Elias Mathe

Gifted Factor
Disciple of the Fenians

Description


~Dashing and well-groomed, Elias demonstrates a sort of dilettante/college professor air that makes him so charming and sought-after in certain social circles. The young man appears to be no older than thirty, and dresses simply. He evidently has a healthy appreciation for black, for his shoes, pants, and shirt tend to be imbued with the absence of light. Naturally, he tends to stand out less because of this monochromatic attire. Nevertheless, Elias boasts a handsome smile. Auburn hair is kept teased into a fashionable style, and he often wears it in a trimmed beard, too. Blue eyes dance brightly, and they alone set his whole body into lively motion. His intent, excited gaze sets the rhythm of his life: seeking, yearning, learning, laughing, lusting. There is much ado about something for rich-blooded Elias Mathe.~

OOC: Appearance 3; Arcane 2

"Damnation, ha! Hell is afraid! Ha, ha! You hear me? HA!!!"

History


Youth

Some myths dated back hundreds, even thousands of years. Most became bedtime stories and nothing more. But Elias' family long treasured away a secret heritage: the Fenian Brotherhood. An ancient order of pagan magicians, the Fenian boasted the blood of faeries in their veins. Shapeshifting into animals came natural for these half-fae men and women. Often the gift skipped generations. Elias' mother, Ailis, lacked the gift. But her father, Gormon Mathe, claimed he turned into a goat at will. Ailis was schooled in the old ways and married to an ordained pagan druid, Quinley Forbes. Quinley was not at all fey in nature, but was a great believer in the "old ways" of Celtic paganism. They held a home and tiny vegetable farm in the woods not far from a village. The village was Ciarntry in southern Ireland.

By living far enough outside the village proper, the Mathes (for Quinley took his wife's name) could practice their old religion without disturbance. Of course, their isolation aroused some suspicion from the conservative Catholic community. To help deter some suspicion, the Mathes sent their only child, Elias, to the tiny one-room school in Ciarntry when he was old enough. And young Elias proved to be an astute, active, and charming student and boy. Taught to lie about his true religion, Elias allayed the townfolk's suspicions of his family readily. Elias excelled at his academic studies. He played football (soccer) with the best of the boys his age, proving to be a quick and agile young athlete. Even more, Elias was "cute" and learned early on how to charm the opposite sex. Mothers and teachers he manipulated to get what he wanted. Girls his age he befriended and often had a new "puppy love" girlfriend every year.

All in all, Elias just seemed like a great kid in the community. Only his lies for his family marred his good record, but they never decoded his subterfuge. He even lied to the town priest, claiming that his parents had no transportation (they honestly didn't), so held private family-oriented church ceremonies at home (which they did, just not Christian ceremonies). Well, in truth, one event did upset the people of Ciarntry. Fortunately, it was not all that terrible and soon forgotten. In addition to his charming wit, young Elias displayed a great affection for cats. People's housecats, outside cats, stray cats -- it didn't matter. Elias just loved cats! One day, a group of his peers cornered a mangy stray and were pelting and whipping the animal with tree branches and acorns. Elias happened across the group and flew into a rage. He attacked them with a thick branch like a cudgel. After laying one boy out unconscious, the few others ran away. Elias was never so violent in his life. He was chided severely for the outburst and the cat was captured and put down anyway for risk of rabies. Ever after that, Elias became quieter and moodier while in Ciarntry.

But at home, he was a happy boy. His parents loved him dearly and raised him with good ethic fiber. Sure, he wasn't Christian, but since when was Christianity the end-all, be-all of morality? And the Mathes lived well. The small crops they raised served mainly to feed themselves. They lived quite happily with simple amenities. As for taxes and other unavoidable bills, the family existed using an ancestral cache of money long kept quiet. When a family line boasted heroes, amassed wealth seemed no shock. Besides this simple but good life, Elias received an unusual education at home, too. He learned all about farming small crops, about living off of and in harmony with nature. Elias discovered the importance of honoring life and death equally instead of cowing from the inevitable end. He also learned of the change of seasons, of the necessity of winter in order for there to be a summer. And Elias even learned the stories of the fae and how they still existed in secret. Indeed, it seemed like the only reason his parents kept him in school was to learn basic academics and how to socialize. They were insistent on teaching him everything else -- as if he were being groomed to follow his father's footsteps as an ordained druidic minister.

