her friends among the Tayledras--legendary and secretive Mage-Adepts concerned with healing the land damaged by pre-historical magic-fought wars. She convinced them to join her at her brother's home where they removed the leech-blade, nearly frightening Stefen to death in the process as he refused to leave Vanyel's side.
The two Adepts--Starwind and Moondance--made a point of mentioning to Savil that Stefen was a reincarnation of her former pupil Tylendel after removing themselves from Vanyel and Stefen's room. Savil made the decision that telling either of the pair would result in negative consequences, and, therefore, all three swore silence on the issue.
At the conclusion of the visit, Vanyel convinced his parents to accompany him, Stefen, and Savil back to Haven where they would be safer from assault intended to strike at Vanyel's emotional core. They agreed and moved to the capital city. He was granted only a few weeks' respite with Stefen, however, before he was called to Rethwellan, another friendly country, with diplomatic purposes.
In the three months that he was gone, Stefen continued to play for the King, enabling him to hold Court and slowly losing the more selfish tendencies in his personality. On the night of Vanyel's return, Stefen presented him with a Mage-focus of pure Amber (Vanyel's more resonant focus-type) that he had been given in exchange for assisting a merchant he had met in the marketplace. After some discussion on the topic, Vanyel violently experienced the death of another Herald-Mage and, once he recovered from the experience, ran outside with Stefen close behind him to inspect the scene. Finding no malice (despite Vanyel's feelings of foreboding), they returned to their room and fell asleep in each other's arms.
*There are three Collegia: Bardic, Heraldic and Healer. Each focuses on training abilities--called Gifts-- specific to the area. Bards focus on music, Healers on Empathy and physical healing ability. The Heraldic Gifts are somewhat more complicated, but consist of several--things like FarSight, ForeSight, Fetching, Mindspeech, etc. In Bardic Collegium, Stefen would learn to compose and play music, as well as how to employ the Bardic Gift, previously explained, more efficiently.
**A Herald-Mage is gifted with both a Heraldic Gift and the Mage Gift, which are two different sets of gifts. Heralds serve as the stewards of Valdemar and are primarily responsible for its protection. Vanyel is unique in that he has all of the Heraldic Gifts, as well as a very minor Healing and Bardic gift along with a powerful Mage-Gift. Heralds are also Chosen by Companions--intelligent creatures resembling white horses--who assist their Chosen in their duties.
***Interestingly, it was Medren who first recognized the lifebond between Vanyel and Stefen, coming to that conclusion based on Stefen's reactions to Vanyel's attempts to maintain distance between the two of them. Medren had also been playing matchmaker to the both of them since he first introduced Vanyel to Stefen, believing (with good reason) that Van needed someone (despite his protests that closeness to him put others in danger), and that he would be unable to resist Stefen's charm or attractiveness.
****A leech-blade is a dark magic-forged weapon that feeds on life energy. It is, in regular cases, universally deadly as no matter where it hits, it digs in and drains the energy out of a person. However, in Vanyel's case, the lifebond to Stefen allowed for him to draw additional energy from the Bard and slow the process. This gave Savil the time to retrieve the assistance necessary to remove it.
- ★ PERSONALITY: If there were one word to describe Stefen's personality, it would be "young." While there are some aspects of his thought process that are very naive and self-centered, because of his young life on the streets, he has seen a lot of the dark things that are in the world. On the one hand, he is a teenager coming into adulthood and still getting used to his responsibilities, and on the other, he is an adult missing a childhood. To that end, Stefen is very capable of being oblivious to the needs of others and can be quite focused solely on his own comforts. This is changing, though, since meeting Vanyel and being commissioned to aid the King. He is slowly learning to be more considerate of those around him and losing more of the "me"-centered thinking as he continues to grow up.
Even naive, Stefen is hardly innocent. He knows precisely how the world operates and how to survive in it. He isn't blind to the darker things, realizing quite keenly that humanity is far from perfect and that vices often are what motivates others. He is usually suspicious of the apparent "good intentions" of strangers without some Collegium uniform, whether it be Herald, Bard, or Healer. Once one has managed to earn that trust, however, it is all but unshakable. Still, that slow to trust idea was necessary for street life and, while it has been nearly a decade since he has needed to survive on the streets, the idea remains as one of the basic groundings of his personality. This is even helpful in some cases--or would have been if Stefen had been sent away from the Palace--as Bards are often called on by the Crown to serve as spies due to their near-universal acceptance, where a Herald would arouse suspicion.
