Fon Master Ion

⌈ PLAYER SECTION ⌉
Player: Ciara.
Contact: AIM @ splitpsychosis | PM this journal.
Age: 22.
Current Characters: N/A.


⌈ CHARACTER SECTION ⌉
Character: Fon Master Ion.
Age: Physically & Mentally 14. Actually 2.
Canon: Tales of the Abyss.
Canon Point: Post-Death.

Background: [Here], [Here] & [Here].

Personality:

Sweet, kind and soft spoken, Ion is a pale, frail boy of fourteen who is wise beyond his years. He carries out his duty as Fon Master - the highest leader in the Order of Lorelei, a religious institution that holds neutral ground between two kingdoms. He is the only individual capable of reading the Planetary Score and unlocking Daathic seals and as such, is respected and revered by all. By reading the Score to the public and providing council to the rulers of the lands, the Fon Master plays a vital role in shaping decisions made by Kings and in turn the future as dictated by the Score.

This is the role Ion was born into and has been groomed for his entire life. It's an important role and he performs it well, with grace and humility. He acts far older than his age; mature and reserved save for the soft smile he wears from time to time. He isn't one to lash out but speaks his mind and thoughts clearly, with a sense of diplomacy that would make any member of the UN jealous. He rarely seems worried and outwardly seems contented. He's a child any parent would die to have as their own, obedient and always listening. He seems, in simplest terms, perfect - a little angel.

Of course, as things would have it, Ion isn't quite the perfection and symbol of peace he seems to represent. What he is is far more unfortunate, a deviation from the very Score that dictates the future of the planet and in turn all human life.

Ion is a boy, an existence, that should have never existed. He was created artificially, a replica "born" to replace the dying original Fon Master Ion when he passed. Out of the seven replicas that were created from the original Fon Master, Ion, the seventh, was the closest match in abilities to the original Fon Master when it came to reading the Score and being able to perform Daathic Artes. Needless to say, his very own existence has left him with a bit of a quiet existential crisis.

As soon as the original Fon Master had passed, Ion had been shafted into his role, molded and shaped to fit and blend in so those who didn't know of his existence never would. Ion had simply fallen deathly ill and had recovered - that is what everyone would be led to believe. Without a chance to develop an identity of his own Ion fell into playing the part of the Fon Master that had come before him. It was a facade for him to keep up without fail. After all, the only reason he existed was to be someone else. To pretend to be someone he wasn't. He could be replaced if he died, or so he believed, and while his existence was incredibly important, perhaps even priceless, at the same time it was utterly worthless. It doesn't help either that the use of Daathic Artes threatens his life, causing him to grow weaker and ill when he does. In the end it's reading the Score that seals his fate, straining him and pushing him past his limit.

While Ion appears fourteen, he is in actuality only two. During this relatively short existence he's accepted his false identity as Fon Master Ion seamlessly, at least outwardly. Unlike Sync, another replica of the original Fon Master, Ion turns his frustrations and existential crisis inward. While Sync lashes out, is cruel and bitter, damning his own existence, Ion bottles up his emotions, suppressing any dissatisfaction he has with himself and his identity. That isn't to say he doesn't feel emotions - he certainly does - he just doesn't know how to express them properly, let alone fully realize them. When Sync dies it's the first time in Ion's short life that he ever feels the true depths of sadness and recognizes it for what it is - crying for the first time in his life. One could say, in a way, that Ion is emotionally stunted, unable to develop his own sense of self and set of emotions and feelings. He's to be the Fon Master and in turn should feel what the Fon Master felt. To have his own emotions, desires and wants are hard concepts for him to accept for himself, even though he would advocate that someone else fight for their own sense of self.

In a way, when it comes to emotions, Ion feelings are muted and have been since he was born. His smiles are sweet but he isn't one to ever break out into side-splitting laughter. Nor is he one to fly into a rage. Instead he is much like a scolding, disappointed parent when he is upset. Rarely does he raise his voice. It's only when he finds himself kidnapped by various factions and joins Jade, Luke, Tear and co. to help stop a war between kingdoms from breaking out that he starts to build friendships that aren't based on title or rank. The bonds Ion forms with those he fights alongside become incredibly important to him throughout his journey.

