ButtsnBalls
AlteredTundraHere we go then, a con-man werewolf.Wild Animal by Rival SonsFridolf
Fridolf is, in a word, average. Average height and average weight, average looks and average brown hair and brown eyes. In not a single way does he stand out from the crowd. He’s just attractive enough not to be considered ugly, but not so much as to be thought of as memorable. For many men, this uniformity might be considered a curse, never being able to stand out in a crowd or attract the eye of a pretty girl. For Fridolf, it’s a blessing. After all, what kind of self-respecting grifter wants to be suddenly recognised by a past mark, or picked out in the street by a particularly tenacious town guard?
【Alias】Far too many to list, as he creates new aliases as and when he needs them to facilitate whichever con he is either running or planning.
【Race】Werewolf
【Gender】Male
【Age】29
【Sexuality】Opportunistic
【Birth Place】[La Lament capital city]
【Nation/Allegiance】Born in La Lament, his only allegiances are to himself and the witcher Kieran.
【Profession】Con-man, who dabbles in petty thievery on the side.
【Personality】Greedy. Dishonest. Pessimistic. Cowardly. Fridolf is all these things and more, as petty a criminal as they come. So far in his life he hasn’t come across a con he wouldn’t run, nor a mark he wouldn’t fleece. Old Ladies, crippled veterans, war orphans, they’re all fair game in Fridolf’s eyes. Life isn’t fair, he’s fond of saying, so why should he be?
It’s perhaps worthy of note that he prefers the act of crime itself to the dividends it pays. He loves the thrill of a grift well played, liking it to a hunter taking down a magnificent stag. Even if he ever did become rich (unlikely, because he spends coin almost as fast as he ‘earns’ it) he would still commit crimes. The adrenaline rush is just to addictive to give up.
He isn’t entirely without scruples however. He’s never even considered committing a violent crime, and in fact is rather opposed to violence in general. To his mind it’s never accomplished anything of note, and he’d rather just stay as far away from it as possible. He’s also … no, that’s it. Non-violent is about all you can say about him where virtues are concerned.
Oh, he’s loyal to his friends too, but that’s a new development as he’s never had one before Kieran. Still, he worries that friend might be too strong a term for what Kieran is to him, and sometimes wonders that if it wasn’t for the curse hanging like a weight from his neck if he wouldn’t have long ago abandoned the youthful witcher. Only time will tell.
【History】
- Born in [La Lament capital], the son of a baron and a washerwoman who worked on his estate. Fridolf’s parentage went unacknowledged by the baron, who removed the washerwoman from his employ. Seeing this, the common people followed the barons example, and shunned the washer woman. She could not get honest work, and was forced to sell herself into indentured servitude at a doxxy flophouse. She eventually developed an addiction to Fisstech. She came to detest her son, blaming him for her misfortunes.
- Fridolf was initially educated at a church run school, where he was praised for his sharp, nimble mind. However, he was singled out by an enterprising criminal who used young children as thieves. The criminal noticed how small and dextrous Fridolf was, and believed he could become an excellent cutpurse. He offered the young Fridolf a better life, and the boy leapt at the chance, abandoning his abusive mother without a second thought.
- Fridolf excelled in the criminal arts, but soon found that physically taking money out of another person’s pocket was too easy. He much preferred the challenge of getting that other person to hand him their money, and not only that, but to believe it was in their best interest to give him their coin. He began to devise incredible intricate cons, which began to make him and his criminal patron quite wealthy. However, he spent his earnings hand over fist, and besides it had stopped being about the money for Fridolf. Now it was about the feeling he got when he outsmarted a mark, the flush of superiority over his fellow man. If he had ever thought about it he might have realised that he had become just as much of a junkie as his mother.
- As he grew more experienced and his skills grew a pace Fridolf began to grow bored of his life in [La Lament] capital. The game had become too predictable, the marks to simple, and too gullible by half. There were no more unknown variables to overcome. He concluded that, as a journeyman of his trade, he could learn no more by remaining static. If he wanted to further hone his craft he would half to journey afield, and that’s just what he did.
- Spends several years travelling from village to town, relying on his skills to keep him alive. Develops a scheme he christens ‘cry wolf’. In it he would enter a small village, claiming to have spotted a werewolf in the outskirts. Once enough of villagers believed him he would kick them all into a frenzy, convincing them that they needed to mob together and hunt down the beast. As soon as they had grabbed their pitchforks and torches and marched off into the wilderness after an imaginary beast, he'd double back and ransack the deserted hamlet, lifting everything of value and scampering off before they returned. This heist worked so well he used it multiple times.
