Cathair

Picture credits: Hugh Jackman @ Iballer.com

Title: Lord of the Scorching Heat
Court Position: Noble
House: Aeronwen's House
Age: Thousands of years old
Species: Pure Sidhe
Gender: Male
Allies: His fellow house members
Family: Brother; Malachy (deceased)

Weapons: Cathair is a man of tradition, and he still always carries one of his weapons of power with him. His opinion of modern weaponry is low, and he believes that no skill is needed to use a gun. In comparison, his bow and his sword both require skill to be able to use them. His bow, Lasair, seems ordinary enough, and there is nothing strange about it's appearance. Arrows launched from the bow become flame, burning and searing whatever they touch. The arrow is destroyed in the process, while the bow is never burnt. The bow was created by his brother, and is spelled to burn anyone else who touches it.

His other weapon is a sword called Aithinne, 'fire brand'. Like his bow it will burn anyone else who touches the hilt. Touching the blade is not a wise idea since it cauterises flesh, which is a painful experience for the victim.

Description: Cathair was the first son of Rokair and Jasmina, a couple that had been been matched together by another Sidhe's magic. It was a match that would last until death, and produced another son several years after Cathair was born. The two sons were only about 30 years old when their father died in battle, leaving their mother heart broken. Eventually she faded to death, unable to live without her husband. Cathair and Malachy were left alone and Cathair gave himself the task of protecting his brother.

The two brothers came into their own powers as time went on. Malachy was a healer with a gift for crafting and enchanting weaponry, while Cathair's magic was far more destructive. He came into his power during intercourse with another Sidhe. His skin became hot and burnt the woman beneath him until he rolled off her. The damage was not permanent, and the woman was healed but she never forgave Cathair. His magic was linked to fire and heat, and would continue to develop until he became known as a feared warrior.

The story of what had happened spread through the Unseelie Court, leaving Cathair to become a lonely man. Nothing biological could touch his skin without being burnt. While he could wear clothes, he could not touch other people and even his own hair burnt when it touched his skin. He turned to war, using his anger and pain against others as the wars between the Fey continued. His only companion was his brother who travelled with him as a healer.

He worked hard to keep his brother safe, until one day the Unseelie camp was attacked. Cathair and the other warriors arrived in time to save some of their camp, but not Malachy. As the camp came into sight Cathair watched as a golden coloured Seelie killed his brother. He chased the Seelie but he never caught him or saw him again. He gathered all the information he could about the Seelie called the Lightbringer, and Cathair would never forget his face.

His brother's death brought purpose to Cathair's fight against the Seelie Court, and ever since he has been fuelled with anger and vengeance. The move to America and the demand for peace between the two Court's disgusted Cathair, but the thought of living with the humans was far worse. He grudgingly moved with the rest of the Court, and continued his crusade against the Seelies in a more subtle fashion. He is known for duelling some of the former Seelies that have been accepted into the Court, and has delighted in causing them pain.

With the only Sidhe that ever truly understood him gone, Cathair has withdrawn further inside himself. Despite the persona he projects, he has low self esteem and has mixed feelings about his magic. It makes him extremely powerful, yet also alienates him from others. He rarely converses with anyone outside his House, and when he does he is always cold and aloof. He is all too aware that he cannot enjoy the touch of Sidhe flesh and this means he avoids relationships, even friendships. He has a few aquaintances that he keeps at a distance. Cathair despises the Sidhe that flaunt sex and desire, and sees it as them rubbing it in his face.

Physical Appearance: Due to the natural state of his skin, Cathair's hair is kept short and the edges always seem slightly singed. It is the colour of a burnt forest, a dark umber mixed with stands the colour of charcoal. The only skin not hidden beneath a layer of cloth is his face, and his skin is pale copper. His hands are covered with gloves which are rarely removed. Cathair is tall and sturdy, with the physique of a warrior. His low esteem means that he makes an effort in his appearance, wearing suits that emphasise his toned form.

Hands of Power: Cathair's first hand is the Hand of Heat and requires him to touch someone or something to activate it. It's an extreme extension of his skin's natural heat. The difference is that he can build the heat with his left hand, focusing it so that it reaches high temperatures. It causes him no harm, but it can destroy anything he touches. His touch can melt plastic or burn through skin. Cathair rarely uses this hand any more since it is so destructive. He used to use it during war, and in duels he has no need for such power, instead using bare hands if he wishes to burn someone in combat.

His second hand is the Hand of Fire, and is not activated by touch. Compared to Cathair's other powers, this one is the simplest. He can summon fire to his right hand and launch it at someone or something. He can use it during combat or to cause fires from a distance.

Magic: Not suprisingly, Cathair's magic is connected with heat. Not only does his skin burn anything biological on touch, but he can change the atmosphere of an area to become hotter. Once there was no limits, and he could turn a battleground into the equivalent of a dessert. Now his range is limited to a room or a very small area outside. It's easier for him to control the temperature in a room away from natural elements, especially wind. The wave of heat affects people in different ways, and humans usually end up unconscious.

His heat magic extends to the earth, and he has been the cause of several volcanos created by 'hotspots'. Cathair can cause the heat to rise beneath the surface of the crust. Before the weirdings he could cause the ground to vent magma, and he was outraged to find that after the move to America all he could do was warm the ground. Now he can make it too hot to touch or stand on, and footwear does not offer much protection.

Cathair's magic extends to a different type of heat; rage. He can cause rage to build in someone until it boils over. This ability is so different to Cathair's other magic that people tend to forget it exists. The rumours about his skin and what happened to the Sidhe woman over-shadow everything else. Unfortunatly this magic tends to be more wild than the rest, and it can cause his own rage to build. This power works best on those that are open to rage, which is why he is susceptible to it.

Cathair's magic is active, and he is not a spell caster in any way. Spells, wards or anything else intricate are not his strengths. His magic is unsubtle, and even his glamour is poor.

Played In: Cause & Effect