Children of Infinity [OOC/Mostly Closed]

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Welp. My logical side says I certainly won't have time for this. But between an interesting concept, and so many familiar face I don't think I can resist at least tagging.

An app may or may not pop up in the coming days

Hey man, welcome aboard

[Tomia]

Yep, that's the idea. I'd think that they would collapse without the Sun Spear's support, either because they would be ostracized by the Parliament, or simply since they rely on them for funding and supplies. The Order of Iron isn't all that effective as a governing force, so I doubt they'd be able to sustain themselves without a larger Order backing them up. On the side of the Sun Spears I figure that they get the benefit of having a little attack dog that they can set loose on anyone who looks at them wrong.

That being said, I'm happy to change anything about them. I figured that the Order of Iron might not mesh super well with the setting and I'm not wedded to the concept.

Okay that's perfect my worry was if they were a true splinter faction it may make it sound like the sunspears are more moderate/peaceful than they are supposed to come off as. Proxy attack dog works perfectly, I think it's a good idea

[Nations United for Conquest]

Welp. My logical side says I certainly won't have time for this. But between an interesting concept, and so many familiar face I don't think I can resist at least tagging.

An app may or may not pop up in the coming days

Hai NUC!!!

Hello there friend. As you can guess, my current road block is finishing up the book.

Welp. My logical side says I certainly won't have time for this. But between an interesting concept, and so many familiar face I don't think I can resist at least tagging.

An app may or may not pop up in the coming days

NUC! Good to see you!

Bentus! Long time no see!

Welp. My logical side says I certainly won't have time for this. But between an interesting concept, and so many familiar face I don't think I can resist at least tagging.

An app may or may not pop up in the coming days

Hey man, welcome aboard

It's been about ten minutes. Skimmed the OP. Already ideas for a character based off the Italian Condottiero are flowing into my mind Is 'Warcimes' an acceptable skill? and the possibility of bringing over Eavan, as this would undoubtably fit her well

[Zei-Aeiytenia]

At this point I'm waiting for the day you tell everyone you just went and published it all as a PJO fanfic independently of the RP lol.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

I do think Eavan would be a good fit yeah. Pointy ears aside

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

To be honest the sun spears seem to be about as kratocratic as you can possibly be while still having a functional society and/or not being at war with all the other orders. The only way I'd see for an Order of Iron to be meaningfully more extreme is if they'd prefer that the sun spears fought an open war against the other orders to bring them under their rule. But that begs the question as to why they'd even be allowed to exist, especially if they're not capable of independently governing themselves. Otherwise the other way I'd see the Order of Iron making sense is if became what the sun spears already are and the suns spears became different. Proxy/attack dog doesn't make sense either because nobody has any problem with fighting against non-believers at will and that's what the sun spears already do & all other conflict is limited to the six hour war system and why would you need a proxy for that?

[Bentus]

To be honest the sun spears seem to be about as kratocratic as you can possibly be while still having a functional society and/or not being at war with all the other orders. The only way I'd see for an Order of Iron to be meaningfully more extreme is if they'd prefer that the sun spears fought an open war against the other orders to bring them under their rule. But that begs the question as to why they'd even be allowed to exist, especially if they're not capable of independently governing themselves Otherwise the only way I'd see the iron order making sense is if became what the sun spears already are and the suns spears became different. Proxy/attack dog doesn't make sense either because nobody has any problem with fighting against non-believers at will and that's what the sun spears already do & all other conflict is limited to the six hour war system and why would you need a proxy for that.

That's fair. I'd be the first to admit that I don't have a full grasp of how the Sun Spears are going to be presented once the IC rolled around, so I might be under-selling them. My thinking is that the main split between the two orders is less on whether the strong should rule, but more on the implementation of their vow. While the Sun Spears know to build up their strength and establish a base of operations, the Order of Iron is effectively all-in on offensive operations and they believe that doing anything else goes against the goal of continuing the war against the redem's enemies. They'd probably be happy to attack another Order that they believe had betrayed the rest of the redem, but I figure the Sun Spears know to just keep pointing them at more appropriate opponents. From the Spears' perspective, it gives them at least a modicum of distance from some of the more heinous/questionable actions of the Order. If there's somebody they want to attack, but said attack would be frowned upon by the rest of the Parliament, they could send in the Order of Iron and claim that it technically wasn't the Sun Spears - or at least that was my thought process.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

I don't have much interest in playing the contrarian and am more than happy to let you and Tom work it out, but my two cents is that I figure things would work out just fine if the pivotal point of distinction was a mix between the agoge and general tactics. With the exception of their compliance with the academy's program, the Sun Spear is more attached to traditional forms of knight training such as squiredom and noble families training their young in-house, in contrast with the agoge which is a free for all fatality fuckfest. And while I imagine the Sun Spear understands the value in capturing enemy assets and personnel to gather intel and strengthen the order as a whole, I can see the Iron being more "fuck everything up if it kills them" kinda guys, which I reckon would be sufficiently annoying to warrant the separation. The problem I see with your conception of the Order of Iron as you've outlined it is how many times the Sun Spear would be allowed to pull their "haha, wasn't us!" trick before someone else goes "oh it isn't you now is it" and just ends the Iron.

But that's just my two cents off the top of my head, and they're Tom's brainchild, so y'now, I'ma defer to him on the matter

[Nations United for Conquest]

So, I may just be struggling to interpret certain things, but are the weapons present energy constructs, or are they actual cold steel?

[Zarkenis Ultima]

So, I may just be struggling to interpret certain things, but are the weapons present energy constructs, or are they actual cold steel?

Knights mostly use energy weapons yeah. Think of it like a metal frame with an energy edge. There are also cold steel weapons though. They're just not as useful

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

So, I may just be struggling to interpret certain things, but are the weapons present energy constructs, or are they actual cold steel?

Knights mostly use energy weapons yeah. Think of it like a metal frame with an energy edge. There are also cold steel weapons though. They're just not as useful

This kind of begs a question I've been wondering. I know that energy projectiles don't exist in the settings, but what's stopping galant batteries being used to create a kinetic projectile with 'energy' around it?

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Knights mostly use energy weapons yeah. Think of it like a metal frame with an energy edge. There are also cold steel weapons though. They're just not as useful

This kind of begs a question I've been wondering. I know that energy projectiles don't exist in the settings, but what's stopping galant batteries being used to create a kinetic projectile with 'energy' around it?

Beyond plot you mean? Scarcity.

EDIT: Bentus, I've added Lars to the character list. If you want a color change just give me the code you want

[Bentus]

EDIT: Bentus, I've added Lars to the character list. If you want a color change just give me the code you want

How about 0x191919? (not really, I think you've nailed it with the maroon brown)

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

This kind of begs a question I've been wondering. I know that energy projectiles don't exist in the settings, but what's stopping galant batteries being used to create a kinetic projectile with 'energy' around it?

Beyond plot you mean? Scarcity.

EDIT: Bentus, I've added Lars to the character list. If you want a color change just give me the code you want

Well, I guess plot is enough of a reason. But if scarcity is the issue, energy harpoons seem like a winner. Especially if you could power an energy spear through a tether connected to galant batteries in the weapon itself, drop the tether on impact, then fire the next shot. I'm just coming up with ideas, Violet's going to be a tinkerer after all.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

EDIT: Bentus, I've added Lars to the character list. If you want a color change just give me the code you want

How about 0x191919? (not really, I think you've nailed it with the maroon brown)

Great to hear

Beyond plot you mean? Scarcity.

