"If you aren't living, then might as well be dead."
Name: Merrelien Thedove
Race: Armer/ High Elf
Birthplace: Maiev Communion
Bio: The Thedove family name is one well known in Armerium Council for their expertise in the field of Magitek, and their devotion to creating different uses for Erchius. Merrelien's mother,Phelorna, followed in the footsteps of his Grandfather, becoming a scholar from Solar Academy and aiding in the development of Magitek over the last few decades. That's where she met his father, Maeraddyth, who was much older than her. They began as rivals in the industry, with different philosophies of how Magitek should properly be put to use.
Phelorna was a firm believer of using Magitek to aid the medical industry, and further the life spans of species who don't have the unique quirks that most Eruvian's have. Maeraddyth's beliefs completely countered hers, with the development of shields through the use of Magitek, war on Bumi would be no longer. Of course this wouldn't be the case, because with the development of shields came a demand for weaponry, leading to further warfare. These ideas will come to clash during meetings, so much so it became a weekly routine between the two in the conference room.
But things wouldn't stay that way, soon enough they were paired together with another group of scholars, that would be sent out on an exhibition to Masyaf Sultanate. There they would be escorted to the largest reservoir of Erchius in all of Bumi to run some tests on the glistening purple gold crystals. During those months of running tests deep in the purple glistening cave systems, overwhelming with the brutal heat of Masyaf's unforgiving desert, they would constantly work side by side slowly getting to know one another.
Soon after things became serious, than nine months later Merrelien was born in his Father's family home in Maiev Communion. There both families would meet one another, Phelorna's family were foreigners standing beside those of the Thedove name. The low class met the very high class, a family of traders and scholars, standing adjacent to store owners and farmers. It was a sight to see, but surprisingly, the Thedove family was very warm with their welcome. That night Merrelien was introduced before them for the first time, and there his name was announced to all. Merrelien Thedove was born, and he will continue the family legacy. Or, at least that's what his father believed.
Merrelien's childhood was a harsh one. Being born into a family of high class Eruvian's, specifically Armer, was hell on earth for any child. After his birth, his parents traveled back to Armerium, in a mansion where his father resided whenever he wasn't off at work doing research. Since the time he learned to walk, his schedule was packed with events. At a young age, he would be forced to involve himself in many activities. Lessons on how to play Eruvian instruments,classes on sword wielding, and all the while going to one of the toughest academies in all of Bumi, Solar Academy.
By the time he was an older teenager, he grew tired of having tight schedules and zero free time to do what he pleased. When he wasn't subjected to go to those god awful events with his parents, he would be taken to one of his classes, all of which he grown bored of. One day he had enough, and with a friend from school, ran off for a couple of hours. Those few hours of liberty, was the best time of his life. But after returning home, he would receive one of his father's long lectures. He would always begin by saying, "Life as a Thedove, means giving back to society in a civil manner". But during that moment, as he spoke, Merrelien became callous to those words. They held no true meaning to him anymore, he had received his taste of freedom, and he wanted more. That night in his chambers, as he laid in bed facing the wall, he formed a plan. A plan to get away from Armerium, away from his family, and begin a life of his own as an adventurer.
He did just that. He remembered hearing about a group mercs that traveled on one of those huge airships runned by Erchius. The Lughanta Company. It was ran by a Nightingale, a name familiar to Merrelien considering the Thedoves had some business with them not too long ago. So one night on the way to his class, he was seated behind a carriage. He memorized the path that the driver was taking, the same path he since Merrelien was a little boy. So he analyzed his surroundings and then timed it perfectly. His plan was about to commence, he can't back out now. He calmed his nerves, and began to count.
3...2...1...
The carriage went over a bump and he rolled right out, landing on the cobbled floor unseen and unheard. He wiped himself off and without haste, ran to the house of a friend who lived nearby. He was able to get past the butler, convincing him that he was there for tea, and met with the mischievous boy in his room. He was a human, unlike him, but they got along well. His name was Ryder, a strange name for a human, but it fit him well. Ryder helped him in gathering some supplies, including money and some burrowed closed before being pointed to the right direction.
