Rhubarb Karaköse
Rhubarb-Tur Karaköse
At his core, Rhubarb is a mortal man - haunted by his failures, driven by zealous ambition, and bound to the same primal hungers and vices that afflict all those of flesh and blood. And yet, he has willingly become a vessel for something vastly greater than himself.
As Tiamat's consecrated Paladin, Rhubarb serves as an embodied nexus through which the primal Mother's ineffable natural harmonies are meant to descend into terrestrial dominance once more. Her grand overunities of perpetual renewal, elemental balance, and the eternal dance of indulgence and satiation course through him.
Adorned in armor and regalia that seems to resonate with the arcane languages of symbiogenesis itself, Rhubarb cuts an iconic figure. To the denizens of Verdant Haven, he appears the very personification of nature's cycles made manifest - a force of reckoning and grim rebirth as dreadful as it is revered.
Yet, behind that piercing emerald gaze lies the depths of a fractured, all too human psyche. A mortal vessel straining under the delusions of zealotry and the burdens of shameful failures past. Rhubarb's pursuit of Tiamat's terrestrial ascendancy is as much an exercise in redeeming his tormented soul as it is about ushering in a new age of primordial harmonies.
In this dichotomy, the sacred avatar and the flawed, vengeful mortal are irrevocably intertwined. For as much as he seeks to embody the Dragonqueen's terribly resplendent regenerative constitutions, Rhubarb remains shackled to his own torturous ambitions and propensity for righteous absolutism.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Exceptional strength and stamina, capable of wielding heavy weapons and armor with ease
Quick reflexes and agility, honed through combat training and experience
Resilient constitution, able to endure harsh conditions and recover from injuries quickly
Scarred skin, with numerous marks of battle and ritual adorning his body
Rough, calloused hands, a result of years of wielding weapons and engaging in manual labor
Piercing, intense gaze, reflecting his unwavering devotion and fierce determination
Identifying Characteristics
In addition to his battle scars, Rhubarb bears numerous scars from ritual practices, including intricate patterns and symbols carved into his skin. These scars are a testament to his deep devotion and willingness to endure pain in Tiamat's name.
Apparel & Accessories
- Emerald Chain Hauberk - Full suit of enameled chain armor lacquered in jade green, etched with branching bramble/serpent designs in mithril
- Dragonscale Faceplate - Thick iron faceplate emblazoned with Tiamat's scales in goldchase repoussé over bronzed layering
- Warhammer Cingulus - Antlered steel warhammer head conjuring a ram's crown, haft carved with naturalistic flora/fauna emblems
- Buckler Shield - Immense oval shield face with Tiamat's icon rendered in sheets of gleaming goldchase over elemental emblems
- Gorget of Vigor - Ornate emerald-enameled gorget etched with protective runes and charms
- Greaves of Landtread - Mithril-inlaid greaves molded with treebark patterns and grounding sigils
Specialized Equipment
- Obsidian Tiamat Talisman - Archaic sacred talisman allowing conduit to the Dragon Queen's ineffable metaphysical magnitudes
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Rhubarb's early life was steeped in the esoteric teachings and rituals of the Tiamat-worshipping cult he was born into. Nestled in a lush, mist-shrouded valley veiled from the outside world, the commune was a haven of vibrant colors and earthy scents, centered around sprawling gardens that burst with exotic flora.
From birth, Rhubarb was immersed in the cult's reverence for the natural world and their devotion to maintaining a delicate balance between the forces of creation and destruction. His parents, both respected elders within the commune, were known for their uncanny ability to coax even the most delicate blooms to flourish under their care.
As a child, Rhubarb spent countless hours tending to the sacred gardens alongside his parents, learning to appreciate the intricate web of life that Tiamat's teachings represented. The heady aromas of rare blossoms and the soft whispers of the breeze through the foliage became his lullabies, shaping his understanding of the world.
Yet even amidst the commune's tranquility, there were whispers of the chaotic forces that Tiamat embodied. Rhubarb witnessed cryptic rituals performed under the moonlight, heard chants in forgotten tongues that sent shivers down his spine, and glimpsed the fervor in the eyes of the acolytes during their acts of devotion.
As he grew older, Rhubarb began to question the true nature of the teachings he'd been raised with. Were they truly maintaining a harmonious balance, or merely keeping the roiling chaos at bay? This seed of doubt would eventually blossom into a full-fledged crisis of faith, shaping the man he would become.
Education
Within the insular world of the Tiamat-worshipping commune, traditional education took a backseat to the all-consuming task of indoctrination. From the moment Rhubarb could comprehend language, his mind was filled with the cult's teachings, shaping his understanding of the world through a lens of devotion and obedience.
In lieu of a structured curriculum, the elders of the commune took turns imparting their wisdom to the young acolytes. Lessons were conducted in the dappled shade of the sacred gardens, where Rhubarb and his peers would sit cross-legged, listening rapt to the tales of Tiamat's power and the importance of maintaining the balance she represented.
The teachings were a complex tapestry of mythology, natural lore, and cryptic prophecies, delivered in a hypnotic cadence that left little room for questioning. Rhubarb learned to read and write using ancient tomes filled with esoteric symbols and intricate illustrations of Tiamat's many forms. The cult's dogma became the foundation of his understanding, and the questioning of its verity was strictly forbidden.