Coming of Age & Mentorship

But that changed at age eleven. Right as puberty began to set in, Elias' life altered more than he expected. One night when the moon was full, Elias felt compelled to run outside and view it. He threw down the book he was reading and charged out, overwhelmed with inexplicable joy. He began to caper about and sing. His parents watched amusedly, but that became shock. For as Elias danced, his Fenian heritage grew obvious. Whiskers sprouted from his cheeks, his ears grew pointed, and his eyes slit like…well, a cat! They knew then that their son had "the gift", so they pulled him out of school. Elias was sent to his Fenian grandfather, who lived like a hermit in the woods by Mt. Carrauntnohil. There he could learn about his heritage and talents properly from the venerable Fenian, Grandpa Gormon.

Good ol' Gormon was glad to see the legacy live on in his grandson. He accepted the boy as his student. Magical lore, fey histories, and herbal science replaced the youth's mundane education. Elias discovered that his grandpa really could become a goat! He was marked by the cat. Only reenacting that first moment of his change could Elias summon the cat from his blood to his body. Grandpa Gormon especially helped Elias learn how to control his inherent shapeshifting talent as well as herbalism. These occult arts were what Elias mainly focused on. When he wasn't memorizing occult texts from his grandfather's library, he had to work out since a good magician was strong in mind and body. He ran up and down the mountain side, staying in excellent shape. But Grandpa Gormon instructed Elias little on methods of combat. The emphasis was largely magical. Elias was encouraged to rely on wits, not brawn, to overcome adversaries and obstacles.

Though Elias remained with his grandfather for a decade, the boy wasn't isolated away. He was permitted to drive (once he learned how) to Cork, only an hour away. He was given money to spend freely in town and enjoy himself. He was even introduced to the actual fae, who received the Kinain (half-fae) heartily. Elias attended many Kithain festivals and parties over those years. While Elias enjoyed these events and the friends he made (especially those Satyr women -- wow!), he felt at a loss. Elias felt like many people did in the fragmented society of the modern era. Grandpa Gormon reassured Elias that he would find purpose one day soon.

Finally, as he neared the conclusion of his tutelage under Grandpa Gormon, Elias had an epiphany. It came in the form of a day-dreamed vision. Elias saw himself as a cat wandering through a grassy field. There he found a fierce black wolf chasing a colorful butterfly fluttering in the air. There seemed to be a very jovial, oblivious atmosphere. But Elias saw the storm darkening on the horizon. The wolf and butterfly did not seem to notice and still they frolicked. So Elias stalked forward. He pounced the butterfly carefully between his jaws, then ran off. Outraged, the wolf was after him -- all the way out of the field and away from the closing storm. Elias led the wolf to a village of humans and there released the butterfly. The village's druidic proest welcomed the animals. But as the storm closed, the druid countered with his ritualistic prayers and control over the elements. The day soon brightened. Together, Elias and Grandpa Gormon interpreted the vision. It seemed to indicate that Elias was to use his Fenian gifts to the aid of his supernatural brethren. He was charged to try and bring Garou (werewolves), fae, and magi back together, honoring the ancient treaties and alliances. And he had to do it before the storm broke upon them all unawares.

Early Trials

Naturally, the Fenian thought it best to stick to his homeland to begin. Through the fae contacts he made in Cork while younger, Elias learned just where to go to start his quest. And wherever Elias went, his Fenian heritage garnered him great respect and more trust than other lone sorcerors muster. Elias gladly acted the part of diplomat, particularly between the Kithain and Fianna werewolves. He enjoyed their company and he never felt threatened. His pleasant and charming attitude befriended these often volatile supernaturals in turn.

