The Blademaster
05-10-06, 11:10 PM
Name Nemian Troy
Age 45 years old, appearance of a 26 year old compared to human
Gender Asexual/Male (see race description)
Race Soulless
Height 6’3”
Weight 210 lbs
Hair Brown
Eyes Green
Affiliations None as of now
Class
Blademaster – A blademaster is one who has the ability to train and study in the use of any weapon with a blade. It is not limited to the sword, as a swordmaster is, but instead can branch into pole-arms, axes, or even martial weapons. As a blademaster Nemian is at home when holding a blade, most comfortable when in proximity of one, and can normally pick up any common blade and wield it with common skill. Finding the balance of a bladed weapon as well as tactically using it is what blademasters are known for most.
Occupation
Adviser to Lord Hector of Brakenn Hold
--War adviser and General for the ‘Legion of Brakenn Hold’
Personality
--Nemian has a somewhat analytical personality. He sees things mostly by cons against pros. Unfortunately that leads him to think too much at times, loosing himself while pondering a situation, but also gives him the appearance of being somewhat wiser then most.
--Though loud noises can bother him when he feels the need to ponder something deeply most of the time he enjoys to be in social situations. He enjoys alcohol, almost always having a mug of ale (but never anything stronger) in hand. If he is around people he does not know he is often quiet, listening and observing before anything. When with his ‘brother’ he talks a lot, often laughing and joking with him.
--He is meticulous about cleaning his weapons; he would even sacrifice sleep to clean his weapons. He also is often seen, when not doing anything important, sliding a blade over a special sharpening tool that is a personal adaptation of the whetstone. (See equipment)
--Nemian, as all Soulless beings, is ‘true neutral’. He does not see the world as a constant battle between good and bad, nor does he recognize the terms good or bad. Instead he interprets all actions, reactions, and goals as one of three things: innate nature, socially acceptable/unacceptable, and personal approval. Innate nature is the basics that come with people, human nature, things that are inherited and passed down through generations. It is what most refers to as conscious. Socially acceptable/unacceptable means just that… good and bad are based on what the person was raised to believe. In modern society it is ‘socially unacceptable’ to murder a person, but that is because it is what people, and the civilized world, what you to believe. The person doing it could have fully justified his reasons by his own upbringing; as such it is not a bad deed but something that is a conflict of upbringing. Finally is personal approval, or how people react to certain things. Some could shrug off seeing someone beaten in an alley, having grown up around it and numb to it. Others, not seeing that as common or not being able to stand the sight personally, would take the action as ‘evil’ or ‘bad’. This one is much like the previous, but it has nothing to do with society because it is personal. It also has nothing to do with innate because it does not come from the parents or from the race, but instead comes from what a person can take individually.
--Additionally Nemian has a love for water. He is always interested in ships and boats of all sorts, loving to both travel on them and watch them come into harbor. His fascination came from years on the island of Sid.
--The Wandering Spirit. That is what most call it at least. It is the habit of all soulless; apparently all of them have it to some degree. It is the call to travel, the call for adventure. No matter what the being looks like, what their proficiencies are, or where they were spawned, the soulless race has a hard time staying put too long. Leadership positions and occupations that force them to stay for a long time in one place often are only held by very old beings that have learned to be calm and calm the restless spirit within.
--Finally Nemian has a ‘thing’ for demons. His tattoos on his back are written in a demon tongue, not a common demon but a high ancient tongue. Most beasts that speak abyssal could pick it out if they looked at it long enough, but only historians and those that study the culture of the demons could know what it said so quickly. The blademaster will favor a demon over any other creature because of his respect he has for them as well as the probable age and wisdom they could hold.
Appearance
A dark brown mess of hair rests atop the head of the man known as Nemian Troy. It is thin, smooth, and straight. His bangs fall to his upper lip while the rest slowly slants till the back, where it rests at the base of his neck. The brown color seems to change into all the hues of brown, depending on where he is and what the surroundings are like. Sometimes it is a light brown color when he is outside, or in a bright environment. It takes on a deep brown color when the setting is a little more ominous, or Nemian is feeling gloomy.
His skin is a deep tan color due to the constant exposure after his spawning to the sun on the island and on the boats. The hair across his arms is a light blonde color, platinum blonde, and is hard to see unless you are very close. Despite being in the sun for a good majority of his aging his skin has no blemishes and is quite smooth, not leathery like an old farmer. Along his upper back there is a tattoo, deep black in color, extending from one shoulder to the other. It reads ‘Viallia Dii Ru’ (Hunger for Truth). Across his lower back is another just like it reading ‘Viallea Dii Gerro’ (Thirst for Wisdom). Both are in a high, ancient form of abyssal (theorized to be spoken by the original angels that were cast into the pits of Haidia, hence its almost beautiful sound).
Nemian’s eyes are a vibrant emerald color. The color extends all the way to the edges of his eyes, leaving only a thin rim of white around them. The corners are sharp and have an almost ‘elf-like’ quality to them. His sockets are deep-set and cast shadows around his eyes that make it look like he is wearing a black eye liner. The rest of his face is pretty common though. His nose is sharp but not long. His lips are thin and a pale rose color. His cheek-bones are hidden beneath a small layer of muscles, not too high but not too low either. He has a rather small chin, rounded, and sometimes covered with a little stubble for that ‘rugged’ look that he enjoys.
