Arik
From FiranMUX
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Contents |
Overview
Born to the commoner branch of the Eagle Royal Family, Arik has lived in the shadow of many great events. While once earnest and eager, Arik retains a quiet introspective manner in old age. However, he's known to speak at length about military and military service and everything wrong around him. While known in some circles Arik is more or less unknown on the public stage, paradoxically having a significant set of ties to the Eagle and Cockatrice throne.
Most of Arik's life was spent in Military service for the Air Force, where he was known to be intensely focused on discipline, training, and advancing technology and techniques. However after a decade in the Air Force service he retired from the military to focus on armoring and supposedly Griffon armor. Though he returned for a seasonal stint in the 42 A.U. campaign.
Early History
Arik grew up in the Royal Mansion of the Eagle District. This was through an oddity of his mother, Fridae, having been adopted by the Lady Eve following a promise to Lord Zarid. Arik grew up observing Nydiam and Zeysani as they grew and then Zaridos and Ania as well as their younger siblings. Arik's father is said to be a sailor named Seniat who died leaving the child with no memory of his father. This left Lord Marsyas Zaridik (half-brother of Zarid), and Nydiam as the primarily male role models in Arik's life.
Under Marsyas' influence Arik grew up learning about griffons and life of the Air Force, and drove him to choose that as his goal and vocation in life. He aspired as a youth to rise to command the Republic Air Force as Marsyas did for a time.
For female influences in his life Arik had Eve, and Dame Mother Urtenia, who claimed a kinship with the child due to the woman having given birth to one of Lord Zarid's children Quonasi.
Arik constantly lived under the shadows of the famous names and this shows in his life goals which consisted quite simply of not embarassing the members of his family. To this end he takes great pride in the family name of Zaridik and is constantly making reference to his ties to Eagle, Cockatrice, and Griffon Royal families. That said his motto is said to be, "Family, Clan, Republic."
As most of Arik's childhood involved observing pivotal figures in Firan history, and when he wasn't doing that caring for his younger brother Verus and recovering his mother from her drunken or mischievous ordeals, Arik has a
Recent History
One of the major events in Arik's life was entering the Republic service at the late age of 19. He entered directly into the Republic Air Force just a day after Zutrinia Cottonmouth. He was inducted by Primo Dawn and placed into training with Zutrinia under Centurion Jeronika Cottonmouth. He trained with the two of them just a few months before the two were captured during an Air Raid. Those close to Arik saw a significant change in his attitude following this event. What was once a childhood dream of Commanding the Air Force, became an obsession. Arik became obsessed with improving the training programs of the Air Force and the survivability of pilots. Some have also said that Arik has marked every day since that event as living on borrowed time.
At some point as Zaridos hit his majority he declared the name Zarikos (Arik's born name) to be a threat to clan security and ordered Arik to change his name hence the current name. Which of course later turned out to be similar to Lord Aeryk of Nydiam's brood.
Arik married Avni on April 28th 33 A.U. a few months after gaining his pilot's wings in the Republic Air Force, and just days before news of Zeysani's death came to the city. Another series of significant events that shaped the young man.
Following that Arik's life continued quietly. He served with distinction at both home and the war front, serving under such famed names as Baristano Aurik, Anikos Aurik, Dame Latta Nesharen, and Kristover Rissik. Eventually he rose to the rank of Captain of the Air Force commanding a wing that included, names such as Prince Zaridos, Lord Judanus, and Lord Firistan. However in one of the various restructurings of the Air Force, Arik saw a demotion when several of his subordinates rose to the ranks of Generals and Captains. Following this Arik was quick to leave the Air Force and retire to working on his projects which included a significant assistance in the firebombs research and ongoing work on griffon armor.
Personality & Beliefs
Arik is a man of few passions, he shows little emotion in public other than irritation. Most actions he sees appear to irritate the man and he's often quite vocal when complaining about actions of the military. While strictly disciplined, Arik has little tolerance for nonsense from either subordinates or superior officers, and having trained a significant number of the modern officer corps he seems to have difficulty in realizing they are not still his subordinates to be lectured.
Arik is a stark Elianosian traditionalist. He remembers, if barely, the era of Elianos and the ideas of a meritocracy. That said he is quite vocal about the benefits and responsibilities of Nobles and the necessity for commoners to support them. That said Arik is not above reprimanding nobles and accepting the whippings it earns him. While maintaining a high level of discipline Arik has been accused but never seriously convicted of Espionage, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and a host of insubordination charges.
Despite a grounding in traditionalism, Arik is constantly searching for innovation and modernization in the Air Force. He's been known to be involved in nearly all of the military related technological advances in recent years.
Arik's religious beliefs are another vocal topic. While being an open Elikan, Arik is rarely seen praying or events. He goes to events where actions are taken such as herb picking or the like, but rarely to sermons. He's often been heard saying that he is not so skilled at speaking to the Gods and prefers to let his actions speak.
Ranks & Offices
While he held at one point the office of Captain of the 4th Division (Air Force) and Aviary Master. Neither lasted and Arik currently holds only a Centurion ranking in the Eagle Clan military Air Force.
Family Life
Arik's life is calm and quiet. He's quite doting on his children and in fact all the children of his household which include his three children, Verus' children, and adopted children of Saria. He takes his duties as Head of Household of the Zaridik family proudly, but the family is little involved with politics outside of both his and Verus' military careers and Verus' service as Sharinir to Prince Zaridos Elianik.
