gohKamikaze

RWBY: Brilliant Horizon

Daedalus Ivory

Airfleet Street, 21:43

The vibrant atmosphere of Armistice Day was like nothing Daedalus had ever experienced. The denizens of Vale seemed to take the event a lot more seriously than they did back home - surprisingly, even more seriously than the world-famous Vytal Festival. As the sun had set, the normally quiet streets of the city became awash with revellers soaking up the carnival atmosphere. Faunus and Humans alike wandered through the city - shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, in perfect solidarity and harmony. He was almost convinced he was on another planet.

It had been less than a week since Daedalus had returned to Vale. He'd forgotten the tang of salt in the air here, or how the sun streamed warmly down to embrace him during the day, while at night the cool ocean breeze whispered gently through the city. It made for a refreshing break from the harsh, dry climate in Vacuo.

But the change in scenery wasn't why Daedalus had decided to come back. The demand for Hunters and Huntresses in Vacuo was... Less than ideal. Vale, on the other hand, always seemed to have work going for trained warriors - especially ones recommended by senior faculty staff. The Dean of Shade had presented Daedalus and a small handful of his peers handwritten letters praising their abilities and progress at the Academy, and told them to put the commendations to good use.

And what a use they were. The letter quickly landed him a job in Vale; only temporary unfortunately, but the performance aspect satisfied Daedalus' craving for the spotlight and the money was surprisingly good. The nature of the work was right up his alley - unlike security detail to the rich and famous or working with the Vale Police Department, fighting in the arena against captured Grimm meant that bloodshed was an unlikely outcome. Vale's forgiving weather was just another perk.

Despite his size, the thickness of the crowds meant that Daedalus' journey backstage took longer than expected. The room he entered was abuzz with excitement, and a symphony of quiet noises echoed around as the other combatants checked and primed their weapons. It wasn't long before he began to do the same.

An unexpected buzzing from one of his pockets pulled him away from his tinkering. He plucked his scroll from his khaki jacket as the display lit up in his hand, showing him the two new messages blinking as they waited to be read.

The first was a message from his parents, full of congratulations and well wishes for his performance. He quickly messaged back: Thanks very much. Still haven't received a 'Best in Show' ribbon yet but I'm staying optimistic. Take care of yourselves, talk soon!

The second was from Mina. Good luck Day! It read. Give them a hell of a show. He smiled and then took a few moments to reply: Thanks Mina! Going to give it my best shot. Good luck at the party, don't break too many hearts tonight, ok?

It's a shame she isn't here, he thought as he hit send. His friend from Beacon had scored a job across Vale, working security at Town Hall. She was ecstatic when he said he was coming back to Vale and tried convincing him to put in for the position. But he'd already agreed to fight Grimm in the Arena; not to mention the idea of security detail made him a bit uneasy. Then again, Daedalus supposed that was her style. Mina was always a much more subtle person than he was - never shy, but she was more of a head-turner than a crowd-pleaser, and she didn't thrive on being the centre of everyone's attention like Daedalus did.

But for now, all eyes weren't on him. Instead they had turned to the Faunus that had taken centre stage, whose beautiful yet haunting voice drifted across the throngs of spectators. The MC, Ms. Cardamom, took the opportunity to word up the group about the performance. Tonight, it seemed, was all about flair over efficiency; the showier, the better. A sly smile began to creep across Daedalus face. It seemed he'd picked the right job.

The singer's pitch reached a crescendo as the choir harmonised, creating a sound more angelic than mortal. The MC, now finished, looked around the room expectantly. “We’ve not got long now: any questions? Anyone have any business they need to get done?”

One of the othe Huntresses looked around the room and grinned."Who's ready to make a scene in the name of peace and unity?" she asked, placing her hand out as if to start a team huddle.

Fervent Sentinel made a series of loud noises as the metal plates slid around his arms and hands, locking them in place with a series of satisfying *Thunks*. Metal clad fingers flexed as he checked their movement. Once satisfied with their condition, he turned to the Huntress and smiled back. 'Ready? I was born for this.' He boomed, and placed his huge gauntlet on top of her hand.

RWBY: Brilliant Horizon

Daedalus is going to jump into the third group too!

