Player Name: Dee
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ethernet
Contact: AIM- afterwits,![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
afterwit
Character Number: One!
Character: Thassarian
Source: World of Warcraft
Appearance: Thassarian is roughly 6 feet tall, and is built like one might expect from a person who grew up on hard labor and sword fighting. He's not exactly RIPPED LIKE A BODY BUILDER- his musculature tends to be a bit more toward functional than showy, and he's slightly broad in the shoulders. I tend to think he also has white hair on his arms, chest, and back. And legs. He's kinda hairy.
Probably his most distinguishing feature would be his eyes- they glow white-blue and though it's hard to spot his iris in them, you can definitely tell when he's looking at you. He has two tattoos on his face, one over each eye, that are light purple. ALSO HE HAS A BEARD. And his light grey hair always needs a brushing. If he really cared about it anyone, I'm sure he'd clean up alright. He just. Doesn't. Care. There is a large, deep, scar on his chest and abdomen- one that is slightly uneven and never quite healed right.
Link 1, Official Art // Link 2, Game Screenshot (Current Armor)
History: Thassarian was born in Lordaeron, on the Northern side of the Eastern Kingdoms. His father, Killoren was a lesser war hero from the Second War, and owned a small farm in Tirisfal. Before the opening of the Death Knight graphic novel, Killoren was dead, and Thassarian was living with his mother, Vivian, and younger sister, Leryssa. He was a farmer, but also was a soldier- during non-war times, there was no reason for him to neglect his duties at home. He was meticulous about learning what he could to be a good soldier, and dreamed of being an officer in Lordaeron's army. Thassarian had heard of the undead plague spreading in the lands to the East, but at his home, it seemed like a distant threat that Leryssa teased him for being worried over.
During a review for officers, Thassarian shows his technical skill with swords, but also shows that all of his skill is merely textbook- he is denied a promotion and told that he doesn't have the capability to think on his feet and break from what he has learned.
Two days later, Thassarian is called to serve as a soldier, and travels with the other soldiers accompanying Prince Arthas Menethil to the frozen lands of Northrend. There, the soldiers encountered numerous undead. They didn't find what Arthas had been searching for- though none of them were told exactly what that was. When the reports came that they were to be recalled to Lordaeron, they found their ships being burned- Arthas telling them it was at the hands of the undead that were attacking. The soldiers fought alongside Arthas, and the Prince disappeared again.
The survivors waited, but Thassarian decided to set out to find where Arthas had disappeared to. He spent days wandering the icy wastes of Dragonblight, until he found a cave, and saw Arthas's mace laying in the snow on the ground. His Captain, Falric, appeared, and informed Thassarian of the truth- Arthas had ordered their ships burned to strand them in Northrend. Falric then killed Thassarian, and Thassarian was raised to unlife as a Death Knight of the Scourge.
Many days later, Arthas's new undead army returned to Lordaeron. They stormed the capitol, and Arthas killed his father, the king. Arthas had sensed weakness, hesitation in Thassarian, and when he saw Thassarian's mother, Vivian, he ordered her dragged before Thassarian, and orders him to kill her. He hesitated, but finally gave in to his master's will- unable to do anything but follow Arthas's command- and beheaded his own mother.
The undead pressed on, marching north into the elven lands of Quel'thalas. Thassarian led a small troop after an object that would allow them to disable the enchanted elfgates that prevented the army from marching through. The elves fought him, and he nearly killed Koltira's brother, Faltora. He hesitated, again, and the two escape- though Faltora met his end at the hands of a large undead abomination. Thassarian took their prize, and returned to Arthas. As he wandered the forests later, he was attacked by Koltira, who says he felt there was still good in Thassarian, and asked him to join his side in the battle. Thassarian declined, because he couldn't betray Arthas's hold on him, but let Koltira escape.
