Name: Vintrim Marvolo
Age: 117
Nationality: Andor
Height: 5'10
Weight: 152 lbs.
Hair color/length: Vin's hair is dark brown, with just a hint of grey starting to appear around his temples.
Eye color: His eye color seems to vary from cold grey to piercing blue, depending on what he is wearing.
Personality: Vintrim Marvolo is a very iron-willed man. He has a stern, military like precision about him, wanting everything concerning him to be as perfect as humanly possible. For you see, though he strives for perfection with himself and those below him, he realizes that everyone has weakness; nobody is perfect. Though stern, he is a very compassionate soul, and is always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. A hard worker, he is almost always on the move, whether in training, or guiding future Asha'man. The Age of Legends fascinates him, and he can often be found in the library studying everything about the period. A brilliant thinker, he would make a good General if ever the need arose. Seemingly unemotional at times, Vin wields a vengeful temper. Often times he has found himself regretting things he has done or said to others. Afterwards, apologizing is not one of his strong suits. Normally, he's a very calm and collected person, a beacon of resolve in times of worry or despair. Vintrim Marvolo is often compared to a rock, inpenetrable. This is not so. He is haunted by guilt; feeling responsible for the deaths of those he held close to him.
Appearance: His body has been sculpted from countless hours of weapons training with Gaidin in training. A semi-muscular frame accompanies a handsome face in Vintrim Marvolo. Though strong, this doesn't seem to show outwardly. He's often underestimated by anyone who doesn't know him personally. Cold, grey eyes seem to stare into the depths of one's soul. His dark hair is kept militarily cut short, always in place and extremely tidy. A short goatee decorates his square jaw, a jaw that is always set like a vise. His appearance compliments his personality, many have said. Vin can often be seen dressed in the garb of al'Doon M'taal, which is a coat of black satin with silver stripes adorning the shoulders. The Dragon and Sword Pins hold their respective places on the collar of the coat as well. Silver cuff links bearing the ancient symbol for the Aes Sedai can also be observed. A black leather belt with silver buckle decorate the expensive black pants, with silver stripes running down the length of the sides can also be commonly seen on the Asha'man. A sapphire encrusted ring claims a spot on his left hand's ring finger, a ter'angreal that splits offensive weaves of saidin (not saidar). His attire is complete with dark black, high topped boots that reach almost to the bottom of his knee-cap.
Channeling:
Base: 57
Began Channeling: 18 years of age.
Arrives at Tower: Age 20.
Affinities:
Air: 9
Fire: 8
Earth: 8
Water: 6
Spirit: 7
Soldier: Total Strength= 59. Spends 10 years as a Soldier. Age 28 when Graduates.
Dedicated: Total Strength= 94. Spends 25 years as Dedicated. Age 53 when Graduates.
Asha'man: Total Strength= 94 at age 53.
Full Potential: 111 at age 90; reached after 37 years of Asha'man Rank.
History:
Vintrim Marvolo was the last child born of Thom and Lyn Marvolo. Along with three older brothers, Vintrim lived with his parents in a quaint village called Deerfield. His father was a blacksmith, his mother a seamstress. They lived in a comfortable, two-story cottage just on the edge of town. They weren't rich by any means, but they had a decent life. Vin was close with his brothers, even though they were much older than he. The eldest, Vanek, intended to inherit his father's profession. The twins, Kale and Justin, were intent on becoming farmers. Vin wasn't sure exactly what he wanted from life. The family was extremely close, and did nearly everything together. Starting from an early age, each of the four boys were given some sort of basic training from their father, who had some skill with a blade. The three older boys excelled with a sword, and Vin was of average skill, but he really excelled with a quarterstaff.
Growing up in such a small community, everyone seemed to know everyone, and news traveled like wildfire. There were some benefits to this of course, but if you wanted something to be kept private: good luck. Vin had few friends, mainly because everyone seemed to be older than him. But, the friends he did make were very close to him. Countless hours were spent on imaginary adventures in the forests around Deerfield, and many imaginary Trollocs were slain. Vin's closest friends, besides his three brothers, were Isak al'Dier and Han al'Braden. Of course, there was Anna Courtan, his sweetheart. Anna was perhaps his closest friend, and they were almost inseparable all throughout their childhood. They both loved each other deeply, and had plans to get married after they were done with their schooling. Sadly, that day would never come.
