GrizzTheMauler

Unlikely Team [Sporko+Grizz]

Zion chuckles. "Training is usually not something people look forward to." He looks up as a crow lands on his shoulder, a note attached to his leg. He takes it and the corvid flies off. He smiles as he recognizes his house seal and he opens it up to read.

To the foolhardy Ranger I trained and fell in love with:

Everything is holding steady for now. I fought off my own assassination attempt just a day prior. I've had a bit of a power struggle in my ranks but I haven't been Commander General for this long without keeping them under control. I know you and the young King will need Time, I can give it. Along with a few spare Rangers. I've included a few reports on the things Jivarn requested, it took up another bird, so work with him on that.

I can't wait to meet this new member of the House. Keep yourselves alive.

Dryden

PS: If you aren't back by our anniversary I will be quite upset, I was looking forward to the time off. And you work too much. So much upset I would have to take you in the Arena. I'm sure the Kin would love to see me beat you again.

Zion snorted as he finished the letter. "Sometimes I wonder why I ended up with such an oaf." He hands Vex a pendant that was attached to the letter. It's the symbol of the House of Valorian, an eagle etched into an anvil. "All I have left to tie you officially to the House is to submit the paperwork with the Council but that can wait. I will warn you, Dryder is a rather... rough sort. Ruggedly handsome and a total meathead at times."

---

Rex looked over the notes as he made his way into the labs. Looking around he locates the ingredients and starts getting to work. Most of them can be used in a poultice but Rex decided that he would make it as a tea. They had sweet scents and the Fae loved their sweet things.

Coming back to the room with a plate of light snacks and the honey infused tea, Rex nodded to Wyf. "This should help. I'm not much of an alchemist, but Jivarn's busy and Zion only knows enough herbalism to keep himself from being poisoned. Father was the one who dabbled." He took a seat and pulled out one of the books he'd grabbed from his room to read.

NEOTOKYO: State of Disarray [Open]

Takachi

Name
Takachi Grimaulkin Skygge

Nationality
Norwegian-Japanese

Age
30

Sexuality
Homosexual

Birth
June 8th, Okinawa

Appearance


Takachi is a tall well built man who’s almost always got a stern look on his face. Dark brown eyes glare at most other people around him as his presence seems to fill any room he’s in. He has visible scars, one that bisects his left eye though he never tells anyone how he got it, and everyone in the NSF assumes it’s from his time in the military. His black hair is kept closely cropped and styled. When speaking his voice is very calm no matter the circumstances and a deep baritone.

His everyday wear is usually some form of dark turtleneck and sweats. His uniform is the JSDF standard modified for the NSF, along with his usual service medals. Outside of work and off the base, he’s in jeans and gaming hoodies. He prefers to keep an anonymous profile, as he’s usually

Height
6’5”

Personality


On Duty, Takachi is professional, calculative and occasionally insubordinate when he feels the orders go too far. So far he has yielded exemplary results. He maintains a sense of responsibility and honor. In action, he is relentless in his pursuit of intel and occasionally comes across as shady when he steps into the interrogation room.

Off Duty, Takachi is quite jovial. He is calm and collected, a bit brash when he goes drinking with his friends and rarely sleeps around. His main characteristics loyalty, something his father drilled into him as a kid. He's quite adventurous, having used his time well to explore other cities and cultures.

Role
Advanced Recon and Intelligence Specialist.

Equipment
HPGR Ibis
Prototype Gauss Sniper Rifle made by Jūto Bakudan from Black Steele, a close friend and former comrade.

Spectre Configuration Armor Mk II
Designed by Jūto Bakudan, this armor is the same he uses in his JSDF duties. It is able to be modified for several different attack styles, though is generally used in Recon Configuration.


Previous Careers
Special Officer 1st Lieutenant tasked with infiltration and Intel recovery.

Biography


Takachi was born in the military base in Okinawa, Japan. His Father, Leif was there serving as an officer when he’d met his mother, Kara there. What started as a one night stand became a steady relationship and the two were married a few years later. Kara gave birth to him there, just before Leif got transferred from that station to one on the mainland in Tokyo. He would move around with his parents, though he was usually at his grandparent’s home in Hokkaido.

When Tokyo was nuked, Takachi was with his American grandparents in Los Angeles. It was upsetting to him, since his mother and her unborn second child had been there, visiting friends and were killed. His father was enraged, as in the attempt to save as many as he could, he lost his right arm, and his wife and unborn child. He recovered, getting a cybernetic one to replace it so he could continue his work in his company, Black Steele.

