Strychnos

Warrior; Cursebreaker; Vetter of new arrivals; Hunter; Gardener

General
Strychnos had been with Northslope for some time before he came into prominence, but is now a major part of the clan. He has a condition, which may be related to a poorly-elaborated time alone in the woods as a hatchling, in which his natural Nature poison runs through his body in a way that causes him pain and sometimes madness. This is much more under control now that he has learned to channel the poison in combat, but earlier caused him not to speak up when he was first to notice the cult activity, for fear that it was but a paranoid delusion. When lucid, which is now the overwhelming majority of the time, he is observant, cool-headed, and an excellent strategist, though he is still having to relearn confidence in his observations. When mad, he is often withdrawn or highly agitated, and may hallucinate or retreat into a sort of survival-mode where everything seems to be a threat.

Recent Events
When the Carmine Serthis and the Tundra he accompanied approached Strychnos, he was unwell. Someone had clawed him while he slept, and left something foul in it--something his elemental essence wanted GONE. The poison was rising, and he had no place to channel it, so it burned him.

They brought names and evidence, and even word from Undara. His concern about Voikukka's recent behavior was not just paranoia, and it stood up to every question he could think to ask them. They needed backup, and he would provide it. However, he was injured, and so would be at less than full potential. He suggested they bring another, and after discussion, Iznioch was chosen, and they went to recruit her.

When they went to go confront the Spiral mastermind, one of the dragons who was compromised--Gentian, the Nature Fae--took off after them. Strychnos moved to pin her, and when she tried to squirm free he bit her. Not deeply, but enough that his venom penetrated. It would make her sick, but hopefully it would also break down the Arcane sorcery holding her in thrall, as her own unawakened Nature power could not.

He watched to make sure she was no longer struggling, and bound her in vines, slowly and carefully. When the others called for their aid, the Nature Sprite went first, Strychnos finishing what he was doing and departing after. The others were fighting the Opheodrys Serthis that was paired with the Fae Impatiens. The Opheodrys fought with everything available to him, not just magic, and they indeed needed help. Strychnos raced around the other side, striking at the serpent and drawing his attention from his other opponents. This turned things, and soon the Carmine Serthis struck down the other.

Everyone regrouped, and Strychnos was brought up to speed on what happened while he was engaged with his captive. The foul false sprouts were found, and he resolved to take them to Arquen. The others followed him.

The Plague Tundra was as usual ungentle but effective in treating their wounds, and listened to their story. He fetched the other clan-leaders, and had Strychnos and those he fought beside rest. They would confine the prisoners further, though Arquen asked Strychnos to bite Impatiens as well, and indicated that he might wish his aid in particular when they apprehended the other compromised.

Combat
While Strychnos fight with his claws more than anything else, it is the channelling of poison that allows him to keep better control, and so he spends a good deal of attention on training that skill.

Kin
Strychnos is of a very short family; his father is of a four-generation lineage that, save for two Guardians and a Fae, is all Spiral, and his mother is a Pearlcatcher of completely unknown origin. It is possible that the apparent strength of his father's conversion to Nature (as he is other born) may have influenced Strychnos' development of the wild poison, but that is uncertain.
Strychnos has one offspring, Lagarostrobe, who dwelt in Northslope until recently, when she was summoned.

Mentor
The Nature Sprite arrived unannounced, riding on the back of an owl. He seemed to think he had been summoned, so it is possible Strychnos sent up a call unintentionally while trying to master the poison. In any case, the Sprite has been helping him both with this and with his use of his element in general.