Balthasar Ehrenhas III, Coroner of Ymph, Sacrifice in the Rebirth of Mystryl

[Aethereal]

[SIZE="5"][tface=fraktur]Balthsar Ehrenhas [tface=fell]III[/tface][/tface][/SIZE]

Balthasar was my first PC to reach level 10. His concept was inherently about the interaction between the curse of his blood, his piety and oaths to Ilmater, pursuit of Reason and Justice and his often subtle human supremacy as they played out in the world around him. Certain Lovecraftian and Neitzche vibes were surely yet mostly coincidentally part of the play as well.

His journey was its own pleasure, though highlights of mine were definitely the Muster and playing with all those PCs who made a great faction at the time, along with the fey plot of the magistrates masks and earning his plague mask! (albeit maintaining it only briefly before the end)

I am including his basic evolving biography, which has been appended over the course of three applications.:

Background:
[hide=Previously]
[INDENT]It was the fragile young age of three when Balthasar first developed his fears and paranoia, for it was upon his third birthday where a pet kitten was bestowed upon him that he learnt the meaning of suffering. He played with the cute little creature, grew enamoured of it even, but it was when she scratched him that something beyond his control took place. His hands grew cold, they turned a blood red and as he went to keep the kitty's claws away from him, his vampiric touch drained the life out of his first best friend instead; he never spoke of how his pet died to any living soul. That was until a decade and a half later, as he came of age, he volunteered with the Monastery of the Yellow Rose where he came to understand that suffering was a necessary evil on the path of endurance. He  confessed his nature to the Painbearer, who naturally forgave him, seeing his unique powers as a boon to healing.

Of course, Balthasar's upbringing as heir to the manor clashed with his voluntary efforts, but the house of Ehrenhas fostered honourable causes and amongst the other Baronies stood out for the quality of life of their servants. Balthasar retained the mindset of his station, often partaking of the sport of hunting, where he employed his powers in secret to assist in claiming the grandest beast. When not preparing for his life as his father's successor, Balthasar learnt the secrets of human anatomy and physiology at the monastery's morgue and furthered his healing arts (including cooking and winemaking) and genealogical studies therein which he also applied to his secret studies of the arcane; as far as any of his contacts knew, he was incapable of magic, but an excellent shot with his crossbow.

Unique factors decided by his upbringing:
[INDENT]Views thralls as any other servant caste, he has no negative connotations to slavery or indentured labour due to how well his family treated their own thralls.

Distrusts and has a mild paranoia of:
   

• Other people's magic (especially the type he cannot recognise.)
•    Unexplained, elaborate, or showy magical occurrences.
•    Things that he cannot see or hear but knows of their (potential) presence.
•    Food prepared by others.
•    Stalkers, especially the otherworldly type.

[/INDENT]

At the end of the day, there are some very good reasons why he didn't become an Ilmatari priest, but that doesn't mean he is not dedicated to the path of the physician.

Balthasar has spent some time on Ymph, having arrived not long after the famine took hold of the Dominion. He wiled away the days with the other patricians when not experimenting with Ymph's local produce in his cooking, or tending the sick and injured. In Mistlocke he has spent his time as a lay healer in the Last Keep alongside Isaac Solomon, not causing much trouble with the man's religious beliefs due to his own liberal interpretations of the Ilmatari creed.

Balthasar has come a long way since his introduction as the Ilmatari doctor and part time culinary conquistador who often changed from black leather tunic to white physician's coat, depending on the situation. He still does not, and probably will not ever publicly practice his magic, though as has been witnessed he is ready to harness his god given powers should the circumstances require it.

He ran for the election, where he learnt of the vices of Man and how such a popularity contests brings out superficial acts of kindness and corruption in those who seek power. As a result, he has decided he must serve a higher cause than just Mistlocke, and named himself the Coroner of all Ymph. He views his duty as beyond petty conflicts wherever he may, and passes judgement in an elven manner, with concerns to the bigger and long term picture.

As the story continues, Balthasar's faith in the Gods is beginning to falter. He still follows the creed of Ilmater and that of the physician, though he comes to the realisation that martyring oneself is a high folly, especially when much more can be achieved in life. This he has seen in the death of friends and sometimes just from executions. This is becoming a stronger area of internal conflict in the character as he realises he is the grey, his dispassionate mind set denies keeps him from becoming a visible champion of anything.

Balthasar's belief that pain is necessary for endurance is also being challenged. His exposure to the eldritch grows and he is becoming more and more confident, perhaps even reckless with his magics. He is partially self aware that he is becoming hypocritical when he condemns mages for pursuing the arcane and may begin justifying his grasp for power with excuses. He is now ready to join the Transcendent Conclave and pursue magical empowerment like the covetous mages they all are.[/INDENT]

Balthasar III Ehrenhas, Human, 28 years old, Lawful Neutral, Sorcerer

[/B][/hide]
As you can see from the last two paragraphs, I intended to sway him towards a purpose fitting of the Transcendent Conclave, and these had only just begun to be realised prior to his great sacrifice. He basically walked into the ritual already aware of what would result from the various clues he was privy to, but at the last minute held on to the honour of his word, that he would cooperate.

[hide= His secret project, lycanthropy: rehabilitation and control of the curse in the pursuit of enhancing humanity.]
[/hide]
[hide=Cog realignment ritual, after wave after wave of internal conflict within the Muster.][/hide]
[hide=Playing hide and seek with a friend, made it seem like she was imaginary though, good one Yanamar!][/hide]
[hide=The day before his demise, he had the guilt trip for watching a necromancer murder an innocent AFTER he healed him back to health, but he did nothing due to his oaths. Earned those 2 evil points fair and square, though he tried his best.][/hide]
[hide=One of the Coroner's investigations of a bloody ritual in the cemetary][/hide]
[hide=Entertaining an exotic guest at the Providence Restaurant][/hide]
[hide=One of his final scenes, loyal to the end to whatever he swore to, he awaited his fate in the ritual that would destroy Mystra and bring Mystryl back into the forgotten realms.][/hide]
Thanks to all involved, you know who you are. DMs and players alike, I won't name names, just know that each interaction was remembered and enjoyed! His secrets remain with those who saw them as they saw them, though they were mostly innocuous.

[Johnston]

It just won't feel right not having a coroner to call in for murders anymore. An all around awesome character. Kudos.

[el groso]

Very cool and educational PC!!! And now I finally know what a Coroner is! :D

[granny]

Inspiring!!

[The Old Hack]

Goodbye Balthasar, you will be missed!

Fantastic as always. :) Looking forward to the next one!

[Howlando]

Nicely characterized, fun PC!

[Pentaxius]

A true friend of Axirios.

I sincerly enjoyed all the interactions I had with your PC, he really added depht to the server.


Besides, he was my best english teacher, I learned a ton of new words just listening to Balt.

[Pup]

It was always so funny interacting with Balthasar as Timmy.  Some of my favorite RP of recent memory.  He talked Timmy into staying in the Muster twice.  I still chuckle thinking about it.

[Calixto]

An awesome character for Marion to bash on :D

[RazorsEdge]

Your imaginary friend will miss you forever and always.

[Kinslayer988]

You are a very fun player to play with, and I enjoyed our many interactions. Especially becoming one of Luth's consciousnesses and encouraging him to be good.

[The Beggar]

I enjoyed our interactions, thank you for playing him.