Name: Nicholas Gulceleb [Subject recently underwent a legal name change to Nicholai Alexi HopeDrainer Gulceleb. Unknown what spurred this change.]
Civil Rank: Lord Sorcerer Damnare
Military Rank: U H-H  [Rank conferred permanently at conclusion of sortie]
Birthplace: Unknown [Recent events reported by subject's commanding officer indicate subject is the native of a country called Talangren on the world of Nefid.] [Subject born in the Vaylock Mountains of Nefid just outside of the borders of the Talangren Empire.]
Citizenship: City of Glenzor - December 1, 3033

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

External Distinguishing Marks:
Left ear pierced (earring not removable), hawk brand on right shoulder blade, faint scars on lower back and buttocks (possibly from severe whipping?), faint burn scars on collarbones, shoulders and upper arms, three deep parallel scars across chest (rising from stomach to just short of collarbone, apparently clawed by something large), two deep horizontal scars on right calf and ankle, semi-circular scar on left thigh (apparently kicked by horse). Subject would not discuss origin of scars.

Internal Distinguishing Marks:
CHILDHOOD: Skull cracked, left wrist broken. ADOLESCENCE: left thigh broken, right lower arm broken, right collarbone broken, right shoulder dislocated, ribs on both sides cracked or broken on at least three occasions (all of these injuries apparently well-tended, but not magically healed). ADULTHOOD: both thumbs broken. Subject would not discuss injuries.

Physical Examination Results:
Subject slim, but well-developed. In excellent condition (except for previous injuries), probably due to vegetarian diet and constant activity. Reported occasional rheumatic aches in cold weather, but otherwise no unusual ailments or injuries in recent years, mentioned occasional nicotine and cannabis use. [Subject has died on two occasions, both times in the service of Glenzor. Cf. review for Sortie 45C.39 and Concordant Affair.]

GENERAL INFORMATION

Personal History:

Born on another plane (name and location unknown). Father and circumstances of conception unknown; raised in small forest village by Elven mother. Clan and mother apparently slaughtered by human raiders when subject approx. 8 years old. Subject was adamantly unwilling to discuss his childhood further, but fairly clear he was taken as a slave by a human, spent 10-15 years in captivity. Was apparently transferred/sold to a human mage, spent another 4-5 years as a manservant. Probably began teaching himself magic in this period.

Traveled to the plane of Arion at about forty, continued adventuring. Destroyed lich, restored noble to inheritance. Has several close acquaintances there, but refused to give any names.

Traveled to Glenzor, arriving in the city in 3033, joined adventuring group lead by Lord Callous SpineDicer DeathMoon and Lord Mikhael ap Arawn. Granted title by Emperor Zediconicus in 3035 (cf. Talnick incident).

Returned briefly to Arion, then traveled from there to plane of Llanru, has established a school and some other limited ties there.

Returned to Glenzor in 3039; joined military but originally declined rank [Apparently returned when he heard news of the war in order to "keep an eye on Mik" - Lord Mikhael, presumably]. Eventually accepted rank and membership in Mikhael's "Scintillating Company."

Employment/Civil Record:

Very little on record in Glenzor. Affiliated with successful mercenary group, no complaints or arrests. Joined Gorgon Guild on re-entry to city, appears to have no interest whatsoever in the politics of local guild, government or nobility. [As of this update, subject has earned the following awards/honors within the military: 3 special force mission commendations (32A.12, 45C.39 and 84L.90), Sash of Honorable Service, Field Hammer of Melee, Shoulder Spike of Valor, Battle Patch and the Emperor's Cloak. In addition, subject was the recipient of the Tenser/Nystul award for contribution of non-violent uses of magic for the "Gulceleb's Letter" series of spells.]

PSYCHOLOGICAL REVIEW

NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS LARGELY SPECULATIVE, AS SUBJECT WAS HIGHLY UNWILLING TO COOPERATE WITH INTERVIEWER ON QUESTIONS OF PAST OR PRESENT MOTIVATIONS. MANY CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM OBSERVATIONS OF ACQUAINTANCES AND SUPERIORS.

