BrilliantRain/Lazaro

(Written by DonQuijote)

Lázaro was my first attempt at building a character, and I love him dearly, but mechanically he's a mess, and a bit embarrassing, so I'm going to refrain from actually putting up a copy of his character sheet. The following, however, are the basic ideas behind him:

Name: Lázaro de Tormes
Caste: Eclipse
Concept: Megalomaniacal Merchant
Nature: Conniver
Anima: Black cat

Personal Data:
Current Age: 31
Apparent Age: mid-20s
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Green (but you never see them)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 160 lbs
Sex: Male

Notes:

Lázaro tends to be self-serving and manipulative much of the time, however, he is given to occasional and mysterious streaks of pure altruism. The going theory is that a previous incarnation was a true paragon of compassion and that his current self is simply jaded due to his upbringing. The more time he’s spent with his past life’s circlemates, the more frequently these streaks seem to come, so there seems to be something to that. Also, while Lázaro single solitary goal in life is eventual world domination, he works towards this not actually for himself, but for everyone, as he simply sees himself as the best man for the job.

History:

Lázaro de Tormes was always seen as someone destined for greatness. Born the only son of a wealthy Nexus merchant family, Lázaro grew up never wanting for anything, and was taught in the ways of good business, which he displayed a great talent for, from an early age. At age 11, however, his life took a great turn. His parents, believing strictly in ideals of meritocracy and not wanting to stir their employees up with talk of an heir to the business, as well as believing that the best way for a cub to learn is to cast it from a cliff, abandoned Lázaro in the streets. Rather than attempt to beg his parents for mercy, Lázaro, being a shrewd young boy, took the wisest course of action: he got the hell out of Nexus, before he was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Making his way upriver, Lázaro eventually came to live in Greyfalls, the Realm’s center of trade with the Scavenger Lands. With his natural talent for business dealings, Lázaro worked quite well, as a liason serving Realm officials and traders in their dealings with the scavengers themselves, securing deals and, of course, taking a cut of the profits. Hearing stories of the Imperial City, Lázaro imagined the day when he could become a great official, even if it meant only being a shadow behind the throne. The more he learned, the more his desire grew, for he was convinced that given the chance, he could build something even greater. However, at age 23, these all took a turn when Lázaro discovered he was one of the Sun’s chosen. As the majesty of the Unconquered Sun bathed him in light, Lázaro, being a shrewd man, took the wisest course of action: he got the hell out of Greyfalls, before the Wyld Hunt had a chance to show up. After embezzling a severance pay from his employers, Lázaro decided to make his way back to Nexus. He got about as far as Mist Island, when he realized that the Wyld Hunt was closing in on him. Preparing to face his impending doom, Lázaro was saved at the last moment by a Sidereal of the Gold faction who hid him from his pursuers. Though she could not help Lázaro continue his journey back to Nexus, she did provide him with a stupid looking hat that, at least, concealed his caste mark and made him slightly less conspicuous (it also conceals his handsome face, which is unfortunate, since, due to his sense of debt, he rarely removes it). Unable to get even the name of his mysterious benefactor, Lázaro vowed to someday, somehow track her down and repay the debt of his own life. Eventually arriving back in Nexus, Lázaro discovered that in 12 years since his departure, his parents’ business had eventually fallen into decay, as his old home was now simply just another abandoned building. He purchased the land from its new owner, and was delighted to discover that the old “Anathema Hideaway” from the First Age, a labyrinth containing at least two Manses, but also a considerable number of tunnels that are untraversable, that his parents had told him had been sealed away beneath the house remained undiscovered. Claiming one of the ancient Manses for his own, and starting a shop in his old home, Lázaro began building the capital for what he knew would eventually be his campaign to make the Realm his.