Don't let Tear scare you to much, he's all bark and a little bite... if you ask nicely XD

Never again.....

I rarely have reason to bite.. most people.. most of the time..

CallaLily180 said
Never again.....

What's that supposed to mean?

Tearstone said
Well, the katana is not so much an issue. To be Michonne clone, you'd need to be black girl, wielding a daikatana, nodachi, or o-katana. It's a bigger blade, though it is reminiscent of the blades that my school favors. Michonne also seems to have some formalized training, and skill with it. I wonder how Robin knows how to use this particular sword, in so much as being able to deal with at least three zombies after just picking the blade up. There is no mention of kendo, kenjutsu, iaido, iaijutsu or any other sword art in her history. Also, I would like some detail on the sword. Are we taking just an itto taken from the fireplace mantle, or are we talking damascus steel? Are we talking about mono-tempered, or differentially tempered? How old/new is it? Where did her folks get it from? Is it shirasaya style, or is it furnished? If you don't know, that's cool. I'll be happy to help you figure it out. I'm fine with a katana. I have two that are high carbon steel my self. I got them for pretty cheap, and I should have paid four times more for them and it would have been good. Knowing the history of the blade, at least in a basic sense will be good, even if Robin doesn't know it herself.As for the pocket knife... unless its really tiny, it can still be used to take out zombies as evidenced in the AMC series. Gotta be real close though. I've no problem with this either, as most of the time a pocket knife is a tool, rather than a weapon.

I don't really know much about a Katana. But one thing I accidently left out in the history was that her adopted father was very skilled with a katana, and taught her to use one. As far as age, it's about twenty years old, but it's in good condition. Like I said, I don't know really anything about swords, but I know more about swords than I do guns, so yeah XD

Okay. The sword probably is not a period sword from feudal era Japan. However, it is most likely a decently constructed sword. If you go with the walking dead's original timeline (there's been suggestion that the outbreak started in 2003) that would put the sword's ownership starting 1983. As you say her stepdad was very skilled with the japanese sword, I think he'd go for broke and get a blade that was probably hand forged and differentially tempered with high quality steel. So it's a 'real' katana. Is it as great as some of the old blades... no. (*grabs dice to check something*) On average it's a four to five body blade in the hands of a good, strong swordsman. The hamon is not brushed on, and there's probably decent crystallization in the steel. I would say it's got about a standard arc, so it's designed for a balance between cleaving flesh/bone, while still being useful against armor. If Robin's dad was one to frequently practice, his sword is probably based off of later century designs, around or just before the Meiji era. Japanese swordmakers and the samurai had gotten away from extremely detailed and ornate fittings in favor of simplicity and elegance. The main reason is the period was turning chaotic and the samurai needed function over being 'pretty' or over-embellished. They needed weapons that cut well, did their job, and they wouldn't feel bad for dinging up, and weren't so hard to repair.

Most real steel swords meant to be used in modern times are simple, elegant, but still quite beautiful in their design often going with black finishes for the scabbards and furniture. They tend to feature very pretty steel, with elegant lines and curves, and still pretty sharp.

So what we're probably talking about is something like this, or this.

Sorry, I'm a sword nut...martial arts in general, but definitely swords, and the way of the sword. Love European swords too.

Oh, as I meant to mention... 1983 was probably on the tail end of the "martial arts craze" period. So swords might have been cheap, or not so cheap. They could have been pretty prolific, and there were probably lots of stainless steel, poor quality ones out there. There were probably some itto, or metal practice blades being marketed as the real deal to unaware or ignorant buyers. As a kenjutsu and iaijutsu practitioner (as I'm sure her stepfather was) he'd know the difference and avoid them.

On a side note, that home probably has at least two bokken (wooden sword, great clubs and usually focuses blows better than bats). There may be a second katana on the property as well. That one is likely the practice blade, whereas a katana over the mantle may be a much more artistic piece (still real and functional).