EDIT: Bentus, I've added Lars to the character list. If you want a color change just give me the code you want

Well, I guess plot is enough of a reason. But if scarcity is the issue, energy harpoons seem like a winner. Especially if you could power an energy spear through a tether connected to galant batteries in the weapon itself, drop the tether on impact, then fire the next shot. I'm just coming up with ideas, Violet's going to be a tinkerer after all.

Thrown weapons are viable as long as they are readily recoverable yeah, the main thing is you don't want to waste a battery on a single shot or worse yet, let whoever you're attacking have it. As fun as the idea of pulling out the battery with a rope after it hits is, though, I'm not sure that'd work

Also to be fair, I think of tinkerers as more focused on upgrades for armor and other gear, not weapons, though melee weapon modification can certainly be a thing.

[Zei-Aeiytenia]

See the weird thing I was thinking about was like, micro size batteries, stick em on the end of a crossbow bolt, kinda acts like a HEAT round when it hits.

Still a scarcity issue, and one use issue, but seemed easier than something that projects a whole ass harpoon blade or whatever.

[Nations United for Conquest]

Well, an app will probably be up tomorrow. Just have to do the backstory. Might having something for Eavan in the coming days

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Well grappling hooks are already in the OP and if there anything like grappling hooks in most sci-fi settings being able to reel the battery back in doesn't seen like it'd be too difficult. Though orginally what I was thinking the battery wouldn't even leave the gun. I can't really tell if the batteries generate the field or power the thing that generates the field, as that's pretty important to how the energy sheilds for armor work. For example, if the batteries are embeded in armor to generate the field then shields would gradually fail in specific places rather than all at once.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

See the weird thing I was thinking about was like, micro size batteries, stick em on the end of a crossbow bolt, kinda acts like a HEAT round when it hits.

Still a scarcity issue, and one use issue, but seemed easier than something that projects a whole ass harpoon blade or whatever.

I figure that'd be true if making the battery just, extremely tiny, was trivial. But I reckon making a complex technological apparatus very very small is a lot harder than making it big.

Or maybe not and I'm just talking out of my ass. Entirely possible. But that's where the entire OP comes from too

Well grappling hooks are already in the OP and if there anything like grappling hooks in most sci-fi settings being able to reel the battery back in doesn't seen like it'd be too difficult. Though orginally what I was thinking the battery wouldn't even leave the gun. I can't really tell if the batteries generate the field or power the thing that generates the field, as that's pretty important to how the energy sheilds for armor work. For example, if the batteries are embeded in armor to generate the field then shields would gradually fail in specific places rather than all at once.

I kinda figured armor shields do fail altogether once the battery's drained enough. A single pool of energy protects the whole body kind of thing.

Well, an app will probably be up tomorrow. Just have to do the backstory. Might having something for Eavan in the coming days

Great to hear man, will look forward to it.

You think you could avoid unintelligible accents though? That'd be quite nice.

[Nations United for Conquest]

Well, an app will probably be up tomorrow. Just have to do the backstory. Might having something for Eavan in the coming days

You think you could avoid unintelligible accents though? That'd be quite nice.

Just cause you said that, I'm going to include one. And give it to Eavan so she's even harder to understand

This is sarcasm

[Zarkenis Ultima]

You think you could avoid unintelligible accents though? That'd be quite nice.

Just cause you said that, I'm going to include one. And give it to Eavan so she's even harder to understand

This is sarcasm

Drat.

[Finland SSR]

Sun Spear Order mentioned last night.

SUN SPEARS RULE EVERYONE ELSE DROOL
HOORAH

[Nations United for Conquest]

Character Sheet

Name: Orlando 'Oran' of Thistleton
Gender: M
Age: 19
Appearance:

Backstory:

"I'm no Hero.
Never was.
I'm just an Old Soldier
Hired to do some wet-work"
- Solid Snake, MGS IV

The Marches of Olaue was a beautiful place. It was one of the few habitual sectors of Monosa, an otherwise paradisal planet in the Wayward Arm. Sprawling woodlands and grand mountains older than some stars. The hardest part about living there was finding somewhere to live. The vegetation grew magnificently but at a rate that was unable to be controlled. Few were the areas where the vegetation was thin enough to even think of building. The Marches of Olaue was one such. Oryvn Olaue had many years ago been a renowned knight who fought valiantly against the faithless. His efforts had earned him, and all his descendants land on Monosa. For many years, the Olaue family governed the March well. They were harsh but fair rulers, embodying the tenets of the Sun Spear to the tee. Several smaller towns and fiefdoms rose across the March in the years since the family inherited it. Barca, Harmon, Thornsbury, and, of course, my own town of Thistleton were the most populated of them all.

For a time, things were well. But humans are hardly a stagnant race, nor are they a peaceful one. Let that be a lesson: where men go, violence follows. The problems started in Barca and Harmon if my memory serves me correct. The population in Barca had begun to expand and they were fast running out of room. Harmon was still growing and so had not built up all their land. Barca saw their chance and began moving people there, making them pay tax to Barca despite living on Harmon land. Well, as you might have guessed, Harmon didn't take too well to this! Complaints grew into arguments and eventually into fists. Now, this is when you might've expected Old Orvyn Olaue the sixteenth or how-many-ever to do something. You'd guess wrong. He simply kept on watching. Barca got away with it, and Thornsberry saw this and attempted to do the same. And they got away with it.

Well, things eventually started to get out of hand, as they're wont to do. What had begun as brawls between settlers turned into full-fledged fights. We mostly relied on the Olaue the lesser Knights under their service for protection and so we only had Cold Steel and maybe some half century old energy weapons for use. It was a mess. The year of my seventh winter was the first time I met a Versali, and likewise, Ser Lorenzo, the Wind-Blessed. See, the lords of the towns didn't have much in the way of trained soldiers, but what they did have was money. Put out a few feelers here and there, call an old buddy from one of the frontier campaigns, and boom! Next thing you know, trained, or at the very least experience men and women a plenty, ready to bloody their hands for some coin or the hell of it. The Parliament and Grand Orders love to speak of their oaths and ideals, and that's all well and good, but Knight's cannot be everywhere at once, and not all men who bare the mantle of Knight live up to their peers. There always exists the need for men who are willing to bloody their hands for less than noble reasons.

Enter the Versali. If an Oath is what makes a Knight, what do you call a warrior who doesn't take one? Some may call them Faithless or Heretics. And they would not be wrong. The Versali got their start during the war against the faithless, or so Ser Lorenzo also said. But those who are a little more worldly, a little more aware of the nature of men and life at large, call them Versali. They who fight for themselves, for coin, or fun. For a cause that is bound by paper and writing and not word of mouth and honor. Some days, they're heroes. Often, they're criminals. Sorry, I'm getting off track, but this is important to understand my story.

The Versali came alone or in pairs and small groups. Something more than a common Mercenary and maybe not quite a Knight. The Olaue let them come. They trained those of us who could fight and advised us in battle. Monosa is not a world designed for the 'honorable' pitched combat of which Knights are so fond. We fought in the jungles and the streets and anywhere we could. Houses burned, and men were stabbed in their sleep. It made no sense to me at the time. I would come to learn that Olaue thought the fights would produce strong candidates to become Knights under their banner. What were a few settlements when more existed and could be granted the destroyed lands? I only learned such after Thistleton had burned to the ground and I was off world.

Someone from the Thornsbury camp had become impatient. Wanted this whole farce done and dusted. They got their wish. Someone had scrounged up a good old mixture of Chimera's Breath. One part Napalm, one part White Phosphorous, and one part some chemical compound that was nearly illegal to even speak. It had been a special little blend of death the Faithless had come up with about halfway through the war. Burned like a miniature sun, stuck to near everything, and could burn right through a Knight's armor if given the time. Hard to put out as well. Thistleton stood no chance. I survived by hiding in a well. Almost drowned in the process. Came out tired and angry. The men from Thornsbury had strolled in. A few Versali and a good dozen peasants from Thornsbury. They were digging through the rubble, looting as they went. Killing any poor bastards who were still burning to death.

