Zevran Arainai (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bloodyantivan) wrote2012-04-30 11:56 pm
bloodyantivan) wrote2012-04-30 11:56 pm
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sirenspull;
Player Information
Name: Liam
Age: 27
AIM SN: serial nostalgia
email:
Have you played in an LJ based game before? Yes. Maybe.
Currrently Played Characters: Ritsuka Aoyagi (truename), Franz d'Epinay (discretion), Czeslaw Meyer (czes), Snake (typhlopid); I am making preperations to tie up loose ends with Ritsuka and drop him within the next month, however.
Conditional: Activity Check Link: Here.
Conditional: Official Reserve Link: There.
Character Information
General
Canon Source: Dragon Age series
Canon Format: video games
Character's Name: Zevran Arainai
Character's Age: Mid-to-late twenties.
Conditional: If your character is 13 years of age or under, please clarify how they will be played. N/A
What form will your character's NV take? A small, round, palm-sized tablet PC that resembles a silver and white runestone.
Abilities
Character's Canon Abilities: Zevran is a rogue with the assassin specialization. His combat skills focus mostly on stealth, able to sneak up on enemies and slit their throat, stab in the back, or cripple them by severing their tendons. Here are his initial statistics. His attacks focus on being fast, inflicting harmful statuses that slow an enemy down such as bleeding, crippling, stunning or poisoning, then taking them down. Dressed in light armor, if his victims manage to catch him through his stealth and evasion, he is not as able to take a hit as a warrior. For the sake of him being well-rounded, I'll say that his further development in the Warden's party focused not only on continuing his assassin specialization and poison-making, but also to give him beginning lock-picking and trap-detecting skills (when the Warden recruits him he says he can do those but his skills say otherwise, so one would hope he'd educate himself quickly to remain useful!). Zevran's rogue/assassin skills are definitely on the level of badass normal, and he is already incredibly tough, prone to surviving with arrows sticking out of him, etc., to say nothing of his stealth skills which allow him to virtually disappear or remain hidden on the battlefield before landing a first blow - incredibly useful for breaking into places undetected, too. He is limber, fast and flexible, with a remarkable level of pain tolerance.
Zevran can wield dual blades or a bow, with his specific skill set being developed to dual-weapon combat. As an assassin with the Crows, he is also skilled in poison-making, which he uses on his weapons, and likely has at least some understanding of chemistry and botany, though being from Thedas rather than Earth, that knowledge may be of limited use, and only serve as a far point of refernce. He is also immune to many poisons, having built up a tolerance during his Crow training.
Other non-combat skills include a diplomatic tongue, some medical basics (knows how to apply a poultice and take a potion, likely needing to treat himself on the field on more than one occasion), a little tattooing (an art sacred to the crows), upkeep of leather armor and equipment, and massages and seduction. Missions seemed to frequently require Zevran to seduce his victims, in fact the Crows frequently pick elf children not only because they are easy to procure, but because elves are so attractive and exotic to humans. Since his very first solo mission required him to seduce a with a proclivity toward young men like him, it seems he's pretty good at such things. As someone required to play a role to get close to his victims, Zevran is also good at improvisation and convincing lies, though he far prefers to be his bad self.
He also knows how to use a bow, though he is not currently carrying one (though DA:O allows swappable weapons sets, a character is only ever seen carrying one or the other), and has no specific skills regarding it, having developed his assassin's skill tree rather than archery.
Zevran is young yet, and his skills are yet developing - he is very talented and trained, but he is hardly an unstoppable master assassin at this point. He even admits he is 'not the best the Crows have'. However, his skills are constantly building and improving.
Conditional: If your character has no superhuman canon abilities, what dormant ability will you give them? Given the level skill and power Zevran can grow to through natural progression, I do not think he needs too much augmentation. For his extra-special Core ability, I'd like him to actually be able to turn himself and anything he's carrying completely invisible for a short period of time, allowing him to make a quick get away. At first he'll only be able to activate it for 30 seconds, and will never be able to remain completely invisible for more than 5 minutes at a time, needing a 'cool off' time of 5 minutes regardless of how long the skill was used for until he can do it again.
Weapons:
*Wields a Duncan's dagger, given to him to use by the Warden, and a generic Crow dagger
*Wearing Dalish armor with the gloves and Antivan leather boots gifted to him by the Warden (in spite of the fact it ruins the defense bonus of wearing a completely matching set, he will not take those stinky things off) and his mixed metal rounds belt.
*Several small, concealed throwing knives.
He'll also have with him:
*A golden earring taken from the first man he killed as a memento.
*A small pack of supplies including 2 stamina draughts, 3 potions, one injury kit and one vial of Crow poison to use on his weapons, as well as the supplies to care for his leather (he's seriously obsessed with caring for his boots) and blades.
History/Personality/Plans/etc.
Character History: "One of the women in the brothel I was raised at was a fortune teller. She told me once I would live an unusually long life. She was very surprised!"
