Name: Greyer Merritt Lyall
Title: N/A
Nickname(s): Grey
Age: 28 mortal years
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft. 11 in. (human), 6ft. 6in. (worgen)
Weight: 179 lbs. (human), 190 lbs. (worgen)
Skin: Pale/Fair
Hair/Pelt: Brown, Grey
Eyes: Blue/Gray
Concept Date: October 7, 2009
Birthdate: October -2
Birthplace: Gilneas, Eastern Kingdoms
Faction: Alliance
Race: Human/Worgen
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Guild: ---
Allies: Tyrinos, Lukka, Ealenia, Yurriot
Family: Lloyd (father-deceased), Farran & Faolan (older twin brothers-deceased), Conri (mother-deceased)
Weapons: 1h daggers, 1h swords
Pet(s): None
Occupation: Leatherworker, Skinner
Hobbies: Cooking, camping
Known Favorites: Squirrels, rabbits, hunting, rain, digging
Known Dislikes: Fear, too much sun
Character in 3 Words: Analytical, Feral, Loner.
History: Greyer, when he was simply human, was a typical townsman - stern, solemn, and a good citizen (he was also quite a flirt in his younger years according to some of his lady friends). He was born and raised in Gilneas to Lloyd and Conri Lyall whose family tradition consisted of leatherworking. From the age of five, Greyer learnt the family trade well, studying receipts and mimicking the business quirks of his father. However, as the youngest Lyall began to mature, Greyer discovered that he would not inherit the Tannery like his mother had always said; instead, Faolan, as the first-born, would run it and trust his younger brothers to uphold the business' quality. Tired of being measured up to his older siblings and expected to do just as his parents and grandparents had done before him, Greyer decided at the age of ten to take a different path and make a name for himself. To name a few ventures, he worked as: an errand boy and messenger, a scribe's aid, and a tailor's assistant. His childhood dream was to become a well-known explorer, and all throughout his youth he read old historic records from before the Wall was built and acquainted himself with the surviving kingdom veterans. While leatherworking was the often the last thing he wanted to think about, he would soon realize that returning to his roots and accepting things as they are would be crucial to his survival in the events to come.
In the winter of the year 20, Farran became the first in the family to be afflicted by the Curse after attempting to find a cure for those who had been affected - an uncooperative test subject took a rather hefty bite out of his arm. In turn, he infected Faolan and their father, catching them both unaware as they left the house one evening to purchase more supplies. Conri could only watch in fear as an 18-year-old Greyer did his best to protect her on countless occasions against the frightful creatures her husband and sons became practically overnight; their transformations became more and more unpredictable once the Lyall Patriarch fully realized his youngest son's refusal to help the family business. Distrusted and unstable, the three Lyall men sought refuge in an elderly alchemist's shoppe after Greyer had sent them away, making them realize that Conri would be kept safe within the Tannery in their absence. In return for leather goods and decorated flasks, the alchemist struck a deal to allow Faolan, Farran, and Lloyd to stay while he concocted a batch of elixirs that would at least slow the Curse's acceleration.
What the Lyall patriarch did not expect was a visit from his business competitor, Jack "All-Trades" Derrington, the kingdom's profession specialist. He offered the alchemist a flask which, he promised, would eliminate the transformations completely. Believing the liquid to be the key to curing the Lyalls and getting them out of his alchemy lab, the alchemist paid a hefty amount and sent the visitor on his way. Delighted with the purchase, Lloyd, Faolan, and Farran eagerly drank up every last drop. Within the hour, the three men were poisoned; and the alchemist was charged of murder, forced to close his shop.