To this day, I'm still not sure what possessed me to act, but it changed my life. A small blade had been left on the ground, untouched by some miracle. I made a mad dash for it. Took it in my small hands and thrust it right into the kidney of a Versali who had crouched down to pick through a bag. The blade went in clean, slipping just below the edge of his cuirass. I dragged the blade up and to the side about an inch or two before I drew it out and struck the inner flesh of his thigh. Severed the artery. By the time his fellows noticed me and pressed my face to the ashen earth, he had bled to death. I figured that was it for me. I could already feel the edge of cold steel against my neck. I was hauled to my feet and came face to face with a one-armed bastard. Ser Lorenzo in the flesh. His eyes were like the sky on a moonless night, and I could feel the weight of their look.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"Orlando," I replied curtly.

"Why did you kill Jebediah? Had he perhaps wronged you in some way?" he asked, strangely curious.

"He wasn't paying attention and was closest to my height," I spoke honestly.

"That's all? And who was your father, son?" The man asked, somewhat amused. It was perhaps the only reason I was alive.

"The local tanner," said I.

"The Tanner?" The Ser said with a laugh. "Boy, how old are you?"

"Seven this winter."

The man laughed again. He found some amusement in the fact some nobody seven-year-old had killed one of the Versali under his command. The deadman could have been considered something relative to a Squire Lorenzo had said, although he was far older than any squire I had ever met. Not that seven-year-old me had met many. I was given a choice: Die there in the ashes with the rest of the town or replace the man I had killed. It was a simple enough decision. I went with Ser Lorenzo that day and became something of his personal squire. He had been a Knight many years ago but had left his order for one reason or another. He always said it was because he valued his sword skills above his oath, but there was something more to it, I know. But I never questioned it. Instead, I took to my lessons, learning all I could about swordplay from the man. He taught well and with a skill that you would not assume him capable of should you ever listen to him attempt to explain anything unrelated to weapons. A weapon head he was, although I'm told his influence has rubbed off on me. For the first five years, I did little but learn basic education and swordplay. I stayed on Lorenzo's personal vessel as we traveled.

When I was twelve, Lorenzo thought me suitable enough to take on missions. From that point on, it became common that I would gain first-hand experience alongside my lessons. I served as something of an adjutant to Ser in his missions. I would shadow him, watching how he handled negations and contracts, but more importantly, how he fared with his sword. All the little tricks of the trade a Versali needed to know---good deals from bad, how to deal with unruly clients, and most importantly, the practical application of the Treatises I had studied day and night for years. I rarely truly participated in the fights. Sure, sometimes I took on the rogue remnant who tried to pull a fast one, or if Ser thought there was an opponent of my level he may let me have a go.

Truly, I didn't start fighting on my own until I was around Seventeen. By then, I had come into my own. As we traveled, I tried my hand at duels, whether through happenstance or formalized competitions. I fell even more in love with the craft to the point I was practically begging Ser to let me go off on my own. More than once, I caused a good deal of trouble by challenging a noble or squire (unknowingly) and leaving them injured or maimed. Ser, good-natured, he had laughed them off, but I'm sure I frustrated him with such antics often.

But like all things, it would not last. When I was eighteen, Ser Lorenzo finally met his match. Some puckish Knight had come to challenge him. Apparently, Ser had killed his father some years back, and the brat wanted revenge. I had never asked Ser his age, but he must have been damn old by that point, and the boy had two arms to his one. He put up a good fight but eventually was slain. Handed me his sword and told me the School was now in my hands. To finish what his Master had started. Smiled like the insufferable bastard he was and drifted off to be one with the stars. Well, I kept with it even following that. Inherited all the old man's stuff, from his ship and arms to the Knight's armor he kept stashed away for really dire situations.

Around my nineteenth year, I undertook a bit of a troublesome deal with a shady little noble. Probably shouldn't have accepted, but I was low on money. Apparently, there was a duel to be had between a few old friends and their heirs. Well, one of the heirs, one of my employers in fact, had to drop out on account of an injury suffered in training. The noble couldn't exactly back out, as it'd look bad apparently, and so had hired me. Made some sob-story of how I was his heir's best friend and my parents had barred me from perusing Knighthood. His heir had befriended me and taught me swordplay in the hopes of one day making me a Squire, and so I was then honor-bound to take her place. Somehow, the other nobles bought that load of space dust, and I was entered in.

I figure the bastard probably figured I'd put up a good fight, win a bout to two and then get my ass handed to me by some noble. Unfortunately, he didn't add a clause for me to lose and was left at a loss when I swept the competition. Personally, I had gotten what I wanted; a few decent fights and some coin and would've been just fine leaving then. But those naive, bleeding-heart nobles had bought into my story too much. Next thing I know I'm giving out information, praying to the stars no one recognizes my name, and standing next to the awkward, sweaty noble as my transfer to this new Academy thing that was set up around the time I was born. Never heard of it.

I still have my reservations about the whole thing, but perhaps it'll end up being what I need. A place to carry on Ser's legacy and perhaps learn a little more about him. Hopefully, my classmates can provide some good sparing partners!
Skill Sheet

General
Law: A Candle in the Breeze ~ La Candela di Orlando - An ability devised by Orlando to make up for some of the lacking power of the Burrasca del Nord style. It is a simple ability linked to the blade, La Candela di Orlando, but quite hard to master. In essence, the power used to fuel the blade exchanges sustainability for raw power. By activating a flux mode, the power output of the sword vastly increases, allowing it to pierce material more easily and overwhelm shields faster. However, in such a mode, in order to prevent the destruction of sword, the blade can only be activated for short bursts, on a timer. Proper use of the sword in such a mode requires timing the activation of the blade with the execution of moves, making it harder for the opponent to engage the blade but leaving Orlando without a weapon in those moments. The ratio of time off to on is 1:5, requiring immense skill and focus to use efficiently. The mode can only last for a minute, and upon completion requires a full ten minutes for the batteries to cool enough to reactivate the sword, and a further thirty minutes to activate the Law again.

It is an ability that Orlando is fond of using at the beginning of fights against opponents whom he doesn't have time to fight protracted bouts with, larger groups of opponents, or to make up for the lull in battle often caused by the style.
Skills: Maintenance | Artistics | Acrobatics

La Candela di Orlando | [Side-Sword]
Power: 3
Finesse: 1
Adaptability: 2

Description: Burrasca del Nord - A style created by Lorenzo Bada. It is a school of swordsmanship that is primarily based on the use of a Side-Sword but can be applied in some measure to near any style of one-handed or arming sword. The style favors the thrust rather than the cutting edge of the blade. A shield or parrying dagger is recommended; however, the style was born from a man who fought with but a single arm and thus is designed for blade alone. The key principle the style follows is in the act of parry and riposte. Feints and cuts are used to position the opponent's blades so as to open them for a quick and debilitating thrust or, in the absence of such opportunity, overwhelm them with thrusts and cuts until the point their fatigue is so great they provide openings through exhaustion. It is a style best suited to use against a single or a small number of opponents. With such an emphasis on singular strikes and glancing blows, it is not a style that requires much in the way of true debilitating power. There exists a lull in the style, where it is effective at the beginning of a battle, catching the opponent off-guard with the fluidity of the style, allowing for a quick parry and riposte, or at the very end when the opponent is so bloodied and worn, they cannot defend properly. However, in the middle of battle, its offensive power is lacking, and the user is relegated largely to defensive measures.

