Title of Character
Race: Human
Full Name: Roland Kobura
Associated Names: Cobra
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Somewhere in the Empire.
Physical Description
Relatively tall, with messy brown hair and a perpetual stubble. He wears a generic tunic and leggings, along with a strange, long black coat. The coat is thin but very strong, and seems to swarm with shadows. It enables him to hide all of his various weaponry.
Backstory
Born somewhere in the grubbiest hamlet in the poorest district in all the Empire as the thirteenth child to a jobless widow (her husband was killed shortly after he was conceived), his heartbroken mother had no choice but to put him up for adoption. For some unknown reason, he caught the eye of a Cathayan monk (who didn't bother explaining what he was doing half-way round the world from his monastery) who sympathized with his mother's plight, and took the newborn Roland with him on the long journey back to his monastery.
However, this monk was no monk, and his monastery was no monastery. It was an elite training camp for ninjas, assassins, and gourmet chefs. Its mission was to take in abandoned youths with no future and turn them into cold-blooded killers who could sauté a sloth using nothing but a couple of sticks and some ditchwater, and make a little money on the side from the assassination fees.
As soon as Roland was old enough to begin his training, it was apparent that he didn't fit in. Far too hot-headed and rash for the deadly skills he was being taught, the mentors nonetheless turned a blind eye to his shortcomings and continued his training. Perhaps it was his unsurpassed talent with a knife, or perhaps it was his ability to rumble up a mean souflé in under twenty seconds.
Whatever the reason, it was not long before his skills rivaled those of his mentors. At the age of 17, he passed the graduation test (which involved assassinating a given target, defeating a mentor in single combat, and serving up up a seven-tiered turkey and bacon ziggurat complete with sides of roast vegetables and assorted condiments using nothing but a pair of chopsticks, a wooden buckler, and a shoe, all within a single hour). Roland completed his first contract within a week.
However, before too long, Roland became disillusioned with life in the 'monastery'. Now that his training was over, he had no way to spend his time expect wait for another dull, simple contract, and watch over the students' miserable incompetence. He began to wonder what the world was like outside the monastery, especially in his homeland, The Empire. Perhaps it was his mentor's- the very 'monk' who had found him in the first place - grand tales of adventure around the globe, or perhaps it was simply his natural restlessness, or perhaps a combination of both; regardless, he snuck out one night, bringing with him only his numerous weapons and a set of assorted seasonings, and never returned.
On returning to the Empire, and witnessing the lavish splendour of the various government buildings, Roland found love - gold. Or rather, wealth. Preferably through obtaining and selling gold. Or even more preferably, alongside gold. He became enamoured to such an extent that he decided to strike out, with enough weaponry to level a warmonger titan, as a treasure hunter.
Unfortunately, he had no idea where the treasures actually were.
Thus, and with nothing to sell other than his bladework and the greatest egg-free caviar any mortal has ever tasted, he had no choice but to become a sellsword. His services were promptly hired by one Narcophilius Lovebender, a rather odd individual whose history Roland never bothered to enquire after. Narcophilius took Roland and the other mercenaries he had hired to places all over the globe, retrieving various artefacts the nature of which Roland and the other mercenaries were never allowed to learn. This remained relatively innocent for about a year, but then the situations Narcophilius lead them to began to grow more and more disturbing, as did the bodies that started appearing near Narcopilius' tent. The mercenaries still continued their services, until one day in a barrow somewhere in the deserted wastes of Naggarrond. Roland, the only man other than Narcophilius himself to get out alive, promptly withdrew his services - that much was obvious as he tried to kill Narcophilius on the spot. Unfortunately, Narcophilius proved... evasive. And so Roland made his way home, thoroughly scarred by his experience.
Fortunately, these scars were nothing a little gold couldn't handle, as Roland discovered when he found the opportunity of a lifetime in one Ferigald Austimov. Faust, as he prefered to be called, would take only what he had come for (usually some scroll or inexplicable gizmo), and Roland would keep all the loot. All the loot. These words echoed around his skull like a bat bounces around a cave in zero gravity. And then there was the considerably large advance payment. Needless to say, he instantly accepted, and when he returned from the first 'outing' with wealth unimaginable, he knew he had made the right choice. Roland and Faust have been travelling together for three years now, and even though his employer has become a vampire, Roland's incredible.... loyalty.... has ensured that he stick by Faust's side. And, despite outward appearances, a strange friendship has been forged between the two of them, although neither would ever admit it.