Zevran was born a cast-off in Antiva City, an elf (who are known for 'excelling at poverty') with no family whose only legacy was his prostitute mother. He was raised with the other bastard elf children in the brothel, thus had a very practical understanding of sex and other harsh realities from a young age. "It wasn't so bad, aside from the occasional beating." At the tender age of seven he was bought by the Crows, an organization of thieves and assassins: "For three sovereigns. A fair price, considering I was a skinny thing that didn't know the sword pommel from the pointy end." The Crows were elites in their field, influencing the politics of Antiva by carrying out assassinations for the highest bidders. Perhaps it was that wider political corruption, or the invisibility of children of poverty, particularly elves, that allowed the enslavement of children. Zevran was forced to live in cramped, filthy conditions near the tanneries in the city, competing with his fellow assassins-to-be in order to climb the ranks.
At one point Zevran did manage to run away and join a clan of Dalish elves such as his mother had been. However, he encountered prejudice from the Dalish, who said his mother was no longer one of theirs since he left the tribe. He was unaccustomed to the rough, nomadic lifestyle and near-starvation of the Dalish life, and eventually returned to the Crows, understanding his place in life. Being a Crow was a position of respect in Antiva, and he had everything he wanted: wine, food, women, men... Everything but his freedom. The Crows held their secrets close, and were not keen to let anyone leave their service. He was required to take jobs from them in order to support himself, and was bound to them for life, not only contractually but emotionally and philosophically.
Zevran learned to harden his heart as he was taught through years of torture and training, and emerged as one of the most promising young Crows. He took part in a great battle where several Crow cells were bought by opposing sides and were forced to fight one another. His cell was bought by the side opposing the prince and his sister, and he murdered many of the sister's guards before being knocked out of a window into a river. When he washed ashore, he was robbed blind by some urchins, but knew he was lucky to be alive. Such was life in Antiva.
His first solo mission was a merchant prince whom he seduced. After killing the man, he took his earring as a souvenir. Zevran frequently slept with his marks, even those who knew he had come to kill him. In the face of all of the death he brought to others, Zevran became a consummade hedonist. For years he lived it up with his partner Taliesen, boasting and bragging of his accomplishments until his hubris gained the notice of one of the Crow Masters - one who was critical of Zevran's arrogance. Since Zevran was complaining he wanted harder work, he and Taliesen were sent to a particularly dangerous mission, along with a fellow elf, a woman named Rinna, with whom he fell in love. "I thought I had closed off my heart, but she touched something in me. It frightened me."
Perhaps it was because of this fear that he readily believed Taliesen when he said he found evidence of Rinna accepting bribes from their mark, and she was planning to betray them. Zevran agreed that Taliesen should kill her, and spurned her when she begged for her life and pleaded innocence. Taliesen cut her throat, and Zevran spat on her for betraying the Crows as she bled out.
But it was all for nothing. When Zevran and Taliesen completed their mission, they found out Rinna hadn't betrayed them. Taliesen convinced Zevran to lie and say Rinna had died on the job. Zevran was later told by the Master who disliked him that they knew how Rinna had really died, and that no one cared. It didn't matter that Taliesen and Zevran had turned on their own incorrectly. They were all replaceable, and Zevran's day would come soon enough.
Zevran despaired. He did not like being confronted with the reality that Rinna's life was worthless and so was his. He wanted to die, so he took a bid for an incredibly dangerous mission that no one else wanted: to take down the two remaining Grey Wardens in Ferelden. He left Antiva for the first time, and for what he anticipated to be his last time. But when the moment came to die, the Warden (the silent protagonist of Dragon Age: Origins) allowed him to plea his case. Zevran explained that he had never had a chance to be anything but a Crow. "The benefits are many but the retirement plan is absolutely garbage." He saw her boon as an opportunity to be free of the Crows, since his life would be forfeit to them anyway, and offered his many skills as a rogue and assassin to her service. In spite of the protestations of some of her party, the Warden accepted his offer. Zevran pledged an oath of loyalty to her, and began traveling with the company of misfits in her party. Slowly, he began to befriend the Warden, as well as win the begrudging trust of her entourage.
Point in Canon: After Arl Eamon has called the Landsmeet, but before the Warden has fulfilled all the treaties. The order of events and direction of the story are malleable to the player's choices. I will be saying that Zevran joined the Warden's party after she completed the Nature of the Beast quest, taking the path that recruits the Dalish. Zevran therefore took part in Broken Circle and Arl of Redcliffe quests (the Warden having gone to the Circle for help with Connor's possession), and was also present, though not in the party, for Return to Ostagar. Zevran's approval rating for the Warden is high (he's received the Antivan leather boots and Dalish gloves, which pretty much win him over), but he is unromanced. Zevran's Warden is Elissa Cousland,deadly sex goddess warrior class.
Conditional: Brief summary of previous RP history: n/a
Character Personality: "What do I know but death and pleasure?"
Zevran is a consummate charmer who uses his silver tongue, sensuality and wit to win people over. A former member of the Crows of Antiva, Zevran is very honest about his identity as an assassin and his ruthless outlook toward life. Yet he is not a cold or angry person, or a sadistunless you use a safeword. He came from a very bleak place where he was not valued or cared for, and instead of coming out of it bitter or depressed, learned to laugh, to not hold any illusions about his life, and understands how to take fleeting enjoyment from an ugly world. He is a pragmatist, survivor, and if his claims are to be believed, one hell of a lover. He is easygoing and very open-minded. Maybe a little too open-minded, depending on one's views.
