Oisin Fox

 "You know, you're going to need to do this at your wedding too." Emily winked at Oisin, taking his hand in hers and placing her other hand at his hip. Oisin mentally sighed, giving her an unimpressed look. 

A selkie, at it's purest, is a fae being capable of controlling tides, crafting illusions, healing physical injuries and shapeshifting into a seal when close to a large source of water. The majority of selkies are female, with only a 12.5% chance of male children inheriting the gene that grants them magic. Without their sealskin, a selkie is considered only 'half' a selkie and cannot access all of their magical abilities. Selkies can take the form of any known seal on Earth and their appearances as a human are just as diverse as humanity itself.

The oldest legend of the selkie states that an injured seal washed up on the shores of Ireland, shifting into a human to survive. She was taken in by a kind fisherman and the two fell in love and had several children. But she longed for the sea, and eventually her husband returned her sealskin to her. She returned to the ocean, taking the children who shared her magic with her, but would stay close to the shore to watch over her remaining children and her lover. 

Behaviour and Diet

As seals, selkies typically act as any seal would; playful, curious and watchful of the shores. These traits often carry over to their human personas, but from there they vary as greatly as people do. There are grumpy selkies and lighthearted selkies. Selkies who are gluttons and selkies who overly generous. Selkies who are self-conscious and selkies who are shameless. One unifying trait however is a love of the sea, and a desire to leave near the water. It's rare to find a selkie living fae from a body of water and they favour rivers over lakes or ponds, although the sea itself is any selkie's first choice. 

As seals they eat fish and, occasionally, seaweed. If you see a seal eating seaweed, you know it's a selkie. As humans it's a little harder to identify them from their diets. Selkies can eat anything a human would in a healthy diet with little problems. They can still enjoy raw fish and often do, leading to an old saying 'If you want to woo a Selkie, give her sushi'. 

Family Structure

Selkies are well known for being playful, affectionate creatures. They love easily and are unafraid to express this through physical gestures rather than words. While they can be solitary, they flourish when they have access to company they enjoy.

Selkie colonies are formed of friends, siblings and lovers but groups are interconnected by familial ties. Children leave to find their own colonies but remain in touch with their parents and will often visit them. As such a colony is not a 'fixed' group and is more dynamic than social groups based on a pair of parents and their offspring. In a pure selkie colony, friendly displays of affection are common. Selkies enjoy leaning on, hugging and even nuzzling their companions, as both humans and seals. Monogamy and polygamy are both practised by selkies; in a polygamy setup, all members must be involved with each other and happy otherwise it's seen as 'unfair' or lacking. Children are typically raised by their parents but nearly all adults show affection and fondness for the children in their colony. An outsider threatening a member of the colony with be faced with the wrath of the group.

Human-selkie partnerships are commonplace and often discussed of in folklore and song. Selkies make sealskins for their children so they can become full selkies themselves, presenting it to them when their magic manifests. They then take their selkie children with them into the sea, visiting their human relatives each month, so they can better learn the ways of the selkie, their colony and their magic. Some return to their human relatives and land, settling on coasts, and some devote themselves to the sea and never return to the shore. This is typically an accepted risk when marrying and having children with a selkie. 

Magical Powers

Selkies are known to transform into seals. However they have more powers than just shapeshifting into that well known form, as all fae typically have three 'areas' of magic they can develop and control. Selkies are capable of altering tides and controlling water, creating illusions and weaving healing spells, in addition to their ability to turn into seals. If they were to master all of their abilities, a selkie can be capable of creating violent storms capable of sinking large vessels, create illusions so vivid and enduring their captive will never break free and heal fatal wounds. It's rare for any selkie to do this however, each often training one skill above the others.

One skill a half-selkie has over their 'pure' relatives is the gift of varied shapeshifting. A sealskin ties their form to that of a seal, giving them the energy of the ocean. Without it, a half-selkie can freely transform into any creature they're familiar with. They lose this when they acquire their sealskin. Without the skin however, a half-selkie is limited to only develop one area of magic and it's often connected to their personality. 

Sealskins

A sealskin is a core part of a selkie's identity. It is what empowers their magic and fixes it upon their seal forms, and therefore to the sea itself. It is a great occasion when a child is given their first sealskin, made for them by their parent, and even greater when they learn to make their own and entwine it with their own magic and personality. To destroy a sealskin is an unforgivable crime to any selkie, one punishable by death, regardless of who the destroyer was to them. 

