Description

Phaistos is a rugged man who spends more time roaming the mountains than prowling the streets. His appearance has come to reflect this description. At a little over 6 feet tall, 22 years old, and with an athletic build he strikes an imposing figure. His exposure to the elements has made his skin tanned and weathered, adding to his wild appearance. Around his neck is an unusual tattoo he received from a Mesopotamian trader. He keeps his hair short, and has died it two colors to emulate his companion, a small brown and white beech marten named Nixta. This small and stealthy companion spends most of its time resting on Phaistos's shoulder. Phaistos often wears studded leather greaves, bracers, and a shoulder guard over a gray tunic and leggings.

Personality

Phaistos has been described by many to be a cold, rational man. He keeps his emotions to himself and focuses on doing his job, and doing it well. He harbors a strong hatred for the priests because of his experience as a sacrifice. While appearing aloof to most he has been known to show a softer side of himself when among children, animals, and sometimes servants or others of the less fortunate. He values truth and virtue above all else, no matter how twisted his own might be. He is most alive when hunting. Phaistos feels that to hunt is to lose oneself in the search. He values the search so much, that he will sometimes refrain from striking down a quarry, if only so that he might test his mettle against it some other day.

Equipment

Phaistos carries a loaded quiver and persian longbow strapped to his back, as well as a large hunting knife sheathed on his belt.

History

Phaistos was born in Aiatse to the servant family of a low ranking noble. He was raised to follow the family path and serve the noble family to the best of his abilities. But at the age of 7 he was selected as one of the sacrifices. His family rejoiced at his choosing, happy for the deity's recognition of their family. Phaistos only felt fear, and horror at his family's reaction, and so he was led down and left to wander the labyrinth. But after a little over a week he emerged, gifted. Phaistos tried to return to his family but the noble they were bound to would have nothing to do with the little "abomination" as he called it. So Phaistos fled, he ran into the mountains to die. But it was here that he soon discovered what his gift had been. Phaistos could communicate with animals. he could both understand and respond to any animal in turn. But though communication was possible, he could not control what the animals did. What Phaistos did do though, was learn from as many of the animals as he could the secrets of hunting and tracking. During his time in the mountains he stumbled upon a small Beech Marten caught in a trap. Phaistos freed the little Marten and was rewarded with the creature's undying friendship. Phaistos named her Nixta. Phaistos emerged from the mountains 9 years later a master hunter. He returned to Aiatse in hopes of finding new and more challenging quarries to hunt. Inevitably Phaistos became involved with assassinations. He found the hunting of men, was a thrill of a whole other type. But he made sure to only take on jobs he felt were just and would not benefit the unworthy. So over time, Phaistos became one of the most renowned and feared assassins in Aiatse. He has never failed at a job.