What a wicked web we weave, when first we practice to deceive...

Eden/Sstars

My latest character, who I have to say has gotten off to a surprisingly good start, in my eye (Yes, I'm so bad with names, I used by real life one because I didn't want to think for years over another one). At the moment a simple shadow, he is an experienced shifter of form. Not obvious about it, it's a playing card he holds in his hand for a suitable time of revelation. The majority of his time is spent fullfilling his position of 'Royal Gardener' in a palace of unique design called Cair Cheval, the Palace of Mirrors (Take a moment of silence for the hapless soul who has to clean the glass. His name is Batou.). However, be forwarned, that's not as typical and mundane a position as you may think. He was hired by and works for Alayne, as do all but a special few, in this palace she calls her own. The palace itself resides in an Amber-side shadow called Fairmir.

Quiet and reserved, he goes about his job with attention to detail and a well developed taste from numerous previous experiences as a gardener, in other shadows. His interaction appears minimal, a tall man not unlike the form of Lurch, if your familiar with the long old Adam's Family, although features not quite so bland and morbid, they are usually expressionless and simple, with exception to emerald eyes that seem to mimic the very appearance of a finely cut jewel of the same shade. Those eyes are the only indication that intelligence and sense lay in that nearly mammoth body. His skin for the most part is covered by a large burlap robe, tailored to his size, and covering him from head to ankle; ties at the waist with a length of seemingly common rope. Sandles manage to cover a measure of his large feet, while his only other adornment is a choaker wrapped around his neck. Many small beads of exotic make, link in an entricate design of a single star places at the front center of the choaker. In his hand can commonly be found a staff of extended length to accomidate his equally extended height. Shapeshift among other things used in the staffs creation, the wooden appearance of the object is deceiving, steel a closer approximation of it's sturdyness.

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He does however also hold another position, quite unlike his peaceful gardener bit. In a far off shadow of desert and sun, he is not the servant, but the leader. Under his firm reptilian hand lays the control of a nomadic tribe of Lizardmen Warriors. Having developed over time measured in years with this particular race of shadows, he has learned their form well. Time spent watching and studying until he moved like them... fought like them... thought, like them. Sstars killed off a young warrior and assumed his place, and over a long time violently, as the custom, took control of the tribe. The hastened healing ability of his shifting nature played a large part in this. Explaining away his occasionally extended absences to his men as scouting for the good of the tribe, or leading one-man raids so he can prove that he alone has the strength to lead the tribe. Thus far, none have survived questioning his actions.

The tribe itself is a hostile thing, it's camp nomadic. Outsiders are not welcomed or desired in any way, and if tarying in the area too long, may find themselves subjected to attack. Sstars encourages his, thinking atonomy within the shadow best for the tribe. While not the most prolific in numbers, the tribe has not a single member who does not fill his or her position within it perfectly.

Shorter than his human form, the lizard body is thicker and stockier. Legs are replaced by hanches capable of upright movement, though it lacks the smooth stride of humans. Not a single hair graces his body, but hard scales cover every inch in a natural armor. Talons the color of ivory replace nails, making a sharp clicking noise when he walks. Teeth are viciously designed to tear meat from flesh, and a serpentine tongue occasionally pokes out to taste the air. Eyes of gold are slanted and definately those of a reptile origin, short vision excellent, getting worse sharply are farther distances, they dart around without stop. Wrapping around each large bicept is a tattoo, the right arm covered in a ring of red, orange, and yellow flames, the left arm a dark green vine covered in thorns. The number of thorns on the latter tattoo seems specific, and to members of the tribe it is. Each represents a victorious battle, and the number of thorns on Sstars is high. Around his neck is a choaker, unique in make. Scales of iron have been skillfully crafted, wrapping around his neck tightly, grey in color as typical of iron, though a star is made in the front by black iron scales. Metal bracers sheath his forearms and thighs, and various blades are worn with ease and purpose, though his main weapon appears to be of wood. It's shaft a long dark wood, the butt is a weighted metal ball, while the tip has a wickedly sharp blade attached. It's almost always held firmly in hand, or within ready reach.
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The main concept of this character is always the servant, never the served. Decades, perhaps longer, has been spent in the service of others, usually as a rule that of gardener, but not always. Commands and orders are his bread and water, and usually when given are carried out quickly and without question. And while some may think defiance or bitterness the eventual result of this, that is far from the case. It's a lot he's accepted, and fulfills to the highest extent possible; the ability to be useful to others a reigning desire if he could be said to desire anything, which is perhaps doubtful. While Sstars deviates from this concept, in being the Leader and Warrior, it just serves to add an interesting twist to the far more dominate side, that of willing servant. And even with Sstars, should a person of strong enough will and firmness of hand come along, he would lead his lizard tribe in the direction that person so wished.

This desire to serve and be useful has best been taken advantage of by Zeus, to date. King of the Gods in that shadow of dieties, who better than he to attached yourself to and become favored with. His original intent merely to explore the shadow, at the hand of the beautiful Litera, High Priestess of Hera, Eden, a version of his previous form with hair, finds himself speaking of gardens, a subject he is well-versed and experienced in, with Zeus. Casually naming garden designs of a unique nature, the description of a crystal garden catches the interest of Zeus, and thus Eden's start in Olympus is born.

Related Links:

House Jesamine

Olympus

Palace of Mirrors

Elements of Magic

Nippon

Ishtar

Nixa

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