Takachi showed interest in the military growing up, which his grandfather eagerly approved of, stating it was better than his father’s mercenary work. He had him trained in martial arts, marksmanship and with a gleeful smile that Takachi came to fear, Infiltration and Extraction. By the time came for him to join, he was shunted into the Officer Program, earning high marks. IT was noted that during this time, in a training accident, Takachi got his left eye slashed, the eye itself was fine, however the scar remained.

When he was finally out at 18, he’d proven to be the best infiltrator in his class. He would go on to earn several commendations for his wetworks ops battling corporate espionage and other threats. When the NSF was announced, his CO immediately recommended him to join it, since his skills would be useful and citing a promotion. Takachi agreed, and signed on, stating that he would do his country and kin proud.

Affiliations


Jyu Rikashi: Grandfather, retired JSDF Colonel.
Lief Skygge: Father, Vice President of Black Steele, Director of Security.
Jūto Bakudan: Family friend, works for the same company as his father, Black Steele, a R&D powerhouse known for their armor and weapon designs.

Relationships [Optional]
Tbd

Character Theme

NEOTOKYO: State of Disarray [Open]

Now^TM

Takachi

Name
Takachi Grimaulkin Skygge

Nationality
Norwegian-Japanese

Age
30

Sexuality
Homosexual

Birth
June 8th, Okinawa

Appearance
Takachi is a tall well built man who’s almost always got a stern look on his face. Dark brown eyes glare at most other people around him as his presence seems to fill any room he’s in. He has visible scars, one that bisects his left eye though he never tells anyone how he got it, and everyone in the NSF assumes it’s from his time in the military. His black hair is kept closely cropped and styled. When speaking his voice is very calm no matter the circumstances and a deep baritone.

His everyday wear is usually some form of dark turtleneck and sweats. His uniform is the JSDF standard modified for the NSF, along with his usual service medals. Outside of work and off the base, he’s in jeans and gaming hoodies. He prefers to keep an anonymous profile, as he’s usually

Height
6’5”

Personality
On Duty, Takachi is professional, calculative and occasionally insubordinate when he feels the orders go too far. So far he has yielded exemplary results. He maintains a sense of responsibility and honor. In action, he is relentless in his pursuit of intel and occasionally comes across as shady when he steps into the interrogation room.

Off Duty, Takachi is quite jovial. He is calm and collected, a bit brash when he goes drinking with his friends and rarely sleeps around. His main characteristics loyalty, something his father drilled into him as a kid. He's quite adventurous, having used his time well to explore other cities and cultures.

Role
Advanced Recon and Intelligence Specialist.

Equipment
HPGR Ibis
Prototype Gauss Sniper Rifle made by Jūto Bakudan from Black Steele, a close friend and former comrade.

Spectre Configuration Armor Mk II
Designed by Jūto Bakudan, this armor is the same he uses in his JSDF duties. It is able to be modified for several different attack styles, though is generally used in Recon Configuration.

Previous Careers
Special Officer 1st Lieutenant tasked with infiltration and Intel recovery.

Biography
Takachi was born in the military base in Okinawa, Japan. His Father, Leif was there serving as an officer when he’d met his mother, Kara there. What started as a one night stand became a steady relationship and the two were married a few years later. Kara gave birth to him there, just before Leif got transferred from that station to one on the mainland in Tokyo. He would move around with his parents, though he was usually at his grandparent’s home in Hokkaido.

When Tokyo was nuked, Takachi was with his American grandparents in Los Angeles. It was upsetting to him, since his mother and her unborn second child had been there, visiting friends and were killed. His father was enraged, as in the attempt to save as many as he could, he lost his right arm, and his wife and unborn child. He recovered, getting a cybernetic one to replace it so he could continue his work in his company, Black Steele.

Takachi showed interest in the military growing up, which his grandfather eagerly approved of, stating it was better than his father’s mercenary work. He had him trained in martial arts, marksmanship and with a gleeful smile that Takachi came to fear, Infiltration and Extraction. By the time came for him to join, he was shunted into the Officer Program, earning high marks. IT was noted that during this time, in a training accident, Takachi got his left eye slashed, the eye itself was fine, however the scar remained.

When he was finally out at 18, he’d proven to be the best infiltrator in his class. He would go on to earn several commendations for his wetworks ops battling corporate espionage and other threats. When the NSF was announced, his CO immediately recommended him to join it, since his skills would be useful and citing a promotion. Takachi agreed, and signed on, stating that he would do his country and kin proud.

Affiliations
Jyu Rikashi: Grandfather, retired JSDF Colonel.
Lief Skygge: Father, Vice President of Black Steele, Director of Security.
Jūto Bakudan: Family friend, works for the same company as his father, Black Steele, a R&D powerhouse known for their armor and weapon designs.