"Alright, leaving Armerium isn't an issue, the issue is getting to Fraulia. You can't take the train, you never know how quickly your family would notice your disappearance and then send out a search party. So here," He placed a map of Bumi flat on his desk adjacent to his bed, "You go east, towards the mountains, don't try going over them unless you wanna be eaten by wolves or robbed by bandits. Head south until you're in between the mountains to your north and forest to your south." He was marking down the trail with ink as he spoke. It was obvious Ryder had taken this path before, and probably without his parent's consent.
"Once you get out of there, you follow the river heading south and sure enough you'll be in Fraulian territory. Move fast, without haste, if you don't want your parents catching you." He rolled up the map and handed it to Merrelien who tried to process everything at once.
"Ryder, I appreciate this," He said tucking the map into the bag of supplies his friend had given him. Just as he turned to leave out the front door he grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't go out through that way, Herman (the butler) would get suspicious about the bag and once news gets out that you're missing he'll put two and two together. Climb out the window and use the cherry grove to get out through my backyard. Then head towards the gates." Merrelien nodded, giving his friend one last handshake, before doing just that.
He snuck out of the house, and with as much stealth he could conjure, he stepped foot outside of the Armerium as his own person, first time in his entire life. He meticulously followed the exact directions that Ryder gave him, and on the path to Fraulia he met a kind man, who lived on the outskirts of Eustia. His name was Kishimoto, such an alien name to Merrelien. The man would later explain that he's from Harukayama, and moved to Fraulia in search of adventure but instead found love. Merrelien would tell him about how he himself is looking to live a life of adventure, and that he's going to attempt to sign up for the Lughanta company. Kishimoto's eyes lit up, feeling the same passion he felt during his younger years, and promised to help Merrelien reach the Lughanta recruitment center in Fraulia.
Their journey back took a few weeks, maybe even a month, but they soon grew close. Kishimoto spoke about his life as a farmer, and how he had a lovely family consisting of his wife and three kids. He hasn't seen his home, Harukayama, in years and he deeply misses it and how one day he hopes to show his kids about the culture that lives forgotten in their blood. Merrelien told him his entire life story through the long walks, and the man listened in awe. He couldn't believe someone who's rich could live such an unhappy life. But for Merrelien it was quite the contrary, he never knew that you could live happily without having much of anything.
When they had finally made it back into Fraulia, it was dusk. The recruitment center was closed for the day, and Kishimoto offered him to stay the night for a warm meal and a bed. Merrelien happily agreed, glad he wouldn't be sleeping in a tent for another night. Kishimoto was bringing home a large bundle of supplies throughout the journey, and it turned out to be seeds that he would receive a lot cheaper from a trader he knew up near where they met rather than purchasing them from Eustia. That night, Merrelien met Kishimoto's wife and three children. They treated him kindly, and the children were in awe. They seen elves before, but never an Armer, especially not this close. They bombarded him with questions, all of which he would answer with a smile. Finally, when they were put to bed, Kishimoto had a talk with him.
"Merrelien, do you have your own Magiteck weapon?"
He shook his head, "No, I never found the need for one."
Kishimoto smiled, stood from his seat and disappeared into a room. He came back a few minutes later with something that was in a bundle. He handed it to Merrelien, who was puzzled by the gift. "Open it."
When Kishimoto did, he realized it was a sword. Not just any sword, a sword infused with Erchius, this was a Magitek weapon. Merrelien's smiled at his friend, who smiled back at him and that night was considered one of the most treasured moments of Merrelien's young life. The next morning, they got up early at dawn so that Kishimoto could escort Merrelien on one final trip into town.
Kishimoto brought him into the city's walls where they talked for a final time outside of the recruitment office. Kishimoto admitted when he first saw him, he believed he was nothing more than a criminal. With the features he had, the glistening red eyes, a bored look pasted across his face, and even the pale skin, he believed he was nothing but trouble. Merrelien laughed it off, and thanked him again for everything he's done. Before Kishimoto left, he told him anytime he sees his way back into Fraulia again, to come and visit him sometime. Merrelien happily agreed and there they parted ways.
He hoped that his analytical skill, his sword handling, and even his strong urge to adventure the world would earn him a spot on the Lughanta. Time would only tell.
Skills:
Weapon Expertise: Broadsword
Elemental Affinity: Lightning
