Benjamen Stridde

Though not a god himself, Benjamen is a primary figure in worship of Soliairs as a god of romantic love and dedication, with imagery associated with him almost always being present in offerings. By many, he his considered a key symbol of their love, as he is the object of it, and one that cannot be separated from it. As such, offerings of bamboo, rabbit figurines and symbols, pandas symbols and figures, and keys are commonly given. Keys notably are due to Soliairs' pistol, which has the keys to their fleet mounted in its stock, oftentimes being given to him as a show of their unwavering trust in him.

Ben is a strong individual, fit and in the prime of his life at the time he died. As now one of Shia's Dead, he will forever remain such. Due to the nature of his death, it is suspected by many across the public that Benjamen likely had to have significant portions of his body replaced and repaired by Shia, and may not entirely be honest about his appearance. This has, oddly, been supported by Soliairs, who has talked about how his condition on the recovery of his body was a traumatizing event for them personally, though Ben himself has never commented on this publicly.   He has three tattoos, each being stark black bands representing major events in his life- meeting Soliairs, his revival, and on his middle finger, his death.

Ben has numerous scars, his most prominent being top surgery scars across his chest. He isn't shy about sharing the details of the numerous ways he's been wounded, most of which, performing duties for Soliairs or being at their side in battle against other gods. He also has three tattoos- two black bands on his right arm, signifying the two most major events in his life- Meeting Soliairs, and being revived, and another one on his middle finger of his right hand, signifying his ties to Shia and his death.   Since his revival, Ben has not had many if any changes to his body in any form. This is common with Shia's Dead, as they are unable to grow and change, and due to personally working for Shia, he is likely in a far more advanced state of preservation by way of death magic in order to ensure he can continue his duties. Like all Shia's Dead, Ben does not age, still appearing physically as that he did at death.

Benjamen's eyes mark him as Shia's Dead, in that they are blank white, and not affected by light. He wears eye black similar to how he did in life, reminiscent of the divine paint worn by many gods. In the current day, Ben's makeup is deliberately worn smudged, said to be due to done deliberately in homage to how he looked upon his death.

As a Shia's Dead, he is able to use Death Magic, which he has weaponized for fighting off other gods and completing tasks for Shia.   Ben can also call upon Soliairs at any time using their feather he wears as an earring.

Typically, Ben wears a thick leather vest over a sleeveless shirt, and a partial leather kilt fashioned from an old coat. He is armed at all times, usually in the form of a knife or dagger strapped to his left leg, although at times this is often replaced with a broadsword or a pistol. Although most of the weapons he carries are merely for their appearance and as intimidation tactics, Benjamen is proficient in their use and well known among Soliairs' fleets for training others how to use them as well.

Feather of the Crane God- Soliairs' feather, fashioned into an earring. Using the magic in it, he can call upon Soliairs, or use their boon.