His body is not too big, but also by no means small. His muscular contour is that of a very fit person, but not excessively so. Normally, however, his entire body is covered by his duster and hat, which allow only his emerald eyes to gleam for the world. His chest is quite large, could even be described as ‘barrel-chested’. His legs are the same way, muscles bulge quite impressively. But his arms are somewhat gangly. They are about an three inches longer then what would be average, which is not enough to make much of a difference but just enough to throw people off a bit. His shoulders are the biggest part of his arms and quite broad.
Equipment
[1] Black leather pack – has basic necessities for camping: flint & steel, bed roll, small candle, ect… no food though, but has plenty of space for more. Along the outside of it are leather straps across the sides. On these straps are two canteens filled with water, made of a hard plastic material, each can carry a quart of water.
[1] Dual-dagger shoulder holster ( http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/shoulderholster.jpg) – it is black and made of leather. The shoulder holster sits inside Nemian’s coat, holding the pistol-grip daggers against his side and under his armpits. Steel buckles hold it at across the mid-back and sternum, strapping to the actual holsters.
[1] Set of Clothing – Nemian wears a pair of black leather pants that can be pulled a quarter-inch from his legs. They are tight enough to be comfortable, but not enough to restrict. Nemian wears a thick leather belt, studded, more for show then anything else, across his waist. He has a long-sleeve gray shirt that is skin tight, tucked into his pants, as well as a sleeveless gray shirt that is skin tight. One or the other is always worn under the coat, depending on the climate and weather. (Whichever is worn the other is in the backpack). A pair of thick leather boots (given to him by Lord Hector) adorns his feet. They rise to the top of his shin, not quite touching the lowest part of his knee-cap. Across the front are leather straps that have thick steel buckles along the sides. The base is three inches thick, being brand new. It is steel toed and across the front are three steel studs for a flashy look. He also wears, at times, a pair of small leather gloves. They serve no purpose other then to conceal his hands and do not interfere with his dagger use.
Armor
[1] Full (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dusterfront.jpg) Leather (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dusterback.jpg) Duster (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dusteropen.jpg) – the duster is made of a thick leather material, good against small weapons meant to pierce, such as daggers or arrows. It has a string of steel buttons that runs down the front, leather straps that cross from the front and to the back, and three leather straps at the end of both sleeves. (The straps are used to attack sheaths to, hold weapons, or just for decoration). Inside the jacket is a comfortable layer of crimson satin lining everything, it is very soft to the touch. The highlight of the coat though is the high collar, which when buttoned properly (as it almost always is) covers half the face. When wearing the coat alone all that is visible is from the bridge of the nose upwards.
[1] Hat (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/JackHat.jpg) – The hat was originally from Sid, taken before he left with his ‘twin’. The hat is made of smooth thick leather, black (of course) and sits low. It covers Nemian’s hairs and forehead, leaving only his eyes visible when worn with the coat buttoned up. When it rains, or snows, the hat often fills with it and sometimes gives a comical spill when he removes it (forgetting that it is there). It has three points and at the center of each flap is sewn down so as not to move.
Weapons
[2] Daggers – common daggers from the island nation of Sid made of steel. They are each seven inches long, having a pistol-grip handle and a small hole at the top so that they can be spun on the ends of the man’s finger for a dramatic effect and ostentatious flair. The daggers were originally supposed to be gun-blades, but were taken as simple blades instead by the soulless young man.
[1] Admiral Julia’s Sword – the sword was found on an island off the coast of Sid, a small place used solely as a graveyard. Nemian uses the ‘spirit’ of the sword as part of his ability. The sword is a broadsword, two and a half feet long, two inches wide, and sharpened on both sides. The blade is made of steel, has a green pommel and round end (also made of steel). The sword weighs 10 lbs. (locked)
[1] Dirk of The Reich – the dirk is made of steel as well. It is eleven inches, 16 oz’s, has a leather-bound grip with steel studs along it, and is usually kept in its sheath. The sheath is made of oak, wrapped in leather, with a steel cap on the bottom, a band of steel across the very top, and across the middle. It is always strapped at Nemian’s waist. It was once a weapon used by an infamous rouge only known as ‘Shade’. The blade was found in a thieves den in the port of Brakenn Hold. (locked)
Skills/Abilities
novice – apprentice – average – experienced – advanced – expert – legend
** Sea-faring – From years as both soldier and part of the Sid navy Nemian took a love to the sea. Travel on the ocean has never posed a problem for him; as such he often partakes of it whenever possible. Whereas most people would quickly tire of the constant lap of the waves against the boat, the shifting footing, and the endless expanse of ocean, Nemian is always interested. He knows a good deal about ships.
**The Link – This is more of a product of the spawning of two soulless beings by the same ‘parent’. It is an invisible link, like that which human twins seem to have, but much stronger. They can sense in what direction each other is, but not where each other is. They can tell when another is struggling, but not in what way or how bad. The only that is definite is that they can tell when one or the other dies, and in the case of the Citadel when they are revived again.
