Caspian

Caspian wearing his mask

## Personality

Caspian is curious. He likes to learn more about the world around him. He also loves to create and forge. To him, forging is an art. Every tool or weapon you create contains a little piece of you that you inserted into it. One of his core values is to treat others the way they treat you. This also enables his vengeful tendencies. He can be quick to anger, and also stubborn and close-minded at times. On top of that he believes loyalty and freedom are very important values.

### Ideology

Freedom is more important than security. Loyalty and trust are important bonds that must be honored, and those who break those bonds are the lowest. You must remain independent of others in order to truly be free.

## Goals

The goal of Caspian is to surpass his mentor, Talon. His want is to smith the greatest sword, one that even Talon would envy in its design and power. He believes that there is a resource that can create a sword greater than his mentor could have imagined. He is in search of that resource. His secondary goal is achieving independence and self-sufficiency.

## Backstory

Caspian was born in the Kingdom of Nuet. It was at war with the Kingdom of Oberon over land disputes. He experienced most of his life in the war. He doesn’t remember exactly where he did come from, his memories don’t run that far back, but he can remember Jarus. Jarus was a member of the Army during the war, but retired when he met Caspian so he could raise him. He raised Caspian as his son and instilled his beliefs into him. Jarus was very vocal about the importance of loyalty and freedom. Being a young and impressionable child, Caspian also came to believe it. From a young age, Caspian loved to tinker. Jarus gave him enough freedom, and he eventually found his way to the local forge, run by Talon. Talon was a blacksmith and heard many rumors from his clients who had traveled far and wide. Talon taught him how to forge, and how to use tools. His earliest memories were learning how to use a hammer, and his first creation had been a metal sculpture of Jarus. It was crude and childlike. Even though Jarus was taking care of Caspian, he would often get into trouble. He had to run from merchants or guards because of his mischief. He would often steal an item, get chased, and then return it in secret later. He was forced to learn how to be fast, and how to be nimble.

When Caspian was 16, Jarus fell very ill. According to the local healers, it was a disease he contracted from Oberon during his time with the army. He died shortly after. The death of his mentor further cemented the idea in his mind that being attached or reliant on others is a shackle to one's own freedom. After the death of Jarus, Caspian had changed. He became more stubborn and prone to anger. He wanted to volunteer for the army when he turned 18, to help wipe out the people of Oberon, but the war ended shortly after the death of Jarus, and Caspian never got his chance.

### Talon

After the death of Jarus, Caspian began working as an apprentice for Talon. There he polished his skills further and learned directly from a metalworking master. He wasn’t paid very much, since Talon couldn’t afford it. After forging his first sword with Talon, he wanted to use it so badly. He knew he needed sword experience if he ever wanted to enroll in the army. When Talon was gone, he began practicing and accidentally sliced his own face. Talon gifted him the mask to wear, to cover up the wound, which he now wears merely as a token of gratitude to his former master.

### The Moon Raiders

One day, a mysterious man came to Talon’s forge in need of a new breastplate; The original had been totally destroyed over years of combat. Caspian had forged a new breastplate for the man, who saw Caspian's skill in forging and the hidden potential within him. The mans name was Creon, and he told Caspian about the Order of the Moon Raiders, a group he was a part of. They were a group that worshipped the moon as a god, and enacted its cosmic justice. The moon was the ultimate symbol of balance between freedom and loyalty. It was constant, ever-reliable, and steadfast. But, it was also so far away from any mortal being that it had complete independence. Caspian was entranced by this idealogy. The members of the orders had duties, though. They would often raid camps of bandits and thieves, which is how they earned their keep, whether is be through the loot they obtained and sometimes through payment from the nearby towns. He took the oath of the moon knight, to vanquish tyranny where it stood and to forever remain independent once becoming of age. He believed he could rely on nobody from then on.

The Order soon after set its sights on Oberon, the neighboring nation, after hearing about its oppressive government that taxed the people and detained citizens on false pretenses. Caspian was trained by the order, he learned how to use a sword and shield, and how to finish off an opponent. The raiders sharpened Caspian like a sword, forging him into a weapon the same way Caspian would forge iron. At first he saw nothing wrong with the killing of bandits or the ministers and soldiers of Oberon. He believed he was delivering divine justice after all, that it was what the moon willed. And the ministers of Oberon deserved it, after all, they were responsible for the death of Jarus. Even so, after taking his first life Caspian was sobered. He had learned the silent lesson that taking another's life is a grave matter, not one that can easily be justified. Caspian told the order that he could no longer kill for them, and they accepted his conditions. Caspian's main use to the order from then on was his forging ability, he would often repair and enhance their weaponry for free. He gave them the edge they needed in battles against bandits, thieves, and Oberon. Talon grew grave at the sight of the path Caspian was travelling. He saw the way Caspian was being manipulated by the Raiders, and he didn’t want them to lead him down the path of the mercenary. For his own good, Talon called Caspian back to his forge. He was still a member of the order, but he would no longer fight for or with them. After a stern talk with Talon and a long period of reflection, Caspian came to regret his time with the Raiders, but still firmly believed in the moons divinity. He realized the raiders just used their claimed ideology as a thin veil for mercenary work and pillaging. He prayed that the moon would forgive him, especially for taking the life, and freedom of his fellow man.

### A Distant Rumor

When Caspian had turned 17, Talon had told him about a particular rumor he heard after Caspian explained that he wanted to become independent. He no longer wanted to rely on others as he had done all his life so far. He knew if he stayed for too long he would begin to get too attached to Talon. He didn’t want to be there when he might pass away. He didn’t want to be a burden on others any longer, and he didn’t want to identify with a group after his experience with The Order. The rumor was that a new continent had been found. There, he could work as a weaponsmith and earn money. It was a golden opportunity for Caspian, considering there would be a need for blacksmiths in this new world. So, he decided to venture into this new land. He wanted to make Talon proud, but more so he was excited about the idea of a new level of freedom he would obtain.

## Relationships

### Jarus

Caspian's father figure, who raised him to respect loyalty and freedom and embraced his tinkering side.

### Talon

Caspian's mentor, who taught him how to forge and further molding Caspian's idea of morality.

## Attachments

Caspian's only attachment is the first sword he forged on his own, the rusty blade that also sliced his face. That and the mask are all that he has left of Talon.