Drifting Pollen

Ascension Arena: Champion Maker

AKIVA

She crouched on a high rooftop, watching.

This place was the wrong kind of quiet. Not the silence of an empty wasteland, not the stillness of an empty sky, nor even the hush of wild creatures when they knew Akiva was stalking. This was... empty. Eerie. This was a place of buildings and windows and doors, a hive that should be full and bustling with men and women and sweet tiny children. But from her perch, all Akiva could see were three tall warriors, chattering amongst themselves. One, a female, spoke harshly to the others, and then left.

Are these my prey? Akiva wondered. They all looked big, and strong, and fast. Lots of muscle, which meant lots of meat, but also a long chase. But it didn't feel like it was the right time yet. These hunts had rules, and Akiva didn't think she was supposed to be stalking them just yet.

She could watch, though. There were no rules about watching.

Her eyes drifted to the notices, posted in loud, clear letters. She could see them well even from all the way up here; Akiva had good eyes, but all the same the letters were finnicky and weird, unfamiliar. She'd never quite gotten used to all those squiggly lines, those foreign words.

Slowly, slowly, she read through the letters one by one, her lips forming the words as she began to comprehend. "Twi... Lite... Dra... Gun..." The Champion, which was another word for Alpha. The biggest and strongest of the pack.

Akiva ran her tongue over her teeth. I want to meet him...

Ascension Arena: Champion Maker

Akiva

Name: Akiva Roe
Appearance: Height 4'6'', Wingspan 9', Weight 67lbs



Bloodline: 100% Seraph

Seraph abilities

100%+: Choose an element. You can become that element entirely and manipulate it freely up to ten meters around for thirty seconds. Immune to physical strikes while in this form. Has a ten minute cooldown. (Element chosen: METAL) 2 Soul cost each manipulation
90%+: Choose an element. You are entirely immune to it. (Element chosen: METAL)
80%+: Can absorb soul from those you touch. Recovering wounds, and stamina as well. Can conjure steel armor or weapons. Can only conjure and use only one piece of armor or weapon. When one is destroyed then another can be summoned. 2 Soul cost +1 Stamina or Soul per second.
70%+: Can form small portals down to the size of a fist.
60%+: Can create a person sized portal up to twenty meters away within sight. If two are made can move between the two. Can only have two portals active at once. When a third is made the last two disappear. 2 Soul cost
50%+: Can sense when a portal is being formed nearby up to five meters.
40%+: Large angelic wings allowing flight.
30%+: Small wings on the back to allow even swifter movements x2 speed.
20%+: Can see the souls of those before them.
10%+: Naturally lighter and a bit swifter.

Items: 0 gold, 1 Musket Rifle, 4 bullets.
Special abilities: Nothing.
S/S: 20 Soul / 20 Stamina

Background: Akiva is a hunter, a Seraph of the wild forests far beyond the reach of civilization. For years upon years, she ate only what she could forage or kill, slept only under the open sky, and fought to survive on a daily basis. There were other Seraphs like her in the jungles, remnants of a long-fallen tribe who competed with her for territory. Whenever she killed one of her brethren, Akiva would pluck the feathers from their wings, weaving them into her clothes to serve as warning to her challengers.
However, this savage existence could not continue forever. Gradually, lone explorers found their way into the forests, followed by woodcutters, slavers, and finally settlers. As many of the other hunter-gatherers were killed or enslaved, Akiva realized that her only chance of surviving would be to integrate with civilization.
She started out as a guide, leading explorers through the forest and learning their language. Then she became a trader, selling parts of the beasts she killed, and learned to use the more advanced weaponry of the colonists who had invaded her home. Even as the wilderness was conquered, she adapted, and survived.
All the same, she could never quite become accustomed to civilized society. Akiva was a natural-born killer, but her talents were hardly appreciated in her new surroundings, especially once the game in the forests was replaced by tamed, grazing animals. So when word reached her ears of gladiatorial contests being held further inland, she knew she'd found her calling. If the wilderness was gone, then let her hunt in the arena, pushing her skills to their limit against the most deadly prey of all...

Ascension Arena: Champion Maker

Everything is excellent except for the immunity to an element has to align with the element chosen to become. So she essentially will be immune to metal.

@Rai

Aight, fixed that.

Am I good to post her in the char tab?

Ascension Arena: Champion Maker

@Rai

Character sheet!