For five years, Elias visited Septs and freeholds across Ireland. In addition to his diplomatic voice between these groups, Elias lived their life. As a cat, he spied on fomori monsters for the Garou. He wooed beautiful fae women and helped Pooka plan and execute pranks on stodgy, old Grumps. For his extended fae family, Elias also presented a source of Glamour, of the magic and beauty for which they yearned. Diplomat, spy, dreamer, and sorceror: the Fenian's reputation spread throughout much of Ireland's supernatural populace. Although the hospitality Elias enjoyed often delivered a lax lifestyle, he focused on the tasks at hand. His business kept him from contacting his family beyond regular letters.

But his hardest test came in early 2004. Elias came upon the Sept of the Black Tree not far from the town of Athlone. He inquired of these werewolves' ties with the Kithain. But the Fianna were furious and considering war: the fae, backed by a Lord-Sidhe called Count Sheehan, stole a sacred stone from the caern grounds. So Elias paid this Count and his freehold a visit. Sheehan ap Eiluned claimed that the fae gave the Fianna that stone in the first place and were greedily hoarding it. It provided much-needed Glamour to the fae. Elias tried to convince the fae that a long-term alliance would be better than a short-term source of extra "juice". But the fae refused to listen. In fact, the Count would not hear Elias' advice until the Fenian proved that human effort was worthwhile. Sheehan spoke of humans mining deep into the ground for a rare, mythical mineral. Their greed and reliance on machines dulled their minds and was dimming the Glamour of the region. In fact, so Banal was this mining outfit that the fae could not approach them at all.

So Elias paid a visit to a local coven of Verbena witches -- users of magic similar to his own. He spoke of the mining operation and the problems the fae and Garou suffered. Though it took a few weeks of persistence, Elias persuaded the coven to act at last. They recognized the danger: the Technocracy, technomancers bent on world domination. They harmed nature thoughtlessly, preached dull obedience to the Masses, and clearly thought they mythical mineral for which they mined would aid their endeavors. The Verbena, with Elias tagging along, infiltrated the mining operation one night. With powerful spells, the Verbena acted as mystical eco-terrorists. Machines were wrecked and miners frightened off with inexplicable outbreaks of a fast-acting plague. The Technocrats had their own defenses, however. A security team assaulted the coven as they tried to escape. One Verbena was shot to death, prompting the other witches to react with raw and unbridled mystical force. Most of the guards were slain and the survivors retreated. The Verbena escaped, their mission a costly success. Elias didn’t leave unscathed, suffering a bullet wound to the shoulder. It was well-treated in the coven's sanctuaries, fortunately.

After mourning the fallen Verbena, Elias returned to the freehold. The Count already heard about the mages' success. He congratulated Elias, honoring his bravery. The Count lionized the Fenian and the Verbena with a wild party. The fae gave up the sacred stone and Elias accompanied its return. The Fianna rejoiced and Elias enjoyed another celebration. The old treaties were restored between the two races, at least in this troubled region.

America

While staying with the Sept of the Black Tree, Elias received a suggestion from a more venerable werwolf. He was unarguably a charming and brave diplomat, the Fianna said. And those Fianna and fae that immigrated to America were often ignorant of the old alliances. Perhaps Elias should turn his good will to where it was more desperately needed? Interest piqued, Elias conferred with his grandfather by written correspondence. Grandpa Gormon advised caution and made sure Elias intended to stay true to his Fenian roots. But Elias had no plans otherwise! The werewolf hinted that Elias should go to Kansas City, because the werewolf had a cousin there in the Sept of the Moon Lake to whom he could refer Elias. So Elias voyaged to America and that city. He began his research into the region's fae, Garou, and magi immediately. And to his horror, many of the acquaintances he made either didn't remember the old treaties or refused to honor them! He had his work cut out for him.



Paradigm & Style


At the center of it all, Elias believes magic is no more than an act of nature to which modern people are not accustomed. The magician is a person who learns how to channel and summon nature to aid in his endeavors. A good magician does so properly, with respect to nature, and does not seek the power of magic for the power alone. Because Elias believes that magic is natural, all forms of sorcery are acceptable. He finds the link between nature and technomancy difficult to understand, but since it works it must be possible! And thus, a part of nature that he does not understand fully. The same goes for infernal sorceries: devils may be a part of nature, but the part they play he does not fully comprehend. He does know this: the Fomorians and their demonic brethren seem to want to corrupt the cycle and bring neverending life and death in twisted paradigm to the world. It has been, and always will be, the sworn oath of the Fenian to combat those monstrosities and protect mankind from their wickedness.

