Cryptomancer (The Character)

[cryptomancer]

~Physical Description~

 

Cryptomancer is human, male, about 6'. Deep brown eyes express most of his emotions to those he speaks to, as does a ready smile. He always appears clean shaven, face and head. In public he is seldom seen without the deep hood of his blue black cape covering his face, the rest of the cape enfolding him making it appear more like a cleric’s robe.

Physically, Cryptomancer is medium build, with a large tattoo covering most of his upper torso. The tattoo is magically produced and grows as his skill in the art increases.

 

He is able to take two alternate forms, a raven being the most common. This ability is based on the study of the art of cryptomancy.

The raven is a gift of the second discipline of cryptomancy.

The fourth discipline of the art gave rise to the form known as 'Ego'. Ego is a 15' winged shadow. It has been said that this form is demonic in origin, but never proved. This form is seldom seen, and mostly used in warfare.

 

The art of cryptomancy is based upon five disciplines. Matter, life, energy, magic, and truename. Cryptomancer is researching the fifth discipline, and will complete it when he discovers his own 'truename'. This quest is the reason that he is known by title only.

 

Editted by Katz for Search-compliant formatting.

Edited September 11, 2006 by cryptomancer

[cryptomancer]

~Abilities~

 

Much of his youth was spent within the seclusion of a monastery, training in the arts of meditative awareness and the fighting arts that accompanied them. His time there is seldom spoken of, as are his reasons for leaving.

 

Meditation was the single greatest skill that he learned, it serves him in times of stress to calm himself, and allows him to enforce a level of control over himself, and his emotions, that leave most people that meet him with the view that he is distant, almost cold by nature.

 

Meditation also gives him insights into his future, and his visions are most commonly his only guide in his on going quest. It was these visions that caused him to leave the sanctuary that was his home, and the same visions that guided his path to the art of cryptomancy that now controls his existence.

 

Cryptomancer is skilled in unarmed combat, as well as the use of sticks, staff and most knives and swords. His weapon of choice is a katana, but he carries also a number of smaller knives, and more recently a set of carved rattan sticks, a gift from Mynx.

 

Skilled in bush craft, and natural lore, his ability to survive in the wilds is not dependant on magic.

These skills are combined with a range of tracking and concealment skills found in those trained as assassins.

 

 

Editted by Katz for Search-compliant formatting.

Edited December 18, 2004 by Katzaniel

[cryptomancer]

~Magical Abilities~

 

Magical skills on first appearance seem minor, most judge him as a warrior that has a passing proficiency in magic. The true depth of his skill in through the gifts of his chosen art.

 

Cryptomancy first circle. Control of matter. This ability enables the mental control and manipulation of any matter to which the rune of control is known. Finding the symbol required is a meditative process that can take a few seconds to a few days depending on the complexities of the substance. Most pure substances are able to be controlled easily, and with time any substance can be learned fully. The volume of matter that can be controlled is limited to only a few cubic meters, but this to is dependant on the complexities of the substance.

 

Cryptomancy second circle. Control of life. This ability gives control over most animals and plants in a similar manner to simple enchantments do. The intelligence of the animal or plant will restrict the level of control. Most non sentient creatures are easily controlled, but no control can be gained over any creature that is sentient in any form.

 

Cryptomancy third circle. Control of Energy. The ability to control raw energy, electric, gravity, heat, cold, etc... Powerful enough to use in many applications, as long as the energy is available to be used, The energy cannot be created, there must be potential for it to occur. ie a fire, ice, the correct climatic conditions for lightening. However even a small amount may be magnified to devistating levels.

 

Cryptomancy fourth circle. Control of magic. This ability enables the casting of any known spell but the use of a single symbol, the rune of power is learned as the spell is learned and gives the same effect as if it were cast by a mage. The key difference is the ability to control the timing of conditions of the spell taking effect. The drawing of the rune is accompanied by a arcane chant giving the specific trigger for the spell. For example, a rune of power for a spell of teleport placed on a door can be set to trigger the spell if the door is opened, closed, knocked upon in a certain way, broken down, or simply touched. Once the spell is activated the rune dissipates.

Use of Magic circles. Magic circles are circuits of five or less runes written within a circle. Once five are combined the runes become permanent and can be reused without being recast. A rune within a circle is activated if the circle is entered over the position of the rune. So five different runes can be used for different effects depending on how the circle is entered. A single rune controls the whole circle, two runes control half each, three a third each and so on to a maximum of five runes. Spell casting abilities of the fourth circle rival most high level mages.

 

Cryptomancer is also able to shape shift to two other forms, a raven, and a shadow being. The shadow and his human form are able to be used at the same time, the shadow appearing as a very independant shadow of the human form, and able to act on its own to a limited degree. The shadow gains full size and ability when it is used on its own, otherwise it is fully controled by the human form.

 

Editted by Katz for Search-compliant formatting.

Edited September 11, 2006 by cryptomancer

[cryptomancer]

~Items~

 

Cryptomancer carries with him a katana, a set of fighting sticks, a variety of smaller bladed weapons, and a hunting knife. His cape contains insets for a variety of smaller objects that he prefers to keep on his person. These include a silver wand with which he writes and a variety of parchments and books.

 

He recently acquired the pendant of canla the silver tongued and wears this around his neck on a silver chain.

 

 

Editted by Katz for Search-compliant formatting.

Edited December 18, 2004 by Katzaniel