Sealskins come in two styles, although their designs vary greatly across colonies based on one's personality, tastes in fashion and heritage. The 'essential' sealskin is a skin tight (but comfortable) garment worn as a vest or tank-top under other clothing. This is typically worn everyday and appears deceptively simple, with the required spellwork and runes hidden within the fabric. There is also the 'formal' or 'decorative' sealskin, often fashioned as a cape, serape, cloak or poncho; any sort of fabric that is long, loose and worn over other clothing. These are worn at formal occasions, times of celebration or remembrance, or times when the selkie wants to appear striking for whatever reason. The styles of these differ greatly all over the world and are often reflective of the wearer, as each is made unique. 

Losing the formal sealskin is considered a shame as they are often very decorative. Losing the essential sealskin is a tragedy, as this renders any selkie a 'half-selkie' and blocks off aspects of their magic, along with their identity as a true selkie. The 'formal' sealskin can be used as a temporary replacement but the essential sealskin must be replaced immediately, as formal sealskins are not designed for everyday, practical wear.

Player Information
Name: Charlie Chinchill
Age: 23
Personal Journal: N/A
Email / AIM / MSN / Plurk: plurk.com/chinchill - contact for email/skype info
Current Character(s): Amy Rose (Fleetway comics)

Character Information
Name: Lysander Gabriel Fox (alias Renard)
Age: 30
Appearance: Lysander, at first glance, may appear as a stereotypical angel who fell out of heaven and hit a couple of branches on the way down. He has blonde, wavy hair that frames his long, sharp features and soft green eyes. He's usually clean shaven and has bags under his eyes from his irregular sleeping patterns, making him appear slightly older than he is. His overall build is thin, not really muscled or built. He also has several tattoos that are normally covered up; a family of foxes on his left shoulder and a dragon spreading it's wings over his back.

Typically he wears earthy colours on plain, practical clothes, including a sturdy pair of walking boots. He simply doesn't think to splash out on nicer clothes for himself, when he could use that money to buy something for Ash instead. Around his neck are two things; one is a wooden rosary, extending to the middle of his torso. The other is his talisman, which appears as a small, metal rabbit skull with one emerald and one yellow topaz eye, hanging from a simple leather 'choker' at the base of his neck. He also still some jewellery from his days as a riotous teenager, a piercing in his eyebrow and a pair of plain ear cuffs that he continues to wear.

( Picture by Slimm Fabert )

Character history: Lysander was born with his twin sister, Emily, to Lysander (the second) and Rose Fox in the Republic of Ireland. Their father was a high ranking military man, known for his cunning and often referred to as 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' for his bravery and clever strategies. Their mother was a powerful witch and a scholar of magical history, documenting ancient techniques and translating spells from old tomes. Both were Catholics, although not as strict as many would expect them to be, and raised their children in the faith. Eventually they moved to Wales when the children were pre-teens, due to rising conflicts in Ireland. As he matured, Lysander showed signs that he had inherited his mother's gift with magic while Emily began to follow their father's footsteps in the military. Under his mother's apprenticeship his magical ability bloomed, favouring more deceptive skills such as creating illusions and swaying other's minds using his powers than his mother's more restorative and scholarly-focused powers.

Unfortunately Lysander grew into a troubled teen as he struggled with his identity as a gay man, his faith and the high expectations placed upon him. The pressure led him to get involved in a local gang, using his powers to harass people and generally be a little shit. At age nineteen, Lysander's life changed. On a typical night out causing chaos and trouble he came across a four year old boy, seemingly abandoned outside a building he and his friends had just been throwing rocks and fireballs into. A wave of guilt surged through Lysander and he took the boy with him, leaving the gang behind. Lysander knew he should hand the youth over to authorities but feared the repercussions and didn't want him to go through the care system. He returned home, naming the boy Ashley and vowing to care for him to make amends for what he'd done. His parents didn't encourage this decision but his sister, Emily, eventually supported Lysander with his adopted son. Tecwyn also came to live with Lysander, helping him to raise Ash as the lad's uncle. With their help Lysander was able to pay and care for him, while continuing his magical studies under his mother once again. The little family of three was poor and in debt, but were able to get by.