Perhaps something like this:

Tearstone said
What's that supposed to mean?

Never again will I listen to your videos!

Awww, sadfaice... I provide awesome stuff in video format from time to time...

Tearstone said
Oh, as I meant to mention... 1983 was probably on the tail end of the "martial arts craze" period. So swords might have been cheap, or not so cheap. They could have been pretty prolific, and there were probably lots of stainless steel, poor quality ones out there. There were probably some itto, or metal practice blades being marketed as the real deal to unaware or ignorant buyers. As a kenjutsu and iaijutsu practitioner (as I'm sure her stepfather was) he'd know the difference and avoid them. On a side note, that home probably has at least two bokken (wooden sword, great clubs and usually focuses blows better than bats). There may be a second katana on the property as well. That one is likely the practice blade, whereas a katana over the mantle may be a much more artistic piece (still real and functional). Perhaps something like this:

Wow, you're very knowledgeable when it comes to swords, and that's nothing to be ashamed of. And yes, I do think that Robin will use that katana. Thank you for helping me.

I'd like to put this CS out there, if you'll have me?

Name: Brant Harlow
Age: 34
Height: 6'0
Build: Brant is a tall imposing man. His body is well muscled from 2 years of working in construction, and a previous 7 years of incarceration.
Appearance:

Family: Brant came from a large family living in the Lemon City neighbourhood of Miami. His mother, Karen, was a general welfare layabout with a pill addiction, and frequent bouts of alcoholism. His father, was absent from his life. His sister, Patricia, who is 2 years younger than him, lives in New York, having graduated from University in Business Administration. His half-brother, 2 years older than him, Michael was incarcerated when the outbreak occurred (incarcerated for murder). Brant's younger brother (12 years younger also a half brother), Carlos, was killed while attempting to rob a pawn shop 4 years ago. Brant found his mother at her home in Lemon City, zombified after the outbreak. She was at the time in her bedroom, and unable to bring himself to end her life, he locked the door. Presumably she is still there as a member of the living dead. The fate of Brant's sister is unknown, she never was able to contact Brant once the outbreak started, Brant fears the worst. His incarcerated brother Michael's fate is unknown, Brant assumes that being locked in a cell and in a prison removed from the city would have kept him safe. But he doubts the guards would have mercy on the prisoners, or attempt to help them or set them free.

Personality: Brant is a wisecracking jokester. He is sociable and outgoing. He has a natural intelligence, but circumstances of his life have left him uneducated. He's tough both physically and mentally to his upbringing.

Occupation Before: Brant has been a general layabout for most of his life. Growing up in the neighbourhood of Lemon City, he was near to crime and poverty all his life. With an absentee father, and a pill popping mother, he was left to his own devices, like many others children in the neighbourhood. He and his friends fell in with the wrong crowd, and started acting as lookouts for the drug related criminal activities taking place in their neighbourhood. Eventually he himself took to running drugs, finding the job both exhilarating and well paying. 9 years ago after an altercation with some thugs outside of a club, he was busted by the Miami PD for possession, and charged with possession, intent to distribute, and assault. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. After 7 years, he got out on parole(for good behaviour, community service, getting his GED, and lining up a job on the outside) still having to report to a parole officer. His job working for construction has been his occupation for the 2 or so years leading up to the outbreak.

Notable skills: Working construction for the past 2 years he has developed skills in that field, but is by no means a master electrician or carpenter. His skills there are still amateurish. He can drive. His physical ability, and years of practice have made him an excellent climber and runner. Living in Miami all his life, he's visited the beach more than a few times and can swim. Being a part of criminal enterprise his whole life, he knows quite a bit about controlled substances and can roll a very nice J. He can dance. Besides that, he's an average person with average capabilities.