Those who are not bowled over by Zevran's persistent flattery, flirtation and good looks often make the mistake of believing Zevran is frivolous. He laughs while he fights, brags about his skills as an assassin and a lover, and is an equal-opportunity flirt. He teases people and pushes their buttons, deflecting most seriousness with flippant humor. A good example of this is when he travels with the motherly Circle mage, Wynne, who believes he regrets the life he's lived and tries to get him to admit it. Sensing her pity, he admits he is terrible and it makes him sad, may he please cry into her bosom? Subsequent conversations always end with Zevran pulling the conversation away from himself and toward 'magical bosom' until Wynne ends the conversation in frustration. Like a child who wants attention, Zevran seems to enjoy provoking a reaction from all of the people he travels with. It is not a malicious thing, in fact he seems rather interested in the lives of others, since his venture to Ferelden is his first time outside of Antiva. He reacts to mistrust and insults good-naturedly, able to take it as much as he dishes out, rolling with the punches and able to laugh at himself. If there is one thing that is frustrating about Zevran - aside from his constant innuendos, complete lack of sentiment about sensitive subjects, vanity, and obsession with leather craft - it is that he does not appear to take things very seriously. He maintains friendly relationships with others but rarely forms bonds with much substance.
Sex and violence have always been defining factors of Zevran's life, and he has an extremely practical view of both. Sex is fun, no matter who the partner may be. Death is inevitable, so be prepared. Everything else boils down to details, so why not have fun along the way?
Like most Antivans, Zevran is devoted to the Chantry - the monotheistic, powerful, influential religion of the humans of Thedas - and has a surprising amount of knowledge of its lore. When confronted with the apparent hypocrisy of this, as a hired killer, he says he asks for forgiveness from the Maker at every opportunity (in spite of not actually appearing to regret his work), and points out the Maker has never made any objection to his line of work known. This is just one more example of Zevran's pragmatic world-view.
Though Zevran was beaten at times and probably underfed, he seems to look on his childhood in the brothel with some fondness. He sees no problem with brothels or patronizing them. He considers sex to be a need to be met, a natural function of the body that just happens to be a lot of fun. Indeed, Zevran is someone who is almost laughably easy to get into bed. He seems to have casual sex down to an art form. He also freely talks of sleeping with his marks, even when they know he has come to kill them. He sees sex and assassination jobs as something to enjoy with zero shame, and is perfectly comfortable with being straightforward in expressing his opinion on either. That is not to say he is immune to developing romantic feelings, though he is inexperienced and mistrustful of such affections, and will not easily admit to them when they occur.
Zevran is not the kind to be haunted by the torture and tragedy of his past, though it might be argued that he has never really dealt with any of it in a healthy way (there are no therapists in Thedas, but there should be). He very much subscribes to a philosophy of picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and moving on - there's a drink to be had in the pub nearby, and probably a pretty girl or boy, too. Zevran is a hedonist, favoring physical beauty in his partners and gold and silver in his gifts. Knowing his life could end at any moment, it is not surprising he favors such 'shallow' pleasures.
Considering his unpleasant background, Zevran's cavalier attitude might be unexpected. However, conversations with him reveal he trusts no one and tends to think of himself and the bottom line foremost. There's simply no room for regretting the people he's killed or dwelling on the past, he lived by the rules of the Crows, who honor their contracts as sacred above all else. He admits to finding pleasure in having power over another person's life and taking it, delighting in the thrill of the hunt, but is adamant to insist it is not a sexual thing. He enjoys having done his job well, much like a hunter, and believes that his marks demand the utmost respect: a clean death as free of suffering as possible. Just the same, he is more in favor of getting rid of threats and building power than being merciful, though he speaks out against performing the Right of Annulment at the Circle of Magi (which would have killed hundreds) and the slavers stealing elves from the alienage in Denerim, suggesting he does have a developed sense of what is right and wrong, as skewed as it may be.
The despondency Zevran experienced over Rinna's death,as well as how he develops if romanced by the Warden, definitely shows that there is a heart beneath the good looks and fancy tattoos. A horny, snarky heart, that people sometimes have trouble trusting for some reason.
Zevran swore to serve the Warden in stopping the Blight if his life was spared, and takes that vow very seriously. Contracts are sacred to the Crows, after all. Having failed to complete his contract, his life as a Crow is effectively over, and while he was likely in despair over what happened with Rinna, he still values his own life. Having a clear task at hand, and someone to show him which direction to go is probably easier on him than being given his freedom outright, considering he's spent the better part of his life taking orders from the Crows. While he is not as emotionally invested in the Epic Quest as some of the Warden's companions, he seems to enjoy what they're doing ("We are ridiculously awesome!" he sometimes says at a the end of a completed battle), and faces it without fear. At this time, Zevran is still struggling somewhat to define his role, and the idea that he even has a role beyond his blades, both to the Warden and to himself. In spite of this Zevran still exudes an aura of confidence, cracking perverse and sometimes-dark jokes at every other turn. His loyalty to the Crows all but dissolved, but he knows sooner or later word will get around that he has failed his mission...
