Thanks, balomew. It was absolute hell re-writing Jen's CC but I did it
. Here's a more up-to-date version of Jen's CC for your, and everyone's, reference. I think you'll like it. Also note this is largely different to the one you read from my sig, but his skills and appearance are more or less the same, personality too. Completely changed his history though.
Character Name: Jen Arcshot is a common alias he's been given across Tamriel, along with a few of his kin back in Valenwood. His birth name is Caelam of House Kennyreplith which roughly translates to, "Arrow-Strider", of House "Sworn to the forest".
Dialogue Color: Bright Green /
Avacado Green
Gender: Male.
Race: Mixed-breed of Bosmer and Altmer. (Bosmer Mother and Altmer Father.)
Age and Date of Birth: 223 (looks 35), Born 18th of Second Seed, 411 of the Third Era.
Marital Status: Single.
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual
Class and Combat Preference: Jen considers himself to be a marksman and feels utter pride and confidence in every sense of the word. His years of childhood spent behind a bow aimed at both moving and stationary targets, and even longer chasing those targets, learning to navigate through any rough terrain, and quickening his arrow-notching has left Jen with an inert knowledge of Archery, Tracking, and Free-running as well as hiding and tanning leather, and knowing a variety of deadly plants to make into poisons. Jen has also learned the various and comparative anatomies of commonly encountered animals and creatures, as well as humans.
Jen prefers to catch his target off-guard so as to avoid a long and bloody fight, so he usually takes the shadow-approach in combat. But Jen has a rule to avoid any unnecessary violence: Don't mess with him, and he won't put an arrow between your eyes. But in case he does end up face to face with any enemy, forced to engage in melee-combat, Jen has also spent a good portion of his teenage years to become fluid and precise with common melee weapons, namely daggers and longswords.
However, if Jen does just so happen to get some distance from his target, he has complete confidence he can either 'drown' his opponent in several back-to-back hails, tire them through his constant persistence, or, if the enemy is unyielding, outrun them while covering his escape. Jen, having been taught by his father and mother, has learned to quickly respond to any and all sudden danger situations with the quickest, most-effective attack then get distance between himself and the pursuer.
Being that he was shown a few techniques by his Mother, and given he had the time to expand on them throughout his early teenage years, Jen is frequently unseen when hunting in the night, and is usually gone before the dead body of a bandit hits the ground. But as much as Jen would like to be perfect in every way of the bow, he has to accept the fact that no one is unflawed, and thus to this day, continues to expand and practice his skill.
Character Appearance: Standing at Five-foot-Seven and weighing more than one-hundred fifty-six pounds, Jen wields wood-brown shoulder length, silk-like hair with electric-blue eyes and tan-shaded skin. He has one thin scar on his lower left side, along his ribcage and another going straight up between his shoulder blades. Jen does his best to keep himself fit and toned by exercising, hunting, eating fruits and other healthy foods, and drinking healthy juices such as orange, milk, and apple daily. He fits a stocky body and is considered to be especially built for a Bosmer, with all the sharp features of his face included.
Character Image:
Exactly like this, but with the body type below. Rather ripped, yes I know.
Personality: While Jen can be a skilled and relaxed person, he's actually not that social with anyone he doesn't know and can be a hard to get along with once you do get to know him. But once he gets to know you well enough, he will start showing a sort of trust towards that person and may even hang around them a little more often. But to be honest, Jen truly prefers nature to the bustling city and, if given the chance, will gladly take a calm, forest overlook to an ale-stained tavern.
But this doesn't mean Jen will simply live away from people the rest of his life, if granted. Due to his years of living in Valenwood, Jen has a social boost when talking to other people and can become very likeable, even through simple conversation. This is also very useful when talking down enemies, or even negotiating over terms with various political figures, due to him being multi-lingual.
