User talk:Kerrus
Mage: The Ixscension
Lysander Tharr
History
Born under a different name, the man that became Lysander Tharr grew up with a spotty old uncle in a victorian household on the London outskirts. As with most children from a well to do family, he was sent off to a boarding school as soon as he was old enough, and had limited contact with his uncle thereafter. However, it was the boarding school that began his most transformative journey, for it was there that he Awakened.
Schools often have secrets. The older the school, the older the secrets, and Saint Bastion's Academy for Boys was no exception. Some of the teachers engaged in secretive practices at night, and strange sightings happened periodically on the grounds. When a full moon came, people locked their doors and stayed inside. Things moved out there in the night, and even within the ancient dormatories, there were secrets still. Hidden passageways, and old books hidden inside newer books. Books that spoke of ancient knowledge, and other things outside mortal ken. For him, these books drew him onto a path he might never otherwise have followed.
It was the winter solstice, and he discovered clues in a tome to a secret passage deep within the underground beneath the academy. Gathering his supplies, he set out to find it one night. Perhaps it would contain more ancient runes, etched on the walls. Perhaps it lead to a cache of books, old tomes to further his learning of Alchemy, the Royal Art- perhaps even there were other things there. But none of these suppositions could have prepared him for what he found that day.
It was a creature. A thing. Hidden within a secret vault, trapped and bound. A Chimera. An artificial creature made from alchemical processes. Old, powerful, insane. it was these and more. It was lonely. At times, it was even lucid. Alex talked to it. Sang to it. Cried with it. They shared stories and legends, and in the wee hours of night ancient knowledge, forgotten by mortals.
It told of an ancient order, the Order of Hermes. A collection of those who used True Magick. They had created it, bound it, and ordered it to do their bidding. And as ancient and terrible as it was, those orders still held. It had seen the boy's nascent awakening, and this was the only reason it didn't kill him as it had those others who had found it, over the centuries. In return for its knowledge, its counsel, and its care, it wanted only one thing. One thing that only the boy could give it.
To die.
The boy knew why, of course. He knew the pain of living all too well, and after his contact with the beast, he knew the pain of those ancient instincts. To kil and murder and pervert and despoil. To rip and tear and devour. Once it had been a human, an apprentice named Lysander. Apprentice's are supposed to be able to trust their master, but Lysander's master had been delving into forbidden knowledge. And in time he asked Lysander to aid her with an experiment, purportedly to achieve a new frontier in the art of internal alchemy. The initiate foolishly agreed. The years since then have blended together, so much agony, hate, despair, anger- the darker emotions twisting and breaking the mind. Geasa maintaining the barest vestige of sanity. Occasionally, a Hermetic Master would come seeking knowledge, or command a task of the Chimera. Occasionally a student would enter the lair and die. But these memories blurred together. Though the Chimera might remember a hundred names, a thousand rituals, ancient histories long lost, it knew little more. The personal interactions, the positive emotions, these things were long since lost. To the Order of Hermes- at least those who knew of it, it was a library. A half-living terror of a library, forged from the soulflesh of an initiate, living a half-life of constant pain, terror, and mindless desires to kill, kill, KILL.
And so it was that the boy wrote the formulas, drew the runes, and patterned the magic circle. He acquired the alchemical reagents he needed, and over the course of a week he made the final preparations. But the Chimera's death required one greater thing yet. A sacrifice. The boy gave up the only thing of value he had to give.
His ignorance.
In that instance, the Chimera Lysander died.
In that instant, the Alchemist, Lysander Tharr was born.
But the chimera had one final gift to give. Its knowledge, so long locked away in a mad, terrifying mind. As a Chimera, it had been blessed or cursed with the power of internal alchemy, and it used this power- unlocked in the moment of its death, to change for one final time.
It became a draught. Not quite the famous philosopher's stone, but close. The result of two centuries worth of internal alchemy. For all the uses they put it too, the Chimera Lysander was still the product of an attempt to master the royal art. If only those Masters had known how close- and how far they were from that result.
Now, the Alchemist departed the school. He could not bear to go to one of the several hermetics that operated out of the school- for they had partaken of the knowledge of the Chimera, and done nothing. Instead he went home. Making his peace with his estranged uncle, Lysander met up with the local representative of the Order of Hermes and pettitioned entry to the House Solificati. Unsurprisingly, it was denied. The petition process was intended to weed out the chaff- where would the Order be if they accepted every initiate on the first go? Recognizing this, Lysander tried again. Eventually, Lysander was adopted into the house, and spent the next decade learning magic 'The Hermetic Way'. But through it all, he has stuck to the secrets of alchemy, the Royal Art, as taught to him by his namesake.
At one time he thought to analyze the alchemical draught given to him by the one he might have called friend, but that time, and that immature understanding has long passed. New understanding replaced it, and in time Lysander Tharr came to understand the gift his namesake had bestowed upon him, and more importantly, why. To see the end of things. To see it all. True mastery of internal alchemy, the Royal Art, is not possible within one lifetime, not even with ten. A thousand, ten thousand, perhaps. Lysander intends to see its end, so that his namesake's sacrifice was not in vain.
