D-D-D-D-Double post!While waiting for my time to join you fine folks, I made a second character. Because we're allowed to have two. And I'm on vacation, so I got the time. And I'm altoholic, so I've been pestering poor Paul with ideas and prototypes.
Appearance:Name: Relica Rune Nox-Umbra
Race: Gremlin
(Imp Family subspecies)Magic/Abilities/Equipment:- Arch Intellect: Gremlins are, by nature or sorcery, very bright and clever creatures. Blessed with high intelligence, creativity, ingenuity and just your bog-standard smarts, they're a highly intelligent breed of monsters who can apply their brilliant minds in many fields. Chief among these are their ability to understand, work, use and repair technology, from ancient lost civilizations and things they themselves (or others) have made. They're also real wizzes with things like magitek and magic items. Relica's no exception and is as sharp as the rest of her species.
- Tiny Frame: While Gremlins indeed have big brains, they unfortunately suffer from small bodies. Short of stature, light of weight and with no real physical or magical power to speak of, it's pretty safe to say that a Gremlin without her tech is a rather harmless and weak creature. For this reason, please handle them with care, as being too rough with them might accidentally break something. Also don't sit on them!
- Modular Energized Exo-Pack: A fancy name for (what is basically) a fancy backpack. Containing a small magitek engine, this is the 'heart' of the Gremlin's mechanized back-mounted tools and weaponry. Padded and built to withstand knocks, bops, thumps and scratches, they somehow forgot to insulate it against electricity... Still, it's probably the most reliable and constant piece of equipment a Gremlin has, which is good since it's also the most critically important.
- Robo-Octo Arms: Since their own arms and hands are small and scrawny, the Gremlin compliments her lack of own physical strength by relying on these. A pair of full-metal octo-arms that're both flexible, durable and strong, complete with mechanical graspers at the end. These can be used for many tasks and puirposes, from climbing vertical surfaces, reaching things in high places (like on top of a shelf), using heavy tools or moving large objects, pinning a would-be assailant down or keeping them otherwise restrained, and so on and so forth, the list goes on and you get the general gist of it, yes? These octo-arms extend from the M.E.E.P and, as such, are sadly also vulnerable to high-voltage currents. Amazingly, Gremlins can operate these mechanized limbs with extreme precision and dexterity.
- Aerial Movement Propeller: Another device packed into the M.E.E.P. When activated, a propeller extends from the top and rises above the Gremlin, and then begins to spin. Using this device, the Gremlin can take flight and soar into the sky like a tiny, teeny gyrocopter. Be warned, the device is carefully callibrated to support the weight of the Gremlin and her current load-out, and is not meant to be used for ferrying heavy cargo or other would-be passengers. Such foolishness may cause the rotors to overheat and... Well... Explode... Also, don't use this thing during bad weather, like heavy rain or blizzrds or thunderstorms... It could end very poorly for the pilot. Also, keep it away from electricity.
- Condensed Essence Blasters: These small forearm-mounted projectile weapons are the basic defensive and offensive tool of the Gremlin. Their name says it all really, they fire bolts or blasts of condensed magic essence. their output can be modified with a built-in switch, which allows them to be set to cause nothing more than a stinging burn, to hitting like a catapulted flaming brick. Unfortunately, the condensed magic in the shots lose stability as they travel, so this weapon cannot be used effectively at long range and is best for close to mid-range fighting. Reaptedly firing blasts at the highest setting may result in overheating and/or malfunctioning... And keep them away from electricity. Their ammo is supplied by the M.E.E.P.
- Hunter-Attacker Drones: Connected to the M.E.E.P. is a pair of controllable drones. These're operate dby the Gremlin via a handy-dandy control-device on one of her gloves, as well as through the use of her hi-tech goggles. When launched, the two drones will fly around and can either be controlled manually, or set to operate by a predetermined prtocol. Roughly the size of your typical ripe apple, thsee little machines will fly about and can be used to either attack the Gremlin's foes or perform scouting duties. They have a small arsenal of weaponry, which includes a short-range shock/arc-thrower. A pair of sharp wings that can be used to cut or slice, and a small drill that can be used to bore into things. Like with their big cousin the flying rotor-machine though, they're basically useless in poor weather. They also can't fly too far away from the Gremlin, less they lose contact with the M.E.E.P. and just end up crashing. They're also not meant to be hit or struck, by anything. If in use when a strong eletric shock hits the M.E.E.P, they may go haywire and start attacking anyone or everyone... Or go after the Gremlin for revenge.
