#cerrus

Curious, this recent chain of events. Exceedingly curious. Aria and Valrys believe the troubles on Arret and Eridax are related, that both are the work of this odd messenger, this... "Herald." The Flame Warden's vision is short-sighted, driven by an impulsive, emotional response to her people being murdered, but she is not wrong. The true question is why.

The attacks are both obvious and consistent; not the work of an accidental slip. Yet on Arret, it avoids the public eye. This being, whatever it is, wishes our attention, and ours alone. The others, of course, seek retaliation. But simply destroying it gains us nothing in the long term.

Full name: Cerrus

Species: Athris

Birthplace: Frostspine Mountains, Eridax Arctis

Current residence: Eridax Arctis

Age: 44 (Arretan years; 88 Eridaxian years)

Affiliation(s): Five Guardians, Arctis Council

Position(s): Frost Keeper

Cumulative service length: 25 years (15 years as Guardian)

Height: Variable

Weight: Variable

Hair color: None

Eye color: Blue

Family members: None

Weapon of choice: Dagger

Physical evaluation: Exempted from most physical tests due to shapeshifting capabilities. Physically very frail due to athris body composition, but capable of wielding a wide variety of weapons due to variable size. Compatible with Nimi, Renov, Izal as a result.

Psychological evaluation: Very difficult to read due to almost complete lack of emotional cues. Keenly intelligent and highly analytical. Frequently points out perceived flaws in others, including Trinity Order agents and Five Guardians. Considered unpleasant by many as a result, but proves useful more often than not. Psychologically compatible with Nimi, Renov.

Editor's note: She's probably read this profile by now, and I guarantee you she has complaints about how it's formatted. Something about "inefficient layout" and "space dedicated to irrelevant parameters"...

Inspiration music for Cerrus.

Intellect, acumen, and cold-hearted cunning form a perfect trinity within an individual. Being three steps ahead of everyone else makes dealing with others difficult, but being popular isn't the purpose of a Guardian, and ultimately it's a small price to pay for the power to end disputes before they have a chance to begin.

Title: Susano'oh

Artist: Daisuke Ishiwatari

Well known among the Guardians for her sharp mind and no-nonsense disposition, Cerrus is clever even by athris standards, having risen to the position of Frost Keeper through a combination of cool-headed political maneuvering and exemplary combat capabilities to back up her words. She is something of a varied creature, capable of subtlety as well as blunt, tactless honesty, and frequently employs the use of both as the situation demands. Like most athrises, Cerrus is driven predominantly by logic, rather than emotion, though dealing with the other Guardians and the Trinity Order on a constant basis has left her at least somewhat mindful of how she carries herself around such "undisciplined" individuals, if for no other reason than to avoid accidental antagonism.

While not an outright disbeliever, Cerrus is among the more skeptical Guardians when it comes to issues related to the gods, and routinely challenges the notion that there is some ulterior purpose awaiting them. Still, she acknowledges and respects the importance of the Guardians and their role in the trinity system, and is frequently among the first to start reprimanding Trinity Order agents or even other Guardians for acts of misconduct or disrespect.

Theme song for Cerrus. Enigmatic, patient, and calculating, but devoid of empathy or understanding.

Title: Susano'o

Artist: Daisuke Ishiwatari

...a man meets his informant a little sooner than he'd originally expected.

Dominick: ...

Messenger: ...

Dominick: Gah! Sorry.

Messenger: No trouble. Watch where you're going next time though.

Dominick: Yeah, yeah...

Cerrus: ...

Dominick: Oh hey, it's you.

Cerrus: Yes.

Dominick: What brings you out here?

Cerrus: I am observing Minister Cromwell's messenger, as per our agreement.

Dominick: ...wait, that was-

Dominick: ...that was one of his?

Cerrus: Yes.

Dominick: Shouldn't you...you know, keep going after him?

Cerrus: Perhaps. However, it is unlikely that his path will deviate from the last seven times I have observed him.

Dominick: ...

Cerrus: Your facial expression is currently one commonly associated with surprise or disbelief.

Dominick: Yeah, I just...

Dominick: I had no idea I'd hired a stalker.

Cerrus: ...

Cerrus: I assume this is another one of your "jokes."

Dominick: How'd you guess?

Cerrus: Pattern recognition.

Dominick: Alright, well...what can you tell me about this guy?

Cerrus: His behavior is highly suspicious. It raises many questions about the legitimacy of either his employer or his own intentions.

Dominick: How so?

Cerrus: Upon departure, he is instructed to deliver his missive to Ascalon Settlement.

Cerrus: However, the route he takes is very unusual and highly inefficient for that purpose.

Dominick: Go on.

Cerrus: He always departs to the south from Divinity's Reach, through the Godslost Swamp and Kessex Hills, rather than taking the more direct and safer path to the east.

Cerrus: His mannerisms also change drastically upon crossing the border into the Gendarran Fields. He begins to exhibit signs of heightened wariness and sometimes paranoia, and constantly looks behind him.

Dominick: Making sure nobody's following him...

Cerrus: Such intentions would justify his behavior. Additionally, unlike others I have observed, he never travels with company.

Dominick: I noticed he was armed, too.

Cerrus: Also correct.

Dominick: So what's his schedule look like?

Cerrus: He departs on this route early in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Dominick: How early?

Cerrus: He departs from Divinity's Reach at six in the morning.

Dominick: ...too early.

Dominick: When does he usually reach the pass into Gendarran Fields?

Cerrus: On average he arrives at ten in the morning, with a margin of error of approximately thirty minutes.

Dominick: Good to know.

Cerrus: Do you have any more questions?

Dominick: Does he ever actually make it to Ascalon Settlement?

Cerrus: Not that I have observed. After passing First Haven, he departs from the road to the north and leaves his missive in a field.

Dominick: Also good to know.

Dominick: And the rest of his messengers...none of them go near the hinterlands?

Cerrus: Not that I have observed.

Dominick: Alright, that'll do it. Thanks again.

Cerrus: Will you be performing something "sort of" illegal with this information as well?

Dominick: Not exactly.

Cerrus: ...

Cerrus: That is not a definitive answer.

Dominick: Sure isn't.