A decade had passed, leaving Conri and Greyer simply secure within the world they knew - the dwindling dirt paths to and from the City and the few acquaintances that allowed the duo to survive. What little news of "Worgen" infestations that reached their door never caused a wave of worry until a decade later. Greyer, now a 28-year-old recruit soldier of Gilneas, had been running messages to and from the battlefront. He had been on his way home - to check up on his mother - when a large, hairy creature ambushed him. Knocked to the ground, Greyer successfully shot the beast but failed to fully realize the curse's doing after receiving a bite in his neck. Conri, recognizing the shape of the wound on her son's neck, fled the Tannery while Greyer slept. She attempted to flee the walled kingdom without success, and her body eventually washed up along the coasts of the Hayward Fishery. Distraught, Greyer fled to the only person he could trust, his childhood friend, Ata. While attempting to console him, his emotions gave way to reveal his Worgen form. Shocked, he fled before she could do anything, before he unintentionally attacked her.
Since then, he has been attempting to avoid Gilnean society completely, sticking to the outskirts near the walls and the guarded gates, even appearing human if anyone happened to draw near. When whispers of the Alliance reached him, his curiosity grew, irking him to the point where he constantly spent all his energy trying to blend in with society so he could hear more about the events to come. The War with the Forsaken has drawn him to independently assassinate wayward Undead scouts or any other wary individual who unfortunately cross his path.
Years of learning to live with his new 'condition' has Greyer convinced that humanity is a curse itself. Restless and yearning for freedom from Gilneas, he wandered aimlessly from the Lyall Tannery to a makeshift camp near the East Gate. However, the camp and the Lyall Tannery were later destroyed by a group of Undead bandits and the rogue soldier had no choice but to evacuate with the rest of Gilneas' troops.
Personality: Greyer is a loner by nature, often seeking isolation when not in the company of his friend Spritzer or his newly-found pack mates. He is generally bitter and quiet, and always pleased to take information as it is, not sugar-coated or lightly-stated.
While many Gilneans still embrace their human side, Greyer has completely discarded it, choosing to remain in Worgen form as often as possible; shifting to his human form only when absolutely necessary. As a result, he has become feral, aggressive in nature. It is not unusual to see him prowling about for small creatures to skin and eat [raw].
Appearance: A tall, lanky worgen shakes his thick grey pelt out in the rain, sending droplets in every direction. His brilliant orange eyes flicker like sunbursts as he keenly focuses on anything or anyone within sight. Massive claws protrude from his digits, sharp and black as coal. His right canine tooth protrudes from his muzzle, one of his distinctive [canine] features. Refurbished leather pieces adorn his body; rugged patches garnish his torso, gloves (when worn), boots, and thighs with extra armor. Both of his ears are tattered and ragged having been bitten numerously by fleas.
A middle-aged man leans against the mailbox, his pale eyes fixed on something in the distance. His graying hair is unruly, wavy, and stands up in nearly all directions while his dark brown facial hair is neatly groomed around his mouth and chin. His armor is seemingly well-cared for, patched in places where they would've been worn and sewn together with leather cord where large tears have appeared. A large backpack sits at his feet, the canvas material is muddy and its copper buckles are discolored.
Quirks:
- His name was inspired by "Grayer" from the movie The Nanny Diaries.
- Greyer's family members all have names that relate to the Gray Wolf (Canis Lupis) and the Kingdom of Gilneas; Conri ("wolf king"), Lloyd ("gray"), Faolan ("little wolf") and Farran ("iron grey"). [source]
- His first D&D alignment test indicated he was Neutral; once his family dynamics and Warcraft class was applied to his personality, he became Chaotic Neutral. Once Cataclysm and the full understanding of the Worgen story hit, he advanced to Chaotic Evil... Nothing and no one can pin him down, or so he believes.
- Greyer's middle name, Merritt (as voted for by blog readers), is not just inspired by its meaning in Old English, but it was also the name of Thomas Kinkade's first daughter; the original poll was going to feature Kinkade's daughter's names (Merritt, Chandler, Winsor, and Everett) as choices.
- Ata is short for "Atalanta" which means "equal weight, balance," which lends to being Greyer's counterpart.
