Aelik Swiftthorne, Border Guard

Context

This character is an original creation. We often call these “homemades” or “homebrewed” – think home cooking or craft beer.

Many of these characters were created to take part in tabletop role-playing game sessions. Others were invented as a creative writing exercise, often as part of a community event.

This specific character was part of our Spring of 2015 Random Magical Character Creation event.

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More context

• This is the character at the beginning of his story, just after his origin.
• The ideas are interesting enough that I might do something with them, so didn’t want to fix any later stuff into his history.
• For the same reason I’ve kept it geographically undefined, and not tied it to any continuity.

Background

Powers & Abilities

As a Border Guard, Aelik has been gifted with protective enchantments.

• He’s warded to deflect magical and mundane attacks.
• He’s hard to knock off his feet, the better to stand his ground on the border.
• He can alter his appearance to seem human.
• He’s had his faerie vulnerability to iron suppressed, though not his learned aversion to it.

Naturally persuasive, Aelik also has a sharp mind, especially when it comes to solving puzzles and learning secrets.

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History

Never the most law-abiding of the faerie folk, Aelik Swiftthorne was far too interested in uncovering secrets and causing chaos for the liking of those in power. He especially drew the attention of Lawbinder Orin Glyphscar.

The Lawbinder, while not hostile, was determined Aelik should use his gifts in a productive manner.

When the borders between the faerie lands and those of man were weakened so that the faerie paths became passable even without a toll, Aelik was among those who slipped through to have a look. He was more subtle than most, and avoided the attention of the Border Guards.

Border Guard

Eventually his curiosity saw suspicion fall on him, though no evidence was discovered. The judiciary of faerie didn’t require evidence, and Orin Glyphscar took the opportunity to force Aelik into service.

Conscripted into the Border Guard, he replaced the previous investigator, without being told what befell his predecessor.

The Border Guards are seven faerie who travel to man’s world. Working alone, they search for faeries causing trouble, preferably before they become too loud. Once found, the Guardsman calls the Sentinels – fully armoured silent figures who may or may not be living beings – to capture the rogues.

Life on Earth

With little choice, Aelik made the best of it. Using resources he’d accrued during previous sojourns, he eschewed the usual Border Guard operational imperative of being a wandering vagrant and instead became a research folklorist, Warren Horne, buying a full background that fooled even the authorities.

The troublemakers had attracted enough attention to spread stories of fae among the modern humans. Enough that they were considered a threat by some (who admittedly seemed insane when declaiming such in public). It started a small movement among those studying such things, who followed reports of sightings: a perfect cover for his job.

Before he could settle into a routine, he was seized in his cover identity by military types. After a questioning of his interests, and a probing that failed to see through the Border Guard enchantments, he was recruited by the Incursion Investigation Command (nicknamed the Iron Corps).

Elements of the government had become aware of the faerie incursions. Seeing it as a potential invasion, they established a covert military operation to hunt down and determine the threat. John was one of a few research folklorists recruited to assist them.

Sooner having them where he could see them, and admittedly finding a perverse pleasure in playing with them under their noses, Aelik accepted the role, serving as advisor to Captain Sarah Edmunds’ unit.

He’s happily ensconced in the game, serving two masters (at least), and being disliked by pretty much everyone (Border Guards are not welcomed by most faerie) while searching out fascinating secrets, especially the truth behind what caused the breakdown in the barrier between worlds.

Description

His true form is taller and thinner than his human guise, ears and eyes notably angular enough to look not right. He generally has a slightly aloof, aristocratic bearing in either form.

When transforming to his faerie form, he’s wearing his Border Guard uniform, a mint green suit with black trim that makes him look more of an outdoorsman than he’s comfortable with. Attempts to wear something else last until he next changes to human and back, his uniform reappearing (probably only to irritate him).

Personality

Even-tempered and easy-going, Aelik is very personable, and can get along with most people. Even some of those who see past his slick exterior to the warmly mocking observer who subtly pushes everyone’s buttons. It’s seldom vindictive, more to see how people react. And occasionally due to boredom.

Much of what he does is to stave off the boredom of life in the faerie lands, and if things get too quiet he may covertly cause mayhem just to luxuriate in the chaos. Never things that would cause serious harm though, except maybe to those he strongly dislikes (a short list, to qualify for which takes some doing).

While outwardly chaffing at being forced into a law enforcement role, he’s actually content with the excitement and secrets it brings. He’s not dedicated to the role though, and has let slip some faeries who’re trying to live quiet lives away from the occasionally oppressive faerie lands.

Troublemakers are a different matter. While he feels an admitted kinship with them, he also sees them as a challenge. He’ll do what he can to corner them before calling in the Sentinels, while keeping everything as hidden as possible from the Iron Corps.

While his Border Guard status makes him immune to the effects of iron, he still has the ingrained reaction. As soon as he knows something is iron he has to overcome his fear to go near it, even if he was touching it fine before realising what it was.

Quotes

Lawbinder Orin Glyphscar: “You could be more.”
Aelik: “More charming ? More dashing ? I sincerely doubt that.”
Orin: “More right.”
Aelik: “I’m always right. From a certain perspective.”
Orin: “Not a perspective the rest of us share.”
Aelik: “It is, nevertheless, the right perspective. From where I’m standing.”

Cptn. Sarah Edmunds: “Remind me, exactly why do we keep you around ?”
Aelik (as Warren Horne): “Charm and wit. And the incursions I help you track down. What do you think I do with my time ?”
Sarah: “Chase some fairy tale or other.”
Aelik: “Sarah, you know my heart is set on your tale.”
Sarah: “That’s Captain Edmunds. And keep your mind off my tale.”

“Were it easy, you’d surely be doing it too. Though with less style.”

By Gareth Lewis.

Source of Character: Homemade.

Helper(s): The random magical character creation system, Darci.

Writeup completed on the 7^th of September, 2015.