Early childhood was isolated, idyllic, but primitive. Slaughter of clan and capture into slavery caused severe emotional trauma. Physical exam shows harsh beatings in t he years after capture; behavior indicates extensive sexual abuse as well. Current reserve may stem from years of enforced silence. Subject is clearly psychotic; developed adolescent world-view that all people are inherently evil (but especially humans); view has been modified for individual cases, but overall pessimism remains. Has been largely incapable of trust, abides only by his own personal moral code, and is fiercely independent, refusing to rely on any outside party for support. Does not like to take responsibility for others, but seems uncomfortable living or working alone.

Carries deep feeling of guilt for mother's death; a reasonable certainty that subject was present but unable to prevent it. Exhibits driving need to remain in control of surroundings and of self. Deep seated terror of helplessness exhibits itself in flat, implacable wrath when confined or when confronted with opponents or circumstances that threaten him. Fearful that others around him will be injured or killed through his inaction or failure.

Subject was most likely attracted to magic due to need for control, and in reaction to intellectual deprivation by captors. Necromancy (once again showing its tendency to attract the dark and the damned) gave him power over life, and its potency at higher levels promised an eventual means to avenge self on tormentors. This drive for vengeance is deeply buried in present psyche, as he is consciously aware that his captors are long since deceased, but the motivation remains. Has shunned most necromantic arts dealing with undead, possible fear of bringing back memories/threats he considers dead and buried.

Subject is vehemently asexual; claims no desire for partners of any race or gender. Strongly associates sexual behavior with weakness and humiliation. Is defensive and angry about relative handsomeness; intense hatred of being called "pretty." Suggestive of additional self-blame: perhaps if he had not been so attractive, his village would not have been raided? Or perhaps he would have died with the rest, instead of becoming a slave? Subject's convictions on sexuality are very deep; improbably they will ever change.

Adventuring provides this subject with the only possible release for his sociopathic and often psychotic tendencies. By overcoming foes often more powerful than himself he demonstrates command of his universe, achieves revenge against those who would do him (or someone like him) harm, and is allowed an "approved" vent for his ferocious survival skills and accumulated rage that define his existence. Unlikely he will ever "retire" from adventuring, as this outward-directed behavior cannot solve his internal dilemmas.

Constant travel indicates inability to maintain relationships and set down roots. Interplanar migrations seem to follow periods of "nest-building" - subject apparently tries to make a home, becomes frightened by emotional entanglements, and flees through the escape route he discovered in his youth: planar gates. Manner in which he gave house to freed slave Myra Wayfarer just before abandonment of Glenzor (after title was granted), and subsequent abortive trip back to Arion, seem to confirm this. Went back to Arion to visit acquaintances there, but was overwhelmed by intimacy of their friendship and retreated to new plane where he was unknown.

Subject establishing orphanage/school on latest home-plane (Llanru). Certainly an attempt to save other children; but as executive headmaster he also establishes control of a corner of his world, elevates scrappy fighting skills into the political arena, and builds a "family" for self while distancing himself from their affections. Also provides retreat from the more intense friendships/relationships of Glenzor and Arion.

Examiner's Conclusions:

Nicholas demonstrates a somewhat extreme version of the basic psychotic adventurer profile. His traumatic history has produced a grim and dangerous mercenary whose prickly exterior masks a vulnerable and tormented psyche. His rage and volatile instincts are kept in check with iron control, manifesting themselves in unswerving determination. He lacks social grace in certain situations, but is otherwise a superb example of sociopathic heroism. Although he has demonstrated a capability for cruelty, his inherent hatred of torture and injustice have led to extensive battles with evil forces. Nearly thirty years of adventuring have honed his skills; it seems certain that he will serve the Glenzor military with the same forbidding intensity he has brought to the rest of his career, as long as he is not separated from the companions he feels bound to.

His loyalty to Glenzor itself seems somewhat questionable in light of extensive travel and extra-planar ties, but he is unequivocally loyal to his adventuring companions, Lord Arawn in particular. I feel he must be allowed to continue serving with his old companions; they will ensure he does nothing to endanger Glenzor's part in this war. He is certainly conscious enough of his friends' need/desire for status that he will do nothing that might harm their reputations, and it is well known that he has no love for the elves of this plane. As far as his tendency to plane-travel, it seems probable that Nicholas will remain here while the war and its attendant high adventuring level continue, but he will most likely flee when relative peace creates an opportunity for familiarity to develop.

I consider this subject fit for military service.