“'An extraordinary fellow', some say, 'A Klaxxa of courage, of cheerfulness, of wit and resolution!' 'Not in the right mind', say the others, - 'What for us is a nightmare is for him a jolly good pastime, an adventure!' And it is true! I hunger for danger, for if one does not seek adversity to overcome, it could be said that one does not exist at all, I say!”
- - Lekren-Lax
An adventurer and a gentleman, Lekrenad Laxandsar, or just Lekren-Lax, is the youngest son of Matriarch Drytkwén-Lax. Having inherited a portion of his famous mother's alchemical genius - but not her insanity, thankfully - Lekrenad quickly made himself known among the Klaxxa people for his talents. The young Klaxxa had other yearnings, though, for he possessed a heart of an adventurer - and, what was more important, no money in his pockets - and thus joined the ranks of the many Klaxxa explorers who traverse Koldenwelt in search of new lands to colonise with courageous composure in the face of adversity.
Intrepid and curious with an insatiable hunger for knowledge, Lekren-Lax has been sighted all over Koldenwelt, from the frozen Forgotten Lands to the fiery lands to the South.
Biography
Early life
Lekren's Stone of the Exalted.
Although his current social status may suggest otherwise, Lekren-Lax was originally born into wealth and belonged to the highest circles of Arkenhold's society. Progeny of Clan Laxandsar belonging to the fifth clutch of the eccentric Matriarch Drytkwén-Lax and sired by an admiral of the Sky Empire's airfleets called Salxa-Nagh, Lekren had a childhood that was both posh and strict. Unlike most of his brood brothers, who tended to be closer to their father and pursued military careers in either the Air Fleets or the Royal Guard, the young Klaxxa had always been a mother's boy and as such followed in her footsteps, applying for membership in the Royal Alchemists' Union when he was 14.
Lekren's determination, creative and connections allowed the young Klaxxa to become one of the most accomplished students of the Union; although his maverick inventions raised a few eyebrows among the Great Magisters, his name quickly became known among the Sky Empire's drakes of science. He was not without adversaries, though; as Lekren studied, he had always experienced competition from another Klaxxa alchemist, Bitrax - the youngest scion of clan Nimh, the Laxandsars' old enemy. What first started as a simple rivalry ended up as a vicious battle of wits that continued for years, not only because of their familial honour, but also because of their shared love interest - lady Karva-Gem, one of the few female alchemists in the Union.
When Bitrax-Nimh and Lekren-Lax were 19, their final test to join the Royal Alchemists' Union came at last. To prove worthy of joining the guild, they had to conjure Stones of the Exalted, objects of great alchemical power that extended the alchemists' lifespans and empowered their small frames. Bitrax's stone, constructed in a week, was flawless, he was accepted into the guild without any arguments, while Lekren's artifact, whom he crafted in but a day, turned out to be volatile and exploded violently when presented to the Grand Lodge, killing several bystanders, severely wounding one of the Highmasters yet, in an ironic twist of fate, leaving Lekren himself alive and intact.
Naturally, after such a spectacular failure the gates of the Union closed for Lekren-Lax, leaving the young and ambitious Klaxxa (who to this day believes wholeheartedly that he was framed by his rival) shamed by the entire alchemist community of the Klaxxa as well as stripped of his noble status; even Karva-Gem turned away from him and eventually married Bitrax. With no place for himself in Sky Empire, Lekren then left the Ar-Klith for other, primitive lands, with only his favoured alchemical treatises with him...
Wanderer
Lekren-Lax in the Forgotten Lands.
in the following years, Lekren-Lax wandered the world, hunting for treasures and lending his alchemical wares as well as fighting talents (courtesy of his father's military education) to the highest bidder, hoping to one day gather a fortune large enough to return to Arkenholdt and reclaim his nobility from the Lord Protector and Karva-Gem from Bitrax-Nimh. His quest eventually drove him to partake in the legendary expedition to the Forgotten Lands headed by the legendary Kinmorunddraver the World Walker. Along with Hachi, the Sea Witch, Riad and Marcos Ridgewood (for whom the Klaxxa had taken a particular fancy to), Lekren ventured into this unhospitable realm and faced the diabolical monstrosities that lurked within its depths, including the legendary Ordnung long thought to be extinct. Aside from providing his alchemical concoctions to aid his allies, the Klaxxa alchemist also served as the chronicler of the party, keeping notes of its journey.