These beliefs of harmony between man and nature date back to his pagan upbringing and druidic lessons. Elias follows the old gods of Celtic religion, honoring totems of elemental forces and metaphysical concepts. High among those he reveres are Dagda, Arawn, Diancecht, and Oghma. In Elias' views, mankind was set at the highest pinnacle of honor before the gods. All other creatures, even the supernatural beings, were designed for other purposes. But humanity was given free will to do as they will, even though the gods hoped that they would honor and tend to their world, to nature. Elias believes the goal of all humanity should be to honor nature, to live harmoniously alongside and within the ecosystem.

To that end, Elias observes various festivals and holy days throughout the year. All of these events commemorate seasonal changes or harvest days or dates of totem reverence. Many of these celebrations are really designed for an entire community of pagan worshippers. But Elias curtails the breadth of the festivities to perform alone. To Elias, great joy is to be taken in the respect of nature and the seasons. Whether summer or winter, life or death, this young man rejoices in all of the raw beauty of the earth. Dancing and singing are prominient aspects of his druidic arts. But harvesting the land, enjoying its bounty instead of raping it for artificial possessions, also remains important to Elias. He practices herbalism all the time in conjunction to his more elemental arts.

In fact, his skilled herbal techniques allow him to concoct a number of potions and poultices, perfumes and philtres, that can enact a number of various, natural ends. This is not alchemy: he could not brew a Molotov cocktail-like liquid. But his herbal recipes include healing and harming alike. Of course, his recipes demand the best quality ingredients. Some of the ingredients are also quite rare -- even supernatural in origin. So he remains quite choosy about his concoctions.

Meanwhile, his natural abilities as a Fenian shapeshifter bring him the legacy of the common cat. The ability to change into an animal was passed down by blood heritage of millennia past. His adaptation to a cat is completely personal: it fits his keen senses, charming behavior, and aloof attitude quite well. Like the night he "first changed", to signal any change from his human form to anything "catty" (up to and including a full-blown, normal-looking cat!), Elias must dance. The dance is completely spontaneous -- a mad caper really. He feels obliged to do it out of sight of all people, at night under the light of the moon. If those circumstances cannot be met, his ability to shapeshift is severely hampered. (If the moon cannot be seen, +1 difficulty; if he is under notice, +1 difficulty; if he tries to change at day, +2 difficulty; if he tries to change in broad daylight with people watching, +3 difficulty.)

To plea the favors of the weather, of the sky and storms and rain, as well as the wind and warmth of the sun, Elias must also dance. However, he does not need to caper about to the rhythm of his own feline heartbeat. Instead, he enacts traditional pagan dances, according to the sort of weather alterations he seeks. These dances may normally require more than one person dancing, but he has altered them like his other festivities for the benefit of one practitioner. Often, too, he sings a joyful hymn while he dances. While he prefers but does not need a natural grove to shapeshift, such a place is mandatory for his weathercraft.

Significant Other


The Fenian met this Fianna she-wolf in 2004 not long after he arrived to the area. An evening of physical competition ended up as a night of hot sex in his apartment. The two indulged in their lusty whims and decided to do it more often thereafter! Elias enjoys Siobhan Doyle like he has no other woman. And she seems to like him better than any other man she's ever had. Will there be family or more? Who can say; they have little to say to each other, after all.

Siobhan

Weakness
Madman's Jig


The Fenian dances on the edge of madness and death. Through ancient lineage and his own cunning, Elias has survived so far. But even a hero's luck will run out eventually, especially if he tests it too often.

Likelihood of Corruption

Average.

Elias is willing and able to fulfill his lineage's legacy of facing the Fomorians (fomori?). He seeks out these enemies and seeks out allies to direct their might at those foes. Unfortunately, when facing down such corruption, one risks becoming the thing one opposes.

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