- Fridolf’s fortunes soured the third time he attempted to ‘cry wolf’. He came to a town that proved more difficult to stir up into a frenzy than usual. They proved a little more levelheaded, and instead put the call out for a Witcher, a call which was answered by Kieran of Saph. Unfortunately for all involved (and unbeknownst to Fridolf) there actually was a werewolf living in that town, a huntsman who resided in the outskirts with his wife, the local cunning-woman. With the help of his wife, this huntsman was largely in control of his curse, and hadn’t hurt anyone during his affliction, but Fridolf had inadvertently set a Witcher on his trail. The huntsman, fearing for his life, pre-emptively attacked Kieran in his wolf form, and the witcher was forced to kill him in self-defence. In her grief the witch cursed the one she felt was responsible, Fridolf, and through a combination of her power and strong emotions, the curse of the werewolf was passed on to him. Shortly afterwards the town not only learnt of Fridolf’s deception, but also of his new status as a skin changer. They prepare to lynch the con-man, who is saved at the last moment by the Kieran.
- In his relief Fridolf pledges himself into Kieran’s service, promising to stand by him as a loyal bondsman. Of, course his word isn’t worth a bent copper piece, and the real reason he desires to be around Kieran is in the hope that the Witcher will be able to find a way to lift his curse. Despite this he finds himself enjoying the young Witcher’s company.
- Accompanies Kieran into the city of Telchar.
【Skills and Abilities】
- Experienced con-man and thief – Fridolf has been parting the good people of Aridia from their hard earned valuable for nearly twenty years now, and has gotten rather good at it, even if he does say so himself.
- Consummate liar – Simply put, if there is a better liar in the world than Fridolf then he hasn’t met them. And he spends a lot of time around unsavoury characters, so if anyone was going to meet them it would be him.
- Sleight of hand – An integral skill for any grifter.
- Running and hiding – For when things go sour. Fridolf is both an terrifically fast sprinter, and an excellent hider. World class really. He’s not one for distance running though, too many late nights and too much easy living has put paid to that.
- Disguise and acting – When it comes to disguises, Fridolf is the next best thing to a Doppler. He’s had years of practice impersonating others, with his skills being augmented by the generic-ness of his features. By the simple advent of growing a beard or cutting his hair he appears to become a whole new person, a trick he has put to great use in the past. Sometimes having ‘one of those faces’ has its advantages.
- Turning into a great, big, bloody man-wolf – Not so much an ability as it is a massive inconvenience, but one can’t deny how impressive it is. Every month when the moon is full he transforms into a giant half-man, half-wolf creature. His control of this form is minimal, and while he is demonstrably less violent than the average werewolf, he is still led by his animal desires to hunt and to feast, though he will usually prey upon animals before humans. Through a little bit of experimentation Fridolf has discovered that he can turn into a werewolf at will whenever the sun has set. During these elective transformations, he has near complete control of the form, though it is markedly less powerful than that which he undertakes during a full moon, and he suffers from dull hunger pangs that he cannot sate, no matter how much meat he devours – strictly animal, never human of course.
【Weapons/Tools and Magic】
- Belt knife – A common belt knife, though of good make. Sharp, though far too short to be used as a weapon.
- Dice – Of both the loaded and regular variety.
- Playing cards – Dog-eared.
- Flo - Fridolf's grey mare. So named because Fridolf is a pathetic horseman at best, and his latest horse is an ill-tempered bitch.
- Lock picks – For those occasions when you ‘forget’ your keys. Heh, forget.
【Other】
- Dialogue colour: steel blue.
- What does Wild Animal by Rival Sons have to do with Fridolf, you may ask. Not much, I’d answer honestly, but I don’t generally pick themes for my characters, and thought instead of searching for one I might as well just put a great tune there instead.
Accepted! Also, feel free to make up the Capital for La Lament.