Proficiencies
** Dagger use – the weapon he took to quickest when he joined the Navy of Sid was the daggers native to the island. The island nation is known for their advanced technology with gun-blades, and often translates the unique design of the pistol-grip handle into swords and daggers. Nemian learned how to use the daggers, dual-wield the small weapons, while growing up on the boats and learning from the best.
average
** Thrown weapon – throwing weapons, almost exclusively small arms, is a talent that few have the knack at. To test the balance, know the distance by sight, and flick the wrist just properly comes almost naturally to the soulless fighter. Currently he can throw small arms such as daggers or darts, nothing over the size of his own daggers (which will never be thrown unless it is quite a dire situation).
average
Soulless Ability
Nemian’s blademaster techniques are based solely on the soul that inhabits him at the time. Each weapon he uses once had a master who was an expert at not only wielding the weapon but other abilities that made them and the tools of their trade famous. Upon finding the weapons and securing them Nemian becomes attached to the soul of the weapon. It basically fills the whole where Nemian’s soul should be. The resulting product is a change both physically and mentally into something that is a ‘remnant’ of the former owner of the weapon (not the exact copy). When this happens the abilities, skills, magic, and whatever else the soul may have known will be at the soulless blademaster’s disposal.
This unique ability has some limits though. Once the soul is drawn it can be released at any time. However, if not released, the spirit’s gifts will only last an hour at a time. Nemian CANNOT draw another spirit once one has left, whether released or expired, for at least two hours. In that time he must depend solely on his dagger skills. In addition, when a soul is drawn from the weapon it causes pain, because it transforms the user. Not only features change but also clothes and at times gender. As such, the pain that is induced courses through the entire body while Nemian transforms, it lasts only seconds but feels like fire is pulsing through his veins.
Another off-shoot of the souls is that the more the weapon or soul is drawn the more it affects Nemian while he is in normal form. Over time attributes could, but may not always, be inadvertently learned from using a weapon for so long. And it is also possible for the attitude or alignment and personal goals to leak into the normal form of Nemian as well. However rare this may be, the stronger the soul/weapon the stronger influence the spirit within it will have on the man, both in and out of form.
Though Nemian changes completely when the spirit takes over him and changes his physical form he remembers everything that happened, as if he was the form. This can be good at times, depending on the spirit, but at other times it can leave nightmares or scar the mind of the middle-aged soulless being.
– Admiral Julia’s Sword (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/broadsword.jpg)
(See description above)
– Physical Change
Nemian takes on the appearance of a woman when the spirit of the sword overtakes him. His hair becomes long, to his (her) lower back. It is a dull burgundy coloration. Her eyes become an auburn color. She stands 5’ 5” and weighs only 115 lbs. She was human and has the appearance of such. There is a small scar along the upper bicep of her right arm in a circular pattern and another at the center of her head, slightly to the left.
– Mental Change
When alive, Admiral Julia was known for her ability in combat and honesty. She was always fair, no matter who it was she was fighting. As such her generosity and honor are translated into Nemian when he transforms. She was also calm and often subdued, careful to attack, but always ready.
– Equipment Change
Over her upper body is a white shirt, thick enough to be practical but loose enough to allow comfort and maneuverability. Her legs are covered with a shirt that extends to half her thighs, also white. She wears an emerald breastplate, emerald grieves, and emerald plating over her boots. To finish off the look there is a white sash in her hair that is tied to the side, holding it out of her eyes while in combat. She also wields ONLY the broadsword and the other weapons disappear.
– Skills/Ability
**Combat** (relative to average for now)
Julia was known for her skill with the blade. She grew no higher then an expert swordswoman but it was her tact that she was known for in battle. When Nemian is overtaken by the spirit he can compete, at best, with people only one level higher (in skill) then himself and with great strain. He is, by no means, able to fully harness the abilities that Julia had and over time will be unlock them further.
**Critical Strikes**
Julia was known for being able to put the blade in the right spot at the right time. This translates into Nemian’s control by only one way. He can use the ability during battle once, though it is not guaranteed to hit. In combat the spirit will see a weak spot once, an open attack normally, and will attempt to take advantage. After that it is back to just common fighting.
– History
Nearly a hundred years had passed since the death of the once grand Admiral of Sid, Julia Beckenstein. The woman was a marvel, a true hero of the people. Where she lacked in skill, at first, she made up for in charisma. She was the first woman to ever make it further then the common soldier in the Marines of Sid, and climbed the ladder to the rank Major before her death. In Sid she was hailed as a true inspiration, showing the world that women could be just as strong as men in combat.
Although she was small, seemingly growing much slower then the rest of the children, Julia was confident. It is said that confidence can overcome any obstacles; the swordswoman was the testament to that saying. She was quick on her feet and when backed by other soldiers she was nearly unstoppable. It was not until a confrontation with a rather infamous pirate that she found her end. The man’s gun-blade put two holes in her, one in her arm, and the other just off center on her forehead. Unfortunately she died almost seventy years before the outbreak of war between Sid and Yerria.
After her death she was given a funeral funded by the crown. They buried her in the Catacombs of Tadesh, an island solely for the deceased people of grand lives (generals, kings, queens, ect…). Last that was told of the island, however, was that it had become overrun with the undead. Most say it was overtaken by a cult of necromancers, others say the dead are tired of being forgotten by the populace. Whatever the case, Julia Beckenstein was buried with her weapon, her famous broadsword, and her spirit lingered with it.