Relationships [Optional]
Tbd

Character Theme

Unlikely Team [Sporko+Grizz]

"I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt if I can. However I am not one to be crossed." Zion's eyes darken. "There was never a need for this war. It was just one man's ambition impacting thousands of lives." He started to walk towards the grounds. "Rest for today. Tomorrow we will begin your training alongside preparing for whatever needs to be done. I have already sent word of your addition to the House."

---

Rex nods. "Alright. I'll keep it safe." He heads to the kitchens to see if he can get anything occasionally looking at the notebook to see what kinds of things help or hinder Jay's powers. He figured that Jay's grandfather also had a list of this and made note to keep any iron away from the Fae.

NEOTOKYO: State of Disarray [Open]

Working on a cs. Should have it finished by tomorrow.

Unlikely Team [Sporko+Grizz]

Zion's face darkens. "I see... Heinrick actually kept the notes." He looks off in the distance. "I trained some of them, you know. Father was getting worried about needing to protect them all the time and tasked me with their training. I had my lieutenant train them. Okran, if I remember correctly. And they did well. We did what we could to be able to defend themselves. Then... Then Tahrovin came along." His words were sour. "I told Okran that he wasn't a good fit. He was too... Ambitious. Exactly the sort that Father had warned against but the human refused to listen and he would hurt himself otherwise wo we trained him..." He motioned with a hand and shadows gathered around the ground and an image came into view. It was a memory of the Elder's.

-----
"I do not think it wise." A young Zion scowled at the scrawny human. "There is a dark fire in his eyes, Okran."

The older vampire chuckled. "It's roughly the same look that a certain Vampire has when he sees his mate." The large man chuckled, shaking his head. He shifted his helmet from one arm to the other. "I'll keep an eye on him. He's young. He'll grow out of it. We'll turn him into a fine soldier."

Ten years later

Fires raged in the castle. Vampires and humans alike were running all about as the Guard did what they could to protect everyone. Zion held on to a small child, running from the East wing to the courtyard where a large humanoid man with glowing red eyes and a burning sword stood over the charred remains of General Okran.

"It took you long enough." Tahrovin growled, a grin on his face. "Remember when you told me I would never be strong?" He laughed darkly, eyes filled with madness.

"I never said you wouldn't." Zion pushed the child behind him. "Stay put, Kexal." The Vampire glared at the other man. "I aid that you would be corrupted. Your ambition was always too great. You seek to destroy. You woke up Kurogane. Did you honestly think you could fight a Dragon? You are a fool."

"And you're a monster." Tahrovin chuckled then grunted as a horn called. "It's been a nice chat but I've got to go, see you in Hell, Zion." He struck the ancient sword in the ground, fire bursting from it and taking off into the night. Zion covered the child behind him, his shadows absorbing the strike. Overhead a dragon cry sounded and black fire started to rain down from the sky.

---

Zion waved his hand and the memory vanished. "Heinrick collected all of the events and compiled everything. He was always an archivist and Tahrovin had swayed him to his side. The man was as cunning as he was ambitious. He'd made a deal with a demon, to gain enough strength to destroy our people, founding the Hunters. They have turned away from such practices after Dryder managed to kill him. Not much remains of the history of that time..." The Elder Vampire sighed. "I knew a lot of good humans. Men and Women who wanted to be able to fight for themselves. I even regularly employed humans as my assistants. I've done what I could to keep relations positive. It's is difficult, considering the pull the Hunters hold on Humanity. Preying on the fear of differences they have."

---

Rex nods. "I know... I wouldn't blame you, Jay. Get some rest. I'll see what I can do." He thinks for a moment. "I do not use Alchemy as much. Jivarn does. I focus on runecraft. More powerful effects, just takes time to master the Aetts. I'm about journeyman level. What effect would you need? I can probably set up some regeneration charms, they help recover energy. Aren't too taxing, especially since I had to use a blood rune to cancel that pendant."

He reached into one of the pockets of his coat and pulled out a bag. Rex pulled out three runes, naming them softly as he placed them on the ground. His facial tattoos glowed silver as he pulled upon the Wyrd. "Berkanan, Thurisaz, Laguz. Like a stream fills the river that flows into the lake, come forth oh Fount of power. I beseech the Well that feeds the roots of the Tree. Heimta knáligr." The runes shimmered and erupted into a fine blue mist, that drifted over to Jay and proceeded to cover him like a second skin. Rex let out a deep breath. "This will help. Rune magic isn't great for fast combat but it more than makes up for it's weakness with how versatile it is. Do you need anything to eat? The charm usually increases one's metabolism."