One individual in particular that Ion is perhaps closest to is Anise who acts as his personal guardian. They trust one another mutually and although Anise tells Ion what to do, bossing him around at times, he listens to her. It is because of Anise that Ion meets his death, although he does not blame her for it. She is a precious friend to him. One can only imagine how lonely it would have been to be Ion, surrounded by adults who see him as a Rosetta Stone for the Score, rather than a person, a replacement and nothing more. Anise provided not only companionship of someone around is age, but a vibrant smile and exuberant chatter to listen to. He trusts her enough to put his life in her hands and cares for her a lot.

If there's one thing Ion believes, it's that what is written and dictated in the Score is only just one path amongst many possibilities. While he may be weak physically and not one to raise his voice, if there is one thing Ion is it is not a pushover. He's been forced to take on a role of great responsibility and leadership and when factions begin to try and use either himself or the Score to disrupt peace and start a war Ion refuses to be a puppet, opposing those who threaten peace in whatever way he can. He uses his position of power and influence when and where he can if it will keep order and prevent war from breaking out.

Despite being mature beyond his years and quite intelligent, Ion is still ultimately a child. Holding a position of incredible power, he's never really had to take care of himself and basic life skills others would know (such as how to cook, clean, do laundry etc.) he's never had to learn. Emotionally he's still growing, his development cut short by death. He's optimistic even in the worst of situations, always seeing the good and positive not only during dire times but also in people themselves. He's the first to see the kind, "good" side of Luke beneath the thick layers of obnoxious the redhead possessed. It's because of this tendency to try and believe in the good in others that Ion can come to trust others too easily. In this aspect, he can be rather naive. His sense of duty and desire to help others in need or in trouble can land him in life threatening situations. His sense of self worth too, is a work in progress.

There has been progress made, however, when it comes to how Ion perceives himself in contrast to how he was at the beginning of his adventure and at the time of his death. Through the bonds and friendships he formed traveling with Luke and co. he's come to begin to accept the fact that it's okay to be Ion and that he doesn't have to be defined as the Fon Master, a copy, and nothing else. To Luke, Anise and the others he's an individual that stands apart, a unique person and existence; the memories they created together are theirs and his alone. Unfortunately, his self development and progress is cut short by his death and he finds himself comforted, if not joyed by the knowledge that he'll always be remembered by his friends as Ion and not a mere replacement.

Abilities:

Ion is a Fon Master - the highest leader in the Order of Lorelei. He is the only individual capable of reading the Planetary Score and unlocking Daathic seals.

The Planetary Score is a prophecy that concerns 2000 years of the world's history, promising that in the very end prosperity would be brought to the world. Since it has always been incredibly accurate, people began worshiping it and following its words religiously. The Order of Lorelei sprung up out of this devotion, reading the score regularly to the masses. This ability is more or less useless outside of canon, however.

ARTES - (Magic)

As a Fon Master, Ion is capable of performing Fonic Artes that other individuals are simply incapable of. He is a master of Daathic Fonic Artes which include being capable of removing Daathic seals, and the ability to remove and create Cursed Fon Slots on an individual. (This curse renders the individual which it's placed upon to submit to having their actions controlled and manipulated when the person who placed it on them is nearby. While Ion is never shown using this arte against someone, it's to be assumed that he's capable of doing so if he's able to remove it.) It is more than likely that there are other Daathic Artes that Ion is capable of, however we are not shown what they are. Daathic Artes are to be assumed to be incredibly complex/difficult Artes to master, let alone be capable of using.

Ion is also potentially capable of Mystic Artes, more specifically something very similar to Akashic Torment. There is also the possibility of Akashic Torment being another Daathic Arte, however, due to Sync - another replica of the original Fon Master Ion - being capable of using it.

It also isn't a stretch to say that Ion is capable of some Healing Artes and creating barriers or seals himself.

An important point to take note of is that while Ion is able to perform and is capable of impressive magic, he rarely uses it and is even discouraged from doing so due to the toll it takes on his body. He is very weak and feeble and the strain that using Daathic or other Artes puts on his body has him literally keeling over or passing out on many occasions. The more he uses it, the more he's shortening his life and weakening himself/making himself ill, thus he tends to avoid using it if he can.

Other:

Ion will be arriving in his Fon Master robes, along with his staff and pendant. Aside from these items, he'll have nothing else. His amulet will be in the shape of a tuning fork, similar to the pendant he wears around his neck.


⌈ SAMPLE SECTION ⌉
First Person Sample:

What a peculiar device this is, allowing me to communicate with everyone. It's amazing, to think something so simple looking can connect so many together...