At age 18, a terrible event would happen not only to Vin, but to the town of Deerfield itself. Dreadlords, who had been hunting for an Aes Sedai who had gone into hiding so many years before, had finally located her. Vin had been spending the day with Anna by their "spot" in the woods, a clearing with a small ravine running through the middle, when suddenly all went dark. The last thing he heard before the blackness was an ear splitting scream of terror and agony. When he came to, he found himself gagged and bound. Trollocs were all around him, and he realized that he was being carried by atleast three or four of them. A familiar scene came in to view, as he found himself looking directly at his own house. The lamps were lit, giving the house a cozy look to it. A booming voice spoke then. His mother and father scrambled out of the house, followed closely by the three eldest sons. Vin was dropped to the ground as the Trollocs drew their swords....
--"Finally, after so long Aes Sedai witch... We have found you." said a tall, gaunt man with stringy brown hair. Vin could only see him from behind, but shivers tingled down his spine. Aes Sedai? His mother?
His mother spoke then, "I knew you would come..." She sounded weary, but her voice was steady, her gaze unflinching. "Let my son go, and you can have me."
Vin, who still lay motionless on the cold ground, vaguely remembered what he had been doing before the ambush. Anna.... She was nowhere to be seen. A cackle of derisive laughter rang out into the fading daylight. Thom had drawn a blade, but Lyn had held him back with flows of Air. Vin felt himself being lifted up forcefully by his arms. He winced as he felt his restraints being cut with a roughly crafted blade. His hands and legs free, he began to walk toward his anxious family.
A cry of rage startled him from behind, followed by a growl of unintelligible speech. Turning, his face alight with fear, he was paralyzed as the Myrdraal stepped forward, it's deep bassic voice full of anger, "You promised us meat!"
But another Dreadlord, unfazed, merely answered, "The girl isn't enough?" Rage boiled within Vin, tears welled up in his eyes as he lashed out with flows of Fire and Air, completely unaware of what he was doing. Cries of surprise filled the air as cyclones of fire spun a deadly course into the Dreadlord hunting party. Lightning cracked in the ranks, and Vin felt two stong hands on his shoulders as his father led him back to the house. He saw his mother, her face full of concentration as she wove weaves of Fire and Air. That was the last time he saw his mother, or in fact, the rest of his family. Letting go of saidin unintentionally, he blacked out for the second time that day.--
When he awoke, he found himself in a bed at the local inn. He had sustained a few bruises, but otherwise, he was fine. The young man struggled to remember what had happened, and then it all came back to him in a flood of emotion. The door opened to admit the innkeeper, who wore a pained look on her aged face. She explained everything to him...She explained that his family was nowhere to be found, presumably dead. The only thing they could find was his father's heron-marked blade and the family heirloom: a silver ring encrusted with a single sapphire stone.
Wracked with grief and guilt over the loss of his loved ones, Vin left Deerfield shortly after a memorial service was conducted for his family and Anna. A deep depression set in as he wandered from town to town, never spending more than a day in one spot, with only a small amount of coin that had been donated to him by the citizens of Deerfield. The mysteries of his parents' past plagued him constantly. Why had they never told their children about their life before settling down? An Aes Sedai and her Warder, gone into hiding. What had happened? Why had they been forced to go into hiding? Had his mother known that he could channel? In the midst of all of his depression, there was anger; anger at his parents for leaving him in the dark all of his life, anger at them for dying.
Luck finally seemed to shine its favor on young Vintrim Marvolo. Down to his last coin, he was discovered by a stern, but kindhearted Asha'man named Abos Morphen. Sensing the spark in the young man, he decided to take him under his wing, teach him the basics of chanelling saidin safely. A grateful Vin accepted this act of graciousness without hesitation. Once under the watchful eye of the wise Asha'man, Vin began to excell in the art of channeling, for he was a quick study. Abos, who was of Shen al'Doon M'taal, suggested that Vin continue his studies at the Black Tower, at Tar Valon. Vin, who had been desperately searching for a place to belong, agreed;
Abos would accompany him to Tar Valon. And so, the pair of them prepared to set out for the Black Tower. It was not to be. On the eve before they were to depart, while on their way back to the inn, they were confronted by four Dreadlords...
-- The sun was setting, the buildings cast long shadows over the street. Vin kept pace with Abos, silent. An excitement had filled him, something he hadn't felt since before... No. He didn't want to think about it. It had been almost a year since that fateful evening. As they rounded the corner, coming to an empty street, four figures stood motionless, their hoods drawn, concealing their faces. Dark robes swayed softly in the breeze. Abos stopped him with a hand. One figure spoke, "Finally, we have found you, boy." Vin felt his heart stop. He was transfixed as the man removed his hood with a thin, bony hand. Instantly, saidin filled him. Molten ice and glacial fire threatened to overcome him, but he kept it in check, willing it to do his bidding.
