Marin Taldett
| Marin Raylan Taldett | |
|---|---|
 Marin Taldett | |
| Information | |
| Archetype | Fighter, Vagabond |
| Hair Colour | Auburn |
| Eye Colour | Blue (left) / Brown (right) |
| Height | 5'9" |
| Build | Athletic |
| Notable Features | Left iris is discolored. |
| Born | Date: 180 A.R. Location: Unknown |
| Profession | Bounty Hunter, Mercenary |
Contents
Description
Marin has a thin, but well-defined figure. At 5'9", he is not exceptionally tall, but what he lacks in height he more than makes up for in bravado. He has a youthful face that is, more often than not, kept clean and shaven. His hair in an unruly mop of auburn, which has earned him the nickname "copperhead."
His wardrobe is far from extensive and seems to consist mostly of aging, military uniform components. It is not unlike the young bounty hunter to don items that appear far beyond their intended lifespan (such as threadbare shirts, boots with broken or missing laces, etc.). Despite the ramshackle state of most of his garments, the sword at his side and the crossbow that is rarely beyond arm's reach are maintained impeccably.
Marin's most noticeable feature, beyond the astounding inability to keep his mouth shut, are his eyes. While the iris of his right eye is a deep brown in color, the left is a startlingly pale blue.
Background
Origins
Childhood
Marin was born to a prostitute, somewhere in Regal Trae Kelsa. The youngest of five children, at least three of which died during or shortly after birth. His childhood was one accustomed to poverty and abuse at the hands of both his mother and many of her drunken patrons.
At the age of nine, Marin saw his mother raped and beaten by one of her customers. In a fit of rage, the young boy bludgeoned his mother's attacker to death with a masonry brick. Shortly after this incident, Marin turned his mother's name into the authorities and ran away from home, never to see his family again.
Adolescence
For a handful of years, Marin bounced around between orphanages and other caretakers, some of which would show sincere concern for his well-being. Whether they were reputable or otherwise, the boy never remained in one place for very long.
It was in Darras, at age fifteen, where Marin chose to settle. Under the tutelage of an aging weaponsmith, he took up an informal apprenticeship. The old man related his knowledge of the craft. More specifically, he focused Marin's education on arbalism, bowyering and fletching. It didn't take long for the handy, young man to pick up even the most intricate details of the practice.
When Marin wasn't working in the shop, he was teaching himself how to use the weapons he and his mentor created. His skills with a crossbow excelled and with it, his understanding of the weapon showed him where it could be improved. He was soon crafting his own versions, each with modifications of varying success and failure.
At eightteen, Marin's mentor succumbed to age. Though he thought to maintain the shop, the work proved overwhelming and he was forced to close its doors. He packed up what he couldn't sell and left the town. It was not long after this that he came upon the camp of a small, military unit and was conscripted to aid in their cause.
Adulthood
The Soldier
Marin excelled as a soldier, but his brash attitude and propensity for physical altercations landed him in disciplinary actions and alienated him from all but one of his confederates.
During his first year in service, Marin encountered a man by the name of Sirius. Sirius maintained a tempered patience with Marin and the two became fast friends. They were rarely ever apart and, often times, Sirius placed himself between his friend and the trouble that seemed to follow him so closely.
On the battlefield, the pair were just as compatible. They seemed to know what the other was about to do, before it was done and this proved to be a great advantage for their entire regiment. Sirius was a master with a sword, a logical tactician and never let anger cloud his judgement. Marin was brave, strong and fast, but could prove reckless at times. With a small army behind them, no odds seemed insurmountable.
It was not until their company was tasked with tracking a band of marauding orcs that the men saw defeat and, unfortunately, the realization would prove devastating. In a crop of dense forest, their platoon was divided and ambushed. The men stood their ground and fought, but were overcome. During the bloodshed, when Sirius saw that there was no hope for success, he found his friend and the two escaped the onslaught.
The Sellsword
In the wake of the slaughter of their companions, Marin was overcome by guilt and embarrassment. Despite Sirius' efforts to console his friend, Marin began to drown his emotions with alcohol and succumbed to many other vices.
The pair traveled together, offering their services as mercenaries and bounty hunters. The latter of these two careers proved far more palatable and the need for such efforts had become more prolific, which meant profit for those capable of performing the task. Over time, the two made a name for themselves and, when not wandering from town to town, constabularies would send requests for their assistance.
A number of years passed and the success of the pair of bounty hunters became more widely known and with that reputation came the disdain of their competitors, as well as their quarry. Many attempts were made on their lives. All but one of these attempts were thwarted.
After a night of heavy celebration, following the completion of a particularly profitable contract, Marin retired to his room and Sirius to his. In the night, unknown assailants made their way into Sirius' chambers and assassinated him while he slept. It was not until the following morning that Marin became aware of what fate had befallen his only friend.
Again, Marin was thrown into a wallow of guilt and shame. He blamed himself for Sirius' death and thought himself incapable of finding those responsible, without his partner at his side. Instead, he saw his friend laid to rest and began to wander again, alone.
He took the odd job, from time to time. A meager amount of coin to track down a petty thief, or some drunkard with an overdue tab at a local tavern.
Myrken Wood
The Broken Dagger
Marin kept moving, either searching for his mark or on the lookout for the next contract that might afford him a night's rest in a bed, or a bottle or two of whiskey. Soon, he happened upon the town of Myrken Wood, a place that had built a reputation for the events that transpired therein and, in turn, the young bounty hunter came upon the Broken Dagger.
Though his knowledge of the establishment was limited, what he did know was that it sounded like a place he could get used to.
The images above; "Camus" is wholly owned and copyrighted by Jo Chen.