– Dirk of The Reich (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dagger.jpg)
(see description above)
– Physical Change
Because the dirk was once held by a vampire the appearance as such overtakes him when he unleashes the spirit within. His hair becomes wild and dark, almost black. His eyes turn a deep crimson color. His face becomes much sharper, as if the vampire’s base race was actually an elf at one point. As well as his face his ears grow to be three inches longer and pointed. His skin is a moonlight white color, and very pale. Its teeth, also an attribute of the vampire, are extended and sharpened. His nails grow out to two inches and are filed to points. When in this form he is 5’ 11” and weighs 155 lbs.
– Mental Change
Shade was once a very ambitious person in life. Because of that it translates into Nemian during the change. The form is malicious, dark, and often looks like it has murder in mind. When in this form an intense greed overtakes the man, a desire to be in the shadows is always in his mind, and a sickly comfort arises when he spills blood or sees another spill it.
– Equipment Change
A deep violet suit is what Shade was known for. His slacks are well cut, long, and loose. At the waist is a common leather belt. His upper-torso has a white, long-sleeve, noble looking shirt with a flare at the cuffs. Over the shirt is an open violet coat that stops just after his waist. It has a white lining along the opening and the shirt cuffs flare from the slightly shortened sleeves. A pair of smooth leather shoes, ankle high, adorns his feet. And to top it off a tattered, purple scarf is wrapped around his neck.
– Skills/Ability
**Speed**
‘Shade’ was known of his quick entrances and even quicker exits (in truth it was due to an enhanced metabolism from the vampire virus). In battle, when he was forced to fight, or when he was ‘feeding’ the vampire was known for his ability to quickly thrust his dirk at his opponent. As such, when the spirit of Shade overtakes Nemian he is twice as fast in all aspects: combat, running, ect.
**Dirk Use**
The vampire was not one to stay in combat long. He had an average skill with the bladed weapon. Unfortunately for Nemian average is as high as he will ever get because the spirit cannot learn or advance any skill beyond what it was in real life. However, the vampire was resourceful and quick, average was more then it seemed at times.
– History
Shade’s history is as enigmatic as the man himself was in life. Not much is known of the being known as Shade other then his involvement in the criminal rings of Knifes Edge and later in the then small village of Brakenn, off the coast of Salvar. His age was unknown to any, as was his original heritage. What is known though is that he was a thief and a liar, a cut throat and most especially a vampire.
How he died is still a mystery. Speculations and rumors assume that it was a slayer hired by the crown, or even the town’s people. Rumors also say the man’s dirk was his only weapon. Whatever the case only ashes remain of the vampire formerly known as Shade, ashes kept at the heart of the Thieves Den in Brakenn Hold’s town. In the same urn was the dagger, the spirit of the beastly man clinging to it tightly.
Personal History
Island of Sid : creation to 25
The world of Althanas is a rare and often chilling place. Soulless beings are just an addition to the world.
Nemian is one of the soulless beings of the southern Corone coast. He is one of two, spawned with another soulless in an unprecedented event. The ‘parent’ soulless being that spawned the two died as soon as the pods dropped from it, the strain of creating the two soulless and the drain that it took to form them in the end killed it. Nemian Troy’s ‘brother’ or ‘twins’ name is Vann Curian.
The two, though not having to be with each other or even needing to be familiar with each other, became instant friends. One took to the blades, Nemian, while the other took to a more magical area of life, Vann. Both were drafted into the island nation of Sid’s military forces. Nemian took to the pistol-grip daggers very quickly while his brother went towards another path.
During his time in Sid years slipped by. The Oracle of Sid made a prophesy though, a prophesy that shook not only the people of Sid and their allies but also the twins. What it meant none yet know, but Nemian shrugged it off, taking it as the babbling of an old man. Yet he also gave the two their paths, sending each on the specific classes that they currently hold.
‘One will tip the scale of Althanas. In the end it will be a war.’
Corone : 25 to 30
Corone was not much more then a pit stops for the two. Nemian went along with his brother to help him gain another trinket for his ability, but gained nothing more while there. However, he did happen to run into an agent in Radasanth, one who called himself Agent Feral. The man was part of a group called ‘Step’ and invited the young soulless into to the group as an outside agent who could be called upon at any time.
Salvar : 30 to 45
It was not until Salvar that the true powers of the weapons started to manifest themselves with use other then helping Vann. Nemian found himself wielding the broadsword for Lord Hector of Brakenn Hold, a growing port along western Salvar. The city is nearly unknown to the monarchy, as between Brakenn Hold and Knife’s Edge is mostly ill-made roads and vicious native tribes.
While under the employ of Lord Hector Nemian and his brother quickly raised the ranks. Missions brought them against an anarchical gang within the city, Gerund’s Hand, and it was in the depths of their Thieves Den that Nemian found the Dirk of The Reich. Years later, only a few more, and the two would rise to be Advisors for the Lord, the right and left hand men and closest too him.
It would be in Salvar that the beginning of the Oracle’s prophesies would come to bear.
It would be in Brakenn Hold when the two would begin their rise.
((The History will be elaborated on when I and Vann do our quest. So, on my next lvl update I will make it a little more in-depth and whatnot.))