While Jen may kill quickly, precisely, and with seemingly no qualms, that doesn't mean he likes bloodshed or enjoys ending lives. As far as he's concerned, only psychopaths and lunatics do that kind of stuff. Often times, Jen finds himself hesitant in killing some of the people he's forced to combat and confront, especially Mer. Jen is often paranoid under certain amounts of pressure and can come to question the thought and plans of himself and others if possible. This is mainly due to an incident that occurred in Jen's childhood, but if given time and proper explanation, Jen's paranoia can be put to rest.
Over the time Jen has spent in Skyrim, adapting to the culture and society, he's come to love to taste of fresh wine and greatly enjoys the sport of hunting. Skyrim's landscapes and untamed wilds have provided Jen with the necessary inspiration to love hunting once again, as he now spends a great majority of his time in the wilderness, hunting through forests and basking in the beauty of nature. But Jen knows he can't live in the wilds, and when he returns to the city, he often welcomes a cold glass of wine and a warm fire to liven his bones.
However, no matter his love for the wilds nor fine wine, Jen can't help but be discriminated against by Nords and other like-minded folk. While Skyrim can be a extravagant land of adventure and hardship, Jen can't simply ignore the heavy amounts of racist and religious insults towards other races of different ethnicities and beliefs, or more specifically, Elves. And while Jen wishes the Nords could find a way past this petty game, he's come to realize it's their way of taunting at the races they deem lesser than themselves and thus, Jen is forced to break noses at least twice a day.
Although Jen may love the untamed wilderness and natural curves of the land, he can't help but fear the dangers that the wildlife holds. Bears and bats for one, are not friends of Jen and often he fights to avoid them as much as possible, due to his unclassified phobias of both. But Jen's true fear lies with the unknown and unnatural dangers that the world shelters, mainly Draugrs and Werewolves. If and when faced with any of these fears, Jen has frequent muscle tremors and uneasy breathing, which may cause him to become unfocused, discoordinated, and even hallusive.
Having been separated from his homeland for so many years, Jen has grown a dream of returning to his estate deep within Valenwood's luscious forestlands. Even though he never had quite a good childhood growing up here, it is where Jen was molded into who he is, where he feels at his full power, with his full soul at his own disposal. And after traveling through the Imperial City to reach Skyrim, Jen has a small want to go back there again and bask in the peaceful beauty that some civilizations can create. But with Skyrim's wars and consistent happenings, Jen knows this to be impossible.
History: Born and raised in the thick foliage of Valenwood's predominant forests, Jen's early childhood was one of struggle and complication. His mother, Amaoro, and father, Anthuin, had met in the city of Woodhearth where they lived for many years before Anthuin returned to Summerset Isle to finish some business with his family and fully inherit his wealth. Later, he returned just a few weeks before his son was born and named him Caelam, and at the same time, he founded and funded his own house of Kennyreplith.
In the few years that followed, as Jen grew up, Anthuin taught his son how to manage himself and his money, along with his belongings and how to fluently speak many languages. Meanwhile, in the mornings, his mother got him up early to give him a few lessons on how to navigate forests, handle bows, climb and maneuver among most environments, and how to quickly respond to most situations.
And while this may sound like a bit much for a seven year-old, Jen's parents were superstitious of how dangerous the world could be, but they took time in letting Jen get used to his daily routine and ease into the lessons, both of school and home.
Three years pass, and tensions arise in Jen's home, a few square miles just outside of the city. Anthuin was constantly clashing with his wife, being accused of running an affair, or two, which caused Amaoro to stress out and lose her temper most of the time. Along with Anthuin's drinking disorder, the peace of their house never di return completely. Arguments arose almost everyday, and they always ended with Anthuin beating down Amaoro and leaving for the rest of the day. This usually happened right before Jen was released from school, so he never saw what happened.
One day, a few minutes after Jen had got home from school and started on his studies, he heard a scream and something falling to the ground. His parents were at it again. And when Jen intervened and was kicked back, he was ultimately forced to kill his father with an arrow through the neck, and another to the temple.
