D r a y a k V a s h
⟁ 301 ⟁ ♂ ⟁ Krogan ⟁ Soldier A P P E A R A N C E
Most often clad in armor, and armed to the teeth, Vash casts an imposing figure. He never leaves home unarmed, and always seems ready for a fight even when in the midst of a drunken haze. His eyes are a fierce golden shade, with focused irises like that of a ferocious predator. His head plates are a medium green, skin a muted brown. The right side of his face is scarred with multiple short cuts and burns, the markings a warrior bears. Another small healed cut sits on the left lower side of his jaw. A cocky smile often persists on his lips, and is often accompanied by a deep, hearty (frequently drunken) laugh. Depending on his mindset and which side of his allegiance you stand on, his smiles and laughter can either be soothing or terrifying.
A sturdy, physically powerful specimen, Vash stands 2.2 meters in height and weighs in at roughly 350 pounds. Like the others of his species he has a muscle bound, sturdy figure. He is in shape and immensely strong in regards to raw physicality. His armor is scratched and scarred, the paint scuffed in parts, but it is still in fine working condition. He refuses to get these markings fixed, seeing it as adding 'character' to his armor. On his right forearm he has a black tattoo of a krogan skull with a scar over the left eye. Its a tribute to his fallen brother, though he always keeps it covered.
B A C K G R O U N D
Born on the harsh krogan homeworld of Tuchanka, he was brought into the world alongside a twin brother, Kriash. Their births were a cause of great celebration amongst clan Drayak. A single healthy child being born to the genophage stricken species was already a remarkable occurrence, but two in the same brood was another thing entirely. They were both given the traditional krogan rite of life, signifying they were healthy and strong enough to grow into proud warriors. The twins were inseparable in their childhoods, rarely not at each other's side. The krogan homeworld is an especially brutal place, nuclear hellfire has left the world nigh inhospitable to non-krogan. With no centralized government to speak of, it is an especially chaotic place to live. Childhood was relatively calm for the twins, Vash and his brother were raised almost exclusively by their mother. Fertile krogan women were cherished within society, treated as prizes of war.
Upon reaching adulthood Vash and Kriash were put through the rites of passage, signifying they were their own man. Both brothers remained on Tuchanka and thrust into important positions within clan Drayak. Their father Drayak Gax was an esteemed and proud warlord, who led frequent raids of neighboring clans. Noted for his brutality and raw skill on the battlefield, he took it upon himself to raise his sons as he saw fit. It was the same way he was brought up, harshly. Both of the brothers were put through intense and constant training, Gax molding them into the best damn warriors he could. Any failures were met with immediate berating from their father, demanding they did better. Needless to say neither Vash or Kriash had much love for their father. Still, his rough methods were a success as both young krogan would become deadly combatants on the battlefields the clan fought in. Vash still able to recall the first kill he made.
They each spent their first one hundred years on Tuchanka, but their dreams laid beyond their barren homeworld. The stars called out to them both. They'd heard tales of strong krogan fighting across awe inspiring worlds, becoming some of the finest warriors the galaxy had ever seen. Together the twins made a pact, that they would not die on their volatile homeworld, to end up just another set of forgotten corpse vanishing into the sands. That together they would venture through the stars and make something of themselves. Achieve a life of success, wealth and victory they both desired. They piled what they could together and purchased a spaceship, leaving the planet behind. Krogans who had returned to Tuchanka spoke of a opportunity filled part of the galaxy where mercenary work aplenty could be found, the Terminus systems. Arriving on Omega was a stunning experience for both brothers, the slew of alien races, the bustling streets and endless stream of denizens, many of which were fellow krogan. The duo as they always had done stuck together, seeking to find work in the only field they truly knew, warfare.
They took a variety of jobs, the most common being bodyguarding and mercenary work. Any wealthy person unlucky to find themselves in Terminus space would happily take two imposing krogan as bodyguards. Vash had been fighting on his homeworld for decades, savagely killing his own people for decades. It was a natural transition for both him and his brother to this occupation. There was always a need for soldiers for hire in the Terminus systems. The money was good, and the excitement was constant. They were not without their drawbacks or failures though, such as some nasty run ins with the Blue Suns and Eclipse. Missions which inadvertently ended with them conflicting with these more powerful groups. The Blood Pack also tried several times to recruit both brothers, but were turned down each time. As targets were painted on their backs the duo decided to formally create their own crew of mercenary warriors.