Age 45 years old, appearance of a 26 year old compared to human
Gender Asexual/Male (see race description)
Race Soulless
Height 6’3”
Weight 210 lbs
Hair Brown
Eyes Green
Affiliations None as of now
Class
Blademaster – A blademaster is one who has the ability to train and study in the use of any weapon with a blade. It is not limited to the sword, as a swordmaster is, but instead can branch into pole-arms, axes, or even martial weapons. As a blademaster Nemian is at home when holding a blade, most comfortable when in proximity of one, and can normally pick up any common blade and wield it with common skill. Finding the balance of a bladed weapon as well as tactically using it is what blademasters are known for most.
Occupation
Adviser to Lord Hector of Brakenn Hold
--War adviser and General for the ‘Legion of Brakenn Hold’
Personality
--Nemian has a somewhat analytical personality. He sees things mostly by cons against pros. Unfortunately that leads him to think too much at times, loosing himself while pondering a situation, but also gives him the appearance of being somewhat wiser then most.
--Though loud noises can bother him when he feels the need to ponder something deeply most of the time he enjoys to be in social situations. He enjoys alcohol, almost always having a mug of ale (but never anything stronger) in hand. If he is around people he does not know he is often quiet, listening and observing before anything. When with his ‘brother’ he talks a lot, often laughing and joking with him.
--He is meticulous about cleaning his weapons; he would even sacrifice sleep to clean his weapons. He also is often seen, when not doing anything important, sliding a blade over a special sharpening tool that is a personal adaptation of the whetstone. (See equipment)
--Nemian, as all Soulless beings, is ‘true neutral’. He does not see the world as a constant battle between good and bad, nor does he recognize the terms good or bad. Instead he interprets all actions, reactions, and goals as one of three things: innate nature, socially acceptable/unacceptable, and personal approval. Innate nature is the basics that come with people, human nature, things that are inherited and passed down through generations. It is what most refers to as conscious. Socially acceptable/unacceptable means just that… good and bad are based on what the person was raised to believe. In modern society it is ‘socially unacceptable’ to murder a person, but that is because it is what people, and the civilized world, what you to believe. The person doing it could have fully justified his reasons by his own upbringing; as such it is not a bad deed but something that is a conflict of upbringing. Finally is personal approval, or how people react to certain things. Some could shrug off seeing someone beaten in an alley, having grown up around it and numb to it. Others, not seeing that as common or not being able to stand the sight personally, would take the action as ‘evil’ or ‘bad’. This one is much like the previous, but it has nothing to do with society because it is personal. It also has nothing to do with innate because it does not come from the parents or from the race, but instead comes from what a person can take individually.
--Additionally Nemian has a love for water. He is always interested in ships and boats of all sorts, loving to both travel on them and watch them come into harbor. His fascination came from years on the island of Sid.
--The Wandering Spirit. That is what most call it at least. It is the habit of all soulless; apparently all of them have it to some degree. It is the call to travel, the call for adventure. No matter what the being looks like, what their proficiencies are, or where they were spawned, the soulless race has a hard time staying put too long. Leadership positions and occupations that force them to stay for a long time in one place often are only held by very old beings that have learned to be calm and calm the restless spirit within.
--Finally Nemian has a ‘thing’ for demons. His tattoos on his back are written in a demon tongue, not a common demon but a high ancient tongue. Most beasts that speak abyssal could pick it out if they looked at it long enough, but only historians and those that study the culture of the demons could know what it said so quickly. The blademaster will favor a demon over any other creature because of his respect he has for them as well as the probable age and wisdom they could hold.
Appearance
A dark brown mess of hair rests atop the head of the man known as Nemian Troy. It is thin, smooth, and straight. His bangs fall to his upper lip while the rest slowly slants till the back, where it rests at the base of his neck. The brown color seems to change into all the hues of brown, depending on where he is and what the surroundings are like. Sometimes it is a light brown color when he is outside, or in a bright environment. It takes on a deep brown color when the setting is a little more ominous, or Nemian is feeling gloomy.
His skin is a deep tan color due to the constant exposure after his spawning to the sun on the island and on the boats. The hair across his arms is a light blonde color, platinum blonde, and is hard to see unless you are very close. Despite being in the sun for a good majority of his aging his skin has no blemishes and is quite smooth, not leathery like an old farmer. Along his upper back there is a tattoo, deep black in color, extending from one shoulder to the other. It reads ‘Viallia Dii Ru’ (Hunger for Truth). Across his lower back is another just like it reading ‘Viallea Dii Gerro’ (Thirst for Wisdom). Both are in a high, ancient form of abyssal (theorized to be spoken by the original angels that were cast into the pits of Haidia, hence its almost beautiful sound).
Nemian’s eyes are a vibrant emerald color. The color extends all the way to the edges of his eyes, leaving only a thin rim of white around them. The corners are sharp and have an almost ‘elf-like’ quality to them. His sockets are deep-set and cast shadows around his eyes that make it look like he is wearing a black eye liner. The rest of his face is pretty common though. His nose is sharp but not long. His lips are thin and a pale rose color. His cheek-bones are hidden beneath a small layer of muscles, not too high but not too low either. He has a rather small chin, rounded, and sometimes covered with a little stubble for that ‘rugged’ look that he enjoys.