Stats
Shadow Name: Lysander Tharr
Concept: User of the 'Royal Art', Alchemy. FMA inspired.
Paradigm: Hermetic, shades of alchemy- the whole purification and refining of things to a higher level through the self.
Foci: Magic circles drawn in chalk, on gloves, tattooed magic circles, runes, Enochian
Casting Type: Spontaneous
Essence: Pattern
Nature: Architect
Demeanor: Explorer
XP: 61
Attributes
Physical 5
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 4 (Precise)
Stamina: 2
Social 3
Charisma: 2
Appearance: 2
Manipulation: 2
Mental 7
Perception: 3
Intelligence: 4 (Patterns)
Wits: 2
Abilities
Talents 9
Awareness: 1+1=2 (2 xp)
Alertness: 1
Athletics: 3
Dodge: 2
Instruction: 2
Skills 5
Firearms: 3
Crafts - Gunsmithing: 2
Knowledges 13
Alchemy: 3+1=4 (3 xp)
Cosmology: 1
Enochian: 3+1=4 (3 xp)
Enigmas: 3+1=4 (3 xp) [Alchemy]
Metaphysics - Sacred Geometry: 3
Willpower: 5+3 (3 Fp)
Arete: 3 (8 fp)
Spheres:
Life: 3 (34 xp)
Matter: 3
Prime: 3
Backgrounds: 7+4 fp
Avatar: 3
Grace Under Fire: 2
Library: 3
Resources: 3
Merits:
Unaging (2 points)
Flaws:
Echoes - Full Metal Alchemist (2 points)
Yasuo Kado
Wherever there are people, there is conflict. Wherever there is conflict, you'll find me. As I wander the roads, I learn, and in learning, I teach. If people are willing to hear my song, then perhaps there is a way to abjure these conflicts. Perhaps conflict does not need to be the only path. If you are willing to listen, perhaps you're willing to sit down for a few moments and talk this thing out. There now, that wasn't so hard was it? Listen kid, they'll tell you that fighting is the best way, the only way to get what you want, but that just isn't true. What they really mean is that it's the easy way. If you're strong, I mean. Take from those weaker then you, destroy them, burn them into dust. What's the problem if they're weak? Nobody can stop you, don't you have all the power in the world?
But it's what we give up to get there. I'm not willing to give up who I am so that I can destroy, and I don't think you are either. But there's another way, right? This song I'm playing, it's not just for entertainment. You can feel it, right? They call it empathy, but I call it music. True communication. Just stop and listen. And maybe when you're ready, sing! ~ Yasuo Kado
Name: Kado Yasuo
Tradition: Estatic
Paradigm: Magic is Music
Concept: ROCKSTAR (A sort of intersection between Nekki Basara, and Shindou Suichi)
Nature: Wanderer
Demeanor: Benefactor
Backstory: A young aspiring musician, Yasuo discovered that music had the power to move the universe. Joining the Cult of Ecstasy, Yasuo set out to change the world through his music. Major goals include getting the technocracy to lay off the oppression bullshit and learning something called 'the song of the universe' a sort of underlying ur-chord that contains the power and majesty of creation.
XP: 66
Physical: 3
Strength: 2
Dex: 2
Stamina: 2
Social: 7
Apperance: 3+1 (12xp) (Bishounen)
Manipulation: 1
Charisma: 5 (Intense)
Mental: 5
Perception: 2
Intelligence: 3
Wits: 3
Talents: 9
Alertness: 1+1 (2xp)
Athletics: 1+1 (2xp)
Awareness: 1+1 (2xp)
Diplomacy: 3
Dodge: 1
Style: 1
Survival:
Skills: 13
Drive: 3
Etitquette: 2
Performance: 3+1 (6xp) [Song]
Survival: 3
Technology: 2
Knowledges: 5
Academics (music): 2
Linguistics: 3 (English, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese)
Spheres:
Forces: 2+1 (16 xp)
Mind: 3
Time: 1
Arete: 1+2+1 (8 fbp) (24 xp)
Willpower: 5+2 (2 fbp)
Essence: Primordial
Merits
Jack of All Trades (5 points)
Higher Purpose (1 point) [Get the whole world to listen to his song- not just 'hear it', but actually listen to the emotional and philosophical movement of it. He wants to move mountains with his music]
Soothing Voice (3 points)
Flaws
Lifesaver (3 points)
Backgrounds: 7 +2 (fbp) points.
Avatar: 3
Influence: 2
Resources: 1
Backstory
Abandoned by his father at a young age, Kado Yasuo grew up living a nomadic life. Traveling from one region to another, with only the shirt on his back and an old worn acoustic guitar to his name. Fascinated by music, Yasuo made his way through his early years making a living as a traveling performer, bringing music and laughter to small cities across India and China. As a teenager, he made his way back to his homeland of japan, and eventually managed to get a small time job working gigs at a night club- but with everything he's seen and experienced, Yasuo just can't stick around for long. Picking up everything he owns, the young man sets out onto the streets once again. He catches a train, and then a ship. Eventually, he moves to North America, and spends three years learning the musical cultures of that place. Always wandering, Yasuo has made many friends in many places, and been an influential figure in those lives he's touched. But nothing holds him to a single place for long, and in the end, he always picks up his things and heads off down the road.