The krogan had enough contacts to draw in some hungry freelancers as well as outcasts from bigger mercenary groups. With an established, well fortified base on Omega constructed, Drayak's Fist was born. Recruits were put through rigorous training much like the brothers were by their father many years before. Promising a fair dividend of 'profits', Vash and Kriash found more success and opportunity running their own band than they ever did as an exclusive duo. The credits rolled in more than before, as did the infamy. Vash showed a fierce prowess in battle, a fierce presence that mowed down any who stood in his way. Kriash was damn good as well, albeit even more brutal and ruthless. Drayak's Fist frequently did pirate work, raiding ships and outposts for whatever they could loot, kidnapping and ransoming off any people they captured. As well as doing mercenary work for wealthy companies with interests in the Terminus systems.
While still smaller than the Blue Suns, Eclipse and Blood Pack, conflicts were common. One advantage of Drayak's Fist being a group was that they could move much more inconspicuously through the Terminus systems. The trio of the largest mercenary companies were common raiding targets for them. Each one had bases scattered across worlds in the system. Easy targets for rapid 'hit and run' operations. Retribution was expected, so the two krogan invested credits into purchasing multiple penthouses across Omega. Small buildings in which they would rotate between staying in as well as housing loot, supplies, weaponry and other items. Things were going smoothly for Vash, his brother and their 'associates'. For decades they flourished, raking in money, power and infamy across the Terminus systems.
As the credits piled up, and their band of rogues grew Vash noticed a change in his brother. Kriash had become more violent, and picked up a mean addiction to red sand. The addictive substance empowered his brother with temporary biotic abilities which were incredibly useful in battles. But at the cost of Kriash's sanity, emotions and ability to be without the sand. Vash spoke to his brother multiple times about stopping ingesting the drug, and even seeked out other ways of help but nothing seemed to get through to Kriash. Worse, the deadly trio of big time mercenary groups were putting more pressure on them, locating and assaulting some of their penthouses. Still, the brothers kept going. Vash taking more of a leadership role as Kriash's addiction crippled him more and more. Addling him with paranoia and a particularly vicious anger, tensions grew between them. Despite this Kriash joined his brother on a raiding operation on the planet of Zada Ban.
Tucked in the Xe Cha system of the The Shrike Abyssal, Zada Ban served as a weapons manufacturing plant for the Blood Pack. It was an ideal target for Drayak's Fist, they could hit the world, take whatever weapons they found then either use or sell them off throughout the Terminus systems. All while dealing a blow to the Blood Pack. It was a typical hit and run operation, drop at night time when the defenses are lulled, strike, then flee as quickly as they arrived. Vash, Kriash and small group of ten of their finest men deployed on the world. Dividing into two teams of six with each brother leading a team, the raid started off positively. They managed to make an advanced charge, getting a drop on the bulk of the Blood Pack forces. A rapid firefight ensued, the red sand aided Kriash hurling vorcha across the battlefield while Vash took down the enemy krogan squad leaders. Both brothers striking with brutal efficiency as did the brave men alongside them. The raid complicated as they moved deeper into the facility, gathering whatever weapons they could get their hands on.
The radio chatter lit up informing them of the arrival of Blood Pack reinforcements, greatly outnumbering them. Ships descended from the sky carrying soldiers, and others appeared from other parts of the facility. They had walked into a trap. Another more chaotic firefight ensued as Vash and his squad took cover, holding off whatever Blood Pack troopers they could. As he desperately tried to communicate with Kriash and his men all that Vash heard in reply was silence. The simple raid had taken a major turn for the worse. It had drawn out longer than Vash wanted, they were running low on ammunition with every swarm of Blood Pack troops they killed. As the fighting raged, he was left with only two men at his side. His mind went to retreat more than it had before. They were pushed back by Blood Pack forces and running out of room to run.
As their hope of survival dwindled Kriash appeared, uninjured and heading towards them. A cautious smile appeared on Vash's face, his twin brother was alive. That smile quickly vanished as Kriash quickly gunned down the remaining two men beside Vash. He had betrayed Vash, turned to join the Blood Pack. Promised a great deal of power, money and all the red sand he could snort. The addiction became too much for the krogan, it had worsened the tensions between the once very close brothers. He wanted to take Vash in alive, hand him over the Blood Pack's leaders as a prize. Vash replied with a rapidly bashing his shotgun into his brother's face, and a brutal brawl ensued. Punches, bites and kicks were exchanged as the twins scrambled to take the other one down. He'd never thought it'd come to this, blood turning on blood.
