Arden
03-08-10, 06:21 AM
Name: Arden Janelle
Alias: ‘Blank’
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 139llbs
Eye Colour: Crimson
Hair Colour: Auburn
Occupation: Swordsman, Actor
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Religion: Tantalus
Allegiance: The Tantalum Troupe
Notes: Blind In Right Eye
1915
History/Premise: Blank remains an enigma to the Troupe, for his history is nothing more than supposition, guesswork, and potluck. He arrived in the city thirteen years ago as a young boy, and swiftly found himself in the troupe’s field of view after he began ‘blinking’ in and out of existence, which ultimately brought him to the attention of several groups of thieves. His progression into a member of the troupe and the like minded nature of its members as orphans or runaways was as natural as the sun rising, and he has remained there ever since.
His early years saw him learning the basics of fighting, stealing and movement, and he was taught to understand at least the creative cover of the Tantalum, despite the younger and more glamorous Ruby La Roux trying to get Blank to talk. He swiftly rose to infamy for being the first individual that survived a raid on the Scourge’s headquarters, and retains the trophy of that triumph today; both the Rheilhand, and the scar and loss of an eye that pangs with regret and remorse each morning, with the rise of the sun on a new adventure.
Outraged that Blank had attracted so much attention, Ruby forced his hand into joining the Scourge and directing them away from the troupe – a fact which has remained and ensures the two factions stay well clear of one another for the time being. When Ruby stepped down as Tantalum and the more youthful and reckless Duffy emerged, Blank returned to the troupe to revel in the adventure he could not get in the economical drudgery of the Scourge – whilst respected, he did not want to remain a caravan guard or lackey for too long.
Recently, in the war with Lucian and the conflict that broils between the surfaces on all fronts, Blank spoke for the first time thoughts of his own. Whilst each blade the Tantalum can get to aid its cause is a mighty boon indeed, Duffy is worried that Blank’s silence is a telling sign of an inference or trap set by Lucian long before any of them realised. If such a man can kill his loved ones, and ruin Ruby’s life at the age of 12, then what nuggets of joy and terror has he instilled in the other members of the Troupe – what hand benign and fearful symmetry waits to be revealed in the silence between the words of the silent swordsman?
Personality: Blank is a very kind but solemn creature, his silence giving him a somewhat reserved personality which is understandable. He seldom smiles, but is otherwise an excellent father figure for the younger troupe members and is altruistic to their cause to an extreme beyond Duffy’s arrogance or Ruby’s matriarchal instincts. He is hot headed, but at the same time he always on the level in combat, able to internalise his troubles and pain back into the intimidation and riling of his opponent’s mettle. Blank’s personality might be an enigma to many, and come across as dark and foreboding, if not mythical, but he is ultimately a mortal man with mortal emotions, loves and lusts, that is forbidden to express these – only Duffy has come close to understanding him, and it is he that will often speak on Blank’s behalf using the link the swordsman can establish via the most misunderstood powers of The Aria. This often leads to slight aspects or accents of people he has linked with becoming part of Blank, so when he does speak, people can hear the plucky thief’s voice intermingled with Ruby’s drawl or the spunky and grating voice of Pete. So in truth, what is known about Blank, is that he remains expressionless and without fixed facets of a persona to speak of.
Equipment: Blank possesses the same base resources as all members of the Tantalum, in the form of the Prima Vista, the stage house hideout of the troupe in the province of Seles in Scara Brae herself. Such a resource gives him access to basic foodstuffs, a place to rest and recuperate and of course, access to the Tantalum Menagerie, a venerable collection of costumes, props and written works which all the members can draw upon in their pursuit of the dramaturgical lifestyle. Such resources come at the cost of 10% of all gold Blank earns in threads of any description, regardless as to wherever or not such resources were drawn upon.
The Rheilhand: A single edge sword with a slight curve and weighted disposition to the hilt, allowing for tight and controlled spiralling thrusts and for fighting at close quarters in the streets. It is forged of steel but its shape and slender design gives it the strength of iron and a value somewhere between the two – not that a blade so important as this would ever be sold. It was once the relic of the Scourge’s leader, but unbeknown to Blank, the sword was originally his father’s; a twist of fate yet to be revealed in the grant notion of the multiverses. If the sword was his father’s…then perhaps his father is in the city, and perhaps he will one day learn of his silence, of what he witnessed that stole his passion away.
