Zealot of Iconoclastic Virtue
Basic Information
Name: Zealot of Iconoclastic Virtue
Type: Dragon-Blooded Exalt
Player: Brian
Aspect: Air
Concept: Member of the Hallowed Order of the Grass Spiders
Motivation: Punish those that use religion as a self-serving tool of control and manipulation.
Political Affiliation: The Hallowed Order of the Grass Spiders
Anima: Birds shaped with essence fly gracefully above him. As the anima banner reaches totemic levels, wind swirls amongst the birds until a powerful updraft shreds them, causing a brilliant display of lightning and thunder in the sky.
Likes: Travelling to new places, sailing, monsoons, the Wyld, skydiving
Dislikes: Monks, attention, waiting, loud noises (especially from his anima), One-on-One Conversation.
Theme Song: After Forever - Yield to Temptation
Zealot of Iconoclastic Virtue: Character Sheet
How I Became a Grass Spider
Zealot accepted the bowl from Ash and, noticing a pattern, he inquired, "Am I the only one who sought this job out, instead of the other way around?" A silence followed, which was an answer in itself.
"Alright, that's not the entire truth; but had I known the Grass Spiders existed, I would have been seeking them out. Everything I did was practically an audition," He took a puff, then leaned back on his chair, lifting the two front legs off the ground and keeping his balance on the back two. He relaxed, and put his arms behind his head. "It was like working towards a higher purpose, without knowing what that purpose was--and to one day find it--it's quite a thrill."
"It all started on a small island in the western archipelago. There was always someone I didn't like, anywhere from the lowly merchant trying to rip me off to the greedy and self-centered politicians abusing the community I grew up in. My temper was thin--I'm still working on that. When the Realm's satrapy encroached on our small island, and manipulated our economy forcing most of the population into servitude, that's what I decided I was going to do something about it."
"From that point forward, murder was my passion. Some people have alcohol, others have," he took another puff, "other recreational drugs. I have murder. Most would say I'm a psychopath. I disagree. There are untold numbers of people that have more blood on their hands than I, and many of them are people that hold significant power, people that are held with great regard by their local populations. They're the crazy ones. They can't see the big picture. Creation is filled with unspeakable evil, and I consider myself, and my profession, to be a powerful tool in cleansing it."
He chuckled slightly, "It sounds noble, I know. Anyway, I've been hopping from city to city, doing what I love. You should have seen my face when I realized I could make money doing this."
"You could say the day I started taking jade was the day I drifted from my righteous path, but I tried to find clients whose interests aligned with mine. Regardless, I needed money to continue my 'way of life'; and even if I didn't agree with the job, I could use the money later for the greater good."
The group got the feeling that Zealot truly believed his overly dignified description of his profession. As twisted as his logic was, there was some sense to it.
He continued, "I don't know how long Gyoki had been following me, but when I met him for the first time, I had this feeling that it wasn't actually the first time. He won't tell me, but I suspect he had been a client of mine for some time. As I continued to travel east through the Scavenger Lands, my clients continued to be more and more demanding that the hits be carried out in overly complex and dramatic fashions. I found it a little odd, but it was a fun challenge and the pay got better and better. Anyway, I must have passed his 'tests,' because here I am."
He looked at the angelic Fay Morgana and tossed her the bowl. "What's your story, princess?"