Name: Akiva Roe
Appearance: Height 4'6'', Wingspan 9', Weight 67lbs



Bloodline: 100% Seraph

Seraph abilities

100%+: Choose an element. You can become that element entirely and manipulate it freely up to ten meters around for thirty seconds. Immune to physical strikes while in this form. Has a ten minute cooldown. (Element chosen: METAL) 2 Soul cost each manipulation
90%+: Choose an element. You are entirely immune to it. (Element chosen: METAL)
80%+: Can absorb soul from those you touch. Recovering wounds, and stamina as well. Can conjure steel armor or weapons. Can only conjure and use only one piece of armor or weapon. When one is destroyed then another can be summoned. 2 Soul cost +1 Stamina or Soul per second.
70%+: Can form small portals down to the size of a fist.
60%+: Can create a person sized portal up to twenty meters away within sight. If two are made can move between the two. Can only have two portals active at once. When a third is made the last two disappear. 2 Soul cost
50%+: Can sense when a portal is being formed nearby up to five meters.
40%+: Large angelic wings allowing flight.
30%+: Small wings on the back to allow even swifter movements x2 speed.
20%+: Can see the souls of those before them.
10%+: Naturally lighter and a bit swifter.

Items: 0 gold, 1 Musket Rifle, 4 bullets.
Special abilities: Nothing.
S/S: 20 Soul / 20 Stamina

Background: Akiva is a hunter, a Seraph of the wild forests far beyond the reach of civilization. For years upon years, she ate only what she could forage or kill, slept only under the open sky, and fought to survive on a daily basis. There were other Seraphs like her in the jungles, remnants of a long-fallen tribe who competed with her for territory. Whenever she killed one of her brethren, Akiva would pluck the feathers from their wings, weaving them into her clothes to serve as warning to her challengers.
However, this savage existence could not continue forever. Gradually, lone explorers found their way into the forests, followed by woodcutters, slavers, and finally settlers. As many of the other hunter-gatherers were killed or enslaved, Akiva realized that her only chance of surviving would be to integrate with civilization.
She started out as a guide, leading explorers through the forest and learning their language. Then she became a trader, selling parts of the beasts she killed, and learned to use the more advanced weaponry of the colonists who had invaded her home. Even as the wilderness was conquered, she adapted, and survived.
All the same, she could never quite become accustomed to civilized society. Akiva was a natural-born killer, but her talents were hardly appreciated in her new surroundings, especially once the game in the forests was replaced by tamed, grazing animals. So when word reached her ears of gladiatorial contests being held further inland, she knew she'd found her calling. If the wilderness was gone, then let her hunt in the arena, pushing her skills to their limit against the most deadly prey of all...

Ascension Arena: Champion Maker

@Rai Quick question:

I noticed some of the Bloodlines let you 'choose an element' for certain abilities. And I'm wondering what qualifies as an 'element' here. Is it just the basic four elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Air) or would things like Shadow or Ice be selectable?

SLAM - Pollen Vs. Doc

There! Tekla #2 spied an opening as Catskull dodged to her right. He hadn’t been entirely ready for her attack, and while it wasn’t enough to make him lose his balance, it was a sign that he was cracking. Her retreat was slightly slower than his advance, putting them at a little less than her maximum range, and that would close more if she wasn’t careful. She needed to hit him now, before he could recover his focus.

She guided her weapon even as it swung down where Catskull had been, controlling its descent. When the falling weight bounced violently off the road, she immediately flicked the chain rightwards, so that the rebound swung towards her opponent's legs to entangle him. With the attack coming so soon after her previous one, and from a likely unexpected angle, she’d have a better shot at snagging him this time.

In an adjacent timeline, however, there was no opening.

Any good fighter could try and anticipate their enemy’s moves, to some extent, but Catskull seemed to have predictive abilities Tekla #4 could only dream of. Could this be sorcery? Or was he just a prodigy? What little she’d heard about him suggested the former, but right now she didn’t have time to ponder- he was closing too fast, her attacks barely slowing him down as he sprinted forwards.

The sight filled her with a mixture of excitement and fear, and she let it show. Her eyes narrowed, worry flickering across her features, and her right hand fumbled and dropped the chain before she could fully draw it in.

He predicted correctly: she did try and take him by surprise as he came within two meters of her arm’s reach. Her retreat suddenly stopped, her back leg bent and her right arm hanging low near her side while her left hand swung upwards, throwing the weight she’d held and a few loops of chain at his head. Abandoning her weapon entirely, in a wild act of desperation.

Emphasis on ‘act.’

Tekla #3 frowned at Catskull’s strange use of the rapier and started retreating - but more slowly than the others had, letting him come closer without quite giving him full control over their distance. Rather than immediately striking again with her chain, she began to loop it loosely around her left arm. For some reason this one had changed tactics, though what her plan might be now remained to be seen.