Conditional: Personality development in previous game: n/a
Character Plans: Having a small taste of freedom, Zevran will likely want to work for himself rather than taking up with one of the companies - AGI's recruitment tactics are a little too similar to the Crows. He will probably go into business as a bounty hunter and/or assassin, possibly taking place in some corporate espionage. Other than that, he will be completely and utterly mystified by modern life, NVs, the NPP, and everything that is so completely different than what he's used to in Thedas. Wait, everything's run by classism, prejudice, and political corruption? Sounds like home after all!
Appearance/PB: So sexy it hurts.
Writing Samples
First Person Sample
video;
[The man who on-screen does so with utter confidence, in spite, or perhaps because of, the leather armor that more or less amounts to a skirt. Even though he is standing still, there is something about him that can only be interpreted as a cocky swagger. Perhaps it's the upturned, amused tip of his grin, or the warm, accented purr of his voice. In spite of the situation, in spite of this place, he doesn't seem the least bit worried. The two blades on his back likely have an effect on that.]
At first I thought it was some trick of the Fade, but I realized I was not naked. And there were no prancing woodnymphs ready to take advantage of that! [laugh] If it is the Fade, I suppose some demon must be responsible. You would think a demon would have a little more imagination, but at least this place is not so terribly brown as Ferelden. The smell, though... it really is unlike anything I have experienced. [He wrinkles his nose a little, clearly unimpressed.]
The girl here told me I am to talk to my fellows with this runestone. [He taps at the screen.] I am more interested in where I might meet these other so-called newcomers. Where there are people, there must be a place for those people to have a drink and share in the gossip of the day. Will someone do me the favor of showing me to the nearest tavern or inn? If there is no such place, I suppose a brothel would serve just as well for my needs. I would be... [There's a suggestive glint in his eye.] Most grateful, for the favor.
Third Person Sample
Ah, the market. A pickpocket's home away from home. Zevran is wary as he makes his way through the place called the mall for his first time. He takes in every detail with a sharp gaze. It seems strange to have such a large, cavernous place like this underground. The lights seem brighter than the day, though that should be impossible. Being sealed into the ground over night is unnerving. He tries to tell himself it is no different than the cities of the dwarves, and surely someday he will accompany the Warden to Orzammar. Still, the underground shopping center's bright, polished atmosphere is almost headache-inducing. As bright as a flash bomb or a lightning spell, but a constant assault.
This world is new to him, with its strange scents and enchantments that allow him to do the impossible, like speaking to others at long distances and seeing their face without being in the same room with them. He is not afraid, really, nor does he dwell too much on his confusion, how little sense this place makes. He is here in this moment, and he must survive to free himself so he may keep his word to the Warden and stop the Blight. It is his sworn duty, and he would not want her thinking he ran off at the earliest convenience - especially not to get knee deep in the politics of some monster-infested city!
Right now, his priority is establishing his lines of supply. Surviving on his own is hardly difficult, but it is good to have a relationship with those who provide the necessities, and there is usually a little under-the-table work to be had if one knows where to look. More than that, a marketplace is a good place to hear gossip and get a sense of people. Direct questioning won't necessarily glean as much as a child digging through the garbage, or a rich noblewoman berating her elven servant. This market seems surprisingly low on either, just one of the many surprises that cause him to raise an eyebrow. The guards who skulk around in blue and white uniforms don't appear to be heavily armed, yet there is a sense of decorum even as the teenagers chatters and whirl around in loud little clusters.
He had thought Ferelden quite different than Antiva, shockingly so, but this place is even more unfamiliar. He cannot help but find the adventure of it slightly enjoyable, even if the cobblestones beneath his feet are too flat, too smooth, don't feel like stone at all. Already Zevran is gazing at awnings and dark corners, imagining where he might hide for an illicit tryst, or lunge for a sudden kill.
Something even more engaging catches his eye. It is a display of shoes, each bright pair standing bright on a pedestal in a window. After briefly glancing inside the store for any signs of traps or thieves, he boldly strides inside.
Many of these shoes are like nothing he's ever seen before. A strange material that feels tough and durable as leather, but smoother and thicker, not as breathable, with a strange, almost poisonous smell. And such colors! Brighter and even more improbable than the most extravagant merchant prince's garden.
One pair of shoes stands out in particular to him. Boots, of course, knee high, with a saucy little heel. But they are inconvenient. Who thought it would be a good idea to lace such high boots in such a way? Getting in and out of them would be quite a task, and wearing those boots, he would surely have people wanting him to get out of them. Of course, he could just keep them on in such events, but then he might risk certain... harm, coming to the material. Frowning a little in disappointment, he decides to touch the boots anyway, stroking along the tops of them. The material is not quite like leather...
Aha.
What a strange device there is on the back! Glancing it over, Zevran is able to suss out the metal tab that pulls up and down, closing the row of teeth that splits the back of the boots. Easy enough to use.
