Wren

From Iridium Circle Exalted
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Overview

Wren grew up parentless. Even when they were alive, his mother and father were never around, instead leaving him to the ministrations of a constantly rotating carousel of relatives. He never stayed with any long enough to form any attachment. A distant child, to be looked after and tolerated but not loved. When his parents died he shed no tears for they were strangers. Put into the institutionalised neglect of the city's orphanarium the only thing that changed was that Wren was now expected to work. It quickly became apparent that Wren had an eye for detail and a head for numbers. The orphan master was pleased that one of his collection of human flotsam was able to bring in real money. To increase the income that could be generated from his new charge, the orphan master educated the child as best he could.

Raising orphans is a thankless and poverty stricken task and so it was that the orphanarium ran out of money. Desperate, the orphan master made a demon's bargain. Two thirds of his wards would be sold to the Guild so that the other third may continue to eat. Heavy of heart, the master left the partitioning to the drawing of lots. Wren reached into the bag and picked out a black pebble. Amongst the other new purchases he climbed aboard the wagon and watched as the orphan master, wracked with tears, faded into the distance. That night, in the drafty warehouse, the Guild examined their bounty. Sensing Wren's potential he was plucked from the huddled mass, rescued from the manacles, and put into school.

Under the patronage of Gilt Butterfly, a functionary in the Guild's administrative affairs bureau, Wren studied accounting, language, the art of investigation, human psychology, and the martial arts. Butterfly needed sharp eyes and incisive minds to expose and dispose of obstacles to the Guild's power be they within or without. Wren was one of her more gifted proteges and once he reached majority, he joined the Guild as a risk manager. For wayward members of the Guild, he is judge, jury, and executioner. For people who would seek to curb the Guild's reach, he is a perpetual spanner in the works or a final end to incompatible ambitions. Many would curse his name if they knew it but Wren prefers to work in the shadows.

Guild assassins sought to end Wren's investigation of their rebellious branch prematurely. What they did not reckon with was the gift of exaltation. His powers amplified, Wren has been forced out into the light to bring the traitors to heel.

Appearance

A black stone tower with a burning eyeball suspended above its sinister spire.

Wren has cultivated the appearance of the stereotypical traveling merchant. Slightly (but not overly) pudgy, short hair and a well-trimmed beard. His clothes are well made and would not be out of place at informal gathering of burghers or behind a stall in a crowded marketplace. On closer examination, this outward face has some cracks belying the person within. Wren's hands bear the calluses and small scars accumulated over a lifetime of martial arts training. His soft brown eyes are constantly roving, attentive to any changes in the surroundings that may disclose hidden information or immanent danger. The clothes are surprisingly sturdy and facilitate ease of movement while providing many secret pockets to hide items of interest.

Wren can usually be found with his weapon of choice - an ornamented staff. Like its owner, the staff is sharper than it seems. A hidden mechanism extends nearly a foot of sharpened steel instantly transforming the harmless stick into a deadly spear. Wren has also begun dabbling in firewand-based martial arts and now carries a intricately carved flamepiece. His other accoutrements, those that will not fit in his many pockets, live in a well-traveled backpack.

Anima Banner

An unblinking eye that each observer thinks is looking at them.

Belongings

Wren's multitudinous belongings include:

  • An ornate but worn staff with a hidden blade.
  • A shiny new flamepiece.
  • A sturdy buff jacket.
  • A coat with many pockets.
  • A well thumbed notebook with secrets scrawled across its pages.
  • A selection of pencils, sticks of charcoal and of chalk, a ink pen (with no ink) and other writing implements.
  • An incomplete set of jewelers loupes.
  • Various pouches and vials of firedust.
  • A battered backpack.
  • A small lady's mirror.
  • A collapsible spyglass.
  • A folding pen-knife.
  • Tarnished tweezers.

Intimacies

Intimacy Level
"Curiosity Killed No One" Defining
"The leader is responsible for their subordinates" Major
Guild (Loyalty) Major
Corruption (Contempt) Major
Priest Aldbur Fire-Devil (Respect) Major
Orphans (Pity) Minor
'Wind Follower' (Respect) Minor