Tekla #1, however, was feeling less patient. With her first strike missing him just barely, she whipped her chain efficiently back and stepped forwards with her left foot. “Why do you even carry a sword-" She swung it overhead, slamming it down at him from above as she stepped forwards with her right. “-if you only fight with your tongue?”

SLAM - Pollen Vs. Doc

@Doc Doctor

Tekla #2 raised an eyebrow as Catskull’s sword came down and stopped her chain short of ensnaring its intended target. Not bad. The man came forwards, and she backed away, pushing off her right foot and transitioning from there into a quick series of retreating steps. The distance between them would close slightly, but not enough to bring her within reach of his sword. As things stood, she had the range advantage, and she wasn’t going to let go of it so easily.

The slack meant she couldn’t bring her chain rushing back for an immediate follow-up, but she still had her hands, and they worked quickly to draw it in. Once it was free of the sword she’d pull it back, spinning it once to build up momentum before letting its length loose again, this time in a wide overhead arc that would bring it hurtling down towards Catskull’s head from above.

Tekla #4, meanwhile, was lagging slightly behind #2, though her eyebrow rose slightly higher as Catskull defended, and she seemed to smile a little. This one’s movements are masterful. She retreated in much the same manner as her counterpart #2, before proceeding with the same attack, though there was a slight difference- she moved just a little faster, filled with adrenaline by the thrill of meeting such a skilled opponent.

The other two Teklas were just making their opening strikes. Tekla #1, unimpressed by a man who seemed to be nothing but talk, would stride into range before attacking with a similar movement to #2 and #4’s initial attempts to entangle their opponent’s leg. This one, however, was aimed higher: roughly at chest level, meant to strike him hard in the ribs with the weight at the end of the chain, bringing his rant to a premature end.

Tekla #3 diverged the most, reacting strongly to Catskull’s change of armaments. She made no attempt to rush him, but struck before #1 on account of her opponent’s own forward movement. Rather than lunge, she swung her right arm gently forwards, a movement too slow to be an attack in and of itself. Then her grip loosened, and she snapped out with a crisp, powerful kick from her right leg. She was much too far away for this to hit Catskull, but he wasn’t the intended target- rather, she kicked the dangling weight on the end of her chain, shooting it straight towards Catskull’s head, aiming to smack him with a concussive blow before he could bring his shield up.

SLAM - Pollen Vs. Doc

@Doc Doctor

Original timeline (#1):

The man stopped, introducing himself, and Tekla Pavlovna raised an eyebrow. Either this one was far pettier than he appeared, or he was stalling for time, trying to get her guard down. Perhaps he meant to take her by surprise? Or perhaps he was just waiting for the right moment to try and run. Pride demanded she answer him, but common sense kept her from getting wrapped up in conversation.

“In these lands, I do not have a name. They do not know me here.” She stepped forwards with her left foot, fiddling with the chain in her hands. “But since you ask very nicely, I can tell you what my name will be.” She gripped one weighted end with her left, letting the other dangle about three feet down from her right. “After today, Cat Skull, they will call me Skull Breaker.”

With that, she began to amble towards him, slowly closing the distance between them. If he didn’t react or interrupt her, she’d come within fifteen feet.

A dangerous distance, as Catskull would already be learning elsewhere.

Alternate timeline (#2):

The man drew his weapon, carrying on implacably towards her. As she’d thought, he wasn’t one for words. Tekla stepped forwards with her left foot, fiddling with the chain in her hands. She gripped one weighted end with her left, letting the other dangle about three feet down from her right. In this manner she waited, letting her opponent come to her.

At least, until he began the stride that would bring them within fifteen feet of one another.

It was then that she pushed off her left foot and lunged forwards with her right. Her right arm snapped out, right elbow swinging ahead of her before fully extending, throwing the free end of the chain forwards her opponent. Her left arm came forwards as the weapon flew, keeping the chain from going taut before it reached its target.

It was like a striking snake, so smooth and swift the eye could barely track it. Nine feet long, moving forwards and slightly leftwards so that the weight and the last foot of chain spun around Catskull’s leading right leg as it came down, wrapping it tight. Before he came anywhere near close enough to use his sword, he’d be ensnared- and Tekla would waste no time in yanking the chain back, pushing off her bent right leg and using her whole body’s strength to try and haul his right foot forwards and upwards, ruining his balance and bringing him crashing to the ground.

