Ashio Ereyta

Ashio Ereyta, a Half-Elf Ranger, is an Enforcer of Law conscripted by of the House of Taiong. Chosen for his ferocity battle and his attentiveness to details around him, he was a prime choice for The Gambit of the Four, and was offered as tribute on part of Taiong. Ashio accepted his journey across the seas to Yume in hopes of winning over the lands for his house and watching over it as his own sanction for the deed.

## Basic Information

### Knownlanguage(s)

Common, Elvish, Sylvan, Dwarvish, Undercommon

## Description

Ashio is a relatively average half elf, exhibiting the traits of his heritage with sharper and more slender facial and bodily structures. He was relatively short for his High Elven heritage, at 5'7 and 143 lbs. His face was well defined and upkept, with a rather large gash running from his right temple to his upper right cheek as well as his left ear being crudely clipped, removing it's point entirely. His skin was a tanned cream color from his mother's Bakari native traits.

Like most conscripted into the militia forces of Taiong, his hair was kept respectable, short, and cropped. His hair was a Dirty Blonde, almost brown in color. His eyes were pale green.

Ashio's choice of clothing was simple and effective. He typically wore loose fitting shirts and pants that would be tucked into his waist and boots, allowing for a large range of movement. His clothes would be covered up in a Deerskin Leather armor. As a final piece to his main outfit, he would carry a large sash depicting the Symbol of the Taiong over his shoulder. On his non-clipped ear, he wore a traditional elven chain earpiece as a symbol of defiance to his family.

When agitated into a dangerous scenario or needing to conceal his face partially when his sash couldn't wrap around as a full cowl, he would wear a painted half mask carved from birch depicting the mandibles of a wasp.

## Personality

Ashio is quite quiet and reserved, stemming from his troubled family relations and his nature of being another soldier in the machine of House Taiong. However his natural curiosity to explore and try things left him in trouble a few more times than he cares to remember, but snaps back into line seamlessly only to think harder on how he can avoid consequence next time. When it comes to terms of ideals, his good leading nature lends him to be idealistic in the spirit of his house and wanting to take a more merciful role in his governing body. His nature can be seen as having an inner child, surrounded by the ploy of a hardened soldier, you might even be able to crack him with a good joke if you tried hard enough. His hyper-focus on details around him make him an excellent scout, but rather oblivious to things that don't correlate to what he is looking into.

Ashio is not associated with a particular church or deity, he doesn't seem to care about earning favor or rapport with them either.

### The Hivekeeper

Ashio rather enjoys the trade of beekeeping taught down to him by a Drow by the name of Eramis Quitel. Throughout his teens he learned the art whole living under her roof after leaving his mother. He was taught the secrets of magic by her after becoming infatuated with its wide array of uses. He learned to bind the first small hive he was entrusted with to himself, creating a swarm of familiars to protect and travel with him in her memory.

## Abilities

As a half-elf of high elven descent, his natural curiosity made him a fast learner, gaining a variety of skills in a short time span. Ashio was a great athlete, able to cover large distances in short times, whether they be horizontal or vertical, and was able to navigate small passages and obstacles with precision. Using his roaming nature and home terrain of Honeywatch, he learned to spot the tiny details of the terrain around him allowing him to sustain himself with ample scavenged supplies. Although his family was hostile to him, their habits would teach Ashio the valuable lesson of being able to keep as quiet as a hunter and to nick things from counters without a soul noticing. It lended to him later in life, where his style of hits for warranted enforcements was quick, finesse fueled ambushes.

Having learned the Druidic and Nature magics from Eramis, she prepared him for the harsh life of an Enforcer to which he was adamant of becoming. She taught him a variety of spells to get rid of his foes first and keep him safe. He became proficient with marking targets, setting traps and ensnaring them, only to overwhelm them with a barrage of arrows and sword strikes. He rarely lost his target, as he could illuminate them with a fiery glow or ask the wildlife for information.

While his swordsmanship was above average, the skill of Eramis was limited. However, joining the Taiong's forces allowed him to excel with most, if not all matter of weaponry and tactics. By the time Ashio was 24, he had proven himself as a rather useful Enforcer and was only expected to rise further as his career advanced.

### Combat and tactics

Ashio specialized in ambush and rush fighting tactics. He would often study his opponents and predict their paths to create a cross ambush. When exposed due to a lack of expertise on his part, or the enemies natural senses, Ashio would be quick to notice and close the gap. He preferred rapid paced strikes over heavy blows, as he saw that hitting an enemy more made for better results than large strikes that could be more easily dodged.