Orlando was taught the style from a young age. He was destined to one day become the master of the I Quattro Venti school of swordsmanship and expand its teachings himself. As such, he is deftly proficient in the style. During his tenure at the academy, he hopes to further refine the style and work on including his own variations of stances and attacks.

Shall We Duel? | [Kryptos]
Power: 1
Finesse: 2
Adaptability: 3

Description: Shall We Duel? - Orlando had never been one over proficient in the use of the Arcane. His master less so. Thusly the focus of his studies was near solely reserved for skill and fundamentals of weapons play. But it was not wholly ignored. Over the course of the years, having watched and studied other wielders of the Arcane, Orlando began to develop a use of his own for magic. A single use. For one who lacks the talent and skill to fully utilize magic, Orlando would undoubtedly find himself at a disadvantage. Thus, he did the only thing that seemed reasonable: level the playing field. By using a concept of 'counter-magic,' Orlando went all in on the singular idea of preventing his opponents from activating their own spells. The result? An area of magic interference extends from Orlando himself, being stronger the closer one is to him, with the intent of forcing an opponent to rely solely on their skills with a weapon rather than magic.

However, it is not a technique without its downsides. The effect must be manually activated, and since it prevents the activation of spells, it cannot cancel spells that have already taken effect or been cast. Casting outside of its range is an obvious workaround, and the farther you are from Lawrence, the less effect it has. The ability primarily affects complicated spells. The more focus and intent required to cast, the easier it is to be effectively disrupted, leaving it vulnerable to powerful, simple spells. Additionally, it affects allies as well as enemies. However, with no visual or audio cues to its activation, by the time an opponent realizes they're in the field, it is already too late.

La Banderuola | [Pollaxe]
Power: 1
Finesse: 3
Adaptability: 2

Description: Burrasca del Sud - A style born by Lorenzo Bada and refined by Orlando. In his younger days, when Lorenzo had both his arms, he had become fascinated with the thought of polearm combat and thought to include it in the teachings of the school. He forged a weapon to his specifications and began to develop a style around the unique weapon. However, losing his arm in a duel prevented further development of the style, and the weapon was left to the wayside, the forms and movements all theoretical. That was until the arrival of Orlando. The boy had found the unfinished manuscripts and, much like his Master, became infatuated with the weapon. In the evenings and the scarce days off, Orlando would practice the weapon. He used the manuscripts as a base and a combination of his own imagination and the use of similar weapons to further refine the style. At its base, it is designed to overwhelm the opponent with powerful strikes to disarm or destroy their armor. Combining principles of the spear, war hammer, and war axe, it is an adaptable weapon. However, it is not one Orlando is overly familiar with, having practiced primarily in his spare time. As such, he is lacking experience facing opponents with the weapon. Many forms and moves are purely guesswork on Orlando's behalf, leading to a style that requires Orlando to maintain initiative at all times and lacks much in the way of a refined defense.


Extras

Favorite Foods: Stew, Flatbread, Anything Eavan makes, Dark Liquors (neat)
Least Favorite Foods: Salt Pork, Energy Bars, Sweet things
Phobias: Nosocomephobia, The smell of burning flesh
Hobbies: Blacksmithing, Sketching, maintaining his equipment, Watching fights, Fighting, Reading (Treaties and Manuscripts)
Birth Date:
Theme Song:
Additional Information:

Oran? - Who told you that? Gods that damnable woman. It's something Eavan came up with when we were younger. The idiot thought my name was 'too long' and decided to shorten it. I've tried to get her to call me by my name for the last ten years, but she's a stubborn one.

The Cold Steel? Ah, you saw those, did you? I've always enjoyed Blacksmithing and decided it'd be nice to be able to train without my armor! It makes duels easier, too, since there's less of a chance for collateral damage. Plus, there's something about Cold Steel that just speaks to me. Yes, I made Eavan's, but it'll cost you if you want some!

A Versali? - Oi, not so loud. I doubt many of these noble kids have ever heard that before, but if they did, it's gonna be hell. I doubt a Versali, even technically a former one, would be looked upon fondly here. Ser Lorenzo said there were places in the Severing Arm he was banned, and I don't doubt I'm the same.

Eavan? - I guess you'd be a bit confused about how I know someone like her, huh? Well, unlike most of her family, her parent were merchants. More than a few times, Ser took jobs guarding and escorting them. Especially when I was young. We'd often end up training together since we were similar ages, and somewhere along the way, a bond was born. It's strange, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It may be years since I last saw her, but I'd still trust her to watch my back any day.

Those Books? - These are my Treatises and Manuscripts. Well, some ar-were Ser's. It's the basics and fundamentals of I Quattro Venti. Ser started them, and I've since continued them. It's important for any distinguished school to have works detailing their forms...No, you can't look through them. But I do have some other Schools' manuscripts I've transcribed and copied over the years if you want to look through them.

The East and West? - I suppose you'd be curious about that. A style called for the Four Winds and with only two present would certainly be odd. Burrasca del Ovest is a style based on the use of the Longsword, while Burrasca dell'Est is based around unarmed combat versus both armed and unarmed opponents. While I have read the Treatises on both styles, in truth I am hardly proficient in them. Del Nord has always been my main focus point, and Ser, lacking two arms, was unable to teach me the majority of the content. However, Eavan has been quite helpful in completing the Treatise of Del Ovest. I hope to further refine both in my time at the Academy given I've heard many of my peers favor such styles.

I lied. First app is up now since I'm terrible at managing my time. My body is going to hate me in six hours when I have to go run...Oh well

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Sun Spear Order mentioned last night.

SUN SPEARS RULE EVERYONE ELSE DROOL
HOORAH

I like that you're getting into the spirit but the Phantom Blade is clearly better

Character Sheet

Name: Orlando 'Oran' of Thistleton
Gender: M
Age: 19
Appearance:

(Image)

Backstory:

"I'm no Hero.
Never was.
I'm just an Old Soldier
Hired to do some wet-work"
- Solid Snake, MGS IV

The Marches of Olaue was a beautiful place. It was one of the few habitual sectors of Monosa, an otherwise paradisal planet in the Wayward Arm. Sprawling woodlands and grand mountains older than some stars. The hardest part about living there was finding somewhere to live. The vegetation grew magnificently but at a rate that was unable to be controlled. Few were the areas where the vegetation was thin enough to even think of building. The Marches of Olaue was one such. Oryvn Olaue had many years ago been a renowned knight who fought valiantly against the faithless. His efforts had earned him, and all his descendants land on Monosa. For many years, the Olaue family governed the March well. They were harsh but fair rulers, embodying the tenets of the Sun Spear to the tee. Several smaller towns and fiefdoms rose across the March in the years since the family inherited it. Barca, Harmon, Thornsbury, and, of course, my own town of Thistleton were the most populated of them all.

For a time, things were well. But humans are hardly a stagnant race, nor are they a peaceful one. Let that be a lesson: where men go, violence follows. The problems started in Barca and Harmon if my memory serves me correct. The population in Barca had begun to expand and they were fast running out of room. Harmon was still growing and so had not built up all their land. Barca saw their chance and began moving people there, making them pay tax to Barca despite living on Harmon land. Well, as you might have guessed, Harmon didn't take too well to this! Complaints grew into arguments and eventually into fists. Now, this is when you might've expected Old Orvyn Olaue the sixteenth or how-many-ever to do something. You'd guess wrong. He simply kept on watching. Barca got away with it, and Thornsberry saw this and attempted to do the same. And they got away with it.

