Iztali Catzim
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:13 am
~Name: Iztali Catzim
~Age: 17
~Race: Human of Mayan decent.
~Physical Description:
Has an almost year around tan and dark chocolate colored hair that is a bit too long so that it sometimes falls over his right eye. He's so used to it that he hardly notices or merely aims a puff of air from his mouth to blow the hair out of the way when he does notice it. His eyes are almond shaped with irises the color of leafy green and earthy brown with lighter flecks of honey throughout and all fringed with thick lashes.
Iztali is 5'11 with a solid bone structure so that even though he looks a bit lanky, the muscle he has from manual labor and hunting is rock solid. Many misjudge his weight because he looks skinny but are surprised when they try to lift or budge him. With his high cheekbones, strong jawline, and his slightly wild look about him, he tends to draw the gaze from others without realizing it.
~Possessions:
A yew bow, quiver, arrows, good sized water pouch, two hunting knives, flint, a waterproof pack to carry everything in, a spare set of hunting/traveling clothes, a set of nice clothes, and a family heirloom pendant that hangs around his neck.
~Powers and Strengths:
Has a natural, non-magical, affinity for animals wild or tame. His presence calms most nervous animals if it's one on one. The more he tries to calm at once, the harder it is since the panic of one animal can spread to another and overwhelm the calm he is trying to coax them into. If it's an animal he has seen a few times before, Iztali can see past their camouflage by focusing on their shape while they are in the wild. He uses this skill to hunt for food and to help keep clear of predatory or venomous creatures.
~Combat Abilities:
Doesn't know any real fighting style but has learned to fight from wrestling some of the animals his parents try to help and holds the creatures still for them. With advice from his parents and learning a few things the hard way, he has a knack for finding an opening and timing his movements to catch others unawares. This was used mainly in capturing hurt and struggling animals before they harmed themselves more. It also proved useful against a bully or two in the past.
Iztali is also handy with a hunting knife as well as bow and arrow, having to use them in order to hunt for food. Never has he aimed or used his weapons at a person nor does he ever intend to unless backed into a corner and it is the last resort. If push came to shove and the time ever comes, he would give his assailant a run for their money...for a human with no official combat training.
~Secret Powers:
The Mayan pendant that he had snatched from his family home was no ordinary heirloom. It has magical properties that was made for his family's bloodline. It turns the wearer into a jaguar with the weight and size depending on the age of the one wearing it within the average parameters of a normal jaguar. In order to be used, their blood must be spilled by an enemy in battle onto the pendant itself. That blood has to be of the wearer and it has to be of Iztali's family blood or it will not work. After this is done, the magic will awaken and the wearer will shift with a mere thought. To change back, the wearer only needs to will it and they are human again.
The down side to this is, Iztali knows nothing of the magic the pendant holds since he snatched it without their knowledge. To him it's a symbol of his family and a part of his parents he could have with him no matter where he went. Another one is that if he ever did somehow got it to work, the longer he would stay in the form, the harder it will be to turn back to his normal self. If he would stay a jaguar for a few weeks, he could have lapses where he would forget his humanity.
If he stays in it for a month, when he shifted back not all of him would come back. His eyes would look like that of the jaguar's and not his own. If he shifts again after that happens and waits for another month, his teeth will become keener like that of the big cat's and his nails would have the characteristics of claws. When repeated again, his skin would carry the rosette spots along his sides, back, arms, legs, and neck. The process would continue on until there was nothing human left which is why the pendant is considered by his parents, to be too much responsibility for him until he was older.
As log as Iztali changes back after several hours to a day spent as a jaguar, none of the animal would rub off on his human form and all he would experience is disorientation of his body changing and fatigue of all that he had done follow him from the feline form to the human one.
~Weaknesses and Flaws: Having grown up in the countryside, Iztali has never been to a city before until now. He is a honest person and takes things people say at face value, believing they speak the truth until proven otherwise. This makes it easy for others to fool him with their lies but if he ever found out the lie, the person would be hard pressed to regain his trust if ever.
His open friendliness to everyone he talks to can also get him in trouble if he is speaking to the opposite sex, the woman's significant other or the woman herself taking it as flirting when it is just the way Iztali is. There have been a few heated arguments between other men and him because of this, some becoming physical, until a friend or family member stepped in to explain things. Without friends or family to step in now he's on his own, who knows what he may stumble into or how he would get himself out of it.
Because of his love for animals, he is always wanting to help them out if injured, hungry, or abandoned and he does so without thought of his own well being. If he sees one being abused by anyone, he will step in to protect the animal no matter the consequences. He feels the same way about those people too weak to defend themselves. If he happens by a fight or a bully picking on others, he will do what he can to help. Iztali cannot simply pretend that it's not happening and walk on by.
