Hayim Quicksmile the Irrepressible Spark of Irascibility

Role

Chapter 8

Sometimes, says Hayim, Elves forget that the gift of long life is just that,
a gift, and while it may bring great wisdom and knowledge, it often breeds an
unseemly hautiness, an arrogance that marrs the good name of Elves everywhere.
Somewhere, somewhen, long ago, a culture of formality and ici detachment became
the vogue for his people, and has remained ever since. It is tough to break from
the cultural inculcation, of that there can be no doubt, but it is not immutable.
Hayim is one of those "quirky" Elves, tolerated but not particularly welcomed by
his people. A quaint vulgarity, some called him. An amusing atavist, others.
But few fathers would welcome him to court their daughters. Few master craftsmen
would take him as an apprentice. Luckily though, the master at arms saw some
potential in Hayim and despite his early misgivings, found an apt pupil waiting
to be taught. And while Hayim's overly cheerful demeanor may have been oft-putting,
still, it was worth it to have such an avid student. And not merely a student
of arms, but of thought. Garrulous and jovial he may be, but Hayim did not lack
for smarts, and he took to the discussions of philosopy, morality, ethics and
freedom like a fish to water. The latter giving purpose to the former, giving
purpose to the weapon he might one day become. Hopefully, he will fulfil that promise...

Role

Chapter 7

Sometimes it takes an act, an event, something solid to crystalize a lifetime
of ideas or conjecture or belief. That day was today. Training at arms,
challenging the mind with philosophy of goodness and freedom, belief and
conviction, all came together today. Walking in Balator, an orphan screamed
and looking around, there was Vaeren, a dark elf, standing right beside her.
It's true what they say, that things happen both fast and slow, that you don't
think, but you do, in your heart, in your soul, when what had been a smoldering
coal, an ember, roars to life and burns hot like the sun. Quick steps were taken,
hands grasped weapons from sheaths, and in what seemed a blink of an eye, battle
to the death began. A viscious kick this assassin had, side still hurting, but
the years of training were not in vain and in two hours' time the dark elf was
dead, the small orphan girl safe. Not a happy feeling, to kill, for sure, but
a sense of rightness, of a task fulfilled. A path opened up, a path through life,
both in thought and in deed. The flames burned now, and would not be tamped
down. Life just got more interesting....

Role

Chapter 6

Today I watched someone who would be a brother, die. First time that's happened,
and while I know and knew it would, still, watching it has affected me deeply.
Enrai, a war priest of the fortress, graciously offered me some of his time so
that we might talk and he could hear about me and my desire to join with the Fortress.
We met at the entrance to the Fortress, and while we spoke, enemies came, one of
them a thief, the kingpin of Galadon who is also a tribunal. He knocked Enrai out
and began to bind him. I attempted to unbind him several times, only successful twice.
And before my eyes, the group of them slew Enrai. I was sick in the pit of my stomach,
and angry, too, at my inability to do more. But then, before much time passed, two
of my own enemies, a duerg and a black knight, came and attacked, two of them against
my one. I comported myself well enough, bringing the priest half to death, but in the
end, was forced to flee, with the timely aid of Padwei. Enrai's death sticks with
me now, deep in my gut, that feeling of helplessness and powerlessness vivid and raw.
Even more than before I believe the need for those who can rid thera of these dark
souls, prevent them from doing this wicked harm, is greater than ever, and these
events have stoked the fires inside to white hot intensity. It'll be me on the
ground many times, I'm sure, but hopefully it will be enough to make a difference
for Thera.

Role

Chapter 5

A terrible, terrible day. Not once but twice did a goodly soul kill another
lightwalker, before his very eyes. First, a villager, an elf, came and slew not
only the gnome mage he was traveling with, but then proceeded to slay Khamas,
a storm giant of the spire. And while Hayim thinks Khamas is unfortunately devoted
to a misguided pursuit (as is the villager), still he has light in his heart, and
to watch him fall to the villager elf was shocking and hurt him deeply.
But just when he thought things couldn't get worse, they did. What could be worse
than an elf slaying a storm giant you ask? A *maran* doing it! While later
traveling with Novik and Iunnrais, he watched as Novik made the mistake of tossing
blindness dust into the air. Unknown to him there was a trail ranger hiding in wait for
evil doers, and he jumped at novik for attacking him. But rather than flee, Novik
stayed and fought, and then could not flee, and then, horrorible as it is, the trail
ranger fell. Shaken to his core, he then watched as Novik seemed not to feel any
remorse. After prodding he offered an apology, and then went back to killing
frost giants to improve his martial skills, and grow in the guild. Hayim left, to
pray, for himself and for Novik. He found some peace, but he is still disturbed
from his sights and worries for the felar assassin. As a result of the day's events, he
has also learned a greater appreciation of the role of the acolytes. Quolencia was
very helpful, hopefully even more so to Novik.
There was also great gladness this same day, as Hayim managed to catch Iunna available
and had a good talk. But that's the subject of another chapter....