Personality
Although he has matured since his time in the monastery, Roland is still quite headstrong - and is remarkably loquacious for an assassin. His experience with Narcophilius Lovebender has left him with a deep mistrust of strange people with propositions, although for some reason this mistrust has started to wear away in the case of Faust. It surely couldn't be all the riches he has obtained through him, oh no....
Basic Stats
Speed: 4
Agility: 5
Weapon Skill: 6
Ballistic Skill: 5
Raw Strength: 3
Technique Strength: 6
Toughness: 3
Tactical Knowledge: 0
Magic
Absolute squat
Technology
Cooking: 8
Weapons
Two Long knives, two sais, two sickles, a katana, several throwing knives and shurikens, a pig-sticker, a hidden blade, a strangle cord, a collapsible crossbow, a blowgun, a chain, a hunting knife, and a killer lentil soup.
Armour
Coat of shadows
A very strange coat gifted to Roland by his mentor the day he passed his initiation. The material of the coat seems to swim with dancing shadows. The shadows have a will of their own, and seem unable to tear. Roland has some measure of control over it, and can mentally change its appearance at will.
It can assume any clothe-like form that Roland wishes, provided Roland remains in contact with it. It can assume the form of multiple clothes if he so wishes. Provided it is in its natural form, it cannot be pierced, cut or torn. A tear in an assumed form will not translate to permanent damage - the shadows will simply reform
Other Abilities
Stealth and Disguise
A large part of Roland's training was based on stealth - essential for an assassin.
Roland can move with utter silence if he wishes. In addition, the nature of his coat allows him to disguise himself very well.
Linguistics
Speaking many languages is fundamental to an assassin in order to pursue contracts around the world.
Other than being fluent in Reikspiel, Cathayan and Nipponese, Roland speaks good Kislevarin, Arabyan, and a small amount of Eltharin.
Strengths
leet ninja skillz - Roland is possibly the greatest human assassin to have ever lived.
A chicken tika-masala to die for
Weaknesses
Barring the coat, he is unarmored.
Gold, glorious gold!
Shining and valuable!
Riches galore,
So soft and... malleable!
Statues, rings, and knecklaces,
Ingots, crowns and jewels!
Oh, Gold!
Wonderul gold!
Fabulous gold!
Glorious Gold!
Race: Human
Full Name: Roland Kobura
Associated Names: Cobra
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Somewhere in the Empire.
Physical Description
Relatively tall, with messy brown hair and a perpetual stubble. He wears a generic tunic and leggings, along with a strange, long black coat. The coat is thin but very strong, and seems to swarm with shadows. It enables him to hide all of his various weaponry.
Backstory
Born somewhere in the grubbiest hamlet in the poorest district in all the Empire as the thirteenth child to a jobless widow (her husband was killed shortly after he was conceived), his heartbroken mother had no choice but to put him up for adoption. For some unknown reason, he caught the eye of a Cathayan monk (who didn't bother explaining what he was doing half-way round the world from his monastery) who sympathized with his mother's plight, and took the newborn Roland with him on the long journey back to his monastery.
However, this monk was no monk, and his monastery was no monastery. It was an elite training camp for ninjas, assassins, and gourmet chefs. Its mission was to take in abandoned youths with no future and turn them into cold-blooded killers who could sauté a sloth using nothing but a couple of sticks and some ditchwater, and make a little money on the side from the assassination fees.
As soon as Roland was old enough to begin his training, it was apparent that he didn't fit in. Far too hot-headed and rash for the deadly skills he was being taught, the mentors nonetheless turned a blind eye to his shortcomings and continued his training. Perhaps it was his unsurpassed talent with a knife, or perhaps it was his ability to rumble up a mean souflé in under twenty seconds.
Whatever the reason, it was not long before his skills rivaled those of his mentors. At the age of 17, he passed the graduation test (which involved assassinating a given target, defeating a mentor in single combat, and serving up up a seven-tiered turkey and bacon ziggurat complete with sides of roast vegetables and assorted condiments using nothing but a pair of chopsticks, a wooden buckler, and a shoe, all within a single hour). Roland completed his first contract within a week.
However, before too long, Roland became disillusioned with life in the 'monastery'. Now that his training was over, he had no way to spend his time expect wait for another dull, simple contract, and watch over the students' miserable incompetence. He began to wonder what the world was like outside the monastery, especially in his homeland, The Empire. Perhaps it was his mentor's- the very 'monk' who had found him in the first place - grand tales of adventure around the globe, or perhaps it was simply his natural restlessness, or perhaps a combination of both; regardless, he snuck out one night, bringing with him only his numerous weapons and a set of assorted seasonings, and never returned.