Well, things eventually started to get out of hand, as they're wont to do. What had begun as brawls between settlers turned into full-fledged fights. We mostly relied on the Olaue the lesser Knights under their service for protection and so we only had Cold Steel and maybe some half century old energy weapons for use. It was a mess. The year of my seventh winter was the first time I met a Versali, and likewise, Ser Lorenzo, the Wind-Blessed. See, the lords of the towns didn't have much in the way of trained soldiers, but what they did have was money. Put out a few feelers here and there, call an old buddy from one of the frontier campaigns, and boom! Next thing you know, trained, or at the very least experience men and women a plenty, ready to bloody their hands for some coin or the hell of it. The Parliament and Grand Orders love to speak of their oaths and ideals, and that's all well and good, but Knight's cannot be everywhere at once, and not all men who bare the mantle of Knight live up to their peers. There always exists the need for men who are willing to bloody their hands for less than noble reasons.

Enter the Versali. If an Oath is what makes a Knight, what do you call a warrior who doesn't take one? Some may call them Faithless or Heretics. And they would not be wrong. The Versali got their start during the war against the faithless, or so Ser Lorenzo also said. But those who are a little more worldly, a little more aware of the nature of men and life at large, call them Versali. They who fight for themselves, for coin, or fun. For a cause that is bound by paper and writing and not word of mouth and honor. Some days, they're heroes. Often, they're criminals. Sorry, I'm getting off track, but this is important to understand my story.

The Versali came alone or in pairs and small groups. Something more than a common Mercenary and maybe not quite a Knight. The Olaue let them come. They trained those of us who could fight and advised us in battle. Monosa is not a world designed for the 'honorable' pitched combat of which Knights are so fond. We fought in the jungles and the streets and anywhere we could. Houses burned, and men were stabbed in their sleep. It made no sense to me at the time. I would come to learn that Olaue thought the fights would produce strong candidates to become Knights under their banner. What were a few settlements when more existed and could be granted the destroyed lands? I only learned such after Thistleton had burned to the ground and I was off world.

Someone from the Thornsbury camp had become impatient. Wanted this whole farce done and dusted. They got their wish. Someone had scrounged up a good old mixture of Chimera's Breath. One part Napalm, one part White Phosphorous, and one part some chemical compound that was nearly illegal to even speak. It had been a special little blend of death the Faithless had come up with about halfway through the war. Burned like a miniature sun, stuck to near everything, and could burn right through a Knight's armor if given the time. Hard to put out as well. Thistleton stood no chance. I survived by hiding in a well. Almost drowned in the process. Came out tired and angry. The men from Thornsbury had strolled in. A few Versali and a good dozen peasants from Thornsbury. They were digging through the rubble, looting as they went. Killing any poor bastards who were still burning to death.

To this day, I'm still not sure what possessed me to act, but it changed my life. A small blade had been left on the ground, untouched by some miracle. I made a mad dash for it. Took it in my small hands and thrust it right into the kidney of a Versali who had crouched down to pick through a bag. The blade went in clean, slipping just below the edge of his cuirass. I dragged the blade up and to the side about an inch or two before I drew it out and struck the inner flesh of his thigh. Severed the artery. By the time his fellows noticed me and pressed my face to the ashen earth, he had bled to death. I figured that was it for me. I could already feel the edge of cold steel against my neck. I was hauled to my feet and came face to face with a one-armed bastard. Ser Lorenzo in the flesh. His eyes were like the sky on a moonless night, and I could feel the weight of their look.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"Orlando," I replied curtly.

"Why did you kill Jebediah? Had he perhaps wronged you in some way?" he asked, strangely curious.

"He wasn't paying attention and was closest to my height," I spoke honestly.

"That's all? And who was your father, son?" The man asked, somewhat amused. It was perhaps the only reason I was alive.

"The local tanner," said I.

"The Tanner?" The Ser said with a laugh. "Boy, how old are you?"

"Seven this winter."

The man laughed again. He found some amusement in the fact some nobody seven-year-old had killed one of the Versali under his command. The deadman could have been considered something relative to a Squire Lorenzo had said, although he was far older than any squire I had ever met. Not that seven-year-old me had met many. I was given a choice: Die there in the ashes with the rest of the town or replace the man I had killed. It was a simple enough decision. I went with Ser Lorenzo that day and became something of his personal squire. He had been a Knight many years ago but had left his order for one reason or another. He always said it was because he valued his sword skills above his oath, but there was something more to it, I know. But I never questioned it. Instead, I took to my lessons, learning all I could about swordplay from the man. He taught well and with a skill that you would not assume him capable of should you ever listen to him attempt to explain anything unrelated to weapons. A weapon head he was, although I'm told his influence has rubbed off on me. For the first five years, I did little but learn basic education and swordplay. I stayed on Lorenzo's personal vessel as we traveled.

When I was twelve, Lorenzo thought me suitable enough to take on missions. From that point on, it became common that I would gain first-hand experience alongside my lessons. I killed my second man a month after my twelfth birthday. It was a clean blow through the heart. In most battles, I served as something of an adjutant to Lorenzo. I gained my first command at sixteen. A few Versali to my name, even though I was ten years junior to the youngest member. Despite this, I never took jobs that Lorenzo was not already part of him. I liked to stick by his side, and I'd like to think he thought much the same. He was the closest thing I had to a father for most of my life. It was a good life. The pay was good and the company half descent. I saw many worlds in those days, met countless interesting people, and killed most of them. Somewhere along the way, I began to understand a little of what had drawn Lorenzo to such a life. The thrill of the battle and the beauty of fine swordplay. My first duel was at seventeen, and I obviously won. It sealed my love for the craft. By the next year, I was averaging ten a month. Even Lorenzo began to call me out on such recklessness. But I was living and was learning and so he could hardly discourage me.

But like all things, it would not last. When I was eighteen, Ser Lorenzo finally met his match. Some puckish Knight had come to challenge him. Apparently, Ser had killed his father some years back, and the brat wanted revenge. I had never asked Ser his age, but he must have been damn old by that point, and the boy had two arms to his one. He put up a good fight but eventually was slain. Handed me his sword and the 'keys' to the school on his deathbed. Smiled like the insufferable bastard he was and drifted off to be one with the stars. Well, I kept with it even following that. Inherited all the old man's stuff, from his sword to the Knight's armor he kept stashed away for really dire situations.

Around my nineteenth year, I undertook a bit of a troublesome deal with a shady little noble. Probably shouldn't have accepted, but I was low on money. The bastard must have expected me to die because when I returned, he told me he couldn't pay. Considered gutting him then and there, but then he made me an offer. Said he had some friends with a little more pay and in need of someone to sponsor for the Academy. I just so happened to be in the age. I was set to decline, but the sliver-tongued bastard convinced me to take the deal. He said it was where the brightest and most talented gathered, and if there were any place to further refine my School, it would be there. It also helped that Eavan had told me some time ago she had decided to attend. It'd be nice to catch up! And so I took it. Some paperwork was written up and arrangements made.