The next day, the undead army attacked, and the gates did not hold, thanks to Thassarian's work the previous day. He encounters Koltira again, and fights him this time. After laming him, Koltira bitterly told him that he should kill him, and damn his soul for doing so. Thassarian was keenly reminded of his mother, begging for her life, but drove his sword through Koltira's chest.
The undead, bolstering their numbers with the newly fallen- including Koltira- returned to Northrend. There they trained, preparing for a battle against the living. Though it was not shown in the graphic novel, Arthas and his forces were attacked by Illidan and his new ally Kael'thas (the prince of Quel'thalas), though Arthas was victorious.
Finally, the order came to ship out, and the undead traveled to the Eastern Kingdoms. They were sent to attack the town of New Avalon, and Koltira was captured. Thassarian sent a Death Knight recruit after him, and the undead finally attacked Light's Hope Chapel, where his father's remains had been buried. The Scourge forces where driven back, and Thassarian was visited by the ghost of his father. His father's spirit spoke to him, and as Arthas's hold on him is broken, it finally settled on him that he had killed his own mother. Thassarian collapsed to his knees, and wept.
With Arthas's control on them broken, those freed Death Knights reformed themselves as Knights of the Ebon Blade. Thassarian and Koltira spoke, and he stated that he still considered Koltira to be a friend. Thassarian was then sent to speak with the king of the Alliance- Varian Wrynn- and earned the dubious honor of being the first Death Knight to return to the Alliance.
Thassarian, as an Alliance soldier now, traveled to Northrend and enlisted among the forces there. An old family friend of his, William Allerton, recognized him, and sent word to Leryssa that Thassarian was not actually dead. As Thassarian was fighting the undead, Leryssa arrived and began to ask about him. Thassarian was recalled and sent on what would end up being a suicide mission- the officer who sent him on the mission was actually an undead elf, and San'layn, in disguise, and loyal to Arthas.
Most of Thassarian's squad was killed by the undead, and Thassarian raised a corpse into his service, calling him "Lurid". Thassarian managed to capture and control an undead Lich. With help, Thassarian was able to infiltrate the necropolis of Naxxanar. He arrived just in time to rescue Leryssa, who had been taken as a captive, and killed the San'layn. With Leryssa safe, he promised to return to her, though he doubted that he could.
Thassarian served the Alliance military in the assault on Icecrown Citadel, and was instrumental in helping to disrupt both undead and Cult of the Damned activity. After Arthas was defeated, Thassarian returned from Northrend.
The next time he was seen was in the town of Andorhal, fighting against the Horde-loyal undead Forsaken, and the Scourge. With Koltira leading the Forsaken, Thassarian was hesitant to attack him. They two struck a bargain that they would wait until the Scourge was dealt with before assaulting each other’s’ forces. Unknown to Thassarian, the Queen of the undead, Sylvanas, had grown tired of Koltira waiting to attack, and ordered Val’kyr to attack the Alliance forces. Thassarian, leading a militia of mostly untrained farmers, decidedly lost the battle. Knowing that Koltira would never go to such lengths and knowing Sylvanas had done something to him, Thassarian left behind the remains of Lurid and set off to start his work rescuing Koltira. The story ends there, but it has been confirmed that the Knights of the Ebon Blade have been observing the situation closely. I tend to think that Thassarian alerted them, first, and was given orders to not act.
Timeline: Roughly one month post-Andorhal, prior to the Firelands invasion.
Personality: Thassarian is a man whose life has been shaped in three parts- his life, his time in the Scourge, and his freedom. He is, first and foremost, a soldier. Fighting is what he knows, and he does it well. He has complicated feelings about leadership, but is starting to understand what would make him an effective one. He speaks plainly, and he is kind, for a Death Knight. He carries within him a deep sense of guilt and sadness, and is trying to find his place among the living. Those that he has grown comfortable around will find he hasn't entirely lost his old sense of sarcasm. As he grew up a farmer, he was never exactly formally educated- don't expect him to debate philosophy with you except for his gut feelings on things. He can be crude, at times, owing to his simple background and time spent in the company of other soldiers. Thassarian believes that most people have good in them and can be redeemed- he wouldn't be here if not for that.