His body is not too big, but also by no means small. His muscular contour is that of a very fit person, but not excessively so. Normally, however, his entire body is covered by his duster and hat, which allow only his emerald eyes to gleam for the world. His chest is quite large, could even be described as ‘barrel-chested’. His legs are the same way, muscles bulge quite impressively. But his arms are somewhat gangly. They are about an three inches longer then what would be average, which is not enough to make much of a difference but just enough to throw people off a bit. His shoulders are the biggest part of his arms and quite broad.
Equipment
[1] Black leather pack – has basic necessities for camping: flint & steel, bed roll, small candle, ect… no food though, but has plenty of space for more. Along the outside of it are leather straps across the sides. On these straps are two canteens filled with water, made of a hard plastic material, each can carry a quart of water.
[1] Dual-dagger shoulder holster ( http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/shoulderholster.jpg) – it is black and made of leather. The shoulder holster sits inside Nemian’s coat, holding the pistol-grip daggers against his side and under his armpits. Steel buckles hold it at across the mid-back and sternum, strapping to the actual holsters.
[1] Set of Clothing – Nemian wears a pair of black leather pants that can be pulled a quarter-inch from his legs. They are tight enough to be comfortable, but not enough to restrict. Nemian wears a thick leather belt, studded, more for show then anything else, across his waist. He has a long-sleeve gray shirt that is skin tight, tucked into his pants, as well as a sleeveless gray shirt that is skin tight. One or the other is always worn under the coat, depending on the climate and weather. (Whichever is worn the other is in the backpack). A pair of thick leather boots (given to him by Lord Hector) adorns his feet. They rise to the top of his shin, not quite touching the lowest part of his knee-cap. Across the front are leather straps that have thick steel buckles along the sides. The base is three inches thick, being brand new. It is steel toed and across the front are three steel studs for a flashy look. He also wears, at times, a pair of small leather gloves. They serve no purpose other then to conceal his hands and do not interfere with his dagger use.
Armor
[1] Full (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dusterfront.jpg) Leather (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dusterback.jpg) Duster (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dusteropen.jpg) – the duster is made of a thick leather material, good against small weapons meant to pierce, such as daggers or arrows. It has a string of steel buttons that runs down the front, leather straps that cross from the front and to the back, and three leather straps at the end of both sleeves. (The straps are used to attack sheaths to, hold weapons, or just for decoration). Inside the jacket is a comfortable layer of crimson satin lining everything, it is very soft to the touch. The highlight of the coat though is the high collar, which when buttoned properly (as it almost always is) covers half the face. When wearing the coat alone all that is visible is from the bridge of the nose upwards.
[1] Hat (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/JackHat.jpg) – The hat was originally from Sid, taken before he left with his ‘twin’. The hat is made of smooth thick leather, black (of course) and sits low. It covers Nemian’s hairs and forehead, leaving only his eyes visible when worn with the coat buttoned up. When it rains, or snows, the hat often fills with it and sometimes gives a comical spill when he removes it (forgetting that it is there). It has three points and at the center of each flap is sewn down so as not to move.
Weapons
[2] Daggers – common daggers from the island nation of Sid made of steel. They are each seven inches long, having a pistol-grip handle and a small hole at the top so that they can be spun on the ends of the man’s finger for a dramatic effect and ostentatious flair. The daggers were originally supposed to be gun-blades, but were taken as simple blades instead by the soulless young man.
[1] Admiral Julia’s Sword – the sword was found on an island off the coast of Sid, a small place used solely as a graveyard. Nemian uses the ‘spirit’ of the sword as part of his ability. The sword is a broadsword, two and a half feet long, two inches wide, and sharpened on both sides. The blade is made of steel, has a green pommel and round end (also made of steel). The sword weighs 10 lbs. (locked)
[1] Dirk of The Reich – the dirk is made of steel as well. It is eleven inches, 16 oz’s, has a leather-bound grip with steel studs along it, and is usually kept in its sheath. The sheath is made of oak, wrapped in leather, with a steel cap on the bottom, a band of steel across the very top, and across the middle. It is always strapped at Nemian’s waist. It was once a weapon used by an infamous rouge only known as ‘Shade’. The blade was found in a thieves den in the port of Brakenn Hold. (locked)
Skills/Abilities
novice – apprentice – average – experienced – advanced – expert – legend
** Sea-faring – From years as both soldier and part of the Sid navy Nemian took a love to the sea. Travel on the ocean has never posed a problem for him; as such he often partakes of it whenever possible. Whereas most people would quickly tire of the constant lap of the waves against the boat, the shifting footing, and the endless expanse of ocean, Nemian is always interested. He knows a good deal about ships.
**The Link – This is more of a product of the spawning of two soulless beings by the same ‘parent’. It is an invisible link, like that which human twins seem to have, but much stronger. They can sense in what direction each other is, but not where each other is. They can tell when another is struggling, but not in what way or how bad. The only that is definite is that they can tell when one or the other dies, and in the case of the Citadel when they are revived again.
