Name: Zande Khanda
Epithet: The Vulture
Age: 32
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 195 pounds
Boxing Reach: 84.5 in
Race: Human
Class: Warrior
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


Weapons and Equipment- Two twenty-inch, three kilo bearded sparth axes with oiled sheathes for immediate, silent access, a weighted serrated knife with a foot long blade, two seven inch steel karambit knives, three seven steel inch throwing knives, a blowgun and eight darts with inland taipan venom, three one-ounce leather pouches of spitting cobra venom, rubber soled boots with three eight inch steel claws on each foot, a slab of quarter inch steel over a chestplate, large paldrons and bicep guards with protruding spikes that can stop and snag bladed weapons, steel shinguards, underclothing made from dragonhide (like an extremely tough form of steel chainmail with no gaps), a trained pet vulture acting as a spotter, a black steel war mask in the shape of a flat, ghoulish skull, and reinforced fingerless iron gauntlets imbedded with cast iron bird skulls.


(The axes "Hot Steppa", slang for Free Criminal, & "Jancro", slang for Vulture)


Appearance- Zande is a tall, lean man whose musculature is best likened to that of a starved jaguar. The dense, tube-like muscles adorning his long arms and legs allow him to exude a great air of physical prowess despite his wiry look. Unwashed dreadlocks hang over lurid, amber eyes whilst high cheekbones accentuate his abnormal jaw muscles, the feral aspect pushed even further by his sharpened teeth and fingernails. He wears the skulls of recent victims upon his belt and is never without his clawed boots and tribal mask. A skull and crossbones is sewn upon his cloak.


Physical Abilities/Skills- Zande's untamed strength is far greater than his appearance would suggest, albeit reasonably less than that of a formidable professional weightlifter. He can bench 350 and run twenty-five miles per hour on average. His most impressive traits consist of his incredible biting and striking power. He hits like a lumberjack on PCP, and never neglects to train his jaws by chewing through blocks of wood and chunks of rubber, rendering him capable of chomping through an unhusked coconut in seconds. As he was raised a jungle wildman, he can scurry up and down obstacles with contemptuous ease and move with a silent swiftness comparable to his native brethren.

He's able to throw all of his weapons with tremendous speed, force, and accuracy.

Personality~ Despite appearing as an unabashed murderer 24/7, Zande comes off surprisingly chill. He'll greet strangers with nods and smiles, share food and drink on a whim, and help out passersby who seem in need. He affords everyone his good humor and generosity- even his victims, although his generosity doesn't extend to letting them live. He prefers to make friends with those he hunts, as Zande is actually emotionally sensitive beneath his harsh exterior.

He takes rejection badly, can't stand being the brunt of insults, is prone to nightmares over innocuously silly things (he has an incredible phobia of cats), and in general sways between being a relaxed, cold-blooded manhunter, and a manic depressive schizophrenic depending on how others treat him.

In battle, he blooms with a black passion which transmogrifies him into the killing machine that he is, a demon-brained predator who relentlessly chases down his prey. His psychotic rushdowns are legendary for both the consistency of their success and for their ability to force most opponents into a defensive lock, the threat of his wild axes preventing them from counterattacking or fleeing, bullying and grinding hapless opponents right into the ground until their shield and willpower crumples beneath the onslaught.

Background- In the darkest depths of a savage jungle wilderness, shrouded in dread Congo mysteries beneath a sky of eternal blackness, there existed a tribe of maneaters. One would think that there would be no bottom amidst the depths of their depravity. Yet, a young boy native to this landscape of monsters found it. The word "bloodthirsty" is often thrown about. However, no other description of Zande holds so true. He was exiled from his village for exceptional reasons and became a freelance mercenary and bandit leader, feared across the land. He's a cannibal and a headhunter, who seeks to further his reputation by collecting the skulls of formidable opponents. What about the rest you say? All the bloody details of his life? Nay. He has accomplished many feats, but a story like that of Zande's is monotonous in its repetition. He travels, he trains, he kills, he sleeps. Why worry about the details, bwana?


Looking out from the entrance to Zande's lair. The inside is remarkably large, yet with so little elbow room.

Theme Music-

Age: Early twenties

Personality: Kenan is, although a reluctant leader, an able and skilled one, caring about all of humanity equally and interfering in conflicts in order to topple organizations that he considers unjust. Despite all of this, Kenan is a free-spirit above all else, denying all crowns he has been offered in order to continue travelling the world alongside his massive retinue of worshipers and friends, all of whom he appreciates and takes care of. For all of his virtues, Kenan is also a known womanizer and drinks heavily, though among his culture those are considered signs of masculinity. One thing that all can agree on as a flaw in Kenan is his dislike of dwarves, quite strange when you consider the fact that his predecessor was killed by elves, but Kenan doesn't need logical justification of his hatred of the short men.