In life, Thassarian was kind and friendly. He bickered with his sister a bit, but loved her as his only sibling. He greatly admired and idolized his father, wanting nothing more than to follow in Killoren's footsteps and become a soldier, a hero. He was hopeful, if not a bit idealistic. He had great respect for Arthas, the crown prince of Lordaeron. Thassarian was definitely the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, as it were. Thassarian never took a wife, despite being well of age to marry- stating that it would be irresponsible to marry with the Horde on the move. He dreamed of becoming an officer in Lordaeron's army, and this was nearly the only thing he seemed motivated to chase. It deeply hurt when he was told he didn't have the capacity to think on his feet, to improvise, and was told he would always be a follower, and never a leader. He trusted Arthas almost blindly, almost jumping at the chance to leave with him for Northrend. When Thassarian finally does display that he is capable of making decisions for himself, without orders, he was killed.
During his years of service to the Scourge, Thassarian was nearly ruthless, loyal to Arthas, but not unwaveringly so. Arthas had sensed within him hesitation, weakness. He does hesitate to kill- first, he does not immediately kill his mother, though he does finally do so at Arthas' command. The second time he nearly shows mercy is in killing Faltora, Koltira's brother. The final time, he does not immediately strike down Koltira himself, despite having broken his leg and rendering him helpless. The latter two occasions deeply remind him of his mother, begging for her own life. Otherwise, he shows the same stoicism that other Death Knights show in service to the Scourge. I honestly feel that he, and the other Scourge, were numbed to their own crimes during this time- how else can someone be expected to murder women and children and feel no remorse for it?
Koltira Deathweaver, however, is a strange exception to the normal course a Death Knight might take for their brothers in arms. When Koltira is captured, Thassarian send the player to rescue him, stating that "in death, we are brothers" when questioned about this show of apparent weakness by another Death Knight. Despite being Koltira's killer, the two are as close to friends as undead might be. Though they are both eventually "redeemed", I feel they both have an understanding about the other, and the horrors they lived through in their service to Arthas. Their friendship defies the fact that they both are meant to be "enemies", having chosen to serve two opposing factions. It is through both his hesitation and his caring for Koltira that he clings to the man he once was.
To bring these two phases of Thassarian's life together, I approach his redemption- and the breaking of Arthas' hold over him. The realization, coming from his father's spirit, that he had murdered his own mother, caused him to collapse into tears when the gravity of what he had done finally settled on him. Thassarian came away from the battle for Light's Hope with a renewed faith in the good of people, and the ability to move beyond their crimes and devote themselves to what is just. He is hardly a zealot, but after seeing the power of the Light, and how it broke Arthas' control over him, he does carry within him a bit of faith, of hope. He accepts that he must move forward, and atone for the sins he has committed.
Ever the soldier, Thassarian devotes himself once again to the crown. When he is given a chance to lead a squadron, he is shocked at the honor, and humbled, but he foolishly doesn't realize that it's a set-up. He protects those under his charge as much as he can, and would rather place himself in danger than anyone else. He is kinder than many Death Knights, and even occasionally smiles and professes that he has faith in the player who undertakes his quests.
In one such questline, he and the player rescue his sister, Leryssa, from the undead. He still cares deeply for his sister, and though he professes that he will return home to her, even he doubts that he truly can, at the end of the comic. Thassarian was keenly aware that his kind do not belong among the living- though he does not shy away from interacting with them.
After Arthas' death, Thassarian found himself in a strange position. He could not return to his sister, who he still deeply cared for, but his ultimate goal of Arthas' death had been reached. He devoted himself to the only thing he knew- war. Finding himself in Andorhal, he was hesitant to engage the Horde forces when he knew they were being led by Koltira. He struck a bargain with Koltira, joking with him like an old friend but knowing full well that his actions were considered treason. I feel that Thassarian did wish to win the battle for Andorhal, but not at the expense of betraying his brother in arms. Ultimately, at the end of the questline, after Koltira is taken, he shows his true colors- Thassarian's loyalties lie beyond the Alliance and Horde. He is determined not to be a mindless servant, or a blind follower again.