Skills & Abilities:
The Rheilhand Dichotomy: Wherever Blank is from, he has learnt the arts of the Rheilhand, the single edged sword. Whilst possessing more of a luck based talent, than one founded in the teachings of a master or school the dichotomy of Blank’s swordsmanship is undeniable, and one of his trademarks and a key part of his infamy and fame in Scara Brae. He is an average swordsman, but also possesses a below average form of intimidation running in tandem with his combat, born from his inability to speak and his often minutely expressed body language. As he makes no noise, the strength of any opponent’s ability to detect combat moves, styles or intended actions is also reduced by one grade when fighting a coherent, awake and unrestricted Blank; if such an opponent is one level higher or below than his current character level.
The Null Void Alignment: The Null Void Alignment is a tri-partite ability of chronometric origin, and it is Blank’s manifestation of The Aria; much like Duffy’s persona realisation, or Ruby and Lilith’s spell-singing. With it, he can do something anathema to a performer, he can erase the very thing the troupe spurns to create; rewriting history as it were through sheer silence itself.
• Erase: Above Average strength, in terms of determining spell level and resistances of target or counter magic. Blank can erase writing of a non-magical origin or text at the rate of one page per concerted effort; which gives considerable speed to editing one word or deleting a line. Regardless of progression, he will never be able to erase text written in magical blood, or etched and enchanted into metal or stone.
• Blink: Blank can manipulate his own chronotrons once per thread to, quite simply, Blink himself from existence, flittering between the reality that is Althanas and the alternative realm of The Aria for precisely two seconds. He will re-appear in exactly the same place, and continue on exactly the same momentum and trajectory should he have been moving when activated. The practical uses of this are self-defence, to avoid, if given warning a projectile or moving object, or to dash through an opponent to attack from behind; it takes considerable focus to activate at present, and leaves ripples and a vacuum in its wake. When he disappears and re-appears, snippets of text, song or noises darker still will emerge, flying out from the heart of creativity itself.
• Silence: Blank can conjure a sphere of silence that negates all sound within 5ft of its epicentre, up to a distance of twenty feet from his body, for the duration of one minute, or post, whichever is the greater. This only prevents noise from being heard, and does not prevent breathing or cause asphyxia.
Dedicated: Blank is utterly devoted to his double-agency between the Scourge and the Tantalum, serving not only as the ‘hired muscle’ of the Troupe, but as the connection between the two rival factions whom ensures their mutual survival and encourages peace between them. Such dedication is unwavering, and as such, he cannot be made to ‘break’ by anything other than exceptional circumstances, if ever something or one should be able to capture him (reports speak of the ‘Silent Swordsman’ being captured many times, but he vanishes on each occasion leaving nothing but an echo of ancient mariner’s songs. This, any coercion, intimidation, mind reading or mental illusion that affects Blank to the effect of soliciting information from him concerning the Tantalum, the Scourge, or for that matter his own past will be negated if of average skill or below. Of course, if such a talent is creative, or unseen of before, or exceptionally cruel, such resistance will not hold for long.
Talented Improviser: Whilst Blank, for all intent and purpose, is a ‘Blank canvas’ of creativity, cursed with the affliction of mute hood, he does possess a curious ability that can at times counteract and negate this condition. Whereas Duffy and Ruby and Lilith all channel ideas through their own mind, becoming something else through evolution, Blank can channel the thoughts or words of others through his own self. He is this a receptive individual, with below average base telepathy and an above average empathic ability; this allows him to link with one person at present, at any one time, and he will speak and act the thoughts of the person he is linked to; translating the emotions hidden behind such words into an acting skill that could be considered average, certainly at least amongst the Tantalum’s ranks. He can thus have lines dictated to him during a play, as often the Tantalum require a villain, or someone who is good at swordplay for their action scenes and most roles have speaking parts – such an ability is as its name suggests, pure improvisation – if ever the person he is linked to has a sub-conscious thought or is distracted, it will ruin his diction. The person he links to at present must be willing, and he cannot read and project thoughts without establishing such a link – he cannot use this to project his own thoughts either, his mute status remains.
Double Agent: Below average escapology, below average thievery, below average coercion and a basic knowledge of the Scourge’s operations in Scara Brae, as well as the know how to find black market links, safe houses and spot other members of linked criminal organisations. He Is an agile fighter capable of running, climbing and the like; in combat he is X1.2 quicker in battle, but his injuries mean he cannot ever aim accurately, and is prone to misjudging distances so the more he uses it the more he is likely to fall.