TNT - The Nameless Tavern. (Always Open)

If there was list of things Hardwick wasn't anticipating at that moment, 'sudden door explosion' would have been at the top of it. He slammed the whiskey glass back on the bar, but instead of the satisfying *thunk* of a tumbler on polished mahogany there was an almighty din of splintering wood and twisting metal.

It took him a few moments of confusedly staring at the empty glass before he realised that the sound had come from behind him. He turned and looked at the source of the commotion, the anxiety rising once again like fire from his belly. It's not possible, he told himself. There's no way they could have broken through. The exit - it changes, it wouldn't open for them, surely, I'm safe, this is safe...

What was left of the door had put up a good fight - the newcomer had ripped it half off its hinges, while the other half lay on the floor with the man wedged in it. With relief, he noted that the stranger wasn't clad in occult robes. He looked at the doorframe and saw...

Well... It was difficult to describe. It looked like a street pulled straight from a fairytale, but something was wrong about it. The features in his peripheral vision seemed to warp and change, and when he focused on them he couldn't help but feel they were imperceptibly different. Without even realizing, the scene had changed to a modern concrete walled side street, and continued to warp and alter in the face of conventional physics.

The front door shut itself. This confused Hardwick, given that only moments earlier the front door had been shattered into countless splinters of wood. Ayeka was long gone, having walked off to help the newcomer out of the door and to tend to the other patrons.

Before he could put his journal away, a loud thud came from the seat next to him. A man he hadn't noticed before had sat next to him and placed a large and obviously heavy book down on the bar. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the girl from earlier staring intently at this new patron.

@Pineappletumble @Song Book

RWBY: Brilliant Horizon

@Zugzwang Thanks, glad to be on board!

RWBY: Brilliant Horizon

Daedalus Ivory

Daedalus Ivory

Age:

21

Gender:

Male

Race:

Faunus (Elephant traits)

Nationality:

Vacuo

Appearance:

Daedalus stands at an impressive 6"8' with a very broad, muscular physiche. Years in the harsh Vacuo sun has given his skin a deep olive complexion, which despite his age has weathered to give a subtle hide-like texture. His eyes are a mixture of brown and gold, while his face is long and square-jawed. In terms of hair, Daedalus' head is covered in long brown locks while his face sports a short and well-kept beard. Other than his size, Daedalus' major Faunus features are the two large bone-white tusks that protrude from his face. His clothing style could only be described as 'rugged', usually favouring sturdy working or exploring clothes over more formal attire.

Personality:

Daedalus prides himself on his compassion and determination - his family taught him the values of hard work and of humility, especially in the face of great hardship. As a result most people who meet him know him as a big softie, always friendly and jovial. Although possessing incredible aptitude for combat in the field, Daedalus only ever resorts to fighting when all other avenues have been exhausted. This occasionally gets him into trouble, as less charitable folks tend to take advantage of his kind-hearted nature.

Aspiration:

Daedalus became a Hunter in order to help the innocent and the incapable, and keep the peace across Remnant. Deep down though, his desire to join Shade Academy stemmed from his experiences of racism as a Faunus, and a subconscious need to not only be accepted by society but to also prove that Faunuskind aren't 'The Bad Guys' through his actions.

Fears:

Being a social pariah, hurting those closest to him, not being able to protect the innocent, broken promises, death... And mice

Ethics:

Daedalus' approach to most things in life is usually 'Ask questions first, shoot later'. He believes that there is honour in kindness, especially when extended to one's foes. Violence should only ever be used as a last resort, and even then only enough to gain and maintain the upper hand - never more. His actions are shaped by what he believes will be the most help and provide the most joy and support to those around him.

History:

Even though the Faunus Rights Wars ended long ago, the scars of conflict refuse to heal. This was was blatantly apparent throughout his childhood to Daedalus, whose family experienced racial trauma for much of their lives.

Having been shut out of much of the job market due to their Faunus heritage, the Ivory family worked as a team of builders and labourers - it was difficult and physically demanding work, but it was an honest living and it kept a roof over their heads and food on the table. His parents, Metion and Europa, maintained extensive ties to the local chapter of the White Fang for years and would often take Daedalus and his younger brother Perdix to meetings and rallies.