Role

Chapter 4

Twice now I've met with Iunna and twice now I've left feeling both inspired
and the wiser. She's refreshingly easy to talk to, almost need to keep
reminding myself that she's as far above us mortals as we are above tiny ants, and
equally capable of crushing us with the flick of a claw. But powerful as she
is to perform destruction, it's her greater power of enlightening and challenging
that has kept my fires hot and burning. I spent some time reading in her
library, and learning about the Navigators, and then discussed with her even more.
It's been difficult understanding everything, and putting it into practice, but
I feel I've made some progress. Life's not particularly easy, but it's not
impossible, either, especially the more I put my will to knowing all the things
that may be important or desired, and the very few things that are really, actually
necessary. And ensuring the latter result as necessary. It's an interesting
interplay with what some might call fate, or destiny, but I'm not one to fall into
that barrel. Burn hot enough and anything can be done. I've been watching
many and trying to learn from them, either good or ill, and hopefully it's making
an impact inside. We'll see. I look forward to discussing it more with Iunna.

Role

Chapter 3

Several times Hayim met with and spoke with Iunna, once with Haidoril as well. Each time Hayim felt
both better and more comfortable with his path, though at the same time always seeing more to delve into.
Life continues whether he's thinking or sleeping or fighting or eating though, and so events came
and went, some good, some bad, but all helping him get a better grasp on both navigating the flames,
and settling into his role as a maran of the fortress. A deep distrust of thieves, something he's had since
he was young, continues to persist, especially after one of the fortress stole from him, causing some
trouble. The matter passed, but it did nothing to help his disklike for the entire guild.
Later, and after much thought and talk, a great, great day came. Hayim became one of Iunna's special
friends, and was gifted (cursed?) with a scar on his cheek, the incarnadine spiral. Though he'd
of course always hoped he'd live up to her expectations, still it was both surprising and humbling.
Invigorating, too! He works now to make all his deeds and words worthy of her, of the poetry of action
and speech that she deserves. It's a hot fire inside that molds these things, but it's a lifetime's worth
of experience needed to make them better and better. Finally, his now brother Haidoril's been made
Marshall and already things are getting better, though Hayim continues to make stupid mistakes
sometimes. Hopefully the former will continue and the latter will not! Either way, what's important
now is three things: a) Improve his fighting and leading skills as a maran, to be helpful to Haidoril.
b) Continue stoking the fires inside so that despite any set backs he remains steadfast and true to
himself and his best friend Iunna. And c) Remember to brush his teeth every day!

Skill List

Role

Chapter 2

The nexuns came this day, many times. People fell, on both sides. The growing dislike of them
reached a crest and now Hayim has a true anger at them. He doesn't just strike them anytime, but
it doesn't take much. They took and kept the Orb as well, which particularly upset him.
The years are taking their toll on him, he's still very freespirited and generally happy, but
experience is tamping that somewhat gleeful, maybe innocent? part of him down. When he was young
he hadn't a thought of anyone he couldn't like (that wasn't dark, of course). But now, the list just
keep growing, and when he stops to think about it, it saddens him. But it's possible his actions
from time to time will be closer to the edge than before, as the belief that those that attack the
fortress and good folk in general can't be allowed to do so without consequence. He's very committed
to not crossing the line, to forfeiting what he's pledged, but at the same time he's not so willing to
shrug off the attacks by those he'd never have hunted before.
Hopefully those misguided ones will wake and have the darkness lifted from their eyes!

Role

Chapter 1

There are times when even the most basic decisions, things you'd never think to question,
are in fact questioned. Things happen, beliefs are challenged, actions are taken, and thoughts arise.
This happened to Hayim. Without getting into detail, he watched as comrade of the fortress, a scribe,
watched as Hayim fell, did nothing to help, did nothing to gather his things, just plain did nothing.
Why? For fear of the spirelings. For fear of being wanted by them and thus hunted.
Hayim wasn't angry about dying - well of course he was, as it was a mistake on his part that killed him,
completely forgetting that the manacles would sequester him! - or losing the things (except his
pointer of course!), but rather that one of the fortress was paralyzed by fear. Everyone knows and has
fear, but when it becomes so strong as to hold someone back from doing the right thing, well...
Hayim took much time, discussing with his best friend Iunna and also the cardinal and prophet both.
And he thought about it himself, at great length. Because, at heart, he has the integrity to know
that if he cannot live with those who would believe the same as he does on the core issues, then
he can't live with them, much as it would hurt him, and how much he'd sacrifice to go alone.
But, thankfully, the reverse happened.
The thinking, the talking, the living and watching and doing, brought him new insight, one that's
bound him perhaps even tighter to the fortress and his maran and acolyte and squire and scribe family.
He accepts that it's his job to teach those how to cope with fear. How to juse their judgment when
faced with difficult decisions. How to know when to let their fires rage and burn in a glorious explosion
of action, or to let them burn slowly, intensely, inside, waiting a better opportunity for action.
Leaving the Fortress would have been a great mistake, he sees that now, and understands his life is
inextricably intertwined with it, for whatever may come, and if bad things happen, he'll just have
to figure out ways to prevent them again, or fix them after. Probably not easy, and he's probably
going to make plenty of mistakes, but he'll be damned to an eternity without Iunna's fine smooth whiskey
before he'll give up!

Immortal Comments

Immortal Comments

PK Gank-O-Meter

PK Statistics

Skill List

Title History

PK Wins

PK Wins

PK Deaths

Leveling History

Timeline

Mob Deaths

Edges