Benjamen was born in Korea, to a small coastal town known for it's fishing and primarily seafaring ways. He had a relatively normal childhood, learning to sail, fish, and defend himself, and became quite skilled in @water mana due to his lifestyle, moving along the Pacific coast for an array of jobs throughout his life, following the fishing industry. He has suggested that his name is one he chose to distance himself from his family, likely having been one suggested by a friend of his from work. Any questions about his family, in particular his parents, is one that is quickly dodged and ignored. When pressed, he has prior history of becoming agitated and even threatening those who continue to pry.   He met Soliairs, not knowing who they were, shortly after they had been heartbroken by Yung Pagoni, God of Peacocks and forced into immortality. He and Soliairs quickly dived into a relationship that was founded on clear boundaries and mutual trust, always ensuring that the other had the full consent of their partner to do anything that would impact their lives, as told by both parties. Many suspect that this may have started as a rebound relationship for Soliairs, though he has refused to comment on the potential of that aspect.   It wasn't long before Soliairs had been chosen to become the God of Cranes, due to their immortality, and Ben feared that it would mean Soliairs would leave him behind in their new life. This wasn't the case, however, and Soliairs brought him aboard as not only their boyfriend to continue their relationship, but as an equal in all manners. He acted as their right hand, but never as their official heir, taking over many duties that would be reserved for one. Together the pair have worked in tandem in all matters, from their piracy to Soliairs' duties as a god.   Benjamen has been outwardly vocal that he did not and continues to "not give a damn" who Soliairs sleeps with, even when it became public knowledge of their pregnancy with Yung's children, Gulana Taeyang and Heritai Pagoni, the former of which remains in Soliairs' custody. He has been an extremely vocal proponent that "...It's no one's business but (Soliairs')" into these matters, with heavy insistence that attempts by the media to pry into their love life, relationships, and especially sexual relations disgust him and are wrong on a moral level. When Soliairs was in the later stages of their pregnancy, he took over the majority of their duties in their stead, primarily those dealing with their fleet and regular operations.   This was during a time of heightened conflict with Svrar, Goddess of Tigers, and led to his death at their hand. Soliairs themself had been hidden away for their own protection to give birth to the twins, with Ben commanding their fleet as well as their attacks against the goddess. During one such attack, Svrar joined personally and by use of illusion magic, hid how much damage they had done to his ship to make him believe that he had more time before the vessel sank. Under this illusion, Ben as the story goes descended into it's hull to retrieve important paperwork relating to its crew as well as do a pass for survivors of the tiger's attack, not realizing that the ship was sinking. There, he was trapped and drowned.   Some of the timeline remains unclear, as it's been stated by some that Soliairs' children had not yet been born, while others have said (and likely exaggerated) they were on the moment of his death. What is known, however, is that Soliairs quickly became aware of his death and beckoned Shia to revive him no matter the cost. Soliairs' bids for his life were publicly denied, repeatedly, and this fact is well known among the pantheon. It's not publicly known exactly what Soliairs did to change Shia's mind, though as stated by both Ben and Soliairs, they made a threat that Shia only could take seriously, forcing the death god's hand. Since his revival, both have been bound to Shia and required to do acts in shi's name, though it seems as if they may have found loopholes to this system by way of taking it far more literally than intended.   Since his revival, Benjamen has continued with his prior position as Soliairs' right hand and aiding in their duties. This is in tandem with his work for Shia and Shia's Cult, mainly in handling trapped Ghosts and ushing them to Limbo's Crossing, at least until it's destruction. At some point in time, Soliairs took in Namen Lugal, a runaway from Hilathu's Cult, who at some point began a relationship with Gulana. Although he has been outspoken in the past on having not approved of their teenage romance at the time, he has long since come to appreciate Namen, though his position as Soliairs' heir does seem to continue to be a sore spot for him. Heritai and Gulana both have been outspoken on the fact that they are aware that Ben is not their biological father, though he continues to this day to fulfill such a role in their lives, with the latter especially known for calling him such.   Under Soliairs, he captured the cruise liner Pacifica VI, renaming it The Bamboo, which has become his primary ship within their fleet.   Since the outbreak of the War of the Moon, he has been present in aiding the pantheon's forces, mainly under Shia in mitigating The Shattering of Limbo as well as it's after effects. His exact location remains unknown, though Soliairs has commented that he is well. Resources sent by Benjamen have also appeared in many of the nations affected by the Pacific Eruption Disaster, most notably the Republic of Shanai.

Trans man

Asexual

Prior to joining Soliairs' crew, Ben was attending law school in Seoul, South Korea. Due to having joined Soliairs' fleet, he did not graduate, and has commented that finishing law school is something 'on the backburner'.

Benjamen is known for being cunning, a key advisor in most if not all of Soliairs' plans. His skill in diplomacy and legal loopholes makes him a vital part of the crew, particularly in shielding both Soliairs and their subordinates from repercussions and harm. He also has a keen understanding of death, perhaps much of it coming from Shia, and the ways of ghosts, able to placate them easily.

Ben is well known for his tenacity and viciousness in combat, having made a name for himself alongside Soliairs for their brutal efficiency in commandeering ships and other vessels. Of those that fight back against him and the crew under his command, there have been few survivors when deadly force has been used. Despite this, he has been known to treat prisoners fairly, if sternly, making their position quite clear and is not prone to bribery or giving slack in which the situation could be turned against him.   Following his death and subsequent revival, Benjamen has seemingly calmed somewhat, being more prone to allowing combatants to live, instead taking them as prisoner for ransom even when it is the far more inconvenient option. Many speculate this has to do with him being bound to Shia, and potentially knowing something to do with when the people are truly meant to die.

Ben holds no ties to his birth family, instead favoring the found family he has created with Soliairs. He adores Gulana and Heritai as if they are his own children, and filled with pride and love for their accomplishments.

He may be calmer compared to Soliairs, but that is saying little compared to most mortals as Soliairs is an active volcano in temperament. Benjamen has certainly let his position go to his head and can be incredibly cocky, rude, and aggressive without warning, and is just as likely as the crane god to shoot first, ask later. He can be incredibly brash and blunt to Shia especially, hiding absolutely no distaste for the god of death.   Controversially, he has been a notable proponent of the Cult of the Worldeater.

Panda, an extremely large rabbit, is his beloved pet, always nearby when he is on the ship. It is thought by many due to Panda's extremely old age that Ben or Soliairs, or perhaps both, may have made the animal immortal.