Zevran is not particularly superstitious, in spite of having attended Chantry sermons since he was young. But when he sees those boots he understands that he and these shoes have a destiny. His must find a place to try them on.
Even if the shop girl is giving him quite an evil eye. "You can't have weapons in here, sir," she drawls. "Get out before I call security."
Name: Liam
Age: 27
AIM SN: serial nostalgia
email:
Have you played in an LJ based game before? Yes. Maybe.
Currrently Played Characters: Ritsuka Aoyagi (
truename), Franz d'Epinay (discretion), Czeslaw Meyer (czes), Snake (typhlopid); I am making preperations to tie up loose ends with Ritsuka and drop him within the next month, however.Conditional: Activity Check Link: Here.
Conditional: Official Reserve Link: There.
Character Information
General
Canon Source: Dragon Age series
Canon Format: video games
Character's Name: Zevran Arainai
Character's Age: Mid-to-late twenties.
Conditional: If your character is 13 years of age or under, please clarify how they will be played. N/A
What form will your character's NV take? A small, round, palm-sized tablet PC that resembles a silver and white runestone.
Abilities
Character's Canon Abilities: Zevran is a rogue with the assassin specialization. His combat skills focus mostly on stealth, able to sneak up on enemies and slit their throat, stab in the back, or cripple them by severing their tendons. Here are his initial statistics. His attacks focus on being fast, inflicting harmful statuses that slow an enemy down such as bleeding, crippling, stunning or poisoning, then taking them down. Dressed in light armor, if his victims manage to catch him through his stealth and evasion, he is not as able to take a hit as a warrior. For the sake of him being well-rounded, I'll say that his further development in the Warden's party focused not only on continuing his assassin specialization and poison-making, but also to give him beginning lock-picking and trap-detecting skills (when the Warden recruits him he says he can do those but his skills say otherwise, so one would hope he'd educate himself quickly to remain useful!). Zevran's rogue/assassin skills are definitely on the level of badass normal, and he is already incredibly tough, prone to surviving with arrows sticking out of him, etc., to say nothing of his stealth skills which allow him to virtually disappear or remain hidden on the battlefield before landing a first blow - incredibly useful for breaking into places undetected, too. He is limber, fast and flexible, with a remarkable level of pain tolerance.
Zevran can wield dual blades or a bow, with his specific skill set being developed to dual-weapon combat. As an assassin with the Crows, he is also skilled in poison-making, which he uses on his weapons, and likely has at least some understanding of chemistry and botany, though being from Thedas rather than Earth, that knowledge may be of limited use, and only serve as a far point of refernce. He is also immune to many poisons, having built up a tolerance during his Crow training.
Other non-combat skills include a diplomatic tongue, some medical basics (knows how to apply a poultice and take a potion, likely needing to treat himself on the field on more than one occasion), a little tattooing (an art sacred to the crows), upkeep of leather armor and equipment, and massages and seduction. Missions seemed to frequently require Zevran to seduce his victims, in fact the Crows frequently pick elf children not only because they are easy to procure, but because elves are so attractive and exotic to humans. Since his very first solo mission required him to seduce a with a proclivity toward young men like him, it seems he's pretty good at such things. As someone required to play a role to get close to his victims, Zevran is also good at improvisation and convincing lies, though he far prefers to be his bad self.
He also knows how to use a bow, though he is not currently carrying one (though DA:O allows swappable weapons sets, a character is only ever seen carrying one or the other), and has no specific skills regarding it, having developed his assassin's skill tree rather than archery.
Zevran is young yet, and his skills are yet developing - he is very talented and trained, but he is hardly an unstoppable master assassin at this point. He even admits he is 'not the best the Crows have'. However, his skills are constantly building and improving.
Conditional: If your character has no superhuman canon abilities, what dormant ability will you give them? Given the level skill and power Zevran can grow to through natural progression, I do not think he needs too much augmentation. For his extra-special Core ability, I'd like him to actually be able to turn himself and anything he's carrying completely invisible for a short period of time, allowing him to make a quick get away. At first he'll only be able to activate it for 30 seconds, and will never be able to remain completely invisible for more than 5 minutes at a time, needing a 'cool off' time of 5 minutes regardless of how long the skill was used for until he can do it again.
Weapons:
*Wields a Duncan's dagger, given to him to use by the Warden, and a generic Crow dagger
*Wearing Dalish armor with the gloves and Antivan leather boots gifted to him by the Warden (in spite of the fact it ruins the defense bonus of wearing a completely matching set, he will not take those stinky things off) and his mixed metal rounds belt.
*Several small, concealed throwing knives.
He'll also have with him:
*A golden earring taken from the first man he killed as a memento.
*A small pack of supplies including 2 stamina draughts, 3 potions, one injury kit and one vial of Crow poison to use on his weapons, as well as the supplies to care for his leather (he's seriously obsessed with caring for his boots) and blades.
History/Personality/Plans/etc.
Character History: "One of the women in the brothel I was raised at was a fortune teller. She told me once I would live an unusually long life. She was very surprised!"
