Baruch

Partner: Rysio Best Friends: Faculty board (refuses to pick favourites) Relatives: Maxwell, Arthur, Jericho Elemental Alignment: Plague Alignment: Lawful Good MBTI Type: ISTJ Theme Song: Psalm 151 Name meaning: Hebrew בָּרוּךְ. "Blessed."

Pronouns: He/Him/His Role: Philosophy professor Likes: Friendly debates, fashion, quill pens Dislikes: Rudeness, emotionality, elitism Hobbies: Swordplay, archery Hoard: Philosophy books, writing chalk "Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."

Home's well-respected and much-admired philosophy and ethics professor, Baruch and his twin brother Jericho came to Home as refugees from a Dark Sclera Clan in Plague (his friend Nelson describes these Clans in his journal). Knowledgeable in moral philosophy and ethics, his classes are known by Home's residents to be engaging, and he is known as a fair professor but one who has high expectations. Baruch's husband is Rysio, one of Home's language professors, and the two have twin sons, Maxie and Artie.

- Biography
One of the dragons at Home to have been born and raised in Dark Sclera society, Baruch and his twin brother Jericho were born to an all-Dark Sclera Clan who believed themselves created of the divine essence left over from the First Age. He was raised being taught that he was inherently better than normal dragons, and due to his disciplined personality and extreme magical talent, he believed that he was destined to be a warrior. However, Baruch simply has too kind a heart to last long in war, and he and his brother fled and parted ways, with Baruch going on to study philosophy and ethics at universities around Sornieth. Jericho eventually found him again and told him what he'd heard about Home, which he knew was a place where several other ex-Dark Sclera dragons lived, and the two came to teach here. Although he had trouble fitting in at first, Baruch is now devoted to his friends and family here, determined to be a family dragon and be a good husband and father.

- Life at Home
Baruch is an expert in moral philosophy and ethics, so well-versed in theory that you'd think he knows all his favourite philosophers personally. However, he feels that it's easy to get bogged down in theories and ideologies, and he focuses on making sure his students know the big ideas and how to apply them rather than caring too much about if they can remember terminology. Baruch keeps wide office hours and his door is always open to his friends on the faculty board or any students if they want to talk philosophy or just chat. When he's not teaching, Baruch is often either with his family or spending time in his office, drinking tea and staring placidly out the window. One of Home's primary sources of income are grants and subsidies given to its professors for their original work, so Baruch sometimes worries Home's book keepers by this behaviour because it very much does not look like he's working. He always says that drinking tea and staring out the window is exactly what work looks like for him, though, and since he puts out a paper that knocks everyone's socks off every few years no-one bothers him about it anymore.

- Relationships
Baruch cherishes his husband and their boys, and can often be found spending time with them. He loves sitting in on Rysio's classes and spending time with his boys, and he is determined to be the father he never had. His relationship with his brother Jericho was never very strong before he came to Home - as hatchlings, they were always so focused on trying to outshine each other that they never got the chance to really know each other. Now the brothers are closer than ever and enjoy each other's company, something Baruch is immensely grateful for. As a professor, Baruch is known by his students as a fair professor but one who has high standards and expects polished work. He has little patience for students who don't apply themselves, and most of his students know they'll be successful if they just take his classes seriously. Baruch's favourite part of his job is encouraging critical thinking skills in his students and having conversations with them about philosophy. He is the Headmaster of Vanaheimr Hall, all of whom absolutely dote on him.

- Personality
Principled and dignified, Baruch is typically stoic and well-spoken. He is a dragon of refined tastes, and is known for his somewhat gaudy fashion sense. His training as a warrior has never left him, and, aside from his magical skill, Baruch is one of the best swordsmen at Home. Before coming to Home, he never realized that he had become so accustomed to being looked down upon by other Dark Sclera dragons for his kind and gentle nature, and he loves that the dragons at Home appreciate these very qualities. He takes great joy in being able to fit in, and has emerged as a gifted leader at Home, greatly enjoying his role as the head philosophy teacher and often volunteering to teach magic, swordplay, or even archery to Home's new arrivals. Baruch is well-loved at Home for his drive and for his intelligence, but he will admit that he has a tendency to be a bit petty when offended and he can take things a bit personally (Nelson once told him that the snack Baruch had made needed a touch more seasoning, and Baruch proceeded to make a potato pancake with so much seasoning as to be completely inedible). Tending to keep his emotions to himself, it can be very difficult to pick up on what Baruch is thinking or feeling (though he will most certainly let you know if he's in a bad mood). Baruch knows he's a well-respected and admired dragon around Home, and it always surprises him when he learns others look up to him. He's determined to protect his family, no matter what.