Councilor Alec Blackthorn

[Master Onike]

Name: Alec Blackthorn
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Order: High Council
Weapon:

Blackthorn’s weapon is one that has much renown among members of the Alliance. Though Alec has not personally named it, its nickname among members of the Alliance is “The Flame of the East.” The weapon is a set of two maces connected by a long chain, which allows (or allowed him in his hay day) to throw one end at enemies like a whip, or hold a mace in each hand for melee combat. Blackthorn’s affinity for the fire domain earned the weapon its nickname, as he would often manipulate the temperature of the mace and sear his enemies, melting their weapons, amour and bodies in seconds. In some of his flashier moments, Blackthorn would actually light the maces on fire, striking terror into the hearts of even battle-hardened barbarians.

Each mace has a handle about two feet in length; end with an elaborately engraved ring connected to the chain on one end, and a wicked head on the other. Initially the weapon was made of simple steel, but blacksmiths have since enhanced it with titanium in vital areas, making it extremely difficult to damage. Both the maces and the chain are of the darkest ebony, but there are highlights which are silver, primarily along the edges of the spikes, making the weapon as elegant as it is deadly. Blackthorn was a fierce fighter in his prime, and his iconic maces helped earn him that reputation.

Familiar:

Alec’s familiar is a peregrine falcon, with a wingspan of about five feet, unusually large for a bird of its species. The falcon’s name is Elacia and she has been with Alec since the very beginning. The falcon can almost always be found sitting on Blackthorn’s shoulder, surveying the world around it with large, impassive eyes. Her temperament is the opposite of Blackthorn’s, neither fiery nor aggressive; Elacia is a patient, calm creature. She would that Blackthorn never went into battle without properly observing the situation first, but in their days of battle Alec tended to ignore the suggestion.

Elacia has sleek, dark feathers along the length of her body, excepting her belly and the bottom half of her head which is a speckled cream. Despite her calm temperament in most situations, her beak is razor sharp and her talons have the force of several men, as many barbarians learnt the hard way. In battle Elacia generally flies overhead, relaying important information to Alec, and occasionally swooping in to strike down an enemy found of position. This tactic gave Blackthorn a great advantage in battle and he often used the bird’s eye view of his enemies to his advantage.

Alec and Elacia have always gotten along extremely well despite their opposite views on many circumstances, and both consider the other to be their better half. Elacia keeps Blackthorn grounded and his blazing temperament in check, while Alec in turn prevents Elacia from becoming complacent and fuels her passion for justice and liberty. The two make a powerful pair, and are both highly regarded within the Alliance.

Magic Domain: Fire
Magic Subdomain:

Domain Master (Temperature and Shape Flame)

Blackthorn is one of the younger members of the High Council, aging only 55 years. He came to the order after the initial strokes had been laid down by Councilor Grey and he benefited greatly from magical training he received from a young Embari when he was in his twenties. Blackthorn proved to have an enormous affinity for fire and has since become the domain master of the element.

While Blackthorn’s use of the element was often applied to his weapon, earning it its nickname among members of the Alliance, he also used fire very creatively, shaping into tendrils to hit an enemy’s weak spot, or lighting fires along the ground to restrict movements of enemies in battle. Though Blackthorn is sometimes very straightforward with his domain, he isn’t the domain master for nothing, and often finds new ways to implement his power when his enemies least expect it.

Appearance:

Blackthorn, while now growing older at the age of 55, still retains the powerful, muscular build he has had all his life, a result of his constant training and fighting, and the force required to effectively use his maces. Though not quite as physically strong as he was in his prime, Blackthorn still looks imposing, measuring just over six feet, and weighing 200 or so pounds. His features are stern and two scars are visible on his face, one faded and barely noticeable from his childhood near his left temple, and one along his right cheek from a sabre wound. Blackthorn has jet black hair and nearly black eyes, which even at his most exhausted never lose their constant zeal and energy indicative of the spirit of their owner.

