Conleth Drakos

**Conleth Drakos** (cohn-leth dray-kos) is a major supporting character in "Tales of the Exalted" and a member of the Exalted. A mage living in Iterkan, he specializes in fire magic.

## Personality

Conleth is a confident young man of expectational intelligence. Due to his aptitude for strategy, he acts as the brains of the Exalted. He is nearly a picture perfect young noble, and his behavior reflects as such. Generally speaking, he is polite, refined, and is cool under pressure. However, he can get rather annoyed with his fellow exalted, as it often falls to him to clean up their messes (mostly those of Arashi and Carina). Conleth's strategic and magical genius is unmatched, but he does not care for direct conflict. He much prefers to toy with his enemies and avoids physical fights. In most cases, he will hang towards the back of a conflict, shooting off spells from afar.

## History

Heir to the Drakos Clan, he comes from a long line of Pyromancers, many of which have been Exalted. In ancient times, the Clan served as guardians of the Flame Temple, revering Dragons, the source of Fire magic. As such, it was not uncommon for the Clan to marry with Draconains, with traces of Draconian blood persisting in the clan even to the present day.

In present Iterkan, the Drakos Clan is one of the noble clans, and presides over the judicial system. Raised to take over the responsibilities of the Clan, he ascended to become the Fire Exalted at a young age, surpassing even many of his own ancestors in magical abilities.

## Powers & Abilities

**Keen Sense**: Has the ability to sense the natural aspects of his surroundings in great detail.

**Keen Perception**: In conjunction with Keen Sense, he can rapidly analyze all aspects of his surroundings, including environment information and allies and enemies’ attacks, abilities, and intentions.

**Ultimate Tactician**: Drawing on the data collected with Keen Perception, he is able to devise new strategies and combat tactics in order to deal with any situation.

**Exalted Pyromancer**: Has a complete mastery of fire magic in all its various forms, including spells attributed to the fire school and direct control over all manner of flames.

* **Heat Haze**: Bathes the surroundings in a blanket of intense heat, mimicking a desert. By using the heated air to refract light, he is able to generate illusions and camouflage objects within the area of effect.
* **Heat Manipulation**: Can directly control the flow of heat in objects, even as far as being able to rapidly cool targeted locations or manipulate weak electrical currents. Requires significant concentration.
* **Flaming Field**: Creates walls of fire to set up barriers, limiting the size of the field and trapping both enemies and allies within.
* **The Sky Falls**: Rains down meteors from the heavens to strike at groups of enemies.
* **Immortal Servant**: Conleth summons a phoenix made of pure flames from the sky to attack enemies. The phoenix is able to take commands and perform basic communication with Conleth.
* **Funeral of Flames**: A skill which requires a summoning circle to execute, as well as a spoken incantation. Upon announcing "Funeral of Flames," the ground erupts around the target. Hell Chains burst forth, restraining and pinning the target to the ground. A massive phoenix of pure flames is summoned from the sky, circling over the target. On Conleth's signal, the phoenix then plunges directly into the target, cremating them instantly.

**Draconic Blood**: Due to his Draconian Blood, Conleth has the ability to morph and take on the physical properties of a Draconian. This transformation, while incredibly physically taxing, can enhance many of Conleth's physical abilities.

* **Draconic Eyes**: While in his transformed state, Conleth's eyes become red and slitted, mirroring those of the Draconians. These eyes enhance Conleth's Keen Sense and Keen Perception even further.
* **Draconic Claws**: Conleth is able to mirror the claws of the Draconians, raising his physical offenses.
* **Draconic Scales**: Conleth is able to mirror the scales of the Draconians, toughening his skin and raising his physical defenses.
* **Draconic Veins**: By focusing his Magical Energy into his veins, Conleth can amplify his mastery over Fire Magic.
* **Draconic Wings**: Conleth is able to sprout wings from his back to take flight.
* **Draconic Rebirth**: Conleth is able to temporarily perform a complete transformation into a Draconian. During this time, all of his Draconic abilities are active. In return, the transformation rapidly replete his Magic reserves, converting Life Force to Magical Energy if necessary.

## Equipment

**Jeweled Staff**: A relic passed down through the Drakos clan, Conleth wields a wooden staff topped by a red jewel. The jewel atop is able to store and release vast reserves of magical energy, It is later revealed that a shard of the Fire Gem is embedded in the jewel, allowing Conleth to enhance his Fire Magic.

## Quotes

* “The flame has an intrinsic elegance to it, wouldn’t you say? All at once intense and destructive, somber and mournful. How could it not be captivating?”
* “I don’t care to spill blood needlessly. I am an arbiter. I take the lives only of those I have judged to be irredeemable.”
* “Funeral of Flames. Now, die and be silent.”