Abilities: Thassarian is a strong, skilled melee fighter, who fights with two swords. As a Death Knight, his specialization is Frost (his NPC in a daily zone of Cataclsm used skills only available to Frost Death Knights), with a few changes. I'm not going to rattle them off, but I will give a brief overview.
Melee Abilities
Thassarian can hit with both a very strong "regular" attack, and also enchant his strikes to do frost damage. He is skilled with swords, having received training with no other weapons. He wields two two-handed swords, but can fight with only one sword and a shield, as well. He is a technically skilled fighter- having trained from his childhood.
Frost Abilities
His attacks chill his enemies, slowing them. He can force a blast of ice at someone, and can freeze his own body to make his attacks stronger and cause him to take less damage. He can force the warmth out of the ground itself, freezing his foes in place.
Minions/Diseases/Etc
Unlike most player-created Frost Death Knights, Thassarian can reanimate remains into a permanent companion. He is able to control the undead, to a small degree, though I don't intend to use this ability too much with regard to players.
He also carries within him the same plague that causes undeath, but it able to mostly control and weaponize it, if need be.
Not exactly a power, but as can be inferred by quests with other undead, I feel it would be safe to assume that Thassarian speaks the language of the Scourge- simply called the "language of death". He also has an undead warhorse, Dusk, that he can summon to ride.
Inventory: Swords and armor, including the plain clothes he wears under his armor. I will be basing his armor's appearance off of his Catcylsm model, and not his Wrath of the Lich King one. Otherwise, he carries nothing with him, save for a modest pouch of gold, flint to make fire, and a half-empty bottle of whiskey in his pack.
Prose Sample: Koltira would no doubt call him an idiot, and perhaps he was, in many ways. He knew, certainly, that Koltira was more skilled than he was in intellectual pursuits- Thassarian’s knowledge was always far more practical. He had grown up in the earthy lands of Tirisfal, and his life was meant to be simple. He had no need to know politics, only to trust in a Prince that had only spoken to him very briefly. The realm of knowledge, of heavy books and the like, were reserved for kings.
He wasn’t entirely ignorant. But he could hardly recount histories other than the tales of the Second War he had read- histories that were real to him. Certainly, he had known there was more out there, but stories of dragons and creatures far from the lands of Lordaeron were never something to concern himself with. Some might think him simple, and he felt no bitterness for that. It was just the way of things.
He could still recall Vivian’s patient voice, as they sat at the table in their small house. Candles that were precious and few burned long after the day’s work was done, and her fingers traced the outlines of the alphabet that made up their language as she taught him the symbols so he would know how to read. She was ever patient with him.
"Thass, one more time."
"The Alliance armies led by Sir Anduin Lothar...Uther the Lightbringer...and Admiral Daelin Proudmoore pushed the orcs south..."
These names, these heroes, were what he had grown up knowing.
They, and his father, were what he aspired to be.
Journal Sample:
[He peers down into the mirror, frowning slightly and his eyes glowing. When he speaks, his voice echoes slightly, cold, and almost emotionless.]
Name's Thassarian, of Lordaeron, if that means anything to anyone here. I'm not exactly sure where I am...some help with that would be appreciated. I'm not sure what we're meant to do here, but I'll do whatever is needed to help. In another life, I was a farmer, but I don't think I can make anything grow, anymore...I could mend a fence, though, if you need that.
[A slight quirk at his lips, also as if half a smile is there.]
I have other skills- my swords, should it come down to that.
[And he nods, right back to business.]
If there's anyone from the Alliance or the Ebon Blade here, I'd like to know.
[He looks away, running a hand through his messy hair and then nods one last time. That was it, right? That was all he could think of right now.]