SLAM - Pollen Vs. Doc

...and she was leaning against a wall, arms folded in front of her, narrowed eyes watching the dark silhouette steadily make its way up the road.

The villagers did not know why the foreign woman had appeared in their hamlet, nor did they ask. True, she was female, unarmed, and armored only in wool and silk- but her thick, tattooed arms and cold stare were answer enough for most. A strange kind of thug, alright, but the rule remained the same: stay away, mind your own business, and you probably won't get hurt.

Probably.

As with any rule, there are exceptions. Like that big man in black, walking up just now. He was only passing through, not even stopping on the way, and yet his arrival triggered a change in the muscular woman. She had been still, solid as a rock, but now her burly arms unfolded. One reached behind her, and emerged holding a long loop of steel chain weighted with a small block of metal at either end. The other swung at her side as she stepped out from her resting place, her eyes never leaving the man in black. As he came within thirty feet, she planted her feet in the middle of the street, straight in his path.

"You are the Cat Skull?" Her voice was deep, her tone bored. The chain in her hands clinked as she unwound it, one weighted end now dangling from her right hand. If her expression was any indication, she didn't much care whether her question was answered one way or another, or even at all. He looked tough enough. He would do.

SLAM - Pollen Vs. Doc

Name: Tekla Pavlovna



Physical parameters:
Height: 6 feet 3 inches
Weight: 217 lbs
Max Lift: 1000 lbs (from the ground)
Max Sprint: 25 mph (unarmored)
Visual Reaction Time: 120 ms

Abilities & Skills:
Armament: Tekla can summon weapons and armor out of nowhere, quickly equipping herself with whatever tools are most appropriate for the situation. She can customize the details of objects she creates (ex: if she conjured up a sword she could decide the shape and length of the blade, and whether it was made of steel, iron, wood, etc), but her ability can't produce gunpowder or complex mechanisms, preventing her from summoning firearms or tech-based weaponry. Additionally, she cannot create anything weighing more than 100 lbs. A vague, blurry outline of whatever she is summoning will appear for about a third of a second before the object comes fully into existence.
She can have a maximum of two weapons or armor pieces summoned at a time- if she already has two and wants to create something else, then one of those two will disappear. Additionally, after she summons an item she cannot summon another until three seconds have passed.

Training:
As one might expect, her fighting style is built around mastery of arms. A jack-of-all-trades, she can fight at a proficient level with almost any weapon under the sun, or forgo them entirely and hold her own in hand-to-hand. In terms of skill she can't match a specialist in any one style, but she's extremely adaptable and a very fast learner.

Background:
Tekla is the daughter of a powerful Russian mobster, whose criminal empire had allowed him to accumulate vast wealth and prestige. Initially he planned to pass on the 'family business' to a male heir, and largely ignored Tekla during her early years. She was raised by her mother, a surprisingly gentle woman, and lived mostly in happiness.

When her parents failed to produce a son, however, Tekla's father decided that she would have to be his successor, and set about grooming her for the role. He pushed her to get smarter, stronger, more ruthless by the day, and punished her harshly when she failed to meet his expectations, forcing the young girl to quickly adapt into the fierce, controlled, physically powerful machine she is today.

Early on there was little Tekla could do about her situation. No matter how hard she pushed herself, her father always seemed to want her to do more, better, more quickly. As one might expect, she eventually began to rebel. Deliberately failing him wouldn't have done much but earn her more punishment, but inwardly she swore that she would never take up the mantle he intended for her. Rather than being a person who trampled and exploited others, she would be a champion, someone with no need to rely on petty cruelties to maintain her strength.

By her teen years, she was already a capable young woman, and considering her options for the future. She couldn't stay in Russia, so would have to move overseas- the moment came sooner than she'd expected, however. Soon after she turned fifteen, her father fell ill and died.

There was no time to waste. With only a short goodbye to her mother, Tekla immediately fled the country, leaving her father's organization to crumble into a mess of squabbling factions. Although the old man had hardly treated her well, he did leave her with a significant amount of wealth and some useful, if shady, connections. It was these she used to secure herself a place at the pretigious Seirin Private Academy, a school devoted to physical conditioning and martial arts where rumored supernatural occurrences were common. After being plunged into a nightmare realm one night and fighting her way out, Tekla gained the ability to conjure up weapons and armor she visualized in her mind. Over the course of her time at Seirin, she honed this ability to its limit, and built a fighting style around it.

Since graduating, she’s earned money as a prizefighter, while also seeking out powerful and dangerous opponents from other realms to further test her skill.