Post by Nikolai von Drachenheim on Nov 25, 2013 12:47:14 GMT -5
Nikolai von Drachenheim
"Order must reign over chaos, and wherever there is chaos, it must be channeled into purpose and structured into order.
That is the Dracheinheim way"
"Order must reign over chaos, and wherever there is chaos, it must be channeled into purpose and structured into order.
That is the Dracheinheim way"
NICKNAMES: // "Drake" or simply "The Count".
AGE: // 32
DATE OF BIRTH: // September 21st
GENDER: // Male
ALIGNMENT: // Lawful Neutral
OCCUPATION: // Magus
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Nikolai cuts an imposing figure, partially because of his height and build. He has shoulder-length blonde hair, broad shoulders and piercing steel-grey eyes.
He always dresses for the occasion, but his default clothing is a large coat in black and silver with a high collar.
He wears white gloves on his hands and often carries his blade of choice, Drachau, in its sheath.
HEIGHT: // 1,94 m
WEIGHT: // 82 kg
EYE COLOR: // Steel grey
HAIR COLOR: // Blonde
PIERCINGS: // None
TATTOOS: // The command seal on his hand, shaped like a dragon with stretched wings.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: // Possibly his name. Nikolai also has a slight Romanian accent.
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- Disciplined
- As per Drachenheim tradition, Nikolai has a high degree of self-control. He rarely allows his emotions to get the better of him, to better allow for cold and calculated judgement. Privately, it is another story, but whenever encountering other people, he keeps his mask up.
- Arrogant
- As a nobleman and the head of a very old magus clan, there is little in the way of humility in Nikolai. While not outwardly scornful, he almost always pities his "lessers" to some degree.
- Chessmaster
- Nikolai always plans ahead, attempting to have a number of plans for every eventuality. He is a tactician, regardless if it applies to politics, combat or magecraft. Should one plan blow up in his face, he usually has one in reserve. Even if caught unawares, he is highly skilled in improvising with what he has at hand and adjust accordingly.
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Old-fashioned code of honor
[/li]- Nikolai is somewhat of an anachronism, since he follows a code of honor that went out of style after the medieval ages. While capable of all manner of tricks, he adheres to a strange code of chivalry. This includes honoring potential duels, not resorting to underhanded tricks like poison or assassination, keeping his spoken word and not involving non-combatants, among other things. While honorable, this code could potentially put him at a disadvantage against opponents who are less concerned about moral issues.
Need for Speed
[/li]- If there is a single thing in the modern world that distracts Nikolai from the lineage of his family and his rather antiquated moral code, it is his fascinations with things that are fast. Eventually, he stuck with motorcycles, since he preferred to feel the wind at his face rather than being in the relatively "safe" confines of a car. Nikolai is a skilled driver, but tends to break his normally disciplined facade when presented with a fast bike and a good road.
Hedonist
- Regardless of Nikolai's sense of honor and redeeming character traits, he enjoys the good things in life. This includes good food, good drink and good women. He is also a great admirer of the opera, but detest most modern attempts at "music". Nikolai make clear distinctions between his "work time", when he is proper, disciplined and a representative of his family in word and deed, and his "free time", when he expects to lean back, relax and put his duties aside for a little while.
People deliberately interrupting his free time are likely to see an ugly side of Nikolai.
LIKES: //
- Things going according to plan
- Family
- Honor
- Fast vehicles
- Wine, women and song
DISLIKES: //
- Things not going according to plan
- Dishonourable tactics
- People who try to step above their station
- Meaningless bloodshed
STRENGTHS: // Nikolai's greatest strength is his lineage. The Drachenheim family has had a long time to study magecraft and its applications. Therefore, he is well-trained in the family's particular brand of magic and how it can be applied directly. Furthermore, he doesn't speciically have a berserk button and tend to keep his cool even under stress. This is a valuable trait both in and out of combat.
Furthermore, he is an excellent strategist, knowing well his own abilities and how to make the best use of them. Finally, the vast resources of his family will ensure that he will always have access to money when it is needed.
WEAKNESSES: // Despite having a high degree of combat training and being experienced with destroying supernatural enemies, Nikolai isn't used to fighting those who do not adhere to
his particular code of honor. Namely, those who fight dirty or use underhanded tricks to get the upper hand.
His code of honor makes Nikolai quite rigid in that regard, since he refuses to use strategies that he sees as "dishonorable".
