Aris

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*“You may not know much about me, but I know less about you. So lets learn together, alright?”*

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## Early Life:

Many don't think of the possibility, though there are places where the torches don't shine nor do the lanterns burn. A place under everyone's noses that lies to waste and forgotten. Anyone who does remember and tries to visit never comes back out as the void consumes but rarely gives anything back out. It's the way things are, they have come to understand while part of the inky darkness. It's what all of them had learned after years of stirring without any other meaning. But while the void rarely gives anything back, that is not to say never though.

He can remember the day clear as the sky, an opening in the bedrock bore witness to his eyes as he watched a man dip a hand down into the darkness. He almost dared to reach out for it but knew it wouldn't do much so he watched as the stranger sat contempt at the edge. Far enough away so not even he could touch them. Though the caution was ill-spent, as the man seemed to trip over something he hadn't seen and despite the efforts, tumbled into the void. It was then he froze up and his not truly their chest ached. Many had fallen, and they had consumed… and yet he couldn't bring himself to do it. It was sorrow he felt as he rushed through the darkness and his form slowly built itself up as the home he had come to know bit at him as though he were an intrusion. None of this stopped him from wrapping the man up in newly made arms and pushing him back up best he could. It hurt to watch as life slowly and yet surely ticked away from the stranger as he barely managed to get him up in time. For a while, he watched at the edge as the man slowly eased himself back to health. Keep him from rolling back into the void as he slept.

He wanted to leave, to see the stranger and get to know him. Having grown attached in the time that they unknowingly spent together. Though his nerves prevented him, even while his lost self was nipped at he wasn't sure it was safe to leave. If he could at all, the void is his home, it's where things like them belonged, and yet the calling for more was insatiable and grew even more so as time spurred on. But he stayed, he stayed and watched the man get better and helped when he could. Pale eyes watching and boring only when there was no other set to look back.

It had been a week since the stranger had fallen, and the man was able to stand. Though the tar-like substance of void stuck to him like glue. It was only then when the man looked back into the pit where he felt the chain of anxiety let go and he stared back up. It was that day when he finally clung to the bedrock and heaved himself up with the help of the stranger. It was that day when a new life started and the thin strands keeping him bound finally fled away.

## Middle Life:

Most of his middle life was spent with a stranger who he never learned the true name of. They took care of each other the best they could. The man taught Aris to speak in words other than the tar-like bubbling that he had known and in return, he always went off and gathered the smaller things he felt they would need. Like dry sticks and fresh berries. Of course, the man was strange but he didn't mind, this was Aris’ family and he didn't care to judge.

Time passed and they both learned a nomadic way of life isn't for everyone. As it surely wasn't for the little voidling and it wasn't for the man that seemed to grow more tired by the day. Though what's one to do when they have no true home? Surely enough you wander, and you wander till you find something. Or you keep going until you lose yourself and that's what happened as the man collapsed one day on the sand of a beach. His breath was taken from him and his body aching. Neither of them liked to notice… But the void that had been stuck only spread more per day. Looking back at it that day it could be seen to be covered in blotches. Dark and lethal on what should be rosy pale human skin. It was that day that he couldn't push his family up, it was that day he lost the bond he had since he was young. He was 5 then.

For years he wandered after that, taking the knowledge of enchantments and magic the man had taught him throughout their time together and spending it where he could. Though there was that ache in his chest, the sorrow that brought him to be weaved in every fiber that made up his shell. He struggled to find food, though he didn't need it in the first place, and it was rare he managed to cross a biome in 5 days when it used to take 3. He was lost, without purpose, and for a voidling that's a fate worse than death. For years that's how he stayed. Even as he managed to find a home. Without a bond, he was broken. barely having the energy to go back to his hole despite the instinctual calling. He pushed through, and with the remembrance of his home void, he also placed a grave and gifts for the man he had grown to adore. Thanking him for everything he had done before leaving and continuing his pointless drift. Craving connections and life and yet fearing to lose someone else.

## Current Life:

### The Move to Xadia:

Aris has been a wandered for many years of his life. Having never truly found a place where he feels he can settle. Though on a fall day he had managed to come across Xadia, a bustling nation with activity and multitudes of diverse people. Curious, he decided to stick around for a while until he grew attached to the energy of the location. Unable to force himself to move on due to his many years yearning for company and then finally finding it. So that same fall he pulled himself together and made a small home settled out in a colorful forest a small trips away from the location. Allowing himself to visit and trade with everyone for the rest of the season.

Though when Winter hit, it hit the already chilly location hard. As the nation was located in a biome of ice and snow on the constant in the first place. The voidling was unable to deny himself energy for his still growing core though, and regretfully he bundled up best he could and headed out into the snow. It blew and brushed against his face in relentless winds and it left the void in him slowing though never stopping... It served as a reminder that he was cold. That it was uncomfortable, and that he shouldn't have head out in such poor weather, Though in staying the need for food still remained. So he continued until he made it onto a path in Xadia where he followed and followed...yet met nothing. Well at least he thought, until a kind what looked to be a cyclops called him to a stop. She offered him a place to warm up and with the uncomfortable feeling in his chest? Who was he to deny.

That day he had went home with a new interest in the flaming haired lady and a a kind word in with the what used to be chancellor of Xadia. Who knew only a few days later in another visit to the nation would he see the person he thought to be a friend and said chancellor. Where he then talked in an admittedly shaky tone, but managed to worm his way into the nation. Where he later went to his small shack and screamed his excitement to the walls. "This was a new start" he had thought as he scribbled out the plans for a new future home which would later become known as "The Crow's Nest". Things all seemed to be going well despite the occasional odd encounter. He continues to meet with the cyclops he learned to call Circe. One time even going to a tavern... Though joys always ended up short lived as news eventually arrived announcing the death of a great king he never truly got to meet.

