Born Valic Mandrake on March 3, 1497, the man began his life in the small yet wealthy village of Culmaly in his native Scotland. Born to a wealthy Scottish family, he was taught all the etiquette and knowledge of a nobleman, but being the second son, and consequently not the heir, he was sent to the Vatican to be inducted into the Roman Catholic Priesthood at the age of 16.

 

Because of his earlier teachings Valic proved to be a very apt pupil, and was often referred to as the next Archbishop or Cardinal. However, the young boy secretly harbored anger and resentment towards his family, and frustration at his present life-style. He had no desire to be a simple priest! The longer he served as an adept, the more his anger and his restlessness grew. And so it was at the age of 19, feeling rebellious, the brash and arrogant nobleman used his good reputation to gain entrance into the forbidden areas of the church library…and it was there that he began to study the Dark Arts of the Magi. Two more years he studied avidly. His ego growing only larger as his power grew, becoming ever transformed by Black Magic. But now he had a friend who helped him study, a demon sensing Valic’s growth disguised himself as a Priest and furthered his teachings. And with devious whispers in the now 23 year olds ear, the demon convinced Valic that his power could not grow any larger, until he removed the one thing that stood in his way: His elder brother, now Lord Valin Mandrake. So he traveled back to Culmaly, recently ordained Priest and demanded that his brother relinquish his position so that he, the true Heir, could rule. Upon hearing his refusal, Valic grew furious. He had traveled all the way from Rome to gain his rightful place and was refused! Livid, and in a fit of rage, the foolish young man cast a powerful hex on his brothers family, eventually killing them, and left again for the Vatican.

 

But to his great surprise, when he returned, he was met one of the Cardinals, the Archbishop, and an audience of Priests. In Valic’s absence, the demon had betrayed him, told him of the hex placed on his brother and had shown evidence of his dealings in Black Magic. The Cardinal henceforth banished the nobleman from the church, to never again return. Enraged once again, Valic used his dark power and immolated the Cardinal! A moment later, when he realized what he had done, he rescinded the spell and knelt by the fallen man, now blackened and mortally wounded by the fire called forth. Valic wept and pleaded for forgiveness, at which point the Cardinal lay upon him a righteous curse:

 

“Valic Mandrake…I condemn thee in the name of God to a life of redemption, longer than that of one of the Lord’s favored sons! I curse thee for thine own arrogance…. henceforth you will repent, free of the sight of yourn glory, to see the look of Good and of Evil forevermore. An agent of good will thy be, to fight that which thou had once found revelry. Atone for yourn sin, or burn in Hell eternal…”

 

And so the curse was invoked, upon the holy man’s death. He fled from the Vatican and from Rome, with his new mission and damned to die slower than any mortal man. He took the riches of his family, and that which he had amassed over his years of secret practice in the church, and faded from his former life almost entirely.

To repent for his sins, Valic threw himself in the study of White and Black magic both, learning the balance of these forces and aiding those in need. He both studied and traveled constantly, living in Africa, then in Spain where, with his magically enhanced senses he learned the art of Fencing. Then he traveled to China and Japan, living in these countries, forever learning more and more about the force of Magic and expanding on his swordsmanship. Occasionally using his powers of foresight to amass great wealth, with which he stored in several different banks across the world. For he discovered that he could affect more lives when he was in positions of power, and money gave him that power.  Over the years he grew wiser, in the ways of both magic and humanity, and he discovered that he thoroughly enjoyed helping to increase the good in the world. And after his travels and the passing of many years, Valic Mandrake decided it was time to return to Rome.

 

It had been 120 years since he left the Vatican, and to return had been painful. He had not been there long, however, before he was met. By the Archbishop of the Vatican, the third since Valic’s departure. He recognized the older man, now physically aged to 46, and explained to him that he had another way to atone for his sins. To battle the forces of Evil, almost directly. The Church had kept track of Valic since the time of his penance, and so it was that the Archbishop new of Valic’s studies and progress. Throughout that time, the scholar had saved many a life through each of his dealings. It was because of that, that the churchman had decided to tell Valic of a. specific Demon  that had been terrorizing the Vatican. Eager to tackle this challenge directly, the Scotsman set off in search of this evil. All over the Vatican, this erstwhile hunter searched, following the trail of dead the Demon left, before finally tracking it back to the Church, and more surprisingly, the Archbishop’s quarters! Creeping to the door, Valic put his ear to, and heard and equally shocking conversation.

 

“I cannot simply KILL him, demon! I am the Archbishop! You get rid of Mandrake, as you are the demon.”

 

“He is beginning to follow me, human. Beginning to get closer. Deal with him, send him away. If I kill him now, the entire cloistered city will be alert—ah!”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Someone is here!”

 

Knowing he had been discovered, Valic charged in, his cane sword at the ready, intending to challenge the Demon and denounce the Archbishop himself…that was before something hellish sprang to life in the Demon’s hand, and the scholar found a smoking hole where once his chest was whole. Without even a croak of protestation, Valic Mandrake fell into Oblivion, his last thought a preparation to burn in Hell eternal…

 

But alas...his journey wasn't over yet. He had been pulled out of the wheel of fate, and brought before the radiance of Paladine, a god in the service of good. Paladine had noticed Valic's research and dedication...so it was had also decided to make him a Traveler. A Guardian and guide to those destined to make a sizeable difference in the fight of Good vs. Evil. With a fervor, the scholar took to his vocation and from that point on, worked avidly as a Traveler.

 

Throughout the years he has worked closely with the Shadow Guard, but is not necessarily in their direct service. He serves Paladine, but is known to offer a helping hand at times to friends within the organization...

Personality: Valic is a very kind, yet quiet man who rarely shares his thoughts unless deemed necessary. Even to his enemies he extends a polite respect, being very much a traditionalist despite the ever-changing age. Jovial with his friends, he usually exudes a very warm reassurance, though often tends to get very snappish with people who are rude or irreverent. Seen as a charismatic guide his social skills are well-practiced, albeit outmoded.

 

Psychologically: Valic is very well grounded in his beliefs of good and evil, and although he doesn’t limit himself by a philosophy of white and black, once a decision or impression is made it is very difficult to rescind. He is very stable and his own deep-seated fear is failing in his duty, especially since he usually becomes very attached to those he is intended to protect and guide.

Abilities: Valic has the ability to transport himself from place to place, physically it looks like a shimmer, or horizontal distortion. He also has the ability to heal wounds, as well as the use of telekinesis and electrokinesis. Valic is however unable to interfere directly in the  Eternal Struggle, only to defend and guide his charge. Should he directly interfere, then his powers will be rescinded and he will be reinserted into his former destiny as a damned soul.

 

Special knowledge: Demonology and magics that exclude Blood Magic and Necromancy.

Apparel: Usually dressed very primly, in casual/formal clothes (dress pants, button down shirt, perhaps a coat occasionally) of dark colors

 

Weapon(s): Cane Sword inscribed with holy runes, Magic

 

Discipline: A mixture of Spanish Fencing, Chinese Tai Chi, and Japanese Bujutsu

 

Accessories: Black polished cane, wooden and intricately carved, inscribed with miniscule Celtic runes and small Latin phrases.