Yasuo does not seek fame or fortune, or even recognition- his only desire is to light the darkness of fear and oppression, and to spread the philosophy of his song- that disagreements can be resolved without violence, and that people of all races, ideals or creeds can live in harmony- if only they would listen to the music that bridges the soul. All things are possible in music, and through music the world turns.
As a result of this ideology, Yasuo has become an influential, if mysterious figure in the lives of individuals across the globe. Though they may never see him again, he remains close to their hearts, and they seek to spread the legacy he left them.
Philosophy
What is it, you ask? Well, it's music of course. But music's more than math or entertainment, it's true communication. Hear my heart through this song, hear the universe. Music moves me, and I want to move the world with my music. If I can get people to stop and listen, maybe we can save this old mudball before we ruin it. Maybe we can stop all this fighting, all the killing and carnage, and learn to get along. There's no need for all this conflict. True communication's where it's at. You and I understand eachother- for real I mean- and violence ain't a possibility. Would you cut off your own arm? Oh, sure, it's on fire or poisoned by some nephandi, but I mean just out of the blue? You're not crazy, why would you. So too, why would we fight? Ain't no reason to, not with true communication. When you learn to understand another, you don't need to fight. Just listen. That's all it takes.
Aberrant, the Tanking
Nickname: Ragdoll
Codename: Crash
Name: Lawrence Orson.
Survivor - Virtue: Regain WP when you survive a dangerous situation vian your own cunning and perseverance
Hotshot - Vice: Spend WP to resist indulging in an obvious foolhardy venture. Regain WP for taking the "hard way" when doing so has no benefits and great danger.
Human Base
Attributes:
Abilities: 30, 3 free specialties, 3 free dots of Endurance and Resistance.
Strength 2+1 (body mod)
- Brawl 3
Dexterity 3
- Athletics: 2
- Drive: 2 (Crashing) (Specialty)
- Pilot: 3 (Crashing) (Specialty)
Stamina 5 [Unkillable]
- Endurance: 5
- Resistance: 5
Appearance 2
Manipulation 1
Charisma 3
- Instruction: 2
Perception 2
- Awareness: 2
- Gunnery: 2
Intelligence 3
- Computer: 2
- Intrusion: 1
- Medicine: 3
- Survival: 3
Wits 3
- Rapport: 3
- Tactics: 3
Backgrounds: 7+3
Eufiber: 5
Node: 3
Willpower: 3+6 (11 bp)
Quantum Rating: 1+4 (20 NP) [Rating 5]
Quantum Pool: 50
Expenditures:
Mega Stamina 5 (10 NP)
Enhancements: 1 (Free) + 4 (4 NP) [Rating 5]
Powers:
Absorption 2 (4 NP) [MStr-capable]
Forcefield 3 (6 NP - 3 NP = 3 NP +2NP Extra 'Ablative') [Tainted] (26 HL, Regens 3 HL/turn)
Invulnerability 2 (4 NP + 2 NP Extra - 6 NP) [Tainted]
Total NP Spent on powers: 9 NP
Enhancements for Mega Stamina
Adaptability
Hardbody
Resiliency 2 (Double Mega Stamina Soak, Stamina Soak)
Regeneration (Heal 6 bashing or lethal damage per hour)
Permanent Taint: 4
Temporary Taint: 0
Aberrations:
8 xp of Body Modifications
Transhuman Ascendence [Stamina]
Body Modifications
Tainted: Dispersed Organs 2 (You take no additional damage from called shots) [8xp from taint]
16 xp from 2 NP:
10xp -> 10x (-2 HL), 10x (-4 HL) (Redundant Organs)
6xp -> Dense Musculature: +2B/+2L soak, + (-0) HL, +1 Str
Soak Calcs
+5B/+2L default from Stamina 5.
Resiliency increases this value to:
+10B/+5L from stamina 5
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+5B/+5L default from M-Stamina 5.
Resiliency increases this value to:
+10B/+10L from M-Stamina 5.
Thus, a character with Mstam 5 and Stam 5, with Resiliency 2 has a total Soak value of:
20B/15L
A character who also has Hardbody gains 10Agg Soak. He also has half his M-Stam rating in Agg soak. Thus the Soak totals are:
22B/17L/12Agg
Health Level Accounting
2x (-0) +5= 7x (-0) +1= 8x (-0)
2x (-1) +5= 7x (-1)
2x (-2) +5= 7x (-2) +10= 17x (-2)
1x (-4) +5= 6x (-4) +10= 16x (-4)
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totals
26x (-0F)
8x (-0)
7x (-1)
17x (-2)
16x (-4)