Leopold Rinverde

Stuff.

Previously...
=== Audek-Ri had been born and raised in Sentinel, but was instead a wandering Redguard with few ties binding her to her home kingdom. Galdes Rinverde was a vagabond mage who fell for her charms, and the two fell in love. They married in Daggerfall, with the blessing of Galdes' parents, Gauvain and Desdemona Rinverde. The happy couple decided to travel the region together, and so they left their home to do so. They had seen quite a bit of High Rock, before their adventuring came to an abrupt end. For Audek-Ri was pregnant. And so they settled in Galdes' hometown in Wayrest, along with Galdes' parents. The two gladly accepted the Redguard woman into their family. They paid his parents for their hospitality with the money that they had made in their travels. === === Audek-Ri gave birth to a daughter. She gave her a Redguard name -- Maurin. The girl seemed to take much after her mother. She was fierce in spirit, and as she grew older, competitive. She was quite proud of her history, both as  Redguard and as Breton. Audek-Ri would train her in swordfighting and stay home with her while Galdes took up enchanting. She, having been spurned from her society, refused to speak much of the Yoku culture or religion, instead adopting the Breton one. Maurin later grew to resent this, and researched of her own accord. A rift also formed, between her and her mother; they simply didn't get along, and she was 'daddy's little girl' for much of her childhood. === Ten years later, Audek-Ri gave birth to another child, whom they named Leopold. He, like his sister, was a fierce child from the moment he was out of the womb (though, Audek-Ri spoke of how he liked to kick a lot, while she was still pregnant with him). Leopold was only eight years old, however, when his mother died. She had become pregnant with another child. The child, however, was stillborn and she herself was lost during the process. This was Leopold's first taste of death, a bitter loss which would grip his family and hang over it like a stormcloud. After his wife's death, Galdes wasn't quite the same, and for what he began to lack in, his sister stepped up to care for the infant. Galdes sought a project to keep his mind off of her, and took a job as an enchanter at the Mages' Guild in Daggerfall, taking his children with him. He was brokenhearted and had lost much of the spark which he once had.

Maurin ended up caring for Leopold much of the time, and the boy grew very close to his older sister. When he was older, she trained him in what she knew of the sword and bow, but Leopold was also interested in magic. He read his father's books on magic, and Galdes taught him what he knew. His father specialised in Alchemy and Enchantment; Leopold, however, had no interest in these, and as well, no true knack for them. He quickly took to Mysticism, Illusion and Alteration, and soon, Conjuration. All of these things, his father knew some of, however, Galdes passed him off to an old friend of his -- a Breton by the name of Alliana -- who taught Leopold what he desired to know. His father had also got him a dog, a hardy yet loveable one named Rutch.

Leopold soon noticed a change in his father. When Galdes was with Alliana, he was happy again. Maurin and Leopold conspired to get them together more. Galdes and his new love soon discovered the love that they shared for one-another, and fell madly in love, amidst giggles of joy and amusement from Galdes' meddling children. They weren't at all satisfied with being settled, and Galdes began to feel that all these areas not explored by them were a travesty. And so the four began to adventure through the land. It was quite the life: fighting bandits and selling what they could of their junk, camping out, sleeping at inns, enjoying the outdoors. He continued his studies, becoming quite the combatant. It was a lifestyle that stuck with him, that would shape much of who he was. And Galdes was happy again, for once. He was in love with Alliana, it was now apparent, and Maurin and Leopold accepted it, happy to see their father with some joy in him. Life was good.

But still, Audek-Ri's death and that of her child still weighed heavily on Leopold. His grandparents had, as well, recently passed away. Leopold began to obsess over death, and privately studied into necromancy. The family continued on their adventures, but the unthinkable happened. The two groups of people -- Maurin and Leopold, and Alliana and Galdes -- were separated when a latch broke. The two of them began to search for a way out, as they had been locked in. They came across a powerful Dremora Lord that had been trapped in the cave. While they managed to fell it, Maurin was seriously wounded, and was dying. Leopold soul-trapped her in a black soul gem, promising he would find a way to get her back. Alliana and Galdes, meanwhile, had found a way in and found Leopold, the remains of the dremora, and Maurin's remains. Galdes freaked out, and said many terrible things to Leopold, causing the young man to leave him.

He headed to Wayrest, and looked into necromancy at a possible way to bring back Maurin. He was assured that Maurin could never be returned to the family. "Her soul has passed on," a priest of Arkay had told him before he decided he would start researching into those dark arts. "There is no way to get her back. It is all in the natural cycle. I am sorry, child."