Thank you.
Player DW:
ethernetContact: AIM- afterwits,
Character Number: One!
Character: Thassarian
Source: World of Warcraft
Appearance: Thassarian is roughly 6 feet tall, and is built like one might expect from a person who grew up on hard labor and sword fighting. He's not exactly RIPPED LIKE A BODY BUILDER- his musculature tends to be a bit more toward functional than showy, and he's slightly broad in the shoulders. I tend to think he also has white hair on his arms, chest, and back. And legs. He's kinda hairy.
Probably his most distinguishing feature would be his eyes- they glow white-blue and though it's hard to spot his iris in them, you can definitely tell when he's looking at you. He has two tattoos on his face, one over each eye, that are light purple. ALSO HE HAS A BEARD. And his light grey hair always needs a brushing. If he really cared about it anyone, I'm sure he'd clean up alright. He just. Doesn't. Care. There is a large, deep, scar on his chest and abdomen- one that is slightly uneven and never quite healed right.
Link 1, Official Art // Link 2, Game Screenshot (Current Armor)
History: Thassarian was born in Lordaeron, on the Northern side of the Eastern Kingdoms. His father, Killoren was a lesser war hero from the Second War, and owned a small farm in Tirisfal. Before the opening of the Death Knight graphic novel, Killoren was dead, and Thassarian was living with his mother, Vivian, and younger sister, Leryssa. He was a farmer, but also was a soldier- during non-war times, there was no reason for him to neglect his duties at home. He was meticulous about learning what he could to be a good soldier, and dreamed of being an officer in Lordaeron's army. Thassarian had heard of the undead plague spreading in the lands to the East, but at his home, it seemed like a distant threat that Leryssa teased him for being worried over.
During a review for officers, Thassarian shows his technical skill with swords, but also shows that all of his skill is merely textbook- he is denied a promotion and told that he doesn't have the capability to think on his feet and break from what he has learned.
Two days later, Thassarian is called to serve as a soldier, and travels with the other soldiers accompanying Prince Arthas Menethil to the frozen lands of Northrend. There, the soldiers encountered numerous undead. They didn't find what Arthas had been searching for- though none of them were told exactly what that was. When the reports came that they were to be recalled to Lordaeron, they found their ships being burned- Arthas telling them it was at the hands of the undead that were attacking. The soldiers fought alongside Arthas, and the Prince disappeared again.
The survivors waited, but Thassarian decided to set out to find where Arthas had disappeared to. He spent days wandering the icy wastes of Dragonblight, until he found a cave, and saw Arthas's mace laying in the snow on the ground. His Captain, Falric, appeared, and informed Thassarian of the truth- Arthas had ordered their ships burned to strand them in Northrend. Falric then killed Thassarian, and Thassarian was raised to unlife as a Death Knight of the Scourge.
Many days later, Arthas's new undead army returned to Lordaeron. They stormed the capitol, and Arthas killed his father, the king. Arthas had sensed weakness, hesitation in Thassarian, and when he saw Thassarian's mother, Vivian, he ordered her dragged before Thassarian, and orders him to kill her. He hesitated, but finally gave in to his master's will- unable to do anything but follow Arthas's command- and beheaded his own mother.
The undead pressed on, marching north into the elven lands of Quel'thalas. Thassarian led a small troop after an object that would allow them to disable the enchanted elfgates that prevented the army from marching through. The elves fought him, and he nearly killed Koltira's brother, Faltora. He hesitated, again, and the two escape- though Faltora met his end at the hands of a large undead abomination. Thassarian took their prize, and returned to Arthas. As he wandered the forests later, he was attacked by Koltira, who says he felt there was still good in Thassarian, and asked him to join his side in the battle. Thassarian declined, because he couldn't betray Arthas's hold on him, but let Koltira escape.