Overcome with fear and shock, Jen ran deep into the wilderness where he wasn't found for three weeks. Later, the search party found him in a cave on the borders of eastern Valenwood, near death from malnutrition. He was fed, healed and brought home to live out his life in peace, and one month later, Anthuin's wealth transferred to Jen. But since he was underage, his mother took over the account and invested the wealth wisely.
Years passed and Jen's wealth grew immensely, making him the richest Mer in Woodhearth. Now both weekly and daily, Jen had a variety of social and competitive activities that constantly required his attention. He'd even met a lovely Bosmer woman by the name of Azasae, whom he was closely-friended to, on the brink of engagement. And his life was good for the first time in years. He loved socializing and exploring now more than he ever had before. Finally, he was at peace.
Then the months started closing in, and the days grew boresome and tedious. As much as Jen loved the life he had, and as much as he knew he couldn't possibly find a better one, Jen couldn't see himself living out his life in peace to become an old man with nothing but political friends and baked bread to be remembered by. Suddenly now, Jen had the want to make a mark on the world, to go out and endure great adventures, and to lead a life of risk and long ventures. But Jen was young then, as were his ambitions and dreams.
So, at the age of 22, Jen made a claim to leave Valenwood and allow his mother to inherit all his riches. Amaoro fought through tears to let her son go by his own will, and wished him good luck on the road, giving him a blade that symbolized House Kennyreplith. And thus, he was off, with the finest gear and the heaviest heart, he was off into the unknown world.
Jen had barely reached the borders of Valenwood before he was hailed down by an escort from the Aldmeri Government. They proposed he followed them back to Alinor, on a strict business meeting his father had set in place, should Jen ever come to the proper age and strength to attend. There was little more they were allowed to tell him, besides the obvious facts of where he was going specifically, and what accommodations he was to expect, due to his father's political reputation.
Across the Abecean Sea to the famed isles of the Altmer, Jen was escorted to and personally attended a small meeting concerning his father's second will. In attendance were some high-ranking generals from the Aldmeri Dominion who were on a short-leave, merely to discuss their many encounters with Anthuin and how he'd saved thousands of Elven lives in Tiber Septim's uprising and even managed to keep a few covert Thalmor agents hidden when Tiber invaded Valenwood.
Also in attendance were a few spokesman and senators from the Dominion's political council, whom also discussed their proximity with Anthuin in his political reign, when he was able to fluently talk down some of the most hot-headed, irrational mer willing to attack the humans with no plan whatsoever. Later, they'd learn to calm down and make themselves useful where they were needed, also Anthuin's doing.
Then came forth the man representing the party as to why he was truly called to the Isles. Thalmor General Naarfin sat Jen down and told him as to why his father had set the will in place and what it concerned him for. Anthuin had intended for Jen to not follow in his footsteps, but instead to personally see that the Elvish species survived long enough to persuade the humans into a co-joined alliance, a peace across Tamriel. Under this blanket of peace, he wanted Jen to operate in the shadows, to bring ruin to the mortals' governments from within. He foresaw the coming tensions between the Dominion and the Empire, and had his will copied and altered for the time of his passing, or Jen's proving.
In short, as Naarfin summed up, Anthuin wanted Jen to join The Ascendants of the Thalmor; an elite, incognito strike force called upon in great times of elven struggle, deployed on missions of varying objectives and conditions, trained to thrive and survive on any battlefield. Currently, they were short a member and had been awaiting for Jen himself to come forth and pass the trials and afterward training necessary to join the Talons.
At the time, Jen thought to his family home in Valenwood and more specifically, his mother, and how she'd fare on his choice. If he left now, he would have his adventurous journey he always craved, but there was no guarantee his mother would be safe under the Thalmor's eye. He also had to consider his father and his will. He hated his father as he'd grown utterly bitter over his childhood years and developed a certain grudge against him, as he'd began beating Jen's mother more aggressively. But his father had also taught Jen a lot about life and had given him a good push on the path towards achievement and prosperity; one only a gentle, but firmly standing father could give. Jen could only forget what he'd done and move on with his life, trying to uphold his legacy with an eager, but firm hand.