And so, he ended up obsessed with necromancy. Leopold read into all kinds of things. He learned of the King of Worms, the god of necromancers. It gave him a satisfaction to know these things. Unlike the Divines, Mannimarco was one who had done things, made an impact and lived a long life. Necromancy was Leopold's fixation, as he wanted to bring his sister back in some shape or form. Leopold did not have a way to do so. People saw a change in him; he was absolutely exhausted from his studies. He appeared to have been doing

Leopold eventually joined a group of revolutionaries that worshiped a Daedric Prince. Mehrunes Dagon lorded over destruction, change, revolution, energy, and ambition...the latter of which Leopold could feel taking hold of him. Many revolutionaries had resulted due to the current situation what with the warring states. He was taken in by a group of Dagonites -- only five others, really -- and it momentarily filled the void. But even that would not last. He became quite passionate in his worship, and in doing so he felt the others to be simply fools. They were not honouring Mehrunes Dagon in the way Leopold felt he should be honoured.

He took it upon himself to see 'justice' done. He picked them off one-by-one, secretly and through trickery. At first, the deaths were quick, efficient. But he would come to find that he enjoyed prolonging it, making them beg for it, as their numbers whittled. When it came down to the last two, the last one watched as Leopold finished off the other Dagonite slowly, and as Leopold approached him, blades bloodied, he screamed hysterically, a scream that seemed to reverberate through Leopold's person. In an instant, the Redguard slit the man's throat, and fled, covered in red blood and thinking he had done well.

While it truly wasn't the Daedric Prince who gave him the vibe, Leopold later felt that what he had done, the Prince hadn't approved of. Humiliated, he had a moment of clarity. It had all been wrong. Everything felt, to him, much clearer than they'd ever been. All the death, all the loss...it all made sense. Leopold delved into Daedric lore and he found a new master. Ironically, the worship of Molag Bal brought more liberation than anything ever had.

And so, he ended up obsessed with necromancy. Leopold read into all kinds of things. He learned of the King of Worms, the god of necromancers. It gave him a satisfaction to know these things. Unlike the Divines, Mannimarco was one who had done things, made an impact and lived a long life. Necromancy was Leopold's fixation, as he wanted to bring his sister back in some shape or form. Leopold did not have a way to do so. People saw a change in him; he was absolutely exhausted from his studies. He appeared to have been studying deeper into his magic, which was ironically conjuration. Kelira, a dunmer woman who was a part of the Guild, had a relationship with Leopold. As man and mer unions generally increased the chance of pregnancy, so was she pregnant. Leopold would never get to meet the child, as he wasn't one who could commit, his mortality plaguing him. He told her this, this being before he knew she was pregnant. Later, he would learn from her via letter. He would know of his child...but he would not pursue. Yet.

Leopold would leave for Cyrodiil not long after their departure, where he would continue to study in the guilds. Wanderlust would get ahold of him, however, and he would begin wandering Cyrodiil.

Leopold eventually joined a group of revolutionaries that worshiped a Daedric Prince. Mehrunes Dagon lorded over destruction, change, revolution, energy, and ambition...the latter of which Leopold could feel taking hold of him. Many revolutionaries had resulted due to the current situation what with the warring states. He was taken in by a group of Dagonites -- only five others, really -- and it momentarily filled the void. But even that would not last. He became quite passionate in his worship, and in doing so he felt the others to be simply fools. They were not honouring Mehrunes Dagon in the way Leopold felt he should be honoured.

He took it upon himself to see 'justice' done. He picked them off one-by-one, secretly and through trickery. At first, the deaths were quick, efficient. But he would come to find that he enjoyed prolonging it, making them beg for it, as their numbers whittled. When it came down to the last two, the last one watched as Leopold finished off the other Dagonite slowly, and as Leopold approached him, blades bloodied, he screamed hysterically, a scream that seemed to reverberate through Leopold's person. In an instant, the Redguard slit the man's throat, and fled, covered in red blood and thinking he had done well.

While it truly wasn't the Daedric Prince who gave him the vibe, Leopold later felt that what he had done, the Prince hadn't approved of. Humiliated, he had a moment of clarity. It had all been wrong. Everything felt, to him, much clearer than they'd ever been. All the death, all the loss...it all made sense. Leopold delved into Daedric lore and he found a new master. Ironically, the worship of Molag Bal brought more liberation than anything ever had.

Description

 * Alignment: Neutral Evil

Appearance
Leopold's black hair falls to mid-neck all around, and is parted in the middle, pushed out of his face but with a few rogue locks making their way there. He sports a small goatee upon his chin. He maintains his hair to look like this. It is his personal style, a part of who he is, and he is loathe to change it unless absolutely necessary.