Bio: Born and raised in Miami in the low income neighbourhood of Lemon City, Brant has been independent, and grew up tough with an absentee father, and a pill addicted mother. He never tried in school, barely passing each year, making his way up to high school. In high school, he and his friend stopped caring at all. They started smoking chronic, vandalising, stealing, and getting into fights. In his junior year, Brant dropped out of school, and with his best friend became lookouts for the same criminal organisation that his brother was running drugs for. That same year his older half-brother got into an altercation with some rivals outside a down town Miami club, and shot a man. His brother was charged and convicted, facing life imprisonment for murder.

Brant's mother, Karen tried to get Brant out of his criminal life path, and Brant for a while wanted too as well. Pressure from his friends and his boss to stay on, and take up his brothers mantle made him decide to stay. After a few years, he got the opportunity to be a runner, transporting and selling like his brother. He made more money, and started buying finer things, and fixed up his mom's house. But it wouldn't last. Now 25 Brant was at a club, trying to sell, when he and his friends got into an altercation with some rival criminals. The police were called, and Brant and his friends were busted, and Brant got 15 years in prison. He was let out after only 7 and decided to turn his life around at the behest of his mother. He took up a job working construction and rented an apartment in Lemon City, preferring to stay near his mother to take care of her. Now 34, the outbreak has happened and the whole world has been turned inside out. Fearing for his mothers life upon hearing the news of the outbreak, he skipped work and went to his mothers home, bringing some of his things and supplies with him. Once there the home appeared abandoned. He went into the basement to fetch the pistol his mother had always kept, when he heard a thud upstairs, coming from his mother room. He went up there to investigate, only to find his mother had turned. Unable to bring himself to end her life, he closed the door, and barred the way by pushing a shelf in front of the door. He ransacked the house taking whatever he could find that was useful, including his mothers pistol, some spare ammunition, and his trusty sledgehammer from the construction yard.

Disability/Fear:
Moderate to severe allergies to: Pollen, dust, hay fever, and pet dander.

Weapon of Choice:
A Sledgehammer


A Beretta 92FS 9mm Pistol


Equipment:
2 x Boxes of Federal Premium 9x19mm Handgun Ammunition (20 Rounds per Box)
2 x Ten Round detachable box magazines for pistol
Black Backpack
2 x 1 Litre Plastic Disposable water bottles (full)
5 x Cans of fruit
1 x Jar of Pickles
1 x Large bag of dried jerky
1 x Large bag of pepperettes
2 x Rayovac Industrial handheld flashlights (no extra batteries, unknown charge levels of current batteries)
1 x Box of Band aids
1 x 100ml (full currently) bottle of Benedryl Allergy medication
2 x Tubes of deodorant
1 x Nail scissors
Black NYY baseball cap (Worn)
A pair of faded blue jeans (Worn)
A purple collared flanel (worn)
A white undershirt (worn)
A pair of brown and blue Nike shoes (worn)
A pair of grey socks (worn)

Five bucks says the flashlight, bandaids, were nicked from work.

Approved. I have not found this sheet lacking. Also, great bioi and background.

Did you have your heart set on one group over the other?

Btw, Thomas might have been the ass that ran the prosecution that put your character behind bars...

Perhaps :3

Thank you.

I do not have a particular preference. Whichever group you think best.

I have to go to work. Will be back in a few hours.

Btw, where'd the pistol come from? I know he's familiar with the criminal underwold, but he's on parole and probation...

Also, what poundage is the sledge. There's some debate. It'll make a diff when swinging it.

The Sledge is 14 lbs.

I will write into Bio, pistol taken from his mothers house. You're right that being on probation, he wouldn't have a firearm. So I'll have it say he took it and the ammunition from his mothers home.

If Thomas is the DA that put him away, Brant might have some choice words for him. Although Brant would recognise that their is strength in numbers.

I like the two new characters

Brant Harlow, the only WASP to ever come from Little Haiti.

Shit I'll bite reserve me

Polyphemus said
Brant Harlow, the only WASP to ever come from Little Haiti.

Hey now, 4.78% of Little Haiti population is White. But yea, I get what you're saying.