A wild witcher appears.Character Theme – The Lion's Heart
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Kieran
Kieran is of an unremarkable height at just over six feet tall, but has the athletic, muscled build of someone who has been training as a fighter since they were a child. His dark black hair is kept long, reaching to his shoulders and is partly pinned back in a warrior's knot while his face is clean-shaven. Kieran has high, sharp cheekbones and a prominent jawline, an aristocratic look that is spoiled by his bright yellow, catlike eyes. However, he has a relatively smooth if suntanned complexion and is largely unscarred, evidence of his youth and inexperience compared to other Witchers. His most prominent scars are several thin white claw marks that run across the back of his right shoulder, a reminder of his most dangerous slain foe to date, a werewolf.
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【Full Name】
Kieran of Saph
【Alias】
Lord Mutant, the Bastard Bear, Kieran the Knight
【Race】
Human - technically
【Gender】
Male
【Age】
19
【Sexuality】
Heterosexual
【Birth Place】
Unknown
【Nation/Allegiance】
The Lost Bear School
【Profession】
Witcher
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【Personality】
Kieran is not like most Witchers. He may be a hardened killer like every other member of his guild, but he has a hopeful and idealistic outlook that is almost unheard of among fellow monster-hunters. Not only does Kieran believe in his duty and responsibilities as a Witcher, he thinks he can change the world for the better. It is his enduring hope that by comporting himself honestly and honorably, by helping people in need, he can change how the inhabitants of the continent view Witchers. And Kieran is honest and honorable. He avoids lying as much as is possible, never breaks a promise, and always deals with clients fairly. Doing the right thing is very important to Kieran. Of course this doesn't mean he will always follow the law. Kieran will do what he thinks is right and necessary for him to do. His casual disregard for laws that inhibit his job makes him like other Witchers in fact.
Kieran still has somewhat romantic notions of what it means to be a Witcher. He sees his profession as a noble and meaningful calling and finds great satisfaction in a job well done, finding that travelling on the Path is an exciting adventure that allows him to see new places and experience new things. However Kieran is no simple rube, and has an introspective and thoughtful mindset, and he often spend time pondering the way of the world. He can be remarkably perceptive, and is as knowledgeable about alchemy or astronomy as any scholar. His honesty however can make him susceptible to trickery. While not an idiot, Kieran doesn't naturally have the guile and cunning other Witchers might, and those with great experience in manipulating others such as nobles or sorcerers, might find him a pliable target. Kieran may know his way around monsters. But the intricacies of politics or criminal underworlds are areas he has no experience in. He is also clueless about women, and has never been with one, another potential blindspot.
Kieran has a glib tongue and is fond of sarcastic jokes. Unlike other, surlier Witchers, he freely associates with people outside of the caste and enjoys drinking and talking with commoners of all races, with those willing to associate with a Witcher at any rate. Kieran is an inquisitive soul and reads voraciously, always taking the chance to read a new publication or listening to a traveler's stories. He is also fond of music and is a student of mythology, reading on ancient tales and old myths. All of this may be because Kieran never truly had a childhood and grew up in the Lost Bear School and has known nothing else. Now that he is in the wider world, and has a chance to learn so much, he is seizing the opportunity. To this day Kieran still marvels at the beauty of the wider world and yearns to discover as many of its secrets as he can.
Kieran has always felt like something of an outsider, due to the rumors of his noble lineage and his optimism. He had his friends in the school but he clashed with more aggressive, violent brethren. Kieran prefers to use violence as a last resort and vehemently disagrees with Witchers who kill sentient monsters without pursuing other choices. Indeed, Kieran has often let dopplers and trolls and the like go free and unharmed. His friendship with a werewolf is a secret even from his fellows, and one that is highly out of the ordinary. Despite his mutated visage, Kieran is a compassionate soul, and feels great sympathy for fellow outsiders.
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【History】
Kieran remembers nearly nothing about his life before the Witchers, like almost every other member of the guild of monster slayers. The Lost Bear School is the only home he has ever known, as he was given to the Witchers when he was only a babe. His masters never revealed anything about his origins to him, as was their policy, but rumors about Kieran's parentage became widespread. It was whispered among his peers that he was the bastard of a nobleman or knight who had gone off with his men to face a vampire and vanished. Assuming the worst, the man's house hired a veteran Witcher to find the noble's remains and slay the beast. However, the Witcher found the noble in the deep forest, after the vampire slaughtered the rest of his men.
The witcher both slew the vampire and brought the man to safety. On the journey home, the noble asked the Witcher what reward he would have. In addition to gold, the monster slayer invoked the age-old Law of Suprise,
telling the noble that he would take that which the man found at home that he didn't expect. As the story goes, once the noble returned home he learned that a bastard had been left in the belly of one of his wife's handmaidens, his own illicit get. And so Kieran was promised to the Witchers before he had even been born. The story maintains that the Witcher returned after several months to take Kieran to Mossdale Caverns where he was weaned by one of the sorceresses until he was old enough to walk.