Biography: Kenan's life story is full of gaps as a result of being raised in a culture without written language and due to the fact that the runeblade has a habit of damaging wielder's memories. What is known is that Kenan was born to one of the few northern tribes that inhabit the inhospitable northern wastes. These tribes are the last remnants of the millennia-old Fero culture, who at one point held dominion over almost all humanity. This empire was founded by the last wielder of the runeblade, known only as the emperor. After being slain in combat, the man's blade refused to be wielded by anyone, as it had been before the emperor had taken it up. His loyal courtiers brought the blade to the far north in order to protect it. The descendants of these men established the northern tribes, but never forgot their duty, holding the blade safe until finally a new messiah rose to wield it against humanity's enemies.

One of these tribesmen was born around twenty years ago to a union of two members of the largest tribes, this boy was named Kenan, in their language the name means "Hound". Kenan grew among his father's tribe for an unknown number of years before emerging five years ago and claiming the runesword, the first man to wield it in thousands of years. Immediately many members of the northern tribes pledged their loyalty to him and followed as he traveled into the southern human kingdoms, where his following only grew. He interfered in conflicts for
"justice" and "righteousness", and often proved a deciding factor in many battles.

Currently, Kenan is an important figure in the Adarian resistance, and is perhaps the most wanted man in the country.

Ability:

Swordsmanship: Kenan is a middling swordsman, not possessed of incredible talent but not talentless either, he makes up for his downsides with the magical abilities of the runeblade.

Leader of Men: Kenan is an excellent speaker and tactician, capable of traversing great distances in short periods of time even with his large retinue through organization and leadership. In battle, Kenan excels in using quick attacks on enemy lines and engaging in favorable melees.

The Runeblade:



The Runeblade is a powerful magical artifact that has many incredible magical abilities attached to it, all named after the runes which glow when activated.

Hagalaz: "Hail". Allows Kenan to fire magical blasts from his sword as a ranged attack.
Dagaz: "Day". Allows Kenan to eject a powerful flash of light from his blade, blinding opponents.
Algiz: "Divine Blessing". Covers Kenan in a glowing suit of magical armor.
Ansuz: "God". Gives Kenan the ability to fly.
Berkanan: "Birch". Heals Kenan's wounds.
Perthro: "Fate". Coats the Runeblade in magic, increasing its effective range.

Using more than one of the runes at once risks draining the blade of magic for a time depending on length of use, and using more than two is impossible for Kenan at this point in his life. The Emperor, after being fatally wounded, was said to have used all at once, becoming a literal one-man army.

| Ｐｅｒｓｏｎａｌ ｂｉｏｇｒａｐｈｙ: |


| P e r s o n a l i t y r e p o r t s : |


| A p p e a r a n c e : |




| P h y s i c a l a b i l i t i e s: |

• Hand-to-Hand Combat: Although proficiency is diminishing due to lack of practice, Whisper does have training in hand-to-hand combat. The martial art he learned makes use of grapples, holds, and turning your opponents force against them. At its core, it’s a defensive style created for just that purpose.

• Melee Combat: While he knows how to use a variety of weapons, experience is primarily applied to one-handed bladed weapons, like knives and daggers. Mastery has only been achieved with swords, specifically dual wielding.

• Armed Combat: There is only one ranged weapon that Whisper has skill with, and that is the bow and arrow. Long, short, or cross; he has precision aim with them all, but prefers to use traditional bows.

• Mounted Combat: Its only natural that knight know how to ride and fight from the back of animals. Andre's particular focus in this area is with his bow and maintaining his precision aim.

• Woodland Stride: The ability to move through any terrain-preferably the forest-comes naturally to Whisper. He can move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. However, thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion still affect him. He also, innately leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked.

• Guerrilla Tactics: As a master strategist of guerrilla tactics, which is a form of irregular warfare. Whisper employs the use of: ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and less-mobile traditional army, or strike a vulnerable target, and withdraw almost immediately.

| M a g i c a l a b i l i t i e s: |

• Aspect of the Ancient: While manifesting the aspect of the ancient, Whisper embodies the deep and ancient secrets of nature itself. This aspect confers the following benefits: becoming one with nature and attaining knowledge of the surrounding territory. Instantly gaining knowledge of as many as three facts from among the following subjects: the ground or terrain, plants, minerals, bodies of water, people, general animal population, presence of woodland creatures, presence of powerful unnatural creatures, or even the general state of the natural setting.
  
  Manifesting this aspect also allows Whisper to commune with nature as a supernatural ability usable at will. This means he gains the constant ability to speak with plants and animals. Whisper can also improve the attitude of animal, befriend them therefore making them his companion, or outright control them. The range of this ability is 30 feet and takes 15 seconds of direct eye or physical contact to establish a connection, but this can vary depending on the creature. Once a connection has been made, it can only be severed by Whisper or through other magical means. There is also no limit to how many animals Whisper can bond with, it is a testament to his mastery over the form.