Proficiencies
** Dagger use – the weapon he took to quickest when he joined the Navy of Sid was the daggers native to the island. The island nation is known for their advanced technology with gun-blades, and often translates the unique design of the pistol-grip handle into swords and daggers. Nemian learned how to use the daggers, dual-wield the small weapons, while growing up on the boats and learning from the best.
average
** Thrown weapon – throwing weapons, almost exclusively small arms, is a talent that few have the knack at. To test the balance, know the distance by sight, and flick the wrist just properly comes almost naturally to the soulless fighter. Currently he can throw small arms such as daggers or darts, nothing over the size of his own daggers (which will never be thrown unless it is quite a dire situation).
average
Soulless Ability
Nemian’s blademaster techniques are based solely on the soul that inhabits him at the time. Each weapon he uses once had a master who was an expert at not only wielding the weapon but other abilities that made them and the tools of their trade famous. Upon finding the weapons and securing them Nemian becomes attached to the soul of the weapon. It basically fills the whole where Nemian’s soul should be. The resulting product is a change both physically and mentally into something that is a ‘remnant’ of the former owner of the weapon (not the exact copy). When this happens the abilities, skills, magic, and whatever else the soul may have known will be at the soulless blademaster’s disposal.
This unique ability has some limits though. Once the soul is drawn it can be released at any time. However, if not released, the spirit’s gifts will only last an hour at a time. Nemian CANNOT draw another spirit once one has left, whether released or expired, for at least two hours. In that time he must depend solely on his dagger skills. In addition, when a soul is drawn from the weapon it causes pain, because it transforms the user. Not only features change but also clothes and at times gender. As such, the pain that is induced courses through the entire body while Nemian transforms, it lasts only seconds but feels like fire is pulsing through his veins.
Another off-shoot of the souls is that the more the weapon or soul is drawn the more it affects Nemian while he is in normal form. Over time attributes could, but may not always, be inadvertently learned from using a weapon for so long. And it is also possible for the attitude or alignment and personal goals to leak into the normal form of Nemian as well. However rare this may be, the stronger the soul/weapon the stronger influence the spirit within it will have on the man, both in and out of form.
Though Nemian changes completely when the spirit takes over him and changes his physical form he remembers everything that happened, as if he was the form. This can be good at times, depending on the spirit, but at other times it can leave nightmares or scar the mind of the middle-aged soulless being.
– Admiral Julia’s Sword (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/broadsword.jpg)
(See description above)
– Physical Change
Nemian takes on the appearance of a woman when the spirit of the sword overtakes him. His hair becomes long, to his (her) lower back. It is a dull burgundy coloration. Her eyes become an auburn color. She stands 5’ 5” and weighs only 115 lbs. She was human and has the appearance of such. There is a small scar along the upper bicep of her right arm in a circular pattern and another at the center of her head, slightly to the left.
– Mental Change
When alive, Admiral Julia was known for her ability in combat and honesty. She was always fair, no matter who it was she was fighting. As such her generosity and honor are translated into Nemian when he transforms. She was also calm and often subdued, careful to attack, but always ready.
– Equipment Change
Over her upper body is a white shirt, thick enough to be practical but loose enough to allow comfort and maneuverability. Her legs are covered with a shirt that extends to half her thighs, also white. She wears an emerald breastplate, emerald grieves, and emerald plating over her boots. To finish off the look there is a white sash in her hair that is tied to the side, holding it out of her eyes while in combat. She also wields ONLY the broadsword and the other weapons disappear.
– Skills/Ability
**Combat** (relative to average for now)
Julia was known for her skill with the blade. She grew no higher then an expert swordswoman but it was her tact that she was known for in battle. When Nemian is overtaken by the spirit he can compete, at best, with people only one level higher (in skill) then himself and with great strain. He is, by no means, able to fully harness the abilities that Julia had and over time will be unlock them further.
**Critical Strikes**
Julia was known for being able to put the blade in the right spot at the right time. This translates into Nemian’s control by only one way. He can use the ability during battle once, though it is not guaranteed to hit. In combat the spirit will see a weak spot once, an open attack normally, and will attempt to take advantage. After that it is back to just common fighting.
– History
Nearly a hundred years had passed since the death of the once grand Admiral of Sid, Julia Beckenstein. The woman was a marvel, a true hero of the people. Where she lacked in skill, at first, she made up for in charisma. She was the first woman to ever make it further then the common soldier in the Marines of Sid, and climbed the ladder to the rank Major before her death. In Sid she was hailed as a true inspiration, showing the world that women could be just as strong as men in combat.
Although she was small, seemingly growing much slower then the rest of the children, Julia was confident. It is said that confidence can overcome any obstacles; the swordswoman was the testament to that saying. She was quick on her feet and when backed by other soldiers she was nearly unstoppable. It was not until a confrontation with a rather infamous pirate that she found her end. The man’s gun-blade put two holes in her, one in her arm, and the other just off center on her forehead. Unfortunately she died almost seventy years before the outbreak of war between Sid and Yerria.
After her death she was given a funeral funded by the crown. They buried her in the Catacombs of Tadesh, an island solely for the deceased people of grand lives (generals, kings, queens, ect…). Last that was told of the island, however, was that it had become overrun with the undead. Most say it was overtaken by a cult of necromancers, others say the dead are tired of being forgotten by the populace. Whatever the case, Julia Beckenstein was buried with her weapon, her famous broadsword, and her spirit lingered with it.