- Jump-Boots: These snazzy footwear-friends are spring-loaded with helpful stuff. For one, they have built in boosters, which allows the Gremlin to leap really high or far. They also have magnetic cores that can be activated in order to stick to a surface - meaning a Gremlin can walk upside-down on the ceiling or vertically up or down a wall. Unlike her previous tools, the Jump-Boots have a self-contained energy cell and arenn't dependant on the M.E.E.P. Still, their battery-life is nowhere near as good and neeed to be recharged manually. They also tend to go berserk if they get electrocuted... Which could possibly yield hilarious results.
- Macro Assistant Goggles: These cool-as-beans goggles are one of the Gremlin's most useful tools! Not only do they look stylish and swag, but they also protect against getting crap in your eyes. As well as doubling as a welding mask, having the ability to switch between night and thermal-vision, having a HUD and zoom-and-camera-function. The goggles have both an internal self-contained energy cell or can be connected to the M.E.E.P. via either cord or wireless transceiver. A strong electric shock will however cause them to blackout.... Which could yield hilarious results if someone's wearing them.
- Hyper-Velocity Ray Cannon: This large, bulky piece of weaponry is a Relica-original. The item surges and crackles with magic energy from the various coils and outlets along its frame. While nothing more than a rifle to the average man, it looks more like a shoulder-mounted bazooka when Relica uses it. What does it do? it fires a highly concentrated blast-beam of very dense magic that can cause a very large explosion. Unfortunately, the recoil of the weapon is so strong that you really can't fire it more than once... And in the case of Relica using it herself, the force is so great that she litteraly gets thrown backwards after firing. This device is not safe for indoor-use, nor should it be handled by unskilled hands.
- Sonic Wave Accelrator Gadget: The S.W.A.G. is a Relica-original. Looking like a small metal traffic cone with a small flat, round directional speaker on top. What does it do? After being placed and activated, either by flicking a switch or using a remote, the S.W.A.G. will release wave upon wave of thunderously loud and crippling base-enriched bursts of sound. The thundering noise is so great that it can actually cause windows to shatter and leave people in a fetal position on the ground, covering their ears. Unfortunately, the internal battery gets drained really fast and if someone were to knock it over while in use, it could cause a lot of mayhem. When activating at close range, please make sure you use the built-in timer, less you want to be the very first person to experience the weaponization of audio.
- Magitek Bombs: These grenade-like grenades are constructed using magitek techniques. For those who cannot cast magic or use other supernatural powers, these little egg-sized trinkets are about as close as you'll ever get to throwing a fireball. Their use is fairly simple, you pick one up, click the trigger on the top and then throw it at whatever or whoever you want to blow up. Depending on their core, they can explode in a variety of elements from fire, cold, electricity, wind or water, to more exotic things like mud, poison, acid or lava. Please use extreme caution when carrying or using these items, as even accidentally pressing the trigger - for whatever reason - will cause the bomb to explode within three seconds.
- Multi-Missile-Module: This rectangular weapon of dubious design is rather remarkable. With its six holes (in a hexagonal shape) at the front, it can be used to fire a variety of explosive rockets all at the same time! Be these fireworks for a festivals or actual death-dealiing explosives for battle, you decide! Or well, the one who loaded it decides. Be warned, there is no targetting-function on this thing and the rockets tend to have ... variable... trajectories and fligiht-paths. Basically... You're not safe if this thing's fired... Even if you're the one firing it... 'Cuz a rocket might just decide to do a loop and come racing back down towards you. Or just hit the ground right infront of you. Or fly off to the side and hit your neighbour... No, this is not personal experience!