Zevran was born a cast-off in Antiva City, an elf (who are known for 'excelling at poverty') with no family whose only legacy was his prostitute mother. He was raised with the other bastard elf children in the brothel, thus had a very practical understanding of sex and other harsh realities from a young age. "It wasn't so bad, aside from the occasional beating." At the tender age of seven he was bought by the Crows, an organization of thieves and assassins: "For three sovereigns. A fair price, considering I was a skinny thing that didn't know the sword pommel from the pointy end." The Crows were elites in their field, influencing the politics of Antiva by carrying out assassinations for the highest bidders. Perhaps it was that wider political corruption, or the invisibility of children of poverty, particularly elves, that allowed the enslavement of children. Zevran was forced to live in cramped, filthy conditions near the tanneries in the city, competing with his fellow assassins-to-be in order to climb the ranks.
At one point Zevran did manage to run away and join a clan of Dalish elves such as his mother had been. However, he encountered prejudice from the Dalish, who said his mother was no longer one of theirs since he left the tribe. He was unaccustomed to the rough, nomadic lifestyle and near-starvation of the Dalish life, and eventually returned to the Crows, understanding his place in life. Being a Crow was a position of respect in Antiva, and he had everything he wanted: wine, food, women, men... Everything but his freedom. The Crows held their secrets close, and were not keen to let anyone leave their service. He was required to take jobs from them in order to support himself, and was bound to them for life, not only contractually but emotionally and philosophically.
Zevran learned to harden his heart as he was taught through years of torture and training, and emerged as one of the most promising young Crows. He took part in a great battle where several Crow cells were bought by opposing sides and were forced to fight one another. His cell was bought by the side opposing the prince and his sister, and he murdered many of the sister's guards before being knocked out of a window into a river. When he washed ashore, he was robbed blind by some urchins, but knew he was lucky to be alive. Such was life in Antiva.
His first solo mission was a merchant prince whom he seduced. After killing the man, he took his earring as a souvenir. Zevran frequently slept with his marks, even those who knew he had come to kill him. In the face of all of the death he brought to others, Zevran became a consummade hedonist. For years he lived it up with his partner Taliesen, boasting and bragging of his accomplishments until his hubris gained the notice of one of the Crow Masters - one who was critical of Zevran's arrogance. Since Zevran was complaining he wanted harder work, he and Taliesen were sent to a particularly dangerous mission, along with a fellow elf, a woman named Rinna, with whom he fell in love. "I thought I had closed off my heart, but she touched something in me. It frightened me."
Perhaps it was because of this fear that he readily believed Taliesen when he said he found evidence of Rinna accepting bribes from their mark, and she was planning to betray them. Zevran agreed that Taliesen should kill her, and spurned her when she begged for her life and pleaded innocence. Taliesen cut her throat, and Zevran spat on her for betraying the Crows as she bled out.
But it was all for nothing. When Zevran and Taliesen completed their mission, they found out Rinna hadn't betrayed them. Taliesen convinced Zevran to lie and say Rinna had died on the job. Zevran was later told by the Master who disliked him that they knew how Rinna had really died, and that no one cared. It didn't matter that Taliesen and Zevran had turned on their own incorrectly. They were all replaceable, and Zevran's day would come soon enough.
Zevran despaired. He did not like being confronted with the reality that Rinna's life was worthless and so was his. He wanted to die, so he took a bid for an incredibly dangerous mission that no one else wanted: to take down the two remaining Grey Wardens in Ferelden. He left Antiva for the first time, and for what he anticipated to be his last time. But when the moment came to die, the Warden (the silent protagonist of Dragon Age: Origins) allowed him to plea his case. Zevran explained that he had never had a chance to be anything but a Crow. "The benefits are many but the retirement plan is absolutely garbage." He saw her boon as an opportunity to be free of the Crows, since his life would be forfeit to them anyway, and offered his many skills as a rogue and assassin to her service. In spite of the protestations of some of her party, the Warden accepted his offer. Zevran pledged an oath of loyalty to her, and began traveling with the company of misfits in her party. Slowly, he began to befriend the Warden, as well as win the begrudging trust of her entourage.
Point in Canon: After Arl Eamon has called the Landsmeet, but before the Warden has fulfilled all the treaties. The order of events and direction of the story are malleable to the player's choices. I will be saying that Zevran joined the Warden's party after she completed the Nature of the Beast quest, taking the path that recruits the Dalish. Zevran therefore took part in Broken Circle and Arl of Redcliffe quests (the Warden having gone to the Circle for help with Connor's possession), and was also present, though not in the party, for Return to Ostagar. Zevran's approval rating for the Warden is high (he's received the Antivan leather boots and Dalish gloves, which pretty much win him over), but he is unromanced. Zevran's Warden is Elissa Cousland,
Conditional: Brief summary of previous RP history: n/a
Character Personality: "What do I know but death and pleasure?"