_{[Peculiar indeed. Intimate too. Was this how Luke felt when he heard voices in his head? He hasn't a clue what sort of Artes allow the amulet to work as it does, but there's no better time to test it out, right? The voice those who are listening are greeted with is a soft spoken one but cheerful all the same.]}

My name is Fon Master Ion, but just Ion is fine too! I hope I'm not bothering anyone...I can only imagine it's a bit intrusive to hear someone speak within your mind.

_{[If not intrusive, surely it's weird, right?]}

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to assist me? I'm afraid I'm too exhausted to move and I don't want to be in anyone's way by sitting where I've found myself.

_{[That might sound a bit lazy, but he doesn't mean it to be taken that way. He's very polite with his request and really, he means it. He's still too weak to move very far. His legs just don't want to work. Sure...he might be able to crawl, but that would look a bit odd, would it? Even then he wouldn't make it more than a few feet away.]}

I'm not certain how I could provide compensation, but I'm sure something could be discussed. Any help anyone is to offer would be very appreciated. I thank you for listening and if I have disturbed you, I sincerely apologize.

Third Person Sample:

Death. It was something most people feared and rightly so. Death brought with it pain, suffering and sorrow to those which it afflicted, grief to those left behind when the deceased passed on. It was a question he had been asked countless times when reading the Score - will I die? Will someone I love die? Will my enemies die? When will I die? Death was written throughout the Score yet even knowing of death or its cause did nothing to shake people's fear of it. After all, even if death was something known, what was in store for the departed not even the Score could be certain of.

It was a topic Ion had become intimate with. His predecessor, the original boy, which he and six others had been crafted and created from, had known of his death. The rise and fall of countries, victories, battles and defeats, the collapse of towns and lives...he'd read it all in the Score. Reading about something and experiencing it for yourself, however, is entirely different. As he lay cradled in Luke's arms, weak and near death, beckoning Tear over to him to dissipate the Miasma that had inflicted her, part of him, a small part, even if he'd come to terms with death and what it meant for a replica like himself, was afraid. Even he was frightened, saddened at the thought of not what was to come, but what he was leaving behind. Ever since he was 'born' he had held the belief that when it came time for him to die it wouldn't matter - there would be someone to replace him, just as he'd been a replacement for the original Fon Master. It was only then he realized that he was as much his own person as Luke was. What a pity that he'd realized it too late.

It was with a mixture of sadness, fear, acceptance and relief that Ion found himself departing from the world, fading away and out of existence. That was supposed to be the end of it. If he'd been written into the Score the song of his life would have come to an end. That wasn't to be the case.

Everything that happens next feels as if it's nothing more than a hazy dream. He'd been given an amulet, similar in shape to the pendant around his neck, briefly informed of where and why he was here and sent on his way. There's a heaviness to his thoughts, mind drowsy as he clutches his staff in one hand and the amulet in another. Surely...this couldn't be real, could it? Was he truly alive? Was he really not dead?

His steps are wobbly as he walks, still weak and exhausted and with good reason to be. Even so, he keeps walking, his gait slow as he sways. It's only then that it hits him all at once and he finds himself in shock, dropping to his knees on a patch of grass, hands splayed before him, legs bent either side. He was alive. The feeling of relief, of gratitude, is overwhelming. He can feel the cool breeze in his hair, the blades of grass between his fingers, the firm ground beneath him...it wasn't a dream. He's never been good with expressing himself, always keeping a soft smile on his lips when he can, bottling up his feelings. Now his cheeks are wet for a second time as a few tears (was he crying? He's still not used to it-) drip onto the grass beneath him. How good it felt suddenly, to be alive. He had worried so long about the lives of others that he'd never cared for his own, had never appreciated how his life, even if it was one of a replica, was something to be cherished along with everyone else's. Every life, every existence, was unique. It was just like Luke had said - his memories were his and his alone.

It's hard to see suddenly. Things are becoming blurry as he stares at the ground, tears still falling from his eyes. He blinks them away from his lashes, vision refocusing on the ground, only to spot a few little wild flowers sprouting up in front of him. They hadn't been there before, had they? It takes him a moment to realize his lips have split into a smile, a wide one at that, as he rocks back to sit on his heels, fingers curling into the grass, cheeks still wet.

What a wonderful feeling it was, to be alive.

Questions: None.