Julius Henry Garfane

[Garfane]

Name: Julius Henry Garfane
Age:25
Race: Human/ Distant Elfish Lineage
Height: 5’11
Weight: 96kg

Physical Description:
The thing that stands out most about Julius Garfane is the fact his hair is two very contrasting colours; deep black, which some would call jet, and platinum white. Tying his hair back is one of the ways he trys to hid the mismatched colours. This doesn’t help him much though, as because of his elven lineage he has the characteristics of a elf. These manifest as having pale blue eyes and slightly pointed ears. His right ear is cut near its point, and the black stone in the middle of his hair band makes him stand out more than most.

Possessions:

Julius loves his books and will read anything: tomes, fiction, even books on magic. He as been known to carry them all (magic books discreetly of course). Other than books he possesses a sword made of silver. The hilt of the sword is made of ivory carved into a tigers head the eyes of which are black stones. When it comes to money he doesn’t have much but what he does have he uses sparingly, and he usually keeps a small amount on his person in a small brown purse which is tied to his robes. On his head, there is head band made from silver with another black stone set in the centre. This is a family heirloom from centuries back and probably the only thing he loves more than his books. Always by his side is his dog, a Labrador, named Tomen. Tomen talks. For some reason no one else hears this and Julius thinks sometimes he is mad.



Strengths:

Julius, being of elven lineage, has of course picked up a feel for magic. As much as he wants to fit in with his human kin this has, for obvious, reasons made him lesser in their eyes. Though he will try not to use magic he does pocess the ability to make protective shields for himself and others. These shields are powerful enough to stop arrows and some less powerful types of magic, however battlemages can blast through the protective shielding with little effort. He also has the ability to shape-shift, unfortunately only into a field mouse as anything bigger could get him in a lot of trouble. The last of his magic is the ability to produce fireballs however this only happens when he is feeling angry or threatened. He is still trying to understand how to control this power and therefore tries to avoid situations which could lead to him accidently casting his particular spell. The size of the ball varies but when he has totally control it would be the size of a fist with the strength to break through a standard oak door. Anything bigger at this stage in his development would be dangerous for himself and for others around him. Other strengths are his knowledge of magic and his ability to talk himself out of trouble before a fight breaks out.
However if a fight does break out Julius Garfane can and will defend himself, by no means is he the best swordsman but he tries his hardest and is continually reading up on swordplay.

Powers:
Shielding (himself and others, stops arrows and lesser magic, but very weak against strong magic)
Shape shifting (only a field mouse)
Fireball (occurs when angry or panicked, still learning to control, size of fist, blast through oak doors)
Talking to Animals (Tomen Only, telepathic link which Julius is not currently aware of)


Weaknesses:
Julius is very argumentative, arrogant and at times obnoxious, letting his raw human emotions get the better of him. This invariably leads him into unwanted situations and draws attention. Mistrust also features in Julius' personality and it takes a lot for him to drop his guard. Some may call this paranoia on the part of Julius, however he sees it as a valuable asset in staying alive for longer than anyone in Thar shaddin’ expects. Women; more to the point beautiful women who always seem get Julius’ attention and where there are women you will find Julius skulking in a corner watching. Ambition; what he wants more than anything is to fit in and be a good mage but of course he cannot have both and when he tries trouble is sure to follow.





History:

Born in 146 PW, to his Parents Joseph and Darla Garfane, Julius was raised on the road mostly moving from town to town and village to village never settling for more than a few months at a time. Never straying from the southern trade route between Thar shaddin’, Keltaris and Odbijanji, it was easier to move between cities and towns than the villages where everyone knew every ones business. This made Joseph Garfane want to move all the more regularly because of the disgrace on his family thanks to Julius’ great-grandfather.

Julius’ great-grandfather was a leader of a small merchant fleet consisting of only three ships which would run between Eyropa and Darleone Island trading with various groups.
Henry Garfane, who was in charge of the fleet, was a well off man and his family were comfortable in the middle classes in Marn and were known for hob knobbing with the better offs at various functions. At one such function Henry Garfane was introduced to a blonde haired girl of about twenty years old. She was gorgeous piecing blue eyes, great teeth, slender but had some meat on her. Henry was taken aback, all the music vanished and he took her hand kissed it and introduced himself to her. “I’m Henry Garfane,” He said to the young lady not wanting to take his eyes off her “And you?”
“Kilana”
“Nice to meet you Kilana.” Kissing her hand as he finished and bowing. Her blonde hair sat beautifully on her shoulders, her body defined in the dress she was wearing of emerald green with a gold trim and she was with out a doubt the one Henry Garfane would marry.
Some time after that meeting, Henry married the woman called Kilana, though over the time they had gotten to know each other and he knew full well what she was but he didn’t care; after all love is indeed blind. A human marrying a elf was unusual but nothing anyone said could change Henry’s mind he was in love and to hell with the rest of Marn and what they had to say.

