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Name: Seraphan. He'll accept any nickname, as long as he knows it's directed at him.
Gender: Male.
Height: 5’8”
Age: Appears to be in his twenties.
Hair Color: Black.
Eye Color: Yellow, with red sclera.
Skin Color: Olive.
Other: He rarely removes the mask over the lower part of his face while others are around, and he is almost always in armor.
Post Color #541C73

Personality:

"I wish to make the world better, not worse." [Approachable >> Restrained]
Seraphan is generally easygoing and easy to approach. He likes speaking to people and hearing what they have to say, and he's generally willing to hear people out, though he rarely tolerates speech that promotes the harm or oppression of others. He's quiet and not frightening or unfriendly, despite his intimidating appearance, and he tends to find humor in the people around him and in his immediate situation. And while he sometimes causes offense due to his lack of understanding of modern society, he usually means well at heart; he doesn't try to hurt others for fun.

However, he has difficulty displaying emotion, even when it's warranted or expected. This is a necessary check that he imposes on himself; if he were to become angry and lose control of his powers, he could cause a lot of damage to innocent bystanders. So he controls his displays of emotion, acts calm even when he feels anything but, and tries to resolve arguments quietly or reasonably, preventing them from escalating. It's difficult (though not impossible) to provoke him into so much as raising his voice. This restraint also extends to emotional displays in general; while he might sympathize with someone, he won't do so emotionally and tearfully -- and if he were to strike down an enemy, it would be with as little outward emotion as possible.

"Much has changed. Better to stay quiet and be thought a fool, than to speak and prove it." [Naive >> Inquisitive]
Seraphan has only been back on the ground, interacting with people frequently, for a few months. While he had the opportunity to watch people from within the clouds he hid in, watching did not prepare him for actually interacting with them, and he's surprisingly ignorant of many things people might consider commonplace. For example, he would be curious about piercings, not understanding why people would do something painful for aesthetic purposes. He is still learning the unspoken rules of interacting with people in general; having spent so long in self-contemplation, he doesn't understand why some of his questions would be considered offensively personal or upsetting. For example, he would ask someone why they say one thing and act another way, and then simply not comprehend why it might upset them. He also has difficulty understanding jokes that rely on things like societal norms, or stereotypes, as he simply doesn't understand them.

Having stepped on a few toes in the past with questions he never meant to be offensive, he prefers to look, listen, and learn first, rather than simply diving headfirst into a situation. When he's actively interacting, not just watching from afar, he often asks questions about people's opinions and viewpoints on a variety of topics, both philosophical (the nature of good and evil) and mundane (why another person acts the way they do). While he's sometimes satisfied by short answers, he really prefers long debates and discussions, though he tends to listen more than he speaks, or to volunteer to take the opposing position just to get more information. He's honestly interested in hearing everyone's opinion, and he's willing to listen to all perspectives in the name of furthering his understanding. After all, one of the ideals he believes in is freedom -- and that includes freedom to believe anything, so long as it doesn't harm anyone and others can have the same freedom.

"The laws of this region were made for the protection and betterment of all. I may follow the spirit of the law, but I am not a slave to the letter of it."[Contemplative >> Good Intentions]
Seraphan engages in a lot of philosophizing and deep thought. He's had a very, very long time to simply ponder what is right and what is not, and he continues to do so as a gijinka. If he can, he will take his time making a decision, and ponder at length about the morality and consequences of his choices. His set of ideals are the result of many years spent thinking carefully about right and wrong, as they appear to him, for example. He generally doesn't rush into decisions, and will usually hear out both sides of an argument before he settles on a conclusion.

However, he formed his ideals without much caring about the laws of the regions he now inhabits. To him, actions that promote the happiness and welfare of others are just and right -- whether or not those actions break the law. He considers both law and freedom to be necessary so that the most people can be happy, and has no bias for or against either. But, though he follows the law when he can, he does not feel beholden to it, and he will not hesitate to break laws if he thinks it would bring about greater good for others. For example, if he caught a man stealing bread to feed a family, he would return the stolen bread, then give the man some money to legally buy food and let him go, because following the law and calling the police on the man would just hurt him and his family more. He would also not hesitate to break a law if he found it to be cruel, oppressive, or harmful.

"When I think about it, I wonder...is the world we once sought to create now out of reach? Or was it never within our reach?" [Virtuous >> Doubtful]
As a Pokemon born of ideals, Seraphan believes wholeheartedly in the capability of humans and Pokemon alike to be good, to learn to embrace their differences along with their similarities, and to work together to improve the world. He also believes that he should act to uphold his beliefs and make the world a better place, whether his actions are big or small; he's willing to intervene to prevent a crime, share a meal with someone who had no food, or even just listen to someone who's had a bad day. While he's not a vigilante -- he doesn't go out and search out wrongs to right -- he won't just watch a crime he could prevent, and if someone comes to him for help, he'll do everything in his power to help. It's less about compassion, and more about his dedication to his ideals. For him, it's easier to simply help people, no strings attached, than it is to actually become friends or make a real connection with them.

However, while he's confident that the ideals he follows are right for him, and he believes that he's doing the right thing in helping others, he is no longer certain whether others share his conviction. He envisions a world where cooperation and acceptance are practiced as well as preached, but he knows that he could never achieve such a world by himself, no matter how powerful he is. He's been rather dismayed to find out just how few people share his ideals, and he's come to doubt whether such a world could ever be possible.