- Taserton: A cross between a taser, a baton and a lightsaber. This hilt-like object has the power to unleash and maintain a steady, set-length flow of electric energy. This can then be used to whack people or critters with, causing a stunning shock that may paralyze them - or at least really, really hurt. It's especially effective against numbskulls who go parading around in suits of metal armor! Be warned though, if the energy cell runs low, the field maintaining the length and stability of the electric charge can get a bit unreliable... AKA, it'll likely arc and hit whoever's closest to it... Namely the wielder.
- Toolbox: Relica brought her trusty toolbox with her. This contains every and any tool you might need! From screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, spanners, measuring-tape and rulers to magnifying glasses, drills, buzz-and-chain-and-regular saws, grinders, vices and various welding equipment. It's a really big toolbox.
- Bag o' Bits: Knowing she'd be going to an underdeveloped location, Relica brought a bag of supplies with her. This bag contains everything you need to maintain magitek or advanced technology and equipment! Things like gears, cogs, accuators, cells, coils, springs, oil cans, condensers, magnets, gunpowder, magic shards, you naem it! ... But, it is just one finite bag (well, it's more like a sack). Once these supplies run out, Relica's gonna have to rely on whatever materials she can scrounge up while on Shizuyama.
- Relica's Workbench: This handy-dandy workstation belongs to Relica. In reality, it's nothing more than a really sturdy metal desk, with some various tools and knick-knacks on or inside it, meant to help her when she's performing maintenanced or working on a new project. Obviously, this bench isn't something that can be brought along when wandering, and so, it remains at a safe location wherefrom Relica operates, and is the place you will find her whenever she's not on a mission or performing any other tasks. There's a big sign nailed to one side that reads, in big bold red letters: DO NOT TOUCH!
- Creativity: As a Gremlin and a professional tinkerer, Relica has a knack and habit for coming up with ideas for gizmos, gadgets and trinkets. Be these powered by magic, steam, oil or electricity, or just mechanical and hand-powered, she can think of many useful (or not so useful) things in that mighty brain of her's. And given her limited supplies of quality materials, she might well have to come up with alternatives to her regular gear sooner rather than later.
- Military Training: Despite her looks and personality, Relica is a trained and active soldier in her country's army. This means she has knowledge and education in both tactics and warfare, and while she doesn't hold a position as an officer or squad leader, she does have more understanding about large-scale combat than some random chump who just picked up a sword and decided that they're a warrior now. Also having fought in two seperate wars prior to Shizuyama's plight, she may well be one of the more experienced monsters on the Taskforce... A truly frightening fact...
Personality:Sassy, sarcastic, confident, condescending, inquistive and smart-mouthed. These're just some of the traits that describe Miss Relica Rune Nox-Umbra, a feisty lady of diminiutive stature. While she typically puts on a cool, collected and in-control visage in front of others, trying to act all composed and what-have-you. However, there're innumerable things and situations that can shatter this facade.
Chief among these is just picking her up. She doesn't like being held or carried by others. When this happens, her foul-mouthed, frantic and beligerent side comes out, and she'll flail, kick, scream, insult and perhaps even try to bite you in order to be released. She absolutely hates when novices (meaning anyone but herself or other gremlins) try to tinker with or touch any of her various pieces of gear. She hates it even more when someone or something breaks one of her precious pieces of equipment and will become quite enraged at this too. Miss Relica also hates losing or when things don't go according to her plans/predictions, and she has a prideful and stubborn side to her that won't allow her to admit defeat or take a loss easily.
The gremlin has a rather negative view of most other species, thinking them below herself and not more than barbaric primitives. The exception to this rule though are golems, automatons, living dolls or otehr types of constructs, which she has a strangely positivie and warm attitude towards. She gets annoyed easily when people don't grasp (to her) simple concepts or ask (in her eyes) stupid or self-explanatory questions., and she can get exasperted quite quickly. She has a sharp tongue and a quick wit, is highly intelligent and has no real interest in anything except technology and/or magic trinkets/items.