Alias: ‘Blank’
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 139llbs
Eye Colour: Crimson
Hair Colour: Auburn
Occupation: Swordsman, Actor
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Religion: Tantalus
Allegiance: The Tantalum Troupe
Notes: Blind In Right Eye
1915
History/Premise: Blank remains an enigma to the Troupe, for his history is nothing more than supposition, guesswork, and potluck. He arrived in the city thirteen years ago as a young boy, and swiftly found himself in the troupe’s field of view after he began ‘blinking’ in and out of existence, which ultimately brought him to the attention of several groups of thieves. His progression into a member of the troupe and the like minded nature of its members as orphans or runaways was as natural as the sun rising, and he has remained there ever since.
His early years saw him learning the basics of fighting, stealing and movement, and he was taught to understand at least the creative cover of the Tantalum, despite the younger and more glamorous Ruby La Roux trying to get Blank to talk. He swiftly rose to infamy for being the first individual that survived a raid on the Scourge’s headquarters, and retains the trophy of that triumph today; both the Rheilhand, and the scar and loss of an eye that pangs with regret and remorse each morning, with the rise of the sun on a new adventure.
Outraged that Blank had attracted so much attention, Ruby forced his hand into joining the Scourge and directing them away from the troupe – a fact which has remained and ensures the two factions stay well clear of one another for the time being. When Ruby stepped down as Tantalum and the more youthful and reckless Duffy emerged, Blank returned to the troupe to revel in the adventure he could not get in the economical drudgery of the Scourge – whilst respected, he did not want to remain a caravan guard or lackey for too long.
Recently, in the war with Lucian and the conflict that broils between the surfaces on all fronts, Blank spoke for the first time thoughts of his own. Whilst each blade the Tantalum can get to aid its cause is a mighty boon indeed, Duffy is worried that Blank’s silence is a telling sign of an inference or trap set by Lucian long before any of them realised. If such a man can kill his loved ones, and ruin Ruby’s life at the age of 12, then what nuggets of joy and terror has he instilled in the other members of the Troupe – what hand benign and fearful symmetry waits to be revealed in the silence between the words of the silent swordsman?
Personality: Blank is a very kind but solemn creature, his silence giving him a somewhat reserved personality which is understandable. He seldom smiles, but is otherwise an excellent father figure for the younger troupe members and is altruistic to their cause to an extreme beyond Duffy’s arrogance or Ruby’s matriarchal instincts. He is hot headed, but at the same time he always on the level in combat, able to internalise his troubles and pain back into the intimidation and riling of his opponent’s mettle. Blank’s personality might be an enigma to many, and come across as dark and foreboding, if not mythical, but he is ultimately a mortal man with mortal emotions, loves and lusts, that is forbidden to express these – only Duffy has come close to understanding him, and it is he that will often speak on Blank’s behalf using the link the swordsman can establish via the most misunderstood powers of The Aria. This often leads to slight aspects or accents of people he has linked with becoming part of Blank, so when he does speak, people can hear the plucky thief’s voice intermingled with Ruby’s drawl or the spunky and grating voice of Pete. So in truth, what is known about Blank, is that he remains expressionless and without fixed facets of a persona to speak of.
Equipment: Blank possesses the same base resources as all members of the Tantalum, in the form of the Prima Vista, the stage house hideout of the troupe in the province of Seles in Scara Brae herself. Such a resource gives him access to basic foodstuffs, a place to rest and recuperate and of course, access to the Tantalum Menagerie, a venerable collection of costumes, props and written works which all the members can draw upon in their pursuit of the dramaturgical lifestyle. Such resources come at the cost of 10% of all gold Blank earns in threads of any description, regardless as to wherever or not such resources were drawn upon.
The Rheilhand: A single edge sword with a slight curve and weighted disposition to the hilt, allowing for tight and controlled spiralling thrusts and for fighting at close quarters in the streets. It is forged of steel but its shape and slender design gives it the strength of iron and a value somewhere between the two – not that a blade so important as this would ever be sold. It was once the relic of the Scourge’s leader, but unbeknown to Blank, the sword was originally his father’s; a twist of fate yet to be revealed in the grant notion of the multiverses. If the sword was his father’s…then perhaps his father is in the city, and perhaps he will one day learn of his silence, of what he witnessed that stole his passion away.