After the adventure was over, Lekren-Lax compiled these notes into a single tome, which he dubbed the Great Chronicles of the Forgotten Lands, or the Tale of the Many Mysteries of the Siarkon Legion, the Exosubstratal Horde, the High Drakes and the Ordnung of the Cobalt Kingdom, and had them published in Arkenholdt - anonymously, of course, and with the names of his compatriots and himself altered. Strangely, however, each time he sent his manuscript to Ar-Klith, all the copies of his novel were, in a few days, found burned or otherwise destroyed (which Lekren believes to be the work of Bitrax-Nimh). Eventually, Lekren gave up trying to publish his works and continued travelling the world, eventually reaching the Frontier Land, where yet another adventure began...
Characteristics
Appearance
With the exception of his height (slightly greater than what is expected from a Klaxxa) Lekren-Lax is typical member of his species: a small, bipedal dragon with wiry limbs, large eyes and a refined accent. Having inherited a great deal of his mother's appearance, Lekren sports metallic, silvery scales emblematic to clan Laxandsar that in some places have become mottled and dark because of alchemical mishaps and injuries. His Fire Drake ancestry inherited from his father, scion of Dyniroth, is indicated in the strange reddish tone of his eyes, which is only noticeable when he is aggravated or otherwise annoyed (which is rare unless Bitrax is around). More used to combat than most Klaxxa, Lekren is also slightly more muscular than the other members of his species.
What sets Lekren apart from the rest of his people is the clothing he wears. Whereas most Klaxxa prefer to dress opulently, adhering vigorously to the refined fashions of their homeland to show their wealth and education, the exiled Klaxxa alchemist's clothes are for utility foremost. His favourite outfit is a set of light armour, forged by Lekren himseld using alchemical transmutation techniques, that can both protect him from the elements and keep his fragile frams alive in battle. Also notable are several bags on his armour that hold his many potions and other chemicals; one on his back, two on his sides and a few more elsewhere on his body. In order to compensate for his poor vision, Lekren wears a golden, clockwork monocle that can change its shape - perhaps the only memento of his old life as an Arkenholdt noble.
Abilities
Personality
Relations
Love
“My devotion is well known across the lands.”
- Karva-Gem - “One day, you will learn!”
Friends & Family
“For clan Laxandsar!”
- Marcos Ridgewood - “Travelling with you is an adventure in itself.”
- Dyniroth - “Grandfather.”
Allies
“Greetings and salutations, good friends. Do you want a cup of tea?”
- Riad - “A savage man from the north, yet also educated and knowing. We could learn much from each other.”
- Sea Witch - “Madam, you mortify me. To endure the death of your entire race with such resolution and bravery is becoming of a hero - and you are a hero.”
- Valdemar Mistwood - “You have a yearning for knowledge in your heart. That is admirable.”
- Kinmorunddraver - “What a wondrous man you are.”
- Norrigan of Visonia - “Allow me to research your essence, sir. I promise it will not be painful...”
Neutral
“Good day, sir, I say.”
- Hachi - “If you absolutely must indulge your masculine urge, you would be better advised to seek out a lady-in-waiting.”
- Ryza Yazzalarn - “Where did you take that pistol of yours from, ruffian?”
- Vultusk Kychtdar - “...Interesting...”
Enemies
“Have at it, you loathsome varlet. My alkahest is conjured and ready.”
- Bitrax-Nimh - “As soon as I effect my return to Ar-Klith, I shall find you and we will settle our dispute in the ancient manner afforded to men of honour - not that you have any, I am sure.”
Quotes
“I am victorious.”
- - Bitrax-Nimh
Trivia
- Act 2, Song 2: Edgar Gets His Heart Broken from the Dolls Of New Albion, A Steampunk Opera by Paul Shapera is Lekren-Lax's theme.