Still, Stefen is both sweet and charming when he puts his mind to it. Part of being at Court is playing "The Game" and Stefen has gotten quite good at it, attracting a rather large female following at Haven with both his flattery and his looks. He does consider it a game, however, and does not expect anything to come of any of these compliments and flirtations he dishes out freely. He is no stranger to flattery and is certainly not shy of handing out praise--whether deserved or not. Even so, he is eager to please and earn attention--he enjoys being the center of attention and all but thrives on the compliments and sometimes jealousy of others.
Ten years on the streets necessitated that Stefen be able to determine motive and intent at a glance, and as such he has become incredibly perceptive (a Bard has to know what to play for them, after all). This has been trained by Bardic Collegium as part of standard training given to all those that come through, though around mental shields and emotional walls it is far more difficult. Anyone with practice hiding their emotions, really, is safe from that particular aspect of him. Still, he is accurate more often than not. In the reverse, Stefen is also well-trained in controlling his own expressions--he is quite capable of delivering dazzling smiles and even laughter despite any level of anger, shock, or depression. He is very hard to read sometimes, and he tries to be so around strangers. He will open up a little more once he gets to know a person, but reserves totally dropping his walls for his closest friends.
Stefen makes no secret of the fact that he prefers men. He was, in fact, quite notorious among the Bardic students for being rather insatiable--enough so that Medren is surprised when Stefen drops all other potential partners and single-mindedly pursues Vanyel. Now with the lifebond, he has become quite passionately monogamous. The loyalty, however, isn't really all that strange despite the apparent clash with his personality. Stefen is one of the most loyal and devoted friends to those that he cares about.
Because of the habits of his childhood "caretaker," Stefen is adamantly against drug use in any format. And expressive of and occasionally violent about it. He refuses to take even prescribed potions,* not wishing to jeopardize what he has earned. He has sworn that he will never go back to the streets, and would rather not take the risk of becoming addicted to anything that would destroy his life and put him back there. For the same reason, he avoids fighting, claiming that he doesn't want to ruin his hands and be unable to play, convinced that that would be the end of his career and he'd end up right back where he started. Still, he isn't afraid to defend himself--as long as he is in his own element. He is more likely to run from a fight than participate in it.
*As this is never mentioned in the book, it is, in fact, headcanon. Though, from what is said in the canon source, this is logically inferrable.
- ★ COURT ALLIANCE: Seelie; Since meeting Vanyel, Stefen has become less selfish and more concerned about the well-being of others. Additionally, as a Bard, he values creativity and beauty rather highly. I also feel that due to his "upbringing," it is not unreasonable to assume that he craves and thrives on the order provided by the Palace and the Collegium, after surviving and escaping the chaos of the streets. As such, I feel he is better suited to the Seelie Court, rather than the Unseelie.
- ★ ABILITIES: Stefen is Gifted with the somewhat-rare Bardic Gift*--the ability to make others feel through music. When Stefen plays and/or sings, he is all but able to control the listeners' emotions, his Gift making them feel the emotion that he puts into the song, as if they themselves are part of it. This Gift, however, is only semi-effective without music--if he were not playing or singing, he would be more difficult to exert the same kind of influence, though he may be able to do some less fantastic influencing (Vanyel's nephew, Medren, was able to use his Gift to make Van feel more sorry for him in one instance, without doing more than speaking to his uncle. As Stefen is much more powerful than Medren, it's not a stretch to believe that he could do the same).
Additionally, Stefen has a unique ability, called a Wild Gift, and extremely rare (one in a generation is being generous). Namely, Stefen has a strange Gift that allows him to essentially sing pain away. The effect is limited to those listening to the music and is inneffective without a musical medium with which to exert the ability (he must be playing or singing). For the most part, this gift was employed in Court to assist the ailing King Randale continue his rule to the best of his ability, but will work on any listener, so long as he keeps singing or playing.
As part of the standard training given to all those attending the Collegium (be they Herald, Healer, or Bard), Stefen would have learned weapons as well. Bards are often sent into places that Heralds cannot or will not go to as diplomats of Valdemar and must be able to defend themselves. While never stated in canon, because of his slight build, Stefen would have received light armor and dagger-training in addition to refined hand-to-hand combat on top of what he had learned as a child on the streets of Haven, though he isn't afraid to fight dirty, either.
Stefen is also able to read others without much effort, occasionally able to infer what someone is thinking with eerie accuracy (it is mentioned that, though Bards are not Thoughtsensers, with the type of training they receive to read others' body language, they may as well be). This grows more difficult to downright impossible with beings other than humanoids, when he has no point of reference. Others guarding their expressions and movements are also able to essentially "block" his reading of them.
