Father Darroch
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:13 am
Name: Father Darroch
Age: 32
Race: Human
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 14 stone
Physical Description: A tall man, Father Darroch's youthful looks and demeanor cause most to underestimate his age by nearly a decade. An unruly toss of hay-coloured hair complements his blue eyes which can change from friendly and welcoming to fierce and dangerous in an instant. The priest is of taut, wiry build though those who know him and his lifestyle also know this to be a blessing of nature and not the result of a great deal of physical labour.
Seldom seen dressed in anything but his clerical robes, Father Darroch is a handsome and commanding figure in the flowing black and red cassock trimmed with gold. His staff of office is similarly always in hand or within arm's reach.
Perhaps the most startling physical quality possessed by Father Darroch is his voice. A very pleasing light baritone, it is at once warm, friendly and carries a weight of authority and wisdom well beyond its owner's years. Many find listening to the young cleric speak a most pleasant experience and are quite inclined to take his suggestions to heart. As well, should the need for it arise, Father Darroch's voice can assert a great deal of command and there are few who would dare resist a direct order from him.
Possessions: Father Darroch's personal possessions are few. All that he has is the result of his upbringing in the Temple of Toran. His clerical vestments, staff of office, holy symbol and the supplies of the Temple are his to bear and use as he sees fit in carrying out the work of Toran. He carries a small number of bishani with him to purchase the necessities of life.
He does have access to finances supplied by the Temple's more westerly establishments for purposes of building a new bishopric in Thar Shaddin. Securing land, renovating or purchasing a building and supplying it with the necessary objects for the rites of the Temple have been looked to by Father Darroch's superiors.
Powers & Strengths: Father Darroch is a handsome and likeable man by nature. He has a wit and charm about him that most find both pleasant and endearing. Adding to this is the supernatural quality of the priest's voice. When Father Darroch speaks, those within earshot begin to listen almost without noticing. What he says comes across as very reasonable, logical and intelligent and many would be hard-pressed to find fault with his arguments. Most folk are very much inclined to take his suggestions and do as he asks because, after all, he's such a pleasant, wise fellow, isn't he? If Father Darroch chooses, he can project his voice to fill a large hall and make sure that all present hear him without any difficulty. He can also cause his voice to echo and thunder with divine force, making his commands almost impossible not to follow.
The cleric's extreme dislike of magic has also manifested itself tangibly: Father Darroch has a preternatural sense for those touched by the astral realm. Demons, faeries and other creatures with other-worldly connection cause him mild discomfort while in his presence, making it quite difficult for them to hide or be overlooked. As well, Father Darroch seems to be more difficult for the 'outsiders', as he calls them, to approach. He is somewhat resistant to their powers and they are quite susceptible to his commands when levelled with his divine voice.
Having grown up an acolyte in the Temple of Toran, Father Darroch has learned many of the clergy's rituals. Most of these are patterns of worship and have little effect on non-believers. These rites lack the ability to change the direction of a life, but can reinforce the existing order. For instance, if a plague victim is brought before the priest in the Temple and blessed appropriately, his recovery may be sped or his eventual death slowed. Broken bones might heal more quickly and straight, but lost limbs will not be regrown. These rites are only truly effective when performed within a properly consecrated Temple of Toran.
The last - and perhaps most obvious - of Father Darroch's special abilities is related directly to his belief in Toran as an icon of truth. If Father Darroch is present when an oath or agreement is made - whether or not he is one of the parties involved - he can sanctify it and make it sacred in the eyes of Toran. Should any of the oathbound parties not uphold their end of the agreement, the wrath of Toran will descend upon them - usually in the form of a grave misfortune - by the next setting of the sun.
Weaknesses: While an intelligent young man and a social force to be reckoned with, Father Darroch is not a particularly physical individual. He lacks any formal combat training and while his staff of office is very solid and could deliver a heavy blow, any attempt at doing so would be based on instinct.
Father Darroch is dedicated to Toran and his Temple in a subtle but unshakeable way. This dedication to - some would say obsession with - furthering the organisation has spurred the priest to some remarkable acts; whether wise or foolish depend on one's point of view.
Somewhat related to his dedication to Toran and the deity's call to honesty and truth, Father Darroch finds it immensely difficult to lie and will avoid doing so if at all possible. It is possible for him to skirt the truth and edge around difficult topics, but to speak an outright falsehood causes him great concern and trouble.