The next day, the undead army attacked, and the gates did not hold, thanks to Thassarian's work the previous day. He encounters Koltira again, and fights him this time. After laming him, Koltira bitterly told him that he should kill him, and damn his soul for doing so. Thassarian was keenly reminded of his mother, begging for her life, but drove his sword through Koltira's chest.
The undead, bolstering their numbers with the newly fallen- including Koltira- returned to Northrend. There they trained, preparing for a battle against the living. Though it was not shown in the graphic novel, Arthas and his forces were attacked by Illidan and his new ally Kael'thas (the prince of Quel'thalas), though Arthas was victorious.
Finally, the order came to ship out, and the undead traveled to the Eastern Kingdoms. They were sent to attack the town of New Avalon, and Koltira was captured. Thassarian sent a Death Knight recruit after him, and the undead finally attacked Light's Hope Chapel, where his father's remains had been buried. The Scourge forces where driven back, and Thassarian was visited by the ghost of his father. His father's spirit spoke to him, and as Arthas's hold on him is broken, it finally settled on him that he had killed his own mother. Thassarian collapsed to his knees, and wept.
With Arthas's control on them broken, those freed Death Knights reformed themselves as Knights of the Ebon Blade. Thassarian and Koltira spoke, and he stated that he still considered Koltira to be a friend. Thassarian was then sent to speak with the king of the Alliance- Varian Wrynn- and earned the dubious honor of being the first Death Knight to return to the Alliance.
Thassarian, as an Alliance soldier now, traveled to Northrend and enlisted among the forces there. An old family friend of his, William Allerton, recognized him, and sent word to Leryssa that Thassarian was not actually dead. As Thassarian was fighting the undead, Leryssa arrived and began to ask about him. Thassarian was recalled and sent on what would end up being a suicide mission- the officer who sent him on the mission was actually an undead elf, and San'layn, in disguise, and loyal to Arthas.
Most of Thassarian's squad was killed by the undead, and Thassarian raised a corpse into his service, calling him "Lurid". Thassarian managed to capture and control an undead Lich. With help, Thassarian was able to infiltrate the necropolis of Naxxanar. He arrived just in time to rescue Leryssa, who had been taken as a captive, and killed the San'layn. With Leryssa safe, he promised to return to her, though he doubted that he could.
Thassarian served the Alliance military in the assault on Icecrown Citadel, and was instrumental in helping to disrupt both undead and Cult of the Damned activity. After Arthas was defeated, Thassarian returned from Northrend.
The next time he was seen was in the town of Andorhal, fighting against the Horde-loyal undead Forsaken, and the Scourge. With Koltira leading the Forsaken, Thassarian was hesitant to attack him. They two struck a bargain that they would wait until the Scourge was dealt with before assaulting each other’s’ forces. Unknown to Thassarian, the Queen of the undead, Sylvanas, had grown tired of Koltira waiting to attack, and ordered Val’kyr to attack the Alliance forces. Thassarian, leading a militia of mostly untrained farmers, decidedly lost the battle. Knowing that Koltira would never go to such lengths and knowing Sylvanas had done something to him, Thassarian left behind the remains of Lurid and set off to start his work rescuing Koltira. The story ends there, but it has been confirmed that the Knights of the Ebon Blade have been observing the situation closely. I tend to think that Thassarian alerted them, first, and was given orders to not act.
Timeline: Roughly one month post-Andorhal, prior to the Firelands invasion.
Personality: Thassarian is a man whose life has been shaped in three parts- his life, his time in the Scourge, and his freedom. He is, first and foremost, a soldier. Fighting is what he knows, and he does it well. He has complicated feelings about leadership, but is starting to understand what would make him an effective one. He speaks plainly, and he is kind, for a Death Knight. He carries within him a deep sense of guilt and sadness, and is trying to find his place among the living. Those that he has grown comfortable around will find he hasn't entirely lost his old sense of sarcasm. As he grew up a farmer, he was never exactly formally educated- don't expect him to debate philosophy with you except for his gut feelings on things. He can be crude, at times, owing to his simple background and time spent in the company of other soldiers. Thassarian believes that most people have good in them and can be redeemed- he wouldn't be here if not for that.