When they began to have children was when Henry began to get the threats and the intimidation from the city guard. Not everyone, just the prejudice few who didn’t like the idea of a man marrying into the elven blood, or more to the point taint his human lineage beyond repair. His crews left him and soon all he had was Kilana and his two sons Jake and Thador.

Slowly over time the money ran out and Henry died a poor man who had loved, but the stigma of what he had done to his human lineage would stick. Kilana and the boys where forced to wonder for a spell until stopping at Keltaris and setting up a small stall in the high street selling jewellery. Kilana's head band was often asked for but she never sold it, for it was her only link to her dead husband. She had decided long ago that she would pass it down to her sons, which ever was still with her at the end of their childhood. Thador left aged sixteen wanting to explore the world outside of the city walls. The last Kilana heard he was in Zhatlev making a living as a farmer. Jake stayed with his mother who he resented ever since he found out why they had no money. He could often be heard yelling at her “Why couldn’t you leave him alone? We could have had money and not this horrid magic!”


Late on a spring evening Jake got up and left but not before stealing his mothers hair band and the elven sword. It was made of silver and ivory and Jake reasoned it would come in handy back in Marn where he was heading.

----Years later---

Screams could be heard from upstairs and a sweaty and dirty man was running up and down the stairs of the inn carrying blankets and hot water. 'Its happening,' he thought to himself he was going to be a da’. He couldn’t believe it as his father had always told him, “You’ll never have children Joseph! You're unclean!” But now who was laughing? Joseph Garfane was having a child of his own and he would love it with all his being not like his da’ who had been anything but loving. He had beaten him, treated him like some beggar on a street corner all because he had pointed eyes and all because he could make fire out of nothing. All because he was more like his Uncle than his father. Another scream he’d better hurry and he ran through the door. “Got it, boiled it myself,” he told the mid wife who raised a eyebrow.
Darla was lying on the bed, her legs open, midwife between them pulling the body out. Darla let out an unholy scream coupled with some very unholy cursing. Then panting and in silence she looked down there in front of her lay a small boy; pale blue eyes and jet black hair he looked just like his da’. Darla cried with relief and then so did Joseph.

Julius Henry Garfane was walking down the high street in Marn when he heard the sound of footsteps. He was use to this at this time of night the drunks coming out of the inns and heading home after one to many drinks or the guard with their horses trotting along. It was quiet tonight and he could feel the rain coming 'Need to get home quick can't get the books wet', he thought to himself. Turning left off the high street he could see his house light on, though it was late and his Ma and Da should be in bed by now.
They were waiting up for him, well Joseph was. He looked so small and old sat in the chair waiting for Julius. The family had moved back to Marn after years on the road and Joseph looked weather beaten almost unwell, his eyes where paler now. He sat hunched in his high backed chair near the fire place.
“Julius, it is time you took what is rightfully yours.” Josephs voice was cracking up “The hair band your great grandmother gave your grandfather is on the table.” He paused getting his breath back he continued, “And next to it you will find a sword, it is Elven Silver and Ivory. Light and flexible treat it well and it will protect you always.” Joseph finished his sentence and moved his hand towards himself pulling his cover over him some more. Darla stepped out of the shadows
“He doesn’t have long Julius. Your father is dying.” Her voice was hushed barely a whisper, “This last winter really took a lot out of him. Before you leave for Keltaris promise me you will come back, that you will not forget your lineage like your grandfather.” She stepped closer, “Julius promise me you will respect the magic you know, that you will never use it too harm others.”
“I-”
“Julius promise your father and I this much. Did we raise you right?”
“Yes Ma you did. You know you did.” Said Julius
“Then you know what you must do, do you not?”
“Yes mother, I know” His eyes stinging now.
“Good now come here” She opened up her arms and Julius ran into them like a small child after a fall, tears running down his face, “I love you Julius as does your father”, She looked over here shoulder to the ailing Joseph.
After what seemed like forever Julius let go of his mother, it was time. He walked over to his da kissed him on the forehead and whispered,
“I made you a promise and I will keep.” He kissed him again then continued. “I will not forget myself like grandfather and I will respect the laws.” He paused and sighed, “No matter what I think of them personally.” With one more kiss he stood up turned on his heels and picking up his small rucksack which he’d filled with bread, water and books.

Heaving it over his shoulder he looked back at his mother who was now crying.
“I’ll come back Ma don’t you worry, its only a few days ride”. He smiled weakly and pick up his fathers sword and the head band placing the head band in his hair. He could feel the magic flowing through him. As he left the house he could feel this was the beginning of an adventure and he loved it. With a feeling of finality he closed the door to the house and prepared himself. He stood there in the rain and knew he should get a move on. Pulling his hood up and hunching his shoulders he headed back to the high street and onto the bridge over the The Ofriyu Mar and out of Marn to head west to Keltaris.