Stepin

History

Early life Stepin was born in Andor. Growing up, he hated his father, but after his father died, he would often get drunk before even going to the bar and pick on weaklings. Over time, he began picking on people who could hold their own, hoping that they would just stop him. His lifestyle led him into a fight with the Aes Sedai Kerene Nagashi, but she laughed at him and bought him a drink. The two eventually became friends, and she eventually asked him to bond with Stepin when she needed a Guardian, an honor he initially declined, but Kerene did not reconsider. Stepin continued to train at the White Tower and befriended Lan Mandragoran during his training. The only thing he brought from his family to the Tower was a collection of statues his mother once kept as offerings to ward off the Forsaken. During his service as Kerene's Guardian, Stepin became well respected by the other Guardians for his many years of duty at their side.

History

Stepin is part of the group of Aes Sedai and Wardens who have taken Logain Ablar. On the road to Tar Valon, they encounter the wounded Moiraine Damodred, along with Lan Mandragoran and Nynaeve al'Meara. At the Aes Sedai camp, Stepin confronts Lan, who jokes that she keeps lowering her shoulder. Lan asks what life is like in the Tower, and Stepin replies that there are more problems and fewer Aes Sedai to fix them. He believes that the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, still dislikes Moiraine. Stepin takes note of Nynaeve, and comments that he has never understood Lan's fondness for female traveling companions. Lan denies that she is a companion, but Stepin comments that Nynaeve is probably as stubborn as a mule. Stepin sees Kerene and asks if Moiraine replaced her, believing that she is supposed to protect Logain, which she confirms. At Kerene's tent, Stepin tells Kerene that Moiraine will win her over if she's not careful. Kerene says that she has nothing but respect for Moiraine, but the two begin to joke about how stoic and silent Moiraine and Lan can be. Stepin tells her that Liandrin is gaining ground by asking other sisters to tame Logain without trial, but Kerene claims that they won't do so. Stepin mentions rumors of the Reds illegally taming men in the countryside, but Kerene is certain that Liandrin won't betray the Amyrlin. Stepin notes that the Amyrlin isn't there with them and encourages Kerene to get some rest. She promises that she will and notes that she worries more than before. Stepin says that she has time to do so, as she sleeps less often. At night, the Guardians and Nynaeve eat dinner by the campfire, joking about Lan's past. Stepin asks Nynaeve how she met Lan, and Lan begins to tell them a story, before Nynaeve interrupts him by saying that she tracked him down, causing everyone to laugh.

History

Nynaeve begins to sympathize with the Guardians, but they fall silent when she claims that they "serve" the Aes Sedai, whom she dislikes. Stepin tells her that there is no closer bond than an Aes Sedai and her Guardian, and that the Aes Sedai are the true "servants of all" in the Old Tongue. Nynaeve asks what the Guardians become, and Lan replies that they are proud to serve the Aes Sedai. The next day, the camp is attacked by Logain's followers, alerting Lan and Nynaeve to their presence as they join the Guardians. As the battle begins, Stepin senses Kerene being pushed back by Logain into the cave, and urges the others to go to the cave. As he fights off the army, he senses Kerene being killed by Logain through their bond, and feels a surge of grief. Alanna promises to hold the army, and Stepin goes to the cave, seeing Kerene dead on the ground. In her anger, she attacks Logain with her dual axes, but Logain shields himself from the attack with the One Power, before reducing Stepin's axe to shrapnel that severely injures many in the cave. Though many are near death, Nynaeve releases a large blast of the One Power that heals everyone in the room, but it is too late for Kerene, who is already dead. Stepin cradles his corpse, while the other Aes Sedai work to pacify Logain. [4] Stepin carries Kerene's corpse to be buried at the mass funeral held by her, the King of Ghealdan, and the other fighters, removing her Great Serpent ring from her corpse before she is buried. He begins to sink into a deep state of depression as the group returns to Tar Valon over the next month, though Lan is certain that he will return to the White Tower to deliver Kerene's ring. After arriving in the city, Stepin participates in Logain's procession, leading Kerene's horse with his boots back in its stirrups.

History

Many citizens of Tar Valon are horrified to see that an Aes Sedai has been killed by the False Dragon. Stepin dresses in mourning white as he prepares to take Kerene's ring to be melted down. He tells the other Guardians how he met Kerene and how much he respected her. As he prepares to receive the ring, Lan intervenes and asks him to join another Aes Sedai to ease the pain, but Stepin curtly tells him it's not that easy and that he would understand if he lost Moiraine. He proceeds to complete the ceremony, a tear rolling down his cheek as he says goodbye to the ring. He later visits Nynaeve in her room at the Warden's Quarters, asking for more of her goat's tongue tea to help him sleep. She asks him about his trouble sleeping, and he tells her that the pain goes away just as he is about to fall asleep. Nynaeve tells him that it is a good thing, but Stepin disagrees, saying that the pain is all he has left of Kerene, and that he is never ready to let it go. Nynaeve says that the pain will never go away, and he thanks her for the goat's tongue. Lan visits Stepin in his room while he is making an offering to ward off the Forsaken, hoping to ward off Ishamael and his lies. Lan promises to stay with Stepin until morning. They talk about Alanna's offer to bond Stepin, and joke about how unusual it might be at first to be with Maksim and Ihvon in bed if they expect it. Wanting to change the conversation, he asks Lan to tell him about Nynaeve, about how she touched the One Power for the first time to save Lan's life. Stepin thinks Nynaeve is falling in love with Lan, though the other Guardian says it is a bad idea, but Stepin says that love is needed to make life tolerable.

Personality

Stepin was the Guardian of Kerene Nagashi, the Captain-General of the Green Ajah, and accompanied her in the capture of the false Dragon Logain Ablar. He is a friend of Lan Mandragoran. He is rebellious, energetic and adaptable, excelling in high-stress situations and fast-paced environments. He is skilled at thinking on his feet, quickly assessing problems and making decisions. You thrive in dynamic environments where you can take risks and live in the moment. You are energetic, resourceful and action-oriented, making you a natural problem-solver who excels in crisis situations. He is bold, direct and enterprising. He lives for adventure and a bit of danger. He is charming, playful, good-humoured and confident. He is good at knowing how others feel and what they need. In crises where others panic, he confronts them head on. Impatient with theories, he prefers practical facts rather than abstract ideas. For him, opinions have little importance in life. He relies solely on logical reasons and innovative solutions. With his casual approach to life, he is often considered as cunning. He likes to improvise more than plan. He is versatile and excellent at conquering problems that arise. He welcomes and accepts challenges wherever he is.

Appearance

Stepin is an adult man, with fair skin, wavy light brown hair reaching mid-neck, blue eyes and a short beard. He is 45 years old and 187 cm tall. His body is athletic, with some scars on his torso and slightly muscular.