Another rumor would have it that the witcher had taken a liking to the handmaiden who would be Kieran's mother and invited her as a guest to Mossdale Caverns. There are varying tales that the woman died in childbirth, which the Witcher mourned, or weaned Kieran for a short while before returning to her household after a lover's spat with the monster slayer. The supposed identities of who this nobleman and handmaiden were run the gamut from several local landed knights to leaders of free cities or even kings, and none know the truth save the veteran witchers, who refuse to either refute or confirm the rumors. The identity of the Witcher in question is also a matter of contention, though most believe it to be one of the school's chief swordsmen and weapons instructors, a personal mentor to Kieran.
Whatever the truth of the matter, Kieran's supposedly noble and bastard-born origins were often a common source of mockery from the crueler and more mean-spirited boys of the school, calling him Lord Mutant or the Bastard Bear. For Kieran, his mysterious and apparently scandalous origins have been both a source of anguish and hope for the young witcher. Some days, he feels as if his parents had abandoned him and that he should be ashamed of his illicit birth. Other days, he takes comfort in his rumored noble origins and dreams of one day finding his family or becoming a heroic knight. The search for his family and his true origins is one that is almost as important to him as his vocation as a Witcher.
Whatever the truth of his parentage, it is undeniable that Kieran was destined to be a Witcher. His first memory is picking up his first stick as a young child and learning the first steps in how to swing a sword. His life since then has been consumed by Witcher training, being one of the youngest to be promised to the guild. His entire childhood, he trained to kill monsters. He learned how to fight in the elegant but deadly dance of the Witcher, how to ride as if he was one with his mount, how to survive in the wild with only his wits, how to track his prey in any environment, how to stalk them silently in the shadows, how to kill a man quickly and brutally, and every other skill a Witcher needed to know. When he wasn't training, he was studying monster lore, herbcraft and alchemy, astronomy, anatomy, and many other subjects relevant to a Witcher's study.
Any free time he had he either spent conversing and playing games with boisterous dwarves, exploring the wilderness or watching the stars with his fellow trainees, or reading about legends and myths from tomes given to him by the sorcerers, dwarves, teachers, and the odd traveler to the caverns. Kieran had his fair share of friends, but he relished the time he could spend alone, reading about the heroic deeds of heroes and knights. Kieran wanted to be like them and so strove the be among the best of the trainees, to become the first hero Witcher. Isolated from the outside world and deprived of a normal childhood, those stories and legends had an immense impact on him.
He struggled to remain friendly and optimistic as Witcher training began to take a toll on his fellow trainees. The physical conditioning and education was grueling enough, and every once in a while a young Witcher would either perish in a training accident or simply expire from the sheer strain of the training, trials that children were not meant to endure. Kieran lost a few friends as such, and the first time he saw a fellow trainee die, he had bawled his eyes out. By the time he lost his sixth friend, he had no tears left. The special diet that the children underwent, unique and rare herbs, mosses, and mushrooms also took their toll on the Witchers. It helped condition their bodies but among many it was simply too much.
Many boys would die of liver or heart failure, and some even succumbed to madness and were given to the sorcerers to perform experiments on for the rest of their lives. Even among those that survived like Kieran, a fair number became excessively aggressive and would often pick fights for little to no reason. A few boys died in sparring matches or were outright murdered over small slights, and Kieran often had to defend himself or others from the enraged trainees. Boys that became too feral and were too much of a threat to others were put down by the Witchers, but otherwise their behavior was overlooked and even encouraged by a few teachers, who saw the aggression as necessary on the monster-infested continent. Often, Kieran considered giving up or trying to run away, but he knew there was no place for him elsewhere and that if he wanted to change things, really change things, he could do so more as a Witcher than a nobody. A bastard with no home.
Finally, came the Trial of Grasses. When the sorcerers fed him the special alchemical substances that would change him permanently into a Witcher. Kieran remembers none of it. Just a confused morass of emotions and sensations, alternating light and darkness, madness and fever induced dreams and hallucinations, and pain, so much pain, pain beyond anything he ever thought possible. It seemed to last forever. On the tenth day, Kieran awoke with golden eyes. Out of the scores of boys that had trained with him, almost a fifth had died beforehand, and now less than a dozen were left.