Kriash seemed to take the upper hand, kneeling on top of his brother with a fierce, cocky grin. He slowly drew his own shotgun from his hip and prepared to finish off Vash. But he hesitated, looking into his brother's eyes. A glimmer of remorse and second thoughts etched through his drug addled mind. Still his finger grazed over the trigger, and Vash reacted as one would in a life or death situation. He slammed his knife into his brother's left eye, driving it as deep as he could. Kriash fell backwards howling in shock, as Vash moved to finish the deed. He kept pushing the knife through his twin's eye socket with all the strength he could muster, until the screaming and shaking stopped. Vash pulled himself to his feet, breathing heavy, tears forming in his eyes. Adrenaline pulsed throughout his veins and sadness filled his heart. He was given no time to immediately grieve as more Blood Pack troops arrived, and he fled.
Vash ran until he found a ship, any ship. Luck smiled upon him on the worst of his days as an empty cargo vessel came into view. He dashed inside, took the controls and hit the ignition. Rapidly pressing the buttons with intent as he tried desperately to escape death. The Blood Pack emptied shots into the ship's outer plating, as Vash finally launched the vessel off the surface the gunfire followed him into the air. Pushing the thrusters as hard as they could go, he flew out Zada Ban's orbit with intent, rocketing through the stars until he found the mass relay. Then with a push of the button he returned to Omega, tearings streaming across his face.
Upon his return to Omega he disbanded Drayak's Fist, needing to take the heat off of himself. He went into hiding after that, recommending any other surviving members to do the same. Vash spent much of this time grieving, his brother had been at his side his entire life. He didn't know he could honestly survive on his own, or live with the intense regret surrounding his death that overcame him. He vowed to not let the pain stop him, that he'd push on. His brother would have wanted that, his real brother, not the man that had been savagely twisted by red sand. As the hunt for him subsided, Vash slowly returned to mercenary work. He knew no other line of work, it was the only thing he honestly could do.
For almost the next two decades he worked as a freelance mercenary, taking whatever jobs he could which paid well. He lived a subtle lifestyle during that time, a hard addiction to alcohol helping to cure the intense regret and sadness which still coursed through him. Recently he's found himself aboard the Achilles, the prospect of an honest job appealing to him.
S K I L L S
- Close range combat - In his decades of mercenary work, and even stretching back to his time on Tuchanka, Vash has always excelled with firearms. Particularly in close range situations which is his specialty. Right in the heart of the fight where the imposing krogan is a force to be reckoned with. Whether armed with his M-76 Revenant or M-27 Scimitar he can be an absolute terror for any opponents unlucky enough to find themselves in his range.
- Explosives expert - A personal favorite, and a forte in which the krogan is well versed in, Vash knows the ins and outs when it comes to blowing things up. He carries a missile launcher for a reason, knowing when to deploy it. You give him explosive charges, he'll know just where to place them in order to breach a building, or even take it down.
- Hand to hand - In part due to his raw strength Vash is a tough foe to handle even unarmed. He can throw smaller opponents around with ease and deliver powerful blows with the best of them. He is someone that you would want alongside you in a streetfight.
- Mercenary leader - For nearly six decades Vash was the co-head of an esteemed mercenary company, Drayak's Fist. He was considered a great leader by those under him. He knows how mercenaries work and is a veteran of the lifestyle, able to sympathize with others in the field. He's also able to inspire those that fight beside him, and effectively lead them to do their best.
E Q U I P M E N T
- Elanus Risk Control Services heavy Warlord armor - Scratched and scarred, Vash has had this set of armor for as long as he can recall. Its survived him reliably for awhile now, and he has no plans to phase it out. With powerful shields it gives the fierce krogan strong protection on the battlefield, allowing him to do damage right in the brunt of the action.
- M-76 Revenant - His personal favorite firearm, taken off a Blue Suns' commander who 'didn't need it anymore'. Its an ideal weapon for Vash to lay down relentless suppressing fire as well as eliminating multiple foes and holding down an area. While less accurate at longer ranges, it makes up for it in the sheer amount of bullets it can unleash at a high damage rate.
