Vik

{A Bit on Wood Elves}

Wood Elves are considered magical creatures, though less than a quarter of the population posses any real abilities in dealing with magic. It manifests itself most noticeably in subtler qualities, such as their long life (an average of 250 years), unusually good health, and quickened reflexes. They are generally forest dwellers, preferring warmer climates. 

{Personality}

strong-willed / resourceful / loyal / stoic 

restless / brutish and lacking in social graces / broody

Vikram is a grumpy old man of few words. He rarely ever smiles, and mostly comes across as rather sullen, gruff, and serious. While he's not lacking in either brawn or brains, he prefers to solve most of his problems with his strength rather than words. Vik is generally terrible at dealing with feelings, which he would prefer to ignore or mercilessly beat into submission until they go away. Thanks to his line of work, he's accustomed to being around a rough crowd, and it shows. What he lacks in social graces Vikram makes up for in being a skilled and resourceful warrior. Not only is he deadly with a blade, but he has a keen sense of direction and his vast knowledge of medicinal botany is always useful.

Vik is a man of simple pleasures: a decent whiskey, solitude (aside from the occasional companion he's found to spend the night with), and a general love of the great outdoors. Though despite generally preferring to be alone, he is fiercely loyal to those he cares about. And while he might be not so great at being emotionally supportive (he's a pro at saying all the wrong things), he will defend his loved ones to the bitter end. Even though he does his best to make himself seem unapproachable and hard-hearted, hes a pretty decent guy who will (begrudgingly) give help to those who need it.

{History}

Vikram comes from a close knit clan of Wood Elves that dwells in Treant Forest south of Prima, who's livelihood was medicinal botany, and his early years were spent begrudgingly assisting his parents in their craft. His one reprieve from his less than exciting life came from one of his uncles, who was now a traveling salesman of sorts for their family's medicinal tonics, though in his younger years he was a city guard for Prima, and was prized for his combat skills. Much to his parent's disdain, Vik's uncle took to training him in combat as well as taking him along on his travels, as traveling could be dangerous and fighting was a natural talent for the young elf.

His Uncles was less than an exemplary role model and guardian for Vikram, letting him get away with far too many things that his mother would be appalled at, though he did his best to steer Vik away from any real trouble. Unfortunately, Vikram was a confident and cocky young man and keeping him away from trouble was a next to impossible task. On one occasion he was approached by a band of bounty hunters who saw value in the young elf's talents, and while his uncle warned against it (as well as assuring him that his mother would kill both of them) Vik was this as an opportunity for rich reward, excitement, and a change to truly test his skills. He parted ways with his uncle, and for many years traveled with his new group of coworkers, as well as other jobs requiring combat skills, such as doing mercenary jobs or body guarding for anyone who would pay, all the while honing his combat training.

During an extensive stay in Prima, he met a woman that he became romantically involved with, and they eventually became engaged. Not long after, in a stroke of ill fortune, Vik was seriously injured on the job (the cause of the missing eye, as well as more than a few nasty looking scars) and he returned home to recover. Much to his family's delight he found a renewed interest in botany, though the more they expressed concern over his recovery, the more withdrawn and sullen he became. Despite the fact that he knew they had his best interests at heart, he couldn't stop himself from growing increasingly resentful towards them and increasingly angry at himself. He hated being pitied, and he feared that his skills as a warrior would be all but lost.

He finally left home and eventually made his way to the farm of a family he had become well acquainted with over the years of renting out their barn as a stopping point in his travels. He offered his services during the harvests as well as a knowledgeable botanist  and in exchange for a place to stay. Despite the occasional pains from his healing injuries, the manual labor and quiet life seemed to improve his attitude considerably.

After a few years of recovery on the farm, Vik sought out some of his old mercenary cohorts to get him back into fighting shape. It took him a little while to learn to compensate for the missing eye, though everything else came back relatively easily, and it wasn't long before he returned to his old profession.

{Fun Facts about Vik}

• While Vikram loves his family very much, he finds them to be overbearing and stuck in their ways. They are not at all afraid to voice their opinions on his lifestyle, and his mother and sister frequently comment on how he has not settled down and had children yet. He has learned to take their meddling in stride, though prefers not to spend too much time at home.
• He has a sister, Vilka, who runs the family’s apothecary along with her husband. They have seven children.
• Vikram actually rather enjoys spending time with children, and his nieces and nephews love when he comes into town. Vilka frequently warns him not to give her babies any crazy ideas about running off and having adventures like he did.
• The ability to use magic runs in his family on his mother’s side, though it seems to show up primarily in the women. His grandmother and sister are quite proficient in it, and his mother to a somewhat lesser degree. Vik has no magical abilities whatsoever.
• As far as Vik’s combat skills go, he is most proficient with swords and hand-to-hand combat, and rigorously trains to keep his skills sharp.
• Over the years of being a mercenary, he has taken quite a number of lives. He doesn't care to keep track of the numbers, nor does he care to think too long on it. His justification to himself is that he does what he has to do to get the job done.