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NICKNAMESXX ari, jackson
AGEXX eighteen
SEXUALITYXXstraight, probably
NATIONALITYXX new orleans, louisiana
ROLEX arcane (cursed/necromancy with some dabbling in magic)
HEXXX #3090C7
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Ariza's primary arcane ability is to siphon Ache (or life force) from via, spells, touch, and even his presence. His family taught him how to heal others through rituals and herbal remedies; however, his path veered from the rest of his family. As the years grew, his remedies began to backfire. Rather than healing others, he siphoned Ache from whatever he touched and whatever spells he cast. Unless he actively concentrated, his presence would drain the energy from the area around him. Often times, people around him would find themselves tiring out more easily. Additionally, he is haunted by various Oricha, spirits of gods, old warriors, and protectors. His strongest connection is with his great grandfather who strengthens (and helps control) his abilities in exchange for allowing him to interact with the mortal realm through his great grandson. When he siphons Ache, his fingertips glow light blue.
For more information, refer here.
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H E I G H TXANDXB U I L D: 6'2" with lean muscle.
Ariza stands at six feet and two inches, making him average within his family but imposing to everyone else. His slouched posture, dark eyes, and prominent cheek bones leave a striking impression in everyone he meets, although he can never tell whether it's positive or negative. His locs are his pride and joy, kept long and free regardless of his teachers' misgivings. The only time he ever ties them down is during formal occasions, wherein he bundles them into a ponytail.
In terms of clothing, he defines his fashion as street wear with an emphasis of function over form. He does not buy into labels nor fast fashion, preferring to thrift "whatever looks good" or buy secondhand if he truly, truly wants something. His closet consists almost entirely of hoodies, jeans, sweatpants, and t-shirts, each with their own story to tell. The biggest constants in his outfits are gloves that he refuses to take off in other company. They keep his powers at bay and provide him enough security to make physical contact.
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P E R S O N A L I T Y:
Some people live on a different planet, but Ariza lives on a different plane of existence. Whether it's a lecture or a one on one conversation, his mind often wanders to ridiculous places so his answers to people are often short, nonsensical, or a request for them to repeat their original question. Many have compared his attention span to that of a goldfish, but he considers that to be only half the issue. His focus runs thin and if a subject doesn't spark interest, he has no problem leaving it behind for something more enjoyable, people included. Perhaps it's because he spent most of days in the company of his family (who tolerated him on the basis of blood) or friends of convenience, he doesn't know how to form long lasting connections naturally and it's often on the other person to start conversations or maintain contact.
The few that manage to befriend him will find a gentle, laid back soul. He loves trying new foods, visiting new places, and experiencing different activities be they related to magic or not. It isn't hard to please him and when it comes to humor, he'll laugh at and joke about pretty much anything. He rarely feels anger and typically plays mediator among those he hangs out with. Despite being tight-lipped about his own emotions, he is attuned to the feelings of others and is usually the first to speak up (either privately or publicly) when he feel that something is "off" about a person. He is honest to a fault and whenever he's asked about something personal he will typically say "I don't want to talk about it" rather than lie. He is unafraid of conflict and accepts the consequences of his actions, as hurtful as they may be. He swallows his sadness whole and puts on a strong face so that people will see neither anger nor fear lest they try too hard to pry into his life. The closer he is to somebody, the harder it is for him to control his arcane abilities and he fears that it may one day lead to their death.
Instead, he defers many of his problems to the spirits haunting him. Given that he is one of the only Santeria practitioners in Cascadia, he ends up speaking to his great grandfather the most out of everyone. It's become something of a habit for him to speak in public and though his great grandfather does not always have the right answers, Ariza respects him the most out of all the people in his life.
Q U I R K SXA N DXO D D I T I E S:
Shies away from physical affection
Talks to himself in public
Always wears gloves
F E A R S:
Killing somebody he cares about
Cockroaches
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Ariza's lineage stops somewhere in the Caribbean where slave traders sold his ancestors and begins in the American south where his great grandfather immigrated in the early 1900s. They were a family scattered across different islands and countries with only oral tradition tying them together. The eerie drumbeats and chirp of crickets in the summertime alluded to something deeper in the fringes of New Orleans.
During childhood his days would be spent at school, his nights regaled with tales of nature and his ancestors, and his weekends fishing in the bayou. Every so often (mainly the holidays), his parents would take him to church though he was only ever interested in the food. Rather than the God that Catholics spoke of, his grandmother taught him that God was merely Olodumare under another name. When he began to talk to spirits (including his great grandfather), his grandmother brought him to the coven where the family's remaining Santeria practitioners studied. He was only twelve years old at the time, far too young to be initiated into priesthood but old enough that he could begin learning. It started off with simple tasks such as cleaning and caring for his grandmother (who served as his godparent) but his mentor guided him through practical applications. Santeria was not simply a religion, it was a way of life. His family's primary emphasis was on Ache, specifically, healing one's body, mind, and soul via rituals, tonics, and wards. They were not a well-known family but for the weak and weary they provided salvation.
He was on track to be the youngest Santero in generations. As he grew older however, something changed. His priorities shifted towards his social life, diving into the world of drugs and alcohol despite constant arguments with his parents (who blamed Santeria for his "fall"). He felt shackled by his duties and the family curse loomed over him, a constant reminder that his days were numbered. More spirits flocked to him and the incantations that once healed others began draining them. His fingertips glowed blue and his face hallowed. The whispers from his great grandfather became more intense and he was frozen. Even though his grandmother advocated for his kind heart his family feared him. At seventeen years old, he was at a turning point, caught between his sense of duty and his desire for a life outside of his religion. His mentor was nearing twenty-five and it would soon fall on either him or his cousin to undergo initiation. His answer came with a letter from Cascadia College. They offered him financial aid and given his lack of other prospects, Ariza felt it best to attend a college that could help him control (and potentially turn around) his abilities.
