| Age 19 |
| Gender Male |
| Origin Arshakan Empire |
| Occupation Wandering Magitech Blacksmith |
When Shenzi first thought, it was like waking from a deep, dark sleep. He had memories that felt like they belonged to someone else, experience in being a Magitech Craftsman's helper for quite a number of years, yet only now did he think of himself as his own person. For as brilliant as his creator was, his control over language and grammar was sorely lacking, having scrawled what he thought was the word 'Efficiency' on the construct's metal body yet it was horribly misspelled and quite ugly. The only legible part was the word 'Shenzi', which is what he decided to take as his own name after repairing the rest of the crude scrawl.
The Craftsman only wanted someone to help in his work, to follow his orders until Shenzi was worked into disrepair, which made the newly aware being incredibly disgusted. It was like he was a slave, never having hope of a life beyond crafting whatever this man wanted, and while his anger at this was at its peak he stole a set of magitech tools and ran, not even aware of where he was going, his only care being to get away as far as possible as fast as possible. By the time he stopped to take his bearings, he couldn't remember where he had come from, leaving him completely on his own. Before the despair of being absolutely alone in the world could kick in, a traveling caravan came across him, noting his armored body and tools and asked if he was a blacksmith. In a moment of quick thinking he said yes, and all his experience before his awakening flooded into his mind. He traveled with this band for a short while, repairing what they needed for coin and a place to sleep, which he found he needed to do ever since gaining his sapience.
It was a few stops on his wanderings that he found something in his desire to create, a conversation with a potential patron that led to his Inspiration triggering. By the time he was done, which felt like being in a fever dream, the sword he'd made for the man was unlike any he'd seen on his travels, something that had only appeared in his mind as he had spoken to his client. He now travels to find others who spark this creation impulse, finding such joy in making something that is unique and infused with the magic that makes him up. Despite all the traveling and work, though, he has yet to find someone to connect with deeper than just a customer, his desire for a friend or just a closer bond to another starting to grow just as strong as his want to create.
One thing he has noted is the need to be in areas of at least normal Shroud presence. He becomes tired in areas of lesser or no shroud, feeling more and more sluggish until he is brought to a better place, yet when he is in a place with wild or chaotic Shroud he feels his mind reeling, as if there are others suddenly sharing his head with him. It is incredibly disorienting and sometimes he acts like a completely different person in these places. Whether these are other minds already in him but sleeping, or they were implanted in these chaotic places, he is unable to say.
The Craftsman only wanted someone to help in his work, to follow his orders until Shenzi was worked into disrepair, which made the newly aware being incredibly disgusted. It was like he was a slave, never having hope of a life beyond crafting whatever this man wanted, and while his anger at this was at its peak he stole a set of magitech tools and ran, not even aware of where he was going, his only care being to get away as far as possible as fast as possible. By the time he stopped to take his bearings, he couldn't remember where he had come from, leaving him completely on his own. Before the despair of being absolutely alone in the world could kick in, a traveling caravan came across him, noting his armored body and tools and asked if he was a blacksmith. In a moment of quick thinking he said yes, and all his experience before his awakening flooded into his mind. He traveled with this band for a short while, repairing what they needed for coin and a place to sleep, which he found he needed to do ever since gaining his sapience.
It was a few stops on his wanderings that he found something in his desire to create, a conversation with a potential patron that led to his Inspiration triggering. By the time he was done, which felt like being in a fever dream, the sword he'd made for the man was unlike any he'd seen on his travels, something that had only appeared in his mind as he had spoken to his client. He now travels to find others who spark this creation impulse, finding such joy in making something that is unique and infused with the magic that makes him up. Despite all the traveling and work, though, he has yet to find someone to connect with deeper than just a customer, his desire for a friend or just a closer bond to another starting to grow just as strong as his want to create.
One thing he has noted is the need to be in areas of at least normal Shroud presence. He becomes tired in areas of lesser or no shroud, feeling more and more sluggish until he is brought to a better place, yet when he is in a place with wild or chaotic Shroud he feels his mind reeling, as if there are others suddenly sharing his head with him. It is incredibly disorienting and sometimes he acts like a completely different person in these places. Whether these are other minds already in him but sleeping, or they were implanted in these chaotic places, he is unable to say.
Appearance
| Height 6'4" |
| Build Slender |
| Hair Helmet |
| Eyes also Helmet |
To the casual observer, Shenzi looks like a person in a slender suit of full plate armor. He possesses remarkable dexterity with said armor, especially in his fingers and hands. His footfalls sound heavier than a normal person and there aren't any bits of flesh or eye to see, or really any large crack in the armor. It seems to most like someone completely encased in metal, yet Shenzi seems perfectly fine about this.
The truth is that the boy could be likened to a living suit of armor, a construct of magitech able to utilize the Shroud to craft other magitech or just high quality gear in general. When he is doing so, multi-colored lines of magic flow over his metal body like the lines on a circuit board, all ending at his hands as he infuses whatever he is working on with his natural power. He seems to take great fun and pleasure in crafting, especially in trying to make something new, making him seem almost like an excited child even though he is comparable in age to a young adult. There are some patches of repaired armor on his body, as he has gotten into scuffles and other accidents, but has been able to maintain his own body just fine so far.
The truth is that the boy could be likened to a living suit of armor, a construct of magitech able to utilize the Shroud to craft other magitech or just high quality gear in general. When he is doing so, multi-colored lines of magic flow over his metal body like the lines on a circuit board, all ending at his hands as he infuses whatever he is working on with his natural power. He seems to take great fun and pleasure in crafting, especially in trying to make something new, making him seem almost like an excited child even though he is comparable in age to a young adult. There are some patches of repaired armor on his body, as he has gotten into scuffles and other accidents, but has been able to maintain his own body just fine so far.
Personality
Shenzi is polite to those who speak to him, easily falling into asking questions thanks to his inexhaustible curiosity. When someone appears to have some kind of need for his skills, his excitement seems to spike as he searches for the closest place that would have the tools he needs to do his work, the tools too big for him to carry around, that is. Even if he is forced into combat, he is more of a jovial fighter, as if wanting to apply the fruits of his labors and test how they perform in the field. The only time he seems to become angry or sad is when he sees someone's freedom being taken away, and he usually tries to free said people if they are innocent.
Skills
Endless Inspiration - By asking questions of another, getting to know them and their needs and preferences, a spark of inspiration for creating some piece of armor or a weapon will take hold in Shenzi's mind, a blazing blueprint that lasts until he can craft it with his own hands. This also allows his manipulation of the shroud to be used, as normally he cannot manipulate it as a kind of limiter to his creative abilities. This also prevents him from being forced to craft his masterpieces, it has to be completely willing on all party's ends.
Quick on the Uptake - when using a weapon or combat technique Shenzi hasn't used before, he has a knack of learning the basics quickly. Once he knows the basics, or is capable enough with the knowledge to hold his own in a fight, he refines this knowledge at the same rate that everyone else does.
Quick on the Uptake - when using a weapon or combat technique Shenzi hasn't used before, he has a knack of learning the basics quickly. Once he knows the basics, or is capable enough with the knowledge to hold his own in a fight, he refines this knowledge at the same rate that everyone else does.
Art Credit: https://bsky.app/profile/volpedart.bsky.social