Ashio specialized in wielding many marital weapons, but favored the Katana. He was able cast a variety of spells as well, including many natural based abilities such as Hail of Thorns and Speak with Animals. When he needed it most, he could summon his swarm of bound hornets.

## Possessions

Ashio viewed his supplies for the most part as just tools. Apart from his blade, a katana passed down to him from Eramis.

It was rather standard looking for blades of his region, apart from the bright yellow blade. The handle being wrapped in a diamond pattern in yellow cloth.

His leather armor was hot iron branded with the banner symbol of the Taiong, making them an appropriate garment for his enforcer duties.

## History

### Ashio, The Shamed

Born in 1326 PA to a single mother, Ashio was destined for a rough upbringing. His father, being a traditional High Elf, tainted by lust was disgusted by his child and left his mother alone before he was born. the young mother grieved for the loss of her lover, and as a direct result, took out her frustrations on the young Ashio. She would verbally berate him with harsher and harsher words as he grew older, acting out in manic fits and forcing the young boy to the outskirts of Honeywatch where he resided in the dangerous wildlands to escape his home. Ashio always returned however, due to necessity for shelter or food. Despite her torturings, Ashio prevailed and stood strong for 13 years, until it came to a head in the late winter of 1339 PA, when his mother unleashed a violent physical attack, slicing Ashio's right ear tip off, and making a large gash in his left cheek. Ashio ran into the snows of the night, so his footprints would be covered by dawn, and marched off toward a destination he wasn't sure he would ever reach.

During his travels from the east of the Henari River to the Capital of Naiyun, he encountered a humble drow woman by the name of Eramis. Her motherly attitude and willingness to sympathize and care for the young Ashio warmed his heart for the first time in what seemed to be years. Despite Ashio's desires to head to the Capital for a better life, she convinced him to stay in her humble cottage.

### The Caretaker

As Ashio began his progression from a young boy to an adult, his new caretaker Eramis tried her best to amend the wrongs of his past. Ashio was taught how to use weapons to defend himself by her, often spending their springs and summers in the cottage yard firing bows and slicing at hay bales. As he grew older and was taught to read and write, she incorporated symbols and languages of magic into his vocabulary, allowing him to naturally slip into casting spells in his later years with her. As Ashio began to warm up to her, he began to take interest in her hobbies an an attempt to show gratitude. However, Ashio would develop an affinity with Beekeeping through this. They began to talk more of the summer training and sweet nectar treats they would make as time went on, but Ashio still grew older. Even though her protests against the dangerous position Ashio aspired to gain, she respected his ambition and only wished him to be safe. She granted him the blade with which he had trained in her yard with, wrapped on the handle with a yellow silken handkerchief. With a heartfelt goodbye, Ashio left to pursue his future in Naiyun at the age of 18.

### The Enforcer

As Ashio began his enlistment as a lowly soldier within the armies of the Taiong, he proved to be far more experienced than most at his age. Ashio quickly arose through the ranks, and gained favor with the house, transferring to a position of Enforcer at the Age of 22. Becoming an enforcer came with the accumulation of many allies, and rivals as well. Ashio was constantly butting heads with Teerun, a High Elf who saw him as a lesser for his commoner birth. Despite this, Ashio would prove to be incredibly useful to the House of Taiong. Unbeknownst to him however, behind closed doors, a wager was put in place by the Four Great Houses, and Ashio was their prime candidate.

### The Offering

Ashio has yet to learn of his newfound status within the House. Only time will tell of his fate.

## Relationships

### Eramis

Even though he prioritized her as a mentor in his mind, Eramis was like a mother that Ashio never had. He would often ask for missions heading back east in order to visit her when he could afford to. Rather enjoying her company, Ashio made sure to tell her of his exploits and deeds he had done. Although he doubts she has time to remember all the details, he enjoys seeing her be proud of him.

### Anora

During a seafaring expedition to House Sejiao, he met a young half elven woman named Anora. He took interest in her mark, asking her what it meant to be labeled as a house prodigy. He found himself rather at peace when with her, as her dark wood elven eyes reminded him of Eramis'. Occasionally during festivals where peace was made among houses, they would occasionally stumble into each other and talk about what life in their positions were like.