Malthak the Master of Melody

Role

Chapter 1

Malthak wandered, looking for his childhood home in the jungle. When he did
find it, he was attacked on sight. He had truly become an outcast.

By chance or perhaps instinct, Malthak came upon the arial night-reaver.
The arial spoke of feeding the Ancients, and asked whether he, Malthak, had
brought them proper sacrifices. Then he was gone. Malthak has not seen him
since.

Still, he felt something stir inside him in that encounter, and he has
decided to learn more of the Ancients and the outlanders.

Role

Chapter 2

AUTHORITY
Malthak has a problem with authority. One thing that is sure to set him on
fire, is telling him what to do, or what he shouldn't do.

He actively opposes organizations with a clear hierarchical structure. Any
persons associated with the Blood Tribunal or the Empire he views as his
personal enemies.

DESIRE
Malthak finds romantic notions pathetic and naive. While he sometimes is
physically attracted towards the opposite sex, he finds the pleasure gained
from a union too temporary to actively pursue it. He is repulsed by displays
of greed and may take offensive action towards them.

ETIQUETTE
Being polite was beaten into Malthak from an early age. Now that he can
choose himself, he much prefers to be blunt. Occasionally, he may utilize
politeness in a deceptive way, if he thinks it will help him or to be blunt
afterwards to a greater effect.

COMPASSION and COOPERATION
Occasionally, Malthak will be abusive of those that seek his aid, but most
of the time they will merely be ignored. Alliances can be formed if to
mutual benefit, but he always expects such to be very temporary.

Role

Chapter 3

For a year or two after his flight from Galadon, Malthak lived as an
outcast traveling with rogues and bandits. His companions murdered for gold
and silver, but Malthak wanted none of it. Each time he saw a coin, he
remembered Athellon saying 'This is what makes the world go round, boy. Do
your piece and you might get some one day... Har, that'll be the day, boy.'

Instead he simply wanted to vent his rage. To be in control, to be the one
with the stick. But however many victims he tormented with shrill sounds
or watched getting beaten by his companions, his rage and self-loathing did
not diminish. He tried to survive on his own in the wilds, but was sorely
lacking as a hunter and hated himself for it, vaguely remembering his
childhood in the jungle.

Only music offered a temporary respite. He especially liked the sad
songs. The pain and loss he expressed when performing them lessened his
own. Still, he felt he lacked direction. He wanted to distance himself as
much as possible from his youth in Galadon.

But it is one thing to know what you are running from. Another, entirely,
to know where you are heading.

Role

Chapter 4

Malthak's parents lived on the western outskirts of MalThrakis, where
the thin-blooded dwelled. Looked upon with disdain by the pure bloods,
their serpentine nature was less pronounced. Rumor would even have it
that humans somehow had entered the bloodline in the not so distant past.

Still, it came as a shock when Malthak was born. His skin was without
scales and he had hair above his eyes! His father was afraid of the
freak and resolved to have it offered to the Mother of Darkness.

Strangely enough, one of the priestesses allowed his mother to keep
Malthak, saying that the scaleless one was a sign of their weakness
and it would serve to remind them to have it wander the outskirts.

Malthak grew up as any other headhunter child, but he was constantly
reminded of his freakish nature, being the usual victim of cruel jests
and wicked games among the young.

And he was strange, not only to look at, but also being longer to
mature. At the age of ten he was small compared to his kinsman and
might even pass for a human child.

Perhaps that is why Athellon took him back to Galadon, not recognizing
his true heritage. The Serpent is in his blood, though, even if it
lies dormant. Now, at the age of 17, some of its features are more
pronounced than when he was a child. Perhaps one day it will rise and
claim him fully.

Role

Chapter 5

Athellon liked to visit the local taverns when not on duty and Malthak
always looked forward to these visits. He wasn't beaten (until after
Athellon got home and drunkenly found something not to his liking) and he
enjoyed the music of the many bards and minstrels entertaining the crowds.
Indeed, when he (locked in naturally) mended Athellon's tribunal outfit he
liked to sing the songs he had heard in the taverns to himself.

For five years, he labored, got educated in a fashion, and found it harder
and harder to recollect his childhood in the jungle. On the outside he had
grown obedient and when he was beaten by Athellon it was more out of habit,
than any real frustration with his conduct. Indeed, Athellon was mightily
pleased that the jungle boy had grown into a civilized man.

But under Malthak's calm surface, hate and frustration boiled and kept
looking for an outlet. One late night after a particularly drunken
tavern crawl, Athellon found some fault with the boy and proceeded to
beat him yet again. However, this time Malthak let out a howl of such
rage and fury that it stunned Athellon. Malthak was slim, barely a man,
and Athellon was a powerful soldier in his prime. Yet, somehow a still
howling Malthak managed to overpower his tormentor and stab him several
times with his own dagger.

Athellon lay on the floor lifeless. Perhaps he would wake, perhaps he
would be granted another chance by his gods, but for now, Malthak was
free to act. For a moment, he was at loss. Should he pack his few
belongings? Steal some of Athellon's? Even help the man? After a few
moments of hesitation he decided there was _nothing_ he wanted from this
house. He knocked over the candles on the living table and sprinted from
the house and didn't stop until he had passed the city gates.

Role

Chapter 6

Malthak comes from the village of MalThrakis. At the age of ten he was
abducted by a group of adventurers killing headhunters. Malthak was
watching one of the headhunters of his tribe waiting to attack the
adventurers, and due to the shock of the easy defeat of the hunter from his
tribe he forgot to conceal himself and was spotted by the adventurers.

One of the adventurers, Athellon, a childless warrior in his thirties,
decided to capture the boy and take him to his home in Galadon. His reasons
were not known to Malthak, but later on he would often be informed what a
great chance he had been bestowed for becoming a civilized person, instead
of a witless jungle rut.

Malthak grew up as the man servant of Athellon. He was taught the
importance of manners, of keeping a clean house and being obedient and not
speak his mind. Most often, a heavy stick or the belt of Athellon proved
the best teacher.

Athellon worked as a special guard for the Blood Tribunal, a work he took
much pride in. He would lecture Malthak on how necessary the tribunal was,
how the city prospered due to the order imposed by the Tribunal and how
proud Malthak should be to work for an important man such as Athellon.

The first couple of years Malthak tried to run off, but he was always found
before he escaped the city and beaten severely. Eventually, he learned to do
what pleased Athellon, but deep inside he wanted to rebel, and hated
himself for not being able to do it.

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