Magic is a subject of potential issue for Father Darroch as well. Toranites feel that magic is a very dangerous practice, as it opens one too much to the astral plane and makes one susceptible to an uncontrollable amount of chaos. (This runs counter to Toran's desires as a deity of order.) Any mystical or miraculous acts performed by priests of Toran are treated as the power of the deity made manifest through his clergy, rather than acts of magic. While his belief in the teachings of the Temple is incredibly strong, were anyone able to convince Father Dorrach that his special abilities - which he considers blessings from his god - are in fact magic, it would almost certainly cause for him a crisis of faith.
History: Father Darroch was born to a wealthy family in a city many leagues to the west of Marn. He does not, however, have any memory of them. His parents were particularly devout worshippers of Toran and believed strongly that one tenth of their worldly possessions should be donated to his Temple. The man now known as Father Darroch was their tenth child and, as such, was donated shortly after his birth to the local temple to be raised as an acolyte.
His youth spent mostly within the walls of the temple grounds, the young acolyte received a very thorough education - if with a Toranite slant - and made a name for himself as a very fine young orator and singer. As he grew older, he was sent out into the community to assist with rites in the temples and with serving the needs of the congregation. The young acolyte inquired only once about his parents. He was told that they had given him as a most precious gift to Toran and His Temple. Honoured to have been chosen for such a life, the question never arose again.
As the years passed and his superiors continued to be impressed with his aptitude for the priesthood, Father Darroch was given his own temple over which to preside. It was during this period that his divine gifts began to make themselves known in his everyday life - not without unintended consequence.
Unbeknownst to the young, devoted priest, his superiors had taken notice of a state far to the east called Thar Shaddin in which they had no presence. A priest was needed to journey to the city of Marn and establish a new temple to serve the local populace and who better than a young, devout, enthusiastic priest so obviously favoured by Toran himself? And so Father Darroch was sent eastward to locate a suitable location for the the new temple and to establish the faith of Toran in Marn. Promises of being made bishop of Thar Shaddin, should the need for such a hierarchy arise, and of financial support for new buildings and supplies were made, though they became less and less comforting as the solitary priest drew further and further from the only land he had known all his life.
Age: 32
Race: Human
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 14 stone
Physical Description: A tall man, Father Darroch's youthful looks and demeanor cause most to underestimate his age by nearly a decade. An unruly toss of hay-coloured hair complements his blue eyes which can change from friendly and welcoming to fierce and dangerous in an instant. The priest is of taut, wiry build though those who know him and his lifestyle also know this to be a blessing of nature and not the result of a great deal of physical labour.
Seldom seen dressed in anything but his clerical robes, Father Darroch is a handsome and commanding figure in the flowing black and red cassock trimmed with gold. His staff of office is similarly always in hand or within arm's reach.
Perhaps the most startling physical quality possessed by Father Darroch is his voice. A very pleasing light baritone, it is at once warm, friendly and carries a weight of authority and wisdom well beyond its owner's years. Many find listening to the young cleric speak a most pleasant experience and are quite inclined to take his suggestions to heart. As well, should the need for it arise, Father Darroch's voice can assert a great deal of command and there are few who would dare resist a direct order from him.
Possessions: Father Darroch's personal possessions are few. All that he has is the result of his upbringing in the Temple of Toran. His clerical vestments, staff of office, holy symbol and the supplies of the Temple are his to bear and use as he sees fit in carrying out the work of Toran. He carries a small number of bishani with him to purchase the necessities of life.
He does have access to finances supplied by the Temple's more westerly establishments for purposes of building a new bishopric in Thar Shaddin. Securing land, renovating or purchasing a building and supplying it with the necessary objects for the rites of the Temple have been looked to by Father Darroch's superiors.
Powers & Strengths: Father Darroch is a handsome and likeable man by nature. He has a wit and charm about him that most find both pleasant and endearing. Adding to this is the supernatural quality of the priest's voice. When Father Darroch speaks, those within earshot begin to listen almost without noticing. What he says comes across as very reasonable, logical and intelligent and many would be hard-pressed to find fault with his arguments. Most folk are very much inclined to take his suggestions and do as he asks because, after all, he's such a pleasant, wise fellow, isn't he? If Father Darroch chooses, he can project his voice to fill a large hall and make sure that all present hear him without any difficulty. He can also cause his voice to echo and thunder with divine force, making his commands almost impossible not to follow.