For much of his schooling at Oasis Academy in Vacuo, Daedalus had few friends outside a handful of other Faunus and was often the object of ridicule by his Human peers. Many days were spent alone, hiding away in secluded areas to avoid the constant taunting and abuse from Felix Princeton, the local bully, and wishing for the day that the White Fang's dreams for peace would become a reality.

When Perdix eventually started out at Oasis, he vowed to him that he would protect him at all costs - like the Hunters and Huntresses from the White Fang did for all Faunuskind. This quickly led to trouble, as Daedalus became increasingly involved in fights and scuffles in the Academy.

It was after class one day when Felix and his crew cornered Perdix and began to torment him. Daedalus was busy finishing a prototype weapon for a school project and didn't even realize what was happening until half an hour later when he found Perdix, cut and bruised, crying out front of the Academy.

Feeling upset that his older brother broke his promise to protect him, Perdix ran into a nearby canyon and hid in the adjoining caves. What Perdix and Daedalus didn't know was that the caves were a nesting ground for the creatures of Grimm, and that Perdix's sadness had awoken the usually dormant beasts.

When Daedalus finally found him, Perdix had been bitten several times by a Taijitu and was rapidly losing blood. With his gauntlets, he was able to hold off the Taijitu and protect his brother long enough for a passing Hunter to arrive and slay the beast - but sadly it was too late. Perdix succumbed to his injuries and the Ivory family was left broken.

Then the rumours began. Felix began to spread stories around the Academy that Daedalus had killed his brother. That he and his family were just animals with no conscience. That one less Faunus in Remnant was a step closer to a perfect society. Many of the humans at Oasis started to shun Daedalus more than usual - they whispered in the halls as he walked by and avoided getting too close lest they end up like Perdix.

The story of Perdix quickly became a point of contention for the regional White Fang and sparked a surge in retributive rhetoric led by the more violent factions in the organisation. The usually peaceful meetings became divisive, with calls from the more militaristic elements for Faunus to take up arms and form militias against Humankind.

Daedalus, in his grief-stricken state, took this violent ideology to heart and sought vengeance for his brother. He cornered Felix on his way to class and beat him savagely, only stopping when the teachers managed to restrain him. He was suspended from the Academy for several months.

For his parents, the suspension was not just terrifying sign of their son's impressionable nature but also of the dangerous path the White Fang had begun to tread. They immediately cut ties with the organisation and spent Daedalus' time away from Oasis teaching, reminding and instilling in him the morals at the old White Fang's core: Humility, respect, charity, peace, and most importantly of all, mercy.

Daedalus returned to Oasis a changed man. No longer was he violent and vindictive; rather peaceful and forgiving. He completed the last of his senior year and graduated from Oasis, securing a place at Vacuo's prestigious Shade Academy.

Being so far away from home, Shade was like a new start for Daedalus. The large mixture of both Human and Faunus students from across the kingdom meant that prejudice against Faunuskind was not anywhere near as fierce as it was back home, and the distance meant that he was able to leave many of his regrets and mistakes far, far behind him.

With no-one possessing preconceptions about who he was or what he'd done, he was able to make friends and quickly gained a reputation as the go-to man if you needed someone to help out or talk to. He excelled in practical examinations and graduated from Shade among the top students in his year.

But despite his newfound success, he never truly forgot or let go of what happened back at home. Deep down he continued to blame himself for the death of his brother, and it drove him harder than ever to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

Semblance:

Daedalus' semblance turns his aura and body as hard as stone, giving him an incredible boost to his strength and fortitude. The drawback of this is that he loses most of his agility and becomes slow, and maintaining this state for extended periods of time requires intense mental and physical exertion.

Combat Style:

Daedalus' fighting style is largely defensive. With a firmly planted stance, he uses his gauntlets to deflect attacks and fatigue any would-be assailants, while looking for openings to strike his foes with devastatingly strong blows - the intention being either disarming or incapacitating the enemy. At range, he prefers the use of ammunition that would put to sleep or trap enemies rather than kill them.