Jen's lust for adventure and travel, along with his naïve nature and unquestioning mind, betrayed his proper judgment. And in that moment, when Jen stood with Naarfin and accepted his handshake and thus his fate, he'd made the greatest mistake of his elongated life.
The following three days, Jen had been moved, prepped, and settled in Alinor for his specialized training that would guide him in his final trials. He adapted to his training, using that of which he learned and tying it with what he already knew, and passed his exams much quicker than expected, and even passed his final test while withstanding all the information he'd been taught. His trials stood no match. Two and a half months later, the Thalmor Officers and Generals stood astounded that Jen had been inducted into The Ascendants with the shortest training time compared to all other members.
Jen soon became popular talk amongst his peers as he proved every doubt wrong and every bet on his victories right during the Manhunt of the Blades in both Summerset Isle and Valenwood. And soon, Caelam would earn his 'Arrow-Strider' title with ease. In battle, as one report claimed, Jen proved to not only be diligent in his battle formations, tactics, and attacks, but also greatly fluent with almost all types of weapons and armor, rarely leaving many Blades alive and regularly imprisoning the ones that managed to survive.
"Having personally observed Jen in some of his recent incursions against the Blades of Valenwood, I can say honestly, he's rather ruthless and quite swift to act when under pressure. His tactical abilities were on par with some of the Blades' highest commanders." General Tahllon of the Thalmor stated in one mission report. "As specially trained as the Blades were, nothing could stop Jen from ending more than a dozen of their lives in battle, and most times even more than that. And, after noting how he often joins the struggle to aid his men, I noticed just how quick he was to act and react to the various jabs and assaults sent his way. In one battle alone, it took him a sum of one hour, sixteen minutes and twelve seconds to dissemble the Blades regiment, tear them asunder, and force their commander to fight to his horrific end. He didn't object when he was later tasked with collecting all of the heads of the Blades in Valenwood."
Some reports written over his combatic and tactical abilities were normally overblown in their wording, but were true in their concepts. Jen was truly a shadow of the night when sent on a stealth operation and an unshakable opponent in the battlefield. He was an excellent tactician and an insightful leader, who led with confidence, caution, and deep care for his men. And when in combat, he proved both a formidable and unrelenting opponent for many Bladesman. Sight of these skills soon earned him a higher promotion, until he was sworn in as the legitimate leader of The Ascendants. His constant looking after those under him and those beside him, never wasting a good soldier and always silencing a leak earned the respect of all under his command and even a nudge from the Thalmor itself.
And when the Oblivion Crisis came, Jen and the Talons, along with the surplus support of the Thalmor, met it with swift action and discreet tactics, effectively keeping both the Isles and Valenwood clear of the chaos. Soon after, tensions began rising dramatically between the Dominion and the Empire, after Titus Mede ll had rejected the Dominion's ultimatum; unknowingly and indirectly, he'd soon give inspiration and a shred of hope to one of the most fleet archers in Tamriel.
Upon such action, the Dominion issued war on the Empire and plotted it's demise, sending forth Jen as a part their scouting detachment, with the other four members of The Ascendants spread across both the Summerset Isles and Cyrodiil. He made his way to the outskirts of the Imperial City, where his detachment camped and observed, incognito of course, the daily routines and movements of the Empire. He noted their major moves, such as deciding to assist Hammerfell by battling against the Dominion, and popular figureheads in the main army stationed here in the capitol. Chief among them, known under the alias of 'The Slayer', had shown himself to be quite the combatant and tactician, besting the Dominion in their battles eight times out of ten. It also appeared the local population looked up to him as an idol, giving them hope and willing them to move on.