Unlikely Team [Sporko+Grizz]

Zion nodded. "He will be. The effect of those stones is concerning and I will need to send word to Dryder concerning them. We've been an uneasy ceasefire with the Hunters for several years now but those threaten any sort of peace." He leaned against the shed, several shadows shifting towards him. He regarded them with a grunt and they returned to normal, Vex feeling the subtle shift of Shadowmancy.

"The Hunters would see every other species destroyed. As if the Gods only made them worthy of the Land. It is a heinous act." He sighed as he looked at Vex. "I know I do not have the cleanest hands. My Father was once the King of the land Kurogane razed. But we had fought to keep out the evils that sought to corrupt the Humans. We had thought we were doing them a service."

---

Rex grumbles. "I didn't like it either. It's unnatural." He shook his head. "And to think that this is what the Hunters have turned to.. No offense, Jay, but this is practically a war crime. We need to solve the Undead problem fast. So that we can stop this one too."

The Tower Chapter 1: A New Dawn

Darkspire shrugged. "However long you need I will try to get you. No one will investigate this place and it is very secure. I will see to getting other necessary materials such as clothing and the like. There are security droids here but they will not be needed unless you find yourself in danger." She leaned back in her chair. "In the unlikely event that you need aid, Orwell will be able to assist. I will be upfront with intentions. I am seeking the Parahuman Protection Society's aid. While the Church seems to be a Viable option, Atom has sent messengers, I do not trust him or agree with his beliefs."

She let out a sigh. "I do not wish to destroy the city I live in, merely to allow myself and those I care for to live in it, and to recover what has been taken from me. I'll be the first to admit that I'm no saint. I never have been, nor will I be one."

Unlikely Team [Sporko+Grizz]

Zion observed the manticore. "We are not. I am Council Elder Zion, Lord of Hightower and of House Valorian." He frowned as he looked over his wings. "You will be safe here with us. I do believe Jivarn has a stable out in the back that would fit well for you. It used to house a Wyvern." He snapped his fingers and several shadows raced from his feet and around the building. A soft grinding noise could be heard. "When was thew last time you fed?"

As Jay yelped, Rex had turned to him and went over to him. "Your pendant..." He grimaced, feeling it's effects spike and he quickly drew a bone rune, trusting his magic and throwing it at the pendant. It was a Perth rune that once touching the pendant, absorbed it, a small red dot appearing in it's center as Rex caught Jay and checked him over, Skuggi grabbing the rune and examining it. "Zion... Can you help me get him inside?"

"Of course." Zion lifted the hunter easily and made his way inside. "Vex, see to your familiar, we will convene in the back plaza after I set the young hunter to bed." He walked into Rex's wing and set him in one of the guest beds. Jivarn entered and took his vitals, examining the rune that contained the pendant, observing several cracks in it's surface as it wasn't fully contained.

"I should have taken his as well." The vampire grunted. "He shall be fine, will probably awaken hungry. Fae blood reacts very wildly to containment magics. Especially since draining them is particularly toxic. Wild Magic is poison to most." Jivarn took a sample of blood for study and headed to his lab where a shattering sound came from and Jivarn cursed in the old Tongue.

Rex shook his head. "That was a bit intense... It felt like a burn... But necrotic."

"It consumes magic." Zion shook his head. "I do not wish to see who made it but we might need more backup if we are to face Hunters armed with this..." He turned and headed out to examine the stables with Vex and see how to make Crash comfortable here.

Unlikely Team [Sporko+Grizz]

Zion grunted. "Same here. It lies in one of the few regrets I hold in my long life. I do believe they even have a name for me among them, The Black King." He scoffed. "They painted themselves the victims when they attacked me first. But that was centuries ago. I..." He paused, his head snapping towards the city as he moved to the window. "By Valorian's bloody beard.." The vampire swore as he gazed upon the manticore as it flew into the city. "Is that a manticore? I haven't seen one in nearly a century after Brigald wiped out the last known nest in Brightport. They don't live around this area anymore. I remember a few would even bond with them as companions and be able to ride them like the Griffin Knights in the old days."

Rex just stared at it for a moment, grabbed his notebook and started running down the stairs to go take notes of the creature. "Father would have a fit if he could see this..." He stopped a few feet away from the creature, taking notes on it's size, Skuggi observing as he perched on the young vampire's shoulder, sending a welcoming image to the creature.

City. "Hello." The skullbird chirped at the beast. Tattered wing. Ankle chain. "Injury? Captive?" The skullbird's throughts were tinged with worry and a bit of sorrow.

Zion followed after Rex, observing the manticore. "Is this your companion, Vex? He's too well-behaved to be wild."