As Ash grew up he knew that Lysander used magic. While slightly awed and keen to learn to use magic himself, he was worried about Lysander using his skills to manipulate him. As such, Lysander undertook a deep meditation to limit his powers; reaching out to the spirits Lysander drew the eye of a Trickster, who offered to aid him in his magic at a price. As a sign of their bond, Lysander must wear a talisman around his neck to cast magic (without it, his powers are null and void) and in return, the Trickster would help increase the strength of his illusions. The bond was successful and Lysander gave Ash the talisman as a show of trust when the pair were together at home, to prove he wouldn't harm him. The spirit became another member of their house, answering to the name Puca.

Life became complicated as Emily left the military and soon became more influential in the criminal world. Building up a reputation for dealing black market supplies, she offered Lysander and Tecwyn a deal. For Lysander, work for her as a courier and oversee her lower workers, reporting any possible rats. For Tecwyn, assist in courier work and provide his expertise as a security technician on the job. She would pay him more than enough to raise Ash more comfortably, gradually pay off the debt, and protect them from other criminal elements. The choice was easy to make.

Currently Lysander lives with Ash and Tecwyn in a small shared property (that is, the lower floor of a house with the upstairs being owned by their neighbours) protected by rituals marked into the flooring around the building. While he works part time as a music teacher he operates for Emily under the codename 'Renard', going on runs with the people Emily employs to courier the weapons and black magic goods she sells. As Ash has grown, he's begun to show signs of developing magical abilities himself, something that excites and worries Lysander in equal measures. While proud in his boy and eager to share magic with him, he knows full well that Ash with such magic will essentially be a lit firework in a glass workshop.

Personality: Lysander's default mood is 'done with this shit'. At a first meeting he often comes off as course due to his language, along with his attitude. In time it's easy to realise that underneath his disgruntled front, he's actually a warm, caring, charismatic person who worries constantly about the things that matter to him, especially his family, resulting in his tempestuous temperament. It's easier to tell your son to 'stop being a dipshit' than ramble on about how he's worrying you.

If peeved he'll drop to sarcasm or frustrated insults and if outright wronged in some way, he'll remember the slight until some suitable form of revenge comes by, often in the form of a trick or con. Among his loved ones heated words are often traded but rarely does he tally these as an actual offence; within the family, it's simply how they communicate. When he's the one in the wrong, he'll often attempt to make amends through words and deeds over gifts.

While familiar with doing morally questionable things to survive, Lysander has some standards he holds firm. No harming children, no fucking with dragons, and violence is not the first answer to a problem (although it might make a great Plan B). He's very protective of those in his circle and surprisingly paternal, as his care of Ash has shown, often taking care of Ash and Tecwyn's needs before his own and reacting like an enraged cobra when they're threatened. This care extends to other minors who he sees in danger.

A largely private person, Lysander hides one side of himself extremely well; his playful side. It's most obvious with Ash, with whom he'll often tell old folklore and fairytales, play music with and even engage in the occasional prank war. It's not that he's ashamed of this behaviour. It's that he's had to hold it back when finding himself as a gay Catholic man and feels like he has to keep a focused eye on outside threats towards himself and his family.

Skills and Abilities
Music: Lysander's true passion, rivalling his love of magic, is music. As a boy he was in his church's choir and was taught to play the violin from a similarly young age. During his troubled years he took up guitar and drums, being more proficient in the former than the later. Currently he focuses on his violin, although he's taught Ash how to play guitar, continues to sing acapella and has kept his drum kit and is fully capable of banging out a beat on it still. He can easily pick up on other instruments but currently has no interest to.

Teaching: Perhaps because of his nature, Lysander makes a good teacher. On the subject of music and magic he's been successful in teaching his son Ash in his passions, despite Ash's absent-mindedness and easily distracted demeanour. He's also taught Tecwyn some Irish and Emily how to read magic symbols.

Languages: Lysander's gift with languages was largely something he taught himself, aided by the various people he's met over the years. His first language is Irish, followed by English, Welsh and Russian. His Russian is shaky however and when switching between languages he can get confused. When exhausted he defaults to Irish and will refuse to use another.