Furthermore, his somewhat sheltered position as a nobleman means that he is unaware, and uncaring about the lives of those he see as "commoners". He has tendency to underestimate opposition that comes from an unexpected angles, but usually does not make the same mistake twice.[/font][/ul]
The priorities of the Drachenheim has always been to impose order and discipline in a world which they see as overrun by chaos. In this way, the tale of Draconis carries a very symbolic meaning. Draconis represents human reason and discipline, while the dragon represents chaos and disorder. It was driven away, but one day there shall be a second battle. To that end, the family has reigned the city as well as they can, creating a firm root for their ideals. Magecraft was always seen as a way to deepen the understanding of the world and to provide the house better tools to do their work. Somewhat ironically, the Drachenheim family has a strong affinity for fire and metal, imitating the power of the mythological beast that Draconis is said to have defeated.
Situated in a part of Europe rife with dark legends and mythical beasts, the Drachenheim has often stepped up to drive away occult monsters that would create further unrest and chaos, particularly dead apostles, whom they see as an offense to the proper order of things. The battle of the Drachenheim has always been fought in two arenas: the realm of politics and men, where their non-magical kin play a great role, and the realm of magi, where the Drachenheim strive to provide an example to aspire to. Unfortunately, most old magi families are just as arrogant and certain in their ways as the lords of Drachenheim.
In their view, the war against chaos still rages, and it will continue to rage as long as a single Drachenheim remain standing.
Being an old family, the Drachenheim has an impressive number of magical circuits, around 30-40 and around 10-20 prana per circuit.
MY HISTORY: // Nikolai was born the heir of the Drachenheim family, eldest among three children. As was tradition, he was trained in both swordsmanship and magecraft as soon as he was old enough to hold a stick. The Drachenheim family are firm believers of the proverb that a healthy mind must be inside a healthy body. Nikolai took to his lessons well, studying all aspects that could be useful for the future head of the family.
He was reminded of this future daily, and it was made clear that great things were expected. Perhaps due to this, Nikolai prioritizes his family and lineage above whatever temporary hapiness he might have had otherwise. He believes that all have a role in which they excel, and to try to break away from that role and become something else is to invite chaos. And chaos, he was taught, is the true source of all evils in this world.
Unfortunately, that day for Nikolai to ascend to his position came sooner than expected, as his father fell ill and died soon after Nikolai had turned seventeen.
At that point, he had to shoulder both the responsibility of being head of the family and his education at the Clocktower. Chief among his troubles were his sisters, whom were intended to be married, or at least promised to other families of magi. In that regard, the Drachenheim maintained a very old-fashioned view of things. While the youngest sister was easy enough, the eldest, Victoria, was extremely headstrong, to the degree that Nikolai had to pause his studies several times and return home to handle matters. While to some merely a bother, this became a challenge to Nikolai's beliefs. On the one hand, he was ever loyal to his family and, of course, his sister. On the other hand, it was his sisters duty as a non-magi member of the head family to marry a boy of proper lineage to create good relations for the Drachenheim. Her refusal to do just that infuriated Nikolai to no end. In the end, he decided that his sister merely needed to be subtly guided into following her role. During several months, after having singled out a good family and made the appropriate overtures, Nikolai repeatedly set up for his sister and the boy to "accidentally" meet and begin courting. With Victoria unaware that Nikolai actually wanted them to marry, she secretly met with the boy and fell in love. She was, of course, quite surprised that Nikolai didn't oppose their relationship but, rather, encouraged it. In the end, though, the wedding happened and Nikolai celebrated a joyous occasion and a plan well executed.
After handling Victoria, the studies in the Clocktower seemed considerably lighter to Nikolai. It was a time both to learn all the magecraft he could to further the position of his family, but also to identify potential rivals, allies and pawns. After all, the influential families sent their children to the Clocktower. Nikolai was a dilligent student, learning what he could, observed the factions, relations and rivalries of the other students. It was too early for him to start drawing any lines. Nikolai's rather peculiar code of honor was developed somewhere at this point. While the Drachenheim had always taken pride in facing their challenges directly and honorably, there had been members of the family able to use underhanded tactics when necessary.
When Nikolai finally couldn't avoid the politicking that took place among the higher level students. Instead, he directly and openly opposed his rivals, be it in a battle of wits, speech or magecraft. Of course, a lesser student from a lesser family would not had gotten away with it, but the name Drachenheim carried respect, and power. When his studies were finished, this code of honor stuck, perhaps due to the fact that the world was seemingly filled with lies and chaos.
The Drachenheim family had not been aware of even existence of the Grail Wars before. There were vague mentions in the records of some sort of ritualized competition in Japan, but since the Drachenheim, like many other family of magi, regarded Asia like an uncultured backwater, it had been thoroughly ignored. The destruction of Fuyuki had likewise been ignored, attributed to some freak, magical accident. After all, it had been nowhere close to the Drachenheim's sphere of interest. As such, the years following Nikolai's return from his studies passed by quietly. He developed his magecraft and handled the affairs of the domain, until he accidentally stumbled upon information.