In life, Thassarian was kind and friendly. He bickered with his sister a bit, but loved her as his only sibling. He greatly admired and idolized his father, wanting nothing more than to follow in Killoren's footsteps and become a soldier, a hero. He was hopeful, if not a bit idealistic. He had great respect for Arthas, the crown prince of Lordaeron. Thassarian was definitely the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, as it were. Thassarian never took a wife, despite being well of age to marry- stating that it would be irresponsible to marry with the Horde on the move. He dreamed of becoming an officer in Lordaeron's army, and this was nearly the only thing he seemed motivated to chase. It deeply hurt when he was told he didn't have the capacity to think on his feet, to improvise, and was told he would always be a follower, and never a leader. He trusted Arthas almost blindly, almost jumping at the chance to leave with him for Northrend. When Thassarian finally does display that he is capable of making decisions for himself, without orders, he was killed.
During his years of service to the Scourge, Thassarian was nearly ruthless, loyal to Arthas, but not unwaveringly so. Arthas had sensed within him hesitation, weakness. He does hesitate to kill- first, he does not immediately kill his mother, though he does finally do so at Arthas' command. The second time he nearly shows mercy is in killing Faltora, Koltira's brother. The final time, he does not immediately strike down Koltira himself, despite having broken his leg and rendering him helpless. The latter two occasions deeply remind him of his mother, begging for her own life. Otherwise, he shows the same stoicism that other Death Knights show in service to the Scourge. I honestly feel that he, and the other Scourge, were numbed to their own crimes during this time- how else can someone be expected to murder women and children and feel no remorse for it?
Koltira Deathweaver, however, is a strange exception to the normal course a Death Knight might take for their brothers in arms. When Koltira is captured, Thassarian send the player to rescue him, stating that "in death, we are brothers" when questioned about this show of apparent weakness by another Death Knight. Despite being Koltira's killer, the two are as close to friends as undead might be. Though they are both eventually "redeemed", I feel they both have an understanding about the other, and the horrors they lived through in their service to Arthas. Their friendship defies the fact that they both are meant to be "enemies", having chosen to serve two opposing factions. It is through both his hesitation and his caring for Koltira that he clings to the man he once was.
To bring these two phases of Thassarian's life together, I approach his redemption- and the breaking of Arthas' hold over him. The realization, coming from his father's spirit, that he had murdered his own mother, caused him to collapse into tears when the gravity of what he had done finally settled on him. Thassarian came away from the battle for Light's Hope with a renewed faith in the good of people, and the ability to move beyond their crimes and devote themselves to what is just. He is hardly a zealot, but after seeing the power of the Light, and how it broke Arthas' control over him, he does carry within him a bit of faith, of hope. He accepts that he must move forward, and atone for the sins he has committed.
Ever the soldier, Thassarian devotes himself once again to the crown. When he is given a chance to lead a squadron, he is shocked at the honor, and humbled, but he foolishly doesn't realize that it's a set-up. He protects those under his charge as much as he can, and would rather place himself in danger than anyone else. He is kinder than many Death Knights, and even occasionally smiles and professes that he has faith in the player who undertakes his quests.
In one such questline, he and the player rescue his sister, Leryssa, from the undead. He still cares deeply for his sister, and though he professes that he will return home to her, even he doubts that he truly can, at the end of the comic. Thassarian was keenly aware that his kind do not belong among the living- though he does not shy away from interacting with them.
After Arthas' death, Thassarian found himself in a strange position. He could not return to his sister, who he still deeply cared for, but his ultimate goal of Arthas' death had been reached. He devoted himself to the only thing he knew- war. Finding himself in Andorhal, he was hesitant to engage the Horde forces when he knew they were being led by Koltira. He struck a bargain with Koltira, joking with him like an old friend but knowing full well that his actions were considered treason. I feel that Thassarian did wish to win the battle for Andorhal, but not at the expense of betraying his brother in arms. Ultimately, at the end of the questline, after Koltira is taken, he shows his true colors- Thassarian's loyalties lie beyond the Alliance and Horde. He is determined not to be a mindless servant, or a blind follower again.