- An earlier draft of Greyer's character originally had DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder).
- Greyer's human form originally weighed 195 lbs. at his recorded height, when run through an ideal body weight calculator, he was overweight by nearly 6 lbs.
Soundtrack:
01 | Cat Power - Werewolf
02 | Johnny Hollow - Boogeyman
03 | Hans Zimmer [Sherlock Holmes soundtrack] - Discombobulate
04 | Johnny Hollow - Stranger
05 | Keane - A Bad Dream
06 | Emiliana Torrini - Gollum's Song
07 | Wayne Static/Static-X - Not Meant For Me
08 | Disturbed - Down With the Sickness
09 | Renholder - Falling Through the Sky
10 | Renholder - Death Dealer's Descent
Veton is thankful for: Family (aka Uncle Craetes, Zilaara, and Elodi). Her best friends - Goruth, Celenah, Spat, Lyconis, and Ealenia. Mana totems. Strike, her 
Whimsi is thankful for: 
Tabijin is thankful for: Family, The Stonetusk Tribe, who ensured his survival. Toombah - who saved his daughter. Reser - his only daughter and only reason to wake up every single day. Zabeni - his wife, who had always made him proud. 
Taceo is thankful for: Her parents and their unconditional love and support. Nikolaos - her best friend, fiance and better half. Grymtohr, Berien, Eal', Dalem, Rhathgryn, Rokur, and Laceraito - awesome companions and fellow adventurers (For the HORDE!). SCRRAWL Club! Successful raids. The Horde. Lucius and Zoom. Sturdy shields, sharp weapons, sturdy tanks, and watchful healers. Mana potions. Dalaran food and lodging. Matching armor.
Greyer is thankful for: Being able to wake up every morning. His family - Mother, Father, Faolan, and Farran - even though they are no longer with him. The Lyall Tannery, its legacy, and the safety it offers each night. Spritzer, the young bartender who helped maintain his sanity. Atalanta, his unforgettable childhood friend and sweetheart (even if her heart may ultimately belong to someone else). The pride of Gilneas and the indestructible qualities of its force and kingdom. Veton, who was a constant companion (on the other side of the Gates) for the better part of six months after his mother had died.
Lunette is thankful for: Her husband - Lunarius - and her children - Atellus, Moone, Gardien, and the late Astaire. Her adopted daughter - Adaven the orphan Rogue. Trusty companions Larodath, Yente, Yurriot, Cauthon, and Aschen. Gooa - that once pesky mage who taught her what it took to survive in PvP. Her guild - Unearthed - and its remarkable ability to be prosperous and homely. Her frostsabers - January and Seventeen. The Druids of Moonglade and their support.
Winterr is thankful for: Her herd and tribe, who maintain their undying faith in her every single season since her Coming-of-Age Ceremony. The ways of the Druid and the Earthmother who has blessed her in several ways this past year. The Horde and their warchief, who have honored her services in battle. Those who have coached her on her journey to become a Feral Druid. Whimsi, her unexpected Undead pen pal and fellow botanist.
{...} is thankful for: Greyer and his consideration of not hogging the spotlight... The reforging of alliance with the Horde and the freedom they brought. Pockets full of gold. Technology and good business. The Lost Isles. Security. The sacrifice her younger brother had made to ensure her survival during the naval crossfire that would change the fate of the Goblins of Kezan. Hair accessories, jewelcrafters, and awesome deals on much needed items.
Rese is thankful for: Lunarius and Nikolaos (and the awesome man who makes them the best battle companions ever). Family members who tolerate her love of these pixelated beings and their made-up stories. Ventrilo. Blizzard and the game/s that started it all. Epic guildmates and friends - Sam, Derek, Tony, Matt, Amy, Bob, Mike, Sean, and Dustin. And - of course - Lunette, Taceo, Whimsi, Greyer, Tabijin, Veton, Winterr, Wyler, {...}, and the world they live in.