On returning to the Empire, and witnessing the lavish splendour of the various government buildings, Roland found love - gold. Or rather, wealth. Preferably through obtaining and selling gold. Or even more preferably, alongside gold. He became enamoured to such an extent that he decided to strike out, with enough weaponry to level a warmonger titan, as a treasure hunter.
Unfortunately, he had no idea where the treasures actually were.
Thus, and with nothing to sell other than his bladework and the greatest egg-free caviar any mortal has ever tasted, he had no choice but to become a sellsword. His services were promptly hired by one Narcophilius Lovebender, a rather odd individual whose history Roland never bothered to enquire after. Narcophilius took Roland and the other mercenaries he had hired to places all over the globe, retrieving various artefacts the nature of which Roland and the other mercenaries were never allowed to learn. This remained relatively innocent for about a year, but then the situations Narcophilius lead them to began to grow more and more disturbing, as did the bodies that started appearing near Narcopilius' tent. The mercenaries still continued their services, until one day in a barrow somewhere in the deserted wastes of Naggarrond. Roland, the only man other than Narcophilius himself to get out alive, promptly withdrew his services - that much was obvious as he tried to kill Narcophilius on the spot. Unfortunately, Narcophilius proved... evasive. And so Roland made his way home, thoroughly scarred by his experience.
Fortunately, these scars were nothing a little gold couldn't handle, as Roland discovered when he found the opportunity of a lifetime in one Ferigald Austimov. Faust, as he prefered to be called, would take only what he had come for (usually some scroll or inexplicable gizmo), and Roland would keep all the loot. All the loot. These words echoed around his skull like a bat bounces around a cave in zero gravity. And then there was the considerably large advance payment. Needless to say, he instantly accepted, and when he returned from the first 'outing' with wealth unimaginable, he knew he had made the right choice. Roland and Faust have been travelling together for three years now, and even though his employer has become a vampire, Roland's incredible.... loyalty.... has ensured that he stick by Faust's side. And, despite outward appearances, a strange friendship has been forged between the two of them, although neither would ever admit it.
Personality
Although he has matured since his time in the monastery, Roland is still quite headstrong - and is remarkably loquacious for an assassin. His experience with Narcophilius Lovebender has left him with a deep mistrust of strange people with propositions, although for some reason this mistrust has started to wear away in the case of Faust. It surely couldn't be all the riches he has obtained through him, oh no....
Basic Stats
Speed: 4
Agility: 5
Weapon Skill: 6
Ballistic Skill: 5
Raw Strength: 3
Technique Strength: 6
Toughness: 3
Tactical Knowledge: 0
Magic
Absolute squat
Technology
Cooking: 8
Weapons
Two Long knives, two sais, two sickles, a katana, several throwing knives and shurikens, a pig-sticker, a hidden blade, a strangle cord, a collapsible crossbow, a blowgun, a chain, a hunting knife, and a killer lentil soup.
Armour
Coat of shadows
A very strange coat gifted to Roland by his mentor the day he passed his initiation. The material of the coat seems to swim with dancing shadows. The shadows have a will of their own, and seem unable to tear. Roland has some measure of control over it, and can mentally change its appearance at will.
It can assume any clothe-like form that Roland wishes, provided Roland remains in contact with it. It can assume the form of multiple clothes if he so wishes. Provided it is in its natural form, it cannot be pierced, cut or torn. A tear in an assumed form will not translate to permanent damage - the shadows will simply reform
Other Abilities
Stealth and Disguise
A large part of Roland's training was based on stealth - essential for an assassin.
Roland can move with utter silence if he wishes. In addition, the nature of his coat allows him to disguise himself very well.
Linguistics
Speaking many languages is fundamental to an assassin in order to pursue contracts around the world.
Other than being fluent in Reikspiel, Cathayan and Nipponese, Roland speaks good Kislevarin, Arabyan, and a small amount of Eltharin.
Strengths
leet ninja skillz - Roland is possibly the greatest human assassin to have ever lived.
A chicken tika-masala to die for
Weaknesses
Barring the coat, he is unarmored.
Gold, glorious gold!
Shining and valuable!
Riches galore,
So soft and... malleable!
Statues, rings, and knecklaces,
Ingots, crowns and jewels!
Oh, Gold!
Wonderul gold!
Fabulous gold!
Glorious Gold!