I still have my reservations about the whole thing, but perhaps it'll end up being what I need. A place to carry on Ser's legacy and perhaps learn a little more about him. Hopefully, my classmates can provide some good sparing partners!
Skill Sheet

General
Law: A Candle in the Breeze ~ La Candela di Orlando - A power once held by Ser Lorenzo Bada, Wind-Blessed. It is a simple ability linked to the blade, La Candela di Orlando, but quite hard to master. In essence, the power used to fuel the blade exchanges sustainability for raw power. By activating a flux mode, the power output of the sword vastly increases, allowing it to pierce material more easily and overwhelm shields faster. However, in such a mode, in order to prevent the destruction of sword, the blade can only be activated for short bursts, on a timer. Proper use of the sword in such a mode requires timing the activation of the blade with the execution of moves, making it harder for the opponent to engage the blade but leaving Orlando without a weapon in those moments. The ratio of time off to on is 1:5, requiring immense skill and focus to use efficiently. The mode can only last for a minute, and upon completion requires a full ten minutes for the batteries to cool enough to reactivate the sword, and a further thirty minutes to activate the Law again.
Skills: Maintenance | Artistics | Acrobatics

La Candela di Orlando | [Side-Sword]
Power: 3
Finesse: 1
Adaptability: 2

Description: Burrasca del Nord - A style created by Lorenzo Bada. It is a school of swordsmanship that is primarily based on the use of a Side-Sword but can be applied in some measure to near any style of one-handed or arming sword. The style favors the thrust rather than the cutting edge of the blade. A shield or parrying dagger is recommended; however, the style was born from a man who fought with but a single arm and thus is designed for blade alone. The key principle the style follows is in the act of parry and riposte. Feints and cuts are used to position the opponent's blades so as to open them for a quick and debilitating thrust or, in the absence of such opportunity, overwhelm them with thrusts and cuts until the point their fatigue is so great they provide openings through exhaustion. It is a style best suited to use against a single or a small number of opponents. With such an emphasis on singular strikes and glancing blows, it is not a style that requires much in the way of true debilitating power. There exists a lull in the style, where it is effective at the beginning of a battle, catching the opponent off-guard with the fluidity of the style, allowing for a quick parry and riposte, or at the very end when the opponent is so bloodied and worn, they cannot defend properly. However, in the middle of battle, its offensive power is lacking, and the user is relegated largely to defensive measures.

Orlando was taught the style from a young age. He was destined to one day become the master of the I Quattro Venti school of swordsmanship and expand its teachings himself. As such, he is deftly proficient in the style. During his tenure at the academy, he hopes to further refine the style and work on including his own variations of stances and attacks.

Shall We Duel? | [Kryptos]
Power: 1
Finesse: 2
Adaptability: 3

Description: Shall We Duel? - Orlando had never been one over proficient in the use of the Arcane. His master less so. Thusly the focus of his studies was near solely reserved for skill and fundamentals of weapons play. But it was not wholly ignored. Over the course of the years, having watched and studied other wielders of the Arcane, Orlando began to develop a use of his own for magic. A single use. For one who lacks the talent and skill to fully utilize magic, Orlando would undoubtedly find himself at a disadvantage. Thus, he did the only thing that seemed reasonable: level the playing field. By using a concept of 'counter-magic,' Orlando went all in on the singular idea of preventing his opponents from activating their own spells. The result? An area of magic interference extends from Orlando himself, being stronger the closer one is to him, with the intent of forcing an opponent to rely solely on their skills with a weapon rather than magic.

However, it is not a technique without its downsides. The effect must be manually activated, and since it prevents the activation of spells, it cannot cancel spells that have already taken effect or been cast. Casting outside of its range is an obvious workaround, and the farther you are from Lawrence, the less effect it has. The ability primarily affects complicated spells. The more focus and intent required to cast, the easier it is to be effectively disrupted, leaving it vulnerable to powerful, simple spells. Additionally, it affects allies as well as enemies. However, with no visual or audio cues to its activation, by the time an opponent realizes they're in the field, it is already too late.

Lorenzo's Pollaxe
Power: 1
Finesse: 3
Adaptability: 2

Description: Burrasca del Sud - A style born by Lorenzo Bada and refined by Orlando. In his younger days, when Lorenzo had both his arms, he had become fascinated with the thought of polearm combat and thought to include it in the teachings of the school. He forged a weapon to his specifications and began to develop a style around the unique weapon. However, losing his arm in a duel prevented further development of the style, and the weapon was left to the wayside, the forms and movements all theoretical. That was until the arrival of Orlando. The boy had found the unfinished manuscripts and, much like his Master, became infatuated with the weapon. In the evenings and the scarce days off, Orlando would practice the weapon. He used the manuscripts as a base and a combination of his own imagination and the use of similar weapons to further refine the style. At its base, it is designed to overwhelm the opponent with powerful strikes to disarm or destroy their armor. Combining principles of the spear, war hammer, and war axe, it is an adaptable weapon. However, it is not one Orlando is overly familiar with, having practiced primarily in his spare time. As such, he is lacking experience facing opponents with the weapon. Many forms and moves are purely guesswork on Orlando's behalf, leading to a style that requires Orlando to maintain initiative at all times and lacks much in the way of a refined defense.


Extras

Favorite Foods: Stew, Flatbread, Anything Eavan makes, Dark Liquors (neat)
Least Favorite Foods: Salt Pork, Energy Bars, Sweet things
Phobias: Nosocomephobia, The smell of burning flesh
Hobbies: Blacksmithing, Sketching, maintaining his equipment, Watching fights, Fighting, Reading (Treaties and Manuscripts)
Birth Date:
Theme Song:
Additional Information:

Oran? - Who told you that? Gods that damnable woman. It's something Eavan came up with when we were younger. The idiot thought my name was 'too long' and decided to shorten it. I've tried to get her to call me by my name for the last ten years, but she's a stubborn one.

The Cold Steel? Ah, you saw those, did you? I've always enjoyed Blacksmithing and decided it'd be nice to be able to train without my armor! It makes duels easier, too, since there's less of a chance for collateral damage. Plus, there's something about Cold Steel that just speaks to me. Yes, I made Eavan's, but it'll cost you if you want some!

A Versali? - Oi, not so loud. I doubt many of these noble kids have ever heard that before, but if they did, it's gonna be hell. I doubt a Versali, even technically a former one, would be looked upon fondly here. Ser Lorenzo said there were places in the Severing Arm he was banned, and I don't doubt I'm the same.

Eavan? - I guess you'd be a bit confused about how I know someone like her, huh? Well, unlike most of her family, her parent were merchants. More than a few times, Ser took jobs guarding and escorting them. Especially when I was young. We'd often end up training together since we were similar ages, and somewhere along the way, a bond was born. It's strange, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It may be years since I last saw her, but I'd still trust her to watch my back any day.

Those Books? - These are my Treaties and Manuscripts. Well, some ar-were Ser's. It's the basics and fundamentals of I Quattro Venti. Ser started them, and I've since continued them. It's important for any distinguished school to have works detailing their forms...No, you can't look through them. But I do have some other Schools' manuscripts I've transcribed and copied over the years if you want to look through them

I lied. First app is up now since I'm terrible at managing my time. My body is going to hate me in six hours when I have to go run...Oh well

Sigh.

I'll be back in two hours.

[Finland SSR]

Character Sheet

Name: Orlando 'Oran' of Thistleton
Gender: M
Age: 19
Appearance:

(Image)

Backstory:

"I'm no Hero.
Never was.
I'm just an Old Soldier
Hired to do some wet-work"
- Solid Snake, MGS IV

The Marches of Olaue was a beautiful place. It was one of the few habitual sectors of Monosa, an otherwise paradisal planet in the Wayward Arm. Sprawling woodlands and grand mountains older than some stars. The hardest part about living there was finding somewhere to live. The vegetation grew magnificently but at a rate that was unable to be controlled. Few were the areas where the vegetation was thin enough to even think of building. The Marches of Olaue was one such. Oryvn Olaue had many years ago been a renowned knight who fought valiantly against the faithless. His efforts had earned him, and all his descendants land on Monosa. For many years, the Olaue family governed the March well. They were harsh but fair rulers, embodying the tenets of the Sun Spear to the tee. Several smaller towns and fiefdoms rose across the March in the years since the family inherited it. Barca, Harmon, Thornsbury, and, of course, my own town of Thistleton were the most populated of them all.