Despite the quiet and doting life Arik is highly disciplined and expects the same of his children. He is not beyond striking (primarily spanking) the children who misbehave, and will often discipline the elder childrens for not monitoring and preventing the younger children's antics. That said he's also known to have begun educating all children at young ages on the basic of self defense, with fists and knives, and archery, while Verus teaches the eldest to fence with wooden swords. While he is vocal about forcing none of them into military service he expects each member of the family to be able to defend themselves.
Siblings
Verus: Arik's only sibling is his adopted brother Verus who he more or less raised. Arik's mannerisms towards his brother tend to learn more towards paternal than fraternal. He often lectures Verus and does his best to clean up Verus' messes. Despite this Verus has earned much more acclaim in military circles and social circles with his Sharinir-ship to Zarikos, of which Arik derives no small amount of pride.
Marriage
Arik is married to Avni Karik, in what seems by all a happy marriage. The Solian Initiate is devoted and caring and Arik is often seen discussing his wife and children. In a sharp departure from most of the women in Arik's life Avni is quiet, calm, and mild mannered.
Children
Zeysoli: Zeysoli is Avni and Arik's pride and joy. Her birth date was Feb 5, 34 A.U. Born a beautiful big and healthy girl she was named for Her Honour Zeysani and Mother Soli. A rather angry baby the couple joke that she takes after her Aunt Nestra, at least partly in joke as both parents are so calm themselves! The child is vivacious and utterly the opposite of her father. However she has mastered her father's scowl and rules her younger siblings with a mixture of sheer abuse and charm.
Aman: A loud baby that was delivered to Arik and Avni's doorstep one night shortly before Tinya was born. He's slightly older than their daughter though they don't believe by much. While Avni and Arik did their best to contact the temples and the Guard to see if he was a missing child no one had reported the child. Given how common adoption is already in Arik's family he treats the child as his own, expecting Aman to protect his two sisters and caring for the boy as his only male child, despite his preference for music.
Tinya: A litte girl born to Avni and Arik on April 6th, 39 A.U. She is a happy child the opposite of their first born who tends to be short tempered and domineering. Though much to Arik's concern even as a toddler the girl is flirtatious and pleasant, causing him to rarely let her out of his sight without Aman, as opposed to his firstborn whom he gives much more latitude.
Accomplishments & Successes
Arik's accomplishments are primarily military in nature but he has been at the shadow of a variety of major Firan events.
Arik has fought in a variety of air raids and war seasons. Most notably he participated in the 42 A.U. campaign where Ellish was won. He even served one War Season as a Captain and acting Executive of the Air Force.
Arik maintains that he was a significant portion of completing the work of the firebombs involved in several of the early and most difficult break throughs involving shaping, sizing, and effective mixtures and delivery vessels that could withstand being airborn and thrown.
Arik was one of those soldiers assigned to assault the cave of the Cockatrice who had petrified several Firans including his brother Verus. Arik is said to have gone so far as to jump upon the thrashing Cockatrice to get the feathers required to cure the petrified Firans.
Scandals & Failures
As part of the Air Force Arik was one of the members who assaulted the mobs in the Market as part of the Market Massacre. Arik maintains some 'pride' in that he was the only pilot to recover control of his mount and effectively make it stop short of killing it.
During the reshuffling of the military Arik went from Captain to Sentry though eventually rose again to Centurion. It is said shortly after this he had a 'disagreement' with Captains Firistan and Judanus and tendered his resignation but was instead instructed to complete his term of service before leaving.
Arik has been accused of a variety of crimes including espionage against the Hydran clan, purchasing of illegal substances, and disparaging names of notables such as the Viceroy and Clan Leader Jalil Firgalik, and a variety of counts of insubordination. None of the charges have resulted in any punishments more severe than whippings.
Enemies
While Arik has disparaged many officers in the Republic military he tends to be rather ignorable and has not had any established 'enemies' so much as people that dislike him. The most well known of which is aggrievances on both sides between him and Firistan N'Gato.
Allies
Arik is primarily known to be a supporter of the Eagle, Griffon and Cockatrice thrones but is rarely seen to have dealings with any of them. Though prior to Nydiam's death Arik was sponsored by the previous Clan Leader.
He instead tends to have public affiliations with various military veterans such as:
Ramisa Sidonyus: One of Arik's childhood friends, the two are often seen in heated arguments but routinely meet for meals or 'discussions'.
Lord Primo Dawn: Arik can often be heard to be espousing the virtues of Primo. As such he often claims a friendship with the Ticanee veteran. He's studied under Primo for much of his skill at flight and archery and other piloting skills.
General Alexa Wolfhawke: Similar to Primo, Arik served several seasons at the front and has on more than one occasion 'lectured' the High Priestess about taking care of herself. He's also studied under her for much of his skill in armoring.
Eagle Clan: Arik is a fairly common personality in the Eagle Clan and can often be seen letting his children play or in discussion with various of the other families such as Iyandin's, Cylisti's, and Apellons, and of course his in-laws in the Karik's.
Miscellany
Habits
Arik can often be found complaining. He rarely drinks and maintains an extreme compartementalized schedule that tends to involve specific number of hours on training each weapon and skill, and then alotting limited time for social activities.
Likes
Structure: Arik is constantly attempting to enforce greature structure on organizations.
Watermelon Wine: While he rarely drinks, Arik will often prefer the fruity wines to any.
Dislikes
Combat: Arik will rarely train by sparring calling it unnecessary risksis.
Carousing: Arik rarely drinks heavily or participates in singing and dancing. Especially if spotting Pilots at it he will tend to complain that they have more time for patrols.
Shamibelians: Surprise.