Zevran is a consummate charmer who uses his silver tongue, sensuality and wit to win people over. A former member of the Crows of Antiva, Zevran is very honest about his identity as an assassin and his ruthless outlook toward life. Yet he is not a cold or angry person, or a sadist
Those who are not bowled over by Zevran's persistent flattery, flirtation and good looks often make the mistake of believing Zevran is frivolous. He laughs while he fights, brags about his skills as an assassin and a lover, and is an equal-opportunity flirt. He teases people and pushes their buttons, deflecting most seriousness with flippant humor. A good example of this is when he travels with the motherly Circle mage, Wynne, who believes he regrets the life he's lived and tries to get him to admit it. Sensing her pity, he admits he is terrible and it makes him sad, may he please cry into her bosom? Subsequent conversations always end with Zevran pulling the conversation away from himself and toward 'magical bosom' until Wynne ends the conversation in frustration. Like a child who wants attention, Zevran seems to enjoy provoking a reaction from all of the people he travels with. It is not a malicious thing, in fact he seems rather interested in the lives of others, since his venture to Ferelden is his first time outside of Antiva. He reacts to mistrust and insults good-naturedly, able to take it as much as he dishes out, rolling with the punches and able to laugh at himself. If there is one thing that is frustrating about Zevran - aside from his constant innuendos, complete lack of sentiment about sensitive subjects, vanity, and obsession with leather craft - it is that he does not appear to take things very seriously. He maintains friendly relationships with others but rarely forms bonds with much substance.
Sex and violence have always been defining factors of Zevran's life, and he has an extremely practical view of both. Sex is fun, no matter who the partner may be. Death is inevitable, so be prepared. Everything else boils down to details, so why not have fun along the way?
Like most Antivans, Zevran is devoted to the Chantry - the monotheistic, powerful, influential religion of the humans of Thedas - and has a surprising amount of knowledge of its lore. When confronted with the apparent hypocrisy of this, as a hired killer, he says he asks for forgiveness from the Maker at every opportunity (in spite of not actually appearing to regret his work), and points out the Maker has never made any objection to his line of work known. This is just one more example of Zevran's pragmatic world-view.
Though Zevran was beaten at times and probably underfed, he seems to look on his childhood in the brothel with some fondness. He sees no problem with brothels or patronizing them. He considers sex to be a need to be met, a natural function of the body that just happens to be a lot of fun. Indeed, Zevran is someone who is almost laughably easy to get into bed. He seems to have casual sex down to an art form. He also freely talks of sleeping with his marks, even when they know he has come to kill them. He sees sex and assassination jobs as something to enjoy with zero shame, and is perfectly comfortable with being straightforward in expressing his opinion on either. That is not to say he is immune to developing romantic feelings, though he is inexperienced and mistrustful of such affections, and will not easily admit to them when they occur.
Zevran is not the kind to be haunted by the torture and tragedy of his past, though it might be argued that he has never really dealt with any of it in a healthy way (there are no therapists in Thedas, but there should be). He very much subscribes to a philosophy of picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and moving on - there's a drink to be had in the pub nearby, and probably a pretty girl or boy, too. Zevran is a hedonist, favoring physical beauty in his partners and gold and silver in his gifts. Knowing his life could end at any moment, it is not surprising he favors such 'shallow' pleasures.
Considering his unpleasant background, Zevran's cavalier attitude might be unexpected. However, conversations with him reveal he trusts no one and tends to think of himself and the bottom line foremost. There's simply no room for regretting the people he's killed or dwelling on the past, he lived by the rules of the Crows, who honor their contracts as sacred above all else. He admits to finding pleasure in having power over another person's life and taking it, delighting in the thrill of the hunt, but is adamant to insist it is not a sexual thing. He enjoys having done his job well, much like a hunter, and believes that his marks demand the utmost respect: a clean death as free of suffering as possible. Just the same, he is more in favor of getting rid of threats and building power than being merciful, though he speaks out against performing the Right of Annulment at the Circle of Magi (which would have killed hundreds) and the slavers stealing elves from the alienage in Denerim, suggesting he does have a developed sense of what is right and wrong, as skewed as it may be.
The despondency Zevran experienced over Rinna's death,as well as how he develops if romanced by the Warden, definitely shows that there is a heart beneath the good looks and fancy tattoos. A horny, snarky heart, that people sometimes have trouble trusting for some reason.
Zevran swore to serve the Warden in stopping the Blight if his life was spared, and takes that vow very seriously. Contracts are sacred to the Crows, after all. Having failed to complete his contract, his life as a Crow is effectively over, and while he was likely in despair over what happened with Rinna, he still values his own life. Having a clear task at hand, and someone to show him which direction to go is probably easier on him than being given his freedom outright, considering he's spent the better part of his life taking orders from the Crows. While he is not as emotionally invested in the Epic Quest as some of the Warden's companions, he seems to enjoy what they're doing ("We are ridiculously awesome!" he sometimes says at a the end of a completed battle), and faces it without fear. At this time, Zevran is still struggling somewhat to define his role, and the idea that he even has a role beyond his blades, both to the Warden and to himself. In spite of this Zevran still exudes an aura of confidence, cracking perverse and sometimes-dark jokes at every other turn. His loyalty to the Crows all but dissolved, but he knows sooner or later word will get around that he has failed his mission...