For a time, things were well. But humans are hardly a stagnant race, nor are they a peaceful one. Let that be a lesson: where men go, violence follows. The problems started in Barca and Harmon if my memory serves me correct. The population in Barca had begun to expand and they were fast running out of room. Harmon was still growing and so had not built up all their land. Barca saw their chance and began moving people there, making them pay tax to Barca despite living on Harmon land. Well, as you might have guessed, Harmon didn't take too well to this! Complaints grew into arguments and eventually into fists. Now, this is when you might've expected Old Orvyn Olaue the sixteenth or how-many-ever to do something. You'd guess wrong. He simply kept on watching. Barca got away with it, and Thornsberry saw this and attempted to do the same. And they got away with it.

Well, things eventually started to get out of hand, as they're wont to do. What had begun as brawls between settlers turned into full-fledged fights. We mostly relied on the Olaue the lesser Knights under their service for protection and so we only had Cold Steel and maybe some half century old energy weapons for use. It was a mess. The year of my seventh winter was the first time I met a Versali, and likewise, Ser Lorenzo, the Wind-Blessed. See, the lords of the towns didn't have much in the way of trained soldiers, but what they did have was money. Put out a few feelers here and there, call an old buddy from one of the frontier campaigns, and boom! Next thing you know, trained, or at the very least experience men and women a plenty, ready to bloody their hands for some coin or the hell of it. The Parliament and Grand Orders love to speak of their oaths and ideals, and that's all well and good, but Knight's cannot be everywhere at once, and not all men who bare the mantle of Knight live up to their peers. There always exists the need for men who are willing to bloody their hands for less than noble reasons.

Enter the Versali. If an Oath is what makes a Knight, what do you call a warrior who doesn't take one? Some may call them Faithless or Heretics. And they would not be wrong. The Versali got their start during the war against the faithless, or so Ser Lorenzo also said. But those who are a little more worldly, a little more aware of the nature of men and life at large, call them Versali. They who fight for themselves, for coin, or fun. For a cause that is bound by paper and writing and not word of mouth and honor. Some days, they're heroes. Often, they're criminals. Sorry, I'm getting off track, but this is important to understand my story.

The Versali came alone or in pairs and small groups. Something more than a common Mercenary and maybe not quite a Knight. The Olaue let them come. They trained those of us who could fight and advised us in battle. Monosa is not a world designed for the 'honorable' pitched combat of which Knights are so fond. We fought in the jungles and the streets and anywhere we could. Houses burned, and men were stabbed in their sleep. It made no sense to me at the time. I would come to learn that Olaue thought the fights would produce strong candidates to become Knights under their banner. What were a few settlements when more existed and could be granted the destroyed lands? I only learned such after Thistleton had burned to the ground and I was off world.

Someone from the Thornsbury camp had become impatient. Wanted this whole farce done and dusted. They got their wish. Someone had scrounged up a good old mixture of Chimera's Breath. One part Napalm, one part White Phosphorous, and one part some chemical compound that was nearly illegal to even speak. It had been a special little blend of death the Faithless had come up with about halfway through the war. Burned like a miniature sun, stuck to near everything, and could burn right through a Knight's armor if given the time. Hard to put out as well. Thistleton stood no chance. I survived by hiding in a well. Almost drowned in the process. Came out tired and angry. The men from Thornsbury had strolled in. A few Versali and a good dozen peasants from Thornsbury. They were digging through the rubble, looting as they went. Killing any poor bastards who were still burning to death.

To this day, I'm still not sure what possessed me to act, but it changed my life. A small blade had been left on the ground, untouched by some miracle. I made a mad dash for it. Took it in my small hands and thrust it right into the kidney of a Versali who had crouched down to pick through a bag. The blade went in clean, slipping just below the edge of his cuirass. I dragged the blade up and to the side about an inch or two before I drew it out and struck the inner flesh of his thigh. Severed the artery. By the time his fellows noticed me and pressed my face to the ashen earth, he had bled to death. I figured that was it for me. I could already feel the edge of cold steel against my neck. I was hauled to my feet and came face to face with a one-armed bastard. Ser Lorenzo in the flesh. His eyes were like the sky on a moonless night, and I could feel the weight of their look.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"Orlando," I replied curtly.

"Why did you kill Jebediah? Had he perhaps wronged you in some way?" he asked, strangely curious.

"He wasn't paying attention and was closest to my height," I spoke honestly.

"That's all? And who was your father, son?" The man asked, somewhat amused. It was perhaps the only reason I was alive.

"The local tanner," said I.

"The Tanner?" The Ser said with a laugh. "Boy, how old are you?"

"Seven this winter."

The man laughed again. He found some amusement in the fact some nobody seven-year-old had killed one of the Versali under his command. The deadman could have been considered something relative to a Squire Lorenzo had said, although he was far older than any squire I had ever met. Not that seven-year-old me had met many. I was given a choice: Die there in the ashes with the rest of the town or replace the man I had killed. It was a simple enough decision. I went with Ser Lorenzo that day and became something of his personal squire. He had been a Knight many years ago but had left his order for one reason or another. He always said it was because he valued his sword skills above his oath, but there was something more to it, I know. But I never questioned it. Instead, I took to my lessons, learning all I could about swordplay from the man. He taught well and with a skill that you would not assume him capable of should you ever listen to him attempt to explain anything unrelated to weapons. A weapon head he was, although I'm told his influence has rubbed off on me. For the first five years, I did little but learn basic education and swordplay. I stayed on Lorenzo's personal vessel as we traveled.

When I was twelve, Lorenzo thought me suitable enough to take on missions. From that point on, it became common that I would gain first-hand experience alongside my lessons. I killed my second man a month after my twelfth birthday. It was a clean blow through the heart. In most battles, I served as something of an adjutant to Lorenzo. I gained my first command at sixteen. A few Versali to my name, even though I was ten years junior to the youngest member. Despite this, I never took jobs that Lorenzo was not already part of him. I liked to stick by his side, and I'd like to think he thought much the same. He was the closest thing I had to a father for most of my life. It was a good life. The pay was good and the company half descent. I saw many worlds in those days, met countless interesting people, and killed most of them. Somewhere along the way, I began to understand a little of what had drawn Lorenzo to such a life. The thrill of the battle and the beauty of fine swordplay. My first duel was at seventeen, and I obviously won. It sealed my love for the craft. By the next year, I was averaging ten a month. Even Lorenzo began to call me out on such recklessness. But I was living and was learning and so he could hardly discourage me.

But like all things, it would not last. When I was eighteen, Ser Lorenzo finally met his match. Some puckish Knight had come to challenge him. Apparently, Ser had killed his father some years back, and the brat wanted revenge. I had never asked Ser his age, but he must have been damn old by that point, and the boy had two arms to his one. He put up a good fight but eventually was slain. Handed me his sword and the 'keys' to the school on his deathbed. Smiled like the insufferable bastard he was and drifted off to be one with the stars. Well, I kept with it even following that. Inherited all the old man's stuff, from his sword to the Knight's armor he kept stashed away for really dire situations.

Around my nineteenth year, I undertook a bit of a troublesome deal with a shady little noble. Probably shouldn't have accepted, but I was low on money. The bastard must have expected me to die because when I returned, he told me he couldn't pay. Considered gutting him then and there, but then he made me an offer. Said he had some friends with a little more pay and in need of someone to sponsor for the Academy. I just so happened to be in the age. I was set to decline, but the sliver-tongued bastard convinced me to take the deal. He said it was where the brightest and most talented gathered, and if there were any place to further refine my School, it would be there. It also helped that Eavan had told me some time ago she had decided to attend. It'd be nice to catch up! And so I took it. Some paperwork was written up and arrangements made.

