Brenhinol // Vertok Rook

[attr="class","brensimplefadedbg"]

[attr="class","brensimplepaddingbig"]

[attr="class","brensimplefadedbg"]

[attr="class","brensimplepaddingbig"]

[attr="class","brensimplefadedbg"]














An icy intensity makes Brenhinol hard to ignore. Incredibly studious by nature, his voracious appetite for knowledge walks him down an ever-evolving and undulating path for truth. Although his observable universe is small, everything within it is given meticulous attention—and it is constantly expanding. A paragon of intellectual rigor, rarely is he not engrossed in his studies or interests. Once he is absorbed in his work, everything on the outside ceases to exist, and he is liable to turn to his work as a means of relaxation or distraction. His curiosity follows the unknown, and his thirst to problem-solve yearns for a challenge. Unfazed by the grotesque, questionable, or controversial, he will do what it takes to glean a deeper understanding, even if his own actions are questionable. He is drawn in quickly and fervently but just as quickly will he fall out of interest, making the journey to discovery to be a source of intense fleeting enjoyment. Quite frankly, Bren is bored of the world at face value, which is why he pursues enlightenment and derives inspiration beyond superficial details. A keen eye and discerning mind seek to dissect the world beyond himself with surgical precision.[break][break]

Brenhinol fosters a sober view of life. Not a pessimist but no optimist either, he is an unsatisfied realist whose sensible views might be a buzzkill to the adjacent adrenaline junkie, but the difference between life and an ill-advised decision. When asked for his opinion, he speaks plainly, even if it risks offense. He is quite reclusive and struggles to connect with others. Getting involved in conversations or stepping out of his comfort zone are tall tasks, not because he is incapable, but rather because he sees no need. However, when his attention is won, he observes silently or asks questions, innate ways he shows he is listening, and might be willing to open up about his discoveries, albeit rare. Past his cold exterior, Bren cares deeply for the select few he lets step into his small universe, he just may lack the tact to convey his concerns sensitively. He could be seen as a quiet protector or an abrasive critic, two titles he doesn’t care to entertain as long as his voice is heard by those who choose to heed it. The sincerity behind his words is hard to argue no matter how unceremonious or insulting.[break][break]

It is no secret Bren strives for excellence. A perfectionist who is wildly driven, expending so much energy on one task that often he has little to put forth elsewhere. As a result, he is selective about what he chooses to spend time on, perhaps pompously so, which might strike the unfamiliar eye as lazy when given a task he doesn’t connect with immediately. During moments when he is not engrossed in his work or duties, he is aimless and frustrated as he desires purpose; at best he is unmotivated, at worst he is uncaring. A creature of habit who prefers his world to remain clean and constant, it doesn’t take a genius to discern what he prioritizes. He isn’t necessarily defiant but will find another means to an end if the one presented to him is unsatisfactory. When he asks a question, he demands answers. When the result is subpar, he tries again. Unafraid to play the long game, he is inherently—surprisingly—patient, both with his work and with others. An ambush hunter, one might call him, a tactic that plays well into his role in the Vertok, but has also allowed him to prove his capabilities and carve out a small niche for himself in the social sphere.

[attr="class","brensimplepaddingbig"]

[attr="class","brensimplefadedbg"]

[attr="class","brensimplepaddingbig"]

[attr="class","brensimplefadedbg"]

[attr="class","brensimplepaddingbig"]

[attr="class","brensimplefadedbg"]









Bren would describe his early life as ordinary but peaceful. He was born the oldest out of a litter of four, to an older couple Deallus and Milisia. As a result of her older age, Milisia experienced complications during birth which rendered her weakened, but she put in great effort to sufficiently provide for her children. Meanwhile, Deallus focused on providing for and protecting the small family that he loved. His parents were loving and doting but not necessarily coddling, as they taught their children the importance of hard work and teamwork. They indulged in teachings that outlined traditional roles, having Brenhinol and his brothers Arian and Delaney focus on defending the territory, while their youngest sister Breindal took charge of gentler, more nurturing tasks.[break][break]

They were not restrictive, however, and as the siblings were beginning to grow into their own, they began to let them pursue branches of knowledge outside of their traditional teachings. Milisia emphasized the importance of introducing her children to specific plants and their healing properties and scientific potential. It was then that Brenhinol’s interest in science and learning was sparked, and his parents ignited the embers.[break][break]

Despite how Bren and his siblings flourished with their interests, it was no secret that the small family struggled. Their parents felt it was imperative to not hide the fact from their children, either. Food was difficult to come by and for Deallus, the task of downing even a healthy buck was strenuous at best. He never complained about his aching joints or the limp that was developing despite his best efforts to conceal it. Brenhinol and his siblings worked harder to compensate for their parents’ old age. Bren felt the weight on his shoulders to become a reliable big brother and oldest son as he would volunteer to take charge of hunts and reconnaissance. It was no burden, he was merely returning what he believed he owed his family.[break][break]

As the children grew into adolescents, the family began moving, relocating from place to place, following the herds and whispers on the wind that promised bountiful lands. Tales of a kind and welcoming pack called the Vertok drew the family up mountains, and Brenhinol felt like he could loosen his muscles when he slept at night knowing that his loved ones had a secure place to eat and sleep among their ranks. He and his siblings settled into their own with the oldest continuing to provide for the pack that he felt indebted to.