"The good must be protected; the wicked must be punished. I will not falter." [Protective >> Dutiful]
Seraphan's first goal is to help people -- and sometimes he must do so by protecting them from others. Though he does not go out looking for wrongs to right and crimes to prevent, he will not hesitate to step in if he sees one, or if he's asked for help. He is still a warrior at heart -- after all, he was born from conflict -- although he will try peaceful methods if possible, and he considers force and lethal force to be last resorts. If he's pushed to that point, though, he will not hesitate to use them. For example, he wouldn't try to kill a small-time pickpocket, but if killing a person will save a victim in immediate danger of being killed, he will do so. He does not hold his own well-being above that of others, and will intervene even if he must put himself in danger.

Although he is normally confident in his decisions, he doesn't want to let that confidence become prideful stubbornness, which could cause harm instead of good. If he's been wrong -- and despite his best efforts, he sometimes is -- he feels a great deal of remorse and concern over his error, and will immediately attempt to repair any damage done.

Strengths: Seraphan is a very powerful fighter; his combat instinct was honed through long battles against his own brother, with whom he was evenly matched. He is physically strong and sturdy, and although he's not particularly fast or agile on the ground, he's a strong flier. He learns quickly, and his transition back into the human world is going (relatively) smoothly; he has a surprising talent for cooking, even though his wings are often a hindrance in the kitchen.
Weaknesses: He hates the cold and, as a Pokemon used to reigning over the skies, he's actually very claustrophobic. Though he's fine with buildings as long as their rooms are fairly large, he gets uncomfortable with small rooms, where he can touch the walls with his wings if he spreads them; closets are worse. Both situations leave him distracted, unfocused, and performing at far less than his best, and he becomes agitated and restless more easily; in an extreme situation (e.g., a space so small he could barely move), he would probably be too panicked to think rationally. Also, although he's fairly good at watching and learning from other people, he finds it difficult to make actual friendships, which would benefit his mental state in the long run.

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Seraphan follows a moral code which guides many of his actions and judgments. Like all codes, it is subject to change, adaptation, or exceptions for specific circumstances, and he has many questions that he has not yet decided on.

1. Good actions bring good to others. Whether it is giving to those who have not, or protecting those who are in danger, assisting others is the best path.
1a. However, some people should not be assisted, if their happiness comes at the expense or pain of others.
1b. If by my actions I can help another, or alleviate suffering, I must do so. To stand idly by when I can help is neglectful and cruel.

2. Freedom is an essential right, but even individual freedom must be limited for the good of all. All sentient beings of sound mind should be able to choose their own path in life, so long as that path does not bring harm to others.

3. All sentient beings have the right to live. However, if a person assaults another such that the use of lethal force in self-defense is required, then they forfeit their right to life.
3a. The death penalty is a problem I have yet to resolve. Are there those whose crimes are so great, and whose minds are so depraved, that death is the only way to prevent them from harming innocents? As they have been found guilty of terrible crimes, have they forfeited their right to life, even though lethal force is used outside of self-defense?
3b. The issue of lethal force outside of self-defense is also troublesome. In warfare, lethal force against an enemy is justified; by entering into combat, soldiers have accepted that they risk death, and deal death. But if a murderer kills and goes free, are those close to the victim justified in seeking their own form of justice?

4. Cruelty is malicious, needless, and vicious. Life is pain, but adding unnecessary pain for one's own ends is wrong.
4a. Some pain is inevitable -- pain caused by the truth of a matter, or by loss, or by self-discipline, is unavoidable. In these cases, it is better to go with the outcome that will be better for everyone, overall. If causing pain will lessen it in the long run, then it is justified.
4b. Unkind and insensitive thoughts are also inevitable. However, holding grudges and nursing resentment against one's oppressors is useless, and only detracts from time and energy that are better spent finding a solution; therefore, festering negativity must be acknowledged and released as gently as possible.

5. Honesty is the best policy. Even if a lie brings happiness in the short term, deception always comes to an unhappy ending. Lies beget lies, and eventually the web grows too tangled to be maintained.

6. Perseverance is a virtue. Many noble ends require diligent work; the truly good things in life are seldom easy to obtain.

7. Good intentions are the deciding factor in whether an action is good or bad. Good intentions with evil ends are better than evil intentions with good ends. While evil results should be repaired and prevented in the future, the person should be given credit for meaning well.

8. It is most important for those who seek to judge others to hold themselves to similar, if not higher, standards. Never condemn in others what you yourself are guilty of.

At present, Seraphan lives primarily in apartment above a certain bookstore in Nimbasa City, though he travels often. He is quite capable of living off the land, or staying in hotel rooms -- whichever suits him at the time -- but the apartment is his home base.

The rooms are utilitarian, but suitable for a single, self-sufficient inhabitant. They are also rather surprisingly large, to accommodate his wings and mild claustrophobia. The living room has a futon couch, and a small television, which is usually tuned to a news or documentary channel. Books on history and appropriate social behavior are neatly stacked on the glass coffee table. The kitchen is large enough that Seraphan can turn with wings outstretched and not touch the walls, and he has enough room to avoid knocking anything over. The pantry and fridge are well-stocked with fresh, seasonal ingredients, as he enjoys cooking. And his bedroom, tucked safely down a hallway, is sparsely furnished, with a bed in the center of the room, and large windows along the wall, to alleviate the discomfort he feels while sleeping indoors.

He has no real material possessions at the moment, though he has an interest in acquiring small trinkets and souvenirs. The passage of time has left many of his memories more worn and faded than he wants them to be -- even the more painful ones -- and he wants to have physical things so that he will be able to recall the new memories that he makes.

Shop art & Concept © Mr Mootles & Corsair Vitari
Seraphan © me

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