Vayla Arcantine
From Storing Don
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[edit] Vital Statistics
Nation: Sons of Sand
Rank: Magister | Commander
Age: 574
Height: Human � 5� 9� | Dragon � 54� 11�
Weight: Human � 132 lbs | Dragon � 16876 lbs
[edit] Personality
As befits one of her advanced age, Vayla is extremely wise. She holds true respect for very few people nowadays; most of the people she respected are long deceased. Still, that isn't to say she doesn't feign a respectful tongue when talking to others. As an open person, she almost always speaks kindly, even when angered. However, it isn't very difficult to discern when her temper is thinning. Vayla's wisdom is scholarly to some, motherly to others, and crazy to others. Still, virtually everyone (at least within the Sons of Sand) respects her and follows her judgments. In battle, she fiercely slings her powerful spells and defends her allies with everything she can muster, though she dislikes transforming into her draconic form. On a side note, she also has the uncanny ability to keep the different officers of her country from killing each other (though this ability is constantly being tested and stretched).
[edit] Appearance
Vayla's facial features express her seemingly undying wisdom: piercing blue eyes, moderate nose, ears, and mouth, and hair styled into a long, tied back ponytail. Her torso is wrapped in an exquisite, silky cloth of a blue-violet color that loops creatively from her hips to her shoulders, exposing a small amount of cleavage above her nearly-bare midriff and waist areas. This long cloth is bordered by a greenish-gold border, which nearly blends in with her lightly tanned skin. Traditional Haokah tattoos adorn Vayla's upper arms and the portion of her sides between the bottom of her ribcage and the top of her pelvis. A pair of flowing, soft trousers colored indigo extend from her hips to just below her knees; the top of these trousers is always tied under the top cloth so as to provide a smooth transition. Her outerwear depends on what she plans on doing. Ordinarily, she can be found wearing the traditional dress of the Haokah matriarch: a flowing piece of art colored as the sands and adorned with numerous beads, carbuncles, and symbols. In combat situations, she dons an overcoat (more accurately referred to as a haori) in the same colors: it reaches an inch or so past her trousers and bears wide sleeves. Her accessories are few and far between: a couple of bangles on her ankles and wrists, sparse rings (including her dragonstone), and modest earrings. Ordinarily, she finds herself barefoot; if shoes are required, she has several pairs depending on where she needs to wear them.
[edit] Biography
Vayla was born in Sacae almost six hundred years ago, to the patriarch of Sacae�s Haokah tribe. This tribe was unique in that it was comprised entirely of lightning dragons, all of whom bore rare, violet colored scales. The Haokah tribe was almost mythical in Sacae, the source of tales of dragons exhaling lightning bolts and streaking across the sky. Vayla�s father, Taijin, led their almost utopian tribe from place to place, hunting wildlife and gathering vegetation as was common in that era. For four hundred and twenty years after Vayla�s birth, they continued to live this way.
One hundred and fifty years ago, however, the Haokah began to notice changes in the world. The archwizard Nergal had begun to experiment with teleporting dragonkind at this point. Arguments quickly broke out among the tribe about what the most prudent course of action would be. Taijin, the wisest and eldest of their tribe, suggested they move into the mountains and solidify their holdings there, to wait and see what would occur. Others believed that no changes were needed. Still others wanted to wage war on Nergal and his group. However, before anything could occur, a group of humans defeated the dawning evil and repressed the oncoming dragons back to their world.
In the next war, however, they would not be so lucky. The rebirth of so many dragons into the world was too much for some of the dragons to handle: they charged selfishly into the wilderness of Bern, never to be heard from again. With their strength dwindling, the Haokah could do nothing but watch in heavy anticipation. Much to their relief, the time of war passed, and for a short time it looked as if they would have peace.
All of this optimism died with the passing of Taijin, who was the only one unifying the once-legendary tribe. The surviving remnants fractured off on their own, leaving Vayla to her own devices. The war with the Valistrixian hordes came not too long after this. Some of the former Haokah went so low as to align themselves with the dragons, while others fought against their wishes and were destroyed. Vayla herself mustered what power she had and allied with the tribes of Sacae and mercenaries of Ilia, helping them to fight off the invading hordes. Some say that she was the one to seal away the tome Mjollnir, a testament to her supposed power. It was in this time that she gained repute as a legendary dragon, one who forsook the ways of evil to fight alongside the nomads.