~History:
Iztali grew up on the outskirts of Shim with his parents who tended to the sick and injured animals of the farmers. As a little kid, he had thought his home was like a magical place where animals of all kinds came and went, coming to them sick or hurt and leaving all better again. He would run around bringing fresh water to them and help his parents feed them. Some of the boys who came over with their own folks to talk to Iztali's parents, would play with him and show him how to hunt and fish. In return, he would show them how to tell when some animals were feeling bad and what to look for to figure out what was wrong.
As he grew, the more responsibilities he had around the home such as helping his parents treat the animals, help hold the creatures steady, keep the pens and stalls clean, and do the hunting for the family. Iztali used to go on his hunting and fishing expeditions with his friends but when he became a little older, he realized that he was more likely to catch something when he was alone. That way, he would make less noise and would be able to spot his prey more easily without distractions.
Every year he became better and stronger, making his very first successful bow at twelve, perfecting crafting one a year later, and was finally able to make a type of fish trap that he could leave in the water all day and night so he could spend more time working at home and hunting. His fish trap was a cone type shape 'net' that he had made with flexible branches and had set up on a pole rigging so it could be suspended in the water. That way, animals couldn't reach the fish easily unless they could hug the pole with their legs and hoist the trap up using a thick rope he interwoven into the mouth of the fishing trap.
While working with his parents in the animal clinic at the back of their home, his parents taught him the ways of mending a animal's broken bone, to clear infection out of their open wounds or sores, what leaves, roots, flowers, or other things that could be used for various ailments from an upset stomach to venom in its system. He also learned what plants looked like the healing kind but were in fact poisonous if ingested or got on a person's skin. By the time he was seventeen, he announced to his parents that he wanted to strike out on his own and see more than his home town of Shim.
His parents, not wanting to lose their only child to the world outside just yet, made up excuses for Iztali to prolong his leaving home. After a week, he realized what they were doing but wasn't mad at them for what they did. It only showed him how much they truly loved him. In the gray of early morning, he gathered up all he thought was needed, swiped a heirloom that was set aside for his twentieth birthday, and slipped into the morning mist.
He had left a letter behind folded up on the kitchen table. In it he wrote how he had found out what they had been up to, trying to keep him at home longer but didn't blame them for trying. Iztali wrote that he had taken the pendant to keep a piece of home with him on his travels and hoped that they would forgive him for leaving quietly like this. He ended the letter saying how much he loved them and thanked them for teaching him so much. By the time his parents read the letter not too long after sunup, he was almost to Marn, a faint smile curving his lips and excitement shining in his eyes.
~Age: 17
~Race: Human of Mayan decent.
~Physical Description:
Has an almost year around tan and dark chocolate colored hair that is a bit too long so that it sometimes falls over his right eye. He's so used to it that he hardly notices or merely aims a puff of air from his mouth to blow the hair out of the way when he does notice it. His eyes are almond shaped with irises the color of leafy green and earthy brown with lighter flecks of honey throughout and all fringed with thick lashes.
Iztali is 5'11 with a solid bone structure so that even though he looks a bit lanky, the muscle he has from manual labor and hunting is rock solid. Many misjudge his weight because he looks skinny but are surprised when they try to lift or budge him. With his high cheekbones, strong jawline, and his slightly wild look about him, he tends to draw the gaze from others without realizing it.
~Possessions:
A yew bow, quiver, arrows, good sized water pouch, two hunting knives, flint, a waterproof pack to carry everything in, a spare set of hunting/traveling clothes, a set of nice clothes, and a family heirloom pendant that hangs around his neck.
~Powers and Strengths:
Has a natural, non-magical, affinity for animals wild or tame. His presence calms most nervous animals if it's one on one. The more he tries to calm at once, the harder it is since the panic of one animal can spread to another and overwhelm the calm he is trying to coax them into. If it's an animal he has seen a few times before, Iztali can see past their camouflage by focusing on their shape while they are in the wild. He uses this skill to hunt for food and to help keep clear of predatory or venomous creatures.
~Combat Abilities:
Doesn't know any real fighting style but has learned to fight from wrestling some of the animals his parents try to help and holds the creatures still for them. With advice from his parents and learning a few things the hard way, he has a knack for finding an opening and timing his movements to catch others unawares. This was used mainly in capturing hurt and struggling animals before they harmed themselves more. It also proved useful against a bully or two in the past.
Iztali is also handy with a hunting knife as well as bow and arrow, having to use them in order to hunt for food. Never has he aimed or used his weapons at a person nor does he ever intend to unless backed into a corner and it is the last resort. If push came to shove and the time ever comes, he would give his assailant a run for their money...for a human with no official combat training.
~Secret Powers:
The Mayan pendant that he had snatched from his family home was no ordinary heirloom. It has magical properties that was made for his family's bloodline. It turns the wearer into a jaguar with the weight and size depending on the age of the one wearing it within the average parameters of a normal jaguar. In order to be used, their blood must be spilled by an enemy in battle onto the pendant itself. That blood has to be of the wearer and it has to be of Iztali's family blood or it will not work. After this is done, the magic will awaken and the wearer will shift with a mere thought. To change back, the wearer only needs to will it and they are human again.
