Approved by Sou
Name: Nilen
Age: -staff only-.
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Unknown. Presumably straight.
Craft: Runner (Rumor also says Harper.)
Rank:
Physical Description:
A fairly old man, to be doing what he does, Nilen is instantly recognizable for his absolutely fantastic shock of gray hair, which fires out from his head as though it were gusted by an powerful wind. Were this not enough, his features make him even more difficult to put from memory, with eyes of an curious, vaguely rusty brown that make them look uncomfortably intense, particularly when set in his unhealthy, sharp boned face, with his sunken, pitted cheeks, which look as though someone had taken a fingernail and casually scratched lines of various depth into his features, as one might with wet clay before it’s been fired. This ‘soft clay’ look probably only more emphasizes his cheekbones and hawkish nose, and makes them look sharp enough to cut something with.
His clothing is a mixed bag of parts that seem to have come from almost any location on Pern that can be named. Thick leather vests are paired with a lighter, airier tunic, which has already had the sleeves patched with a much heavier fabric, and as though chilled in any climate, (perhaps so given his age and completion) he often wears woven scarves around his neck, and gloves with the fingers cut off to allow his long fingered hands more free movement. At one point in his life, his graceful hands may have even been one of Nilen’s few attractive points, but age has made them look skeletal rather than long and effeminate, and his dirty nails are somewhat talon like. This does not seem to hinder his music making though
Personality: Nilen is honest to a fault, to the extent of occasionally seeming outright brash and opinionated. He's curiously dismissive of most people, perhaps because he knows the weight and importance of the information he's capable of obtaining, and how much people want it. He's also contemplative, and prefers long rides in silence to crowded halls.
History:
Almost entirely unknown, though rumors abound. Some have been known to joke that Nilen has always looked the way he does now, possibly springing from a pile of rags full grown and ragged. For many years now he's traveled between Weyrs and Holds, bringing information with him. In spite of his clear talent for music, no Harpers currently living will claim to have ever studied with him, and the name he gives people is on no record of Harpers.
((All other information is staff only and will be provided as needed or at the request of the staff. ))
Pets: none
Other/Talents: His talent for music is remarkable. Certainly not his singing voice, because if it was ever pleasant it has devolved into an irritated growl and rasp, but with the guitar, flute, and violin (I don’t know if they have a pernese equivalent of the violin but I remember a guitar being mentioned.) He’s capable of making music to make stones weep. Perhaps not Favan, but stones certainly. In spite of this he makes no claim to be trained as a harper, or to hold any rank in that craft at all, and will staunchly refuse to discuss the mater, regardless of who is asking.
His other talent, one he’s more happy to discuss, and take coin for, is the trade of words. Nilen gathers gossip and other information in ways that border on the supernatural, though he claims he’s just good at being in the right place at the right time, and even claims that, in spite of his outlandish appearance, that he is easy to overlook. He also stakes his reputation on being correct in his information, even though he may refuse to provide everything he knows, depending on circumstances. If he can’t verify something, he simply won’t spread it, and even insists that, if he finds out he has inadvertently lied, he will make his way back across Pern to return the money gained by false information. So far he has yet to have to make good on this claim.
Will this character be a candidate? (Yes/No) HA. No.
Picture:
Nilen: Aka Runner/”Harper”