Weapon:

Fervent Sentinel - Massive gauntlets that cover Daedalus' entire lower arms, with contoured guards that allow him to deflect blows away from his body. The left forearm features a concealed buckler that can extend and retract at will, while the right forearm has a blaster with two ammo types: dust-infused crossbow bolts, or darts tipped with various serums (these darts could theoretically be lethal, but Daedalus only carries non-lethal rounds). It can chamber 8 rounds of either at a time, but requires time to reload or change ammunition types.

Non-Combat skills:

Daedalus finds it easy to make friends and is great at thinking on his feet and coming up with practical solutions for practical problems. He often goes out of his way for others, even those he's never met. He also holds the current Shade student record for the most amount of peanuts eaten at once: One hundred and fourteen.

Deficiencies:

Daedalus' size makes him slow, noisy, and an easy target for attackers; while his almost pathological need to see the good in others is easily exploitable by those with Machiavellian inclinations. While not unintelligent, Daedalus works very much in the realm of the practical so the complexity of things like academia, high society and battle tactics are usually lost on him. Oh, and the irrational fear of mice doesn't exactly help either.

Miscellaneous:

Daedalus carries a worn family photo with him everywhere. It helps to keep him grounded and reminds him of who he's fighting for.

RWBY: Brilliant Horizon

Okay, Daedalus' post is done (finally). I'll post it below; Amy issues or things you want me to clear up @Zugzwang, let me know!

Hider

Name: Daedalus Ivory

Age: 21

Gender: Male

Race: Faunus (Elephant traits)

Nationality: Vacuo

Appearance: Daedalus stands at an impressive 6"8' with a very broad, muscular physiche. Years in the harsh Vacuo sun has given his skin a deep olive complexion, which despite his age has weathered to give a subtle hide-like texture. His eyes are a mixture of brown and gold, while his face is long and square-jawed. In terms of hair, Daedalus' head is covered in long brown locks while his face sports a short and well-kept beard. Other than his size, Daedalus' major Faunus features are the two large bone-white tusks that protrude from his face. His clothing style could only be described as 'rugged', usually favouring sturdy working or exploring clothes over more formal attire.

Personality: Daedalus prides himself on his compassion and determination - his family taught him the values of hard work and of humility, especially in the face of great hardship. As a result most people who meet him know him as a big softie, always friendly and jovial. Although possessing incredible aptitude for combat in the field, Daedalus only ever resorts to fighting when all other avenues have been exhausted. This occasionally gets him into trouble, as less charitable folks tend to take advantage of his kind-hearted nature.

Aspiration: Daedalus became a Hunter in order to help the innocent and the incapable, and keep the peace across Remnant. Deep down though, his desire to join Shade Academy stemmed from his experiences of racism as a Faunus, and a subconscious need to not only be accepted by society but to also prove that Faunuskind aren't 'The Bad Guys' through his actions.

Fears: Being a social pariah, hurting those closest to him, not being able to protect the innocent, broken promises, death... And mice

Ethics: Daedalus' approach to most things in life is usually 'Ask questions first, shoot later'. He believes that there is honour in kindness, especially when extended to one's foes. Violence should only ever be used as a last resort, and even then only enough to gain and maintain the upper hand - never more. His actions are shaped by what he believes will be the most help and provide the most joy and support to those around him.

History: Even though the Faunus Rights Wars ended long ago, the scars of conflict refuse to heal. This was was blatantly apparent throughout his childhood to Daedalus, whose family experienced racial trauma for much of their lives.

Having been shut out of much of the job market due to their Faunus heritage, the Ivory family worked as a team of builders and labourers - it was difficult and physically demanding work, but it was an honest living and it kept a roof over their heads and food on the table. His parents, Metion and Europa, maintained extensive ties to the local chapter of the White Fang for years and would often take Daedalus and his younger brother Perdix to meetings and rallies.

For much of his schooling at Oasis Academy in Vacuo, Daedalus had few friends outside a handful of other Faunus and was often the object of ridicule by his Human peers. Many days were spent alone, hiding away in secluded areas to avoid the constant taunting and abuse from Felix Princeton, the local bully, and wishing for the day that the White Fang's dreams for peace would become a reality.

