Shaper

As well as providing information on Shaping in general, this is a career guide for players intending to create a Shaper character.

What is a Shaper?

A Shaper is one who has dedicated their lives to the tending and nurturing of the Woods of T'aquar. Through long years of study and hard training, they learn magical skills which allow them to shape the trees, plant life and streams that run through the Woods (basically the flora and fauna). Helping the woods to grow strong and healthy, the flowers to bloom and sometimes even to tend to the mythical creatures that reside within the forest.

Shapers have a certain amount of control over the trees, which in desperate times can rise up and help defend the lands of T'aquar. This ‘control’ is more so an understanding between both Shaper and Tree, a mutual relationship of trust, friendship, growing into a deep and meaningful love.

Such magic is a branch of druidism, and has a certain amount of Faith Magic, as the Shaper must be ‘at one’ with the Woods and with Nature in general. This does not mean that Shapers gain their magical energy from a deity. They gain it from the natural energy of the trees and nature, not to be confused with the sorcery of a wizard.

Training

The discipline of Shaping was taught in only one place in all of Tazlure. At the School of Art of Shaping, the Bhiradun Aidhiquir in Taloh Tel'Amrun. It was mainly Adhiel members that filled the ranks of the Bhiradun Aidhiquir, however there had been a handful of humans admitted to the School. Those who wished to study at the school were taken before the Governors and tested to see whether they possessed the strength, love and dedication for a life long commitment. Afterwards, they were apprenticed to one of the Master Shapers.

There were no set ‘classes’ given, the Master taught and guided the Apprentice in all that they needed to grow as a Shaper.

The Governors

First Governor - Torram Kaballian: Average height for a male Adhiel, long dark brown hair, deep set green eyes, average build for his kind. Torram was an extremely powerful and gifted Shaper; he was the Master Shaper of the School, its Headmaster if you like. Along with Governor, he was also more commonly known to the staff in the School as the Grand Master. An intense and sometimes serious individual, he could never be faulted on his love for his work and the work of the School. He rarely stepped outside the School, since he attained the position of Grand Master, however he did have his own private garden which none save himself could enter.

Governor Ryllinda Harroest: Female, with dark brown eyes and hair to match. Her voice was deep and commanding, often sounding quite threatening, but she was generally a rather caring woman. A comely figure and personality, she aided in testing those wishing to join the school. She handled much of the Administrative workings of the School.

Governor Jallin Quor: Supposedly, he was second in power only to the Grand Master, and hinted at being his successor. He is a severely quiet and reserved younger male Adhiel, who keeps to himself mostly. Mysterious in many ways, few of the students ever saw him outside the School and working in the Woodlands. Blonde haired with sharp, intense and icy blue eyes, he could come across as being rather abrupt.

NPCs to note

Lyannia: Master Shaper from the School of Shaping. She was an elderly female shaper. Taught the Governors. One son (known): Yari.

Meridion: the Keeper, assistant to Governor Ryllinda Harroest. He dealt with the day to day administrative tasks and made the preliminary schedules for new arrivals

Tainted Shapers

These Shapers are corruption. Where normal Shapers seek and bond and friendship with the trees, Tainted Shapers seek only power and to dominate and control the trees, bending them to their perverted Wills.

Most Tainted Shapers were cast out of the School at some point, because of their destructive and dangerous lust for power and domination. Few Tainted Shapers existed, yet they posed a serious threat to the School and T'aquar. The Cabal of Thorns, led by the Tainted Shaper Rhimmuld, allied themselves with the She-Demon Blayvanna, a Demon of Chaos. It was this demon also that gave power to the Tainted Shapers.

Skills

• Meditation
• Inner Calm
• Gardening
• (A weapon skill is an option, though most Shapers abhor the use of violence, and will be up to the player’s discretion)
• Survival [Woods] (would be a handy skill, as some Shapers can spend days traveling over the Woods of T'aquar)

To learn IC:

• Shaping [Faith: Druidism]
• Empathy
• Nature's Way [Faith: Druidism]