She views most things like traditino and religion as a waste of time and effort. Progress can only be made by striving for the future, not clinging to the past and antiquated sentiments or principles. Having tradition or faith is fine, as long as those things don't trap and restrict your ability to innovate and grow or change. Besides that, did we mention she absolutely detests being treated as a child or talked down to? Yeah, don't do that, unless you wanna risk getting a wrench to the face. She's got quite the temper this little one.
Despite all this, for all her flaws, Relica does have some positive attributes. For one, whenever she's working on something, be it a new invention or repairing something, her focus will be so intense and devoted that she won't have the opportunity to sass or give her usual lip. In these rare moments, she can actually be both insightful, sagacious, wise and a source of genuine good advice or self-contemplation. She's an open-minded person, often looking at things from multiple angles and is very rarely dismissive of others thoughts or feelings. While she's indeed an academic and person who values rationality, she understands that not all things - especially people - are driven by sense or logic. Besides this, she has a huge sweet-tooth and can quite easily be bribed (even if she tries to act reluctant) into doing things if you provide enough treats. When she's truly happy, her ears will also twitch cutely.
Relica also seems to be very kind-hearted and thoughtful of any construct-type monsters, taking it upon herself to make sure they're fully functional in good condition. She can actually be rather sweet and amiable when around such a monster girl. Don't get the wrong idea though, she'll still be snippy and rude, just less so and far less sincerely than usual.
She gets angry when her height is brought up or made fun of. She can be vulgar and snarky, but she doesn't go around looking for fights or trying to stir things up. In reality, she'd prefer to just be allowed to spend time at her workshop and tinker away.
Background:Relica was born in the Grelden Archipelago, a mixed races-nation, governed by humans primarily. While largely accepting of most monster races, the nation did have some reservations and bigotry towards a few species. Her mother was a part of the University of Acquired Science and her father was... Some dude... from... somewhere... Regardless! As a child, Relica had great respect and admiration for her mother, wanting to follow in her footsteps and become a sciente-tinkerer-professor too. Sadly,, life doesn't always go as you'd hoped or planned, and some roughly 20 years ago, her homeland was invaded by a hostile outside force. Having just come of age at the time, Relica was drafted into the military and put to work defending her nation from these hostiles.
Her first foray into war didn't go so well, as she was young, inexperienced and not-the-least-bit motivated. She got injured multiple times and was nearly killed on more than one occasion. Still, the gremlin managed to survive long enough to see the end of the war, which ended in a white peace - no winner, no loser, just a bunch of fighting that didn't accomplish anyhting except casualties and damage to both sides.
However, despite this, the military were unwilling to allow the young gremlin to return home. The top brass had decided that they wanted to put together a new special force in case of future conflicts. As such, they created the Mechanized Battle Corps, a unit composed of gremlins and various construct-type monsters. The higher-ups viewed the automatons and golems as durable, disposable machines that could fight in place of the common citizens - which would minimize the loss of
actual lives. Gremlins, though, were assigned to this unit as the 'medics' to take care of and keep the construct monster girls in fit and fighting shape. Relica had already seen many of these golems and constructs fight hard for the nation during the war, and was more than a little upset about the callous treatment these valiant girls were given.
About eight years ago, another war broke out in her homeland. A 'holy crusade' came to try and purge her realm, and the Mechanized Battle Corps were deployed to repel the threat. Having had more time to train, tinker and grow, Relica performed considerably better in her second campaign. Eventually, the combined efforts of the regular army and her Special Corps managed to defeat the aggressors. However, this time, Relica verbally voiced her discontent and disgust with how the golems and other mechanae members of her unit was treated. This landed her in no small amounts of hot water with the higher ups.
After this, Relica would repeatedly butt heads and get into arguments with officers and officials, causing no small amount of headache for her superiors. When the call then came from the Far East, that an inari-woman needed help in reppelling an invasion of evil humans, the army saw their chance. Initially unsure of what to do, when they received the report that there was an automaton among Lady Kyouko's forces, a proverbial light bulb lit up above their heads. Using her past experience and memories of fighting 'evil' humans and her compassion for machine-girls, the brass managed to convince Relica to travel to the Taskforce of Kyouko as their representative.
Demon or Griffon
Behold the Gremliness!