When Perdix eventually started out at Oasis, he vowed to him that he would protect him at all costs - like the Hunters and Huntresses from the White Fang did for all Faunuskind. This quickly led to trouble, as Daedalus became increasingly involved in fights and scuffles in the Academy.

It was after class one day when Felix and his crew cornered Perdix and began to torment him. Daedalus was busy finishing a prototype weapon for a school project and didn't even realize what was happening until half an hour later when he found Perdix, cut and bruised, crying out front of the Academy.

Feeling upset that his older brother broke his promise to protect him, Perdix ran into a nearby canyon and hid in the adjoining caves. What Perdix and Daedalus didn't know was that the caves were a nesting ground for the creatures of Grimm, and that Perdix's sadness had awoken the usually dormant beasts.

When Daedalus finally found him, Perdix had been bitten several times by a Taijitu and was rapidly losing blood. With his gauntlets, he was able to hold off the Taijitu and protect his brother long enough for a passing Hunter to arrive and slay the beast - but sadly it was too late. Perdix succumbed to his injuries and the Ivory family was left broken.

Then the rumours began. Felix began to spread stories around the Academy that Daedalus had killed his brother. That he and his family were just animals with no conscience. That one less Faunus in Remnant was a step closer to a perfect society. Many of the humans at Oasis started to shun Daedalus more than usual - they whispered in the halls as he walked by and avoided getting too close lest they end up like Perdix.

The story of Perdix quickly became a point of contention for the regional White Fang and sparked a surge in retributive rhetoric led by the more violent factions in the organisation. The usually peaceful meetings became divisive, with calls from the more militaristic elements for Faunus to take up arms and form militias against Humankind.

Daedalus, in his grief-stricken state, took this violent ideology to heart and sought vengeance for his brother. He cornered Felix on his way to class and beat him savagely, only stopping when the teachers managed to restrain him. He was suspended from the Academy for several months.

For his parents, the suspension was not just terrifying sign of their son's impressionable nature but also of the dangerous path the White Fang had begun to tread. They immediately cut ties with the organisation and spent Daedalus' time away from Oasis teaching, reminding and instilling in him the morals at the old White Fang's core: Humility, respect, charity, peace, and most importantly of all, mercy.

Daedalus returned to Oasis a changed man. No longer was he violent and vindictive; rather peaceful and forgiving. He completed the last of his senior year and graduated from Oasis, securing a place at Vacuo's prestigious Shade Academy.

Being so far away from home, Shade was like a new start for Daedalus. The large mixture of both Human and Faunus students from across the kingdom meant that prejudice against Faunuskind was not anywhere near as fierce as it was back home, and the distance meant that he was able to leave many of his regrets and mistakes far, far behind him.

With no-one possessing preconceptions about who he was or what he'd done, he was able to make friends and quickly gained a reputation as the go-to man if you needed someone to help out or talk to. He excelled in practical examinations and graduated from Shade among the top students in his year.

But despite his newfound success, he never truly forgot or let go of what happened back at home. Deep down he continued to blame himself for the death of his brother, and it drove him harder than ever to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

Semblance: Daedalus' semblance turns his aura and body as hard as stone, giving him an incredible boost to his strength and fortitude. The drawback of this is that he loses most of his agility and becomes slow, and maintaining this state for extended periods of time requires intense mental and physical exertion.

Combat Style: Daedalus' fighting style is largely defensive. With a firmly planted stance, he uses his gauntlets to deflect attacks and fatigue any would-be assailants, while looking for openings to strike his foes with devastatingly strong blows - the intention being either disarming or incapacitating the enemy. At range, he prefers the use of ammunition that would put to sleep or trap enemies rather than kill them.

Weapon: Fervent Sentinel - Massive gauntlets that cover Daedalus' entire lower arms, with contoured guards that allow him to deflect blows away from his body. The left forearm features a concealed buckler that can extend and retract at will, while the right forearm has a blaster with two ammo types: dust-infused crossbow bolts, or darts tipped with various serums (these darts could theoretically be lethal, but Daedalus only carries non-lethal rounds). It can chamber 8 rounds of either at a time, but requires time to reload or change ammunition types.