Reporting this information had given the Dominion an invaluable advantage against the Empire, and would lead them to exploit several weakness in the Empire's military, and thus draw the war into it's bloodiest years. During these years, Jen was frequently moved about the province, aiding losing battles and mastheading others, and more times than most, he'd clash with 'The Slayer' in struggles, killing off many of his men, though not always personally. His prowess and reservation were evenly matched in combat, making him into an ideal leader, likely why the Dominion hadn't authorized his execution nor his capture.
Yet.
When Anvil fell and had forced The Slayer and his men upstream, Jen was assigned with the task of supporting the offensive, driving the Imperials all the way back to the confined walls of the Imperial City.
Not a day later, Jen found himself in a war tent a few miles outside of the city, where all four members of the Ascendants along with a few Generals and even Lord Naarifin himself had gathered to devise what would be their largest, and bloodiest, offensive yet. Jen, as opposed to being deployed directly in the field, was left to strategize with the generals in the tent for these four months, while the other four members and Naarifin were free to join the battle and engage the Imperials as they chose. There were a few instances where Jen was assigned to scouting and observation duties, but rarely in those four months had he left the tent, as the Dominion assured him it was best he stay stationed there.
A few days before the Thalmor would have their victory in scaling the wall, Jen had received his mission briefing and had been given two tasks, both equally vital: To collect as much information from the city's archives and council chambers as possible, and to subdue and capture one Simus Psyrakon. The Slayer. The other members of The Ascendants would be appointed to support the Thalmor's advance into the city, and take care of the Empire's legions themselves, severing it's ranks as deeply as possible. Jen had also been given a whole new set of authorizations, like the freedom to kill any civilians who opposed his mission. And when the Thalmor had broken through, Jen was already embedded in the city, scouring it's archives for the information he sought.
He'd spend days navigating the city and raiding it's libraries, while he found it much harder to penetrate the Council Chambers. During his ransacking, Jen had been carefully observing Simus and, on several occasions, had deliberately killed those around him, simply to weaken his morale. But while he was in the city, Jen couldn't help but feel tightly-wound, like a knot or rope. He felt as if something about this place was unsettling, but he didn't allow it to bother him. He was, surely by now, a fully prideful patriot of the Dominion, and would kill any living being who interfered with his mission's goals.
Until he ran into her.
It was just after he'd eliminated a small regiment of Heavy Imperial Soldiers on his way to the Market District, where he believed Simus to be, likely still trying to hold the Thalmor back. He was sure to be feeling miserable by now, and possibly lost all faith in victory, but Jen didn't know that for sure, remembering the Imperial's vigor before the current battle. And in the midst of his walk, he'd spotted an ebony haired woman, likely an Imperial, ducking for cover from a catapult explosion before going towards the Market.
Then she looked back and saw Jen not even five feet away, arrow notched for the kill. And she froze.
But she didn't cower in fear or try to fight him. Instead, she straightened up and stared him dead in the eyes, giving the expression of a cold dislike. This woman, as he now matched her up to the mission briefing where he'd been told to find and eliminate an escaped blade, looked one of the Dominion's most deadly weapons in the eyes and didn't even blink. And it was within these few moments of silence, Jen's mind slowly came back to it's senses. She was his enemy, and he'd killed thousands like her, yet it was so hard for him to release the bowstring. Then he saw why. It was the fact that she would rather die than submit to an authority she didn't agree with. That had invaded her home. Distraught her people. In the middle of a bloody and unrelenting war, she had hope.
And it was this woman's stubbornness that made Caelam come back, and realize how much death he'd caused. Thousands, if not millions, had died by his hand and those of his men. All innocents. All true warriors. All in defense of their home, against a greedy, arrogant enemy who refused to not claim all of Tamriel. All those Blades he'd killed, slaughtered, and drove extinct, had all died fighting him. Without fear, replaced with courage, and hope. Caelam most certainly was not the same mer who'd left Valenwood, and now he realized he'd never be the same again. His lust for adventure, and travel, and battle had all blinded him and pushed him into the role of death; a game of fox and mouse, with the Dominion playing the fox. He hadn't even touched his family blade since he left Valenwood.