• Aspect of the Hunter: The hunt affects nearly every aspect of nature and claims a place of great prominence and importance in the cycle of life. A eiren manifesting the aspect of the hunt is bound to nature’s ancient tradition of the hunt, and his senses sharpen to an amazing degree. This aspect confers the following benefits: dramatic increase in perception, uncanny stealth and acrobatic abilities, and the ability to track and hunt in any terrain. He also gains low-light vision allowing him to see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of shadowy illumination. He retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions. With low-light vision, he could read a scroll as long as even the tiniest candle flame is next to him as a source of light.

• Aspect of the Destroyer: Many races revere nature for its power to destroy, but none more so than a eiren manifesting the aspect of the destroyer. Keen predatory instincts guide the eiren attacks to the most vulnerable in his prey's opening. This aspect also confers the following benefits: increase in strength, boost in endurance, and the eiren is encompassed in an aura of intense intimidation. An attack modifier is bestowed as well when facing bloodied foes that are undead, constructs, or without nature origin.

• Timeless Certainty: When Whisper feels an external influence press upon his mind, his mind immediately and swiftly begins fighting the invasion with the ancient secrets of his primal soul. As a result, he is immune to the effects of mind control, mind-reading, etc.

| E q u i t m e n t : |

• Gaia's Defenders: Many, many, years ago... Whisper bought this pair of swords from a traveling trader, who swore Whisper would never lay his eyes, let alone his hands on a better weapon. The trader called them, Gaia's Defender, which he thought was another marketing ploy to target the high concentration of rangers and elves in the area. But true enough, the weapons were superior in their creation. Not once have the blades ever failed him in combat. Aside from reinforcing enchantments which ensure its effectiveness, Whisper hasn't made a single modification.
  
  Whisper still uses these blades as his primary weapon. Their name coincides with his occupation, making them very befitting for his ownership. At all times they are firmly placed in a custom sheathe that is also part of his armor: one is located on the left side of his back while the other is strapped to his left hip.

• Sacred Root:This was a gift bestowed upon Whisper by the Father of of Tallgrass for his impressive bravery and numerous feats accomplished. Once manifested, the Sacred Root is no different than your average bow. What’s remarkable, is how the bow itself comes to life, literally. By taking a twig or any stick, branch, or tree root; Whisper can turn that ordinary piece of timber into a fully fledged bow. He only needs to recite the secret words taught to him by the Father of Tallgrass and the ancient magic will begin changing and twisting the simple stick into a living weapon. The stick then becomes its own life form, like any other plant or tree. He can then choose to discard the weapon and pick up a new one when convenient, however if chooses to keep the same weapon, nurture and caring for it, will make it stronger and more lethal.
  
  The Sacred Root still has a long way to go and could go through many metamorphoses depending on how Whisper treats her. But, manifesting isn't the only thing the Sacred Root can do. She can also conceal herself, by changing into a simple vine that wraps around Whisper arm. Or she can be planted and become full grown tree of whatever species she may be. The Sacred Root can also produce unique arrow types, three of which Whisper is aware of:
  
  _{Poison: An arrow once shot, can deliver poisonous venom which can kill a man in minutes if the arrow is not removed immediately; effects vary.
  Growth: An arrow once shot, instantly grows and wraps around the target on impact.
  Splinter: An arrow once shot, breaks apart into numerous, sharp fragments that are capable of penetrating leather and some weak iron armor.}

• Avatar of Pan-Elora: Despite being his armor, it’s also a costume designed to resemble Pan-Elora, the god of nature, avatars. Who are humanoid elk creatures tasked with protecting nature and all wildlife. Taking on such an identity is perfect for his occupation and being recognized as a friendly presence. In addition to being a disguise and armored protection, it is also a highly capable ghillie suit composed of wood and leaves from the Ironbark tree. When paired with Whisper's camouflage magic, it can take on the appearance of any terrain.
  
  When it comes to clothing, Whisper dresses for the occasion and keeps things simple. His outfits are often made from furs or other fabrics acquired from animals. When not armored, he will wear a simple leather vest with cloth trousers, and a light or heavy fur cloak depending on weather.

• Gurkha Blade: This is a curved knife, similar to the machete, used as both a tool and as a weapon. It is symbolic amongst the eiren when used as a weapon, signifying the courage and valor of the bearer in the battlefield. The blade's distinctive forward drop is intended to aid the cutting action by having the edge maintain an angle (rather like a guillotine) rather than just have a straight edge at right angles to the target, this angle provides a more "slicing" action similar to a draw-cut with a machete or saber. The Gurkha Blade is effective as both a chopping and a slashing weapon. In combat, it is used in two different styles: stabbing with the point, slashing or chopping with the edge. Because the blade bends towards the opponent, the user need not angle the wrist, which makes the Gurkha Blade more comfortable as a stabbing weapon than other straight-bladed knives. Its heavy blade enables the user to inflict deep wounds and to cut through muscle and bone. As a tool, its use has varied from building, clearing, chopping firewood, and digging to cutting meat and vegetables, skinning animals, and opening tins.