Non-Combat skills: Daedalus finds it easy to make friends and is great at thinking on his feet and coming up with practical solutions for practical problems. He often goes out of his way for others, even those he's never met. He also holds the current Shade student record for the most amount of peanuts eaten at once: One hundred and fourteen.

Deficiencies: Daedalus' size makes him slow, noisy, and an easy target for attackers; while his almost pathological need to see the good in others is easily exploitable by those with Machiavellian inclinations. While not unintelligent, Daedalus works very much in the realm of the practical so the complexity of things like academia, high society and battle tactics are usually lost on him. Oh, and the irrational fear of mice doesn't exactly help either.

Miscellaneous: Daedalus carries a worn family photo with him everywhere. It helps to keep him grounded and reminds him of who he's fighting for.

RWBY: Brilliant Horizon

RWBY RP? I am 110% down for this. I've been working on a character on and off for the past few days, hopefully I'll have him up by Wednesday at the latest.

TNT - The Nameless Tavern. (Always Open)

Hardwick waved back to Ben with a sympathetic smile. The fairy man was clearly past the point of no return; he shuddered to think about the hangover he'd have in the morning.

When he turned back, he found his double whiskey sitting in front of him. Rummaging around his trenchcoat, he pulled a few more dollars from an interior pocket and handed them over to Ayeka. 'Thanks.' He stared at the whiskey, watching as the 'legs' dripped down the inside of the glass. It looked a tad oilier than he liked it, but it was still better than most of the pig-swill available back home.

Back home... Now THERE was a strange concept. He'd been in the tavern barely an hour and already home had become a distant memory, the remnants of a bad dream. The evil forces of Azothoth; the dark Lord Cthuhlu and his fanatical devotees; the Shoggoths he had tried to slay; Nyarlathotep and the Faceless Men... In here, it seemed he insidious reach of the Eldritch and the Unknowable could not find him. He was safe, he was warm, he had fine liquor...

It was hard to tell how long he'd been staring silently at his glass, or how long the tears of mixed relief and anguish had been flowing silently down his face to rain upon the bar. Embarrassed, he quickly dabbed his eyes with his handkerchief and looked sheepishly around the tavern, hoping no-one had noticed - but as he looked, he noticed a girl with brown-blonde hair staring at him intently.

He looked back to the bar, the whisky still sitting before him. He picked it up and downed the contents in one go, feeling the burn as the liquid made its way down. Maybe wisdom couldn't be found at the bottom of a bottle, but it sure as hell helped.

@Song Book @Alisdragon911 @POOHEAD189

TNT - The Nameless Tavern. (Always Open)

@Alisdragon911

Hardwick hadn't even noticed Ayeka return to the bar until she spoke, her soft voice startling him with a jump back to the present. 'Uh, yeah, sorry. Just mistook him for someone else.' He stopped himself from adding 'Or something else.' The barmaid seemed innocent and well-meaning. She didn't need to know of the horrors that lay beyond mortal comprehension.

He produced a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his brow. His hand was visibly shaking with adrenaline-soaked anxiety. 'I'll... I'll have a straight whiskey - actually, make that a double.' He looked back at the drunk in the meantime, watching as he laughed at the fairy-man's latest outburst. Maybe his table should be the next port of call.

TNT - The Nameless Tavern. (Always Open)

Hardwick carefully watched the scene unfold. His breathing came quick and shallow, his heart beating rapidly, a hand resting lightly on the revolver under his trenchcoat. Perhaps it wouldn't come to that, but if it did...

"The dectective bought you a drink, do you know him by any means to you?" He narrowed his eyes and his gaze met the eavesdropper; a gaze like an arrow that pierced through the assailant's skull and into the wall beyond. It was a threat conveyed through gesture alone. His gloved hard tightened on the revolver. Time seemed to slow.

"I don't know him, but tell him I said thanks." The man seemed genuinely thankful for the drink. Hardwick relaxed, and his expression softened. This guy's just another traveller, like myself. 'Heh.' He chuckled to himself bitterly as he turned back to his empty glass. 'Here I am, jumping at ghosts again.'

@Alisdragon911 @arca9