The eldest son of a nobleman and a paladin of darkness, Leshrak is relentless in the pursuit of his goals and most ends will justify the means. It is safe to assume that, while far from invincible, he is a formidable opponent on the battlefield and in political arenas. His alignment could simplistically be described as lawful evil, and he is charming and genteel when the situation calls for it, but at other times cunning and ruthless. His reason for existing is to strengthen the powers he serves. This can be done many ways; his favorites are bringing the forces of goodness and light to their knees and seducing fresh souls into the Night.
OOC Notes
This character's write-up routinely references concepts like "evil" and "darkness" as a shorthand for what the character truly believes. While the truth of his beliefs are a mystery to the world at large, they are spelled out more clearly in his private, staff-only notes on the game.
Personality
He embodies the aspects of his faith: Dominance, carnality, evil, darkness, and the night. Cold and calculating in financial, military, and political matters, but passionate and loyal to a fault in matters of the heart. He's usually very tightly wound. He needs to learn to relax, maybe take a day off from his relentless, diabolical pursuit of world domination and subjugation. He is a brilliant strategist and master manipulator, two things that often come in handy in love and war.
Background
Leshrak was raised the eldest of a nobleman's sons -- though he does have a twin who is just a few minutes younger than him -- and expected to inherit his father's lands and titles. From the time he could stand he held a blade, and grew up in an environment of rigorous military training. By the time he reached the age of 30, he'd led his father's army through successful military campaigns. In spite of his family's privileged placement in society, his life has been one of austerity and denial. He is deeply religious, and worships a god of darkness and evil. As a paladin of this god, every aspect of his life and personality is shaded by his faith.
SKILLS
ATHLETICS - Competent
CLOAK - Expert: Ability to use the cloak in combat. As a shield, distraction, or weapon. Leshrak's cloak is able to be lined with glass or heavy objects, and has an extra-dimensional pocket.
STRENGTH - Competent
SWORDPLAY - Expert
POWERS
BLESS - Enhanced: Mild buff providing a small bonus of courage and strength in battle, and/or mild erotic pleasure lasting approximately 1 hour.
DARKNESS FAMILIAR - Enhanced: Ability to summon an animal familiar from nearby forests, if any. The creature is always black, is an animal found in that ecosystem normally, and any damage the familiar takes hurts Leshrak doubly. Leshrak has total command over this minion, and can command it to do virtually anything the animal would be physically capable of doing. Attack, espionage, sexual behaviors, etc.
HEAL - Enhanced: Using his ceremonial dagger, Leshrak can offer divine healing...of course, there is always a price for accepting darkness into your heart. Not only is his healing painful, but it also establishes a connection with the recipient that may be nourished. One that may make them slightly more amenable to Leshrak's suggestions.
HIDE IN SHADOW - Enhanced: At night or in dark environments, gives him the ability to meld with shadow and hide from enemies. Does not disguise smells or sounds.
SPIRITUAL ARMOR - Enhanced: Ability to summon spiritual armor - offers the protection of platemail, without any restrictions to dexterity or encumbrance. Appears as a shadowy chestplate that swirls with oily iridescence, yet provides good armor protection for the entire body.
ADVANTAGES
AMORALITY Trained to ignore the mortal conscience. Ethics: Yes. Morals: No. Allows him to rationalize any act, no matter how morally evil, if it suits the ethics of his worldview. In other words, for him, the ends will always justify the means.
BLADE OF DARKNESS Leshrak owns a blade of Darkness, which is an artifact weapon emitting black radiance in lieu of light, known for its razor sharp edge, serrated guard, and wickedly hooked tip.
DAGGER OF DISEASE Leshrak owns Malady, Dagger of Disease. An artifact weapon used mostly in ritual work that has the potential to infect others with debilitating diseases of the mind or body. Notably, because such ailments are magically and spiritually inflicted, they can be cleansed the same way, such as through healing magic or by a blessing from a shrine of light.
WEAKNESSES
LOVE Love makes evil paladins susceptible to traps, blackmail, corruption, and so on. Leshrak's people believe love is weakness. Unfortunately, he is susceptible to it.
SUN SENSITIVITY More sensitive to sunlight; burns easier, can't see as well, and some of his powers (e.g. Hide In Shadow) don't work in sunlight/during the day.