Clothing:

Councilor Blackthorn generally wears a simple outfit consisting of dark pants and boots with a grey tunic and a long, loosely fitted black coat. The coat reaches to just below his knees and is used by Blackthorn to disguise his maces, always at his side when he goes out in public. When his position on the Council requires him to dress formally, Alec favours an elegant set of black robes with elaborate red stitching which resembles flames running along the clothing when it moves. He rarely wears bright colours, tending towards dark shades of black, blue and burgundy.

History:

Councilor Alec Blackthorn was born only five years before the Alliance was founded by Cordan Grey. He grew up in small village which, while occupied by barbarians, stayed mostly peaceful until it was liberated in the early days of the Alliance’s rebellion. As a result, the first five years of Alec’s life were as peaceful and idyllic as possible, given the circumstances.

Then, everything changed.

His town’s liberation made it an immediate target for barbarian hordes and after five years of near-tranquility, the young Alec grew up in a perpetual war zone. Though still very young, around the age of eight it was determined that the boy had some proficiency in swordplay and the potential to be a solid soldier. These expectations were shattered as soon as the boy entered training and he quickly advanced in ranks, proving himself to be just as capable with a sword as most seasoned veterans.

By his mid-teens Alec had thrown aside the sword and begun practicing with maces which suited his fighting style far more, and he found himself quickly becoming a part of the High Council, a group of elite soldiers led by Grey himself who fought for the continuation of the Alliance.

Those years were hard on Blackthorn, as the war claimed many of his friends, including a young man named Alistair who had grown up with Alec, and who the boy considered to be a brother. Though Alec’s parents did survive the initial liberation of the village, they were killed in a later raid, and the boy grew up an orphan, raised by war and strife.

The turning point in Blackthorn’s life, however, came in his mid twenties when he met one of the first members of the Embari order, a pyromancer named Leanna Wrathwell. Alec first encountered her practicing in the field of the Alliance’s fortress, and was mesmerized by the beauty of her magic. In a flash of impulse, he asked her to teach him, and though the sorcerer laughed at first she soon realized Alec’s potential as a spell caster, and he rapidly outstripped even her. Leanna would later become his wife, and the two fire magicians live happily inside the walls they fought and bled to protect.

Attitude:

Councilor Blackthorn is aggressive and impulsive, both in combat and in politics. He tends to not think things through, and were it not for the help of Elacia’s calming influence he would most likely have never reached the position of authority he now holds. Though outwardly friendly, Blackthorn has a wicked temper which he is not always able to keep in check. He considers Cordan Grey to be both a mentor and a friend, though, and struggles to emulate the leader’s calm, caring qualities.

Other:

((Happy to be a part of DoJR. Can't wait for everything to get under way!))

Sample Post:

It was starting to rain.

Alec looked up at the cloudy sky as he paced the Council Grounds restlessly. The meeting wasn’t scheduled for another hour, but the pupil Blackthorn had been supposed to teach the basics of magic to that morning had stood the big man up. Blackthorn was less than impressed.

As he walked, his breath puffed out unnaturally hot, vaporizing water droplets as they fell. Elacia gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze with one talon. When they’d been young, the falcon’s grip had often hurt Alec, but his shoulder had long since developed tough calluses and the talons no longer bothered him.

Calm down, Alec. Elacia’s voice echoed in his head. You’ve no need to be so upset.

“The little runt stood me up!” Alec shouted at no one in particular.

I’m sure he had a very good reason, Elacia said.

“A likely story. Probably out running his mouth off at his betters. Probably vandalizing the walls. Probably…”

Calm down. Breath.

Blackthorn took a deep, calming breath and sighed to himself. “No respect, these kids.” But that was the last he said of it. Almost negligently, the big man raised a hand and increased the temperature of the air several feet above him, vaporizing the rain droplets as they fell, creating an invisible, steaming umbrella. The air shimmered as the magic took effect, and he sat himself down, in the centre of the Council Grounds, awaiting the rest of the High Council.

After all, there were bigger things at stake.

Themesong: None yet.
Picture: Would love an artist capable of drawing something more impressive than a stick man.

[Master William]

I love this character! You have put a lot of thought into him, and he fits into the plot and story very well! Great job, accepted!