Skills & Abilities:
The Rheilhand Dichotomy: Wherever Blank is from, he has learnt the arts of the Rheilhand, the single edged sword. Whilst possessing more of a luck based talent, than one founded in the teachings of a master or school the dichotomy of Blank’s swordsmanship is undeniable, and one of his trademarks and a key part of his infamy and fame in Scara Brae. He is an average swordsman, but also possesses a below average form of intimidation running in tandem with his combat, born from his inability to speak and his often minutely expressed body language. As he makes no noise, the strength of any opponent’s ability to detect combat moves, styles or intended actions is also reduced by one grade when fighting a coherent, awake and unrestricted Blank; if such an opponent is one level higher or below than his current character level.
The Null Void Alignment: The Null Void Alignment is a tri-partite ability of chronometric origin, and it is Blank’s manifestation of The Aria; much like Duffy’s persona realisation, or Ruby and Lilith’s spell-singing. With it, he can do something anathema to a performer, he can erase the very thing the troupe spurns to create; rewriting history as it were through sheer silence itself.
• Erase: Above Average strength, in terms of determining spell level and resistances of target or counter magic. Blank can erase writing of a non-magical origin or text at the rate of one page per concerted effort; which gives considerable speed to editing one word or deleting a line. Regardless of progression, he will never be able to erase text written in magical blood, or etched and enchanted into metal or stone.
• Blink: Blank can manipulate his own chronotrons once per thread to, quite simply, Blink himself from existence, flittering between the reality that is Althanas and the alternative realm of The Aria for precisely two seconds. He will re-appear in exactly the same place, and continue on exactly the same momentum and trajectory should he have been moving when activated. The practical uses of this are self-defence, to avoid, if given warning a projectile or moving object, or to dash through an opponent to attack from behind; it takes considerable focus to activate at present, and leaves ripples and a vacuum in its wake. When he disappears and re-appears, snippets of text, song or noises darker still will emerge, flying out from the heart of creativity itself.
• Silence: Blank can conjure a sphere of silence that negates all sound within 5ft of its epicentre, up to a distance of twenty feet from his body, for the duration of one minute, or post, whichever is the greater. This only prevents noise from being heard, and does not prevent breathing or cause asphyxia.
Dedicated: Blank is utterly devoted to his double-agency between the Scourge and the Tantalum, serving not only as the ‘hired muscle’ of the Troupe, but as the connection between the two rival factions whom ensures their mutual survival and encourages peace between them. Such dedication is unwavering, and as such, he cannot be made to ‘break’ by anything other than exceptional circumstances, if ever something or one should be able to capture him (reports speak of the ‘Silent Swordsman’ being captured many times, but he vanishes on each occasion leaving nothing but an echo of ancient mariner’s songs. This, any coercion, intimidation, mind reading or mental illusion that affects Blank to the effect of soliciting information from him concerning the Tantalum, the Scourge, or for that matter his own past will be negated if of average skill or below. Of course, if such a talent is creative, or unseen of before, or exceptionally cruel, such resistance will not hold for long.
Talented Improviser: Whilst Blank, for all intent and purpose, is a ‘Blank canvas’ of creativity, cursed with the affliction of mute hood, he does possess a curious ability that can at times counteract and negate this condition. Whereas Duffy and Ruby and Lilith all channel ideas through their own mind, becoming something else through evolution, Blank can channel the thoughts or words of others through his own self. He is this a receptive individual, with below average base telepathy and an above average empathic ability; this allows him to link with one person at present, at any one time, and he will speak and act the thoughts of the person he is linked to; translating the emotions hidden behind such words into an acting skill that could be considered average, certainly at least amongst the Tantalum’s ranks. He can thus have lines dictated to him during a play, as often the Tantalum require a villain, or someone who is good at swordplay for their action scenes and most roles have speaking parts – such an ability is as its name suggests, pure improvisation – if ever the person he is linked to has a sub-conscious thought or is distracted, it will ruin his diction. The person he links to at present must be willing, and he cannot read and project thoughts without establishing such a link – he cannot use this to project his own thoughts either, his mute status remains.
Double Agent: Below average escapology, below average thievery, below average coercion and a basic knowledge of the Scourge’s operations in Scara Brae, as well as the know how to find black market links, safe houses and spot other members of linked criminal organisations. He Is an agile fighter capable of running, climbing and the like; in combat he is X1.2 quicker in battle, but his injuries mean he cannot ever aim accurately, and is prone to misjudging distances so the more he uses it the more he is likely to fall.