So, he lowered his bow, and had allowed the woman to live, as he began to truly reevaluate his life and soon after, devise a plan to destroy the Ascendants. Slowly but surely, the woman moved off with a mix of both surprise and inquiry about her expression, and made a b-line for the Market District. Jen, however would remain in the city for the next few days that it remained in-struggle, re distributing all the information he'd stolen recently and hadn't turned in. Then, when the walls of the city had fallen, he was long gone. And even though Jen had walked away from all of the death and suffering of the Imperial City, he never forgot what had happened there. Nor did he forget Simus, or lose track of him.
He knew he'd have at least a day before the Dominion got suspicious and intently began searching for him. And eventually, they'd find him. But not before he'd dissembled their most effective force.
So, for the rest of the war, Jen would covertly track and kill each of the four members of the Ascendants, all according to their worst fears that he knew of, leaving their fortresses in ruins. After killing the first, Jen quickly made his way to Valenwood, moving his mother to an off location deep in Black Marsh, with family friends loyal to her. The account name was changed to something of an Argonian standing, so it would never be traced back to her.
After he'd made sure she was safe, he'd continued with his conquest of purging his past by destroying the Ascendants. Each one he killed, he cut off a different one of their fingers, along with their head, sending it on a boat to Alinor. He left the thumbs on their hands, to show he was still alive and still a threat. After he'd killed all the members and their Lieutenants, and had their bodies defiled in the ruins of their forts and their hands and heads sent to Alinor, he proceeded to kill the Managing Officer of the Ascendants, again sending his head and one of his fingers to Alinor, leaving his body speared on his own sword. Then he moved up the line to the Thalmor Director of Special Forces Division, cut off his head, formed his hand into an insult, and sent it to Alinor. During this time period, Simus had begun to regain his faith and returned the fight to the Dominion.
Until finally, General Tahllon of the Thalmor called for a private meeting and, on behalf of the Dominion, presented an ultimatum: Either he surrender to them and accept his fate as a trial by court distribution, or they promised to destroy and burn everything he loved and held near and dear.
So, rather than continuing up the line, Jen cut right to the Overseer of Special Forces Operations and the Special Forces Division, also one of the eight most powerful Thalmor War Generals. What followed was a drawn out battle that ended with a dead Thalmor War General and a wounded, half-drowned Jen adrift the Abecean Sea, where he'd get picked up by a merchant vessel. Unbeknownst to Jen's current struggle, the merchant vessel dropped him off at Anvil's docks and gave him the necessary supplies to make a day's journey wherever he needed to go. Bloodied and broken, Jen knew the Dominion would come for him, but they were to face and deal with other matters first.
The end of the war would come days later with Lord Naarifin's capture at the hands of the Emperor himself, whom also signed the White-Gold Concordat. Being that the Aldmeri Dominion had it's victory now, though they would have to completely rebuild their Special Forces Division, They opted to keep their eyes peeled for major activity from Jen, but would otherwise not pursue him.
Jen himself would live until he was caught in a house fire in Bruma, Cyrodiil. Witnesses said he went back several times, saving countless lives until he simply did not return. The townspeople searched the house ruins and the snow nearby but found no trace of him or his demise, so instead looking for human-like remains, they each took handfuls of the ash and threw it to the wind outside of the town. This has become a private tradition for some of the families involved with the fire, and they perform it one night of the year, when the moon is out in full and the winds are soft but swift enough to carry the ashes away.
In Skyrim, however, rumor spreads of a rather nimble warrior armed with a bow and deadly with a rune sword.
Extra:
Jen's ebony and silver forged blade, usually strapped on his back. The Elvish runes on the blade read (from left to right): "Here lies the greatest equalizer of all : death." And the symbol of his house on the hilt. The runes on his sheath read: "May the keeper of this blade learn the balance of life, and the true meaning of courage."
(The rest of Baroth and Jen's armor and weapons, may be found in the links to their profiles in my sig. below.)