The training became even more intense, but Kieran adapted. He was stronger now. Faster. More than human. Some part of him was horrified at the journey that had seen him there. But another part relished in the power it had given him. By the time the final Trial of Dreams arrived to cement and strengthen his mutations, Kieran was the best sword of those that remained. At the age of sixteen, Kieran completed his training and was given his Witcher's medallion with his starting equipment and first horse. He chose the name Kieran of Saph, and was made a full Witcher of the Lost Bear School. A slayer of monsters. Then with excitement, he set out on the Path.
For the next few years, Kieran basked in his newfound freedom. He traveled the continent fulfilling contracts, seeing new sights, experiencing new things, and righting the occasional wrong. Most of his stock in trade were nekkers, drowners, and ghouls but he notched his belt with several endrega nests, a few wraiths, some foglets, and even the occasional water hag among others. Kieran befriended many commoners of all vocations across the land, and even parted as friendly acquaintances with a fair number of trolls and dopplers whom he spared instead of putting to the sword. His optimistic, honorable reputation saw him comfortable in contracts, but he knew his limits and didn't pursue jobs best left to more experienced Witchers.
Until, one village put out a call on a werewolf. There had been reports of several rumored werewolf attacks in the area, no deaths, but Kieran wished to put a stop to it before it happened. No other Witcher was available and so Kieran answered the contract and went out to search for the werewolf, hopefully to free it of its curse instead of killing it. He was unaware that the whole thing was simply a scheme cooked up by the conman Fridolf. And the actual werewolf that lived as a huntsman on the edge of the village was unaware that Kieran hoped to save him from his curse. The werewolf attacked Kieran in the woods in the dead of night. The young Witcher would have died if not for his own keen senses and Storm's quick action, galloping into escape.
The werewolf pursued. Knowing that he couldn't let the cursed beast run amok, Kieran leaped from the saddle to do battle with his opponent. The fight was long, vicious, and brutal. The toughest fight of Kieran's life, as he always just managed to stay away from the werewolf's rending claws and gnashing teeth. The beast grazed his shoulder and left thin, shallow wounds on his shoulder but eventually Kieran triumphed and slew the werewolf, sorrow in his heart for the waste of life. Kieran returned to the village, only to learn of Fridolf's own wolf curse. Not wanting any more death, Kieran relinquished the reward for the werewolf contract in order to spare Fridolf's life and vowed to help the man break his curse. They went to find the reclusive woods witch who was the dead werewolf's wife and the one who cursed Fridolf, but she was long vanished.
Kieran did not want to risk the Witchers in Mossdale Cavern killing Fridolf should Kieran bring him to seek aid from the sorcerers. And so the two have traveled on the road together for several months, seeking out wise men, druids, alchemists and sundry practitioners to break Fridolf from his curse, all to little avail. In the meantime Kieran has aided Fridolf in keeping away from humans during the change and controlling it as much as possible so that he does not run berserk. He has also, vainly so far, tried to get Fridolf to change his conman ways. In return Fridolf has drank with him, played dice and cards, traded stories, and the two are becoming fast friends, though some might think Kieran more honest in the relationship than Fridolf.
On the road, Kieran heard news of a Witcher's death, one of his trainers, and a string of brutal attacks in the city of Telchar perpetrated by some beast. Kieran had never been to the city, but knew of its ugly reputation. And yet, he felt it was his duty to stop the beast from killing more and to perhaps even seek justice for his compatriots death. Perhaps in the city, he could even find an answer for Fridolf's curse. And so, Kieran obtained a glamour to hide his eyes from a wise woman and persuaded the apprehensive Fridolf to accompany him to the city of Telchar, to slay a beast and save lives.
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【Skills and Abilities】
- Due to his Witcher training, Kieran has an expert knowledge of herbs and plants and their properties. He is able to identify any plant and their uses almost immediately. He is also a competent alchemist and is well-rehearsed in quickly concocting standard potions, oils, and bombs. Higher-quality or rarer creations require a greater investment of time, effort, and concentration along with a formula. Nonetheless, like any Witcher, given enough time to prepare, he can come up with an alchemical tool to help him face any beast. As an unintended side effect of this training, Kieran could also theoretically create potions that would be toxic to any human or member of the old races, but he has never tried to do so.