## Religion:

Like many voidling's he ended up following The Surrogate of Fate. Seeing truth and hope in the lines she finely crafted and the dreams that she handled with just as much care. Though he never presses his beliefs onto others. It can be see that behind his house is a small but well cared for shrine for the goddess bordering concept. Where he sits at least once a week and offers gifts of ingots and gems as a show of his adoration and constant memory of her. Though he doesn't think it necessary. It calls back to his voidling ties.

Aris isn't as scared of the dark as he sounds. When he mentions it, its not just because of the danger. But he genuinely tries to sleep every night. Currently, he remains dreamless. But he believes that one day if he keeps trying, that The Surrogate of Fate with recognize him. Occasionally, he swears he can see little strings in his sleep. Though is unsure if this is just him forcing the thought into himself.

## Skills:

Enchanting: After his years exploring and learning from the strange man he had managed a small basis for the understanding of magic. As time went on he honed it into a proper skill and eventual profession. While magic is a broad spectrum and he knows a portion for all kinds. He is strictly a master at the art of runic and only really dabbles with other forms. His runic magic understanding allows him to work with relics and to enchant… if he wanted too he could make runic machines. It’s a tricky form of magic and not as combative as some. But it’s effective and works.

Exploration: He has a knack for wandering, having it imbued into him since the moment he left the void. So while he isn't the best with directions. He doesn't need it to have a sense of where the loot and riches may be. He doesn't use the skill as much as he used too since owning a shop. But he does sometimes go out and adventure with Circe or to go find a relic he cant make himself.

Archery: The world is massive and filled with dangers, he needed a way to protect himself in his time where the man was no longer around. So one day he picked up a damaged rotting bow from a weakened skeleton and knocked a crooked arrow. After that the bow became a natural choice and he became proficient enough with the weapon. His close range combat is more lacking, so when forced he opts for a further reaching weapon then a sword. But again, if given the choice he will choose a trust bow every time.

Reading: He cannot read common and while that causes many issues. There are also plenty of books written in enchantment hidden away in the depths. So he usually finds and clings to those when he can. He values learning and takes every chance he can get to do so hoping itll somehow assist in his day to day life or practice.

Sales Managing/Shop Keeping: Being social is one of his specialties and while he wasn't taught the skill of money management or marketing. After wandering around with little shacks and tents for a bit in his "Ghost of the Plane" days. He eventually managed to pick it up. Leading him to his successful he has now in Xadia's market province.

## Appearance:

Aris at his current age[19, 2 years have passed, used to 17] reaches around 5’10 excluding his antlers which branch out in thin yet strong sections. His skin is dark black though it can appear to be swirling with a darker-toned gray depending on how strong the emotions he is feeling are. For the most part, he remains mouthless as he doesn't typically eat as often as he should to fuel his growing core though both notches are in his ear to show his age and progress.

Despite being on the smaller side, his legs are long and his tail reaches down just past his heels. He doesn't opt to wear any jewelry despite his love for shiny magical items as he prefers to sell them off. Though he does dawn a green coat that the man used to wear before his departure… To match he wears a white dress shirt and a darker green vest to appeal to the dressed-up fashion the coat has. He also tends to clip his claws short to appear more friendly and human.

## Personality:

Aris is social and friendly at heart but he is scared of making any relationships with other people and burdening them with it. Leaving him with that empty feeling that voidling tends to avoid like the plague. Due to this feeling, he can seem self-deprecating at moments. Though primarily tries to have a happier appearance and has the potential to be a ball of energy and excitement. This energy paired with a stubborn personality that comes with his race can quickly come to be a bad look for himself as he is always on level 10 while everyone else may not be.

Despite this his intent is generally kind and well-meaning, though there are times when he can seem disconnected and blunt or even just weird in general. He just doesn't know how to act with people. Even if all he wants to do is help and protect those dearest to him. His tone and way of expressing things can be off. Not only because he doesn't exactly know what leads to wear. But because he can't grasp that being scared and worried is okay. So he always just has to think he is the tough guy. Aris wants nothing more than to be simple and unconcerned, just to be bright and prominent. A guiding light when others are lost. Though things are never that easy.

## Fun Facts:

* For the time he was left wandering he was slowly learning to be called “The Ghost of the Plane” by any of those who saw them. As his species is rare so it's harder to recognize. He is a myth of sorts. Though its hard to believe with how different he appears now.
* He knows how to enchant and read the enchanting table. He also has a knack for other magical knick-knacks, past that though he doesn't know much else. So he has to have other people forge his tools most time.
* He doesn't mine usually for the need of armor and weapons. Most of the time it's so he can give gifts or hoard the shinier more magical things for himself or the shop.
* The void has its own language in which he knows to an instinct. Though he is fluent in reading, writing, and speaking enchantment as its similar to his home void language. His common is lacking though as he can only speak it and is lost to the larger words. He can not read or write common.
* Can be considered a bird keeper of sorts, as he has many crows. He feels they are outcast due to being pests. So he gives them the belonging he wishes he had. So he takes care of them, in turn they help try and fill that emptiness being bondless has. Though he still hunts for a new bond despite this.
* He offers gifts to those he cares about. Whether its enchantments or ingots and gems. He feels like if he does this then the people who receive his little offerings will know they are remembered, just like the voidling tradition "The Remembrance" follows. Though in reality no one likely knows this is the case and just thinks it nice.