Maximillian

“There is no beyond, Only what lies within.” So they teach in Shu’Yun Zhen. Destroyed, sealed, forgotten, or lies to sow blasphemy and mistrust in the nation - it is well known that the only reality and world is the one we live in now. Yet still, some monks hear the call of something more deep within themselves.   As a child of Sanctia, Maximillian's earliest memories were of scripture and shadow. He never knew his real parents - only the harsh doctrine and sermons given by the Luminaries and confessors of Auraleth. Found orphaned by a luminary after an incident in Stillwater’s Vigil, Maximillian was identified to be one of The Radiant Mother’s Chosen. But while studying under the Confessors and Luminaries of Auraleth, his soul was deemed “touched.” “There is an echo within you that is not light. You can not be one of us,” were the last words spoken to Maximilian by the Luminaries. He was given to the monks of Whispering Step, in hopes they could quiet whatever stirred in him.   Maximilian was the youngest of those on the Pilgrimage to Enlightenment, but working diligently he made his way through the training. Working through the silence at Whispering Step and the hard endurance trials of Ember Veil, the eastern monastery of Hollow Echo is where he discovered his ki. After training with the masters of Hollow Echo, Maximilian was finally ready to take on the Pool of Reflection. Taking his seat and beginning his meditation, he sat still for days. Emptying his body and clearing his mind, finally he not only heard it, but felt himself fracture. Opening his eyes from meditation he saw a shape around himself. A glowing visage of inner self appeared around his arms and body - Maximilian had been claimed by the Echo Form Tradition (Therovar world’s take on Way of Astral Self). (describe what your astral self looks like. It could be tinted green like the image of Master Vhanu, or a shadow that appears behind etc.)   After studying under Master Ryoshi for months to control his Echo Form, he undertook the trial. Led into a room with 6 statues, Maximillian took up his stance in the middle. Upon activating his Echo Form the trial began. Each statue released pulses of energy - of emotion - that distorted his control over his Echo Form. His arms lashed out on their own and fizzled, almost going out entirely at times. Maximilian steadied his resolve and striked back, focusing on his inner self and turning away from the emotions that bombarded him. Striking masterfully at pressure points on the statues and weaving his way around pulses he stood victorious at the end. Master Ryoshi walked in and spoke, “The Echo is not an extension of the self… it is the truth of it left bare. Your echo no longer follows. It walks beside you. Congratulations, you are ready.”   Maximilian’s journey continued after this with newfound resolve. Making his way to The Still Core in order to receive his wisdom from Master Vhanu, he was not disappointed when the day came. Making his way down the halls of The Chamber of Eternal Breath, Maximilian stood in front of the Master Vhanu. His giant form glowing tinted green, locked in eternal meditation. Without moving his lips, Master Vhanu spoke “You have been claimed by the Echo. It is not a gift. It is a reflection - and reflections lie.” - Maximilian’s head began to spin. The words came at him like a punch to the gut. - “The self you wear will distort, again and again, unless your will holds it still. The more you call upon your Echo, the more it may resemble something else… Something that is not you. Control it. Or it will become you. Go into the land. Not to spread your form - but to sharpen it. Train not your body, but your resolve. For when the Echo turns inward… it will show you something you must refuse. And when that day comes - When you hear a voice that resembles yours - remember this: It never was.”   With this newfound knowledge imbibed upon him, Maximilian now travels the lands of Therovar. Taking jobs and helping those he can. Content to strengthen his mind and not let the echo inside him take too much, or convince him of something else.