n_wilkinson | Character Highlight: Tungsten Vermillion

Today, I am featuring Tungsten Vermillion, who is one of the main characters from my free read fantasy series, War of the Animum.

Tungsten was born to affluent parents in the artistic region of Nipon. He's a child of Spring and is almost thirty years old. As an only child from a troubled pregnancy, Tungsten was doted upon. He is highly educated and was raised to be very polite and considerate. The culture of Nipon is one based upon respect so Tungsten often uses a series of honorifics that are outdated anywhere else in Corynth, but such behavior has been ingrained in him and it's difficult to simply set it aside.

He was much loved by his parents though his decision to learn the magical arts did not meet their approval. Nevertheless, they helped arrange for his studies and for his apprenticeship to a master of the arts. They were disappointed that he left home to pursue his studies, but remain in contact with him and hope he succeeds.

A clumsy man, sometimes to his own detriment, Tungsten is also an eternal optimist. He enjoys studying the magical arts, though he confesses he is not as skilled as his brethren. Up to date, only two of the eight deities have allowed themselves to be ascribed on his casting rod, whittled from a length of ashwood per his choice.

Tungsten is pale, red-haired, and green-eyed. He's of average height for a male, and right-handed. He wears the standard robes, often a touch too long because he keeps forgetting to take them to a seamstress, and he has the symbols of sorcery inked onto his forehead. He has to repaint these symbols often as they get smudged or faded. Only true masters of the art are allowed to have the symbols tattooed. Tungsten doesn't qualify and privately admits that he is glad because the idea of being tattooed frightens him.

Tungsten is well-mannered, and when faced with the truth of his destiny, accepted it with a dignity that would prove to be an example to others. He is not a warrior at heart, but he draws from a well of untapped courage, determined to do the best for Corynth. He is often scared by the danger around him, but he pushes past his fear to do what is right. He is always willing to help people, and the first to chastise when the others in their group are being cruel to one another. He is a guardian to the depths of his soul, which explains why he is so well-matched with Asclepius.

His anima is Asclepius, whose element is best recognized as the light/holy element. She is a guardian, geared toward protection. She has been teaching him the magical skills his studies have left him lacking, along with the unfortunate demise of his mentor mage in Tawnry.

Tungsten is a bit sheltered so some of what he sees during the course of the journey does come as a surprise to him, but he'd been taught never to judge or assume, so he keeps his comments to himself. It's none of his business what grown adults do in their spare time so long as it only involves other grown adults.

He is constantly exasperated by several members of the group, Sleet and Raven especially. He finds himself cultivating a friendship with Alaris, and is sympathetic toward the stress she is under. He is a great comfort, a good listener, and an overall stable presence in a highly volatile collection of strong personalities. He often drifts to the background because he doesn't feel the need to shout his opinion, but his quiet strength shines through whenever they need him most.

You can read about Tungsten's continuing adventures against a vengeful god in the War of the Animum series, which can be found either at my personal website, the Den of Debauchery, or on Archive of Our Own, or even here on dreamwidth.

Feel free to ask anything about Tungsten!