Any hint of curiosity about the world beyond the commune's borders was swiftly quashed, and contact with outsiders was virtually non-existent. The commune was a self-contained universe, and the only knowledge deemed necessary was that which served the veneration of Tiamat.
Accomplishments & Achievements
- Became a skilled gardener and demonstrated unwavering devotion to Tiamat during his early years in the commune
- Successfully completed the initiation rituals to become a fully-fledged member of the cult
- Developed a reputation as a wise and compassionate listener among his peers
- Became a respected paladin of Tiamat, known for his combat prowess and devotion
- Played a key role in reforming and shaping the town of Verdant Haven politically and economically
Failures & Embarrassments
- Struggled to fully suppress his doubts about the cult's teachings, leading to moments of visible hesitation
- Experienced a crisis of faith after the violent persecution of his commune, leading him to question his beliefs
- Allowed his arrogance and stubborn adherence to dogma to grow unchecked as he gained power and influence in Verdant Haven
- Succumbed to brutal acts of violence, such as the savage beating of the witch in the sewers, marking a fall from his principled path
Mental Trauma
- Scarred by the constant pressure to conform to the cult's ideology and the fear of being cast out
- Grappled with the internal conflict between his pious beliefs and his growing attachment to Lyracunais and the supernatural world
- Burdened by the guilt and self-doubt stemming from his increasingly brutal actions and the erosion of his moral principles
Intellectual Characteristics
- Possesses a keen understanding of Tiamat's teachings, seeing them as a comprehensive guide to achieving balance and harmony in the world
- Demonstrates a strategic mind, able to devise plans and consolidate resources to further his goals and spread Tiamat's influence
- Exhibits a talent for leadership and persuasion, using his knowledge of Tiamat's teachings to inspire and guide others, particularly within the Cursebreakers
- Demonstrates a capacity for theological debate, fiercely defending the supremacy of Tiamat's teachings against other religious views
Morality & Philosophy
- Believes that true harmony can only be achieved through the balance of opposing forces, as embodied by Tiamat's five chromatic dragon aspects
- Holds the conviction that the accumulation of wealth and power is a means to spread Tiamat's teachings and create a world of coexistence and tranquility
- Demonstrates a lack of tolerance for other faiths, viewing them as threats to the purity of Tiamat's teachings and the balance he seeks to maintain
- Struggles with the contradiction between his desire for harmony and his unwillingness to accept diverse beliefs, leading to internal conflicts and external confrontations
- Wrestles with the realization that his zealous devotion and lack of tolerance may be contributing to the very imbalance he seeks to rectify
Taboos
- Disrespecting or desecrating Tiamat's symbols or sacred spaces
- Engaging in actions that disrupt the natural balance or harm the environment
- Tolerating or promoting the teachings of other faiths
- Displaying cowardice or failing to confront threats to harmony
- Betraying the trust or loyalty of his fellow Tiamat worshippers
- Engaging in acts of wanton destruction or senseless violence
- Pursuing personal gain at the expense of Tiamat's cause or the greater good
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Rhubarb's ambitions are dual - to accumulate resources and influence for Tiamat's ascendancy, but also to utilize that power to curate the natural harmonies decreed as her primordial dominion.
He is driven by the belief that amassing wealth, property and command of the prevailing powers will enable him to restructure the terrestrial plane in observance of Tiamat's regenerative order - her cyclical cadences of indulgence, satiation, renewal and perpetuation of the terrestrial sphere.
To Rhubarb, this pursuit is a means of catalyzing Tiamat's terrestrial sovereignty - reshaping the mortal sphere in accordance to the natural order as decreed by her primordial dominion. His insatiable ambition is predicated on establishing her terrestrial ascendancy as a progenitor of the terrestrial sphere's perpetuation.
Virtues & Personality perks
Altruistic
Vices & Personality flaws
Self-serving
Social
Religious Views
Rhubarb views Tiamat as the embodiment of primal, primordial forces of nature itself. Her five chromatic draconic aspects represent elemental domains and primal energies that must coexist in balanced harmony.
He sees Tiamat's essence woven through all natural cycles - birth, growth, consumption, death, and perpetual renewal. The forests, rivers and living world are all chorusing her grand mastersong of interdependence.
As her devoted Paladin, Rhubarb believes it is his sacred duty to safeguard and curate these harmonious cycles in accordance with Tiamat's ineffable cosmic cadences. Any threats of discord, imbalance or entropic decay must be ruthlessly severed.
His religious zeal is fundamentalist - Rhubarb considers all other faiths and philosophies as dangerous perversions that disrupt nature's sublime equilibrium. In his view, Tiamat's primordial truth must be imposed and all iconoclastic thought-viruses purged.
Rhubarb sees accumulating wealth and authority as necessary to prepare the terrestrial sphere for Tiamat's coming ascendancy. Under his guidance, the mortal plane will be reshaped into a unified, self-sustaining embodiment of her regenerative rhythms.
Rhubarb is a strong and robust paladin of Tiamat, with a commanding presence. He stands at about 6 feet tall and has a well-built, muscular frame.
View Character Profile
Alignment
Lawful Evil
Current Location
Birthplace
Enclave of Tranquility
Children
Current Residence
Verdant Haven
Gender
Male
Eyes
Green
Hair
Dark brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Fair, lightly tanned
Height
6 ft
Belief/Deity
Tiamat
Aligned Organization
Ruled Locations
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