He lashed out in weaves of fire and air, creating a large fireball, which he hurled at the Dreadlord. He watched in horror as the Dreadlord raised his hand, parrying the attack with extreme ease. Vin saw the weaves of Spirit that threatened to cut him from the source, and then he felt himself being hurtled back into the street where he and Abos had just came from. Saidin was there for a moment more, then the Source slipped away from him. A large dome encompassed him, and try though he may, he could not exit. Standing on two shaky legs, he watched in helplessness as Abos was overcome by the four Dreadlords.
Scrambling for the Source, Vin wove a sword of flame, anger raging inside of him. The ward disappeared after a moment, as he split the weaves with flows of Spirit. Alone, he faced the four Dreadlords, somehow unafraid.
"Foolish boy...just like his wretched mother. Weak. Now you will die."
And before he could counter, he found himself suspended in mid-air, it was as if he was being strangled by a large hand. The blade flickered, then disappeared as he lost the Source again. Bored laughter filled his ears. Closing his eyes, he relaxed as death enveloped him, welcomed it. The thought of being with his family comforting him as he slipped further into death's clutches. A flash of light, and he found himself on the cobbled stones of the street once more. Opening blood shot eyes, he drew a ragged breath. The four Dreadlords were nowhere to be seen, only ashes were they had stood moments before. Locating Abos, who was propped against the side of a building, eyes closed, chest rising and falling ever so slightly.
Crawling over to his fallen mentor, he held him in his arms.
"Abos...Abos?" The Ash'man opened his eyes feebly. His breaths were becoming ever more shallow. A lone tear formed in the Asha'man's eye.
"You...you've made me proud Vin...You've given my life a meaning...Thank you.."
And with that, he gave one shuddering breath, and was still.
Vin sat there with his mentor in his arms, unaware of the crowd that was gathering. --
Rumors flew around the city like insects, talk of Aes Sedai, Asha'man, Dreadlords, even the Dark One himself circulated in the following days. After paying his respects to his fallen mentor, Vin departed for Tar Valon alone, intent on fulfilling his mentor's wishes. Guilt and sadness hung over him like a stormcloud.
The road to Tar Valon was a long, uneventful one. Of this, Vin was glad, he was tired of losing people he cared about. During his journey to Tar Valon, Vin changed into the hard, iron-willed man that he is today. He vowed to himself never to grow too close to another, for fear of losing them. After a few long weeks of travelling, Vin finally arrived at the island-city of Tar Valon.
Talented, brilliant, hard working, Vin was a great student. Distant, cool, unemotional at times, absorbed in work, he didn't make many friends. In fact, you could count his actual friends, ones he actually let himself care for, on one hand. From his first week in the Tower, he decided he would study to become al'Cha Dieb, after his late mentor Abos Morphen. It was hard for him, for the guilt of losing Abos and his family weighed heavily on his heart, and would continue until present day.
Along with studying to one day become an Asha'man, Vin often found himself searching for records of his parents. Though he searched the Tower records thoroughly, he found no mention of either Thom or Lyn Marvolo. He even searched for Lyn al'Agribin, his mother's maiden name. Nothing ever came up. Frustrated and extremely disappointed, he gave up his search. The secrets of his parents would remain buried among the Tower records.
The Age of Legends became his fascination. Studying to become al'Cha Dieb, one had to have a certain respect for the Age of Legends. Vin loved it, loved learning everything he could about the period in which male and female Aes Sedai worked in harmony. Amazed by the feats they managed with the One Power, he dedicated himself to finding lost weaves and items from the time. Seven years flew by, seven years of training, studying, and perfecting.
Dedicated. He would never forget the honor of being raised to Dedicated. He knew that Abos, and his family, would be proud.
He was one of the first in his "class" to become Dedicated. His friends, though envious of his raising, were nonetheless proud and happy for Vin.
This, however, was only the beginning of his rise to Asha'man.
He spent the next 25 years as Dedicated to the Black Tower. During that time, his friends were also promoted, and they all labored at becoming Asha'man of their respective Shen. Finally, at the age of 53, he was raised to Asha'man. Ever since, he has become a prominent figure in the Black Tower.
(I know it kind of tapered down in detail, but I wasn't sure what to put at the end.)