After the campaign in Sacae, Vayla went on to fight in the last decisive battles prior to the Sundering. She was present at the death of Valistrix, and for some time after lost her ability to change forms due to the magical fluctuations and increased entropy of the world. Unable to defend herself with draconic might, she fled into the mountains with a group of sages to wait out the floods. After the flooding subsided, she followed these mages into the heart of Nabata, where the village of Arcadia was being rebuilt. During this time, she studied many forms of magic and the art of the sword, abilities which would only be complemented when she regained her ability to transform. Soon enough, she managed to regain that ability; not too long afterwards, she was appointed as the Magister of the newly christened Sons of Sand. The cultures and climate of the desert quickly grew on her, and Vayla chose to remain in Arcadia; even to this day, she still presides over the vast magical strength of the Nabatan society.
[edit] Combat Statistics
Maharishi, Level 1
Weapon Levels: Dragonform - S | Anima � S | Swords � A
[edit] Weapons
Vayla has an extensive set of magic techniques, all of which she keeps in written scrolls. These spells do not require a medium to use (as she has memorized all of them), but are more powerful if she chooses to call an incantation or if she physically carries the scroll with her. Majaegis, her PRF spell, is unique in that it has no written record or source; instead, she draws its power from her dragonstone.
Vayla's dragonstone is one of the smallest ever recorded. It takes the shape of a smooth ring, made from a translucent purple crystal. The aura radiating off of the stone is incredible, though she can hide this aura at will. It is worn on her left ring finger at all times. To tap into its power, she need merely will the transformation and keep the image of her ring in focus. This method of transformation enables her to morph forms without physical stimulation of the stone, a trait that has saved her life on numerous occasions. In addition, she is capable of tapping into a small amount of her draconic power without transforming, something that she developed after the Sundering occurred and she temporarily lost her power to transform (see Majaegis).
[edit] Swords
- Chokut� � Brave Keen Edged Perfectly Balanced Mithril Hand Sword (8)
The chokut� is Vayla�s primary sword, used in place of magic when the need arises. It is composed of a long, shiny steel blade, sheathed in what appears to be an elliptic cylinder. Its handle blends in very easily with the blade, as both are constructed of simple varnished wood. The pommel of the blade is decorated with tassels so that Vayla knows which end is which. In combat, the sword seems to roll across her ambidextrous hands with incredible speed and precision, slashing at vital points with ease.
- Blessed Athame � Enchanted (High Powered Artillery Unstable Wind Spell) Iron Dagger (8)
A backup dagger that Vayla keeps on her person at all times, just in case of an emergency. At first glance, it appears to be an ordinary iron dagger. However, it bears a hidden enchantment that launches a powerful, fast moving blade of wind. This blade travels for an incredibly long distance before dissipating, and occasionally releases a blade of exponentially greater power than usual. Vayla picked it up during the Sundering and has kept it close ever since.
[edit] Anima
- Vajra � Click here for more information.
- Majaegis - PRF Spell - Close Ranged Enhancing (Defense, Resistance, Strength, Speed) Amalgamating (Wind) Lightning Spell (11)
Grants Vayla some of the benefits of her draconic power without changing her form. She receives a significant increase in her physical strength, movement speed, physical defenses, and magical defenses. In addition, she is able to fly for short distances, and can exhale bursts of lightning, though these bolts are only about as strong as a novice-level lightning spell and are really only useful for a nasty surprise attack. The method of casting this technique is quite meticulous, but when executed correctly, it is very efficient and doesn't dissipate unless Vayla dismisses the effect, changes into her draconic form, or dies.
- Sarutahiko � Strong Area of Effect (Wide Burst) Brave Earth Spell (8)
A fast and potent spell used when rapid fire is necessary. Sarutahiko condenses the local terrain into an incredibly dense sphere at the spell�s epicenter, and then releases that earth into the air. The result is a pulsing blast of dense earth that smashes into enemies. Alternatively, this sphere could be sent smashing into a single target, greatly increasing its power.
- Amaterasu � Epic Powered Unstable Armorslaying Fire Spell (8)
In terms of raw power, Amaterasu is one of Vayla's strongest spells. It releases a powerful, flaring blast of heat at the target, and can easily inflict fatal wounds due to the sheer power and heat of the spell. It is especially effective against heavy armor, as the individual inside is cooked alive by the deadly heat.
- Tsukuyomi � Strong Area of Effect (Full) Entangling Freezing Water Spell (8)
A sister spell to Amaterasu built to help Vayla escape if surrounded. When cast, Tsukuyomi unleashes an omnidirectional wave of water that knocks foes down and freezes them where they lay.
- Susanoo � High Powered Impacting Entangling Wind Spell (8)
A final spell to complete Vayla�s anima set. Susanoo releases a powerful gust of wind that is capable of knocking the wind out of even the most bulky men. Air pressure then accumulates around the target, greatly inhibiting their movement.