- Ariake Technologies M-27 Scimitar - The first weapon he purchased, it holds sentimental value to the krogan mercenary. Capable of rapid fire, Vash has equipped his own with a makeshift bayonet. Essentially a large knife taped to the bottom of the front of the shotgun.
- ML-77 Missile Launcher - Ideal for an explosion loving mercenary like Vash, the ML-77 allows him to obliterate enemies as well as more heavily armored targets. The krogan will often use the weapon to disrupt enemy encampments, causing chaos on the battlefield.
- Aldrin Labs Bluewire omni-tool - Basic and fitting his needs, Vash made sure his variant came equipped with an omni-blade. Further increasing his deadliness in close quarters.
- Food rations - Ideal for longer missions, Vash carries a supply of rations in case he needs to quickly sate his hunger. They are kept in pouches on his belt and are various dried fruits and meats.
- Metal flask - Often containing some kind of hard liquor, Vash keeps it tucked on his belt. Its an 8oz flask, ideal for an alcoholic on the go like him.
A B I L I T I E S
- Incendiary Ammo
- Frag Grenade
- Defense Matrix
- Adrenaline Rush
PSYCH PROFILET R A I T S
+ Amiable
+ Honest
+ Resolute
- Blunt
- Reckless
- Unpredictable
V I C E S
- Alcoholic - His worst vice, Vash is frequently drunk when not on mission. Its especially rare to find him sober while onboard the Achilles. While he may not be totally wasted, he will more than likely have liquor in him. He's more of a happy, friendly alcoholic than a sad one, though when it is bad he isolates himself. He's pretty good about not drinking during missions, where he tries to keep a professional standard.
- Destruction/Explosion prone - When Vash is on mission, explosions are a common sight, they seem to follow him on the battlefield. While capable of subtlety, he much more prefers causing fire and explosions. He's found it is a much more 'certain' way to ensure success. As well as simply enjoying causing such acts. Collateral damage be damned.
- Kinslayer - Vash carries the infamy of having slain his twin brother, Kriash in combat decades ago. He's never discussed the exact details, and refuses to go into the incident. Still, others do know that he did kill his own brother. Bringing it up is a surefire way to get on his bad side.
- Bloodrage - The raw brutality of the krogan in combat is well known throughout the galaxy. When combat is at its absolute most frantic and Vash is taking a beating he will enter a heightened state in which a battle rage adrenalizes him. He will fight until every single enemy is dead on the floor, or he himself is. Ignoring pain, instead seeming to feed off it. As well as losing self control and logic. Its rare for him to enter it, but its an innate, well known trait of his species.
H A U N T
Vash takes residence in the lounge on the Achilles. A quaint area, filled with a few pieces of comfortable furniture, a bar and a card table. The krogan has molded part of it into his personal dwelling. Turning a large couch in the back into a makeshift bed he crashes on as well as dragging in a larger metal table which he places his gear out on. Weapons, equipment, ammunition and tools haphazardly spread across the tabletop. An old team poster of the Usaru Maestros has been taped on one of the walls, Vash a biotiball fan despite not being himself biotic. A television has been hooked up on another wall and often plays old action or horror movies. A speaker frequently blares rapid, heavy metal music throughout the room. He's taken personal care to stock the bar (often with Krogan liquor) while making frequent use of it.
He's welcoming to visitors, and leaves the furniture besides his couch mostly untouched. The bar is kept tidy, minus some empty bottles stocked to the side. Vash likes the room in part because he drink all he likes, as well as relax in a calm, stress free space. Much of his time is spent gazing out the portside window at the stars.
D R I V E
At face value, and if you ask Vash he'll simply state money. As well as pure enjoyment of doing what he does. He's not the kind of person to walk on a beach and grow old. While none of that is dishonesty, he does indeed value money and enjoy his work, deeper down its more of a fatalistic, almost nihilistic slant. That his species is a dying race, doomed to kill each other into extinction. He might as well burn out rather than fade away, there's no point in trying to build for the future. Make something of himself and live life to its fullest. That realization bears down hard on him. As well as the fact that he's still haunted by thoughts of killing his own brother, and will ultimately never escape them.