He appears to be in his mid-twenties. It could be said he is handsome -- at least, he likes to think so. His mixed heritage shows through on his creamy brown skin. When at a later stage of Vampirism, his features are wrinkled and deathly. Even before, his features have been somewhat gaunt, and his cheekbones prominent -- a legacy of his Breton heritage. He is extremely pale for a Redguard, owing both to Vampirism, and his mixed blood. His eyes were a reddish-brown. Now, however, the irises are a pinkish-red due to the Cyrodiilic strain of Vampirism he has. His nose is somewhat large, and his mouth seems naturally to turn down at the corners. He sports pursed lips, and beyond them, the pointed canines of a vampire, causing -- when his mouth is closed -- his lips to jut out more when he is at the later stages of his Vampirism.

He is a well-built Redguard man with a decent amount of muscle. He stands at 6'2". He has his fair amount of battle-scars, and they aren't pretty, but he is proud of them. When on the road and/or expecting combat, he wears his cuirass, bracers (or sometimes gauntlets), and leg-coverings. Under this, he wears a black leather tunic and pants. When relaxing, Leopold tends to wear a sleeveless dark green vest over a white sleeveless shirt (when it is warm) or a long-sleeved brown shirt (when it is cold). With that, he wears khaki pants. He is always seen wearing his tough leather boots, and when out and about in cold weather, a warm, furry cloak.

Personality
Leopold is the very example of certainty; there is no self-doubt lingering within him. He finds it impossible to doubt his capabilities and he knows himself to be good at what he does. Obsessed with his own person, he sees himself as mightier than those around him. Of course, he doesn’t act arrogant; no, that would not help him whatsoever. He wants to be liked, but not so that he can have someone to care about. Leopold does not know what it is to feel empathy, but he can certainly feign friendship, and there is some sort of attachment developed. And, on those rare occasions, you can find yourself worthy of his respect. Either you impressed him with your power, or you did something that he benefitted immensely from. Leopold owes a debt to the latter, and he won’t let it go unforgotten. That would mess with his image, after all.

Leopold is a compulsive liar about just anything. He will lie without batting a single eyelash, and his lack of realisation that he is lying makes it possible for him to fool others.He does have the tendency to make friends and lots of them, but he doesn’t feel anything but emptiness where there would be a sense of friendship for others. If it benefitted him, he’d turn against his friends at a moment’s notice. He can be very controlling, usually in a social way. He hates weakness, but when he sees it in others he can manipulate and use it. With what close friends he has, when they have a problem he’s very ‘tough love’ and blunt, never appealing to weakness because to inspire weakness would mean to be weak. He has no sense of guilt; he feels no remorse over how he uses people. What 'caring' is to him is more a matter of possessing, of ownership and control.

Leopold is not lacking in confidence. He’s constantly craving excitement. This can lead to some very risky behaviour, and lots of wandering. He cannot remain in one place for too long. Hence the reason he doesn’t have a home in Skyrim, despite living in the province for a few years. His home is the road, and he hates being tied down. He seeks thrills, he seeks excitement, and he isn’t afraid to enjoy life to the fullest, and can give in to debaucherous acts. One thing that separates him from most hedonists, however, is that he loathes getting drunk, and drunkards in general. Getting drunk is succumbing to weakness, and will not be tolerated. Of course, Leopold canget along with drunks, though getting along with them usually means taking advantage of them.

He experiments, in a sense, on other people. He likes to see how they will react. Sometimes, this is social, him saying something -- usually a lie -- and wondering how they will respond. This may or may not involve some very cruel actions towards others, when he is certain he’s not being watched. He likes to take the strong and test their skill, and he likes to punish the weak for being weak. He is not against torture, and uses a variety of methods, whether it be mentally, physically, or a mixture of both. He does not feel remorse for it. In fact, torture is a ritualistic act. It would bring their souls, he believes, closer to his lord’s grasp. He is extremely devoted to the Daedric Prince of domination, and the only other deity he pays homage to is the King of Worms, though Mannimarco is more an icon and a role model than anything else.

Albeit short-tempered at times, Leopold is very much in control of his emotions. He can be a pleasant man to be around. He’s got charisma to him, and he’s likable to some. He follows the law, though only because he must. He’s broken laws, yes, when no-one was watching. Leopold is not quick to trust, and in fact there is only one person whom he truly does – that is, himself. He feels like everyone else is out to get him. He stomps out this paranoia, telling himself if they did screw with him, he’d screw with them back.

Combat

 * Class: A mixture between