*It is canonly mentioned that there were “legendary Bards” capable of controlling the physical actions of others through music. Stefen’s Gift may very well be that powerful, though never shown in canon. He is said the be the most talented and Gifted Bard the Collegium has seen “in an age,” though he never actually uses that Gift to control physical action, though it is hinted in one instance that he could have. Furthermore, without direct orders or mission from the Crown, such an act is illegal, and punishable by being stripped of the Gift and turned out of the Collegium. Additionally, since meeting Vanyel, Stefen’s desires to use his Gift to get ahead have diminished drastically, and if he is capable of such a thing, he would not exercise his Gift in that way, self-limiting to the Bardic Gift’s regular influence on emotion and his Wild Gift.
**AUTHOR'S NOTE: If necessary, I am willing to put up a permissions meme in his journal to track limits on his Gift for other players/characters.**
- ★ INVENTORY: Stefen will be bringing his gittern--a stringed musical instrument similar to a lute--and its leather carrying case. There is nothing inherently magical about either the instrument or the case.
( SAMPLES )
- ★ NETWORK SAMPLE: [Stefen seems just slightly confused as the video comes up, though he puts on his best and most charming smile anyway. It maybe doesn't work out so well, but at least he's trying.]
I'm afraid I've gotten myself rather lost. I would very much appreciate a rescue, if someone can see it to come find me. You would certainly be given my eternal gratitude for it.
[His expression grows just a touch pained, and he tries to keep the smile up despite that.]
I suppose I might need to find myself a map. Or else take the next week to wander around and get my bearings. [He gives a short, self-deprecating laugh at that thought.] Then, I imagine, I'll be asking for more rescuers!
[There he shakes his head.]
Havens, lets all hope it doesn't come to that. If someone could please see fit to come and find me, I really would be very grateful.
- ★ LOG SAMPLE: Putting it lightly, Stefen was exhausted. His hands ached and his head hurt, but he knew if he stopped he was liable to fall asleep in the hallway. Only a few weeks ago he would have resented that, but now all he felt was frustrated.
Watching Randale crumble just a little more every day, dying by inches, and knowing he could do nothing about it except make the next inch more comfortable was...discouraging. The man looked to be half a ghost already, and every day he was that much closer to becoming one. But then, he could probably have crossed into the Beyond and no one could have told any difference.
He hated it. It wasn't fair. Court was supposed to have been a boon, but now he could only feel guilty that he'd ever felt that way. Now, it had turned into doing his utmost for a man who would likely be dead before the year was out. It was hopeless, and he had to be careful not to fall into the trap of depression that usually accompanied activities with very little in the way of reward--at the least, it wasn't equal to the risk.
He swayed on his feet a moment, bracing himself against the wall, swearing under his breath, the pride in him thankful that no one was around to see him do it. "Hellsteeth... What are you doing, Stefen? There used to be a time when this wasn't worth it." He had to sigh at the thought, though. He knew what it was. It was meeting Vanyel and finally learning that there were other people in the world who mattered more than he did.
It still wasn't a pleasant thing to come back to his room late, aching and dizzy and utterly spent. But he knew he'd do it again the next morning, without complaining about it to anyone but himself when no one was around to hear it. He was the only one that could help, and he would certainly continue to try.
He didn't even notice his eyes closing until he found himself trying to pull them open again. As much as he wanted to curl up on the floor, it wouldn't have done anyone any good--least of all himself. So he pushed himself straight again, took a deep breath and continued down the hall, trying not to weave too much. Someone will think I'm drunk and Lord can you imagine the scandal! All it would take is some Lord or Lady to walk by and I'm already snubbed enough as it is. I sure as hellfire don't need to get the nobility after my skin as well. I may not have been raised in the gentry, but even I know they can be vicious.
He bit back a sigh, though, and paused again, blinking for a few moments before his sleep-addled brain recognized the hall he was standing in. There's no way in hell I'll make it back to my own room. This time it wasn't a sigh, but a yawn. He didn't even bother to stop it. I suppose I don't have much choice. To Vanyel's room, I suppose. I don't believe he'll mind. At least I can take an hour or so to take some of the edge off. Even if it was alone and in a chair, regardless of how much he wanted it to be in a bed, next to the beautiful Herald...
Another thought he had to watch for. He'd drive himself mad in the hunt.
Decision made, he cut back another yawn and pressed forward to the Herald's wing. If he moved quickly, maybe he wouldn't end up on the floor...