- Kieran was also taught extensive survival techniques. He knows various ways to start a fire even without magic and is a competent fisherman, though he can easily catch fish with his hands. Kieran is also knowledgeable about hunting and can create all manner of traps and snares for game and monsters both. He knows how to navigate even without a map, using his surroundings as a guide and can easily erect or find shelter in any environment he is likely to encounter. Like any Witcher on the Path, left to his own devices and with at least rudimentary supplies, Kieran could survive by himself for weeks or even months living off of the land, not that he would want to.
- Kieran is a skilled rider, having trained at riding horses since a young age. He is not quite a racing competitor or exhibition rider, but on Storm he can ride as swiftly and surely as any knight. Storm is a faithful mount that won't hesitate to give a steel-shod kick to a bandit or cutthroat that threatens Kieran. And while she is not without fear, she is conditioned to not panic nearly as quickly as other horses would in the presence of monsters and will charge gamely at almost any threat if Kieran commands. She is often able to recognize the scent or sound of a number of beasts and has more situational awareness than the average horse. Storm was also trained to realize when a monster was too great of a danger to her and she is smart enough to withdraw and let Kieran deal with the beast if the situation calls for it. All of this is because just like Kieran, Storm was trained since a young age to be a monster hunter.
- As is expected of him, Kieran has a thorough understanding of monsters, their capabilities, and their weaknesses. With his mutated senses and extensive training, Kieran can easily identify any commonly encountered beast on the continent by the traces and tracks they leave behind. Kieran does research as much as is possible to learn as much about detecting, tracking, and defeating monsters as he can. He is not as experienced as older veteran Witchers, and has mostly engaged nekkers, drowners, ghouls, and various sundry common predators. His most dangerous foe to date was a werewolf in hiding, but he knows the theory behind defeating even more deadly foes such as old wraiths or katakans and is confident he could those kinds of beasts down. Hypothetically, he also knows how one is supposed to fight a Bruxa or Fiend and other rare, daunting monsters, but Kieran has until now left those more dangerous contracts to more experienced Witchers. If Kieran encounters signs of a creature he cannot readily identify, he will pursue every clue and every scrap of written knowledge he can find to make identify the culprit and prepare counter-measures.
- Kieran was taught the anatomy of humans and nonhumans as well as a wide variety of animals and monsters since the start of his training. As a result he is knowledgeable about the biology of numerous living organisms and can quickly recognize what manner of trauma a deceased may have suffered in the aftermath of an attack. He can also accurately diagnose most common injuries and sicknesses because of this. Coupled with his grasp of herbs, Kieran has basic survival medicine skills and can patch up a variety of minor wounds or stabilize a patient but he is no medic or doctor. His true skill is in causing wounds. For any human or nonhuman, as well as common animals and monsters, Kieran knows exactly how and where to strike to inflict the most damage in the most efficient way possible.
- Kieran, like all Witchers, is light on his feet and knows how to move quickly and quietly. He can see in the dark where most cannot, and if he puts effort to it, he can hide from almost any mortal in the right environment and sneak around them without leaving a trace. His steps are almost completely silent, and he can nearly break out into a run while causing a minimum of noise. Kieran can move quietly enough to surprise inattentive or less aware monsters as well. Even beasts with enhanced senses to match his would have at least a little trouble hearing or seeing his approach. But of course, Kieran could not sneak up on a truly cunning or experienced beast without quite a bit of effort. If he knew how to pick pockets and pick locks, he would have been quite the thief.
- Like all Witchers, Kieran has the ability to with intense concentration, let all of his worldly concerns and thoughts slip away and enter into a meditative state. He can meditate for hours on end, a useful skill if one must lie in wait for a monster but cannot risk taking a rest. Kieran also meditates if he needs to calm his mind after a particularly stressful event. In this state he is still aware of his surroundings however, and only the most clever or skilled warriors or monsters could catch him by surprise during his meditation, as his superhuman senses are still active. Kieran's mental focus and fortitude also mean that he has much more endurance than normal men and can undergo grueling treatment or conditions that would break an average person, even without his mutations.
