Aran Ekis

Loyal Servant of the Purists

13 (26 by human standards)

Male

He/him

Reptin

"ah-rawn eh-kees"

5'4"

128 lbs.

No shirt, loose pants

Smooth golden scales cover Aran's snake-like body, from his tapered snout to his clawed feet and long, thin tail. Narrow fangs jut from his top jaw down towards his chin. He has a smooth, flexible build that sways back and forth slightly as he walks. His hands are more narrow and delicate than a human's, but his short, sharp claws make them just as weaponizable as any other part of his body. Not that he ever carries himself in a threatening way.

Live music performances (especially woodwinds), strongly scented flowers

People going anywhere near his tail

Being disliked, wide-open spaces

Controlled debating, yoga

Heterosexual

Aran's personality tends to reflect reptin ideals of acceptance and protectiveness, but the bottomless nature of his passion for the Purists has pushed him into darker territory. He says he'd do anything for his mate and children, and he really does love them, but the truth is he'd drop them in a heartbeat if the Purists ordered him to. Not that you'd know by talking to him: he treats even total strangers with boundless kindness and hospitality. And why shouldn't he? To him, the Purists are a force of generosity, erasing the strong so the weak may escape their oppression and thrive. The sacrifices made along the way are all for the greater good.

Though Aran has natural weapons in the form of his claws and fangs, plus a venomous bite, he's more of a talker than a fighter, with no technical skills in combat.

Sohli/Terran translator

Aran always had a special interest in humans. Though his family has lived in Terrata for generations due to the Aida Spacetime Incident, they've clung steadfastly to their reptin culture. Aran took it upon himself to learn Terran and become the go-to translator for his clan, so they could field any humans that happened upon their slice of the desert.

This happened to include Shiro, who delivered one of the earliest Purists speeches through Aran's expert interpretation. Shiro's message captivated Aran, and he vowed to help spread it as far as he could. Even if it meant sacrificing his recently-sired children, many of which have magical potential.

https://iigoeyei.carrd.co/

"My mother once crafted a toy enti made from crystal and beads. I loved it very much and created friends for it out of vines."

"Oh I would absolutely blame myself first. It's my responsibility to treat those around me with kindness, so if someone wishes harm upon me, I've done something wrong."

"I'm fond of those who do as they're told and don't intervene in matters that don't concern them."

"It is very easy for me to say this phrase, and even easier for me to say it without meaning it."

"I already have children, as a matter of fact! Though they haven't hatched yet. Would I want more, though? Maybe not. I wouldn't want to put more hatchlings than necessary through the pain of being sacrificed for the Purists."

"I'm very skilled at live translation. I love being depended on to connect two people in a way they wouldn't be able to accomplish alone, and the challenges that come with it fascinate me. For example, did you know that Sohli has eight different second-person pronouns? When translating from Terran, I often have to choose the one that best fits the situation on my own, which requires plenty of knowledge of the context and relationship between the two parties."

"My mate, Najeeba. She's very kind, yet passionate, always trying to find the answer that will please everyone. She has a lovely smile, as well!"

"Mostly survival tools such as rope and a water bottle. Perhaps a musical instrument, one I don't know yet, so I could busy myself with learning it."

"The first time I meet a new person, I always take them to visit the Shehsha Concert Hall. There are also several museums dedicated to the history of the reptin settlements in the area."