Age: 28
Race: Hippogriff taur
Sexuality: Homosexual
Appearance
- Hair: Black and red with some feathers
Eyes: Dark red
Skin: Dark
Feathers: Black and red-ish orange
Fur: Seal brown
Talons and Beak: Black
Bird: Black Falcon and Oriental hobby falco severus
Horse: Peruvian Paso
Personality
The Past
Nero is from the kingdom of Iruthu, a nation to the north that is largely mountainous. It is home to mostly winged beasts and those equipped to hike the rocky and steep mountainsides. Gryphons and hippogriffs are native inhabitants, living either in the snowy tops or in the wide and deep valley basins. Nero was born into a family of nobles, but he did not enjoy partaking in what most of the nobles did with their lives. Watching over their land, servants, the responsibilities of being a lord were not ones he wanted. He enjoyed hunting, which wasn’t uncommon for nobles to enjoy, and fighting and sparring. Racing he was particularly good at, be it in the air or on the ground. He proved to be quite sneaky as well, and it often got him into trouble.
It wasn’t until he was in his teens that he realized he was attracted to other males instead of females. Sure there were plenty of beautiful women in his life and he liked women’s breasts almost as much as any straight man, but he never saw him being able to copulate or pursue a relationship with them. They were friends and family, if anything at all. He kept the realization to himself, as in Iruthu it was against the law for a man to be with another man as he would a woman. He managed to keep that part of him a secret for a few years, until he met a traveler named Braith. Braith was a centaur from the neighboring kingdom, and he was beautiful. Centaurs weren’t seen often in his home and Nero thought him exotic, as Braith considered Nero to be exotic. They met and got to know each other, and then they went to the inn Braith was staying at. It was Nero’s first time having sex, and Braith was kind enough to instruct him through it.
This continued in secret for months. Braith would leave and come back for a couple days every month, and then he would leave again. Nero wasn’t sure what he did while he traveled, but he trusted the centaur whom he’d fallen in love with. He would ask what business Braith had that allowed him to come and go so frequently, but Braith would never give him a straight answer. After nearly a year of their secret meetings there was unrest in Iruthu; word of a spy from the neighboring kingdom swept through the towns. Braith seemed unnerved and didn’t want to stay on his last pass through, but Nero begged him to and he complied. In the middle of their lovemaking the sheriff and his men burst into the room, both men stunned at the intrusion. They were both arrested and jailed separately, and while they were detained Braith told him the truth. He was the spy the rumors talked about. He traded secrets, it was his profession. He sold them to the highest bidder, and often times he was employed by nobles and lords, higher houses and kings for their own political gain. Nero had never felt much pride for his kingdom, which he expressed then, and he didn’t care what Braith’s trade was. If he had known he would have helped and not urged him to stay another night, landing them both in their predicament.
It was too late, though. Braith was going to be executed the next day, a truth that Nero wasn’t willing to accept. That night though came unexpected aid, a gryphon by the name of Andor and his band of renegades raided their town. Braith had an affiliation with the group, and in fact he was a key member, and they’d come to rescue him when they’d heard the news. It was a success, but a fatal wound inflicted upon their escape took Braith’s life. Heartbroken Nero turned his back on his country and joined the renegades. He wasn’t their strongest fighter, but he was quick and dexterous, surprisingly light on his feet. He earned his place there, leading them alongside Andor, who became a good friend over the years. None of them cared that he loved men as they loved women, and he was finally free to be himself. He gained experience in fighting, and he quickly gained the reputation as a ruthless killer.
When a war started between nations arouse the renegades were quick to attend, offering their services to one or both sides. They eventually became a large enough group for them to split off and double their efforts, Teirin of the southern tribes taking the lead of the second group. It was there, fighting in wars, that Nero and Andor became names known to many, their group becoming legendary. Eventually the second group separated and became their own band, but an agreement between them deemed that should both groups enter a war on opposing sides they would not engage each other in combat.
This is where Nero is. No permanent home, always moving. By Andor’s side they lead the renegades, turning them into elite mercenaries for hire. He has denounced his nation and claims no other, has loved only one man, and has a reputation as a bloodthirsty killer. It is not the life of a noble, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