Mention of the Grail Wars had been made in some of the oldest records, dating almost two hundred years back. Managing a quick trip to the Clocktower, Nikolai secured that knowledge and realized the scope of the event. He was horrified. If the Grail was legitimate, such a device could lead to widespread anarchy and destruction in the wrong hands. On the other hand, it could be extremely useful in the hands of a Drachenheim. This was no light decision, for Nikolai strongly believed that power was dangerous. When there was a balance between people, nations and magi, there was peace and stability. However, if someone got too powerful too fast, that stability was threatened. And what power could be greater than that of having any wish granted?
Nikolai had no clear wish that he wanted out of the Grail, merely an interest to keep it out of the wrong hands and to demonstrate the skills of the Drachenheim family in such a competition. After all, there would be fame and glory abound for the one who managed to win the event.
The wish would come sooner or later, there were preparations to be made.
MY GOALS: // Nikolai's goals are primary to further the power and fame of his family and secondary to bring order to chaos. His interest in the Grail War is mainly to keep the Grail out of unworthy hand (ie. the hands of everyone but himself) and win the contest to leverage the status of his family. The wish itself is of far lesser importance, but long days of fighting are ahead of him. Such a desire will come, sooner or later.
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Drachau:
Nikolai's sword of choice, and a product of the Drachenheim metallurgy. The sword itself is a laminated blade made of Rhenium Diboride and Tungsten, giving it an extremely high tolerance to heat, corrosion and pressure. The hardness of the sword is extraordinary, making it capable of scratching diamonds, if Nikolai put his mind to it.
The sword itself isn't magical, but Nikolai has a tendency to reinforce it with spells to further increase its cutting power.
Drachau is modeled after a Hungarian szabla(saber) to best fit Nikolai's fighting style.
EQUIPMENT: //
Lots of money:
The Drachenheim family is very old, and having practically governed a city for the last 1200 years has given the family a lot of resources. Money is never an object for Nikolai. Rather, he has more of it than he will likely be able to spend. While the majority of the family's fortune is tied up in businesses, ventures and stable resources like land or estates, Nikolai has a substantial account for his "private expenses".
Drachenheim signet ring
As the head of his family, Nikolai carries the signet ring of the house on his right hand. The ring itself is golden with an indentation forming the Drachenheim symbol, a stylized image of a roaring dragon. A ruby decorates the dragon's eye socket.
Yamaha R1
A black, custom-made motorcycle that Nikolai brings whenever he goes somewhere with potentially good roads. He has maintained and cared for the motorcycle ever since it was bought, and it is in prime condition.
Fireproof clothes
Nikolai learned many years ago that the Drachenheim magecraft has a tendency to set things on fire. To avoid any potential mishaps, his clothes are always treated in a chemical mixture to avoid an errant spark or badly aimed burst of fire to incinerate him.
RANK: // 2nd
ELEMENT: // Fire/metal
EXPERTISE: //
Master swordsman:
A great deal of Nikolai's physical training included swordsmanship, owing to the lineage's tendency on developing body and mind simultaneously. He is trained in a wide variety of styles, but particularly in the classical and Polish schools of saber fencing. Regardless of the sword, though, Nikolai is a deadly combatant, skilled in both defense and offense. Armed with the Drachau, he is extremely dangerous.
Metallurgy:
The Drachnheim has always been fascinated with the composition and function of metal. Even non-magi members of the family often become skilled blacksmiths and metalworkers. This particular specilization is brought forth byt the Drachenheim's view on order and chaos. To them, blacksmithing is the greatest example of when you take something raw and unrefined (raw metal), combine it with channeled chaos (fire) to create something strong and unyielding (metal).
This reflects in the magecraft as well, with Nikolai being able determine the composition of metal and strengthen it much faster than normal. It also serves as a foundation for some of the Dracheinheim's metal-based spells.
Lightning reflexes:
A product of his training, taking the initiative and acting on a split-second warning comes naturally for Nikolai. He has extraordinary reaction speed and reflexes, allowing him to keep up with constantly changing conditions on a battlefield, make quick decisions and react faster than a normal man. When reinforced, his reaction speed is even higher, since the body is better able to keep up with his speed of thought.
MAGIC CIRCUITS: //
The Drachenheim crest resembles the roaring head of a dragon and is placed on the left side of Nikolai's chest, just over the heart. The crest contains 20 circuits with a PrC of 16. On his own, Nikolai has 30 circuits with a PrC of 12, for a total of 680 prana.
SPELLS: //
Heat metal [fire]
Rank: D
Cost: 20 pr + 2 per additional minute
Range: Touch
Effect: Superheats the metal of an object to a dangerous degree. When used on ordinary metal objects, it brings them far over the melting point.
The blade Drachau, due to its extraordinary high resistance to heat, can handle the temperature of this spell and turns white-hot, easily cutting through flesh, bone and metal as long as the spell is maintained. Ordinary metal objects can only handle this spell for a short while before being reduced to useless slag.