Magic: Known to some as 'the Witch's Son', Lysander can see magical auras, including the auras of other magic users and magical creatures, and use various forms of spellcraft. Trained by his mother, he noteably excels at illusion and trickery with his mentor spirit, Puca, at his side to guide him. From his mother's extensive library of grimoires, rituals and tomes, Lysander learned how to write and read spells, enabling him to study other magicks and translate them into a form he can understand and later attempt to use. While he has made some drafts he has yet to create a unique spell of his own, a major step in any caster's career.

However there are weaknesses in Lysander's skills. Thanks to the terms of his geas, he must be wearing his talisman to perform magic. Without it he's literally powerless. Attempting to overpower a spell or maintain it for too long causes strain; at it's most mild this is a headache. At it's most severe, this can (and has) killed spellcasters. Strain can also occur by attempting to maintain too many spells at once. While meditation and a focused mind can lessen strain, it's always present. Of course, knocking him out is an easy way to stop him from casting or maintaining any spells.

Different to learned spells are rituals. With the help of Puca or other magic casters, Lysander can perform complex rituals that can summon greater spirits, enchant a location, boost the powers of those present and so on. These require components, sigils and sometimes an offering of blood or body. Strain on rituals are shared among the casters.

Lysander's Spell-list: 
(These are spells Lysander can cast with no preparation, no books, no equipment. He's studied these spells intensively to the point that they're as easy as basic addition to him.)

Agony: A cruel trick is this. While this spell causes no physical injuries, it causes the target to experience terrible agony. At it's most powerful, it can render a target unable to move or act due to their pain. However the moment the spell is lifted, the pain vanishes. As such Lysander prefers using this over more fatal means, though in the past he has used it for less kind intentions.

Phantasm: This spell can be used to create an illusion of any object, being or scene the caster has seen before, so long as it doesn't exceed the spells area of effect. The images won't fool any devices, only living things. While useful in creating a distraction or explaining a situation, Lysander also used this spell to entertain Ash when he was young.

Physical Mask: A touch spell, this changes the targets appearance so they may fool both living and technological senses. The disguise must match their general size and shape but can alter their voice, scent and other characteristics to whatever the caster so chooses. A core spell for anyone needing to hide their identity, or that of those around them.

Shapeshift: Exactly what one would think it is; the ability to change shape into another animal. In animal form the spellcaster retains their human awareness and the ability to use other magicks but cannot speak, and their clothes are not transformed as part of the spell. A willing target can also be shapeshifted. Lysander uses multiple forms under this spell but all retain some identifying features, namely a light fur colour, green eyes and remains wearing his talisman like a collar.

Control Thought: Jedi mind tricks indeed. This spell allows it's caster to take control of a target mind, causing the target to obey a simple command such as 'leave', 'no more questions' and 'nothing is wrong'. The command can only be simple and the strong-willed can shake off the command and resist the spell. Lysander typically used this trick to influence police who may wish to inspect the goods he's couriering. It was also the spell that caused Ash to fear his magical abilities.

Stunbolt: Lysander's only outright offensive spell is a simple trick taught to nearly all with the gift. The user sends a magical bolt of energy against a foe. At it's strongest, this skill can knock out attackers but it's often resisted by other magic users. It does no physical damage either; it's purely an attack on the mind.

Puca the Trickster
Puca is Lysander spirit mentor. In exchange for assisting him and guiding him in his magic, Puca sealed Lysander's magical powers to the talisman he always wears around his neck. Along with offering his power to Lysander, Puca can also give him foretelling dreams to warn him of great dangers or if he's straying from the path they agreed on. The ritual that bonded them together means that Lysander cannot seek another spirit guide, even if Puca were to leave due to Lysander breaking the clauses of their pact. The nature of their bond means that they each carry a part of each other and, as they spend time together, grow to share certain characteristics. It helps that when searching for a mentor, 'like calls to like'. It's easiest to think of Puca as a familiar; highly attuned to magical energies and their magician, but capable of taking some initative in accordance to Lysander's thoughts and instruction.

Puca usually appears as a black rabbit with yellow eyes, but this appearance still varies greatly. They can appear as a very normal looking lope rabbit, a ;Peter Rabbit-esque' shape with a small jacket, or even as a monstrous sort of were-rabbit, half between man and beast but very much not anthropomorphic. The Peter Rabbit is their preferred look, although their true form is unknown. Lysander claims to have seen it once but refuses to elaborate. From time to time Puca will shapeshift with Lysander to aid in a trick or distraction before turning back into a rabbit.