– Dirk of The Reich (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/TaintedTruth/dagger.jpg)
(see description above)
– Physical Change
Because the dirk was once held by a vampire the appearance as such overtakes him when he unleashes the spirit within. His hair becomes wild and dark, almost black. His eyes turn a deep crimson color. His face becomes much sharper, as if the vampire’s base race was actually an elf at one point. As well as his face his ears grow to be three inches longer and pointed. His skin is a moonlight white color, and very pale. Its teeth, also an attribute of the vampire, are extended and sharpened. His nails grow out to two inches and are filed to points. When in this form he is 5’ 11” and weighs 155 lbs.
– Mental Change
Shade was once a very ambitious person in life. Because of that it translates into Nemian during the change. The form is malicious, dark, and often looks like it has murder in mind. When in this form an intense greed overtakes the man, a desire to be in the shadows is always in his mind, and a sickly comfort arises when he spills blood or sees another spill it.
– Equipment Change
A deep violet suit is what Shade was known for. His slacks are well cut, long, and loose. At the waist is a common leather belt. His upper-torso has a white, long-sleeve, noble looking shirt with a flare at the cuffs. Over the shirt is an open violet coat that stops just after his waist. It has a white lining along the opening and the shirt cuffs flare from the slightly shortened sleeves. A pair of smooth leather shoes, ankle high, adorns his feet. And to top it off a tattered, purple scarf is wrapped around his neck.
– Skills/Ability
**Speed**
‘Shade’ was known of his quick entrances and even quicker exits (in truth it was due to an enhanced metabolism from the vampire virus). In battle, when he was forced to fight, or when he was ‘feeding’ the vampire was known for his ability to quickly thrust his dirk at his opponent. As such, when the spirit of Shade overtakes Nemian he is twice as fast in all aspects: combat, running, ect.
**Dirk Use**
The vampire was not one to stay in combat long. He had an average skill with the bladed weapon. Unfortunately for Nemian average is as high as he will ever get because the spirit cannot learn or advance any skill beyond what it was in real life. However, the vampire was resourceful and quick, average was more then it seemed at times.
– History
Shade’s history is as enigmatic as the man himself was in life. Not much is known of the being known as Shade other then his involvement in the criminal rings of Knifes Edge and later in the then small village of Brakenn, off the coast of Salvar. His age was unknown to any, as was his original heritage. What is known though is that he was a thief and a liar, a cut throat and most especially a vampire.
How he died is still a mystery. Speculations and rumors assume that it was a slayer hired by the crown, or even the town’s people. Rumors also say the man’s dirk was his only weapon. Whatever the case only ashes remain of the vampire formerly known as Shade, ashes kept at the heart of the Thieves Den in Brakenn Hold’s town. In the same urn was the dagger, the spirit of the beastly man clinging to it tightly.
Personal History
Island of Sid : creation to 25
The world of Althanas is a rare and often chilling place. Soulless beings are just an addition to the world.
Nemian is one of the soulless beings of the southern Corone coast. He is one of two, spawned with another soulless in an unprecedented event. The ‘parent’ soulless being that spawned the two died as soon as the pods dropped from it, the strain of creating the two soulless and the drain that it took to form them in the end killed it. Nemian Troy’s ‘brother’ or ‘twins’ name is Vann Curian.
The two, though not having to be with each other or even needing to be familiar with each other, became instant friends. One took to the blades, Nemian, while the other took to a more magical area of life, Vann. Both were drafted into the island nation of Sid’s military forces. Nemian took to the pistol-grip daggers very quickly while his brother went towards another path.
During his time in Sid years slipped by. The Oracle of Sid made a prophesy though, a prophesy that shook not only the people of Sid and their allies but also the twins. What it meant none yet know, but Nemian shrugged it off, taking it as the babbling of an old man. Yet he also gave the two their paths, sending each on the specific classes that they currently hold.
‘One will tip the scale of Althanas. In the end it will be a war.’
Corone : 25 to 30
Corone was not much more then a pit stops for the two. Nemian went along with his brother to help him gain another trinket for his ability, but gained nothing more while there. However, he did happen to run into an agent in Radasanth, one who called himself Agent Feral. The man was part of a group called ‘Step’ and invited the young soulless into to the group as an outside agent who could be called upon at any time.
Salvar : 30 to 45
It was not until Salvar that the true powers of the weapons started to manifest themselves with use other then helping Vann. Nemian found himself wielding the broadsword for Lord Hector of Brakenn Hold, a growing port along western Salvar. The city is nearly unknown to the monarchy, as between Brakenn Hold and Knife’s Edge is mostly ill-made roads and vicious native tribes.
While under the employ of Lord Hector Nemian and his brother quickly raised the ranks. Missions brought them against an anarchical gang within the city, Gerund’s Hand, and it was in the depths of their Thieves Den that Nemian found the Dirk of The Reich. Years later, only a few more, and the two would rise to be Advisors for the Lord, the right and left hand men and closest too him.
It would be in Salvar that the beginning of the Oracle’s prophesies would come to bear.
It would be in Brakenn Hold when the two would begin their rise.
((The History will be elaborated on when I and Vann do our quest. So, on my next lvl update I will make it a little more in-depth and whatnot.))