Merik

Information

Player: Kull

Character Full Name: Merik Jule Barion

Character In-Game Name: Merik

Association(s): House Thelwind

Race: Human

Class: Rogue

Age: 45

Sex: Male

Hair: Gray-White

Eyes: Gray

Scale/Height: 1.00/5"10

Weight: 170 lbs.

Appearance

Usual Garments/Armor: Merik always wears a wide brim black hat.

Personality

Merik's choices revolve around a simple set of preferences: simplicity, security and the status quo. He dislikes complexity, weakness and change in general, because age, and therefore wisdom, have taught him that all three carry significant, and therefore usually unacceptable, risks. He employs violence as a last resort, because it rarely achieves good outcomes, and almost always has a detrimental, spiraling effect. In sum, Merik Barion is a cautious, sharp realist. It should be noted that, due to his experiences in the First and Second War, Merik holds an intense, long-standing hatred for Orcs. He despises all humans who associate with Orcs.

History

Merik Barion was born to a humble, working family. He learned academic and religious basics from the local priest while he earned his way logging with his father and brothers.

The Orcs destroyed this wholesome life in the First War when Merik was only fifteen years old. He took up the spear and fought without regard for his own life. Bravery and purpose seemed synonymous with recklessness against the enemy. But after a close call with death, he realized that caution would prolong his life and therefore his ability to defend his homeland.

Over the years, he moved from a simple soldier to a battlefield agent in the Stormwind military. It all happened by chance during a battle around Goldshire, where one of the Commander's men perished before he was able to disrupt an enemy supply line. Merik volunteered and finished the task, though it was difficult. From this, he and the Commander discovered Merik's innate talents as a rogue. Over years of fighting, he employed poisons against the enemy's food stores, nighttime raids against sleeping troops, and tactical distractions during battles. Taking a liking to Merik's fervor, a more advanced agent became the young man's mentor. Thus, Merik grew more skilled, and was safer, despite all the dangers around him.

But with the destruction of the Kingdom, Merik was forced to follow Lothar with all remaining Stormwind forces. He may have been destitute of wealth, possessions, love and home, but he was rich in skill, purpose and loyalty. Merik and his mentor departed ways amicably, as the mentor had his own, far-reaching missions to finish. The mentor recommended Merik's services to a human noble lord, who also served in the Stormwind military. Recognizing Merik's value on this recommendation, the noble employed the young man into his House. From then on, he would be one of the lord's agents.

In the Second War, Merik once more pursued his personal vengeance, and the more lofty goal, of restoring his homeland. He relished in the fighting at the Spire, and by the end, both he and his lord survived at the end, though not unscathed. He found the conditions of the internment to be too good for the beasts. As far as he was concerned, they should have all been slaughtered down to the last child.

For twenty years after, Merik served his lord. He cultivated a strong body, a stout heart, and his rogue skillset. Never bought, he was loyal, almost without exception, because of the abstractions he held so dear, and the personal relationships so close to his heart. From severe experience, he knew that the Kingdom, security, stability, and a wholesome life could all be taken away at the whim of the Horde, demons or any other form of evil. He was therefore willing to defend those abstractions, and those relationships, by any means necessary.

Then, at age forty, Merik's lord perished from natural causes. Merik was offered renewed service with his former lord's heir, a young woman. But she would soon marry into another race. He disliked the despoiling of such a noble house, and left to wander the Eastern Kingdoms. He was in the mood for an adventure. After five years of fun, he yearned for home and purpose. Upon return, he quickly learned that House Thelwind desired new servants. He met with Lady Alaine and Sir Korthane. He would serve as a guardsman, and a man of discretion, for the House. Well aware of the world he would soon enter, Merik was also wary of his new master. Lady Alaine carried secrets, as all nobles do, but her capabilities were strange, and more powerful, than his previous lord's. At age forty five, Merik was ready and willing to face the next chapter of his story.