I still have my reservations about the whole thing, but perhaps it'll end up being what I need. A place to carry on Ser's legacy and perhaps learn a little more about him. Hopefully, my classmates can provide some good sparing partners!
Skill Sheet

General
Law: A Candle in the Breeze ~ La Candela di Orlando - A power once held by Ser Lorenzo Bada, Wind-Blessed. It is a simple ability linked to the blade, La Candela di Orlando, but quite hard to master. In essence, the power used to fuel the blade exchanges sustainability for raw power. By activating a flux mode, the power output of the sword vastly increases, allowing it to pierce material more easily and overwhelm shields faster. However, in such a mode, in order to prevent the destruction of sword, the blade can only be activated for short bursts, on a timer. Proper use of the sword in such a mode requires timing the activation of the blade with the execution of moves, making it harder for the opponent to engage the blade but leaving Orlando without a weapon in those moments. The ratio of time off to on is 1:5, requiring immense skill and focus to use efficiently. The mode can only last for a minute, and upon completion requires a full ten minutes for the batteries to cool enough to reactivate the sword, and a further thirty minutes to activate the Law again.
Skills: Maintenance | Artistics | Acrobatics

La Candela di Orlando | [Side-Sword]
Power: 3
Finesse: 1
Adaptability: 2

Description: Burrasca del Nord - A style created by Lorenzo Bada. It is a school of swordsmanship that is primarily based on the use of a Side-Sword but can be applied in some measure to near any style of one-handed or arming sword. The style favors the thrust rather than the cutting edge of the blade. A shield or parrying dagger is recommended; however, the style was born from a man who fought with but a single arm and thus is designed for blade alone. The key principle the style follows is in the act of parry and riposte. Feints and cuts are used to position the opponent's blades so as to open them for a quick and debilitating thrust or, in the absence of such opportunity, overwhelm them with thrusts and cuts until the point their fatigue is so great they provide openings through exhaustion. It is a style best suited to use against a single or a small number of opponents. With such an emphasis on singular strikes and glancing blows, it is not a style that requires much in the way of true debilitating power. There exists a lull in the style, where it is effective at the beginning of a battle, catching the opponent off-guard with the fluidity of the style, allowing for a quick parry and riposte, or at the very end when the opponent is so bloodied and worn, they cannot defend properly. However, in the middle of battle, its offensive power is lacking, and the user is relegated largely to defensive measures.

Orlando was taught the style from a young age. He was destined to one day become the master of the I Quattro Venti school of swordsmanship and expand its teachings himself. As such, he is deftly proficient in the style. During his tenure at the academy, he hopes to further refine the style and work on including his own variations of stances and attacks.

Shall We Duel? | [Kryptos]
Power: 1
Finesse: 2
Adaptability: 3

Description: Shall We Duel? - Orlando had never been one over proficient in the use of the Arcane. His master less so. Thusly the focus of his studies was near solely reserved for skill and fundamentals of weapons play. But it was not wholly ignored. Over the course of the years, having watched and studied other wielders of the Arcane, Orlando began to develop a use of his own for magic. A single use. For one who lacks the talent and skill to fully utilize magic, Orlando would undoubtedly find himself at a disadvantage. Thus, he did the only thing that seemed reasonable: level the playing field. By using a concept of 'counter-magic,' Orlando went all in on the singular idea of preventing his opponents from activating their own spells. The result? An area of magic interference extends from Orlando himself, being stronger the closer one is to him, with the intent of forcing an opponent to rely solely on their skills with a weapon rather than magic.

However, it is not a technique without its downsides. The effect must be manually activated, and since it prevents the activation of spells, it cannot cancel spells that have already taken effect or been cast. Casting outside of its range is an obvious workaround, and the farther you are from Lawrence, the less effect it has. The ability primarily affects complicated spells. The more focus and intent required to cast, the easier it is to be effectively disrupted, leaving it vulnerable to powerful, simple spells. Additionally, it affects allies as well as enemies. However, with no visual or audio cues to its activation, by the time an opponent realizes they're in the field, it is already too late.

Lorenzo's Pollaxe
Power: 1
Finesse: 3
Adaptability: 2

Description: Burrasca del Sud - A style born by Lorenzo Bada and refined by Orlando. In his younger days, when Lorenzo had both his arms, he had become fascinated with the thought of polearm combat and thought to include it in the teachings of the school. He forged a weapon to his specifications and began to develop a style around the unique weapon. However, losing his arm in a duel prevented further development of the style, and the weapon was left to the wayside, the forms and movements all theoretical. That was until the arrival of Orlando. The boy had found the unfinished manuscripts and, much like his Master, became infatuated with the weapon. In the evenings and the scarce days off, Orlando would practice the weapon. He used the manuscripts as a base and a combination of his own imagination and the use of similar weapons to further refine the style. At its base, it is designed to overwhelm the opponent with powerful strikes to disarm or destroy their armor. Combining principles of the spear, war hammer, and war axe, it is an adaptable weapon. However, it is not one Orlando is overly familiar with, having practiced primarily in his spare time. As such, he is lacking experience facing opponents with the weapon. Many forms and moves are purely guesswork on Orlando's behalf, leading to a style that requires Orlando to maintain initiative at all times and lacks much in the way of a refined defense.


Extras

Favorite Foods: Stew, Flatbread, Anything Eavan makes, Dark Liquors (neat)
Least Favorite Foods: Salt Pork, Energy Bars, Sweet things
Phobias: Nosocomephobia, The smell of burning flesh
Hobbies: Blacksmithing, Sketching, maintaining his equipment, Watching fights, Fighting, Reading (Treaties and Manuscripts)
Birth Date:
Theme Song:
Additional Information:

Oran? - Who told you that? Gods that damnable woman. It's something Eavan came up with when we were younger. The idiot thought my name was 'too long' and decided to shorten it. I've tried to get her to call me by my name for the last ten years, but she's a stubborn one.

The Cold Steel? Ah, you saw those, did you? I've always enjoyed Blacksmithing and decided it'd be nice to be able to train without my armor! It makes duels easier, too, since there's less of a chance for collateral damage. Plus, there's something about Cold Steel that just speaks to me. Yes, I made Eavan's, but it'll cost you if you want some!

A Versali? - Oi, not so loud. I doubt many of these noble kids have ever heard that before, but if they did, it's gonna be hell. I doubt a Versali, even technically a former one, would be looked upon fondly here. Ser Lorenzo said there were places in the Severing Arm he was banned, and I don't doubt I'm the same.

Eavan? - I guess you'd be a bit confused about how I know someone like her, huh? Well, unlike most of her family, her parent were merchants. More than a few times, Ser took jobs guarding and escorting them. Especially when I was young. We'd often end up training together since we were similar ages, and somewhere along the way, a bond was born. It's strange, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It may be years since I last saw her, but I'd still trust her to watch my back any day.

Those Books? - These are my Treaties and Manuscripts. Well, some ar-were Ser's. It's the basics and fundamentals of I Quattro Venti. Ser started them, and I've since continued them. It's important for any distinguished school to have works detailing their forms...No, you can't look through them. But I do have some other Schools' manuscripts I've transcribed and copied over the years if you want to look through them

I lied. First app is up now since I'm terrible at managing my time. My body is going to hate me in six hours when I have to go run...Oh well

He's clearly a well adjusted individual