RODERIC
BLACKTHORN

Standing before you is a tall, pallid xaela with a stone-faced countenance. His eyes shine eerily like the face of the moon as they regard you in silence. Wearing the armor of a common adventurer, one might assume that he is—
yet you get the feeling that there is something more. Something dark and dangerous, lurking beneath the surface...

BASICS

NAME: Roderic Blackthorn born Nongrot Kagon
RACE: Xaela Au Ra
AGE: 38
GENDER: Male
BIRTHPLACE: The Azim Steppe
RESIDENCE: Ishgard
OCCUPATION: Retainer. Guard dog.

PHYSICAL

HAIR: Mid-back in length, ink black locks fade to red tips, middle parted, straight as a pin.
EYES: Black sclera, white limbal rings.
SKIN: Very pale, almost translucent.
BODY: Lean but functionally muscled.
HEIGHT: 217 cm / 7'1"

MENTAL

LOYAL • JEALOUS
DISCIPLINED • WITHDRAWN
CALM • MORBID

ABOUT

Thirty-eight years ago, Roderic was born into the Kagon tribe of the Azim Steppe. To this day, despite now residing in Ishgard, he practices a nocturnal lifestyle—to touch the sun is to succumb to evil, this he still believes. Ishgard's commonly overcast clime is an occasional boon to this way of life.For some time now, Roderic has served as retainer to a lesser noble house. His duties often include running errands for his Lord and Lady, and night watch of the estate. The name he uses today was taken upon assuming his role in the household—an attempt to assuage the prejudices of his Ishgardian peers. Despite these efforts, some remain wary... for more reasons than one.Unbeknownst to those around him, and even Roderic himself, he is host to a parasitic entity. A voidsent that drives him to feed on aether to sate its appetite, often preying on the destitute that make the Brume their home. Over the years, the voidsent has embedded itself into the very fabric of Roderic's being, warping his mind and body, even his own aether. Even if Roderic discovered the source of his horrendous urges, the affliction is deep-seated, rooted into him like an ever-growing weed. A part of him believes that he has been cursed by the wicked Azim, often plagued by thoughts and whispers that are not his own.The voidsent often lies dormant in Roderic's body until it's time to feed. It drives him mad until he's forced to hunt under the veil of night, looking for those who likely won't be missed. Because the voidsent's true form would draw attention, it remains just under the surface of Roderic's flesh—at the height of hunger it can manifest as multiple eyes or a wolfish maw filled with too many teeth.

OOC

• This character deals with dark themes such as possession, death, parasitic entities, obsession, body horror, gore, violence and likely more. If these topics make you uncomfortable, Roderic may not be the character for you.
• Minors DNI. I'm an adult, and I'm only interested in interacting with other adults and adult characters.
• Please do not conflate IC and OOC. I am not Roderic and he is not me.
• Bigots begone. I have zero tolerance for transphobia, homophobia, racism, etc.
• I'm open to many roleplay themes. Simply ask!

HOOKS

• ON THE HUNT: Roderic essentially functions like a vampire. Stalks the night, hungry for aether but doesn't know why. The Brume is his main hunting ground. Your character could be a potential victim, in the wrong place at the wrong time, or could possibly catch him in the act.• HEARSAY: Word gets around, and sometimes it travels very far. Rumors of bodies being sapped of aether found in the alleyways of Ishgard might pique the interest of those who like a good mystery. If your character is a hunter of beasts and monsters, interested in the strange and unusual, or perhaps has a keen eye for voidsent... Roderic could be the one they're looking for.• CHANCE ENCOUNTER: There is a small chance your character may run into Roderic when visiting Ishgard. Perhaps they have business with the House he serves, or might stop by The Forgotten Knight for a drink—a frequent haunt of Roderic's.• FRIENDS OR FOES: One thing I am not looking for is a cure—your character may try to exorcise him, or even try to kill him. Your character will not succeed. Optimal for a bit of bloody fun, if you so choose. Characters are also welcome to diagnose him but should approach with caution.