The down side to this is, Iztali knows nothing of the magic the pendant holds since he snatched it without their knowledge. To him it's a symbol of his family and a part of his parents he could have with him no matter where he went. Another one is that if he ever did somehow got it to work, the longer he would stay in the form, the harder it will be to turn back to his normal self. If he would stay a jaguar for a few weeks, he could have lapses where he would forget his humanity.
If he stays in it for a month, when he shifted back not all of him would come back. His eyes would look like that of the jaguar's and not his own. If he shifts again after that happens and waits for another month, his teeth will become keener like that of the big cat's and his nails would have the characteristics of claws. When repeated again, his skin would carry the rosette spots along his sides, back, arms, legs, and neck. The process would continue on until there was nothing human left which is why the pendant is considered by his parents, to be too much responsibility for him until he was older.
As log as Iztali changes back after several hours to a day spent as a jaguar, none of the animal would rub off on his human form and all he would experience is disorientation of his body changing and fatigue of all that he had done follow him from the feline form to the human one.
~Weaknesses and Flaws: Having grown up in the countryside, Iztali has never been to a city before until now. He is a honest person and takes things people say at face value, believing they speak the truth until proven otherwise. This makes it easy for others to fool him with their lies but if he ever found out the lie, the person would be hard pressed to regain his trust if ever.
His open friendliness to everyone he talks to can also get him in trouble if he is speaking to the opposite sex, the woman's significant other or the woman herself taking it as flirting when it is just the way Iztali is. There have been a few heated arguments between other men and him because of this, some becoming physical, until a friend or family member stepped in to explain things. Without friends or family to step in now he's on his own, who knows what he may stumble into or how he would get himself out of it.
Because of his love for animals, he is always wanting to help them out if injured, hungry, or abandoned and he does so without thought of his own well being. If he sees one being abused by anyone, he will step in to protect the animal no matter the consequences. He feels the same way about those people too weak to defend themselves. If he happens by a fight or a bully picking on others, he will do what he can to help. Iztali cannot simply pretend that it's not happening and walk on by.
~History:
Iztali grew up on the outskirts of Shim with his parents who tended to the sick and injured animals of the farmers. As a little kid, he had thought his home was like a magical place where animals of all kinds came and went, coming to them sick or hurt and leaving all better again. He would run around bringing fresh water to them and help his parents feed them. Some of the boys who came over with their own folks to talk to Iztali's parents, would play with him and show him how to hunt and fish. In return, he would show them how to tell when some animals were feeling bad and what to look for to figure out what was wrong.
As he grew, the more responsibilities he had around the home such as helping his parents treat the animals, help hold the creatures steady, keep the pens and stalls clean, and do the hunting for the family. Iztali used to go on his hunting and fishing expeditions with his friends but when he became a little older, he realized that he was more likely to catch something when he was alone. That way, he would make less noise and would be able to spot his prey more easily without distractions.
Every year he became better and stronger, making his very first successful bow at twelve, perfecting crafting one a year later, and was finally able to make a type of fish trap that he could leave in the water all day and night so he could spend more time working at home and hunting. His fish trap was a cone type shape 'net' that he had made with flexible branches and had set up on a pole rigging so it could be suspended in the water. That way, animals couldn't reach the fish easily unless they could hug the pole with their legs and hoist the trap up using a thick rope he interwoven into the mouth of the fishing trap.
While working with his parents in the animal clinic at the back of their home, his parents taught him the ways of mending a animal's broken bone, to clear infection out of their open wounds or sores, what leaves, roots, flowers, or other things that could be used for various ailments from an upset stomach to venom in its system. He also learned what plants looked like the healing kind but were in fact poisonous if ingested or got on a person's skin. By the time he was seventeen, he announced to his parents that he wanted to strike out on his own and see more than his home town of Shim.
His parents, not wanting to lose their only child to the world outside just yet, made up excuses for Iztali to prolong his leaving home. After a week, he realized what they were doing but wasn't mad at them for what they did. It only showed him how much they truly loved him. In the gray of early morning, he gathered up all he thought was needed, swiped a heirloom that was set aside for his twentieth birthday, and slipped into the morning mist.
He had left a letter behind folded up on the kitchen table. In it he wrote how he had found out what they had been up to, trying to keep him at home longer but didn't blame them for trying. Iztali wrote that he had taken the pendant to keep a piece of home with him on his travels and hoped that they would forgive him for leaving quietly like this. He ended the letter saying how much he loved them and thanked them for teaching him so much. By the time his parents read the letter not too long after sunup, he was almost to Marn, a faint smile curving his lips and excitement shining in his eyes.
so to be succinct...Tzalxochitlan?