World Summary: Inspired by Shadowrun, in this world both magic and technology thrive side by side in a modern-day era. Elves, orcs, gnomes, kobolds and the like live alongside humanity, while monsters stalk the night and the few dragons there are rule the skies (and own companies. When there isn't gold to hoard, why not build up a fortune in business?). Racial tension is rife. In Ireland there's a strong friction between elves and humans, as elves had attempted to claim the island for their own. Humans see orcs as stupid creatures and gnomes and kobolds largely as hardy pests. Needless to say, none of them like humans very much either. Which means there's often social unrest among the population.

Lysander does harbour a grudge against elves for forcing his family to relocate to Wales to get away from the constant conflict and longs to return there someday. While as a youth he didn't think highly of other races, his time in a gang and raising Ash has softened his views, as he ran alongside orcs and found them to be strong allies while Ash keeps bringing home his kobold friends, who while somewhat bratty and pains-in-the-arse, are no more so than any other teenager. He also has a great respect for dragons and has even worked for one before in several shady jobs. 

Many of the general public are paranoid about the powers of wizards and witches, crying for a national register and for their activities to be heavily monitored. The gift of magic manifests typically in one's early teenage years, so this means monitoring minors. As some are weary of ID cards and the like nowadays, as are wizards and witches unkeen to be recorded and monitored; Lysander included. While he is registered, he typically uses a fake name and ID when on runs to avoid being arrested or being investigated by police for his involvement. In Lysander's case, the police have trouble limiting and monitoring what a mother teaches her son, or what a father can teach to his boy. Still, this contributes to Lysander's protective nature and his course attitude towards new people and his weariness means that Ash is currently unregistered.

Samples
Network: 
[The video opens to Lysander sitting on a sofa with Puca perched on the arm. His soft voice has a clear Irish brogue and he looks quite pissed off.] So what you're all telling me is that after I spent years studying and practising, I have to relearn even the most basic spell again? If I wanted to be fucked over like this I'd stick my fist up my arse, you know.
[He huffs angrily, rubbing his face. Puca hops up to his shoulder, giggling in his ear.]  Hm? Yeah I know it's out of anyone's control here. If it was in someone's control I'd be having a go at them, not bitching to the city at large. It just needs to be said that this is some amazing bullshit. [He shakes his head.] 

Right. So if someone can point me to some school to learn this crap, that'd be wonderful. Oh, and if anyone sees a red-headed kid called Ash, call me right away cos that's my kid. Especially if he's doing something stupid. Which he probably fucking would be. [Puca waves cheerily to the camera as the video cuts.]

Third Person: Lysander slumped in the chair, threading a hand through his hair and pushing it back. He'd been with his magic for so long it felt like he was missing a sense, like his hearing or eyesight. He felt newborn, lost and sick without the familiar tendrils of power running through his veins. At least he had Puca still. The spirit had left his shoulder to settle in his lap, altering their appearance to be a typical domestic rabbit, nosing at his hand in a casual command. Pet him. It'll make you feel better. Also, he likes pets. So pet him. He sighed and did as suggested, stroking over Puca's soft fur.
 
Maybe this is what he needed. A break of sorts, away from the stresses of life in this...dream? He was going to call it a dream. That explained the bullshit about his magic. Picking up Puca he headed to the window, taking in the fog. If he could still shapeshift, he could easily explore the city. He could soar the skies as a red kite, slink the streets as a cat, even sink into the sea as a seal.As it was, he was bloody useless at the moment. And it was so quiet. People sometimes passed by the streets but there wasn't the constant hum of traffic and pedestrians like there was in London. He preferred that. It reminded him of growing up in Ireland, the small house at the end of the road covered in creepers and just big enough for a family of four and an old german shepherd.

Turning from the window he switched on the music player, flicking through the tracks to come to one that matched his mood. He finally settled on a slow, thoughtful piece with a violin leading, waltzing through the notes with sombre feeling. With a sigh, Lysander lay back ont he sofa, Puca settling on his stomach peacefully. If he didn't have music, then he would've just said 'fuck it' and immediately tried to walk home.