Conditional: Personality development in previous game: n/a
Character Plans: Having a small taste of freedom, Zevran will likely want to work for himself rather than taking up with one of the companies - AGI's recruitment tactics are a little too similar to the Crows. He will probably go into business as a bounty hunter and/or assassin, possibly taking place in some corporate espionage. Other than that, he will be completely and utterly mystified by modern life, NVs, the NPP, and everything that is so completely different than what he's used to in Thedas. Wait, everything's run by classism, prejudice, and political corruption? Sounds like home after all!
Appearance/PB: So sexy it hurts.
Writing Samples
First Person Sample
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[The man who on-screen does so with utter confidence, in spite, or perhaps because of, the leather armor that more or less amounts to a skirt. Even though he is standing still, there is something about him that can only be interpreted as a cocky swagger. Perhaps it's the upturned, amused tip of his grin, or the warm, accented purr of his voice. In spite of the situation, in spite of this place, he doesn't seem the least bit worried. The two blades on his back likely have an effect on that.]
At first I thought it was some trick of the Fade, but I realized I was not naked. And there were no prancing woodnymphs ready to take advantage of that! [laugh] If it is the Fade, I suppose some demon must be responsible. You would think a demon would have a little more imagination, but at least this place is not so terribly brown as Ferelden. The smell, though... it really is unlike anything I have experienced. [He wrinkles his nose a little, clearly unimpressed.]
The girl here told me I am to talk to my fellows with this runestone. [He taps at the screen.] I am more interested in where I might meet these other so-called newcomers. Where there are people, there must be a place for those people to have a drink and share in the gossip of the day. Will someone do me the favor of showing me to the nearest tavern or inn? If there is no such place, I suppose a brothel would serve just as well for my needs. I would be... [There's a suggestive glint in his eye.] Most grateful, for the favor.
Third Person Sample
Ah, the market. A pickpocket's home away from home. Zevran is wary as he makes his way through the place called the mall for his first time. He takes in every detail with a sharp gaze. It seems strange to have such a large, cavernous place like this underground. The lights seem brighter than the day, though that should be impossible. Being sealed into the ground over night is unnerving. He tries to tell himself it is no different than the cities of the dwarves, and surely someday he will accompany the Warden to Orzammar. Still, the underground shopping center's bright, polished atmosphere is almost headache-inducing. As bright as a flash bomb or a lightning spell, but a constant assault.
This world is new to him, with its strange scents and enchantments that allow him to do the impossible, like speaking to others at long distances and seeing their face without being in the same room with them. He is not afraid, really, nor does he dwell too much on his confusion, how little sense this place makes. He is here in this moment, and he must survive to free himself so he may keep his word to the Warden and stop the Blight. It is his sworn duty, and he would not want her thinking he ran off at the earliest convenience - especially not to get knee deep in the politics of some monster-infested city!
Right now, his priority is establishing his lines of supply. Surviving on his own is hardly difficult, but it is good to have a relationship with those who provide the necessities, and there is usually a little under-the-table work to be had if one knows where to look. More than that, a marketplace is a good place to hear gossip and get a sense of people. Direct questioning won't necessarily glean as much as a child digging through the garbage, or a rich noblewoman berating her elven servant. This market seems surprisingly low on either, just one of the many surprises that cause him to raise an eyebrow. The guards who skulk around in blue and white uniforms don't appear to be heavily armed, yet there is a sense of decorum even as the teenagers chatters and whirl around in loud little clusters.
He had thought Ferelden quite different than Antiva, shockingly so, but this place is even more unfamiliar. He cannot help but find the adventure of it slightly enjoyable, even if the cobblestones beneath his feet are too flat, too smooth, don't feel like stone at all. Already Zevran is gazing at awnings and dark corners, imagining where he might hide for an illicit tryst, or lunge for a sudden kill.
Something even more engaging catches his eye. It is a display of shoes, each bright pair standing bright on a pedestal in a window. After briefly glancing inside the store for any signs of traps or thieves, he boldly strides inside.
Many of these shoes are like nothing he's ever seen before. A strange material that feels tough and durable as leather, but smoother and thicker, not as breathable, with a strange, almost poisonous smell. And such colors! Brighter and even more improbable than the most extravagant merchant prince's garden.
One pair of shoes stands out in particular to him. Boots, of course, knee high, with a saucy little heel. But they are inconvenient. Who thought it would be a good idea to lace such high boots in such a way? Getting in and out of them would be quite a task, and wearing those boots, he would surely have people wanting him to get out of them. Of course, he could just keep them on in such events, but then he might risk certain... harm, coming to the material. Frowning a little in disappointment, he decides to touch the boots anyway, stroking along the tops of them. The material is not quite like leather...
Aha.
What a strange device there is on the back! Glancing it over, Zevran is able to suss out the metal tab that pulls up and down, closing the row of teeth that splits the back of the boots. Easy enough to use.
Zevran is not particularly superstitious, in spite of having attended Chantry sermons since he was young. But when he sees those boots he understands that he and these shoes have a destiny. His must find a place to try them on.
Even if the shop girl is giving him quite an evil eye. "You can't have weapons in here, sir," she drawls. "Get out before I call security."