Abilities: Thassarian is a strong, skilled melee fighter, who fights with two swords. As a Death Knight, his specialization is Frost (his NPC in a daily zone of Cataclsm used skills only available to Frost Death Knights), with a few changes. I'm not going to rattle them off, but I will give a brief overview.
Melee Abilities
Thassarian can hit with both a very strong "regular" attack, and also enchant his strikes to do frost damage. He is skilled with swords, having received training with no other weapons. He wields two two-handed swords, but can fight with only one sword and a shield, as well. He is a technically skilled fighter- having trained from his childhood.
Frost Abilities
His attacks chill his enemies, slowing them. He can force a blast of ice at someone, and can freeze his own body to make his attacks stronger and cause him to take less damage. He can force the warmth out of the ground itself, freezing his foes in place.
Minions/Diseases/Etc
Unlike most player-created Frost Death Knights, Thassarian can reanimate remains into a permanent companion. He is able to control the undead, to a small degree, though I don't intend to use this ability too much with regard to players.
He also carries within him the same plague that causes undeath, but it able to mostly control and weaponize it, if need be.
Not exactly a power, but as can be inferred by quests with other undead, I feel it would be safe to assume that Thassarian speaks the language of the Scourge- simply called the "language of death". He also has an undead warhorse, Dusk, that he can summon to ride.
Inventory: Swords and armor, including the plain clothes he wears under his armor. I will be basing his armor's appearance off of his Catcylsm model, and not his Wrath of the Lich King one. Otherwise, he carries nothing with him, save for a modest pouch of gold, flint to make fire, and a half-empty bottle of whiskey in his pack.
Prose Sample: Koltira would no doubt call him an idiot, and perhaps he was, in many ways. He knew, certainly, that Koltira was more skilled than he was in intellectual pursuits- Thassarian’s knowledge was always far more practical. He had grown up in the earthy lands of Tirisfal, and his life was meant to be simple. He had no need to know politics, only to trust in a Prince that had only spoken to him very briefly. The realm of knowledge, of heavy books and the like, were reserved for kings.
He wasn’t entirely ignorant. But he could hardly recount histories other than the tales of the Second War he had read- histories that were real to him. Certainly, he had known there was more out there, but stories of dragons and creatures far from the lands of Lordaeron were never something to concern himself with. Some might think him simple, and he felt no bitterness for that. It was just the way of things.
He could still recall Vivian’s patient voice, as they sat at the table in their small house. Candles that were precious and few burned long after the day’s work was done, and her fingers traced the outlines of the alphabet that made up their language as she taught him the symbols so he would know how to read. She was ever patient with him.
"Thass, one more time."
"The Alliance armies led by Sir Anduin Lothar...Uther the Lightbringer...and Admiral Daelin Proudmoore pushed the orcs south..."
These names, these heroes, were what he had grown up knowing.
They, and his father, were what he aspired to be.
Journal Sample:
[He peers down into the mirror, frowning slightly and his eyes glowing. When he speaks, his voice echoes slightly, cold, and almost emotionless.]
Name's Thassarian, of Lordaeron, if that means anything to anyone here. I'm not exactly sure where I am...some help with that would be appreciated. I'm not sure what we're meant to do here, but I'll do whatever is needed to help. In another life, I was a farmer, but I don't think I can make anything grow, anymore...I could mend a fence, though, if you need that.
[A slight quirk at his lips, also as if half a smile is there.]
I have other skills- my swords, should it come down to that.
[And he nods, right back to business.]
If there's anyone from the Alliance or the Ebon Blade here, I'd like to know.
[He looks away, running a hand through his messy hair and then nods one last time. That was it, right? That was all he could think of right now.]
Thank you.