The temperature can be controlled to a degree, but the maximum peaks at around 3000 degrees celcius, which Drachau is capable of handling.
The spell typically ends when the item is reduced to molten metal, but for items able to handle the extreme temperature, like Drachau, it can be sustained for a maximum of ten minutes.
Originally a five-line spell, this is part of the Drachenheim crest and has stabilized to a one-liner.
Flame barrier [fire]
Rank: B
Cost: 40 prana
Range: 20m
Effect: Summoning white-hot fire, Nikolai shapes it into a flaming barrier. While not providing a solid barrier, the mass of flames generally defend by incinerating anything that tries to cross the wall. The flame barrier creates a single wall of flames, up to three meters high, six meters wide and half a meter thick.
The flames, having a temperature of around 1000 degrees celsius, provide an exceptional defense against physical attacks and spells, since it incinerates anything that tries to cross it boundaries. All physical attacks and projectiles, such as attacks, earth-based magecraft and even ice-based spells of lower rank are destroyed when entering the barrier. Greater effects can make it through, allthough greatly reduced in strength.
The barrier, however, is made of fire and can thus be put out by the traditional means: air and water. Air spells of equal or greater rank can blow out the fires and water can extinguish it. In the case of water, however, it will create a dense mist of steam as is natural when something very cold collides with something very hot. It also blocks fire spells and effects of a lesser rank than itself. However, those of equal or higher rank can pass the barrier unimpeded. Left to its devices, the flame barrier will burn for a maximum of 20 seconds.
As a signature spell of the Drachenheim lineage, this spell has been a part of the crest as long as it can be remembered and can be cast as a five-liner.
Shape metal [metal]
Rank: C
Cost: 10-50 prana
Range: 20m
Effect: A product of the Drachenheim's talent for metallurgy and their elemental combination, this spells allows Nikolai to shape and mold metal.
The type of metal does not matter, as long as an object is mostly made of metal components. The spell can shape a metal object within the limitations of its mass, this includes sharpening it, creating edges and so on. An iron pipe, for example, could be changed into a sword blade. Likewise, it can be used to repair a damaged item, by molding together cracks and fissures or, for that matter, break an item by shaping cracks. While the maximum size is limited by an object's mass, it is possible to combine multiple pieces of metal as long as they are adjacent to each other. While this spell can shape metal into impossible forms, as soon as the spell has been completed, they collapse if they would be too weak. For example, making the blade of a sword impossibly thin will make the sword break when next used, making an iron beam too small will make it unable to support what it was holding up, etc.
The prana cost depends on the size of the object to be altered. Small, hand-held items (anything smaller than a dagger) costs 10 prana while larger objects the size of a car, for example, costs 50 prana. Massive buildings, bridges, ships and so on cannot be shaped, but sections of them can.
Originally a five-line spell, this is part of the Drachenheim crest and has stabilized to a three-liner.
Dragonheart [fire]
Rank: B
Cost: 70 or 90 prana (see text)
Range: 200m
Effect: Conjures up a mass of white-hot flame that takes the shape of a serpentine dragon. The Dragonheart can be directed at either a target or an area, which it will home in to. The spell will avoid conventional obstacles and launch itself at its target, at which point it will detonate in a massive blast of fire. Anything it its part before the detonation will be burnt and possibly incinerated.
While capable of avoiding obstacles and enemies other than its targets, the Dragonheart is not capable of pursuing its intended target.
Usually, though, it is sufficent for it to merely get close.
Regardless, if Nikolai is within visual range and desires, he can pay an additional 20 prana to direct the Dragonheart personally, should it need to pursue its target or make more advanced maneuvers. This, however, requires his concentration until the spell has detonated.
If he desires, Nikolai can detonate the spell prematurely, regardless if it is has reached its intended target or not.
The Dragonheart originally was a two-verse spell, but the Drachenheim crest has stabilized it as a four-liner.
Combat Reinforcement
Rank: C
Cost: 20 pr
Range: Self
Effect: An overall reinforcement developed by the Drachenheim per their view of pursuing physical and magical training simultaneously.
This enforcement simultaneously enhances all aspects of a fighter to the peak of human capacity, empowering the muscles, reaction time, pain tolerance, reflexes and similar traits to allow Nikolai to fight longer, better and faster. Each use of this spell last for five minutes, which is usually quite sufficient.
However, Nikolai can sustain the reinforcement longer with additional prana, at a rate of four prana per minute.
A tried and tested spell, the Drachenheim crest has stabilized it into a two-liner.
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FACE CLAIM: // Hugue de Watteau, Trinity Blood
OTHER CHARACTERS: // None
MISC. INFORMATION: //[/font][/ul][/ul]
