Rolen
From Himitsu no Sensou
Contents |
[edit] Summary
Rolen was once brilliant, popular, and the center of the religious world. The pride of the City of Light, loved and admired by all, groomed to be a Guardian of the Altar, he lived a charmed life. However, after his confidence lead him to believe he could start a spiritual revival in Atsiria, Rolen was sent to the city of Taleth, where everything crashed. Rolen has become a bitter, self-pitying, self-important drunk, and is too ashamed to even return home. His desperate lifestyle -- and the tireless Lady Justine of House Ysak -- have lead him down dark paths that could possibly cost him his priesthood.
[edit] Basics
Name: Rolen
Age: 31
Birthdate: May 15 [Taurus]
Blood Type: B
Languages: Trade [fluent], Megam [fluent, but rusty], Old Megam [fluent, but rusty], High Megam [fluent, but rusty], Old High Megam [very good, but rusty], Atsirian [fluent]
Country: Megam, but has been in Atsiria for over a decade
Class: High Priest (Prepromoted)
Weapons of Choice: Is very skilled though somewhat rusty in wind magic. Also has small knowledge of fire and lightning.
Mount Name: n/a
[edit] History
His childhood was bright. A middleclass young man, bright, industrious, talented, pleasant, and most of all, pious, burning with the fervor of the Dragons' blessing upon him. His parents and neighbours were astounded at how he touched hearts, at how he quoted scripture, at how he said prayers that could pull them all in, at how he memorized hymns with ease, at how he began to learn healing with an old weak staff without even training. The church was clearly his calling, and he was placed in it when he was 13.
He rose to the challenge. He trainined hard through his acolyte term, dazzled all who watched with his impressive skills, rose high in the ranks. All loved him, none could resist his silver-tongued preaching. He could make any prayer into an enchanting tale, turn any Scripture reading into wisdom as precious as water. There were high hopes for him.
He became a priest and rose quickly in the ranks, to high priest, to chaplain of the churches in Lucre, higher, higher, higher, until he was in the running to be one of the Guardians of the Altar, those with the highest positions of respect and power in Megam.
However, humble and gracious as ever, he refused this posting, willing instead to obtain a Chaplain's Licsence, and go to the wandered sheep of Atsiria, the kingdom who didn't feel the fire, light, and passion of the Dragons' teachings the way that all should. With bright eyes and bright hopes, he headed to the sands of Atsiria to bright enlightenment and faith back to their peoples.
And thus, Rolen's perfect, charmed life crashed ungracefully to a messy end.
Not only did Atsirians not find him engaging, not only did they not want to listen to his preaching, not only was his church more often than not barren of all congregation, those who did listen said that he was a zealot, and almost as funny as he was annoying. He persisted against all odds, unable to understand why they weren't rising up around him singing praises as those back home had, but time wore on, and as he was shown nothing but neglect and vague annoyance, the holy fire began to dim from Rolen's eyes, until finally, it went out.
Now he spends his days in his office. Reading. And wishing someone, anyone, would come and listen to him preach. He refuses to go back to Megam. That would be admitting defeat, and while he never saw it at the time, his brilliant, charmed youth had made him proud, too proud, and with his pride bruised as it is, he's afraid he can't take the final blow.
[edit] Personality
As a young man, Rolen was passionate, bright, helpful, kind, irresitably charismatic, and all but impossible to dislike by all but the jealous.
Now, the best word to describe to describe him would be bitter, followed by disillusioned, some whiney, lots of self-pity, and a fair helping of desperate. The man offers secret western weddings just to try and get them into his church, come on. But mostly, bitter. He complains at everything, thinks the world hates him, rarely smiles.
He's picked up a drinking habit as his days have gotten worse, although he's horrendously embarrased by it and tries his best to hide it.
His pride prevents him from asking for help from anyone, with anything. He also utterly loathes admitting to mistakes of any kind.
More than ANYTHING, he wants to go home, to see his parents, his friends, his followers, but he cannot admit defeat. His childhood made him superior, arrogant, and self-important, and he refuses to return home as a failure. And so, in a forgotten corner of Atsiria, trying to bring about the spiritual revival he dreamed of as a youth, he stays.
[edit] Relationships
Blaine, father, encouraging and supportive.
Orisia, mother, encouraging and supportive.
Kerrik, one of his closest friends in his younger years, who he had assumed died long ago.
Mallorie, one of his closest friends in his younger years, who he had assumed hadn't.
Mulcahy, who viewed him as a rival in their younger years.
Eron, who he enjoyed a professional but friendly relationship with.
Freya, who was made a Guardian in his place, and who he is exceptionally bitter towards.
Justine, with who he has a complicated relationship and whose roles include but are not limited to object of temptation, partner in crime, and (grudging) friend.
Calaith, who refuses to leave him alone and Rolen is perpetually bemused and/or annoyed by.
Melyndra, who he despises.
[edit] Appearance
Rolen has unkempt blond hair and blue eyes. He's of average height and is somewhat thin due to poor eating habits. The lines of weariness show in his face, and he's permanently wearing the same flat, scowling expression, although he tries to put on the dazzling, bright smile of his younger years for guests. When they come. Which is very rare.
[edit] Quotes
- "do they even have permission to build that thing? it's causing an awful racket. I can't concentrate."
- "I suppose it's too much to have hoped that he may have returned home. choices made in reckless times thanks to delusions of grandeur are difficult to turn back on. it's a blow to pride, after all. no one wants their pride injured, even when they know they're wrong. kerrik had a great deal of pride."
[edit] Other
Rolen's journal is located at duskofdawn. He is played by Rosa and is PB'd by Orpheus from Meine Lieb.
Categories: Characters | Megam | Clergy | Atsiria