The cleric's extreme dislike of magic has also manifested itself tangibly: Father Darroch has a preternatural sense for those touched by the astral realm. Demons, faeries and other creatures with other-worldly connection cause him mild discomfort while in his presence, making it quite difficult for them to hide or be overlooked. As well, Father Darroch seems to be more difficult for the 'outsiders', as he calls them, to approach. He is somewhat resistant to their powers and they are quite susceptible to his commands when levelled with his divine voice.
Having grown up an acolyte in the Temple of Toran, Father Darroch has learned many of the clergy's rituals. Most of these are patterns of worship and have little effect on non-believers. These rites lack the ability to change the direction of a life, but can reinforce the existing order. For instance, if a plague victim is brought before the priest in the Temple and blessed appropriately, his recovery may be sped or his eventual death slowed. Broken bones might heal more quickly and straight, but lost limbs will not be regrown. These rites are only truly effective when performed within a properly consecrated Temple of Toran.
The last - and perhaps most obvious - of Father Darroch's special abilities is related directly to his belief in Toran as an icon of truth. If Father Darroch is present when an oath or agreement is made - whether or not he is one of the parties involved - he can sanctify it and make it sacred in the eyes of Toran. Should any of the oathbound parties not uphold their end of the agreement, the wrath of Toran will descend upon them - usually in the form of a grave misfortune - by the next setting of the sun.
Weaknesses: While an intelligent young man and a social force to be reckoned with, Father Darroch is not a particularly physical individual. He lacks any formal combat training and while his staff of office is very solid and could deliver a heavy blow, any attempt at doing so would be based on instinct.
Father Darroch is dedicated to Toran and his Temple in a subtle but unshakeable way. This dedication to - some would say obsession with - furthering the organisation has spurred the priest to some remarkable acts; whether wise or foolish depend on one's point of view.
Somewhat related to his dedication to Toran and the deity's call to honesty and truth, Father Darroch finds it immensely difficult to lie and will avoid doing so if at all possible. It is possible for him to skirt the truth and edge around difficult topics, but to speak an outright falsehood causes him great concern and trouble.
Magic is a subject of potential issue for Father Darroch as well. Toranites feel that magic is a very dangerous practice, as it opens one too much to the astral plane and makes one susceptible to an uncontrollable amount of chaos. (This runs counter to Toran's desires as a deity of order.) Any mystical or miraculous acts performed by priests of Toran are treated as the power of the deity made manifest through his clergy, rather than acts of magic. While his belief in the teachings of the Temple is incredibly strong, were anyone able to convince Father Dorrach that his special abilities - which he considers blessings from his god - are in fact magic, it would almost certainly cause for him a crisis of faith.
History: Father Darroch was born to a wealthy family in a city many leagues to the west of Marn. He does not, however, have any memory of them. His parents were particularly devout worshippers of Toran and believed strongly that one tenth of their worldly possessions should be donated to his Temple. The man now known as Father Darroch was their tenth child and, as such, was donated shortly after his birth to the local temple to be raised as an acolyte.
His youth spent mostly within the walls of the temple grounds, the young acolyte received a very thorough education - if with a Toranite slant - and made a name for himself as a very fine young orator and singer. As he grew older, he was sent out into the community to assist with rites in the temples and with serving the needs of the congregation. The young acolyte inquired only once about his parents. He was told that they had given him as a most precious gift to Toran and His Temple. Honoured to have been chosen for such a life, the question never arose again.
As the years passed and his superiors continued to be impressed with his aptitude for the priesthood, Father Darroch was given his own temple over which to preside. It was during this period that his divine gifts began to make themselves known in his everyday life - not without unintended consequence.
Unbeknownst to the young, devoted priest, his superiors had taken notice of a state far to the east called Thar Shaddin in which they had no presence. A priest was needed to journey to the city of Marn and establish a new temple to serve the local populace and who better than a young, devout, enthusiastic priest so obviously favoured by Toran himself? And so Father Darroch was sent eastward to locate a suitable location for the the new temple and to establish the faith of Toran in Marn. Promises of being made bishop of Thar Shaddin, should the need for such a hierarchy arise, and of financial support for new buildings and supplies were made, though they became less and less comforting as the solitary priest drew further and further from the only land he had known all his life.