- Kieran is adept with basic witcher signs. He can use Aard, Igni, Yrden, Quen, Axii, and Somne, like any Witcher. With Aard, he can push enemies away with a moderately strong telekinetic blast, focused in one direction. It can also be used to clear obstacles. Igni, he uses to light fires and throw a narrow gust of flame at his foes. Yrden is a magical trap he uses to slow his enemies down and control large groups of them. Kieran can cast Quen to form a shield that absorbs damage until drained. With Axii he can confuse and disorient enemies. The Somne sign can be used to make targets feel drowsy and go to sleep. There is a seventh sign, Heliotrop, but Kieran is not advanced enough in his magic to use it. In addition, signs are a remarkably easy form of magic compared to others but Kieran is not yet experienced or skilled enough in his magic to use the basic signs to greater effect like other Witchers do. And while his medallion alerts him to the presence of magic, and he is competent with arcane theory, he has only theoretical experience with performing powerful exorcisms and rituals like his veteran brethren and only knows hypothetical techniques or small-scale workings. When it comes to magic, he has much to learn.
- His true talent lies in fighting. Kieran is competent with all manner of weapons, is skilled in hand to hand combat, and is an avid knife thrower. But he has a natural aptitude for swordsmanship. Like all Witchers, he is functionally ambidextrous and was extensively trained in the signature, almost dancer-like style of the Witchers. Kieran trained with a sword since he could hold one and he is capable of moves that are almost physically impossible for normal men. In combat he is quick and acrobatic, whirling and rolling and lunging like the inhuman warrior he is. Kieran can capably handle himself against small groups of amateur opponents and can face off with ease against weaker monsters. He hasn't yet crossed swords with a truly skilled mortal fighter, but he considers himself to be a match for any mortal warrior on the continent.
- Kieran's Witcher mutations are incredibly potent giving him physical abilities beyond any normal man. His catlike eyes can be constricted to see in blinding light or dilated to see in near pitch darkness. All of his other senses are superhumanly keen as well, allowing him to track men and beasts as well as any animal. He has far greater stamina than the average man and can keep fighting long past the point where others would collapse. He is also highly resistant to toxins and disease and has complete immunity in most cases save for the most potent of poisons. With his tougher bones and muscles, Kieran is also stronger than a normal human, and can land blows with his sword that can cut a man clean in two. Kieran can shrug off injuries that would lay most low, and survive strikes that would kill any mere man. He can also heal and recover from injuries far quicker. Kieran is faster, more agile, and has quicker reflexes than normal men and can perform feats of dexterity and speed that most besides monsters cannot hope to match. Finally, Kieran has prolonged youth and a much longer lifespan than any normal human. He will look like a young man for decades yet, and may even live to be centuries old. All of this together means that he can face a multitude of monsters in single combat, though he still has much to learn. His mutations do not come without side effects either. Kieran's emotional responses are not wiped entirely but they are dampened, and his mutations make him sterile and never able to sire children, a fact that sometimes nags on Kieran.
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【Weapons/Tools and Magic】
Weapons/Tools/Armour
- Two longswords, one of steel and one of silver, strapped to his back. Both are of standard make, given to Kieran when he first became a Witcher.
- His horse, a loyal, trained grey coated young mare named Storm, whom he trained with as a pony and the horse he first started on the Path with. Not a thoroughbred mount but a dependable one.
- Saddlebags filled with basic medical supplies, bedroll, tinder box, torch, a bundle of rope, provisions, and other essential outdoor survival items.
- A field alchemical mixing and brewing set to create the potions, bombs, and oils necessary for his trade.
- A whetstone to hone his blades and an oil and rag to keep them clean.
- An unadorned, dark set of leather and mail armor that is neither master quality nor shoddily made, that both allows some protection from blades or claws as well as freedom of movement. Comes with black boots and black fingerless gloves. A standard set of armor made for him when he first became a Witcher and has used since.
- A dark, heavy travelling cloak for incognito travel or protection against the elements when needed and which can also be used as a blanket. He also has a thin cloth black scarf that can be wrapped around his neck or pulled over his head in a hood for when he needs to be disguised but also must have quick access to his weapons.
- A small one-handed crossbow with standard bolts, used for both hunting and combat.
- A sharp, but common hunting knife and hook to make trophies of his kills for his clients.
- A dirk at his belt, a holdout stiletto in his boot, and several throwing knives. All plain but competently crafted steel.
- Kieran always keeps at least two Swallow potions and two Samum bombs on his belt at all times.
- A journal in which he records his notes and personal experiences. He also keeps a map of the continent, a copy of a monster codex and a book of legends and folk tales.
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【Other】
Dialogue color: Gold.
Also accepted!
