Markus Eckstein

### **Early life**

Markus was born to a family in a small village north of Akasa kas. His father a human whom had married an elven warrior of the great war many years ago. Life was quiet and quaint for Markus but, it grew boring as he got older. Having grown up on tales of voyagers and the great war Markus's curiosity got the better of him, and he'd fantasize about one day leaving his home to become a voyager of legend,and one day the opportunity to do so came knocking. A wyvaran traveler, clad in dark silver robes and with a staff had made his way to the town, resting at the local inn. Markus had followed this man to the tavern, and heard him sharing tales of traveling lands far and vast, partaking in adventurers. Having seen this as a potential opportunity, he asked the wanderer if he was willing, to teach him the ways of the Voyager. The wyvaran man had agreed, so long as he could pass three tests; one of the body, one of the mind, and one of the spirit. The test of body, requiring to show his endurance, strength, and agility ranging from carrying weights across distance, martial training, and capability to weather conditions. The test of the mind, seeing how well he could will his body to endure, and resist mental tampering. The test of the spirit, consisted of seeing the purity of his soul and intentions, to truly see if Markus was willing to take up the risk of Voyaging, and do so justly. Upon proving his worth to the wyvaran man, he revealed himself as being named Phyrus, a follower of Apsu. Having taken the young man under his wings (literally) they set off to begin their journeys together.

#### **More Than What you Bargain For**

It wasn't long before Markus's newfound master and friend took him to meet another friend, a wizard whom was a long friend of Phyrus. Upon a short conversation, the wizard took them to a secret location, where Markus met others like his master, and discovered he was a member of a group named; *The Talons of Apsu*. A group of Apsu followers who aim to monitor and react to any potential evil groups or threats, and prevent possible events that may incite another war similar to that with the Titans. This consisted of members wandering through cities and villages, to keep an ear and eye open for anything of note, as well as extra planar excursions to hunt siad threats, mainly with a focus on any followers of Dahak. To prepare Markus for these missions, Phyrus taught him the ways of martial combat and ki usage, and interestingly enough, imparting to him a spark of slight divine magic, allowing . As an initiate, one mission that took him into a temporary stent into the plane of shadow to hunt down a follower of Dahak, who proved capable of using shadow magic. After narrowly surviving the encounter and making it back to the group's hideout, Markus had gained the ability to manifest weapons from shadow plane energy, seemingly having mixed into his ki. Despite advancing in his own capabilities as a martial adept, and gaining mastery over his connection to shadow energy, being on of the few non draconic heritaged members of the group, he would at times face skepticism and judgement from his peers, especially considering some of his shadow energy manipulation. Despite this, Markus did share deep ties with his group, and found his new found purpose and direction fulfilling. Chief among the few friends he had was a draconic sorcercer named Ancal who helped Markus with his study of extraplanar elements and creatures, quickly forming a bond with the sorcerer. However, all good things do come to an end.

#### **The Hunters and The Hunted**

A few years into his membership with the Talons, he eventually gained his full status, earning a silver holy symbol of Apsu. Now being ranked to a full member, Markus was able to take full freedom on mission choices and even proposing missions to the group. After a few months of investigation into rumors of Dahak followers gathering around a nearby coast (first headed by Ancal) many members, Markus included advocated for direct investigation and preparation for an attack.Alongside his master, and Ancal, the trio would spearhead the investigation, spending the next few weeks chasing leads and rumors, leading to the capture and interrogation of a Dahak follower, who gave up the location of an inner circle. Two weeks later Markus, his master, and Ancal gathered the other members in preparation for the raid. Attacking at night they infiltrated the supposed hideout, finding the Dahak members but having sprung a trap. The building had been placed under the effects of a magic circle, that would send eveyrone in it to a predestined demi plane, trapping a majority of the Talons, and leaving only two outside of it's circle, Markus and Ancal. Markus in a panic would plea to Ancal to find a way get to the others, but upon trying, was attacked by his ally. Afterwards Ancal had revealed that they were an infiltrator for the followers of Dahak, and seeing as only one Talon was left to them, the two engaged in brutal combat. Spells were slung, blades swung and clashed, fists collided as the two fought, the both close to the brink. In a final desperate attempt Markus channeled all of his ki and shadow energy into one last strike to try and fell Ancal, nearly succeeding but the craft mage had managed to slip away before Markus could finish the job. Exhausted, tired, and near death Markus would find himself nearly drained as he escaped to a nearby hideout to recover. The day after he discovered the fight had taken not only a toll on his body, but on his inner energies, reducing his connection and ki tether, to that of a novice. Going back to the location of the conflict, having found no evidence of his comrades return, Markus had assumed the worst, and left.

#### **A New Path, Old Habits**

Now making his way to the famed city of Akasa Kas, Markus has taken it upon himself to still carry on the mission of his group, even without their backing. Be it through stubborn habit, or true want to keep their memory alive, he does what he can to honor his comrades, albeit with the focus of finding Ancal, and getting his revenge. Hoping to establish himself within the city, Markus will keep his eyes and ears open for any potential harm to the city, and followers of Dahak, ready to act swiftly as his brethren showed him.

#### **Aspirations**

* Help the city of Akasa kas grow, and integrate into its community
* Make new friends
* grow stronger
* Keep an eye open for any potential threats/evil groups outside or inside the city
* Track down and kill Ancal
* Meet Apsu face to face

#### **Colleagues (friend or foe yet to be determined)**

Naru- well mannered, cute, energetic. Not bad to have a chat with, should try to learn more about her

Meave- if ever there was someone who might actually have their youthful innocence about them it's this one. Pretty capable in a fight and sharp tongued for sure, she's good people

Gyomi- Gods above it is such a damn relief to meet another martial adept out here. Doesn't talk much but I'm more than willing to trade spars and conversations with him

Seira- I know a lonely soul when I see one, hell might be speaking for myself when I say this but, everyone needs a friend, and if I can be one to her, I'd more than like the opportunity, that and she's real easy on the eyes and, spunky and, uh ignore that last part.

Warref- Strong, capable, tough, credit to warriors of his faith but, gods damned does he rub me the wrong way. Arrogant, brash, gives me a headache just to think about him. Not a bad guy per say but, not my kind of company.

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